bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Viscosity model for choline chloride‐based deep eutectic solvents
Authors: Mjalli Farouq S. , Naser Jamil
Published: March 2015

In this work, a viscosity model for choline chloride‐based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) was developed. In addition to temperature, the new model presented here considers the composition of the salt in the DES, which was not the case for all previously reported viscosity models. Two forms of the proposed model were optimized and fitted to viscosity experimental data. The developed model was tested using the experimental viscosity values for nine common choline chloride‐based DES systems of different hydrogen bond donors. The performance of the model was evaluated using three different statistical indicators, namely average relative deviation, correlation coefficient (R2) and standard deviation. In addition, a significance t‐test was also conducted on each of the fitted DES viscosity data. The statistical indicators showed a very good agreement between the model‐predicted viscosity and the experimental viscosity values for the DESs with relatively low viscosities (DES1, DES2, DES4 and DES5). For DESs with high viscosities (DES3, DES7, DES8 and DES9), the second model gave better predictions. Overall, this proposed model was capable of predicting DES viscosities for different salt compositions at different temperatures as supported by the statistical significance t‐test and other statistical indicators. © 2015 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Flow‐induced solidification of high‐impact polypropylene copolymer compositions: Morphological and mechanical effects
Authors: van Drongelen Martin , Gahleitner Markus , Spoelstra Anne B. , Govaert Leon E. , Peters Gerrit W. M.
Published: March 2015

Polypropylene‐based impact copolymers are a complex composition of matrix material, a dispersed phase and many optional modifiers. The final heterophasic morphology of such systems is influenced significantly by the processing step, adding an additional level of complexity to understanding the structure‐property relation. This topic has hardly been studied so far. The effect of thermal history and shear flow on the solidification process of three different compositions of a polypropylene‐based impact copolymer, i.e., one base material and two compounds with either high density polyethylene or ethylene‐co‐octene added, is investigated. Samples are examined using differential scanning calorimetry, extended dilatometry, transmissions electron microscopy, and finally, tensile testing. With flow, the materials show pronounced flow‐enhanced crystallization of the matrix material and deformed filler content. Compared to the base polymer, the stress–strain response of the compounded samples shows a lower yield stress and more pronounced influence of shear, reflected in the increasing strain hardening modulus. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2015,132, 42040.
Reducing the environmental load of triacetyl cellulose film production using wood pulp
Authors: Koo Chong Min , Hyun Su Jeong , Lee Jonghwi , Hong Soon Man
Published: March 2015

Triacetyl cellulose (TAC) films, which are currently produced mainly from cotton linter, are widely used for liquid crystalline display (LCD) applications. However, cotton linter is an expensive source of cellulose and the environmental load related with cotton cultivation is notoriously heavy. Herein, the replacement of cotton linter by wood pulp was systematically investigated to explore the possibility of TAC production using a less expensive source. The mechanical and thermal properties of TAC films made from wood (wTAC) were outstanding compared to those of TAC films made from cotton (cTAC). The optical transparency of wTAC was also excellent. While Tinuvin (a UV stabilizer) produced more isotropic structures in cTAC films, it produced more anisotropic structures in wTAC films. Overall, the optical films of wTAC showed good performance for LCD applications, comparable to that of cTAC. These results could be used to develop more environmentally friendly production methods for optical TAC films. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42146.
Cartilage T1ρ and T2 Relaxation Times in Patients With Mild‐to‐Moderate Radiographic Hip Osteoarthritis
Authors: Wyatt Cory , Kumar Deepak , Subburaj Karupppasamy , Lee Sonia , Nardo Lorenzo , Narayanan Divya , Lansdown Drew , Vail Thomas , Link Thomas M. , Souza Richard B. , Majumdar Sharmila
Published: March 2015

Objective

To analyze region‐specific T1ρ and T2 relaxation times of the hip joint cartilage in relation to presence or absence of radiographic hip osteoarthritis (OA) and presence or absence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–detected cartilage defects.

Methods

Weight‐bearing radiographs and 3T MRI studies of the hip were obtained from 84 volunteers. Based on Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) scoring of the radiographs, 54 subjects were classified as healthy controls (K/L grade ≤1) and 30 were classified as having mild or moderate radiographic hip OA (K/L grades 2 or 3, respectively). Two‐dimensional fat‐suppressed fast spin‐echo MRI sequences were used for semiquantitative clinical scoring of cartilage defects, and a T1ρ/T2 sequence was used to quantitatively assess the cartilage matrix. The femoral and acetabular cartilage was then segmented into 8 regions and the mean T1ρ/T2 values were calculated. Differences in T1ρ and T2 relaxation times were compared between subjects with and those without radiographic hip OA, and those with and those without femoral or acetabular cartilage defects.

Results

Higher T1ρ and T2 relaxation times in the anterior superior and central regions of the acetabular cartilage were seen in individuals with radiographic hip OA and those with acetabular cartilage defects compared to their respective controls (P < 0.05). In the femoral cartilage, the differences in T1ρ and T2 were not significant for any of the comparisons. Significant differences in the T1ρ and T2 values (each P < 0.05) were found in more subregions of the cartilage and across the whole cartilage when subjects were stratified based on the presence of MRI‐detected cartilage defects than when they were stratified based on the presence of radiographic hip OA.

Conclusion

T1ρ and T2 relaxation parameters are sensitive to the presence of cartilage degeneration. Both parameters may therefore support MRI evidence of cartilage defects of the hip.
Improving oxidation stability of sunflower biodiesel by partial hydrogenation using a special catalyst
Authors: Korkut Özlem , Erentürk Saliha
Published: March 2015

The aim of this study was to increase the oxidation stability of biodiesel from sunflower‐oil by partial‐hydrogenation. Activated carbon, which was obtained from viscum album L., was used as a new and effective original phase transfer catalyst during partial hydrogenation. Temperature, pressure, and catalyst/biodiesel ratios were selected as the experimental parameters and their effects on the oxidation stability were investigated by using the 23 factorial design. A first‐order model was obtained using analysis of variance. The physical properties such as density, viscosity, pour point, and cloud point of sunflower biodiesel samples were determined using the standard methods. The oxidative stability (induction period, IP) values were found experimentally by the Rancimat method and cis and trans‐configurations of the biodiesel samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra before and after hydrogenation. Partially hydrogenated biodiesels were found to have better oxidative stability, and lower pour point and cloud point properties compared to non‐hydrogenated sunflower biodiesel. It can be stated that kinematic viscosities and the densities of the partial hydrogenated biodiesels did not change significantly.
Determination of the pseudoephedrine content in pharmaceutical formulations and in biological fluids using a microbore HPLC system interfaced to a microfluidic chemiluminescence detector
Authors: Kadavilpparampu Afsal Mohammed , Al‐Lawati Haider A. J. , Suliman FakhrEldin O. , Al Kindy Salma M. Z.
Published: March 2015

A novel automated precolumn derivatization followed by separation using liquid chromatography for the determination of pseudoephedrine (PSE) by a microfluidic chemiluminescence detector has been developed. An on‐line derivatization procedure was utilized by converting PSE into a highly light emitting species in a Ru(bipy)32+‐peroxydisulphate chemiluminescence (CL) system by derivatizing it with a 1.0 M formaldehyde solution. The derivatized analyte was directly injected into a microbore high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system coupled to an on‐chip chemiluminescence detector. The newly developed highly selective, sensitive and fast HPLC‐CL method was validated and successfully applied for the analysis of PSE in pharmaceutical formulations and a human urine sample. The selectivity of the method is not only due to the HPLC separation but is also due to the highly selective detection principle of the Ru(bipy)32+‐peroxydisulphate CL system used. There was no interference observed from the common preservatives and excipients used in pharmaceutical preparations, which did not show any significant CL signal. The retention time of PSE was less than 3 min, and the detection limits and quantification limits were found to be 5.7 and 26.0 µg L–1, respectively. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
‘Teachers Matter’: The Impact of Mandatory Reporting on Teacher Education in Ireland
Authors: Bourke Ashling , Maunsell Catherine
Published: March 2015

The role of teachers in safeguarding the welfare of children is long acknowledged. However, recent research in Ireland found that the training provided to teachers on child protection issues was lacking (Buckley and McGarry, ). The frequent interactions that teachers have with children and their expertise in terms of typical child development place them in an ideal position for identifying possible signs of abuse. Yet despite this advantage, research indicates that schools fail to report a substantial proportion of suspected child abuse cases (Kenny, ). The oft‐cited reasons for this may be conceptualised as: explicit reasons, such as a lack of knowledge about child abuse issues; and implicit reasons, such as the individual teacher's belief system about abuse. The current paper discusses implicit as well as explicit obstacles to teachers’ ‘engagement’ with, and consequent barriers to their responding to, child protection issues. The current changes in initial teacher education and the introduction of mandatory reporting for professionals in Ireland, offer an opportune time to raise this issue and highlight the need for holistic education in child protection for teachers. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

‘Research indicates that schools fail to report a substantial proportion of suspected child abuse cases’

Key Practitioner Messages

Teachers need comprehensive education on child protection issues in order to fulfil their role as mandated reporters.

Both implicit and explicit barriers impede teacher's reporting of abuse and neglect.

Education must go beyond policies and procedures and be holistic in addressing an implicit belief system in relation to child protection.

Education must also aim to reduce interagency conflict, oft cited as a deterrent to reporting, perhaps through increased contact between child protection and education professionals.

‘Education must go beyond policies and procedures and be holistic in addressing an implicit belief system in relation to child protection’
Bio‐hydrogen Production By Enzymic Hydrolysis of Sunflower Oil Sludge
Authors: Sakthiselvan Punniavan , Naveena Balakrishnan , Gopinath Kannapan Panchamoorthy , Partha Nagarajan
Published: March 2015

Bio‐hydrogen was produced from different agro‐industrial wastes by Hypocrea lixii SS1 isolated from fouled soil. The alkaline pre‐treatment of sunflower oil sludge resulted in a bio‐hydrogen potential of 405 mL H2/g volatile solids (VS). The role of sunflower oil sludge on the bio‐hydrogen production by H. lixii SS1 was investigated. It was inferred that xylose enhances the bio‐hydrogen production when compared to other monomeric carbohydrates in sunflower oil sludge. A maximum bio‐hydrogen potential of 430 mL H2/g VS was achieved with 7.2 mg/mL of xylose formation for a 168 h incubation period. The bio‐hydrogen production was carried out under optimized conditions of 80 g/L inoculum, pH 5 and 50 °C, and a maximum bio‐hydrogen potential of 494.26 mL H2/g VS was obtained. A cumulative bio‐hydrogen production of 450 mL was achieved with modified Gompertz model. The maximum chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency (93%) and maximum fermentative products (2182.60 mg COD/L) with total volatile fatty acids of 2032.82 mg COD/L were obtained when 120 and 80 g/L of inoculum were added to the reactor, respectively. Hence, enzymatic hydrolysis led to a marked improvement in the overall bio‐hydrogen yield of 400–500 mL H2/g VS suggesting the potential use of sunflower oil sludge for bio‐hydrogen production in a cost effective manner.
The German Version of the Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale (BADS): A Psychometric and Clinical Investigation
Authors: Teismann Tobias , Ertle Andrea , Furka Nadine , Willutzki Ulrike , Hoyer Juergen
Published: March 2015

The Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale (BADS) was developed to measure core concepts of behavioural activation for depression. A number of studies, mostly based on analogue samples, have provided initial support for the BADS. In the present study, we examined the psychometric properties of the German version of the scale more broadly, including change sensitivity and clinical treatment data. A mixed sample of students (N = 312) and depressed outpatients in partial remission undergoing cognitive‐behavioural group treatment for depressive rumination (N = 59) was examined. To analyze construct validity, a set of theoretically relevant constructs such as perseverative thinking, distraction and mindfulness was also assessed. Results indicated good psychometric properties, additional evidence for construct validity of the total scale and subscales, and adequate fit of the data to the original factor structure. Furthermore, the BADS proved to be sensitive to changes in participants undergoing treatment for depression. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message

Behavioural activation (BA) is an effective treatment for patients suffering from unipolar depression.

The Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale (BADS) can be used to measure core elements of the BA treatment rationale. It is useful to track changes in activation within treatment.

The BADS is available in different languages and has shown to possess good psychometric properties.
IL‐12/15/18‐preactivated NK cells suppress GvHD in a mouse model of mismatched hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Hüber Christian M. , Doisne Jean‐Marc , Colucci Francesco
Published: March 2015

Mismatched hematopoietic cell transplants for treating leukemia are complicated by graft versus host disease (GvHD). Here, we show that adoptively transferred IL‐12/15/18‐preactivated NK cells suppress GvHD in a mouse model of fully mismatched hematopoietic cell transplantation. These IL‐12/15/18‐preactivated NK cells maintained Eomesodermin (Eomes) and T‐bet expression upon transfer and, while there was no evidence of direct killing of donor T cells or host DCs by the IL‐12/15/18‐preactivated NK cells, proliferation of donor T cells was inhibited. Strikingly, the graft versus leukemia effect mediated by donor T cells was retained, resulting in improved overall survival of mice that received lymphoma cells, donor allogeneic T cells, and IL‐12/15/18‐preactivated NK cells. These results suggest that IL‐12/15/18‐preactivated NK cells may be useful in improving immunotherapy of mismatched hematopoietic cell transplantation. Compared with previously proposed protocols, our findings suggest that in vitro NK‐cell preactivation with this cytokine cocktail offers the significant advantage that cytokines do not need to be administered systemically to sustain NK‐cell activity, thus avoiding toxicity.
Phenolic profile of virgin olive oils with and without sensory defects: Oils with non‐oxidative defects exhibit a considerable concentration of phenols
Authors: Aparicio‐Ruiz Ramón , García‐González Diego L. , Oliver‐Pozo Celia , Tena Noelia , Morales María T. , Aparicio Ramón
Published: March 2015

The new health claim on “olive oil polyphenols” recently approved by the European Commission has produced a dramatic increase in the interest in these antioxidant compounds. Although this interest has been focused mostly on extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs), virgin olive oils (VOOs) qualified as having non‐oxidative sensory defects, mostly caused by fermentation and the action of fungi on olives, may still have a considerable amount of phenols, even though their sensory quality is not flawless. This study is focused on the phenol composition of all the VOO categories: EVOOs with their ample variability in phenolic composition, VOOs with slight defects, lampante virgin olive oils (LVOO), and reference materials of defective VOOs. The average content of phenols in the analyzed EVOOs (410 ± 16 mg/kg) is higher than the recommended consumption by the health claim (250 mg/kg). VOOs qualified with non‐oxidative defects contain high concentrations of phenols (234 ± 27 mg/kg), but only samples characterized by the wet‐wood sensory defect show concentrations of phenols close to 250 mg/kg.

Practical application: This study has demonstrated that VOOs with slight sensory defects still have a high concentration of phenols, providing antioxidant properties regarding health benefits and stability. The health claim should be not only applied to the extra virgin olive oil category, but also to some virgin olive oils with sensory defects.

Profiles of phenols according to their main sensory defect. Picual (A), Hojiblanca (B), rancid (C), winey‐vinegary (D), fusty (E), and musty (F).
The role of iron in peroxidation of PUFA: Effect of pH and chelators
Authors: Mozuraityte Revilija , Kristinova Vera , Rustad Turid , Storrø Ivar
Published: March 2015

The aim of this work was to understand the effect of pH and chelators on free iron (Fe2+/Fe3+)‐mediated oxidation in liposome dispersions made of marine phospholipids. Consumption of dissolved oxygen was used to follow lipid oxidation. The highest oxygen uptake rates were found at pH 4–5. The increase in pH (>5.7) enhanced autoxidation rate of Fe2+ to Fe3+ and lowered solubility of Fe3+ causing decrease in oxygen uptake rates. Simultaneously, the negative charge on the liposome vesicles increased with increasing pH improving the attraction between iron and liposomes. The retention of Fe3+ ions by phospholipids is suggested to prevent complete precipitation of Fe3+ at pH > 5, which facilitates a pro‐oxidative activity of iron even at higher pH. The tested chelators reduced Fe2+ (10 μM) mediated oxidation at pH 5.5 and at 2:1 chelator‐to‐iron ratio in the following order: EDTA ∼ casein > citric acid > oxalic acid. However, when pH was reduced below the pKa of the EDTA carboxylic groups, EDTA lost its chelating abilities. The stability constants for complexes between the chelators and iron followed the same sequence as efficacy of the chelators at pH 5.5, making it an additional factor determining the efficacy of chelators. This study shows that the final oxidation rate is dependent on the overall dissolved iron in the system and the degree of attraction between iron and the surface of liposome vesicles at a given pH.

Practical applications

For successful addition of marine polyunsaturated lipids into emulsified food, it is important to understand how physicochemical conditions affect the pro‐oxidative activity of iron and the antioxidant activity of metal chelators. This work addresses the role of pH in oxidation of marine liposomes, and the knowledge may help to characterise effective hurdles for lipid oxidation. This study shows that pH has an impact on iron solubility and attraction between iron and the liposome surface and also affects the efficacy of EDTA. This study also shows that by quantification of the dissolved oxygen consumption, it is possible to screen and evaluate the impact of surrounding conditions (pH, chelators) on iron‐mediated oxidation in a water‐based system.

The study shows that oxidation rate is dependent on the overall dissolved iron in the system and the degree of attraction between iron and the surface of liposome vesicles at a given pH.
Effect of Bolts Assembly on the Deformation and Pressure Distribution of Flow‐Channel Plates in Micro‐PEMFC
Authors: Chien C.‐H. , Chen L.‐C. , Chen B.‐S. , Sun J.‐H. , Li S.‐J. , Che J.‐W.
Published: March 2015

The main aim of this study is to simulate the response of a micro‐PEMFC numerically by utilizing a 3‐D FEM model while the micro‐PEMFC was assembled by three pairs of bolt along the upper and lower portions, respectively, of the end plates. The effects of different bolts locking sequences on the deformation and pressure distributions at flow‐channel plates in a micro‐PEMFC were investigated. The simulated results showed that if one locked the middle bolt either on the upper or lower portion first, then the obtained warpage, uniformities of deformation and von Mises equivalent stress were superior than those results if one locked either one of the four corner bolts first. Also, among the three pairs of bolts used for assembling the cell, the first locking bolt of the first pair of locking bolt and the first locking bolt of the rest of two pairs of locking bolt were to minimize the warpage and stress should locate on the different portions of the end plates.
Optimal design and plantwide control of novel processes for di‐n‐pentyl ether production
Authors: Bildea Costin Sorin , Győrgy Romuald , Sánchez‐Ramírez Eduardo , Quiroz‐Ramírez Juan José , Segovia‐Hernandez Juan Gabriel , Kiss Anton A
Published: March 2015

BACKGROUND

Di‐n‐pentyl ether (DNPE) is a good candidate for diesel fuel formulations due to its blending cetane number, good cold flow properties and effectiveness in reducing diesel exhaust emissions, particulates and smokes. However, novel processes are required in order to drive the production costs down and to increase the efficiency at industrial scale.

RESULTS

The dehydration of 1‐pentanol to yield DNPE is catalyzed by thermally stable resins, such as Amberlyst 70 which has high activity and selectivity at temperatures up to 190 °C. Two process options are proposed for a plant capacity of 26.5 ktpy: a reaction–separation–recycle (R–S–R) system based on an adiabatic tubular reactor and a catalytic distillation process. Both processes were optimized in terms of total annual costs (481 and 523 k$ year−1), leading to specific energy requirements of 225 and 256 kWh ton−1 DNPE, respectively. The controllability was assessed by dynamic simulation performed in Aspen Dynamics.

CONCLUSION

Compared with the membrane reactor reported earlier, the new DNPE process alternatives (i.e. conventional reaction–separation–recycle system and catalytic distillation) are better process candidates, requiring simpler units leading to much smaller investment costs, while also having good controllability. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
A novel configuration of a traditional rapid response team decreases non–intensive care unit arrests and overall hospital mortality
Authors: Davis Daniel P. , Aguilar Steve A. , Graham Patricia G. , Lawrence Brenna , Sell Rebecca E. , Minokadeh Anushirvan , Husa Ruchika D.
Published: March 2015

BACKGROUND

In‐hospital cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) accounts for substantial morbidity and mortality. Rapid response teams (RRTs) are designed to prevent non–intensive care unit (ICU) CPA through early detection and intervention. However, existing evidence has not consistently demonstrated a clear benefit.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effectiveness of a novel RRT program design to decrease non‐ICU CPA and overall hospital mortality.

METHODS

This study was conducted from the start of fiscal year 2005 to 2011. In November 2007, our hospitals implemented RRTs as part of a novel resuscitation program. Charge nurses from each inpatient unit underwent training as unit‐specific RRT members. Additionally, all inpatient staff received annual training in RRT concepts including surveillance and recognition of deterioration. We compared the incidence of ICU and non‐ICU CPA from first complete preimplementation year 2006 to postimplementation years 2007 to 2011. Overall hospital mortality was also reported.

RESULTS

The incidence of non‐ICU CPA decreased, whereas the incidence of ICU CPA remained unchanged. Overall hospital mortality also decreased (2.12% to 1.74%, P < 0.001). The year‐over‐year change in RRT activations was inversely related to the change in Code Blue activations for each inpatient unit (r = −0.68, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our novel RRT program was associated with a decreased incidence of non‐ICU CPA and improved hospital mortality. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;10:352–357. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine
A hybrid construction method based on weight functions to obtain interval‐valued fuzzy relations
Authors: Quirós Pelayo , Alonso Pedro , Díaz Irene , Jurío Aránzazu , Montes Susana
Published: March 2015

Interval‐valued fuzzy sets are an extension of fuzzy sets and are helpful when there is not enough information to define a membership function. This paper studies the behavior of a construction method for an interval‐valued fuzzy relation built from a fuzzy relation. The behavior of this construction method is analyzed depending on the used t‐norms and t‐conorms, showing that different combinations of them produce a big variation in the results. Furthermore, a hybrid construction method that considers weight functions and a smoothing procedure is also introduced. Among the different applications of this method, the detection of edges in images is one of the most challenging. Thus, the performance of the proposal in detecting image edges is tested, showing that the hybrid approach that combines weights and a smoothing procedure provides better results than the non‐weighted methods. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serum betatrophin concentrations are significantly increased in overweight but not in obese or type 2 diabetic individuals
Authors: Guo Kaifeng , Lu Junxi , Yu Haoyong , Zhao Fangya , Pan Pan , Zhang Lei , Chen Haibing , Bao Yuqian , Jia Weiping
Published: March 2015

Objective

In this study, circulating serum betatrophin levels were quantitated and their relationships with insulin resistance (IR) and other metabolic parameters in Chinese subjects with varying degrees of obesity and glucose tolerance were examined.

Methods

Serum betatrophin levels were determined using ELISA in 60 subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT: 17 lean, 23 overweight, and 20 obese subjects) and 56 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM: 14 lean, 23 overweight, and 19 obese subjects). The associations of serum betatrophin levels with adiposity, glucose, lipid profile, and hepatic enzyme parameters were studied.

Results

Serum betatrophin concentrations were significantly higher in overweight subjects in both the NGT and T2DM groups; however, no significant difference between lean and obese participants was observed. No significant difference was found between males and females or between NGT and T2DM subjects. Serum betatrophin concentrations correlated positively with fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment‐estimated insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (γ‐GT), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in all subjects. Serum betatrophin concentrations showed an independent association with γ‐GT and HOMA‐IR.

Conclusions

Serum betatrophin levels were significantly increased in overweight individuals but not in individuals with obesity or T2DM. Serum betatrophin concentrations were significantly associated with IR, but not with lipid profiles, glucose homeostasis, or diabetes.
Navigating through metaproteomics data: A logbook of database searching
Authors: Muth Thilo , Kolmeder Carolin A. , Salojärvi Jarkko , Keskitalo Salla , Varjosalo Markku , Verdam Froukje J. , Rensen Sander S. , Reichl Udo , de Vos Willem M. , Rapp Erdmann , Martens Lennart
Published: March 2015

Metaproteomic research involves various computational challenges during the identification of fragmentation spectra acquired from the proteome of a complex microbiome. These issues are manifold and range from the construction of customized sequence databases, the optimal setting of search parameters to limitations in the identification search algorithms themselves. In order to assess the importance of these individual factors, we studied the effect of strategies to combine different search algorithms, explored the influence of chosen database search settings, and investigated the impact of the size of the protein sequence database used for identification. Furthermore, we applied de novo sequencing as a complementary approach to classic database searching. All evaluations were performed on a human intestinal metaproteome dataset. Pyrococcus furiosus proteome data were used to contrast database searching of metaproteomic data to a classic proteomic experiment. Searching against subsets of metaproteome databases and the use of multiple search engines increased the number of identifications. The integration of P. furiosus sequences in a metaproteomic sequence database showcased the limitation of the target‐decoy‐controlled false discovery rate approach in combination with large sequence databases. The selection of varying search engine parameters and the application of de novo sequencing represented useful methods to increase the reliability of the results. Based on our findings, we provide recommendations for the data analysis that help researchers to establish or improve analysis workflows in metaproteomics.
Crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide) containing siloxanes fabricated through thiol‐ene photochemistry
Authors: Kusuma Victor A. , Roth Elliot A. , Clafshenkel William P. , Klara Steven S. , Zhou Xu , Venna Surendar R. , Albenze Erik , Luebke David R. , Mauter Meagan S. , Koepsel Richard R. , Russell Alan J. , Hopkinson David , Nulwala Hunaid B.
Published: March 2015

Homogenous amphiphilic crosslinked polymer films comprising of poly(ethylene oxide) and polysiloxane were synthesized utilizing thiol‐ene “click” photochemistry. A systematic variation in polymer composition was Carried out to obtain high quality films with varied amount of siloxane and poly(ethylene oxide). These films showed improved gas separation performance with high gas permeabilities with good CO2/N2 selectivity. Furthermore, the resulting films were also tested for its biocompatibility, as a carrier media which allow human adult mesenchymal stem cells to retain their capacity for osteoblastic differentiation after transplantation. The obtained crosslinked films were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, FTIR, Raman‐IR, and small angle X‐ray scattering. The synthesis ease and commercial availability of the starting materials suggests that these new crosslinked polymer networks could find applications in wide range of applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 1548–1557
Twenty‐five years of confirmatory adaptive designs: opportunities and pitfalls
Authors: Bauer Peter , Bretz Frank , Dragalin Vladimir , König Franz , Wassmer Gernot
Published: March 2015

‘Multistage testing with adaptive designs’ was the title of an article by Peter Bauer that appeared 1989 in the German journal Biometrie und Informatik in Medizin und Biologie. The journal does not exist anymore but the methodology found widespread interest in the scientific community over the past 25 years. The use of such multistage adaptive designs raised many controversial discussions from the beginning on, especially after the publication by Bauer and Köhne 1994 in Biometrics: Broad enthusiasm about potential applications of such designs faced critical positions regarding their statistical efficiency. Despite, or possibly because of, this controversy, the methodology and its areas of applications grew steadily over the years, with significant contributions from statisticians working in academia, industry and agencies around the world. In the meantime, such type of adaptive designs have become the subject of two major regulatory guidance documents in the US and Europe and the field is still evolving. Developments are particularly noteworthy in the most important applications of adaptive designs, including sample size reassessment, treatment selection procedures, and population enrichment designs. In this article, we summarize the developments over the past 25 years from different perspectives. We provide a historical overview of the early days, review the key methodological concepts and summarize regulatory and industry perspectives on such designs. Then, we illustrate the application of adaptive designs with three case studies, including unblinded sample size reassessment, adaptive treatment selection, and adaptive endpoint selection. We also discuss the availability of software for evaluating and performing such designs. We conclude with a critical review of how expectations from the beginning were fulfilled, and – if not – discuss potential reasons why this did not happen. © 2015 The Authors. Statistics in Medicine Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
The impact of companion diagnostic device measurement performance on clinical validation of personalized medicine
Authors: Li Meijuan , Yu Tinghui , Hu Yun‐Fu
Published: March 2015

A key component of personalized medicine is companion diagnostics that measure biomarkers, for example, protein expression, gene amplification or specific mutations. Most of the recent attention concerning molecular cancer diagnostics has been focused on the biomarkers of response to therapy, such as V‐Ki‐ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutations in metastatic colorectal cancer, epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in metastatic malignant melanoma. The presence or absence of these markers is directly linked to the response rates of particular targeted therapies with small‐molecule kinase inhibitors or antibodies. Therefore, testing for these markers has become a critical step in the target therapy of the aforementioned tumors. The core capability of personalized medicine is the companion diagnostic devices' (CDx) ability to accurately and precisely stratify patients by their likelihood of benefit (or harm) from a particular therapy. There is no reference in the literature discussing the impact of device's measurement performance, for example, analytical accuracy and precision on treatment effects, variances, and sample sizes of clinical trial for the personalized medicine. In this paper, using both analytical and estimation method, we assessed the impact of CDx measurement performance as a function of positive and negative predictive values and imprecision (standard deviation) on treatment effects, variances of clinical outcome, and sample sizes for the clinical trials. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Do EN 1992‐1‐1 and the European Concrete Platform comply with tests? Commentary on the rules for strut‐and‐tie models using corbels as an example
Authors: Hagberg Thore
Published: March 2015

EN 1992 [1] is currently under revision. In that context it is justified to pass a critical eye over the standard, particularly if the models and resistance functions for the ultimate limit state comply with results from tests. The present contribution is limited to S&T models. The results of the analysis will primarily have relevance to corbels; however, some conclusions are general and should be considered when choosing the mathematical model for any S&T model. Ref. [1] is not sufficiently detailed to provide a basis for the complete design of, for example, corbels. The European Concrete Platform [2], which contains worked examples, has been prepared in accordance with and to support [1].

The two topics dealt with are 1) selection of the main model, and 2) details and use of the S&T model in [1] and [2], and particularly its ability to predict results from tests. The tests for the analysis are taken from a thorough study described in [3]. To evaluate results from using [1] and [2], a concept for the design of corbels suggested earlier has been used to calculate the same tests [4].

It will be claimed that the models in [1] and [2] and their ability to predict the outcome of tests have some flaws compared with calculations according to [4]. The detailed calculations are given in annexes, i.e. Part 1 for design according to [1] and [2] and Part 2 for design according to [4]. The annexes as well as [4] can be obtained from the publisher or the author.
Incorporation of Alpha‐Linolenic Acid and Enhancement of n‐3 Fatty Acids in Nile Tilapia: a Factorial Design
Authors: Schneider Vanessa Vivian Almeida , Carbonera Fabiana , Montanher Paula Fernandes , Lopes Ana Paula , Matsushita Makoto , Visentainer Jesuí Vergílio
Published: March 2015

A 22factorial design (two factors at two levels, in triplicate) was performed to investigate the influence of factors A (time of treatment, 15 and 30 days) and B (chia oil content in a supplemented diet, at 2.1 and 4.2 %) in three responses of interest referring to: (a) the incorporation of alpha‐linolenic acid (LNA) in lipids of Nile tilapia fillet; (b) the enhancement of n‐3 fatty acids; and (c) the decrease in the omega‐6/omega3 (n‐6/n‐3) ratio in fish. Factors A and B were significant in the three regression models obtained and the interaction AB was a significant contributor to the LNA and n‐6/n‐3 ratio. Analysis of variance suggested three significant and predictive mathematical models. Response surfaces analyses from designs indicated higher LNA and n‐3 contents and a lower n‐6/n‐3 ratio using both factors A and B in the higher levels (30 days of treatment and 4.2 % of chia oil in the diet for fish) chosen for this study.
Reliability of radiographic measures in infants with clubfoot treated with the Ponseti method
Authors: Zimmerman Catherine C. , Nemeth Blaise A. , Noonan Kenneth J. , Vanderbilt Timothy P. , Winston Mark J. , O'Halloran Conor P. , Sund Sarah A. , Hetzel Scott J. , Halanski Matthew A.
Published: March 2015

Purpose

The aim of this study was two-fold: (1) to determine if radiographic measures can be reliably made in infants being treated with the Ponseti method and (2) to document radiographic changes before and after Achilles tenotomy.

Methods

A retrospective radiographic and chart review was performed on children with clubfoot treated by the Ponseti method at a single institution over a 10-year period. Five independent reviewers measured a series of angles from a lateral forced dorsiflexion radiograph taken prior to and following Achilles tenotomy. These measures were taken in triplicate to determine the intra- and inter-reader reliability of dorsiflexion, tibio-calcaneal, talo-calcaneal, and talo-first metatarsal angles.

Results

Thirty-six subjects (56 feet) were treated with the Ponseti method and met the inclusion criteria. The median (range) age of patients at the time of tenotomy was 52 (34–147) days. The intra-reader reliability [intra-rater correlation coefficient (ICC)] for each of the measured angles pre- and post-tenotomy ranged from 0.933 to 0.995 and 0.864 to 0.995, respectively. Similarly, the inter-reader reliabilities (ICC) ranged from 0.727 for the pre-tenotomy (talo-calcaneal) to 0.950 for the post-tenotomy (talo-first metatarsal) angles. The mean differences between pre- and post-tenotomy radiographs were: dorsiflexion increase of 17°, tibio-calcaneal angle increase of 19°, talo-calcaneal angle increase of 9°, and talo-first metatarsal angle increase of 10° ( p-value ≤0.001 for all measurements except the talo-first metatarsal angle, with a p-value of 0.001).

Conclusions

Reliable radiographic measures can be made from lateral dorsiflexion radiographs of clubfeet treated with the Ponseti method before and after Achilles tenotomy.
Birth Order and Mortality: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Barclay Kieron , Kolk Martin
Published: March 2015

This study uses Swedish population register data to investigate the relationship between birth order and mortality at ages 30 to 69 for Swedish cohorts born between 1938 and 1960, using a within-family comparison. The main analyses are conducted with discrete-time survival analysis using a within-family comparison, and the estimates are adjusted for age, mother’s age at the time of birth, and cohort. Focusing on sibships ranging in size from two to six, we find that mortality risk in adulthood increases with later birth order. The results show that the relative effect of birth order is greater among women than among men. This pattern is consistent for all the major causes of death but is particularly pronounced for mortality attributable to cancers of the respiratory system and to external causes. Further analyses in which we adjust for adult socioeconomic status and adult educational attainment suggest that social pathways only mediate the relationship between birth order and mortality risk in adulthood to a limited degree.
Corporate social responsibility research in accounting
Authors: Huang Xiaobei ‘‘Beryl’’ , Watson Luke
Published: March 2015

We review research on corporate social responsibility (CSR) published in 13 top accounting journals over the last decade. We begin with a brief discussion of the data that archival researchers have used to measure CSR. Next, we conduct our review in four parts: (1) determinants of CSR; (2) the relation between CSR and financial performance; (3) consequences of CSR; and (4) the roles of CSR disclosure and assurance. We summarize the accounting literature in these areas and comment on how accounting researchers can use their skill sets with regard to specific issues. Within each area, we present some suggestions for future CSR research in accounting.
Seasonal, weekly, and circadian distribution of ventricular fibrillation in patients with J‐wave syndrome from the J‐PREVENT registry
Authors: Maeda Shingo , Takahashi Yoshihide , Nogami Akihiko , Yamauchi Yasuteru , Osaka Yuki , Shirai Yasuhiro , Ihara Kensuke , Yokoyama Yasuhiro , Suzuki Makoto , Okishige Kaoru , Nishizaki Mitsuhiro , Hirao Kenzo
Published: March 2015

Background

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) in Brugada syndrome (BrS) is known to occur more frequently during nighttime and from spring to early summer. In this study, we investigated whether early repolarization syndrome (ERS) has the same seasonal, weekly, and circadian distribution of VF events as BrS using data from the “J‐wave associated with prior cardiac event” (J‐PREVENT) registry.

Methods

The study included 90 consecutive patients with BrS and 31 patients with ERS during a mean follow‐up of 49±37 months. Follow‐up data from implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators were evaluated in all cases.

Results

In patients with ERS, the circadian distribution of VF episodes differed among the four 6‐h periods, with a significant peak from midnight to 6:00 am (p<0.01) similar to that observed in BrS patients. However, VF occurred more frequently on weekends in patients with ERS, whereas on weekdays in patients with BrS (p<0.01). The months of peak VF occurrence also differed between the groups, with the frequency of VF episodes at peak between December and March in ERS patients and between March and June in BrS patients. In ERS patients, VF events had an inverse correlation with air temperature (r=−0.726, p<0.01).

Conclusions

ERS and BrS patients show similar nighttime increases in the occurrence of VF, but different seasonal and weekly distributions, suggesting a pathophysiological difference between the two syndromes.
Carbonatite melts and genesis of apatite mineralization in the Guli pluton (northern East Siberia)
Authors: Isakova A.T. , Panina L.I. , Rokosova E.Yu.
Published: March 2015

Inclusions of mineral-forming environments in apatite-containing ijolites and magnetite–phlogopite–apatite ores in carbonatites were studied to elucidate the genesis of apatite mineralization in the Guli alkaline ultramafic carbonatite massif. Primary inclusions of carbonate–salt and carbonate melts have been discovered and studied. The carbonate–salt melt inclusions are of alkaline high-Ca composition and are enriched in P, Sr, SO3, and F (wt.%): CaO—30–40, Na2O—5–12, K2O—2–4, P2O5—1–3, SO3—1.5–3, and SrO—1–3. They also contain minor MgO, FeO, BaO, and SiO2 (tenths and hundredths of percent). The homogenization temperature of these inclusions is 850–970 ºC. The carbonate inclusions contain predominant CaO (54–67 wt.%) and minor MgO, FeO, SrO, Na2O, and P2O5 (tenths of percent). Their homogenization temperature is 840–860 ºC. Similar primary carbonate–salt and carbonate inclusions were found in garnet, and secondary ones were detected in silicate minerals (clinopyroxene and nepheline) of ijolites. Clinopyroxenes of ijolites also contain primary inclusions of alkaline ultramafic high-Ca melts similar in composition to melilitite-melanephelinites highly enriched in P, SO3, and CO2 (wt.%): SiO2—41–46, Al2O3—8–16, FeO—2–8, MgO—3–6, CaO—12–20, Na2O—2–9, K2O—1–6, P2O5—0.4–2.1, SO3—0.2–2.3, and Cl—0.02–0.35. According to the obtained data, apatite of the magnetite–phlogopite–apatite ores and ijolites of the Guli pluton crystallized from phosphorus-rich alkaline carbonate–salt melts at 850–970 ºC. The generation of these melts was, most likely, due to the silicate–salt immiscibility in melilitite-melanephelinite melts highly enriched in salts, which occurred either at the final stages of clinopyroxene crystallization or during the formation of melilite. The presence of alkalies, S, F, and CO2 in spatially separated carbonate–salt melts contributed to the concentration and preservation of phosphorus in them at low temperatures, which led to the formation of apatite mineralization in ijolites and ore deposit in carbonatites.

© 2015, V.S. Sobolev IGM, Siberian Branch of the RAS. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Changes and Challenges of the Kenya Police Reserve: The Case of Turkana County
Authors: Agade Kennedy Mkutu
Published: March 2015

In rural Kenya, the main visible security force is the Kenya Police Reserve, an unpaid force guarding localities and armed by the state. Turkana County faces challenges of low state penetration, small arms flows, and armed intercommunal conflict. The state has a weak hold on Kenya Police Reservists (KPRs) and their arms, and this situation is weakening further as many move into paid private security roles, including guarding oil exploration and drilling sites. Security is critical in view of the recent oil discovery and ensuing land disputes which could trigger widespread conflict, and the recent devolution of development and administrative functions to counties in Kenya.
Constitutional Rules and Patterns of Government Termination: The Case of the UK Fixed-term Parliaments Act
Authors: Schleiter Petra , Issar Sukriti
Published: March 2015

This paper examines the impact of constitutional rules on parliamentary dissolution, government termination and duration with a particular focus on the likely effects of UK’s Fixed-term Parliament’s Act (2011). In the UK debate, expectations about the Act diverge. This article evaluates the plausibility of these contrasting views by combining evidence from a comparative analysis of European cabinets with a counterfactual analysis of the Act’s effect on the strategies of UK politicians. The evidence from both analyses indicates that fixing the term of parliament is likely to render parliaments more stable, but may also have the unanticipated effect of making governments more vulnerable to failure and replacement.