bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ChemInform Abstract: Direct Synthesis of Stereodefined and Functionalized Dienes as Valuable Building Blocks
Authors: Maulide Nuno , Souris Caroline , Frebault Frederic , Luparia Marco , Audisio Davide
Published: January 2015

Review: 30 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Original Reactivity of α‐Diazo‐β‐Ketoesters Catalyzed by CpRu Complexes
Authors: Tortoreto Cecilia , Achard Thierry , Austeri Martina , Zeghida Walid , Lacour Jerome
Published: January 2015

Review: 99 refs.
The prognosis of MYC translocation positive diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma depends on the second hit
Authors: Clipson Alexandra , Barrans Sharon , Zeng Naiyan , Crouch Simon , Grigoropoulos Nicholas F , Liu Hongxiang , Kocialkowski Sylvia , Wang Ming , Huang Yuanxue , Worrillow Lisa , Goodlad John , Buxton Jenny , Neat Michael , Fields Paul , Wilkins Bridget , Grant John W , Wright Penny , EI‐Daly Hesham , Follows George A , Roman Eve , Watkins A James , Johnson Peter W M , Jack Andrew , Du Ming‐Qing
Published: January 2015

A proportion of MYC translocation positive diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas (DLBCL) harbour a BCL2 and/or BCL6 translocation, known as double‐hit DLBCL, and are clinically aggressive. It is unknown whether there are other genetic abnormalities that cooperate with MYC translocation and form double‐hit DLBCL, and whether there is a difference in clinical outcome between the double‐hit DLBCL and those with an isolated MYC translocation. We investigated TP53 gene mutations along with BCL2 and BCL6 translocations in a total of 234 cases of DLBCL, including 81 with MYC translocation. TP53 mutations were investigated by PCR and sequencing, while BCL2 and BCL6 translocation was studied by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization. The majority of MYC translocation positive DLBCLs (60/81 = 74%) had at least one additional genetic hit. In MYC translocation positive DLBCL treated by R‐CHOP (n = 67), TP53 mutation and BCL2, but not BCL6 translocation had an adverse effect on patient overall survival. In comparison with DLBCL with an isolated MYC translocation, cases with MYC/TP53 double‐hits had the worst overall survival, followed by those with MYC/BCL2 double‐hits. In MYC translocation negative DLBCL treated by R‐CHOP (n = 101), TP53 mutation, BCL2 and BCL6 translocation had no impact on patient survival. The prognosis of MYC translocation positive DLBCL critically depends on the second hit, with TP53 mutations and BCL2 translocation contributing to an adverse prognosis. It is pivotal to investigate both TP53 mutations and BCL2 translocations in MYC translocation positive DLBCL, and to distinguish double‐hit DLBCLs from those with an isolated MYC translocation.
Radical Polymer Containing a Polytriphenylamine Backbone: Its Synthesis and Electrochemical Performance as the Cathode of Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Su Chang , Yang Fang , Xu Lihuang , Zhu Xiaogang , He Huihui , Zhang Cheng
Published: January 2015

A novel radical monomer containing triphenylamine and the 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyl‐N‐oxy (TEMPO) radical has been synthesized. The corresponding linear homopolymer of 4‐carboxy‐N,N‐diphenylaniline‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐yloxy (PTPA‐TEMPO) was then prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization. The chemical structure and electrochemical properties of the prepared polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and galvanostatic charge–discharge testing by the simulated lithium‐ion half‐cell method. The results demonstrated that the as‐synthesized functional polymers exhibited an initial discharge capacity of up to 140 mAh g−1 with two well‐defined plateaus at the potential of 3.8 and 2.7 V versus Li/Li+. Furthermore, the PTPA‐TEMPO electrode showed superior cycling and rate performances. The improved electrochemical performances were attributed to the construction of the novel linear radical molecular structure with PTPA as the conductive polymer backbone, which improved the long‐range charge‐carrier transportation and facilitated the Li+‐ion insertion–extraction process in the aggregated polymer bulk during the charge–discharge process.
On optimal modularity for system construction
Authors: Efatmaneshnik Mahmoud , Ryan Michael j
Published: January 2015

Modularity is a natural instrument and a ubiquitous practice for the engineering of human‐made systems. However, modularization remains more of an art than a science; to the extent that the notion of optimal modularity is rarely used in engineering design. We prove that optimal modularity exists (at least for construction)—and is achieved through balanced modularization as structural symmetry in the distribution of the sizes of modules. We show that system construction cost is highly sensitive to both the number of modules and the modularization structure. However, this sensitivity has an inverse relationship with process capability and is minimal for highly capable construction processes with small process uncertainties. Conclusions are reached by a Bayesian estimation technique for a relatively simple construction model originally introduced by Herbert Simon for the hypothetical production of a linear structure, taking into account errors that may occur in the work associated with the production of the links between the nodes in the structure for varied numbers of modules. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 176–189, 2016
Impulsive controller for wireless networked control system: Switched system approach
Authors: Wu Yuan‐Qing , Su Hongye , Mathiyalagan Kalidass
Published: January 2015

The problem of stabilization for wireless networked control system (NCS) with packet dropout and time delay is studied in this article. The impulsive control law for the NCS is defined with time delay and impulse. Using a switching model, the network‐induced imperfections can be treated as three switching subsystems. Therein, in the case of packet dropout, the control law use the previous state via the first‐order hold. The impulsive control law is designed using the switched system approach and the average dwell time method. The obtained sufficient conditions which can guarantee the exponential stability of switched system are in the form of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, a numerical example is used to demonstrate the merits and applicabilities of the proposed method. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 291–299, 2016
Performance Improvement for Dye‐sensitized Solar Cells with Cone‐calix[4]arene Based Dyes
Authors: Tan Li‐Lin , Liu Jun‐Min , Li Shao‐Yong , Xiao Li‐Min , Kuang Dai‐Bin , Su Cheng‐Yong
Published: January 2015

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Jun‐Min Liu and Cheng‐Yong Su at Sun Yat‐Sen University. The image shows that cone‐calix[4]arene‐based dye flowers can develop in the field of dye‐sensitized solar cells as sunflowers thrive under sunshine. The Full Paper itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.201402401
Mechanism of Brønsted Acid‐Catalyzed Glucose Dehydration
Authors: Yang Liu , Tsilomelekis George , Caratzoulas Stavros , Vlachos Dionisios G.
Published: January 2015

We present the first DFT‐based microkinetic model for the Brønsted acid‐catalyzed conversion of glucose to 5‐hydroxylmethylfurfural (HMF), levulinic acid (LA), and formic acid (FA) and perform kinetic and isotopic tracing NMR spectroscopy mainly at low conversions. We reveal that glucose dehydrates through a cyclic path. Our modeling results are in excellent agreement with kinetic data and indicate that the rate‐limiting step is the first dehydration of protonated glucose and that the majority of glucose is consumed through the HMF intermediate. We introduce a combination of 1) automatic mechanism generation with isotopic tracing experiments and 2) elementary reaction flux analysis of important paths with NMR spectroscopy and kinetic experiments to assess mechanisms. We find that the excess formic acid, which appears at high temperatures and glucose conversions, originates from retro‐aldol chemistry that involves the C6 carbon atom of glucose.
Simulation of bright‐field microscopy images depicting pap‐smear specimen
Authors: Malm Patrik , Brun Anders , Bengtsson Ewert
Published: January 2015

As digital imaging is becoming a fundamental part of medical and biomedical research, the demand for computer‐based evaluation using advanced image analysis is becoming an integral part of many research projects. A common problem when developing new image analysis algorithms is the need of large datasets with ground truth on which the algorithms can be tested and optimized. Generating such datasets is often tedious and introduces subjectivity and interindividual and intraindividual variations. An alternative to manually created ground‐truth data is to generate synthetic images where the ground truth is known. The challenge then is to make the images sufficiently similar to the real ones to be useful in algorithm development. One of the first and most widely studied medical image analysis tasks is to automate screening for cervical cancer through Pap‐smear analysis. As part of an effort to develop a new generation cervical cancer screening system, we have developed a framework for the creation of realistic synthetic bright‐field microscopy images that can be used for algorithm development and benchmarking. The resulting framework has been assessed through a visual evaluation by experts with extensive experience of Pap‐smear images. The results show that images produced using our described methods are realistic enough to be mistaken for real microscopy images. The developed simulation framework is very flexible and can be modified to mimic many other types of bright‐field microscopy images. © 2015 The Authors. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of ISAC
FlowSOM: Using self‐organizing maps for visualization and interpretation of cytometry data
Authors: Van Gassen Sofie , Callebaut Britt , Van Helden Mary J. , Lambrecht Bart N. , Demeester Piet , Dhaene Tom , Saeys Yvan
Published: January 2015

The number of markers measured in both flow and mass cytometry keeps increasing steadily. Although this provides a wealth of information, it becomes infeasible to analyze these datasets manually. When using 2D scatter plots, the number of possible plots increases exponentially with the number of markers and therefore, relevant information that is present in the data might be missed. In this article, we introduce a new visualization technique, called FlowSOM, which analyzes Flow or mass cytometry data using a Self‐Organizing Map. Using a two‐level clustering and star charts, our algorithm helps to obtain a clear overview of how all markers are behaving on all cells, and to detect subsets that might be missed otherwise. R code is available at https://github.com/SofieVG/FlowSOM and will be made available at Bioconductor. © 2015 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Preparation, Characterization, and Thermal Transformation of Poorly Crystalline Sodium‐ and Carbonate‐Substituted Calcium Phosphate
Authors: Strutynska Nataliia , Zatovsky Igor , Slobodyanik Nikolai , Malyshenko Anna , Prylutskyy Yuriy , Prymak Oleg , Vorona Igor , Ishchenko Stanislav , Baran Nikolai , Byeda Alexander , Mischanchuk Alexander
Published: January 2015

In this paper, we propose a new approach for the preparation of sodium‐ and carbonate‐substituted apatite by a wet precipitation method in aqueous media at 23 °C. The main difference between this method and conventional techniques is that poorly crystalline calcium phosphates are obtained and then heated to form crystalline apatite. The thermal transformations of the samples in the temperature range 80–1000 °C have been determined by temperature‐programmed desorption mass spectroscopy and thermogravimetry. The chemical and phase compositions of the sodium‐ and carbonate‐substituted apatite have been studied by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) atomic emission spectroscopy or atomic absorption spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction, respectively. The degree and nature of the carbonate substitution have been determined by CHN analysis and IR spectroscopy, respectively. The samples were subjected to γ irradiation, and the formed radicals were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. SEM has shown nanoparticles (6–12 nm in diameter) with a stability to aggregation under heating to 500–550 °C (increase in size by 30–50 %).
Tattoo‐Based Wearable Electrochemical Devices: A Review
Authors: Bandodkar Amay J. , Jia Wenzhao , Wang Joseph
Published: January 2015

This article provides an overview of the recent advances in the field of skin‐worn tattoo‐based wearable electrochemical devices, including electrolyte and metabolite sensors, biofuel cells and batteries. Temporary tattoos are attractive platforms for fabricating skin‐worn devices. Body‐compliant wearable electrochemical devices on temporary tattoos couple highly favorable substrate‐skin elasticity with an attractive electrochemical performance. For example, tattoo‐based “skin‐like” sensors can be used for real‐time non‐invasive analysis of key electrolytes and metabolites, leading to remarkable sensing capabilities. Continued progress has been made also towards developing skin‐worn flexible energy harvesting and storage devices to power wearable health monitors and other devices. Key requirements and challenges that confront researchers in this exciting area of skin‐worn electrochemical devices are discussed.
Effects of 17β-estradiol on emissions of greenhouse gases in simulative natural water body
Authors: Ruan Aidong , Zhao Ying , Liu Chenxiao , Zong Fengjiao , Yu Zhongbo
Published: January 2015

Environmental estrogens are widely spread across the world and are increasingly thought of as serious contaminators. The present study looks at the influence of different concentrations of 17β-estradiol on greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, CH4, and N2O) in simulated systems to explore the relationship between environmental estrogen-pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in natural water bodies. The present study finds that 17β-estradiol pollution in simulated systems has significant promoting effects on the emissions of CH4 and CO2, although no significant effects on N2O emissions. The present study indicates that 17β-estradiol has different effects on the different elements cycles; the mechanism of microbial ecology is under review. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:977–982. © 2015 SETAC
Adaptive remodeling of the biliary architecture underlies liver homeostasis
Authors: Kaneko Kota , Kamimoto Kenji , Miyajima Atsushi , Itoh Tohru
Published: January 2015

Serving as the center for metabolism and detoxification, the liver is inherently susceptible to a wide variety of damage imposed by toxins or chemicals. Induction of cell populations with biliary epithelial phenotypes, which include progenitor‐like cells and are referred to as liver progenitor cells, is often observed in histopathological examination of various liver diseases in both human patients and animal models and has been implicated in regeneration. However, the tissue dynamics underlying this phenomenon remains largely unclear. We have developed a simple imaging technique to reveal the global and fine‐scale architecture of the biliary tract spreading in the mouse liver. Using this novel method, we show that the emergence and expansion of liver progenitor cells actually reflect structural transformation of the intrahepatic biliary tree in mouse liver injury models. The biliary branches expanded their area gradually and contiguously along with the course of chronic injury. Relevant regulatory signals known to be involved in liver progenitor cell regulation, including fibroblast growth factor 7 and tumor necrosis factor‐like weak inducer of apoptosis, can modulate the dynamics of the biliary epithelium in different ways. Importantly, the structural transformations of the biliary tree were diverse and corresponded well with the parenchymal injury patterns. That is, when chronic hepatocyte damage was induced in the pericentral area, the biliary branches exhibited an extended structure from the periportal area with apparent tropism toward the distant injured area. Conclusion: The hepatobiliary system possesses a unique and unprecedented structural flexibility and can remodel dynamically and adaptively in response to various injury conditions; this type of tissue plasticity should constitute an essential component to maintain liver homeostasis. (Hepatology 2015;61:2056–2066)
Features of acute liver congestion on gadoxetate disodium‐enhanced MRI in a rat model: Role of organic anion‐transporting polypeptide 1A1
Authors: Shimizu Akira , Kobayashi Akira , Motoyama Hiroaki , Sakai Hiroshi , Yamada Akira , Yoshizawa Akihiko , Momose Masanobu , Kadoya Masumi , Miyagawa Shin‐ichi
Published: January 2015

Purpose

To evaluate the features of hepatic congestion on gadoxetate disodium (Gd‐EOB‐DTPA)‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the mechanisms responsible for the radiological findings in a rat model of partial liver congestion.

Materials and Methods

A conventional T1‐weighted spin‐echo sequence of the liver was performed using a 1.5T magnetic resonance imager with an 80‐mm magnetic aperture for animal studies. We induced regional congestion using partial left lateral hepatic vein ligation (n = 5) and evaluated the following in both congestive liver (CL) and noncongestive liver (non‐CL): 1) chronological changes in the relative enhancement (RE) up to 60 minutes after Gd‐EOB‐DTPA administration, and 2) mRNA and protein expression of rat organic anion transporting protein 1a1 (Oatp1a1).

Results

The RE in the CL reached a small peak (18%) at 5 minutes, corresponding to approximately half of the value observed in the non‐CL, then slowly decreased in a linear manner thereafter. The degree of RE in the CL was significantly lower than that in the non‐CL for up to 30 minutes (P < 0.05). An immunohistological examination showed that Oatp1a1 protein expression was downregulated in the CL. The mRNA level of Oatp1a1 in the CL was significantly upregulated, compared with that in control rat liver (P = 0.046), whereas no significant difference was observed between the CL and the non‐CL (P = 0.698).

Conclusion

The reduced signal intensity in the CL on Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI could be explained by the decreased uptake of Gd‐EOB‐DTPA via Oatp1a1 protein in the congestive area. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:828–836.
Determination of triazole pesticide residues in edible oils using air‐assisted liquid–liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection
Authors: Farajzadeh Mir Ali , Feriduni Behruz , Mogaddam Mohammad Reza Afshar
Published: January 2015

In the present study, a rapid, simple, and highly efficient sample preparation method based on air‐assisted liquid–liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection was developed for the extraction, preconcentration, and determination of five triazole pesticides (penconazole, hexaconazole, diniconazole, tebuconazole, and triticonazole) in edible oils. Initially, the oil samples were diluted with hexane and a few microliter of a less soluble organic solvent (extraction solvent) in hexane was added. To form fine and dispersed extraction solvent droplets, the mixture of oil sample solution and extraction solvent is repeatedly aspirated and dispersed with a syringe. Under the optimum extraction conditions, the method showed low limits of detection and quantification between 2.2–6.1 and 7.3–20 μg/L, respectively. Enrichment factors and extraction recoveries were in the ranges of 71–96 and 71–96%, respectively. The relative standard deviations for the extraction of 100 and 250 μg/L of each pesticide were less than 5% for intraday (n = 6) and interday (n = 3) precisions. Finally edible oil samples were successfully analyzed using the proposed method, and hexaconazole was found in grape seed oil.
White‐tailed deer population dynamics and adult female survival in the presence of a novel predator
Authors: Chitwood Michael C. , Lashley Marcus A. , Kilgo John C. , Moorman Christopher E. , Deperno Christopher S.
Published: January 2015

Recent localized declines in white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations in the southeastern United States have been linked to increasing predation pressure from coyotes (Canis latrans), a novel predator to the region. Studies have documented coyotes as the leading cause of mortality for neonates, and 1 study documented coyotes as a mortality factor for adult females. However, no study has used field‐based vital rates to conduct sensitivity analyses or model deer population trajectories under potential harvest or predator removal strategies. We used low, medium, and high values of fawn survival, adult female survival, and fecundity data collected from Fort Bragg Military Installation, North Carolina to demonstrate the current declining population trajectory for deer (λ = 0.905; low λ = 0.788, high λ = 1.003). Consistent with other studies of ungulates, we determined adult female survival was the most sensitive and elastic vital rate. Further, for 3 potential management (“what if”) scenarios, we projected the population for 10 years using estimated vital rates. Reducing adult female harvest (λ = 0.935; low λ = 0.875, high λ = 1.002) and coyote removal (λ = 0.995; low λ = 0.898, high λ = 1.081) reduced the current population decline, whereas combining both approaches (λ = 1.024; low λ = 0.898, high λ = 1.141) resulted in population increases. Our data indicate that for low‐density deer populations with heavy predation pressure on neonates, protecting adult females from harvest may not completely offset population declines. Coyote removal might be a necessary strategy because it could possibly increase very low fawn survival, which appears to be the most important vital rate influencing λ in our study. However, managers may have to start with reductions in adult female harvest because coyote removal would have to be continuous and consistently effective, making it an impractical management approach by itself. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
Predictive QSPR Modelling for the Second Virial Coefficient of the Pure Organic Compounds
Authors: Mokshyna E. , Polishchuk P. G. , Nedostup V. I. , Kuzmin V. E.
Published: January 2015

In this article we developed a system of the predictive models for the second virial coefficients of the pure compounds. Second virial coefficient is the property derived from the virial equation of state, and is of particular interest as it describes pair intermolecular interactions. The two‐layer QSPR models were developed, which exploited the well‐known physical equations and allowed us to include this information into traditional QSPR methodology. This shows some new perspectives for work with temperature‐dependent properties. It was shown that 2D descriptors can be successfully used for modeling of complex thermodynamic properties like virial coefficients.
Analysis of rectangular piles subjected to lateral loads in nonhomogeneous soil using a Winkler model approach
Authors: Hirai Hiroyoshi
Published: January 2015

An analytical approach using a Winkler model based on two lateral soil displacement components in a three‐dimensional soil is investigated to provide analytical solutions of horizontal response of a rectangular pile subjected to lateral loads in nonhomogeneous soil. The two lateral displacement components of a soil surrounding the rectangular pile are represented by the Fourier series of displacement potential functions in the elastic three‐dimensional analysis. The lateral stiffness coefficient of the rectangular pile shaft in nonhomogeneous soil is derived from the rocking stiffness coefficient taking into account rocking rotation of a rigid pile shaft. The relationship between horizontal displacement, rotation, moment, and shear force for the rectangular pile subjected to horizontal loads in nonhomogeneous soil is obtainable in the form of the recurrence equation. The formulation of lateral displacement and rotation for a rectangular pile subjected to lateral loads on the pile base in nonhomogeneous soil is proposed by taking into account Mindlin's equation and the equivalent thickness for soil layers in the equivalent elastic method. The difference of lateral behavior between square and circular piles subjected to lateral loads is insignificant. The effect of aspect ratio of the rectangular pile on the lateral behavior is great for the lower stiffness ratio between pile and soil and the larger length–equivalent diameter ratio. The effect of the value of Poisson's ratio of soil on lateral stiffness coefficient is relatively small except Poisson's ratio close to 0.5. The comparison of the results calculated by the current method for a rectangular pile subjected to lateral loads in nonhomogeneous soil has shown good agreement with those obtained from the analytical methods and the finite element method. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multi‐center reproducibility of neurochemical profiles in the human brain at 7 T
Authors: van de Bank B. L. , Emir U. E. , Boer V. O. , van Asten J. J. A. , Maas M. C. , Wijnen J. P. , Kan H. E. , Oz G. , Klomp D. W. J. , Scheenen T. W. J.
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this work was to harmonize data acquisition and post‐processing of single voxel proton MRS (1H‐MRS) at 7 T, and to determine metabolite concentrations and the accuracy and reproducibility of metabolite levels in the adult human brain.

This study was performed in compliance with local institutional human ethics committees. The same seven subjects were each examined twice using four different 7 T MR systems from two different vendors using an identical semi‐localization by adiabatic selective refocusing spectroscopy sequence. Neurochemical profiles were obtained from the posterior cingulate cortex (gray matter, GM) and the corona radiata (white matter, WM). Spectra were analyzed with LCModel, and sources of variation in concentrations (‘subject’, ‘institute’ and ‘random’) were identified with a variance component analysis.

Concentrations of 10–11 metabolites, which were corrected for T1, T2, magnetization transfer effects and partial volume effects, were obtained with mean Cramér–Rao lower bounds below 20%. Data variances and mean concentrations in GM and WM were comparable for all institutions. The primary source of variance for glutamate, myo‐inositol, scyllo‐inositol, total creatine and total choline was between subjects. Variance sources for all other metabolites were associated with within‐subject and system noise, except for total N‐acetylaspartate, glutamine and glutathione, which were related to differences in signal‐to‐noise ratio and in shimming performance between vendors.

After multi‐center harmonization of acquisition and post‐processing protocols, metabolite concentrations and the sizes and sources of their variations were established for neurochemical profiles in the healthy brain at 7 T, which can be used as guidance in future studies quantifying metabolite and neurotransmitter concentrations with 1H‐MRS at ultra‐high magnetic field. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive seamless designs with interim treatment selection: a case study in oncology
Authors: Carreras Máximo , Gutjahr Georg , Brannath Werner
Published: January 2015

The planning of an oncology clinical trial with a seamless phase II/III adaptive design is discussed. Two regimens of an experimental treatment are compared to a control at an interim analysis, and the most‐promising regimen is selected to continue, together with control, until the end of the study. Because the primary endpoint is expected to be immature at the interim regimen selection analysis, designs that incorporate primary as well as surrogate endpoints in the regimen selection process are considered. The final testing of efficacy at the end of the study comparing the selected regimen to the control with respect to the primary endpoint uses all relevant data collected both before and after the regimen selection analysis. Several approaches for testing the primary hypothesis are assessed with regard to power and type I error rate. Because the operating characteristics of these designs depend on the specific regimen selection rules considered, benchmark scenarios are proposed in which a perfect surrogate and no surrogate is used at the regimen selection analysis. The operating characteristics of these benchmark scenarios provide a range where those of the actual study design are expected to lie. A discussion on family‐wise error rate control for testing primary and key secondary endpoints as well as an assessment of bias in the final treatment effect estimate for the selected regimen are also presented. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scalable visualization for DBpedia ontology analysis using Hadoop
Authors: Park Seong‐hun , Kim Sung‐min , Ha Young‐guk
Published: January 2015

As ontologies are becoming larger and more diverse, ontological analysis and visualization of results have become more challenging, rendering the need for more computing resources. To address this issue, we suggest a system based on Hadoop for ontological analysis for large ontologies. Our suggested system consists of three parts: a data server to analyze ontological data, a visualization server to visualize the result of data analysis, and user applications to provide users with the visualized data. Server applications are implemented based on the Hadoop framework, and the ontological data are processed efficiently using the MapReduce algorithm. We performed ontological analysis using the DBpedia ontology and visualized the result. The goal of the visualization process is to determine the major properties of each class, and visualization is conducted on the Web in order to provide users with a cross‐platform environment. We evaluate the performance of the method by measuring execution times and analyzing experimental results obtained in the visualization process. The system we present is scalable for big ontological data. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preventive effect of Rikkunshito, a traditional Japanese medicine, on chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting with cisplatin: Case series
Authors: Kajiura Shinya , Hosokawa Ayumu , Yoshita Hiroki , Ueda Akira , Ando Takayuki , Fujinami Haruka , Nishikawa Jun , Ogawa Kohei , Sugiyama Toshiro
Published: January 2015

Aim

Supportive therapies are important to treat chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). Rikkunshito, a Kampo medicine, has been reported to be effective against cisplatin‐induced anorexia in rats. In the present study, we evaluated the preventive effect of Rikkunshito for CINV in patients receiving high‐dose cisplatin chemotherapy.

Methods

We selected patients who received chemotherapy including cisplatin (≥60 mg/m2) for gastric or esophageal cancer between April 2010 and August 2012. We identified 20 patients treated without a reduction in the dose of anticancer medications during the second course and added 7.5 g/day Rikkunshito, which was orally administered, for 7 days. All patients were treated with 5‐hydroxytryptamine‐3 receptor antagonist, corticosteroid, and neurokinin‐1 receptor antagonist for the prevention of CINV during the first and second courses. We evaluated complete response (CR; defined as no emesis and no rescue medication) and other toxicities according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0.

Results

The median patient age was 63 years (range, 49–77 years). The chemotherapy regimens used were cisplatin plus 5‐fluorouracil in 15 patients with esophageal cancer and cisplatin plus S‐1 in five patients with gastric cancer. Rate of delayed CR was 75.0% during the first course (95% CI: 56.0–94.0%), which improved during the second course to 95.0% (95% CI: 85.4–100%, P = 0.077). There was no significant difference in other major toxicities between the first and second courses.

Conclusion

Rikkunshito has the potential to alleviate CINV in patients receiving high‐dose cisplatin chemotherapy.
Syntheses, Structures, and Properties of New Niobium Cluster Complexes with Terminal Formate Ligands: ­[AI(CH3OH)n]4­[Nb6Cl12(OCHO)6] (AI = Na, K, Rb, Cs; n = 1, 2)
Authors: Xie Tao , Köckerling Martin
Published: January 2015

Four examples of the first hexanuclear niobium cluster complexes with formate ligands, [AI(CH3OH)n]4[Nb6Cl12(OCHO)6] (AI = Na, K, Rb, Cs; n = 1, 2) were prepared. They are obtained from the reaction of [Nb6Cl14(CH3OH)4]·6CH3OH with alkali metal formates in absolute CH3OH. Their structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. They crystallize in the triclinic space group P$\bar{1}$ and contain isolated cluster anions with formate ligands, which occupy the exo sites of the hexanuclear cluster units. Four AI ions form tetranuclear cationic units, interconnected by oxygen atoms of methanol molecules and of the formate ligands. All compounds comprise network structures of interconnected cluster and complex cation units. Whereas the K, Rb, and the Cs salt contain planar rectangular arrangements of the AI cations, in the Na salt this unit is bent along one diagonal. Electrochemical measurements indicate the possibility of two one‐electron oxidations of the cluster units and possibly one reduction step. The cluster compounds were further characterized by elemental analyses, NMR‐, IR‐, and UV/Vis spectroscopy.
Synthesis of Dinuclear Nickel Complexes from Dimethyltris­(trimethylphosphine)nickel(II) via N–H Bond Activation
Authors: Guo Yingmian , Zhang Xiaohan , Wang Lin , Sun Hongjian , Li Xiaoyan
Published: January 2015

The reactions of N‐arylamidines with NiMe2(PMe3)3 afforded four dinuclear nickel(II) complexes 5–8 via N–H bond activation. Complexes 5–8 were characterized through IR, 1H NMR, 31P NMR, and elemental analysis. The crystal structures of complexes 5 and 7 were determined by X‐ray diffraction.
Frama-C: A software analysis perspective
Authors: Kirchner Florent , Kosmatov Nikolai , Prevosto Virgile , Signoles Julien , Yakobowski Boris
Published: January 2015

Frama-C is a source code analysis platform that aims at conducting verification of industrial-size C programs. It provides its users with a collection of plug-ins that perform static analysis, deductive verification, and testing, for safety- and security-critical software. Collaborative verification across cooperating plug-ins is enabled by their integration on top of a shared kernel and datastructures, and their compliance to a common specification language. This foundational article presents a consolidated view of the platform, its main and composite analyses, and some of its industrial achievements.
Mira Wilkins and Frank Ernest Hill, American Business Abroad: Ford on Six Continents.
Authors: Fridenson Patrick
Published: January 2015

Arthur L. Honiker, from “Brooklyn, New York,” reviewed American Business Abroad: Ford on Six Continents, first published in 1964, in the Autumn 1966 issue of the Business History Review. His review was sober, yet quite positive: “This is a thoroughly researched, straightforward account of the overseas expansion of the Ford Motor Company during the sixty years from its founding in 1903.” He praised the book's contextualization of “the vast economic and political changes in the world during that period” and “its objective evaluation of the consequences to the corporation, to the United States, and to the host nations from Ford's activities abroad” (Business History Review 40, no. 3 [1966]: 395).
Part II. Brak and Chagar Bazar: Buildings and Stratification. Section 1.—Brak
Authors: Mallowan M. E. L.
Published: January 2015

Tall Brak is situated at approximately the same latitude as Alexandretta and Nineveh, about 300 miles east of the Mediterranean and 130 miles west of the Tigris as the crow flies. The two nearest towns are Nasibin, 46 kilometres to the north and Hasaka, 43 kilometres to the south, where the River Jaghjagha joins the lower Khabur. Brak is within easy reach of water as it lies only four kilometres from the west bank of the River Jaghjagha and its confluence the wadi Radd.
Genetic variation for wheat spike fertility in cultivars and early breeding materials
Authors: MIRABELLA N. E. , ABBATE P. E. , RAMIREZ I. A. , PONTAROLI A. C.
Published: January 2015

Grain yield in bread wheat is often tightly associated with grain number/m2. In turn, spike fertility (SF), i.e., the quotient between grain number and spike chaff dry weight, accounts for a great proportion of the variation in grain number among cultivars. In order to examine the potential use of SF as a breeding target, (1) variation for the trait was assessed in six datasets combining commercial cultivars under different environmental conditions, (2) trait heritability was estimated in a set ofF1hybrids derived from controlled crosses between cultivars with contrasting SF and (3) SF distribution pattern was analysed in twoF2segregating populations. Analysis of commercial cultivars revealed considerable variation for SF, under both optimal and sub-optimal conditions. In addition, genotypic variation was consistently larger than genotype × environment interaction variation in all datasets. Narrow sense heritability, estimated by the mid-parent-offspring regression of 20F1hybrids and their respective parents, was 0·63. Data from twoF2populations exhibited bell-shaped and symmetric frequency distributions of SF, with a SF mean intermediate between the parental values. Substantial transgressive segregation was detected in bothF2populations. In conclusion, SF appears to be a heritable trait with predominantly additive effects. This warrants further investigation on the feasibility of using SF as an early selection criterion in wheat breeding programs aimed at increasing grain yield.
Pre-treatment apparent diffusion coefficient mapping: differentiation of benign from malignant laryngeal lesions
Authors: Taha M S , Amir M , Hassan O , Sabra R , Taha T , Riad M A
Published: January 2015

Objective:

To determine whether a threshold apparent diffusion coefficient value may help to differentiate laryngeal carcinomas from benign lesions.

Methods:

Fifty-three patients with laryngeal masses were recruited; four of them were excluded because of susceptibility artefacts. In the remaining 49 patients, the pathological results showed 32 laryngeal carcinomas and 17 benign lesions. The diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for the identification of malignant lesions was determined. In addition, the agreement between diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology was assessed. Moreover, the sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values of the apparent diffusion coefficient in detecting benign and malignant lesions were analysed. An apparent diffusion coefficient histogram was also produced.

Results:

An apparent diffusion coefficient value of 1.1 × 10−3 mm2/second produced the best result when used as the cut-off point to differentiate malignant from benign masses.

Conclusion:

An apparent diffusion coefficient threshold of 1.1 × 10−3 mm2/second is optimal for distinguishing laryngeal carcinomas from benign lesions. Apparent diffusion coefficient values were lower for patients with laryngeal carcinomas than for those with benign lesions.
Teilhard De Chardin's Spirituality of the Cross
Authors: Faricy Robert
Published: January 2015

This article studies the spiritual theology of the cross in the writings of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. In Teilhard's books and articles the accent falls on the cross as a symbol of progress. The cross stands for Jesus' positive act of saving the world through his death; it represents, too, Christian life as a sharing in the cross of Jesus through the labor and pain of human progress. In his spiritual notes, however, Teilhard takes a different perspective. His own meditations on the cross center not on the cross as a positive symbol of personal and collective progress through struggle, but rather on death as the ultimate fragmentation, and as an apparent dead end that is the final passage to Jesus Christ.
Influenza vaccine effectiveness estimates in Croatia in 2010–2011: a season with predominant circulation of A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus
Authors: KUREČIĆ FILIPOVIĆ S. , GJENERO-MARGAN I. , KISSLING E. , KAIĆ B. , CVITKOVIĆ A.
Published: January 2015

This is a retrospective study using the test-negative case-control method to estimate seasonal 2010–2011 influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) in Croatia. Of patients consulting a physician for influenza-like illness (ILI) and for whom a swab was taken, we compared RT–PCR influenza-positive and RT–PCR influenza-negative patients. We used a structured questionnaire and physicians' records to obtain information on vaccination status and potential confounders. We conducted a complete case analysis using logistic regression to measure adjusted VE overall, against A(H1N1)pdm09 and in age groups. Out of 785 interviewed patients, 495 eligible patients were included in the study, after applying exclusion criteria [217 cases, of which 92·6% were A(H1N1)pdm09 positive, 278 controls]. Crude VE was 31·9% [95% confidence interval (CI) −40·9 to 67·1] and adjusted VE was 20·7% (95% CI −71·4 to 63·3), with higher VE in youngest and oldest age groups. Results from this first VE study in Croatia suggest a low to moderate VE for the 2010–2011 season. Studies year on year are needed with a greater sample size to provide more precise estimates, and also by age group and risk groups for vaccination.
Executive Functions of the Frontal Lobes and the Evolutionary Ascendancy of Homo Sapiens
Authors: Coolidge Frederick L. , Wynn Thomas
Published: January 2015

A core question of cognitive archaeology is the evolution of modern thinking. In this article, it is argued that a cluster of specific cognitive abilities, ‘executive functions’, was one of the key evolutionary acquisitions that led to the development of modern thinking. A review of the history of executive functions is presented as well as current opinions as to their nature and genetic basis. Examples are also presented from the cognitive archaeological record that may be representative of executive functions in the evolution of modern thought.
Broadband six-way out-of-phase SIW power divider
Authors: Song Kaijun , Ahmed Abdullahi Nura , Hu Bingkun , Zhu Yu , Chen Fulong , Fan Yong
Published: January 2015

A broadband six-way out-of-phase substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) power divider was designed, analyzed, and fabricated for low loss and out of phase dividing applications. The SIW technology was used to realize the power divider; where it consists of a central dual-disc probe connected with coaxial outer-conductor impedance matching transformer and six SIW-to-microstrip transitions as output probes. Three of the SIW-to-microstrip transitions are located at the top plane, whereas the other three are at the bottom plane of the power divider to achieve the out-of-phase dividing functioning. These transitions are all the same in size and shape for symmetry reason. Good transmissions from coaxial input port to six-way SIW power divider were also achieved. There is a reasonable agreement between measured and simulated results.
Support Groups and Cardiac Rehabilitation: Effects of Partner
Participation on Anxiety and Depression
Authors: de Roda Ana Barrón López , Moreno Esteban Sánchez , Montero Isabel Varela , Churnin Steve
Published: January 2015

This study analyzes the effect on levels of patient anxiety and depression of a
partner joining a cardiac rehabilitation program support group, also taking into
account the sex of the patient. The study was undertaken using a two-group
comparison design with pre-and post-test measures in non-equivalent groups. The
sample comprised patients in the cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP) at the
Ramón y Cajal Hospital, Madrid (Spain). Analysis of covariance
(ANCOVA) showed direct effects of sex and partner participation in support
groups on the anxiety trait. Similarly, interaction effects were observed
between the sex variable and partner participation. These results indicate the
pertinence of designing separate groups for patients and partners.
Primary clear cell renal carcinoma cells display minimal mitochondrial respiratory capacity resulting in pronounced sensitivity to glycolytic inhibition by 3-Bromopyruvate
Authors: Nilsson H , Lindgren D , Mandahl Forsberg A , Mulder H , Axelson H , Johansson M E
Published: January 2015

Changes of cellular metabolism are an integral property of the malignant potential of most cancer cells. Already in the 1930s, Otto Warburg observed that tumor cells preferably utilize glycolysis and lactate fermentation for energy production, rather than the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation dominating in normal cells, a phenomenon today known as the Warburg effect. Even though many tumor types display a high degree of aerobic glycolysis, they still retain the activity of other energy-producing metabolic pathways. One exception seems to be the clear cell variant of renal cell carcinoma, ccRCC, where the activity of most other pathways than that of glycolysis has been shown to be reduced. This makes ccRCC a promising candidate for the use of glycolytic inhibitors in treatment of the disease. However, few studies have so far addressed this issue. In this report, we show a strikingly reduced mitochondrial respiratory capacity of primary human ccRCC cells, resulting in enhanced sensitivity to glycolytic inhibition by 3-Bromopyruvate (3BrPA). This effect was largely absent in established ccRCC cell lines, a finding that highlights the importance of using biologically relevant models in the search for new candidate cancer therapies. 3BrPA markedly reduced ATP production in primary ccRCC cells, followed by cell death. Our data suggest that glycolytic inhibitors such as 3BrPA, that has been shown to be well tolerated in vivo, should be further analyzed for the possible development of selective treatment strategies for patients with ccRCC.
A tight control of Rif1 by Oct4 and Smad3 is critical for mouse embryonic stem cell stability
Authors: Li P , Ma X , Adams I R , Yuan P
Published: January 2015

Prolonged culture of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) leads them to adopt embryonal carcinoma cell features, creating enormous dangers for their further application. The mechanism involved in ESC stability has not, however, been extensively studied. We previously reported that SMAD family member 3 (Smad3) has an important role in maintaining mouse ESC stability, as depletion of Smad3 results in cancer cell-like properties in ESCs and Smad3−/− ESCs are prone to grow large, malignant teratomas. To understand how Smad3 contributes to ESC stability, we performed microarray analysis to compare the transcriptome of wild-type and Smad3−/− ESCs. We found that Rif1 (RAP1-associated protein 1), a factor important for genomic stability, is significantly upregulated in Smad3−/− ESCs. The expression level of Rif1 needs to be tightly controlled in ESCs, as a low level of Rif1 is associated with ESC differentiation, but a high level of Rif1 is linked to ESC transformation. In ESCs, Oct4 activates Rif1, whereas Smad3 represses its expression. Oct4 recruits Smad3 to bind to Rif1 promoter, but Smad3 joining facilitates the loading of a polycomb complex that generates a repressive epigenetic modification on Rif1 promoter, and thus maintains the expression of Rif1 at a proper level in ESCs. Interestingly, Rif1 short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-transduced Smad3−/− ESCs showed less malignant properties than the control shRNA-transduced Smad3−/− ESCs, suggesting a critical role of Rif1 in maintaining the stability of ESCs during proliferation.