bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinico‐genetic aspects of a pediatric non‐neurofibromatosis type 1 malignant triton tumor with loss of chromosome X
Authors: Engel Edgard Eduard , Brassesco María Sol , Valera Elvis Terci , Nogueira‐Barbosa Marcello Henrique , Yamashita Maurício Eiji de Almeida Santos , Scrideli Carlos Alberto , Tone Luiz Gonzaga
Published: May 2012

Malignant triton tumor (MTT) is an aggressive peripheral nerve sheath tumor with rhabdomyoblastic differentiation. Less than 100 cases have been described, being mostly male children with type 1 neurofibromatosis. We report a 6‐year‐old female with MTT and no diagnostic criteria for neurofibromatosis type 1. Cytogenetic analysis showed a 46,X,‐X[4]/46,XX[16] karyotype. She underwent a transfemoral amputation and chemotherapy and is free of disease 15 months after diagnosis. The few cytogenetic studies of MTT described in the literature have been inconclusive. Further cytogenetic analyses are needed to understand the role of chromosome X monosomy in the pathogenesis of this rare tumor. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 59: 1320–1323. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Screening performance for trisomy 21 comparing first trimester combined screening and a first trimester contingent screening protocol including ductus venosus and tricuspid flow
Authors: Ekelund C. K. , Petersen O. B. , Sundberg K. , Pedersen F. H. , Vogel I. , Tabor A.
Published: May 2012

Objective

To compare the standard first trimester combined risk assessment for trisomy 21 with a contingent screening protocol including tricuspid flow and ductus venosus flow.

Material and method

Women with singleton pregnancies and a first trimester combined risk assessment > 1 : 1000 were included. They all had additional assessment of the ductus venosus and the tricuspid flow. We compared screening performance in two screening strategies: (a) First trimester combined screening strategy based on the individual risk results from the routine screening test and (b) Contingent screening strategy based on a combination of the routine test results and additional ultrasound markers.

Results

We included 917 women in the study, 894 in the euploid group and 23 in the trisomy 21 group. Using a contingent screening strategy resulted in a significant decrease in screen positive rate from 48.3% to 17.7% (p < 0.001) in the studied population. There was no statistical difference in detection rate between the two screening strategies.

Conclusion

There is increasing evidence in favour of using additional ultrasound markers as part of contingent screening protocols in the first trimester. We do suggest performing further studies in routine clinical settings to provide validation of the available risk algorithms. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Visualization of the interactome: What are we looking at?
Authors: Fung David C. Y. , Li Simone S. , Goel Apurv , Hong Seok‐Hee , Wilkins Marc R.
Published: May 2012

Network visualization of the interactome has been become routine in systems biology research. Not only does it serve as an illustration on the cellular organization of protein–protein interactions, it also serves as a biological context for gaining insights from high‐throughput data. However, the challenges to produce an effective visualization have been great owing to the fact that the scale, biological context and dynamics of any given interactome are too large and complex to be captured by a single visualization. Visualization design therefore requires a pragmatic trade‐off between capturing biological concept and being comprehensible. In this review, we focus on the biological interpretation of different network visualizations. We will draw on examples predominantly from our experiences but elaborate them in the context of the broader field. A rich variety of networks will be introduced including interactomes and the complexome in 2D, interactomes in 2.5D and 3D and dynamic networks.
Strategies for membrane interaction proteomics: No mass spectrometry required
Authors: Lam Mandy H. Y. , Stagljar Igor
Published: May 2012

Membrane‐bound proteins are one of the most important protein types in the cell, and are involved in many major cell processes and signaling pathways. Most proteins, including those at membranes, must interact with other proteins to form complexes, which are essential for their function(s). In this review, we describe some of the major non‐mass spectrometry‐based methods and technologies used for the investigation of intracellular membrane protein complexes including Tango, fluorescence/bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (F/BRET), luminescence‐based mammalian interactome mapping (LUMIER), protein‐fragment complementation assay (PCA), and membrane yeast two‐hybrid assay (MYTH). We highlight the advantages and drawbacks of these methods, describe recent studies utilizing these methods, and discuss some of the major findings in the study of membrane protein‐based cell pathways.
Molecular interaction databases
Authors: Orchard Sandra
Published: May 2012

Molecular interaction databases are playing an ever more important role in our understanding of the biology of the cell. An increasing number of resources exist to provide these data and many of these have adopted the controlled vocabularies and agreed‐upon standardised data formats produced by the Molecular Interaction workgroup of the Human Proteome Organization Proteomics Standards Initiative (HUPO PSI‐MI). Use of these standards allows each resource to establish PSI Common QUery InterfaCe (PSICQUIC) service, making data from multiple resources available to the user in response to a single query. This cooperation between databases has been taken a stage further, with the establishment of the International Molecular Exchange (IMEx) consortium which aims to maximise the curation power of numerous data resources, and provide the user with a non‐redundant, consistently annotated set of interaction data.
Mapping physical interactions within chromatin by proteomic approaches
Authors: Lambert Jean‐Philippe , Pawson Tony , Gingras Anne‐Claude
Published: May 2012

Our ability to study protein–protein interactions has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, enabling numerous large‐scale studies to be performed in a variety of organisms. Despite this success, some classes of proteins, including those bound to chromatin, remain difficult to characterize through proteomic approaches. Some of the problems faced by researchers studying chromatin‐bound proteins include low complex solubility, heterogeneous sample composition, and numerous transient interactions, which can be further complicated by the presence of DNA itself. To tackle these issues, a number of innovative protocols have been developed to better study the various facets of chromatin biology. In this review, we will discuss novel approaches to study protein–DNA interactions as well as protein complexes affecting chromatin.
High‐throughput analysis of peptide‐binding modules
Authors: Liu Bernard A. , Engelmann Brett W. , Nash Piers D.
Published: May 2012

Modular protein interaction domains (PIDs) that recognize linear peptide motifs are found in hundreds of proteins within the human genome. Some PIDs such as SH2, 14–3‐3, Chromo, and Bromo domains serve to recognize posttranslational modification (PTM) of amino acids (such as phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation, etc.) and translate these into discrete cellular responses. Other modules such as SH3 and PSD‐95/Discs‐large/ZO‐1 (PDZ) domains recognize linear peptide epitopes and serve to organize protein complexes based on localization and regions of elevated concentration. In both cases, the ability to nucleate‐specific signaling complexes is in large part dependent on the selectivity of a given protein module for its cognate peptide ligand. High‐throughput (HTP) analysis of peptide‐binding domains by peptide or protein arrays, phage display, mass spectrometry, or other HTP techniques provides new insight into the potential protein–protein interactions prescribed by individual or even whole families of modules. Systems level analyses have also promoted a deeper understanding of the underlying principles that govern selective protein–protein interactions and how selectivity evolves. Lastly, there is a growing appreciation for the limitations and potential pitfalls associated with HTP analysis of protein–peptide interactomes. This review will examine some of the common approaches utilized for large‐scale studies of PIDs and suggest a set of standards for the analysis and validation of datasets from large‐scale studies of peptide‐binding modules. We will also highlight how data from large‐scale studies of modular interaction domain families can provide insight into systems level properties such as the linguistics of selective interactions.
Ring opening/closure reactions of novel diheteroarylethenes derivatives. Solvent effects
Authors: Vazquez Alvaro J. , Nudelman Norma Sbarbati
Published: May 2012

Three novel diarylethenes derived from benzothiophene were synthesized and their photochemical optical properties studied in four solvents (n‐hexane, toluene, acetonitrile and methanol). It was determined that these compounds dramatically increase the light absorption in the visible region upon exposure to UV light, showing two absorption maxima at 420 nm and 520 nm, respectively. The observed change is completely reverted upon exposure to visible light. The three compounds demonstrate negligible fatigue, excellent stability in the four solvents, and absence of photodegradation and thermal back reactions. This paper also describes a complete study of solvent effects on the kinetics of the ring opening and cycloreversion. While, the UV spectra are little sensitive both to the substitution pattern and to the solvent influence, the kinetics of ring opening/cycloreversion reactions exhibit a more interesting behavior that differs from other diarylethenes reported in the literature. The cyclization kinetics shows a complex order, well fitted by an exponential equation, while the cycloreversion presents first‐order kinetics. The whole complex reaction scheme can be explained by the unusual presence of two conformers of the open form, a parallel and an antiparallel conformation. Though other alternative mechanism could explain the kinetics, additional evidence is consistent with the conformational equilibrium proposed: i.e. the solvent influence on the kinetics of the nitro‐substituted substrate, and the double signals for the methyl protons and for the methoxy protons (when present) observed in the nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. These observations are relevant in relation to the application of these novel diarylethenes as potential optical materials. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Diffusion‐reaction Model on the Wettability Gradient Created by SF6 Plasma
Authors: Mangindaan Dave , Kuo Chang‐Cheng , Lin Shi‐Yow , Wang Meng‐Jiy
Published: May 2012

Previously a model was reported on the simulation of a SF6 plasma generated wettability gradient by considering only the diffusion of the reactive species in plasma. This study proposed a modified model to describe the wettability gradient created by SF6 plasma by further considering the chemical reactions between the plasma species and the substrate. The wettability gradient was prepared by applying SF6 plasma on the O2 plasma pretreated polypropylene film that was covered with a mask. Experimentally, the chemical composition and surface wettability along the gradient was characterized by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, contact angle measurements and atomic force microscopy. For the mathematical model, two main assumptions were made for the formation of gradient on the surface of substrate: (i) the dissociation and ionization of SF6 plasma in the vacuum chamber followed the diffusion‐adsorption‐reaction processes and (ii) the fluorine radicals were the principle reactive species. The computation of the numerical solutions was facilitated by the finite element method. The simulated surface fluorine content and surface wettability matched exceptionally (≈95%) with the experimental results. The numerical evaluation of the spatial distribution of plasma reactive species in the mask in y‐ and z‐directions and t‐domain also assisted the understanding of the surface interactions on the gradients.

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Type IIB asymptotically Lifshitz black holes
Authors: Amado I. , Faedo A.
Published: May 2012

We present the first black hole solutions with Lifshitz asymptotics found in string theory by using a consistent truncation of type IIB to four dimensions. These solutions are expected to be dual to models of strongly correlated electrons with anisotropic scale invariance with z = 2 at finite temperature. The Lifshitz black holes found display new interesting features that contrast with previous results in phenomenological models. In particular, they behave similarly to AdS‐Schwarzschild black holes: extremality is never reached and small black holes are thermodymanically unstable, signaling a Hawking‐Page like phase transition at low temperatures.
Flexible protein docking refinement using pose‐dependent normal mode analysis
Authors: Venkatraman Vishwesh , Ritchie David W.
Published: May 2012

Modeling conformational changes in protein docking calculations is challenging. To make the calculations tractable, most current docking algorithms typically treat proteins as rigid bodies and use soft scoring functions that implicitly accommodate some degree of flexibility. Alternatively, ensembles of structures generated from molecular dynamics (MD) may be cross‐docked. However, such combinatorial approaches can produce many thousands or even millions of docking poses, and require fast and sensitive scoring functions to distinguish them. Here, we present a novel approach called “EigenHex,” which is based on normal mode analyses (NMAs) of a simple elastic network model of protein flexibility. We initially assume that the proteins to be docked are rigid, and we begin by performing conventional soft docking using the Hex polar Fourier correlation algorithm. We then apply a pose‐dependent NMA to each of the top 1000 rigid body docking solutions, and we sample and re‐score multiple perturbed docking conformations generated from linear combinations of up to 20 eigenvectors using a multi‐threaded particle swarm optimization algorithm. When applied to the 63 “rigid body” targets of the Protein Docking Benchmark version 2.0, our results show that sampling and re‐scoring from just one to three eigenvectors gives a modest but consistent improvement for these targets. Thus, pose‐dependent NMA avoids the need to sample multiple eigenvectors and it offers a promising alternative to combinatorial cross‐docking. Proteins 2012; © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evolution of self‐assembled InAs quantum dot molecules by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Tangmettajittakul Ong‐arj , Thainoi Supachok , Panyakeow Somsak , Ratanathammaphan Somchai
Published: May 2012

Self‐assembled InAs quantum dot molecules (QDMs) have been grown by thin‐capping‐and‐regrowth MBE technique. The QDM‐forming conditions have been changed by varying InAs growth rate in the range of 0.01‐0.03 ML/s. We found that the InAs growth rate affects nano‐propeller shape, dot density, and dot height. The densities of QDs, nano‐propellers, and QDMs are increasing while increasing the InAs growth rate. In contrast, the dot height and the length of propeller blades are contrary to growth rate. Also, the uniformity of dots in QDMs can be changed by an increase of growth rate. These results are confirmed by photoluminescence (PL) measurement (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of hole shapes on the reliability of deeply‐etched InP‐based photonic crystal devices
Authors: Shahid Naeem , Naureen Shagufta , Anand Srinivasan
Published: May 2012

We present systematic evaluation of the optical transmission characteristics of a set of photonic crystal waveguides (PhCWs) fabricated by two schemes. An optimized hole‐reshaping process to obtain cylindrical holes was applied in one scheme and a comparison is made with as‐etched PhCWs. The spectral characteristics of the transmission mini‐ stopband (MSB) in identical waveguides show that the reliability, in terms of spectral position and shape, of fabricated PhCWs using the hole reshaping process is significantly improved in comparison to the as‐etched waveguides. The obtained MSB characteristics are attractive for coarse WDM filtering and wavelength selective mirrors. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Selective automation and skill transfer in medical robotics: a demonstration on surgical knot‐tying
Authors: Knoll Alois , Mayer Hermann , Staub Christoph , Bauernschmitt Robert
Published: May 2012

Background

Transferring non‐trivial human manipulation skills to robot systems is a challenging task. There have been a number of attempts to design research systems for skill transfer, but the level of the complexity of the actual skills transferable to the robot was rather limited, and delicate operations requiring a high dexterity and long action sequences with many sub‐operations were impossible to transfer.

Methods

A novel approach to human–machine skill transfer for multi‐arm robot systems is presented. The methodology capitalizes on the metaphor of ‘scaffolded learning’, which has gained widespread acceptance in psychology. The main idea is to formalize the superior knowledge of a teacher in a certain way to generate support for a trainee. In our case, the scaffolding is constituted by abstract patterns, which facilitate the structuring and segmentation of information during ‘learning by demonstration’. The actual skill generalization is then based on simulating fluid dynamics.

Results

The approach has been successfully evaluated in the medical domain for the delicate task of automated knot‐tying for suturing with standard surgical instruments and a realistic minimally invasive robotic surgery system. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New prospects for molecular post‐ionisation using femtosecond IR lasers
Authors: Longobardo Alessia , Macpherson Alisdair N. , Vickerman John C. , Lockyer Nicholas P.
Published: May 2012

We have investigated the response of a number of small organic molecules to intense infrared femtosecond laser pulses to explore the potential for strong‐field post‐ionisation in bio‐imaging applications. The experimental system has been optimised and characterised using the well‐documented ionisation behaviour of xenon. Preliminary work has involved a systematic study of the ionisation–dissociation characteristic of gas phase molecules, to optimise the ionisation step itself. The efficiency of molecular ion and fragment ion production as a function of laser wavelength and intensity has been studied. Here, we report on the behaviour of the toluene molecule, which is typical of several other small organics we have studied. With 800‐nm irradiation, a clear transition in behaviour with increasing laser power is observed, favouring molecular ion production. At longer laser wavelengths, the ratio of parent molecular ion to fragment ions is increased by more than one order of magnitude. The molecular ion signal for toluene is also significantly increased on switching from 800‐nm to 1300‐nm irradiation. We discuss these observations in the context of the underlying ionisation mechanisms. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laser treatment of A286 superalloy: corrosion resistance of the treated surface
Authors: Yilbas B. S. , Toor I. H. , Karatas C. , Patel F. , Baig M.M.A.
Published: May 2012

Laser controlled melting of metal surface provides a local treatment with improved surface properties such as corrosion resistance. In the present study, laser surface treatment of iron base superalloy (A286) is carried out. The corrosion resistance of the laser‐treated surface is examined through potentiodynamic tests using 0.5 N NaCl solution. The microstructural and morphological changes in the laser‐treated layer are investigated incorporating scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The residual stress formed at the laser‐treated surface is measured using the XRD technique. It is found that laser treatment enhances corrosion resistance of A286 superalloy surface, which is attributed to the formation of fine grains and dense layer at the treated surface. Although locally scattered few corrosion induced microcracks are observed at the treated surface, they are not extended to form large cracks or crack network at the surface. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Temperament and Living Conditions: A Comparison Study of Poles and Koreans
Authors: Zajenkowska Anna , Zajenkowski Marcin
Published: May 2012

The present investigation tested the temperament traits of 319 Polish and 315 South Korean students according to the regulative theory of temperament. Poland and South Korea are two countries with a similar rate of economic growth but with distinct cultures; for instance, they differ in terms of individualism and masculinity dimensions as well as living conditions. This means that they have achieved the same goal with different resources but presumably also with different side effects.

The results indicate that the Poles had higher levels of briskness, sensor sensibility and endurance, as well as lower levels of emotional reactivity and perseveration in comparison with South Koreans. The structure of one's temperament determines one's ability to meet environmental requirements and also how one deals with stressful conditions. According to previous empirical data, Poles' temperament profile can be characterized as being less prone to stress perception and therefore more advantageous. It is possible that Koreans, as they have a less adaptive temperament structure, experience higher levels of stress in a more stimulating environment than Poles. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perceived Stress and Self‐esteem Mediate the Effects of Work‐related Stress on Depression
Authors: Lee Jong‐Sun , Joo Eun‐Jeong , Choi Kyeong‐Sook
Published: May 2012

The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of perceived stress and self‐esteem on work‐related stress and depression. Two hundred and eighty‐four Korean nurses participated in the study. The participants completed four questionnaires, including the Korean short version of the occupational stress scale, the perceived stress scale, the Rosenberg self‐esteem scale and the Beck depression inventory. Structural equation modelling was used to determine the relationships among work‐related stress, perceived stress, self‐esteem, and depression. Work‐related stress was positively associated with depression. Perceived stress was inversely related to self‐esteem and positively associated with work‐related stress and depression, respectively. Self‐esteem was negatively associated with work‐related stress and depression. Structural equation modelling revealed that self‐esteem and perceived stress fully mediate the relationship between work‐related stress and depression. Future studies should further investigate the effect of psychological characteristics on work‐related stress and symptoms of depression. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Al2O3 and MgO on Interfacial Tension Between Calcium Silicate‐Based Melts and a Solid Steel Substrate
Authors: Jung Eun Jin , Min Dong Joon
Published: May 2012

The effect of Al2O3 and MgO on the interfacial tension between the molten CaO–SiO2‐based slag and solid steel at 1773 K was studied. The interfacial tension of molten slags slightly increased with increasing Al2O3, but no significant change of interfacial tension was observed with higher MgO. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) of as‐quenched slag samples indicated the slag structure to polymerize with Al2O3 additions, but depolymerize with MgO additions. Further detailed studies of the slag surface using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed the fraction of free oxygen ions to decrease with higher Al2O3 but remained constant at higher MgO. The results suggested that interfacial tension decreases not only with the depolymerization of the melt, but also with an increase in the free oxygen ions at the molten slag/solid steel interface.
(Mis)Understanding Abortion Regret
Authors: Kimport Katrina
Published: May 2012

The debate about abortion regret rests on competing assumptions about women's attachment to pregnancy. Antiabortion claimants argue women always attach to pregnancy (inevitably regretting abortion), while abortion rights supporters counter that women do not attach to pregnancies they choose to terminate (feeling relief instead). Neither assumption explains women's experience; research shows that attachment is discursively produced. Using interview data from 21 women, this study moves past these political claims to empirically identify three sources of women's emotional difficulty around abortion: social disapproval, romantic relationship loss, and head versus heart conflict. Findings point to the importance of attention to women's lived experience and space for complex feelings around abortion.
Determination of transfer capability region using boundary tracing method
Authors: Limpatthamapanee Sataporn , Phichaisawat Sotdhipong
Published: May 2012

In electricity markets, transfer capability is a parameter showing the potential of a considered source–sink pair to transfer power. This paper enhances transfer capability monitoring by proposing a method to determine this parameter with respect to a region referred to as the ‘transfer capability region’ (TCR). The boundary of a TCR is traced by using the modified predictor–corrector process on a plane of real and reactive powers. The TCR shows a set of feasible loading points at the sink area. Moreover, the shape of TCR always changes according to the system parameters. This paper also defines the outermost boundary of the TCR when the considered parameters are set to be free. We apply the proposed method to test systems, and then compare to the maximum loading points obtained by the conventional transfer capability calculation. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Estimation of traffic congestion distance using frequency division multiplexing based on IEEE802.15.4
Authors: Kobayashi Hideyuki , Sugiura Akihiko
Published: May 2012

We propose a system to estimate the traffic congestion distance using IEEE 802.15.4, that is extended by multicommunication frequency division multiplexing. Our proposed system is developed at 20% equipped rate, where five lanes are considered. Furthermore, in our proposed system, it is assumed that the equipped rate in all lanes increases. Our proposed method can estimate an error rate lower than 10% approximately at on equipped rate greater than 50%. Additionally, we use 16 terminals in the actual environment. From the actual experiment, we find that our proposed method involving the use of communication pattern 2 is 300% faster than the existing method. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Perinatal outcome in women treated with progesterone for the prevention of preterm birth: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Sotiriadis A. , Papatheodorou S. , Makrydimas G.
Published: May 2012

Objective

To quantify the effect on perinatal outcome in women treated with progesterone for the prevention of preterm birth.

Methods

MEDLINE and SCOPUS searches, including references of the retrieved articles and additional automated search using the ‘search for related articles’ PubMed function, were used. Randomized controlled trials assigning women at risk for preterm birth to progesterone or placebo were included (both singleton and multiple pregnancies). Outcomes were neonatal and perinatal death, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), retinopathy, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) Grade 3–4, sepsis, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and composite adverse outcome.

Results

Sixteen studies (singletons, n = 7; twins, n = 7; triplets, n = 2) were included in the meta‐analysis. For singleton pregnancies, progesterone reduced the rates of neonatal death (risk ratio (RR) 0.487 (95% CI, 0.290–0.818)), RDS (RR 0.677 (95% CI, 0.490–0.935)), NICU admission (RR 0.410 (95% CI, 0.204–0.823)) and composite adverse outcome (RR 0.576 (95% CI, 0.373–0.891)). No favorable effect was observed in twins; in fact, progesterone was associated with increased rates of perinatal death (RR 1.551 (95% CI, 1.014–2.372)), RDS (RR 1.218 (95% CI, 1.038–1.428)) and composite adverse outcome (RR 1.211 (95% CI, 1.029–1.425)). No significant effect was observed in triplet pregnancies.

Conclusion

Progesterone administration in singleton pregnancies at risk for preterm birth improves perinatal outcomes, but may actually have adverse effects in multiple pregnancies. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The capacity of multi‐channel multi‐interface wireless networks with multi‐packet reception and directional antenna
Authors: Liu Jian , Li Fangmin , Liu Xinhua , Wang Hao
Published: May 2012

The capacity of wireless networks can be improved by the use of multi‐channel multi‐interface (MCMI), multi‐packet reception (MPR), and directional antenna (DA). MCMI can provide the concurrent transmission in different channels for each node with multiple interfaces; MPR offers an increased number of concurrent transmissions on the same channel; DA can be more effective than omni‐DA by reducing interference and increasing spatial reuse. This paper explores the capacity of wireless networks that integrate MCMI, MPR, and DA technologies. Unlike some previous research, which only employed one or two of the aforementioned technologies to improve the capacity of networks, this research captures the capacity bound of the networks with all the aforementioned technologies in arbitrary and random wireless networks. The research shows that such three‐technology networks can achieve at most capacity gain in arbitrary networks and capacity gain in random networks compared with MCMI wireless networks without DA and MPR. The paper also explored and analyzed the impact on the network capacity gain with different , θ, and k‐MPR ability. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Greater sage‐grouse and fences: Does marking reduce collisions?
Authors: Stevens Bryan S. , Reese Kerry P. , Connelly John W. , Musil David D.
Published: May 2012

Collision with infrastructure such as fences is widespread and common for many species of grouse. Greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) fence‐collision has been documented and fence‐marking methods have been recommended for mitigating prairie‐grouse collision in rangeland habitats. We tested a marking method in greater sage‐grouse breeding habitat and modeled collision as a function of fence marking and control covariates, in Idaho (USA) in 2010. Our results suggested collision risk decreased with fence marking, increased with lek‐count indices of local abundance, and decreased with increasing distance from lek. We found an approximate 83% reduction in collision rates at marked fences relative to unmarked fences. Our results also suggested marking may not be necessary on all fences, and mitigation should focus on areas with locally abundant grouse populations and fence segments <2 km from known leks. Nonetheless, collision still occurred at marked fences <500 m from large leks and moving or removing fences may be necessary in some areas if management is to eliminate collision. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Uptake of buried baits by badgers: Implications for rabies control in Great Britain and the delivery of an oral TB vaccine
Authors: Palphramand Kate L. , Carter Stephen P. , Woods John A. , Smith Graham C. , Walker Neil J. , Delahay Richard J.
Published: May 2012

The British Government's contingency plan for the control of wildlife rabies is based on oral vaccination around a focal outbreak, with the option of the targeted lethal control of foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and badgers (Meles meles) using buried poisoned bait. We investigated uptake by badgers of nonpoison meat‐based baits buried along transects for 10 consecutive days in 1995. The original aim was to evaluate the likely effectiveness of this contingency option. However, the results are also pertinent to the development of an oral tuberculosis (TB) vaccine baiting strategy for badgers, for which research has primarily been carried out since this study was completed. Bait disappearance steadily increased over time, reaching an asymptote after 7 days. By incorporating iophenoxic acid biomarkers into baits, we showed that about 51% of subsequently captured badgers had consumed bait, the majority of which did so during the first 7 days. Bait uptake was significantly higher among adults. Rates of uptake by badgers of baits buried along transects could be increased by shortening the prebaiting period or extending the baiting period. However, considerably higher levels of uptake by adults and cubs are likely to be achieved by targeting bait deployment at badger setts, and this is now included in Britain's rabies contingency plan. Although meat‐based baits cannot be used for TB control, the relevance of these results to the delivery of an oral TB vaccine bait to badgers is discussed. © 2012 Crown copyright
Housing with Females Increases Testosterone and Cortisol Levels in Captive Groups of Black‐Handed Spider Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi)
Authors: Cerda‐Molina A.L. , Hernández‐López L. , Díaz‐Díaz G. , Mejía‐Varas F. , Chavira R. , Mondragón‐Ceballos R.
Published: May 2012

The black‐handed spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) is a seasonal reproducer that requires a seclusiveness to copulate and has a fusion–fission social system. These features impose important restrictions to achieve reproduction of captive animals. We investigated if group composition in captive spider monkeys has any endocrine effects. We compared testosterone and cortisol concentrations during the mating season in all‐male and multifemale–multimale groups to study if the former condition impairs reproductive potential and increases stress. Concentrations of testosterone and cortisol of males living with females were higher than those of all‐male groups. In the multifemale–multimale condition, dominant males had the highest levels of testosterone, while the youngest males showed the highest concentrations of cortisol. Results show that males adjust well to isosexual grouping, this being an appropriate condition to keep animals when controlled reproduction is sought. Zoo Biol 31:490;–497, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Case Study of Malayan Tapir (Tapirus indicus) Husbandry Practice Across 10 Zoological Collections
Authors: Rose Paul E. , Roffe Sarah M.
Published: May 2012

The Malayan, or Asian, tapir (Tapirus indicus) has a diminishing wild population and is becoming more common in captivity as zoos attempt to manage sustainable ex situ populations. Tapirs can be relatively easy to maintain and breed, but captive animals appear to suffer from reduced activity budgets, obesity, and poor public image. A questionnaire‐based survey was designed and sent specifically to 10 collections around the world that exhibit Malayan tapirs, with the aim of assessing husbandry regimes to determine prevalence of standardized practices as well as highlighting any key differences, and to showcase good practice, thus providing information beneficial to those maintaining this species in their zoo. Twenty‐five animals were included in the survey from collections across four continents. The research's major conclusions show differing dietary make‐up, with a lack of forage provision, contrasting with a diverse array of enrichment protocols used. Significant differences were noted between zoos for total amount of food offered (P = 0.000) as well as ratios of forage to concentrate pellet offered (P = 0.004). Comparing food offered to male and female tapirs with published requirements for an “average” of either gender shows not all zoos providing the amount suggested in husbandry guidelines. Intelligently designed and original enrichment was provided to all animals but differences between zoos were noted in the application and “usefulness” of enrichment for individual tapir. Overall, animals are benefiting from enrichment but welfare could be further improved via consistent feeding of ad libitum forage and regular use of browse as a constituent part of daily rations. Zoo Biol. 32:347–356, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Personal Genomic Testing as Part of the Complete Breast Cancer Risk Assessment: A Case Report
Authors: Riordan Sara , Rodriguez David F. , Kieran Shannon
Published: May 2012

Patient access and utilization of personal genomic testing is becoming increasingly common. We present a case of a patient's personal genomic screening results leading to early detection of infiltrating breast ductal cell carcinoma via MRI scan. This case exemplifies the successful integration of personal genomic testing into the primary care setting, with the guidance and support of genetic counseling services. We discuss the scientific basis of the patient's genome scan results and risk assessment, and how this informed her decision‐making and subsequent screening. We also expound upon the role of personal genomic testing as compared to other screening tests in the complete breast cancer risk assessment.
The Heteroscedastic Graded Response Model with a Skewed Latent Trait: Testing Statistical and Substantive Hypotheses Related to Skewed Item Category Functions
Authors: Molenaar Dylan , Dolan Conor V. , de Boeck Paul
Published: May 2012

The Graded Response Model (GRM; Samejima, Estimation of ability using a response pattern of graded scores, Psychometric Monograph No. 17, Richmond, VA: The Psychometric Society, 1969) can be derived by assuming a linear regression of a continuous variable, Z, on the trait, θ, to underlie the ordinal item scores (Takane & de Leeuw in Psychometrika, 52:393–408, 1987). Traditionally, a normal distribution is specified for Z implying homoscedastic error variances and a normally distributed θ. In this paper, we present the Heteroscedastic GRM with Skewed Latent Trait, which extends the traditional GRM by incorporation of heteroscedastic error variances and a skew-normal latent trait. An appealing property of the extended GRM is that it includes the traditional GRM as a special case. This enables specific tests on the normality assumption of Z. We show how violations of normality in Z can lead to asymmetrical category response functions. The ability to test this normality assumption is beneficial from both a statistical and substantive perspective. In a simulation study, we show the viability of the model and investigate the specificity of the effects. We apply the model to a dataset on affect and a dataset on alexithymia.
Phytochemical Composition of Oryza sativa (Rice) Bran Oil Bodies in Crude and Purified Isolates
Authors: Nantiyakul Nantaprapa , Furse Samuel , Fisk Ian , Foster Timothy J. , Tucker Gregory , Gray David A.
Published: May 2012

We describe a procedure for isolating and purifying oil bodies (OBs) from Oryza sativa bran, and present evidence that strongly suggests a physical association between the OB organelles and several antioxidant phytochemicals (γ‐oryzanol and several tocochromanols). This suggestion arises from work showing that despite comprehensive washing steps (9 M urea, water), the majority of the tocotrienols and tocopherols (77 and 73 %, respectively) and oryzanols (91 %) remain integral to the oil bodies, not being released unless the latter are sacrificed. This in turn provides a valuable comparison with similar analyses of tocochromanols in other plant species, as well as indicating that rice bran, normally a waste product from the rice industry, may provide a valuable source of antioxidants as well as protein and unsaturated fat.
Superior prognostic utility of gross and metabolic tumor volume compared to standardized uptake value using PET/CT in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy
Authors: Romesser Paul B. , Qureshi Muhammad M. , Shah Bhartesh A. , Chatburn Luke T. , Jalisi Scharukh , Devaiah Anand K. , Subramaniam Rathan M. , Truong Minh Tam
Published: May 2012

Objective

To compare the prognostic utility of the 2-[18F] fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), primary gross tumor volume (GTV), and FDG metabolic tumor volume (MTV) for disease control and survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) undergoing intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

Methods

Between 2007 and 2011, 41 HNSCC patients who underwent a staging positron emission tomography with computed tomography and definitive IMRT were identified. Local (LC), nodal (NC), distant (DC), and overall (OC) control, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were assessed using the Kaplan–Meier product-limit method.

Results

With a median follow-up of 24.2 months (range 2.7–56.3 months) local, nodal, and distant recurrences were recorded in 10, 5, and 7 patients, respectively. The median SUVmax, GTV, and MTV were 15.8, 22.2 cc, and 7.2 cc, respectively. SUVmax did not correlate with LC (p = 0.229) and OS (p = 0.661) when analyzed by median threshold. Patients with smaller GTVs (<22.2 cc) demonstrated improved 2-year actuarial LC rates of 100 versus 56.4 % (p = 0.001) and OS rates of 94.4 versus 65.9 % (p = 0.045). Similarly, a smaller MTV (<7.2 cc) correlated with improved 2-year actuarial LC rates of 100 versus 54.2 % (p < 0.001) and OS rates of 94.7 versus 64.2 % (p = 0.04). Smaller GTV and MTV correlated with improved NC, DC, OC, and DFS, as well.

Conclusion

GTV and MTV demonstrate superior prognostic utility as compared to SUVmax, with larger tumor volumes correlating with inferior local control and overall survival in HNSCC patients treated with definitive IMRT.
A plant microRNA regulates the adaptation of roots to drought stress
Authors: Chen Hao , Li Zhuofu , Xiong Liming
Published: May 2012

Plants tend to restrict their horizontal root proliferation in response to drought stress, an adaptive response mediated by the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) in antagonism with auxin through unknown mechanisms. Here, we found that stress‐regulated miR393‐guided cleavage of the transcripts encoding two auxin receptors, TIR1 and AFB2, was required for inhibition of lateral root growth by ABA or osmotic stress. Unlike in the control plants, the lateral root growth of seedlings expressing miR393‐resistant TIR1 or AFB2 was no longer inhibited by ABA or osmotic stress. Our results indicate that miR393‐mediated attenuation of auxin signaling modulates root adaptation to drought stress.
Dissipation and enstrophy statistics in turbulence: are the simulations and mathematics converging?
Authors: Kerr R. M.
Published: May 2012

Since the advent of cluster computing over 10 years ago there has been a steady output of new and better direct numerical simulation of homogeneous, isotropic turbulence with spectra and lower-order statistics converging to experiments and many phenomenological models. The next step is to directly compare these simulations to new models and new mathematics, employing the simulated data sets in novel ways, especially when experimental results do not exist or are poorly converged. For example, many of the higher-order moments predicted by the models converge slowly in experiments. The solution with a simulation is to do what an experiment cannot. The calculation and analysis of Yeung, Donzis & Sreenivasan (J. Fluid Mech., this issue, vol. 700, 2012, pp. 5–15) represents the vanguard of new simulations and new numerical analysis that will fill this gap. Where individual higher-order moments of the vorticity squared (the enstrophy) and kinetic energy dissipation might be converging slowly, they have focused upon ratios between different moments that have better convergence properties. This allows them to more fully explore the statistical distributions that eventually must be modelled. This approach is consistent with recent mathematics that focuses upon temporal intermittency rather than spatial intermittency. The principle is that when the flow is nearly singular, during ‘bad’ phases, when global properties can go up and down by many orders of magnitude, if appropriate ratios are taken, convergence rates should improve. Furthermore, in future analysis it might be possible to use these ratios to gain new insights into the intermittency and regularity properties of the underlying equations.
Influence of initial turbulence level on the flow and sound fields of a subsonic jet at a diameter-based Reynolds number of 105
Authors: Bogey C. , Marsden O. , Bailly C.
Published: May 2012

Five isothermal round jets at Mach number $M= 0. 9$ and Reynolds number ${\mathit{Re}}_{D} = 1{0}^{5} $ originating from a pipe nozzle are computed by large-eddy simulations to investigate the effects of initial turbulence on flow development and noise generation. In the pipe, the boundary layers are untripped in the first case and tripped numerically in the four others in order to obtain, at the exit, mean velocity profiles similar to a Blasius laminar profile of momentum thickness equal to 1.8 % of the jet radius, yielding Reynolds number ${\mathit{Re}}_{\theta } = 900$, and peak turbulence levels ${ u}_{e}^{\ensuremath{\prime} } $ around 0, 3 %, 6 %, 9 % or 12 % of the jet velocity ${u}_{j} $. As the initial turbulence intensity increases, the shear layers develop more slowly with much lower root-mean-square (r.m.s.) fluctuating velocities, and the jet potential cores are longer. Velocity disturbances downstream of the nozzle exit also exhibit different structural characteristics. For low ${ u}_{e}^{\ensuremath{\prime} } / {u}_{j} $, they are dominated by the first azimuthal modes ${n}_{\theta } = 0$, 1 and 2, and show significant skewness and intermittency. The growth of linear instability waves and a first stage of vortex pairings occur in the shear layers for ${ u}_{e}^{\ensuremath{\prime} } / {u}_{j} \leq 6\hspace{0.167em} \% $. For higher ${ u}_{e}^{\ensuremath{\prime} } / {u}_{j} $, three-dimensional features and high azimuthal modes prevail, in particular close to the nozzle exit where the wavenumbers naturally found in turbulent wall-bounded flows clearly appear. Concerning the sound fields, strong broadband components mainly associated with mode ${n}_{\theta } = 1$ are noticed around the pairing frequency for the untripped jet. With rising ${ u}_{e}^{\ensuremath{\prime} } / {u}_{j} $, however, they become weaker, and the noise levels decrease asymptotically down to those measured for jets at ${\mathit{Re}}_{D} \geq 5\ensuremath{\times} 1{0}^{5} $, which are likely to be initially turbulent and to emit negligible vortex-pairing noise. These results correspond well to experimental observations, made separately for either mixing layers, jet flow or sound fields.
Non-axisymmetric Homann stagnation-point flows
Authors: Weidman P. D.
Published: May 2012

A modification of Homann’s axisymmetric outer potential stagnation-point flow of strain rate $a$ is obtained by adding periodic radial and azimuthal velocities of the form $b\hspace{0.167em} r\sin 2\theta $ and $b\hspace{0.167em} r\cos 2\theta $, respectively, where $b$ is a shear rate. This leads to the discovery of a new family of asymmetric viscous stagnation-point flows depending on the shear-to-strain-rate ratio $\gamma = b/ a$ that exist over the range $\ensuremath{-} \infty \lt \gamma \lt \infty $. Numerical solutions for the wall shear stress parameters and the displacement thicknesses are given and compared with their large-$\gamma $ asymptotic behaviours. Sample similarity velocity profiles are also presented.