bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantification of cell size using temporal diffusion spectroscopy
Authors: Jiang Xiaoyu , Li Hua , Xie Jingping , Zhao Ping , Gore John C. , Xu Junzhong
Published: April 2015

Purpose

A new approach has been developed to quantify cell sizes and intracellular volume fractions using temporal diffusion spectroscopy with diffusion‐weighted acquisitions.

Methods

Temporal diffusion spectra may be used to characterize tissue microstructure by measuring the effects of restrictions over a range of diffusion times. Oscillating gradients have been used previously to probe variations on cellular and subcellular scales, but their ability to accurately measure cell sizes larger than 10 μm is limited. By combining measurements made using oscillating gradient spin echo (OGSE) and a conventional pulsed gradient spin echo (PGSE) acquisition with a single, relatively long diffusion time, we can accurately quantify cell sizes and intracellular volume fractions.

Results

Based on a two compartment model (incorporating intra‐ and extracellular spaces), accurate estimates of cell sizes and intracellular volume fractions were obtained in vitro for (i) different cell types with sizes ranging from 10 to 20 μm, (ii) different cell densities, and (iii) before and after anticancer treatment.

Conclusion

Hybrid OGSE‐PGSE acquisitions sample a larger region of temporal diffusion spectra and can accurately quantify cell sizes over a wide range. Moreover, the maximum gradient strength used was lower than 15 G/cm, suggesting that this approach is translatable to practical MR imaging. Magn Reson Med 75:1076–1085, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of phase‐constrained parallel MRI approaches: Analogies and differences
Authors: Blaimer Martin , Heim Marius , Neumann Daniel , Jakob Peter M. , Kannengiesser Stephan , Breuer Felix A.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

Phase‐constrained parallel MRI approaches have the potential for significantly improving the image quality of accelerated MRI scans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the properties of two different phase‐constrained parallel MRI formulations, namely the standard phase‐constrained approach and the virtual conjugate coil (VCC) concept utilizing conjugate k‐space symmetry.

Methods

Both formulations were combined with image‐domain algorithms (SENSE) and a mathematical analysis was performed. Furthermore, the VCC concept was combined with k‐space algorithms (GRAPPA and ESPIRiT) for image reconstruction. In vivo experiments were conducted to illustrate analogies and differences between the individual methods. Furthermore, a simple method of improving the signal‐to‐noise ratio by modifying the sampling scheme was implemented.

Results

For SENSE, the VCC concept was mathematically equivalent to the standard phase‐constrained formulation and therefore yielded identical results. In conjunction with k‐space algorithms, the VCC concept provided more robust results when only a limited amount of calibration data were available. Additionally, VCC‐GRAPPA reconstructed images provided spatial phase information with full resolution.

Conclusions

Although both phase‐constrained parallel MRI formulations are very similar conceptually, there exist important differences between image‐domain and k‐space domain reconstructions regarding the calibration robustness and the availability of high‐resolution phase information. Magn Reson Med 75:1086–1099, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Correction and optimization of a T2‐based approach to map blood oxygenation in small cerebral veins
Authors: Krishnamurthy Lisa C. , Mao Deng , King Kevin S. , Lu Hanzhang
Published: April 2015

Purpose

Cerebral venous blood oxygenation (Yv) is an important biomarker in brain physiology and function. The present study proposes a procedure to provide a quantitative map of the brain's intravascular Yv.

Theory and Methods

The method is based on a pulse sequence, T2‐Relaxation‐Under‐Phase‐Contrast (TRU‐PC) MRI, with postprocessing approaches to correct eddy‐current effects. A complete scan protocol consists of four TRU‐PC scans sensitized to large and small vessels with anterior–posterior and foot–head flow‐encoding directions, and the data are analyzed conjunctively. Eddy‐current correction was performed by fitting the tissue phase to a hyperplane, and then subtracting the eddy‐current phase from the measured vessel phase. The reproducibility of the Yv‐maps was examined in five participants. Sensitivity of the Yv map to a caffeine challenge was studied in another five participants.

Results

Removal of eddy‐current induced artifact allowed for the correction of T2 measurements, as demonstrated in vivo and with simulation. A Yv‐map depicting all vessels in the slice can be obtained with the proposed protocol. Test–retest variability of the Yv‐map was 3.7 ± 1.2%. Yv reduction can be reliably detected (P < 0.001) following the caffeine ingestion.

Conclusion

With the proposed TRU‐PC protocol and eddy‐current correction procedure, an accurate, vessel‐specific Yv map of the human brain can be obtained. Magn Reson Med 75:1100–1109, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Triple‐quantum‐filtered sodium imaging at 9.4 Tesla
Authors: Mirkes Christian , Shajan G. , Bause Jonas , Buckenmaier Kai , Hoffmann Jens , Scheffler Klaus
Published: April 2015

Purpose

Efficient acquisition of triple‐quantum‐filtered (TQF) sodium images at ultra‐high field (UHF) strength.

Methods

A three‐pulse preparation and a stack of double‐spirals were used for the acquisition of TQF images at 9.4 Tesla. The flip angles of the TQ preparation were smoothly reduced toward the edge of k‐space along the partition‐encoding direction. In doing so, the specific absorption rate could be reduced while preserving the maximal signal intensity for the partitions most relevant for image contrast in the center of k‐space. Simulations, phantom and in vivo measurements were used to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed method.

Results

A higher sensitivity (∼20%) was achieved compared to the standard acquisition without flip angle apodization. Signals from free sodium ions were successfully suppressed irrespective of the amount of apodization used. B0 corrected TQF images with a nominal resolution of 5 × 5 × 5 mm3 and an acceptable signal‐to‐noise ratio could be acquired in vivo within 21 min.

Conclusion

Conventional TQF in combination with flip angle apodization permits to exploit more efficiently the increased sensitivity available at 9.4T. Magn Reson Med 75:1278–1289, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interventional MR elastography for MRI‐guided percutaneous procedures
Authors: Corbin Nadège , Vappou Jonathan , Breton Elodie , Boehler Quentin , Barbé Laurent , Renaud Pierre , de Mathelin Michel
Published: April 2015

Purpose

MRI‐guided thermal ablations require reliable monitoring methods to ensure complete destruction of the diseased tissue while avoiding damage to the surrounding healthy tissue. Based on the fact that thermal ablations result in substantial changes in biomechanical properties, interventional MR elastography (MRE) dedicated to the monitoring of MR‐guided thermal therapies is proposed here.

Methods

Interventional MRE consists of a needle MRE driver, a fast and interactive gradient echo pulse sequence with motion encoding, and an inverse problem solver in real‐time. This complete protocol was tested in vivo on swine and the ability to monitor elasticity changes in real‐time was assessed in phantom.

Results

Thanks to a short repetition time, a reduction of the number of phase‐offsets and the use of a sliding window, one refreshed elastogram was provided every 2.56 s for an excitation frequency of 100 Hz. In vivo elastograms of swine liver were successfully provided in real‐time during one breath‐hold. Changes of elasticity were successfully monitored in a phantom during its gelation with the same elastogram frame rate.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the ability of detecting elasticity changes in real‐time and providing elastograms in vivo with interventional MRE that could be used for the monitoring of thermal ablations. Magn Reson Med 75:1110–1118, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantification of turbulence and velocity in stenotic flow using spiral three‐dimensional phase‐contrast MRI
Authors: Petersson Sven , Dyverfeldt Petter , Sigfridsson Andreas , Lantz Jonas , Carlhäll Carl‐Johan , Ebbers Tino
Published: April 2015

Purpose

Evaluate spiral three‐dimensional (3D) phase contrast MRI for the assessment of turbulence and velocity in stenotic flow.

Methods

A‐stack‐of‐spirals 3D phase contrast MRI sequence was evaluated in vitro against a conventional Cartesian sequence. Measurements were made in a flow phantom with a 75% stenosis. Both spiral and Cartesian imaging were performed using different scan orientations and flow rates. Volume flow rate, maximum velocity and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) were computed for both methods. Moreover, the estimated TKE was compared with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) data.

Results

There was good agreement between the turbulent kinetic energy from the spiral, Cartesian and CFD data. Flow rate and maximum velocity from the spiral data agreed well with Cartesian data. As expected, the short echo time of the spiral sequence resulted in less prominent displacement artifacts compared with the Cartesian sequence. However, both spiral and Cartesian flow rate estimates were sensitive to displacement when the flow was oblique to the encoding directions.

Conclusion

Spiral 3D phase contrast MRI appears favorable for the assessment of stenotic flow. The spiral sequence was more than three times faster and less sensitive to displacement artifacts when compared with a conventional Cartesian sequence. Magn Reson Med 75:1249–1255, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spectrally selective imaging with wideband balanced steady‐state free precession MRI
Authors: Çukur Tolga
Published: April 2015

Purpose

Unwanted, bright fat signals in balanced steady‐state free precession sequences are commonly suppressed using spectral shaping. Here, a new spectral‐shaping method is proposed to significantly improve the uniformity of stopband suppression without compromising the level of passband signals.

Methods

The proposed method combines binomial‐pattern excitation pulses with a wideband balanced steady‐state free precession sequence kernel. It thereby increases the frequency separation between the centers of pass and stopbands by π radians, enabling improved water‐fat contrast. Simulations were performed to find the optimal flip angles and subpulse spacing for the binomial pulses that maximize contrast and signal efficiency.

Results

Comparisons with a conventional binomial balanced steady‐state free precession sequence were performed in simulations as well as phantom and in vivo experiments at 1.5 T and 3 T. Enhanced fat suppression is demonstrated in vivo with an average improvement of 58% in blood‐fat and 68% in muscle‐fat contrast (P < 0.001, Wilcoxon signed‐rank test).

Conclusion

The proposed binomial wideband balanced steady‐state free precession method is a promising candidate for spectrally selective imaging with enhanced reliability against field inhomogeneities. Magn Reson Med 75:1132–1141, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A novel approach to tracer‐kinetic modeling for (macromolecular) dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI
Authors: Jacobs Igor , Strijkers Gustav J. , Keizer Henk M. , Janssen Henk M. , Nicolay Klaas , Schabel Matthias C
Published: April 2015

Purpose

To develop a novel tracer‐kinetic modeling approach for multi‐agent dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI (DCE‐MRI) that facilitates separate estimation of parameters characterizing blood flow and microvascular permeability within one individual.

Methods

Monte Carlo simulations were performed to investigate the performance of the constrained multi‐agent model. Subsequently, multi‐agent DCE‐MRI was performed on tumor‐bearing mice (n = 5) on a 7T Bruker scanner on three measurement days, in which two dendrimer‐based contrast agents having high and intermediate molecular weight, respectively, along with gadoterate meglumine, were sequentially injected within one imaging session. Multi‐agent data were simultaneously fit with the gamma capillary transit time model. Blood flow, mean capillary transit time, and bolus arrival time were constrained to be identical between the boluses, while extraction fractions and washout rate constants were separately determined for each agent.

Results

Simulations showed that constrained multi‐agent model regressions led to less uncertainty and bias in estimated tracer‐kinetic parameters compared with single‐bolus modeling. The approach was successfully applied in vivo, and significant differences in the extraction fraction and washout rate constant between the agents, dependent on their molecular weight, were consistently observed.

Conclusion

A novel multi‐agent tracer‐kinetic modeling approach that enforces self‐consistency of model parameters and can robustly characterize tumor vascular status was demonstrated. Magn Reson Med 75:1142–1153, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lowering the B1 threshold for improved BEARB1 mapping
Authors: Jordanova Kalina V. , Nishimura Dwight G. , Kerr Adam B.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

Accurate measurement of the nonuniform transmit radiofrequency field is necessary for magnetic resonance imaging applications. The radiofrequency field excitation amplitude (B1) is often obtained by acquiring a B1 map. We modify the B1 estimation using adiabatic refocusing (BEAR) method to extend its range to lower B1 magnitudes.

Theory and Methods

The BEAR method is a phase‐based B1 mapping method, wherein hyperbolic secant pulses induce a phase sensitivity to B1. The measurable B1 range is limited due to the adiabatic threshold of the pulses. We redesign the method to use flattened hyperbolic secant pulses, which have lower adiabatic thresholds. We optimize the flattened hyperbolic secant parameters to minimize phase sensitivity to frequency variations.

Results

We validate the performance of the new method via simulation and in vivo at 3T, and show that for
, accurate B1 maps can be acquired using reduced nominal peak B1 values.

Conclusion

The adiabatic threshold for the BEAR method is reduced with flattened hyperbolic secant pulses, which are optimized for accurate phase‐to‐B1 mapping over a frequency range, and allow for lower nominal B1 values. At 3T, the nominal B1 is decreased by 52% and the sensitivity to B1 is increased by a factor of 3.8. This can improve the method's applicability for measurement of low B1. Magn Reson Med 75:1262–1268, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
T2 relaxation times are increased in Skeletal muscle of DMD but not BMD patients
Authors: Wokke Beatrijs H. , Van Den Bergen Janneke C. , Hooijmans Melissa T. , Verschuuren Jan J. , Niks Erik H. , Kan Hermien E.
Published: April 2015

Introduction

Exon‐skipping drugs in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) aim to restore truncated dystrophin expression, which is present in the milder Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). MRI skeletal muscle T2 relaxation times as a representation of edema/inflammation could be quantitative outcome parameters for such trials. Methods: We studied T2 relaxation times, adjusted for muscle fat fraction using Dixon MRI, in lower leg muscles of DMD and BMD patients and healthy controls. Results: T2 relaxation times correlated significantly with fat fractions in patients only (P < 0.001). After adjusting for muscle fat, T2 relaxation times were significantly increased in 6 muscles of DMD patients (P < 0.01), except for the extensor digitorum longus. In BMD, T2 relaxation times were unchanged. Conclusions: T2 relaxation times could be a useful outcome parameter in exon‐skipping trials in DMD but are influenced by fat despite fat suppression. This should be accounted for when using quantitative T2 mapping to investigate edema/inflammation. Muscle Nerve 53: 38–43, 2016
Chemical and Physical Effects of the Carrier Gas on the Atmospheric Pressure PECVD of Fluorinated Precursors
Authors: Hubert Julie , Vandencasteele Nicolas , Mertens Jérémy , Viville Pascal , Dufour Thierry , Barroo Cédric , Visart de Bocarmé Thierry , Lazzaroni Roberto , Reniers François
Published: April 2015

The atmospheric pressure PECVD deposition and texturization of hydrophobic coatings using liquid fluorinated C6F12 and C6F14 precursors are investigated. The effect of the carrier gas (argon and helium) is discussed in terms of the behavior of the gas phase and of the characteristics of the deposited film. Mass spectrometry measurements indicate that the fragmentation is higher with argon while helium reacts very easily with oxygen impurities leading to the formation of CxFyOz compounds. These observations are consistent with the chemical composition of the films determined by XPS and the variation in the deposition rate. Moreover, the streamers present in the argon discharge affect the morphology of the surface by increasing the roughness, which leads to the increase in the hydrophobicity of the coatings.
First‐principles calculation of Cu2SnS3 and related compounds
Authors: Shigemi Akio , Maeda Tsuyoshi , Wada Takahiro
Published: April 2015

We evaluate the electronic structures of Cu2SnS3 (CTS) and related compounds, Cu2GeS3 (CGS), Cu2SiS3 (CSS), Cu2SnSe3 (CTSe), Cu2GeSe3 (CGSe), and Cu2SiSe3 (CSSe), using a first‐principles calculation. To determine band‐gap energy, Eg, without use of the reported crystal structure, we used the Heyd–Scuseria–Ernzerhof (HSE) screened hybrid density functional after geometry optimization by a DFT‐D2 approach in consideration of the van der Waals (vdW) forces. The Eg values of the monoclinic CTS and related compounds with a space group of Cc were calculated using the HSE functional with α = 0.32. The determined Eg values were 0.88 eV for CTS, 1.54 eV for CGS, 2.87 eV for CSS, 0.45 eV for CTSe, 0.72 eV for CGSe, and 1.72 eV for CSSe. Additionally, we discuss the reason for the difference in Eg between CTS and related compounds from density of states (DOS).
Effects of preferential etching treatment of CZTS absorber layer by deionized water
Authors: Miyazaki H. , Aono M. , Kishimura H. , Katagiri H.
Published: April 2015

Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) is one of the promising materials for high efficiency thin film solar cells. Here we report on the chemical and structural characterization of the CZTS thin films before and after the surface treatment using deionized water. X‐ray diffraction and Raman scattering spectroscopy results showed that the deionized water treatment did not affect the bulk characterization. Copper chemical composition ratio increases and sulphur composition ratio decreases with increasing deionized water treatment temperature on the film surface. In the case of the sample treated at 353 K, the surface composition changes to Cu‐rich composition. However, the chemical composition ratio of the bulk still remained before deionized water (DIW) surface treatment. The change in the CZTS surface composition according to the DIW surface treatment temperature, we think these results may help to be studied in CZTS surface in more detail. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
An overview of continuum models for nonequilibrium solvation: Popular theories and new challenge
Authors: Li Xiang‐Yuan
Published: April 2015

The effect of solvent on the electron transfer (ET) and spectral shifts has been the focus of experimental and theoretical studies and a key quantity in these studies is the solvent reorganization energy. There are a number of theoretical models toward the evaluation of nonequilibrium solvation free energy that were proposed decades ago and have been applied widely. In the past decade, however, we revisited the original theoretical derivations and identified a serious defect in the popular nonequilibrium solvation models which causes the significant overestimation of solvent reorganization energy and hence predicts a much lowed rate constant for ET in some cases. A rigorous derivation by means of contrained equilibrium principle of thermodynamics was subsequently conducted for the study of nonequilibrium solvation. In this review, the author outlined the intimate interplays among the representative models and analyzed what the possible problem could be. The key idea presented in our recent papers was highlighted. The constrained equilibrium principle in classical thermodynamics and its application to the nonequilibrium solvation were detailed, and a few argumentative examples in literature were taken for the validation of our theory. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pristine and BN doped graphyne derivatives for UV light protection
Authors: Bhattacharya Barnali , Singh Ngangbam Bedamani , Sarkar Utpal
Published: April 2015

This report aims to explore the possibility of using graphyne derivatives as UV‐light protector. Boron (B) and nitrogen (N) atoms are systematically substituted into the structures, and we find that BN‐substituted analogs exhibit distinct characteristics compared with their parent two‐dimensional structure. Due to the presence of BN at different sites, the optical band gap is tuned from infrared to UV via visible region depending on substitution sites. These findings will lead the way to utilize these BN doped structures in various optoelectronic applications such as in hybrid solar cell, electroluminescence cell, light emitting cell, and as selective electromagnetic radiation absorber. The origin of this tunable optical response and band gap is explained in the light of partial density of states analysis and electron density distribution. The presence of strong absorption peak in UV region indicates that these materials may be used as an excellent candidate for UV light protection. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spectral/structural data of helium atoms with exponential‐cosine‐screened coulomb potentials
Authors: Lin Yen‐Chang , Lin Chih‐Yuan , Ho Yew Kam
Published: April 2015

Atomic systems with exponential‐cosine‐screened Coulomb (ECSC) or static screened Coulomb (SSC) potentials have drawn considerable attention recently due to the possible applications to atoms in plasma environments. In this work, we develop a computing scheme to deal with the electron–electron correlation terms with the screened Coulomb interactions instead of the conventional expansion method using the Gegenbauer's addition theorem. Based on this approach, we investigate the helium atom with the ECSC potentials. Bypassing the complex expansion functions for electron–electron interactions, the proposed approach simplifies the calculations greatly and provides an advantage on programming. The results are found to be in good agreement with the existing data. Bound‐state energies, oscillator strengths, and multipole polarizabilities varying with the screening parameters are presented. Comparisons of the ECSC potentials are made with the SSC potentials. The influence of screening effect on the energies, oscillator strengths, and polarizabilities is discussed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electronic structure and spectroscopic properties of 6‐aminophenanthridine and its derivatives: Insights from density functional theory
Authors: Vovusha Hakkim , Banerjee Debapriya , Oumata Nassima , Sanyal Biplab , Sanyal Suparna
Published: April 2015

6‐Aminophenanthridine (6AP) and its derivatives show important biological activities as antiprion compounds and inhibitors of the protein folding activity of the ribosome. Both of these activities depend on the RNA binding property of these compounds, which has been recently characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy. Hence, fundamental insights into the photophysical properties of 6AP compounds are highly important to understand their biological activities. In this work, we have calculated electronic structures and optical properties of 6AP and its three derivatives 6AP8CF3, 6AP8Cl, and 6APi by density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). Our calculated spectra show a good agreement with the experimental absorption and fluorescence spectra, and thus, provide deep insights into the optical properties of the compounds. Furthermore, comparing the results obtained with four different hybrid functionals, we demonstrate that the accuracy of the functionals varies in the order B3LYP > PBE0 > M062X > M06HF. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Making the news: Heterogeneous media coverage and corporate litigation
Authors: Tan David
Published: April 2015

Research summary: This study explores how relative prominence shapes rivalry between firms. Corporate litigation, an increasingly costly domain of interfirm rivalry, is threatening not just because of the immediate legal stakes but because of the indirect losses that unwanted negative publicity inflicts on defendants. I argue that potential defendants' incentives to avoid such losses create a source of value that firms can capture by agreeing to forgo litigation. The more prominent a firm is relative to rivals, the greater its threat and the more value it stands to capture from potential targets by sparing them from litigation.

Managerial summary: The power to attract media attention can be valuable to firms beyond its role in managing relations with investors or the public. It can also provide leverage against industry rivals. Being sued by a prominent firm carries the threat of potential damaging publicity, especially for lesser‐known rivals. Firms may be able to leverage this threat to elicit concessions in return for sparing rivals from litigation. Prominent firms stand to benefit not just from eliciting concessions from rivals but from the ability to do so while avoiding costly litigation. Data from the semiconductor industry show that firms that command much higher levels of media coverage than rivals are able to avoid litigation more often than firms with comparable or lower levels of media coverage. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular signature of erythroblast enucleation in human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Rouzbeh Shaghayegh , Kobari Ladan , Cambot Marie , Mazurier Christelle , Hebert Nicolas , Faussat Anne-Marie , Durand Charles , Douay Luc , Lapillonne Hélène
Published: April 2015

While enucleation is a critical step in the terminal differentiation of human red blood cells, the molecular mechanisms underlying this unique process remain unclear. To investigate erythroblast enucleation, we studied the erythroid differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), which provide a unique model for deeper understanding of the development and differentiation of multiple cell types. First, using a two-step protocol, we demonstrated that terminal erythroid differentiation from hESCs is directly dependent on the age of the embryoid bodies. Second, by choosing hESCs in two extreme conditions of erythroid culture, we obtained an original differentiation model which allows one to study the mechanisms underlying the enucleation of erythroid cells by analyzing the gene and miRNA (miR) expression profiles of cells from these two culture conditions. Third, using an integrated analysis of mRNA and miR expression profiles, we identified five miRs potentially involved in erythroblast enucleation. Finally, by selective knockdown of these five miRs we found miR-30a to be a regulator of erythroblast enucleation in hESCs. Stem Cells  2015;33:2431–2441
Coverage‐based regression test case selection, minimization and prioritization: a case study on an industrial system
Authors: Di Nardo Daniel , Alshahwan Nadia , Briand Lionel , Labiche Yvan
Published: April 2015

This paper presents a case study of coverage‐based regression testing techniques on a real world industrial system with real regression faults. The study evaluates four common prioritization techniques, a test selection technique, a test suite minimization technique and a hybrid approach that combines selection and minimization. The study also examines the effects of using various coverage criteria on the effectiveness of the studied approaches. The results show that prioritization techniques that are based on additional coverage with finer grained coverage criteria perform significantly better in fault detection rates. The study also reveals that using modification information in prioritization techniques does not significantly enhance fault detection rates. The results show that test selection does not provide significant savings in execution cost (<2%), which might be attributed to the nature of the changes made to the system. Test suite minimization using finer grained coverage criteria could provide significant savings in execution cost (79.5%) while maintaining a fault detection capability level above 70%, thus representing a possible trade‐off. The hybrid technique did not provide a significant improvement over traditional minimization techniques. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Azadirachtin, a neem‐derived biopesticide, impairs behavioral and hematological parameters in carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Authors: Murussi Camila R. , Menezes Charlene C. , Nunes Mauro E. M. , Araújo Maria do Carmo S. , Quadros Vanessa A. , Rosemberg Denis B. , Loro Vania L.
Published: April 2015

Azadirachtin (Aza) is a promisor biopesticide used in organic production and aquaculture. Although this compound is apparently safe, there is evidence that it may have deleterious effects on fish. Behavioral and hematological tests are grouped into a set of parameters that may predict potential toxicity of chemical compounds. Here, we investigate the effects of Aza, in the commercial formulation Neenmax™, on carp (Cyprinus carpio) by defining LC50 (96 h), and testing behavioral and hematological parameters. In our study, LC50 was estimated at 80 μL/L. We exposed carp to Aza at 20, 40, and 60 μL/L, values based on 25, 50, and 75% of LC50, respectively. At 60 μL/L, Aza promoted significant changes in several parameters, increasing the distance traveled and absolute turn angle. In addition, the same concentration decreased the time spent immobile and the number of immobile episodes. Hematological parameters, such as hematocrit, hemoglobin, hematimetrics index, and red cell distribution, were decreased at 60 μL/L Aza exposure. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that 60 μL/L Aza altered locomotor activity, motor pattern, and hematological parameters, suggesting potential toxicity to carp after acute exposure. In addition, this is the first report that evaluates the actions of a chemical contaminant using automated behavioral tracking of carp, which may be a useful tool for assessing the potential toxicity of biopesticides in conjunction with hematological tests. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1381–1388, 2016.
Nonylphenol diethoxylate inhibits apoptosis induced in PC12 cells
Authors: Liu Chuang , Sun Yongkun , Song Yutong , Saito Takeshi , Kurasaki Masaaki
Published: April 2015

Nonylphenol and short‐chain nonylphenol ethoxylates such as NP2EO are present in aquatic environment as wastewater contaminants, and their toxic effects on aquatic species have been reported. Apoptosis has been shown to be induced by serum deprivation or copper treatment. To understand the toxicity of nonylphenol diethoxylate, we investigated the effects of NP2EO on apoptosis induced by serum deprivation and copper by using PC12 cell system. Nonylphenol diethoxylate itself showed no toxicity and recovered cell viability from apoptosis. In addition, nonylphenol diethoxylate decreased DNA fragmentation caused by apoptosis in PC12 cells. This phenomenon was confirmed after treating apoptotic PC12 cells with nonylphenol diethoxylate, whereas the cytochrome c release into the cytosol decreased as compared to that in apoptotic cells not treated with nonylphenol diethoxylates. Furthermore, Bax contents in apoptotic cells were reduced after exposure to nonylphenol diethoxylate. Thus, nonylphenol diethoxylate has the opposite effect on apoptosis in PC12 cells compared to nonylphenol, which enhances apoptosis induced by serum deprivation. The difference in structure of the two compounds is hypothesized to be responsible for this phenomenon. These results indicated that nonylphenol diethoxylate has capability to affect cell differentiation and development and has potentially harmful effect on organisms because of its unexpected impact on apoptosis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1389–1398, 2016.
An algebraic theory for web service contracts
Authors: Laneve Cosimo , Padovani Luca
Published: April 2015

We study the foundations of Web service technologies for connecting abstract and concrete service definitions and for discovering services according to their observable behavior. We pursue this study addressing a subset of BPEL activities that include concurrency constructs. We present a formal semantics—called
compliance preorder
—of this subset of BPEL and we define a behavioral type discipline that guarantees the correctness of client-server interactions. The types of our discipline, called
contracts
, are De Nicola and Hennessy tau-less, finite-state CCS processes. We show that contracts are BPEL normal forms according to the compliance preorder and that the compliance preorder does coincide with a well-known equivalence in concurrency theory, the
must-testing preorder
. The compliace preorder is not fully adequate for discovering Web services though, since it does not support width and depth extensions of Web services. To address this issue, we propose a sound generalization of the compliance preorder, called
subcontract relation
, that admits a notion of principal service contract—the
dual contract
—compliant with a given client contract and that exhibits good precongruence properties when choreographies of Web services are considered.
Investigation into the misincorporation of norleucine into a recombinant protein vaccine candidate
Authors: Ni Joyce , Gao Meg , James Andrew , Yao Jiansheng , Yuan Tao , Carpick Bruce , D’Amore Tony , Farrell Patrick
Published: April 2015

A high level of norleucine misincorporation was detected in a recombinant methionine-rich protein vaccine candidate expressed in E. coli K12. An investigation was conducted to evaluate a simple remediation strategy to reduce norleucine misincorporation and to determine if the phenomenon was either (a) due to the depletion of methionine during fermentation, (b) a result of the cultivation environment, or (c) a strain-specific effect. While supplementation with exogenous methionine improved product quality, the undesirable biosynthesis of non-standard amino acids such as norleucine and norvaline persisted. In contrast, non-standard amino acid biosynthesis was quickly minimized upon selection of an appropriate fed-batch process control strategy, fermentation medium, and nutrient feed. By expressing the same protein in E. coli BL21(DE3), it was determined that the biosynthesis of norleucine and norvaline, and the misincorporation of norleucine into the protein were primarily attributed to the use of E. coli K12 as the host for protein expression.
Making Big Communities Small: Using Network Science to Understand the Ecological and Behavioral Requirements for Community Social Capital
Authors: Neal Zachary
Published: April 2015

The concept of social capital is becoming increasingly common in community psychology and elsewhere. However, the multiple conceptual and operational definitions of social capital challenge its utility as a theoretical tool. The goals of this paper are to clarify two forms of social capital (bridging and bonding), explicitly link them to the structural characteristics of small world networks, and explore the behavioral and ecological prerequisites of its formation. First, I use the tools of network science and specifically the concept of small‐world networks to clarify what patterns of social relationships are likely to facilitate social capital formation. Second, I use an agent‐based model to explore how different ecological characteristics (diversity and segregation) and behavioral tendencies (homophily and proximity) impact communities’ potential for developing social capital. The results suggest diverse communities have the greatest potential to develop community social capital, and that segregation moderates the effects that the behavioral tendencies of homophily and proximity have on community social capital. The discussion highlights how these findings provide community‐based researchers with both a deeper understanding of the contextual constraints with which they must contend, and a useful tool for targeting their efforts in communities with the greatest need or greatest potential.
Evaluation of the diagnostic value of alpha‐l‐fucosidase, alpha‐fetoprotein and thymidine kinase 1 with ROC and logistic regression for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Shi-Yan , Lin Bi-Ding , Li Bu-Ren
Published: April 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with the combined analysis of alpha‐l‐fucosidase (AFU), alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) and thymidine kinase 1 (TK1). Serum levels of AFU, AFP and TK1 were measured in: 116 patients with HCC, 109 patients with benign hepatic diseases, and 104 normal subjects. The diagnostic value was analyzed using the logistic regression equation and receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC). Statistical distribution of the three tested tumor markers in every group was non‐normally distributed (Kolmogorov–Sminov test,Z= 0.156–0.517,P< 0.001). The serum levels of AFP and TK1 in patients with HCC were significantly higher than those in patients with benign hepatic diseases (Mann–WhitneyU test,Z= −8.570 to –5.943, allP< 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference of AFU between these two groups (Mann–WhitneyU test,Z= −1.820,P= 0.069). The levels of AFU were significantly higher in patients with benign hepatic diseases than in normal subjects (Mann–WhitneyU test,Z= −7.984,P< 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) in patients with HCC versus those without HCC indicated the optimal cut‐off value was 40.80 U/L for AFU, 10.86 μg/L for AFP and 1.92 pmol/L for TK1, respectively. The area under ROC curve (AUC) was 0.718 for AFU, 0.832 for AFP, 0.773 for TK1 and 0.900 for the combination of the three tumor markers. The combination resulted in a higher Youden index and a sensitivity of 85.3%. The combined detection of serum AFU, AFP and TK1 could play a complementary role in the diagnosis of HCC, and could significantly improve the sensitivity for the diagnosis of HCC.
Effects of developmental alcohol exposure vs. intubation stress on BDNF and TrkB expression in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of neonatal rats
Authors: Boschen K.E. , Criss K.J. , Palamarchouk V. , Roth T.L. , Klintsova A.Y.
Published: April 2015

Third trimester‐equivalent alcohol exposure causes significant deficits in hippocampal and cortical neuroplasticity, resulting in alterations to dendritic arborization, hippocampal adult neurogenesis, and performance on learning tasks. The current study investigated the impact of neonatal alcohol exposure (postnatal days 4–9, 5.25 g/kg/day) on expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the tropomyosin‐related kinase B (TrkB) receptor in the hippocampal and frontal cortex of infant Long–Evans rats. Levels of BDNF protein were increased in the hippocampus, but not frontal cortex, of alcohol‐exposed rats 24 h after the last dose, when compared with undisturbed (but not sham‐intubated) control animals. BDNF protein levels showed a trend toward increase in hippocampus of sham‐intubated animals as well, suggesting an effect of the intubation procedure. TrkB protein was increased in the hippocampus of alcohol‐exposed animals compared to sham‐intubated pups, indicating an alcohol‐specific effect on receptor expression. In addition, expression of bdnf total mRNA in alcohol‐exposed and sham‐intubated pups was enhanced in the hippocampus; however, there was a differential effect of alcohol and intubation stress on exon I‐ and IV‐specific mRNA transcripts. Further, plasma corticosterone was found to be increased in both alcohol‐exposed and sham‐intubated pups compared to undisturbed animals. Upregulation of BDNF could potentially represent a neuroprotective mechanism activated following alcohol exposure or stress. The results suggest that alcohol exposure and stress have both overlapping and unique effects on BDNF, and highlight the need for the stress of intubation to be taken into consideration in studies that implement this route of drug delivery.
Field Research in Political Science
Authors: Kapiszewski Diana , MacLean Lauren M. , Read Benjamin L.
Published: April 2015

Field research - leaving one's home institution in order to acquire data, information or insights that significantly inform one's research - remains indispensable, even in a digitally networked era. This book, the first of its kind in political science, reconsiders the design and execution of field research and explores its role in producing knowledge. First, it offers an empirical overview of fieldwork in the discipline based on a large-scale survey and extensive interviews. Good fieldwork takes diverse forms yet follows a set of common practices and principles. Second, the book demonstrates the analytic benefits of fieldwork, showing how it contributes to our understanding of politics. Finally, it provides intellectual and practical guidance, with chapters on preparing for field research, operating in the field and making analytic progress while collecting data, and on data collection techniques including archival research, interviewing, ethnography and participant observation, surveys, and field experiments.
Islamabad and the Politics of International Development in Pakistan
Authors: Daechsel Markus
Published: April 2015

This is a highly original account of the design and development of Pakistan's capital city; one of the most iconic and ambitious urban reconstruction projects of the twentieth century. Balancing archival research with fresh, theoretical insights, Markus Daechsel surveys the successes and failures of Greek urbanist Constantinos A. Doxiadis's most ambitious endeavour, Islamabad, analysing how the project not only changed the international order, but the way in which the Pakistani state operated in the 1950s and 1960s. In dissecting Doxiadis's fraught encounter with Pakistani policy makers, bureaucrats and ordinary citizens, the book offers an unprecedented account of Islamabad's place in post-war international development. Daechsel provides new insights into this period and explores the history of development as a charged, transnational venture between foreign consultants and donors on the one side and the postcolonial nation state on the other.
Defending the Jury
Authors: Appleman Laura I
Published: April 2015

This book sets forth a new approach to twenty-first-century criminal justice and punishment, one that fully involves the community, providing a better way to make our criminal process more transparent and inclusive. Using the prism of the Sixth Amendment community jury trial, this book offers fresh and much-needed ways to incorporate the citizenry into the procedures of criminal justice, thereby resulting in greater investment and satisfaction in the system. It exposes the various challenges the American criminal justice system faces because of its ongoing failure to integrate the community's voice. Ultimately, the people's right to participate in the criminal justice system through the criminal jury - a right that is all too often overlooked - is essential to truly legitimizing the criminal process and ensuring its democratic nature.
Elements of Crustal Geomechanics
Authors: Cornet François Henri
Published: April 2015

This key textbook considers the mechanics of geomaterials at a wide range of scales, both in time and space. It provides a detailed introduction to the study of crustal geomechanics, focussing specifically on the seismogenic crust. The author demonstrates how continuum mechanics principles can provide efficient solutions to geomechanics problems at various scales, taking into account the multiphase characteristics of the geomaterials as well as discontinuities such as fractures and faults. Field and laboratory observations are combined with basic mathematical theory to build solutions with known levels of uncertainty. Particular consideration is given to the use of microseismicity. Case studies are provided, and practical results from numerical modelling are used to illustrate the applicability and limitations of current theories. Accessible explanations of mathematical formulations, convenient summaries of the key equations, and exercises make this a valuable reference for students and researchers in geomechanics, geophysics, structural geology and engineering.
Catalan Numbers
Authors: Stanley Richard P.
Published: April 2015

Catalan numbers are probably the most ubiquitous sequence of numbers in mathematics. This book gives for the first time a comprehensive collection of their properties and applications to combinatorics, algebra, analysis, number theory, probability theory, geometry, topology, and other areas. Following an introduction to the basic properties of Catalan numbers, the book presents 214 different kinds of objects counted by them in the form of exercises with solutions. The reader can try solving the exercises or simply browse through them. Some 68 additional exercises with prescribed difficulty levels present various properties of Catalan numbers and related numbers, such as Fuss-Catalan numbers, Motzkin numbers, Schröder numbers, Narayana numbers, super Catalan numbers, q-Catalan numbers and (q,t)-Catalan numbers. The book ends with a history of Catalan numbers by Igor Pak and a glossary of key terms. Whether your interest in mathematics is recreation or research, you will find plenty of fascinating and stimulating facts here.
Mao's Cultural Army
Authors: DeMare Brian James
Published: April 2015

Charting their training, travels, and performances, this innovative study explores the role of the artists that roamed the Chinese countryside in support of Mao's communist revolution. DeMare traces the development of Mao's 'cultural army' from its genesis in Red Army propaganda teams to its full development as a largely civilian force composed of amateur and professional drama troupes in the early years of the PRC. Drawing from memoirs, artistic handbooks, and rare archival sources, Mao's Cultural Army uncovers the arduous and complex process of creating revolutionary dramas that would appeal to China's all-important rural audiences. The Communists strived for a disciplined cultural army to promote party policies, but audiences often shunned modern and didactic shows, and instead clamoured for traditional works. DeMare illustrates how drama troupes, caught between the party and their audiences, did their best to resist the ever growing reach of the PRC state.
Kabbalah and Ecology
Authors: Seidenberg David Mevorach
Published: April 2015

Kabbalah and Ecology is a groundbreaking book that resets the conversation about ecology and the Abrahamic traditions. David Mevorach Seidenberg challenges the anthropocentric reading of the Torah, showing that a radically different orientation to the more-than-human world of nature is not only possible, but that such an orientation also leads to a more accurate interpretation of scripture, rabbinic texts, Maimonides and Kabbalah. Deeply grounded in traditional texts and fluent with the physical sciences, this book proposes not only a new understanding of God's image but also a new direction for restoring religion to its senses and to a more alive relationship with the more-than-human, both with nature and with divinity.