bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rim sign in breast lesions on diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging: Diagnostic accuracy and clinical usefulness
Authors: Kang Bong Joo , Lipson Jafi Alyssa , Planey Katie RoseMary , Zackrisson Sophia , Ikeda Debra M. , Kao Jennifer , Pal Sunita , Moran Catherine J. , Daniel Bruce Lewis
Published: March 2014

Purpose

To investigate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical usefulness of the rim sign in breast lesions observed in diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI).

Materials and Methods

The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of 98 pathologically confirmed lesions (62 malignant and 36 benign) in 84 patients were included. Five breast radiologists were asked to independently review the breast MRI results, to grade the degree of high peripheral signal, the “rim sign,” in the DWI, and to confirm the mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmean) values. We analyzed the diagnostic accuracy and compared the consensus (when ≥4 of 5 independent reviewers agreed) results of the rim sign with the ADCmean values. Additionally, we evaluated the correlation between the dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE)‐MRI morphologic appearance and DWI rim sign.

Results

According to the consensus results, the rim sign in DWI was observed on 59.7% of malignant lesions and 19.4% of benign lesions. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) value for the rim sign in DWI were 59.7%, 80.6%, and 0.701, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and AUC value for the ADCmean value (criteria ≤1.46 × 10−3 mm2/sec) were 82.3%, 63.9%, and 0.731, respectively. Based on consensus, no correlation was observed between the DCE‐MRI and DWI rim signs.

Conclusion

In DWI, a high‐signal rim is a valuable morphological feature for improving specificity in DWI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:616–623. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Surface air temperature patterns on a decadal scale in China using self‐organizing map and their relationship to Indo‐Pacific warm pool
Authors: Shan Haixia , Guan Yuping , Huang Jianping
Published: March 2014

In this study, nine decadal‐scale surface air temperature (SAT) patterns in China during 1902–2007 were obtained from Climatic Research Unit data using the self‐organizing map based on the ensemble empirical mode decomposition. To further investigate the relationship between decadal SAT patterns in China and the Indo‐Pacific warm pool (IPWP), we aggregated the selected nine neurons into three significant types based on the similarities of the reference vectors using a hierarchical agglomerative clustering approach. Among the three patterns, Pattern 1 is a cold pattern and Pattern 3 is a warm pattern. Pattern 2 is a medium mode, in which the west of China is cold, but eastern China is warm. The relationship between the IPWP and SAT in China at the decadal scale can be summarized as follows. When the IPWP is warmer, easterly wind anomalies are stronger over the equatorial Pacific Ocean, the IPWP shrinks westwards predominantly and the heat centre is to the west. Furthermore, easterly wind anomalies strengthen the trade winds, so that poleward energy transport by the ocean increases, while poleward energy transport by the atmosphere decreases in the tropics. Meanwhile, the Aleutian Low and East Asian trough strengthen, and the meridional circulation is dominated, which is of benefit to cold air from the high latitude that move to the southeast, making the temperature in China colder. In contrast, the warm pool is colder, and the westerly wind anomalies are prevailing, making the IPWP extending eastward. Zonal circulation is dominant in the mid‐latitudes, which weakens the cold airflow into China and leads to warmer temperatures there.
A baseline climatology of sounding‐derived parameters associated with heavy rainfall over Gauteng, South Africa
Authors: Dyson Liesl L. , van Heerden Johan , Sumner Paul D.
Published: March 2014

Irene weather office sounding data are considered a proximity sounding for the Gauteng province of South Africa. Sounding‐derived parameters are analysed for 35 austral summers from 1977 to 2012. The goal of this study is to provide a climatology of sounding‐derived parameters commonly used as ingredients to forecast heavy rainfall. The emphasis is placed on identifying those variables that distinguish between climatology and heavy rainfall events. Special attention is given to how the critical values associated with heavy rainfall change from early to late summer.

During early summer (October to December), the atmospheric circulation over Gauteng is markedly extra‐tropical in nature. Heavy rainfall occurs in a conditionally unstable atmosphere and is associated with conditions conducive to the development of severe storms, such as large wind shear and convective available potential energy (CAPE) values, strong upper tropospheric winds and large temperature lapse rates. In late summer (January to March), the atmosphere takes on distinct tropical characteristics and becomes increasingly convectively unstable. During this time of year there is abundant moisture in circulation and the storms that develop are highly efficient in producing precipitation. Forecasting heavy rainfall in early summer requires different techniques than in late summer.

Sounding parameters, which provide information about the moisture content of the atmosphere, are capable of distinguishing between climatology and heavy rainfall during all summer months. The only other variables capable of doing this are the average meridionial wind direction in the 800 to 600 hPa layer, the mean layer equivalent potential temperature, the Showalter Index (SI), the K‐index (KI) and the elevated K‐index (EKI). However, critical values associated with heavy rainfall for all these parameters change month by month.
In Situ Doped Polyaniline Nanotubes for Applications in Flexible Conductive Coatings
Authors: Gumfekar Sarang P. , Wang Wenjie , Zhao Boxin
Published: March 2014

In‐situ doped polyaniline nanotubes were fabricated and investigated in term of their morphological, thermal and electrical properties at varied doping levels. Different from the common post‐doping of polyaniline base to form its emeraldine salt, the aniline monomers were directly converted into conductive emeraldine salt during synthesis by dropwise addition of the dopant and oxidants. This process resulted in a uniform and stable protonation of the polyaniline with good electrical conductivity. Furthermore, it was found that the crystalline conductive polyaniline nanotubes have a good flexibility when amalgamated with polyvinyl alcohol, showing their potential as flexible conductive coating materials.
Improving chemical shift encoded water–fat separation using object‐based information of the magnetic field inhomogeneity
Authors: Sharma Samir D. , Artz Nathan S. , Hernando Diego , Horng Debra E. , Reeder Scott B.
Published: March 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this work was to improve the robustness of existing chemical shift encoded water–fat separation methods by incorporating object‐based information of the B0 field inhomogeneity.

Theory

The primary challenge in water–fat separation is the estimation of phase shifts that arise from B0 field inhomogeneity, which is composed of the background field and susceptibility‐induced field. The susceptibility‐induced field can be estimated if the susceptibility distribution is known or can be approximated. In this work, the susceptibility distribution is approximated from the source images using the known susceptibility values of water, fat, and air. The field estimate is then demodulated from the source images before water–fat separation.

Methods

Chemical shift encoded source images were acquired in anatomical regions that are prone to water–fat swaps. The images were processed using algorithms from the ISMRM Fat‐Water Toolbox, with and without the object‐based field map information. The estimates were compared to examine the benefit of using the object‐based field map information.

Results

Multiple cases are shown in which water–fat swaps were avoided by using the object‐based information of the B0 field map.

Conclusion

Object‐based information of the B0 field may improve the robustness of existing chemical shift encoded water–fat separation methods. Magn Reson Med 73:597–604, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Solid–fluid transition modelling in geomaterials and application to a mudflow interacting with an obstacle
Authors: Prime Noémie , Dufour Frédéric , Darve Félix
Published: March 2014

Given the contrasting behaviour observed for geomaterials, for example, during landslides of the flow type, this contribution proposes an original constitutive model, which associates both an elasto‐plastic relation and a Bingham viscous law linked by a mechanical transition criterion. This last is defined as the second‐order work sign for each material point, which is a general criterion for divergence instabilities. Finite element method with Lagrangian integration points is chosen as a framework for implementing the new model because of its well‐known ability to deal with both solid and fluid behaviours in large deformation processes. A first boundary model considering a sample of initially stable soil, a slope and an obstacle is performed. The results show the power of the constitutive model because the consistent evolution of initiation, propagation and arrest of the mudflow is described. A parametric study is led on various plastic and viscous parameters to determine their influence on the flow development and arrest. Finally, forces against the obstacle are compared with good agreement with those of other authors for the same geometry and a pure viscous behaviour. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A two‐dimensional ordinary, state‐based peridynamic model for linearly elastic solids
Authors: Le Q.V. , Chan W.K. , Schwartz J.
Published: March 2014

Peridynamics is a non‐local mechanics theory that uses integral equations to include discontinuities directly in the constitutive equations. A three‐dimensional, state‐based peridynamics model has been developed previously for linearly elastic solids with a customizable Poisson's ratio. For plane stress and plane strain conditions, however, a two‐dimensional model is more efficient computationally. Here, such a two‐dimensional state‐based peridynamics model is presented. For verification, a 2D rectangular plate with a round hole in the middle is simulated under constant tensile stress. Dynamic relaxation and energy minimization methods are used to find the steady‐state solution. The model shows m‐convergence and δ‐convergence behaviors when m increases and δ decreases. Simulation results show a close quantitative matching of the displacement and stress obtained from the 2D peridynamics and a finite element model used for comparison. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Safety analysis of Ziagen® (abacavir sulfate) in postmarketing surveillance in Japan
Authors: Kurita Tomoko , Kitaichi Tomomi , Nagao Takako , Miura Toshiyuki , Kitazono Yoshifumi
Published: March 2014

Purpose

Abacavir is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor indicated for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In Japan, Ziagen® (300‐mg abacavir sulfate) has been marketed since 1999. To obtain safety data on Ziagen, a mandatory postmarketing surveillance was conducted between September 1999 and September 2009.

Methods

A joint survey [HIV‐related Drug Surveys (HRD)] has been conducted involving manufacturers of drugs for HIV treatment in Japan. Safety data from total 643 cases (1345.7 person‐years) registered to the HRD surveys and received Ziagen were obtained. Adverse drug reaction (ADR) was defined as adverse event of which association with abacavir could not be “ruled out.”

Results

It was found that the overall frequency of ADR was 47.6% (306/643); the common ADRs were “hyperlipidemia,” “nausea,” “increased γ‐glutamyltransferase level,” “increased blood triglycerides,” “abnormal hepatic function,” and so on. Serious adverse events were reported in 65 subjects; however, none of the three fatal cases were clearly associated with Ziagen use. The survey‐defined hypersensitivity has been infrequently reported in 15 subjects (2.3%). Although some studies had indicated of the association between abacavir and myocardial infarction, no ischemic heart diseases were reported in the present survey. Two of the three pregnant cases delivered normal neonates (one induced abortion).

Conclusions

During the mandatory postmarketing survey of Ziagen, there were no cases of ischemic heart diseases, and the incidence of hypersensitivity was considerably low. These indicated that abacavir can be safely used in Japanese HIV+ population. However, the safety profile of Ziagen should be continued to be monitored through pharmacovigilance. © 2014 The Authors. Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Edge‐functionalized graphene nanoplatelets with polystyrene by atom transfer radical polymerization: grafting through carboxyl groups
Authors: Roghani‐Mamaqani Hossein , Haddadi‐Asl Vahid , Khezri Khezrollah , Salami‐Kalajahi Mehdi
Published: March 2014

The surface modifier 3‐((4‐hydroxybutoxy)dimethylsilyl)propyl methacrylate (CD), which contains a double bond and a hydroxyl group, was synthesized through a coupling reaction of 1,4‐butanediol and (3‐methacryloxypropyl)dimethylchlorosilane. Subsequently, graphene oxide (GO) was functionalized with different amounts of CD from its edge carboxyl groups. Then, grafting through atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene in the presence of various amounts of the edge‐functionalized GO was carried out to evaluate the effect of graphene loading along with graft density. A peak at 3.8 ppm in the 1H NMR spectrum of CD associated with the methylene adjacent to the Si–O group indicated a successful coupling reaction. Attachment of CD on the edges of GO was evaluated using X‐ray photoelectron and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies. Expansion of GO interlayer spacing by functionalization was evaluated using X‐ray diffraction. The ordered and disordered crystal structure of carbon was studied using Raman spectroscopy. The close ID/IG values for GO and various kinds of functionalized graphenes show the preserved graphitic crystallite size. Relaxation behaviour of polystyrene chains in the presence of graphene nanoplatelets and also the effect of graft content on chain confinement were studied using differential scanning calorimetry. High‐graft‐density nanocomposites show higher glass transition temperatures. Morphology of graphene nanoplatelets was studied using scanning electron and transmission electron microscopies. The flat and smooth morphology of graphene nanoplatelets is disturbed and also the transparency of the nanoplatelets decreases during the oxidation and functionalization processes. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
The potential use of electrospun polylactic acid nanofibers as alternative reinforcements in an epoxy composite system
Authors: Dong Yu , Mosaval Tariq , Haroosh Hazim J. , Umer Rehan , Takagi Hitoshi , Lau Kin‐Tak
Published: March 2014

This pilot study elaborates the development of novel epoxy/electrospun polylactic acid (PLA) nanofiber composites at the fiber contents of 3, 5, and 10 wt % to evaluate their mechanical and thermal properties using flexural tests and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The flexural moduli of composites increase remarkably by 50.8 and 24.0% for 5 and 10 wt % fiber contents, respectively, relative to that of neat epoxy. Furthermore, a similar trend is also shown for corresponding flexural strengths being enhanced by 31.6 and 4.8%. Fractured surface morphology with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirms a full permeation of cured epoxy matrix into nanofiber structures and existence of nondestructive fibrous networks inside large void cavities. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of composites increases up to 54–60 °C due to embedded electrospun nanofibers compared to 50 °C for that of epoxy, indicating that fibrous networks may further restrict the intermolecular mobility of matrix in thermal effects. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 618–623
International Organizations and Ideas About Poverty in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Foli Rosina , Béland Daniel
Published: March 2014

This study explores how international organizations (IOs) shape ideas about poverty and anti‐poverty policymaking in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). It argues that, beyond the use of conditionality, IOs significantly influence conceptions of poverty in SSA through various mechanisms, including technical assistance, personnel training, and capacity building, collaborating with civil society organizations, publications, conferences, seminars, and as think tanks. The analysis focuses on the World Bank (WB) and the Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD), two organizations that have had a long‐standing relationship with SSA countries and have made significant contributions to development in the region. However, unlike the WB, whose activities in SSA are well known, the OECD's role in SSA is much less known. Therefore, this study broadens the discussion of the role of IOs in domestic policy development in SSA by incorporating the OECD. At the same time, the study offers a comparative perspective missing from empirical studies about IOs, which tend to focus on only one organization at a time.
Interstate Divergences in Nutritional Expenditure in India: A Cluster Analysis Approach
Authors: Sethi Amarjit Singh , Pandhi Ritu
Published: March 2014

Using NSS data (through 26 different rounds) on per capita consumption expenditure on various items (primarily, food), separately for rural and urban regions, we attempted to make a statistical measurement of the extent of interstate divergences in India. The basic objective was that, in a knowledge economy like ours, people need to be made aware of the gravity of the extent of such divergences. To accomplish the task, we performed Wilks' general classificatory analysis, duly followed by hierarchical and k‐means clustering of the states. General classificatory analysis pointed toward the existence of a high degree of overlap between rural regions of certain leader and laggard states. Results from the cluster analysis provided strong confirmatory evidence toward the presence of high‐profile gaps among the states. Constitution of the clusters of states for rural regions was at a gross variance with that for urban regions. The findings, thus, call for an urgent need to consider what is happening in individual states on social sector fronts, so as to be able to explain the reasons for interregional and interstate divergences. Region‐specific and state‐specific strategies need to be devised to enable the laggard states to replicate the success stories of the leading ones.
Triple‐Yolked ZnO/CdS Hollow Spheres for Semiconductor‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Xi , Chen Zhenhua , Liu Dequan , Tian Wei , Wang Qi , Zhang Chao , Liu Jiangwei , Han Liyuan , Bando Yoshio , Golberg Dmitri
Published: March 2014

A new kind of complex hollow structure, ZnO/CdS triple‐yolked hollow spheres (TYs), is prepared using a facile method. The formation mechanism is described in terms of a combined effect of the bubble‐assisted Ostwald ripening and appropriate ion‐exchange processes. The structural effect of ZnO hollow microspheres on the energy conversion efficiency is investigated. The uniqueness of TYs morphology leads to a 37% enhancement in energy conversion efficiency for SSSCs, as compared with single‐shelled hollow spheres. The method using controlled ZnO/CdS yolk‐in‐shell structures in SSSCs presents obvious advantages in the generation of light scattering and makes full use of the internal structures of the photoelectrode. It also provides a feasible synthetic approach for fabrication of other complex hollow structures made of multicomponent functional heteromaterials.
Contribution of hydrogen bonds to protein stability
Authors: Pace C. Nick , Fu Hailong , Lee Fryar Katrina , Landua John , Trevino Saul R. , Schell David , Thurlkill Richard L. , Imura Satoshi , Scholtz J. Martin , Gajiwala Ketan , Sevcik Jozef , Urbanikova Lubica , Myers Jeffery K. , Takano Kazufumi , Hebert Eric J. , Shirley Bret A. , Grimsley Gerald R.
Published: March 2014

Our goal was to gain a better understanding of the contribution of the burial of polar groups and their hydrogen bonds to the conformational stability of proteins. We measured the change in stability, Δ(ΔG), for a series of hydrogen bonding mutants in four proteins: villin headpiece subdomain (VHP) containing 36 residues, a surface protein from Borrelia burgdorferi (VlsE) containing 341 residues, and two proteins previously studied in our laboratory, ribonucleases Sa (RNase Sa) and T1 (RNase T1). Crystal structures were determined for three of the hydrogen bonding mutants of RNase Sa: S24A, Y51F, and T95A. The structures are very similar to wild type RNase Sa and the hydrogen bonding partners form intermolecular hydrogen bonds to water in all three mutants. We compare our results with previous studies of similar mutants in other proteins and reach the following conclusions. (1) Hydrogen bonds contribute favorably to protein stability. (2) The contribution of hydrogen bonds to protein stability is strongly context dependent. (3) Hydrogen bonds by side chains and peptide groups make similar contributions to protein stability. (4) Polar group burial can make a favorable contribution to protein stability even if the polar groups are not hydrogen bonded. (5) The contribution of hydrogen bonds to protein stability is similar for VHP, a small protein, and VlsE, a large protein.
Herbicide resistance modelling: past, present and future
Authors: Renton Michael , Busi Roberto , Neve Paul , Thornby David , Vila‐Aiub Martin
Published: March 2014

Computer simulation modelling is an essential aid in building an integrated understanding of how different factors interact to affect the evolutionary and population dynamics of herbicide resistance, and thus in helping to predict and manage how agricultural systems will be affected. In this review, we first discuss why computer simulation modelling is such an important tool and framework for dealing with herbicide resistance. We then explain what questions related to herbicide resistance have been addressed to date using simulation modelling, and discuss the modelling approaches that have been used, focusing first on the earlier, more general approaches, and then on some newer, more innovative approaches. We then consider how these approaches could be further developed in the future, by drawing on modelling techniques that are already employed in other areas, such as individual‐based and spatially explicit modelling approaches, as well as the possibility of better representing genetics, competition and economics, and finally the questions and issues of importance to herbicide resistance research and management that could be addressed using these new approaches are discussed. We conclude that it is necessary to proceed with caution when increasing the complexity of models by adding new details, but, with appropriate care, more detailed models will make it possible to integrate more current knowledge in order better to understand, predict and ultimately manage the evolution of herbicide resistance. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of electrodes' distance upon properties of intrinsic and doped amorphous silicon films for heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Brinkmann Nils , Gorgulla Angelika , Bauer Anja , Skorka Daniel , Micard Gabriel , Hahn Giso , Terheiden Barbara
Published: March 2014

In this work, the influence of electrodes' distance upon the properties of amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H) deposited by plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition method on both intrinsic and doped a‐Si:H films is investigated in terms of their electrical, optical, and structural characteristics. For this purpose, Fourier‐transform infra‐red and secondary‐ion mass‐spectroscopy as well as photoconductance decay, spectral ellipsometry, and conductivity measurements are employed. Electrodes' distance is varied from 20 to 120 mm. Regarding the passivation quality of the a‐Si:H film an optimum electrodes' distance of 60 mm is found. In addition, electrodes' distance is detected to have a great influence on the accelerated initial growth rate, which strongly diminishes with increasing distance. Thus, electrodes' distance also determines the overall thickness of thin intrinsic a‐Si:H films being particularly interesting for utilization in heterojunction solar cells. With doped a‐Si:H films, however, electrodes' distance influences mainly the dopant concentration in the films and therewith their conductivity.
A nonlinear oscillator describing storm track variability
Authors: Ambaum Maarten H. P. , Novak Lenka
Published: March 2014

We construct a two‐variable model that describes the interaction between local baroclinicity and eddy heat flux in order to understand aspects of the variance in storm tracks. It is a heuristic model for diabatically forced baroclinic instability close to baroclinic neutrality. The two‐variable model has the structure of a nonlinear oscillator. It exhibits some realistic properties of observed storm track variability, most notably the intermittent nature of eddy activity. This suggests that apparent threshold behaviour can be more accurately and succinctly described by a simple nonlinearity. An analogy is drawn with the triggering of convective events.
Weighing the importance of surface forcing on sea ice: a September 2007 modelling study
Authors: Hunke E. C.
Published: March 2014

The sea ice minimum of September 2007 is represented in a 50‐year simulation using the Los Alamos Sea Ice Model, CICE, in spite of the fact that only four atmospheric forcing fields vary interannually in the model simulation; all other atmospheric and oceanic forcing data are monthly mean climatologies. Simulation results support prior conclusions that an anomalous pressure pattern, ice‐ocean albedo feedback effects on sea surface temperature, and the long‐term sea ice thinning trend are primarily responsible for the sea ice minimum of 2007. In addition, the simulation indicates that cloudiness, precipitation, and other forcing quantities were of secondary importance.

Here we explore the importance of applied atmospheric and oceanic surface forcing for the 2007 sea ice minimum event, along with a group of model parameterizations that control the surface radiation budget in sea ice (melt ponds). Of the oceanic forcing fields acting on sea ice, only the sea surface temperature varied interannually for simulating the 2007 event. Interannual variations of temperature and humidity play a role in the radiation balance applied at the snow and ice surface, and they both have the potential to significantly affect the ice edge. However, humidity (exclusive of clouds) is far less influential on ice volume than is air temperature. The inclusion of albedo changes due to melt ponding is also crucial for determining the radiation forcing experienced by the ice. We compare the effects of four different pond parameterizations now available in CICE for the September 2007 case, and find that while details may differ, they all are able to represent the 2007 event. The impact of feedbacks associated with the radiation balance differs among the pond simulations, presenting a key topic for future study.
Chemical reaction with two different elementary transition states
Authors: Zilberg Shmuel
Published: March 2014

The phenomenon of the elementary chemical reaction with two different transition states (TSs) between reactant and product is represented. Different examples of the reaction with two transition states were reported during the last decade. In some cases, one route is dominant, in another cases the energy of the barriers is similar, but the electronic structure of TSs are different. The Valence Bond (VB) approach provides the rationalization for the phenomenon of the chemical reaction with two TSs: the reactant and product pair is based on three dominant VB structures (anchors). The VB approach provides an opportunity to distinguish between different resonance mechanisms – different TSs. The 2D‐domain is based on two minima, the reactant and the product, which are connected by two different TSs and can include the electronic degeneracy. Physical consequences of the chemical reaction with dual reaction routes are discussed. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nuclear cusp conditions and their fulfillment in molecular calculations with SLATER basis sets
Authors: Fernández Rico Jaime , López Rafael , Ema Ignacio , Ramírez Guillermo
Published: March 2014

A short revision of the main antecedents on the nuclear cusp conditions is followed by a derivation of the general expressions of the conditions which must be accomplished by wave functions and densities. It is stressed that in case of the molecular densities, besides Kato's cusp condition, there are also simple cusp conditions for the three dipole‐type terms of the densities but not for terms of order higher than dipole. The degree of fulfillment of standard atomic and molecular calculations with Slater basis sets is tested, concluding that errors of spherical terms usually affect the third or fourth significant figures, being smaller as nuclear charges increase, and the errors of dipole‐type components are greater than those of the spherical terms. In practice, improvements in the computational method or in the basis set do not guarantee a better fulfillment of the cusp conditions. Hydrogen is a special case which can yield poor results. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mechanism of abnormal interface artifacts in SIMS depth profiling of a Si/Ge multilayer by oxygen ions
Authors: Jang Jong Shik , Kang Hee Jae , Kim Kyung Joong
Published: March 2014

The abnormal interface artifact with two intense spikes was observed in secondary ion mass spectrometry depth profiling analysis of Si/Ge multilayer films by oxygen ion beam at the sputtering conditions where the Si surface is partially oxidized. The detailed step‐by‐step variations of the secondary ion intensities were investigated from the interface locations determined by the compositional depth profiles. Selective accumulation of the oxygen ions in the reactive Si layer and the implantation depth was suggested as the origin of the two‐step interface artifact. The distances between the interfaces and the second spikes were well correlated with the implantation depth of the projected ions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tumor Vasculature Targeting: A Generally Applicable Approach for Functionalized Nanomaterials
Authors: Chen Feng , Cai Weibo
Published: March 2014

The last decade has witnessed an unprecedented expansion in the design, synthesis and preclinical applications of various multifunctional nanomaterials. Efficient targeting of these nanomaterials to the tumor site is critical for delivering sufficient amount of anti‐cancer drugs to suppress tumor growth, while avoiding undesired side effects. Although some nanoparticles could accumulate in the tumor tissue based on the enhanced permeability and retention effect, which may also bind to targets on the tumor cell surface after extravasation from the tumor vasculature, these strategies have many limitations. In this article, we discuss the concept of tumor vasculature targeting and summarize representative examples of in vivo targeted positron emission tomography imaging of various functionalized nanomaterials with different morphology, size and surface chemistry. The concept of targeting tumor vasculature instead of (or in addition to) tumor cells will continue to inspire the design of more advanced nanosystems for efficacious and personalized treatment of cancer in the future.
Biomolecule‐Doped PEDOT with Three‐Dimensional Nanostructures as Efficient Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Guo Zhaoyan , Liu Huan , Jiang Congcong , Zhu Ying , Wan Meixiang , Dai Liming , Jiang Lei
Published: March 2014

Metal macro‐cyclic compounds have drawn considerable attention as alternative catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction. However, the continuous pyrolysis process usually needed for improving the performance of these compounds require an elevated temperature and complicated procedures, thus leading to an unpredictable transformation of the chemical structures and limiting their applications. Herein, we develop a new insight to fabricating hemin‐doped poly (3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) with controllable three‐dimensional nanostructures via a one‐step, tri‐phase, self‐assembled polymerization routine. We demonstrate that the hemin‐induced synergistic effect results in a very high 4‐electron oxygen reduction activity, a better stability, and free from methanol crossover effects even in a neutral phosphate buffer solution (PBS).
Solid Phase Decarburization Kinetics of High‐Carbon Ferrochrome Powders in the Microwave Field
Authors: Hao Jiu‐jiu , Chen Jin , Han Pei‐de , Li Kai , Sun Hong‐fei
Published: March 2014

Solid phase decarburization of high carbon ferrochrome powders (HCFP) mixed with calcium carbonate powders (CCP) can be realized at a certain temperature in microwave heating field. The modified kinetic model is used and the results illustrate that, gas inner diffusion is the restrictive step of decarburization reaction, and apparent activation energy of the reaction is 72.80 kJ mol−1, which is much lower than that of carbon gasification reaction by conventional heating. Backscattered electron image analysis shows that the carbides in decarburized ferrochrome powders vary with temperature. With the temperature rising, the ratio of (Cr,Fe)7C3 decreases, (Cr,Fe)23C6 and chromium ferrite increases in the microwave field. Meanwhile, the thickness of oxide film around the decarburized ferrochrome powders enhances, which hinders gas inner diffusion. The optimum conditions of solid phase decarburization of HCFP by microwave heating are 1100°C and holding for 60 min.
Optimized trajectory recovery of on‐road vehicles from monocular videos with multiple constraints
Authors: Zheng Yali , Cheng Hong , Tang Yuan Yan , Fang Bin
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we propose an optimized trajectory recovery algorithm for on‐road vehicles from monocular videos, which considers multiple constraints between frames in a sliding window. We build a linear system to optimally estimate the camera rotation matrix corresponding to the first frame in each sliding window, and calculate the camera center estimation. The camera centers are determined by the estimation and prediction eventually. The whole process is applied to the sequential video frames by sliding the window. The advantage of the proposed algorithm is that it is able to reduce the drift error, which is a challenge for the existing algorithms, since multiple constraints in a sliding window are used to optimize the camera poses. We test the algorithm both on synthetic data and real data, and compare it with existing algorithms. It shows a higher accuracy of reconstruction and is suitable to recover a better trajectory of on‐road vehicles from monocular videos. © 2014 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
CCSS‐ELA Suggestions and Cautions for Addressing Text Complexity
Authors: Wixson Karen K. , Valencia Sheila W.
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this article is to provide guidance on the implementation of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts (CCSS‐ELA). Toward this end, suggestions and cautions are provided that focus on understanding the vision, understanding the anchor and grade‐level standards, and understanding the implications for instruction. In general, this article stresses the importance of attending to the various “parts” of the standards within the context of the larger vision as a means of avoiding missteps in implementation.
Sequencing and Graphic Novels With Primary‐Grade Students
Authors: Chase Maggie , Son Eun Hye , Steiner Stan
Published: March 2014

The authors discuss the burgeoning number of graphic novels being published for young readers (approximately PK‐3) and suggest a new term for identifying this format and audience: primary graphic novels (PGNs), for primary level students. They go on to describe a series of lessons they conducted with a class of 1st and 2nd graders to capitalize on the children's curiosity for and interest in the graphic novel format in which sequencing was the primary skill addressed.
Evidenzbasierte Empfehlungen zum Management einer undifferenzierten peripheren entzündlichen Arthritis (UPIA)
Authors: Tarner I.H. , Albrecht K. , Fleck M. , Gromnica-Ihle E. , Keyßer G. , Köhler L. , Kötter I. , Krüger K. , Kuipers J. , Nüßlein H. , Rubbert-Roth A. , Wollenhaupt J. , Schneider M. , Manger B. , Müller-Ladner U.
Published: March 2014

Einleitung

Arthritiden der peripheren Gelenke sind der häufigste Vorstellungsgrund in der Rheumatologie. Gerade in frühen Erkrankungsstadien gelingt dabei nicht immer eine eindeutige differenzialdiagnostische Zuordnung zu einer definierten Entität, so dass das Krankheitsbild zunächst als undifferenzierte periphere inflammatorische Arthritis (UPIA) bezeichnet werden muss. Für das klinische Management der UPIA fehlte es bisher an evidenzbasierten Empfehlungen. Die Entwicklung entsprechender Empfehlungen unter Mitarbeit von 697 Rheumatologen aus 17 Ländern war daher das Ziel dieser 3e-Initiative.

Methoden

Auf der Basis einer systematischen Literaturrecherche in Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library und den ACR/EULAR-Abstracts von 2007/2008 wurden in 3 Diskussionsrunden mit Delphi-Abstimmungen 10 multinationale Empfehlungen erarbeitet. Innerhalb eines nationalen Arbeitskreises in Deutschland wurden mit gleicher Methodik 3 weitere Fragestellungen bearbeitet. Die Empfehlungen wurden jeweils im Plenum diskutiert und der Grad der Zustimmung der Teilnehmer sowie der potenzielle Einfluss der Empfehlungen auf den klinischen Alltag erfasst.

Ergebnisse

Für die 10 internationalen Fragestellungen zur Differenzialdiagnose, Wertigkeit klinischer, laborchemischer und bildgebender Untersuchungen, Verlaufsprädiktion sowie zum Monitoring erbrachte die Literaturrecherche insgesamt 39.756 Publikationen, von denen 250 für eine systematische Auswertung geeignet waren. Für die deutschen Fragestellungen wurden unter 5542 Arbeiten 35 Publikationen identifiziert, die als Grundlage für Empfehlungen zur diagnostischen und prognostischen Wertigkeit des Ansprechens auf antientzündliche Therapien, zur synovialen Flüssigkeitsanalyse und zur Enthesitis geeignet waren.

Schlussfolgerung

Die vorliegende Arbeit übersetzt die im Jahr 2011 publizierten, bisher in Deutschland wenig beachteten Ergebnisse der internationalen 3e-Initiative in die deutsche Sprache und ergänzt sie um die Abstimmungsergebnisse der deutschen Teilnehmer sowie 3 zusätzliche Empfehlungen.
Four-Corner Arthrodesis with a Radiolucent Locking Dorsal Circular Plate: Technique and Outcomes
Authors: Rudnick Benjamin , Goljan Peter , Pruzansky Jason S. , Bachoura Abdo , Jacoby Sidney M. , Rekant Mark S.
Published: March 2014

Background

Scaphoid excision and four-corner arthrodesis (FCA) is an acceptable motion sparing procedure used to treat wrist arthritis. Recently, a locking dorsal circular plate composed of polyether-ether-ketone has been introduced (Xpode®; TriMed Inc.). The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of this specific plate design with regard to FCA.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent FCA with an Xpode® between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2012 was conducted. Patients were contacted and asked to return to clinic for clinical and ***radiographic follow-up. Patient demographics, range of motion, grip strength, and complications were collected from medical records. Patients completed a patient-rated wrist evaluation (PRWE). A paired t test was used to compare means, and p values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

Twenty-six procedures (24 patients) were identified. One patient required full wrist fusion following the initial procedure. Of the 25 remaining wrists, arthrodesis was successfully achieved in 20 (80 %). Eleven patients (13 wrists, 52 %) returned to clinic for an average follow-up of 28 months. Mean wrist extension improved from 30 to 47°, and flexion decreased from 33 to 23°. Average grip strength was 77 % of the uninjured side. The mean PRWE scores for pain and function were 19.7 and 17.1, respectively. Five patients underwent additional operations (two hardware removals, two contracture releases, and one distal radial ulnar joint arthroplasty).

Conclusions

FCA with the Xpode® yielded reasonable results for pain and function and demonstrated a fusion rate of 80 %.
Tibial eminence fractures in the paediatric population: A systematic review
Authors: Coyle Christy , Jagernauth Simond , Ramachandran Manoj
Published: March 2014

Introduction

We present a systematic review of the literature for the management of tibial eminence fractures in the paediatric population. Our aims were to assess modalities of injury, treatment options available and their associated complications.

Materials and methods

We found 740 relevant citations in the English literature up to 1 October 2012, of which 36 full text articles met our inclusion criteria.

Results

Our results show that skiing, sports and motor vehicle accidents are increasingly common modes of injury, in addition to the commonly described fall off of a bicycle. Most studies advocate non-operative management for type I Meyer's and McKeever's fractures and reduction and internal fixation for type II and III fractures. Better long-term results have been reported with arthroscopic surgery compared to open surgery. There is no consensus as to which type of fixation is best suited for tibial eminence fractures; methods available include excision of the bony fragment, K-wire, screw and, absorbable suture fixation, and more recently, suture anchor and meniscal arrow. The main complications reported include arthrofibrosis, non-union, mal-union, pain and severe laxity. Early post-operative range of motion exercises have been shown to reduce the incidence of arthrofibrosis.

Conclusion

As all papers report results from small case series, Level I studies are required to produce more definitive evidence for the management of paediatric tibial eminence fractures.
Using activity theory to study cultural complexity in medical education
Authors: Frambach Janneke M. , Driessen Erik W. , Van der Vleuten Cees P. M.
Published: March 2014

There is a growing need for research on culture, cultural differences and cultural effects of globalization in medical education, but these are complex phenomena to investigate. Socio-cultural activity theory seems a useful framework to study cultural complexity, because it matches current views on culture as a dynamic process situated in a social context, and has been valued in diverse fields for yielding rich understandings of complex issues and key factors involved. This paper explains how activity theory can be used in (cross-)cultural medical education research. We discuss activity theory’s theoretical background and principles, and we show how these can be applied to the cultural research practice by discussing the steps involved in a cross-cultural study that we conducted, from formulating research questions to drawing conclusions. We describe how the activity system, the unit of analysis in activity theory, can serve as an organizing principle to grasp cultural complexity. We end with reflections on the theoretical and practical use of activity theory for cultural research and note that it is not a shortcut to capture cultural complexity: it is a challenge for researchers to determine the boundaries of their study and to analyze and interpret the dynamics of the activity system.
Vorticity transport in the leading-edge vortex on a rotating blade
Authors: Wojcik Craig J. , Buchholz James H. J.
Published: March 2014

Vorticity transport is analysed within the leading-edge vortex generated on a rectangular flat plate of aspect ratio 4 undergoing a starting rotation motion in a quiescent fluid. Two analyses are conducted on the inboard half of the blade to better understand the vorticity transport mechanisms responsible for maintaining the quasi-equilibrium state of the leading-edge vortex. An initialglobalanalysis between the$25$and$50\, \%$spanwise positions suggests that, although spanwise velocity is significant, spanwise convection of vorticity is insufficient to balance the flux of vorticity from the leading-edge shear layer. Subsequent detailed analyses of vorticity transport in planar control volumes at the$25$and$50\, \%$spanwise positions verify this conclusion and demonstrate that vorticity annihilation due to interaction between the leading-edge vortex and the opposite-sign layer on the plate surface is an important, often dominant, mechanism for regulation of leading-edge-vortex circulation. Thus, it provides an important condition for maintenance of an attached leading-edge vortex on the inboard portion of the blade.
Distributed control of multiple non-holonomic robots with sector vision and range-only measurements for target capturing with collision avoidance
Authors: Zakhar'eva A. , Matveev A. S. , Hoy M. C. , Savkin A. V.
Published: March 2014

We consider a team of autonomous kinematically controlled non-holonomic planar Dubins car-like vehicles. The team objective is to encircle a given target so that all vehicles achieve a common and pre-specified distance from it and are uniformly distributed over the respective circle, and the entire formation rotates around the target with a prescribed angular velocity. The robots do not communicate with each other and any central decision-maker. The sensing capacity of any vehicle is heavily restricted: It has access only to the distance to the target and to the distances to the companion vehicles that are in a given disc sector centered at the vehicle at hand; no robot can distinguish between its companions, and does not know their parameters. A distributed control law is proposed, and mathematically rigorous proofs of its non-local convergence as well as collision avoidance property are presented. The performance of the control law is illustrated by computer simulations and experiments with real robots.
Seroprevalence and genotype of Chlamydia in pet parrots in China
Authors: ZHANG N.-Z. , ZHANG X.-X. , ZHOU D.-H. , HUANG S.-Y. , TIAN W.-P. , YANG Y.-C. , ZHAO Q. , ZHU X.-Q.
Published: March 2014

Parrots are one of the most popular pet birds in China, and can harbour Chlamydia which has significance for human and animal health. We investigated, by indirect haemagglutination assay, the seroprevalence of Chlamydia infection in four species of parrots, namely budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), lovebirds (Agapornis sp.), cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) and Alexandrine parakeets (Psittacula eupatria) that were collected from Weifang and Beijing cities, North China and explored the association between potential risk factors and chlamydial seropositivity. We further determined the genotype of Chlamydia in 21 fresh faecal samples based on the ompA sequence by reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships. Of the 311 parrots examined, 35·37% (95% confidence interval 30·06–40·68) were seropositive, and species, gender, age, season and geographical location were identified as risk factors. Two PCR-positive samples represented Chlamydia psittaci genotype A. The occurrence of C. psittaci genotype A in the droppings of two pet parrots in China suggests potential environmental contamination with Chlamydiaceae and may raise a public health concern.