bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a model of systemic inflammation in humans in vivo elicited by continuous infusion of endotoxin
Authors: Kiers D. , Koch R. M. , Hamers L. , Gerretsen J. , Thijs E. J. M. , van Ede L. , Riksen N. P. , Kox M. , Pickkers P.
Published: January 2017

Investigating the systemic inflammatory response in patients with critical illness such as sepsis, trauma and burns is complicated due to uncertainties about the onset, duration and severity of the insult. Therefore, in vivo models of inflammation are essential to study the pathophysiology and to evaluate immunomodulatory therapies. Intravenous bolus administration of endotoxin to healthy volunteers is a well-established model of a short-lived systemic inflammatory response, characterized by increased plasma cytokine levels, flu-like symptoms and fever. In contrast, patients suffering from systemic inflammation are often exposed to inflammatory stimuli for an extended period of time. Therefore, continuous infusion of endotoxin may better reflect the kinetics of the inflammatory response encountered in these patients. Herein, we characterize a novel model of systemic inflammation elicited by a bolus infusion of 1 ng/kg, followed by a 3hr continuous infusion of 1 ng/kg/h of endotoxin in healthy volunteers, and compared it with models of bolus administrations of 1 and 2 ng/kg of endotoxin. The novel model was well-tolerated and resulted in a more pronounced increase in plasma cytokine levels with different kinetics and more prolonged symptoms and fever compared with the bolus-only models. Therefore, the continuous endotoxin infusion model provides novel insights into kinetics of the inflammatory response during continuous inflammatory stimuli and accommodates a larger time window to evaluate immunomodulating therapies.
Fabrication of enzyme-based coatings on intact multi-walled carbon nanotubes as highly effective electrodes in biofuel cells
Authors: Kim Byoung Chan , Lee Inseon , Kwon Seok-Joon , Wee Youngho , Kwon Ki Young , Jeon Chulmin , An Hyo Jin , Jung Hee-Tae , Ha Su , Dordick Jonathan S. , Kim Jungbae
Published: January 2017

CNTs need to be dispersed in aqueous solution for their successful use, and most methods to disperse CNTs rely on tedious and time-consuming acid-based oxidation. Here, we report the simple dispersion of intact multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by adding them directly into an aqueous solution of glucose oxidase (GOx), resulting in simultaneous CNT dispersion and facile enzyme immobilization through sequential enzyme adsorption, precipitation, and crosslinking (EAPC). The EAPC achieved high enzyme loading and stability because of crosslinked enzyme coatings on intact CNTs, while obviating the chemical pretreatment that can seriously damage the electron conductivity of CNTs. EAPC-driven GOx activity was 4.5- and 11-times higher than those of covalently-attached GOx (CA) on acid-treated CNTs and simply-adsorbed GOx (ADS) on intact CNTs, respectively. EAPC showed no decrease of GOx activity for 270 days. EAPC was employed to prepare the enzyme anodes for biofuel cells, and the EAPC anode produced 7.5-times higher power output than the CA anode. Even with a higher amount of bound non-conductive enzymes, the EAPC anode showed 1.7-fold higher electron transfer rate than the CA anode. The EAPC on intact CNTs can improve enzyme loading and stability with key routes of improved electron transfer in various biosensing and bioelectronics devices.
Unique local bone tissue characteristics in iliac crest bone biopsy from adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with severe spinal deformity
Authors: Wang Zhiwei , Chen Huanxiong , Yu Y. Eric , Zhang Jiajun , Cheuk Ka-Yee , Ng Bobby K. W. , Qiu Yong , Guo X. Edward , Cheng Jack C. Y. , Lee Wayne Y. W.
Published: January 2017

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a complex disease with unclear etiopathogenesis. Systemic and persistent low bone mineral density is an independent prognostic factor for curve progression. The fundamental question of how bone quality is affected in AIS remains controversy because there is lack of site-matched control for detailed analysis on bone-related parameters. In this case-control study, trabecular bone biopsies from iliac crest were collected intra-operatively from 28 severe AIS patients and 10 matched controls with similar skeletal and sexual maturity, anthropometry and femoral neck BMD Z-score to control confounding effects. In addition to static histomorphometry, micro-computed tomography (μCT) and real time-PCR (qPCR) analyses, individual trabecula segmentation (ITS)-based analysis, finite element analysis (FEA), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were conducted to provide advanced analysis of structural, mechanical and mineralization features. μCT and histomorphometry showed consistently reduced trabecular number and connectivity. ITS revealed predominant change in trabecular rods, and EDX confirmed less mineralization. The structural and mineralization abnormality led to slight reduction in apparent modulus, which could be attributed to differential down-regulation ofRunx2, and up-regulation ofSpp1andTRAP. In conclusion, this is the first comprehensive study providing direct evidence of undefined unique pathological changes at different bone hierarchical levels in AIS.
Identification of the authenticity of pigments in ancient polychromed artworks of China
Authors: Sultan Shahid , Kareem Khalida , He Ling , Simon Stefan
Published: January 2017

Twenty-three painted samples from different ancient Chinese artworks are evaluated to identify their authenticity and the difference of pigments.
Enhanced adsorption of aromatic chemicals on boron and nitrogen co-doped single-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Wang Lilin , Zhu Dongqiang , Chen Jingwen , Chen Yongsheng , Chen Wei
Published: January 2017

Co-doping with B and N significantly enhances adsorption affinity of single-walled carbon nanotubes by promoting polarization of surface π electrons.
Sesamol ameliorates high-fat and high-fructose induced cognitive defects via improving insulin signaling disruption in the central nervous system
Authors: Liu Zhigang , Sun Yali , Qiao Qinglian , Zhao Tong , Zhang Wentong , Ren Bo , Liu Qian , Liu Xuebo
Published: January 2017

The present study demonstrated that sesamol prevents high-fat and high-fructose diet induced systemic insulin resistance and cognitive defects via stimulating PI3K/Akt signaling, improving ERK/CREB/BDNF cascades, and preserving mitochondrial function.
Highly flexible, freestanding tandem sulfur cathodes for foldable Li–S batteries with a high areal capacity
Authors: Chang Chi-Hao , Chung Sheng-Heng , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: January 2017

Highly flexible tandem cathodes with a high sulfur loading achieve foldable lithium–sulfur batteries with a high areal capacity.
Protein corona composition of poly(ethylene glycol)- and poly(phosphoester)-coated nanoparticles correlates strongly with the amino acid composition of the protein surface
Authors: Settanni Giovanni , Zhou Jiajia , Suo Tongchuan , Schöttler Susanne , Landfester Katharina , Schmid Friederike , Mailänder Volker
Published: January 2017

The affinity of protein surface amino acids for poly(ethylene glycol) is used to build a quantitative model of protein adsorption on PEGylated nanoparticles.
N-Doped carbon dots: a metal-free co-catalyst on hematite nanorod arrays toward efficient photoelectrochemical water oxidation
Authors: Huang Xueni , Yang Libin , Hao Shuai , Zheng Baozhan , Yan Lei , Qu Fengli , Asiri Abdullah M. , Sun Xuping
Published: January 2017

N-Doped carbon dots (N-CDs) have been demonstrated as an effective co-catalyst for α-Fe2O3 nanorod arrays on a Ti sheet for photoelectrochemical water oxidation.
A study of the interaction between inverted cucurbit[7]uril and symmetric viologens
Authors: Gao Zhongzheng , Bai Dong , Chen Lixia , Tao Zhu , Xiao Xin , Prior Timothy J. , Redshaw Carl
Published: January 2017

The interaction between iQ[7] and a series of symmetric viologen derivatives, namely dicationic dialkyl-4,4′-bipyridinium guests where the alkyl is CH3(CH2)n with n = 0 to 6, has been studied in aqueous solution and solid state.
Metal-ions linked surface-confined molecular dyads of Zn-porphyrin–metallo-terpyridine: an experimental and theoretical study
Authors: Gera Bhawna , Manna Arun Kumar , Chandra Mondal Prakash
Published: January 2017

Solid state molecular engineering is performed on SiOx-substrates by combining transition metal ions and metallo-porphyrins and terpyridyl complexes.
A novel Eu3+/Eu2+ co-doped MgSrLa8(SiO4)6O2 single-phase white light phosphor for white LEDs
Authors: Gao Xiaoli , Liu Haitao , Yang Xinyu , Tian Yiguang , Lu Xue , Han Liyuan
Published: January 2017

Under ultraviolet light excitation, the phosphor shows simultaneously the blue emission of the Eu2+ and the green-yellow-red emission of the Eu3+.
A fluorescent carbon nitride nanofibrous hydrogel for selective sensing of Cu2+
Authors: Huang Zhijun , Yan Feng-Wen , Yuan Guoqing
Published: January 2017

Carbon nitride nanofibrous hydrogel can serve as an efficient fluorescent probe for the selective sensing of Cu2+.
Structure and thermal properties of millimeter-scale alumina aerogel beads formed by a modified ball dropping method
Authors: Yu Yuxi , Zhu Mengwei , Fang Jiyu
Published: January 2017

We report the formation of alumina aerogel beads with a modified ball dropping method, in which alumina alcogel beads are formed by extruding alumina sol containing a small amount of polyvinyl alcohol through nozzles into ammonia water.
Nano-sized nickel catalyst for deep hydrogenation of lignin monomers and first-principles insight into the catalyst preparation
Authors: Qi Shi-Chao , Zhang Lu , Einaga Hisahiro , Kudo Shinji , Norinaga Koyo , Hayashi Jun-ichiro
Published: January 2017

A type of nano-sized Ni catalyst supported by ZSM-5 zeolite for the deep hydrogenation of lignin monomers is prepared by borohydride reduction of a Ni2+–pyridine complex in ethanol. The mechanism of the borohydride reduction over the full range from Ni2+to Ni0is calculated by applying density functional theory.
A key concept of utilization of both non-Grignard magnesium chloride and imide salts for rechargeable Mg battery electrolytes
Authors: Mandai Toshihiko , Akita Yasuhiro , Yagi Shunsuke , Egashira Minato , Munakata Hirokazu , Kanamura Kiyoshi
Published: January 2017

A special electrolyte combination of non-Grignard magnesium chloride, magnesium imide, and triglyme exhibited an excellent performance regarding the magnesium plating/stripping.
Chimaeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for tumour immunotherapy
Authors: Sha Huan-huan , Wang Dan-dan , Yan Da-li , Hu Yong , Yang Su-jin , Liu Si-wen , Feng Ji-feng
Published: January 2017

Chimaeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies, as one of the cancer immunotherapies, have heralded a new era of treating cancer. The accumulating data, especially about CAR-modified T cells against CD19 support that CAR T-cell therapy is a highly effective immune therapy for B-cell malignancies. Apart from CD19, there have been many trials of CAR T cells directed other tumour specific or associated antigens (TSAs/TAAs) in haematologic malignancies and solid tumours. This review will briefly summarize basic CAR structure, parts of reported TSAs/TAAs, results of the clinical trials of CAR T-cell therapies as well as two life-threatening side effects. Experiments in vivo or in vitro, ongoing clinical trials and the outlook for CAR T-cell therapies also be included. Our future efforts will focus on identification of more viable cancer targets and more strategies to make CAR T-cell therapy safer.
The Interaction of Lexical Characteristics and Speech Production in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Chiu Yi-Fang , Forrest Karen
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This study sought to investigate the interaction of speech movement execution with higher order lexical parameters. The authors examined how lexical characteristics affect speech output in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) and healthy control (HC) speakers.

Method

Twenty speakers with PD and 12 healthy speakers read sentences with target words that varied in word frequency and neighborhood density. The formant transitions (F2 slopes) of the diphthongs in the target words were compared across lexical categories between PD and HC groups.

Results

Both groups of speakers produced steeper F2 slopes for the diphthongs in less frequent words and words from sparse neighborhoods. The magnitude of the increase in F2 slopes was significantly less in the PD than HC group. The lexical effect on the F2 slope differed among the diphthongs and between the 2 groups.

Conclusions

PD and healthy speakers varied their acoustic output on the basis of word frequency and neighborhood density. F2 slope variations can be traced to higher level lexical differences. This lexical effect on articulation, however, appears to be constrained by PD.
Supervised sparse neighbourhood preserving embedding
Authors: Qian Liqiang , Zhang Li , Bao Xing , Li Fanzhang , Yang Jiwen
Published: January 2017

Both neighbourhood preserving embedding (NPE) and sparsity preserving projection (SPP) are unsupervised learning methods, where NPE can preserve the local neighbourhood information of a given dataset and SPP can preserve the sparsely reconstructive relationship of the dataset. However, it is not satisfactory when applying the two methods to classification tasks. First, a modified SPP is presented here. Then this study proposes a supervised sparse neighbourhood preserving embedded algorithm (SSNPE) based on NPE, the modified SPP and the label information of a given task. SSNPE inherits the merits of NPE and SPP, which can preserve not only the local neighbourhood information but also the sparsely reconstructive relationship. The connection between SSNPE and both NPE and SPP is discussed. Experimental results on the datasets of UCI, ORL and MNIST indicate that the proposed method is effective.
Direct observation of the conformational transitions of single pyridine molecules on a Ag(110) surface induced by long-range repulsive intermolecular interactions
Authors: Lee Insup , Son Seungbae , Shin Taeho , Hahn Jae R.
Published: January 2017

The transition between two conformations of pyridine molecules adsorbed on a Ag(110) surface at 13 K was investigated by performing single-molecule manipulation at a very low coverage and the track-imaging of pyridines for various surface coverages using a variable low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope. A single tilted conformer was converted to an upright conformer when another coadsorbed tilted pyridine molecule approached to within ∼2 nm. The conversion probability depends on the molecular separation. The tilted conformers that are prevalent at a very low coverage were converted to upright conformers with an increasing surface coverage. The minimum molecular separation before this transition is induced was determined to be 2.2 nm using molecular track-imaging and statistical analysis of the pyridine separation as a function of the molecular coverage. The conformation transition was attributed to substrate-mediated long-range repulsive interactions between the pyridine molecules, which are produced by charge redistribution that occurs upon pyridine adsorption on the silver surface.
Acoustic thermometry for detecting quenches in superconducting coils and conductor stacks
Authors: Marchevsky M. , Gourlay S. A.
Published: January 2017

Quench detection capability is essential for reliable operation and protection of superconducting magnets, coils, cables, and machinery. We propose a quench detection technique based on sensing local temperature variations in the bulk of a superconducting winding by monitoring its transient acoustic response. Our approach is primarily aimed at coils and devices built with high-temperature superconductor materials where quench detection using standard voltage-based techniques may be inefficient due to the slow velocity of quench propagation. The acoustic sensing technique is non-invasive, fast, and capable of detecting temperature variations of less than 1 K in the interior of the superconductor cable stack in a 77 K cryogenic environment. We show results of finite element modeling and experiments conducted on a model superconductor stack demonstrating viability of the technique for practical quench detection, discuss sensitivity limits of the technique, and its various applications.
Millimeter-scale layered MoSe2 grown on sapphire and evidence for negative magnetoresistance
Authors: Dau M. T. , Vergnaud C. , Marty A. , Rortais F. , Beigné C. , Boukari H. , Bellet-Amalric E. , Guigoz V. , Renault O. , Alvarez C. , Okuno H. , Pochet P. , Jamet M.
Published: January 2017

Molecular beam epitaxy technique has been used to deposit a single layer and a bilayer of MoSe2 on sapphire. Extensive characterizations including in-situ and ex-situ measurements show that the layered MoSe2 grows in a scalable manner on the substrate and reveals characteristics of a stoichiometric 2H-phase. The layered MoSe2 exhibits polycrystalline features with domains separated by defects and boundaries. Temperature and magnetic field dependent resistivity measurements unveil a carrier hopping character described within two-dimensional variable range hopping mechanism. Moreover, a negative magnetoresistance was observed, stressing a fascinating feature of the charge transport under the application of a magnetic field in the layered MoSe2 system. This negative magnetoresistance observed at millimeter-scale is similar to that observed recently at room temperature in WS2 flakes at a micrometer scale [Zhang et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 108, 153114 (2016)]. This scalability highlights the fact that the underlying physical mechanism is intrinsic to these two-dimensional materials and occurs at very short scale.
Trade-off between the electrostatic efficiency and mechanical stability of two-stage field emitter structures
Authors: de Assis Thiago A. , Dall'Agnol Fernando F.
Published: January 2017

The electrostatic effects and mechanical stability of systems formed of nanostructures mounted on cylindrical/conical base structures were studied numerically using the finite element method. We modeled a base structure (lower-stage structure) with a height of h1, a base radius of r1, and a characteristic field enhancement factor (FEF) of γ1. The nanostructure on top (upper-stage structure) had a height of h2, a radius of r2 < r1, an FEF of γ2, and a hemisphere-on-post shape. The resulting two-stage system had a characteristic FEF of γC. We define the electrostatic efficiency as ηR=(γC−γ1)/(γ3−γ1), where γ3 is the reference FEF for a hemisphere-on-post structure of radius r3 = r2 and height h3 = h1 + h2. The results suggest a scaling of ηR=f(u≡λθ−n), where λ≡h2/h1, θ≡r1/r2, the exponent n depends on the geometry of the lower-stage structure, and u is a scale parameter of the two-stage system that arises from the scale-invariant nature of the electrostatic effects. Regarding the mechanical stability of the two-stage system, our results show that there are characteristic λ* and θ* values that result in the maximum mechanical stability. For a given relative difference δ between γC and γ3, our results suggest λ*θ*∼δα, where α ≈ 0.2 for both cylindrical and conical lower-stage structures. This result provides a relation between the electrostatic efficiency and the mechanical stability, allowing one to predict the necessary conditions for two-stage structures with the maximum sturdiness for a given FEF. This study, therefore, provides theoretical guidance for field electron emission applications, for the construction of needles for high-resolution probe microscopy, and for applications that require very high brightness but low emittance.
Anisotropic heat conduction in silicon nanowire network revealed by Raman scattering
Authors: Isaiev Mykola , Didukh Oles , Nychyporuk Tetyana , Timoshenko Victor , Lysenko Vladimir
Published: January 2017

Anisotropic nanomaterials possess interesting thermal transport properties because they allow orientation of heat fluxes along preferential directions due to a high ratio (up to three orders of magnitude) between their in-plane and cross-plane thermal conductivities. Among different techniques allowing thermal conductivity evaluation, micro-Raman scattering is known to be one of the most efficient contactless measurement approaches. In this letter, an experimental approach based on Raman scattering measurements with variable laser spot sizes is reported. Correlation between experimental and calculated thermal resistances of one-dimensional nanocrystalline solids allows a simultaneous estimation of their in-plane and cross-plane thermal conductivities. In particular, our measurement approach is illustrated to be applied for anisotropic thermal conductivity evaluation of silicon nanowire arrays.
Dual-specificity phosphatase 5 controls the localized inhibition, propagation, and transforming potential of ERK signaling
Authors: Kidger Andrew M. , Rushworth Linda K. , Stellzig Julia , Davidson Jane , Bryant Christopher J. , Bayley Cassidy , Caddye Edward , Rogers Tim , Keyse Stephen M. , Caunt Christopher J.
Published: January 2017

Significance

The RAF-ERK kinase pathway drives cell proliferation and cancer growth. ERK kinase activity is terminated by dual-specificity MAPK phosphatases (MKP/DUSPs), which are often assumed to be tumor suppressors. We demonstrate that the MKP DUSP5 terminates nuclear ERK signaling but, surprisingly, promotes ERK activation in the cytoplasm by relieving feedback inhibition of upstream kinases. Cancer-causing RAF kinase mutations, which occur in ∼8% of tumors and are refractory to feedback inhibition, reprogram DUSP5 to become a cell-wide attenuator of ERK signaling that prevents cellular senescence and promotes oncogenic transformation. Our results establish that interactions between feedback loops in the ERK cascade control localized signal promotion or suppression, which in turn govern cell proliferation and transformation.
Inclusion relations between modulation and Triebel-Lizorkin spaces
Authors: Guo Weichao , Wu Huoxiong , Zhao Guoping
Published: January 2017

In this paper, we obtain the sharp conditions of the inclusion relations between modulation spaces

M

p
,
q

s

M_{p,q}^s

and Triebel-Lizorkin spaces

F

p
,
r

F_{p,r}

for

p
≤
1

p\leq 1

, which greatly improve and extend the results for the embedding relations between local Hardy spaces and modulation spaces obtained by Kobayashi, Miyachi and Tomita in [Studia Math. 192 (2009), 79-96].
Subalgebras of finite codimension in semiprojective 𝐶*-algebras
Authors: Enders Dominic
Published: January 2017

We show that semiprojectivity of a

C
∗

C^*

-algebra is preserved when passing to

C
∗

C^*

-subalgebras of finite codimension. In particular, any pullback of two semiprojective

C
∗

C^*

-algebras over a finite-dimensional

C
∗

C^*

-algebra is again semiprojective.
The Assouad dimension of self-affine carpets with no grid structure
Authors: Fraser Jonathan , Jordan Thomas
Published: January 2017

Previous study of the Assouad dimension of planar self-affine sets has relied heavily on the underlying IFS having a ‘grid structure’, thus allowing for the use of approximate squares. We study the Assouad dimension of a class of self-affine carpets which do not have an associated grid structure. We find that the Assouad dimension is related to the box and Assouad dimensions of the (self-similar) projection of the self-affine set onto the first coordinate and to the local dimensions of the projection of a natural Bernoulli measure onto the first coordinate. In a special case we relate the Assouad dimension of the Przytycki-Urbański sets to the lower local dimensions of Bernoulli convolutions.
Invariants of pairs in 𝑆𝐿(4,ℂ) and 𝕊𝕌(3,1)
Authors: Gongopadhyay Krishnendu , Lawton Sean
Published: January 2017

We describe a minimal global coordinate system of order 30 on theSL(4,C)\mathrm {SL}(4,\mathbb {C})-character variety of a rank 2 free group. Using symmetry within this system, we obtain a smaller collection of 22 coordinates subject to 5 further real relations that determine conjugation classes of generic pairs of matrices inSU(3,1)\mathrm {SU}(3,1).
A special Cayley octad
Authors: Prendergast-Smith Artie
Published: January 2017

We prove that a special blowup of projective space of dimension

3
3

in characteristic

2
2

is a Mori dream space. This confirms a prediction of the Morrison–Kawamata cone conjecture.
Knots and links of complex tangents
Authors: Kasuya Naohiko , Takase Masamichi
Published: January 2017

It is shown that every knot or link is the set of complex tangents of a

3
3

-sphere smoothly embedded in the

3
3

-dimensional complex space. We show in fact that a

1
1

-dimensional submanifold of a closed orientable

3
3

-manifold can be realised as the set of complex tangents of a smooth embedding of the

3
3

-manifold into the

3
3

-dimensional complex space if and only if it represents the trivial integral homology class in the

3
3

-manifold. The proof involves a new application of singularity theory of differentiable maps.
From Aztec diamonds to pyramids: Steep tilings
Authors: Bouttier Jérémie , Chapuy Guillaume , Corteel Sylvie
Published: January 2017

We introduce a family of domino tilings that includes tilings of the Aztec diamond and pyramid partitions as special cases. These tilings live in a strip ofZ2\mathbb {Z}^2of the form1≤x−y≤2ℓ1\leq x-y\leq 2\ellfor some integerℓ≥1\ell \geq 1, and are parametrized by a binary wordw∈{+,−}2ℓw\in \{+,-\}^{2\ell }that encodes some periodicity conditions at infinity. Aztec diamond and pyramid partitions correspond respectively tow=(+−)ℓw=(+-)^\elland to the limit casew=+∞−∞w=+^\infty -^\infty. For each wordwwand for different types of boundary conditions, we obtain a nice product formula for the generating function of the associated tilings with respect to the number of flips, that admits a natural multivariate generalization. The main tools are a bijective correspondence with sequences of interlaced partitions and the vertex operator formalism (which we slightly extend in order to handle Littlewood-type identities). In probabilistic terms our tilings map to Schur processes of different types (standard, Pfaffian and periodic). We also introduce a more general model that interpolates between domino tilings and plane partitions.
Convergence almost everywhere of multiple Fourier series over cubes
Authors: Mastyło Mieczysław , Rodríguez-Piazza Luis
Published: January 2017

We study convergence almost everywhere of multiple trigonometric Fourier series over cubes defined on the

d
d

-dimensional torus

T

d

\mathbb {T}^d

. We provide a new approach which allows us to prove the novel interpolation estimates for the Carleson maximal operators generated by the partial sums of the multiple Fourier series and all its conjugate series. Combining these estimates we show that these operators are bounded from a variant of the Arias-de-Reyna space

Q

A
d

Q\!A^d

to the weak

L
1

L^1

-space on

T

d

\mathbb {T}^d

. This implies that the multiple Fourier series of every function

f
∈
Q

A
d

f\in Q\!A^d

and all its conjugate series converge over cubes almost everywhere. By a close analysis of the space

Q

A
d

Q\!A^d

we prove that it contains a Lorentz space that strictly contains the Orlicz space

L
(
log

L

)

d

log
⁡
log
⁡
log

L
(

T

d

)

L(\log \,L)^{d} \log \log \log \,L(\mathbb {T}^d)

. This yields a significant improvement of a deep theorem proved by Antonov which was the best known result on the convergence of multiple Fourier series over cubes.
BRIDG: a domain information model for translational and clinical protocol-driven research
Authors: Becnel Lauren B , Hastak Smita , Ver Hoef Wendy , Milius Robert P , Slack MaryAnn , Wold Diane , Glickman Michael L , Brodsky Boris , Jaffe Charles , Kush Rebecca , Helton Edward
Published: January 2017

Background: It is critical to integrate and analyze data from biological, translational, and clinical studies with data from health systems; however, electronic artifacts are stored in thousands of disparate systems that are often unable to readily exchange data.

Objective: To facilitate meaningful data exchange, a model that presents a common understanding of biomedical research concepts and their relationships with health care semantics is required. The Biomedical Research Integrated Domain Group (BRIDG) domain information model fulfills this need. Software systems created from BRIDG have shared meaning “baked in,” enabling interoperability among disparate systems. For nearly 10 years, the Clinical Data Standards Interchange Consortium, the National Cancer Institute, the US Food and Drug Administration, and Health Level 7 International have been key stakeholders in developing BRIDG.

Methods: BRIDG is an open-source Unified Modeling Language–class model developed through use cases and harmonization with other models.

Results: With its 4+ releases, BRIDG includes clinical and now translational research concepts in its Common, Protocol Representation, Study Conduct, Adverse Events, Regulatory, Statistical Analysis, Experiment, Biospecimen, and Molecular Biology subdomains.

Interpretation: The model is a Clinical Data Standards Interchange Consortium, Health Level 7 International, and International Standards Organization standard that has been utilized in national and international standards-based software development projects. It will continue to mature and evolve in the areas of clinical imaging, pathology, ontology, and vocabulary support. BRIDG 4.1.1 and prior releases are freely available at https://bridgmodel.nci.nih.gov.
Evaluation of the performance of deformable image registration between planning CT and CBCT images for the pelvic region: comparison between hybrid and intensity-based DIR
Authors: Takayama Yoshiki , Kadoya Noriyuki , Yamamoto Takaya , Ito Kengo , Chiba Mizuki , Fujiwara Kousei , Miyasaka Yuya , Dobashi Suguru , Sato Kiyokazu , Takeda Ken , Jingu Keiichi
Published: January 2017

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the hybrid deformable image registration (DIR) method in comparison with intensity-based DIR for pelvic cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, using intensity and anatomical information. Ten prostate cancer patients treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) were studied. Nine or ten CBCT scans were performed for each patient. First, rigid registration was performed between the planning CT and all CBCT images using gold fiducial markers, and then DIR was performed. The Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and center of mass (COM) displacement were used to evaluate the quantitative DIR accuracy. The average DSCs for intensity-based DIR for the prostate, rectum, bladder, and seminal vesicles were 0.84 ± 0.05, 0.75 ± 0.05, 0.69 ± 0.07 and 0.65 ± 0.11, respectively, whereas those values for hybrid DIR were 0.98 ± 0.00, 0.97 ± 0.01, 0.98 ± 0.00 and 0.94 ± 0.03, respectively (P < 0.05). The average COM displacements for intensity-based DIR for the prostate, rectum, bladder, and seminal vesicles were 2.0 ± 1.5, 3.7 ± 1.4, 7.8 ± 2.2 and 3.6 ± 1.2 mm, whereas those values for hybrid DIR were 0.1 ± 0.0, 0.3 ± 0.2, 0.2 ± 0.1 and 0.6 ± 0.6 mm, respectively (P < 0.05). These results showed that the DSC for hybrid DIR had a higher DSC value and smaller COM displacement for all structures and all patients, compared with intensity-based DIR. Thus, the accumulative dose based on hybrid DIR might be trusted as a high-precision dose estimation method that takes into account organ movement during treatment radiotherapy.
Better the devil you know: common terns stay with a previous partner although pair bond duration does not affect breeding output
Authors: Rebke Maren , Becker Peter H. , Colchero Fernando
Published: January 2017

In a monogamous species two partners contribute to the breeding process. We study pair formation as well as the effect of pair bond length and age on breeding performance, incorporating individual heterogeneity, based on a high-quality dataset of a long-lived seabird, the common tern (
Sterna hirundo
). To handle missing information and model the complicated processes driving reproduction, we use a hierarchical Bayesian model of the steps that lead to the number of fledglings, including processes at the individual and the pair level. The results show that the age of both partners is important for reproductive performance, with similar patterns for both sexes and individual heterogeneity in reproductive performance, but pair bond length is not. The terns are more likely to choose a former partner independent of the previous breeding outcome with that partner, which suggests a tendency to retain the partner chosen at the beginning of the breeding career.
Mouthpart conduit sizes of fluid-feeding insects determine the ability to feed from pores
Authors: Lehnert Matthew S. , Bennett Andrew , Reiter Kristen E. , Gerard Patrick D. , Wei Qi-Huo , Byler Miranda , Yan Huan , Lee Wah-Keat
Published: January 2017

Fluid-feeding insects, such as butterflies, moths and flies (20% of all animal species), are faced with the common selection pressure of having to remove and feed on trace amounts of fluids from porous surfaces. Insects able to acquire fluids that are confined to pores during drought conditions would have an adaptive advantage and increased fitness over other individuals. Here, we performed feeding trials using solutions with magnetic nanoparticles to show that butterflies and flies have mouthparts adapted to pull liquids from porous surfaces using capillary action as the governing principle. In addition, the ability to feed on the liquids collected from pores depends on a relationship between the diameter of the mouthpart conduits and substrate pore size diameter; insects with mouthpart conduit diameters larger than the pores cannot successfully feed, thus there is a limiting substrate pore size from which each species can acquire liquids for fluid uptake. Given that natural selection independently favoured mouthpart architectures that support these methods of fluid uptake (Diptera and Lepidoptera share a common ancestor 280 Ma that had chewing mouthparts), we suggest that the convergence of this mechanism advocates this as an optimal strategy for pulling trace amounts of fluids from porous surfaces.
Parsing the life-shortening effects of dietary protein: effects of individual amino acids
Authors: Arganda Sara , Bouchebti Sofia , Bazazi Sepideh , Le Hesran Sophie , Puga Camille , Latil Gérard , Simpson Stephen J. , Dussutour Audrey
Published: January 2017

High-protein diets shorten lifespan in many organisms. Is it because protein digestion is energetically costly or because the final products (the amino acids) are harmful? To answer this question while circumventing the life-history trade-off between reproduction and longevity, we fed sterile ant workers on diets based on whole proteins or free amino acids. We found that (i) free amino acids shortened lifespan even more than proteins; (ii) the higher the amino acid-to-carbohydrate ratio, the shorter ants lived and the lower their lipid reserves; (iii) for the same amino acid-to-carbohydrate ratio, ants eating free amino acids had more lipid reserves than those eating whole proteins; and (iv) on whole protein diets, ants seem to regulate food intake by prioritizing sugar, while on free amino acid diets, they seem to prioritize amino acids. To test the effect of the amino acid profile, we tested diets containing proportions of each amino acid that matched the ant's exome; surprisingly, longevity was unaffected by this change. We further tested diets with all amino acids under-represented except one, finding that methionine, serine, threonine and phenylalanine are especially harmful. All together, our results show certain amino acids are key elements behind the high-protein diet reduction in lifespan.
Food availability affects adult survival trajectories depending on early developmental conditions
Authors: Briga Michael , Koetsier Egbert , Boonekamp Jelle J. , Jimeno Blanca , Verhulst Simon
Published: January 2017

Food availability modulates survival in interaction with (for example) competition, disease and predators, but to what extent food availability in natural populations affects survival independent of these factors is not well known. We tested the effect of food availability on lifespan and actuarial senescence in a large population of captive zebra finches by increasing the effort required to obtain food, reflecting natural contrasts in food availability. Food availability may not affect all individuals equally and we therefore created heterogeneity in phenotypic quality by raising birds with different numbers of siblings. Low food availability had no effect on lifespan for individuals from benign developmental conditions (raised in small broods), but shortened lifespan for individuals from harsh developmental conditions. The lifespan difference arose through higher baseline mortality rate of individuals from harsh developmental conditions, despite a decrease in the rate of actuarial senescence. We found no evidence for sex-specific environmental sensitivity, but females lived shorter than males due to increased actuarial senescence. Thus, low food availability by itself shortens lifespan, but only in individuals from harsh developmental conditions. Our food availability manipulation resembles dietary restriction as applied to invertebrates, where it extends lifespan in model organisms and we discuss possible reasons for the contrasting results.
Frequency-dependent response ofChromobacterium violaceumto sonic stimulation, and altered gene expression associated with enhanced violacein production at 300 Hz
Authors: Joshi Chinmayi , Patel Pooja , Singh Abhishek , Sukhadiya Jinal , Shah Vidhi , Kothari Vijay
Published: January 2017

Chromobacterium violaceumwas subjected to sonic (100-2000 Hz) stimulation, and the effect on its cell yield and quorum sensing regulated pigment (violacein) production was investigated. Sound corresponding to the 300 Hz was found to promote (by 1.52 fold) violacein production the most, with only marginal impact on cell yield. Whole transcriptome analysis revealed that a total of 342 genes (i.e. 4.63% of whole genome) were significantly up-regulated in the sonic stimulated culture. Enhanced violacein production in the sound stimulated culture seems to have stemmed from enhanced expression of the genes involved in glucose metabolism through pentose phosphate pathway, resulting in increased availability of erythrose-4-phosphate, to be used for synthesis of tryptophan, the precursor for violacein synthesis. Multiple ribosomal subunit genes, enzyme coding genes, and those associated with secretion/transport were up-regulated owing to sonic stimulation. This study is a good demonstration of the ability of sound waves to alter bacterial metabolism.
Genome-wide mutational diversity inEscherichia colipopulation evolving in prolonged stationary-phase
Authors: Chib Savita , Ali Farhan , Seshasayee Aswin Sai Narain
Published: January 2017

Prolonged stationary-phase is an approximation of natural environments presenting a range of stresses. Survival in prolonged stationary-phase requires alternative metabolic pathways for survival. This study describes the repertoire of mutations accumulating in starvingE. colipopulations in lysogeny broth. A wide range of mutations accumulate over the course of one month in stationary-phase. SNPs constitute 64% of all mutations. A majority of these mutations are non-synonymous and are located at conserved loci. There is an increase in genetic diversity in the evolving populations over time. Computer simulations of evolution in stationary phase suggest that the maximum frequency obtained by mutations in our experimental populations can not be explained by neutral drift. Moreover there is frequent genetic parallelism across populations suggesting that these mutations are under positive selection. Finally functional analysis of mutations suggests that regulatory mutations are frequent targets of selection.
Explaining the demise of the intellectual capital statement in Denmark
Authors: Nielsen Christian , Roslender Robin , Schaper Stefan
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the Danish Guideline Project (DGP) and its subsequent fate within participating companies since its conclusion in late 2002. Particular focus is placed on the traction that the intellectual capital statement (ICS) approach to reporting, as the principal outcome of the project, was able to acquire in practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Following the reconstruction of the original sample of 102 companies that originally participated in the project, a survey using semi-structured interviews was pursued among 64 individuals who were identified as having some involvement with the guideline project and/or producing ICSs in these companies. In addition to the interviews, a range of secondary information has been used to supplement the primary data and research protocol.

Findings

The project was found to have enjoyed only modest success and thereby failed to achieve any substantial traction among the participating companies and related public stakeholders. On balance, however, respondents believed that the exercise had been a positive experience, with benefits for the internal management of the companies, as well as for human capital (employees). The obstacles that radical initiatives such as the ICS continue to face should not be underestimated.

Research limitations/implications

A single study of a specific initiative necessarily entails many limitations. It is conceivable that the views of some of the participants in the guideline project who are absent from the present sample may provide details of a different experience, although it is unlikely that these would seriously challenge the findings reported here.

Originality/value

This study is the first to explore the fate of the critically acclaimed ICS approach among companies participating in the DGP.
Political skill, entrepreneurial orientation and organizational justice
Authors: Cong Cheng , Dempsey Michael , Xie Hong Ming
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to a unified theory of entrepreneurial orientation. To this end, the study considers the nexus of entrepreneurial orientation and venture performance contingent on entrepreneurial political skill, as well as in relation to organizational justice as it influences stakeholder commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

A diverse sample of 237 entrepreneurs from private entrepreneurial enterprises throughout an eastern province (Zhejiang) of China participated in a questionnaire study during three years. The study applies structural equation modeling and hierarchical moderated regression analyses to test the hypotheses.

Findings

In the context of a developing economy (China), the study verifies the influence of entrepreneurial political skill on entrepreneurial performance. Amongst those involved in the venture, a sense of organizational justice combined with entrepreneurial orientation work to moderate the entrepreneur’s political skill in achieving outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of the study are the questionnaire survey identifies entrepreneurial “perceptions” of success or failure with actual success or failure; and responses are weighted to founders and top managers as representing entrepreneurial actors more generally.

Practical implications

The study concludes that access to scarce resources and maintenance of goal congruence are more likely to be achieved when entrepreneurial innovativeness and pro-activeness are combined with entrepreneurial political skill in a setting of organizational justice.

Social implications

The study finds that entrepreneurs are able to improve performance by instilling a group culture of trust and social justice.

Originality/value

The study is located contextually in the guanxi-centered social exchange atmosphere of China as the economy transforms from a planned to a market model, with institutional arrangements of a mixed economy of state-owned and privately owned enterprises. In this context, the study explores the constructs of entrepreneurial orientation in relation to entrepreneurial political skill in a context of organizational justice as they combine to influence a venture’s success.
Developing problem-solving skills in mathematics: a lesson study
Authors: Bradshaw Zoe , Hazell Amanda
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Problem solving is a skill in mathematics which although always relevant has heightened priority due to the changes in the new mathematics GCSE (Department for Education, 2013). It has previously been a skill which is deemed underdeveloped within mathematics and therefore is a theme which teachers are seeking to improve and nurture in order to align with the new changes. The GCSE is the formal qualification that students take at the end of Key Stage 4 (KS4) in the UK. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The focus of the enquiry was to explore, using lesson studies, the differences in students’ approaches to problem solving. Consequently, key themes relating to the mediation of gender, ability, and academic motivation surfaced. Considering these themes, the paper subsequently reflects upon pedagogical practices which might effectively develop students’ ability to problem solve. The study took part in a mixed gender comprehensive secondary school with students taking part in the observation lesson ranging in age from 11 to 12 years old. The authors are the teachers who took part in the lesson study. The teachers implemented observation techniques in the form of video and peer observation with the accompanying teacher. In addition, students provided feedback on how they approached the problem-solving tasks through a form of semi-structured interviews, conducted via the use of video diaries where no teachers were present to prevent power bias. Following this, a thematic analysis of both the observations and student video diaries generated conclusions regarding how said key themes shaped the students’ approaches to problem solving.

Findings

Students’ frustration and competitive need to find a specific answer inhibited their ability to thoroughly explore the problem posed thus overseeing vital aspects needed to solve the problem set. Many students expressed a passion for problem solving due to its freedom and un-rigid nature, which is something teachers should nurture.

Originality/value

Generally, teachers are led by a culture in which attainment is the key. However, an atmosphere should be developed where the answer is not the key and students can explore the vibrant diversity mathematics and problem solving can offer.