bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Factors Associated With Portal Vein Thrombosis in Pediatric Living Donor Liver Transplant Recipients
Authors: Neto Joao Seda , Fonseca Eduardo A. , Feier Flávia H. , Pugliese Renata , Candido Helry L. , Benavides Marcel R. , Porta Gilda , Miura Irene K. , Danesi Vera B. , Guimaraes Teresa , Porta Adriana , Borges Cristian , Godoy Andre , Kondo Mario , Chapchap Paulo
Published: June 2014

The technique of vascular reconstruction plays a major role in the outcome of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). An increased use of vascular grafts (VGs) as replacements for sclerotic portal veins has become a standard technique for our group. The aim of this study was to analyze the factors associated with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in pediatric LDLT. We performed a retrospective analysis of 486 primary pediatric LDLT procedures performed between October 1995 and May 2013. VGs used for portal reconstruction included living donor inferior mesenteric veins, living donor ovarian veins, recipient internal jugular veins, deceased donor iliac arteries, and deceased donor iliac veins. Thirty-four patients (7.0%) developed PVT. The incidence of PVT dropped from 10.1% to 2%; the overall utilization of VGs increased from 3.5% to 37.1%. In a multivariate analysis, only the use of VGs remained an independent risk factor for the occurrence of PVT (hazard ratio = 7.2, 95% confidence interval = 2.8-18.7, P < 0.001). There was no difference in survival rates between patients with PVT and patients without PVT. No patient with PVT underwent retransplantation. In conclusion, the use of VGs was independently associated with the development of PVT. Over time, there was a reduction in the incidence of early PVT in this cohort, and there was a trend toward a reduction in total PVT. The occurrence of isolated PVT in this study was not associated with decreased patient or graft survival. Liver Transpl 20:1157–1167, 2014. © 2014 AASLD.
Electrical stimulation influences satellite cell differentiation after sciatic nerve crush injury in rats
Authors: Xing Huayi , Zhou Mouwang , Assinck Peggy , Liu Nan
Published: June 2014

Introduction: Electrical stimulation is often used to prevent muscle atrophy and preserve contractile function, but its effects on the satellite cell population after nerve injury are not well understood. In this study we aimed to determine whether satellite cell differentiation is affected by electrical stimulation after nerve crush.Methods: The sciatic nerves of Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats were crushed. Half of the injured rats received daily electrical stimulation of the gastrocnemius muscle, and the others did not. Tests for detecting paired box protein 7 (Pax7), myogenic differentiation antigen (MyoD), embryonic myosin heavy chain (eMyHC), and force production were performed 2, 4, and 6 weeks after injury.Results: More Pax7+/MyoD+nuclei in stimulated muscles were observed than in non‐stimulated muscles. eMyHC expression was elevated in stimulated muscles and correlated positively with enhanced force production.Conclusions: Increased satellite cell differentiation is correlated with preserved muscle function in response to electrical stimulation after nerve injury.Muscle Nerve51: 400–411, 2015
A nonatomic‐game model for timing clearance sales under competition
Authors: Yang Jian , Xia Yusen , Qi Xiangtong , Liu Yifeng
Published: June 2014

We deal with dynamic revenue management (RM) under competition using the nonatomic‐game approach. Here, a continuum of heterogeneous sellers try to sell the same product over a given time horizon. Each seller can lower his price once at the time of his own choosing, and faces Poisson demand arrival with a rate that is the product of a price‐sensitive term and a market‐dependent term. Different types of sellers interact, and their respective prices help shape the overall market in which they operate, thereby influencing the behavior of all sellers. Using the infinite‐seller approximation, which deprives any individual seller of his influence over the entire market, we show the existence of a certain pattern of seller behaviors that collectively produce an environment to which the behavior pattern forms a best response. Such equilibrium behaviors point to the suitability of threshold‐like pricing policies. Our computational study yields insights to RM under competition, such as profound ways in which consumer and competitor types influence seller behaviors and market conditions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 61: 365–385, 2014
Scaled discrete derivatives of singularly perturbed elliptic problems
Authors: Gracia J. L. , O'Riordan E.
Published: June 2014

Numerical approximations to the solution of a singularly perturbed elliptic convection–diffusion problem in two space dimensions are generated using a monotone finite difference operator on a tensor product of piecewise‐uniform Shishkin meshes. The bilinear interpolants of these numerical approximations are parameter‐uniformly convergent to the solution of the continuous problem, in the pointwise maximum norm. In this article, discrete approximations to the first derivatives of the solution are shown to be globally first‐order (up to logarithmic factors) uniformly convergent, when the errors are scaled within the analytical layers of the continuous problem. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the theoretical error bounds established in an appropriated weighted C1–norm. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 31: 225–252, 2015
Outcomes of critical congenital heart disease requiring emergent neonatal cardiac intervention
Authors: Pruetz Jay D. , Carroll Caitlin , Trento Luca U. , Chang Ruey‐Kang , Detterich Jon , Miller David A. , Sklansky Mark
Published: June 2014

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes for neonates with critical congenital heart disease (CHD) requiring emergent neonatal cardiac intervention (ENCI).

Methods

Neonates < 30 days of age that underwent ENCI at <48 h of age were retrospectively enrolled over a 2‐year period.

Results

Forty‐seven neonates met inclusion criteria for ENCI comprising nine cardiac defects that underwent 25 catheterizations and 22 cardiothoracic surgeries. The main groups were d‐transposition of the great arteries (DTGA) and total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR). Prenatal detection was 38% overall: higher for single ventricle (86%) and heterotaxy (75%) than for DTGA (28%) or TAPVR (13%). Mortality was 11.1% (2/18) in prenatally diagnosed versus 13.8% (4/29) in postnatally diagnosed neonates (p = 0.86). Prenatal detection was associated with shorter mean hospital stay: 16.8 versus 30.3 days (p = 0.03). Prenatally diagnosed patients had lower preoperative inotropic scores (p = 0.02), less acidosis (pH; p = 0.09), but decreased likelihood of spontaneous labor (p = 0.01), lower gestational age (p = 0.01), and lower birth weight (p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Fewer deaths occurred in neonates with prenatal detection of their critical CHD requiring ENCI. However, there was no statistical difference in survival demonstrated for prenatally diagnosed neonates in this small cohort. Prenatal detection did improve preoperative clinical status and shorten hospital length of stay. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ammonium Perchlorate, Friend or Foe?
Authors: Tunnell Ruth , Ashcroft Mark , Dale Roz , Tod Dave , Proud William G.
Published: June 2014

In part 1 of this paper, it was demonstrated that a nitroglycerine and polyethylene glycol based propellant containing ammonium perchlorate degraded at a slower rate at temperatures of 80 °C or less compared with the other two energetic materials studied which did not have this oxidizer present. It was suggested that ammonium perchlorate might act as an oxygen inhibitor reducing the oxidation rate of the polyethylene glycol binder which decreases the rate of propellant decomposition. In part 2, the specific interaction between ammonium perchlorate, nitroglycerine and polyethylene glycol is reported. It has been shown that at temperatures lower than 90 °C, if there is any uncured and unstabilised PEG present, nitroglycerine rapidly degrades in the presence of ammonium perchlorate but this is prevented if stabiliser is added. In addition, ammonium perchlorate initially appears to hinder acid hydrolysis of nitroglycerine which also slows down the degradation of polyethylene glycol based propellants. However, in the long term at low temperatures, or short term at higher temperatures, AP accelerates the decomposition of NG.
Bishydrazinium and Diammonium Salts of 4,4′,5,5′‐Tetranitro‐2,2′‐biimidazolate (TNBI): Synthesis and Properties
Authors: Paraskos Alexander J. , Cooke Edward D. , Caflin Kelley C.
Published: June 2014

The diammonium (1) and bishydrazinium (2) salts of 4,4′,5,5′‐tetranitro‐2,2′‐biimidazolate (TNBI) were synthesized and their physical properties as well as predicted explosive performance characteristics are described. These dianionic salts are easily formed in good yields by reaction of TNBI with aqueous solutions of the cationic species. TNBI is synthesized from 2,2′‐biimidazole, which is ultimately synthesized by the condensation of aqueous glyoxal with ammonium acetate. The compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, vibrational (FT‐IR and Raman) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermal analysis (DSC, VTS and calorimetry), and small scale safety testing (impact, friction, ESD). The measured densities and heats of formation are reported. The materials show promise for use in IM explosive and propellant formulations due to the combination of their calculated performances, thermal stability and insensitivity to stimuli.
Role of β‐lactamase residues in a common interface for binding the structurally unrelated inhibitory proteins BLIP and BLIP‐II
Authors: Fryszczyn Bartlomiej G. , Adamski Carolyn J. , Brown Nicholas G. , Rice Kacie , Huang Wanzhi , Palzkill Timothy
Published: June 2014

The β‐lactamase inhibitory proteins (BLIPs) are a model system for examining molecular recognition in protein‐protein interactions. BLIP and BLIP‐II are structurally unrelated proteins that bind and inhibit TEM‐1 β‐lactamase. Both BLIPs share a common binding interface on TEM‐1 and make contacts with many of the same TEM‐1 surface residues. BLIP‐II, however, binds TEM‐1 over 150‐fold tighter than BLIP despite the fact that it has fewer contact residues and a smaller binding interface. The role of eleven TEM‐1 amino acid residues that contact both BLIP and BLIP‐II was examined by alanine mutagenesis and determination of the association (kon) and dissociation (koff) rate constants for binding each partner. The substitutions had little impact on association rates and resulted in a wide range of dissociation rates as previously observed for substitutions on the BLIP side of the interface. The substitutions also had less effect on binding affinity for BLIP than BLIP‐II. This is consistent with the high affinity and small binding interface of the TEM‐1‐BLIP‐II complex, which predicts per residue contributions should be higher for TEM‐1 binding to BLIP‐II versus BLIP. Two TEM‐1 residues (E104 and M129) were found to be hotspots for binding BLIP while five (L102, Y105, P107, K111, and M129) are hotspots for binding BLIP‐II with only M129 as a common hotspot for both. Thus, although the same TEM‐1 surface binds to both BLIP and BLIP‐II, the distribution of binding energy on the surface is different for the two target proteins, that is, different binding strategies are employed.
Preface: Focus on Functional Oxides
Authors: Knaup Jan M. , Frauenheim Thomas , Broqvist Peter , Ramanathan Shriram
Published: June 2014

Oxide materials might form the basis for the next technological revolutions in fields such as electronics, photovoltaics or heterogeneous catalysis by enabling the production of inexpensive, high capacity and fast nonvolatile memories, neuromorphic computers and control systems, and efficient energy conversion devices. All these possible applications have in common that they promise to expand the limits of existing technologies by exploiting the inherent material‐level complexity of oxides. However, the enhanced opportunities of this added complexity come at the price of significantly greater difficulties in understanding the materials' properties and their implications. Among many, the peculiar and variable mixture of ionic and covalent bonding behavior and the relative ease of changing the oxygen content of many compounds lead to fascinating effects. Furthermore, a deep level of understanding of the materials properties and their relation to synthesis is crucial for eventual applications. In recent years, an enormous amount of work has been devoted to the development of new experimental and theoretical tools, which have enabled much improved understanding of oxide behavior. Materials science is now becoming able to predict and engineer the behavior of oxide materials and explore brave new worlds of functionality.

The recent advances in functional oxide science and technology prompted us to hold the CECAM workshop on “Functional Oxides for Emerging Technologies” at the Bremen Center for Computational Materials Science in October 2013, and it was during the preparation for this workshop that the Focus Issue on functional oxides was conceived.

The three Review@RRL articles introduce the reader to innovative, low energy electron microscopy [1], controllable electric conduction at oxide interfaces [2], and ionic switching based RRAM [3]. The 20 original Letters present exciting new research on the topics of transport properties [4], super‐reducible oxides [5], ferroelectricity [6], point defects [7], memory applications [8–10], bulk properties [11–14], interfaces [15–17], surfaces [18–20] and catalytic properties [21–23].

We sincerely hope that you will find our collection of articles from the forefront of functional oxide research to be informative and that reading our Focus Issue inspires you to come up with more and even better ideas and insights. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A mechanistic study of fragmentation of deprotonated N,2‐diphenyl‐acetamides in electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Lu Zhihua , Chai Yunfeng , Wang Jichao , Pan Yuanjiang , Sun Cuirong , Zeng Su
Published: June 2014

RATIONALE

Exploring the fragmentation mechanism of amide ions in mass spectrometry has attracted great interest because of the desire to analyze the amino acid sequences of peptides and proteins. However, the collision‐induced dissociation (CID) mechanism of deprotonated small amides has been rarely studied in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS). The fragmentation of deprotonated N,2‐diphenylacetamides exhibited some characteristic fragment ions, which are not derived from the conventional cleavage route. Therefore, clarification of their fragmentation mechanism is very important and useful for structural analysis of related amides and peptides.

METHODS

All CID experiments were carried out using an electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometer in negative ion mode. In addition, the accurate masses of fragments were measured on an ESI quadrupole time‐of‐flight (Q‐TOF) mass spectrometer in negative ion mode. Deuterium‐labeled 2‐phenyl‐N‐(4‐trifluoromethylphenyl)acetamide was synthesized and its ESI fragmentation spectrum had been obtained. Theoretical calculations were carried out by the density functional theory (DFT) method at the B3LYP level of theory with the 6‐31G++(d,p) basis set.

RESULTS

Deprotonated N,2‐diphenylacetamides mainly generate four kinds of ions in CID: benzyl anion, aniline anion, phenyl‐ethenone anion and isocyanato‐benzene anion bearing respective substituent groups. The benzyl anion and the aniline anion can be generated by direct decomposition. The phenyl‐ethenone anion and the isocyanato‐benzene anion were proposed to be yielded from proton transfer within an ion‐neutral complex, and the intensities of two competitive product ions are well correlated with the substituent constants. The mechanism was also supported by theoretical calculations.

CONCLUSIONS

The characteristic fragment ions of deprotonated N,2‐diphenylacetamides were proposed to be produced via an ion‐neutral complex mechanism, which was proved by deuterium‐labeling experiments, theoretical calculations and substituent effects. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characteristic fragmentation behavior of tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamines using electrospray ionization multistage tandem mass spectrometry incorporating deuterium labeling
Authors: Hu An‐Fu , Jiang Jian , Zhou Guo‐Jun , Yang Jun , Xiao Wei‐Qiang , Xu Jian
Published: June 2014

RATIONALE

Tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamines (TSNAs) mainly include 4‐(methylnitrosamino)‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐1‐butanone (NNK), N‐nitrosonornicotine (NNN), N‐nitrosoanabasine (NAB) and N‐nitrosoanatabine (NAT) that are formed from tobacco alkaloids during the curing process and contained in tobacco and tobacco smoke. They are linked with carcinogenesis. Analytical methods for quality control of products and determination of their metabolites are therefore of great importance.

METHODS

The characteristic fragmentation behaviors of tobacco‐specific TSNAs have been studied by electrospray ionization multistage tandem mass spectrometry. The deutero‐labeled TSNA compounds have also been employed to clarify the fragmentation mechanism, which further confirms the proposed fragmentation patterns.

RESULTS

Detailed analysis of the resultant fragments shows there are two different kinds of fragmentation patterns with the general fragment backbone of pyrrolidine or piperidine rings. In one route, pyrrolidine or piperidine rings undergo direct fragmentation and form some stable intermediates without affecting the parent rings. The other, however, involves ring opening and then ring closure at the pyridine‐2 carbon atom to form multi‐membered rings.

CONCLUSIONS

This characteristic fragmentation behavior therefore provides useful information on identification of TSNAs that may be used to monitor such kinds of compound in the biological metabolism. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stable carbon isotope fractionation data between H2CO3* and CO2(g) extended to 120 °C
Authors: Myrttinen A. , Becker V. , Mayer B. , Barth J. A. C.
Published: June 2014

RATIONALE

Literature data on experimentally derived equilibrium stable carbon isotope fractionation (103lnα13C) between H2CO3* (H2CO3 + CO2(aq)) and gaseous CO2 (CO2(g)) are so far only available up to 60 °C and were typically determined at or near atmospheric pressures. Here we experimentally expand this dataset to temperature and pressure conditions close to the supercritical state for CO2. The objective is to improve the applicability of stable carbon isotopes as a tracer in environments where such conditions prevail.

METHODS

Eighteen stable carbon isotope laboratory experiments were conducted in a steel vessel. Deionised water that was acidified with hydrochloric acid (HCl, 1 N) to a pH of 2.4 was equilibrated with CO2(g) at pressures (pCO2) of 55 bar for durations between 2 and 188 h. The experiments were conducted at 20, 60, 80, 100 and 120 °C. H2CO3* and CO2(g) were sampled separately and their carbon isotope ratios were determined by isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

At 20 °C, average 103lnα13CH2CO3*–CO2(g) values of ‐1.0 ± 0.1 ‰ were observed with a preference for 12C in H2CO3* consistent with previous research. At elevated temperatures of 120 °C, 103lnα13CH2CO3*–CO2(g) values decreased to an average value of −0.7 ± 0.1 ‰. The resulting temperature dependence for carbon isotope fractionation between H2CO3* and CO2(g) was 103lnα13CH2CO3*–CO2(g) = (0.0025 ± 0.0004) T(°C) – (1.0 ± 0.03) ‰. Carbon isotope equilibrium between H2CO3* and CO2(g) was reached within reaction times of 18 h and mostly within 5 h or less.

CONCLUSIONS

103lnα13CH2CO3*–CO2(g) data are now available for temperatures up to 120 °C and for pressures of up to 55 bar. The results suggest that higher pCO2 levels possibly shorten carbon isotope equilibration times. These data are critically important for using δ13C values as tracers, for instance at geological CO2 sequestration sites and corresponding natural analogues. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Joint modeling of longitudinal and survival data with missing and left‐censored time‐varying covariates
Authors: Chen Qingxia , May Ryan C. , Ibrahim Joseph G. , Chu Haitao , Cole Stephen R.
Published: June 2014

We propose a joint model for longitudinal and survival data with time‐varying covariates subject to detection limits and intermittent missingness at random. The model is motivated by data from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS), in which HIV+ subjects have viral load and CD4 cell count measured at repeated visits along with survival data. We model the longitudinal component using a normal linear mixed model, modeling the trajectory of CD4 cell count by regressing on viral load, and other covariates. The viral load data are subject to both left censoring because of detection limits (17%) and intermittent missingness (27%). The survival component of the joint model is a Cox model with time‐dependent covariates for death because of AIDS. The longitudinal and survival models are linked using the trajectory function of the linear mixed model. A Bayesian analysis is conducted on the MACS data using the proposed joint model. The proposed method is shown to improve the precision of estimates when compared with alternative methods. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Competitive Reaction Pathway for Site‐Selective Conjugation of Raman Dyes to Hotspots on Gold Nanorods for Greatly Enhanced SERS Performance
Authors: Huang Hao , Wang Jia‐Hong , Jin Weihong , Li Penghui , Chen Ming , Xie Han‐Han , Yu Xue‐Feng , Wang Huaiyu , Dai Zhigao , Xiao Xiangheng , Chu Paul K.
Published: June 2014

Common methods to prepare SERS (surface‐enhanced Raman scattering) probes rely on random conjugation of Raman dyes onto metal nanostructures, but most of the Raman dyes are not located at Raman‐intense electromagnetic hotspots thus not contributing to SERS enhancement substantially. Herein, a competitive reaction between transverse gold overgrowth and dye conjugation is described to achieve site selective conjugation of Raman dyes to the hotspots (ends) on gold nanorods (GNRs). The preferential overgrowth on the nanorod side surface creates a barrier to prevent the Raman dyes from binding to the side surface except the ends of the GNRs, where the highest SERS enhancement factors are expected. The SERS enhancement observed from this special structure is dozens of times larger than that from conjugates synthesized by conventional methods. This simple and powerful strategy to prepare SERS probes can be extended to different anisotropic metal nanostructures with electromagnetic hotspots and has immense potential in in‐depth SERS‐based biological imaging and single‐molecule detection.
On the plastic analysis of concentrically braced frames with shear panel, obtaining predetermined collapse mechanism
Authors: Akbari Hamed Arash , Mofid Massood
Published: June 2014

Conventional design methods do not ensure that the desired collapse mechanism is developed at target displacement. In this paper, a case study is presented to analyze concentrically braced frames with steel shear panel (CBFSP). Also, extensive investigation in the failure modes are made, to have the global yielding mode at the final state. For this purpose, each of one‐story, three‐story, six‐story and nine‐story CBFSP models were decomposed into three parts where the members' closed‐form equations of internal forces were identified and superimposed. On the basis of the kinematic theorem of plastic collapse, the possible mechanisms and the related energy equations were defined to estimate the lateral load multiplier. First, the shear panels, columns, vertical and horizontal boundary elements were designed using the values of internal forces and seismic loads. Next, sections of the beams and braces were selected by constraining, where the mechanism equilibrium curve of the desired mechanism had to be placed below the others within the admissible roof displacement. Finally, for assessment of the precision of the method, results of the pushover analysis of the finite element models were compared with the theoretical ones. The findings show that, despite more effort for design, the investigated method is reliable and satisfactory. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pd0‐Mediated Rapid Cross‐Coupling Reactions, the Rapid C‐[11C]Methylations, Revolutionarily Advancing the Syntheses of Short‐Lived PET Molecular Probes
Authors: Suzuki Masaaki , Doi Hisashi , Koyama Hiroko , Zhang Zhouen , Hosoya Takamitsu , Onoe Hirotaka , Watanabe Yasuyoshi
Published: June 2014

Positron emission tomography is a noninvasive method for monitoring drug (or diagnostic) behavior and its localization on the target molecules in the living systems, including the human body, using a short‐lived positron‐emitting radionuclide. New methodologies for introducing representative short‐lived radionuclides, 11C and 18F, into the carbon frameworks of biologically active organic compounds have been established by developing rapid C‐[11C]methylations and C‐[18F]fluoromethylations using rapid Pd0‐mediated cross‐coupling reactions between [11C]methyl iodide (sp3‐hybridized carbon) and an excess amount of organotributylstannane or organoboronic acid ester having sp2(phenyl, heteroaromatic, or alkenyl), sp(alkynyl), or sp3(benzyl and cinnamyl)‐hybridized carbons; and [18F]fluoromethyl halide (iodide or bromide) and an organoboronic acid ester, respectively. These rapid reactions provide a firm foundation for an efficient and general synthesis of short‐lived 11C‐ or 18F‐labeled PET molecular probes to promote in vivo molecular imaging studies.
Offshore winds mapped from satellite remote sensing
Authors: Hasager Charlotte Bay
Published: June 2014

Around 2000 wind turbines in 58 offshore wind farms produce wind energy in the Northern European seas and many new wind farms are foreseen. The wind resource assessment is costly to observe using traditional meteorological masts and therefore atmospheric modeling is state of the art. However, to reduce the uncertainty on the model results on the offshore wind resource, it is necessary to compare model results with observations. Observations from ground‐based wind lidar and satellite remote sensing are the two main technologies that can provide new types of offshore wind data at relatively low cost. The advantages of microwave satellite remote sensing are (1) horizontal spatial coverage, (2) long data archives, and (3) high spatial detail both in the coastal zone and of far‐field wind farm wake. Passive microwave ocean wind speed data are available since 1987 with up to six observations per day with near‐global coverage. The data are particularly useful for investigation of long‐term wind conditions. Scatterometer ocean surface wind vectors provide a continuous series since 1999 with twice‐daily near‐global coverage. Both types of data have grid cells around 25 km. In contrast, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) wind maps can be retrieved at 1‐km grid resolution. SAR‐based wind maps have been used for wind resource assessment far offshore and in the coastal zones with good results when compared to e.g., meteorological data and mesoscale model results. High‐resolution SAR data show very long far‐field wind farm wakes. Thus wind farm wake loss is foreseen in wind farm clusters. WIREs Energy Environ 2014, 3:594–603. doi: 10.1002/wene.123

This article is categorized under:

Wind Power > Science and Materials
Occult Risk of Broken Instruments for Endoscopy‐assisted Surgery
Authors: Yasuhara Hiroshi , Fukatsu Kazuhiko , Komatsu Takami , Murakoshi Satoshi , Saito Yuhei , Uetera Yushi
Published: June 2014

Background

The influence of broken sophisticated surgical instruments on the safety of surgery has yet to be determined, in spite of an assumption that breakage of surgical instruments is not associated with critical incidents. The purpose of the present study was to delineate the risk from breakage of surgical instruments used in surgery assisted by endoscopy.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted to determine the frequency of breakage of instruments used in 39,817 operations from 2007 to 2011. Data of breakage were collected using incident/near‐incident reports and the request forms for repair of broken instruments.

Results

During the study period, 441 instruments were reported to be broken intraoperatively, and 7,541 were found to be broken on inspection. The incidence of breakage adjusted by the number of operations and the number of uses suggested that instruments for endoscopy‐assisted surgery are broken more frequently intraoperatively than are any other type of instruments (visceral surgery: 0.039 versus 0.017, P = 0.0002, RR = 2.318; obstetrics/gynecology: 0.023 versus 0.0067, P < 0.0001, RR = 3.461; thoracic surgery: 0.019 versus 0.004, P = 0.0772, RR = 5.212). Inappropriate use and wearing out were two major possible causes of breakage of instruments. The predominant adverse events were suggested to be attributable to parts falling off broken instruments because of inappropriate use.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that surgery assisted by endoscopy has its own occult risk, which has not been previously highlighted. Minimally invasive surgery is not necessarily safe with respect to breakage of surgical instruments. Our data provide substantial evidence for higher risk of instrument breakage in endoscopy‐assisted surgery, as well as its possible detrimental effect on patient safety.
Is the Outcome of a Salvage Surgery for T4 Thoracic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Really Poor?
Authors: Akutsu Yasunori , Kono Tsuguaki , Uesato Masaya , Hoshino Isamu , Murakami Kentaro , Aoyagi Tomoyoshi , Ota Takumi , Toyozumi Takeshi , Suito Hiroshi , Kobayashi Hiroki , Harada Rintaro , Uno Takashi , Matsubara Hisahiro
Published: June 2014

Background

Among patients with T4 thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (TESCC), it is unclear whether the outcomes of late responders who undergo high‐dose chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by salvage esophagectomy differs from those of early responders who undergo low‐dose CRT followed by esophagectomy.

Methods

A total of 153 patients with T4 TESCC were treated with CRT. The first evaluation was performed after 40 Gy of CRT for downstaging. Of these, 28 patients could be downstaged, and underwent subsequent surgery (early responders). For the remaining patients, additional CRT was administered, and patients were re‐evaluated after treatment and underwent salvage surgery. In total, 40 patients (early + late responders) were analyzed.

Results

The primary tumors exhibited a grade 3 response in six (21.4 %) of the early responders and two (16.7 %) of the late responders (p = 1.000). The rate of residual tumor in the primary tumor was 80 % (32/40 patients). The proportions of resected lymph nodes and positive metastatic nodes were similar between early and late responders (p = 0.406 and p = 0.859, respectively). The 5‐year overall survival rates among the early and late responders were 25.9 and 36.5 %, respectively, and the median survival times were 24.8 and 24.3 months (p = 0.925), respectively. The 5‐year cause‐specific survival rates in the early and late responder groups were 61.5 and 72.9 % (p = 0.425), respectively.

Conclusion

The outcomes of both early and late responders to CRT were similar, and salvage surgery for T4 TESCC outweighs the risks in patients with T4 TESCC.
Enhanced freeze tolerance of baker’s yeast by overexpressed trehalose-6-phosphate synthase gene (TPS1) and deleted trehalase genes in frozen dough
Authors: Tan Haigang , Dong Jian , Wang Guanglu , Xu Haiyan , Zhang Cuiying , Xiao Dongguang
Published: June 2014

Several recombinant strains with overexpressed trehalose-6-phosphate synthase gene (TPS1) and/or deleted trehalase genes were obtained to elucidate the relationships between TPS1, trehalase genes, content of intracellular trehalose and freeze tolerance of baker’s yeast, as well as improve the fermentation properties of lean dough after freezing. In this study, strain TL301TPS1 overexpressing TPS1 showed 62.92 % higher trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (Tps1) activity and enhanced the content of intracellular trehalose than the parental strain. Deleting ATH1 exerted a significant effect on trehalase activities and the degradation amount of intracellular trehalose during the first 30 min of prefermentation. This finding indicates that acid trehalase (Ath1) plays a role in intracellular trehalose degradation. NTH2 encodes a functional neutral trehalase (Nth2) that was significantly involved in intracellular trehalose degradation in the absence of the NTH1 and/or ATH1 gene. The survival ratio, freeze-tolerance ratio and relative fermentation ability of strain TL301TPS1 were approximately twice as high as those of the parental strain (BY6-9α). The increase in freeze tolerance of strain TL301TPS1 was accompanied by relatively low trehalase activity, high Tps1 activity and high residual content of intracellular trehalose. Our results suggest that overexpressing TPS1 and deleting trehalase genes are sufficient to improve the freeze tolerance of baker’s yeast in frozen dough. The present study provides guidance for the commercial baking industry as well as the research on the intracellular trehalose mobilization and freeze tolerance of baker’s yeast.
The Effect of Different Cold Storage Conditions on the Compositions of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Authors: Li Xueqi , Zhu Hanjiang , Shoemaker Charles F. , Wang Selina C.
Published: June 2014

Storage conditions can affect the stability and quality of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). While many studies have reported the influence of high temperature and light exposure during storage, little is known on the influence of the cold storage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different storage conditions (25, 4.5 and −27 °C) on the various compositions of EVOO and to determine if cold storage will prolong shelf‐life by retarding hydrolysis and oxidation. The changes of quality indices (FFA, PV, and UV) and natural antioxidants such as α‐tocopherol and phenolic compounds were evaluated periodically during storage. The characterization and quantification of phenolics were achieved by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography—diode array detector (UPLC‐DAD). In addition, 1, 2‐diacylglycerols (DAGs), pyropheophytin A (PPP) were measured to indicate thermal degradation during storage.
Levels of brain derived neurotrophic factors across gestation in women with preeclampsia
Authors: D'Souza Vandita , Patil Vidya , Pisal Hemlata , Randhir Karuna , Joshi Asmita , Mehendale Savita , Wagh Girija , Gupte Sanjay , Joshi Sadhana
Published: June 2014

Preeclampsia (PE) is a major pregnancy complication of placental origin which leads to adverse pregnancy outcome. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is suggested to promote trophoblast growth and regulate placental and fetal development. This study for the first time examines the levels of maternal plasma BDNF at various time points during gestation, cord plasma and placental BDNF levels and their association with birth outcome in women with PE. Normotensive control (NC) women (n = 89) and women with PE (n = 61) were followed at three different time points [16–20 weeks (T1), 26–30 weeks (T2) and at delivery (T3)]. Maternal blood at all time points and cord blood was collected. Results indicate that maternal BDNF levels at T1 (p = 0.050) and T3 (p = 0.025) were lower in women with PE than in NC women. Cord BDNF levels at delivery in women with PE were lower (p = 0.032) than those in NC women. Placental BDNF gene expression was also lower (p = 0.0082) in women with PE than in NC women. Our data suggests that BDNF plays an important role in the development of the materno‐fetal–placental unit during pregnancy. Alteration in the levels of BDNF during pregnancy may be associated with an abnormal development of the placenta resulting in PE.
Accuracy of Initial Critical Care Triage Decisions in Blast Versus Non-Blast Trauma
Authors: Lipsky Ari M. , Klein Yoram , Givon Adi , Klein Moti , Hammond Jeffrey S. , Peleg Kobi ,   Israeli Trauma Group (ITG)
Published: June 2014

Objective

We investigated the accuracy of initial critical care triage in blast-injured versus non-blast-injured trauma patients, focusing on those inappropriately triaged to the intensive care unit (ICU) for brief (<16 h) stays.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of the Israel National Trauma Registry, applying a predetermined definition of need for initial ICU admission.

Results

A total of 883 blast-injured and 112 185 non-blast-injured patients were categorized according to their need for ICU admission. Of these admissions, 5.7% in the blast setting and 8.4% in the non-blast setting were considered unnecessary. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios for the triage officers' decisions in assigning patients to the ICU were 95.5%, 98.8%, 77.2, and 0.05, respectively, in the blast setting, and 91.2%, 99.5%, 200.5, and 0.09, respectively, in the non-blast setting.

Conclusions

Triage officers do a better job sending to the ICU only those patients who require initial intensive care in the non-blast setting, though this is obscured by a much greater overall need for ICU-level care in the blast setting. Implementing triage protocols in the blast setting may help reduce the number of patients sent initially to the ICU for brief periods, thus increasing the availability of this resource. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;0:1–7)
Reconnection of skewed vortices
Authors: Kimura Y. , Moffatt H. K.
Published: June 2014

Based on experimental evidence that vortex reconnection commences with the approach of nearly antiparallel segments of vorticity, a linearised model is developed in which two Burgers-type vortices are driven together and stretched by an ambient irrotational strain field induced by more remote vorticity. When these Burgers vortices are exactly antiparallel, they are annihilated on the strain time-scale, independent of kinematic viscosity $\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}\nu $ in the limit $\nu \rightarrow 0$. When the vortices are skew to each other, they are annihilated under this action over a local extent that increases exponentially in the stretching direction, with clear evidence of reconnection on the same strain time-scale. The initial helicity associated with the skewed geometry is eliminated during the process of reconnection. The model applies equally to the reconnection of weak magnetic flux tubes under the action of a strain field, when Lorentz forces are negligible.
Early decrease in dietary protein:energy ratio by fat addition and ontogenetic changes in muscle growth mechanisms of rainbow trout: short- and long-term effects
Authors: Alami-Durante Hélène , Cluzeaud Marianne , Duval Carine , Maunas Patrick , Girod-David Virginia , Médale Françoise
Published: June 2014

As the understanding of the nutritional regulation of muscle growth mechanisms in fish is fragmentary, the present study aimed to (1) characterise ontogenetic changes in muscle growth-related genes in parallel to changes in muscle cellularity; (2) determine whether an early decrease in dietary protein:energy ratio by fat addition affects the muscle growth mechanisms of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) alevins; and (3) determine whether this early feeding of a high-fat (HF) diet to alevins had a long-term effect on muscle growth processes in juveniles fed a commercial diet. Developmental regulation of hyperplasia and hypertrophy was evidenced at the molecular (expression of myogenic regulatory factors, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and myosin heavy chains (MHC)) and cellular (number and diameter of white muscle fibres) levels. An early decrease in dietary protein:energy ratio by fat addition stimulated the body growth of alevins but led to a fatty phenotype, with accumulation of lipids in the anterior part, and less caudal muscle when compared at similar body weights, due to a decrease in both the white muscle hyperplasia and maximum hypertrophy of white muscle fibres. These HF diet-induced cellular changes were preceded by a very rapid down-regulation of the expression offast-MHC. The present study also demonstrated that early dietary composition had a long-term effect on the subsequent muscle growth processes of juveniles fed a commercial diet for 3 months. When compared at similar body weights, initially HF diet-fed juveniles indeed had a lower mean diameter of white muscle fibres, a smaller number of large white muscle fibres, and lower expression levels ofMyoD1and myogenin. These findings demonstrated the strong effect of early feed composition on the muscle growth mechanisms of trout alevins and juveniles.
NITROUS OXIDE AND CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSION FROM MAIZE (Zea maysL.) UNDER FERTILISER APPLICATION AND ELEVATED CARBON DIOXIDE IN NORTHWEST INDIA
Authors: DARIPA A. , BHATIA A. , TOMER R. , SINGH S. D. , JAIN N. , PATHAK H.
Published: June 2014

A field experiment was carried out at the farm of Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to quantify the effect of elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) and different levels of N fertiliser application on nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from soil under maize. The experiment included five treatments: 60 kg N ha−1under ambient CO2(385 ppm) in open plots, 120 kg N ha−1under ambient CO2(385 ppm) in open plots, 160 kg N ha−1under ambient CO2(385 ppm) in open plots, 120 kg N ha−1under ambient CO2(385 ppm) in open top chambers (OTC) and 120 kg N ha−1under elevated CO2(500 ± 50 ppm) in the OTC. Peaks of N2O flux were observed after every dose of N application. Cumulative N2O emission was 13% lower under ambient CO2as compared to the elevated CO2concentrations. There was an increase in CO2emissions with application of N from 60 kg ha−1to 160 kg ha−1. Higher yield and root biomass was observed under higher N treatment (160 kg N ha−1). There was no significant increase in maize yield under elevated CO2as compared to ambient CO2. The carbon emitted was more than the carbon fixed under elevated CO2as compared to ambient CO2levels. The carbon efficiency ratio (C fixed/C emitted) was highest in ambient CO2treatment in the OTC.
Substance use disorders and co-morbidities among Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders
Authors: Wu L.-T. , Blazer D. G.
Published: June 2014

Background

Asian Americans (AAs) and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (NHs/PIs) are the fastest growing segments of the US population. However, their population sizes are small, and thus AAs and NHs/PIs are often aggregated into a single racial/ethnic group or omitted from research and health statistics. The groups' substance use disorders (SUDs) and treatment needs have been under-recognized.

Method

We examined recent epidemiological data on the extent of alcohol and drug use disorders and the use of treatment services by AAs and NHs/PIs.

Results

NHs/PIs on average were less educated and had lower levels of household income than AAs. Considered as a single group, AAs and NHs/PIs showed a low prevalence of substance use and disorders. Analyses of survey data that compared AAs and NHs/PIs revealed higher prevalences of substance use (alcohol, drugs), depression and delinquency among NHs than among AAs. Among treatment-seeking patients in mental healthcare settings, NHs/PIs had higher prevalences of DSM-IV diagnoses than AAs (alcohol/drug, mood, adjustment, childhood-onset disruptive or impulse-control disorders), although co-morbidity was common in both groups. AAs and NHs/PIs with an SUD were unlikely to use treatment, especially treatment for alcohol problems, and treatment use tended to be related to involvement with the criminal justice system.

Conclusions

Although available data are limited by small sample sizes of AAs and NHs/PIs, they demonstrate the need to separate AAs and NHs/PIs in health statistics and increase research into substance use and treatment needs for these fast-growing but understudied population groups.
Differences in prefrontal blood oxygenation during an acute multitasking stressor in ecstasy polydrug users
Authors: Roberts C. A. , Wetherell M. A. , Fisk J. E. , Montgomery C.
Published: June 2014

Background

Cognitive deficits are well documented in ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine; MDMA) users, with such deficits being taken as evidence of dysregulation of the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) system. More recently neuroimaging has been used to corroborate these deficits. The present study aimed to assess multitasking performance in ecstasy polydrug users, polydrug users and drug-naive individuals. It was predicted that ecstasy polydrug users would perform worse than non-users on the behavioural measure and this would be supported by differences in cortical blood oxygenation.

Method

In the study, 20 ecstasy-polydrug users, 17 polydrug users and 19 drug-naive individuals took part. On day 1, drug use history was taken and questionnaire measures were completed. On day 2, participants completed a 20-min multitasking stressor while brain blood oxygenation was measured using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).

Results

There were no significant differences between the three groups on the subscales of the multitasking stressor. In addition, there were no significant differences on self-report measures of perceived workload (NASA Task Load Index). In terms of mood, ecstasy users were significantly less calm and less relaxed compared with drug-naive controls. There were also significant differences at three voxels on the fNIRS, indicating decreased blood oxygenation in ecstasy users compared with drug-naive controls at voxel 2 (left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex), voxel 14 and voxel 16 (right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex), and compared with polydrug controls at V14.

Conclusions

The results of the present study provide support for changes in brain activation during performance of demanding tasks in ecstasy polydrug users, which could be related to cerebral vasoconstriction.
Emperors and Deities in Rural Britain: A Copper-Alloy Head of Marcus Aurelius from Steane, near Brackley (Northants.)
Authors: Walker Susan
Published: June 2014

A half-life-sized copper-alloy head of a bearded man was published in the Portable Antiquities Scheme's report of finds from Roman Britain in 2009.1 The head was purchased by the Ashmolean Museum in 2011. In this paper evidence for the identification of the subject as a portrait of the emperor Marcus Aurelius is reviewed by comparison with metropolitan and other certainly identified heads of deities and portraits of the emperor. The technique and likely function of the head are compared with those of similarly worked Roman copper-alloy heads of emperors and deities found in South-East Britain. Finally, a brief account is given of geophysical survey and trial excavation conducted in 2012–13 in the field where the head was found. This offers a unique opportunity to explore the head's archaeological context.