bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Firmness prediction in Prunus persica ‘Calrico’ peaches by visible/short‐wave near infrared spectroscopy and acoustic measurements using optimised linear and non‐linear chemometric models
Authors: Lafuente Victoria , Herrera Luis J , Pérez María del Mar , Val Jesús , Negueruela Ignacio
Published: September 2014

BACKGROUND

In this work, near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) and an acoustic measure (AWETA) (two non‐destructive methods) were applied in Prunus persica fruit ‘Calrico’ (n = 260) to predict Magness–Taylor (MT) firmness.

METHODS

Separate and combined use of these measures was evaluated and compared using partial least squares (PLS) and least squares support vector machine (LS‐SVM) regression methods. Also, a mutual‐information‐based variable selection method, seeking to find the most significant variables to produce optimal accuracy of the regression models, was applied to a joint set of variables (NIR wavelengths and AWETA measure).

RESULTS

The newly proposed combined NIR‐AWETA model gave good values of the determination coefficient (R2) for PLS and LS‐SVM methods (0.77 and 0.78, respectively), improving the reliability of MT firmness prediction in comparison with separate NIR and AWETA predictions. The three variables selected by the variable selection method (AWETA measure plus NIR wavelengths 675 and 697 nm) achieved R2 values 0.76 and 0.77, PLS and LS‐SVM.

CONCLUSION

These results indicated that the proposed mutual‐information‐based variable selection algorithm was a powerful tool for the selection of the most relevant variables. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Analysis of wheel and rail adhesion under wet condition by using elastic–plastic microcontact model
Authors: Wu Bing , Wen Zefeng , Wang Hengyu , Jin Xuesong
Published: September 2014

This paper presents a numerical model to investigate the adhesion characteristics of the wheel/rail contact with consideration of surface roughness under wet conditions. The elastohydrodynamic lubrication theory is used to obtain the load carried by water, and the statistical elastic–plastic microcontact model presented by Zhao–Maietta–Chang is applied to calculate the load carried by asperities contact. Meanwhile, the thermal influencing reduction factor is used to consider the inlet heating effects on the film thickness, and the change of water viscosity is also taken into consideration due to the flash temperature generated by the moving rough surfaces. Furthermore, the present work investigates the dependence of the wheel/rail adhesion coefficient on train speed, surface roughness amplitude, the initial temperature, the plasticity index and the maximum contact pressure under wet condition. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Critical Investigation on the Occurrence of Microwave Effects in Emulsion Polymerizations
Authors: Hayden Stephan , Studentschnig Alexander F. H. , Schober Sigurd , Kappe C. Oliver
Published: September 2014

The existence of special microwave effects in the emulsion polymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate with two different initiators is investigated. All the experiments are conducted in either Pyrex or silicon carbide reaction vessels employing a dedicated single‐mode microwave reactor and are monitored with a dual temperature‐measurement system consisting of an external infrared sensor and an internal fiber optical probe. The goal of this study is to study the influence of the electromagnetic field on both the decomposition rate of the radical initiators and on the emulsion polymerization itself. For both types of transformation, no direct influence of the electromagnetic field can be observed, therefore ruling out the occurrence of any type of specific or nonthermal microwave effects in these reactions.

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Supramolecular Antioxidant Assemblies of Hyperbranched Polyglycerols and Phenols
Authors: Pocoví‐Martínez Salvador , Kemmer‐Jonas Ulrike , Pérez‐Prieto Julia , Frey Holger , Stiriba Salah‐Eddine
Published: September 2014

Supramolecular antioxidant complexes are prepared by the non‐covalent assembly of succinic acid‐modified hyperbranched polyglycerols (PGSAs) and tyramine antioxidant compounds. Using this approach, various supramolecular dendritic poly­mers based on carboxylic acid‐modified hyperbranched polyglycerol with different molecular weights and different numbers of antioxidant phenols are prepared and characterized by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy as well as via dynamic light scattering (DLS). The local phenolic concentration in this supramolecular architecture plays a key role for their enhanced antioxidant capacity, as shown by oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay (ORAC).

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A Polyurethane‐Based Positive Photoresist
Authors: García‐Fernández Luis , Specht Alexandre , del Campo Aránzazu
Published: September 2014

Polyurethane (PU) monomer mixtures containing commercially available o‐nitrobenzyl‐based photocleavable monomers have been formulated and tested as low‐cost positive tone photoresists. The photolysis reaction is studied by UV spectroscopy. Well‐defined micropatterns on 2 μm thick photodegradable PU films are obtained using 365 nm light exposure. This strategy is also extended to improved formulations based on synthesized o‐nitrobiphenylpropyl derivatives with enhanced photochemical properties for single photon excitation and high two‐photon absorption cross‐sections. Improved pattern resolution in 2D and the capability of 3D resolution using a scanning laser at 780 nm is demonstrated. This work demonstrates the potential of PUs as readily available, versatile, and easy‐to‐use photoresist materials for low‐cost lithography applications.

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Cost of deep brain stimulation for the treatment of Parkinson's disease by surgical stimulation sites
Authors: Stroupe Kevin T. , Weaver Frances M. , Cao Lishan , Ippolito Dolores , Barton Brandon R. , Burnett‐Zeigler Inger E. , Holloway Robert G. , Vickrey Barbara G. , Simuni Tanya , Follett Kenneth A.
Published: September 2014

Objective

To assess costs and effectiveness of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the internal globus pallidum (GPi) versus subthalamic nucleus (STN) from the provider and societal perspectives for Parkinson's disease (PD) patients in a multicenter randomized trial.

Methods

All costs from randomization to 36 months were included. Costs were from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Medicare databases and clinical trial data. Quality adjusted life years (QALYs) were from Quality of Well Being questionnaires.

Results

Provider costs were similar for the 144 GPi and 130 STN patients (GPi: $138,044 vs. STN: $131,822; difference = $6,222, 95% confidence interval [CI]: –$42,125 to $45,343). Societal costs were also similar (GPi: $171,061 vs. STN: $167,706; difference = $3,356, 95% CI: –$57,371 to $60,294). The GPi patients had nonsignificantly more QALYs.

Conclusions

The QALYs and costs were similar; the level of uncertainty given the sample size suggests that these factors should not direct treatment or resource allocation decisions in selecting or making available either procedure for eligible PD patients. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Complex genomic rearrangements in the dystrophin gene due to replication‐based mechanisms
Authors: Baskin Berivan , Stavropoulos Dimitri J. , Rebeiro Paige A. , Orr Jennifer , Li Martin , Steele Leslie , Marshall Christian R. , Lemire Edmond G. , Boycott Kym M. , Gibson William , Ray Peter N.
Published: September 2014

Genomic rearrangements such as intragenic deletions and duplications are the most prevalent type of mutations in the dystrophin gene resulting in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (D/BMD). These copy number variations (CNVs) are nonrecurrent and can result from either nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) or microhomology‐mediated replication‐dependent recombination (MMRDR). We characterized five DMD patients with complex genomic rearrangements using a combination of MLPA/mRNA transcript analysis/custom array comparative hybridization arrays (CGH) and breakpoint sequence analysis to investigate the mechanisms for these rearrangements. Two patients had complex rearrangements that involved microhomologies at breakpoints. One patient had a noncontiguous insertion of 89.7 kb chromosome 4 into intron 43 of DMD involving three breakpoints with 2–5 bp microhomology at the junctions. A second patient had an inversion of exon 44 flanked by intronic deletions with two breakpoint junctions each showing 2 bp microhomology. The third patient was a female with an inherited deletion of exon 47 in DMD on the maternal allele and a de novo noncontiguous duplication of exons 45–49 in DMD and MID1 on the paternal allele. The other two patients harbored complex noncontiguous duplications within the dystrophin gene. We propose a replication‐based mechanisms for all five complex DMD rearrangements. This study identifies additional underlying mechanisms in DMD, and provides insight into the molecular bases of these genomic rearrangements.
Lateral lower leg perforator flaps: An anatomical study to localize and classify lateral lower leg perforators
Authors: Hupkens Pieter , Schijns Wendy , Van Abeelen Marjolijn , Kooloos Jan G.M. , Slater Nicholas J. , Ulrich Dietmar J.O.
Published: September 2014

Despite increasing use of lateral lower leg perforator flaps, comprehensive anatomical data are still lacking. The aim of this article was to comprehensively document the pattern of usable lateral lower leg perforators. Systematic mapping of 16 cadaver leg perforators in a well‐defined area was performed to elucidate location, course, length, diameter, and origin. Overall, 197 perforators were found in 16 lateral lower legs. The mean number of perforators per leg with a diameter ≥ 0.3 mm was 13.4 ± 3.6. Most perforators were found in the distal third (39.0%), followed by the middle third (32.0%), and proximal third (29.0%). A musculocutaneous course was found in 26.9% of the perforators, whereas 73.1% revealed a septocutaneous course. Most septocutaneous perforators (50.0%) were found in the distal third and most musculocutaneous perforators (58.5%) in the proximal third (P < 0.001). The majority of perforators originated from the anterior tibial artery (53.0%), followed by the peroneal artery (41.6%), and the popliteal artery (5.1%). Popliteal artery perforators (1.64 mm) were significantly larger than anterior tibial artery (0.91 mm) and peroneal artery perforators (1.02 mm; P < 0.001). These results may facilitate tissue transfer around the lateral lower leg. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 35:140–147, 2015.
High‐resolution diffusion tensor imaging of the human kidneys using a free‐breathing, multi‐slice, targeted field of view approach
Authors: Chan Rachel W. , Von Deuster Constantin , Stoeck Christian T. , Harmer Jack , Punwani Shonit , Ramachandran Navin , Kozerke Sebastian , Atkinson David
Published: September 2014

Fractional anisotropy (FA) obtained by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can be used to image the kidneys without any contrast media. FA of the medulla has been shown to correlate with kidney function. It is expected that higher spatial resolution would improve the depiction of small structures within the kidney. However, the achievement of high spatial resolution in renal DTI remains challenging as a result of respiratory motion and susceptibility to diffusion imaging artefacts. In this study, a targeted field of view (TFOV) method was used to obtain high‐resolution FA maps and colour‐coded diffusion tensor orientations, together with measures of the medullary and cortical FA, in 12 healthy subjects. Subjects were scanned with two implementations (dual and single kidney) of a TFOV DTI method. DTI scans were performed during free breathing with a navigator‐triggered sequence. Results showed high consistency in the greyscale FA, colour‐coded FA and diffusion tensors across subjects and between dual‐ and single‐kidney scans, which have in‐plane voxel sizes of 2 × 2 mm2 and 1.2 × 1.2 mm2, respectively. The ability to acquire multiple contiguous slices allowed the medulla and cortical FA to be quantified over the entire kidney volume. The mean medulla and cortical FA values were 0.38 ± 0.017 and 0.21 ± 0.019, respectively, for the dual‐kidney scan, and 0.35 ± 0.032 and 0.20 ± 0.014, respectively, for the single‐kidney scan. The mean FA between the medulla and cortex was significantly different (p < 0.001) for both dual‐ and single‐kidney implementations. High‐spatial‐resolution DTI shows promise for improving the characterization and non‐invasive assessment of kidney function. © 2014 The Authors. NMR in Biomedicine published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanical and swelling behavior of green nanocomposites of natural rubber latex and tubular shaped halloysite nano clay
Authors: Swapna V.P. , Stephen Ranimol , Greeshma T. , Sharan Dev C. , Sreekala M.S.
Published: September 2014

Nanocomposites based on natural rubber latex as the matrix and naturally occurring tubular shaped nanoclay, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) as the reinforcing phase were prepared through co‐coagulation method. XRD, morphology, mechanical, and solvent transport properties of the nanocomposites with special reference to weight percentage of nanoclay were analyzed and discussed in detail. Matrix–filler interaction was estimated from Kraus, Cunneen–Russell, and Lorentz–Park plots. Theoretical estimation of reinforcement effect revealed a better interaction between rubber and filler at lower concentration of filler. At higher loading properties decreased due to the formation of filler–filler networks than polymer–filler networks resulting in the reduction of aspect ratio of fillers. Properties of nanocomposites depend on the aspect ratio and volume fraction of reinforcing filler. Morphological analyses of the nanocomposites were done in detail from scanning electron micrographs. Theoretical modulus of nanocomposites was computed using different composite theories by varying the aspect ratio of filler and compared with experimental data. A good agreement between experimental and theoretical values was observed at lower concentration of filler. Solvent transport properties of nanocomposites were found to decrease at lower concentration of HNT because of the tortuosity of the path. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:602–611, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation of nano‐reinforced thermal conductive natural rubber composites
Authors: Wang Zhenhua , Lu Yonglai , Ding Jinbo , Zhang Liqun , Chan Tung W.
Published: September 2014

Natural rubber (NR) composites highly filled with nano‐α‐alumina (nano‐α‐Al2O3) modified in situ by the silane coupling agent bis‐(3‐triethoxysilylpropyl)‐tetrasulfide (Si69) were prepared. The effects of various modification conditions and filler loading on the properties of the nano‐α‐Al2O3/NR composites were investigated. The results indicated that the preparation conditions for optimum mechanical (both static and dynamic) properties and thermal conductivity were as follows: 100 phr of nano‐α‐Al2O3, 6 phr of Si69, heat‐treatment time of 5 min at 150°C. Furthermore, two other types of fillers were also investigated as thermally conductive reinforcing fillers for the NR systems: (1) hybrid fillers composed of 100 phr of nano‐α‐Al2O3 and various amounts of the carbon black (CB) N330 and (2) nano‐γ‐Al2O3, the particles of which are smaller than those of nano‐α‐Al2O3. The hybrid fillers had better mechanical properties and dynamic performance with higher thermal conductivity, which means that it can be expected to endow the rubber products serving under dynamic conditions with much longer service life. The smaller sized nano‐γ‐Al2O3 particles performed better than the larger‐sized nano‐α‐Al2O3 particles in reinforcing NR. However, the composites filled with nano‐γ‐Al2O3 had lower thermal conductivity than those filled with nano‐α‐Al2O3 and badly deteriorated dynamic properties at loadings higher than 50 phr, both indicating that nano‐γ‐Al2O3 is not a good candidate for novel thermally conductive reinforcing filler. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:771–781, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Mechanical and morphological properties of coextruded wood plastic composites with glass fiber‐filled shell
Authors: Kim Birm‐June , Huang Runzhou , Han Jingquan , Lee Sunyoung , Wu Qinglin
Published: September 2014

Coextrusion technology makes various properties of wood plastic composites (WPCs) highly tunable. However, structural and material optimization of core‐shell shaped WPCs is needed to balance manufacturing cost, processing efficiency, and product performance. In this study, various systems of coextruded WPCs were designed and analyzed using short glass fiber (SGF)‐filled shells in combination with three core systems (i.e., weak, moderate, and strong). A comparison of the composite flexural property of the manufactured WPCs (i.e., modulus and strength) shows that SGF reinforcements in the shell layer were optimized at high SGF loading levels regardless of core qualities. Also, SGF alignments in the shell layer played an important role in determining the flexural property of the WPCs. When the shell modulus and strength were lower than these of the core, the increase of shell thickness led to reduced composite properties. On the other hand, when the shell properties were higher than the core properties, the opposite was true. Composite impact strength increased with shell thickness increase for all three core systems. However, at a given shell thickness, the impact strength decreased with the addition of SGFs in the shell. Further increase of SGFs in the shell led to somewhat increased impact strength. The structure–property relationship plots provide a design guide for optimizing performance of coextruded WPCs with various combinations of core‐shell qualities. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:824–834, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Gonadal Suppressive and Cross‐Sex Hormone Therapy for Gender Dysphoria in Adolescents and Adults
Authors: Smith Katherine P. , Madison Christina M. , Milne Nikki M.
Published: September 2014

Individuals with gender dysphoria experience distress associated with incongruence between their biologic sex and their identified gender. Gender dysphoric natal males receive treatment with antiandrogens and estrogens to become feminized (transsexual females), whereas natal females with gender dysphoria receive treatment with androgens to become masculinized (transsexual males). Because of the permanence associated with cross‐sex hormone therapy (CSHT), adolescents diagnosed with gender dysphoria receive gonadotropin‐releasing hormone analogs to suppress puberty. High rates of depression and suicide are linked to social marginalization and barriers to care. Behavior, emotional problems, depressive symptoms, and global functioning improve in adolescents receiving puberty suppression therapy. Gender dysphoria, psychological symptoms, quality of life, and sexual function improve in adults who receive CSHT. Within the first 6 months of CSHT, changes in transsexual females include breast growth, decreased testicular volume, and decreased spontaneous erections, and changes in transsexual males include cessation of menses, breast atrophy, clitoral enlargement, and voice deepening. Both transsexual females and males experience changes in body fat redistribution, muscle mass, and hair growth. Desired effects from CSHT can take between 3 and 5 years; however, effects that occur during puberty, such as voice deepening and skeletal structure changes, cannot be reversed with CSHT. Decreased sexual desire is a greater concern in transsexual females than in transsexual males, with testosterone concentrations linked to sexual desire in both. Regarding CSHT safety, bone mineral density is preserved with adequate hormone supplementation, but long‐term fracture risk has not been studied. The transition away from high‐dose traditional regimens is tied to a lower risk of venous thromboembolism and cardiovascular disease, but data quality is poor. Breast cancer has been reported in both transsexual males and females, but preliminary data suggest that CSHT does not increase the risk. Cancer screenings for individuals of both natal and transitioned sexes should occur as recommended. More long‐term studies are needed to ensure that CSHT regimens with the best outcomes can continue to be prescribed for the transsexual population.
Vancomycin‐Associated Renal Dysfunction: Where Are We Now?
Authors: Carreno Joseph J. , Kenney Rachel M. , Lomaestro Ben
Published: September 2014

Vancomycin has been in clinical use for over 60 years, during which time renal toxicity has been well documented. Multiple risk factors and outcomes are associated with vancomycin‐related nephrotoxicity. Risk factors include vancomycin exposure (trough levels 15 mg/L or higher, larger area under the curve, duration of therapy), host susceptibility to vancomycin (increased body weight, preexisting renal dysfunction, critical illness), and concurrent nephrotoxin therapy. Nephrotoxicity is associated with prolonged hospital stays, mortality, and the need for renal replacement therapy. To what degree vancomycin‐associated nephrotoxicity exacerbates these adverse clinical outcomes remains unclear. This article reviews the current evidence on vancomycin‐associated nephrotoxicity and explores future research directions with potential implications for improved patient safety.
Value Management in Project Portfolios: Identifying and Assessing Strategic Value
Authors: Martinsuo Miia , Killen Catherine P.
Published: September 2014

Projects are expected to bring value to their constituents. Value management in project portfolios has centered on the maximization of commercial value and identification of future business prospects. In this study, the goal is increased understanding of the identification and assessment of strategic, non-commercial value in project portfolios. We map the relevant dimensions of strategic value and supplement previous frameworks with the non-commercial aspects. Ecological, societal, and learning values have only been studied conceptually and qualitatively in earlier research. We propose future research on these values in quantitative settings and exploring collective sensemaking as part of project portfolio value management.
Delete‐2 Jackknife‐After‐Bootstrap in Regression
Authors: Beyaztas Ufuk , Alin Aylin
Published: September 2014

In this study, we propose a delete‐2 jackknife‐after‐bootstrap method to refine the cut‐offs for the well‐known diagnostic measure Cook's distance when the data have multiple influential data points with masking and swamping effects. The performance of the proposed method is compared with one of the most recent approaches in the literature through real world examples as well as a designed simulation study. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Planetary LakeLander—A Robotic Sentinel to Monitor Remote Lakes
Authors: Pedersen Liam , Smith Trey , Lee Susan Y. , Cabrol Nathalie
Published: September 2014

This field report describes the design and operations of the Planetary LakeLander (PLL) probe and its ground data systems. LakeLander's primary mission is to characterize the physical, chemical, and biological processes occurring in a high‐altitude lake, and how they are being impacted by rapid deglaciation. LakeLander's secondary purpose is to test operation concepts for future exploration of Titan's lakes. The LakeLander probe is a permanently anchored buoy that measures both surface meteorology and water quality parameters in the top 40 m of the water column. The concept of operations calls for the probe to continue collecting and downlinking data through the Andean winter, when the lake is inaccessible; this drives the power system design and forces a strong focus on system reliability, analogous to a space mission. The PLL ground data system provides the central archive of downlinked data. They are structured around a unified data‐sharing web site that includes tools for mapping, data visualization, documentation, and numerical analysis. The web site provides a hub for engaging the science team and enables interdisciplinary collaboration. This report concludes with lessons learned during field deployment and several months of remote operations on the lake. Among the conclusions: (1) the choice to use an off‐the‐shelf profiling system has proven wise; (2) effective maintenance of a long‐lived remote system requires extensive measurement, logging, and display of as many system variables as possible; and (3) the visualization sandbox component of the data‐sharing web site has made numerical analysis of probe data much easier and more accessible to the entire interdisciplinary science team.
CloudPick: a framework for QoS‐aware and ontology‐based service deployment across clouds
Authors: Dastjerdi Amir Vahid , Garg Saurabh Kumar , Rana Omer F. , Buyya Rajkumar
Published: September 2014

The cloud computing paradigm allows on‐demand access to computing and storage services over the Internet. Multiple providers are offering a variety of software solutions in the form of virtual appliances and computing units in the form of virtual machines with different pricing and QoS in the market. Thus, it is important to exploit the benefit of hosting virtual appliances on multiple providers to not only reduce the cost and provide better QoS but also achieve failure‐resistant deployment. This paper presents a framework called CloudPick to simplify cross‐cloud deployment and particularly focuses on QoS modeling and deployment optimization. For QoS modeling, cloud services have been automatically enriched with semantic descriptions using our translator component to increase precision and recall in discovery and benefit from descriptive QoS from multiple domains. In addition, an optimization approach for deploying networks of appliances is required to guarantee minimum cost, low latency, and high reliability. We propose and compare two different deployment optimization approaches: genetic‐based and forward‐checking‐based backtracking. They take into account QoS criteria such as reliability, data communication cost, and latency between multiple clouds to select the most appropriate combination of virtual machines and appliances. We evaluate our approach using a real case study and different request types. Experimental results suggest that both algorithms reach near‐optimal solution. Further, we investigate the effects of factors such as latency, reliability requirements, and data communication between appliances on the performance of the algorithms and placement of appliances across multiple clouds. The results show the efficiency of optimization algorithms depends on the data transfer rate between appliances. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tendon Progenitor Cells in Injured Tendons Have Strong Chondrogenic Potential: The CD105-Negative Subpopulation Induces Chondrogenic Degeneration
Authors: Asai Shuji , Otsuru Satoru , Candela Maria Elena , Cantley Leslie , Uchibe Kenta , Hofmann Ted J. , Zhang Kairui , Wapner Keith L. , Soslowsky Louis J. , Horwitz Edwin M. , Enomoto-Iwamoto Motomi
Published: September 2014

To study the cellular mechanism of the tendon repair process, we used a mouse Achilles tendon injury model to focus on the cells recruited to the injured site. The cells isolated from injured tendon 1 week after the surgery and uninjured tendons contained the connective tissue progenitor populations as determined by colony-forming capacity, cell surface markers, and multipotency. When the injured tendon-derived progenitor cells (inTPCs) were transplanted into injured Achilles tendons, they were not only integrated in the regenerating area expressing tenogenic phenotype but also trans-differentiated into chondrogenic cells in the degenerative lesion that underwent ectopic endochondral ossification. Surprisingly, the micromass culture of the inTPCs rapidly underwent chondrogenic differentiation even in the absence of exogenous bone morphogenetic proteins or TGFβs. The cells isolated from human ruptured tendon tissues also showed connective tissue progenitor properties and exhibited stronger chondrogenic ability than bone marrow stromal cells. The mouse inTPCs contained two subpopulations one positive and one negative for CD105, a coreceptor of the TGFβ superfamily. The CD105-negative cells showed superior chondrogenic potential in vitro and induced larger chondroid degenerative lesions in mice as compared to the CD105-positive cells. These findings indicate that tendon progenitor cells are recruited to the injured site of tendons and have a strong chondrogenic potential and that the CD105-negative population of these cells would be the cause for chondroid degeneration in injured tendons. The newly identified cells recruited to the injured tendon may provide novel targets to develop therapeutic strategies to facilitate tendon repair. Stem Cells  2014;32:3266–3277
In vitro digestion of starches in a dynamic gastrointestinal model: an innovative study to optimize dietary management of patients with hepatic glycogen storage diseases
Authors: Nalin Tatiéle , Venema Koen , Weinstein David A. , de Souza Carolina F. M , Perry Ingrid D. S. , van Wandelen Mario T. R. , van Rijn Margreet , Smit G. Peter A. , Schwartz Ida V. D. , Derks Terry G. J.
Published: September 2014

Uncooked cornstarch (UCCS) is a widely used treatment strategy for patients with hepatic glycogen storage disease (GSD). It has been observed that GSD‐patients display different metabolic responses to different cornstarches. The objective was to characterize starch fractions and analyze the digestion of different starches in a dynamic gastrointestinal in vitro model. The following brands of UCCS were studied: Argo® and Great Value® from the United States of America; Brazilian Maizena Duryea® and Yoki® from Brazil; Dutch Maizena Duryea® from the Netherlands. Glycosade®, a modified starch, and sweet polvilho, a Brazilian starch extracted from cassava, were also studied. The starch fractions were analyzed by glycemic TNO index method and digestion analyses were determined by the TIM‐1 system, a dynamic, computer‐controlled, in vitro gastrointestinal model, which simulates the stomach and small intestine. The final digested amounts were between 84 and 86 % for the UCCS and Glycosade®, but was 75.5 % for sweet povilho. At 180 min of the experiment, an important time‐point for GSD patients, the digested amount of the starches corresponded to 67.9–71.5 for the UCCS and Glycosade®, while it was 55.5 % for sweet povilho. In an experiment with a mixture of sweet polvilho and Brazilian Maizena Duryea®, a final digested amount of 78.4 % was found, while the value at 180 min was 61.7 %. Sweet polvilho seems to have a slower and extended release of glucose and looks like an interesting product to be further studied as it might lead to extended normoglycemia in GSD‐patients.
Large animal models and new therapies for glycogen storage disease
Authors: Brooks Elizabeth D. , Koeberl Dwight D.
Published: September 2014

Glycogen storage diseases (GSD), a unique category of inherited metabolic disorders, were first described early in the twentieth century. Since then, the biochemical and genetic bases of these disorders have been determined, and an increasing number of animal models for GSD have become available. At least seven large mammalian models have been developed for laboratory research on GSDs. These models have facilitated the development of new therapies, including gene therapy, which are undergoing clinical translation. For example, gene therapy prolonged survival and prevented hypoglycemia during fasting for greater than one year in dogs with GSD type Ia, and the need for periodic re‐administration to maintain efficacy was demonstrated in that dog model. The further development of gene therapy could provide curative therapy for patients with GSD and other inherited metabolic disorders.
A Statistical Test for Differential Item Pair Functioning
Authors: Bechger Timo M. , Maris Gunter
Published: September 2014

This paper presents an IRT-based statistical test for differential item functioning (DIF). The test is developed for items conforming to the Rasch (Probabilistic models for some intelligence and attainment tests, The Danish Institute of Educational Research, Copenhagen, 1960) model but we will outline its extension to more complex IRT models. Its difference from the existing procedures is that DIF is defined in terms of the relative difficulties of pairs of items and not in terms of the difficulties of individual items. The argument is that the difficulty of an item is not identified from the observations, whereas the relative difficulties are. This leads to a test that is closely related to Lord’s (Applications of item response theory to practical testing problems, Erlbaum, Hillsdale, 1980) test for item DIF albeit with a different and more correct interpretation. Illustrations with real and simulated data are provided.
A Rapid Nile Red Fluorescence‐Based Method for Triacylglycerol Content in Microspore‐Derived Cell Suspension Cultures of Brassica napus
Authors: Gao Yuning , Chen Guanqun , Weselake Randall J.
Published: September 2014

Brassica napus (L. cv Jet Neuf) microspore‐derived (BnaMD) cell suspension cultures were used to study the biochemistry and molecular biology of plant lipid metabolism. The cell suspension cultures may also be a potentially useful trait‐testing tool for further improvement of oilseed rape, the world's third largest vegetable oil crop. Nile red fluorescence methods have been used to assess neutral lipid accumulation in microorganisms and mammalian oocytes but have not been established for plant cell suspension cultures. In this study, a Nile red method was established and optimized for triacylglycerol (TAG) content analysis in BnaMD cell suspension cultures. Nile red fluorescence was easily determined in 96‐well plates using a 490 nm excitation wavelength and a 595 nm emission wavelength without any significant interference from other cellular components. The lipid content of the cell suspension cultures at different growth stages was determined using a conventional lipid analysis method and the Nile red fluorescence method. There was a strong positive correlation between the Nile red fluorescence and TAG content in the cell suspension cultures. Therefore, the TAG content of BnaMD cell suspension cultures can be rapidly and robustly determined using a Nile red fluorescence‐based method that can potentially be adapted for application to other plant cell suspension cultures.
Rehabilitation nutrition for sarcopenia with disability: a combination of both rehabilitation and nutrition care management
Authors: Wakabayashi Hidetaka , Sakuma Kunihiro
Published: September 2014

Malnutrition and sarcopenia often occur in rehabilitation settings. The prevalence of malnutrition and sarcopenia in older patients undergoing rehabilitation is 49–67 % and 40–46.5 %, respectively. Malnutrition and sarcopenia are associated with poorer rehabilitation outcome and physical function. Therefore, a combination of both rehabilitation and nutrition care management may improve outcome in disabled elderly with malnutrition and sarcopenia. The concept of rehabilitation nutrition as a combination of both rehabilitation and nutrition care management and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health guidelines are used to evaluate nutrition status and to maximize functionality in the elderly and other people with disability. Assessment of the multifactorial causes of primary and secondary sarcopenia is important because rehabilitation nutrition for sarcopenia differs depending on its etiology. Treatment of age‐related sarcopenia should include resistance training and dietary supplements of amino acids. Therapy for activity‐related sarcopenia includes reduced bed rest time and early mobilization and physical activity. Treatment for disease‐related sarcopenia requires therapies for advanced organ failure, inflammatory disease, malignancy, or endocrine disease, while therapy for nutrition‐related sarcopenia involves appropriate nutrition management to increase muscle mass. Because primary and secondary sarcopenia often coexist in people with disability, the concept of rehabilitation nutrition is useful for their treatment. Stroke, hip fracture, and hospital‐associated deconditioning are major causes of disability, and inpatients of rehabilitation facilities often have malnutrition and sarcopenia. We review the concept of rehabilitation nutrition, the rehabilitation nutrition options for stroke, hip fracture, hospital‐associated deconditioning, sarcopenic dysphagia, and then evaluate the amount of research interest in rehabilitation nutrition.
Structure–function of cyanobacterial outer‐membrane protein, Slr1270: Homolog of Escherichia coli drug export/colicin import protein, TolC
Authors: Agarwal Rachna , Zakharov Stanislav , Hasan S. Saif , Ryan Christopher M. , Whitelegge Julian P. , Cramer William A.
Published: September 2014

Compared to thylakoid and inner membrane proteins in cyanobacteria, no structure–function information is available presently for integral outer‐membrane proteins (OMPs). The Slr1270 protein from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis 6803, over‐expressed in Escherichia coli, was refolded, and characterized for molecular size, secondary structure, and ion‐channel function. Refolded Slr1270 displays a single band in native‐electrophoresis, has an α‐helical content of 50–60%, as in E. coli TolC with which it has significant secondary‐structure similarity, and an ion‐channel function with a single‐channel conductance of 80–200 pS, and a monovalent ion (K+:Cl−) selectivity of 4.7:1. The pH‐dependence of channel conductance implies a role for carboxylate residues in channel gating, analogous to that in TolC.
Operation of Emergency Operating Centers During Mass Casualty Incidents in Taiwan: A Disaster Management Perspective
Authors: Wen Jet-Chau , Tsai Chia-Chou , Chen Mei-Hsuan , Chang Wei-Ta
Published: September 2014

Objective

On April 27, 2011, a train derailed and crashed in Taiwan, causing a mass casualty incident (MCI) that was similar to a previous event and with similar consequences. In both disasters, the emergency operating centers (EOCs) could not effectively integrate associated agencies to deal with the incident. The coordination and utilization of resources were inefficient, which caused difficulty in command structure operation and casualty evacuation.

Methods

This study was designed to create a survey questionnaire with problem items using disaster management phases mandated by Taiwan’s Emergency Medical Care Law (EMCL), use statistical methods (t test) to analyze the results and issues the EOCs encountered during the operation, and propose solutions for those problems.

Results

Findings showed that EOCs lacked authority to intervene or coordinate with associated agencies. Also, placing emphasis on the recovery phase should improve future prevention and response mechanisms.

Conclusions

To improve the response to MCIs, the EMCL needs to be amended to give EOCs the lead during disasters; use feedback from the recovery phase to improve future disaster management and operation coordination; and establish an information-sharing platform across agencies to address all aspects of relief work.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;0:1-6)
Going Abroad: Transnational Solicitation and Contention by Ethnopolitical Organizations
Authors: Asal Victor , Conrad Justin , White Peter
Published: September 2014

Existing literature on contentious political movements has generally focused on domestic political activity. Using the new Minorities at Risk Organizational Behavior–Middle East data set (MAROB-ME), which contains organization-level data for 104 ethnopolitical organizations in the Middle East and North Africa, we analyze the decision of both violent and nonviolent organizations to engage in political activity transnationally. Among the results, we find that diaspora support is associated with transnational nonviolent protest, whereas foreign state support and domestic repression increase the use of transnational violence. The most robust finding, however, is that participation in the domestic electoral process consistently reduces the likelihood that an organization will engage in any political activity abroad.
Neoclassical transport processes in weakly collisional plasmas with fractured velocity distribution functions
Authors: Kabantsev A. A. , Driscoll C. F. , Dubin D. H. E. , Tsidulko Yu. A.
Published: September 2014

Ripples in magnetic or electrostatic confinement fields give rise to trapping separatrices, and conventional neoclassical transport theory describes the collisional trapping/detrapping of particles with fractured distribution function. Our experiments and novel theory have now characterized a new kind of neoclassical transport processes arising from chaotic (nominally collisionless) separatrix crossings, which occur due to E × B plasma rotation along θ−ruffled or wave-perturbed separatrices. This chaotic neoclassical transport becomes dominant at low collisionality when the collisional spreading of particle energy during the dynamical period is less than the separatrix energy ruffle.
Intertidal benthic macrofaunal assemblages: changes in structure
along entire tropical estuarine salinity gradients
Authors: Mariano Dante Luís Silva , Barros Francisco
Published: September 2014

Spatial variation in the structure of macrobenthic assemblages on intertidal
flats is known to be related to different environmental variables. Most of
the studies have observed that along the estuarine gradient, salinity is the
most important variable driving the patterns of the macrobenthic
assemblages. However, the great majority of studies have been done on single
estuarine systems in temperate regions. We investigated the relationship
between the macrobenthic assemblages in intertidal habitats and the
environmental variables along three tropical estuaries. From lower to upper
estuarine regions we sampled benthic macrofauna, salinity and sediments. The
structure of the benthic assemblages was primarily related to salinity.
There was a decrease in the number of taxa from the upper to the lower
estuarine regions, indicating important deviation from Remane's model of
estuarine diversity. There were important similarities of taxa abundance
along different estuarine salinity gradients which can be properly tested in
other tropical and temperate regions. We advocate that in order to adopt
general and robust management practices it is essential to identify broad
patterns and general rules governing estuarine systems.
Editorial
Authors: Stone Ian R
Published: September 2014

I write with the aim of keeping subscribers and readers informed about forthcoming changes concerning Polar Record, the journal of the Scott Polar Research Institute, that is published by Cambridge University Press. Many will be aware that the journal dates from 1931 and that its name arises from the need to record activity in polar areas, and in those days this largely consisted in setting out the heroic deeds of the various pioneering expeditions. The very first issue (priced at 1 shilling or 5 pence in today's currency!) contained information about Mawson's British Australian New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition, Byrd's first Antarctic Expedition and referred to the then recent deaths of Nansen, Sverdrup and Royds.
High efficient beam cleanup based on stimulated Brillouin scattering with a large core fiber
Authors: Gao Qilin , Lu Zhiwei , Zhu Chengyu , Zhang Jianhui
Published: September 2014

A novel approach of beam cleanup based on stimulated Brillouin scattering with a large core fiber is proposed to improve the laser beam quality. The fusion splice scheme from a single-mode fiber to a very large core fiber (105 µm) is first employed in stimulated Brillouin scattering to steadily excite the fundamental mode of the Stokes beam. As a result, the output beam achieves a measured M2 value of around 1.3 meanwhile the pump conversion efficiency is up to 90%, which is the best in the reports of stimulated Brillouin scattering cleanup to our knowledge.
THE ASYMPTOTIC PROPERTIES OF THE SYSTEM GMM ESTIMATOR IN DYNAMIC PANEL DATA MODELS WHEN BOTHNANDTARE LARGE
Authors: Hayakawa Kazuhiko
Published: September 2014

In this paper, we derive the asymptotic properties of the system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator in dynamic panel data models with individual and time effects when bothNandT, the dimensions of cross-section and time series, are large. Specifically, we show that the two-step system GMM estimator is consistent when a suboptimal weighting matrix where off-diagonal blocks are set to zero is used. Such consistency results theoretically support the use of the system GMM estimator in largeNandTcontexts even though it was originally developed for largeNand smallTpanels. Simulation results indicate that the largeNand largeTasymptotic results approximate the finite sample behavior reasonably well unless persistency of data is strong and/or the variance ratio of individual effects to the disturbances is large.
TESTS FOR PARAMETER INSTABILITY IN DYNAMIC FACTOR MODELS
Authors: Han Xu , Inoue Atsushi
Published: September 2014

In this paper, we develop tests for structural breaks of factor loadings in dynamic factor models. We focus on the joint null hypothesis that all factor loadings are constant over time. Because the number of factor loading parameters goes to infinity as the sample size grows, conventional tests cannot be used. Based on the fact that the presence of a structural change in factor loadings yields a structural change in second moments of factors obtained from the full sample principal component estimation, we reduce the infinite-dimensional problem into a finite-dimensional one and our statistic compares the pre- and postbreak subsample second moments of estimated factors. Our test is consistent under the alternative hypothesis in which a fraction of or all factor loadings have structural changes. The Monte Carlo results show that our test has good finite-sample size and power.
STUDY OF INSTANT SYSTEM AVAILABILITY
Authors: Huang Kai , Mi Jie
Published: September 2014

In this paper, we study the instant availabilityA(t) of a repairable system by integral equation. We have proved initial monotonicity of availability, and derived lower bounds ofA(t) and average availability. The availabilities of two systems are compared.
X-ray diffraction study and powder patterns of double-perovskites Sr2RSbO6 (R = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Y, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu)
Authors: Wong-Ng W. , Kaduk J. A. , Luong M. , Huang Q.
Published: September 2014

The X-ray diffraction powder patterns were prepared and the crystal structures were refined for the double-perovskite series of compounds, Sr2RSbO6 (R = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Y, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu). We found the structures of the entire Sr2RSbO6 series to be monoclinic with space group P21/n (no. 14), and Z = 2. From R = Lu to Pr, the lattice parameters “a” range from 5.7779(2) to 5.879 05(8) Å, “b” range from 5.7888(2) to 5.969 52(9) Å, “c” range from 8.1767(3) to 8.369 20(12) Å, “β” range from 90.112(2)° to 90.313(1)°, and “V” range from 273.483(4) to 293.714(7) Å3. These lattice parameters follow the well-established trend of “lanthanide contraction”. The R3+ and Sb5+ ions are found to be fully ordered in the double-perovskite arrangement of alternating corner-sharing octahedra in a zigzag fashion. The SrO12, RO6, and SbO6 cages are all found to have distorted coordination environments. Powder diffraction patterns of these compounds have been prepared, submitted, and published in the Powder Diffraction File.