bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of water cloud model vegetation descriptors in estimating soil moisture in Solani catchment
Authors: Kumar Kamal , Suryanarayana Rao Hari Prasad , Arora M. K.
Published: August 2014

Water cloud model (WCM) relates the backscatter coefficient (σo) with soil moisture. The backscatter coefficient includes the backscatter coefficient due to vegetation (σoveg), and the backscatter coefficient due to soil (σosoil). The σoveg of WCM depends upon vegetation characteristics. The present study is aimed to investigate the effect of different vegetation descriptors in estimating soil moisture from WCM. The study is carried out in Solani River catchment of India. Envisat Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) images of three dates were acquired for the study. The field data, volumetric soil moisture from the upper 0–10 cm soil layer, soil texture, soil surface roughness, leaf area index (LAI), leaf water area index, normalized plant water content and average plant height corresponding to satellite pass dates were collected. Genetic algorithm optimization technique is used to estimate the WCM vegetation parameters. The use of LAI as vegetation descriptor results in minimum root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.77 dB between WCM computed backscatter and Envisat ASAR observed backscatter. Also, use of LAI in WCM as vegetation descriptor results in the least RMSE of 4.19%, between estimated and observed soil moisture for the first field campaign, whereas it was 5.64% for the last field campaign which was undertaken after 35 days of first campaign. It is concluded that LAI can be treated as the best vegetation descriptor in studies retrieving soil moisture and backscatter from microwave remote sensing data. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DISTRACTION EFFECTS IN TASKS OF VARYING DIFFICULTY: METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES IN MEASURING DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRACTIBILITY
Authors: Hale Gordon , Flaugher Jan
Published: August 2014

The effects of distraction on 5‐ and 8‐year‐old children's performance on a short‐term memory task were examined. Tasks at three levels of difficulty were employed to determine whether a floor effect could account for the lack of an age difference reported in an earlier study. A floor effect does not appear to be a key factor; performance was well above chance under all conditions here, yet the absolute amount of performance decrement was roughly equal for the two age levels regardless of task difficulty. Also at issue here is whether proportional change might be a more appropriate index of distraction effects than absolute performance decrement. The relevance of the present data to this issue is discussed. The children adapted somewhat to the presence of distraction as shown in greater per‐formance impairment for the first trial under distraction than for remaining trials. The degree of adaptation was roughly comparable for the two age groups.
INFANTS' GREETING PATTERNS TO STRANGERS
Authors: Haviland Jeannette M. , Lewis Michael
Published: August 2014

Naive observers coded facial behaviors (eye direction, eye openness, and mouth) of 40 infants from videotapes of the infant's face and upper torso as the infants watched the approach of a stranger. Patterns of facial movement show that the infants are interested, their eyes remain forward, are slightly wide or normal and the mouth is relaxed. This pattern occurs significantly more often than any other. Indications of fear (mouth contracted or corners down, gaze aversion, eyes very wide) and joy (eyes a bit wide, mouth corners up, looking ahead) were blended with interest, but did not occur in isolation. No age differences were found in this analysis. Sex differences were found in patterns of eye openness. The results were contrasted with previous findings of infant “fear” and were compared to adult reactions in similar stranger approach situations.
RELATIONS OF DIVERGENT THINKING AND INTELLIGENCE TEST SCORES WITH SOCIAL AND NONSOCIAL MAKE‐BELIEVE PLAY OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN
Authors: Johnson James E.
Published: August 2014

Test estimates of intelligence and divergent thinking are compared with observations of social and nonsocial make‐believe play in a sample of 63 socially and economically disadvantaged preschool children. Controlling for the effects of age, indices of cognitive ability correlated positively and significantly with social make‐believe play but not with solitary make‐believe play. Uses Task performance scored for fanciful uses, but not for common uses, related to social fantasy play. Results suggest that social interaction is an important component in the relationship of fantasy play to cognitive development. A component of divergent thinking related to metaphorical or fantasy production appears to be a useful predictor of the propensity for sociodramatic play.
OPTIMAL NUMBER OF CHOICES PER ITEM—A COMPARISON OF FOUR APPROACHES1
Authors: Lord Frederic M.
Published: August 2014

Two approaches in the literature for determining the optimal number of choices for a test item are compared with two new approaches.
STUDENT RATINGS OF INSTRUCTION AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO STUDENT LEARNING
Authors: Centra John A.
Published: August 2014

Student ratings of instruction were correlated with examination performance in 72 sections of seven courses. In two of the courses, students had been randomly assigned to sections. The pattern of correlations across the courses indicated that the global ratings of teacher effectiveness and of the value of the course to students were most highly related to mean exam performance (12 out of 24 product‐moment and partial correlations were .58 or above). Ratings of course objectives and organization, and of the quality of lectures were also fairly well correlated with achievement. Ratings of other aspects of instruction, such as the teacher‐student relationship or the difficulty/workload of the course, were not highly related to achievement scores.
WHEN “RELIABILITY” FAILS, MUST A MEASURE BE DISCARDED?—THE CASE OF KINESTHETIC AFTEREFFECT
Authors: Baker A. Harvey , Mishara Brian L. , Parker Laurence , Kostin Irene W.
Published: August 2014

Critics of Kinesthetic Aftereffect (KAE) recommend abandoning it as a personality measure largely because of poor test‐retest reliability. Although no test can be valid if lacking true reliability, to discard a measure because of poor retest reliability is an oversimplification of validation procedures. This pitfall is exemplified here by a reexamination of KAE.

KAE scores involve measures before (pretest) and after (test) aftereffect induction. Internal analysis of a KAE study showed: differential bias is present; its locus is the second session pretest; its form makes second‐session pretest scores functionally more similar to first‐ and second‐session test scores and functionally more dissimilar to first‐session pretest scores. Given this second session bias, the retest correlation tells us nothing about the true reliability of a one‐session KAE score. However, if a measure possesses external validity, it must to some degree show true reliability. Based upon a literature review of one‐session KAE validity studies, we conclude that one session KAE scores are valid and hence show true reliability. KAE remains a promising personality measure.
SPATIO‐TEMPORAL INTEGRATION IN READING TACHISTOSCOPICALLY PRESENTED WORDS
Authors: Hurtig Richard R. , Reinvang Ivar
Published: August 2014

It has been suggested that there is a visual encoding of a verbal stimulus which outlasts the duration of the icon. An attempt is made to determine what the characteristics of such an encoded representation are. The present experiment attempts to demonstrate that spatio‐temporal information is utilized in the encoding processes necessary for word recognition. The letters of words are presented over successive tachistoscopic exposures which subjects are instructed to either integrate in terms of the temporal order of input or in terms of the spatial location. The central finding indicates that word recognition latencies are significantly elevated by the existence of an interpretation of the stimulus resulting from integration of the uninstructed form. The findings offer a demonstration of a stable memory matrix capable of representing alphabetic characters in terms of identity as well as spatial locus and temporal order of input.
THE USE OF PERIODIC FUNCTIONS TO MEASURE THE DIFFICULTY OF APTITUDE TEST ITEMS*
Authors: Levine Michael V. , Saxe David H.
Published: August 2014

Two different procedures were used to measure the difficulties of some Scholastic Aptitude Test items: a new distribution‐free procedure that uses periodic functions and LOGIST, a well‐developed optimization procedure that fits a logistic model. Despite the fact that the two procedures used different data in very different ways, they obtained virtually the same numbers.
COGNITIVE STYLE EFFECTS ON SEX STATUS IN STUDENT WORK GROUPS1
Authors: Lockheed Marlaine E.
Published: August 2014

The observed greater activity, influence and task orientation of males in mixed‐sex work groups is analyzed as an educational problem, having particular relevance for coeducational schooling. Following Berger, Cohen and Zelditch, this investigator analyzed greater male power and prestige as a consequence of the activation of the diffuse status characteristic “sex” under specific task conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine whether activation of a diffuse status characteristic would systematically vary according to the perceptual or cognitive style of group members. Four person mixed‐sex groups of adolescents, homogeneous as to cognitive style, were videotaped while engaged in a group decision‐making task.

Videotapes were coded for individual rates of activity and influence; group members were asked to rate other group members on who had the “best ideas,” and who did the most to “guide and direct” the group, and to identify the overall leader.

It was found that field‐dependent groups displayed male dominant interaction, while field independent groups displayed equal status interaction. Males were significantly more likely than females to be identified as leaders by their peers in all group types. Behavioral data show that the activation of the diffuse status characteristic “sex” was a function of individual differences in sensitivity to environmental cues, while self report data reflect a bias toward perceiving males as group leaders.
THE EFFECTS OF ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS ON STUDENT LEARNING
Authors: Hartnett Rodney T. , Centra John A.
Published: August 2014

The question of educational effects in higher education is reexamined by studying the effects of academic departments (rather than entire colleges) and employing as criterion measures achievement tests appropriate for the individual departments. Two separate samples of institutions and two separate criterion measures were used. The criterion measures for one sample of departments in four disciplines at small colleges were the Field Tests of the ETS Undergraduate Program. The criterion measures for another sample of departments in six disciplines at larger institutions were the Advanced Tests of the Graduate Record Examinations. Analyses of both sets of data revealed considerable between‐departments variation in educational effectiveness within the same institution, thus suggesting that educational effects research of this kind is more reasonable at the department rather than the overall college level. Analysis of the characteristics of the departments failed to identify any features consistently associated with indices of effectiveness.
Teaching helping to adolescents with autism
Authors: Day‐Watkins Jessica , Murray Rachel , Connell James E
Published: August 2014

This study is a replication and extension of Reeve, Reeve, Townsend, and Poulson (2007) evaluating the effects of a treatment package that included multiple‐exemplar training, video modeling, prompting, and reinforcement on helping of 3 adolescents with autism. Results demonstrated that all participants acquired the helping responses. Probes before and after intervention also demonstrated generalization of helping across settings and categories of helping behavior.
Transcription Alteration of Immunologic Parameters and Histopathological Damage in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) Caused by Paraquat
Authors: Ma Junguo , Li Xiaoyu
Published: August 2014

The toxic effects of paraquat (PQ) on the transcription of immunoglobulin M (IgM), complement C3 (C3), and lysozyme (LYZ) and the histopathological alteration of the liver, kidney, and spleen of common carp were evaluated by subacute exposure to 1.596 or 3.192 mg/L of PQ for 7 days. The results demonstrated that PQ exposure altered the transcription of IgM, C3, and LYZ. For example, IgM and C3 expression was generally downregulated, but LYZ was either down‐ or upregulated, suggesting that PQ may disturb the function of the fish immune system. The results of the histopathological examination revealed that the liver, kidney, and spleen of PQ‐treated fish were injured. These injuries included cellular swelling, intracytoplasmic vacuolization, nucleus distortion, and pycnosis in the liver and spleen, and vacuolization of the renal parenchyma and intumescence of the renal tubule in the kidney. This finding indicates that PQ causes toxicity in common carp.
Rapamycin Plays a Neuroprotective Effect after Spinal Cord Injury via Anti‐Inflammatory Effects
Authors: Song Yu , Xue Hui , Liu Ting‐ting , Liu Jia‐mei , Chen Dong
Published: August 2014

Whether rapamycin has neuroprotective effects in spinal cord injury remains controversial. The present study shows that rapamycin protects neurons from death after spinal cord injury by inhibiting the secondary inflammatory response. The effects of rapamycin were tested using a myeloperoxidase assay, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The experimental results showed that after spinal cord injury, rapamycin reduced the numbers of activated microglia and neutrophils in the damage zone, lowered the expression levels of TNF‐α and IL‐1β, reduced the apoptotic cells, and increased the survival of neurons. The above data proved that rapamycin diminishes inflammatory cell activation and proliferation, downregulates the expression of inflammatory factors, reduces the microenvironmental damage effects on neurons in the acute injury phase, and thus promotes the survival of neurons. Therefore, we believe that rapamycin has neuroprotective effects in spinal cord injury.
A Note on the Construction of Orthogonal Latin Hypercube Designs
Authors: Dey Aloke , Sarkar Deepayan
Published: August 2014

Latin hypercube designs have been found very useful for designing computer experiments. In recent years, several methods of constructing orthogonal Latin hypercube designs have been proposed in the literature. In this article, we report some more results on the construction of orthogonal Latin hypercubes which result in several new designs.
Experimental and in silico investigation of population heterogeneity in continuous Sachharomyces cerevisiae scale‐down fermentation in a two‐compartment setup
Authors: Heins Anna‐Lena , Lencastre Fernandes Rita , Gernaey Krist V. , Lantz Anna Eliasson
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND

In large‐scale bioreactors, microbes often encounter fluctuating conditions of nutrient and oxygen supply, resulting in different microbial behavior at the different scales. The underlying reason is spatial heterogeneity, caused by limited mixing capabilities at production scale. Consequently, scale‐up of processes is challenging and there is a need for laboratory‐scale reactor setups that can mimic large‐scale conditions to enhance the understanding of how fluctuating environmental conditions affect microbial physiology.

RESULTS

A two‐compartment, scale‐down setup, consisting of two interconnected stirred tank reactors was used in combination with mathematical modeling, to mimic large‐scale continuous cultivations. One reactor represents the feeding zone with high glucose concentration and low oxygen, whereas the other one represents the remaining reactor volume. An earlier developed population balance model coupled to an unstructured model was used to describe the development of bulk concentrations and cell size distributions at varying dilution rate, glucose feed concentration as well as recirculation times between the two compartments. The concentration profiles of biomass and glucose were successfully validated experimentally. Single cell properties of two fluorescent reporter strains that were applied for deeper investigation of cell robustness characteristics and ethanol growth distributions were quantified compartment‐wise revealing differences in cell population distributions related to environmental conditions and also compared with the one‐compartment, conventional chemostat.

CONCLUSION

Results underline the utility for the proposed combined approach as well as the use of continuous scale‐down reactors for process investigations as insights concerning single‐cell characteristics of the process are revealed, which are normally hidden. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Purifying condensed water with ceramic ultrafiltration membranes
Authors: Zhong Zhaoxiang , Xu Fangsong , Cao Ying , Low Ze‐Xian , Zhang Feng , Xing Weihong
Published: August 2014

Background

High‐temperature condensed water has high recoverable value but it contains iron ions and oil, which need to be removed before use. Ceramic membranes with pore size between 4 and 50 nm were selected to purify the high‐temperature condensed water. The effects of operating parameters and membrane structure on the separation performance were investigated. Continuous concentration experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of volume concentration factor (VCF) on membrane permeability.

Results

The membrane exhibited high rejection of iron ions and oil. With increase of iron ions concentration, the permeate flux gradually decreased but the oil rejection increased. Oil concentration had no significant effect on the rejections of iron ions and oil. However, the permeate flux decreased with oil concentration owing to the formation of a thick fouling layer on the membrane surface. In the continuous concentration process, removal efficiencies of iron ion and oil were more than 99%, and the turbidity and oil concentration in permeate were less than 0.5 NTU and 0.5 mg L−1, respectively. The iron ion concentration in permeate was less than 0.3 mg L−1. These results meet the standards for boiler feedwater. Finally, the ceramic membrane was washed with 1 vol% HNO3 and then with 1 wt% NaOH. Pure water flux was recovered at >95%.

Conclusion

This study showed the feasibility of purifying high‐temperature condensed water using a ceramic ultrafiltration membrane. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of temporal resolution on 4D flow MRI in the portal circulation
Authors: Landgraf Benjamin R. , Johnson Kevin M. , Roldán‐Alzate Alejandro , Francois Christopher J. , Wieben Oliver , Reeder Scott B.
Published: August 2014

Purpose

To demonstrate the use of temporal averaging with radial 4D flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to reduce scan time for quantification and visualization of flow in the portal circulation. This study compared phase‐contrast MR angiography, 3D flow visualization, and flow quantification of portal venous hemodynamics of time‐averaged vs. time‐resolved reconstructions.

Materials and Methods

Time‐resolved 3D radial (“4D”) phase contrast data were acquired from 44 subjects (15 volunteers, 29 cirrhosis patients) at 3T. Images were reconstructed as a fully sampled time‐resolved reconstruction and multiple time‐averaged reconstructions using a variable number of acquired projections to simulate different scan times. Images from each reconstruction were evaluated to compare the quality of anatomical and hemodynamic visualization.

Results

Time‐averaged reconstructions outperformed time‐resolved reconstructions for flow quantification (3.9 ± 3.1% error vs. 5.2 ± 4.4% error), average streamline length (47 ± 7 mm vs. 34 ± 15 mm), and visualization quality (average grading = 3.7 ± 0.5 vs. 2.2 ± 0.9). In addition, excellent visualization quality was achieved using fewer acquired projections.

Conclusion

Reductions in scan time can be achieved through time‐averaging while still providing excellent visualization and quantification in the portal circulation. Scan time reduction of up to 70%–80% was possible for high‐quality assessment, translating into a reduction in scan time from 10–12 minutes to ∼3–4 minutes. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:819–826. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MRI appearances of ovarian serous borderline tumor: Pathological correlation
Authors: Zhao Shu Hui , Qiang Jin Wei , Zhang Guo Fu , Boyko Orest B. , Wang Shi Jia , Cai Song Qi , Wang Li
Published: August 2014

Purpose

To investigate the spectrum of MRI appearances of ovarian serous borderline tumor (SBT).

Materials and Methods

Following ethics approval, 31 patients with 51 histologically proven ovarian SBTs underwent preoperative MRI. Images were evaluated, by two observers for the location, shape, size, internal architecture, signal intensity, and extent or stage of the tumors. The MRI findings were correlated with pathological findings.

Results

Twenty of 31 patients (65%) demonstrated bilateral ovarian SBTs on MRI. Three MRI morphological patterns of ovarian SBT were identified: (i) Mainly cystic mass with multiple intracystic papillary projections from the wall and septations was observed in 24 (47%) tumors. (ii) Solid mass with hierarchical branching papillary and fibrous stalk architecture was observed in 8 (16%) tumors. The branching papillary projections were hyperintensity on T2WI, intermediate intense on DWI, and enhanced intensely after the administration of Gd‐DTPA. The internal branching fibrous stalks were hypointensity on T2WI and enhanced slightly. (iii) Mixed cystic‐solid mass was observed in 19 (37%) tumors. The cystic and solid components had the architecture and signal intensity similar to those of cystic and solid SBTs. Papillary projections were the common architecture of all three types of tumors.

Conclusion

On MRI, the ovarian SBT has some morphological distinguishing features. The solid papillary architecture with internal branching fibrous stalk is a somewhat more characteristic MRI appearance. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:151–156. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimization of pulsed electric field pre‐treatments to enhance health‐promoting glucosinolates in broccoli flowers and stalk
Authors: Aguiló‐Aguayo Ingrid , Suarez Manuel , Plaza Lucia , Hossain Mohammad B , Brunton Nigel , Lyng James G , Rai Dilip K
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND

The effect of pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment variables (electric field strength and treatment time) on the glucosinolate content of broccoli flowers and stalks was evaluated. Samples were subjected to electric field strengths from 1 to 4 kV cm−1 and treatment times from 50 to 1000 µs at 5 Hz.

RESULTS

Data fitted significantly (P < 0.0014) the proposed second‐order response functions. The results showed that PEF combined treatment conditions of 4 kV cm−1 for 525 and 1000 µs were optimal to maximize glucosinolate levels in broccoli flowers (ranging from 187.1 to 212.5%) and stalks (ranging from 110.6 to 203.0%) respectively. The predicted values from the developed quadratic polynomial equation were in close agreement with the actual experimental values, with low average mean deviations (E%) ranging from 0.59 to 8.80%.

CONCLUSION

The use of PEF processing at moderate conditions could be a suitable method to stimulate production of broccoli with high health‐promoting glucosinolate content. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Cross‐cultural acceptance of a traditional yoghurt‐like product made from fermented cereal
Authors: Akissoé Noël H , Sacca Carole , Declemy Anne‐Laure , Bechoff Aurelie , Anihouvi Victor B , Dalodé Générose , Pallet Dominique , Fliedel Géneviève , Mestres Christian , Hounhouigan Joseph D , Tomlins Keith I
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND

Akpan is a traditional ready‐to‐drink fermented yoghurt‐like cereal beverage consumed in urban and rural areas in Benin. With the aim of adapting the product to new local and export markets, this work maps African and European consumer preferences for different types of Akpan.

RESULTS

A sensory profile of Akpan was created and consumer tests were conducted with 103 consumers of African origin and 74 consumers of European origin. Consumer acceptance was significantly correlated with fermented odour (r = −0.94) and milky taste (r = 0.92–0.97) attributes. Cluster analysis revealed different behaviour by African and European consumers with respect to acceptability of Akpan; European consumers did not like the sour taste and African consumers liked an intense sweet milky taste.

CONCLUSION

This study provides information on how Akpan, and other fermented yoghurt‐type cereal products, could be adapted to African and European consumer preferences. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Development of new reference material neohesperidin for quality control of dietary supplements
Authors: Gong Ningbo , Zhang Baoxi , Yang Dezhi , Gao Zhaolin , Du Guanhua , Lu Yang
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND

Neohesperidin is an important natural flavanone glycoside distributed in several citrus species. This compound is widely used as a raw material for food additives in the food industry. The request for certified reference materials (CRMs) in dietary supplements was stipulated by the National Administrative Committee for CRMs and was underpinned by the need to improve the accuracy and comparability of measurement data and to establish metrological traceability of analytical results.

RESULTS

This paper reports the sample preparation methodology, homogeneity and stability studies, value assignment and uncertainty estimation of a new certified reference material of neohesperidin (GBW09522). Differential scanning calorimetry, coulometric titration and mass balance methods proved to be sufficiently reliable and accurate for certification purposes. The certified value of neohesperidin CRM is 994 g kg−1 with an expanded uncertainty of 4 g kg−1 (k = 2). The reference material described above was homogeneous and stable for 12 months at a storage temperature of 25 °C.

CONCLUSION

The new CRM of neohesperidin can be used to validate analytical methods and improve the accuracy of measurement data as well as quality control of neohesperidin‐related dietary supplements, foods, traditional herbs and pharmaceutical formulations. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Representation of Cruise: Cruisers and Noncruisers Cross Views
Authors: Lebrun Anne‐Marie
Published: August 2014

The article demonstrates the interest in using social representations as a tool of analysis in the representation of cruise for cruisers and noncruisers. The main objective of this study is to identify and to compare social representations of cruise for these groups. The article is based on a review of the social representation theory literature. Using multiapproach methods focused on organizing principles, the results indicate some resemblance and many differences between both representations. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed before the article concludes with limitations and directions for future research. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Poly(vinyl alcohol) Cryogel Formation Using Biocompatible Ice Nucleating Agents
Authors: Jiang Yanjiao , Hussain Hazrat , Kressler Joerg
Published: August 2014

To control the influence of supercooling on the preparation of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) cryogel, various biocompatible ice nucleating agents, including, two fatty alcohols, and eight different amino acids are investigated for their ice nucleating efficiency in PVA aqueous solutions. The L‐aspartic acid is found to be the most efficient ice nucleating agent with the ability to induce freezing at ∼−5.5 °C in 8.3 wt% aqueous PVA solution as compared to ∼−20 °C without L‐aspartic acid. The PVA cryogels are prepared with L‐aspartic acid as the heterogeneous ice nucleating agent and investigated for their rheological properties. Finally, it is found that freezing temperature close to the sol–gel transition temperature produces cryogel with the high tack important for various biomedical applications.
Approximation of Solutions of the Neumann Problem in Disintegrating Domains
Authors: Maz'Ya V. G. , Hänler M.
Published: August 2014

This article deals with approximation of solutions of the Neumann problem in domains, where small tubes are cut out. With an increasing number of tubes some kind of a porous layer inside the domain is approximated. Our aim is to find an asymptotic solution for the separated limit domains. We show that this asymptotics is described by a boundary value problem for the two limit domains, where the solutions for each domain are connected by the boundary conditions.
Expansion of Analytic Functions in Series of Floquet Solutions of First Order Differential Systems
Authors: Langer Heinz , Mennicken Reinhard , Möller Manfred
Published: August 2014

In this paper we study boundary eigenvalue problems for first order systems of ordinary differential equations of the form

\[zy'\left( z \right) = \left( {\lambda A_1 \left( z \right) + A_0 \left( z \right)} \right)y\left( z \right),\,\,y\left( {ze^{2\pi i} } \right) = e^{2\pi iv} y\left( z \right)\]

for z ϵ Slog, where S is a ring region around zero, Slog denotes the Riemann surface of the logarithm over S, the coefficient matrix functions A1(z) and A0(z) are holomorphic on S, and v is a complex number. The eigenfunctions of this eigenvalue problem are the Floquet solutions of the differential system with v as characteristic exponent. For an open subset S0 of S, the notion of A1‐convexity of the pair (S0, S) is introduced. For A1‐convex pairs (S0, S) it is shown that the expansion into eigenfunctions and associated functions of holomorphic functions on Slog, satisfying the monodromy condition y(ze2πi) = e2πivy(z), converges regularly on Slog0 and is unique. If S is a pointed neighbourhood of 0 and A1(z) is holomorphic in SU{0}, it is shown that there is a pointed neighbourhood S0 of 0 such that (S0, S) is A1‐convex.

It follows from the results of this paper that many expansions of analytic functions in terms of special functions can be considered as eigenfunction expansions of this kind.
Iwasawa's Theorem and Integrals on Lie Groups
Authors: Schindler Werner
Published: August 2014

In this paper it is proved that Iwasawa's decomposition transforms a certain class of measures on a Lie group H with finitely many components bijectively into a particular class of product measures. This can be applied to evaluate integrals as well as to construct effective algorithms for stochastic simulations on H. Cases of particular interest are the QR‐decomposition and the polar decomposition of regular matrices. Moreover, from the latter one can deduce simulation algorithms for specific unbounded Lebesgue densities on ℜn(n + 1)/2.
Über Reynoldsoperatoren und „Mittelwert bildende”︁ Operatoren auf halbeinfachen F‐Banachverbandsalgebren
Authors: Scheffold Egon
Published: August 2014

Actually, the immediate impetus for the development of the theory of l‐rings and f‐algebras, first worked out in [14] was the desire to clarify the theory of Reynolds operators, as formulated in [11].
Multi‐Responsive Polypeptidosome: Characterization, Morphology Transformation, and Triggered Drug Delivery
Authors: Liu Gang , Zhou Linzhu , Guan Yanfei , Su Yue , Dong Chang‐Ming
Published: August 2014

The biodegradable polymeric nanomedicines that may be integrated with multi‐stimuli‐sensitivity to achieve triggered or on‐demand drug release kinetics are challenging for polymer therapeutics and drug delivery systems. By controlling the structure transformation of one polypeptide‐b‐PEO copolymer, a novel multi‐responsive polypeptide‐based vesicle (polypeptidosome) presents the combined sensitivity of multiple physiological and clinic‐related stimuli, and both morphology and size of the polypeptidosome are changed during the triggered process. The designer polypeptide has unique structures composed of 1) light‐responsive o‐nitrobenzyl groups, 2) oxidizable thioether linkers, 3) photo‐caged redox thiol groups on parent poly(L‐cysteine), and 4) tunable conformation, which enable the polypeptidosome to have a peculiar multi‐response. The anticancer drug doxorubicin can be released in a controlled or on–off manner. The combination stimuli of UV irradiation and H2O2 oxidation induces a large effect and a lower IC50 of 3.80 μg doxorubicin (DOX) equiv/mL compared to 5.28 μg DOX equiv/mL of individual H2O2 trigger.

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Tumor‐Acidity Activated Surface Charge‐Conversion of Polymeric Nanocarriers for Enhanced Cell Adhesion and Targeted Drug Release
Authors: Wu Wei , Wang Jiantao , Lin Zaifu , Li Xiuhua , Li Jianshu
Published: August 2014

The development of stimuli‐responsive polymeric nanocarriers could significantly enhance drug bioavailability due to improved pharmacokinetics and biodistribution. However, in the drug delivery process, the poor cell uptake of drug‐loaded carriers has greatly limited the therapeutic efficiency for anti‐cancer applications. Herein, 2,3‐dimethylmaleic anhydride (DMMA) is engineered into the well‐defined biodegradable amphiphilic block copolymer poly(D,L‐lactide)‐block‐poly(2‐aminoethyl methacrylate) (PLA‐b‐PAEMA) to construct a tumor‐acidity activated nanocarrier (PLA‐b‐PAEMA/DMMA) for potential tumor therapy. After the loading of positively charged DOX·HCl into the negatively charged corona structure through electrostatic attraction, this carrier is expected to prolong the blood circulation time and smartly convert surface charge from negative to positive for enhanced tumor cell uptake and targeted drug release. Furthermore, this carrier exhibits additional cytotoxicity for tumor cells after the tumor‐acidity activated surface charge‐conversion from negative to positive. Thus, this smart carrier is a feasible candidate for potential cancer therapy.

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Microstructures and high temperature properties of spray formed niobium‐containing M3 high speed steel
Authors: Wang H. B. , Hou L. G. , Zhang J. X. , Lu L. , Cui H. , Huang J. F. , Zhang J. S.
Published: August 2014

The billets of M3 high speed steel (HSS) with or without niobium addition were prepared via spray forming and forging, and the corresponding microstructures, properties were characterized and analysed. Finer and uniformly‐distributed grains without macrosegregation appear in the as‐deposited high speed steel that are different to the as‐cast high speed steel, and the primary austenite grain size can be decreased with 2% niobium addition. Niobium appears in primary MC‐type carbides to form Nb6C5 in MN2 high speed steel, whereas it contributes less to the creation of eutectic M6C‐type carbides. With same treatments to forged MN2 high speed steel and M3 high speed steel, it is found that the peak hardness of these two steels are almost the same, but the temper‐softening resistance of the former is better. With higher high‐temperature hardness of the forged MN2 high speed steel, its temper softening above 600 °C tends to slow down, which is related to the precipitation of the secondary carbides after tempering. A satisfactory solid solubility of Vanadium and Molybdenum can be obtained by Nb substitution, precipitation strengthening induced by larger numbers of nano‐scaled MC and M2C secondary carbides accounts for the primary role of determining higher hardness of MN2 high speed steel. The results of the wear tests show that the abrasive and adhesive wear resistance of MN2 high speed steel can be improved by the grain refinement, existence of harder niobium‐containing MC carbides, as well as solute strengthening by more solute atoms. The oxidational wear behavior of MN2 high speed steel can be markedly influenced by the presence of the high hardness and stabilization of primary niobium‐containing MC‐type carbides embedded in the matrix tested at 500 °C or increased loads. The primary MC carbides with much finer sizes and uniform distribution induced by the combined effects of niobium addition and atomization/deposition would be greatly responsible for the good friction performance of the forged MN2 high speed steel.
Signal moments for the short‐time Fourier transform associated with Hardy–Sobolev derivatives
Authors: Liu M. , Kou K.I. , Morais J. , Dang P.
Published: August 2014

The short‐time Fourier transform has been shown to be a powerful tool for non‐stationary signals and time‐varying systems. This paper investigates the signal moments in the Hardy–Sobolev space that do not usually have classical derivatives. That is, signal moments become valid for non‐smooth signals if we replace the classical derivatives by the Hardy–Sobolev derivatives. Our work is based on the extension of Cohen's contributions to the local and global behaviors of the signal. The relationship of the moments and spreads of the signal in the time, frequency and short‐time Fourier domain are established in the Hardy–Sobolev space. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An X‐FEM‐based numerical–asymptotic expansion for simulating a Stokes flow near a sharp corner
Authors: Foucard Louis C. , Vernerey Franck J.
Published: August 2014

A numerical technique that is based on the integration of the asymptotic solution in the numerical framework for computing the local singular behavior of Stokes flow near a sharp corner is presented. Moffat's asymptotic solution is used, and special enriched shape functions are developed and integrated in the extended finite element method (X‐FEM) framework to solve the Navier–Stokes equations. The no‐slip boundary condition on the walls of the corner is enforced via the use of Lagrange multipliers. Flows around corners with different angles are simulated, and the results are compared with both those of the known analytic solution and the X‐FEM with no special enrichment near the corner. The results of the present technique are shown to greatly reduce the error made in computing the pressure and velocity fields near a corner tip without the need for mesh refinement near the corner. The method is then applied to the estimation of the permeability of a network of fibers, where it is shown that the local small‐scale pressure singularities have a large impact on the large‐scale network permeability. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differential expression of stem cell markers and ABCG2 in recurrent prostate cancer
Authors: Guzel Esra , Karatas Omer F. , Duz Mehmet B. , Solak Mustafa , Ittmann Michael , Ozen Mustafa
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common tumor type related to mortality in males in the developed countries. Studies have demonstrated that therapeutic tools mostly ineffective to give positive outcome especially for PCa. Cancer stem cells are composed of a small cell population, which are supposed to have roles in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and tumor recurrence after chemo‐radiotherapy. The aim of this research is to investigate expressions of stem cell markers in recurrent PCa and non‐recurrent PCa tumors as well as in adjacent normal prostate tissues.

METHODS

We compared the expression of important stemness regulators like SOX2, OCT4, KLF4, and ABCG2 in recurrent, non‐recurrent PCa and adjacent normal tissue samples using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR).

RESULTS

Our results demonstrated that SOX2 and OCT4 are strongly overexpressed in PCa samples. Recurrent PCa samples are markedly positive for stem cell markers SOX2, OCT4, and KLF4. Furthermore, non‐recurrent PCa samples presented low levels of ABCG2, a multidrug resistance protein, compared to both normal and recurrent samples, which might be associated with chemo‐sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

Enhanced expression of ABCG2 and stem cell markers including SOX2, OCT4, and KLF4 in the recurrent PCa tissues postulates the suggestion that enrichment for cells with stem cell characteristics in these tissues might be playing a critical role for chemoresistance and recurrence of cancer. Prostate 74:1498–1505, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ERG and CHD1 heterogeneity in prostate cancer: Use of confocal microscopy in assessment of microscopic foci
Authors: Tereshchenko Irina V. , Zhong Hua , Chekmareva Marina A. , Kane‐Goldsmith Noriko , Santanam Urmila , Petrosky Whitney , Stein Mark N. , Ganesan Shridar , Singer Eric A. , Moore Dirk , Tischfield Jay A. , DiPaola Robert S.
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND

Biomarkers predicting tumor response are important to emerging targeted therapeutics. Complimentary methods to assess and understand genetic changes and heterogeneity within only few cancer cells in tissue will be a valuable addition for assessment of tumors such as prostate cancer that often have insufficient tumor for next generation sequencing in a single biopsy core.

METHODS

Using confocal microscopy to identify cell‐to‐cell relationships in situ, we studied the most common gene rearrangement in prostate cancer (TMPRSS2 and ERG) and the tumor suppressor CHD1 in 56 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy.

RESULTS

Wild type ERG was found in 22 of 56 patients; ERG copy number was increased in 10/56, and ERG rearrangements confirmed in 24/56 patients. In 24 patients with ERG rearrangements, the mechanisms of rearrangement were heterogeneous, with deletion in 14/24, a split event in 7/24, and both deletions and split events in the same tumor focus in 3/24 patients. Overall, 14/45 (31.1%) of patients had CHD1 deletion, with the majority of patients with CHD1 deletions (13/14) correlating with ERG‐rearrangement negative status (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate the ability of confocal microscopy and FISH to identify the cell‐to‐cell differences in common gene fusions such as TMPRSS2–ERG that may arise independently within the same tumor focus. These data support the need to study complimentary approaches to assess genetic changes that may stratify therapy based on predicted sensitivities. Prostate 74:1551–1559, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of carbon nanotube forest growth using AlSi, TiSiN, and TiN as conductive catalyst supports
Authors: Yang Junwei , Esconjauregui Santiago , Sugime Hisashi , Makaryan Taron , Hallam Toby , Duesberg Georg S. , Robertson John
Published: August 2014

We evaluate carbon nanotube growth by employing AlSi, TiSiN and TiN as conductive catalyst supports. Using a wide range of chemical vapour deposition conditions, we find that only AlSi and TiSiN yield homogeneously‐sized nanoparticles, which are stable throughout both catalyst preparation and nanotube synthesis processes. This favours the growth of forests with area densities of the order of 1012 nanotubes cm−2. TiN, in contrast, yield lower density forests in a very narrow window process. The forests and the three screened catalyst supports show ohmic conductivity. TiSiN, however, is the only conductor that leads to the very robust growth process. This suggests TiSiN is useful for applications requiring forest growth on conductors and thus warrants further assessment for reducing nanotube diameter and improving area density of the forests.
Classical Statistical Inference Extended to Truncated Populations for Continuous Process Improvement: Test Statistics, P‐values, and Confidence Intervals
Authors: Cha Jinho , Cho Byung Rae
Published: August 2014

Statistical hypothesis testing is useful for controlling and improving processes, products, and services. This most fundamental, yet powerful, continuous improvement tool has a wide range of applications in quality and reliability engineering. Some application areas include statistical process control, process capability analysis, design of experiments, life testing, and reliability analysis. It is well‐known that most parametric hypothesis tests on a population mean, such as z‐test and t‐test, require a random sample from the population under study. However, there are special situations in engineering, where the specification limits, such as the lower and upper specification limits, on the process are implemented externally, and the product is typically reworked or scrapped if the performance of a product does not fall in the range. As such, a random sample needs to be taken from a truncated distribution; however, there has been little work on the theoretical foundation of statistical hypothesis procedures under this special situation. The objective of this paper is twofold. First, we provide the mathematical justifications that the central limit theorem works quite well for a large sample size, given samples taken from a truncated distribution. We also verify this finding using simulation. Second, we then develop the new one‐sided and two‐sided z‐test and t‐test procedures, including their test statistics, confidence intervals, and P‐values, using appropriate truncated statistics. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Atomic Defects in Titanium Dioxide
Authors: Minato Taketoshi
Published: August 2014

The functionality of solid materials is defined by the type and ordering of the constituent atoms. By introducing defects that perturb the ordered structure, new functionality is created within the solid material. Atomic defects in titanium dioxide, such as oxygen vacancies, atomic hydrogen, and interstitial Ti, typically create new functionality. However, the fundamental physical properties of atomic defects in TiO2 are not fully understood and still remain controversial. In this account, the progress and issues for debate regarding the physical properties, electronic structure, and manipulation mechanisms of atomic defects in TiO2 as well as their interaction with gold nanoclusters are described.
Interfacial Structure of Soft Matter Probed by SFG Spectroscopy
Authors: Ye Shen , Tong Yujin , Ge Aimin , Qiao Lin , Davies Paul B.
Published: August 2014

Sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy, an interface‐specific technique in contrast to, for example, attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy, which is only interface sensitive, has been employed to investigate the surface and interface structure of soft matter on a molecular scale. The experimental arrangement required to carry out SFG spectroscopy, with particular reference to soft matter, and the analytical methods developed to interpret the spectra are described. The elucidation of the interfacial structure of soft matter systems is an essential prerequisite in order to understand and eventually control the surface properties of these important functional materials.
Development and evolution of the pharyngeal apparatus
Authors: Frisdal Aude , Trainor Paul A.
Published: August 2014

The oral or pharyngeal apparatus facilitates the dual functions of respiration and feeding. It develops during embryogenesis from transient structures called pharyngeal arches (PAs), which comprise a reiterated series of outgrowths on the lateral side of the head. The PAs and their segmental arrangement are highly conserved throughout evolution from invertebrate chordates such as amphioxus, through to vertebrate agnathans including avians, squamates, and mammals. The structural organization of the PAs is also highly conserved and involves contributions from each of the three primary endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm germ layers. The endoderm is particularly important for PA formation and segmentation and also plays a critical role in tissue‐specific differentiation. The ectoderm gives rise to neural crest cells (NCC) which provide an additional layer of complexity to PA development and differentiation in vertebrates compared to invertebrate chordates that do not possess NCC. Collectively, the PAs give rise to much of the neurovasculature and musculoskeletal systems in the head and neck. The complexity of development renders the pharyngeal apparatus prone to perturbation and subsequently the pathogenesis of birth defects. Hence it is important to understand the signals and mechanisms that govern the development and evolution of the pharyngeal complex. WIREs Dev Biol 2014, 3:403–418. doi: 10.1002/wdev.147

This article is categorized under:

Early Embryonic Development > Development to the Basic Body Plan

Vertebrate Organogenesis > Musculoskeletal and Vascular

Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: Regional Development