bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cracking Response of a Concrete Wall to Cryogenic Temperature
Authors: Dahmani Lahlou , Hammar Rabah , Mechiche Mohamed Oussalem
Published: July 2015

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) has the cryogenic temperature of –160°C to ensure the minimum storage volume when stored in LNG containers. Among various types of LNG storage containers, the full containment above-ground type with a double safety system (outer concrete tank and inner steel tank) is very common. Normally, the inner tank contains LNG, but when the LNG leaks from the inner tank, the outer concrete tank comes into contact with LNG. Under this accidental case, it is indispensable for the outer wall to keep the liquid tightness in order to safely contain the LNG before taking any countermeasure. It is, therefore, proposed to take up a heat conduction problem using the finite element method with the ANSYS software to obtain temperature distribution data of a concrete wall at cryogenic temperatures.
Analysis of the State of Stress in the Hull of the Ship Kormoran II Loaded with Non-Contact Mine Explosion
Authors: Szturomski Bogdan , Grządziela Andrzej , Kiciński Radosław
Published: July 2015

In this paper an analysis of the stress state of the hull of the ship Kormoran II loaded by non-contact mine explosion were performed. An empirical description of the pressure wave from the non-contact TNT explosion loads reported by authors such as RH Cole T. L. Geers and K.S. Hunter was used. The way of modeling the pressure wave using the acoustic medium implemented CAE programs was shown. The paper presents the results of pressure distribution on the hull of the ship Kormoran II at selected time points from TNT explosion under the keel of the ship. The paper presents detailed results of the stress state in the selected nodes, for example on the frame of main motor construction.
Simulation Studies of the Effect of Shaft's Nonlinear Flexural Stiffness Parameters for Critical States of Rotating Power Transmission Systems
Authors: Matyja Tomasz , Łazarz Bogusław
Published: July 2015

The paper presents simulation studies, performed using Simulink, the impact of nonlinear flexural stiffness of shafts for critical speed range and amplitude of vibration. The tests were performed on the selected model of a rotating machine, consisting of a drive, two torsional vibration dampers, shaft with mounted on it two rigid rotors (discs), supported on a three self-aligning roller bearings and mechanical power receiver (brake). The machine startup and braking with crossing the critical states was simulated using specialized Simulink library, which was developed by authors for analysis of transient states in rotating machines and flexural-torsional couplings. In accordance with the concept of modeling adopted by the authors, rotating system is divided into inertial rigid elements (rotors, bearings, clutches, etc..) and compliance elements (parts of the shaft). The main component of the currently developed library is block modeling rigid rotor with 6 degrees of freedom and with the static and dynamic unbalance. By assumption the library is a modular, expandable and allows modeling the systems of any configuration. The goal of the simulation was to verify how nonlinear flexural stiffness of shaft influences the values of critical speeds and the level of flexural and torsional vibrations.
»BOJ ZA ZNANJE BO V 21. STOLETJU HUJŠI, KOT JE BIL NEKOČ BOJ ZA OZEMLJA« Umrl je profesor Dušan Savićević
Authors: Jelenc Zoran
Published: July 2015

Slab mesec dni pred 88. rojstnim dnevom (rojen je bil 1. julija 1926) je v Beogradu umrl profesor Dušan Savićević. Ker je bilo njegovo življenje in delo pomembno povezano z razvojem izobraževanja odraslih in andragogike tudi v Sloveniji, je prav, da se ga ob njegovi smrti spomnimo in ga spet predstavimo bralcem Andragoških spoznanj
Izobraževanje in usposabljanje starejših delavcev – mednarodna primerjava
Authors: Jelenc Krašovec Sabina
Published: July 2015

V prispevku najprej analiziramo vlogo in pomen izobraževanja in usposabljanja starejših delavcev z vidika učinkov na delovnem mestu. Učinki oz. vplivi izobraževanja in usposabljanja (starejših) delavcev se kažejo na različnih ravneh pojavnosti, in sicer kot znanje, spretnosti, vrednote, vedenje posameznikov, po drugi strani pa se učinki kažejo tudi na organizacijski ravni. V prispevku analiziramo podatke raziskave PIAAC, pri čemer izhajamo iz teze, da so starejši delavci v primerjavi z mlajšimi diskriminirani pri dostopu do izobraževanja in usposabljanja, povezanega z zaposlitvijo oz. delom. Ugotovitve analize predpostavke potrjujejo.
Kronika Ljubljanske filharmonične družbe 1899/1907
Authors: Kuret Primož
Published: July 2015

Članek prinaša doslej še neobjavljeno Kroniko ljubljanske Filharmonične družbe v času od leta 1900 do 1907, ki jo je pisal takratni predsednik družbe Josef Hauffen in osvetljuje delo FD, njene odnose z Glasbeno matico, Kranjsko hranilnico in Pevskim društvom nemškega telovadnega društva. V njej se zrcalijo tudi včasih ostra nacionalna nasprotja tega časa med Slovenci in Nemci.
Pavel Haas: “Janáček’s Most Talented Student”
Authors: Spurný Lubomír
Published: July 2015

In  the  course  of  the  1920s  and  30s  Pavel  Haas (1899–1944) earned a reputation for himself in broader cultural consciousness as an original composer and Janáček’s “most talented student”. In the specific context of Czech music he likewise has the reputation of an innovator but is considered to have been strongly rooted in tradition as well.
The Taxing Power Of The Federal Government And The General Welfare: What Are The Limits In The Wake Of NFIB V. Sebelius?
Authors: Klock Mark
Published: July 2015

The Affordable Care Act seeks to remedy the problem of information asymmetry in the health insurance market by mandating that everyone obtain health insurance or pay a penalty, and by requiring the States to expand Medicaid or lose existing federal funds. In NFIB v. Sebelius, Chief Justice Roberts held that Congress’ power to regulate under the Commerce Clause could not justify the Individual Mandate to purchase insurance, but that the penalty could be construed as a tax and upheld under the taxing power. Chief Justice Roberts also held the Medicaid Expansion to be an unconstitutional use of spending power, but determined that the Medicaid Expansion could remain with the States having the option to keep existing funding and not expand or expand and take the incremental funding. Eight Justices disagreed with the Chief Justice on the Individual Mandate, and six Justices disagreed with the Chief Justice on the Medicaid Expansion. This creates a paradox in that a supermajority of the Court believes the case was wrongly decided on both main questions. More distressing is the scant analysis given in all of the opinions to the constitutional constraints on taxes.
Quantitative analysis of forest fire extinction efficiency
Authors: Castillo Soto Miguel E. , Rodriguez y Silva Francisco
Published: July 2015

Aim of study: Evaluate the economic extinction efficiency of forest fires, based on the study of fire combat undertaken by aerial and terrestrial means.Area of study, materials and methods: Approximately 112,000 hectares in Chile.   Records of 5,876 forest fires that occurred between 1998 and 2009 were analyzed. The area further provides a validation sector for results, by incorporating databases for the years 2010 and 2012. The criteria used for measuring extinction efficiency were economic value of forestry resources,  Contraction Factor analysis and definition of the extinction costs function.Main results: It is possible to establish a relationship between burnt area, extinction costs and economic losses. The method proposed may be used and adapted to other fire situations, requiring unit costs for aerial and terrestrial operations, economic value of the property to be protected and speed attributes of fire spread in free advance.Research highlights: The determination of extinction efficiency in containment works of forest fires and potential projection of losses, different types of plant fuel and local conditions favoring the spread of fire broaden the admissible ranges of a, φ and Ce considerably.Keywords: Forest fire; Combat efficiency; Productivity analysis.Abbreviations: FCS; Superficial Contraction Factor.
Effects of gap size, gap age, and bamboo Fargesia denudata on Abies faxoniana recruitment in South-western China
Authors: Kang Wen , Tian Cheng , Kang Dongwei , Wang Mengjun , Li Yunxi , Wang Xiaorong , Li Junqing
Published: July 2015

Aim of study: to study the effects of gap size, gap age and bamboo Fargesia denudata on natural regeneration of Abies faxoniana, both of which are the ubiquitous dominants in our research area.Area of study: subalpine coniferous forests in Wanglang Natural Reserve in Southwestern China.Material and Methods: 10 transect belts were randomly established, and a total of 97 gaps were recorded and used.Main results: (1) the number of bamboos with coverage of <17% significantly increased with increases of gap size and age, but the latter had little influence on the numbers of F. denudata with coverage of >17%. (2) F. denudata strongly inhibited A. faxoniana seedlings and saplings in small, young and old gaps, where the amount of A. faxoniana recruitment was relatively abundant, than in other types of gap. (3) The numbers of A. faxoniana seedlings in A-gaps, significantly decreased with the increases in gap size. However, in gaps where F. denudate was also present, A. faxoniana seedlings and saplings were insensitive to gap size or age. Research highlights: thick F. denudata would not be influenced by gap size or age. Because of the low occurrences of A. faxoniana seedlings and saplings, the negative effect of gap size, gap age and F. denudata on A. faxoniana recruitment was unclear.Key words: Abies faxoniana; Fargesia denudata; gap age; gap size; regeneration.
Comparison of methods for estimating heights from complete stem analysis data for Pinus taeda.
Authors: Machado Sebastião do Amaral , Silva Luis César Rodrigues da , Figura Marco Aurélio , Téo Saulo Jorge , Nascimento Rodrigo Geroni Mendes
Published: July 2015

The objective of this research was to compare actual heights at known ages with those estimated by the methods proposed by Graves (1906), Carmean (1972), Lenhart (1972), Newberry (1978), and the Ratio and Graphic methods, in order to identify the most accurate one for Pinus taeda from Southern Brazil. That way, six trees aged at least 11 years were used. Cross-sections with 5 cm thickness were collected at heights of 0.10 meters, 0.70 meters, 1.30 meters and so on at every 1 meter along the bole. True height growth for a given age was measured on the section itself by dividing it in two parts along the pith and looking for the exact point where the true annual height growth took place. The accuracy analyses were based on residuals between true heights and those estimated by the tested methods for each age. For this analysis, the relative mean deviation (D%), relative mean absolute deviation (AbsD%), standard deviation of differences (Sd) and sum of squared relative residuals (SSRR) were calculated. These 4 statistics evaluated together, allowed for the identification of the most accurate method for every age. Complementarily, the non paired t0.05 test for data was applied to evaluate whether the residuals from each method were significant or not. The results of the analysis indicated that Carmean (1972) and Lenhart (1972) were identical owing to the fact that they estimated the same height value for sections where there was only one growth ring finishing in the same section. This situation occurred for most of the results in this current study. It was concluded that Carmean (1972) and Lenhart (1972) were the best methods for estimating height growth because both produced non-significant residuals for the majority of the trees studied.
Crescimento inicial de espécies florestais na recomposição da mata ciliar em taludes submetidos à técnica da bioengenharia de solos.
Authors: Holanda Francisco Sandro Rodrigues , Gomes Luciana Godinho Nery , Rocha Igor Pinheiro da , Santos Thiago Tavares , Araújo Filho Renisson Neponuceno de , Vieira Thiago Roberto Soares , Mesquita João Basílio
Published: July 2015

A Bacia Hidrográfica do rio São Francisco, vem sendo submetida a fortes impactos ambientais por meio de alterações do regime hidrológico e sedimentológico, além de avançada destruição da sua mata ciliar. A vegetação ciliar possui importante função na proteção das margens dos rios promovida pela cobertura vegetal e seu sistema radicular, melhorando a agregação de um solo pouco coeso, diminuindo o arraste de partículas e, consequentemente resultando em menor taxa de erosão e assoreamento do curso d'água. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o crescimento inicial de espécies florestais em talude marginal submetido à técnica de bioengenharia de solos no rio São Francisco. A bioengenharia de solos foi composta pela cobertura longitudinal do talude com o biotêxtil (Tela Fibrax® 400BF), e em razão das variações diárias de cota do rio foram também utilizados retentores de sedimentos (Bemalonga® D40) para redução ao impacto da água na base do talude, evitando o solapamento promovido pelo fluxo e refluxo das ondas. Antes da fixação do biotêxtil, foram semeadas a lanço sementes da espécie Brachiaria decumbens para promoção de uma rápida cobertura vegetal. Em seguida foram plantadas mudas de seis espécies florestais nativas da região: aroeira vermelha (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi.), pau-pombo (Tapirira guianensis Aubl.), mulungu (Erythrina velutina Willd.), tamboril (Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vellozo) Morong), canafístula (Cassia grandis L.f.) e pau-ferro (Caesalpinia leiostachya (Bentham) Ducke). O desenvolvimento das mudas foi analisado por meio da Taxa de Crescimento Relativo de Altura da parte aérea e Diâmetro do colo. Após 360 dias, ao final das avaliações, observou-se que o maior número de indivíduos vivos foi identificado no tratamento com bioengenharia de solos. A grande densidade e agressivo crescimento da espécie Brachiaria decumbens na área com biotêxtil, trouxe danos para o desenvolvimento inicial das mudas arbóreas.
Resgate vegetativo por alporquia de genótipos adultos de urucum (Bixa orellana L.)
Authors: Mantovani Nilton César , Grando Magali Ferrari , Xavier Aloisio , Otoni Wagner Campos
Published: July 2015

Este trabalho teve por objetivos avaliar a técnica de alporquia visando ao resgate vegetativo de genótipos de urucum (Bixa orellana L.) e a obtenção de plantas fornecedoras de propágulos para processos de propagação clonal. Foram utilizadas dez plantas matrizes de urucum, com 12 anos de idade, obtidas partindo do cruzamento artificial entre os genótipos "Fruto Verde Piloso" X "Fruto Vermelho Liso". Os alporques foram realizados em ramos de 1 a 2 cm de diâmetro, utilizando-se como substrato uma mistura de vermiculita e musgo. Foi avaliado o efeito (1) do tipo de anelamento da casca dos ramos (total ou parcial), com 1 cm de comprimento, (2) do AIB (ácido indol-3-butírico a 0 e 4,92 mM) aplicado em papel filtro e (3) do tipo de proteção dos alporques (filmes plásticos transparente ou preto ou tecido tencel), no enraizamento de alporque dos dez genótipos. A técnica de alporquia proporcionou o enraizamento de ramos dos dez genótipos avaliados, com eficiência variável de 20 a 100%, havendo efeito do genótipo sobre a frequência de enraizamento. A sobrevivência desses alporques foi de 100% após o plantio quando estes foram produzidos com anelamento total, tratados com AIB e protegidos com plástico transparente. Em casa de vegetação os alporques desenvolveram ramos partindo da brotação de gemas caulinares constituindo estoques de explantes apropriados para serem utilizados como estacas ou como fontes de segmentos nodais para a propagação in vitro desta espécie.
Aporte e decomposição da serapilheira e produção de biomassa radicular em florestas com diferentes estágios sucessionais em Pinheiral, RJ
Authors: Menezes Carlos Eduardo Gabriel , Pereira Marcos Gervasio , Correia Maria Elizabeth Fernandes , Anjos Lúcia Helena Cunha dos , Paula Ranieri Ribeiro , Souza Manuel Euzébio de
Published: July 2015

Este estudo objetivou avaliar a deposição e decomposição da serapilheira e a produção de biomassa radicular de três fragmentos florestais em diferentes estágios sucessionais (avançado, médio e inicial) localizados no município de Pinheiral, RJ. Para interceptação da serapilheira instalaram-se em cada fragmento, dez coletores cônicos. Avaliou-se a biomassa radicular em dois períodos (chuvoso e seco), amostrando-se pelo método do monólito, em 0-10, 10-20 e 20-30 cm e dez repetições por profundidade. Não ocorreram diferenças na deposição de serapilheira entre as áreas, mas apenas uma tendência de aumento com a evolução sucessional. Não foram verificadas variações temporais de serapilheira entre as áreas mais jovens, inicial e médio no decorrer do ano, com tendência de aumento nos meses de julho e agosto. Em estágio avançado, o aporte da serapilheira pôde ser agrupado em dois períodos: "fevereiro a julho", menores valores e "agosto a janeiro", maiores valores. A deposição das frações folhas e material reprodutivo diminuíram, enquanto ramos e outros aumentaram com o avançar sucessional. A decomposição da serapilheira mostrou em estágio sucessional médio a menor constante k (0,0038 g.g-1.dia-1) e maior tempo de meia vida (182 dias), seguida por inicial (0,044 g.g-1.dia-1 e 154 dias) e avançado (0,0064 g.g-1.dia-1 e 108 dias). A biomassa radicular nas diferentes áreas e profundidades, no período seco e chuvoso, apresentou maiores valores em estágio avançado, intermediários em médio e menores em inicial. As diferenças sazonais da biomassa radicular ocorreram sobretudo em estágio médio, com maiores valores na coleta de junho.
Volumetria e sobrevivência de espécies nativas e exóticas no polo gesseiro do Araripe, PE
Authors: Barros Bruno Coelho de , Silva José Antônio Aleixo da , Ferreira Rinaldo Luiz Caraciolo , Rebouças Ana Clara Moura Neves
Published: July 2015

Nos setores industriais e comerciais da região do Araripe, em Pernambuco, a utilização de combustíveis lenhosos está dirigida aos processos de desidratação da gipsita e produção de gesso em suas diferentes tecnologias. Dessa forma, o presente estudo teve como objetivo buscar opções para suprir a demanda por lenha no Polo Gesseiro do Araripe pernambucano, por meio da implantação de povoamentos florestais com espécies nativas e exóticas. O experimento foi instalado na Estação Experimental do Instituto Agrônomico de Pernambuco (IPA), utilizando nove espécies, entre nativas e exóticas: (Imburana - Amburana cearense (Allemão) A.C. Sm.; Angico - Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan var. cebil (Griseb.) Altschul; Jurema - Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir.; Sabiá - Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth.; Acácia - Senna siamea (Lam.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby; Leucena - Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) R. de Wit.; Algaroba - Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) D.C.; Ipês - Tabebuia sp.1 e Tabebuia sp.2), em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com diferentes números de repetições. Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: volume em metro cúbico (m³) e sobrevivência. Com relação ao volume em metro cúbico, o Sabiá teve a melhor produtividade. O Sabiá e a Jurema foram as espécies mais pesadas. E em relação à sobrevivência, Ipê 2 e Imburana tiveram as maiores mortalidades. Desta forma, o Sabiá e a Jurema são as espécies mais indicadas para a produção de lenha em plantios comerciais homogêneos na Chapada do Araripe em Pernambuco.
Crescimento em diâmetro de Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze em função da idade, em três regiões do Rio Grande do Sul.
Authors: Hess André Felipe , Schneider Paulo Renato , Finger César Augusto Guimarães
Published: July 2015

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar o crescimento em diâmetro em função da idade, de povoamentos naturais de Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze, nas regiões fitogeográficas do Planalto Médio, Encosta Superior do Nordeste e Serra do Sudeste do Rio Grande do Sul. Para isso, utilizou-se a equação de crescimento de Backman, que se mostrou eficiente com aplicação de variáveis dummy, permitindo identificar diferenças no crescimento para as regiões estudadas, havendo a necessidade de equações separadas para cada local, o que permitiu minimizar os erros de estimativas. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que, em cada região, a espécie apresentou forma e crescimento diamétrico diferenciado. Na Serra do Sudeste, o incremento médio anual em diâmetro foi de 0,96 cm/ano aos 33 anos; no Planalto Médio, de 0,95 cm/ano aos 22 anos; e, na Encosta Superior do Nordeste, de 1,04 cm/ano aos 20 anos de idade, indicando um bom potencial de crescimento médio.
Co-Creation as a Twenty-First Century Archaeology Museum Practice
Authors: Connolly Robert
Published: July 2015

This paper evaluates attempts over the past seven years to address two archaeological challenges at the C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa. The first challenge was the proper curation of 50 years of accumulated collections from a wide array of sources by a staff one-third the size of when the collections were acquired. Second, the Museum faced the challenge of becoming a viable and socially relevant public institution in the twenty-first century. Ultimately, the C.H. Nash Museum embraced a co-creative approach to face the challenges. Co-creative processes resulted in a renewed and expanded base for public engagement, allowing the Museum to maximize the potential for preservation, research accessibility, and the exhibition of cultural materials curated at the institution.
Using Simulation-Based Medical Education to Meet the Competency Requirements for the Single Accreditation System
Authors: Riley Bernadette
Published: July 2015

Simulation-based medical education can provide medical training in a nonjudgmental, patient-safe, and effective environment. Although simulation has been a relatively new addition to medical education, the aeronautical, judicial, and military fields have used simulation training for hundreds of years, with positive outcomes. Simulation-based medical education can be used in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, medical schools, and simulation training centers. As the author describes in the present article, residencies currently accredited by the American Osteopathic Association can use a simulation-based medical education curriculum to meet training requirements of the 6 competencies identified by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. The author also provides specific guidance on providing training and assessment in the professionalism competency.
Role Modeling in the First 2 Years of Medical School
Authors: Obadia Sharon J.
Published: July 2015

Role modeling opportunities for osteopathic physician teachers during a student’s first 2 years of medical school are emerging as more colleges of osteopathic medicine strive to connect basic science didactics with clinically based learning activities. Examples of positive modeling by physician teachers during the first years of medical school are illustrated by 10 vignettes that can be incorporated into faculty development programs to increase awareness of such opportunities. The physician teacher in each vignette interacts with the student demonstrating desired professional behaviors. These vignettes also illustrate the effect of a positive “hidden curriculum” on a student’s professional development. By recognizing these valuable teachable moments, teachers can incorporate role modeling into their daily practice.
Directly Coating Hydrogel on Filter Paper for Effective Oil–Water Separation in Highly Acidic, Alkaline, and Salty Environment
Authors: Fan Jun‐Bing , Song Yongyang , Wang Shutao , Meng Jingxin , Yang Gao , Guo Xinglin , Feng Lin , Jiang Lei
Published: July 2015

The separation of oil–water mixtures in highly acidic, alkaline, and salty environment remains a great challenge. Simple, low‐cost, efficient, eco‐friendly, and easily scale‐up processes for the fabrication of novel materials to effective oil–water separation in highly acidic, alkaline, and salty environment, are urgently desired. Here, a facile approach is reported for the fabrication of stable hydrogel‐coated filter paper which not only can separate oil–water mixture in highly acidic, alkaline, and salty environment, but also separate surfactant‐stabilized emulsion. The hydrogel‐coated filter paper is fabricated by smartly crosslinking filter paper with hydrophilic polyvinyl alcohol through a simple aldol condensation reaction with glutaraldehyde as a crosslinker. The resultant multiple crosslinked networks enable the hydrogel‐coated filter paper to tolerate high acid, alkali, and salt up to 8 m H2SO4, 10 m NaOH, and saturated NaCl. It is shown that the hydrogel‐coated filter paper can separate oil–water mixtures in highly acidic, alkaline, and salty environment and oil‐in‐water emulsion environment, with high separation efficiency (>99%).
Measured Output Voltages of Piezoelectric Devices Depend on the Resistance of Voltmeter
Authors: Su Yewang , Dagdeviren Canan , Li Rui
Published: July 2015

Piezoelectric mechanical energy harvester (MEH) has been developed as an important emerging variant of piezoelectric devices. Experiments in the literature show that the voltage–time curves of piezoelectric devices encompass both positive and negative characteristics even though the strain in the piezoelectric material is always positive during the applied cycling load. This does not agree with the results predicted by the piezoelectric theory of open circuit. Here, both the experiments and theory are performed to understand this important problem. A zirconate titanate (PZT) MEH is fabricated and the output voltages are recorded with three voltmeters. It is found that the measured voltages depend on the resistance of voltmeter. The peak value of voltage increases with the increase of the resistance of voltmeter, which is contrary to the established knowledge that the measurement results are independent of the instruments used. A theoretical model considering the voltmeter with finite resistance is established. The charge is allowed to go through the voltmeter and switch the directions during increasing and releasing of strain. The results by this model agree well with those from the experiments. The findings suggest that the resistance of voltmeter should be reported for voltage measurement of the piezoelectric devices.
Outcomes of primary refractory multiple myeloma and the impact of novel therapies
Authors: Majithia Neil , Vincent Rajkumar S. , Lacy Martha Q. , Buadi Francis K. , Dispenzieri Angela , Gertz Morie A. , Hayman Suzanne R. , Dingli David , Kapoor Prashant , Hwa Lisa , Lust John A. , Russell Stephen J. , Go Ronald S. , Kyle Robert A. , Kumar Shaji K.
Published: July 2015

Over the past decade, use of novel agents, including immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) and proteasome inhibitors (PIs) has resulted in high response rates and improvement in overall survival (OS) for patients with multiple myeloma (MM); however, the prognostic significance of refractoriness to these agents when used as initial therapy has not been extensively studied. We reviewed the outcomes of 816 consecutive patients treated for MM at our institution since 2006 to evaluate the survival difference between those achieving at least a partial response (PR) to induction therapy and those who were primary refractory. The median OS from start of therapy was significantly shorter for the primary refractory group at 3.6 vs. 7.6 years for the responding patients (P < 0.001). The difference in median OS persisted when only patients receiving a novel agent as part of induction therapy were considered (3.6 vs. 7.9 years, P < 0.001) and in a 4‐month landmark analysis (4.2 vs. 7.6 years, P < 0.001). The median OS for patients achieving a complete response (CR), very good partial response (VGPR), PR, or less than PR was not reached (NR), 6.1, 6.4, and 4.2 years from the 4‐month landmark, respectively (P < 0.001). The comparatively poor outcomes of patients refractory to induction therapy in the current era of novel agents suggests that this high‐risk subpopulation must be further studied for predictors of resistance and, when identified, should be targeted for clinical trials. Am. J. Hematol. 90:981–985, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Top‐down conservation targets and bottom‐up management action: creating complementary feedbacks for freshwater conservation
Authors: Roux Dirk J. , Nel Jeanne L. , Fisher Ruth‐Mary , Barendse Jaco
Published: July 2015

Conservation targets are useful policy tools, indicating a degree of political intent and allowing purposeful conservation planning. However, target setting and implementation often occur at different scales. A largely unmet challenge is to establish mutual feedbacks between national‐scale target setting and local‐scale ecological realities and management actions.

Freshwater conservation in South Africa has been advanced through the participatory setting of a freshwater conservation target (20% of each freshwater ecosystem type). This paper presents the response of a conservation agency, South African National Parks, to achieving the national target. In a first step, achievement of the national target was contextualized within the agency's mandate to conserve biodiversity through 19 National Parks. In the second step, information was scaled down further to reflect the relative contribution of an individual park (Tankwa‐Karoo National Park) to freshwater conservation in South Africa.

At agency level, national‐scale data translated into several recommendations to influence the future expansion and design of protected areas, helped to articulate key messages regarding the organization's contribution to meeting national targets, and triggered the development of strategic objectives to promote in‐house capacity for effective freshwater conservation. Park‐level application of national‐scale data informed recommendations for management, research and monitoring. At the same time, local‐scale survey data highlighted deficiencies in the national data layers.

Establishing feedbacks between top‐down setting of conservation targets and bottom‐up implementing of management actions is desirable and possible, but also intricate. To promote the establishment of such feedbacks, four generic insights are drawn from this case study: top‐down targets and bioregional‐scale biodiversity data have enabling utility; effective feedbacks can only be realized through systemic conservation governance; social factors are at least as important as technical advances; national‐scale maps are not necessarily accurate but can still be used to facilitate co‐learning and dynamic refinement.

Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Risk of disability pension in patients following rectal cancer treatment and surgery
Authors: Chen L , Glimelius I , Neovius M , Eloranta S , Ekberg S , Martling A , Smedby K E
Published: July 2015

Background

Aspects of survivorship, such as long-term ability to work, are increasingly relevant owing to the improved survival of patients with rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to assess risk and determinants of disability pension (DP) in this patient group.

Methods

Using Swedish national clinical and population-based registers, patients with stage I–III rectal cancer aged 18–61 years in 1995–2009 were identified at diagnosis and matched with population comparators. Prospectively registered records of DP during follow-up were retrieved up to 2013. Non-proportional and proportional hazards models were used to estimate the incidence rate ratio (IRR) for DP annually and overall. Potential variations in risk by demographic and clinical factors were calculated, with relapse as a time-varying exposure.

Results

A total of 2815 patients were identified and compared with 13 465 population comparators. During a median follow-up of 6·0 (range 0–10) years, 23·3 per cent of the relapse-free patients and 10·3 per cent of the population comparators received DP (IRR 2·40, 95 per cent c.i. 2·17 to 2·65). An increased annual risk of DP was evident almost every year until the tenth year of follow-up. Abdominoperineal resection was associated with an increased DP risk compared with anterior resection (IRR 1·44, 1·19 to 1·75). Surgical complications (IRR 1·33, 1·10 to 1·62) and reoperation (IRR 1·42, 1·09 to 1·84), but not radiotherapy or chemotherapy, were associated with risk of DP.

Conclusion

Relapse-free patients with rectal cancer of working age are at risk of disability pension.
Controlling for unmeasured confounding and spatial misalignment in long‐term air pollution and health studies
Authors: Lee Duncan , Sarran Christophe
Published: July 2015

The health impact of long‐term exposure to air pollution is now routinely estimated using spatial ecological studies, owing to the recent widespread availability of spatial referenced pollution and disease data. However, this areal unit study design presents a number of statistical challenges, which if ignored have the potential to bias the estimated pollution–health relationship. One such challenge is how to control for the spatial autocorrelation present in the data after accounting for the known covariates, which is caused by unmeasured confounding. A second challenge is how to adjust the functional form of the model to account for the spatial misalignment between the pollution and disease data, which causes within‐area variation in the pollution data. These challenges have largely been ignored in existing long‐term spatial air pollution and health studies, so here we propose a novel Bayesian hierarchical model that addresses both challenges and provide software to allow others to apply our model to their own data. The effectiveness of the proposed model is compared by simulation against a number of state‐of‐the‐art alternatives proposed in the literature and is then used to estimate the impact of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter concentrations on respiratory hospital admissions in a new epidemiological study in England in 2010 at the local authority level. © 2015 The Authors. Environmetrics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Identification of somatic gene mutations in penile squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ferrándiz‐Pulido Carla , Hernández‐Losa Javier , Masferrer Emili , Vivancos Ana , Somoza Rosa , Marés Roso , Valverde Claudia , Salvador Carlos , Placer Jose , Morote Juan , Pujol Ramon M. , Ramon Santiago , Cajal y , de Torres Ines , Toll Agusti , García‐Patos Vicente
Published: July 2015

There is a lack of studies on somatic gene mutations and cell signaling driving penile carcinogenesis. Our objective was to analyze somatic mutations in genes downstream of EGFR in penile squamous cell carcinomas, especially the mTOR and RAS/MAPK pathways. We retrospectively analyzed somatic mutations in 10 in situ and 65 invasive penile squamous cell carcinomas by using Sequenom's Mass Spectrometry iPlex Technology and Oncocarta v1.0 Panel. The DNA was extracted from FFPE blocks and we identified somatic missense mutations in three in situ tumors and in 19 invasive tumors, mostly in PIK3CA, KRAS, HRAS, NRAS, and PDGFA genes. Somatic mutations in the PIK3CA gene or RAS family genes were neither associated with tumor grade, stage or outcome, and were equally often identified in hrHPV positive and in hrHPV negative tumors that showed no p53 expression. Mutations in PIK3CA, KRAS, and HRAS are frequent in penile squamous cell carcinoma and likely play a role in the development of p53‐negative tumors. Although the presence of these mutations does not seem to correlate with tumoral behavior or outcome, they could be biomarkers of treatment failure with anti‐EGFR mAb in patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Presynaptic size of associational/commissural CA3 synapses is controlled by fibroblast growth factor 22 in adult mice
Authors: Pasaoglu Taliha , Schikorski Thomas
Published: July 2015

Associational/commissural CA3–CA3 synapses define the recurrent CA3 network that generates the input to CA1 pyramidal neurons. We quantified the fine structure of excitatory synapses in the stratum radiatum of the CA3d area in adult wild type (WT) and fibroblast growth factor 22 knock‐out (FGF22KO) mice by using serial 3D electron microscopy. WT excitatory CA3 synapses are rather small yet range 10 fold in size. Spine size, however, was small and uniform and did not correlate with the size of the synaptic junction. To reveal mechanisms that regulate presynaptic structure, we investigated the role of FGF22, a target‐derived signal specific for the distal part of area CA3 (CA3d). In adult FGF22KO mice, postsynaptic properties of associational CA3 synapses were unaltered. Presynaptically, the number of synaptic vesicles (SVs), the bouton volume, and the number of vesicles in axonal regions (the super pool) were reduced. This concurrent decrease suggests concerted control by FGF22 of presynaptic size. This hypothesis is supported by the finding that WT presynapses in the proximal part of area CA3 (CA3p) that do not receive FGF22 signaling in WT mice were smaller than presynapses in CA3d in WT but of comparable size in CA3d of FGF22KO mice. Docked SV density was decreased in CA1, CA3d, and CA3p in FGF22KO mice. Because CA1 and CA3p are not directly affected by the loss of FGF22, the smaller docked SV density may be an adaptation to activity changes in the CA3 network. Thus, docked SV density potentially is a long‐term regulator for the synaptic release probability and/or the strength of short‐term depression in vivo. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of radii sets, entropy, QM methods, and sampling on MM‐PBSA, MM‐GBSA, and QM/MM‐GBSA ligand binding energies of F. tularensis enoyl‐ACP reductase (FabI)
Authors: Su Pin‐Chih , Tsai Cheng‐Chieh , Mehboob Shahila , Hevener Kirk E. , Johnson Michael E.
Published: July 2015

To validate a method for predicting the binding affinities of FabI inhibitors, three implicit solvent methods, MM‐PBSA, MM‐GBSA, and QM/MM‐GBSA were carefully compared using 16 benzimidazole inhibitors in complex with Francisella tularensis FabI. The data suggests that the prediction results are sensitive to radii sets, GB methods, QM Hamiltonians, sampling protocols, and simulation length, if only one simulation trajectory is used for each ligand. In this case, QM/MM‐GBSA using 6 ns MD simulation trajectories together with GBneck2, PM3, and the mbondi2 radii set, generate the closest agreement with experimental values (r2 = 0.88). However, if the three implicit solvent methods are averaged from six 1 ns MD simulations for each ligand (called “multiple independent sampling”), the prediction results are relatively insensitive to all the tested parameters. Moreover, MM/GBSA together with GBHCT and mbondi, using 600 frames extracted evenly from six 0.25 ns MD simulations, can also provide accurate prediction to experimental values (r2 = 0.84). Therefore, the multiple independent sampling method can be more efficient than a single, long simulation method. Since future scaffold expansions may significantly change the benzimidazole's physiochemical properties (charges, etc.) and possibly binding modes, which may affect the sensitivities of various parameters, the relatively insensitive “multiple independent sampling method” may avoid the need of an entirely new validation study. Moreover, due to large fluctuating entropy values, (QM/)MM‐P(G)BSA were limited to inhibitors’ relative affinity prediction, but not the absolute affinity. The developed protocol will support an ongoing benzimidazole lead optimization program. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Failure to Target RANKL Signaling Through p38‐MAPK Results in Defective Osteoclastogenesis in the Microphthalmia Cloudy‐Eyed Mutant
Authors: Carey Heather A. , Bronisz Agnieszka , Cabrera Jennifer , Hildreth Blake E. , Cuitiño Maria , Fu Qi , Ahmad Asrar , Toribio Ramiro E. , Ostrowski Michael C. , Sharma Sudarshana M.
Published: July 2015

The Microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF) is a basic helix‐loop‐helix leucine zipper family factor that is essential for terminal osteoclast differentiation. Previous work demonstrates that phosphorylation of MITF by p38 MAPK downstream of Receptor Activator of NFkB Ligand (RANKL) signaling is necessary for MITF activation in osteoclasts. The spontaneous Mitf cloudy eyed (ce) allele results in production of a truncated MITF protein that lacks the leucine zipper and C‐terminal end. Here we show that the Mitfce allele leads to a dense bone phenotype in neonatal mice due to defective osteoclast differentiation. In response to RANKL stimulation, in vitro osteoclast differentiation was impaired in myeloid precursors derived from neonatal or adult Mitfce/ce mice. The loss of the leucine zipper domain in Mitfce/ce mice does not interfere with the recruitment of MITF/PU.1 complexes to target promoters. Further, we have mapped the p38 MAPK docking site within the region deleted in Mitfce. This interaction is necessary for the phosphorylation of MITF by p38 MAPK. Site‐directed mutations in the docking site interfered with the interaction between MITF and its co‐factors FUS and BRG1. MITF‐ce fails to recruit FUS and BRG1 to target genes, resulting in decreased expression of target genes and impaired osteoclast function. These results highlight the crucial role of signaling dependent MITF/p38 MAPK interactions in osteoclast differentiation. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 630–640, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Leptin Effect on Acetylation and Phosphorylation of Pgc1α in Muscle Cells Associated With Ampk and Akt Activation in High‐Glucose Medium
Authors: García‐Carrizo Francisco , Nozhenko Yuriy , Palou Andreu , Rodríguez Ana M.
Published: July 2015

Leptin is crucial in energy metabolism, including muscle regulation. Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma co‐activator 1α (PGC1α) orchestrates energy metabolism and is tightly controlled by post‐translational covalent modifications such as phosphorylation and acetylation. We aimed to further the knowledge of PGC1α control by leptin (at physiological levels) in muscle cells by time‐sequentially analysing the activation of AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK), P38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (P38 MAPK) and Akt (Protein kinase B)—all known to phosphorylate PGC1α and to be involved in the regulation of its acetylation status—in C2C12 myotubes placed in a high‐glucose serum‐free medium. We also studied the protein levels of PGC1α, Sirtuin 1, adiponectin, COX IV, mitofusin 2 (Mfn2), and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4). Our main findings suggest an important role of leptin regulating AMPK and Akt phosphorylation, Mfn2 induction and PGC1α acetylation status, with the novelty that the latter in transitorily increased in response to leptin, an effect dependent, at least in part, on AMPK regulation. These post‐translational reversible changes in PGC1α in response to leptin, especially the increase in acetylation status, may be related to the physiological role of the hormone in modulating muscle cell response to the physiological/nutritional status. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 641–649, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Immobilization of a multi‐enzyme system for L‐amino acids production
Authors: Rodríguez‐Alonso María J , Rodríguez‐Vico Felipe , Las Heras‐Vázquez Francisco J , Clemente‐Jiménez Josefa M
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

Four enzymes were immobilized for the production of optically pure natural and non‐natural L‐amino acids via the ‘Double‐Racemase Hydantoinase Process’. Immobilization constitutes an empirical process, and for each enzyme we tested 11 carriers with different functional groups; epoxide, EC‐EP, EC‐HFA, IB‐150 and IB‐350, carboxylic acid IB‐C435, quaternary ammonium IB‐A161, IB‐A171 and IB‐A369, aromatic group IB‐S861, and hydroxyl group IB‐S60S and IB‐S60P.

RESULTS

Each protein showed preference for binding on one or several supports: D,L‐hydantoinase/IB‐350, hydantoin racemase/EC‐EP, L‐carbamoylase/EC‐EP and carbamoyl racemase/IB‐A161. The process was optimized for each enzyme by modifying temperature, pH and ionic strength. For the enzymatic cascade, it was demonstrated that it was essential to use supports having homogeneous characteristics. The product of the first reaction is the substrate of the next one, and so on. Free mass diffusion from one enzyme to the other is crucial to avoid retention on the support and to maintain the protein–substrate interaction constant.

CONCLUSION

It was proved that support size, weight and hydrophobicity must be homogeneous to avoid the formation of separate layers of the matrix selected. For this reason, the support IB‐350 was used for the four enzymes, even though it may not be the most efficient one for some of them. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Nef‐Isocyanide ‐Based One‐pot Two‐step Three Component Dihydrobenzo[4,5]Imidazo[2,1‐b]thiazoles Synthesis
Authors: Mirzaei Peiman , Amanpour Tayebeh , Naderi Soheila , Soorki Ali Abolhasani
Published: July 2015

The reactive imidoyl chloride adducts generated in situ from the reaction of isocyanide and acyl chlorides were trapped by 2‐mercaptobenzimidazoles to yield highly functionalized dihydrobenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1‐b]thiazoles in good yields.
How Does Microcredit Lead to Empowerment? A Case Study of the Vinya wa Aka Group in Kenya
Authors: Kulb Carolyn , Hennink Monique , Kiiti Ndunge , Mutinda Jane
Published: July 2015

Empowerment, as a vehicle for poverty reduction, is becoming a critical component of international development. This involves shifting the development paradigm from the predominant ‘top‐down’ (deficit) approach towards a ‘bottom‐up’ (asset‐based) approach, thereby building capacity from existing community resources. Qualitative in‐depth interviews were used to examine the process of women's empowerment through a community microcredit group, which utilizes an asset‐based approach to development. Women experienced three distinct phases of empowerment: ‘enlightenment,’ ‘group movement,’ and ‘empowerment’. This case study provides empirical data on the process of women's empowerment through microcredit while underscoring the strengths of asset‐based approaches towards sustainable community development. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differential gene expression in Xylella fastidiosa 9a5c during co‐cultivation with the endophytic bacterium Methylobacterium mesophilicum SR1.6/6
Authors: Dourado Manuella Nóbrega , Santos Daiene Souza , Nunes Luiz Roberto , Costa de Oliveira Regina Lúcia Batista da , de Oliveira Marcus Vinicius , Araújo Welington Luiz
Published: July 2015

Xylella fastidiosa, the causal agent of citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC), colonizes plant xylem, reducing sap flow, and inducing internerval chlorosis, leaf size reduction, necrosis, and harder and smaller fruits. This bacterium may be transmitted from plant to plant by sharpshooter insects, including Bucephalogonia xanthopis. The citrus endophytic bacterium Methylobacterium mesophilicum SR1.6/6 colonizes citrus xylem and previous studies showed that this strain is also transferred from plant to plant by B. xanthopis (Insecta), suggesting that this endophytic bacterium may interact with X. fastidiosa in planta and inside the insect vector during co‐transmission by the same insect vector. To better understand the X. fastidiosa behavior in the presence of M. mesophilicum, we evaluated the X. fastidiosa transcriptional profile during in vitro interaction with M. mesophilicum SR1.6/6. The results showed that during co‐cultivation, X. fastidiosa down‐regulated genes related to growth and up‐regulated genes related to energy production, stress, transport, and motility, suggesting the existence of a specific adaptive response to the presence of M. mesophilicum in the culture medium.