bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the readability of ClinicalTrials.gov
Authors: Wu Danny TY , Hanauer David A , Mei Qiaozhu , Clark Patricia M , An Lawrence C , Proulx Joshua , Zeng Qing T , Vydiswaran VG Vinod , Collins-Thompson Kevyn , Zheng Kai
Published: August 2015

Objective ClinicalTrials.gov serves critical functions of disseminating trial information to the public and helping the trials recruit participants. This study assessed the readability of trial descriptions at ClinicalTrials.gov using multiple quantitative measures.

Materials and Methods The analysis included all 165 988 trials registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as of April 30, 2014. To obtain benchmarks, the authors also analyzed 2 other medical corpora: (1) all 955 Health Topics articles from MedlinePlus and (2) a random sample of 100 000 clinician notes retrieved from an electronic health records system intended for conveying internal communication among medical professionals. The authors characterized each of the corpora using 4 surface metrics, and then applied 5 different scoring algorithms to assess their readability. The authors hypothesized that clinician notes would be most difficult to read, followed by trial descriptions and MedlinePlus Health Topics articles.

Results Trial descriptions have the longest average sentence length (26.1 words) across all corpora; 65% of their words used are not covered by a basic medical English dictionary. In comparison, average sentence length of MedlinePlus Health Topics articles is 61% shorter, vocabulary size is 95% smaller, and dictionary coverage is 46% higher. All 5 scoring algorithms consistently rated CliniclTrials.gov trial descriptions the most difficult corpus to read, even harder than clinician notes. On average, it requires 18 years of education to properly understand these trial descriptions according to the results generated by the readability assessment algorithms.

Discussion and Conclusion Trial descriptions at CliniclTrials.gov are extremely difficult to read. Significant work is warranted to improve their readability in order to achieve CliniclTrials.gov’s goal of facilitating information dissemination and subject recruitment.
Module 1: Communication and Assertiveness
Authors: Mohr David C.
Published: August 2015

This chapter describes an optional treatment module on communication and assertiveness. It explores improving communication skills, styles of communication (passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and assertive), components of communication (active listening, styles of expression), obstacles to self-assertion, and how to overcome them.
Module 4: Relaxation
Authors: Mohr David C.
Published: August 2015

This chapter describes an optional treatment module on relaxation. It discusses how the body creates and reduces the experience of stress, the basics of relaxation (chest breathing, abdominal breathing), types of relaxation, learning to relax, relaxation exercises (progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), and the body scan), and finding the support for relaxation.
Screening for Resistance to Sugarcane Brown Rust With Controlled-conditions Inoculation
Authors: Avellaneda M. C. , Hoy J. W. , Pontif M. J.
Published: August 2015

Breeding for resistance is the primary control measure for brown rust of sugarcane. Resistance screening utilizing natural infection symptom severity ratings provides erratic results. Therefore, a method accomplishing infection and disease expression under controlled conditions was evaluated to determine whether it could provide accurate resistance ratings for seedlings and clones with known and unknown reactions. Seedlings from crosses between parents with different levels of resistance were inoculated with increasing concentrations of urediniospores. Inoculum concentration affected disease severity and the frequency of resistant progeny in crosses. Brown rust resistance is a heritable trait; however, parental reaction was not a consistent determinant of progeny distribution across resistance rating categories. These results suggest that seedling inoculation may be misleading for the evaluation of brown rust resistance. Clone resistance reactions could not be reliably determined for susceptible clones in single inoculations. Ratings for controlled-conditions inoculation and field natural infection severity were not correlated. Multiple inoculations under controlled conditions accurately identified resistant and susceptible clones, with severe infection resulting from any single inoculation indicating susceptibility. Therefore, controlled-conditions inoculation has the potential to be useful in limited studies to characterize parents in a recurrent selection program and for basic studies of resistance to brown rust.
Fractionated Radiation Therapy for Benign Nonacoustic Schwannomas
Authors: Kharod Shivam M. , Herman Michael P. , Amdur Robert J. , Mendenhall William M.
Published: August 2015

Objectives:

We analyzed the outcomes of patients with benign nonacoustic schwannomas treated with fractionated radiation therapy (RT).

Methods:

Between October 1987 and March 2013, 11 patients with benign nonacoustic schwannomas diagnosed radiographically (n=3) or pathologically (n=8) were treated with fractionated RT with curative intent at the University of Florida. We reviewed patients’ medical records to assess outcomes and toxicities from treatment.

Results:

The median follow-up for all patients was 8.2 years (range, 2.2 to 22.7 y) and 8 years for all living patients (range, 2.2 to 22.7 y). Of the 11 patients included in the analysis, 8 (73%) were treated solely with RT, 1 (9%) was treated with postoperative RT after subtotal resection, and 2 (18%) were treated with postoperative RT after recurrence following initial surgical resection. The 5-year overall survival, disease-free survival, and local control rates were 100%. There were no grade 2 to 5 treatment toxicities.

Conclusions:

RT for benign nonacoustic schwannoma may be effective when used alone or in addition to surgery. Irradiation should be considered in patients for whom resection is likely to result in one or more neurological deficits. Fractionated RT to a total dose of 50 Gy provides excellent local control and minimal morbidity.
Paranasal Sinus Mucocele as a Late Complication of Dacryocystorhinostomy
Authors: DeParis Sarah W. , Goldberg Andrew N. , Indaram Maanasa , Grumbine F. Lawson , Kersten Robert C. , Vagefi M. Reza
Published: August 2015

A 50-year-old female presented with a slowly enlarging painless mass of the right medial canthus. The past surgical history is significant for external dacryocystorhinostomy for acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction 10 years prior and subsequent endoscopic and external revisions. Imaging revealed a large fronto-ethmoidal sinus mucocele extending into the right medial orbit. On surgical exploration, the right middle turbinate was found to have lateralized, obstructing sinus outflow. The mucocele was evacuated and ethmoidectomy and middle turbinectomy were performed. The patient did well postoperatively without recurrence at 6 months of follow-up. Sinus mucocele formation is a rare, late complication of lacrimal surgery.
Feedback of trees on nitrogen mineralization to restrict the advance of trees in C4 savannahs
Authors: Higgins Steven I. , Keretetse Moagi , February Edmund C.
Published: August 2015

Remote sensing studies suggest that savannahs are transforming into more tree-dominated states; however, progressive nitrogen limitation could potentially retard this putatively CO
2
-driven invasion. We analysed controls on nitrogen mineralization rates in savannah by manipulating rainfall and the cover of grass and tree elements against the backdrop of the seasonal temperature and rainfall variation. We found that the seasonal pattern of nitrogen mineralization was strongly influenced by rainfall, and that manipulative increases in rainfall could boost mineralization rates. Additionally, mineralization rates were considerably higher on plots with grasses and lower on plots with trees. Our findings suggest that shifting a savannah from a grass to a tree-dominated state can substantially reduce nitrogen mineralization rates, thereby potentially creating a negative feedback on the CO
2
-induced invasion of savannahs by trees.
Analysis of epithelial–mesenchymal transition markers in psoriatic epidermal keratinocytes
Authors: Man Xiao-Yong , Chen Xi-Bei , Li Wei , Landeck Lilla , Dou Ting-Ting , Chen Jia-qi , Zhou Jiong , Cai Sui-Qing , Zheng Min
Published: August 2015

Psoriasis is similar to endpoints of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process of epithelial cells transformed into fibroblast-like cells. The molecular epithelial and mesenchymal markers were analysed in psoriatic keratinocytes. No obvious alteration of epithelial markers E-cadherin (E-cad), keratin 10 (K10), K14 and K16 was detected in psoriatic keratinocytes. However, significantly increased expression of Vim, FN, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and Slug was seen. IL-17A and IL-13 at 50 ng ml
−1
strongly decreased expression of K10, Vim and FN. TGF-β1 at 50 ng ml
−1
promoted the production of N-cad, Vim, FN and PAI-1. Slug was decreased by dexamethasone (Dex), but E-cad was upregulated by Dex. Silencing of ERK partially increased E-cad and K16, but remarkably inhibited K14, FN, Vim, β-catenin, Slug and
α
5 integrin. Moreover, inhibition of Rho and GSK3 by their inhibitors Y27632 and SB216763, respectively, strongly raised E-cad, β-catenin and Slug. Dex decreased Y27632-mediated increase of β-catenin. Dex at 2.0 µM inhibited SB216763-regulated E-cad, β-catenin and slug. In conclusion, EMT in psoriatic keratinocytes may be defined as an intermediate phenotype of type 2 EMT. ERK, Rho and GSK3 play active roles in the process of EMT in psoriatic keratinocytes.
Rival assessment among northern elephant seals: evidence of associative learning during male–male contests
Authors: Casey Caroline , Charrier Isabelle , Mathevon Nicolas , Reichmuth Colleen
Published: August 2015

Specialized signals emitted by competing males often convey honest information about fighting ability. It is generally believed that receivers use these signals to directly assess their opponents. Here, we demonstrate an alternative communication strategy used by males in a breeding system where the costs of conflict are extreme. We evaluated the acoustic displays of breeding male northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), and found that social knowledge gained through prior experience with signallers was sufficient to maintain structured dominance relationships. Using sound analysis and playback experiments with both natural and modified signals, we determined that males do not rely on encoded information about size or dominance status, but rather learn to recognize individual acoustic signatures produced by their rivals. Further, we show that behavioural responses to competitors' calls are modulated by relative position in the hierarchy: the highest ranking (alpha) males defend their harems from all opponents, whereas mid-ranking (beta) males respond differentially to familiar challengers based on the outcome of previous competitive interactions. Our findings demonstrate that social knowledge of rivals alone can regulate dominance relationships among competing males within large, spatially dynamic social groups, and illustrate the importance of combining descriptive and experimental methods when deciphering the biological relevance of animal signals.
A mechanical model for dissolution–precipitation creep based on the minimum principle of the dissipation potential
Authors: Klinge S. , Hackl K. , Renner J.
Published: August 2015

In contrast to previous approaches that consider dissolution–precipitation creep as a multi-stage process and only simulate its governing subprocess, the present model treats this phenomenon as a single continuous process. The applied strategy uses the minimum principle of the dissipation potential according to which a Lagrangian consisting of elastic power and dissipation is minimized. Here, the elastic part has a standard form while the assumption for dissipation stipulates the driving forces to be proportional to two kinds of velocities: the material-transport velocity and the boundary-motion velocity. A Lagrange term is included to impose mass conservation. Two ways of solution are proposed. The strong form of the problem is solved analytically for a simple case. The weak form of the problem is used for a finite-element implementation and for simulating more complex cases.
Theory of the deformation of aligned polyethylene
Authors: Hammad A. , Swinburne T. D. , Hasan H. , Del Rosso S. , Iannucci L. , Sutton A. P.
Published: August 2015

Solitons are proposed as the agents of plastic and viscoelastic deformation in aligned polyethylene. Interactions between straight, parallel molecules are mapped rigorously onto the Frenkel–Kontorova model. It is shown that these molecular interactions distribute an applied load between molecules, with a characteristic transfer length equal to the soliton width. Load transfer leads to the introduction of tensile and compressive solitons at the chain ends to mark the onset of plasticity at a well-defined yield stress, which is much less than the theoretical pull-out stress. Interaction energies between solitons and an equation of motion for solitons are derived. The equation of motion is based on Langevin dynamics and the fluctuation–dissipation theorem and it leads to the rigorous definition of an effective mass for solitons. It forms the basis of a soliton dynamics in direct analogy to dislocation dynamics. Close parallels are drawn between solitons in aligned polymers and dislocations in crystals, including the configurational force on a soliton. The origins of the strain rate and temperature dependencies of the viscoelastic behaviour are discussed in terms of the formation energy of solitons. A failure mechanism is proposed involving soliton condensation under a tensile load.
Nonlinear eigenmodes of a non-equilibrium harmonic oscillator
Authors: Pinsker Florian , Alexander Tristram J.
Published: August 2015

We investigate theoretically the quantum oscillator-like states recently observed experimentally in polariton condensates. We consider a complex Gross–Pitaevskii-type model that includes the effects of self-interactions, and creation and decay of exciton-polaritons. We develop a perturbation theory for approximate solutions to this non-equilibrium condensate model and compare the results with numerically calculated solutions for both repulsive and attractive polariton–polariton interactions. While the nonlinearity has a weak effect on the mode selection, the condensate density profiles are modified at moderate gain strengths. We find the nonlinearity becomes more dominant when a very large gain of polaritons leads to an extended cloud with high condensate densities. Finally, we identify the relation of the observed patterns to the input pump configuration, and suggest this may serve as a generalized NOR gate in the tradition of optical computing.
Ligand-Mediated cis-Inhibition of Receptor Signaling in the Self-Incompatibility Response of the Brassicaceae
Authors: Tantikanjana Titima , Nasrallah June B.
Published: August 2015

The inhibition of self-pollination in self-incompatible Brassicaceae is based on allele-specific trans-activation of the highly polymorphic S-locus receptor kinase (SRK), which is displayed at the surface of stigma epidermal cells, by its even more polymorphic pollen coat-localized ligand, the S-locus cysteine-rich (SCR) protein. In an attempt to achieve constitutive activation of SRK and thus facilitate analysis of self-incompatibility (SI) signaling, we coexpressed an Arabidopsis lyrata SCR variant with its cognate SRK receptor in the stigma epidermal cells of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants belonging to the C24 accession, in which expression of SRK and SCR had been shown to exhibit a robust SI response. Contrary to expectation, however, coexpression of SRK and SCR was found to inhibit SRK-mediated signaling and to disrupt the SI response. This phenomenon, called cis-inhibition, is well documented in metazoans but has not as yet been reported for plant receptor kinases. We demonstrate that cis-inhibition of SRK, like its trans-activation, is based on allele-specific interaction between receptor and ligand. We also show that stigma-expressed SCR causes entrapment of its SRK receptor in the endoplasmic reticulum, thus disrupting the proper targeting of SRK to the plasma membrane, where the receptor would be available for productive interaction with its pollen coat-derived SCR ligand. Although based on an artificial cis-inhibition system, the results suggest novel strategies of pollination control for the generation of hybrid cultivars and large-scale seed production from hybrid plants in Brassicaceae seed crops and, more generally, for inhibiting cell surface receptor function and manipulating signaling pathways in plants.
Efficacy and safety of weekly leflunomide for the treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, multi‐center study
Authors: Ren Li‐Min , Li Ru , Chen Li‐Na , Zhu Ping , Gu Fei , Sun Ling‐Yun , Zhao Jin‐Xia , Liu Xiang‐Yuan , Guo Jia‐Long , Bi Li‐Qi , Hao Yan‐Jie , Zhang Zhuo‐Li , Mei Yi‐Fang , Zhang Zhi‐Yi , Liu Hua‐Xiang , Li Xing‐Fu , Luo Yan , Fang Yong‐Fei , Li Zhan‐Guo , Su Yin
Published: August 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of a weekly dose of leflunomide (50 mg/week) in early rheumatoid arthritis patients with mild or moderate disease activity.

Methods

The patients of early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) with mild or moderate disease activity were randomly selected for inclusion in this study and were assigned to either the treatment group (leflunomide 50 mg/week, LEF50) or the control group (leflunomide 10 mg/day, LEF10). All patients were treated for 24 weeks. Clinical efficacy was assessed using the disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) ‐ erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response. A Chi‐squared test, Fisher's exact‐test and paired t‐tests were used to analyze the data.

Results

A total of 244 patients who met the inclusion criteria and received at least one medicine dose were analyzed. At the baseline, the DAS28 (ESR) of the ERA patients were 4.41 ± 0.69 in LEF 50 group and 4.52 ± 0.64 in LEF 10 group, respectively. At week 24, the DAS28 (ESR) in two groups ( 2.94 ± 1.10 and 3.02 ± 1.14 ) were significant decreased compare with the baseline, respectively (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in DAS28 (ESR) between the LEF50 and LEF10 groups at week 24. (P > 0.05). At weeks 8, 12 and 24, the EULAR response (good responses + moderate responses) were 47.6%, 58.7% and 59.5%, in the LEF50 group and 43.2%, 49.1% and 53.4% in the LEF10 group, respectively. There was no significant different of EULAR response rates in the two groups at week 8, 12, and 24, respectively (P>0.05). There was no serious adverse events during the study.

Conclusion

A weekly dose of 50 mg leflunomide showed similar benefits to a daily dose of 10 mg leflunomide for the treatment of mild‐to‐moderate early rheumatoid arthritis.
Testing sea‐level rise impacts in tidal wetlands: a novel in situ approach
Authors: Cherry Julia A. , Ramseur George S. , Sparks Eric L. , Cebrian Just
Published: August 2015

Predictions of coastal wetland loss depend on reliable estimations of sea‐level rise (SLR) and biological feedbacks to geomorphology, yet it is difficult to manipulate SLR to generate empirical data of impacts on wetland processes. Typically, data have been generated through small‐scale mesocosm experiments, an approach that may not fully capture biological responses to SLR.

Using passive and active weirs, we manipulated inundation depths and times in situ and at larger spatial scales than possible in mesocosms. In June 2013, we simulated three flooding scenarios (low, intermediate and high) using passive weirs designed to increase mean low water (MLW) by approximately 8–9, 12–13 and 16–18 cm, respectively, relative to controls. In March 2014, we also conducted a proof‐of‐concept exercise to demonstrate that active weirs equipped with a pump can increase both MLW and mean high water (MHW), thereby achieving changes in both inundation depth and inundation time.

When compared to controls for the three flooding scenarios, passive weirs increased MLW in the low marsh by 9.1 ± 0.8, 11.8 ± 1.1 and 15.65 ± 0.8 cm, respectively, and in the high marsh by 6.3 ± 3.0, 17.0 ± 4.6 and 8.3 ± 2.5 cm, respectively. Passive weirs increased inundation time in low marsh by 0.4 ± 0.0 hd−1 and 2.9 ± 0.0 hd−1 to 24 hd−1 in both weirs for low and intermediate flooding, respectively, but not for high flooding where the control and weirs were both inundated 24 hd−1. At greater elevations, however, passive weirs increased inundation time in high marsh by 0.9 ± 2.2, 5.1 ± 4.1 and 4.0 ± 0 hd−1, respectively. Weirs slowed drainage rates by 5.6 ± 1.4, 3.8 ± 1.4 and 6.1 ± 0.1 cmh−1, respectively. The active weir increased MLW by 25.4 cm, MHW by 10.5 cm and inundation time by 10.7 hd−1 and slowed the drainage rate by 9.6 cmh−1.

Weirs can be used to increase inundation depths and times to study SLR impacts on tidal wetlands, and are advantageous because they minimize disturbance; allow for larger‐scale studies within tidal wetlands; and can be maintained at little cost and effort, thereby providing more robust estimates of SLR impacts on tidal wetland processes.
The Role of Child‐Care Subsidies in the Lives of Low‐Income Children
Authors: Johnson Anna D. , Ryan Rebecca M.
Published: August 2015

In the United States, federally funded child‐care subsidies offer a unique opportunity to influence low‐income children's early education and, in so doing, affect their development. To understand the role of child‐care subsidies in children's lives, we must answer the following questions about their impact: How does receiving subsidies affect (a) the type of care children receive, (b) the quality of care children receive, and (c) their developmental outcomes? Theoretically, the answers to these questions should cohere, yet they do not; though subsidies increase exposure to the type and quality of care known to predict more optimal outcomes for children, the direct effect of subsidies on outcomes has been null or negative. In this article, we review research on child‐care subsidies to describe its inconsistencies and offer explanations, a timely endeavor in light of the 2014 reauthorization of legislation on child‐care subsidies.
Spontaneous breathing trial in T‐tube negatively impact on autonomic modulation of heart rate compared with pressure support in critically ill patients
Authors: Güntzel Chiappa Adriana M. , Chiappa Gaspar R. , Cipriano Gerson , Moraes Ruy S. , Ferlin Elton L , Borghi‐Silva Audrey , Vieira Silvia R.
Published: August 2015

Introduction

Spontaneous breathing with a conventional T‐piece (TT) connected to the tracheal tube orotraqueal has been frequently used in clinical setting to weaning of mechanical ventilation (MV), when compared with pressure support ventilation (PSV). However, the acute effects of spontaneous breathing with TT versus PSV on autonomic function assessed through heart rate variability (HRV) have not been fully elucidated.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of spontaneous breathing in TT vs PSV in critically ill patients.

Method

Twenty‐one patients who had received MV for ≥ 48 h and who met the study inclusion criteria for weaning were assessed. Eligible patients were randomized to TT and PSV. Cardiorespiratory responses (respiratory rate –ƒ, tidal volume‐VT, mean blood pressure (MBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), end tidal dioxide carbone (PETCO2), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and HRV indices in frequency domain (low‐LF, high frequency (HF) and LF/HF ratio were evaluated.

Results

TT increased ƒ (20 ± 5 vs 25 ± 4 breaths/min, P<0.05), MBP (90 ± 14 vs 94 ± 18 mmHg, P<0.05), HR (90 ± 17 vs 96 ± 12 beats/min, P<0.05), PETCO2 (33 ± 8 vs 48 ± 10 mmHg, P<0.05) and reduced SpO2 (98 ± 1.6 vs 96 ± 1.6%, P<0.05). In addition, LF increased (47 ± 18 vs 38 ± 12 nu, P<0.05) and HF reduced (29 ± 13 vs 32 ± 16 nu, P<0.05), resulting in higher LF/HF ratio (1.62 ± 2 vs 1.18 ± 1, P<0.05) during TT. Conversely, VT increased with PSV (0.58 ± 0.16 vs 0.50 ± 0.15 L, P<0.05) compared with TT.

Conclusion

Acute effects of TT mode may be closely linked to cardiorespiratory mismatches and cardiac autonomic imbalance in critically ill patients.
Proliferative activity in melanocytic nevi from patients grouped by age with clinical follow‐up
Authors: Lu Dongsi , Levin Ethan C. , Dehner Louis P. , Lind Anne C.
Published: August 2015

Any mitotic activity in a melanocytic nevus is a source of concern about the biologic potential of that lesion, especially in an adult. Previously diagnosed benign melanocytic nevi in individuals from six different age groups were re‐examined; mitotic figures were counted in routine hematoxylin and eosin‐stained sections; Ki‐67 nuclear positivity was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Mitoses were seen in 0–14.3% of nevi in all groups of patients >1 year of age; 55.6% (5/9 cases) of nevi in patients <1‐year old had mitoses identified histologically. Ki‐67‐positive melanocytes were seen in all cases of those lesions in infants (less than 1‐year old) and only in a minority of lesions from the other age groups. The maximum and mean numbers of Ki‐67‐positive melanocytes per square millimeter were highest in patients <1‐year old (16.7 and 5.6, respectively), and decreased in all other groups. Follow‐up data were available in the majority of the patients. There were no examples of malignant melanoma in the various age groups. We conclude that proliferative activity in benign melanocytic nevi decreases with age, however, proliferative activity can be seen at any age and its significance must be judged in the context of other histopathologic features.
Fibroblastic connective tissue nevus
Authors: Velez Moises J. , Billings Steven D. , Weaver Joshua A.
Published: August 2015

Fibroblastic connective tissue nevus (FCTN) is a newly recognized, benign cutaneous mesenchymal lesion of fibroblasts/myofibroblastic lineage, which expands the classification of connective tissue nevi. We present three cases of FCTN and discuss significant clinical, morphologic and immunophenotypic overlap with dermatomyofibroma. Our cases were from young women, aged 32, 24 and 10, and presented as 1.2 and 1 cm nodules on the posterior neck and right upper flank, respectively while presenting as a linear plaque of the right posterior thigh in the latter case. The lesions showed a poorly circumscribed proliferation of hypercellular spindle cells arranged in short to longer intersecting fascicles entrapping adnexal structures. Superficial adipose tissue was also entrapped in one case. The spindle cells had fibroblastic features with pale eosinophilic cytoplasmic extensions and inconspicuous nucleoli. The spindle cells were positive for CD34 in two cases. One case was negative for CD34, smooth muscle actin (SMA), desmin and S100. The overall features were consistent with a diagnosis of FCTN. In two cases, we further elucidated the fibroblastic differentiation of the spindle cells in FCTN with electron microscopy, which has not been previously described.
Arithmetic difficulties in children with mild traumatic brain injury at the subacute stage of recovery
Authors: Van Beek Leen , Ghesquière Pol , De Smedt Bert , Lagae Lieven
Published: August 2015

Aim

Arithmetic difficulties have been reported in children with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), but the electrophysiological abnormalities underlying these impairments remain unknown. We therefore used event‐related potentials (ERPs) to investigate brain functioning during arithmetic in children in the subacute phase after mTBI.

Method

The participants comprised 16 children with mTBI at the subacute phase of recovery (10 males, mean age 10y 8mo; six females, mean age 10y 8mo) and 16 well‐matched comparison children (11 males, mean age 10y 11mo; five females, mean age 10y 6mo). All children were asked to solve single‐digit addition problems of small (sum ≤10) and large problem size (sum >10) and ERPs were simultaneously recorded.

Results

Children with mTBI performed significantly less accurately (mean 81%) than comparison children (mean 91%) on the large (p=0.026) but not on the small problems (p=0.171). We observed no group differences in the early ERP components P1, N1, P2, and N2 (all p values ≥0.241), yet significant group differences (p=0.019) emerged for the late positivity component (LPC), which showed smaller mean amplitudes (mean 8.35μV) in mTBI patients than comparison children (mean 12.95μV).

Interpretation

Immediately after the injury, arithmetic difficulties in children with mTBI are particularly pronounced on more complex arithmetical problems that are less automated. This is reflected in the ERP pattern, with decreased LPC but normal N2 and early ERP components.
Physiological and morphological responses of Leymus chinensis to saline‐alkali stress
Authors: Liu Binshuo , Kang Chunli , Wang Xin , Bao Guozhang
Published: August 2015

In this study, soil containing four different concentrations of salt was used to grow Leymus chinensis, which was sampled over 120 days between the beginning of spring and the end of fall. During this time, its physiological and morphological characteristics were analyzed. Maximal superoxide dismutase and betaine content were observed under moderate saline‐alkaline stress treatment (A3), and with increasing saline‐alkaline stress, there was a linear increase in the contents of Na+, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), organic acids (OAs), catalase, peroxidase, soluble protein and total soluble sugar. However, the K+ content and the K+/Na+ ratio decreased significantly. Under saline‐alkaline stress, the K+, betaine, OA and soluble protein levels in the leaves were higher than those in the rhizomes, whereas the proline, MDA, protective enzyme and total soluble sugar levels in the leaves were lower than those observed in the rhizomes. The node density varied with increases in saline‐alkali stress, and each node index was maximal at A3. Under saline‐alkali stress, the rhizome biomass, leaf biomass and root–shoot ratio first decreased and then increased, whereas the change in root biomass showed a contrary tendency, and the specific root length increased gradually. There was a significant correlation between the root–shoot ratio, specific root length, and the physiological indexes. These results show that under different degrees of saline‐alkali stress, L. chinensis is likely to use a series of adaptive physiological and morphological responses; the physiological responses were primarily related to the allocation of biomass and energy, root length, and the allocation of biomass between the aboveground and belowground organs.
Vantage Sensitivity: Environmental Sensitivity to Positive Experiences as a Function of Genetic Differences
Authors: Pluess Michael
Published: August 2015

A large number of gene–environment interaction studies provide evidence that some people are more likely to be negatively affected by adverse experiences as a function of specific genetic variants. However, such “risk” variants are surprisingly frequent in the population. Evolutionary analysis suggests that genetic variants associated with increased risk for maladaptive development under adverse environmental conditions are maintained in the population because they are also associated with advantages in response to different contextual conditions. These advantages may include (a) coexisting genetic resilience pertaining to other adverse influences, (b) a general genetic susceptibility to both low and high environmental quality, and (c) a coexisting propensity to benefit disproportionately from positive and supportive exposures, as reflected in the recent framework of vantage sensitivity. After introducing the basic properties of vantage sensitivity and highlighting conceptual similarities and differences with diathesis‐stress and differential susceptibility patterns of gene–environment interaction, selected and recent empirical evidence for the notion of vantage sensitivity as a function of genetic differences is reviewed. The unique contribution that the new perspective of vantage sensitivity may make to our understanding of social inequality will be discussed after suggesting neurocognitive and molecular mechanisms hypothesized to underlie the propensity to benefit disproportionately from benevolent experiences.
Predictors of help‐seeking behavior: Distinction between help‐seeking intentions and help‐seeking behavior
Authors: Nagai Satoru
Published: August 2015

The overall goals of this research were to: (a) examine whether help‐seeking intentions, subjective needs, depressive symptoms, and social support can predict actual help‐seeking behavior; and (b) clarify the moderating effects of social support on help‐seeking behavior using a longitudinal design. University students (N = 370) completed questionnaires that measured social support, subjective needs, depressive symptoms, and help‐seeking intentions during Time1, and questionnaires that measured actual help‐seeking behavior during Time2. Only subjective needs showed a positive effect on both help‐seeking intentions and actual help‐seeking behavior. Although depressive symptoms had a negative effect on help‐seeking intentions, they had a positive effect on actual help‐seeking behavior. Moreover, social support had a positive effect on help‐seeking intentions, and moderated the influence of subjective needs on actual help‐seeking behavior. Simple slope analysis indicated that subjective needs did not facilitate help‐seeking behavior among those with low levels of social support.
Trait databases: misuses and precautions
Authors: Violle Cyrille , Borgy Benjamin , Choler Philippe
Published: August 2015

Trait‐based ecology has enjoyed increasing success, aided by the development of trait databases. However their reliability has hardly been tested. Sandel et al., in this issue, identified uncertainties in trait databases linked to missing species and variable sampling effort among species. This highlights the danger of using trait databases in a blind manner and the need for their thorough evaluation.
QTL analysis for cooking traits of super rice with a high‐density SNP genetic map and fine mapping of a novel boiled grain length locus
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Tao Hongjian , Xu Jie , Shi Zhenyuan , Ye Weijun , Wu Liwen , Zeng Dali , Gao Zhenyu , Guo Longbiao
Published: August 2015

Hybrid rice has contributed substantially to the improvement of grain production worldwide, yet its poor cooking and tasting characteristics have long been recognized. In this study, 132 recombinant inbred lines derived from LYPJ were used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for 12 cooking traits with the high‐density SNP linkage map recently developed by our team. We identified 17 QTLs on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11, which accounted for 7.50% to 23.50% of the phenotypic variations. A novel major QTL qBGL7 for boiled grain length was further fine‐mapped to an interval of 440 Kb between the two markers RM21906 and gl3 using a BC3F2 population. Two near‐isogenic lines with extreme boiled grain length, GX5‐176 and GX5‐101, could be directly used in improving cooking quality. We also identified a QTL for soaked grain width expansion rate, qSGWE6, in the Wx gene region on chromosome 6. The Wx differential regulation coincided with sequential variation between the two parents. Our work offered a theoretical basis for molecular breeding of high‐quality hybrid rice.
Synergistic Photobactericidal Activity Based on Ultraviolet‐A Irradiation and Ferulic Acid Derivatives
Authors: Shirai Akihiro , Kajiura Masato , Omasa Takeshi
Published: August 2015

Ultraviolet‐A (UV‐A)‐mediated bactericidal activity was enhanced by combined treatment with trans‐ferulic acid (trans‐FA, compound 1) or its derivatives. Derivative compounds 4 and 10 contain a phenyl group or an l‐tyrosine HCl tert‐butyl ester, respectively, linked to the carboxyl group of trans‐FA. Of the three compounds, 10 exhibited the highest synergistic activity in a photobactericidal assay based on treating Escherichia coli with a derivative compound and UV‐A irradiation (wavelength 350–385 nm). Inactivation of viable cells at a 4.9 J cm−2 UV‐A fluence increased from 1.90 to 5.19 logs in the presence of 10 (100 μm); a 4.95‐log inactivation was achieved with 10 (5 μm) and a 7.4 J cm−2 UV‐A fluence. Addition of antioxidants significantly suppressed photosynergistic bactericidal activity, suggesting that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the combined bactericidal mechanism. Flow cytometry revealed that combined treatment with UV‐A and compound 10, which showed the highest photobactericidal activity, generates an excess of oxidative radicals in bacterial cells. The bactericidal activity of compound 10 may be due to electrostatic interaction between the molecule's cationic moiety and the cell surface, followed by amplification of ROS generation in the cells.
Selective Activation of C=C Bond in Sustainable Phenolic Compounds from Lignin via Photooxidation: Experiment and Density Functional Theory Calculations
Authors: Zielinski (Goldberg) Morgan , Burke Luke A. , Samokhvalov Alexander
Published: August 2015

Lignocellulosic biomass can be converted to high‐value phenolic compounds, such as food additives, antioxidants, fragrances and fine chemicals. We investigated photochemical and heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation of two isomeric phenolic compounds from lignin, isoeugenol and eugenol, in several nonprotic solvents, for the first time by experiment and the density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Photooxidation was conducted under ambient conditions using air, near‐UV light and commercial P25 TiO2 photocatalyst, and the products were determined by TLC, UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, HPLC‐UV and HPLC‐MS. Photochemical and photocatalytic oxidation of isoeugenol proceeds via the mild oxidative “dimerization” to produce the lignan dehydrodiisoeugenol (DHDIE), while photooxidation of eugenol does not proceed. The DFT calculations suggest a radical stepwise mechanism for the oxidative “dimerization” of isoeugenol to DHDIE as was calculated for the first time.
Arendt on the Crime of Crimes
Authors: Luban David
Published: August 2015

Genocide is the intentional destruction of a group as such. What makes groups important, over and above the individual worth of the group's members? This paper explores Hannah Arendt's efforts to answer that question, and concludes that she failed. In the course of the argument, it examines her understanding of Jewish history, her ideas about “the social,” and her conception of “humanity” as a normative stance toward international responsibility rather than a descriptive concept.
Authority, Nationality, and Minorities
Authors: Schwartz Alex
Published: August 2015

Prominent normative theories for accommodating minority national groups appeal to the value of national cultures and/or the psychology of group recognition. This article aims to show that an argument from political authority provides a better justification. Building on Joseph Raz's theory of authority, the article argues that members of minority national groups are disadvantaged in relation to their majority counterparts under standard democratic institutions; such institutions do not provide minority national groups with comparable access to the conditions for legitimate political authority. Constitutional arrangements for accommodating minority national groups—such as territorial self‐government or power‐sharing—are justified insofar as they might offset this disadvantage.
Adjusting prednisone using blood eosinophils reduces exacerbations and improves asthma control in difficult patients with asthma
Authors: Wark Peter AB , McDonald Vanessa M , Gibson Peter G
Published: August 2015

Severe or therapy‐resistant asthma represents a major problem, and despite advanced treatment, many patients require oral corticosteroids (OCS). We aimed to determine if patients with severe asthma and elevated peripheral blood eosinophils (PBE) could have treatment with OCS adjusted using an algorithm that controlled PBE (<0.2 × 109/L). In 11 patients, the OCS dose was adjusted to suppress PBE, leading to a reduced exacerbation frequency and improvement in asthma symptoms with an overall lower OCS dose.
Polymorphisms in genes of the BAFF/APRIL system may constitute risk factors of B‐CLL – a preliminary study on a Polish population
Authors: Jasek M. , Wagner M. , Sobczynski M. , Wolowiec D. , Kuliczkowski K. , Woszczyk D. , Kielbinski M. , Kusnierczyk P. , Frydecka I. , Karabon L.
Published: August 2015

The association of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of B‐cell activating factor (BAFF)/a proliferation‐inducing ligand (APRIL) system with B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B‐CLL) have been suggested, therefore, we investigated 20 SNPs of BAFF, APRIL, BAFF‐R, transmembrane activator and calcium modulator and cyclophilin‐ligand interactor (TACI), B‐cell maturation antigen (BCMA) genes and the risk and outcome of B‐CLL in 187 patients and 296 healthy subjects as well as ligand‐receptor gene × gene interactions. Although the obtained P‐values for all 20 SNPs did not reach statistical significance for this study (α = 0.003), the high value of the global chi‐squared statistic (χ2df = 38 = 52.65; P = 0.0586), and obtained values of odds ratio indicate that rs9514828 (BAFF), rs3803800 (APRIL) and rs4985726 (TACI) may be associated with the risk of B‐CLL. We observed that the B‐CLL patients with the genotype rs9514828CT/rs11570136AA were diagnosed with the disease 12 years later than the whole group of patients in this study.
Dynamic Buckling Response of Long Plates for the Prediction of Local Plate Buckling of Corrugated Core Sandwich Columns
Authors: Lim Jae-Yong , Bart-Smith Hilary
Published: August 2015

An analytical model predicting the dynamic local buckling failure of plates with a large dimension in the longitudinal direction compressed at a constant rate was proposed. The model began with the hypothesis that the proposed analytical approach could be an alternative methodology to approximate the dynamic local plate buckling response of constituent plates of corrugated core sandwich columns. Prior to the model development, four preliminary finite-element (FE) simulations were conducted to observe the typical dynamic response of the sandwich columns having thin core web plates or thin face sheets. From the simulations, several wrinkles with a regular pattern were generated, and then one of the wrinkles grew excessively to a failure. Accordingly, the proposed model considered an imaginary patch plate on a long plate simulating a face sheet or a core web plate. The size of the patch plate was predefined so as to encompass the major growing wrinkle, and the out-of-plane displacement was calculated till load drop. The verification of the proposed model was followed by comparison with the FE calculations. The model was satisfactory in predicting maximum forces and times-to-failure, but some discrepancies were found when postcritical behavior and plasticity were involved. The sources of the discrepancies were discussed.
Probability Bounds Analysis Applied to the Sandia Verification and Validation Challenge Problem
Authors: Choudhary Aniruddha , Voyles Ian T. , Roy Christopher J. , Oberkampf William L. , Patil Mayuresh
Published: August 2015

Our approach to the Sandia Verification and Validation Challenge Problem is to use probability bounds analysis (PBA) based on probabilistic representation for aleatory uncertainties and interval representation for (most) epistemic uncertainties. The nondeterministic model predictions thus take the form of p-boxes, or bounding cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) that contain all possible families of CDFs that could exist within the uncertainty bounds. The scarcity of experimental data provides little support for treatment of all uncertain inputs as purely aleatory uncertainties and also precludes significant calibration of the models. We instead seek to estimate the model form uncertainty at conditions where the experimental data are available, then extrapolate this uncertainty to conditions where no data exist. The modified area validation metric (MAVM) is employed to estimate the model form uncertainty which is important because the model involves significant simplifications (both geometric and physical nature) of the true system. The results of verification and validation processes are treated as additional interval-based uncertainties applied to the nondeterministic model predictions based on which the failure prediction is made. Based on the method employed, we estimate the probability of failure to be as large as 0.0034, concluding that the tanks are unsafe.
Multiharmonic Multiple-Point Collocation: A Method for Finding Periodic Orbits of Strongly Nonlinear Oscillators
Authors: Ardeh Hamid A. , Allen Matthew S.
Published: August 2015

An iterative method is proposed for finding periodic orbits of strongly nonlinear oscillators. The method combines the strength of analytical approaches, where the candidate solution is assumed in the form of a Fourier series, and the convenience of numerical methods that can be applied to larger systems with strong nonlinearity. The proposed method does not require integration of the vector field over any period of time and examples presented here illustrate that it is faster than traditional collocation algorithms, has a large radius of convergence, and is capable of finding several periodic orbits in each solution.
Coupled Nonlinear Dynamics of Geometrically Imperfect Shear Deformable Extensible Microbeams
Authors: Ghayesh Mergen H. , Farokhi Hamed
Published: August 2015

This paper aims at analyzing the coupled nonlinear dynamical behavior of geometrically imperfect shear deformable extensible microbeams based on the third-order shear deformation and modified couple stress theories. Using Hamilton's principle and taking into account extensibility, the three nonlinear coupled continuous expressions are obtained for an initially slightly curved (i.e., a geometrically imperfect) microbeam, describing the longitudinal, transverse, and rotational motions. A high-dimensional Galerkin scheme is employed, together with an assumed-mode technique, in order to truncate the continuous system with an infinite number of degrees of freedom into a discretized model with sufficient degrees of freedom. This high-dimensional discretized model is solved by means of the pseudo-arclength continuation technique for the system at the primary resonance, and also by direct time-integration to characterize the dynamic response at a fixed forcing amplitude and frequency; stability analysis is conducted via the Floquet theory. Apart from analyzing the nonlinear resonant response, the linear natural frequencies are obtained via an eigenvalue analysis. Results are shown through frequency–response curves, force–response curves, time traces, phase-plane portraits, and fast Fourier transforms (FFTs). The effect of taking into account the length-scale parameter on the coupled nonlinear dynamic response of the system is also highlighted.