bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Ionizing Radiation on the Oral Cavity
Authors: da Cunha Sandra Ribeiro de Barros , Ramos Pedro Augusto Mendes , Nesrallah Ana Cristina Aló , Parahyba Cláudia Joffily , Fregnani Eduardo Rodrigues , Aranha Ana Cecília Corrêa
Published: November 2015

Aim

The aim of this study is to present a literature review on the effects of the ionizing radiation from radiotherapy treatment on dental tissues.

Background

Among the effects of increasing global life expectancy and longevity of the teeth in the oral cavity, increasing rates of neoplastic diseases have been observed. One of the important treatment modalities for head and neck neoplastic diseases is radiotherapy, which uses ionizing radiation as the main mechanism of action. Therefore, it is essential for dentists to be aware of the changes in oral and dental tissues caused by ionizing radiation, and to develop treatment and prevention strategies.

Results

In general, there is still controversy about the effects of ionizing radiation on dental structures. However, qualitative and quantitative changes in saliva and oral microbiota, presence of oral mucositis and radiation-related caries are expected, as they represent the well-known side effects of treatment with ionizing radiation. Points that still remain unclear are the effects of radiotherapy on enamel and dentin, and on their mechanisms of bonding to contemporary adhesive materials.

Conclusion

Ionizing radiation has shown important interaction with organic tissues, since more deleterious effects have been shown on the oral mucosa, salivary glands and dentin, than on enamel.

Clinical significance

With the increasing number of patients with cancer seeking dental treatment before and after head and neck radiotherapy, it is important for dentists to be aware of the effects of ionizing radiation on the oral cavity.

How to cite this article

de Barros da Cunha SR, Ramos PAM, Nesrallah ACA, Parahyba CJ, Fregnani ER, Aranha ACC. The Effects of Ionizing Radiation on the Oral Cavity. J Contemp Dent Pract 2015;16(8):679-687.
Aerosol water parameterization: a single parameter framework
Authors: Metzger S. , Steil B. , Abdelkader M. , Klingmüller K. , Xu L. , Penner J. E. , Fountoukis C. , Nenes A. , Lelieveld J.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. We introduce a framework to efficiently parameterize the aerosol water uptake for mixtures of semi-volatile and non-volatile compounds, based on the coefficient, νi. This solute specific coefficient was introduced in Metzger et al. (2012) to accurately parameterize the single solution hygroscopic growth, considering the Kelvin effect – accounting for the water uptake of concentrated nanometer sized particles up to dilute solutions, i.e., from the compounds relative humidity of deliquescence (RHD) up to supersaturation (Köhler-theory). Here we extend the νi-parameterization from single to mixed solutions. We evaluate our framework at various levels of complexity, by considering the full gas-liquid-solid partitioning for a comprehensive comparison with reference calculations using the E-AIM, EQUISOLV II, ISORROPIA II models as well as textbook examples. We apply our parameterization in EQSAM4clim, the EQuilibrium Simplified Aerosol Model V4 for climate simulations, implemented in a box model and in the global chemistry-climate model EMAC. Our results show: (i) that the νi-approach enables to analytically solve the entire gas-liquid-solid partitioning and the mixed solution water uptake with sufficient accuracy, (ii) that, e.g., pure ammonium nitrate and mixed ammonium nitrate – ammonium sulfate mixtures can be solved with a simple method, and (iii) that the aerosol optical depth (AOD) simulations are in close agreement with remote sensing observations for the year 2005. Long-term evaluation of the EMAC results based on EQSAM4clim and ISORROPIA II will be presented separately.
Quantification of black carbon mixing state from traffic: implications for aerosol optical properties
Authors: Willis M. D. , Healy R. M. , Riemer N. , West M. , Wang J. M. , Jeong C.-H. , Wenger J. C. , Evans G. J. , Abbatt J. P. D. , Lee A. K. Y.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. The climatic impacts of black carbon (BC) aerosol, an important absorber of solar radiation in the atmosphere, remain poorly constrained and are intimately related to its particle-scale physical and chemical properties. Using particle-resolved modelling informed by quantitative measurements from a soot-particle aerosol mass spectrometer, we confirm that the mixing state (the distribution of co-emitted aerosol amongst fresh BC-containing particles) at the time of emission significantly affects BC-aerosol optical properties even after a day of atmospheric processing. Both single particle and ensemble aerosol mass spectrometry observations indicate that BC near the point of emission co-exists with hydrocarbon-like organic aerosol in two distinct particle types: HOA-rich and BC-rich particles. The average mass fraction of black carbon in HOA-rich and BC-rich particles was 0.02–0.08 and 0.72–0.93, respectively. Notably, approximately 90 % of BC mass resides in BC-rich particles. This new measurement capability provides quantitative insight into the physical and chemical nature of BC-containing particles and is used to drive a particle-resolved aerosol box model. Significant differences in calculated single scattering albedo (an increase of 0.1) arise from accurate treatment of initial particle mixing state as compared to the assumption of uniform aerosol composition at the point of BC injection into the atmosphere.
Optical properties of atmospheric fine particles near Beijing during the HOPE-J3A Campaign
Authors: Xu X. , Zhao W. , Zhang Q. , Wang S. , Fang B. , Chen W. , Venables D. S. , Wang X. , Pu W. , Wang X. , Gao X. , Zhang W.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. The optical properties and chemical composition of PM1.0 (particulate with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 1.0 μm) particles in a suburban environment (Huairou) near the mega-city Beijing were measured during the HOPE-J3A (Haze Observation Project Especially for Jing-Jin-Ji Area) field campaign. The campaign covered the period November 2014 to January 2015 during the winter coal heating season. The average and standard deviations for the extinction, scattering, absorption coefficients, and the aerosol single scattering albedo (SSA) at λ = 470 nm during the measurement period were 201 ± 240, 164 ± 202, 37 ± 43 Mm-1, and 0.80 ± 0.08, respectively. The mean mass scattering (MSE) and absorption (MAE) efficiencies were 4.77 ± 0.01 and 0.87 ± 0.03 m2g-1, respectively. Highly time-resolved air pollution episodes clearly show the dramatic evolution of the PM1.0 size distribution, extensive optical properties (extinction, scattering, and absorption coefficients) and intensive optical properties (single scattering albedo and complex refractive index) during haze formation, development and decline. Time periods were classified into three different pollution levels (clear, slightly polluted, and polluted) for further analysis. It was found that: (1) The diurnal patterns of the aerosol extinction, scattering, absorption coefficients, and SSA differed for the three pollution classes. (2) The real and imaginary part of complex refractive index (CRI) increased, while the SSA decreased from clear to polluted days. (3) The relative contributions of organic and inorganic species to observed aerosol composition changed significantly from clear to polluted days: the organic mass fraction decreased (50 to 43 %) while the proportion of sulfates, nitrates, and ammonium increased strongly (34 to 44 %). (4) The fractional contribution of chemical components to extinction coefficients was calculated by using the modified IMPROVE algorithm. Organic mass was the largest contributor (58 %) to the total extinction of PM1.0. When the air quality deteriorated, the change of the relative contribution of sulfate aerosol to the total extinction was small, but the contribution of nitrate aerosol increased significantly (from 17 % on clear days to 23 % on polluted days). (5) The observed mass scattering efficiencies increased consistently with the pollution extent, however, the observed mass absorption efficiencies increased consistently with increasing mass concentration in slightly pollution conditions, but decreased under polluted conditions.
Applying Semiotic Theories to Graphic Design Education: An Empirical Study on Poster Design Teaching
Authors: Yang Chao-Ming , Hsu Tzu-Fan
Published: November 2015

The rationales behind design are dissimilar to those behind art. Establishing an adequate theoretical foundation for conducting design education can facilitate scientising design methods. Thus, from the perspectives of the semiotic theories proposed by Saussure and Peirce, we investigated graphic design curricula by performing teaching experiments, verifying the adequacy of applying these theories to poster design. During the teaching experiment, a matched groups design method was used for assigning 30 students to either an experimental group or a control group. The results of the experiment revealed that compared with the control group students, the experimental group students, who applied the semiotic theories to their poster designs, performed more favourably in image creativity, picture aesthetic, typography, and total poster design score. The posters created by the students were submitted to International Triennial of Ecological Posters ‘the 4th Block’, and a total of 4 creations from the experimental group were accepted. The results of the teaching experiment verify that applying semiotic theories to graphic design curricula facilitates improving student ability to observe objects and cultivating their capability to design posters and reinforce the visual tension in the posters.
Higher Education Quality: Perception Differences among Internal and External Stakeholders
Authors: Abidin Munirul
Published: November 2015

Conceptually, education quality of higher education can be determined by evaluation of their stakeholders’s satisfaction level. The Purpose of this study is to describe how students as external stakeholder and lecturers as internal stakeholder, perceived their satisfaction of learning experience in the university. This study was conducted in quantitative research method to collect, analyze and interpret data. The findings indicated that students and lecturers had different perceptions on the quality of education. Lecturer perceived all dimensions of quality with a higher satisfaction level than students. This finding shows that there is a gap between perception of lecturers and students on higher education quality.
Social Capital and Educational Aspiration of Students: Does Family Social Capital Affect More Compared to School Social Capital?
Authors: Shahidul S. M. , Karim A. H. M. Zehadul , Mustari S.
Published: November 2015

Resources from multiple social contexts influence students’ educational aspiration. In the field of social capital a neglected issue is how students obtain social capital from varying contexts and which contexts benefit them more to shape their future educational plan which consequently affects their level of aspiration. In this study, we aim to examine whether the students’ social capital, which is created by their families, has an extensive effect in shaping their educational aspiration compared to the social capital which is created in schools. We use the information collected from 553 students, their parents and 225 teachers from 12 selected secondary schools in Bangladesh. We conduct a series of multiple linear regression analyses to estimate the influence of family social capital and school social capital on the dependent variable of educational aspiration. To compare the effect size of family social capital and school social capital we consider the standardized Beta (β) weights of these two variables. The results show that beyond the socio-economic status, both family social capital and school social capital positively affect students’ educational aspiration. In addition, when we compare the effect size of these two variables, results show that family social capital has more strength compared to school social capital to predict the educational aspiration outcome of students.
Self-Directed Learning and Skills of Problem-Based Learning: A Case of Nigerian Secondary Schools Chemistry Students
Authors: Abubakar Abbas Babayi , Arshad Mohammad Yusof
Published: November 2015

The role of chemistry in the development of any society cannot be overemphasized. Chemistry students are therefore expected to acquire flexible knowledge and problem solving skills to facilitate the expected development of our modern society. The purpose of this article is to investigate the roles of teachers and student in the development of self-directed learning and skills in Nigerian Secondary Schools. PBL is a student-centered pedagogy which helps students develop problem solving skills and improved knowledge through self-directed learning under teacher’s supervision. It is supported by Cognitive and Constructive psychologists. The learning process in Nigeria schools does not produce students with the required skills and knowledge, because of traditional instructions by teachers, poor learning environment and inadequate learning facilities. This gives a reason for the research. The study used a qualitative approach with explanatory design. Fifteen (15) chemistry students (16 years) and a teacher were purposefully selected in one Senior Secondary School as participants. The participants received 6 weeks of PBL lessons using a topic purification of water. The researchers collected data through observations field notes during the intervention process and also interview a focus group of 5 students after the PBL lessons. The data were transcribed, triangulated and analyzed using content analysis. The results showed students have improved learning and acquisition of problem solving skills including life-long learning and information management due effective self-directed learning activities among them. The researchers therefore recommend the introduction of self-directed learning approach in Nigerian Secondary Schools and other higher educational institutions.
De transactiebeslissing van het auditoraat van de Belgische mededingingsautoriteit in het supermarktendossier: een ‘hub & spoke’ compromis à la belge?
Authors: Van Cleynenbreugel Pieter
Published: November 2015

De transactiebeslissing van het auditoraat van de Belgische mededingingsautoriteit in het supermarktendossier: een ‘hub & spoke’ compromis à la belge?

Door middel van zijn eerste transactiebeslissing ooit beëindigde het auditoraat van de Belgische mededingingsautoriteit op 22 juni 2015 een langlopend onderzoek naar retailprijsafspraken tussen supermarkten en hun leveranciers. Ondanks de eerste succesvolle toepassing van deze nieuwe schikkingsprocedure bevestigt de Belgische beslissing bovenal de onzekerheden omtrent de mededingingsrechtelijke beoordeling van ‘hub & spoke’ afspraken alsmede de beperkte reikwijdte van schikkingen als alternatieve instrumenten van mededingingshandhaving.
Iconographic Professional Interests Inventory (3IP): A New Validation Study
Authors: Boerchi Diego , Magnano Paola
Published: November 2015

Interests have been a central focus of counselling psychology (and vocational psychology in particular) for over 100 years. The awareness of professional interests increases self-knowledge and provides occupational information. In career counselling, vocational interests are assessed more frequently than any other vocational construct, though early evaluations (before 13 years old) of professional interests are very rare. The aim of this research is to examine the 3IP construct (Iconographic Professional Interests Inventory; an inventory composed of 65 stylised pictures that represent people in the act of performing a job) in depth, testing more models in addition to the 19 vocational areas proposed in the 3IP manual. Results show that most of the vocational areas can be grouped into 4 second-level areas (“things”, “people”, “leisure”, and “culture”). Moreover, Holland’s RIASEC model is tested; an accurate selection of items reveals that this model works well using 24 specific jobs. The research concludes that the inventory has good psychometric qualities which can grow further by mean of the increasing, in a targeted way, of the number of jobs.
The Detrimental Effect of Machiavellian Leadership on Employees’ Emotional Exhaustion: Organizational Cynicism as a Mediator
Authors: Gkorezis Panagiotis , Petridou Eugenia , Krouklidou Theodora
Published: November 2015

Numerous empirical studies have examined predictors of emotional exhaustion. In this vein, both positive and negative leadership styles have been associated with this outcome. Yet, little is known about the role of Machiavellian leadership in fostering employees’ emotional exhaustion. As such, we investigated the relationship between Machiavellian leadership and emotional exhaustion. Even more, we investigated an explanatory mechanism of this association by encompassing organizational cynicism as a mediator. Results showed that Machiavellian leadership has a both direct and indirect, through organizational cynicism, on employees’ emotional exhaustion.
Wagner or Keynes for Ghana? Government Expenditure and Economic Growth Dynamics. A ‘VAR’ Approach
Authors: Kofi Kamasa Kofi Kamasa , Ofori-Abebrese Grace
Published: November 2015

This paper analysed empirically the causal relationship between government expenditure growth and GDP growth in Ghana from 1980 - 2010. The study employed vector autoregressive (VAR)/Granger causality analysis developed by Sims (1980) and Granger (1969). The cointegration results provided evidence of a unique cointegrating vector. Granger causality test conducted revealed that causality exist only from GDP growth to government expenditure growth and not the vice versa. This implication supports Wagner's law of expanding state activities for Ghana. This result means that in estimating government expenditure, GDP growth must be taken into account so as to avoid the problem of misspecification and biasness of estimates generated. The findings also suggest that government must focus on policies that would create the enabling environment for growth to thrive rather than increasing its expenditure with the aim of increasing GDP growth.
Sequential selection of economic good and action in medial frontal cortex of macaques during value-based decisions
Authors: Chen Xiaomo , Stuphorn Veit
Published: November 2015

Value-based decisions could rely either on the selection of desired economic goods or on the selection of the actions that will obtain the goods. We investigated this question by recording from the supplementary eye field (SEF) of monkeys during a gambling task that allowed us to distinguish chosen good from chosen action signals. Analysis of the individual neuron activity, as well as of the population state-space dynamic, showed that SEF encodes first the chosen gamble option (the desired economic good) and only ~100 ms later the saccade that will obtain it (the chosen action). The action selection is likely driven by inhibitory interactions between different SEF neurons. Our results suggest that during value-based decisions, the selection of economic goods precedes and guides the selection of actions. The two selection steps serve different functions and can therefore not compensate for each other, even when information guiding both processes is given simultaneously.
Using an achiasmic human visual system to quantify the relationship between the fMRI BOLD signal and neural response
Authors: Bao Pinglei , Purington Christopher J , Tjan Bosco S
Published: November 2015

Achiasma in humans causes gross mis-wiring of the retinal-fugal projection, resulting in overlapped cortical representations of left and right visual hemifields. We show that in areas V1-V3 this overlap is due to two co-located but non-interacting populations of neurons, each with a receptive field serving only one hemifield. Importantly, the two populations share the same local vascular control, resulting in a unique organization useful for quantifying the relationship between neural and fMRI BOLD responses without direct measurement of neural activity. Specifically, we can non-invasively double local neural responses by stimulating both neuronal populations with identical stimuli presented symmetrically across the vertical meridian to both visual hemifields, versus one population by stimulating in one hemifield. Measurements from a series of such doubling experiments show that the amplitude of BOLD response is proportional to approximately 0.5 power of the underlying neural response. Reanalyzing published data shows that this inferred relationship is general.
ALTERIDADE EM CONVERSA DE BOIS E CAMPO GERAL, DE JOÃO GUIMARÃES ROSA
Authors: Sirino Salete Paulina Machado
Published: November 2015

Entendendo a relevância da Leitura Literária no campo da Literatura e Ensino, neste artigo, promove-se o estudo sobre a concepção de Mikhail Bakhtin a respeito da língua e da interação social na construção da linguagem romanesca, por meio de análises dos textos de Guimarães Rosa, Conversa de Bois (1946) e Campo Geral (1956), utilizando-se como fundamentação teórica, especialmente, o livro Marxismo e Filosofia da Linguagem (1997), de Mikhail Bakhtin (Volochinov), no qual o autor expõe a sua teoria da linguagem e do dialogismo – diálogo entre o "eu" e o "outro". É esse caráter interativo da linguagem – a relação intersubjetiva entre os sujeitos sociais – que permeia a concepção de linguagem desse autor e que possibilita a análise proposta, tendo em vista que a linguagem na obra de Guimarães Rosa também remete a essa interação. 
O JORNAL ESCOLAR COMO RECURSO PEDAGÓGICO
Authors: Moura Andrea Larisse Castro , Tocantins Raimundo Araujo
Published: November 2015

A escola representa muitas vezes a única oportunidade do jovem leitor estar em contato com o livro. É necessário propiciar de forma diversificada e interativa, um jeito de trazê-los ao mundo da leitura, contribuindo na sua forma de pensar, agir dentro de sua realidade. O estudo tem por objetivo analisar como se desenvolve a prática da leitura e escrita dos alunos por meio do desenvolvimento do seu pensamento crítico para a criação de textos, a partir do trabalho embasado em uma proposta didática e interativa, a qual estimula o uso de seus conhecimentos de mundo ao escrever as matérias. Assim, a utilização do Jornal contribuirá para transformar esse suporte em ferramenta pedagógica estimulante à leitura e a escrita, através do contato com conceitos básicos desse gênero e como suas características da teoria a prática da construção do Jornal escolar. Na Metodologia optou-se por uma pesquisa do Tipo Bibliográfica, numa abordagem básica e qualitativa e de embasamento fundamentado em referências de autores principalmente como Freinet, Faria Costa, Mikhail Bakhtin dentre outros, utilizando a concretização do ato através da leitura, discussão e escrita de textos. Os Resultados apontam que o jornal na escola possibilitará a realização de atos comunicativos, viabilizando esse aluno o contato direto com os diversos gêneros, incorporando a relação produtor – leitor de textos. Neste sentido infere-se que o trabalho com o jornal em sala de aula na prática, propiciará aos alunos um rico conhecimento cultural e social, tornando a prática da leitura e escrita uma atividade prazerosa e significativa.
MÉTODO DE INVESTIGAÇÃO ESTÉTICA NO CAMPO DA ARTE E DA EDUCAÇÃO
Authors: Paulo Silvia , Rausch Rita Buzzi
Published: November 2015

Nesse texto argumentamos sobre o método de investigação estética e como esse método pode tencionar as pesquisas em Arte e Educação. Objetiva caracterizar os princípios teóricos e metodológicos que fundamentam as pesquisas que se utilizam do método de investigação estética na arte e na Educação. De cunho qualitativo, realizamos umapesquisa bibliográfica envolvendo as ideias de teóricos que tratam do assunto: Vallance (1991), Eisner (1976; 2008),Dewey (1980; 2005) e Vygotsky (1999). Os resultados apontam que diante dos princípios teóricos as pesquisam que se utilizam do método de investigação estética são vistas como um método sensível para um trabalho sensível; conseguem suprir o pesquisador com um conjunto de princípios e experiências que forma as reações aos problemas educacionais e estimula uma discussão inteligente sobre eles; é uma crítica que faz parte de contexto e perspectiva daquilo que se sente, vê e ouve e é uma experiência estética que deve conter uma emoção. Diante dos princípios metodológicos as pesquisas são qualitativas, com uma perspectiva sensível que outros meios não dão conta; busca identificar padrões, equilíbrios e desequilíbrios, ritmos, enfim, quaisquer qualidades advindas da experiência que podem dar cor a cada julgamento da situação; pode ter todas as tipicidades que encontramos em qualquer outra pesquisa educacional. Outro fator relevante a destacar sobre os resultados são que as técnicas de observação e descrição derivam dos seguintes tópicos: ênfase seletiva, símile e metáfora, comparação incidental, técnica implícita e adjetivos redundantes. Tópicos esses que podem ser utilizados em uma pesquisa educacional como categorias de análise.
Can ring current stabilize magnetotail during steady magnetospheric convection?
Authors: Dubyagin S. , Ganushkina N. , Liemohn M. , Kubyshkina M.
Published: November 2015

The present study investigates the role of the ring current in stabilizing the magnetotail during steady magnetospheric convection (SMC) events. We develop a method for estimation of the symmetric ring current intensity from the single spacecraft magnetic field observations. The method is applied to a large number of SMC events identified using three different automatic procedures adopted from the literature. It is found that the symmetric ring current can be weak or strong depending on a particular event. We find a significant fraction of events that have a rather weak symmetric ring current in spite of the strong solar wind driving during the event. These findings imply that the symmetric ring current plays no role in the magnetotail stabilization.
Chemical composition of aerosol particles and light extinction apportionment before and during the heating season in Beijing, China
Authors: Wang Qingqing , Sun Yele , Jiang Qi , Du Wei , Sun Chengzhu , Fu Pingqing , Wang Zifa
Published: November 2015

Despite extensive efforts into characterization of the sources and formation mechanisms of severe haze pollution in the megacity of Beijing, the response of aerosol composition and optical properties to coal combustion emissions in the heating season remain poorly understood. Here we conducted a 3 month real‐time measurement of submicron aerosol (PM1) composition by an Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor and particle light extinction by a Cavity Attenuated Phase Shift extinction monitor in Beijing, China, from 1 October to 31 December 2012. The average (±σ) PM1 concentration was 82.4 (±73.1) µg/m3 during the heating period (HP, 15 November to 31 December), which was nearly 50% higher than that before HP (1 October to 14 November). While nitrate and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) showed relatively small changes, organics, sulfate, and chloride were observed to have significant increases during HP, indicating the dominant impacts of coal combustion sources on these three species. The relative humidity‐dependent composition further illustrated an important role of aqueous‐phase processing for the sulfate enhancement during HP. We also observed great increases of hydrocarbon‐like OA (HOA) and coal combustion OA (CCOA) during HP, which was attributed to higher emissions at lower temperatures and coal combustion emissions, respectively. The relationship between light extinction and chemical composition was investigated using a multiple linear regression model. Our results showed that the largest contributors to particle extinction were ammonium nitrate (32%) and ammonium sulfate (28%) before and during HP, respectively. In addition, the contributions of SOA and primary OA to particle light extinction were quantified. The results showed that the OA extinction was mainly caused by SOA before HP and by SOA and CCOA during HP, yet with small contributions from HOA and cooking aerosol for the entire study period. Our results elucidate substantial changes of aerosol composition, formation mechanisms, and optical properties due to coal combustion emissions and meteorological changes in the heating season.
An updated subgrid orographic parameterization for global atmospheric forecast models
Authors: Choi Hyun‐Joo , Hong Song‐You
Published: November 2015

A subgrid orographic parameterization (SOP) is updated by including the effects of orographic anisotropy and flow‐blocking drag (FBD). The impact of the updated SOP on short‐range forecasts is investigated using a global atmospheric forecast model applied to a heavy snowfall event over Korea on 4 January 2010. When the SOP is updated, the orographic drag in the lower troposphere noticeably increases owing to the additional FBD over mountainous regions. The enhanced drag directly weakens the excessive wind speed in the low troposphere and indirectly improves the temperature and mass fields over East Asia. In addition, the snowfall overestimation over Korea is improved by the reduced heat fluxes from the surface. The forecast improvements are robust regardless of the horizontal resolution of the model between T126 and T510. The parameterization is statistically evaluated based on the skill of the medium‐range forecasts for February 2014. For the medium‐range forecasts, the skill improvements of the wind speed and temperature in the low troposphere are observed globally and for East Asia while both positive and negative effects appear indirectly in the middle‐upper troposphere. The statistical skill for the precipitation is mostly improved due to the improvements in the synoptic fields. The improvements are also found for seasonal simulation throughout the troposphere and stratosphere during boreal winter.
Field investigation of dried lakes in western United States as an analogue to desiccation fractures on Mars
Authors: El‐Maarry M. R. , Watters W. A. , Yoldi Z. , Pommerol A. , Fischer D. , Eggenberger U. , Thomas N.
Published: November 2015

Potential Desiccation Polygons (PDPs), tens to hundreds of meters in size, have been observed in numerous regions on Mars, particularly in ancient (>3 Gyr old) terrains of inferred paleolacustrine/playa geologic setting, and in association with hydrous minerals such as smectites. Therefore, a better understanding of the conditions in which large desiccation polygons form could yield unique insight into the ancient climate on Mars. Many dried lakebeds/playas in western United States display large (>50 m wide) desiccation polygons, which we consider to be analogues for PDPs on Mars. Therefore, we have carried out fieldwork in seven of these dried lakes in San Bernardino and the Death Valley National Park regions complemented with laboratory and spectral analysis of collected samples. Our study shows that the investigated lacustrine/playa sediments have (a) a soil matrix containing ~40–75% clays and fine silt (by volume) where the clay minerals are dominated by illite/muscovite followed by smectite, (b) carbonaceous mineralogy with variable amounts of chloride and sulfate salts, and significantly, (c) roughly similar spectral signatures in the visible‐near‐infrared (VIS‐NIR) range. We conclude that the development of large desiccation fractures is consistent with water table retreat. In addition, the comparison of the mineralogical to the spectral observations further suggests that remote sensing VIS‐NIR spectroscopy has its limitations for detailed characterization of lacustrine/playa deposits. Finally, our results imply that the widespread distribution of PDPs on Mars indicates global or regional climatic transitions from wet conditions to more arid ones making them important candidate sites for future in situ missions.
Integrated framework for constrained minimum‐time trajectory generation, fault detection and reconfiguration: A case‐study
Authors: Suryawan Fajar , De Doná José , Seron María
Published: November 2015

This paper provides a unified treatment to the problems of constrained minimum‐time trajectory generation, fault detection and isolation and (after a fault has been detected and identified) trajectory reconfiguration, in an integrated scheme using a differential flatness and B‐splines parameterisation. Using the flatness/B‐splines parameterisation, the problem of minimum‐time constrained trajectory planning is cast into a feasibility‐search problem in the splines control‐points space, in which the constraint region is characterised by a polytope. A close approximation of the minimum‐time trajectory is obtained by systematically searching the end‐time that makes the constraint polytope to be minimally feasible. Fault detection is carried out by using B‐splines in an FIR filter implementation. Thus, the three problems (namely, trajectory generation, fault detection and trajectory reconfiguration), which are traditionally dealt with separately, are solved in a unified manner, using the same mathematical/computational tools. This, not only offers a unified solution but also simplifies the use of mathematical libraries in the coding of algorithms for real‐time applications. All through the paper, a case‐study consisting in a nonlinear input‐constrained double‐tank system is analysed in order to illustrate the techniques in an intuitive manner. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Atypical phenotypes associated with pathogenic CHD7 variants and a proposal for broadening CHARGE syndrome clinical diagnostic criteria
Authors: Hale Caitlin L. , Niederriter Adrienne N. , Green Glenn E. , Martin Donna M.
Published: November 2015

CHARGE syndrome (Coloboma of the eye, Heart defects, Atresia of the choanae, Retardation of growth and/or development, Genital and/or urinary anomalies, and Ear malformations, including deafness and vestibular disorders) is a genetic condition characterized by a specific and recognizable pattern of features. Heterozygous pathogenic variants in the chromodomain helicase DNA‐binding protein 7 (CHD7) are the major cause of CHARGE syndrome, and have been identified in 70–90% of individuals fulfilling clinical diagnostic criteria. Since 2004, when CHD7 was discovered as the causative gene for CHARGE syndrome, the phenotypic spectrum associated with pathogenic CHD7 variants has expanded. Predicted pathogenic CHD7 variants have been identified in individuals with isolated features of CHARGE including autism and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Here, we present genotype and phenotype data from a cohort of 28 patients who were considered for a diagnosis of CHARGE syndrome, including one patient with atypical presentations and a pathogenic CHD7 variant. We also summarize published literature on pathogenic CHD7 variant positive individuals who have atypical clinical presentations. Lastly, we propose a revision to current clinical diagnostic criteria, including broadening of the major features associated with CHARGE syndrome and addition of pathogenic CHD7 variant status as a major criterion. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamid)‐Phasendiagramme: 50 Jahre Forschung
Authors: Halperin Avraham , Kröger Martin , Winnik Françoise M.
Published: November 2015

Im Jahr 1968 publizierten Heskins und Guillet die erste systematische Studie über das Phasendiagramm von Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamid) (PNIPAM), einem zu jener Zeit “jungen Polymer”, das erstmalig 1956 synthetisiert worden war. Seitdem ist PNIPAM zu einem führenden Vertreter der wachsenden Familie temperatur‐ und reizempfindlicher Polymere geworden. Seine thermische Antwort ist fraglos durch sein Phasenverhalten begründet. Nach nunmehr 50 Jahren Forschung zeichnet sich noch immer kein einheitliches, quantitatives Bild seines Verhaltens ab. In diesem Aufsatz treten wir eine Reise zu den beobachteten Phasendiagrammen an. Wir kommentieren theoretische Überlegungen zu den möglichen Ursachen der dabei offensichtlich werdenden Unterschiede. Dabei ist es unser Ziel, nach wie vor offene Fragen auf diesem altehrwürdigen Gebiet vor Augen zu führen.
Ni‐based catalysts prepared by impregnation combustion method for CO methanation in a slurry‐bed reactor
Authors: Ji Keming , Meng Fanhui , Li Zhong
Published: November 2015

A series of xNi@Al2O3 catalysts with different Ni content was prepared by impregnation combustion method, the catalytic performance for CO methanation in a slurry‐bed reactor at low‐temperature was studied, and the structure of the catalysts was characterized by X‐ray diffraction, N2 adsorption–desorption, temperature‐programmed reduction of H2, transmission electron microscope, and H2 chemisorption. The results show that as Ni content increased from 5 to 45%, the crystallite size of metallic Ni increased and the specific surface area decreased, while as the Ni content was between 25 and 45%, the metal Ni surface area firstly increased and was then maintained at around 10 m2·g−1. The catalytic activity of xNi@Al2O3 catalysts increased as the Ni content rose from 5 to 25%, and then remained constant as the Ni content continued to rise. Under the reaction conditions of 300 °C, 1 MPa, and 3000 mL·g−1·h−1, 25Ni@Al2O3 catalyst exhibited the best catalytic performance; the CO conversion and the CH4 selectivity reached 94.3 and 93.7%, respectively. © 2015 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved synthesis and properties of hydroxyl‐terminated liquid fluorosilicone
Authors: Zhang Guo‐Dong , Hu Ying‐Qian , Wu Ji‐Rong , Li Jia‐Yun , Lai Guo‐Qiao , Zhong Ming‐Qiang
Published: November 2015

The synthesis of hydroxyl‐terminated poly(trifluoropropylmethyl)siloxane (PTFPMS‐OH) by anionic ring‐opening polymerization of 1,3,5‐tris(trifluoropropylmethyl)cyclotrisiloxane (D3F) was studied in bulk using potassium hydroxide as an initiator in the presence of several reaction stabilizers. The promoting effect of the reaction stabilizers for the polymerization of D3F was investigated by GPC and NMR analyses. Results showed that the selected reaction stabilizers exhibited a significant promoting effect. This new process of polymerization produced well‐defined α,ω‐dihydroxylated polysiloxane in very high yields. The addition of reaction stabilizers could almost completely suppress back‐biting reactions during the polymerization. It was found that there lies an exponential decay relationship between the molecular weight of PTFPMS‐OH and amount of end‐capping agent. Thus, by adjusting the reaction conditions strictly, the molecular weight of the fluorosilicone could be controlled accurately, and meanwhile a broad “terminate window” could be implemented. Thermogravimetic (TG) analysis indicated that PTFPMS‐OH could be used in a wide range of operational temperatures. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2016,133, 43220.
Simultaneous quantification of catechin, epicatechin, liquiritin, isoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, piperine and glycyrrhetinic acid in rat plasma by HPLC‐MS/MS: application to a pharmacokinetic study of Longhu Rendan pills
Authors: Wang Tianming , Ding Liqing , Jin Huajia , Shi Rong , Li Yuanyuan , Wu Jiasheng , Li Yifei , Zhu Li , Ma Yueming
Published: November 2015

A sensitive, specific, accurate HPLC‐MS/MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of catechin, epicatechin, liquiritin, isoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, piperine and glycyrrhetinic acid from Longhu Rendan pills in rat plasma. Chromatographic separation was performed with a Hypersil Gold C18 column using a gradient of methanol and 0.01% acetic acid containing 0.2 mm ammonium acetate as mobile phase. The analytes were quantified on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, operating in selected reaction monitoring mode and switching the electrospray ion source polarity between positive and negative modes in a single run. The calibration curves of catechin, epicatechin, liquiritin, isoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, piperine and glycyrrhetinic acid were linear over the concentration ranges of 5–2000, 5–2000, 0.5–200, 0.5–200, 0.25–100, 0.25–100, 0.025–10 and 0.50–200 ng mL−1, respectively. The intra‐ and inter‐assay precisions and accuracies were <11.6 and 91.9–108.2%, respectively, for all analytes. Matrix effects for all analytes were between 88.2 and 114.2%. Stability testing showed that all analytes were stable in plasma at 24 °C for 3 h, at 4 °C for 24 h, after three freeze–thaw cycles, and at −80 °C for 15 days. The method was successfully applied to an in vivo study evaluating the pharmacokinetics of multiple nonvolatile compounds following intragastric administration of Longhu Rendan pills to rats. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correlations between arm motor behavior and brain function following bilateral arm training after stroke: a systematic review
Authors: Choo Pei Ling , Gallagher Helen L. , Morris Jacqui , Pomeroy Valerie M. , van Wijck Frederike
Published: November 2015

Background

Bilateral training (BT) of the upper limb (UL) might enhance recovery of arm function after stroke. To better understand the therapeutic potential of BT, this study aimed to determine the correlation between arm motor behavior and brain structure/function as a result of bilateral arm training poststroke.

Methods

A systematic review of quantitative studies of BT evaluating both UL motor behavior and neuroplasticity was conducted. Eleven electronic databases were searched. Two reviewers independently selected studies, extracted data and assessed methodological quality, using the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) tool.

Results

Eight studies comprising 164 participants met the inclusion criteria. Only two studies rated “strong” on the EPHPP tool. Considerable heterogeneity of participants, BT modes, comparator interventions and measures contraindicated pooled outcome analysis. Modes of BT included: in‐phase and anti‐phase; functional movements involving objects; and movements only. Movements were mechanically coupled, free, auditory‐cued, or self‐paced. The Fugl‐Meyer Assessment (UL section) was used in six of eight studies, however, different subsections were used by different studies. Neural correlates were measured using fMRI and TMS in three and five studies, respectively, using a wide variety of variables. Associations between changes in UL function and neural plasticity were inconsistent and only two studies reported a statistical correlation following BT.

Conclusions

No clear pattern of association between UL motor and neural response to BT was apparent from this review, indicating that the neural correlates of motor behavior response to BT after stroke remain unknown. To understand the full therapeutic potential of BT and its different modes, further investigation is required.
Disseminated histoplasmosis presenting as pelvic inflammatory disease
Authors: Rimtepathip Parin P. , Erickson Alex , Katner Harold , Bakri Younes
Published: November 2015

Key Clinical Message

A 39‐year‐old female patient was presented with acute abdominal pain. Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed extensive granulomas throughout the abdomen. Disseminated TB was suspected, but the biopsies were negative. Due to a high degree of suspicion, a urine antigen test was performed and was strongly positive for histoplasmosis.
Systematical Laboratory Tests with a Bucket Centrifuge and a Pressure Nutsche – Comparison of the Cake Permeability
Authors: Verdurand Elodie , Ebert Roland , Nicolaou Ioannis
Published: November 2015

It is always stated that cakes formed under centrifugal fields have lower cake permeability than the cakes formed under gas pressure difference, but systematical investigations have not yet been published. Results are reported for two different suspensions from experiments carried out with both techniques under identical suspension conditions. A new standardized analysis method supported by cake flow‐through experiments is explained and allows the plotting of all results in the same diagram. For both suspensions, and contrary to the common belief, significantly higher cake permeability values for the laboratory centrifuge tests were determined. Explanations for this behavior are given.
Core–Shell Al‐Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Configurations to Enhance Reaction Kinetics and Energy Performance for Nanoenergetic Materials
Authors: Wang Jun , Qiao Zhiqiang , Yang Yuntao , Shen Jinpeng , Long Zhang , Li Zhaoqian , Cui Xudong , Yang Guangcheng
Published: November 2015

The energy performance of solid energetic materials (Al, Mg, etc.) is typically restricted by a natural passivation layer and the diffusion‐limited kinetics between the oxidizer and the metal. In this work, we use polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as the fluorine carrier and the shielding layer to construct a new type of nano‐Al based fuels. The PTFE shell not only prevents nano‐Al layers from oxidation, but also assists in enhancing the reaction kinetics, greatly improving the stability and reactivity of fuels. An in situ chemical vapor deposition combined with the electrical explosion of wires (EEW) method is used to fabricate core–shell nanostructures. Studies show that by controlling the stoichiometric ratio of the precursors, the morphology of the PTFE shell and the energy performance can be easily tuned. The resultant composites exhibit superior energy output characters than that of their physically mixed Al/PTFE counterparts. This synthetic strategy might provide a general approach to prepare other high‐energy fuels (Mg, Si).
Modelling the effect of soil burn severity on soil erosion at hillslope scale in the first year following wildfire in NW Spain
Authors: Fernández Cristina , Vega José A.
Published: November 2015

Fire severity is recognized as a key factor in explaining post‐fire soil erosion. However, the relationship between soil burn severity and soil loss has not been fully established until now. Sediment availability may also affect the extent of post‐fire soil erosion. The objective of this study was to determine whether soil burn severity, estimated by an operational classification system based on visual indicators, can significantly explain soil loss in the first year after wildfire in shrubland and other areas affected by crown fires in northwest (NW) Spain. An additional aim was to establish indicators of sediment availability for use as explanatory variables for post‐fire soil loss. For these purposes, we measured hillslope‐scale sediment production rates and site characteristics during the first year after wildfire in 15 experimental sites using 65 plots. Sediment yields varied from 0.2 Mg ha−1 to 50.1 Mg ha−1 and soil burn severity ranged from low (1.8) to very high (4.5) in the study period. A model that included soil burn severity, annual precipitation and a land use factor (as a surrogate for sediment availability) as explanatory variables reasonably explained the erosion losses measured during the first year after fire. Model validation confirmed the usefulness of this empirical model. The proposed empirical model could be used by forest managers to help evaluate erosion risks and to plan post‐fire stabilization activities. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.