bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of balanced impact damper in structures subjected to walking and vertical seismic excitations
Authors: Nakamura Yutaka , Watanabe Koichi
Published: August 2015

This study investigates whether a balanced impact damper (BID) with a vertically suspended impact body colliding with shock absorbing rubber can suppress vibrations of a floor slab subjected to walking and vertical seismic excitations. The impact body is suspended by coil springs to sustain its deadweight and centralize it within the gap, and collides with the stopper when its amplitude exceeds the specified gap width. The stopper is covered by a shock‐absorbing rubber made of polyurethane gel. The installed BID was evaluated in a single degree‐of‐freedom model of a floor slab subjected to vertical excitations. Simulations revealed that the installed BID properly controls the vibrations. Next, the effects of the BID installed on a steel plate were investigated in shaking table tests. The BID effectively suppressed vertical vibrations of the plate subjected to sinusoidal waves, seismic motions, and walking excitations. In addition, the shaking table tests were accurately simulated by the developed mathematical model of the damper. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Code‐based record selection methods for seismic performance assessment of buildings
Authors: Araújo Miguel , Macedo Luís , Marques Mário , Castro José Miguel
Published: August 2015

The recent concerns regarding the seismic safety of the existing building stock have highlighted the need for an improvement of current seismic assessment procedures. Alongside with the development of more advanced commercial software tools and computational capacities, nonlinear dynamic analysis is progressively becoming a common and preferable procedure in the seismic assessment of buildings. Besides the complexity associated with the formulation of the mathematical model, major issues arise related with the definition of the seismic action, which can lead to different levels of uncertainty in terms of local and global building response. Aiming to address this issue, a comparative study of different code‐based record selection methods proposed by Eurocode 8, ASCE41‐13 and NZS1170.5:2004 is presented herein. The various methods are employed in the seismic assessment of four steel buildings, designed according to different criteria, and the obtained results are compared and discussed. Special attention is devoted to the influence of the number of real ground motion records selected on the estimation of the mean seismic response and, importantly, to the efficiency that is achieved when an additional selection criteria, based on the control of the spectral mismatch of each individual record with respect to the reference response spectrum, is adopted. The sufficiency of the methods with respect to the pairs of M–R of the selected group of records and the robustness of the scaling procedure are also examined. The paper closes with a study which demonstrates the suitability of a simplified probability‐based approach recently proposed for estimating mean seismic demands. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient Multistep Forecast Procedures for Multivariate Time Series
Authors: Jouini Tarek
Published: August 2015

Upon the evidence that infinite‐order vector autoregression setting is more realistic in time series models, we propose new model selection procedures for producing efficient multistep forecasts. They consist of order selection criteria involving the sample analog of the asymptotic approximation of theh‐step‐ahead forecast mean squared error matrix, wherehis the forecast horizon. These criteria are minimized over a truncation ordernTunder the assumption that an infinite‐order vector autoregression can be approximated, under suitable conditions, with a sequence of truncated models, wherenTis increasing with sample size. Using finite‐order vector autoregressive models with various persistent levels and realistic sample sizes, Monte Carlo simulations show that, overall, our criteria outperform conventional competitors. Specifically, they tend to yield better small‐sample distribution of the lag‐order estimates around the true value, while estimating it with relatively satisfactory probabilities. They also produce more efficient multistep (and even stepwise) forecasts since they yield the lowesth‐step‐ahead forecast mean squared errors for the individual components of the holding pseudo‐data to forecast. Thus estimating the actual autoregressive order as well as the best forecasting model can be achieved with the same selection procedure. Such results stand in sharp contrast to the belief that parsimony is a virtue in itself, and state that the relative accuracy of strongly consistent criteria such as the Schwarz information criterion, as claimed in the literature, is overstated. Our criteria are new tools extending those previously existing in the literature and hence can suitably be used for various practical situations when necessary. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reduced iNKT cells numbers in type 1 diabetes patients and their first‐degree relatives
Authors: Beristain‐Covarrubias Nonantzin , Canche‐Pool Elsy , Gomez‐Diaz Rita , Sanchez‐Torres Luvia E. , Ortiz‐Navarrete Vianney
Published: August 2015

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by the specific destruction of insulin‐producing pancreatic β cells. Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells have been associated with development of T1D. Class I MHC‐restricted T cell‐associated molecule (CRTAM) is expressed on activated iNKT, CD8+, and CD4+ T cells, and it is associated with the pro‐inflammatory profiles of these cells. Crtam gene expression in CD3+ lymphocytes from non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice is associated with T1D onset. However, expression of CRTAM on T cells from patients with T1D has not yet been evaluated. We compared iNKT cell (CD3+Vα24+Vβ11+) numbers and CRTAM expression in a Mexican population with recent‐onset T1D and their first‐degree relatives with control families. Remarkably, we found lower iNKT cell numbers in T1D families, and we identified two iNKT cell populations in some of the families. One iNKT cell population expressed high iTCR levels (iNKThi), whereas another expressed low levels (iNKTlo) and also expressed CRTAM. These findings support a probable genetic determinant of iNKT cell numbers and a possible role for these cells in T1D development. This study also suggests that CRTAM identifies recently activated iNKT lymphocytes.
The effects of reinforcement magnitude on skill acquisition for children with autism
Authors: Paden Amber R. , Kodak Tiffany
Published: August 2015

We examined the effects of reinforcement magnitude on skill acquisition during discrete‐trial training. After conducting a magnitude preference assessment, we compared acquisition during conditions with large and small magnitudes of edible reinforcement to a praise‐only condition. Although all participants showed a preference for the large‐magnitude reinforcer, preference did not predict the magnitude that produced the fastest skill acquisition.
Matrix metalloproteases inhibition and biocompatibility of gold and platinum nanoparticles
Authors: Hashimoto Masanori , Kawai Koji , Kawakami Hayato , Imazato Satoshi
Published: August 2015

Matrix metalloprotease (MMP) inhibitors improve the longevity of dental adhesives/tooth bonds; however, biocompatibility is required for their clinical use. This study evaluated the inhibition of MMPs and toxicity of two gold (AuNPs) and platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) as possible compounds for use in dental adhesives. The MMP assay for studying the interaction of MMPs and nanoparticles (NPs) was evaluated by an MMP assay kit and gelatin zymography. Cultured L929 fibroblast cells or RAW264 macrophages were exposed to NPs. The cellular responses to NPs were examined using cytotoxic (cell viability) and genotoxic assays (comet assay), and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis. The mechanical properties (elastic modulus) of the experimental resin loaded with NPs were examined using thermomechanical analysis. All NPs inhibited MMP activity at relatively low concentrations. The NPs inhibit MMPs by chelating with the Zn2+ bound in the active sites of MMPs. No cytotoxic and genotoxic effects were found in AuNPs, whereas the PtNPs possessed both adverse effects. In TEM analysis, the NPs were localized mainly in lysosomes without penetration into nuclei. The mechanical properties of the resins increased when AuNPs were added in resins, but not by PtNPs. AuNPs are attractive candidates to inhibit MMPs and improve the mechanical properties of resins without cytotoxic/genotoxic effects to cells, and therefore should be suitable for applications in adhesive resin systems. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 209–217, 2016.
Bilateral PLA/alginate membranes for the prevention of postsurgical adhesions
Authors: Kessler Martina , Esser Eva , Groll Jürgen , Tessmar Jörg
Published: August 2015

A bilateral barrier membrane for the prevention of postsurgical adhesions was developed. Thereby, a smooth PLA side was supposed to keep the affected tissues glidingly separated, while a mucoadhesive side made of alginate was meant to keep the barrier resident on the site of injury so that suturing becomes redundant or at least the membrane stays long enough to facilitate surgical handling. Because hydrophilic alginate and lipophilic PLA films show only low cohesion, solution electrospun meshes of PLA and PLA‐PEG‐PLA triblock copolymers with varying poly(ethylene glycol) [PEG] content were investigated as cohesion promoter to avoid an easy separation of the functionally different layers. Using direct electrospinning onto the PLA film, a modified contact surface of the mesh was created, which allowed the tested alginate solutions (3%, 5%) to infiltrate to different extents. Thereby, an increasing content of hydrophilic PEG within the mesh copolymer and a lower alginate concentration facilitated the infiltration. As a result, the PLA film with a PLA35k‐PEG10k‐PLA35k (racemic PLA chains) mesh and an alginate layer cast from a 3% alginate solution appeared to be the most effective combination as examined by means of a t peel test, a mucoadhesion test, a tensile test and optical evaluations. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 1563–1570, 2016.
pKA in proteins solving the Poisson–Boltzmann equation with finite elements
Authors: Sakalli Ilkay , Knapp Ernst‐Walter
Published: August 2015

Knowledge on pKA values is an eminent factor to understand the function of proteins in living systems. We present a novel approach demonstrating that the finite element (FE) method of solving the linearized Poisson–Boltzmann equation (lPBE) can successfully be used to compute pKA values in proteins with high accuracy as a possible replacement to finite difference (FD) method. For this purpose, we implemented the software molecular Finite Element Solver (mFES) in the framework of the Karlsberg+ program to compute pKA values. This work focuses on a comparison between pKA computations obtained with the well‐established FD method and with the new developed FE method mFES, solving the lPBE using protein crystal structures without conformational changes. Accurate and coarse model systems are set up with mFES using a similar number of unknowns compared with the FD method. Our FE method delivers results for computations of pKA values and interaction energies of titratable groups, which are comparable in accuracy. We introduce different thermodynamic cycles to evaluate pKA values and we show for the FE method how different parameters influence the accuracy of computed pKA values. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Spontaneous Osteoclastogenesis: Mechanisms Driving the Process and Clinical Relevance in Skeletal Disease
Authors: Salamanna Francesca , Maglio Melania , Borsari Veronica , Giavaresi Gianluca , Aldini Nicolò Nicoli , Fini Milena
Published: August 2015

In vitro peripheral blood mononuclear cells differentiate into osteoclasts under the influence of osteoclast‐stimulating factors. However, accumulating evidence suggests spontaneous osteoclasts formation and activity in patients affected by local or systemic bone remodeling diseases in comparison with healthy controls. Therefore, within this review, we summarize the studies where spontaneous osteoclastogenesis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was observed in pathological conditions of the skeletal system. We indicate a linkage between immunoregulation by T cells and spontaneous osteoclasts formation with increased levels of tumor necrosis factors‐α, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐B ligand and inteleukin‐7 production. In the light of these results, it would be of crucial importance to deepen the correlation between systemic bone remodeling diseases and spontaneous osteoclastogenesis as well as to investigate in detail the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon and the clinical relevance in bone remodeling disease diagnosis and monitoring. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 521–530, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ultrastructure of the ampullary organs of Plicofollis argyropleuron (Siluriformes: Ariidae)
Authors: Whitehead Darryl L. , Gauthier Arnault R.G. , Cameron Rochae M.E. , Perutz Marion , Tibbetts Ian R.
Published: August 2015

The morphology of ampullary organs in Plicofollis argyropleuron, collected from a southeast Queensland estuary, was examined by light and electron microscopy to assess the morphological characteristics of teleost ampullary organs in environments with fluctuating salinities. This catfish possesses both macroampullae and microampullae. Both have the typical teleost arrangement of an ampullary pore linked by a canal to a single ampulla that is lined with receptor and supportive cells. The canal wall of macroampullae consists of a collagen sheath, a basement membrane, and two layers of squamous epithelial cells adjacent to the lumen, joined by desmosomes and tight junctions near the surface of the epithelium. Ampullary pore diameters are similar in range for both the macroampullae and the microampullae, with microampullae always arising from the larger pores within a single region of the head. Canal length of the macroampullae is longer than those of the microampullae. Macroampullae also contain approximately 10 times as many receptor cells compared with the microampullae. In both organs, these pear‐shaped receptor cells alternate with supportive cells along the entire luminal surface of the ampulla. The apical region of receptor cells extends into the lumen and bears numerous microvilli. The basal region of receptor cells adjoins to either individual or multiple unmyelinated neural terminals. The coexistence of two markedly different ampullary organ morphologies within a single species support theories concerning the possible multifunctionality of these sensory organs. J. Morphol., 276:1405–1411, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Orexin a phosphorylates the γ‐Aminobutyric acid type A receptor β2 subunit on a serine residue and changes the surface expression of the receptor in SH‐SY5Y cells exposed to propofol
Authors: Andersson Henrik , Björnström Karin , Eintrei Christina , Sundqvist Tommy
Published: August 2015

Propofol activates the γ‐aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAAR) and causes a reversible neurite retraction, leaving a thin, thread‐like structure behind; it also reverses the transport of vesicles in rat cortical neurons. The awakening peptide orexin A (OA) inhibits this retraction via phospholipase D (PLD) and protein kinase Cɛ (PKCɛ). The human SH‐SY5Y cells express both GABAARs and orexin 1 and 2 receptors. These cells are used to examine the interaction between OA and the GABAAR. The effects of OA are studied with flow cytometry and immunoblotting. This study shows that OA stimulates phosphorylation on the serine residues of the GABAAR β2 subunit and that the phosphorylation is caused by the activation of PLD and PKCɛ. OA administration followed by propofol reduces the cell surface expression of the GABAAR, whereas propofol stimulation before OA increases the surface expression. The GABAAR β2 subunit is important for receptor recirculation, and the effect of OA on propofol‐stimulated cells may be due to a disturbed recirculation of the GABAAR. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bouncing back from psychological contract breach: How commitment recovers over time
Authors: Solinger Omar N. , Hofmans Joeri , Bal P. Matthijs , Jansen Paul G. W.
Published: August 2015

The post‐violation model of the psychological contract outlines four ways in which a psychological contract may be resolved after breach (i.e., psychological contract thriving, reactivation, impairment, and dissolution). To explore the implications of this model for post‐breach restoration of organizational commitment, we recorded dynamic patterns of organizational commitment across a fine‐grained longitudinal design in a sample of young academics who reported breach events while undergoing job changes (N = 109). By tracking organizational commitment up until 10 weeks after the first reported breach event, we ascertain that employees may indeed bounce back from a breach incidence, albeit that some employees do so more successfully than others. We further demonstrate that the emotional impact of the breach and post‐breach perceived organizational support are related to the success of the breach resolution process. Additionally, we reveal a nonlinear component in post‐breach trajectories of commitment that suggests that processes determining breach resolution success are more complex than currently assumed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
North‐West European MIS 11 malacological successions: a framework for the timing of Acheulean settlements
Authors: Limondin‐Lozouet N. , Antoine P. , Bahain J.‐J. , Cliquet D. , Coutard S. , Dabkowski J. , Ghaleb B. , Locht J.‐L. , Nicoud E. , Voinchet P.
Published: August 2015

Apart from a few lacustrine sequences, in North‐West Europe the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 11 interglacial is mainly represented in fluvial sequences and is particularly well preserved in calcareous tufa formations. These are favourable for the preservation of a range of fossil groups and several of them have yielded artefacts of Acheulean affinity. Molluscan shells are the most abundant proxy, occurring throughout these calcareous deposits. They provide a valuable means for reconstructing the palaeoenvironments contemporaneous with human occupation, allowing direct comparisons between sites. The La Celle tufa (northern France) provides the longest malacological succession, which allows a detailed reconstruction of the development of forest cover. Successive arrivals of forest species, first from an Atlantic corridor and later from central and southern European routeways, allow characterization of vegetational development. The initial immigrants indicate the spread of closed habitats, while a peak in the diversity of thermophilous snails corresponds to the optimum phase of deciduous forest expansion. A subsequent decrease in forest molluscs, together with expansion of hygrophilous species, indicates the decline of closed canopy conditions. The occurrence of critical forest species, especially those now extinct or occurring far beyond their modern ranges, provides a framework within which associated Acheulean industries can be set.
Raman and SEM‐EDX analyses of the ‘Royal Portal’ of Bordeaux Cathedral for the virtual restitution of the statuary polychromy
Authors: Daniel Floréal , Mounier Aurélie , Aramendia Julene , Gómez Leticia , Castro Kepa , Fdez‐Ortiz de Vallejuelo Silvia , Schlicht Markus
Published: August 2015

The chemical analysis of the remains of paintings from the Royal Portal of Bordeaux Cathedral was carried out byin situanalytical techniques and by laboratory techniques after sampling. Even though, nowadays, portable systems have a good performance and provide reliable results, in the present case, thein situapproach failed, and the analysis had to be carried out in the laboratory. The obtained results were used to propose a virtual restitution of the polychromy and to have an idea of how this portal was when it was built in the XIII century. During the analysis, the degradation process of pigment azurite was studied through the determined decay products, such as copper oxalate (moolooite) and copper basic sulfate (brochantite). This degradation seems to occur because of the presence of oxalic acid in the chemical system, as other calcium oxalates (weddellite) were identified as a degradation product of calcareous support. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of the atmosphere on organic–organic interfacial layers and deterioration in organic light‐emitting diodes
Authors: Nakamura Hirofumi , Noh Seong‐Hee , Kuribayashi Miki , Adachi Chihaya
Published: August 2015

The influence of organic–organic interfacial contaminants and deterioration in organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) was investigated. There was deterioration of the device characteristics when atmospheric contamination was introduced to the emission site. We simultaneously observed a decrease of the maximum capacitance, Cmax, of the OLEDs, implying that there was charge accumulation at the interface. Our study demonstrates that maintaining the interface adjacent to emission site free from contaminants is crucial to protect the device from deterioration.
Sediment in Alluvial and Lacustrine Debris Fans as an Indicator for Land Degradation Around Lake Ashenge (Ethiopia)
Authors: Lanckriet Sil , Asfaha Tesfaalem , Frankl Amaury , Zenebe Amanuel , Nyssen Jan
Published: August 2015

Sediments deposited by (paleo) flash floods can hold valuable information on processes of environmental change, land degradation or desertification. In order to assess the suitability of flash flood deposits as proxies for land degradation, we monitored a representative gully segment in North Ethiopia (Ashenge catchment), investigated a sequence of alluvial debris fans downstream of this segment and dated a neighbouring subaquatic debris fan using short‐lived 210Pb isotope counting. During one rainy season (July–September 2014), we measured daily rainfall, peak discharge, bedload transport, suspended sediment load and sediment deposition rates. The data show that sediment deposition in the debris fans is significantly dependent on micro‐topography (net incision in micro‐channels) (p < 0·1) and position within the sequence (net incision farther away from the lake) (p < 0·05). As sediment transfer to the lake significantly depends on the balance between available water and sediment (ratio rainfall depth/bedload transport) (p < 0·05), we could reconstruct the hydro‐sedimentary evolution of the gully over the past half century and validate it with aerial photographs and semi‐structured interviews. The findings are consistent with the short‐lived isotope count results, indicating increased sediment supply from the 1970s onwards, when little amounts of clay were deposited in the lake (<5%), and a subrecent clear water effect that resulted in increased deposition rates of clay in the lacustrine debris fan. Overall, our analysis indicates that debris fan sediments can be used to estimate past environmental degradation rates, if the contemporary water and sediment behaviour is well understood. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Biophysical and Economic Assessment of a Community‐based Rehabilitated Gully in the Ethiopian Highlands
Authors: Ayele Getaneh K. , Gessess Azalu A. , Addisie Meseret B. , Tilahun Seifu A. , Tebebu Tigist Y. , Tenessa Daregot B. , Langendoen Eddy J. , Nicholson Charles F. , Steenhuis Tammo S.
Published: August 2015

Gully erosion reduces agricultural productivity by destroying valuable land resources, increases sediment concentrations, reduces water quality, and fills up reservoirs. Gully rehabilitation has proven to be challenging especially in the high‐rainfall areas of the Ethiopian Highlands and has therefore had limited success. This paper describes a successful low‐cost gully rehabilitation effort with community participation in the Birr watershed in the Blue Nile basin that begun in early 2013. Initially, farmers were reluctant to participate for religious reasons, but with the aid of local priests and respected elders, community discussions, and a visit to a rehabilitated gully, a consensus was reached to rehabilitate a 0·71‐ha upland gully. The rehabilitation measures consisted of regrading the gully head at a 45° slope, constructing low‐cost check dams from locally available materials, and planting Pennisetum purpureum grass and Sesbania sesban. At the end of the first post‐implementation rainy season, 2,200 tons of soil was conserved by the constructed check dams and newly planted vegetation, compared with soil losses of 680 and 560 tons in two untreated, nearby gullies. In 2014, an additional 3,100 tons of soil was conserved. In 2013, the marginal rate of return (MRR) on the gully rehabilitation investment was 2·6 based on the value of increased forage production alone. When we include trapped soil nutrient values, the rehabilitation MRR was increased to 10. Although these numbers are impressive, the best proof of the success was that farmers on their own initiative rehabilitated an additional five gullies in 2014. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reduction of oil absorption during frying
Authors: Li Jinwei , Fan Liuping
Published: August 2015

Because of health concerns, consumers prefer fried food with low oil content and good sensory properties. Oil absorption during frying is affected by pretreatment, frying conditions and material properties. This paper reviews the oil absorption mechanism, influence factors and reduction methods during frying, pre‐drying and coating methods for reducing oil absorption. It is evident that new frying technology, natural coatings, and combination frying, should ultimately lead to the production of healthier fried foods.
Building International Sustainable Partnerships in Occupational Therapy: A Case Study
Authors: Tupe Debra Ann , Kern Stephen B. , Salvant Sabrina , Talero Pamela
Published: August 2015

Occupational therapy practitioners frequently identify opportunities for international practice. The World Health Organization and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists have encouraged occupational therapists to address transnational issues, social inclusion, and equal access to opportunities grounded in meaningful occupation (WFOT, 2012). This case study describes a partnership between two U.S. schools of occupational therapy and a Cuban community based pediatric clinic. It examines the dynamics that have sustained the partnership despite political, economic, and logistical barriers. The literature is scrutinized to show how this case study fits into other accounts of collaborative international partnerships. Particularly, it investigates structural and institutional conditions that shape international sustainable partnerships. In doing so, we answer the following questions: (1) Under which circumstances do international partnerships emerge and flourish? (2) What structural and institutional conditions shape international sustainable partnerships? And (3) How do partners perceive and experience the bilateral international partnership? It also discusses and illustrates the foundations and development of international partnerships that succeed. Through the use of a case study we illustrate the development of this partnership. Finally, we consider the next steps of this particular sustainable and collaborative international partnership. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Engineering recombinant antibodies for polymer biofunctionalization
Authors: Hortigüela María J. , Aumailley Lucie , Srivastava Akshay , Cunningham Claire , Anandakumar Soshee , Robin Sylvain , Pandit Abhay , Hu Xuejun , Wall J. Gerard
Published: August 2015

The attachment of recognition elements such as antibody fragments to polymeric substrates can be used to mediate cell‐ or protein‐specific interactions. In this work, single‐chain Fv (scFv) antibody fragments were isolated against two cell types of interest and expressed in an Escherichia coli expression platform. The scFvs were engineered at their C‐terminus to incorporate a cysteine‐containing linker, for reaction with maleimide‐linked polymers, or a heptasaccharide glycan for complexation with surface amine moieties. Antigen binding of the modified scFvs was unchanged, and expression yields of the glyco‐engineered scFvs were similar to the unmodified molecules, while cys‐tagged scFv yields varied between scFv variants. Targeted immobilization of the scFvs via either modification resulted in three‐ to five‐fold higher binding of ligands over adsorbed molecules. The study demonstrates a simple and efficient antibody engineering and modification approach for effective targeted immobilization on polymeric substrates. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Adolescents and Young Adults Treated in Pediatric and Adult Departments in the Nordic Countries
Authors: Wennström Lovisa , Edslev Pernille Wendtland , Abrahamsson Jonas , Nørgaard Jan Maxwell , Fløisand Yngvar , Forestier Erik , Gustafsson Göran , Heldrup Jesper , Hovi Liisa , Jahnukainen Kirsi , Jonsson Olafur Gisli , Lausen Birgitte , Palle Josefine , Zeller Bernward , Holmberg Erik , Juliusson Gunnar , Stockelberg Dick , Hasle Henrik ,   on behalf of the Nordic Society of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (NOPHO), the Danish Acute Leukemia Group, and the Swedish Acute Myeloid Leukemia Group
Published: August 2015

Background

Studies on adolescents and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia suggest better results when using pediatric protocols for adult patients, while corresponding data for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are limited.

Procedure

We investigated disease characteristics and outcome for de novo AML patients 10–30 years old treated in pediatric or adult departments. We included 166 patients 10–18 years of age with AML treated according to the pediatric NOPHO‐protocols (1993–2009) compared with 253 patients aged 15–30 years treated in hematology departments (1996–2009) in the Nordic countries.

Results

The incidence of AML was 4.9/million/year for the age group 10–14 years, 6.5 for 15–18 years, and 6.9 for 19–30 years. Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) was more frequent in adults and in females of all ages. Pediatric patients with APL had similar overall survival as pediatric patients without APL. Overall survival at 5 years was 60% (52–68%) for pediatric patients compared to 65% (58–70%) for adult patients. Cytogenetics and presenting white blood cell count were the only independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Age was not an independent prognostic factor.

Conclusions

No difference was found in outcome for AML patients age 10–30 years treated according to pediatric as compared to adult protocols. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015; 9999:1–10 © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Financial burden among US households affected by cancer at the end of life
Authors: Cagle John G. , Carr Dawn C. , Hong Seokho , Zimmerman Sheryl
Published: August 2015

Objective

Economic burden on families coping with end‐stage cancer remains poorly understood. Advanced malignancy threatens financial stability of families, and interventions are needed to buffer them from impoverishment. This study examined the relationship between subjective and objective assessments of financial burden on families (financial strain and stress, respectively) and identified potentially modifiable factors to inform intervention efforts.

Methods

Using national survey data, we analyzed responses from households that had recently experienced a cancer death; 176 of households provided information on financial strain, and 158 provided data on financial stress. In addition to self‐reported appraisals of financial burden, measures assessed elements of the cancer care experience, treatment, symptom burden, work impact, insurance coverage, and demographics.

Results

Despite being well insured, approximately a quarter of respondents reported that the cost of care was a major financial burden, and a third used all or most of their savings. Financial strain and stress were moderately positively correlated (r = 0.46, p < 0.01). Higher financial stress scores were negatively correlated with decedent's age at death (r = −0.34, p < 0.01), and minority respondents (‘other’ race) reported much higher financial stress (M = 4.7; SD = 3.2) than White (M = 0.8; SD = 1.4) or Black (M = 1.6; SD = 2.2) respondents (p < 0.001). Financial burden was also associated with no or limited insurance coverage, changes in employment, severe pain and nausea, and provider interactions during the cancer care experience (e.g., whether the MD paid attention to non‐medical factors or having unanswered questions about medications) (p < 0.05 for all).

Conclusions

The cancer care experience, symptoms, and work impact were associated with financial burden and have important implications for research and practice. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of fatty acid synthase in prostate cancer recurrence: SUV of [11C]acetate PET as a prognostic marker
Authors: Leisser Asha , Pruscha Konstatin , Ubl Philipp , Wadsak Wolfgang , Mayerhöfer Marius , Mitterhauser Markus , Hacker Marcus , Kramer Gero , Shariat Shahrokh , Karanikas Georgios , Hartenbach Markus , Haug Alexander R.
Published: August 2015

Aim

High levels of fatty acid synthase have shown to correlate with the aggressiveness of prostate cancer. As [11C]acetate exhibits a close correlation with the level of fatty acid synthase, we aimed to assess whether the SUV in [11C]acetate PET serves as a suitable prognostic marker in patients with recurrent prostate cancer.

Materials and Methods

In 123 consecutive patients, examined between 2010 and 2014, the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of local recurrences as well as lymph node and bone metastases was measured. Choosing the spleen as a standard for relatively high physiological uptake, a ratio of tumor to spleen uptake (SUVts) was calculated for standardizing the uptake, too. The corresponding initial Gleason scores (GS) and serum‐PSA levels around the time of the performed PET/CT for each patient were retrospectively collected and PSA doubling together with PSA velocity were determined. For further analysis patients were divided with regard to their initial Gleason score (≤3 + 4 and ≥ 4 + 3). The median of PSA velocity was calculated to separate patients with a high and low PSA velocity and Mann–Whitney U or Student's t‐test were used, testing for significant differences. For correlation Spearmen‐Rho test was used.

Results

PET was positive for recurrence in 82/123 patients. PSA was significantly higher in PET‐positive than in negative patients (5.9 vs. 3.2 ng/ml; P = 0.006). Initial Gleason score did not differ in PET negative and positive patients (P = 0.3), whereas PSA velocity was markedly higher in PET positive patients (0.4 vs. 0.1 ng/ml/month; P = 0.01). Median SUVmax of PET positive patients was 5.23 (mean 5.78; range 0.9–16.8) and meadian SUVts was 0.78 (mean 0.84, range 0.14–2.50). SUVts was significantly higher in patients with high PSA velocity (SUVts 0.76 vs. 0.92; P = 0.009), whereas SUVmax failed statistical significance (5.4 vs. 6.3 ng/ml/month; P = 0.08). Patients with a high SUVmax proved to have a significantly higher median Gleason score compared to low uptake 8.0 vs. 7.0; P = 0.004). Vice versa both SUVmax (GS 6: 5.0; GS 7: 5.6; GS 8: 5.7; GS 9: 6.5; r = 0.30, P = 0.008) and SUVts (GS 6: 0.63; GS 7: 0.68; GS 8: 0.85; GS 9: 0.89; r = 0.30, P = 0.006) significantly correlated with Gleason score. Patients with a Gleason score ≤ 3 + 4 had a significantly lower SUVmax (4.8 vs. 5.7; P = 0.02) and SUVts (0.67 vs. 0.85; P = 0.02) as compared to a Gleason score ≥ 4 + 3.

Conclusion

[11C]acetate uptake demonstrated to correlate with initial Gleason score. Furthermore, patients with a high PSA velocity proved to have higher [11C]acetate uptake in tumor lesions. Prostate 75:1760–1767, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Theory and Practice of Lineage Tracing
Authors: Hsu Ya-Chieh
Published: August 2015

Lineage tracing is a method that delineates all progeny produced by a single cell or a group of cells. The possibility of performing lineage tracing initiated the field of Developmental Biology and continues to revolutionize Stem Cell Biology. Here, I introduce the principles behind a successful lineage-tracing experiment. In addition, I summarize and compare different methods for conducting lineage tracing and provide examples of how these strategies can be implemented to answer fundamental questions in development and regeneration. The advantages and limitations of each method are also discussed. Stem Cells  2015;33:3197–3204
When Do Local Firms Benefit from Inward Foreign Direct Investment? A Longitudinal Study of China's Manufacturing Sector Covering 1998–2007
Authors: Park Byung Il , Xiao Shufeng (Simon)
Published: August 2015

Using comprehensive panel data on manufacturing firms in China during the 1998–2007 period, this study examines whether and when recipient local firms benefit from foreign direct investment (FDI). Local firms’ productivity improvements by the presence of foreign entrants are estimated, and according to the results, the relationship between FDI and local firms’ productivity shows an inverted U‐shaped pattern, with productivity increasing up to a certain point beyond which a higher level of FDI reduces local firms’ productivity. More importantly, the U‐shaped pattern is found for FDI from both non‐HMT foreign firms and overseas Chinese HMT (Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) firms. In addition, the U‐shaped pattern varies across subnational regions such that the threshold at which an increase in FDI reduces productivity is lower for indigenous firms in coastal regions. This suggests that in China, local firms in inland and rural regions are the top beneficiaries of spillover effects. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Linking the Leadership Identity Development Model to Collegiate Recreation and Athletics
Authors: Hall Stacey L.
Published: August 2015

The Leadership Identity Development (LID) Model (Komives, Owen, Longerbeam, Mainella, & Osteen, ) provides a stage leadership development model for college students that can be applied to collegiate recreation student staff, volunteers, participants, and varsity student‐athletes. This chapter provides guidance to implement the model in these settings and to create environments that support development.
Collegiate Recreation Student Employee as Student Leader
Authors: McFadden Cara W. , Carr Julia Wallace
Published: August 2015

Collegiate recreation student employment opportunities are found in such areas as facilities, intramurals, aquatics, fitness, and outdoor adventure. Recreation is one of the largest providers of student employment opportunities on campuses across the country with an important role in student employee leadership development.
More Trees, More Poverty? The Socioeconomic Effects of Tree Plantations in Chile, 2001–2011
Authors: Andersson Krister , Lawrence Duncan , Zavaleta Jennifer , Guariguata Manuel R.
Published: August 2015

Tree plantations play a controversial role in many nations’ efforts to balance goals for economic development, ecological conservation, and social justice. This paper seeks to contribute to this debate by analyzing the socioeconomic impact of such plantations. We focus our study on Chile, a country that has experienced extraordinary growth of industrial tree plantations. Our analysis draws on a unique dataset with longitudinal observations collected in 180 municipal territories during 2001–2011. Employing panel data regression techniques, we find that growth in plantation area is associated with higher than average rates of poverty during this period.
Paving the way for adequate myelination: The contribution of galectin‐3, transferrin and iron
Authors: Franco Paula G. , Pasquini Laura A. , Pérez María J. , Rosato-Siri María V. , Silvestroff Lucas , Pasquini Juana M.
Published: August 2015

Considering the worldwide incidence of well characterized demyelinating disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and the increasing number of pathologies recently found to involve hypomyelinating factors such as micronutrient deficits, elucidating the molecular basis of central nervous system (CNS) demyelination, remyelination and hypomyelination becomes essential to the development of future neuroregenerative therapies. In this context, this review discusses novel findings on the contribution of galectin‐3 (Gal‐3), transferrin (Tf) and iron to the processes of myelination and remyelination and their potentially positive regulation of oligodendroglial precursor cell (OPC) differentiation. Studies were conducted in cuprizone (CPZ)‐induced demyelination and iron deficiency (ID)‐induced hypomyelination, and the participation of glial and neural stem cells (NSC) in the remyelination process was evaluated by means of both in vivo and in vitro assays on primary cell cultures.
Voltage‐gated proton (Hv1) channels, a singular voltage sensing domain
Authors: Castillo Karen , Pupo Amaury , Baez-Nieto David , Contreras Gustavo F. , Morera Francisco J. , Neely Alan , Latorre Ramon , Gonzalez Carlos
Published: August 2015

The main role of voltage‐gated proton channels (Hv1) is to extrude protons from the intracellular milieu when, mediated by different cellular processes, the H+ concentration increases. Hv1 are exquisitely selective for protons and their structure is homologous to the voltage sensing domain (VSD) of other voltage‐gated ion channels like sodium, potassium, and calcium channels. In clear contrast to the classical voltage‐dependent channels, Hv1 lacks a pore domain and thus permeation necessarily occurs through the voltage sensing domain. Hv1 channels are activated by depolarizing voltages, and increases in internal proton concentration. It has been proposed that local conformational changes of the transmembrane segment S4, driven by depolarization, trigger the molecular rearrangements that open Hv1. However, it is still unclear how the electromechanical coupling is achieved between the VSD and the potential pore, allowing the proton flux from the intracellular to the extracellular side. Here we provide a revised view of voltage activation in Hv1 channels, offering a comparative scenario with other voltage sensing channels domains.
Retracted: MicroRNA‐454 functions as an oncogene by regulating PTEN in uveal melanoma
Authors: Sun Lei , Wang Qiaoling , Gao Xiangchun , Shi Dejing , Mi Shuyong , Han Qing
Published: August 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression by targeted repression of transcription and translation, and are involved in carcinogenesis. In this study, we demonstrated that the expression of miR‐454 was up‐regulated in uveal melanoma tissues compared to normal tissues. Ectopic expression of miR‐454 resulted in significant promotion of cell proliferation, colony formation, invasion and induction of cell cycle in uveal melanoma cells. Furthermore, we identified PTEN as a direct target of miR‐454. Our data revealed that ectopic expression of PTEN restored the effects of miR‐454 on cell proliferation and invasion in uveal melanoma cells. These findings support an oncogene role of miR‐454 in development of uveal melanoma.
Identification and evolution of the orphan genes in the domestic silkworm,Bombyx mori
Authors: Sun Wei , Zhao Xin-Wei , Zhang Ze
Published: August 2015

Orphan genes (OGs) which have no recognizable homology to any sequences in other species could contribute to the species specific adaptations. In this study, we identified 738 OGs in the silkworm genome. About 31% of the silkworm OGs is derived from transposable elements, and 5.1% of the silkworm OGs emerged from gene duplication followed by divergence of paralogs. Fivede novo silkworm OGs originated from non‐coding regions. Microarray data suggested that most of the silkworm OGs were expressed in limited tissues. RNA interference experiments suggested that fivede novo OGs are not essential to the silkworm, implying that they may contribute to genetic redundancy or species‐specific adaptation. Our results provide some new insights into the evolutionary significance of the silkworm OGs.
Fatty acid transport and transporters in muscle are critically regulated by Akt2
Authors: Jain Swati S. , Luiken Joost J.F.P. , Snook Laelie A. , Han Xiao Xia , Holloway Graham P. , Glatz Jan F.C. , Bonen Arend
Published: August 2015

Muscle contains various fatty acid transporters (CD36, FABPpm, FATP1, FATP4). Physiological stimuli (insulin, contraction) induce the translocation of all four transporters to the sarcolemma to enhance fatty acid uptake similarly to glucose uptake stimulation via glucose transporter‐4 (GLUT4) translocation. Akt2 mediates insulin‐induced, but not contraction‐induced, GLUT4 translocation, but its role in muscle fatty acid transporter translocation is unknown. In muscle from Akt2‐knockout mice, we observed that Akt2 is critically involved in both insulin‐induced and contraction‐induced fatty acid transport and translocation of fatty acid translocase/CD36 (CD36) and FATP1, but not of translocation of fatty acid‐binding protein (FABPpm) and FATP4. Instead, Akt2 mediates intracellular retention of both latter transporters. Collectively, our observations reveal novel complexities in signaling mechanisms regulating the translocation of fatty acid transporters in muscle.
Lead extraction using a laser system: Techniques, efficacy, and limitations
Authors: Okamura Hideo
Published: August 2015

Transvenous lead extraction is becoming popular in Japan since the approval of laser extraction system in 2010. The laser system seems to be the standard method used by most physicians, owing to its efficacy and ease of handling. The efficacy and safety of this technology has been well proven in many studies and the data suggest that it can be used for Japanese patients safely. However, lead extraction can cause serious complications. Thus, it is important to learn the limitations as well as the basic techniques and efficacy of this procedure.
Stress, needs, and quality of life of people living with human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS in Taiwan
Authors: Feng Ming‐Chu , Feng Jui‐Ying , Yu Chien‐Tai , Chen Li‐Hua , Yang Pei‐Hsuan , Shih Chung‐Ching , Lu Po‐Liang
Published: August 2015

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS is a manageable infectious disease by the effectiveness of highly active antiretroviral therapy. AIDS‐related stigma and conflict may create distress and deteriorate quality of life (QoL) of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). This cross‐sectional, descriptive, correlational study using structural questionnaires aimed to explore the stress, needs, QoL, and associated factors of PLWHA in Taiwan. A total of 200 PLWHA participating in this study needed most on treatment of HIV and prevention of AIDS, and health maintenance. They had worse QoL in physical, psychological, and social domains (all p < 0.001) than the general population. Stress was the most significant predictor (β = −0.25 to −0.54, p < 0.01) for all four domains of QoL. Needs was not significantly associated with QoL. The QoL of PLWHA can be explained by demographics, self‐perception on health, needs, and stress for 25.3–40.7% of variances. No association existed between CD4+ counts and QoL in Taiwanese PLWHA. It is important to recognize the perception of PLWHA on their health status, which is significantly associated with their QoL, besides monitoring their physical indicators of health (CD4+ counts). To recognize the stress and needs that PLWHA experience and to develop intervention programs targeting strategies on HIV disclosure, prevention and health maintenance are crucial for PLWHA's QoL.