bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Highly ordered 3D macroporous scaffold supported Pt/C oxygen electrodes with superior gas-proton transportation properties and activities for fuel cells
Authors: Li Junsheng , Tang Haolin , Chen Rui , Liu Dan , Xie Zhizhong , Pan Mu , Jiang San Ping
Published: June 2015

A highly ordered three-dimensional macroporous scaffold supported Pt/C cathodic catalyst layer, Pt/C-3DOM Nafion/CsHPW, has been developed, showing superior gas-proton transportation properties and activities for fuel cells.
High-performance LiMnPO4/C nanoplates synthesized by negative pressure immersion and a solid state reaction using nanoporous Mn2O3 precursors
Authors: Zheng Jugong , Qin Cancan , Wu Tongfu , Xie Shuangfei , Ni Liang , Peng Muyang , Tang Yuefeng , Chen Yanfeng
Published: June 2015

Preparation of high-performance LiMnPO4/C nanoplates using nanoporous Mn2O3.
A strategy to construct alkali-stable anion exchange membranes bearing ammonium groups via flexible spacers
Authors: Yang Zhengjin , Zhou Jiahui , Wang Siwen , Hou Jianqiu , Wu Liang , Xu Tongwen
Published: June 2015

A novel strategy is provided to construct alkali-stable poly(phenylene oxide) based anion exchange membranes to alleviate cation-induced degradation.
VO2/rGO nanorods as a potential anode for sodium- and lithium-ion batteries
Authors: He Guang , Li Longjun , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: June 2015

VO2(B) is identified as a potential high-energy-density anode for lithium- and sodium-ion batteries.
Hierarchical metal–organic framework nanoflowers for effective CO2transformation driven by visible light
Authors: Zhang Shuquan , Li Lina , Zhao Sangen , Sun Zhihua , Hong Maochun , Luo Junhua
Published: June 2015

Unique 3D hierarchical flower-like metal–organic nanostructures have been reported, which can act as stable and effective heterogeneous photocatalysts for visible-light driven CO2photoreduction.
A zwitterionic polymer as a novel inhibitor of protein aggregation
Authors: Rajan Robin , Matsumura Kazuaki
Published: June 2015

A zwitterionic polymer was synthesizedviaRAFT polymerization. This polymer prevented heat induced protein aggregation, by preventing hydrophobic interactions between protein chains in solution, thus acting as a molecular shield.
Transparent anhydride–cured epoxy nanocomposites reinforced with polyaniline stabilized nanosilica
Authors: Gu Hongbo , Guo Jiang , Wei Huige , Yan Xingru , Ding Daowei , Zhang Xi , He Qingliang , Tadakamalla Sruthi , Wang Xuefeng , Ho Thomas C. , Wei Suying , Guo Zhanhu
Published: June 2015

Transparent anhydride–cured nanosilica–epoxy nanocomposites with improved mechanical properties are reported with polyaniline as a coupling agent.
Relations Among Children's Use of Dialect and Literacy Skills: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gatlin Brandy , Wanzek Jeanne
Published: June 2015

Purpose

The current meta-analysis examines recent empirical research studies that have investigated relations among dialect use and the development and achievement of reading, spelling, and writing skills.

Method

Studies published between 1998 and 2014 were selected if they: (a) included participants who were in Grades K–6 and were typically developing native English speakers, (b) examined a concurrent quantitative relationship between dialect use and literacy, including reading, spelling, or writing measures, and (c) contained sufficient information to calculate effect size estimates.

Results

Upon the removal of one study that was found to be an outlier, the full sample included 19 studies consisting of 1,947 participants, of which the majority (70%) were African American. The results showed a negative and moderate relationship between dialect use and overall literacy performance (
M
effect size = −0.33) and for dialect and reading (
M
effect size = −0.32). For spelling and writing, the relationship was negative and small (
M
effect size = −0.22). Moderator analyses revealed that socioeconomic status and grade level were not significant predictors for relations among dialect use and literacy skills.

Conclusions

Implications for practice and future research, including analyzing dialect use in a variety of contexts and examining these relations to literacy outcomes, are discussed.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.6170336
A Read-Aloud Storybook Selection System for Prereaders at the Preschool Language Level: A Pilot Study
Authors: Schwarz Amy Louise , van Kleeck Anne , Beaton Derek , Horne Erin , MacKenzie Heather , Abdi Hervé
Published: June 2015

Purpose

Many well-accepted systems for determining difficulty level exist for books children read independently, but few are available for determining the wide range of difficulty levels of storybooks read aloud to preschoolers. Also, the available tools list book characteristics only on the basis of parents' or authors' opinions. We created an empirically derived difficulty-level system on the basis of 22 speech-language pathologists' (SLPs) judgments of specific storybooks used in preschooler read-alouds.

Method

SLPs sorted 11 storybooks into ranked stacks on the basis of how difficult they thought the storybooks would be for preschoolers to understand when read aloud. SLPs described each stack globally as well as why they assigned each storybook to a particular stack. From transcriptions of the explanations, we derived a glossary of book characteristics using content analysis. We created a difficulty-level scale using a multivariate analysis technique that simultaneously analyzed book sorts and glossary terms.

Results

The book selection system includes a glossary of book characteristics, a 4-level difficulty scale, and exemplar books for each level.

Conclusion

This empirically derived difficulty-level system created for storybooks read aloud to preschoolers represents a step toward filling a gap in the read-aloud literature.
Orbital Floor Fracture with Atypical Extraocular Muscle Entrapment Pattern and Intraoperative Asystole in an Adult
Authors: Merali Farhan I. , Grant Michael P. , Mahoney Nicholas R.
Published: June 2015

Extraocular muscle entrapment in a nondisplaced orbital fracture, although a well-known entity in pediatric trauma, is atypical in adults. It can present with a triad of bradycardia, nausea, and in rare cases, syncope, and result in severe fibrosis of damaged and incarcerated muscle. We present a case of muscle entrapment in a partially nondisplaced two-wall orbital fracture with accompanying preoperative bradycardia and intraoperative asystole in an adult
Influence of upper hybrid resonance localized oscillation on X-B mode conversion efficiency for high-β National Spherical Torus Experiment in nonlinear regime
Authors: Abbasi M. , Ali Asgarian M. , Sobhanian S. , Sadeghi Y.
Published: June 2015

Ever increasing needs and capabilities in high power radio frequency waves heating and current drive scenarios of present and future magnetic confined fusion plasmas motivate expansion of understanding for vast variety of ever upcoming nonlinearities in such levels of power. Among many motivating experiments, one of the most relevant and actively studied in the regime for electron Bernstein wave (EBW) heating is high-β National Spherical Torus Experiment. A very special type of large amplitude electron plasma oscillations known as localized upper hybrid (UH) mode is demonstrated. It is shown that the mutual synergetic interaction of EBW and the localized UH mode can significantly shift the resonance layer about △x∼0.9 mm compared to the prediction of linear theory and consequently can explain the considerable reduction of conversion value around 35% observed in our modelling. This reduction is due to scale up of density scale length, Ln, at the new UH resonance (UHR) location followed by the increase of Budden parameter, η, which varies from 0.18 predicted by linear aspect to 0.40 in new position of UHR layer obtained by our modelling. Moreover, the parametric instabilities in the form of ion decays and dispersion of localized UH mode, approximately 7 mm due to the finite electron temperature account, are also observed which have an important contribution in reduction of conversion efficiency.
Sub-nanometer glass surface dynamics induced by illumination
Authors: Nguyen Duc , Nienhaus Lea , Haasch Richard T. , Lyding Joseph , Gruebele Martin
Published: June 2015

Illumination is known to induce stress and morphology changes in opaque glasses. Amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC) has a smaller bandgap than the crystal. Thus, we were able to excite with 532 nm light a 1 μm amorphous surface layer on a SiC crystal while recording time-lapse movies of glass surface dynamics by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Photoexcitation of the a-SiC surface layer through the transparent crystal avoids heating the STM tip. Up to 6 × 104 s, long movies of surface dynamics with 40 s time resolution and sub-nanometer spatial resolution were obtained. Clusters of ca. 3-5 glass forming units diameter are seen to cooperatively hop between two states at the surface. Photoexcitation with green laser light recruits immobile clusters to hop, rather than increasing the rate at which already mobile clusters hop. No significant laser heating was observed. Thus, we favor an athermal mechanism whereby electronic excitation of a-SiC directly controls glassy surface dynamics. This mechanism is supported by an exciton migration-relaxation-thermal diffusion model. Individual clusters take ∼1 h to populate states differently after the light intensity has changed. We believe the surrounding matrix rearranges slowly when it is stressed by a change in laser intensity, and clusters serve as a diagnostic. Such cluster hopping and matrix rearrangement could underlie the microscopic mechanism of photoinduced aging of opaque glasses.
Experimental verification of total absorption by a low-loss thin dielectric layer
Authors: Díaz-Rubio Ana , Hibbins Alastair P. , Carbonell Jorge , Sánchez-Dehesa José
Published: June 2015

This work presents an experimental demonstration of total absorption by a metal-dielectric metasurface. Following a theoretical proposal [Díaz-Rubio et al., Phys. Rev. B 89, 245123 (2014)], we have designed and fabricated a metasurface consisting of a low absorbing dielectric layer (made of FR4) placed on top of a metallic surface patterned with a square array of coaxial cavities. For p-polarized waves, a low frequency peak with perfect absorption is observed. The behavior of this peak has been experimentally characterized for different dielectric layer thicknesses, coaxial cavity lengths, and angles of incidence. The experimental results are in excellent agreement with numerical simulation and corroborate the theoretical predictions.
Structural and optical properties of cordierite glass-ceramic doped in polyurethane matrix
Authors: Nadafan Marzieh , Malekfar Rasoul , Dehghani Zahra
Published: June 2015

The cordierite (2Mg.2Al2O3.5SiO2) was synthesized by the Pechini method and added to polyurethane open cell (PUOC) foam in three different percentages. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to evaluate the bonding characteristics of PUOC/cordierites. The effect of temperature on the synthesis of cordierite and crystallographic structure of the final product were studied by XRD. By increasing the temperature, the widths of the XRD peaks decreased, approaching the single crystal spectrum. The SEM results show that by increasing of cordierite percentage in PUOC foam, the matrix structure was much damaged. Using Z-scan method, optical nonlinearities of samples were measured by continues wave (CW) laser at the wavelength of 532 nm. The nonlinear refractive (NLR) indices and nonlinear absorption (NLA) coefficients of the synthesized samples are obtained in the order of 10−8 (cm2/W) with negative sign and 10−5 (cm/W), respectively. The origin of optical nonlinearity may be attributed to the presence of strong saturable absorption (SA) effect.
Cathode spot motion in a vacuum arc with a long roof-shaped cathode under magnetic field
Authors: Beilis I. I. , Sagi B. , Zhitomirsky V. , Boxman R. L.
Published: June 2015

Vacuum arc cathode spot motion was investigated on a “roof-shaped” aluminum cathode under an external magnetic field. The cathode included a flat roof-top and four sloped sides, inclined by an angle α. A high speed camera was used to observe cathode spot motion. The spot velocity on the slopes and the distribution of cathode spots on the roof and slopes was determined. It was obtained that under a magnetic field, the spot motion on the roof was slow (<1 m/s) and mainly random, while on the slopes fast retrograde motion was observed. This velocity increased linearly with the magnetic field and decreased slightly with α.
New developments in caloric materials for cooling applications
Authors: Crossley S. , Mathur N. D. , Moya X.
Published: June 2015

Caloric materials are in the spotlight as candidates for future environmentally friendly cooling technologies. We describe stimulating recent developments in the three caloric strands that are now being studied collectively, namely magnetocaloric, electrocaloric and mechanocaloric (elastocaloric or barocaloric) effects.
Microstructure, elastic and electromagnetic properties of epoxy-graphite composites
Authors: Bellucci S. , Micciulla F. , Levin V. M. , Petronyuk Yu. S. , Chernozatonskii L. A. , Kuzhir P. P. , Paddubskaya A. G. , Macutkevic J. , Pletnev M. A. , Fierro V. , Celzard A.
Published: June 2015

A set of epoxy resin-based composites filled with 0.25 – 2.0 wt.% of commercially available exfoliated graphite (EG) and thick graphene (TG), prepared by suspending EG particles in cyclohexane, and submitting the suspension to a series of grinding and ultrasonic dispersion steps, was produced. The microstructure of such epoxy-graphite composites has been studied by the impulse acoustic microscopy technique. According to acoustic microscopy data, exfoliated graphite microparticles have been well dispersed in the epoxy matrix. TG nanoflakes demonstrated persistent tendency to clustering and formation of agglomerates. The addition of graphite particles in small amount (0.25 – 2.0 wt.%) did not influence the bulk elastic properties of epoxy-graphite composite materials. Being extremely lightweight, 0.003 g cm−3, EG had a lower percolation threshold than TG, at the level of 1-1.5 wt.% against 2.1-3.2 wt.%, respectively. As a result, epoxy composites filled with 1.0-2.0 wt.% EG provided high electromagnetic (EM) interference shielding both at microwave and THz frequencies. In contrast, no significant influence of TG loading was observed at low weight fraction (up to 2 wt.%) on the EM performance of epoxy composites.
Patterning of graphite nanocones for broadband solar spectrum absorption
Authors: Sun Yaoran , Evans Julian , Ding Fei , Wang Shaowei , Mo Lei , He Sailing
Published: June 2015

We experimentally demonstrate a broadband vis-NIR absorber consisting of 300-400 nm nanocone structures on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. The nanocone structures are fabricated through simple nanoparticle lithography process and analyzed with three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain methods. The measured absorption reaches an average level of above 95% over almost the entire solar spectrum and agrees well with the simulation. Our simple process offers a promising material for solar-thermal devices.
LL explorations and methodological challenges
Authors: Blackwood Robert
Published: June 2015

The methodologies employed over these first years of LL research have evolved rapidly in several different directions, although quantitative and/or qualitative approaches have guided most published scholarship thus far. The quantitative approach has come to be reduced in one particular narrative to the counting of signs, whilst qualitative research is portrayed as permitting analysis of a selection of signs from which wider conclusions can be drawn. Using an on-going project into France’s regional languages in the LL, this article argues that a symbiotic approach is essential for contributing to discussions on language revitalization in the public space. Whilst quantitative data collection contextualizes language use, a subsequent qualitative examination, along several vectors, avoids impressionistic conclusions about the correlation between visibility and vitality. We contend here that this dual approach permits cross-referencing across space and time in ways not possible by adopting one or other methodology on its own.
Skinscapes
Authors: Peck Amiena , Stroud Christopher
Published: June 2015

The paper argues for extending linguistic landscape studies to also encompass the body as a corporeal landscape, or ‘moving discursive locality’. We articulate this point within a narrative of a developing field of landscape studies that is increasingly attentive to the mobility and materiality of spatialized semiotics as performative, that is, as partially determining of how we come to understand ourselves ‘in place’. Taking Cape Town’s tattooing culture as an illustration, we unpack the idea of ‘the human subject as an entrepreneur of the self, as author of his or her being in the world’ (Comaroff & Comaroff, 2012: 23), by using a phenomenological methodology to explore the materiality of the body as a mobile and dynamic space of inscribed spatialized identities and historical power relations. Specifically, we focus on: how tattooed bodies sculpt future selves and imagined spaces, the imprint they leave behind in the lives of five participants in the study and ultimately the creation of bodies that matter in time and place. The paper will conclude with a discussion of what studies of corporeal landscapes may contribute to a broader field of linguistic landscape studies.
LL research as expanding language and language policy
Authors: Shohamy Elana
Published: June 2015

The paper theorizes languages in public spaces in a broad framework consisting of multiple components beyond written texts in public spaces. These include among others, visuals, sounds, movements, gestures, history, politics, location, people, bodies, all embedded in the dimensions offered by Lefebvre (1991) of spaces as practiced, conceived and lived. Relating to Linguistic Landscape (LL) as a mechanism of Language Policy (LP), the paper frames LL within current theories of LP which focus on ‘engaged language policy’ (Davis, 2014) reflecting and cultivating language practice as used by communities. The paper shows how LL is instrumental in contributing to the broadening of the theory and practice of LP, a discipline that has been mostly overlooked by LP. The studies show how language in public space was used for the revival of Hebrew in Palestine, for documentation of multilingualism in specific areas where different groups reside, for realizing that LP in public spaces is broader than written language showing how multimodalities are essential for making meaning of spaces, for discovering the wealth of LL devices used for contestations in the city, and for examining local policies in neighborhoods. Finally, the engagement of high school students with documentation of LL in their neigborhoods was found to have a real impact on LP awareness and activism.
Effects of Regulated River Flows on Habitat Suitability for the Robust Redhorse
Authors: Fisk J. Michael , Kwak Thomas J. , Heise Ryan J.
Published: June 2015

The Robust Redhorse Moxostoma robustum is a rare and imperiled fish, with wild populations occurring in three drainages from North Carolina to Georgia. Hydroelectric dams have altered the species' habitat and restricted its range. An augmented minimum‐flow regime that will affect Robust Redhorse habitat was recently prescribed for Blewett Falls Dam, a hydroelectric facility on the Pee Dee River, North Carolina. Our objective was to quantify suitable spawning and nonspawning habitat under current and proposed minimum‐flow regimes. We implanted radio transmitters into 27 adult Robust Redhorses and relocated the fish from spring 2008 to summer 2009, and we described habitat at 15 spawning capture locations. Nonspawning habitat consisted of deep, slow‐moving pools (mean depth = 2.3 m; mean velocity = 0.23 m/s), bedrock and sand substrates, and boulders or coarse woody debris as cover. Spawning habitat was characterized as shallower, faster‐moving water (mean depth = 0.84 m; mean velocity = 0.61 m/s) with gravel and cobble as substrates and boulders as cover associated with shoals. Telemetry relocations revealed two behavioral subgroups: a resident subgroup (linear range [mean ± SE] = 7.9 ± 3.7 river kilometers [rkm]) that remained near spawning areas in the Piedmont region throughout the year; and a migratory subgroup (linear range = 64.3 ± 8.4 rkm) that migrated extensively downstream into the Coastal Plain region. Spawning and nonspawning habitat suitability indices were developed based on field microhabitat measurements and were applied to model suitable available habitat (weighted usable area) for current and proposed augmented minimum flows. Suitable habitat (both spawning and nonspawning) increased for each proposed seasonal minimum flow relative to former minimum flows, with substantial increases for spawning sites. Our results contribute to an understanding of how regulated flows affect available habitats for imperiled species. Flow managers can use these findings to regulate discharge more effectively and to create and maintain important habitats during critical periods for priority species.
Conditional Capture Probability of Pallid Sturgeon in Benthic Trawls
Authors: Steffensen Kirk D. , Wilhelm Josh J. , Haas Justin D. , Adams J. David
Published: June 2015

Long-term population monitoring assumes that relative abundance reflects trends in the population. Sampling efficiency and capture probability are assumed to be consistent so samples can be temporally and spatially compared. Benthic otter trawls are being used for a long-term monitoring project on the Missouri River. To estimate the capture probability of Pallid Sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus, we used acoustic telemetry to locate and target tagged sturgeon with benthic otter trawls. Conditional capture probability (pi*) of a fish in a known location was only 0.08 on the first pass, increased slightly (pi* = 0.18) on the second pass, and again on the third pass (pi* = 0.26). Individual habitat parameters or their interactions did not explain when Pallid Sturgeon were successfully or unsuccessfully captured. Our study suggests that otter trawls are a highly inefficient gear for capturing Scaphirhynchus species. Therefore, relative abundance indices based on otter trawl captures need to be assessed cautiously for juvenile and adult Pallid Sturgeon, especially in highly variable conditions.

Received December 4, 2014; accepted March 19, 2015
Mythbusters: What's Real and What's Not When It Comes to Fish Drugs
Authors: Bowker James D , Trushenski Jesse T
Published: June 2015

Successful fish culture programs take a comprehensive approach to disease management, broodstock conditioning and spawning, marking progeny, and reducing handling stress. Occasionally, drugs are needed to facilitate these tasks, and the only drugs legally available are those that have been approved for such use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A lack of understanding of the approval process and how these products are actually used in fish culture has led to unfounded concerns regarding potential human health issues, unsafe drug residue levels in fish stocked into public waters, and the discharge of elevated concentrations of drugs in hatchery effluents. The rigorous drug approval process requires extensive data to demonstrate that a drug is safe and effective for fish as well as safe to humans and the environment, that it is manufactured and packaged properly, and that it is labeled to avoid misuse. Further, the approval process assumes a naive user and is structured to ensure that, if a drug is approved, even inexperienced personnel could be expected to apply it safely and effectively. If inexperienced personnel can apply these products successfully, experienced fisheries professionals certainly can. In this paper, concerns and misconceptions regarding the drug approval process and use of drugs in fish culture are addressed from a fishery biologist's perspective.
One hundred and fifty years of sprint and distance running – Past trends and future prospects
Authors: Weiss Martin , Newman Alexandra , Whitmore Ceri , Weiss Stephan
Published: June 2015

Sprint and distance running have experienced remarkable performance improvements over the past century. Attempts to forecast running performances share an almost similarly long history but have relied so far on relatively short data series. Here, we compile a comprehensive set of season‐best performances for eight Olympically contested running events. With this data set, we conduct (1) an exponential time series analysis and (2) a power‐law experience curve analysis to quantify the rate of past performance improvements and to forecast future performances until the year 2100. We find that the sprint and distance running performances of women and men improve exponentially with time and converge at yearly rates of 4% ± 3% and 2% ± 2%, respectively, towards their asymptotic limits. Running performances can also be modelled with the experience curve approach, yielding learning rates of 3% ± 1% and 6% ± 2% for the women's and men's events, respectively. Long‐term trends suggest that: (1) women will continue to run 10–20% slower than men, (2) 9.50 s over 100 m dash may only be broken at the end of this century and (3) several middle‐ and long‐distance records may be broken within the next two to three decades. The prospects of witnessing a sub‐2 hour marathon before 2100 remain inconclusive. Our results should be interpreted cautiously as forecasting human behaviour is intrinsically uncertain. The future season‐best sprint and distance running performances will continue to scatter around the trends identified here and may yield unexpected improvements of standing world records.
Cue-elicited food seeking is eliminated with aversive outcomes following outcome devaluation
Authors: Eder Andreas B. , Dignath David
Published: June 2015

In outcome-selective Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT), stimuli that are predictive of specific outcomes prime instrumental responses that are associated with these outcomes. Previous human studies yielded mixed evidence in respect to whether the PIT effect is affected by a posttraining devaluation of an outcome, with the PIT effect being preserved after a devaluation of a primary reinforcer (food, drugs) but not following the devaluation of a secondary reinforcer (money). The present research examined whether outcome-selective transfer is eliminated when the devaluation of a primary (liquid) reinforcer is strong and aversive. Experiment 1 confirmed these expectations following a devaluation with bad tasting Tween 20. However, outcome-selective transfer was still observed when the earned (devalued) outcome was not consumed immediately after each test (Experiment 2). These results suggest that the capacity of a Pavlovian cue to motivate a specific response is affected by the incentive value of the shared outcome only when the devaluation yields an aversive outcome that is consumed immediately.
The Palestinian leftist movement: between political reality and cultural heritage
Authors: Bzour Mai Al
Published: June 2015

The Palestinian leftist movement represented a revolutionary social phenomenon that laid the cornerstone of Palestinian resistance following the wide popular support it received from the late 1960s to the 1980s. Since that time, the popular support it had once enjoyed has diminished in favour of the political Islamic movements in the Palestinian community in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and the civil society organizations that were supported by and subsequently succumbed to the terms of the donor states. This paper tackles the failure of the Palestinian left movement in generating a progressive resistance left culture, and it clarifies also the role and the impact of the Arab-Palestinian cultural heritage in the retardation of the Palestinian leftist movement. It seems evident today that the popularity the Palestinian leftist movement once enjoyed was related to a specific political era when leftist thinking and revolutionary ideology were generally popular. That being the case, the interim leftist thinking did not develop as the result of the leftist powers’ attempt to bring about societal change through the replacement of the existing social and cultural structures with progressive revolutionary beliefs that met the political and social needs of the left.
Rchemcpp: a web service for structural analoging in ChEMBL, Drugbank and the Connectivity Map
Authors: Klambauer Günter , Wischenbart Martin , Mahr Michael , Unterthiner Thomas , Mayr Andreas , Hochreiter Sepp
Published: June 2015

Summary: We have developed Rchempp, a web service that identifies structurally similar compounds (structural analogs) in large-scale molecule databases. The service allows compounds to be queried in the widely used ChEMBL, DrugBank and the Connectivity Map databases. Rchemcpp utilizes the best performing similarity functions, i.e. molecule kernels, as measures for structural similarity. Molecule kernels have proven superior performance over other similarity measures and are currently excelling at machine learning challenges. To considerably reduce computational time, and thereby make it feasible as a web service, a novel efficient prefiltering strategy has been developed, which maintains the sensitivity of the method. By exploiting information contained in public databases, the web service facilitates many applications crucial for the drug development process, such as prioritizing compounds after screening or reducing adverse side effects during late phases. Rchemcpp was used in the DeepTox pipeline that has won the Tox21 Data Challenge and is frequently used by researchers in pharmaceutical companies.

Availability and implementation: The web service and the R package are freely available via http://shiny.bioinf.jku.at/Analoging/ and via Bioconductor.

Contact:  hochreit@bioinf.jku.at

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
AmyLoad: website dedicated to amyloidogenic protein fragments
Authors: Wozniak Pawel P. , Kotulska Malgorzata
Published: June 2015

Analyses of amyloidogenic sequence fragments are essential in studies of neurodegenerative diseases. However, there is no one internet dataset that collects all the sequences that have been investigated for their amyloidogenicity. Therefore, we have created the AmyLoad website which collects the amyloidogenic sequences from all major sources. The website allows for filtration of the fragments and provides detailed information about each of them. Registered users can both personalize their work with the website and submit their own sequences into the database. To maintain database reliability, submitted sequences are reviewed before making them available to the public. Finally, we re-implemented several amyloidogenic sequence predictors, thus the AmyLoad website can be used as a sequence analysis tool. We encourage researchers working on amyloid proteins to contribute to our service.

Availability and implementation: The AmyLoad website is freely available at http://comprec-lin.iiar.pwr.edu.pl/amyload/.

Contact:  malgorzata.kotulska@pwr.edu.pl
Posterior Spinal Fusion With Pedicle Screws in Patients With Idiopathic Scoliosis and Open Triradiate Cartilage: Does Deformity Progression Occur?
Authors: Sponseller Paul D. , Jain Amit , Newton Peter O. , Lonner Baron S. , Shah Suken A. , Shufflebarger Harry , Bastrom Tracey P. , Marks Michelle C. , Betz Randal R.
Published: June 2015

Background:

Anterior-posterior spinal fusion (APSF) is the traditional treatment for patients with idiopathic scoliosis and open triradiate cartilage (OTRC). Our goals were to assess whether posterior-only spinal fusion (PSF) with pedicle screws can halt deformity progression as effectively as APSF in patients with OTRC, and whether selection of the distal fusion level influences curve progression.

Methods:

We studied a prospective multicenter database to identify all children with 2-year radiographic and clinical follow-up who were 11 years or younger with Risser grade 0 and OTRC who were treated with (1) PSF (OTRC-PSF group, N=20); or (2) APSF (OTRC-APSF group, N=9). A reference group was constructed of 20 children who were 18 years or younger with Risser grade 4 or 5 and closed triradiate cartilage (CTRC) and who were treated with PSF (CTRC-PSF group) and matched in preoperative curve magnitude and type to the OTRC-PSF group. The 3 groups were compared with respect to operative time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, and radiographic and functional outcomes (significance, P<0.05).

Results:

OTRC-APSF patients had significantly longer operative time (P<0.01), greater blood loss (P=0.02), and longer hospital stays (P<0.01) than OTRC-PSF patients. At 2 years, 7 (35%) OTRC-PSF patients had >10 degrees of curve progression compared with no patients in the OTRC-APSF group (P=0.042) and 1 patient in the CTRC-PSF group (P=0.018). The OTRC-PSF group had the highest number of patients fused to the stable vertebra. Of the 11 OTRC-PSF patients fused to 1 vertebra short of stable, 6 (55%) had >10 degrees of curve progression. Of the 9 OTRC-PSF patients fused to at least the stable vertebra or lower, only 1 (11%) had curve progression. There were no significant differences in Scoliosis Research Society outcome scores between OTRC-PSF patients who did and those who did not have >10 degrees of curve progression.

Conclusions:

PSF with pedicle screws was associated with curve progression in a significantly greater proportion of patients with OTRC compared with APSF. Not fusing to stable was also associated with curve progression in patients treated with PSF but not APSF.

Level of Evidence:

Level III—therapeutic.
Pediatric Supracondylar Fractures: Variation in Fracture Patterns and the Biomechanical Effects of Pin Configuration
Authors: Jaeblon Todd , Anthony Steven , Ogden Alan , Andary Joseph J.
Published: June 2015

Background:

Transverse pediatric supracondylar fractures through the midolecranon fossa are frequently encountered and modeled in biomechanical studies. Our objective is to investigate the optimal pin configurations for low, sagittal oblique, and high fracture varieties that have not been previously investigated.

Methods:

A total of 100 synthetic composite pediatric humeri were tested. Three groups of 30 were used to simulate 1 of 3 fracture variations. Subgroups of 10 were stabilized with 2 lateral pins (2LP), 3 lateral pins (3LP), or cross K-wires (XP). The 90 fracture and 10 intact models were tested for anterior posterior (AP), medial lateral (ML), and rotational stiffness.

Results:

In low fractures, AP, ML, and rotational stiffness of 2LP and 3LP were similar to intact. ML stiffness was less using XP. AP and ML stiffness of 2LP and 3LP were significantly greater than XP.

In oblique fractures, AP, ML, and rotational stiffness of 2LP was similar to intact but 3LP was significantly less. AP and ML stiffness of XP was significantly less. 2LP demonstrated greater AP, ML, and rotational stiffness than 3LP and XP.

In high fractures, all configurations demonstrated significantly less rotational stiffness than intact and AP stiffness similar to intact. Rotational stiffness of 3LP was greater than 2LP and XP. AP and ML stiffness were not different among configurations.

Conclusions:

2LP are stiffer than 3LP and XP for sagittal oblique fractures. 2LP and 3LP stiffness were similar in low transverse fractures, and both constructs demonstrated greater stiffness than XP configuration. 3LP is preferable for high transverse fractures. XP were never stiffer than the lateral only constructs in any of the patterns tested.

Clinical Relevance:

All-lateral pin constructs may provide adequate stiffness to maintain reduction of low transverse, sagittal oblique, and high transverse patterns of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures without risk of injury to the ulnar nerve.
Uniplanar Versus Taylor Spatial Frame External Fixation For Pediatric Diaphyseal Tibia Fractures: A Comparison of Cost and Complications
Authors: Shore Benjamin J. , DiMauro Jon-Paul P. , Spence David D. , Miller Patricia E. , Glotzbecker Michael P. , Spencer Samantha , Hedequist Daniel
Published: June 2015

Background:

The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes and cost variations between uniplanar (UNI) and Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) external fixation for unstable pediatric tibial diaphyseal fractures.

Methods:

We performed an IRB approved, retrospective review of 44 diaphyseal tibial fractures in 42 children treated with external fixation (16 TSF and 28 UNI) between 2003 and 2011, at a single level 1 pediatric trauma center. Data on demographic, clinical, radiographic, treatment cost, and complication differences were analyzed between the 2 groups. The Student t tests, Fisher’s exact tests, χ2 trend tests, logistic regression, and a cost analysis comparison was used to assess the differences.

Results:

The mean age in both groups was 13 years (range: 6 to 18 y TSF, 9 to 17 y UNI). The mean follow-up was 8 months (TSF) and 13 months (UNI). According to the AO classification, there were 28 type A, 13 type B, and 3 type C fractures with no significant difference between the 2 groups (P=0.69). Total time in the fixator was not different between the 2 groups (UNI 14 wk, TSF 12 wk, P=0.10), but time to union was less in the TSF group (UNI 16 wk, TSF 13 wk, P<0.01). There were no differences in the final radiographic alignment between the groups. The UNI group experienced more complications (7 pin-site infections and 9 reoperations) compared with 4 pin-site infections and 2 reoperations in the TSF group. A cost analysis revealed significant differences in equipment cost (UNI frame=$5074 vs. TSF frame=$10,675; P<0.0001); however, after corrected cost analysis with calculated return to the operating room for complications, there was no difference in cost of treatment (UNI treatment=$20,113 vs. TSF treatment=$19,138).

Conclusions:

Despite an initial equipment cost difference between UNI and TSF frames, corrected cost analysis reveals equivalent costs for care delivery. Therefore, TSF can be considered as a cost-conscious device for the treatment of unstable pediatric tibial diaphyseal fractures.

Level of Evidence:

Level III—retrospective comparative cohort study.
Variation of Syndesmosis Anatomy With Growth
Authors: Nault Marie-Lyne , Hébert-Davies Jonah , Yen Yi-Meng , Shore Benjamin , Jarrett Delma Y. , Kramer Dennis E.
Published: June 2015

Background:

Syndesmosis injury is common in trauma and in the sport medicine population. Diagnosis and treatment of this pathology is controversial in adult population and almost unknown in a growing and immature ankle. The objective of this study was to describe the relationship between the distal tibia and fibula in immature, growing, and mature children.

Methods:

A retrospective imaging study was performed on ankle magnetic resonance images (MRI), which were divided into 3 groups according to age: immature, growing, or mature. The syndesmosis anatomy was described in 3 planes following an established measurement system. The measurement system was also validated (intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility) on a subgroup of 30 MRIs with 4 surgeons.

Results:

The measurement system, previously described on CT scans, is valid when used on MRIs. The mediolateral translation significantly increases with growth and external rotation of fibula decreases. The anteroposterior position is also significantly different between groups but the ratios are similar.

Conclusions:

This study reported differences in distal tibiofibular relationship in a growing population. This information will be crucial in future development of diagnostic and follow-up criteria of syndesmosis injury. It also presented a valid and precise measurement system to describe syndesmotic anatomy in 3 planes.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV.
Prevalence of Hypertension in Pediatric Tibia Vara and Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis
Authors: Taussig Matthew D. , Powell Kenneth P. , Cole Heather A. , Nwosu Samuel K. , Hunley Tray , Romine Spencer E. , Iwinski Henry , Talwalkar Vishwas , Warhoover Tracy , Lovejoy Steven A. , Mencio Gregory A. , Martus Jeffrey E. , Walker Janet , Milbrandt Todd , Schoenecker Jonathan G.
Published: June 2015

Background:

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) and tibia vara (Blount disease) are associated with childhood obesity. However, the majority of obese children do not develop SCFE or tibia vara. Therefore, it is hypothesized that other obesity-related biological changes to the physis, in addition to increased biomechanical stress, potentiate the occurrence of SCFE and tibia vara. Considering that hypertension can impose pathologic changes in the physis similar to those observed in these obesity-related diseases we set out to determine the prevalence of hypertension in patients with SCFE and tibia vara.

Methods:

Blood pressure measurements were obtained in 44 patients with tibia vara and 127 patients with SCFE. Body mass index and blood pressure were adjusted for age, sex, and height percentiles utilizing normative distribution data from the CDC. These cohorts were compared with age-matched and sex-matched cohorts derived from an obesity clinic who did not have either bone disease. A multivariable proportional odds model was used to determine association.

Results:

The prevalence of prehypertension/hypertension was significantly higher in the tibia vara (64%) and SCFE cohort (64%) compared with respective controls (43%). Patients diagnosed with either SCFE or tibia vara had 2.5-fold higher odds of having high blood pressure compared with age-matched and sex-matched obese patients without bone disease. Sex, age, and race did not have a significant effect on a patient’s blood pressure.

Conclusions:

This is the first study to establish that the obesity-related bone diseases, SCFE and tibia vara, are significantly associated with high blood pressure. These data have immediate clinical impact as they demonstrate that children with obesity-related developmental bone disease have increased prevalence of undiagnosed and untreated hypertension. Furthermore, this prevalence study supports the hypothesis that hypertension in conjunction with increased biomechanical forces together potentiate the occurrence of SCFE and tibia vara. If proven true, it is plausible that hypertension may represent a modifiable risk factor for obesity-related bone disease.

Level of Evidence:

Level III—case-control study.
Periacetabular Osteotomy Redirects the Acetabulum and Improves Pain in Charcot-Marie-Tooth Hip Dysplasia With Higher Complications Compared With Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip
Authors: Novais Eduardo N. , Kim Young-Jo , Carry Patrick M. , Millis Michael B.
Published: June 2015

Background:

The Bernese periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is a well-accepted reorientation pelvic osteotomy used to treat symptomatic acetabular dysplasia secondary to developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). However, there are limited data regarding PAO in patients with symptomatic hip dysplasia secondary to Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Methods:

We compared patients who underwent PAO for the treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease hip dysplasia (CMTHD group) with patients who underwent PAO for treatment of hip dysplasia secondary to DDH in terms of (1) modified Harris Hip scores; (2) radiographic correction of acetabular dysplasia; and (3) the rate of complications. Twenty-seven subjects with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease who underwent a PAO between January 1991 and December 2010 were matched to 54 subjects with DDH on the basis of sex, age, date of surgery, and body mass index. Preoperative and postoperative hip functional scores and radiographic data were collected with a minimum 2-year follow-up. The modified Harris Hip Scores (mHHS) assessed functional hip outcomes. Radiographic variables included lateral (LCEA) and anterior (ACEA) center-edge angles, Tönnis angle and Tönnis grade of arthritis. Postoperative complications were classified according to a modified Dindo-Clavien system.

Results:

At latest follow-up mHHS improved in the CMTHD group (preoperative median 63; (interquartile range [IQR]=54-70 to postoperative median 88; IQR=74-91); P=0.004) and in the DDH groups (preoperative median 71; IQR=58-83 to postoperative median 86; IQR=73-96; P=0.002) with no difference between the 2 groups (P=0.631). Radiographic improvement (LCEA: mean difference, 36 degrees, 95% confidence interval [CI], 30-41 degrees, P<0.001; ACEA: mean difference, 27 degrees, 95% CI, 20-33 degrees, P<0.001; Tönnis angles: mean difference, 21 degrees, 95% CI, 15-26 degrees, P<0.001) was achieved in the CMTHD group. Similarly, radiographic improvements in LCEA (mean difference, 33 degrees, 95% CI, 29-37 degrees, P<0.001), ACEA (mean difference, 18 degrees, 95% CI, 13-23 degrees, P<0.001) and Tönnis angles (mean difference, 13 degrees, 95% CI, 9-17 degrees, P<0.001) were also achieved in the DDH group. After PAO, 33% of the patients in the CMTHD group and 13% in the DDH group developed a complication that required treatment (odds ratio, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.1-10.4; P=0.035).

Conclusions:

The Bernese PAO is capable of comprehensively achieving improvement in patient-reported outcome scores and redirecting the acetabulum in symptomatic acetabular dysplasia secondary to CMTHD. However, patients with CMTHD have a higher risk for developing complications.

Level of Evidence:

Level III—therapeutic study.
Risk Factors for Hip Displacement in Children With Cerebral Palsy: Systematic Review
Authors: Pruszczynski Blazej , Sees Julieanne , Miller Freeman
Published: June 2015

Background:

When hip displacement in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is identified early, treatment is more successful. The standard test is a radiograph of the pelvis measuring the migration index (MI). Our study aims to review published literature of the natural history of hip dislocation among children with CP and to define related risk factors to develop screening criteria for early recognition.

Methods:

The review included 10 studies with sample sizes greater than 20 children with CP below18 years who had hips with no surgical intervention or dislocation at initial presentation, minimum 2-year follow-up, and recorded MI, pattern, and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level.

Results:

On the basis of this review, we suggest screening with 1 radiograph for GMFCS I and II, or, if MI>30%, an annual radiograph between ages 2 and 8 years, followed by a radiograph every 2 years until the age of 18 years. For GMFCS III, IV, and V, we recommend an annual radiograph if MI<30% or 1 every 6 months if MI>30% between ages 2 and 8 years, followed by radiograph every 2 years until the age of 18 years.

Conclusions:

Applying a practical surveillance program for children with CP can prevent hip dislocation, provide early treatment, and ultimately lead to consistently better outcomes than those of neglected hip dislocations. The GMFCS level has a strong impact on subluxation risk and that the risk continues to the end of growth.

Level of Evidence:

Level III—systematic review.