bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tuning different kinds of entangled metal–organic frameworks by modifying the spacer group of aliphatic dicarboxylate ligands and the reactant ratio
Authors: Yang Jin-Xia , Zhai Ji-Quan , Zhang Xin , Qin Ye-Yan , Yao Yuan-Gen
Published: November 2015

Presented here are a series of coordination polymers with different entangled motifs which were synthesized using different dicarboxylic acid ligands and reactant ratios.
Direct NMR detection of the unstable “red product” from the reaction between nitroprusside and 2-mercaptosuccinic acid
Authors: Gao Yin , Mossing Brendan , Wu Gang
Published: November 2015

First NMR characterization of the unstable “red product” produced from the reaction between nitroprusside and organic thiolates.
Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed C–C coupling of 7-azaindoles with vinyl acetates and allyl acetates
Authors: Li Shuai-Shuai , Wang Cheng-Qi , Lin Hui , Zhang Xiao-Mei , Dong Lin
Published: November 2015

The behaviour of electron-rich alkenes with 7-azaindoles in rhodium(iii)-catalyzed C–H activation is investigated.
Insights into the enhancement mechanism coupled with adapted adsorption behavior from mineralogical aspects in bioleaching of copper-bearing sulfide ore by Acidithiobacillus sp.
Authors: Feng Shoushuai , Yang Hailin , Wang Wu
Published: November 2015

In this study, two typical bioleaching strains (A. ferrooxidansandA. thiooxidans) were employed for exploring the enhancement mechanism of the adapted adsorption behavior in the bioleaching of copper-bearing sulfide ore.
T
1-weighted and T2-weighted MRI probe based on Gd-DTPA surface conjugated SPIO nanomicelles
Authors: Zhao Waiou , Huang Hailong , Sun Yuan , Zhang Xiaonan , Li Yapeng , Wang Jingyuan
Published: November 2015

Herein we report novel gadolinium chelate surface conjugated superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanomicelles which can achieve T1-weighted and T2-weighted MR imaging simultaneously and lengthen the half life time.
A novel heterobimetallic Ru(ii)–Gd(iii) complex-based magnetoluminescent agent for MR and luminescence imaging
Authors: Shi Wenbo , Song Bo , Tan Mingqian , Ye Zhiqiang , Yuan Jingli
Published: November 2015

A novel heterobimetallic ruthenium(II)–gadolinium(III) complex, Ru–Gd, has been developed for luminescence and an vivo T1-weighted MR imaging agent.
Exploration of using thermally responsive polyionic liquid hydrogels as draw agents in forward osmosis
Authors: Cai Yufeng , Wang Rong , Krantz William B. , Fane Anthony G. , Hu Xiao ‘Matthew’
Published: November 2015

Thermally responsive hydrogels based on ionic liquid monomers were prepared by bulk polymerization in the presence of a crosslinker, and explored as draw agents in forward osmosis for the first time.
A one-step chemical vapor deposition approach for solid solution PrxNd1−xB6 nanowire growth
Authors: Li Qidong , Zhao Yanming , Fan Qinghua , Han Wei
Published: November 2015

Structurally uniform and well-doped single crystalline solid solution PrxNd1−xB6 nanowires were fabricated by a one-step CVD approach for the first time.
Selective sorption and subsequent photocatalytic degradation of cationic dyes by sonochemically synthesized nano CuWO4and Cu3Mo2O9
Authors: Dutta Dimple P. , Rathore Anjali , Ballal Anand , Tyagi A. K.
Published: November 2015

Sonochemically synthesized nano CuWO4and Cu3Mo2O9exhibit superior sorption affinity for cationic dyes and also display photocatalytic activity on exposure to visible light.
A convenient numbering-up strategy for the scale-up of gas–liquid photoredox catalysis in flow
Authors: Su Yuanhai , Kuijpers Koen , Hessel Volker , Noël Timothy
Published: November 2015

An operationally simple numbering-up strategy for the scale-up of gas–liquid photocatalytic reactions was developed, which provides an excellent flow distribution (SDw< 10%).
Effects of annealing temperature of tin oxide electron selective layers on the performance of perovskite solar cells
Authors: Ke Weijun , Zhao Dewei , Cimaroli Alexander J. , Grice Corey R. , Qin Pingli , Liu Qin , Xiong Liangbin , Yan Yanfa , Fang Guojia
Published: November 2015

The origin of the performance difference of perovskite solar cells using different temperature processed tin oxide electron selective layers.
Enhanced hydrogen evolution catalysis in MoS2 nanosheets by incorporation of a metal phase
Authors: Shi Shoupeng , Gao Daqiang , Xia Baorui , Liu Peitao , Xue Desheng
Published: November 2015

We propose a metal 1T-phase incorporation strategy to dramatically enhance the HER catalysis in primitive 2H-MoS2 nanosheets.
Effects of Removing Low-Frequency Electric Information on Speech Perception With Bimodal Hearing
Authors: Fowler Jennifer R. , Eggleston Jessica L. , Reavis Kelly M. , McMillan Garnett P. , Reiss Lina A. J.
Published: November 2015

Purpose

The objective was to determine whether speech perception could be improved for bimodal listeners (those using a cochlear implant [CI] in one ear and hearing aid in the contralateral ear) by removing low-frequency information provided by the CI, thereby reducing acoustic–electric overlap.

Method

Subjects were adult CI subjects with at least 1 year of CI experience. Nine subjects were evaluated in the CI-only condition (control condition), and 26 subjects were evaluated in the bimodal condition. CIs were programmed with 4 experimental programs in which the low cutoff frequency (LCF) was progressively raised. Speech perception was evaluated using Consonant-Nucleus-Consonant words in quiet, AzBio sentences in background babble, and spondee words in background babble.

Results

The CI-only group showed decreased speech perception in both quiet and noise as the LCF was raised. Bimodal subjects with better hearing in the hearing aid ear (< 60 dB HL at 250 and 500 Hz) performed best for words in quiet as the LCF was raised. In contrast, bimodal subjects with worse hearing (> 60 dB HL at 250 and 500 Hz) performed similarly to the CI-only group.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that reducing low-frequency overlap of the CI and contralateral hearing aid may improve performance in quiet for some bimodal listeners with better hearing.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14963631
An International Perspective on Speech-Language Pathology Assistants
Authors: Ostergren Jennifer A. , Aguilar Sara M.
Published: November 2015

In 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank highlighted several pressing concerns in the area of service provision to individuals with disabilities, including a global shortage of rehabilitation personnel. The use of mid-level workers was recommended as one strategy for improving human resource capacity in this area. In the United States, speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) are one type of mid-level worker that has received recent attention. The American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) updated its policy statement on SLPAs in 2013 and also implemented a voluntary affiliation for assistants in 2011. Unfortunately, a paucity of research exists in the United States on this topic. Internationally, however, researchers have reported on the topic of assistants in the field of speech-language pathology. This manuscript serves as an integrative review of the research literature on the topic of assistants in the field of speech-language pathology from an international perspective, including information on the effectiveness of assistants in service provision, important elements related to their training and supervision, opinions from supervisors on this topic, and novel extensions of assistant services to areas such as cross-disciplinary tasks and telerehabilitation.
Dynamically sampled multivariate empirical mode decomposition
Authors: Rehman N. , Naveed K. , Safdar M.W. , Ehsan S. , McDonald‐Maier K.D.
Published: November 2015

A method for accurate multivariate local mean estimation in the multivariate empirical mode decomposition algorithm by using a statistical data‐driven approach based on the Menger curvature measure and normal‐to‐anything variate‐generation method is proposed. This is achieved by aligning the projection vectors in the direction of the maximum ‘activity’ of the input signal by considering the local curvature of the signal in multidimensional spaces, resulting in accurate mean estimation even for a very small number of projection vectors.
Dual distribution static compensator for three‐phase four‐wire distribution system
Authors: Manoj Kumar Manjathu Valappil , Mishra Mahesh Kumar
Published: November 2015

This study proposes a dual three‐leg voltage source inverter (VSI)‐based distribution static compensator to compensate unbalanced and non‐linear loads in three‐phase four‐wire distribution systems. The proposed topology uses two three‐leg inverters having common dc link with single dc capacitor and an additional small rating ac capacitor connected from the negative terminal of VSI to the system neutral. The proposed scheme with associated control algorithm has capability to compensate unbalanced non‐linear load and hence makes source current as balanced sinusoidal and at desired power factor. The control algorithm also ensures the proper sharing of reactive, harmonics and unbalanced powers between two VSIs and controls the grid current total harmonic distortion level even in the presence of unbalanced and distorted voltages. The performance of the proposed scheme has been verified using simulation and experimental studies under different voltage conditions and detailed results are presented.
Change detection in a distillation column using non‐linear auto‐regressive moving average with exogenous input model and Hellinger distance
Authors: Aggoune Lakhdar , Chetouani Yahya , Radjeai Hammoud
Published: November 2015

The presence of faults in industrial processes represents a serious threat, which can lead to performance degradation as well as damage to human health. The early detection of change might avoid undesired consequences. This study proposes a fault detection (FD) method based on the probability distribution measure. The method needs the generation of residual. To this end, the residual is obtained from applying a non‐linear auto‐regressive moving average with exogenous input model. To detect a fault, this approach compares the probability density of current residual against a reference one, using the Hellinger distance (HD). The change detection problem is formulated in terms of distance measures that characterise the similarity of distributions of the residual. Sensitivity analysis on the HD under normal distribution assumption is performed. To demonstrate the satisfying performance of the proposed FD technique, a distillation plant at the laboratory scale is used as the case study.
Development of a partial discharge detection algorithm and verification test for extra‐high‐voltage cable system
Authors: Choi Won , Kim Jeong‐Tae , Seo In‐Jin , Hwang Jae‐Sang , Koo Ja‐Yoon
Published: November 2015

Even though a lot of research has been devoted to find partial discharge (PD) sources based on the time difference of pulses, it has been reported that studies have been unable to obtain precise locations in joints due to the errors caused by the attenuation or distortion of PD pulses. In this study, in order to reduce the issues, ‘Precise PD finding’ is developed to obtain the accurate locations of PD sources by considering not only the time difference of pulses, but also pulse polarity. Accordingly, a PD detection algorithm is implemented. An attachable inductive sensor is designed and fabricated and then applied to a real scaled 154 kV XLPE cable with a joint. From the experimental results, the algorithm was verified to successfully find the locations of PD sources. The algorithm was then applied to an on‐site, 345 kV XLPE cable. Consequently, PD sources were detected in a normal straight joint box and confirmed through a disassembly investigation.
Partial discharge forms for DC insulating systems at higher air pressure
Authors: Florkowski Marek , Florkowska Barbara , Zydron Pawel
Published: November 2015

A rising interest in DC systems at various voltage levels is still being observed. Such trends result in heightened requirements of insulation systems at DC stresses at various voltage levels, and also motivate investigations into partial discharges (PD), initiating degradation processes of insulation systems. The mechanism and PD forms at DC represent a different class that cannot be directly compared with AC mechanism. The PD mechanism at DC depends on many factors that determine the condition of the insulation system, including pressure. Thus, it is crucial to continue research on phenomena occurring at DC voltage where air at higher pressure might be an insulating medium for some power and power electronics equipment in the future. The PD measurement methodology is not normalised and the evaluation of measurement results requires a different approach than at AC. This study presents PD at DC in air at higher pressure in selected configurations of a modelled insulation system. For this purpose the time sequences of PD pulses were acquired in measurement system and clustered. Modern diagnostics and monitoring systems would utilise the set of patterns and features to classify the various forms of discharge. Distinctive behaviours of discharges at various pressures were observed.
Numerical study of plasma generation process and internal antenna heat loadings in J-PARC RF negative ion source
Authors: Shibata T. , Nishida K. , Mochizuki S. , Mattei S. , Lettry J. , Hatayama A. , Ueno A. , Oguri H. , Ohkoshi K. , Ikegami K. , Takagi A. , Asano H. , Naito F.
Published: November 2015

A numerical model of plasma transport and electromagnetic field in the J-PARC (Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex) radio frequency ion source has been developed to understand the relation between antenna coil heat loadings and plasma production/transport processes. From the calculation, the local plasma density increase is observed in the region close to the antenna coil. Electrons are magnetized by the magnetic field line with absolute magnetic flux density 30–120 Gauss which leads to high local ionization rate. The results suggest that modification of magnetic configuration can be made to reduce plasma heat flux onto the antenna.
Spin-wave stiffness parameter in ferrimagnetic systems: Nanoparticulate powders of (Mg,Zn)Fe2O4 mixed ferrites
Authors: Franco A. , Pessoni H. V. S. , Machado F. L. A.
Published: November 2015

We have evaluated the spin-wave stiffness parameter in nanoparticulate powders of Mg1−xZnxFe2O4 (0.0≤x≤0.6) mixed ferrites from magnetization data obtained at two different ranges of temperature: 5−300 K and 300−750 K. At the lower temperature range the T-dependence of the saturation magnetization, Ms, data could be fitted to the Bloch's law with T3/2. The spin-wave stiffness parameters D were determined from the coefficient of T3/2; being ∼132 and ∼86 meVÅ for x = 0.0 and 0.6, respectively, with the corresponding exchange constant JAB of ∼1.10 and ∼0.72 meV, respectively. The values of D determined from the experimental Curie temperature Tc were ∼212 and ∼163 meVÅ2 for x = 0.0 and 0.6, respectively, with the corresponding exchange constant JAB of ∼1.77 and ∼1.30 meV. The difference in both JAB and D values obtained from the coefficient of T3/2 and from Tc may be attributed to the fact that the magnetic measurements were performed at a different range of temperatures. The results are discussed in terms of the cation distribution among A- and B-sites of occupation on these spinel ferrites.
Bifurcation analysis and potential landscapes of the p53-Mdm2 module regulated by the co-activator programmed cell death 5
Authors: Bi Yuanhong , Yang Zhuoqin , Zhuge Changjing , Lei Jinzhi
Published: November 2015

The dynamics of p53 play important roles in the regulation of cell fate decisions in response to various stresses, and programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) functions as a co-activator of p53 that modulates p53 dynamics. In the present paper, we investigated how p53 dynamics are modulated by PDCD5 during the deoxyribose nucleic acid damage response using methods of bifurcation analysis and potential landscape. Our results revealed that p53 activities display rich dynamics under different PDCD5 levels, including monostability, bistability with two stable steady states, oscillations, and the coexistence of a stable steady state (or two states) and an oscillatory state. The physical properties of the p53 oscillations were further demonstrated by the potential landscape in which the potential force attracts the system state to the limit cycle attractor, and the curl flux force drives coherent oscillation along the cyclic trajectory. We also investigated the efficiency with which PDCD5 induced p53 oscillations. We show that Hopf bifurcation can be induced by increasing the PDCD5 efficiency and that the system dynamics exhibited clear transition features in both barrier height and energy dissipation when the efficiency was close to the bifurcation point.
Origin of mobility enhancement by chemical treatment of gate-dielectric surface in organic thin-film transistors: Quantitative analyses of various limiting factors in pentacene thin films
Authors: Matsubara R. , Sakai Y. , Nomura T. , Sakai M. , Kudo K. , Majima Y. , Knipp D. , Nakamura M.
Published: November 2015

For the better performance of organic thin-film transistors (TFTs), gate-insulator surface treatments are often applied. However, the origin of mobility increase has not been well understood because mobility-limiting factors have not been compared quantitatively. In this work, we clarify the influence of gate-insulator surface treatments in pentacene thin-film transistors on the limiting factors of mobility, i.e., size of crystal-growth domain, crystallite size, HOMO-band-edge fluctuation, and carrier transport barrier at domain boundary. We quantitatively investigated these factors for pentacene TFTs with bare, hexamethyldisilazane-treated, and polyimide-coated SiO2 layers as gate dielectrics. By applying these surface treatments, size of crystal-growth domain increases but both crystallite size and HOMO-band-edge fluctuation remain unchanged. Analyzing the experimental results, we also show that the barrier height at the boundary between crystal-growth domains is not sensitive to the treatments. The results imply that the essential increase in mobility by these surface treatments is only due to the increase in size of crystal-growth domain or the decrease in the number of energy barriers at domain boundaries in the TFT channel.
Carrier-density dependence of photoluminescence from localized states in InGaN/GaN quantum wells in nanocolumns and a thin film
Authors: Shimosako N. , Inose Y. , Satoh H. , Kinjo K. , Nakaoka T. , Oto T. , Kishino K. , Ema K.
Published: November 2015

We have measured and analyzed the carrier-density dependence of photoluminescence (PL) spectra and the PL efficiency of InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells in nanocolumns and in a thin film over a wide excitation range. The localized states parameters, such as the tailing parameter, density and size of the localized states, and the mobility edge density are estimated. The spectral change and reduction of PL efficiency are explained by filling of the localized states and population into the extended states around the mobility edge density. We have also found that the nanocolumns have a narrower distribution of the localized states and a higher PL efficiency than those of the film sample although the In composition of the nanocolumns is higher than that of the film.
Charge-trap non-volatile memories fabricated by laser-enabled low-thermal budget processes
Authors: Huang Wen-Hsien , Shieh Jia-Min , Pan Fu-Ming , Yang Chih-Chao , Shen Chang-Hong , Wang Hsing-Hsiang , Hsieh Tung-Ying , Wu Ssu-Yu , Wu Meng-Chyi
Published: November 2015

We fabricated charge-trap non-volatile memories (NVMs) using low thermal budget processes, including laser-crystallization of poly-Si thin film, chemical vapor deposition deposition of a stacked memory layer, and far-infrared-laser dopant activation. The thin poly-Si channel has a low defect-density at the interface with the bulk, resulting in a steep subthreshold swing for the NVM transistors. The introduction of the stacked SiO2/AlOxNy tunnel layer and the SiNx charge-trap layer with a gradient bandgap leads to reliable retention and endurance at low voltage for the NVMs. The low thermal budget processes are desirable for the integration of the nano-scaled NVMs into system on panels.
Surface stress on the effective Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio of isotropic nanowires under tensile load
Authors: He Jin
Published: November 2015

A method based on conventional finite element analysis is proposed to simulate nanowire tensile behavior. The surface elasticity in nanowires is converted to equivalent Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio for realizing the finite element analysis. The stress and strain distribution of tensile nanowires from the finite element analysis is presented, as well as the effective Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio. Good agreement has been found between the finite element analysis and the analytical results from other researchers. Moreover, a simple formula for the effective Young’s modulus is derived. This study provides a new approach to investigate the effect of surface stress on tensile nanowires.
Magnetic state dependent transient lateral photovoltaic effect in patterned ferromagnetic metal-oxide-semiconductor films
Authors: Martinez Isidoro , Pedro Cascales Juan , Lara Antonio , Andres Pablo , Aliev Farkhad G.
Published: November 2015

We investigate the influence of an external magnetic field on the magnitude and dephasing of the transient lateral photovoltaic effect (T-LPE) in lithographically patterned Co lines of widths of a few microns grown over naturally passivated p-type Si(100). The T-LPE peak-to-peak magnitude and dephasing, measured by lock-in or through the characteristic time of laser OFF exponential relaxation, exhibit a notable influence of the magnetization direction of the ferromagnetic overlayer. We show experimentally and by numerical simulations that the T-LPE magnitude is determined by the Co anisotropic magnetoresistance. On the other hand, the magnetic field dependence of the dephasing could be described by the influence of the Lorentz force acting perpendiculary to both the Co magnetization and the photocarrier drift directions. Our findings could stimulate the development of fast position sensitive detectors with magnetically tuned magnitude and phase responses.
Developing an Australian health and aged care research agenda: a systematic review of evidence at the subacute interface
Authors: Davis Jenny , Morgans Amee , Stewart Joan
Published: November 2015

Objective The aim of the present study was to systematically review articles describing recent interventions that aimed to improve access and outcomes for older people at the interface between health and aged care, with a focus on subacute care programs of palliative care, rehabilitation, geriatric evaluation and management (GEM) and psychogeriatrics. Methods Australian studies published between 2008 and 2013were evaluated using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) guidelines. Included studies were summarised according to focus areas and results discussed in the current Australian subacute health care context. Results Eleven Australian research articles were identified. Three did not achieve any NHMRC rating level because of methodological approach. Focus areas included: discharge planning; information management or communication; rehabilitation; hospital treatment in residential care; screening and intervention; and Telehealth. Interventions were primarily system centred; only three studies featured patient-level outcome measures. Conclusions There is limited high-quality research investigating the effectiveness of interventions at the health and aged care interface of subacute care. Further research is needed. What is known about the topic? Subacute care offers important healthcare programs for older people, operating at the interface between health and aged care. However, for the most part this has not been subject to research scrutiny. What does this paper add? Identified studies were predominantly hospital oriented and designed to avoid hospital admission and associated costs. Locally integrated, collaborative and multidiscipline based interventions improve system-level outcomes. Alternative and individualised models of care, particularly when provided in their home setting, yields positive outcomes for older people. What are the implications for practitioners? Health and aged care reforms and related research agenda must include the perspectives and experiences of patients and/or carers accessing subacute care programs, yet these are under-reported. The present review highlights opportunities to improve the quality of existing evidence and create a research agenda for the future.
Development and oversight of ethical health promotion quality assurance and evaluation activities involving human participants
Authors: Sainsbury Peter
Published: November 2015

Issue addressed

This paper considers the role of ethics and ethics review processes in the development of health promotion quality assurance and evaluation activities involving human participants.

Content

The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research and associated documents provide the framework for the ethical conduct and independent review of research (including quality assurance and evaluation) involving humans in Australia. Identifying the level of risk to which participants may be exposed by participation in quality assurance and evaluation activities is essential for health promotion workers undertaking such activities. Organisations can establish processes other than review by a Human Research Ethics Committee for negligible and low risk research activities. Health promotion quality assurance and evaluation activities often involve negligible and low risk to participants. Seven triggers that indicate the need for ethics review of quality assurance and evaluation activities and a procedural checklist for developing ethical quality assurance and evaluation activities are provided.

Conclusion

Health promotion workers should be familiar with the NHMRC's National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. When ethical considerations underpin the planning and conduct of all quality assurance and evaluation from the very beginning, the activity is the better for it, independent ‘ethics approval’ can mostly be secured without much trouble and workers' frustration levels are reduced.
Evaluating the hydrological, geothermal and anthropic factors in the Baños tarn (Spanish Pyrenees)
Authors: Santolaria Z. , Arruebo T. , Pardo A. , Rodriguez-Casals C. , Lanaja F. J. , Urieta J. S.
Published: November 2015

Baños tarn is a low-altitude Pyrenean glacial lake with both geothermal and surface influxes and significant local anthropic stressors. Its water was seasonally sampled from 2010 to 2013 to study its dynamics and evaluate the main factors affecting its hydrochemical trends. Main surface and thermal streams draining into the water mass were also assessed and a detailed characterisation of the study site was made. The large catchment area of the Baños tarn implies a huge water input, a short water retention time and a high water mass mixing that reduces the natural stratification of the lake. The hydrochemical features of the Baños tarn are primarily determined by a slightly alkaline pH and fluctuating medium–high ionic and nutrient contents. Hydrological changes affecting lake tributaries are the foremost factors driving seasonal changes in the ionic composition of the lake. Resuspension of organic matter and nutrients trapped in floor sediments by a century-long history of untreated waste water inputs is supposed to be the main nutrient source to the Baños water mass. Other anthropic activities, such as tourism, dam and withdrawal pipe management, as well as shoreline reforestation, also affect the trophic dynamics of the Baños tarn. These results present herein are scientifically novel because of the uncommon features of the Baños tarn and may broaden our understanding of factors affecting glacial lake dynamics on a global scale.
Left Main Bronchus Compression Due to Main Pulmonary Artery Dilatation in Pulmonary Hypertension: Two Case Reports
Authors: Jaijee Shareen K. , Ariff Ben , Howard Luke , O'Regan Declan P. , Gin‐Sing Wendy , Davies Rachel , Gibbs J. Simon R.
Published: November 2015

Pulmonary arterial dilatation associated with pulmonary hypertension may result in significant compression of local structures. Left main coronary artery and left recurrent laryngeal nerve compression have been described. Tracheobronchial compression from pulmonary arterial dilatation is rare in adults, and there are no reports in the literature of its occurrence in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. Compression in infants with congenital heart disease has been well described. We report 2 cases of tracheobronchial compression: first, an adult patient with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension who presents with symptomatic left main bronchus compression, and second, an adult patient with Eisenmenger ventricular septal defect and right‐sided aortic arch, with progressive intermedius and right middle lobe bronchi compression in association with enlarged pulmonary arteries.
Specific small-RNA signatures in the amygdala at premotor and motor stages of Parkinson’s disease revealed by deep sequencing analysis
Authors: Pantano Lorena , Friedländer Marc R. , Escaramís Georgia , Lizano Esther , Pallarès-Albanell Joan , Ferrer Isidre , Estivill Xavier , Martí Eulàlia
Published: November 2015

Motivation: Most computational tools for small non-coding RNAs (sRNA) sequencing data analysis focus in microRNAs (miRNAs), overlooking other types of sRNAs that show multi-mapping hits. Here, we have developed a pipeline to non-redundantly quantify all types of sRNAs, and extract patterns of expression in biologically defined groups. We have used our tool to characterize and profile sRNAs in post-mortem brain samples of control individuals and Parkinson’s disease (PD) cases at early-premotor and late-symptomatic stages.

Results: Clusters of co-expressed sRNAs mapping onto tRNAs significantly separated premotor and motor cases from controls. A similar result was obtained using a matrix of miRNAs slightly varying in sequence (isomiRs). The present framework revealed sRNA alterations at premotor stages of PD, which might reflect initial pathogenic perturbations. This tool may be useful to discover sRNA expression patterns linked to different biological conditions.

Availability and Implementation: The full code is available at http://github.com/lpantano/seqbuster.

Contact:  lpantano@hsph.harvard.edu or eulalia.marti@crg.eu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Measurement error models with interactions
Authors: Midthune Douglas , Carroll Raymond J. , Freedman Laurence S. , Kipnis Victor
Published: November 2015

An important use of measurement error models is to correct regression models for bias due to covariate measurement error. Most measurement error models assume that the observed error-prone covariate ($W$) is a linear function of the unobserved true covariate ($X$) plus other covariates ($Z$) in the regression model. In this paper, we consider models for $W$ that include interactions between $X$ and $Z$. We derive the conditional distribution of $X$ given $W$ and $Z$ and use it to extend the method of regression calibration to this class of measurement error models. We apply the model to dietary data and test whether self-reported dietary intake includes an interaction between true intake and body mass index. We also perform simulations to compare the model to simpler approximate calibration models.
A Phase II Study of Biweekly Cisplatin, Fixed-Dose-Rate Gemcitabine and Infusional 5-Fluorouracil in Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic and Biliary Cancers
Authors: Davis Elizabeth J. , Griffith Kent A. , Kim Edward J. , Ruch Joshua M. , McDonnell Kevin J. , Zalupski Mark M.
Published: November 2015

Objectives:

Combinations of gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and platinum have demonstrated improved outcomes compared with singlet chemotherapy in pancreatic and biliary cancers. This phase II study examined efficacy and safety of a novel schedule of cisplatin, fixed-dose-rate gemcitabine and infusional 5-FU.

Materials and Methods:

Patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas or biliary tract, previously untreated or having received 1 cytotoxic regimen for advanced disease, were treated with gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 intravenously (IV) over 100 minutes, cisplatin 35 mg/m2 IV over 30 minutes, and 5-FU 2400 mg/m2 IV over 48 hours on day 1 of a 14-day cycle. Patients were treated until disease progression or for 12 cycles. After 12 cycles, patients with stable or responding disease could continue gemcitabine and 5-FU. The primary endpoint was objective response.

Results:

Thirty-nine patients were treated: 8 with biliary cancer (all untreated) and 31 with pancreatic cancer (17 untreated, 14 previously treated). Best response in 25 untreated patients was partial response in 40%, stable disease in 40%, and progressive disease in 20%. In 14 previously treated pancreatic patients, best response was partial response in 7%, stable disease in 50%, and progressive disease in 43%. Median overall survival in untreated patients was 10.3 versus 4.9 months in previously treated patients. Adverse events were primarily uncomplicated hematologic toxicity, ≥grade 3 neutropenia (54%), anemia (21%), and thrombocytopenia (13%).

Conclusion:

Biweekly cisplatin, fixed-dose-rate gemcitabine, and infusional 5-FU demonstrated a high response rate and were well tolerated, encouraging further investigation of this regimen in metastatic pancreatic and biliary cancers.
Does Delaying Surgical Resection After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation Impact Clinical Outcomes in Locally Advanced Rectal Adenocarcinoma?
Authors: Nguyen Phuong , Wuthrick Evan , Chablani Priyanka , Robinson Andrew , Simmons Luke , Wu Christina , Arnold Mark , Harzman Alan E. , Husain Syed , Schmidt Carl , Abdel-Misih Sherif , Bekaii-Saab Tanios , Chakravarti Arnab , Williams Terence M.
Published: November 2015

Objectives:

Surgical resection for locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma commonly occurs 6 to 10 weeks after completion of neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT). We sought to determine the optimal timing of surgery related to the pathologic complete response rate and survival endpoints.

Methods:

The study is a retrospective analysis of 92 patients treated with nCRT followed by surgery from 2004 to 2011 at our institution. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the impact of timing of surgery on locoregional control, distant failure (DF), disease-free survival, and overall survival (OS).

Results:

Time-to-surgery was ≤8 weeks (group A) in 72% (median 6.1 wk) and >8 weeks (group B) in 28% (median 8.9 wk) of patients. No significant differences in patient characteristics, locoregional control, or pathologic complete response rates were noted between the groups. Univariate analysis revealed that group B had significantly shorter time to DF (group B, median 33 mo; group A, median not reached, P=0.047) and shorter OS compared with group A (group B, median 52 mo; group A, median not reached, P=0.03). Multivariate analysis revealed that increased time-to-surgery showed a significant increase in DF (HR=2.96, P=0.02) and trends toward worse OS (HR=2.81, P=0.108) and disease-free survival (HR=2.08, P=0.098).

Conclusions:

We found that delaying surgical resection longer than 8 weeks after nCRT was associated with an increased risk of DF. This study, in combination with a recent larger study, questions the recent trend in promoting surgical delay beyond the traditional 6 to 10 weeks. Larger, prospective databases or randomized studies may better clarify surgical timing following nCRT in rectal adenocarcinoma.
To What Extent Does Radiotherapy Improve the Quality of Life of Patients With Bone Metastasis?
Authors: Arias Fernando , Arrarás Juan I. , Asín Gemma , Zarandona Uxúe , Mora Itxaso , Errasti Marta , Barrado Marta , Campo Maider , Visus Ignacio , Dominguez Miguel A.
Published: November 2015

Purpose/Objectives:

Radiation therapy (RT) is an effective method of palliating painful bone metastases and improves the quality of life (QoL) of these patients. The purpose of this trial is 2-fold: to quantify the impact of RT in the QoL of patients with bone metastasis and to compare the QoL results between the most used schemes of RT at our Centre.

Materials and Methods:

A consecutive sample of patients with bone metastasis treated with RT in the Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Spain, was addressed between January 2011 and November 2012. The QoL was measured with the Quality of Life Questionnaire-C15-Palliative questionnaire, a short version of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 for palliative care. Two assessments were proposed for each patient: one on the first day of the treatment and the other one a month after the end of the radiotherapy sessions. One hundred and sixteen patients completed the first questionnaire and 75 completed the second one (65%).

Results:

Significant differences appeared in 9 domains, with better QoL in the second assessment. Five areas (physical functioning, global, fatigue, nausea, dyspnea, and constipation) showed little change (between 5 and 9 points), 3 (emotional functioning, insomnia, and appetite loss) showed moderate change (10 to 20 points), and 1 (pain) showed a very positive change (>30 points).

When we compare the QoL scores between the 2 most used schemes of RT (30 Gy/10 fractions vs. 20 Gy/4 to 5 fractions), there are no significant differences in any QoL areas (and in 2 areas P was near 0.05).

Conclusions:

Palliative RT is a very active treatment for patients with bone metastasis regardless of age, location, primary tumor, or RT scheme. RT significantly improves the QoL, fundamentally by controlling pain and reducing analgesic use. Shorter schemes of RT produce at least—if not better—the same effect on QL than longer schemes (30 Gy).
Endovascular Repair of a Ruptured Aortic Extra-anatomic Bypass Pseudoaneurysm after Previous Coarctation Surgery
Authors: Hörer Tal , Toivola Asko
Published: November 2015

We present a short case of a total endovascular repair of a ruptured thoracic pseudoaneurysm after previous coarctation aortic conduit bypass surgery. A 67-year-old man with two previous coarctation repairs many years ago was admitted with chest pain, dyspnea, and hemoptysis. Computed tomography showed a rupture in the distal anastomosis of the thoracic extra-anatomic graft. Successful treatment was achieved by placement of an endovascular stent graft between the old graft and the native aorta and with a vascular plug occlusion of the native aorta.
Are Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Trough Levels Predictive of Mucosal Healing in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Authors: Barnes Edward L. , Allegretti Jessica R.
Published: November 2015

Goals:

Our primary goal was to evaluate whether anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α trough levels above author-determined thresholds are associated with increased rates of mucosal healing among patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Background:

The introduction of anti-TNF agents has considerably advanced the approach to the management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). As use of anti-TNF therapy has increased, there has been new interest in algorithms focused on the monitoring of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics to improve outcomes. In addition, there has been an increased focus on mucosal healing as marker of treatment success.

Study:

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. The studies examined were restricted to randomized controlled trials and cohort studies with a high Jadad or Newcastle-Ottawa score.

Results:

All pooled analyses were based on a random-effects model. Data from 2 randomized controlled trials and 5 observational studies (n=652) were included in the meta-analysis. Among patients with IBD, anti-TNF trough levels above prespecified values were associated with increased rates of mucosal healing (OR=5.57; 95% CI, 3.80-8.15). There was no heterogeneity detected (I
2=0, Q=5.88, df=6; P=0.436) and there was minimal evidence of publication bias present.

Conclusions:

There is a strong relationship between anti-TNF trough levels and increased rates of mucosal healing among patients with IBD. Given the increased emphasis on mucosal healing as an outcome in practice and clinical trials, continued focus on the proactive use of pharmacokinetic testing appears warranted.
Spectral information as an orientation cue in dung beetles
Authors: el Jundi Basil , Foster James J. , Byrne Marcus J. , Baird Emily , Dacke Marie
Published: November 2015

During the day, a non-uniform distribution of long and short wavelength light generates a colour gradient across the sky. This gradient could be used as a compass cue, particularly by animals such as dung beetles that rely primarily on celestial cues for orientation. Here, we tested if dung beetles can use spectral cues for orientation by presenting them with monochromatic (green and UV) light spots in an indoor arena. Beetles kept their original bearing when presented with a single light cue, green or UV, or when presented with both light cues set 180° apart. When either the UV or the green light was turned off after the beetles had set their bearing in the presence of both cues, they were still able to maintain their original bearing to the remaining light. However, if the beetles were presented with two identical green light spots set 180° apart, their ability to maintain their original bearing was impaired. In summary, our data show that ball-rolling beetles could potentially use the celestial chromatic gradient as a reference for orientation.
Detectability matters: conspicuous nestling mouth colours make prey transfer easier for parents in a cavity nesting bird
Authors: Dugas Matthew B.
Published: November 2015

An often underappreciated function of signals is to notify receivers of the presence and position of senders. The colours that ornament the mouthparts of nestling birds, for example, have been hypothesized to evolve via selective pressure generated by parents' inability to efficiently detect and feed nestlings without such visually conspicuous targets. This proposed mechanism has primarily been evaluated with comparative studies and experimental tests for parental allocation bias, leaving untested the central assumption of this detectability hypothesis, that provisioning offspring is a visually challenging task for avian parents and conspicuous mouths help. To test this assumption, I manipulated the mouths of nestling house sparrows to appear minimally and maximally conspicuous, and quantified prey transfer difficulty as the total duration of a feeding event and the number of transfer attempts required. Prey transfer to inconspicuous nestlings was, as predicted, more difficult. While this suggests that detectability constraints could shape nestling mouth colour evolution, even minimally conspicuous nestlings were not prohibitively difficult for parents to feed, indicating that a more nuanced explanation for interspecific diversity in this trait is needed.
Reproductive outcome and survival of common bottlenose dolphins sampled in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, USA, following theDeepwater Horizonoil spill
Authors: Lane Suzanne M. , Smith Cynthia R. , Mitchell Jason , Balmer Brian C. , Barry Kevin P. , McDonald Trent , Mori Chiharu S. , Rosel Patricia E. , Rowles Teresa K. , Speakman Todd R. , Townsend Forrest I. , Tumlin Mandy C. , Wells Randall S. , Zolman Eric S. , Schwacke Lori H.
Published: November 2015

Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) inhabit bays, sounds and estuaries across the Gulf of Mexico. Following theDeepwater Horizonoil spill, studies were initiated to assess potential effects on these ecologically important apex predators. A previous study reported disease conditions, including lung disease and impaired stress response, for 32 dolphins that were temporarily captured and given health assessments in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, USA. Ten of the sampled dolphins were determined to be pregnant, with expected due dates the following spring or summer. Here, we report findings after 47 months of follow-up monitoring of those sampled dolphins. Only 20% (95% CI: 2.50–55.6%) of the pregnant dolphins produced viable calves, as compared with a previously reported pregnancy success rate of 83% in a reference population. Fifty-seven per cent of pregnant females that did not successfully produce a calf had been previously diagnosed with moderate–severe lung disease. In addition, the estimated annual survival rate of the sampled cohort was low (86.8%, 95% CI: 80.0–92.7%) as compared with survival rates of 95.1% and 96.2% from two other previously studied bottlenose dolphin populations. Our findings confirm low reproductive success and high mortality in dolphins from a heavily oiled estuary when compared with other populations. Follow-up studies are needed to better understand the potential recovery of dolphins in Barataria Bay and, by extension, other Gulf coastal regions impacted by the spill.
Evolution of early male-killing in horizontally transmitted parasites
Authors: Bernhauerová Veronika , Berec Luděk , Maxin Daniel
Published: November 2015

Early male-killing (MK) bacteria are vertically transmitted reproductive parasites which kill male offspring that inherit them. Whereas their incidence is well documented, characteristics allowing originally non-MK bacteria to gradually evolve MK ability remain unclear. We show that horizontal transmission is a mechanism enabling vertically transmitted bacteria to evolve fully efficient MK under a wide range of host and parasite characteristics, especially when the efficacy of vertical transmission is high. We also show that an almost 100% vertically transmitted and 100% effective male-killer may evolve from a purely horizontally transmitted non-MK ancestor, and that a 100% efficient male-killer can form a stable coexistence only with a non-MK bacterial strain. Our findings are in line with the empirical evidence on current MK bacteria, explain their high efficacy in killing infected male embryos and their variability within and across insect taxa, and suggest that they may have evolved independently in phylogenetically distinct species.
The Prolylhydroxylase PHD2 Modulates Centromere Function through the Hydroxylation of CENP-N
Authors: Moser Sandra C , Bensaddek Dalila , Ortmann Brian , Rocha Sonia , Lamond Angus I , Swedlow Jason R
Published: November 2015

Successful segregation of chromosomes during mitosis requires that each sister chromatid is captured by microtubules emanating from opposite spindle poles. A multiprotein complex called the kinetochore provides an attachment site on chromosomes for microtubules. We have found that the prolylhydroxylase PHD2 is a critical regulator of the assembly of the kinetochore. PHD2 hydroxylates the kinetochore component CENP-N on P311 and is essential for CENP-N localization to kinetochores. Either depletion of PHD2, or expression of a hydroxylation-deficient mutant, results in loss of the histone H3 variant CENP-A from centromeres. Loss of CENP-N from chromatin bound protein complexes is not due to decreased protein stability but is a consequence of lowered affinity of CENP-N for binding CENP-L. Loss of hydroxylation also results in increased targeting of CENP-L to chromatin. Hydroxylation by PHD2 thus plays an important role in controlling the stoichiometry of mitotic kinetochore components.