bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting Treatment Time and Long-Term Outcome of the Lidcombe Program: A Replication and Reanalysis
Authors: Guitar Barry , Kazenski Danra , Howard Alan , Cousins S. Freddie , Fader Elena , Haskell Piper
Published: June 2015

Purpose

The present study presents treatment duration and outcome data on 14 children who stutter (CWS) recently treated by the Lidcombe Program (LP). These data were then combined with data from a previous LP treatment study (Miller & Guitar, 2009) to examine predictor variables for treatment duration and outcome. The present study also provides evidence of the effectiveness of LP from researchers who are independent of the developers of the program.

Method

Fourteen preschool CWS were assessed on stuttering severity variables and participant characteristics prior to treatment, given LP treatment, and reassessed 2 years after the children achieved stable fluency. These children's data were added to the data of 15 previously treated CWS to examine predictors of treatment duration and long-term outcome. Preliminary analysis lead to the identification of two predictors that were tested in a generalized linear model.

Results

For the new group of 14 CWS, median treatment duration was 15 clinic visits and resulted in near-zero stuttering long term for most of the children and substantial reductions in stuttering for all of the children. For the combined group of 29 children, pretreatment stuttering frequency and severity were the best predictors of treatment duration in both clinic visits and weeks.

Conclusions

Children with more frequent and more severe stuttering may take longer in LP treatment. Long-term outcome may best be predicted by pretreatment stuttering and sex.
Using Hierarchical Linear Modeling to Examine How Individual SLPs Differentially Contribute to Children's Language and Literacy Gains in Public Schools
Authors: Farquharson Kelly , Tambyraja Sherine R. , Logan Jessica , Justice Laura M. , Schmitt Mary Beth
Published: June 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to determine the unique contributions in children's language and literacy gains, over 1 academic year, that are attributable to the individual speech-language pathologist (SLP) and (b) to explore possible child- and SLP-level factors that may further explain SLPs' contributions to children's language and literacy gains.

Method

Participants were 288 kindergarten and 1st-grade children with language impairment who were currently receiving school-based language intervention from SLPs. Using hierarchical linear modeling, we partitioned the variance in children's gains in language (i.e., grammar, vocabulary) and literacy (i.e., word decoding) that could be attributed to their individual SLP.

Results

Results revealed a significant contribution of individual SLPs to children's gains in grammar, vocabulary, and word decoding. Children's fall language scores and grade were significant predictors of SLPs' contributions, although no SLP-level predictors were significant.

Conclusions

The present study makes a first step toward incorporating implementation science and suggests that, for children receiving school-based language intervention, variance in child language and literacy gains in an academic year is at least partially attributable to SLPs. Continued work in this area should examine the possible SLP-level characteristics that may further explicate the relative contributions of SLPs.
Optimal BD‐ZF precoder for multi‐user MIMO downlink transmission
Authors: Yao Rugui , Nan Huani , Xu Juan , Li Geng
Published: June 2015

For multi‐user MIMO downlink transmission, a block‐diagonal zero‐forcing (BD‐ZF) precoder is usually used to suppress multi‐user interference. In the case of a large number of transmitted antennas installed at the base station, there exists a larger nullspace than the precoder requires. An optimal BD‐ZF precoder is developed to maximise throughput using the determinant maximisation technique. It helps to gather all gain for the transmission of each user. Numerical results validate that the precoder obtains throughput improvement.
Global three‐dimensional‐mesh indexing based on structural analysis and geometrical signatures
Authors: Hachani Meha , Ouled Zaid Azza , Puech William
Published: June 2015

This study presents a new local feature matching approach that relies upon Reeb graph (RG)‐based representation as well as a simple and accurate similarity estimation. The central contribution of this work is to reinforce the topological consistency conditions of the graph‐based description. Formally, the RGs are enriched with geometry signatures based on parameterisation approaches. After RG construction, the shape is segmented into Reeb charts of controlled topology mapped to its canonical planar domain. Then, two stretching signatures, corresponding to the area and angle distortion, are determined and taken as three‐dimensional‐shape descriptor. The similarity estimation is performed in two steps. The first one consists in forming the pairs of similar Reeb charts, according to the minimal distance between their corresponding signatures. The second step is to measure the global similarity which quantifies the similitude degree between all the matched Reeb charts. Retrieval experiments conducted on four publicly available databases have shown that the proposed matching scheme yields satisfactory results. Among observations, it can be noticed that despite its rapidity, the method provides an overall retrieval efficiency gain compared to very recent state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Electric field induced Lyman-α emission of a hydrogen beam for electric field measurements
Authors: Chérigier-Kovacic L. , Ström P. , Lejeune A. , Doveil F.
Published: June 2015

Electric field induced Lyman-α emission is a new way of measuring weak electric fields in vacuum and in a plasma. It is based on the emission of Lyman-α radiation (121.6 nm) by a low-energy metastable H atom beam due to Stark-quenching of the 2s level induced by the field. In this paper, we describe the technique in detail. Test measurements have been performed in vacuum between two plates polarized at a controlled voltage. The intensity of emitted radiation, proportional to the square of the field modulus, has been recorded by a lock-in technique, which gives an excellent signal to noise ratio. These measurements provide an in situ calibration that can be used to obtain the absolute value of the electric field. A diagnostic of this type can help to address a long standing challenge in plasma physics, namely, the problem of measuring electric fields without disturbing the equilibrium of the system that is being studied.
An improved sensor for electrochemical microcalorimetry, based on lithiumtantalate
Authors: Frittmann Stefan , Halka Vadym , Jaramillo Carlos , Schuster Rolf
Published: June 2015

We have developed a pyroelectric sensor for electrochemical microcalorimetry, based on LiTaO3, which provides unprecedented sensitivity for the detection of electrochemically induced heat effects. Deterioration of the heat signal by electrostriction effects on the electrode surface is suppressed by a multilayered construction, where an intermediate sapphire sheet dampens mechanical deformations. Thus, well textured thin metal films become viable candidates as electrodes. We demonstrate the sensor performance for Cu underpotential deposition on (111)-textured Au films on sapphire. The sensor signal compares well with a purely thermal signal induced by heating with laser pulses. The high sensitivity of the sensor is demonstrated by measuring heat effects upon double layer charging in perchloric acid, i.e., in the absence of electrochemical charge- or ion-transfer reactions.
An analytical equation of state for describing isotropic-nematic phase equilibria of Lennard-Jones chain fluids with variable degree of molecular flexibility
Authors: van Westen Thijs , Oyarzún Bernardo , Vlugt Thijs J. H. , Gross Joachim
Published: June 2015

We develop an equation of state (EoS) for describing isotropic-nematic (IN) phase equilibria of Lennard-Jones (LJ) chain fluids. The EoS is developed by applying a second order Barker-Henderson perturbation theory to a reference fluid of hard chain molecules. The chain molecules consist of tangentially bonded spherical segments and are allowed to be fully flexible, partially flexible (rod-coil), or rigid linear. The hard-chain reference contribution to the EoS is obtained from a Vega-Lago rescaled Onsager theory. For the description of the (attractive) dispersion interactions between molecules, we adopt a segment-segment approach. We show that the perturbation contribution for describing these interactions can be divided into an “isotropic” part, which depends only implicitly on orientational ordering of molecules (through density), and an “anisotropic” part, for which an explicit dependence on orientational ordering is included (through an expansion in the nematic order parameter). The perturbation theory is used to study the effect of chain length, molecular flexibility, and attractive interactions on IN phase equilibria of pure LJ chain fluids. Theoretical results for the IN phase equilibrium of rigid linear LJ 10-mers are compared to results obtained from Monte Carlo simulations in the isobaric-isothermal (NPT) ensemble, and an expanded formulation of the Gibbs-ensemble. Our results show that the anisotropic contribution to the dispersion attractions is irrelevant for LJ chain fluids. Using the isotropic (density-dependent) contribution only (i.e., using a zeroth order expansion of the attractive Helmholtz energy contribution in the nematic order parameter), excellent agreement between theory and simulations is observed. These results suggest that an EoS contribution for describing the attractive part of the dispersion interactions in real LCs can be obtained from conventional theoretical approaches designed for isotropic fluids, such as a Perturbed-Chain Statistical Associating Fluid Theory approach.
On the analysis and comparison of conformer-specific essential dynamics upon ligand binding to a protein
Authors: Grosso Marcos , Kalstein Adrian , Parisi Gustavo , Roitberg Adrian E. , Fernandez-Alberti Sebastian
Published: June 2015

The native state of a protein consists of an equilibrium of conformational states on an energy landscape rather than existing as a single static state. The co-existence of conformers with different ligand-affinities in a dynamical equilibrium is the basis for the conformational selection model for ligand binding. In this context, the development of theoretical methods that allow us to analyze not only the structural changes but also changes in the fluctuation patterns between conformers will contribute to elucidate the differential properties acquired upon ligand binding. Molecular dynamics simulations can provide the required information to explore these features. Its use in combination with subsequent essential dynamics analysis allows separating large concerted conformational rearrangements from irrelevant fluctuations. We present a novel procedure to define the size and composition of essential dynamics subspaces associated with ligand-bound and ligand-free conformations. These definitions allow us to compare essential dynamics subspaces between different conformers. Our procedure attempts to emphasize the main similarities and differences between the different essential dynamics in an unbiased way. Essential dynamics subspaces associated to conformational transitions can also be analyzed. As a test case, we study the glutaminase interacting protein (GIP), composed of a single PDZ domain. Both GIP ligand-free state and glutaminase L peptide-bound states are analyzed. Our findings concerning the relative changes in the flexibility pattern upon binding are in good agreement with experimental Nuclear Magnetic Resonance data.
Stability of centrifugal convection in a rotating pipe
Authors: Herrada Miguel , Shtern Vladimir
Published: June 2015

This numerical study reveals that the thermal convection, induced by the axial gradient of temperature in a rotating pipe, suffers from the shear-layer instability if the Prandtl number, Pr, is small. As Pr increases, this instability is suppressed by the stable density stratification in the field of centrifugal force. In an annular pipe, the thermal instability develops for large Pr if a temperature of walls is prescribed. For a narrow annulus, these features agree with the known results for a planar flow driven by gravity and a horizontal gradient of temperature. It is shown here that the thermal instability does not develop if the walls are adiabatic. The centrifugal and Marangoni convection of a liquid, partially filling the pipe, also suffers from the shear-layer instability for small Pr and has no thermal instability. These features agree with the experiments for the planar flow performed by Kirdyashkin. The obtained results are of fundamental interest and can be relevant for the development of centrifugal heat exchangers.
Color stable white phosphorescent organic light emitting diodes with red emissive electron transport layer
Authors: Wook Kim Jin , Yoo Seung Il , Sung Kang Jin , Eun Lee Song , Kwan Kim Young , Hwa Yu Hyeong , Turak Ayse , Young Kim Woo
Published: June 2015

We analyzed the performance of multi-emissive white phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) in relation to various red emitting sites of hole and electron transport layers (HTL and ETL). The shift of the recombination zone producing stable white emission in PHOLEDs was utilized as luminance was increased with red emission in its electron transport layer. Multi-emissive white PHOLEDs including the red light emitting electron transport layer yielded maximum external quantum efficiency of 17.4% with CIE color coordinates (−0.030, +0.001) shifting only from 1000 to 10 000 cd/m2. Additionally, we observed a reduction of energy loss in the white PHOLED via Ir(piq)3 as phosphorescent red dopant in electron transport layer.
Size-efficient metamaterial absorber at low frequencies: Design, fabrication, and characterization
Authors: Khuyen Bui Xuan , Tung Bui Son , Dung Nguyen Van , Yoo Young Joon , Kim Young Ju , Kim Ki Won , Lam Vu Dinh , Yang Jun Gyu , Lee YoungPak
Published: June 2015

We numerically and experimentally demonstrated a metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA) in MHz region based on a planar sandwiched metal-dielectric-metal structure. First, the single-peak perfect absorption was obtained at 400 MHz. The ratios of the periodicity of unit cells and the thickness to the absorption wavelength are 1/12 and 1/94, respectively. The advantage of structural design and the mechanism for the low-frequency MPA are described in detail by the comparison between calculation, simulation, and experiment. Influence of the incident angle of electromagnetic (EM) wave for both transverse-electric (TE) and transverse-magnetic (TM) polarization on absorption was also investigated, and the absorption was maintained to be above 95% at incident angles up to 30°. Finally, we propose a self-asymmetric structure, which induces the dual-band perfect absorption in the same range of frequency. The EM behavior of the excitation modes and the mechanism of the dual-band MPA are clearly explained. Especially, when two resonance modes are finely controlled to be close enough, the bandwidth (full width at half maximum) of MPA is enhanced to be nearly wider twice than that in case of single-peak perfect absorption. The enhanced bandwidth is still well preserved by varying the incident angle up to 30° for both TE and TM polarization. The results were also confirmed by both simulation and experiment. Our work is promising for potential practical applications in the radio range, such as radio-frequency shielding devices, single/dual-frequency filters, and switching devices.
Thermoelectric energy recovery at ionic-liquid/electrode interface
Authors: Bonetti Marco , Nakamae Sawako , Huang Bo Tao , Salez Thomas J. , Wiertel-Gasquet Cécile , Roger Michel
Published: June 2015

A thermally chargeable capacitor containing a binary solution of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)-imide in acetonitrile is electrically charged by applying a temperature gradient to two ideally polarisable electrodes. The corresponding thermoelectric coefficient is −1.7 mV/K for platinum foil electrodes and −0.3 mV/K for nanoporous carbon electrodes. Stored electrical energy is extracted by discharging the capacitor through a resistor. The measured capacitance of the electrode/ionic-liquid interface is 5 μF for each platinum electrode while it becomes four orders of magnitude larger, ≈36 mF, for a single nanoporous carbon electrode. Reproducibility of the effect through repeated charging-discharging cycles under a steady-state temperature gradient demonstrates the robustness of the electrical charging process at the liquid/electrode interface. The acceleration of the charging by convective flows is also observed. This offers the possibility to convert waste-heat into electric energy without exchanging electrons between ions and electrodes, in contrast to what occurs in most thermogalvanic cells.
Spin dynamics and frequency dependence of magnetic damping study in soft ferromagnetic FeTaC film with a stripe domain structure
Authors: Samantaray B. , Singh Akhilesh K. , Perumal A. , Ranganathan R. , Mandal P.
Published: June 2015

Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) and low magnetic damping are the key factors for the free layer magnetization switching by spin transfer torque technique in magnetic tunnel junction devices. The magnetization precessional dynamics in soft ferromagnetic FeTaC thin film with a stripe domain structure was explored in broad band frequency range by employing micro-strip ferromagnetic resonance technique. The polar angle variation of resonance field and linewidth at different frequencies have been analyzed numerically using Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation by taking into account the total free energy density of the film. The numerically estimated parameters Landé g-factor, PMA constant, and effective magnetization are found to be 2.1, 2 × 105 erg/cm3 and 7145 Oe, respectively. The frequency dependence of Gilbert damping parameter (α) is evaluated by considering both intrinsic and extrinsic effects into the total linewidth analysis. The value of α is found to be 0.006 at 10 GHz and it increases monotonically with decreasing precessional frequency.
Interaction between drug delivery vehicles and cells under the effect of shear stress
Authors: Godoy-Gallardo M. , Ek P. K. , Jansman M. M. T. , Wohl B. M. , Hosta-Rigau L.
Published: June 2015

Over the last decades, researchers have developed an ever greater and more ingenious variety of drug delivery vehicles (DDVs). This has made it possible to encapsulate a wide selection of therapeutic agents, ranging from proteins, enzymes, and peptides to hydrophilic and hydrophobic small drugs while, at the same time, allowing for drug release to be triggered through a diverse range of physical and chemical cues. While these advances are impressive, the field has been lacking behind in translating these systems into the clinic, mainly due to low predictability of in vitro and rodent in vivo models. An important factor within the complex and dynamic human in vivo environment is the shear flow observed within our circulatory system and many other tissues. Within this review, recent advances to leverage microfluidic devices to better mimic these conditions through novel in vitro assays are summarized. By grouping the discussion in three prominent classes of DDVs (lipidic and polymeric particles as well as inorganic nanoparticles), we hope to guide researchers within drug delivery into this exciting field and advance a further implementation of these assay systems within the development of DDVs.
The evolutionary history of Lipsothrix Loew (Diptera : Tipuloidea) inferred through systematic revision and historical biogeographical analysis
Authors: Petersen Matthew
Published: June 2015

The evolutionary history of the crane fly genus Lipsothrix Lowe, 1873 was examined through a systematic revision of specimens maintained in natural history collections, parsimony analysis using TNT based on immature and adult morphology, and dispersal–vicariance analyses in RASP (Bayesian and S-DIVA). The genus Lipsothrix was found to contain 29 valid species, one subspecies (L. nobilis iranica) and three species maintained but in need of further evaluation (Lipsothrix burmica, L. heitfeldi, L. yakushimae). One species complex (L. shasta complex) was further resolved using ordination and cluster analyses. One new species is described, L. nullusarma, sp. nov., and three species are synonymised (L. fulva, L. mirifica, L. yamamotoana omogoensis). Phylogenetic analysis recovered a strongly supported and monophyletic Lipsothrix. The historical biogeographical analyses of Lipsothrix inferred an ancestral area in the Western Palearctic region that likely dates to the Eocene. One, or several, dispersal events occurred from the Western Palearctic before major diversification events occurred in the Oriental and Eastern Palearctic + Nearctic regions. Two major paleogeographical developments occurring in the Oriental and Eastern Palearctic + Nearctic regions are largely responsible for Lipsothrix diversification, the collision of the Indian plate with Asia and the rise of the trans-Beringian land bridges during the Tertiary and Quaternary.
Molecular evaluation of the phylogenetic position of the enigmatic species Trivettea papalotla (Bertsch) (Mollusca : Nudibranchia)
Authors: Hulett Ryan E. , Mahguib Jermaine , Gosliner Terrence M. , Valdés Ángel
Published: June 2015

Tritoniid sea slugs are specialised predators that feed on a variety of octocorals, including soft corals, gorgonians and sea pens. Trivettea papalotla is a recently described species found in Baja California and mainland Mexico that is unusual in its morphology and feeding behaviour. It is the first tritoniid nudibranch known to feed on zoanthid anthozoans, specifically on an undescribed species of the genus Epizoanthus. Trivettea papalotla also has retractable respiratory structures, prominent dorsal vessels and several other traits not found in any other species of the Tritoniidae. In its original description these unique features of T. papalotla were considered autapomorphies, and the species was tentatively placed within Tritonia based on a morphological phylogenetic analysis. Subsequently, the monotypic genus Trivettea was erected for T. papalotla based on unpublished molecular data. In the present study, the phylogenetic placement of Trivettea is investigated based on molecular data. These phylogenies show T. papalotla is not nested within Tritonia or Tritoniidae and instead appears to be a basal, distinct cladobranch. However, the analyses conducted resulted in poorly resolved basal relationships, suggesting additional markers are probably necessary to fully resolve the phylogeny for the Cladobranchia.
Non-target species interaction with sodium fluoroacetate (1080) meat bait for controlling feral pigs (Sus scrofa)
Authors: Millar Amanda , Gentle Matthew , Leung Luke K.-P.
Published: June 2015

Fresh meat baits containing sodium fluoroacetate (1080) are widely used for controlling feral pigs in Queensland, but there is a potential poisoning risk to non-target species. This study investigated the non-target species interactions with meat bait by comparing the time until first approach, investigation, sample and consumption, and whether dying bait green would reduce interactions. A trial assessing species interactions with undyed bait was completed at Culgoa Floodplain National Park, Queensland. Meat baits were monitored for 79 consecutive days with camera traps. Of 40 baits, 100% were approached, 35% investigated (moved) and 25% sampled, and 25% consumed. Monitors approached (P < 0.05) and investigated (P < 0.05) the bait more rapidly than pigs or birds, but the median time until first sampling was not significantly different (P > 0.05), and did not consume any entire bait. A trial was conducted at Whetstone State Forest, southern Queensland, with green-dyed and undyed baits monitored for eight consecutive days with cameras. Of 60 baits, 92% were approached and also investigated by one or more non-target species. Most (85%) were sampled and 57% were consumed, with monitors having slightly more interaction with undyed baits than with green-dyed baits. Mean time until first approach and sample differed significantly between species groups (P = 0.038 and 0.007 respectively) with birds approaching sooner (P < 0.05) and monitors sampling later (P < 0.05) than other (unknown) species (P > 0.05). Undyed bait was sampled earlier (mean 2.19 days) than green-dyed bait (2.7 days) (P = 0.003). Data from the two trials demonstrate that many non-target species regularly visit and sample baits. The use of green-dyed baits may help reduce non-target uptake, but testing is required to determine the effect on attractiveness to feral pigs. Further research is recommended to quantify the benefits of potential strategies to reduce the non-target uptake of meat baits to help improve the availability of bait to feral pigs.
Dynamical malaria models reveal how immunity buffers effect of climate variability
Authors: Laneri Karina , Paul Richard E. , Tall Adama , Faye Joseph , Diene-Sarr Fatoumata , Sokhna Cheikh , Trape Jean-François , Rodó Xavier
Published: June 2015

Significance

We apply recently developed inference techniques to disentangle the relative impacts of extrinsic climatic and intrinsic immunological forcing on the epidemiology of lethal human malaria,
Plasmodium falciparum
, for two adjacent cohorts in Senegal. For the cohort in which transmission is limited by mosquito existence by rainfall, the pattern of cases is driven by climate forcing. On the contrary, in the village where mosquitoes are present year-round, the impact of climate on incidence is largely buffered by clinical immunity. Our models, which are capable of simulating reported cases over two decades, open the possibility of forecasting malaria from climate in endemic regions but only after accounting for the interaction between climate and immunity.
Engineering
Escherichia coli
coculture systems for the production of biochemical products
Authors: Zhang Haoran , Pereira Brian , Li Zhengjun , Stephanopoulos Gregory
Published: June 2015

Significance

Production of industrial compounds by using engineered microorganisms is a robust method to reduce our reliance on nonrenewable petroleum resources and increase the utility of renewable resources, such as lignocellulose. Because there are major limitations for engineering a single microbial cell to achieve high-yield production, we developed microbial coculture systems consisting of two different microbial cell types to use sugar mixtures that can be derived from lignocellulose efficiently. We demonstrate that this approach is successful for achieving high-level production of two important value-added molecules,
cis
,
cis
-muconic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. This accomplishment establishes a previously unidentified technology for advancing future research in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology.
Introduction.
Authors: Worobey J.
Published: June 2015

An introduction to how food and the act of eating touches the everyday lives of individuals, including nearly every aspect of human behaviour and development is provided. A historical perspective to the association between food intake and human behavior is also given.
A primer on basic statistics in nutrition and behavior research.
Authors: Worobey J.
Published: June 2015

This appendix provides an overview of the descriptive and inferential statistics utilized in studies in human nutrition and behaviour.
Buses and motor coaches.
Authors: Gross S. , Klemmer L.
Published: June 2015

This chapter highlights the differences between buses and motor coaches and the services they provide and discusses the historical development of this transport sector, as well as its current state in regards to tourism. The European and North American regulatory frameworks and the associations involved in the bus and coach transport sector are discussed, as well as the demand and supply.
Event networks and supply chains.
Authors: Dickson G.
Published: June 2015

This chapter explores the scale and scope of the events industry, paying particular attention to the types of businesses involved in events management, the complex relationships between these organizations and their use of new technologies.
Catch and release of concanavalin A by a mannose-immobilized photoaffinity PEGA resin coupled with a cleavable disulfide linker
Authors: Kuramochi Kouji , Matsushita Tomohisa , Tsubaki Kazunori
Published: June 2015

A photoaffinity PEGA resin containing mannose as a ligand and disulfide as a cleavable linker was prepared. The resin was crosslinked to concanavalin A, a binding protein of mannose, by UV irradiation, and the protein was subsequently released by cleavage of the disulfide linker.
Are the total mass density and the low-mass end slope of the IMF anticorrelated?
Authors: Spiniello C. , Barnabè M. , Koopmans L. V. E. , Trager S. C.
Published: June 2015

We conduct a detailed lensing, dynamics and stellar population analysis of nine massive lens early-type galaxies (ETGs) from the X-Shooter Lens Survey (XLENS). Combining gravitational lensing constraints from HST imaging with spatially-resolved kinematics and line-indices constraints from Very Large Telescope (VLT) X-Shooter spectra, we infer the low-mass slope and the low cut-off mass of the stellar initial mass function (IMF): $x_{250}=2.37^{+0.12}_{-0.12}$ and $M_{\mathrm{low}, 250}= 0.131^{+0.023}_{-0.026}\,\mathrm{M}_{\odot }$, respectively, for a reference point with σ⋆ ≡ 250 km s−1 and Reff ≡ 10 kpc. All the XLENS systems are consistent with an IMF slope steeper than Milky Way-like. We find no significant correlations between IMF slope and any other quantity, except for an anticorrelation between total dynamical mass density and low-mass IMF slope at the 87 per cent CL [dx/d log (ρ) = $-0.19^{+0.15}_{-0.15}$]. This anticorrelation is consistent with the low-redshift lenses found by Smith et al. that have high velocity dispersions and high stellar mass densities but surprisingly shallow IMF slopes.
CD4 Response Up to 5 Years After Combination Antiretroviral Therapy in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Luz Paula M. , Belaunzarán-Zamudio Pablo F. , Crabtree-Ramírez Brenda , Caro-Vega Yanink , Hoces Daniel , Rebeiro Peter F. , Blevins Meridith , Pape Jean W. , Cortes Claudia P. , Padgett Denis , Cahn Pedro , Veloso Valdilea G. , McGowan Catherine C. , Grinsztejn Beatriz , Shepherd Bryan E. ,   for The Caribbean, Central and South America Network for HIV Epidemiology
Published: June 2015

We describe CD4 counts at 6-month intervals for 5 years after combination antiretroviral therapy initiation among 12 879 antiretroviral-naive human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults from Latin America and the Caribbean. Median CD4 counts increased from 154 cells/mm3 at baseline (interquartile range [IQR], 60–251) to 413 cells/mm3 (IQR, 234–598) by year 5.
Effect of Parboiling on Milling, Physicochemical, and Textural Properties of Medium‐ and Long‐Grain Germinated Brown Rice
Authors: Han Ashley , Jinn Jia‐Rong , Mauromoustakos Andy , Wang Ya‐Jane
Published: June 2015

Germinated brown rice is considered a more nutritious and palatable cooked product than conventional brown rice. However, germination usually decreases rice milling yield and alters some physicochemical properties. Parboiling is commonly used to increase milling yield and retain nutrients, but it also changes rice color and texture. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of parboiling on milling, physicochemical, and textural properties of a medium‐grain and a long‐grain rice after germination at varying durations. Germinated rice samples of three germination durations were prepared with one germination time before the optimum time at which 70% of rice revealed hull protrusion, the optimum time, and one time after. Germinated rice was then immediately parboiled at 120°C for 20 min and was then immediately dried. The milling, physicochemical, and textural properties of parboiled germinated rice from both cultivars were determined. Parboiling significantly decreased the percentage of brokens, whiteness, and the apparent amylose content and increased γ‐aminobutyric acid content (GABA) in the nongerminated rice and rice at the first germination duration for both cultivars. Parboiling reduced pasting viscosities for both cultivars, but Jupiter still exhibited higher pasting viscosities than Wells. Cooked parboiled germinated rice was overall softer than nonparboiled rice because of kernel splitting, but Wells remained harder and less sticky than Jupiter. In conclusion, it is beneficial to combine parboiling with germination to enhance nutritional values and improve milling properties without affecting textural properties for both rice cultivars.
Influence of Malting on the Protein Composition of Triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) ‘Trigold’
Authors: Munoz‐Insa Alicia , Gastl Martina , Becker Thomas
Published: June 2015

Triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) is a promising cereal for malting and brewing owing to its high levels of α‐amylase and proteolytic activity and low gelatinization temperatures. However, almost no investigation about its protein modifications during malting has been conducted. In this work, triticale proteins during the malting process were separated and analyzed, first, according to their isoelectric point and molecular weight (MW) and, second, according to their solubility and MW. Moreover, the composition of free amino acids was determined. The results describe the modification changes of the different protein fractions during malting. Triticale proteins were found between 4,700 and 64,000. The majority of the proteins were characterized as having an isoelectric point between 5.08 and 6.63. The Osborne fractionation revealed an albumin band pattern of between 13,400 and 153,800, globulin from 12,700 to 152,300, gliadin from 14,500 to 230,100, and glutenin from 11,200 to 102,200. Free amino acids increased in concentration during malting except for asparagine, which decreased. Asparagine exhibited varying trends during malting. This paper contributes to the understanding of the protein modifications and metabolic changes during the malting process of triticale and indicates the potential of this cereal for the production of cereal‐based products.
Intraspecies Interaction of Fusarium graminearum Contributes to Reduced Toxin Production and Virulence
Authors: Walkowiak Sean , Bonner Christopher T. , Wang Li , Blackwell Barbara , Rowland Owen , Subramaniam Rajagopal
Published: June 2015

Fusarium graminearum is a pathogenic fungus that causes Fusarium head blight in wheat and lowers the yield and quality of grains by contamination with the trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol. The fungi coexist and interact with several different fusaria as well as other plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria in the field. In Canada, F. graminearum exists as two main trichothecene chemotypes: 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol. To understand the potential interactions between two isolates of these chemotypes, we conducted coinoculation studies both in culture and in planta. The studies showed that intraspecies interaction reduces trichothecene yield in culture and disease symptoms in wheat. To elucidate the genes involved in the intraspecies interaction, expression profiling was performed on RNA samples isolated from coinoculated cultures, and potential genes were identified by using the genome sequences of the respective isolates.
Do Prostate Cancer Patients With Markedly Elevated PSA Benefit From Radiation Therapy?
Authors: Lawrence Yaacov R. , Samueli Benzion , Levitin Ronald , Pail Orrin , Spieler Benjamin , Pfeffer Raphael , Goldstein Jeffrey , Den Robert B. , Symon Zvi
Published: June 2015

Objectives:

Patients with clinically localized prostate cancer but markedly elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) are often treated with systemic agents alone. We hypothesized that they would benefit from radiation therapy.

Methods:

We utilized the Survival, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Database for patients diagnosed with nonmetastatic prostate cancer from 2004 to 2008. Patients treated surgically or with brachytherapy were excluded. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard models. Propensity score was used to adjust for the nonrandomized assignment of local therapies.

Results:

A total of 75,539 nonmetastatic prostate cancer patients were identified who received either radiotherapy or no local treatment. Median age was 70 years. Median follow-up of alive subjects was 60 months, with an interquartile range of 47 to 77 months. Estimated 4-year overall survival of entire population was 88%. Significant prognostic variables for overall survival on multivariate analysis included age, grade, PSA level, T stage, and use of radiation therapy. Use of radiation therapy was the most powerful predictor of both cause-specific and overall survival (HR=0.41 and 0.46, respectively, P<0.001). The benefit conferred by local treatment was seen even in subjects with PSA≥75 ng/mL. Four-year cancer-specific survival was 93.8% in those receiving radiation treatments versus 76.5% in those who did not receive any local treatment.

Conclusions:

Survival was significantly improved by radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer. Extremely high PSA levels (≥25 ng/mL) should not be considered a contraindication to local treatment.
What is the Risk of Colorectal Cancer After an Episode of Acute Diverticulitis in Conservatively Treated Patients?
Authors: Ramphal Winesh , Schreinemakers Jennifer M. J. , Seerden Tom C. J. , Crolla Rogier M. P. H. , Rijken Arjen M. , Gobardhan Paul D.
Published: June 2015

Goals:

The goal is to find the risk of colorectal cancer after an episode of acute diverticulitis in conservatively treated patients. Secondly, to determine the benefit of colonoscopy in these patients.

Background:

In the Netherlands, it is a common practice to routinely perform a colonoscopy after an episode of conservatively treated diverticulitis to exclude a malignancy. Yet according to the Dutch guidelines, these patients should not undergo a colonoscopy on a routine basis. The aim of this study is to determine the benefit of a colonoscopy in patients who have been treated for diverticulitis conservatively.

Study:

This retrospective study includes patients who were diagnosed with acute diverticulitis (Hinchey 0 and I) and were treated conservatively, with or without antibiotics. Only patients who underwent colonoscopy were included for analysis. In addition, the outcome (yes or no colorectal cancer) of colonoscopy was analyzed according to patients’ presentation of alarm symptoms for colorectal cancer.

Results:

Between January 2008 and June 2013, 977 patients were treated conservatively for an episode of acute diverticulitis. Of those, 645 underwent colonoscopy during follow-up. Alarm symptoms for colorectal cancer were present in 205 patients. Nine of them were diagnosed with colorectal cancer (4.4%) versus 1 patient (0.2%, P=0.0002) in the group without alarm symptoms (N=440).

Conclusions:

This study confirms that routine colonoscopy is not indicated after acute diverticulitis which has been treated conservatively in a large series. Only in case of alarm symptoms a colonoscopy is mandatory, but even then the actual finding of a colorectal cancer is rare.
Are Mesenchymal Stem Cells Implanted in Lip Defect Capable of Returning Orbicularis Oris Muscle Function?
Authors: Ramazanzadeh Baratali , Jahanbin Arezoo , Eslami Neda , Kazemian Mojgan , Mahdavishahri Nasser , Habibi Samaneh
Published: June 2015

Introduction:

This study aimed to evaluate the amount of orbicularis oris muscle formation and function after using scaffold-free cells and mesenchymal stem cells scaffold in repaired cleft lip of rats.

Methods:

Forty male Wistar rats were used. A triangular cut (7 × 7 × 4 mm) was made on the upper lip of 30 rats and then divided into 3 equal groups. In the first group (control), the defected cuts were closed by routine surgical procedures. The second group consisted of cell scaffold and the third scaffold-free cells (5 × 5 × 3) in the area of the incision.Two months after restoration, muscle electromyography activity was examined alongside 10 normal rats and tissue samples were histologically examined. Data were analyzed statistically by SPSS software and ANOVA and the Kruskal–Wallis test. The significance level was considered at P < 0.05.

Results:

Electromyography activity in second and third groups was not significantly different from each other and with normal muscle. The control group had, however, higher activity than normal muscle (P < 0.001). The amount of newly formed muscle tissue in the scaffold group had a clear statistical difference with the cell scaffold (P = 0.018) and control group (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the inflammatory reaction showed a significant statistical difference in the control and scaffold group (P = 0.001) and the scaffold and cell-scaffold groups (P = 0.007). There was no significant difference in the number of formed fibroblast cells and collagen tissue in the area between the 3 groups.

Conclusions:

The results of this study show that extracellular matrix scaffold can reduce tension in the repaired cleft lip area by increasing muscle formation and decreasing scar tissue contraction, confirming the benefits of this type of scaffold.
The Microsurgical Anatomy of the Modified Presigmoid Trans-Partial Bony Labyrinth Approach
Authors: Luo Zhengxiang , Zhao Penglai , Yang Kun , Liu Yong , Zhang Yansong , Liu Hongyi
Published: June 2015

Objective:

To investigate the surgical techniques of the modified presigmoid trans-partial bony labyrinth approach and the advantages in the exposure of the petroclival region and in the treatment of lesions in this area.

Methods:

Between April and October of 2012, a study on modification of the surgical approach was performed on 15 cadaveric heads. On the basis of the traditional presigmoid approach, semicircular canals, and the petrous apex were partially resected. The detailed conditions of the exposure of important structures of the petroclival region were recorded.

Results:

This approach provided a large operational space from the petroclival region to the posterior cavernous sinus. The range of presigmoid exposure (horizontal direction) was (19.41 ± 1.58) mm, the exposure range of the inferior temporal (vertical direction) was (14.18 ± 1.88) mm, the maximum exposure angle of the slope center depression was (60.54° ± 6.93°), and the depth of operation was (55.87 ± 4.34) mm. The vertebral-basilar artery, anterior inferior cerebellar artery, superior cerebellar artery, ipsilateral III-X cranial nerves, contralateral VI cranial nerve, Meckel cave, and posterior cavernous sinus were well exposed.

Conclusion:

The modified presigmoid trans-partial bony labyrinth approach was able to achieve excellent exposure of deep surfaces of the petroclival region and the posterior part of the cavernous sinus and showed advantages including a large range of exposure, multiple axes of visualization, preservation of hearing and facial nerve function, and early devascularization of tumors.
Roles of Polycaprolactone Membrane on Guided Bone Formation in High-Speed Distraction of Experimental Design Cranium
Authors: Xu Lianji , Choi Tae Hyun , Kim Young Il , Jeon Yoon Kyung , Kwon Sung-Tack , Kim Sukwha , Zheng Yongsheng
Published: June 2015

Background:

The aim of this research was to investigate whether covering of the distracted cranial bone segment with a polycaprolactone (PCL) membrane (guided bone formation) would accelerate the process of osteogenesis in high-speed distraction of adult rabbit.

Methods:

Eighteen 24-weeks old, 3.0 to 3.5 kg, male New Zealand rabbits underwent routine gradual cranium distraction (group 1), distraction at high speed without the membrane (group 2), and distraction at high speed with a PCL membrane covering the cranium at the distraction gap (group 3). Five days after the cranial osteotomy, the distraction process was initiated at 3 mm per day (1.5 mm twice a day) in group 2 and group 3, and 1 mm per day (0.5 mm twice a day) in group 1 until 10 mm of length gain was achieved. At the consolidation 4 and 6 weeks, the bone mineral density was analyzed by a computerized tomography imaging protocol. The bone formation ratio of each group was compared with Hematoxylin and Eosin stain. The collagen formation of each group was analyzed by Massons’ trichrome staining.

Results:

Radiographic imaging and quantitative data indicated a significant increase in bone mineral density in group 1 and group 3 compared with group 2. Bone formation ratio in histologic analysis showed an increase in group 1 and group 3. Collagen synthesis in group 2 was significantly increased in distraction gap. In group 3, collagen fibers were significantly decreased underneath the PCL membrane.

Conclusions:

Polycaprolactone membrane covering the bone distraction gap provides an environment for faster bone formation in high-speed distraction.
Use of Postoperative Palatal Obturator After Total Palatal Reconstruction With Radial Forearm Fasciocutaneous Free Flap
Authors: Jeong Euicheol C. , Jung Young Ho , Shin Jin-yong
Published: June 2015

A 67-year-old-male patient visited our hospital for a mass on the soft palate of approximately 5.0 × 6.0 cm in size. He was diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma and reconstruction after total palate resection was planned. After ablative surgery, a radial forearm free flap procedure was successfully performed to cover the hard and soft palates. However, wound disruption occurred twice during the postoperative period.

When a palate defect is reconstructed using a soft tissue free flap, flap drooping by gravitation and the flap itself can generate irregularity in the lower contour of the palate and, in the long-term, insufficiencies of velopharyngeal function, speech, and mastication. To complement such functional and aesthetic problems caused by flap drooping, conventional prosthetics and new operative techniques have been discussed. However, overcoming wound disruption caused by flap drooping in the acute postoperative period has not been discussed.

In this case, the temporary use of a palatal obturator during the postoperative period was beneficial after soft tissue reconstruction of the palate.
The Frequency of Decreased Visual Acuity in Orbital Fractures
Authors: Kim Yeon Soo , Kim Joo Ho , Hwang Kun
Published: June 2015

The aim of this systematic review is to summarize and evaluate the effect of orbital fractures (blowout fractures and nonblowout fractures) on visual acuity. In PubMed search and Scopus search, the terms “orbital fracture OR maxillofacial injury OR facial trauma OR craniofacial fracture,” and “visual acuity OR functional outcome OR visual outcome OR improving document of visual acuity OR blindness OR optic nerve neuropathy” were used, which resulted in 1634 and 1152 papers, respectively. Of the 2226 titles excluding 560 duplicated titles, 227 abstracts were reviewed. Of the 227 abstracts reviewed, the authors found 56 potentially relevant full-text articles, of which 5 studies met our inclusion criteria. The odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals from each study were abstracted. The statistical analysis was performed with review manager (The Nordic Cochrane Centre).

A summary of 5 studies affirmed that 43 patients among 532 orbital fractures (8.1%) had decreased visual acuity. Twelve patients among 159 blowout fractures (7.5%) had decreased visual acuity. Thirty-one patients among 373 orbital fractures other than pure blowout fractures (8.3%) had decreased visual acuity. In orbital fractures other than pure blowout fractures, the frequency of decreased visual acuity was higher than pure blowout fractures (n = 532, odds ratio, 2.23, 95% confidence interval = 1.06–4.70). Surgeons should acknowledge this with patients before surgery.