bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Projected changes of wintertime synoptic‐scale transient eddy activities in the East Asian eddy‐driven jet from CMIP5 experiments
Authors: Xiao Chuliang , Zhang Yaocun
Published: July 2015

The wintertime East Asian eddy‐driven jet (EAEJ) responding to climate change in the 21st century is studied using model outputs from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5). Compared to the location displacement in oceanic eddy‐driven jets, the magnitude change of synoptic‐scale transient eddy activities, measured by eddy kinetic energy (EKE), is a more striking feature in EAEJ. An intensified EKE is projected unanimously by CMIP5 models, suggesting that potential strong winter storm events are likely to happen in East Asian midlatitude in a warming climate. The future change of EKE in EAEJ can be understood in terms of growing baroclinicity wave. The upper level EKE is highly correlated to the low‐level static stability, Brunt‐Väisälä frequency (BVF). CMIP5 models generally project an intensified upper evel EKE with a reduced low‐level BVF (ΔEKE ∝ −ΔBVF). Meanwhile, the enhancement of EKE is also constrained by its historical state (ΔEKE ∝ −EKE). Intermodel variabilities among CMIP5 models reveal a similar but weaker relationship between ΔBVF (or EKE) and ΔEKE, indicating relatively large model diversities and independencies among CMIP5 models.
Larger aftershocks happen farther away: Nonseparability of magnitude and spatial distributions of aftershocks
Authors: van der Elst Nicholas J. , Shaw Bruce E.
Published: July 2015

Aftershocks may be driven by stress concentrations left by the main shock rupture or by elastic stress transfer to adjacent fault sections or strands. Aftershocks that occur within the initial rupture may be limited in size, because the scale of the stress concentrations should be smaller than the primary rupture itself. On the other hand, aftershocks that occur on adjacent fault segments outside the primary rupture may have no such size limitation. Here we use high‐precision double‐difference relocated earthquake catalogs to demonstrate that larger aftershocks occur farther away than smaller aftershocks, when measured from the centroid of early aftershock activity—a proxy for the initial rupture. Aftershocks as large as or larger than the initiating event nucleate almost exclusively in the outer regions of the aftershock zone. This observation is interpreted as a signature of elastic rebound in the earthquake catalog and can be used to improve forecasting of large aftershocks.
Inverse Opal Scaffolds with an Embossed Surface Pattern Prepared from Sticky Golf‐Ball‐Shaped Microparticle Assemblies
Authors: Kim Sang Woo , Lee Kwan‐Woo , Yi Sang‐A , Cho Kuk Young
Published: July 2015

Inverse opal scaffolds presenting an embossed‐pattern surface are prepared from colloidal crystal assemblies of uniformly sized golf‐ball‐shaped microparticles. Post‐treatments, such as thermal annealing during the bridging of the microparticles for opal preparation, are avoided to prevent deterioration of surface patterns of the sacrificial template. This presents a new approach to increase the surface‐area‐to‐volume ratio (SAV) by the alteration of morphological features in sophisticated 3D structures that remain largely unexamined owing to difficulties in their preparation. Previous results observed in 2D surfaces that show effective performance improvement through an increase in contact area, especially in biomedical applications, also appear applicable to patterned inverse opal scaffolds based on comparable results obtained from cell cultures. As the field of application of opal and inverse opal structures is expanding due to their unique structural advantages, such as 3D interconnectivity and periodic structures, our strategy opens the door for the use of patterned surfaces on highly sophisticated 3D structures, improving their performance via an increase in SAV.
The Distribution of Food Retail Prices and the Euro Changeover: Signpost Items Versus Occasional Goods
Authors: Schroeder Karen J. , Hoffmann Angela , Loy Jens‐Peter
Published: July 2015

The Euro changeover distorted previously well‐formed nominal price patterns. Food retailers may have reacted by adjusting prices to reintroduce psychological prices as before the Euro changeover. We employ a detailed data set of German food retail prices before and after the Euro changeover to test three different benchmarks indicating potential adjustments of prices. However, none of these benchmarks do adequately reflect the actual distribution of prices. We find that prices of signpost items follow best a conversion at the official rate. Also, signpost items show a slower price adjustment. Occasional goods’ prices indicate a reestablishment of psychological price patterns, in particular for the ending digits; price distributions are adjusted faster. Further, price inflation is about zero for both goods, but prices in particular for signpost items have been significantly raised just before the Euro changeover. These different pricing patterns may be explained by consumer behavior. Consumers react more sensitive to price changes of frequently purchased goods (signpost items), and thus, retailers convert prices at the official rate and postpone price adjustments for these items after the Euro changeover. [JEL Classifications: D40, L66, Q13].
Prognostic impact of acquisition of cytogenetic abnormalities during the course of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
Authors: Tang Guilin , Fu Bing , Hu Shimin , Lu Xinyan , Tang Zhenya , Li Shaoying , Jabbar Kausar , Khoury Joseph D. , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Wang Sa A.
Published: July 2015

Karyotypic abnormalities are detected in 20–40% of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) patients at initial diagnosis and have been shown to correlate with patients' outcome. The significance of acquisition of cytogenetic abnormalities (ACA) during the course of CMML, however, is largely unknown. In a cohort of 314 CMML patients, karyotypic abnormalities were detected in 106 (34%) patients at the time of diagnosis; and ACA were detected in 80 (25%) patients after a median interval of 17 months (range, 2–117 months). The most frequently observed ACA were a complex karyotype, followed by +21, −7/del(7q), del(20q), i(17q), and −17/del(17p). ACA appeared to occur more frequently in patients with a normal or lower risk karyotype. Progression to AML was seen in 44 of 80 (55%) patients with ACA versus 67 of 234 (29%) patients without ACA (P < 0.0001). Presence of ACA predicted an inferior leukemia‐free survival (LFS) by univariate (P = 0.0435) and multivariate analysis (HR = 1.892, P = 0.006). While acquisition of a complex karyotype was positively correlated with AML progression (P = 0.0086), del(20q) was associated with a stable disease (P = 0.0198). We conclude that ACA occur in ∼20–30% of CMML patients during the course of disease, and are significantly associated with AML progression and a shorter LFS. Karyotypic abnormalities, either present at diagnosis or acquired during the course of disease, have prognostic implication in CMML patients. Am. J. Hematol. 90:882–887, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Euro Commitments: An Analysis of ICC Arbitration of ‘Fair, Reasonable and Non‐Discriminatory’ Royalties
Authors: Donahey M. Scott
Published: July 2015

Standards Setting Organizations, or SSOs, arose in various industries to promote interoperability and competition. Increasingly, standards have been established in the field of electronic communications by SSOs, such as the nonprofit Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a professional group that advocates for technology innovations, which has adopted standards for Wi‐Fi, for example.
Back to Basics: Primates and Me
Authors: Creo Robert A.
Published: July 2015

Editor's note: Longtime Alternatives columnist Bob Creo, a veteran Pittsburgh neutral, is revisiting his classic CPR Institute website columns of a decade ago in a Back to Basics Series that he has subtitled “Human Problems, Human Solutions.” These updated and expanded columns, in print for the first time, began in November. He has revisited and re‐examined mediation‐room techniques and practice issues. This month, the focus is on behavior common to primates, and how humans can learn from their ape, chimp, and monkey cousins.
A protophilic solvent‐assisted solvothermal approach to Cu‐BTC for enhanced CO2 capture
Authors: Song Fujiao , Zhong Qin , Zhao Yunxia
Published: July 2015

Cu‐BTC–ethylenediamine (EDA)/polyethyleneimine (PEI) adsorbents were synthesized using a protophilic solvent‐assisted solvothermal method. EDA was introduced to enhance the degree of activation due to its lower boiling point allowing it to be removed easily compared with dimethylformamide. A contrast experiment was done by introducing PEI to the solvothermal solution considering its higher boiling point. Powder X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopic characterizations were performed to investigate the effect of EDA/PEI on crystallinity and morphology of the adsorbents. 1H NMR characterization and elemental analysis were performed to study the removal rate of organic guest molecules and the degree of activation. Nitrogen physical adsorption and CO2 adsorption isotherms were used to measure the surface area and CO2 adsorption capacities. The CO2 adsorption mechanism of the synthesized adsorbents is mainly dependent on physisorption determined by surface area. Furthermore, open metal sites generated by the enhancement of degree of activation also promote the CO2 adsorption performance. Therefore, adsorbents synthesized using the protophilic solvent‐assisted solvothermal method exhibit excellent CO2 adsorption performance. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Control Parameterization Approach with Variable Time Nodes for Optimal Control Problems
Authors: Li Guodong , Liu Ping , Liu Xinggao
Published: July 2015

This paper presents a novel computational approach to deal with optimal multivariable control problems using a control vector parameterization approach with multiple time grids, where each of the control variables has its own time grid of parametrization. Both the control parameters and time nodes in the grid partition are treated directly as variables to be optimized. Based on the derived relationship between the gradients of time nodes and the ones of interval lengths, the gradient formulae for parameters are presented. Compared with the existing approaches, for which all the control variables are parameterized on the same time grid, the proposed method is more general and flexible. To illustrate, two numerical cases are tested, and the results demonstrate that fewer parameters are needed to achieve the same level of optimization.
Development of a liquid chromatography assay for the determination of opicapone and BIA 9–1079 in rat matrices
Authors: Gonçalves Daniela , Alves Gilberto , Fortuna Ana , Soares‐da‐Silva Patrício , Falcão Amílcar
Published: July 2015

Opicapone is a novel potent, reversible and purely peripheral third generation catechol‐O‐methyltransferase inhibitor, currently under clinical trials as an adjunct to levodopa therapy for Parkinson's disease. To support additional nonclinical pharmacokinetic studies, a novel high‐performance liquid chromatographic method coupled to a diode array detector (HPLC‐DAD) to quantify opicapone and its active metabolite (BIA 9–1079) in rat plasma and tissues (liver and kidney) is herein reported. The analytes were extracted from rat samples through a deproteinization followed by liquid‐liquid extraction. Chromatographic separation was achieved in less than 10 min on a reversed‐phase C18 column, applying a gradient elution program with 0.05 M monosodium phosphate solution (pH 2.45 ± 0.05) and acetonitrile. Calibration curves were linear (r2 ≥ 0.994) within the ranges of 0.04‐6.0 µg/mL for both analytes in plasma, 0.04‐4.0 µg/mL for opicapone in liver and kidney homogenates, and 0.07‐4.0 µg/mL and 0.06‐4.0 µg/mL for BIA 9–1079 in liver and kidney homogenates, respectively. The overall intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy ranged from −12.68% to 7.70% and the imprecision values did not exceed 11.95%. This new HPLC‐DAD assay was also successfully applied to quantify opicapone and BIA 9–1079 in a preliminary pharmacokinetic study. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A de Novo‐Designed Monomeric, Compact Three‐Helix‐Bundle Protein on a Carbohydrate Template
Authors: Malik Leila , Nygaard Jesper , Cristensen Niels J. , Madsen Charlotte S. , Rösner Heike I. , Kragelund Birthe B. , Hoiberg‐Nielsen Rasmus , Streicher Werner W. , Arleth Lise , Thulstrup Peter W. , Jensen Knud J.
Published: July 2015

De novo design and chemical synthesis of proteins and of other artificial structures that mimic them is a central strategy for understanding protein folding and for accessing proteins with new functions. We have previously described carbohydrates that act as templates for the assembly of artificial proteins, so‐called carboproteins. The hypothesis is that the template preorganizes the secondary structure elements and directs the formation of a tertiary structure, thus achieving structural economy in the combination of peptide, linker, and template. We speculate that the structural information from the template could facilitate protein folding. Here we report the design and synthesis of three‐helix‐bundle carboproteins on deoxyhexopyranosides. The carboproteins were analyzed by CD, analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), and NMR spectroscopy, and this revealed the formation of the first compact and folded monomeric carboprotein, distinctly different from a molten globule. En route to this carboprotein we observed a clear effect originating from the template on protein folding.
One‐Pot Chemoenzymatic Cascade for Labeling of the Epigenetic Marker 5‐Hydroxymethylcytosine
Authors: Nifker Gil , Levy‐Sakin Michal , Berkov‐Zrihen Yifat , Shahal Tamar , Gabrieli Tslil , Fridman Micha , Ebenstein Yuval
Published: July 2015

The epigenetic DNA modification 5‐hydroxymethylcytosine (5‐hmC) is important for the regulation of gene expression during development and in tumorigenesis. 5‐hmC can be selectively glycosylated by T4 β‐glucosyltransferase (β‐GT); introduction of an azide on the attached sugar provides a chemical handle for isolation or fluorescent tagging of 5‐hmC residues by click chemistry. This approach has not been broadly adopted because of the challenging synthesis and limited commercial availability of the glycosylation substrate, 6‐deoxy‐6‐azido‐α‐D‐glucopyranoside. We report the enzyme‐assisted synthesis of this precursor by the uridylyltransferase from Pasteurella multocida (PmGlmU). We were able to directly label 5‐hmC in genomic DNA by an enzymatic cascade involving successive action of PmGlmU and β‐GT. This is a facile and cost‐effective one‐pot chemoenzymatic methodology for 5‐hmC analysis.
Broadband Light‐Harvesting Molecular Triads with High FRET Efficiency Based on the Coumarin–Rhodamine–BODIPY Platform
Authors: He Longwei , Zhu Sasa , Liu Yong , Xie Yinan , Xu Qiuyan , Wei Haipeng , Lin Weiying
Published: July 2015

Broadband capturing and FRET‐based light‐harvesting molecular triads, CRBs, based on the coumarin–rhodamine–BODIPY platform were rationally designed and synthesized. The absorption band of CRBs starts from blue–green to yellow–orange regions (330–610 nm), covering the strong radiation scope of sunlight. The peripheral coumarin and BODIPY chromophore energy could transfer to the central acceptor rhodamine by a one‐step direct way. The energy of the coumarin moiety could also transfer to the BODIPY unit, subsequently transferring to the rhodamine core by two‐step sequential ways. Both the efficiencies of the coumarin moiety and the BODIPY unit to the rhodamine core in CRBs, determined by two different ways, are very high.
EphB1 and EphB2 intracellular domains regulate the formation of the corpus callosum and anterior commissure
Authors: Robichaux Michael A. , Chenaux George , Ho Hsin‐Yi Henry , Soskis Michael J. , Greenberg Michael E. , Henkemeyer Mark , Cowan Christopher W.
Published: July 2015

The two cortical hemispheres of the mammalian forebrain are interconnected by major white matter tracts, including the corpus callosum (CC) and the posterior branch of the anterior commissure (ACp), that bridge the telencephalic midline. We show here that the intracellular signaling domains of the EphB1 and EphB2 receptors are critical for formation of both the ACp and CC. We observe partial and complete agenesis of the corpus callosum, as well as highly penetrant ACp misprojection phenotypes in truncated EphB1/2 mice that lack intracellular signaling domains. Consistent with the roles for these receptors in formation of the CC and ACp, we detect expression of these receptors in multiple brain regions associated with the formation of these forebrain structures. Taken together, our findings suggest that a combination of forward and reverse EphB1/2 receptor‐mediated signaling contribute to ACp and CC axon guidance. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 76: 405–420, 2016
Cortical activation associated with determination of depth order during transparent motion perception: A normalized integrative fMRI–MEG study
Authors: Natsukawa Hiroaki , Kobayashi Tetsuo
Published: July 2015

When visual patterns drifting in different directions and/or at different speeds are superimposed on the same plane, observers perceive transparent surfaces on planes of different depths. This phenomenon is known as transparent motion perception. In this study, cortical activities were measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) to reveal the cortical dynamics associated with determination of depth order during transparent motion perception. In addition, offline eye movement measurements were performed to determine the latencies of the start of both pursuit eye movements and depth attention that are important in determination of the depth order. MEG and fMRI data were analyzed by a normalized integrative fMRI–MEG method that enables reconstruction of time‐varying dipole moments of activated regions from MEG signals. Statistical analysis of fMRI data was performed to identify activated regions. The activated regions were used as spatial constraints for the reconstruction using the integrative fMRI–MEG method. We focused on the period between latencies (216–405 ms) determined by eye movement experiment, which are related to determination of the depth order. The results of integrative analysis revealed that significant neural activities were observed in the visual association area, the human middle temporal area, the intraparietal sulcus, the lateral occipital cortex, and the anterior cingulate cortex between 216 and 405 ms. These results suggest that initial eye movement and accompanying cortical activations during focused duration play an important role in determining the depth order during transparent motion perception. Hum Brain Mapp 36:3922–3934, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Benzoyl Peroxide/2‐Vinylpyridine Synergy in RAFT Polymerization: Synthesis of Poly(2‐vinylpyridine) with Low Dispersity at Ambient Temperature
Authors: Luo Juxiang , Li Mingchun , Xin Meihua , Sun Weifu
Published: July 2015

Redox‐initiated reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of 2‐vinylpyridine at room temperature without a conventional reducing agent has been realized in the presence of an oxidizing agent only, i.e., benzoyl peroxide. Well‐defined poly(2‐vinylpyridine) is obtained with a low dispersity (dispersity = Mw/Mn = 1.11) and a conversion efficiency of 41.4% after 24 h at 25 °C. The kinetics, number‐average molecular weight, and dispersities for the polymerization of 2‐vinylpyridine are investigated. The results indicate that the number‐average molecular weight of the poly(2‐vinylpyridine) increases with the monomer conversion while retaining relatively low dispersity (Mw/Mn < 1.20).

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Automatic weather stations and the quality function deployment method
Authors: Begeš G. , Drnovšek J. , Bojkovski J. , Knez J. , Groselj D. , Černač B. , Hudoklin D.
Published: July 2015

The reliability of ground‐based measurements is important in a variety of meteorological areas, such as weather forecasts, air quality and climate. In order to improve this reliability, closer co‐operation with the metrological community has been established. This paper looks at another possible route for improvements, based on carrying out a quality assessment of ground‐based measurements using advanced quality techniques. The quality function deployment (QFD) method was adapted so as to be able to analyse the results of a survey that was conducted among meteorological community. They were asked to analyse the key performance characteristics of typical automatic weather stations (AWSs) systematically with respect to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) classifications and requirements. The QFD is a well‐known quality tool that connects customer expectations with technical functionalities or engineering characteristics. It makes it possible to prioritize the needs and quantify the results of the assessment. The answers from the survey's questionnaire were used as the input data for the QFD matrix. The findings reveal that the closest correlations are between the customer expectations or attributes and the engineering characteristics, e.g., the validation of the AWSs and the measurement methods, the regular calibration of sensors, and the implementation of automated and manual controls. From the second level of the QFD matrix, it was found that the most important technical solution serving the previously mentioned needs is related to having control over the development and upgrading of the AWSs' software and in terms of an automatic check and the transfer of data to the central database.
Mit Röntgenabsorption chemische Prozesse verstehen
Authors: Bauer Matthias
Published: July 2015

Um nachhaltige chemische Prozesse zu entwickeln, ist ein Verständnis solcher Reaktionen auf atomarer Ebene nötig. Die Absorptionsspektroskopie mit harter Röntgenstrahlung klärt unabhängig vom Aggregatzustand der Probe elementspezifisch die Details.
Gut bedient! Zu Wucherpreisen? Die Chemiker und ihre Verlage
Authors: Schimank Uwe
Published: July 2015

Ohne den Fluch der ökonomischen Zwänge die Segnungen der Digitalisierung zu genießen —

das wird es für die Wissenschaft nicht geben.
Cellulose zerlegt und neu zusammengesetzt
Authors: Groß Michael
Published: July 2015

Pflanzenfasern könnten zu nachhaltigen und biokompatiblen Werkstoffen der Zukunft werden, wenn es gelingt, ihre Bestandteile zu formbaren und beständigen Materialien umzuordnen.
Verhaltenes Wachstum
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: July 2015

Das Jahr 2014 brachte erhöhte Umsätze, bei manchen Unternehmen Rekordergebnisse und allgemein den Trend zu stärkerer Spezialisierung. Dies zeigen etwa Umstrukturierungen und Patentanmeldungen.
Chiralität und Laserionisations‐ Massenspektrometrie
Authors: Reusch Nicola , Weitzel Karl‐Michael
Published: July 2015

Enantiomere lassen sich mit ultrakurzen Laserpulsen unterscheiden. Die Kopplung der Chiralitätsanalyse in einer gepulsten Laserionisation mit massenspektrometrischer Analyse ermöglicht es zudem, mehrere Substanzen in einem Gemisch simultan zu untersuchen.
Mehr Umsatz mit Geräten
Authors: Zbikowski Frauke
Published: July 2015

Ein gutes Ergebnis erzielten die deutschen Hersteller von Labor‐ und Analysengeräten im Jahr 2014. Die weltweit Größten der Branche sind nach wie vor vier US‐Unternehmen. Von diesen meldete nur Agilent einen Umsatzrückgang, bleibt aber die Nummer zwei auf dem Markt.
1,1 Millionen Euro für moderne Praktika
Authors: Schirmer Johanna
Published: July 2015

17 Chemiefachbereiche an 15 Standorten erhielten im Jahr 2014 Zuschüsse vom Fonds der chemischen Industrie, um ihre Praktika zu modernisieren. Die meisten kauften damit analytische Geräte, darunter ein Western‐Blot‐Analysengerät und ein Elektronenspinresonanzspektrometer.
Vitamin D, inflammation, and relations to insulin resistance in premenopausal women with morbid obesity
Authors: Nguyen Van T. , Li Xianjun , Elli Enrique F. , Ayloo Subhashini M. , Castellanos Karla J. , Fantuzzi Giamila , Freels Sally , Braunschweig Carol L.
Published: July 2015

Objective

In this study, the associations between vitamin D, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation and their relationships with adipose tissue expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and inflammatory markers in women with morbid obesity were determined.

Methods

An oral glucose tolerance test prior to surgery was completed by healthy premenopausal women (n = 76) seeking bariatric surgery. Abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were collected during surgery.

Results

Approximately, 70% of our subjects were vitamin D sufficient or optimal, and 80% had normal glucose tolerance. No significant association between serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] with circulating inflammatory markers or insulin sensitivity was identified. In subjects with waist circumference of <139 cm (n = 42), log25(OH)D positively predicted VAT logIL‐6 mRNA expression (P = 0.003). LogVDR expression was positively correlated with the expression of inflammatory markers in both SAT (logIL‐1β mRNA: r = 0.95, P < 0.0001; logTNF mRNA: r = 0.82, P < 0.0001) and VAT (logIL‐1β mRNA: r = 0.89, P < 0.0001; logTNF mRNA: r = 0.75, P < 0.0001). VAT logVDR expression positively predicted logHOMA‐IR in non‐African American subjects (P = 0.05).

Conclusions

The beneficial effects of vitamin D on inflammation and insulin sensitivity were not supported by our findings. VDR does not appear to possess a protective effect in adipose tissue.
C‐peptide modifies leptin and visfatin secretion in human adipose tissue
Authors: Garcia‐Serrano Sara , Gutiérrez‐Repiso Carolina , Gonzalo Montserrat , Garcia‐Arnes Juan , Valdes Sergio , Soriguer Federico , Perez‐Valero Vidal , Alaminos‐Castillo Miguel A. , Francisco Cobos‐Bravo Juan , Moreno‐Ruiz Francisco J. , Rodriguez‐Cañete Alberto , Rodríguez‐Pacheco Francisca , Garcia‐Escobar Eva , García‐Fuentes Eduardo
Published: July 2015

Objective

The effects of C‐peptide on adipose tissue, an organ involved in the development of obesity and insulin resistance, are not yet well known. The aim of this study was to determine whether C‐peptide could be involved in the regulation of the adipocytokine synthesis in human visceral adipose tissue.

Methods

The association between C‐peptide and different serum adipocytokines, with an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT), and in an in vitro study in subjects without obesity and in subjects with morbid obesity were analyzed.

Results

In different multiple regression analysis models, C‐peptide and C‐peptide increase above basal levels during total IVGTT and between 0 and 10 min were associated positively with leptin and negatively with visfatin. Rhodamine‐labeled C‐peptide binds to human adipocytes, and this binding was blocked with excess of unlabeled C‐peptide. Exposure of human visceral explants and adipocytes from subjects with morbid obesity to C‐peptide at 1 and 10 nM induced a significant increase in leptin and a decrease in visfatin secretion. In subjects without obesity, these C‐peptide effects were found mainly at 10 nM. These effects can be inhibited by phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) or protein kinase B (PKB) inhibitors.

Conclusions

C‐peptide may be involved in the regulation of leptin and visfatin secretion, molecules intimately involved in energy homeostasis processes, through PI3K or PKB pathways.
Project Management Learning: A Comparative Study between Engineering Students’ Experiences in South Africa and the United Kingdom
Authors: Ojiako Udechukwu , Chipulu Max , Marshall Alasdair , Ashleigh Melanie J. , Williams Terry
Published: July 2015

This study explores how engineering students studying project management perceive their learning experiences. To facilitate an understanding of the constituent components of engineering students’ experiences and to understand how these experiences influence preferred learning styles, a comparative study of university students studying engineering in South Africa and the United Kingdom is conducted. The study finds no significant demographic differences in learning experiences across the two student cohorts. However, the South African cohort reports higher levels of overall experiences. They also report higher usage of online learning materials but lower levels of blended learning and individual critical evaluation skills experiences.
Preface: physica status solidi (c) 7/2015
Authors: Alexandrov Sergei , Hoffmann Patrik , Knez Mato , Vahlas Constantin
Published: July 2015

Dear participants of EuroCVD20,

with pleasure we address you some words about the present conference proceedings of EuroCVD20.

We faced a big challenge organizing a conference to which the full paper peer reviewed contributions will be available already with the launch of the conference!

Clearly, the advantage of this procedure is the highest quality of the conference proceedings, namely peer reviewed scientific publications. Already before listening to the presentation or discussing the poster with the author, the participant of the conference will get exposed to the scientific topic, which makes him/her able to better understand the background. This opportunity opens the doors for scientific exchange with the author at its best. The educational aspects of top notch scientific discussions are based on understanding of the topics and competence in communicating the questions and answers. As time slots for oral or poster presentations at conferences are very limited the message transfer has to be well prepared between the peers, i.e. the author of the contribution and the reader of the manuscript.

We are aware that some aspects speak against this procedure. The most important argument is that the latest results will not be reported in the paper. We, however, trust that none of the conference participants will be unhappy seeing latest results of a research work in the conference presentation only. Moreover, a scientifically founded discussion might even trigger optimization of the latest results and publication in a follow‐up communication.

Therefore we are happy to put at disposition to all participants of the EuroCVD20 conference 49 peer reviewed full papers that have been published either in pss(a) or pss(c).

We, the co‐editors of the EuroCVD20 conference proceedings, wish all readers of the collected papers insight, understanding, fun and pride. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Towards a metallic quasi‐d9 system without copper: AgO at high pressure
Authors: Włodarska Izabela , Derzsi Mariana , Grochala Wojciech
Published: July 2015

AgO is a prototypical mixed‐valence compound, with markedly different coordination environment of dumbbell Ag(1+) and low‐spin square‐planar Ag(3+) which render it a narrow band gap semiconductor. The hybrid HSE06 functional reproduces fairly well the band gap of its P 21/c form at ambient conditions (ΔEexp = 1.0–1.1 eV, ΔEtheor = 0.94 eV) and suggest progressive band gap decrease with external pressure with metallization at 50 GPa via band overlap. Dynamic (phonon) instability appears at the onset of metallization leading to a structural phase transition to a more stable but still metallic form. The density of electronic states at the Fermi level of the polymorph is small and a pseudo‐gap at the Fermi level is preserved.

Illustration of the predicted P21/c → transformation.

magnified image

Illustration of the predicted P21/c → transformation.

(© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Quantile forecast discrimination ability and value
Authors: Ben Bouallègue Zied , Pinson Pierre , Friederichs Petra
Published: July 2015

While probabilistic forecast verification for categorical forecasts is well established, some of the existing concepts and methods have not found their equivalent for the case of continuous variables. New tools dedicated to the assessment of forecast discrimination ability and forecast value are introduced here, based on quantile forecasts being the base product for the continuous case. The relative user characteristic (RUC) curve and the quantile value plot allow us to analyse the performance of a forecast for a specific user in a decision‐making framework. The RUC curve is designed as a user‐based discrimination tool and the quantile value plot translates forecast discrimination ability in terms of economic value. The relationship between the overall value of a quantile forecast and the respective quantile skill score is also discussed. The application of these new verification approaches and tools is illustrated based on synthetic datasets, as well as for the case of global radiation forecasts from the high‐resolution ensemble COSMO‐DE‐EPS of the German Weather Service.
A New Rank‐based Multivariate CUSUM Approach for Monitoring the Process Mean
Authors: Hwang Wook‐Yeon
Published: July 2015

In many cases, data do not follow a specific probability distribution in practice. As a result, a variety of distribution‐free control charts have been developed to monitor changes in the processes. An existing rank‐based multivariate cumulative sum (CUSUM) procedure based on the antirank vector does not quickly detect the large shift levels of the process mean. In this paper, we explore and develop an improved version of the existing rank‐based multivariate CUSUM procedure in order to overcome the difficulty. The numerical experiments show that the proposed approach dramatically outperforms the existing rank‐based multivariate CUSUM procedure in terms of the out‐of‐control average run length. In addition, the proposed approach particularly resolves the critical problem of the original approach, which occurs in the simultaneous shifts whose components are all the same but not 0. We believe that the proposed approach can be utilized for monitoring real data. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Applying multiple proteases to direct digestion of hundred‐scale cell samples for proteome analysis
Authors: Chen Qi , Yan Guoquan , Zhang Xiangmin
Published: July 2015

Rationale

Analyzing the proteome on the scale of only several hundred cells with mass spectrometry has great significance for applications with limited sample amounts. We applied multiple proteases to the direct digestion of cells and compared the identified proteins both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Methods

Three hundred cells were directly digested by trypsin, chymotrypsin, or the combination of trypsin and chymotrypsin. The peptides were identified using a LTQ‐Orbitrap XL, and data were analyzed using MaxQuant software.

Results

Different proteases produced different identified protein numbers. Trypsin proved to be the best choice for generating the largest protein number, while other proteases complemented the identification results of trypsin by increasing protein sequence coverage. Concerning the quantitative perspective, using trypsin would produce the biggest number of proteins quantifiable by intensity‐based absolute quantification (iBAQ).

Conclusions

When hundred‐scale cell samples are analyzed, an optimum choice of proteases should be made to realize different analytical objectives. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fostering a Sense of Community in Residence Halls: A Role for Housing and Residential Professionals in Increasing College Student Persistence
Authors: Erb Natalee M. , Sinclair Matthew S. , Braxton John M.
Published: July 2015

Fostering a sense of community should be at the center of every housing and residence life professional's efforts. Research conducted by Braxton et al. (2014) revealed that students who are able to identify with their residence hall community, interact with peers in this community, and find solidarity within the community experience an increased sense of communal potential. This heightened communal potential is positively correlated with student persistence. Therefore, this article explores Berger's (1997) three dimensions of community—identity, interaction, and solidarity—by identifying currently implemented policies and practices within residence hall communities that seemingly foster these dimensions of community. These policies and programs, and the like, are strongly encouraged within residence hall communities, especially those housing first‐year students.
Modeling Success: Using Preenrollment Data to Identify Academically At‐Risk Students
Authors: Gansemer‐Topf Ann M. , Compton Jonathan , Wohlgemuth Darin , Forbes Greg , Ralston Ekaterina
Published: July 2015

Improving student success and degree completion is one of the core principles of strategic enrollment management. To address this principle, institutional data were used to develop a statistical model to identify academically at‐risk students. The model employs multiple linear regression techniques to predict students at risk of earning below a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) in their first semester of college. Data analysis from student cohorts starting in the Fall 2007 through Fall 2009 (N = 11,644) identified two groups of students—one predicted to earn less than a 2.0 and the other predicted to earn a 2.0 or higher. The first semester college GPA and retention rates of both groups of students were tracked to examine the accuracy of the model in predicting student success and subsequent retention rates. Multi‐year analyses illustrates that the model can be used to identify students who are at risk of earning less than a 2.0 GPA. Additional analysis demonstrates there is a relationship between predicted and actual first semester GPA and retention rates. Since the data used to develop the model are commonly available at most institutions, this study provides a practical approach for the SEM research professional to identify potentially academically at‐risk students, which subsequently can be used to assist students and improve student success and degree completion.
The Retention Challenge—Should We Include Parents?
Authors: Cartmell Brandy Mallory
Published: July 2015

University campuses continue to see an increase in the number of helicopter parents, those parents who are hovering about the campus, ready to swoop down and rescue their children at the first sign of distress (Cartmell and McCullough 2014). Retention personnel on campus questioned whether it would be possible to develop initiatives that would intentionally guide parents in ways that help increase freshman retention rates. Research has been done and shown that students’ parents can serve as a safety net for their freshmen, increasing the students’ willingness to take on greater academic and social challenges (Kalsner and Pistole 2003). The difficulty for college campuses is how to capitalize on the untapped resource and determine whether it aids in greater retention and success of freshman students.

Attachment theory is the basis for an innovative retention initiative that was developed at The University of Tennessee at Martin, which seeks to provide a landing pad for helicopter parents who want to be involved during their students’ first year. Incoming freshman parents are encouraged to take advantage of an online parent portal that contains academic resources and information about their child's college performance. The information provided on the portal is intended to help parents begin conversations with their students about how to succeed in the college arena. To measure the effectiveness of the initiative, a sample of 300 first‐time, full‐time freshmen from the fall 2012 entering freshman class was analyzed. Data were evaluated looking for student retention differences, as well as differences in the end‐of‐first‐year grade point averages. Correlations were found between parent involvement and freshman retention, as well as grade point averages. Interestingly, the research also showed that there appears to be a point of diminishing returns associated to the amount of parental involvement.
Recent Advances in Biocatalytic Promiscuity: Hydrolase‐Catalyzed Reactions for Nonconventional Transformations
Authors: López‐Iglesias María , Gotor‐Fernández Vicente
Published: July 2015

Enzymes have emerged in recent decades as ideal catalysts for synthetic transformations under mild reaction conditions. Their capacity to accelerate a myriad of biotransformations with high levels of selectivity and broad substrate specificity including excellent atom economy has led to a current full recognition. The six classes of enzymes (oxidoreductases, transferases, hydrolases, lyases, isomerases and ligases) possess outstanding abilities to perform specific modifications in target molecules. Nevertheless, in the last fifteen years, novel examples have appeared related to nonconventional processes catalyzed by various classes of biocatalysts. Amongst these, hydrolases have received special attention since they display remarkable activities in initially unexpected reactions such as carbon–carbon and carbon–heteroatom bond‐formation reactions, oxidative processes and novel hydrolytic transformations. In this review, the main findings in this area will be disclosed, highlighting the catalytic properties of hydrolases not only to catalyze single processes but also multicomponent and tandem nonconventional reactions.
An evaluation of the predictive accuracy of wake effects models for offshore wind farms
Authors: Walker Keith , Adams Neil , Gribben Brian , Gellatly Breanne , Nygaard Nicolai Gayle , Henderson Andrew , Marchante Jimémez Miriam , Schmidt Sarah Ruth , Rodriguez Ruiz Javier , Paredes Daniel , Harrington Gemma , Connell Niall , Peronne Oliver , Cordoba Miguel , Housley Paul , Cussons Robert , Håkansson Måns , Knauer Andreas , Maguire Eoghan
Published: July 2015

Wake losses are perceived as one of the largest uncertainties in energy production estimates (EPEs) for new offshore wind projects. In recent years, significant effort has been invested to improve the accuracy of wake models. However, it is still common for a standard wake loss uncertainty of 50% to be assumed in EPEs for new offshore wind farms.

This paper presents a body of evidence to support reducing that assumed uncertainty. It benchmarks the performance of four commonly used wake models against production data from five offshore wind farms. Three levels of evidence are presented to substantiate the performance of the models:

Case studies, i.e. efficiencies of specific turbines under specific wind conditions;

Array efficiencies for the wind farm as a whole for relatively large bins of wind speed and direction; and

Validation wake loss, which corresponds to the overall wake loss within the proportion of the annual energy production where validation is possible.

The most important result for predicting annual energy production is the validation wake loss. The other levels of evidence demonstrate that this result is not unduly reliant on cancellation of errors between wind speed and/or wind direction bins.

All of the root‐mean‐squared errors in validation wake loss are substantially lower than the 50% uncertainty commonly assumed in EPEs; indeed, even the maximum errors are below 25%. It is therefore concluded that there is a good body of evidence to support reducing this assumed uncertainty substantially, to a proposed level of 25%. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Direct adaptive torque control for maximizing the power captured by wind turbine in partial loading condition
Authors: Magar Kaman Thapa , Balas Mark J. , Frost Susan A.
Published: July 2015

In this paper, a direct adaptive control approach is used to track the tip speed ratio (TSR) of wind turbine to maximize the power captured during the below rated wind speed operation. Assuming a known optimum value of TSR, the deviation of actual TSR from the optimum one is mathematically expressed as TSR tracking error. Since the actual TSR is not a measurable quantity, this expression for TSR tracking error is linearized and simplified to express it in terms of wind speed and rotor speed, where rotor speed can easily be measured. Although it is possible to measure the wind speed with high accuracy using LiDAR, using it raises the overall cost of wind turbine installation; hence, a method to estimate the wind speed is also proposed. The adaptive controller operates on this simplified TSR tracking error to drive it to zero and to keep the TSR constant at desired optimum value. The performance of the proposed control scheme is illustrated by implementing and simulating it in the National Renewable Energy Laboratory 5MW wind turbine model and comparing the results with the existing baseline fixed gain controller. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Liver Resection for Advanced Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Cost‐Utility Analysis
Authors: Cillo Umberto , Spolverato Gaya , Vitale Alessandro , Ejaz Aslam , Lonardi Sara , Cosgrove David , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: July 2015

Background

Data on cost‐effectiveness and efficacy of hepatic resection (HR) for advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) are lacking. We sought to estimate the cost‐effectiveness of upfront HR resulting in an R1 resection (strategy A) relative to initial systemic chemotherapy (sCT) followed by possible curative HR (strategy B) for patients with advanced ICC.

Methods

A Markov model was developed using data from a systematic literature review. Three base cases were considered: (1) ICC >6 cm (2) ICC with vascular invasion (3) multi‐focal ICC. A Monte Carlo simulation assessed outcomes including quality‐adjusted life months (QALMs) and incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER).

Results

The net health benefit (NHB) of strategy A versus strategy B was 1.4 QALMs for ICC >6 cm and 1.3 QALMs for ICC and vascular invasion; in contrast, there was a negative NHB for HR versus sCT for multi‐focal ICC (−0.3 QALMs). In single nodule ICC >6 cm, the ICER of HR versus sCT was $22,482/quality‐adjusted life years (QALY) and the ICER of HR versus sCT was $20,953/QALY for ICC with vascular invasion. In multi‐focal ICC, the ICER of HR compared with sCT was $83,604/QALY. Patients with a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score (coefficient 0.94), male sex (coefficient 0.43), low quality of life after sCT (coefficient −2.57) and T3 tumors (coefficient 0.53) had a better NHB for HR relative to sCT followed by potential surgery.

Conclusions

For patients with large ICC or ICC and vascular invasion, HR was more cost‐effective than sCT. In contrast, HR was not associated with a positive NHB relative to sCT for patients with multi‐focal ICC, and therefore these patients should be treated with sCT rather than HR.