bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mammographic parenchymal patterns and breast cancer risk in New South Wales North Coast Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women
Authors: Pape Ruth , Spuur Kelly Maree , Currie Geoffrey , Greene Lacey
Published: February 2016

Introduction

The objective of the study was to document the distribution of mammographic parenchymal patterns (MPP) of Indigenous Australian women attending BreastScreen New South Wales (NSW) North Coast, to profile breast cancer risk as it relates to breast density and to explore the correlation between MPP, breast size as described by the posterior nipple line (PNL) and age.

Methods

Ethics was granted from CQUniversity Human Research Ethics Committee, NSW Population Health Services Research Ethics Committee and the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council Ethics Committee. A quantitative retrospective analysis reviewed 502 screening mammograms against the Tabár I–V MPP classification system. The PNL was measured in millimetres (mm) and the age of the patient documented.

Results

A statistically significant variation in the distribution of MPP (P < 0.0001) was demonstrated, with patterns of I (23.9%), II (45.6%), III (10.4%), IV (15.9%) and V (4.2%). Statistically significant differences were noted in the age of subjects between patterns (P = 0.0002). Patterns I and V demonstrated statistically significant lower ages than II, III and IV (all P < 0.05). Pattern V demonstrated a statistically significant lower age than pattern I (P = 0.0393). Pattern V demonstrated a statistically significant lower PNL value than all other patterns (all P < 0.001/P < 0.0002); pattern II was statistically significantly higher in PNL value than all other patterns (P < 0.002/P < 0.001). No significant relationship was noted between PNL and age.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated that no identifiable or unique distribution of MPP was noted in this snapshot of Indigenous women. A larger study of Indigenous Australian women is required for validation.
Inter‐hemispheric and inter‐zonal moisture transports and monsoon regimes
Authors: Wanzeler da Costa Claudia Priscila , Satyamurty Prakki
Published: February 2016

The principal objectives here are to quantify the strengths of global monsoon circulations in terms of cross‐equatorial moisture transport and to verify its behaviour during two extreme years of precipitation over the Amazon Basin. The National Centers for Environmental Prediction / National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) Reanalysis data sets for the period 1950–2012 are used in this study and the results are compared with calculations from ERA‐Interim data. During the South Asian summer monsoon (JJA), the transport is 82.1 × 107 kg s−1 between 30° and 90°E from the Southern Hemisphere (SH) to the Northern Hemisphere (NH) and reverses to 41.4 × 107 kg s−1 from NH to SH in northern winter (DJF). Over South America between 30° and 90°W, the values are 31.4 × 107 kg s−1 in DJF from NH to SH and 21.5 × 107 kg s−1 in JJA from SH to NH. Although there is no wind reversal from summer to winter seasons over the South American monsoon region, the moisture transport across the equator reverses. The transports during a weak and a strong monsoon in the Amazon Basin are distinctly different suggesting that the cross‐equatorial moisture transport can be used as a Monsoon Intensity Index (MII). For the South American monsoon, the DJF index is 28.5 × 107 kg s−1 in the dry year 2004–2005 and 45.1 × 107 kg s−1 in the wet year 2011–2012 as against the climatological value of 31.4 × 107 kg s−1. There is an indication of an inverse relation between the MIIs over the Amazon Basin and the Australian sectors. The annual mean moisture transport across the equator is from SH to NH and is equivalent to three Amazon River discharges.
Small cavity creation in the vertebral body reduces the rate of cement leakage during vertebroplasty
Authors: Arabmotlagh Mohammad , Rickert Marcus , Lukas Alexander , Rauschmann Michael , Fleege Christoph
Published: February 2016

Cement leakage is the most common complication during vertebroplasty and may result in serious morbidity. Measures to reduce the rate of cement leakage are valuable ways to improve vertebroplasty safety. The present study aimed to evaluate whether creating a small cavity in the vertebral body prior to cement injection would reduce the rate of cement leakage during vertebroplasty. The study included 36 consecutive patients with 42 painful osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures that were classified as A1 fractures according to AO classification. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either treatment with vertebroplasty (control) or with a procedure termed cavuplasty, in which a small cavity was created in the vertebral body prior to cement injection. CT scanning was performed to detect cement leakage. Cement leakage was observed in 14 (66.6%) of the 21 vertebral bodies treated with vertebroplasty and 5 (23.8%) of the 21 vertebral bodies treated with cavuplasty (p = 0.012). These results suggest that the creation of a small cavity in the vertebral body prior to cement injection is an effective way to reduce cement leakage during vertebroplasty. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:154–159, 2017.
Optimization of microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) of coriander phenolic antioxidants – response surface methodology approach
Authors: Zeković Zoran , Vladić Jelena , Vidović Senka , Adamović Dušan , Pavlić Branimir
Published: February 2016

BACKGROUND

Microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) of polyphenols from coriander seeds was optimized by simultaneous maximization of total phenolic (TP) and total flavonoid (TF) yields, as well as maximized antioxidant activity determined by 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl and reducing power assays. Box–Behnken experimental design with response surface methodology (RSM) was used for optimization of MAE. Extraction time (X1, 15–35 min), ethanol concentration (X2, 50–90% w/w) and irradiation power (X3, 400–800 W) were investigated as independent variables. Experimentally obtained values of investigated responses were fitted to a second‐order polynomial model, and multiple regression analysis and analysis of variance were used to determine fitness of the model and optimal conditions.

RESULTS

The optimal MAE conditions for simultaneous maximization of polyphenol yield and increased antioxidant activity were an extraction time of 19 min, an ethanol concentration of 63% and an irradiation power of 570 W, while predicted values of TP, TF, IC50 and EC50 at optimal MAE conditions were 311.23 mg gallic acid equivalent per 100 g dry weight (DW), 213.66 mg catechin equivalent per 100 g DW, 0.0315 mg mL−1 and 0.1311 mg mL−1 respectively.

CONCLUSION

RSM was successfully used for multi‐response optimization of coriander seed polyphenols. Comparison of optimized MAE with conventional extraction techniques confirmed that MAE provides significantly higher polyphenol yields and extracts with increased antioxidant activity. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
The effect of oregano essential oil on microbial load and sensory attributes of dried meat
Authors: Hernández Helga , Fraňková Adéla , Sýkora Tomáš , Klouček Pavel , Kouřimská Lenka , Kučerová Iva , Banout Jan
Published: February 2016

Background

Microbial load can be controlled using either synthetic or natural preservatives. Particular interest has been focused on the potential application of plant essential oils as safer additives for meat. However, there is no published research on the use of essential oils during the meat drying process. This study was focused on enhancing the meat drying process by using oregano essential oil (OEO) to inhibit the growth of bacteria and thus obtain a value‐added dried meat product. The sensory response from assessors is presented.

Results

It was found that the application of OEO in meat was effective in inhibiting Salmonella enteritidis and Escherichia coli. After 6 h of drying at 55 °C, 2 mL (0.038 mL L−1 air) and 1.5 mL (0.028 mL L−1 air) of OEO were considered as the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against S. enteritidis and E. coli respectively. Samples treated with 0.75 mL of OEO were more attractive for consumption compared with the control; at a higher concentration of OEO, the sensory quality of the food was affected.

Conclusion

A value‐added dried meat product obtained by using OEO to enhance food safety received an acceptable sensory response from consumers. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Impressive Rate Raise of the Hydrosilation Reaction Through UV‐Activation: Energy and Time Saving
Authors: Marchi Sophie , Sangermano Marco , Ligorio Davide , Meier Patrick , Kornmann Xavier
Published: February 2016

Silicone materials are widely used in many fields such as electrical or food industries and their consumption is constantly growing. They are generally cured by vulcanization reaction for long time at high temperatures which requires high energy consumption. The possibility to achieve the polymerization of silicone rubbers by UV‐activation promotes the reduction of both time and temperature leading to an impressive energy saving. Indeed, this process is more than 30 times faster than the thermal one. Moreover, the properties of the two resulting materials are comparable, indicating that the low time of UV‐activated hydrosilation reaction is suitable for the formation of crosslinked silicone polymers.

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Left‐symmetric algebroids
Authors: Liu Jiefeng , Sheng Yunhe , Bai Chengming , Chen Zhiqi
Published: February 2016

In this paper, we introduce the notion of a left‐symmetric algebroid, which is a generalization of a left‐symmetric algebra from a vector space to a vector bundle. The left multiplication gives rise to a representation of the corresponding sub‐adjacent Lie algebroid. We construct left‐symmetric algebroids from ‐operators on Lie algebroids. We study phase spaces of Lie algebroids in terms of left‐symmetric algebroids. Representations of left‐symmetric algebroids are studied in detail. At last, we study deformations of left‐symmetric algebroids, which could be controlled by the second cohomology class in the deformation cohomology.
Scalability of Coarse‐Grained Potentials Generated from Iterative Boltzmann Inversion for Polymers: Case Study on Polycarbonates
Authors: Choudhury Chandan Kumar , Carbone Paola , Roy Sudip
Published: February 2016

Using systematic coarse‐grained (CG) techniques such as iterative Boltzmann inversion (IBI) is an efficient means to simulate high molecular weight polymer melts within reasonable computational time. One drawback of such an approach is however the need to carry out extensive atomistic simulations in order to extrapolate the necessary distributions to derive the inter and intrabead force field parameters. Here it is shown that it is possible to use atomistic simulations of relative short oligomers to develop the CG model for high molecular weight polymers. In particular for the specific case of polycarbonates, it is found that the structural properties (end‐to‐end distance, radius of gyration and their distributions) are similar irrespective of whether the CG potentials are derived from 5‐mer or 10‐mer melt systems. Dynamical properties of the CG systems are smoother and faster than the atomistic ones. Scaling factor, derived by overlapping the CG mean square displacement curves (obtained from different CG IBI potentials) over the atomistic ones, also scales the autocorrelation functions. A prediction of the dynamical scaling factor in the case of the unavailability of atomistic simulations is also discussed. The dynamical properties of the CG melts are modeled reasonably well by all the CG potentials derived from atomistic simulations of short oligomers.

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FliH and FliI ensure efficient energy coupling of flagellar type III protein export in Salmonella
Authors: Minamino Tohru , Kinoshita Miki , Inoue Yumi , Morimoto Yusuke V. , Ihara Kunio , Koya Satomi , Hara Noritaka , Nishioka Noriko , Kojima Seiji , Homma Michio , Namba Keiichi
Published: February 2016

For construction of the bacterial flagellum, flagellar proteins are exported via its specific export apparatus from the cytoplasm to the distal end of the growing flagellar structure. The flagellar export apparatus consists of a transmembrane (TM) export gate complex and a cytoplasmic ATPase complex consisting of FliH, FliI, and FliJ. FlhA is a TM export gate protein and plays important roles in energy coupling of protein translocation. However, the energy coupling mechanism remains unknown. Here, we performed a cross‐complementation assay to measure robustness of the energy transduction system of the export apparatus against genetic perturbations. Vibrio FlhA restored motility of a Salmonella ΔflhA mutant but not that of a ΔfliH‐fliI flhB(P28T) ΔflhA mutant. The flgM mutations significantly increased flagellar gene expression levels, allowing Vibrio FlhA to exert its export activity in the ΔfliH‐fliI flhB(P28T) ΔflhA mutant. Pull‐down assays revealed that the binding affinities of Vibrio FlhA for FliJ and the FlgN–FlgK chaperone–substrate complex were much lower than those of Salmonella FlhA. These suggest that Vibrio FlhA requires the support of FliH and FliI to efficiently and properly interact with FliJ and the FlgN–FlgK complex. We propose that FliH and FliI ensure robust and efficient energy coupling of protein export during flagellar assembly.
Role of bacteria in the production and degradation of Microcystis cyanopeptides
Authors: Briand Enora , Humbert Jean‐François , Tambosco Kevin , Bormans Myriam , Gerwick William H.
Published: February 2016

The freshwater cyanobacteria, Microcystis sp., commonly form large colonies with bacteria embedded in their mucilage. Positive and negative interactions between Microcystis species and their associated bacteria have been reported. However, the potential role of bacteria in the production and degradation of cyanobacterial secondary metabolites has not been investigated. In this study, a Microcystis‐associated bacterial community was isolated and added to the axenic M. aeruginosaPCC7806 liquid culture. After 3 years of cocultivation, we studied the bacterial genetic diversity adapted to the PCC7806 strain and compared the intra‐ and extracellular concentration of major cyanopeptides produced by the cyanobacterial strain under xenic and axenic conditions. Mass spectrometric analyses showed that the intracellular concentration of peptides was not affected by the presence of bacteria. Interestingly, the produced peptides were detected in the axenic media but could not be found in the xenic media. This investigation revealed that a natural bacterial community, dominated by Alpha‐proteobacteria, was able to degrade a wide panel of structurally varying cyclic cyanopeptides.
Clinical translation of ferumoxytol‐based vessel size imaging (VSI): Feasibility in a phase I oncology clinical trial population
Authors: Fredrickson Jill , Serkova Natalie J. , Wyatt Shelby K. , Carano Richard A.D. , Pirzkall Andrea , Rhee Ina , Rosen Lee S. , Bessudo Alberto , Weekes Colin , de Crespigny Alex
Published: February 2016

Purpose

To assess the feasibility of acquiring vessel size imaging (VSI) metrics using ferumoxytol injections and stock pulse sequences in a multicenter Phase I trial of a novel therapy in patients with advanced metastatic disease.

Methods

Scans were acquired before, immediately after, and 48 h after injection, at screening and after 2 weeks of treatment. ΔR2,
, vessel density (Q), and relative vascular volume fractions (VVF) were estimated in both normal tissue and tumor, and compared with model‐derived theoretical and experimental estimates based on preclinical murine xenograft data.

Results

R2 and
relaxation rates were still significantly elevated in tumors and liver 48 h after ferumoxytol injection; liver values returned to baseline by week 2. Q was relatively insensitive to changes in
, indicating lack of dependence on contrast agent concentration. Variability in Q was higher among human tumors compared with xenografts and was mostly driven by ΔR2. Relative VVFs were higher in human tumors compared with xenografts, while values in muscle were similar between species.

Conclusion

Clinical ferumoxytol‐based VSI is feasible using standard MRI techniques in a multicenter study of patients with lesions outside of the brain. Ferumoxytol accumulation in the liver does not preclude measurement of VSI parameters in liver metastases. Magn Reson Med 77:814–825, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Speeding up dynamic spiral chemical shift imaging with incoherent sampling and low‐rank matrix completion
Authors: DeVience Stephen J. , Mayer Dirk
Published: February 2016

Purpose

To improve the temporal and spatial resolution of dynamic 13C spiral chemical shift imaging via incoherent sampling and low‐rank matrix completion (LRMC).

Methods

Spiral CSI data were both simulated and acquired in rats, and undersampling was implemented retrospectively and prospectively by pseudorandomly omitting a fraction of the spiral interleaves. Undersampled data were reconstructed with both LRMC and a conventional inverse nonuniform fast Fourier transform (iNUFFT) and compared with fully sampled data.

Results

Two‐fold undersampling with LRMC reconstruction enabled a two‐fold improvement in temporal or spatial resolution without significant artifacts or spatiotemporal distortion. Conversely, undersampling with iNUFFT reconstruction created strong artifacts that obscured the image. LRMC performed better at time points with strong metabolite signal.

Conclusion

Incoherent undersampling and LRMC provides a way to increase the spatiotemporal resolution of spiral CSI without degrading data integrity. Magn Reson Med 77:951–960, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Spinal Mobility in Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Cross‐Sectional Clinical Study
Authors: Mogard Elisabeth , Lindqvist Elisabet , Bergman Stefan , Bremander Ann
Published: February 2016

Objective

Research concerning spinal mobility in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) has focused on ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and data on the clinical diagnosis of undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (USpA) are limited. The objective was to study differences in spinal mobility between axSpA subgroups AS and USpA, including gender differences.

Methods

A total of 183 patients with axSpA from a rheumatology clinic were included in the study. The earliest recorded spinal mobility measures (cervical rotation/flexion/extension/lateral flexion, tragus‐to‐wall distance, vital capacity, chest expansion, thoracic flexion, thoracolumbar flexion, lateral spinal flexion, lumbar flexion and intermalleolar distance) were obtained by specialized physiotherapists. Differences between subgroups were analysed using analysis of covariance, controlled for gender and disease duration.

Results

In the USpA group (n = 57), the mean [standard deviation (SD)] age was 41.6 (11.4) years, and disease duration was 13 (10.6) years, with 54% men. In the AS group (n = 126), the mean (SD) age was 48.4 (13.5) years, and disease duration 24.6 (13.3) years, with 77% men. Spinal mobility was less restricted in USpA versus AS patients (p ≤ 0.05), with a median (interquartile range) tragus‐to‐wall distance of 11 (10–12) cm versus 13 (11.3–18.5) cm; thoracolumbar flexion 9 (7–10) cm versus 6.5 (4–9) cm; lateral spinal flexion 29 (25–36) cm versus 21.3 (12–31) cm; lumbar flexion 4.5 (3.5–5.0) cm versus 3.5 (2.0–4.5) cm and intermalleolar distance 113 (102–121) cm versus 101 (86–114) cm. There were no differences between the subgroups in cervical mobility, vital capacity, chest expansion or thoracic flexion, and there were few gender differences, besides anthropometric measures.

Conclusion

Patients with USpA and AS had similar cervical and chest mobility, while thoracic and lumbar mobility were more severely restricted in AS. There were few gender differences in either subgroup. Further studies, to understand the full impact of USpA on spinal mobility, are needed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reproducibility of R2* and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) reconstruction methods in the basal ganglia of healthy subjects
Authors: Santin M. D. , Didier M. , Valabrègue R. , Yahia Cherif L. , García‐Lorenzo D. , Loureiro de Sousa P. , Bardinet E. , Lehéricy S.
Published: February 2016

The basal ganglia are key structures for motor, cognitive and behavioral functions. They undergo several changes with aging and disease, such as Parkinson's or Huntington's disease, for example. Iron accumulation in basal ganglia is often related to these diseases, which is conventionally monitored by the transverse relaxation rate (R2*). Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is a novel contrast mechanism in MRI produced by adding information taken from the phase of the MR signal to its magnitude. It has been shown to be more sensitive to subtle changes in Parkinson's disease. In order to be applied widely to various pathologies, its reproducibility must be evaluated in order to assess intra‐subject variability and to disseminate into clinical and pharmaceutical studies. In this work, we studied the reproducibility and sensitivity of several QSM techniques. Fourteen subjects were scanned four times, and QSM and R2* images were reconstructed and registered. An atlas of the basal ganglia was used to automatically define regions of interest. We found that QSM measurements are indeed reproducible in the basal ganglia of healthy subjects and can be widely used as a replacement for R2* mapping in iron‐rich regions. This reproducibility study could lead to several lines of research in relaxometry and susceptibility measurements, in vivo iron load evaluation as well as pharmacological assessment and biomarker development. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ProTru: a provenance‐based trust architecture for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Dogan Gulustan
Published: February 2016

Trust is an important component of wireless sensor networks for believability of the produced data, and trust history is a crucial asset in deciding trust of the data. In this paper, we show how provenance can be used for registering previous trust records and other information such as node type, data type, and node location. Our aim is to design a distributed trust‐enhancing architecture using only local provenance during sensor fusion with a low communication overhead. Our network is cognitive in the sense that our system reacts automatically upon detecting low trust. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Isogeometric analysis of fluid‐saturated porous media including flow in the cracks
Authors: Vignollet J. , May S. , Borst R. de
Published: February 2016

An isogeometric model is developed for the analysis of fluid transport in pre‐existing faults or cracks that are embedded in a fluid‐saturated deformable porous medium. Flow of the interstitial fluid in the porous medium and fluid transport in the discontinuities are accounted for and are coupled. The modelling of a fluid‐saturated porous medium in general requires the interpolation of the displacements of the solid to be one order higher than that of the pressure of the interstitial fluid. Using order elevation and Bézier projection, a consistent procedure has been developed to accomplish this in an isogeometric framework. Particular attention has also been given to the spatial integration along the isogeometric interface element in order to suppress traction oscillations that can arise for certain integration rules when a relatively high dummy stiffness is used in a poromechanical model. © 2016 The Authors. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Skeletal muscle and plasma lipidomic signatures of insulin resistance and overweight/obesity in humans
Authors: Tonks Katherine T. , Coster Adelle CF , Christopher Michael J. , Chaudhuri Rima , Xu Aimin , Gagnon‐Bartsch Johann , Chisholm Donald J. , James David E. , Meikle Peter J. , Greenfield Jerry R. , Samocha‐Bonet Dorit
Published: February 2016

Objective

Alterations in lipids in muscle and plasma have been documented in insulin‐resistant people with obesity. Whether these lipid alterations are a reflection of insulin resistance or obesity remains unclear.

Methods

Nondiabetic sedentary individuals not treated with lipid‐lowering medications were studied (n = 51). Subjects with body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2 (n = 28) were stratified based on median glucose infusion rate during a hyperinsulinemic‐euglycemic clamp into insulin‐sensitive and insulin‐resistant groups (above and below median, obesity/insulin‐sensitive and obesity/insulin‐resistant, respectively). Lean individuals (n = 23) served as a reference group. Lipidomics was performed in muscle and plasma by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry. Pathway analysis of gene array in muscle was performed in a subset (n = 35).

Results

In muscle, insulin resistance was characterized by higher levels of C18:0 sphingolipids, while in plasma, higher levels of diacylglycerol and cholesterol ester, and lower levels of lysophosphatidylcholine and lysoalkylphosphatidylcholine, indicated insulin resistance, irrespective of overweight/obesity. The sphingolipid metabolism gene pathway was upregulated in muscle in insulin resistance independent of obesity. An overweight/obesity lipidomic signature was only apparent in plasma, predominated by higher triacylglycerol and lower plasmalogen species.

Conclusions

Muscle C18:0 sphingolipids may play a role in insulin resistance independent of excess adiposity.
Minimal Residual Disease and Childhood Leukemia: Standard of Care Recommendations From the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario MRD Working Group
Authors: Athale Uma H. , Gibson Paul J. , Bradley Nicole M. , Malkin David M. , Hitzler Johann
Published: February 2016

Minimal residual disease (MRD) is an independent predictor of relapse risk in children with leukemia and is widely used for risk‐adapted treatment. This article summarizes current evidence supporting the use of MRD, including clinical significance, current international clinical practice, impact statement, and recommended indications. The proposed MRD recommendations have been endorsed by the MRD Working Group of the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario and provide the foundation for a strategy that aims at equitable access to MRD evaluation for children with leukemia.
Lineage Switch in MLL‐Rearranged Infant Leukemia Following CD19‐Directed Therapy
Authors: Rayes Ahmad , McMasters Richard L. , O'Brien Maureen M.
Published: February 2016

Rearrangements of the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene occur frequently in infants with both acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Conversions of leukemia cell lineage are rare, but occur most commonly in the setting of MLL‐rearrangement. Blinatumomab is a bidirectional antibody targeting CD19 with significant activity in relapsed B‐precursor ALL. We report an infant with ALL with t(4;11)(q21;q23) refractory to cytotoxic chemotherapy who was treated with blinatumomab. Following rapid initial clearance of peripheral lymphoblasts, bone marrow evaluation demonstrated a leukemic lineage switch to CD19‐negative monoblastic AML. Complete remission was achieved with myeloid‐directed chemotherapy.
Adolescents with Cancer in Italy: Improving Access to National Cooperative Pediatric Oncology Group (AIEOP) Centers
Authors: Ferrari Andrea , Rondelli Roberto , Pession Andrea , Mascarin Maurizio , Buzzoni Carlotta , Mosso Maria Luisa , Maule Milena , Barisone Elena , Bertolotti Marina , Clerici Carlo Alfredo , Jankovic Momcilo , Fagioli Franca , Biondi Andrea
Published: February 2016

This analysis compared the numbers of patients treated at Italian pediatric oncology group (Associazione Italiana Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica [AIEOP]) centers with the numbers of cases predicted according to the population‐based registry. It considered 32,431 patients registered in the AIEOP database (1989–2012). The ratio of observed (O) to expected (E) cases was 0.79 for children (0–14 years old) and 0.15 for adolescents (15–19 years old). The proportion of adolescents increased significantly over the years, however, from 0.05 in the earliest period to 0.10, 0.18, and then 0.28 in the latest period of observation, suggesting a greater efficacy of local/national programs dedicated to adolescents.
Preparation of chitosan nanoparticles as a drug delivery system for perindopril erbumine
Authors: Hussein‐Al‐Ali Samer Hasan , Kura Aminu , Hussein Mohd Zobir , Fakurazi Sharida
Published: February 2016

Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) and perindopril erbumine (PE)‐loaded chitosan nanoparticles (PE‐CSNPs) were prepared using the ionic gelation method with tripolyphosphate (TPP) as a crosslinking agent. The XRD pattern of the PE‐CSNP nanocomposite shows suppression of the peaks corresponding to crystallized chitosan due to its conversion to the amorphous form after crosslinking and PE loading. The presence of the drug in the nanocomposite was confirmed by a shift in the FTIR transmittance peak from 1,289 to 1,279 cm−1. The mean diameter of the PE‐CSNP nanocomposite was 44 nm. Analysis of the ultraviolet spectrum indicated that the loading efficiency and the encapsulation efficiency were 30.5% and 94.1%, respectively. The in vitro drug release profile was also determined by ultraviolet spectroscopy, which showed a sustained release over a period of 2 h (99.8%), starting with initial burst release (40% in 10 min). According to our results, no IC50 (the half maximal inhibitory concentration) against the 3T3 cell line was found for free PF or the PE‐CSNP nanocomposite up to 100 μg mL−1. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:544–552, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effectiveness of a Pharmacist‐Physician Team‐Based Collaboration to Improve Long‐Term Blood Pressure Control at an Inner‐City Safety‐Net Clinic
Authors: Sisson Evan M. , Dixon Dave L. , Kildow D. Cole , Van Tassell Benjamin W. , Carl Daniel E. , Varghese Della , Electricwala Batul , Carroll Norman V.
Published: February 2016

Purpose

To evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacist‐physician collaborative practice model (PPCPM) to improve long‐term blood pressure (BP) control rates in a primarily African‐American underserved urban population.

Practice Innovation

Volunteer physicians established initial diagnoses, whereas pharmacists provided most (more than 70%) of the medication management. During each scheduled visit, the pharmacist reconciled the medication list, completed a clinical interview, conducted a focused physical examination, developed and implemented a treatment plan, and provided documentation in a shared medical record.

Evaluation

A retrospective chart review was performed to collect data for a longitudinal cohort of patients managed by the PPCPM from 2010–2013.

Results

Of 385 patients with at least two pharmacist visits during 2009, 172 patients received continuous care over the study period. At baseline, the mean age of the cohort was 51.3 years, 62% were female, and 76% were African‐American. Approximately 65% were obese (body mass index 30 kg/m2 or higher), and 39% were cigarette smokers. Mean baseline BP was 156/98 mm Hg, with only 17% of the cohort at their BP goal of lower than 140/90 mm Hg. The BP control rate improved to 66% during the first year and persisted throughout the study period, with 68% of patients at goal in 2013 (p<0.05 compared with baseline).

Conclusion

The PPCPM BP control rate ranks in the 90th percentile of National Committee for Quality Assurance benchmarks and was superior even to the 2013 reported mean for commercial insurers. The PPCPM effectively improved hypertension control in an uninsured, primarily African‐American, urban population despite significant health barriers. Key elements of this asynchronous care model included access to a common medical record, optimization of distinct interprofessional roles, frequent follow‐up with evaluation, and collaborative practice agreement with sufficient scope of practice to implement medication changes at the time of the visit.
A side‐by‐side comparison of CPV module and system performance
Authors: Muller Matthew , Marion Bill , Kurtz Sarah , Ghosal Kanchan , Burroughs Scott , Libby Cara , Enbar Nadav
Published: February 2016

A side‐by‐side comparison is made between concentrator photovoltaic module and system direct current aperture efficiency data with a focus on quantifying system performance losses. The individual losses measured/calculated, when combined, are in good agreement with the total loss seen between the module and the system. Results indicate that for the given test period, the largest individual loss of 3.7% relative is due to the baseline performance difference between the individual module and the average for the 200 modules in the system. A basic empirical model is derived based on module spectral performance data and the tabulated losses between the module and the system. The model predicts instantaneous system direct current aperture efficiency with a root mean square error of 2.3% relative. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Suppression of phonon‐mediated hot carrier relaxation in type‐II InAs/AlAsxSb1 − x quantum wells: a practical route to hot carrier solar cells
Authors: Esmaielpour Hamidreza , Whiteside Vincent R. , Tang Jinfeng , Vijeyaragunathan Sangeetha , Mishima Tetsuya D. , Cairns Shayne , Santos Michael B. , Wang Bin , Sellers Ian R.
Published: February 2016

InAs/AlAsxSb1 − x quantum wells are investigated for their potential as hot carrier solar cells. Continuous wave power and temperature‐dependent photoluminescence indicate a transition in the dominant hot carrier relaxation process from conventional phonon‐mediated carrier relaxation below 90 K to a regime where inhibited radiative recombination dominates the hot carrier relaxation at elevated temperatures. At temperatures below 90 K, photoluminescence measurements are consistent with type‐I quantum wells that exhibit hole localization associated with alloy/interface fluctuations. At elevated temperatures, hole delocalization reveals the true type‐II band alignment, where it is observed that inhibited radiative recombination due to the spatial separation of the charge carriers dominates hot carrier relaxation. This decoupling of phonon‐mediated relaxation results in robust hot carriers at higher temperatures, even at lower excitation powers. These results indicate type‐II quantum wells offer potential as practical hot carrier systems. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Delay Mechanism of β→δ Phase Transition of Cyclotetramethylene Tetranitramine in Polymer Bonded Explosive Formulations by Heat Conduction Obstacle
Authors: Dai Xiaogan , Xu Jinjiang , Wen Yushi , Li Yubin , Huang Fenglei , Li Ming , Zeng Qun
Published: February 2016

The β→δ phase transition (PT) of cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (HMX) plays an important role in the safety of explosives when they are exposed to heat. In this work the effect of HMX content on the PT of HMX in Polymer Bonded Explosive (PBX) is reported. Using in situ X‐ray diffraction (XRD) test combined with quantitative analysis, the dependence of the PT temperature and dynamic behavior of HMX in PBX formulations [HMX+triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB)+Olefin] on the content of HMX is investigated. The results show that the β→δ PT temperature gradually increases with the reduction of HMX content and with the increase of TATB content. Additives of TATB and olefin in high concentration can form compact coatings on the HMX crystals. Such coatings can delay the nucleations of δ‐HMX by inhibiting the volumetric expansion during PT. Moreever, these coatings separate the HMX crystals and build up a heat conduction obstacle. As a result the growths of δ‐HMX are also suppressed by the coatings. In contrast, fewer additives lead to larger free surface area of HMX, which accelerates the PT.
Prior knowledge or freedom of interpretation? A critical look at a recently published classification of “novel” Zn binding sites
Authors: Raczynska Joanna E , Wlodawer Alexander , Jaskolski Mariusz
Published: February 2016

In a recently published article (Yao, Flight, Rouchka, and Moseley, Proteins 2015;83:1470–1487) the authors proposed novel Zn coordination patterns in protein structures, apparently discovered using an unprejudiced approach to the information collected in the Protein data Bank (PDB), which they advocated as superior to the prior‐knowledge‐informed paradigm. In our assessment of those propositions we demonstrate here that most, if not all, of the “new” coordination geometries are fictitious, as they are based on incorrectly interpreted protein crystal structures, which in themselves are often not error‐free. The flaws of interpretation include partial or wrong Zn sites, missed or wrong ligands, ignored crystal symmetry and ligands, etc. In conclusion, we warn against using this and similar meta‐analyses that ignore chemical and crystallographic knowledge, and emphasize the importance of safeguarding structural databases against bad apples. Proteins 2016; 84:770–776. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of UV radiation on the reactivity of porous methyl‐doped SiO2 layers
Authors: Dultsev Fedor N.
Published: February 2016

This paper erroneously neglected to reference an earlier paper, an oversight which the authors wish to correct to improve the overall contribution of both papers. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Understanding a prospective approach to designing malicious social bots
Authors: He Yukun , Zhang Guangyan , Wu Jie , Li Qiang
Published: February 2016

The security implications of social bots are evident in consideration of the fact that data sharing and propagation functionality are well integrated with social media sites. Existing social bots primarily use Really Simple Syndication and OSN (online social network) application program interface to communicate with OSN servers. Researchers have profiled their behaviors well and have proposed various mechanisms to defend against them. We predict that a web test automation rootkit (WTAR) is a prospective approach for designing malicious social bots. In this paper, we first present the principles of designing WTAR‐based social bots. Second, we implement three WTAR‐based bot prototypes on Facebook, Twitter, and Weibo. Third, we validate this new threat by analyzing behaviors of the prototypes in a lab environment and on the Internet, and analyzing reports from widely‐used antivirus software. Our analyses show that WTAR‐based social bots have the following features: (i) they do not connect to OSN directly, and therefore produce few network flows; (ii) they can log in to OSNs easily and perform a variety of social activities; (iii) they can mimic the behaviors of a human user on an OSN. Finally, we propose several possible mechanisms in order to defend against WTAR‐based social bots. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fallback tests for co‐primary endpoints
Authors: Ristl Robin , Frommlet Florian , Koch Armin , Posch Martin
Published: February 2016

When efficacy of a treatment is measured by co‐primary endpoints, efficacy is claimed only if for each endpoint an individual statistical test is significant at levelα. While such a strategy controls the family‐wise type I error rate (FWER), it is often strictly conservative and allows for no inference if not all null hypotheses can be rejected. In this paper, we investigate fallback tests, which are defined as uniform improvements of the classical test for co‐primary endpoints. They reject whenever the classical test rejects but allow for inference also in settings where only a subset of endpoints show a significant effect. Similarly to the fallback tests for hierarchical testing procedures, these fallback tests for co‐primary endpoints allow one to continue testing even if the primary objective of the trial was not met. We propose examples of fallback tests for two and three co‐primary endpoints that control the FWER in the strong sense under the assumption of multivariate normal test statistics with arbitrary correlation matrix and investigate their power in a simulation study. The fallback procedures for co‐primary endpoints are illustrated with a clinical trial in a rare disease and a diagnostic trial. © 2016 The Authors.Statistics in Medicinepublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Entrepreneurial beacons: TheYale endowment, run‐ups, and the growth of venture capital
Authors: Bermiss Y. Sekou , Hallen Benjamin L. , McDonald Rory , Pahnke Emily C.
Published: February 2016

Research summary: This article investigates the social context of entrepreneurship in organizational sectors. Prior research suggests that firm foundings are driven by collective patterns of activity—such as patterns of prior foundings in a given sector. Building on research on social salience and signals, we consider the influence of singular sector‐level triggers, which we call entrepreneurial beacons. We argue that the actions or outcomes of single, salient organizations attract and motivate entrepreneurs, thus increasing the rate of foundings. We test this logic by examining the impact of theYaleUniversity endowment's investment choices and of venture‐capital‐backedIPOrun‐ups on venture‐capital foundings between 1984 and 2011. We find support for the existence and influence of beacons and outline boundary conditions for their effects.

Managerial summary: What leads entrepreneurs to found new companies in nascent sectors? In contrast to prior research, which emphasizes patterns of activity, we argue that entrepreneurial activity can sometimes be driven by the actions of a singular trigger—what we call an entrepreneurial beacon. We examine the influence of two such beacons,YaleUniversity's endowment investments and exceptional venture‐capital‐backedIPOrun‐ups, on the founding of new venture‐capital firms over a 28‐year period. We find thatYale's increased allocations to the venture‐capital asset‐class has a significant influence on the founding of new venture‐capital firms, while exceptional venture‐capital‐backedIPOrun‐ups only influence venture‐capital foundings under certain conditions. Overall, we offer an explanation for heretofore anecdotal accounts of certain organizations or events that appear to have an outsized influence on entrepreneurial activity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Continuous Flow Deformability‐Based Separation of Circulating Tumor Cells Using Microfluidic Ratchets
Authors: Park Emily S. , Jin Chao , Guo Quan , Ang Richard R. , Duffy Simon P. , Matthews Kerryn , Azad Arun , Abdi Hamidreza , Todenhöfer Tilman , Bazov Jenny , Chi Kim N. , Black Peter C. , Ma Hongshen
Published: February 2016

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) offer tremendous potential for the detection and characterization of cancer. A key challenge for their isolation and subsequent analysis is the extreme rarity of these cells in circulation. Here, a novel label‐free method is described to enrich viable CTCs directly from whole blood based on their distinct deformability relative to hematological cells. This mechanism leverages the deformation of single cells through tapered micrometer scale constrictions using oscillatory flow in order to generate a ratcheting effect that produces distinct flow paths for CTCs, leukocytes, and erythrocytes. A label‐free separation of circulating tumor cells from whole blood is demonstrated, where target cells can be separated from background cells based on deformability despite their nearly identical size. In doping experiments, this microfluidic device is able to capture >90% of cancer cells from unprocessed whole blood to achieve 104‐fold enrichment of target cells relative to leukocytes. In patients with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer, where CTCs are not significantly larger than leukocytes, CTCs can be captured based on deformability at 25× greater yield than with the conventional CellSearch system. Finally, the CTCs separated using this approach are collected in suspension and are available for downstream molecular characterization.
Determination of Viscosity for Liquid Fe–Cr–Mn–Ni Alloys
Authors: Dubberstein Tobias , Heller Hans‐Peter , Fabrichnaya Olga , Aneziris Christos G. , Volkova Olena
Published: February 2016

The determination of viscosity of liquid Cr–Mn–Ni steel (16% Cr, 7% Mn) alloyed with 3–20% nickel is of interest in the present experimental investigation. The alloys are manufactured using a cold crucible induction levitation melting. The viscosity measurement is performed using a vibrating finger viscometer for high temperatures (≥1500 °C) and viscosities below 10 mPa s. The BN–ZrO2 vibrating finger is set in a driven harmonic oscillation in its resonance frequency of ca. 26 Hz. The constant peak‐to‐peak amplitude of the oscillator is controlled using a laser micrometer and a powered field coil. The viscosity of Fe–Cr–Mn–Ni alloys is slightly decreased from 3 to 6% nickel and from 6 to 9% nickel a slight increase of the isothermal viscosity is observed. Finally, the viscosity decreased significantly from 9 to 20% nickel content in the samples. The variation in the viscosity at high temperatures can be caused by a change in the primary solidification behavior, as shown in the phase diagram of the Cr–Mn–Ni steel. The temperature function of the viscosity of the high‐alloyed steels is expressed using the Arrhenius function. A precise viscosity measurement is necessary for a mathematical modeling of the vacuum inert gas atomization of steel powder manufacturing.
Preparation and characterization of porous corn starch and its adsorption toward grape seed proanthocyanidins
Authors: Wang Hualin , Lv Jian , Jiang Suwei , Niu Baicheng , Pang Min , Jiang Shaotong
Published: February 2016

The present work aimed to develop a porous‐gelatinized corn starch and evaluate its adsorption of grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs). The starches were fabricated by subjecting a porous starch (enzymolysis with α‐amylase and amyloglucosidase) to moderate gelatinization at 65°C for 3 h. The resulting morphology, structure, and properties strongly depended on the order of the enzymolysis and gelatinization steps. The porous‐gelatinized starch was mesoporous. During gelatinization, the pores in the enzymolysis starches shrank and some disappeared. Neither enzymolysis nor gelatinization changed the basic chemical structures of the starch. However, the crystallinity was increased by enzymolysis and decreased by gelatinization. Furthermore, the reduction in crystallinity decreased the enthalpy change (ΔH) and increased the peak temperature (Tp). The limited swelling upon gelatinization favored the diffusion of water molecules into the starch matrix and increased the water absorbability of the starches. A pseudo‐first‐order kinetic model accurately described the adsorption of porous‐gelatinized starch toward GSPs (R2 > 0.995). The porous‐gelatinized starch showed the best adsorption capability (qe = 18.890 ± 0.084 mg/g) and a relatively low desorption tendency (49%) toward GSPs. Thus, this starch may be used as an effective adsorbent in order to improve the utilization efficiency of GSPs and maintain their antioxidant activity.