bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Defining the biomechanical properties of the rabbit trachea
Authors: Jones Matthew C. , Rueggeberg Frederick A. , Faircloth Hunter A. , Cunningham Aaron J. , Bush Carrie M. , Prosser John D. , Waller Jennifer L. , Postma Gregory N. , Weinberger Paul M.
Published: April 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

Surgical advancements rely heavily on validated animal models. The New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit is a widely used model for airway research, including regenerative medicine applications. Currently, the biomechanical properties of the normal rabbit trachea are not known. Our objective was to define these properties to assist in the standardization and understanding of future airway research using this model.

Study Design

Laboratory‐based study.

Methods

Fresh tracheas from four adult NZW rabbits were dissected into 20 segments. To examine the biomechanical properties, segments were subjected to uniaxial tension (n = 9) and compression (n = 11) testing. Yield and maximum load (tension) and force at 50% displacement (compression) were recorded, and differences between segments were examined using analysis of covariance.

Results

Normative data for native rabbit trachea show mean maximum load = 6.44 newtons (N), yield load = 5.93 N, and compressive strength = 2.10 N. In addition to establishing the baseline measurements, statistically significant differences in tensile measures based on location along the trachea and diameter were identified. Proximal segments had significantly higher maximum load (P = .0029) and yield load (P = .0062) than distal segments. Association between diameter and both maximum load (P = .0139) and yield load (P = .0082) was observed.

Conclusions

The adult NZW rabbit trachea is intrinsically less able to withstand tensile and compressive forces, compared to other airway models such as sheep or cadaveric human. Establishment of normative values will enable future research into changes in tracheal biomechanical properties during regenerative medicine manipulation and processing.

Level of Evidence

NALaryngoscope124:2352–2358, 2014
The prevalence of voice problems among adults in the United States
Authors: Bhattacharyya Neil
Published: April 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

Determine the prevalence of voice problems and types of voice disorders among adults in the United States.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional analysis of a national health survey.

Methods

The 2012 National Health Interview Survey was analyzed, identifying adult cases reporting a voice problem in the preceding 12 months. In addition to demographic data, specific data regarding visits to healthcare professionals for voice problems, diagnoses given, and severity of the voice problem were analyzed. The relationship between voice problems and lost workdays was investigated.

Results

An estimated 17.9 ± 0.5 million adults (mean age, 49.1 years; 62.9% ± 1.2% female) reported a voice problem (7.6% ± 0.2%). Overall, 10.0% ± 0.1% saw a healthcare professional for their voice problem, and 40.3% ± 1.8% were given a diagnosis. Females were more likely than males to report a voice problem (9.3% ± 0.3% vs. 5.9% ± 0.3%, P < .001). Overall, 22% and 11% reported their voice problem to be a moderate or a big/very big problem, respectively. Infectious laryngitis was the most common diagnosis mentioned (685,000 ± 86,000 cases, 17.8% ± 2.0%). Gastroesophageal reflux disease was mentioned in 308,000 ± 54,000 cases (8.0% ± 1.4%). The mean number of days affected with the voice problem in the past year was 56.2 ± 2.6 days. Respondents with a voice problem reported 7.4 ± 0.9 lost workdays in the past year versus 3.4 ± 0.1 lost workdays for those without (contrast, +4.0 lost workdays; P < .001).

Conclusions

Voice problems affect one in 13 adults annually. A relative minority seek healthcare for their voice problem, even though the self‐reported subjective impact of the voice problem is significant.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope 124:2359–2362, 2014
The axillary versus internal mammary recipient vessel sites for breast reconstruction with diep flaps: A retrospective study of 256 consecutive cases
Authors: Santanelli Di Pompeo Fabio , Longo Benedetto , Sorotos Michail , Pagnoni Marco , Laporta Rosaria
Published: April 2014

The aim of this study is to present our experience on the use of various recipient sites for deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction and compare them by means of objective data. Two hundred fifty six DIEP flap breast reconstructions, performed between March 2004 and May 2011, were retrospectively analyzed. Only unilateral reconstructions were included in the study and divided into three groups depending on the recipient site choice: internal mammary vessels (IMV) (n = 52), thoracodorsal vessels (TDV) (n = 109), and circumflex scapular vessels (CSV) (n = 95). Clinical records of each patient were reviewed to acquire relevant data such as operative time, postoperative complications, and use of a second vein anastomosis. CSV group showed a statistically significant lower operative time (4.92 ± 0.54 hours) compared to TDV (5.67 ± 1.01 hours) and IMV groups (6.75 ± 1.09 hours) (P < 0.001). Second vein anastomosis was performed in 84 cases (88.1%) of CSV, in 85 cases (77.9%) of TDV, and in 18 cases (35.1%) of IMV groups (P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed among groups regarding risk factors and complications (P > 0.05). The axillary vessels seem to be the ideal recipient site because of reduced operative time and increased possibility to perform a second vein anastomosis. Among them, CSV can be safely used due to following advantages: easy dissection, larger vessel caliber, and optimal flap insetting. Moreover, their location does not expose them completely to radiotherapy consequences. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 35:34–38, 2015.
A Fourier‐series‐based virtual fields method for the identification of 2‐D stiffness distributions
Authors: Nguyen T.T. , Huntley J.M. , Ashcroft I.A. , Ruiz P.D. , Pierron F.
Published: April 2014

The virtual fields method (VFM) is a powerful technique for the calculation of spatial distributions of material properties from experimentally determined displacement fields. A Fourier‐series‐based extension to the VFM (the F‐VFM) is presented here, in which the unknown stiffness distribution is parameterised in the spatial frequency domain rather than in the spatial domain as used in the classical VFM. We present in this paper the theory of the F‐VFM for the case of elastic isotropic thin structures with known boundary conditions. An efficient numerical algorithm based on the two‐dimensional Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is presented, which reduces the computation time by three to four orders of magnitude compared with a direct implementation of the F‐VFM for typical experimental dataset sizes. Artefacts specific to the F‐VFM (ringing at the highest spatial frequency near to modulus discontinuities) can be largely removed through the use of appropriate filtering strategies. Reconstruction of stiffness distributions with the F‐VFM has been validated on three stiffness distribution scenarios under varying levels of noise in the input displacement fields. Robust reconstructions are achieved even when the displacement noise is higher than in typical experimental fields.Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of lacrimal proline‐rich protein 4 (PRR4) in human tear proteome
Authors: Perumal Natarajan , Funke Sebastian , Pfeiffer Norbert , Grus Franz H.
Published: April 2014

This study was initiated considering the lack of comprehensive characteristics profile of PRR4 in tears of healthy subjects. Therefore, detailed characterizations of PRR4 from basal tears employing in‐gel and in‐solution digestions for MS systems are presented herein. First, pooled tear samples (n = 10) were utilized to identify PRR4‐rich region/spots in 1DE/2DE gels employing LC‐MALDI‐MS and 1DE‐LC‐ESI‐LTQ‐Orbitrap‐MS systems. PRR4‐rich region and ten spots with vast polymorphisms (Mr: 17–30 kDa, pI: 3.0–6.6) were identified in 1DE and 2DE gels, respectively. In addition, combinations of four types of PTMs, which are methylation, acetylation, oxidation, and pyroglutamate formation, were identified in these ten PRR4 spots. Furthermore, a targeted data‐acquisition approach was utilized to identify PRR4 isoforms in individual tear samples (n = 61) by in‐solution digestion combined with a LC‐ESI‐LTQ‐Orbitrap‐MS system. Importantly, a new PRR4 isoform designated as PRR4‐N3 in addition to PRR4 (gi154448886) and pHL E1F1 (gi1050983) was identified. Moreover, different combinations of these three PRR4 isoforms identified in the individual tear samples could be categorized into six distinguished groups. Conclusively, these findings provide fundamental insight into the complex characteristics profile of PRR4 isoforms and their PTMs in tears of healthy individuals.
Protein profiling in the gut of Penaeus monodon gavaged with oral WSSV‐vaccines and live white spot syndrome virus
Authors: Kulkarni Amod D. , Kiron Viswanath , Rombout Jan H. W. M. , Brinchmann Monica F. , Fernandes Jorge M. O. , Sudheer Naduvilamuriparampu S. , Singh Bright I. S.
Published: April 2014

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a pathogen that causes considerable mortality of the farmed shrimp, Penaeus monodon. Candidate ‘vaccines’, WSSV envelope protein VP28 and formalin‐inactivated WSSV, can provide short‐lived protection against the virus. In this study, P. monodon was orally intubated with the aforementioned vaccine candidates, and protein expression in the gut of immunised shrimps was profiled. The alterations in protein profiles in shrimps infected orally with live‐WSSV were also examined. Seventeen of the identified proteins in the vaccine and WSSV‐intubated shrimps varied significantly compared to those in the control shrimps. These proteins, classified under exoskeletal, cytoskeletal, immune‐related, intracellular organelle part, intracellular calcium‐binding or energy metabolism, are thought to directly or indirectly affect shrimp's immunity. The changes in the expression levels of crustacyanin, serine proteases, myosin light chain, and ER protein 57 observed in orally vaccinated shrimp may probably be linked to immunoprotective responses. On the other hand, altered expression of proteins linked to exoskeleton, calcium regulation and energy metabolism in WSSV‐intubated shrimps is likely to symbolise disturbances in calcium homeostasis and energy metabolism.
Molecular scale simulations on thermoset polymers: A review
Authors: Li Chunyu , Strachan Alejandro
Published: April 2014

This article reviews the field of molecular simulations of thermoset polymers. This class of polymers is of interest in applications ranging from structural components for aerospace to electronics packaging and predictive simulations of their response is playing an increasing role in understanding the molecular origin of their properties and complementing experiments in the search for tailored materials for specific applications. It focuses on modeling and simulation of the process of curing to predict the molecular structure of these polymers and their thermomechanical response by all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations. Results from Monte Carlo and coarse‐grained simulations are briefly summarized. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys.2015,53, 103–122
The relationship between geographic remoteness and intentions to use a telephone support service among Australian men following radical prostatectomy
Authors: Corboy Denise , McLaren Suzanne , Jenkins Megan , McDonald John
Published: April 2014

Objective

The objective is to investigate the influence of characteristics related to place of residence (self‐reliance and stoicism) on men's intentions to use a telephone support service following radical prostatectomy.

Methods

A community sample of 447 prostate cancer patients (31% response), recruited via Medicare Australia, completed a survey to assess levels of self‐reliance and stoicism, and beliefs about addressing emotional distress through using telephone support services.

Results

Results indicated that the model was a partially mediated model. Geographic remoteness was directly related to intention, and indirectly related through stoicism and subjective norms.

Conclusion

Men from rural and remote areas in Australia might face particular challenges in seeking support following treatment for prostate cancer. These challenges appear to relate to the influence of stoic attitudes and normative expectations, than to issues of access and availability. Addressing stoic attitudes in the clinical setting, through normalising emotional reactions to cancer diagnosis and treatment, and the act of help‐seeking for emotional support, may be beneficial. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Respiratory muscle function in infants with spinal muscular atrophy type I
Authors: Finkel Richard S. , Weiner Daniel J. , Mayer Oscar H. , McDonough Joseph M. , Panitch Howard B.
Published: April 2014

Objective

To determine the feasibility and safety of respiratory muscle function testing in weak infants with a progressive neuromuscular disorder.

Rationale

Respiratory insufficiency is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in infants with spinal muscular atrophy type I (SMA‐I).

Hypothesis

Tests of respiratory muscle strength, endurance, and breathing patterns can be performed safely in SMA‐I infants. Useful data can be collected which parallels the clinical course of pulmonary function in SMA‐I.

Study design and subject selection

An exploratory study of respiratory muscle function testing and breathing patterns in seven infants with SMA‐I seen in our neuromuscular clinic. Measurements were made at initial study visit and, where possible, longitudinally over time.

Methodology

We measured maximal inspiratory (MIP) and transdiaphragmatic pressures, mean transdiaphragmatic pressure, airway occlusion pressure at 100 msec of inspiration, inspiratory and total respiratory cycle time, and aspects of relative thoracoabdominal motion using respiratory inductive plethysmography (RIP). The tension time index of the diaphragm and of the respiratory muscles, phase angle (Φ), phase relation during the total breath, and labored breathing index were calculated.

Results

Age at baseline study was 54–237 (median 131) days. Reliable data were obtained safely for MIP, phase angle, labored breathing index, and the invasive and non‐invasive tension time indices, even in very weak infants. Data obtained corresponded to the clinical estimate of severity and predicted the need for respiratory support.

Conclusions

The testing employed was both safe and feasible. Measurements of MIP and RIP are easily performed tests that are well tolerated and provide clinically useful information for infants with SMA‐I. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:1234–1242. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Long‐term outcome of parapneumonic effusions in children: Lung function and exercise tolerance
Authors: Kontouli Kalliopi , Hatziagorou Elpis , Kyrvasilis Fotis , Roilides Emmanuel , Emporiadou Maria , Tsanakas John
Published: April 2014

Objectives

a: To evaluate the long‐term outcome of parapneumonic effusions (PPE) in children regarding lung function and exercise tolerance, (b) to investigate the role of bronchial asthma in the outcome of PPE.

Methods

The design of the study included 51 children with PPE, at least 2 years after the initial infection. They were divided in two groups. Group A (38 children) consisted of children with PPE but without asthma prior initial infection. Group B (13 children) included children with PPE and asthma prior infection. Thirty‐six children were taken as healthy controls (group C). All children performed spirometry and a maximal incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test on cycle ergometer.

Results

Children of both groups (A and B) showed statistically significant lower values in FVC%, FEV1%, and FEV1/FVC compared to controls (group C). Children of group B had also significant lower FEF25–75% values compared to controls. Children of group B had significant lower FEV1/FVC values compared to group A. All children of the three groups showed no differences in maximal exercise capacity (VO2max). Children of group A had higher respiratory equivalent to oxygen (VE/VO2) during exercise compared to healthy subjects.

Conclusions

There are small effects on lung function and exercise capacity in the long‐term, among children with PPE, but of no clinical importance. Pre‐existing bronchial asthma doesn't influence the outcome significantly. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015; 50:615–620. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pulmonary exacerbations and parent‐reported outcomes in children <6 years with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Brumback Lyndia C. , Baines Arthur , Ratjen Felix , Davis Stephanie D. , Daniel Stephen L. , Quittner Alexandra L. , Rosenfeld Margaret ,   for the ISIS Study Group
Published: April 2014

Pulmonary exacerbations (PEs) are used as clinical endpoints in infants and preschool children with cystic fibrosis (CF); however, their characteristics and impact in this age range are poorly understood. We used data from the Infant Study of Inhaled Saline, a multicenter trial of inhaled hypertonic versus isotonic saline, to describe PEs in children with CF <6 years and evaluate associations between PEs and parent‐reported outcomes assessed by a weekly parent questionnaire (10 items) and three scales of the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire‐Revised (CFQ‐R), and other participant characteristics. There were 659 PEs among 253 of the 321 ISIS participants (mean age 2.3 years) during 287 participant‐years follow‐up. Of the 659 PEs, 636 (97%) were treated with oral and 45 (7%) with IV antibiotics (not mutually exclusive). Among 222 participants with PEs who had completed parent questionnaires during a PE and at baseline, 9 of the 10 symptoms were each present in a statistically significantly higher proportion of participants during a PE than at baseline. Lower (worse) baseline Respiratory Symptom and Physical Functioning CFQ‐R scores were significantly associated with higher PE rate: rate ratio 1.08 (95%CI: 1.02, 1.14) and 1.21 (1.07, 1.36) per 10 point lower score in respective scale. A higher PE rate was also significantly associated with worse CFQ‐R Respiratory Symptom and Physical Functioning scores at the end of the study, adjusted for baseline scores. Though most PEs did not require IV antibiotics, PEs appeared to have a negative impact on parent‐reported health outcomes in infants and preschoolers with CF. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015; 50:236–243. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A search for an \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathcal{N} =2 $\end{document} inflaton potential
Authors: Ceresole A. , Dall'Agata G. , Ferrara S. , Trigiante M. , Van Proeyen A.
Published: April 2014

We consider \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathcal{N} =2 $\end{document} supergravity theories that have the same spectrum as the R + R2 supergravity, as predicted from the off‐shell counting of degrees of freedom. These theories describe standard \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathcal{N} =2 $\end{document} supergravity coupled to one or two long massive vector multiplets. The central charge is not gauged in these models and they have a Minkowski vacuum with \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathcal{N} =2 $\end{document} unbroken supersymmetry. The gauge symmetry, being non‐compact, is always broken. α‐deformed inflaton potentials are obtained, in the case of a single massive vector multiplet, with α = 1/3 and 2/3. The α = 1 potential (i.e. the Starobinsky potential) is also obtained, but only at the prize of having a single massive vector and a residual unbroken gauge symmetry. The inflaton corresponds to one of the Cartan fields of the non‐compact quaternionic‐Kähler cosets.
Automated Aufbau of antibody structures from given sequences using Macromoltek's SmrtMolAntibody
Authors: Berrondo Monica , Kaufmann Susana , Berrondo Manuel
Published: April 2014

This study was a part of the second antibody modeling assessment. The assessment is a blind study of the performance of multiple software programs used for antibody homology modeling. In the study, research groups were given sequences for 11 antibodies and asked to predict their corresponding structures. The results were measured using root‐mean‐square deviation (rmsd) between the submitted models and X‐ray crystal structures. In 10 of 11 cases, the results using SmrtMolAntibody show good agreement between the submitted models and X‐ray crystal structures. In the first stage, the average rmsd was 1.4 Å. Average rmsd values for the framework was 1.2 Å and for the H3 loop was 3.0 Å. In stage two, there was a slight improvement with an rmsd for the H3 loop of 2.9 Å. Proteins 2014; 82:1636–1645. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A comparative analysis of infrared luminescence spectra of ZnSe:Yb, ZnSe:Gd, and ZnSe:Cr crystals
Authors: Colibaba Gleb , Goncearenco Evghenii , Nedeoglo Dmitrii , Nedeoglo Natalia
Published: April 2014

Photoluminescent and optical properties of ZnSe crystals doped with Yb and Gd rare‐earth elements (REEs) and Cr impurity are investigated in infrared (IR) spectral range. The influence of stoichiometric deviation on photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the crystals is investigated and the structure of complex IR PL bands is analysed. The good coincidence between the IR PL spectra of the samples doped with Yb, Gd, and Cr is shown. Correlation between the component parts of the bands at 1 and 2 µm is found and possibility to control the composition of IR PL spectra by enrichment of the samples with Zn or Se is discussed. The model that explains the formation of associative centres based on the REEs and background Cu impurity fixed in the nodes of crystal lattice with tetrahedral symmetry, which are responsible for IR PL bands, is proposed. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Enhanced dielectric properties of nitrogen doped epitaxial Gd2O3 thin films on Si
Authors: Chaudhuri Ayan Roy , Fissel A. , Osten H. Jörg
Published: April 2014

The impact of nitrogen doping on the growth electronic band structure and electrical properties of epitaxial Gd2O3 thin films on Si (111) has been investigated. Epitaxial layers of Gd2O3:N were grown on p‐type Si (111) substrates by solid source molecular beam epitaxy technique using molecular N2O as the nitridation agent. Substitutional nitrogen incorporation into the dielectric layer was confirmed by secondary ion mass spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. Significant reduction of the leakage current density and disappearance of capacitance‐voltage hysteresis in the Gd2O3:N layers indicate that nitrogen doping in Gd2O3 successfully eliminates the adverse effects of the oxygen vacancy induced defects in the oxide layer. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electrical resistivity and its thermal coefficient of TiW alloy thin films prepared by two different sputtering systems
Authors: Sakurai Yutaka , Takeda Yuya , Ikeda Shinji , Sakamoto Yoshinori
Published: April 2014

Electrical resistivity and its thermal coefficient (TCR) of TiW alloy thin films which were prepared by using two different sputtering systems have been investigated. System A is a DC‐magnetron sputtering system equipped with a single composite‐target that allows the contents controllable by an external field of solenoid as reported in previous papers (Sakurai and Takeda, Abstract of E‐MRS 2005 Fall Meeting [1] and Sakurai et al., Solid State Phenom. 154, 175 (2009) [2]). The system A prepared specimens with the range of 21.6 to 36.6 at% of W‐contents. The TCR varies from minus to plus at 32 at% of W‐content. On the other hand, System B is a RF‐magnetron sputtering system equipped with multi‐targets and multi‐sputtering‐sources. The system B covered the whole binary composition ranges by controlling power ratio for two independent sputtering sources. The resistivity characteristics show a parabolic curve with the maximum value on Ti‐rich contents. The TCR decreases at the contents that shows the maximum resistivity, but the TCR is always plus and does not cross zero. Difference of the properties by using the two systems will be discussed. In the system A, the background is exhausted by an oil diffusion pump and the pressure is higher (lower vacuum degree) than the background in the system B with a turbo molecular pump. This suggests that zero TCR would be achieved by introducing the controlled impurities (O2 or N2) into the binary alloy films. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Experimental evaluation of the forming process of virgin HfO2 memory cells by capacitance–voltage measurements
Authors: Khaldi O. , Jomni F. , Gonon P. , Vallée C. , Mannequin C. , Yangui B.
Published: April 2014

In this Letter, we evaluate the so‐called forming process of virgin HfO2 cells under ac and dc stress by capacitance–voltage measurements. It is found that the ac nonlinearity is higher than the dc one. This is related to the dispersive nature of hopping conduction according to the electrode polarization model. Under short stress times, both capacitance and current are unaffected. However, after longer stress times, no recovery is observed. Consequently, the current increases and a plateau appears in the capacitance. The observed degradation is consistent with the RRAMs‐forming process. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Diagnosing the vertical structure of the eddy diffusivity in real and idealized atmospheres
Authors: Jansen Malte , Ferrari Raffaele
Published: April 2014

The Earth's extratropical troposphere is equilibrated by turbulent eddy fluxes of potential temperature and momentum. The equilibrated state has the remarkable characteristic that isentropic slopes leaving the surface in the subtropics reach the tropopause near the Poles. It has been speculated that turbulent eddy fluxes maintain this state for a wide range of radiative forcing and planetary parameters. In a previous study, the authors showed that this state needs to be associated with an eddy diffusivity of Ertel potential vorticity that is largest at the surface and decays through the troposphere to approximately zero at the tropopause. This result is confirmed in this study using atmospheric reanalysis and idealized numerical simulations. However, it is also shown that the vertical profile of the eddy diffusivity can change, resulting in different isentropic slopes and climates. This is illustrated with a series of idealized numerical simulations with varying planetary scales and rotation rates.
Potential vorticity: Measuring consistency between GCM dynamical cores and tracer advection schemes
Authors: Whitehead J. P. , Jablonowski C. , Kent J. , Rood R. B.
Published: April 2014

Ertel's potential vorticity (PV) is used as a diagnostic tool to give a direct comparison between the treatment of PV in the dynamics and the integration of PV as a passive tracer, yielding a systematic evaluation of a model's consistency between the dynamical core's integration of the equations of motion and its tracer transport algorithm. Several quantitative and qualitative metrics are considered to measure the consistency, including error norms and grid‐independent probability density functions. Comparisons between the four dynamical cores of the National Center for Atmospheric Research's (NCAR) Community Atmosphere Model version 5.1 (CAM) are presented. We investigate the consistency of these dynamical cores in an idealized setting: the presence of a breaking baroclinic wave. For linear flow, before the wave breaks, the consistency for each model is good. As the flow becomes nonlinear, the consistency between dynamic PV and tracer PV breaks down, especially at small scales. Large values of dynamic PV are observed that do not appear in the tracer PV. The results indicate that the spectral‐element (CAM‐SE) dynamical core is the most consistent of the dynamical cores in CAM, however the consistency between dynamic PV and tracer PV is related to and sensitive to the diffusive properties of the dynamical cores.
Evaluation of the molecular static and dynamic first hyperpolarizabilities
Authors: de Wergifosse Marc , Liégeois Vincent , Champagne Benoît
Published: April 2014

By considering two prototypical π‐conjugated compounds, several technical aspects associated with the evaluation of the first hyperpolarizabilities have been addressed in this article, that is, (i) the automatization of the Romberg's scheme to improve the numerical accuracy in the finite field method, (ii) the evaluation of the frequency dispersion at correlated levels using approximate schemes, and (iii) the deviations from Kleinman's symmetry conditions. It results from this study that accurate numerical derivatives can be obtained by resorting to the Romberg's method and by analyzing the Romberg's table in terms of two quantities, the field error and the iteration error. Indeed, the resulting first hyperpolarizability values are in close agreement with those obtained using an analytical differentiation procedure. The reliability of the multiplicative and additive approximate schemes to describe the frequency dispersion at correlated levels from using HF (Hartree‐Fock) frequency dispersion has been confirmed to be limited to large wavelengths or far‐from‐resonance wavelength regions. Kleinman's symmetry conditions have been assessed, showing that for off‐diagonal components of these two π‐conjugated compounds, the deviations could be substantial. Nevertheless, good accuracy can be achieved for experimentally related quantities like βHRS because the diagonal tensor components are dominant. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
BSP‐GA: A new Genetic Algorithm for System Optimization and Excellent Schema Selection
Authors: Jin Chenxia , Li Fachao , Wilamowska‐Korsak Marzana , Li Ling , Fu Liuliu
Published: April 2014

The significance of Internet‐of‐Things to Supply Chain Management has been dramatically increasing. The performance of supply chain based on Internet‐of‐Things is largely dependent on its optimization. Genetic algorithms (GAs) are important intelligent methods for complex system optimization problems, but they have some internal drawbacks such as premature and slow convergence to the global optimum. In this paper, we present a new schema protection based GA (BSP‐GA). First, we propose three principles for selecting excellent schema based on the schema theory; second, we propose the concept of K‐intensive effect synthesis operator, and we give a general five‐intensive effect synthesis operator and its proof; third, we give the selection process of excellent schema through an example, and further we give the implementation steps of BSP‐GA. The performance of BSP‐GA has been compared with simple GA by using two carefully chosen benchmark problems. It has been observed that BSP‐GA can yield the global optimum more efficiently than commonly used simple GA. Furthermore, a theorem is presented to guarantee the convergence of BSP‐GA. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Model‐based mutation testing from security protocols in HLPSL
Authors: Dadeau Frédéric , Héam Pierre‐Cyrille , Kheddam Rafik , Maatoug Ghazi , Rusinowitch Michael
Published: April 2014

In recent years, important efforts have been made for offering a dedicated language for modelling and verifying security protocols. Outcome of the European project AVISPA, the high‐level security protocol language (HLPSL) aims at providing a means for verifying usual security properties (such as data secrecy) in message exchanges between agents. However, verifying the security protocol model does not guarantee that the actual implementation of the protocol will fulfil these properties. This article presents a model‐based testing approach, relying on the mutation of HLPSL models to generate abstract test cases. The proposed mutations aim at introducing leaks in the security protocols and represent real‐world implementation errors. The mutated models are then analysed by the automated validation of Internet security protocols and applications tool set, which produces, when the mutant protocol is declared unsafe, counterexample traces exploiting the security flaws and, thus, providing test cases. A dedicated framework is then used to concretize the abstract attack traces, bridging the gap between the formal model level and the implementation level. This model‐based testing technique has been experimented on a wide range of security protocols, in order to evaluate the mutation operators. This process has also been fully tool‐supported, from the mutation of the HLPSL model to the concretization of the abstract test cases into test scripts. It has been applied to a realistic case study of the Paypal payment protocol, which made it possible to discover a vulnerability in an implementation of an e‐commerce framework. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intrinsic connections within the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus are critical to the elaboration of post‐ictal antinociception
Authors: Mazzei‐Silva Elaine Cristina , de Oliveira Rithiele Cristina , Garcia Tayllon Dos Anjos , Falconi‐Sobrinho Luiz Luciano , Almada Rafael Carvalho , Coimbra Norberto Cysne
Published: April 2014

This study investigated the intrinsic connections of a key‐structure of the endogenous pain inhibitory system, the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTN), in post‐ictal antinociceptive process through synaptic inactivation of the PPTN with cobalt chloride. Male Wistar rats (n = 6 or 7 per group), weighing 250–280 g, had the tail‐flick baseline recorded and were submitted to a stereotaxic surgery for the introduction of a guide‐cannula aiming at the PPTN. After 5 days of postoperative recovery, cobalt chloride (1 mM/0.2 µL) or physiological saline (0.2 µL) were microinjected into the PPTN and after 5 min, the tail‐withdrawal latency was measured again at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120 min after seizures evoked by intraperitoneal injection of pentylenetetrazole (64 mg/kg). The synaptic inactivation of PPTN decreased the post‐ictal antinociceptive phenomenon, suggesting the involvement of PPTN intrinsic connections in the modulation of pain, during tonic‐clonic seizures. These results showed that the PPTN may be crucially involved in the neural network that organizes the post‐ictal analgesia. Synapse 68:369–377, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Indexicals and the Metaphysics of Semantic Tokens
Authors: O’Madagain Cathal ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: April 2014

To avoid difficulties facing intention-based accounts of indexicals, Cohen (2013) recently defends a conventionalist account that focuses on the context of tokening. On this view, a token of ‘here’ or ‘now’ refers to the place or time at which it tokens. However, although promising, such an account faces a serious problem: in many speech acts,multiple apparent tokens are produced. If I call Alaska from Paris and say ‘I’m here now’, an apparent token of my utterance will be produced in both Paris and Alaska. The token-contextual account seems to imply that in such cases I will refer to both places and contradict myself. Here I argue that to resolve this and similar puzzles we must realize that not all apparent semantic tokens really are semantic tokens, and that to decide which ones count we must appeal to speaker intentions. However, because this appeal is made at the level of the metaphysics of semantic tokens rather than to determine their meaning, it does not raise the problems associated with intentionalism that the conventionalist hopes to avoid. The metaphysics of semantic tokens uncovered is surprisingly complex, showing that shapes and sounds can transition in and out of being utterances.
Conditionals, Modals, and Hypothetical Syllogism
Authors: Walters Lee ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: April 2014

Moti Mizrahi (2013) presents some novel counterexamples to Hypothetical Syllogism (HS) for indicative conditionals. I show that they are not compelling as they neglect the complicated ways in which conditionals and modals interact. I then briefly outline why HS should nevertheless be rejected.
High Pre‐Operative Urinary Norepinephrine is an Independent Determinant of Peri‐Operative Hemodynamic Instability in Unilateral Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma Removal
Authors: Chang Rita Y. K. , Lang Brian Hung‐Hin , Wong Kai Pun , Lo Chung‐Yau
Published: April 2014

Background

Peri‐operative hemodynamic instability (HDI) may increase peri‐operative morbidity in pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL) patients.

Objective

This study aimed to determine which tumor‐related risk factors could lead to peri‐operative HDI in unilateral or single PPGL removal.

Methods

Before surgery, 66 PPGL patients had at least two sets of 24 h urine collected for fractionated catecholamine analysis. At surgery, an arterial line was inserted to record systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic BP, and mean arterial BP (MAP). Peri‐operative HDI was defined as hypertension (SBP > 160 mmHg) and/or hypotension (SBP < 90 mmHg and/or MAP < 60 mmHg) for >10 consecutive minutes either intra‐operatively or within the first 12 h after surgery. Urinary fractionated catecholamines and other variables were compared between those with peri‐operative HDI (group I) and those without (group II).

Results

A total of 15 (22.7 %) patients belonged to group I, while 51 patients belonged to group II. One (1.5 %) patient died 9 days after surgery. Relative to group II, group I had significantly higher urinary norepinephrine (NE) (5,488.0 vs. 1,980.0 nmol/L, p < 0.001), urinary normetanephrine (5,130.9 vs. 3,853.4 nmol/L, p = 0.045), maximum SBP at operation (188.2 vs. 167.4 mmHg, p = 0.037), but lower MAP after operation (78.9 vs. 91.8 mmHg, p = 0.026). Urinary NE (OD 1.02, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.03, p = 0.046) was an independent risk factor for peri‐operative HDI. The urinary NE level significantly correlated with maximum intra‐operative SBP and MAP (r 0.692, p < 0.001; and r 0.669, p < 0.001, respectively) and inversely correlated with maximum post‐operative MAP (r −0.305, p = 0.040).

Conclusions

High pre‐operative urinary NE was an independent tumor‐related factor for peri‐operative HDI and significantly correlated with sustained intra‐operative hypertension and post‐operative hypotension.
Top‐Down, Bottom‐Up, and Around the Jungle Gym: A Social Exchange and Networks Approach to Engaging Afterschool Programs in Implementing Evidence‐Based Practices
Authors: Smith Emilie Phillips , Wise Eileen , Rosen Howard , Rosen Alison , Childs Sharon , McManus Margaret
Published: April 2014

This paper uses concepts from social networks and social exchange theories to describe the implementation of evidence‐based practices in afterschool programs. The members of the LEGACY Together Afterschool Project team have been involved in conducting collaborative research to migrate a behavioral strategy that has been documented to reduce disruptive behaviors in classroom settings to a new setting—that of afterschool programs. We adapted the Paxis Institute's version of the Good Behavior Game to afterschool settings which differ from in‐school settings, including more fluid attendance, multiple age groupings, diverse activities that may take place simultaneously, and differences in staff training and experience (Barrish et al. in J Appl Behav Anal 2(2):119–124, 1969; Embry et al. in The Pax Good Behavior Game. Hazelden, Center City, 2003; Hynes et al. in J Child Serv 4(3):4–20, 2009; Kellam et al. in Drug Alcohol Depend 95:S5–S28, 2008; Tingstrom et al. in Behav Modif 30(2):225–253, 2006). This paper presents the experiences of the three adult groups involved in the implementation process who give first‐person accounts of implementation: (1) university‐based scientist‐practitioners, (2) community partners who trained and provided technical assistance/coaching, and (3) an afterschool program administrator. We introduce here the AIMS model used to frame the implementation process conceptualized by this town–gown collaborative team. AIMS builds upon previous work in implementation science using four phases in which the three collaborators have overlapping roles: approach/engagement, implementation, monitoring, and sustainability. Within all four phases principles of Social Exchange Theory and Social Network Theory are highlighted.
Home Front: Post-Deployment Mental Health and Divorces
Authors: Negrusa Brighita , Negrusa Sebastian
Published: April 2014

Since 2003, about 14 % of U.S. Army soldiers have reported symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following deployments. In this article, we examine how post-deployment symptoms of PTSD and of other mental health conditions are related to the probability of divorce among married active-duty U.S. Army soldiers. For this purpose, we combine Army administrative individual-level longitudinal data on soldiers’ deployments, marital history, and sociodemographic characteristics with their self-reported post-deployment health information. Our estimates indicate that time spent in deployment increases the divorce risk among Army enlisted personnel and that PTSD symptoms are associated with further increases in the odds of divorce. Although officers are generally less likely to screen positive for PTSD than enlisted personnel, we find a stronger relationship between PTSD symptoms and divorces among Army officers who are PTSD-symptomatic than among enlisted personnel. We estimate a larger impact of deployments on the divorce risk among female soldiers, but we do not find a differential impact of PTSD symptoms by gender. Also, we find that most of the effect of PTSD symptoms occurs early in the career of soldiers who deploy multiple times.
Effect of surface roughness on sliding friction of micron-sized glass beads
Authors: Meyer Jan , Fuchs Regina , Staedler Thorsten , Jiang Xin
Published: May 2014

In order to understand the contact phenomena of micron-sized particles, which have a tremendous impact on a variety of applications in industry and technology, direct access to the loads as well as the displacements accompanying such contacts are mandatory. Typical particle ensembles show a size variation ranging from the nanometer to the tenths of micron scale. Especially the contact behavior of particles featuring radii of several up to several tenths of microns is scarcely studied as these particles are typically too large for atomic force microscopy (AFM) based approaches and too small for conventional macroscopic testing setups. In this work a nanoindenter based approach is introduced to gain insight into the contact mechanics of micron-sized glass beads sliding on rough silicon surfaces at various constant low normal loads. The results are analyzed by a simple modified Coulomb friction law, as well as Hertz, JKR, and DMT contact theory.
Computed Tomography Virtual Bronchoscopy: Normal Variants, Pitfalls, and Spectrum of Common and Rare Pathology
Authors: Das K.M. , Lababidi Hani , Al Dandan Sadeq , Raja Shanker , Sakkijha Hussam , Al Zoum Mohammad , AlDosari Khalid , Larsson Sven G.
Published: April 2014

A broad spectrum of pathologies that involve the laryngotracheobronchial airway and imaging plays a crucial role in evaluating these abnormalities. Computed tomography with virtual bronchoscopy has been found to be very helpful in defining the location, extent, and nature of these lesions, and is increasingly being used even in patients with contraindications for fiberoptic bronchoscopy and laryngoscopy. Ionizing radiation, associated with virtual bronchoscopy, can be minimized by using low-dose multidetector computed tomography and hybrid iterative reconstruction techniques. Furthermore, retrospectively generated virtual bronchoscopy from a routinely acquired computed tomography data set eliminates additional cost and radiation. In the future, virtual bronchoscopy assisted with advanced navigational techniques will broaden the diagnostic and therapeutic landscape. This article presents the characteristic features of common and rare laryngotracheobronchial pathologies seen with virtual bronchoscopy.
Sporadic pancreatic vasoactive intestinal peptide-producing tumor (VIPoma) in a 47-year-old male
Authors: Abu-Zaid Ahmed , Azzam Ayman , Abudan Zainab , Algouhi Amani , Almana Hadeel , Amin Tarek
Published: April 2014

VIPoma is an exceedingly unusual neuroendocrine neoplasm that autonomously secretes vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). Its reported incidence is approximately 1 per 10 million individuals per year. Herein, we report the case of sporadic pancreatic VIPoma in a 47-year-old male who presented with a six-month history of chronic, plentiful, watery diarrhea. On physical examination, the patient looked sick, lethargic and had signs of dehydration. Laboratory investigations revealed high VIP hormone level (989 pg/mL), hypokalemia, hypercalcemia, hyperglycemia, high blood urea nitrogen, high creatinine, and metabolic acidosis on arterial blood gas. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan showed a 3.1 × 3.3 × 4.7 cm, well-defined, enhancing lesion involving the pancreatic tail with a cystic component. Moreover, a 5.7 × 6.1 × 6.8 cm metastatic hepatic lesion was identified. The patient underwent distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy, hepatic lesion resection, and lymph node dissection. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination of the pancreatic and hepatic lesions revealed neuroendocrine tumor (VIPoma). Postoperatively, the patient received radiofrequency ablation for the hepatic lesion. A post-operative six-month follow-up showed significant symptomatic relief, reduced VIP hormone level (71 pg/mL) and normalized electrolyte and acid-base profiles. However, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed a small residual metastatic liver lesion which was considered for hepatic artery embolization (HAE). The patient is still alive with a residual hepatic disease at 18 months. We also present a brief literature review on VIPoma.
Bendamustine-induced immune hemolytic anemia in a chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient
Authors: Haddad Housam , Mohammad Farhan , Dai Qun
Published: April 2014

Bendamustine is an alkylating agent approved for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. There are scant reports on bendamustine-induced immune hemolytic anemia occurring mainly in CLL patients. We report a case of immune hemolytic anemia that developed after exposure to bendamustine in a 70-year-old female with CLL who was previously exposed to fludarabine. Previous exposure to fludarabine is a common finding in the majority of reported cases of bendamustine drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA), including our case. Bendamustine should be suspected as the cause of any hemolytic anemia that develops while on this drug, especially in CLL patients treated previously with fludarabine.
Preservice Elementary Teachers’ Economic Literacy: Closing Gates to Full Implementation of the Social Studies Curriculum
Authors: Anthony Kenneth V. , Smith Rebecca C. , Miller Nicole C.
Published: April 2014

The goal of this study was to determine if the level of preservice teachers’ economic literacy might serve as a gatekeeper to teaching economics competencies. The participants ( n=84) were teacher candidates in an elementary education program in their final methods courses prior to their teacher internship. The findings supported the intuitive belief that elementary teachers lack the economic literacy and confidence needed to teach economics concepts in the elementary curriculum. This deficit can serve as a gatekeeper to teaching economics competencies leading to curricular disjuncture between the established curriculum and actual practice in the classroom.