bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solvent‐Dependent Structure of the I3− Ion Derived from Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Jena Naresh K. , Josefsson Ida , Eriksson Susanna K. , Hagfeldt Anders , Siegbahn Hans , Björneholm Olle , Rensmo Håkan , Odelius Michael
Published: January 2015

Ab initio molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the solvation of LiI3 in four different solvents (water, methanol, ethanol, and acetonitrile) are employed to investigate the molecular and electronic structure of the I3− ion in relation to X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Simulations show that hydrogen‐bond rearrangement in the solvation shell is coupled to intramolecular bond‐length asymmetry in the I3− ion. By a combination of charge analysis and I 4 d core‐level XPS measurements, the mechanism of the solvent‐induced distortions has been studied, and it has been concluded that charge localization mediates intermolecular interactions and intramolecular distortion. The approach involving a synergistic combination of theory and experiment probes the solvent‐dependent structure of the I3− ion, and the geometric structure has been correlated with the electronic structure.
Chemical Synthesis of Burkholderia Lipid A Modified with Glycosyl Phosphodiester‐Linked 4‐Amino‐4‐deoxy‐β‐L‐arabinose and Its Immunomodulatory Potential
Authors: Hollaus Ralph , Ittig Simon , Hofinger Andreas , Haegman Mira , Beyaert Rudi , Kosma Paul , Zamyatina Alla
Published: January 2015

Modification of the Lipid A phosphates by positively charged appendages is a part of the survival strategy of numerous opportunistic Gram‐negative bacteria. The phosphate groups of the cystic fibrosis adapted Burkholderia Lipid A are abundantly esterified by 4‐amino‐4‐deoxy‐β‐L‐arabinose (β‐L‐Ara4N), which imposes resistance to antibiotic treatment and contributes to bacterial virulence. To establish structural features accounting for the unique pro‐inflammatory activity of Burkholderia LPS we have synthesised Lipid A substituted by β‐L‐Ara4N at the anomeric phosphate and its Ara4N‐free counterpart. The double glycosyl phosphodiester was assembled by triazolyl‐tris‐(pyrrolidinyl)phosphonium‐assisted coupling of the β‐L‐Ara4N H‐phosphonate to α‐lactol of β(1→6) diglucosamine, pentaacylated with (R)‐(3)‐acyloxyacyl‐ and Alloc‐protected (R)‐(3)‐hydroxyacyl residues. The intermediate 1,1′‐glycosyl‐H‐phosphonate diester was oxidised in anhydrous conditions to provide, after total deprotection, β‐L‐Ara4N‐substituted Burkholderia Lipid A. The β‐L‐Ara4N modification significantly enhanced the pro‐inflammatory innate immune signaling of otherwise non‐endotoxic Burkholderia Lipid A.
Internal Dynamics in Halogen‐Bonded Adducts: A Rotational Study of Chlorotrifluoromethane–Formaldehyde
Authors: Gou Qian , Feng Gang , Evangelisti Luca , Vallejo‐López Montserrat , Spada Lorenzo , Lesarri Alberto , Cocinero Emilio J. , Caminati Walther
Published: January 2015

The rotational spectra of two isotopologues of the 1:1 complex between chlorotrifluoromethane and formaldehyde have been recorded and analyzed by using Fourier‐transform microwave spectroscopy. Only one rotamer was detected, with the two constituent molecules held together through a Cl⋅⋅⋅O halogen bond (RCl⋅⋅⋅O=3.048 Å). The dimer displays two simultaneous large‐amplitude intramolecular motions. The internal rotation of formaldehyde around its symmetry axis (V2=28(5) cm−1) splits all the rotational transitions into two component lines with a relative intensity ratio of 1:3. On the other hand, the almost free internal rotation (V3≈2.5 cm−1) of the CF3 symmetric top increases the “rigid” value of the rotational constant A by almost one order of magnitude. In addition, all the transitions display a hyperfine structure due to the 35Cl (or 37Cl) nucleus quadrupole effects.
Evaluation of photocatalytic activity of immobilized titania nanoparticles by support vector machine and artificial neural network
Authors: Vaez Mohammad , Omidkhah Mohammadreza , Alijani Somayeh , Zarringhalam Moghaddam Abdolsamad , Sadrameli Mojtaba , Gholipour Zanjani Nooshin
Published: January 2015

In this study, TiO2 nanoparticles immobilized on sackcloth fibre were used for the photodegradation of acid dye, and the efficiency of heterogeneous photocatalysts was predicted using the support vector machines model and artificial neural network model. Acid Red 73 was applied as a model compound. The experimental results were determined as the function of key factors such as initial H2O2 concentration, dye concentration, dissolved anions, pH, and time. The obtained results were used for training the models. To find the most suitable and reliable network, different algorithms and transfer functions were tested. The trial and error method was used to find the optimum number of neurons and layers. The root mean squared of error (RMSE), the sum of square error (SSE), and R2 for the models were calculated. Results show that support vector machines and neural network models can effectively learn and model the aforementioned process and predict the efficiency of photodegradation of coloured wastewater.
Evaluation of tert‐Butyl Isosteres: Case Studies of Physicochemical and Pharmacokinetic Properties, Efficacies, and Activities
Authors: Westphal Matthias V. , Wolfstädter Bernd T. , Plancher Jean‐Marc , Gatfield John , Carreira Erick M.
Published: January 2015

The tert‐butyl group is a common motif in medicinal chemistry. Its incorporation into bioactive compounds is often accompanied by unwanted property modulation, such as increased lipophilicity and decreased metabolic stability. Several alternative substituents are available for the drug discovery process. Herein, physicochemical data of two series of drug analogues of bosentan and vercirnon are documented as part of a comparative study of tert‐butyl, pentafluorosulfanyl, trifluoromethyl, bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanyl, and cyclopropyl‐trifluoromethyl substituents.
Hemodynamic analysis of patient‐specific coronary artery tree
Authors: Zhang Jun‐Mei , Luo Tong , Tan Swee Yaw , Lomarda Aileen Mae , Wong Aaron Sung Lung , Keng Felix Yung Jih , Allen John Carson , Huo Yunlong , Su Boyang , Zhao Xiaodan , Wan Min , Kassab Ghassan S. , Tan Ru San , Zhong Liang
Published: January 2015

Local hemodynamic parameters, such as wall shear stress (WSS), oscillatory shear index and relative resident time (RRT), have been linked to coronary plaque initiation and progression. In this study, a left coronary artery tree model was reconstructed from computed tomography angiography images of a patient with multiple stenoses. The geometry of the coronary artery tree model was virtually restored by eliminating the lesions, essentially re‐creating the virtually healthy artery anatomy. Using numerical simulations, flow characteristics and hemodynamic parameter distributions in the stenosed and virtually healthy models were investigated. In the virtually healthy artery model, disturbed flows were found at four locations, prone to initialization of plaque formation. Low WSS and high RRT were exhibited in three of the four locations, and high WSS and low RRT were exhibited in the fourth. These findings suggest that coronary plaque is more likely to form in locations with disturbed flow conditions characterized by low WSS and high RRT or high WSS and low RRT. In addition, clinical index of fractional flow reserve was found to significantly correlate with blood flow rate, rather than anatomic parameters, such as diameter stenosis, which implied the importance of hemodynamic environment in stenosis formation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A quantitative index for measuring the development of supercomputing
Authors: Hu Yonghong , Chi Xuebin , Chen Debbi , Kahaner David K. , Yuen David A.
Published: January 2015

Current assessments of supercomputing (high‐performance computing) primarily focus on system performance. Quantitative methods to measure the impact of supercomputing in a broad context have not been well developed. In this paper, the basic meaning of supercomputing development is analyzed. An evaluation index system for assessing the development status of supercomputing is constructed innovatively, and the SuperComputing Development Index (SCDI) is proposed to measure supercomputing development status. SCDI is a composite index combining various indicators into one benchmark measure that monitors and compares supercomputing development in the past years. This appears to be the first attempt to quantitatively measure the supercomputing ecosystem. As an example, the SCDI of the Chinese Academy of Sciences is obtained, which is based on the data collected from 130 research groups about and covers the period from 2006 to 2012. The results have demonstrated that the proposed evaluation index system is objectively reasonable. The constructed SCDI provides a scientific method to quantitatively evaluate the development status of supercomputing for institutions or organizations.
A congestion control scheme based on probabilistic packet acceptance and drop in delay‐tolerant networks
Authors: An Ying , Luo Xi , Liu Yao , Huang Jiawei , Min Geyong , Wang Jianxin
Published: January 2015

Message replication is often used to improve the delivery ratio in delay‐tolerant networks because of the short‐lived wireless connectivity environment. However, packet replication may easily incur large resource consumption and finally result in network congestion. This paper proposes a probabilistic packet acceptance and drop algorithm (PAD), which adaptively controls congestion for delay‐tolerant networks. In PAD algorithm, the queue length and the input/output rate are combined to detect congestion. Based on the congestion state, each node determines the probability of accepting or dropping packets to obtain a good trade‐off between high delivery ratio and low overhead. Furthermore, based on the birth–death model, we construct the continuous‐time Markov chain to analyze the delivery ratio of a packet. Theory analysis and simulation results show that PAD increases the delivery ratio by more than 130% with least overhead. Meanwhile, it also achieves the shortest average end‐to‐end delay when the buffer of a node is severely limited. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resilient gossip algorithms for collecting online management information in exascale clusters
Authors: Barak Amnon , Drezner Zvi , Levy Ely , Lieber Matthias , Shiloh Amnon
Published: January 2015

Management of forthcoming exascale clusters requires frequent collection of run‐time information about the nodes and the running applications. This paper presents a new paradigm for providing online information to the management system of scalable clusters, consisting of a large number of nodes and one or more masters that manage these nodes. We describe the details of resilient gossip algorithms for sharing local information within subsets of nodes and for sending global information to a master, which holds information on all the nodes. The presented algorithms are decentralized, scalable and resilient, working well even when some nodes fail, without needing any recovery protocol. The paper gives formal expressions for approximating the average ages of the local information at each node and the information collected by the master. It then shows that these results closely match the results of simulations and measurements on a real cluster. The paper also investigates the resilience of the algorithms and the impact on the average age when nodes or masters fail. The main outcome of this paper is that partitioning of large clusters can improve the quality of information available to the management system without increasing the number of messages per node. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman and FTIR Spectroscopic Studies of 1‐Ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium Trifluoromethylsulfonate, its Mixtures with Water and the Solvation of Zinc Ions
Authors: Liu Zhen , El Abedin Sherif Zein , Endres Frank
Published: January 2015

In this paper we report on the interactions of the ionic liquid 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium trifluoromethylsulfonate ([EMIm]TfO) with water and the solvation of zinc ions in neat [EMIm]TfO and [EMIm]TfO–water mixtures investigated by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. The structures and physicochemical properties of the [EMIm]TfO–water mixtures are strongly dependent on the interaction between cations, anions, and water. The structure was changed from ionic‐liquid‐like to water‐like solutions upon addition of water. In addition, zinc salts can precipitate in 0.2 M Zn(TfO)2/[EMIm]TfO upon addition of 10 % (v/v) water, presumably as a result of polarity change of the solution. The average coordination number of TfO− per zinc ion calculated from Raman spectra is 3.8 in neat [EMIm]TfO, indicating that [Zn(TfO)4]2−, and [Zn(TfO)3]− complexes are present in the solution. However, in the presence of water, water interacts preferentially with the zinc ions, leading to aqueous zinc species. The solvation of zinc ions in 1‐butyl‐1‐methylpyrrolidinium trifluoromethylsulfonate ([Py1,4]TfO) was also investigated. In [Py1,4]TfO, there are, on average, 4.5 TfO− anions coordinating each zinc ion, corresponding to the weak interaction between [Py1,4]+ cations and TfO− anions. The species present in [Py1,4]TfO are likely a mixture of [Zn(TfO)4]2− and [Zn(TfO)5]3−.
Quantifying sapwood width for three Australian native species using electrical resistivity tomography
Authors: Wang Hailong , Guan Huade , Guyot Adrien , Simmons Craig T. , Lockington David A.
Published: January 2015

Sap flow measurement techniques have been successfully applied in ecohydrological studies as they can be used to estimate watershed transpiration. Sapwood area (As) is one of the most important tree parameters for estimating transpiration from point sap flow measurements. Accurate and efficient determination of As and the relationship between As and other tree parameters (e.g. diameter at 130 cm, DBH) is essential for the practical upscaling of sap flow data. The conventional methods for determining sapwood area are accurate (although coring can damage the trees) but prohibitive when a large number of trees need to be sampled. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) is a non‐destructive geophysical method, which detects the moisture or electrolyte concentration difference in wood tissue to identify sapwood–heartwood boundaries. In this study, a rigorous method for quantifying sapwood width and area using ERT is detailed using measurements on 30 trees of three Australian native species (drooping sheoak and two eucalypts). Results show that sapwood widths estimated by ERT were in good agreement with those obtained from wood core analyses for the three species. A strong linear relationship was observed between As and DBH and between heartwood radius and DBH. The As–DBH relationship extends the synthesis for eucalypts species in previous studies. Sapwood width was overestimated for trees under wet conditions, which indicates that the ERT technique for sapwood width quantification is limited under such conditions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of a ‘natural’ flood event on the riparian ecosystem of a regulated large‐river system: the 2011 flood on the Missouri River, USA
Authors: Dixon Mark D. , Boever Christopher J. , Danzeisen Victoria L. , Merkord Christopher L. , Munes Eszter C. , Scott Michael L. , Johnson W. Carter , Cowman Tim C.
Published: January 2015

Flow regulation has significantly altered hydrological, geomorphic, and ecological processes on the Missouri River. Cumulative effects are evident in declines in cottonwood (Populus deltoides) recruitment and in altered forest age structure and composition. Record runoff in 2011 exceeded reservoir capacity on the Upper and Middle Missouri, leading to a 500‐year recurrence interval flood in terms of volume, with the highest peak discharge in 59 years and flood durations of up to 3 months. We assessed the effects of this ‘large infrequent disturbance’ by comparing pre‐flood (2006–2009) to post‐flood (2012) changes in riparian forests along two unchannelized segments of the Missouri River. Live shrub and tree density declined sharply within young forest stands (<30 years). Higher proportions of non‐native (Elaeagnus angustifolia) and upland (Juniperus virginiana) trees showed evidence of recent mortality than did the native cottonwood. Sandbar area increased sharply from 2006 to 2012 and area of young forests declined, with particularly sharp declines in sapling stands that had established following the previous post‐dam record flow releases in 1997. Cottonwood recruitment was widespread in 2012, but nearly all seedling patches occurred on sandbars in the active channel rather than on overbank sites, with moderately high (61–77%) seedling mortality over 2012–2013. Physical and operational constraints within the regulated Missouri River limited the restorative effects of the 2011 flood and will likely limit future forest recovery. Process‐based riparian restoration would require restoring flow and sediment regimes that more closely mimic historical conditions, as well as overcoming the physical legacies of decades of flow regulation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dielectrophoretic concentrator enhancement based on dielectric poles for continuously flowing samples
Authors: del Moral Zamora Beatriz , Álvarez Azpeitia Juan Manuel , Oliva Brañas Ana Maria , Colomer‐Farrarons Jordi , Castellarnau Marc , Miribel‐Català Pere Ll. , Homs‐Corbera Antoni , Juárez Antonio , Samitier Josep
Published: January 2015

We describe a novel continuous‐flow cell concentrator microdevice based on dielectrophoresis, and its associated custom‐made control unit. The performances of a classical interdigitated metal electrode‐based dielectrophoresis microfluidic device and this enhanced version, that includes insulator‐based pole structures, were compared using the same setup.Escherichia colisamples were concentrated at several continuous flows and the device's trapping efficiencies were evaluated by exhaustive cell counts. Our results show that pole structures enhance the retention up to 12.6%, obtaining significant differences for flow rates up to 20 μL/min, when compared to an equivalent classical interdigitated electrodes setup. In addition, we performed a subsequent proteomic analysis to evaluate the viability of the biological samples after the long exposure to the actuating electrical field. NoEscherichia coliprotein alteration in any of the two systems was observed.
Structural background for serological cross‐reactivity between bacteria of different enterobacterial serotypes
Authors: Makszin Lilla , Péterfi Zoltán , Blaskó Ágnes , Sándor Viktor , Kilár Anikó , Dörnyei Ágnes , Ősz Erzsébet , Kilár Ferenc , Kocsis Béla
Published: January 2015

The structure of the oligosaccharide repeating units of endotoxins from Gram‐negative bacteria is characteristic for the different serogroups and serotypes of bacteria. Detailed examination of the cross‐reactions of three enterobacterial serotypes, Proteus morganii O34, Escherichia coli O111, and Salmonella enterica sv. Adelaide O35, was performed using sensitive tests (ELISA, immunoblotting). Fine differences between the endotoxins of the bacteria were detected using silver staining of SDS‐PAGE gels and chip‐technology for the intact lipopolysaccharides (LPSs). The compositions of the O‐specific polysaccharides of LPSs extracted from the bacteria were studied, and it was proven that the three cross‐reacting bacteria contain O‐antigens built from the same monosaccharides, namely colitoses linked to glucose, galactose, and N‐acetyl‐galactosamine. The NMR and GC‐MS studies revealed that the most probable component for the cross‐reaction is the rare sugar, colitose.
Single nucleus versus single‐cell gel electrophoresis: Kinetics of DNA track formation
Authors: Afanasieva Katerina , Chopei Marianna , Sivolob Andrei
Published: January 2015

Single‐cell gel electrophoresis, or the comet assay, is usually performed with nucleoids prepared after a lysis of either whole cells (more often) or isolated cell nuclei (rarely). Electrophoretic properties of the second type of nucleoids have never been investigated carefully. We measured the kinetics of the DNA exit from nuclei‐derived nucleoids in comparison with cell‐derived nucleoids. The results show that general organization of the nuclei‐derived nucleoids is not changed very much in comparison with nucleoids commonly obtained from whole cells. At the same time, in contrast to the cell‐derived nucleoids, for which the exit is stepwise and cooperative, the DNA exit from the nuclei‐derived nucleoids can be described by a simple monomolecular kinetics. This difference is probably due to agarose penetration into nuclei (but not into cells) before polymerization of the agarose gel. We suggest that single‐nucleus gel electrophoresis may be a way for the comet assay standardization.
Nanomaterials and neurodegeneration
Authors: Migliore Lucia , Uboldi Chiara , Di Bucchianico Sebastiano , Coppedè Fabio
Published: January 2015

The increasing application of nanotechnology in various industrial, environmental, and human settings raises questions surrounding the potential adverse effects induced by nanosized materials to human health, including the possible neurotoxic and neuroinflammatory properties of those substances and their capability to induce neurodegeneration. In this review, a panel of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs), namely titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, zinc oxide, copper oxide, iron NPs, and carbon nanotubes have been focused. An overview has been provided of the in vitro and in vivo evidence of adverse effects to the central nervous system. Research indicated that these nanomaterials (NMs) not only reach the brain, but also can cause a certain degree of brain tissue damage, including cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, induction of oxidative stress, and inflammation, all potentially involved in the onset and progression of neurodegeneration. Surface chemistry of the NMs may play an important role in their localization and subsequent effects on the brain of rodents. In addition, NM shape differences may induce varying degrees of neurotoxicity. However, one of the potential biomedical applications of NMs is nanodevices for early diagnostic and novel therapeutic approaches to counteract age related diseases. In this context, engineered NMs were promising vehicles to carry diagnostic and therapeutic compounds across the blood–brain barrier, thereby representing very timely and attractive theranostic tools in neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, a careful assessment of the risk–benefit ratio must be taken into consideration in using nanosized materials. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 56:149–170, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Meta‐analysis of Genome‐Wide Association Studies Identifies Novel Loci Associated With Optic Disc Morphology
Authors: Springelkamp Henriët , Mishra Aniket , Hysi Pirro G. , Gharahkhani Puya , Höhn René , Khor Chiea‐Chuen , Cooke Bailey Jessica N. , Luo Xiaoyan , Ramdas Wishal D. , Vithana Eranga , Koh Victor , Yazar Seyhan , Xu Liang , Forward Hannah , Kearns Lisa S. , Amin Najaf , Iglesias Adriana I. , Sim Kar‐Seng , van Leeuwen Elisabeth M. , Demirkan Ayse , van der Lee Sven , Loon Seng‐Chee , Rivadeneira Fernando , Nag Abhishek , Sanfilippo Paul G. , Schillert Arne , de Jong Paulus T. V. M. , Oostra Ben A. , Uitterlinden André G. , Hofman Albert ,   NEIGHBORHOOD Consortium, Zhou Tiger , Burdon Kathryn P. , Spector Timothy D. , Lackner Karl J. , Saw Seang‐Mei , Vingerling Johannes R. , Teo Yik‐Ying , Pasquale Louis R. , Wolfs Roger C. W. , Lemij Hans G. , Tai E‐Shyong , Jonas Jost B. , Cheng Ching‐Yu , Aung Tin , Jansonius Nomdo M. , Klaver Caroline C. W. , Craig Jamie E. , Young Terri L. , Haines Jonathan L. , MacGregor Stuart , Mackey David A. , Pfeiffer Norbert , Wong Tien‐Yin , Wiggs Janey L. , Hewitt Alex W. , van Duijn Cornelia M. , Hammond Christopher J.
Published: January 2015

Primary open‐angle glaucoma is the most common optic neuropathy and an important cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. The optic nerve head or optic disc is divided in two parts: a central cup (without nerve fibers) surrounded by the neuroretinal rim (containing axons of the retinal ganglion cells). The International Glaucoma Genetics Consortium conducted a meta‐analysis of genome‐wide association studies consisting of 17,248 individuals of European ancestry and 6,841 individuals of Asian ancestry. The outcomes of the genome‐wide association studies were disc area and cup area. These specific measurements describe optic nerve morphology in another way than the vertical cup‐disc ratio, which is a clinically used measurement, and may shed light on new glaucoma mechanisms. We identified 10 new loci associated with disc area (CDC42BPA, F5, DIRC3, RARB, ABI3BP, DCAF4L2, ELP4, TMTC2, NR2F2, and HORMAD2) and another 10 new loci associated with cup area (DHRS3, TRIB2, EFEMP1, FLNB, FAM101, DDHD1, ASB7, KPNB1, BCAS3, and TRIOBP). The new genes participate in a number of pathways and future work is likely to identify more functions related to the pathogenesis of glaucoma.
Mean diffusivity of globus pallidus associated with verbal creativity measured by divergent thinking and creativity‐related temperaments in young healthy adults
Authors: Takeuchi Hikaru , Taki Yasuyuki , Sekiguchi Atsushi , Hashizume Hiroshi , Nouchi Rui , Sassa Yuko , Kotozaki Yuka , Miyauchi Carlos Makoto , Yokoyama Ryoichi , Iizuka Kunio , Nakagawa Seishu , Nagase Tomomi , Kunitoki Keiko , Kawashima Ryuta
Published: January 2015

Recent investigations revealed mean diffusivity (MD) in gray matter and white matter areas is correlated with individual cognitive differences in healthy subjects and show unique properties and sensitivity that other neuroimaging tools donot have. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the MD in the dopaminergic system is associated with individual differences in verbal creativity measured by divergent thinking (VCDT) and novelty seeking based on prior studies suggesting associations between these and dopaminergic functions. We examined this issue in a large sample of right‐handed healthy young adults. We used analyses of MD and a psychological measure of VCDT, as well as personality measures of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Our results revealed associations between higher VCDT and lower MD in the bilateral globus pallidus. Furthermore, not only higher novelty seeking, but also lower harm avoidance, higher self‐directedness, and higher self‐transcendence were robustly associated with lower MD in the right globus pallidus, whereas higher persistence was associated with lower MD in the left globus pallidus. These personality variables were also associated with VCDT. The globus pallidus receives the dopaminergic input from the substantia nigra and plays a key role in motivation which is critically linked to dopamine. These results suggested the MD in the globus pallidus, underlie the association between VCDT and multiple personalities in TCI including novelty seeking. Hum Brain Mapp 36:1808–1827, 2015. © 2015 The Authors Human Brain Mapping Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reading in the brain of children and adults: A meta‐analysis of 40 functional magnetic resonance imaging studies
Authors: Martin Anna , Schurz Matthias , Kronbichler Martin , Richlan Fabio
Published: January 2015

We used quantitative, coordinate‐based meta‐analysis to objectively synthesize age‐related commonalities and differences in brain activation patterns reported in 40 functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of reading in children and adults. Twenty fMRI studies with adults (age means: 23–34 years) were matched to 20 studies with children (age means: 7–12 years). The separate meta‐analyses of these two sets showed a pattern of reading‐related brain activation common to children and adults in left ventral occipito‐temporal (OT), inferior frontal, and posterior parietal regions. The direct statistical comparison between the two meta‐analytic maps of children and adults revealed higher convergence in studies with children in left superior temporal and bilateral supplementary motor regions. In contrast, higher convergence in studies with adults was identified in bilateral posterior OT/cerebellar and left dorsal precentral regions. The results are discussed in relation to current neuroanatomical models of reading and tentative functional interpretations of reading‐related activation clusters in children and adults are provided. Hum Brain Mapp 36:1963–1981, 2015. © 2015 The Authors Human Brain Mapping Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc..
Strategic Staffing and Small‐Firm Performance
Authors: Greer Charles R. , Carr Jon C. , Hipp Lisa
Published: January 2015

Although staffing can be a critical determinant of whether small businesses succeed or fail, there has been less research in this area than might be expected, given the large numbers of such firms. While there has been some research on specific recruiting and selection practices, there has been little attention to the strategic aspects of staffing. We investigated relationships between strategic approaches to staffing and small‐firm performance using lagged survey data from 139 founders and owners of small firms. Results indicate that recruiting approaches imitating the practices (processes) of larger businesses are positively related to a perceptual measure of firm performance. Selection approaches stressing a growth orientation are also positively related to firm performance. Finally, founders’ and owners’ perceptions of the strategic importance of human resources moderate the relationship of firm performance with imitative recruiting practices as well as with growth‐oriented selection practices. An important contribution of this article is that contextual knowledge facilitates our understanding of the performance implications of staffing practices in small firms. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Roles of the Hippo pathway in lung development and tumorigenesis
Authors: Yeung Benjamin , Yu Jihang , Yang Xiaolong
Published: January 2015

Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and accounts for one fifth of all cancer deaths worldwide. Although significant progress has been made toward our understanding of the causes of lung cancer, the 5‐year survival is still lower than 15%. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel lung cancer biomarkers and drug targets. The Hippo signaling pathway is an emerging signaling pathway that regulates various biological processes. Recently, increasing evidence suggests that the Hippo pathway may play important roles in not only lung development but also lung tumorigenesis. In this review article, we will summarize the most recent advances and predict future directions on this new cancer research field.
Protective effect of fluoride varnish and fluoride gel on enamel erosion: roughness, SEM‐EDS, and µ‐EDXRF studies
Authors: Soares Luís Eduardo Silva , De Carvalho Filho Antonio Carlos Belfort
Published: January 2015

Objectives

The effects of fluoride treatment on bovine enamel subjected to acid erosion were studied by roughness (Ra) measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and microenergy‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry (μ‐EDXRF).

Materials and Method

Enamel samples (63) were divided into nine groups (n = 7): artificial saliva (AS), Pepsi Twist®(PT), orange juice (OJ), Duraphat® + Pepsi Twist®(DPH/PT), Duraphat® + orange juice (DPH/OJ), Duofluorid® + Pepsi Twist®(DUO/PT), Duofluorid® + orange juice (DUO/OJ), fluoride gel + Pepsi Twist®(FG/PT), and fluoride gel + orange juice (FG/OJ). Fluoride was applied and the samples were submitted to six cycles (demineralization: Pepsi Twist®or orange juice, 10 min; remineralization: saliva, 1 h). The enamel surface in depth was exposed and 63 line‐scan maps were performed.

Results

The elemental analysis by EDS revealed that only fluoride treated groups had any detectable fluorine after erosion cycles (DPH/PT: 3.50 wt%; DPH/OJ: 3.37 wt%; DUO/PT: 2.69 wt%; DUO/OJ: 3.54 wt%; FG/PT: 2.17 wt%; FG/OJ: 2.77 wt%). PT treatment resulted in significantly higher Ra values than the artificial saliva (P < 0.001). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of fluoride protected enamel showed areas with some globular structures or a residual layer of varnish. The enamel thickness was significantly lower in PT (0.63 ± 0.087 mm) than in DPH/PT (0.87 ± 0.16 mm) and DUO/PT (0.92 ± 0.14 mm) groups (P < 0.01).

Clinical Relevance

Fluoride treatments protected enamel without Ra increase and loss of enamel tissue.Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:240–248, 2015.© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characteristics of primary care providers who adopted the hospitalist model from 2001 to 2009
Authors: Boonyasai Romsai T. , Lin Yu‐Li , Brotman Daniel J. , Kuo Yong‐Fang , Goodwin James S.
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

The characteristics of primary care providers (PCPs) who use hospitalists are unknown.

METHODS

Retrospective study using 100% Texas Medicare claims from 2001 through 2009. Descriptive statistics characterized proportion of PCPs using hospitalists over time. Trajectory analysis and multilevel models of 1172 PCPs with ≥20 inpatients in every study year characterized how PCPs adopted the hospitalist model and PCP factors associated with this transition.

RESULTS

Hospitalist use increased between 2001 and 2009. PCPs who adopted the hospitalist model transitioned rapidly. In multilevel models, hospitalist use was associated with US training (odds ratio [OR] 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23‐1.73 in 2007–2009), family medicine specialty (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.25‐1.70 in 2007–2009), and having high outpatient volumes (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.20‐1.44 in 2007–2009). Over time, relative hospitalist use decreased among female PCPs (OR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.46‐2.50 in 2001–2003; OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.15‐1.95 in 2007–2009), those in urban locations (OR: 3.34, 95% CI: 2.72‐4.09 in 2001–2003; OR: 2.22, 95% CI: 1.82‐2.71 in 2007–2009), and those with higher inpatient volumes (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.95‐1.18 in 2001–2003; OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.51‐0.60 in 2007–2009). Longest‐practicing PCPs were more likely to transition in the early 2000s, but this effect disappeared by the end of the study period (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.06‐1.72 in 2001–2003; OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.73‐1.17 in 2007–2009). PCPs with practice panels dominated by patients who were white, male, or had comorbidities are more likely to use hospitalists.

CONCLUSIONS

PCP characteristics are associated with hospitalist use. The association between PCP characteristics and hospitalist use has evolved over time. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;10:75–82. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine
Maximizing teaching on the wards: Review and application of the One‐Minute Preceptor and SNAPPS models
Authors: Pascoe Jennifer M. , Nixon James , Lang Valerie J.
Published: January 2015

Hospitalist educators face a number of challenges in teaching clinical reasoning to residents and medical students. Helping to develop trainees' clinical acumen is an essential and highly nuanced process, yet complex patients, documentation requirements, and productivity goals compete with teaching time. Workplace‐based assessment is particularly important for residents with the institution of the developmental milestones for meeting Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education competencies. Two frameworks for facilitating the clinical reasoning discussion—the One‐Minute Preceptor preceptor and SNAPPS—have been well studied in the outpatient setting with positive results. Both models show promise for use in the inpatient teaching environment with little modification. This narrative review compares and contrasts these 2 teaching frameworks and discusses their application to the inpatient teaching environment. These models can provide opportunities for hospitalist educators to better assess trainees, integrate regular feedback, and encourage self‐directed learning. These teaching frameworks can also allow hospitalists to provide more focused education to trainees without taking additional valuable time. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;10:125–130. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine
Association of inpatient and outpatient glucose management with inpatient mortality among patients with and without diabetes at a major academic medical center
Authors: Butala Neel M. , Johnson Benjamin K. , Dziura James D. , Reynolds Jesse S. , Bozzo Janis E. , Balcezak Thomas J. , Inzucchi Silvio E. , Horwitz Leora I.
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

Hospitalized patients with diabetes have experienced a disproportionate reduction in mortality over the past decade.

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether this differential decrease affected all patients with diabetes, and to identify explanatory factors.

DESIGN

Serial, cross‐sectional observational study.

SETTING

Academic medical center.

PATIENTS

All adult, nonobstetric patients with an inpatient discharge between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2010.

MEASUREMENT

We assessed in‐hospital mortality; inpatient glycemic control (percentage of hospital days with glucose below 70, above 299, and between 70 and 179 mg/dL, and standard deviation of glucose measurements), and outpatient glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c).

RESULTS

We analyzed 322,938 admissions, including 76,758 (23.8%) with diabetes. Among 54,645 intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, there was a 7.8% relative reduction in the odds of mortality in each successive year for patients with diabetes, adjusted for age, race, payer, length of stay, discharge diagnosis, comorbidities, and service (odds ratio [OR]: 0.923, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.906‐0.940). This was significantly greater than the 2.6% yearly reduction for those without diabetes (OR: 0.974, 95% CI: 0.963‐0.985; P < 0.001 for interaction). In contrast, the greater decrease in mortality among non‐ICU patients with diabetes did not reach significance. Results were similar among medical and surgical patients. Among ICU patients with diabetes, the significant decline in mortality persisted after adjustment for inpatient and outpatient glucose control (OR: 0.953, 95% CI: 0.914‐0.994).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with diabetes in the ICU have experienced a disproportionate reduction in mortality that is not explained by glucose control. Potential explanations include improved cardiovascular risk management or advances in therapies for diseases commonly affecting patients with diabetes. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;10:228–235. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine
Diffusion‐weighted MRI does not reflect kidney fibrosis in a rat model of fibrosis
Authors: Boor Peter , Perkuhn Michael , Weibrecht Martin , Zok Stephanie , Martin Ina V. , Gieseke Jürgen , Schoth Felix , Ostendorf Tammo , Kuhl Christiane , Floege Jürgen
Published: January 2015

Purpose

To assess the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) derived from diffusion‐weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a specific marker of renal fibrosis in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO).

Materials and Methods

Thirteen rats were analyzed in group 1 (n = 4), group 2 (n = 3), and group 3 (n = 6) and measured using a clinical 3.0T MR scanner. Groups 1 and 2 were used to establish the final imaging protocols for group 3. DW imaging with four b‐values (0, 50, 300, 800 s/mm2) was conducted before UUO, at days 3 and 5 after UUO, after release of the obstruction, and after sacrifice. Renal cortical ADCs were correlated with histological and ultrastructural analyses.

Results

ADC values of group 3 are shown as mean ± standard deviation of [10−3mm2/s]. On day 5, in vivo cortical ADC of obstructed fibrotic kidneys was significantly reduced compared to unobstructed kidneys (1.4 ± 0.086 vs. 1.535 ± 0.087, P = 0.0018). Postmortem ADC dropped by 50% and was significantly increased in obstructed vs. unobstructed kidneys (0.711 ± 0.094 vs. 0.566 ± 0.049, P = 0.0046). Histopathology of obstructed kidneys showed tubular dilation, tubular cell atrophy, and expansion of the interstitial space. Postmortem ADC correlated tightly with tubular lumen area (r = 0.9, P < 0.001), fibronectin (r = 0.8, P = 0.003), collagen type I (r = 0.73, P = 0.007), and interstitial expansion (r = 0.69, P = 0.013).

Conclusion

Compared to the in vivo measurements, postmortem renal ADCs were considerably reduced and, unlike in vivo, fibrotic kidneys exhibited consistently higher ADC compared to healthy kidney parenchyma. Our data suggest that in vivo ADC is unlikely to be a direct measure of renal fibrosis. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:990–998.
Synchronization of calcium sulphate cement degradation and new bone formation is improved by external mechanical regulation
Authors: Zhang Jie , Wang Lan , Zhang Wen , Zhang Meng , Luo Zong‐Ping
Published: January 2015

A major challenge faced in the bone materials of weight‐bearing without internal fixture support is the mismatch of material degradation and new bone formation, leading to weakening or even failure of the overall bony structure. This study demonstrated in the rat femur model that calcium sulphate cement degradation and new bone formation could be better synchronized by external mechanical force. An ascending force in line with calcium sulphate cement degradation could achieve bone healing in 37 days with ultimate load to failure of 87.00 ± 7.30 N, similar to that of intact femur (80.46 ± 2.79 N, p = 0.369). In contrast, the healing process under either a constant force or no force illustrated significant residual defect volumes of 1.47 ± 0.44 and 4.08 ± 0.89 mm3 (p < 0.001), and weaker ultimate loads to failure of 69.56 ± 4.74 and 59.17 ± 7.48 N, respectively (p < 0.001). Our results suggest that the mechanical regulation approach deserves further investigation and may potentially offer a clinical strategy to improve synchronization. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:685–691, 2015.
A rabbit model demonstrates the influence of cartilage thickness on intra‐articular drug delivery and retention within cartilage
Authors: Bajpayee Ambika G. , Scheu Maximiliano , Grodzinsky Alan J. , Porter Ryan M.
Published: January 2015

For evaluation of new approaches to drug delivery into cartilage, the choice of an animal model is critically important. Since cartilage thickness varies with animal size, different levels of drug uptake, transport and retention should be expected. Simple intra‐articular injection can require very high drug doses to achieve a concentration gradient high enough for drug diffusion into cartilage. New approaches involve nanoparticle delivery of functionalized drugs directly into cartilage; however, diffusion‐binding kinetics proceeds as the square of cartilage thickness. In this study, we demonstrate the necessity of using larger animals for sustained intra‐cartilage delivery and retention, exemplified by intra‐articular injection of Avidin (drug‐carrier) into rabbits and compared to rats in vivo. Penetration and retention of Avidin within cartilage is greatly enhanced by electrostatic interactions. Medial tibial cartilage was the thickest of rabbit cartilages, which generated the longest intra‐cartilage half‐life of Avidin (τ1/2 = 154 h). In contrast, Avidin half‐life in thinner rat cartilage was 5–6 times shorter (τ1/2 ∼ 29 h). While a weak correlation (R2 = 0.43) was found between Avidin half‐lives and rabbit tissue GAG concentrations, this correlation improved dramatically (R2 = 0.96) when normalized to the square of cartilage thickness, consistent with the importance of cartilage thickness to evaluation of drug delivery and retention. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:660–667, 2015.
Evaluation of a silicon oxynitride hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography column in saccharide and glycoside separations
Authors: Wan Huihui , Sheng Qianying , Zhong Hongmin , Guo Xiujie , Fu Qing , Liu Yanfang , Xue Xingya , Liang Xinmiao
Published: January 2015

The retention characteristics of a silicon oxynitride stationary phase for carbohydrate separation were studied in hydrophilic interaction chromatography mode. Four saccharides including mono‐, di‐, and trisaccharides were employed to investigate the effects of water content and buffer concentration in the mobile phase on hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography retention. For the tested saccharides, the silicon oxynitride column demonstrated excellent performance in terms of separation efficiency, hydrophilicity, and interesting separation selectivity for carbohydrates compared to the bare silica stationary phase. Finally, the silicon oxynitride hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography column was employed in the separation of complex samples of fructooligosaccharides, saponins, and steviol glycoside from natural products. The resulting chromatograms demonstrated good separation efficiency and longer retention compared with silica, which further confirmed the advantages and potential application of silicon oxynitride stationary phase for hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography separation.
The Relationship Between Course of PTSD Symptoms in Deployed U.S. Marines and Degree of Combat Exposure
Authors: Boasso Alyssa M. , Steenkamp Maria M. , Nash William P. , Larson Jonathan L. , Litz Brett T.
Published: January 2015

Large cohort studies suggest that most military personnel experience minimal posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms following warzone deployment, an outcome often labeled resilience. Very low symptom levels, however, may be a marker for low exposure, not resilience, which requires relatively high‐magnitude or high‐frequency stress exposure as a precondition. We used growth mixture modeling (GMM) to examine the longitudinal course of lifetime PTSD symptoms following combat exposure by disaggregating deployed U.S. Marines into upper, middle, and lower tertiles of combat exposure. All factor models fit the data well; Tucker‐Lewis Index (TLI) and comparative fit index (CFI) values ranged from .91 to .97. Three distinct trajectories best explained the data within each tertile. The upper tertile comprised True Resilience (73.2%), New‐Onset Symptoms (18.3%), and Pre‐existing Symptoms (8.5%) trajectories. The middle tertile also comprised True Resilience (74.5%), New‐Onset Symptoms (16.1%), and Pre‐existing Symptoms (9.4%) trajectories. The lower tertile comprised Artifactual Resilience (86.3%), Pre‐existing Symptoms (7.6%), and New‐Onset Symptoms (6.1%) trajectories. True Resilience involved a clinically significant symptom increase followed by a return to baseline, whereas Artifactual Resilience involved consistently low symptoms. Conflating artifactual and true resilience may inaccurately create the expectation of persistently low symptoms regardless of warzone exposure.