bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Respiratory virus RNA is detectable in airborne and droplet particles
Authors: Gralton Jan , Tovey Euan R. , McLaws Mary‐Louise , Rawlinson William D.
Published: August 2013

Aerosol transmission routes of respiratory viruses have been classified by the WHO on the basis of equilibrium particle size. Droplet transmission is associated with particles sized >5 µm in diameter and airborne transmission is associated with particles sized ≤5 µm in diameter. Current infection control measures for respiratory viruses are directed at preventing droplet transmission, although epidemiological evidence suggests concurrent airborne transmission also occurs. Understanding the size of particles carrying viruses can be used to inform infection control procedures and therefore reduce virus transmission. This study determined the size of particles carrying respiratory viral RNA produced on coughing and breathing by 12 adults and 41 children with symptomatic respiratory infections. A modified six‐stage Andersen Sampler collected expelled particles. Each stage was washed to recover samples for viral RNA extraction. Influenza A and B, parainfluenza 1, 2 and 3, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus and human rhinoviruses (hRV) were detected using RT‐PCR. On breathing, 58% of participants produced large particles (>5 µm) containing viral RNA and 80% produced small particles (≤5 µm) carrying viral RNA. On coughing, 57% of participants produced large particles containing viral RNA and 82% produced small particles containing viral RNA. Forty five percent of participants produced samples positive for hRV viral RNA and 26% of participants produced samples positive for viral RNA from parainfluenza viruses. This study demonstrates that individuals with symptomatic respiratory viral infections produce both large and small particles carrying viral RNA on coughing and breathing. J. Med. Virol. 85:2151–2159, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prevalence of hepatitis C virus genotypes in risk groups in the Republic of Macedonia: A 5 years survey
Authors: Kiprijanovska Sanja , Davalieva Katarina , Noveski Predrag , Sukarova‐Stefanovska Emilija , Plaseska‐Karanfilska Dijana
Published: August 2013

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes depends on geographical location. HCV genotyping is important for epidemiological investigations and treatment management. The aim of this study was to determine the HCV genotype prevalence in the most prominent risk groups in the Republic of Macedonia in the last 5 years and to evaluate its association with patient's age, gender, and mode of transmission. A total of 1,167 HCV positive patients, divided into three risk groups (intravenous drug use, chronic hemodialysis, and other risk factor), were genotyped using an in‐house ASO hybridization method with genotype‐specific oligonucleotide probes. The genotypes 1, 2, and 3 were present with 52.2%, 0.6%, and 47.0%, respectively. Genotype 1 was most prevalent in hemodialysis (89.0%) and other risk factor group (53.8%). It was found associated independently with hemodialysis, age >40 and female gender. Genotype 3 predominated in intravenous drug users (64.0%) and was associated significantly also with age ≤40 and male gender. Multivariable logistic regression analysis pointed out hemodialysis (P < 0.0001, Exp (B) = 12.0) as a positive predictor factor for genotype 1 and age ≤40 (P = 0.021, Exp (B) = 1.8) and intravenous drug use (P < 0.0001, Exp (B) = 8.4) as a positive predictor factors for genotype 3. In conclusion, the main transmission route of HCV infection in the Republic of Macedonia is intravenous drug use, followed by hemodialysis. HCV genotypes 1 and 3 dominate in these two most prominent risk groups in the Republic of Macedonia. J. Med. Virol. 85:2072–2078, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Numerical modeling of loss mechanisms resulting from non‐uniform illumination in multijunction concentrator solar cells
Authors: Haas A. W. , Wilcox J. R. , Gray J. L. , Schwartz R. J.
Published: August 2013

Quasi‐3D distributed emitter models utilizing a unit cell‐based methodology have been successfully applied to the analysis of lateral current flow in solar cell emitter layers. However, the analysis of the specific loss mechanisms resulting from this flow has not been given adequate attention. In this work, a quasi‐3D model for the simulation of effects related to the lateral flow of current in a solar cell emitter layer, particularly under non‐uniform illumination, is developed. The model is applied to a specific case in which a GaInP/GaAs‐like two‐terminal solar cell is illuminated with a Lorentzian irradiance pattern, which is the expected pattern for parabolic trough concentrator. It is shown that bias‐point loss, which results from the variation in the local operating condition of the cell, is significant under highly non‐uniform illumination at low–moderate optical concentration. Understanding this loss mechanism is useful in considering trade‐offs related to the design of the optical concentrator system, as well as, the design of a grid electrode pattern for maximum power output. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Image changes in chlorophyll fluorescence of cucumber leaves in response to iron deficiency and resupply
Authors: Donnini Sivia , Guidi Lucia , Degl'Innocenti Elena , Zocchi Graziano
Published: August 2013

Iron (Fe) is an essential element for plants and its deficiency causes decrease not only in the photosynthetic rate but also in the actual photosystem II efficiency at steady‐state photosynthesis. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of Fe deficiency in plants of Cucumis sativus (L.) in two different experimental conditions. In the first experiment, plants were grown with or without Fe for 7 d. After 7 d, Fe‐deficient plants were resupplied with Fe and sampled after 12 h and 48 h. In the second experiment, plants were grown with Fe in the nutrient solution for 3 d and after this period, Fe was withdrawn and plants sampled after 3 and 6 d. Iron and chlorophyll (Chl) concentration and Chl‐fluorescence imaging were measured. In cucumber leaves subjected to Fe deficiency, fluorescence imaging of Chl a evidenced spatial changes on leaf lamina. Following Fe deficiency both after 7 d (Exp. 1) or 6 d (Exp. 2) leaves showed a slight, nonsignificant decrease in Fv/Fm ratio. However Chl‐fluorescence parameters determined in light conditions showed significant changes which indicate an alteration in the photosynthetic process. Surprisingly, the effect of Fe deficiency was more pronounced in leaves of plant of Exp. 2 as compared to those that had grown in complete absence of Fe (Exp. 1). In the latter case down‐regulated mechanisms preserved leaves from irreversible photoinhibition leading to complete recovery when plants were resupplied with the microelement.
Investigating translated data of the German soil‐quality assessment using pinpoint field validation
Authors: Hangen Edzard , Förster Helmwart
Published: August 2013

In contrast to modern soil‐profile characterization, alternative soil classifications, such as the German soil‐quality assessment (Bodenschätzung), bear a lower degree of scientific quality. However, despite originally created to determine the tax value of arable land and grassland, its high spatial resolution and complete areal coverage makes soil‐quality assessment a valuable tool. To assess its performance in a mountainous setting soil‐layer data of 60 soil pits, recorded in Bavaria (SE Germany) in the course of the soil‐quality assessment, were translated into German soil‐science terminology using the translation program NIBIS®. With regard to soil type and texture the translation was checked using pinpoint field validation based on soil‐science terminology. 57% of soil types and 61% of texture were correctly translated by NIBIS®. To obtain information about probable parameters that can explain the different results readily available parameters such as elapsed time between soil‐quality assessment and validation, altitude, slope, aspect, horizon thickness, lower edge of horizon, as well as weathering surface and silicate‐weathering rate derived from geological maps were used. Differences in topsoil texture were somewhat related to petrographic parameters, those of the lower subsoil showed a weak dependence to topographic parameters. The NIBIS® translation overrated the silt content to the expense of sand. Clay was the best‐matched texture class. The shift towards silty texture classes was the dominant factor for the differences of texture‐related values of the available water capacity and hydraulic conductivity. Both parameters as derived from the NIBIS® translation on the one and from field validation on the other hand were used to evaluate the water‐retention capacity of individual soil profiles. Despite differing input data the soils' water‐retention capacity was rated identical. Thus, a certain degree of disagreement between the texture data obtained from NIBIS® translation and from field validation is tolerable, if the eventual soil‐function evaluation is based on wide classes of texture or of secondary parameters derived from texture.
Preparation and application of hollow molecularly imprinted polymers with a super‐high selectivity to the template protein
Authors: Chen Yang , He Xi‐Wen , Mao Jie , Li Wen‐You , Zhang Yu‐Kui
Published: August 2013

Protein‐imprinted polymers with hollow cores that have a super‐high imprinting factor were prepared by etching the core of the surface‐imprinted polymers that used silica particles as the support. Lysozyme as template was modified onto the surface of silica particles by a covalent method, and after polymerization and the removal of template molecules, channels through the polymer layer were formed, which allowed a single‐protein molecule to come into the hollow core and attach to the binding sites inside the polymer layer. The adsorption experiments demonstrated that the hollow imprinted polymers had an extremely high binding capacity and selectivity, and thus a super‐high imprinting factor was obtained. The as‐prepared imprinted polymers were used to separate the template lysozyme from egg white successfully, indicating its high selectivity and potential application in the field of separation of protein from real samples.
Development of a γ‐alumina‐ nanoparticle‐functionalized porous polymer monolith for the enrichment of Sudan dyes in red wine samples
Authors: Li Wanjun , Zhou Xiao , Ye Juanjuan , Jia Qiong
Published: August 2013

Monolithic materials were synthesized in capillaries by in situ polymerization with N‐isopropylacrylamide, glycidyl methacrylate, and ethylene dimethacrylate as the monomers, and methanol and PEG as the porogens. With γ‐alumina nanoparticles attached to the surface of the porous monolithic column via epoxide groups, a novel polymer monolith microextraction (PMME) material was prepared with a good mechanical stability and a high extraction capacity. SEM and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed to characterize the modified monolithic column, demonstrating that γ‐alumina nanoparticles were effectively functionalized onto the monolithic column. In addition, a new method was developed for the analysis of Sudan I–IV dyes using PMME coupled with HPLC. In order to obtain the optimum extraction efficiency, the PMME conditions including desorption solvent type, sample pH, sample volume, sample flow rate, and eluent flow rate were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, we obtained acceptable linearities, low LODs, and good intra‐ and interday RDSs. When applied to the determination of Sudan I–IV dyes in red wine samples, satisfactory recoveries were obtained in the range of 84.0–115.9%.
Restructuring the vocal fold lamina propria with endoscopic microdissection
Authors: Bartlett Rebecca S. , Hoffman Henry T. , Dailey Seth H. , Bock Jonathan M. , Klemuk Sarah A. , Askeland Ryan W. , Ahlrichs‐Hanson Jan S. , Heaford Andrew C. , Thibeault Susan L.
Published: August 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

The purposes of this preclinical study were to investigate histologic and rheologic outcomes of Microendoscopy of Reinke's space (MERS)‐guided minithyrotomy and to assess its instrumentation.

Study Design

Human cadaveric and in vivo animal study.

Methods

Three human cadaveric larynges were treated with MERS‐guided placement of Radiesse VoiceGel and immediately evaluated histologically for biomaterial location. In the second part of this investigation, two scarred porcine larynges were treated with MERS‐guided placement of HyStem‐VF and rheologically evaluated 6 weeks later. Student t tests determined differences in viscoelastic properties of treated/untreated vocal folds. Sialendoscopes and microendoscopes were subjectively compared for their visualization capacity.

Results

MERS imaged the subepithelial area and vocal ligament, guiding both tissue dissection and biomaterial positioning. Sialendoscopes provided adequate visualization and feature incorporated working channels. Enhanced image clarity was created in a gas‐filled rather than saline‐filled environment, per rater judgment. Histological analysis revealed desirable biomaterial positioning with MERS. Per rheological analysis, viscoelastic properties of the MERS‐treated porcine vocal folds compared to uninjured vocal folds 6 weeks following treatment did not statistically differ.

Conclusions

MERS‐guided laryngoplasty using sialendoscopes yielded satisfactory biomaterial positioning in the short‐term and normalized rheologic tissue properties in the long‐term, contributing to proof of concept for MERS in the treatment of scarring. Strengths of MERS include direct, real‐time visualization of Reinke's space and an ability to manipulate surgical instruments parallel to the vocal fold edge while maintaining an intact epithelium. Future work will explore the clinical utility of MERS for addressing scarring, sulcus vocalis, and other intracordal processes.

Level of Evidence

N/A Laryngoscope, 123:2780–2786, 2013
Electrochemical behavior of new experimental TiNbZrAl alloys for dental applications
Authors: Dragan‐Raileanu L. A. , Chelariu R. , Mareci D. , Munteanu C.
Published: August 2013

The corrosion behavior of two new TiNbZrAl alloys together with the cp‐Ti was investigated for dental applications. All samples were tested by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) performed in artificial saliva with different pH (5.6 and 4.5), fluoride (2000 ppm F−) and caffeine (1 mg/mL) contents. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to observe the surface morphology after 1 day immersion in the test solution. The presence of 1 mg/mL caffeine in acidified fluoridated artificial saliva (pH 4.5) with 2000 ppm F− could prevent the cp‐Ti and TiNbZrAl alloys from attack by fluoride ions.
Single‐Chain Polymer Self‐Assembly Using Complementary Hydrogen Bonding Units
Authors: Romulus Joy , Weck Marcus
Published: August 2013

A triblock copolymer containing the complementary hydrogen bonding recognition pair ureidoguanosine–diaminonaphthyridine (UG–DAN) as pendant functional groups is synthesized using ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The norbornene‐based DAN monomer is shown to allow for a controlled polymerization when polymerized in the presence of a modi­fied‐UG molecule that serves as a protecting group, subsequently allowing for the fabrication of functionalized triblock copolymers. The self‐assembly of the copolymers was characterized using dynamic light scattering and 1H NMR spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that the polymers self‐assemble via complementary hydrogen bonding motifs even at low dilutions, indicating intramolecular interactions.

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Grain size effect of pre‐ and post‐coating treated cemented carbides on PVD films' adhesion and mechanical properties
Authors: Bouzakis K.‐D. , Michailidis N. , Skordaris G. , Tsouknidas A. , Makrimallakis S. , Bouzakis E.
Published: August 2013

The grain size of coated cemented carbide tools may significantly affect the tool life by influencing either the coating adhesion to the substrate or the coating growth during deposition. In the present study three variously grained cemented carbides were coated with two different PVD films. Various pre‐ and post‐treatments were applied, while their effect on the films' mechanical properties and adhesion was assessed by nanoindentations and inclined impact tests. The coatings deposited on ultra‐fine‐grained substrates exhibited the highest mechanical properties overall. The research revealed elevated adhesive properties for the fine‐grained substrate compared to the normal and ultra‐fine‐grained one. The film adhesion of normal and fine‐grained substrate can be further enhanced through micro‐blasting. Post‐treatments of the coatings were beneficial in all substrate cases, as brushing of the film surface removed droplets while at the same time inducing surface residual stresses at the coating resulting in a hardness increase.
Mutations in the interleukin receptor IL11RA cause autosomal recessive Crouzon‐like craniosynostosis
Authors: Keupp Katharina , Li Yun , Vargel Ibrahim , Hoischen Alexander , Richardson Rebecca , Neveling Kornelia , Alanay Yasemin , Uz Elif , Elcioğlu Nursel , Rachwalski Martin , Kamaci Soner , Tunçbilek Gökhan , Akin Burcu , Grötzinger Joachim , Konas Ersoy , Mavili Emin , Müller‐Newen Gerhard , Collmann Hartmut , Roscioli Tony , Buckley Michael F. , Yigit Gökhan , Gilissen Christian , Kress Wolfram , Veltman Joris , Hammerschmidt Matthias , Akarsu Nurten A. , Wollnik Bernd
Published: August 2013

We have characterized a novel autosomal recessive Crouzon‐like craniosynostosis syndrome in a 12‐affected member family from Antakya, Turkey, the presenting features of which include: multiple suture synostosis, midface hypoplasia, variable degree of exophthalmos, relative prognathism, a beaked nose, and conductive hearing loss. Homozygosity mapping followed by targeted next‐generation sequencing identified a c.479+6T>G mutation in the interleukin 11 receptor alpha gene (IL11RA) on chromosome 9p21. This donor splice‐site mutation leads to a high percentage of aberrant IL11RA mRNA transcripts in an affected individual and altered mRNA splicing determined by in vitro exon trapping. An extended IL11RA mutation screen was performed in a cohort of 79 patients with an initial clinical diagnosis of Crouzon syndrome, pansynostosis, or unclassified syndromic craniosynostosis. We identified mutations segregating with the disease in five families: a German patient of Turkish origin and a Turkish family with three affected sibs all of whom were homozygous for the previously identified IL11RA c.479+6T>G mutation; a family with pansynostosis with compound heterozygous missense mutations, p.Pro200Thr and p.Arg237Pro; and two further Turkish families with Crouzon‐like syndrome carrying the homozygous nonsense mutations p.Tyr232* and p.Arg292*. Using transient coexpression in HEK293T and COS7 cells, we demonstrated dramatically reduced IL11‐mediated STAT3 phosphorylation for all mutations. Immunofluorescence analysis of mouse Il11ra demonstrated specific protein expression in cranial mesenchyme which was localized around the coronal suture tips and in the lambdoidal suture. In situ hybridization analysis of adult zebrafish also detected zfil11ra expression in the coronal suture between the overlapping frontal and parietal plates. This study demonstrates that mutations in the IL11RA gene cause an autosomal recessive Crouzon‐like craniosynostosis.
Core pathology of eating disorders as measured by the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE‐Q): the predictive role of a nested general (g) and primary factors
Authors: Friborg Oddgeir , Reas Deborah L. , Rosenvinge Jan H. , Rø Øyvind
Published: August 2013

The present study examined several factor models of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE‐Q), and in particular, whether a nested general factor (‘g’) was present, hence supporting a common pathology factor. A total of 1094 women were randomly selected by Statistics Norway and mailed a questionnaire packet. The sample was randomly split, using the first half for exploratory analyses and the second for confirmatory validation purposes. A four‐factor solution received the best support, but the structure deviated from the original model of Fairburn. The internal consistency was high for the first three factors (.93, .82 and .86) and satisfactory for the fourth (.78). The additional specification of a general (g) factor improved model fit significantly, implying that the EDE‐Q scores are indicators of both a general core and four primary symptom patterns. Furthermore, the g was more strongly related to predictors like age and body mass index (BMI) than the four primary factors in a full structural equation model. The validity of interpreting the global EDE‐Q score as indicative of g was supported. A brief Shape and Weight Concern subscale of 11 items was strongly related to the g‐factor, and may provide an abbreviated measure of overall eating disorder pathology. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Local control for identifying subgroups of interest in observational research: persistence of treatment for major depressive disorder
Authors: Faries Douglas E. , Chen Yi , Lipkovich Ilya , Zagar Anthony , Liu Xianchen , Obenchain Robert L.
Published: August 2013

Caregivers are regularly faced with decisions between competing treatments. Large observational health care databases provide a golden opportunity for research on heterogeneity in patient response to guide caregiver decisions, due to their sample size, diverse populations, and real‐world setting. Local control is a promising tool for using observational data to detect patient subgroups with differential response on one treatment relative to another. While standard data mining approaches find subgroups with optimal responses for a particular population, detecting subgroups that reveal treatment differences while also adjusting for confounding in observational data is challenging. Local control utilizes unsupervised clustering to form non‐parametric patient‐level counterfactual treatment differences and displays them as an observed distribution of effect‐size estimates. Classification and regression trees (CART) then find the factors that drive the greatest outcome differentiation between treatments. In this manuscript, we demonstrate the use of this two‐step strategy using local control plus CART to identify depression patients most (least) likely to benefit from treatment with duloxetine relative to extended‐release venlafaxine. Prior medication costs and age were found to be factors most associated with differential outcome, with prior medication costs remaining as an important factor after sensitivity analyses using a second dataset. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phase I study of vinblastine and sirolimus in pediatric patients with recurrent or refractory solid tumors
Authors: Morgenstern Daniel A. , Marzouki Monia , Bartels Ute , Irwin Meredith S. , Sholler Giselle L.S. , Gammon Janet , Yankanah Rosanna , Wu Bing , Samson Yvan , Baruchel Sylvain
Published: August 2013

Background

The combination of vinblastine and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor sirolimus inhibits the growth of neuroblastoma xenografts through pro‐apoptotic and anti‐angiogenic mechanisms. This phase I study aimed to explore the safety and toxicity of this combination in pediatric patients with advanced solid tumors.

Procedure

Patients ≤21 years of age with recurrent/refractory solid tumors (including CNS) were eligible. Sirolimus was administered daily by mouth or nasogastric (NG) tube, with doses adjusted to achieve a target trough concentration of 10–15 ng/ml, with weekly intravenous vinblastine (dose escalated 4–6 mg/m2/dose according to 3 + 3 phase I design).

Results

Fourteen patients were enrolled (median age 8.7 years; range 2.3–19) of whom 12 were evaluable for toxicity and 11 for response. One patient experienced a dose‐limiting toxicity (grade 3 mucositis) at the highest vinblastine dose level. Myelosuppression was the most common toxicity. Dose‐adjusted sirolimus trough concentrations were significantly lower in patients receiving drug via NG tube (1.50 ± 0.75 ng/ml/mg vs. 2.25 ± 1.07 ng/ml/mg for oral administration). Correlative biomarker analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in serum concentration of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (sVEGFR2) at 28 days compared to baseline consistent with inhibition of angiogenesis. One patient had a partial response and three had stable disease for more than 3 months.

Conclusions

The combination of mTOR inhibitor and vinblastine given over an extended continuous schedule is safe, associated with a reduction in circulating angiogenic factor (CAF) VEGFR2 and resulted in clinical responses. Future studies using the intravenously administered mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus are planned. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:128–133. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Increasing trends in Schedule II opioid use and doctor shopping during 1999–2007 in California†
Authors: Han Huijun , Kass Philip H. , Wilsey Barth L. , Li Chin‐Shang
Published: August 2013

Purpose

To examine the age and gender‐specific trends of Schedule II opioid use among California residents, with special reference to multiple provider users (doctor shoppers).

Methods

Utilizing data from the California Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, we examined age and gender‐specific trends of Schedule II opioid use during calendar years 1999–2007. Specifically, we analyzed the following: (1) the prevalence of Schedule II opioid users among California's population and (2) the proportion of these opioid users who were doctor shoppers (defined as an individual who used more than five different prescribers for all Schedule II opioids he or she obtained in a calendar year).

Results

Among all age and gender groups, the prevalence of Schedule II opioid users in California increased by 150%–280% and the prevalence of doctor shoppers among users increased by 111%–213% over 9 years. The prevalence of opioid users was lowest among 18–44 year old men (1.25%) and highest among 65‐year and older women (5.31%) by 2007. The prevalence of doctor shoppers was approximately 1.4% among those up to age 64 years and 0.5% among those 65 years and older. The gender difference in doctor shoppers among all age groups was negligible. On average, the cumulative morphine‐equivalent amount of Schedule II opioid per individual obtained per year was threefold to sixfold higher for doctor shoppers than for the general population across different age and gender groups.

Conclusions

Age and gender differences in opioid use were relatively small, whereas the trends for use of opioids and multiple providers grew at a disquieting rate. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A review of global ocean temperature observations: Implications for ocean heat content estimates and climate change
Authors: Abraham J. P. , Baringer M. , Bindoff N. L. , Boyer T. , Cheng L. J. , Church J. A. , Conroy J. L. , Domingues C. M. , Fasullo J. T. , Gilson J. , Goni G. , Good S. A. , Gorman J. M. , Gouretski V. , Ishii M. , Johnson G. C. , Kizu S. , Lyman J. M. , Macdonald A. M. , Minkowycz W. J. , Moffitt S. E. , Palmer M. D. , Piola A. R. , Reseghetti F. , Schuckmann K. , Trenberth K. E. , Velicogna I. , Willis J. K.
Published: August 2013

The evolution of ocean temperature measurement systems is presented with a focus on the development and accuracy of two critical devices in use today (expendable bathythermographs and conductivity‐temperature‐depth instruments used on Argo floats). A detailed discussion of the accuracy of these devices and a projection of the future of ocean temperature measurements are provided. The accuracy of ocean temperature measurements is discussed in detail in the context of ocean heat content, Earth's energy imbalance, and thermosteric sea level rise. Up‐to‐date estimates are provided for these three important quantities. The total energy imbalance at the top of atmosphere is best assessed by taking an inventory of changes in energy storage. The main storage is in the ocean, the latest values of which are presented. Furthermore, despite differences in measurement methods and analysis techniques, multiple studies show that there has been a multidecadal increase in the heat content of both the upper and deep ocean regions, which reflects the impact of anthropogenic warming. With respect to sea level rise, mutually reinforcing information from tide gauges and radar altimetry shows that presently, sea level is rising at approximately 3 mm yr−1 with contributions from both thermal expansion and mass accumulation from ice melt. The latest data for thermal expansion sea level rise are included here and analyzed.
Joint feeder‐link bandwidth compaction and interference mitigation based on a hybrid space/ground processing architecture for a broadband multi‐beam satellite system
Authors: Thibault I. , Devillers B. , Candreva E.A. , Lombardo F. , Vanelli‐Coralli A. , Corazza G.E.
Published: August 2013

In a broadband multi‐beam satellite system, a hybrid space/ground processing has the potential to allow for a more efficient use of the feeder‐link spectral resources when the payload is equipped with a multi‐fed reflector antenna and the number of feeds exceeds the number of users to be served on‐ground. In conventional systems, where the processing burden is kept on‐ground to minimize payload complexity, the on‐ground and the space segments have to engage in extensive communication efforts on the feeder‐link to exchange the whole set of multiplexed feed signals. When spectral resources are scarce, an expensive multiple‐gateway (GW) infrastructure is required to cope with these communication efforts. As an alternative, this work suggests a hybrid architecture where the satellite and the GW are able to exchange a set of intermediate signals called feedlets, whose cardinality is smaller than the number of feeds. When this occurs, the satellite implements a fixed non‐adaptive processing called Coarse Beamforming (CB) to reconstruct feed signals from the subset of feedlets. Non‐adaptive processing keeps the payload complexity acceptable, while a gain is obtained in terms of feeder‐link bandwidth reduction. The objective of this paper is to study the implications of introducing a fixed processing scheme on‐board, the satellite for the Forward Link (FL) of a broadband multi‐beam satellite network. The first part of this work studies the effect of bandwidth compression on the quality of on‐board reconstructed feed signals.The second part focuses on the effect of coarse beamforming on the system's spectral efficiency and availability when adaptive precoding is implemented at the GW to allow for a full‐frequency‐reuse scheme. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A two‐dimensional random projected minutiae vicinity decomposition‐based cancellable fingerprint template
Authors: Jin Zhe , Goi Bok‐Min , Teoh Andrew , Tay Yong Haur
Published: August 2013

With the massive deployment of biometric applications, protecting the biometric template has attracted great attention because of the privacy issue. Although many proposals on protecting biometric template have been reported in literature, design a method simultaneously satisfying four criteria, that is performance, non‐invertibility, cancellability, and diversity still remains unsolved. In this paper, we proposed a two‐dimensional random projected minutiae vicinity decomposition (MVD) technique to secure minutiae‐based fingerprint template. Minutiae vicinity is first formed from a set of fingerprint minutiae and further used to generate a set of local features, namely MVD features; then, a random matrix derived from user‐specific token is used to project MVD features for the concealment of the topology of MVD. Comprehensive experiments on fingerprint verification competition datasets are carried out, and the lowest equal error rate obtained in the stolen‐token scenario is 3.07% and 1.02% for fingerprint verification competition 2002 database 1 and database 2, respectively. Besides, detail analyses on the irreversibility, cancellability, template size, and computational cost have been carried out. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physicochemical and functional characterization of yam starch for potential industrial applications
Authors: Otegbayo Bolanle , Oguniyan Dotun , Akinwumi Olubunmi
Published: August 2013

Yam is a significant and highly prized starchy crop in West and Central Africa, but largely underutilized industrially. Functional and physicochemical properties of starches extracted from forty‐three varieties of Dioscorea rotundata, Dioscorea alata, Dioscorea dumetorum, Dioscorea cayenensis, and Dioscorea bulbifera were investigated for their potential industrial utilization. Water binding, swelling, gelation capacity, granule size, amylose/amylopectin, pasting characteristics, paste clarity, and syneresis were determined. Results showed that starches from D. rotundata, D. alata, D. cayenensis, and D. bulbifera had large starch granules (25–50 µm) while D. dumetorum had small granules (7–12 µm). There was variability in the starch granule shapes, which were mostly oval, round, and triangular. The least gelation concentration of the starches was between 4 and 16%. Paste clarity of the starches decreased as storage days increased and all the starches exhibited high syneresis indicating tendencies to retrograde on low storage temperature. There were differences in the pasting characteristics of the yam starches with D. rotundata and D. bulbifera having high peak viscosities compared to others. These differences in functional and physico‐chemical properties of the yam starches are discussed as indicators of the various products for which they can be utilized in both food and non‐food applications.
How Do SMEs with Single and Multiple Owners Finance Their Operations Differently? Empirical Evidence from China
Authors: Newman Alexander , Borgia Daniel , Deng Ziliang
Published: August 2013

We study the impact of firm‐level characteristics on the capital structures of private small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as the differences between the capital structures adopted by SMEs with single and multiple owners in China. Our findings highlight the limited use of asset‐based financing by Chinese SMEs. We also find that the propensity of SMEs with single‐owners to use external debt was significantly less than those with multiple owners. Furthermore, our findings suggest that single‐owned firms are subject to a more constrained pecking order than those with multiple owners. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Not Just for After Lunch
Authors: Toth Aimee
Published: August 2013

This Teaching Tip is based on a vocabulary study conducted at Thetford Elementary in Thetford, Vermont. It explores the positive effects of ulizing paired conversational response and teaching of associative connections within read aloud. Teachers who scaffold student undertanding during read aloud using the Four C's: compare and contrast vocabulary, make connections to what is known, and use context to fill in meaning for unknown words students, will see the greatest gains in their students.
The role of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae lipoate protein ligase homologue, Lip3, in lipoic acid synthesis
Authors: Hermes Fatemah A. , Cronan John E.
Published: August 2013

The covalent attachment of lipoate to the lipoyl domains (LDs) of the central metabolism enzymes pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH) is essential for their activation and thus for respiratory growth in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A third lipoate‐dependent enzyme system, the glycine cleavage system (GCV), is required for utilization of glycine as a nitrogen source. Lipoate is synthesized by extraction of its precursor, octanoyl‐acyl carrier protein (ACP), from the pool of fatty acid biosynthetic intermediates. Alternatively, lipoate is salvaged from previously modified proteins or from growth medium by lipoate protein ligases (Lpls). The first Lpl to be characterized, LplA of Escherichia coli, catalyses two partial reactions: activation of the acyl chain by formation of acyl–AMP, followed by transfer of the acyl chain to lipoyl domains (LDs). There is a surprising diversity within the Lpl family of enzymes, several of which catalyse reactions other than ligation reactions. For example, the Bacillus subtilis Lpl homologue LipM is an octanoyltransferase that transfers the octanoyl moiety from octanoyl‐ACP to GCV. Another B. subtilis Lpl homologue, LipL, transfers octanoate from octanoyl–GCV to other LDs in an amido‐transfer reaction. Study of eukaryotic Lpls has lagged behind studies of the bacterial enzymes. We report that the Lip3 Lpl homologue of the yeast S. cerevisiae has octanoyl‐CoA–protein transferase activity, and discuss implications of this activity on the physiological role of Lip3 in lipoate synthesis. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Isolation of an endophytic fungus producing baccatin III from Taxus wallichiana var. mairei
Authors: Zaiyou Jian , Li Meng , Guifang Xu , Xiuren Zhou
Published: August 2013

The objective of this study was to isolate endophytic fungi producing baccatin III from yew for the purpose of baccatin III and paclitaxel manufacture. Surface sterilized bark of Taxus wallichiana var. mairei was used as source material with potato dextrose agar culture medium for isolation of endophytic fungi. Fungal cultures were extracted with a mixture of chloroform/methanol (1:1, v/v) and the baccatin III in the extracts was determined and authenticated with LC–MS. An endophytic fungus that produced baccatin III was identified by ITS rDNA and 26S D1/D2 rDNA sequencing. A total of 192 endophytic fungal strains were isolated from T. wallichiana var. mairei. Only one of the 192 strains produced baccatin III and it was identified as Diaporthe phaseolorum. The productivity of this strain cultured in PDA culture medium was 0.219 mg/l. The isolated endophytic fungus produced baccatin III at a relatively high level and shows promise as a producing strain for baccatin III and paclitaxel manufacture after strain improvement.
Classification of Turkish Monocultivar (Ayvalık and Memecik cv.) Virgin Olive Oils from North and South Zones of Aegean Region Based on Their Triacyglycerol Profiles
Authors: Gökçebağ Mümtaz , Dıraman Harun , Özdemir Durmuş
Published: August 2013

In this study, a total of 22 domestic monocultivar (Ayvalık and Memecik cv.) virgin olive oil samples taken from various locations of the Aegean region, the main olive growing zone of Turkey, during two (2001–2002) crop years were classified and characterized by well‐known chemometric methods (principal component analysis [PCA] and hierarchical cluster analysis [HCA]) on the basis of their triacylglycerol (TAG) components. The analyses of TAG components (LLL and major fractions LOO, OOO, POO, PLO, SOO, and ECN 42–ECN 50) in the oil samples were carried out according to the HPLC method described in a European Union Commission (EUC) regulation. In all analyzed samples the value of trilinolein (LLL), the least abundant TAG, did not exceed the maximum limit of 0.5 % given by the EUC regulation for different olive oil grades. The ranges of abundant TAG, namely LOO, OOO, POO, PLO, and SOO, were 13.30–16.08, 37.27–46.36, 21.39–23.24, 4.93–7.03, and 4.72–6.00 %. The TAG data of Aegean virgin olive oils were similar to those of products from important olive‐oil‐producing Mediterranean countries was determined. Also, the estimation of major fatty acids (FA) was carried out by using a formula based on TAG data. The PCA results showed that some TAG components have an important role in the characterization and geographical classification of 22 monocultivar virgin olive oil. The Aegean virgin olive oil samples were successfully classified and discriminated into two main groups as the North and South (growing) subzones or Ayvalık and Memecik olives (cultivars) according to the HCA results based on experimental TAG data and calculated major FA profile.
Hip surveillance and management of the displaced hip in cerebral palsy
Authors: Robb J. E. , Hägglund G.
Published: August 2013

Introduction

This article provides an overview of the management of a displaced hip in children with cerebral palsy and considers surveillance programmes, principles of surgical reconstruction and options for the salvage of an unreconstructable hip in these children.

Conclusion

Hip dislocation in CP is potentially preventable if children are included from an early age in a surveillance programme that includes repeat radiographic and clinical examinations, and preventive treatment for hips that are displacing. A surveillance programme should be based on the child's age, GMFCS level and migration percentage (MP), and surgical prevention may be considered in children with a MP exceeding 33 %.
Murine homologue of the human KIAA1199 is implicated in hyaluronan binding and depolymerization
Authors: Yoshida Hiroyuki , Nagaoka Aya , Nakamura Sachiko , Sugiyama Yoshinori , Okada Yasunori , Inoue Shintaro
Published: August 2013

Recently, we have disclosed that human KIAA1199 (hKIAA1199) is a hyaluronan (HA) binding protein implicated in HA depolymerization. Although a murine homologue (mKiaa1199) was previously cloned, no information about the function of the molecule was available. Here, we show that cells transfected with mKiaa1199 cDNA selectively catabolized HA via the clathrin‐coated pit pathway. A glycosaminoglycan‐binding assay demonstrated the specific binding of mKiaa1199 to HA. These results were similar to our observations with hKIAA1199, although slight differences were found in the peak sizes of the minimum degradates of HA. We conclude that like hKIAA1199, mKiaa1199 is a hyaladherin, leading to HA depolymerization.
Nilsequences, null-sequences, and multiple correlation sequences
Authors: LEIBMAN A.
Published: August 2013

A ($d$-parameter) basic nilsequence is a sequence of the form $\psi (n)= f({a}^{n} x)$,$n\in { \mathbb{Z} }^{d} $, where $x$ is a point of a compact nilmanifold $X$, $a$ is a translation on $X$, and$f\in C(X)$; a nilsequence is a uniform limit of basic nilsequences. If $X= G/ \Gamma $ is a compact nilmanifold, $Y$ is a subnilmanifold of $X$, $\mathop{(g(n))}\nolimits_{n\in { \mathbb{Z} }^{d} } $ is a polynomial sequence in $G$, and $f\in C(X)$, we show that the sequence $\phi (n)= \int \nolimits \nolimits_{g(n)Y} f$ is the sum of a basic nilsequence and a sequence that converges to zero in uniform density (a null-sequence). We also show that an integral of a family of nilsequences is a nilsequence plus a null-sequence. We deduce that for any invertible finite measure preserving system $(W, \mathcal{B} , \mu , T)$, polynomials ${p}_{1} , \ldots , {p}_{k} : { \mathbb{Z} }^{d} \longrightarrow \mathbb{Z} $, and sets ${A}_{1} , \ldots , {A}_{k} \in \mathcal{B} $, the sequence $\phi (n)= \mu ({T}^{{p}_{1} (n)} {A}_{1} \cap \cdots \cap {T}^{{p}_{k} (n)} {A}_{k} )$, $n\in { \mathbb{Z} }^{d} $, is the sum of a nilsequence and a null-sequence.
A removal lemma for linear configurations in subsets of the circle
Authors: Candela Pablo , Sisask Olof
Published: August 2013

We obtain a removal lemma for systems of linear equations over the circle group, using a similar result for finite fields due to Král′, Serra and Vena, and we discuss some applications.
A starfish bed in the Middle Miocene Grand Bay Formation of Carriacou, The Grenadines (West Indies)
Authors: JAGT JOHN W. M. , THUY BEN , DONOVAN STEPHEN K. , STÖHR SABINE , PORTELL ROGER W. , PICKERILL RON K. , HARPER DAVID A. T. , LINDSAY WILLIAM , JACKSON TREVOR A.
Published: August 2013

The first starfish bed to be recognized from the Antilles is a lensoid body in the middle Miocene Grand Bay Formation of Carriacou, The Grenadines (West Indies). This unit was deposited in a turbidite basin in a region of active volcanism fed from one centre and preserves common deep-water taxa more typical of the Palaeozoic, such as crinoids and brachiopods. The starfish bed is a channel-fill deposit laid down in at least 150–200 m water depth, although the specimens may have been derived from shallower water. A goniasterid asteroid and an ophiacanthid ophiuroid have been recognized. The first articulated asteroid from the Antillean fossil record isParagonaster(?)haldixonisp. nov. In all skeletal features it appears close to the extant Atlantic speciesParagonaster grandisH. L. Clark andP. subtilis(Perrier), but differs in having a single row of rectangular abactinal ossicles extending to the arm tip; these are longer than wide. The brittlestar,Ophiocamax ventosasp. nov., is described on the basis of a fragmentary disc and arms from this deposit. The closest similarities are with the extant tropical western Atlantic speciesOphiocamax hystrixLyman andO. austeraVerrill. However, the new species has thorns covering the entire surface of dorsal arm plates, while arm spines have a multitude of small thorns, loosely arranged in numerous rows and dorsal arm plate shape differs markedly. The occurrence ofO. ventosasp. nov. suggests thatOphiocamaxhas been a deep-sea taxon at least since the Miocene.
The first 40Ar–39Ar date from Oxfordian ammonite-calibrated volcanic layers (bentonites) as a tie-point for the Late Jurassic
Authors: PELLENARD P. , NOMADE S. , MARTIRE L. , DE OLIVEIRA RAMALHO F. , MONNA F. , GUILLOU H.
Published: August 2013

Eight volcanic ash layers, linked to large explosive events caused by subduction-related volcanism from the Vardar Ocean back-arc, interbedded with marine limestones and cherts, have been identified in the Rosso Ammonitico Veronese Formation (northeastern Italy). The thickest ash layer, attributed to the Gregoryceras transversarium ammonite Biozone (Oxfordian Stage), yields a precise and reliable 40Ar–39Ar date of 156.1 ± 0.89 Ma, which is in better agreement with GTS2004 boundaries than with the current GTS2012. This first biostratigraphically well-constrained Oxfordian date is proposed as a new radiometric tie-point to improve the Geologic Time Scale for the Late Jurassic, where ammonite-calibrated radiometric dates are particularly scarce.
Hormonal changes causing rhinitis in pregnancy among Malaysian women
Authors: Indirani B , Raman R , Omar S Z
Published: August 2013

Objectives:

To investigate the aetiology of rhinitis occurring in pregnancy, by (1) describing the relationship between pregnancy rhinitis and serum oestrogen, progesterone, placental growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor, and (2) assessing the prevalence of pregnancy rhinitis among Malaysian women.

Methods:

Prospective study involving 30 pregnant women followed at an ante-natal clinic for 14 months. Hormone levels were analysed during pregnancy and the post-partum period.

Results:

Levels of all four hormones were elevated in the third trimester, compared with first trimester and post-partum values. Rhinitis patients had higher levels of oestrogen and insulin-like growth factor 1 in the third trimester than non-rhinitis patients, although these differences were not statistically significant. The prevalence of rhinitis was 53.3 per cent, with most cases occurring in the third trimester. Patients with pregnancy rhinitis had a higher prevalence of female babies, compared with non-rhinitis patients (p = 0.003).

Conclusions:

Pregnancy rhinitis was significantly more common in women giving birth to female babies. Women with pregnancy rhinitis had a non-significant elevation in oestrogen and insulin-like growth factor 1 levels, compared with those without rhinitis.