bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High plant endemism in China is partially linked to reduced glacial‐interglacial climate change
Authors: Feng Gang , Mao Lingfeng , Sandel Brody , Swenson Nathan G. , Svenning Jens‐Christian
Published: September 2015

Aim

Endemic species are hypothesized to particularly occur in areas with relatively stable climates during the Quaternary glacial‐interglacial oscillations (orbitally forced species' range dynamics hypothesis). This hypothesis has received support in global studies and studies from regions highly affected by glaciations. Here, we test its applicability to Chinese endemic species, thereby testing it in a region that was relatively mildly affected by glaciations.

Location

China.

Methods

We tested for associations between endemic species richness and Quaternary climate change, current climate and topography. Changes in mean annual temperature (MAT) and annual precipitation (MAP) between the Last Glacial Maximum and present were used to describe Quaternary climate change. We used simultaneous autoregressive (SAR) models to account for spatial autocorrelation in predictors, and Random Forest modelling to deal with non‐linear relationships and better handle multicollinearity among predictor variables. To get a deeper understanding of the mechanisms involved we also performed analyses based on growth‐form (woody versus herbaceous plants) and species age (palaeo‐ and neoendemics).

Results

Single‐predictor SAR models showed that glacial‐interglacial MAT velocity always has higher explanatory power than current climate (with a pseudo r2 difference of 0.581–0.604 between the best palaeoclimate and current climate predictors for models for all endemic plants). Model selection on multivariate SAR models (based on Akaike weights) and Random Forest modelling (based on correlations between predicted and observed species richness) always included at least one variable representing Quaternary climate change as well as one or more current climate variables. Quaternary climate‐change variables were generally of similar strength to the current climate predictors. Notably, the summed Akaike weight across all models in the relevant model set was always 1 for glacial‐interglacial MAT velocity. There were no clear differences with respect to growth forms or species age in the estimated importance of Quaternary climate change.

Main conclusions

The consistent association between long‐term climatic stability and high plant endemism in China provides strong evidence for the importance of Quaternary glacial‐interglacial climate changes in shaping the distribution of endemic species, even in regions relatively mildly affected by glaciations. Hence, even moderate climate changes may have strong, long‐term effects on species diversity patterns.
Effects of Husk and Harvesting Time on Provitamin A Activity and Sensory Properties of Boiled Fresh Orange Maize Hybrids
Authors: Alamu Emmanuel Oladeji , Maziya‐Dixon Bussie , Menkir Abebe , Olaofe Olorunfemi
Published: September 2015

Boiled fresh maize on the cob is a nutritious food staple among Nigerians. This study evaluated the effect of husk and harvesting time on the β‐carotene, provitamin A (PVA) activity and sensory properties of boiled orange maize hybrids. Eight freshly harvested cobs of orange maize hybrids were boiled with and without husk using an atmospheric cooking method and evaluated for PVA carotenoids. Sensory evaluation was carried out on the boiled samples within 24 h after harvesting. Husk and harvesting time had highly significant effects (P ≤ 0.001) on the carotenoid components. The best harvesting time to boil fresh orange hybrids for higher β‐carotene and PVA is 20 days after pollination (DAP) for boiled maize with husk and 27 DAP for boiled maize without husk. Hybrid variety and harvesting time were very important factors in rating sensory properties of boiled orange maize hybrids, and the sensory properties that determined the acceptance/likeness were found to be aroma, chewiness and taste.

Practical Applications

The use of orange maize hybrids with enhanced provitamin A levels will be of value in reducing incidence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) for low‐income communities in developing countries. The information obtained from this study will not only increase the understanding of the level of retention of these antioxidant phytochemicals after processing but will also help breeders to adjust their germplasm development activities for high content of such phytochemicals. This information can also help researchers in choosing proper cooking methods to increase the retention of high levels of carotenoids in orange maize that can be delivered to consumers through nutrition education.
The effect of phosphorylation on arrestin–rhodopsin interaction in the squid visual system
Authors: Robinson Kelly A. , Ou Wei‐Lin , Guan Xinyu , Sugamori Kim S. , Bandyopadhyay Abhishek , Ernst Oliver P. , Mitchell Jane
Published: September 2015

Invertebrate visual opsins are G protein‐coupled receptors coupled to retinoid chromophores that isomerize reversibly between inactive rhodopsin and active metarhodopsin upon absorption of photons of light. The squid visual system has an arrestin protein that binds to metarhodopsin to block signaling to Gq and activation of phospholipase C. Squid rhodopsin kinase (SQRK) can phosphorylate both metarhodopsin and arrestin, a dual role that is unique among the G protein‐coupled receptor kinases. The sites and role of arrestin phosphorylation by SQRK were investigated here using recombinant proteins. Arrestin was phosphorylated on serine 392 and serine 397 in the C‐terminus. Unphosphorylated arrestin bound to metarhodopsin and phosphorylated metarhodopsin with similar high affinities (Kd 33 and 21 nM respectively), while phosphorylation of arrestin reduced the affinity 3‐ to 5‐fold (Kd 104 nM). Phosphorylation of metarhodopsin slightly increased the dissociation of arrestin observed during a 1 hour incubation. Together these studies suggest a unique role for SQRK in phosphorylating both receptor and arrestin and inhibiting the binding of these two proteins in the squid visual system.

image

Invertebrate visual systems are inactivated by arrestin binding to metarhodopsin that does not require receptor phosphorylation. Here we show that squid rhodopsin kinase phosphorylates arrestin on two serines (S392,S397) in the C‐terminus and phosphorylation decreases the affinity of arrestin for squid metarhodopsin. Metarhodopsin phosphorylation has very little effect on arrestin binding but does increase arrestin dissociation.
Leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 interacts with p21‐activated kinase 6 to control neurite complexity in mammalian brain
Authors: Civiero Laura , Cirnaru Maria Daniela , Beilina Alexandra , Rodella Umberto , Russo Isabella , Belluzzi Elisa , Lobbestael Evy , Reyniers Lauran , Hondhamuni Geshanthi , Lewis Patrick A. , Van den Haute Chris , Baekelandt Veerle , Bandopadhyay Rina , Bubacco Luigi , Piccoli Giovanni , Cookson Mark R. , Taymans Jean‐Marc , Greggio Elisa
Published: September 2015

Leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is a causative gene for Parkinson's disease, but the physiological function and the mechanism(s) by which the cellular activity of LRRK2 is regulated are poorly understood. Here, we identified p21‐activated kinase 6 (PAK6) as a novel interactor of the GTPase/ROC domain of LRRK2. p21‐activated kinases are serine‐threonine kinases that serve as targets for the small GTP binding proteins Cdc42 and Rac1 and have been implicated in different morphogenetic processes through remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton such as synapse formation and neuritogenesis. Using an in vivo neuromorphology assay, we show that PAK6 is a positive regulator of neurite outgrowth and that LRRK2 is required for this function. Analyses of post‐mortem brain tissue from idiopathic and LRRK2 G2019S carriers reveal an increase in PAK6 activation state, whereas knock‐out LRRK2 mice display reduced PAK6 activation and phosphorylation of PAK6 substrates. Taken together, these results support a critical role of LRRK2 GTPase domain in cytoskeletal dynamics in vivo through the novel interactor PAK6, and provide a valuable platform to unravel the mechanism underlying LRRK2‐mediated pathophysiology.

image

We propose p21‐activated kinase 6 (PAK6) as a novel interactor of leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), a kinase involved in Parkinson's disease (PD). In health, PAK6 regulates neurite complexity in the brain and LRRK2 is required for its function, (a) whereas PAK6 is aberrantly activated in LRRK2‐linked PD brain (b) suggesting that LRRK2 toxicity is mediated by PAK6.
Consumer participation in early detection of the deteriorating patient and call activation to rapid response systems: a literature review
Authors: Vorwerk Jane , King Lindy
Published: September 2015

Aims and objectives

This review investigated the impact of consumer participation in recognition of patient deterioration and response through call activation in rapid response systems.

Background

Nurses and doctors have taken the main role in recognition and response to patient deterioration through hospital rapid response systems. Yet patients and visitors (consumers) have appeared well placed to notice early signs of deterioration. In response, many hospitals have sought to partner health professionals with consumers in detection and response to early deterioration. However, to date, there have been no published research‐based reviews to establish the impact of introducing consumer involvement into rapid response systems.

Design

A critical research‐based review was undertaken.

Methods

A comprehensive search of databases from 2006–2014 identified 11 studies. Critical appraisal of these studies was undertaken and thematic analysis of the findings revealed four major themes.

Results

Following implementation of the consumer activation programmes, the number of calls made by the consumers following detection of deterioration increased. Interestingly, the number of staff calls also increased. Importantly, mortality numbers were found to decrease in one major study following the introduction of consumer call activation. Consumer and staff knowledge and satisfaction with the new programmes indicated mixed results. Initial concerns of the staff over consumer involvement overwhelming the rapid response systems did not eventuate. Evaluation of successful consumer‐activated programmes indicated the importance of: effective staff education and training; ongoing consumer education by nurses and clear educational materials.

Conclusions

Findings indicated positive patient outcomes following introduction of consumer call activation programmes within rapid response systems. Effective consumer programmes included information that was readily accessible, easy‐to‐understand and available in a range of multimedia materials accompanied by the explanation and support of health professionals.

Relevance to clinical practice

Introduction of consumer‐activated programmes within rapid response systems appears likely to improve outcomes for patients experiencing deterioration.
Understanding skill acquisition among registered nurses: the ‘perpetual novice’ phenomenon
Authors: Wilson Barbara , Harwood Lori , Oudshoorn Abe
Published: September 2015

Aims and objectives

To determine whether the perpetual novice phenomenon exists beyond nephrology nursing where it was first described.

Background

The perpetual novice is a state in which nurses are unable to progress from a novice to an expert in one or more essential clinical skills which are used in their practice area. Maintaining clinical competence is essential to quality patient care outcomes.

Design

An exploratory, sequential, mixed methods design was used, comprised of a quantitative component followed by in‐depth interviews.

Methods

Registered nurses employed in one of four roles were recruited from two university‐affiliated hospitals in London, Ontario, Canada: Clinical Educator, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Advanced Practice Nurse and Nurse Practitioner. Participants were first asked to complete and return a survey and demographic questionnaire. Following the return of the completed surveys, ten participants were interviewed to enhance the results of the surveys.

Results

The results of the surveys confirmed that the perpetual novice phenomenon exists across multiple nursing care areas. Four contributing factors, both personal and structural in nature, emerged from the interviews: (1) opportunities for education, (2) the context of learning, (3) personal motivation and initiative to learn and (4) the culture of the units where nurses worked.

Conclusion

The perpetual novice phenomenon exists due to a combination of both personal factors as well as contextual factors in the work environment.

Relevance to clinical practice

The results assist in directing future educational interventions and provide nursing leaders with the information necessary to create work environments that best enable practicing nurses to acquire and maintain clinical competence.
Has bioscience reconciled mind and body?
Authors: Davies Carmel , Redmond Catherine , Toole Sinead O , Coughlan Barbara
Published: September 2015

Aims and objectives

The aim of this discursive paper is to explore the question ‘has biological science reconciled mind and body?’.

Background

This paper has been inspired by the recognition that bioscience has a historical reputation for privileging the body over the mind. The disregard for the mind (emotions and behaviour) cast bioscience within a ‘mind–body problem’ paradigm. It has also led to inherent limitations in its capacity to contribute to understanding the complex nature of health.

Design

This is a discursive paper.

Methods

Literature from the history and sociology of science and psychoneuroimmunology (1975–2015) inform the arguments in this paper. The historical and sociological literature provides the basis for a socio‐cultural debate on mind–body considerations in science since the 1970s. The psychoneuroimmunology literature draws on mind–body bioscientific theory as a way to demonstrate how science is reconciling mind and body and advancing its understanding of the interconnections between emotions, behaviour and health.

Results

Using sociological and biological evidence, this paper demonstrates how bioscience is embracing and advancing its understanding of mind–body interconnectedness. It does this by demonstrating the emotional and behavioural alterations that are caused by two common phenomena; prolonged, chronic peripheral inflammation and prolonged psychological stress. The evidence and arguments provided has global currency that advances understanding of the inter‐relationship between emotions, behaviour and health.

Conclusions

This paper shows how bioscience has reconciled mind and body. In doing so, it has advanced an understanding of science's contribution to the inter‐relationship between emotions, behaviour and health.

Relevance to clinical practice

The biological evidence supporting mind–body science has relevance to clinical practice for nurses and other healthcare professions. This paper discusses how this evidence can inform and enhance clinical practice directly and through research, education and policy.
Mandibular Denture Base Deformation with Locator and Ball Attachments of Implant‐Retained Overdentures
Authors: ELsyad Moustafa Abdou , Errabti Hatem Mokhtar , Mustafa Aisha Zakaria
Published: September 2015

Purpose

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare mandibular denture base deformation between ball and Locator attachments of implant‐retained overdentures.

Materials and Methods

An experimental acrylic model covered with resilient silicone mucosal simulation was constructed. Two laboratory implants were placed in the canine areas of the model. Two duplicate experimental overdentures were constructed and connected to the implants with either ball (GI) or Locator (GII) attachments. To measure overdenture strain around the attachments, 3 strain gauges were attached to the lingual polished surface of the overdentures opposite to the right implant (loading side) 2 mm above the attachment level (Ch1), at the attachment level (Ch2), and 2 mm below the attachment level (Ch3). Another 3 gauges were bonded opposite to the left implant (non‐loading side) in the same manner (Ch6, Ch7, and Ch8). To measure strain at the midline of the overdentures, two strain gauges were attached in the midline at 5 mm intervals (Ch4 and Ch5). A universal testing device was used to deliver vertical static load of 50 N unilaterally and bilaterally to the first molar area to measure strain using a multi‐channel digital strain meter.

Results

During bilateral load application, GII recorded higher compressive strains than GI at the majority of channels. During unilateral load application, GI recorded higher tensile strains at Ch1, Ch2, and Ch3, and GII recorded higher strains than GI at Ch6, Ch7, and Ch8. During bilateral loading the highest strain was concentrated at Ch5 for both groups. During unilateral loading, the highest strain was concentrated at Ch2 for GI, and at Ch5 for GII.

Conclusion

Ball attachments for implant‐retained overdentures were associated with significant mandibular denture base deformation over the implants compared to Locator attachments. Therefore, denture base reinforcement may be recommended with ball attachmentz to increase fracture resistance of the base.
Situating Intellectual Property Policy Into a Human Development Paradigm
Authors: Elmahjub Ezieddin
Published: September 2015

Human development emphasizes creating an enabling environment for people to cultivate initiatives and promote their freedoms, choices and capabilities to lead economic, social and cultural progress. Knowledge is a key component in that enabling environment. It is also the subject of intellectual property (IP) protection. In its current shape, the global IP regime increasingly contributes into locking up knowledge under private control. This approach does not necessarily promote human development objectives, particularly in developing countries with weak knowledge base. Developing countries need to ensure that their IP laws are situated within a human development paradigm. To achieve this, policymakers need to create the infrastructure to empower people to capitalize on knowledge by making knowledge inputs widely available. IP may assist in enhancing human development so long as it does not unduly undermine people's opportunities to access, reuse and recreate knowledge. I introduce two proposals to assist in situating IP into the human development paradigm. Firstly, developing countries should keep knowledge resources in open zones unless the privatization of knowledge is justified. Secondly, they should introduce policy and legislative measures to expand the open zone for people to access, use and re‐create knowledge and culture.
Defining and Measuring the “Market for Brands”: Are Emerging Economies Catching up?
Authors: Frey Carl Benedikt , Ansar Atif , Wunsch‐Vincent Sacha
Published: September 2015

“Markets for brands” play an important economic role in today's global economy. Trademarks and brands can be purchased, franchised or licensed.The ability to use Markets for Brands allows companies to diversify their business, to access competences, and to generate new revenues. In recent years, firms in developed and emerging economies have been active users of these markets by licensing or acquiring established global brands. Yet, despite their apparent importance, little is known about the size of these markets. This article first defines and provides a taxonomy of different brand markets. Second, it analyzes the economic rationale of such markets. Finally, it provides evidence on their magnitude, also assessing their relative importance of the different brand‐related transaction types in developed and emerging economies alike.
Variable Number Agreement in Brazilian Portuguese: An Overview
Authors: Mendes Ronald Beline , Oushiro Livia
Published: September 2015

This survey article presents an overview of studies on variable number agreement in Brazilian Portuguese, regarding the variable usage of explicit and zero plural markers in both noun and verb phrases. Being among the most widely studied phenomena in sociolinguistics, NP and SV agreement studies provide a consistent picture of their social and linguistic embedding across multiple speech communities and have contributed to the debate on the outcomes of language contact, to the description of general constraints on natural languages (such as the effect of parallelism), as well as to discussions on linguistic prejudice outside of academia. This article summarizes the most relevant and recurrent constraints found for these variables and highlights their wider implications for language theory and for the social role of linguistics.
Global summary of maternal and newborn vitamin D status – a systematic review
Authors: Saraf Rajneeta , Morton Susan M.B. , Camargo Carlos A. , Grant Cameron C.
Published: September 2015

Pregnant women and newborns are at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. Our objective was to create a global summary of maternal and newborn vitamin D status. We completed a systematic review (1959–2014) and meta‐analysis of studies reporting serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration in maternal and newborn populations. The 95 identified studies were unevenly distributed by World Health Organization (WHO) region: Americas (24), European (33), Eastern Mediterranean (13), South‐East Asian (7), Western Pacific (16) and African (2). Average maternal 25(OH)D concentrations (nmol L−1) by region were 47–65 (Americas), 15–72 (European), 13–60 (Eastern Mediterranean), 20–52 (South‐East Asian), 42–72 (Western Pacific) and 92 (African). Average newborn 25(OH)D concentrations (nmol L−1) were 35–77 (Americas), 20–50 (European), 5–50 (Eastern Mediterranean), 20–22 (South‐East Asian), 32–67 (Western Pacific) and 27–35 (African). The prevalences of 25(OH)D <50 and <25 nmol L−1 by WHO region in pregnant women were: Americas (64%, 9%), European (57%, 23%), Eastern Mediterranean (46%, 79%), South‐East Asian (87%, not available) and Western Pacific (83%, 13%). Among newborns these values were: Americas (30%, 14%), European (73%, 39%), Eastern Mediterranean (60%, not available), South‐East Asian (96%, 45%) and Western Pacific (54%, 14%). By global region, average 25(OH)D concentration varies threefold in pregnant women and newborns, and prevalence of 25(OH)D <25 nmol L−1 varies eightfold in pregnant women and threefold in newborns. Maternal and newborn 25(OH)D concentrations are highly correlated. Addressing vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women and newborns should be a global priority. To protect children from the adverse effects of vitamin D deficiency requires appropriate interventions during both pregnancy and childhood.
Formalized Representation of Specifications for Construction Cost Estimation by Using Ontology
Authors: Ma Zhiliang , Liu Zhe , Wei Zhenhua
Published: September 2015

Construction cost estimation, which is normally labor‐intensive and error‐prone, is one of the most important works concerned by multiparticipants during a project's life cycle. However, the proficiency of estimators on specifications for construction cost estimation greatly affects the efficiency and accuracy of cost estimation. By formalizing specifications for construction cost estimation, such specifications can be better implemented in computer programs so that the working efficiency and accuracy of estimation can be greatly improved. This study aims to establish an effective approach to formalize such specifications by using ontology. First, two typical specifications for construction cost estimation are analyzed and relevant models are established. Then, an ontology‐based representation of two specifications is established based on the models. Next, a prototype tool for facilitating the establishment, modification, and extension of the ontology‐based representation for estimators is presented and the use cases of the tool are illustrated. Finally, the applicability of the approach is discussed. It is concluded that the formalized representation can be used to classify the building components into items for bill of quantities and quota items automatically by computer programs to accelerate cost estimation.
Prevalence of brain and spinal cord inclusions, including dipeptide repeat proteins, in patients with the C9ORF72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion: a systematic neuropathological review
Authors: Schipper L. J. , Raaphorst J. , Aronica E. , Baas F. , de Haan R. , de Visser M. , Troost D.
Published: September 2015

Aim

The current literature shows no consensus on the localization and number of characteristic neuronal inclusions [p62 and dipeptide repeat proteins (DRPs) positive, TDP‐43‐negative and TDP‐43 positive] in the brain and spinal cord of patients with the hexanucleotide repeat expansion on chromosome 9 (C9ORF72‐positive patients). This may be due to small sample sizes. A valid brain map of the inclusions in C9ORF72‐positive patients may improve clinicopathological correlations and may serve as a reference for neuropathologists.

Methods

We performed a systematic review on 42 pathological studies to assess the pooled prevalence rates and density (a measure of the number of inclusions per brain region) of (phosphorylated)‐TDP‐43, p62 and DRP neuronal inclusions in seven brain regions and the spinal cord of 261 C9ORF72‐positive patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and ALS‐FTD.

Results

In the cerebellum and hippocampus, the pooled prevalence rates of TDP‐43 neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions (NCIs; cerebellum: 3.9%; hippocampus: 68.3%) were lower than those of DRP (cerebellum: 97.2%; hippocampus 97.1%). Moreover, TDP‐43 inclusion density was lower compared with p62 inclusion density in these regions. The pooled prevalence rate of TDP‐43 NCI in the substantia nigra was high (94.4%).

Discussion

The findings of this systematic review largely confirm findings of previous smaller studies on the localization and prevalence of inclusions in the central nervous system of C9ORF72‐positive patients. The high prevalence of TDP‐43 inclusions in the substantia nigra is a relatively new finding and is probably related to the relatively high prevalence of parkinsonism in C9ORF72‐positive patients.
A case of an epithelioid glioblastoma with the BRAF V600E mutation colocalized with BRAF intact low‐grade diffuse astrocytoma
Authors: Kuroda Jun‐Ichiro , Nobusawa Sumihito , Nakamura Hideo , Yokoo Hideaki , Ueda Ryuta , Makino Keishi , Yano Shigetoshi , Kuratsu Jun‐ichi
Published: September 2015

Epithelioid glioblastomas are one of the rarest histological variants of glioblastomas, which are not formally recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. Epithelioid glioblastomas usually occur as primary lesions, but there have been several reports of secondary epithelioid glioblastomas or epithelioid glioblastomas with pre‐ or co‐existing lesions to date. The serine/threonine‐protein kinase B‐Raf (BRAF) V600E mutation has been found at a high frequency of 54% in epithelioid glioblastomas. We present a case of a 26‐year‐old female patient with an epithelioid glioblastoma with the BRAF V600E mutation in her right frontal lobe. In the present case, a low‐grade diffuse astrocytoma component had colocalized with the epithelioid glioblastoma. The component presented prominent calcification on neuroimages as well as by histology, and low‐grade diffuse astrocytoma was considered to be a precursor lesion of an epithelioid glioblastoma. However, the BRAF V600E mutation was detected only in epithelioid glioblastoma but not in low‐grade diffuse astrocytoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating a discrepancy in the BRAF V600E mutation states between epithelioid glioblastoma and colocalized low‐grade astrocytoma.
Mitochondrial dynamics regulating chemoresistance in gynecological cancers
Authors: Kong Bao , Tsuyoshi Hideaki , Orisaka Makoto , Shieh Dar‐Bin , Yoshida Yoshio , Tsang Benjamin K.
Published: September 2015

Chemoresistance enables cancer cells to evade apoptotic stimuli and leads to poor clinical prognosis. It arises from dysregulation of signaling factors responsible for inducing cell proliferation and death and for modulating the microenvironment. In gynecologic cancers, p53 is a pivotal determinant of cisplatin sensitivity, while BCL‐2 family members are associated with taxane sensitivity. Mitochondria fusion and fission dynamics are required for many mitochondrial functions and are also involved in mitochondria‐mediated apoptosis, which is closely associated with chemosensitivity. Mitochondrial dynamics are controlled by a number of intracellular proteins, including fusion (Opa1 and mitofusion 1 and 2) and fission proteins (Drp1 and Fis1), which can be proapoptotic or antiapoptotic, depending on the cell types, status, and stimuli from the microenvironment. This paper describes the role of mitochondrial dynamics in the mechanism of chemoresistance and the evidence supporting a significant contribution of a hyperfusion state to chemoresistance in gynecological cancers. Moreover, we discuss our findings showing that enforced fission induces apoptosis of cancer cells and sensitizes them to chemotherapeutic agents. Understanding the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics in chemoresistance may provide insight into new biomarkers that better predict cancer chemosensitivity and may aid the development of effective therapeutic strategies for clinical management of gynecologic cancers.
The development of SERI® Surgical Scaffold, an engineered biological scaffold
Authors: Jewell Mark , Daunch William , Bengtson Bradley , Mortarino Enrico
Published: September 2015

The primary goal of reconstructive and revision surgery is to restore, repair, rebuild, and support damaged, weakened, or absent tissue. There are numerous approaches for soft tissue support and repair, including the use of autologous tissue, human‐ or animal‐derived acellular dermal matrices, absorbable or permanent synthetic mesh, and, now, a new class of bioresorbable protein scaffold. Although many factors influence the choice of surgical approach and the specific product used for soft tissue support and repair, the goal is to improve long‐term outcomes while minimizing complications and recurrences requiring further revisional surgery. In this review, the basic science, clinical characteristics, and clinical applications of SERI® Surgical Scaffold, a novel, engineered, highly purified silk product for soft tissue support and repair will be presented.
The long road to recombinase‐mediated plant transformation
Authors: Ow David W.
Published: September 2015

The use of site‐specific recombinases to manipulate eukaryotic genomes began nearly three decades ago. Although seemingly parallel efforts were being made in animal and plant systems, the motivation for its development in plants was unique to, at least at the time, crop bioengineering issues. The impetus behind site‐specific deletion in plants was to remove antibiotic resistance genes used during transformation but unnecessary in commercial products. Site‐specific integration in plants was more than academic curiosity of position effects on gene expression, but a necessary step towards developing the serial stacking of DNA to the same chromosome locus – to insure that bioengineered crops can be improved over time through transgene additions without inflating the number of segregating loci. This article is not a review of the literature on site‐specific recombination, but a first person account of the series of events leading to the development of a gene stacking transformation system in plants.
A review of carotenoid utilisation and function in crustacean aquaculture
Authors: Wade Nicholas M. , Gabaudan Jacques , Glencross Brett D.
Published: September 2015

Crustaceans are cultured extensively around the world in intensive farming systems. High‐performance formulated feeds have been developed for crustacean aquaculture, which are often supplemented with a number of natural and synthetic carotenoid sources. Studies over a number of years have consistently shown that dietary carotenoid supplementation is beneficial for crustacean aquaculture across a range of commercially relevant parameters. Most obvious is the effect on pigmentation, where carotenoid inclusion levels in feeds and duration of feeding diets with carotenoids have been optimised across many species to improve product colour, and subsequently quality and price. However, beneficial effects of carotenoid inclusion have increasingly been demonstrated on other parameters. This review updates the recent progress in our understanding of dietary carotenoid utilisation and storage, and the combined effects of diet, genetics and environment on crustacean pigmentation. In addition, the range of other physiological benefits this class of molecules brings to these animals is summarised. These include improvements in survival, growth, reproductive capacity, disease resistance and stress resistance.
COPD and its comorbidities: Impact, measurement and mechanisms
Authors: Negewo Netsanet A. , Gibson Peter G. , McDonald Vanessa M.
Published: September 2015

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently coexists with other conditions often known as comorbidities. The prevalence of most of the common comorbid conditions that accompany COPD has been widely reported. It is also recognized that comorbidities have significant health and economic consequences. Nevertheless, there is scant research examining how comorbidities should be assessed and managed in the context of COPD. Also, the underlying mechanisms linking COPD with its comorbidities are still not fully understood. Owing to these knowledge gaps, current disease‐specific approaches provide clinicians with little guidance in terms of managing comorbid conditions in the clinical care of multi‐diseased COPD patients. This review discusses the concepts of comorbidity and multi‐morbidity in COPD in relation to the overall clinical outcome of COPD management. It also summarizes some of the currently available clinical scores used to measure comorbid conditions and their prognostic abilities. Furthermore, recent developments in the proposed mechanisms linking COPD with its comorbidities are discussed.
Tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection among healthcare workers in Kisumu, Kenya
Authors: Agaya Janet , Nnadi Chimeremma D. , Odhiambo Joseph , Obonyo Charles , Obiero Vincent , Lipke Virginia , Okeyo Elisha , Cain Kevin , Oeltmann John E.
Published: September 2015

Objective

To assess prevalence and occupational risk factors of latent TB infection and history of TB disease ascribed to work in a healthcare setting in western Kenya.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional survey among healthcare workers in western Kenya in 2013. They were recruited from dispensaries, health centres and hospitals that offer both TB and HIV services. School workers from the health facilities' catchment communities were randomly selected to serve as the community comparison group. Latent TB infection was diagnosed by tuberculin skin testing. HIV status of participants was assessed. Using a logistic regression model, we determined the adjusted odds of latent TB infection among healthcare workers compared to school workers; and among healthcare workers only, we assessed work‐related risk factors for latent TB infection.

Results

We enrolled 1005 healthcare workers and 411 school workers. Approximately 60% of both groups were female. A total of 22% of 958 healthcare workers and 12% of 392 school workers tested HIV positive. Prevalence of self‐reported history of TB disease was 7.4% among healthcare workers and 3.6% among school workers. Prevalence of latent TB infection was 60% among healthcare workers and 48% among school workers. Adjusted odds of latent TB infection were 1.5 times higher among healthcare workers than school workers (95% confidence interval 1.2–2.0). Healthcare workers at all three facility types had similar prevalence of latent TB infection (P = 0.72), but increasing years of employment was associated with increased odds of LTBI (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Healthcare workers at facilities in western Kenya which offer TB and HIV services are at increased risk of latent TB infection, and the risk is similar across facility types. Implementation of WHO‐recommended TB infection control measures are urgently needed in health facilities to protect healthcare workers.
Optimizing Energy Capture of Cascaded Wind Turbine Array With Nested-Loop Extremum Seeking Control
Authors: Yang Zhongzhou , Li Yaoyu , Seem John E.
Published: September 2015

This paper proposes a nested-loop extremum seeking control (NLESC) scheme for optimizing the energy capture of wind farm that is formed by a wind turbine array along the prevailing wind direction. It has been shown in earlier work that the axial induction factors of individual wind turbines can be optimized from downstream to upstream units in a sequential manner, which is a spatial domain analogy to the principle of optimality in dynamic programing. Therefore, it is proposed to optimize the turbine operation by a nested-loop optimization framework from the downstream to upstream turbines, based on feedback of the power of the immediate turbine and its downstream units. The extremum seeking control (ESC) based on dither–demodulation scheme is selected as a model-free real-time optimization solution for the individual loops. First, the principle of optimality for optimizing wind farm energy capture is proved for the cascaded wind turbine array based on the disk model. Analysis shows that the optimal torque gain of each turbine in a cascade of turbines is invariant with wind speed if the wind direction does not change. Then, the NLESC scheme is proposed, with the array power coefficient selected as the performance index to be optimized in real-time. As changes of upstream turbine operation affect downstream turbines with significant delays due to wind propagation, a cross-covariance based delay estimate is used to improve the determination of the array power coefficient. The proposed scheme is evaluated with simulation study using a three-turbine wind farm with the simwindfarm simulation platform. Simulation study is performed under both smooth and turbulent winds, and the results indicate the convergence to the actual optimum. Also, simulation under different wind speeds supports the earlier analysis results that the optimal torque gains of the cascaded turbines are invariant to wind speed.
Robust Nonlinear Disturbance Observer Design for Estimation of Ammonia Storage Ratio in Selective Catalytic Reduction Systems
Authors: Ning Jinbiao , Yan Fengjun
Published: September 2015

Urea-based selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system is a promising way to obtain high NOx reduction and commonly adopted in diesel engine aftertreatment systems. The ammonia storage ratio is critical for SCR feedback control but it is difficult to be directly measured by sensors. This paper aims to effectively estimate the ammonia storage ratio on line and reduce the cost of using ammonia sensors. In the proposed method, the ammonia storage ratio is treated as an external disturbance in the NOx dynamic model and estimated by the nonlinear disturbance observer (NDO) methods. Furthermore, to reduce estimation errors of ammonia storage ratio caused by the high-frequency measurement noises, a novel robust nonlinear disturbance observer (robust NDO) is proposed and compared with a typical design method (regular NDO). Both the NDOs are developed based on part of the three-state SCR model and cost-effective, since NOx sensors are only used. The stability and noise attenuation properties of both estimations were also analyzed in the paper. The simulation results based on the full-vehicle simulator of FTP-75 test demonstrate that the regular NDO and the robust NDO can effectively estimate the ammonia storage ratio even in cases where ammonia cross-sensitivity affects the response. Among the two observers, the robust NDO has better noise attenuation properties.
Slurry Erosion of Pipeline Steel: Effect of Velocity and Microstructure
Authors: Alam Tahrim , Aminul Islam Md. , Farhat Zoheir N.
Published: September 2015

Pipelines are the most flexible, economic, and convenient way for oil and gas transportation. Material degradation by slurry erosion is a common feature in oil transmission pipeline. In the present work, slurry erosion of AISI 1018, AISI 1080, API X42, and API X70 steels is investigated in terms of slurry velocity and target material microstructure. The slurry velocity and impact angle employed were 0.2, 0.29, 0.36, and 0.43 m s−1 and 90 deg, respectively. It is found that erosion rate increases with increasing slurry velocity. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to investigate the eroded surface and subsurface of the steels. Plastic deformation, microcutting, and fracture are identified as dominant erosion mechanisms. Pearlitic microstructure exhibits superior erosion resistance compared to ferrite depending upon slurry velocity and microstructural orientation.
Nanothermal Interface Materials: Technology Review and Recent Results
Authors: Bar-Cohen Avram , Matin Kaiser , Narumanchi Sreekant
Published: September 2015

Thermal interface materials (TIMs) play a critical role in conventionally packaged electronic systems and often represent the highest thermal resistance and/or least reliable element in the heat flow path from the chip to the external ambient. In defense applications, the need to accommodate large differences in the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) among the packaging materials, provide for in-field reworkability, and assure physical integrity as well as long-term reliability further exacerbates this situation. Epoxy-based thermoplastic TIMs are compliant and reworkable at low temperature, but their low thermal conductivities pose a significant barrier to the thermal packaging of high-power devices. Alternatively, while solder TIMs offer low thermal interface resistances, their mechanical stiffness and high melting points make them inappropriate for many of these applications. Consequently, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) initiated a series of studies exploring the potential of nanomaterials and nanostructures to create TIMs with solderlike thermal resistance and thermoplasticlike compliance and reworkability. This paper describes the nano-TIM approaches taken and results obtained by four teams responding to the DARPA challenge of pursuing the development of low thermal resistance of 1 mm2 K/W and high compliance and reliability TIMs. These approaches include the use of metal nanosprings (GE), laminated solder and flexible graphite films (Teledyne), multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with layered metallic bonding materials (Raytheon), and open-ended CNTs (Georgia Tech (GT)). Following a detailed description of the specific nano-TIM approaches taken and of the metrology developed and used to measure the very low thermal resistivities, the thermal performance achieved by these nano-TIMs, with constant thermal load, as well as under temperature cycling and in extended life testing (aging), will be presented. It has been found that the nano-TIMs developed by all four teams can provide thermal interface resistivities well below 10 mm2 K/W and that GE's copper nanospring TIMs can consistently achieve thermal interface resistances in the range of 1 mm2 K/W. This paper also introduces efforts undertaken for next generation TIMs to reach thermal interface resistance of just 0.1 mm2 K/W.
Dynamic order reduction of thin-film deposition kinetics models: A reaction factorization approach
Authors: Adomaitis Raymond A.
Published: September 2015

A set of numerical tools for the analysis and dynamic dimension reduction of chemical vapor and atomic layer deposition (ALD) surface reaction models is developed in this work. The approach is based on a two-step process where in the first, the chemical species surface balance dynamic equations are factored to effectively decouple the (nonlinear) reaction rates, a process that eliminates redundant dynamic modes and that identifies conserved quantities. If successful, the second phase is implemented to factor out redundant dynamic modes when species relatively minor in concentration are omitted; if unsuccessful, the technique points to potential model structural problems. An alumina ALD process is used for an example consisting of 19 reactions and 23 surface and gas-phase species. Using the approach developed, the model is reduced by nineteen modes to a four-dimensional dynamic system without any knowledge of the reaction rate values. Results are interpreted in the context of potential model validation studies.
Co-implantation of Al+, P+, and S+ with Si+ implants into In0.53Ga0.47As
Authors: Lind Aaron G. , Aldridge Henry L. , Jones Kevin S. , Hatem Christopher
Published: September 2015

Elevated temperature, nonamorphizing implants of Si+, and a second co-implant of either Al+, P+, or S+ at varying doses were performed into In0.53Ga0.47As to observe the effect that individual co-implant species had on the activation and diffusion of Si doping after postimplantation annealing. It was found that Al, P, and S co-implantation all resulted in a common activation limit of 1.7 × 1019 cm−3 for annealing treatments that resulted in Si profile motion. This is the same activation level observed for Si+ implants alone. The results of this work indicate that co-implantation of group V or VI species is an ineffective means for increasing donor activation of n-type dopants above 1.7 × 1019 cm−3 in InGaAs. The S+ co-implants did not show an additive effect in the total doping despite exhibiting significant activation when implanted alone. The observed n-type active carrier concentration limits appear to be the result of a crystalline thermodynamic limit rather than dopant specific limits.
Projections onto the Pareto surface in multicriteria radiation therapy optimization
Authors: Bokrantz Rasmus , Miettinen Kaisa
Published: September 2015

Purpose:

To eliminate or reduce the error to Pareto optimality that arises in Pareto surface navigation when the Pareto surface is approximated by a small number of plans.

Methods:

The authors propose to project the navigated plan onto the Pareto surface as a postprocessing step to the navigation. The projection attempts to find a Pareto optimal plan that is at least as good as or better than the initial navigated plan with respect to all objective functions. An augmented form of projection is also suggested where dose–volume histogram constraints are used to prevent that the projection causes a violation of some clinical goal. The projections were evaluated with respect to planning for intensity modulated radiation therapy delivered by step‐and‐shoot and sliding window and spot‐scanned intensity modulated proton therapy. Retrospective plans were generated for a prostate and a head and neck case.

Results:

The projections led to improved dose conformity and better sparing of organs at risk (OARs) for all three delivery techniques and both patient cases. The mean dose to OARs decreased by 3.1 Gy on average for the unconstrained form of the projection and by 2.0 Gy on average when dose–volume histogram constraints were used. No consistent improvements in target homogeneity were observed.

Conclusions:

There are situations when Pareto navigation leaves room for improvement in OAR sparing and dose conformity, for example, if the approximation of the Pareto surface is coarse or the problem formulation has too permissive constraints. A projection onto the Pareto surface can identify an inaccurate Pareto surface representation and, if necessary, improve the quality of the navigated plan.