bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computation of thermodynamic and transport properties to predict thermophoretic effects in an argon-krypton mixture
Authors: Miller Nicholas A. T. , Daivis Peter J. , Snook Ian K. , Todd B. D.
Published: October 2013

Thermophoresis is the movement of molecules caused by a temperature gradient. Here we report the results of a study of thermophoresis using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of a confined argon-krypton fluid subject to two different temperatures at thermostated walls. The resulting temperature profile between the walls is used along with the Soret coefficient to predict the concentration profile that develops across the channel. We obtain the Soret coefficient by calculating the mutual diffusion and thermal diffusion coefficients. We report an appropriate method for calculating the transport coefficients for binary systems, using the Green-Kubo integrals and radial distribution functions obtained from equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of the bulk fluid. Our method has the unique advantage of separating the mutual diffusion and thermal diffusion coefficients, and calculating the sign and magnitude of their individual contributions to thermophoresis in binary mixtures.
Hydration effect on solid DNA-didecyldimethylammonium chloride complexes measured using 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Nizioł J. , Harańczyk H. , Kobierski J. , Hebda E. , Pielichowski J. , Ostachowicz B.
Published: October 2013

Complexes like the studied DNA and didecyldimethylammonium chloride are promising materials for organic electronics and photonics. Water content in this material as the solid state is a key factor for its electronics properties and microstructure. DNA complex was subjected to controlled hydration from gaseous phase and next studied by 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Variations of spin-spin and spin-lattice relaxation times as a function of hydration level are reported. Formation of tightly and loosely bound water fractions at rehydration process is discussed.
On the effects of permanent molecular dipoles in the simultaneous absorption of two photons: Full generalized rotating wave approximation versus analytical results
Authors: Meath William J. , Jagatap B. N.
Published: October 2013

The effects of permanent dipoles, and the relative effects of the direct permanent dipole and the virtual state excitation mechanisms, are discussed for excitations involving the simultaneous absorption of two identical photons. Two molecular models for two-photon excitation, one dominated by the direct permanent dipole mechanism and the other having significant contributions from both excitation mechanisms, are used for this purpose. Resonance profiles, as a function of laser intensity, are evaluated for both models by employing the full Generalized Rotating Wave Approximation method and the recently developed Analytic Generalized Rotating Wave Approximation (AGRWA). The profiles are used to assess (1) the nature of the effects of permanent molecular dipoles, (2) the relative contributions of the two excitation mechanisms, and (3) the validity of the AGRWA for two-photon excitations. The AGRWA is a very useful interpretive/predictive tool even for higher laser intensities where its validity becomes questionable. It can be used to suggest how to exploit the effects of molecular permanent dipoles to enhance two photon excitations using both excitation mechanisms.
Phase transformations and vibrational properties of coronene under pressure
Authors: Zhao Xiao-Miao , Zhang Jiang , Berlie Adam , Qin Zhen-Xing , Huang Qiao-Wei , Jiang Shan , Zhang Jian-Bo , Tang Ling-Yun , Liu Jing , Zhang Chao , Zhong Guo-Hua , Lin Hai-Qing , Chen Xiao-Jia
Published: October 2013

Both the vibrational and structural properties of coronene have been investigated upon compression up to 30.5 GPa at room temperature by a combination of Raman scattering and synchrotron x-ray diffraction measurements. The spectroscopic and crystallographic results demonstrate that two pressure-induced structural phase transitions take place at 1.5 GPa and 12.2 GPa where the high-pressure phases are identified as monoclinic and orthorhombic crystal structures with space groups of P2/m and Pmmm, respectively. A kink in the slope of the cell parameters as a function of pressure is associated with the disappearance of several internal Raman modes, which suggests the existence of structural distortions or reorganizations at approximately 6.0 GPa. Above 17.1 GPa, almost no evidence of crystallinity can be observed, indicating a possible transformation of coronene into an amorphous phase.
Dual-path remote-excitation surface enhanced Raman microscopy with plasmonic nanowire dimer
Authors: Dasgupta Arindam , Singh Danveer , Pavan Kumar G. V.
Published: October 2013

We demonstrate how a silver-nanowire-dimer can be employed to optically excite dual-path surface-plasmon-polaritons and utilize them to perform remote-excitation surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) microscopy. Interestingly, this unique geometry allows us to perform dual-path remote-excitation SERS. Our experiments show that for the same value of excitation-laser powers, dual-path excitation leads to enhanced-SERS signal compared to single-path excitation, which has been corroborated by 3-D finite-difference time-domain simulations. Furthermore, we show that SERS-enhancement can be remotely modulated in this geometry by varying the polarization of excitation-fields. The results discussed herein can be extrapolated to remote-excitation pump-probe spectroscopy and dual-colour optical interrogation.
Tuning of undoped ZnO thin film via plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition and its application for an inverted polymer solar cell
Authors: Jin Mi-jin , Jo Junhyeon , Neupane Guru P. , Kim Jeongyong , An Ki-Seok , Yoo Jung-Woo
Published: October 2013

We studied the tuning of structural and optical properties of ZnO thin film and its correlation to the efficiency of inverted solar cell using plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD). The sequential injection of DEZn and O2 plasma was employed for the plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition of ZnO thin film. As the growth temperature of ZnO film was increased from 100 °C to 300 °C, the crystallinity of ZnO film was improved from amorphous to highly ordered (002) direction ploy-crystal due to self crystallization. Increasing oxygen plasma time in PEALD process also introduces growing of hexagonal wurtzite phase of ZnO nanocrystal. Excess of oxygen plasma time induces enhanced deep level emission band (500 ∼ 700 nm) in photoluminescence due to Zn vacancies and other defects. The evolution of structural and optical properties of PEALD ZnO films also involves in change of electrical conductivity by 3 orders of magnitude. The highly tunable PEALD ZnO thin films were employed as the electron conductive layers in inverted polymer solar cells. Our study indicates that both structural and optical properties rather than electrical conductivities of ZnO films play more important role for the effective charge collection in photovoltaic device operation. The ability to tune the materials properties of undoped ZnO films via PEALD should extend their functionality over the wide range of advanced electronic applications.
Hydraulic conductance differences among sorghum genotypes to explain variation in restricted transpiration rates
Authors: Choudhary Sunita , Sinclair Thomas R.
Published: October 2013

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is an important crop for production in dryland regions of the globe. Traits identified in many sorghum lines that apparently make them adapted for dryland conditions are restricted transpiration rate both early in the soil drying cycle and under high atmospheric vapour pressure deficit. It was hypothesised that these responses could be a result of differences in hydraulic conductance of the plants: those with low hydraulic conductance would be more likely to express restricted transpiration rates. The location of the lower hydraulic conductance in the plant could also be important with a low conductance in the leaf xylem to stomata pathway possibly being more advantageous than in the root. In this study, the amount and location of the hydraulic conductance was measured in 20 sorghum genotypes. Those genotypes that expressed an early decrease in transpiration rate with soil drying had greater plant and leaf hydraulic conductance than those genotypes that had the later decreases in transpiration rate, which was in contrast with what was hypothesised. However, sorghum genotypes that segregated between two groups based on expression of a maximum transpiration trait also segregated based on their hydraulic conductance. Those genotypes that expressed the maximum transpiration trait had lower hydraulic conductance for the intact plant and in the leaves.
Mapping strain rate dependence of dislocation-defect interactions by atomistic simulations
Authors: Fan Yue , Osetskiy Yuri N. , Yip Sidney , Yildiz Bilge
Published: October 2013

Significance

Strain rate affects the dislocation interactions and plasticity in materials. Quantitative prediction of dislocation–defect interaction mechanisms and critical stresses as a function of strain rate, reaching down to the experimental deformation conditions much lower than 10
6
s
–1
, has been an outstanding challenge to traditional atomistic simulations. This study provides an original analytical and atomistic approach to predict dislocation-defect microstructure evolution at arbitrarily low strain rates. We demonstrated this model on a specific defect–dislocation system in zirconium, where the results bridge simulations to experiments, a paradigm that has been prohibitive to molecular dynamics. The principles in this study are broadly applicable to assessing the effects of strain rate on other defects with increasing complexities in a range of materials.
Health needs of sex workers
Authors: McGlennan Catherine , D’Arcy Rhiannon
Published: October 2013

The aim of this article is to identify how health care professionals can provide the best care to the population involved in sex work. It aims to take a broad view of the health problems that affect this group of patients, how they differ to the greater population and what strategies need to be taken to make sure that they are effectively reached by health services.
The SMG5–SMG7 heterodimer directly recruits the CCR4–NOT deadenylase complex to mRNAs containing nonsense codons via interaction with POP2
Authors: Loh Belinda , Jonas Stefanie , Izaurralde Elisa
Published: October 2013

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a eukaryotic quality control mechanism that detects aberrant mRNAs containing nonsense codons and induces their rapid degradation. This degradation is mediated by SMG6, an NMD-specific endonuclease, as well as the SMG5 and SMG7 proteins, which recruit general mRNA decay enzymes. However, it remains unknown which specific decay factors are recruited and whether this recruitment is direct. Here, we show that SMG7 binds directly to POP2, a catalytic subunit of the CCR4–NOT deadenylase complex, and elicits deadenylation-dependent decapping and 5′-to-3′ decay of NMD targets. Accordingly, a catalytically inactive POP2 mutant partially suppresses NMD in human cells. The SMG7–POP2 interaction is critical for NMD in cells depleted of SMG6, indicating that SMG7 and SMG6 act redundantly to promote the degradation of NMD targets. We further show that UPF1 provides multiple binding sites for decapping factors. These data unveil a missing direct physical link between NMD and the general mRNA decay machinery and indicate that NMD employs diverse and partially redundant mechanisms to ensure robust degradation of aberrant mRNAs.
Dual mechanisms prevent premature chromosome segregation during meiosis
Authors: Kim Seoyoung , Meyer Régis , Chuong Hoa , Dawson Dean S.
Published: October 2013

In meiosis I, homologous chromosomes pair and then attach to the spindle so that the homologs can be pulled apart at anaphase I. The segregation of homologs before pairing would be catastrophic. We describe two mechanisms that prevent this. First, in early meiosis, Ipl1, the budding yeast homolog of the mammalian Aurora B kinase, triggers shedding of a kinetochore protein, preventing microtubule attachment. Second, Ipl1 localizes to the spindle pole bodies (SPBs), where it blocks spindle assembly. These processes are reversed upon expression of Ndt80. Previous studies have shown that Ndt80 is expressed when homologs have successfully partnered, and this triggers a rise in the levels of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK). We found that CDK phosphorylates Ipl1, delocalizing it from SPBs, triggering spindle assembly. At the same time, kinetochores reassemble. Thus, dual mechanisms controlled by Ipl1 and Ntd80 coordinate chromosome and spindle behaviors to prevent the attachment of unpartnered chromosomes to the meiotic spindle.
The application of mineral casting in high-precision printed circuit board drilling machine
Authors: Zou Haitian , Wang Baolin , Song Fumin , Fu Lianyu
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to verify the feasibility and reliability of mineral casting applied in high-precision printed circuit board (PCB) drilling machine. The mechanical properties of machine frame are quantified to provide a solution for machine tool industry to seek a perfect substance competing with classic materials such as cast iron and granite.

Design/methodology/approach

– The optimal design of machine frame is performed via the CAD system combined with finite element analysis (FEA). The mechanical properties of the frame elements are evaluated by a series of mechanical experiments: static performance is quantified by flatness tests, dynamic behavior is estimated by experimental and numerical models, respectively. Meanwhile, the performance of the frame element with traditional materials is examined experimentally.

Findings

– Mineral casting parts can be successfully applied to PCB drilling machine to meet high accuracy requirements. The characteristic of mineral casing gives the most possibilities in structural design. The frame parts show good static/dynamic behaviors by structural optimization processes. Especially, the machine frame with mineral casting gains a great weight reduction compared with traditional materials.

Originality/value

– The application of mineral casting in PCB drilling machine offers greater design flexibility and innovative system solutions. The combination of FEA is convincing to achieve optimal structure and ideal weight to maximize the economic and technical benefits. Moreover, lightweight design of machine structural components achieves not only higher kinematic/dynamic precision but also considerable cost reduction.
Procurement innovation for public construction projects
Authors: Weisheng Lu , M.M. Liu Anita , Hongdi Wang , Zhongbing Wu
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to attempt to shed light on procurement innovation by examining two state-of-the-art procurement systems in China – an agent-construction system (ACS or in Chinese Dai Jian Zhi) and public-private partnership (PPP), with special consideration given to the systems’ particular political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal (PESTEL) background.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper does so by using content analyses, semi-structured interviews, and a “PESTEL-Procurement Innovation” framework.

Findings

– It is found that PPP has not been as popular as expected, while the ACS, which is little known to the international construction management community, is widespread in China. The study of ACS and PPP further reveals that congruence between a procurement system and its external PESTEL conditions is essential for procurement innovation.

Research limitations/implications

– The “PESTEL-Procurement Innovation” framework could be a useful tool for devising procurement innovation; although there are many questions yet to be answered by further research.

Practical implications

– The paper provides useful insights into procurement innovation, particularly when governments worldwide are searching for innovative procurement systems to help deliver public projects and services.

Originality/value

– The paper possesses originality in that it tackles procurement innovation, an area that is under researched in construction management. It exhorts the re-connection between a procurement system and its external PESTEL conditions for devising bona fide procurement innovations.
The effects of weather conditions on dispersal behaviour of free‐ranging lizards (Tiliqua, Scincidae) in tropical Australia
Authors: Price‐Rees Samantha J. , Lindström Tom , Brown Gregory P. , Shine Richard
Published: October 2013

Animals may switch between alternative modes of movement (e.g. philopatry vs. dispersal) in response to complex interactions between internal state, landscape characteristics, dispersal capacity and navigational capacity.

In this study, we use an extensive data set from GPS telemetry of free‐ranging lizards (bluetongue skinks, Tiliqua spp.) in the Australian wet‐dry tropics, to examine how abiotic conditions (temperature, air pressure, precipitation, humidity and wind speed) influence lizard dispersal. The GPS transmitters provided >60,000 records of lizard location from 49 individuals (41 T. scincoides intermedia, 8 T. multifasciata) monitored for a mean of 65 days each.

We used a maximum likelihood analytical tool to objectively distinguish intra‐patch movements from dispersive movements. Threshold levels of dispersal to differentiate between these two movement phases averaged 36–42 m displacement per hour, depending on species and site.

Whether bluetongue lizards within the study population dispersed (rather than remained encamped) was highly associated with weather variables, notably air temperature and atmospheric pressure. Fine‐scale (hourly) weather conditions were better predictors of lizard dispersal than daily mean values.

Lizards primarily dispersed between widely scattered patches of core‐habitat under fine, hot, clear weather conditions. Air pressure tended to predict lizard dispersal more accurately than did more commonly analysed variables such as temperature and precipitation.
Viral antibody dynamics in a chiropteran host
Authors: Baker Kate S. , Suu‐Ire Richard , Barr Jennifer , Hayman David T. S. , Broder Christopher C. , Horton Daniel L. , Durrant Christopher , Murcia Pablo R. , Cunningham Andrew A. , Wood James L. N.
Published: October 2013

Bats host many viruses that are significant for human and domestic animal health, but the dynamics of these infections in their natural reservoir hosts remain poorly elucidated.

In these, and other, systems, there is evidence that seasonal life‐cycle events drive infection dynamics, directly impacting the risk of exposure to spillover hosts. Understanding these dynamics improves our ability to predict zoonotic spillover from the reservoir hosts.

To this end, we followed henipavirus antibody levels of >100 individualE. helvumin a closed, captive, breeding population over a 30‐month period, using a powerful novel antibody quantitation method.

We demonstrate the presence of maternal antibodies in this system and accurately determine their longevity. We also present evidence of population‐level persistence of viral infection and demonstrate periods of increased horizontal virus transmission associated with the pregnancy/lactation period.

The novel findings of infection persistence and the effect of pregnancy on viral transmission, as well as an accurate quantitation of chiropteran maternal antiviral antibody half‐life, provide fundamental baseline data for the continued study of viral infections in these important reservoir hosts.
Peptic ulcer bleeding in China: A multicenter endoscopic survey of 1006 patients
Authors: Bai Yu , Du Yi Qi , Wang Dong , Zou Duo Wu , Jin Zhen Dong , Zhan Xian Bao , Zhao Xiao Yan , Sha Wei Hong , Wang Jiang Bin , Yu Weng Fei , Jiang Yi , Ye Li Ping , Zhang Shu Tian , Zhou Li Ya , Chen Min Hu , Yu Xiao Feng , Zheng Jian Wei , Wang Rong Quan , Huang Xiao Jun , Chen Dong Feng , Wang Hua Hong , Tian De An , Lu Nong Hua , Hou Xiao Hua , Ji Feng , Wang Ji Yao , Yuan Yao Zong , Fan Dai Ming , Wu Kai Chun , Jiang Bo , Li Zhao Shen ,   Chinese Peptic Ulcer Bleeding Research Group
Published: October 2013

Objective

We aimed to describe the clinical picture, management and outcomes of Chinese patients with peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB), especially in those with high risks.

Methods

A multicenter endoscopic survey was conducted. All consecutive patients with endoscopy confirmed PUB from October 2010 to June 2011 were enrolled. Data including patients' gender, age, symptoms and endoscopic findings, Forrest classification, and endoscopic and medical treatment were documented. High‐risk ulcer was defined as Forrest grades Ia to IIb upon endoscopy. Rates of rebleeding, surgery and mortality were recorded.

Results

In all, 1006 patients were included. Of these 437 (43.4%) were categorized with high‐risk PUB, among whom 110 (25.2%) received endoscopic treatment, and the success rate was 99.1%. Rebleeding rates 1–3 days, 4–5 days and 6–30 days after treatment in high‐risk patients who did and did not receive endoscopic treatment were 10.9% versus 10.4%, 3.6% versus 3.7% and 0.9% versus 1.5%, respectively. The surgery rates of high‐risk patients with or without endoscopic treatment were 1.8% (2/110) versus 1.8% (6/327). During the 9‐month study period, two patients with high‐risk PUB died, therefore, the overall mortality rate of high‐risk PUB was 0.5% (2/437).

Conclusion

The study suggests that the proportions of high‐risk PUB in China is 43.4%, while rebleeding and surgery rate after endoscopic treatment as well as the mortality rate of high‐risk PUB in China are 15.6%, 1.8% and 0.5%, respectively.
Microbiome diversity of Aphis glycines with extensive superinfection in native and invasive populations
Authors: Bansal Raman , Mian M. A. Rouf , Michel Andy P.
Published: October 2013

Associations among insects and microbes can lead to beneficial or parasitic interactions. Using 454 sequencing of 16S RNA genes, we compared microbiome diversity and abundance among field‐collected (F) and laboratory‐reared (L) populations of the invasive soybean aphid (Aphis glycines), a pest of soybean. Additionally, we screened A. glycines populations from native (Japan, South Korea and China) and invasive regions (North America) to broadly determine the microbiome diversity. Our results suggested that Arsenophonus (relative abundance of 54.6%), Buchnera (38.7%) and Wolbachia (3.7%) were the major bacteria associated with A. glycines. Arsenophonus was the most abundant in F populations but was significantly reduced in L populations; additional bacteria species also had lower relative abundances in L populations. Native and invasive populations were largely similar in bacteria communities and revealed substantial superinfection of Arsenophonus and Wolbachia. The lone exception was a lack of Arsenophonus in A. glycines from Japan. Divergent selection pressures among natural and laboratory populations were inferred as factors driving the differential bacterial communities observed. Our results will allow for improved comparative aphid‐symbiont research and broaden our understanding of the interactions among insects, endosymbionts and their environments.
The impact of seed vouchers on poverty reduction among smallholder rice farmers in Nigeria
Authors: Awotide Bola Amoke , Karimov Aziz , Diagne Aliou , Nakelse Tebila
Published: October 2013

In response to the global food crisis of 2008, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded an emergency rice initiative (ERI) program to boost rice production in Nigeria. The supplementary seed voucher program, implemented alongside the ERI adopted a randomized control trial to grant randomly selected farmers access to subsidized certified improved rice seed using the seed voucher system (SVS). In this study, we provide a consistent estimate of the impact of the SVS on Poverty reduction, using mixed methodologies such as inverse propensity score weighing (IPSW) and the local average treatment effect (LATE) estimation techniques. Results show that the SVS has a positive and statistically significant impact on annual household income and per capita consumption expenditure. This study shows that availability of good quality seed at an affordable price can raise agricultural productivity, increase household income and contribute to poverty reduction.
Committed mast cell progenitors in mouse blood differ in maturity between Th1 and Th2 strains
Authors: Dahlin J. S. , Heyman B. , Hallgren J.
Published: October 2013

Mast cell progenitors (MCp) leave the bone marrow and migrate to peripheral tissues where they mature. Although the existence of committed MCp in adult mouse and human blood has been postulated, they have never been found. We have isolated a rare population of cells in adult mouse blood, committed to the mast cell lineage. These were identified as lineage− c‐kithi ST2+ integrin β7hi CD16/32hi cells. Moreover, a major difference in maturity of these cells based on FcεRI expression was observed between the Th2‐prone BALB/c strain and the Th1‐prone C57BL/6 strain (66% vs 25% FcεRI+, respectively). Therefore, the choice of mouse strain is critical when studying disease models such as experimental asthma where mast cells and their progenitors are involved.
Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase Phosphatase 1 as an Inflammatory Factor and Drug Target
Authors: Korhonen Riku , Moilanen Eeva
Published: October 2013

Mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are signaling proteins that are activated through phosphorylation, and they regulate many physiological and pathophysiological processes in cells. Mitogen‐activated protein kinase phosphatase 1 (MKP‐1) is an inducible nuclear phosphatase that dephosphorylates MAPKs, and thus, it is a negative feedback regulator of MAPK activity. MKP‐1 has been found as a key endogenous suppressor of innate immune responses, as well as a regulator of the onset and course of adaptive immune responses. Altered MKP‐1 signaling is implicated in chronic inflammatory diseases in man. Interestingly, MKP‐1 expression and protein function have been found to be regulated by certain anti‐inflammatory drugs, namely by glucocorticoids, antirheumatic gold compounds and PDE4 inhibitors, and MKP‐1 has been shown to mediate many of their anti‐inflammatory effects. In this Mini Review, we summarize the effect of MKP‐1 in the regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses and its role as a potential anti‐inflammatory drug target and review recent findings concerning the role of MKP‐1 in certain anti‐inflammatory drug effects.
MIB‐1 labeling index as a prognostic factor for patients with follicular lymphoma treated with rituximab plus CHOP therapy
Authors: Yamamoto Eri , Tomita Naoto , Sakata Seiji , Tsuyama Naoko , Takeuchi Kengo , Nakajima Yuki , Miyashita Kazuho , Tachibana Takayoshi , Takasaki Hirotaka , Tanaka Masatsugu , Hashimoto Chizuko , Koharazawa Hideyuki , Fujimaki Katsumichi , Taguchi Jun , Harano Hiroshi , Motomura Shigeki , Ishigatsubo Yoshiaki
Published: October 2013

The MIB‐1 labeling index, which is based on Ki67 immunostaining, is widely used to evaluate the proliferation of tumor cells in lymphoma. However, its clinical significance has not been fully assessed. We retrospectively evaluated the prognostic impact of the MIB‐1 labeling index at the time of diagnosis, in 98 patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) grade 1–3b who were treated uniformly with rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (R‐CHOP) therapy. The 5‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) for an MIB‐1 labeling index of ≥10% (n = 60) and <10% (n = 38) was 35% and 61%, respectively (P = 0.015). The 5‐year overall survival (OS) for an MIB‐1 labeling index of ≥10% and <10% was 77% and 92%, respectively (P = 0.025). Pathological grading was not correlated with PFS or OS. In multivariate analysis, an MIB‐1 labeling index of ≥10% was independently associated with poor PFS and OS. In conclusion, an MIB‐1 labeling index of 10% is a useful cut‐off level for predicting the prognosis of patients with FL.
Cinacalcet treatment decreases plasma fibroblast growth factor 23 concentration in haemodialysed patients with chronic kidney disease and secondary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Kuczera Piotr , Adamczak Marcin , Wiecek Andrzej
Published: October 2013

Objective

Recent clinical studies suggest that fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is important in the pathogenesis of calcium–phosphate abnormalities in patients with chronic kidney disease and that increased plasma FGF23 concentration is a cardiovascular risk factor in these patients. The aim of this prospective, single‐arm, open‐label clinical study was to assess the influence of 6‐month cinacalcet treatment on plasma FGF23 concentration in haemodialysed patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT).

Design, Patients and Measurements

In 58 haemodialysed patients with sHPT (parathormone PTH > 300 ng/l), serum PTH, FGF23, calcium and phosphate concentrations were assessed before the first dose of cinacalcet and after 3 and 6 months of treatment.

Results

Serum PTH concentration decreased significantly after 3 and 6 months of treatment, and the mean serum calcium and phosphate concentrations remained stable during the treatment period. Plasma FGF23 concentration (geometric mean with 95% confidence index) decreased after 3 and 6 months of treatment from 354 (261–481) ng/l to 295 (204–428) ng/l; P = 0·099 and to 183 (117–285) ng/l; P = 0·015, respectively. FGF23 concentration decreased in 52% of patients. In multivariate regression analysis, plasma FGF23 concentration changes were explained by the changes in serum phosphate, but not by serum PTH or calcium changes or by the dose of cinacalcet.

Conclusions

1. Cinacalcet treatment decreases plasma FGF23 concentration in haemodialysed patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. 2. The decrease in plasma FGF23 concentration seems to be related to the decrease in serum phosphate concentration.
Soil–solution partitioning of DOC in acid organic soils: results from a UK field acidification and alkalization experiment
Authors: Oulehle F. , Jones T. G. , Burden A. , Cooper M. D. A. , Lebron I. , Zieliński P. , Evans C. D.
Published: October 2013

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is an important component of the global carbon (C) cycle and has profound impacts on water chemistry and metabolism in lakes and rivers. Reported increases of DOC concentration in surface waters across Europe and Northern America have been attributed to several drivers, including changing climate, changing land‐use to eutrophication and declining acid deposition. The latter of these suggests that acidic deposition suppressed the solubility of DOC, and that this historic suppression is now being reversed by reducing emissions of acidifying pollutants. We studied a set of four parallel acidification and alkalization experiments in organic matter‐rich soils, which, after three years of manipulation, have shown distinct soil solution DOC responses to acidity change. We tested whether these DOC concentration changes were related to changes in the acid/base properties of DOC. Based on laboratory determination of DOC site density (S.D. = amount of carboxylic groups per milligram DOC) and charge density (C.D. = organic acid anion concentration per milligram DOC) we found that the change in DOC soil–solution partitioning was tightly related to the change in degree of dissociation (α = C.D.:S.D. ratio) of organic acids (R2 = 0.74, P < 0.01). Carbon turnover in soil organic matter (SOM), determined by soil respiration and β‐D‐glucosidase enzyme activity measurements, also appears to have some impact on DOC leaching, via constraints on the actual supply of available DOC from SOM; when the turnover rate of C in SOM is small, the effect of α on DOC leaching is reduced. Thus, differences in the magnitude of DOC changes seen across different environments might be explained by interactions between physicochemical restrictions of DOC soil–solution partitioning and SOM carbon turnover effects on DOC supply.
Strength anisotropy and mixed mode fracture in heavily drawn pearlitic steel
Authors: Toribio J. , González B. , Matos J. C.
Published: October 2013

Steels with pearlitic microstructure exhibit strength anisotropy after cold drawing to increase the yield stress by a strain hardening mechanism. Such anisotropy manifests itself in the form of mixed mode propagation associated with crack deviation tending to axial growth following a path quasi‐parallel to the wire line (drawing axis) due to the drawing‐induced orientation of the pearlitic microstructure. This paper analyses the strength anisotropy of heavily cold‐drawn prestressing steel wires linked with three consequences: (i) crack deflection and mixed mode propagation; (ii) specific microscopic modes of fracture, including enlarged and oriented cleavage; and (iii) a kind of directional toughness, associated with different deflection angles and distinct fracture micromechanisms.
A change‐recipient perspective on training during organizational change
Authors: Olsen Trude Hogvold , Stensaker Inger
Published: October 2013

In this paper, we examine skill‐related uncertainties among middle managers during organizational change. The question emerged from a qualitative study of two planned organizational change initiatives in the public sector where a group of middle managers were required to learn new skills because of changes in their work tasks and managerial roles. In both cases, we found that change recipients experienced two types of job‐related uncertainty in the post‐training phase: role ambiguity and operationalization uncertainty. Role ambiguity refers to challenges in understanding diverse expectations tied to the future work situation and necessary skills, whereas operationalization uncertainty refers to the challenges of putting new skills into practice. Although necessary and important, formal training was not sufficient to resolve these challenges. Rather, the change recipients engaged in informal and horizontal communication to resolve uncertainties related to new skill and role requirements.
Direct ultrasound localisation for pleural aspiration: translating evidence into action
Authors: Hannan L. M. , Steinfort D. P. , Irving L. B. , Hew M.
Published: October 2013

Background

There is strong evidence that direct ultrasound localisation for pleural aspiration reduces complications, but this practice is not universal in Australia and New Zealand.

Aims

To describe the current utilisation and logistical barriers to the use of direct ultrasound localisation for pleural aspiration by respiratory physicians from Australia and New Zealand, and to determine the cost benefits of procuring equipment and training resources in chest ultrasound.

Methods

We surveyed all adult respiratory physician members of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand regarding their use of direct ultrasound localisation for pleural aspiration. We performed a cost‐benefit analysis for acquiring bedside ultrasound equipment and estimated the capacity of available ultrasound training.

Results

One hundred and forty‐six of 275 respiratory physicians responded (53% response). One‐third (33.6%) of respondents do not undertake direct ultrasound localisation. Lack of training/expertise (44.6%) and lack of access to ultrasound equipment (41%) were the most frequently reported barriers to performing direct ultrasound localisation. An average delay of 2 or more days to obtain an ultrasound performed in radiology was reported in 42.7% of respondents. Decision‐tree analysis demonstrated that clinician‐performed direct ultrasound localisation for pleural aspiration is cost‐beneficial, with recovery of initial capital expenditure within 6 months. Ultrasound training infrastructure is already available to up‐skill all respiratory physicians within 2 years and is cost‐neutral.

Conclusion

Many respiratory physicians have not adopted direct ultrasound localisation for pleural aspiration because they lack equipment and expertise. However, purchase of ultrasound equipment is cost‐beneficial, and there is already sufficient capacity to deliver accredited ultrasound training through existing services.
Role of 3D animation in periodontal patient education: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Cleeren Gertjan , Quirynen Marc , Ozcelik Onur , Teughels Wim
Published: October 2013

Aim

This randomized controlled parallel trial investigates the effect of 3D animation on the increase and recall of knowledge on periodontitis by patients with periodontitis. The effects of a 3D animation (3D animation group) were compared with narration and drawing (control group) for periodontal patient education.

Material and Methods

A total of 68 periodontitis patients were stratified according to educational level and then randomly allocated to control or 3D animation groups. All patients received: (1) a pre‐test (baseline knowledge), (2) a patient education video (3D animation or control video), (3) a post‐test (knowledge immediately after looking at the video), and (4) a follow‐up test (knowledge recall after 2 weeks). Each test contained 10 multiple‐choice questions.

Results

There was no significant difference in baseline knowledge. Patients receiving the 3D animations had significantly higher scores for both the post‐test and the follow‐up test, when compared with patients receiving sketch animations.

Conclusion

3D animations are more effective than real‐time drawings for periodontal patient education in terms of knowledge recall. 3D animations may be a powerful tool for assisting in the information process.
Prevalences of diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy are lower in Korean type 2 diabetic patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Kim Bo‐Yeon , Jung Chan‐Hee , Mok Ji‐Oh , Kang Sung Koo , Kim Chul‐Hee
Published: October 2013

Aims/Introduction

The associations between non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and chronic vascular complications of type 2 diabetes remain uncertain. We assessed the relationships between NAFLD and chronic vascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

Patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 929) attending a diabetes clinic of a university hospital were studied retrospectively. Patients who had any clinical evidence of cirrhosis or other causes of chronic liver disease were excluded. Prevalences of chronic microvascular and macrovascular complications were assessed. NAFLD was ascertained by ultrasonography.

Results

The prevalence of NAFLD in patients with type 2 diabetes was 63.3%. The prevalences of diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy were significantly lower in patients with NAFLD than those without NAFLD (33.0 vs 70.2%, P < 0.001; 29.3 vs 37.1%, P = 0.007, respectively), whereas no difference was found in the prevalence of diabetic neuropathy. The prevalence of diabetic macrovascular complications was lower in type 2 diabetic patients with NAFLD than those without NAFLD (9.2 vs 14.7%, P = 0.008). After adjustment for confounding factors, such as age, sex, glycated hemoglobin, fasting serum C‐peptide, diabetic duration, body mass index and hypertension, NAFLD remained significantly associated with a lower odds ratio (OR) of diabetic retinopathy (OR 0.440, 95% confidence interval 0.255–0.757, P = 0.003) and nephropathy, (OR 0.541, 95% confidence interval 0.358–0.817, P = 0.003). In contrast, NAFLD was not significantly associated with macrovascular complications after adjustment for confounding factors.

Conclusions

These results suggest that NAFLD is inversely associated with prevalences of diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes.
Phosphorylation of neuronal Lysine‐Specific Demethylase 1LSD1/KDM1A impairs transcriptional repression by regulating interaction with CoREST and histone deacetylases HDAC1/2
Authors: Toffolo Emanuela , Rusconi Francesco , Paganini Leda , Tortorici Marcello , Pilotto Simona , Heise Christopher , Verpelli Chiara , Tedeschi Gabriella , Maffioli Elisa , Sala Carlo , Mattevi Andrea , Battaglioli Elena
Published: October 2013

Epigenetic mechanisms play important roles in brain development, orchestrating proliferation, differentiation, and morphogenesis. Lysine‐Specific Demethylase 1 (LSD1 also known as KDM1A and AOF2) is a histone modifier involved in transcriptional repression, forming a stable core complex with the corepressors corepressor of REST (CoREST) and histone deacetylases (HDAC1/2). Importantly, in the mammalian CNS, neuronal LSD1‐8a, an alternative splicing isoform of LSD1 including the mini‐exon E8a, sets alongside LSD1 and is capable of enhancing neurite growth and morphogenesis. Here, we describe that the morphogenic properties of neuronal LSD1‐8a require switching off repressive activity and this negative modulation is mediated in vivo by phosphorylation of the Thr369b residue coded by exon E8a. Three‐dimensional crystal structure analysis using a phospho‐mimetic mutant (Thr369bAsp), indicate that phosphorylation affects the residues surrounding the exon E8a‐coded amino acids, causing a local conformational change. We suggest that phosphorylation, without affecting demethylase activity, causes in neurons CoREST and HDAC1/2 corepressors detachment from LSD1‐8a and impairs neuronal LSD1‐8a repressive activity. In neurons, Thr369b phosphorylation is required for morphogenic activity, converting neuronal LSD1‐8a in a dominant‐negative isoform, challenging LSD1‐mediated transcriptional repression on target genes.

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Surfactant protein D (SP‐D) deficiency is attenuated in humanised mice expressing the Met(11)Thr short nucleotide polymorphism of SP‐D: implications for surfactant metabolism in the lung
Authors: Knudsen Lars , Ochs Katharina , Boxler Laura , Tornoe Ida , Lykke‐Sorensen Grith , Mackay Rose‐Marie , Clark Howard W. , Holmskov Uffe , Ochs Matthias , Madsen Jens
Published: October 2013

Surfactant protein D (SP‐D) is part of the innate immune system involved in lung homeostasis. SP‐D knockout mice show accumulations of foamy alveolar macrophages, alveolar lipoproteinosis and pulmonary emphysema. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been described in the coding sequence of the human SP‐D gene SFTPD. Clinical studies showed that the SNP SFTPD with a nucleotide change from A to C resulting in a Met to Thr substitution at position 11 in the protein (Met(11)Thr), is relevant. This study set out to create a humanised mouse model of the Met(11)Thr SNP. Transgenic mice lines expressing either Met(11) or Thr(11) SP‐D under the control of the ubiquitously expressed pROSA26 promoter in C57Bl/6 SP‐D deficient mice (DKO) was created. Both Met(11) (142 ± 52 ng mL−1) and Thr(11) (228 ± 76 ng mL−1) mice lines expressed human SP‐D at almost similar levels. According to the literature this was within the range of SP‐D levels found in wildtype (WT) mice (253 ± 22 ng mL−1). Met(11) or Thr(11) SP‐D in serum from transgenic mice bound maltose in a calcium‐dependent manner, and binding was inhibited in the presence of EDTA or maltose. Bronchoalveolar lavage showed for both transgenic mice lines complementation of the DKO phenotype by restoring cell counts, phospholipid levels and protein content back to WT levels. Cytospins of BAL pellet cells showed a resemblance to WT but both mice lines showed some foamy alveolar macrophages. The stereological analysis showed for none of the mice lines a complete abrogation of emphysematous alterations. However, both Met(11) and Thr(11) mice lines were partially reverted back to a WT phenotype when compared with DKO mice, indicating important effects on surfactant metabolism in vivo.
Validity of the Morse Fall Scale implemented in an electronic medical record system
Authors: Baek Seonhyeon , Piao Jinshi , Jin Yinji , Lee Sun‐Mi
Published: October 2013

Aims and objectives

To examine the validity of the Morse Fall Scale by analysing the electronic medical records on fall risk during different phases of hospitalisation.

Background

Regular monitoring on fall risk with a reliable and valid assessment tool is a key element in the fall prevention. In Korea, the Morse Fall Scale is currently being used in numerous medical institutions, yet it has not been comprehensively evaluated whether it is suitable and valid.

Design

The study design was a retrospective case–control study.

Methods

The participants included 151 fallers and 694 nonfallers. Data were extracted from a university hospital implementing Morse Fall Scale in the electronic medical records between October 2010 and June 2011. The nonfallers were selected by the stratified random sampling method among the patients who were in the hospital during the same period as the fallers. The Morse Fall Scale scores during three different time periods of hospital stay were used for analysis: the initial assessment score upon admission, the last and the maximum scores recorded from admission to the fall or discharge.

Results

With the maximum Morse Fall Scale score and the best cut‐off point of 51, validity indicators showed the highest performance: 0·72 for sensitivity, 0·91 for specificity, 0·63 for positive predictive value, 0·94 for negative predictive value, 0·63 for Youden Index and 0·77 for the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Conclusion

The Morse Fall Scale showed relatively high predictive performance for the Korean population.

Relevance to clinical practice

The study results recommend practice change in fall prevention. As the validity was highest when the patient was first classified into the high‐risk group based on the Morse Fall Scale cut‐off score 51, patients classified as high risk should be placed under special nursing interventions until the day of their discharge, regardless of change in the patient state.
Laser ionization mass spectrometry in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Seema Saraswathy , Krishnan Manu , Harith Arun K. , Sahai Kavita , Iyer Satish R. , Arora Vimal , Tripathi Rajendra P.
Published: October 2013

Biomarker research in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) aims for screening/early diagnosis and in predicting its recurrence, metastasis and overall prognosis. This article reviews the current molecular perspectives and diagnosis of oral cancer with proteomics using matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) and surface‐enhanced laser desorption ionization (SELDI) mass spectrometry (MS). This method shows higher sensitivity, accuracy, reproducibility and ability to handle complex tissues and biological fluid samples. However, the data interpretation tools of contemporary mass spectrometry still warrant further improvement. Based on the data available with laser‐based mass spectrometry, biomarkers of OSCC are classified as (i) diagnosis and prognosis, (ii) secretory, (iii) recurrence and metastasis, and (iv) drug targets. Majority of these biomarkers are involved in cell homeostasis and are either physiologic responders or enzymes. Therefore, proteins directly related to tumorigenesis have more diagnostic value. Salivary secretory markers are another group that offers a favourable and easy strategy for non‐invasive screening and early diagnosis in oral cancer. Key molecular inter‐related pathways in oral carcinogenesis are also intensely researched with software analysis to facilitate targeted drug therapeutics. The review suggested the need for incorporating ‘multiple MS or tandem approaches’ and focusing on a ‘group of biomarkers’ instead of single protein entities, for making early diagnosis and treatment for oral cancer a reality.