bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transformable Peptide Nanocarriers for Expeditious Drug Release and Effective Cancer Therapy via Cancer‐Associated Fibroblast Activation
Authors: Ji Tianjiao , Zhao Ying , Ding Yanping , Wang Jing , Zhao Ruifang , Lang Jiayan , Qin Hao , Liu Xiaoman , Shi Jian , Tao Ning , Qin Zhihai , Nie Guangjun , Zhao Yuliang
Published: August 2015

A novel cleavable amphiphilic peptide (CAP) was designed to be specifically responsive to fibroblast activation protein‐α (FAP‐α), a protease specifically expressed on the surface of cancer‐associated fibroblasts. The CAP self‐assembled into fiber‐like nanostructures in solution, while the presence of hydrophobic chemotherapeutic drugs readily transformed the assemblies into drug‐loaded spherical nanoparticles. The disassembly of these nanoparticles (CAP‐NPs) upon FAP‐α cleavage resulted in rapid and efficient release of the encapsulated drugs specifically at tumor sites. This Transformers‐like drug delivery strategy could allow them to disrupt the stromal barrier and enhance local drug accumulation. Therapeutic results suggested that drug‐loaded CAP‐NPs hold promising tumor specificity and therapeutic efficacy for various solid tumor models, confirming its potential utility and versatility in antitumor therapy.
Palladium–quaternary phosphonium phase transfer catalyst brush assembly as reusable and environmentally benign catalyst for coupling of aryl halides and sodium tetraphenylborate in neat water
Authors: Hajipour Abdol R. , Azizi Ghobad
Published: August 2015

A first example of simultaneous covalent anchoring of a palladate anion–phosphonium cation matrix on the surface of silica nanoparticles and application in the Suzuki coupling reaction of a variety of different haloarenes and sodium tetraphenylborate in neat aqueous media without the addition of any organic co‐solvent are described. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural and functional correlates of a quantitative autistic trait measured using the social responsive scale in neurotypical male adolescents
Authors: Tu Pei‐Chi , Hsu Ju‐Wei , Lan Chen‐Chia , Liu Chia‐Chien , Su Tung‐Ping , Chen Ying‐Sheue
Published: August 2015

Behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been suggested to be considered as quantitative traits. This study investigated the structural and functional correlates of autistic traits measured using the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) in neurotypical adolescents. Twenty‐six neurotypical male adolescents (12–18 years old) were recruited for this study and underwent structural and resting functional magnetic resonance image scanning, and intelligence quotient and SRS evaluations. We used the automated surface‐based method (FreeSurfer) to measure cortical thickness and seed‐based functional connectivity (FC) analysis to derive the FC map of the dorsal anterior cingulate (dACC). Brain‐wise regression analyses of cortical thickness and FC maps on SRS scores were performed using a general linear model. The results indicated that higher autistic trait ratings of total SRS scores were associated with a thinner cortex in the left insula, right insula, and right superior temporal gyrus. Furthermore, we observed that only higher scores of social awareness were correlated with increased FC between the dACC and right superior temporal gyrus and decreased FC between the dACC and right putamen and thalamus. These results indicated that a quantitative trait in social cognition is associated with structural and connectivity variations linked to ASD patients. Autism Res 2016, 9: 570–578. © 2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
LAS: A programming language and development environment for learning matrix structural analysis
Authors: Paultre Patrick , Lapointe Eric , Carbonneau Charles , Proulx Jean
Published: August 2015

This article presents language for the analysis of structures (LAS). It is a development environment and a high‐level language for learning matrix structural analysis, dynamics of structures, and the finite element method. LAS is a flexible learning environment in which users list pre‐programmed commands in the right order to solve finite element static and dynamic problems. In addition to structural analysis commands, the language also includes powerful operators, conditional expressions, loop expressions, and several functions (matrix manipulations, linear algebra, direct stiffness assembly, modal analysis, time domain dynamic analysis, frequency domain dynamic analysis). The LAS environment includes an editor used to list the commands, a matrix manager, a graphics post‐processor, and a Fourier‐analysis tool. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput. Appl. Eng. Educ. 24:89–100, 2016; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21675
Legalized marijuana use doesn't apply to student‐athletes
Authors: O'Brien Timothy
Published: August 2015

A former student‐athlete recently tweeted about the use of marijuana in college sports and how he had helped a teammate “beat” a substance abuse test.
Take comprehensive approach for a safer campus
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: August 2015

When Ed Book, chief of police at Santa Fe College in Florida, looked at the statistics showing the decline in crime on his campus, he was worried they had been miscalculated. From 2012 to 2013, crimes reported under the Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Reporting dropped 38 percent. And the decline was at least that much from 2013 to 2014.
Mobile apps can enhance personal safety efforts
Authors: McGrath Scott
Published: August 2015

Mobile safety smartphone apps have come of age amidst widening concerns from students, faculty, staff and parents about campus safety.
Engage students in active learning about sexual assault policies
Authors: Christensen Sarah
Published: August 2015

The Prevention Innovations Research Center at the University of New Hampshire released a study, entitled Informing Students about Campus Policies and Resources: How They Get the Message Matters, in which researchers explored the most effective methods for disseminating information about campus sexual assault policies to first‐year students. Last fall, the university was given a grant by the Department of Justice to research best practices for educating students on rules regarding sexual misconduct and on‐campus support for those involved in or affected by sexual assault. While many colleges and universities have introduced stricter sexual assault policies in recent years, the difficulty remains in educating students and ensuring that they are fully aware of the resources at their disposal.
First do no harm: Medication oversight for children in foster care
Authors: Lowenhaupt Elizabeth A.
Published: August 2015

When I first met James, he liked to jump on his bed and bounce a ball against the wall on the inpatient psychiatric unit. His attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder medication helped his restlessness, impulse control, and frustration tolerance, but the most important intervention for this 8‐year old boy, removed from his biological parents at age 2 due to abuse and neglect, was to send him to a stable place after discharge. Five years later, a judge asked for an independent psychiatric evaluation due to concerns about medication side effects; imagine my surprise to recognize James but see his list of ten medications!
Positive parenting is best, but time‐out can still be effective with some children
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: August 2015

Parents of particularly defiant children are often unsure what to do about behavior problems. Somehow, they always feel as if they are losing the battle when they practice “no drama” discipline and positive parenting with a child who is hitting.
Numerical Simulation of Wetting Phenomena with a Phase‐Field Method Using OpenFOAM®
Authors: Cai Xuan , Marschall Holger , Wörner Martin , Deutschmann Olaf
Published: August 2015

The phase‐field method coupled with the Navier‐Stokes equations is a rather new approach for scale‐resolving numerical simulation of interfacial two‐phase flows. The intention is to implement it as finite‐volume method in the open source library for computational continuum mechanics OpenFOAM® and make it freely available. An overview on the governing equations is given and the numerical method is shortly discussed. The focus is on application and validation of the code for some fundamental wetting phenomena, namely the capillary rise in a narrow channel and the spreading of a droplet on a flat surface, which is chemically homogeneous or regularly patterned. The numerical results on static meshes agree well with analytical solutions and experimental/numerical results from literature. Also, first 3D finite‐volume simulations with adaptive mesh refinement near the interface are presented as a key element to achieve CPU‐time efficient simulations.
Williamson Ether Synthesis with Phenols at a Tertiary Stereogenic Carbon: Formal Enantioselective Phenoxylation of β‐Keto Esters
Authors: Shibatomi Kazutaka , Kotozaki Manato , Sasaki Nozomi , Fujisawa Ikuhide , Iwasa Seiji
Published: August 2015

The enantioselective formation of α‐aryloxy‐β‐keto esters is described for the first time. Lewis acid catalyzed enantioselective chlorination of β‐keto esters and subsequent SN2 reactions with phenols yielded α‐aryloxy‐β‐keto esters with up to 96 % ee. Favorskii rearrangement of α‐chloro‐β‐keto esters was also found to give 1,2‐diesters with slightly reduced enantiopurity.
A Remarkably Simple Hybrid Surfactant–NHC Ligand, Its Gold‐Complex, and Application in Micellar Catalysis
Authors: Rühling Andreas , Galla Hans‐Joachim , Glorius Frank
Published: August 2015

A combination of an N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand and a structurally simple surfactant has been realized, the hybrid surfactant–NHC. The related gold complex was synthesized, fully characterized, and applied in catalysis. This remarkably simple strategy allows, in combination with a co‐surfactant, the application of gold catalysis in water.
Visualisierung der Partikelbewegung in einem Abweiseradsichter
Authors: Stender Mathias , Legenhausen Kurt , Weber Alfred P.
Published: August 2015

Trotz seiner großen Verbreitung und seiner enormen Bedeutung für die Trockenklassierung von Feinstpulvern ist der Abweiseradsichter hinsichtlich der Prozesse am Sichtrad in wesentlichen Punkten noch weitgehend unverstanden. Daher wurde in der vorliegenden Arbeit der Sichtkorb eines Abweiseradsichters durch Umbau optisch zugänglich gemacht. Die aufgenommenen Bilder ermöglichen erstmals eine direkte Beobachtung der Gasströmung und der Partikelbewegung zwischen den Sichtradschaufeln. Insbesondere konnte die Bedeutung von Partikel/Partikel‐ und Partikel/Sichtradschaufel‐Stößen gezeigt werden.
Szenariobasierte Bewertung der Zukunftsrelevanz von Nachhaltigkeitstechnologien
Authors: Berner Simon H. , Dönitz Ewa J. , Westhofen Aline , Moller Björn P.
Published: August 2015

Ein Ansatz zum nachhaltigen Umgang mit den begrenzten globalen Ressourcen ist, mittels technologischer Lösungen Rohstoffe im Wirtschaftskreislauf zu halten. Neben der technologischen Machbarkeit und Ausgestaltung der Technologie stellt sich auch die Frage nach ihrer Relevanz in der Zukunft. Zur Einschätzung dieser künftigen Relevanz wurden drei plausible Szenarien entwickelt, die unterschiedliche künftige Entwicklungen auf globaler Ebene und im Bereich der Ressourceneffizienz beschreiben. Durch den strukturierten Prozess der Szenarienerstellung, der sowohl auf externem Wissen als auch auf dem Austausch mit den Technologieentwicklern basierte, wurden zukünftige Potenziale, Chancen und Risiken für sechs Recyclingtechnologien aufgezeigt.
Experimentelle Bestimmung von Wärmeübergang und Druckverlust in Multiportflachrohren
Authors: Bastuck Holger , Piesche Manfred , Mitrovic Jovan
Published: August 2015

Präsentiert werden Messungen zum Wärmeübergang und Druckverlust an drei glatten Multiportflachohren mit kleinen hydraulischen Durchmessern < 1 mm bei einphasiger Strömung (Heptan) und Strömung mit Kondensation (Kältemittel R134a). Die für die Untersuchungen aufgebauten Prüfstände sind mit innovativen Messaufbauten für die Bestimmung der entstehenden Kondensatmenge und für die Erfassung der Kältemittel‐ und Rohrwandtemperatur ausgestattet. Die Messwerte für das Rohr mit dem kleinsten hydraulischen Durchmesser zeigen, dass die Annahme einer Leistungssteigerung bei Verkleinerung des hydraulischen Durchmessers nicht unbegrenzt gilt.
Detect Long‐term Complications After ICD Replacement (DECODE): Rationale and Study Design of a Multicenter Italian Registry
Authors: Diemberger Igor , Parisi Quintino , De Filippo Paolo , Narducci Maria Lucia , Zanon Francesco , Potenza Domenico Rosario , Ciaramitaro Gianfranco , Malacrida Maurizio , Boriani Giuseppe , Biffi Mauro
Published: August 2015

The replacement of implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators (ICDs) may give rise to considerable clinical consequences, the importance of which is underrated by the medical community. Replacement‐related adverse events are difficult to identify and require monitoring of both short‐term complications and long‐term patient outcome. The aim of this study is to perform a structured evaluation of both short‐ and long‐term adverse events and a cost analysis of consecutive ICD replacement procedures. Detect Long‐term Complications After ICD Replacement (DECODE) is a prospective, single‐arm, multicenter cohort study designed to estimate long‐term complication rates (at 12 months and 5 years) in patients undergoing ICD generator replacement. The study will also evaluate predictors of complications, patient management before and during the replacement procedure in clinical practice, and the costs related to use of health care resources. About 800 consecutive patients with standard indications for ICD generator replacement will be enrolled in this study. The decision to undertake generator replacement/upgrade will be made according to the investigators' own judgment (which will be recorded). Patients will be followed for 60 months through periodic in‐hospital examinations or remote monitoring. Detailed data on complications related to ICD replacement in current clinical practice are still lacking. The analysis of adverse events will reveal the value of new preventive strategies, thereby yielding both clinical and economic benefits. Moreover, assessment of complication rates after ICD replacement in a real‐life setting will help estimate the actual long‐term cost of ICD therapy and assess the real impact of increasing ICD longevity on cost‐effectiveness.
Energy‐efficient big data storage and retrieval for wireless sensor networks with nonuniform node distribution
Authors: Xu Jinhai , Guo Songtao , Xiao Bin , He Jing
Published: August 2015

Distributed data‐centric storage in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is considered as a promising big data storage approach, because it contributes to reducing the communication overhead inside the networks. However, most of the existing distributed methods rely on locating systems, which consume more energy, and assume that sensors are uniformly distributed, which is clearly not applicable for the scenarios with nonuniform sensor distribution. To address these issues, in this paper, we propose a big data storage and retrieval algorithm for WSNs with nonuniform node distribution, which aims at estimating the real distribution and the addresses of sensor nodes. In particular, we consider the data redundancy among neighbor nodes in the proposed algorithm and exploit a simple routing based on the algorithm. Experimental results show that our approach outperforms other approaches in terms of data querying efficiency and data loss rate. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Congestion‐aware message forwarding in delay tolerant networks: a community perspective
Authors: Wei Kaimin , Dong Mianxiong , Weng Jian , Shi Guangzhou , Ota Kaoru , Xu Ke
Published: August 2015

In delay tolerant networks, most of the existing message forwarding algorithms prefer to deliver messages to the nodes with a higher popularity or centrality in the hope of maximizing the delivery ratio or minimizing the end‐to‐end delay. This forwarding scheme is prone to cause unfair load distribution and further lead to network congestion, overlooked in the previous work. In this paper, we discuss the network congestion from a community perspective and take it into account the design of message forwarding algorithms. We first put forward a novel distributed community detection approach, which could track the evolution of communities. Based on the identified communities, we develop a congestion avoidance mechanism to divert the load away from the congested areas to the alternative custodians and further present a congestion‐aware message forwarding algorithm where messages can avoid being transmitted to the congested nodes. We finally evaluate the effectiveness of distributed community detection and congestion‐aware message forwarding through the extensive real‐trace driven simulations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrophobic Porous Polyketimines for the Capture of CO2
Authors: Xu Chao , Dinka Ermiase , Hedin Niklas
Published: August 2015

A new type of porous polymers is presented. Polyketimines (PPKs) were synthesized by condensing 1,3,5‐tris(4‐aminophenyl)benzene with aromatic diketones using p‐toluenesulfonic acid catalyst. They were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and solid‐state 13C{1H} nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and their porosities were probed through the adsorption of N2 and CO2. The PPKs had low uptakes of N2 (at −196 °C), which was attributed to diffusion limitations and/or a shrinking of the polymer. They had relatively high uptakes of CO2 (at 0 °C; up to 1.26 mmol g−1 at 0.15 bar and 2.99 mmol g−1 at 1 bar), which was related to ultramicropores (6–9 Å). The PPKs had high estimated CO2‐over‐N2 selectivities (30–40 at 0 °C). Studies on the vapor adsorption of water and ethanol showed the PPKs to be moderately hydrophobic and had a high uptake of ethanol at low partial pressures.
Oxidative Nitration of Styrenes for the Recycling of Low‐Concentrated Nitrogen Dioxide in Air
Authors: Hofmann Dagmar , de Salas Cristina , Heinrich Markus R.
Published: August 2015

The oxidative nitration of styrenes in ethyl acetate represents a metal‐free, environmentally friendly, and sustainable technique to recover even low concentrations of NO2 in air. Favorable features are that the product mixture comprising nitroalcohols, nitroketones, and nitro nitrates simplifies at lower concentrations of NO2. Experiments in a miniplant‐type 10 L wet scrubber demonstrated that the recycling technique is well applicable on larger scales at which initial NO2 concentrations of >10 000 ppm were reliably reduced to less than 40 ppm.
Introduction to the diagnosis and classification of monocytic‐lineage leukemias by flow cytometry
Authors: Matarraz Sergio , Almeida Julia , Flores‐Montero Juan , Lécrevisse Quentin , Guerri Valentina , López Antonio , Bárrena Susana , Van Der Velden Vincent H. J. , Te Marvelde Jeroen G. , Van Dongen Jacques J. M. , Orfao Alberto
Published: August 2015

Despite diagnostic criteria are currently available for the distinct subtypes of monocytic‐lineage neoplasias, a number of partially overlapping features still remain evident, which may hamper their differential diagnosis. An accurate identification and characterization of monocytic cells is of major relevance for the diagnosis and classification of these neoplasias. In this regard, as compared to other conventional techniques, flow cytometry has shown the highest sensitivity for detection of early monocytic commitment of (normal and neoplastic) bone marrow CD34+ hematopoietic precursors as well as of monocytic aberrations and maturation blockades, which are frequently associated with clonal myeloid disorders.

In the present paper we provide basic principles and criteria for multiparameter flow cytometry identification and characterization of bone marrow monocytic cells that contribute to an improved diagnostic and classification of monocytic lineage‐associated acute leukemias in clinical settings, particularly when using the EuroFlow antibody panels. © 2015 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Histone acetylation regulates prostate ductal morphogenesis through a bone morphogenetic protein–dependent mechanism
Authors: Keil Kimberly P. , Altmann Helene M. , Abler Lisa L. , Hernandez Laura L. , Vezina Chad M.
Published: August 2015

Background: Epigenetic factors influence stem cell function and other developmental events but their role in prostate morphogenesis is not completely known. We tested the hypothesis that histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity is required for prostate morphogenesis. Results: We identified the presence of class I nuclear HDACs in the mouse urogenital sinus (UGS) during prostate development and found that Hdac 2 mRNA abundance diminishes as development proceeds which is especially evident in prostatic epithelium. Blockade of HDACs with the inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) decreased the number of prostatic buds formed in UGS explant cultures but not the number of buds undergoing branching morphogenesis. In the latter, TSA promoted an extensive branching phenotype that was reversed by exogenous NOGGIN protein, which functions as a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) inhibitor. TSA also increased Bmp2 promoter H3K27ac abundance, Bmp2 and Bmp4 mRNA abundance, and the percentage of epithelial cells marked by BMP‐responsive phosphorylated SMAD1/5/8 protein. TSA exposed UGS explants grafted under the kidney capsule of untreated host mice for continued development achieved a smaller size without an obvious difference in glandular histology compared with control treated grafts. Conclusions: These results are consistent with an active role for HDACs in shaping prostate morphogenesis by regulating Bmp abundance. Developmental Dynamics 244:1404–1414, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sebox regulates mesoderm formation in early amphibian embryos
Authors: Chen Geng , Tan Renbo , Tao Qinghua
Published: August 2015

Background: Mix/Bix genes are important regulators of mesendoderm formation during vertebrate embryogenesis. Sebox, an additional member of this gene family, has been implicated in endoderm formation during early embryogenesis in zebrafish. However, it remains unclear whether Sebox plays a unique role in early Xenopus embryos. Results: In this study, we provide evidence that Sebox is uniquely required for the formation of mesoderm during early Xenopus embryogenesis. Sebox is dynamically expressed in the involuted mesoderm during gastrulation. It is activated by Nodal/Activin signaling and modulated by zygotic Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. Overexpression of Sebox perturbs movements during convergent extension and inhibits the expression of mesodermal, but not endodermal, genes induced by Nodal/Activin signaling. Depletion of Sebox using a specific morpholino increases the expression of noncanonical wnt5a, wnt5b, and wnt11b. Depletion of Sebox also up‐regulates the expression of pcdh8.2, a paraxial mesoderm‐specific protocadherin, in a Wnt11B‐dependent manner. Sebox morphants display reduced development of the head and notochord. Conclusions: Our findings illustrate that Sebox, a unique member of the Mix/Bix gene family, functions downstream of Nodal/Activin signaling and is required for the proper expression of noncanonical Wnt ligands and the normal development of mesoderm in Xenopus. Developmental Dynamics 244:1415–1426, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The relationship between parent feeding styles and general parenting with loss of control eating in treatment‐seeking overweight and obese children
Authors: Matheson Brittany E. , Camacho Casandra , Peterson Carol B. , Rhee Kyung E. , Rydell Sarah A. , Zucker Nancy L. , Boutelle Kerri N.
Published: August 2015

Objective

To examine differences in parent feeding behaviors and general parenting of overweight children with and without loss of control (LOC) eating.

Method

One‐hundred‐and‐eighteen overweight and obese children (10.40 ± 1.35 years; 53% female; 52% Caucasian; BMI‐z: 2.06 ± 0.39) and their parents (42.42 ± 6.20 years; 91% female; 70% Caucasian; BMI: 31.74 ± 6.96 kg/m2) were seen at a baseline assessment visit for a behavioral intervention that targeted overeating. The Eating Disorder Examination, adapted for children (ChEDE) was administered to assess for LOC eating. Parents completed the Parental Feeding Styles Questionnaire (PFSQ) and the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) to assess parent feeding styles and behaviors. Children also completed a self‐report measure of general parenting (Child Report of Parent Behavior Inventory, CRPBI‐30).

Results

Forty‐three children (36.40%) reported at least one LOC eating episode in the month prior to assessment. Parents who reported greater restriction and higher levels of pressure to eat were more likely to have children that reported LOC eating (ps < 0.05). Parents who utilized more instrumental feeding and prompting/encouragement to eat techniques were less likely to have children that reported LOC eating (ps < 0.05). Child‐reported parenting behaviors were unrelated to child LOC eating (ps > 0.05).

Discussion

Parent feeding styles and behaviors appear to be differentially and uniquely related to LOC eating in treatment‐seeking overweight and obese children. Future research is needed to determine if implementing interventions that target parent feeding behaviors may reduce LOC eating, prevent full‐syndrome eating disorders, and reduce weight gain in youth. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:1047–1055)
Baiting improvesCPUEin nine‐spined stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) minnow trap fishery
Authors: Merilä Juha
Published: August 2015

Whether or not baiting influences stickleback catch per unit effort (CPUE) remains a matter of debate among stickleback researchers: While the opinions about the impact of baiting onCPUEdiffer, supporting quantitative data are scarce. The effect of baiting and trap type on nine‐spined stickleback (Pungitius pungitius)CPUEwas studied in a field experiment conducted over four consecutive days in a small pond in northeastern Finland. The results show that baited traps yielded better (meanCPUE = 1.24 fish/trap/d) catches than unbaited traps (meanCPUE = 0.66); however, there were also differences inCPUEdepending on the type of collapsible trap that was used. The trap type effect onCPUEseemed to differ among age classes – the finer meshed trap caught more young‐of‐the‐year fish than the coarse‐meshed one, whereas the opposite was true for the older and larger individuals. The results agree with those of an earlier more restricted study conducted in the same locality: Together, these results provide strong evidence for the positive impact of baiting on nine‐spined sticklebackCPUE.
Interrelated effects of mycorrhiza and free‐living nitrogen fixers cascade up to aboveground herbivores
Authors: Khaitov Botir , Patiño‐Ruiz José David , Pina Tatiana , Schausberger Peter
Published: August 2015

Aboveground plant performance is strongly influenced by belowground microorganisms, some of which are pathogenic and have negative effects, while others, such as nitrogen‐fixing bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, usually have positive effects. Recent research revealed that belowground interactions between plants and functionally distinct groups of microorganisms cascade up to aboveground plant associates such as herbivores and their natural enemies. However, while functionally distinct belowground microorganisms commonly co‐occur in the rhizosphere, their combined effects, and relative contributions, respectively, on performance of aboveground plant‐associated organisms are virtually unexplored. Here, we scrutinized and disentangled the effects of free‐living nitrogen‐fixing (diazotrophic) bacteriaAzotobacter chroococcum(DB) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungiGlomus mosseae(AMF) on host plant choice and reproduction of the herbivorous two‐spotted spider miteTetranychus urticaeon common bean plantsPhaseolus vulgaris. Additionally, we assessed plant growth, andAMFandDBoccurrence and density as affected by each other. BothAMFalone andDBalone increased spider mite reproduction to similar levels, as compared to the control, and exerted additive effects under co‐occurrence. These effects were similarly apparent in host plant choice, that is, the mites preferred leaves from plants with bothAMFandDBto plants withAMForDBto plants grown withoutAMFandDB.DB, which also act asAMFhelper bacteria, enhanced root colonization byAMF, whereasAMFdid not affectDBabundance.AMFbut notDBincreased growth of reproductive plant tissue and seed production, respectively. BothAMFandDBincreased the biomass of vegetative aboveground plant tissue. Our study breaks new ground in multitrophic belowground–aboveground research by providing first insights into the fitness implications of plant‐mediated interactions between interrelated belowground fungi–bacteria and aboveground herbivores.
A Comparison of Electric Power Smoothing Control Methods for Distributed Generation Systems
Authors: Kanehira Tomoyuki , Takahashi Akiko , Imai Jun , Funabiki Shigeyuki
Published: August 2015

Renewable forms of energy such as solar energy have attracted attention as alternative sources of fossil fuel. The output power of photovoltaic generation systems changes steeply. Changes in output power have an effect on the electric power quality of the power system. For that reason, a system which can smooth fluctuations of output power is required. In this paper, the moving average, modified moving average, single exponential smoothing, and double exponential smoothing methods are applied to electric power smoothing control schemes for distributed generation systems with photovoltaic generation. The reduction rate of power fluctuations and the maximum stored energy of electric double layer capacitors are adopted as system evaluation measures. To confirm the effectiveness of the power smoothing control methods, a distributed generation power system with photovoltaic generation systems is simulated with the power electronics circuit simulation software PSIM. The methods are then compared by evaluating the reduction in the capacity of electric double layer capacitors without loss in the power smoothing effect.
Power Generation Experiments with a High Temperature Inert Gas Plasma Faraday Type MHD Generator
Authors: Tanaka Manabu , Murakami Tomoyuki , Okuno Yoshihiro
Published: August 2015

MHD power generation experiments have been conducted by using a single‐pulsed shock‐tunnel facility, where a high‐temperature inert gas (pure argon) at a fixed total temperature of 9000 K is introduced into a linear Faraday generator without seeding. The fluctuations in the output power and light emission from the plasma are found to be small, and the pure inert gas plasma seems to be rather consistently free of ionization instability. The output power is improved by increasing the magnetic flux density in near‐quadric fashion and the enthalpy extraction ratio does not depend on the inlet total pressure (11.2% to 12.9% for 0.063 MPa to 0.105 MPa). The generator performance obtained is competitive with or superior to that of existing seed plasma MHD generators.
A numerical model for the dynamic analysis of inclined pile groups
Authors: Dezi Francesca , Carbonari Sandro , Morici Michele
Published: August 2015

The paper presents a numerical model for the dynamic analysis of pile groups with inclined piles in horizontally layered soil deposits. Piles are modelled with Euler–Bernoulli beams, while the soil is supposed to be constituted by independent infinite viscoelastic horizontal layers. The pile–soil–pile interaction as well as the hysteretic and geometric damping is taken into account by means of two‐dimensional elastodynamic Green's functions. Piles cap is considered by introducing a rigid constraint; the condensation of the problem permits a consistent derivation of both the dynamic impedance matrix of the soil–foundation system and the foundation input motion. These quantities are those used to perform inertial soil–structure interaction analyses in the framework of the substructure approach. Furthermore, the model allows evaluating the kinematic stress resultants in piles resulting from waves propagating in the soil deposit, taking into account the pile–soil–pile interactions. The model validation is carried out by performing accuracy analyses and comparing results in terms of dynamic impedance functions, kinematic response parameters and pile stress resultants, with those furnished by 3D refined finite element models. To this purpose, classical elastodynamic solutions are adopted to define the soil–pile interaction problem. The model results in low computational demands without significant loss of precision, compared with more rigorous approaches or refined finite element models. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Do US Macroeconomic Forecasters Exaggerate their Differences?
Authors: Clements Michael P.
Published: August 2015

Application of the Bernhardt et al. (Journal of Financial Economics 2006; 80(3): 657–675) test of herding to the calendar‐year annual output growth and inflation forecasts suggests forecasters tend to exaggerate their differences, except at the shortest horizon, when they tend to herd. We consider whether these types of behaviour can help to explain the puzzle that professional forecasters sometimes make point predictions and histogram forecasts which are mutually inconsistent. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SNP Set Association Testing for Survival Outcomes in the Presence of Intrafamilial Correlation
Authors: Leclerc Martin ,   The Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2, Simard Jacques , Lakhal‐Chaieb Lajmi
Published: August 2015

In this work, we propose a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) set association test for censored phenotypes in the presence of a family‐based design. The proposed test is valid for both common and rare variants. A proportional hazards Cox model is specified for the marginal distribution of the trait and the familial dependence is modeled via a Gaussian copula. Censored values are treated as partially missing data and a multiple imputation procedure is proposed in order to compute the test statistics. The P‐value is then deduced analytically. The finite‐sample empirical properties of the proposed method are evaluated and compared to existing competitors by simulations and its use is illustrated using a breast cancer data set from the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Semi‐analytical approach to reactive transport of CO2 leakage into aquifers at carbon sequestration sites
Authors: Yang Changbing , Treviño Ramón H. , Hovorka Susan D. , Delgado‐Alonso Jesus
Published: August 2015

Reactive transport modeling plays a critical role in predicting and quantifying impacts of potential CO2 leakage into aquifers at geological carbon sequestration sites. However, a numerical approach generally requires significant computation. This study presents a semi‐analytical approach to reactive transport of CO2 leakage into an aquifer through decoupling transport equations of reactive aqueous species with algebraic manipulation and then solving the algebraic equation sets representing the mass action law of geochemical reactions with the Newton‐Raphson method. The semi‐analytical approach was implemented in a simulation tool, SASCO2M, and verified against a numerical approach for 2‐D synthetic cases. Verification shows that the semi‐analytical approach matched reasonably well the results simulated with the numerical approach. The semi‐analytical approach was applied to simulate pulse‐like CO2 release tests which were used to demonstrate CO2 leakage detection in a shallow aquifer. The semi‐analytical approach reproduced the overall trends of groundwater pH, dissolved inorganic carbon, alkalinity, and concentrations of Ca and Br observed in the testing well. The semi‐analytical approach was further applied to assess the efficiency of a groundwater monitoring network for CO2 leakage detection in a shallow aquifer at a CO2‐enhanced oil recovery site. This study demonstrates that the semi‐analytical approach is simple and efficient and can be followed as a strategic procedure for assessing risks of CO2 leakage on groundwater quality and efficiency of groundwater monitoring networks for leakage detection at geological CO2 sequestration sites. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
New episodes of depression among Medicare beneficiaries with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Albrecht Jennifer S. , Huang Ting‐Ying , Park Yujin , Langenberg Patricia , Harris Ilene , Netzer Giora , Lehmann Susan W. , Khokhar Bilal , Simoni‐Wastila Linda
Published: August 2015

Objectives

Depression is a common comorbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is associated with increased exacerbations, healthcare utilization, and mortality. Among Medicare beneficiaries newly diagnosed with COPD, the objectives of this study were to (1) estimate the rate of new episodes of depression and (2) identify factors associated with depression.

Methods

We identified beneficiaries with a first diagnosis of COPD during 2006–2012 using a 5% random sample of Medicare administrative claims data by searching for ICD‐9‐CM codes 490, 491.x, 492.x, 494.x, or 496. We identified episodes of depression using ICD‐9‐CM codes 296.2x, 296.3x, and 311.xx. We calculated incidence rates and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) and used a discrete time analysis to identify factors associated with development of depression.

Results

Between 2006 and 2012, 125,348 beneficiaries meeting inclusion criteria were newly diagnosed with COPD. Twenty‐three percent developed depression following COPD diagnosis. The annualized incidence rate of depression per 100 beneficiaries following COPD diagnosis was 9.4 (95% CI 9.3, 9.5). Rates were highest in the first 2 months following COPD diagnosis. COPD diagnosis was associated with increased risk of depression (risk ratio 1.76; 95% CI 1.73, 1.79) as were COPD‐related hospitalizations (risk ratio 4.59; 95% CI 4.09, 5.15), a measure of COPD severity.

Conclusions

Diagnosis of COPD increases the risk of depression. This study will aid in the allocation of resources to monitor and provide support for individuals with COPD at high risk of developing depression. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The longitudinal impact of depression on disability in Parkinson disease
Authors: Pontone Gregory M. , Bakker Catherine C. , Chen Shaojie , Mari Zoltan , Marsh Laura , Rabins Peter V. , Williams James R. , Bassett Susan S
Published: August 2015

Objective

Depression in Parkinson disease (PD) is a common problem that worsens quality of life and causes disability. However, little is known about the longitudinal impact of depression on disability in PD. This study examined the association between disability and DSM‐IV‐TR depression status across six years.

Methods

Longitudinal cohort study with assessments at study entry, year two, four, and six conducted in the Morris K. Udall Parkinson Disease Research Center. Recruitment totaled 137 adult men and women with idiopathic PD in which up to six years of data on demographic, motor, and non‐motor variables was collected. Movement disorder specialists used the structured interview for DSM‐IV‐TR depressive disorders and the Northwestern Disability Scale to assess depression and disability. A generalized linear mixed model was fitted with Northwestern Disability Scale score as the dependent variable to determine the effect of baseline depression status on disability.

Results

A total of 43 participants were depressed at baseline compared to 94 without depression. Depressed participants were more likely to be female, were less educated, were less likely to take dopamine agonists, and more likely to have motor fluctuations. Controlling for these variables, symptomatic depression predicted greater disability compared to both never depressed (p = 0.0133) and remitted depression (p = 0.0009). Disability associated with symptomatic depression at baseline was greater over the entire six‐year period compared to participants with remitted depressive episodes or who were never depressed.

Conclusions

Persisting depression is associated with a long‐term adverse impact on daily functioning in PD. Adequate treatment or spontaneous remission of depression improves ADL function. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Brief‐exposure to preoperative bevacizumab reveals a TGF‐β signature predictive of response in HER2‐negative breast cancers
Authors: Varadan Vinay , Kamalakaran Sitharthan , Gilmore Hannah , Banerjee Nilanjana , Janevski Angel , Miskimen Kristy L.S. , Williams Nicole , Basavanhalli Ajay , Madabhushi Anant , Lezon‐Geyda Kimberly , Bossuyt Veerle , Lannin Donald R. , Abu‐Khalaf Maysa , Sikov William , Dimitrova Nevenka , Harris Lyndsay N.
Published: August 2015

To best define biomarkers of response, and to shed insight on mechanism of action of certain clinically important agents for early breast cancer, we used a brief‐exposure paradigm in the preoperative setting to study transcriptional changes in patient tumors that occur with one dose of therapy prior to combination chemotherapy. Tumor biopsies from breast cancer patients enrolled in two preoperative clinical trials were obtained at baseline and after one dose of bevacizumab (HER2‐negative), trastuzumab (HER2‐positive) or nab‐paclitaxel, followed by treatment with combination chemo‐biologic therapy. RNA‐Sequencing based PAM50 subtyping at baseline of 46 HER2‐negative patients revealed a strong association between the basal‐like subtype and pathologic complete response (pCR) to chemotherapy plus bevacizumab (p ≤ 0.0027), but did not provide sufficient specificity to predict response. However, a single dose of bevacizumab resulted in down‐regulation of a well‐characterized TGF‐β activity signature in every single breast tumor that achieved pCR (p ≤ 0.004). The TGF‐β signature was confirmed to be a tumor‐specific read‐out of the canonical TGF‐β pathway using pSMAD2 (p ≤ 0.04), with predictive power unique to brief‐exposure to bevacizumab (p ≤ 0.016), but not trastuzumab or nab‐paclitaxel. Down‐regulation of TGF‐β activity was associated with reduction in tumor hypoxia by transcription and protein levels, suggesting therapy‐induced disruption of an autocrine‐loop between tumor stroma and malignant cells. Modulation of the TGF‐β pathway upon brief‐exposure to bevacizumab may provide an early functional readout of pCR to preoperative anti‐angiogenic therapy in HER2‐negative breast cancer, thus providing additional avenues for exploration in both preclinical and clinical settings with these agents.
Optimization and characterization of injectable chitosan‐iodixanol‐based hydrogels for the embolization of blood vessels
Authors: Fatimi Ahmed , Zehtabi Fatemeh , Lerouge Sophie
Published: August 2015

Chitosan‐thermosensitive hydrogels present interesting features for the embolization of blood vessels, but need to be better characterized and optimized. Chitosan polymer (degree of deacetylation (DDA) of 94%) was purified and combined with Visipaque (VIS), a nonionic isotonic contrast agent composed of iodixanol. A beta‐glycerolphosphate (βGP) solution was then added to induce gelation at body temperature. The gelation process was monitored by rheometry, measuring the evolution of the sample storage (G′) and loss (G″) moduli as a function of VIS and βGP concentration. Adding VIS significantly slowed down gelation kinetics, but a 12% and higher βGP concentration provided a radiopaque solution, which at 37°C, gels immediately. A custom‐made in vitro embolization bench test was developed to assess the gel's occlusive properties, and its injectability through a small diameter catheter was verified. Results show that the short‐term occlusive properties of the gel were insufficient when using a βGP concentration of 12% w/v (about 0.4M), but that increasing the βGP to 20% (0.6M) allowed an acceleration of the gelation and the immediate blocking of flow above physiological pressure. The contrast agent was rapidly released in solution, such that it would not interfere with future follow‐up imaging. In accordance with the literature data, the cytotoxicity of gel extracts increased with βGP concentration and to a lesser extent with VIS concentration. Preliminary in vivo testing showed easy injection by catheter and good visibility under fluoroscopy. These results suggest that radiopaque CH/βGP20%/VIS hydrogels present significant potential as embolizing agents for blood vessels and aneurysms. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 1551–1562, 2016.
Effects of the ionization in the tautomerism of uracil: A reaction electronic flux perspective
Authors: Lamsabhi Al Mokhtar , Gutiérrez‐Oliva Soledad , Mó Otilia , Toro‐Labbé Alejandro , Yáñez Manuel
Published: August 2015

The one‐step tautomerization processes of uracil and its radical cation and radical anion have been investigated in the light of the reaction force and reaction electronic flux (REF) formalisms. The relative energies of the different tautomers as well as the corresponding tautomerization barriers have been obtained through the use of the G4 high‐levelab initiomethod and by means of B3LYP/6‐311+G(3df,2p)//B3LYP/6‐311+G(d, p) calculations. Systematically, the enol radical cations are more stable in relative terms than the neutral, due to the higher ionization energy of the diketo forms with respect to the enolic ones. Conversely, the enol radical anions, with the only exception of the 2‐keto‐N1 anion, are found to be less stable than the neutral. The effects of the ionization are also sizable on the tautomerization barriers although this effect also depends on the particular tautomerization process. The reaction force analysis shows that all reactions are mainly activated through structural rearrangements that initiate the electronic activity. This electronic activity is monitored along the reaction coordinate through the REF that obeys a delicate balance between the acid and basic character of the atoms involved in the hydrogen transfer. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Defining Plasma MicroRNAs Associated With Cognitive Impairment In HIV‐Infected Patients
Authors: Kadri Ferdous , LaPlante Andrea , De Luca Mariacristina , Doyle Lisa , Velasco‐Gonzalez Cruz , Patterson Jonathan R. , Molina Patricia E. , Nelson Steve , Zea Arnold H. , Parsons Christopher H. , Peruzzi Francesca
Published: August 2015

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)‐infected individuals are at increased risk for developing neurocognitive disorders and depression. These conditions collectively affect more than 50% of people living with HIV/AIDS and adversely impact adherence to HIV therapy. Thus, identification of early markers of neurocognitive impairment could lead to interventions that improve psychosocial functioning and slow or reverse disease progression through improved treatment adherence. Evidence has accumulated for the role and function of microRNAs in normal and pathological conditions. We have optimized a protocol to profile microRNAs in body fluids. Using this methodology, we have profiled plasma microRNA expression for 30 age‐matched, HIV‐infected (HIV+) patients and identified highly sensitive and specific microRNA signatures distinguishing HIV+ patients with cognitive impairment from those without cognitive impairment. These results justify follow‐on studies to determine whether plasma microRNA signatures can be used as a screening or prognostic tool for HIV+ patients with neurocognitive impairment. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 829–836, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.