bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heart failure in patients with atrial fibrillation in Europe: a report from the EURObservational Research Programme Pilot survey on Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Lip Gregory Y.H. , Laroche Cécile , Popescu Mircea I. , Rasmussen Lars H. , Vitali‐Serdoz Laura , Dan Gheorghe‐Andrei , Kalarus Zbigniew , Crijns Harry J.G.M. , Oliveira Mario M. , Tavazzi Luigi , Maggioni Aldo P. , Boriani Giuseppe
Published: March 2015

Aims

The purpose of this study was too describe the associated baseline features of AF patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced and preserved ejection fraction (HFrEF and HFpEF). Secondly, we assessed symptomatic status and their clinical correlates. Finally, we examined independent predictors for ‘heart failure’ at the 1‐year follow‐up period.

Methods and results

A survey of European cardiologists from nine countries, participating in the EURObservational Research Programme Pilot survey on Atrial Fibrillation (EORP‐AF Pilot), was carried out. Of the whole cohort of 2972 patients, 1411 (47.5%) had a diagnosis of HF. Of the AF patients with HF, oral anticoagulants were prescribed to 82.1% and antiarrhythmic drugs in 36.7%. Independent predictors of HFpEF were high body mass index, high heart rate, high systolic blood pressure, low diastolic blood pressure, high CHA2DS2‐VASc score, and absence of chronic kidney disease, sleep apnoea, or ischaemic cardiomyopathy. On multivariate stepwise regression analysis, independent predictors of the development of HF were mode of AF presentation, diuretic use, prior HF, COPD, and valvular disease. At 1 year, HF was associated with a greater risk of all‐cause mortality (log‐rank test, P < 0.001). When HFrEF was compared with HFpEF at 1 year, crude rates were significant for the composite endpoint of ‘stroke/thrombo‐embolism/transient ischaemic attack and death’ (15.9% vs. 11.1%, P = 0.043).

Conclusion

We provide insights into the clinical characteristics and outcomes in AF patients with HF, who were managed by European cardiologists. Despite a high prevalence of oral anticoagulant use, 1‐year mortality and morbidity remained high in AF patients with HF, whether HFrEF or HFpEF. Such patients require a holistic approach to cardiovascular risk management.
A systematic analysis of genetic dilated cardiomyopathy reveals numerous ubiquitously expressed and muscle‐specific genes
Authors: Harakalova Magdalena , Kummeling Gijs , Sammani Arjan , Linschoten Marijke , Baas Annette F. , van der Smagt Jasper , Doevendans Pieter A. , van Tintelen J. Peter , Dooijes Dennis , Mokry Michal , Asselbergs Folkert W.
Published: March 2015

Aims

Despite considerable progress being made in genetic diagnostics for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) using panels of the most prevalent genes, the cause remains unsolved in a substantial percentage of patients. We hypothesize that several previously described DCM genes with low or unknown prevalence have been neglected, which, if catalogued, could increase the yield of diagnostic DCM testing. The aim of this study is to catalogue all genetic evidence on DCM comprehensively.

Methods and results

We have conducted a systematic literature search on PubMed, Embase, and OMIM to find genes implicated in syndromic and non‐syndromic DCM and peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). Our search yielded 110 nuclear protein‐coding genes and 24 mitochondrial DNA genes. For nuclear genes, in addition to 42 genes sufficiently reviewed previously (group A), we provide a comprehensive annotation of the level of genetic evidence for the remaining 68 genes (group B). Next, we investigated the tissue specificity of the collected genes using public RNA sequencing data. We show that genes primarily expressed in heart and skeletal muscle are more likely to result in DCM with possible skeletal myopathies, while genes expressed ubiquitously cause DCM with extramuscular manifestations.

Conclusion

This comprehensive analysis of DCM‐associated genes revealed a much higher number of genes than currently screened in diagnostics. Since most genes in group B have only been found mutated in single DCM patients or families, their importance for DCM genetic diagnostics needs to be validated in large cohorts. Targeted sequencing of validated DCM‐implicated protein‐coding genes and mitochondrial DNA, together with consideration of the tissue specificity of mutated genes, may facilitate further genotype–phenotype studies in DCM.
A Stereoselective Catalytic Nitroaldol Reaction as the Key Step in a Strategy for the Synthesis of the Renin Inhibitor Aliskiren
Authors: Rossi Sergio , Benaglia Maurizio , Porta Riccardo , Cotarca Livius , Maragni Paolo , Verzini Massimo
Published: March 2015

Aliskiren is the first‐in‐class orally active direct renin inhibitor. It was approved in 2007 for the treatment of hypertension. We have designed a new strategy for the convergent synthesis of aliskiren that involves a catalytic stereoselective nitroaldol reaction as the key step. A new enantiopure nitroalkane (synthon A1), prepared in only three steps from a commercially available enantiopure 2‐(arylmethyl)‐3‐methyl butanol derivative, was successfully used in a copper‐catalysed Henry reaction to give a nitrolactone intermediate in which the correct configuration for the final product was established at all four stereocentres. Nitro‐group reduction, Boc‐protection of the resulting amine, aminolysis of the lactone with 3‐amino‐2,2‐dimethylpropionamide, and finally Boc‐deprotection led to the enantiopure renin inhibitor aliskiren.
Patients with complex regional pain syndrome overestimate applied force in observed hand actions
Authors: Hotta J. , Harno H. , Nummenmaa L. , Kalso E. , Hari R. , Forss N.
Published: March 2015

Background

Movement accuracy is ensured by interaction between motor, somatosensory, and visual systems. In complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), this interaction is disturbed. To explore CRPS patients’ visual perception of actions, we investigated how these patients evaluate the applied force in observed hand actions of another person.

Methods

Nineteen patients suffering from unilateral upper‐limb CRPS and 19 healthy control subjects viewed six different videos of left‐ and right‐hand actions. They were asked to evaluate the applied force in each hand action, as well as their subjective sensations of unpleasantness and pain during the observation.

Results

The patients overestimated the force applied in the videos: the ratings were two times as large as in the control subjects for actions performed with the hand corresponding to the patients’ affected hand, and 1.5 times as large for actions corresponding to their healthy hand. The control subjects considered the stimuli neutral and painless, whereas the patients rated them unpleasant. Moreover, the patients felt increased pain during viewing actions performed with the hand corresponding to their affected side. The overestimation of force was related to the elicited unpleasantness and pain, but not to the patients’ muscle strength.

Conclusions

We propose that the overestimation of force is explained both by the pain elicited by the observation and by the abnormal sensorimotor integration that is associated with perception of increased effort. This visually elicited unpleasantness and painfulness may promote avoidance of viewing own actions, further impairing the patients’ motor performance.
Income and neighbourhood‐level inequality predict self‐esteem and ethnic identity centrality through individual‐ and group‐based relative deprivation: A multilevel path analysis
Authors: Osborne Danny , Sibley Chris G. , Sengupta Nikhil Kumar
Published: March 2015

Although income and inequality (objective measures of deprivation and the distribution of income within a defined area, respectively) predict people's self‐appraisals, the psychological mechanisms underlying these relationships are largely unknown. We address this oversight by predicting that feeling individually deprived (individual‐based relative deprivation [IRD])—a self‐focused appraisal—mediates the relationship between these two objective measures and self‐esteem. Conversely, believing that one's group is deprived (group‐based relative deprivation [GRD])—a group‐focused appraisal—mediates the relationship between these two objective measures and ethnic identity centrality. We examined these predictions in a national sample of New Zealand adults (N = 6349). As expected, income negatively correlated with IRD and GRD; in turn, IRD negatively correlated with self‐esteem, and GRD positively correlated with ethnic identity centrality. Moreover, after accounting for between‐level variability in income, neighbourhood‐level inequality had indirect effects on self‐esteem and ethnic identity centrality through IRD and GRD, respectively. Thus, income and inequality independently predicted self‐esteem and strength of ingroup identification through distinct mechanisms. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Similarity as threat: A motivational explanation of self–other similarity judgment asymmetry
Authors: Dang Junhua , Xiao Shanshan , Sun Xiaoyan , Louis Lee N.Y. , Mao Lihua
Published: March 2015

People tend to judge others to be more similar to themselves than themselves are to others. This self–other similarity judgment asymmetry was often explained by a cognitive model. However, some findings were inconsistent with this model, implying that there might be complementary processes underlying such asymmetry. Although a motivational explanation has been proposed to account for the asymmetry, little evidence has been accumulated to verify this explanation and differentiate it from the cognitive model. The current research tested both the core assumption of the motivational explanation as well as a hypothesis derived only from it. Results suggest that the perception of oneself as being similar to others was more threatening to people's uniqueness than the perception of others as being similar to oneself. Individuals with high need for uniqueness exhibited greater asymmetry than did individuals with low need. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new species of Aechmea Ruiz & Pavon (Bromelioideae‐bromeliaceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest
Authors: de Sousa Gardene Maria , das Graças Lapa Wanderley Maria
Published: March 2015

Aechmea prasinata G. Sousa & Wand., a new species from southeast Brazil, is described and illustrated. The species belongs to the subg. Chevaliera and shows morphological similarities with Aechmea hostilis E. Pereira and Aechmea gustavoi J. A. Siqueira & Leme, in the short‐peduncled and capituliform inflorescence, but differs in the oval to oblong floral bracts, the acuminate sepals and the green colour of all perianth structures. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Mass conservation in computational morphodynamics: uniform sediment and infinite availability
Authors: Jacobsen Niels Gjøl
Published: March 2015

Computational morphodynamics in finite volume methods are based on the evaluation of the rate of bed level change in the vertices on the deforming bed. With the use of finite volume methods on collocated (unstructured) grids, the rate of bed level change needs to be interpolated from the mesh faces to the vertices. First, this work reviews two methods based on a vectorial shape of the bed evolution equation (no scalar contributions from storage, erosion and deposition) in terms of their mass conserving properties. Second, a method that allows for scalar contributions in the bed evolution equation (the Exner equation) is proposed for general, unstructured meshes, and an analytical derivation for the simple one‐dimensional problem on a non‐equidistantly discretised grid is considered. The solution is compared with the general two‐dimensional formulation. The two‐dimensional formulation leads to the formulation of a geometric sand sliding routine on unstructured grids. The newly proposed interpolation method and the sand sliding routine are tested, and mass conservation of the sediment is considered with special emphasis on the effect of the solution accuracy for the suspended sediment transport. Discussions on other interpolation methods and their mass conserving properties are given with a special focus of the distance weighted interpolation method directly available and easily applied in OpenFOAM. Furthermore, effects from horizontal displacements of the vertices, explicit filtering of the evolving bed and morphological acceleration on global mass conservation, are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical simulation of the penetration process of ship anchors in sand
Authors: Grabe Jürgen , Qiu Gang , Wu Lingyue
Published: March 2015

In order to study the burial depth of submarine power cables in the German North Sea, the penetration process of ships' anchors in seabed soil was simulated by using the coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian method in Abaqus/Explicit. In the 3D finite element model the sandy seabed was simulated with different densities under both drained and undrained conditions. The resulting penetration mechanism of a ship anchor in sand was verified by field test data. It showed that under specific conditions the penetration depth of a ship's anchor could be more than 1.5 m, which is suggested in “Bundesfachplan Offshore für die deutsche ausschließliche Wirtschaftszone der Nordsee 2012 und Umweltbericht” [8] as the standard burial depth of submarine power cables in the German North Sea by Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie (BSH).

Numerische Simulation des Penetrationsprozesses eines Schiffsankers in Sand. Um die Verlegetiefe von Offshore‐Seekabeln in der Nordsee zu untersuchen, wurde der Penetrationsprozess eines Schiffsankers in den Meeresboden mittels der gekoppelten Euler‐Lagrangeschen Methode im Abaqus/Explicit modelliert. Im 3D‐FE‐Modell wird der sandige Meeresboden mit unterschiedlichen Lagerungsdichten unter dränierten sowie undränierten Bedingungen angesetzt. Der berechnete Eindringmechanismus des Schiffsankers im Sand wird durch Feldmessungen in der Nordsee bestätigt. Es zeigt sich, dass die Penetrationstiefe des Ankers unter Umständen größer ist als die im “Bundesfachplan Offshore für die deutsche ausschließliche Wirtschaftszone der Nordsee 2012 und Umweltbericht” [8] vom Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie (BSH) vorgegebene Verlegetiefe von 1,5 m.
Undrained bearing capacity of tripod skirted foundations under eccentric loading
Authors: Stergiou Themistoklis , Terzis Dimitrios , Georgiadis Konstantinos
Published: March 2015

The undrained bearing capacity of a group of three rigidly connected skirted foundations (tripod) under vertical, moment or combined vertical‐moment loading is investigated. Three‐dimensional displacement finite element analyses of a single footing are first presented in order to validate the numerical modelling procedure. Various loading paths are considered and comparisons with known solutions are made. Subsequently, a series of analyses of undrained loading on a three‐footing group is presented. Different footing spacings and loading directions are considered. The predominant failure mechanisms for characteristic load combinations are determined and the calculated failure loads are presented in dimensionless and normalized form. Based on the numerical results, a unique normalized failure load surface is proposed which applies to all loading directions and footing spacings for a given skirt length to footing diameter ratio.

Undränierte Grenztragfähigkeit von Tripod‐Gründungen mit Schürze unter außermittiger Belastung. Die undränierte Grenztragfähigkeit einer Gruppe von drei starr miteinander verbundenen Gründungselementen (Tripods) unter Vertikallast, Momentenbelastung oder unter einer kombinierten Vertikal‐ und Momentenbelastung wird untersucht. Zunächst werden dreidimensionale Finite‐Elemente‐Berechnungen von einem einzelnen Gründungskörper präsentiert, um die numerische Modellierung zu validieren. Unterschiedliche Belastungspfade werden untersucht und mit bekannten Lösungen verglichen. Anschließend wird eine Reihe von undränierten Analysen mit allen drei Gründungskörpern eines Tripods vorgestellt. Variiert werden die Fundamentabstände und die Lastrichtung. Die vorherrschenden Versagensmechanismen werden für charakteristische Lastkombinationen bestimmt und die berechneten Grenztraglasten in dimensionsloser und normierter Form dargestellt. Basierend auf den numerischen Ergebnissen wird eine einzige normierte Grenzzustandskurve vorgeschlagen, welche auf alle Lastrichtungen und Fundamentabstände für ein gegebenes Verhältnis von Schürzenlänge zu Durchmesser der Gründungskörper anwendbar ist.
A Note on the Comparative Statics of Pay‐for‐Performance in Health Care
Authors: Sherry Tisamarie B.
Published: March 2015

Pay‐for‐performance (P4P) is a widely implemented quality improvement strategy in health care that has generated much enthusiasm, but only limited empirical evidence to support its effectiveness. Researchers have speculated that flawed program designs or weak financial incentives may be to blame, but the reason for P4P's limited success may be more fundamental. When P4P rewards multiple services, it creates a special case of the well‐known multitasking problem, where incentives to increase some rewarded activities are blunted by countervailing incentives to focus on other rewarded activities: these incentives may cancel each other out with little net effect on quality. This paper analyzes the comparative statics of a P4P model to show that when P4P rewards multiple services in a setting of multitasking and joint production, the change in both rewarded and unrewarded services is generally ambiguous. This result contrasts with the commonly held intuition that P4P should increase rewarded activities. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metabolic rewiring of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: New routes to follow within the maze
Authors: Olivares Orianne , Vasseur Sophie
Published: March 2015

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a debilitating and almost universally fatal malignancy. Despite advances in understanding of the oncogenetics of the disease, very few clinical benefits have been shown. One of the main characteristics of PDAC is the tumor architecture where tumor cells are surrounded by a firm desmoplasia. By reducing vascularization, thus both oxygen and nutrients delivery to the tumor, this stroma causes the appearance of hypoxic zones driving metabolic adaptation in surviving tumor cells in order to cope with challenging conditions. This metabolic reprogramming promoted by environmental constraints enhances PDAC aggressiveness. In this review, we provide a brief overview of previous works regarding the importance of glucose and glutamine addiction of PDAC cells. In particular we aim to highlight the need for exploring the impact of metabolites other than glucose and glutamine, such as non‐essential amino acids and oncometabolites, to find new treatments. We also discuss the need for progress in methodology for metabolites detection. The overall purpose of our review is to emphasize the need to look beyond what is currently known, with a focus on amino acid availability, in order to improve our understanding of PDAC biology.
Planned Happenstance Skills and Occupational Identity Status in High School Students
Authors: Ahn Sungsik , Jung Sun Hwa , Jang Sun Hee , Du Xin , Lee Bo Hyun , Rhee Eunjeong , Gysbers Norm , Lee Sang Min
Published: March 2015

This study investigated how the 5 components of planned happenstance skills are related to adolescents' occupational identity statuses. A canonical correlation analysis was performed with a sample of 370 high school students in South Korea. The results indicated that higher identity statuses (i.e., achievement and moratorium statuses) were significantly related to the 5 components of planned happenstance skills, whereas lower identity statuses (i.e., foreclosure and diffusion statuses) were not significantly related to the 5 components of planned happenstance skills. In addition, the results of the mediation analysis indicated that the transition from moratorium to achievement status was positively mediated by 3 components of planned happenstance skills: optimism, persistence, and risk taking.
Retracted: Formation of Entrepreneurial Career Intentions: The Role of Sociocognitive Factors
Authors: Buttar Haroon Muzaffar
Published: March 2015

An individual's intention to enter into an entrepreneurial career in the future is a complex phenomenon. Existing cognitive models of entrepreneurial intention ignore the significant role of social conditions of an individual. In this article, the author incorporates social capital into a cognitive entrepreneurial intention model based on the theory of planned behavior. Using a sample of 636 Turkish and Pakistani undergraduate business students, the author finds that social capital shapes the entrepreneurial intentions of young people through the cognitive infrastructure. This study contributes to determining the influences of social and cognitive factors on the entrepreneurial intention process.
Stigma and Mental Health in Japanese Unemployed Individuals
Authors: Takahashi Miho , Morita Shinichiro , Ishidu Kazuko
Published: March 2015

An Internet‐based survey was administered in Japan to compare mental health of and stigma toward unemployed individuals, workers with regular employment, and workers with irregular employment. Unemployed individuals showed higher scores for both anxiety/depression and disturbance of activities, as well as faced more stigma than did employed individuals. In addition, the factor structure of stigma that unemployed individuals have toward the unemployed was the same as that previously found for university students and employed individuals. Financial strain and stigma were the factors with the greatest influence on the mental health of unemployed individuals.
Expression of the myostatin gene in the adductor muscle of the Pacific lion‐paw scallop Nodipecten subnodosus in association with growth and environmental conditions
Authors: Morelos Rosa M. , Ramírez José L. , García‐Gasca Alejandra , Ibarra Ana M.
Published: March 2015

The cDNA sequence of the myostatin gene in the Pacific lion‐paw Nodipecten subnodosus (Ns‐mstn) was characterized, and the temporal expression during grow‐out was analyzed for the first time in a scallop. Ns‐mstn encodes a 459‐amino‐acid protein in which two propeptide proteolytic sites were identified, the previously recognized (RSKR) and a second one at position 266–269 aa (RRKR). The alternative furin cleavage site could be related with post‐translational processing, or it could be a tissue‐specific mechanism for signaling activity. The Ns‐mstn transcript was located by in situ hybridization in sarcomeres and around the nucleus of muscle fibers. The temporal expression analysis by qPCR in the adductor muscle showed that Ns‐mstn expression was significantly different (P < 0.05) between months during the grow‐out period, increasing largely during the summer months when both biomass and muscle weight did not increase or even decreased; muscle fiber size and number were found to decrease significantly. Exogenous and endogenous factors such as high temperature and low food availability, as well as gametogenesis and reproduction, can be associated with the growth pattern and Ns‐mstn expression changes. Our results indicate that MSTN is involved in adductor muscle growth regulation in N. subnodosus as it occurs in vertebrate skeletal muscle although Ns‐mstn expression in non‐muscle organs/tissues suggests additional functions. J. Exp. Zool. 323A: 239–255, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficient method for analyzing MR real‐time cines: Toward accurate quantification of left ventricular function
Authors: Wu Yin , Jiang Ke , Zhang Na , Gao Yinzhu , Chen Yucheng , Zheng Hairong , Liu Xin , Chung Yiu‐Cho
Published: March 2015

Background

To develop and assess an efficient method to identify end‐expiratory end‐diastolic (ED) and end‐systolic (ES) images for accurate quantification of left ventricular (LV) function in real‐time cine imaging.

Methods

ECG‐free free‐breathing real‐time cine imaging was performed on short‐axis slices of thirteen healthy volunteers at 3 Tesla. K‐means cluster segmentation was applied to delineate the endocardial contour, from which the LV centroid and cavity area were determined in each cine image. LV centroid displacement along the superior–inferior direction was filtered to extract respiratory motion in each slice. End‐expiratory ED and ES images were then identified and used for LV function quantification. Accuracy was evaluated with that measured from the slice‐matched standard ECG‐gated breathhold segmented cines using two‐tail paired Student's t‐tests, linear regression analyses and Bland‐Altman plots. Intra‐ and interobserver variability was calculated for each imaging technique.

Results

Qualitatively, end‐expiratory ED and ES images identified with the proposed method agreed with those determined by frame‐by‐frame visual inspection in 97.5% of cases (P > 0.05). Quantitatively, good agreement of LV function indices between the real‐time cine and the standard segmented cine was observed with averaged differences of 0.1 ± 0.9 g for myocardium mass, −0.3 ± 1.0 mL for ED volume, 0.2 ± 1.2 mL for ES volume, −0.2 ± 1.3 mL for stroke volume, and −0.3 ± 0.8% for ejection fraction. Paired LV function values exhibited strong correlation (r ≥ 0.96) and no significant difference (P > 0.05). The real‐time cine and the standard segmented cine showed similar intra‐ (1.2–3.3% and 1.1–2.8%, respectively) and interobserver variability (2.6–6.9% and 1.8–4.8%, respectively) with all P‐values > 0.05. All the variability was comparable with published results.

Conclusion

Compared with the laborious frame‐by‐frame visual inspection, as conventionally adopted, the proposed method is efficient in analyzing real‐time cines for the accurate quantification of LV function without excessively manual interactions. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:972–980.
Simulated effects of soil moisture on oasis self‐maintenance in a surrounding desert environment in Northwest China
Authors: Meng X. , Lu S. , Gao Y. , Guo J.
Published: March 2015

Irrigation is the only method to sustain oasis agriculture in northwest China. In this study, the effects of soil moisture perturbations on the oasis self‐maintenance mechanism were investigated using the mesoscale model MM5 with satellite observations of land‐surface parameters from MODIS data. Twelve simulations were performed, among which CTL (default simulation) and MOD (with parameters replaced with MODIS data) were used to evaluate the model results. Another 10 simulations with soil moisture perturbations (DRY and WET) assessed the influence of soil moisture on the oasis self‐maintenance mechanism. Independent of the initial soil moisture content, all simulations showed dramatic reductions of soil moisture in the initial several days of the simulation, due to the strong evapotranspiration in this arid environment. Both the DRY and WET perturbations led to substantial changes in surface heat flux partitioning and the oasis ‘cold‐wet’ effect, which were also verified by an analysis of the secondary circulation and moisture‐inversion level. Drying tends to have more influence than wetting, which indicates that irrigation should be performed more frequently than intensively to protect the oasis self‐maintenance mechanism.
An estimation of the land‐atmosphere coupling strength in South America using the Global Land Data Assimilation System
Authors: Spennemann Pablo C. , Saulo Andrea Celeste
Published: March 2015

The aim of this study is to identify regions of strong land surface –atmosphere coupling for the austral summer over South America. To accomplish this, a statistical methodology is applied to estimate the interactions of soil moisture with evapotranspiration and precipitation derived from the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) dataset. Possible impacts of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the coupling strength are also examined. Particular emphasis is set over two sub‐regions of interest: Southeastern South America (SESA) and the continental part of the South Atlantic Convergence Zone (SACZ). Positive and significant soil moisture–precipitation feedbacks are found over parts of SACZ and in the southern part of South America. Instead, significant negative feedback is found over SESA. The influence of ENSO over the soil moisture–precipitation coupling strength signal is evident over tropical regions. Plausible physical mechanisms involved in the land surface–atmosphere interactions, the influence of ENSO and that of precipitation persistence over extratropical regions on the results, are discussed. The implications of this analysis on monthly to seasonal forecast are also examined. Despite that this methodology cannot be used to establish a precise causal–effect relationship, this study gives a valuable first order approximation of land surface–atmosphere interactions over South America that complements pre‐existing work.
Droplet infiltration and organic matter composition of intact crack and biopore surfaces from clay‐illuvial horizons
Authors: Leue Martin , Gerke Horst H. , Godow Sophie C.
Published: March 2015

The organic matter (OM) in biopore walls and aggregate coatings may be important for sorption of reactive solutes and water as well as for solute mass exchange between the soil matrix and the preferential flow (PF) domains in structured soil. Structural surfaces are coated by illuvial clay‐organic material and by OM of different origin, e.g., earthworm casts and root residues. The objectives were to verify the effect of OM on wettability and infiltration of intact structural surfaces in clay‐illuvial horizons (Bt) of Luvisols and to investigate the relevance of the mm‐scale distribution of OM composition on the water and solute transfer. Intact aggregate surfaces and biopore walls were prepared from Bt horizons of Luvisols developed from Loess and glacial till. The mm‐scale spatial distribution of OM composition was scanned using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy. The ratio between alkyl and carboxyl functional groups in OM was used as potential wettability index (PWI) of the OM. The infiltration dynamics of water and ethanol droplets were determined measuring contact angles (CA) and water drop penetration times (WDPT). At intact surfaces of earthworm burrows and coated cracks of the Loess‐Bt, the potential wettability of the OM was significantly reduced compared to the uncoated matrix. These data corresponded to increased WDPT, indicating a mm‐scaled sub‐critical water repellency. The relation was highly linear for earthworm burrows and crack coatings from the Loess‐Bt with WDPT > 2.5 s. Other surfaces of the Loess‐Bt and most surfaces of the till‐derived Bt were not found to be repellent. At these surfaces, no relations between the potential wettability of the OM and the actual wettability of the surface were found. The results suggest that water absorption at intact surface structures, i.e., mass exchange between PF paths and soil matrix, can be locally affected by a mm‐scale OM distribution if OM is of increased content and is enriched in alkyl functional groups. For such surfaces, the relation between potential and actual wettability provides the possibility to evaluate the mm‐scale spatial distribution of wettability and sorption and mass exchange from DRIFT spectroscopic scanning.
Response of cotton root growth and yield to root restriction under various water and nitrogen regimes
Authors: Luo Hong Hai , Tao Xian Ping , Hu Yuan Yuan , Zhang Ya Li , Zhang Wang Feng
Published: March 2015

Water and nitrogen (N) are two major factors limiting cotton growth and yield. The ability of plants to absorb water and nutrients is closely related to the size of the root system and the rooting space. Better understanding of the physiological mechanisms by which cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) adapts to water and N supply when rooting volume is restricted would be useful for improving cotton yield. In this study, cotton was grown in soil columns to control rooting depth to either 60 cm (root‐restriction treatment) or 120 cm (no‐root‐restriction treatment). Four water–N combinations were applied to the plants: (1) deficit irrigation and no N fertilizer (W0N0), (2) deficit irrigation and moderate N fertilizer rate (W0N1), (3) moderate irrigation and no N fertilizer (W1N0), and (4) moderate irrigation and moderate N fertilizer rate (W1N1). Results revealed that root restriction reduced root length density (RLD), root volume density (RVD), root mass density (RMD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, nitrate reductase (NR) activity, total plant biomass, and root : shoot ratio. In contrast, root restriction increased aboveground biomass and yield. The RLD, RVD, RMD, and root : shoot ratio decreased in the order W0N0 > W1N0 > W0N1 > W1N1 in both the root‐restriction and no‐root‐restriction treatments. However, the opposite order (i.e., W1N1 > W0N1 > W1N0 > W0N0) was observed for SOD activity, NR activity, aboveground biomass, and seed yield. Our results suggest that, when N and water supplies are adequate, root restriction increases both root activity and the availability of photosynthates to aboveground plant parts. This increases shoot growth, the shoot : root ratio, and yield.
Techno‐functional characterization of salad dressing emulsions supplemented with pea, lentil and chickpea flours
Authors: Ma Zhen , Boye Joyce I , Swallow Kevin , Malcolmson Linda , Simpson Benjamin K
Published: March 2015

BACKGROUND

Salad dressings supplemented with pulse flours are novel products. A three‐factor face‐centered central composite design (CCD) was used to determine the effect of pulse flour concentration (3.5%, 7%, 10.5% w/w), egg yolk concentration (3%, 5%, 7% w/w) and oil concentration (20%, 35%, 50% w/w) on the rheological and color characteristics of salad dressings supplemented with pulse flours.

RESULTS

The consistency coefficient m, plateau modulus , recoverable strain Q(t) and color values were all affected by the concentrations of pulse flours used. Scanning electron microscopy showed that dressings with lower oil and egg yolk contents had a less densely packed network compared with dressings with higher oil and egg yolk contents. Sensory results were most promising for salad dressings supplemented with the whole green lentil, yellow pea with low flour content, and chickpea with high oil content.

CONCLUSION

This study should be useful for designing novel types of salad dressings to meet market requirements as well as helping to increase pulse consumption. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Market Profiling and Positioning of Park Brands in Kenya (Case of Premium and Under‐Utilized Parks)
Authors: Maingi Shem Wambugu , Ondigi Alice N. , Wadawi Joseph Kibuye
Published: March 2015

The study sought to investigate the market profiling and positioning of park branding in Kenya. Tourism arrivals in Kenya are currently spatially concentrated in only six parks, which receive 81% of the total number of visitors to the country's 26 wildlife sanctuaries. A descriptive survey design was adopted in the study. Two‐stage cluster sampling technique was adopted. The focus of the study was on four protected areas within the Central Tourism region, Kenya. Cluster analysis indicated that the park brands attracted differentiated cluster segments. The results implied that tourism marketing and promotion ought to design, package and promote the brand differently to meet targeted needs of these segments. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reconstruction of the lateral malleolus and calcaneus region using free thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps
Authors: Kim Sang Wha , Youn Dong Hyun , Hwang Kyu Tae , Sung Il Hoon , Kim Jeong Tae , Kim Youn Hwan
Published: March 2015

Reconstruction of the lateral malleolus or calcaneus region is challenging because of poor vascularity, minimal presence of soft tissue, and difficulties with flap positioning during and after the operation. In many cases, local flaps are limited in terms of size, durability, and vascularity. Free tissue transfer can be useful for complicated wounds. We report here on the results of the reconstruction in this region using free thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps. Between October 2010 and October 2013, 16 cases of lateral malleolus or calcaneus defects were reconstructed using free thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps. The defects varied from 2 × 5 cm2 to 12 × 16 cm2, and the flaps from 3 × 5 cm2 to 10 × 15 cm2. Two cases were reconstructed using chimeric‐pattern flaps. Only the superficial adipose layers were harvested for all the flaps, without further thinning or debulking process. Five cases with complications occurred, including three cases of partial necrosis of the flap and two cases of venous congestion caused by thrombosis and compression of the venous pedicle, and one flap was totally lost. The mean follow‐up duration was 11.8 months. All the patients were able to wear shoes. All but one were able to walk. The thoracodorsal artery perforator flap can be made super‐thin, allowing patients to wear shoes, and it can be harvested in a chimeric‐pattern for complex defects. Therefore, it may represent a viable alternative choice for the reconstruction of the lateral malleolus and calcaneus region. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:198–205, 2016.
One‐stage DIEP flap breast reconstruction: Algorithm for immediate contralateral symmetrization
Authors: Laporta Rosaria , Longo Benedetto , Sorotos Michail , Pagnoni Marco , Santanelli Di Pompeo Fabio
Published: March 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate clinical and aesthetic results of simultaneous contralateral balancing procedures in unilateral DIEP flap reconstructions by means of a symmetrization algorithm. Between 2004 and 2013, 335 patients underwent DIEP flap breast reconstruction with 48 patients (mean age 51.8 years, range 32–69 years) undergoing contralateral procedure. Patients were divided in Group‐A including 31 cases who underwent one‐stage procedure and Group‐B including 17 cases who underwent staged procedure. A symmetrization algorithm was proposed to plan immediate breast reduction/mastopexy. The groups were homogeneous regarding patient's age, BMI, mastectomy and flap weight (P > 0.05). All flaps survived. No complications were observed to the mastectomy skin flaps and to the reduction mammaplasty/mastopexy procedures in both groups. The mean operation time was 5 h in Group‐A while 5 h and 37 min in Group‐B (P = 0.0682). Contralateral procedures included 23 breast reductions and 8 mastopexies in Group‐A, while 10 breast reductions and 7 mastopexies were performed in Group‐B. Two and 6 patients required revision of the balancing procedure in Group‐A and Group‐B, respectively. The follow‐up time was 47.3 months (range 14–120 months) in Group‐A and 91.3 months (range 41–110 months) in Group‐B. Volume, upper/lower pole shape, projection, breast mound placement, IMF, symmetry, overall appearance, and general satisfaction sub‐items obtained high‐score evaluation without significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). One‐stage DIEP flap reconstruction by means of the symmetrization algorithm resulted in comparable aesthetic outcomes and patient satisfaction to a staged procedure. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:7–19, 2016.
The transverse musculo‐cutaneous gracilis flap for breast reconstruction: How to avoid complications
Authors: Bodin Frédéric , Dissaux Caroline , Dupret‐Bories Agnes , Schohn Thomas , Fiquet Caroline , Bruant‐Rodier Catherine
Published: March 2015

Background

The transverse musculocutaneous gracilis (TMG) flap has become a common solution for breast reconstruction. However, the safe skin paddle limits are not yet understood. In this study, we attempted to address this issue based on our experiences with inferior and posterior skin paddle extension.

Methods

Forty‐four breast reconstructions with TMG flaps performed between November 2010 and January 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. For the first 20 cases, the flap skin paddle was extended 3 cm posteriorly to the middle thigh (group 1). For the next 20 flaps (group 2), the posterior tip was limited to this line, whereas more fat was recruited inferiorly. In the four cases of group 3, the skin flap was extended posteriorly with a second vascular pedicle from the profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap. The weights and the dimensions of the flaps, operating durations, and postoperative complications of the entire series were analyzed. Groups 1 and 2 were statistically compared.

Results

Flap complications were statistically more frequent in group 1 compared with group 2 (45 vs. 0%, P = 0.0012); 40% posterior flap tip necrosis was observed in group 1. Conversely, donor site complications were statistically more frequent in group 2 than in group 1 (40 vs. 5%, P = 0.019) with 35% inner thigh dehiscence. In the TMG with extended PAP flap group, the operating duration was 77 min longer compared with the rest of the series with no donor site complications. In one case, limited necrosis occurred at the anterior skin tip.

Conclusions

Harvesting the posterior portion of the TMG up to the middle of the posterior thigh may lead to partial flap necrosis. Extending subcutaneous fat removal under the inferior skin incision may increase the risk of donor site complications. Adding a second vascular pedicle from the PAP flap may improve posterior TMG tip perfusion at the expense of a longer operation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:42–48, 2016.
Re‐induction chemoimmunotherapy with epratuzumab in relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL): Phase II results from Children's Oncology Group (COG) study ADVL04P2
Authors: Raetz Elizabeth A. , Cairo Mitchell S. , Borowitz Michael J. , Lu Xiaomin , Devidas Meenakshi , Reid Joel M. , Goldenberg David M. , Wegener William A. , Zeng Hui , Whitlock James A. , Adamson Peter C. , Hunger Stephen P. , Carroll William L.
Published: March 2015

Background

Given the success of immunotherapeutic approaches in hematologic malignancies, the COG designed a phase I/II study to determine whether the addition of epratuzumab (anti‐CD22) to an established chemotherapy platform improves rates of second remission (CR2) in pediatric patients with B‐lymphoblastic leukemia (B‐ALL) and early bone marrow relapse.

Procedure

Therapy consisted of three established blocks of re‐induction chemotherapy. Epratuzumab (360 mg/m2/dose) was combined with chemotherapy on weekly × 4 (B1) and twice weekly × 4 [eight doses] (B2) schedules during the first re‐induction block. Remission rates and minimal residual disease (MRD) status were compared to historical rates observed with the identical chemotherapy platform alone.

Results

CR2 was achieved in 65 and 66%, of the evaluable B1 (n = 54) and B2 patients (n = 60), respectively; unchanged from that observed historically without epratuzumab. Rates of MRD negativity (<0.01%) were 31% in B1 (P = 0.4128) and 39% in B2 patients (P = 0.1731), compared to 25% in historical controls. The addition of epratuzumab was well tolerated, with a similar toxicity profile to that observed with the re‐induction chemotherapy platform regimen alone.

Conclusions

Epratuzumab was well tolerated in combination with re‐induction chemotherapy. While CR2 rates were not improved compared to historical controls treated with chemotherapy alone, there was a non‐significant trend towards improvement in MRD response with the addition of epratuzumab (twice weekly for eight doses) to re‐induction chemotherapy. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1171–1175. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preventive antibiotics in pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
Authors: Nolt Dawn , Lindemulder Susan , Meyrowitz Jeffrey , Chang Bill H. , Malempati Suman , Thomas Gregory , Stork Linda
Published: March 2015

Background

Treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) comes with a significant risk of life‐threatening infection during periods of prolonged severe neutropenia. We studied the impact of preventive intravenous (IV) antibiotic administration at onset of absolute neutropenia on the incidence and outcome of life‐threatening infections during treatment of childhood AML.

Procedures

This is a retrospective study on pediatric patients (aged 0–18 years) consecutively diagnosed with de novo AML and treated at a single institution from April 2005 through February 2013. Patients were treated on the Children's Oncology Group (COG) AAML0531 protocol or with a modified United Kingdom Medical Research Council (UK MRC) AML 10 regimen. Pertinent data were extracted from hard copy or electronic chart review.

Results

A total of 76 chemotherapy phases were analyzed from 29 patients. In each phase reported, preventive antibiotics were initiated when the daily absolute neutrophil count was <500 cells/mcl, before onset of fever. Seven episodes of bacteremia were documented with predominantly coagulase‐negative staphylococci and viridans group streptococci. One infection‐related death occurred, attributed to progressive respiratory failure occurring months after documented candidal pneumonia.

Conclusions

Initiation of preventive antibiotics at the onset of absolute neutropenia was associated with no mortality from bacteremia. This preventive approach appears feasible and safe. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1149–1154. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Impact of Company Resources and Capabilities on Global New Product Program Performance
Authors: de Brentani Ulrike , Kleinschmidt Elko J.
Published: March 2015

Product innovation and the trend to globalization are two important and interrelated dimensions driving business today. In this article, the results of five published research articles on the topic of global new product development (NPD) are summarized to provide an integrated overview of the factors that impact global NPD program performance. The overall conceptual framework is based on three types of literature—NPD, globalization, and organization. The main theoretical approach for establishing relationships between factors is the dynamic capability/resource-based view. Accordingly, factors linked to outcome are seen as operating on different organizational levels, with more actionable initiatives or ‘capabilities’ largely mediating the softer and longer term background ‘resources’ of the firm. The analyses are based on a broad cross-industry sample of 467 firms (North America, Europe, B2B, goods/services). Three global NPD-related background resources (global innovation culture, resource commitment, and senior management involvement), labeled the ‘behavioral environment’ of the firm, are identified and shown to be linked to global NPD program performance via the mediated effect of four specific NPD capabilities (NPD process, strategy, team, and IT/communication). A qualitative synthesis of the findings is provided, along with recommended management initiatives with which firms can enhance their performance in the global NPD effort. Both sets of factors are found to be essential and highly interrelated, but it is the strength of the behavioral environment resources that distinguish the best performing firms, setting the stage for success in global NPD.
Communication Behaviors to Implement Innovations: How Do AEC Teams Communicate in IPD Projects?
Authors: Sun Weida , Mollaoglu Sinem , Miller Vernon , Manata Brian
Published: March 2015

Implementing any innovation successfully is a challenge. In addition to commonly reported climate and values-fit constructs, this study proposes that communication behaviors (i.e., monitoring, challenging, managing, and negotiating) are also vital for innovation implementation. Via an in-depth literature review, the study first defines these metrics. Second, a content analysis of an integrated project delivery (IPD) case study report enables the study to explore if these communication behaviors exist in inter-organizational architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) project teams. Results provide four key communication metrics for innovation implementation, supported by evidence and examples that illustrate these metrics in AEC teams implementing IPD as an innovation.