bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of PUFAs on extracellular matrix production and remodeling in vascular smooth muscle cell cultures in an atherosclerotic model
Authors: Palomino‐Morales Rogelio , Alejandre M. Jose , Perales Sonia , Torres Carolina , Linares Ana
Published: May 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti‐atherosclerotic effects of PUFA. We hypothesized that, besides their lipid lowering and plaque stabilizing properties, PUFA may exert direct effects on cholesterol homeostasis and on the production and remodeling of extracellular matrix proteins in vascular smooth‐muscle cells, altering their gene expression. Collagen synthesis, expression of genes for collagen types I, II, and III, and [H3]‐mevalonate incorporation to proteins were higher in smooth‐muscle cells cultures obtained from cholesterol‐fed chicks than in cultures from chicks on standard diet and these increases were reversed by PUFA treatment. Eicosapentaenoic, docosahexaenoic, and AAs decreased col2α1, col3α1, fibronectin, and mmp2 gene expression, inhibited RhoA activation, [H3]‐mevalonate incorporation into isoprenylated proteins and srebp‐1 gene expression, also inducing pparγ gene expression.

Practical applications: Consumption of PUFA is considered a source of health benefits. This work provides information about the different mechanisms through which PUFA may exert their anti‐atherogenic effects, especially those related to extracellular matrix production and remodeling. PPARγ, RhoA, and protein isoprenylation may contribute to the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects.

Two of the most widely known properties of PUFA contributing to their anti‐atherosclerotic effects are their lipid lowering and plaque stability properties. Here, we propose two more mechanisms regarding cholesterol homeostasis and production and remodeling of extracellular matrix proteins in vascular smooth‐muscle cells. Considering the first one, we have demonstrated an induction of the transcription factor pparγ gene together with an inhibition of the srebp‐1 gene. Considering the last one we have assessed effects both at gene level and affecting RhoA activation.
A high‐order compact finite‐difference lattice Boltzmann method for simulation of steady and unsteady incompressible flows
Authors: Hejranfar Kazem , Ezzatneshan Eslam
Published: May 2014

A high‐order compact finite‐difference lattice Boltzmann method (CFDLBM) is proposed and applied to accurately compute steady and unsteady incompressible flows. Herein, the spatial derivatives in the lattice Boltzmann equation are discretized by using the fourth‐order compact FD scheme, and the temporal term is discretized with the fourth‐order Runge–Kutta scheme to provide an accurate and efficient incompressible flow solver. A high‐order spectral‐type low‐pass compact filter is used to stabilize the numerical solution. An iterative initialization procedure is presented and applied to generate consistent initial conditions for the simulation of unsteady flows. A sensitivity study is also conducted to evaluate the effects of grid size, filtering, and procedure of boundary conditions implementation on accuracy and convergence rate of the solution. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed solution procedure based on the CFDLBM method are also examined by comparison with the classical LBM for different flow conditions. Two test cases considered herein for validating the results of the incompressible steady flows are a two‐dimensional (2‐D) backward‐facing step and a 2‐D cavity at different Reynolds numbers. Results of these steady solutions computed by the CFDLBM are thoroughly compared with those of a compact FD Navier–Stokes flow solver. Three other test cases, namely, a 2‐D Couette flow, the Taylor's vortex problem, and the doubly periodic shear layers, are simulated to investigate the accuracy of the proposed scheme in solving unsteady incompressible flows. Results obtained for these test cases are in good agreement with the analytical solutions and also with the available numerical and experimental results. The study shows that the present solution methodology is robust, efficient, and accurate for solving steady and unsteady incompressible flow problems even at high Reynolds numbers. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancing stability of essential oils by microencapsulation for preservation of button mushroom during postharvest
Authors: Alikhani‐Koupaei Majid , Mazlumzadeh Meisam , Sharifani Mohamadmehdi , Adibian Mohamad
Published: June 2014

Fresh button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus L.) are sensitive to browning, water loss, and microbial attack. The short shelf‐life of mushrooms is an impediment to the distribution and marketing of the fresh product. Essential oils outstand as an alternative to chemical preservatives and their use in foods meets the demands of consumers for natural products. To resolve controlled release of oil and increase in antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, the oil was incorporated into microcapsules. Effects of microcapsulated thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) on quality of fresh button mushroom were compared. Physicochemical qualities were evaluated during 15 days of storage at 4 ± 0.5°C. All treatments prevented product weight loss and decrease in polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase activities during storage. Color and firmness, microbiological analysis, and total phenolic content caused the least change. With use of microencapsulated oils, mushrooms were within acceptable limits during 10 days of storage. Microencapsulated rosemary oil produced the highest beneficial effects and has potential to improve quality of button mushrooms and extend shelf‐life.
Microscopic Examination of Ancient and Modern Irrigated Paddy Soils in South Korea, with Special Reference to the Formation of Silty Clay Concentration Features
Authors: Lee H. , French C. , Macphail R.I.
Published: May 2014

Geoarchaeological investigations of Bronze Age (10th–4th centuries B.C.), early historical (4th–10th centuries A.D.), and premodern to modern paddy soils (11th Century A.D. to contemporary) in South Korea were carried out to understand soil alteration by irrigated rice agriculture. After a review of ancient cultivation micromorphology, especially in the context of wet‐rice agriculture, paddy soils were examined from two archaeological sites, Gulhwa and Pyunggeo, which had been both intermittently occupied since the Bronze Age. This paper highlights anomalous pedofeatures (silty clay concentration features or SCCFs), repeatedly observed in both historical and modern paddy fields, which were studied using soil micromorphology, energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (EDS), and microprobe analysis. Results suggest that there are several types of SCCFs, optically distinguishable from other textural pedofeatures. It is concluded that these SCCFs are probably associated with hydromorphic processes, formed under the influence of a tillage and repeated irrigation specific to paddy fields.
Geoarchaeology and Construction of the La Chabola de la Hechicera Megalithic Tomb, Elvillar, Northern Spain
Authors: Martínez‐Torres Luis M. , Fernández‐Eraso Javier , Mujika‐Alustiza José A. , Rodríguez‐Miranda Álvaro , Valle‐Melón José M.
Published: May 2014

La Chabola de la Hechicera, a Neolithic collective tomb which was first used at ca. 3850 B.C., has been re‐excavated for interpretation and stabilization. Information about the sources, handling, and placement of building materials allowed determination of the methods used to construct the dolmen monument. All of the rocks used in the structure are local Miocene sandstones, and the slabs were probably taken directly from the base of natural slopes near the monument. The chamber slabs were not carved, but some passage slabs were retouched to level the cover slabs. Fragments for the tumulus were obtained by mechanical fracturing. All of the slabs are imbricated, making it possible to determine the order in which they were placed. Thus, the identification of building materials and their mode of placement allows for the reconstruction of each stage of the building of the monument, providing unusually rich data for understanding the geoarchaeology and building archaeology of a dolmenic structure.
Comment on Analyses of Seismic Deformation at the Kibyra Roman Stadium, Southwest Turkey by Volkan Karabacak, Önder Yönlü, Eray Dökü, Nafiye Günenç Kıyak, Erhan Altunel, Şükrü Özüdoğru, Cahit Çağlar Yalçıner, and Hüsnü Serdar Akyüz
Authors: Elitez İrem , Yaltirak Cenk
Published: May 2014

The ancient city of Kibyra, which has been damaged by ancient earthquakes, is located on the middle part of Burdur‐Fethiye Fault Zone (SW Turkey). The existence of an active NNE‐SSW‐trending left‐lateral fault cutting the stadium of Kibyra has been previously discussed in many publications (Akyüz and Altunel, , ; Karabacak, ). Karabacak et al. () also adhere to this view and restate it in the recent article published in Geoarchaeology. However, there is no evidence directly indicating a fault cutting the stadium and the earthquake damage to the stadium was most likely caused by ground shaking. In conclusion, the arguments, observations and interpretations presented by Karabacak et al. () are misleading in key respects and must be reviewed.
CA1 subfield contributions to memory integration and inference
Authors: Schlichting Margaret L. , Zeithamova Dagmar , Preston Alison R.
Published: May 2014

The ability to combine information acquired at different times to make novel inferences is a powerful function of episodic memory. One perspective suggests that by retrieving related knowledge during new experiences, existing memories can be linked to the new, overlapping information as it is encoded. The resulting memory traces would thus incorporate content across event boundaries, representing important relationships among items encountered during separate experiences. While prior work suggests that the hippocampus is involved in linking memories experienced at different times, the involvement of specific subfields in this process remains unknown. Using both univariate and multivariate analyses of high‐resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data, we localized this specialized encoding mechanism to human CA1. Specifically, right CA1 responses during encoding of events that overlapped with prior experience predicted subsequent success on a test requiring inferences about the relationships among events. Furthermore, we employed neural pattern similarity analysis to show that patterns of activation evoked during overlapping event encoding were later reinstated in CA1 during successful inference. The reinstatement of CA1 patterns during inference was specific to those trials that were performed quickly and accurately, consistent with the notion that linking memories during learning facilitates novel judgments. These analyses provide converging evidence that CA1 plays a unique role in encoding overlapping events and highlight the dynamic interactions between hippocampal‐mediated encoding and retrieval processes. More broadly, our data reflect the adaptive nature of episodic memories, in which representations are derived across events in anticipation of future judgments. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Making the Case for Standards of Conduct in Clinical Training
Authors: Homrich Alicia M. , DeLorenzi Leigh D. , Bloom Zachary D. , Godbee Brandi
Published: June 2014

The authors examined a proposed set of standards for the personal and professional conduct of counseling trainees. Eighty‐two counselor educators and supervisors from programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs ranked 55 behaviors divided across 3 categories (i.e., professional, interpersonal, and intrapersonal). Q‐sort methodology was used to collect the data, and the results provide a starting point for identifying criteria for gatekeeping practices.
Counseling for Career Decision‐Making Difficulties: Measures and Methods
Authors: Gati Itamar , Levin Nimrod
Published: June 2014

Career indecision may be the primary reason people go to career counselors. Much effort has been exerted to identify and investigate the causes of clients' career decision‐making difficulties. With the aim of facilitating clients' career decision making, the use of career indecision assessments can promote the effectiveness and efficiency of face‐to‐face career counseling. The authors review three evidence‐based, cost‐free assessments derived from decision theory: the Career Decision‐Making Difficulties Questionnaire, the Emotional and Personality‐Related Career Decision‐Making Difficulties questionnaire, and the Career Decision‐Making Profile questionnaire. The unique features of these assessments are described, and the ways they can contribute to facilitating career decision making in career counseling are explored with a case study example.
Effects of Echis pyramidum Snake Venom on Hepatic and Renal Antioxidant Enzymes and Lipid Peroxidation in Rats
Authors: Al Asmari Abdulrahman K. , Khan Haseeb A. , Manthiri Rajamohammed A. , Al Yahya Khalid M. , Al Otaibi Kitab E.
Published: May 2014

The effects of Echis pyramidum venom (EPV) (0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 mg/kg) on activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and total thiols (T‐SH) in liver and kidneys of rats were investigated. EPV significantly and dose dependently decreased the activities of SOD and CAT in livers. Although the kidney SOD and CAT activities were not affected by low and medium doses of EPV, the high dose significantly reduced the activities of these enzymes. Liver and kidney TBARS levels were not affected by the low and medium doses of EPV, whereas the high dose significantly increased the TBARS after 6 h postdosing. There was a significant depletion of T‐SH in liver and kidneys of rats exposed to a high dose of EPV. The acute phase oxidative stress due to an EPV injection points toward the importance of an early antioxidant therapy for the management of snake bites.
Assessment of ER Stress and Autophagy Induced by Ionizing Radiation in Both Radiotherapy Patients and Ex Vivo Irradiated Samples
Authors: Saglar Emel , Unlu Sibel , Babalioglu Ibrahim , Gokce Saban Cakir , Mergen Hatice
Published: May 2014

Acute radiation leads to several toxic clinical states and triggers some molecular pathways. To shed light on molecular mechanisms triggered by ionizing radiation (IR), we examined the expression profiles of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy‐related genes in individuals who were exposed to IR. Blood samples were collected from 50 cancer patients before radiotherapy and on the 5th, 15th, and 25th days of the treatment. Peripheral blood samples from 10 healthy volunteers were also obtained for ex vivo irradiation, divided into five and irradiated at a rate of 373 kGy/h to 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 3Gy γ‐rays using a constant gamma source. GRP78, ATG5, LC3, ATF4, XBP1, and GADD153 genes were analyzed by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (QRT‐PCR) using beta 2 microglobulin (B2M) and glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as references. In both groups, expressions of the selected genes have increased. It can be concluded that IR induces ER stress and related authophagy pathway in the peripheral lymphocyte cells proportionally by dose.
Therapeutic plasma exchange rapidly improves cardiac allograft function in patients with presumed antibody‐mediated rejection
Authors: Singh Nirupama , Vanlandingham Sean , Halverson Catlin , Marques Marisa B. , Tallaj Jose , Kirklin James , Adamski Jill
Published: May 2014

Background: Allograft dysfunction due to presumed antibody‐mediated rejection (pAMR) is one of the most serious complications of heart transplantation. Combination therapies of high‐dose steroids, intravenous immune globulin, and/or therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) are often used in this setting. Methods: We performed a 9‐year retrospective review of all episodes of pAMR treated with TPE at our institution. pAMR diagnosis was based on clinical and pathologic findings. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measured at baseline, prior to initiation of TPE, and during the course of treatment. Results: There were 42 patients with 47 episodes of pAMR treated with TPE. The majority of episodes were treated with three TPE; however, eight required only two TPE and five episodes required >3 TPE. All episodes of pAMR had LVEF measured before and after the series of TPEs. The mean pre‐TPE LVEF was 38% compared with a post‐therapy mean LVEF of 50% (P < 0.0001). In 16 episodes of pAMR, for which LVEF was measured following each apheresis, there was significant improvement of allograft function after the first TPE (pre‐TPE mean LVEF of 31% and post‐first TPE mean LVEF of 37%; P = 0.02). Incremental and significant improvement in allograft function continued following each TPE. Changes in human leukocyte antigen‐donor specific antibodies and fibrinogen did not correlate with ejection fraction response. Conclusions: The rapid improvement in allograft function in our patients is most likely due to TPE as other pharmacologic interventions have longer onset. TPE should be considered a first‐line intervention in the setting of pAMR. J. Clin. Apheresis 29:316–321 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New study of the abnormal behavior of the low temperature dependence of the current in inhomogeneous Schottky diode
Authors: Latreche Abdelhakim , Ouennoughi Zahir
Published: May 2014

In this study, we show clearly why unexpected observations have been reported in the current–voltage curves of Schottky diodes, containing barrier inhomogeneities generated by using the analytical results based on a Gaussian distribution model of barrier heights. The Chand's calculations have shown that the current (saturation current) at low temperatures may exceed the current (saturation current) at high temperatures when the effective barrier height is calculated from an appropriate integral with integration limits −∞ and +∞. In this new study, we show that the method followed by Chand to remove these anomalies is not accurate enough. We prove that the origin of these anomalies stems from the nature of a proper function f(φ) that moves to the negative barrier heights and takes large value of the integral at low temperatures than at high temperatures when it has large standard deviation (σ) and the discrepancies are not due to the integration limits as Chand concluded. In order to obtain results consistent with the thermionic emission–diffusion theory, the standard deviation must have lower values. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regressive Imagery in Creative Problem‐Solving: Comparing Verbal Protocols of Expert and Novice Visual Artists and Computer Programmers
Authors: Kozbelt Aaron , Dexter Scott , Dolese Melissa , Meredith Daniel , Ostrofsky Justin
Published: June 2014

We applied computer‐based text analyses of regressive imagery to verbal protocols of individuals engaged in creative problem‐solving in two domains: visual art (23 experts, 23 novices) and computer programming (14 experts, 14 novices). Percentages of words involving primary process and secondary process thought, plus emotion‐related words, were tabulated. Visual art protocols were higher in primary process thought and emotion‐related words; those from programming were higher in secondary process thought. Almost no main effects of expertise or interactions were found. Correlations between the measures (particularly those involving emotion‐related words) also varied as a function of task. This pattern suggests cognitive processes vary considerably across different creative problem‐solving tasks or domains, and that a more domain‐specific approach to creative cognition may be advisable. Further implications for integrating and consolidating some extant lines of creativity research are discussed.
Visualized method of chemical enhancement mechanism on SERS and TERS
Authors: Xia Lixin , Chen Maodu , Zhao Xiuming , Zhang Zhenglong , Xia Jiarui , Xu Hongxing , Sun Mengtao
Published: May 2014

We review our developed visualization method of charge transfer (CT) for chemical enhancement mechanism on surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). Firstly, we describe our visualization method of charge difference density, which provides direct visual evidence for photoinduced CT. And then, using the visualization method of CT, we interpreted the mechanism of SERS and TERS. Photoinduced charge transfer in the processes of SERS and TERS can be clearly seen. Our visualization method provides a visual and easy understanding way for the mechanism of SERS and TERS. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical outcome of subcentimeter non‐small cell lung cancer after surgical resection: Single institution experience of 105 patients
Authors: Jiang Wei , Pang Xuguang , Xi Junjie , Chen Xiaoke , Wang Qun , Qian Cheng , Fan Hong
Published: June 2014

Background

The detection of subcentimeter lung cancers has significantly improved with advances in computed tomography and the emergence of screening protocols. We reviewed the clinicopathological features and surgical outcomes of patients with subcentimeter non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in our institution.

Methods

A total of 105 patients who underwent lobectomy or sublobar resection for subcentimeter NSCLCs were retrospectively reviewed. Clinicopathological characteristics and survival were analyzed statistically using Student's t‐test for continuous variables, Fisher's exact for categorical variables and Cox regression for multivariable analysis.

Results

A total of 105 patients (35 male, 70 female; mean age 61.4, range 38–77 years) were analyzed. Patients underwent lobectomy (n = 71), segmentectomy (n = 19), or wedge resection (n = 15). The overall 5‐year survival was 91.3%. No significant differences were observed in overall and recurrence‐free survival after segmentectomy or lobectomy; patients undergoing wedge resection had shorter survival compared to those who underwent lobectomy. Elevated preoperative serum CEA levels and positive nodal status correlated with poorer survival, and were identified as independent prognostic factors in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

Systematic nodal dissection is recommended for patients with subcentimeter NSCLC. Segmentectomy offers comparable oncologic results to lobectomy. Elevated preoperative serum CEA level implies shorter survival for patients with these tiny tumors. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 110:233–238. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Short Review of Chemical Reaction Database Systems, Computer‐Aided Synthesis Design, Reaction Prediction and Synthetic Feasibility
Authors: Warr Wendy A.
Published: June 2014

This article is the text for a pedagogical lecture to be given at the Strasbourg Summer School in Chemoinformatics in June 2104. It covers a very wide range of reaction topics including structure and reaction representation, reaction centers, atom‐to‐atom mapping, reaction retrieval systems, computer‐aided synthesis design, retrosynthesis, reaction prediction and synthetic feasibility. In the time available the coverage of each topic can only be cursory; the main usefulness of this article to the research community is the extensive bibliography.
Iron, oxidative stress, and redox signaling in the cardiovascular system
Authors: Gudjoncik Aurélie , Guenancia Charles , Zeller Marianne , Cottin Yves , Vergely Catherine , Rochette Luc
Published: May 2014

The redox state of the cell is predominantly dependent on an iron redox couple and is maintained within strict physiological limits. Iron is an essential metal for hemoglobin synthesis in erythrocytes, for oxidation–reduction reactions, and for cellular proliferation. The maintenance of stable iron concentrations requires the coordinated regulation of iron transport into plasma from dietary sources in the duodenum, from recycled senescent red cells in macrophages, and from storage in hepatocytes. The absorption of dietary iron, which is present in heme or nonheme form, is carried out by mature villus enterocytes of the duodenum and proximal jejunum. Multiple physiological processes are involved in maintaining iron homeostasis. These include its storage at the intracellular and extracellular level. Control of iron balance in the whole organism requires communication between sites of uptake, utilization, and storage. Key protein transporters and the molecules that regulate their activities have been identified. In this field, ferritins and hepcidin are the major regulator proteins. A variety of transcription factors may be activated depending on the level of oxidative stress, leading to the expression of different genes. Major preclinical and clinical trials have shown advances in iron‐chelation therapy for the treatment of iron‐overload disease as well as cardiovascular and chronic inflammatory diseases.
BEM‐FEM coupling for the 1D Klein–Gordon equation
Authors: Aimi Alessandra , Panizzi Stefano
Published: May 2014

A transmission (bidomain) problem for the one‐dimensional Klein–Gordon equation on an unbounded interval is numerically solved by a boundary element method‐finite element method (BEM‐FEM) coupling procedure. We prove stability and convergence of the proposed method by means of energy arguments. Several numerical results are presented, confirming theoretical results. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 30: 2042–2082, 2014
Loss of the novel tumour suppressor and polarity gene Trim62 (Dear1) synergizes with oncogenic Ras in invasive lung cancer
Authors: Quintás‐Cardama Alfonso , Post Sean M , Solis Luisa M , Xiong Shunbin , Yang Peirong , Chen Nanyue , Wistuba Ignacio I , Killary Ann M , Lozano Guillermina
Published: May 2014

Deregulation of cell polarity proteins has been linked to the processes of invasion and metastasis. TRIM62 is a regulator of cell polarity and a tumour suppressor in breast cancer. Here, we demonstrate that human non‐small cell lung cancer lesions show a step‐wise loss of TRIM62 levels during disease progression, which was associated with poor clinical outcomes. To directly examine the role of Trim62 in development of lung cancer, we deleted Trim62 in a mutant K‐Ras mouse model of lung cancer. In this context, haploinsufficiency of Trim62 synergized with a K‐RasG12D mutation to promote invasiveness and disrupt three‐dimensional morphogenesis, both of which are associated with epithelial–mesenchymal transitions. Re‐expression of Trim62 reverted these phenotypes in tumour cell lines. Thus, Trim62 loss cooperates with K‐Ras mutation in tumourigenesis and metastasis in vivo, indicating that decreased levels of TRIM62 may play an important role in the evolution of lung cancer. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of graft length and density of well‐defined graft polymers on the thermoresponsive behavior and self‐assembly morphology
Authors: Jiang Bingyan , Zhang Lei , Yan Jie , Huang Qingquan , Liao Bing , Pang Hao
Published: June 2014

A series of well‐defined thermoresponsive graft polymers with different lengths and graft densities, poly(glycidyl methacrylate)‐graft‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylate) (PGMA‐g‐PNIPAM), were successfully prepared by combination of controlled/living free radical polymerization and click chemistry. Effects of grafting length and density on the thermoresponsive behavior, aggregating mean diameter, and self‐assembly morphology are systematically investigated. The thermosensitive characteristics of graft polymers in aqueous solution prove that the length and graft density had positive co‐relationship with the lower critical solution temperature value and mean diameter of micelles as well as the size distribution, while the effect of graft length of polymers is more significant than that of density. Transmission electron microscopy analysis shows that the conformations of PGMA45‐g‐PNIPAM20 and PGMA45‐g‐PNIPAM46 with longer length and bigger grafting density in aqueous solutions are spherical nanoparticles with the increasing trend of the diameters, while that of PGMA45‐g‐PNIPAM(73, 50%) shows a spherical‐like morphology, which indicates that the graft length and density have a significant effect on the mean diameter of micelle but not on the self‐assembly morphology. These results reveal that to obtain desired thermoresponsive behavior and self‐assembly morphology of functional polymers, it is essential to design and fabricate the structure of graft polymers with proper length and graft density. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 2442–2453
Targeting Social Policy and Poverty Reduction: The Case of Social Safety Nets in Bangladesh
Authors: Masud‐All‐Kamal Md. , Saha Choyon Kumar
Published: June 2014

Target‐based social safety net programs of Bangladesh aim to protect vulnerable people from crisis and to reduce chronic poverty through the direct transfer of food, resources, and cash. Though the country has been spending a vast amount of public funds for a large number of social safety net programs for several decades, the deserving extreme poor candidates are significantly being excluded and their poverty condition still remains high. This article explores the effectiveness of social safety nets to address chronic poverty and vulnerability, reviewing the theoretical literature and empirical findings. The review indicates that target‐based social safety net programs are facing challenges as an effective social policy for Bangladesh in freeing millions of people from vulnerability and extreme poverty because of administrative complexity, high cost, high leakages, mistargeting, weak governance, less transparency and accountability, political capture, and corruption in program implementation; these programs rather strengthen rent‐seeking patron‐clientelism and create a large number of intermediaries. It is therefore critical to redesign the safety net programs to achieve better outcomes and ensure their effectiveness.
The Redistributive Impact of Public Policies in a Country With a High Level of Income Inequality: The Case of Chile
Authors: Palma Alexis
Published: June 2014

This article investigates the distributive impact of public policies in Chile. The economy of this country has expanded, incomes of many households have increased, and poverty has declined. However, the level of income inequality has stagnated at a high level and seems to be virtually unaffected by the economical and social changes experienced by the Chilean society. One finding that emerges from the literature is that although subsidies have, to some degree, played a role in the fight of poverty, their role in the reduction of income inequality is minor. Regarding taxes, several analyses have shown that it is possible to increase the distributive impact of the tax system in Chile, but this potential has not yet been exploited. This is surprising given that the tax system in place in Chile is regressive rather than progressive. Public expenditures in health and education are clearly affecting the distribution of incomes and seem to be the method chosen by Chile's policy makers to achieve a more equal society. However, this ambition seems to have been strongest in the early 1990s and in the period 2006–2010.
Synthesis and characterization of PbTe thin films by atomic layer deposition
Authors: Zhang K. , Pillai A. D. Ramalingom , Tangirala M. , Nminibapiel D. , Bollenbach K. , Cao W. , Baumgart H. , Chakravadhanula V. S. K. , Kübel C. , Kochergin V.
Published: May 2014

PbTe thin films on silicon substrates were prepared by an atomic layer deposition (ALD) for the first time, using lead (II) bis (2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐3,5‐heptanedionato) and (trimethylsilyl) tellurid as ALD precursors, at deposition temperature as low as 170 °C. The formation of a PbTe thin film on the Si substrates was strongly dependent on the growth temperature. X‐ray diffraction measurement indicated that thin films were polycrystalline and have characteristic face‐centered cubic rock salt structure with a preferential (200) orientation. Scanning electron microscopy showed PbTe thin films were grown in the Volmer–Weber island mode.
ToF‐SIMS imaging of plasma membrane lipids with sub‐micrometer resolution
Authors: Draude F. , Pelster A. , Körsgen M. , Kassenböhmer R. , Schwerdtle T. , Müthing J. , Arlinghaus H. F.
Published: June 2014

Time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) was used for label‐free analyses of the molecular lateral distribution of two different epithelial cell membranes (PANC‐1 and UROtsa). The goal of the research was to enhance the ion yield of specific membrane molecules for improving the membrane imaging capability of ToF‐SIMS on the nanoscale lateral dimension. For this task, a special silicon wafer sandwich preparation technique was optimized using different wafer materials, spacers, and washing procedures. Under optimized preparation conditions, the yield could be significantly enhanced, allowing imaging of the inhomogeneous distribution of phosphocholine (common head group for phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin) of a PANC‐1 cell membrane's outer lipid layer with a lateral resolution of less than 200 nm. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Active Mixing in Microchamber using Cilia of Vorticella convallaria
Authors: Nagai Moeto , Hayasaka Yo , Kawashima Takahiro , Shibata Takayuki
Published: June 2014

Innovative engineering systems can potentially be developed by using biological motors and artificial structures in combination. In this study, we demonstrate active microfluidic mixing using the cilia of living Vorticella microorganisms. We apply the nature of particle transport by Vorticella to mix solutions in a stop flow. Two solutions are injected into a microchannel where Vorticella is immobilized. Pneumatic valves are closed to form microchambers for mixing. The ciliary motion of Vorticella induces mixing in the chambers. The mixing process of solutions by Vorticella is characterized. © 2014 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Time‐lapse embryo imaging for improving reproductive outcomes: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Polanski L. T. , Coelho Neto M. A. , Nastri C. O. , Navarro P. A. , Ferriani R. A. , Raine‐Fenning N. , Martins W. P.
Published: June 2014

Objective

To identify, appraise and summarize the available evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of time‐lapse embryo monitoring on the main outcomes of assisted reproductive techniques.

Methods

In this systematic review and meta‐analysis, we included only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing time‐lapse embryo imaging with standard embryo monitoring. Our primary outcomes were live births (efficacy) and congenital abnormalities (safety). The secondary outcomes were clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy and miscarriage.

Results

Two RCTs were considered eligible, and their data were extracted and included in a meta‐analysis. In both studies embryos were transferred at the blastocyst stage. No studies reported rates of live birth or congenital abnormalities. Our estimates were not sufficiently precise to identify whether time‐lapse monitoring provided a small benefit, no effect or minor harm on rates of clinical pregnancy (relative risk (RR), 1.05 (95% CI, 0.80–1.38)) or ongoing pregnancy (RR, 1.05 (95% CI, 0.76–1.45)), based on two studies involving 138 women with moderate‐quality evidence. Considering the available data, we were unable to determine whether the intervention poses substantial benefit, no effect or substantial harm in the risk of miscarriage (RR, 0.95 (95% CI, 0.30–2.99)), based on two studies involving 76 clinical pregnancies with low‐quality evidence.

Conclusions

Time‐lapse embryo imaging is unlikely to have a large effect on the chance of achieving clinical and/or ongoing pregnancy when transferring embryos at the blastocyst stage. More studies are required to improve the quality of the current evidence and also to examine whether this intervention is useful when transferring embryos at the cleavage stage. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Feindosiertes Vakuum
Authors: Volkmer Reinhard , Stiebritz Ingo
Published: June 2014

Besteht der Wunsch, in einer Vakuumanlage über einen weiten Druckbereich beliebige Arbeitspunkte anfahren und halten zu können, ist üblicherweise ein hoher technischer Aufwand mit spezifischen Regelinstrumenten für mehrere Teilbereiche erforderlich. Unter Nutzung eines motorgesteuerten Feindosierventils ist es gelungen, eine präzise Druckregelung über das gesamte Vakuumspektrum von Atmosphäre bis ins Ultrahochvakuum zu ermöglichen. Im Ergebnis steht ein kostengünstiges und einfach zu wartendes System, das insbesondere für Testmessungen an verschiedensten Totaldrucksensoren sowie für Werkskalibrierungen solcher Sensoren geeignet ist.
Phylogenetic networks: a new form of multivariate data summary for data mining and exploratory data analysis
Authors: Morrison David A.
Published: June 2014

Exploratory data analysis (EDA) involving both graphical displays and numerical summaries of data, is intended to evaluate the characteristics of the data as well as providing a form of data mining. For multivariate data, the best‐known visual summaries include discriminant analysis, ordination, and clustering, particularly metric ordinations such as principal components analysis. However, these techniques have limiting mathematical assumptions that are not always realistic. Recently, network techniques have been developed in the biological field of phylogenetics that address some of these limitations. They are now widely used in biology under the name phylogenetic networks, but they are actually of general applicability to any multivariate dataset. Phylogenetic networks are fast and relatively easy to calculate, which makes them ideal as a tool forEDA. This review provides an overview of the field, with particular reference to the use of what are called splits graphs. There are several types of splits graph, which summarize the multivariate data in different ways. Example analyses are presented based on the neighbor‐net graph, which seems to be the most generally useful of the available algorithms. This should encourage the more widespread use of these networks whenever a summary of a multivariate dataset is required.

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Biological Data Mining

Application Areas > Data Mining Software Tools

Technologies > Structure Discovery and Clustering

Technologies > Visualization
Continuous Irrigation as a Therapeutic Option for Graft Infections of the Groin
Authors: Thermann Florian , Wollert Ulrich
Published: May 2014

Background

Wound infections following vascular procedures occur in 1–7 % of patients and can lead to severe problems including amputation and death. There are no established treatment options for this complication. The aim of our study was to introduce continuous irrigation as a new treatment technique.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated patients who had undergone bypass surgery involving the groin and had been treated with continuous irrigation because of deep wound infections. The irrigation solution was saline in all cases. The patients were additionally treated with antibiotics. The end point of the study was either complete wound healing or complications such as recurrent infection, amputation, or death.

Results

Wound complications occurred in 65 (15.3 %) of 424 operations. Overall, 20 patients (4.7 %) developed a deep wound infection involving prosthetic graft material. They were treated with continuous irrigation. Complete wound healing was achieved in 13 cases (65.0 %). One patient died. No amputations were necessary.

Conclusions

Based on our results, constant irrigation may be a therapeutic option in patients with deep wound infections. The main advantages of continuous irrigation over other treatments are ongoing bacterial reduction despite primary wound closure and the ability to measure the remaining colonization by microbiologic examination of the irrigation fluid.
Predicted new large oil pools in the main petroliferous belt of the Lena–Tunguska province
Authors: Mel’nikov N.V. , Vymyatnin A.A. , Mel’nikov P.N. , Smirnov E.V.
Published: June 2014

Almost all the gas–oil and oil–gas fields in the Lena–Tunguska province (Siberian Platform) were discovered in the Baikit, Katanga, and Nepa–Botuobiya petroliferous regions, which form an E–W-striking band. The latter, named “the main petroliferous belt,” includes one giant and 11 large fields (by recoverable oil reserves).

New large oil pools are predicted within the main belt. The prediction is based on the analysis of geological data and the quantitative estimation of hydrocarbon resources. Promising areas with large fields in the Baikit, Katanga, and Nepa–Botuobiya petroleum regions are substantiated.
Naphthides of continental hydrotherms (Uzon, Yellowstone, New Zealand): Geochemistry and genesis
Authors: Fursenko E.A. , Kashirtsev V.A. , Kontorovich A.E. , Fomin A.N.
Published: June 2014

We summarize and analyze the available data on naphthide shows in continental zones of active hydrothermal and modern volcanic activity (Uzon Volcano caldera, Yellowstone National Park, and New Zealand springs) and examine their similarity and difference. The analysis demonstrated that hydrothermal naphthides formed from lipids of living matter of different nature: phytoplankton, bacterial communities, archaea, and remains of higher land plants, including spores and pollen, which might have been supplied to the sediment through eolian transportation. Hydrothermal naphthides are different in the degree of maturity, but in general they are less transformed than most of basin oils. Their group composition and distribution of n-alkanes evidence that they were subject to hypergenesis, which led to the loss of light fractions, oxidation, and biodegradation.
Generation characteristics of organic matter and distribution of biomarkers in bitumens of the Riphean, Vendian, and Cambrian source rocks of the Siberian Platform
Authors: Dakhnova M.V. , Zheglova T.P. , Mozhegova S.V.
Published: June 2014

The distribution of biomarkers in bitumens of source rocks of different ages in the southern Siberian Platform is studied to elucidate the correlation between oils and their sources. It is shown that the bitumens of Riphean, Vendian, and Lower–Middle Cambrian source rocks are different in some parameters reflecting the type of primary biogenic material, first of all, in the distribution of n-alkanes and acyclic isoprenoids and in the portions of steranes and triterpanes among polycyclic naphthenes. The revealed difference in the composition and distribution of biomarkers in bitumens of source rocks of different ages can be used to identify the sources of hydrocarbons in discovered pools.
Taylor vortices versus Taylor columns
Authors: Tuckerman Laurette S.
Published: May 2014

Taylor–Couette flow is inevitably associated with the visually appealing toroidal vortices, waves, and spirals that are instigated by linear instability. The linearly stable regimes, however, pose a new challenge: do they undergo transition to turbulence and if so, what is its mechanism? Maretzke et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 742, 2014, pp. 254–290) begin to address this question by determining the transient growth over the entire parameter space. They find that in the quasi-Keplerian regime, the optimal perturbations take the form of Taylor columns and that the maximum energy achieved depends only on the shear.
The mechanism of shape instability for a vesicle in extensional flow
Authors: Narsimhan Vivek , Spann Andrew P. , Shaqfeh Eric S. G.
Published: June 2014

When a flexible vesicle is placed in an extensional flow (planar or uniaxial), it undergoes two unique sets of shape transitions that to the best of the authors’ knowledge have not been observed for droplets. At intermediate reduced volumes (i.e. intermediate particle aspect ratio) and high extension rates, the vesicle stretches into an asymmetric dumbbell separated by a long, cylindrical thread. At low reduced volumes (i.e. high particle aspect ratio), the vesicle extends symmetrically without bound, in a manner similar to the breakup of liquid droplets. During this ‘burst’ phase, ‘pearling’ occasionally occurs, where the vesicle develops a series of periodic beads in its central neck. In this paper, we describe the physical mechanisms behind these seemingly unrelated instabilities by solving the Stokes flow equations around a single, fluid-filled particle whose interfacial dynamics is governed by a Helfrich energy (i.e. the membranes are inextensible with bending resistance). By examining the linear stability of the steady-state shapes, we determine that vesicles are destabilized by curvature changes on its interface, similar to the Rayleigh–Plateau phenomenon. This result suggests that the vesicle’s initial geometry plays a large role in its shape transitions under tension. The stability criteria calculated by our simulations and scaling analyses agree well with available experiments. We hope that this work will lend insight into the stretching dynamics of other types of biological particles with nearly incompressible membranes, such as cells.
EXTENDED PREFERENCES AND INTERPERSONAL COMPARISONS: A NEW ACCOUNT
Authors: Adler Matthew D.
Published: June 2014

This paper builds upon, but substantially revises, John Harsanyi's concept of ‘extended preferences’. An individual ‘history’ is a possible life that some person (a subject) might lead. Harsanyi supposes that a given spectator, formulating her ethical preferences, can rank histories by empathetic projection: putting herself ‘in the shoes’ of various subjects. Harsanyi then suggests that interpersonal comparisons be derived from the utility function representing spectators’ (supposedly common) ranking of history lotteries. Unfortunately, Harsanyi's proposal has various flaws, including some that have hitherto escaped scholarly attention. In particular, it ignores the limits of personal identity. If the subject has welfare-relevant attributes that the spectator cannot acquire without changing who she is, full empathetic identification of the latter with the former becomes impossible. This paper proposes instead to usesympathyas the attitude on a spectator's part that allows us to make sense of her extended preferences. Sympathy – an attitude of care and concern – is a psychological state quite different from empathy. We should also allow for hetereogeneity in spectators’ extended preferences. Interpersonal comparisons emerge from a plurality of sympathetic spectators, not (as per Harsanyi) from a common empathetic ranking.
AN ASPECT OF VARIABLE POPULATION POVERTY COMPARISONS: DOES ADDING A RICH PERSON TO A POPULATION REDUCE POVERTY?
Authors: Hassoun Nicole
Published: June 2014

Poverty indexes are essential for monitoring poverty, setting targets for poverty reduction, and tracking progress on these goals. This paper suggests that further justification is necessary for using the main poverty indexes in the literature in any of these ways. It does so by arguing that poverty should not decline with the mere addition of a rich person to a population and showing that the standard indexes do not satisfy this axiom. It, then, suggests a way of modifying these indexes to avoid this problem.