bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Altitude dependency of future snow cover changes over Central Japan evaluated by a regional climate model
Authors: Kawase Hiroaki , Hara Masayuki , Yoshikane Takao , Ishizaki Noriko N. , Uno Fumichika , Hatsushika Hiroaki , Kimura Fujio
Published: October 2013

The Sea of Japan side of Central Japan is one of the heaviest snowfall areas in the world. We investigate near‐future snow cover changes on the Sea of Japan side using a regional climate model. We perform the pseudo global warming (PGW) downscaling based on the five global climate models (GCMs). The changes in snow cover strongly depend on the elevation; decrease in the ratios of snow cover is larger in the lower elevations. The decrease ratios of the maximum accumulated snowfall in the short term, such as 1 day, are smaller than those in the long term, such as 1 week. We conduct the PGW experiments focusing on specific periods when a 2 K warming at 850 hPa is projected by the individual GCMs (PGW‐2K85). The PGW‐2K85 experiments show different changes in precipitation, resulting in snow cover changes in spite of similar warming conditions. Simplified sensitivity experiments that assume homogenous warming of the atmosphere (2 K) and the sea surface show that the altitude dependency of snow cover changes is similar to that in the PGW‐2K85 experiments, while the uncertainty of changes in the sea surface temperature influences the snow cover changes both in the lower and higher elevations. The decrease in snowfall is, however, underestimated in the simplified sensitivity experiments as compared with the PGW experiments. Most GCMs project an increase in dry static stability and some GCMs project an anticyclonic anomaly over Central Japan, indicating the inhibition of precipitation, including snowfall, in the PGW experiments.
Positive feedbacks between phosphorus deposition and forest canopy trapping, evidence from Southern Mexico
Authors: Runyan Christiane W. , D'Odorico Paolo , Vandecar Karen L. , Das Rishiraj , Schmook Birgit , Lawrence Deborah
Published: October 2013

For some phosphorus (P)‐limited ecosystems, vegetation can be sustained by atmospheric P inputs. The ability of the canopy to trap airborne particles influences atmospheric P deposition. This dependence suggests a positive feedback, which could impact forest regeneration following deforestation. We examine how the amount of P deposited atmospherically varies as a function of forest canopy characteristics. We quantify the amount of P in bulk deposition (i.e., rainfall and dry deposition) and throughfall from a mature forest and 6 year old successional vegetation stand. To rule out the possibility that P enrichment in throughfall is due to canopy leaching, we construct an artificial forest made of P‐free plastic materials. We then compare throughfall samples collected beneath the artificial forest with those collected beneath the successional vegetation due to similarities in forest characteristics such as height and stem density. Over 1 year, 0.6 ± 0.1 kg P ha−1 yr−1were deposited in the open area, 0.8 ± 0.0 kg P ha−1 yr−1beneath the successional vegetation, 0.5 ± 0.0 kg P ha−1 yr−1beneath the artificial forest, and 1.9 ± 0.0 kg P ha−1yr−1beneath the mature forest. Results also showed an enrichment of P concentration beneath the artificial forest relative to the open area. Atmospheric P sources sustain 37% of the annual P demand in the mature forest, but only 13% in the successional vegetation. Thus, following deforestation, more of the P demand would have to be met from other sources that if unavailable, could lead to conditions where the forest does not recover.
High‐Performance Ferroelectric Memory Based on Phase‐Separated Films of Polymer Blends
Authors: Khan Mohammad A. , Bhansali Unnat S. , Almadhoun Mahmoud N. , Odeh Ihab N. , Cha Dongkyu , Alshareef Husam N.
Published: October 2013

High‐performance polymer memory is fabricated using blends of ferroelectric poly(vinylidene‐fluoride‐trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF‐TrFE)) and highly insulating poly(p‐phenylene oxide) (PPO). The blend films spontaneously phase separate into amorphous PPO nanospheres embedded in a semicrystalline P(VDF‐TrFE) matrix. Using low molecular weight PPO with high miscibility in a common solvent, i.e., methyl ethyl ketone, blend films are spin cast with extremely low roughness (Rrms ≈ 4.92 nm) and achieve nanoscale phase seperation (PPO domain size < 200 nm). These blend devices display highly improved ferroelectric and dielectric performance with low dielectric losses (<0.2 up to 1 MHz), enhanced thermal stability (up to ≈353 K), excellent fatigue endurance (80% retention after 106 cycles at 1 KHz) and high dielectric breakdown fields (≈360 MV/m).
Influence of a Single Grain Boundary on Domain Wall Motion in Ferroelectrics
Authors: Marincel Daniel M. , Zhang Huairuo , Kumar Amit , Jesse Stephen , Kalinin Sergei V. , Rainforth W. M. , Reaney Ian M. , Randall Clive A. , Trolier‐McKinstry Susan
Published: October 2013

Epitaxial tetragonal 425 and 611 nm thick Pb(Zr0.45Ti0.55)O3 (PZT) films are deposited by pulsed laser deposition on SrRuO3‐coated (100) SrTiO3 24° tilt angle bicrystal substrates to create a single PZT grain boundary with a well‐defined orientation. On either side of the bicrystal boundary, the films show square hysteresis loops and have dielectric permittivities of 456 and 576, with loss tangents of 0.010 and 0.015, respectively. Using piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM), a decrease in the nonlinear piezoelectric response is observed in the vicinity (720–820 nm) of the grain boundary. This region represents the width over which the extrinsic contributions to the piezoelectric response (e.g., those associated with the domain density/configuration and/or the domain wall mobility) are influenced by the presence of the grain boundary. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images collected near and far from the grain boundary indicate a strong preference for (101)/(01) type domain walls at the grain boundary, whereas (011)/(01) and (101)/(01) are observed away from this region. It is proposed that the elastic strain field at the grain boundary interacts with the ferro‐electric/elastic domain structure, stabilizing (101)/(01) rather than (011)/(01) type domain walls, which inhibits domain wall motion under applied field and decreases non‐linearity.
Control of the Electrical Properties in Spinel Oxides by Manipulating the Cation Disorder
Authors: Ndione Paul F. , Shi Yezhou , Stevanovic Vladan , Lany Stephan , Zakutayev Andriy , Parilla Philip A. , Perkins John D. , Berry Joseph J. , Ginley David S. , Toney Michael F.
Published: October 2013

In this work, the impact of cation disorder on the electrical properties of biaxially textured Co2ZnO4 and Co2NiO4 thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition are investigated using a combination of experiment and theory. Resonant elastic X‐ray diffraction along with conductivity measurements both before and after post‐deposition annealing show that Co2ZnO4 and Co2NiO4 exhibit opposite changes of the conductivity with cation disorder, which can be traced back to their different ground‐state atomic structures, being normal and inverse spinel, respectively. Electronic structure calculations identify a self‐doping mechanism as the origin of conductivity. A novel thermodynamic model describes the non‐equilibrium cation disorder in terms of an effective temperature. This work offers a way of controlling the conductivity in spinels in a quantitative manner by controlling the cation disorder and a new design principle whereby non‐equilibrium growth can be used to create beneficial disorder.
Sag in commercial thermoforming
Authors: Baek H. M. , Giacomin A. J. , Wurz M. J.
Published: October 2013

Our previous analytical solution gives sag advancing implicitly as
, or for
, sag advances with the cube root of time for a thin wide rectangular Newtonian isothermal sheet. This previous analytical work applies to sheets that are pinned along just two edges, and not all the way around. Corresponding sagometer experimental results confirmed this cube root relation. This work compares the
prediction with measured commercial thermoforming behavior on rectangular sheets that are, of course, pinned all the way around. Then sag parallel superposition is used to extend
for a sheet pinned all the way around. We evaluate sag parallel superposition using a finite element method (FEM) employing ANSYS Polyflow. The equation
assumes sagging sheet cylindricity, and from our FEM we find that this assumption is reliable when
. We compare sag measured in commercial thermoforming, using high‐impact polystyrene (HIPS) sheets that are pinned all the way around, by extending
with parallel superposition. It is found that the time evolution of the commercial sag follows nearly exactly the same shape as the isothermal prediction. We measure sag runaway, and although the isothermal analysis
, predicts the sag runaway time accurately, our isothermal theory overpredicts the amount of sag in the nonisothermal commercial operation by as much as a factor of 14. It is also shown how to use sheet sag measurements from commercial thermoforming to deduce the Newtonian viscosity of a thermoforming resin at a temperature that is above its softening point. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 1529–1535, 2014
Discovery and epidemiology of PCB poisoning in Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Shu‐Tao , Ma Chao‐I , Hsu Steve Kwo‐Hsiung , Wu Shih‐Shium , Hsu Nora Hsu‐Mei , Yeh Ching‐Chuan
Published: October 2013

An outbreak of PCB poisoning through consumption of the contaminated rice oil in Central Taiwan was investigated. It covered four counties and there were 1,843 cases by the end of 1980. The highest frequency of incidence occurred during the period from March to July 1979. Severity of clinical manifestations was graded, most patients exhibiting mild or moderate severity. The major age group of the outbreak was between 11 to 20 years old. Most of the victims were students and factory workers. The amount of PCB intake in each victim was estimated to be 0.7 to 1.84 gm and the latent period from the time of intake to the onset of clinical manifestations was approximately three to four months. The patients' blood PCB concentrations ranged from 3 to 1,156 ppb. In 613 patients, 44.37% (272 patients) had PCB levels of 51–100 ppb, and 27.57% (169 patients) had levels over 100 ppb.
Malignant melanoma in the printing industry
Authors: Dubrow Robert
Published: October 2013

In an occupational mortality surveillance study, cause‐specific mortality patterns by occupation and industry, among Rhode Island residents who died during the period 1968–78, were examined using the age‐standardized proportionate mortality ratio (PMR) method. A noteworthy finding was an elevated PMR for malignant melanoma among white males in the printing industry (PMR = 460, observed deaths = 6, p< .01). When the results of other epidemiologic studies are reviewed in aggregate, they are consistent with this finding. A wide variety of chemicals, some of which are known or suspected human or animal carcinogens, are used in the printing industry. There is also potential exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The hypothesis of a relationship between malignant melanoma and occupational exposures in the printing industry should be investigated further.
Study of respiratory impairment among pesticide sprayers in mango plantations
Authors: Rastogi Subodh K. , Gupta Brahma N. , Husain Tanveer , Mathur Neeraj , Garg Nikhil
Published: October 2013

Pulmonary function studies were conducted on 489 pesticide workers engaged in spraying operations on mango plantations. These workers were exposed to a variety of organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides. A reference group consisting of 208 controls, belonging to the same socioeconomic stratum, was taken from the same area for purposes of comparison. The results of the study showed 36.5 and 41.5% prevalence of respiratory impairment in the exposed workers and in the controls, respectively. The most common pulmonary impairment among the exposed subjects (18.8%) and controls (16.9%) was of the restrictive type, followed by mixed ventilatory defect. Bronchial obstruction affected 2.5 and 3.7% of the exposed and control populations, respectively. In a comparison of the prevalence of total respiratory impairment in the pesticide workers and the controls, the nonsmokers did not show any significant difference in this study. The prevalence rate of respiratory impairment showed an increasing trend in different exposure groups (p < 0.05), thereby clearly indicating a dose effect. The study revealed that occupational exposure to pesticides had a direct bearing on the respiratory impairment identified in the exposed workers.
Phenoxy Acid Herbicides and Contaminants: Description of the IARC International Register of Workers: IARC Working Group
Authors: Saracci R.
Published: October 2013

An International Register of Persons Exposed to Phenoxy Herbicides and Contaminants was established in 1984 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in collaboration with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (U.S.A.). The purpose of this Register is to investigate the long‐term hazards associated with exposure to these herbicides and to serve as a system of scientific collaboration at the international level. Presently, 18,972 workers from 19 cohorts in 10 countries are enrolled in this Register. Fifteen cohorts are from companies that manufacture and formulate phenoxy acids or chlorophenols, and four cohorts are sprayers of phenoxy herbicides. Cancer incidence and mortality are the main outcomes of interest, and vital status for members of the Register has periodically been updated. The great advantage of this Register is its large size, facilitating the detection of hazardous effects of exposure.
The perlman syndrome: Familial renal dysplasia with Wilms tumor, fetal gigantism and multiple congenital anomalies
Authors: Neri Giovanni , Martini‐Neri Maria Enrica , Katz Ben E. , Opitz John M.
Published: October 2013

Introduction

The ensuing paper by Professor Giovanni Neri and colleagues was originally published in 1984, American Journal of Medical Genetics 19:195–207. The original article described a new family with a condition that the authors designated as the Perlman syndrome. This disorder, while uncommon, is an important multiple congenital anomaly and dysplasia syndrome; the causative gene was recently identified. This paper is a seminal work and is graciously republished by Wiley‐Blackwell in the Special Festschrift issue honoring Professor' Neri.

John C. Carey

Editor‐in‐Chief

We describe a familial syndrome of renal dysplasia, Wilms tumor, hyperplasia of the endocrine pancreas, fetal gigantism, multiple congenital anomalies and mental retardation. This condition was previously described by Perlman et al. [1973, 1975] and we propose to call it the “Perlman syndrome.” It appears to be transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. The possible relationships between dysplasia, neoplasia and malformation are discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of continued medical therapy in patients with refractory chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Smith Kristine A. , Rudmik Luke
Published: October 2013

Background

Patients with refractory chronic rhinosinusitis (RCRS) have persistent symptoms despite best medical therapy. Some evidence suggests continued medical therapy (CMT) is appropriate for patients with RCRS. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical impact of CMT in patients with RCRS who have significant reductions in baseline disease‐specific quality of life (QoL) and would be considered candidates for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).

Methods

A prospective longitudinal observational study was undertaken between August 2011 and June 2013. Inclusion criteria: age >18 years, CRS defined by American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) adult sinusitis guidelines, failed medical therapy (defined by a 3‐month minimum of topical intranasal steroid, minimum 7‐day course of systemic corticosteroid, ± 2‐week course of broad spectrum systemic antibiotic), and elected ESS. Primary outcomes were change in disease‐specific QoL and endoscopic scores between enrolment and immediately prior to ESS. Secondary outcomes included medication consumption and work days missed.

Results

A total of 31 patients were enrolled. Following CMT for a mean of 7.1 months, there was an absolute worsening in mean 22‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcomes Test (SNOT‐22) score between baseline and preoperative follow‐up, 57.6 to 66.1, respectively (p = 0.006). There was a significant worsening of mean endoscopic score between baseline and preoperative follow‐up, 6.9 to 7.7, respectively (p = 0.002). There was an increase in budesonide irrigations along with a reduction in use of topical nasal steroid sprays prior to ESS. Patients experienced a mean increase of 3.6 work days lost while receiving CMT (p = 0.023).

Conclusion

Results from this study suggest that patients with RCRS who have significant reductions in baseline disease‐specific QoL do not experience clinical improvement while receiving CMT.
Rheological properties of collagen/hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (COL/HPMC) blended solutions
Authors: Ding Cuicui , Zhang Min , Li Guoying
Published: October 2013

Collagen/HPMC blends with different HPMC content (HC) were investigated by dynamic responses, creep recovery, thixotropy, and morphological observation. Storage modulus, loss modulus, complex viscosity, and activation energy decreased with the increased HC, while the flow behavior index increased with the increased HC and the dynamic denaturation temperature reached the maximum as HC increased to 50%, indicating that the flowability and thermal stability of collagen solution were improved by the addition of HPMC. However, the blends with higher HC tended to have a relatively lower recovery capacity, and the hysteresis loop areas of the blends were lower than that of collagen (especially when HC > 50%). Additionally, the morphology of collagen/HPMC was examined by both of atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. By combining with these results, it seemed that the rheological and structural properties of collagen/HPMC were related to the hydrogen‐bond interaction and compatibility between collagen and HPMC molecules. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40042.
Three‐Dimensional Simulation of Bubble Formation Through a Microchannel T‐Junction
Authors: Chen B. , Guo F. , Li G. , Wang P.
Published: October 2013

Three‐dimensional simulations of bubble formation in Newtonian and non‐Newtonian fluids through a microchannel T‐junction are conducted by the volume‐of‐fluid method. For Newtonian fluids, the critical capillary number Ca for the transition of the bubble breakup mechanism is dependent on the velocity ratio between the two phases and the microchannel dimension. For the power law fluid, the bubble diameter decreases and the generation frequency increases with higher viscosity parameter K and power law index n. For a Bingham fluid, the viscous force plays a more important role in microbubble formation. Due to the yield stress τy, a high‐viscous region is developed in the central area of the channel and bubbles deform to a flat ellipsoid shape in this region. The bubble diameter and generation frequency are almost independent of K.
Nutrient Dynamics During Flood Events in Tropical Catchments: A Case Study in Southern Vietnam
Authors: Quan Nguyen Hong , Meon Günter
Published: October 2013

Assessing surface water quality variation as well as chasing water pollution sources is essential for water quality management. However, for existing conditions in developing countries, this assessment may not be done properly in many affected catchments due to limited data and lacking of tools. In particular, pollutant transport from the catchment to its river system during flood events needs quantification and is the aim of the study. For this, a combined water quality monitoring and modeling approach is proposed. The study was exemplarily performed for a typical ungauged medium scale catchment located in the southern area of Vietnam. The available budget allowed at least a limited monitoring of nutrients and driven parameters (e.g., flow, sediment). These data were used to, in total, successfully calibrate the complex Hydrological Simulation Program‐Fortran (HSPF) model. The results lead to three main conclusions: (1) the contributions of point and diffuse sources to nutrient loadings could clearly be identified with the help of monitoring; (2) water quality sampling during flood events is critical to assess pollution sources, especially, diffuse ones. However, just a monitoring of data alone is not adequate to interpret the observed concentrations; modeling is required. (3) Despite of the limited amount of data, which could be recorded and processed during the study, a representative catchment modeling during floods could be performed. It delivered essential information for linking pollution sources with water quality data. Furthermore, the limits of an application of the complex HSPF model under given conditions were shown.
“Meaningful use” provides a meaningful opportunity
Authors: Rabius Vance , Karam‐Hage Maher , Blalock Janice A. , Cinciripini Paul M.
Published: October 2013

A model is described for meeting the mandate that includes implementation of a comprehensive smoking (tobacco) cessation program for cancer patients as an alternative to the minimal intervention approach. The importance of an institution‐wide, automated system to identify and refer tobacco users to treatment is discussed within the context of implementing the meaningful use regulations for electronic health records.
Cardiovascular disease in survivors of hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Armenian Saro H. , Chow Eric J.
Published: October 2013

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is increasingly offered as a curative option for many patients with hematologic malignancies. Improvements in HCT strategies and supportive care have resulted in a growing number of long‐term survivors. However, these survivors are at an increased risk of developing long‐term debilitating chronic health conditions, including premature cardiovascular disease. These complications are more common than in the general population, and there are well‐described associations between therapeutic exposures, traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and subsequent cardiovascular disease risk. The authors present herein an overview of the current state of knowledge regarding pathogenesis and risk factors for some of the more commonly occurring cardiovascular complications after HCT, highlighting existing surveillance recommendations and future directions for research to minimize cardiovascular morbidity in these survivors. Cancer 2014;120:469–479. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Synthesis of Ethers by GaBr3‐Catalyzed Reduction of Carboxylic Acid Esters and Lactones by Siloxanes
Authors: Biermann Ursula , Metzger Jürgen O.
Published: October 2013

Ethers were synthesized by reduction of the respective esters catalyzed by gallium bromide (GaBr3) and using siloxanes, preferentially 1,1,3,3‐tetramethyldisiloxane, as reductant. Methyl oleate, triglycerides, that is, tributyrine and glyceryl triundec‐10‐enoate as well as γ‐ and δ‐lactones were converted into the respective ethers in high to moderate yields. γ‐Lactones were reduced with high selectivity in the presence of a methyl ester functionality. The reduction has been carried out at room temperature or moderately elevated temperature of up to 60 °C using stoichiometric amounts of the reductant and 0.005–0.01 equiv of GaBr3 as catalyst per ester functionality without any solvent added. After a reaction time of 1–4 h the conversion of the substrate was 100 %. The product was separated from polymeric siloxanes formed as coupled product by simple distillation.
Rapid on‐site evaluation of EUS–FNA by cytopathologist: An experience of a tertiary hospital
Authors: Ecka Ruth Shifa , Sharma Malay
Published: October 2013

Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided–fine‐needle aspiration (EUS–FNA) is the preferred modality nowadays for the cytological diagnosis of various mediastinal and gastrointestinal lesions. Onsite cytopathology interpretation is not available in most centers.

The objective of this study is to assess whether rapid on‐site evaluation (ROSE) by cytopathologist of the tissue samples improves the diagnostic accuracy of EUS–FNA.

This study is a retrospective review of all 646 patients undergoing EUS–FNA between January 2009 and October 2012 in our hospital. Patients in group I had cytology slides prepared by an endoscopy nurse. Patients in group II had cytology slides prepared, stained and assessed for adequacy of tissue sampling by a cytopathologist onsite. The adequacy of the samples and the final cytopathological diagnosis (definitely positive, definitely negative, inconclusive, or inadequate) was compared between the two groups.

A total of 425 EUS–FNA procedures were performed in 375 patients in group I and 271 EUS–FNA procedures in 271 patients in group II. The mean of needle passes in group I was 3.12 passes per patient and 3.24 passes in group II. The difference in the number of needle passes was not statistically significant (P = 0.30). The final diagnosis was definite in 64.8% in group I compared with 97.7 % in group II (P = 0.001). The percentage of inconclusive and inadequate diagnoses was 5.6% and 29.3%, respectively in group I and 0% and 2.3% in group II (P = 0.001).

In conclusion, ROSE by cytopathologist and interpretation significantly improves the diagnostic yield of EUS–FNA. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2013;41:1075–1080. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Diolefin Diamide Rhodium(I) Complex and Its One‐Electron Oxidation Resulting in a Two‐Center, Three‐Electron Rh–N Bond
Authors: Rosenthal Amos J. , Vogt Matthias , de Bruin Bas , Grützmacher Hansjörg
Published: October 2013

A tetracoordinated diolefin diamide rhodium(I) complex 6 with the two amido and olefin groups in mutual trans‐position and a butterfly structure has been prepared. This anionic complex undergoes a reversible one‐electron oxidation at a remarkably negative potential (E1/2 = –1.22 V vs. Fc/Fc+) to give a stable, paramagnetic, tetracoordinated, planar RhI complex 7. This complex was fully characterized, and all data indicate that this species is best described with an unprecedented two‐center, three‐electron Rh–N bond. DFT computations were performed to further elucidate the electronic structure, and the results fully agree with the two‐center, three‐electron Rh–N bond description.
GEE‐Based SNP Set Association Test for Continuous and Discrete Traits in Family‐Based Association Studies
Authors: Wang Xuefeng , Lee Seunggeun , Zhu Xiaofeng , Redline Susan , Lin Xihong
Published: October 2013

Family‐based genetic association studies of related individuals provide opportunities to detect genetic variants that complement studies of unrelated individuals. Most statistical methods for family association studies for common variants are single marker based, which test one SNP a time. In this paper, we consider testing the effect of an SNP set, e.g., SNPs in a gene, in family studies, for both continuous and discrete traits. Specifically, we propose a generalized estimating equations (GEEs) based kernel association test, a variance component based testing method, to test for the association between a phenotype and multiple variants in an SNP set jointly using family samples. The proposed approach allows for both continuous and discrete traits, where the correlation among family members is taken into account through the use of an empirical covariance estimator. We derive the theoretical distribution of the proposed statistic under the null and develop analytical methods to calculate theP‐values. We also propose an efficient resampling method for correcting for small sample size bias in family studies. The proposed method allows for easily incorporating covariates and SNP‐SNP interactions. Simulation studies show that the proposed method properly controls for type I error rates under both random and ascertained sampling schemes in family studies. We demonstrate through simulation studies that our approach has superior performance for association mapping compared to the single marker based minimumP‐value GEE test for an SNP‐set effect over a range of scenarios. We illustrate the application of the proposed method using data from the Cleveland Family GWAS Study.
To Count or Not to Count Deaths: Reranking Effects in Health Distribution Evaluation
Authors: Arrighi Yves , Abu‐Zaineh Mohammad , Ventelou Bruno
Published: October 2013

Populations' structures and sizes can be a result of healthcare policy decisions. We use a two‐period theoretical framework and a dynamic microsimulation model to examine the consequences of this assertion on the appraisal of alternative health policy options. Results show that standard welfare‐in‐health measures are sensitive to changes in populations' sizes, in that taking into account the (virtual) existence of the dead can alter the ranking of policy options. Disregarding differences in the survivals induced by alternative policies can bias programmes' ranking in favour of less live‐saving policies. The paper alerts on the risk of policy misranking by the use of ex‐post cross‐sectional analyses, neglecting deaths occurring in the past as well as counterfactual deaths in alternative policy scenarios. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prognostic factors in squamous cell lip carcinoma treated with high‐dose‐rate brachytherapy
Authors: Guinot Jose‐Luis , Arribas Leoncio , Vendrell Juan B. , Santos Miguel , Tortajada Maria I. , Mut Alejandro , Cruz Julia , Mengual Jose L. , Chust Maria L.
Published: October 2013

Background

The purpose of this study was for us to present our analysis of the results and prognostic factors in squamous lip carcinoma treated with high‐dose‐rate (HDR) brachytherapy.

Methods

From 1999 to 2010, 102 patients were treated with HDR‐brachytherapy, 54 with T1, 33 with T2, and 15 with T4. Eight cases were N+. Twenty‐one patients were treated with surgery plus brachytherapy because of close/positive margins. Nine fractions of 5 Gy were given over 5 days in 67% of the patients. Elective neck treatment was performed in 23 cases.

Results

The 10‐year actuarial local control was 94.6%, nodal regional control was 88.6%, disease‐free survival was 84.6%, and cause‐specific survival was 93.2%. In the univariate analysis, T4 tumors had higher risk of local failure and T2 of regional relapse. In the multivariate analysis, skin involvement was the only significant factor for tumor progression.

Conclusion

HDR‐brachytherapy yields excellent local control rates. Skin involvement increases the risk of local and cervical recurrence. Elective neck treatment should be done in T2 to T4 tumors or with skin or commissure involvement. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 1737–1742, 2014
Can Union Voice Make a Difference? The Effect of Union Citizenship Behavior on Employee Absence
Authors: Deery Stephen J. , Iverson Roderick D. , Buttigieg Donna M. , Zatzick Christopher D.
Published: October 2013

The interests of organizations and unions are often seen to be in competition. However, the union‐voice hypothesis suggests that unions can provide a distinctive mechanism to lower organizational costs by reducing exit behavior. This study looks at union citizenship behavior as a form of voice and examines its effect on employee absence. It draws on data from 367 branches of a large unionized banking organization to explore both the antecedents and outcomes of union citizenship behavior. Union citizenship behavior directed toward helping fellow members with workplace grievances was found to reduce branch‐level absenteeism, while union loyalty mediated the impact of a number of union‐related variables on union citizenship behavior. The implications for a balanced union‐management relationship are discussed in the article. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase‐derived nitric oxide as a therapeutical target for acute pancreatitis induced by secretory phospholipase A2
Authors: Camargo E.A. , Santana D.G. , Silva C.I. , Teixeira S.A. , Toyama M.H. , Cotrim C. , Landucci E.C.T. , Antunes E. , Muscara M.N. , Costa S.K.P.
Published: October 2013

Background

Nitric oxide is a key signalling molecule in the pathogenesis of inflammation, but its role in acute pancreatitis and related abdominal pain induced by secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) from Crotalus durissus terrificus (Cdt) venom has not been investigated.

Methods

Male Wistar rats were i.v. injected with L‐NAME (20 mg/kg), aminoguanidine (AG, 50 mg/kg), 7‐nitroindazole (7‐NI, 10 mg/kg) or vehicle 10 min before or 60 min after the injection of sPLA2 (300 μg/kg) into the common bile duct. After 4 h of sPLA2 injection, abdominal hyperalgesia and inflammation were assessed in addition to serum amylase, nitrite/nitrate (NOx), pancreas lipoperoxidation and 3‐nitrotyrosine (3‐NT) contents.

Results

sPLA2‐induced acute pancreatitis, related abdominal hyperalgesia, hyperamylasemia and increased concentration of NOx were not correlated with lipoperoxidation or increased 3‐NT in the pancreas. Pretreatment with all the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors significantly reduced abdominal mechanical hyperalgesia, but only iNOS blockade by AG suppressed pancreas oedema and serum NOx increase. The therapeutic approach with all the NOS inhibitors produced a similar reduction pattern of the abdominal hyperalgesia, but AG treatment also inhibited serum hyperamylasemia and NOx concentrations and pancreatic myeloperoxidase. The nNOS blockade by 7‐NI treatment also inhibited myeloperoxidase activity in both pancreas and lung.

Conclusions

Therapeutic blockade of iNOS or nNOS provides benefits in terms of inhibition of the acute pancreatitis‐related abdominal hyperalgesia, while iNOS inhibition also ameliorates the inflammatory cell influx to the pancreas and reduces the resultant hyperamylasemia and NOx levels, thus representing alternative pharmacological strategies for treatment of clinical pancreatitis associated with increased PLA2.
Synthesis, characterization, and biocompatibility of alternating block polyurethanes based on PLA and PEG
Authors: Mei Tingzhen , Zhu Yonghe , Ma Tongcui , He Tao , Li Linjing , Wei Chiju , Xu Kaitian
Published: October 2013

A series of alternating block polyurethanes (abbreviated as PULA‐alt‐PEG) and random block polyurethanes (abbreviated as PULA‐ran‐PEG) based on poly(l‐lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were synthesized. The differences of PULA‐alt/ran‐PEG chemical structure, molecular weight, distribution, thermal properties, mechanical properties and static contact angle were systematically investigated. The PULA‐alt/ran‐PEG polyurethanes exhibited low Tg (−47.3 ∼ −34.4°C), wide mechanical properties (stress σt: 4.6–32.6 MPa, modulus E: 11.4–323.9 MPa and strain ε: 468–1530%) and low water contact angle (35.4–51.4°). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation showed that PULA‐alt‐PEG film displays rougher and more patterned surface morphology than PULA‐ran‐PEG does, due to more regular structures of PULA‐alt‐PEG. Hydrolytic degradation shows that degradation rate of random block polyurethane series PULA‐ran‐PEG is higher than the alternating counterpart PULA‐alt‐PEG. PLA segment degradation is faster than urethane linkage and PEG segment almost does not degrade in the buffer solution. Platelet adhesion study showed that all the polyurethanes possess excellent hemocompatibility. The cell culture assay revealed that PULA‐alt/ran‐PEG polyurethanes were cell inert and unfavorable for the attachment of rat glial cell due to the hydrophilic characters of the materials. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 3243–3254, 2014.
Liquid Phase Selective Oxidation of Alcohols over VPO Catalysts Supported on Mesoporous Hexagonal Molecular Sieves (HMS)
Authors: Mahdavi Vahid , Hasheminasab Hamid Reza , Abdollahi Sohrab
Published: October 2013

The vanadium phosphorous oxide (VPO) catalysts, supported on mesoporous hexagonal molecular sieves (HMS) with different vanadium loadings, were prepared by precipitation method on organic phase. Techniques such as XRD, BET and SEM, were used for characterization of the catalyst. The bulk VPO catalyst contains vanadyl pyrophosphate phase ((VO)2P2O7), and a small amount of VOPO4. The high surface area, large pore volume and pore size of HMS in VPO/HMS samples, provide an excellent dispersion of same phase of VPO compound on the support surface. Oxidation of various alcohols was studied in the liquid phase over VPO/HMS catalyst, using tert‐butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as an oxidant. The activity of VPO/HMS samples were considerably increased with respect to bulk VPO catalyst. At 90 °C, the obtained activities were 0.567 and 6.545 gpro.g−1VPOh−1 over the bulk VPO and 20 wt% VPO/HMS catalysts, respectively. The effects of substrates, reaction time, reaction temperature, solvents, catalyst recycling and leaching of VPO in liquid phase reaction were also investigated. The following order has been observed for the percentage of conversions of alcohols: Benzylic alcohol > Secondary alcohol ∼ Primary alcohol.

The kinetic of benzyl alcohol oxidation using excess TBHP over VPO/HMS catalyst was investigated at temperatures of 27, 60 and 90 °C, and followed a pseudo‐first order with respect to benzyl alcohol.
Preparation and Characterization of Substituted 3‐Benzothiazol‐2‐Ylcoumarins
Authors: Chao Richard Y. , Ding Mei‐Fang , Chen Jhao‐Yu , Lee Chuan‐Chen , Lin Shaw‐Tao
Published: October 2013

A series of substituted 3‐benzothiazolylcoumarins was prepared from condensation of 2‐hydroxy‐benzaldehyde and 2‐cyanomethylbenzothiazole to investigate the effect of the nature and position of substituents on their absorption and fluorescent behavior. Compounds with a substituent containing a heteroatom which attached at the C6 position showed a split broad absorption band. Solutions of these compounds in various solvents exhibited brilliant blue fluorescence. The emission intensity for compounds with an alkoxy group at the C6 or C7 position in DMF was approximately 7‐ and 15‐fold higher than for the corresponding precursor and quinine sulfate solution, respectively. These compounds also exhibit high thermal stability in solid state.
Meaning in Life: Relationship to Clinical Diagnosis and Psychotherapy Outcome
Authors: Volkert Jana , Schulz Holger , Brütt Anna Levke , Andreas Sylke
Published: October 2013

Objectives

To examine the relationship of meaning in life (MiL) to clinical diagnosis and psychotherapy outcome and investigate specific meaning areas.

Method

This study investigated 214 inpatients with mental disorders and 856 healthy controls using self‐report measures of MiL and psychopathological symptoms.

Results

Patients showed lower MiL compared to controls. Diagnosis‐specific differences in MiL were found for depression. MiL increased in the course of treatment and remained stable at follow‐up. The most relevant meaning areas were social relationships for patients and controls.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence for lower MiL in inpatients with a spectrum of mental disorders, and in particular in patients with depression, compared to controls. Furthermore, perceived meaning improves over the duration of psychotherapy. Employing aspects of the meaning framework in therapy may be useful to help patients overcome psychological problems and make life worth living.
A novel semiautomatic parenchyma extraction method for improved MRI R2* relaxometry of iron loaded liver
Authors: Feng Yanqiu , Feng Meiyan , Gao Huashuai , Zhang Xinyuan , Xin Xuegang , Feng Qianjin , Chen Wufan , He Taigang
Published: October 2013

Purpose

To propose and evaluate an automatic method of extracting parenchyma from a manually delineated whole liver for the R2* measurement of iron load.

Materials and Methods

In all, 108 transfusion‐dependent patients with a wide range of hepatic iron content were scanned with a multiecho gradient‐echo sequence. The R2* was measured by fitting the average signal of liver parenchyma, extracted by the proposed semiautomatic parenchyma extraction (SAPE), traditional manually delineated multiple regions‐of‐interest (mROIs), and T2* thresholding methods to the noise‐corrected monoexponential model. The R2* measurement accuracy of the SAPE method was evaluated through simulation; the intra‐ and interobserver reproducibility of SAPE, mROI, and T2* thresholding were assessed from the in vivo data using coefficient of variation (CoV).

Results

In the simulation, the mean absolute percentage error of R2* measurement using SAPE was 0.23% (range 0.01%–1.09%). In vivo study, the CoVs of intra‐ and interobserver reproducibility were 0.83%, 1.39% for SAPE, 3.63%, 6.28% for mROI, and 1.62%, 2.66% for T2* thresholding, respectively.

Conclusion

The SAPE method provides an accurate and reliable approach to assessing the overall hepatic iron content. The improved magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) R2* reproducibility using the SAPE method may lead to more accurate tissue characterization and increased diagnostic confidence. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:67–78. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Feasibility of three‐dimensional MRI of proximal femur microarchitecture at 3 tesla using 26 receive elements without and with parallel imaging
Authors: Chang Gregory , Deniz Cem M. , Honig Stephen , Rajapakse Chamith S. , Egol Kenneth , Regatte Ravinder R. , Brown Ryan
Published: October 2013

Purpose

High‐resolution imaging of deeper anatomy such as the hip is challenging due to low signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), necessitating long scan times. Multi‐element coils can increase SNR and reduce scan time through parallel imaging (PI). We assessed the feasibility of using a 26‐element receive coil setup to perform 3 Tesla (T) MRI of proximal femur microarchitecture without and with PI.

Materials and Methods

This study had institutional review board approval. We scanned 13 subjects on a 3T scanner using 26 receive‐elements and a three‐dimensional fast low‐angle shot (FLASH) sequence without and with PI (acceleration factors [AF] 2, 3, 4). We assessed SNR, depiction of individual trabeculae, PI performance (1/g‐factor), and image quality with PI (1 = nonvisualization to 5 = excellent).

Results

SNR maps demonstrate higher SNR for the 26‐element setup compared with a 12‐element setup for hip MRI. Without PI, individual proximal femur trabeculae were well‐depicted, including microarchitectural deterioration in osteoporotic subjects. With PI, 1/g values for the 26‐element/12‐element receive‐setup were 0.71/0.45, 0.56/0.25, and 0.44/0.08 at AF2, AF3, and AF4, respectively. Image quality was: AF1, excellent (4.8 ± 0.4); AF2, good (4.2 ± 1.0); AF3, average (3.3 ± 1.0); AF4, nonvisualization (1.4 ± 0.9).

Conclusion

A 26‐element receive‐setup permits 3T MRI of proximal femur microarchitecture with good image quality up to PI AF2. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:229–238. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Retrospective reconstruction of cardiac cine images from golden‐ratio radial MRI using one‐dimensional navigators
Authors: Krämer Martin , Herrmann Karl‐Heinz , Biermann Judith , Reichenbach Jurgen R.
Published: October 2013

Purpose

To demonstrate radial golden‐ratio–based cardiac cine imaging by using interspersed one‐dimensional (1D) navigators.

Materials and Methods

The 1D navigators were interspersed into the acquisition of radial spokes which were continuously rotated by an angle increment based on the golden‐ratio. Performing correlation analysis between the 1D navigator projections, time points corresponding to the same cardiac motion phases were automatically identified and used to combine retrospectively golden‐ratio rotated radial spokes from multiple data windows. Data windows were shifted consecutively for dynamic reconstruction of different cardiac motion frames. Experiments were performed during a single breathhold. By artificially reducing the amount of input data, signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) as well as artifact level was evaluated for different breathhold durations.

Results

Analysis of the 1D navigator data provided a detailed correlation function revealing cardiac motion over time. Imaging results were comparable to images reconstructed based on a timely synchronized ECG. Cardiac cine images with a low artifact level and good image quality in terms of SNR and CNR were reconstructed from volunteer data achieving a CNR between the myocardium and the left ventricular cavity of 50 for the longest breathhold duration of 26 s. CNR maintained a value higher than 30 for acquisition times as low as 10 s.

Conclusion

Combining radial golden‐ratio–based imaging with an intrinsic navigator is a promising and robust method for performing high quality cardiac cine imaging. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:413–422. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Liver lesion conspicuity during real‐time MR‐guided radiofrequency applicator placement using spoiled gradient echo and balanced steady‐state free precession imaging
Authors: Rempp Hansjörg , Loh Henning , Hoffmann Rüdiger , Rothgang Eva , Pan Li , Claussen Claus D. , Clasen Stephan
Published: October 2013

Purpose

To retrospectively evaluate the conspicuity of liver lesions in a fluoroscopic spoiled gradient echo (GRE) and a balanced steady‐state free precession (SSFP) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequence.

Materials and Methods

In all, 103 patients with hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) (41) or liver metastases (67) were treated using MR‐guided radiofrequency ablation in a wide‐bore 1.5 T scanner. A multislice real‐time spoiled GRE sequence allowing for a T1 weighting (T1W) and a balanced SSFP sequence allowing for a T2/T1W contrast were used for MR guidance. The contrast‐to‐noise‐ratio (CNR) of the lesions was calculated and lesion conspicuity was assessed retrospectively (easily detectable / difficult to detect / not detectable).

Results

HCC was easily detectable in 33/52% (GRE/SSFP), difficult to detect in 30/18%, and not detectable in 37/30% of the cases. Mean CNR varied widely (9.1 for GRE vs. 16.4 for SSFP). Liver metastases were easily detectable in 58/41% (GRE/SSFP), difficult to detect in 14/21%, and not detectable in 28/38% of the cases. Mean CNR for liver metastases was 11.5 (GRE) vs. 12.7 (SSFP). Twenty percent of all lesions could not be detected with either of the MR fluoroscopy sequences.

Conclusion

MR fluoroscopy using GRE and SSFP contrast enabled real‐time detectability of 80% of the liver lesions. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:432–439. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the spatial structure and time evolution of shamal winds over the Arabian Sea – a case study through numerical modelling
Authors: Vinod Kumar K. , Seemanth M. , Vethamony P. , Aboobacker V. M.
Published: October 2013

Shamal events are extra‐tropical weather systems which occur in winter (cold and dry winds) as well as summer (hot and humid winds) with strong northwesterly or northerly winds blowing over the Arabian Peninsula. We have used Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to simulate a major winter shamal event (having duration of 3–5 days), which occurred in 2008 and analysed the spatial structure and time evolution of shamal winds over the Arabian Sea (AS). The study reveals that horizontally, shamal winds extend upto 14°N and bring out significant changes in the atmospheric temperature—longitudinally from Arabian coast to west coast of India; its vertical extension is upto to approximately 8 km near Oman and approximately 3 km near Ratnagiri coast. Along the Arabian coast a temperature drop of 12 °C is observed and along west coast of India a drop of 5 °C. It gets dissipated when northeast monsoon winds dominate. Its speed reduces from 15 m s−1 (Oman coast) to 9 m s−1 (central AS) as it propagates into AS. However, it must be noted that the present work is limited to a case study and hence, the southerly extension of the phenomenon and the associated changes in air temperature should not be considered a climatological reference. The shamal events may influence the wind induced circulation, heat flux and stratification in the AS, and these need to be analysed further.