bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative anatomical studies on some species of Hyoscyamus L. (Solanaceae) growing in Turkey
Authors: Satil Fatiih , Aslant Mustafa , Erdogan Eyüp , Polat Ridvan , Selvi Selami
Published: April 2015

A comparative study based on leaf and stem anatomical structure was made using light microscopy (LM) techniques on five species of Hyoscyamus L. (Solanaceae) in Turkey. Some characters are found important to distinguish the species within the genera. The investigated species can be divided as mesophyll type: bifacial (H. niger L., H. albus L. ) and equifacial (H. aureus L., H. pusillus L., H. reticulatus L.). Druse crystals are recorded only in mesophyll of H. albus. Stomata present on both surfaces, are anisocytic (usually) and anomocytic types. H. reticulatus can be distinguished from other species considering types of trichomes in the stem. Vascular bundles are bicollateral types. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v44i1.22721 Bangladesh J. Bot. 44(1): 37-43, 2015 (March)
Genetic diversity of Guar genotypes (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.) based on Agro-Morphological traits
Authors: Manivannan A , Anandakumar CR , Ushakumari R , Dahiya GS
Published: April 2015

Twelve quantitative characters were taken under observation to estimate substantial variation and relationship among Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.)Taub.,Fam.: Fabaceae) genotypes and to identify the best performing lines suited to southern parts of India, where the potential of growing the guar crop throughout the year. Analysis of variation for such quantitative traits in diverse line showed considerable and dissimilar level of variability. The largest variation was found for days to maturity, plant height, pods per plant and cluster per plant. Single plant yield was significant positively correlated with primary branches per plant, secondary branch per plant, cluster per plant, pods per cluster, pods per plant, however pod length was significant but negatively correlated with single plant yield. Principal component analysis showed the amount of variation by principal components 1 to 5 viz., 38, 16.4, 12.5, 9.5 and 6.6%, respectively. Clustering analysis based on various morphological traits assorted 42 guar genotypes into four main groups and six subclusters. Dendrogram based on hierarchal clustering grouped genotypes based on their morphological traits rather than geographic origin. Grouping of genotypes based on morphological traits is not always associated with their geographical origin. Out performed genotypes based higher yield potential, 100-seed weight, pods per plant and early maturity are identified for guar variety development and future breeding programme suited for South India. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v44i1.22724 Bangladesh J. Bot. 44(1): 59-65, 2015 (March)
Erect culm internodal anatomy and properties of sun ecotype of Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. Beauv
Authors: Sima SN , Roy AK , Joarder N
Published: April 2015

Internodal anatomy of Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. Beauv. was described in this paper. Culm internodes were completely encircled by leaf sheath. Peripheral vascular bundles were many in number and small in size. Central bundles were large in size and a few in number. Large bundles were of various sizes and vascular tissues well developed. Each vascular bundle had strong mass of sclerenchyma tissue arching over the phloem in the form of phloem hood. Small bundles were poorly developed in respect of vascular tissue. A small percentage of vascular bundle consisted of phloem tissue only fundamental ground tissues were parenchyma in nature. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v44i1.22725 Bangladesh J. Bot. 44(1): 67-72, 2015 (March)
Orbiliaceae for Turkish Ascomycota: three new records
Authors: Akata Ilgaz , Dogan Hasan Hüseyin
Published: April 2015

Orbilia curvatispora Bond., O. sarraziniana Bond. and O. xanthostigma (Fr) Fr. belonging to the family Orbiliaceae were recorded. Since, these three taxa we have been considered on new report to the Turkish mycobiota at family level. These species can be characterized by the presence of thin ascospores along with the small ascocarps. An identification key were also given in the text for the species. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v44i1.22729 Bangladesh J. Bot. 44(1): 91-95, 2015 (March)
Effects of different sowing dates on the phenology and accumulated heat units in three rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.) varieties
Authors: Akhter Mst Towhida , Mannan MA , Kundu PB , Paul NK
Published: April 2015

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of sowing dates on phenology and accumulated heat units of rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.). Seeds of three varieties (BARI Sarisha-14, BINA Sarisha-5 and BINA Sarisha-6) were sown on four different dates from October to December (S1-18 October, S2-2 November, S3-17 November and S4-3 December). The results indicated that the number of days required to attain different phenological stages decreased with delay in sowing. For all the phenological stages, S1 required higher heat units than that of other sowings. The plants of S1 used heat more efficiently than S2, S3 and S4. At the earlier phenological stages, phenothermal index decreased with delay in sowing, but increased at the later stages. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v44i1.22730 Bangladesh J. Bot. 44(1): 97-101, 2015 (March)
Effects of fertilization on quality flower production and foliar nutrient content of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) cv. Master
Authors: Singh Arvinder , Sharma BP , Dilta BS , Laishram Nomita , Gupta YC , Bhardwaj SK
Published: April 2015

Carnation cv. Master plants fertilized with 250 ppm N and K fertigation through urea and MOP + 250 ppm NPK foliar spray through a water soluble fertilizer Sujala (19 : 19 : 19 NPK) once a week is improved flowering as well as quality parameters and proved superior over the earlier recommended practices and the rest of the treatments. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v44i1.22736 Bangladesh J. Bot. 44(1): 133-137, 2015 (March)
Path analysis for grain yield in barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea (Roxb.) link )
Authors: Prakash R , Vanniarajan C
Published: April 2015

Path coefficient analysis was studied in 65 genotypes of barnyard millet to find out the association studies of characters and their direct and indirect effects on grain yield/plant. Results exhibited that single earhead weight had maximum direct effects on grain yield/plant followed by straw yield/plant, earhead length and plant height. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v44i1.22739 Bangladesh J. Bot. 44(1): 147-150, 2015 (March)
L'Alaotra, un espace régional convoité. Quelle politique de développement rural dans un contexte d'enjeux fonciers exacerbés? (L'Aloatra, a coveted region. Which rural development policy can be followed in a setting of aggravated competition around land ownership)
Authors: Teyssier André
Published: April 2015

Résumé. - Depuis une soixantaine d'années l'importance de la région du lac Alaotra dans l'économie malgache s'affirme nettement, favorisée par une configuration morpho-pédologique originale et des infrastructures hydro-agricoles intéressant plus de 30 000 hectares. La relative disponibilité foncière, la possibilité de trouver un emploi rémunéré et la rentabilité de la riziculture extensive ont fait du «grenier à riz» de Madagascar une terre d'élection pour les cultivateurs provenant des Hautes Terres et de la Côte Est. Un flux de migrants, croissant et ininterrompu, favorise l'émergence de nouveaux rapports fonciers. La terre devient un enjeu majeur ; la contrôler est une issue salutaire pour de nombreuses exploitations au statut précaire dont l'essor est conditionné par la maîtrise du sol. Le long d'un front pionnier double, étendant l'espace cultivé simultanément vers le marais à l'aval et les collines et bas-fonds de l'amont, de nouvelles concurrences foncières apparaissent au détriment d'une gestion harmonieuse des ressources. Les modes d'appropriation se diversifient, s'individualisent et cherchent dans une tradition disloquée et une administration sclérosée les moyens d'une reconnaissance.
L'apport des images-satellites pour le suivi des milieux ruraux en régions sahéliennes (The contribution of satellite imagery to recognition of rural environments changes in the Sahel region)
Authors: Jacqueminet Christine
Published: April 2015

Résumé. - L'impact des sécheresses sur la couverture végétale et les activités agro-pastorales en zone sahélienne est étudié à l'aide d'images-satellites Spot. Deux processus sont analysés : la contraction de la végétation ligneuse (nord du Burkina Faso) et les mutations du paysage agraire (delta intérieur du Niger au Mali). L'utilisation des images-satellites apporte une caractérisation précise de l'ampleur spatiale des changements survenus.
Varsovie, les changements contemporains d'une métropole d'Europe de l'Est (Warsaw, current changes within an eastern European Metropolis)
Authors: Sanguin André-Louis
Published: April 2015

Abstract. - In 1989, the disappearance of communism in Poland put Warsaw on the privatization and free market economy feet. This sweeping change is built up around the following patterns : actors competing for space use, shift to local self-government by communes, transformation of labour market. From a spatial point of view, these changes are going on with a transformation of urban landscape and with the setting of discrepancies between neighborhoods. Within the political map of the New Europe, the chief point is to know into what urban network will Warsaw fit.
Berlin: le parti pris de la densification urbaine (Berlin, the use of urban densification)
Authors: Rouyer A.
Published: April 2015

Résumé. - Dans le cadre de la nouvelle politique d'aménagement urbain de la ville réunifiée de Berlin, le choix de la densification l'a emporté sur celui d'une extension de l'agglomération.
Using Accelerometer and Gyroscopic Measures to Quantify Postural Stability
Authors: Alberts Jay L. , Hirsch Joshua R. , Koop Mandy Miller , Schindler David D. , Kana Daniel E. , Linder Susan M. , Campbell Scott , Thota Anil K.
Published: April 2015

Context

Force platforms and 3-dimensional motion-capture systems provide an accurate method of quantifying postural stability. Substantial cost, space, time to administer, and need for trained personnel limit widespread use of biomechanical techniques in the assessment of postural stability in clinical or field environments.

Objective

To determine whether accelerometer and gyroscope data sampled from a consumer electronics device (iPad2) provide sufficient resolution of center-of-gravity (COG) movements to accurately quantify postural stability in healthy young people.

Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Setting

Research laboratory in an academic medical center.

Patients or Other Participants

A total of 49 healthy individuals (age = 19.5 ± 3.1 years, height = 167.7 ± 13.2 cm, mass = 68.5 ± 17.5 kg).

Intervention(s)

Participants completed the NeuroCom Sensory Organization Test (SOT) with an iPad2 affixed at the sacral level.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Primary outcomes were equilibrium scores from both systems and the time series of the angular displacement of the anteroposterior COG sway during each trial. A Bland-Altman assessment for agreement was used to compare equilibrium scores produced by the NeuroCom and iPad2 devices. Limits of agreement was defined as the mean bias (NeuroCom − iPad) ± 2 standard deviations. Mean absolute percentage error and median difference between the NeuroCom and iPad2 measurements were used to evaluate how closely the real-time COG sway measured by the 2 systems tracked each other.

Results

The limits between the 2 devices ranged from −0.5° to 0.5° in SOT condition 1 to −2.9° to 1.3° in SOT condition 5. The largest absolute value of the measurement error within the 95% confidence intervals for all conditions was 2.9°. The mean absolute percentage error analysis indicated that the iPad2 tracked NeuroCom COG with an average error ranging from 5.87% to 10.42% of the NeuroCom measurement across SOT conditions.

Conclusions

The iPad2 hardware provided data of sufficient precision and accuracy to quantify postural stability. Accuracy, portability, and affordability make using the iPad2 a reasonable approach for assessing postural stability in clinical and field environments.
Dysfunctional Parenting and Depression: The Mediational Role of Schemas
Authors: Lewin Michael R. , Garcia Laura M. , Limon Amanda M. , Ojeda Alexander
Published: April 2015

Dysfunctional parenting has been shown to be related to a variety of forms of psychopathology. Schema Theory proposes that when children's core developmental needs are unmet (“toxic parenting”), maladaptive views of self and others (Early Maladaptive Schemas; EMS) develop. These EMS represent a cognitive vulnerability to future psychopathology. Research has shown that several EMS mediated the relationship between recollections of parenting and depressive symptoms. The goal of the present study is to address limitations in previous research by utilizing multiple mediation models that will examine previously supported mediators in the literature simultaneously. Participants were 222 College students. Results of bootstrap multiple mediation analyses revealed that when shared variance is addressed, only the EMS of vulnerability to harm mediated the relationship between recollections of maternal bonding and current depression. These findings support the role of EMS as a cognitive diathesis in the development of depressive symptoms.
Physical context regulates the renewal of fear in indirect pathways: An examination of fear reduction processes using verbal information provision and modelling
Authors: Newall Carol , Jacomb Isabella , Hudson Jennifer L. , Broeren Suzanne
Published: April 2015

Among adults, classically conditioned fears that have been extinguished can recover through a change of physical context. Recovery of fear via a change of physical context is typically termed ‘renewal’. In this study, we investigated whether adults also exhibit renewal via the verbal threat information pathway. Fifty adult participants (M = 20 years-old; range: 18 to 45 years of age) acquired fear beliefs about a novel and fictitious animal through the provision of threatening information about the animal. Fears were reduced via the verbal provision of positive information and modelling. Participants were randomised to receive fear reduction in either the same context (Context A) or in a different context (Context B) to the context used for fear acquisition (Context A). All participants were then tested back in the context of acquisition. Results showed fears recovered when the context of fear reduction and the context of test were different, indicating physical context regulates the renewal of verbally acquired and reduced fear. The findings are discussed in terms of current theoretical and developmental models for fear extinction and the implications for relapse models of adult anxiety disorders.
The effects of a self-esteem manipulation on body dissatisfaction in binge eating disorder
Authors: Naumann Eva , Tuschen-Caffier Brunna , Trentowska Monika , Caffier Detlef , Svaldi Jennifer
Published: April 2015

Current cognitive-behavioral models on the etiology of eating disorders propose low self-esteem to be causally linked with body image disturbances. Thus, the aim of the present study was to experimentally test the influence of state self-esteem on actual body dissatisfaction in binge eating disorder (BED). Twenty-six women with BED were assigned to either a positive or negative implicit manipulation of self-esteem. Thereafter, participants' actual body dissatisfaction and emotions were measured prior to and after a one minute mirror exposure. Main results reveal that after the negative compared to the positive self-esteem manipulation body dissatisfaction was significantly lower both prior to and after the mirror exposure. By contrast, no effects of the self-esteem manipulation were found on emotional ratings. In line with predictions by current cognitive-behavioral models, the results yield some evidence of the deteriorating effects of low self-esteem on body dissatisfaction in BED.
Predicting Medical School and Internship Success: Does the Quality of the Research and Clinical Experience Matter?
Authors: Paolino Nathalie D. , Artino Anthony R. , Saguil Aaron , Dong Ting , Durning Steven J. , DeZee Kent J.
Published: April 2015

Objectives: This article explores specific aspects of self-reported clinical and research experience and their relationship to performance in medical training. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted at the Uniformed Services University. The American Medical College Application Service application was used to discern students' self-reported clinical and research experience. Two authors applied a classification scheme for clinical and research experience to the self-reported experiences. Study outcomes included medical school grade point average (GPA), U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores, and intern expertise and professionalism scores. A linear regression analysis was conducted for each outcome while controlling for prematriculation GPA. Results: Data were retrieved on 1,020 matriculants. There were several statistically significant but small differences across outcomes when comparing the various categories of clinical experience with no clinical experience. The technician-level experience group had a decrease of 0.1 in cumulative GPA in comparison to students without self-reported clinical experience (p = 0.004). This group also performed 5 points lower on the USMLE Step 2 than students who did not report clinical experience (p = 0.013). The various levels of self-reported research experience were unrelated to success in medical school and graduate medical education. Discussion: These findings indicate that self-reported technician-level clinical experience is related to a small reduction in typically reported outcomes in medical school.
New estimates of tropical mean temperature trend profiles from zonal mean historical radiosonde and pilot balloon wind shear observations
Authors: Pralungo Lorenzo Ramella , Haimberger Leopold
Published: April 2015

Estimation of global scale trends and low‐frequency variability directly from radiosonde temperature records is challenging particularly in the Tropics due to large biases in the earlier parts of the records that need to be adjusted. Zonal mean zonal winds and wind shear observations are less prone to time varying biases. Together with a zonal mean reference temperature trend profile in the extratropics, the wind data can be used to estimate zonal mean temperature trends in the tropics using the thermal wind relationship. Earlier estimates using this approach for the periods 1970–2005 and 1979–2005 showed strong trend amplification in the tropical upper troposphere but also very large uncertainties because the latitude for the reference profile was chosen very far north and due to a lack of data in the tropics.

Both sources of uncertainties have been addressed by (i) using reference temperature profiles from homogenized radiosonde temperature data sets, (ii) using the new Global historical Radiosondes and Tracked Balloons Archive on standard pressure levels (GRASP) as data source that includes not only radiosondes but also pilot balloons, and (iii) more accurate vertical discretization and sampling of wind data. The new trend estimates are extended back to 1958 and are considerably less noisy. Trend amplification factors between 1.3 and 2.6 were found in the intervals 1979–2005 and 1958–2010, respectively, when using wind shear information. The best estimates for the warming maxima in the upper tropical troposphere agree well with those directly from temperatures but tend to be located at higher altitudes.
Three‐dimensional versus two‐dimensional bed form‐induced hyporheic exchange
Authors: Chen Xiaobing , Cardenas M. Bayani , Chen Li
Published: April 2015

The hyporheic zone is often a critical component of river systems. Hyporheic exchange is generally forced by variation in riverbed topography such as due to bed forms. Most previous research on bed form‐driven hyporheic flow has focused on two‐dimensional (2‐D) dunes and ripples, while little has been done on their three‐dimensional (3‐D) counterparts. Here we compared hyporheic exchange and associated metrics for a previously studied pair of corresponding 2‐D and 3‐D bed forms. To accomplish this, a series of multiphysics computational fluid dynamics models were conducted both in 2‐D and 3‐D with similar open channel Reynolds numbers (Re). Results show that the pressure gradient along the sediment‐water interface is highly sensitive to the spatial structure of bed forms, which consequently determines hyporheic flow dynamics. Hyporheic flux is a function of Re for both 2‐D and 3‐D dunes via a power law; however, the equivalent 3‐D dunes have a higher flux since the 3‐D form induces more drag. The hyporheic zone depths and volumes are only slightly different with the 3‐D case having a larger volume. The mean fluid residence times for both cases are related to Re by an inverse power law relationship, with the 3‐D dune having smaller residence times at moderate to high Re. The effects of increasing flux on residence time in 3‐D dunes are partly modulated by a slightly increasing hyporheic volume. Our results suggest that a 2‐D idealization is a reasonable approximation for the more complex 3‐D situation if local details are unimportant but that development of predictive models for mean fluxes and residence times, which are critical for biogeochemical processes, based on 2‐D models may be insufficient.
Observation of internal wave polarity conversion generated by a rising tide
Authors: Li Lan , Wang Caixia , Grimshaw Roger
Published: April 2015

The observations reported here are based on time series of in situ observation data in Laoshan Bay off the Qingdao coast. A chain of thermistors (T‐chain) at a fixed location recorded a sequence of elevation internal waves followed by depression internal waves passing by over an elapsed time of about 1 h. This observed polarity conversion at a fixed location is caused by the vertical stratification variation mainly induced by the rising tide, which is believed to be the first reported observation of this kind. The process of an elevation internal wave train converting to a depression wave train is simulated using the variable‐coefficient extended Korteweg‐de Vries (veKdV) equation, which also provides a further comparison between theory and the reported observations.
What does it take to flood the Pampas?: Lessons from a decade of strong hydrological fluctuations
Authors: Kuppel S. , Houspanossian J. , Nosetto M. D. , Jobbágy E. G.
Published: April 2015

While most landscapes respond to extreme rainfalls with increased surface water outflows, very flat and poorly drained ones have little capacity to do this and their most common responses include (i) increased water storage leading to rising water tables and floods, (ii) increased evaporative water losses, and, after reaching high levels of storage, (iii) increased liquid water outflows. The relative importance of these pathways was explored in the extensive plains of the Argentine Pampas, where two significant flood episodes (denoted FE1 and FE2) occurred in 2000–2003 and 2012–2013. In two of the most flood‐prone areas (Western and Lower Pampa, 60,000 km2 each), surface water cover reached 31 and 19% during FE1 in each subregion, while FE2 covered up to 22 and 10%, respectively. From the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of the flood events, we distinguished slow floods lasting several years when the water table is brought to the surface following sustained precipitation excesses in groundwater‐connected systems (Western Pampa), and “fast” floods triggered by surface water accumulation over the course of weeks to months, typical of poor surface‐groundwater connectivity (Lower Pampa) or when exceptionally strong rainfalls overwhelm infiltration capacity. Because of these different hydrological responses, precipitation and evapotranspiration were strongly linked in the Lower Pampa only, while the connection between water fluxes and storage was limited to the Western Pampa. In both regions, evapotranspirative losses were strongly linked to flooded conditions as a regulatory feedback, while liquid water outflows remained negligible.
A germline MTOR mutation in Aboriginal Australian siblings with intellectual disability, dysmorphism, macrocephaly, and small thoraces
Authors: Baynam Gareth , Overkov Angela , Davis Mark , Mina Kym , Schofield Lyn , Allcock Richard , Laing Nigel , Cook Matthew , Dawkins Hugh , Goldblatt Jack
Published: April 2015

We report on three Aboriginal Australian siblings with a unique phenotype which overlaps with known megalencephaly syndromes and RASopathies, including Costello syndrome. A gain‐of‐function mutation in MTOR was identified and represents the first reported human condition due to a germline, familial MTOR mutation. We describe the findings in this family to highlight that (i) the path to determination of pathogenicity was confounded by the lack of genomic reference data for Australian Aboriginals and that (ii) the disease biology, functional analyses in this family, and studies on the tuberous sclerosis complex support consideration of an mTOR inhibitor as a therapeutic agent. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stabilization of Single‐Input LTI Systems by Proportional‐Derivative Feedback
Authors: Abdelaziz Taha H. S.
Published: April 2015

This article presents an efficient solution to the stabilization pole placement problem for single‐input linear time‐invariant (LTI) systems by proportional‐derivative (PD) feedback. For a controllable system, any arbitrary closed‐loop poles can be placed in order to achieve the desired closed‐loop system performance. Its derivation is based on the transformation of linear system into Hessenberg form by a special coordinate transformation before solving the pole placement problem. The available degrees of freedom offered by PD feedback are utilized to obtain closed‐loop systems with small gains. So, the minimization problem for a suitably chosen cost function is formulated. Simulation results are included to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Spatial analysis of gastroschisis in the national birth defects prevention study
Authors: Yazdy Mahsa M. , Werler Martha M. , Feldkamp Marcia L. , Shaw Gary M , Mosley Bridget S. , Vieira Veronica M. ,   The National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Published: April 2015

Background

Gastroschisis is a birth defect where loops of bowel are protruding from the abdominal wall at birth. Previous research has suggested that gastroschisis cases can occur in clusters. The objective of this study was to identify if there were areas of elevated gastroschisis risk using data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS), 1997 through 2007.

Methods

We obtained data on cases (n = 371) through population‐based birth defects surveillance systems in Arkansas, California, and Utah; controls (n = 2359) were selected from the same geographic areas as cases. Mothers were interviewed on demographic information and exposures during pregnancy, including residential history. We used first trimester maternal addresses and generalized additive models to create a continuous map surface of odds ratios (OR) by smoothing over latitude and longitude. Permutation tests were used to assess whether location of maternal residence was important and identify locations with statistically significant ORs.

Results

In Arkansas, adjusted ORs in the southwest corner were 2.0 and the global deviance was not statistically significant (p‐value: 0.57). Adjusted ORs for California indicated areas of increased risk with ORs 1.3 (p‐value: 0.34). In Utah, the adjusted ORs were elevated (OR: 2.4) in the south‐eastern corner of the study area (p‐value: 0.34).

Conclusion

The results of this study, while not statistically significant, suggest there were spatial variations in gastroschisis births. We cannot rule out that these variations were due to edge effects or residual confounding. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:544–553, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Employability and students’ part‐time work in the UK: does self‐efficacy and career aspiration matter?
Authors: Gbadamosi Gbolahan , Evans Carl , Richardson Mark , Ridolfo Mark
Published: April 2015

Amid a growing focus on graduate employability, this study examines the relationship between students’ part‐time work, career aspirations and self‐efficacy, in a survey of 357 UK students from two post‐92 universities. The results suggest a positive and significant relationship between part‐time work and career aspiration. Students who work part‐time, and value this opportunity, are likely to have a high career aspiration and strive to enhance their employability agenda. Self‐efficacy (students’ belief in their ability to succeed) is significantly associated with career aspiration. No significant gender differences were found in our sample for all study variables. Finally, students’ level of study and malleable self‐theories (the belief that people are changeable and with effort can achieve more) were found to be the strongest predictors of part‐time work, while self‐efficacy is the strongest predictor of career aspiration. These findings confirm the importance of individual self‐efficacy in the value attached to part‐time working among students in higher education (HE). Nonetheless, those students who do not work part‐time while studying, do so mainly because they do not want to detract from their study. The concluding part of the paper discusses relevant application and policy implications of these findings.
Juxtamembrane contribution to transmembrane signaling
Authors: Deng Wei , Li Renhao
Published: April 2015

Signaling across the cell membrane mediated by transmembrane receptors plays an important role in diverse biological processes. Recent studies have indicated that, in a number of single‐span transmembrane receptors, the intracellular juxtamembrane (JM) sequence linking the transmembrane helix with the rest of the cytoplasmic domain participates directly in the signaling process via several novel mechanisms. This review briefly highlights several modes of JM dynamics in the context of signal transduction that are shared by different types of transmembrane receptors. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 104: 317–322, 2015.
Characterization of adolescent and pediatric renal cell carcinoma: A report from the Children's Oncology Group study AREN03B2
Authors: Geller James I. , Ehrlich Peter F. , Cost Nicholas G. , Khanna Geetika , Mullen Elizabeth A. , Gratias Eric J. , Naranjo Arlene , Dome Jeffrey S. , Perlman Elizabeth J.
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

The current study was conducted to characterize the epidemiology, histology, and radiographic features of as well as the surgical approach to pediatric and adolescent renal cell carcinoma (pRCC).

METHODS

pRCC cases prospectively enrolled on the Children's Oncology Group study AREN03B2 underwent central pathology, radiology, surgery, and oncology review.

RESULTS

As of June 2012, 120 of a total of 3250 patients enrolled on AREN03B2 (3.7%) were found to have unilateral RCC (median age, 12.9 years [range, 1.9‐22.1 years]; 52.5% were female). Central review classified these as translocation morphology (56 patients), papillary (20 patients), renal medullary carcinoma (13 patients), chromophobe (4 patients), oncocytoma (1 patient), conventional clear cell (1 patient), and RCC not otherwise specified (25 patients). Lymph node (LN) involvement (N+) was found in 35 of 73 cases (47.9%) for which LNs were sampled, including 19 of 40 cases with primary tumors measuring <7 cm (47.5%). Using a size cutoff of 1 cm, imaging detection of LN involvement had a sensitivity of 57.14% (20 of 35 cases; 95% CI, 39.35%‐73.68%) and a specificity of 94.59% (35 of 37 cases; 95% CI, 81.81%‐99.34%). Distant metastases were present in 23 cases (19.2%). Initial surgery was radical nephrectomy in 88 patients (73.3%), nephron‐sparing surgery in 18 patients (15.0%), and biopsy in 14 patients (11.7%). Compared with patients undergoing radical nephrectomy, those treated with nephron‐sparing surgery were less likely to have LNs sampled (6 of 18 patients [33.3%] vs 65 of 88 patients [73.9%]; P = .002).

CONCLUSIONS

Translocation RCC is the most common form of pediatric and adolescent RCC. Lymph node disease is common and observed among patients with small primary tumors. Imaging has a high specificity but relatively low sensitivity for the detection of such lymph node disease. Failure to sample LNs results in incomplete staging and potentially inadequate disease control for younger patients with RCC. Cancer 2015;121:2457–2464. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Anaerobic digestion of thermal pretreated brewers' spent grains
Authors: Bochmann G. , Drosg B. , Fuchs W.
Published: April 2015

Anaerobic digestion offers a good opportunity to degrade residues from breweries to biogas. To improve the anaerobic degradation process thermal pretreatment of brewers' spent grains (BSG) offers the opportunity to increase degradation rate and biogas yield.

Aim of the work is to show the influence of the thermal pretreatment of BSG to anaerobic digestion. BSG were pretreated at different temperature levels from 100 to 200°C. The biogas production of thermally pretreated BSG lies between 30 and 40% higher than for untreated reference. The temperature of the pretreatment process has a significant influence on the degradation rate or gas yield, respectively. Up to a temperature of 160°C, the biogas yield rises. Temperatures over 160°C result in a slower degradation and decreasing biogas yield.

Substrate with and without pretreatment gave a daily biogas yield of 430 and 389 Nm3 × kg−1 VS, respectively. Batch analysis of the biochemical methane potential gives a total methane yield of 409.8 Nm3 CH4 × kg−1 VS of untreated brewers' spent grains and 467.6 Nm3 CH4 × kg−1 VS of the pretreated samples.

For pretreatment energy balance estimation has been carried out. Without any heat recovery demand is higher than the energy surplus resulting from pretreatment of BSG. With energy recovery by heat exchanger the net energy yield could be increased to 38.87 kWh × kg−1 FM or 8.81%. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 34: 1092–1096, 2015
A novel optimization technique for explicit finite‐difference schemes with application to AeroAcoustics
Authors: Cunha Guilherme , Redonnet Stéphane
Published: April 2015

The present paper addresses the optimization of finite‐difference schemes when these are to be used for numerically approximating spatial derivatives in aeroacoustics evolution problems. With that view in mind, finite‐difference operators are firstly detailed from a theoretical point of view. Secondly, time, the way such operators can be optimized in a spectral‐like sense is recalled, before the main limitations of such an optimization are highlighted. This leads us to propose an alternative optimization approach of innovative character. Such a novel optimization technique consists of enhancing the scheme's formal accuracy through a minimization of its leading‐order truncation error. This so‐called intrinsic optimization procedure is first detailed, before it is thoroughly analyzed, from both a theoretical and a practical point of view. The second part of the paper focuses on two particular intrinsically optimized schemes, which are carefully assessed via a direct comparison against their standard and/or spectral‐like optimized counterparts, such a comparative exercise being conducted utilizing several academic test cases of increasing complexity. There, it is shown how intrinsically optimized schemes indeed constitute an advantageous alternative to either the standard or the spectral‐like optimized ones, being allotted with both (i) the better scalability of the former scheme with respect to grid convergence effects when the grid density increases and (ii) the higher accuracy of the latter scheme when the discretization level becomes marginal. Thanks to that, such intrinsically optimized schemes offer very good trade‐offs in terms of (i) accuracy; (ii) robustness; and (iii) numerical efficiency (CPU cost). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A non‐iterative implicit algorithm for the solution of advection–diffusion equation on a sphere
Authors: Skiba Yuri N.
Published: April 2015

A numerical algorithm for the solution of advection–diffusion equation on the surface of a sphere is suggested. The velocity field on a sphere is assumed to be known and non‐divergent. The discretization of advection–diffusion equation in space is carried out with the help of the finite volume method, and the Gauss theorem is applied to each grid cell. For the discretization in time, the symmetrized double‐cycle componentwise splitting method and the Crank–Nicolson scheme are used. The numerical scheme is of second order approximation in space and time, correctly describes the balance of mass of substance in the forced and dissipative discrete system and is unconditionally stable. In the absence of external forcing and dissipation, the total mass and L2‐norm of solution of discrete system is conserved in time. The one‐dimensional periodic problems arising at splitting in the longitudinal direction are solved with Sherman–Morrison's formula and Thomas's algorithm. The one‐dimensional problems arising at splitting in the latitudinal direction are solved by the bordering method that requires a prior determination of the solution at the poles. The resulting linear systems have tridiagonal matrices and are solved by Thomas's algorithm. The suggested method is direct (without iterations) and rapid in realization. It can also be applied to linear and nonlinear diffusion problems, some elliptic problems and adjoint advection–diffusion problems on a sphere. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Testing for Polygenic Effects in Genome‐Wide Association Studies
Authors: Pan Wei , Chen Yue‐Ming , Wei Peng
Published: April 2015

To confirm associations with a large number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), each with only a small effect size, as hypothesized in the polygenic theory for schizophrenia, the International Schizophrenia Consortium (2009, Nature 460:748–752) proposed a polygenic risk score (PRS) test and demonstrated its effectiveness when applied to psychiatric disorders. The basic idea of the PRS test is to use a half of the sample to select and up‐weight those more likely to be associated SNPs, and then use the other half of the sample to test for aggregated effects of the selected SNPs. Intrigued by the novelty and increasing use of the PRS test, we aimed to evaluate and improve its performance for GWAS data. First, by an analysis of the PRS test, we point out its connection with the Sum test [Chapman and Whittaker, , Genet Epidemiol 32:560–566; Pan, , Genet Epidemiol 33:497–507]; given the known advantages and disadvantages of the Sum test, this connection motivated the development of several other polygenic tests, some of which may be more powerful than the PRS test under certain situations. Second, more importantly, to overcome the low statistical efficiency of the data‐splitting strategy as adopted in the PRS test, we reformulate and thus modify the PRS test, obtaining several adaptive tests, which are closely related to the adaptive sum of powered score (SPU) test studied in the context of rare variant analysis [Pan et al., 2014, Genetics 197:1081–1095]. We use both simulated data and a real GWAS dataset of alcohol dependence to show dramatically improved power of the new tests over the PRS test; due to its superior performance and simplicity, we recommend the whole sample‐based adaptive SPU test for polygenic testing. We hope to raise the awareness of the limitations of the PRS test and potential power gain of the adaptive SPU test.
Modeling and evaluating evidence‐based continuing education program in nursing home dementia care (MEDCED)—training of care home staff to reduce use of restraint in care home residents with dementia. A cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Testad Ingelin , Mekki Tone Elin , Førland Oddvar , Øye Christine , Tveit Eva Marie , Jacobsen Frode , Kirkevold Øyvind
Published: April 2015

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a tailored 7‐month training intervention “Trust Before Restraint,” in reducing use of restraint, agitation, and antipsychotic medications in care home residents with dementia.

Methods

This is a single‐blind cluster randomized controlled trial in 24 care homes within the Western Norway Regional Health Authority 2011–2013.

Results

From 24 care homes, 274 residents were included in the study, with 118 in the intervention group and 156 in the control group. Use of restraint was significantly reduced in both the intervention group and the control group despite unexpected low baseline, with a tendency to a greater reduction in the control group. There was a significant reduction in Cohen‐Mansfield Agitation Inventory score in both the intervention group and the follow‐up group with a slightly higher reduction in the control group, although this did not reach significance and a small nonsignificant increase in use of antipsychotics (14.1–17.7%) and antidepressants (35.9–38.4%) in both groups.

Conclusions

This study reports on the statistically significant reduction in use of restraint in care homes, both prior and during the 7‐month intervention periods, in both intervention and control groups. When interpreted within the context of the current climate of educational initiatives to reduce restraint and a greater focus on the importance of person‐centered care, the study also highlights the potential success achieved with national training programs for care staff and should be further evaluated to inform future training initiatives both in Norway and internationally. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Biological Activity of N‐Aroyl (Aryloxyacetyl)‐N′‐ferrocenyl Thiourea Derivatives
Authors: Zhang Qiong , Zhao Bihong , Song Yangyang , Hua Chengwen , Gou Xiaofeng , Chen Bang , Zhao Junlong
Published: April 2015

In this study, the synthesis of aminoferrocene was improved and a series of novel ferrocene‐containing thiourea compounds were designed and synthesized as potential plant growth regulators. All the new compounds were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, and X‐ray crystallography. Furthermore, the cytokinin and auxin activities of 5c and 5a–i were investigated. Notably, compounds 5e, 5g, and 5j in a concentration of 50 μg/mL exhibited significant cytokinin activity, and compounds 5b and 5h in a concentration of 50 μg/mL exhibited higher auxin activity than indoleacetic acid .
Effect of addition of statins to antiviral therapy in hepatitis C virus–infected persons: Results from ERCHIVES
Authors: Butt Adeel A. , Yan Peng , Bonilla Hector , Abou‐Samra Abdul‐Badi , Shaikh Obaid S. , Simon Tracey G. , Chung Raymond T. , Rogal Shari S. ,   for the ERCHIVES (Electronically Retrieved Cohort of HCV Infected Veterans) Study Team
Published: April 2015

3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) have been variably noted to affect hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment response, fibrosis progression, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence, with some having a more potent effect than others. We sought to determine the impact of adding statins to antiviral therapy upon sustained virological response (SVR) rates, fibrosis progression, and HCC development among HCV‐infected persons using the Electronically Retrieved Cohort of HCV Infected Veterans (ERCHIVES), an established, longitudinal, national cohort of HCV‐infected veterans. Within ERCHIVES, we identified those who received HCV treatment and a follow‐up of >24 months after treatment completion. We excluded those with human immunodeficiency virus coinfection, hepatitis B surface antigen positivity, cirrhosis, and HCC at baseline. Our main outcomes were liver fibrosis progression measured by FIB‐4 scores, SVR rates, and incident HCC (iHCC). Among 7,248 eligible subjects, 46% received statin therapy. Statin use was significantly associated with attaining SVR (39.2% vs. 33.3%; P < 0.01), decreased cirrhosis development (17.3% vs. 25.2%; P < 0.001), and decreased iHCC (1.2% vs. 2.6%; P < 0.01). Statins remained significantly associated with increased odds of SVR (odds ratio = 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.29, 1.61), but lower fibrosis progression rate, lower risk of progression to cirrhosis (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.56; 95% CI = −0.50, 0.63), and of incident HCC (HR = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.34, 0.76) after adjusting for other relevant clinical factors. Conclusions: Statin use was associated with improved virological response (VR) rates to antiviral therapy and decreased progression of liver fibrosis and incidence of HCC among a large cohort of HCV‐positive Veterans. These data support the use of statins in patients with HCV. (Hepatology 2015) Hepatology 2015;62:365–374
Sofosbuvir plus pegylated interferon and ribavirin in patients with genotype 1 hepatitis C virus in whom previous therapy with direct‐acting antivirals has failed
Authors: Pol Stanislas , Sulkowski Mark S. , Hassanein Tarek , Gane Edward J. , Liu Lin , Mo Hongmei , Doehle Brian , Kanwar Bittoo , Brainard Diana , Subramanian G. Mani , Symonds William T. , McHutchison John G. , Nahass Ronald G. , Bennett Michael , Jacobson Ira M.
Published: April 2015

Retreatment of patients who have not achieved sustained virological response (SVR) after treatment with investigational direct‐acting antiviral agents (DAAs) has not been extensively studied. We conducted an open‐label trial to assess the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir (SOF) plus pegylated interferon (Peg‐IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) in patients with genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) who participated in previous studies of one or more Gilead investigational DAAs in combination with RBV with or without Peg‐IFN. We enrolled 80 patients at 40 sites. All patients received SOF 400 mg once daily plus Peg‐IFN‐α 180 μg/week and weight‐based ribavirin (1,000 or 1,200 mg/day) for 12 weeks. The efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients with SVR 12 weeks after discontinuation of therapy (SVR12). Of the 80 patients enrolled, 36 (45%) had received two or more courses of earlier treatment for HCV and 74 (93%) had at least one resistance‐associated variant (RAV) at baseline. SVR12 was achieved by 63 of the 80 patients (79%) treated. Rates of SVR12 were similar across patient subgroups. Presence of RAVs at baseline did not appear to be associated with treatment failure. Seventy‐one of eighty patients (89%) experienced at least one adverse event (AE), but most events were mild to moderate in severity. The most common AEs were fatigue, headache, and nausea. No patients discontinued all treatment because of AEs. Conclusion: These findings suggest that SOF plus Peg‐IFN and RBV for 12 weeks is effective and safe in patients who have not achieved SVR with earlier regimens of one or more DAAs plus Peg‐IFN and RBV. (Hepatology 2015;62:129‐134)