bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomewide Comprehensive Analysis Reveals Critical Cooperation Between Smad and c-Fos in RANKL-Induced Osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Omata Yasunori , Yasui Tetsuro , Hirose Jun , Izawa Naohiro , Imai Yuuki , Matsumoto Takumi , Masuda Hironari , Tokuyama Naoto , Nakamura Shinya , Tsutsumi Shuichi , Yasuda Hisataka , Okamoto Kazuo , Takayanagi Hiroshi , Hikita Atsuhiko , Imamura Takeshi , Matsuo Koichi , Saito Taku , Kadono Yuho , Aburatani Hiroyuki , Tanaka Sakae
Published: November 2014

We have previously reported that transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) plays an essential role in receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis. However, the detailed underlying molecular mechanisms still remain unclear. Formaldehyde-assisted isolation of regulatory elements (FAIRE) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) followed by sequencing (FAIRE-seq and ChIP-seq) analyses indicated the cooperation of Smad2/3 with c-Fos during osteoclastogenesis. Biochemical analysis and immunocytochemical analysis revealed that physical interaction between Smad2/3 and c-Fos is required for their nuclear translocation. The gene expression of nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (Nfatc1), a key regulator of osteoclastogenesis, was regulated by RANKL and TGF-β, and c-Fos binding to open chromatin sites was suppressed by inhibition of TGF-β signaling by SB431542. Conversely, Smad2/3 binding to Nfatc1 was impaired by c-Fos deficiency. These results suggest that TGF-β regulates RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis through reciprocal cooperation between Smad2/3 and c-Fos. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Pathophysiological Role of Vascular Smooth Muscle Alkaline Phosphatase in Medial Artery Calcification
Authors: Sheen Campbell R , Kuss Pia , Narisawa Sonoko , Yadav Manisha C , Nigro Jessica , Wang Wei , Chhea T Nicole , Sergienko Eduard A , Kapoor Kapil , Jackson Michael R , Hoylaerts Marc F , Pinkerton Anthony B , O'Neill W Charles , Millán José Luis
Published: November 2014

Medial vascular calcification (MVC) is a pathological phenomenon that causes vascular stiffening and can lead to heart failure; it is common to a variety of conditions, including aging, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, obesity, and a variety of rare genetic diseases. These conditions share the common feature of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) upregulation in the vasculature. To evaluate the role of TNAP in MVC, we developed a mouse model that overexpresses human TNAP in vascular smooth muscle cells in an X-linked manner. Hemizygous overexpressor male mice (Tagln-Cre+/–; HprtALPL/Y or TNAP-OE) show extensive vascular calcification, high blood pressure, and cardiac hypertrophy, and have a median age of death of 44 days, whereas the cardiovascular phenotype is much less pronounced and life expectancy is longer in heterozygous (Tagln-Cre+/–; HprtALPL/−) female TNAP-OE mice. Gene expression analysis showed upregulation of osteoblast and chondrocyte markers and decreased expression of vascular smooth muscle markers in the aortas of TNAP-OE mice. Through medicinal chemistry efforts, we developed inhibitors of TNAP with drug-like pharmacokinetic characteristics. TNAP-OE mice were treated with the prototypical TNAP inhibitor SBI-425 or vehicle to evaluate the feasibility of TNAP inhibition in vivo. Treatment with this inhibitor significantly reduced aortic calcification and cardiac hypertrophy, and extended lifespan over vehicle-treated controls, in the absence of secondary effects on the skeleton. This study shows that TNAP in the vasculature contributes to the pathology of MVC and that it is a druggable target. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
An Examination of the Personality Constructs Underlying Dimensions of Creative Problem‐Solving Style
Authors: Isaksen Scott G. , Kaufmann Astrid H. , Bakken Bjørn T.
Published: November 2014

This study investigated the personality facets that underpin the construct of problem‐solving style, particularly when approaching more creative kinds of problem‐solving. Cattell's Sixteen Personality Factors Questionnaire and VIEW—An Assessment of Problem Solving Style were administered to 165 students from the Norwegian Business School. We explored relationships through correlational and regression analysis. Personality profiles were derived for each of VIEW's three dimensions and were in generally expected directions. Those with an Explorer preference were more imaginative and idea oriented, open to change, unconventional, freethinking, and flexible than Developers. Those with a Developer preference were more practical and solution oriented, more traditional, rule conscious, conservative, and respecting of traditional ideas. Those with an External preference were more group oriented, affiliative, socially bold, warm, and attentive to others than those with an Internal preference. Those with a more Task‐oriented preference were more impersonal, detached, utilitarian, and tough minded than those with Person‐oriented preference. We outlined implications and suggestions for further research.
Phenolic content, physical and sensory properties of breads made with different types of barley wort
Authors: Baiano Antonietta , Viggiani Ilaria , Terracone Carmela , Romaniello Roberto , Del Nobile Matteo Alessandro
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUND

Barley wort, an intermediate product of beer brewing, is rich in phenolic compounds. The aim of this work was to evaluate the possibility of increasing the antioxidant content of bread by replacing water with three types of wort: two of them withdrawn at the end of the mashing operation during the production of a Pilsner and a Double Malt Pilsner beer respectively; the other collected at an intermediate stage of mashing of the Pilsner beer. The chemical, physical and sensory properties of the wort‐added breads were compared with those of a control bread.

RESULTS

All three worts led to increased phenolic content, volume and specific volume of the breads and induced significant changes in 11 of 23 sensory descriptors. The highest phenolic contents were detected in breads made either with the Pilsner wort withdrawn at an intermediate stage of mashing or with the Double Malt Pilsner wort. The former also gave the highest increase in volume and specific volume but significantly reduced the scores for crunchiness, firmness and cohesiveness. The latter led to lower increases in volume and specific volume, but less significant changes in the sensory properties were associated with its use.

CONCLUSION

Worts can be conveniently used to increase the antioxidant content of bread. However, different types of wort can modify to different extents the physical and sensory properties of the product.© 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Physicochemical and crystalline properties of heat–moisture‐treated rice starch: combined effects of moisture and duration of heating
Authors: Kong Xiangli , Qiu Dan , Ye Xiaoting , Bao Jinsong , Sui Zhongquan , Fan Jiewei , Xiang Wenzhou
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND

Currently there is much interest in the application of physical modification techniques such as heat–moisture treatment (HMT). The effects of HMT on normal and waxy rice starches, subject to different levels of moisture content and duration of heating, were investigated.

RESULTS

Water solubility index (determined at 90 °C) decreased after HMT for normal and waxy rice starches, while swelling power (determined at 90 °C) showed inconsistent results (decrease for normal type, increase for waxy type) after HMT. Values in pasting parameters of normal and waxy rice starch increased initially, but the extent of increase slowed down with moisture content and length of treatment increasing. HMT decreased gelatinization temperatures with 4 h and 8 h treatment, but when length of treatment was prolonged to 16 h gelatinization temperature increased. Degree of crystallinity decreased for all treatments, and decreased much more at higher levels of moisture content.

CONCLUSION

Variations in levels of moisture content and duration of heating had significant effects on physicochemical and crystalline properties to different extents. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Maintaining functional properties of shell eggs by ultrasound treatment
Authors: Caner Cengiz , Yuceer Muhammed
Published: November 2014

BACKROUND

Ultrasonic treatment is an emerging technique that could be an alternative to existing thermal processing techniques in foods. Ultrasonic treatments may also be used to extend the shelf life of egg during storage period in ambient temperature. The effectiveness of ultrasound treatment with different power levels (200 W, 300 W, 450 W) and treatment times (2 min and 5 min) was evaluated for enhancing the functional properties of eggs during storage at 24 ° C for 6 weeks.

RESULTS

Ultrasound treatment power and treatment time had significant effects on Haugh unit, yolk index, albumen pH, dry matter, relative whipping capacity, and albumen viscosity resulting in extended shelf life. Attributes such as yolk index, Haugh unit, pH, whipping capacity, dry matter for 300 W and 450 W treatments were better than control and 200 W treatments. Longer treatment time and power showed a significant influence on functional properties.

CONCLUSION

Power levels of 300 W and 450 W of ultrasound treatments had improved internal quality of fresh eggs during storage, but negative effect on shell strength. The study showed that ultrasound treatment could be an alternative and effective technique for maintaining the internal qualities of fresh eggs during long‐term storage while Fourier transform near infrared spectroscopy could be used as a new tool for the assessment of freshness. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
On the applicability of the Stern–Geary relationship to determine instantaneous corrosion rates in macro‐cell corrosion
Authors: Angst U. , Büchler M.
Published: November 2014

The well‐known Stern–Geary equation was derived on the basis of the theory by Wagner and Traud and relies on the so‐called mixed potential of an electrode subject to uniform corrosion. Nevertheless, it is common practice to apply the linear polarization method to determine instantaneous corrosion rates in situations of galvanic corrosion. In the present work, the applicability of the Stern–Geary equation to galvanic corrosion was in detail discussed both with help of theoretical considerations and experimental measurements. The primary reason why the application of the Stern–Geary equation to galvanic corrosion is fundamentally incorrect is the fact that a well‐defined mixed potential does for galvanic elements not exist. In this work, equations were derived that allow a correct calculation of the corrosion rate for galvanic cells. However, the required variables can, in usual practical situations, not be measured. Application of the Stern–Geary equation to galvanic cells is in the literature claimed (or assumed) to yield adequate results. An explanation for this apparent applicability was identified in the fact that two major errors have a compensating effect so that they tend to cancel each other out. The extent to which this is possible depends strongly on the actual conditions such as the geometry of the galvanic cell as well as on the position of the counter and the reference electrode (RE). Nevertheless, since this apparent applicability is owing to specific conditions rather than a fundamental applicability of the method, further research is clearly needed to characterize these conditions and their limits in detail.
Identification of a novel nemaline myopathy‐Causing mutation in the troponin T1 (TNNT1) gene: A case outside of the old order amish
Authors: Marra Jonathan D. , Engelstad Kristin E. , Ankala Arunkanth , Tanji Kurenai , Dastgir Jahannaz , De Vivo Darryl C. , Coffee Bradford , Chiriboga Claudia A.
Published: November 2014

Introduction: Nemaline myopathy (NM) is a congenital neuromuscular disorder often characterized by hypotonia, facial weakness, skeletal muscle weakness, and the presence of rods on muscle biopsy. A rare form of nemaline myopathy known as Amish Nemaline Myopathy has only been seen in a genetically isolated cohort of Old Order Amish patients who may additionally present with tremors in the first 2–3 months of life. Methods: We describe an Hispanic male diagnosed with nemaline myopathy histopathologically and subsequently confirmed by next generation gene sequencing. Results: Direct sequencing revealed that he is homozygous for a pathogenic nonsense variant c.323C>G (p.S108X) in exon 9 of the TNNT1 gene. Conclusions: This report describes a novel pathogenic variant in the TNNT1 gene and represents a nemaline myopathy‐causing variant in the TNNT1 gene outside of the Old Order Amish and Dutch ancestry. Muscle Nerve 51:767–772, 2015
Sorting common operations to minimize the number of tardy jobs
Authors: Arbib Claudio , Servilio Mara , Felici Giovanni , Servilio Mara
Published: November 2014

We study an operation scheduling problem where a finite set of jobs with due dates must be completed by one machine: each job is completed as soon as a specific subset of unit operations is done. Distinct jobs may share operations, and when an operation is done, it is done for all the jobs that share it. The goal is to schedule operations so that the (weighted) number of tardy jobs is minimized. We reformulate the problem as maximum stable set problem on a special graph and study its structure. Valid inequalities and optimality cuts are derived, separated, and tested in a computational experience that identifies some features of hard instances and the potential contribution of the addition, at root, of various cut classes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 64(4), 306–320 2014
The relocation problem for the one‐way electric vehicle sharing
Authors: Bruglieri Maurizio , Colorni Alberto , Luè Alessandro
Published: November 2014

Traditional car sharing services have been based on the two‐way scheme, where the user picks up and returns the vehicle at the same parking station. Some innovative services permit also one‐way trips, that is, the user is allowed to return the vehicle in another station. The one‐way scheme is more attractive for the users, but may lead to an unbalance between the user demand, and the availability of vehicles or free lots at the stations. In such cases, the service provider could reallocate the fleet and restore a better distribution of the vehicles among the stations. In the case of electric car sharing, such a problem is more complex because the travel range depends on the level of the battery charge. This article presents a new approach for the relocation of electric vehicles (EVs), carried out by the staff of the service provider to keep the system balanced. Such an approach generates a challenging Paired Pickup and Delivery Problem with Time Windows with new features that to the best of our knowledge have never been considered in the literature. We call such a problem the EV relocation problem (EVRP). We yield a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) formulation of the EVRP and some techniques to speedup its solution through a state‐of‐the‐art solver (CPLEX). Moreover, we develop a simple but effective heuristic based on such a formulation and four upper bound generation methods. We test the performances of both the MILP formulation and the heuristic on instances built on the Milan road network. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 64(4), 292–305 2014
Formation of a large‐scale shish‐kebab structure of polyoxymethylene in the melt spinning and the crystalline morphology evolution after hot stretching
Authors: Li Lin , Zhou Tao , Liu Jianzhong , Ran Qianping , Ye Guangdou , Zhang Jihai , Liu Pengqing , Zhang Aiming , Yang Zhiqian , Xu Degen , Liu Jiaping
Published: November 2014

Polyoxymethylene (POM) fiber was produced by melt spinning with a high take‐up speed, which imposed a strong flow field. An unexpected formation of a shish‐kebab morphology with multiple shish of POM fibers was reported for the first time. This morphology is a large‐scale shish kebab with a diameter of 10.5 µm. Further orientation of the POM fiber was obtained by hot stretching twice at 160°C. Two crystalline morphology evolution processes were also observed: (i) the process from the large‐scale shish‐kebab to the deformed small shish‐kebab and (ii) the process from the deformed small shish‐kebab to the perfect whiskers. Compared with the melt spinning fiber, fiber tensile strength with first and second hot stretching increased by 976% and 1705%, respectively. The crystalline melting behavior of fibers significantly changes after the first and second hot stretching. The flow field induces a large number of extended chain crystals. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development and Validation of Liquid Chromatography Combined with Tandem Mass Spectrometry Methods for the Quantitation of Simalikalactone E in Extracts of Quassia amara L. and in Mouse Blood
Authors: Le Hong Luyen , Jullian Valérie , Claparols Catherine , Vansteelandt Marieke , Haddad Mohamed , Cabou Cendrine , Deharo Eric , Fabre Nicolas
Published: November 2014

Introduction

Simalikalactone E (SkE) from Quassia amara, has been proved to be a valuable anti‐malarial and anti‐cancer compound. As SkE is very scarce, methods of quantitation are needed in order to optimise its isolation process and to determine pharmacokinetic data.

Objective

To validate methods using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry for the quantitation of SkE in plant extracts and in biological fluids.

Methods

High‐ and ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled to ion trap mass spectrometry (MS) with single ion monitoring detection and to triple quadrupole‐linear ion trap tandem mass spectrometry with multiple reaction monitoring detection methods were developed. Validation procedure was realised according to the International Conference on Harmonisation guideline. Methanol extracts of dried Quassia amara leaves, and mouse‐blood samples obtained after various routes of administration, were analysed for SkE.

Results

Methods were validated and gave similar results regarding the content of SkE expressed per kilogram of dry leaves in the traditional decoction (160 ± 12 mg/kg) and in the methanol extract (93 ± 2 mg/kg). The recovery of the analyte from mouse blood ranged from 80.7 to 119.8%. Simalikalactone E was only detected using UHPLC–MS/MS (0.2 ± 0.03 mg/L) in mouse blood after intravenous injection: none was detected following intraperitoneal or oral gavage administration of SkE.

Conclusion

The LC–MS methods were used for the quantitation of SkE in plant extracts and in mouse blood. These methods open the way for further protocol optimisation of SkE extraction and the determination of its pharmacokinetic data. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Muscarinic M1 receptor and cannabinoid CB1 receptor do not modulate paraoxon‐induced seizures
Authors: Kow Rebecca L. , Cheng Eugene M. , Jiang Kelly , Le Joshua H. , Stella Nephi , Nathanson Neil M.
Published: December 2014

One of the major signs of severe organophosphate poisoning is seizures. Previous studies have shown that both muscarinic agonist‐ and organophosphate‐induced seizures require activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the central nervous system. Seizures induced by the muscarinic agonist pilocarpine require the M1 receptor and are modulated by cannabinoid CB1 receptors. In this study, we determined whether M1 and CB1 receptors also regulated seizures induced by the organophosphate paraoxon. We found no differences in seizures induced by paraoxon in wild‐type (WT) and M1 knockout (KO) mice, indicating that in contrast to pilocarpine seizures, M1 receptors are not required for paraoxon seizures. Furthermore, we found that pilocarpine administration resulted in seizure‐independent activation of ERK in the hippocampus in a M1 receptor‐dependent manner, while paraoxon did not induce seizure‐independent activation of ERK in the mouse hippocampus. This shows that pilocarpine and paraoxon activated M1 receptors in the hippocampus to different extents. There were no differences in seizures induced by paraoxon in WT and CB1 KO mice, and neither CB1 agonist nor antagonist administration had significant effects on paraoxon seizures, indicating that, in contrast to pilocarpine seizures, paraoxon seizures are not modulated by CB1 receptors. These results demonstrate that there are fundamental molecular differences in the regulation of seizures induced by pilocarpine and paraoxon.
Development of methodology for the determination of carbon isotope ratios using gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry and applications in the biodegradation of phenolic brominated flame retardants and their degradation products
Authors: Xiong Jukun , Li Guiying , An Taicheng
Published: December 2014

RATIONALE

Compound‐specific stable carbon isotope analysis of phenolic brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and bisphenol A (BPA) has proven informative to discriminate their source and fate apportionment in the environment. However, because these compounds contain highly polar functional groups and exist as complex mixtures in environment matrices, derivatization is a necessary step, which adds additional non‐analyte carbon atoms for analyses and may alter the original stable carbon isotope ratio. It is, therefore, imperative to gain an insight into the relationship between the δ13C values of the BFRs and BPA derivatives and those of underivatized BFRs and BPA.

METHODS

The δ13C values of BFRs and BPA N,O‐bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) derivatives were measured by gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS). The δ13C values of the BSTFA reagent and the standard underivatized BFRs and BPA were determined using elemental analyzer/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA/IRMS). The experimentally obtained δ13C values for BFRs and BPA derivatives were then compared with the theoretically calculated values.

RESULTS

The derivatization process introduces no isotopic fractionation for BFRs and BPA (the average difference between the theoretically calculated and experimentally obtained δ13C values was 0.06 ± 0.15‰, within the precision limits of the GC/C/IRMS measurements). Therefore, the δ13C values for the original underivatized BFRs and BPA were computed through a mass balance equation.

CONCLUSIONS

This work offers a novel tool to research the biotic or abiotic transformation processes of BFRs and BPA in the environment and will offer a perspective for the identification of the environmental source and fate of these organic compounds. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Urine analysis concerning xenon for doping control purposes
Authors: Thevis Mario , Piper Thomas , Geyer Hans , Schaefer Maximilian S. , Schneemann Julia , Kienbaum Peter , Schänzer Wilhelm
Published: December 2014

RATIONALE

On September 1st 2014, a modified Prohibited List as established by the World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA) became effective featuring xenon as a banned substance categorized as hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF) activator. Consequently, the analysis of xenon from commonly provided doping control specimens such as blood and urine is desirable, and first data on the determination of xenon from urine in the context of human sports drug testing, are presented.

METHODS

In accordance to earlier studies utilizing plasma as doping control matrix, urine was enriched to saturation with xenon, sequentially diluted, and the target analyte was detected as supported by the internal standard d6‐cyclohexanone by means of gas chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) using headspace injection. Three major xenon isotopes at m/z 128.9, 130.9 and 131.9 were targeted in (pseudo) selected reaction monitoring mode enabling the unambiguous identification of the prohibited substance. Assay characteristics including limit of detection (LOD), intraday/interday precision, and specificity as well as analyte recovery under different storage conditions were determined. Proof‐of‐concept data were generated by applying the established method to urine samples collected from five patients before, during and after (up to 48 h) xenon‐based general anesthesia.

RESULTS

Xenon was traceable in enriched human urine samples down to the detection limit of approximately 0.5 nmol/mL. The intraday and interday imprecision values of the method were found below 25%, and specificity was demonstrated by analyzing 20 different blank urine samples that corroborated the fitness‐for‐purpose of the analytical approach to unequivocally detect xenon at non‐physiological concentrations in human urine. The patients' urine specimens returned 'xenon‐positive' test results up to 40 h post‐anesthesia, indicating the limits of the expected doping control detection window.

CONCLUSIONS

Since xenon has been considered a prohibited substance according to WADA regulations in September 2014, its analysis from common specimens of routine sports drug testing is desirable. In previous studies, its traceability in whole blood and plasma was shown, and herein a complementary approach utilizing doping control urine samples for the GC/MS/MS analysis of xenon was reported. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gas‐phase reactions of alcohols with hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD) under atmospheric pressure chemical ionization conditions
Authors: Colizza Kevin , Porter Matthew , Smith James L. , Oxley Jimmie C.
Published: December 2014

RATIONALE

Hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD) is a sensitive peroxide explosive first synthesized in 1885. HMTD exhibits an unusual gas‐phase phenomenon in the presence of alcohols that has been previously observed, but incorrectly resolved. We are attempting to determine this specific mechanism.

METHODS

We used positive ion mode atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) as the interface to the mass spectrometer. HMTD was infused with various solvents including 18O‐ and 2H‐labeled methanol in order to determine gas‐phase reaction mechanisms.

RESULTS

Based on these labeled experiments, it was determined that, under APCI conditions, the alcohol oxygen attacks a methylene carbon of HMTD and releases H2O2. This was attempted with nine different alcohols and, in each case, the alcohol is fully incorporated into the molecule with the peroxide release. A mechanism for this reaction has been proposed.

CONCLUSIONS

This work appears to have confirmed the gas‐phase reaction mechanism of HMTD with alcohols. As we continue efforts to characterize this unusual molecule, the information may prove useful in determining formation and degradation mechanism(s). In addition, this property of HMTD may find use in other fields of science. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coordination control of multiple Euler–Lagrange systems for escorting mission
Authors: Zhou Ning , Xia Yuanqing
Published: November 2014

In this paper, a motion control problem of multi‐agent systems for escorting a target is investigated by employing nonsingular fast terminal sliding mode control and adaptive control associated with kinematic control. The proposed control law is robust to model uncertainty and disturbances, and it guarantees all the agents to scatter around the target evenly and escort it with a fixed distance while avoiding obstacles (or collisions) in p‐dimensional case (
is a positive integer). Finite‐time convergence of the position errors and velocity errors is proved rigorously by a Lyapunov‐based approach and finite‐time control techniques. Simulation results in both two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional space are provided to illustrate the effectiveness and high‐precision performance of the control algorithm compared with the traditional adaptive sliding mode control, showing that all the agents can move into suitable positions on the surface of the sphere in the escort mission, and the formation can be reconfigured automatically when the obstacle (or collision) avoidance task is active. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meta‐analysis of absolute mean differences from randomised trials with treatment‐related clustering associated with care providers
Authors: Walwyn Rebecca , Roberts Chris
Published: December 2014

Nesting of patients within care providers in trials of physical and talking therapies creates an additional level within the design. The statistical implications of this are analogous to those of cluster randomised trials, except that the clustering effect may interact with treatment and can be restricted to one or more of the arms. The statistical model that is recommended at the trial level includes a random effect for the care provider but allows the provider and patient level variances to differ across arms. Evidence suggests that, while potentially important, such within‐trial clustering effects have rarely been taken into account in trials and do not appear to have been considered in meta‐analyses of these trials. This paper describes summary measures and individual‐patient‐data methods for meta‐analysing absolute mean differences from randomised trials with two‐level nested clustering effects, contrasting fixed and random effects meta‐analysis models. It extends methods for incorporating trials with unequal variances and homogeneous clustering to allow for between‐arm and between‐trial heterogeneity in intra‐class correlation coefficient estimates. The work is motivated by a meta‐analysis of trials of counselling in primary care, where the control is no counselling and the outcome is the Beck Depression Inventory. Assuming equal counsellor intra‐class correlation coefficients across trials, the recommended random‐effects heteroscedastic model gave a pooled absolute mean difference of −2.53 (95% CI −5.33 to 0.27) using summary measures and −2.51 (95% CI −5.35 to 0.33) with the individual‐patient‐data. Pooled estimates were consistently below a minimally important clinical difference of four to five points on the Beck Depression Inventory. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outage performance of cognitive AF relay networks with direct link and heterogeneous non‐identical constraints
Authors: Gao Zhenguo , Chen Danjie , Zhang Kaichen , Zhang Wei , Li Yibing
Published: November 2014

Although there have been many interesting works on outage performance analysis of cognitive AF relay networks, we have not found works taking into consideration all the following issues: multiple primary users (PUs), the existence of the direct link from secondary user (SU) source to SU destination, non‐identical, independent Rayleigh‐fading channels, non‐identical interference power limits of PUs, and non‐identical noise powers in signals. Additionally, in outage performance analysis for such networks, the correlation issue, which results from the channel gain of interference links from the SU nodes to the PU, requires elaborate treatments. Hence, analyzing outage performance of non‐identical‐parameter networks (where all channels are fully non‐identical Rayleigh‐fading channels, the PUs have different interference power limits, and received signals have different noise powers) from the beginning is highly complicated. To overcome this problem, we conduct the analysis in two steps. In the first step, expressions of both exact and asymptotic outage probability of identical‐parameter cognitive AF relay networks (where all channels are fully non‐identical Rayleigh‐fading channels but all other parameters are identical) are obtained. Then in the second step, we propose a method for transforming a network with all non‐identical parameters into a new identical‐parameter network, meanwhile guaranteeing that outage performance of the two networks before and after the transformation are the same. Hence, OP of the original non‐identical‐parameter network can be obtained indirectly by using the analysis results obtained in the first step. Our analysis results are validated through numerical simulations. The effects of the number of PUs and the diversity level of channel parameters (which means the range of the channel parameter values) are also inspected by simulations. The results show that taking these factors into consideration is of key importance in obtaining a more accurate estimation of outage performance of such networks. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correct electrostatic treatment of noncovalent interactions: the importance of polarization
Authors: Clark Timothy , Politzer Peter , Murray Jane S.
Published: December 2014

The Hellmann–Feynman theorem assures us that the forces felt by the nuclei in a molecule or complex are purely classically electrostatic. Nevertheless, it is often claimed (incorrectly) that electrostatic considerations are not sufficient to explain noncovalent interactions. Such assertions arise largely from neglecting the polarization that is inherently part of the electrostatic interaction, and must be taken into account. Accordingly, we now outline the requirements for a correct electrostatic treatment and discuss the difference between physical observables and quantities that arise from mathematical models. Polarization and donor–acceptor charge transfer are shown to be equivalent for weak interactions. However, polarization is a physical observable while charge transfer, in this context, is mathematical modelling. We also discuss some popular schemes for analyzing noncovalent interactions.WIREs Comput Mol Sci2015, 5:169–177. doi: 10.1002/wcms.1210

This article is categorized under:

Electronic Structure Theory > Ab Initio Electronic Structure Methods

Electronic Structure Theory > Density Functional Theory

Molecular and Statistical Mechanics > Molecular Interactions
Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Magnetic Properties of Two Cyanide‐Bridged Bimetallic Magnetic Chains based on Octacyanomolybdate(V) and Lanthanide(III)
Authors: Xu Xiao‐Juan , Zhou Rong‐Rong , Wang Jun , Li Le , Tao Jian‐Qian
Published: December 2014

Two one‐dimensional cyano‐bridged coordination polymers [Ln(tmphen)2(DMF)2Mo(CN)8]∞ [Ln = Eu (1) and Gd (2), tmphen = 3,4,7,8‐ tetramethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline, DMF = N,N‐dimethylformamide] were synthesized and characterized. The structural determination reveals that complexes 1 and 2 consist of 1D chains, in which [LnIII(tmphen)2(DMF)2]3+ and [MoV(CN)8]3– ions are linked in an alternating fashion. Furthermore, two adjacent 1D chain are linked by π–π interaction between the benzene and pyridine rings to form a two‐dimensional layer. Magnetic investigations show that the antiferromagnetic interaction exists in 2.
Molybdenum L‐Edge XAS Spectra of MoFe Nitrogenase
Authors: Bjornsson Ragnar , Delgado‐Jaime Mario U. , Lima Frederico A. , Sippel Daniel , Schlesier Julia , Weyhermüller Thomas , Einsle Oliver , Neese Frank , DeBeer Serena
Published: November 2014

A molybdenum L‐edge X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) study is presented for native and oxidized MoFe protein of nitrogenase as well as Mo‐Fe model compounds. Recently collected data on MoFe protein (in oxidized and reduced forms) is compared to previously published Mo XAS data on the isolated FeMo cofactor in NMF solution and put in context of the recent Mo K‐edge XAS study, which showed a MoIII assignment for the molybdenum atom in FeMoco. The L3‐edge data are interpreted within a simple ligand‐field model, from which a time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) approach is proposed as a way to provide further insights into the analysis of the molybdenum L3‐edges. The calculated results reproduce well the relative spectral trends that are observed experimentally. Ultimately, these results give further support for the MoIII assignment in protein‐bound FeMoco, as well as isolated FeMoco.
Minimal modifications to the Tri-Bimaximal neutrino mixing
Authors: Zhao Zhen-hua
Published: December 2014

Abstract

In light of the observation of a relatively large θ
13, the ever popular Tri-Bimaximal (TBM) neutrino mixing which predicts a vanishing θ
13 needs modifications. In this paper, we shall discuss the possibility of modifying it in a minimal way to fulfil this task. In the first part, a neutrino mass matrix with three independent parameters, which leads to the TM2 mixing, is obtained by analogy with that for the TBM mixing. In the second part, a model that can realize the TM2 mixing is constructed with flavor symmetries A
4 × U(1) × Z
2 × Z
2 × Z
2. It is the variant of a model that gives the TBM mixing, with only one more flavon field included. Furthermore, the imaginary vacuum expectation value (VEV) of this flavon breaks the imposed CP symmetry and results in θ
23 = 45° and the maximal CP violation. Besides, this model building approach can be generalized to the TM1 mixing in a straightforward way.
How’s the Weather? Relationship Between Weather and Trauma Admissions at a Level I Trauma Center
Authors: Ho Vanessa P. , Towe Christopher W. , Chan Jeffrey , Barie Philip S.
Published: December 2014

Background

It is believed commonly that the rate of trauma admissions is affected by weather, particularly temperature.

Objective

We hypothesized that there are significant relationships between temperature and trauma admission rates.

Materials and methods

Trauma admission data (moderate‐to‐severe injuries as reported to the NY State Department of Health) from a Level I Trauma Center in Queens, NY were linked with archived hourly weather service data for John F. Kennedy International Airport (4.8 miles distant) from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for the period January 2000–December 2009. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) of trauma admissions was analyzed by Poisson regression as a function of temperature (per 10 °F as well as other weather parameters); night shift, day of week, and month were added to the model as control variables.

Results

There were 9,490 reportable admissions over 87,144 h, (average 0.109 admissions/h). By mechanism, 7,157 (75.4 %) were blunt and 1,967 (20.7 %) were penetrating; the remainder were burns, ingestions, or unknown. By Poisson regression analysis, temperature was significantly associated with trauma admissions [IRR 1.19, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.16–1.22], and had a stronger association with penetrating trauma (IRR 1.24, 95 % CI 1.17–1.31). Precipitation, overcast sky, and snow depth were negatively associated with trauma admissions overall, but these did not reach significance for the penetrating subgroup.

Conclusions

Trauma admission rate is significantly associated with temperature. Taking weather forecasts into account may be important for planning of care provision, staffing, and resource allocation in trauma units and emergency departments.
Distribution and habitat use by pine marten Martes martes in a riparian corridor crossing intensively cultivated lowlands
Authors: Balestrieri Alessandro , Remonti Luigi , Ruiz‐González Aritz , Zenato Michele , Gazzola Andrea , Vergara Maria , Dettori Ettore E. , Saino Nicola , Capelli Enrica , Gómez‐Moliner Benjamín J. , Guidali Franca , Prigioni Claudio
Published: December 2014

The location of pine marten records in northern Italy suggests that main rivers may play the role of natural corridors favouring this species’ colonisation of cultivated lowlands. We assessed the distribution and habitat use by the pine marten on a 35 km long stretch of the River Ticino. Surveys were carried out between October 2011 and June 2012 along linear transects in a 2 × 2 km grid. Using the variation in marking intensity as an indicator of habitat use, habitat selection was assessed at two landscape levels—at transect‐scale by the χ2 test with Bonferroni's confidence intervals for the proportion of use, and at grid‐scale by multiple linear regression. By a polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism method, 91 faecal samples were assigned to the pine marten. Faeces were mainly located in wooded areas, while fields were avoided. At the grid‐scale of analysis, marking intensity was positively related to the mean area of wooded patches and negatively to their mean perimeter‐area ratio. This suggests that pine marten relative abundance may partially depend on the degree of fragmentation and structure of residual woods. The survey protocol allowed to assess the probability of detection. Occupancy models outlined that heterogeneity in detection probability may arise as a result of variation in marking intensity, i.e. the number of marking individuals. Our results suggest that the availability of both woodland corridors and wood patches are major factors shaping pine marten distribution in intensively cultivated plains and that non‐invasive genetic surveys are a cost‐effective method for future studies at a broader scale.
Status of business model and electronic market research: An interview with Alexander Osterwalder
Authors: Alt Rainer , Zimmermann Hans-Dieter
Published: December 2014

This interview with Alexander Osterwalder provides a compelling view on how research on business models emerged and describes how business model thinking makes a difference in practice. It shows that business models are vital for systematically addressing and (re)designing the key strategic aspects of each business. It is based on Alexander Osterwalder’s doctoral work on business models which was published ten years ago as well as his experiences of making a business model around business models. Besides illustrating the argumentation with many examples the interview also raises the question of rigor and relevance for academic research.
Dietary Patterns, Genes, and Health: Challenges and Obstacles to be Overcome
Authors: Frazier-Wood Alexis C.
Published: December 2014

Several dietary approaches have been proposed to prevent the onset of chronic diseases. As yet, no single approach has emerged as having the most consistent health benefits. This arises, in part, due to the fact that diet influences health in the context of individual factors with genetic components. Therefore, the effects of diet on health may be dependent on an individual’s genetic background. At this time we lack robust evidence for the effects of interactions between genes and dietary patterns on health. To understand why, I will briefly review the most methodologically strong attempts to identify gene–diet interactions, which will illuminate how the challenges facing all of genetic research apply to the search for gene–diet interactions. Then I will discuss some ways in which these challenges are being addressed that offer hope for the future in which the best diet for an individual is identified based on their genetic variation.
Screening mental health problems during adolescence: Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire
Authors: Ortuño‐Sierra Javier , Fonseca‐Pedrero Eduardo , Paino Mercedes , Sastre i Riba Sylvia , Muñiz José
Published: November 2014

The main purpose of the present study was to test the psychometric properties of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), self‐reported version, in Spanish adolescents, introducing a five‐point Likert response scale. The sample consisted of 1474 adolescents with a mean age of 15.92 years (SD = 1.18). The level of internal consistency of the SDQ Total score was .75, ranging from .56 to .71 for the subscales. Results from exploratory factor analysis revealed a three‐factor structure as the most satisfactory. Confirmatory factor analyses showed that the five‐factor model (with modifications) displayed better goodness of‐fit indices than the other hypothetical dimensional models tested. Furthermore, strong measurement invariance by age and partial measurement invariance by gender was supported. The study of the psychometric properties confirms that the Spanish version of the SDQ, self‐reported form, is a useful tool for the screening of emotional and behavioural problems in adolescents.
Visualization of the radiofrequency lesion after pulmonary vein isolation using delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging fused with magnetic resonance angiography
Authors: Kiuchi Kunihiko , Okajima Katsunori , Shimane Akira , Yokoi Kiminobu , Teranishi Jin , Aoki Kousuke , Chimura Misato , Tsubata Hideo , Miyata Taishi , Matsuoka Yuuki , Toba Takayoshi , Ohishi Shogo , Sawada Takahiro , Tsukishiro Yasue , Onishi Tetsuari , Kobayashi Seiichi , Yamada Shinichiro , Taniguchi Yasuyo , Yasaka Yoshinori , Kawai Hiroya , Ikeuchi Kazushi , Shigenaga Yutaka , Ikeda Takayuki
Published: November 2014

Background

The radiofrequency (RF) lesions for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation can be visualized by delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DE‐MRI). However, the quality of anatomical information provided by DE‐MRI is not adequate due to its spatial resolution. In contrast, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) provides similar information regarding the left atrium (LA) and pulmonary veins (PVs) as computed tomography angiography. We hypothesized that DE‐MRI fused with MRA will compensate for the inadequate image quality provided by DE‐MRI.

Methods

DE‐MRI and MRA were performed in 18 patients who underwent AF ablation (age, 60±9 years; LA diameter, 42±6 mm). Two observers independently assessed the DE‐MRI and DE‐MRI fused with MRA for visualization of the RF lesion (score 0–2; where 0: not visualized and 2: excellent in all 14 segments of the circular RF lesion).

Results

DE‐MRI fused with MRA was successfully performed in all patients. The image quality score was significantly higher in DE‐MRI fused with MRA compared to DE‐MRI alone (observer 1: 22 (18, 25) vs 28 (28, 28), p<0.001; observer 2: 24 (23, 25) vs 28 (28, 28), p<0.001).

Conclusions

DE‐MRI fused with MRA was superior to DE‐MRI for visualization of the RF lesion owing to the precise information on LA and PV anatomy provided by DE‐MRI.
MiR‐Score: A novel 6‐microRNA signature that predicts survival outcomes in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Kirschner Michaela B. , Cheng Yuen Yee , Armstrong Nicola J. , Lin Ruby C.Y. , Kao Steven C. , Linton Anthony , Klebe Sonja , McCaughan Brian C. , van Zandwijk Nico , Reid Glen
Published: December 2014

Background

Prognosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is poor, and predicting the outcomes of treatment is difficult. Here we investigate the potential of microRNA expression to estimate prognosis of MPM patients.

Methods

Candidate microRNAs from microarray profiling of tumor samples from 8 long (median: 53.7 months) and 8 short (median: 6.4 months) survivors following extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) were validated by RT‐qPCR in 48 additional EPP samples. Kaplan–Meier log ranking was used to further explore the association between microRNA expression and overall survival (OS). Binary logistic regression was used to construct a microRNA signature (miR‐Score) that was able to predict an OS of ≥20 months. Performance of the miR‐Score was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and validated in a series of 43 tumor samples from patients who underwent palliative surgery [pleurectomy/decortication (P/D)].

Results

The miR‐Score, using expression data of six microRNAs (miR‐21‐5p, ‐23a‐3p, ‐30e‐5p, ‐221‐3p, ‐222‐3p, and ‐31‐5p), enabled prediction of long survival with an accuracy of 92.3% for EPP and 71.9% for palliative P/D. Hazard ratios for score‐negative patients were 4.12 (95% CI: 2.03–8.37) for EPP and 1.93 (95% CI: 1.01–3.69) for P/D. Importantly, adding the miR‐Score to a set of clinical selection criteria (histology, age, gender) increased predictive accuracy in the independent validation set from 76.3% for clinical factors only to 87.3%.

Conclusions

This study has identified a novel 6‐microRNA signature (miR‐Score) that can accurately predict prognosis of MPM patients.