bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing an effective 2-D urban flood inundation model for city emergency management based on cellular automata
Authors: Liu L. , Liu Y. , Wang X. , Yu D. , Liu K. , Huang H. , Hu G.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Flash floods have occurred frequently in the urban areas of southern China. An effective process-oriented urban flood inundation model is urgently needed for urban storm-water and emergency management. This study develops an efficient and flexible cellular automaton (CA) model to simulate storm-water runoff and the flood inundation process during extreme storm events. The process of infiltration, inlets discharge and flow dynamics can be simulated with little preprocessing on commonly available basic urban geographic data. In this model, a set of gravitational diverging rules are implemented to govern the water flow in a rectangular template of three cells by three cells of a raster layer. The model is calibrated by one storm event and validated by another in a small urban catchment in Guangzhou of southern China. The depth of accumulated water at the catchment outlet is interpreted from street-monitoring closed-circuit television (CCTV) videos and verified by on-site survey. A good level of agreement between the simulated process and the reality is reached for both storm events. The model reproduces the changing extent and depth of flooded areas at the catchment outlet with an accuracy of 4 cm in water depth. Comparisons with a physically based 2-D model (FloodMap) show that the model is capable of effectively simulating flow dynamics. The high computational efficiency of the CA model can meet the needs of city emergency management.
Stratigraphy of Lake Vida, Antarctica: hydrologic implications of 27 m of ice
Authors: Dugan H. A. , Doran P. T. , Wagner B. , Kenig F. , Fritsen C. H. , Arcone S. A. , Kuhn E. , Ostrom N. E. , Warnock J. P. , Murray A. E.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Lake Vida, located in Victoria Valley, is one of the largest lakes in the McMurdo dry valleys and is known to contain hypersaline liquid brine sealed below 16 m of freshwater ice. For the first time, Lake Vida was drilled to a depth of 27 m. Below 21 m the ice is marked by well-sorted sand layers up to 20 cm thick within a matrix of salty ice. From ice chemistry, isotopic composition of δ18O and δ2H, and ground penetrating radar profiles, we conclude that the entire 27 m of ice formed from surface runoff and the sediment layers represent the accumulation of surface deposits. Radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence dating limit the maximum age of the lower ice to 6300 14C yr BP. As the ice cover ablated downwards during periods of low surface inflow, progressive accumulation of sediment layers insulated and preserved the ice and brine beneath, analogous to the processes that preserve shallow ground ice. The repetition of these sediment layers reveals hydrologic variability in Victoria Valley during the mid- to late Holocene. Lake Vida is an exemplar site for understanding the preservation of subsurface brine, ice, and sediment in a cold desert environment.
Statistics of Langmuir wave amplitudes observed inside Saturn's foreshock by the Cassini spacecraft
Authors: Píša David , Hospodarsky George B. , Kurth William S. , Santolík Ondřej , Souček Jan , Gurnett Donald A. , Masters Adam , Hill Matthew E.
Published: March 2015

We present the first systematic study of Langmuir wave amplitudes in Saturn's foreshock using the Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Science/Wideband Receiver measurements. We analyzed all foreshock crossings from June 2004 to December 2009 using an automatic method to identify Langmuir waves. Using this method, almost 3 × 105 waveform intervals of typical duration of about a minute were selected. For each selected waveform interval the position of the satellite inside the foreshock was calculated using an adaptive bow shock model, which was parametrized by the observed magnetic field and plasma data. We determined the wave amplitudes for all waveform intervals, and we found that the probability density function amplitudes follow a lognormal distribution with a power law tail. A nonlinear fit for this tail gives a power law exponent of −1.37 ± 0.01. The distribution of amplitudes as a function of the depth in the foreshock shows the onset of the waves near the upstream boundary with its maximum slightly shifted inside the foreshock (∼1 RS). The amplitudes then fall off with increasing depth in the downstream region. Our results are in agreement with previous observations and roughly follow the generally accepted stochastic growth theory mechanism for the foreshock region, with an exception at the highest observed amplitudes. The estimated energy density ratio W for largest amplitudes does not exceed 10−2, suggesting that modulational instability is not relevant for a large majority of waves. The decay instability can be important for the stronger electrostatic waves in Saturn's foreshock, as was previously reported for multiple solar system planets.
Further evidence for a connection between auroral kilometric radiation and ground‐level signals measured in Antarctica
Authors: LaBelle J. , Yan X. , Broughton M. , Pasternak S. , Dombrowski M. , Anderson R. R. , Frey H. U. , Weatherwax A. T. , Ebihara Y.
Published: March 2015

Inspired by recent observations of three cases of coincident ground‐level auroral kilometric radiation (AKR)‐like signals and outgoing AKR measured with the Geotail satellite, investigation of 2008 data from four Antarctic observatories yields >30 additional examples. The occurrence rate peaks near 22 MLT similar to that of AKR. Polarization measurements of one event show it to be right‐hand polarized. Correlation analysis of ground‐level and satellite data suggests an imperfect correlation with 2–3 sigma significance, although occasionally much better. (Perfect correlation is not expected, for at least two reasons: distant satellites detect AKR from many sources over a significant part of the oval, and many effects can hinder transmission of AKR from those sources to either distant satellites or ground stations.) Statistical analysis of the existing quantity of data is therefore suggestive but does not prove a connection between the ground‐level AKR‐like signals and outgoing AKR. However, two other methods provide evidence favoring such a connection. The first full‐resolution measurements of ground‐level AKR‐like signals show that their fine structure strongly resembles that of AKR as known from high‐resolution spacecraft receivers. Two case studies show that the location of active aurora, presumed connected with the AKR sources, controls whether or not the ground station detects the AKR, or which of several ground stations detects it most strongly. These investigations strengthen the hypothesis that through some mechanism, sources of outgoing AKR detected by distant satellites occasionally generate signals detectable as whistler mode waves at low altitude or right‐hand polarized signals at ground level.
Wormhole formation and compact dissolution in single‐ and two‐phase CO2‐brine injections
Authors: Ott Holger , Oedai Sjaam
Published: March 2015

Injection of acids and CO2 into geologic formations leads to dissolution of soluble minerals comprising reservoirs rocks. This increases the uncertainty in predicting the security and injectivity of geologic CO2 storage. Here through time‐lapse computed tomography of injection experiments, we present the first dynamic data on wormhole formation and the fluid flow therein. We show that the dissolution during single‐phase flow produces wormholes, as found previously, but that two‐phase flow during CO2‐brine injection leads to compact dissolution. The latter is explained by CO2 preferentially occupying wormhole seeds, which prevents their growth as CO2 is less reactive than acidic brine. On the other hand, the wormhole seeds continue to grow under single‐phase flows with only acidic fluid. The results also suggest that initial Péclet and Damköhler numbers for the single‐phase flow process would fail to describe the dynamic process of whether compact or wormhole dissolution would ensue.
Elastomeric Electronic Skin for Prosthetic Tactile Sensation
Authors: Gerratt Aaron P. , Michaud Hadrien O. , Lacour Stéphanie P.
Published: March 2015

This report demonstrates a wearable elastomer‐based electronic skin including resistive sensors for monitoring finger articulation and capacitive tactile pressure sensors that register distributed pressure along the entire length of the finger. Pressure sensitivity in the order of 0.001 to 0.01 kPa−1 for pressures from 5 to 405 kPa, which includes much of the range of human physiological sensing, is achieved by implementing soft, compressible silicone foam as the dielectric and stretchable thin‐metal films. Integrating these sensors in a textile glove allows the decoupling of the strain and pressure cross‐sensitivity of the tactile sensors, enabling precise grasp analysis. The sensorized glove is implemented in a human‐in‐the‐loop system for controlling the grasp of objects, a critical step toward hand prosthesis with integrated sensing capabilities.
Solvent‐ and Transition Metal Catalyst‐Dependent Regioselectivity in the [3+2] Cyclocondensation of Trifluoromethyl‐α,β‐ynones with Hydrazines: Switchable Access to 3‐ and 5‐Trifluoromethylpyrazoles
Authors: Hsieh Min‐Tsang , Kuo Sheng‐Chu , Lin Hui‐Chang
Published: March 2015

The regioselectivity of the [3+2] cyclocondensation of trifluoromethyl‐α,β‐ynones with hydrazines can be readily tuned to preferentially afford either 3‐ or 5‐trifluoromethylpyrazoles through variation of the reaction conditions. Under catalysis with copper(II) acetate (2.0 mol%), cyclocondensation proceeded smoothly to yield 3‐trifluoromethylpyrazoles with high regioselectivity. In contrast, when the reaction was conducted in dimethyl sulfoxide under catalyst‐free conditions, the formation of 5‐trifluoromethylpyrazoles was predominantly observed.

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Enantioselective Sulfa‐Michael Addition to α,β‐Unsaturated γ‐Oxoesters Catalyzed by a Metal‐Templated Chiral Brønsted Base
Authors: Ding Xiaobing , Lin Huihua , Gong Lei , Meggers Eric
Published: March 2015

The enantioselective addition of aromatic thiols to α,β‐unsaturated γ‐oxoesters bearing an imidazole substituent in the δ position and catalyzed by an inert octahedral bis‐cyclometalated iridium(III) complex is reported. High enantioselectivity down to catalyst loadings of 0.05 mol % is achieved mediated by the formation of well‐arranged hydrogen bonds within the ligand sphere of the catalyst after the initial proton transfer. This work highlights the manifold opportunities provided by this metal‐templated design strategy in which the metal exerts a purely structural role whereas catalysis occurs through the organic ligand sphere (metal‐templated organocatalysis).
MLL Leukemia and Future Treatment Strategies
Authors: Marschalek Rolf
Published: March 2015

Chromosomal rearrangements of the MLL gene are associated with high‐risk infant, pediatric, adult, and therapy‐induced acute leukemias. So far, about 80 different direct MLL fusions and about 120 reciprocal MLL fusions have been characterized at the molecular level. The common theme in these leukemia‐associated genetic rearrangements is the genetic disruption of the MLL gene. This leads to MLL‐X fusion proteins that still bind to nuclear factors (e.g., MEN1, LEDGF), which in turn allow them to target promoters and cause ectopic gene transcription. In addition, the most frequent MLL fusions (MLL‐AF4, MLL‐AF9, MLL‐AF10, and MLL‐ENL) are all recruiting the wild‐type AF4 multiprotein complex that contains the target proteins P‐TEFb, BRD4, and DOT1L. Vice versa, reciprocal X‐MLL fusions exhibit a PHD domain (H3K4me3 reader domain), sequester the histone acetyltransferases CREBBP and MOF1 and bear a histone methyltransferase domain at their very C‐terminus (SET domain). Except for AF4‐MLL, the functional consequences deriving from reciprocal fusion proteins are not very well understood. However, based on our knowledge about the above‐mentioned MLL fusions, it is reasonable to inhibit their oncogenic activity in a targeted fashion. Recent efforts in developing such inhibitors and their mode of action will be critically discussed.
Cycloelimination of Imidazolidin‐2‐ylidene N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes: Mechanism and Insights into the Synthesis of Stable “NHC‐CDI” Amidinates
Authors: Zhukhovitskiy Aleksandr V. , Geng Julie , Johnson Jeremiah A.
Published: March 2015

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Jeremiah A. Johnson at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The image depicts the conversion of 1,3‐bis(aryl)imidazolidin‐2‐ylidenes to zwitterionic “NHC‐CDI” amidinates (NHC‐CDI = N‐heterocyclic carbene–carbodiimide). Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201500052.
Very low utility of surveillance imaging in early‐stage classic Hodgkin lymphoma treated with a combination of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine and radiation therapy
Authors: Gandikota Neetha , Hartridge‐Lambert Sidonie , Migliacci Jocelyn C. , Yahalom Joachim , Portlock Carol S. , Schöder Heiko
Published: March 2015

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated the need for surveillance imaging in early‐stage classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) after planned combined‐modality therapy (CMT).

METHODS

Primary early‐stage cHL patients who underwent CMT were included. Positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT), CT, or both were performed at the initial staging, during or after chemotherapy, and for at least 2 years during follow‐up. Imaging studies and medical records were reviewed to determine if and when relapse had occurred. Radiation doses and costs were also calculated from follow‐up imaging.

RESULTS

The study included 78 patients with a median follow‐up of 46 months; 85% of the patients had stage II disease (32% with bulky disease). Four of 77 interim PET scans were positive; none of these patients relapsed during follow‐up, which ranged from 24 to 80 months. After a total of 466 follow‐up imaging studies (91% with CT and 9% with PET/CT), no cHL relapse was detected. Eleven abnormal findings were noted on surveillance imaging: 9 were false‐positives, and 2 were second primary malignancies. The average cumulative dose per patient from follow‐up imaging was 107 mSv, which translated into an estimated lifetime excess cancer risk of 0.5%; the estimated total costs were $296,817 according to Medicare reimbursements.

CONCLUSIONS

Surveillance imaging with either CT or PET/CT can be omitted safely for early‐stage cHL treated with a combination of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine and radiation therapy because the risk of relapse is extremely low. This observation also applies to patients with bulky disease. The elimination of surveillance imaging will also reduce healthcare expenses and cumulative radiation doses in these predominantly young patients. Cancer 2015;121:1985–1992. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Melanin‐Inspired Organic Electronics: Electroluminescence in Asymmetric Triazatruxenes
Authors: Manini Paola , Criscuolo Valeria , Ricciotti Laura , Pezzella Alessandro , Barra Mario , Cassinese Antonio , Crescenzi Orlando , Maglione Maria Grazia , Tassini Paolo , Minarini Carla , Barone Vincenzo , d'Ischia Marco
Published: March 2015

The oxidative polymerization of 5,6‐dihydroxyindoles and related hydroxyindoles at pH<3 is diverted from the usual eumelanin‐forming pathway to produce mixtures of symmetric and asymmetric triazatruxenes (TATs), which could be separated and characterized for their opto‐electronic properties with the aid of TD‐DFT calculations. Data showed that the asymmetric isomers exhibit higher fluorescence quantum efficiencies, lower HOMO–LUMO gaps, better film homogeneity, and a more definite aggregation behavior than the symmetric counterparts, suggesting promising applications in organic electronics. The enhanced luminance exhibited by the OLED devices fabricated with blends of the synthesized TATs in poly‐9‐vinylcarbazole confirmed the potential of the asymmetric skeleton as new versatile platform for light‐emitting materials.
Shade treatment affects structure and recovery of invasiveC4 African grassEchinochloa pyramidalis
Authors: López Rosas Hugo , Moreno‐Casasola Patricia , Espejel González Verónica E.
Published: March 2015

Echinochloa pyramidalis(Lam.) Hitchc. & Chase is an African grass with C4 photosynthesis, high biomass production, and high vegetative propagation that is tolerant to grazing and able to grow in flooded and dry conditions. Thus, it is highly invasive in tropical freshwater marshes where it is intentionally planted by ranchers to increase cattle production. This invasion is reducing plant biodiversity by increasing the invader's aerial coverage, changing wetland hydrology and causing soil physicochemical changes such as vertical accretion. Reducing the dominance of this species and increasing the density of native wetland species is a difficult, expensive, and time‐consuming process. We applied a series of disturbance treatments aimed at eliminatingE. pyramidalisand recovering the native vegetation of a partially invaded freshwater marsh. Treatments included physical (cutting, soil disking, transplanting individuals of the key native speciesSagittaria lancifoliasubsp.media(Micheli) Bogin, and/or reducing light with shade mesh) and/or chemical (spraying Round‐Up™herbicide) disturbances. At the end of the experiment, four of the five treatments used were effective in increasing the cover and biomass of native species and reducing that ofE. pyramidalis. The combination of these treatments should be used to generate a proposal for the restoration of tropical wetlands invaded by non‐native grasses. A promising treatment is using soil disked to soften the soil and destroy belowground structures such as roots and rhizomes. This treatment would be more promising if combined with the use of shade cloth. If it is desirable not to impact the soil or if there is not enough budget to make an effort to include active restoration disking soil, the use of shade cloth will suffice, although the recovery of native vegetation will be slower.
Parental Influence on Child Career Development in Mainland China: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Liu Jianwei , McMahon Mary , Watson Mark
Published: March 2015

Compared with adolescents and adults, there is little research that examines child career development and especially how parents might influence such development. This is especially true in Mainland China, where family life is highly valued. This study used interpretative phenomenological analysis to examine how Mainland Chinese parents influence the career development of their 5th‐grade children. Six superordinate themes were identified from both the children's and the parents' perspectives: responding to career curiosity, influence on career gender stereotypes, emphasizing the importance of education, encouraging independent career decision making, providing opportunities for career interest development, and mothers as career role models. Suggestions are offered for future career development learning programs and research.
The relation of South China Sea monsoon onset with the subsequent rainfall over the subtropical East Asia
Authors: He Jinhai , Zhu Zhiwei
Published: March 2015

The relationship between the South China Sea summer monsoon (SCSSM) onset and the subsequent subtropical East Asian monsoon rainfall from May to September (SEAMR) is investigated. The SCSSM onset is found to have a significant positive correlation with the SEAMR stretching from the lower reaches of the Yangtze River valley (LYR) to the southern Japan; e.g. the early onset of the SCSSM tends to be succeeded by less SEAMR, whereas the late onset is likely to be followed by more SEAMR. The positive relationship between the SCSSM onset and the SEAMR is directly controlled by the persistent western North Pacific anti‐cyclonic/cyclonic (WNPAC/WNPC) circulation anomaly from boreal spring to summer. The persistence of the large‐scale circulation anomalies are accompanied by the decaying phase of El Niño (La Niña) with the pronounced sea‐surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) over the tropical Indian Ocean (IO), the western North Pacific and the topical central and eastern Pacific Ocean (PO), respectively. Further numerical experiments indicate that the topical IO SSTA governs the positive relationship between the SCSSM onset and the subsequent SEAMR. On one hand, the wavelength of the Kevin‐wave response to tropical IO SSTA forcing is three times that of the Rossby‐wave response to the western North Pacific SSTA forcing. The Kevin‐wave response directly influences the low level circulation anomalies field throughout the South China Sea region, determining the onset date of the SCSSM. On the other hand, the horizontal wind shear that induced by the persistent Kevin‐wave response would also maintain the WNPAC/WNPC and further control the SEAMR from May to September. Thus, it is the topical IO SSTA forcing that consolidates the positive relationship between the SCSSM onset and the SEAMR.
A physiological, rather than a superovulated, post‐implantation environment can attenuate the compromising effect of assisted reproductive techniques on gene expression in developing mice embryos
Authors: Bonakdar E. , Edriss M. A. , Bakhtari A. , Jafarpour F. , Asgari V. , Hosseini S. M. , Sadeghi Boroujeni N. , Hajian M. , Rahmani H. R. , Nasr‐Esfahani M. H.
Published: March 2015

Assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) may perturb the pre‐/peri‐conception microenvironments, which subsequently threaten the health of offspring. This study aimed to investigate the effects of superovulation, vitrification, in vitro culture, and embryo transfer on the expression of epigenetic modulators, imprinted genes, and pluripotency markers in expanded blastocysts and Day‐9.5 (D9.5) concepti. Results revealed that 53.4% (8/15) and 86.7% (13/15) of genes in the fetus and placenta, respectively, have similar patterns of transcription in all D9.5 concepti, despite the perturbed mRNA expression observed at the blastocyst stage for each embryo‐production technique. These observations indicate a counterbalancing of the abnormal expression pattern analyzed at the blastocyst stage during post‐implantation development, particularly when the uterus of a naturally synchronized foster mother is employed. Superovulation resulted in the most abnormal expression patterns compared to other treatment groups, although these same blastocysts were able to develop in a synchronized uterus. Thus, superovulation creates a hormonal environment that negatively affected gene expression and impairs fetal growth more adversely during post‐implantation development than other ART protocols, such as in vitro culture, vitrification, or embryo transfer—although each did contribute negatively to the implantation and development process. Together, these results may have implications for treating infertility in humans. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 82: 191–206, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The role of intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) in the evaluation and treatment of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO)
Authors: Kuo Tricia L.C. , Teo Jonathan S.M. , Foo K.T.
Published: March 2015

Aims

Intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) may be an underutilized modality for the assessment of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). Pressure flow studies or urodynamics have long been the gold standard for the evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men but are invasive, time‐consuming and costly. Potentially, IPP may be a useful adjunct prior to performing urodynamics.

Methods

Measurement of IPP is taken in the sagittal view, using the transabdominal ultrasound. It is the vertical height from the tip of the protrusion to the base of the prostate. This technique was previously described. We reviewed previous publications that studied the accuracy, positive predictive value and clinical use of IPP. In addition, we noted the comments regarding the challenges of using this technique.

Results

IPP has been shown to have a positive predictive value of 72% for BOO. It has been calculated to have an area under curve (AUC) value of 0.71 and 0.84 in some stuies. Clinically, it may be used to predict the outcome of a trial without catheter following acute retention of urine. Patients with higher IPP grade were noted to have a higher risk of clinical progression. Studies have also shown that men with higher IPP are poorer responders to medical treatment such as α‐blockers.

Conclusions

Compared to other modalities, the advantage of IPP in assessing BOO may be its easy applicability and non‐invasive nature. Therefore, there is a consideration for a larger role of IPP in bedside assessment and management of BOO in daily practice. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:535–537, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Urodynamic changes in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis correlate with neurological impairment
Authors: Franken J. , Gevaert T. , Uvin P. , Wauterickx K. , Boeve A. C. , Rietjens R. , Boudes M. , Hendriks J. J. A. , Hellings N. , Voets T. , De Ridder D.
Published: March 2015

Aims

Neurogenic bladder dysfunction is a major issue in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). High intravesical pressure should be treated early. Available therapies are insufficient and there is need for drug development and investigation of pathogenesis. Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) in rodents is a well validated model to study MS. Previous research has shown that these animals develop urinary symptoms. However, from clinical studies, we know that symptoms do not necessarily reflect changes in bladder pressure. This paper aims to provide a complete overview of urodynamic changes in a model for detrusor overactivity in MS.

Methods

Female C57Bl/6J mice, injected with MOG35–55 and control mice, injected with vehicle (Complete Freund's adjuvant), were monitored daily for neurologic symptoms. Within 1 month after symptom development, mice were used for cystometry or histology of the bladder.

Results

Increasing disease score correlated with increased micturition frequency, basal pressure, and average pressure, and with a decrease in functional bladder capacity, voiding amplitude, and maximum pressure.

Conclusions

This paper provides a detailed description of bladder function in C57Bl/6J mice with Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein peptide (MOG35–55) induced EAE. This EAE model induces detrusor overactivity in close relationship to neurological impairment. EAE in mice is a suitable model to study detrusor overactivity in MS. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:450–456, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Differences in pelvic floor morphology between continent, stress urinary incontinent, and mixed urinary incontinent elderly women: An MRI study
Authors: Pontbriand‐Drolet Stéphanie , Tang An , Madill Stephanie J. , Tannenbaum Cara , Lemieux Marie‐Claude , Corcos Jacques , Dumoulin Chantale
Published: March 2015

Aims

To compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvic floor musculature (PFM), bladder neck and urethral sphincter morphology under three conditions (rest, PFM maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), and straining) in older women with symptoms of stress (SUI) or mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) or without incontinence.

Methods

This 2008–2012 exploratory observational cohort study was conducted with community‐dwelling women aged 60 and over. Sixty six women (22 per group), mean age of 67.7 ± 5.2 years, participated in the study. A 3 T MRI examination was conducted under three conditions: rest, PFM MVC, and straining. ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis tests (data not normally distributed) were conducted, with Bonferroni correction, to compare anatomical measurements between groups.

Results

Women with MUI symptoms had a lower PFM resting position (M‐Line P = 0.010 and PC/H‐line angle P = 0.026) and lower pelvic organ support (urethrovesical junction height P = 0.013) than both continent and SUI women. Women with SUI symptoms were more likely to exhibit bladder neck funneling and a larger posterior urethrovesical angle at rest than both continent and MUI women (P = 0.026 and P = 0.008, respectively). There were no significant differences between groups on PFM MVC or straining.

Conclusions

Women with SUI and MUI symptoms present different morphological defects at rest. These observations emphasize the need to tailor UI interventions to specific pelvic floor defects and UI type in older women.

Patient summary

Older women with UI demonstrate different problems with their pelvic organ support structures depending on the type of UI. These new findings should be taken into consideration for future research into developing new treatment strategies for UI in older women. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:515–521, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pattern of activation of pelvic floor muscles in men differs with verbal instructions
Authors: Stafford Ryan E. , Ashton‐Miller James A. , Constantinou Chris , Coughlin Geoff , Lutton Nicholas J. , Hodges Paul W.
Published: March 2015

Aims

To investigate the effect of instruction on activation of pelvic floor muscles (PFM) in men as quantified by transperineal ultrasound imaging (US) and to validate these measures with invasive EMG recordings.

Methods

Displacement of pelvic floor landmarks on transperineal US, intra‐abdominal pressure (IAP) recorded with a nasogastric transducer, and surface EMG of the abdominal muscles and anal sphincter were recorded in 15 healthy men during sub‐maximal PFM contractions in response to different verbal instructions: “tighten around the anus,” “elevate the bladder,” “shorten the penis,” and “stop the flow of urine.” In three men, fine‐wire EMG recordings were made from puborectalis and bulbocavernosus, and trans‐urethral EMG recordings from the striated urethral sphincter (SUS). Displacement data were validated by analysis of relationship with invasive EMG. Displacement, IAP, and abdominal/anal EMG were compared between instructions.

Results

Displacement of pelvic landmarks correlated with the EMG of the muscles predicted anatomically to affect their locations. Greatest dorsal displacement of the mid‐urethra and SUS activity was achieved with the instruction “shorten the penis.” Instruction to “elevate the bladder” induced the greatest increase in abdominal EMG and IAP. “Tighten around the anus” induced greatest anal sphincter activity.

Conclusions

The pattern of urethral movement measured from transperineal US is influenced by the instructions used to teach activation of the pelvic floor muscles in men. Efficacy of PFM training may depend on the instructions used to train activation. Instructions that optimize activation of muscles with a potential to increase urethral pressure without increasing abdominal EMG/IAP are likely ideal. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:457–463, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessment Effects in Educational and Psychosocial Intervention Trials: An Important but Often‐Overlooked Problem
Authors: Song Mi‐Kyung , Ward Sandra E.
Published: March 2015

Baseline assessments and repeated measures are an essential part of educational and psychosocial intervention trials, but merely measuring an outcome of interest can modify that outcome, either by the measurement process alone or by interacting with the intervention to strengthen or weaken the intervention effects. Assessment effects can result in biased estimates of intervention effects and may not be controlled by the usual two‐group randomized controlled trial design. In this paper, we review the concept of assessment effects and other related phenomena, briefly describe study designs that estimate assessment effects separately from intervention effects and discuss their strengths and limitations, review evidence regarding the strength of assessment effects in intervention trials targeting behavior change, and discuss implications for intervention research. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of CD22 expression in acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Shah Nirali N. , Stevenson Maryalice Stetler , Yuan Constance M. , Richards Kelly , Delbrook Cindy , Kreitman Robert J. , Pastan Ira , Wayne Alan S.
Published: March 2015

Background

CD22 is a B‐lineage differentiation antigen that has emerged as a leading therapeutic target in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Procedure

Properties of CD22 expression relevant to therapeutic targeting were characterized in primary samples obtained from children and young adults with relapsed and chemotherapy refractory B‐precursor (pre‐B) ALL.

Results

CD22 expression was demonstrated in all subjects (n = 163) with detection on at least 90% of blasts in 155 cases. Median antigen site density of surface CD22 was 3,470 sites/cell (range 349–19,653, n = 160). Blasts from patients with known 11q23 (MLL) rearrangement had lower site density (median 1,590 sites/cell, range 349–3,624, n = 20 versus 3,853 sites/cell, range 451–19,653, n = 140; P = <0.0001) and 6 of 21 cases had sub‐populations of blasts lacking CD22 expression (22%–82% CD22 +). CD22 expression was maintained in serial studies of 73 subjects, including those treated with anti‐CD22 targeted therapy. The levels of soluble CD22 in blood and marrow by ELISA were low and not expected to influence the pharmacokinetics of anti‐CD22 directed agents.

Conclusions

These characteristics make CD22 an excellent potential therapeutic target in patients with relapsed and chemotherapy‐refractory ALL, although cases with MLL rearrangement require close study to exclude the presence of a CD22‐negative blast population. Pediatr Blood Cancer Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
An approach to fertility preservation in prepubertal and postpubertal females: A critical review of current literature
Authors: Knight Samantha , Lorenzo Armando , Maloney Anne Marie , Srikanthan Amirrtha , Donen Rachel , Greenblatt Ellen , Gupta Abha
Published: March 2015

Advancements in childhood cancer treatment have led to increasing survivorship, creating a greater emphasis on long‐term management of patients, including quality of life and side effects from therapy; foremost of which is preserving fertility. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recently revised their guidelines and recommend fertility preservation options be discussed at the earliest possible opportunity for newly diagnosed patients, including methods available for children that remain investigational. Herein, we discuss the current barriers to and the impact of these guidelines for pediatric oncologists caring for young female patients, and provide some suggestions on how to approach this complicated topic. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:935–939. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The associations between maternal factors during pregnancy and the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Yan Kangkang , Xu Xuejing , Liu Xiaodong , Wang Xikui , Hua Shucheng , Wang Chunpeng , Liu Xin
Published: March 2015

Background

Although genetic and environmental factors are considered to be the main causes of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the associations between maternal factors during pregnancy and the childhood ALL is still unclear.

Procedure

In this study, meta‐analysis was used. Medline, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched. The result was assessed based on pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

The pooled ORs showed that there were associations between childhood ALL and the birth order (The first vs others, OR = 1.08, 95%CI = 1.00–1.16), the education of pregnant woman (>high school vs ≤high school, OR = 0.82, 95%CI = 0.77–0.86), smoking (Ever vs never, OR = 1.10, 95%CI = 1.02–1.19).

Conclusions

Our meta‐analysis showed that there were important associations between childhood ALL and the birth order, the education of pregnant woman, smoking. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1162–1170. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Balancing research interests and patient interests: A qualitative study into the intertwinement of care and research in paediatric oncology
Authors: Dekking Sara A. S. , van der Graaf Rieke , Kars Marijke C. , Beishuizen Auke , de Vries Martine C. , van Delden Johannes J. M.
Published: March 2015

Background

Traditionally, in ethical guidelines and in research ethics literature, care and research are clearly separated based on their different objectives. In contrast, in paediatric oncology, research and care are closely combined. Currently, it is unknown how relevant actors in paediatric oncology perceive this combination of research and care. We conducted a qualitative study into the experiences of those involved in Dutch paediatric oncology with the intertwinement of research and care and the dual role of paediatric oncologists as researchers and treating physicians.

Procedure

A qualitative study approach, using two focus groups and 19 semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews with paediatric oncologists, research coordinators, parents of children with cancer, and adolescents with cancer.

Results

Four themes characterize how actors experience the intertwinement of research and care in paediatric oncology. First, research is considered of major importance, and paediatric oncology professionals convey this message to patients and their parents. Second, there is ambiguity about categorization of studies into cancer therapy as either research or treatment. Third, role conflicts appear within the work of the paediatric oncologists. Finally, the various benefits of combining treatment with research are emphasized.

Conclusions

Research is regarded as a fundamental and indispensable characteristic of paediatric oncology practice. Paediatric oncology professionals, parents, and patients have a very positive outlook on combining research and care, but they may not be sufficiently critical with respect to potential conflicts. Increased reflection on how to optimally combine research and care could serve as an important protection of the interests of children with cancer and their parents. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:816–822. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Propranolol induces regression of hemangioma cells via the down‐regulation of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS/VEGF pathway
Authors: Pan Wei‐Kang , Li Peng , Guo Zheng‐Tuan , Huang Qiang , Gao Ya
Published: March 2015

Background

Infantile hemangioma (IH) is a benign vascular neoplasm resulting from the abnormal proliferation of endothelial cells and pericytes in infants. Propranolol, a non‐selective β‐adrenergic blocker, has recently emerged as an effective therapy for IH, causing regression. However, its potential therapeutic mechanism remains largely unknown.

Procedure

An XPTS‐1 cell line was established by isolating hemangioma‐derived endothelial cells (HemECs) from a specimen of human proliferating IH. Flow cytometer assay was performed to assess the effect of propranolol on cell cycle distribution. Western blot was employed to determine changes of protein expression. Matrigel invasion and tube formation assays were used to measure invasion ability and tube formation ability, respectively. Commercial kits were employed to quantify NO and VEGF levels.

Results

Propranolol blocked norepinephrine‐induced HemECs cell cycle progression as well as the expression of cyclin A2 and cyclin D2; whereas p21 and p27 proteins were altered conversely. Propranolol inhibited norepinephrine‐induced cell invasion by reducing the expression of MMP‐9, VEGF, and p‐cofilin. NO and VEGF release induced by norepinephrine was decreased by propranolol pretreatment, coincident with alterations in the phosphorylation of Akt, eNOS, and VEGFR‐2. Tube formation ability and subsequent levels of NO and VEGF elevated by norepinephrine were distinctively counteracted in HemECs.

Conclusions

The current study demonstrated the antiangiogenic properties of propranolol in vitro and that the drug was able to induce the regression of hemangioma cells via the inhibition of cell cycle progression, invasion, and tube formation, concomitantly with decreased NO and VEGF levels through the down‐regulation of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS/VEGF pathway. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1414–1420. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electrical characteristics of a‐plane low‐Mg‐doped p‐GaN Schottky contacts
Authors: Naganawa Moe , Aoki Toshichika , Son Ji‐Su , Amano Hiroshi , Shiojima Kenji
Published: March 2015

Electrical characteristics of a variety of Schottky contacts formed with ten metal species on the a‐plane of p‐type low‐Mg‐doped GaN grown on r‐plane sapphire substrates were studied. We found that while current–voltage characteristics obtained under voltage scanning show no memory effect in samples formed on a‐plane samples on c‐plane showed a substantial memory effects. We consider that the absence of memory effect in the a‐plane p‐GaN samples is originating from a smaller density of interfacial defect than that in the c‐plane p‐GaN samples. In internal photoemission spectra, we observed two linearly increasing portions suggesting two different Schottky barriers with different heights coexisting in a contact. A potential barrier corresponding to a linear increase locating at lower photon energy typically ranged between 1.6 and 2.5 eV; and that corresponding to another linear increase locating at higher energy ranged between 0.7 and 1.7. The barrier heights showed no relevance to metal work function. The a‐plane GaN surface was found to reveal a lamellar structure with stripes along [0001] direction with a randomly oriented roughness. We thus speculate that contact barrier spatially varies according to the different crystal plane.
The variability of water vapour and pre‐convective conditions over the mountainous island of Corsica
Authors: Adler Bianca , Kalthoff Norbert , Kohler Martin , Handwerker Jan , Wieser Andreas , Corsmeier Ulrich , Kottmeier Christoph , Lambert Dominique , Bock Olivier
Published: March 2015

Comprehensive measurements were carried out on the mountainous island of Corsica during the Hydrological cycle in the Mediterranean Experiment (HyMeX) field campaign in 2012. Using data from an operational GPS network, radiosondes and microwave radiometers, we studied the spatio‐temporal variability of integrated water vapour (IWV) and convection‐related parameters in the pre‐convective environment over the island. The following spatial differences in the IWV evolution occurred frequently. In the interior of the island the IWV strongly increased around noon, while on the upstream coast only small variations were observed. We showed that a transport of water vapour with thermally driven circulations and the formation of elevated humidity layers due to advective venting caused the diurnal IWV variation over and downstream of the mountains. Spatial inhomogeneities in the pre‐convective atmospheric conditions evolved and the knowledge of these turned out to be crucial to understanding the timing and location of isolated deep convection over the island.
Molecular design of corrole‐based D‐π‐A sensitizers for dye‐sensitized solar cell applications
Authors: Srikanth Malladi , Sastry Garikapati Narahari , Soujanya Yarasi
Published: March 2015

First principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) have been performed to design a new set of donor‐corrole‐bridge‐acceptor type systems based on the gallium corroles for dye‐sensitized solar cell applications. The design strategy for these systems is based on the benchmark studies done on the experimentally tested aluminum, gallium, and tin metallocorroles. Unfortunately, corrole analogues display poor light to current conversion efficiencies in spite of their desirable photophysical properties. Thus, improving the efficiency of corrole analogues has become a major challenge and ways to identify solutions to this is of outstanding fundamental importance. This study shows the lack of charge directionality toward anchoring group as plausible reason for the poor efficiencies of reported corrole systems, which enabled us to fine‐tune the electronic and optical properties of new D‐π‐A type systems, COR1‐COR4. The molecular geometries, electronic structure, and binding orientation of these systems on TiO2 surface were investigated using DFT, TD‐DFT, and PBC methods. When compared with the reported corroles, COR1‐COR4 have a smaller band gaps, red‐shifted absorption spectra with higher extinction coefficients (105 M−1 cm−1) and improved nonlinear optical properties. Importantly, results revealed that these dyes bind with two‐arm mode to TiO2 surface and the density of states of the dye@TiO2 elucidate strong coupling between the dyes and TiO2 surface. We anticipate that the unique photophysical properties of these sensitizers will trigger the experimental efforts to yield a new generation of sensitizers based on corrole macrocyle. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Frailty models for pneumonia to death with a left‐censored covariate
Authors: Sattar Abdus , Sinha Sanjoy K. , Wang Xiao‐Feng , Li Yehua
Published: March 2015

Frailty models are multiplicative hazard models for studying association between survival time and important clinical covariates. When some values of a clinical covariate are unobserved but known to be below a threshold called the limit of detection (LOD), naive approaches ignoring this problem, such as replacing the undetected value by the LOD or half of the LOD, often produce biased parameter estimate with larger mean squared error of the estimate. To address the LOD problem in a frailty model, we propose a flexible smooth nonparametric density estimator along with Simpson's numerical integration technique. This is an extension of an existing method in the likelihood framework for the estimation and inference of the model parameters. The proposed new method shows the estimators are asymptotically unbiased and gives smaller mean squared error of the estimates. Compared with the existing method, the proposed new method does not require distributional assumptions for the underlying covariates. Simulation studies were conducted to evaluate the performance of the new method in realistic scenarios. We illustrate the use of the proposed method with a data set from Genetic and Inflammatory Markers of Sepsis study in which interlekuin‐10 was subject to LOD. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Facilitators and Challenges in Psychosocial Adaptation to Being at Increased Familial Risk of Breast Cancer
Authors: Heiniger Louise , Price Melanie A. , Charles Margaret , Butow Phyllis N. ,   kConFab Psychosocial Group on behalf of the kConFab Investigators
Published: March 2015

Little is known about the process of psychosocial adaptation to familial risk in tested and untested individuals at increased familial risk of cancer. This paper presents findings from a qualitative study of 36 women participating in theKathleen CuninghamConsortium for Research intoFamilialBreast cancer (kConFab) Psychosocial study. Facilitators and challenges in psychosocial adaptation were identified through semi‐structured interviews. The women, who were either tested (carriers or non‐carriers of breast cancer susceptibility mutations) or untested (ineligible for testing or eligible but delayed or declined testing), described personal, support network and healthcare characteristics that impacted on the adaptation process. Challenges in one domain could be overcome by facilitators in other domains and key differences relating to whether women had undergone testing, or not, were identified. Tested and untested women with an increased familial risk of breast cancer may benefit from support tailored to their mutation testing status in order to enhance adaptation.