bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abnormal circumferential strain measured by echocardiography is present in patients with Shwachman–Diamond syndrome despite normal shortening fraction
Authors: Ryan Thomas D. , Jefferies John L. , Chin Clifford , Sticka Joshua J. , Taylor Michael D. , Harris Richard , Moore Joan , Goodridge Erica , Mount Leann , Bolyard Audrey A. , Otto Barbara , Jones Amanda , Shimamura Akiko , Davies Stella , Myers Kasiani
Published: March 2015

Background

Shwachman–Diamond Syndrome (SDS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by bone marrow failure and exocrine pancreatic dysfunction. Heart failure has been described in patients with SDS. Circumferential strain (εcc) is a measure of cardiac performance that may identify dysfunction when standard measures are normal.

Procedures

Patients with SDS were identified and the echocardiographic database queried. Cardiac anatomy and function were recorded, and εcc was measured retrospectively.

Results

From 1995–2013, 27 patients with biallelic SBDS mutations confirming the diagnosis of SDS were identified at our institution: 14 had at least one echocardiogram available; 10 underwent HSCT, with echocardiograms available in nine. Ejection fraction (EF) was normal in all 14 patients evaluated; however, εcc was decreased in 4/12 studies prior to HSCT. In two patients, εcc was abnormal both before and after HSCT, in one, εcc changed from normal to abnormal after HSCT, and in one, εcc was normal after HSCT despite being abnormal prior. Echocardiogram reports were also available for six patients in the North American SDS registry, all with normal EF.

Conclusions

While EF was normal in all patients with SDS, εcc was abnormal in 33% prior to HSCT and 33% of those who had undergone HSCT. This suggests that SDS is associated with systolic dysfunction. Further studies are needed to define the incidence of dysfunction in this group and the progression to heart failure. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1228–1231. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Repeat blood cultures in children with persistent fever and neutropenia: Diagnostic and clinical implications
Authors: Wattier Rachel L. , Dvorak Christopher C. , Auerbach Andrew D. , Weintrub Peggy S.
Published: March 2015

Background

Repeat blood cultures are frequently obtained in children with persistent fever and neutropenia (FN), but their clinical impact is uncertain.

Methods

We identified children with persistent FN in the context of hematologic malignancy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from July 2006 to June 2012. For each episode, we reviewed blood cultures to determine the yield of true positive and false positive results. We then examined episode‐level and culture‐level predictors to determine factors associated with new bloodstream infections (BSI).

Results

Among 135 children who met inclusion criteria, there were 184 persistent FN episodes, during which 17 new BSI were diagnosed after the first 24 hr of fever (9.2%; 95% CI 5.4–15.3%). After the first 24 hr, the incidence of new BSI was 1.5% (95% CI 1.0–2.4%) per day and the incidence of blood culture contamination was 1.1% (95% CI 0.6–2.1%) per day. Of 17 new BSI identified, 14 (82%) required changes in therapy, while all 12 contaminant blood cultures were followed by additional antibiotic therapy. Increased odds of new BSI were associated with a history of BSI within 30 days of the episode (OR 5.18; 95% CI 1.29–20.8) and increasing time between recurrent fevers (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.06–1.57).

Conclusions

Repeat blood cultures have an important role in diagnosing new BSI and directing therapy in children with persistent FN. The current strategy could be improved by reducing the frequency of blood cultures after the first 24 hr, and targeting repeat cultures by risk. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1421–1426. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Relationship between Project Success and Project Efficiency
Authors: Serrador Pedro , Turner Rodney
Published: March 2015

Many researchers have suggested that meeting time, scope, and budget goals, sometimes called ‘project efficiency,’ is not the comprehensive measure of project success. Broader measures of success have been recommended; however, to date, nobody has determined empirically the relationship between efficiency and overall success or indeed shown whether efficiency is important at all to overall project success. Our aim in this article is to correct that omission. Through a survey of 1,386 projects we have shown that project efficiency correlates moderately strongly to overall project success (correlation of 0.6 and R2 of 0.36). Efficiency is shown through analysis to be neither the only aspect of project success nor an aspect of project success that can be ignored.
Learning through Interactions: Improving Project Management through Communities of Practice
Authors: Lee Lorraine , Reinicke Bryan , Sarkar Robin , Anderson Rita
Published: March 2015

Communities of practice are a possible mechanism for improving knowledge sharing among project managers, both within and between organizations. Based on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, we theorize a model of participation intensity in communities of practice by project managers and explore the use of Web 2.0 technologies to increase this participation. Using structural equation modeling, we test the research model and find that the factors of reputation, enjoyment, and management support impact the participation intensity of project managers in communities of practice. However, we do not find support for the impact of Web 2.0 technologies on participation intensity. This study provides evidence that participation in communities of practice can result in individual benefits for the project manager, as well as in more far-reaching organizational benefits.
Butylated hydroxytoluene enediyne: access to diradical and electrophilic quinone methide intermediates
Authors: Greer Edyta M. , Quezada Cesar S. , Cosgriff Christopher V.
Published: March 2015

A theoretical study was carried out on the unimolecular reaction of an enediyne with a fused butylated hydroxytoluene to internally scavenge the p‐benzyne diradical sites formed after the Bergman cyclization. The calculations revealed that the conversion of the p‐benzyne diradical (2‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methyl‐5,8‐didehydro‐1‐naphthalenol) to p‐quinone methide is favored over the conversion to a phenoxy/benzene diradical 4 in an approximate 95:5 ratio. Based on this model, the Bergman cyclization leads in a bifunctional manner to intermediates for competing reactivity with intermolecular H‐atom abstraction. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MiR‐1247‐5p is overexpressed in castration resistant prostate cancer and targets MYCBP2
Authors: Scaravilli Mauro , Porkka Kati P. , Brofeldt Anniina , Annala Matti , Tammela Teuvo LJ. , Jenster Guido W. , Nykter Matti , Visakorpi Tapio
Published: March 2015

BACKGROUND

Recently, there has been increasing attention on the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in cancer development. Several expression profiling studies have provided evidence of aberrant expression of miRNAs in prostate cancer and have highlighted the potential use of specific miRNA expression signatures as prognostic or predictive markers. Here we report an expression analysis of miR‐1247–5p, miR‐1249, miR‐1269a, miR‐1271–5p, miR‐1290, miR‐1291, and miR‐1299.

METHODS

qRT‐PCR was performed to validate the differential expression of miRNAs in clinical samples, and the effect of miR‐1247–5p was studied in prostate cancer cell lines transiently transfected with a miR‐1247–5p mimic. The expression of miR‐1247–5p's putative target MYCBP2 was evaluated by qRT‐PCR and Western blotting, and the interaction of the miRNA with the target gene was assessed using a luciferase assay.

RESULTS

We found a significant up‐regulation of miR‐1247–5p in castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) samples compared to non‐malignant prostate. The expression of miR‐1247–5p was subsequently studied in prostate cancer (PC) cell lines where an up‐regulation of miR‐1247–5p was observed in the androgen‐independent PC‐3 model. Target prediction analysis for miR‐1247–5p performed online revealed that MYCBP2 (myc‐binding protein 2) was a high‐scoring potential target. Functional studies in vitro performed using PC‐3 and LNCaP models confirmed the down‐regulation of MYCBP2 at the mRNA and protein levels, and a luciferase assay showed interaction between the miRNA and target gene.

CONCLUSION

miR‐1247–5p is overexpressed in CRPC and targets MYCBP2. Prostate 75:798–805, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Elf5 inhibits TGF‐β‐driven epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in prostate cancer by repressing SMAD3 activation
Authors: Yao Bing , Zhao Jinsheng , Li Yalin , Li Hui , Hu Zhaojun , Pan Pan , Zhang Yiran , Du E. , Liu Ranlu , Xu Yong
Published: March 2015

BACKGROUND

The epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been associated with the acquisition of migration, invasiveness, and metastasis traits. During tumor progression, EMT can be induced by transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) signal that epithelial cells receive from their microenvironment. However, the master regulatory controls on TGF‐β‐EMT axis are not understood.

METHODS

The protein expression in human specimens was measured by immunohistochemical staining. E74‐like factor 5 (Elf5) was silenced by short interfering RNAs in LNCaP cells and stably overexpressed by HA‐tagged Elf5 cDNAs in 22Rv1 cells. These cells were used to study migration and anchorage‐independent growth.

RESULTS

Our data reveal that Elf5 results in the failure of mesenchymal morphogenesis, upregulation of EMT markers, spheres formation, and migration in the presence of TGF‐β. Furthermore, Elf5 blocks TGF‐β signaling, through decreasing drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic protein (SMAD3) activation by binding to it, one of the major effector of TGF‐β‐induced EMT. Moreover, Elf5 can serve as a prognostic marker of metastasis‐free survival in patients with TGF‐β‐positive prostate cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Elf5 expression is inversely correlated with EMT. Elf5 inhibits TGF‐β‐driven EMT via repressing SMAD3 phosphorylation in prostate cancer cells. In addition, Elf5 can be used as a biomarker of metastasis‐free survival in patients with TGF‐β‐positive prostate cancer. Prostate 75:872–882, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Shopping for Diasporic Belonging: Being ‘Local’ or Being ‘Mobile’ as a VFR Visitor in the Ancestral Homeland
Authors: Wagner Lauren
Published: March 2015

Visits to friends and relatives are often part of circulatory migration mobilities between resident and ancestral homelands. These journeys are characteristic of the diasporic lives of post‐migrant generations of Moroccans from Europe, where close proximity and relatively unimpeded mobility between homelands have enabled a tradition of vacationing at ‘home’. For many such individuals, this vacation visit involves repeatedly negotiating a sense of belonging in that homeland, as individuals who maintain relatively strong connections to that place but seem to continuously struggle as an ‘othered’ group. This article explores how their activities as visitors – ‘what they do’ while in Morocco – shape a sense of ‘who they are’ as partially belonging in this homeland space. Activities they do outside their familial homes are often in parallel to practices of tourists – like shopping. Using microanalysis of bargaining – which is one of the most frequently repeated interactions these visitors have with resident Moroccans outside their own families – I demonstrate how they are categorically positioned as ‘non‐local’ or ‘mobile’ versions of ‘being‐Moroccan’. Specifically, in this case study example from a larger corpus of similar examples, the diasporic participant practices ‘being‐Moroccan’ in a way that is distinctly mobile, and – despite her efforts to the contrary – unmistakably categorically marked as coming ‘from elsewhere’. This analysis is an effort to explore how ‘othering’ between residents and diasporic VFR is subtly enmeshed in the ordinary activities of daily life. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of annealing atmosphere on the cerium valence state and F+ luminescence center in Ca‐codoped GGAG:Ce single crystals
Authors: Meng Fang , Wu Yuntao , Koschan Merry , Melcher Charles L. , Cohen Peter
Published: March 2015

GGAG:Ce crystals with various Ca concentrations were grown by the Czochralski technique. The introduction of Ca2+ ions into a trivalent site results in a change in the Ce valence state as well as an additional F+ luminescence center. The changes of Ce valence state could be affected by various annealing atmospheres and were investigated via measuring the Ce3+ absorbance and observing the color change of the sample. Photoluminescence spectra and photoluminescence decay were used to reveal the occurrence of F+ center related to the oxygen vacancies during the annealing. A redox mechanism and a charge compensation process are proposed to explain the change in Ce state charge and F+ center during the annealing.
A periodic approach for input‐delay problems: Application to network controlled systems affected by polytopic uncertainties
Authors: Trégouët Jean‐François , Seuret Alexandre , Di Loreto Michaël
Published: March 2015

This paper deals with robust stability and stabilization of linear discrete‐time systems subject to uncertainties and network constraints. In network control systems, the control loop is closed over a network, which induces additional dynamics to the original control loop such as delays, sampling, and quantization among many others. This paper focuses on networked induced delays due to unreliable network for which packet losses may occur. An equivalent periodic‐like representation of the resulting system is proposed. This allows first to revisit existing results in this framework and second to take model uncertainties into account by analyzing the closed‐loop model by means of a recent method based on robust control for discrete‐time time‐varying systems. Stability analysis and dynamic state‐feedback stabilization are characterized via new conditions, whose conservatism is extensively discussed. Effectiveness of the proposed methodology is illustrated by numerical examples. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of Human‐robot Interaction at the DARPA Robotics Challenge Trials
Authors: Yanco Holly A. , Norton Adam , Ober Willard , Shane David , Skinner Anna , Vice Jack
Published: March 2015

In December 2013, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Robotics Challenge (DRC) Trials were held in Homestead, Florida. The DRC Trials were designed to test the capabilities of humanoid robots in disaster response scenarios with degraded communications. Each team created their own interaction method to control their robot, either the Boston Dynamics Atlas robot or a robot built by the team itself. Of the 15 competing teams, eight participated in our study of human‐robot interaction. We observed the participating teams from the field (with the robot) and in the control room (with the operators), noting many performance metrics, such as critical incidents and utterances, and categorizing their interaction methods according to the number of operators, control methods, and amount of interaction. We decomposed each task into a series of subtasks, different from the DRC Trials official subtasks for points, to gain a better understanding of each team's performance in varying complexities of mobility and manipulation. Each team's interaction methods have been compared to their performance, and correlations have been analyzed to understand why some teams ranked higher than others. We discuss lessons learned from this study, and we have found in general that the guidelines for human‐robot interaction for unmanned ground vehicles still hold true: more sensor fusion, fewer operators, and more automation lead to better performance.
Appropriate Technology for Sustainable Ecosystems: Case Studies of Energy Self‐Reliant Villages and the Future of the Energy Industry
Authors: Park Eunil , Ohm Jay Y.
Published: March 2015

Recent development and sustainable improvement studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of appropriate technology on the growth of developing and developed countries. As one of the most notable official development assistance methods for developing countries, appropriate technology has been widely used for improving location situations in various industry sectors such as IT (information technology), environment and energy. Among these sectors, the energy industry is considered one of the most active fields for appropriate technology. However, only a few studies have provided the in‐depth analysis of an ecosystem necessary for the sustainable growth of appropriate technology and foresight about the future directions of this technology. This study presents the definitions, antecedents, assessment of appropriate technology and recommendations for the future of appropriate energy technology in the context of many successful cases in the energy industry. The concepts of generating ‘shared social value’ and ‘local reverse innovation' are introduced, and how they play a key role in the recommendations is explained. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Developing Sustainability Indicators and Indices
Authors: Morse Stephen
Published: March 2015

This paper takes as its starting point the apparent disconnect one sees between the creation and development of sustainability indicators and indices (SIs) and an assessment of their use. Assessing the use of SIs is challenging for a variety of reasons. In this paper the focus was upon the reporting of SIs by newspapers as one means of such assessment. Results suggest that for a group of 18 SIs there was a statistically significant difference between them in terms of extent of reporting in newspapers, with some (especially footprint‐based SIs) being more successful than others. It is argued here that SI developers should take into account the use of their SIs far more than they currently do, as this would help introduce an element of natural selection that should spur SI evolution. A parallel is made with the concept of memes. This process would move SIs away from a development largely driven by more technical concerns towards SIs more attuned to the needs of users. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
When can you trust “trust”? Calculative trust, relational trust, and supplier performance
Authors: Poppo Laura , Zhou Kevin Zheng , Li Julie J.
Published: March 2015

Our research empirically assesses two distinct bases for trust: calculative trust, based on a structure of rewards and penalties, versus relational trust, a judgment anchored in past behavior and characterized by a shared identity. We find that calculative trust and relational trust positively influence supplier performance, with calculative trust having a stronger association than relational trust. Yet, important boundary conditions exist. If buyers invest in supplier‐specific assets or when supply side market uncertainty is high, relational trust, not calculative trust, is more strongly associated with supplier performance. In contrast, when behavioral uncertainty is high, calculative trust, not relational trust, relates more strongly to supplier performance. These results highlight the value of examining distinct forms of trust. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Open innovation: Are inbound and outbound knowledge flows really complementary?
Authors: Cassiman Bruno , Valentini Giovanni
Published: March 2015

One novel implication of the open innovation paradigm is that inflows and outflows of knowledge are complementary. We argue that engaging simultaneously in buying and selling knowledge should allow firms to increase innovation outcomes. At the same time, we identify some of the relevant costs (cognitive, transaction, and organizational costs) that “open” firms can reduce by combining knowledge inflows and outflows. Empirically, however, we find no evidence for such complementarity in a sample of Belgian manufacturing firms. Firms buying and selling knowledge do increase their sales of new products, but at the same time theirR&Dcosts increase more than proportionally. Our findings, therefore, indicate the need for research into a better understanding of the drivers of actual costs of organizing for open innovation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The clock is ticking! Executive temporal depth, industry velocity, and competitive aggressiveness
Authors: Nadkarni Sucheta , Chen Tianxu , Chen Jianhong
Published: March 2015

We examine how the interplay between executive temporal depth (time horizons that executives consider when contemplating past and future events) and industry velocity (the rate at which new opportunities emerge and disappear in an industry) shapes competitive aggressiveness (a firm's propensity to challenge rivals directly and intensely in order to maintain or improve its market position) and firm performance. Based on panel data (from 1995 to 2000) from 258 firms in 23 industries, we found that executive temporal depth exhibited different patterns of relationships with competitive aggressiveness in low‐ and high‐velocity industries. Moreover, competitive aggressiveness had a positive main effect on firm performance, but this effect was stronger in high‐velocity industries than in low‐velocity industries. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Deep sea minerals prolong life span of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats by compensatory augmentation of the IGF‐I‐survival signaling and inhibition of apoptosis
Authors: Liao Hung‐En , Shibu Marthandam Asokan , Kuo Wei‐Wen , Pai Pei‐Ying , Ho Tsung‐Jung , Kuo Chia‐Hua , Lin Jing‐Ying , Wen Su‐Ying , Viswanadha Vijaya Padma , Huang Chih‐Yang
Published: March 2015

Consumption of deep sea minerals (DSM), such as magnesium, calcium, and potassium, is known to reduce hypercholesterolemia‐induced myocardial hypertrophy and cardiac‐apoptosis and provide protection against cardiovascular diseases. Heart diseases develop as a lethal complication among diabetic patients usually due to hyperglycemia‐induced cardiac‐apoptosis that causes severe cardiac‐damages, heart failure, and reduced life expectancy. In this study, we investigated the potential of DSM and its related cardio‐protection to increase the life expectancy in diabetic rats. In this study, a heart failure rat model was developed by using streptozotocin (65 mg kg−1) IP injection. Different doses of DSM‐1× (37 mg kg−1 day−1), 2× (74 mg kg−1 day−1) and 3× (111 mg kg−1 day−1), were administered to the rats through gavages for 4 weeks. The positive effects of DSM on the survival rate of diabetes rats were determined with respect to the corresponding effects of MgSO4. Further, to understand the mechanism by which DSM enhances the survival of diabetic rats, their potential to regulate cardiac‐apoptosis and control cardiac‐dysfunction were examined. Echocardiogram, tissue staining, TUNEL assay, and Western blotting assay were used to investigate modulations in the myocardial contractile function and related signaling protein expression. The results showed that DSM regulate apoptosis and complement the cardiomyocyte proliferation by enhancing survival mechanisms. Moreover DSM significantly reduced the mortality rate and enhanced the survival rate of diabetic rats. Experimental results show that DSM administration can be an effective strategy to improve the life expectancy of diabetic subjects by improving cardiac‐cell proliferation and by controlling cardiac‐apoptosis and associated cardiac‐dysfunction. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 769–781, 2016.
Prediction of small‐for‐gestational‐age neonates: screening by fetal biometry at 35–37 weeks
Authors: Fadigas C. , Saiid Y. , Gonzalez R. , Poon L. C. , Nicolaides K. H.
Published: March 2015

Objective

To investigate the value of fetal biometry at 35–37 weeks' gestation in the prediction of delivery of small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) neonates, in the absence of pre‐eclampsia (PE).

Methods

This was a screening study in singleton pregnancies at 35–37 weeks' gestation, comprising 278 that delivered SGA neonates with a birth weight < 5th percentile and 5237 cases unaffected by SGA, PE or gestational hypertension. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine if screening by a combination of maternal factors and Z‐scores of fetal head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) or estimated fetal weight (EFW) had a significant contribution to the prediction of SGA neonates.

Results

Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the likelihood of delivering a SGA neonate with a birth weight < 5th percentile decreased with maternal weight and height, and in parous women the risk increased with a longer interpregnancy interval. The risk was higher in women of Afro‐Caribbean and South Asian racial origins, in cigarette smokers, nulliparous women and in those with history of SGA, with or without prior PE. Combined screening by maternal characteristics and history with EFW Z‐scores at 35–37 weeks predicted 89% of SGA neonates with birth weight < 5th percentile delivering < 2 weeks following assessment, at a 10% false‐positive rate (FPR). The respective detection rate for the prediction of SGA neonates delivering ≥ 37 weeks' gestation was 70%. The performance of screening by a combination of Z‐scores of fetal HC, AC and FL was similar to that achieved by the EFW Z‐score.

Conclusion

Combined testing by maternal characteristics and fetal biometry at 35–37 weeks could identify, at a 10% FPR, about 90% of pregnancies that subsequently deliver SGA neonates within 2 weeks of assessment and 70% of those that deliver ≥ 37 weeks. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Effects of turbine spacing on the power output of extended wind‐farms
Authors: Stevens Richard J.A.M. , Gayme Dennice F. , Meneveau Charles
Published: March 2015

We present results from large eddy simulations of extended wind‐farms for several turbine configurations with a range of different spanwise and streamwise spacing combinations. The results show that for wind‐farms arranged in a staggered configuration with spanwise spacings in the range ≈[3.5,8]D, where D is the turbine diameter, the power output in the fully developed regime depends primarily on the geometric mean of the spanwise and streamwise turbine spacings. In contrast, for the aligned configuration the power output in the fully developed regime strongly depends on the streamwise turbine spacing and shows weak dependence on the spanwise spacing. Of interest to the rate of wake recovery, we find that the power output is well correlated with the vertical kinetic energy flux, which is a measure of how much kinetic energy is transferred into the wind‐turbine region by the mean flow. A comparison between the aligned and staggered configurations reveals that the vertical kinetic energy flux is more localized along turbine columns for aligned wind‐farms than for staggered ones. This additional mixing leads to a relatively fast wake recovery for aligned wind‐farms. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cyanide‐Bridged Tetranuclear REIII2FeIII2 (RE = Y, Tb, Dy) Molecular Squares with 2, 2′:6′,2′′‐Terpyridine as a Capping Ligand
Authors: Zhou Hu , Yu Deng‐Yong , Zhou Hong‐Bo , Yuan Ai‐Hua
Published: March 2015

Self‐assembly reaction between hydrated rare‐earth (RE) nitrates RE(NO3)3·6H2O with K3Fe(CN)6 in H2O/DMF solution by employing the tridentate ligand 2, 2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (terpy) as a capping ligand has yielded three cyanide‐bridged compounds [RE(terpy)(DMF)(H2O)2][Fe(CN)6]·6H2O [RE = Y (1), Tb (2), Dy (3)]. FT‐IR spectra confirmed the presence of terpy ligands and cyanide groups in compounds 1–3. Single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis indicated that these compounds are isomorphous and adopt neutral [RE2Fe2] molecular squares, which are further linked through hydrogen bonding interactions to generate a three‐dimensional supramolecular network. Magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed that significant single ion magnetic anisotropy dominates the properties of these compounds.
Corrigendum to our paper “On the asymptotic behaviour of the 2D Navier‐Stokes equations with Navier friction conditions towards Euler equations.” [ZAMM 89(10), 810‐822, 2009]
Authors: Guillén‐González Francisco , Planas Gabriela
Published: March 2015

The authors would like to correct the proof of Theorem 3(a) in the original paper “On the asymptotic behaviour of the 2D Navier‐Stokes equations with Navier friction conditions towards Euler equations.” [ZAMM 89(10), 810‐822, 2009].
Early endoscopic finding of esophageal thermal injury after having spicy hot pot
Authors: Wu Chia‐Hsien , Bair Ming‐Jong , Lin I‐Tsung , Lee Yuan‐Kai , Chen Huan‐Lin
Published: March 2015

We herein present the case of a woman who had esophageal thermal injury after having a spicy hot pot. The patient came to us with complaints of odynophagia, dysphagia, and burning sensation at the throat and upper chest while eating or drinking for 1 day. An upper endoscopy was conducted 1 day after the onset of symptoms, which showed a linear, disrupted bullae‐like lesion with a thin detached membrane. Our report depicts the early endoscopic finding of esophageal thermal injury following the ingestion of hot food. The finding is different from what has been often reported as the “candy‐cane” appearance of esophageal injury, which results from the ingestion of hot liquid.
Krüppel‐like factor 4 induces apoptosis and inhibits tumorigenic progression in SK‐BR‐3 breast cancer cells
Authors: Wang Bing , Zhao Ming-zhi , Cui Nai-peng , Lin Dan-dan , Zhang An-yi , Qin Yan , Liu Cai-yun , Yan Wei-tao , Shi Jian-hong , Chen Bao-ping
Published: March 2015

Krüppel‐like factor 4 (KLF4) functions as either a tumor suppressor or an oncogene in different tissues by regulating the expression of various genes. The aim of this study was to reveal the functions of KLF4 in regulating breast cancer apoptosis, proliferation, and tumorigenic progression. KLF4 expression levels in breast cancer tissues and breast cancer cell lines were found to be much lower than those in nontumorous tissues and a nontransformed mammary epithelial cell line. KLF4 was upregulated in the tumor necrosis factor‐α–induced SK‐BR‐3 breast cancer cell apoptotic process. Overexpression of KLF4 promoted SK‐BR‐3 breast cancer cell apoptosis and suppressed SK‐BR‐3 cell tumorigenicityin vivo.
Body composition and grip strength are improved in transgenic sickle mice fed a high-protein diet
Authors: Capers Patrice L. , Hyacinth Hyacinth I. , Cue Shayla , Chappa Prasanthi , Vikulina Tatyana , Roser-Page Susanne , Weitzmann M. Neale , Archer David R. , Newman Gale W. , Quarshie Alexander , Stiles Jonathan K. , Hibbert Jacqueline M.
Published: March 2015

Key pathophysiology of sickle cell anaemia includes compensatory erythropoiesis, vascular injury and chronic inflammation, which divert amino acids from tissue deposition for growth/weight gain and muscle formation. We hypothesised that sickle mice maintained on an isoenergetic diet with a high percentage of energy derived from protein (35 %), as opposed to a standard diet with 20 % of energy derived from protein, would improve body composition, bone mass and grip strength. Male Berkeley transgenic sickle mice (S;n8–12) were fed either 20 % (S20) or 35 % (S35) diets for 3 months. Grip strength (BIOSEB meter) and body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan) were measured. After 3 months, control mice had the highest bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) (P < 0·005). S35 mice had the largest increase in grip strength. A two-way ANOVA of change in grip strength (P = 0·043) attributed this difference to genotype (P = 0·025) and a trend in type of diet (P = 0·067).l-Arginine (l-Arg) supplementation of the 20 % diet was explored, as a possible mechanism for improvement obtained with the 35 % diet. Townes transgenic sickle mice (TS;n6–9) received 0·8, 1·6, 3·2 or 6·4 %l-Arg based on the same protocol and outcome measures used for the S mice. TS mice fed 1·6 %l-Arg for 3 months (TS1.6) had the highest weight gain, BMD, BMC and lean body mass compared with other groups. TS3.2 mice showed significantly more improvement in grip strength than TS0·8 and TS1.6 mice (P < 0·05). In conclusion, the high-protein diet improved body composition and grip strength. Outcomes observed with TS1.6 and TS3.2 mice, respectively, confirm the hypothesis and reveall-Arg as part of the mechanism.
Synthesizing reconfigurable foot traces using a Klann mechanism
Authors: Sheba Jaichandar Kulandaidaasan , Elara Mohan Rajesh , Martínez-García Edgar , Tan-Phuc Le
Published: March 2015

Legged locomotion systems have been effective in numerous robotic missions, and such locomotion is especially useful for providing better mobility over irregular landscapes. However, locomotion capabilities of robots are often constrained by a limited range of gaits and the associated energy efficiency. This paper presents the design of a novel reconfigurable Klann mechanism capable of producing a variety of useful gait cycles. Such an approach opens up new research avenues, opportunities and applications. The position analysis problem that arises when dealing with reconfigurable Klann mechanisms was solved here using a bilateration method, which is a distance-based formulation. By changing the linkage configurations, our aim was to generate a set of useful gaits for a legged robotic platform. In this study, five gait patterns of interest were identified, analysed and discussed that validate the feasibility of our approach and considerably extend the capabilities of the original design.
Findings on Advance Care Plans among Cognitively Impaired Older Adults
Authors: Jeznach Anna , Tuokko Holly Anna , Garcia-Barrera Mauricio A. , Stajduhar Kelli
Published: March 2015

Les personnes âgées qui ont une déficience cognitive et celles qui sont intactes cognitivement diffèrent apparemment par rapport à leur participation dans aspects de la planification préalable des soins (PPS). Utilisant les rapports d'informateurs dans l'Étude canadienne sur la santé et le vieillissement, nous avons examiné les différences entre les adultes décédés avec des troubles cognitives et les personnes âgées intactes dans les processus PPS en ce qui concerne: (1) des discussions ou dispositions pour les soins à la fin de vie; (2) la création de documents juridiques, et les résultats de PPS; (3) le lieu du décès; et (4) une mort qui conforme aux souhaits. Les personnes âgées qui ont été atteints de déficience cognitive étaient plus susceptibles d'avoir pris des arrangements pour un mandataire (RC = 1,90), et ont créé des documents juridiques (RC = 2,64 pour les préférences de soins de santé, RC = 2,00 pour nommer un décideur). Elles étaient moins susceptibles d'avoir discutées leurs préférences vis-à-vis les soins de fin de vie (OR = 0,62). Ces résultats suggèrent que PPS diffèrent chez les personnes souffrant de troubles cognitifs, indiquant un besoin pour une enquête plus approfondie. Ceci est une étape vers la compréhension de ce processus complexe dans un population particulièrement vulnérable.
Factors affecting fruit and vegetable school lunch waste in Wisconsin elementary schools participating in Farm to School programmes
Authors: Bontrager Yoder Andrea B , Foecke Leah L , Schoeller Dale A
Published: March 2015

Objective

To examine characteristics potentially associated with school lunch fruit and vegetable waste, both overall and pre/post implementation of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.

Design

Multi-year (2010–2013) cross-sectional study using pre- and post-meal digital photographs of students’ school lunch trays to estimate fruit and vegetable availability and consumption. Fruit and vegetable items were categorized for factors suspected to impact waste: prior farm to school years, placement (main menu, salad bar), procurement (local, conventional), preparation (cooked, raw) and meal component (entrée, side, topping). Analyses to assess within-category differences in waste volume were performed using a Tobit model.

Setting

Wisconsin elementary schools participating in farm to school programmes, USA.

Subjects

Children in third to fifth grade.

Results

Many within-factor differences were detected overall and/or across time. Cooked fruits were wasted less than raw, while cooked vegetables were wasted more than raw. Where identified, locally sourced items were wasted more than conventionally sourced (+0·1 cups, P<0·0001) and salad bar items more than main menu items (+0·01 cups, P<0·0001). Increasing prior farm to school years decreased waste (−0·02 cups, P<0·0001). Items previously tried were wasted at the same volume whether reported as liked or not. New school lunch meal pattern requirement implementation did not uniformly impact fruit and vegetable waste across all categories and there was no change in waste for seven of fifteen assessed categories.

Conclusions

Many factors impact elementary students’ school lunch waste. These factors may be helpful for school food-service authorities to consider when planning school menus.
Early Intervention and Evidence-Based Policy and Practice: Framing and taming
Authors: Edwards Rosalind , Gillies Val , Horsley Nicola
Published: March 2015

In this article, we highlight some critical matters in the way that an issue is framed as a problem in policymaking and the consequent means of taming that problem, in focussing on the use and implications of neuroscientific discourse of brain claims in early intervention policy and practice. We draw on three sets of analyses: of the contradictory set of motifs framing the state of ‘evidence’ of what works in intervention in the early years; of the (mis)use of neuroscientific discourse to frame deficient parenting as causing inequalities and support particular policy directions; and of the way that early years practitioners adopt brain claims to tame the problem of deficient parenting. We argue that using expedient brain claims as a framing and taming justification is entrenching gendered and classed understandings and inequalities.
Towards a holistic approach, in international practice, to the design and implementation of initiatives to promote the rule of law at the national level
Authors: Ochoa S. Juan Carlos
Published: March 2015

This paper reflects on the conceptual approach adopted, in international practice, to the design and implementation of initiatives to promote the rule of law at the national level. It pays particular attention to the understanding, in international practice, of the relationship between the rule of law, democracy, human rights and development. It does so by looking especially at the practice of the UN, and taking into account many empirical and theoretical studies. After first examining the predominant paradigm in the rule of law field adopted by the international community until 2010, and the evolution of international practice thereafter, it concludes that the observance of the rule of law in a given country is determined by political and economic structures, cultural norms, institutions and laws. On this basis, and acknowledging the critical importance of the adopted concepts of rule of law, democracy and human rights, it finds the increasing recognition by the UN of the mutually reinforcing impact of these notions as adequate. This approach allows greater attention to be paid to several socio-economic and political issues that significantly affect the observance of the rule of law in many developing countries, the main recipients of the work of the international community in this field. Based on these findings, it indicates areas for reform.
A wideband right-angle transition between thin substrate integrated waveguide and rectangular waveguide based on multi-section structure
Authors: Li Teng , Dou Wenbin
Published: March 2015

In this paper, a novel wideband right-angle transition between thin substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) and rectangular waveguide (RWG) based on multi-section structure operating at center frequency 31.5 GHz is presented. A multi-section SIW with a rectangular aperture etched on the broad wall and two stepped ridges embedded in the RWG flange are introduced to obtain a wide impedance matching. The simulations show that the bandwidth with return loss better than 20 dB is about 17 GHz. In order to verify our designs, two back-to-back transitions with different lengths are fabricated and measured. The experimental results agree well with simulations. The proposed component shows an insertion loss less than 0.44 dB and a return loss better than 14.5 dB over 12.15 GH, which corresponds to 38.57% bandwidth.
Domestic accountability for sexual violence: The potential of specialized units in Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Uganda
Authors: Seelinger Kim Thuy
Published: March 2015

From 2011 to 2014, the Human Rights Center at the UC Berkeley School of Law conducted qualitative research in Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Uganda to identify accountability mechanisms and challenges related to sexual violence committed during periods of conflict or political unrest. This article shares two aspects of that research: first, it presents key challenges related to the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of sexual violence committed during and after the periods of recent conflict. Second, it flags the emergence of specialized units tasked with investigating and prosecuting either sexual and gender-based violence or international crimes, noting the operational gap between these institutions. It notes that if not bridged, this gap may impede responses for the intersecting issue of sexual violence committed as an international crime. The article closes with recommendations for a more coordinated response and more accountability at the domestic level.
Does Breastfeeding Behavior Run in Families? Evidence From Twins, Their Sisters and Their Mothers in the Netherlands
Authors: Merjonen Päivi , Dolan Conor V. , Bartels Meike , Boomsma Dorret I.
Published: March 2015

The aim of the present article was to study the prevalence and the heritability of the initiation of breastfeeding in the Netherlands. The study was carried out in 5,581 participants from the Netherlands Twin Register, and included female twins, their sisters and mothers. All of the participants were born between 1911 and 1991. Breastfeeding was self-reported by the participants, and its prevalence was estimated conditional on birth cohort (born before 1955, 1955–1964, 1965–1974, 1975, or later). To estimate the heritability, we conducted extended twin-family modeling using the SEM package OpenMx in R. Mothers of twins had lower prevalence to initiate breastfeeding and the prevalence of initiation of breastfeeding increased with birth cohort: among mothers of twins 66% in the oldest (pre-1955) to 74% in the youngest (post-1974) and among mothers, who were twins themselves or sisters of twins, 79% in the oldest (pre-1955) to 85% in the youngest (post-1974). When accounting for prevalence differences between mothers of twins and other women, heritability of initiation of breastfeeding was 70%. However, the familial resemblance for sister and mother-daughter pairs was clearly lower than for DZ twin pairs, but as the number of non-twin sisters was relatively low, this observation did not lead to a significant contribution of a special shared twin environment.
Novel Interventions in Children’s Healthcare for Youth Hospitalized for Chronic Pain
Authors: Harris Michael A. , Wagner David V. , Wilson Anna C. , Spiro Kim , Heywood Matthew , Hoehn Dana
Published: March 2015

The purpose of this study was to pilot the implementation of the Novel Interventions in Children’s Healthcare (NICH) program for youth with chronic pain who used a disproportionate amount of health care. Three youth (2 males and 1 female, aged 11 to 15 years) participated. The intervention consisted of a combination of family based problem-solving, care coordination, and case management, with the inclusion of technology-assisted treatment delivery (e.g., text messages, video chat) to reduce costs. Both objective (i.e., hospitalization records) and subjective (e.g., interventionist reports) outcomes were examined to assess changes over the course of treatment. Two of the three youth demonstrated reductions in the number of days hospitalized and associated costs. In addition, interventionist reports indicated improved quality of life for family and youth served. Although further research is needed, NICH appears to be a promising intervention for youth with chronic pain and high health care utilization and shows the potential to result in improved youth health and reduced monetary costs for families, providers, and the health care system.
A Second Thought on the Success-Breeds-Success Model: Comment on
Authors: Avugos Simcha , Bar-Eli Michael
Published: March 2015

The notion that “success breeds success, and failure breeds failure” is a widely held belief applied by people to a variety of situations in everyday life. Initial success is assumed to generate confidence, which then increases the likelihood of success in subsequent trials. Repeated failures are expected to lead to diminished future accomplishments. One arena in which the apparent relationship between psychological factors and sequences of successes and failures has been tested is sport. Recently, Iso-Ahola and Dotson (2014) developed a model of psychological momentum (PM), and argued that the “hot hand” can be detected in sport (including games such as basketball) if the appropriate methodology and statistical tests are employed. This commentary examines their theoretical framework and conclusions, which seem to be rather conflicting in light of the evidence on the performance-enhancing effects of PM and the hot hand in sports. More specifically, we argue that their claims have received only limited support, suggesting that more solid empirical evidence is required to support the “success-breeds-success” principle and the conceptual framework of PM, at least as the sport arena is concerned.
Perceptions of Former Child Soldiers and LRA Victims With Posttraumatic Stress Among Health Professionals and Lay People in Northern Uganda
Authors: Pfeffer Charlotte , Erdal Kristi
Published: March 2015

In the aftermath of the war in northern Uganda, former soldiers from the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) face many challenges reintegrating into their communities. Former LRA soldiers often return home with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which may exacerbate the social stigma of being in the LRA. Health professional and lay community members’ ( N = 119) attitudes toward former LRA soldiers with symptoms of PTSD were examined and compared with attitudes toward civilian victims with the same symptoms, both depicted in vignettes. It was hypothesized that there would be a greater negative bias toward former soldiers due to the dual stigma of involvement with the LRA and mental illness, particularly among lay participants who lacked education regarding the prognoses and treatment of the mentally ill. Contrary to our hypotheses, there was no significant difference in participants’ attitudes toward the vignettes of LRA soldiers and civilian victims. Lay participants were less stigmatizing than health professionals and trainees on both measures of stigma: social distance and skill assessment. These findings suggest that the relationship between health education and stigma is complex in Uganda and different from what is found in most western research. Implications for research, treatment, and reintegration are discussed as Uganda moves forward.