bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the ‘two water worlds’ hypothesis and water sources for native and exotic evergreen species in south‐central Chile
Authors: Hervé‐Fernández P. , Oyarzún C. , Brumbt C. , Huygens D. , Bodé S. , Verhoest N. E. C. , Boeckx P.
Published: August 2016

Recent studies using water‐stable isotopes (δ18O and δ2H) have suggested an ecohydrological separation of water flowing to streams or recharging groundwater and water used by trees, known as the ‘two water worlds’ (TWW) hypothesis. In this study, we measured water isotopic composition in precipitation [open field and throughfall, i.e. local meteoric water line (LMWL)] and the mobile water compartment (i.e. stream and soil solution), bulk soil water and xylem water over a period of 1.5 years in two headwater catchments: NF, covered with old growth native evergreen forest (Aetoxicon punctatum, Laureliopsis philippiana and Eucriphya cordifolia), and EP, covered with 4 and 16‐year‐old Eucalyptus nitens stands.

Our results show that precipitation, stream and soil solution plot approximately along the LMWL, while xylem waters from all studied tree species plot below the LMWL, supporting the TWW hypothesis. However, we also found evidence of ecohydrological connectivity during the wet season, likely controlled by the amount of antecedent precipitation. These observations hold for all investigated tree species. On both sites, a different precipitation source for stream and xylem water was observed. However, in EP, bulk soil showed a similar precipitation source as xylem water from both E. nitens stands. This suggests that E. nitens may use water that is recharging the bulk soil compartment. We conclude that under a rainy temperate climate, the TWW hypothesis is temporal and does not apply during wet seasons. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Likely effects of climate change on groundwater availability in a Mediterranean region of Southeastern Spain
Authors: Moutahir Hassane , Bellot Pau , Monjo Robert , Bellot Juan , Garcia Miguel , Touhami Issam
Published: August 2016

Groundwater resources are typically the main fresh water source in arid and semi‐arid regions. Natural recharge of aquifers is mainly based on precipitation; however, only heavy precipitation events (HPEs) are expected to produce appreciable aquifer recharge in these environments. In this work, we used daily precipitation and monthly water level time series from different locations over a Mediterranean region of Southeastern Spain to identify the critical threshold value to define HPEs that lead to appreciable aquifer recharge in this region. Wavelet and trend analyses were used to study the changes in the temporal distribution of the chosen HPEs (≥20 mm day−1) over the observed period 1953–2012 and its projected evolution by using 18 downscaled climate projections over the projected period 2040–2099. The used precipitation time series were grouped in 10 clusters according to similarities between them assessed by using Pearson correlations. Results showed that the critical HPE threshold for the study area is 20 mm day−1. Wavelet analysis showed that observed significant seasonal and annual peaks in global wavelet spectrum in the first sub‐period (1953–1982) are no longer significant in the second sub‐period (1983–2012) in the major part of the ten clusters. This change is because of the reduction of the mean HPEs number, which showed a negative trend over the observed period in nine clusters and was significant in five of them. However, the mean size of HPEs showed a positive trend in six clusters. A similar tendency of change is expected over the projected period. The expected reduction of the mean HPEs number is two times higher under the high climate scenario (RCP8.5) than under the moderate scenario (RCP4.5). The mean size of these events is expected to increase under the two scenarios. The groundwater availability will be affected by the reduction of HPE number which will increase the length of no aquifer recharge periods (NARP) accentuating the groundwater drought in the region. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monitoring the Charge Distribution during Proton and Sodium Ion Conduction along Chains of Water Molecules and Protein Residues
Authors: Scheiner Steve
Published: August 2016

Quantum calculations are used to determine the level of delocalization of the charge of a cation as it translates along a chain of water molecules or glycine residues. Charge dispersal is monitored via the molecular electrostatic potential and the dipole moment of the entire system. The positive charge is largely localized on the water molecule on which the proton is situated, but becomes more intense and extended as the proton moves along the chain. The positive charge is more delocalized in protonated polyglycine, where it extends over at least an entire residue. Displacement of the proton along the chain intensifies the charge, and progressively polarizes the entire chain. This pattern of charge intensification is more profound in both the 310 and α‐helical structures. An Na+ cation behaves in much the same way as H+ in terms of charge migration.
miR‐346 promotes migration and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells via targeting BRMS1
Authors: Yan Hong‐ling , Li Li , Li Shu‐juan , Zhang Hai‐sheng , Xu Wei
Published: August 2016

The aim of this study is to determine the expression and roles of miR‐346 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We showed that miR‐346 was upregulated in NPC tissues compared with adjacent non‐tumorous nasopharyngeal tissues. Inhibition of miR‐346 significantly attenuated the migration and invasion of NPC cells. Luciferase reporter assay showed that miR‐346 targeted the 3′‐untranslated region (3′‐UTR) of breast cancer metastasis suppressor 1 (BRMS1). Overexpression of miR‐346 suppressed the endogenous expression of BRMS1 in NPC cells. There was a significant negative correlation between miR‐346 and BRMS1 protein expression in NPC tissues (r = −0.372, P = 0.008). Rescue experiments demonstrated that overexpression of BRMS1 lacking the 3′‐UTR impaired the invasiveness of NPC cells transfected with miR‐346 mimic. Taken together, miR‐346 shows the ability to promote the migration and invasion of nasopharyngeal cancer cells via targeting BRMS1 and represents a potential therapeutic target for NPC.
Systemic inflammation, body composition, and physical performance in old community‐dwellers
Authors: Calvani Riccardo , Marini Federico , Cesari Matteo , Buford Thomas W. , Manini Todd M. , Pahor Marco , Leeuwenburgh Christiaan , Bernabei Roberto , Landi Francesco , Marzetti Emanuele
Published: August 2016

Background

Chronic inflammation, changes in body composition, and declining physical function are hallmarks of the ageing process. The aim of the present study was to provide a preliminary characterisation of the relationship among these age‐related phenomena via multivariate modelling.

Methods

Thirty‐five old adults (OAs) and 17 young adults (YAs) were enrolled. The volume of skeletal muscle, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) of the thigh was quantified by three‐dimensional magnetic resonance imaging. Muscle strength was measured by knee extension strength testing. In OAs, physical performance was further assessed via the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Multi‐block partial least squares‐discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) was employed to explore the relationship among inflammatory profiles and functional and imaging parameters. Double cross‐validation procedures were used to validate the predictive ability of the PLS‐DA model.

Results

The optimal complexity of the PLS‐DA model was found to be two latent variables. The proportion of correct classification was 92.3% in calibration (94.1% in YAs and 91.4% in OAs), 84.6% in internal validation (95.3% in YAs and 78.5% in OAs), and 82.6% in external validation (94% in YAs and 76.9% in OAs). Relative to YAs, OAs were characterised by smaller muscle volume, greater IMAT volume, lower muscle strength, and higher levels of myeloperoxidase, P‐selectin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1. Compared with OAs with SPPB >8, those scoring ≤8 were characterised by smaller muscle volume, greater SAT volume, lower muscle strength, and higher levels of interleukin 1 beta, 6, 10, 12, 13, tumour necrosis factor alpha, and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor.

Conclusions

Multi‐block PLS‐DA identified distinct patterns of relationships among circulating cytokines and functional and imaging parameters in persons of different ages and varying levels of physical performance. The longitudinal implementation of such an innovative strategy could allow for the tracking of health status over time, the early detection of deviations in health trajectories, and the monitoring of response to treatments.
Key factors of scanning a plant virus with AFM in air and aqueous solution
Authors: Eleta‐Lopez Aitziber , Calò Annalisa
Published: August 2016

For tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) as a model virus, this article shows typical issues of scanning soft biological matter by atomic force microscopy (AFM). TMV adsorbed on chemically different flat surfaces, gold, mica, and APDMES‐functionalized silicon, is studied in air and aqueous environment. In air, the TMV particles arrangement shows some variety, depending on the substrate. The height of TMV is reduced to 13.7, 15.8, and 15.6 nm, for gold, APDMES, and mica, respectively while the width is about ∼30 nm due to the influence of the tip radius. In aqueous solution, the surface charges of the virus and the solid support play an important role in the virus adsorption process. While deposition on negatively charged mica is favored only at low pH values, it is shown that positively charged APDMES functionalized silicon can be a suitable substrate to work with at neutral pHs. The effects of cantilever oscillation's free amplitude (A0) and the amplitude set‐point (A) are also assessed here. While high A0 prompt reversible deformation of TMV in measurements performed in air, irreversible damage of the virus in liquid conditions (water) is observed using stiff cantilevers (0.35 N m−1) and high A0 (81 nm), leading to a 6 nm reduction in the height of TMV after the first scan. Finally, low values of the amplitude set‐point (A/A0 = 0.3), which means applying higher forces to the sample, also brings the damage of TMV virus assemblies, reducing its monolayer roughness to 0.3 nm. Microsc. Res. Tech. 80:18–29, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Left truncation criteria for survival analysis of white‐tailed deer
Authors: Norton Andrew S. , Storm Daniel J. , Watt Michael A. , Jacques Christopher N. , Martin Karl , Van Deelen Timothy R.
Published: August 2016

Survival estimates are commonly obtained by physically capturing wildlife and marking or affixing a transmitter to a representative sample of the population. Bias induced by capture stress can occur for white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) if capture influences the probability of mortality. To mitigate this bias, researchers often left truncate data for a threshold number of days (14–28 days for deer) after capture. Potential costs of left truncation include reduced sample size and reduced inference. Costs associated with capture and monitoring of deer are substantial, and defining a truncation period is usually arbitrary or ad hoc. Hence, researchers need to evaluate objectively the effects of left truncation. We analyzed time‐to‐event data from 1,001 radio‐collared white‐tailed deer from northern forests and eastern farmlands of Wisconsin, USA in 2011–2014 to evaluate justification for using a 2‐week truncation period by comparing the probability of mortality for deer <2 weeks post‐capture and deer ≥2 weeks post‐capture. We found little support for a difference in mortality between the groups. Results accounting for time of year, study area, and age suggested a 0.69 probability that deer ≥2 weeks post‐ capture had a lower mortality rate than deer <2 weeks post‐capture. Using a reference group of 6–10 ‐month‐old deer in the eastern farmlands in 2011, cumulative capture season mortality was 0.102 (50% CI = 0.075–0.125; SE = 0.037) for deer <2 weeks post‐capture and 0.114 (50% CI = 0.087–0.138; SE = 0.037) for deer ≥2 weeks post‐capture. Our results suggested that when a careful review of cause‐specific mortality is considered for each deer, and presumed capture‐related mortalities are removed from the sample, a 2‐week truncation period is unnecessary. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Biochar from Pyrolysis of Deinking Paper Sludge and Its Use in the Remediation of Zn‐polluted Soils
Authors: Paz‐Ferreiro Jorge , Plasencia Patricia , Gascó Gabriel , Méndez Ana
Published: August 2016

An increasing proportion of recycled fibres are used in paper industries. Removing the ink, clay, coatings and contaminants from paper waste in order to produce recycled fibres creates large amounts of deinking paper sludges. The preparation of biochar from pyrolysis of this waste and its use in soil remediation contaminated with heavy metals could be an interesting valorization alternative. Our aim was to study the influence of biochar from deinking paper sludge (HP) pyrolysis in the treatment of Zn‐polluted soils. Three different soils contaminated with 2000 mg Zn kg−1 were amended at a rate of 10% with deinking paper sludge and deinking paper sludge biochar prepared at three different temperatures (300, 400 and 500 °C). Soils were incubated under laboratory conditions, and soluble Zn was measured. The addition of biochar reduced the amount of mobile Zn. Finally, Zn solubility decrease was more pronounced for biochars prepared at a higher temperature. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Split face evaluation of long‐pulsed non‐ablative 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser for treatment of direct browplasty scars
Authors: Tenzel Phillip A. , Patel Karan , Erickson Benjamin P. , Shriver Erin M. , Grunebaum Lisa D. , Alabiad Chrisfouad R. , Lee Wendy W. , Wester Sara T.
Published: August 2016

Purpose

To investigate 1,064 nm long‐pulse Nd:YAG laser for postoperative treatment of direct browplasty scars.

Methods

Nine patients who underwent direct browplasty were enrolled in this prospective study. Subjects were randomized to unilateral laser treatment at 2‐week intervals for six total treatments, with the contralateral scar used as a control. Prior to each treatment, subjects rated treated and control scars on overall cosmesis. Post‐treatment, subjects rated each for erythema, swelling, discomfort, and perceived hair loss. Finally, examiners masked to treatment side were asked to judge side‐by‐side photographs of first and final visits for improvement and side effects.

Results

Subjects rated the overall appearance of the treated scar significantly higher at the time of treatment number 5 (mean score 5.13 ± 2.03, P = 0.008) and treatment number 6 (6.25 ± 1.98, P = 0.005) compared to treatment 1 (3.75 ± 2.12); by contrast, they failed to rate the control scar more highly. On masked examination of photographs, the treated scar was selected as most improved 50.0 ± 12.5% of the time. Both subjects and graders reported side effects as transient and mild to moderate (mean score 1–4), with no reports of hair loss from either subjects or observers.

Conclusions

The 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser provided significant improvement in scar cosmesis after direct browplasty, as rated by subject self‐report, but not by masked observers, and appears to be a useful tool for increasing satisfaction among those dissatisfied with direct browplasty scars. Side effects—including erythema, edema, and discomfort—were transient and universally rated as mild to moderate. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:742–747, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MR neurography for the evaluation of CIDP
Authors: Ishikawa Tomomasa , Asakura Kunihiko , Mizutani Yasuaki , Ueda Akihiro , Murate Ken‐Ichiro , Hikichi Chika , Shima Sayuri , Kizawa Madoka , Komori Masako , Murayama Kazuhiro , Toyama Hiroshi , Ito Shinji , Mutoh Tatsuro
Published: August 2016

Introduction: To visualize peripheral nerves in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), we used MR imaging. We also quantified the volumes of the brachial and lumbar plexus and their nerve roots. Methods: Thirteen patients with CIDP and 12 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Whole‐body MR neurography based on diffusion‐weighted whole‐body imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS) was performed. Peripheral nerve volumes were calculated from serial axial MR images. Results: The peripheral nervous system was visualized with 3‐dimensional reconstruction. Volumes ranged from 8.7 to 49.5 cm3/m2 in the brachial plexus and nerve roots and from 10.2 to 53.5 cm3/m2 in the lumbar plexus and nerve roots. Patients with CIDP had significantly larger volumes than controls (P < 0.05), and volume was positively correlated with disease duration. Conclusions: MR neurography and the measurement of peripheral nerve volume are useful for diagnosing and assessing CIDP. Muscle Nerve 55: 483–489, 2017
A new potential function for the calculation of contact forces in the combined finite–discrete element method
Authors: Yan C.Z. , Zheng H.
Published: August 2016

Although the potential contact force proposed by Munjiza overcomes the difficulties inherent in the traditional discrete element methods, the physical meaning of the potential is not clear and the contact force derived from the original potential function is strongly dependent on the mesh configuration. In this study, we redefine a potential function and propose a new contact force calculation method based on a unified standard. Moreover, the new potential function retains all the advantages of the original potential function but has less mesh dependency. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robust shortest path planning and semicontractive dynamic programming
Authors: Bertsekas Dimitri P.
Published: August 2016

In this article, we consider shortest path problems in a directed graph where the transitions between nodes are subject to uncertainty. We use a minimax formulation, where the objective is to guarantee that a special destination state is reached with a minimum cost path under the worst possible instance of the uncertainty. Problems of this type arise, among others, in planning and pursuit‐evasion contexts, and in model predictive control. Our analysis makes use of the recently developed theory of abstract semicontractive dynamic programming models. We investigate questions of existence and uniqueness of solution of the optimality equation, existence of optimal paths, and the validity of various algorithms patterned after the classical methods of value and policy iteration, as well as a Dijkstra‐like algorithm for problems with nonnegative arc lengths.© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 66:15–37, 2019
Robust models for linear programming with uncertain right hand side
Authors: Ouorou Adam
Published: August 2016

We propose new robust models for handling right hand side uncertainty in linear problems. A cutting plane‐like method could be devised to solve the resulting robust problems, but the subproblem to solve at each step involves a bilinear objective. Upper approximations are thus constructed based on linear decision and zero‐order rules on the adjustable variables. Tractable reformulations are given on some uncertainty sets arising in practice. Heuristics are also proposed to compute lower bounds. To assess the methodology we consider its application to the capacity assignment problem. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 68(3), 200–211 2016
Quantitative evaluation of antibacterial activities of nanoparticles (ZnO, TiO2, ZnO/TiO2, SnO2, CuO, ZrO2, and AgNO3) incorporated into polyvinyl butyral nanofibers
Authors: Yalcinkaya Fatma , Lubasova Daniela
Published: August 2016

Novel hybrid polyvinyl butyral nanofibers have been developed for antimicrobial applications. The nanofiber mats were obtained from a needleless rod electrospinning system. The novel inorganic antibacterial agents were incorporated into the nanofibers, and their antibacterial activity was compared. The obtained nanoparticle/nanofiber hybrid mats have a good surface morphology. The results indicated that the CuO, ZnO, ZnO/TiO2, and AgNO3 nanoparticle‐incorporated nanofiber layers have excellent antibacterial activity against to Escherichia coli compared with TiO2, SnO2, and ZrO2 ones. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid fabrication of microstructure on PMMA substrate by the plate to plate Transition‐Spanning isothermal hot embossing method nearby glass transition temperature
Authors: Wu Daming , Sun Jingyao , Liu Ying , Yang Zhenzhou , Xu Hong , Zheng Xiuting , Gou Pengsheng
Published: August 2016

Generally, the hot embossing cycle time for fabricating microfeatures on the surface of polymer takes no <10 min because the mold needs to be firstly heated to 10–40°C above Tg and then cooled to temperature below Tg after certain time of holding pressing force. In this article, the Plate to Plate (P2P) Transition‐Spanning Isothermal Hot Embossing method was proposed, specific of which was relatively short embossing cycle time of 15–60 s by setting and holding constant mold temperature in a narrow temperature interval around Tg in whole cycle of embossing substrate of PMMA. The experiment hot embossing device satisfied the needs of isothermal embossing process was designed and built up, on which the micro V‐cut array with a pitch of 49 µm was successfully fabricated on the PMMA substrate. The experiments gave a confirmation of possibility for fabricating microfeatures by P2P Transition‐Spanning Isothermal Hot Embossing method. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:268–274, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Use of a new proximity assay (NanoBRET) to investigate the ligand‐binding characteristics of three fluorescent ligands to the human β1‐adrenoceptor expressed in HEK‐293 cells
Authors: Soave Mark , Stoddart Leigh A. , Brown Alastair , Woolard Jeanette , Hill Stephen J.
Published: August 2016

Previous research has indicated that allosteric interactions across the dimer interface of β1‐adrenoceptors may be responsible for a secondary low affinity binding conformation. Here we have investigated the potential for probe dependence, in the determination of antagonist pKi values at the human β1‐adenoceptor, which may result from such allosterism interactions. Three fluorescent β1‐adrenoceptor ligands were used to investigate this using bioluminescence energy transfer (BRET) between the receptor‐bound fluorescent ligand and the N‐terminal NanoLuc tag of a human β1‐adrenoceptor expressed in HEK 293 cells (NanoBRET). This proximity assay showed high‐affinity‐specific binding to the NanoLuc‐ β1‐adrenoceptor with each of the three fluorescent ligands yielding KD values of 87.1 ± 10 nmol/L (n = 8), 38.1 ± 12 nmol/L (n = 7), 13.4 ± 2 nmol/L (n = 14) for propranolol‐Peg8‐BY630, propranolol‐ β(Ala‐Ala)‐BY630 and CGP‐12177‐TMR, respectively. Parallel radioligand‐binding studies with 3H‐CGP12177 and TIRF microscopy, to monitor NanoLuc bioluminescence, confirmed a high cell surface expression of the NanoLuc‐ β1‐adrenoceptor in HEK 293 cells (circa 1500 fmol.mg protein−1). Following a 1 h incubation with fluorescent ligands and β1‐adrenoceptor competing antagonists, there were significant differences (P < 0.001) in the pKi values obtained for CGP20712a and CGP 12177 with the different fluorescent ligands and 3H‐CGP 12177. However, increasing the incubation time to 2 h removed these significant differences. The data obtained show that the NanoBRET assay can be applied successfully to study ligand‐receptor interactions at the human β1‐adrenoceptor. However, the study also emphasizes the importance of ensuring that both the fluorescent and competing ligands are in true equilibrium before interpretations regarding probe dependence can be made.
Enhanced quantum size effect in Li and Na clusters via rare gas doping
Authors: Bo Maolin , Guo Yongling , Liu Yonghui , Peng Cheng , Huang Yongli , Sun Chang Q.
Published: August 2016

Albeit its chemical inertness, rare gas doping can substantially enhance the quantum size effect of nanocrystals, yet little attention has been paid on this fascination and the mechanism behind remains unclear. Here, we show that the rare gas dopant breaks bonds of its neighboring atoms, which effects the same to atomic under‐coordination on the bond strain, energy quantum entrapment, and valence electron polarization of Li and Na clusters. Consistency between density functional theory calculation and the bond‐order‐length‐strength correlation prediction revealed that the bond strain by 16.86% and 21.12% before and after He doping for Na30 clusters. Observations suggest an effective yet simple means to modulate the physical properties by doping the inert gases.
Distributed hierarchical control design of coupled heterogeneous linear systems under switching networks
Authors: Liu Xiao‐Kang , Wang Yan‐Wu , Xiao Jiang‐Wen , Yang Wu
Published: August 2016

In this paper, the distributed hierarchical control design is investigated for cooperations of heterogeneous linear systems subjected to the switching networks, where each subgraph of switching networks is allowed to be disconnected. Each heterogeneous system contains uncontrollable states and evolves in different dimension with different dynamics. The hierarchical control framework proposed in this paper consists of distributed hierarchical controllers, which contain the upper‐layers dealing with the communication topologies and the lower‐layers dealing with the heterogeneity of the systems. Under the framework, the cooperation problem of heterogeneous linear systems is decoupled into a cooperation problem of homogeneous virtual systems in the upper‐layer and tracking problems of each single systems in the lower‐layer. These two layers are designed based on the optimal control method and the output regulation method, respectively. Under the hierarchical control framework, the leader‐following consensus of heterogeneous linear systems is achieved and the result is extended to the formation control problem. Finally, numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling zero‐modified count and semicontinuous data in health services research part 2: case studies
Authors: Neelon Brian , O'Malley A. James , Smith Valerie A.
Published: August 2016

This article is the second installment of a two‐part tutorial on the analysis of zero‐modified count and semicontinuous data. Part 1, which appears as a companion piece in this issue ofStatistics in Medicine, provides a general background and overview of the topic, with particular emphasis on applications to health services research. Here, we present three case studies highlighting various approaches for the analysis of zero‐modified data. The first case study describes methods for analyzing zero‐inflated longitudinal count data. Case study 2 considers the use of hurdle models for the analysis of spatiotemporal count data. The third case study discusses an application of marginalized two‐part models to the analysis of semicontinuous health expenditure data. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of drug dissolution profiles: a proposal based on tolerance limits
Authors: Zhai Shuyan , Mathew Thomas , Huang Yi
Published: August 2016

Meaningful comparison of the dissolution profiles between the reference and test formulations of a drug is critical for assessing similarity between the two formulations, and for quality control purposes. Such a dissolution profile comparison is required by regulatory authorities, and the criteria used for this include the widely used difference factor f1 and a similarity factor f2, recommended by the Food and Drug Administration . In spite of their extensive use in practice, the two factors have been heavily criticized on various grounds; the criticisms include ignoring sampling variability and ignoring the correlations across time points while using the criteria in practice. The goal of this article is to put f1 and f2 on a firm statistical footing by developing tolerance limits for the distributions of f1 and f2, so that both the sampling variability and the correlations over time points are taken into account. Because f1 and f2 are defined in terms of sample mean dissolution profiles, they are not appropriate for comparing individual dissolution profiles. For the latter, we have considered similar criteria and have derived tolerance limits. Both parametric and nonparametric approaches are explored, and a bootstrap calibration is used to improve accuracy of the tolerance limits. Simulated coverage probabilities show that the method leads to accurate tolerance limits. Two examples are used to illustrate the methodology. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Dynamic Integrated Evaluation Model (DIEM): Achieving Sustainability in Organizational Intervention through a Participatory Evaluation Approach
Authors: von Thiele Schwarz Ulrica , Lundmark Robert , Hasson Henna
Published: August 2016

Recently, there have been calls to develop ways of using a participatory approach when conducting interventions, including evaluating the process and context to improve and adapt the intervention as it evolves over time. The need to integrate interventions into daily organizational practices, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful implementation and sustainable changes, has also been highlighted. We propose an evaluation model—the Dynamic Integrated Evaluation Model (DIEM)—that takes this into consideration. In the model, evaluation is fitted into a co‐created iterative intervention process, in which the intervention activities can be continuously adapted based on collected data. By explicitly integrating process and context factors, DIEM also considers the dynamic sustainability of the intervention over time. It emphasizes the practical value of these evaluations for organizations, as well as the importance of their rigorousness for research purposes. © 2016 The Authors. Stress and Health published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Are We All in the Same Boat? The Role of Perceptual Distance in Organizational Health Interventions
Authors: Hasson Henna , von Thiele Schwarz Ulrica , Nielsen Karina , Tafvelin Susanne
Published: August 2016

The study investigates how agreement between leaders' and their team's perceptions influence intervention outcomes in a leadership‐training intervention aimed at improving organizational learning. Agreement, i.e. perceptual distance was calculated for the organizational learning dimensions at baseline. Changes in the dimensions from pre‐intervention to post‐intervention were evaluated using polynomial regression analysis with response surface analysis. The general pattern of the results indicated that the organizational learning improved when leaders and their teams agreed on the level of organizational learning prior to the intervention. The improvement was greatest when the leader's and the team's perceptions at baseline were aligned and high rather than aligned and low. The least beneficial scenario was when the leader's perceptions were higher than the team's perceptions. These results give insights into the importance of comparing leaders' and their team's perceptions in intervention research. Polynomial regression analyses with response surface methodology allow three‐dimensional examination of relationship between two predictor variables and an outcome. This contributes with knowledge on how combination of predictor variables may affect outcome and allows studies of potential non‐linearity relating to the outcome. Future studies could use these methods in process evaluation of interventions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monitoring of the ground‐dwelling beetle community and forest floor environment in 22 temperate forests across Japan
Authors: Niwa Shigeru , Toyota Ayu , Kishimoto Toshio , Sasakawa Kôji , Abe Shin , Chishima Takeshi , Higa Motoki , Hiura Tsutom , Homma Kosuke , Hoshino Daisuke , Ida Hideyuki , Kamata Naoto , Kaneko Yohei , Kawanishi Motohiro , Kobayashi Kazutaka , Kubota Kaname , Kuraji Koichiro , Masaki Takashi , Niiyama Kaoru , Noguchi Mahoko , Nomiya Haruto , Saito Satoshi , Sakimoto Michinori , Sakio Hitoshi , Sato Shigeho , Shibata Mitsue , Takashima Atsushi , Tanaka Hiroshi , Tashiro Naoaki , Tokuchi Naoko , Torikai Hisahiro , Yoshida Toshiya
Published: August 2016

This data paper reports census data of ground‐dwelling beetle and other fauna of the forest floor environment; collections were made from a network of 22 forest sites in Japan. To our knowledge, this represents the largest dataset for long‐term monitoring of a ground‐dwelling beetle community and other taxa in a ground environment in forests, which covers a broad climatic range in the temperate zone and is freely available. The network forms part of the Monitoring Sites 1000 Project launched by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan. It covers subalpine, cool‐ and warm‐temperate and subtropical climatic zones and the four major forest types of Japan. Thirty‐three permanent plots usually 1 ha in size were established in old‐growth, secondary natural and a few plantation forests. Censuses of the ground‐dwelling beetle community were conducted using pitfall trapping and forest floor environment monitoring every year from 2004 to the present. During the initial 9 years of the census (2004–2012), 59,762 beetle individuals (including 3182 larvae) of more than 314 species were recorded. This dataset includes taxonomy and biomass of each beetle individual and each taxonomic group of other invertebrates coincidently captured in pitfall trapping. The dataset also includes data related to ground coverage by forest floor vegetation, dry mass of the accumulated organic litter layer, and carbon and nitrogen contents and cellulose decomposition rate in organic layer and surface mineral soil. The data could be used to investigate geographical patterns and intra‐ and inter‐annual dynamics of individual body mass, populations and community structures of ground‐dwelling beetles, and their relationships with the forest floor environment. Furthermore, the data could be analyzed with other open datasets related to tree community dynamics and litter fall continuously measured in the same study plots. This dataset also provides information related to the distribution and average body mass of each beetle species.
Experimental Studies to Constrain Parental Magma of Malangtoli Volcanics from Singhbhum Craton of the Eastern Indian Shield
Authors: Banerjee Mousumi , Ray Jyotisankar , Adhikary Nupur , Nandy Sandip , Manikyamba C. , Paul Madhuparna , Chakraborty Dola , Eslami Alireza
Published: August 2016

Malangtoli volcanics of the Singhbhum craton of the eastern Indian shield is one of the important Proterozoic lava suites. Experimental studies on 1 atmosphere pressure constrain the parental magma type and temperature range of crystallization of the parent magma (deduced to be in the range of 15000C to 12000C). The experimental studies show that at 15000C, plagioclase is the first phase to crystallize, followed by few opaques which join along with plagioclase at 14500C. At subsequent lower temperature (14000C-13000C), plagioclase and opaque continue to crystallize. At 12500C plagioclase and opaque still persist while pyroxene appears first and liquid (glass) still remains. Appearance of opaque minerals (magnetite and illmenite) at both ~14000C and ~13000C indicate oscillation of oxygen fugacity in the parent magma, petrographically documented by coarser phenocrysts as well as finer or peripheral tiny grains. Use of tectonic discrimination diagrams (based on discrimination factors F1-F2 and FeOt/MgO vs. TiO2) shows an island arc tholeiitic affinity for Malangtoli volcanic, suggests that the role of proto-plate convergence in Singhbhum architecture played an important role to build up Malangtoli volcanics during Proterozoic.
Presencia de la expansión internacional en la misión y visión de las principales empresas privadas y estatales de América Latina
Authors: López Morales José Satsumi , Ortega Ridaura Isabel
Published: August 2016

Este trabajo busca identificar la presencia de la expansión internacional (EI) en los planteamientos estratégicos de las principales compa˜nías latinas del ranking «Las 500 mayores empresas de América Latina». Para realizar lo anterior se utilizó una técnica cualitativa de análisis de contenido de la misión y visión de sus páginas web. En el estudio se identificaron 232 empresas latinas (200 privadas y 32 estatales) que hacían explícitos dichos planteamientos, a partir de lo cual se encontró que más de la mitad de estas empresas (51,7%) no aluden a la EI; el 25,4% lo hace solo en la visión, y apenas un 13,4% en la misión y visión. Por otra parte, al diferenciar por tipo de propiedad se tiene que el 46% de las empresas privadas y el 62,5% de las estatales consideran la EI en su misión y/o visión.
Molecular mechanism of hepatic steatosis: pathophysiological role of autophagy
Authors: Wang Kewei
Published: August 2016

Steatosis is an early characteristic in the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease (FLD). Mechanisms of hepatic steatosis are aetiology-dependent. Activation of autophagy in liver ameliorates hepatic steatosis. A modulation of hepatic autophagy affects the degree of hepatocyte steatosis and the progression of FLD as demonstrated by pre-clinical models and clinical trials. This review summarises recent advances on pathophysiological roles of autophagy in hepatic lipid metabolism. A comprehensive regulation of autophagic networks holds promise for the improvement of hepatic steatosis. Autophagic signalling pathway may be a novel therapeutic target against FLD.

Highlights:

•

Hepatic steatosis is a pathological condition wherein vacuoles of triglyceride (TG) fat are overaccumulated in liver because of abnormal metabolism of lipids.

•

Hepatic autophagy regulates lipid metabolism as demonstrated by macrolipophagy in response to starvation and hepatic overabundance of TG in obesity.

•

Autophagic signals are closely associated with apoptotic pathways. There is distinctive relationship between hepatic autophagy and apoptosis, which affects the progression of fatty liver.

•

Regulation of autophagic process can be a novel therapeutic strategy for fatty liver disease.
Experience With Rapid Microarray-Based Diagnostic Technology and Antimicrobial Stewardship for Patients With Gram-Positive Bacteremia
Authors: Neuner Elizabeth A. , Pallotta Andrea M. , Lam Simon W. , Stowe David , Gordon Steven M. , Procop Gary W. , Richter Sandra S.
Published: August 2016

OBJECTIVE

To describe the impact of rapid diagnostic microarray technology and antimicrobial stewardship for patients with Gram-positive blood cultures.

DESIGN

Retrospective pre-intervention/post-intervention study.

SETTING

A 1,200-bed academic medical center.

PATIENTS

Inpatients with blood cultures positive for Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, E. faecium, Streptococcus pneumoniae, S. pyogenes, S. agalactiae, S. anginosus, Streptococcus spp., and Listeria monocytogenes during the 6 months before and after implementation of Verigene Gram-positive blood culture microarray (BC-GP) with an antimicrobial stewardship intervention.

METHODS

Before the intervention, no rapid diagnostic technology was used or antimicrobial stewardship intervention was undertaken, except for the use of peptide nucleic acid fluorescent in situ hybridization and MRSA agar to identify staphylococcal isolates. After the intervention, all Gram-positive blood cultures underwent BC-GP microarray and the antimicrobial stewardship intervention consisting of real-time notification and pharmacist review.

RESULTS

In total, 513 patients with bacteremia were included in this study: 280 patients with S. aureus, 150 patients with enterococci, 82 patients with stretococci, and 1 patient with L. monocytogenes. The number of antimicrobial switches was similar in the pre–BC-GP (52%; 155 of 300) and post–BC-GP (50%; 107 of 213) periods. The time to antimicrobial switch was significantly shorter in the post–BC-GP group than in the pre–BC-GP group: 48±41 hours versus 75±46 hours, respectively (P<.001). The most common antimicrobial switch was de-escalation and time to de-escalation, was significantly shorter in the post-BC-GP group than in the pre–BC-GP group: 53±41 hours versus 82±48 hours, respectively (P<.001). There was no difference in mortality or hospital length of stay as a result of the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of a rapid microarray diagnostic test with an antimicrobial stewardship intervention improved time to antimicrobial switch, especially time to de-escalation to optimal therapy, in patients with Gram-positive blood cultures.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;1–6
When Dental Enamel is Put to the Acid Test: Pretreatment Effects and Radiocarbon Dating
Authors: Hopkins Rachel J A , Snoeck Christophe , Higham Thomas F G
Published: August 2016

The influence of hydrochloric acid pretreatment on F14C and radiocarbon dates from dental enamel was investigated. Samples from modern equine incisors, a Roman cattle molar, and a Paleolithic woolly rhino molar were sampled and subsequently divided into five fractions. Each fraction was pretreated with a different acid solution, analyzed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C dated at the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit (ORAU). When compared to a control date (e.g. dentine collagen), better results were observed when increased concentrations of hydrochloric acid solution were used in the chemical pretreatment. This pilot study suggests that decontamination of younger samples may be possible. However, for more fossilized samples with a high level of contamination (e.g. from the European Paleolithic), acid pretreatment under the conditions used in this study does not remove all contamination.
Differences in metabolic biomarkers in the blood and gene expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells among normal weight, mildly obese and moderately obese subjects
Authors: Jung Un Ju , Seo Yu Ri , Ryu Ri , Choi Myung-Sook
Published: August 2016

We compared metabolic biomarkers in the blood and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) gene expression profiles among normal weight (BMI, 18·5–23 kg/m2), mildly obese (BMI, 25–27·5 kg/m2) and moderately obese Korean adult men (BMI, 27·5–30 kg/m2). High leptin, lipids (except LDL- and HDL-cholesterol) and apoB levels and low adiponectin and HDL-cholesterol levels were present in the plasma of both mildly and moderately obese subjects. Circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines and markers of insulin resistance, oxidative stress and liver damage were altered in moderately obese subjects but not in mildly obese subjects. PBMC transcriptome data showed enrichment of pathways involved in energy metabolism, insulin resistance, bone metabolism, cancer, inflammation and fibrosis in both mildly and moderately obese subjects. Signalling pathways involved in oxidative phosphorylation, TAG synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism and insulin production; mammalian target of rapamycin, forkhead box O, ras-proximate-1, RAS and transforming growth factor-β signalling; as well as extracellular matrix–receptor interaction were enriched only in moderately obese subjects, indicating that changes in PBMC gene expression profiles, according to metabolic disturbances, were associated with the development and/or aggravation of obesity. In particular, fourteen and fifteen genes differentially expressed only in mildly obese subjects and in both mildly and moderately obese subjects, respectively, could be used as early or stable biomarkers for diagnosing and treating obesity-associated metabolic disturbance. We characterised BMI-associated metabolic and molecular biomarkers in the blood and provided clues about potential blood-based targets for preventing or treating obesity-related complications.
Migration of an ingested fish bone into the paraglottic space
Authors: Megwalu U C
Published: August 2016

Background:

Ingested foreign bodies are common emergencies encountered in otolaryngology practice. The vast majority can be managed with endoscopic removal. Migration of foreign bodies into the paraglottic space is a rare event that often necessitates using a more invasive procedure for removal.

Case report:

A 68-year-old man presented with sore throat and odynophagia 4 days after ingesting a fish bone.

Results:

A computed tomography scan revealed a 2.5 cm linear foreign body embedded in the larynx within the right paraglottic space. The patient underwent endoscopic examination and transcervical exploration of the paraglottic space via a posterolateral approach, with successful removal of the foreign body on the second attempt.

Conclusion:

This is the first case report of an ingested paraglottic space foreign body managed by transcervical exploration using a posterolateral approach to the paraglottic space.
Tales from the Mathematical Classroom
Authors: Sanders Sue
Published: August 2016

All the world's a stage,

And all the men and women merely players.

As You Like It

During this lecture I am working from the premise that all the world is a mathematical classroom. By the time children begin formal education they have spent up to five years in this classroom [1] and during their years of schooling the fraction of time spent in a formal classroom is minimal compared to the time spent out of it. I wish to argue that this broader definition of a classroom impacts in many strong ways on our conceptions of mathematics and helps to construct the misconceptions about the nature of the subject that impinge on the learning of mathematics and the value which we place on it. It is within the formal classroom that many of the misconceptions about mathematical knowledge and skills develop. Although a great deal of writing exists about these, and while teachers use this knowledge to inform their teaching I wish to place more emphasis on the less familiar conceptions and misconceptions of mathematics. I will be challenging you to examine your own conceptions by showing you examples from television, radio, advertising, newspapers, film and literature. I will ask you to reflect on how a consideration of these aspects of pupils' experiences of mathematics might affect our teaching. I am also going to ask you to think about whether influencing young people's conceptions of mathematics might affect their decisions as to stop or continue studying the subject.
The number of ways of grading examination candidates
Authors: Tutte W. T. , Smith Cedric A. B.
Published: August 2016

Candidates are graded by their examination results in some such way as 1st B; 2nd equal A, D; 4th equal C, E; and so on. In how many ways gncan n candidates be graded? This problem was solved by Cayley [1, pp. 374-378] and later by others. It does not seem to be well known, and the following result may be of interest.
A polynomial that is a statistical prism
Authors: Osborne Mike , Osborne Mark
Published: August 2016

The roots of a polynomial can be represented as points in the complex plane. The time value of money (TVM) equation that is commonly used in finance is a polynomial equation. (See the appendix for a short description of the TVM equation and an example of its use in finance.) In [1] and [2] it is shown that concepts from financial mathematics can be obtained from the pattern of the roots of the TVM equation. The concepts are given in terms of distances between the roots and other salient points in the plane. This note shows that this particular polynomial, and the technique, can be applied more generally. When a series of data is fed into the coefficients of the polynomial, the mean and standard deviation of the data are seen in the complex plane as combinations of distances between the roots and other salient points. The results are aesthetically pleasing as well as mathematically interesting.