bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integral means and Dirichlet integral for analytic functions
Authors: Obradović Milutin , Ponnusamy S. , Wirths Karl‐Joachim
Published: September 2014

For normalized analytic functions f in the unit disk, the estimate of the integral means

urn:x-wiley:dummy:media:mana201300291:mana201300291-math-0001is important in certain problems in fluid dynamics, especially when the functions are non‐vanishing in the punctured unit disk . We consider the problem of finding the extremal function f which maximizes the integral means for f belong to certain classes of analytic functions related to sufficient conditions of univalence. In addition, for certain subclasses of the class of normalized univalent and analytic functions, we solve the extremal problem for the Yamashita functional

urn:x-wiley:dummy:media:mana201300291:mana201300291-math-0006where denotes the area of the image of under . The first problem was originally discussed by Gromova and Vasil'ev in 2002 while the second by Yamashita in 1990.
Some guidelines for promoting high temperature deformation of metallic alloys
Authors: Blandin J. J.
Published: September 2014

Capacity to reach large deformation at high temperature is an important issue in many forming processes of metallic alloys. It is well known that a low value of the stress exponent (or a concomitant high value of the strain rate sensitivity parameter) is a key point for controlling resistance to necking. A first way for decreasing the stress exponent is to get superplastic properties but it frequently requires dealing with fine microstructures which can be difficult to produce and to preserve. Moreover, in the case of single phase alloys, like aluminum or magnesium alloys, superplastic deformation generally induces damage which can result in premature fracture or damaged components after forming. The aim of this paper is to give some guidelines for promoting high temperature deformation of metallic alloys, with a particular attention given to superplastic forming. The possibility to reduce the temperature of superplastic forming (SPF) for titanium alloys, the capacity to get a better understanding of the specificities of damage process in the case of superplastic deformation and the ability to get large strains to fracture avoiding the production of fine grains before strain are more specifically discussed.
Finite element modeling of superplastic forming of ideal and intentionally defected titanium alloy products for the purpose of non‐destructive control
Authors: Safiullin R. V. , Dmitriev S. V. , Akhunova A. K. , Safiullin A. R.
Published: September 2014

The work is devoted to the development of the production of three‐layered hollows structures made of VT6 titanium alloy by means of superplastic forming (SPF). Based on the numerical results the pressure cycle was determined to satisfy the superplastic flow condition in the stiffening ribs and to minimize the forming time.
Research on quick superplastic forming technology of aluminum alloy complex components
Authors: Guofeng W. , Chao S. , Shufen L. , Mo Y.
Published: September 2014

Quick superplastic forming is a new technology, which combines hot drawing preforming and superplastic forming. It makes full use of the high speed of hot drawing and good formability of superplasticity. This article uses this method to have an experiment of the side wall outer panel of metro vehicle. The results show that the production efficiency is high, the cost is low and the method is feasible. For aluminum alloy complex components, it can solve the difficulties of stamping and low speed of superplasticity.
Oroxylin A induces autophagy in human malignant glioma cells via the mTOR‐STAT3‐Notch signaling pathway
Authors: Zou Meijuan , Hu Chen , You Qidong , Zhang Aixia , Wang Xuerong , Guo Qinglong
Published: September 2014

Autophagy is a tightly‐regulated catabolic pathway involving degradation of cellular proteins, cytoplasm and organelles. Recent evidence suggests that autophagy plays a potential role in cell death as a tumor suppressor and that its induction especially in combination with apoptosis could be beneficial. It remains unclear if all cancer cells behave the same mechanism when autophagy is induced. Although mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is well known as a negative regulator of autophagy, the relationship between signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and autophagy has not yet been investigated. Oroxylin A, a natural mono‐flavonoid extracted from Scutellariae radix, is a promising therapeutic agent for treating multiple cancers. Here we investigated the mechanism underlying the effect of oroxylin A on malignant glioma cells. We showed that oroxylin A inhibited the proliferation of malignant glioma cells by inducing autophagy in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Oroxylin A treatment inhibits the AKT and ERK activation and the downstream phosphorylation level of mTOR and STAT3. In addition, oroxylin A treatment decreases the expression of Notch‐1 and myeloid cell leukemia‐1 (Mcl‐1) but upregulates Beclin 1, the key autophagy‐related protein. 3‐MA (autophagy inhibitor) or knockdown of Beclin 1 partially can rescue cells from oroxylin A‐induced autophagic cell death. In contrast, knockdown of STAT3 aggravates oroxylin A‐induced autophagic cell death. Our data reveal an important role of autophagy in enhancing cell death induced by oroxylin A and conclude that oroxylin A exerts anti‐malignant glioma proficiency by inducing autophagy via the ERK/AKT‐mTOR‐STAT3‐Notch signaling cascade. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
NANOG upregulates c‐jun oncogene expression through binding the c‐jun promoter
Authors: Lin Yanli , Xiong Fuyin , Zhou Yanrong , Wu Xiaojie , Liu Fang , Xue Shiwei , Chen Hongxing
Published: September 2014

NANOG plays important roles in neoplastic processes. However, the molecular mechanism of NANOG in tumorigenesis remains to be elucidated. In this report, we demonstrated that forced expression of NANOG in 293 cells and cancer cells led to increased c‐Jun expression, whereas downregulation of endogenous NANOG significantly reduced c‐Jun expression in cancer cells. Dual luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that NANOG binds the c‐Jun proximal promoter and transactivates the c‐Jun gene. An ATTA consensus motif between the −160 and −268 region of the c‐Jun promoter was identified as the NANOG‐responsive element. Electromobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation results confirmed the direct binding of NANOG protein to the c‐Jun promoter in vitro and in vivo. NANOG directly bound c‐Jun protein as shown by GST pulldown and immunoprecipitation assays. Taking these findings together, we conclude that c‐Jun is a direct target gene of NANOG and that c‐Jun protein may be a novel co‐activator of NANOG in cancer cells. We suggest the possibility that NANOG may play a significant role in carcinogenesis via its activation of c‐Jun expression. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gradient‐based electrical properties tomography (gEPT): A robust method for mapping electrical properties of biological tissues in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Liu Jiaen , Zhang Xiaotong , Schmitter Sebastian , Van de Moortele Pierre‐Francois , He Bin
Published: September 2014

Purpose

To develop high‐resolution electrical properties tomography (EPT) methods and investigate a gradient‐based EPT (gEPT) approach that aims to reconstruct the electrical properties (EP), including conductivity and permittivity, of an imaged sample from experimentally measured B1 maps with improved boundary reconstruction and robustness against measurement noise.

Theory and Methods

Using a multichannel transmit/receive stripline head coil with acquired B1 maps for each coil element, and by assuming negligible Bz component compared to transverse B1 components, a theory describing the relationship between B1 field, EP value, and their spatial gradient has been proposed. The final EP images were obtained through spatial integration over the reconstructed EP gradient. Numerical simulation, physical phantom, and in vivo human experiments at 7 T have been conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed method.

Results

Reconstruction results were compared with target EP values in both simulations and phantom experiments. Human experimental results were compared with EP values in literature. Satisfactory agreement was observed with improved boundary reconstruction. Importantly, the proposed gEPT method proved to be more robust against noise when compared to previously described nongradient‐based EPT approaches.

Conclusion

The proposed gEPT approach holds promises to improve EP mapping quality by recovering the boundary information and enhancing robustness against noise. Magn Reson Med 74:634–646, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Voiding dysfunction in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders
Authors: de Carvalho Fabricio Leite , Gomes Cristiano Mendes , Apostolos‐Pereira Samira L. , Bessa Jose , Pinheiro Marcello , Marchiori Paulo E. , Bruschini Homero , Srougi Miguel , Callegaro Dagoberto
Published: September 2014

Aims

We assessed the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and urodynamic findings in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMO‐SD), a recently defined neurological disease.

Methods

We prospectively evaluated seven men and 23 women (mean age 41.1 ± 13.5 years) with an established diagnosis of NMO‐SD who were invited to participate irrespective of the presence of LUTS. Neurological evaluation was assessed with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and LUTS were evaluated with the Overactive Bladder questionnaire (OAB‐V8) and the International Prostate Symptom Score (I‐PSS). All patients underwent videourodynamics, transabdominal urinary tract sonography, urine culture, and serum creatinine levels.

Results

The mean time of disease duration was 33.8 ± 30.8 months. Neurological evaluation showed a mean EDSS score of 5.3 ± 1.8. The most frequent videourodynamic findings were detrusor‐sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) and detrusor overactivity (DO) in 11 (36.6%) patients, DSD without DO in seven (23.3%) and DO without DSD in six (20.0%) patients. Voiding dysfunction assessed by I‐PSS and OAB‐V8 increased with the degree of neurological impairment (P = 0.018; r = 0.42 and P = 0.006; r = 0.48 respectively). Patients with DSD had higher I‐PSS (18.5 ± 11.4 vs 7.0 ± 9.2; P = 0.029) and OAB‐V8 scores (22.8 ± 15.8vs 9.1 ± 7.8; P = 0.008), and worse neurological impairment (mean EDSS 5.9 ± 1.8 vs 4.5 ± 1.5; P = 0.027).

Conclusions

Most patients with NMO‐SD have LUTS and voiding dysfunction, with DSD and DO as the main urodynamic findings. The severity of the neurological disease is a predictive factor for the occurrence of voiding dysfunction and detrusor‐sphincter dyssynergia. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:39–43, 2016. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Depth‐resolved surface coil MRS (DRESS)‐localized dynamic 31P‐MRS of the exercising human gastrocnemius muscle at 7 T
Authors: Valkovič Ladislav , Chmelík Marek , Just Kukurová Ivica , Jakubová Michaela , Kipfelsberger Monika Christina , Krumpolec Patrik , Tušek Jelenc Marjeta , Bogner Wolfgang , Meyerspeer Martin , Ukropec Jozef , Frollo Ivan , Ukropcová Barbara , Trattnig Siegfried , Krššák Martin
Published: September 2014

Dynamic 31P‐MRS with sufficiently high temporal resolution enables the non‐invasive evaluation of oxidative muscle metabolism through the measurement of phosphocreatine (PCr) recovery after exercise. Recently, single‐voxel localized 31P‐MRS was compared with surface coil localization in a dynamic fashion, and was shown to provide higher anatomical and physiological specificity. However, the relatively long TE needed for the single‐voxel localization scheme with adiabatic pulses limits the quantification of J‐coupled spin systems [e.g. adenosine triphosphate (ATP)]. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate depth‐resolved surface coil MRS (DRESS) as an alternative localization method capable of free induction decay (FID) acquisition for dynamic 31P‐MRS at 7 T. The localization performance of the DRESS sequence was tested in a phantom. Subsequently, two dynamic examinations of plantar flexions at 25% of maximum voluntary contraction were conducted in 10 volunteers, one examination with and one without spatial localization. The DRESS slab was positioned obliquely over the gastrocnemius medialis muscle, avoiding other calf muscles. Under the same load, significant differences in PCr signal drop (31.2 ± 16.0% versus 43.3 ± 23.4%), end exercise pH (7.06 ± 0.02 versus 6.96 ± 0.11), initial recovery rate (0.24 ± 0.13 mm/s versus 0.35 ± 0.18 mm/s) and maximum oxidative flux (0.41 ± 0.14 mm/s versus 0.54 ± 0.16 mm/s) were found between the non‐localized and DRESS‐localized data, respectively. Splitting of the inorganic phosphate (Pi) signal was observed in several non‐localized datasets, but in none of the DRESS‐localized datasets. Our results suggest that the application of the DRESS localization scheme yielded good spatial selection, and provided muscle‐specific insight into oxidative metabolism, even at a relatively low exercise load. In addition, the non‐echo‐based FID acquisition allowed for reliable detection of ATP resonances, and therefore calculation of the specific maximum oxidative flux, in the gastrocnemius medialis using standard assumptions about resting ATP concentration in skeletal muscle. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
De novo discovery of phenotypic intratumour heterogeneity using imaging mass spectrometry
Authors: Balluff Benjamin , Frese Christian K , Maier Stefan K , Schöne Cédrik , Kuster Bernhard , Schmitt Manfred , Aubele Michaela , Höfler Heinz , Deelder André M , Heck Albert JR , Hogendoorn Pancras CW , Morreau Johannes , Maarten Altelaar AF , Walch Axel , McDonnell Liam A
Published: September 2014

An essential and so far unresolved factor influencing the evolution of cancer and the clinical management of patients is intratumour clonal and phenotypic heterogeneity. However, the de novo identification of tumour subpopulations is so far both a challenging and an unresolved task. Here we present the first systematic approach for the de novo discovery of clinically detrimental molecular tumour subpopulations. In this proof‐of‐principle study, spatially resolved, tumour‐specific mass spectra were acquired, using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry, from tissues of 63 gastric carcinoma and 32 breast carcinoma patients. The mass spectra, representing the proteomic heterogeneity within tumour areas, were grouped by a corroborated statistical clustering algorithm in order to obtain segmentation maps of molecularly distinct regions. These regions were presumed to represent different phenotypic tumour subpopulations. This was confirmed by linking the presence of these tumour subpopulations to the patients' clinical data. This revealed several of the detected tumour subpopulations to be associated with a different overall survival of the gastric cancer patients (p = 0.025) and the presence of locoregional metastases in patients with breast cancer (p = 0.036). The procedure presented is generic and opens novel options in cancer research, as it reveals microscopically indistinct tumour subpopulations that have an adverse impact on clinical outcome. This enables their further molecular characterization for deeper insights into the biological processes of cancer, which may finally lead to new targeted therapies. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effective use of tocilizumab for the treatment of steroid‐refractory gastrointestinal acute graft versus host disease in a child with very high levels of serum interleukin‐6
Authors: Kolb Michelle , Bhatia Monica , Madina Gay‐Gaddi , Satwani Prakash
Published: September 2014

Steroid‐refractory acute graft versus host disease (SR‐aGVHD) is associated with poor prognosis. A three year old male with severe sickle cell disease (SCD) received a 7/8 HLA‐matched unrelated bone marrow transplant. He developed grade III acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) of the gut, which was refractory to methylprednisolone and five other treatment regimens. Due to very high serum Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) levels, he received salvage therapy with tocilizumab with resolution of aGVHD. It may be reasonable to further prospectively study routine monitoring of IL‐6 levels and the use of tocilizumab in such patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:362–363. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diagnosis of central nervous system relapse of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Impact of routine cytological CSF analysis at the time of intrathecal chemotherapy
Authors: Gassas Adam , Krueger Joerg , Alvi Saima , Sung Lillian , Hitzler Johanne , Lieberman Lani
Published: September 2014

Background

Despite the success of central nervous system (CNS) directed therapy in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), relapse involving the CNS continues to be observed in 5–10% of children when utilizing standard intrathecal prophylactic chemotherapy. While most pediatric ALL treatment protocols mandate regular lumbar punctures (LP) for the intrathecal injection of chemotherapy, the value of routine cytological analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during therapy is unknown. Our objective was to assess the diagnostic value of routine CSF analysis during ALL therapy.

Procedure

To allow for at least 10 years of follow up from ALL diagnosis, children (0–18 years) with ALL diagnosed and treated at SickKids, Toronto, Canada between 1994–2004 were studied. Medical records of patients with CNS relapse were examined to determine whether CNS relapse was diagnosed based on cytology of a routinely obtained CSF sample, a CSF sample obtained because of signs and symptoms or a CSF sample obtained after the diagnosis of a bone marrow relapse.

Results

Of 494 children treated for ALL, 31 (6.6%) developed a relapse of ALL involving the CNS. Twenty‐two had an isolated CNS relapse and nine had a combined bone marrow and CNS relapse. Among patients with isolated CNS relapse, 73% (16/22) were diagnosed based on routine CSF samples obtained from asymptomatic children. Conversely, 89% (8/9) of children with combined bone marrow and CNS relapse presented with symptoms and signs that prompted CSF examination.

Conclusion

Routine CSF examination at the time of LP for intrathecal chemotherapy is useful in detecting CNS relapse. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:2215–2217. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The impact of parental diagnosis of borderline personality disorder on offspring: Learning from clinical practice
Authors: Bartsch Dianna R. , Roberts Rachel M. , Davies Matthew , Proeve Michael
Published: September 2014

The aim of this study was to explore mental health clinicians' opinions regarding the impact of a parental diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) on offspring and factors that may protect these children from developing emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. Expert opinions from 64 clinicians were collected through a voluntary and anonymous online qualitative survey. Thematic analysis of the data revealed five main themes relating to the impact of parental BPD symptoms on offspring. Children in these families were observed to develop behavioural, emotional and interpersonal difficulties, disturbances to cognitive processes and self dysfunction. A number of protective factors for offspring were also identified, such as supportive social networks, therapeutic intervention and child and parent characteristics. A model for the potential transgenerational transmission of emotional dysregulation from parent to child was proposed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New roles for old modifications: Emerging roles of N‐terminal post‐translational modifications in development and disease
Authors: Tooley John G. , Schaner Tooley Christine E.
Published: September 2014

The importance of internal post‐translational modification (PTM) in protein signaling and function has long been known and appreciated. However, the significance of the same PTMs on the alpha amino group of N‐terminal amino acids has been comparatively understudied. Historically considered static regulators of protein stability, additional functional roles for N‐terminal PTMs are now beginning to be elucidated. New findings show that N‐terminal methylation, along with N‐terminal acetylation, is an important regulatory modification with significant roles in development and disease progression. There are also emerging studies on the enzymology and functional roles of N‐terminal ubiquitylation and N‐terminal propionylation. Here, will discuss the recent advances in the functional studies of N‐terminal PTMs, recount the new N‐terminal PTMs being identified, and briefly examine the possibility of dynamic N‐terminal PTM exchange.
Structure of human SNX10 reveals insights into its role in human autosomal recessive osteopetrosis
Authors: Xu Tingting , Xu Jinxin , Ye Yinghua , Wang Qi , Shu Xiaodong , Pei Duanqing , Liu Jinsong
Published: September 2014

Sorting nexin 10 (SNX10), the unique member of the SNX family having vacuolation activity in cells, was shown to be involved in the development of autosomal recessive osteopetrosis (ARO) in recent genetic studies. However, the molecular mechanism of the disease‐related mutations affecting the biological function of SNX10 is unclear. Here, we report the crystal structure of human SNX10 to 2.6Å resolution. The structure reveals that SNX10 contains the extended phox‐homology domain we previously proposed. Our study provides the structural details of those disease‐related mutations. Combined with the vacuolation study of those mutations, we found that Tyr32 and Arg51 are important for the protein stability and both play a critical role in vacuolation activity, while Arg16Leu may affect the function of SNX10 in osteoclast through protein–protein interactions. Proteins 2014; 82:3483–3489. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimal design of clinical trials with biologics using dose‐time‐response models
Authors: Lange Markus R. , Schmidli Heinz
Published: September 2014

Biologics, in particular monoclonal antibodies, are important therapies in serious diseases such as cancer, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis. While most conventional drugs are given daily, the effect of monoclonal antibodies often lasts for months, and hence, these biologics require less frequent dosing. A good understanding of the time‐changing effect of the biologic for different doses is needed to determine both an adequate dose and an appropriate time‐interval between doses. Clinical trials provide data to estimate the dose‐time‐response relationship with semi‐mechanistic nonlinear regression models. We investigate how to best choose the doses and corresponding sample size allocations in such clinical trials, so that the nonlinear dose‐time‐response model can be precisely estimated. We consider both local and conservative Bayesian D‐optimality criteria for the design of clinical trials with biologics. For determining the optimal designs, computer‐intensive numerical methods are needed, and we focus here on the particle swarm optimization algorithm. This metaheuristic optimizer has been successfully used in various areas but has only recently been applied in the optimal design context. The equivalence theorem is used to verify the optimality of the designs. The methodology is illustrated based on results from a clinical study in patients with gout, treated by a monoclonal antibody. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Time‐varying effect models for ordinal responses with applications in substance abuse research
Authors: Dziak John J. , Li Runze , Zimmerman Marc A. , Buu Anne
Published: September 2014

Ordinal responses are very common in longitudinal data collected from substance abuse research or other behavioral research. This study develops a new statistical model with free SAS macros that can be applied to characterize time‐varying effects on ordinal responses. Our simulation study shows that the ordinal‐scale time‐varying effects model has very low estimation bias and sometimes offers considerably better performance when fitting data with ordinal responses than a model that treats the response as continuous. Contrary to a common assumption that an ordinal scale with several levels can be treated as continuous, our results indicate that it is not so much the number of levels on the ordinal scale but rather the skewness of the distribution that makes a difference on relative performance of linear versus ordinal models. We use longitudinal data from a well‐known study on youth at high risk for substance abuse as a motivating example to demonstrate that the proposed model can characterize the time‐varying effect of negative peer influences on alcohol use in a way that is more consistent with the developmental theory and existing literature, in comparison with the linear time‐varying effect model. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of Bainite Morphology on Ductile Fracture Behavior in a 0.4C‐CrMoNi Steel
Authors: Saeidi Navid , Ashrafizadeh Fakhreddin , Niroumand Behzad , Forouzan Mohammad Reza , Barlat Frederic
Published: September 2014

In this study, lower and upper bainite microstructures were produced by austempering process of a NiCrMo low alloy steel containing 0.4% C and their mechanical properties were studied by tensile testing at room temperature. Fracture mechanisms involved were investigated on special samples cut from the necked region of the tensile specimens. The specimens were metallographically prepared and examined by scanning electron microscopy. Analysis of both microstructures revealed that at lower strains, voids were nucleated by cracking or interface decohesion of Al2O3 inclusions. However, at higher strains, especially near the fracture strain, voids were mainly initiated by decohesion of cementite/ferrite matrix interfaces. Lower bainite showed an elongation of 14% in tensile testing compared with 17% for the upper bainite, but its strength was about 20% higher. In order to present the void growth kinetics behavior of these steels, applicability of the three known models; Rice–Tracey, Chae, and Huang, was examined and it was found that in both bainitic steels, void growth kinetics closely obeyed the Rice–Tracey model. It was concluded that the main fracture mechanism in both steels was creation of micro‐cracks by coalescence of voids, initiated by cementite/matrix interface decohesion, and growth of these cracks by a shear mechanism.
Language and tool support for event refinement structures in Event-B
Authors: Salehi Fathabadi Asieh , Butler Michael , Rezazadeh Abdolbaghi
Published: September 2014

Event-B is a formal method for modelling and verifying the consistency of chains of model refinements. The event refinement structure (ERS) approach augments Event-B with a graphical notation which is capable of explicit representation of control flows and refinement relationships. In previous work, the ERS approach has been evaluated manually in the development of two large case studies, a multimedia protocol and a spacecraft sub-system. The evaluation results helped us to extend the ERS constructors, to develop a systematic definition of ERS, and to develop a tool supporting ERS. We propose the ERS language which systematically defines the semantics of the ERS graphical notation including the constructors. The ERS tool supports automatic construction of the Event-B models in terms of control flows and refinement relationships. In this paper we outline the systematic definition of ERS including the presentation of constructors, the tool that supports it and evaluate the contribution that ERS and its tool make. Also we present how the systematic definition of ERS and the corresponding tool can ensure a consistent encoding of the ERS diagrams in the Event-B models.
Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy for Achalasia: Does the Age of the Patient Affect the Outcome?
Authors: Markar Sheraz R. , Zaninotto Giovanni
Published: September 2014

Esophageal achalasia is the most common primary motility disorder of the esophageal body and lower esophageal sphincter. The optimal management strategy for elderly patients with achalasia remains inconclusive, however elderly patients are still more likely to be recommended for endoscopic treatments rather than LHM, due to a perception of increased surgical risk in these patients. Advantages of surgical myotomy in the elderly over pneumatic dilation are: 1. the risk of mucosal perforation during surgery is better controlled than after endoscopic balloon dilatation and 2. the greater efficacy for the surgical approach where only one procedure is routinely required whereas pneumatic dilation often requires repeat treatment to achieve long‐term relief of symptoms.
Understanding cerebral L‐lysine metabolism: the role of L‐pipecolate metabolism in Gcdh‐deficient mice as a model for glutaric aciduria type I
Authors: Posset Roland , Opp Silvana , Struys Eduard A. , Völkl Alfred , Mohr Heribert , Hoffmann Georg F. , Kölker Stefan , Sauer Sven W. , Okun Jürgen G.
Published: September 2014

Inherited deficiencies of the L‐lysine catabolic pathway cause glutaric aciduria type I and pyridoxine‐dependent epilepsy. Dietary modulation of cerebral L‐lysine metabolism is thought to be an important therapeutic intervention for these diseases. To better understand cerebral L‐lysine degradation, we studied in mice the two known catabolic routes — pipecolate and saccharopine pathways — using labeled stable L‐lysine and brain peroxisomes purified according to a newly established protocol. Experiments with labeled stable L‐lysine show that cerebral L‐pipecolate is generated along two pathways: i) a minor proportion retrograde after ε‐deamination of L‐lysine along the saccharopine pathway, and ii) a major proportion anterograde after α‐deamination of L‐lysine along the pipecolate pathway. In line with these findings, we observed only little production of saccharopine in the murine brain. L‐pipecolate oxidation was only detectable in brain peroxisomes, but L‐pipecolate oxidase activity was low (7 ± 2μU/mg protein). In conclusion, L‐pipecolate is a major degradation product from L‐lysine in murine brain generated by α‐deamination of this amino acid.
Use of Peripheral Nerve Transfers in Tetraplegia: Evaluation of Feasibility and Morbidity
Authors: Fox Ida K. , Davidge Kristen M. , Novak Christine B. , Hoben Gwendolyn , Kahn Lorna C. , Juknis Neringa , Ruvinskaya Rimma , Mackinnon Susan E.
Published: September 2014

Background

Peripheral nerve transfers are being used to improve upper extremity function in cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate feasibility and perioperative complications following these procedures.

Methods

Eligible SCI patients with upper extremity dysfunction were assessed and followed for a minimum of 3 months after surgery. Data regarding demographics, medical history, physical examination, electrodiagnostic testing, intraoperative nerve stimulation, recipient nerve histomorphometry, surgical procedure, and complications were collected.

Results

Seven patients had surgery on eight limbs, mean age of 28±9.9 years and mean time from SCI injury of 5.1±5.2 years. All patients had volitional elbow flexion and no volitional hand function. The nerve to the brachialis muscle was used as the expendable donor, and the recipients included the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) (for volitional prehension), nerve branches to the flexor carpi radialis, and flexor digitorum superficialis. Two patients underwent additional nerve transfers: (1) supinator to extensor carpi ulnaris or (2) deltoid to triceps. No patients had any loss of baseline upper extremity function, seven of eight AIN nerve specimens had preserved micro-architecture, and all intraoperative stimulation of recipient neuromuscular units was successful further supporting feasibility. Four patients had perioperative complications; all resolved or improved (paresthesias).

Conclusion

Nerve transfers can be used to reestablish volitional control of hand function in SCI. This surgery does not downgrade existing function, uses expendable donor nerve, and has no postoperative immobilization, which might make it a more viable option than traditional tendon transfer and other procedures.
Panama Canal expansion: fuel economy and logistical risk
Authors: Mulligan Robert F. , Lombardo Gary A.
Published: September 2014

Since cargo capacity increases faster than fuel consumption, the significantly larger capacity fleets which will accompany expansion of the Panama Canal will introduce additional fuel economies and cost savings. Enabling larger, more fuel-efficient vessels to carry cargo the entire distance from Asia to US east-coast ports allows vessel operators to realize significant and meaningful savings compared with the alternatives of using smaller Panamax vessels for the whole distance, or sending the cargo over the US land bridge by train or truck. Fuel savings are quantified along with the monetary savings based on various assumptions for the price of fuel. These savings are dramatic and will increase directly with the price of crude petroleum. Finally, microeconomic theory is deployed to determine how cost savings will be distributed between shipping customers and vessel operators.
Friction of low-dimensional nanomaterial systems
Authors: Guo Wanlin , Yin Jun , Qiu Hu , Guo Yufeng , Wu Hongrong , Xue Minmin
Published: September 2014

When material dimensions are reduced to the nanoscale, exceptional physical mechanics properties can be obtained that differ significantly from the corresponding bulk materials. Here we review the physical mechanics of the friction of low-dimensional nanomaterials, including zero-dimensional nanoparticles, one-dimensional multiwalled nanotubes and nanowires, and two-dimensional nanomaterials—such as graphene, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), and transition-metal dichalcogenides—as well as topological insulators. Nanoparticles between solid surfaces can serve as rolling and sliding lubrication, while the interlayer friction of multiwalled nanotubes can be ultralow or significantly high and sensitive to interwall spacing and chirality matching, as well as the tube materials. The interwall friction can be several orders of magnitude higher in binary polarized h-BN tubes than in carbon nanotubes mainly because of wall buckling. Furthermore, current extensive studies on two-dimensional nanomaterials are comprehensively reviewed herein. In contrast to their bulk materials that serve as traditional dry lubricants (e.g., graphite, bulk h-BN, and MoS2), large-area high-quality monolayered two-dimensional nanomaterials can serve as single-atom-thick coatings that minimize friction and wear. In addition, by appropriately tuning the surface properties, these materials have shown great promise for creating energy-efficient self-powered electro-opto-magneto-mechanical nanosystems. State-of-the-art experimental and theoretical methods to characterize friction in nanomaterials are also introduced.
Research on coal staged conversion poly-generation system based on fluidized bed
Authors: Ni Mingjiang , Li Chao , Fang Mengxiang , Wang Qinhui , Luo Zhongyang , Cen Kefa
Published: September 2014

A new coal staged conversion poly-generation system combined coal combustion and pyrolysis has been developed for clean and high efficient utilization of coal. Coal is the first pyrolysed in a fluidized pyrolyzer. The pyrolysis gas is then purified and used for chemical product or liquid fuel production. Tar is collected during purification and can be processed to extract high value product and to make liquid fuels by hydro-refining. Semi-coke from the pyrolysis reactor is burned in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) combustor for heat or power generation. The system can realize coal multi-product generation and has a great potential to increase coal utilization value. A 1 MW poly-generation system pilot plant and a 12 MW CFB gas, tar, heat and power poly-generation system was erected. The experimental study focused on the two fluidized bed operation and characterization of gas, tar and char yields and compositions. The results showed that the system could operate stable, and produce about 0.12 m3/kg gas with 22 MJ/m3 heating value and about 10 wt% tar when using Huainan bituminous coal under pyrolysis temperature between 500 and 600 °C. The produced gases were mainly H2, CH4, CO, CO2, C2H4, C2H6, C3H6 and C3H8. The CFB combustor can burn semi-coke steadily. The application prospect of the new system was discussed.
Alzheimer's disease public‐private partnerships: Update 2014
Authors: Snyder Heather M. , Kim Hye , Bain Lisa J. , Egge Robert , Carrillo Maria C.
Published: September 2014

The National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease highlights the need for coordinated public‐private partnerships. In recent years, the number of collaborations and consortia have expanded and grown in Alzheimer's research. The Alzheimer's Association compiles this annually updated compendium to centralize this inventory of partnerships in an effort to synergize these activities. This manuscript reflects the 2014 landscape of non‐profit organizations who engage in public‐private partnerships to promote and support dementia research.
Pre-placement Planning: Examining Continuity and Connections
Authors: Tilbury Clare , Osmond Jennifer
Published: September 2014

It is well recognised that children and young people in out-of-home care require stability and a sense of security. Focus has been given to the importance of stable placements with the same carers and maintaining or establishing positive relationships with significant others, such as parents and siblings. Undoubtedly, placement and family relationships are critical, but there are additional avenues for enhancing children's wellbeing when planning for continuity and connections. This paper reports on how continuity and connections for children in out-of-home care are dealt with in the placement planning process. Sixteen case managers were interviewed from a non-government placement service in two Australian states about pre-placement planning, connections, continuity and discontinuity. The findings suggest that continuity and connection planning should be a more elevated and explicit part of the process of pre-placement planning, as it has the potential to create a more seamless and coherent experience for children.
‘Fight TB with BCG’: Mass Vaccination Campaigns in the British Caribbean, 1951–6
Authors: Altink Henrice
Published: September 2014

Based on a wide range of primary materials, including WHO reports and Colonial Office correspondence, this article examines the UNICEF/WHO-funded mass BCG campaigns that were carried out in seven Caribbean colonies between 1951 and 1956. It explores the reasons behind them, their nature and aftermath and also compares them to those in other non-European countries and discusses them within a context of decolonisation. In doing so, it not only adds to the scholarship on TB in non-European contexts, which had tended to focus on Africa and Asia, but also to the relatively new field of Caribbean medical history and the rapidly expanding body of work on international health, which has paid scant attention to the Anglophone Caribbean and the pre-independence period.
‘Recharge My Exhausted Batteries’: Overbeck’s Rejuvenator, Patenting, and Public Medical Consumers, 1924–37
Authors: Stark James F.
Published: September 2014

Although historians have shown that there has been a complex and multi-layered relationship between the body, medicine and the force of electricity, many avenues remain to be explored. One of the most prominent of these is the way in which electrotherapy technologies were marketed to a wide variety of different end users and intermediaries. This paper offers the first historical analysis of one such device – the Overbeck Rejuvenator – a 1920s electrotherapy machine designed for use by the general public. Its inventor, Otto Overbeck, was not a medical man and this enabled him to use aggressive strategies of newspaper advertising, using testimonials to market his product alongside appeals to his own scientific authority. He commissioned the prestigious Ediswan Company to manufacture the Rejuvenator on a large scale, and took out patents in eleven countries to persuade users of the efficacy of the device. In response to Overbeck’s activities, the British Medical Association enlisted an electrical engineer to examine the Rejuvenator, contacted practitioners whose endorsements were being used in publicity material, and denied Overbeck permission to advertise in theBritish Medical Journal. Despite this, the Rejuvenator brought its inventor wealth and notoriety, and helped redefine the concept of ‘rejuvenation’, even if the professional reception of such a device was almost universally hostile. This paper shows how the marketing, patenting and publishing of Overbeck combined to persuade members of the laity to try the Rejuvenator as an alternative form of therapy, bypassing the medical profession in the process.
Matters of Priority: Herbert Mayo, Charles Bell and Discoveries in the Nervous System
Authors: Bradley James
Published: September 2014

Between 1822 and the late 1830s a highly personal priority dispute was fought between the celebrated surgeon and anatomist Sir Charles Bell and his ex-student Herbert Mayo. The dispute was over the motor and sensory functions of the Vth and VIIth cranial nerves. Over the course of the 1820s and the 1830s, the competing claims of Bell and Mayo were presented in newspapers, journals, and textbooks. But by the time of Bell’s death in 1842, Mayo had been discredited, a seemingly tragic footnote in the history of nervous discovery. And yet, with the benefit of hindsight, Bell’s case was at best disingenuous. His success was not due to any intrinsic scientific merit in his argument, but rather his ability to create a narrative that undermined the credibility of Mayo. However, only when Mayo’s public performances elided with Bell’s descriptions did this ploy succeed. As a result, the dispute illuminates the importance of credibility to the creation of an idealised scientific medical practitioner.
A Review of High School Level Astronomy Student Research Projects Over the Last Two Decades
Authors: Fitzgerald M. T. , Hollow R. , Rebull L. M. , Danaia L. , McKinnon D. H.
Published: September 2014

Since the early 1990s with the arrival of a variety of new technologies, the capacity for authentic astronomical research at the high school level has skyrocketed. This potential, however, has not realised the bright-eyed hopes and dreams of the early pioneers who expected to revolutionise science education through the use of telescopes and other astronomical instrumentation in the classroom. In this paper, a general history and analysis of these attempts is presented. We define what we classify as an Astronomy Research in the Classroom (ARiC) project and note the major dimensions on which these projects differ before describing the 22 major student research projects active since the early 1990s. This is followed by a discussion of the major issues identified that affected the success of these projects and provide suggestions for similar attempts in the future.
THE TOTAL DISTANCE FOR TOTALLY POSITIVE ALGEBRAIC INTEGERS
Authors: FLAMMANG V.
Published: September 2014

Let $\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}P(x)$ be a polynomial of degree $d$ with zeros $\alpha _1, \ldots, \alpha _d$. Stulov and Yang [‘An elementary inequality about the Mahler measure’, Involve6(4) (2013), 393–397] defined the total distance of$P$ as ${\rm td}(P)=\sum _{i=1}^{d} | | \alpha _i| -1|$. In this paper, using the method of explicit auxiliary functions, we study the spectrum of the total distance for totally positive algebraic integers and find its five smallest points. Moreover, for totally positive algebraic integers, we establish inequalities comparing the total distance with two standard measures and also the trace. We give numerical examples to show that our bounds are quite good. The polynomials involved in the auxiliary functions are found by a recursive algorithm.
DEPENDENCE OF EIGENVALUES OF SIXTH-ORDER BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEMS ON THE BOUNDARY
Authors: GE SUQIN , WANG WANYI , YANG QIUXIA
Published: September 2014

In this paper, we consider the dependence of eigenvalues of sixth-order boundary value problems on the boundary. We show that the eigenvalues depend not only continuously but also smoothly on boundary points, and that the derivative of the$\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}n$th eigenvalue as a function of an endpoint satisfies a first-order differential equation. In addition, we prove that as the length of the interval shrinks to zero all higher eigenvalues of such boundary value problems march off to plus infinity. This is also true for the first (that is, lowest) eigenvalue.
The effect of Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Adalia bipunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on the spread of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) by Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Authors: Garzón A. , Budia F. , Medina P. , Morales I. , Fereres A. , Viñuela E.
Published: September 2014

The effects of two aphidophagous predators, the larvae of Chrysoperla carnea and adults of Adalia bipunctata, on the spread of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) transmitted in a non-persistent manner by the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii were studied under semi-field conditions. Natural enemies and aphids were released inside insect-proof cages (1 m ×1 m ×1 m) with a central CMV-infected cucumber plant surrounded by 48 healthy cucumber seedlings, and the spatiotemporal dynamics of the virus and vector were evaluated in the short and long term (1 and 5 days) in the presence and absence of the natural enemy. The spatial analysis by distance indices methodology together with other indices measuring the dispersal around a single focus was used to assess the spatial pattern and the degree of association between the virus and its vector. Both natural enemies significantly reduced the number of aphids in the CMV-source plant after 5 days but not after 1 day. The CMV transmission rate was generally low, especially after 1 day, due to the limited movement of aphids from the central CMV-source plant, which increased slightly after 5 days. Infected plants were mainly located around the central virus-infected source plant, and the percentage of aphid occupation and CMV-infected plants did not differ significantly in absence and presence of natural enemies. The distribution patterns of A. gossypii and CMV were only coincident close to the central plant. The complexity of multitrophic interactions and the role of aphid predators in the spread of CMV are discussed.