bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hangsicherung Roggwil‐Wynau: Stabilisierung eines seit 150 Jahren bekannten Rutschhangs
Authors: Irngartinger Stefan , Steiner Walter
Published: June 2015

Längs der Neubaustrecke zwischen Bern und Zürich musste bei Roggwil‐Wynau ein seit mehreren Jahrzehnten bekannter Rutschhang saniert werden, da die Deformationen das tolerierbare Maß überschritten hatten. Durch die intensive Überwachung der Wasserdruckverhältnisse wurde die Ursache der Deformationen in bis 30 mWS artesisch gespanntem Bergwasser (75 mWS totales Druckniveau) erkannt. Vorangegangene Versuche, den Hang mittels Rückverankerungen zu sichern, schlugen fehl. Rückrechnungen belegten die ausreichende Hangstabilität bei Reduktion des einwirkenden Bergwasserdrucks. Als Sanierungsmaßnahme wurden drei 15 m tiefe Dränageschächte ausgeführt, die durch einen Mikrotunnel miteinander verbunden und an den Vorfluter angebunden worden sind. Aus den Schächten sind anschließend bis zu 50 m lange Horizontalfilterbrunnen hergestellt worden, die das Bergwasser abführen. Durch die Maßnahme konnte der Bergwasserdruck um 30 mWS abgesenkt werden; es werden etwa 120 l/min dauerhaft dräniert. Infolge der Dränagemaßnahme kam es aufgrund der Spannungsumlagerung im Boden anfänglich zu einer Erhöhung der Deformationen. Seit etwa sechs Monaten nach Abschluss der Maßnahme verhält sich der Hang stabil, und es können keine signifikanten Deformationen mehr aufgezeichnet werden. Das Fallbeispiel verdeutlicht den maßgeblichen Einfluss der Porenwasserdruckverhältnisse auf die Hangstabilität und zeigt, dass Sanierungsmaßnahmen meist nur bei Reduktion der Einwirkungen erfolgreich sind.

Stabilization of the long known landslide in Roggwil‐Wynau (Switzerland). Along the new railway line between Bern and Zürich a landslide known for several decades had to be redeveloped because the deformations had exceeded the tolerable level. The cause of the deformations in up to 30 mWS artesian mountain water (up to 75 mWS total pressure level) has been detected by intensive monitoring of water pressure conditions. Previous attempts to stabilize the slope by anchors failed. Re‐analyses confirmed the adequate slope stability by reducing the acting pore‐water pressure. As a redevelopment measure three 15 m deep drainage shafts were carried out, which have been joined by a micro‐tunnel and connected to the main outfall. Afterwards up to 50‐m‐long horizontal filter wells have been drilled which lead away the mountain water. Through the measure the hydraulic pressure could be lowered by 30 mWS; about 120 l / min are drained permanently. Through the drainage action stress redistribution occurred which caused at the first time an increase in deformation. For about six months after the end of the measure, the slope behaves stable and no significant deformations longer be recorded. The case study illustrates the significant influence of pore water pressure ratio on slope stability and shows that remediation measures are usually only successful in reducing the impacts.
Besonderheiten bei der Planung und Berechnung von oberflächennahen thermo‐aktiven Bauteilen
Authors: Kürten Sylvia , Mottaghy Darius , Ziegler Martin
Published: June 2015

Die thermische Nutzung des Untergrunds mit sogenannten thermo‐aktiven Bauteilen ist eine zukunftsorientierte Möglichkeit zur Klimatisierung von Gebäuden. In diesem Zusammenhang ist der Energiepfahl das weltweit am weitesten verbreitete System. Flächige Bauteile, wie beispielsweise Verbau‐ oder Kellerwände verfügen jedoch durch ihre große Kontaktfläche zum Untergrund ebenfalls über ein großes Energiepotenzial. Derzeit fehlen jedoch für flächige Bauteile geeignete Berechnungsansätze, wodurch die Verbreitung dieser Technologie derzeit erschwert ist. Am Lehrstuhl für Geotechnik im Bauwesen der RWTH Aachen wurde daher in Zusammenarbeit mit der Geophysica Beratungsgesellschaft ein entsprechender Berechnungsansatz entwickelt und in die Software SHEMAT‐Suite implementiert. In dem semi‐analytischen Ansatz werden alle Wärmetransportvorgänge im Bauteil und im Absorbersystem durch eine Verschaltung von thermischen Widerständen abgebildet, während für die Abbildung des Untergrunds die Finite‐Differenzen‐Methode verwendet wird (Modell‐in‐Modell‐Ansatz). Mit diesem Ansatz ist es nun möglich, alle relevanten Faktoren sowie deren Interaktion in der Systemplanung zu berücksichtigen und eine standortspezifische und systemangepasste Anlagenplanung durchzuführen. Mit dem neuen Berechnungsansatz wurde eine umfangreiche Parameterstudie durchgeführt, mithilfe derer die maßgebenden Einflussfaktoren auf den Wärmeentzug ermittelt wurden. Als Ergebnis konnten darüber hinaus Handlungsempfehlungen für die konstruktive Durchbildung des Bauteils und den Anlagenbetrieb abgeleitet werden.

Design of near‐surface energy geostructures. Energy geostructures (thermo‐active elements) are an up‐coming technique for the thermal utilisation of the ground. Currently, the energy pile is the most known and used energy geostructure in Europe and all over the world. Nevertheless, plane geostructures such as basement or retaining walls have a large energy potential due to their large contact area to the ground. However, no suitable calculation approaches exists for the design of plane energy geostructures. The chair of geotechnical engineering (RWTH Aachen University) in cooperation with Geophysica Beratungsgesellschaft mbH (Aachen) developed an appropriate calculation approach. This approach, which is based on thermal resistances, was implemented in the finite difference code SHEMAT‐Suite. So it is possible to consider all important factors and their interaction. The new model was used for an extensive parameter study. As a result, the flow rate in the heat exchanging system, the ground temperature, the groundwater flow, the pipe arrangement in the structural element and the structure of the element were identified as the decisive parameters.
Safety and Efficacy of Simeprevir/Sofosbuvir in Hepatitis C–Infected Patients With Compensated and Decompensated Cirrhosis
Authors: Saxena Varun , Nyberg Lisa , Pauly Marypat , Dasgupta Aditi , Nyberg Anders , Piasecki Barbara , Winston Bradley , Redd Jacquelyn , Ready Joanna , Terrault Norah A.
Published: June 2015

Risks and benefits of simeprevir plus sofosbuvir (SIM+SOF) in patients with advanced cirrhosis are unknown. We assessed the safety and sustained virological responses (SVR) of SIM+SOF with and without ribavirin (RBV) in patients with Child‐Pugh (CP)‐B/C versus CP‐A cirrhosis and compared to matched untreated controls. This study was of a multicenter cohort of adults with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 and cirrhosis treated with SIM+SOF with/without RBV for 12 weeks. Controls were matched on treatment center, age, CP class, and Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. Of 160 patients treated with SIM+SOF with/without RBV, 35% had CP‐B/C and 64% had CP‐A, with median baseline MELD 9 (interquartile range, 8‐11). Sustained virological response at week 12 (SVR12) was achieved by 73% of CP‐B/C versus 91% of CP‐A (P < 0.01). CP‐B/C versus CP‐A had more early treatment discontinuations (11% vs. 1%), adverse events (AEs) requiring hospitalization (22% vs. 2%), infections requiring antibiotics (20% vs. 1%), and hepatic decompensating events (20% vs. 3%; all P < 0.01). There were 2 deaths: 1 CP‐B/C (liver related) and 1 CP‐A (not liver related). In multivariate analysis, CP‐B/C independently predicted lack of SVR12 (odds ratio, 0.27; 95% confidence interval: 0.08‐0.92). In comparing SIM+SOF‐treated patients versus matched untreated controls, AEs requiring hospitalization (9% vs. 13%; P = 0.55), infections (8% vs. 6%; P = 0.47), and events of decompensation (9% vs. 10%; P = 0.78) occurred at similar frequency. Conclusions: SIM+SOF with/without RBV has lower efficacy and higher rates of AEs in patients with CP‐B/C cirrhosis, compared to CP‐A. Frequency of adverse safety outcomes were similar to matched untreated controls, suggesting that safety events reflect the natural history of cirrhosis and are not related to treatment. (Hepatology 2015;62:715–725)
The Shifting of Directors' Duties in the Vicinity of Insolvency
Authors: Keay Andrew
Published: June 2015

Directors are obviously critical to the management of companies, and perhaps even more so when a company is in financial difficulties. This paper examines the position of directors when their company is in the vicinity of insolvency. It provides an analytical exposition of the law that exists in common law jurisdictions where, in the vicinity of insolvency, there is a shift in the nature of the duties of its directors, namely, directors have to take into account the interest of the creditors when exercising their powers and discharging their duties. The paper endeavours to identify and discuss the main problems that exist with this shift in the nature of duties so that if other jurisdictions do consider implementing it, they are aware of the drawbacks and may be able to address them. Copyright © 2015 INSOL International and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
The Effect of Design Parameters of an Irrigation Canal on Tuning of Coefficients and Performance of a PI Controller
Authors: Zamani Shahla , Parvaresh Rizi Atefeh , Isapoor Saeed
Published: June 2015

The performance and operation of irrigation networks can be improved using canal automation. This process requires the application of control systems. At the same time, the PI controller has been employed in different areas of the world. However, its adjustment for the different geometric and hydraulic conditions of canals is still considered a major problem for design. The design parameters of a canal such as bottom slope, roughness coefficient and side slope are among the determining factors of water flow dynamic behaviour. In this study, a distant downstream proportional integral feedback control with decouplers is designed for a base canal. By changing the value of design parameters in this canal, their effects on water flow behaviour and controller tuning were investigated. Canal characteristics were determined through a system identification process, and were also used to tune the controller. To simulate the control algorithms and evaluate their performance, a link of the SOBEK model and MATLAB software were used. To evaluate the performance of a well‐tuned controller during a given operation period, the maximum absolute error, integral of absolute magnitude of error and steady‐state error indicators were used. Generally, the result showed the bottom slope to have the most effect on water flow behaviour and tuning of the control algorithm. The effect of the roughness coefficient on the control algorithm and its performance is also more noticeable than the side slope. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What Does It Take to Collaborate?
Authors: Weninger Csilla , Singh Jasvindar S. , Loi Irene
Published: June 2015

In this commentary, the authors share insights from a collaborative project in Singapore among secondary school teachers, academics from the National Institute of Education, and the Singapore Ministry of Education. The authors highlight that the success of this collaboration was facilitated by significant institutional support at all levels and participants’ willingness to negotiate professional backgrounds, goals, and personalities.
Accelerated tissue integration into porous materials by immobilizing basic fibroblast growth factor using a biologically safe three‐step reaction
Authors: Kakinoki Sachiro , Sakai Yusuke , Fujisato Toshia , Yamaoka Tetsuji
Published: June 2015

Soft tissue integration into a porous structure is important to prevent bacterial infection of percutaneous devices and improve tissue regeneration using porous scaffolds. Here, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was immobilized on porous polymer materials using a mild and biologically safe three‐step reaction: (1) modification with a novel surface‐modification peptide (penta‐lysine‐mussel adhesive sequence, which reacts with various matrices), (2) electrostatic binding of heparin with introduced penta‐lysine, and (3) biologically specific binding of bFGF to heparin. Porous polyethylene specimens (PPSs) (D =6.0 mm,H = 2.0 mm) with a good size for tissue integration were selected as a base material, immobilized with bFGF, and subcutaneously implanted into mice. Half of the unmodified PPSs extruded out of the body on day 112 postimplantation; however, the three‐step reaction completely prevented sample rejection. Tissue integration was greatly accelerated by immobilizing bFGF. Direct physical coating of bFGF on PPS resulted in greater immobilization but lesser tissue integration than that after the three‐step bFGF immobilization, indicating that heparin binds and enhances bFGF efficacy. This three‐step bFGF immobilization reaction will be applicable to various polymeric, metallic, and ceramic materials and is a simple strategy to integrate tissue on porous medical devices or scaffolds for tissue regeneration. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3790–3797, 2015.
Enhanced Chemotherapeutic Behavior of Open‐Caged DNA@Doxorubicin Nanostructures for Cancer Cells
Authors: Kumar Vinit , Bayda Samer , Hadla Mohamad , Caligiuri Isabella , Russo Spena Concetta , Palazzolo Stefano , Kempter Susanne , Corona Giuseppe , Toffoli Giuseppe , Rizzolio Flavio
Published: May 2015

In cancer therapy, it is imperative to increase the efficacy and reduce side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. Nanotechnology offers the unique opportunity to overcome these barriers. In particular, in the last few years, DNA nanostructures have gained attention for their biocompatibility, easy customized synthesis and ability to deliver drugs to cancer cells. Here, an open‐caged pyramidal DNA@Doxorubicin (Py‐Doxo) nanostructure was constructed with 10 DNA sequences of 26–28 nucleotides for drug delivery to cancer cells. The synthesized DNA nanostructures are sufficiently stable in biological medium. Py‐Doxo exhibited significantly enhanced cytotoxicity of the delivered doxorubicin to breast and liver cancer cells up to twofold compared to free doxorubicin. This study demonstrates the importance of the shape and structure of the designed transporter DNA nanostructures for biomedical applications. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 106–110, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of erythropoietin resistance in hemodialysis patients using calcitriol, cinacalcet, or paricalcitol
Authors: Afsar Baris , Agca Erhan , Turk Suleyman
Published: June 2015

The erythropoiesis‐stimulating agent (ESA) hyporesponsiveness index (EHRI) calculated as the weekly dose of EPO divided by weight (kg) divided by hemoglobin level (g/dL) has been considered useful to assess ESA resistance. Recent evidence suggests that active vitamin D, cinacalcet, and paricalcitol use may be related with lower ESA resistance. We conducted this observational cross‐sectional study to investigate ESA resistance calculated by the EHRI among patients using calcitriol, cinacalcet, and paricalcitol. Participants underwent a medical history taken, physical examination, measurement of biochemical analysis, calculation of dialysis adequacy, and EHRI. Sixty‐five patients did not receive any treatment regarding vitamin D, paricalcitol, and cinacalcet (group 1), 41 were taking only vitamin D (group 2), 50 were taking only paricalcitol (group 3), 19 were taking only cinacalcet (group 4), and 21 were taking paricalcitol + cinacalcet (group 5). The EHRI values for groups 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were 11.36 ± 8.72, 11.58 ± 5.72, 8.29 ± 5.54, 9.49 ± 4.61, and 8.91 ± 4.44 respectively (P =.034). Post hoc analysis showed that the EHRI differed between group 1 and group 3 (P =.017) and between group 2 and group 3 (P =.006). In linear regression analysis, use of paricalcitol was independently associated with EHRI. In conclusion, paricalcitol use was associated with lower EHRI levels as a measure of ESA resistance.
Quinine as a potential tracer for medication adherence: A pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic assessment of quinine alone and in combination with oxycodone in humans
Authors: Babalonis Shanna , Hampson Aidan J. , Lofwall Michelle R. , Nuzzo Paul A. , Walsh Sharon L.
Published: June 2015

Effective strategies to monitor pharmacotherapy adherence are necessary, and sensitive biological markers are lacking. This study examined a subtherapeutic dose of quinine as a potential adherence tracer. Primary aims included examination of the plasma and urinary pharmacokinetic profile of once‐daily quinine; secondary aims assessed pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic interactions with oxycodone (a CYP3A and CYP2D substrate). Healthy, nondependent opioid users (n = 9) were enrolled in this within‐subject, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled inpatient study. Participants received the following oral doses: day 1, oxycodone (30 mg); days 2–4, quinine (80 mg); day 5, quinine and oxycodone (2 hours postquinine). Blood and 24‐hour urine samples were collected throughout the study, and pharmacodynamic outcomes were assessed during experimental sessions (days 1, 4, 5). Quinine displayed a plasma Tmax ∼2 hours and t1/2 ∼10 hours. Oxycodone and noroxycodone parameters (Tmax, Cmax, t1/2) were similar with or without quinine present, although drug exposure (AUC) was slightly greater when combined with quinine. No pharmacodynamic interactions were detected, and doses were safely tolerated. During washout, quinine urinary concentrations steadily declined (elimination t1/2 ∼16 hours), with a 94% decrease observed 72 hours postdose. Overall, low‐dose quinine appears to be a good candidate for a medication additive to monitor adherence for detection of missed medication.
Physico‐chemical properties and fatty acid composition of pomegranate, cherry and pumpkin seed oils
Authors: Siano Francesco , Straccia Maria C , Paolucci Marina , Fasulo Gabriella , Boscaino Floriana , Volpe Maria G
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND

Nut and seed oils are often considered waste products but in recent years they have been receiving growing interest due to their high concentration of hydrophilic and lipophilic bioactive components, which have important pharmacological properties on human health. The aim of this work was to compare the physico‐chemical and biochemical properties of pomegranate (Punicagranatum), sweet cherry (Prunusavium) and pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seed oils obtained by solvent extraction.

RESULTS

High amount of linoleic acid was found in the cherry and pumpkin seed oils, while pomegranate seed oil showed relevant content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) along to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and nervonic acid. Pumpkin seed oil had high concentration of carotenoids, while pomegranate oil was the best absorber in the UV‐A and UV‐B ranges.

CONCLUSION

Pomegranate, cherry and pumpkin seed oils can be an excellent source of bioactive molecules and antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids and unsaturated fatty acids. These seed oils can be included both as preservatives and functional ingredients in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields and can contribute to disease prevention and health promotion. Moreover, high absorbance of UV light indicates a potential use of these oils as filters from radiations in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic fields. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Impact of electron beam irradiation on quality of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) oil
Authors: Nemţanu Monica R , Braşoveanu Mirela
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND

Sea buckthorn oil is a valuable product that can be incorporated into daily foodstuffs, cosmetics or pharmaceuticals. The effect of accelerated electron irradiation up to 8 kGy on quality characteristics of sea buckthorn oil was investigated in this study.

RESULTS

Irradiation had no significant influence on phenolic content. Conversely, carotenoid content, antioxidant activity, and oxidative status suffered alterations as the irradiation dose increased. Although no colour changes were visible for oil irradiated up to 3 kGy, the total colour difference indicated clearly changes that involved a two‐step pattern associated with slow degradation of oil colour up to 3 kGy, followed by a fast degradation up to 8 kGy. Some changes of the oil spectral features related to the frequency and intensity of some bands have been found after irradiation, indicating an alteration of the structural integrity induced by irradiation.

CONCLUSION

The present investigation may be a useful starting point for irradiation processing of food or non‐food matrices containing sea buckthorn oil. Thus, sea buckthorn oil safety can be ensured with minimal undesirable changes in its quality by applying irradiation doses up to 3 kGy, which allow control of the microbial contamination depending on microorganism type and initial microbial load. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Aqueous extract of tomato seeds attenuates rotenone‐induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Krishna Gokul , Muralidhara
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND

Tomato seeds, a major by‐product from the food processing industry, constitute a rich source of bioactives and a large population consumes tomato (either in raw or cooked form). In the present study, initially we assessed the antioxidant activity of aqueous extract of tomato seeds (TSE) in selected chemical systems and further explored the neuroprotective effects of TSE utilising the rotenone (ROT) model of neurotoxicity in Drosophila.

RESULTS

Adult male flies (Oregon K) were fed TSE‐enriched medium (0.1–0.2%) with or without ROT (500 µmol L−1) for 7 days. The propensity of TSE to protect flies against ROT‐induced lethality, locomotor phenotype, oxidative stress and neurotoxicity was investigated. TSE offered marked protection against ROT‐induced mortality, while survivors exhibited improved locomotor phenotype. TSE significantly attenuated ROT‐induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunctions, protein carbonyls content, restored the cholinergic function and dopamine levels.

CONCLUSION

We hypothesise that the efficacy of tomato seed extract to attenuate ROT‐mediated neurotoxicity may be largely related to the combined antioxidant activity of bioactives resulting in abrogation of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. More importantly, our approach provides an experimental paradigm to rapidly assess the potential neuroprotective effects of common dietary components employing Drosophila, since it corroborates previous evidence in a mouse model. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of technological processes on enniatin levels in pasta
Authors: Serrano Ana B , Font Guillermina , Mañes Jordi , Ferrer Emilia
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND

Potential human health risks posed by enniatins (ENs) require their control primarily from cereal products, creating a demand for harvesting, food processing and storage techniques capable to prevent, reduce and/or eliminate the contamination. In this study, different methodologies to pasta processing simulating traditional and industrial processes were developed in order to know the fate of the mycotoxin ENs. The levels of ENs were studied at different steps of pasta processing. The effect of the temperature during processing was evaluated in two types of pasta (white and whole‐grain pasta). Mycotoxin analysis was performed by LC‐MS/MS.

RESULTS

High reductions (up to 50% and 80%) were achieved during drying pasta at 45–55°C and 70–90°C, respectively. The treatments at low temperature (25°C) did not change EN levels. The effect of pasta composition did not cause a significant effect on the stability of ENs. The effect of the temperature allowed a marked mycotoxin reduction during pasta processing. Generally, ENA1 and ENB showed higher thermal stability than did ENA and ENB1.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings from the present study suggested that pasta processing at medium–high temperatures is a potential tool to remove an important fraction of ENs from the initial durum wheat semolina. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Preparation and Characterization of Fully Furan‐Based Renewable Thermosetting Epoxy‐Amine Systems
Authors: Hu Fengshuo , Yadav Santosh Kumar , La Scala John J. , Sadler Joshua M. , Palmese Giuseppe R.
Published: June 2015

Fully furan‐based epoxy/amine thermosetting materials are prepared and investigated using a furanyl epoxy monomer, 2,5‐bis[(2‐oxiranylmethoxy)methyl]‐furan (BOF), and two furanyl amine hardeners, 5,5′‐methylenedifurfurylamine (DFDA) and 5,5′‐ethylidenedifurfirylamine (CH3‐DFDA). These furan‐based thermosets have shown promising glass transition temperatures (62 and 69 °C, respectively, using tan delta) and room temperature storage moduli (≈3.5 GPa). The BOF/CH3‐DFDA sample is exhibited higher Tg than the BOF/DFDA system due to the presence of an additional methyl group in CH3‐DFDA. Used as curing agents for DGEBA, DFDA and CH3‐DFDA have shown excellent performance with resulting Tgs well above 120 °C. Onset degradation temperature of the fully furan‐based samples is observed around 270 °C with high char yields (≈40 wt%) at 750 °C in argon. Based on their thermal and mechanical properties, the renewable fully furan‐based thermosets are found suitable for coating, adhesive, and composite applications, and are therefore potential replacements for incumbent systems.

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Gradient estimates in generalized Morrey spaces for parabolic operators
Authors: Byun Sun‐Sig , Softova Lubomira G.
Published: June 2015

We obtain global regularity in generalized Morrey spaces for the gradient of the weak solutions to divergence form linear parabolic operators with measurable data. Assuming partial BMO smallness of the coefficients and Reifenberg flatness of the boundary of the underlying domain, we develop a Calderón‐Zygmund type theory for such operators. Problems like the considered here arise in the modeling of composite materials and in the mechanics of membranes and films of simple nonhomogeneous materials which form a linear laminated medium.
Experiences in Close Relationships – Psychometric properties among patients with personality disorders
Authors: Pedersen Geir , Eikenæs Ingeborg , Urnes Øyvind , Skulberg Guro Mikaelsen , Wilberg Theresa
Published: June 2015

Patients with personality disorders represent maladaptive attachment strategies, influencing the quality of their interpersonal relationships. Within these patient populations, it is important to have a measure, easily applied, to assess such strategies. A widely used instrument is Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR), assessing two constructs called avoidance and anxiety. Lately, two short forms of ECR have been proposed, called ECR‐S and ECR‐N12. The aim of this study is to investigate the psychometric properties of the Norwegian @version of ECR and its two short forms in a sample of patients with mainly personality disorders. An internal consistency and confirmatory factor analysis of ECR, ECR‐S and ECR‐N12 from 495 patients was conducted, as well as an exploratory factor analysis of ECR. The internal consistency of ECR was found questionable. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a poor model fit based on ECR and ECR‐S. The ECR‐N12 revealed a mediocre fit, indicating a potential for improvement. Exploratory factor analysis indicated two different aspects of avoidance and three aspects of anxiety. This five‐factor solution was called ECR‐FF. Inferences from scores based on ECR should be derived with care. A revision of ECR and ECR‐N12 is warranted, and further studies are needed to investigate the validity of ECR‐FF. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Residue‐level global and local ensemble‐ensemble comparisons of protein domains
Authors: Clark Sarah A. , Tronrud Dale E. , Andrew Karplus P.
Published: June 2015

Many methods of protein structure generation such as NMR‐based solution structure determination and template‐based modeling do not produce a single model, but an ensemble of models consistent with the available information. Current strategies for comparing ensembles lose information because they use only a single representative structure. Here, we describe the ENSEMBLATOR and its novel strategy to directly compare two ensembles containing the same atoms to identify significant global and local backbone differences between them on per‐atom and per‐residue levels, respectively. The ENSEMBLATOR has four components: eePREP (ee for ensemble‐ensemble), which selects atoms common to all models; eeCORE, which identifies atoms belonging to a cutoff‐distance dependent common core; eeGLOBAL, which globally superimposes all models using the defined core atoms and calculates for each atom the two intraensemble variations, the interensemble variation, and the closest approach of members of the two ensembles; and eeLOCAL, which performs a local overlay of each dipeptide and, using a novel measure of local backbone similarity, reports the same four variations as eeGLOBAL. The combination of eeGLOBAL and eeLOCAL analyses identifies the most significant differences between ensembles. We illustrate the ENSEMBLATOR's capabilities by showing how using it to analyze NMR ensembles and to compare NMR ensembles with crystal structures provides novel insights compared to published studies. One of these studies leads us to suggest that a “consistency check” of NMR‐derived ensembles may be a useful analysis step for NMR‐based structure determinations in general. The ENSEMBLATOR 1.0 is available as a first generation tool to carry out ensemble‐ensemble comparisons.
Conformational transition paths harbor structures useful for aiding drug discovery and understanding enzymatic mechanisms in protein kinases
Authors: Wong Chung F.
Published: June 2015

This short article examines the usefulness of fast simulations of conformational transition paths in elucidating enzymatic mechanisms and guiding drug discovery for protein kinases. It applies the transition path method in the MOIL software package to simulate the paths of conformational transitions between six pairs of structures from the Protein Data Bank. The structures along the transition paths were found to resemble experimental structures that mimic transient structures believed to form during enzymatic catalysis or conformational transitions, or structures that have drug candidates bound. These findings suggest that such simulations could provide quick initial insights into the enzymatic mechanisms or pathways of conformational transitions of proteins kinases, or could provide structures useful for aiding structure‐based drug design.
Insecticide resistance in pollen beetles over 7 years – a landscape approach
Authors: Riggi Laura GA , Gagic Vesna , Bommarco Riccardo , Ekbom Barbara
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND

In spite of considerable interest in the impact of pesticides on pest populations, few attempts have been made to link resistance patterns of insect pests to land‐use features across spatial and temporal scales. We hypothesise that pollen beetle pesticide resistance increases in areas with a high proportion of oilseed rape and with an even mixture of winter and spring oilseed rape owing to high pesticide selection pressure in such areas.

RESULTS

Here, we investigated 7 years of lambda‐cyhalothrin (Karate®) resistance in field‐collected pollen beetle adults from a total of 180 sampling points across ten regions in Sweden. We found a positive effect on pollen beetle pesticide resistance of proportion of oilseed rape and even spring–winter oilseed rape mixture. However, this was true only for the regional spatial scale. Significant land‐use effects in the long‐term models, with oilseed rape data averaged over a longer (4 years) period of time, suggested an effect of regional landscape history on current pest resistance.

CONCLUSION

For successful control of pollen beetle pesticide resistance, we suggest a long‐term regional strategy for oilseed rape management. This land‐use approach provides a framework for further investigations that integrate resistance management into landscape research. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Urinary tract infections: diagnosis and management
Authors: Durojaiye Chris O , Healy Brendan
Published: June 2015

Urinary tract infections are commonly seen in primary care. This review focuses on key points and recent guidelines on the diagnosis and management of bacterial infections.
Jardiance: the latest SGLT2 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Chaplin Steve , Rajeev Surya , Wilding John
Published: June 2015

Empagliflozin (Jardiance) is the third SGLT2 inhibitor available for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Here we present the clinical data relating to its efficacy and adverse events.
Treatment of rheumatic lesions with corticosteroid injections
Authors: Bechman Katie , Keat Andrew
Published: June 2015

Successful corticosteroid injections require correct diagnosis and sound technique. For GPs to acquire this skill confers great advantage to both patient and doctor.
Geo‐cultural Origin and Economic Incorporation of High‐skilled Immigrants in Israel
Authors: Bodankin Moran , Semyonov Moshe
Published: June 2015

The present study focuses on differential modes of economic incorporation and economic success of highly skilled immigrants in Israel. Data were obtained from the 2009–2011 Labor Force and Income Surveys. The analysis pertains to recent immigrants aged 25–64 years who attained academic education prior to migration. Three major geo‐cultural groups of immigrants are compared with Israeli‐born. The groups are as follows: Europe and the Americas, the Former Soviet Union, and Asia and Africa. The multivariate analysis (conducted separately for men and women) reveals significant differences across geo‐cultural groups in labour‐market performance (i.e. economic participation) and in economic outcomes (i.e. attainment of professional occupation, occupational status, and earnings). An ethnic hierarch is observed with Israeli‐born at the top, followed by immigrants from Europe and the Americas; the groups of immigrants from the Former Soviet Union and from Asia or Africa are placed at the bottom of the hierarchy. Although all high‐skilled immigrants are disadvantaged when compared with Israeli‐born, all tend to improve their labour‐market status with the passage of time in the country. However, only immigrants from Europe and the Americas are able to reach economic assimilation with high‐skilled Israeli‐born. Asian–African immigrants and immigrants from the Former Soviet Union are less successful in converting skills into economic success; they remain economically disadvantaged even after 20 years of residence. The impact of geo‐cultural origin on differential ability of immigrants to transmit credentials from one country to another is discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Migration and the Local Transformation of Overseas Development Aid: an Analysis of Migrants' Access to ODA Funds in Catalonia
Authors: Østergaard‐Nielsen Eva , Acebillo‐Baqué Míriam
Published: June 2015

This paper explores the linkages between migrant transnationality, locality, and the transformation of local government practices within the field of overseas development assistance (ODA). A growing literature critically analyses how migrants as development agents are embedded in, as well as challenge, local and transnational power hierarchies. This research field is not only centred on the dynamics in the countries of migrant origin but also includes the interaction between the social and institutional contexts in the receiving country and the transnational development practices of migrants. We explore these wider issues through an analysis of the overall trends in migrant access to ODA among Catalan local governments, which have dedicated a (small) part of their annual budget to ODA activities since the 1980s. We set up an original database with information from four consecutive comprehensive surveys of ODA practices of Catalan local governments between 1999 and 2008, each cohort representing more than 90% of the total Catalan population. Subsequently, we show that variation in migrant access to ODA funds across different local governments and migrant nationalities is related to both the size and diversity of municipalities and a range of institutional/political variables. These include the overall ODA spending of the local government, which party is in power, and the extent to which local governments pool their ODA resources within a regional development association for municipalities. In this way, the analysis contributes to our understanding of the potential of migration and migrant transnational practices to transform local institutional practices. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Family Life Course and the Timing of Women's Retirement – a Sequence Analysis Approach
Authors: Svensson Ingrid , Lundholm Emma , De Luna Xavier , Malmberg Gunnar
Published: June 2015

Based on longitudinal data from national Swedish registers, family life course dynamics for all women born in 1935 in Sweden are explored for the period 1990–2006. Focusing primarily on the existence and geographical proximity to parents, children, and grandchildren, assuming that the family life courses affect the life situation as well as strategic decisions, this longitudinal study uses a holistic approach, analysing how different types of family life courses are associated with socio‐economic conditions as well as with the timing of retirement. The primary task was not to identify the causal determinants of work life exit but rather to unfold how retirement transition is entwined into the different types of family life courses, whereby retirement and family ageing are different sides of a multifaceted transition period. By using sequence analysis, the family life courses were structured into sequences and durations of states and different family life course categories were identified. The sequence analyses reveal a complex relation between retirement decisions and having family members around. Early retirement was associated with a category with few relatives but also with a category with two younger generations present, while we found no strong association with early retirement for categories in which the old generation was around for a longer period. Late retirement was associated with belonging to categories characterised by late family formation and having children at home. These differences in retirement behaviour were also significant when controlling for education level, marital status, and type of region in a Cox regression. © 2015 The Authors. Population, Space and Place. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Modernisation, Migration, and Mobilisation: Relinking Internal and International Migrations in the ‘Migration and Development Nexus’
Authors: Hickey Maureen
Published: June 2015

There is growing enthusiasm in academic and policy circles for the positive role that international migrants can play in the development of their home countries and communities. Supranational development organisations, national governments, and other institutions have scrambled to assess the linkages between ‘migration and development’ and to implement new policies and programs to more effectively ‘capture’ transnational remittances in order promote greater development outcomes. This international ‘migration and development’ (MAD) paradigm nevertheless draws heavily on older development models, grounded in modernisation theory, which promoted rapid internal rural‐to‐urban migration. Yet, these connections are rarely acknowledged or analysed within official policy discourses; rather, this MAD nexus is regularly depicted as a new paradigm, one that exists without historical or ideological context. This paper traces out the conceptual connections between past and contemporary linkages of MAD theory. I argue that relinking internal and international migrations literature in development reveals the ways in which modernisation theories that rest on problematic contrasts between modernity/tradition and development/backwardness are unconsciously replicated within current policy discourses. I argue that a return to a close interrogation of the concept of development – as defined by migrant actors themselves – has the potential to both bridge the divide within migration studies and to productively critique migration and development policy discourses in ways that do not elide their historical emergence and political effects. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Orbital effect on the in‐plane critical field in free‐standing superconducting nanofilms
Authors: Wójcik P. , Zegrodnik M.
Published: June 2015

The superconductor to normal metal phase transition induced by the in‐plane magnetic field is studied in free‐standing Pb(111) nanofilms. In the considered structures, the energy quantization induced by the confinement leads to the thickness‐dependent oscillations of the critical field (the so‐called “shape resonances”). In this paper, we examine the influence of the orbital effect on the in‐plane critical magnetic field in nanofilms. We demonstrate that the orbital term suppresses the critical field and reduces the amplitude of the thickness‐dependent critical field oscillations. Moreover, due to the orbital effect, the slope at becomes finite and decreases with increasing film thickness in agreement with recent experiments. The temperature at which the superconductor to normal metal phase transition becomes of the first order is also analyzed.
Universally composable issuer‐free adaptive oblivious transfer with access policy
Authors: Guleria Vandana , Dutta Ratna
Published: June 2015

In today's Internet world, security, privacy and efficiency are three prime concerns in designing any cryptographic protocol. Adaptive oblivious transfer with access policy (AOT‐AP) is widely used in oblivious search of privacy preserving databases in which each message is associated with an access policy and only authorized receivers can access the databases. All the existing AOT‐AP protocols assume a trusted third party called issuer apart from a sender and multiple receivers and are secure under the restriction that the issuer never colludes with a collection of receivers. We propose the first issuer‐freeAOT‐AP in universal composable (UC) framework. Our issuer‐free AOT‐AP is UC secure under standard assumptions assuming malicious adversary in static corruption model. More interestingly, our scheme exhibits significant improvements over the existing schemes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A two‐way clustering framework to identify disparities in multimorbidity patterns of mental and physical health conditions among Australians
Authors: Ng S. K.
Published: June 2015

Multimorbidity is present in more than one quarter of the population in Australia, and its prevalence increases with age. Greater multimorbidity burden among individuals is always associated with poor health‐related outcomes, including quality of life, health service utilization and mortality, among others. It is thus significant to identify the heterogeneity in multimorbidity patterns in the community and determine the impact of multimorbidity on individual health outcomes. In this paper, I propose a two‐way clustering framework to identify clusters of most significant non‐random comorbid health conditions and disparities in multimorbidity patterns among individuals. This framework can establish a clustering‐based approach to determine the association between multimorbidity patterns and health‐related outcomes and to calculate a multimorbidity score for each individual. The proposed method is illustrated using simulated data and a national survey data set of mental health and wellbeing in Australia. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Random effects model for bias estimation: higher‐order asymptotic inference
Authors: Rukhin Andrew L.
Published: June 2015

A common issue in physical, chemical and biometrical applications is to validate a laboratory's method. For that purpose, a lab performs measurements on a certified reference material with a given coverage interval. These reference materials are a major tool for assuring quality and reliability of results obtained by a lab in analysis and testing. Assuming that the measurand is random with a normal distribution whose parameters are obtained from the reference material certificate, new remarkably accurate confidence intervals for the bias are derived. These procedures are based on modern higher‐order asymptotic statistical methods. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Transformation of Nanostructured Schwertmannite and 2‐Line‐Ferrihydrite into Hematite
Authors: Reichelt Lydia , Bertau Martin
Published: June 2015

Nanostructured ferric oxides and sulfated ferric oxides are of high interest in catalysis, e.g. for hydrocarbon isomerization. Sulfated ferric oxides are often prepared by immersion of ferric oxides in sulfate containing solutions which technique is facile to conduct, yet poorly reproducible. This problem is circumvented by sulfate incorporation into ferric oxide particles during precipitation. This way of intrinsic sulfation generated ferric oxides with defined properties. The precipitation reaction is accomplished by using a microjet mixer, in which ferric sulfate is brought to reaction with ammonia, what allows for forming schwertmannite and ferrihydrite qualities with defined sulfate content. As ferric oxide synthesis is conducted at ambient conditions, while catalysis mainly occurs at elevated temperatures, it is important to study structural as well as chemical changes during heating. Thus these materials were analysed in terms of structural and chemical changes during heating. In this course it was found that both materials are transformed into hematite, the crystallization degree as well as specific surface properties of which depend both on annealing temperature and the precursor used. This transformation was accompanied by dehydration and liberation of sulfur trioxide.
Aggregation of Dinuclear Cations [{Au(PR3)}2(μ‐OH)]+ into Dimers Induced by Polyoxometalate (POM) Template Effects
Authors: Yoshida Takuya , Nagashima Eri , Arai Hidekazu , Matsunaga Satoshi , Nomiya Kenji
Published: June 2015

Intercluster compounds, [{(Au{P(p‐XPh)3})2(μ‐OH)}2][α‐SiMo12O40(Au{P(p‐XPh)3})2]·nEtOH [X = F (1), Cl (2)] were synthesized by polyoxometalate (POM)‐mediated clusterization, and were unequivocally characterized by X‐ray crystallography, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), solid‐state cross‐polarization magic‐angle‐spinning (CPMAS) 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and solution (1H, 31P{1H}) NMR spectroscopy. The “dimer‐of‐dinuclear phosphanegold(I) cation”, i.e., [{(Au{P(p‐XPh)3})2(μ‐OH)}2]2+ was formed by the self‐assembly of dinuclear phosphanegold(I) cations, i.e., [(Au{P(p‐XPh)3})2(μ‐OH)]+, through inter‐cationic aurophilic interactions as the crossed‐edge arrangement (or tetrahedral Au4 structure) for 1, while as the parallel‐edge arrangement (or rectangular Au4 structure) for 2. The latter arrangement was first attained only by assistance of the POM. The POM anions in 1 and 2 contained two mononuclear phosphanegold(I) cations, i.e., [Au{P(p‐XPh)3}]+, linked to the OMo2 oxygen atoms of edge‐sharing MoO6 octahedra. In the solution 31P{1H} NMR of 1 and 2, we observed single signals due to the rapid exchange of the phosphanegold(I) units. This shows that the OMo2 oxygen atoms of edge‐sharing MoO6 octahedra in the Keggin POM act as multi‐centered active binding sites for the formation of [{(Au{P(p‐XPh)3})2(μ‐OH)}2]2+.