bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of stress relaxation in beta-titanium orthodontic loops: Part II
Authors: Júnior Roberto S.S. , Caldas Sergei G.F.R. , Martins Lídia P. , Martins Renato P.
Published: August 2015

Objective: 

To determine which regions of beta-titanium T-loop springs (TLSs) are more affected by the stress relaxation over a 12-week period.

Materials and Methods: 

Fifty TLS were previously activated by concentrated bends and divided into five groups of 10 each according to their evaluation periods: immediate assessment (G0), 24 hours (G1), 48 hours (G2), 1 week (G3), and 12 weeks (G4). Groups 1 to 4 were mounted into a structure simulating a clinical situation. After the experimental periods, the springs were scanned for measurement of their angles and numbered from 1 to 9. A two-way analysis of variance was used to detect differences among the angles measured and differences caused by time and also to detect interactions between those two factors. Tukey’s test was used to find differences among the groups.

Results: 

Time influenced the angulations of the TLSs (P < .001). Tukey post hoc test showed that G0 (84.1°) presented a different profile, whereas G1 (90.2°), G2 (90.7°), and G3 (91.1°) had similar profiles among each other, with G4 (92.6°) showing a mean value different from all other groups. A significant interaction was detected between activation time and angular deformation in the TLSs (P < .01).

Conclusion: 

Stress relaxation was observed in the TLSs. It was greatest within 24 hours and gradually increased up to 12 weeks. Two regions were identified as responsible for the relaxation of the TLSs: one at the bend between the vertical extensions of the springs and the base arch and the other at the preactivation bends made in the base arch.
Computing and Learning Year-Round Daily Patterns of Hourly Wind Speed and Direction and Their Global Associations with Meteorological Factors
Authors: Wu Hsing-Ti , Fushing Hsieh , Chuang Laurence
Published: August 2015

Daily wind patterns and their relational associations with other metocean (oceanographic and meteorological) variables were algorithmically computed and extracted from a year-long wind and weather dataset, which was collected hourly from an ocean buoy located in the Penghu archipelago of Taiwan. The computational algorithm is called data cloud geometry (DCG). This DCG algorithm is a clustering-based nonparametric learning approach that was constructed and developed implicitly based on various entropy concepts. Regarding the bivariate aspect of wind speed and wind direction, the resulting multiscale clustering hierarchy revealed well-known wind characteristics of year-round pattern cycles pertaining to the particular geographic location of the buoy. A wind pattern due to a set of extreme weather days was also identified. Moreover, in terms of the relational aspect of wind and other weather variables, causal patterns were revealed through applying the DCG algorithm alternatively on the row and column axes of a data matrix by iteratively adapting distance measures to computed DCG tree structures. This adaptation technically constructed and integrated a multiscale, two-sample testing into the distance measure. These computed wind patterns and pattern-based causal relationships are useful for both general sailing and competition planning.
Domestic Hot Water Production with Ground Source Heat Pump in Apartment Buildings
Authors: Yrjölä Jukka , Laaksonen Eetu
Published: August 2015

Producing domestic hot water (DHW) with a ground source heat pump (GSHP) is challenging due to the high temperature (HT) of DHW. There are many studies proving the better performance of cascade heat pumps compared to single-stage heat pumps when the difference between the condensing and the evaporation temperature is large. In this system approach study, different GSHP arrangements are described and computationally compared. A two-stage heat pump arrangement is introduced in which water tanks of the heating system are utilized for warming up the DHW in two stages. It is shown that the electricity consumption with this two-stage system is approximately 31% less than with the single-stage heat pump and 12% less than with the cascade system. Further, both low temperature (LT) and HT heat pumps can run alone, which is not common in cascade or other two-stage heat pumps. This is advantageous because the high loads of the space heating and DHW production are not simultaneous. Proper insulation of the DHW and recirculation pipe network is essential, and drying towel rails or other heating coils should be avoided when aiming for a high efficiency. The refrigerants in the calculations are R407C for the LT heat pump and R134a for the HT heat pump. Investment costs are excluded from calculations.
Neuroprotective Effects of Mitochondria-Targeted Plastoquinone and Thymoquinone in a Rat Model of Brain Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Silachev Denis , Plotnikov Egor , Zorova Ljubava , Pevzner Irina , Sumbatyan Natalia , Korshunova Galina , Gulyaev Mikhail , Pirogov Yury , Skulachev Vladimir , Zorov Dmitry
Published: August 2015

We explored the neuroprotective properties of natural plant-derived antioxidants plastoquinone and thymoquinone (2-demethylplastoquinone derivative) modified to be specifically accumulated in mitochondria. The modification was performed through chemical conjugation of the quinones with penetrating cations: Rhodamine 19 or tetraphenylphosphonium. Neuroprotective properties were evaluated in a model of middle cerebral artery occlusion. We demonstrate that the mitochondria-targeted compounds, introduced immediately after reperfusion, possess various neuroprotective potencies as judged by the lower brain damage and higher neurological status. Plastoquinone derivatives conjugated with rhodamine were the most efficient, and the least efficiency was shown by antioxidants conjugated with tetraphenylphosphonium. Antioxidants were administered intraperitoneally or intranasally with the latter demonstrating a high level of penetration into the brain tissue. The therapeutic effects of both ways of administration were similar. Long-term administration of antioxidants in low doses reduced the neurological deficit, but had no effect on the volume of brain damage. At present, cationic decylrhodamine derivatives of plastoquinone appear to be the most promising anti-ischemic mitochondria-targeted drugs of the quinone family. We suggest these antioxidants could be potentially used for a stroke treatment.
Liquidambar maomingensis sp. nov. (Altingiaceae) from the late Eocene of South China
Authors: Maslova Natalia P. , Kodrul Tatiana M. , Song Yunsheng , Volkova Lyudmila D. , Jin Jianhua
Published: August 2015

• Premise of the study: Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data has changed our view on the evolution and systematics of plant taxa. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of several molecular markers, fruit anatomy, and pollen morphology, the genera Altingia and Semiliquidambar were formally transferred to the genus Liquidambar. The new species of Liquidambar from the Eocene of South China significantly extends our knowledge of the variability of the morphological characters of this genus in the geological past. Fossil leaves in conjunction with data on the associated reproductive structures allow us to make inferences about patterns in the evolutionary history of Liquidambar.

• Methods: Fossil leaves and associated reproductive structures preserved as impressions were described and compared with the corresponding organs of extant and fossil relatives. The morphological variation of numerous leaves was examined by stereomicroscopy.

• Key results: Liquidambar maomingensis sp. nov. is characterized by polymorphic leaves including both palmately lobed and unlobed leaves. This study presents the first observations of such dimorphism in the fossil record of Liquidambar leaves. Two distinct leaf groups are interpreted as sun and shade leaves.

• Conclusions: The fossil leaves and associated infructescences from Maoming probably belong to the same plant. The occurrence of fossil leaves similar to those of extant species previously considered within Semiliquidambar and Liquidambar with the associated infructescences close to those of Altingia provide paleobotanical evidence that justifies combining the genera Liquidambar, Altingia, and Semiliquidambar into the single genus Liquidambar as recently proposed based on molecular markers.
Conservative Generalized Quantifiers and Presupposition
Authors: Fernando Tim
Published: August 2015

No abstract.
Declarative Questions
Authors: Gunlogson Christine
Published: August 2015

No abstract.
Two Types of Quantificational Modalized Genericity, and the Interpretation of Bare Plural and Indefinite Singular NPs
Authors: Greenberg Yael
Published: August 2015

No abstract.
Ambiguity and Anaphora with Plurals in Discourse
Authors: Asher Nicholas , Wang Linton
Published: August 2015

We provide examples of plurals related to ambiguity and anaphora that pose problems or are counterexamples for current approaches to plurals. We then propose a dynamic semantics based on an extension of dynamic predicate logic (DPL+) to handle these examples. On our theory, different readings of sentences or discourses containing plu­rals don't arise from a postulated ambiguity of plural terms or predicates applying to plural DPs, but follow rather from different types of dynamic transitions that manip­ulate inputs and outputs from formulas or discourse constituents. Many aspects of meaning can affect the type dynamic transitions : the lexical semantics of predicates to the left and right of a transition, and number features of DPs and discourse constraints like parallelism.
Contextual Variables as Pronouns
Authors: Martí Luisa
Published: August 2015

No abstract.
Quantification over Times in Subjunctive Conditionals
Authors: Ippolito Michela
Published: August 2015

No abstract.
Front matter
Authors: Young Robert B.
Published: August 2015

Proceedings of the 14th Semantics and Linguistic Theory Conference, held May 14-16, 2004, at Northwestern University, edited by Robert B. Young.
Varieties of Distributivity: 'One by One' vs 'Each'
Authors: Brasoveanu Adrian , Henderson Robert
Published: August 2015

No abstract.
Quantity and gradability across categories
Authors: Bochnak M. Ryan
Published: August 2015

This paper proposes a unified analysis of scalar modifiers across the adjec- tival, nominal and verbal domains, with a special focus on the proportional modifier half in English. I claim that half has a scalar meaning in all the environments in which it appears. Specifically, I show that in partitive and event-modifying uses, half targets a quantity-based scale whose scale structure crucially depends on the part structure of a nominal argument, just like many adjectival cases. To formalize the analysis, I extend the degree-based analysis of Kennedy & McNally (2005) for gradable adjectives to partitives and VPs headed by incremental theme verbs, with some discussion of compounding uses of half with both nouns and verbs.
Quantity implicature and access to scalar alternatives in language acquisition
Authors: Bale Alan Clinton , Brooks Neon , Barner David
Published: August 2015

When faced with a sentence like "Some of the toys are on the table," adults, but not preschoolers, compute a scalar implicature, taking the sentence to imply that not all the toys are on the table. This paper explores the hypothesis that children fail to compute scalar implicatures because they lack knowledge of the relevant scalar alternatives to words like "some." Four-year-olds were shown pictures in which three out of three objects fit a description (e.g., three animals reading), and were asked to evaluate statements that relied on context-independent alternatives (e.g., knowing that "all" is an alternative to "some" for the utterance "Some of the animals are reading") or contextual alternatives (e.g., knowing that the set of all three visible animals is an alternative to a set of two for the utterance "Only the cat and the dog are reading"). Children failed to reject the false statements containing context-independent scales even when the word "only" was used (e.g., "only some"), but correctly rejected equivalent statements containing contextual alternatives (e.g., "only the cat and dog"). These results support the hypothesis that children’s difficulties with scalar implicature are due to a failure to generate relevant alternatives for specific scales. Consequences for number word learning are also discussed.
A further insight into the syntax-semantics of pluractionality
Authors: Iordăchioaia Gianina , Soare Elena
Published: August 2015

In this paper we aim at a better understanding of the syntax-semantics of pluractional operators (POs) as markers of verbal plurality (Lasersohn 1995, Van Geenhoven 2004, Laca 2006). While previous literature argues or assumes that POs are (possibly lexical) plural operators that attach at the V-level, we bring evidence in favor of a treatment of POs as Aspect-level operators that bind plural event variables (as in Ferreira 2005). We formulate our claims on the basis of the Romanian supine, the nominal form of which has previously been argued to carry a PO (Iordăchioaia & Soare 2008).
Granularity shifting: Experimental evidence from degree modifiers
Authors: Sassoon Galit , Zevakhina Natalia
Published: August 2015

This paper argues that modeling granularity and approximation (Krifka 2007; Lewis 1979) is crucial for capturing important aspects of the distribution and interpretation of adjectives and their modifiers, modulo certain differences between modified adjectives and numerals. In addition, the paper presents supporting experimental results with minimizers like 'slightly' and maximizers like 'completely'.
Weak Uniqueness: The Only Difference Between Definites and Indefinites
Authors: Coppock Elizabeth , Beaver David
Published: August 2015

We argue that predicative the is an identity function that is defined for predicates that satisfy weak uniqueness: if there is an F, then there is only one. Predicative definites do not presuppose existence, as evidenced by anti-uniqueness effects, for example the fact that ‘Scott is not the only author of Waverley’ implies that there is more than one author of Waverley. Separating the uniqueness and existence components of definites brings definites and indefinites closer together: The definite and indefinite articles are both argued to be identity functions on predicates, differing only in that the latter lacks the weak uniqueness presupposition. Furthermore, the meaning of argumental definites and indefinites can be derived from the predicative meanings using the same general mechanisms that introduce existence. Existence is generally at-issue with argumental indefinites and presupposed with argumental definites. However, we observe that anti-uniqueness effects arise with argumental definites as well, under conditions described in our ‘Dependence Generalization’. We take this to show that existence can be at-issue with argumental definites, and we derive the Dependence Generalization in terms of relevance to the question under discussion.
Scale exhaustivity and the Modification Condition
Authors: Bochnak M. Ryan
Published: August 2015

This paper pursues a Vector Space Semantics (VSS) analysis of evaluative and extreme adjectives in absolute and comparative constructions, with a particular emphasis on the licensing of measure phrases (MPs) in these environments. I show that the Modification Condition (Winter 2005), which restricts the distribution of MPs with locative/directional PPs and dimensional adjectives, can be extended to account for MP licensing with evaluative and extreme adjectives as well. Importantly, the non-satisfaction of the Modification Condition is entailed when a set of vectors does not exhaust the range of possible values on a particular scale. This observation thus allows us to link a long-standing generalization that scale exhaustivity and MP licensing are crucially related (Bierwisch 1989) with the formal denotational properties of certain linguistic expressions.
Sloppy identity unbound
Authors: Keshet Ezra
Published: August 2015

Reinhart (1983) claims that only pronouns whose antecedents c-command them may give rise to sloppy identity readings. This paper presents counterexamples to this claim; for instance, referring to the famous 1960 televised presidential debate, it is acceptable to say: "Kennedy looked good. People voted for him. Nixon looked bad. People didn't." Despite the fact that the antecedent "Kennedy" for the pronoun "him" is in a previous sentence, this pronoun allows a sloppy identity reading wherein the fourth sentence ("People didn't.") means that people didn't vote for Nixon. To analyze such cases, I first propose an extension to the ~ focus operator due to Rooth (1992), allowing this operator to alter the assignment function used to interpret pronouns. One construction where Rooth places ~ is in the answers to questions. My new meaning for ~ explains why pronouns are so constrained in answers, e.g., "Who does John like? He[=John] likes Mary." Next, I argue for the Question-Under-Discussion (QUD) model of discourse described in Roberts (1996), which theorizes that every sentence is the answer to an explicit or implicit question. Finally, I show that unbound sloppy identity can be analyzed as cases where pronouns are constrained by antecedents in implicit questions. Along the way, I argue that the QUD model is compatible with the coherence relation model of discourse due to Hobbs (1979), explaining how coherence can constrain pronoun reference as well.
The scope and processing of for-adverbials: A reply to Deo and Piñango
Authors: Champollion Lucas
Published: August 2015

Deo & Piñango (2011) propose a novel account of measure adverbials like for an hour that focuses on their puzzling scopal behavior, their ability to shift predicates into iterative interpretations, and the higher processing cost that this shift engenders. The scopal behavior, though not the processing cost, had been previously modeled in classical accounts of for-adverbials (e.g. Dowty 1979; Krifka 1998). Unlike these accounts, D&P do not provide a semantic explanation of the aspectual sensitivity of for-adverbials. I argue that only a synthesis of D&P and classical accounts captures the full empirical picture. This synthesis both restores the explanation of the aspectual sensitivity, and improves on D&P’s account of the scopal behavior. It also opens the door to an explanation of data which suggests that the processing cost of iterativity is not uniform, but varies according to the algebraic properties of the underlying predicates.
Towards a Compositional Semantics for Locative Modifiers
Authors: Maienborn Claudia
Published: August 2015

Within linguistic theory, very little effort has been devoted so far to a comprehen­sive theory of the syntax and semantics of modifiers. It is predominantly assumed that modifiers make a constant semantic contribution to the meaning of the constituent that is modified, irrespective of any conceivable syntactic differentiations. This account cannot cope with a multitude of empirical data and should therefore be replaced by a theory of modification that pays more attention to the exact nature of a given syntactic configuration and its impact on semantic composition. The approach advocated here is illustrated with locative modifiers of verb phrases. It will be shown that these expressions have a large range of meaning variability. Using German data, it is argued that differences in meaning can be correlated with diffe­rences in syntactic structure. On this basis, a compositional semantics for locative modifiers is proposed.
Abductive Inference During Update: the German Preposition "mit"
Authors: Strigin Anatoli
Published: August 2015

No abstract.
On the Interface Principles for Intonational Focus
Authors: Rooth Mats
Published: August 2015

No abstract.
Vagueness, Ambiguity, and Underspecification
Authors: Pinkal Manfred
Published: August 2015

No abstract.
'There'-Constructions Revisited
Authors: Musan Renate
Published: August 2015

No abstract.
Atom Predicates and Set Predicates: Towards a General Theory of Plural Quantification
Authors: Winter Yoad
Published: August 2015

No abstract.
Stimulated Brillouin scattering during electron gyro-harmonic heating at EISCAT
Authors: Fu H. Y. , Scales W. A. , Bernhardt P. A. , Briczinski S. J. , Kosch M. J. , Senior A. , Rietveld M. T. , Yeoman T. K. , Ruohoniemi J. M.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. Observations of secondary radiation, stimulated electromagnetic emission (SEE), produced during ionospheric modification experiments using ground-based, high-power, high-frequency (HF) radio waves are considered. The High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility is capable of generating narrowband SEE in the form of stimulated Brillouin scatter (SBS) and stimulated ion Bernstein scatter (SIBS) in the SEE spectrum. Such narrowband SEE spectral lines have not been reported using the European Incoherent Scatter (EISCAT) heater facility before. This work reports the first EISCAT results of narrowband SEE spectra and compares them to SEE previously observed at HAARP during electron gyro-harmonic heating. An analysis of experimental SEE data shows observations of emission lines within 100 Hz of the pump frequency, interpreted as SBS, during the 2012 July EISCAT campaign. Experimental results indicate that SBS strengthens as the pump frequency approaches the third electron gyro-harmonic. Also, for different heater antenna beam angles, the CUTLASS radar backscatter induced by HF radio pumping is suppressed near electron gyro-harmonics, whereas electron temperature enhancement weakens as measured by EISCAT/UHF radar. The main features of these new narrowband EISCAT observations are generally consistent with previous SBS measurements at HAARP.
"Clara Crocodilo” e “Nego Dito”: dois perigosos marginais?
Authors: Silveira Junior Walter Garcia da
Published: August 2015

O artigo sistematiza informações sobre a trajetória artística de Arrigo Barnabé e a de Itamar Assumpção; e discute as formas de duas composições: “Clara Crocodilo” (Arrigo Barnabé/ Mario Lucio Cortes), gravada em 1980 no LP Clara Crocodilo; e “Nego Dito” (Itamar Assumpção), gravada em 1981 no LP Beleléu, Leléu, Eu. Em perspectiva interdisciplinar, a noção de forma se refere tanto à análise dos elementos que estruturam determinada obra quanto à interpretação do sentido de tal estrutura à luz do processo histórico brasileiro. Assim, os materiais sonoros que constituem cada gravação, bem como os modos como esses materiais se articulam são relacionados ao processo histórico brasileiro na passagem da década de 1970 para a de 1980.
Texto e contexto: Gramsci e a história
Authors: Toledo Cézar de Alencar Arnaut de , Gomes Jarbas Mauricio
Published: August 2015

Hegemonia, intelectuais, Estado ampliado, sociedade civil e sociedade política são alguns dos conceitos presentes nas obras de Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937) e que são encontrados em um número significativo de pesquisas na área das Ciências Sociais e Humanas. Os escritos de Antonio Gramsci tem se consagrado como um referencial teórico e metodológico nas pesquisas brasileiras, servindo ora de objeto de estudo, ora de fundamentação teórica. Na última década, o uso de seu pensamento como referencial de pesquisa foi retomado sob a influência da publicação da nova edição brasileira de sua obra que, ocorrida entre os anos de 1999 e 2002, teve o mérito de apresentar uma visão geral de seus escritos ao tornar acessíveis textos até então inéditos no Brasil.
Incidence of Anxiety in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Authors: Green Rivka , Kalina Jennifer , Pandey Krupa
Published: August 2015

Objective: To investigate the (1) incidence of anxiety and (2) association of anxiety with disease duration, depression, and age in an outpatient Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Center.
Background: The incidence of anxiety varies in the literature but is estimated to affect 44.5% of people with MS. Anxiety can be a predictor of poor Quality of Life, especially relevant in progressive illnesses, such as MS. Though research has shown that patients newly diagnosed experience higher anxiety levels, the relationship between anxiety and disease duration is unclear. Since anxiety can be comorbid with depression in MS populations, it is relevant to establish its association in this setting. Finally, though anxiety usually increases in older age, research for this relationship in MS populations is inconclusive.
Design/Methods: The commonly used Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, was distributed once to patients with MS over a 3 month period to assess anxiety and depression scores. MS disease duration and age were confirmed by neurologists.
Results: Out of 160 patients with MS who completed the HADS, 19% reported abnormal anxiety, 14% reported borderline cases of anxiety, and 67% did not report anxiety. After following up on significant correlations, depression and younger age were related to higher anxiety levels, (R2=.35, F(4,144)=19.26, p<0.001). The standardized partial regression coefficients indicated 2 statistically significant predictors, depression (β=.55, p=<.001) and age (β=-.25, p=<.001).
Discussion: 33% of patients reported symptoms of anxiety, emphasizing the need to focus on treating anxiety, specifically, early in their disease course. Clinicians may also want to recognize that elevated depression scores predicted anxiety. Lastly, in our cohort, the younger population reported higher anxiety, demonstrating that progressive illnesses may affect anxiety levels in younger populations more. Since approximately one third of patients with MS expressed anxiety symptoms, it is important to incorporate this into treatment plans.
Tuning Surface Wettability and Adhesivity of a Nitrogen‐Doped Graphene Foam after Water Vapor Treatment for Efficient Oil Removal
Authors: Zhai Peng , Jia Huimin , Zheng Zeyang , Lee Chih‐Chi , Su Haijun , Wei Tzu‐Chien , Feng Shien‐Ping
Published: August 2015

An environment‐friendly water vapor treatment for realizing a highly hydrophobic (contact angle ≈147.5°) and oleophilic N‐doped graphene foam (NGF) for efficiently removing oil from oil/water emulsions is presented. 3D porous networks of NGF with high N content are prepared by subjecting a mixture of graphene oxide and 5 vol% pyrrole to a hydrothermal process; the mixture is then freeze‐dried and annealed under a N2 atmosphere. The surface wettability and adhesivity are tuned through water vapor treatment by forming a low‐surface‐energy hydrocarbon layer, with no chemical modification. The effectiveness of the hydrophobic/oleophilic NGF in removing oil from an oil/water emulsion is demonstrated.
Outcome prediction by extranodal involvement, IPI, R‐IPI, and NCCN‐IPI in the PET/CT and rituximab era: A Danish–Canadian study of 443 patients with diffuse‐large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: El‐Galaly Tarec Christoffer , Villa Diego , Alzahrani Musa , Hansen Jakob Werner , Sehn Laurie H. , Wilson Don , de Nully Brown Peter , Loft Annika , Iyer Victor , Johnsen Hans Erik , Savage Kerry J. , Connors Joseph M. , Hutchings Martin
Published: August 2015

18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT (PET/CT) is the current state‐of‐the‐art in the staging of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and has a high sensitivity for extranodal involvement. Therefore, reassessment of extranodal involvement and the current prognostic indices in the PET/CT era is warranted. We screened patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL seen at the academic centers of Aalborg, Copenhagen, and British Columbia for eligibility. Patients that had been staged with PET/CT and treated with R‐CHOP(‐like) 1st line treatment were retrospectively included. In total 443 patients met the inclusion criteria. With a median follow‐up of 2.4 years, the 3‐year overall (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) were 73% and 69%, respectively. The Ann Arbor classification had no prognostic impact in itself with the exception of stage IV disease (HR 2.14 for PFS, P<0.01). Extranodal involvement was associated with a worse outcome in general, and in particular for patients with involvement of >2 extranodal sites, including HR 7.81 (P < 0.001) for PFS for >3 sites. Bone/bone marrow involvement was the most commonly involved extranodal site identified by PET/CT (29%) and was associated with an inferior PFS and OS. The IPI, R‐IPI, and NCCN‐IPI were predictive of PFS and OS, and the two latter could identify a very good prognostic subgroup with 3‐year PFS and OS of 100%. PET/CT‐ascertained extranodal involvement in DLBCL is common and involvement of >2 extranodal sites is associated with a dismal outcome. The IPI, R‐IPI, and NCCN‐IPI predict outcome with high accuracy. Am. J. Hematol. 90:1041–1046, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effects of laser repetition rate on femtosecond laser ablation of dry bone: a thermal and LIBS study
Authors: Gill Ruby K. , Smith Zachary J. , Lee Changwon , Wachsmann‐Hogiu Sebastian
Published: August 2015

The aim of this study is to understand the effect of varying laser repetition rate on thermal energy accumulation and dissipation as well as femtosecond Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (fsLIBS) signals, which may help create the framework for clinical translation of femtosecond lasers for surgical procedures. We study the effect of repetition rates on ablation widths, sample temperature, and LIBS signal of bone. SEM images were acquired to quantify the morphology of the ablated volume and fsLIBS was performed to characterize changes in signal intensity and background. We also report for the first time experimentally measured temperature distributions of bone irradiated with femtosecond lasers at repetition rates below and above carbonization conditions. While high repetition rates would allow for faster cutting, heat accumulation exceeds heat dissipation and results in carbonization of the sample. At repetition rates where carbonization occurs, the sample temperature increases to a level that is well above the threshold for irreversible cellular damage. These results highlight the importance of the need for careful selection of the repetition rate for a femtosecond laser surgery procedure to minimize the extent of thermal damage to surrounding tissues and prevent misclassification of tissue by fsLIBS analysis.

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Synthesis and in vitroAntibacterial Activity of Some Novel Fused Pyridopyrimidine Derivatives
Authors: El‐Remaily Mahmoud Abd El Aleem Ali Ali , El Hady O. M. , Salah Abo Zaid H. , Abd El‐Raheem E. M. M.
Published: August 2015

Pyridopyrimidine derivatives 2, 5 and 7, 8, 9 were furnished by the reaction of compound 1 with a variety of reagents, namely, formic acid, acetic anhydride, phenyl isothiocyanate, phenyl isocyanate, carbon disulfide, acetamide and thioacetamide, which in turn were treated with hydrazine to give pyrazolopyridopyrimidine derivatives 4, 6 and 11, 12, 13. The potency of the results as antibacterial agents has been evaluated. Most of the tested products showed a highly inhibition zone against the two bacterial strains. All compounds have been characterized based on their IR, 1H‐NMR and Mass spectra.
Generalized relativistic effective core potentials for actinides
Authors: Mosyagin Nikolai S. , Zaitsevskii Andrei V. , Skripnikov Leonid V. , Titov Anatoly V.
Published: August 2015

Actinide compounds are very intriguing objects for the quantum chemistry because, on the one hand, these compounds are of great scientific and technological interest and, on the other hand, quantitative first principle based modeling of their electronic structure is extremely difficult because of strong relativistic effects and complicated electron correlation pattern. The efficiency of high‐level all‐electron relativistic methods in applications to complex actinide systems of practical interest is questionable and more economical but sufficiently accurate approaches to the studies of such systems are preferable. Recently, generalized relativistic effective core potentials (GRECPs) have been generated for actinides to perform accurate calculations of electronic structure and properties of their compounds with moderate computational cost. The accuracy of different GRECP versions is analyzed in atomic calculations and their applications to molecular and cluster calculations are reviewed. The results are compared with available experimental data and other theoretical studies. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The tribological performance of fullerene‐like hydrogenated carbon films under ionic liquid lubrication
Authors: Wu Kunyao , Qiang Li , Gong Zhenbin , Zhao Gengrui , Gao Kaixiong , Zhang Bin , Zhang Junyan
Published: August 2015

Fullerene‐like hydrogenated carbon films were deposited on Si substrate by plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The microstructures of films were characterized by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectrum. The tribological performance of films was tested by reciprocating ball‐on‐disc tester under 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid. The surface morphology and chemical composition of wear tracks and wear rates were investigated by optical microscope, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and 3D surface profiler. The results indicated that the film with a typical fullerene‐like structure embedded into the amorphous sp2 and sp3 carbon networks could be prepared successfully, and the film shows a higher hardness (26.7 GPa) and elastic recovery (89.9%) compared with the amorphous carbon film. Furthermore, the film shows a lower friction coefficient at low contact load and friction frequency, and excellent wear‐resistance performance at high load and frequency under ionic liquid lubrication. Meanwhile, the wear life of fullerene‐like hydrogenated carbon films could be improved significantly using ionic liquid as a lubrication material. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multielement analysis of lichen samples using XRF methods. Comparison with ICP‐AES and FAAS
Authors: Herrero Fernández Zahily , Estevez Álvarez Juan Reinaldo , Montero Álvarez Alfredo , Pupo González Iván , dos Santos Júnior José Araújo , Ortueta Milan Marvic , Mesa Pérez Guillermo , Leyva Bombuse Dennys , Rodríguez González Maydel , Hernández Torres Débora , Alberro Macias Nancy , Blanco Hernández Nelis , Padilla Álvarez Román
Published: August 2015

This research presents the contents of Ca, Fe, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr and Pb in lichen samples used as biomonitors of air pollution collected in Havana. Statistical comparisons were made among the results obtained in three campaigns during three years. Two X‐Ray Fluorescence (XRF) methods were used, employing for excitation an annular 109Cd source and a Mo X‐ray tube with a molybdenum secondary target. In both cases, matrix effects were corrected by the use of normalization for the Compton scattered peak; in this way the determination is more efficient. For quality control of the results, biological Certified Reference Materials were analyzed and were made comparisons between XRF, Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Atomic Emission Spectrometry and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. No significant differences were found between the different techniques. The elemental distribution patterns obtained for each metal were associated with different pollution sources, thus contributing to the assessment of air pollution in Havana. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Speech, Music, Sound
Authors: Leeuwen Theo Van
Published: August 2015

This book explores what speech, music and other sounds have in common. It gives a detailed description of the way perspective, rhythm, textual quality and other aspects of sound are used to communicate emotion and meaning. It draws on a wealth of examples from radio (disk jockey and newsreading speech, radio plays, advertising jingles, news signature tunes), film soundtracks (The Piano, The X-files, Disney animation films), music ranging from medieval plain chant to drum 'n' bass and everyday soundscapes.
Seymour Sarason Remembered: “Plus ça change…”, “Psychology Misdirected”, and “Community Psychology and the Anarchist Insight”
Authors: Trickett Edison J.
Published: August 2015

The intellectual legacy of Seymour Sarason continues to serve as a critical resource for the field of community psychology. The present paper draws on one of Sarason’s favorite aphorisms and two of his seminal writings to suggest the relevance of ideas articulated 35–40 years ago for the current time. Each in their own way highlights the importance of unearthing and interrogating core assumptions underlying our research and our efforts to make a positive difference. The aphorism reminds us that the rhetoric of change is far easier to articulate than to enact and all too often ignores or disguises issues of power among actors.
The “misdirection” of Psychology reflected his assertion that the asocial, acultural, and ahistorical nature of American Psychology reflected American culture more generally and ill prepared it to understand and engage in social change, particularly with respect to educational reform. The “anarchist insight” articulated his belief in interrogating the implications of the increasingly interdependent relationship of science and the state for the autonomy of scientists and scientific inquiry. The evidence‐based practice movement is offered as an example of the current day relevance of the aphorism and core insights of these two papers. The paper concludes with a plea to rekindle the discussion and continued examination of Sarason’s paradigmatic insights for the intellectual and social development of the field.
Pravastatin inhibits tumor growth through elevating the levels of apolipoprotein A1
Authors: Yeh Chun , Cheng Chun‐Chia , Lin Hua‐Ching , Luo Tsai‐Yueh , Chang Jungshan , Ho Ai‐Sheng
Published: August 2015

Background

Statins are a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol levels, accompanying increased high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Previous studies have suggested that statins can inhibit inflammation, and also reduce tumor proliferation. We therefore hypothesized that pravastatin, a member of the statins, mediating the inhibitory functions in tumor growth may be associated with the upregulated HDL constituent, apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1).

Methods

Pravastatin‐induced inhibition in tumor proliferation in vitro and in xenografts was investigated. Reduced ApoA1 expressions were detected in the tumor regions in specimens from tumor patients as well in xenografts using Western Blotting. Moreover, ApoA1 was administered to inhibit tumor proliferation, and pravastatin was given to enhance the chemotherapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin (DOX).

Results

We found a significant statistical reduction of ApoA1 in the tumor regions of specimens from gastric cancer and colorectal cancer patients. MKN45 cells proliferation was inhibited by 18% under the growing medium containing pravastatin. ApoA1 levels were elevated in liver Clone 9 cells administered pravastatin, but not in MKN45 cells. In vitro studies revealed that ApoA1 can reduce MKN45 tumor proliferation. Moreover, the tumor volume was significantly reduced in in vivo xenografts after the administration of pravastatin. Combined treatments of pravastatin with DOX significantly minimized the size of tumors, leading to a better therapeutic efficacy.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that pravastatin elevated ApoA1, an HDL major constituent with anti‐inflammatory characteristics, which displayed strong adversary associations with tumor developments and growth. Increasing the amounts of ApoA1 by pravastatin coupled with DOX may improve the therapeutic efficacy for cancer treatment.
Fibroblast activation protein‐α, a stromal cell surface protease, shapes key features of cancer associated fibroblasts through proteome and degradome alterations
Authors: Koczorowska M.M. , Tholen S. , Bucher F. , Lutz L. , Kizhakkedathu J.N. , De Wever O. , Wellner U.F. , Biniossek M.L. , Stahl A. , Lassmann S. , Schilling O.
Published: August 2015

Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) constitute an abundant stromal component of most solid tumors. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) α is a cell surface protease that is expressed by CAFs. We corroborate this expression profile by immunohistochemical analysis of colorectal cancer specimens. To better understand the tumor‐contextual role of FAPα, we investigate how FAPα shapes functional and proteomic features of CAFs using loss‐ and gain‐of function cellular model systems. FAPα activity has a strong impact on the secreted CAF proteome (“secretome”), including reduced levels of anti‐angiogenic factors, elevated levels of transforming growth factor (TGF) β, and an impact on matrix processing enzymes. Functionally, FAPα mildly induces sprout formation by human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Moreover, loss of FAPα leads to a more epithelial cellular phenotype and this effect was rescued by exogenous application of TGFβ. In collagen contraction assays, FAPα induced a more contractile cellular phenotype. To characterize the proteolytic profile of FAPα, we investigated its specificity with proteome‐derived peptide libraries and corroborated its preference for cleavage carboxy‐terminal to proline residues. By “terminal amine labeling of substrates” (TAILS) we explored FAPα‐dependent cleavage events. Although FAPα acts predominantly as an amino‐dipeptidase, putative FAPα cleavage sites in collagens are present throughout the entire protein length. In contrast, putative FAPα cleavage sites in non‐collagenous proteins cluster at the amino‐terminus. The degradomic study highlights cell‐contextual proteolysis by FAPα with distinct positional profiles. Generally, our findings link FAPα to key aspects of CAF biology and attribute an important role in tumor–stroma interaction to FAPα.
Sustained Reduction of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Rates Using Real-Time Course Correction With a Ventilator Bundle Compliance Dashboard
Authors: Talbot Thomas R. , Carr Devin , Lee Parmley C. , Martin Barbara J. , Gray Barbara , Ambrose Anna , Starmer Jack
Published: August 2015

BACKGROUND

The effectiveness of practice bundles on reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) has been questioned.

OBJECTIVE

To implement a comprehensive program that included a real-time bundle compliance dashboard to improve compliance and reduce ventilator-associated complications.

DESIGN

Before-and-after quasi-experimental study with interrupted time-series analysis.

SETTING

Academic medical center.

METHODS

In 2007 a comprehensive institutional ventilator bundle program was developed. To assess bundle compliance and stimulate instant course correction of noncompliant parameters, a real-time computerized dashboard was developed. Program impact in 6 adult intensive care units (ICUs) was assessed. Bundle compliance was noted as an overall cumulative bundle adherence assessment, reflecting the percentage of time all elements were concurrently in compliance for all patients.

RESULTS

The VAP rate in all ICUs combined decreased from 19.5 to 9.2 VAPs per 1,000 ventilator-days following program implementation (P<.001). Bundle compliance significantly increased (Z100 score of 23% in August 2007 to 83% in June 2011 [P<.001]). The implementation resulted in a significant monthly decrease in the overall ICU VAP rate of 3.28/1,000 ventilator-days (95% CI, 2.64–3.92/1,000 ventilator-days). Following the intervention, the VAP rate decreased significantly at a rate of 0.20/1,000 ventilator-days per month (95% CI, 0.14–0.30/1,000 ventilator-days per month). Among all adult ICUs combined, improved bundle compliance was moderately correlated with monthly VAP rate reductions (Pearson correlation coefficient, −0.32).

CONCLUSION

A prevention program using a real-time bundle adherence dashboard was associated with significant sustained decreases in VAP rates and an increase in bundle compliance among adult ICU patients.

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2015;36(11):1261–1267
High spectral purity Kerr frequency comb radio frequency photonic oscillator
Authors: Liang W. , Eliyahu D. , Ilchenko V. S. , Savchenkov A. A. , Matsko A. B. , Seidel D. , Maleki L.
Published: August 2015

Femtosecond laser-based generation of radio frequency signals has produced astonishing improvements in achievable spectral purity, one of the basic features characterizing the performance of an radio frequency oscillator. Kerr frequency combs hold promise for transforming these lab-scale oscillators to chip-scale level. In this work we demonstrate a miniature 10 GHz radio frequency photonic oscillator characterized with phase noise better than −60 dBc Hz−1 at 10 Hz, −90 dBc Hz−1 at 100 Hz and −170 dBc Hz−1 at 10 MHz. The frequency stability of this device, as represented by Allan deviation measurements, is at the level of 10−10 at 1–100 s integration time—orders of magnitude better than existing radio frequency photonic devices of similar size, weight and power consumption.
Water impacting on superhydrophobic macrotextures
Authors: Gauthier Anaïs , Symon Sean , Clanet Christophe , Quéré David
Published: August 2015

It has been recently shown that the presence of macrotextures on superhydrophobic materials can markedly modify the dynamics of water impacting them, and in particular significantly reduce the contact time of bouncing drops, compared with what is observed on a flat surface. This finding constitutes a significant step in the maximization of water repellency, since it enables to minimize even further the contact between solid and liquid. It also opens a new axis of research on the design of super-structures to induce specific functions such as anti-freezing, liquid fragmentation and/or recomposition, guiding, trapping and so on. Here we show that the contact time of drops bouncing on a repellent macrotexture takes discrete values when varying the impact speed. This allows us to propose a quantitative analysis of the reduction of contact time and thus to understand how and why macrotextures can control the dynamical properties of bouncing drops.
Fluorogenic Assay for Inhibitors of HIV-1 Protease with Sub-picomolar Affinity
Authors: Windsor Ian W. , Raines Ronald T.
Published: August 2015

A fluorogenic substrate for HIV-1 protease was designed and used as the basis for a hypersensitive assay. The substrate exhibits a kcat of 7.4 s−1, KM of 15 μM and an increase in fluorescence intensity of 104-fold upon cleavage, thus providing sensitivity that is unmatched in a continuous assay of HIV-1 protease. These properties enabled the enzyme concentration in an activity assay to be reduced to 25 pM, which is close to the Kd value of the protease dimer. By fitting inhibition data to Morrison’s equation, Ki values of amprenavir, darunavir and tipranavir were determined to be 135, 10 and 82 pM, respectively. This assay, which is capable of measuring Ki values as low as 0.25 pM, is well-suited for characterizing the next generation of HIV-1 protease inhibitors.
Nanocontact Disorder in Nanoelectronics for Modulation of Light and Gas Sensitivities
Authors: Lin Yen-Fu , Chang Chia-Hung , Hung Tsu-Chang , Jian Wen-Bin , Tsukagoshi Kazuhito , Wu Yue-Han , Chang Li , Liu Zhaoping , Fang Jiye
Published: August 2015

To fabricate reliable nanoelectronics, whether by top-down or bottom-up processes, it is necessary to study the electrical properties of nanocontacts. The effect of nanocontact disorder on device properties has been discussed but not quantitatively studied. Here, by carefully analyzing the temperature dependence of device electrical characteristics and by inspecting them with a microscope, we investigated the Schottky contact and Mott’s variable-range-hopping resistances connected in parallel in the nanocontact. To interpret these parallel resistances, we proposed a model of Ti/TiOxin the interface between the metal electrodes and nanowires. The hopping resistance as well as the nanocontact disorder dominated the total device resistance for high-resistance devices, especially at low temperatures. Furthermore, we introduced nanocontact disorder to modulate the light and gas responsivities of the device; unexpectedly, it multiplied the sensitivities compared with the intrinsic sensitivity of the nanowires. Our results improve the collective understanding of electrical contacts to low-dimensional semiconductor devices and will aid performance optimization in future nanoelectronics.