bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Flavonoid 7,4′‐Dihydroxyflavone Inhibits MUC5AC Gene Expression, Production, and Secretion via Regulation of NF‐κB, STAT6, and HDAC2
Authors: Liu Changda , Weir David , Busse Paula , Yang Nan , Zhou Zhenwen , Emala Charles , Li Xiu‐Min
Published: March 2015

Mucus overproduction is a significant component of the pathophysiology of obstructive lung diseases. Currently, there are only a few medications available that inhibit mucus production. Previous studies showed that glycyrrhizin, a triterpenoid in Glycyrrhiza uralensis inhibits mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) mRNA and protein expression. Other potential mucus production inhibitory compounds contained within in G. uralensis have not been fully investigated. The aim of the present study was to determine if the G. uralensis flavonoid 7,4′‐dihydroxyflavone (7,4′‐DHF) inhibits MUC5AC gene expression, mucus production, and secretion, and if so, to elucidate the mechanism of this inhibition. 7,4′‐Dihydroxyflavone significantly decreased phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate‐stimulated NCI‐H292 human airway epithelial cell MUC5AC gene expression and mucus production, at a 28‐fold lower concentration than glycyrrhizin (The half maximal inhibitory concentration IC50 value of 1.4 μM vs 38 μM, respectively); 7,4′‐DHF also inhibited MUC5AC mucus secretion. Inhibition was associated with the suppression of nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB), signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) activation, and enhanced histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) expression. In a murine model of asthma, 7,4′‐DHF‐treated mice exhibited a marked reduction in MUC5AC secretion in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid compared with control mice. These findings, together with previous findings linking NF‐κB, STAT6, and HDAC2 modulation to the control of MUC5AC expression, demonstrate that 7,4′‐DHF is a newly identified component of G. uralensis that regulates MUC5AC expression and secretion via regulation of NF‐κB, STAT6, and HDAC2. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sea ice forecast verification in the Canadian Global Ice Ocean Prediction System
Authors: Smith Gregory C. , Roy François , Reszka Mateusz , Surcel Colan Dorina , He Zhongjie , Deacu Daniel , Belanger Jean‐Marc , Skachko Sergey , Liu Yimin , Dupont Frédéric , Lemieux Jean‐François , Beaudoin Christiane , Tranchant Benoit , Drévillon Marie , Garric Gilles , Testut Charles‐Emmanuel , Lellouche Jean‐Michel , Pellerin Pierre , Ritchie Harold , Lu Youyu , Davidson Fraser , Buehner Mark , Caya Alain , Lajoie Manon
Published: March 2015

Recent increases in marine traffic in the Arctic have amplified the demand for reliable ice and marine environmental predictions. This article presents the verification of ice forecast skill from a new system implemented recently at the Canadian Meteorological Centre called the Global Ice Ocean Prediction System (GIOPS). GIOPS provides daily global ice and ocean analyses and 10‐day forecasts on a 1/4°‐resolution grid. GIOPS includes a multivariate ocean data assimilation system that combines satellite observations of sea‐level anomaly and sea‐surface temperature (SST) together with in situ observations of temperature and salinity. Ice analyses are produced using a 3D‐Var method that assimilates satellite observations from SSM/I and SSMIS together with manual analyses from the Canadian Ice Service. Analyses of total ice concentration are projected onto the thickness categories used in the ice model using spatially and temporally varying weighting functions derived from ice model tendencies. This method may reduce deleterious impacts on the ice thickness distribution when assimilating ice concentration, as it can directly modulate (and reverse) nonlinear processes such as ice deformation. An objective verification of sea ice forecasts is made using two methods: analysis‐based error assessment focusing on the marginal ice zone, and a contingency table approach to evaluate ice extent as compared to an independent analysis. Together the methods demonstrate a consistent picture of skilful medium‐range forecasts in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres as compared to persistence. Using the contingency table approach, GIOPS forecasts show a significant open‐water bias during spring and summer. However, this bias depends on the choice of threshold used. Ice forecast skill is found to be highly sensitive to the assimilation of SST near the ice edge. Improved observational coverage in these areas (including salinity) would be extremely valuable for further improvement in ice forecast skill.
Hurricane maximum potential intensity equilibrium
Authors: Kieu Chanh
Published: March 2015

This study presents a minimal model to examine the stability of the hurricane maximum potential intensity (MPI) equilibrium, based on the evolution of several hurricane fundamental scales. It is shown that this hurricane‐scale model contains MPI as an asymptotically stable spiral point under the wind‐induced surface heat exchange (WISHE) feedback mechanism. Furthermore, the hurricane development is characterized by two different time‐scales instead of a simple linear growth, as often assumed in previous studies. Inclusion of radiative cooling reduces the MPI limit, but the MPI equilibrium in general is structurally stable. In particular, radiative cooling will modify the basin of attraction of the MPI equilibrium and create a domain in the phase space of the hurricane scales such that a vortex would not develop if its initial condition falls within this domain. Potential mechanisms that can further unfold the stability of the MPI equilibrium will also be discussed.
On the sliding‐mode control of fractional‐order nonlinear uncertain dynamics
Authors: Jakovljević B. , Pisano A. , Rapaić M. R. , Usai E.
Published: March 2015

This paper deals with applications of sliding‐mode‐based fractional control techniques to address tracking and stabilization control tasks for some classes of nonlinear uncertain fractional‐order systems. Both single‐input and multi‐input systems are considered. A second‐order sliding‐mode approach is taken, in suitable combination with PI‐based design, in the single‐input case, while the unit‐vector approach is the main tool of reference in the multi‐input case. Sliding manifolds containing fractional derivatives of the state variables are used in the present work. Constructive tuning conditions for the control parameters are derived by Lyapunov analysis, and the convergence properties of the proposed schemes are supported by simulation results. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robot Teams for Intervention in Confined and Structured Environments
Authors: Tardioli Danilo , Sicignano Domenico , Riazuelo Luis , Romeo Antonio , Villarroel José Luis , Montano Luis
Published: March 2015

Safety, security, and rescue robotics can be extremely useful in emergency scenarios such as mining accidents or tunnel collapses where robot teams can be used to carry out cooperative exploration, intervention, or logistic missions. Deploying a multirobot team in such confined environments poses multiple challenges that involve task planning, motion planning, localization and mapping, safe navigation, coordination, and communications among all the robots. To complete their mission, robots have to be able to move in the environment with full autonomy while at the same time maintaining communication among themselves and with their human operators to accomplish team collaboration. Guaranteeing connectivity enables robots to explicitly exchange information needed in the execution of collaborative tasks and allows operators to monitor and teleoperate the robots and receive information about the environment. In this work, we present a system that integrates several research aspects to achieve a real exploration exercise in a tunnel using a robot team. These aspects are as follows: deployment planning, semantic feature recognition, multirobot navigation, localization, map building, and real‐time communications. Two experimental scenarios have been used for the assessment of the system. The first is the Spanish Santa Marta mine, a large mazelike environment selected for its complexity for all the tasks involved. The second is the Spanish‐French Somport tunnel, an old railway between Spain and France through the Central Pyrenees, used to carry out the real‐world experiments. The latter is a simpler scenario, but it serves to highlight the real communication issues.
Caries‐removal effectiveness of a papain‐based chemo‐mechanical agent: A quantitative micro‐CT study
Authors: Neves Aline A. , Lourenço Roseane A. , Alves Haimon D. , Lopes Ricardo T. , Primo Laura G.
Published: March 2015

The aim of this study was to access the effectiveness and specificity of a papain‐based chemo‐mechanical caries‐removal agent in providing minimum residual caries after cavity preparation. In order to do it, extracted carious molars were selected and scanned in a micro‐CT before and after caries‐removal procedures with the papain‐based gel. Similar parameters for acquisition and reconstruction of the image stacks were used between the scans. After classification of the dentin substrate based on mineral density intervals and establishment of a carious tissue threshold, volumetric parameters related to effectiveness (mineral density of removed dentin volume and residual dentin tissue) and specificity (relation between carious dentin in removed volume and initial caries) of this caries‐removal agent were obtained. In general, removed dentin volume was similar or higher than the initial carious volume, indicating that the method was able to effectively remove dentin tissue. Samples with an almost perfect accuracy in carious dentin removal also showed an increased removal of caries‐affected tissue. On the contrary, less or no affected dentin was removed in samples where some carious tissue was left in residual dentin. Mineral density values in residual dentin were always higher or similar to the threshold for mineral density values in carious dentin. In conclusion, the papain‐based gel was effective in removing carious dentin up to a conservative in vitro threshold. Lesion characteristics, such as activity and morphology of enamel lesion, may also influence caries‐removal properties of the method. SCANNING 37:258–264, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Standardizing Social Responsibility via ISO 26000: Empirical Insights from the Forest Industry
Authors: Toppinen Anne , Virtanen Aino , Mayer Audrey , Tuppura Anni
Published: March 2015

This paper focuses on the emerging trend to increase the credibility and legitimacy of corporate contributions to sustainable development through the adoption of the ISO 26000 guidance standard for social responsibility. Empirical insights are gained from a two‐stage exploratory study combining an online managerial survey and personal interviews in large‐scale forest industry companies. Based on the results, the majority of these companies have already adopted social responsibility practices that are covered by the seven core subjects of ISO 26000. Our results also reveal that forest industry companies are strongly focused on environmental issues and organizational governance as key priorities for implementing the CSR, while for example consumer issues and human rights receive very little attention. Furthermore, while the legitimacy of ISO 26000 as a global sustainability standard was not criticized, based on our results it can be argued that this standard may not bring much added value to sustainability frontrunners with existing social responsibility related processes, nor is it sufficiently detailed to incorporate forest‐sector‐specific issues. This is in line with conceptual literature questioning the ability of sustainability standards to drive progress towards sustainable development at the national or global scale. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Neither fixed nor random: weighted least squares meta‐analysis
Authors: Stanley T. D. , Doucouliagos Hristos
Published: March 2015

This study challenges two core conventional meta‐analysis methods: fixed effect and random effects. We show how and explain why an unrestricted weighted least squares estimator is superior to conventional random‐effects meta‐analysis when there is publication (or small‐sample) bias and better than a fixed‐effect weighted average if there is heterogeneity. Statistical theory and simulations of effect sizes, log odds ratios and regression coefficients demonstrate that this unrestricted weighted least squares estimator provides satisfactory estimates and confidence intervals that are comparable to random effects when there is no publication (or small‐sample) bias and identical to fixed‐effect meta‐analysis when there is no heterogeneity. When there is publication selection bias, the unrestricted weighted least squares approach dominates random effects; when there is excess heterogeneity, it is clearly superior to fixed‐effect meta‐analysis. In practical applications, an unrestricted weighted least squares weighted average will often provide superior estimates to both conventional fixed and random effects. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ecological uncertainty, adaptation, and mitigation in the U.S. ski resort industry: Managing resource dependence and institutional pressures
Authors: Tashman Pete , Rivera Jorge
Published: March 2015

We draw on resource dependence and institutional theories to study how firms manage uncertainty in nature (ecological uncertainty) in the U.S. ski resort industry. Through resource dependence theory, we develop the concept of ecological uncertainty and explain its effects on firms' access to and management of natural resources. We then predict that firms adapt to ecological uncertainty with natural‐resource‐intensive practices, as well as practices that attempt to mitigate its underlying causes. Using institutional theory, we also predict that environmental expectations moderate these responses. Our results indicate that firms did manage ecological uncertainty by adopting natural‐resource‐intensive practices, but not mitigation practices. They also show that stronger environmental expectations constrained firms from adopting natural‐resource‐intensive practices and promoted their adoption of mitigation practices in response to ecological uncertainty. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of MgO/Al2O3 Ratio on Viscosity of Blast Furnace Slag With High Al2O3 Content
Authors: Zhang Xuefei , Jiang Tao , Xue Xiangxin , Hu Binsheng
Published: March 2015

The viscosity of SiO2−CaO−MgO−Al2O3−TiO2−FeO blast furnace (BF) slag system with high Al2O3 content is studied by using a rotating cylinder viscometer. The effect of the MgO/Al2O3 ratio on the viscosity, the stability, and break point temperature of BF slag are investigated. As a result, an increase in the Al2O3 content and a decrease of temperature tended to make the stability of slag become worse gradually due to an increase in the degree of the polymerization of the slag. In addition, increasing Al2O3 content results in an increase in viscosity at a fixed temperature. The MgO/Al2O3 ratio of the slag have obvious effect on the influence of the temperature of the BF slag on viscosity of the slag; the proper use of the MgO/Al2O3 ratio can obviously improve the stability and the fluidity of the slag, and the suitable value of the MgO/Al2O3 ratio decrease with increasing the Al2O3 content in the BF slag. In order to maintain a good stability and fluidity of the slag, the Al2O3 content in the slag should be 18% not exceed 19% and the ration of MgO/Al2O3 in a range of 0.6–0.7.
Pluripotency Activity of Nanog Requires Biochemical Stabilization by Variant Histone Protein H2A.Z
Authors: Wang Jiaxu , Qiao Mengran , He Qianqian , Shi Ronghua , Loh Sharon Jia Hui , Stanton Lawrence W. , Wu Mian
Published: March 2015

The variant histone protein H2A.Z plays a critical role in early development. Likewise, Nanog, a master regulator of embryonic stem cells (ESCs), is essential for proper development in early embryogenesis. In this study, we establish that these two factors work together to maintain pluripotency. It is shown that H2A.Z influences the protein level of Nanog through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Knockdown of H2A.Z causes differentiation of mouse ESCs and disrupts the reprogramming of somatic cells, which can be partially rescued by overexpression of Nanog. We conclude that the H2A.Z-Nanog partnership is involved in ESC pluripotency and reprogramming of somatic cells. Stem Cells 2015;33:2126–2134
Application of system reliability‐based assessment for collapse fragility of braced moment‐resisting frames
Authors: Lotfollahi M. , Banazadeh M. , Alinia M.M.
Published: March 2015

This paper presents a system reliability‐based framework for collapse fragility assessment of steel braced moment‐resisting frames (BMRFs). The conditional failure of intermediate events is calculated, considering two important features in the design of BMRFs: (i) different failure scenarios (FSs) with multiple sequences of components failure formation and (ii) structural reliability analysis based on the failure propagation from components to system. The system collapse reliability‐based assessment of BMRFs is developed with an efficient algorithm using the Monte Carlo simulation procedure incorporated into a nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis program. An appropriate nonlinear FE model of such systems is demonstrated, and the probability of various predefined components' failure over the most likely FSs in the presence of both epistemic and inherent uncertainties is calculated. Then, a system‐simulated reliability index (SSRI) is computed by lower and upper bounds in the probability of BMRF system collapse. Finally, fragility curves based on the SSRI is compared with the ones from incremental dynamic analysis, and later, the outcomes from multiple FSs are compared with the codified main collapse criterion. For the BMRFs analyzed herein, it is shown that the existing allowable story drift for the collapse limit state is conservative, and a new criterion is appraised. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A classification control strategy for energy storage system in microgrid
Authors: Zeng Aidong , Xu Qingshan , Ding Maosheng , Yukita Kazuto , Ichiyanagi Katsuhiro
Published: March 2015

Storage devices are indispensable elements in a microgrid to compensate for the power imbalance between loads and the distributed generator (DG) output. Different storage strategies give diverse performances in adjustment speed and capacity. Based on the performance of different storage devices and the features of power imbalance curve in different periods, a classification control strategy is proposed in this paper. First, storage devices are given priorities according to the adjusting speed, and the power imbalance curve is divided into two periods according to the changing speed. During an emergency, all the storages are employed to compensate the rapidly increasing power imbalance; during the steady period, storage device with higher priority is employed to track the instantaneous component of power imbalance, while storage device with lower priority is used to replace the kWh output of higher priority storage. The proposed strategy is tested in a microgrid within the subdistribution network of IEEE RBTS Bus6 system using Monte Carlo methods. Simulation results indicate that the classification control strategy could endow the system with fast adjusting ability through coordination between storages. Reliability indices of the testing system are utilized to demonstrate that the classification control strategy could improve the stability of the microgrid and reliability of the distribution network. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A new multi‐focus image fusion algorithm based on BEMD and improved local energy
Authors: Yang Jinku , Guo Lei , Yang Haiku
Published: March 2015

A multi‐focus image fusion method, which is based on bidimensional empirical mode decomposition (BEMD) and improved local energy algorithm, is presented in this paper. First, the source image is decomposed by BEMD. Then maximum criterion combined with weighted average fusion rule based on local energy is applied to bidimensional intrinsic mode function components of the corresponding frequency segment. If the phase of the bidimensional intrinsic mode function coefficients decomposed by BEMD on two source images is the same, the local energy maximum criterion is used in the frequency coefficients of the fused image; else, if the corresponding phase is opposite, bidimensional intrinsic mode function coefficients of the fused image is determined by a weighted average method based on local energy. Finally, the fusion result is obtained by the inverse BEMD transformation on the fusion coefficient. Simulation shows that the proposed algorithm significantly outperforms traditional methods such as the maximum criterion, weighted average, and wavelet fusion rules. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Oxidative damage of naphthenic acids on the Eisenia fetida earthworm
Authors: Wang Jie , Cao Xiaofeng , Chai Liwei , Liao Jingqiu , Huang Yi , Tang Xiaoyan
Published: March 2015

Naphthenic acids (NAs) have been gaining recognition in recent years as potentially harmful environmental contaminants. Few studies have focused on the potential ecotoxicity of NAs to terrestrial environment. In this study, the responses of antioxidant system and lipid peroxidation and DNA damage were investigated after exposing Eisenia fetida to soil contaminated with NAs. The results indicated that NAs induced a significant increase (p < 0.05) in superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activities. The glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities were significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) in the medium and high dose treatments. An increase in malondialidehyde indicated that NAs could cause cellular lipid peroxidation in the tested earthworms. The percentage of DNA in the tail of comet assay of coelomocytes as an indication of DNA damage increased after treatment with different doses of NAs, and a dose‐dependent DNA damage of coelomocytes was found. In conclusion, oxidative stress caused by NAs exposure induces physiological responses and genotoxicity on earthworms. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1337–1343, 2016.
Preventing Early Reading Failure
Authors: Morris Darrell
Published: March 2015

Across the pendulum‐like changes in beginning reading instruction over the past 30 years, three interrelated ideas emerge as the key to preventing reading failure in kindergarten and first grade: (1) an interesting, carefully‐leveled book curriculum; (2) a leveled phonics curriculum; and (3) a well‐trained teacher who knows how to integrate guided reading and phonics to meet the changing needs of struggling readers. A practicum (i.e., teachers tutoring one‐on‐one under the supervision of an expert coach) is deemed the best way to develop needed teacher expertise. Although investing in teacher knowledge and skill presents challenges (e.g., finding time, finding a coach, funding the training), it represents a school's best chance of breaking the cycle of early reading failure.
Ultrasound‐guided percutaneous aspiration of hyperreactio luteinalis avoids laparoscopic untwisting of ovarian torsion
Authors: Sakae C. , Sato Y. , Taga A. , Satake Y. , Emoto I. , Maruyama S. , Kim T.
Published: March 2015

Hyperreactio luteinalis (HL) is characterized by multicystic bilateral enlargement of the ovaries and is a self‐limiting benign condition associated with pregnancy or trophoblastic disease. Since HL regresses spontaneously over time, it should be managed conservatively as long as the patient's condition permits; torsion of the enlarged ovaries is believed to be the only exception that mandates surgical intervention. Here, we describe a case of HL complicated by ovarian torsion that was treated successfully without surgical intervention. A 33‐year‐old woman was admitted to our hospital owing to acute abdomen. Nine days previously, she had had a stillbirth caused by hydrops fetalis at 24 weeks' gestation. The characteristic findings observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) led to the diagnosis of HL complicated by torsion of the enlarged left ovary. Emergency laparoscopic detorsion of the ischemic left ovary was planned. Aiming to reduce the risk of cystic injury and bleeding at the trocar insertion site, volume reduction of the left ovarian cyst was performed by percutaneous aspiration. The patient's pain diminished rapidly and laparoscopic surgery was deferred. Subsequent MRI revealed that gadolinium enhancement of the left ovarian tumor had been restored, indicating spontaneous detorsion of the left ovary. The patient remained asymptomatic and was discharged from the hospital 12 days after aspiration of the cyst. From this experience, we propose that, in cases of ovarian torsion occurring in large functional cysts, including HL, volume reduction by percutaneous cyst aspiration should be considered before performing emergency laparoscopic surgery. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
An appraisal of downscaling methods used in climate change research
Authors: Ekström Marie , Grose Michael R , Whetton Penny H
Published: March 2015

The term ‘downscaling’ refers to the process of translating information from global climate model simulations to a finer spatial resolution. There are numerous methods by which this translation of information can occur. For users of downscaled information, it is important to have some understanding of the properties of different methods (in terms of their capabilities and limitations to convey the change signal, as simulated by the global model), as these dictate the type of applications that the downscaled information can be used for in impact, adaptation, and vulnerability research. This article provides an appraisal of downscaling in terms of its perceived purpose and value for informing on plausible impacts due to climate change and for underpinning regional risk assessments. The concepts climate realism and physical plausibility of change are introduced to qualify the broad scale properties associated with different categories of downscaling approaches; the former concerning the skill of different approaches to represent regional climate characteristics and the latter their skill in simulating regional climate change. Aspects of change not captured by global climate models, due to resolution or regional factors, may be captured by downscaling. If these aspects are of interest, then downscaling may be useful once it has been demonstrated to add value. For cases where the broad scale change to the mean climate is of interest, or where there is no demonstrated added value from downscaling, then there is a wide range of regionalization methods that are suitable for practitioners in the impact, adaptation, and vulnerability field. WIREs Clim Change 2015, 6:301–319. doi: 10.1002/wcc.339

This article is categorized under:

Assessing Impacts of Climate Change > Scale Issues

Assessing Impacts of Climate Change > Scenario Development and Application
Impact and effectiveness of risk mitigation strategies on the insurability of nanomaterial production: evidences from industrial case studies
Authors: Bergamaschi Enrico , Murphy Finbarr , Poland Craig A. , Mullins Martin , Costa Anna L. , McAlea Eamonn , Tran Lang , Tofail Syed A. M.
Published: March 2015

Workers involved in producing nanomaterials or using nanomaterials in manufacturing plants are likely to have earlier and higher exposure to manufactured/engineered nanomaterials (ENM) than the general population. This is because both the volume handled and the probability of the effluence of ‘free’ nanoparticles from the handled volume are much higher during a production process than at any other stage in the lifecycle of nanomaterials and nanotechnology‐enabled products. Risk assessment (RA) techniques using control banding (CB) as a framework for risk transfer represents a robust theory but further progress on implementing the model is required so that risk can be transferred to insurance companies. Following a review of RA in general and hazard measurement in particular, we subject a Structural Alert Scheme methodology to three industrial case studies using ZrO2, TiO2, and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The materials are tested in a pristine state and in a remediated (coated) state, and the respective emission and hazard rates are tested alongside the material performance as originally designed. To our knowledge, this is the first such implementation of a CB RA in conjunction with an ENM performance test and offers both manufacturers and underwriters an insight into future applications. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2015, 7:839–855. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1340

This article is categorized under:

Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Regulatory and Policy Issues in Nanomedicine
Biomedical applications of gold nanomaterials: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Sasidharan Abhilash , Monteiro‐Riviere Nancy A.
Published: March 2015

In the past few years, there has been an unprecedented development of gold nanomaterials (AuNMs) for potential clinical applications. Owing to their advantageous physical, chemical, and biological properties, AuNMs have attracted great attention in the nanomedicine arena for applications in biological sensing, biomedical imaging, drug delivery, and photothermal therapy. Their tunable size, shape, and surface characteristics coupled with excellent biocompatibility render them ideal candidates for translation from bench‐top to bedside. This review summarizes the recent research on the applications of AuNM with a focus on biomedical diagnostics and therapeutics. The bio‐interaction of these NM with cells and their in vivo responses are presented. After reviewing these potential applications, future challenges and prospects are discussed and the suitability of how AuNMs are used as effective tools in clinical medicine is assessed. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2015, 7:779–796. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1341

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease

Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials
Integrative models of vascular remodeling during tumor growth
Authors: Rieger Heiko , Welter Michael
Published: March 2015

Malignant solid tumors recruit the blood vessel network of the host tissue for nutrient supply, continuous growth, and gain of metastatic potential. Angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels), vessel cooption (the integration of existing blood vessels into the tumor vasculature), and vessel regression remodel the healthy vascular network into a tumor‐specific vasculature that is in many respects different from the hierarchically organized arterio‐venous blood vessel network of the host tissues. Integrative models based on detailed experimental data and physical laws implement in silico the complex interplay of molecular pathways, cell proliferation, migration, and death, tissue microenvironment, mechanical and hydrodynamic forces, and the fine structure of the host tissue vasculature. With the help of computer simulations high‐precision information about blood flow patterns, interstitial fluid flow, drug distribution, oxygen and nutrient distribution can be obtained and a plethora of therapeutic protocols can be tested before clinical trials. In this review, we give an overview over the current status of integrative models describing tumor growth, vascular remodeling, blood and interstitial fluid flow, drug delivery, and concomitant transformations of the microenvironment. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2015, 7:113–129. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1295

This article is categorized under:

Analytical and Computational Methods > Computational Methods

Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Mechanistic Models

Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Organismal Models
UV‐Light‐Driven Photocatalysts of Metal‐Organic Frameworks Based on Acylamide‐Inserted Multi‐Carboxylic Acid
Authors: Wang Chengmiao , Wang Fengqin , Dong Caifu , Yu Zongchao , Wang Zechuan , Zhao Yongnan , Li Guodong
Published: March 2015

Two functional metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), [Zn·L]·[+H2N(CH3)2]2(DMF)0.5(H2O)3 (1) and [Cu2L(H2O)2]·xG (G = solvent molecule) (2) [H4L = bis(3,5‐dicarboxypheny1)terephthalamide] were synthesized under solvothermal conditions. Their photoresponses in the UV region make them promising candidates for photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under UV light irradation. We studied the photocatalytic activities of the two MOFs and polyaniline (PANI) composite materials (named PANI/MOFs), which were prepared by loading the PANI on the surface of MOFs. The results indicate that PANI/MOFs composite materials exbibit excellent photostabilities and higher photocatalytic activities than the pure MOFs photocatalysts for degradation/removal of organic pollutants from wastewaters.
Structure and Bonding in Bis(1‐naphthyl) Diselenide and Bis{[2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)methyl]phenyl} Tetraselenide, and Their Brominated Derivatives
Authors: Takaluoma Esther M. , Takaluoma Teemu T. , Oilunkaniemi Raija , Laitinen Risto S.
Published: March 2015

The formation and crystal structures of bis(1‐naphthyl) diselenide (1) and bis{[2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)methyl]phenyl} tetraselenide (2) are described. Whereas 1 can be produced in good yields, 2 is formed only as a minor product together with the known main product, bis{[2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)methyl]phenyl} diselenide. The composition of the reaction mixture is semi‐quantitatively estimated by 77Se NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. The effect of the n2→σ*(Se–Se) and π→σ*(Se–Se) secondary bonding interactions on the Se–Se bonds is discussed both by DFT calculations and comparison with literature, as available. The bromination of 1 yields monomeric (1‐naphthyl)selenenyl bromide (3) in good yields. That of the reaction mixture of (C6H4CH2NMe2)Sex (x = 2–4) and Se8 afforded (C6H4CH2NMe2H)2[SeBr4] (4) and (C6H4CH2NMe2H)2[SeBr6] (5) in addition to (C6H4CH2NMe2)SeBr, which has been previously reported.
Phase Relations and Crystal Structures in the Ternary Systems Sr‐{Ag, Au}‐{Si, Ge}
Authors: Zeiringer Isolde , Grytsiv Andriy , Bauer Ernst , Giester Gerald , Rogl Peter
Published: March 2015

Phase equilibria in the isothermal sections of the ternary systems Sr‐{Ag, Au}‐{Si, Ge} were determined in the (Si) or (Ge) rich part up to 33.3 at % Sr after annealing at 700 °C (Sr‐{Ag, Au}‐Ge) or 800 °C (Sr‐{Ag, Au}‐Si). Tentative liquidus projections were constructed for the Si, Ge‐rich part of all the four phase diagrams. These systems are characterized by a series of ternary compounds, exhibiting in some cases extended homogeneity regions at a constant Sr content. Compounds in the Si, Ge‐rich region essentially form along two sections: at 33.3 at % Sr (AlB2‐family) and at 20 at % Sr (BaAl4‐family of structure types). The crystal structures of the novel equilibrium phases were derived by X‐ray single crystal diffraction: Sr2Ag1+xSi3–x–y□y [Sr2LiSi3 type; x = 0.17, y = 0.43: a = 8.4488(2), b = 14.6376(2), c = 18.4018(2) Å], SrAg2–xSi2+x [ThCr2Si2 type; x = 0.1: a = 4.37664(6), c = 10.4517(2) Å], Sr(Au1–y□y)(Si1–xAux)3 [BaNiSn3 type; x = 0.59, y = 0.64: a = 4.4594(2), c = 10.1013(6) Å] and SrAu5–x□xSi2 [BaAu5Si2 type; x = 0.7: a = 8.7557(3), b = 6.9945(2), c = 9.8873(3) Å]. The crystal structures of Sr(AgxGe1–x)2 [AlB2 type; x = 0.25: a = 4.3431(2), c = 4.5938(1) Å], SrAg2–xGe2+x [ThCr2Si2 type; x = 0.2: a = 4.4476(2), c = 10.822(1) Å] and Sr(AuxGe1–x)2 [AlB2 type; x = 0.25: a = 4.3263(2), c = 4.5852(7) Å] were evaluated by X‐ray powder Rietveld analysis. Composition dependent polymorphism was observed among the BaAl4‐type derivative structures for SrAu2–xGe2+x: CaBe2Ge2 type [x = 0.45: a = 4.4796(2), c = 10.6315(5) Å], BaCu2Sb2 type [x = 0.35: a = 4.4866(2), c = 31.808(1) Å] and ThCr2Si2 type [x = 0.2: a = 4.5214(4), c = 10.336(1) Å]. Similarly, Sr(AuxSi1–x)2 exhibits the Ca2AgSi3 structure type [x = 0.25: a = 8.3407(2), b = 14.4465(2) and c = 9.2664(3) Å] and the AlB2 type [x = 0.375: a = 4.2241(2), c = 4.5799(3) Å]. The structural chemistry of the BaAl4 derivative structures within the sections SrT2–xX2+x is discussed.
Therapeutic Strategies for Advanced Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors with Segmental Portal Hypertension
Authors: Dumont F. , Goudard Y. , Caramella C. , Goéré D. , Baudin E. , Elias D.
Published: March 2015

Background

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET) locally advanced may lead to significant local symptoms especially segmental portal hypertension (SPH) with risk of bleeding. The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of SPH on the PNET management in an expert center.

Methods

Forty‐two patients treated for locally advanced PNET with SPH between January 1984 and December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

The median age was 55 years (25–75). The median tumor size was 7.5 cm (3–20). Thirty four (80.9 %) patients were metastatic mainly in the liver (n = 33, 79 %) with a frequent (n = 16, 38.1 %) involvement >20 %. The surgery was impossible because of SPH in 7 (16.6 %) cases. Pancreatic resection was performed in 28 (66.7 %) cases by distal pancreatectomy. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (n = 24, 57 %) had no impact on SPH with no modification of collateral circulation. Among operated on patients, complete macroscopic resection was obtained in 19 (67.8 %) patients. The mortality and severe morbidity rate was respectively 3.6 and 18 %. Five year overall survival (OS) was similar in operated and no operated patients. (61 %; p = 0.64). The 5‐year OS was 77.9 or 55.4 % in patients who underwent a complete or incomplete macroscopic resection of primary and metastases, respectively.

Conclusion

PNET resection associated with SPH is feasible with a low morbimortality. SPH was not improved by chemotherapy. Prolonged survival was observed after complete macroscopic resection.
2015 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures
Authors:   Alzheimer's Association
Published: March 2015

This report discusses the public health impact of Alzheimer's disease (AD), including incidence and prevalence, mortality rates, costs of care and the overall effect on caregivers and society. It also examines the challenges encountered by health care providers when disclosing an AD diagnosis to patients and caregivers. An estimated 5.3 million Americans have AD; 5.1 million are age ≥65 years, and approximately 200,000 are age <65 years and have younger onset AD. By mid‐century, the number of people living with AD in the United States is projected to grow by nearly 10 million, fueled in large part by the aging baby boom generation. Today, someone in the country develops AD every 67 seconds. By 2050, one new case of AD is expected to develop every 33 seconds, resulting in nearly 1 million new cases per year, and the estimated prevalence is expected to range from 11 million to 16 million. In 2013, official death certificates recorded 84,767 deaths from AD, making AD the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the fifth leading cause of death in Americans age ≥65 years. Between 2000 and 2013, deaths resulting from heart disease, stroke and prostate cancer decreased 14%, 23% and 11%, respectively, whereas deaths from AD increased 71%. The actual number of deaths to which AD contributes (or deaths with AD) is likely much larger than the number of deaths from AD recorded on death certificates. In 2015, an estimated 700,000 Americans age ≥65 years will die with AD, and many of them will die from complications caused by AD. In 2014, more than 15 million family members and other unpaid caregivers provided an estimated 17.9 billion hours of care to people with AD and other dementias, a contribution valued at more than $217 billion. Average per‐person Medicare payments for services to beneficiaries age ≥65 years with AD and other dementias are more than two and a half times as great as payments for all beneficiaries without these conditions, and Medicaid payments are 19 times as great. Total payments in 2015 for health care, long‐term care and hospice services for people age ≥65 years with dementia are expected to be $226 billion. Among people with a diagnosis of AD or another dementia, fewer than half report having been told of the diagnosis by their health care provider. Though the benefits of a prompt, clear and accurate disclosure of an AD diagnosis are recognized by the medical profession, improvements to the disclosure process are needed. These improvements may require stronger support systems for health care providers and their patients.
A QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF CHAIN LADDER BASED PRICING APPROACHES FOR LONG-TAIL QUOTA SHARES
Authors: Riegel Ulrich
Published: March 2015

Pricing approaches for long-tail quota shares are often based on the chain ladder method. Apart from IBNR calculation, common pricing methods require volume measures for accident years in the observation period, and for the quotation period. In practice, in most cases restated premiums are used as the volume measures. The prediction error of the chain ladder method is an important part of the prediction uncertainty of these pricing approaches. There are, however, two sources of uncertainty that are not addressed by the chain ladder model: the stochastic volatility of the claims in the first development year; and the restatement uncertainty, the risk that the restated premium is not a good volume measure. We extend Mack's chain ladder model to cover these two sources of uncertainty, and calculate the mean-squared error of chain ladder pricing approaches with arbitrary weights for the accident years in the observation period. Then we focus on the problem of finding optimal weights for the accident years. First, we assume that the parameters for restatement uncertainty are given, and provide recursion formulas to calculate approximately-optimal weights. Second, we describe a maximum likelihood approach that can be used to estimate the restatement uncertainty.
EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION
Authors: de la Croix David , Iyigun Murat
Published: March 2015

Before the Industrial Revolution, most scientists considered fertility, mortality and population as interacting with economic circumstances. When Khaldun (1377) pioneered classical economics, he described how population interplays with the rise and decline of cities by allowing a deeper division of labor and generating increasing returns to scale. When, in the 17th century, Petty (1687) compared the relative development of England, France, and Holland, population was at the center of his calculations, both as an outcome and source of wealth. And, according to the French physiocrats (Mirabeau 1756) as well as Bruckner (1768), who foreshadowed the Malthusian view on population checks by half a century, population needed to be incentivized to grow.
WHO COMES AND WHY? DETERMINANTS OF IMMIGRANTS SKILL LEVEL IN THE EARLY XXTH CENTURY US
Authors: Covarrubias Matías , Lafortune Jeanne , Tessada José
Published: March 2015

This paper first elaborates a model of intermediate selection where potential migrants must have both the resources to finance the migration cost (liquidity constraint restriction) and an income gain of migrating (economic incentives restriction). We then test the predictions of the model regarding the impact of output in the sending country and migration costs on average skill level of immigrants to the United States from 1899 to 1932, where immigration was initially unrestricted by law and then highly limited. Our panel of 39 countries includes data on occupations that immigrants had in their country of origin, providing a more accurate skill measure than previously available datasets. We find that migration costs have a negative but skill-neutral effect on quantity of immigrants and an increase in output, measured as GDP per capita, has a positive effect on quantity and a negative effect on average skill level of immigrants, suggesting that the main channel by which changes in output affected the average skill level of migrants in that time period is through the easing or tightening of the liquidity constraints and not through the economic incentives as in previous models. Also, using migrants’ occupation in the United States as a measure of skills would lead to misleading conclusions.
GARY BECKER’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ANALYSIS OF DISCRIMINATION
Authors: Flinn Christopher J.
Published: March 2015

Becker analyzes racial discrimination given its existence; as we know from his 1977 paper with George Stigler, “De Gustibus Non Est Disputandum,” Becker felt that the determination of preferences was to be taken as given, at least from the standpoint of conducting neoclassical economic analysis. One of the ingredients of this research is the distribution of racial animus in the populations of employers, employees, and customers. The most interesting and memorable feature of the analysis is the examination of equilibrium racial wage and employment outcomes when there are “tastes” for discrimination of various kinds and labor and product markets vary in their degree of competitiveness.
GARY BECKER ON THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF CHILDREN
Authors: Doepke Matthias
Published: March 2015

Before Gary Becker, fertility choice was widely considered to be outside the realm of economic analysis. Apart from intellectual tradition, one reason for this was that the data on fertility did not immediately suggest an economic mechanism. In industrialized countries, fertility had declined strongly over time, even though family incomes were rising. Similarly, in many studies using cross-sectional data the relationship between family income and fertility had been shown to be either flat or declining. To many observers, these observations suggested that the “taste” for children had waned over time and that high income families placed less value on childbearing than the poor.
A new view from La Cotte de St Brelade, Jersey
Authors: Scott Beccy , Bates Martin , Bates Richard , Conneller Chantal , Pope Matt , Shaw Andrew , Smith Geoff
Published: March 2015

Did Neanderthal hunters drive mammoth herds over cliffs in mass kills? Excavations at La Cotte de St Brelade in the 1960s and 1970s uncovered heaps of mammoth bones, interpreted as evidence of intentional hunting drives. New study of this Middle Palaeolithic coastal site, however, indicates a very different landscape to the featureless coastal plain that was previously envisaged. Reconsideration of the bone heaps themselves further undermines the ‘mass kill’ hypothesis, suggesting that these were simply the final accumulations of bone at the site, undisturbed and preservedin situwhen the return to a cold climate blanketed them in wind-blown loess.
Cultural convergence in the Neolithic of the Nile Valley: a prehistoric perspective on Egypt's place in Africa
Authors: Wengrow David , Dee Michael , Foster Sarah , Stevenson Alice , Ramsey Christopher Bronk
Published: March 2015

The African origins of Egyptian civilisation lie in an important cultural horizon, the ‘primary pastoral community’, which emerged in both the Egyptian and Sudanese parts of the Nile Valley in the fifth millennium BC. A re-examination of the chronology, assisted by new AMS determinations from Neolithic sites in Middle Egypt, has charted the detailed development of these new kinds of society. The resulting picture challenges recent studies that emphasise climate change and environmental stress as drivers of cultural adaptation in north-east Africa. It also emphasises the crucial role of funerary practices and body decoration.