bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One ring to rule them all: Master discourses of enlightenment—and racism—from colonial to contemporary New Zealand
Authors: Liu James H. , Robinson Angela R.
Published: September 2015

We interrogated historical continuity and change in discourses of enlightenment and racism through the analysis of 160 years of New Zealand Speeches from the Throne (1854–2014, 163 speeches). Enlightenment discourses of benevolence and perfectibility were prevalent in all periods, much more so than racism. ‘Old‐fashioned’ racism took the form of an assumed civilizational superiority (including accusations of ‘barbarism’) during colonization, with ‘modern’ racism taking forms like blaming Māori for not ‘productively’ using the land. Both declined to almost zero by the 20th century, undermining the idea of ‘old‐fashioned’ versus ‘modern’ racism. Utilitarian discourses peaked in the late 19th to early 20th centuries as justification for Māori land alienation. ‘Master discourses of enlightenment’ consisted of a central core of social representations that changed at the periphery, with a gradual expansion of symbolic inclusion of Māori in discourses of national identity to the point where biculturalism is the dominant discourse for elites today.
Acoustic sensing and signal processing techniques for monitoring milk fouling cleaning operations
Authors: Úbeda Marco A. , Hussein Walid B. , Hussein Mohamed A. , Hinrichs Jörg , Becker Thomas M.
Published: September 2015

Large resource investments are necessary in order to minimize the limiting problems arising from food industrial intensive productivity. One of the most challenging concerns is the cleaning status uncertainty among heat transfer areas in dairy heat exchangers, since the effectiveness of this process cannot be easily validated. The present study aimed to develop a low‐power ultrasound sensing method for monitoring the removal of milk fouling deposits along cleaning processes inside an experimental plate heat exchanger structure, connected to a milk piping unit. For that purpose, signal processing, namely acoustic feature extraction, over different wave patterns combined with artificial neural network techniques was used. Measurements were taken in pulse‐echo mode with a handmade 4 MHz ultrasound transducer. While fouling deposits having initial average thickness values of 250 μm (34.5 ± 4.5 mg/cm²) were removed, the acoustic transmissivity increased. Results showed that the signal features follow the expected trends in both, clean and fouled cases, within right guess detection accuracies above 80%. Therefore, when calibrated well, this could be a very sensitive and noninvasive technique for material characterization, as well as a suitable validation method for industrial cleaning cycle operation optimization that could significantly reduce the associated costs.
Biosynthesis of chain‐specific alkanes by metabolic engineering in Escherichia coli
Authors: Yan Hong , Wang Zheng , Wang Fang , Tan Tianwei , Liu Luo
Published: September 2015

Renewable energy is one of the key issues for sustainable development. Compared with alcohols and esters, alkanes—with the highest energy density—are a better liquid fuel. In this study, we focused on medium‐chain alkanes, the main compounds of jet fuels. To control the chain length of alkanes, a chain length specific thioesterase from Umbellularia californica, a fatty acyl‐CoA reductase Acinetobacter sp. M‐1 that prefers lauroyl‐CoA and myristoyl‐CoA, and a decarbonylase from Nostoc punctiforme were engineering into Escherichia coli cells. The combination of genes, which determines the chain length of products, was carefully designed to control the product spectrum. Undecane and tridecane were produced with a concentration of 2.21 ± 0.18 and 1.83 ± 0.12 mg⋅g−1, respectively. A total of 4.01 ± 0.43 mg⋅g−1 pentadecane was also detected in the final products. The results showed the feasibility to use microorganisms as cell factories for alkane production. The product spectrum revealed that the chosen genes played a key role in the production of chain length specific alkanes.
Performance evaluation of a nonimaging solar concentrator in terms of optical and thermal characteristics
Authors: Ustaoglu Abid , Okajima Junnosuke , Zhang Xin‐Rong , Maruyama Shigenao
Published: September 2015

A nontracking, nonimaging solar concentrator with a low‐heat‐loss configuration was proposed, and its optical and thermal performance was investigated. The reflector has a compound parabolic and involute shape so that the absorber is heated as uniformly as possible. To eliminate heat loss by conduction and convection, the mirror and absorber are enclosed in an evacuated glass tube. The concentrator presented here was simulated for the location of Sendai, Japan, and its acceptance angle was estimated as 23.44°. A ray‐tracing model was developed to evaluate its optical and thermal performance. The average optical efficiency was evaluated by a 2‐D ray‐tracing model, and a value of 72.7% was obtained. A thermal analysis of the absorber was conducted to evaluate the temperature uniformity. The results indicate that the temperature distribution of the absorber can be considered uniform. The thermal efficiency of the proposed solar concentrator was calculated as a function of the incidence angle and absorber temperature. With a concentration ratio of 2.51, the concentrator, even at an absorber temperature of 373 K, operates with an average efficiency of 47.8%, although the absorber was assumed to have a gray surface. The concentrator's thermal efficiency was compared with that of other solar collectors, and found to be higher than that of conventional solar collectors. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 553–564, 2016
Assessing the risk to green sturgeon from application of imidacloprid to control burrowing shrimp in Willapa Bay, Washington—Part II: Controlled exposure studies
Authors: Frew John A. , Grue Christian E.
Published: September 2015

The activities of 2 species of burrowing shrimp have a negative impact on the growth and survival of oysters reared on intertidal mudflats in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor, Washington (USA). To maintain viable harvests, oyster growers proposed the application of the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid onto harvested beds for the control of burrowing shrimp. In test applications, water column concentrations of imidacloprid were relatively low and dissipated rapidly. The foraging activities of the green sturgeon (listed in the US Endangered Species Act) could result in exposure to higher, more sustained imidacloprid concentrations within sediment porewater and from the consumption of contaminated shrimp. Controlled experiments were conducted using surrogate white sturgeon to determine acute and chronic effect concentrations, to examine overt effects at more environmentally realistic concentrations and durations of exposure, and to assess chemical depuration. The 96-h median lethal concentration was 124 mg L–1, and the predicted 35-d no-observed-adverse-effect concentration was 0.7 mg L–1. No overt effects were observed following environmentally relevant exposures. Imidacloprid half-life in plasma was greater than 32 h. Measured concentrations of imidacloprid in porewater were significantly lower than the derived acute and chronic effect concentrations for white sturgeon. Exposure risk quotients were calculated using the effect concentrations and estimated environmental exposure. The resulting values were considerably below the level of concern for direct effects from either acute or chronic exposure to an endangered species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:2542–2548. © 2015 SETAC
New record in Catasetum (Orchidaceae) for the State of Ceará, Brazil
Authors: Petini‐Benelli Adarilda , Farias Castro Antônio Sérgio
Published: September 2015

In this paper we report the discovery of Catasetum planiceps, in the Serra da Ibiapaba, as a new and important event for the flora of Ceará, Brazil. The species was recorded growing as a rupicolous herb in vegetation called ‘Macambiral’, which is an area of ‘brejo forest’, in the Serra da Ibiapaba in the municipality of Ipueiras. The vegetation in this area is a mixture of semi‐deciduous tropical moist forests and ‘carrasco’ vegetation, forming an important ecotone in the caatinga vegetational domain. Collected material was deposited in the EAC and UFMT herbaria and a sample was sent to the DNA bank of the Laboratório de Sistemática e Ecologia Molecular de Plantas of the Universidade Federal do Paraná (Curitiba, Paraná State, Brazil). This new record is of great importance because the type of habitat in which it was registered is very different from that originally described for this species. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Taxonomic study of the genus Chamaesiphon (Chroococcales: Cyanoprokaryota) reported from India with two new distributional records
Authors: Das Sudipta Kumar
Published: September 2015

There were only 9 taxa of Chamaesiphon A. Braun & Grunow, reported so far from India. This includes 6 species and 3 varieties. In the present study, two species of genus Chamaesiphon i.e. C. amethystinus and C. polonicus were reported from the Eastern Himalayas, as new records from India. Further, a taxonomic key to the Indian taxa of the genus Chamaesiphon along with their distribution in India as well as the globe have been provided. The taxonomic status of two endemic species was also evaluated. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Forecasting Latent Volatility through a Markov Chain Approximation Filter
Authors: Lo Chia Chun , Skindilias Konstantinos , Karathanasopoulos Andreas
Published: September 2015

We propose a new methodology for filtering and forecasting the latent variance in a two‐factor diffusion process with jumps from a continuous‐time perspective. For this purpose we use a continuous‐time Markov chain approximation with a finite state space. Essentially, we extend Markov chain filters to processes of higher dimensions. We assess forecastability of the models under consideration by measuring forecast error of model expected realized variance, trading in variance swap contracts, producing value‐at‐risk estimates as well as examining sign forecastability. We provide empirical evidence using two sources, the S&P 500 index values and its corresponding cumulative risk‐neutral expected variance (namely the VIX index). Joint estimation reveals the market prices of equity and variance risk implicit by the two probability measures. A further simulation study shows that the proposed methodology can filter the variance of virtually any type of diffusion process (coupled with a jump process) with a non‐analytical density function. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling thermal conductivity in silicon nanowires
Authors: Martin C. S. , Ariza M. P. , Ortiz M.
Published: September 2015

The complexity of heat transport in silicon nanowires (SiNWs) and, specifically, its dependence on temperature and the nanowire diameter, is beyond continuum models of heat conduction and necessitate consideration of atomic‐level heat‐conduction models. In this work, we specifically aim to ascertain the ability of models based on non‐equilibrium statistical mechanics to reproduce the observed anisotropy, temperature and size dependence of the thermal conductivity of SiNWs. In this approach, the atomic‐level kinetic relations are regarded as empirical and subject to modeling. Within this framework, we find that a simple model, based on the introduction of a thin amorphous layer at the surface of the SiNWs, yields effective thermal conductivities that are in excellent agreement with the experimental data over a range of temperatures and diameters. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Computational homogenization of nano‐materials accounting for size effects via surface elasticity
Authors: Javili Ali , Chatzigeorgiou George , McBride Andrew T. , Steinmann Paul , Linder Christian
Published: September 2015

The objective of this contribution is to establish a first‐order computational homogenization framework for micro‐to‐macro transitions of porous media that accounts for the size effects through the consideration of surface elasticity at the microscale. Although the classical (firstorder) homogenization schemes are well established, they are not capable of capturing the well‐known size effects in nano‐porous materials. In this contribution we introduce surface elasticity as a remedy to account for size effects within a first‐order homogenization scheme. This proposition is based on the fact that surfaces are no longer negligible at small scales.

Following a standard first‐order homogenization ansatz on the microscopic motion in terms of the macroscopic motion, a Hill‐type averaging condition is used to link the two scales. The averaging theorems are revisited and generalized to account for surfaces. In the absence of surface energy this generalized framework reduces to classical homogenization. The influence of the length scale is elucidated via a series of numerical examples performed using the finite element method. The numerical results are compared against the analytical ones at small strains for tetragonal and hexagonal microstructures. Furthermore, numerical results at small strains are compared with those at finite strains for both microstructures. Finally, it is shown that there exists an upper bound for the material response of nano‐porous media. This finding surprisingly restricts the notion of “smaller is stronger”. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Homogenization and multiscale stability analysis in finite magneto‐electro‐elasticity
Authors: Miehe Christian , Vallicotti Daniel , Teichtmeister Stephan
Published: September 2015

Soft matter electro‐elastic, magneto‐elastic and magneto‐electro‐elastic composites exhibit coupled material behavior at large strains. Examples are electro‐active polymers and magnetorheological elastomers, which respond by a deformation to applied electric or magnetic fields, and are used in advanced industrial environments as sensors and actuators. Polymer‐based magneto‐electric‐elastic composites are a new class of tailor‐made materials with promising future applications. Here, a magneto‐electric coupling effect is achieved as a homogenized macro‐response of the composite with electro‐active and magneto‐active constituents. These soft composite materials show different types of instability phenomena, which even might be exploited for future enhancement of their performance. This covers micro‐structural instabilities, such as buckling of micro‐fibers or particles, as well as material instabilities in the form of limit‐points in the local constitutive response. Here, the homogenization‐based scale bridging links long wavelength micro‐structural instabilities to material instabilities at the macro‐scale. This work outlines a framework of an energy‐based homogenization in electro‐magneto‐mechanics, which allows a tracking of postcritical solution paths such as those related to pull‐in instabilities. Representative simulations demonstrate a tracking of inhomogenous composites, showing the development of postcritical zones in the microstructure and a possible instable homogenized material response. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Higher‐order quasicontinuum methods for elastic and dissipative lattice models: uniaxial deformation and pure bending
Authors: Beex L.A.A. , Rokoš O. , Zeman J. , Bordas S.P.A.
Published: September 2015

The quasicontinuum (QC) method is a numerical strategy to reduce the computational cost of direct lattice computations ‐ in this study we achieve a speed up of a factor of 40. It has successfully been applied to (conservative) atomistic lattices in the past, but using a virtualpower statement it was recently shown that QC approaches can also be used for spring and beam lattice models that include dissipation. Recent results have shown that QC approaches for planar beam lattices experiencing in‐plane and out‐of‐plane deformation require higherorder interpolation. Higher‐order QC frameworks are scarce nevertheless. In this contribution, the possibilities of a second‐order and third‐order QC framework are investigated for an elastoplastic spring lattice. The higher‐order QC frameworks are compared to the results of the direct lattice computations and to those of a linear QC scheme. Examples are chosen so that both a macroscale and a microscale quantity influences the results. The two multiscale examples focused on are (i) macroscopically prescribed uniaxial deformation and (ii) macroscopically prescribed pure bending. Furthermore, the examples include an individual inclusion in a large lattice and hence, are concurrent in nature. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Temporal stability of network centrality in control and default mode networks: Specific associations with externalizing psychopathology in children and adolescents
Authors: Sato João Ricardo , Biazoli Claudinei Eduardo , Salum Giovanni Abrahão , Gadelha Ary , Crossley Nicolas , Satterthwaite Theodore D. , Vieira Gilson , Zugman André , Picon Felipe Almeida , Pan Pedro Mario , Hoexter Marcelo Queiroz , Anés Mauricio , Moura Luciana Monteiro , Del'aquilla Marco Antonio Gomes , Amaro Edson , McGuire Philip , Lacerda Acioly L.T. , Rohde Luis Augusto , Miguel Euripedes Constantino , Jackowski Andrea Parolin , Bressan Rodrigo Affonseca
Published: September 2015

Abnormal connectivity patterns have frequently been reported as involved in pathological mental states. However, most studies focus on “static,” stationary patterns of connectivity, which may miss crucial biological information. Recent methodological advances have allowed the investigation of dynamic functional connectivity patterns that describe non‐stationary properties of brain networks. Here, we introduce a novel graphical measure of dynamic connectivity, called time‐varying eigenvector centrality (tv‐EVC). In a sample 655 children and adolescents (7–15 years old) from the Brazilian “High Risk Cohort Study for Psychiatric Disorders” who were imaged using resting‐state fMRI, we used this measure to investigate age effects in the temporal in control and default‐mode networks (CN/DMN). Using support vector regression, we propose a network maturation index based on the temporal stability of tv‐EVC. Moreover, we investigated whether the network maturation is associated with the overall presence of behavioral and emotional problems with the Child Behavior Checklist. As hypothesized, we found that the tv‐EVC at each node of CN/DMN become more stable with increasing age (P < 0.001 for all nodes). In addition, the maturity index for this particular network is indeed associated with general psychopathology in children assessed by the total score of Child Behavior Checklist (P = 0.027). Moreover, immaturity of the network was mainly correlated with externalizing behavior dimensions. Taken together, these results suggest that changes in functional network dynamics during neurodevelopment may provide unique insights regarding pathophysiology.Hum Brain Mapp 36:4926–4937, 2015. ©2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Controlled Growth of Colloidal Gold Nanoparticles: Single‐Crystalline versus Multiply‐twinned Particles
Authors: Carbó‐Argibay Enrique , Rodríguez‐González Benito
Published: September 2015

Gold nanocrystals with well‐defined shapes are becoming more crucial in application fields as diverse as catalysis, plasmonics, sensing, drug delivery, and therapeutics. To accomplish real applications on a large scale, a tight control over the size and geometry of the nanoparticles is essential. During the last decade, a new view has emerged: the planning of the properties of nanoparticles based on the control of their morphology. This rational design of particles with desired properties requires strategies to control the nucleation and growth processes. This review provides an overview of applications, properties, characterization, and procedures for the growth of nanoparticles with well‐defined shapes, emphasizing the differences between the controlled growth of single‐crystal and twinned gold nanoparticles.
Managing Osteoporosis in Patients on Long-Term Bisphosphonate Treatment: Report of a Task Force of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Authors: Adler Robert A , El-Hajj Fuleihan Ghada , Bauer Douglas C , Camacho Pauline M , Clarke Bart L , Clines Gregory A , Compston Juliet E , Drake Matthew T , Edwards Beatrice J , Favus Murray J , Greenspan Susan L , McKinney Ross , Pignolo Robert J , Sellmeyer Deborah E
Published: September 2015

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are the most commonly used medications for osteoporosis. This ASBMR report provides guidance on BP therapy duration with a risk-benefit perspective. Two trials provided evidence for long-term BP use. In the Fracture Intervention Trial Long-term Extension (FLEX), postmenopausal women receiving alendronate for 10 years had fewer clinical vertebral fractures than those switched to placebo after 5 years. In the HORIZON extension, women who received 6 annual infusions of zoledronic acid had fewer morphometric vertebral fractures compared with those switched to placebo after 3 years. Low hip T-score, between –2 and –2.5 in FLEX and below –2.5 in HORIZON extension, predicted a beneficial response to continued therapy. Hence, the Task Force suggests that after 5 years of oral BP or 3 years of intravenous BP, reassessment of risk should be considered. In women at high risk, for example, older women, those with a low hip T-score or high fracture risk score, those with previous major osteoporotic fracture, or who fracture on therapy, continuation of treatment for up to 10 years (oral) or 6 years (intravenous), with periodic evaluation, should be considered. The risk of atypical femoral fracture, but not osteonecrosis of the jaw, clearly increases with BP therapy duration, but such rare events are outweighed by vertebral fracture risk reduction in high-risk patients. For women not at high fracture risk after 3 to 5 years of BP treatment, a drug holiday of 2 to 3 years can be considered. The suggested approach for long-term BP use is based on limited evidence, only for vertebral fracture reduction, in mostly white postmenopausal women, and does not replace the need for clinical judgment. It may be applicable to men and patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, with some adaptations. It is unlikely that future trials will provide data for formulating definitive recommendations. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Determination of Voriconazole Concentrations in Serum by GC‐MS
Authors: Smith Alisha , Leung‐Pineda Van
Published: September 2015

Background

Voriconazole is a broad spectrum triazole antifungal drug used to treat systemic fungal infections. Therapeutic drug monitoring of voriconazole is necessary for achieving maximal efficiency without inducing toxic side effects. Other publications have reported methods for measuring voriconazole in serum using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). Here, we report for the first time a method for the measurement of voriconazole in serum samples using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC‐MS).

Methods

Protein precipitation with methanol was used to extract the antifungal that was derivatized with BSTFA (Sigma‐Aldrich, St. Louis, MO) and analyzed by GC‐MS. Linearity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy, and drug interferences were evaluated for this assay.

Results

Our method was linear up to 10 μg/ml of voriconazole. The LOQ was determined to be 0.4 μg/ml. CV for between‐day precision was <12%. Correlation with an established LC‐MS/MS yielded a R2 of 0.96. Tested drugs did not result in >10% error in measurement.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, we report here the first GC‐MS method for voriconazole measurement with acceptable performance. We hope that this method allows clinical laboratories without HPLC or LC‐MS/MS instrumentation to measure voriconazole.
Loop‐Mediated Isothermal Amplification as a Fast Noninvasive Method of Helicobacter pylori Diagnosis
Authors: Yari Farideh , Abiri Ramin , Aryan Ehsan , Ahmadi Jouybari Touraj , Navabi Jafar , Alvandi Amirhooshang
Published: September 2015

Background

Helicobacter pylori infection is etiologically associated with some important health problems such as gastric cancer. Because of the high clinical importance of H. pylori infection, development of a noninvasive test for the detection of H. pylori is desirable.

Methods

In this study, a loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) targeted ureC of H. pylori was evaluated on 100 stool specimens and compared with a stool antigen test. Culture and rapid urease test were considered as gold standards.

Results

The overall detection rate of the fecal antigen test and LAMP was 58% and 82%, respectively. The analytical sensitivity of the fecal antigen test and LAMP was 500 and 10 H. pylori cells/g and 10 fg DNA/reaction, which is equal to six H. pylori genome.

Conclusion

LAMP technique has been characterized by high sensitivity and low detection limit for the detection of H. pylori in stool specimen. Clinical diagnostic performance of LAMP was better than the stool antigen test.
Functional mechanics of beetle mandibles: Honest signaling in a sexually selected system
Authors: Mills Maria R. , Nemri Rahmi S. , Carlson Emily A. , Wilde William , Gotoh Hiroki , Lavine Laura C. , Swanson Brook O.
Published: September 2015

Male stag beetles possess colossal mandibles, which they wield in combat to obtain access to females. As with many other sexually selected weapons, males with longer mandibles win more fights. However, variation in the functional morphology of these structures, used in male‐male combat, is less well understood. In this study, mandible bite force, gape, structural strength, and potential tradeoffs are examined across a wide size range for one species of stag beetle, Cyclommatus metallifer. We found that not only does male mandible size demonstrate steep positive allometry, but the shape, relative bite force, relative gape, and safety factor of the mandibles also change with male size. Allometry in these functionally important mandibular traits suggests that larger males with larger mandibles should be better fighters, and that the mandibles can be considered an honest signal of male fighting ability. However, negative allometry in mandible structural safety factor, wing size, and flight muscle mass suggest significant costs and a possible limit on the size of the mandibles. J. Exp. Zool. 325A:3–12, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Immunodetection of telomerase‐like immunoreactivity in normal and regenerating tail of amphibians suggests it is related to their regenerative capacity
Authors: Alibardi Lorenzo
Published: September 2015

The high regenerative power of amphibians suggests that numerous signaling pathways remain active in larvae and adult tissues, including those stimulated by telomerases. The protein component of Telomerase (TERT) shows high amino acid homology in numerous vertebrates and we have utilized an antibody made for a lizard telomerase to detect a putative telomerase in amphibians tissues based on 60–75% epitope identity. Western blotting studies indicate that telomerase is constitutionally present in normal and regenerating tails of tadpoles of the anuran Rana dalmatina. In the neotenic urodele Ambystoma mexicanum the enzyme is detectable in the normal tail and increases during tail regeneration. Immunofluorescence shows that telomerase is localized in both epidermal and mesenchymal cells of normal and regenerating tail of A. mexicanum, especially in their nuclei. The ultrastructural localization with gold or gold–silver intensified confirms that telomerase is mainly present in the nucleus, in particular in discrete regions of the nucleoplasm identified as Cajal bodies and in the nucleolus, sites known in mammalian cells to be involved in the processing of the enzyme. Telomerases are present in normal and even more in regenerating tissues, and are possibly implicated in the numerous cell replications needed for physiological or post‐amputation tissue regeneration in amphibians. J. Exp. Zool. 323A: 757–766, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multi‐lineage potential research of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from Bama miniature pig
Authors: Bai Chunyu , Chen Shuming , Gao Yuhua , Shan Zhiqiang , Guan Weijun , Ma Yuehui
Published: September 2015

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are easy to obtain and thought to be ideal candidate cells for reconstruction of tissues and organs. Pigs are an appropriate animal model because their physiological structure, organ size, nutritional metabolism, and pathological reactions are similar to those of humans. In this study, bone marrow was collection from Bama miniature pigs to isolate BMSCs (B‐BMSCs) by whole bone marrow culture method. We then examined their biological characteristics such as growth kinetics, surface antigen, and multi‐lineage potential. B‐BMSCs could be cultured for 36 passages in vitro. Growth kinetics and colony forming assay analyses indicated that B‐BMSCs had a strong capacity for self‐renewal in vitro and their proliferation rate appeared to decrease with passaging. These findings were supported by the animal cytophysiology in vitro. Surface antigen detection showed that B‐BMSCs expressed CD29, CD44, CD71, CD73, and CD90, but not the endothelial cell marker CD31 or hematopoietic cell‐specific marker CD34. This result was consistent with the characteristics of B‐BMSCs. Furthermore, under appropriate conditions for multidirectional differentiation, B‐BMSCs were induced to differentiate into adipocytes, osteoblasts, neuron‐like cells, islet cells, liver‐like cells, and endothelial cells as indicated by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and immunofluorescence. These results verified the differentiation potential of B‐BMSCs. In this study, B‐BMSCs were isolated from Bama miniature pigs, and the self‐renewal ability and differential potential was evaluated in vitro. The present study has important bearing on the potential application of B‐BMSCs as a stem cell source for regenerative therapies. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 324B: 671–685, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rock inhabiting potassium solubilizing bacteria from Kerala, India: characterization and possibility in chemical K fertilizer substitution
Authors: Anjanadevi Indira Parameswaran , John Neetha Soma , John Kuzhivilayil Susan , Jeeva Muthulekshmi Lajapathy , Misra Raj Shekhar
Published: September 2015

The role of rock inhabiting bacteria in potassium (K) solubilization from feldspar and their application in crop nutrition through substitution of fertilizer K was explored through the isolation of 36 different bacteria from rocks of a major hill station at Ponmudi in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. A comprehensive characterization of K solubilization from feldspar was achieved with these isolates which indicated that the K solubilizing efficiency increases with decrease in pH and increase in viscosity and viable cell count. Based on the level of K solubilization, two potent isolates were selected and identified as Bacillus subtilis ANctcri3 and Bacillus megaterium ANctcri7. Exopolysaccharide production, scanning electron microscopic and fourier transform infrared spectroscopic studies with these efficient strains conclusively depicted the role of low pH, increase in viscosity, and bacterial attachment in K solubilization. They were also found to be efficient in phosphorus (P) solubilization, indole acetic acid production as well as tolerant to wide range of physiological conditions. Moreover, the applicability of K containing rock powder as a carrier for K solubilizing bacteria was demonstrated. A field level evaluation on the yield of a high K demanding tuberous vegetable crop, elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (dennst.) nicolson) established the possibility of substituting chemical K fertilizer with these biofertilizer candidates successfully.
Effect of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) on the ESR spectra of the red and black hair: pheomelanin free radicals are not always present in red hair
Authors: Chikvaidze Eduard , Topeshashvili Maia
Published: September 2015

Increased incidence of melanoma in the population with red hair is conditioned by synthesis of pheomelanin pigments in the skin and their phototoxic properties. The recent research has shown that free radicals of pheomelanin are produced not only by the influence of UV irradiation, but also in UV‐independent pathways of oxidative stress. It has been ascertained, that the color of the hair is not always determinant of the amount of pheolemanin radicals in red hair. Therefore, in order to evaluate the risk of melanoma in different individuals, it is necessary to define the amount of free radicals of pheomelanin in red hair using ESR spectroscopy method. Besides, it is very important to find effective antioxidant, capable of neutralizing free radicals of pheomelanin. It was proved that ascorbic acid neutralizes free radicals of pheomelanin very effectively. The main goal of our research was to define the presumably optimal concentration of ascorbic acid as an antioxidant and study the kinetics of the influence of this concentration on red and black hair. It has been found out, that ascorbic acid influences the free radicals of red and black hair, and its appropriate optimal concentration is 10 mM. The obtained results can be considered in dermatology and cosmetology. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Indirect relativistic bridge and substituent effects from the ‘heavy’ environment on the one‐bond and two‐bond 13C1H spin–spin coupling constants
Authors: Rusakova Irina L. , Rusakov Yury Yu. , Krivdin Leonid B.
Published: September 2015

Indirect relativistic bridge effect (IRBE) and indirect relativistic substituent effect (IRSE) induced by the ‘heavy’ environment of the IV‐th, V‐th and VI‐th main group elements on the one‐bond and geminal 13C1H spin–spin coupling constants are observed, and spin‐orbit parts of these two effects were interpreted in terms of the third‐order Rayleigh–Schrödinger perturbation theory. Both effects, IRBE and IRSE, rapidly increase with the total atomic charge of the substituents at the coupled carbon. The accumulation of IRSE for geminal coupling constants is not linear with respect to the number of substituents in contrast to the one‐bond couplings where IRSE is an essentially additive quantity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical modelling of railway ballast at the particle scale
Authors: Ahmed Sharif , Harkness John , Le Pen Louis , Powrie William , Zervos Antonis
Published: September 2015

The paper describes the development of a technique to simulate triaxial tests on specimens of railway ballast numerically at the particle scale and its validation with reference to physical test data. The ballast particles were modelled using potential particles and the well‐known discrete element method. The shapes of these elemental particles, the particle size distribution and the number of particles (N = 2800) in each numerical triaxial specimen all matched closely to the real ballast material being modelled. Confining pressures were applied to the specimen via a dynamic triangulation of the outer particle centroids. A parametric study was carried out to investigate the effects on the simulation of timestep, strain rate, damping, contact stiffness and inter‐particle friction. Finally, a set of parameters was selected that provided the best fit to experimental triaxial data, with very close agreement of mobilized friction and volumetric strain behaviour. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical implementation and validation of a consistently homogenized higher order plasticity model
Authors: Poh L. H. , Phan V. T.
Published: September 2015

A homogenization theory was developed earlier that starts with a meso‐scale gradient plasticity model at the bottom and recovers a macroscopically continuous micromorphic model at the top. Through the scale transition framework, the granular mechanics are smeared consistently over a single grain such that the fine scale properties, microstructural length scale (l), and grain size (L) manifest themselves naturally in the homogenized relations, a point of departure from many continuous higher order theories that assume the constitutive relations a priori. This paper elaborates on the numerical implementation of the homogenized model and benchmark its performance through a plane indentation example against detailed numerical simulations. For the two limiting cases of microfree and microhard condition at grain boundaries, the excellent predictive capability of the homogenized model is demonstrated for a range of l/L ratios, at a significantly lower computational cost. It is furthermore highlighted that a more realistic response at grain boundaries can be achieved easily in the homogenized model, by changing the interfacial resistance parameter. In contrast, a non‐trivial numerical treatment is required at the grain boundaries with meso‐scale models. Finally, the homogenized model is shown to perform well even in the absence of a strong scale separation between meso and macro. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Isotopic Perspective on Animal Husbandry at the Xinzhai Site During the Initial Stage of the Legendary Xia Dynasty (2070–1600 BC)
Authors: Dai L. L. , Li Z. P. , Zhao C. Q. , Yuan J. , Hou L. L. , Wang C. S. , Fuller B. T. , Hu Y. W.
Published: September 2015

Located in the Central Plains of China, the early Xia Dynasty site of Xinzhai (2050 BC–1750 BC) with large archaeological features and exquisite artifacts of jade and copper is pivotal for probing the origin and formation of Chinese civilisation. Here, stable isotope ratios analysis, supplemented by zooarchaeological results, was used to investigate the exploitation and management of animals utilised by humans. It was demonstrated that a diverse pattern of animal raising and exploitation was present at the Xinzhai site. The domestic pigs were fed with substantial amounts of millets or their byproducts to guarantee a food source for the dietary demands of the humans. Dogs were also found to have consumed large amounts of C4 protein sources, likely in the form of human food scraps or leftovers. The domestic herbivores, sheep and cattle, showed different dietary characteristics in that the former mainly grazed in the natural environment, while the latter species were fed with large amounts of C4 products. This intra‐species variation was somewhat related to their physiological characteristics but seems to have been more determined by their different status in social and ritual activities. Thus, this research at Xinzhai provides a glimpse of the organisation of animal resources during the initial formation of Chinese civilisation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electronic Property Modulation of One‐Dimensional Extended Graphdiyne Nanowires from a First‐Principle Crystal Orbital View
Authors: Zhu Ying , Bai Hongcun , Huang Yuanhe
Published: September 2015

Graphdiyne and derivatives with delocalized π‐electron systems are of particular interest owing to their structural, electronic, and transport properties, which are important for potential applications in next‐generation electronics. Inspired by recently obtained extended graphdiyne nanowires, explorations of the modulation of the band gap and carrier mobility of this new species are still needed before application in device fabrication. To provide a deeper understanding of these issues, herein we present theoretical studies of one‐dimensional extended graphdiyne nanowires using first‐principle calculations. Modulation of the electronic properties of the extended graphdiyne nanowire was investigated systemically by considering several chemical and physical factors, including electric field, chemical functionalization, and carbo‐merization. The band gap was observed to increase upon application of an electric field parallel to the plane of the synthesized graphdiyne nanowire in a non‐periodic direction. Although chemical functionalization and carbo‐merization caused the band gaps to decrease, the semiconducting property of the nanowires was preserved. Band gap engineering of the extended graphdiyne nanowires was explored regarding the field strength and the number of −C≡C− units in the carbon chain fragments. The charge carrier mobility of chemically functionalized and carbo‐merized extended graphdiyne nanowires was also calculated to provide a comparison with pristine nanowire. Moreover, crystal orbital analysis was performed in order to discern the electronic and charge transport properties of the extended graphdiyne nanowires modified by the aforementioned chemical and physical factors.
Bayesian estimation of the accuracy of ICD‐9‐CM‐ and CPT‐4‐based algorithms to identify cholecystectomy procedures in administrative data without a reference standard
Authors: Jafarzadeh S. Reza , Warren David K. , Nickel Katelin B. , Wallace Anna E. , Fraser Victoria J. , Olsen Margaret A.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To estimate the accuracy of two algorithms to identify cholecystectomy procedures using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD‐9‐CM) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT‐4) codes in administrative data.

Methods

Private insurer medical claims for 30 853 patients 18–64 years with an inpatient hospitalization between 2006 and 2010, as indicated by providers/facilities place of service in addition to room and board charges, were cross‐classified according to the presence of codes for cholecystectomy. The accuracy of ICD‐9‐CM‐ and CPT‐4‐based algorithms was estimated using a Bayesian latent class model.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity were 0.92 [probability interval (PI): 0.92, 0.92] and 0.99 (PI: 0.97, 0.99) for ICD‐9‐CM‐, and 0.93 (PI: 0.92, 0.93) and 0.99 (PI: 0.97, 0.99) for CPT‐4‐based algorithms, respectively. The parallel‐joint scheme, where positivity of either algorithm was considered a positive outcome, yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 0.99 (PI: 0.99, 0.99) and 0.97 (PI: 0.95, 0.99), respectively.

Conclusions

Both ICD‐9‐CM‐ and CPT‐4‐based algorithms had high sensitivity to identify cholecystectomy procedures in administrative data when used individually and especially in a parallel‐joint approach. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Shotgun analysis of the marine mussel Mytilus edulis hemolymph proteome and mapping the innate immunity elements
Authors: Campos Alexandre , Apraiz Itxaso , da Fonseca Rute R. , Cristobal Susana
Published: September 2015

The marine mussel innate immunity provides protection to pathogen invasion and inflammation. In this regard, the mussel hemolymph takes a main role in the animal innate response. Despite the importance of this body fluid in determining the physiological condition of the animal, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the cellular and humoral responses. In this work, we have applied a MS (nano‐LC‐MS/MS) strategy integrating genomic and transcriptomic data with the aim to: (i) identify the main protein functional groups that characterize hemolymph and (ii) to map the elements of innate immunity in the marine mussel Mytilus edulis hemolymph proteome. After sample analysis and first protein identification based on MS/MS data comparison, proteins with unknown functions were annotated with blast using public database (nrNCBI) information. Overall 595 hemolymph proteins were identified with high confidence and annotated. These proteins encompass primary cellular metabolic processes: energy production and metabolism of biomolecules, as well as processes related to oxidative stress defence, xenobiotic detoxification, drug metabolism, and immune response. A group of proteins was identified with putative immune effector, receptor, and signaling functions in M. edulis. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD001951 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD001951).
Improving genome annotation of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli TW10598 by a label‐free quantitative MS/MS approach
Authors: Pettersen Veronika Kuchařová , Steinsland Hans , Wiker Harald G.
Published: September 2015

The most commonly used genome annotation processes are to a great extent based on computational methods. However, those can only predict genes that have been described earlier or that have sequence signatures indicative of a gene function. Here, we report a synonymous proteogenomic approach for experimentally improving microbial genome annotation based on label‐free quantitative MS/MS. The approach is exemplified by analysis of cell extracts from in vitro cultured enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strain TW10598, as part of an effort to create a new reference ETEC genome sequence. The proteomic analysis yielded identification of 2060 proteins, out of which 312 proteins were originally described as hypothetical. For 84% of the identified proteins we have provided description of their relative quantitative levels, among others, for 20 abundantly expressed ETEC virulence factors. Proteogenomic mapping supported the existence of four protein‐coding genes that had not been annotated, and led to correction of translation start positions of another nine. The addition of the proteomic analysis into TW10598 genome re‐annotation project improved quality of the annotation, and provided experimental evidence for a significant portion of ETEC expressed proteome. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD002473 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD002473).
A Critical Evaluation of the Updated Evidence for Casting for Equinus Deformity in Children with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Tustin Kylee , Patel Anita
Published: September 2015

Background and Purpose

Equinus deformity is common in ambulant children with cerebral palsy (CP). Although lower leg casting is frequently used, the physiological basis for casting and effects beyond range of motion (ROM) gains are unclear. This review critically evaluates the updated evidence for casting in the management of ankle equinus in children with CP.

Methods

Comprehensive searches were conducted using electronic databases AMED, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, PEDro and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, publication years 2005–2014, in order to identify literature published since an earlier comprehensive systematic review. Only studies evaluating lower leg casting for conservative management of equinus deformity in children with CP were considered. Two independent raters critically appraised studies against the hierarchy of levels of evidence and rigour of study conduct questions proposed by the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine's methodology for systematic review.

Results

Four relevant systematic reviews were identified, although these largely concerned earlier literature. Five original studies were included, all demonstrating improvement in dorsiflexion ROM. Combined treatment with botulinum toxin and casting offered greater and/or more sustained ROM gains than botulinum toxin alone in three studies. Effects on gait parameters and motor function were inconsistent. Participation outcomes were not evaluated. Methodological limitations make firm conclusions difficult.

Conclusions

Recent years have offered little progress in the state of evidence for casting in the management of equinus deformity. Casting appears to offer at least short‐term improvement in ankle dorsiflexion, although the proposition that this improves function or avoids surgery is not well substantiated. Future research needs to ensure more robust study design and broader evaluation across domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health to determine the functional and long‐term effect of casting for equinus deformity. Greater knowledge is required of the effect of casting on muscle structure and function in spastic CP. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.