bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skeletal muscle density is an independent predictor of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma outcomes treated with rituximab‐based chemoimmunotherapy
Authors: Chu Michael P. , Lieffers Jessica , Ghosh Sunita , Belch Andrew , Chua Neil S. , Fontaine Amelie , Sangha Randeep , Turner Robert A. , Baracos Vickie E. , Sawyer Michael B.
Published: November 2016

Background

While much cancer research focuses on tumours and their microenvironment, malignancies cause widespread physiologic changes. Cancer and treatment‐related sarcopenia, measured with quantitative imaging or as a decrease in overall body mass, are indicative of poor prognosis in elderly diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients, skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD) may be a better prognostic marker. SMD, a measure of muscle radiation attenuation on CT imaging, is more prognostic than sarcopenia or International Prognostic Index (IPI) scores in follicular lymphoma and multiple solid organ malignancies. Low SMD appears to correlate with fat accumulation in muscle and is associated with inflammation. This study set out to examine SMD's prognostic ability in DLBCL.

Methods

All DLBCL patients treated with rituximab‐containing therapy between 2004 and 2009 were compared to determine SMD's prognostic ability in this single centre, retrospective study. Pre‐treatment CT scans were used to measure SMD and muscle cross‐sectional area. Primary endpoints included progression free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) while objective response rates (ORR) were secondary.

Results

Of 224 evaluable patients, 116 were identified as having low SMD. Low SMD predicted poorer 5 year PFS, 60 vs. 81% (p = 0.001) and OS, 58 vs. 86% (p < 0.0001). SMD's prognostic ability retained significance in multivariate analysis taking into consideration the Revised International Prognostic Index (R‐IPI) and sex. Although high SMD was not predictive of ORR (95.4 vs. 91.4%, p = 0.17), it was strongly associated with radiographic complete response (85 vs. 66%, p = 0.0007). Contrary to previous findings, sarcopenia did not predict for poorer OS but suggested improved OS in elderly DLBCL patients (HR 0.38, p = 0.01).

Conclusions

SMD is a novel prognostic (and potentially treatment predictive) marker independent of R‐IPI in DLBCL. It presents an inexpensive yet complementary assessment to R‐IPI for prognosticating DLBCL outcomes.
Sonographic appearance of pyomyositis of the sternocleidomastoid muscle: A case report
Authors: Sakaida Hiroshi , Matsuda Yasunori , Takeuchi Kazuhiko
Published: November 2016

Pyomyositis in the neck has rarely been described. We present the sonographic findings in a case of pyomyositis of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. A 62‐year‐old man with poorly controlled diabetes presented with an induration of the neck and fever. On gray‐scale sonography, a part of the sternocleidomastoid muscle appeared swollen and contained irregularly shaped hypoechoic areas. Power Doppler imaging showed increased vascularity in the muscle. Sonographic‐guided aspiration confirmed abscesses in the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Surgical drainage was successfully performed along with antibiotic treatment. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:520–523, 2017
Bonding performance of universal adhesives to er,cr:YSGG laser‐irradiated enamel
Authors: Ayar Muhammet Kerim , Erdemir Fatih
Published: November 2016

Universal adhesives have been recently introduced for use as self‐etch or etch‐and‐rinse adhesives depending on the dental substrate and clinical condition. However, their bonding effectiveness to laser‐irradiated enamel is still not well‐known. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the shear bond strength (SBS) of universal adhesives (Single Bond Universal; Nova Compo‐B Plus) applied to Er,Cr:YSGG laser‐irradiated enamel with SBS of the same adhesives applied in self‐etch and acid‐etching modes, respectively. Crown segments of sixty bovine incisors were embedded into standardized acrylic blocks. Flattened enamel surfaces were prepared. Specimens were divided into six groups according to universal adhesives and application modes randomly (n = 10), as follows: Single Bond Universal/acid‐etching mode; Nova Compo‐B Plus/acid‐etching mode; Single Bond Universal/self‐etching mode; Nova Compo‐B Plus/self‐etching mode; and Single Bond Universal/Er,Cr:YSGG Laser‐etching mode; Nova Compo‐B Plus/Er,Cr:YSGG Laser‐etching mode. After surface treatments, universal adhesives were applied onto surfaces. SBS was determined after storage in water for 24 h using a universal testing machine with a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm min−1. Failure modes were evaluated using a stereomicroscope. Data was analyzed using two‐way of analyses of variances (ANOVA) (p = 0.05). Two‐way ANOVA revealed that adhesive had no effect on SBS (p = 0.88), but application mode significantly influenced SBS (p = 0.00). Acid‐etching significantly increased SBS, whereas there are no significant differences between self‐etch mode and laser‐etching for both adhesives. The bond strength of universal adhesives may depend on application mode. Acid etching may significantly increase bond strength, while laser etching may provide similar bond strength when compared to self‐etch mode.
Characteristics of volatile organic compounds produced from five pathogenic bacteria by headspace‐solid phase micro‐extraction/gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Chen Juan , Tang Junni , Shi Hui , Tang Cheng , Zhang Rong
Published: November 2016

The characteristics of volatile compounds from five different bacterial species, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Enteritidis, Shigella flexneri, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes, growing, respectively, in trypticase soy broth were monitored by headspace solid‐phase micro‐extraction/gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The results showed that most volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of five pathogens started to increase after the sixth to tenth hour. Methyl ketones and long chain alcohols were representative volatiles for three Gram‐negative bacteria. The especially high production of indole was characterized to E. coli O157:H7. The production of 3‐hydroxy‐2‐butanone was indicative of the presence of two Gram‐positive bacteria. Both 3‐methyl‐butanoic acid and 3‐methyl‐butanal were unique biomarkers for S. aureus. The population dynamics of individual pathogen could be monitored using the accumulation of VOCs correlated with its growth. And these five pathogens could be distinguishable though principle component analysis of 18 volatile metabolites. Moreover, the mixed culture of S. aureus and E. coli O157:H7 was also investigated. The levels of 3‐methyl‐butanal and 3‐methyl‐butanoic acid were largely reduced; while the level of indole almost unchanged and correlated with E. coli O157:H7 growth very well. The characteristics of volatiles from the five foodborne pathogens could lay a fundamental basis for further research into pathogen contamination control by detecting volatile signatures of pathogens.
Comparison of the chemical profiles of fresh‐raw and dry‐processed Juglans mandshurica
Authors: Huo Jinhai , Du Xiaowei , Sun Guodong , Meng Yanli , Wang Weiming
Published: November 2016

The processing of Juglans mandshurica Maxim. is important to reduce its toxicity and enhance its efficacy. Simple, efficient, and sensitive ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography coupled with a time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry based chemical profiling approach was proposed to rapidly evaluate the chemical difference between fresh and dry samples. Under the optimized ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry conditions, 81 significantly different compounds were rapidly discovered using principal component analysis, and then tentatively identified by comparison with reference substances or inferred through mass spectral fragment ion analysis and literature data. These compounds included 35 naphthoquinones, 11 diarylheptanoids, nine flavonoids, eight triterpenes, 12 phenolic acids, and six aliphatics. The results demonstrated that chemical reactions occurring during processing could be used to elucidate the processing mechanism of Juglans mandshurica Maxim. This study provides a novel approach to identifying complicated components of various complex mixtures in fresh‐raw and dry‐processed traditional Chinese medicines, which could be used as a valid analytical method to further understand the processing mechanisms of these medicines, as well as providing intrinsic quality control of the medicines and their processed products.
Recreating Sink Areas on Semiarid Degraded Slopes by Restoration
Authors: Fuentes David , Smanis Athanasios , Valdecantos Alejandro
Published: November 2016

The patchy distribution of semiarid ecosystems determines productivity and controls the retention of resources within the system. Resource fluxes depend on a number of biophysical and soil variables, besides the amount and intensity of particular rainfall events. At two Mediterranean experimental sites with contrasted composition and spatial vegetation arrangement, we evaluated a straightforward way to simplify some of these processes by using different planting techniques that modify the runoff generation threshold and redirect runoff towards the planting hole (M) and enhance the water infiltration and conservation in it (MDW). Traditional planting technique (H) and M were combined with the addition of composted biosolids. Soil moisture was increased with treatments during drought periods in the first 2 years after planting with mean values of 10·1, 8·9 and 6·9% in MDW, M and H, respectively. Lower landscape organization values at the site resulted in sinks being more efficient at retaining resources, with 3·68‐fold more organic matter accumulation on the soil surface of the planting hole, better growth of theOlea europaea‐planted seedlings and a better response to compost application in MDW than in H. At the site with better landscape organization, planting techniques only showed improvement in seedling survival (+20% in MDW than in H). We discuss ecosystem properties, such as plant composition and spatial arrangement, that determine the effectiveness of these techniques as dryland restoration tools and the hierarchy between water and nutrients as essential resources in these semiarid Mediterranean areas. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lab on Fiber Technology for biological sensing applications
Authors: Vaiano Patrizio , Carotenuto Benito , Pisco Marco , Ricciardi Armando , Quero Giuseppe , Consales Marco , Crescitelli Alessio , Esposito Emanuela , Cusano Andrea
Published: November 2016

This review presents an overview of “Lab on Fiber” technologies and devices with special focus on the design and development of advanced fiber optic nanoprobes for biological applications. Depending on the specific location where functional materials at micro and nanoscale are integrated, “Lab on Fiber Technology” is classified into three main paradigms: Lab on Tip (where functional materials are integrated onto the optical fiber tip), Lab around Fiber (where functional materials are integrated on the outer surface of optical fibers), and Lab in Fiber (where functional materials are integrated within the holey structure of specialty optical fibers).

This work reviews the strategies, the main achievements and related devices developed in the “Lab on Fiber” roadmap, discussing perspectives and challenges that lie ahead, with special focus on biological sensing applications.

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Near infrared photodetectors based on sub‐gap absorption in organohalide perovskite single crystals
Authors: Lin Qianqian , Armin Ardalan , Burn Paul L. , Meredith Paul
Published: November 2016

Organohalide perovskite optoelectronics based upon large (mm‐sized) single crystals present exciting opportunities for new device platforms and fundamental studies. Herein, we report CH3NH3PbBr3 and CH3NH3PbI3 single crystals prepared via an inverse temperature crystallization method with strong near infrared photoresponses significantly below the optical gap. Light intensity dependent photocurrent measurements reveal the photoresponse is not a two‐photon phenomenon, but rather is derived from a linear mechanism. The effect (including responsivity and speed) is enhanced in a photoresistor architecture, indicating that the photoresponse is due to absorption into surface trap states in the crystal. Without any optimisation, respectable NIR responsivities at room temperature of ∼10‐2 A W−1 at a low 1V bias operating voltage are achieved. These results again demonstrate the remarkable potential of organohalide perovskites as light sensing materials, and the possibilities for engineering a new class of single crystal‐based optoelectronics.

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Evaluation of coronary artery disease in potential liver transplant recipients
Authors: Hogan Brian J. , Gonsalkorala Enoka , Heneghan Michael A.
Published: November 2016

Improvements in the management of patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) have resulted in a significant increase in survival in recent years. Cardiac disease is now the leading cause of early mortality, and the stress of major surgery, hemodynamic shifts, and the possibilities of hemorrhage or reperfusion syndrome require the recipient to have good baseline cardiac function. The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is increasing in LT candidates, especially in those with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In assessing LT recipients, we suggest a management paradigm of “quadruple assessment” to include (1) history, examination, and electrocardiogram; (2) transthoracic echocardiogram; (3) functional testing; and (4) where appropriate, direct assessment of CAD. The added value of functional testing, such as cardiopulmonary exercise testing, has been shown to be able to predict posttransplant complications independently of the presence of CV disease. This approach gives the assessment team the greatest chance of detecting and preventing complications related to CAD. Liver Transplantation 23 386–395 2017 AASLD.
Synthesis of Site‐Specific Dye‐Labeled Polymer via Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) for Quantitative Characterization of the Well‐Defined Interchain Distance
Authors: Sha Ye , Qi Dongliang , Luo Shaochuan , Sun Xinghua , Wang Xiaoliang , Xue Gi , Zhou Dongshan
Published: November 2016

Novel difunctional initiators that incorporate Förster/fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) pairs are generated to carry out atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene, methyl methacrylate, and n‐butyl methacrylate monomers by an efficient manner. Based on the chemical structures of the initiators, the locations of the fluorophore moiety are dictated to be in the center of the chain with accurately quantified chain functionality (>90% labeling ratio). The site‐specific integration of FRET dyes into separate polymer chain centers allows for characterization of the well‐defined interchain distance quantitatively based on the response between these fluorescent probes. The reliability of this technique is verified in bulk state, which is in well agreement with the theoretical ones. This well‐defined FRET system is expected to be a promising candidate to provide a distinct physical image at a microscopic level regarding scaling chain dimension, chain interpenetration, and polymer compatibility.

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Allosteric Modulation: An Alternate Approach Targeting the Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor
Authors: Nguyen Thuy , Li Jun‐Xu , Thomas Brian F. , Wiley Jenny L. , Kenakin Terry P. , Zhang Yanan
Published: November 2016

The cannabinoid CB1 receptor is a G protein coupled receptor and plays an important role in many biological processes and physiological functions. A variety of CB1 receptor agonists and antagonists, including endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids, and synthetic cannabinoids, have been discovered or developed over the past 20 years. In 2005, it was discovered that the CB1 receptor contains allosteric site(s) that can be recognized by small molecules or allosteric modulators. A number of CB1 receptor allosteric modulators, both positive and negative, have since been reported and importantly, they display pharmacological characteristics that are distinct from those of orthosteric agonists and antagonists. Given the psychoactive effects commonly associated with CB1 receptor agonists and antagonists/inverse agonists, allosteric modulation may offer an alternate approach to attain potential therapeutic benefits while avoiding inherent side effects of orthosteric ligands. This review details the complex pharmacological profiles of these allosteric modulators, their structure–activity relationships, and efforts in elucidating binding modes and mechanisms of actions of reported CB1 allosteric modulators. The ultimate development of CB1 receptor allosteric ligands could potentially lead to improved therapies for CB1‐mediated neurological disorders.
A comprehensive global genotype–phenotype database for rare diseases
Authors: Trujillano Daniel , Oprea Gabriela‐Elena , Schmitz Yvonne , Bertoli‐Avella Aida M. , Abou Jamra Rami , Rolfs Arndt
Published: November 2016

Background

The ability to discover genetic variants in a patient runs far ahead of the ability to interpret them. Databases with accurate descriptions of the causal relationship between the variants and the phenotype are valuable since these are critical tools in clinical genetic diagnostics. Here, we introduce a comprehensive and global genotype–phenotype database focusing on rare diseases.

Methods

This database (CentoMD®) is a browser‐based tool that enables access to a comprehensive, independently curated system utilizing stringent high‐quality criteria and a quickly growing repository of genetic and human phenotype ontology (HPO)‐based clinical information. Its main goals are to aid the evaluation of genetic variants, to enhance the validity of the genetic analytical workflow, to increase the quality of genetic diagnoses, and to improve evaluation of treatment options for patients with hereditary diseases. The database software correlates clinical information from consented patients and probands of different geographical backgrounds with a large dataset of genetic variants and, when available, biomarker information. An automated follow‐up tool is incorporated that informs all users whenever a variant classification has changed. These unique features fully embedded in a CLIA/CAP‐accredited quality management system allow appropriate data quality and enhanced patient safety.

Results

More than 100,000 genetically screened individuals are documented in the database, resulting in more than 470 million variant detections. Approximately, 57% of the clinically relevant and uncertain variants in the database are novel. Notably, 3% of the genetic variants identified and previously reported in the literature as being associated with a particular rare disease were reclassified, based on internal evidence, as clinically irrelevant.

Conclusions

The database offers a comprehensive summary of the clinical validity and causality of detected gene variants with their associated phenotypes, and is a valuable tool for identifying new disease genes through the correlation of novel genetic variants with specific, well‐defined phenotypes.
A simpler GMRES and its adaptive variant for shifted linear systems
Authors: Jing Yan‐Fei , Yuan Pei , Huang Ting‐Zhu
Published: November 2016

A variant of the simpler GMRES method is developed for solving shifted linear systems (SGMRES‐Sh), exhibiting almost the same advantage of the simpler GMRES method over the regular GMRES method. Because the remedy adapted by GMRES‐Sh is no longer feasible for SGMRES‐Sh due to the differences between simpler GMRES and GMRES for constructing the residual vectors of linear systems, we take an alternative strategy to force the residual vectors of the add system also be orthogonal to the subspaces, to which the residual vectors of the seed system are orthogonal when the seed system is solved with the simpler GMRES method. In addition, a seed selection strategy is also employed for solving the rest non‐converged linear systems. Furthermore, an adaptive version of SGMRES‐Sh is presented for the purpose of improving the stability of SGMRES‐Sh based on the technique of the adaptive choice of the Krylov subspace basis developed for the adaptive simpler GMRES. Numerical experiments demonstrate the benefits of the presented methods.
Differential association between sarcopenia and metabolic phenotype in Korean young and older adults with and without obesity
Authors: Hwang You‐Cheol , Cho In‐Jin , Jeong In‐Kyung , Ahn Kyu Jeung , Chung Ho Yeon
Published: November 2016

Objective

To determine whether sarcopenia was associated with metabolic phenotype in subjects with and without obesity.

Methods

A total of 6,021 participants (2,592 men, 3,429 women) aged 30 to 93 years were assessed using data from the 2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Sarcopenia was defined as appendicular skeletal muscle mass divided by weight (%) that is <1 SD below the sex‐specific mean for young adults. Metabolically unhealthy was defined as ≥2 components of metabolic syndrome or the presence of hypertension, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease. Obesity was defined as body mass index ≥25.0 kg/m2.

Results

Sarcopenia was associated with a metabolically unhealthy phenotype in nonobese men independent of age, smoking, regular physical activity, daily energy intake, total body fat, fasting insulin, non‐HDL cholesterol, white blood cell count, ferritin level, and 25(OH) vitamin D level (OR per 1 SD increment (95% CI) 1.88 (1.28–2.75), P < 0.01), but this association was confounded by and not independent of total body fat in nonobese women. Sarcopenia was not associated with a metabolically unhealthy phenotype in subjects with obesity.

Conclusions

Sarcopenia was independently associated with a metabolically unhealthy phenotype in nonobese men, but this association was not evident in nonobese women or subjects with obesity.
A combination of resveratrol and quercetin induces browning in white adipose tissue of rats fed an obesogenic diet
Authors: Arias Noemí , Picó Catalina , Teresa Macarulla M. , Oliver Paula , Miranda Jonatan , Palou Andreu , Portillo María P.
Published: November 2016

Objective

To analyze whether a combination of quercetin (Q) and resveratrol (RSV) would induce a white adipose tissue (WAT) browning effect.

Methods

Thirty‐six rats were fed an obesogenic diet and divided into four groups: control, treated with RSV (15 mg/kg body weight/day; RSV group), treated with Q (30 mg/kg body weight/day; Q group), or treated with both polyphenols (RSV + Q group).

Results

After 6 weeks, body and WAT weights were significantly reduced in the RSV + Q group. In perirenal WAT of the control, RSV, and Q groups, white unilocular adipocytes appeared in the majority of cells, while in the RSV + Q group numerous multilocular adipocytes with positive immunostaining for UCP1 were observed. The presence of UCP1 was confirmed by Western blot. This group also revealed increased mRNA levels of Cidea, Hocx9, Bmp4, Slc27a1, Pat2, Atgl, and Atp5d. Interscapular brown adipose tissue weight showed no differences between groups, but the Cidea mRNA level was increased in the RSV group, the Cox‐2 mRNA level in the RSV + Q group, and UCP1 protein expression in the RSV and the RSV + Q groups.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that the RSV + Q combination produces a brown‐like remodeling effect in perirenal WAT, as well as increased UCP1 protein expression in interscapular brown adipose tissue.
Robust singular optimization for linear time varying systems by integral high‐order sliding mode
Authors: Jiménez‐Lizárraga Manuel , Ibarra Efraín
Published: November 2016

This paper presents an approach to solve a singular quadratic optimization problem for linear time varying systems based on the so‐called integral high‐order sliding mode control. The plant which is time varying is affected for some bounded disturbances, and the criterion to minimize is degenerated, in the sense that the weighting matrix can possess any rank. It is shown the natural connection between the order of singularity of the time varying quadratic criterion, which is connected to the rank of the cost matrix and the order of the sliding mode. An integral high‐order sliding mode is proposed to control the behavior of the transit phase before arriving toward the corresponding higher order singular time varying optimal manifold in prescribed time. The transformation to the phase‐variable form for the Linear Time Variant Systems (LTVS) becomes the key step to solve the problem, and the proposed solution provides the insensitivity of trajectory w.r.t. matched bounded uncertainties. Such a design is applied to a probe landing problem to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Suppressed erythropoietin expression in a nitrofen‐induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Takayasu Hajime , Hagiwara Koki , Masumoto Kouji
Published: November 2016

Background

Erythropoietin (EPO), an essential stimulator of erythropoiesis produced by the fetal liver, is important both in vascular remodeling and modulation of the endothelial response in the pulmonary vasculature. In addition, EPO guides alveolar development, along with retinoic acid (RA). EPO is a direct target of RA, and the retinoid pathway is altered in the nitrofen‐induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) model. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the synthesis of EPO is suppressed in a rat model of CDH.

Materials and Methods

Pregnant rats were treated with either nitrofen or vehicle on gestational day 9 (D9). Fetuses were sacrificed on D19 and D21 and divided into control and CDH groups. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) were performed to determine the expression of EPO in the fetal liver and kidney. We also estimated the expression of EPO receptor in the fetal lung.

Results

The relative EPO mRNA expression in the liver on D19 and in the kidney on D21 were significantly lower in the CDH group than in the controls (P = 0.0008 and P = 0.0064, respectively). In addition, the results of immunohistochemistry supported the findings from the RT‐PCR analysis. No significant changes were noted in the expression pattern or EPO receptor levels in the fetal lungs of the CDH group compared to the controls.

Conclusions

Our results reveal the suppressed EPO synthesis in the CDH fetus, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of lung hypoplasia and modification of pulmonary vasculature in the CDH rat model. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:606–615. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Stabilizers for Nitrocellulose‐Based Propellants
Authors: Krumlinde Patrik , Ek Stefan , Tunestål Erik , Hafstrand Anders
Published: November 2016

Propellants containing nitrocellulose (NC) continuously decompose. The decomposition products released in the process increase the rate of the decomposition and a self‐accelerating behavior is obtained. To prevent the autocatalysis, stabilizers are added to NC/NG‐based propellants. The action of the stabilizers is to trap the nitrous decomposition products and form stable compounds, which prevent or delay further decomposition. The most common stabilizers are aniline derivatives, which can form potentially toxic and/or carcinogenic nitrosamine derivatives during prolonged storage in propellants. This work is the joint effort between the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI) and Eurenco Bofors (EuB) to find new stabilizers without any amine moiety to avoid nitrosamine formation, which has resulted in a new class of stabilizers with plasticizing properties. The paper describes the concept of this class of plasticizing stabilizers, the synthesis of these compounds and characterization of their performance as stabilizers. The most promising stabilizer was found to be bis(2,6‐dimethoxyphenyl)triethyleneglycol (Stab‐5). Kilogram scale production of this substance at FOI allowed evaluation of its stabilizing effect in real propellants and its effect on the burning rate in a double‐base rocket motor at EuB. Accelerated ageing of a double‐base propellant stabilized with Stab‐5 was applied in order to identify the compounds that were obtained in the reaction between the stabilizer and the decomposition products.
Note: Rating Accessibility of Packaging: A Medical Packaging Example
Authors: Rowson Jen , Sangrar Aamir , Rodriguez‐Falcon Elena , Bell Alison F. , Walton Karen A. , Yoxall Alaster , Kamat Seri Rahayu
Published: November 2016

The article from this special issue was previously published in Packaging Technology in Science, Volume 27, Issue 7, 2014. For completeness we are including the title page of the article below. The full text of the article can be read in Issue 27:7 on Wiley Online Library: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pts.2049/abstract
Modeling Dormant Fruit Trees for Agricultural Automation
Authors: Medeiros Henry , Kim Donghun , Sun Jianxin , Seshadri Hariharan , Akbar Shayan Ali , Elfiky Noha M. , Park Johnny
Published: November 2016

Dormant pruning of fruit trees is one of the most costly and labor‐intensive activities in specialty crop production. We present a system that solves the first step in the process of automated pruning: accurately measuring and modeling the fruit trees. Our system employs a laser sensor to collect observations of fruit trees from multiple perspectives, and it uses these observations to measure parameters needed for pruning. A split‐and‐merge clustering algorithm divides the collected data into three sets of points: trunk candidates, junction point candidates, and branches. The trunk candidates and junction point candidates are then further refined by a robust fitting algorithm that models as cylinders each segment of the trunk and primary branches. In this work, we focus on measuring the diameters of the primary branches and the trunk, which are important factors in dormant pruning and can be obtained directly from the cylindrical models. We show that the results are qualitatively satisfactory using synthetic and real data. Our experiments with three synthetic and three real apple trees of two different varieties showed that the system is able to identify the primary branches with an average accuracy of 98% and estimate their diameters with an average error of 0.6 cm. Although the current implementation of the system is too slow for large‐scale practical applications (it can measure approximately two trees per hour), our study shows that the proposed approach may serve as a fundamental building block of robotic pruners in the near future.
Response of Bed Sediments on the Grade‐Control Structure Management of a Small Piedmont Stream
Authors: Galia T. , Škarpich V.
Published: November 2016

The grain sizes of 53 small lateral and mid‐channel deposits were evaluated on the 2.7 km long channel‐reach of a headwater piedmont stream that has been affected by check‐dams and bed sills constructions (ca. 14 constructions per km), riprap bank stabilisations and the removal of instream wood. Such interventions have led to the loss of natural vertically oscillating bedforms, and pool‐riffles have been replaced by plane beds. The evaluated sediment deposits were divided based on their positions relative to grade‐control structures on downstream, intermediate and upstream types. The individual types of deposits produced different downstream trends in the grain sizes that reflected their positions with respect to the grade‐control structures (GCSs). The downstream deposits generally produced slow downstream coarsening, which may point to the increased efficiency of the energy dissipation of the GCSs under a gradual downstream decrease in the channel slopes. However, they were generally not coarser than the other two types. The upstream deposits did not indicate any notable downstream grain‐size trend. Despite the significant downstream decrease in the channel slopes and related bankfull shear stresses at the positions of the intermediate deposits and the lack of a lateral sediment supply in the studied longitudinal profile, the sediment calibre of the deposits did not produce any systematic downstream fining. Thus, the observed grain sizes most likely pointed to the selective scouring of the fine sediments, which was caused by the presence of the GCSs and their effects on the decreasing sediment connectivity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of the Economic, Social and Environmental Dimensions of the Indicators for Sustainable Development
Authors: Strezov Vladimir , Evans Annette , Evans Tim J.
Published: November 2016

Nine different indices for measuring sustainable development, comprising Change in Wealth Index (CWI), Ecological Footprint (EF), Environmental Performance Index (EPI), Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI), Genuine Savings Index (GSI), Global Well‐Being Index (GWI), Happy Planet Index (HPI), Human Development Index (HDI) and Sustainable Society Index (SSI) were selected in this study. The indices were analysed for their ability to measure the economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development. Only two indices (SSI and GSI) considered all three dimensions of sustainable development, while the remaining measured either the socio‐economic, socio‐environmental or just economic and environmental dimensions. A normalized average sustainability index (NASI) was proposed in this study, calculated as an average index of all nine. Switzerland, Norway and Sweden were the countries with the highest, while Burundi, Sierra Leone and Niger were the countries with the lowest NASI scores. The deviation of each index compared with NASI was determined, resulting in GWI followed by HDI having the lowest deviation from the average rankings. The publication contribution of the scientific literature towards the three dimensions of sustainable development for each individual index was further analysed and discussed, identifying public health as one of the potential overarching indicators for sustainable development. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Re‐conceptualizing the Science of Sustainability: A Dynamical Systems Approach to Understanding the Nexus of Conflict, Development and the Environment
Authors: Fisher Joshua , Rucki Kristen
Published: November 2016

The concept of sustainability has come to permeate many spheres of governance, decision‐making and scientific inquiry. Although current academic conceptualizations of sustainability often acknowledge the conflicts inherent in the pursuit of sustainable development, the present discourse does not explicitly include the concepts of peace and conflict. This omission has been in error, as the pursuits of sustainable environmental governance and sustainable human development are themselves efforts to manage and resolve conflict. Thus, this article advocates for an expanded framework of sustainability that operates at the nexus of conflict, environment and development by exploring current mainstream conceptualizations of sustainability and illustrating the direct connections between sustainability and the fields of peace studies and conflict resolution. It goes on to discuss the utility of applying a complex systems approach to the expanded conceptualization of sustainability, including aspects of both coupled systems and dynamical systems theory, in order to provide an analytical framework for studying mechanisms that enable sustainable development by dealing explicitly with conflicting needs and interests among actors in social–ecological systems. Copyright © 2016 The Authors Sustainable Development published by ERP Environment and John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Message mapping and reverse mapping in elliptic curve cryptosystem
Authors: Sengupta Aritro , Ray Utpal Kumar
Published: November 2016

Elliptic curve cryptography is used as a public‐key cryptosystem for encryption and decryption in such a way that if one has to encrypt a message, then they attempt to map the message to some distinct point on the elliptic curve by modifying the message using a mapping algorithm. Although the arithmetic involved in elliptic curve cryptography is computationally less complex than other cryptographic algorithms, but conversion of simple messages to points on the elliptic curve has always been challenging. In this paper, we discuss the different schemes of message mapping in elliptic curve cryptosystem, the flaws of each method, and how vulnerable they are to cryptanalysis. We also derive the guidelines of a good message mapping scheme in elliptic curve cryptosystem. In the later part of this paper, we will discuss about a new mapping scheme that is resistible to frequency analysis and other forms of cryptanalysis. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inconsistency and drop‐minimum data analysis
Authors: Chen Fei , Li Gang , Lan K. K. Gordon
Published: November 2016

Even though consistency is an important issue in multi‐regional clinical trials and inconsistency is often anticipated, solutions for handling inconsistency are rare. If a region's treatment effects are inconsistent with that of the other regions, pooling all the regions to estimate the overall treatment effect may not be reasonable. Unlike the multiple center clinical trials conducted in the USA and Europe, in multi‐regional clinical trials, different regional regulatory agencies may have their own ways to interpret data and approve new drugs. It is therefore practical to consider the case in which the data from the region with the minimal observed treatment effect is excluded from the analysis in order to attain the regulatory approval of the study drug. Under such cases, what is the appropriate statistical approach for the remaining regions? We provide a solution first formulated within the fixed effects framework and then extend it to discrete random effects models. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Das Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino Experiment
Authors: Fränkle Florian , Wolf Joachim
Published: November 2016

Die Masse des Neutrinos ist eine der großen offenen Fragen in der Teilchenphysik, Astrophysik und Kosmologie. Das KArlsruhe TRItium Neutrino (KATRIN) Experiment hat es sich zum Ziel gesetzt die Neutrinomasse mit einer Sensitivität von 200 meV/c2 zu bestimmen. Dies entspricht einer Verbesserung um den Faktor 10 verglichen zu den Vorgängerexperimenten. Um diese Verbesserung zu erreichen, muss das KATRIN Experiment eine Vielzahl an technischen Herausforderungen aus unterschiedlichen Bereichen bewältigen, unter anderem der Hochspannungstechnik, Kryotechnik oder Vakuumtechnik. In der Vakuumtechnik ist der Betrieb eines Spektrometers mit einem Volumen von 1240 m3 in einem Druckbereich von 10−11 mbar als besondere Herausforderung zu erwähnen.
Control of the gas laser output power
Authors: Chernigovskiy V. V. , Kostrin D. K. , Martsinukov S. A. , Lisenkov A. A.
Published: November 2016

The paper considers the influence of a transverse magnetic field on the positive column of a glow discharge on the example of the gas discharge laser. The magnetic field was created using a developed system consisting of several electromagnets and an equalizing device for a greater uniformity of the field. It is shown that as a result of application of the magnetic system charged particles in the discharge gap are shifted to the walls of the discharge tube, which reduces the efficiency of the laser and decreases its output power. Thus, changing the current through the electromagnets the output power of the laser can be varied. The inertia of the impact of the magnetic field on the plasma in the discharge gap was of the order of one millisecond.
Nitridische und oxinitridische HPPMS‐Beschichtungen für den Einsatz in der Kunststoffverarbeitung (Teil 1)
Authors: Bobzin Kirsten , Grundmeier Guido , Brögelmann Tobias , de los Arcos Teresa , Wiesing Martin , Kruppe Nathan C.
Published: November 2016

In der Kunststoffverarbeitung zählen adhäsiver und abrasiver Verschleiß zu den Hauptschadensmechanismen. Für den Verschleißschutz und die Standzeiterhöhung der in der Verarbeitung eingesetzten Werkzeuge und zur Verbesserung der Produktqualität der hergestellten Kunststoffprodukte werden mittels physikalischer Gasphasenabscheidung (physical vapour deposition, PVD) hergestellte binäre oder ternäre Schichtsysteme auf Chrombasis wie CrN und (Cr,Al)N eingesetzt. Da die chemische Zusammensetzung eines Schichtsystems einen erheblichen Einfluss auf die sich ausbildende Reaktionsschicht an der Schichtoberfläche und somit auf die Benetzung des beschichteten Werkzeugs durch Kunststoffschmelze hat, war es das Ziel dieser Arbeit, durch eine Variation des Sauerstoffflusses im dcMS/HPPMS (direct current magnetron sputtering/high power pulse magnetron sputtering)‐Hybridprozess unterschiedliche Beschichtungen aus dem System Cr‐Al‐O‐N herzustellen. Neben einer nitridischen Beschichtung (Cr,Al)N wurden zwei quaternäre oxinitridische Schichtsysteme (Cr,Al)ON synthetisiert. In diesem Beitrag wird erläutert, welchen Einfluss eine Sauerstoffvariation im Beschichtungsprozess auf Schichteigenschaften sowie Verbundeigenschaften zum Kunststoffformenstahl nimmt. Im in der folgenden Ausgabe erscheinenden Beitrag werden darauf aufbauend anwendungsorientierte Systemeigenschaften der drei betrachteten Schichtsysteme gegenüber einer Polycarbonatschmelze untersucht.
Operation Start Times and Postoperative Morbidity from Liver Resection: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis
Authors: Lu Qiang , Shen Yuan , Zhang Jing , Ren Yi‐Fan , Dong Jian , Du Zhao‐Qing , Liu Xue‐Min , Wu Zheng , Lv Yi , Zhang Xu‐Feng
Published: November 2016

Background

Surgeons are likely to get progressively fatigued and work less effectively during the course of a normal workday. We sought to examine the effects of surgery start times (morning vs. afternoon) and workload of the surgeons on morbidity of patients after partial liver resection (LR).

Methods

A total of 155 pairs of the patients from 383 patients undergoing LR were generated by propensity score analysis (PSM) according to the start times of surgery: group M (morning surgery, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.) and group A (afternoon surgery, 1 p.m.–6 p.m.). Patients in group A were further divided depending on whether or not the surgeons had performed other surgeries earlier in the day and the exact duration of the other surgeries before the afternoon surgery (≤180 and >180 min). The incidence and severity of postoperative complications were compared between different groups.

Results

By using PSM analysis, the patients in group M and group A were well matched in basic characteristics. The incidence and severity of the postoperative complications were similar between the two groups (all p > 0.05). Whether the surgeons had performed other surgeries prior to the afternoon surgery seemed not affecting the postoperative outcome (all p > 0.05). Moreover, the duration of other surgeries the surgeons had performed did not have significant influence on the outcome of patients undergoing afternoon surgery (all p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Surgery start times and workload of surgeons during working time did not measurably affect short‐term outcomes of the patients. The negative findings might be a manifestation of professional judgment and self‐regulation of the experienced physicians.
Analysis of the functional muscle–bone unit of the forearm in patients with phenylketonuria by peripheral quantitative computed tomography
Authors: Choukair Daniela , Kneppo Carolin , Feneberg Reinhard , Schönau Eckhard , Lindner Martin , Kölker Stefan , Hoffmann Georg F. , Tönshoff Burkhard
Published: November 2016

Bone disease in patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) is incompletely characterized. We therefore analyzed, in a cross‐sectional study radius macroscopic bone architecture and forearm muscle size by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) and muscle strength by hand dynamometry in a large cohort (n = 56) of adolescent and adult patients with PKU aged 26.0 ± 8.9 (range, 11.8–41.5) years. Data were compared with a reference population (n = 700) from the DONALD study using identical methodology. We observed a significant reduction of cortical thickness (z‐score −1.01 ± 0.79), Strength–Strain Index (SSI) (z‐score −0.81 ± 1.03), and total bone mineral density (BMD) of the distal radius (z‐score −1.05 ± 1.00). Mean muscle cross‐sectional area (z‐score −0.98 ± 1.19) and muscle grip force (z‐score −0.64 ± 1.26) were also significantly reduced, indicating an impaired muscular system as part of the clinical phenotype of PKU. SSI positively correlated (r = 0.53, P < 0.001) with the corresponding muscle cross‐sectional area in the reference population; however, the regression line slope in PKU patients was less steep (P < 0.001), indicating that bone strength is not adequately adapted to muscle force. In conclusion, the radial bone in PKU patients is characterized by reduced bone strength in relation to muscular force, decreased cortical thickness, and impaired total BMD at the metaphyseal site. These alterations indicate a mixed bone defect in PKU, both of which are due to primary alterations of bone metabolism and to secondary alterations in response to neuromuscular abnormalities.
Feeding ecology of the Sicilian pond turtleEmys trinacris(Testudines, Emydidae) influenced by seasons and invasive aliens species
Authors: Ottonello Dario , D'Angelo Stefania , Oneto Fabrizio , Malavasi Stefano , Zuffi Marco Alberto Luca
Published: November 2016

Feeding ecology of a species is the result of its evolutionary history, biology, physiology and local constraints, such as prey availability, intra‐ and inter‐specific interactions and environmental characteristics. In this study we investigated the still unknown diet of the Sicilian pond turtle, with special emphasis to the relationships with recently introduced alien species in the “Lake Preola and Gorghi Tondi” Nature Reserve (Sicily, Italy). A total of 83 faecal samples were collected in three different periods.Emys trinacrisseems an opportunistic and generalist species. The main prey taxa were aquatic invertebrates, including the invasiveProcambarus clarkii, while non‐aquatic preys are found sporadically. Plant matter, mainly leaves and roots of aquatic forms, was also found in high frequency with a high occurrence of fruits and seeds in spring. We did not find a significant difference in diet composition within sex and age, while an evident divergence was found between periods and sites. In particular, we noticed a decrease in prey abundance and in food‐niche breadth from pre‐reproductive period to post‐reproductive period. Moreover a very clear difference was found between a site with allochthonous fishes and a site fish‐free, with a more abundant and wide diet spectrum in the last one, as a result of the increased availability of prey. We highlighted the importance to take any possible actions to avoid the spread of fishes in other basins and to study the indirect impact ofProcambarus clarkii, as possible vector of harmful trace element.