bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ON THE PROPERTIES OF A CLASS OF POLYHARMONIC FUNCTIONS
Authors: Khuri Suheil
Published: April 2013

The aim of this paper is to investigate some motivated geometrical aspects and properties of polyharmonic functions (PH) including starlikeness, convexity and univalence. A polyharmonicity preserving complex operator is also introduced. Further, a new subclass of polyharmonic functions (CPH) is defined and certain characteristics of elements of this subclass are examined and obtained. In particular, we extend Landau's theorem to functions in this subclass, and consider the Goodman–Saff conjecture and prove that the conjecture is true for mappings belonging to CPH.
CONVERGENCE OF THE FINITE VOLUME METHOD FOR A CONDUCTIVE-RADIATIVE HEAT TRANSFER PROBLEM
Authors: Birgelis Karlis , Raitums Uldis
Published: April 2013

We show that the finite volume method rigorously converges to the solution of a conductive-radiative heat transfer problem with nonlocal and nonlinear boundary conditions. To get this result, we start by proving existence of solutions for a finite volume discretization of the original problem. Then, by obtaining uniform boundedness of discrete solutions and their discrete gradients with respect to mesh size, we finally get L 2type convergence of discrete solutions.
POLYNOMIAL ERROR APPROXIMATION OF A PRECISION ANGLE MEASURING SYSTEM
Authors: Šiaudinytė Lauryna , Bručas Domantas , Rybokas Mindaugas , Kulvietis Genadijus
Published: April 2013

The paper deals with the calibration of a flat angle measuring system. The article describes a comparative method for using a multi-angular prism (polygon) with autocollimator along with an angle measuring system. The components of angle measuring system is analysed in the paper. The article also presents polynomial error approximation and the obtained results of calibrating the precision angle measuring system as well as discusses preliminary assumptions for further research.
La pertinence et l'utilité prédictive de mesures de performance financière : une comparaison France, États-Unis et Suisse
Authors: Cormier Denis , Magnan Michel , Zéghal Daniel
Published: April 2013

La mesure de la performance financière est une question cruciale pour les parties prenantes de l’entreprise que sont les actionnaires, les membres des conseils d’administration, les dirigeants ou les bailleurs de fonds. Par ailleurs, l’efficacité de plusieurs systèmes de gestion (l’évaluation de la performance, la rémunération) est tributaire d’une sélection de mesures de performance appropriées. Dans le cadre de cette étude, cinq mesures de performance financière sont évaluées quant à leur pertinence pour les marchés boursiers et à leur utilité prédictive en matière de flux de trésorerie (modèle comptable américain) et de valeur ajoutée (modèle comptable européen). Ces mesures sont le résultat net, le résultat d’exploitation, le flux de trésorerie d’exploitation, le résultat résiduel et la valeur ajoutée. L’échantillon regroupe des firmes de trois pays dont le processus de normalisation de la comptabilité diffère : la France, les États-Unis et la Suisse. Il se dégage des résultats que la pertinence et l’utilité prédictive des mesures de performance financière dépendent des règles régissant le fonctionnement des marchés financiers et la normalisation comptable dans chaque pays. Ainsi, un processus de normalisation comptable plus souple orienté vers les besoins des investisseurs génère une relation plus étroite entre les mesures de performance et les rendements boursiers. En revanche, pour prédire les flux de trésorerie, les mesures de performance doivent reposer sur des normes comptables qui favorisent la précision et qui laissent peu de place à la flexibilité (mesures fiables). Une trop grande latitude dans l’application des règles comptables peut réduire considérablement l’utilité prédictive des mesures de performance. En outre, pour prédire la valeur ajoutée, une mesure macro-économique, le cadre français est nettement plus performant que le cadre suisse ou américain. Enfin, le fait de respecter ou non les normes IAS n’a qu’un impact mineur sur la pertinence et l’utilité prédictive des mesures de performance. Toutefois, ces résultats sont tributaires des modes de calcul utilisés pour les différents indicateurs de performance et du fait que les règles en matière de comptes consolidés pour les firmes françaises peuvent différer des règles régissant les comptes individuels.
Nature des changements produits par une mission d'audit interne
Authors: Autissier David
Published: April 2013

Quels sont les changements organisationnels produits par une mission d’audit interne ? À partir de travaux en sociologie et en gestion, le changement a été défini comme un mouvement entre deux situations, observable selon quatre dimensions. Renseignées sur dix missions d’audit interne réalisées à EDF, ces quatre dimensions nous ont permis d’avancer trois processus de changement en fonction de la nature du message communiqué dans le rapport d’audit. La consolidation de ces trois processus a donné lieu à une définition duale du changement organisationnel.
L'internationalisation de la présentation des états financiers des sociétés françaises : une étude empirique longitudinale
Authors: Ding Yuan , Stolowy Hervé , Tenenhaus Michel
Published: April 2013

Dans un contexte de développement des marchés financiers internationaux, il est intéressant de s’interroger sur l’adaptation des grands groupes Français aux pratiques comptables d’origine anglo-américaine. Nous réalisons une étude sur dix ans qui porte sur les méthodes de présentation des états financiers en France. L’étude constate une tendance à l’internationalisation, statistiquement significative, dans les pratiques des groupes français.
Vie des affaires
Authors: de Virville Michel
Published: April 2013

Le Collège des Bernardins dépérissait derrière ses hauts murs‚ enfoncé dans l’oubli de la vocation selon laquelle les moines cisterciens l’avaient bâti. Le rêve de Jean-Marie Lustiger l’a relevé de terre et en a fait un haut lieu de dialogue‚ d’étude et de recherche.
ITERATIVE MUSIC FOR HIGHLY CORRELATED EEG/MEG SOURCE LOCALIZATION
Authors: Cui Yuan , Gao Shan , Zhang Junpeng
Published: April 2013

This study presented an iterative MUSIC (Multiple Signal Classification) for highly correlated EEG source localization. By suppressing the equivalent false source, the approximate true source location information was obtained. And then, by iteratively suppressing source found in the last iteration, eventually, both of the sources were identified. The method is designed to tackle highly correlated sources, for example, bilateral activations at primary auditory/auditory cortices, at which cases conventional MUSIC has difficulty. Compared with other similar methods, the presented one needs less computation load since it utilizes the minor difference between sources, as can be adequately explained by a theoretical model for correlated sources. Simulation and real data test confirmed its effectiveness.
GROUND REACTION FORCE ANALYSIS FOR ASSESSING THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN NORMAL AND WADDLING GAIT PATTERNS
Authors: Razeghi Mehdi , Rostami Mostafa , Jamshidi Nima , Ghomashchi Hamed
Published: April 2013

Background: The purpose of this case series was to quantify gait to study muscular dystrophy. In this research, the quantitative differences between normal and waddling gaits were assessed by force plate analysis.

Methods: Nineteen myopathy patients and 20 normal subjects serving as the control group participated in this research. In this study, quantitative analyses of gait have been used to investigate the differences in mobility between normal subjects and myopathy patients. Patient data were collected from Iranian Muscular Dystrophy Association members, and normal data were extracted from students of Azad University. All of the gait tests were performed using a Kistler force platform. Participants walked at a self-selected speed, barefoot, independently, and without assistive devices.

Results: Our findings indicate that there were no significant differences between the patients and the control group in the anterior–posterior components of the ground reaction forces; however, there were considerable differences in the force components between the groups in the medial-lateral and vertical directions of the ground reaction force. In addition, there were significant differences in the time parameters between the groups along the vertical and medial-lateral directions.
STATISTICAL PATTERN RECOGNITION TECHNIQUE FOR IMPROVED REAL-TIME MYOELECTRIC SIGNAL CLASSIFICATION
Authors: Geethanjali P. , Ray K. K.
Published: April 2013

The authors in this paper propose a statistical technique for pattern recognition of electromyogram (EMG) signals along with effective feature ensemble to achieve an improved classification performance with less processing time and memory space. In this study, EMG signals from 10 healthy subjects and two transradial amputees for six motions of hand and wrist is considered for identification of the intended motion. From four channels myoelectric signals, the extracted time domain features are grouped into three ensembles to identify the effectiveness of feature ensemble in classification. The three feature ensembles obtained from multichannel continuous EMG signals are applied to the new classifiers namely simple logistic regression (SLR), J48 algorithm for decision tree (DT), logistic model tree (LMT) and feature subspace ensemble using k-nearest neighbor (kNN). Novel classifiers SLR, DT and LMT, select only the dominant features during training to develop the model for pattern recognition. This selection of features reduces the processing time as well as memory space of the controller for real-time application. The performance of SLR, DT, LMT and feature subspace ensemble using kNN classifiers are compared with other conventional classifiers, such as neural network (NN), simple kNN and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The average classification accuracy with SLR is found to be better with feature ensemble-1 compared to the other classifiers. Also, the statistical Kruscal–Wallis test shows, the classification performance of SLR is not only better but also takes less time and memory space compared to other classifiers for classification. Also the performance of the classifier is tested in real-time with transradial amputees for actuation of drive for two intended motions with TMS320F28335eZdsp controller. The experimental results show that the SLR classifier improves the controller response in real-time.
EQUIVOX: AN EXAMPLE OF ADAPTATION USING AN ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK ON A CASE-BASED REASONING PLATFORM
Authors: Henriet Julien , Chebel-Morello Brigitte , Salomon Michel , Farah Jad , Laurent Rémy , Sauget Marc , Broggio David , Franck Didier , Makovicka Libor
Published: April 2013

In case of a radiological emergency situation involving accidental human exposure, a dosimetry evaluation must be established as soon as possible. In most cases, this evaluation is based on numerical representations and models of victims. Unfortunately, personalized and realistic human representations are often unavailable for the exposed subjects. However, accuracy of treatment depends on the similarity of the phantom to the victim. The EquiVox platform (Research of Equivalent Voxel phantom) developed in this study uses case-based reasoning (CBR) principles to retrieve and adapt, from among a set of existing phantoms, the one to represent the victim. This paper introduces the EquiVox platform and the artificial neural network (ANN) developed to interpolate the victim's 3D lung contours. The results obtained for the choice and construction of the contours are presented and discussed.
DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A MULTICHANNEL PREAMPLIFIER FOR INTRACORTICAL ACTIVITIES RECORDING USING COMMERCIAL COMPONENTS
Authors: Yu Yao-Ming , Lo Rong-Chin
Published: April 2013

Simple and useful methods are described herein for a portable and multichannel preamplifier circuit. These procedures include mainly operational amplifier selection, offset voltage reduction, active guarding circuit, selectable reference node, and grounded plate arrangement. A six-channel preamplifier board is designed and fabricated for intracortical activities recording using commercial components. The preamplifier has been successfully tested in vivo to process cortically derived extracellular evoked potentials under anesthetized rat. Results from both simulated circuit testing and practical animal measuring indicate that a high-quality recording can be obtained by adopting the presented circuits. This method needs only ready-made materials, general know-how, and a few components and is simple even for a nonelectronic engineering researcher in-house. The proposed preamplifier can be easily expanded by combining other post-processing circuits or recording devices. This preamplifier can also be easily modified and applied to the analogy front-end (AFE) of telemetric recording system, other related electrophysiological or physiological studies.
Thyroid carcino-sarcoma in a dog
Authors: Giuliano Antonio , Grant Jessica , Benoit Jerome
Published: April 2013

An adult male greyhound was diagnosed with a thyroid carcino-sarcoma by means of histopathology and positive immuno-histochemistry staining for cytokeratin and vimentin. Surgery and radiotherapy of the area were successful in local tumour control. Adjuvant chemotherapy was recommended to treat and prevent further metastasis. The use of carboplatin, metronomic cyclophosphamide chemotherapy and toceranib failed to control the progression of distant metastasis. The survival time was seven months from the time of diagnosis. This is the eighth case of carcino-sarcoma of the thyroid documented in veterinary medicine and the first one treated with a multimodal approach based on surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. As documented in human medicine, chemotherapy appeared to be ineffective to prevent or delay the progression of the metastatic disease in this case.
A Total Requirements View of a Tourism and Hospitality Market is More Accurate Than Traditional Location Quotients
Authors: Cummings J. Reid , Epley Donald R.
Published: April 2013

The traditional use of location quotients to determine the cluster of local industries that produce products and services primarily for export is outdated in that it uses employment ratios only. A better approach uses the total dollars spent locally. Combined with absolute levels of employment, this research shows that the tourism and hospitality industry cluster is very different from those selected traditionally. Dollars-spent-locally uses data from local input–output tables and presents a more accurate profile of the interrelationships among tourism and hospitality industries. The authors illustrate this more accurate approach for one area using current cross-sectional industry data.
How Deep are Scuba Divers' Pockets?
Authors: Saayman Melville , Saayman Andrea
Published: April 2013

More than 60,000 divers annually visit Sodwana Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, one of the world's top diving sites. A survey was conducted during March and April 2012 to identify factors that influence the spending behaviour of divers. Data from 402 questionnaires provided information about spending per person, socio-demographic profile, diving behaviour and motives, and environmental awareness. A quantile regression approach was used to analyse the determinants of spending. The inclusion of environmental awareness as a factor that might influence spending behaviour is an advance on previous studies of determinants of spending, and this factor was found to increase spending significantly. Knowledge about the relationship between environmental awareness and spending could be valuable for policy aimed at both economic and ecological sustainability.
Empirical Psycho-Aesthetics and Her Sisters: Substantive and Methodological Issues—Part II
Authors: Konečni Vladimir J.
Published: April 2013

Empirical psycho-aesthetics is approached in this two-part article from two directions. Part I, which appeared in the Winter 2012 issue of JAE, addressed definitional and organizational issues, including the field’s origins, its relation to “sister” disciplines (experimental philosophy, cognitive neuroscience of art, and neuroaesthetics), and its role in a number of current debates about the substantive, methodological, and science-practice problems of interest to these various disciplines–with philosophical aesthetics as a backdrop. On the other hand, the complementary part II of the article, in this issue, has an empirical emphasis. Five groups of research studies illustrate the topics discussed in part I and facilitate a constructive dialogue with philosophical aesthetics and neuroaesthetics. The work involves a variety of art domains and a broad range of psycho-aesthetic topics, methods, and techniques. The five groups of studies are (1) empirical tests of major claims made by aestheticians and artists; (2) using portraiture to obtain an empirical handle on the creative process; (3) the classical topic of the “golden section” as an exploratory ground for a variety of old and new psycho-aesthetic methods; (4) research on music-induced “thrills” (or “chills”) using psycho-aesthetic and neuroimaging techniques; and (5) multifaceted research involving the concept of “aesthetic episode.”
Artistic Praxis and the Neoliberalization of the Educational Space
Authors: Gielen Pascal
Published: April 2013

Referring to the work of Richard Sennett, this article puts forth the proposition that art production is possible only when there is a correct relation between theory and artistic practice. An effective artistic praxis can only be realized by incorporating theory in artistic practices. Based on empirical research, the author elaborates on the biotope, which is the necessary precondition for a sustainable development of art. This biotope consists of domestic, communal, market, and civil domains. Within these domains, theory and artistic practice interact in different ways. In order to ensure the development of an artistic praxis, art education needs to maintain this biotope. The author demonstrates that policy decisions in the Netherlands following the Bologna Process regarding education do not make the task of higher education of arts any easier. Increased scale, increased bureaucracy, and neoliberalization of educational space threaten to counteract the integration of theory and practice and thus to undermine the artistic biotope of the artist.
The effect of water and salt stresses on the phosphorus content and acid phosphatase activity in oilseed rape
Authors: Flasiński Stanisław , Zamorski Ryszard , Kotowska Urszula
Published: April 2013

Oilseed rape plants responded to water and salt stresses (-0.5 MPa, PEG 6000 and NaCI) by reduction of the fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots. When PEG was used, the ratio of dry weights of roots:shoots surpassed that of controls. The leaf protein content increased considerably. The phosphorus content decreased only in the roots, most significantly after three days of stress. Immediately after the stresses were induced, an increase in the acid phosphatase (AP) activity was noted. Water and salt stresses caused four- and two-fold increases in AP activity in leaves, respectively. Changes in the enzyme activity were negligible in stems and roots. There are nine forms of AP in young leaves of oilseed rape. In the stressed plants, from No. 5 revealed lower activity and forms Nos 8 and 9, higher activities than in the control. The increase in AP activity was directly accompanied by the decrease in the water potential of the tissues. Oilseed rape is considerably less sensitive to salt stress than to water stress, which is manifested as the lower inhibition of plant growth and also by a smaller increase in acid phosphatase activity.
Differentiation of surface properties of chlorococcalean algae by means of aqueous two phase systems
Authors: Burczyk Jan , Szymakowska Dorota
Published: April 2013

Algal cells belonging to various strains of Chlorococcales (Chlorophyta) have been partitioned in aqueous two-phase systems containing ionogenic polymers, DEAE-dextran or SDS-dextran, at various pH values. Strain-specific differences of partition type which have been found in the phase systems used can be useful for distinguishing of algal cells.
Possible role of growth regulators in adaptation to heat stress affecting partitioning of photosynthates in tomato plants
Authors: Zalewski Kazimierz
Published: April 2013

The formation of polyribosomes and total dehydrogenase activity in rye grains from different harvest years (with different viability) were studied. It was found using actinomycin D and cordycepin that grain aging was related to a lower ability for RNA synthesis and polyribosome formation. At least part of the stored form of RNA (preformed mRNA) in the embryos of both aged non-viable grain was able to form complexes with ribosomes.
Reproduction - a factor of plant evolution
Authors: Bǎra Ion I.
Published: April 2013

The process of reproduction (amphimixis and apomixis) represents a major factor of evolution. The facultative apomictic species are the pioneers of evolution. They combine the adventages of amphimixis (high degree of variability and heterogenesis) and apomixis (relative stability and low material expenditure) assuring a rapid rate of adaptive evolution.
Recession of Tussilago farfara (L.) population from the agrocoenose as a result of cultivation abandonment. II. The effect of fallowing on shoot morphological properties and their biomass
Authors: Namura-Ochalska Anna
Published: April 2013

The paper is concerned with changes in morphological properties of Tussilag farfara (L.) shoots in the abandoned agrocoenose. An increase in the shading and a decrease in the available space, both caused by overgrowing of two grass species Agropyron repens  (L.) PB. and Dactylis glomerata (L.), resulted in considerable changes of all analysed properties. In the first three years after cultivation had been abandoned both shoot height and leaf blade size increased, but later a decrease in both was found due to a growing intensity of interspecific competition. Mean values of other properties decreased with the fallow age. Under the conditions of strong competition the variation of Tussilago shoots increased while their above and belowground biomass diminished.
Pollen grain of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) - pattern of development
Authors: Charzyńska Maria , Lenart Nella
Published: April 2013

Pollen development in barley follows the general pattern established for other species of Poaceae: 1) microspore division occurs at the vacuolate microspore stage with polarly located nucleus; 2) microspore mitosis is immediately followed by phragmoplast and cell plate formation; 3) in consequence or unequal microspore division, the generative cell, at first attached to the pollen wall, is separated from the vegetative cell by a callosic wall; 4) during the postmitotic two-cell stage of development, the vegetative nucleus migrates to the aperture pole and is followed by the generative cell that is detached and free of callose wall. In this position the generative cell divides into two sperm cells. These data do not confirm the interpretation of pollen grain development in barley given by Cass and Karas in Can. J. Bot. 53: 1051-1062, 1975.
The lectin level and the effect of abscisic acid on hemagglutinating activity during rye germination
Authors: Ferens-Sieczkowska Mirosława , Karczewska Joanna , Morawiecka Bronisława
Published: April 2013

As we have previously found, the embryo is the only source of lectin in the mature, dry rye seed. During early germination the lectin activity decreased and most of it was found in the coleoptile. Leaves were found to contain only a trace amount of this protein. A 5-7 fold increase in the amount of lectin was found in grains which had imbibed for 6­12 hours in the presence of 10-5M and 10-4M ABA. At an ABA concentration of 10-4M, about 6 µg of lectin per germ was found even in grains which had been germinating for 5 days. The immunological properties and molecular masses of both RGA and RGA­like lectin accumulated in the presence of ABA were found to be identical.
An Intervention Including an Online Game to Improve Grade 6 Students' Performance in Early Algebra
Authors: Kolovou Angeliki , van den Heuvel-Panhuizen Marja , Köller Olaf
Published: April 2013

This study investigated whether an intervention including an online game contributed to 236 Grade 6 students' performance in early algebra, that is, solving problems with covarying quantities. An exploratory quasi-experimental study was conducted with a pretest-posttest-control-group design. Students in the experimental group were asked to solve at home a number of problems by playing an online game. Although boys outperformed girls in early algebra performance on the pretest as well as on the posttest, boys and girls profited equally from the intervention. Implications of these results for educational practice are discussed.
Two Models for Evaluating Alignment of State Standards and Assessments: Competing or Complementary Perspectives?
Authors: Newton Jill A. , Kasten Sarah E.
Published: April 2013

The release of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and their adoption across the United States calls for careful attention to the alignment between mathematics standards and assessments. This study investigates 2 models that measure alignment between standards and assessments, the Surveys of Enacted Curriculum (SEC) and the Webb Alignment Tool (WAT), by examining the use of these models in 3 grade levels in 3 states. Findings indicate affordances and limitations of both models and suggest that, when taken together, the criteria of the WAT coupled with the alignment index and tile charts of the SEC provide a variety of perspectives on the alignment between standards and assessments.
Electrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Carbon Monoxide by a Polymerized Film of an Alkynyl‐Substituted Rhenium(I) Complex
Authors: Portenkirchner Engelbert , Gasiorowski Jacek , Oppelt Kerstin , Schlager Stefanie , Schwarzinger Clemens , Neugebauer Helmut , Knör Günther , Sariciftci Niyazi Serdar
Published: April 2013

The alkynyl‐substituted ReI complex [Re(5,5′‐bisphenylethynyl‐2,2′‐bipyridyl)(CO)3Cl] was immobilized by electropolymerization onto a Pt‐plate electrode. The polymerized film exhibited electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of CO2 to CO. Cyclic voltammetry studies and bulk controlled‐potential electrolysis experiments were performed by using a CO2‐saturated acetonitrile solution. The CO2 reduction, determined by cyclic voltammetry, occurs at approximately −1150 mV versus the normal hydrogen electrode (NHE). Quantitative analysis by GC and IR spectroscopy was used to determine a Faradaic efficiency of approximately 33 % for the formation of CO. Both values of the modified electrode were compared to the performance of the homogenous monomer [Re(5,5′‐bisphenylethynyl‐2,2′‐bipyridyl)(CO)3Cl] in acetonitrile. The polymer formation and its properties were studied by using SEM, AFM, and attenuated total reflectance (ATR) FTIR and UV/Vis spectroscopy.
Computed CH Acidity of Biaryl Compounds and Their Deprotonative Metalation by Using a Mixed Lithium/Zinc‐TMP Base
Authors: Kadiyala Raghu Ram , Tilly David , Nagaradja Elisabeth , Roisnel Thierry , Matulis Vadim E. , Ivashkevich Oleg A. , Halauko Yury S. , Chevallier Floris , Gros Philippe C. , Mongin Florence
Published: April 2013

With the aim of synthesizing biaryl compounds, several aromatic iodides were prepared by the deprotonative metalation of methoxybenzenes, 3‐substituted naphthalenes, isoquinoline, and methoxypyridines by using a mixed lithium/zinc‐TMP (TMP=2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidino) base and subsequent iodolysis. The halides thus obtained, as well as commercial compounds, were cross‐coupled under palladium catalysis (e.g., Suzuki coupling with 2,4‐dimethoxy‐5‐pyrimidylboronic acid) to afford various representative biaryl compounds. Deprotometalation of the latter compounds was performed by using the lithium/zinc‐TMP base and evaluated by subsequent iodolysis. The outcome of these reactions has been discussed in light of the CH acidities of these substrates, as determined in THF solution by using the DFT B3LYP method. Except for in the presence of decidedly lower pKa values, the regioselectivities of the deprotometalation reactions tend to be governed by nearby coordinating atoms rather than by site acidities. In particular, azine and diazine nitrogen atoms have been shown to be efficient in inducing the reactions with the lithium/zinc‐TMP base at adjacent sites (e.g., by using 1‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)isoquinoline, 4‐(2,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐3‐methoxypyridine, or 5‐(2,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐2,4‐dimethoxypyrimidine as the substrate), a behavior that has already been observed upon treatment with lithium amides under kinetic conditions. Finally, the iodinated biaryl derivatives were involved in palladium‐catalyzed reactions.
Effect of body mass index on tumor characteristics and disease‐free survival in patients from the HER2‐positive adjuvant trastuzumab trial N9831
Authors: Crozier Jennifer A. , Moreno‐Aspitia Alvaro , Ballman Karla V. , Dueck Amylou C. , Pockaj Barbara A. , Perez Edith A.
Published: April 2013

BACKGROUND

Data suggest that weight, and specifically body mass index (BMI), plays a role in breast cancer development and outcome. The authors hypothesized that there would be a correlation between BMI and clinical outcome in patients with early stage, human epidermal receptor 2 (HER2)‐positive breast cancer enrolled in the N9831 adjuvant trial.

METHODS

Patients were grouped according to baseline BMI as follows: normal (BMI <25 kg/m2), overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m2 and <30 kg/m2), and obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). Disease‐free survival (DFS) was estimated using the Kaplan‐Meier method. Comparisons between treatment arms A, B, and C (chemotherapy with or without trastuzumab) were performed using a stratified Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

Analysis was completed on 3017 eligible patients. Obese patients were more likely to be older and postmenopausal (P < .0001 for both), to have larger tumors (P = .002), and to have positive lymph nodes (P = .004). In the pooled analysis cohort, differences in DFS among the BMI groups were statistically significant (5‐year DFS rate: 82.5%, 78.6%, and 78.5% for normal weight, overweight, and obese women, respectively; log‐rank P = .02). The adjusted hazard ratio comparing the DFS of overweight women with the DFS of normal women was 1.30 (95% confidence interval, 1.06‐1.61); and, comparing the DFS of obese women with the DFS normal women, the adjusted hazard ratio was 1.31 (95% confidence interval, 1.07‐1.59). There were no statistically significant differences in DFS by weight group for women within any trial arm.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with early stage, HER2‐positive breast cancer and normal BMI had a better 5‐year DFS compared with overweight and obese women. The current results indicated that adjuvant trastuzumab improves clinical outcome regardless of BMI. Cancer 2013;119:2447‐2454. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Toward 10 000‐fold sensitivity improvement of oligosaccharides in capillary electrophoresis using large‐volume sample stacking with an electroosmotic flow pump combined with field‐amplified sample injection
Authors: Kawai Takayuki , Ueda Masumi , Fukushima Yudai , Sueyoshi Kenji , Kitagawa Fumihiko , Otsuka Koji
Published: April 2013

A combination of two online sample concentration techniques, large‐volume sample stacking with an electroosmotic flow pump (LVSEP) and field‐amplified sample injection (FASI), was investigated in CE to achieve highly sensitive oligosaccharide analysis. In CE with LVSEP‐FASI, analytes injected throughout the capillary were concentrated on the basis of LVSEP, followed by an electrokinetic introduction of concentrated analytes from the inlet vial by the FASI mechanism. After switching the inlet vial solution from the sample to running buffer, the concentrated analytes were then separated by CZE. In the present LVSEP‐FASI‐CZE, pressure was applied to the capillary inlet until the inlet vial solution was exchanged. The applied pressure generated a counterflow against the EOF. It kept the stacked sample zone within the capillary, minimizing loss of concentrated analytes. Fluorescein was first analyzed by LVSEP‐FASI‐CZE to optimize preconcentration condition. Up to 110 000‐fold sensitivity increase was obtained with 200 μL of sample, compared to normal CZE with sample injection of 0.3 psi for 3 s (ca. 1.7 nL). From the results, the pressure application improved the efficiency of the FASI‐mode concentration significantly at total concentration time longer than 10 min. In the analysis of maltoheptaose, a 10 000‐fold sensitivity increase was achieved, which is the highest concentration efficiency ever reported in CE of oligosaccharides. The relative standard deviations of the detection time and peak height were 2.4 and 11%, respectively. In the analysis of glucose oligomer, up to 8600‐fold sensitivity increases were achieved without reducing the separation performance of conventional CZE.
Effect of Lactose Monolaurate and High Intensity Ultrasound on Crystallization Behavior of Anhydrous Milk Fat
Authors: Wagh Ashwini , Walsh Marie K. , Martini Silvana
Published: April 2013

Crystallization behavior of anhydrous milk fat (AMF) was studied with the addition of 0.025 and 0.05 % lactose monolaurate (LML). The crystallization behavior was studied at low (ΔT = 3 °C) and high supercooling (ΔT = 6 °C). Polarized light microscopy and laser turbidimetry indicated a delay in crystallization on addition of 0.025 % and 0.05 % LML or Tween 20 to AMF. High intensity ultrasound (HIU) was applied to AMF samples with 0.05 % LML and lower supercooling (Tc = 31 °C; ΔT = 3 °C). HIU application in AMF and AMF + 0.05 % LML induced crystallization (p < 0.05) changing the induction time (τ) at 31 °C from 34.20 ± 1.67 min (AMF) and 47.07 ± 1.27 min (AMF + 0.05 % LML) to 23.23 ± 3.26 min (AMF) and 25.00 ± 0.87 min (AMF + 0.05 % LML). Melting enthalpies (ΔH) of AMF were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the ones observed for AMF + 0.05 % LML when crystallized without HIU, while enthalpy values increased significantly in AMF + 0.05 % LML samples when crystallized with HIU reaching similar values to the ones obtained for AMF without LML. The viscosity of AMF significantly decreased (p < 0.05) on addition of 0.05 % LML and significantly increased on HIU application.
A dairy and fruit dietary pattern is associated with a reduced likelihood of osteoporosis in Korean postmenopausal women
Authors: Shin Sangah , Joung Hyojee
Published: April 2013

The aim of the present study was to identify the association of dietary patterns with osteoporosis in Korean postmenopausal women from the Korean Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–10. The present cross-sectional analysis included 3735 postmenopausal women who completed a health interview, nutrition survey and a health examination including bone mineral density (BMD) measurements. The general characteristics and dietary intakes of the participants were obtained using a standardised questionnaire and a 24 h recall method, respectively. The BMD of the femoral neck and lumbar spine was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; osteoporosis was defined based on the WHO T-score criteria. Overall, we identified four dietary patterns using factor analysis as follows: ‘meat, alcohol and sugar’, ‘vegetables and soya sauce’, ‘white rice, kimchi and seaweed’ and ‘dairy and fruit’, which accounted for 30·9 % of the total variance in food intake (11·3, 7·7, 6·0 and 5·9 %, respectively). The subjects in the highest quintile of the ‘dairy and fruit’ pattern showed a decreased risk of osteoporosis of the lumbar spine (53 %) compared with those in the lowest quintile, after adjusting for covariates (OR 0·47, 95 % CI 0·35, 0·65, P for trend < 0·0001). In contrast, the ‘white rice, kimchi and seaweed’ dietary pattern was negatively associated with bone health (OR 1·40, 95 % CI 1·03, 1·90, P for trend = 0·0479). The present results suggest that an increased intake of dairy foods and fruits in the traditional Korean diet, based on white rice and vegetables, may decrease the risk of osteoporosis in Korean postmenopausal women.
Optimal incremental relaying in cooperative diversity systems
Authors: Bastami Ali H. , Olfat Ali
Published: April 2013

One of the main drawbacks of cooperative communication systems with half‐duplex relaying is inefficient use of spectrum. Incremental relaying is an effective technique that overcomes this limitation. In this study, for a single‐relay regenerative system, the authors propose a spectrally‐efficient incremental relaying scheme that eliminates redundant relay transmissions such that the error propagation from the relay to the destination is effectively mitigated and the full diversity is achieved. The authors examine the impact of the error propagation on the performance of the system and derive closed‐form expressions for the end‐to‐end symbol error probability (SEP) for different modulation schemes. They also derive an approximate closed‐form expression for the optimal threshold that minimises the end‐to‐end SEP. The high‐signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) analysis demonstrates that this threshold achieves full diversity whereas neither the bandwidth‐consuming cyclic redundancy check code nor the availability of the instantaneous source–relay channel state information at the destination is required in the system. Furthermore, the authors purpose a class of thresholds that are independent of the network geometry and achieve full diversity. The asymptotic behaviour of the system shows that the spectral efficiency for both the optimal and geometry‐independent thresholds in the high‐SNR regime tends to the maximum achievable value.
Vaccinia virus protein K7 is a virulence factor that alters the acute immune response to infection
Authors: Benfield Camilla T. O. , Ren Hongwei , Lucas Stuart J. , Bahsoun Basma , Smith Geoffrey L.
Published: April 2013

Vaccinia virus(VACV) encodes many proteins that antagonize the innate immune system including a family of intracellular proteins with a B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2-like structure. One of these Bcl-2 proteins called K7 binds Toll-like receptor-adaptor proteins and the DEAD-box RNA helicase DDX3 and thereby inhibits the activation of NF-κB and interferon regulatory factor 3. However, the contribution of K7 to virus virulence is not known. Here a VACV lacking theK7Rgene (vΔK7) was constructed and compared with control viruses that included a plaque purified wt (vK7), a revertant with theK7Rgene reinserted (vK7-rev) and a frame-shifted virus in which the translational initiation codon was mutated to prevent K7 protein expression (vK7-fs). Data presented show that loss of K7 does not affect virus replication in cell culture orin vivo; however, viruses lacking the K7 protein were less virulent than controls in murine intradermal (i.d.) and intranasal (i.n.) infection models and there was an altered acute immune response to infection. In the i.d. model, vΔK7 induced smaller lesions than controls, and after i.n. infection vΔK7 induced a reduced weight loss and signs of illness, and more rapid clearance of virus from infected tissue. Concomitantly, the intrapulmonary innate immune response to infection with vΔK7 showed increased infiltration of NK cells and CD8+T-cells, enhanced MHC class II expression by macrophages, and enhanced cytolysis of target cells by NK cells and VACV-specific CD8+T-cells. Thus protein K7 is a virulence factor that affects the acute immune response to infection.
Coenzyme Q10 Regulates Osteoclast and Osteoblast Differentiation
Authors: Moon Ho‐Jin , Ko Wan‐Kyu , Jung Min‐Seo , Kim Jung Ho , Lee Won‐Jun , Park Kyoung‐Sun , Heo Ja‐Kyung , Bang Jae Beum , Kwon Il Keun
Published: April 2013

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a powerful antioxidant, is a key component in mitochondrial bioenergy transfer, generating energy in the form of ATP. Many studies suggest that antioxidants act as inhibitors of osteoclastogenesis and we also have previously demonstrated the inhibitory effect of CoQ10 on osteoclast differentiation. Despite the significance of this effect, the molecular mechanism when CoQ10 is present at high concentrations in bone remodeling still remains to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of CoQ10 on osteoclastogenesis and its impact on osteoblastogenesis at concentrations ranging from 10 to 100 μM. We found that nontoxic CoQ10 markedly attenuated the formation of receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)‐induced tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)‐positive multinucleated cells in both bone‐marrow‐derived monocytes (BMMs) and RAW 264.7 cells. Osteoclastogenesis with CoQ10 was significantly suppressed the gene expression of NFATc1, TRAP, and osteoclast‐associated immunoglobulin‐like receptor, which are genetic markers of osteoclast differentiation and scavenged intracellular reactive oxygen species, an osteoclast precursor, in a dose‐dependent manner. Furthermore, CoQ10 strongly suppressed H2O2‐induced IκBα, p38 signaling pathways for osteoclastogenesis. In bone formation study, CoQ10 acted to enhance the induction of osteoblastogenic biomarkers including alkaline phosphatase, type 1 collagen, bone sialoprotein, osteoblast‐specific transcription factor Osterix, and Runt‐related transcription factor 2 and, also promoted matrix mineralization by enhancing bone nodule formation in a dose‐dependent manner. Together, CoQ10 acts as an inhibitor of RANKL‐induced osteoclast differentiation and an enhancer of bone‐forming osteoblast differentiation. These findings highlight the potential therapeutic applications of CoQ10 for the treatment of bone disease.
Apolipoprotein A‐IV concentrations and clinical outcomes in haemodialysis patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus – a post hoc analysis of the 4D Study
Authors: Kollerits B. , Krane V. , Drechsler C. , Lamina C. , März W. , Ritz E. , Wanner C. , Kronenberg F. ,   The German Diabetes and Dialysis Study Investigators
Published: April 2013

Background

Apolipoprotein A‐IV (apoA‐IV) is an anti‐atherogenic and anti‐oxidative plasma glycoprotein involved in reverse cholesterol transport. The aim of this study was to examine the association between apoA‐IV and all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular endpoints and parameters of protein–energy wasting and nutrition in haemodialysis patients.

Methods

This post hoc analysis was performed in the German Diabetes Dialysis Study (4D Study) evaluating atorvastatin in 1255 haemodialysis patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, followed for a median of 4 years. The association between apoA‐IV and relevant outcomes was analysed using Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. Body mass index (BMI) was used as a marker of protein–energy wasting. In addition, a definition of extended wasting was applied, combining median values of BMI, serum albumin, creatinine and sensitive C‐reactive protein, to classify patients.

Results

Mean (±SD) apoA‐IV concentration was 49.8 ± 14.2 mg dL−1. Age‐ and gender‐adjusted apoA‐IV concentrations were strongly associated with the presence of congestive heart failure at baseline [odds ratio = 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74–0.88 per 10 mg dL−1 increase; P < 0.001). During the prospective follow‐up, the strongest association was found for all‐cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.89, 95% CI 0.85–0.95, P = 0.001), which was mainly because of patients with BMI > 23 kg m−2 (HR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.82–0.94, P < 0.001) and those in the nonwasting group according to the extended definition (HR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.84–0.96, P = 0.001). This association remained significant after additionally adjusting for parameters associated with apoA‐IV at baseline. Further associations were observed for sudden cardiac death. ApoA‐IV was less strongly associated with atherogenic events such as myocardial infarction.

Conclusions

Low apoA‐IV levels seem to be a risk predictor of all‐cause mortality and sudden cardiac death. This association might be modified by nutritional status.
Vagal nerve stimulation protects cardiac injury by attenuating mitochondrial dysfunction in a murine burn injury model
Authors: Lu Xiaojiong , Costantini Todd , Lopez Nicole E. , Wolf Paul L. , Hageny Ann‐Marie , Putnam James , Eliceiri Brian , Coimbra Raul
Published: April 2013

Mitochondria play a central role in the integration and execution of a wide variety of apoptotic signals. In the present study, we examined the deleterious effects of burn injury on heart tissue. We explored the effects of vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) on cardiac injury in a murine burn injury model, with a focus on the protective effect of VNS on mitochondrial dysfunction in heart tissue. Mice were subjected to a 30% total body surface area, full‐thickness steam burn followed by right cervical VNS for 10 min. and compared to burn alone. A separate group of mice were treated with the M3‐muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3‐AchR) antagonist 4‐DAMP or phosphatidylinositol 3 Kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 prior to burn and VNS. Heart tissue samples were collected at 6 and 24 hrs after injury to measure changes in apoptotic signalling pathways. Burn injury caused significant cardiac pathological changes, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, mitochondrial swelling and decrease in myocardial ATP content at 6 and 24 hrs after injury. These changes were significantly attenuated by VNS. VNS inhibited release of pro‐apoptotic protein cytochrome C and apoptosis‐inducing factor from mitochondria to cytosol by increasing the expression of Bcl‐2, and the phosphorylation level of Bad (pBad136) and Akt (pAkt308). These protective changes were blocked by 4‐DAMP or LY294002. We demonstrated that VNS protected against burn injury–induced cardiac injury by attenuating mitochondria dysfunction, likely through the M3‐AchR and the PI3K/Akt signalling pathways.
Anti‐angiogenesis and metastasis: a tumour and stromal cell alliance
Authors: Moserle L. , Casanovas O.
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Tumour progression requires the activation of a tumour and stromal cell‐driven angiogenic programme, and the targeting of this process demonstrates an impact on tumour growth and progression. The results of preclinical studies have demonstrated a proinvasive/metastatic effect of antiangiogenic treatments with recent evidence supporting a contribution of the stroma to tumour aggressiveness and the short‐term effects of antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy. Furthermore, hypoxia‐dependent and ‐independent factors are considered as driving forces for tumour cell escape by altering both the tumour cells themselves and the stroma. This tumour–stromal cell alliance should be taken into consideration for the development of innovative therapeutic options targeting both tumour components to improve clinical benefits for cancer patients.