bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Executive Stock Option Pricing in China Under Stochastic Volatility
Authors: Chong Terence Tai Leung , Ding Yue , Li Yong
Published: April 2015

In this article, on the basis of stochastic volatility (SV) models, we extend the approach of option pricing for executive stock options (ESOs) under FAS 123. Based on this extension, a sample of Chinese listed companies’ ESOs are priced. We analyze the effect of the some important financial variables on the implementation of ESOs. It is found that in China, firms with higher market risk and larger size are likely to have a higher ESO proportion in their executive incentive plans. The effects of the book‐to market ratio, stock price volatility, executive shareholding proportion, and the leverage ratio are also examined. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 35:953–960, 2015
Computation of non‐linear magneto‐electric product properties of 0–3 composites
Authors: Schröder J. , Labusch M. , Keip M.‐A. , Kiefer B. , Brands D. , Lupascu D. C.
Published: April 2015

The magneto‐electric (ME) coupling of multiferroic materials is of high interest for a variety of advanced applications like in data storage or sensor technology. Since the ME coupling of single‐phase multiferroics is too low for technical applications, the manufacturing of composite structures becomes relevant. These composites generate the effective ME coupling as a strain‐induced product property. Several experiments on composite multiferroics showed remarkable ME coefficients that are orders of magnitudes higher than those of single‐phase materials. The present paper investigates the arising effective product properties of two‐phase ME composites by simulating the coupling behavior using a two‐scale finite element (FE2) homogenization approach. By means of this method, microstructures with different volume fractions of the individual phases and associated macroscopic ME coupling coefficients are considered. We investigate the influence of different magnetization states by means of the non‐linear dissipative magnetostriction material model originally established in [1]. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Coordinate‐invariant phase field modeling of ferro‐electrics, part II: Application to composites and poly‐crystals
Authors: Keip M.‐A. , Schrade D. , Thai H. , Schröder J. , Svendsen B. , Müller R. , Gross D.
Published: April 2015

This paper deals with the application of the model presented in the first part Schrade et al. [1] to ferroelectric composites filled with electrically conducting inclusions as well as to ferroelectric polycrystals. Composites are analyzed through the use of a computational homogenization framework for phase field methods proposed in Zäh & Miehe [2]. This will give insights into the coupled phenomena taking place on the microscale and on their relation to the overall behavior. Both will be of special interest for the development of advanced composite materials with tailored properties like, for example, particulate magneto‐electric composites, which are composed of a ferroelectric matrix and magnetic rare‐earth elements or metals. Furthermore, we analyze the behavior of ferroelectric polycrystals with a focus on size effects. This will enable us to reveal preferred microstructure configurations depending on the system and grain size. In addition to that, it will serve as basis for the extraction of the directional properties of polycrystals with respect to their switching behavior in the different grains of the polycrystal. Associated simulations could then be used to supply coarser models with the needed directional informations. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Molecular statics simulations of ferroelectric barium titanate in the rhombohedral phase
Authors: Endres Florian , Steinmann Paul
Published: April 2015

Ferroelectric functional materials improved tremendously over the last decades. Therefore not only the material science regarding material manufacturing but also simulation models and algorithms have been developed further. There are two fundamentally different types of models available. Firstly, particle based models describe material as a discrete particle system. Secondly, continuum mechanics describe material as a continuum. Both continuum mechanics and the particle based methods have their benefits and disadvantages. Still the main disadvantage of particle based methods are the enormous computational costs. In this work the fundamentals of a molecular statics algorithm for the simulation of ferroelectric functional materials are elucidated in order to reduce the computational costs. Furthermore barium titanate has been simulated in order to demonstrate the applicability of the molecular statics algorithm. Since the computational costs of molecular statics are highly reduced compared to other atomistic algorithms larger systems can be calculated more efficiently. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Radiocarbon and Luminescence Age Determinations on Mounds at Crystal River and Roberts Island, Florida, USA
Authors: Pluckhahn T.J. , Hodson A.D. , Rink W.J. , Thompson V.D. , Hendricks R.R. , Doran G. , Farr G. , Cherkinsky A. , Norman S.P.
Published: April 2015

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) has been employed successfully to determine the ages of palaeosols from earthen mounds in the southeastern USA, providing archaeologists with a means of dating monument construction in the absence of carbonaceous materials and geologists with a setting for understanding factors that can affect the luminescence intensity (i.e., burial dose) of soils. However, OSL dating has not been adequately tested on mounds whose principal component is sand, shell, or a combination of these two, despite the fact that monuments composed of such materials are common to the coasts and interior coastal plains of the region. Radiocarbon dating of bone collagen and soil‐carbon and OSL dating of quartz grains extracted from the fill of mounds at the Crystal River and Roberts Island sites on the west‐central coast of Florida, USA are used to determine the timing and history of mound construction at the sites. Comparison of OSL and radiocarbon ages on materials from the same or closely related contexts provides insight into factors influencing age determinations in mound fill deposits, particularly the type of construction material (sand or shell) and the manner in which these were deposited. The results contribute to the understanding of the temporal context of platform mound construction in southeastern USA.
Genetic Analyses Benefit From Using Less Heterogeneous Phenotypes: An Illustration With the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)
Authors: Laurin Charles A. , Hottenga Jouke‐Jan , Willemsen Gonneke , Boomsma Dorret I. , Lubke Gitta H.
Published: April 2015

Phenotypic heterogeneity of depression has been cited as one of the causes of the limited success to detect genetic variants in genome‐wide studies. The 7‐item Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS‐D) was developed to detect depression in individuals with physical health problems. An initial psychometric analysis showed that a short version (“HADS‐4”) is less heterogeneous and hence more reliable than the full scale, and correlates equally strong with a DSM‐oriented depression scale. We compared the HADS‐D and the HADS‐4 to assess the benefits of using less heterogeneous phenotype measures in genetic analyses. We compared HADS‐D and HADS‐4 in three separate analyses: (1) twin‐ and family‐based heritability estimation, (2) SNP‐based heritability estimation using the software GCTA, and (3) a genome‐wide association study (GWAS). The twin study resulted in heritability estimates between 18% and 25%, with additive genetic variance being the largest component. There was also evidence for assortative mating and a dominance component of genetic variance, with HADS‐4 having slightly lower estimates of assortment. Importantly, when estimating heritability from SNPs, the HADS‐D did not show a significant genetic variance component, while for the HADS‐4, a statistically significant amount of heritability was estimated. Moreover, the HADS‐4 had substantially more SNPs with small P‐values in the GWAS analysis than did the HADS‐D. Our results underline the benefits of using more homogeneous phenotypes in psychiatric genetic analyses. Homogeneity can be increased by focusing on core symptoms of disorders, thus reducing the noise in aggregate phenotypes caused by substantially different symptom profiles.
Identification of a chronic non‐neurodegenerative microglia activation state in a mouse model of peroxisomal β‐oxidation deficiency
Authors: Verheijden Simon , Beckers Lien , Casazza Andrea , Butovsky Oleg , Mazzone Massimiliano , Baes Myriam
Published: April 2015

The functional diversity and molecular adaptations of reactive microglia in the chronically inflamed central nervous system (CNS) are poorly understood. We previously showed that mice lacking multifunctional protein 2 (MFP2), a pivotal enzyme in peroxisomal β‐oxidation, persistently accumulate reactive myeloid cells in the gray matter of the CNS. Here, we show that the increased numbers of myeloid cells solely derive from the proliferation of resident microglia and not from infiltrating monocytes. We defined the signature of Mfp2−/− microglia by gene expression profiling after acute isolation, which was validated by quantitative polymerase reaction (qPCR), immunohistochemical, and flow cytometric analysis. The features of Mfp2−/− microglia were compared with those from SOD1G93A mice, an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis model. In contrast to the neurodegenerative milieu of SOD1G93A spinal cord, neurons were intact in Mfp2−/− brain and Mfp2−/− microglia lacked signs of phagocytic and neurotoxic activity. The chronically reactive state of Mfp2−/− microglia was accompanied by the downregulation of markers that specify the unique microglial signature in homeostatic conditions. In contrast, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and downstream glycolytic and protein translation pathways were induced, indicative of metabolic adaptations. Mfp2−/− microglia were immunologically activated but not polarized to a pro‐ or anti‐inflammatory phenotype. A peripheral lipopolysaccharide challenge provoked an exaggerated inflammatory response in Mfp2−/− brain, consistent with a primed state. Taken together, we demonstrate that chronic activation of resident microglia does not necessarily lead to phagocytosis nor overt neurotoxicity. GLIA 2015;63:1606–1620
Serotonin transporter gene polymorphism (5‐HTTLPR) influences trait anxiety by modulating the functional connectivity between the amygdala and insula in Han Chinese males
Authors: Zhang Lin , Liu Ling , Li Xueting , Song Yiying , Liu Jia
Published: April 2015

A functional polymorphism (5‐hydroxytryptamine transporter linked polymorphic region [5‐HTTLPR]) in the promoter region of human serotonin transporter gene has been found to be associated with several dimensions of neuroticism and psychopathology, especially anxiety. However, the neural basis underlying the association between 5‐HTTLPR and anxiety is less clear. Here, we explored how 5‐HTTLPR influenced anxiety by modulating the spontaneous brain activities in Han Chinese. First, we found an association between 5‐HTTLPR and anxiety only in the male and not in the female population, where male S/S homozygotes had a significantly higher level of anxiety than male L allele carriers. Then, we examined how 5‐HTTLPR influenced anxiety at both regional and network levels in the brain at rest. At the regional level, we found a significantly higher fractional amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations in the amygdala in male S/S homozygotes relative to male L allele carriers. At the network level, male S/S homozygotes showed a weaker resting‐state functional connectivity (RSFC) between the amygdala and various regions, including the insula, Heschl's gyrus, lateral occipital cortex, superior temporal gyrus, and hippocampus, and a stronger RSFC between the amygdala and various regions, including the supramariginal gyrus and middle frontal gyrus. However, at both levels, only was the amygdala–insula RSFC correlated with anxiety. Mediation analyses further revealed that the amygdala–insula RSFC mediated the association between 5‐HTTLPR and anxiety. In short, our study provided the first empirical evidence that the amygdala–insula RSFC served as the neural basis underlying the association between 5‐HTTLPR and anxiety, suggesting a potential neurogenetic susceptibility mechanism for anxiety. Hum Brain Mapp 36:2732–2742, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tolerance of early oral feeding in patients subjected to total laryngectomy
Authors: Sousa Alexandre Andrade , Porcaro–Salles José Maria , Soares João Marcos Arantes , Meyer de Moraes Gustavo , Souza Silva Guilherme , Abreu Sepulcri Rafael , Rezende Carvalho Jomar , Savassi–Rocha Paulo Roberto
Published: April 2015

Background

The purpose of this study was to assess the tolerance of early oral feeding after total laryngectomy.

Method

A randomized multicenter study was conducted that included 89 individuals subjected to total laryngectomy. The participants were allocated to 2 groups: early (n = 44), early oral feeding; and late (n = 45), late oral feeding. The participants in the early group were assessed as to acceptance of oral feeding, and their food intake was quantified.

Results

In the early group, the total energy expenditure and protein needs were not met through oral feeding alone at any time during the first 7 postoperative days. The times to attain 25% and 50% of the total energy expenditure and protein needs by oral feeding after surgery were 4 and 7 days, respectively.

Conclusion

The patients subjected to early oral feeding failed to meet their caloric and protein needs through that route alone during the first 4 postoperative days and required complementary nutrition through another route. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E643–E648, 2016
Enhanced liver fibrosis score predicts transplant‐free survival in primary sclerosing cholangitis
Authors: Vesterhus Mette , Hov Johannes Roksund , Holm Anders , Schrumpf Erik , Nygård Ståle , Godang Kristin , Andersen Ina Marie , Næss Sigrid , Thorburn Douglas , Saffioti Francesca , Vatn Morten , Gilja Odd Helge , Lund‐Johansen Fridtjof , Syversveen Trygve , Brabrand Knut , Parés Albert , Ponsioen Cyriel Y. , Pinzani Massimo , Färkkilä Martti , Moum Bjørn , Ueland Thor , Røsjø Helge , Rosenberg William , Boberg Kirsten Muri , Karlsen Tom H.
Published: April 2015

There is a need to determine biomarkers reflecting disease activity and prognosis in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). We evaluated the prognostic utility of the enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) score in Norwegian PSC patients. Serum samples were available from 305 well‐characterized large‐duct PSC patients, 96 ulcerative colitis patients, and 100 healthy controls. The PSC patients constituted a derivation panel (recruited 1992‐2006 [n = 167]; median age 41 years, 74% male) and a validation panel (recruited 2008‐2012 [n = 138]; median age 40 years, 78% male). We used commercial kits to analyze serum levels of hyaluronic acid, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases‐1, and propeptide of type III procollagen and calculated ELF scores by the previously published algorithm. Results were also validated by analysis of ELF tests using the ADVIA Centaur XP system and its commercially available reagents. We found that PSC patients stratified by ELF score tertiles exhibited significantly different transplant‐free survival in both panels (P < 0.001), with higher scores associated with shorter survival, which was confirmed in the validation panel stratified by ELF test tertiles (P = 0.003). The ELF test distinguished between mild and severe disease defined by clinical outcome (transplantation or death) with an area under the curve of 0.81 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73‐0.87) and optimal cutoff of 10.6 (sensitivity 70.2%, specificity 79.1%). In multivariate Cox regression analysis in both panels, ELF score (hazard ratio = 1.9, 95% CI 1.4‐2.5, and 1.5, 95% CI 1.1‐2.1, respectively) was associated with transplant‐free survival independently of the Mayo risk score (hazard ratio = 1.3, 95% CI 1.1‐1.6, and 1.6, 95% CI 1.2‐2.1, respectively). The ELF test correlated with ultrasound elastography in separate assessments. Conclusion: The ELF score is a potent prognostic marker in PSC, independent of the Mayo risk score. (Hepatology 2015;62:188‐197)
Counseling With HEART: A Relationship Violence Prevention Program for College Students
Authors: Hays Danica G. , Michel Rebecca E. , Bayne Hannah B. , Neuer Colburn Anita A. , Smith Myers Jayne
Published: April 2015

Relationship violence is a salient concern on college campuses today, and psychoeducational groups may be an appropriate prevention format. This article describes a study measuring the impact of college student participation in the HEART (Help End Abusive Relationships Today) program, a series of group sessions designed to increase knowledge and awareness of relationship violence. Findings indicated significant changes for group participants postintervention. Implications and recommendations for college counselors are discussed.
The Relationship Between Racial Identity Status Attitudes and Acculturation Among Chinese and Korean Americans: A Criterion Profile Analysis
Authors: Cheng Pei‐Han , Carter Robert T. , Lee Donald Y.
Published: April 2015

This study tested the relationship between racial identity and acculturation among 223 Asian Americans self‐identifying as Chinese American or Korean American. Findings showed within‐group variations among the study participants with regard to their racial identity status attitudes and acculturation. Using criterion profile analysis, the authors found 2 distinctive criterion profiles of racial identity status attitudes that significantly related to higher levels of acculturation among Chinese American and Korean American participants. Implications for multicultural counseling, racial identity, and acculturation research are discussed.

Este estudio puso a prueba la relación entre identidad racial y aculturación entre 223 individuos asiático‐americanos que se identifican a sí mismos como chino‐americanos o coreano‐americanos. Los resultados mostraron variaciones dentro del miso grupo entre los participantes del estudio en cuanto a su aculturación y sus actitudes hacia el estatus de su identidad racial. Usando un análisis de perfil de criterio, los autores encontraron 2 perfiles de criterio distintivos para las actitudes hacia el estatus de identidad racial que estaban relacionados significativamente con niveles más altos de aculturación entre los participantes chino‐americanos y coreano‐americanos. Se discuten las implicaciones para investigaciones sobre consejería multicultural, identidad racial y aculturación.
Counseling Multiple‐Heritage Couples
Authors: Blount Ashley J. , Young Mark E.
Published: April 2015

Multiple‐heritage couples are one of the fastest growing client populations in the United States. These partnerships are defined by intersecting ethnic, racial, linguistic, and religious differences. They are challenged by societal perceptions, stereotypes, and other pressures associated with being in a multiple‐heritage pairing. This article discusses strengths in the multiple‐heritage union brought about by the understanding of diverse viewpoints. Finally, the article identifies specific strategies, such as couples relationship education, to resolve and confront inherent differences.

Las parejas multiculturales son uno de los grupos demográficos de clientes de mayor crecimiento en los Estados Unidos. Este tipo de parejas se define por la intersección de diferencias étnicas, raciales, lingüísticas y religiosas. Sus miembros enfrentan desafíos a causa de las percepciones sociales, los esterotipos y otras presiones asociadas con tener una pareja multicultural. Este artículo discute los puntos fuertes en una unión multicultural, facilitados por la comprensión de puntos de vista diversos. Finalmente, el artículo identifica estrategias específicas, como por ejemplo la educación en relaciones de pareja, para resolver y afrontar las diferencias intrínsecas.
All Too Human: An Application of Nietzsche's Philosophy to the Counseling Profession
Authors: GIVENS JOEL
Published: April 2015

Friedrich Nietzsche's genealogical method offers an investigative tool for exploring value‐laden language in the counseling profession. The genealogical method helps to identify evaluative terms, uncover implicit assumptions, and open possibilities for creative metaphors. The author demonstrates the genealogical method and explores implications for counseling practice and future research.
The Orientation Model: A Dual‐Process Approach to Case Conceptualization
Authors: WILKINSON BRETT D.
Published: April 2015

The orientation model incorporates 4 psychological constructs and empirically informed measures of dispositional tendencies into a single case conceptualization framework. Grounded in the tenets of the dual‐process theory and combined with a matrix for visualizing client‐specific patterns, it provides counselors with significant information on client strengths and limitations before treatment.
Teaching by Design
Authors: Burke Jim
Published: April 2015

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and other state standards have challenged teachers to rethink how they plan units and design their assignments within constraints of time and increasingly diverse classrooms. This article describes the author's efforts to create a coherent, useable set of tools to make his teaching at the unit and daily levels more consistently effective. Through the tools and techniques he discusses here, the author presents the notion of a set of “performances” that serve as a guide for his own class and a means of facilitating important, if sometimes difficult, conversations within English departments about who is teaching what at each grade level. While the notion of these “Essential Performances” is not meant to replace the CCSS or any other set of standards, it is designed to lead to a more coherent progression aligned with the CCSS that allows teachers to collaborate when designing lessons and units to improve instructional consistency and professional collaboration.
Being in the Moment
Authors: Alvermann Donna E.
Published: April 2015

This commentary explores the implications of Douglas Rushkoff's Present Shock: When Everything Happens Now (2013) for teachers and the students they teach. In this, his most recent book, Rushkoff argues that in today's digital world all of us are adversely experiencing the effects of technology's capacity to make everything happen faster and to connect more of us to more information on a daily basis than ever before in the history of humankind. He contends that we have been thrust into an endless state of anxiety due to living in an eternal present (the now in Present Shock’s subtitle). In addressing this assumption, the commentary focuses on three of Rushkoff's key ideas that pinpoint how present shock purportedly manifests itself in contemporary literacy practices: that is, through the collapse of traditional narratives, the perceived need to be in more than one place at the same time, and the tendency to engage in forced or imaginary connections.
Using Retrieval Practice and Metacognitive Skills to Improve Content Learning
Authors: Littrell‐Baez Megan K. , Friend Angela , Caccamise Donna , Okochi Christine
Published: April 2015

Classroom tests have been traditionally used to assess student growth and content mastery. However, a wealth of research in cognitive and educational psychology has demonstrated that retrieval practice (testing) as a form of low‐stakes, rather than traditional high‐stakes testing, can also be used as an effective pedagogical tool, improving long‐term learning, reading comprehension, and metacognition. So, as teachers plan formative assessments to measure their students’ learning, why not design those assessments as retrieval practice activities that simultaneously improve students’ learning as well as assessing it? This article provides recommendations for how teachers can implement retrieval practice in the classroom to assess and optimize content learning.
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles increase plasma glucose via reactive oxygen species‐induced insulin resistance in mice
Authors: Hu Hailong , Guo Qian , Wang Changlin , Ma Xiao , He Hongjuan , Oh Yuri , Feng Yujie , Wu Qiong , Gu Ning
Published: April 2015

There have been few reports about the possible toxic effects of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on the endocrine system. We explored the endocrine effects of oral administration to mice of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles (0, 64 and 320 mg kg–1 body weight per day to control, low‐dose and high‐dose groups, respectively, 7 days per week for 14 weeks). TiO2 nanoparticles were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS), and their physiological distribution was investigated by inductively coupled plasma. Biochemical analyzes included plasma glucose, insulin, heart blood triglycerides (TG), free fatty acid (FFA), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), total cholesterol (TC), tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐6 and reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐related markers (total SOD, GSH and MDA). Phosphorylation of IRS1, Akt, JNK1, and p38 MAPK were analyzed by western blotting. Increased titanium levels were found in the liver, spleen, small intestine, kidney and pancreas. Biochemical analyzes showed that plasma glucose significantly increased whereas there was no difference in plasma insulin secretion. Increased ROS levels were found in serum and the liver, as evidenced by reduced total SOD activity and GSH level and increased MDA content. Western blotting showed that oral administration of TiO2 nanoparticles induced insulin resistance (IR) in mouse liver, shown by increased phosphorylation of IRS1 (Ser307) and reduced phosphorylation of Akt (Ser473). The pathway by which TiO2 nanoparticles increase ROS‐induced IR were included in the inflammatory response and phosphokinase, as shown by increased serum levels of TNF‐α and IL‐6 and increased phosphorylation of JNK1 and p38 MAPK in liver. These results show that oral administration of TiO2 nanoparticles increases ROS, resulting in IR and increasing plasma glucose in mice. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Higher Dietary Calcium Intakes Are Associated With Reduced Risks of Fractures, Cardiovascular Events, and Mortality: A Prospective Cohort Study of Older Men and Women
Authors: Khan Belal , Nowson Caryl A , Daly Robin M , English Dallas R , Hodge Allison M , Giles Graham G , Ebeling Peter R
Published: April 2015

The aim of this population-based, prospective cohort study was to investigate long-term associations between dietary calcium intake and fractures, non-fatal cardiovascular disease (CVD), and death from all causes. Participants were from the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study, which was established in 1990 to 1994. A total of 41,514 men and women (∼99% aged 40 to 69 years at baseline) were followed up for a mean (SD) of 12 (1.5) years. Primary outcome measures were time to death from all causes (n = 2855), CVD-related deaths (n = 557), cerebrovascular disease-related deaths (n = 139), incident non-fatal CVD (n = 1827), incident stroke events (n = 537), and incident fractures (n = 788). A total of 12,097 participants (aged ≥50 years) were eligible for fracture analysis and 34,468 for non-fatal CVD and mortality analyses. Mortality was ascertained by record linkage to registries. Fractures and CVD were ascertained from interview ∼13 years after baseline. Quartiles of baseline energy-adjusted calcium intake from food were estimated using a food-frequency questionnaire. Hazard ratios (HR) and odds ratios (OR) were calculated for quartiles of dietary calcium intake. Highest and lowest quartiles of energy-adjusted dietary calcium intakes represented unadjusted means (SD) of 1348 (316) mg/d and 473 (91) mg/d, respectively. Overall, there were 788 (10.3%) incident fractures, 1827 (9.0%) incident CVD, and 2855 people (8.6%) died. Comparing the highest with the lowest quartile of calcium intake, for all-cause mortality, the HR was 0.86 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76–0.98, ptrend = 0.01); for non-fatal CVD and stroke, the OR was 0.84 (95% CI 0.70–0.99, ptrend = 0.04) and 0.69 (95% CI 0.51–0.93, ptrend = 0.02), respectively; and the OR for fracture was 0.70 (95% CI 0.54–0.92, ptrend = 0.004). In summary, for older men and women, calcium intakes of up to 1348 (316) mg/d from food were associated with decreased risks for fracture, non-fatal CVD, stroke, and all-cause mortality. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Lovastatin‐Mediated Changes in Human Tendon Cells
Authors: Kuzma‐Kuzniarska Maria , Cornell Hannah R. , Moneke Michael C. , Carr Andrew J. , Hulley Philippa A.
Published: April 2015

Statins are among the most widely prescribed drugs worldwide. Numerous studies have shown their beneficial effects in prevention of cardiovascular disease through cholesterol‐lowering and anti‐atherosclerotic properties. Although some statin patients may experience muscle‐related symptoms, severe side effects of statin therapy are rare, primarily due to extensive first‐pass metabolism in the liver. Skeletal muscles appear to be the main site of side effects; however, recently some statin‐related adverse effects have been described in tendon. The mechanism behind these side effects remains unknown. This is the first study that explores tendon‐specific effects of statins in human primary tenocytes. The cells were cultured with different concentrations of lovastatin for up to 1 week. No changes in cell viability or morphology were observed in tenocytes incubated with therapeutic doses. Short‐term exposure to lovastatin concentrations outside the therapeutic range had no effect on tenocyte viability; however, cell migration was reduced. Simvastatin and atorvastatin, two other drug family members, also reduced the migratory properties of the cells. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of lovastatin induced changes in cytoskeleton leading to cell rounding and decreased levels of mRNA for matrix proteins, but increased BMP‐2 expression. Gap junctional communication was impaired but due to cell shape change and separation rather than direct gap junction inhibition. These effects were accompanied by inhibition of prenylation of Rap1a small GTPase. Collectively, we showed that statins in a dose‐dependent manner decrease migration of human tendon cells, alter their expression profile and impair the functional network, but do not inhibit gap junction function. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 2543–2551, 2015. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Cellular Physiology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modeling removal of volatile sulfur compounds in a full‐scale biological air filter
Authors: Liu Dezhao , Feilberg Anders , Hansen Michael Jørgen , Pedersen Claus Lunde , Nielsen Anders Michael
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

H2S and methanethiol, which are important odorants from pig facilities, were unsatisfactorily removed in field biological air filters with short residence time. For a better understanding of the process, this study established a dynamic model for simulation of H2S and methanethiol removal in a three‐stage biological air filter (two stages of biotrickling filter and one stage of biofilter), based on experimental determined mass transfer coefficients and partition coefficients from previous studies.

RESULTS

The maximum biodegradation rates for both H2S and methaetniol were estimated to be relatively low, with differences observed for different stages. Further, H2S removal was also observed to be limited by mass transfer, while other parameters such as active water content, biofilm thickness and diffusion coefficient were also shown to affect model performance, indicating the relevance of proper estimation of these parameters. For methanethiol, on the other hand, the model is mainly limited by maximum biodegradation rate.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the established model can properly simulate the performance of the field biological air filter for the removal of volatile sulfur compounds. Calibration of model parameters in field conditions may further improve the model precision and robustness for predicting performance of the field biological air filter. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Microfinance Institutions' Mission Drift in Macroeconomic Context
Authors: Xu Shufang , Copestake James , Peng Xinman
Published: April 2015

We theoretically discuss the potential macroeconomic influences on microfinance institutions' (MFIs') depth of outreach and provide empirical evidence, using panel analysis, to investigate determinants of average loan balance (ALB) per borrower as a percentage of gross national income per capita, as a proxy indicator for poverty focus or depth of outreach. ALB is found to be positively associated with operational self‐sufficiency, a finding that is consistent with the mission drift hypothesis. But it is also positively associated with the shares in GDP of net foreign direct investment and domestic credit to the private sector. This suggests mission drift is not only associated with MFI‐specific factors but also influenced by macroeconomic context. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantification of liver fat with respiratory‐gated quantitative chemical shift encoded MRI
Authors: Motosugi Utaroh , Hernando Diego , Bannas Peter , Holmes James H. , Wang Kang , Shimakawa Ann , Iwadate Yuji , Taviani Valentina , Rehm Jennifer L. , Reeder Scott B.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

To evaluate free‐breathing chemical shift‐encoded (CSE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for quantification of hepatic proton density fat‐fraction (PDFF). A secondary purpose was to evaluate hepatic R2* values measured using free‐breathing quantitative CSE‐MRI.

Materials and Methods

Fifty patients (mean age, 56 years) were prospectively recruited and underwent the following four acquisitions to measure PDFF and R2*; 1) conventional breath‐hold CSE‐MRI (BH‐CSE); 2) respiratory‐gated CSE‐MRI using respiratory bellows (BL‐CSE); 3) respiratory‐gated CSE‐MRI using navigator echoes (NV‐CSE); and 4) single voxel MR spectroscopy (MRS) as the reference standard for PDFF. Image quality was evaluated by two radiologists. MRI‐PDFF measured from the three CSE‐MRI methods were compared with MRS‐PDFF using linear regression. The PDFF and R2* values were compared using two one‐sided t‐test to evaluate statistical equivalence.

Results

There was no significant difference in the image quality scores among the three CSE‐MRI methods for either PDFF (P = 1.000) or R2* maps (P = 0.359–1.000). Correlation coefficients (95% confidence interval [CI]) for the PDFF comparisons were 0.98 (0.96–0.99) for BH‐, 0.99 (0.97–0.99) for BL‐, and 0.99 (0.98–0.99) for NV‐CSE. The statistical equivalence test revealed that the mean difference in PDFF and R2* between any two of the three CSE‐MRI methods was less than ±1 percentage point (pp) and ±5 s−1, respectively (P < 0.046).

Conclusion

Respiratory‐gated CSE‐MRI with respiratory bellows or navigator echo are feasible methods to quantify liver PDFF and R2* and are as valid as the standard breath‐hold technique. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:1241–1248.
Fast 4D flow MRI intracranial segmentation and quantification in tortuous arteries
Authors: Schrauben Eric , Wåhlin Anders , Ambarki Khalid , Spaak Erik , Malm Jan , Wieben Oliver , Eklund Anders
Published: April 2015

Purpose

To describe, validate, and implement a centerline processing scheme (CPS) for semiautomated segmentation and quantification in carotid siphons of healthy subjects. 4D flow MRI enables blood flow measurement in all major cerebral arteries with one scan. Clinical translational hurdles are time demanding postprocessing and user‐dependence induced variability during analysis.

Materials and Methods

A CPS for 4D flow data was developed to automatically separate cerebral artery trees. Flow parameters were quantified at planes along the centerline oriented perpendicular to the vessel path. At 3T, validation against 2D phase‐contrast (PC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 4D flow manual processing was performed on an intracranial flow phantom for constant flow, while pulsatile flow validation was performed in the internal carotid artery (ICA) of 10 healthy volunteers. The CPS and 4D manual processing times were measured and compared. Flow and area measurements were also demonstrated along the length of the ICA siphon.

Results

Phantom measurements for area and flow were highly correlated between the CPS and 2D measurements (area: R = 0.95, flow: R = 0.94), while in vivo waveforms were highly correlated (R = 0.93). Processing time was reduced by a factor of 4.6 compared with manual processing. Whole ICA measurements revealed a significantly decreased area in the most distal segment of the carotid siphon (P = 0.0017), with flow unchanged (P = 0.84).

Conclusion

This study exhibits fast semiautomated analysis of intracranial 4D flow MRI. Internal consistency was shown through flow conservation along the tortuous ICA siphon, which is typically difficult to assess. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:1458–1464.
Isolation, identification, and characterization of the nematophagous fungus Monacrosporium salinum from China
Authors: Liu Wei , Han Yuan , Wang Bo‐bo , Sun Long‐jie , Chen Ming‐yue , Cai Kui‐zheng , Li Xuan , Zhao Ming‐wang , Xu Chun‐lan , Xu Qiang , Yi Lin‐xin , Wang Hui , Xie De‐qiong , Li Xiao‐shan , Wu Jia‐yan , Yang Jing , Wei Shuan , Li Dan , Chen Chun‐rong , Zheng Tian‐hui , Li Qing , Peng Jian‐wei
Published: April 2015

Nematophagous fungi are considered to have the best potential as biological agents for the control of gastrointestinal nematodes in domestic animals. However, relatively few studies have been conducted with the genus Monacrosporium, especially with strains native to China. In the present study, we isolated and identified nematophagous fungi from fresh sheep feces. A pure fungal strain was molecularly characterized, and its nematophagous activity was evaluated. The morphological plasticity of the isolated strain, as well as its interaction with the nematode targets, was observed by scanning electron microscopy of the infected Trichostrongylus colubriformis L3 and the free‐living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Three isolated fungal strains from the 30 fresh fecal samples of sheep from Inner Mongolia, China exhibited predatory activity; however, only a single strain was successfully purified (SF 0459). The SF 0459 strain was characterized by morphological analysis of its conidia and sequencing of its ITS1–5.8S rDNA–ITS2 region. This strain was identified to be Monacrosporium salinum (GenBank ID: KP036623). Nematophagous fungus helper bacteria were found at the interaction points between fungi and nematodes. The percentage of live T. colubriformis L3 was reduced by 83.79–88.69% based on the in vitro assay.
Long‐term projections of temperature, precipitation and soil moisture using non‐stationary oscillation processes over the UAE region
Authors: Basha Ghouse , Ouarda T. B.M.J. , Marpu P. R.
Published: April 2015

This study discusses the evolution of temperature, precipitation and soil moisture patterns over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) region, which is characterized by hot climate and scarce precipitation. A stochastic model that reproduces non‐stationary oscillation (NSO) processes by utilizing ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) and non‐parametric techniques is used to predict the evolution of temperature, precipitation and soil moisture. The long‐term gridded temperature, precipitation and soil moisture data from the Global Historic Climatic Network, Global Precipitation Climatology Center and Climate Prediction Center are used in this study. The data consists of 65 years of average monthly temperature and soil moisture measurements and 110 years of average monthly precipitation over the UAE. The last 20 years of observations of temperature, precipitation and soil moisture are reserved for the validation of the methodology and the rest of the data is used for prediction. The results show that future long‐term patterns are well captured by the model and hence confirm the potential of the EEMD technique and the NSO resampling (NSOR) modelling process. The model is also used for forecasting the evolution of temperature, precipitation and soil moisture patterns for the next 30 years. This procedure is finally used to produce the spatial patterns of temperature, precipitation and soil moisture. Significant increase in temperature and decrease in precipitation and soil moisture are observed particularly over Abu Dhabi. The spatial map shows strong increase (decrease) in temperature (precipitation and soil moisture) over most of the UAE. The results are quite different for the south eastern part of the UAE. Western parts of the UAE are projected to see larger temperature increases than other parts. The results are coherent with the previous findings over this region.
Seasonal prediction systems based on CCSM3 and their evaluation
Authors: Liu Shan , Wang Huijun
Published: April 2015

In this study, two seasonal scale prediction systems were established based on the Community Climate System Model Version 3 (CCSM3) distributed by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) of the United States . The initialization schemes are different between the two systems: one is based on sea surface temperature and the other is based on ocean assimilation data of the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR). Two sets of hindcasts aiming at summer season (JJA) were generated to verify the predictive ability of the two systems for 1983–2011. The results indicate that both prediction systems perform generally well in predicting sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA), geopotential height fields, and the typical Asian summer monsoon indices. Their prediction skills of the systems for 2‐m air temperature and precipitation are generally confined to the low and middle latitudes. The system based on CFSR ocean assimilation data obtained more accurate results for SSTA, geopotential height fields, and surface weather elements compared with the other system.
Influence of eastern Pacific and central Pacific El Niño events on winter climate extremes over the eastern and central United States
Authors: Ning Liang , Bradley Raymond S.
Published: April 2015

Different influences of the eastern‐Pacific (EP) El Niño and central‐Pacific (CP) El Niño on nine winter extreme indices over the eastern and central United States are examined through composite analysis of high‐resolution daily maximum temperature, minimum temperature, and precipitation for the period 1950–2010. During EP El Niño winters, there are usually more warm days and warm nights, fewer frost days, cold days, and cold nights over the eastern and central United States than in winters with a CP El Niño, especially for the Ohio Valley, around the Great Lakes, and southern New England. For precipitation extremes, compared with CP El Niño, EP El Niño usually brings more extreme precipitation amounts, more days with large precipitation amounts, larger amounts of maximum consecutive 5‐day total precipitation, and a shorter duration of consecutive dry days around the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. The 500 hPa geopotential height anomalies show that wave train patterns differ when the maximum tropical sea surface heating locations are displaced. The corresponding wind field and moisture convergence anomalies are examined to analyse the mechanisms that drive the anomaly fields associated with the two types of El Niño events.
Anti‐influenza virus effects of cocoa
Authors: Kamei Masanori , Nishimura Hiroshi , Takahashi Toshio , Takahashi Nobuaki , Inokuchi Koichi , Mato Takashi , Takahashi Kazuo
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

Cocoa contains biologically active ingredients that have broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity, which includes an inhibitory effect on influenza virus infection.

RESULTS

A cocoa extract (CE) was prepared by treating defatted cocoa powder with boiling water. The extract demonstrated dose‐dependent inhibition of infection in Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells infected with human influenza virus A (H1N1, H3N2), human influenza virus B and avian influenza viruses (H5N1, H5N9). CE inhibited viral adsorption to MDCK cells. Animal experiments showed that CE significantly improved survival in mice after intra‐nasal administration of a lethal dose of influenza virus. In human intervention trials, participants were allocated to two groups, one in which the participants ingested cocoa for 3 weeks before and after vaccination against A(H1N1)pdm2009 influenza virus and another in which the participants did not ingest cocoa. Neutralizing antibody titers against A(H1N1)pdm2009 influenza virus increased significantly in both groups; however, the extent of the increase was not significantly different between the two groups. Although natural killer cell activity was also elevated in both groups, the increase was more substantial in the cocoa intake group.

CONCLUSION

Drinking cocoa activates natural immunity and enhances vaccination‐induced immune response, providing stronger protection against influenza virus infection and disease onset. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects and mechanism of ultrasound pretreatment on rapeseed protein enzymolysis
Authors: Jin Jian , Ma Haile , Wang Weiwei , Luo Min , Wang Bei , Qu Wenjuan , He Ronghai , Owusu John , Li Yunliang
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

The disadvantages which stem from the use of traditional enzymolysis of protein has necessitated the need to employ sweeping frequency and pulsed ultrasound (SFPU) in the pretreatment of rapeseed protein prior to proteolysis in order to bring about improvement in enzymolysis efficiency. Further, in order to determine the mechanism of ultrasound‐accelerated enzymolysis of RP, the effects of SFPU on the kinetics, thermodynamics, molecular conformation and microstructure of RP were investigated.

RESULTS

Kinetic studies showed that SFPU pretreatment on RP improved enzymolysis by decreasing the apparent constant KM significantly (P < 0.05) by 32.8% and reducing the thermodynamic parameters Ea, ΔH and ΔS by 16.6%, 17.7% and 9.2% respectively. Fluorescence spectra revealed that SFPU pretreatment induced molecular unfolding, causing more hydrophobic groups and regions inside the molecules to be exposed to the outside. Circular dichroism analysis indicated that SFPU pretreatment decreased the α‐helix content by 16.1% and increased the random coil content by 3.6%. In addition, scanning electron microscopy showed that SFPU pretreatment increased the specific surface area of RP.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound pretreatment is an efficient method in RP proteolysis to produce peptides through its impact on the molecular conformation and microstructure of proteins. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Fully Integrated Process Control
Authors: Franz Christoph , Ungers Michael
Published: April 2015

Laser beam brazing and welding are well established joining techniques in the automotive industry; in particular for the body in white production. These processes are mainly used to join two‐piece trunk lids as well as to connect the roof and sidewall with a visible seam or to weld doors in steel or aluminum. Hence, the requirements upon the optical appearance of the brazed seams are very high and quality monitoring is essential. In cooperation of Scansonic MI GmbH and Fraunhofer ILT, a first prototype of a fully integrated on‐line process control system has been developed — SCeye.