bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LIFE AFTER SUPPORTED HOUSING: A CASE SERIES OF FORMERLY HOMELESS CLIENTS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS‐SUPPORTIVE HOUSING (HUD‐VASH) PROGRAM 20 YEARS LATER
Authors: Tsai Jack , Klee Anne , Remmele John , Harkness Laurie
Published: October 2015

This article presents a case series of three formerly homeless clients who were in the Housing and Urban Development‐Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD‐VASH) program 20 years ago and describes their progress since. Clients were identified from a 1992 client roster at one of the original HUD‐VASH sites. Clients were interviewed and their medical records were reviewed. The case studies were characterized as “sustained involvement in subsidized housing,” “successful discharge followed by re‐engagement,” and “case management more important than the voucher.” These cases illustrate that, first, long‐term success in supported housing has not been defined, but perhaps social integration and self‐sufficiency should be a focus. Second, mental health and substance abuse treatment appear to be important in long‐term client success, but when and how they should be promoted remains unclear. Last, case management services may represent a crucial and necessary form of support for clients in supported housing programs.
FROM ISOLATION TO COMMUNITY: EXPLORATORY STUDY OF A SENSE‐OF‐COMMUNITY INTERVENTION
Authors: O'Connor Brendan
Published: October 2015

This exploratory pilot study analyzes the role a facilitated neighborhood intervention, geared towards meeting one's neighbors and discussing local needs and civic action, can play in moving individuals from isolation to community. It focuses on whether NeighborCircles (NC), a neighborhood intervention run by a nonprofit in Massachusetts, is associated with increases in social capital (SC); the main constructs used are Perkins and Long's (2002) 4 dimensions of SC (sense of community [SOC], collective efficacy, neighboring, and participation), with a primary focus on SOC. Surveys and interviews with a majority Latino sample group reveal NC is associated with reported increases in all 4 dimensions of SC. The author concludes by considering what may have led to these reported increases, as well as implications for both future research about and experimentation with similar interventions.
STIGMA AND THE SYNDEMIC OF HIV‐RELATED HEALTH RISK BEHAVIORS IN A DIVERSE SAMPLE OF TRANSGENDER WOMEN
Authors: Operario Don , Yang Mei‐Fen , Reisner Sari L. , Iwamoto Mariko , Nemoto Tooru
Published: October 2015

This study examined HIV‐related health risk behaviors–unprotected anal intercourse, alcohol intoxication, and drug use–and their association with stigma in a sample of transgender women. We conducted a cross‐sectional survey of 191 transgender women recruited through purposive sampling in San Francisco, CA. Unprotected anal intercourse, alcohol intoxication, and illicit drug use were significantly intercorrelated, suggesting the presence of a “syndemic” among these HIV‐related behavioral health risks. In multivariable analyses controlling for sociodemographic and individual health characteristics, stigma was independently associated with greater levels of unprotected anal intercourse, illicit drug use, and a composite index of the 3 risk behaviors. Findings highlight a need for interventions to address stigma and the social context of unprotected sex, alcohol intoxication, and drug use, which may contribute to HIV risk among transgender women.
THE RELATION BETWEEN RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS FOR PROBLEM BEHAVIORS AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS, ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR, AND ALCOHOL USE IN ADOLESCENCE
Authors: Monahan Kathryn C. , Oesterle Sabrina , Rhew Isaac , Hawkins J. David
Published: October 2015

Both externalizing and internalizing psychopathology increase throughout adolescence and a similar set of risk and protective factors may underlie depressive symptoms, antisocial behavior, and alcohol use. Analyses test how risk and protective factors for externalizing behavior in community, school, family, peer, and individual domains are related to depressive symptoms, antisocial behavior, and alcohol use concurrently and longitudinally in a sample of 2,002 students assessed in 8th and 10th grades (52% male; 58% Caucasian). Findings indicate that risk and protective factors for antisocial behavior and alcohol use are also associated with depressive symptoms, both concurrently and longitudinally. Prevention approaches that target risk and protective factors for externalizing problems may have crossover effects on depressive symptoms during adolescence.
HOW MANY IMPULSIVITIES? A DISCOUNTING PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Green Leonard , Myerson Joel
Published: October 2015

People discount the value of delayed and uncertain outcomes, and how steeply individuals discount is thought to reflect how impulsive they are. From this perspective, steep discounting of delayed outcomes (which fails to maximize long‐term welfare) and shallow discounting of probabilistic outcomes (which fails to adequately take risk into account) reflect the same trait of impulsivity. Despite the fact that a hyperboloid function describes the discounting of both delayed and probabilistic outcomes, there is considerable evidence that the two kinds of discounting involve different processes as well as separate impulsivity traits. Several manipulations differentially affect delay and probability discounting, and correlational studies show that how steeply one discounts delayed rewards is relatively independent of how steeply one discounts probabilistic rewards. Moreover, people's discounting of delayed money and health outcomes are uncorrelated as are discounting of real, consumable rewards and hypothetical money. These results suggest that even within delay discounting, there may be multiple ‘impulsivities,’ each of which may be important for understanding a different aspect of decision making. Taken together, the pattern of findings reviewed here argues for a more nuanced view of impulsivity than that which is usually assumed in discounting research.
SOCIAL DISCOUNTING AND THE PRISONER'S DILEMMA GAME
Authors: Locey Matthew L. , Safin Vasiliy , Rachlin Howard
Published: October 2015

Altruistic behavior has been defined in economic terms as “…costly acts that confer economic benefits on other individuals” (Fehr & Fischbacher, 2003). In a prisoner's dilemma game, cooperation benefits the group but is costly to the individual (relative to defection), yet a significant number of players choose to cooperate. We propose that people do value rewards to others, albeit at a discounted rate (social discounting), in a manner similar to discounting of delayed rewards (delay discounting). Two experiments opposed the personal benefit from defection to the socially discounted benefit to others from cooperation. The benefit to others was determined from a social discount function relating the individual's subjective value of a reward to another person and the social distance between that individual and the other person. In Experiment 1, the cost of cooperating was held constant while its social benefit was varied in terms of the number of other players, each gaining a fixed, hypothetical amount of money. In Experiment 2, the cost of cooperating was again held constant while the social benefit of cooperating was varied by the hypothetical amount of money earned by a single other player. In both experiments, significantly more participants cooperated when the social benefit was higher.
Discharge against medical advice: How often do we intervene?
Authors: Edwards Jason , Markert Ronald , Bricker Dean
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

Discharges against medical advice (AMA) occur in 1% to 2% of hospital stays and are associated with increased morbidity, readmission rates, and 30‐day mortality. Risk factors associated with AMA have been investigated, but interventions at the time of discharge have not been carefully examined.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of adult patients discharged AMA over a 2‐year period from the general medical service of a university‐affiliated tertiary care hospital. We assessed for presence of documentation addressing informed consent, patient decision‐making capacity, health literacy, follow‐up plans, whether medications were prescribed, and whether any warning indicators of impending AMA were apparent.

RESULTS

Two hundred ninety‐one records were reviewed. AMA notes were present in 276 (94.8%) charts. Notes were authored by physicians in 163 (59.1%) and nurses in 110 (37.8%) encounters. Informed consent was present in 88 (30.2%) charts, mentioned in the note but not present in the chart in 111 (38.1%), and not signed in 92 (31.6%) charts. Decision‐making capacity and health literacy were documented in 108 (37.1%) and 75 (25.8%) records, respectively. Warning of impending AMA was present in 217 (74.6%) charts. Medications prescribed and follow‐up plans were documented in 71 (24.4%) and 91 (31.3%) charts, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Advance warning of impending AMA is often present, yet only a minority of cases have prescription of medications or development of follow‐up plans. Medical documentation of AMA dispositions is frequently inadequate, suggesting missed opportunities to intervene as well as suboptimal medicolegal scenarios. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:574–577. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine
An evidence‐based toolkit for the development of effective and sustainable root cause analysis system safety solutions
Authors: Hettinger A. Zachary , Fairbanks Rollin J. , Hegde Sudeep , Rackoff Alexandra S. , Wreathall John , Lewis Vicki L. , Bisantz Ann M. , Wears Robert L.
Published: October 2015

Root cause analysis (RCA) after adverse events in healthcare is a standard practice at many institutions. However, healthcare has failed to see a dramatic improvement in patient safety over the last decade. In order to improve the RCA process, this study used systems safety science, which is based partly on human factors engineering principles and has been applied with success in other high‐risk industries like aviation. A multi‐institutional dataset of 334 RCA cases and 782 solutions was analyzed using qualitative methods. A team of safety science experts developed a model of 13 RCA solutions categories through an iterative process, using semi‐structured interview data from 44 frontline staff members from 7 different hospital‐based unit types. These categories were placed in a model and toolkit to help guide RCA teams in developing sustainable and effective solutions to prevent future adverse events. This study was limited by its retrospective review of cases and use of interviews rather than clinical observations. In conclusion, systems safety principles were used to develop guidelines for RCA teams to promote systems‐level sustainable and effective solutions for adverse events.
Determining hospital risk management staffing through analytics
Authors: Howard Chrystina M. , Felton Kenneth W.
Published: October 2015

This article presents the development of an independent research project to gather time data from hospital risk managers in order to establish an objective, justifiable means of determining staffing levels recommended to support risk management activities and department functions.
Reversing the Telescope: Evaluating NGO Peer Regulation Initiatives
Authors: Crack Angela M.
Published: October 2015

This article investigates perceptions of the extent to which non‐governmental organization (NGO) peer regulation initiatives have been effective in enhancing accountability in the humanitarian sector. It is based upon semi‐structured interviews with individuals with responsibility for accountability policy from leading NGOs and focuses on two of the best‐known initiatives: Humanitarian Accountability Partnership and Sphere. It finds that the initiatives have prompted positive changes in practice, but there are significant concerns about their deleterious impacts. Participants describe a host of challenges, including the tendency of peer regulation to become excessively bureaucratic and labour intensive. They cast some doubt on the potential of the initiatives to assist NGOs to be more accountable to affected communities. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of near infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy to identify potential PSE meat
Authors: Li Xiao , Feng Fang , Gao Runze , Wang Lu , Qian Ye , Li Chunbao , Zhou Guanghong
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

Pale, soft and exudative (PSE) meat is a quality problem that causes a large economic loss to the pork industry. In the present work, near infrared (NIR) quantification and identification methods were used to investigate the feasibility of differentiating potential PSE meat from normal meat.

RESULTS

NIR quantification models were developed to estimate meat pH and colour attributes (L*, a*, b*). Promising results were reported for prediction of muscle pH (R2CV = 70.10%, RPDCV = 1.83) and L* (R2CV = 77.18%, RPDCV = 1.91), but it is still hard to promote to practical application at this level. The Factorisation Method applied to NIR spectra could differentiate potential PSE meat from normal meat at 3 h post‐mortem. Correlation analysis showed significant relationship between NIR data and LF‐NMR T2 components that were indicative of water distribution and mobility in muscle. PSE meat had unconventionally faster energy metabolism than normal meat, which caused greater water mobility.

CONCLUSION

NIR spectra coupled with the Factorisation Method could be a promising technology to identify potential PSE meat. The difference in the intensity of H2O absorbance peaks between PSE and normal meat might be the basis of this identification method. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Prognostic analysis in a Chinese population with T1‐2N1 breast cancer: Did patients with 1 or 2, and 3 positive axillary lymph nodes have similar survival outcomes?
Authors: Shen Honghong , Yuan Jinyang , Yang Yang , Liu Xiaozhen , Wang Li , Feng Xiaolong , Zhao Lin , Niu Yun
Published: October 2015

Background and Objectives

There is a paucity of data examining whether 1–3 positive lymph nodes patients have similar survival outcomes. The present studies separately analyse survival outcomes of T1‐2N1 breast cancer patients according to the number of positive lymph nodes.

Methods

A total of 1,030 patients with T1‐2N1 breast cancer were available for analysis. Survival estimates were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method, univariate, and multivariate logistic regression models

Results

Kaplan–Meier analysis showed progressively worse survival with the increased number of positive lymph nodes. Log‐rank test P values were 0.003 (1 vs. 2 positive LNs), <0.0001 (1 vs. 3), and 0.006 (2 vs. 3) for recurrence‐free survival (RFS). Log–rank test P values were 0.045 (1 vs. 2), <0.0001 (1 vs. 3), and 0.018 (2 vs. 3) for metastasis‐free survival (MFS). Log‐rank test P values were 0.101 (1 vs. 2), <0.0001 (1 vs. 3), and 0.005 (2 vs. 3) for overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis showed that 3 and 2 positive lymph nodes had worse survival compared with 1 positive axillary lymph nodes.

Conclusions

Our study does suggest that T1‐2N1 patients showed progressively worse survival outcomes with the increased number of positive lymph nodes. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015;112:569–574. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exploring Interorganizational Learning: a Review of the Literature and Future Directions
Authors: Mariotti Francesca
Published: October 2015

The concept of learning in networks has received scant attention within extant theories. Where learning has been applied to networks, different terms have emerged, which have generated confusion and prevented a full understanding of its complex and processual nature. Most importantly, the literature tends to focus either on the learning of single actors rather than the collaboration processes among a group of firms or on the mechanistic processes through which learning is stored at the network level. The paper attempts to make sense of current and past conceptualizations of learning both at the organizational and network levels and provides new insights into how interorganizational learning may be further explored. Interorganizational learning is indeed a complex phenomenon, and future scholars should pay more attention to the underlying processes that constitute it and its multilevel nature. Three interrelated processes are proposed here: learning to collaborate, learning to share knowledge, and learning to create interorganizational knowledge. These processes constitute the building blocks through which interorganizational learning occurs and can be regarded as “deutero” learning processes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Drake Lisa A.
Published: October 2015

KAISER, MICHEL J., MARTIN J. ATTRILL, SIMON JENNINGS, DAVID N. THOMAS, DAVID K.A. BARNES, ANDREW S. BRIERLEY, NICHOLAS V.C. POLUNIN, DAVID G. RAFFAELLI, and PETER J. le B. WILLIAMS. 2005. Marine Ecology: Processes, Systems, and Impacts. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978–0–19–924975–6 (paperback) xxi + 557 p. US $50.
Passive sampling method for high‐resolution concentration and isotopic composition of dissolved methane in Arctic lakes
Authors: Goldman Amy E. , Cadieux Sarah B. , White Jeffrey R. , Pratt Lisa M.
Published: October 2015

Lakes are important sources of methane (CH4), accounting for 6–16% of natural global CH4 emissions annually. Vertical spatial resolution of CH4 sampling in the water column of lakes is limited because of physical dimensions of sampling devices and sampling‐induced mixing. To improve pool‐size estimates of carbon, diffusive flux calculations for CH4, and detailed mechanistic understanding of CH4 dynamics in lakes, more precise vertical profiles of dissolved gases through the water column are vital. We investigate the use of commercially available passive diffusion bags (PDBs) to obtain highly resolved (0.5‐m increments) vertical profiles of dissolved CH4 concentrations and isotopic composition (δ13
). Laboratory experiments determined PDB equilibration time was between 5 d and 9 d for both CH4 concentration and δ13
. During July 2013, PDBs were deployed at intervals of 0.5‐m depth for 5 d in two lakes located < 5 km from the southwestern margin of the Greenland ice cap. Data from PDB samples were compared with samples collected using a submersible, electric pump. In both lakes, PDB and pump samples yielded vertical profiles for CH4 concentration and δ13
that were in close agreement (CH4 concentration R2 = 0.998, p < 0.001; δ13
R2 = 0.970, p < 0.001). Overall agreement between PDB and pump samples verifies the applicability of the PDB approach to dissolved CH4 sampling. High‐vertical resolution sampling of dissolved gas concentrations and isotopic composition using PDBs can provide more accurate estimates of pool sizes and diffusive fluxes that advance understanding of production, consumption, and emission processes controlling trace gas dynamics in lacustrine environments under warming climate.
Durability properties of concrete with blended cements
Authors: Bjegovic D. , Stirmer N. , Serdar M.
Published: October 2015

The study of chloride‐induced corrosion started more than three decades ago, after extensive cases of damage were observed on reinforced concrete structures in coastal regions and on infrastructural objects exposed to salt action. Nowadays, the basis for sustainable concrete industry lies in these three aspects: reducing CO2 emissions by using by‐products of other industries (slag, fly ash, silica fume) for cement production, conservation of natural resources by replacing part of the aggregate with recycled construction waste, as well as use of recycled water in concrete production, and finally, construction of durable concrete structures. Durability design procedures for reinforced concrete structures in aggressive environments are still to a large extent empirical, especially in the case of using blended cements. The type of cement has a considerable effect on the properties of concrete, especially concrete resistance to the penetration of chloride ions. The paper presents results of testing durability and deformational properties of concrete produced with quaternary‐blended cement. A clearer insight into these properties is a necessary starting point for the performance‐based design of concrete prepared with blended cements, leading to more durable and corrosion‐free concrete structures in aggressive environments.
Specification and site control of the permeability of the cover concrete: The Swiss approach
Authors: Torrent R. , Denarié E. , Jacobs F. , Leemann A. , Teruzzi T.
Published: October 2015

It is recognized that most damage to reinforced concrete structures is caused by insufficient durability rather than by low strength. In most cases, the quality and thickness of the cover concrete (“covercrete”) determine the service life of the structure. Since the quality of the covercrete is influenced, not only by the mix composition, but also by the placing and curing conditions, it is appropriate to measure the achieved properties on the structure rather than just on separately cast specimens. Swiss Standard SIA 262 on “Concrete Construction” recommends checking the “impermeability” of the cover concrete on site. With that aim, a non‐destructive method to measure the air‐permeability on site has been standardized (SIA 262/1 Annex E). A team of Swiss experts was appointed by the Swiss Federal Highway Administration (ASTRA) to prepare recommendations for specifying, measuring, and assessing the conformity of the air‐permeability kT. This paper describes these recommendations covering: (a) specification of limiting values of kT as function of the exposure class; (b) sampling of the measurement points; (c) testing (including suitable temperature and moisture conditions); (d) evaluation of conformity with specified values; (e) expected impact on service life.
Micro structural analysis – An essential tool for diagnosis of concrete deterioration and choice of repair strategy
Authors: Hansen T. S. , Frederiksen J. M.
Published: October 2015

The paper is a review of a 25 years long record with analyses of thin sections and fluorescein impregnated sections (slabs) as tools to characterize initial concrete quality and causes of deterioration of concrete of various qualities and suffering from various deleterious actions – primarily in Denmark. The paper demonstrates the world of opportunities and the advantages of the applied techniques by various examples from practice, covering early frost action, freeze–thaw attack, alkali‐silica reactions, acidic attack, exposure to fire, quality control of repairs, and defects in the construction phase, etc. Also the limitations of the methods are discussed.
Degradation of reinforced concrete: Some lessons from research and practice
Authors: Page C. L.
Published: October 2015

This paper is based on an invited contribution to the International RILEM Workshop on ‘Present and Future Durability Challenges of Reinforced Concrete Structures’ held in Zürich on 17–18 April 2012. It records the author's experience of lessons learnt over the past 40 years from research and practical investigations that have been made into various problems associated with the degradation of reinforced and pre‐stressed concrete structures. It highlights some of the main difficulties that are associated with accelerated testing and modelling of very long‐term degradation phenomena such as those involved in corrosion of steel in concrete, alkali–silica reaction and the thaumasite form of sulphate attack.
Impedance spectroscopy studies of electroless Ni–P matrix, Ni–W–P, Ni–P–ZrO2, and Ni–W–P–ZrO2 coatings exposed to 3.5% NaCl solution
Authors: Stankiewicz A. , Masalski J. , Szczygieł B.
Published: October 2015

Ni–P matrix, ternary Ni–W–P and Ni–P–ZrO2 coatings, and quaternary Ni–W–P–ZrO2 coatings were deposited using electroless method from a glycine bath. Their corrosion resistance was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) for various immersion times in a 3.5% NaCl solution. From among the investigated coatings, the ternary Ni–W–P coatings show the highest resistance to corrosion in the first hour of exposure to the 3.5% NaCl medium. An addition of ZrO2 adversely affects the performance of both the Ni–P coatings and the Ni–W–P coatings. For all the coatings, including the ones containing tungsten, a marked decrease in pore resistance (Rpor) over time is observed. This means that their corrosion resistance and capacity to protect the substrate decline. On the other hand, after 24 h immersion in the 3.5% NaCl solution the Ni–W–P coating shows the highest low‐frequency impedance modulus (|Z|f = 0.01 Hz). As regards corrosion resistance, the Ni–P coatings and the Ni–W–P coatings perform best.
Determinants of Community‐Based Sponsorship Impact on Self‐Congruity
Authors: Quester Pascale , Plewa Carolin , Palmer Karen , Mazodier Marc
Published: October 2015

Sponsors increasingly shift from large professional to community‐based properties, as these can deliver an engaged audience and enable them to demonstrate their corporate social responsibility (CSR). This research comprises two studies and shows that community‐based sponsorship may improve CSR image and, in turn, self‐congruity, a key determinant of consumer behavior. Study 1 investigates perceived sponsor–club fit, confirming attitude and corporate positioning similarity as relevant predictors. Importantly, CSR image similarity does not impact fit, suggesting sponsorship opportunities for organizations independent of their initial CSR image. Study 2 shows perceived sponsor CSR image to mediate the relationship between the perceptions of a community‐based property's CSR image and consumers' self‐congruity with the sponsor. While perceived sponsor–club fit and sponsorship awareness moderate the relationship between property and sponsor CSR image, attitudes toward CSR moderate the association between sponsor CSR and self‐congruity. The paper concludes with implications and future research directions.
The effect of melt quality and quenching temperature on the Weibull distribution of tensile properties in aluminium alloys
Authors: Tan E. , Tarakcilar A. R. , Dispinar D.
Published: October 2015

In this study, the effect of melt quality and quenching temperature on the mechanical properties of 2024, 6063 and 7075 was investigated. The alloys were produced by Strain Induced Melt Activated (SIMA) method. T6 heat treatment was carried out by quenching in two different temperatures: 20 °C and 80 °C. Scanning electron microscope analyses were carried out on the fracture surfaces. In addition, reduced pressure tests were carried out to correlate the mechanical test results with metal quality. The results were analysed by Weibull statistics. It was found that samples quenched at 80 °C showed better mechanical properties and there was a good correlation between bifilm index and Weibull distributions.
The LapG protein plays a role in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation by controlling the presence of the CdrA adhesin on the cell surface
Authors: Rybtke Morten , Berthelsen Jens , Yang Liang , Høiby Niels , Givskov Michael , Tolker‐Nielsen Tim
Published: October 2015

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a clinically relevant species involved in biofilm‐based chronic infections. We provide evidence that the P. aeruginosa LapG protein functions as a periplasmic protease that can cleave the protein adhesin CdrA off the cell surface, and thereby plays a role in biofilm formation and biofilm dispersal. The P. aeruginosa LapG protein is shown to be a functional homolog of the Pseudomonas putida LapG protein which has previously been shown to function as a periplasmic protease that targets the surface adhesin LapA. Transposon mutagenesis and characterization of defined knockout mutants provided evidence that the CdrA adhesin is a target of LapG in P. aeruginosa. A wspF lapG double mutant was hyper‐aggregating and hyper biofilm forming, whereas a wspF lapG cdrA triple mutant lost these phenotypes. In addition, western blot detection of CdrA in culture supernatants and whole‐cell protein fractions showed that CdrA was retained in the whole‐cell protein fraction when LapG was absent, whereas it was found in the culture supernatant when LapG was present. The finding that CdrA is a target of LapG in P. aeruginosa is surprising because CdrA has no homology to LapA.
Decreased expression and frequent promoter hypermethylation of RASSF2 and RASSF6 correlate with malignant progression and poor prognosis of gastric cardia adenocarcinoma
Authors: Guo Wei , Dong Zhiming , Guo Yanli , Shen Supeng , Guo Xin , Kuang Gang , Yang Zhibin
Published: October 2015

The RAS‐association domain family (RASSF) consists of 10 members, and several members act as tumor suppressor genes and epigenetically inactivated in different tumor types. The present study investigated the role and methylation status of RASSF2, RASSF3, RASSF4, and RASSF6 in the pathogenesis and prognosis of GCA. Quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) methods were used respectively to detect the expression of RASSF2, RASSF3, RASSF4, and RASSF6 in 135 GCA cases and BS–MSP method was used to clarify the methylation status of these four genes. Decreased mRNA and protein expression of RASSF2, RASSF3, RASSF4, and RASSF6 were detected in GCA tumor tissues. Aberrant CpG island methylation of RASSF2, RASSF4, and RASSF6 were detected in GCA tumor tissues and were inversely correlated with the expression levels of these genes. Both of RASSF2 and RASSF6 expression and methylation were associated with TNM stage, depth of invasion, LN metastasis, distant metastasis or recurrence, and UGIC family history. GCA patients with simultaneous negative protein expression of RASSF2 and RASSF6 or with simultaneous methylation of both genes demonstrated poor patient survival. These results suggest that down‐regulation of RASSF2, RASSF3, RASSF4, and RASSF6 is a tumor‐specific phenomenon and the inactivation of RASSF2 and RASSF6 may be associated with tumor progression. Inactivation of RASSF2, RASSF4, and RASSF6 through CpG island methylation may play important roles in GCA carcinogenesis. A combination of RASSF2 and RASSF6 expression or hypermethylation may serve as useful prognostic biomarker for GCA. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MAPK7 gene controls proliferation, migration and cell invasion in osteosarcoma
Authors: Tesser‐Gamba Francine , Lopes Luana Joyce da Silva , Petrilli Antonio Sergio , Toledo Silvia Regina Caminada
Published: October 2015

Osteosarcomas (OS) are the most common malignant bone tumors, and the identification of useful tumor biomarkers and target proteins is required to predict the clinical outcome of patients and therapeutic response as well as to develop novel therapeutic strategies. In our previous study, MAPK7 has been identified as a candidate oncogene, and a promising prognostic marker for OS. Sequential activation of protein kinases within the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades is a common mechanism of signal transduction in many cellular processes. In this study, we investigated the behavior of MAPK7 gene in OS cell lines. Technical viability, proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were used to evaluate the function of the MAPK7 gene. We evaluated the behavior of the OS cells with MAPK7 gene silenced, not silenced, and exposed to the main chemotherapy drugs used in OS treatment. We found that silenced MAPK7 gene is effective at suppressing cell proliferation, inhibiting cell migration, and invasion. Furthermore, MAPK7 is an important activator of transcription factors and is the main expression modulator of other key genes in the MAPK pathway. In summary, our study suggests that MAPK7 might be a promising therapeutic target for OS. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lidar observations of flow variability over complex terrain
Authors: Barkwith A. , Collier C. G.
Published: October 2015

This paper examines one way in which remote sensing instrumentation can be used to advance our understanding of the interactions between complex terrain and the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). When mean flow speed is of moderate strength and the ABL is stable, mechanical effects will dominate thermal effects in modifying flow speed and direction. Boundary layer measurements were made using the scanning Salford 10 µm pulsed CO2 Doppler lidar during the 2005 Convective Storm Initiation Project (CSIP), above the heterogeneous orography that surrounds Faccombe, Hampshire, UK. A new method of detecting boundary layer flow perturbations was developed and successfully applied to the lidar data, giving a clearer insight into flow modification that occurs above complex terrain. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Combining satellite data and models to estimate cloud radiative effect at the surface and in the atmosphere
Authors: Allan Richard P.
Published: October 2015

Satellite measurements and numerical forecast model reanalysis data are used to compute an updated estimate of the cloud radiative effect on the global multi‐annual mean radiative energy budget of the atmosphere and surface. The cloud radiative cooling effect through reflection of short wave radiation dominates over the long wave heating effect, resulting in a net cooling of the climate system of − 21 Wm−2. The short wave radiative effect of cloud is primarily manifest as a reduction in the solar radiation absorbed at the surface of − 53 Wm−2. Clouds impact long wave radiation by heating the moist tropical atmosphere (up to around 40 Wm−2 for global annual means) while enhancing the radiative cooling of the atmosphere over other regions, in particular higher latitudes and sub‐tropical marine stratocumulus regimes. While clouds act to cool the climate system during the daytime, the cloud greenhouse effect heats the climate system at night. The influence of cloud radiative effect on determining cloud feedbacks and changes in the water cycle are discussed. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Compact band notched ultra‐wideband antenna using the Hilbert‐curve slot
Authors: Kim Dang Oh , Kim Che Young , Park Jeung Keun , Jo Nam I.
Published: October 2015

A compact band notched ultra‐wideband (UWB) antenna with the Hilbert‐curve slot (HCS) is proposed. By introducing the HCS on the UWB antenna, a compact size and the frequency notch function can be simultaneously obtained. On imprinting the HCS on the UWB antenna, the notched 5 GHz wireless local area network (WLAN) band was realized. As for the HCS implementation, we make use of the third iteration order Hilbert‐curve. Numerical simulations and measurements for the proposed antenna demonstrate that the presented methodology is accurate and efficient to design the compact band notched UWB antenna. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:2642–2648, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26348
Compact dual‐mode bandpass filter using defected step‐impedance shunt stub
Authors: Liu Haiwen , Zhang Zhichong , Shen Li , Wan Jing , Shi Liyun , Guan Xuehui
Published: October 2015

A miniaturized bandpass filter (BPF) using dual‐mode defected ground waveguide (DGW) resonator is developed in this letter.The technique with defected step‐impedance shunt stub is applied to enhance the self‐inductance and self‐capacitance of the DGW loop resonator which leads to size reduction. Compared to the conventional design, the central frequency is reduced by 48%. A good agreement between simulation and measurement verifies the validity of this design methodology. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:2673–2676, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop26362
A Novel Transposed Uniform Cross‐Correlation Modified Prime Code for Enhancement of Capacity and Spectral Efficiency of Networks
Authors: Zoualfaghari M. H. , Ghafouri‐Shiraz H.
Published: October 2015

A novel codes set is proposed based on the Uniform Cross‐Correlation Modified Prime Code (UCMPC), hereby referred to as Transposed UCMPC (T‐UCMPC). This code set offers higher capacity, better spectral efficiency, lower bit error rate and higher security as compared with the other existing prime codes. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:2952–2955, 2013
Generating a Reconfigurable Notch Band for Planar UWB Monopole Antennas
Authors: Sun Xiaolei L. , Cheung S.W. , Yuk T.I.
Published: October 2015

A technique to generate a reconfigurable notch band for planar ultrawideband (UWB) monopole antennas with microstrip‐fed is proposed and studied. The antenna uses an elliptical radiator with a tapered microstrip feed line to achieve a wide bandwidth from 3.1 to over 10.6 GHz. A resonator implemented using meander‐defected‐ground structure (meander‐DGS) is etched on the ground plane to generate a notch band to suppress unwanted interference in the frequency band of 5.15–5.825 GHz from the unwanted IEEE 802.11a/n wireless‐local‐area‐network (WLAN) systems. To achieve tunability for the notch band, a varactor is loaded on the DGS to control the resonance frequency. The tuning performance, in terms of reflection coefficient, radiation pattern, efficiency and gain, of the antenna is studied using simulation and measurement. Results show that the notch band can be tuned continuously from 5.2 to 6.32 GHz for the WLAN bands. The feeding cable used in measurement causes substantial discrepancies between the simulated and measured results. To study the cable effects, a simulation model for the feeding cable is included to simulation. With the use of the cable model, the simulated and measured results agree very well. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:2906–2910, 2013
Miniaturized WLAN Antenna in Mobile Handset with Wide Impedance Bandwidth Characteristic
Authors: Lee Jaesuk , Kim Hyeongdong
Published: October 2015

Two enhancements, size reduction and impedance bandwidth improvement, for a multiband antenna for mobile handsets are presented. The size of the designed antenna can be significantly reduced by inserting chip inductors, whereas the impedance bandwidth can be enhanced with a chip capacitor. Measurements demonstrate that the proposed antenna possesses frequencies of 130 MHz (2.39–2.52 GHz) and 1.3 GHz (5.06–6.36 GHz) with a voltage standing wave ratio of 2. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:2841–2844, 2013
Dual Band LTE Planar Inverted‐F Antenna for M2m Applications
Authors: Loutrids Abraham , John Matthias , Ammann Max J.
Published: October 2015

A Planar Inverted‐F Antenna for M2M applications is presented. The antenna is located on a rectangular ground plane and operates across both long term evolution frequency bands (690–960 MHz) and (1710–2690 MHz). The low cost antenna has omnidirectional characteristics. The efficiency is better than 80% in both bands and the average gain is more than −2.1 dBi across the whole frequency range. A parametric study of key geometrical parameters is reported. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:2925–2929, 2013
High Selective Bandpass Filter Using Inductive‐Coupled Quarter‐Wavelength Stepped‐Impedance Resonators
Authors: Cheng Fei , Lin Xianqi , Hu Yiyao , Liu Xiaoxiao , Song Kaijun , Fan Yong
Published: October 2015

A compact microstrip bandpass filter with reduced size and high selectivity is proposed. The inductive‐coupled quarter‐wavelength resonators are studied and used to produce transmission zeros. In addition, quarter‐wavelength stepped‐impedance resonators are adopted to reduce the size of the filter and also to raise the spurious frequency. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:3010–3014, 2013
Two‐Patch‐PIFA System with Comparable Polarization Radiation for Tablet‐Computer Applications with Complete, Metal Back Cover
Authors: Su Saou‐Wen
Published: October 2015

A two‐patch‐planar inverted‐F antenna (PIFA) system well suited to functioning inside the tablet computer with a complete, metal back cover for 2.4‐GHz wireless local area network operation is proposed. The antenna was constructed by stamping a flat plate of size 23 × 30 mm2 and bent two times to form a compact structure with dimensions 5 × 9 × 30 mm3. The PIFA was fed and short‐circuited at the top patch above the antenna ground with a vertical ground wall connecting therebetween. The two PIFAs were symmetrically located on the metal cover and grounded therein. The results showed that comparable Eθ and Eφ fields of the antennas were obtained for the tablet computer used in the three major positions, namely landscape, portrait, and bottom‐down modes. The correlation and the diversity gain of the two‐PIFA system were also measured. The operating principle and details of the design prototypes are described and discussed in the article. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:2815–2821, 2013
A Compact UWB Antenna With Dual Band‐Notch Characteristics Using Nested Split Ring Resonator and Stepped Impedance Resonator
Authors: Li Yingsong , Li Wenxing , Ye Qiubo
Published: October 2015

In this article, a wide‐slot ultrawideband antenna with dual band‐notch characteristics is proposed numerically and verified experimentally. The dual band‐notch functions are obtained by using a nested split ring resonator (NSRR) and a stepped impedance resonator (SIR). The designed two notch bands are tunable by adjusting the dimension of the NSRR and the SIR. Simulation and measurement results agree well. The proposed antenna with omnidirectional radiation patterns and desired notch bands is suitable for UWB communication applications. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:2827–2830, 2013
CPW‐Fed Printed Antenna Design with Multislit Patches for UWB Communications
Authors: Zhan Jie , Tang Zhi‐Jun , Wu Xiao‐Feng , Liu Hong‐Li
Published: October 2015

A novel compact coplanar waveguide‐fed printed antenna with three separate patches embedded by narrow slits is designed and analyzed for ultrawideband (UWB) communication applications, which can provide UWB, high gain, and multiresonant impedance characteristics simultaneously. The dimension of the proposed antenna is 50 × 50 × 0.3 mm3. The measured results agree well with the simulated prediction and show a broad bandwidth of 13 GHz ranging from 2.8 to 15.8 GHz with return loss less than −10dB. Furthermore, the proposed antenna gain ranges from 4.3 to 8.2dBi, which can achieve almost symmetrical radiation patterns. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:3023–3025, 2013
Stripline Bandpass Filter with Wide Stopband and Rejection Level Up to 100 dB
Authors: Belyaev B.A. , Serzhantov A.M. , Tyurnev V.V. , Leksikov A.A. , Bal'va Y.F.
Published: October 2015

A novel miniature stripline resonator performed on a double‐layer suspended substrate and bandpass filters (BPFs) based on it are proposed. The filters have wide stopband with high attenuation. A fifth‐order BPF has been designed and fabricated. The filter stopband at level of −100 dB extends up to the frequency that exceeds the passband center frequency by factor of 10. It is shown that miniature filters based on the proposed resonator could be effectively fabricated by low temperature cofired ceramics technology. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:2866–2869, 2013
Hybrid Polystyrene/Polybutadiene Latexes With Low Environmental Impact
Authors: Ronco Ludmila Irene , Minari Roque Javier , Gugliotta Luis Marcelino
Published: October 2015

The polybutadiene incorporation in waterborne polystyrene nanoparticles by miniemulsion polymerization improves the toughness of the final product. Unfortunately, the polymerization does not proceed to completion, remaining a high level of unreacted monomer. This work addresses the implementation of two post‐treatment methods to efficiently remove the residual styrene from polybutadiene/polystyrene latexes with 50% of solid content: i) post‐polymerization with redox initiators; and ii) post‐polymerization by thermal initiation of styrene at high temperature (≥120 °C). The mechanisms responsible of the effects of both post‐treatments on the properties of hybrid materials are here discussed.
Polymere Multitalente: sternförmige Polykationen
Authors: Synatschke Christopher V. , Plamper Felix A. , Müller Axel H. E.
Published: October 2015

Ihre besondere Struktur verleiht sternförmigen Polymermolekülen außergewöhnliche Eigenschaften. Geladene Sternpolymere reagieren auf äußere Einflüsse wie pH‐Wert, Temperatur oder Licht und eignen sich gerade für Anwendungen in der Biomedizin.
Least‐squares spectral method for velocity‐vorticity‐pressure form of the Stokes equations
Authors: Shin Byeong‐Chun , Hessari Peyman
Published: October 2015

The aim of this article is to present and analyze first‐order system least‐squares spectral method for the Stokes equations in two‐dimensional spaces. The Stokes equations are transformed into a first‐order system of equations by introducing vorticity as a new variable. The least‐squares functional is then defined by summing up the
‐ and
‐norms of the residual equations. The
‐norm in the least‐squares functional is replaced by suitable operator. Continuous and discrete homogeneous least‐squares functionals are shown to be equivalent to
‐norm of velocity and
‐norm of vorticity and pressure for spectral Galerkin and pseudospectral method. The spectral convergence of the proposed methods are given and the theory is validated by numerical experiment. Mass conservation is also briefly investigated. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 32: 661–680, 2016
Fetal intracranial translucency and cisterna magna at 11 to 14 weeks: reference ranges and correlation with chromosomal abnormalities
Authors: Papastefanou I. , Souka A. P. , Pilalis A. , Panagopoulos P. , Kassanos D.
Published: October 2015

Objective

To measure the intracranial translucency (IT) and the cisterna magna (CM), to produce reference ranges and to examine the interobserver and intraobserver variability of those measurements. To examine the possible association of IT with chromosomal abnormalities.

Methods

Prospective study on pregnancies assessed at 11 to 14 weeks. IT was measured retrospectively in 17 cases with aneuploidy.

Results

To produce reference ranges, 465 fetuses were used. IT and CM correlated linearly with crown‐rump‐length (CRL) and were independent of maternal demographic characteristics and biochemical indices. IT had a weak positive correlation with nuchal translucency. For IT the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.88 for intraobserver variability and 0.83 for interobserver variability. For CM the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.95 for intraobserver variability and 0.84 for interobserver variability. The IT multiple of the median was significantly increased in the chromosomally abnormal fetuses (1.02 for the normal and 1.28 for the chromosomally abnormal fetuses, Mann Whitney p < 0.001). IT multiple of the median was a significant predictor of chromosomal abnormality (Receiver Operator Characteristic curve analysis: Area under the curve = 0.86, CI=0.76–0.96, p<0.001).

Conclusion

Intracranial translucency and CM can be measured reliably at the 11 to 14 weeks examination and the measurements are highly reproducible. IT appears to be increased in fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.