bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Remote impacts of the 18.6 year period modulation of localized tidal mixing in the North Pacific
Authors: Osafune S. , Yasuda I.
Published: May 2013

The impact of the 18.6 year period modulation of the localized strong tidal mixing on the annual mean sea surface temperature (SST) in the open North Pacific Ocean is analyzed in a numerical experiment using an ocean general circulation model. Oscillatory SST anomalies induced in this model move eastward along the boundary between the subarctic and the subtropical gyres from the western boundary to the central Pacific in about 10 years, with a speed slower than that of the surface currents. Anomalous currents in the upper 300 m play an important role in inducing SST anomalies. These anomalous currents are coupled to subsurface density anomalies and could be related to eastward moving, low‐mode (second or higher), baroclinic long Rossby waves. These results suggest that the 18.6 year modulation of localized strong tidal mixing can influence large‐scale SST and/or heat flux, and thus climate, as a result of remote impacts associated with changes in the mid‐depth density structure, induced locally where mixing is strong, that move horizontally into the open ocean.
Improvements to MISR stereo motion vectors
Authors: Horváth Ákos
Published: May 2013

This study evaluated the effects of recent major modifications to the Multiangle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) wind retrieval algorithm by repeating an earlier yearlong comparison with Meteosat‐9 cloud motion vectors. Algorithm upgrades included an area‐based stereo matcher, enhanced quality control, georegistration corrections to focal plane distortions, and increased retrieval resolution. The new winds had better quality at all levels, yielding a particularly large increase in coverage at middle and high levels. The upgrades had an overall neutral impact on the E‐W wind comparison statistics, which were already quite good in the preceding MISR data set. The comparison statistics for the more error‐prone N‐S wind, however, improved significantly on all scales—global, zonal, and regional—and throughout the entire atmosphere. Both the negative N‐S wind bias and root mean square difference decreased, and correlation increased substantially, with middle and high levels, and tropics and subtropics experiencing the largest improvements. Subpixel georegistration corrections reduced cross‐swath variations in N‐S wind and height by half. As the net effect of these improvements, the error characteristics of the previously more uncertain N‐S wind component became comparable to those of the E‐W wind component at low and middle levels. Despite the substantial reductions in N‐S wind errors, which are highly correlated with stereo height errors, the MISR – Meteosat‐9 height comparison did not generally improve, strongly suggesting Meteosat‐9 height assignment errors as the primary driver of discrepancy.
Asymmetric and heterogeneous frequency of high and low record‐breaking temperatures in China as an indication of warming climate becoming more extreme
Authors: Pan Zaitao , Wan Bingcheng , Gao Zhiqiu
Published: May 2013

The ratio of record highs to record lows and their rates of decay with time has emerged as a new metric for climatic warming and extremes complementing with the well‐documented daily temperature range. This paper evaluates both the observed and model‐projected high/low record behaviors in China, with a particular focus on an anomalous cooling region sometimes termed “warming hole.” We found that the observed frequency decay over time of high (low) record temperatures occurred much slower (faster) than the theoretically expected rate (1/n) of the independently and identically distributed (i.i.d.) time series. The high to low record (H/L) ratio is 3.0 in the recent years, about 50% larger than those in the U.S. and Europe. A drifting‐mean i.i.d. model mimicking warming climate represents the observed record behavior much better than the i.i.d. sequence, but it still cannot explain the full record variability, implying that either the past mean warming rate has been nonlinear (accelerating) or temperature variance has become more extreme. The H/L record ratio by the mid‐2040s with respect to 2006 could reach 6.8 under the high emission RCP8.5 scenario, whereas the increase of the record magnitude in the representative concentration path scenario remains largely similar to the current climate. Record frequency is highly correlated not only to Pacific Warm Pool temperature but also to Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation index, with significant positive correlation in northern and southeastern China.
Meteorological and dust aerosol conditions over the western Saharan region observed at Fennec Supersite‐2 during the intensive observation period in June 2011
Authors: Todd M. C. , Allen C. J. T , Bart M. , Bechir M. , Bentefouet J. , Brooks B. J. , Cavazos‐Guerra C. , Clovis T. , Deyane S. , Dieh M. , Engelstaedter S. , Flamant C. , Garcia‐Carreras L. , Gandega A. , Gascoyne M. , Hobby M. , Kocha C. , Lavaysse C. , Marsham J. H. , Martins J. V. , McQuaid J. B. , Ngamini J. B. , Parker D. J. , Podvin T. , Rocha‐Lima A. , Traore S. , Wang Y. , Washington R.
Published: May 2013

The climate of the Sahara is relatively poorly observed and understood, leading to errors in forecast model simulations. We describe observations from the Fennec Supersite‐2 (SS2) at Zouerate, Mauritania during the June 2011 Fennec Intensive Observation Period. These provide an improved basis for understanding and evaluating processes, models, and remote sensing. Conditions during June 2011 show a marked distinction between: (i) a “Maritime phase” during the early part of the month when the western sector of the Sahara experienced cool northwesterly maritime flow throughout the lower troposphere with shallow daytime boundary layers, very little dust uplift/transport or cloud cover. (ii) A subsequent “heat low” phase which coincided with a marked and rapid westward shift in the Saharan heat low towards its mid‐summer climatological position and advection of a deep hot, dusty air layer from the central Sahara (the “Saharan residual layer”). This transition affected the entire western‐central Sahara. Dust advected over SS2 was primarily from episodic low‐level jet (LLJ)‐generated emission in the northeasterly flow around surface troughs. Unlike Fennec SS1, SS2 does not often experience cold pools from moist convection and associated dust emissions. The diurnal evolution at SS2 is strongly influenced by the Atlantic inflow (AI), a northwesterly flow of shallow, cool and moist air propagating overnight from coastal West Africa to reach SS2 in the early hours. The AI cools and moistens the western Saharan and weakens the nocturnal LLJ, limiting its dust‐raising potential. We quantify the ventilation and moistening of the western flank of the Sahara by (i) the large‐scale flow and (ii) the regular nocturnal AI and LLJ mesoscale processes.
Syntheses of deuterium labeled prenyldiphosphate and prenylcysteine analogues for in vivo mass spectrometric quantification
Authors: Subramanian Thangaiah , Subramanian Karunai Leela , Sunkara Manjula , Onono Fredrick O. , Morris Andrew J. , Spielmann H. Peter
Published: May 2013

A Wittig reaction employing Li(CD3)2CP(C6H5)3 was used to prepare d6‐farnesol and d6‐geranylgeraniol. Reductive amination of aniline‐2,3,4,5,6‐d5 was used to prepare the unnatural isoprenoid analogues d5‐anilinogeraniol and d5‐anilinofarnesol. All of these deuterated isoprenols were elaborated into their diphosphate and cysteine thioether derivatives suitable for use as stable‐isotope labeled standards for quantitative mass spectrometric analysis.
Computational and experimental investigation of DNA repair protein photolyase interactions with low molecular weight drugs
Authors: Azizoğlu Selimcan , Kizilel Riza , Marušič Maja , Kavakli Ibrahim Halil , Erman Burak , Kizilel Seda
Published: May 2013

This paper reports the previously unknown interactions between eight low molecular weight commercially available drugs (130–800 Da) and DNA repair protein photolyase using computational docking simulations and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments. Theoretical dissociation constants, Kd, obtained from molecular docking simulations were compared with the values found from SPR experiments. Among the eight drugs analyzed, computational and experimental values showed similar binding affinities between selected drug and protein pairs. We found no significant differences in binding interactions between pure and commercial forms of the drug lornoxicam and DNA photolyase. Among the eight drugs studied, prednisone, desloratadine, and azelastine exhibited the highest binding affinity (Kd = 1.65, 2.05, and 8.47 μM, respectively) toward DNA photolyase. Results obtained in this study are promising for use in the prediction of unknown interactions of common drugs with specific proteins such as human clock protein cryptochrome. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of media parameters on wave propagation in a chiral metamaterials slab using FDTD
Authors: Wang M. Y. , Li G. P. , Zhou M. , Wang R. , Zhong C. L. , Xu J. , Zheng H.
Published: May 2013

Because the permittivity, permeability, and chirality parameters of chiral metamaterials (CMMs) are frequency dependent, the wave equations that describe the characters of electromagnetic wave propagation in CMMs are presented and discretized on the basis of auxiliary differential equation technique in finite‐difference time‐domain method. The total‐field/scattered‐field, Mur's first‐order absorbing and dielectric boundary conditions for CMMs slab are discussed in the paper. Numerical results show that the cross‐polarized reflected coefficient of the CMMs slab is zero. Negative index of refraction phenomenon and optical property of giant optical activity in CMMs slabs are illustrated with 1D auxiliary differential equation–finite‐difference time‐domain method. The effects to positive or negative phase velocity caused by media parameters of CMMs are studied. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Strategic alignment with organizational priorities and work engagement: A multi‐wave analysis
Authors: Biggs Amanda , Brough Paula , Barbour Jennifer P.
Published: May 2013

This study advances the limited research on work alignment and work engagement by investigating how perceived alignment of job tasks and organizational strategic priorities (strategic alignment) influences work engagement. Measures of job control and work social support were also included to enable comparisons between strategic alignment and other well‐established job resources. A total of 1011 employees of an Australian state police service responded to three electronic, self‐report surveys. A reciprocal model was assessed over three waves of data, with varying time lags: 18 (Time 1 to Time 2), 12 (Time 2 to Time 3), and 30 months (Time 1 to Time 3). Longitudinal, reciprocal relationships were observed for work engagement and job control, strategic alignment, and colleague support. Work engagement also predicted supervisor support over time (reverse effect). This study demonstrated that, in addition to job resources, perceived alignment of job tasks and organizational priorities plays an important role in maintaining high levels of work engagement over time. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sipa1 promoter polymorphism predicts risk and metastasis of lung cancer in Chinese
Authors: Xie Chenli , Yang Lei , Yang Xiaorong , Yang Rongrong , Li Yinyan , Qiu Fuman , Chen Mei , Fang Wenxiang , Bin Xiaonong , Deng Jieqiong , Huang Dongsheng , Liu Bin , Zhou Yifeng , Lu Jiachun
Published: May 2013

Signal‐induced proliferation associated gene 1 (Sipa1) is a signal transducer to activate the Ras‐related proteins and modulate cell progression, differentiation, adhesion and cancer metastasis. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Sipa1 are associated with lung cancer risk and metastasis. Three common SNPs (rs931127A > G, rs2448490G > A, and rs3741379G > T) were genotyped in a discovery set of southern Chinese population and then validated the promising SNPs in a validation set of an eastern Chinese population in a total of 1559 lung cancer patients and 1679 cancer‐free controls. The results from the two sets were consistent, the rs931127GG variant genotype had an increased risk of lung cancer compared to the rs931127AA/GA genotypes (OR = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.09–1.49) after combination of the two populations, and the rs931127GG interacted with pack‐year smoked on increasing lung cancer risk (P = 0.037); this SNP also had an effect on patients' clinical stages (P = 0.012) that those patients with the rs931127GG genotype had a significant higher metastasis rate and been advanced N, M stages at diagnosis. However, these associations were not observed for rs2448490G > A and rs3741379G > T in the discovery set. Our data suggest that the SNP rs931127A > G in the promoter of Sipa1 was significantly associated with lung cancer risk and metastasis, which may be a biomarker to predict the risk and metastasis of lung cancer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multicriteria Optimization Technique for Optimal Design of Orthotropic Bridges
Authors: El Madawy Mohamed E. , El Zareef Mohamed A.
Published: May 2013

The design improvement of large‐scale structures such as cable stayed and suspension bridges with large spans is one of the major engineering optimization problems faced by design engineers. In many real‐life engineering design problems, it is necessary to carry out large‐scale experimental physical models for only one prototype to construct the feasible solution set that is too expensive and not practical. For these reasons, an experimental search for optimal solutions is often not carried out at all. This paper presents a technique for multicriteria analysis, which involve the finite element analysis of the prototype in the optimization process. The improvement of the Suez Canal Bridge in Egypt is introduced as a real‐life large‐scale case study. The parameter space investigation method, the visual basic for application programming language, and Femap as finite element analysis software provide an implementation tools to construct the feasible and Pareto solution sets for the studied bridge. An efficient combination between the parameter space investigation method and the finite element programme was successfully investigated to obtain the Pareto solution set. This study shows possibility to apply the multicriteria optimization method for more applications on different large‐scale structural systems in the future. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Multi‐criteria Usability Assessment of Similar Types of Touch Screen Mobile Phones
Authors: Eraslan Ergun
Published: May 2013

Designing products possessing only technical perfectness does not seem to be enough in today's market. New expectations adding value to the product such as product usability and feelings have become more important. Consequently, product usability has become a major focus of manufacturing companies. In this study, touch screen cell phones are examined, and various specifications that affect the usability are researched. Usability tests were carried out with the participation of 15 subjects for four different brands of touch screen phones having the highest market share. The usability factors regarding questionnaires were evaluated by taking into consideration the relationships between them in a three‐stage (strategic, tactical and operational) hierarchical network model. Analytical network process method was used in order to analyse the network for end consumer. The results were evaluated within the general framework of the hierarchy, and the most important factors in respect of usability were calculated. Moreover, the usability levels of four brands were ranked evaluating the usability scores. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Accounting for Time Preference in Management Decisions: An Application to Invasive Species
Authors: Rout Tracy M. , Walshe Terry
Published: May 2013

Managers of invasive species seek to prevent and mitigate their impact, which vary in the time horizon over which they are realized. Likewise, stakeholders vary in the time horizons they consider relevant. Agricultural impacts might reasonably be considered over two or three decades, although ecologists typically consider environmental impacts over much longer time frames. Although time preference plays a critical role in decision making, it has largely been ignored in multicriteria analyses. In this study, we examine how time has been treated in previous decision analyses of invasive species management, focusing on the differences between multicriteria and economic cost–benefit analyses. We then outline a method for incorporating time preference information into multicriteria decision analyses to ensure that criteria weights remain a faithful representation of the decision maker's preferences. To illustrate how time preference can be elicited for invasive species problems involving both monetary and nonmonetary consequences, we describe a small empirical study we conducted with a small group of experts and managers. By outlining a way to consider time preference information in multicriteria analyses of invasive species management, we hope to facilitate better decision making that is reflective of the decision maker's true preferences. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mutual Funds Efficiency Measurement under Financial and Social Responsibility Criteria
Authors: Pérez‐Gladish Blanca , Rodríguez Paz Méndez , M'zali Bouchra , Lang Pascal
Published: May 2013

Socially responsible investors pursue financial as well as nonfinancial goals. Whereas the role of financial criteria in investment decisions is well understood, much less is known on the influence of social responsibility considerations. This work seeks to integrate both dimensions within a data envelopment analysis framework consistent with second‐order stochastic dominance efficiency. We compare the performance of conventional versus socially responsible mutual funds on an empirical data set. Our data do not support the conjecture that conventional mutual funds exhibit superior overall performance. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemical exchange saturation transfer effect in blood
Authors: Zheng Shaokuan , van der Bom Imramsjah M. J. , Zu Zhongliang , Lin Guoxing , Zhao Yansong , Gounis Matthew J.
Published: May 2013

Purpose

In this report, the feasibility of using blood as an agent for Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) effect is investigated.

Methods

The CEST effect of porcine blood samples was investigated on a 3.0 T MRI scanner using various power levels and on a 14.1 T NMR spectrometer. As a proof‐of‐concept that CEST can be used to image blood in vivo, the technique was applied in two locations of healthy human volunteers, namely, the femoral artery and the M1‐segment of the middle cerebral artery.

Results

The blood sample experiments showed that maximum CEST Magnetization Transfer Ratio asymmetry (MTRasym) values of ∼ 12% were achieved, with likely contributions from multiple blood components. These findings were confirmed during the in vivo experiments where CEST signal of blood was clearly greater than surrounding muscular (2%) and brain tissue (3%).

Conclusion

Ex vivo and in vivo results show that blood is a suitable CEST agent that generates sufficient CEST contrast relative to surrounding tissue. Magn Reson Med 71:1082–1092, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lack of evidence for frequent MED12 p.L1224F mutation in prostate tumours from Caucasian patients
Authors: Stoehr Robert , Taubert Helge , Gaisa Nadine T , Smeets Daniela , Kneitz Burkhard , Giedl Johannes , Ruemmele Petra , Wieland Wolf F , Rau Tilman T , Hartmann Arndt
Published: May 2013

Recently mutations in the MED12 gene have been reported in 5.4% of prostate tumours from Caucasian patients analysed by exome sequencing (Barbieri CE, Baca SC, Lawrence MS, et al. Exome sequencing identifies recurrent SPOP, FOXA1 and MED12 mutations in prostate cancer. Nature Genet 2012; 44: 685–689). In more than 70% of prostate tumours with MED12 mutation, a recurrent p.L1224F mutation in exon 26 was found. In order to validate this MED12 p.L1224F mutation, an unselected cohort of prostate tumours from Caucasian patients was analysed by Sanger sequencing. Overall, 223 prostate tumours and three lymph node metastases were analysed. The MED12 p.L1224F mutation could not be detected in any of the cases. So far, the recently reported MED12 p.L1224F mutation could not be validated in our unselected cohort of prostate tumours. Contrary to the findings of Barbieri et al, our data indicate either that the p.L1224F mutation in the MED12 gene plays no role in prostate carcinogenesis or that this alteration is only relevant in a small subgroup of tumours. Copyright © 2013 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Early anatomy ultrasound in women at increased risk of fetal anomalies
Authors: Lim Janice , Whittle Wendy L. , Lee Yee‐Man , Ryan Greg , Van Mieghem Tim
Published: May 2013

Objective

This study was designed to assess the accuracy of ultrasound anatomy screening before 17 weeks gestation in a population at high risk of fetal anomalies.

Methods

Retrospective review of anatomy ultrasound examinations carried out between 12–17 weeks gestation in a high‐risk population. Early sonographic findings were compared with the 18–22 week anatomy ultrasound, karyotype, echocardiogram and postnatal/postmortem results.

Results

A complete anatomical survey was achieved in 68 of 101 screened fetuses (67%), with cardiac anatomy having the lowest completion rate (78/101; 77%). Anomalies were suspected on ultrasound in 23 fetuses. Four of these did not undergo pathologic examination but had clearly abnormal findings on ultrasound. Eighteen fetuses had a confirmed abnormal outcome. Sensitivity of early anatomy ultrasound was 83.3% (n = 15/18) and specificity 94.9% (n = 75/79). There were 3 false negative ultrasounds (16.6%: trisomy 21 with short humerus, choanal atresia and ventriculomegaly, and a ventricular septal defect). False positive rate was 4.0% (4 ventricular septal defects).

Conclusion

The high rate of visualization of anatomic structures between 12–17 weeks gestation allows for either early detection of fetal anomalies or parental reassurance in many cases. Subtle anomalies of the heart remain difficult to diagnose. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of nanofiller concentration on conductivity and dielectric properties of poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(methyl methacrylate) polymer electrolytes
Authors: Sharma Poonam , Kanchan Dinesh K
Published: May 2013

This paper reports the effect of nanofiller concentration on the conductivity and dielectric properties of the poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(methyl methacrylate)–poly(ethylene glycol)–AgNO3–Al2O3 polymer electrolyte system. The preparation of polymer films was done using the solution‐casting technique and characterization of the films was carried out using scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and ionic transport techniques. The ionic conductivity, investigated using impedance spectroscopy, was expected to show interesting behaviour at below and above the melting temperature of poly(ethylene oxide) in the polymer blend films. Complex impedance data were analysed in an alternating current conductivity and dielectric permittivity formalism in order to throw light on the transport mechanism. The effect of nanofiller concentration on conduction and relaxation processes at various temperatures was studied. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
The geometry and electronic structure of Aristolochic acid: possible implications for a frozen resonance
Authors: Manzetti Sergio , Lu Tian
Published: May 2013

Molecular mutagens and carcinogens are structures which carry chemical and electronic properties that disturb and interact with the genomic machinery. Principally, a rule of thumb for carcinogens is that carcinogens are expected to introduce covalent irreversible bonding to one or several types of DNA bases, causing errors in the reading frame for the polymerases. 8‐methoxy‐6‐nitrophenanthro[3,4‐d][1,3]dioxole‐5‐carboxylic acid, better known as Aristolochic acid (AA1) is a recognized carcinogen which causes urotherial cancer and is found in certain plants. Its structure is particularly interesting given that it is closely related to phenanthrene in its polycyclic arrangement, and has four functional groups, a carboxyl‐, a nitro‐, a methoxy‐ and a dioxolane group. In this work, the structure of AA1 has been resolved at the MPWPW91 density functional theory method in combination with Aug‐cc‐pVDZ basis sets. A geometry analysis shows that in AA1 the carboxyl group's torsion is caused by steric strain from the nitro group, which elevates the molecular plane of the first phenanthrene ring with 0.1Å. The wavefunction analysis of AA1 shows that the ring deformation enhances a double π‐bond localization in the first ring, adjacent to the dioxalane group, and results in a decrease of ring aromaticity and induces a potentially frozen resonance. Intermolecular and intramolecular interactions were characterized by atoms in molecules and reduced density gradient analysis. This study brings novel information on the geometry and electronic structure of AA1, which are important for the further knowledge of its transformationin vivoandin situ. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional Process Capability Indices for Circular Profile
Authors: Nemati Keshteli Ramezan , Kazemzadeh Reza Baradaran , Amiri Amirhossein , Noorossana Rassoul
Published: May 2013

Profile is a relation between one response variable and one or more explanatory variables that represent quality of a product or performance of a process. On the other hand, process capability indices are measures to help practitioners in improving the processes to satisfy the customer's expectations. Few researches are done to account for the process capability index in the areas of profile monitoring. All of these researches are focused on process capability index in simple linear profile. In all of these methods, response variables in different levels of explanatory variable are considered, and the relationship in all range of explanatory variable is neglected. In this paper, a functional method is proposed to measure process capability index of circular profiles in all range of explanatory variable. The proposed method follows the traditional definition of process capability indices. The functional method uses reference profile, functional specification limits and functional natural tolerance limits to present a functional form of process capability indices. This functional form results in measuring the process capability in each level of explanatory variable in circular profile as well as a unique value of process capability index for circular profile. The application of the proposed method is illustrated through a real case in automotive industry. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A low‐cost UHF RFID tag chip with AES cryptography engine
Authors: Fu Lingzhi , Shen Xiang , Zhu Linghao , Wang Junyu
Published: May 2013

In this paper, the design of a low‐cost ultra‐high‐frequency (UHF) Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) tag chip with an advanced encryption standard (AES) cryptographic engine is presented. The design of digital baseband is verified on a Field‐Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) platform. The whole chip, including a radio frequency frontend, an analog frontend, an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read‐Only Memory (EEPROM), and a baseband with AES engine, is taped out on Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) 0.13μm process. The chip area is 1 × 1 mm2, in which 0.6 × 0.3 mm2 is covered by the digital baseband. The power consumption of the entire tag chip is 20.9 μW. The design can work on both two modes of the standard ISO 18000‐6C mode and the security enhanced ISO 18000‐6C mode. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first UHF passive RFID tag chip with AES algorithm in the baseband.
Variable selection in generalized functional linear models
Authors: Gertheiss Jan , Maity Arnab , Staicu Ana‐Maria
Published: May 2013

Modern research data, where a large number of functional predictors is collected on few subjects are becoming increasingly common. In this paper we propose a variable selection technique, when the predictors are functional and the response is scalar. Our approach is based on adopting a generalized functional linear model framework and using a penalized likelihood method that simultaneously controls the sparsity of the model and the smoothness of the corresponding coefficient functions by adequate penalization. The methodology is characterized by high predictive accuracy, and yields interpretable models, while retaining computational efficiency. The proposed method is investigated numerically in finite samples, and applied to a diffusion tensor imaging tractography data set and a chemometric data set. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
How to record uterine artery Doppler in the first trimester
Authors: Khalil A. , Nicolaides K. H.
Published: May 2013

How to…

Practical advice on imaging‐based techniques and investigations with accompanying slides and videoclips online
Characterization of physicochemical properties of nanomaterials and their immediate environments in high‐throughput screening of nanomaterial biological activity
Authors: Wang Amy , Marinakos Stella M. , Badireddy Appala Raju , M. Powers Christina , A. Houck Keith
Published: May 2013

Thousands of nanomaterials (NMs) are in commerce and few have toxicity data. To prioritize NMs for toxicity testing, high‐throughput screening (HTS) of biological activity may be the only practical and timely approach to provide the necessary information. As in all nanotoxicologic studies, characterization of physicochemical properties of NMs and their immediate environments in HTS is critical to understanding how these properties affect NM bioactivity and to allow extrapolation to NMs not screened. The purpose of the study, the expert‐groups‐recommended minimal characterization, and NM physicochemical properties likely to affect measured bioactivity all help determine the scope of characterization. A major obstacle in reaping the full benefits of HTS for NMs is the low throughput of NM physicochemical characterization, which may require more sample quantity than HTS assays. Increasing the throughput and speed, and decreasing the amount of NMs needed for characterization are crucial. Finding characterization techniques and biological activity assays compatible with diverse classes of NMs is a challenge and multiple approaches for the same endpoints may be necessary. Use of computational tools and nanoinformatics for organizing and analyzing data are important to fully utilize the power of HTS. Other desired advances include the ability to more fully characterize: pristine NM without prior knowledge of NM physicochemical properties; non‐pristine NMs (e.g., after use); NM in not‐perfectly‐dispersed suspension; and NM in biological samples at exposure‐relevant conditions. Through combining HTS and physicochemical characterization results, we will better understand NM bioactivities, prioritize NMs for further testing, and build computational models to predict NM toxicity. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2013. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1229

This article is categorized under:

Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials
Should Diaphragmatic Involvement Preclude Resection of Large Hepatic Tumors?
Authors: Arkadopoulos Nikolaos , Kyriazi Maria A. , Perelas Apostolos , Theodoraki Kassiani , Papantoni Evangelia , Kokoropoulos Panagiotis , Danias Nikolaos , Smyrniotis Vassilios
Published: May 2013

Background

Treatment of peripherally located liver tumors with diaphragmatic invasion is technically demanding but does not preclude resection for cure. The aim of the present study was to compare patients undergoing combined liver and diaphragmatic resection with those submitted to hepatectomy alone so as to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and value of this complex surgical procedure.

Methods

From January 2000 to September 2011, 36 consecutive patients underwent en bloc liver‐diaphragm resection (group A). These were individually matched for age, gender, tumor size, pathology, and co‐morbitidies with 36 patients who underwent hepatectomy alone during the same time (group B). Operative time, warm ischemia time, blood loss, required transfusions, postoperative complications, and long‐term survival were evaluated.

Results

Mean operative time was significantly longer in group A than in group B (165 vs 142 min; P = 0.004). The two groups were comparable regarding warm ischemia time, intraoperative blood loss, required transfusions, and postoperative laboratory value fluctuations. Some 33 % of group A patients developed complications postoperatively as opposed to 23 % of group B patients (P = 0.03). The mortality rate was 2.8 % in group A compared to 0 % in group B. Postoperative follow‐up demonstrated 60 % 1‐year survival for group A patients as opposed to 80 % 1‐year survival for group B patients, a difference that is practically eliminated the longer the follow‐up period is extended (35 vs 40 % 3‐year survival and 33 vs 37 % 5‐year survival for group A and group B patients, respectively).

Conclusions

En bloc diaphragmatic and liver resection is a challenging but safe surgical procedure that is fully justified when diaphragmatic infiltration cannot be ruled out and the patient is considered fit enough to undergo surgery.
Highly valuable microalgae: biochemical and topological aspects
Authors: Pignolet Olivier , Jubeau Sébastien , Vaca-Garcia Carlos , Michaud Philippe
Published: May 2013

The past decade has seen a surge in the interest in microalgae culture for biodiesel production and other applications as renewable biofuels as an alternative to petroleum transport fuels. The development of new technologies for the culture of these photosynthetic microorganisms and improved knowledge of their biochemical composition has spurred innovation in the field of high-value biomolecules. These developments are only economically viable if all the microalgae fractions are valorized in a biorefinery strategy. Achieving this objective requires an understanding of microalgae content and the cellular localization of the main biomolecular families in order to develop efficient harvest and sequential recovery technologies. This review summarizes the state of the art in microalgae compositions and topologies using some examples of the main industrially farmed microalgae.
Monitoring records of plant species in the Hakone region of Fuji‐Hakone‐Izu National Park, Japan, 2001–2010
Authors: Osawa Takeshi
Published: May 2013

The monitoring of species occurrences is a crucial aspect of biodiversity conservation, and regional volunteerism can serve as a powerful tool in such endeavors. The Fuji‐Hakone‐Izu National Park in the Hakone region of Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, boasts a volunteer association of approximately 100 members. These volunteers have monitored plant species occurrences from 2001 to the present along several hiking trails in the region. In this paper, I present the annual observation records of plant occurrences in Hakone from 2001 to 2010. This data set includes 1,071 species of plants from 151 families. Scientific names follow the Y List, and this data set includes several threatened plant species. Data files are formatted based on the Darwin Core and Darwin Core Archives, which are defined by the Biodiversity Information Standards (BIS) or Biodiversity Information Standards Taxonomic Databases Working Group (TDWG). Data files filled on required and some additional item on Darwin Core. The data set can download from the author's personal Web site as of July 2012. These data will soon be published for the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) through GBIF Japan. All users can then access the data from the GBIF portal site.
Skin Penetration of Fatty Acids from Soap Surfactants in Cleansers Dependent on Foam Bubble Size
Authors: Sonoda Junko , Sakai Takaya , Inoue Yousuke , Inomata Yukio
Published: May 2013

Skin cleansers exhibiting less irritation are required. Although most skin cleansers are applied to the skin in a foam state, the amount of surfactant penetrating into the skin is measured in the solution state. Due to the fact that surfactant penetration causes skin irritation, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry was used in this study to investigate, from the viewpoint of surfactant penetration, the correlation between foam characteristics and the condition of skin treated with foam. Results demonstrated that as the concentration of surfactant in water drainage from the foam decreased, the composition of surfactants in water drainage shifted to contain smaller amounts of longer‐chain surfactants, whereas the bubble size of the foam became smaller, notwithstanding any change in compounds. When several bubble sizes of foam were added to the skin, it was confirmed that the amount of surfactant penetrating into the skin depends on the levels in the water drainage. The amount of surfactant penetrating into the skin increased with foam bubble size. It was thought that the surfactant at the gas–liquid interface cannot act freely, and thus surfactants in the water drainage tended to penetrate the skin. These results suggest that along with the type of surfactant, both foam morphology and the actual way in which the foam is produced are also important factors that need to be considered when designing milder cleansers.
Shaping synaptic plasticity: The role of activity‐mediated epigenetic regulation on gene transcription
Authors: Cortés‐Mendoza Javier , Díaz de León‐Guerrero Sol , Pedraza‐Alva Gustavo , Pérez‐Martínez Leonor
Published: May 2013

Learning and memory are basic functions of the brain that allowed human evolution. It is well accepted that during learning and memory formation the dynamic establishment of new active synaptic connections is crucial. Persistent synaptic activation leads to molecular events that include increased release of neurotransmitters, increased expression of receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, thus creating a positive feedback that results in the activation of distinct signaling pathways that temporally and permanently alter specific patterns of gene expression. However, the epigenetic changes that allow the establishment of long term genetic programs that control learning and memory are not completely understood. Even less is known regarding the signaling events triggered by synaptic activity that regulate these epigenetic marks. Here we review the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling activity‐dependent gene transcription leading synaptic plasticity and memory formation. We describe how Ca2+ entry through N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate‐type glutamate neurotransmitter receptors result in the activation of specific signaling pathways leading to changes in gene expression, giving special emphasis to the recent data pointing out different epigenetic mechanisms (histone acetylation, methylation and phosphorylation as well as DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation) underlying learning and memory.
Late Quaternary tephrostratigraphy of Baegdusan and Ulleung Volcanoes using marine sediments in the Japan Sea/East Sea
Authors: Lim Chungwan , Toyoda Kazuhiro , Ikehara Ken , Peate David W.
Published: May 2013

Only Ulleung and Baegdusan volcanoes have produced alkaline tephras in the Japan Sea/East Sea during the Quaternary. Little is known about their detailed tephrostratigraphy, except for the U–Oki and B–Tm tephras. Trace element analysis of bulk sediments can be used to identify alkaline cryptotephra because of the large compositional contrast. Five sediment cores spanning the interval between the rhyolitic AT (29.4 ka) and Aso-4 (87 ka) tephras were analyzed using an INAA scanning method. Source volcanoes for the five detected alkaline cryptotephra were identified from major element analyses of hand-picked glass shards: Ulleung (U–Ym, and the newly identified U–Sado), and Baegdusan (B–J, and the newly identified B–Sado and B-Ym). The eruption ages of the U–Ym, U–Sado, B–J, B–Sado, and B–Ymtephras are estimated to be 38 ka, 61 ka, 26 ka, 51 ka, 68–69 ka, and 86 ka, respectively, based on correlations with regional-scale TL (thinly laminated) layer stratigraphy (produced by basin-wide changes in bottom-water oxygen levels in response to millennium-scale paleoclimate variations). This study has allowed construction of an alkaline tephrostratigraphical framework for the late Quaternary linked to global environmental changes in the Japan Sea/East Sea, and improves our knowledge of the eruptive histories of Ulleung and Baegdusan volcanoes.
Using Health Insurance Claim Information for Evacuee Medical Support and Reconstruction After the Great East Japan Earthquake
Authors: Tanihara Shinichi , Tomio Jun , Kobayashi Yasuki
Published: May 2013

Objective

Loss of patient information can hinder medical care for evacuees and the reconstruction of medical facilities damaged by major incidents. In Japan, health insurance coverage is universal, and information about diagnoses and health care services provided is shared by the medical facilities, Health Insurance Claims Review and Reimbursement Services or the National Health Insurance Organization (NHIO), and the insurers. After the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, we interviewed officers in charge of NHIO in the 3 prefectures that were damaged by the earthquake and elicited how they assisted with medical care for evacuees and reconstruction of the damaged medical facilities.

Methods

Comprehensive interviews were conducted with officers in charge of the NHIO in the 3 prefectures to obtain information about the use and provision of health insurance claims data 3 to 4 months after the event. We then analyzed the official data concerning use of the information from the claims in chronological order.

Results

The NHIO headquarters in the 3 prefectures were not physically affected by the disaster, and their information on the health insurance claims was intact. Patient information acquired before the disaster was obtained from the health insurance claims and applied to the medical care of the evacuees. The information also was used to reconstruct patient records lost in the disaster.

Conclusion

The information that was obtained from health insurance claims was used to improve medical care after the large-scale disaster. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;0:1–5)
Worst-case amplification of disturbances in inertialess Couette flow of viscoelastic fluids
Authors: Lieu Binh K. , Jovanović Mihailo R. , Kumar Satish
Published: May 2013

Amplification of deterministic disturbances in inertialess shear-driven channel flows of viscoelastic fluids is examined by analysing the frequency responses from spatio-temporal body forces to the velocity and polymer stress fluctuations. In strongly elastic flows, we show that disturbances with large streamwise length scales may be significantly amplified even in the absence of inertia. For fluctuations without streamwise variations, we derive explicit analytical expressions for the dependence of the worst-case amplification (from different forcing to different velocity and polymer stress components) on the Weissenberg number ($\mathit{We}$), the maximum extensibility of the polymer chains ($L$), the viscosity ratio and the spanwise wavenumber. For the Oldroyd-B model, the amplification of the most energetic components of velocity and polymer stress fields scales as${\mathit{We}}^{2} $and${\mathit{We}}^{4} $. On the other hand, the finite extensibility of polymer molecules limits the largest achievable amplification even in flows with infinitely large Weissenberg numbers: in the presence of wall-normal and spanwise forces, the amplification of the streamwise velocity and polymer stress fluctuations is bounded by quadratic and quartic functions of$L$. This high amplification signals low robustness to modelling imperfections of inertialess channel flows of viscoelastic fluids. The underlying physical mechanism involves interactions of polymer stress fluctuations with a base shear, and it represents a close analogue of the lift-up mechanism that initiates a bypass transition in inertial flows of Newtonian fluids.
Diffusion in hydrogel-supported phospholipid bilayer membranes
Authors: Wang Chih-Ying , Hill Reghan J.
Published: May 2013

We model a cylindrical inclusion (lipid or membrane protein) translating with velocity$U$in a thin planar membrane (phospholipid bilayer) that is supported above and below by Brinkman media (hydrogels). The total force$F$, membrane velocity, and solvent velocity are calculated as functions of three independent dimensionless parameters:$\Lambda = \eta a/ ({\eta }_{m} h)$,${\ell }_{1} / a$and${\ell }_{2} / a$. Here,$\eta $and${\eta }_{m} $are the solvent and membrane shear viscosities,$a$is the particle radius,$h$is the membrane thickness, and${ \ell }_{1}^{2} $and${ \ell }_{2}^{2} $are the upper and lower hydrogel permeabilities. As expected, the dimensionless mobility$4\mathrm{\pi} \eta aU/ F= 4\mathrm{\pi} \eta aD/ ({k}_{B} T)$(proportional to the self-diffusion coefficient,$D$) decreases with decreasing gel permeabilities (increasing gel concentrations), furnishing a quantitative interpretation of how porous, gel-like supports hinder membrane dynamics. The model also provides a means of inferring hydrogel permeability and, perhaps, surface morphology from tracer diffusion measurements.
A spherical squirming swimmer in unsteady Stokes flow
Authors: Ishimoto Kenta
Published: May 2013

The motion of a spherical squirmer in unsteady Stokes flow is investigated for a deeper understanding of unsteady inertial effects on swimming micro-organisms and differences of swimming strokes between a wave pattern and a flapping motion. An asymptotic analysis with respect to the small amplitude and the small inertia is performed, and the average swimming velocity after a long period of time under an assumption of a time-periodic stroke is obtained. This analysis shows that the scallop theorem still holds in a long-time asymptotic sense for tangential deformation, but that the time variation of the shape generates a net velocity even for a reciprocal swimmer. It is also found that the inertial effects on the swimming velocity are significant for a flapping swimmer, as contrasted with little influence on that of a swimmer with a wave pattern. The inertial effect is also illustrated with a simple squirmer, so that a reciprocal motion can be almost an optimal stroke under a constraint on energy consumption.