bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An upper mantle seismic discontinuity beneath the Galápagos Archipelago and its implications for studies of the lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary
Authors: Byrnes Joseph S. , Hooft Emilie E. E. , Toomey Douglas R. , Villagómez Darwin R. , Geist Dennis J. , Solomon Sean C.
Published: March 2015

An upper mantle seismic discontinuity (the Gutenberg or G discontinuity), at which shear wave velocity decreases with depth, has been mapped from S‐to‐p conversions in radial receiver functions recorded across the Galápagos Archipelago. The mean depth of the discontinuity is 91 ± 8 km beneath the southeastern archipelago and 72 ± 5 km beneath surrounding regions. The discontinuity appears deeper beneath the portion of the Nazca plate that we infer passed over the Galápagos mantle plume than elsewhere in the region. We equate the depth of the G discontinuity to the maximum depth extent of anhydrous melting, which forms an overlying layer of dehydrated and depleted mantle. We attribute areas of shallow discontinuity depth to the formation of the dehydrated layer near the Galápagos Spreading Center and areas of greater discontinuity depth to its modification over a mantle plume with an excess temperature of 115 ± 30°C. The G discontinuity lies within a high‐seismic‐velocity anomaly that we conclude forms by partial dehydration and a gradual but steady increase in seismic velocity with decreasing depth after upwelling mantle first encounters the solidus for volatile‐bearing mantle material. At the depth of the solidus for anhydrous mantle material, removal of remaining water creates a sharp decrease in velocity with depth; this discontinuity may also mark a site of melt accumulation. Results from seismic imaging, the compositions of Galápagos lavas, and rare‐earth‐element concentrations across the archipelago require that mantle upwelling and partial melting occur over a broad region within the dehydrated and depleted layer. We conclude that the G discontinuity beneath the archipelago does not mark the boundary between rigid lithosphere and convecting asthenosphere.
Recent accelerated warming of the continental shelf off New Jersey: Observations from the CMVOleander expendable bathythermograph line
Authors: Forsyth Jacob Samuel Tse , Andres Magdalena , Gawarkiewicz Glen G.
Published: March 2015

Expendable bathythermographs (XBTs) have been launched along a repeat track from New Jersey to Bermuda from the CMV Oleander through the NOAA/NEFSC Ship of Opportunity Program about 14 times per year since 1977. The XBT temperatures on the Middle Atlantic Bight shelf are binned with 10 km horizontal and 5 m vertical resolution to produce monthly, seasonally, and annually averaged cross‐shelf temperature sections. The depth‐averaged shelf temperature, Ts, calculated from annually averaged sections that are spatially averaged across the shelf, increases at 0.026 ± 0.001°C yr−1 from 1977 to 2013, with the recent trend substantially larger than the overall 37 year trend (0.11 ± 0.02°C yr−1 since 2002). The Oleander temperature sections suggest that the recent acceleration in warming on the shelf is not confined to the surface, but occurs throughout the water column with some contribution from interactions between the shelf and the adjacent Slope Sea reflected in cross‐shelf motions of the shelfbreak front. The local warming on the shelf cannot explain the region's amplified rate of sea level rise relative to the global mean. Additionally, Ts exhibits significant interannual variability with the warmest anomalies increasing in intensity over the 37 year record even as the cold anomalies remain relatively uniform throughout the record. Ts anomalies are not correlated with annually averaged coastal sea level anomalies at zero lag. However, positive correlation is found between 2 year lagged Ts anomalies and coastal sea level anomalies, suggesting that the region's sea level anomalies may serve as a predictor of shelf temperature.
Response of Arctic Ocean stratification to changing river runoff in a column model
Authors: Nummelin Aleksi , Li Camille , Smedsrud Lars H.
Published: March 2015

A one‐dimensional model of the atmosphere‐ice‐ocean column is used to study the effects of changing river runoff to the Arctic Ocean. River runoff is the largest contributor of freshwater to the Arctic and is expected to increase as the hydrological cycle accelerates due to global warming. The column model simulates the stratification of the Arctic Ocean reasonably well, capturing important features such as the fresh surface layer, the salty cold halocline, and the temperature maximum within the Atlantic Water layer. The model is run for 500 years with prescribed boundary conditions to reach steady state solutions. Increasing river runoff is found to strengthen the stratification and to produce a fresher and shallower surface mixed layer with warming (up to ∼1°C for a doubling of present‐day runoff) in the Atlantic Water layer below. An important consequence is that the effect of the larger vertical temperature gradient is able to balance that of the stronger stratification and yield a close to constant vertical heat flux toward the surface. As a result, the sea ice response is small, showing only slight increase (up to ∼15 cm for a doubling of present‐day runoff) in annual mean ice thickness. Limitations of the study include the idealized nature of the column model and uncertainties in the background vertical mixing within the Arctic Ocean.
Assessment of the upper‐ocean mixed layer parameterizations using a large eddy simulation model
Authors: Furuichi Naoki , Hibiya Toshiyuki
Published: March 2015

A large eddy simulation (LES) of the upper ocean mixed layer processes in the winter northwestern Pacific is carried out and compared with concurrent microstructure measurements. We find that dissipation rates of turbulent kinetic energy (ε) and temperature variance from LES agree well with field observations in the areas where the Ozmidov length scale, calculated from the modeled ε and buoyancy frequency, exceeds the grid size of LES. It is also found that, even though the Ozmidov length scale is less than the grid size of LES, model estimates of the vertical turbulent heat flux near the base of the mixed layer are very similar to observed values, suggesting that this LES model reproduces the intensity of entrainment well. This enables us to use the results from LES to assess the turbulence closure models of Mellor and Yamada [1982, MY] and Nakanishi and Niino [2009, NN] for several forcing scenarios consisting of strong winds, surface heating, and surface cooling. It is found that NN performs better than MY in reproducing the results from LES for each forcing scenario, particularly when the turbulent length scale is adjusted to be more restricted by density stratification.
Correlating carbon and oxygen isotope events in early to middle Miocene shallow marine carbonates in the Mediterranean region using orbitally tuned chemostratigraphy and lithostratigraphy
Authors: Auer Gerald , Piller Werner E. , Reuter Markus , Harzhauser Mathias
Published: March 2015

During the Miocene prominent oxygen isotope events (Mi‐events) reflect major changes in glaciation, while carbonate isotope maxima (CM‐events) reflect changes in organic carbon burial, particularly during the Monterey carbon isotope excursion. However, despite their importance to the global climate history they have never been recorded in shallow marine carbonate successions. The Decontra section on the Maiella Platform (central Apennines, Italy), however, allows to resolve them for the first time in such a setting during the early to middle Miocene. The present study improves the stratigraphic resolution of parts of the Decontra section via orbital tuning of high‐resolution gamma ray (GR) and magnetic susceptibility data to the 405 kyr eccentricity metronome. The tuning allows, within the established biostratigraphic, sequence stratigraphic, and isotope stratigraphic frameworks, a precise correlation of the Decontra section with pelagic records of the Mediterranean region, as well as the global paleoclimatic record and the global sea level curve. Spectral series analyses of GR data further indicate that the 405 kyr orbital cycle is particularly well preserved during the Monterey Event. Since GR is a direct proxy for authigenic uranium precipitation during increased burial of organic carbon in the Decontra section, it follows the same long‐term orbital pacing as observed in the carbon isotope records. The 405 kyr GR beat is thus correlated with the carbon isotope maxima observed during the Monterey Event. Finally, the Mi‐events can now be recognized in the δ18O record and coincide with plankton‐rich, siliceous, or phosphatic horizons in the lithology of the section.
A hybrid pore‐scale and continuum‐scale model for solute diffusion, reaction, and biofilm development in porous media
Authors: Tang Youneng , Valocchi Albert J. , Werth Charles J.
Published: March 2015

It is a challenge to upscale solute transport in porous media for multispecies bio‐kinetic reactions because of incomplete mixing within the elementary volume and because biofilm growth can change porosity and affect pore‐scale flow and diffusion. To address this challenge, we present a hybrid model that couples pore‐scale subdomains to continuum‐scale subdomains. While the pore‐scale subdomains involving significant biofilm growth and reaction are simulated using pore‐scale equations, the other subdomains are simulated using continuum‐scale equations to save computational time. The pore‐scale and continuum‐scale subdomains are coupled using a mortar method to ensure continuity of solute concentration and flux at the interfaces. We present results for a simplified two‐dimensional system, neglect advection, and use dual Monod kinetics for solute utilization and biofilm growth. The results based on the hybrid model are consistent with the results based on a pore‐scale model for three test cases that cover a wide range of Damköhler (Da = reaction rate/diffusion rate) numbers for both homogeneous (spatially periodic) and heterogeneous pore structures. We compare results from the hybrid method with an upscaled continuum model and show that the latter is valid only for cases of small Damköhler numbers, consistent with other results reported in the literature.
Altitude and solar activity dependence of 1967–2005 thermospheric density trends derived from orbital drag
Authors: Emmert J. T.
Published: March 2015

We examine 1967–2005 thermospheric mass density trends (as well as 1967–2013 trends) derived from satellite orbit data, as a function of altitude, solar flux, and geomagnetic activity. At 400 km altitude, the estimated 1967–2005 trend is −2.0 ± 0.5% per decade. The estimated trends become increasingly negative with increasing height between 250 and 575 km, suggesting an exospheric temperature trend of −1 to −2 K per decade, which is much smaller than temperature trends that have been inferred from ground‐based incoherent scatter radar measurements. The orbit‐derived trend height profiles are in good agreement with model simulations of the enhanced cooling that results from increasing concentration of CO2 in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere. In contrast to earlier results, the solar flux dependence of the estimated trends is weak, relative to the trend uncertainty. There is some indication that the trends may be stronger during very low geomagnetic activity conditions. Estimation of the solar flux and geomagnetic activity dependence of the trends is complicated by monotonic decreases in these drivers over the past four solar minima together with the CO2 increase, all of which drive interminima decreases in density.
Glucose Tolerance Tests for Systematic Screening of Glucose Homeostasis in Mice
Authors: Rozman Jan , Rathkolb Birgit , Neschen Susanne , Fuchs Helmut , Gailus‐Durner Valérie , Klingenspor Martin , Wolf Eckhard , Hrabě de Angelis Martin
Published: March 2015

This article presents a detailed description of intraperitoneal and oral glucose tolerance tests in mice. The former is widely used in initial high‐throughput phenotyping of mutant mice to assess a diabetic phenotype and alterations in glucose homeostasis. Each protocol provides a comprehensive description of each step in the workflow, including variation of the standard protocol under particular circumstances (e.g., sensitivity to food deprivation, excessive deviations in body composition, or need for extra blood samples for additional analyses). We also describe how reduction of body mass and body temperature can be used as additional readouts to monitor metabolic function in response to food deprivation. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Quantitative Proteomic Approaches in Mouse: Stable Isotope Incorporation by Metabolic (SILAC) or Chemical Labeling (Reductive Dimethylation) Combined with High‐Resolution Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Billing Anja M. , Ben Hamidane Hisham , Graumann Johannes
Published: March 2015

Mass spectrometry–based quantitative proteomics is a powerful method for in‐depth exploration of protein expression, allowing researchers to probe its regulation and study signal‐transduction networks, protein turnover, secretion, and spatial distribution, as well as post‐translational modification and protein‐protein interaction, on a large scale. Precise protein quantitation may be achieved by incorporation of stable isotopes, which introduce a mass shift detectable by mass spectrometry, allowing multiplexing of several samples and therefore relative quantification. Stable isotope incorporation into proteins or peptides can be attained either by metabolic labeling (e.g., SILAC) or by chemical labeling (e.g., reductive dimethylation). Both labeling approaches are presented here. They are straightforward and robust and can be applied to murine samples. While both SILAC and reductive dimethylation offer similar multiplexing capabilities and quantitative accuracy, reductive dimethylation is more versatile and can be used with any sample type. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Mouse Models of Bone Healing: Fracture, Marrow Ablation, and Distraction Osteogenesis
Authors: Lybrand Kyle , Bragdon Beth , Gerstenfeld Louis
Published: March 2015

Three commonly used murine surgical models of bone healing [closed fracture with intramedullary fixation, distraction osteogenesis (DO), and marrow ablation by reaming] are presented. Detailed surgical protocols for each model are outlined. The nature of the regenerative processes and the types of research questions that may be addressed with these models are briefly outlined. The relative strengths and weaknesses of these models are compared to a number of other surgical models that are used to address similar research questions. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Overview of Biological Mechanisms and Applications of Three Murine Models of Bone Repair: Closed Fracture with Intramedullary Fixation, Distraction Osteogenesis, and Marrow Ablation by Reaming
Authors: Bragdon Beth , Lybrand Kyle , Gerstenfeld Louis
Published: March 2015

Fractures are one of the most common large‐organ, traumatic injuries in humans, and osteoporosis‐related fractures are the fastest growing health care problem of aging. Elective orthopedic surgeries of the bones and joints also represent some of most common forms of elective surgeries performed. Optimal repair of skeletal tissues is necessary for successful outcomes of these many different orthopedic surgical treatments. Research focused on post‐natal skeletal repair is therefore of immense clinical importance and of particular relevance in situations in which bone tissue healing is compromised due to the extent of tissue trauma or specific medical co‐morbidities. Three commonly used murine surgical models of bone healing, closed fracture with intramedullary fixation, distraction osteogenesis (DO), and marrow ablation by reaming, are presented. The biological aspects of these models are contrasted and the types of research questions that may be addressed with these models are presented. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Point Spread Function and Optical Dot Gain
Authors: Rogers Geoffrey L.
Published: March 2015

The diffusion of light within paper can affect the tone characteristics of a printed halftone image. This effect is known asoptical dot gainor theYule–Nielsen effect. In this article, an expression for the average reflectance from a region of a halftone is derived, taking into consideration optical dot gain. Optical dot gain is accounted for using a point spread function (PSF). A PSF is derived by solving the radiative transfer equation in the diffusion approximation. The connection between the PSF approach and the probability approach is shown.
Blu‐Ray Versus Internet Movies
Authors: Breitenfeld Denny
Published: March 2015

The Blu‐ray specification might be the last optical disc specification for delivering video and audio content to billions of people around the world. Streaming video and audio is slowly becoming a reliable delivery method for audio and video for the world to use. This chapter will go through the high level differences between the two technologies by comparing the technical differences and touch some of the other factors that shape the way streaming is headed.
Free‐Viewpoint3DTV: System Architecture, Rendering Techniques, and Perceptual Improvements
Authors: Do Luat , Zinger Svitlana , de With Peter H.N.
Published: March 2015

Research and development of3DTVhas been strongly fueled by the rapid market acceptance of stereo3Dmovies and underlying technology so that3DTVis entering our everyday lives. As a result of this, the R & D community is already working on the next upcoming stages, such as multi‐view processing. Multi‐view in3Dis very attractive because the objects can be inspected from various angles. It means that the user can choose the point from which he prefers to watch the3Dvideo or object. We expect that this feature is highly attractive for both professional and consumer type of applications. For multi‐view processing, many questions still have to be solved in order to optimize and standardize a whole3DTVchain based on this principle. In this chapter, we concentrate specifically on various aspects of the free‐viewpoint3DTVchain. This chapter commences with introducing the concept of free‐viewpoint3DTVand the challenges that are still present in the domain. Since the quality of the synthesized view is of vital importance for the viewer, we assess the obtained quality by step‐by‐step analysis of the state‐of‐the‐art algorithm and we also consider the influence of compression on the generated view. Taking into account the current developments on free‐viewpoint in theMPEGgroup, we compare our view synthesis algorithm with the algorithm currently used inMPEG. Because most of currently available3DTVsemploy the stereo imaging, we present solutions for converting texture and depth3Dvideo to stereo video, and we also consider the parameters for stereo image generation for3DTV. The chapter is concluded with our vision concerning the near future developments in research on free‐viewpoint3DTVand possible emerging solutions.
Nonlinear adaptive filtering using kernel‐based algorithms with dictionary adaptation
Authors: Saide Chafic , Lengelle Régis , Honeine Paul , Richard Cédric , Achkar Roger
Published: March 2015

Nonlinear adaptive filtering has been extensively studied in the literature, using, for example, Volterra filters or neural networks. Recently, kernel methods have been offering an interesting alternative because they provide a simple extension of linear algorithms to the nonlinear case. The main drawback of online system identification with kernel methods is that the filter complexity increases with time, a limitation resulting from the representer theorem, which states that all past input vectors are required. To overcome this drawback, a particular subset of these input vectors (called dictionary) must be selected to ensure complexity control and good performance. Up to now, all authors considered that, after being introduced into the dictionary, elements stay unchanged even if, because of nonstationarity, they become useless to predict the system output. The objective of this paper is to present an adaptation scheme of dictionary elements, which are considered here as adjustable model parameters, by deriving a gradient‐based method under collinearity constraints. The main interest is to ensure a better tracking performance. To evaluate our approach, dictionary adaptation is introduced into three well‐known kernel‐based adaptive algorithms: kernel recursive least squares, kernel normalized least mean squares, and kernel affine projection. The performance is evaluated on nonlinear adaptive filtering of simulated and real data sets. As confirmed by experiments, our dictionary adaptation scheme allows either complexity reduction or a decrease of the instantaneous quadratic error, or both simultaneously. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fast and Large Lithium Storage in 3D Porous VN Nanowires–Graphene Composite as a Superior Anode Toward High‐Performance Hybrid Supercapacitors
Authors: Wang Rutao , Lang Junwei , Zhang Peng , Lin Zongyuan , Yan Xingbin
Published: March 2015

Li‐ion hybrid capacitors (LIHCs), consisting of an energy‐type redox anode and a power‐type double‐layer cathode, are attracting significant attention due to the good combination with the advantages of conventional Li‐ion batteries and supercapacitors. However, most anodes are battery‐like materials with the sluggish kinetics of Li‐ion storage, which seriously restrict the energy storage of LIHCs at the high charge/discharge rates. Herein, vanadium nitride (VN) nanowire is demonstated to have obvious pseudocapacitive characteristic of Li‐ion storage and can get further gains in energy storage through a 3D porous architecture with the assistance of conductive reduced graphene oxide (RGO). The as‐prepared 3D VN–RGO composite exhibits the large Li‐ion storage capacity and fast charge/discharge rate within a wide working widow from 0.01–3 V (vs Li/Li+), which could potentially boost the operating potential and the energy and power densities of LIHCs. By employing such 3D VN–RGO composite and porous carbon nanorods with a high surface area of 3343 m2 g−1 as the anode and cathode, respectively, a novel LIHCs is fabricated with an ultrahigh energy density of 162 Wh kg−1 at 200 W kg−1, which also remains 64 Wh kg−1 even at a high power density of 10 kW kg−1.
Solid‐State Conversion Reaction to Enhance Charge Transfer in Electrochromic Materials
Authors: Lin Feng , Nordlund Dennis , Weng Tsu‐Chien , Moore Rob G. , Gillaspie Dane T. , Jones Kim M. , Dillon Anne C. , Richards Ryan M. , Engtrakul Chaiwat
Published: March 2015

Interface engineering has attracted great interest and is essential for the fabrication of thin‐film devices, such as smart windows. In this study, a solid‐state conversion reaction for the development of an interlayer enriched with lithium peroxide (Li2O2) is presented for an electrochromic device. We demonstrate that efficient lithium insertion and electron transport can be achieved by the inclusion of a Li2O2‐rich interlayer between an active electrochromic material and Li ion solid‐state electrolyte layer. The presence of a Li2O2‐rich interlayer enhances electrochromic efficiency, kinetics, optical contrast, and bleached‐state transparency in a nickel oxide‐based electrochromic thin film. This work opens up new opportunities to enhance the functionalities of thin‐film devices by solid‐state conversion reactions.
Sex differences in children with severe health conditions: Causes of admission and mortality in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Esteban Elisabeth , Bujaldon Esther , Esparza Mireia , Jordan Iolanda , Esteban María Esther
Published: March 2015

Objectives

Based on the existing sex differences in mortality rates in children, we would like to explore whether girls and boys respond differently under severe health conditions, in terms of mortality and cause of admission.

Methods

We analyzed demographic characteristics (age and sex), causes of admission, clinical parameters, and mortality in a sample of 2,609 patients from a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in a children's hospital in Barcelona, Spain.

Results

PICU admittance was significantly higher in boys (57.5% vs. 42.5%) whereas PICU mortality was significantly higher in girls (4.9% vs. 3.3%). Female sex was a risk factor for PICU in‐hospital mortality (OR = 1.55, P = 0.033), while increasing age had a protective effect (OR = 0.808, P = 0.021). In cases of PICU mortality, girls died from a broader range of causes and boys were more affected by respiratory and polytraumatic injuries. Boys were affected by polytraumatic injuries throughout the year, less frequently in winter, while girls showed a higher occurrence in holiday months.

Conclusions

Although more boys were admitted to the PICU, a significantly higher number of girls died. Younger age and higher occurrence of nosocomial infection among girls could explain this finding. More frequent polytraumatic injuries in boys could reflect an increased exposure to risky activities and/or more careless behavior. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 27:613–619, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cellular proliferation and angiogenesis in nasal polyps of young adult and geriatric patients
Authors: Shin Jae Min , Byun Jang Yul , Baek Byoung Joon , Lee Jae Yong
Published: March 2015

Background

Cellular proliferation and angiogenesis are associated with pathophysiology of nasal polyposis (NP). In a previous report, we showed that patient age is a predictive factor of surgical outcomes among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and NP, and that geriatric patients exhibit better outcomes than pediatric and adult patients. We postulated that better outcomes in the geriatric population may be secondary to decreased proliferation and angiogenesis within polyps. Therefore, we evaluated the cellular proliferation and angiogenesis in young adult and geriatric patients with NP. This was a prospective case‐control study.

Methods

Twenty patients were divided into 2 groups according to age (20 to 30 years vs ≥65 years of age). NP tissues were sampled during endoscopic sinus surgery and processed for immunohistochemistry. Cellular proliferation was evaluated with proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki67, and angiogenesis was assessed with vascular endothelial growth factor. We also compared objective surgical outcomes using endoscopy scores.

Results

Immunohistochemical analysis revealed significantly higher expression and positive reactivity of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki67 in the polyps of young adults than in those of geriatric patients, whereas the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was similar between the 2 groups. Endoscopy scores were better in the geriatric group.

Conclusion

Geriatric patients have a lower cellular proliferative ability than young adults, and angiogenesis does not significantly differ between the 2 age groups. Cellular proliferation seems to be the cause of the different surgical outcomes between the 2 age groups, whereas angiogenesis has no significant influence on the postoperative course.
Effects of two kinds of THEIC‐based charring agents on flame‐retardant properties of polylactide
Authors: Yuan Shanshan , Chen Wenyan , Liu Gousheng
Published: March 2015

Two charring agents tris (2‐hydrooxyethyl) isocyanurate terephthalic acid ester, (dimer/trimer mixture TT23, and tetramer TT4) were synthesized by using tris (2‐hydrooxyethyl) isocyanurate (THEIC) and terephthalic acid (TPA) as raw materials. These two charring agents were combined with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) to form intumescent flame retardants (IFR) for polylactide (PLA). The thermal stability of IFRs were tested by TGA, it is found that APP/TT4 mixture has a higher thermal stability and a better char forming ability than that of APP/TT23 mixture. The combustion properties and thermal stability of PLA/APP/TT23 and PLA/APP/TT4 composites were evaluated by UL‐94 burning tests, limiting oxygen index (LOI), cone calorimeter tests and TGA, the chemical structure of char residues were analyzed by FTIR and XPS. It can be concluded that PLA with 30 wt % of APP/TT4 (weight ratio 5 : 1) achieved the greatest flame retardancy. Moreover, the continuous and expansionary char layer observed from SEM images proved better char forming ability of TT4 than that of TT23. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42086.
Sarilumab Plus Methotrexate in Patients With Active Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inadequate Response to Methotrexate: Results of a Phase III Study
Authors: Genovese Mark C. , Fleischmann Roy , Kivitz Alan J. , Rell‐Bakalarska Maria , Martincova Renata , Fiore Stefano , Rohane Patricia , van Hoogstraten Hubert , Garg Anju , Fan Chunpeng , van Adelsberg Janet , Weinstein Steven P. , Graham Neil M. H. , Stahl Neil , Yancopoulos George D. , Huizinga Tom W. J. , van der Heijde Désirée
Published: March 2015

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sarilumab in combination with methotrexate (MTX) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Adults with moderate‐to‐severe RA and an inadequate response to MTX were randomized (1:1:1) to receive sarilumab (doses of 150 mg or 200 mg) or placebo every 2 weeks in conjunction with weekly MTX for 52 weeks. Co–primary end points were the proportion of patients achieving American College of Rheumatology 20% (ACR20) improvement responses at week 24, change from baseline in the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) disability index (DI) at week 16, and change from baseline in the modified Sharp/van der Heijde score (SHS) of radiographic damage at week 52.

Results

Baseline characteristics were similar among the groups. For all 3 co–primary end points, the sarilumab 150 mg and 200 mg groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements as compared with the placebo group (ACR20 response rate at week 24, 58.0%, 66.4%, and 33.4%, respectively [P < 0.0001]; least squares mean change in HAQ DI at week 16, −0.53, −0.55, and −0.29, respectively [P < 0.0001]; and mean change in SHS at week 52, 0.90, 0.25, and 2.78, respectively [P < 0.0001]). The most common treatment‐emergent adverse event was infection. In the sarilumab 150 mg, sarilumab 200 mg, and placebo groups, the incidence of serious infections was 2.6%, 4.0%, and 2.3%, respectively. Elevations in alanine aminotransferase levels >3‐fold the upper limit of normal occurred in 9.5%, 8.0%, and 2.1% of patients, respectively; in 24 patients, this led to discontinuation of treatment. Elevated total cholesterol levels were observed in 36.8%, 43.0%, and 18.3% of patients, respectively. In patients receiving 150 mg and 200 mg sarilumab, neutrophil counts of 0.5 to <1.0 × 109/liter were observed in 5.1% and 7.8% of patients, respectively, while neutrophil counts of <0.5 × 109/liter were observed in 0.9% and 0.7% of patients, respectively; none of the patients receiving placebo experienced changes in neutrophil counts.

Conclusion

In RA patients treated with sarilumab (150 mg or 200 mg every 2 weeks) in combination with MTX, both doses provided sustained clinical efficacy, as shown by significant improvements in symptomatic, functional, and radiographic outcomes. Sarilumab was generally well tolerated. The adverse events observed in this study were consistent with the effects of interleukin‐6 signaling blockade.
Rissbreitenbegrenzung mit verzinkter Bewehrung
Authors: Neugebauer Pia , Zedler Thomas , Pohl Sophia , Mark Peter
Published: March 2015

Die für Bauteile aus Konstruktionsbeton nachzuweisende Begrenzung der Rissbreiten dient in der Regel vornehmlich dem Korrosionsschutz der Bewehrung und damit der Erhöhung der Dauerhaftigkeit. Ausführungsbeispiele von Ingenieurbauwerken aus jüngster Vergangenheit haben gezeigt, dass bei Anwendung des EC2 der Nachweis zur Rissbreitenbegrenzung häufig maßgebend für die Bemessung wird. Wird der Korrosionsschutz insofern durch den Einsatz verzinkter Bewehrung erreicht, könnten die daher rührenden Anforderungen an die Rissbreitenbegrenzung aus technischer Sicht eine Abminderung erfahren. Klaffende Risse sind jedoch in jedem Fall zu vermeiden. In der Literatur dokumentierte Untersuchungen zeigen hierzu, dass die für die Rissbreitenbegrenzung ausschlaggebende Verbundwirkung von feuerverzinkter und herkömmlicher Bewehrung nicht als gleichwertig beurteilt werden kann [1]. Eine allgemein gültige Quantifizierung des Unterschieds ist jedoch nicht vorzufinden. Vor diesem Hintergrund wurden von den Autoren eigene experimentelle Untersuchungen zur Verbundwirkung verzinkter Bewehrung durchgeführt, die in dem vorliegenden Beitrag vorgestellt werden. Über deren Auswertung wird im Anschluss ein praxistauglicher Ansatz entwickelt, der der rechnerischen Berücksichtigung verzinkter Bewehrung beim Nachweis der Rissbreitenbegrenzung dient.

Crack limitation with zinc‐coated reinforcement

The check of a sufficient crack width limitation is an essential part within the serviceability design of RC structural members. Examples from the recent past have shown that it often gets decisive for the overall reinforcement content in infrastructure projects like tunnels when the design provisions of EC2 are applied. Besides other criteria crack limitations are mainly used to increase the structures durability by protecting the applied reinforcement against corrosion. In case this corrosion protection is given by coating (galvanizing) the rebars with zinc, the corresponding requirements for allowable crack widths could be reduced from a technical point of view. However, excessive cracking has to be prevented in any case. The bond behavior of the reinforcement is the most important issue for keeping crack widths limited. In this regard, studies by other authors, e. g. [1], have identified deviations between regular and zinc‐coated rebars, without deriving a quantitative ratio for the different bonding types and bar diameters. Thus, comparative experimental investigations on the bond behavior and the crack limiting effect of zinc‐coated to regular reinforcements have been conducted by the authors. Theoretical approaches are derived to describe the different bond behaviors and their effects on the crack width limitation.
Der späte Zwang als unterschätzter – aber maßgebender – Lastfall für die Bemessung
Authors: Meier Andreas
Published: March 2015

In den letzten Jahren wurde häufig (u. a. in [1], dem Teil 1 dieses Beitrags) auf die Thematik des zu bemessenden Zeitpunkts und den Ansatz der effektiven Betonzugfestigkeit fct,eff bei der Ermittlung der rissbreitenbegrenzenden Bewehrungsmenge eingegangen. Nicht zuletzt wurde in [2] eine betontechnologische Betrachtung dieses Themas unter Berücksichtigung der Ansätze des Eurocode 2 [3, 4] vorgenommen.

Da eine abschließende, allgemeingültige Klärung nicht möglich ist, wird in diesem Aufsatz versucht, einige Hinweise zu geben und mögliche Lösungsansätze aufzuzeigen. Die dargestellten Möglichkeiten liegen dabei immer auf der (tragwerks)planerisch “sicheren” Seite, wodurch sie gezwungenerweise nie die wirtschaftlichste Lösung darstellen können.

The late restraint as an underestimated – but authoritative – load case in design. Part 2: Information for structural designers

Over the last few years the design approach for the point in time and the value of the concrete tensile strength effective fct,eff for calculating the amount of reinforcement required for crack control frequently (e.g. in [1]) has been discussed. Not least, in [2] a concrete technology approach of the topic was made taking the Eurocode 2 [3, 4] approaches into account.

Because a final and universal clarification is not possible this paper is intended to provide some indications and identify some solution approaches. The shown possibilities are always on the safe side concerning the structural design. It is thus possible it might not necessarily be the most economical solution.
Kann man lernen, mit Gedanken zu experimentieren? Ernst Machs Vorstellung des Gedankenexperiments im Kontext der zeitgenössischen Pädagogik
Authors: Bauer Julian
Published: March 2015

Is it Possible to Experiment with Thought? Ernst Mach’s Notion of Thought Experiment and its Pedagogical Context around 1900. The article tries to establish the crucial importance of the pedagogical dimension of Ernst Mach’s ideas on experimenting with thought. The focus on contemporary pedagogics demonstrates, first, that Mach’s didactic approach to physics is part of a much broader stream of pedagogical writings that transcends national and disciplinary borders and comprises a diversity of authors, e.g. Wilhelm Jerusalem, William James or Alfred N. Whitehead; second, that the much‐heralded controversy between Mach and the French philosopher of science Pierre Duhem about thought experiments does not only revolve around epistemological issues but rather stems from their antagonist vision of teaching physics; and finally, third, that G. Stanley Hall’s psychogenetic theory of pedagogics bears a strong resemblance with the evolutionary naturalism of Machian epistemology and helps explaining key tenets of Mach’s conception of thought experiment. By establishing a broad convergence between the work of all these authors despite their different academic upbringing, background and nationality the article argues for a complex and historically fine‐grained vision of the relations between natural, social and human sciences going beyond dichotomies like ‘Erklären’ and ‘Verstehen’ or the ‘Two Cultures’.
Ermittlung der Empirie. Zu Ernst Machs Methode des Gedankenexperiments
Authors: Krauthausen Karin
Published: March 2015

Investigation of Empiricism. On Ernst Mach’s Conception of the Thought Experiment. The paper argues that Ernst Mach’s conception of the thought experiment from 1897/1905 holds a singular position in the lively discussions and repeated theorizations that have continued up to the present in relation to this procedure. Mach derives the thought experiment from scientific practice, and does not oppose it to the physical experiment, but, on the contrary, endows it with a robust relation to the facts. For Mach, the thought experiment is a reliable means of determining empiricism, and at the same time a real, because open and unbiased, experimenting. To shed light on this approach, the paper carries out a close reading of the relevant texts in Mach’s body of writings (in their different stages of revision) and proceeds in three steps: first, Mach’s processual understanding of science will be presented, which also characterizes his research and publication practice (I. ‘Aperçu’ and ‘Sketch’. Science as Process and Projection); then in a second step the physiological and biological justification and valorization of memory and association will be examined with which Mach limits the relevance of categories such as consciousness and will (II. The Biology of Consciousness. Or The Polyp Colony); against this background, thirdly, the specific empiricism can be revealed that Mach inscribes into the thought experiment by on the one hand founding it in the memory and association, and on the other by tracing it back to geometry, which he deploys as an experimenting oriented to experience (III. Thinking and Experience. The Thought Experiment).
Defective interfering viruses and their impact on vaccines and viral vectors
Authors: Frensing Timo
Published: March 2015

Defective interfering particles (DIPs) have been found for many important viral pathogens and it is believed that most viruses generate DIPs. This article reviews the current knowledge of the generation and amplification of DIPs, which possess deletions in the viral genome but retain the ability to replicate in the presence of a complete helper virus. In addition, mechanisms are discussed by which DIPs interfere with the replication of their helper virus leading to the production of mainly progeny DIPs by coinfected cells. Even though DIPs cannot replicate on their own, they are biologically active and it is well known that they have a huge impact on virus replication, evolution, and pathogenesis. Moreover, defective genomes are potent inducers of the innate immune response. Yet, little attention has been paid to DIPs in recent years and their impact on biotechnological products such as vaccines and viral vectors remains elusive in most cases. With a focus on influenza virus, this review demonstrates that DIPs are important for basic research on viruses and for the production of viral vaccines and vectors. Reducing the generation and/or amplification of DIPs ensures reproducible results as well as high yields and consistent product quality in virus production.
Fluoro amino acids: A rarity in nature, yet a prospect for protein engineering
Authors: Odar Corinna , Winkler Margit , Wiltschi Birgit
Published: March 2015

Fluoro amino acids are highly valuable compounds constantly gaining relevance in diverse fields of the biosciences as well as in the pharmaceutical industry. The value of these compounds can be attributed to the properties of the extremely electronegative fluorine atom. This atom forms a highly polarized bond of extraordinary strength with carbon. The formation of the fluorine–carbon bond is challenging: its chemical synthesis demands harsh reaction conditions and to date only one class of enzyme has been found capable of introducing the fluoride ion into an organic compound. Most of these fluorinating enzymes participate in the biosynthesis of 4‐fluoro‐L‐threonine, the only fluoro amino acid of natural origin discovered so far. Despite their scarcity in nature, fluoro amino acids are valuable tools to fluorinate proteins. The fluoro protein variants often show improved stability and folding as well as altered activity and fluorescence characteristics. This review details the biosynthesis of 4‐fluoro‐L‐threonine with a special focus on the fluorinating enzymes. Moreover, we elaborate on the application of fluoro amino acids as building blocks for fluorinated protein variants. Insight into different techniques to incorporate fluoro amino acids into proteins is also provided. We highlight prospects and the current relevance of fluoro amino acids as a tool to engineer proteins with novel traits.
Epidemiological associations between posttraumatic stress disorder and incarceration in the National Survey of American Life
Authors: Anderson RaeAnn E. , Geier Timothy J. , Cahill Shawn P.
Published: March 2015

Background

In spite of an elevated prevalence of trauma histories among prisoners, there has been little research examining the relationship between incarceration and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); this is especially true for Black Americans.

Aims

To examine relationships between PTSD and incarceration in a nationally representative sample of Black Americans.

Methods

We conducted analysis of data from the National Survey of American Life sample of 5008 Black American adults in the USA. Multivariate logistic regression analyses controlling for demographic factors including age, gender, home region and education were conducted to examine whether incarceration status was independently associated with PTSD.

Results

Incarceration was significantly associated with trauma exposure, PTSD in the 12 months prior to interview and lifetime PTSD, even while controlling for demographic covariates.

Conclusions and implications for practice

Incarceration, trauma exposure and PTSD share a significant number of risk factors and co‐vary frequently in some populations, including the one of Black Americans investigated in this study. Interventions that can reduce shared risk factors for incarceration and PTSD and/or facilitate successful treatment of the established condition have the potential to make a large positive impact among incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
State Dual Credit Policy: A National Perspective
Authors: Taylor Jason L. , Borden Victor H. M. , Park Eunkyoung
Published: March 2015

This chapter reports results from a national policy study that examined state dual credit policies and how state policies address the quality of dual credit courses.
Operating Dual Enrollment in Different Policy Environments: An Examination of Two States
Authors: Pretlow Joshua , Patteson Jennifer
Published: March 2015

This chapter investigates the consequences and implications of dual enrollment policy diversity on operating dual enrollment programs in the two states of Ohio and Virginia.
Dual Enrollment, Structural Reform, and the Completion Agenda
Authors: Karp Melinda Mechur
Published: March 2015

This chapter contextualizes and extends the previous chapters by addressing the intertwined issues of structural systems reform and college completion, as well as the role dual enrollment can play in ensuring equitable postsecondary outcomes for underrepresented students.
The Multiple Roles of Imidazolium Ionic Liquids in Transition‐Metal Catalysis: The Palladium‐Catalyzed Telomerization of 1,3‐Butadiene with Acetic Acid
Authors: Balbino João M. , Peral Daniel , Bayón J. Carles , Dupont Jairton
Published: March 2015

The telomerization of 1,3‐butadiene with acetic acid catalyzed by palladium(II) acetate associated with a series of phosphines in 3‐(2‐methoxyethyl)‐1‐methylimidazolium acetate was used to investigate the role of the ionic liquid. The ionic liquid plays multiple roles in this reaction as it acts as the solvent, stabilizer, ligand, and cocatalyst. The reaction performed in the presence of Dan2phos, a trifluoromethylated sulfonated triarylphosphine, at 100 °C for 24 h gave a turnover number of 14 600 with 89 % selectivity to telomers at 75 % 1,3‐butadiene conversion and complete acetic acid conversion.
Treatment of Heart Failure in Real‐World Clinical Practice: Findings From the REFLECT‐HF Registry in Patients With NYHA Class II Symptoms and a Reduced Ejection Fraction
Authors: Böhm Michael , Tschöpe Carsten , Wirtz Jost Henner , Lokies Jan , Turgonyi Eva , Bramlage Peter , Lins Katharina , Strunz Anke M. , Tebbe Ulrich
Published: March 2015

Background

Optimal medical therapy (OMT) for patients with chronic heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction (HF‐REF) includes angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, β‐blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, plus a diuretic.

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that OMT is less often prescribed in HF‐REF patients (≤35%) with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II symptoms compared with those with NYHA class III/IV symptoms.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional, observational, multicenter survey of hospital‐based cardiologists, office‐based cardiologists, and general practitioners in Germany.

Results

Out of a total of 384 patients enrolled, 144 had REF ≤35%. Patients with REF had NYHA class II symptoms in 39.6% (n = 57) and NYHA class III/IV symptoms in 60.4% (n = 87). The REF/NYHA class II group had a higher proportion of males than the REF/NYHA class III/IV group. For angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers and β‐blockers, prescription rates were high and comparable between groups. However, prescription rates for mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists were lower compared with other guideline‐recommended treatments. Multivariate analyses indicated that OMT prescription was reduced for older patients and increased for patients cared for by an office‐based cardiologist.

Conclusions

Given the high proportion of patients with reduced left ventricular systolic function but only minor symptoms, HF‐REF appears to be underdiagnosed, and a higher proportion of patients than are currently recognized could potentially be candidates for OMT.