bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is there still gender bias in nursing research? An update
Authors: Polit Denise F. , Beck Cheryl Tatano
Published: October 2012

Data from 300 studies published in four research journals in 2010–2011 were analyzed to assess whether nurse researchers continue to oversample females. One‐third of the studies had samples that were 100% female and, on average, 74% of all study participants were female. As was found for studies published 5 years earlier, the bias against male participants was consistent across studies differing in methods, specialty areas, funding, and sample characteristics. Studies with male first authors, however, were significantly less likely to have biased samples. Authors of only 23.6% of studies with mixed‐sex samples provided information about sex differences in outcomes. Because of gender bias, the evidence base for nursing practice may suffer from problems with generalizability. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 36:75–83, 2013
The Categorisation of Occupation in Identified Skeletal Collections: A Source of Bias?
Authors: Cardoso F. Alves , Henderson C.
Published: October 2012

Identified skeletal collections, that is, skeletons for which sex, age at death and occupation at death are known, have been used to test methods for recording entheseal changes (EC). By testing methods on identified collections, the sensitivity of EC for recording activity levels can be ascertained prior to applying the methods to test hypotheses in archaeological contexts. However, the definition of occupational categories used for this research may, in itself, be a source of bias. The aim in this study was to test how categorising occupation affected the interpretation of EC. Male skeletons (n = 211) from two Portuguese identified skeletal collections were used. Three methods for categorising occupations, all of which have been previously published, were used each dividing occupations into five, three and two categories, respectively. Fibrocartilaginous entheses were recorded and EC scored as present/absent. Results showed that the method for categorising occupation affected the frequencies of EC found in occupational categories for specific entheses. Frequencies that were significantly different between occupational categories for one method were not necessarily significant for others. This demonstrates that the sensitivity of the occupational categorisation does affect the results. However, using logistic regression, we found age to have a greater effect than occupation. These results demonstrate the need for standardised occupational categories, as well as the importance of considering age. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Occupational Mobility in 19th Century Rural England: The Interpretation of Entheseal Changes
Authors: Henderson C. Y. , Craps D. D. , Caffell A. C. , Millard A. R. , Gowland R.
Published: October 2012

Identified skeletal collections have been widely used to test methods for recording entheseal changes (EC). These studies have all used the occupation provided with the death certificate or equivalent as the occupation during life. However, the variety of tasks undertaken within occupations, the range of occupational tasks and how these changed over the life course is rarely discussed. The aim of this paper is to highlight the value of using historical data to improve the interpretation of skeletal data.

Materials and methods: Identified adult skeletons (n = 18) from the churchyard of St. Michael and St. Lawrence, Fewston, North Yorkshire, England, were recorded for EC and degenerative joint changes (DJC). The individuals were born and died between 1791 and 1921 (only one individual was buried after the churchyard's closure in 1896). All individuals have at least one census record that includes their occupation. Published sections of a diary coinciding with the cemetery's use and written by the son of two of the identified individuals were used to record the frequency and range of activities.

Results: Men (54.5% of them) and women (29% of them) changed their occupations, and those who changed occupation were found to be older than those who did not. The latter were found to have a lower frequency of DJC and EC, but this is likely due to the difference in age profile between the two groups. However, the detailed pattern of EC did not match that of DJC for the three occupation categories used. The diary demonstrated that a stonemason undertook a wide variety of occupational tasks as well as enjoying hobbies.

Discussion: The results demonstrate that occupations in 19th century rural England were not stable and demonstrated a wide variety of everyday and infrequent activities. This demonstrates that using occupation listed at death does not provide sufficiently detailed information for testing methods of recording EC or for interpreting the relationship between occupation and health. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of the aspect ratio and waviness of carbon nanotubes on the vibrational behavior of functionally graded nanocomposite cylindrical panels
Authors: Jam J.E. , Pourasghar A. , Kamarian S.
Published: October 2012

In this study, based on the three‐dimensional theory of elasticity, free vibration characteristics of nanocomposite cylindrical panels reinforced by single‐walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are considered. The carbon nanotube‐reinforced (CNTRC) cylindrical panel has smooth variation of CNT fraction in the radial direction, and the material properties are estimated by the extended rule of mixture. In this work, the classical theory concerning the mechanical efficiency of a matrix embedding finite length fibers has been modified by introducing the tube‐to‐tube random contact, which explicitly accounts for the progressive reduction of the tubes' effective aspect ratio as the filler content increases. Symmetric and asymmetric volume fraction profiles are provided in this work for comparison. Suitable displacement functions that identically satisfy the boundary conditions at the simply supported edges are used to reduce the equilibrium equations to a set of coupled ordinary differential equation with variable coefficients, which can be solved by a generalized differential quadrature method. The results show that the kind of distribution and volume fraction of CNT have a significant effect on normalized natural frequency.POLYM. COMPOS., 33:2036–2044, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Shear and elongational flow properties of peroxide‐modified wood/low‐density polyethylene composite melts
Authors: Harnnarongchai Wanlop , Kaschta Joachim , Schubert Dirk W. , Sombatsompop Narongrit
Published: October 2012

Adding fillers to a polymer melt may result in a strain softening behavior in elongational flow in long‐chain branched materials, showing strain‐hardening behavior when compared with unfilled one. To improve the strain‐hardening properties in wood/LDPE composites, the effect of peroxide concentration on both the molecular architecture and molar mass distribution, and the rheological quantities in shear and elongation is studied. Addition of wood flour increases the viscosity according to a logarithmic mixing rule, as expected from the large particle size and the filler fractions used. The peroxide has multiple effects on the molar architecture of the polymer. First, a gel fraction of cross‐linked material is formed, the concentration of gel being dependent of the amount of peroxide used. Second, a higher molar mass component is detected, leading to higher value of Mw and to a broader molar mass distribution. Finally, the degree of long‐chain branching unexpectedly decreases with increasing peroxide content. The changes in molecular architecture are hardly influenced by addition of the wood flour. The peroxide treatment leads to an improved strain‐hardening behavior, detected by elongational viscosity and melt strength measurements. However, the addition of wood flour decreases the amount of strain hardening.POLYM. COMPOS., 33:2084–2094, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Improving end of life care for people with diabetes
Authors: Tapley Michael , Needham Elizabeth
Published: October 2012

‘End of life care involves providing support to allow people to die with dignity, keeping them as comfortable as possible until the end, and assisting families to manage this often distressing experience. In view of its high prevalence and associated complications and co‐morbidities, diabetes is often present in those patients at the end of life.’1
The NHS Diabetes Safe Use of Insulin e‐learning module: is it making a difference to health care professionals?
Authors: Eyres Gavin , Richards Louise , James June , Morton Anna , Sweeney Grace
Published: October 2012

NHS Diabetes, along with clinical colleagues, established a ‘Safe Use of Insulin’ e‐learning course in response to an alert from the National Patient Safety Agency and supporting data from the National Diabetes Inpatient Audit which demonstrated a worrying scale of insulin errors for in‐patients with diabetes in England. The e‐learning course has been offered freely to all health care professionals across England from June 2010. As of 16 August 2012 (26 months from module launch), there have been 83 986 health care professionals registered, with 58 188 (69%) of these having completed the module.

A three‐month follow‐up evaluation was conducted inviting 8142 people who had completed the module to participate in a short web‐based survey, with responses received from 1246 (15.3%). Evaluation data showed that the course led to increased staff confidence in prescribing, handling, or administering insulin. Changes in individuals' working practice, and departmental or trust policies or procedures at NHS trusts across England were also identified. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons.
Preventing amputations in patients with diabetes and renal disease
Authors: Game Fran
Published: October 2012

Diabetes remains the single most common cause of both end stage renal disease and non‐traumatic amputation of the lower limb. The available literature confirms a close association between renal disease, peripheral symmetrical neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, foot ulcers, amputation and survival in patients with diabetes, and suggests that the risk accelerates soon after the start of renal replacement therapy. There are multiple possible mechanisms underlying the association, including the effects of dialysis on tissue hypoxia. At present there are no specific interventions known to improve these pathogenic mechanisms; however, there is evidence to suggest that the organisation of care could have an impact on the onset of foot disease. These patients therefore should have regular foot surveillance, education, and support from appropriate specialists to manage their foot care. All professionals involved in the care of patients with diabetes and renal disease should be aware of the extent to which the patient's feet are at risk. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons.
Association between anti‐TNF‐α therapy and all‐cause mortality
Authors: Herrinton Lisa J. , Liu Liyan , Chen Lang , Harrold Leslie R. , Raebel Marsha A. , Curtis Jeffrey R. , Griffin Marie R. , Solomon Daniel H. , Saag Kenneth G. , Lewis James D.
Published: October 2012

Purpose

To compare mortality among patients with selected autoimmune diseases treated with anti‐tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) agents with similar patients treated with non‐biologic therapies.

Methods

Cohort study set within several large health care programs, 1998–2007. Autoimmune disease patients were identified using diagnoses from computerized healthcare data. Use of anti‐TNF‐α agents and comparison of non‐biologic therapies were identified from pharmacy data, and mortality was identified from vital records and other sources. We compared new users of anti‐TNF‐α agents to new users of non‐biologic therapies using propensity scores and Cox proportional hazards analysis to adjust for baseline differences. We also made head‐to‐head comparisons among anti‐TNF‐α agents.

Results

Among the 46 424 persons included in the analysis, 2924 (6.3%) had died by the end of follow‐up, including 1754 (6.1%) of the 28 941 with a dispensing of anti‐TNF‐α agent and 1170 (6.7%) of the 17 483 who used non‐biologic treatment alone. Compared to use of non‐biologic therapies, use of anti‐TNF‐α therapy was not associated with an increased mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.93 with 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.85–1.03); psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis (combined aHR 0.81 with CI 0.61–1.06; or inflammatory bowel disease (aHR 1.12 with CI 0.85–1.46). Mortality rates did not differ to an important degree between patients treated with etanercept, adalimumab, or infliximab.

Conclusion

Anti‐TNF‐α therapy was not associated with increased mortality among patients with autoimmune diseases. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanoscale characterization of interphase properties in maleated polypropylene‐treated natural fiber‐reinforced polymer composites
Authors: Nair Sandeep S. , Hurley Donna C. , Wang Siqun , Young Timothy M.
Published: October 2012

Contact resonance force microscopy has been used to evaluate the effect of maleated polypropylene (MAPP) concentration on interphase thickness as well as the spatial distribution of mechanical properties within the interphase of cellulose fiber‐reinforced polypropylene composites. The average interphase thickness values ranged from 25 nm to 104 nm for different concentrations of MAPP. The interphase region showed a gradient in the elastic modulus, with a gradual decrease in modulus from fiber to matrix. The interphase region in the specimen containing 0% MAPP showed a narrow interphase with steep gradient in modulus from fiber to matrix, whereas the use of MAPP significantly increased the interphase thickness which resulted in a more gradual change in modulus from fiber to matrix. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © Society of Plastics Engineers
Physical and dyeing properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/montmorillonite nanocomposite filament yarns
Authors: Özen İlhan , Güneş Servet
Published: October 2012

This research paper describes the generation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/organoclay nanocomposite filaments by melt‐spinning method and investigation of their physical and dyeing properties. Two montmorillonite types of clay were modified using an intercalating agent synthesized and PET/organoclay (85/15 wt/wt) master batches were prepared using a corotating intermeshing twin screw extruder. Afterward, nanocomposite filaments containing different amounts of organoclay (0.5–5 wt%) were produced and dyed with two disperse dyes at atmospheric and high temperature dyeing conditions. Increased clay concentration led to reduced mechanical properties. Nonetheless, PET/organoclay nanocomposite filaments showed enhanced dyeability. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © Society of Plastics Engineers
Molecular structure–property engineering of low‐band‐gap copolymers, based on fluorene, for efficient bulk heterojunction solar cells: A density functional theory study
Authors: Mabrouk A. , Azazi A. , Alimi K.
Published: October 2012

A comprehensive theoretical study of new donor (D)–acceptor (A) copolymers properties has been developed through quantum chemical calculations, on the basis of density functional theory (DFT). Fluorene and 2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole units were used as donor and acceptor units, respectively, in alternating D–A structures. The efficiency of D–A strength in the polymer was characterized, and their electronic properties are modulated through the insertion of thiophene, vinylene, or ethynylene as π‐spacer groups, in an attempt to reach the critical values, required for organic solar cells. Optoelectronic properties of these copolymers are rationalized on the basis of the patterns of their frontier orbitals. The analysis of the corresponding transition provides an efficient way for tracing the origin of various optical transitions of these copolymers and their photophysical properties. Bulk heterojunction photovoltaic cells, designed with the based fluorene‐copolymer as electron donor, blended with [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester as an electron acceptor, were energetically elucidated. A model band diagram was established, simulating the energy behavior of this active layer. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © Society of Plastics Engineers
Crystallization behavior and morphology of polylactide and PLA/clay nanocomposites in the presence of chain extenders
Authors: Najafi N. , Heuzey M.C. , Carreau P.J.
Published: October 2012

The effect of clay and chain extender on the nonisothermal, isothermal crystallization kinetics, and morphology of polylactide (PLA) was investigated in this study. PLA and PLA‐based nanocomposites containing 2 wt% organoclay were prepared via melt compounding. Three commercially available chain extenders were used: polycarbodiimide (PCDI), tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite (TNPP), and Joncryl ADR4368F. The nanoclay particles were found to act as nucleating agents. Chain extender incorporation, however, had diverse effects on both crystallization rate and degree of crystallinity. Nonisothermal DSC results revealed that the addition of PCDI increased the cold‐crystallization temperature (Tc) from 106 to 114°C, reduced the degree of crystallinity from 6.3 to 5.3%, and resulted in the formation of bimodal melting peaks in PLA. On the other hand, the reduction of chain ends in the presence of TNPP resulted in a significant increase of the crystallization rate and degree of crystallinity from 6.3 to 15.2%. In the case of Joncryl, its incorporation led to the formation of a long‐chain branching structure, which disrupted the chain packing. Therefore, the degree of crystallinity (from 6.3 to 1.6%) and the rate of crystallization decreased, while Tc was increased from 106 to 122°C in the presence of Joncryl. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © Society of Plastics Engineers
Highly enhanced accelerating effect of melt‐recrystallized stereocomplex crystallites on poly(L‐lactic acid) crystallization: effects of molecular weight of poly(D‐lactic acid)
Authors: Narita Junichi , Katagiri Mikio , Tsuji Hideto
Published: October 2012

The effects of the molecular weight of poly(D‐lactic acid) (PDLA), which forms stereocomplex (SC) crystallites with poly(L‐lactic acid) (PLLA), and those of processing temperature Tp on the acceleration (or nucleation) of PLLA homocrystallization were investigated using PLLA films containing 10 wt% PDLA with number‐average molecular weight (Mn) values of 5.47 × 105, 9.67 × 104 and 3.67 × 104 g mol–1 (PDLA‐H, PDLA‐M and PDLA‐L, respectively). For the PLLA/PDLA‐H and PLLA/PDLA‐M films, the SC crystallites that were ‘non’‐melted and those that were ‘completely’ melted at Tp values just above their endset melting temperature and recrystallized during cooling were found to act as effective accelerating (or nucleation) agents for PLLA homocrystallization. In contrast, SC crystallites formed from PDLA‐L, having the lowest Mn, were effective accelerating agents without any restrictions on Tp. In this case, the accelerating effects can be attributed to the plasticizer effect of PDLA‐L with the lowest Mn. The accelerating effects of SC crystallites in the PLLA/PDLA‐H and PLLA/PDLA‐M films was dependent on crystalline thickness for Tp values below the melting peak temperature of SC crystallites, whereas for Tp values above the melting peak temperature the accelerating effects are suggested to be affected by the interaction between the SC crystalline regions and PLLA amorphous regions.
Inclusion for Students with High‐Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders: Definitions and Decision Making
Authors: Sansosti Jenine M. , Sansosti Frank J.
Published: October 2012

General education placements are believed to offer numerous benefits for students with high‐functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASDs), yet decisions about including students with HFASDs remain controversial. This article presents data from a qualitative analysis of definitions and decision making considerations for a school district with a rapidly increasing HFASD student population. Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with a diverse group of educators from four elementary schools that offered inclusion placement options as part of their continuum of services. Objectives for this study included documenting how educators from different schools and professional disciplines define and make decisions about inclusion for students with HFASDs.
Efficacy of methyl nonyl ketone as an in‐soil repellent for common voles (Microtus arvalis)
Authors: Fischer Daniela , Imholt Christian , Prokop Andreas , Jacob Jens
Published: October 2012

BACKGROUND: Common voles (Microtus arvalis) can cause enormous damage in agriculture. Tests were conducted using an alternative approach to rodenticide‐based vole management by developing an in‐soil odour repellent based on the secondary plant metabolite methyl nonyl ketone (MNK). Replicated 25 m2 plots were established in forage grassland to test efficacy and application schemes using a foam application that included MNK.

RESULTS: MNK significantly reduced the number of reopened burrow entrances in all field trials compared with untreated control plots, with repeated application for 6 days reducing vole activity by up to 90%. The addition of black pepper oil (BPO) did not enhance the efficacy of the MNK foam. Voles tended to avoid burrows where MNK was applied and rather opened new burrows instead of reopening the treated burrow entrances. The foam application scheme led to a repellent effect that lasted for about 4–5 days. A single additional application of MNK after 4 days can extend the treatment effects for a further 2 days.

CONCLUSION: The results indicate that MNK has the potential to repel common voles in the field. However, more studies are needed to enhance the duration of a one‐off treatment effect to yield a user‐friendly field application to manage vole populations. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparison of the RNA interference effects triggered by dsRNA and siRNA in Triboliumcastaneum
Authors: Wang Jinda , Wu Min , Wang Baoju , Han Zhaojun
Published: October 2012

Background

Even though both dsRNA and siRNA have been widely used in laboratory studies to knock down target genes, it has been found that siRNA rarely triggers phenotypic changes for intact insects. In this study, Tribolium castaneum was used as a model species to compare dsRNA and siRNA and select the more efficient of these for insect RNAi.

Results

Four dsRNAs and ten siRNAs targeting the same three genes were tested by checking the suppression of target genes and the deformation of treated insects. The results showed that dsRNAs could reduce the expression of target genes by 55–75% for more than 7 days and deformed 78.8–87.0% of the larvae tested. Injection of their corresponding siRNAs targeting the same gene did yield about 45% silencing of target genes, but only in a short time period (from day 2 to day 4), and it did not trigger any phenotypic changes.

Conclusion

SiRNAs were less efficient than their corresponding dsRNAs. Most of them could hardly trigger any phenotypic changes owing to the temporary silencing effect on target genes. Meanwhile, the efficiency of different siRNAs varied with their matching sequence, and careful selection was necessary for proper use. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
A rapid diagnostic technique of Bactrocera cucurbitae and Bactrocera zonata (Diptera: Tephritidae) for quarantine application
Authors: Mezghani Khemakhem Maha , Ben Lazahr Wafa , Bouktila Dhia , Ben Slimen Hichem , Makni Hanem , Makni Mohamed
Published: October 2012

Backround

The melon fruit fly Bactrocera cucurbitae and the peach fruit fly Bactrocera zonata are serious pests, native to Asia, that have recently invaded Egypt. In Tunisia, no report of these species has yet been made, but pest risk data suggest that both Bactrocera species are likely to establish in other countries of the Mediterranean region.

Results

A quick method, based on a PCR‐RFLP of the mitochondrial COI gene, has been developed to enhance species identification for quarantine purposes. The restriction enzymes DdeI and XmnI were used to digest COI PCR products, enabling a rapid diagnosis of B. cucurbitae and B. zonata and their distinction from Tunisia's most devastating fruit pest, Ceratitis capitata.

Conclusion

The simplicity and relatively low cost of this molecular approach will replace the need to rear immature stages through to adults for identification and will facilitate rapid quarantine decisions providing greater plant protection.
Effects of Mn‐doping on surface acoustic wave properties of ZnO films
Authors: Luo J. T. , Fan P. , Pan F. , Zeng F. , Zhang D. P. , Zheng Z. H. , Liang G. X. , Cai X. M.
Published: October 2012

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters based on Mn‐doped ZnO films have been fabricated and effects of Mn‐doping on SAW properties are investigated. It is found that the electromechanical coupling coefficient (K2) of Zn0.913Mn0.087O films is 0.73 ± 0.02%, which is 73.8% larger than that of undoped ZnO films (0.42 ± 0.02%). Zn0.913Mn0.087O film filters also exhibit a lower absolute value of insertion loss (|IL|) of 16.1 dB and larger bandwidth (BW) of 5.9 MHz compared with that of undoped ZnO film filter. However, Zn0.952Mn0.048O film filters exhibit a smaller K2 of 0.34 ± 0.02%, larger |IL| of 26.9 dB and smaller BW of 3.5 MHz. It is suggested that the SAW properties can be improved by appropriate Mn‐doping and Mn–ZnO/Si multilayer structure with large d33 is promising for wide‐band and low‐loss SAW applications. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
An analysis of multi‐model ensembles for seasonal climate predictions
Authors: Yan Xiaoqin , Tang Youmin
Published: October 2012

In this study, the superiorities of the super‐ensemble for seasonal climate predictions are investigated based on the 500 mb geopotential height (GPH500) hindcasts produced by four Canadian atmospheric seasonal climate prediction models. The investigations are carried out mainly in two aspects: (i) a comprehensive evaluation of predictions for each grid point over the global domain by deterministic, probabilistic and potential prediction skill measures; (ii) the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) and the Maximum Signal‐to‐Noise (MSN) EOF analyses in the Northern Hemisphere. It is found that improvements of the super‐ensemble are mainly due to the increase of ensemble size in the mid‐high latitudes and the offsets of model uncertainties in the tropical regions. Measures of temporal correlation coefficient (CORR), Brier skill score (BSS) and reliability (REL) are more affected by the ensemble size; whereas the relative root‐mean‐square error (RRMSE) and resolution (RES) are sensitive to the offsets of model uncertainties. The first EOF mode of ensemble mean is similar to the most predictable pattern derived by the MSN EOF method, but the latter has the temporal evolutions more associated with the oceanic boundary forcing. The super‐ensemble shows advantages in both EOF and MSN EOF analyses.
Regional differences in the kinematic and thermodynamic structure of African easterly waves
Authors: Janiga Matthew A. , Thorncroft Chris D.
Published: October 2012

This study examines regional differences in the structure of African easterly waves (AEWs) at four locations between East Africa and the East Atlantic in a 12 yr (1998–2009) climatology. We focus on the cold‐core convectively active portions of the AEWs, which are typically found between 5 and 15°N. African easterly wave composites are produced from three reanalyses using the tracks of synoptic‐scale middle tropospheric vorticity maxima. The vertical structure of temperature and vorticity in the composite AEWs are related to regional differences in the climatological and vortex‐centred diabatic heating and diabatic potential vorticity (PV) generation profiles from the reanalyses. In addition, differences in AEW structure and activity between the three reanalyses are related to differences in rainfall and diabatic heating between the reanalyses. The climatological diabatic heating over East Africa, which is associated mostly with latent heating, peaks at 450 hPa with diabatic cooling below 750 hPa. In contrast, the convectively active West African coast and the East Atlantic have increased diabatic heating in the lower troposphere. Due to these regional differences in diabatic heating, diabatic PV generation peaks near 700 hPa over the continent and below 800 hPa over the East Atlantic. Moving westwards from East Africa to the East Atlantic, AEW composites have weaker lower tropospheric cold cores and significantly increased lower tropospheric vorticity within the convectively active troughs. The shape of the diabatic heating and PV generation profiles within the trough of the regional AEW composites are similar to the climatological profiles in each respective region. This suggests that regional differences in moist convection, particularly the land‐ocean contrast, provide a strong constraint on the diabatic process within the AEW trough and therefore the vertical structure of the AEWs.
Condition‐based Maintenance Optimization Using Neural Network‐based Health Condition Prediction
Authors: Wu Bairong , Tian Zhigang , Chen Mingyuan
Published: October 2012

Artificial neural network (ANN)‐based methods have been extensively investigated for equipment health condition prediction. However, effective condition‐based maintenance (CBM) optimization methods utilizing ANN prediction information are currently not available due to two key challenges: (i) ANN prediction models typically only give a single remaining life prediction value, and it is hard to quantify the uncertainty associated with the predicted value; (ii) simulation methods are generally used for evaluating the cost of the CBM policies, while more accurate and efficient numerical methods are not available, which is critical for performing CBM optimization. In this paper, we propose a CBM optimization approach based on ANN remaining life prediction information, in which the above‐mentioned key challenges are addressed. The CBM policy is defined by a failure probability threshold value. The remaining life prediction uncertainty is estimated based on ANN lifetime prediction errors on the test set during the ANN training and testing processes. A numerical method is developed to evaluate the cost of the proposed CBM policy more accurately and efficiently. Optimization can be performed to find the optimal failure probability threshold value corresponding to the lowest maintenance cost. The effectiveness of the proposed CBM approach is demonstrated using two simulated degradation data sets and a real‐world condition monitoring data set collected from pump bearings. The proposed approach is also compared with benchmark maintenance policies and is found to outperform the benchmark policies. The proposed CBM approach can also be adapted to utilize information obtained using other prognostics methods. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐gain observer design for multi‐output systems: Transformation to a canonical form by dynamic output shaping
Authors: Grip Håvard Fjær , Saberi Ali
Published: October 2012

In this paper, we consider the observer design problem for a class of observable linear systems perturbed by nonlinear, time‐varying terms. Our design methodology is based on a canonical form, similar to canonical forms used elsewhere in the literature, that allows the nonlinearities to be dominated using high gain. We show that linear state and output transformations to this canonical form exist if, and only if, the data of the system satisfies a certain admissibility property. Moreover, the appropriate transformations can easily be constructed using available tools. We furthermore show that, if a system does not satisfy the admissibility property, it may be possible to extend it with an invertible output filter that makes the data of the extended system admissible. We refer to the problem of constructing such a filter as the output shaping problem and introduce an algorithm that solves the problem whenever it is solvable. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Curcumin disturbed cell‐cycle distribution of HepG2 cells via cytoskeletal arrangement
Authors: Jiang Jinhuan , Jin Hua , Liu Li , Pi Jing , Yang Fen , Cai Jiye
Published: October 2012

Due to its extensive antitumor activity, curcumin has been focused on by more researchers. But, its antiproliferative mechanisms are still unknown. Here we studied the antiproliferative activity of curcumin in human liver cancer HepG2 cells. In order to analyze the cytotoxic activity and anticancer mechanisms of curcumin, we carried out cytotoxicity tests using 3‐[4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl]‐2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The HepG2 cell cycle distribution and the expression of tubulin were detected by flow cytometry. Alterations in morphological and cytoskeletal properties of HepG2 cells were investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Simultaneously, the effects of curcumin on the growth and proliferation of HepG2 cells were also assayed by MTT method. Cells were incubated with different doses of curcumin (0–80 μmol/l) for 24 h, the cell viability decreased from 91.10 ± 3.2% to 10.84 ± 4.0%, and the 50% inhibiting concentration (IC50) was 23.15 ± 0.37 μmol/l. Moreover, flow cytometry quantitatively detected that curcumin treatment resulted in a dose‐dependent accumulation of HepG2 cells in G2/M phase with concomitant losses from G0/G1 phase, so curcumin caused cell‐cycle arrest at G2/M phase. Furthermore, we discovered that curcumin was able to upregulate the expression of tubulin in HepG2 cells. In addition, AFM analysis including cell‐membrane structure and cytoskeleton networks is helpful to explain the relationship between the changes of cells and external pharmacologic stimulation. SCANNING 35: 253‐260, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improving strategies for diagnosing ovarian cancer: a summary of the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) studies
Authors: Kaijser J. , Bourne T. , Valentin L. , Sayasneh A. , Van Holsbeke C. , Vergote I. , Testa A. C. , Franchi D. , Van Calster B. , Timmerman D.
Published: October 2012

In order to ensure that ovarian cancer patients access appropriate treatment to improve the outcome of this disease, accurate characterization before any surgery on ovarian pathology is essential. The International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) collaboration has standardized the approach to the ultrasound description of adnexal pathology. A prospectively collected large database enabled previously developed prediction models like the risk of malignancy index (RMI) to be tested and novel prediction models to be developed and externally validated in order to determine the optimal approach to characterize adnexal pathology preoperatively. The main IOTA prediction models (logistic regression model 1 (LR1) and logistic regression model 2 (LR2)) have both shown excellent diagnostic performance (area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.96 and 0.95, respectively) and outperform previous diagnostic algorithms. Their test performance almost matches subjective assessment by experienced examiners, which is accepted to be the best way to classify adnexal masses before surgery. A two‐step strategy using the IOTA simple rules supplemented with subjective assessment of ultrasound findings when the rules do not apply, also reached excellent diagnostic performance (sensitivity 90%, specificity 93%) and misclassified fewer malignancies than did the RMI. An evidence‐based approach to the preoperative characterization of ovarian and other adnexal masses should include the use of LR1, LR2 or IOTA simple rules and subjective assessment by an experienced examiner. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intra‐ and interobserver reproducibility of assessment of Doppler ultrasound findings in adnexal masses
Authors: Zannoni L. , Savelli L. , Jokubkiene L. , Di Legge A. , Condous G. , Testa A. C. , Sladkevicius P. , Valentin L.
Published: October 2012

Objectives

To estimate intra‐ and interobserver reproducibility and reliability of assessment of the color content in adnexal masses at color/power Doppler ultrasound examination for observers with different levels of experience, and to determine if they change after a consensus meeting.

Methods

Digital clips with color/power Doppler information on 103 adnexal masses were evaluated independently four times, twice before and twice after a consensus meeting, by four experienced and three less experienced ultrasound examiners. The color content of the adnexal mass was estimated using the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis color score and a 100‐mm visual analog scale (VAS score). Intraobserver repeatability was estimated for each observer. Interobserver agreement was estimated for the four most experienced observers (six pairs), for the three less experienced observers (three pairs), and for four other pairs of observers, each pair consisting of one of the experienced and one of the less‐experienced observers.

Results

Intra‐ and interobserver agreement for the color score was moderate to very good, percentage agreement ranging from 48 to 82.5% (kappa, 0.52–0.82) before and from 59 to 90% (kappa, 0.60–0.88) after the consensus meeting. For seven of 13 pairs of observers, interobserver agreement improved after the consensus meeting. Intraobserver intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values for the VAS score ranged from 0.80 to 0.92 before and from 0.75 to 0.94 after the consensus meeting, but limits of agreement were wide (± 20–35 mm). For six of the seven observers the ICC values were higher after the consensus meeting than before. Interobserver ICC values for the VAS score ranged from 0.77 to 0.88 before and from 0.77 to 0.91 after the consensus meeting, but limits of agreement were wide (± 30–40 mm). For 10 of 13 pairs of observers the ICC values improved after the consensus meeting.

Conclusions

Intra‐ and interobserver agreement for the color score was good, especially after the consensus meeting, but there is room for improvement. VAS score results varied substantially within and between observers both before and after the consensus meeting. General consensus needs to be reached about how to interpret color/power Doppler ultrasound findings in adnexal masses. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
A review of climate geoengineering appraisals
Authors: Bellamy Rob , Chilvers Jason , Vaughan Naomi E. , Lenton Timothy M.
Published: October 2012

Deliberate large‐scale interventions in the Earth's climate system—known collectively as ‘geoengineering’—have been proposed in order to moderate anthropogenic climate change. Amidst a backdrop of many ways of framing the supposed normative rationales for or against their use, geoengineering proposals are undergoing serious consideration. To support decision makers in the multitude of governance considerations a growing number of appraisals are being conducted to evaluate their pros and cons. Appraisals of geoengineering are critically reviewed here for the first time using a systematic literature search and screen strategy. Substantial variability between different appraisals' outputs originates from usually hidden framing effects relating to contextual and methodological choices. Geoengineering has largely been appraised in contextual isolation, ignoring the wider portfolio of options for tackling climate change—spanning mitigation and adaptation—and creating an artificial choice between geoengineering proposals. Most existing appraisal methods do not adequately respond to the post‐normal scientific context in which geoengineering resides and show a strong emphasis on closed and exclusive ‘expert‐analytic’ techniques. These and other framing effects invariably focus—or close down—upon particular sets of problem definition, values, assumptions, and courses of action. This produces a limited range of decision options which seem preferable given those framing effects that are privileged, and could ultimately contribute to the closing down of governance commitments. Emergent closure around particular geoengineering proposals is identified and argued to be premature given the need for more anticipatory, responsible, and reflexive forms of governing what is an ‘upstream’ domain of scientific and technological development.WIREs Clim Change2012, 3:597–615. doi: 10.1002/wcc.197

This article is categorized under:

Social Status of Climate Change Knowledge > Climate Science and Decision Making
Turbo equalization of doubly selective channels
Authors: Barhumi Imad
Published: October 2012

In this paper, turbo equalization for transmission over doubly selective channels is proposed. The maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) algorithm is used for channel detection as well as for channel decoding. The detection/decoding constituents can exchange soft information in an iterative manner resulting in the so‐called turbo equalization. The time‐varying multi‐path fading channel is modeled using the basis expansion model (BEM). In this BEM, the time‐varying channel is viewed as a bank of time‐invariant finite impulse response filters, and the time variation is captured by means of time‐varying complex exponential basis functions. Therefore, the time‐varying transition tables that characterize the time‐varying channel can also follow a similar BEM. The complexity of the MAP channel detector is rather prohibitive for practical applications. This motivates the search for lower‐complexity soft‐output channel detectors. For this purpose, soft‐output linear minimum‐mean square error (LMMSE)‐based channel detectors are proposed for single carrier as well as for multi‐carrier systems. With the use of Gaussian approximation, expressions for the a posteriori and extrinsic log‐likelihood ratios have been derived. The performance of the proposed turbo equalization schemes are evaluated using numerical simulations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neural induction and early patterning in vertebrates
Authors: Ozair Mohammad Zeeshan , Kintner Chris , Brivanlou Ali H.
Published: October 2012

In vertebrates, the development of the nervous system is triggered by signals from a powerful ‘organizing’ region of the early embryo during gastrulation. This phenomenon—neural induction—was originally discovered and given conceptual definition by experimental embryologists working with amphibian embryos. Work on the molecular circuitry underlying neural induction, also in the same model system, demonstrated that elimination of ongoing transforming growth factor‐β (TGFβ) signaling in the ectoderm is the hallmark of anterior neural‐fate acquisition. This observation is the basis of the ‘default’ model of neural induction. Endogenous neural inducers are secreted proteins that act to inhibit TGFβ ligands in the dorsal ectoderm. In the ventral ectoderm, where the signaling ligands escape the inhibitors, a non‐neural fate is induced. Inhibition of the TGFβ pathway has now been demonstrated to be sufficient to directly induce neural fate in mammalian embryos as well as pluripotent mouse and human embryonic stem cells. Hence the molecular process that delineates neural from non‐neural ectoderm is conserved across a broad range of organisms in the evolutionary tree. The availability of embryonic stem cells from mouse, primates, and humans will facilitate further understanding of the role of signaling pathways and their downstream mediators in neural induction in vertebrate embryos. WIREs Dev Biol 2012, 2:479–498. doi: 10.1002/wdev.90

This article is categorized under:

Signaling Pathways > Global Signaling Mechanisms

Early Embryonic Development > Gastrulation and Neurulation

Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: General Principles
A bovine whey protein extract can induce the generation of regulatory T cells and shows potential to alleviate asthma symptoms in a murine asthma model
Authors: Chen Jiunn-Horng , Huang Po-Han , Lee Chen-Chen , Chen Pin-Yu , Chen Hui-Chen
Published: October 2012

The number of people with asthma has dramatically increased over the past few decades and the cost of care is more than $11·3 billion per year. The use of steroids is the major treatment to control asthma symptoms, but the side effects are often devastating. Seeking new drugs or new strategies to reduce the dose of steroid taken has always been an important task. A bovine whey protein extract (WPE), which is enriched in transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), has been demonstrated to have the potential for reducing symptoms associated with mild-to-moderate T-helper cell type 1-mediated psoriasis in human subjects. However, whether WPE also has potential for inhibiting T-helper cell type 2 (Th2)-mediated disease remains unclear. In the present study, using a murine asthma model, we found that sensitised mice fed WPE daily, before they were challenged, resulted in reducing airway inflammation, serum ovalbumin-specific IgE, Th2-related cytokine production and airway hyperresponsiveness. Increase in the regulatory T cell (Treg) populationin vitroandin vivowas observed when treated with WPE. According to the results from the TGF-β-blocking antibody study, we suggest that TGF-β is the main component that endows WPE with the potential to reduce the generation of Treg. Thus, the present data suggest that WPE has the potential to alleviate the symptoms of asthma by inducing the generation of Treg. Therefore, regular administration of WPE might be potentially beneficial for patients with asthma.
Longitudinal comparisons of dietary patterns derived by cluster analysis in 7- to 13-year-old children
Authors: Northstone Kate , Smith Andrew D. A. C. , Newby P. K. , Emmett Pauline M.
Published: October 2012

Little is known about changes in dietary patterns over time. The present study aims to derive dietary patterns using cluster analysis at three ages in children and track these patterns over time. In all, 3 d diet diaries were completed for children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children at 7, 10 and 13 years. Children were grouped based on the similarities between average weight consumed (g/d) of sixty-two food groups using k-means cluster analysis. A total of four clusters were obtained at each age, with very similar patterns being described at each time point: Processed (high consumption of processed foods, chips and soft drinks), Healthy (high consumption of high-fibre bread, fruit, vegetables and water), Traditional (high consumption of meat, potatoes and vegetables) and Packed Lunch (high consumption of white bread, sandwich fillings and snacks). The number of children remaining in the same cluster at different ages was reasonably high: 50 and 43 % of children in the Healthy and Processed clusters, respectively, at age 7 years were in the same clusters at age 13 years. Maternal education was the strongest predictor of remaining in the Healthy cluster at each time point – children whose mothers had the highest level of education were nine times more likely to remain in that cluster compared to those with the lowest. Cluster analysis provides a simple way of examining changes in dietary patterns over time, and similar underlying patterns of diet at two ages during late childhood, that persisted through to early adolescence.