bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CT features of normal lung change in asymptomatic elderly patients
Authors: Leelakanok Nattinee , Piyavisetpat Nitra
Published: February 2016

Background

Not all morphological lung changes in the elderly contribute to respiratory disease and may be a consequence of normal aging.

Objectives

To describe the changes in asymptomatic elderly patients compared with those in younger patients in a Thai population.

Methods

The study cohort comprised 60 participants without respiratory symptoms in three groups of 20 by age: 20-40 years, 41-60 years, and >60 years. Participants were prospectively selected from patients referred for computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen, or head and neck, and underwent sequential CT during deep breathing at four lung levels. Two observers scored images by consensus. We compared groups using Pearson chi-square and Fisher exact tests, and used receiver operating characteristic curves to categorize bronchiectasis and bronchial wall thickening by age.

Results

Air trapping was related to age (5/20 group 1, 7/20 group 2, and 18/20 group 3 (P <0.01)) and was most prevalent in lower lobes (78%, P < 0.01). Reticulation was found in only one middle aged patient (P = 0.36). Bronchiectasis was more common in patients <56 years (7/23) than <56 years (3/37), P = 0.035. Bronchial wall thickening (7/23 in patients >56 years and 2/37 in patients <56 years, P = 0.02) and extensive air trapping were related to age (0/6 group 1, 1/6 group 2, and 5/6 group 3, P = 0.02). Findings were independent of smoking history.

Conclusions

Asymptomatic older patients had higher prevalence of bronchiectasis, bronchial wall thickening, and air trapping, independent of smoking history.
Inserción de la temática Gestión de Riesgo y Cambio Climático con enfoque de género y gobernabilidad, como eje transversal, en la asignatura metodología de la investigación
Authors: Solís Zúniga Franklin
Published: February 2016

La experiencia de investigación que aquí se presenta, está orientada al tema de la inserción de ejes transversales y atiende a una habilidad formativa cada vez más necesaria en el proceso de formación profesional de los/as estudiantes. Consiste en la incorporación de la temática gestión integral de riesgo y cambio climático con enfoque de género y gobernabilidad, como eje transversal, en la unidad dos, proceso de la investigación científica de la Asignatura Metodología de la Investigación de la Carrera de Enseñanza de las Ciencias Naturales del turno sabatino, durante los meses de abril a junio del año 2013.Esta investigación se realizó a partir de un diseño cualitativo desde la perspectiva de la Investigación Acción. Las técnicas aplicadas para la recolección de la información fueron, la observación, grupos de discusión, el diario de campo, los registros fotográficos y la entrevista como evaluación final. La información obtenida con las técnicas aplicadas fue analizada en función de los objetivos formulados y según su naturaleza cualitativa.Como resultado principal del trabajo realizado se obtuvo la integración del eje transversal de gestión de riesgo y cambio climático con enfoque de género y gobernabilidad, en la mayoría de las temáticas de investigación elegidas por los grupos de estudiantes. Por tanto, se puede decir que se logró comprobar la hipótesis de acción planteada.
Distribution and Adsorption Characteristics of Phosphorus at A Headwater Wetland in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Piao Jingqiu , Tang Changyuan , Matsumaru Toma , Han Zhiwei , Sakaguchi Hiroki , Satake Shunichi
Published: February 2016

The distribution and adsorption characteristics of phosphorus were investigated in a typical headwater wetland in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) was the main phosphorus fraction in the waters, ranging from limit of quantification (0.002 mg/L) to 0.059 mg/L in spring water, from limit of quantification to 0.128 mg/L in groundwater and from 0.012 to 0.048 mg/L in river water. TDP in 33% water samples were higher than the environmental quality standard for eutrophication (0.020 mg/L). Next, phosphorus adsorption experiment was conducted to study phosphorus distribution in the aquifer where the equilibrium phosphorus concentration (CEPC) is the key to access the phosphorus in the waters. In addition, the amount of TDP releasing from the wetland through river was 20.9 g/day.
Emerging Nigerian Megacities and Sustainable Development: Case Study of Lagos and Abuja
Authors: Obia Ajah Ekpeni
Published: February 2016

It is estimated that by 2020 half of Nigerians shall live in urban centres. Nigeria has scores of such centres, with many showing the tendency of becoming megacities in a no distant future. One of these cities, Lagos (already a megacity), shall by projection, have a population of 24 million persons by 2020. The other, Abuja, is one of the fastest growing cities on earth. Generally, the world is now known to parade far larger cities than history has ever recorded. Some of these cities are quite magnificent and glorious - London, Paris, Tokyo and New York. On the other hand, Lagos and Mumbai are classic examples of urban failures. What separate the two classes of cities are the approaches to the design of their urban fabrics and management of their ecology. Whereas the former cities have adopted robust sustainability principles in their architecture and urban design/regeneration as well as efficient urban management programmes, the latter appear to be partially or totally non-committal. This paper examines the evolving Nigerian mega cities and their potentials for sustainable survival, with particular reference to Lagos and Abuja, using indices of economic productivity, social equity and environmental concerns. The result shows that the two cities failed these sustainability tests. The cause is traceable to unsustainable architecture being practiced. About half of the total global energy consumption comes from buildings. Eco-design prescriptions of the architect would guarantee urban sustainability. Thus, this paper recommends a national green building code for Nigeria.
Adaptive Torque and Position Control for a Legged Robot Based on a Series Elastic Actuator
Authors: Zhu Qiuguo , Mao Yichao , Xiong Rong , Wu Jun
Published: February 2016

Inspired by biological systems, we seek to achieve natural dynamics and versatile locomotion for hopping or running robots by installing a series elastic actuator (SEA) in the joints due to its compliant property, passive adaptability and energy storage. However, robots equipped with these actuators have drawbacks in terms of substantial delay and limited bandwidth in their position control, especially when a robot has to choose its foothold while it is running at a demanding speed. To solve these problems, compliance control and adaptive position/torque control are introduced to a hopping- legged robot in this paper. The compliant performance of the robot can be improved through the intrinsic property of an SEA with a torque control algorithm. Combining the kinetics model and stochastic model of a 2-DOF robot, an adaptive position control with Kalman Filtering (KF) is developed to provide rapid convergent state estimation of the load on the robotic end-effector by solving the inverse dynamics. Validating the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm on our hopping-legged robot Tigger, the experimental results show very good position-tracking and disturbance-rejection, as well as flexible interactions while operating in a complex environment.
Fast Segmentation of Colour Apple Image under All-Weather Natural Conditions for Vision Recognition of Picking Robots
Authors: Ji Wei , Meng Xiangli , Tao Yun , Xu Bo , Zhao Dean
Published: February 2016

In order to resolve the poor real-time performance problem of the normalized cut (Ncut) method in apple vision recognition of picking robots, a fast segmentation method of colour apple images based on the adaptive mean-shift and Ncut methods is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the traditional Ncut method based on pixels is changed into the Ncut method based on regions by the adaptive mean-shift initial segmenting. In this way, the number of peaks and edges in the image is dramatically reduced and the computation speed is improved. Secondly, the image is divided into regional maps by extracting the R-B colour feature, which not only reduces the quantity of regions, but also to some extent overcomes the effect on illumination. On this basis, every region map is expressed by a region point, so the undirected graph of the R-B colour grey-level feature is attained. Finally, regarding the undirected graph as the input of Ncut, we construct the weight matrix W by region points and determine the number of clusters based on the decision-theoretic rough set. The adaptive clustering segmentation can be implemented by an Ncut algorithm. Experimental results show that the maximum segmentation error is 3% and the average recognition time is less than 0.7s, which can meet the requirements of a real-time picking robot.
Sustainable Varieties of Capitalism? The Greening of Steel Work in Brazil and Germany
Authors: Doering Heike , Evans Claire , Stroud Dean
Published: February 2016

The aim of this article is to investigate the sustainability agenda and its implications for employment and managerial practices within different institutional contexts. The article uses the comparative capitalisms literature and, in particular, the Varieties of Capitalism framework to examine how multinational corporations (MNCs) can exploit different institutional contexts to achieve competitive advantages. We explore one multinational steel company’s i.e. SteelCo.AG varied responses to the emerging constraints of the sustainability agenda in Germany, as an example of a Coordinated Market Economy, and Brazil, as an example of a Hierarchical Market Economy. In particular, we focus on evidence concerning training, environmental practices and policies in the different company sites.

We demonstrate how different institutional contexts favour different corporate strategies from an approach that exploits negative institutional complementarities, such as the “low-skill/low-cost trap,” to one that benefits from strong institutional coherence facilitating skills formation and innovation in response to environ-mental legislation. Our analysis argues for the importance of incorporating the green agenda as a marker of difference into the existing VoC framework. This allows for nuanced readings of unstable institutional complementarities in terms of operational, managerial and social innovation in different institutional contexts – with such analyses essential for understanding workers’ experiences of employment and work. Our contribution to the extant literature on the employment relationship, within the context of VoC analysis, therefore offers empirical material on understandings of employment relations within the HME category, as a new type within the VoC framework, through our discussion of a multinational’s activities in Brazil. This also allows us to focus on the way companies and other actors’ impact upon institutional frameworks and the distribution of power between different actors within particular contexts, thereby addressing recent discussions of the stability and homogeneity of institutional arrangements.
Similarity or Variation? Employee Representation and Consultation Approaches amongst Liberal Market Economy Multinationals
Authors: McDonnell Anthony , Boyle Brendan , Bartram Timothy , Stanton Pauline , Burgess John
Published: February 2016

This paper engages with the varieties of capitalism literature to investigate the employee representation and consultation approaches of liberal market economy multinational companies (MNCs), specifically Australian, British and US MNCs operating in Australia. While the literature would suggest commonality amongst these MNCs, the paper considers whether the evidence points to similarity or variation amongst liberal market headquartered MNCs. The findings contribute to filling a recognized empirical gap on MNC employment relations practice in Australia and to a better understanding of within category varieties of capitalism similarity and variation. Drawing on survey data from MNCs operating in Australia, the results demonstrated that UK-owned MNCs were the least likely to report collective structures of employee representation. Moreover, it was found that Australian MNCs were the most likely to engage in collective forms of employee representation and made less use of direct consultative mechanisms relative to their British and US counterparts. In spite of the concerted individualization of the employment relations domain over previous decades, Australian MNCs appear to have upheld more long-standing national institutional arrangements with respect to engaging with employees on a collective basis. This varies from British and US MNC approaches which denotes that our results display within category deviation in the variety of capitalism liberal market economy typology. Just as Hall and Soskice described their seminal work on liberal market economy (LME) and coordinated market economy (CME) categories as a “work-in-progress” (2001: 2), we too suggest that Australia’s evolution in the LME category, and more specifically its industrial relations system development, and the consequences for employment relations practices of its domestic MNCs, may be a work-in-progress.
L’impact de l’évaluation collective ou individuelle des performances sur les équipes de travail: le cas d’une enseigne de restauration rapide et commerciale
Authors: Castel Davy , Triplet Sarah , Monsellato Pauline , Vallery Gérard
Published: February 2016

L’impact du passage d’une évaluation collective à une évaluation individuelle de la performance, ou inversement, sur les équipes de travail et leur rendement est étudié en contexte réel au sein de deux équipes ayant récemment vécu le passage d’une évaluation collective à une évaluation individuelle pour l’une, et inversement pour l’autre. Si dans nos deux échantillons, l’évaluation individualisée s’accompagne d’une individualisation du rapport au travail, les effets sont plus contrastés en ce qui concerne le vécu individuel, la qualité des relations interpersonnelles et la performance. Lorsque, du fait des critères d’évaluation retenus, les contributions individuelles à la performance collective sont indétectables en l’absence d’évaluation individualisée, l’évaluation collective est associée à la suspicion et à une moindre performance en comparaison de l’évaluation individuelle. À l’inverse, lorsque selon les critères retenus pour évaluer la performance les membres de l’équipe peuvent aisément s’entraider pour améliorer la performance collective, l’évaluation collective est mieux perçue et est associée à de meilleures relations interpersonnelles et une meilleure performance que l’évaluation individuelle. Alors que l’évaluation individuelle est généralement privilégiée dans les entreprises, cette étude apporte des résultats empiriques à l’appui des recherches qui postulent que l’évaluation collective des équipes de travail est susceptible de renforcer la performance globale, en comparaison de l’évaluation individuelle de leurs membres, car elle favorise l’entraide et la régulation collective. Toutefois, ces résultats mettent en évidence que l’effet positif de l’évaluation collective en comparaison de l’évaluation individuelle n’est observé que lorsque les critères d’évaluation favorisent la régulation collective de la performance. Cette étude permet d’identifier ces deux éléments : 1- dans quel cas telle modalité d’évaluation semble préférable à telle autre; et 2- quels critères d’évaluation adopter pour favoriser les effets positifs de l’évaluation collective sur la performance engendrés par l’entraide et la régulation collective en cours d’activité.
Regulatory polymorphisms modulate the expression of HLA class II molecules and promote autoimmunity
Authors: Raj Prithvi , Rai Ekta , Song Ran , Khan Shaheen , Wakeland Benjamin E , Viswanathan Kasthuribai , Arana Carlos , Liang Chaoying , Zhang Bo , Dozmorov Igor , Carr-Johnson Ferdicia , Mitrovic Mitja , Wiley Graham B , Kelly Jennifer A , Lauwerys Bernard R , Olsen Nancy J , Cotsapas Chris , Garcia Christine K , Wise Carol A , Harley John B , Nath Swapan K , James Judith A , Jacob Chaim O , Tsao Betty P , Pasare Chandrashekhar , Karp David R , Li Quan Zhen , Gaffney Patrick M , Wakeland Edward K
Published: February 2016

Targeted sequencing of sixteen SLE risk loci among 1349 Caucasian cases and controls produced a comprehensive dataset of the variations causing susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Two independent disease association signals in the HLA-D region identified two regulatory regions containing 3562 polymorphisms that modified thirty-seven transcription factor binding sites. These extensive functional variations are a new and potent facet of HLA polymorphism. Variations modifying the consensus binding motifs of IRF4 and CTCF in the XL9 regulatory complex modified the transcription of HLA-DRB1, HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 in a chromosome-specific manner, resulting in a 2.5-fold increase in the surface expression of HLA-DR and DQ molecules on dendritic cells with SLE risk genotypes, which increases to over 4-fold after stimulation. Similar analyses of fifteen other SLE risk loci identified 1206 functional variants tightly linked with disease-associated SNPs and demonstrated that common disease alleles contain multiple causal variants modulating multiple immune system genes.
Apparent source levels and active communication space of whistles of free-ranging Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in the Pearl River Estuary and Beibu Gulf, China
Authors: Wang Zhi-Tao , W.L. Au Whitlow , Rendell Luke , Wang Ke-Xiong , Wu Hai-Ping , Wu Yu-Ping , Liu Jian-Chang , Duan Guo-Qin , Cao Han-Jiang , Wang Ding
Published: February 2016

Background.Knowledge of species-specific vocalization characteristics and their associated active communication space, the effective range over which a communication signal can be detected by a conspecific, is critical for understanding the impacts of underwater acoustic pollution, as well as other threats.

Methods.We used a two-dimensional cross-shaped hydrophone array system to record the whistles of free-ranging Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in shallow-water environments of the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) and Beibu Gulf (BG), China. Using hyperbolic position fixing, which exploits time differences of arrival of a signal between pairs of hydrophone receivers, we obtained source location estimates for whistles with good signal-to-noise ratio (SNR ≥10 dB) and not polluted by other sounds and back-calculated their apparent source levels (ASL). Combining with the masking levels (including simultaneous noise levels, masking tonal threshold, and theSousaauditory threshold) and the custom made site-specific sound propagation models, we further estimated their active communication space (ACS).

Results.Humpback dolphins produced whistles with average root-mean-square ASL of 138.5 ± 6.8 (mean ± standard deviation) and 137.2 ± 7.0 dB re 1 µPa in PRE (N= 33) and BG (N= 209), respectively. We found statistically significant differences in ASLs among different whistle contour types. The mean and maximum ACS of whistles were estimated to be 14.7 ± 2.6 (median ± quartile deviation) and 17.1± 3.5 m in PRE, and 34.2 ± 9.5 and 43.5 ± 12.2 m in BG. Using just the auditory threshold as the masking level produced the mean and maximum ACSatof 24.3 ± 4.8 and 35.7 ± 4.6 m for PRE, and 60.7 ± 18.1 and 74.3 ± 25.3 m for BG. The small ACSs were due to the high ambient noise level. Significant differences in ACSs were also observed among different whistle contour types.

Discussion.Besides shedding some light for evaluating appropriate noise exposure levels and information for the regulation of underwater acoustic pollution, these baseline data can also be used for aiding the passive acoustic monitoring of dolphin populations, defining the boundaries of separate groups in a more biologically meaningful way during field surveys, and guiding the appropriate approach distance for local dolphin-watching boats and research boat during focal group following.
Magnetic Sensors
Authors: Edelstein Alan S.
Published: February 2016

The different types of vector and scalar or total field magnetic sensors and the applications of these sensors are reviewed. Some of the applications have been employed for many years, such as the compasses for navigation, while others such as the detection of magnetic nanoparticles as part of drug delivery systems are much newer. Among the new phenomena are preferential tunneling of electrons with one direction of spin to increase the magnetoresistance or to change the magnetization using MgO tunnel barrier and Bose condensates for high‐resolution magnetometry. The several points that will be emphasized are the following: (i) magnetic sensors generally differ greatly in sensitivity, cost, power, and size; (ii) many different phenomena can be employed to measure magnetic fields; (iii) there are a large number and variety of applications; and (iv) the discovery of new phenomena has opened up new ways to measure magnetic fields and applications.
Integrated Acousto‐Optic Device Modules and Applications
Authors: Tsai Chen S.
Published: February 2016

This article is devoted to integrated acousto‐optic devices and applications with emphasis on the basic planar guided‐wave acousto‐optic (AO) Bragg diffraction geometry, Bragg cell modulators, the basic collinear AO mode converters, and the resulting integrated optic modules for radio frequency (RF) signal processing and optical wavelength filtering. In Section 2, the interaction geometry, physical mechanism, analytical treatment, the key device parameters of a basic planar AO Bragg cell modulator, and viable substrate materials are presented. The techniques for realization of efficient and wideband planar AO Bragg modulator and deflector, using multiple tilted surface acoustic waves (SAWs) and phased‐array SAWs, and applications to multiport optical switching are also presented. Subsequently, the architecture for a monolithic integrated AO RF spectrum analyzer and that for hybrid counterparts in planar and spherical waveguide LiNbO3substrates, and the fabrication technologies involved are presented in Section 3. Prospects for further advances toward monolithic integration for the integrated optic RF spectrum analyzers are also briefly mentioned. The other major application of integrated acousto‐optics for tunable optical filtering using collinear mode conversion is treated in Section 4.
Coded Orbital Angular Momentum Based Free‐Space Optical Transmission
Authors: Djordjevic Ivan B. , Qu Zhen
Published: February 2016

In this article, we explore orbital‐angular‐momentum‐based (OAM) free‐space optical (FSO) transmission systems using low‐density parity‐check (LDPC) coded quadrature phase‐shift keying (QPSK) modulation format. The theory of OAM modes is discussed first, followed by the schemes to generate, multiplex/demultiplex, and detect OAM modes. Then, the FSO transmission systems with and without atmospheric turbulence are studied. The spatial‐ and time‐varying atmospheric turbulence is simulated via fast‐changing phase patterns, which are recorded by modified von Karman spectrum statistics. The atmospheric turbulence effects are discussed in terms of the intensity profile of OAM beam and power distribution among adjacent mode channels. In addition, we review the performance of LDPC coding based FSO transmission systems with a single OAM mode and with OAM multiplexing.
Biodegradable Polymers: Medical Applications
Authors: Kunduru Konda Reddy , Basu Arijit , Domb Abraham J.
Published: February 2016

Biodegradable polymers are the “green materials” of the future. They break down into smaller chemical fragments and are finally eliminated from the body. Biodegradable polymers have been used for more than 50 years with diverse applications such as surgical sutures, wound dressings, tissue regeneration, enzyme immobilization, controlled drug delivery and gene delivery, tissue engineering scaffold, cryopreservation, nanotechnology, medical implants and devices, prosthetics, augmentation, cosmetics, sanitation products, coatings, adhesives, and many more. This article reviews synthetic (esters, amides, ethers, urethanes) and natural (polysaccharides and proteins) biodegradable polymers, highlighting their biomedical applications.
Macromonomers
Authors: Neugebauer Dorota
Published: February 2016

Macromonomers are large monomers containing repeating units and a polymerizable or functional group. Strategies such as grafting through (polymerization) and grafting to (coupling) are known as the macromonomer methods for the synthesis of functional “smart” polymers with nonlinear topologies and precisely designed properties. The variety of structures includes mono‐ and difunctional (homo‐ and heterofunctional), single‐, double‐, and triple‐tailed, star‐ and dendron‐tailed polymers. Well‐defined macromonomers are commonly applied as surface modifiers, stabilizers, compatibilizers, emulsifiers, and as building blocks of polymacromonomers, that is block and graft copolymers (molecular brushes), star copolymers (miktoarm stars), branched polymers, and networks. This articles overviews various types of macromonomers, synthetic methods for their preparation, representative examples, and the most common applications.
Multiscale modeling of virus replication and spread
Authors: Kumberger Peter , Frey Felix , Schwarz Ulrich S. , Graw Frederik
Published: February 2016

Replication and spread of human viruses is based on the simultaneous exploitation of many different host functions, bridging multiple scales in space and time. Mathematical modeling is essential to obtain a systems‐level understanding of how human viruses manage to proceed through their life cycles. Here, we review corresponding advances for viral systems of large medical relevance, such as human immunodeficiency virus‐1 (HIV‐1) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). We will outline how the combination of mathematical models and experimental data has advanced our quantitative knowledge about various processes of these pathogens, and how novel quantitative approaches promise to fill remaining gaps.
Credible Intervals
Authors: Argiento Raffaele
Published: February 2016

In this article, we discuss set estimation in a Bayesian framework. In particular, we give a formal definition for a credible set in the general multivariate parameter setting and detail the unidimensional case when the set estimator is restricted to be an interval. Moreover, we comment upon differences and similarities between interval estimates via Bayesian and non‐Bayesian methods.

It is customary to ask that the credible set satisfies a minimum size optimality criterion, leading to the definition of highest posterior density regions. We mention some theoretical and computational issues of these optimal regions.
Personalized/Precision Medicine
Authors: Simon Richard
Published: February 2016

Personalized medicine, sometimes called
precision or predictive medicine
, refers to the practice of using patient and disease characteristics to tailor the selection of medical procedures and treatments. In several areas of oncology, personalized/precision medicine is the current standard of care. Developments in oncology were driven by the development of next‐generation sequencing assays that demonstrated that many common diagnostic categories were heterogeneous with regard to the genomic alterations present in tumors and that these genomic alterations reflected the natural history and responsiveness to treatments. The discovery of these genomic alterations has also driven the process of cancer drug discovery. For other common, chronic diseases, the expectation that the discovery of germline polymorphisms correlated with disease prevalence would clarify disease etiology and lead to effective drug discovery has, to date, had more limited success. In this article, we give an overview of the importance of taking patient and disease characteristics into account in development of effective prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies.
Control Limits
Authors: Zappa Diego
Published: February 2016

Control limits are one of the main elements of control charts. Generally speaking, a control chart is the graphical display of a statistic regarding the quality characteristic of interest, computed from a sample randomly drawn from a process at different time instances. As natural variability is always present in a process, we expect some variability on the control chart. Excessive variability, owing to special cause events, is referred to as being due to an assignable cause. Otherwise, when only chance causes – also called
common causes of variation
– are operating, the process is said to be in statistical control. In order to make a decision about the status of the process, control limits are typically positioned so that under the hypothesis of no deviation in the process, a type I probability error corresponds to an economically acceptable average run length. In this article, we discuss in a general manner how to compute control limits, and give some remarks on how limits should be computed so as to reduce false out of control signals.
Flow Characterization of a Duplex near α Ti6242 Alloy through Interrelation of Microstructural Evolution, 3D Activation Energy Map, and Processing Map
Authors: Rezaee Mohammad , Zarei‐Hanzaki Abbas , Ghambari Mohammad , Dastranjy Nezhadfar Pooriya , Ghasemi Erfan
Published: February 2016

The present study deals with the hot compression behavior of Ti6242 alloy in the range of 700–1000 °C under 0.003–0.3 s−1 strain rates up to the logarithmic strain of 0.7. The occurrence of kinking/bending in transformed β, dynamic recrystallization (DRX), and subsequently the small amount of globularization in primary α phase are all considered responsible for the observed flow softening. However, the strain‐compensated constitutive equations as well as 3D activation energy and processing maps were used to further characterizing the dominant softening mechanism in various deformation conditions. Accordingly, the best processing window is established between 820 and 1000 °C under the low strain rate of 0.003 s−1.
Double‐Oxidative Dehydrogenative (DOD) Cyclization of Glycine Derivatives with Dioxane under Metal‐Free Aerobic Conditions
Authors: Huo Congde , Xie Haisheng , Chen Fengjuan , Tang Jing , Wang Yajun
Published: February 2016

The first carbon tetrabromide‐promoted novel double‐oxidative dehydrogenative cyclization/acidic ring opening/aromatization tandem reaction of glycine derivatives with dioxane for the synthesis of complex quinoline motifs has been developed (up to 71% yield). The use of very inexpensive substrates (glycine derivatives and dioxane) and an extremely simple metal‐free promoter (carbon tetrabromide) with green molecular oxygen (air) as an oxidant make this protocol very attractive for potential synthetic applications. A plausible mechanism involving a radical process is proposed.

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Does allostatic load calculation method matter? Evaluation of different methods and individual biomarkers functioning by race/ethnicity and educational level
Authors: Howard Jeffrey T. , Sparks P. Johnelle
Published: February 2016

Objectives

Using nationally representative data for adults of age 25 years and older from four waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), collected from 2003 through 2010, this study examines differences in individual health markers used to calculate allostatic load, with particular attention given to stratification by race/ethnicity and educational level.

Methods

Factor analysis with maximum likelihood estimation was used. Fisher's r to z transformation test was used to determine whether or not observed differences in factor loadings were statistically significant.

Results

The findings reveal the unidimensionality of the concept of allostatic load and the underlying differences in associations between individual biomarkers and summary measures of allostatic load. Additionally, metabolic processes tend to be the most important predictor of allostatic load for all adults; however, inflammatory measures are more important in determining allostatic load scores for non‐Hispanic blacks compared to non‐Hispanic whites and for adults with less than a college education compared to adults with some college or a college degree.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the continued importance of studying the concept of “weathering” or allostatic load at the population level and need to better understand how population groups facing exclusion from economic, social, and political power may internalize this position which may cause early health deterioration and ultimate mortality chance through different expression of health insults and premature aging. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:627–635, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A New Kind of Spatial Inattention Associated With Chronic Limb Pain?
Authors: Reid Emily , Wallwork Sarah B. , Harvie Daniel , Chalmers K. Jane , Gallace Alberto , Spence Charles , Moseley G. Lorimer
Published: February 2016

Pathological limb pain patients show decreased attention to some stimuli on the painful limb and increased attention to others, a paradox that has dogged the field for over a decade. We hypothesized that pathological pain involves a spatial inattention confined to bodily representations. Patients showed inattention to the painful side for visual processing of body parts but not letters, tactile processing but not auditory, and body‐part bisection tasks but not line bisection tasks. We propose the new term “somatospatial inattention” to describe bodily‐specific spatial inattention associated with pathological limb pain. Ann Neurol 2016;79:701–704
Synthese hochfunktionalisierter 4‐Aminochinoline
Authors: Wezeman Tim , Zhong Sabilla , Nieger Martin , Bräse Stefan
Published: February 2016

Es wurde eine diverse Bibliothek substituierter 4‐Aminochinoline in einem Schritt aus Inamiden, Trifluormethansulfonsäure‐Anhydrid, 2‐Chlorpyridin und leicht zugänglichen Amiden synthetisiert.
Evaluation of a new water‐compatible hybrid molecularly imprinted polymer combined with restricted access for the selective recognition of folic acid in binding assays
Authors: de Oliveira Fernanda Midori , Segatelli Mariana Gava , Tarley César Ricardo Teixeira
Published: February 2016

This article deals with the synthesis of an organic−inorganic hybrid molecularly imprinted poly(methacrylic acid‐trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate)/SiO2 combined with restricted access. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis, and textural data were used to characterize the structure of material. Higher selectivity was obtained for the molecularly imprinted polymer with restricted access when compared to nonimprinted polymer with restricted access, confirming the imprinting effect. The folic acid sorption for the polymers molecularly imprinted with restricted access, nonimprinted with restricted access, and molecularly imprinted, exhibited the following values of 5.6, 4.5, and 4.8 mg g−1, respectively. Kinetic experimental data were very well adjusted to Elovich and pseudo‐second‐order models, which suggest that the sorption of folic acid takes place in binding sites with different energies. The obtained values of enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy of −12.79 kJ mol−1, −36.38 K−1 J mol−1, and −1.76 kJ mol−1, respectively, showed that the sorption of folic acid onto molecularly imprinted polymer combined with restricted access occurs spontaneously, is of both exothermic and of physical nature with an increase of ordering at the solid−solution interface. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43463.
In vitro and in vivo investigational studies of a nanocomposite‐hydrogel‐based dressing with a silver‐coated chitosan wafer for full‐thickness skin wounds
Authors: Jaiswal Maneesh , Koul Veena , Dinda Amit Kr.
Published: February 2016

A nanocomposite reservoir‐type hydrogel dressing of poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) was fabricated by a freeze–thaw method and loaded with silver‐nanoparticle‐coated chitosan wafers (Ag–CHWs). The Ag–CHWs were synthesized by a sonication technique with silver nitrate (AgNO3) and chitosan powder. Scanning electron microscopy images showed silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with a size range of 10 ± 4 nm on the surface of the chitosan wafers, and the antibacterial efficacy (minimum inhibitory concentration) of the Ag–CHWs was measured against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (32 µg/mL), Staphylococcus aureus, (30 µg/mL) and Escherichia coli (32 µg/mL). The antimicrobial PVA hydrogel showed an improved tensile strength (∼0.28 MPa) and gel content (∼92%) in comparison with the blank hydrogels. Full‐thickness‐excision wound studies of the nanocomposite dressing on Wistar rats revealed enhanced wound contraction, improved inflammation response, re‐epithelization rate, neoangiogenesis, and granulation tissue formation in comparison to the control group. A flexible, biocompatible, nanocomposite reservoir dressing not only established the chitosan as a stabilizer but also proved the efficacious and safe utility of AgNPs toward chronic wound management. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43472.
Gastroschisis in a fetus with a congenital neuroblastoma: Association or coincidence?
Authors: Rosa Rafael F.M. , Michelon Laura , Masiero Átila , Faria Adyr E.V. , Souza Vanessa F. De , Dietrich Cristine , Targa Luciano V. , Provenzi Valentina O. , Pires Silvana R.S. , Zen Paulo R.G.
Published: February 2016

Background

Gastroschisis is the most common abdominal wall defect. It is characterized by herniation of the intestine and other abdominal organs through a defect in the abdominal wall. Neuroblastoma is the most common malignant tumor observed during the neonatal period. It is a neuroendocrine tumor derived from neural crest cells that develops into the adrenal gland.

Case

We report on the undescribed association between gastrochisis and congenital neuroblastoma, diagnosised during the prenatal period. The mother was a 20‐year‐old healthy pregnant woman in her second pregnancy. Obstetric ultrasound examination showed a fetus presenting an abdominal wall defect on the right side of the umbilical cord, compatible with gastroschisis, and a hyperechogenic and spherical solid lesion on the left adrenal gland. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging disclosed similar features associated to a heterogeneous aspect of the liver. The diagnosis of metastatic neuroblastoma was confirmed after birth through liver biopsy. At 2 days of life, the prothrombrin time was abnormal, and the patient needed vitamin K.

Conclusion

We cannot rule out the possibility that a clotting defect, commonly observed in disseminated malignancies such as a metastatic neuroblastoma may be associated with the etiology of the gastroschisis, as this defect may result from a thrombosis occurring around 3 to 4 weeks of gestation, a period when neuroblasts development occurs into the adrenal medulla. However, we cannot exclude the possibility that both events may have occurred simultaneously by chance. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 106:208–212, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Detection of Single Pt Nanoparticle Collisions by Open‐Circuit Potential Changes at Ag Ultramicroelectrode
Authors: Mun Seon Kyu , Shin Changhwan , Kwon Seong Jung
Published: February 2016

Single platinum (Pt) nanoparticle (NP) collisions were investigated with open‐circuit potential (OCP) using a silver (Ag) ultramicroelectrode (UME). The Ag UME showed higher sensitivity to single Pt NP detection by the OCP method than gold (Au) UME. The detection of ~2 nm radius Pt NP collisions was carried out successfully using Ag UME. The magnitude of the potential step and collision frequency for the single Pt NP collision on Ag UME was investigated and compared with those of the previous work done on Au UME.
Microbial Community Structures in Petroleum Contaminated Soils at an Oil Field, Hebei, China
Authors: Sheng Yizhi , Wang Guangcai , Hao Chunbo , Xie Qian , Zhang Qian
Published: February 2016

Petroleum hydrocarbons consisting of complicated mixtures of non‐aqueous and hydrophobic components have raised a widespread environmental problem and influenced the subsurface microbial ecology. Three subsurface soil samples were collected at an oil field (Hebei, China) to investigate the microbial diversity patterns and their responds to different petroleum hydrocarbon contaminations by using 16S rRNA gene cloning analysis combined with multivariate statistical analysis. The results showed that bacterial clone libraries fell into 16 phylogenetic divisions and 184 operational taxonomic units. Gammaproteobacteria ubiquitously dominated in all samples, while the relative abundance was lowest in the sample with the highest total petroleum hydrocarbon concentration. Known petroleum degrading bacterial genera Alcanivorax, Stenotrophomonas, Pseudomonas, Pseudoxanthomonas, Sphingomonas, and Acidobacterium were abundantly observed, whereas their relative abundances differed greatly under a selection pressure by the complex hydrocarbons. For example, Alcanivorax spp. were the most abundant genera in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons contaminated soils, while both Alcanivorax spp. and Stenotrophomonas spp. dominated in benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes contaminated soils. Additionally, a large fraction of bacterial clones were expectedly affiliated to some uncultured bacteria originated from several similar polluted ecosystems, and bacteria without certain petroleum degrading capacities. These observations indicated that microbial diversity, abundance and community were highly influenced by the concentrations of petroleum constituents in the contaminated soil ecosystems. Understanding the underlying factors that control the abundance of these heterotrophic microorganisms may be advantageous in the bioremediation of petroleum contaminated environments.
A Single‐Source Precursor Approach to Self‐Supported Nickel–Manganese‐Based Catalysts with Improved Stability for Effective Low‐Temperature Dry Reforming of Methane
Authors: Menezes Prashanth W. , Indra Arindam , Littlewood Patrick , Göbel Caren , Schomäcker Reinhard , Driess Matthias
Published: February 2016

Self‐supported nickel–manganese‐based catalysts were synthesized from heterobimetallic nickel manganese oxalate precursors via a versatile reverse micelle approach. The precursors were subjected to thermal degradation (400 °C) in the presence of synthetic air to form respective metal oxides, which were treated under hydrogen (500 °C) to form Ni2MnO4–O2–H2, Ni6MnO8–O2–H2 and NiO–O2–H2. Similarly, the precursors were also treated directly under hydrogen at the same temperature to form Ni2MnO4–H2 and Ni6MnO8–H2. The catalysts were extensively investigated by PXRD, SEM, TEM, XPS and BET analyses. The resulting catalysts were applied for dry reforming of methane (DRM) and exhibit better stability and resistance to coking than coprecipitated catalysts. Further, we show that addition of manganese, which is not an active catalyst for DRM alone, to nickel has a significant promotion effect on both the activity and stability of DRM catalysts, and a Ni/Mn ratio lower than 6:1 enables optimized activity for this system.
Synovial sarcoma presenting as a lung mass and diagnosed by cytology
Authors: Pyden Alexander D. , Lin Xiaoqi
Published: February 2016

Synovial sarcoma is a common soft tissue sarcoma with variable fibrous and epithelial differentiation that rarely arises from other body sites, such as within the lung. A case of a 68‐year‐old male with an extensive smoking history who presented with chest pain and a primary, central, metabolically active lung mass was reported. The mass was biopsied by bronchial brushing, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and transbronchial fine‐needle aspiration (FNA). Cytologic analysis of bronchial brushing, BAL, and FNA revealed single and clusters of atypical spindle cells, oval, or spindle‐shaped nuclei with smooth nuclear membranes, hyperchromatic and granular chromatin, scant to moderate and delicate cytoplasm, a high degree of mitotic figures, and a lack of necrosis. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the tumor cells were positive for CD99, BCL2, and CK7. A diagnosis of synovial sarcoma was rendered. The differential diagnosis of primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma is discussed, including neuroendocrine tumors, squamous cell carcinoma, and various sarcomatous tumors. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:434–437. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The anorexic voice and severity of eating pathology in anorexia nervosa
Authors: Pugh Matthew , Waller Glenn
Published: February 2016

Objective

Internal “anorexic voices” are commonly described by individuals with eating disorders. This study examines whether the perceived power and nature of that voice are related to eating pathology in anorexia nervosa.

Method

Sixty‐three women and one man with an ICD‐10 diagnosis of anorexia nervosa participated in this study (mean age = 27.3 years; mean BMI = 16.0). Participants completed questionnaires measuring severity of eating pathology, perceived voice power, and beliefs about voices, either at the start or during treatment.

Results

A more powerful anorexic voice was associated with more negative eating attitudes in this clinical group. However, BMI was related to a moderating effect, with the interaction of greater voice power and malevolence being associated with a lower BMI.

Discussion

These findings suggest the anorexic voice may function as a maintenance factor in anorexia nervosa. Cognitive models of hearing voices may be applicable to disorders other than psychosis. Further explorations are warranted. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:622–625).
Change in risk factors for eating disorder symptomatology in Malay students sojourning in the United Kingdom
Authors: Swami Viren
Published: February 2016

Objective

The purpose of this investigation was to examine change in risk for eating disorders in higher education students sojourning in the United Kingdom (UK), as well as associations between such risk and experiences in the host culture.

Method

Participants were 98 female students from Malaysia, who completed a measure of risk factors for eating disorder symptomatology (the Eating Disorder Inventory‐3 subscales of drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, and bulimia symptoms) at two time points: two months prior to beginning their sojourn in the UK (Time 1) and four months after the sojourn began (Time 2). At Time 2, participants also completed measures of sociocultural adjustment, cultural distance between home and host cultures, and perceived discrimination in the host culture.

Results

Analyses indicated that, compared to scores at Time 1, participants had significantly higher drive for thinness (d = 0.64), body dissatisfaction (d = 0.54), and bulimia symptoms (d = 0.29) at Time 2. Poorer sociocultural adjustment and greater perceived discrimination significantly predicted greater risk of eating disorders at Time 2.

Discussion

The stress associated with culture change may place sojourning students at risk for disordered eating. Further research is needed to determine the extent to which this risk is related to culture‐change specifically, as opposed to a general set of factors associated with transition‐related psychopathology more broadly. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:695–700)