bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of therapeutic plasma exchange on coagulation parameters in patients on warfarin
Authors: Zantek Nicole D. , Morgan Shanna , Zantek Paul F. , Mair David C. , Bowman Robert J. , Aysola Agnes
Published: September 2013

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) without plasma replacement results in coagulation factor removal. Warfarin decreases the activity of vitamin K dependent coagulation factors. The combined effect of TPE and warfarin on the coagulation system has not been studied. A prospective, observational study was conducted in patients undergoing TPE while on warfarin. One plasma volume TPEs were performed on the COBE Spectra Apheresis System (Terumo BCT, Lakewood, CO) with 5% albumin. International normalized ratio (INR), fibrinogen, and factor II activity were obtained pre and post procedure. Eight patients underwent 121 TPEs that met study criteria with pre and post data. The average pre values were INR 2.09 ± 0.58, fibrinogen 263 ± 76 mg/dl, and factor II 29 ± 16% and the average post values were INR 4.12 ± 1.44, fibrinogen 105 ± 31 mg/dl, and factor II 13 ± 7%. The pre‐INR was ≥2.00 for 55% of TPEs. The pre value (Y0) predicts the post value (Y) by the following equations Y = −0.54 + 2.21Y0, Y =12.10 + 0.35Y0, and Y =1.83 + 0.39Y0 for INR, fibrinogen, and factor II respectively. In conclusion, pre procedure laboratory values can predict the post laboratory values for patients on warfarin receiving single plasma volume TPE with albumin replacement. The post‐INR is approximately twice the pre‐INR. At normal and mildly elevated pre‐INR, the effect of TPE on the INR is less marked. A single plasma volume TPE decreases the plasma level by ∼65% for fibrinogen and 60% for factor II. J. Clin. Apheresis 29:75–82, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Potential Role of Voltage‐Sensing Phosphatases in Regulation of Cell Structure Through the Production of PI(3,4)P2
Authors: Yamaguchi Shinji , Kurokawa Tatsuki , Taira Ikuko , Aoki Naoya , Sakata Souhei , Okamura Yasushi , Homma Koichi J.
Published: September 2013

Voltage‐sensing phosphatase, VSP, consists of the transmembrane domain, operating as the voltage sensor, and the cytoplasmic domain with phosphoinositide‐phosphatase activities. The voltage sensor tightly couples with the cytoplasmic phosphatase and membrane depolarization induces dephosphorylation of several species of phosphoinositides. VSP gene is conserved from urochordate to human. There are some diversities among VSP ortholog proteins; range of voltage of voltage sensor motions as well as substrate selectivity. In contrast with recent understandings of biophysical mechanisms of VSPs, little is known about its physiological roles. Here we report that chick ortholog of VSP (designated as Gg‐VSP) induces morphological feature of cell process outgrowths with round cell body in DF‐1 fibroblasts upon its forced expression. Expression of the voltage sensor mutant, Gg‐VSPR153Q with shifted voltage dependence to a lower voltage led to more frequent changes of cell morphology than the wild‐type protein. Coexpression of PTEN that dephosphorylates PI(3,4)P2 suppressed this effect by Gg‐VSP, indicating that the increase of PI(3,4)P2 leads to changes of cell shape. In addition, visualization of PI(3,4)P2 with the fluorescent protein fused with the TAPP1‐derived pleckstrin homology (PH) domain suggested that Gg‐VSP influenced the distribution of PI(3,4)P2. These findings raise a possibility that one of the VSP's functions could be to regulate cell morphology through voltage‐sensitive tuning of phosphoinositide profile. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 422–433, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Unbound fraction of vancomycin in intensive care unit patients
Authors: Kees Martin G. , Wicha Sebastian G. , Seefeld Astrid , Kees Frieder , Kloft Charlotte
Published: September 2013

Published data on the unbound fraction of vancomycin in patient samples exhibit high variability. In the present study, a robust ultrafiltration method was developed and applied to 102 clinical samples from 22 intensive care unit patients who were treated with continuous infusion of vancomycin. A validated HPLC method was used for determination of total and unbound concentrations. The mean unbound fraction was 67.2% (standard deviation 7.5%, range 47.2–92.1%) and independent of total concentration of vancomycin or of albumin. The unbound fraction was significantly correlated (r = +0.67, P = .0009) with the renally filtered fraction (drug clearance/creatinine clearance), providing functional evidence for the validity of the measurements. Ultrafiltration proved to be susceptible to variations in the experimental conditions such as pH, temperature and centrifugal force. The measured unbound fraction increased from 60% at pH 6 to 100% at pH 9, from 57% at 4°C to 80% at 37°C, and was 76% at 1,000 g compared with 45% at 10,000 g. Lack of standardization may therefore partly explain the variable results reported in the literature.
Action of the insect growth regulator fluazuron, the active ingredient of the acaricide Acatak®, inRhipicephalus sanguineusnymphs (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae)
Authors: Calligaris Izabela Braggião , De Oliveira Patricia Rosa , Roma Gislaine Cristina , Bechara Gervásio Henrique , Camargo‐Mathias Maria Izabel
Published: September 2013

The present study evaluated the efficacy of fluazuron (active ingredient of the acaricide Acatak®) and its effects onRhipicephalus sanguineusnymphs fed on rabbits exposed to different doses of this insect growth regulator. Three different doses of fluazuron (20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, and 80 mg/kg) were applied on the back of hosts (via “pour on”), while distilled water was applied to the Control group. On the first day of treatment with fluazuron (24 h), hosts were artificially infested withR. sanguineusnymphs. Once fully engorged, nymphs were removed and placed in identified Petri dishes in Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) incubator for 7 days. After this period, engorged nymphs were processed for ultramorphological analysis. The results revealed alterations in the ultramorphology of many chitinous structures (smaller hypostome and chelicerae, less sclerotized scutum, fewer sensilla, fewer pores, absence of grooves, marginal and cervical strips and festoons in the body, even the anal plaque was damaged) that play essential roles for the survivor of ticks and that can compromise the total or partial development of nymphs and emergence of adults after periodic molting. Our findings confirm the efficacy of fluazuron, a more specific and less aggressive chemical to the environment and human health, and that does not induce resistance, in nymphs of the tickR. sanguineusin artificially infested rabbits treated with this arthropod growth regulator (AGR), indicating that it could be used in the control of this stage of the biological cycle of the tickR. sanguineus.Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:1177–1185, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mars ionospheric response to solar wind variability
Authors: Opgenoorth H. J. , Andrews D. J. , Fränz M. , Lester M. , Edberg N. J. T. , Morgan D. , Duru F. , Witasse O. , Williams A. O.
Published: September 2013

At planets with induced magnetospheres, the coupling between the ionosphere, the weak draped magnetosphere, and the solar wind is very direct in comparison to Earth. The weak induced magnetosphere itself is created by the prevailing Solar wind conditions and therefore in its shape and strength dynamically depending on it. In early 2010, Mars was located behind Earth in the Solar wind; thus, we can use coordinated data from multiple near‐Earth spacecraft (Stereo, Wind) to evaluate what kind of Solar wind disturbances have passed by Earth and might consecutively hit Mars, and when. We employ plasma data from the ESA Mars‐Express mission, the ASPERA‐3 particle instrument, and the MARSIS Active Ionospheric Sounder (AIS) to investigate, for a number of isolated events in March and April 2010, how the ionosphere and the induced magnetosphere at Mars develop and decay in response to Solar wind variability in the magnetic field, density, and velocity. In a dedicated campaign mode, we use frequent long‐duration MARSIS AIS operations for several consecutive orbits, to monitor for the first time the long‐term development of the Martian plasma environment during solar wind disturbances. We find that the magnetosphere and ionosphere of Mars can become considerably compressed by solar wind dynamic pressure variations, which usually are also associated with changes in the magnetic draping of the interplanetary magnetic field around the planet. These are typically associated with corotating interaction regions and coronal mass ejections, and can last for several days. During such episodes of compression, we see signatures of increased plasma transport over the terminator and enhanced ion outflow from the upper atmosphere.
Storm‐induced plasma stream in the low‐latitude to midlatitude ionosphere
Authors: Maruyama Takashi , Ma Guanyi , Tsugawa Takuya
Published: September 2013

Geomagnetic disturbances from 7 to 12 November 2004 were quite intense, and the maximum excursion of Dst reached −374 nT. Unusual ionospheric phenomena have been observed around the world that have been associated with successive magnetic storms during this period. The ionospheric total electron content (TEC) was increased at the longitudes of Japan within a short time after sunset on 8 November, from 20 TEC units at 1830 JST to 97 TEC units at 2015 JST (JST = UT + 9 h), where 1 TEC unit = 1×1016 el/m2. The enhanced TEC was significant over Hokkaido (∼43°N), and the center of the enhanced region was well within the plasmasphere as an L value of approximately 1.5. The drift velocity of the plasma in the density‐enhanced region measured by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellite was westward with a peak value of 250 m/s in the Earth's frame, demonstrating a positive correlation between density and drift velocity. A similar TEC event was observed after sunset on 10 November: TEC was enhanced, from 15 TEC units at 1830 JST to 45 TEC units at 2030 JST. During the second event, the ionosphere was highly structured and the rate of the TEC index (ROTI) increased. The two‐dimensional map of a ROTI‐enhanced region exhibited the west to northwest transportation of plasma in which density irregularities were entrained. A physical mechanism is proposed to explain these disturbances, i.e., storm‐induced plasma stream, which is different from a phenomenon called storm‐enhanced density at midlatitudes.
Two different types of plasmoids in the plasma sheet: Cluster multisatellite analysis application
Authors: Zhang Y. C. , Shen C. , Liu Z. X. , Rong Z. J. , Zhang T. L. , Marchaudon A. , Zhang H. , Duan S. P. , Ma Y. H. , Dunlop M. W. , Yang Y. Y. , Carr C. M. , Dandouras I.
Published: September 2013

The fine magnetic field structure of two successive plasmoids previously reported is investigated by magnetic rotation analysis using four Cluster satellite data. Between these two plasmoids, opposite trends of curvature radius (Rc) variations of the magnetic field lines from the boundary to the inner part are found. The different variations of Rc reflect that the two plasmoids have different magnetic configurations. The electric current density distributions for both plasmoids are found distinct. The By increase and abundant field‐aligned currents in the narrow core region of the first plasmoid indicate that a possible magnetic flux rope (MFR) core exists inside. The results indicate that the first observed plasmoid is of a magnetic loop (ML) type (with possible MFR core) and the second plasmoid is of a magnetic flux rope (MFR) type. The coexistence of ML and MFR in the near‐Earth plasma sheet may imply that multiple X line reconnection can occur by either an antiparallel or a component‐parallel way.
Plasma particle simulations of wake formation behind a spacecraft with thin wire booms
Authors: Miyake Y. , Cully C. M. , Usui H. , Nakashima H.
Published: September 2013

Double‐probe electric field sensors installed on scientific spacecraft are often deployed using wire booms with radii much less than typical Debye lengths of magnetospheric plasmas (millimeters compared to tens of meters). However, in tenuous and cold‐streaming plasmas seen in the polar cap and lobe regions, the wire booms, electrically grounded at the spacecraft, have a high positive potential due to photoelectron emission and can strongly scatter approaching ions. Consequently, an electrostatic wake formed behind the spacecraft is further enhanced by the presence of the wire booms. We reproduce this process for the case of the Cluster satellite by performing plasma particle‐in‐cell (PIC) simulations, which include the effects of both the spacecraft body and the wire booms in a simultaneous manner. The simulations reveal that the effective thickness of the booms for the Cluster Electric Field and Wave (EFW) instrument is magnified from its real diameter (2.2mm) to several meters, when the spacecraft potential is at tens of volts. Such booms enhance the wake electric field magnitude by a factor of 1.5–2 depending on the spacecraft potential and play a principal role in explaining the in situ Cluster EFW data showing sinusoidal spurious electric fields with about 10mV/m amplitude. The boom effects are quantified by comparing PIC simulations with and without wire booms and also by examining the wake formation for various spacecraft potentials.
Impacts of microphysical scheme on convective and stratiform characteristics in two high precipitation squall line events
Authors: Wu Di , Dong Xiquan , Xi Baike , Feng Zhe , Kennedy Aaron , Mullendore Gretchen , Gilmore Matthew , Tao Wei‐Kuo
Published: September 2013

This study investigates the impact of snow, graupel, and hail processes on simulated squall lines over the Southern Great Plains in the United States. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is used to simulate two squall line events in Oklahoma during May 2007, and the simulations are validated against radar and surface observations. Several microphysics schemes are tested in this study, including the WRF 5‐Class Microphysics (WSM5), WRF 6‐Class Microphysics (WSM6), Goddard Cumulus Ensemble (GCE) Three Ice (3‐ice) with graupel, Goddard Two Ice (2‐ice), and Goddard 3‐ice hail schemes. Simulated surface precipitation is sensitive to the microphysics scheme when the graupel or hail categories are included. All of the 3‐ice schemes overestimate the total precipitation with WSM6 having the largest bias. The 2‐ice schemes, without a graupel/hail category, produce less total precipitation than the 3‐ice schemes. By applying a radar‐based convective/stratiform partitioning algorithm, we find that including graupel/hail processes increases the convective areal coverage, precipitation intensity, updraft, and downdraft intensities, and reduces the stratiform areal coverage and precipitation intensity. For vertical structures, simulations have higher reflectivity values distributed aloft than the observed values in both the convective and stratiform regions. Three‐ice schemes produce more high reflectivity values in convective regions, while 2‐ice schemes produce more high reflectivity values in stratiform regions. In addition, this study has demonstrated that the radar‐based convective/stratiform partitioning algorithm can reasonably identify WRF‐simulated precipitation, wind, and microphysical fields in both convective and stratiform regions.
Carbon monoxide (CO) vertical profiles derived from joined TES and MLS measurements
Authors: Luo Ming , Read William , Kulawik Susan , Worden John , Livesey Nathaniel , Bowman Kevin , Herman Robert
Published: September 2013

TES (Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer) nadir and MLS (Microwave Limb Sounder) limb measurements from the Aura satellite are used to jointly estimate an atmospheric carbon monoxide (CO) profile with extended vertical range compared to profiles retrieved from the individual measurement. We describe the algorithms, the processing procedures, the prototyping results, and the evaluations for this new joint product. TES and MLS “stand‐alone” CO profile retrievals are largely complementary, with TES being largely sensitive to lower to middle troposphere while MLS measures CO in the upper troposphere and above. We pair TES nadir and MLS limb tangent locations within 6–8 min and within 220 km. The paired radiance measurements of the two instruments in each location are optimally combined to retrieve a single CO profile along with other trace gases whose signal interferes with that from CO. This combined CO profile has a vertical resolution and vertical range that is an improvement over the two stand‐alone products, especially in the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere. For example, the degrees of freedom for signal (DOFS) between surface and 50 hPa for TES alone are < 2, and for the combined CO profiles are 2–4. This new Aura CO product will be made available to the public using TES V005 and MLS V003 processing results and will provide a unique data set for studying tropospheric transport of air pollutants and troposphere‐stratospheric exchange processes.
Effects of a semienclosed ocean on extratropical cyclogenesis: The dynamical processes around the Japan Sea on 23–25 January 2008
Authors: Yamamoto Masaru
Published: September 2013

Based on a case study of an extratropical cyclone that developed rapidly near Japan on 23−25 January 2008, this paper proposes a new type of atmospheric response to a surface warming/cooling anomaly in the semienclosed Japan Sea, which is approximately half a synoptic‐scale baroclinic wavelength in size. The thermal effects of the Japan Sea during early cyclogenesis spread to the upper levels via an upward wind, when the trough of the baroclinic wave is located west of the Japan Sea. In the case of a relatively cold Japan Sea, the lower level air temperature decreases over the sea, and the baroclinic wave becomes weak around Japan in the early stage. As the cyclone progressively develops and travels east, the positive and negative geopotential height anomalies induced by the sea surface cooling increase over time in the lower level trough and the upper level ridge outside the Japan Sea, respectively. The temperature anomaly spreads to upper levels through the development of a warm conveyer belt. As the cyclone becomes fully developed, a geopotential height anomaly pattern similar to the west Pacific teleconnection forms as a result of the S‐shaped trough‐ridge structure in the middle and upper troposphere. The cooling/warming effect of the sea influences surface heat fluxes and precipitation in the Pacific region outside the Japan Sea via a synoptic‐scale atmospheric bridge caused by the traveling and developing cyclone and cold air outbreak.
A physically based analytical spatial air temperature and humidity model
Authors: Yang Yang , Endreny Theodore A. , Nowak David J.
Published: September 2013

Spatial variation of urban surface air temperature and humidity influences human thermal comfort, the settling rate of atmospheric pollutants, and plant physiology and growth. Given the lack of observations, we developed a Physically based Analytical Spatial Air Temperature and Humidity (PASATH) model. The PASATH model calculates spatial solar radiation and heat storage based on semiempirical functions and generates spatially distributed estimates based on inputs of topography, land cover, and the weather data measured at a reference site. The model assumes that for all grids under the same mesoscale climate, grid air temperature and humidity are modified by local variation in absorbed solar radiation and the partitioning of sensible and latent heat. The model uses a reference grid site for time series meteorological data and the air temperature and humidity of any other grid can be obtained by solving the heat flux network equations. PASATH was coupled with the USDA iTree‐Hydro water balance model to obtain evapotranspiration terms and run from 20 to 29 August 2010 at a 360 m by 360 m grid scale and hourly time step across a 285 km2 watershed including the urban area of Syracuse, NY. PASATH predictions were tested at nine urban weather stations representing variability in urban topography and land cover. The PASATH model predictive efficiency R2 ranged from 0.81 to 0.99 for air temperature and 0.77 to 0.97 for dew point temperature. PASATH is expected to have broad applications on environmental and ecological models.
Expression of metastasis suppressor BRMS1 in breast cancer cells results in a marked delay in cellular adhesion to matrix
Authors: Khotskaya Yekaterina B. , Beck Benjamin H. , Hurst Douglas R. , Han Zhenbo , Xia Weiya , Hung Mien‐Chie , Welch Danny R.
Published: September 2013

Metastatic dissemination is a multi‐step process that depends on cancer cells' ability to respond to microenvironmental cues by adapting adhesion abilities and undergoing cytoskeletal rearrangement. Breast Cancer Metastasis Suppressor 1 (BRMS1) affects several steps of the metastatic cascade: it decreases survival in circulation, increases susceptibility to anoikis, and reduces capacity to colonize secondary organs. In this report, BRMS1 expression is shown to not significantly alter expression levels of integrin monomers, while time‐lapse and confocal microscopy revealed that BRMS1‐expressing cells exhibited reduced activation of both β1 integrin and focal adhesion kinase, and decreased localization of these molecules to sites of focal adhesions. Short‐term plating of BRMS1‐expressing cells onto collagen or fibronectin markedly decreased cytoskeletal reorganization and formation of cellular adhesion projections. Under 3D culture conditions, BRMS1‐expressing cells remained rounded and failed to reorganize their cytoskeleton and form invasive colonies. Taken together, BRMS1‐expressing breast cancer cells are greatly attenuated in their ability to respond to microenvironment changes. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Activation of AKT signaling promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition and tumor growth in colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Suman Suman , Kurisetty Vittal , Das Trinath P. , Vadodkar Aditi , Ramos Gabriel , Lakshmanaswamy Rajkumar , Damodaran Chendil
Published: September 2013

Activation of the serine–threonine protein kinase AKT has emerged as a central feature of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is the initial step for metastasis in many cancer models, including colorectal cancer. The focus of our study was to dissect the role of AKT and its molecular regulation of EMT in colorectal cancer. HCT‐116 colorectal cancer cells stably overexpressing AKT (AKT/HCT‐116) showed significantly higher cell proliferation compared with vector‐transfected cells (pCMV/HCT‐116). Elevated expression of important EMT‐related transcription factors and genes such as Snail, Slug, β‐catenin, vimentin, and MMP‐9 correlated with increased migration and invasion by AKT/HCT‐116 cells. Further, in vivo studies confirmed that AKT/HCT‐116 xenografts were highly aggressive and angiogenic in nature compared with pCMV/HCT‐116 xenografts. Molecular analysis of tumor samples revealed transcriptional regulation of Snail, Slug, β‐catenin, MMP‐2, and MMP‐9 in AKT/HCT‐116 tumors. These results were supported by immunohistochemistry analysis. Low levels of E‐cadherin expression with a concomitant increase in and nuclear localization of β‐catenin were evident in AKT/HCT‐116 tumors compared with control tumors. Increased microvessel formation coincident with high expression of Factor VIII and increased numbers of reticulocytes confirmed the angiogenic property of AKT/HCT‐116 tumors. Our results confirm the potential role of AKT signaling in regulating EMT and angiogenesis in colorectal cancer and suggest that inhibition of AKT can serve as an important therapeutic strategy in modulating EMT in colorectal cancer growth and metastasis. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
1H, 13C and 15N NMR spectral analysis of substituted 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidines
Authors: Girreser Ulrich , Bluhm Ullvi , Clement Bernd , Heber Dieter
Published: September 2013

The NMR spectroscopic data of a series of thirty‐four 3‐acylpyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidinium salts are analyzed, which were prepared as either perchlorates or chlorides. Methyl group substituted 3‐aroyltetrahydropyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidines with the methyl substituent in positions 6, 8 and 9 as well as both in positions 6 and 8 were investigated bearing various aroyl substituents. Unequivocal assignment of all resonances was achieved via two‐dimensional 1H,1H‐COSY measurements, 1H,13C and 1H,15N HSQC as well as HMBC experiments, and important diagnostic CH and NH couplings in the heteroaromatic ring system are evaluated. The influence of the methyl substituents was analyzed on the proton, carbon and nitrogen shifts. A significant effect of the counter ion on some chemical shifts of the nuclei under discussion of the pyridopyrimidines is found, allowing the indirect detection of the anion, which is confirmed by direct measurement of the 35Cl nucleus of the perchlorates. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fecal incontinence epidemiology and help seeking among older people in Taiwan
Authors: Horng Shiow‐Shiun , Chou Yiing‐Jenq , Huang Nicole , Fang Yi‐Ting , Chou Pesus
Published: September 2013

Aims

This study assesses the prevalence, comorbidity, and risk factors of fecal incontinence (FI), and explores help seeking patterns among older FI people.

Methods

The data were obtained from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey, in which 1,345 men and 1,370 women aged above 65 years responded to questions concerning FI occurrence, and 218 FI‐affected elderly people responded to the question about FI help seeking. The chi‐square test, Student's t‐test, and multiple logistic regression were used.

Results

The weighted FI prevalence of older Taiwanese people was 6.9% for men and 9.3% for women. Urinary incontinence, diabetes mellitus, dementia, and asthma significantly increased the risk of FI among old men, but being overweight appeared to be FI‐protective (OR 0.37, 95% CI = 0.17–0.80). In women, urinary incontinence, stroke, transit ischemia attack, dementia, chronic hepatitis, being underweight (BMI < 18.5), and greater parity were significant FI risk factors. Of those with FI, 49.1% had sought medical help. Using Andersen's model, data analysis showed that living in an urban area (OR 2.36, CI = 1.19–4.68), mucous stool incontinence (OR 3.56, 95% CI = 1.35–8.32), and one or more of the following FI‐related problems, namely, anxiety, families interaction, social life, work life, and sexual life, significantly predicted FI sufferers seeking medical attention.

Conclusion

Self‐reported FI is a prevalent condition with various etiologies among older people in Taiwan. Understanding the epidemiology and comorbidity of FI, and investigating the factors associated with help seeking, is beneficial in devising and implementing prevention and management strategies. Neurourol. Urodynam. 33:1153–1158, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimal control of allocation of resources and the economic growth in HIV‐infected communities
Authors: Kassa Semu Mitiku , Hove‐Musekwa Senelani D.
Published: September 2013

The neoclassical model of economic growth is used to model the economic growth of a HIV‐infected community with efforts in controlling the epidemic. An optimal control model with pure‐state constraints is formulated and investigated. It is found that reduction of prevalence for the disease and economic growth agrees in a positive sense in the communities with high rate of population growth and low income. Moreover, the same control strategy will decrease the prevalence even if the capital is not growing for the case of high income communities. However, a disease control strategy with economic growth as its objective will not result in decrease in prevalence if the rate of population growth of the community is very low. Therefore, if the rate of the population growth of a community is nearly the replacement level, then the utility function for the selection of disease control strategies should not be an economic benefit. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A dosimetric comparison of intensity‐modulated proton therapy optimization techniques for pediatric craniopharyngiomas: A clinical case study
Authors: Yeung Daniel , McKenzie Craig , Indelicato Daniel J.
Published: September 2013

Background

To evaluate the dosimetric characteristics of intensity‐modulated proton therapy (IMPT) optimization techniques and pencil‐beam scanning (PBS) nozzle designs on pediatric craniopharyngiomas.

Procedure

We compared a double‐scatter (DS) plan with IMPT plans using single‐field uniform dose (SFUD) optimization or multi‐field optimization (MFO) and different PBS nozzles. The clinical impacts of SFUD versus MFO, range shifters, and two different PBS nozzles were compared. For target coverage assessment, the conformity index and inhomogeneity coefficient were evaluated.

Results

Although both proton therapy techniques achieved adequate target coverage, IMPT achieved a better conformity index of 0.78 versus 0.60 for DS. For the inhomogeneity coefficient, IMPT with MFO performed better than using SFUD or DS. MFO with the dedicated nozzle (MFO‐DN) achieved the best result of 0.023, as compared to values of 0.03 or higher for the other plans. IMPT achieved lower doses to the normal tissues, as compared to DS; MFO‐DN had the best results. The DN provided the best beam‐spot characteristics and the sharpest lateral penumbra. MFO reduced the need for range shifters.

Conclusions

As compared to DS proton therapy for pediatric craniopharyngiomas, IMPT achieved significantly better target coverage and dose sparing of normal tissue. Nozzle designs that provided small beam spots and sharp lateral penumbra allowed for better target coverage and reduced dose to normal tissue. In the case of shallow targets, MFO, in contrast to SFUD, required minimal use of range shifters, which preserved the penumbra and the dosimetric advantage. MFO‐DN proved to be the optimal technique for IMPT. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:89–94. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Experimental and numerical studies on bubble dynamics in nonpressurized foaming systems
Authors: Emami Maryam , Thompson Michael R. , Vlachopoulos John
Published: September 2013

This work explores the influence of rheological properties on polymer foam development in nonpressurized systems. To understand the complex contributions of rheology on the mechanism of bubble growth during different stages of foam processing, visualization studies were conducted by using a polymer‐foaming microscopy setup. The evolving cellular structure during foaming was analyzed for its bubble surface density, bubble size, total bubble projected area, and bubble size distribution. Morphological analysis was used to determine the rheological processing window in terms of shear viscosity, elastic modulus, melt strength and strain‐hardening, intended for the production of foams with greater foam expansion, increased bubble density and reduced bubble size. A bubble growth model and simulation scheme was also developed to describe the bubble growth phenomena that occurred in nonpressurized foaming systems. Using thermophysical and rheological properties of polymer/gas mixtures, the growth profiles for bubbles were predicted and compared to experimentally observed data. It was verified that the viscous bubble growth model was capable of depicting the growth behaviors of bubbles under various processing conditions. Furthermore, the effects of thermophysical and rheological parameters on the bubble growth dynamics were demonstrated by a series of sensitivity studies. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:1947–1959, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Personality Structure in the Trait Lexicon of Hindi, a Major Language Spoken in India
Authors: Singh Jitendra K. , Misra Girishwar , De Raad Boele
Published: September 2013

The psycho–lexical approach is extended to Hindi, a major language spoken in India. From both the dictionary and from Hindi novels, a huge set of personality descriptors was put together, ultimately reduced to a manageable set of 295 trait terms. Both self and peer ratings were collected on those terms from a sample of 511 participants. Factor analyses (principal components analysis), performed separately on self and on peer ratings, suggested three up to six factors. From a comparison with an ancient but still popular system of personality description, called the triguna, and from a comparison with a recently developed comprehensive trait taxonomy in Dutch, it was concluded that only three factors, not to be confused with the Big Three, firmly stood out, all three belonging to the three–dimensional triguna. Congruence coefficients between factors based on self and on peer ratings confirmed the stability of these three factors. The three factors are called rajasic, representing ambition, friendliness, humility versus hypocrisy, deception and violence, tamasic, representing egoism, mean mindedness and concealment, and finally sattvic, representing competence, impartiality, being organized, sober and harmonious. Copyright © 2013 European Association of Personality Psychology
The Road to Creative Achievement: A Latent Variable Model of Ability and Personality Predictors
Authors: Jauk Emanuel , Benedek Mathias , Neubauer Aljoscha C.
Published: September 2013

This study investigated the significance of different well–established psychometric indicators of creativity for real–life creative outcomes. Specifically, we tested the effects of creative potential, intelligence, and openness to experiences on everyday creative activities and actual creative achievement. Using a heterogeneous sample of 297 adults, we performed latent multiple regression analyses by means of structural equation modelling. We found openness to experiences and two independent indicators of creative potential, ideational originality and ideational fluency, to predict everyday creative activities. Creative activities, in turn, predicted actual creative achievement. Intelligence was found to predict creative achievement, but not creative activities. Moreover, intelligence moderated the effect of creative activities on creative achievement, suggesting that intelligence may play an important role in transforming creative activities into publically acknowledged creative achievements. This study supports the view of creativity as a multifaceted construct and provides an integrative model illustrating the potential interplay between its different facets. © 2013 The Authors. European Journal of Personality published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Association of Personality Psychology.
Manchmal hilft nur Trägheit
Authors: Schlichting Hans Joachim , Ucke Christian
Published: September 2013

Das Verhalten der Kugel in der Wippe ist ein dreidimensionaler Bewegungsvorgang. Quantitativ lässt sich dieser einfacher beschreiben, wenn die Bewegung der Kugel mit einigen Idealisierungen im mitbewegten Bezugssystem betrachtet und auf einen zweidimensionalen Vorgang reduziert wird. Es zeigt sich, dass zu jeder Drehgeschwindigkeit eine bestimmte Höhe gehört, an der die Kugel sich in einem Minimum der Energie befindet.
Wie Teilchen zu ihrer Masse kommen
Authors: Harlander Robert
Published: September 2013

Mitte 2012 wurde vermutlich der letzte Baustein des Standardmodells der Teilchenphysik experimentell gefunden: das Higgs‐Teilchen. Seine Existenz war vor mehr als 40 Jahren aufgrund abstrakter Symmetrieprinzipien theoretisch gefordert worden. Dieses Eichprinzip lässt sich einigermaßen präzise erläutern, ohne den vollständigen Formalismus heranziehen zu müssen. Zudem lässt dieser sich mit einer mechanischen Analogie veranschaulichen. Der Higgs‐Mechanismus wurde eingeführt, um die explizite Brechung der Eichsymmetrie durch Teilchenmassen zu umgehen. Damit ist das Standardmodell wieder einmal glänzend bestätigt, aber es bleiben theoretische Kritikpunkte.
Kernstruktur von Exoten
Authors: Kreim Susanne , Schweikhard Lutz , Wienholtz Frank , Wolf Robert
Published: September 2013

Die Massen von Radionukliden sind wichtig, um Kernmodelle zu testen oder astrophysikalische Fragestellungen, wie den Aufbau von Neutronensternen, zu beantworten. Aufgrund ihrer oft geringen Halbwertszeit lassen sie sich jedoch nur schwer messen. Kürzlich gelang es der ISOLTRAP‐Gruppe am Forschungszentrum CERN, die Massen von 54Ca und 82Zn mit hoher Genauigkeit zu bestimmen. Damit erhält man Aufschluss über das Wirken von Dreikörperkräften innerhalb des Atomkerns sowie über die Elemententstehung in der Kruste von Neutronensternen.
Kein Hinweis auf Majorana‐Teilchen
Authors: Bührke Thomas
Published: September 2013

Das Neutrino ist elektrisch neutral, weswegen es theoretisch sein eigenes Antiteilchen sein kann. Trifft dies zu, so wäre es ein sogenanntes Majorana‐Teilchen, was erhebliche Auswirkungen auf das Standardmodell hätte. In diesem Fall müsste sich dies in dem extrem seltenen neutrinolosen Doppelbeta‐Zerfall äußern. Das derzeit empfindlichste Experiment namens GERDA fand jedoch bei dem Isotop Germanium‐76 keinen Hinweis auf diese Zerfallsart und erbrachte die neue Untergrenze für dessen Halbwertszeit von 2, 1 · 1025 Jahren.
Smartphone als Geigerzähler
Authors: Kuhn Jochen , Frübis Jan , Wilhelm Thomas , Lück Stephan
Published: September 2013

Strahlenunfälle wie Tschernobyl und Fukushima sowie die Diskussion über die Endlagerung radioaktiver Stoffe machen das Thema zivilisatorische Radioaktivität allgegenwärtig. Smartphones und Tablet‐PCs ermöglichen es, radioaktive Strahlung zu erfassen und anzuzeigen. Die App RadioactivityCounter ermöglicht es, die Geräte sowohl als Anzeigegerät für solche Strahlung als auch für Lehrzwecke in Schule und Universität zu verwenden.
“Wenige Freunde und wenig Vermögen”
Authors: Loos Andreas
Published: September 2013

Astronomie, Medizin, Philosophie, Mathematik – kaum ein wissenschaftliches Fach, auf dem er nicht gearbeitet hat. Und wer genau hinsieht, kann sogar heute noch Spuren seines Erfindungsgeistes finden: Man muss sich nur hinknieen, dann kann man unter vielen Lastwagen die typischen Getriebewellen mit dem “Knick” entdecken. Sie tragen seinen Namen.
Die inverse Mayo
Authors: Vilgis Thomas
Published: September 2013

Mayonnaisen sind sogenannte Öl‐in‐Wasser‐Emulsionen. Wässrige Flüssigkeiten sind die kontinuierliche, Öl die diskontinuierliche Phase. Aber auch inverse Emulsionen mit genau umgekehrten Phasen, wie eine Honig‐in‐Olivenöl‐Creme, haben ihren Reiz. Der Schlüssel zum richtigen Emulgator ist deren Balance zwischen der Wasser‐ und Fettlöslichkeit.
Nanomedicine as an innovative therapeutic strategy for pediatric lung diseases
Authors: Tian Ye , Chen Jian , Zahtabi Fatemeh , Keijzer Richard , Xing Malcolm
Published: September 2013

Nanomedicine is a rapidly emerging technology and represents an innovative field for therapy. Nanomaterials have intrinsically defined features for biomedical applications due to the high specific surface area, the amazing diversity, versatility in structure and function and the possibility of surface charge. In particular, the functionalization of targeting or stimuli‐responsive unit on the surface of these materials gives them specific targeted therapeutic properties. There are many pediatric lung diseases that could potentially benefit from nanomedicine. Herein, we aim to review various drug carrier systems and release systems specifically targeting pediatric lung diseases. The injection of nanomedicine into in vivo models and their elimination will also be discussed. Finally, the potential toxicity of nanomaterials will be addressed. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:1098–1111. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The 2/2 hemoglobin from the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 with covalently attached heme: Comparison of X‐ray and NMR structures
Authors: Wenke Belinda B. , Lecomte Juliette T. J. , Héroux Annie , Schlessman Jamie L.
Published: September 2013

The X‐ray structures of the hemoglobin from Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 (GlbN) were solved in the ferric bis‐histidine (1.44 Å resolution) and cyanide‐bound (2.25 Å resolution) states with covalently attached heme. The two structures illustrate the conformational changes and cavity opening caused by exogenous ligand binding. They also reveal an unusually distorted heme, ruffled as in c cytochromes. Comparison to the solution structure demonstrates the influence of crystal packing on several structural elements, whereas comparison to GlbN from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 shows subtle differences in heme geometries and environment. The new structures will be instrumental in elucidating GlbN reactivity. Proteins 2014; 82:528–534. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multiferroism in the dielectric function of CuO
Authors: Apostolova I. N. , Apostolov A. T. , Bahoosh S. G. , Wesselinowa J. M. , Trimper S.
Published: September 2013

The multiferroic properties of bulk CuO are manifested in the dielectric function which can be triggered by an external magnetic field h and by the temperature T. Within a microscopic model and a Green's function technique we have calculated the dielectric function \varepsilon ({\bf k};T,\;h). At the magnetic phase transition temperature T_{{\rm N}2} the dielectric function offers a pronounced anomaly. This kink disappears when the magnetic field is enhanced and \varepsilon ({\bf k};T,\;h) decreases with increasing h ‐field. Both properties are indications for a strong magnetoelectric coupling in this material. The observation of multiferroism in CuO within an analytical approach is achieved by considering frustration and a linear magnetoelectric coupling. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Numerical analyses of Runge–Kutta implicit–explicit schemes for horizontally explicit, vertically implicit solutions of atmospheric models
Authors: Lock S.‐J. , Wood N. , Weller H.
Published: September 2013

With the prospect of exascale computing, computational methods requiring only local data become especially attractive. Consequently, the typical domain decomposition of atmospheric models means horizontally explicit, vertically implicit (HEVI) time‐stepping schemes warrant further attention. In this analysis, Runge–Kutta implicit–explicit schemes from the literature are analysed for their stability and accuracy using a von Neumann stability analysis of two linear systems. Attention is paid to the numerical phase to indicate the behaviour of phase and group velocities. Where the analysis is tractable, analytically derived expressions are considered. For more complicated cases, amplification factors have been numerically generated and the associated amplitudes and phase diagnosed. Analysis of a system describing acoustic waves has necessitated attributing the three resultant eigenvalues to the three physical modes of the system. To do so, a series of algorithms has been devised to track the eigenvalues across the frequency space. The result enables analysis of whether the schemes exactly preserve the non‐divergent mode; and whether there is evidence of spurious reversal in the direction of group velocities or asymmetry in the damping for the pair of acoustic modes. Frequency ranges that span next‐generation high‐resolution weather models to coarse‐resolution climate models are considered; and a comparison is made of errors accumulated from multiple stability‐constrained shorter time‐steps from the HEVI scheme with a single integration from a fully implicit scheme over the same time interval.

Two schemes, ‘Trap2(2,3,2)’ and ‘UJ3(1,3,2)’, both already used in atmospheric models, are identified as offering consistently good stability and representation of phase across all the analyses. Furthermore, according to a simple measure of computational cost, ‘Trap2(2,3,2)’ is the least expensive.
Process Monitoring Using Hidden Markov Models
Authors: Alshraideh Hussam , Runger George
Published: September 2013

Autocorrelated data arise in a variety of processes. To statistically monitor such processes, special statistical tools are needed to account for these correlations. The most common set of tools for such purpose is the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models. Implementation of ARIMA models requires a fair amount of background understanding of how these models work, because the model selection step is essential. In this paper, we propose a new monitoring technique based on the use of hidden Markov models. The proposed monitoring method is powerful yet simple to use technique because it only requires a basic knowledge in statistics. Simulation results show that the proposed method performs similar to the ARIMA models in terms of average run length for detecting out of control processes and false alarms. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight/time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectra of biodegradable polybutylenesuccinate
Authors: Rizzarelli Paola
Published: September 2013

RATIONALE

Matrix‐Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time‐Of‐Flight/Time‐Of‐Flight Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS/MS) was employed to analyze five poly(butylene succinate) (PBSu) oligomers and to investigate their fragmentation pathways.

METHODS

MALDI‐TOF MS/MS analysis was performed on cyclic and linear oligomers terminated by dicarboxyl groups, carboxyl and hydroxyl groups, hydroxyl and olefin groups, and dihydroxyl groups. The sodium adduct ions of these oligomers were selected as precursor ions. Experiments were carried out with and without argon as the collision gas.

RESULTS

A β‐hydrogen transfer rearrangement, leading to the selective cleavage of the −O−CH2− bonds, and cleavage of the −CH2−CO− bonds, the ester bonds, and the −CH2−CH2− bonds in the diol moiety were observed. Two fragmentation mechanisms, correlated to the end‐group structure of the precursor ions, were also proposed. The detection of cyclic anhydrides was related to the presence of succinic acid terminal groups. The formation of microcyclic oligoesters probably occurred via an intramolecular transesterification mechanism involving a hydroxyl end group.

CONCLUSIONS

A β‐hydrogen transfer rearrangement has been proposed as the main fragmentation mechanism occurring in PBSu without using the collision gas. Cleavages of almost all types of bonds take place in the MALDI CID experiments. According to the structures of the most abundant product ions, six fragmentation pathways have been proposed when using argon as the collision gas. Two fragmentation mechanisms were suggested as being correlated to the end‐group structure of the precursor ions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.