bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extra‐glycaemic properties of empagliflozin
Authors: Solini Anna
Published: May 2015

Type 2 diabetes is a complex and multifaceted disease requiring an individualized approach. A special attention, in treating the patients, should be devoted to the presence of comorbidities like overweight or obesity and arterial hypertension. Among the available anti‐hyperglycaemic agents, several are associated with side effects like hypoglycaemia and weight gain. An increasing interest is reported in sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors, a relatively novel class of glucose‐lowering drugs that act independently of insulin, provide benefits beyond glucose‐lowering actions and show a better tolerability compared with traditional medications for type 2 diabetes. This review tries to offer a balanced view on the main extra‐glycaemic effects of empagliflozin, also mentioning clinical data obtained with other sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors; the role of the proximal tubule in the pathophysiology of diabetic nephropathy and the potential nehroprotection exerted by this compound are also briefly discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new approach for species discrimination of different processed animal proteins based on fat characteristics
Authors: Pu Qiankun , Han Lujia , Liu Xian
Published: May 2015

A new method for discriminating processed animal proteins (PAP) from different species based on their fat characteristics was established for the first time in this study. A total of 53 reliable PAP samples containing fish meal (FM), porcine, poultry, bovine, and ovine meat and bone meal (MBM) were collected, and 37 distinct fatty acids were statistically analyzed via gas chromatography. Principal component analysis and the partial least squares discriminant analysis algorithm were performed on the dataset. The results revealed that PAPs from different species could be clearly classified based on the presence or absence of fatty acid compounds with high sensitivity and specificity (>0.95), except for the discrimination of bovine MBM in the mixed dataset. It was possible to distinguish FM samples in the mixed dataset, ruminant MBM from non‐ruminant MBM and FM, and porcine MBM from poultry MBM samples based on the concentrations of 34 fatty acid compounds. Further discrimination of PAP samples from different species using fewer selected fatty acids was comparable to or better than discrimination based on the presence or absence and concentration of 34 fatty acid compounds.

Practical applications: A new method for discriminating between processed animal proteins (PAP) from different species based on their fat characteristics was established for the first time in this study. Results suggested that the analytical methodology established in this study has great potential for species‐specific identification of PAP feed with respect to the global “mad cow” crisis.

PCA visualisation based on the presence or absence of fatty acid, MBM, meat and bone meal, FM, fish meal.
Development of the adverse outcome pathway “alkylation of DNA in male premeiotic germ cells leading to heritable mutations” using the OECD's users' handbook supplement
Authors: Yauk Carole L. , Lambert Iain B. , Meek M.E. (Bette) , Douglas George R. , Marchetti Francesco
Published: May 2015

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) programme aims to develop a knowledgebase of all known pathways of toxicity that lead to adverse effects in humans and ecosystems. A Users' Handbook was recently released to provide supplementary guidance on AOP development. This article describes one AOP—alkylation of DNA in male premeiotic germ cells leading to heritable mutations. This outcome is an important regulatory endpoint. The AOP describes the biological plausibility and empirical evidence supporting that compounds capable of alkylating DNA cause germ cell mutations and subsequent mutations in the offspring of exposed males. Alkyl adducts are subject to DNA repair; however, at high doses the repair machinery becomes saturated. Lack of repair leads to replication of alkylated DNA and ensuing mutations in male premeiotic germ cells. Mutations that do not impair spermatogenesis persist and eventually are present in mature sperm. Thus, the mutations are transmitted to the offspring. Although there are some gaps in empirical support and evidence for essentiality of the key events for certain aspects of this AOP, the overall AOP is generally accepted as dogma and applies broadly to any species that produces sperm. The AOP was developed and used in an iterative process to test and refine the Users' Handbook, and is one of the first publicly available AOPs. It is our hope that this AOP will be leveraged to develop other AOPs in this field to advance method development, computational models to predict germ cell effects, and integrated testing strategies. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 56:724–750, 2015. © 2015 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada.
Upgrading the quality of Africa's rice: a novel artisanal parboiling technology for rice processors in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Ndindeng Sali Atanga , Manful John , Futakuchi Koichi , Mapiemfu‐Lamare Delphine , Akoa‐Etoa Joséphine M. , Tang Erasmus N. , Bigoga Jude , Graham‐Acquaah Seth , Moreira Jean
Published: May 2015

In order to increase the quality of locally produced rice, the artisanal parboiling process in West and Central Africa was reconceptualized. A novel parboiling unit was constructed using stainless steel (Inox 304) and fitted directly on an improved stove made from fired bricks. The heat profile at different locations in the unit, the physicochemical properties, cooking properties of the parboiled rice, and the fuel efficiency of the stove were evaluated and compared with that of the traditional system. The heat flow in the new unit was from the top to the bottom while the reverse occurred in the traditional unit. The percent impurities and heat‐damaged grains, swelling and water uptake ratios, amylose content, stickiness, and cohesiveness were lower for rice produced using the improved technology (IT) compared to the traditional technology (TT). Whole grains (%), lightness (L*), yellowness (b*), cooking time, viscosity were higher for rice produced using the IT compared to the TT. Most of physicochemical and cooking properties of rice produced using the IT were not different from that of premium quality imported rice and this was achieved when steaming time was between 20–25 min. The improved stove recorded a lower time to boil water and specific fuel consumption and a higher burning rate and firepower at the hot‐start high‐power phase compared to the traditional stove. Most end users rated the IT as easy and safe to use compared to the TT. The new technology was code‐named “Grain quality enhancer, Energy‐efficient and durable Material (GEM) parboiling technology.”
SPS: A Simulation Tool for Calculating Power of Set‐Based Genetic Association Tests
Authors: Li Jiang , Sham Pak Chung , Song Youqiang , Li Miaoxin
Published: May 2015

Set‐based association tests, combining a set of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms into a unified test, have become important approaches to identify weak‐effect or low‐frequency risk loci of complex diseases. However, there is no comprehensive and user‐friendly tool to estimate power of set‐based tests for study design. We developed a simulation tool to estimate statistical power of multiple representative set‐based tests (SPS). SPS has a graphic interface to facilitate parameter settings and result visualization. Advanced functions include loading real genotypes to define genetic architecture, set‐based meta‐analysis for risk loci with or without heterogeneity, and parallel simulations. In proof‐of‐principle examples, SPS took no more than 3 sec on average to estimate the power in a conventional setting. The SPS has been integrated into a user‐friendly software tool (KGG) as an independent functional module and it is freely available at http://statgenpro.psychiatry.hku.hk/limx/kgg/.
Site‐scale variability of streambank fluvial erodibility parameters as measured with a jet erosion test
Authors: Daly E. R. , Fox G. A. , Enlow H. K. , Storm D. E. , Hunt S. L.
Published: May 2015

The erosion rate of cohesive streambanks is typically modelled using the excess shear stress equation, dependent on two erodibility parameters: critical shear stress and erodibility coefficient. The jet erosion test (JET) has become the most common method for estimating these erodibility parameters in situ. Typically, results from a few JETs are averaged to acquire a single set of parameters for characterizing a streambank layer; however, this may be inadequate for accurately characterizing erodibility. The research objectives were to investigate the variability of JET results from assumed homogeneous streambank layers and to estimate the number of JETs required to accurately characterize erodibility for use in predictive models. On three unique streambanks in Oklahoma and across a range of erodibility, 20 to 30 JETs were conducted over a span of three days at each site. Unique to this research, each JET was analysed using the Blaisdell, scour depth and iterative solutions. The required sample size to accurately estimate the erodibility parameters depended on the JET solution technique, the parameter being estimated, and the degrees of precision and confidence. Conducting three to five JETs per soil layer on a streambank typically provided an order of magnitude estimate of the erodibility parameters. Because the parameters were log‐normally distributed, using empirical equations to predict erosion properties based on soil characteristics will likely contain high uncertainty and thus should be used with caution. This study exemplifies the need to conduct in situ measurements using the JET to accurately characterize streambank resistance to fluvial erosion. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Conformational ensembles and sampled energy landscapes: Analysis and comparison
Authors: Cazals Frédéric , Dreyfus Tom , Mazauric Dorian , Roth Christine‐Andrea , Robert Charles H.
Published: May 2015

We present novel algorithms and software addressing four core problems in computational structural biology, namely analyzing a conformational ensemble, comparing two conformational ensembles, analyzing a sampled energy landscape, and comparing two sampled energy landscapes. Using recent developments in computational topology, graph theory, and combinatorial optimization, we make two notable contributions. First, we present a generic algorithm analyzing height fields. We then use this algorithm to perform density‐based clustering of conformations, and to analyze a sampled energy landscape in terms of basins and transitions between them. In both cases, topological persistence is used to manage (geometric) frustration. Second, we introduce two algorithms to compare transition graphs. The first is the classical earth mover distance metric which depends only on local minimum energy configurations along with their statistical weights, while the second incorporates topological constraints inherent to conformational transitions. Illustrations are provided on a simplified protein model (BLN69), whose frustrated potential energy landscape has been thoroughly studied. The software implementing our tools is also made available, and should prove valuable wherever conformational ensembles and energy landscapes are used. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Population pharmacokinetics modeling and analysis of foretinib in adult patients with advanced solid tumors
Authors: Singh Rajendra P. , Patel Bela , Kallender Howard , Ottesen Lone H. , Adams Laurel M. , Cox Donna S.
Published: May 2015

Foretinib is a multikinase inhibitor that inhibits multiple receptor tyrosine kinases, including MET and VEGFR, with the potential for treatment of solid tumors. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) pathogenesis is associated with overexpression of MET, and physiologic changes in the livers of HCC patients may decrease CYP3A isozyme‐mediated metabolism of foretinib. A population pharmacokinetic model of foretinib was developed to explore the effect of tumor type, formulation, and other covariates. Data from 1 HCC study in Asia and 3 non‐HCC studies in the United States with varying foretinib regimens and formulations were used for analysis. A 2‐compartment model with a linear first‐order absorption and elimination and lag time in absorption adequately described foretinib pharmacokinetics in 132 advanced non‐HCC and HCC patients and identified an effect of formulations on bioavailability. The bisphosphate salt capsules and freebase tablets had a relative bioavailability 37% and 20% higher, respectively, than the solution formulation. HCC patients had ≈19.6% lower mean clearance (70.14 L/h), ≈16% lower mean volume of distribution (1725.6 L), and higher dose‐normalized exposure compared with non‐HCC patients. This could be a result of differences in metabolism in HCC patients, body weight, or activity of CYP3A isozymes between Asian and Western cancer patients.
Intranasal administration of crushed ALO‐02 (extended‐release oxycodone with sequestered naltrexone): A randomized, controlled abuse‐potential study in nondependent recreational opioid users
Authors: Setnik Beatrice , Bramson Candace , Bass Almasa , Levy‐Cooperman Naama , Malhotra Bimal , Matschke Kyle , Sommerville Kenneth W. , Wolfram Gernot , Geoffroy Pierre
Published: May 2015

ALO‐02 is an abuse‐deterrent formulation consisting of capsules filled with pellets of extended‐release oxycodone surrounding sequestered naltrexone. This randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐/active‐controlled, 4‐way crossover study examined the abuse potential of crushed ALO‐02 administered intranasally to healthy, nondependent, recreational opioid users. Following drug discrimination and naloxone challenge, eligible participants (n = 32) entered a 4‐way crossover treatment phase: crushed single dose of 1 of 2 placebos, ALO‐02 30 mg/3.6 mg (oxycodone/naltrexone) or oxycodone immediate‐release (IR) 30 mg. Primary end points were Drug Liking and High, measured on visual analog scales (VAS) summarized as maximum effect (Emax) and effect occurring over 2 hours postdose (AUE0–2 h). Crushed ALO‐02 resulted in significantly lower scores versus oxycodone IR on Drug Liking (Emax, 60.5 vs 92.8; AUE0–2 h, 105.4 vs 160.0, respectively) and High (Emax, 25.2 vs 86.9; AUE0–2 h, 27.1 vs 136.4, respectively; n = 28; P < .0001). Adverse events occurred most frequently with oxycodone IR, followed by ALO‐02, then placebo, and were considered mild and consistent with opioid therapy. Crushed ALO‐02 administered intranasally to nondependent recreational opioid users resulted in significantly lower scores on Drug Liking/High VAS and other positive subjective measures versus crushed oxycodone IR, suggesting less abuse potential. Demonstration of actual abuse deterrence in the real world requires further research.
Effects of cultural power distance on group creativity and individual group member creativity
Authors: Yuan Feirong , Zhou Jing
Published: May 2015

We develop a conceptual model to theorize the impact of high versus low power distance cultural contexts on group creativity and individual group member creativity. High power distance cultural contexts manifest in group social environments where status differentiation among individuals is expected and accepted. This hierarchical social environment is substantially different from the relatively equal social environment in low power distance cultural contexts. Building on this premise, we theorize how and why power distance cultural contexts may (1) impact group creativity by influencing the divergent and convergent processes at the group level and (2) impact the creativity of individual group members by influencing an individual's cognitive task involvement and impression management motives. Further, we identify contextual factors and individual differences that may moderate the impact of power distance. This conceptual model advances our understanding of how creative processes in groups may differ in different cultural contexts as well as suggests ways to foster group creativity in non‐Western high power distance cultural contexts. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New multicolor and rewritable holographic polymer film for three‐dimensional holographic display
Authors: Miura Sakiko , Kobayashi Satoshi
Published: May 2015

We have developed a new multicolor holographic polymer film. Our holographic polymer film contains 3‐[(2,4,6‐trichloro)azo]‐9H‐carbazole‐9‐ethanol (A‐1) and poly(methyl methacrylate). The holographic polymer film can be recorded with a holographic image without applying an external electric field. The diffraction efficiency was 57% at A‐1 with a 20 wt% of dope ratio.

The writable holographic image writing for the holographic polymer film step used the silver halide photographic emulsion master plate 532‐nm laser beam under the nonelectric field. After the copy hologram is formed, our holographic polymer film can be displayed in red and green holographic images. Even though our holographic polymer film is rewritten over 200 times, the diffraction efficiency does not fall. As the holographic polymer film is manufactured using roll‐to‐roll techniques, although still in a laboratory scale in this study, it has a strong possibility of being manufactured in larger sizes with lower cost.
Quality of care and short‐ and long‐term outcomes of laryngeal cancer care in the elderly
Authors: Gourin Christine G. , Starmer Heather M. , Herbert Robert J. , Frick Kevin D. , Forastiere Arlene A. , Quon Harry , Eisele David W. , Dy Sydney M.
Published: May 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

To examine associations between quality of care, short‐ and long‐term treatment‐related outcomes, and costs in elderly patients treated for laryngeal squamous cell cancer (SCCA).

Study Design

Retrospective analysis of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results‐Medicare data.

Methods

We evaluated longitudinal data from 2,370 patients diagnosed with laryngeal SCCA from 2004 to 2007 using cross‐tabulations, multivariate regression, and survival analysis. Using quality indicators derived from guidelines for recommended care and performance measures, an overall summary measure of quality was calculated incorporating summary quality measures for diagnosis, initial treatment, performance, surveillance, treatment for recurrence, and end‐of‐life care.

Results

Higher‐quality care was associated with a lower likelihood of long‐term weight loss (odds ratio [OR] = 0.6 [0.5–0.8]), stricture (OR = 0.5 [0.3–0.8]), gastrostomy dependence (OR = 0.5 [0.4–0.7]), airway obstruction (OR = 0.7 [0.6–0.9]), tracheostomy (OR = 0.5 [0.3–0.7]), and pneumonia (OR = 0.7 [0.5–0.9]), but had no impact on the likelihood of dysphagia. Higher‐quality care was associated with lower risk of death in patients with dysphagia (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.7 [0.6–0.8]), weight loss (HR = 0.8 [0.6–0.9]), airway obstruction (HR = 0.7 [0.6–0.8]), tracheostomy (HR = 0.7 [0.5–0.9]), and pneumonia (HR = 0.8 [0.6–0.9]), but was not associated with survival differences in patients with gastrostomy dependence or stricture. Costs associated with dysphagia, weight loss, stricture, airway obstruction, and pneumonia were lower for patients receiving higher‐quality care.

Conclusions

Higher‐quality larynx cancer care was associated with a reduced incidence of late airway and swallowing impairment after laryngeal SCCA treatment in elderly patients, with improved survival and reduced costs. These data suggest that greater attention to evidence‐based practices associated with quality indicators may lead to improved functional outcomes in the elderly.

Level of Evidence

2c. Laryngoscope, 125:2323–2329, 2015
Modulation of Electronic State of π‐Conjugated Nickelladithiolene Complex Nanosheet
Authors: Kambe Tetsuya , Kusamoto Tetsuro , Sakamoto Ryota , Nishihara Hiroshi
Published: May 2015

We previously reported a nickelladithiolene nanosheet based on a π‐conjugated hexagonal network. A liquid–liquid and a gas–liquid interfacial reaction, using benzenehexathiol and nickel(II) acetate, produced the stacked and atomically thin nanosheets, respectively (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135, 2462). Here, we report the modulation of the electronic states on the nickelladithiolene nanosheet by means of the chemical reduction and oxidation reactions. The electronic states were determined by the binding energy of the sulfur peaks in the X‐ray photoelectron spectra.
Choice of Electrode Metal Influences the Chemoresistive Vapor Response of Brominated SWCNTs
Authors: Hines Deon , Karunwi Olukayode , Harrell William R. , Guiseppi‐Elie Anthony
Published: May 2015

A series of functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) rationalized on the basis of covalent chemical modification to impart electron‐donating or electron‐withdrawing functionalities has been synthesized and characterized. Brominated SWNTs (SWNT‐Br) were dispersed in dimethyl formamide (DMF) and cast onto the interdigit space of microlithographically fabricated interdigitated microsensor electrodes (IMEs) of gold (Au) or platinum (Pt) that were unmodified or chemically modified with octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS). The resulting devices (receptors) were characterized by two–electrode impedance spectroscopy (EIS) with equivalent circuit modeling and by direct current (DC)‐based current‐voltage (IV) characterization in various gases/vapors. The chemoresistive responses to these same gases/vapors were determined under DC conditions by continuous monitoring following flow injection of gas/vapor. The EIS and I‐V characterization produced similar results that averaged 40.7 ± 1.1 ohms at the Au‐electrode devices and 73.9 ± 1.9 ohms at the Pt‐ electrode devices confirming that the choice of metal greatly influences the magnitude of DC and AC responses. Exposure to vapors via flow injection results in ethanol (EtOH) > methyl isoamyl ketone (MIAK) > octane > toluene and with higher relative and more reproducible responses at Au compared to Pt devices. Surface modification influences the reproducibility of both devices.
Validation of a new t2* algorithm and its uncertainty value for cardiac and liver iron load determination from MRI magnitude images
Authors: Bidhult Sebastian , Xanthis Christos G. , Liljekvist Love Lindau , Greil Gerald , Nagel Eike , Aletras Anthony H. , Heiberg Einar , Hedström Erik
Published: May 2015

Purpose

To validate an automatic algorithm for offline T2* measurements, providing robust, vendor‐independent T2*, and uncertainty estimates for iron load quantification in the heart and liver using clinically available imaging sequences.

Methods

A T2* region of interest (ROI)‐based algorithm was developed for robustness in an offline setting. Phantom imaging was performed on a 1.5 Tesla system, with clinically available multiecho gradient‐recalled‐echo (GRE) sequences for cardiac and liver imaging. A T2* single‐echo GRE sequence was used as reference. Simulations were performed to assess accuracy and precision from 2000 measurements. Inter‐ and intraobserver variability was obtained in a patient study (n = 23).

Results

Simulations: Accuracy, in terms of the mean differences between the proposed method and true T2* ranged from 0–0.73 ms. Precision, in terms of confidence intervals of repeated measurements, was 0.06–4.74 ms showing agreement between the proposed uncertainty estimate and simulations. Phantom study: Bias and variability were 0.26 ± 4.23 ms (cardiac sequence) and −0.23 ± 1.69 ms (liver sequence). Patient study: Intraobserver variability was similar for experienced and inexperienced observers (0.03 ± 1.44 ms versus 0.16 ± 2.33 ms). Interobserver variability was 1.0 ± 3.77 ms for the heart and −0.52 ± 2.75 ms for the liver.

Conclusion

The proposed algorithm was shown to provide robust T2* measurements and uncertainty estimates over the range of clinically relevant T2* values. Magn Reson Med, 2015. © 2015 The Authors. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Magn Reson Med 75:1717–1729, 2016. © 2015 The Authors. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance.
Extended CFD–DEM for free‐surface flow with multi‐size granules
Authors: Jing L. , Kwok C. Y. , Leung Y. F. , Sobral Y. D.
Published: May 2015

Computational fluid dynamics and discrete element method (CFD–DEM) is extended with the volume of fluid (VOF) method to model free‐surface flows. The fluid is described on coarse CFD grids by solving locally averaged Navier–Stokes equations, and particles are modelled individually in DEM. Fluid–particle interactions are achieved by exchanging information between DEM and CFD. An advection equation is applied to solve the phase fraction of liquid, in the spirit of VOF, to capture the dynamics of free fluid surface. It also allows inter‐phase volume replacements between the fluid and solid particles. Further, as the size ratio (SR) of fluid cell to particle diameter is limited (i.e. no less than 4) in coarse‐grid CFD–DEM, a porous sphere method is adopted to permit a wider range of particle size without sacrificing the resolution of fluid grids. It makes use of more fluid cells to calculate local porosities. The developed solver (cfdemSolverVOF) is validated in different cases. A dam break case validates the CFD‐component and VOF‐component. Particle sedimentation tests validate the CFD–DEM interaction at various Reynolds numbers. Water‐level rising tests validate the volume exchange among phases. The porous sphere model is validated in both static and dynamic situations. Sensitivity analyses show that the SR can be reduced to 1 using the porous sphere approach, with the accuracy of analyses maintained. This allows more details of the fluid phase to be revealed in the analyses and enhances the applicability of the proposed model to geotechnical problems, where a highly dynamic fluid velocity and a wide range of particle sizes are encountered. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
International Children's Continence Society standardization report on urodynamic studies of the lower urinary tract in children
Authors: Bauer Stuart B. , Nijman Rien J.M. , Drzewiecki Beth A. , Sillen Ulla , Hoebeke Piet
Published: May 2015

Aims

The objective of this document created by the ICCS standardization subcommittee is to provide a uniform guideline on measurement, quality control and documentation of urodynamic studies in children.

Methods

This guideline was created using expert opinion and critical review of the published literature on urodynamic studies in children. Currently no standardized guideline or level 1 data exists on the proper technique for this subject matter.

Results

The document provides a throughout explanation on how to approach a child who presents with lower urinary tract dysfunction, whether it be of neurogenic, anatomic or functional origin. Formation of an urodynamic question after a comprehensive history and physical examination is paramount in selecting the urodynamic study(ies) that will be most appropriate for each child. Appropriate application of each test with careful consideration of the needs of the child and family will provide the most accurate and reproducible results. Recommendations on how to execute each of the components of an urodynamic study as well as interpretation are included in the document.

Conclusions

Urodynamic studies have become a major tool in evaluating lower urinary tract dysfunction in children. There are many subtleties in performing these studies in children in juxtaposition to adults; therefore, adaptations specific to children must be made to achieve accurate and reproducible results. Uniformity in how the studies are conducted from center to center will allow for healthier transparency and enhanced comparison of results in both clinical and research situations. Neurourol. Urodynam. 34:???–???, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multilayer coextrusion of rubber compounds
Authors: Harris Patrick J. , Carson Sidney O. , Gadley Jesse L. , Maia Joao
Published: May 2015

This research work presents the first continuous multilayer coextrusion system for high viscosity elastomeric materials. Three unvulcanized rubber materials were chosen to validate the system: two butyl rubbers and a polyisoprene. The elastomers were characterized under oscillatory shear and the results used to perform computational flow simulations to investigate the effect of geometry on the flow path and flow rate. Successful extrudates of 8 and 32 layers were extruded at two different throughput rates for rheologically matched and rheologically mismatched material pairs. The results show good layering performance for both systems with little existence of viscous encapsulation and acceptable pressure drops. Computational and experimental results both show a nonuniform layer thickness distribution due to the geometric design of the layer multiplier extrusion dies, which were designed to minimize pressure drop in the system. This nonuniformity decreases with increasing number of layers. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1520–1527, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Solitary surfactant assisted morphology dependent chemiresistive polyaniline sensors for room temperature monitoring of low parts per million sulfur dioxide
Authors: Chaudhary Vishal , Kaur Amarjeet
Published: May 2015

We report the novel application of cetryltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) assisted polyaniline (PAN) nanostructures to fabricate cost effective chemiresistive sensors for monitoring a low parts per million level of sulfur dioxide (SO2) at room temperature. PAN nanoparticles (NPs, diameter ca 200 nm), nanofibres (NFs, diameter ca 100 nm) and nanoneedles (NNs, diameter ca 50 nm) were synthesized via template‐directed chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline by varying concentration of the solitary cationic surfactant CTAB (from 5 mmol L−1 to 15 mmol L−1). It was observed that the PAN NN based sensing device showed an excellent sensing response (ca 4.2%) towards a low concentration of SO2 (10 ppm) compared to the device based on PAN NFs (ca 3%) and PAN NPs (ca 1.2%) at room temperature. The PAN NN based sensing device was also found to be efficient in terms of stability, selectivity, reproducibility, recovery and response time, and detection range. The mechanism of SO2 sensing has been explored for the first time by using in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Crystal transition from hydrated chitosan and chitosan/monocarboxylic acid complex to anhydrous chitosan investigated by X‐ray diffraction
Authors: Naito Philip‐Kunio , Ogawa Yu , Kimura Satoshi , Iwata Tadahisa , Wada Masahisa
Published: May 2015

We have studied the crystal transition behaviors from hydrated chitosan to anhydrous chitosan by X‐ray diffraction analyses. Hydrated chitosan prepared by deacetylation of crustacean α‐chitin was subjected to the two conversion methods, hydrothermal treatment and high‐humidity treatment via chitosan/monocarboxylic acid complex. The transition by hydrothermal treatment progressed with increasing treatment temperature and time, and the rapid transition occurred above 200 °C. Chitosan/acetic acid complex and chitosan/formic acid complex were prepared by immersing hydrated chitosan in acid solution. The transition from chitosan/acetic acid complex to anhydrous chitosan in high relative humidity condition proceeded with increasing temperature and was complete at 80 °C for 1 h, whereas chitosan/formic acid complex did not convert to anhydrous chitosan under the same conditions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 1065–1069
Place Attachment and Mobility in City Regions
Authors: Westin Kerstin
Published: May 2015

The development of city regions can be regarded as both a driving force behind and a consequence of increased interaction between firms and people in a region. This paper focuses on people's place attachment to different geographic levels – neighbourhood, residential municipality, and city region – and the relationship between place attachment and mobility. In the present paper, the issues of whether attachment differs between residents in small versus large regions, between the centre and hinterlands, and of whether there is a relationship between attachment and mobility (commuting and migrating) are in focus. The analyses are based on a questionnaire distributed in 2009 to 6000 citizens in the city regions Göteborg and Umeå in Sweden. The study shows a relationship between mobility and attachment to the neighbourhood and residential municipality but not with the city region. Satisfaction with the social life in the neighbourhood and public services in the residential municipality were shown to be important for the respondents, place attachment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analytical initial conditions and an analysis of baroclinic instability waves in f ‐ and β‐plane 3D channel models
Authors: Ullrich P. A. , Reed K. A. , Jablonowski C.
Published: May 2015

The article presents a description of idealized, balanced initial conditions for dry 3D channel models with either the hydrostatic or non‐hydrostatic shallow‐atmosphere equation set. Both the analytical expressions for an f‐ and β‐plane configuration are provided and possible variations are discussed. The initialization with an overlaid perturbation is then used for baroclinic instability studies which can serve either as a test case for the numerical discretization or for physical science investigations such as the impact of the Coriolis parameter on the evolution of baroclinic waves.

Example results for two channel models are presented: the MCore and the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) models. The simulations show that the evolution of the baroclinic wave on the β‐plane is more unstable than the corresponding f‐plane configuration, experiencing a faster linear growth rate of the most unstable wave mode, a shorter most unstable wavelength, a narrower meridional width, and an earlier breaking of the baroclinic wave. A theoretical analysis based on linearized quasi‐geostrophic (QG) theory sheds light on these findings. It is shown that the simulated baroclinic instability waves on both the f‐ and β‐plane closely match the predicted wavelength, shape and linear growth rate obtained from the QG theory, thus validating the model results.
An analytic model of tropical cyclone wind profiles
Authors: Wang Shuai , Toumi Ralf , Czaja Arnaud , Kan Adrian Van
Published: May 2015

A physically based analytic model (λ model) is presented to describe the wind profile of tropical cyclones in terms of the pressure deficit and a single shape parameter (λ). To test the λ model, an idealized full‐physics numerical model is employed to provide wind‐profile samples and also to show the influence of environmental temperature and the properties of initial vortices on tropical cyclone size. It is found that the λ model provides an accurate fit of the azimuthal wind profile at the top of the boundary layer. In the simulations, tropical cyclone size is sensitive to sea‐surface temperature, upper tropospheric temperature and initial vortex structure. The numerical model confirms the assumed Gaussian distribution with width λ of the moist entropy in the boundary layer. A linear relationship between model cyclone size and is found, in agreement with the λ model. The λ model predicts a weak relationship between tropical cyclone size and intensity, as is observed. In addition, the λ model suggests that change in tropical cyclone size should be closely related to angular momentum transport near the boundary layer, as has been found in observations. The good agreement of the λ model with the numerical model shows that the λ model could be a reasonable alternative for characterizing the wind structure of tropical cyclones with only one scaling parameter.
Learn how to tap into technology, social media to boost student engagement
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: May 2015

NEW ORLEANS, LA. — When students aren't making connections or friends easily, then you know they're having a hard time adjusting to life on your campus. And challenges to student engagement can significantly impact student development and success.
Power loss minimization in distribution systems using multiple distributed generations
Authors: Mahmoud Karar , Yorino Naoto , Ahmed Abdella
Published: May 2015

In this work, an efficient analytical method is proposed for optimally allocating distributed generations (DGs) in electrical distribution systems to minimize power losses. The proposed analytical method can be employed for obtaining the optimal combination of different DG types in a distribution system for loss minimization. The validity of the proposed method is demonstrated using two test systems with different configurations by comparing with the exact optimal solution obtained from the exhaustive optimal power flow (OPF) algorithm. The calculated results and the comprehensive comparisons with existing methods prove the superiority of the proposed method in terms of accuracy and calculation speed. The proposed loss minimization method can be a useful tool for any general DG allocation problem since it provides effective and fast loss evaluation taking into account other benefits. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Postprandial glycaemic response: how is it influenced by characteristics of cereal products?
Authors: Meynier Alexandra , Goux Aurélie , Atkinson Fiona , Brack Olivier , Vinoy Sophie
Published: May 2015

Cereal products exhibit a wide range of glycaemic indexes (GI), but the interaction of their different nutrients and starch digestibility on blood glucose response is not well known. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate how cereal product characteristics can contribute to GI and insulinaemic index and to the parameters describing glycaemic or insulinaemic responses (incremental AUC, maximum concentration and Δpeak). Moreover, interactions between the different cereal products characteristics and glycaemic response parameters were assessed for the first time. Relationships between the cereal products characteristics and the glycaemic response were analysed by partial least square regressions, followed by modelling. A database including 190 cereal products tested by the usual GI methodology was used. The model on glycaemic responses showed that slowly digestible starch (SDS), rapidly digestible starch (RDS) and fat and fibres, and several interactions involving them, significantly explain GI by 53 % and Δpeakof glycaemia by 60 %. Fat and fibres had important contributions to glycaemic response at low and medium SDS contents in cereal products, but this effect disappears at high SDS levels. We showed also for the first time that glycaemic response parameters are dependent on interactions between starch digestibility (interaction between SDS and RDS) and nutritional composition (interaction between fat and fibres) of the cereal products. We also demonstrated the non-linear effect of fat and fibres (significant effect of their quadratic terms). Hence, optimising both the formula and the manufacturing process of cereal products can improve glucose metabolism, which is recognised as strongly influential on human health.
Intake of indigestible carbohydrates influences IgA response and polymeric Ig receptor expression in the rat submandibular gland
Authors: Yamamoto Yuko , To Masahiro , Hayashi Takashi , Shimizu Tomoko , Kamata Yohei , Saruta Juri , Takahashi Toru , Tsukinoki Keiichi
Published: May 2015

Secretory IgA in the saliva is essential for protection from mucosally transmitted pathogens and maintaining homeostasis at mucosal surfaces of the oral cavity. Expression of submandibular gland polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR) is essential for IgA secretion. In the present study, we investigated the influence of indigestible carbohydrates on IgA production in the salivary gland and saliva. Five-week-old rats were fed a fibre-free diet (control), or a diet with 5 % (w/w) fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) or a combination of 2·5 % (w/w) polydextrose (PDX) and 2·5 % (w/w) lactitol for 21-d. IgA concentrations in the caecal digesta, submandibular gland tissue, and saliva in the FOS and PDX+lactitol diet groups were significantly higher than those in the control group (P< 0·05). The increase in IgA in the submandibular gland tissue was confirmed using immunohistochemical analysis. However, the IgA concentrations of serum did not differ between the FOS or PDX+lactitol groups and the control group (P= 0·5). In the FOS and PDX+lactitol groups, thepIgRmRNA (pIgR/β-actin) expression level in the submandibular gland tissue was significantly higher than that in the control group (P< 0·05). The present study suggests that indigestible carbohydrates play an important role in the increase in IgA concentrations in the submandibular gland tissue, saliva, and caecal digesta.
Association mapping and favourable allele exploration for plant architecture traits in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL.) accessions
Authors: LI C. Q. , AI N. J. , ZHU Y. J. , WANG Y. Q. , CHEN X. D. , LI F. , HU Q. Y. , WANG Q. L.
Published: May 2015

Association mapping based on linkage disequilibrium (LD) is a promising tool to identify genes responsible for quantitative variations underlying complex traits. The present paper presents an association mapping panel consisting of 172 upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL.) accessions. The panel was phenotyped for five cotton plant architecture traits across multiple environments and genotyped using 386 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Of these markers, 101 polymorphic SSR markers were used in the final analysis. There were abundant phenotypic variations within this germplasm panel and a total of 267 alleles ranging from two to seven per locus were identified in all collections. The threshold of LD decay was set tor2= 0·1 and 0·2, and the genome-wide LD extended up to about 13–14 and 6–7 cM, respectively, providing the potential for association mapping of agronomically important traits in upland cotton. A total of 66 marker–trait associations were detected based on a mixed linear model, of which 35 were found in more than one environment. The favourable alleles from 35 marker loci can be used in marker-assisted selection of target traits. Both the synergistic alleles and the negative alleles for some traits, especially plant height and fruit branch angle, can be utilized in plant architecture breeding programmes according to specific breeding objectives.
THE BIOLOGICAL STATUS OF CHILDREN LIVING IN DISADVANTAGED REGIONS OF HUNGARY
Authors: Bodzsar Eva B. , Zsakai Annamaria , Utczas Katinka , Mascie-Taylor C. G. Nicholas
Published: May 2015

The aim of this study was to find out whether differences exist in the physical development, nutritional status and psychosomatic status of children living in deprived regions of Hungary compared with the Hungarian national reference values. The Hungarian government’s decree No. 24/2003 created a complex indicator of social and economic conditions by which the country’s regions were graded into deprived and non-deprived regions. This study examined 3128 children (aged 3–18 years) living in the deprived regions and their biological status was compared with the national reference values (2nd Hungarian National Growth Study). Children’s body development was assessed via some absolute body dimensions. Nutritional status was estimated by BMI with children being divided into ‘underweight’, ‘normal’, ‘overweight’ and ‘obese’ categories. For children aged 7–18 years a standard symptoms list was used to characterize psychosomatic status. The subjects were asked to rate their health status as excellent, good, fair or poor. The body development of children living in these deprived regions was significantly retarded compared with the national references in the age groups 7–9 years and 14–17 years for boys and in the age groups 4–6 and 14–17 for girls. The prevalence of underweight was significantly higher in children and adolescents living in deprived regions (boys: 4.8%; girls: 5.9%) than the national references (boys: 2.9%; girls: 4.0%), while the prevalence of overweight and obese children did not differ between deprived regions (boys: 20.2%; girls: 19.8%) and the national references (boys: 21.5%; girls: 19.1%). Children and adolescents living in the deprived regions rated their health status worse, and experienced more psychosomatic complaints (abdominal discomfort and fear), than the national references. Although the majority of body dimensions of children in deprived regions were close to the 50th centile of the Hungarian national references, a sizeable minority (31%) were 0.20SD or more away from the median value, which has implications as to how social, medical and public welfare policy can be shaped.
Cognitive performance during the first year of treatment in first-episode schizophrenia: a case–control study
Authors: Olivier M. R. , Killian S. , Chiliza B. , Asmal L. , Schoeman R. , Oosthuizen P. P. , Kidd M. , Emsley R.
Published: May 2015

Background

Several questions remain unanswered regarding the magnitude and time course of cognitive improvement in response to antipsychotic treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess changes in cognitive performance in antipsychotic-naive or minimally medicated patients with first-episode schizophrenia during the first 12 months of treatment, in a case–control design. Patients were treated with flupenthixol decanoate depot injection, according to a standard algorithm. The primary outcome measure was change in MATRICS Cognitive Consensus Battery (MCCB) composite score over 12 months.

Method

The sample comprised 92 patients and 100 healthy controls matched for age, sex, ethnicity and educational status. Cognitive function was assessed by means of the MCCB.

Results

A mixed-effects model identified a significant group × time effect (p ≤ 0.0001) for the MCCB composite score, with patients showing a greater degree of change than the controls. For the other MCCB domains there were significant group × time effects at adjusted significance level for attention and vigilance (p ≤ 0.0001), visual learning (p ≤ 0.0001), verbal learning (p = 0.005) and working memory (p ≤ 0.0001), but not for reasoning and problem solving (p = 0.04), speed of processing (p = 0.03) and social cognition (p = 0.06). There were moderate correlations between change in MCCB composite score and change in symptomatology as assessed by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale factor analysis-derived domains.

Conclusions

Substantial improvements in cognitive function were observed over and above a practice effect, and were significantly correlated with improvements in psychopathology and functionality.
Rapid learning of minimally different words in five- to six-year-old children: effects of acoustic salience and hearing impairment
Authors: GIEZEN MARCEL R. , ESCUDERO PAOLA , BAKER ANNE E.
Published: May 2015

This study investigates the role of acoustic salience and hearing impairment in learning phonologically minimal pairs. Picture-matching and object-matching tasks were used to investigate the learning of consonant and vowel minimal pairs in five- to six-year-old deaf children with a cochlear implant (CI), and children of the same age with normal hearing (NH). In both tasks, the CI children showed clear difficulties with learning minimal pairs. The NH children also showed some difficulties, however, particularly in the picture-matching task. Vowel minimal pairs were learned more successfully than consonant minimal pairs, particularly in the object-matching task. These results suggest that the ability to encode phonetic detail in novel words is not fully developed at age six and is affected by task demands and acoustic salience. CI children experience persistent difficulties with accurately mapping sound contrasts to novel meanings, but seem to benefit from the relative acoustic salience of vowel sounds.