bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reasoning-Building Process for Transportation Project Evaluation and Decision Making
Authors: Kronprasert Nopadon , Talvitie Antti P.
Published: February 2015

Policy makers for transportation investment projects engage in dialogues and debates in which reasonableness and clarity are of great value. In traditional transportation systems planning practices, stakeholders reason and provide evidence in support of their preferences, but these opinions often conflict and are rarely consistent. This paper presents a goal-oriented decision-making method for finding a transportation alternative that best achieves the project's goals and also indicates the level of stakeholders’ satisfaction. The proposed method ( a) applies a reasoning map for structuring how experts and citizens perceive the alternatives for achieving the project's goals and ( b) provides belief measures in evidence theory about to what extent the alternatives achieve the goals of the stakeholders. This method gives three kinds of results. First, the degrees of goal achievement can be calculated for the various stakeholders. Second, both the integrity of the reasoning and the quality of information are evaluated according to measures of uncertainty associated with this information. Finally, the critical reasoning links that matter most to goal achievement can be identified through sensitivity analysis. The paper applies the proposed method to evaluate a streetcar alternative against a bus rapid transit alternative in a real-world analysis of transit alternatives. The reasoning-building process allows planners and citizens to present their logic and justifications, promotes focused discourse of stakeholders, and enriches the quality of the planning and decision-making process.
Sustainability Tools in Action
Authors: Megill Legendre Shawn S. , Perlman Jeffrey , Gonzalez Jennifer S.
Published: February 2015

This paper discusses how a regional greenhouse gas inventory is an important sustainability tool for coordinating land use and transportation planning across levels of government to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Many metropolitan planning organizations have taken regional leadership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the transportation sector. However, the direct connection between transportation and land use patterns requires the integration of greenhouse gas mitigation strategies into local land use planning for successful VMT reduction. This paper reviews tools developed by two metropolitan planning organizations, the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, and discusses the practical application of these tools to land use planning at the county and municipal levels. The master plan for Passaic County, New Jersey, provides a case study that demonstrates successful use of the NJTPA greenhouse gas management tool for integration of greenhouse gas mitigation strategies into local planning. The paper concludes with a discussion about potential applications of greenhouse gas inventory tools and valuable lessons learned, including limitations of the tools.
Bridging the Gap between the New Urbanist Ideas and Transportation Planning Practice
Authors: Zhang Ming , Pang Hao , Kone Alex
Published: February 2015

Metropolitan planning organizations have become increasingly interested in urban design solutions to transportation problems. Many design ideas under the umbrella of new urbanism appear promising, yet in practice are not often fully implemented in standard transportation planning procedures, in part because of remaining skepticism about the role that the built environment plays in influencing travel and in part because of technical, institutional, and political issues. This paper sets a twofold objective. First, it contributes to the continuing debate on the urban form–travel connection by adding further empirical evidence from the Austin, Texas, region. Unlike most existing empirical work, the paper studies and reports evidence in metrics commonly used by transportation planners and engineers for travel demand analysis. Second, the paper demonstrates ways to integrate urban design variables in transportation demand analysis. The study identified 42 mixed-use districts (MXDs) in the Austin region and then analyzed the following aspects of travel behavior in MXDs and non-MXDs: trip production rates, trip duration and length distribution, internal rate of capture, departure time, and travel mode choice; these correspond to the first three of the four-step planning models. The study contributes to transportation planning and policy making in Central Texas by providing local empirical evidence on the urban form–travel connection. The study's method and process can be of interest to a broad audience in academia and practice.
Operationalizing Land Use Diversity at Varying Geographic Scales and Its Connection to Mode Choice
Authors: Gehrke Steven R. , Clifton Kelly J.
Published: February 2015

Although substantial consideration has been given to analyzing the relationship between land use diversity and travel behavior, the selection of the most suitable geographic scale for operationalizing these measures has received considerably less attention in the research. General consensus favors an examination of the complex relationship between travel behavior and such built environment measures explained at a finer spatial scale. The reasons for supporting a more disaggregate neighborhood scale include statistical advantages, such as a minimization of the modifiable areal unit problem, and more applied intentions, such as a preference for site-specific design measures seen as responsive to urban policy. Complementing this decision about how best to define the geographic extent of the built environment is the determination of which built environment measures are significantly related to travel mode choice. Of these measures, an increased diversity of land uses has often been linked with an individual's heightened likelihood for using transit, bicycling, and walking. This research advances the knowledge of which land use diversity measures best predict mode choice and explores the proper geographic scale for operationalizing these indicators. Seven diversity indexes represented at four geographic scales encompassing the origins and destinations of discretionary trips in the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan region were examined with a series of multinomial logit models. This study, which introduced several indexes previously unrecognized in transportation research, suggests common diversity measures, and the most disaggregate spatial scale may not always best represent the link between land use diversity and nonautomotive travel.
Connection between Built Environment and Travel Behavior
Authors: Parady Giancarlos Troncoso , Takami Kiyoshi , Harata Noboru
Published: February 2015

In recent years, the compact city concept has become a paradigm of sustainable urban development under the premise that mixed-use, high-density cities can significantly reduce automobile dependency and promote the use of alternative modes. This claim, however, hinges on the existence of a true causal mechanism between the built environment and travel behavior. This study tackled the causality problem by using a propensity score approach but differed from previous studies in that this study relaxed the binary treatment assumption (i.e., urban versus suburban) and assumed a continuous treatment of urbanization level, estimated as a latent variable. Methodologically, the propensity score stratification method used was successful in mitigating residential self-selection bias on estimates of the effect of the built environment on nonwork trip frequency and traveled distance. Overestimation ranges for the direct regression estimates against the estimates stratified on the propensity score ranged from 6% to 36%. Findings suggested the existence of a causal mode substitution mechanism from car to nonmotorized modes given positive increases in the latent score of urbanization level.
Quantifying the Self-Selection Effects in Residential Location Choice with a Structural Equation Model
Authors: He Xiang , Zhang Lei
Published: February 2015

Land use policy is viewed as a way to mitigate congestion and alleviate greenhouse gas emissions. Many studies have confirmed the reduction effect for vehicle miles traveled (VMT) of compact and mixed land use development. However, debates on self-selection effects have arisen in recent years. Researchers argue that the correlation between land use pattern and VMT may be caused by self-selection of residential location based on a person's attitude toward traveling. This paper develops an urban form indicator for describing local land use patterns and then establishes a structural equation model (SEM) with VMT, vehicle ownership, and the urban form of residential location estimated simultaneously. Residential self-selection was controlled in two ways in the model: implicitly through the correlated error terms in multiple equations and explicitly through the incorporation of expected VMT in the equation of residential location choice. The model was estimated with household travel survey data collected in 2007 in the Washington, D.C., area. The results showed that land use itself could influence travel behavior after self-selection effects were removed. A comparison of the results of the full SEM results with that of a reference SEM confirmed the existence of self-selection effects. The comparison verified that the VMT reduction effect of land use would be exaggerated without consideration of self-selection, and self-selection effect accounted for a larger part of the total effect in more compact and better mixed development areas. However, the self-selection effect was small compared with the effect of land use itself in the analyzed case.
Long-Term Survival and Differentiation of Human Neural Stem Cells in Nonhuman Primate Brain with no Immunosuppression
Authors: Lee Sang-Rae , Lee Hong J. , Cha Sang-Hoon , Jeong Kang-Jin , Lee Youngjeon , Jeon Chang-Yeop , Yi Kyung Sik , Lim Inja , Cho Zang-Hee , Chang Kyu-Tae , Kim Seung U.
Published: February 2015

Cellular fate of human neural stem cells (hNSCs) transplanted in the brain of nonhuman primates (NHPs) with no immunosuppression was determined at 22 and 24 months posttransplantation (PTx) regarding survival, differentiation, and tumorigenesis. Survival of hNSCs labeled with magnetic nanoparticles was successfully detected around injection sites in the brain at 22 months PTx by MRI. Histological examination of brain sections with H&E and Prussian blue staining at 24 months revealed that most of the grafted hNSCs were found located along the injection tract. Grafted hNSCs were found to differentiate into neurons at 24 months PTx. In addition, none of the grafted hNSCs were bromodeoxyuridine positive in the monkey brain, indicating that hNSCs did not replicate in the NHP brain and did not cause tumor formation. This study serves as a proof of principle and provides evidence that hNSCs transplanted in NHP brain could survive and differentiate into neurons in the absence of immunosuppression. It also serves as a preliminary study in our scheduled preclinical studies of hNSC transplantation in NHP stroke models.
Adjuvant Chemotherapy With Sequential Cytokine-Induced Killer (CIK) Cells in Stage IB Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Li Da-Peng , Li Wei , Feng Jun , Chen Kai , Tao Min
Published: February 2015

For non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients at stage IB, adjuvant chemotherapy does not improve survival. Evidence suggests that dendritic cell (DC)-activated cytokine-induced killer (DC-CIK) cell therapy in addition to chemotherapy improves survival for stage I‐IIIA NSCLC
patients after surgery, but there are not enough data to confirm this benefit specifically for those at stage IB. Herein, we retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of this therapy administered to stage IB NSCLC patients. Sixty-six patients were treated with four-cycle adjuvant chemotherapy
initiated 3 weeks after surgical resection. In addition, 28 of these patients underwent DC-CIK therapy on a trimonthly basis (average 3.1 times, range 1‐6) beginning 1 month after chemotherapy. The disease-free survival (DFS) rates of the two groups were statistically similar, although
patients who received DC-CIK therapy showed slightly higher 1- and 2-year DFS rates (100.0% and 96.4%, respectively, compared with 81.6% and 76.3%). More importantly, patients in the DC-CIK therapy group had significantly longer overall survival (p = 0.018). For patients
who received treatment after recurrence, the DC-CIK therapy group had longer progression-free survival compared with the chemotherapy-only group. In addition, patients given DC-CIK therapy experienced less fatigue and appetite loss. The rate of adverse side effects was similar between the
two groups. In conclusion, for these stage IB NSCLC patients, DC-CIK therapy significantly improved 2-year DFS rates compared with those who received chemotherapy only. DC-CIK therapy also benefited patients’ quality of life, and adverse events were acceptable.
MicroRNA-181a Inhibits Tumor Proliferation, Invasiveness, and Metastasis and Is Downregulated in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Lin Feng , Li Ye , Yan Shuai , Liu Shaoping , Qian Wenjun , Shen Dong , Lin Qingfeng , Mao Weidong
Published: February 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in the development and progression of human cancers, including gastric cancer. The discovery of miRNAs may provide a new and powerful tool for studying the mechanism, diagnosis, and treatment of gastric cancer. Here we show that miR-181a levels were significantly downregulated in gastric cancer tissues compared with the adjacent normal regions in 80 paired samples. Moreover, the lower levels of miR-181a were associated with the pM or pTNM stage in clinical gastric cancer patients. In addition, the ectopic expression of miR-181a in the gastric cancer cell line HGC-27 inhibited cell proliferation, cell migration, and invasion by directly interacting with the mRNA encoding the oncogenic factor Prox1. Taken together, our results indicate that miR-181a might act as a tumor suppressor in gastric cancer, which may provide a novel diagnostic and therapeutic option for human gastric cancer in the near future.
Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan-4 (CSPG4)-Specific Monoclonal Antibody 225.28 in Detection of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Blasts
Authors: Fenton Moon , Whiteside Theresa L. , Ferrone Soldano , Boyiadzis Michael
Published: February 2015

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan-4 (CSPG4), a membrane-bound proteoglycan known to be expressed on the surface of malignant cells, has a restricted distribution in normal tissues. CSPG4 is a potential candidate tumor marker. We investigate CSPG4 expression on blasts in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients and its relation with cytogenetic abnormalities and molecular markers known to have prognostic significance in this disease. Using hybridoma technology, we generated a specific monoclonal antibody (mAb), mAb 225.28, reactive with CSPG4. Blast samples obtained from the peripheral blood of newly diagnosed AML patients were analyzed for CSPG4 expression using the CSPG4-specific mAb and multiparameter flow cytometry. The results were correlated with cytogenetic and molecular characteristics of AML. CSPG4 was found to be expressed on a variable fraction of leukemic blasts in all AML patients with different leukemia morphology, including monoblastic cases. Reactivity of CSPG4-specific mAb with leukemic blasts was not limited to those with the rearranged MLL gene. CSPG4 was also expressed on AML blasts with a complex karyotype, FLT3 mutation, or NPM1 mutation. The results indicate that CSPG4 is expressed and detectable by flow cytometry using the mAb 225.28 on a proportion of blasts of all subtypes of AML irrespective of cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities. mAb 225.28 could be useful in detecting AML blasts by flow cytometry.
Cullin7 Is Required for Lung Cancer Cell Proliferation and Is Overexpressed in Lung Cancer
Authors: Men Xuelin , Wang Lingcheng , Yu Wenfei , Ju Yuanrong
Published: February 2015

Ubiquitin ligase Cullin7 has been identified as an oncogene in some malignant diseases such as choriocarcinoma and neuroblastoma. However, the role of Cullin7 in lung cancer carcinogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we explored the functional role of Cullin7 in lung cancer cell
proliferation and tumorigenesis and determined its expression profile in lung cancer. Knocking down Cullin7 expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA) in lung cancer cells inhibited cell proliferation and elevated the expression of p53, p27, and p21 proteins. The enhanced p53 expression resulted
from activation of the DNA damage response pathway. Cullin7 knockdown markedly suppressed xenograft tumor growth in vivo in mice. Moreover, Cullin7 expression was increased in primary lung cancer tissues of humans. Thus, Cullin7 is required for sustained proliferation and survival of tumor
cells in vitro and in vivo, and its aberrant expression may contribute to the pathogenesis of lung cancer. Thus, our study provided evidence that Cullin7 functions as a novel oncogene in lung cancer and may be a potential therapeutic target for lung cancer management.
Comparison of the Plusoptix A09 and Retinomax K-Plus 3 With Retinoscopy in Children
Authors: Yilmaz Ihsan , Ozkaya Abdullah , Alkin Zeynep , Ozbengi Sifa , Yazici Ahmet Taylan , Demirok Ahmet
Published: February 2015

Purpose:

To compare refractive measurements between the Plusoptix A09 (Plusoptix GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany), Retinomax K-Plus 3 (Right Med, Virginia Beach, VA), and retinoscopy in pediatric patients.

Methods:

Two hundred eyes of 200 patients (94 female, 106 male) were included in this cross-sectional study. Non-cycloplegic refraction was measured via the Plusoptix A09 and cycloplegic refraction was measured via the Retinomax K-Plus 3 and retinoscopy. Each device was evaluated for repeatability. The average measurements from all devices were compared.

Results:

The mean age of the patients was 6.2 ± 2.8 years (range: 4 to 12 years). The mean non-cycloplegic refraction via Plusoptix A09 was 0.74 ± 1.85 diopters (D) spherical and −0.79 ± 0.78 D cylindrical. The mean cycloplegic refraction via the Retinomax K-Plus 3 was 0.13 ± 1.92 D spherical and −0.74 ± 0.69 D cylindrical. The mean cyloplegic retinoscopy measurement was 0.71 ± 1.81 D spherical and −0.70 ± 0.76 D cylindrical. There was no significant difference between measurements (
P
= .07).

Conclusions:

The Plusoptix A09 and Retinomax K-Plus 3 agree well with cycloplegic retinoscopy. Both devices may be used for screening children between 4 and 12 years old. The Plusoptix A09 may eliminate the need for cycloplegia for the detection of refractive errors in children.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus.
2015;52(1):37–42.]
Double Optic Pit Maculopathy
Authors: Choudhry Netan
Published: February 2015

The author reports a case of a 16-year-old boy with decreased vision secondary to optic pit maculopathy. Clinical examination revealed two distinct optic pits in the optic nerve head with macular schisis and no subretinal fluid. Follow-up examination at 1 year demonstrated stable macular schisis and vision. This case illustrates visual impairment secondary to optic pit maculopathy arising from two optic pits in a single optic nerve head.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina.
2015;46:284–286.]
L’afflux transatlantique des Américains vers le « vieux continent », de 1830 à 1900
Authors: Dell’olio Aurélie
Published: February 2015

Cet article invite à envisager la relation complexe entre les Européens et leurs cousins du Nouveau Monde, notamment à travers le tourisme. Dès le milieu du XIXe siècle, les progrès dans les moyens de transport font de l’Europe un lieu de prédilection pour le touriste américain. Entre 1830 et 1900, c’est plus particulièrement vers Paris que les jeunes bourgeois Américains (et quelques privilégiés de la classe moyenne), en quête de connaissances et d’apprentissage, affluent en masse. Ce voyage représente, pour cette nouvelle génération, l’opportunité unique d’acquérir une expérience personnelle et professionnelle, alors sans égale dans le Nouveau Monde. Ce groupe de jeunes immigrés américains joue un rôle majeur dans l’évolution du climat intellectuel et artistique de Paris, à la fin du XIXe siècle. C’est à cette même époque que la Côte d’Azur – Menton, Nice et Cannes surtout – devient une des destinations préférées des Américains durant les longs mois d’hiver. Les côtes françaises de la Méditerranée attirent de riches familles américaines qui réussissent à donner un nouvel essor à la French Riviera, comme ils la surnomment alors.
Contraintes spatiales et enjeux territoriaux d’une déclinaison régionale de la transition énergétique : l’exemple de la région Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Authors: Chabrol Maximin , Grasland Loïc
Published: February 2015

La question de la transition énergétique se pose désormais à des échelles régionale et locale alors que le problème de l’approvisionnement et du transport de l’énergie est resté jusqu’à récemment une responsabilité nationale dans la plupart des pays. Elle implique de reconsidérer les rapports entre production et consommation d’énergie tout en évaluant les potentiels de production et de mise en œuvre des énergies renouvelables et de l’efficacité énergétique. Le territoire est en ce sens une instance déterminante de réflexion, sans que l’on puisse répondre d’emblée à la question de sa granularité (départements, bassins de vie, communautés de communes, autres échelles). Si la localisation des ressources énergétiques renouvelables induit une forte proximité avec les lieux de consommation, elle pose par contre la question du niveau d’adéquation optimal de l’organisation territoriale de leur exploitation. Cet article propose d’analyser la question de la territorialisation de la transition énergétique sous l’angle des productions d’énergie renouvelable actuelles et potentielles, et des consommations d’énergie dans la région française de Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA).
Editorial No.39
Authors: Editor El
Published: February 2015

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/ryr.v39i0.1825

Realidad y Reflexión Año 14, N° 39

 
El Salvador: Educación, Enfermedad Holandesa y Crecimiento América Latina: Crecimiento y mercados laborales en los 2000 algunas lecciones para El Salvador
Authors: González Orellana Mauricio
Published: February 2015

Esta es la primera parte del estudio titulado El Salvador: Educación, Enfermedad Holandesa y Crecimiento. En esta se consigna una serie de resultados de la investigación que el Banco Mundial ha llevado a cabo en relación con los temas de educación, Enfermedad Holandesa y crecimiento. Se destacan, entre otros, los siguientes aspectos: 1) los resultados en términos de crecimiento, educación y empleo, especialmente para los países más grandes de la región, han sido por lo menos notables, a pesar de los problemas planteados por la Enfermedad Holandesa; 2) dichos países parecen estar preparados para trascender de manera sostenida a etapas más avanzadas de desarrollo; y 3) a diferencia de la región, la economía salvadoreña se halla estancada y sus posibilidades para incorporarse al tren del crecimiento son muy limitadas, dado el carácter más bien agudo de los problemas que debe resolver, en particular, el de la Enfermedad Holandesa, que es de una modalidad muy diferente de la que ha padecido la región.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/ryr.v39i0.1828

Realidad y Reflexión Año 14, N° 39: 73-93
De wet als kunstwerk
Authors: van Lochem P.J.P.M.
Published: February 2015

De wet als kunstwerk

In zijn De wet als kunstwerk vormt Willem Witteveen ruim twintig jaar Nomoi-bijdragen tot één samenhangend geheel. Die samenhang bestaat uit de ‘tien geboden voor de wetgever’. Deze wet voor de wetgever zijn de acht beginselen van Fullers Inner Morality of Law, waaraan Witteveen nog twee ‘eigentijdse’ beginselen toevoegde: over de voorkeur voor zelfregulering en over het vermijden van bureaucratie. Witteveen verzet zich tegen de gangbare benadering van de wet als instrument. De auteur gaat in op Witteveens kritiek op deze instrumentele benadering en op zijn idee over wetgeving in de participatiesamenleving. Hij sluit af met de vraag welke opstelling senator Witteveen zou hebben gekozen in de Zorgwet-kwestie.
Day‐to‐night transport in the Martian ionosphere: Implications from total electron content measurements
Authors: Cui J. , Galand M. , Yelle R. V. , Wei Y. , Zhang S.‐J.
Published: February 2015

The nightside Martian ionosphere is thought to be contributed by day‐to‐night transport and electron precipitation, of which the former has not been well studied. In this work, we evaluate the role of day‐to‐night transport based on the total electron content (TEC) measurements made by the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding on board Mars Express. This is accomplished by an examination of the variation of nightside TEC in the time domain rather than the traditional solar zenith angle domain. Our analyses here, being constrained to the Northern Hemisphere where the effects of crustal magnetic fields can be neglected, reveal that day‐to‐night transport serves as the dominant source for the nightside Martian ionosphere from terminator crossing up to time in darkness of ≈5.3 × 103 s, beyond which it is surpassed by electron precipitation. The observations are compared with predictions from a simplified time‐dependent ionosphere model. We conclude that the solid body rotation of Mars is insufficient to account for the observed depletion of nightside TEC but the data could be reasonably reproduced by a zonal electron flow velocity of ≈1.9 km s−1.
Modeling Jovian hectometric attenuation lanes during the Cassini flyby of Jupiter
Authors: Imai Masafumi , Lecacheux Alain , Moncuquet Michel , Bagenal Fran , Higgins Charles A. , Imai Kazumasa , Thieman James R.
Published: February 2015

The Jupiter encounter by the Cassini spacecraft in late 2000 and early 2001 unveiled persistent properties of Jupiter's hectometric (HOM) radiation originating along auroral magnetic field lines in the polar regions. One of the unique properties of the HOM dynamic spectrum, known as attenuation lanes, appears as rotationally modulated, well‐defined regions of lowered intensity, flanked by regions of enhancement. These lanes seem to be the result of refraction of radio waves in a high‐density medium–either caused by Case (i) enhanced density in the magnetic L‐shell connected to Io's orbit or Case (ii) in the Io plasma torus itself or both. In this paper, we investigate the HOM ray paths of 0.5–3.0 MHz emissions with various cone half‐angles in the continuous radio longitudes generating at the magnetic L‐value equal to 30. We use bi‐kappa particle distributions to derive diffusive equilibrium distributions of density in the Io plasma torus. The enhanced density irregularities along the Io flux shell “ribbon” region can be described with a Gaussian density distribution of a maximum density n0 and breadth (half‐width of the distribution across the flux shell) σ. As a result, we found that the interpretation of Case (i) can be accounted for by the attenuation lanes which appear for all cone half‐angles, and the reasonable flux shell density n0 is, on top of specific latitude‐dependent density from the diffusive equilibrium model, estimated as 100 cm−3 with the half‐width σ = 5.0 Io radii.
Impacts of inadequate historical disturbance data in the early twentieth century on modeling recent carbon dynamics (1951–2010) in conterminous U.S. forests
Authors: Zhang Fangmin , Chen Jing M. , Pan Yude , Birdsey Richard A. , Shen Shuanghe , Ju Weimin , Dugan Alexa J.
Published: February 2015

Stand age and disturbance data have become more available in recent years and can facilitate modeling studies that integrate and quantify effects of disturbance and nondisturbance factors on carbon dynamics. Since high‐quality disturbance and forest age data to support forest dynamic modeling are lacking before 1950, we assumed dynamic equilibrium (carbon neutrality) for the starting conditions of forests with unknown historical disturbance and forest age information. The impacts of this assumption on forest carbon cycle estimation for recent decades have not been systematically examined. In this study, we tested an assumption of disequilibrium conditions for forests with unknown disturbance and age data by randomly assigning ages to them in the model initial year (1900) and analyzed uncertainties for 1951–2010 carbon dynamic simulations compared with the equilibrium assumption. Results show that with the dynamic equilibrium assumption, the total net biome productivity (NBP) of conterminous U.S. forests was 188 ± 60 Tg C yr−1 with 185 ± 56 Tg C yr−1 in living biomass and 3 ± 23 Tg C yr−1 in soil. The C release due to disturbance on average was about 68 ± 55 Tg C yr−1. The disequilibrium assumption causes annual NBP from 1951 to 2010 in conterminous U.S. forests to vary by an average of 13% with the largest impact on the soil carbon component. Uncertainties related to nondisturbance factors have relatively small impacts on NBP estimation (within 10%), while uncertainties related to disturbances cause biases in NBP of 4 to 28%. We conclude that the dynamic equilibrium assumption for the model initialization in 1900 is acceptable for simulating 1951–2010 forest carbon dynamics as long as disturbance and age data are reliable for this later period, although caution should be taken regarding the prior‐1950 simulation results because of their greater uncertainties.
The negligible effect of bed form migration on denitrification in hyporheic zones of permeable sediments
Authors: Kessler Adam J. , Cardenas M. Bayani , Cook Perran L. M.
Published: February 2015

Bed form celerity, the migration rate of ripples along a sediment bed, has previously been shown to have dramatic effects on oxygen distribution and transport within the hyporheic zone of permeable sediments. This has the potential to influence denitrification rates—in particular by increasing the coupling of nitrification and denitrification. To further understand this, we numerically modeled nitrogen cycling under migrating ripples. While the simulated oxygen profiles match with expected behavior, almost no effect on denitrification or coupled nitrification‐denitrification was observed with increasing celerity. Instead, denitrification rates were dominantly controlled by the flow velocity of water overlying the sediment.
Prognostic Value of Brachial–Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity in Patients With Takayasu Arteritis With Drug‐Eluting Stent Implantation
Authors: Wang Xu , Dang Aimin
Published: February 2015

Objective

This study investigates the long‐term outcomes of drug‐eluting stent (DES) implantation in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TAK).

Methods

Data on 48 TAK patients and 40 age‐, sex‐, and severity‐matched patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) receiving DES implantation and hospitalized in Fuwai Hospital from February 2004 to March 2014 were assessed. The clinical features, laboratory data, coronary angiographic findings, treatment, and followup outcomes were summarized retrospectively. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE), which include all‐cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal target vessel revascularization, were recorded.

Results

TAK patients exhibited increased mean ± SD brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) compared with patients with CAD (17.0 ± 3.8 versus 13.8 ± 3.0 meters/second; P = 0.002). However, CAD patients had higher levels of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.5 ± 1.0 versus 2.3 ± 0.8 mmoles/liter; P = 0.04). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that baPWV was independently associated with the extent of CAD, assessed by the SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery) score (β = 0.33, P = 0.03), in TAK patients. DES implantation was deployed in 73 coronary lesions in 48 TAK patients, and restenosis occurred in 48 lesions after an average of 25.6 months (range 9.0–68.0 months) following intervention. Logistic regression analysis identified that a baPWV of 17.00 meters/second or higher (odds ratio 5.50, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.1–16.6, P = 0.008) may be considered as an independent predictor of DES restenosis. Moreover, the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that a baPWV of 17.00 meters/second or higher (hazard ratio 3.36, 95% CI 1.51–7.52, P = 0.003) was significant and may serve as an independent predictor of MACE in TAK patients who underwent DES implantation.

Conclusion

DES in‐stent restenosis remains a challenge, affecting the long‐term outcomes of patients with TAK. Measuring increased arterial stiffness through baPWV, with the addition of inflammation status monitoring during followup, would be of great clinical value to identify TAK patients with DES who have a high risk for in‐stent restenosis and MACE.
Three‐Dimensional Biomechanical Gait Characteristics at Baseline Are Associated With Progression to Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Hatfield Gillian L. , Stanish William D. , Hubley‐Kozey Cheryl L.
Published: February 2015

Objective

To determine if baseline 3‐dimensional (3‐D) biomechanical gait patterns differed between those patients with moderate knee osteoarthritis (OA) who progressed to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and those that did not, and whether these differences had predictive value.

Methods

Fifty‐four patients with knee OA had ground reaction forces and segment motions collected during gait. 3‐D hip, knee, and ankle angles and moments were calculated over the gait cycle. Amplitude and temporal waveform characteristics were determined using principal component analysis. At followup 5–8 years later, 26 patients reported undergoing TKA. Unpairedt‐tests were performed on baseline demographic and waveform characteristics between TKA and no‐TKA groups. Receiver operating curve analysis, stepwise discriminate analysis, and logistic regression analysis determined the combination of features that best classified TKA and no‐TKA groups and their predictive ability.

Results

Baseline demographic, symptomatic, and radiographic variables were similar, but 7 gait variables differed (P < 0.05) between groups. A multivariate model including overall knee adduction moment magnitude, knee flexion/extension moment difference, and stance–dorsiflexion moment had a 74% correct classification rate, with no overtraining based on cross‐validation. A 1‐unit increase in model score increased by 6‐fold the odds of progression to TKA.

Conclusion

In addition to the link between higher overall knee adduction magnitude and future TKA, an outcome of clear clinical importance, novel findings include altered sagittal plane moment patterns indicative of reduced ability to unload the joint during midstance. This combination of dynamic biomechanical factors had a 6‐fold increased odds of future TKA; adding baseline demographic and clinical factors did not improve the model.
Formal [3+2] Annulation Involving Allylic Bromides and Thioureas. Synthesis of 2‐Iminothiazolidines through a Base‐Catalyzed Intramolecular anti‐Michael Addition
Authors: Ferreira Misael , Sá Marcus M.
Published: February 2015

A simple and efficient protocol was developed for the synthesis of 2‐iminothiazolidines through a base‐mediated [3+2] annulation involving substituted thioureas and allylic bromides bearing electron‐withdrawing groups. This domino process consists of nucleophilic displacement, followed by intramolecular anti‐Michael addition of the preformed allylic isothiourea under mild conditions to give the thiazolidine core.

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Nanoscale Cross‐Point Resistive Switching Memory Comprising p‐Type SnO Bilayers
Authors: Hota Mrinal K. , Hedhili Mohamed N. , Wang Qingxiao , Melnikov Vasily A. , Mohammed Omar F. , Alshareef Husam N.
Published: February 2015

Reproducible low‐voltage bipolar resistive switching is reported in bilayer structures of p‐type SnO films. Specifically, a bilayer homojunction comprising SnOx (oxygen‐rich) and SnOy (oxygen‐deficient) in nanoscale cross‐point (300 × 300 nm2) architecture with self‐compliance effect is demonstrated. By using two layers of SnO film, a good memory performance is obtained as compared to the individual oxide films. The memory devices show resistance ratio of 103 between the high resistance and low resistance states, and this difference can be maintained for up to 180 cycles. The devices also show good retention characteristics, where no significant degradation is observed for more than 103 s. Different charge transport mechanisms are found in both resistance states, depending on the applied voltage range and its polarity. The resistive switching is shown to originate from the oxygen ion migration and subsequent formation/rupture of conducting filaments.
Multi‐systemic involvement in NGLY1‐related disorder caused by two novel mutations
Authors: Heeley Jennifer , Shinawi Marwan
Published: February 2015

NGLY1‐related disorder is a newly described autosomal recessive condition characterized by neurological, hepatic, ophthalmological findings and associated with dysmorphic features, constipation and scoliosis. It is caused by mutations in NGLY1, which encodes an enzyme, N‐glycanase 1, involved in deglycosylation of glycoproteins, an essential step in the endoplasmic reticulum–associated degradation (ERAD) pathway. The disorder has been described in eight patients. We investigated the molecular basis and phenotype of NGLY1‐related disorder in an additional patient. The proband is a 14‐year‐old who presented in early infancy with profound hypotonia and elevated transaminases. Liver biopsy showed lipid accumulation with dilated endoplasmic reticulum. He exhibited global developmental delay, acquired microcephaly, seizures, involuntary body movements, muscle atrophy, absent reflexes, and poor growth. He had multiple procedures for lacrimal duct stenosis and strabismus and had intractable blepharitis. He had severe osteopenia and persistent hypocholesterolemia. Whole exome sequencing revealed two novel variants in NGLY1: a truncating mutation, c.347C > G (p.S116X), and a splicing mutation, c.881 + 5G (p.IVS5 + 5G>T), predicted to abolish the splice donor site of exon 5. This study, along with previously reported cases, suggests that mutations in NGLY1 cause a recognizable phenotype and targeted sequencing should be considered in patients with typical presentation. This study expands the molecular spectrum of NGLY1‐related condition and suggests that osteopenia and hypocholesterolemia may be part of the phenotype. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A novel mutation in COL4A1 gene: A possible cause of early postnatal cerebrovascular events
Authors: Decio Alice , Tonduti Davide , Pichiecchio Anna , Vetro Annalisa , Ciccone Roberto , Limongelli Ivan , Giorda Roberto , Caffi Lorella , Balottin Umberto , Zuffardi Orsetta , Orcesi Simona
Published: February 2015

COL4A1 is located in humans on chromosome13q34 and it encodes the alpha 1 chain of type IV collagen, a component of basal membrane. It is expressed mainly in the brain, muscles, kidneys and eyes. Different COL4A1 mutations have been reported in many patients who present a very wide spectrum of clinical symptoms. They typically show a multisystemic phenotype. Here we report on the case of a patient carrying a novel de novo splicing mutation of COL4A1 associated with a distinctive clinical picture characterized by onset in infancy and an unusual evolution of the neuroradiological features. At three months of age, the child was diagnosed with a congenital cataract, while his brain MRI was normal. Over the following years, the patient developed focal epilepsy, mild diplegia, asymptomatic microhematuria, raised creatine kinase levels, MRI white matter abnormalities and brain calcification on CT. During the neuroradiological follow‐up the extension and intensity of the brain lesions progressively decreased. The significance of a second variant in COL4A1 carried by the child and inherited from his father remains to be clarified. In conclusion, our patient shows new aspects of this collagenopathy and possibly a COL4A1 compound heterozygosity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diagnosis of 9q22.3 microdeletion syndrome in utero following identification of craniosynostosis, overgrowth, and skeletal anomalies
Authors: Reichert Sara Chadwick , Zelley Kristin , Nichols Kim E. , Eberhard Moriah , Zackai Elaine H. , Martinez‐Poyer Juan
Published: February 2015

9q22.3 microdeletion syndrome is a well‐described contiguous deletion syndrome with features of Gorlin syndrome and other manifestations. Commonly reported findings in addition to those of Gorlin syndrome include metopic craniosynostosis, hydrocephalus, intellectual disability, and minor facial anomalies. The critical region for this condition was found to include the PTCH1 and FANCC genes; however, other genes are often deleted in affected individuals but their role in the observed phenotype is not understood. Fewer than 50 individuals with 9q22.3 microdeletion have been reported, all diagnosed postnatally on the basis of the phenotype. A confirmed prenatal diagnosis and accompanying fetal imaging has not been reported to date. We describe a patient with prenatally diagnosed 9q22.3 microdeletion syndrome following the ultrasonographic identification of trigonocephaly, macrosomia, organomegaly, ventriculomegaly, and anomalous vertebrae. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sex‐discordant monochorionic twins with blood and tissue chimerism
Authors: Rodriguez‐Buritica David , Rojnueangnit Kitiwan , Messiaen Ludwine M. , Mikhail Fady M. , Robin Nathaniel H.
Published: February 2015

We report on a pair of normally conceived monochorionic/dizygotic (MC/DZ) sex discordant twins. The comparison of blood and skin genotypes revealed that the chimerism was also present in the skin. We conjecture about the developmental origins of this case. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Visible‐Light‐Triggered Molecular Photoswitch Based on Reversible E/Z Isomerization of a 1,2‐Dicyanoethene Derivative
Authors: Guo Xin , Zhou Jiawang , Siegler Maxime A. , Bragg Arthur E. , Katz Howard E.
Published: February 2015

A designed bis(dithienyl) dicyanoethene‐based, strictly E/Z photoswitch (4TCE) operates through state‐selective (E and Z isomer) photoactivation with visible light. The E and Z isomers of 4TCE exhibit remarkably different spectroscopic characteristics, including a large separation (70 nm) in their absorption maxima (λmax) and a 2.5‐fold increase in molar extinction coefficient from cis to trans. The energetically stable trans form can be completely converted to the cis form within minutes when exposed to white light, whereas the reverse isomerization occurs readily upon irradiation by blue light (λ<480 nm) or completely by thermal conversion at elevated temperatures. These features together with excellent thermal stability and photostability of both isomers make this new E/Z photoswitch a promising building block for photoswitchable materials that operate without the need for UV light.
(−)‐Englerin A is a Potent and Selective Activator of TRPC4 and TRPC5 Calcium Channels
Authors: Akbulut Yasemin , Gaunt Hannah J. , Muraki Katsuhiko , Ludlow Melanie J. , Amer Mohamed S. , Bruns Alexander , Vasudev Naveen S. , Radtke Lea , Willot Matthieu , Hahn Sven , Seitz Tobias , Ziegler Slava , Christmann Mathias , Beech David J. , Waldmann Herbert
Published: February 2015

Current therapies for common types of cancer such as renal cell cancer are often ineffective and unspecific, and novel pharmacological targets and approaches are in high demand. Here we show the unexpected possibility for the rapid and selective killing of renal cancer cells through activation of calcium‐permeable nonselective transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) calcium channels by the sesquiterpene (−)‐englerin A. This compound was found to be a highly efficient, fast‐acting, potent, selective, and direct stimulator of TRPC4 and TRPC5 channels. TRPC4/5 activation through a high‐affinity extracellular (−)‐englerin A binding site may open up novel opportunities for drug discovery aimed at renal cancer.
Individual Surface‐Engineered Microorganisms as Robust Pickering Interfacial Biocatalysts for Resistance‐Minimized Phase‐Transfer Bioconversion
Authors: Chen Zhaowei , Ji Haiwei , Zhao Chuanqi , Ju Enguo , Ren Jinsong , Qu Xiaogang
Published: February 2015

A powerful strategy for long‐term and diffusional‐resistance‐minimized whole‐cell biocatalysis in biphasic systems is reported where individually encapsulated bacteria are employed as robust and recyclable Pickering interfacial biocatalysts. By individually immobilizing bacterial cells and optimizing the hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance of the encapsulating magnetic mineral shells, the encased bacteria became interfacially active and locate at the Pickering emulsion interfaces, leading to dramatically enhanced bioconversion performances by minimizing internal and external diffusional resistances. Moreover, in situ product separation and biocatalyst recovery was readily achieved using a remote magnetic field. Importantly, the mineral shell effectively protected the entire cell from long‐term organic‐solvent stress, as shown by the reusability of the biocatalysts for up to 30 cycles, while retaining high stereoselective catalytic activities, cell viabilities, and proliferative abilities.
Probing the Coordinative Unsaturation and Local Environment of Ti3+ Sites in an Activated High‐Yield Ziegler–Natta Catalyst
Authors: Morra Elena , Giamello Elio , Van Doorslaer Sabine , Antinucci Giuseppe , D'Amore Maddalena , Busico Vincenzo , Chiesa Mario
Published: February 2015

The typical activation of a fourth generation Ziegler–Natta catalyst TiCl4/MgCl2/phthalate with triethyl aluminum generates Ti3+ centers that are investigated by multi‐frequency continuous wave and pulse EPR methods. Two families of isolated, molecule‐like Ti3+ species have been identified. A comparison of the experimentally derived g tensors and 35,37Cl hyperfine and nuclear‐quadrupole tensors with DFT‐computed values suggests that the dominant EPR‐active Ti3+ species is located on MgCl2(110) surfaces (or equivalent MgCl2 terminations with tetra‐coordinated Mg). O2 reactivity tests show that a fraction of these Ti sites is chemically accessible, an important result in view of the search for the true catalyst active site in olefin polymerization.
A Concise and Scalable Strategy for the Total Synthesis of Dictyodendrin B Based on Sequential CH Functionalization
Authors: Pitts Andrew K. , O'Hara Fionn , Snell Robert H. , Gaunt Matthew J.
Published: February 2015

A sequential CH functionalization strategy for the synthesis of the marine alkaloid dictyodendrin B is reported. Our synthesis begins from commercially available 4‐bromoindole and involves six direct functionalizations around the heteroarene core as part of a gram‐scale strategy towards the natural product.
Superelastic Shape Recovery of Mechanically Twinned 3,5‐Difluorobenzoic Acid Crystals
Authors: Takamizawa Satoshi , Takasaki Yuichi
Published: February 2015

Generally, superelastic behavior cannot be expected in mechanically twinned crystals because there is essentially no strain on the interface that is a driving force for spontaneous shape recovery. However, we found that single crystals of 3,5‐difluorobenzoic acid are superelastic organic crystals under mechanical twinning. The unexpected shape recovery can be explained by molecular distortion on the twinning interface, which suggests a new mechanism for superelasticity in molecular materials.