bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using attenuation coefficients from optical coherence tomography as markers of vocal fold maturation
Authors: Garcia Jordan A. , Benboujja Fouzi , Beaudette Kathy , Guo Rong , Boudoux Caroline , Hartnick Christopher J.
Published: November 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a promising technology to noninvasively assess vocal fold microanatomy. The goal of this study was to develop a methodology using OCT to identify quantifiable markers of vocal fold development.

Study Design

In vivo study.

Methods

A two‐step process was developed to reproducibly image the midmembranous vocal fold edge of 10 patients younger than 2 years and 10 patients between 11 and 16 years of age using OCT. An image analysis algorithm was implemented to extract OCT‐derived A‐lines for each patient. These A‐lines were divided into three zones according to apparent changes in slope. Relative attenuation coefficients, or tissue‐ and system‐dependent parameters that describe the rate at which optical signal decays, were calculated for each zone.

Results

Young patients had distinct relative attenuation coefficients in zone 1 (P < .0001), whereas zones 2 and 3 were indistinct (P = .1129). Older patients had distinct relative attenuation coefficients in zones 1, 2, and 3 (P < .0370). Between age groups, relative attenuation coefficients were different in zones 2 and 3 (P < .0001, P = .0315, respectively) and indistinct in zone 1 (P = .1438).

Conclusions

Relative attenuation coefficients can be used as markers of vocal fold development. Differences in relative attenuation coefficients likely represent changes in extracellular matrix structure within the lamina propria and may become useful for guiding treatment of voice disorders in the pediatric population.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 126:E218–E223, 2016
Assessment of exposure to MRI motion‐induced fields based on the International Commission on Non‐Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines
Authors: Zilberti Luca , Bottauscio Oriano , Chiampi Mario
Published: November 2015

Purpose

The goal of this study was to conduct an exposure assessment for workers moving through the stray stationary field of common MRI scanners, performed according to the recent International Commission on Non‐Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) Guidelines, which aim at avoiding annoying sensory effects.

Theory and Methods

The analysis was performed through numerical simulations, using a high‐resolution anatomical model that moved along realistic trajectories in proximity to a tubular and open MRI scanner. Both dosimetric indexes indicated by ICNIRP (maximum variation of the magnetic flux density vector and exposure index for the motion‐induced electric field) were computed for three statures of the human model.

Results

A total of 51 exposure situations were analyzed. None of them exceeded the limit for the maximum variation of the magnetic flux density, whereas some critical cases were found when computing the induced electric field. In the latter case, the exposure indexes computed via Fourier transform and through an equivalent filter result to be consistent.

Conclusion

The results suggest the adoption of some simple precautionary rules, useful when sensory effects experienced by an operator could reflect upon the patient's safety. Moreover, some open issues regarding the quantification of motion‐induced fields are highlighted, putting in evidence the need for clarification at standardization level. Magn Reson Med 76:1291–1300, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cost‐based placement of vDPI functions in NFV infrastructures
Authors: Bouet Mathieu , Leguay Jérémie , Combe Théo , Conan Vania
Published: November 2015

Network functions virtualization (NFV) is transforming how networks are operated and how network services are delivered. The network is more flexible and adaptable, and it can scale with traffic demands. To manage video traffic in the network, or acquire protection from cyber‐attacks, Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) is increasingly deployed at specific locations in the network. The virtual DPI (vDPI) engines can be dynamically deployed as software on commodity servers within emerging network functions virtualization infrastructures. For a network operator, deploying a set of vDPIs over the network is a matter of finding the appropriate placement that meets the traffic management or cyber‐security targets (such as the number of inspected flows) and operational cost constraints (licence fees, network efficiency or power consumption). In this work, we formulate the vDPI placement problem as a cost minimization problem. The cost captures the different objectives that the operator is pursuing. A placement of vDPIs on the network nodes realizes a trade‐off between these possibly conflicting goals. We cast the problem as a multi‐commodity flow problem and solve it as an integer linear program. We then devise a centrality‐based greedy algorithm and assess its validity by comparing it with the integer linear program optimal solution on a real dataset (GEANT network with 22 nodes and real traffic matrix). We further analyse the scalability of the heuristic by applying it to larger random networks of up to 300 nodes. The results show the network structure and the costs influence time performance. Finally, they demonstrate that the heuristic approximates the optimal on small and medium problem instances well. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal preconditioning for the symmetric and nonsymmetric coupling of adaptive finite elements and boundary elements
Authors: Feischl Michael , Führer Thomas , Praetorius Dirk , Stephan Ernst P.
Published: November 2015

We analyze a multilevel diagonal additive Schwarz preconditioner for the adaptive coupling of FEM and BEM for a linear 2D Laplace transmission problem. We rigorously prove that the condition number of the preconditioned system stays uniformly bounded, independently of the refinement level and the local mesh‐size of the underlying adaptively refined triangulations. Although the focus is on the nonsymmetric Johnson–Nédélec one‐equation coupling, the principle ideas also apply to other formulations like the symmetric FEM‐BEM coupling. Numerical experiments underline our theoretical findings. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 33: 603–632, 2017
No Country for Old People: A Paleodemographic Analysis of Migration Dynamics in Early Andean States
Authors: Baitzel S. I. , Goldstein P. S.
Published: November 2015

In this paper, we present a paleodemographic interpretation of a complete mortuary population from the site of Rio Muerto (southern Peru) affiliated with the early Andean Tiwanaku state (A.D.500–1000). Although advances in biogeochemical paleomobility studies have revolutionized bioarchaeological approaches to certain aspects of migration, paleodemography continues to offer a valuable complementary perspective on migration and population dynamics. Notably, paleodemography, through reference to Uniformitarian age‐at‐death profiles, is uniquely equipped to identify age‐specific subgroups that are missing from the mortuary population. We argue that the marked absence of adult individuals in the M70B cemetery population is the result of the socially regulated movement of older adults or their remains from the state provinces back to the homeland. We suggest that the particular demographic composition of the Rio Muerto M70 cemetery population, when considered within its cultural context and compared to other available paleodemographic data, reveals potential patterns of adult return migration, and carries important implications for the political and social dynamics of early Andean state society. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
External Auditory Exostoses and its Relationship to Prehistoric Abalone Harvesting on Santa Rosa Island, California
Authors: Kuzminsky S. C. , Erlandson J. M. , Xifara T.
Published: November 2015

Bioarchaeological research among prehistoric Pacific Coast populations has shown that external auditory exostoses (EAE) are found in high frequencies. On California's northern Channel Islands archaeological research has demonstrated that there was an intense exploitation of red abalone (Haliotis rufescens), particularly between ~8000 and 3500 years ago. If the Island Chumash were free‐diving for red abalone in subtidal waters, EAE should be prevalent in prehistoric populations from Santa Rosa Island. We recorded the presence or absence, number, side and severity of EAE growths for 207 adult individuals from three time periods on Santa Rosa Island. Our results show that ~11% of the total population was affected, including 22.5% of males and ~3.4% of females. The incidence among females increases from 0% in the Early period, to 2.6% in the Middle period, and 6.8% in the Late period. Overall these are lower rates than those reported for other Channel Island and Pacific Coast sites. Given the relatively low percentage of Santa Rosa Islanders affected with EAE, red abalones may have been harvested primarily in shallow waters rather than the deeper subtidal zone. Our data suggest that gender differences in food procurement activities existed on Santa Rosa Island throughout prehistory, congruent with the argument that EAE is an activity‐induced pathology that occurs with prolonged exposure to cold water and wind conditions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Jerusalem and Malaita: The Visions and Prophecies of George Umai of West Kwara'ae, Malaita, Solomon Islands
Authors: Brown Terry M.
Published: November 2015

In this paper I examine the visions and teachings of George Umai (c.1938–1998), an Anglican lay leader of West Kwara'ae, Malaita, Solomon Islands. In his prophecies, Umai traced Malaitans, Solomon Islanders, and many other Oceanic peoples to his ancestors who he claimed fled from Jerusalem to Malaita in CE62. According to Umai, they brought the Ark of the Covenant from the Jerusalem Temple to Kwara'ae, Malaita where they buried it. I examine Umai's vision of the Ark of the Covenant and its apocalyptic and theocratic significance for Malaita and the world. In Umai's visions, teachings, and practice, Malaitan, Jewish, and Christian genealogy, apocalypse, and theocracy came together in a distinctive ethno‐theology that paralleled similar and prefigured later religious movements in Malaita but was too idiosyncratic to sustain.
A normalization method for combination of laboratory test results from different electronic healthcare databases in a distributed research network
Authors: Yoon Dukyong , Schuemie Martijn J. , Kim Ju Han , Kim Dong Ki , Park Man Young , Ahn Eun Kyoung , Jung Eun‐Young , Park Dong Kyun , Cho Soo Yeon , Shin Dahye , Hwang Yeonsoo , Park Rae Woong
Published: November 2015

Purpose

Distributed research networks (DRNs) afford statistical power by integrating observational data from multiple partners for retrospective studies. However, laboratory test results across care sites are derived using different assays from varying patient populations, making it difficult to simply combine data for analysis. Additionally, existing normalization methods are not suitable for retrospective studies. We normalized laboratory results from different data sources by adjusting for heterogeneous clinico‐epidemiologic characteristics of the data and called this the subgroup‐adjusted normalization (SAN) method.

Methods

Subgroup‐adjusted normalization renders the means and standard deviations of distributions identical under population structure‐adjusted conditions. To evaluate its performance, we compared SAN with existing methods for simulated and real datasets consisting of blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, hematocrit, hemoglobin, serum potassium, and total bilirubin. Various clinico‐epidemiologic characteristics can be applied together in SAN. For simplicity of comparison, age and gender were used to adjust population heterogeneity in this study.

Results

In simulations, SAN had the lowest standardized difference in means (SDM) and Kolmogorov–Smirnov values for all tests (p < 0.05). In a real dataset, SAN had the lowest SDM and Kolmogorov–Smirnov values for blood urea nitrogen, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and serum potassium, and the lowest SDM for serum creatinine (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Subgroup‐adjusted normalization performed better than normalization using other methods. The SAN method is applicable in a DRN environment and should facilitate analysis of data integrated across DRN partners for retrospective observational studies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
EDOT‐diketopyrrolopyrrole copolymers for high bulk hole mobility and near infrared absorption
Authors: Mueller Christian J. , Singh Chetan R. , Thelakkat Mukundan
Published: November 2015

To obtain novel low‐bandgap materials with tailored hole‐transport properties and extended absorption, electron rich 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene is introduced as a comonomer in diketopyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole copolymers with different aryl flanking units. The polymers are characterized by absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy, dynamic scanning calorimetry, cyclic voltammetry, and X‐ray diffraction. The charge transport properties of these new materials are studied carefully using an organic field effect transistor geometry where the charge carriers are transported over a narrow channel at the semiconductor/dielectric interface. These results are compared to bulk charge carrier mobilities using space‐charge limited current (SCLC) measurements, in which the charge carrier is transported through the complete film thickness of several hundred nanometers. Finally, charge carrier mobilities are correlated with the electronic structure of the compounds. We find that in particular the thiophene‐flanked copolymer PDPP[T]2‐EDOT is a very promising candidate for organic photovoltaics, showing an absorption response in the near infrared region with an optical bandgap of 1.15 eV and a very high bulk hole mobility of 2.9 × 10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1 as measured by SCLC. This value is two orders of magnitudes higher than SCLC mobilities reported for other polydiketopyrrolopyrroles and is in the range of the well‐known hole transporting polymer poly(3‐hexylthiophene). © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 639–648
Economic evaluation of a psychological intervention for high distress cancer patients and carers: costs and quality‐adjusted life years
Authors: Chatterton Mary Lou , Chambers Suzanne , Occhipinti Stefano , Girgis Afaf , Dunn Jeffrey , Carter Rob , Shih Sophy , Mihalopoulos Cathrine
Published: November 2015

Objective

This study compared the cost‐effectiveness of a psychologist‐led, individualised cognitive behavioural intervention (PI) to a nurse‐led, minimal contact self‐management condition for highly distressed cancer patients and carers.

Methods

This was an economic evaluation conducted alongside a randomised trial of highly distressed adult cancer patients and carers calling cancer helplines. Services used by participants were measured using a resource use questionnaire, and quality‐adjusted life years were measured using the assessment of quality of life – eight‐dimension – instrument collected through a computer‐assisted telephone interview. The base case analysis stratified participants based on the baseline score on the Brief Symptom Inventory. Incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio confidence intervals were calculated with a nonparametric bootstrap to reflect sampling uncertainty. The results were subjected to sensitivity analysis by varying unit costs for resource use and the method for handling missing data.

Results

No significant differences were found in overall total costs or quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) between intervention groups. Bootstrapped data suggest the PI had a higher probability of lower cost and greater QALYs for both carers and patients with high distress at baseline. For patients with low levels of distress at baseline, the PI had a higher probability of greater QALYs but at additional cost. Sensitivity analysis showed the results were robust.

Conclusions

The PI may be cost‐effective compared with the nurse‐led, minimal contact self‐management condition for highly distressed cancer patients and carers. More intensive psychological intervention for patients with greater levels of distress appears warranted. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A qualitative exploration of the unmet psychosocial rehabilitation needs of cancer survivors in China
Authors: Wang Ji‐Wei , Shen Qian , Ding Ning , Zhang Tian‐Rui , Yang Zhi‐Qi , Liu Cong , Chen Si‐Jia , Berry Helen Louise , Yuan Zheng‐Ping , Yu Jin‐Ming
Published: November 2015

Objective

This study explores the unmet psychosocial rehabilitation needs of cancer survivors.

Methods

Sixty‐eight cancer survivors from the Shanghai Cancer Rehabilitation Club in China participated in one of the eight focus groups. These were transcribed verbatim, coded using thematic analysis and analysed using NVivo 10.

Results

Five main themes were identified: the need for (1) better information: Chinese cancer survivors find it difficult to sort and evaluate the overwhelming mass of information with which they are confronted; (2) psychological support: survivors fear cancer relapse and neighbours' discrimination against them; support from other cancer survivors can relieve the stress; (3) support for survivors' families: like the survivors, family members are under great but usually unacknowledged pressure; (4) improved health and medical services: community health service centres provide little medical, informational or psychological support for cancer survivors, who seek and expect more communication with doctors; and (5) assistance with the financial burden: costs of treatment and lack of adequate medical insurance cause substantial financial pressure for survivors.

Conclusions

This study shows that, in addition to their illness, Chinese cancer survivors experience a range of stresses related to their financial circumstances, lack of reliable and summarised information, poor access to support and services (including for their families) and discrimination. Support from families seems to improve survivors' ability to cope. Cancer survivors (and their families) need an integrated package of support from their families, doctors and other service providers, hospitals and communities. These findings can inform approaches to continuing care for cancer survivors. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electronic and magnetic properties of small RhnCa (n = 1–9) clusters: A DFT study
Authors: Soltani Abdelhamid , Boudjahem Abdel‐Ghani , Bettahar Mohammed
Published: November 2015

The equilibrium geometries, relative stabilities, electronic and magnetic properties of small RhnCa (n = 1–9) clusters have been investigated by DFT calculations. The obtained results show that the three‐dimensional geometries are adopted for the lowest‐energy RhnCa clusters, and the doped Ca atom prefers locating on the surface of the cluster. Based on the analysis of the second‐order difference of energies, fragmentation energies and the HOMO‐LUMO energy gaps, we identify that the Rh4Ca, Rh6Ca, and Rh8Ca clusters are relatively more stable than their neighboring clusters, and the doping of Ca enhances the chemical reactivity of the pure Rhn clusters, suggesting that the RhnCa clusters can be used as nanocatalysts in many catalytic reactions. The magnetic moment for these clusters is mostly localized on the Rh atoms, and the doping Ca atom has no effect on the total magnetic moment of RhnCa clusters. The partial density of states, VIP, VEA, and η of these clusters in their ground‐state structures were also calculated and discussed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Da Vinci single site© surgical platform in clinical practice: a systematic review
Authors: Morelli Luca , Guadagni Simone , Di Franco Gregorio , Palmeri Matteo , Di Candio Giulio , Mosca Franco
Published: November 2015

Background

The Da Vinci single‐site© surgical platform (DVSSP) is a set of single‐site instruments and accessories specifically dedicated to robot‐assisted single‐site surgery.

Methods

The PubMed database from inception to June 2015 was searched for English literature on the clinical use of DVSSP in general surgery, urology and gynecology.

Results

Twenty‐nine articles involving the clinical application of DVSSP were identified; 15 articles on general surgery (561 procedures), four articles on urology (48 procedures) and 10 articles on gynecology (212 procedures). All studies have proven the safety and feasibility of the use of DVSSP. The principal reported advantage is the restoration of intra‐abdominal triangulation, while the main reported limitation is the lack of the endowrist.

Conclusions

Da Vinci systems have proven to be valuable assets in single‐site surgery, owing to the combination of robot use with the dedicated single‐incision platform. However, case–control or prospective trials are warranted to draw more definitive conc lusions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
From S‐band mobile interactive multimedia to fixed satellite interactive multimedia: making satellite interactivity affordable at Ku‐band and Ka‐band
Authors: Arcidiacono A. , Finocchiaro D. , Collard F. , Scalise S. , Lazaro Blasco F. , De Gaudenzi R. , Cioni S. , Alagha N. , Andrenacci M.
Published: November 2015

This paper describes the evolution of the ETSI S‐band mobile interactive multimedia protocol to support fixed satellite interactive multimedia (F‐SIM) services exploiting existing Ku‐band and Ka‐band satellites. The key F‐SIM protocol differences for both physical and upper layers are described and justified. The F‐SIM protocol has been adopted by the recently deployed Eutelsat Broadcast Interactive System whose architecture, key system parameters, link budget examples and key composing elements are also described. Finally, a summary of laboratory and field trials results over the Eutelsat KA‐SAT multibeam satellite are illustrated. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dysregulation of Wnt-Signaling and a Candidate Set of miRNAs Underlie the Effect of Metformin on Neural Crest Cell Development
Authors: Banerjee Poulomi , Dutta Sunit , Pal Rajarshi
Published: November 2015

Neural crest cells (NCC) are a population of epithelial cells that arise from the dorsal tube and undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) eventually generating tissues from peripheral nervous system, melanocytes, craniofacial cartilage, and bone. The antidiabetic drug metformin reportedly inhibits EMT in physiological conditions like cancer and fibrosis. We hypothesize that perturbation of EMT may also contribute to developmental disabilities associated with neural crest (NC) development. To understand the molecular network underlying metformin action during NC formation, we first differentiated murine embryonic stem (ES) cells into NCC and characterized them by demonstrating spatiotemporal regulation of key markers. Metformin treatment prompted a delay in delamination of NCC by inhibiting key markers like Sox-1, Sox-9, HNK-1, and p-75. We then revealed that metformin impedes Wnt axis, a major signaling pathway active during NC formation via DVL-3 inhibition and impairment in nuclear translocation of β-catenin. Concomitantly we identified and tested a candidate set of miRNAs that play a crucial role in NC cell fate determination. Further studies involving loss and gain of function confirmed that NCC specifiers like Sox-1 and Sox-9 are direct targets of miR-200 and miR-145, respectively and that they are essentially modulated by metformin. Our in vitro findings were strongly supported by in vivo studies in zebrafish. Given that metformin is a widely used drug, for the first time we demonstrate that it can induce a delayed onset of developmental EMT during NC formation by interfering with canonical Wnt signaling and mysregulation of miR-145 and miR-200.

Video Highlight: https://youtu.be/TZWqwMMIQ6k
Intelligent navigation to improve obstetrical sonography
Authors: Yeo Lami , Romero Roberto
Published: November 2015

‘Manual navigation’ by the operator is the standard method used to obtain information from two‐dimensional and volumetric sonography. Two‐dimensional sonography is highly operator dependent and requires extensive training and expertise to assess fetal anatomy properly. Most of the sonographic examination time is devoted to acquisition of images, while ‘retrieval’ and display of diagnostic planes occurs rapidly (essentially instantaneously). In contrast, volumetric sonography has a rapid acquisition phase, but the retrieval and display of relevant diagnostic planes is often time‐consuming, tedious and challenging. We propose the term ‘intelligent navigation’ to refer to a new method of interrogation of a volume dataset whereby identification and selection of key anatomical landmarks allow the system to: 1) generate a geometrical reconstruction of the organ of interest; and 2) automatically navigate, find, extract and display specific diagnostic planes. This is accomplished using operator‐independent algorithms that are both predictable and adaptive. Virtual Intelligent Sonographer Assistance (VIS‐Assistance®) is a tool that allows operator‐independent sonographic navigation and exploration of the surrounding structures in previously identified diagnostic planes. The advantage of intelligent (over manual) navigation in volumetric sonography is the short time required for both acquisition and retrieval and display of diagnostic planes. Intelligent navigation technology automatically realigns the volume, and reorients and standardizes the anatomical position, so that the fetus and the diagnostic planes are consistently displayed in the same manner each time, regardless of the fetal position or the initial orientation. Automatic labeling of anatomical structures, subject orientation and each of the diagnostic planes is also possible. Intelligent navigation technology can operate on conventional computers, and is not dependent on specific ultrasound platforms or on the use of software to perform manual navigation of volume datasets. Diagnostic planes and VIS‐Assistance videoclips can be transmitted by telemedicine so that expert consultants can evaluate the images to provide an opinion. The end result is a user‐friendly, simple, fast and consistent method of obtaining sonographic images with decreased operator dependency. Intelligent navigation is one approach to improve obstetrical sonography. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Re: Reproducibility of first‐ and second‐trimester uterine artery pulsatility index measured by transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasound. A.E.G.M.T. Ferreira, F. Mauad Filho, P.S.G. Abreu, F.M. Mauad, E. Araujo Jr and W.P. Martins. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2015; 46: 546–552.
Authors: Bujold E.
Published: November 2015

Linked Comment: Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2015; 46: 546–552
Ester Modified Pyrrolidinium Based Ionic Liquids as Electrolyte Component Candidates in Rechargeable Lithium Batteries
Authors: Cao Xia , Röser Stephan , Rezaeirad Babak , He Xin , Streipert Benjamin , Winter Martin , Cekic‐Laskovic Isidora
Published: November 2015

Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), especially pyrrolidinium based RTILs with bis(trifluoromethane‐sulfonyl)imide (TFSI) as counterion, are frequently proposed as promising electrolyte component candidates thanks to their high thermal as well as high oxidation stability. In order to avoid a resource intensive experimental approach, mainly based on trial and error experiments, a computational screening method for pre‐selecting suitable candidate molecules was adopted and three homologous series compounds were synthesized by modifying the cation structure of pyrrolidinium RTILs. The obtained high purity RTILs: methyl‐methylcarboxymethyl pyrrolidinium TFSI (MMMPyrTFSI), methyl‐ethylcarboxymethyl pyrrolidinium TFSI (MEMPyrTFSI) and methylpropylcarboxymethyl pyrrolidinium TFSI (MPMPyrTFSI) revealed excellent thermal stabilities higher than 300 °C. Furthermore, MMMPyrTFSI and MPMPyrTFSI exhibit high oxidation stability up to 5.4 V vs. Li/Li+. No aluminum corrosion of current collector was observed at 5 V vs. Li/Li+. In addition to that, these RTILs display a superior salt (LiTFSI) solubility (3.0–3.5 M), compared to the unmodified RTIL 1‐butyl‐1‐methylpyrrolidinium TFSI (Pyr14TFSI) (1.5–2.0 M) at room temperature. All these properties make novel ester modified RTILs promising and interesting candidates for application in rechargeable lithium batteries.
Synthesis, Structures, and Magnetic Properties of Chiral One‐dimensional CrIII‐MnIIIHeterobimetallic Complexes Based on [(Tp)Cr(CN)3]–
Authors: Yao Min‐Xia , Deng Xiao‐Wei , Zhu Zhao‐Xia
Published: November 2015

Two CrIII‐MnIIIheterobimetallic compounds, [Mn((R,R)‐5‐MeOSalcy)Cr(Tp)(CN)3·2CH3CN]n(1‐RR) and [Mn((S,S)‐5‐MeOSalcy)Cr(Tp)(CN)3·2CH3CN]n(1‐SS) [Salcy =N,N′‐(1,2‐cyclohexanediylethylene)bis(salicylideneiminato) dianion], were synthesized by using the tricyanometalate building block, [(Tp)Cr(CN)3]–[Tp = tris(pyrazolyl) hydroborate] and chiral MnIIISchiff base precursors. Structural analyses and circular dichroism (CD) spectra revealed that1‐RRand1‐SSare a pair of enantiomers containing a neutral cyano‐bridged zigzag chain with (–Cr–C≡N–Mn–N≡C–)nas the repeating unit. Magnetic studies show that antiferromagnetic couplings between CrIIIand MnIIIions occur by cyanide bridges.1‐RRand1‐SSpresent metamagnetic, spin‐canting, and antiferromagnetic order behaviors at low temperatures.
Membrane versus centrifuge-based therapeutic plasma exchange: a randomized prospective crossover study
Authors: Hafer Carsten , Golla Paulina , Gericke Marion , Eden Gabriele , Beutel Gernot , Schmidt Julius J. , Schmidt Bernhard M. W. , De Reys Stef , Kielstein Jan T.
Published: November 2015

Background

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is either performed using a highly permeable filter with standard multifunctional renal replacement equipment (mTPE) or a centrifugation device (cTPE). Although both techniques are well established in clinical practice, performance of these two modes of TPE was never compared in a prospective randomized fashion. Thus we aimed to compare two commercially available therapeutic apheresis systems: mTPE (Octonova with Plasmaflo filter) and cTPE (Spectra Optia apheresis system).

Methods

Twenty-one patients (age 51.6 ± 13.5 years; 10 F/11 M; BMI 25.1 ± 5.0 kg/m2) were enrolled in this randomized, prospective, paired, crossover study performed in the Hannover Medical School, Germany. First treatment (either mTPE or cTPE) was chosen by an online randomization list. The primary endpoints were plasma removal efficiency with 1.2× of the total plasma volume exchanged. Secondary endpoints were total amount of plasma substances removed, such as IgG and fibrinogen. Further, the treatment effect on platelet count and complications were evaluated.

Results

Despite a comparable volume of the processed plasma, mTPE treatment time was 10.5 % longer than cTPE treatment time (p < 0.05), resulting in a 10 % lower plasma removal rate of the mTPE treatment. Both treatments were comparable in terms of decrease in median (IQR) IgG [pre-mTPE 5.34 (3.48–8.37), post-mTPE 1.96 (1.43–2.84) g/L; pre-cTPE 5.88 (3.42–8.84), post-cTPE 1.89 (1.21–3.52) g/L]. Also the median (IQR) amount of IgG removed in mTPE [13.14 (7.42–16.10) g] was not different from the cTPE treatment [9.30 (6.26–15.69) g]. This was also true for IgM removal. Platelet loss during mTPE was nearly twice as much as with cTPE (15 ± 9 versus 7 ± 9 %, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Although the centrifugal procedures were conducted using flow rates that could easily be obtained using peripheral access, plasma removal efficiency was significantly higher and treatment time was significantly lower in cTPE as compared to mTPE. Despite this lower treatment time, the decline in markers of procedure efficacy was comparable. Especially in centers performing many procedures per year, cTPE in contrast to mTPE can reduce treatment time without compromising treatment efficacy.
Stop and ask for directions: factors affecting anuran detection and occupancy in Pampa farmland ponds
Authors: Moreira Leonardo F. B. , Moura Rafael G. , Maltchik Leonardo
Published: November 2015

There is a great need to understand the effects of man‐made land transformation on freshwater biodiversity, because agricultural landscapes provide habitat for many aquatic and semi‐aquatic organisms. However, not all forms of land use are equal in their capacity to support wildlife. Cattle grazing leads to a change in pasture vegetation structure, whereas conversion to commercial crop‐based agriculture promotes structural and chemical degradation of the ecosystem. From 2010 to 2012, in the Pampa biome, southern Brazil, we modelled anuran occupancy for 39 farmland ponds. Specifically, we determined detection probabilities associated with survey‐ and pond‐specific variables and examined tadpole occupancy in relation to land use in southern Brazil. We recorded eleven anuran species, but only five were detected at levels suitable for occupancy modelling. Species detectability varied with water temperature, extent of floating macrophyte cover, and sampling date. For three species, detection‐adjusted occupancy models indicated a relationship between occupancy and agricultural activities and/or livestock management. Agriculture areas negatively affected occupancy by Odontophrynus americanus and Physalaemus gracilis. The presence of livestock within a 500 m radius positively affected pond occupancy by Hypsiboas pulchellus. Other species were negatively associated with pond area or fish presence. Our results demonstrate that traditional extensive livestock farming can provide a buffer that protects freshwater environments, because it did not greatly modify the grassland matrix. We argue that further species‐based approaches will be critical for developing effective conservation strategies for anurans, particularly in the context of the expanding rice production/exotic forests in southern Brazil.
Reflectance and artificial nest experiments of reptile and bird eggs imply an adaptation of bird eggs against ultraviolet
Authors: Wang Jichao , Yang Canchao , Shi Haitao , Liang Wei
Published: November 2015

Interspecific comparative studies in trait responses to nest predation will help uncover potential costs associated with changes in nest predation risk that may constrain the degree of the response. Reptiles build large mounds of sand, soil or compost in which they bury and leave their eggs after laying. As their eggs are not exposed, reptiles consistently lay immaculate white eggs; while some birds that also lay immaculate white eggs place their nests in exposed sites under sunlight. Comparing the spectrum of reptile and bird eggs, especially in the ultraviolet (UV) region, may help us understand the evolution of coloration in bird eggs. We measured white immaculate eggs from four species of turtle and three species of birds by spectrometer, and compared their hue, chroma, UV brightness, and total brightness. Our results indicated that the UV reflectance of bird eggs consistently exhibited peaks and troughs in waveform that obviously differed from that of turtle eggs, which rising gradually from 300 to 400 nm. This finding implies that bird eggs have been released from enclosed nests, like those of reptiles, and have thus evolved an adaptation in UV reflectance as a signal. Furthermore, artificial nest experiments indicated that predation rates of bird eggs were significantly higher than those of turtle eggs, implying that such a signal might exist. Our study provides baseline data and perspective for further research on the evolution of egg coloration between reptiles and birds.
Wage Dynamics and Racial and Ethnic Occupational Segregation among Less-Educated Men in Metropolitan Labor Markets
Authors: Von Lockette Niki Dickerson , Spriggs William E.
Published: November 2015

We assess whether occupational segregation in metropolitan labor markets is associated with the wages of, and contributes to racial/ethnic wage disparities among, less-educated men. To measure occupational segregation in metropolitan low wage markets, we create a segregation index measuring segregation between white, black, and Latino male high school-only educated workers and high school dropouts in 95 metropolitan labor markets utilizing a unique dataset of the structural characteristics of the ninety-five largest US metropolitan labor markets. We use regression, fixed effects, and generalized least squares estimation techniques to test whether this index is associated with wages and racial wage inequality among these men. The analyses reveal that in metropolitan labor markets characterized by more racial and ethnic segmentation in the low wage market, wages are lower among black and Latino men in particular, and racial-ethnic wage disparities among similarly less-educated white, black, and Latino men are higher.
Looking at the dark and bright sides of identity formation: New insights from adolescents and emerging adults in Japan
Authors: Hatano Kai , Sugimura Kazumi , Crocetti Elisabetta
Published: November 2015

The aim of the present study was to gain new insights into the dark and bright sides of identity formation with a sample of 1851 Japanese adolescents and emerging adults, applying a three‐dimensional model of identity formation (i.e., commitment, in‐depth exploration, and reconsideration of commitment). By means of cluster analysis, we identified five statuses that strongly resembled statues extracted in prior research with Western youth: achievement, foreclosure, moratorium, diffusion, and searching moratorium. We found that each status reported a distinct profile in terms of personality and psychosocial problems. Importantly, we found that the searching moratorium status was adaptive in adolescence but not in emerging adulthood. These results suggest that the five statuses are replicable in Japanese adolescents and emerging adults, and that the searching moratorium status presents a combination of the bright and dark sides whose prevalence varies with age. Clinical implications for identity research and intervention programs are discussed.
Clostridium difficile secreted Pro‐Pro endopeptidase PPEP‐1 (ZMP1/CD2830) modulates adhesion through cleavage of the collagen binding protein CD2831
Authors: Hensbergen Paul J. , Klychnikov Oleg I. , Bakker Dennis , Dragan Irina , Kelly Michelle L. , Minton Nigel P. , Corver Jeroen , Kuijper Ed J. , Drijfhout Jan Wouter , van Leeuwen Hans C.
Published: November 2015

The Clostridium difficile cd2830 gene product is a secreted metalloprotease, named Pro‐Pro endopeptidase (PPEP‐1). PPEP‐1 cleaves C. difficile cell surface proteins (e.g. CD2831). Here, we confirmed that PPEP‐1 has a unique preference for prolines surrounding the scissile bond. Moreover, we show that it exhibits a high preference for an asparagine at the P2 position and hydrophobic residues at the P3 position. Using a PPEP‐1 knockout C. difficile strain, we demonstrate that the removal of the collagen binding protein CD2831 is fully attributable to PPEP‐1 activity. The PPEP‐1 knockout strain demonstrated higher affinity for collagen type I with attenuated virulence in hamsters.
Risk of dementia and death in the long‐term follow‐up of the Pittsburgh Cardiovascular Health Study–Cognition Study
Authors: Kuller Lewis H. , Lopez Oscar L. , Becker James T. , Chang Yuefang , Newman Anne B.
Published: November 2015

Introduction

Increasing life expectancy has resulted in a larger population of older individuals at risk of dementia.

Methods

The Cardiovascular Health Study–Cognition Study followed 532 participants from 1998–99 (mean age 79) to 2013 (mean age 93) for death and dementia.

Results

Risk of death was determined by extent of coronary artery calcium, high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin, brain natriuretic peptide, and white matter grade. Significant predictors of dementia were age, apolipoprotein‐E4, vocabulary raw score, hippocampal volume, ventricular size, cognitive performance, and number of blocks walked. By 2013, 160 of 532 were alive, including 19 cognitively normal. Those with normal cognition had higher grade education, better cognition test scores, greater hippocampal volume, faster gait speed, and number of blocks walked as compared with survivors who were demented.

Discussion

Few survived free of dementia and disability. Prevention and delay of cognitive decline for this older population is an imperative.
Improving human understanding and design of complex multi-level systems with animation and parametric relationship supports
Authors: Egan Paul , Schunn Christian , Cagan Jonathan , LeDuc Philip
Published: November 2015

Complex systems are challenging to design, particularly when they contain multi-level organizations with non-obvious relationships among design components. Here, we investigate engineering students’ capacity to search for optimal nanoscale biosystem designs with stochastic component and system behaviors. The study aims to characterize information types that facilitate human learning and improve their complex system understanding and design proficiency. It is hypothesized that learning parametric system relationships and/or inter-level causal mechanisms improves design proficiency; these relationships and mechanisms are teachable through software interfaces. Two contrasting learning/design interfaces were developed that presented differing information types: an interface with performance charts that emphasized parametric relationship learning and an interface with agent-based animations that emphasized inter-level causality learning. Users improved on pre-/post-learning design tasks with both interfaces; users who demonstrated inter-level causal relationship understanding, which occurred primarily with the animation interface, had greater improvement. All users were then presented contrasting animations of systems with opposing emergent behaviors, resulting in many more participants demonstrating an understanding of inter-level causal behaviors. These findings reveal the difficulties in understanding and designing multi-level systems and that interactive software tools may convey crucial information that supports engineering design, particularly with respect to the development of reasoning skills for how system components relate across levels.
Patterns of individual coping, engagement with social supports and use of formal services among a five-country sample of resilient youth
Authors: Ungar M. , Theron L. , Liebenberg L. , Tian Guo-Xiu , Restrepo A. , Sanders J. , Munford R. , Russell S.
Published: November 2015

Background.

Although resilience among victims of child abuse is commonly understood as a process of interaction between individuals and their environments, there have been very few studies of how children's individual coping strategies, social supports and formal services combine to promote well-being.

Method.

For this study, we conducted a multi-phase analysis of a qualitative dataset of 608 interviews with young people from five countries using grounded theory strategies to build a substantive theory of young people's service and support use patterns. We started with an analysis of ten interviews (two from each country) and then compared these findings to patterns found in each country's full dataset.

Results.

The substantive theory that emerged explains young people's transience between individual coping strategies (cognitive and behavioral), reliance on social supports (family members, peers and teachers), and engagement with formal service providers whose roles are to provide interventions and case management. Young people's patterns of navigation were shown to be contingent upon the individual's risk exposure, his or her individual capacity to cope, and the quality of the formal and informal supports and services that are available and accessible.

Conclusion.

Differing amounts of formal resources in low-, middle- and high-income countries influence patterns of service use. Implications for better coordination between formal mental health services and social supports are discussed.
Theory of weakly nonlinear self-sustained detonations
Authors: Faria Luiz M. , Kasimov Aslan R. , Rosales Rodolfo R.
Published: November 2015

We propose a theory of weakly nonlinear multidimensional self-sustained detonations based on asymptotic analysis of the reactive compressible Navier–Stokes equations. We show that these equations can be reduced to a model consisting of a forced unsteady small-disturbance transonic equation and a rate equation for the heat release. In one spatial dimension, the model simplifies to a forced Burgers equation. Through analysis, numerical calculations and comparison with the reactive Euler equations, the model is demonstrated to capture such essential dynamical characteristics of detonations as the steady-state structure, the linear stability spectrum, the period-doubling sequence of bifurcations and chaos in one-dimensional detonations and cellular structures in multidimensional detonations.
Consequences of viscous anisotropy in a deforming, two-phase aggregate. Why is porosity-band angle lowered by viscous anisotropy?
Authors: Takei Yasuko , Katz Richard F.
Published: November 2015

In laboratory experiments that impose shear deformation on partially molten aggregates of initially uniform porosity, melt segregates into high-porosity sheets (bands in cross-section). The bands emerge at $15^{\circ }$–$20^{\circ }$ to the shear plane. A model of viscous anisotropy can explain these low angles whereas previous simpler models have failed to do so. The anisotropic model is complex, however, and the reason that it produces low-angle bands has not been understood. Here we show that there are two mechanisms: (i) suppression of the well-known tensile instability, and (ii) creation of a new shear-driven instability. We elucidate these mechanisms using linearised stability analysis in a coordinate system that is aligned with the perturbations. We consider the general case of anisotropy that varies dynamically with deviatoric stress, but approach it by first considering uniform anisotropy that is imposed a priori and showing the difference between static and dynamic cases. We extend the model of viscous anisotropy to include a strengthening in the direction of maximum compressive stress. Our results support the hypothesis that viscous anisotropy is the cause of low band angles in experiments.
Editorial
Authors: Campbell Marilyn
Published: November 2015

For the last issue of the year the journal reverts to a mix of papers after the special edition on psycho-educational assessment. The first is a paper on career choice of Australian secondary school students by Natal'ya Galliott, Linda Graham and Naomi Sweller. We really appreciate these papers on careers as so few are submitted to the journal. Hopefully if you find this paper interesting you might consider writing something on this aspect of our work either as a research paper or for the practitioners’ section of the journal.