bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An effective 3D meshing approach for fractured rocks
Authors: Liu Yan , Xing H. L.
Published: November 2015

An effective mesh generation algorithm is proposed to construct mesh representations for arbitrary fractures in 3D rock masses. With the development of advanced imaging techniques, fractures in a rock mass can be clearly captured by a high‐resolution 3D digital image but with a huge data set. To reduce the data size, corresponding mesh substitutes are required in both visualization and numerical analysis. Fractures in rocks are naturally complicated. They may meet at arbitrary angles at junctions, which could derive topological defects, geometric errors or local connectivity flaws on mesh models. A junction weight is proposed and applied to distinguish fracture junctions from surfaces by an adequate threshold. We take account of fracture junctions and generate an initial surface mesh by a simplified centroidal Voronoi diagram. To further repair the initial mesh, an innovative umbrella operation is designed and adopted to correct mesh topology structures and preserve junction geometry features. Constrained with the aforementioned surface mesh of fracture, a tetrahedral mesh is generated and substituted for the 3D image model to be involved in future numerical analysis. Finally, we take two fractured rock samples as application examples to demonstrate the usefulness and capability of the proposed meshing approach. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Help adult learners complete their programs by implementing best practices, Part 1
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: November 2015

Adults enroll in college excited that their degrees will lead to career advancement and will help them and their families lead better lives. Every day, you help students achieve their dreams, and that's one factor that makes your job especially rewarding.
Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and first trimester markers in prenatal screening for Down syndrome
Authors: Huttly Wayne J. , Bestwick Jonathan P. , Wald Nicholas J.
Published: November 2015

What's already known about this topic?

In the late first trimester of pregnancy, women with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) have pregnancy associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A) levels lower than women without IDDM.

What does this study add?

This study confirms that first trimester PAPP‐A is lower among women with IDDM compared with women without IDDM.

A single adjustment factor (19% based on data from this study) is sufficient for PAPP‐A. A gestational age‐dependent adjustment factor is not needed.

Free β‐hCG levels are also lower among women with IDDM compared with women without IDDM; however, the difference is small and does not warrant an adjustment.
A targeted proteomic strategy for the measurement of oral cancer candidate biomarkers in human saliva
Authors: Kawahara Rebeca , Bollinger James G. , Rivera César , Ribeiro Ana Carolina P. , Brandão Thaís Bianca , Leme Adriana F. Paes , MacCoss Michael J.
Published: November 2015

Head and neck cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), are the sixth most common malignancy in the world and are characterized by poor prognosis and a low survival rate. Saliva is oral fluid with intimate contact with OSCC. Besides non‐invasive, simple, and rapid to collect, saliva is a potential source of biomarkers. In this study, we build an SRM assay that targets fourteen OSCC candidate biomarker proteins, which were evaluated in a set of clinically‐derived saliva samples. Using Skyline software package, we demonstrated a statistically significant higher abundance of the C1R, LCN2, SLPI, FAM49B, TAGLN2, CFB, C3, C4B, LRG1, SERPINA1 candidate biomarkers in the saliva of OSCC patients. Furthermore, our study also demonstrated that CFB, C3, C4B, SERPINA1 and LRG1 are associated with the risk of developing OSCC. Overall, this study successfully used targeted proteomics to measure in saliva a panel of biomarker candidates for OSCC.
Stakeholder Inclusiveness: Enriching Project Management with General Stakeholder Theory1
Authors: Eskerod Pernille , Huemann Martina , Ringhofer Claudia
Published: November 2015

According to research, stakeholder disappointment is a root problem within projects. In this article, the dilemmas related to stakeholder inclusiveness, in other words, engaging a broad range of stakeholders, are discussed. Based on a longitudinal case study, three propositions are offered: Applying stakeholder inclusiveness in a project (1) increases the likelihood of more engaged and satisfied stakeholders; (2) increases the danger of losing focus on those stakeholders who possess the most critical resources for the project's survival and progress; and (3) increases the danger of inducing stakeholder disappointment due to expectation escalation and impossibility of embracing conflicting requirements and wishes.
Breakthrough R&D Stakeholders: The Challenges of Legitimacy in Highly Uncertain Projects
Authors: Hooge Sophie , Dalmasso Cédric
Published: November 2015

We studied the management of internal R&D stakeholders and their involvement dynamics in breakthrough R&D projects. Building on a longitudinal research partnership with a global car manufacturer since 2005, this research highlights the important dynamics of involvement among internal R&D stakeholders in the engineering development organization. Some stakeholders—who served as experts, innovation design strategists, or internal collaboration strategists—succeeded in involving the individuals needed for the project's progress, sometimes generating an over-commitment. The success of the rationale of these stakeholders on engineering resource involvement depended on the perceived legitimacy of their owners.
Degradation of a polyester‐urethane coating: Physical properties
Authors: Makki Hesam , Adema Koen N. S. , Peters Elias A. J. F. , Laven Jozua , van der Ven Leendert G. J. , van Benthem Rolf A. T. M. , de With Gijsbertus
Published: November 2015

In this article we studied the evolution of thermomechanical properties of a polyester‐urethane coating during degradation under different degradation conditions, i.e., aerobic and anaerobic conditions with and without dry/wet cycling during degradation. Dynamic mechanical and thermal analyses show that under aerobic conditions the coatings become stiffer and more brittle in the glassy state. This stiffening is probably due to the increase in the amount of hydrogen bonding and the formation of oxidized groups which increase the polarity of the material and enhance the interactions of the polymer segments. However, oxidation reactions result in a considerable decrease in cross‐link density and stiffness in the rubbery state. Both changes, in the glassy and rubbery states, give rise to development of internal stresses. These stresses increase as the degradation process proceeds. Nevertheless, for samples exposed to anaerobic conditions, the stiffness remains constant in the glassy state and the cross‐link density slightly increases as a result of degradation. This reconfirms the dominance of the effect of oxidation reactions on the mechanical failure of the coatings. Oxygen permeation measurements show a more‐or‐less time‐independent diffusion coefficient and a gradual decrease in solubility of oxygen as a function of exposure time. This results in a slight decrease in oxygen permeation (mainly in the early stage of the degradation) as degradation proceeds. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 659–671
Camera‐based high frequency heterodyne lock‐in carrierographic (frequency‐domain photoluminescence) imaging of crystalline silicon wafers
Authors: Sun Qiming , Melnikov Alexander , Mandelis Andreas
Published: November 2015

A heterodyne lock‐in imaging scheme is introduced to overcome NIR camera speed limitations and poor signal‐to‐noise ratios, thereby generating high‐frequency carrierographic imaging up to 10 kHz. A theoretical model was established to investigate the heterodyne signal generation mechanism as well as to extract the major carrier transport parameters by best‐fitting the entire modulation frequency dependence. Good agreement was found between the theoretically predicted and experimentally measured heterodyne amplitude dependence on excitation intensity. A contrast inversion feature in the high‐frequency heterodyne amplitude images was observed. High‐frequency information presents a method for resolving local near‐surface carrier transport parameters from the lumped effective lifetime, thereby providing ac‐diffusion‐length‐controlled depth‐selective/resolved imaging.

Heterodyne lock‐in carrierography (LIC) amplitude images of a crystalline silicon wafer at different frequencies.
Effect of Pretreatment and Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Quality of dry Coleslaw mix
Authors: Radziejewska‐Kubzdela Elżbieta , Czaczyk Katarzyna
Published: November 2015

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of soaking in chlorinated water (100 ppm chlorine) or mild thermal treatment in water (55°C; 3 min) and modified atmosphere packaging on the quality and shelf life of dry coleslaw stored for 12 days at 4°C. Samples were packaged in low‐barrier film in modified atmosphere containing: 5/10/85, 20/25/55, 50/30/20, 70/30/0 %O2/% CO2/% N2, and air atmosphere. In‐pack gas levels, sensory quality, microbial counts and cell permeability were determined.

In comparison to non‐processed coleslaw, pretreatment of coleslaw, both consisting in soaking in chlorine solution and a mild thermal processing, resulted in a reduction by approx. 1 logarithmic cycle for counts of psychrophilic and lactic acid bacteria as well as mesophilic and psychrophilic yeasts, by 1 and 1.7 logarithmic cycle for coliform bacteria and by 2 up to 3 logarithmic cycles for Pseudomonas bacteria. Modified atmosphere (irrespective of its composition) used in product packaging was found to have no effect on the count of mesophilic bacteria. An elevated content of carbon dioxide in modified atmosphere (10, 25 or 30%) inhibited growth of psychrophilic bacteria and Pseudomonas bacteria up to 6 days of storage. In the case of coliform bacteria growth inhibition during storage was recorded both in the samples packaged in air atmosphere and in the atmosphere of 50/30/20 and 70/30/0 %O2/% CO2/% N2. In samples packaged in the atmosphere of 70% O2 and 30% CO2 after 12 days the greatest cell permeability was recorded, which was connected with a deterioration of their microbiological quality. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Compressed sampling reconstruction of hyperspectral images based on spectral prediction
Authors: Wang Li , Feng Yan
Published: November 2015

With increasing amounts of hyperspectral images (HSI) and the limitations of the memory requirements, compressive techniques for hyperspectral images have attracted extensive research efforts in recent years. The main difficulty of applying compressed sampling (CS) theory to compression and reconstruction of hyperspectral images lies in using the spatial correlation and spectral correlation of hyperspectral images. In this paper, a reconstruction algorithm of hyperspectral images taking advantage of two‐dimensional compressed sampling (2DCS) and two‐dimensional total variation (2DTV) incorporating spectral prediction (SP) is investigated. In the sampling process, the hyperspectral images are divided into reference bands and common bands, and all bands are sampled using 2DCS independently. In the reconstruction process, the reference bands are reconstructed by 2DTV first. In order to improve the reconstruction quality of common bands, spectral prediction utilizing the spectral correlation between reference bands and common bands is conducted. Then the spectral compensation is computed by using a combination of the prediction value and the initial approximation for the common bands. The residual between the compensation value and the original value is obtained to revise the approximation for the common bands. The algorithm is implemented in an iterative manner to enhance the performance. Experimental results on popular hyperspectral datasets reveal that the proposed algorithm exploiting spectral prediction outperforms the algorithm 2DCS‐2DTV, which does not use spectral correlation, as well as the state‐of‐the‐art algorithms in terms of peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR). In particular, when the sampling rate of the reference bands is higher than that of the common bands, the proposed algorithm would improve the reconstruction quality dramatically. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Influence of the frequency‐dependent characteristics of soil permittivity on the impulse performance of grounding electrode
Authors: Zhu Shi‐yang , Yuan Tao , Deng Yu‐rong , Zhu Bin
Published: November 2015

In the analysis of impulse characteristics, the accuracy of the calculation results depends largely on the soil electrical parameters. However, existing calculation methods simplify or ignore the influence of the frequency‐dependent characteristics of soil permittivity on impulse performance. On the basis of the dielectric spectrum measurement results of typical soil, a finite element model that considers the frequency‐dependent characteristics of soil permittivity is developed in this paper. The influence of the frequency‐dependent characteristics of soil permittivity on impulse performance is analyzed systematically. Results indicate that a significant difference exists when the permittivity is constant. The transient grounding impedance value is highly influenced by the impulse current waveforms and the amplitude of the impulse current. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Modeling of phase‐shifted full‐bridge ZVS converter based on a new expression of effective duty ratio
Authors: Cheng Xin , Xie Guangjun , Deng Fei
Published: November 2015

This paper presents a simple but precise model of phase‐shifted full bridge zero‐voltage switching (PSFB ZVS) converter by introducing an effective duty ratio. The resonant states of PSFB ZVS converter are fully considered in the derivation of effective duty ratio, which results in a model with high precision. According to the proposed model, the output voltage of PSFB ZVS converter is not determined by duty ratio but by the phase shift, which is different from traditional models, and is verified by simulation and experiment. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Flow characteristics research of air–water flow with an optimized multielectrode conductance sensor
Authors: Shi Yanyan , Wang Meng , Shen Minghui , Wang Haiming
Published: November 2015

The measurement of flow characteristics in air–water two‐phase flow is greatly influenced by the complex flow structure. In this work, the design and construction of a multi‐electrode conductance sensor is described that can be applied to measure phase fraction and axial velocity of air–water two‐phase flow. The sensor is designed to be axially flush‐mounted on the inner wall of a test section with the diameter of 0.05 m to avoid flow disturbances. Based on finite element analysis, the geometry of the multi‐electrode conductance sensor is optimized to ensure that the region of air–water mixture that is affected by the sensor is optimal for measuring the phase fraction and axial velocity. Static experiments are conducted to calibrate the optimized sensor. Measurements are performed on a horizontal air–water two‐phase flow experiment facility. Experimental results indicate that the designed multi‐electrode conductance sensor can be used to estimate the phase fraction and axial velocity in horizontal air–water flows with satisfactory accuracy. The study shows that with the optimized multi‐electrode conductance sensor it is possible to characterize the horizontal air–water two‐phase flow. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Essentially Comparative Value Does Not Threaten Transitivity
Authors: Handfield Toby ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: November 2015

The essentially comparative conception of value entails that the value of a state of affairs does not depend solely upon features intrinsic to the state of affairs, but also upon extrinsic features, such as the set of feasible alternatives. It has been argued that this conception of value gives us reason to abandon the transitivity of the better than relation. This paper shows that the support for intransitivity derived from this conception of value is very limited. On its most plausible interpretations, it merely provides a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for intransitivity. It is further argued that the essentially comparative conception of value appears to support a disjunctive conclusion: there is incommensurability of value or betterness is not transitive. Of these two alternatives, incommensurability is preferable, because it is far less threatening to our other axiological commitments.
A solar city strategy applied to six municipalities: integrating market, finance, and policy factors for infrastructure‐scale photovoltaic development in Amsterdam, London, Munich, New York, Seoul, and Tokyo
Authors: Byrne John , Taminiau Job , Kim Kyung Nam , Seo Jeongseok , Lee Joohee
Published: November 2015

Policy support platforms like the Feed‐in Tariff and the Renewable Portfolio Standard have been very successful in accelerating renewable energy development around the world. Nonetheless, the sustained and consistent transition to a renewable energy future required, e.g., to avoid further climate change, continues to elude societies. To achieve substantial energy transformation, reconsideration of the finance–policy–market interaction is required and is contemplated here by positioning the build‐out of a particular renewable energy technology, photovoltaic (PV) energy, as a commitment to infrastructure‐scale development. A so‐called ‘solar city’ strategy is analyzed in which large‐scale deployment of PV throughout the urban fabric essentially constructs an urban renewable energy power plant by utilizing the vast rooftop real estate available in all cities. The article explores a capital market strategy for practical implementation of urban PV in six case study cities—Amsterdam, London, Munich, New York City, Seoul, and Tokyo. This study demonstrates the substantial potential of the solar city concept in each location and outlines a financing strategy to realize the potential. WIREs Energy Environ 2016, 5:68–88. doi: 10.1002/wene.182

This article is categorized under:

Photovoltaics > Economics and Policy

Solar Heating and Cooling > Systems and Infrastructure

Energy and Development > Economics and Policy
A paired comparison of scat‐collecting versus scat‐swabbing methods for noninvasive recovery of mesocarnivore DNA from an arid environment
Authors: Miles Kathleen A. , Holtz Michelle N. , Lounsberry Zachary T. , Sacks Benjamin N.
Published: November 2015

Noninvasive DNA sampling from scats can provide powerful tools for wildlife research depending in large part on how scats are collected in the field. Preservation of scat in 95–100% ethanol can be highly effective, but not always practical. Use of swabs to sample the mucous layer from scats is a popular alternative, but has not been adequately tested in arid environments, where the mucous layer can rapidly desiccate. We conducted a paired comparison of methods, extraction from scats stored in ethanol (“direct method”) versus from swabs (“swab method”), for carnivore scats collected under typical field conditions during May–September 2013 and January–February 2015 in northern California, USA. Direct quantification of DNA indicated that the extracts from ethanol‐preserved direct‐method samples contained, on average, an order of magnitude (14×) more target DNA than extracts from swab method (P < 0.03). For mitochondrial sequencing, which is typically used for species‐typing, we obtained slightly higher success for the direct (81%) than the swab (73%) extracts, but not significantly so (P = 0.25, n = 104). Among 62 canid scats, microsatellite genotyping (typically used for individual identification) was much more successful for the direct extracts (74%) than the swab extracts (35%; P < 0.001, n = 62). Together, our findings indicated a substantial advantage of ethanol preservation followed by extraction directly from scats over swabbing in our arid study area. Our results apply most specifically to canids in the arid study environment; swabbing is potentially more effective in humid environments or in other carnivore species. Nevertheless, our findings highlight the importance of conducting pilot studies before committing to swabbing as a means of fecal DNA collection. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
Concern or confidence? Adolescents' identity capital and future worry in different school contexts
Authors: Tikkanen Jenni
Published: November 2015

This present study investigated the roles identity capital and school's socio‐economic status have on adolescent worry about future education, employment, and social status. The 354 participants were 14‐ to 15‐year‐old students from affluent (56.8%) and disadvantaged (43.2%) Finnish lower secondary schools. Structural equation modelling was used to test the hypothesis that a higher level of family‐related identity capital is connected to a lower level of future worry, and that this connection is mediated through intrapersonal forms of identity capital, specifically academic self‐concept and general self‐efficacy. Adolescent future worry was also examined across school status with an independent samples t‐test. The findings suggest that, in the relatively equal societal context in Finland, adolescents are rather confident about their future education, employment, and social status regardless of the socio‐economic status of the school they attend, and when their level of identity capital is high the future worry decreases further.
Agentic personality as mediator of social capital on developmental outcomes in the transition to adulthood: Evidence from Shanghai, China
Authors: Yuan Rui , Ngai Steven Sek‐yum
Published: November 2015

Drawing upon a sample of 1153 young people in Shanghai, China, this study investigates how agentic personality mediates between social capital embedded in a range of social contexts (family, friendship, association, and linking connection) and developmental outcomes during the transition to adulthood. The results of a structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis provide a good fit for the sample as a whole. The overall findings support the hypotheses that a higher level of agentic personality, including resilience, self‐efficacy, and self‐esteem, is associated with higher levels of developmental outcomes. Agentic personality also mediates the effects of family, friendship, associational, and linking social capital on developmental outcomes. Family social capital is predictive of university students' identity achievement and academic achievement, but not of their mental health. Linking social capital is only predictive of identity achievement. Unexpectedly, friendship social capital and associational social capital are predictive of a lower level of academic achievement and mental health, respectively, despite their positive influences on all three developmental outcomes through their significant effects on agentic personality. The study provides empirical support for the importance of social capital in promoting young people's transition to adulthood. Implications for theory, practice, and policy are also discussed.
MiR‐30a attenuates immunosuppressive functions of IL‐1β‐elicited mesenchymal stem cells via targeting TAB3
Authors: Hu Erling , Ding Liang , Miao Huishuang , Liu Fei , Liu Dan , Dou Huan , Hou Yayi
Published: November 2015

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess the ability to modulate the immune response, and their abnormalities are related to several diseases. We previously reported that miR‐30a expression significantly increased in the maternal–fetal interface during preeclampsia (PE), but the effects of miR‐30a on the immunoregulatory characteristics of MSCs are unclear. In this study, we determined that miR‐30a over‐expression inhibited the IL‐1β‐elicited activation of the nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) and JNK signaling pathways and the production of IL‐6, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) and IL‐8 by targeting transforming growth factor‐β‐activated kinase 1 binding protein 3 (TAB3) in MSCs. Moreover, the over‐expression of miR‐30a also impaired MSCs’ anti‐inflammatory effects on macrophages. These data demonstrated that miR‐30a in MSCs may participate in the immune dysregulation of the maternal–fetal interface during PE.
Structural basis for an atypical active site of an l‐aspartate/glutamate‐specific racemase from Escherichia coli
Authors: Ahn Jae-Woo , Chang Jeong Ho , Kim Kyung-Jin
Published: November 2015

We determined the crystal structure of EcL‐DER to elucidate protein function and substrate specificity. Unlike other asp/glu racemases, EcL‐DER has an unbalanced pair of catalytic residues, Thr83/Cys197, at the active site that is crucial for l‐ to d‐unidirectional racemase activity. EcL‐DER exhibited racemase activity for both l‐glutamate and l‐aspartate, but had threefold higher activity for l‐glutamate. Based on the structure of the EcL‐DERC197S mutant in complex with l‐glutamate, we determined the binding mode of the l‐glutamate substrate in EcL‐DER and provide a structural basis for how the protein utilizes l‐glutamate as a main substrate. The unidirectionality, despite an equilibrium constant of unity, can be understood in terms of the Haldane relationship.
New insights into in vitro amyloidogenic properties of human serum albumin suggest considerations for therapeutic precautions
Authors: Sharma Neetu , Sivalingam Vishwanath , Maurya Sonalika , Prasad Archana , Khandelwal Puneet , Yadav Subhash Chandra , Patel Basant K.
Published: November 2015

Amyloid aggregates display striking features of detergent stability and self‐seeding. Human serum albumin (HSA), a preferred drug‐carrier molecule, can also aggregate in vitro. So far, key amyloid properties of stability against ionic detergents and self‐seeding, are unclear for HSA aggregates. Precautions against amyloid contamination would be required if HSA aggregates were self‐seeding. Here, we show that HSA aggregates display detergent sarkosyl stability and have self‐seeding potential. HSA dimer is preferable for clinical applications due to its longer retention in circulation and lesser oedema owing to its larger molecular size. Here, HSA was homodimerized via free cysteine‐34, without any potentially immunogenic cross‐linkers that are usually pre‐requisite for homodimerization. Alike the monomer, HSA dimers also aggregated as amyloid, necessitating precautions while using for therapeutics.
GDNF–Ret signaling in midbrain dopaminergic neurons and its implication for Parkinson disease
Authors: Kramer Edgar R. , Liss Birgit
Published: November 2015

Glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its canonical receptor Ret can signal together or independently to fulfill many important functions in the midbrain dopaminergic (DA) system. While Ret signaling clearly impacts on the development, maintenance and regeneration of the mesostriatal DA system, the physiological functions of GDNF for the DA system are still unclear. Nevertheless, GDNF is still considered to be an excellent candidate to protect and/or regenerate the mesostriatal DA system in Parkinson disease (PD). Clinical trials with GDNF on PD patients are, however, so far inconclusive. Here, we review the current knowledge of GDNF and Ret signaling and function in the midbrain DA system, and their crosstalk with proteins and signaling pathways associated with PD.
A preliminary investigation into psychophysiological effects of threatening a perceptually embodied rubber hand in healthy human participants
Authors: Mark I. Johnson , Smith Emily , Sarah Yellow , Matthew R. Mulvey
Published: November 2015

Background and aims

Threatening a perceptually embodied rubber hand with noxious stimuli has been shown to generate levels of anxiety similar to that experienced when a real hand is threatened. The aim of this study was to investigate skin conductance response, self-reported anxiety and the incidence, type and location of sensations when a perceptually embodied rubber hand was exposed to threatening and non-threatening stimuli.

Methods

A repeated measures cross-over design was used whereby 20 participants (⊕18 years, 14 females) received a threatening (syringe needle) and non-threatening (soft brush) stimulus to a perceptually embodied rubber hand. Perceptual embodiment was achieved using a soft brush to synchronously stroke the participant’s real hand (out of view) and a rubber hand (in view). Then the investigator approached the rubber hand with a syringe needle (threat) or soft brush (non-threat).

Results

Repeated measures ANOVA found that approaching the perceptually embodied rubber hand with either stimulus produced statistically significant reductions in the rated intensity of response to the following questions (p < 0.01): ‘How strongly does it feel like the rubber hand is yours?’; ‘How strongly does it feel like the rubber hand is part of your body?’; and ‘How strongly does it feel you can move the rubber hand?’. However, there were no statistically significant differences in scores between needle and brush stimuli. Repeated measures ANOVA on skin conductance response found statistically significant effects for experimental Events (baseline; stroking; perceptual embodiment; stimuli approaching rubber hand; stimuli touching rubber hand; p <0.001) but not for Condition (needle versus brush p = 0.964) or experimental Event × Condition interaction (p = 0.160). Ten of the 20 participants (50%) reported that they experienced a sensation arising from the rubber hand when the rubber hand was approached and touched by either the needle and/or brush but these sensations lacked precision in location, timing, and nature.

Conclusion and implications

Our preliminary findings suggest that the increase in arousal in response to stimuli entering the peripersonal space may not be selective for threat. There was tentative evidence that more intense sensations were experienced when a perceptually embodied rubber hand was approached by a threatening stimulus. Our findings provide initial insights and should serve as a catalyst for further research.
Applied anatomy of the submental island flap and its clinical application in the repair of defects following hypopharyngeal carcinoma resection
Authors: Chen Xi , Zhou Han , Zhang Yong‐Jie , Yin Lin , Lu Mei‐Ping , Xing Guang‐Qian , Lin Zi‐Ping , Cheng Lei
Published: November 2015

Objective

To explore the feasibility of the submental island flap in the repair of hypopharyngeal defects.

Methods

We collected wet specimens of fresh cadaveric heads from the Han Chinese adult population for applied anatomy of the submental island flap, and followed five patients with pyriform sinus carcinoma after reconstruction surgery using submental island flaps.

Results

We found that the average length and width of the submental island flaps were (65.20 ± 11.69) mm and (46.70 ± 6.59) mm, respectively. The skin flap in all five patients survived after surgery, and tracheal tubes and gastric tubes were removed 7–36 days after surgery. Patients were followed up for 24–42 months, pharyngeal flaps grew well, and speech and swallowing functions were satisfactory.

Conclusion

The submental island flap is a preferred material for the repair of hypopharyngeal defects after hypopharyngeal carcinoma resection, because of good blood supply, easy harvesting, and high survival rate.
Dental stem cells: a future asset of ocular cell therapy
Authors: Yam Gary Hin-Fai , Peh Gary Swee-Lim , Singhal Shweta , Goh Bee-Tin , Mehta Jodhbir S.
Published: November 2015

Regenerative medicine using patient's own stem cells (SCs) to repair dysfunctional tissues is an attractive approach to complement surgical and pharmacological treatments for aging and degenerative disorders. Recently, dental SCs have drawn much attention owing to their accessibility, plasticity and applicability for regenerative use not only for dental, but also other body tissues. In ophthalmology, there has been increasing interest to differentiate dental pulp SC and periodontal ligament SC (PDLSC) towards ocular lineage. Both can commit to retinal fate expressing eye field transcription factors and generate rhodopsin-positive photoreceptor-like cells. This proposes a novel therapeutic alternative for retinal degeneration diseases. Moreover, as PDLSC shares similar cranial neural crest origin and proteoglycan secretion with corneal stromal keratoctyes and corneal endothelial cells, this offers the possibility of differentiating PDLSC to these corneal cell types. The advance could lead to a shift in the medical management of corneal opacities and endothelial disorders from highly invasive corneal transplantation using limited donor tissue to cell therapy utilizing autologous cells. This article provides an overview of dental SC research and the perspective of utilizing dental SCs for ocular regenerative medicine.
Diabetes and brain health: implications for practice
Authors: Dolan C. , McHugh J. , Lawlor B.
Published: November 2015

Background

It is widely accepted that people with mental illness have increased risk of cardiometabolic complications such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. What is less well known is that individuals with diabetes have an increased risk of brain health complications including depression, cognitive impairment and dementia. These conditions can adversely influence disease self-management and further increase risk of other diabetes complications.

Aim

The aim of this paper is to highlight the increased risk of brain health complications in populations with diabetes in order to promote awareness of such complications among healthcare professionals and encourage timely intervention.

Methods

An overview of the prevalence and potential mechanisms linking depression and cognitive impairment with diabetes as well as implications for detection, management and brain health protection, based on a narrative review of the literature.

Conclusions

Early detection and effective management of depression and cognitive impairment among individuals with diabetes has the potential to minimise adverse health outcomes. In order to promote screening healthcare professionals caring for individuals with diabetes in all settings must be aware of the increased risk of brain health complications in this vulnerable population.
The lysidyl aminoacyl transfer RNA synthetase intron, a new marker for demosponge phylogeographics – case study on Neopetrosia
Authors: Setiawan Edwin , De Voogd Nicole J. , Hooper John N.A. , Wörheide Gert , Erpenbeck Dirk
Published: November 2015

Suitable genetic markers for population studies in sponges are necessary to further our understanding of biodiversity and dispersal patterns, and contribute to conservation efforts. Due to the slow mitochondrial substitution rates in demosponges, nuclear introns are among the preferable markers for phylogeographic studies, but so far only the second intron of the ATP synthetase beta subunit-gene (ATPSβ) has been successfully established. In the present study, we analyse the intron of the Lysidyl Aminoacyl Transfer RNA Synthetase (LTRS), another potential marker to study demosponge intraspecific relationships, on samples of Neopetrosia chaliniformis from various locations in the Indo-Pacific and compare its variation with a mitochondrial marker (CO2). LTRS recovers several reciprocal monophyletic groups among the Indo-Pacific N. chaliniformis and provides a potential alternative to ATPSβ.
Prehospital Airway Management in Emergency and Trauma Patients: A Cross-sectional Study of Ambulance Service Providers and Staff in a Low- and Middle-income Country
Authors: Ismail Samina , Zia Nukhba , Samad Khalid , Naeem Rubaba , Ahmad Haris , Raza Amir , Baqir Muhammad , Khan Uzma Rahim
Published: November 2015

Background

Prehospital airway management (AM) is the first priority in the care of emergency and trauma victims as it has shown to improve survival in these patients.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess training and knowledge of ambulance staff and availability of AM equipment in ambulances of Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted from June through September 2014. Interviews were conducted with management of six ambulance service providers and 165 ambulance staff. Data from the management included availability of AM equipment in the ambulances, number and designation of staff sent for emergency calls, and AM training of staff. Ambulance staff were assessed for their awareness, knowledge, and training pertaining to AM.

Results

All the ambulance services (A through F) had basic equipment for AM but lacked qualified and trained staff. All services had solo drivers (98.3%) for emergency calls; however, Ambulance Service A also had doctors and paramedics. Only 35.7% (59/165) of ambulance staff had awareness regarding AM, out of which 77.9% (46/59) belonged to Ambulance Service A. Of these 59 staff, 81.4% received some form of AM training. Staff with AM awareness, when assessed for knowledge pertaining to AM steps and AM equipment, had a mean score of 4.7/5 and 8.4/12, respectively.

Conclusion

Even though ambulances are equipped with basic equipment, due to lack of trained staff, these ambulances only serve the mere purpose of transportation. There is a need to train ambulance staff and increase ambulance to staff ratio to improve prehospital AM and patient survival.

IsmailS, ZiaN, SamadK, NaeemR, AhmadH, RazaA, BaqirM, KhanUR. Prehospital airway management in emergency and trauma patients: a cross-sectional study of ambulance service providers and staff in a low- and middle-income country. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2015;30(6):606–612.
MATHEMATICAL ECONOMICS COMES TO AMERICA: CHARLES S. PEIRCE’S ENGAGEMENT WITH COURNOT’SRECHERCHES SUR LES PRINCIPES MATHÉMATIQUES DE LA THÉORIE DES RICHESSES
Authors: Wible James R. , Hoover Kevin D.
Published: November 2015

Although Cournot’s mathematical economics was generally neglected until the mid-1870s, he was taken up and carefully studied by the Scientific Club of Cambridge, Massachusetts, even before his “discovery” by Walras and Jevons. The episode is reconstructed from fragmentary manuscripts of the pragmatist philosopher Charles S. Peirce, a sophisticated mathematician. Peirce provides a subtle interpretation and anticipates Bertrand’s criticisms.
Food insecurity in veteran households: findings from nationally representative data
Authors: Miller Daniel P , Larson Mary Jo , Byrne Thomas , DeVoe Ellen
Published: November 2015

Objective

The present study is the first to use nationally representative data to compare rates of food insecurity among households with veterans of the US Armed Forces and non-veteran households.

Design

We used data from the 2005–2013 waves of the Current Population Survey – Food Security Supplement to identify rates of food insecurity and very low food security in veteran and non-veteran households. We estimated the odds and probability of food insecurity in veteran and non-veteran households in uncontrolled and controlled models. We replicated these results after separating veteran households by their most recent period of service. We weighted models to create nationally representative estimates.

Setting

Nationally representative data from the 2005–2013 waves of the Current Population Survey – Food Security Supplement.

Subjects

US households (n388 680).

Results

Uncontrolled models found much lower rates of food insecurity (8·4 %) and very low food security (3·3 %) among veteran households than in non-veteran households (14·4 % and 5·4 %, respectively), with particularly low rates among households with older veterans. After adjustment, average rates of food insecurity and very low food security were not significantly different for veteran households. However, the probability of food insecurity was significantly higher among some recent veterans and significantly lower for those who served during the Vietnam War.

Conclusions

Although adjusting eliminated many differences between veteran and non-veteran households, veterans who served from 1975 and onwards may be at higher risk for food insecurity and should be the recipients of targeted outreach to improve nutritional outcomes.
PSK-Kinder – Ein Fragebogen zur Erfassung des physischen Selbstkonzepts von Kindern im Grundschulalter
Authors: Dreiskämper Dennis , Tietjens Maike , Honemann Sarah , Naul Roland , Freund Philipp Alexander
Published: November 2015

Zusammenfassung. Der Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ; Marsh, Richards, Johnson, Roche & Tremayne, 1994 ) ist ein international bewährtes Instrument zur Messung des physischen Selbstkonzepts bei Jugendlichen und Erwachsenen. Eine valide deutsche Übersetzung für diese Altersklassen (PSK; Stiller & Alfermann, 2007 ) liegt ebenso vor wie eine englische Kurzfassung ( Marsh, Martin & Jackson, 2010 ). Für die Erfassung des physischen Selbstkonzepts im mittleren bis späten Kindesalter existiert bisher jedoch kein validiertes deutschsprachiges Inventar. In diesem Beitrag wird ein Fragebogen zur Messung des physischen Selbstkonzepts im Kindesalter (PSK-K) vorgestellt, der auf dem PSDQ basiert. Die Struktur des Fragebogens wird zunächst mittels einer explorativen Faktorenanalyse überprüft (N = 257 SchülerInnen der dritten Jahrgangsstufe). Die Ergebnisse einer konfirmatorischen Faktorenanalyse (N = 339) bestätigen die gefundene 7-Faktorlösung. Darüber hinaus wird der Fragebogen hinsichtlich der Gütekriterien Reliabilität und Validität analysiert und diskutiert. Der PSK-K erweist sich dabei als gut geeigneter Fragebogen zur Messung des physischen Selbstkonzepts bei Kindern im Grundschulalter.
Differentiation of human neuroblastoma cells toward the osteogenic lineage by mTOR inhibitor
Authors: Carpentieri A , Cozzoli E , Scimeca M , Bonanno E , Sardanelli A M , Gambacurta A
Published: November 2015

Current hypothesis suggest that tumors can originate from adult cells after a process of 'reprogramming' driven by genetic and epigenetic alterations. These cancer cells, called cancer stem cells (CSCs), are responsible for the tumor growth and metastases. To date, the research effort has been directed to the identification, isolation and manipulation of this cell population. Independently of whether tumors were triggered by a reprogramming of gene expression or seeded by stem cells, their energetic metabolism is altered compared with a normal cell, resulting in a high aerobic glycolytic 'Warburg' phenotype and dysregulation of mitochondrial activity. This metabolic alteration is intricately linked to cancer progression.The aim of this work has been to demonstrate the possibility of differentiating a neoplastic cell toward different germ layer lineages, by evaluating the morphological, metabolic and functional changes occurring in this process. The cellular differentiation reported in this study brings to different conclusions from those present in the current literature. We demonstrate that 'in vitro' neuroblastoma cancer cells (chosen as experimental model) are able to differentiate directly into osteoblastic (by rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor) and hepatic lineage without an intermediate 'stem' cell step. This process seems owing to a synergy among few master molecules, metabolic changes and scaffold presence acting in a concerted way to control the cell fate.
Unusually high soil nitrogen oxide emissions influence air quality in a high-temperature agricultural region
Authors: Oikawa P. Y. , Ge C. , Wang J. , Eberwein J. R. , Liang L. L. , Allsman L. A. , Grantz D. A. , Jenerette G. D.
Published: November 2015

Fertilized soils have large potential for production of soil nitrogen oxide (NOx=NO+NO2), however these emissions are difficult to predict in high-temperature environments. Understanding these emissions may improve air quality modelling as NOx contributes to formation of tropospheric ozone (O3), a powerful air pollutant. Here we identify the environmental and management factors that regulate soil NOx emissions in a high-temperature agricultural region of California. We also investigate whether soil NOx emissions are capable of influencing regional air quality. We report some of the highest soil NOx emissions ever observed. Emissions vary nonlinearly with fertilization, temperature and soil moisture. We find that a regional air chemistry model often underestimates soil NOx emissions and NOx at the surface and in the troposphere. Adjusting the model to match NOx observations leads to elevated tropospheric O3. Our results suggest management can greatly reduce soil NOx emissions, thereby improving air quality.
Atomistic electrodynamics simulations of bare and ligand-coated nanoparticles in the quantum size regime
Authors: Chen Xing , Moore Justin E. , Zekarias Meserret , Jensen Lasse
Published: November 2015

The optical properties of metallic nanoparticles with nanometre dimensions exhibit features that cannot be described by classical electrodynamics. In this quantum size regime, the near-field properties are significantly modified and depend strongly on the geometric arrangements. However, simulating realistically sized systems while retaining the atomistic description remains computationally intractable for fully quantum mechanical approaches. Here we introduce an atomistic electrodynamics model where the traditional description of nanoparticles in terms of a macroscopic homogenous dielectric constant is replaced by an atomic representation with dielectric properties that depend on the local chemical environment. This model provides a unified description of bare and ligand-coated nanoparticles, as well as strongly interacting nanoparticle dimer systems. The non-local screening owing to an inhomogeneous ligand layer is shown to drastically modify the near-field properties. This will be important to consider in optimization of plasmonic nanostructures for near-field spectroscopy and sensing applications.
Novel Noxipoint Therapy versus Conventional Physical Therapy for Chronic Neck and Shoulder Pain: Multicentre Randomised Controlled Trials
Authors: Koo Charles C. , Lin Ray S. , Wang Tyng-Guey , Tsauo Jau-Yih , Yang Pan-Chyr , Yen Chen-Tung , Biswal Sandip
Published: November 2015

As chronic pain affects 115 million people and costs $600B annually in the US alone, effective noninvasive nonpharmacological remedies are desirable. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and the generalisability of Noxipoint therapy (NT), a novel electrotherapy characterised by site-specific stimulation, intensity-and-submodality-specific settings and a immobilization period, for chronic neck and shoulder pain. Ninety-seven heavily pretreated severe chronic neck/shoulder pain patients were recruited; 34 and 44 patients were randomly allocated to different treatment arms in two patient-and-assessor-blinded, randomised controlled studies. The participants received NT or conventional physical therapy including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PT-TENS) for three to six 90-minute sessions. In Study One, NT improved chronic pain (−89.6%, Brief Pain Inventory, p < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval), function (+77.4%, range of motion) and quality of life (+88.1%) at follow-up (from 4 weeks to 5 months), whereas PT-TENS resulted in no significant changes in these parameters. Study Two demonstrated similar advantages of NT over PT-TENS and the generalisability of NT. NT-like treatments in a randomised rat study showed a similar reduction in chronic hypersensitivity (−81%, p < 0.01) compared with sham treatments. NT substantially reduces chronic neck and shoulder pain, restores function and improves quality of life in a sustained manner.