bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparative study of an X‐ray tomography reconstruction algorithm in accelerated and cloud computing systems
Authors: Serrano Estefania , Blas Javier Garcia , Carretero Jesus
Published: August 2015

With the increase of resolution in medical image scanners and the need of faster reconstruction methods, new ways of exploiting the inherent parallelism of reconstruction algorithms have arisen. In this paper, we present Mangoose++, an application to perform X‐ray computed tomography that supports multiple grades of parallelism. This parallelism is tackled with two different approaches: the usage of parallel nodes with multicore CPUs in a cloud environment and the usage of high‐performance computing (HPC)‐based parallel architectures such as general‐purpose computing on graphics processing unit (GPGPU) or Intel Xeon Phi. In this paper, we show the design and implementation of the application in three types of platforms related to the previous mentioned approaches, comparing and analyzing the performance, resource utilization, and scalability of each platform. Accelerators offer high performance for data sizes that fit inside the accelerator memory. This is the main advantage of Intel Xeon Phi that, in this work, obtains similar performance results than compute unified device architecture (CUDA)‐based GPGPU versions, comparing with cards with less memory capacity. In our evaluation experiments, we additionally analyze and discuss the costs and efficiency of Mangoose++ over Amazon Compute Cloud platform, demonstrating that lower times can be achieved in a reasonable price compared with owned HPC‐based hardware. A comparison between distinct hardware configurations is provided for emphasizing on the advantages and disadvantages of each one. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
One‐Dimensional Self‐Standing TiO2 Nanotube Array Layers Designed for Perovskite Solar Cell Applications
Authors: Zhang Jie , Pauporté Thierry
Published: August 2015

Nanotube (NT) layers of TiO2 are important one‐dimensional nanostructures for advanced applications. ZnO nanowire arrays prepared through electrochemical deposition with tuned morphological properties are converted into anatase TiO2 NTs by using a titanate solution adjusted to an ad hoc pH. The tubes are polycrystalline and their diameter and length can be tuned to obtain nanostructures of tailored dimensions. The layers are integrated in CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Their morphology is optimized for maximum performance and is compared to mesoscopic TiO2 PSCs. As compared to the latter, the use of NTs improved the perovskite absorbance in the green‐to‐near‐infrared solar spectral region. Moreover, it is shown that the surface treatment of the TiO2 NTs with TiCl4 optimizes the interface between the oxide and CH3NH3PbI3, which leads to better charge injection between the perovskite layer and the TiO2 NTs. The current density–voltage curve hysteresis index is low for the best NT morphology and significantly increases with tube length and diameter.
FloReMi: Flow density survival regression using minimal feature redundancy
Authors: Van Gassen Sofie , Vens Celine , Dhaene Tom , Lambrecht Bart N. , Saeys Yvan
Published: August 2015

Advances in flow cytometry bioinformatics have resulted in a wide variety of clustering, classification and visualization techniques. To objectively evaluate the performance of such methods, common benchmarks such as the FlowCAP initiative have proven to be of great value. In this work, we report on a novel method, FloReMi, which was developed to tackle the most recent FlowCAP IV challenge. This challenge was formulated as a survival modeling problem, where participants were expected to design a model to predict the time until progression to AIDS for HIV patients. It is known that variability in progression rate cannot be fully predicted by simple CD4+ T cell counts. However, it is hypothesized that the immunopathogenesis established early in HIV already indicates the course of future disease. Adequately estimating the progression rate of HIV patients is crucial in their treatment. Using an automated pipeline to preprocess the data, and subsequently identify and select informative cell subsets, a survival regression method based on random survival forests was built, which obtained the best results of all submitted approaches to the FlowCAP IV challenge. © 2015 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Experimental evidence that wildflower strips increase pollinator visits to crops
Authors: Feltham Hannah , Park Kirsty , Minderman Jeroen , Goulson Dave
Published: August 2015

Wild bees provide a free and potentially diverse ecosystem service to farmers growing pollination‐dependent crops. While many crops benefit from insect pollination, soft fruit crops, including strawberries are highly dependent on this ecosystem service to produce viable fruit. However, as a result of intensive farming practices and declining pollinator populations, farmers are increasingly turning to commercially reared bees to ensure that crops are adequately pollinated throughout the season. Wildflower strips are a commonly used measure aimed at the conservation of wild pollinators. It has been suggested that commercial crops may also benefit from the presence of noncrop flowers; however, the efficacy and economic benefits of sowing flower strips for crops remain relatively unstudied. In a study system that utilizes both wild and commercial pollinators, we test whether wildflower strips increase the number of visits to adjacent commercial strawberry crops by pollinating insects. We quantified this by experimentally sowing wildflower strips approximately 20 meters away from the crop and recording the number of pollinator visits to crops with, and without, flower strips. Between June and August 2013, we walked 292 crop transects at six farms in Scotland, recording a total of 2826 pollinators. On average, the frequency of pollinator visits was 25% higher for crops with adjacent flower strips compared to those without, with a combination of wild and commercial bumblebees (Bombus spp.) accounting for 67% of all pollinators observed. This effect was independent of other confounding effects, such as the number of flowers on the crop, date, and temperature. Synthesis and applications. This study provides evidence that soft fruit farmers can increase the number of pollinators that visit their crops by sowing inexpensive flower seed mixes nearby. By investing in this management option, farmers have the potential to increase and sustain pollinator populations over time.
Fused Selenazolinium Salt Derivatives with a Se–N+ Bond: Preparation and Properties
Authors: Arsenyan Pavel , Vasiljeva Jelena , Belyakov Sergey , Liepinsh Edvards , Petrova Marina
Published: August 2015

Convenient methods for the preparation of stable, fused selenazolinium salt systems with a Se–N+ bond have been developed. The mechanism for the formation of the selenazole cycle was investigated in detail by conducting multinuclear NMR experiments. The ability of these compounds to form stable inner salts was demonstrated. We have shown the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) like properties of selenazolopyridinium salts by oxidizing sulfur‐containing natural amino acids, as well as aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes. The molecular structures of most of the compounds were confirmed by X‐ray diffraction studies.
Total and methylmercury partitioning between colloids and true solution: From case studies in sediment overlying and porewaters to a generalized model
Authors: Guédron Stéphane , Devin Simon , Vignati Davide A.L.
Published: August 2015

Tangential flow ultrafiltration was used to determine the partitioning of total mercury (THg) and monomethylmercury (MMHg) between colloids and true solution in sediment overlying and porewaters collected in Lake Geneva (Switzerland and France), Venice Lagoon (Italy), and Baihua Reservoir (China). Overlying water and porewater spanned different ranges of THg and MMHg concentrations, redox conditions, and salinity. Total Hg, MMHg, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations were measured in filter-passing (<0.45 μm), colloidal (3 kDa–0.45 μm), and truly dissolved (<3 kDa) fractions. The percentages of filterable Hg and MMHg associated with colloids (arithmetic means ±1 standard deviation [SD]) were 29 ± 11% for THg (range, 4–60%) and 44 ± 17% for MMHg (range, 15–65%). Ultrafiltration DOC mass balances were often not satisfactory. However, this was apparently without consequences on THg/MMHg fractionation, suggesting that only a part of total DOC controlled THg/MMHg partitioning in overlying water and porewater. Linear relationships existed between filter passing and truly dissolved concentrations of THg and MMHg, suggesting that mechanisms controlling their partitioning are, at least partly, similar across aquatic systems. These linear relationships could be extended to data from published studies and ultrafilterable concentrations often could be predicted, within a factor of 2, from the measurement of filter-passing ones. The possibility to easily model THg/MMHg partitioning across aquatic systems will facilitate its consideration in general biogeochemical THg/MMHg models. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:330–339. © 2015 SETAC
Estimation of the temperature profiles of reinforced concrete cross sections exposed to standard fires by using artificial neural networks with different topologies
Authors: Albayrak Selahattin , Burnaz Oğuz
Published: August 2015

The thermal analysis in structural members can be extremely complex, especially for materials that retain moisture and have a low thermal conductivity. The simplest method of defining the temperature profile through the cross section is to use test data presented in tables or charts, which are published in codes or design guides. These tabulated data are generally based on standard fire conditions. Annex A of TS‐EN1992‐1‐2 provides a series of calculated temperature profiles for concrete slabs or walls, beams, and columns. But these profiles are given for specific cross‐section dimensions and standard fire resistance durations. The main purpose of this study is to estimate the temperature profiles of reinforced concrete beam and column cross sections by using artificial neural networks (ANN) with different topologies. When modeling ANN, it is benefited from multi‐layer ANN, which uses supervised learning rule. During training and testing stage of ANN, the results obtained from the aforementioned temperature profiles are used. The temperatures values were read from the temperature profile charts according to standard fire durations, cross‐sections height and widths, and x and y coordinates of the points by the reference point. By testing ANN with different topologies in conclusions, its usability, advantages, and disadvantages are evaluated. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Forecasting Inflation Rates Using Daily Data: A Nonparametric MIDAS Approach
Authors: Breitung JÖrg , Roling Christoph
Published: August 2015

In this paper a nonparametric approach for estimating mixed‐frequency forecast equations is proposed. In contrast to the popular MIDAS approach that employs an (exponential) Almon or Beta lag distribution, we adopt a penalized least‐squares estimator that imposes some degree of smoothness to the lag distribution. This estimator is related to nonparametric estimation procedures based on cubic splines and resembles the popular Hodrick–Prescott filtering technique for estimating a smooth trend function. Monte Carlo experiments suggest that the nonparametric estimator may provide more reliable and flexible approximations to the actual lag distribution than the conventional parametric MIDAS approach based on exponential lag polynomials. Parametric and nonparametric methods are applied to assess the predictive power of various daily indicators for forecasting monthly inflation rates. It turns out that the commodity price index is a useful predictor for inflations rates 20–30 days ahead with a hump‐shaped lag distribution. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physician Payment Contracts in the Presence of Moral Hazard and Adverse Selection: The Theory and Its Application in Ontario
Authors: Kantarevic Jasmin , Kralj Boris
Published: August 2015

We develop a stylized principal–agent model with moral hazard and adverse selection to provide a unified framework for understanding some of the most salient features of the recent physician payment reform in Ontario and its impact on physician behavior. These features include the following: (i) physicians can choose a payment contract from a menu that includes an enhanced fee‐for‐service contract and a blended capitation contract; (ii) the capitation rate is higher, and the cost‐reimbursement rate is lower in the blended capitation contract; (iii) physicians sort selectively into the contracts based on their preferences; and (iv) physicians in the blended capitation model provide fewer services than physicians in the enhanced fee‐for‐service model. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of the integration of human papillomaviruses in head and neck tumours in relation to patients' prognosis
Authors: Vojtechova Zuzana , Sabol Ivan , Salakova Martina , Turek Lubomir , Grega Marek , Smahelova Jana , Vencalek Ondrej , Lukesova Eva , Klozar Jan , Tachezy Ruth
Published: August 2015

Integration, which leads to the disruption of the circular HPV genome, is considered as a critical, albeit not obligatory, step in carcinogenic progression. Although cervical carcinomas with extrachromosomal HPV plasmid genomes have been described, the virus is integrated in 70% of HPV16‐positive cervical tumours. Limited information is available about HPV integration in head and neck tumours (HNC). In this study, we have characterised the physical status of HPV in a set of tonsillar tumour samples using different methods—the mapping of E2 integration breakpoint at the mRNA level, the 3’ RACE based Amplification of Papillomavirus Oncogene Transcripts (APOT) assay and Southern blot. Furthermore, the impact of HPV integration on patients' prognosis has been evaluated in a larger set of 186 patients with head and neck cancer. Based on the analysis of E2 mRNA, HPV was integrated in the host genome in 43% of the HPV‐positive samples. Extrachromosomal or mixed form was present in 57%. In fresh frozen samples, the APOT and E2 mapping results were in agreement. The results were confirmed using Southern blotting. Furthermore, the type and exact site of integration were determined. The survival analysis of 186 patients revealed HPV positivity, tumour size and lymph node positivity as factors that influence disease specific survival. However, no statistically significant difference was found in disease specific survival between patients with HPV‐positive integrated vs. extrachromosomal/mixed forms of the virus.
Synergistic antitumor responses by combined GITR activation and sunitinib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Yu Nengwang , Fu Shuai , Xu Zhonghua , Liu Yi , Hao Junwen , Zhang Aimin , Wang Baocheng
Published: August 2015

Sunitinib, a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is the frontline therapy for renal and gastrointestinal cancers. In view of its well‐documented proapoptotic and immunoadjuvant properties, we speculate that combination of Sunitinib and immunotherapy would provide a synergistic antitumor effect. Here, we report that a remarkably synergistic antitumor responses elicited by the combined treatment of Sunitinib and an agonistic antibody against glucocorticoid‐induced TNFR related protein (GITR) in a model of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Sunitinib significantly increased the infiltration, activation, and proliferation and/or cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells and NK cells in liver metastatic foci when combined with the anti (α)‐GITR agonist, which was associated with treatment‐induced prominent upregulation of Th1‐biased immune genes in the livers from mice receiving combined therapy versus single treatment. Sunitinib/α‐GITR treatment also markedly promoted the maturation, activation and cytokine production of liver‐resident macrophages and DCs compared with that achieved by α‐GITR or Sunitinib treatment alone in mice. Cell depletion experiments demonstrated that CD8+ T cells, NK cells and macrophage infiltrating liver metastatic foci all contribute to the antitumor effect induced by combined treatment. Furthermore, mechanistic investigation revealed that Sunitinib treatment reprograms tumor‐associated macrophages toward classically activated or “M1” polarization upon GITR stimulation and consequently mounts an antitumor CD8+ T and NK cell response via inhibiting STAT3 activity. Thus, our findings provide a proof of concept that Sunitinib can synergize with α‐GITR treatment to remodel the tumor immune microenvironment to trigger regressions of an established metastatic cancer.
Ending Over‐lending: Assessing Systemic Risk with Debt to Cash Flow
Authors: Ramsay Bruce A. , Sarlin Peter
Published: August 2015

This paper introduces the ratio of debt to cash flow (D/CF) of nations and their economic sectors to macroprudential analysis, particularly as an indicator of systemic risk and vulnerabilities. While leverage is oftentimes linked to the vulnerability of a nation, the stock of total debt and the flow of gross savings is a less explored measure. Cash flows certainly have a well‐known connection to corporations' ability to service debt. This paper investigates whether the D/CF provides a means for understanding systemic risks. For a panel of 33 nations, we explore historic D/CF trends and apply the same procedure to economic sectors. In terms of an early‐warning indicator, we show that the D/CF ratio provides a useful additional measure of vulnerability to systemic banking and sovereign crises, relative to more conventional indicators. As a conceptual framework, the assessment of financial stability is arranged for presentation within four vulnerability zones and exemplified with a number of illustrative case studies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Realistic sampling of amino acid geometries for a multipolar polarizable force field
Authors: Hughes Timothy J. , Cardamone Salvatore , Popelier Paul L. A.
Published: August 2015

The Quantum Chemical Topological Force Field (QCTFF) uses the machine learning method kriging to map atomic multipole moments to the coordinates of all atoms in the molecular system. It is important that kriging operates on relevant and realistic training sets of molecular geometries. Therefore, we sampled single amino acid geometries directly from protein crystal structures stored in the Protein Databank (PDB). This sampling enhances the conformational realism (in terms of dihedral angles) of the training geometries. However, these geometries can be fraught with inaccurate bond lengths and valence angles due to artefacts of the refinement process of the X‐ray diffraction patterns, combined with experimentally invisible hydrogen atoms. This is why we developed a hybrid PDB/nonstationary normal modes (NM) sampling approach called PDB/NM. This method is superior over standard NM sampling, which captures only geometries optimized from the stationary points of single amino acids in the gas phase. Indeed, PDB/NM combines the sampling of relevant dihedral angles with chemically correct local geometries. Geometries sampled using PDB/NM were used to build kriging models for alanine and lysine, and their prediction accuracy was compared to models built from geometries sampled from three other sampling approaches. Bond length variation, as opposed to variation in dihedral angles, puts pressure on prediction accuracy, potentially lowering it. Hence, the larger coverage of dihedral angles of the PDB/NM method does not deteriorate the predictive accuracy of kriging models, compared to the NM sampling around local energetic minima used so far in the development of QCTFF. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Computational Chemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A thorough QTc study demonstrates that olmesartan medoxomil does not prolong the QTc interval
Authors: Mendell Jeanne , Matsushima Nobuko , O'Reilly Terry E. , Lee James
Published: August 2015

Two studies (ROADMAP and ORIENT) evaluating the renoprotective effects of olmesartan medoxomil (OM) in patients with type 2 diabetes suggested OM is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. We conducted a thorough QTc study to evaluate the effects of OM on cardiac repolarization. A randomized, double‐blind, phase 1 study was conducted per E14 Guidance to assess the effects of single doses of OM therapeutic dose (40 mg), OM supratherapeutic dose (160 mg), placebo, or moxifloxacin (MOXI; 400 mg) on QTc in 56 healthy subjects. The primary endpoint was the baseline‐adjusted, placebo‐corrected QTc interval using Fridericia's formula (ΔΔQTcF) for OM and MOXI. Assay sensitivity was concluded if lower limit of 1‐sided 95%CI > 5 milliseconds of ΔΔQTcF for MOXI. No threshold pharmacologic effect for OM was concluded if upper limit of 1‐sided 95%CI <10 milliseconds for ΔΔQTcF at any timepoint. Pharmacokinetics, ECGs, and safety were assessed. Assay sensitivity was demonstrated. The largest upper limit of the 1‐sided 95%CI for ΔΔQTcF was <5 milliseconds for OM. No clinically significant changes were observed in ECGs. Pharmacokinetics and safety profile were consistent with previous data. Therapeutic and supratherapeutic OM doses had no clinically significant effect on cardiac repolarization and were well tolerated.
Large ‐ or ‐Minors in 3‐Connected Graphs
Authors: Ding Guoli , Dziobiak Stan , Wu Haidong
Published: August 2015

There are numerous results bounding the circumference of certain 3‐connected graphs. There is no good bound on the size of the largest bond (cocircuit) of a 3‐connected graph, however. Oporowski, Oxley, and Thomas (J Combin Theory Ser B 57 (1993), 2, 239–257) proved the following result in 1993. For every positive integer k, there is an integer such that every 3‐connected graph with at least n vertices contains a ‐ or ‐minor. This result implies that the size of the largest bond in a 3‐connected graph grows with the order of the graph. Oporowski et al. obtained a huge function iteratively. In this article, we first improve the above authors' result and provide a significantly smaller and simpler function . We then use the result to obtain a lower bound for the largest bond of a 3‐connected graph by showing that any 3‐connected graph on n vertices has a bond of size at least . In addition, we show the following: Let G be a 3‐connected planar or cubic graph on n vertices. Then for any , G has a ‐minor with , and thus a bond of size at least .
Tax secretion from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and tax detection in plasma of patients with human T‐lymphotropic virus‐type 1‐associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis and asymptomatic carriers
Authors: Medina Fernando , Quintremil Sebastián , Alberti Carolina , Godoy Fabián , Pando María E. , Bustamante Andrés , Barriga Andrés , Cartier Luis , Puente Javier , Tanaka Yuetsu , Valenzuela María A. , Ramírez Eugenio
Published: August 2015

Human T‐lymphotropic virus‐type 1 (HTLV‐1) is the etiologic agent of the neurologic disease HTLV‐1‐associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Tax viral protein plays a critical role in viral pathogenesis. Previous studies suggested that extracellular Tax might involve cytokine‐like extracellular effects. We evaluated Tax secretion in 18 h‐ex vivo peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) cultures from 15 HAM/TSP patients and 15 asymptomatic carriers. Futhermore, Tax plasma level was evaluated from other 12 HAM/TSP patients and 10 asymptomatic carriers. Proviral load and mRNA encoding Tax were quantified by PCR and real‐time RT‐PCR, respectively. Intracellular Tax in CD4(+)CD25(+) cells occurred in 100% and 86.7% of HAM/TSP patients and asymptomatic carriers, respectively. Percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+) Tax+, proviral load and mRNA encoding Tax were significantly higher in HAM/TSP patients. Western blot analyses showed higher secretion levels of ubiquitinated Tax in HAM/TSP patients than in asymptomatic carriers. In HTLV‐1‐infected subjects, Western blot of plasma Tax showed higher levels in HAM/TSP patients than in asymptomatic carriers, whereas no Tax was found in non‐infected subjects. Immunoprecipitated plasma Tax resolved on SDS–PAGE gave two major bands of 57 and 48 kDa allowing identification of Tax and Ubiquitin peptides by mass spectrometry. Relative percentage of either CD4(+)CD25(+) Tax+ cells, or Tax protein released from PBMCs, or plasma Tax, correlates neither with tax mRNA nor with proviral load. This fact could be explained by a complex regulation of Tax expression. Tax secreted from PBMCs or present in plasma could potentially become a biomarker to distinguish between HAM/TSP patients and asymptomatic carriers. J. Med. Virol. 88:521–531, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Social identity and applicant attraction: Exploring the role of multiple levels of self
Authors: Banks George C. , Kepes Sven , Joshi Mahendra , Seers Anson
Published: August 2015

Applicant attraction is a critical objective of recruitment. Common predictor variables of applicant attraction are limited in that they do not provide a comprehensive understanding of the process that shapes the perceptions and beliefs of job applicants about the firms for which they aspire to work for. Because individuals have the inherent desire to expand and enhance their social identities (e.g., personal, relational, and collective identities), they are likely to be attracted to organizations that allow them to do so. Building on recent work on levels of self, our paper suggests that social identities mediate the relation between currently established predictor variables of applicant attraction (e.g., compensation, type of work, and organizational image) and important applicant attraction outcomes. Common predictor variables of applicant attraction can lead to the activation, evaluation, and identification processes described by social identity theory. A theoretical framework is presented that illustrates the mediating influence of social identity on the relations between common predictor variables and applicant attraction outcomes. This framework may lead to more effective recruitment strategies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Open‐MRI measures of cam intrusion for hips in an anterior impingement position relate to acetabular contact force
Authors: Buchan Lawrence L. , Zhang Honglin , Konan Sujith , Heaslip Ingrid , Ratzlaff Charles R. , Wilson David R.
Published: August 2015

Open MRI in functional positions has potential to directly and non‐invasively assess cam femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Our objective was to investigate whether open MRI can depict intrusion of the cam deformity into the intra‐articular joint space, and whether intrusion is associated with elevated acetabular contact force. Cadaver hips (9 cam; 3 controls) were positioned in an anterior impingement posture and imaged using open MRI with multi‐planar reformatting. The β‐angle (describing clearance between the femoral neck and acetabulum) was measured around the entire circumference of the femoral neck. We defined a binary “MRI cam‐intrusion sign” (positive if β < 0°). We then instrumented each hip with a piezoresistive sensor and conducted six repeated positioning trials, measuring acetabular contact force (F). We defined a binary “contact‐force sign” (positive if F > 20N). Cam hips were more likely than controls to have both a positive MRI cam‐intrusion sign (p = 0.0182, Fisher's exact test) and positive contact‐force sign (p = 0.0083), which represents direct experimental evidence for cam intrusion. There was also a relationship between the MRI cam‐intrusion sign and contact‐force sign (p = 0.033), representing a link between imaging and mechanics. Our findings indicate that open MRI has significant potential for in vivo investigation of the cam FAI mechanism. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:205–216, 2016.
Selection of vegetation types and density of bison in an arid ecosystem
Authors: Schoenecker Kathryn A. , Nielsen Scott E. , Zeigenfuss Linda C. , Pague Chris A.
Published: August 2015

Understanding species habitat selection and factors that drive selection are key components for conservation. We report the first resource selection functions (RSFs) for bison inhabiting an arid ecosystem and use them with density estimates of bison to estimate the number of bison that could be supported if the bison range were expanded to federal lands in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. We derived RSFs for vegetation types using locations of plains bison collected weekly over 3 years from 2005 to 2007. Bison selected for wet or mesic grassland habitats in all seasons. Wetland selection by bison was predicted to be 18 times greater than that of rabbitbrush vegetation, the reference category, and selection of meadows was predicted to be 11 times greater than that of the rabbitbrush type. Willow‐dominated plant communities were strongly avoided. Cottonwood communities were also avoided, with the exception of some moderate levels of selection in fall. The willow and cottonwood communities have an understory with low biomass of herbaceous species and low productivity in this arid system. Based on the RSFs we predicted that in the San Luis Valley of Colorado up to 2,379 bison could be supported in similar habitats under Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) jurisdiction, and up to 759 bison could be supported on adjacent National Park Service (NPS) land. This modeling framework provides a conservation tool for the restoration of bison to their historical habitats, and has utility for application to other terrestrial species where assumptions are met. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Recovery of Mediterranean Vegetation after Recurrent Forest Fires: Insight from the 2010 Forest Fire on Mount Carmel, Israel
Authors: Tessler Naama , Sapir Yuval , Wittenberg Lea , Greenbaum Noam
Published: August 2015

The December 2010 forest fire on Mount Carmel – the largest recorded in Israel – burned about 2500 ha of Mediterranean forest. We documented the immediate and short‐term changes of the vegetation following this fire. Relative vegetation cover and plant species richness were sampled in five sites in spring 2009 and 2010, prior to the fire, and were re‐sampled in 2011 and 2012. The number of recurrent fires (between 0 and 3) and time intervals between fires were documented for each site. We observed a strong decrease in total vegetation cover, associated with reduction of relative cover of woody vegetation. In the second year after the fire, shrubs and dwarf shrubs became dominant at all sites. Time intervals between fires played an important role in determining the extent of regeneration of the vegetation cover and plant species richness. Plant species richness immediately decreased after the fire in sites with a short fire interval, while in sites with a long fire interval, plant species richness increased. Relative plant cover was associated with the time from the last previous fire, and this association differed among different plant groups. These results suggest that vegetation and plant community regeneration after recurrent fires is accelerated when time intervals between fires are longer, whereas high fire frequency may suppress vegetation regeneration. Based on the results, we propose that forest regeneration after recurrent fires depends largely on time from the previous fire, rather than on the number of previous fires. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
IscR of Rhodobacter sphaeroides functions as repressor of genes for iron‐sulfur metabolism and represents a new type of iron‐sulfur‐binding protein
Authors: Remes Bernhard , Eisenhardt Benjamin D. , Srinivasan Vasundara , Klug Gabriele
Published: August 2015

IscR proteins are known as transcriptional regulators for Fe–S biogenesis. In the facultatively phototrophic bacterium, Rhodobacter sphaeroides IscR is the product of the first gene in the isc‐suf operon. A major role of IscR in R. sphaeroides iron‐dependent regulation was suggested in a bioinformatic study (Rodionov et al., PLoS Comput Biol 2:e163, 2006), which predicted a binding site in the upstream regions of several iron uptake genes, named Iron‐Rhodo‐box. Most known IscR proteins have Fe–S clusters featuring (Cys)3(His)1 ligation. However, IscR proteins from Rhodobacteraceae harbor only a single‐Cys residue and it was considered unlikely that they can ligate an Fe–S cluster. In this study, the role of R. sphaeroides IscR as transcriptional regulator and sensor of the Fe–S cluster status of the cell was analyzed. A mutant lacking IscR is more impaired in growth under iron limitation than the wild‐type and exhibits significantly increased ROS levels in iron‐replete and iron‐deplete conditions. Expression studies reveal that R. sphaeroides IscR in its cluster‐bound form functions as transcriptional repressor of genes involved in iron metabolism by direct binding to the promoter region of genes preceded by the motif. A total of 110 genes are directly or indirectly affected by IscR. Furthermore, IscR possesses a unique Fe–S cluster ligation scheme with only a single cysteine involved.
Reconstructing facial contour deformities using stereoscopic thoracodorsal artery perforator adipofascial flaps
Authors: Kim Eun‐Ji , Lee Kyeong‐Tae , Lim So‐Young , Pyon Jai‐Kyung , Bang Sa‐Ik , Oh Kap Sung , Mun Goo‐Hyun
Published: August 2015

Purpose

Correcting facial contour deformities is a challenge, as it demands thoughtful planning on design, composition of flap, and secondary procedures. The thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap has become a workhorse flap for various reconstructions. In this report, we present our experience of reconstructing facial contour deformities using the free TDAP adipofascial flap, focusing on its customized design.

Patients and Method

Sixteen patients underwent correction of a facial contour deformity with free TDAP adipofascial flaps from 2002 to 2012. The causes of defects were Romberg disease (n = 7), oncological defects (n = 5), craniofacial microsomia (n = 3), and trauma (n = 1). The flaps were three‐dimensionally designed in a contour map fashion to have different thickness according to the defects by adjusting the height of adipose tissue and varying tissue composition. Customized dimension of flaps having reliable perfusion were harvested with minimized sacrifice of overlying skin.

Results

Flap size ranged from 6 × 3 cm to 25 × 25 cm. Six flaps were based on two perforators and the other 10 on one. Five flaps were harvested in a chimeric fashion. All flaps survived completely. No donor morbidity developed in any case. Seven patients underwent secondary corrections including fat injection or liposuction. Improved contour and symmetry were achieved in all patients and was confirmed by a photographic evaluation. Mean follow‐up period was 37.8months.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the stereoscopic TDAP adipofascial flaps with diligent secondary approaches may be a reliable alternative for aesthetic reconstruction of facial contour deformities. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:300–306, 2017.
Trajectory optimization based on the signal‐to‐noise ratio for spatial encoding with nonlinear encoding fields
Authors: Layton Kelvin J. , Kroboth Stefan , Jia Feng , Littin Sebastian , Yu Huijun , Zaitsev Maxim
Published: August 2015

Purpose

Multiple nonlinear gradient fields offer many potential benefits for spatial encoding including reduced acquisition time, fewer artefacts and region‐specific imaging, although designing a suitable trajectory for such a setup is difficult. This work aims to optimize encoding trajectories for multiple nonlinear gradient fields based on the image signal‐to‐noise ratio.

Theory and Methods

Image signal‐to‐noise ratio is directly linked to the covariance of the reconstructed pixels, which can be calculated recursively for each projection of the trajectory under a Bayesian formulation. An evolutionary algorithm is used to find the higher‐dimensional projections that minimize the pixel covariance, incorporating receive coil profiles, intravoxel dephasing, and reconstruction regularization. The resulting trajectories are tested through simulations and experiments.

Results

The optimized trajectories produce images with higher resolution and fewer artefacts compared with traditional approaches, particularly for high undersampling. However, higher‐dimensional projection experiments strongly depend on accurate hardware and calibration.

Conclusion

Computer‐based optimization provides an efficient means to explore the large trajectory space created by the use of multiple nonlinear encoding fields. The optimization framework, as presented here, is necessary to fully exploit the advantages of nonlinear fields. Magn Reson Med 76:104–117, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A multilevel tabu search algorithm for balanced partitioning of unstructured grids
Authors: Mehrdoost Zahra , Bahrainian Seyed Saied
Published: August 2015

This paper presents a multilevel algorithm for balanced partitioning of unstructured grids. The grid is partitioned such that the number of interface elements is minimized and each partition contains an equal number of grid elements. The partition refinement of the proposed multilevel algorithm is based on iterative tabu search procedure. In iterative partition refinement algorithms, tie‐breaking in selection of maximum gain vertices affects the performance considerably. A new tie‐breaking strategy in the iterative tabu search algorithm is proposed that leads to improved partitioning quality. Numerical experiments are carried out on various unstructured grids in order to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm. The partition results are compared with those produced by the well‐known partitioning package Metis and k‐means clustering algorithm and shown to be superior in terms of edge cut, partition balance, and partition connectivity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of caffeine and albuterol on body composition and metabolic rate
Authors: Liu Ann G. , Arceneaux Kenneth P. , Chu Jessica T. , Jacob Gregory , Schreiber Allyson L. , Tipton Russell C. , Yu Ying , Johnson William D. , Greenway Frank L. , Primeaux Stefany D.
Published: August 2015

Objective

Caffeine and ephedrine was an effective combination therapy for weight loss until ephedrine was removed from the market due to safety concerns. This study investigated the combination of caffeine and albuterol as a possibly safer alternative to ephedrine.

Methods

In a series of experiments using cultured adipocytes, rat models, and humans, the effects of caffeine and albuterol on lipolysis, metabolic rate, food intake, and body composition were evaluated.

Results

Both caffeine and albuterol enhanced lipolysis in cultured adipocytes. Acute treatment of humans with caffeine and/or albuterol increased resting metabolic rate. Longer‐term studies of rats revealed a trend for increased metabolic rate with albuterol treatment. There was increased lean mass gain concurrent with decreased fat mass gain with caffeine/albuterol treatment that was greater than albuterol treatment alone.

Conclusions

In rats, albuterol with caffeine produced significantly greater increases in lean body mass and reductions in fat mass without changes in food intake after 4‐8 weeks of treatment. Since caffeine and albuterol are approved for the treatment of asthma in children and adolescents at the doses tested and change body composition without changing food intake, this combination may deserve further exploration for use in treating pediatric obesity.
Assessment of liver fat content using quantitative ultrasonography to evaluate risks for metabolic diseases
Authors: Xia Ming‐Feng , Bian Hua , Yan Hong‐Mei , Lin Huan‐Dong , Chang Xin‐Xia , Li Xiao‐Ming , Ma Hui , He Wan‐Yuan , Zhao Nai‐Qing , Xia Pu , Gao Xin
Published: August 2015

Objective

The ultrasound quantitative method for liver fat content (LFC) is a recent established method for non‐invasive assessment of liver steatosis. Its use in clinical practice is further explored by investigating the quantitative relationships between LFC measured by quantitative ultrasonography and metabolic diseases in a middle‐aged and elderly Chinese population.

Methods

Liver fat content was measured by the quantitative ultrasound method in 4,916 participants from the Shanghai Changfeng Community Study. The anthropometric and serum biochemical parameters related to glucose and lipid metabolism were detected for each participant. The carotid artery intima‐media thickness (CIMT) was measured by ultrasonography.

Results

The LFC displayed a non‐Gaussian and positively skewed distribution in the community population and was significantly correlated with body weight, serum glucose, lipid profile, and CIMT. The 95th percentile of LFC in the subgroup of participants without any metabolic disease was 10.8%, and a LFC ≥ 10% was correlated with remarkable increases in the risks for glucose and lipid metabolic diseases.

Conclusions

The quantitative ultrasound method that was developed for measuring LFC was useful in a population study. A LFC ≥ 10% might help to identify the subjects with an increased risk for metabolic diseases.
A high‐protein breakfast prevents body fat gain, through reductions in daily intake and hunger, in “Breakfast skipping” adolescents
Authors: Leidy Heather J. , Hoertel Heather A. , Douglas Steve M. , Higgins Kelly A. , Shafer Rebecca S.
Published: August 2015

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the daily consumption of normal‐protein (NP) vs. high‐protein (HP) breakfast meals improves appetite control, food intake, and body composition in “breakfast skipping” young people with overweight/obesity.

Methods

Fifty‐seven adolescents (age: 19 ± 1 years; BMI: 29.7 ± 4.6 kg m−2) completed a 12‐week randomized controlled trial in which the adolescents consumed either a 1,464 kJ NP breakfast (13 g protein) or a HP breakfast (35 g protein) or continued to skip breakfast (CON). Pre‐ and post‐study appetite, food intake, body weight, and body composition were assessed.

Results

Time‐by‐group interactions (P < 0.05) were detected for body fat mass, daily intake, and perceived hunger. Specifically, HP prevented fat mass gains over the 12 weeks (−0.4 ± 0.5 kg) vs. CON (+1.6 ± 0.9 kg; P = 0.02), whereas NP did not (+0.3 ± 0.5 kg). HP led to reductions in daily intake (−1,724 ± 954 kJ) vs. CON (+1,556 ± 745 kJ; P = 0.03), whereas NP did not (+494 ± 213 kJ). Lastly, only the HP group experienced reductions in daily hunger vs. CON (P < 0.05). However, when directly comparing the HP vs. NP groups, no differences were detected in any outcomes.

Conclusions

The daily addition of a HP breakfast improved indices of weight management as illustrated by the prevention of body fat gain, voluntary reductions in daily intake, and reductions in daily hunger in breakfast skipping adolescents with overweight/obesity.
Levetiracetam Pharmacokinetics in a Patient Receiving Continuous Venovenous Hemofiltration and Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Nei Scott D. , Wittwer Erica D. , Kashani Kianoush B. , Frazee Erin N.
Published: August 2015

Levetiracetam is a first‐line therapy for seizures in critically ill patients because of its clinical efficacy, minimal drug interactions, and wide therapeutic window. The primary mechanism of levetiracetam clearance is renal, and the drug has a low molecular weight. It is hydrophilic and exhibits minimal protein binding. Thus it is expected that levetiracetam will be removed by continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH), with limited clearance by venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We describe the case of a 67‐year‐old man who was admitted to the cardiovascular surgery intensive care unit after cardiac arrest and initiation of venoarterial ECMO. His course was complicated by multiorgan dysfunction including acute renal failure requiring CVVH. On hospital day 6, intravenous levetiracetam, at a loading dose of 2000 mg followed by a maintenance dose of 1000 mg every 12 hours, was initiated for new‐onset seizures. The volume of distribution was 0.65 L/kg, and clearance was measured with peak (ranging from 26.5–39.8 μg/ml) and trough (ranging from 13.9–18.2 μg/ml) concentrations. Elimination half‐life ranged from 8.7–10.1 hours. Renal dysfunction reduces levetiracetam clearance, and dosage reductions are recommended to prevent accumulation. Current CVVH dosing recommendations are based on predicted removal without clinical data. The volume of distribution and clearance in this case were similar to those of a normal healthy patient. Based on these results, we recommend considering an initial levetiracetam dose of 1000 mg every 12 hours for patients receiving CVVH, with dosage adjustments based on therapeutic drug monitoring.
Theoretical studies on the single proton transfer process in adenine base
Authors: Li Huifang , Zhang Lisheng , Zhou Hui , Wang Yanfei , Fan Xiaolin
Published: August 2015

The effect of metal ions (Mn+ = Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Zn2+ and hydrated Mg2+ ions) and water molecules on the tautomerism of adenine induced by single intramolecular proton transfer (SPT) have been investigated theoretically. Calculated results show that the single proton transfer process in adenine base is favored and even becomes thermodynamically spontaneous because of the presence of Mn+ interacting at the N3 position of adenine. On the contrary, if Mn+ coordinated to N7 site, the single proton transfer process will become unfavorable than that in the neutral system. The effects of metal ions on the SPT of adenine base are more pronounced if Lewis acidity of metal ion is increased. Water plays a more important role than metal ions during the SPT process. It is found that water can act not only as a solvent but also as a mediator which gives and accepts protons to promote SPT, playing a bridge role. As a result, inclusion of a water molecule drastically reduces the energy barrier for the SPT. Moreover, two water molecules can yield larger assisting effect on the SPTs compared with one water molecule. We can conclude that the tautomerism of DNA adenine base can be modulated by the metal ions and water molecules. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of plasma power on the properties of low‐temperature silicon nitride deposited by RPALD for a gate spacer
Authors: Jang Woochool , Jeon Heeyoung , Song Hyoseok , Kim Honggi , Park Jingyu , Kim Hyunjung , Jeon Hyeongtag
Published: August 2015

We investigated the effects of NH3 plasma power on characteristics of low‐temperature silicon nitride thin films for application of a gate spacer. SiNx thin film was deposited on a Si(100) substrate by remote plasma atomic layer deposition (RPALD) using trisilylamine (TSA) as a Si precursor and NH3 gas as a reactant. NH3 remote plasma was analyzed with optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and it largely consisted of NH and H. As the plasma power increased, more NH and H radicals were generated and a proportion of NH radicals in the plasma increased, which resulted in the slight increase of the high‐N content and low‐H content in SiNx thin film. The low‐H content with nearly stoichiometric SiNx thin films improve etch rate properties. The densities of RPALD SiNx thin film were 2.7 g cm−3 and almost the same regardless of plasma power. RPALD SiNx thin films showed a low leakage current density of 10−7 A cm−2 at 2 MV cm−1 and a breakdown voltage of approximately 8 MV cm−1.