bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Otolaryngology‐specific emergency room as a model for resident training
Authors: Sethi Rosh K. V. , Kozin Elliott D. , Remenschneider Aaron K. , Lee Daniel J. , Gliklich Richard E. , Shrime Mark G. , Gray Stacey T.
Published: June 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

There is a paucity of data on junior resident training in common otolaryngology procedures such as ear debridement, nasal and laryngeal endoscopy, epistaxis management, and peritonsillar abscess drainage. These common procedures represent a critical aspect of training and are necessary skills in general otolaryngology practice. We sought to determine how a dedicated otolaryngology emergency room (ER) staffed by junior residents and a supervising attending provides exposure to common otolaryngologic procedures.

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Methods

Diagnostic and procedural data for all patients examined in the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary ER between January 2011 and September 2013 were evaluated.

Results

A total of 12,234 patients were evaluated. A total of 5,673 patients (46.4%) underwent a procedure. Each second‐year resident performed over 450 procedures, with the majority seen Monday through Friday (75%). The most common procedures in our study included diagnostic nasolaryngoscopy (52.0%), ear debridement (34.4%), and epistaxis control (7.0%)

Conclusions

An otolaryngology‐specific ER provides junior residents with significant diagnostic and procedural volume in a concentrated period of time. This study demonstrates utility of a unique surgical education model and provides insight into new avenues of investigation for otolaryngology training.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 125:99–104, 2015
Attainment of surgical competence in otolaryngology training
Authors: Chadwick Keith A. , Dodson Kelley M. , Wan Wen , Reiter Evan R.
Published: June 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

Our aim was to determine the postgraduate year (PGY) of residency at which residents achieve competence in key otolaryngologic procedures as perceived by residents and program directors (PDs), determine resident or programmatic factors affecting PGY at which residents perceive attainment of competence, and evaluate the relationship between resident and PD perceptions for attainment of competence in these procedures.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional survey.

Methods

We surveyed residents and PDs in US otolaryngology residencies in 2011 using SurveyMonkey.com and assessed subjective attainment of competence by residents for 32 otolaryngologic procedures. PGY at which subjective competence achieved per resident perception was determined using a logistic regression model; PD perception was determined by mean calculation.

Results

Two hundred seventy‐seven residents (19.45%) and 39 PDs (37.86%) completed surveys. Residents achieved subjective competence later than expected by PDs for 25 of 32 procedures, although differences were generally small. The largest disparities were observed for nonsurgical office‐based procedures, for which <90% of residents reported competence by PGY‐5, whereas PDs expected competence before PGY‐3. The greatest number of disparities was present in the subspecialty area of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Male gender predicted earlier self‐reported attainment of competence in 10 of 32 procedures (P < .05). Degrees held, fellowship plans, and the size of the program were not significant predictors of PGY at which residents reported competence for most procedures.

Conclusions

We provide baseline data on PGY at which residents and PDs feel competence is achieved in key otolaryngologic procedures. These results may guide milestone development for resident training and assessment.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 125:331–336, 2015
The Impact of Agriculture on Soil Texture Due to Wind Erosion
Authors: Colazo Juan Cruz , Buschiazzo Daniel
Published: June 2014

Wind erosion produces textural changes on topsoil of semiarid and arid environments; however, the selection of particles on different textured soils is unclear. Our objectives were to evaluate textural changes induced by wind erosion on cultivated soils of different granulometry and to asses if textural changes produced by wind erosion are linked to aggregation of granulometric particles into different sizes of aggregates formed in contrasting textured soils. Considering this, we studied the particle size distribution (PSD) with full dispersion (PSDF) of 14 cultivated (CULT) and uncultivated (UNCULT) paired soils and, on selected sites, the PSD with minimum dispersion (PSDMIN) and the quotient PSDMIN/F. Results showed that the content of silt plus clay was lower in CULT than in UNCULT in most of the sites. The highest removal of silt was produced in soils with low sand and high silt content; meanwhile, the highest removal of clay was observed in soils with medium sand content. According to PSDMIN, particles of 250–2,000 μm predominated in the sandy soil, in the loamy soil particles between 50 and 250 μm and in the silty loam soil particles between 2 and 50 μm. For clay sized particles, PSDMIN/F was lower than 1 in all soils and managements, but this quotient was higher in CULT compared with UNCULT only in the loamy soil. This means a decrease of clay accumulation in aggregates of larger sizes produced by agriculture, which indicates an increase in the risk of removal of these particles by wind in loamy soils. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stage of Cirrhosis Predicts the Risk of Liver-Related Death in Patients With Low Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Scores and Cirrhosis Awaiting Liver Transplantation
Authors: Wedd Joel , Bambha Kiran M. , Stotts Matt , Laskey Heather , Colmenero Jordi , Gralla Jane , Biggins Scott W.
Published: June 2014

The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score has reduced predictive ability in patients with cirrhosis and MELD scores ≤ 20. We aimed to assess whether a 5-stage clinical model could identify liver transplantation (LT) candidates with low MELD scores who are at increased risk for death. We conducted a case-control study of subjects with cirrhosis and MELD scores ≤ 20 who were awaiting LT at a single academic medical center between February 2002 and May 2011. Conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate the risk of liver-related death according to the cirrhosis stage. We identified 41 case subjects who died from liver-related causes with MELD scores ≤ 20 within 90 days of death while they were waiting for LT. The cases were matched with up to 3 controls (66 controls in all) on the basis of the listing year, age, sex, liver disease etiology, presence of hepatocellular carcinoma, and MELD score. The cirrhosis stage was assessed for all subjects: (1) no varices or ascites, (2) varices, (3) variceal bleeding, (4) ascites, and (5) ascites and variceal bleeding. The MELD scores were similar for cases and controls. Clinical states contributing to death in cases were: sepsis 49%, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis 15%, variceal bleeding 24%, and hepatorenal syndrome 22%. In a univariate analysis, variceal bleeding [odds ratio (OR) = 5.6, P = 0.003], albumin (OR = 0.5, P = 0.041), an increasing cirrhosis stage (P = 0.003), reaching cirrhosis stage 2, 3, or 4 versus lower stages (OR = 3.6, P = 0.048; OR = 7.4, P < 0.001; and OR = 4.1, P = 0.008), a sodium level < 135 mmol/L (OR = 3.4, P = 0.006), and hepatic encephalopathy (OR = 2.3, P = 0.082) were associated with liver-related death. In a multivariate model including the cirrhosis stage, albumin, sodium, and hepatic encephalopathy, an increasing cirrhosis stage (P = 0.010) was independently associated with liver-related death. In conclusion, assessing the cirrhosis stage in patients with low MELD scores awaiting LT may help to select candidates for more aggressive monitoring or for living or extended criteria donation. Liver Transpl 20:1193–1201, 2014. © 2014 AASLD.
Assessing Catalytic Activities Through Modeling Net Charges of Iron Complex Precatalysts
Authors: Yang Wenhong , Chen Yan , Sun Wen‐Hua
Published: June 2014

The potential activities for two series of iron complex precatalysts on ethylene reactivity are evaluated by the density functional theory (DFT)–charge equilibration (DFT–QEq) method on the basis of the molecular mechanics (MM–QEq) method. All three spin states on the central iron atom are calculated through the two charge methods to obtain the effective net charge, in addition to the QEq method alone. The results show that reasonable charge values are obtained by the QEq method, well reflecting the influence of substituents and revealing correlations between the activity and the effective net charge. All these series of iron complex precatalysts present the same tendency: the potential activities are elevated along with a decreasing effective net charge on the iron atom. Relying on the electronic influence of substituents on the ligands, the variation trends are grouped into two classes, which present the same correlation.

image
Living Polymerization by Bis(phenolate) Zirconium Catalysts: Synthesis of Isotactic Polystyrene‐block‐Polybutadiene Copolymers
Authors: Hohberger Christiane , Spaniol Thomas P. , Okuda Jun
Published: June 2014

A thermally robust zirconium catalyst containing a tetradentate bis(phenolate) ligand of the (OSSO)‐type polymerizes styrene and butadiene in living fashion. The activity follows the order Zr > Hf > Ti. Low polydispersities of the resulting isotactic poly­styrenes (PD < 1.10) can be achieved at room temperature, while butadiene is polymerized at temperatures as high as 90 °C to give predominantly trans‐1,4‐polymer. This allows efficient preparation of isotactic polystyrene‐block‐polybutadiene copolymers (iPS‐b‐PBD).

image
Multicomponent Reactions with a Convertible Isocyanide: Efficient and Versatile Grafting of ADMET‐Derived Polymers
Authors: Kreye Oliver , Trefzger Carsten , Sehlinger Ansgar , Meier Michael A. R.
Published: June 2014

The Ugi four‐component reaction (Ugi‐4CR) and the Passerini three‐component reaction (Passerini‐3CR) are applied for α,ω‐diene monomer synthesis using a convertible isocyanide. These monomers are polymerized using acyclic diene metathesis polymerization (ADMET), followed by hydrogenation of the double bonds and conversion of the isocyanide‐derived moieties to highly reactive indolyl amides under mild acidic conditions. Subsequently, several post‐polymerization modification reactions of these indolyl‐amide‐containing ADMET polymers are investigated using different nucleophiles. Under elimination of indole, side‐chain modifications to carboxylic acids, esters, secondary and tertiary amides, and thioesters are shown, leading to diversely substituted polymers exhibiting different properties. Moreover, multicomponent reactions are also used for further modifications. All the obtained polymers are carefully characterized by NMR, gel‐permeation chromatography (GPC), DSC, and IR measurements.

image
ROSics: Chemistry and proteomics of cysteine modifications in redox biology
Authors: Kim Hee‐Jung , Ha Sura , Lee Hee Yoon , Lee Kong‐Joo
Published: June 2014

Post‐translational modifications (PTMs) occurring in proteins determine their functions and regulations. Proteomic tools are available to identify PTMs and have proved invaluable to expanding the inventory of these tools of nature that hold the keys to biological processes. Cysteine (Cys), the least abundant (1–2%) of amino acid residues, are unique in that they play key roles in maintaining stability of protein structure, participating in active sites of enzymes, regulating protein function and binding to metals, among others. Cys residues are major targets of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are important mediators and modulators of various biological processes. It is therefore necessary to identify the Cys‐containing ROS target proteins, as well as the sites and species of their PTMs. Cutting edge proteomic tools which have helped identify the PTMs at reactive Cys residues, have also revealed that Cys residues are modified in numerous ways. These modifications include formation of disulfide, thiosulfinate and thiosulfonate, oxidation to sulfenic, sulfinic, sulfonic acids and thiosulfonic acid, transformation to dehydroalanine (DHA) and serine, palmitoylation and farnesylation, formation of chemical adducts with glutathione, 4‐hydroxynonenal and 15‐deoxy PGJ2, and various other chemicals. We present here, a review of relevant ROS biology, possible chemical reactions of Cys residues and details of the proteomic strategies employed for rapid, efficient and sensitive identification of diverse and novel PTMs involving reactive Cys residues of redox‐sensitive proteins. We propose a new name, “ROSics,” for the science which describes the principles of mode of action of ROS at molecular levels. © 2014 The Authors. Mass Spectrometry Reviews Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Rapid Commun. Mass Spec Rev 34:184–208, 2015.
Citrulline induces fatty acid release selectively in visceral adipose tissue from old rats
Authors: Joffin Nolwenn , Jaubert Anne‐Marie , Durant Sylvie , Bastin Jean , De Bandt Jean‐Pascal , Cynober Luc , Moinard Christophe , Forest Claude , Noirez Philippe
Published: June 2014

Scope

During aging, increased visceral adipose tissue (AT) mass may result in impaired metabolic status. A citrulline (CIT)‐supplemented diet reduces AT mass in old rats. We hypothesized that CIT could directly affect fatty acid (FA) metabolism in retroperitoneal AT.

Methods and results

A 24‐h exposure of AT explants from old (25 months) rats to 2.5 mM CIT induced a 50% rise in glycerol and FA release, which was not observed in explants from young (2 months) animals. The phosphorylated form of hormone‐sensitive lipase, a key lipolytic enzyme, was 1.5‐fold higher in CIT‐treated explants from old and young rats, whereas glyceroneogenesis, that provides glycerol‐3P requested for FA re‐esterification, and its key enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, were down‐regulated 40–70%. Specifically in young rats, beta‐oxidation capacity and gene expressions of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1‐b and very long chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase were strongly up‐regulated by CIT. In contrast, in old rats, while glyceroneogenesis was lower, beta‐oxidation was not affected, enabling increased FA release.

Conclusion

Hence, in visceral AT, CIT exerts a specific induction of the beta‐oxidation capacity in young rats and a selective stimulation of FA release in old rats, therefore providing a direct mechanism of CIT action to reduce AT mass.
The Millennium Cohort Family Study: a prospective evaluation of the health and well‐being of military service members and their families
Authors: Crum‐Cianflone Nancy F. , Fairbank John A. , Marmar Charlie R. , Schlenger William
Published: June 2014

The need to understand the impact of war on military families has never been greater than during the past decade, with more than three million military spouses and children affected by deployments to Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Understanding the impact of the recent conflicts on families is a national priority, however, most studies have examined spouses and children individually, rather than concurrently as families. The Department of Defense (DoD) has recently initiated the largest study of military families in US military history (the Millennium Cohort Family Study), which includes dyads of military service members and their spouses (n > 10,000). This study includes US military families across the globe with planned follow‐up for 21+ years to evaluate the impact of military experiences on families, including both during and after military service time. This review provides a comprehensive description of this landmark study including details on the research objectives, methodology, survey instrument, ancillary data sets, and analytic plans. The Millennium Cohort Family Study offers a unique opportunity to define the challenges that military families experience, and to advance the understanding of protective and vulnerability factors for designing training and treatment programs that will benefit military families today and into the future. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved mechanical and moisture resistance property of in situ polymerized transparent PMMA/Cellulose composites
Authors: Sain Sunanda , Ray Dipa , Mukhopadhyay Anirudhha
Published: June 2014

This article evaluates the role of cellulosic fillers in a synthetic polymer matrix like polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) when incorporated by in situ suspension polymerization technique. Cellulose micro/nanofibers (CNF) were extracted from jute fibers and chemically modified with maleic anhydride (MACNF) to increase their interfacial compatibility with PMMA by participation of the MA moiety in the free radical polymerization with MMA. The effect of incorporating MACNF on the physical and mechanical properties of the PMMA matrix was investigated. Optical transparency was retained in the in situ prepared PMMA/cellulose composites (IPMC) similar to that of unreinforced PMMA. Another set of PMMA/cellulose composites was prepared by dispersing MACNF in PMMA matrix by ex situ solution dispersion method (EPMC). The modification of CNF with MA significantly improved the filler/matrix interfacial compatibility and in situ polymerization technique further enhanced the properties of the composites. The high moisture absorption tendency, which is a major drawback of the cellulose filled composites, remarkably reduced in IPMC. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1748–1758, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
miR‐124 exhibits antiproliferative and antiaggressive effects on prostate cancer cells through PACE4 pathway
Authors: Kang Shaosan , Zhao Yansheng , Hu Kaimeng , Xu Chen , Wang Lei , Liu Jian , Yao Anliang , Zhang Hongmei , Cao Fenghong
Published: June 2014

INTRODUCTION

PACE4 plays an important role in prostate cancer (PCa) proliferation and aggression, which might provide a useful target against prostate cancer. In this study, we had strived to find some key miRNAs to decrease malignancy and invasiveness of PCa through regulating PACE4 expression.

METHODS

Clinically pathological analysis of immunohistochemistry/in situ hybridization was carried out to detect the relationship between PACE4 expression/miRNAs and the malignancy of prostate mass. Prostate cell lines (DU145, C4‐2, and BPH‐1) were cultured for growth curve, immunocytochemistry analysis, colony formation, Matrigel invasion, and transcriptional/translational expression assay of PACE4‐related signaling molecules for confirming the relationship. MiRNAs targeting PACE4 were predicted, validated and further‐corroborated using bio‐software, real‐time PCR, luciferase reporter assay and transfection of miRNA mimics and inhibitor.

RESULTS

It was suggested that PACE4 might reflect the pathological malignancy of prostate lesion from pathology analysis. Moreover, DU145 cells, the highest PACE4‐level and related TF expression indicated of the strongest malignancy and invasiveness. It was significantly found that miR‐124 was presented with the biggest odd to target PACE4‐3′UTR, the capability of decreasing PACE expression and slowing down cell growth and cell invasion.

CONCLUSIONS

It was clear that PACE4 level was closely associated with malignancy and invasiveness of PCa in vivo or in vitro MiR‐124, played a crucial role inhibiting PACE4 transcription thus exhibiting obvious effects of antiproliferation and antiaggression of PCa. Prostate 74:1095–1106, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Utility of FDG‐PET in clinical neuroendocrine prostate cancer
Authors: Spratt Daniel E. , Gavane Somali , Tarlinton Lisa , Fareedy Shoaib B. , Doran Michael G. , Zelefsky Michael J. , Osborne Joseph R.
Published: June 2014

BACKGROUND

Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) has well‐characterized limitations in prostate adenocarcinoma (PCA). However, data assessing the utility of PET in neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is limited to isolated case reports. Herein, we describe the first case series to assess the utility of FDG‐PET in NEPC.

METHODS

Inclusion criteria consisted of clinically progressive metastatic PCA in the setting of a chromogranin‐A levels >1.5× the upper limit of normal, and ≥1 FDG‐PET scan after the diagnosis of NEPC, which yielded 23 patients. All metastatic lesions on CT, PET, and bone scan were read by two independent physicians.

RESULTS

Five hundred ninety two unique lesions were identified across all imaging modalities, 510 were bone metastases, and 82 were soft tissue metastases. Of bone lesions, 22.2%, 92.7%, and 77.6% were detected by PET, CT, and bone scan, respectively. Of soft tissue lesions, 95.1% and 97.5% were detected by PET and CT, respectively. Stratified by the median survival from NEPC diagnosis, patients who survived <2.2 versus ≥2.2 years had more PET avid bone (8 vs. 2, P = 0.06) and soft tissue lesions (7 vs. 1, P = 0.01), and higher average SUVmax of bone (5.49 vs. 3.40, P = 0.04) and soft tissue lesions (8.02 vs. 3.90, P = 0.0002).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with clinical NEPC, we demonstrate that FDG‐PET has clinical utility in the detection of metastatic disease. In addition to detection, PET allows for treatment response to determine tumor viability. With novel therapies on the horizon to treat NEPC, consideration to investigate the use of FDG‐PET to monitor response is warranted. Prostate 74:1153–1159, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Flow‐dependent verification of the ECMWF ensemble over the Euro‐Atlantic sector
Authors: Ferranti Laura , Corti Susanna , Janousek Martin
Published: June 2014

In this article the concept of weather regimes is used to assess the flow‐dependent skill of the European Centre for Medium‐range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) ensemble predictions at the late medium‐range. The flow patterns leading to more or less accurate predictions are identified and the variations of skill in these situations are quantified. The focus is on the Euro‐Atlantic sector during the extended winter period when the atmospheric regime structure is most pronounced. Verification results show that, in the medium range, forecasts initiated in the negative phase of North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO−) are the most skillful. For these forecasts the ensemble spread over Europe is lower than average, showing that the ensemble spread provides useful information about the error of the ensemble‐mean forecast. The performance of the ensemble is further assessed by stratifying the cases according to their initial conditions, as well as by their accuracy at forecast day 10. Results indicate that the least skillful predictions are mainly associated with missing the transitions to a blocking regime circulation. Forecasts also underestimate the blocking persistence, whereas they overestimate the persistence of zonal flows. Transitions to a positive phase of the NAO are also overrepresented.
The Generalized Likelihood Ratio Chart for Monitoring a Proportion with Autocorrelation
Authors: Wang Ning , Reynolds Marion R.
Published: June 2014

When monitoring a proportion p, it is usually assumed that the binary observations are independent. This paper investigates the problem of monitoring p when the binary observations follow a two‐state Markov chain model with first‐order dependence. A Markov binary generalized likelihood ratio (MBGLR) chart based on a likelihood ratio statistic with an upper bound on the estimate of p is proposed. The MBGLR chart is used to monitor a continuous stream of autocorrelated binary observation. The MBGLR chart with a relatively large upper bound has good overall performance over a wide range of shifts. The extra number of defectives is defined to measure the loss when using control charts for monitoring p. The MBGLR chart is optimized over a range of upper bounds for the MLE of p. The numerical results show that the optimized MBGLR chart has a smaller extra number of defectives than the optimized Markov binary cumulative sum chart that can detect a shift in p much faster than a Shewhart‐type chart. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Process Yield Analysis for Linear Within‐Profile Autocorrelation
Authors: Wang Fu‐Kwun , Tamirat Yeneneh
Published: June 2014

In many industrial applications, the quality of a process or product can be characterized by a function or profile. Owing to spatial autocorrelation or time collapse, the assumption of the observations within each profile that are uncorrelated is violated. This paper aims at evaluating the process yield for linear within‐profile autocorrelation. We present an approximate lower confidence bound for SpkA when the observations within each profile follow a first‐order autoregressive AR(1) model. A simulation study is conducted to assess the performance of the proposed method. The simulation results confirm that the proposed method performs well for the bias, the standard deviation, and the coverage rate. One real example is used to demonstrate the applications of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance of Tukey's and Individual/Moving Range Control Charts
Authors: Khaliq Qurat‐Ul‐Ain , Riaz Muhammad , Alemi Farrokh
Published: June 2014

This paper compares two control charts: Tukey (TCC) and individual/moving range (XmR) control charts. Both are designed to examine single observation per time period, but little is known about which one is more efficient and under what conditions. We simulated data from different distributions and examined the performance of the two control charts on these data. Performance was assessed using the of average run length, extra quadratic loss, median run length, standard deviation run length, performance comparison index, and relative average run length. Overall, TCC was more efficient than XmR, when observations had binomial, Rayleigh, logistic, lognormal, Maxwell, normal, Poisson, Weibull (with α = 10, β = 1), and Student's t (30 and 10 degrees of freedom) distributions. XmR was more efficient when observations had Student's t (with 4 degrees of freedom) and gamma (with α = 4, β = 1) distributions. These results suggest that improvement teams could reach faster conclusions if they use TCC in most common situations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monitoring Profile Trajectories with Dynamic Time Warping Alignment
Authors: Dai Chenxu , Wang Kaibo , Jin Ran
Published: June 2014

In conventional profile monitoring problems, profiles for products or process runs are assumed to have the same length. Statistical monitoring cannot be implemented until a complete profile is obtained. However, in certain cases, a single profile may require several days to generate, so it is important to monitor the profile trajectory to detect unexpected changes during the long processing cycle. Motivated by an ingot growth process in semiconductor manufacturing, we propose a method for monitoring growth profile trajectories of unequal lengths. The profiles are first aligned using the dynamic time warping algorithm and then averaged to generate a baseline. Online monitoring of trajectories is performed based on incomplete growth profiles. Both simulations and an actual application are used to demonstrate the use of the proposed method. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of Carbon Sequestration Ability and Effect of Elevation in Fenced Wetland Plant Communities of the Xilin River Floodplains: A Model Case Study
Authors: Liu Y. , Wang L. , Liu H. , Wang W. , Liang C. , Yang J. , Verhoeven J. T. A.
Published: June 2014

Floodplain habitats of the Xilin River in Inner Mongolia, China, were overgrazed by sheep and cattle until fencing of the floodplains was implemented in 2000. Carbon cycling of three plant communities of differing floodplain elevation after fencing showed that biomass in low‐elevation wetlands increased fastest until reaching its maximum at 20 years in the future, while a slower increase in biomass existed in high‐elevation and ‘hummock’ wetlands. Modelling and field experiments revealed differences between the three plant communities that were primarily attributed to different elevation levels and inundation periods. This study also determined the carbon sequestration capacity of the three floodplain wetland types (0.18 kg C m−2 year−1 in low‐elevation wetlands, 0.09 kg C m−2 year−1 in high‐elevation wetlands, and 0.05 kg C m−2 year−1 in hummock wetlands). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Comparison of Electrofishing and Visual Surveying Methods for Estimating Fish Community Structure in Temperate Rivers
Authors: Macnaughton C. J. , Harvey‐Lavoie S. , Senay C. , Lanthier G. , Bourque G. , Legendre P. , Boisclair D.
Published: June 2014

Studies attempting to describe fish community structure in shallow riverine environments typically rely on electrofishing and/or visual (snorkelling) surveys, but few have addressed the relative efficiencies of these two methods at estimating fish density and biomass across wide ranges of geography, taxonomy and life history stages. Multiple paired electrofishing and visual surveys were conducted in 18 temperate Canadian rivers in order to obtain community‐wide density and biomass estimates from both methods. Partial canonical multivariate analyses were applied to the paired fish community matrices comparing the results of both surveying methods at the taxonomic levels of family, genus and species, as well as size classes within families and species, to assess the particular effectiveness of each sampling method. Although electrofishing estimates of family and species richness were generally greater, snorkelling surveys tended to generate higher density and biomass estimates for different size classes of many salmonid and cyprinid species. Moreover, mean river biomass estimates derived from visual surveying matched those obtained from our best mean river biomass estimates arising from the two methods combined. This study provides empirical evidence that electrofishing and visual survey methods generate different types of information when assessing fish community structure at the family level or by size classes. Our results provide ample background information for determining the most accurate sampling method for a particular fish community assemblage, which is fundamental to fisheries management and research. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effects of DAM Removal on River Colonization by Sea Lamprey Petromyzon Marinus
Authors: Lasne E. , Sabatié M.‐R. , Jeannot N. , Cucherousset J.
Published: June 2014

Habitat fragmentation is an important cause of biodiversity loss in freshwater systems, as worldwide rivers have been fragmented by dams and other hydraulic structures. To restore freshwater fish populations, some barriers have been removed, but the long‐term ecological effects of this removal have been rarely quantified. In the present study, we quantified the effects of barrier removal on river colonization by anadromous sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) by analyzing the spatial distribution and nest density in a small coastal river (France) from 1994 to 2011. Our results demonstrated the benefit of dam removal within few years after restoration. Indeed, the spatial distribution of nests shifted significantly upstream and was more uniform throughout the river after removal. Our results also suggest that the spatial patterns of habitat colonization were affected by the density of nests, river flow and connectivity. Finally, although the number of nests was significantly higher after removal, it was not possible to clearly identify the contribution of intrinsic versus external factors involved in this pattern. Further investigations are therefore needed to quantify the potential subsequent effects on juvenile recruitment and the overall population dynamics. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental detection of mobile satellite transmissions with cyclostationary features
Authors: Dimc Franc , Baldini Gianmarco , Kandeepan Sithamparanathan
Published: June 2014

One of the important functions of cognitive radio (CR) technology is spectrum sensing. The implementation of an efficient spectrum sensing function can be quite challenging because of various factors such as multi‐path fading, low signal‐to‐noise ratio of the radio communication services to be detected and the requirement to detect and analyze the signal in a short time. As a consequence, it is important to quantitatively assess the performance of spectrum sensing techniques in various scenarios. This paper investigates different digital signal processing techniques for spectrum sensing in the context of mobile satellite transmissions: power sensing, cyclostationary sensing, efficient cyclostationary sensing based on FFT accumulation method and strip spectral correlation algorithm. This paper presents experimental results on the cyclostationary properties of GSM Thuraya mobile satellite communications in various conditions both for the uplink and downlink channels. The receiver operating characteristics are computed, and the results are presented for different algorithms and different positions of the satellite terminals. The experimental results show that the cyclostationary‐feature‐based detection can be robust compared to energy‐based technique for low signal‐to‐noise ratio levels. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐Quality Monolayer Graphene Synthesis on Pd Foils via the Suppression of Multilayer Growth at Grain Boundaries
Authors: Ma Donglin , Liu Mengxi , Gao Teng , Li Cong , Sun Jingyu , Nie Yufeng , Ji Qingqing , Zhang Yu , Song Xiuju , Zhang Yanfeng , Liu Zhongfan
Published: June 2014

The segregation of carbon from metals in which carbon is highly soluble, such as Ni (≈1.1 atom% at 1000 °C), is a typical method for graphene growth; this method differs from the surface‐catalyzed growth of graphene that occurs on other metals such as Cu (<0.04 atom%). It has not been established whether strictly monolayer graphene could be synthesized through the traditional chemical vapor deposition route on metals where carbon is highly soluble, such as Pd (≈3.5 atom%). In this work, this issue is investigated by suppressing the grain boundary segregation using a pretreatment comprising the annealing of the Pd foils; this method was motivated by the fact that the typical thick growths at the grain boundaries revealed that the grain boundary functions as the main segregation channel in polycrystalline metals. To evaluate the high crystallinity of the as‐grown graphene, detailed atomic‐scale characterization with scanning tunneling microscopy is performed.
Negative‐Tone Block Copolymer Lithography by In Situ Surface Chemical Modification
Authors: Kim Bong Hoon , Byeon Kyeong‐Jae , Kim Ju Young , Kim Jinseung , Jin Hyeong Min , Cho Joong‐Yeon , Jeong Seong‐Jun , Shin Jonghwa , Lee Heon , Kim Sang Ouk
Published: June 2014

Negative‐tone block copolymer (BCP) lithography based on in situ surface chemical modification is introduced as a highly efficient, versatile self‐assembled nanopatterning. BCP blends films consisting of end‐functionalized low molecular weight poly(styrene‐ran‐methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene‐block‐Poly(methyl methacylate) can produce surface vertical BCP nanodomains on various substrates without prior surface chemical treatment. Simple oxygen plasma treatment is employed to activate surface functional group formation at various substrates, where the end‐functionalized polymers can be covalently bonded during the thermal annealing of BCP thin films. The covalently bonded brush layer mediates neutral interfacial condition for vertical BCP nanodomain alignment. This straightforward approach for high aspect ratio, vertical self‐assembled nanodomain formation facilitates single step, site‐specific BCP nanopatterning widely useful for various substrates. Moreover, this approach is compatible with directed self‐assembly approaches to produce device oriented laterally ordered nanopatterns.
An improved elman neural network controller based on quasi‐ARX neural network for nonlinear systems
Authors: Sutrisno Imam , Abu Jami'in Mohammad , Hu Jinglu
Published: June 2014

An improved Elman neural network (IENN) controller with particle swarm optimization (PSO) is presented for nonlinear systems. The proposed controller is composed of a quasi‐ARX neural network (QARXNN) prediction model and a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism is used to guarantee that the prediction model works well. The primary controller is designed based on IENN using the backpropagation (BP) learning algorithm with PSO. PSO is used to adjust the learning rates in the BP process for improving the learning capability. The adaptive learning rates of the controller are investigated via the Lyapunov stability theorem. The proposed controller performance is verified through numerical simulation. The method is compared with the fuzzy switching and 0/1 switching methods to show its effectiveness in terms of stability, accuracy, and robustness. © 2014 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Microfabrication of ionic polymer actuators by selective plasma irradiation
Authors: Kikuchi Kunitomo , Taniguchi Tomohisa , Miki Hirofumi , Tsuchitani Shigeki , Asaka Kinji
Published: June 2014

A novel method for fabricating a miniaturized ionic polymer–metal composite (IPMC) with plated gold electrodes is developed by combining selective plasma irradiation and electroless plating. The membrane is irradiated by SF6 or CF4 plasmas through a stencil mask prior to plating to prevent deposition of a gold electrode in the plasma‐irradiated area. Miniaturized IPMCs are fabricated with a 400‐µm‐wide line‐and‐space pattern. The proposed method has the potential to realize miniaturized IPMCs combined with microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices because this provides a direct and simple fabrication process. © 2014 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Prenatal diagnosis of giant cardiac rhabdomyoma in tuberous sclerosis complex: a new therapeutic option with everolimus
Authors: Mlczoch E. , Hanslik A. , Luckner D. , Kitzmüller E. , Prayer D. , Michel‐Behnke I.
Published: June 2014

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disorder characterized by abnormal cell proliferation and tumor growth in a number of organ systems, primarily the brain, kidneys, eyes and heart. Clinical symptoms vary according to the location of the tumor. The most common disorders are seizures, neurodevelopmental disorders, renal failure and arrhythmias. TSC was found to be influenced by inhibitors of the protein kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which regulates abnormal cellular proliferation. mTOR inhibitors have been studied effectively in patients with subependymal giant‐cell astrocytomas and renal angiolipomas in the context of TSC. We describe a prenatally diagnosed case of giant rhabdomyoma, due to right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, which presented as a duct‐dependent lesion. Postnatal treatment with the mTOR inhibitor everolimus initiated significant regression of the cardiac tumor. This finding suggests that mTOR inhibitor therapy is an option for giant rhabdomyomas that develop in the neonatal period. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
The Tetracyanopyrrolide Anion as Ligand in Transition Metal Complexes
Authors: Szafranowska Barbara , Beck Johannes
Published: June 2014

Two isotypic mononuclear discrete complexes [Co(MeCN)4(tcp)2]·2MeCN (1) and [Ni(MeCN)4(tcp)2]·2MeCN (2) containing the tetracyanopyrrolide anion [C4(CN)4N]– (tcp) were synthesized from [Me4N]tcp and the respective metal perchlorates in acetone/acetonitrile. Tcp coordinates to the transition metal atoms in η1 fashion via the nitrogen atom of the pyrrole ring. No coordination via the cyano groups is observed. Both complexes show nearly ideal paramagnetic behavior according to the Curie law with magnetic moments of 4.98 μB for 1 and 3.09 μB for 2. In the presence of Cu2+ ions tcp reacts with traces of water under hydrolysis of one cyano group to tricyanopyrrole‐2‐carboxamide (NC4(CN)3C(O)NH2)– (tcpc). From solutions in DMF the complex [Cu(tcpc)2(DMF)2] (3) is isolated.
Dual probabilistic homogenization of polymers filled with rubber particles
Authors: Kamiński Marcin , Lauke Bernd
Published: June 2014

A comparison of two different probabilistic techniques in the context of a homogenization of the polymer filled with rubber particles is demonstrated in this work. Homogenization approach is based on deformation energy of the Representative Volume Element containing a single spherical particle, which must be equal for the heterogeneous and equivalent homogenized bodies. Both probabilistic methods are based on a series of the Finite Element Method experiments that leads to determination of effective characteristics as the polynomial forms of the input random variables and it is done by using the optimized Weighted Least Squares Method. These functions are next integrated in the semi‐analytical probabilistic approach and embedded into the Taylor series expansions as the derivatives in the framework of the alternative stochastic perturbation‐based approach. These two strategies are employed to study a polymeric matrix with rubber particle as the filler because such a composite has enormously large contrast in‐between expectations of the two random Young's moduli of its constituents. Numerical optimization concerns the order of the approximating polynomial that needs to maximize correlation with the set of trial points and minimize at the same time both computational error with the least squares standard deviation.
Meta‐analysis of the Efficacies of Extended and Standard Pancreatoduodenectomy for Ductal Adenocarcinoma of the Head of the Pancreas
Authors: Sun Jingfeng , Yang Yinxue , Wang Xuan , Yu Zhen , Zhang Ting , Song Jun , Zhao Hewei , Wen Jianfei , Du Yong , Lau Wan Yee , Zhang Yewei
Published: June 2014

Background

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of extended pancreatoduodenectomy (EPD) and standard pancreatoduodenectomy (SPD) for ductal adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas via meta‐analysis.

Methods

Relevant articles (published between 1995 and 2012) were compiled from online data sources. A total of nine studies satisfied the selection criteria, including a total of 973 patients (478 in the SPD group and 495 in the EPD group). Evaluation parameters included 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival, as well as mortality, morbidity, and specific morbidity outcomes.

Results

Meta‐analysis revealed (1) differences in morbidity (Odds ratio [OR] = 1.740; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.840–3.600; P = 0.140), mortality (OR = 0.890; 95 % CI, 0.560–1.400; P = 0.620), 1‐year overall survival (OS) rate (OR = 1.20; 95 % CI, 0.490–2.930; P = 0.69), 3‐year OS rate (OR = 0.770; 95 % CI, 0.460–1.280; P = 0.190), and 5‐year OS rate (OR = 1.12; 95 % CI, 0.690–1.810; P = 0.560) were not significant between EPD and SPD. (2) For bile leak (OR = 2.640; 95 % CI, 1.040–6.700; P = 0.040), pancreatic leak (OR = 1.740; 95 % CI, 1.040–2.91; P = 0.030), delayed gastric emptying (OR = 2.090; 95 % CI, 1.240–3.520; P = 0.006), and lymphatic fistula (OR = 6.120; 95 % CI, 1.06–35.320; P = 0.040) differences between EPD and SPD were significant, whereas other specific morbidities were not significantly different.

Conclusions

Extended pancreatoduodenectomy does not improve 1‐, 3‐, 5‐year OS rates compared to SPD and there is a trend toward increased bile leak, pancreatic leak, delayed gastric emptying, and lymphatic fistula after EPD.
Improving coenzyme Q8 production in Escherichia coli employing multiple strategies
Authors: Xu Wen , Yang Shuiyun , Zhao Junchao , Su Tingting , Zhao Liangrui , Liu Jiankang
Published: June 2014

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is a medically valuable compound and a high yielding strain for CoQ will have several benefits for the industrial production of CoQ. To increase the CoQ8 content of E. coli, we blocked the pathway for the synthesis of menaquinone by deleting the menA gene. The blocking of menaquinone pathway increased the CoQ8 content by 81 % in E. coli (ΔmenA). To study the CoQ producing potential of E. coli, we employed previous known increasing strategies for systematic metabolic engineering. These include the supplementation with substrate precursors and the co-expression of rate-limiting genes. The co-expression of dxs-ubiA and the supplementation with substrate precursors such as pyruvate (PYR) and parahydroxybenzoic acid (pHBA) increased the content of CoQ8 in E. coli (ΔmenA) by 125 and 59 %, respectively. Moreover, a 180 % increase in the CoQ8 content in E. coli (ΔmenA) was realized by the combination of the co-expression of dxs-ubiA and the supplementation with PYR and pHBA. All in all, CoQ8 content in E. coli increased 4.06 times by blocking the menaquinone pathway, dxs-ubiA co-expression and the addition of sodium pyruvate and parahydroxybenzoic acid to the medium. Results suggested a synergistic effect among different metabolic engineering strategies.
Introduction to Ecological Description of a Community Intervention: Building Prevention Through Collaborative Field Based Research
Authors: Allen James , Mohatt Gerald V.
Published: June 2014

This special issue of theAmerican Journal of Community Psychologyis the result of a 18‐year partnership with Alaska Native communities using collaborative field based research methods. Its goal is to provide a case study fulfilling the spirit of ecological inquiry, offering a detailed and nuanced description of a community intervention. The articles describe the nature of our work, including some of our successes, as well as challenges, dilemmas, and even disappointments we experienced along the way. Our primary aim was to develop and assess the feasibility of a complex, multi‐level intervention to increase protective factors hypothesized to reduce suicide and alcohol abuse among rural Yup'ik Alaska Native youth ages 12–18. The articles that follow include descriptions of the cultural context, relevant literature and project history, our methods of community engagement in measurement development strategies, an empirical test of the prevention model that guided the intervention, the development and implementation of the intervention, a feasibility and impact assessment, and an evaluation of community engagement. A final article summarizes what is generalizable from the work in field based intervention research with rural and culturally distinct populations, and future prospects for decolonizing community intervention research methods. These papers raise important issues, including (1) need for deep, contextual ecological descriptions, (2) reconceptualization of time in the research relationship, (3) distinctions between populations and communities, and (4) the conflict between values of communities and intervention science.
Well‐Being and Social Justice Among Moroccan Migrants in Southern Spain
Authors: Paloma Virginia , García-Ramírez Manuel , Camacho Carlos
Published: June 2014

The decision to migrate is normally based on expectations of improving one's actual living conditions and therefore, one's well‐being. However, these expectations are not usually met in receiving contexts that relegate newcomers to lower power positions. From a liberating community psychology approach, this study aims to develop a predictive model of the well‐being of Moroccan migrants living in southern Spain. Data were collected from a survey sample of 633 migrants (the average age was 31.9 years and 51.8 % were women) from 20 territorial units of Andalusia. Through a process of multilevel regression analysis, this study reveals that the well‐being of the Moroccan community is closely determined by the following: (a) the level of social justice in the receiving context (openness to diversity of receiving communities, cultural sensitivity of community services, and residential integration); and (b) the individual strengths of the population (use of active coping strategies, satisfaction with the receiving context, and temporal stability in the new environment). These results empirically support the impact that different ecological levels of analysis have on well‐being. Major theoretical contributions of the model and useful suggestions for improving migrant well‐being are discussed.