bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Broadband Multichannel Wavelength Conversions for Optical Communication Systems Using Quasiphase Matched Difference Frequency Generation
Authors: Xu Chang-Qing , Hideaki Okayama Hideaki Okayama , Takeshi Kamijoh Takeshi Kamijoh
Published: January 2014

Multichannel wavelength conversions using quasiphase matched difference frequency generation (QPM-DFG) in a LiNbO3 waveguide were studied for the first time. It is shown that the crosstalk between signal channels is negligible and the 3-dB bandwidth for multichannel wavelength conversion is as large as 140 nm.
New Transparent Conductive Oxides with YbFe2O4 Structure
Authors: Orita Masahiro , Takeuchi Megumi , Hiroyuki Sakai Hiroyuki Sakai , Hiroaki Tanji Hiroaki Tanji
Published: January 2014

InGaMgO4 and InGaZnO4 crystals with the YbFe2O4 layered structure have been found to be transparent conductive oxides. The band gaps of these crystals were wider than that of In2O3. Conductivity was induced by doping with electrons through introduction of oxygen vacancies. Mobility, carrier density and conductivity of sintered bodies of InGaMgO4 were 2 cm2/V·s, 1×1018/cm3 and 0.5 S/cm, respectively. Those of InGaZnO4 were 20 cm2/V·s, 4×1019/cm3 and 120 S/cm. A promising method to improve the conductivity to a value sufficient for practical use is discussed.
Smectic Layer Rotation in Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals
Authors: Keizo Nakayama Keizo Nakayama , Hiroshi Moritake Hiroshi Moritake , Masanori Ozaki Masanori Ozaki , Katsumi Yoshino Katsumi Yoshino
Published: January 2014

The smectic layer rotation in ferroelectric liquid crystals has been observed by applying an asymmetric waveform of electric field using both a rubbed cell and a nontreated cell. The rotation angle increases exceeding the tilt angle with increasing cycles of applied voltage. The direction of the smectic layer rotation depends on the sign of spontaneous polarization. The layer rotation should be a common phenomenon in ferroelectric and antiferroelectric liquid crystals.
The timing of alluvial activity in Gale crater, Mars
Authors: Grant John A. , Wilson Sharon A. , Mangold Nicolas , Calef Fred , Grotzinger John P.
Published: January 2014

The Curiosity rover's discovery of rocks preserving evidence of past habitable conditions in Gale crater highlights the importance of constraining the timing of responsible depositional settings to understand the astrobiological implications for Mars. Crater statistics and mapping reveal the bulk of the alluvial deposits in Gale, including those interrogated by Curiosity, were likely emplaced during the Hesperian, thereby implying that habitable conditions persisted after the Noachian. Crater counting data sets and upper Peace Vallis fan morphology also suggest a possible younger period of fluvial activation that deposited ~10–20 m of sediments on the upper fan after emplacement of the main body of the fan. If validated, water associated with later alluvial activity may have contributed to secondary diagenetic features in Yellowknife Bay.
Satellite retrieval of convective cloud base temperature based on the NPP/VIIRS Imager
Authors: Zhu Yannian , Rosenfeld Daniel , Yu Xing , Liu Guihua , Dai Jin , Xu Xiaohong
Published: January 2014

The advent of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) onboard the Suomi National Polar‐Orbiting Partnership (NPP) satellite provided a quantum jump in the satellite capabilities of retrieving cloud properties, because it nearly tripled the resolution in the thermal channels (375 m). This allowed us to develop a methodology for retrieving convective cloud base temperature (Tb) and validate it over the Atmospheric System Research Southern Great Plains site for the satellite early afternoon overpass time. The standard error of the Tb retrieval was only 1.1°C. The knowledge of Tb allows the calculation of cloud base height and the depth of the boundary layer, as well as the boundary layer water vapor mixing ratio with an accuracy of about 10%. The feasibility of retrieving cloud base temperature and height is an essential component that is required for retrieving cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) from satellites by using convective clouds as natural CCN chambers.
Lagrangian simulations and interannual variability of anchovy egg and larva dispersal in the Sicily Channel
Authors: Palatella Luigi , Bignami Francesco , Falcini Federico , Lacorata Guglielmo , Lanotte Alessandra S. , Santoleri Rosalia
Published: January 2014

The interannual variability in the transport of anchovy eggs and larvae in the Sicily Channel, relatively to the period 1999–2012, is studied by means of numerical simulations of the Mediterranean Forecasting System (MFS) circulation model provided by INGV. Subgrid‐scale dynamics not resolved by the MFS model is parameterized in terms of kinematic fields. The latter affect small‐scale tracer relative dispersion, while leaving the mean large‐scale advection substantially unchanged. A Lagrangian Transport Index (LTI) can be defined to characterize the efficiency of the main currents, e.g., the Atlantic Ionian Stream, in connecting spawning and nursery areas to each other. In our case, this indicator comes from the first arrival time statistics of tracers traveling from a spawning area near Sciacca to a nursery area in proximity of Cape Passero. We observe, on the basis of LTI values, that there are years when the Lagrangian connectivity is very efficient (2004, 2008, 2012) and years when it is weak (2000, 2001, 2003, 2010). Lagrangian indicators like the LTI concur to explain observed fluctuations of larval density and, also, can be employed, more in general, in multivariate models of population dynamics.
Held‐Suarez simulations with the Community Atmosphere Model Spectral Element (CAM‐SE) dynamical core: A global axial angular momentum analysis using Eulerian and floating Lagrangian vertical coordinates
Authors: Lauritzen Peter H. , Bacmeister Julio T. , Dubos Thomas , Lebonnois Sébastien , Taylor Mark A.
Published: January 2014

In this paper, an analysis of the global AAM conservation properties of NCAR's Community Atmosphere Model Spectral Element (CAM‐SE) dynamical core under Held‐Suarez forcing is presented. It is shown that the spurious sources/sinks of AAM in CAM‐SE are 3 orders of magnitude smaller than the parameterized (physical) sources/sinks. The effect on AAM conservation by changing various numerical aspects of the dynamical core (e.g., different vertical coordinates, reduced formal order of accuracy, increased dissipation, and decreased divergence damping) is investigated. In particular, it is noted that changing from Eulerian (hybrid‐sigma) to floating Lagrangian vertical coordinates does not alter the global AAM conservation properties of CAM‐SE.
Active Faults and Nuclear Power Plants
Authors: Chapman Neil , Berryman Kelvin , Villamor Pilar , Epstein Woody , Cluff Lloyd , Kawamura Hideki
Published: January 2014

The destruction of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) following the March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami brought into sharp focus the susceptibility of NPPs to natural hazards. This is not a new issue—seismic hazard has affected the development of plants in the United States, and volcanic hazard was among the reasons for not commissioning the Bataan NPP in the Philippines [Connor et al., 2009].
Fabrication and Deformation of Metallic Glass Micro‐Lattices
Authors: Rys Jan , Valdevit Lorenzo , Schaedler Tobias A. , Jacobsen Alan J. , Carter William B. , Greer Julia R.
Published: January 2014

Recent progress in micro‐ and nanofabrication techniques enables the creation of hierarchically architected microlattices with dimensional control over six orders of magnitude, from centimeters down to nanometers. This hierarchical control facilitates the exploration of opportunities to exploit nano‐sized material effects in structural materials. In this work, we present the fabrication, characterization, and properties of hollow metallic glass NiP microlattices. The wall thicknesses, deposited by electroless plating, were varied from ≈60 nm up to 600 nm, resulting in relative densities spanning from 0.02 to 0.2%. Uniaxial quasi‐static compression tests revealed two different regimes in deformation: (i) Structures with a wall thickness above 150 nm failed by catastrophic failure at the nodes and fracture events at the struts, with significant micro‐cracking and (ii) Lattices whose wall thickness was below 150 nm failed initially via buckling followed by significant plastic deformation rather than by post‐elastic catastrophic fracture. This departure in deformation mechanism from brittle to deformable exhibited by the thin‐walled structures is discussed in the framework of brittle‐to‐ductile transition emergent in nano‐sized metallic glasses.
Iodine‐Catalyzed Regioselective Sulfenylation of Indoles with Sodium Sulfinates
Authors: Xiao Fuhong , Xie Hao , Liu Saiwen , Deng Guo‐Jun
Published: January 2014

An iodine‐catalyzed sulfenylation of free indoles with sodium sulfinates is described. The reaction selectively afforded 3‐arylthioindoles in good to high yields in anisole under metal‐free conditions. Functional groups such as halogens were well tolerated under the optimized reaction conditions.

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The Construction of Polysubstituted Aromatic Core Derivatives via a Cycloaddition/Oxidative Aromatization Sequence from Quinone and β‐Enamino Esters
Authors: Li Yu‐Jin , Huang Huan‐Ming , Ye Qing , Hou Li‐Fen , Yu Wu‐Bin , Jia Jian‐Hong , Gao Jian‐Rong
Published: January 2014

An unexpected strategy has been discovered for the construction of polysubstituted aromatic core derivatives from the reaction of quinones or N‐substituted maleimides with β‐enamino esters by a cycloaddition/oxidative aromatization sequence that provides products contrary to those delivered by the Nenitzescu reaction. The current method provides a highly favorable synthetic strategy for the efficient construction of important therapeutic agents containing polysubstituted aromatic core structures.

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Influence of crosslinking and plasticizing on the viscoelasticity of highly filled elastomers
Authors: Azoug Aurelie , Nevière Robert , Pradeilles‐Duval Rachel‐Marie , Constantinescu Andrei
Published: January 2014

Solid propellants, like all highly filled elastomers, exhibit a complex nonlinear viscoelastic behavior. The aim of this study was to establish the relationships between the structure and properties, which is needed to construct a robust constitutive law for these materials. An extensive design of experiments approach allowed us to quantify the influence of the curing agents and plasticizer molecules on the microstructure of the propellant and its viscoelastic properties. Swelling and gel permeation chromatography measurements described the microstructure of the propellant and prestrained dynamic mechanical analysis (PDMA) characterized the viscoelastic behavior. The curing agents reacted with polymer chain ends participating in the network, in the sol fraction, or in filler–binder links. Consequently, the polymer network was incomplete even in stoichiometric conditions, and a minimum of 10% of the polymer was free in the microstructure. In addition, preswelling the polymer with plasticizer molecules before curing modified the obtained network by decreasing the crosslink density in the binder and increasing it in the vicinity of the filler surface. This study provided new insight into the local deformation mechanisms controlling nonlinearity as measured by PDMA. The nonlinear behavior appeared between 0 and 1.7% prestrain in both the elastic and viscous parts of the behavior. The network reached its maximum extensibility in the elastic part and constrained the sol fraction in this extended mesh for the viscous part. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40392.
Numerical‐simulation‐driven optimization of a laser transmission welding process under consideration of scattering
Authors: Wang Xiao , Chen Hao , Liu Huixia
Published: January 2014

In this study, because the use of semicrystalline polypropylene (upper material) leads to the scattering of laser radiation, an integrated method for a numerical‐simulation‐driven optimization of the laser transmission welding (LTW) process was investigated through the finite element method (FEM), response surface methodology (RSM), and experiments (EX). First, EX for measuring the actual laser power and spot diameter within the weld interface were conducted; these were used to simulate the temperature field and molten pool geometric characteristic parameters of the LTW process. Then, central composite design was used to design the EX, and RSM was used to establish mathematical models. Finally, the desirability function was used to determine the optimal process parameters. The experimental results nearly agreed with the simulated and predicted values. The results illustrate that the integrated (FEM–RSM–EX) approach was an effective optimization method and could play a significant guiding role in LTW EX and in quickly optimizing the process parameters. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40396.
Quad‐Rotor Modeling and Attitude Control Using State‐Dependent ARX Type Model
Authors: Zeng Xiaoyong , Peng Hui , Wu Jun , Wei Jimin
Published: January 2014

A state‐dependent autoregressive with exogenous variables (SD‐ARX) model whose functional coefficients are approximated by sets of radial basis function (RBF) networks is proposed to describe the dynamic behavior of a quad‐rotor in this paper. This model is identified offline and used as an internal predictor of a receding horizon predictive controller to address the quad‐rotor's attitude control issue. In addition, the physical constraints of the system have been also taken into account during the controller design process. The results of real‐time control on a quad‐rotor aircraft illustrate satisfactory modeling accuracy in a large operating range and good performance of control approach proposed in this paper.
Gift Cards and Mental Accounting: Green‐lighting Hedonic Spending
Authors: Helion Chelsea , Gilovich Thomas
Published: January 2014

In three studies, we examine the mental accounting rules that govern how gift cards are used. We predicted that their identity as gift cards would shift consumption from utilitarian to hedonic goods even in contexts where both types of goods are available and the consumer's needs are unchanged. In Study 1a, participants were asked to imagine that they had both a gift card and a specified amount of cash and needed to purchase both a hedonic item and a utilitarian item. When asked which currency they would use to buy which item, respondents were significantly more likely to say they would use the gift card to buy the hedonic item. Study 1b replicated this result and found that it was tied to participants' beliefs how different types of money should be used. In Study 2, we found that participants who were required to spend a certain amount of their compensation in a laboratory store spent more on hedonic goods if their payment was in the form of a gift card. In Study 3, we analyzed transactions at a campus bookstore and found that shoppers tended to spend disproportionately on hedonic goods when using their gift cards than when making credit card purchases. Taken together, these studies indicate that people tend to assign the monetary value of a gift card to a hedonic mental account and spend it accordingly. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ypt1 suppresses defects of vesicle trafficking and autophagy in Ypt6 related mutants
Authors: Ye Min , Chen Yong , Zou Shenshen , Yu Sidney , Liang Yongheng
Published: January 2014

Ypt/Rab GTPases coordinately regulate vesicle trafficking in yeasts. Previously, Ypt1 was shown to suppress growth defects of Ypt6 and its related mutants (ypt6ts, ric1Δ, rgp1Δ, ric1Δrgp1Δ), but the physiological role of this suppression has not been well studied. We have investigated the effects of Ypt1 on two major trafficking pathways, vesicle trafficking and autophagy, in Ypt6 related mutants. Ypt1 restores Snc1 transport to the plasma membrane via Golgi in the exocytic pathway in Ypt6 related mutants under nutrient rich conditions. Overexpression of Ypt1 suppresses autophagic defects under nutrient starvation conditions with increased GFP‐Atg8 sorting to vacuoles and GFP‐Atg8 to GFP conversion in Ypt6 related mutants. However, overexpression of Ypt1 does not restore Ypt6 intracellular localisation in rgp1Δ cells. We propose that vesicle trafficking and autophagy are closely connected processes, and Ypt1 and Ypt6 have some similar functions in both cellular processes.
Effect of photodynamic therapy supplemented with quercetin in HEp‐2 cells
Authors: de Paula Rodrigues Rafael , Tini Italo Rigotti Pereira , Soares Cristina Pacheco , da Silva Newton Soares
Published: January 2014

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a technique that can be used as a complementary therapy in cancer treatment combined with other therapeutic modalities. Quercetin (QCT) is known to be effective in the treatment of cancer, by reducing the cell viability of different cancer cell lines. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of different concentrations of QCT in PDT on the viability, mitochondrial membrane potential and induction of apoptosis/necrosis in the human larynx carcinoma cells (HEp‐2). The HEp‐2 cells were treated with aluminum phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (AlPcS4) and QCT and subsequently irradiated with a diode laser light (685 nm, 35 mW, 4.5 J/cm2). The results demonstrated that treatment of HEp‐2 cells with high concentrations of QCT (at least 50 μM) reduced cell viability. This response was enhanced in cells subjected to PDT supplemented with high concentrations of QCT. In addition, was observed decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential and characteristics of late apoptosis and/or initial necrosis process. QCT at concentrations from 50 μM improves PDT‐induced cytotoxicity by significantly reducing cell viability by apoptosis and/or necrosis, and mitochondrial membrane potential of Hep‐2 cells.
QSPR study for prediction of boiling points of 2475 organic compounds using stochastic gradient boosting
Authors: Zhang Jue‐hong , Liu Zai‐ming , Liu Wan‐rong
Published: January 2014

The normal boiling point is one of the major physicochemical properties used to characterize and identify an organic compound. In this study, the boosting regression tree model was developed to model quantitative structure–property relationship (QSPR) for the boiling points of 2475 compounds with structurally high heterogeneity. Stochastic gradient boosting (SGB) aims at constructing additive regression models by sequentially fitting a simple regression tree model to current “pseudo”‐residuals by least squares at each iteration. The parameters of SGB were optimized using 10‐fold cross‐validation. The best SGB model established using 2D descriptors had an overall Q2 of 0.957, root mean square error of validation of 17.89 for validation set, and RT2 of 0.954, root mean square error of test of 18.19 for test set. Compared to other commonly used modeling methods such as partial least square, classification and regression tree, and random forest, SGB can not only obtain the best predictive ability, but also get more useful insights into the relationship between properties and descriptors for prediction of boiling points, with the help of partial dependence plots. SGB could be a promising tool in the field of QSPR research, especially for the screening of new compounds. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Removal of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) in UPW by synergistic photocatalytic oxidation and adsorption
Authors: Sun T. , Chen K.
Published: January 2014

Earlier work showed that the commercial granular activated carbon (GAC) could effectively remove large non‐polar molecules, but showed poor removal efficiency for small polar compounds such as isopropyl alcohol (IPA) [Schmotzer et al. Clean Technol. Environ. Policy 2002;4:125; Cong et al. J. Phys. Chem. C 2007;111:6976]. To achieve the goal of increasing the lifetime and removal efficiency of GAC bed for small polar organic compounds in ultrapure water (UPW), the synergistic partial photocatalytic oxidation and adsorption system using commercial GAC coated with nitrogen doped titanium dioxide as an adsorbate was proposed in this work. The influence of operating factors such as UV intensity, flow rate, feed concentration, and the sudden injection of air or inorganic acid on IPA removal efficiency was systematically investigated. Compared to the traditional GAC adsorption bed, at feed total organic carbon (TOC) concentration of 800 ppb, the lifetime of GAC bed in this synergistic photocatalytic oxidation and adsorption system was extended from 348 to 600 min and the outlet TOC concentration was decreased from 793 to 499 ppb. The difference of the TOC outlet concentration in those two configurations was attributed to the photocatalytic effect by GAC coated with nitrogen doped titanium dioxide. The reactions between oxidation radicals and organic contaminants caused the majority of IPA to be decomposed into secondary organic compounds such as acetone and acetone had already been shown a higher affinity to GAC than that of IPA. Experiments also demonstrated the injection of air or inorganic acid in the stream would facilitate the removal of IPA in UPW.
Fluorescence Polarization for the Evaluation of Small‐Molecule Inhibitors of PCAF BRD/Tat‐AcK50 Association
Authors: Hu Ping , Wang Xinghui , Zhang Baiqun , Zhang Shuai , Wang Qiang , Wang Zhiyong
Published: January 2014

A fluorescence polarization competitive assay was developed to efficiently screen and evaluate inhibitors of PCAF bromodomain/Tat‐AcK50 protein–peptide interaction. A series of pyridine 1‐oxide derivatives were synthesized and evaluated. Some of the novel compounds, 2‐(3‐aminopropylamino) pyridine 1‐oxide derivatives, could be effective inhibitors of PCAF bromodomain/Tat‐AcK50 association. Specifically, 2‐(3‐aminopropylamino)‐5‐(hydroxymethyl)pyridine 1‐oxide hydrochloride (15) and the 5‐((3‐aminopropylamino)methyl) derivative (20) were found to be effective ligands for the PCAF BRD pocket. First preliminary cellular studies indicate that these small‐molecule inhibitors have lower cytotoxicities and are potential leads for the anti‐HIV/AIDS therapeutic strategy by targeting host‐cell protein PCAF BRD to block HIV replication.
Structure‐Based Design of Novel Human Toll‐like Receptor 8 Agonists
Authors: Kokatla Hari Prasad , Sil Diptesh , Tanji Hiromi , Ohto Umeharu , Malladi Subbalakshmi S. , Fox Lauren M. , Shimizu Toshiyoki , David Sunil A.
Published: January 2014

Toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐8 agonists activate adaptive immune responses by inducing robust production of T helper 1‐polarizing cytokines, suggesting that TLR8‐active compounds might be promising candidate vaccine adjuvants. Recently, a C2‐butyl furo[2,3‐c]quinoline was reported with purely TLR8 agonistic activity. This compound was successfully co‐crystallized with the human TLR8 ectodomain, and the co‐crystal structure revealed ligand‐induced reorganization of the binding pocket of TLR8. The loss of a key hydrogen bond between the oxygen atom of the furanyl ring of the agonist and Thr 574 in TLR8 suggested that the furan ring is dispensable. Employing a disconnection strategy, 3‐ and 4‐substituted aminoquinolines were investigated. Focused structure‐based ligand design studies led to the identification of 3‐pentyl‐quinoline‐2‐amine as a novel, structurally simple, and highly potent human TLR8‐specific agonist (EC50=0.2 μM). Preliminary evaluation of this compound in ex vivo human blood assay systems revealed that it retains prominent cytokine‐inducing activity. Together, these results indicate the suitability of this compound as a novel vaccine adjuvant, warranting further investigation.
Insurance status is related to diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma survival
Authors: Han Xuesong , Jemal Ahmedin , Flowers Christopher R. , Sineshaw Helmneh , Nastoupil Loretta J. , Ward Elizabeth
Published: January 2014

BACKGROUND

Insurance status is associated with stage at diagnosis and treatment for non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), but no previous studies have addressed the relation between insurance status and survival for patients diagnosed with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common subtype of NHL.

METHODS

The authors analyzed survival among 3858 patients with DLBCL ages 18 to 64 years who were diagnosed in 2004 using data from the National Cancer Database, a nationwide, hospital‐based cancer registry. Kaplan‐Maier curves were compared between patients who had private insurance, Medicaid, and no insurance. Cox proportional hazards models were fitted to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for insurance controlling for age, sex, race, area‐level socioeconomic status, and potential mediators of the association between insurance status and survival, including stage at diagnosis, B‐symptoms, comorbidity, and treatment.

RESULTS

After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, uninsured patients (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.14‐1.70) and Medicaid‐insured patients (HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.23‐1.78) with DLBCL had lower survival compared with patients who had private insurance. This association was attenuated after adjusting for the potential mediators (for uninsured patients, HR, 1.18 [95% CI, 0.96‐1.44]; for Medicaid‐insured patients, HR, 1.27 [95% CI, 1.06‐1.53]).

CONCLUSIONS

Uninsured and Medicaid‐insured patients with DLBCL had inferior survival compared with privately insured patients. These associations can be explained in part because uninsured/Medicaid‐insured patients who have DLBCL present with more advanced‐stage disease and comorbid illnesses and less commonly receive standard treatment. Access to affordable and adequate health care has the potential to improve survival for patients with DLBCL. Cancer 2014;120:1220–1227. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Insurance status and distant‐stage disease at diagnosis among adolescent and young adult patients with cancer aged 15 to 39 years: National Cancer Data Base, 2004 through 2010
Authors: Robbins Anthony S. , Lerro Catherine C. , Barr Ronald D.
Published: January 2014

BACKGROUND

The percentage of adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer (those aged 15‐39 years) diagnosed at a distant stage of disease did not significantly change between 1975 and 2004. It has been hypothesized that a lack of health insurance may be a significant risk factor for a diagnosis of distant‐stage disease among AYA patients, but to the authors' knowledge this has not been examined in a national sample.

METHODS

The National Cancer Data Base, a hospital‐based cancer registry, was used to obtain data regarding incident cancer cases among patients aged 15 years to 39 years who were diagnosed between 2004 and 2010. After all exclusions, a total of 285,448 cases were available for analysis; all AYA cancer sites were included. A retrospective study was conducted to assess the association between insurance status and stage of disease at diagnosis.

RESULTS

After adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, facility type, ZIP code‐based income and education levels, and US Census region, it was found that among males, uninsured patients were 1.51 times more likely to be diagnosed at a distant stage of disease compared with patients with private insurance (95% confidence interval, 1.46‐1.55). Among females, the effect of insurance was stronger, with uninsured patients found to be 1.86 times more likely to be diagnosed at a distant stage (95% confidence interval, 1.79‐1.94). The effect of insurance status was substantially stronger for malignancies that are more amenable to early detection (melanoma, thyroid carcinoma, breast carcinoma, genitourinary carcinoma), and substantially weaker for those that are less amenable to early detection (lung carcinoma, adrenocortical carcinoma, Wilms tumor).

CONCLUSIONS

In a large national sample of AYA patients with cancer, insurance status was found to be a strong independent risk factor for distant‐stage disease at the time of diagnosis. Cancer 2014;120:1212–1219. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
The role of thyroid fine‐needle aspiration cytology in the pediatric population: An institutional experience
Authors: Rossi Esther Diana , Straccia Patrizia , Martini Maurizio , Revelli Luca , Lombardi Celestino Pio , Pontecorvi Alfredo , Fadda Guido
Published: January 2014

BACKGROUND

The current study was conducted to investigate the role of thyroid fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the authors' pediatric series. Thyroid pediatric FNAC has been reported to have conflicting sensitivity and specificity in different series. The authors evaluated their thyroid cytological series mainly for the categories of 1) follicular/indeterminate neoplasms with atypical cells of indeterminate significance (FN/AUS) and 2) suspicious for malignancy (SM). In this setting, the application of immunocytochemistry (ICC) is likely to allow a correct diagnosis.

METHODS

A total of 64 of 247 pediatric FNACs (26%) that were processed with liquid‐based cytology had surgical follow‐up. An ICC panel (Hector Battifora mesothelial cell‐1 [HBME‐1] and galectin‐3) was performed on liquid‐based cytology. A positive immunopanel was defined by a concordant positivity.

RESULTS

These 64 cases were cytologically diagnosed as 4 cases of cystic hemorrhagic lesions, 23 benign lesions (BL), 17 FN/AUS cases, 11 SM cases, and 9 positive for malignancy (PM) cases. All PM and BL cases were histologically confirmed. The rate of malignancy was 31.2%, including 1 case of follicular carcinoma, 9 cases of classic papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC), and 10 PTC variants (7 follicular variant of PTC, 1 macrofollicular variant, and 2 sclerosing diffuse variants). The immunopanel was performed on the categories of FN/AUS, SM, and PM. The data highlighted a concordant positive ICC in 87% of malignancies and a concordant negative ICC in 100% of benign follicular adenomas.

CONCLUSIONS

Thyroid FNAC represents a valuable/feasible tool in childhood. The higher incidence of histological malignancies justifies the cytological application of ancillary techniques (ie, ICC or molecular panels), thereby enabling a more adequate surgical selection based on the effective distinction of high‐risk and low‐risk lesions mainly for the categories of FN/AUS and SM. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2014;122:359–367. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Straight‐line programs for fast sparse matrix‐vector multiplication
Authors: Neves Samuel , Araujo Filipe
Published: January 2014

Sparse matrix‐vector multiplication dominates the performance of many scientific and industrial problems. For example, iterative methods for solving linear systems often rely on the performance of this critical operation. The particular case of binary matrices shows up in several important areas of computing, such as graph theory and cryptography. Unfortunately, irregular memory access patterns cause poor memory throughput, slowing down this operation. To maximize memory throughput, we translate the matrix into a straight‐line program that takes advantage of the CPU's instruction cache and hardware prefetchers. The regular loopless pattern of the program reduces cache misses, thus decreasing the latency for most instructions. We focus on the widely used x86_64 architecture and on binary matrices, to explore several possible tradeoffs regarding memory access policies and code size. We also consider matrices with elements over various mathematical structures, such as floating‐point reals and integers modulo m. When compared to a Compressed Row Storage implementation, we obtain significant speedups. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurural from Carbohydrates using Large‐Pore Mesoporous Tin Phosphate
Authors: Dutta Arghya , Gupta Dinesh , Patra Astam K. , Saha Basudeb , Bhaumik Asim
Published: January 2014

A large‐pore mesoporous tin phosphate (LPSnP‐1) material has been synthesized hydrothermally by using Pluronic P123 as the structure‐directing agent. The material is composed of aggregated nanoparticles of 10–15 nm in diameter and has a BET surface area of 216 m2 g−1 with an average pore diameter of 10.4 nm. This pore diameter is twice as large as that of mesoporous tin phosphate materials synthesized through the surfactant‐templating pathways reported previously. LPSnP‐1 shows excellent catalytic activity for the conversion of fructose, glucose, sucrose, cellobiose, and cellulose to 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in a water/methyl isobutyl ketone biphasic solvent to give maximum yields of HMF of 77, 50, 51, 39, and 32 mol %, respectively, under microwave‐assisted heating at 423 K. Under comparable reaction conditions, LPSnP‐1 gives 12 % more HMF yield than a small‐pore mesoporous tin phosphate catalyst that has an identical framework composition. This confirms the beneficial role of large mesopores and nanoscale particle morphology in catalytic reactions that involve bulky natural carbohydrate molecules.
Silver Supported on Titania as an Active Catalyst for Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction
Authors: Ma Sichao , Lan Yangchun , Perez Gaby M. J. , Moniri Saman , Kenis Paul J. A.
Published: January 2014

Although significant research efforts have focused on the exploration of catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of CO2, considerably fewer reports have described how support materials for these catalysts affect their performance, which includes their ability to reduce the overpotential, and/or to increase the catalyst utilization and selectivity. Here Ag nanoparticles supported on carbon black (Ag/C) and on titanium dioxide (Ag/TiO2) were synthesized. In a flow reactor, 40 wt % Ag/TiO2 exhibited a twofold higher current density for CO production than 40 wt % Ag/C. Faradaic efficiencies of the 40 wt % Ag/TiO2 catalyst exceeded 90 % with a partial current density for CO of 101 mA cm−2; similar to the performance of unsupported Ag nanoparticle catalysts (AgNP) but at a 2.5 times lower Ag loading. A mass activity as high as 2700 mA mgAg−1 cm−2 was achieved. In cyclic voltammetry tests in a three‐electrode cell, Ag/TiO2 exhibited a lower overpotential for CO2 reduction than AgNP, which, together with other data, suggests that TiO2 stabilizes the intermediate and serves as redox electron carrier to assist CO2 reduction while Ag assists in the formation of the final product, CO.
Domestication of the neotropical tree Chrysophyllum cainito from a geographically limited yet genetically diverse gene pool in Panama
Authors: Petersen Jennifer J. , Parker Ingrid M. , Potter Daniel
Published: January 2014

Species in the early stages of domestication, in which wild and cultivated forms co‐occur, provide important opportunities to develop and test hypotheses about the origins of crop species. Chrysophyllum cainito (Sapotaceae), the star apple or caimito, is a semidomesticated tree widely cultivated for its edible fruits; it is known to be native to the neotropics, but its precise geographic origins have not been firmly established. Here, we report results of microsatellite marker analyses supporting the hypothesis that the center of domestication for caimito was the Isthmus of Panama, a region in which few crop species are believed to have originated, despite its importance as a crossroads for the dispersal of domesticated plants between North and South America. Our data suggest that caimito was domesticated in a geographically restricted area while incorporating a diverse gene pool. These results refute the generally accepted Antillean origin of caimito, as well as alternative hypotheses that the species was domesticated independently in the two areas or over a broad geographic range including both. Human‐mediated dispersal from Panama to the north and east was accompanied by strong reductions in both genotypic and phenotypic diversity. Within Panama, cultivated and wild trees show little neutral genetic divergence, in contrast to striking phenotypic differentiation in fruit and seed traits. In addition to providing a rare example of data that support the hypothesis of a narrow geographic origin on the Isthmus of Panama for a now widespread cultivated plant species, this study is one of the first investigations of the origins of an edible species of the large pantropical family Sapotaceae.
Five‐year legacy of wildfire and salvage logging impacts on nutrient runoff and aquatic plant, invertebrate, and fish productivity
Authors: Silins Uldis , Bladon Kevin D. , Kelly Erin N. , Esch Evan , Spence John R. , Stone Micheal , Emelko Monica B. , Boon Sarah , Wagner Michael J. , Williams Chris H. S. , Tichkowsky Ian
Published: January 2014

Ecohydrological linkages between phosphorus (P) production, stream algae, benthic invertebrate, and fish communities were studied for 4 years after severe wildfire in the Rocky Mountains (Alberta, Canada). Mean concentrations of all forms of P (soluble reactive, total dissolved, particulate, and total) were 2 to 13 times greater in burned and post‐fire salvage‐logged streams than in unburned streams (p < 0.001). Post‐disturbance recovery of P was slow with differences in P‐discharge relationships still evident 5 years after the fire (p < 0.001). Coupled P and sediment interactions were likely responsible for slow recovery of P regimes in fire‐disturbed watersheds. P loading was associated with strong ecological responses in stream biota. Annual algal productivity was 5 to 71 times greater in streams within burned watersheds than in reference watersheds and persisted for 5 years after the fire (p < 0.001). Elevated algal production was associated with strong differences in benthic invertebrate community structure, including greater invertebrate densities, biomass, species diversity, and shifts in species composition. Monotonic shifts in invertebrate stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios indicated increased consumption of autochthonous food sources and effects on energy pathways for invertebrates from fire‐affected streams. Wildfire‐related changes at lower trophic lead to increases in size (weight and length) and growth rate (weight : age ratios) of cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki). This cascading series of effects of wildfire on stream productivity (primary production, secondary invertebrate consumers, and fish) may be long‐lived legacies of wildfire because of the slow recovery of P regimes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Follistatin‐like protein 1 enhances NLRP3 inflammasome‐mediated IL‐1β secretion from monocytes and macrophages
Authors: Chaly Yury , Fu Yu , Marinov Anthony , Hostager Bruce , Yan Wei , Campfield Brian , Kellum John A. , Bushnell Daniel , Wang Yudong , Vockley Jerry , Hirsch Raphael
Published: January 2014

Follistatin‐like protein 1 (FSTL‐1) is overexpressed in a number of inflammatory conditions characterized by elevated IL‐1β. Here, we found that FSTL‐1 serum concentration was increased threefold in patients with bacterial sepsis and fourfold following administration of LPS to mice. To test the contribution of FSTL‐1 to IL‐1β secretion, WT and FSTL‐1‐deficient mice were injected with LPS. While LPS induced IL‐1β in the sera of WT mice, it was low or undetectable in FSTL‐1‐deficient mice. Monocytes/macrophages, a key source of IL‐1β, do not normally express FSTL‐1. However, FSTL‐1 was found in tissue macrophages after injection of LPS into mouse footpads, demonstrating that macrophages are capable of taking up FSTL‐1 at sites of inflammation. In vitro, intracellular FSTL‐1 localized to the mitochondria. FSTL‐1 activated the mitochondrial electron transport chain, increased the production of ATP (a key activator of the nod‐like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome) and IL‐1β secretion. FSTL‐1 also enhanced transcription of the NLRP3 and procaspase 1 genes, two components of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Adenovirus‐mediated overexpression of FSTL‐1 in mouse paws led to activation of the inflammasome complex and local secretion of IL‐1β and IL‐1β‐related proinflammatory cytokines. These results suggest that FSTL‐1 may act on the NLRP3 inflammasome to promote IL‐1β secretion from monocytes/macrophages.
P2X7‐dependent, but differentially regulated release of IL‐6, CCL2, and TNF‐α in cultured mouse microglia
Authors: Shieh Chu‐Hsin , Heinrich Annette , Serchov Tsvetan , van Calker Dietrich , Biber Knut
Published: January 2014

ATP is an important regulator of microglia and its effects on microglial cytokine release are currently discussed as important contributors in a variety of brain diseases. We here analyzed the effects of ATP on the production of six inflammatory mediators (IL‐6, IL‐10, CCL2, IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, and IL‐12p70) in cultured mouse primary microglia. Stimulation of P2X7 receptor by ATP (1 mM) or BzATP (500 µM) evoked the mRNA expression and release of proinflammatory cytokines IL‐6, TNF‐α, and the chemokine CCL2 in WT cells but not in P2X7−/− cells. The effects of ATP and BzATP were inhibited by the nonselective P2 receptor antagonists PPADs and suramin. Various selective P2X7 receptor antagonists blocked the P2X7‐dependent release of IL‐6 and CCL2, but, surprisingly, had no effect on BzATP‐induced release of TNF‐α in microglia. Calcium measurements confirmed that P2X7 is the main purine receptor activated by BzATP in microglia and showed that all P2X7 antagonists were functional. It is also presented that pannexin‐1 hemichannel function and potential P2X4/P2X7 heterodimers are not involved in P2X7‐dependent release of IL‐6, CCL2, and TNF‐α in microglia. How P2X7‐specific antagonists only affect P2X7‐dependent IL‐6 and CCL2 release, but not TNF‐α release is at the moment unclear, but indicates that the P2X7‐dependent release of cytokines in microglia is differentially regulated. GLIA 2014;62:592–607
Management of invasive well‐differentiated thyroid cancer: An American head and neck society consensus statement: AHNS consensus statement
Authors: Shindo Maisie L. , Caruana Salvatore M. , Kandil Emad , McCaffrey Judith C. , Orloff Lisa A. , Porterfield John R. , Shaha Ashok , Shin Jennifer , Terris David , Randolph Gregory
Published: January 2014

Background

Invasive differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is relatively frequent, yet there is a paucity of specific guidelines devoted to its management. The Endocrine Committee of the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) convened a panel to provide clinical consensus statements based on review of the literature, synthesized with the expert opinion of the group.

Methods

An expert panel, selected from membership of the AHNS, constructed the manuscript and recommendations for management of DTC with invasion of recurrent laryngeal nerve, trachea, esophagus, larynx, and major vessels based on current best evidence. A Modified Delphi survey was then constructed by another expert panelist utilizing 9 anchor points, 1 = strongly disagree to 9 = strongly agree. Results of the survey were utilized to determine which statements achieved consensus, near‐consensus, or non‐consensus.

Results

After endorsement by the AHNS Endocrine Committee and Quality of Care Committee, it received final approval from the AHNS Council. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 36: 1379–1390, 2014
Can flow cytometry of bone marrow aspirate predict outcome of patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma? A retrospective single centre study
Authors: Wolach Ofir , Fraser Abigail , Luchiansky Michael , Shapiro Chava , Radnay Judith , Shpilberg Ofer , Lishner Michael , Lahav Meir
Published: January 2014

Bone marrow (BM) trephine biopsy is a part of routine staging of patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The significance of lymphoid monoclonal population on flow cytometry (FC) of the BM aspirate in the presence of negative BM histology has not been clarified. In this study, we assessed the clinical role of positive FC in predicting outcome of patients with DLBCL and a negative BM histology. We retrospectively analysed 101 patients diagnosed with DLBCL at a single institution between years 1994–2003. Three groups of patients were compared: patients with histologic involvement of the BM (BM+), patients with no histologic involvement of the BM but with positive FC (BM−FC+) and patients with neither histologic or FC evidence of BM involvement (BM−FC−). The BM+ group included 13 patients (13%). The BM−FC+ group 16 patients (16%), and the BM−FC−included 72 patients (71%). Median age of the cohort was 67 years. Disease stage and International Prognostic Index score were significantly higher in the BM+ and BM−FC+ groups compared with the BM−FC− group. Median overall survival (OS) for the BM−FC−, BM−FC+ and BM + groups were 4.6, 2.2 and 0.9 years, respectively. Median progression free survival (PFS) for the BM−FC−, BM−FC+ and BM+ groups were 3.2, 1.4 and 0.6 years, respectively (p=0.01 for both analysis). In multivariable Cox regression models adjusting for age, sex, stage and International Prognostic Index, there was no significant differences in OS or PFS between the BM−FC+ and BM−FC− groups.

In conclusion, positive FC in the setting of negative BM histology at diagnosis did not significantly affect OS or PFS. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A NEW MACROPRUDENTIAL TOOL TO ASSESS SOURCES OF FINANCIAL RISKS: IMPLIED‐SYSTEMIC COST OF RISKS
Authors: Conciarelli Alessandro
Published: January 2014

The new macroprudential Implied‐Systemic Cost Of Risks (I‐SCOR) index, derived from MCNulty's implied cost of capital and enriched to account for the risks materialized during this crisis (collateral, liquidity and tail risk), well highlighted and distinguish the risks that contributed to each phase of the financial turmoil (Lehman, East Europe, and EU sovereign). The index has proved during all the period of analysis to rank correctly over time and over other analysis dimensions (sectoral and geographical) where strains where growing. Moreover, its expression in percentage points make it an ‘easy to interpret’ measure of crisis. Using this macroprudential index, it is possible to analyse financial markets conditions in a ‘scalable’ way: starting from the high stage of a ‘geographical’ and general index level, than drilling down on the sector or the country, in order to detect where risks are growing. Moreover, the analysis can be completed taking into account risk drivers so that the overall analysis performed with the deployment of the I‐SCOR index can be seen in different dimensions (views). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Men and Women in Space: Bone Loss and Kidney Stone Risk After Long-Duration Spaceflight
Authors: Smith Scott M , Zwart Sara R , Heer Martina , Hudson Edgar K , Shackelford Linda , Morgan Jennifer LL
Published: January 2014

Bone loss, a key concern for long-duration space travelers, is typically considered a female issue. The number of women who have flown long-duration space missions is now great enough to allow a quantitative comparison of changes in bone and renal stone risk by sex. Participants were 42 astronauts (33 men and 9 women) on long-duration missions to the International Space Station. Bone mineral density (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and biochemical markers of bone metabolism (from blood and urine samples) were evaluated before and after flight. Data were analyzed in two groups, based on available resistance exercise equipment. Missions were 49 to 215 days in duration, flown between 2000 and 2012. The bone density response to spaceflight was the same for men and women in both exercise groups. The bone mineral density response to flight was the same for men and women, and the typical decrease in bone mineral density (whole body and/or regional) after flight was not observed for either sex for those using an advanced resistive exercise device. Biochemical markers of bone formation and resorption responded similarly in male and female astronauts. The response of urinary supersaturation risk to spaceflight was not significantly different between men and women, although risks were typically increased after flight in both groups, and risks were greater in men than in women before and after flight. The responses of men and women to spaceflight with respect to these measures of bone health were not different. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.