bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid identification of efavirenz metabolites in rats and humans by ultra high performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Deng Yachen , Liu Rong , Yang Ping , Liang Jianying
Published: February 2015

An in vivo study of efavirenz metabolites in rats and human patients with ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry combined with MetabolitePilotMT software is reported for the first time. Considering the polarity differences between the metabolites, solid‐phase extraction and protein precipitation were both applied as a part of the sample preparation method. The structures of the metabolites and their fragment ions were identified or tentatively characterized based on the accurate mass and MS2 data. As a result, a total of 15 metabolites, including 11 from rat samples and 13 from human samples, were identified or tentatively characterized. Two metabolites and several new metabolism pathways are reported for the first time. This study provides a practical approach for identifying complicated metabolites through the rapid and reliable ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry technique, which could be widely used for the investigation of drug metabolites.
Does Tourism Really Lead to Peace? A Global View
Authors: Pratt Stephen , Liu Anyu
Published: February 2015

There has been much rhetoric about tourism's role in promoting world peace. This research takes a global perspective examining the relationship between peace and tourism across 111 different countries using a panel data model using two indicators, international tourist arrivals and the Institute for Economics and Peace's Global Peace Index. The results indicate that tourism is the beneficiary of peace rather than grounds for peace. Peace is most important to tourism in medium income destinations but still important for high income nations. No relationship exists between peace and tourism arrivals for low income nations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Incorporation of Consumer Experience into the Branding Process: An Investigation of Name‐Brand Hotels
Authors: Manthiou Aikaterini , Kang Juhee , Sumarjan Norzuwana , Tang Liang (Rebecca)
Published: February 2015

Given the growing number of hotel brands, improving consumer experience has become an increasingly important area of interest to industry practitioners. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between hotel guests' brand experience, knowledge and loyalty to name‐brand hotels. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling with the incorporation of a second‐order factor analysis were employed to achieve the research goals. The findings indicate that brand experience was represented as a holistic concept with sensory, affective, behavioral and intellectual aspects. While brand experience influences brand loyalty, its impact is partially mediated by brand knowledge. This is a pioneer study that combines consumer experience with branding in the hospitality industry and offers practical suggestions to facilitate hotel managers in their development of effective branding strategies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability of oscillatory solutions of differential equations with general piecewise constant arguments of mixed type
Authors: Chiu Kuo‐Shou , Jeng Jyh‐Cheng
Published: February 2015

We examine scalar differential equations with general piecewise constant arguments of mixed type, in short DEPCAG of mixed type, that is, the arguments are general step functions. Criteria of existence of the oscillatory and nonoscillatory solutions of such equations are proposed. Necessary and sufficient conditions for stability of the zero solution are obtained. Our results are new, extend and improve earlier publications. Several numerical examples and simulations are also given to show the feasibility of our results.
Moderate consumption of wine, through both its phenolic compounds and alcohol content, promotes hydroxytyrosol endogenous generation in humans. A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Pérez‐Mañá Clara , Farré Magí , Rodríguez‐Morató Jose , Papaseit Esther , Pujadas Mitona , Fitó Montserrat , Robledo Patricia , Covas Maria‐Isabel , Cheynier Véronique , Meudec Emmanuelle , Escudier Jean‐Louis , de la Torre Rafael
Published: February 2015

In humans, urinary hydroxytyrosol (OHTyr) concentrations have been associated to alcohol and wine consumption. To explore the role of wine components on promoting an endogenous OHTyr generation we performed a cross‐over, double‐blind, randomized controlled clinical trial (n = 28 healthy volunteers). Ethanol (wine and vodka), dealcoholized wine, and placebo were administered. Alcohol, dealcoholized wine, and particularly wine promoted a de novo OHTyr generation in vivo in humans. Potential OHTyr precursors (tyrosine, tyrosol, tyramine) were investigated in rats. Tyrosol was metabolized to OHTyr. Collating both studies, it is postulated that an increased Tyr bioavailability, a shift to a reductive pathway in dopamine and tyramine oxidative metabolism, and the biotransformation of Tyr to OHTyr were mechanisms involved in the OHTyr endogenous generation.
Modulation of cellular glucose metabolism in human HepG2 cells by combinations of structurally related flavonoids
Authors: Kerimi Asimina , Jailani Fadhilah , Williamson Gary
Published: February 2015

Scope

Insulin‐regulated glucose metabolism in cells is critical for proper metabolic functioning, and insulin resistance leads to type 2 diabetes. We performed a human study to assess the availability of structurally related dietary flavonols and tested their ability to affect cellular glucose uptake, metabolism, and glucose transporter gene expression in a liver HepG2 cell model.

Methods and results

Eight healthy volunteers consumed a meal containing galangin, kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin. In plasma, myricetin was absent, but the others were present, mostly as conjugates. In HepG2 cells, a combination of galangin, kaempferol, and quercetin (5 μM each) for 12 h increased the acute uptake of [U‐14C]‐glucose and 2‐[U‐14C]‐deoxyglucose by almost 100 and ∼10%, respectively. All of the combinations increased glucose metabolism, but the effect on transport was less pronounced and mixed. A mixture of all flavonols significantly increased mRNA expression of the main glucose transporter Glut1 in HepG2 cells.

Conclusion

These results for the first time show the presence of galangin conjugates in human plasma, and allow direct comparison between absorption of flavonols. A combination of flavonols has the potential to modulate sugar metabolism, both uptake into cells as evident from effects on deoxyglucose, and also further cellular glucose metabolism.
Possible abilities of dietary factors to prevent and treat diabetes via the stimulation of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 secretion
Authors: Tsuda Takanori
Published: February 2015

There is a pressing need for countermeasures against diabetes, which has increased in incidence, becoming a global issue. Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1), a molecule secreted in enteroendocrine L cells in the lower small and large intestines, is thought to be one of the most important molecular targets for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. There has been increasing interest in the possible ability of dietary factors to treat diabetes via modulating GLP‐1 secretion. There is thought to be a close relationship between incretin and diet, and the purported best approach for using dietary factors to increase GLP‐1 activity is promotion of secretion of endogenous GLP‐1. It have been reported that nutrients as well as various non‐nutrient dietary factors can function as GLP‐1 secretogogues. Here, we present our findings on the GLP‐1 secretion‐stimulating functions of two dietary factors, curcumin and extract of edible sweet potato leaves, which contain caffeoylquinic acid derivatives. However, it is necessary to reveal in greater detail the stimulation of GLP‐1 secretion by dietary factors for preventing and treating diabetes. It is desirable to clarify the exact GLP‐1 secretory pathway, the effect of metabolites derived from dietary factors in gut lumen, and the relationship between incretin and meal.
Quercetin ameliorates dysregulation of lipid metabolism genes via the PI3K/AKT pathway in a diet‐induced mouse model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Pisonero‐Vaquero Sandra , Martínez‐Ferreras Ángel , García‐Mediavilla María Victoria , Martínez‐Flórez Susana , Fernández Anna , Benet Marta , Olcoz José Luis , Jover Ramiro , González‐Gallego Javier , Sánchez‐Campos Sonia
Published: February 2015

Scope

Flavonoids and related compounds seem to have favorable effects on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression, although the exact mechanisms implicated are poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of the flanovol quercetin on gene expression deregulation involved in the development of NAFLD, as well as the possible implication of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway modulation.

Methods and results

We used an in vivo model based on methionine‐ and choline‐deficient (MCD) diet‐fed mice and an in vitro model consisting of Huh7 cells incubated with MCD medium. MCD‐fed mice showed classical pathophysiological characteristics of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, associated with altered transcriptional regulation of fatty acid uptake‐ and trafficking‐related gene expression, with increased lipoperoxidation. PI3K/AKT pathway was activated by MCD and triggered gene deregulation causing either activation or inhibition of all studied genes as demonstrated through cell incubation with the PI3K‐inhibitor LY294002. Treatment with quercetin reduced AKT phosphorylation, and oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammation and lipid metabolism‐related genes displayed a tendency to normalize in both in vivo and in vitro models.

Conclusion

These results place quercetin as a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing NAFLD progression by attenuating gene expression deregulation, at least in part through PI3K/AKT pathway inactivation.
Temperature dependence on RF avalanche breakdown of RF mosfets in the impact ionization region
Authors: Lee Chie‐In , Lin Wei‐Cheng , Lin Yan‐Ting
Published: February 2015

In this article, temperature dependence on radio‐frequency (RF) avalanche effects of metal–oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistors (MOSFETs) in the impact ionization region is investigated using RF measurements for the first time. Equivalent circuit parameters of MOSFETs including the inductive breakdown network are extracted from low to high temperatures to characterize device performance and its temperature dependency in the breakdown regime. At elevated temperatures, inductive behavior resulting from a RF avalanche mechanism becomes evident due to the pronounced inductive network with increasing temperature. When the RF avalanche mechanism is not considered, a deviation of the extracted channel resistance increases with raising temperature. The effect of inductive breakdown on output voltage standing wave ratio performance when designing an output matching network for the MOSFETs is also analyzed at different temperatures. The presented analysis of temperature dependence on device performance can be beneficial to RF power amplifier design in the breakdown region for high‐altitude applications at different temperatures. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:817–820, 2015
A tunable ultrawideband digital impulse generator in 0.18 μm CMOS
Authors: Yoo Hyun Jin , Park Myung Cheol , Kwon Ickjin , Eo Yun Seong
Published: February 2015

All digitally reconfigurable ultrawideband (UWB) pulse generator is presented. To achieve independent tuning of the frequency and bandwidth, the variable time delay cell and combining amplifiers for the pulse width control are implemented. In addition, to meet the strict regulation of UWB spectrum mask, the pulse shaper based on weighted summing amplifiers is adopted. The experimental results cover the 3–5.5 GHz, with 500–2000 MHz bandwidth while meeting the −41.3 dBm/MHz power spectral density restriction. The current consumption is only 4 mA at 4 GHz and the chip size is 0.42 mm2 in 0.18 μm CMOS process. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:865–868, 2015
Composite microstrip lowpass filter with ultrawide stopband and low insertion loss
Authors: Shaman Hussein , Almorqi Sultan , AlAmoudi Ahmed
Published: February 2015

A compact microstrip lowpass filter with a very wide passband is proposed in this article. The filter is based on generalized Chebyshev filter prototype of nine degree. The filter is designed to have a cut‐off frequency at 18 GHz and a return loss of better than 20 dB. The design of the proposed filter is successfully realized in theory and verified by full‐wave electromagnetic simulation and the experiment. An excellent agreement between the expected and measured results is obtained. The measured results show a low insertion loss of less than 1.5 dB over the entire ultrawide passband. The fabricated filter looks attractive for wideband RF/microwave systems due to its good performance and overall physical volume. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:871–874, 2015
Extraction of on‐body creeping wave mechanisms using the ESPRIT algorithm
Authors: Xue Dong , Garner Brian A. , Li Yang
Published: February 2015

The propagation of creeping waves on the human body is investigated. Both propagation constants and decay constants are extracted from measurements using the ESPRIT algorithm. The results are compared to on‐body creeping wave theory. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:868–871, 2015
GaN HEMT noise modeling based on 50‐Ω noise factor
Authors: Crupi Giovanni , Caddemi Alina , Raffo Antonio , Salvo Giuseppe , Nalli Andrea , Vannini Giorgio
Published: February 2015

The extraction of a high‐frequency ivalent circuit model plays a fundamental role for the development of any emerging transistor technology. Indeed, an equivalent circuit can provide a valuable support for microwave engineers to ensure a fast and reliable optimization of both device fabrication and circuit design. As far as gallium nitride (GaN) HEMTs are concerned, research efforts have been mostly focused on determining equivalent circuits able to reproduce their large‐signal behavior. Nevertheless, an increasing amount of interest is also being devoted to noise equivalent circuits, due to the interesting GaN technology noise performance. Within this context, the purpose of the present paper is to extract and fully validate an accurate noise model for GaN HEMTs based on a simple, fast, and reliable extraction procedure. The noise model is obtained by assigning an equivalent noise temperature to each resistor of the small‐signal equivalent circuit. The accuracy of the extracted noise model is confirmed by the good agreement between measured and simulated high‐frequency noise parameters. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:937–942, 2015
Envelope‐tracking EM‐CKT simulation of nonlinearly loaded wire antennas under broadband excitations
Authors: Subramanian Vivek , Yılmaz Ali E.
Published: February 2015

Novel temporal sampling and interpolation schemes are presented to improve the performance of envelope‐tracking hybrid electromagnetic‐circuit simulators that express voltages, currents, and fields of interest as series of harmonic sinusoids weighted by complex time‐varying coefficients (envelopes). These schemes enable broader band simulations to be performed by expanding the range of validity of expressions that relate the envelopes of currents through nonlinear circuit elements to the envelopes of the voltages across them. Diode loaded wire antennas and antenna arrays are analyzed under broadband excitations to demonstrate the viability of the proposed schemes. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:912–918, 2015
Continuously tunable band‐notched ultrawideband antenna
Authors: Malik Jagannath , Velalam Paritosh K. , Kartikeyan Machavaram V.
Published: February 2015

A compact coplanar wave guide ‐fed elliptically tapered ultrawideband (UWB) antenna with a tunable narrow rejection band of 0.195 GHz with tunable range (5.07–5.83) GHz is presented. The proposed antenna consists of elliptically tapered patch, elliptically tapered and truncated ground plane to achieve the UWB bandwidth. A quarter wavelength stubs loaded with a varactor diode has been used to tune the notched band. The proposed antenna has been fabricated on low cost FR4 substrate with dimensions as (24 × 30 × 1.524) mm3. Both the frequency domain as well the time domain performance characterization have been carried out and discussed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:924–928, 2015
Measurement of refraction index of thick and nontransparent isotropic material using transmission microwave ellipsometry
Authors: Moungache A. , Bayard B. , Tahir Abakar Mahamat , Robert S. , Jamon D. , Gambou F.
Published: February 2015

This article introduces an original microwave ellipsometry method for the characterization of dielectric materials. It is a nondestructive technique based on the interaction between wave and material in the 26–40 GHz frequency range. The refraction index is obtained by measuring the rotation angle of the refracted wave polarization for different angular positions of the sample. The technique is then validated with polytetrafluoroethylene samples which refraction index is known. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:1006–1013, 2015
A 3D domain decomposition approach for the identification of spatially varying elastic material parameters
Authors: Moussawi Ali , Lubineau Gilles , Xu Jiangping , Pan Bing
Published: February 2015

The post‐treatment of (3D) displacement fields for the identification of spatially varying elastic material parameters is a large inverse problem that remains out of reach for massive 3D structures. We explore here the potential of the constitutive compatibility method for tackling such an inverse problem, provided an appropriate domain decomposition technique is introduced. In the method described here, the statically admissible stress field that can be related through the known constitutive symmetry to the kinematic observations is sought through minimization of an objective function, which measures the violation of constitutive compatibility. After this stress reconstruction, the local material parameters are identified with the given kinematic observations using the constitutive equation. Here, we first adapt this method to solve 3D identification problems and then implement it within a domain decomposition framework which allows for reduced computational load when handling larger problems. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel hybrid functional nanoparticle and its effects on the dielectric, mechanical, and thermal properties of cyanate ester
Authors: Jiao Jian , Zhao Lizhen , Wang Lei , Lv Panpan , Cui Yonghong , Wu Guangli
Published: February 2015

A novel hybrid functional nanoparticle (denoted POSS‐MPS) was synthesized by aminopropyl‐functionalized mesoporous silica (AP‐MPS) with glycidyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (G‐POSS). The G‐POSS was employed as molecular caps to envelop the MPS and improve the interaction with the polymer matrix. The POSS‐MPS hybrids were designed to improve the properties of cyanate ester (CE) without affecting its inherent properties. The POSS‐MPS/CE composites exhibited excellent improvement in dielectric properties, mechanical properties, and thermal properties due to increase of voids volume in the composites and reinforcement of interface interaction between organic and inorganic phase. The dielectric constant (κ) and loss factor (tan δ) of composites with 4 phr of POSS‐MPS reduced to 2.78 and 0.008 in comparison to pure CE with the value of 3.27 and 0.012, respectively. Moreover, the composites exhibited 14.3, 4.9, 57.5, and 8.7% enhancement in flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength, and glass transition temperature (Tg) in comparison to pure CE, respectively. The results manifested that introduction of POSS‐MPS into CE exhibited toughening and reinforcing effects on the composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2142–2151, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Highly conductive ZnO films with high near infrared transparency
Authors: Hála Matěj , Fujii Shohei , Redinger Alex , Inoue Yukari , Rey Germain , Thevenin Maxime , Deprédurand Valérie , Weiss Thomas Paul , Bertram Tobias , Siebentritt Susanne
Published: February 2015

We present an approach for deposition of highly conductive nominally undoped ZnO films that are suitable for the n‐type window of low band gap solar cells. We demonstrate that low‐voltage radio frequency (RF) biasing of growing ZnO films during their deposition by non‐reactive sputtering makes them as conductive as when doped by aluminium (ρ≤1·10−3Ω cm). The films prepared with additional RF biasing possess lower free‐carrier concentration and higher free‐carrier mobility than Al‐doped ZnO (AZO) films of the same resistivity, which results in a substantially higher transparency in the near infrared region (NIR). Furthermore, these films exhibit good ambient stability and lower high‐temperature stability than the AZO films of the same thickness. We also present the characteristics of Cu(InGa)Se2, CuInSe2 and Cu2ZnSnSe4‐based solar cells prepared with the transparent window bilayer formed of the isolating and conductive ZnO films and compare them to their counterparts with a standard ZnO/AZO bilayer. We show that the solar cells with nominally undoped ZnO as their transparent conductive oxide layer exhibit an improved quantum efficiency for λ > 900 nm, which leads to a higher short circuit current density JSC. This aspect is specifically beneficial in preparation of the Cu2ZnSnSe4 solar cells with band gap down to 0.85 eV; our champion device reached a JSC of nearly 39 mAcm−2, an open circuit voltage of 378mV, and a power conversion efficiency of 8.4 %. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Men's experience with penile rehabilitation following radical prostatectomy: a qualitative study with the goal of informing a therapeutic intervention
Authors: Nelson Christian J. , Lacey Stephanie , Kenowitz Joslyn , Pessin Hayley , Shuk Elyse , Roth Andrew J. , Mulhall John P.
Published: February 2015

Background

Erectile rehabilitation (ER) following radical prostatectomy (RP) is considered an essential component to help men regain erectile functioning; however, many men have difficulty adhering to this type of program. This qualitative study explored men's experience with ER, erectile dysfunction (ED), and ED treatments to inform a psychological intervention designed to help men adhere to ER post‐RP.

Methods

Thirty men, 1‐to‐3‐years post‐RP, who took part in an ER program, participated in one of four focus groups. Thematic analysis was used to identify the primary themes.

Results

Average age was 59 years (standard deviation = 7); mean time since surgery was 26 months (standard deviation = 6). Six primary themes emerged: (1) frustration with the lack of information about postsurgery ED; (2) negative emotional impact of ED and avoidance of sexual situations; (3) negative emotional experience with penile injections and barriers leading to avoidance; (4) the benefit of focusing on the long‐term advantage of ER versus short‐term anxiety; (5) using humor to help cope; and (6) the benefit of support from partners and peers.

Conclusions

Men's frustration surrounding ED can lead to avoidance of sexual situations and ED treatments, which negatively impact men's adherence to an ER program. The theoretical construct of acceptance and commitment therapy was used to place the themes into a framework to conceptualize the mechanisms underlying both avoidance and adherence in this population. As such, acceptance and commitment therapy has the potential to serve as a conceptual underpinning of a psychological intervention to help men reduce avoidance to penile injections and adhere to an ER program. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A proteomic study of the regulatory role for STAT‐1 in cytokine‐induced beta‐cell death
Authors: Rondas Dieter , Gudmundsdottir Valborg , D'Hertog Wannes , Crèvecoeur Inne , Waelkens Etienne , Brunak Soren , Mathieu Chantal , Overbergh Lut
Published: February 2015

Purpose

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT‐1) plays a crucial role in cytokine‐induced beta‐cell destruction. However, its precise downstream pathways have not been completely clarified. We performed a proteome analysis of cytokine‐exposed C57Bl/6 and STAT‐1−/− mouse islets and prioritized proteins for their potential in relation to type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Experimental design

Differential proteins were identified using a combination of 2D‐DIGE and MALDI‐TOF/TOF analysis and were subjected to ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA). Protein–protein interaction networks were created and a phenome‐interactome ranking of the differential proteins based on their assignment to T1D was performed.

Results

Numerous STAT‐1‐regulated proteins were identified and divided in different groups according to their biological function. The largest group of proteins was the one involved in protein synthesis and processing. Network analysis revealed a complex interaction between proteins from different functional groups and IPA analysis confirmed the protective effect of STAT‐1 deletion on cytokine‐induced beta‐cell death. Finally, a central role in this STAT‐1‐regulated mechanism was assigned to small ubiquitin‐related modifier 4 (SUMO4).

Conclusions and clinical relevance

These findings confirm a central role for STAT‐1 in pancreatic islet inflammation induced destruction and most importantly elucidate the underlying proteomic pathways involved.
Discovery of novel candidate urinary protein biomarkers for prostate cancer in a multiethnic cohort of South African patients via label‐free mass spectrometry
Authors: Adeola Henry A. , Soares Nelson C. , Paccez Juliano D. , Kaestner Lisa , Blackburn Jonathan M. , Zerbini Luiz F.
Published: February 2015

Purpose

Improvement in diagnostic accuracy of prostate cancer (PCa) progression using MS‐based methods to analyze biomarkers in our African, Caucasian, and Mixed Ancestry patients can advance early detection and treatment monitoring.

Experimental design

MS‐based proteomic analysis of pooled (N = 36) and individual samples (N = 45) of PCa, benign prostatic hyperplasia, normal healthy controls, and patients with other uropathies was used to identify differences in proteomics profile. Samples were analyzed for potential biomarkers and proteome coverage in African, Caucasian, and Mixed Ancestry PCa patients.

Results

A total of 1102 and 5595 protein groups and nonredundant peptides, respectively, were identified in the pooling experiments (FDR = 0.01). Twenty potential biomarkers in PCa were identified and fold differences ± 2SD were observed in 17 proteins using intensity‐based absolute quantification. Analysis of 45 individual samples yielded 1545 and 9991 protein groups and nonredundant peptides, respectively. Seventy‐three (73) proteins groups, including existing putative PCa biomarkers, were found to be potential biomarkers of PCa by label‐free quantification and demonstrated ethnic trends within our PCa cohort.

Conclusion and clinical relevance

Urinary proteomics is a promising route to PCa biomarker discovery and may serve as source of ethnic‐related biomarkers of PCa.
Sensitivity of intensifying Atlantic hurricanes to vortex structure
Authors: Brown Bonnie R. , Hakim Gregory J.
Published: February 2015

Sensitivity analysis is performed in order to determine objectively the role of storm structure during periods of rapid intensification in a sample of five Atlantic hurricanes. Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model 24 h forecasts for 96 member ensembles provide the basis for analyses of hurricanes Bill (2009), Earl (2010), Igor (2010), Katia (2011) and Ophelia (2011). Ensemble sensitivity analysis is used to investigate which patterns in the analysis have a strong influence on the forecast intensity and then a novel sensitivity compositing technique is used to identify common patterns that affect the forecast intensity. We find a common response for increasing intensity associated with an initial increased primary and secondary circulation, an increased warm core, an elevated tropopause and moistening of the rain‐band region. Perturbed initial‐condition experiments show a linear response for modest initial amplitude and also signs of nonlinearity for large perturbations, indicating that these sensitivity patterns are robust for limited additional strengthening of the hurricane. When initial perturbations are partitioned into dry and moist variables, we find that most of the forecast change is achieved by the dry dynamics. Further investigation into convective indicators reveals that simulations in which only moist variables are perturbed experience less convective development in the eyewall throughout the forecast.
Integrated design of residual generation and evaluation for fault detection of networked control systems
Authors: Wan Yiming , Wang Wei , Ye Hao
Published: February 2015

In this paper, integrated design of residual generation and evaluation is proposed to fault detection (FD) of networked control systems. Both the imperfect network transmissions and the sampling effects are considered under the assumption that no stochastic network model is available. By deriving a linear discrete time‐varying system equivalent to the sampled plant, the continuous‐time behaviors of disturbances and faults during sampling intervals are captured. Moreover, the effects of unknown but bounded packet delays and dropouts in the controller‐to‐actuator link are described by uncertain input delays with finite number of possibilities. A parity relation‐based FD module with multiple residuals is constructed for the derived system model. For the constructed FD module, the set of undetectable faults is obtained from integrated analysis of residual generation and evaluation and then designed to achieve its worst‐case minimal geometrical size while guaranteeing zero false alarms. Simulation results on a networked three‐tank system are provided to show the merits of the proposed integrated design approach. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Concise Review: Reactive Astrocytes and Stem Cells in Spinal Cord Injury: Good Guys or Bad Guys?
Authors: Lukovic Dunja , Stojkovic Miodrag , Moreno-Manzano Victoria , Jendelova Pavla , Sykova Eva , Bhattacharya Shomi S. , Erceg Slaven
Published: February 2015

Spinal cord injury (SCI) usually results in long lasting locomotor and sensory neuron degeneration below the injury. Astrocytes normally play a decisive role in mechanical and metabolic support of neurons, but in the spinal cord they cause injury, exerting well-known detrimental effects that contribute to glial scar formation and inhibition of axon outgrowth. Cell transplantation is considered a promising approach for replacing damaged cells and promoting neuroprotective and neuroregenerative repair, but the effects of the grafted cells on local tissue and the regenerative properties of endogenous neural stem cells in the injured spinal cord are largely unknown. During the last 2 decades cumulative evidence from diverse animal models has indicated that reactive astrocytes in synergy with transplanted cells could be beneficial for injury in multiple ways, including neuroprotection and axonal growth. In this review, we specifically focus on the dual opposing roles of reactive astrocytes in SCI and how they contribute to the creation of a permissive environment when combined with transplanted cells as the influential components for a local regenerative niche. Modulation of reactive astrocyte function might represent an extremely attractive new therapy to enhance the functional outcomes in patients. Stem Cells  2015;33:1036–1041
Herbal plant‐derived compound, 1,2,3,4,6‐penta‐O‐galloyl‐β‐d‐glucose, increases cross‐presentation by dendritic cells
Authors: Inujima Akiko , Yamada Miyuki , Takeno Nobuhiro , Hoshina Akiko , Oe Mikihiro , Shinohara Kanna , Shibahara Naotoshi , Sakurai Hiroaki , Saiki Ikuo , Koizumi Keiichi
Published: February 2015

Aim

Vaccines have made great contributions to human welfare, and can be used even more effectively with adjuvants. The immune‐inducible effects of adjuvants are classified into four categories: T‐helper (Th)1, Th2, antibody, and cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte (CTL) responses. Exogenous antigens are mainly presented to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules, but are also presented to MHC class I molecules via the antigen cross‐presentation process in dendritic cells. The enhancement of cross‐presentation of an injected vaccine antigen by an adjuvant leads to Th1 and CTL responses, resulting in successful intracellular infection and tumor vaccine therapy.

Methods

It is widely known that herbal medicines have strong immune response effects. With this in mind, we developed a novel vaccine adjuvant from natural compounds used in herbal medicine, through an in vitro model vaccine antigen (ovalbumin, OVA) cross‐presentation assay.

Results

Among 89 natural compounds, 1,2,3,4,6‐penta‐O‐galloyl‐β‐d‐glucose (PGG) most enhanced cross‐presentation in dendritic cells. While the expression of MHC class II molecules was suppressed, PGG enhanced the expression of MHC class I molecules, restricted to OVA‐derived peptides.

Conclusion

Restricted MHC class I expression resulting from the use of PGG enhanced cross‐presentation by dendritic cells.
Enhanced d-arabitol production by Zygosaccharomyces rouxii JM-C46: isolation of strains and process of repeated-batch fermentation
Authors: Qi Xianghui , Luo Yan , Wang Xu , Zhu Jingfei , Lin Jing , Zhang Huanhuan , Chen Fang , Sun Wenjing
Published: February 2015

A new strain producing high yield of d-arabitol was isolated from hyperosmotic environments and the ITS rDNA sequencing analysis revealed it as Zygosaccharomyces rouxii. In addition, using a pH control and repeated-batch fermentation strategy in a 5-L reactor, the maximum yield and the highest volumetric productivity of d-arabitol were 93.48 ± 2.79 g/L and 1.143 g/L h, respectively. Volumetric productivity was successfully improved from 0.86 to 1.143 g/L h, which was increased by 32.9 % after 72 h of fermentation. Z. rouxii JM-C46 has potential to be used for d-arabitol and xylitol production from glucose via d-arabitol route.
Dishonesty under scrutiny
Authors: van de Ven Jeroen , Villeval Marie Claire
Published: February 2015

We investigate how different forms of scrutiny affect dishonesty, using Gneezy’s [Am Econ Rev 95:384–394 (2005)] deception game. We add a third player whose interests are aligned with those of the sender. We find that lying behavior is not sensitive to revealing the sender’s identity to the observer. The option for observers to communicate with the sender, and the option to reveal the sender’s lies to the receiver also do not affect lying behavior. Even more striking, senders whose identity is revealed to their observer do not lie less when their interests are misaligned with those of the observer.
Barrett's esophagus and risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Wang Hung‐Wei , Kuo Chia‐Jung , Lin Wey‐Ran , Hsu Chen‐Ming , Ho Yu‐Pin , Lin Chun‐Jung , Chen Kuang‐Hua , Su Ming‐Yao , Chiu Cheng‐Tang
Published: February 2015

Background and aim

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the most common cause or precursor of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), a condition with a poor prognosis. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and risk of EAC in patients with BE.

Materials and methods

From January 2001 to December 2012, a total of 425 patients with histologically proven BE were identified and analyzed retrospectively. Patients' personal data (smoking, alcohol consumption), underlying systemic disease data (diabetes mellitus and hypertension), endoscopic findings (hiatal hernia, peptic ulcer, endoscopically suspected esophageal metaplasia, severity of reflux esophagitis, rapid urease test), and pathological findings (degree of dysplasia, Helicobacter pylori infection) were collected for further analysis.

Results

In this retrospective study, 15 patients were diagnosed with EAC. Only one patient was found to have EAC during endoscopic surveillance for BE. The majority of patients (14/15 patients) suffered alarm symptoms and were diagnosed to have BE and EAC concurrently. Meanwhile, EAC is already relatively at an advanced stage. The mean age for diagnosis of EAC in a patient with BE was 67.67 ± 9.92 years old. All patients were male. From a total of 15 patients, 33.3% (5 patients) demonstrated erosive esophagitis under endoscopy and 60% (3 of 5 patients) of these were classified as Los Angeles grade C or D disease.

Conclusion

Our study found that BE‐associated EAC mostly occurred in older men. In the group with BE‐associated EAC, the majority of patients were discovered due to alarm symptoms, at the same time as esophageal adenocarcinoma had already developed. Further prospective study is needed to stratify the risk of disease progression in BE patients.
Medical utilization by liver cancer patients under the National Health Insurance program in Taiwan: A population‐based cross‐sectional study
Authors: Yeh Chun , Lin Yi‐Hsien , Yu Cheng‐Ping , Hsu Chung‐Te
Published: February 2015

Aims

Taiwan implemented a comprehensive and universal National Health Insurance (NHI) program to cover all inhabitants. This study aimed to assess the medical utilization by liver cancer patients under the NHI.

Methods

This retrospective cross‐sectional study used a sampled NHI research database, which contained 1 million beneficiaries. The claims of liver cancer patients in 2009 were analyzed. The other beneficiaries without liver cancer who used medical services in 2009 served as the control patients.

Results

Among the 2335 identified liver cancer patients, 2178 (93.3%) patients used outpatient services and 1193 (51.1%) patients used inpatient services. Liver cancer accounted for 1.8% of the NHI's total cost. The cost per visit was United States dollars (US$)59.30 for outpatient care and US$2070.30 for inpatient care. The annual cost per patient was US$4746.60; US$1951.00 were for outpatient care and US$2795.60 for inpatient care. Patients who were female, in their 60s, had a lower income, and lived in southern Taiwan had a higher cost per patient (p < 0.0001). Fees for consultation, treatment, and medical supplies (57.3%) accounted for the highest portion of outpatient costs, followed by drug fees (30.0%) and diagnosis fees (11.2%). Ward fees accounted for the highest portion of inpatient costs (19.0%), followed by drug fees (18.7%) and X‐ray fees (14.9%). Private hospitals were visited more frequently than public hospitals. The cost per visit and cost per patient with liver cancer were 206.0% and 666.8%, respectively, of the cost of the control patients.

Conclusion

The cost of liver cancer care is substantial and varies by sex, age, income, and geographic distribution. It is critical to reduce the incidence of liver cancer and identify cost‐effective treatment strategies.
The clinical efficacy and safety of EUS‐FNA for diagnosis of mediastinal and abdominal solid tumors – A single center experience
Authors: Yang Sheng‐Shun , Liao Szu‐Chia , Ko Chun‐Wang , Tung Chun‐Fang , Peng Yen‐Chun , Lien Han‐Chung , Yeh Hong‐Zen , Chang Chi‐Sen , Wang John
Published: February 2015

Background

Many tumors are small and located around the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and they are difficult to obtain tissue from for pathological diagnosis by the guidance of conventional methods (sonography or computed tomography. The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy and benefit of endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) in the clinical diagnosis of solid tumors in the mediastinum and abdomen.

Patients and methods

Data from 233 patients with solid tumors on or around the GI tract were reviewed. They had received successful EUS‐FNA without on‐site cytopathology study.

Results

The lesions were classified according to the anatomic location as pancreatic tumors (Group A, n = 91), mediastinal tumors (including lymph nodes) (Group B, n = 38), abdominal tumors (including lymph nodes) (Group C, n = 49), focal transmural thickening of the GI tract (Group D, n = 6), and submucosal tumors of the GI tract (Group E, n = 49). The accuracies of pathological diagnosis of malignancy were 79.2%, 76.9%, 93.2%, and 80% for Groups A–D, respectively. The overall accuracy for malignancy was 82.9%. For the submucosal tumors of the GI tract in Group E, FNA cytopathology provided evidence of specific diagnosis all were GI stromal tumor in 47% of the cases, 14% were diagnosed as suspicious (most were of a spindle cell tumor nature), and 39% were considered negative of tumor or non‐diagnostic. There were three episodes (1.3%) of complication (GI bleeding, n = 1; septic fever, n = 1; gallbladder puncture, n = 1) which occurred among all patients in this study, and all of them were treated appropriately, with no occurrence of life‐threatening events.

Conclusion

EUS‐FNA appears to be a very useful tool for obtaining tissue diagnosis for lesions that are inaccessible by the conventional methods and was shown to be a safe and effective technique in the hands of experienced operators. Pathological diagnosis can be obtained for the guidance of clinical management to avoid the more invasive ways, such as surgery or mediastinal scope.
Genome‐wide analysis of the AP2/ERF gene family inSalix arbutifolia
Authors: Rao Guodong , Sui Jinkai , Zeng Yanfei , He Caiyun , Zhang Jianguo
Published: February 2015

AP2/ERF genes encode transcriptional regulators with a variety of functions in plant growth and development and in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. To date, there are no detailed classification and expression profiles for AP2/ERF genes inSalix. In this study, a comprehensive computational analysis identified 173 AP2/ERF superfamily genes in willow (Salix arbutifolia), by usingin silico cloning methods with the use of the AP2/ERF conserved domain amino acid sequence ofArabidopsis thaliana as a probe. Based on the results of phylogenetic analyses and the number of AP2/ERF domains, the AP2/ERF genes were classified into four groups: AP2, RAV, ERF and Soloist. The expression profile was analyzed using transcriptome data from different tissues. A comparative analysis ofAP2/ERF superfamily genes amongSalix,Populus andArabidopsis was performed. TheSalix DREB, AP2 and RAV groups had a similar number to those in Arabidopsis, and the size of the ERF subfamily inSalix was about 1.4‐fold that of Arabidopsis. TheSalix DREB subfamily was smaller compared toPopulus, while the other families were similar in size to those inPopulus. These results will be useful for future functional analyses of the ERF family genes.
Exosome and Exosomal MicroRNA: Trafficking, Sorting, and Function
Authors: Zhang Jian , Li Sha , Li Lu , Li Meng , Guo Chongye , Yao Jun , Mi Shuangli
Published: February 2015

Exosomes are 40–100 nm nano-sized vesicles that are released from many cell types into the extracellular space. Such vesicles are widely distributed in various body fluids. Recently, mRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified in exosomes, which can be taken up by neighboring or distant cells and subsequently modulate recipient cells. This suggests an active sorting mechanism of exosomal miRNAs, since the miRNA profiles of exosomes may differ from those of the parent cells. Exosomal miRNAs play an important role in disease progression, and can stimulate angiogenesis and facilitate metastasis in cancers. In this review, we will introduce the origin and the trafficking of exosomes between cells, display current research on the sorting mechanism of exosomal miRNAs, and briefly describe how exosomes and their miRNAs function in recipient cells. Finally, we will discuss the potential applications of these miRNA-containing vesicles in clinical settings.
Perceptions about labor companionship at public teaching hospitals in three Arab countries
Authors: Kabakian‐Khasholian Tamar , El‐Nemer Amina , Bashour Hyam
Published: February 2015

Objective

To explore the perspectives of women, female relatives, and healthcare providers on labor companionship.

Methods

In a qualitative study, data were collected from women giving birth, female family members, and healthcare staff via semi‐structured interviews in three large public teaching hospitals in Beirut (Lebanon), Damascus (Syria), and Mansoura (Egypt) between May and December 2012. Focus groups were conducted with midwives, nurses, and medical residents. Data were assessed by thematic analysis.

Results

A total of 69 women, 57 female relatives, and 28 obstetricians were interviewed, and two focus groups discussions occurred. Women reported that being alone during labor raises feelings of fear and anxiety. They reported appreciating professional support, but found comfort in the psychological support offered by family members during labor. Midwives and nurses pointed to structural factors related to the organization of care and to the marginalization of their role as barriers to implementing best practices. Obstetricians referred to the absence of prenatal education classes, and social norms as factors impeding the organization of labor support initiatives.

Conclusion

Implementing labor companionship can improve women's childbirth experiences and outcomes. Organizational structural barriers and non‐supportive providers’ attitudes need to be addressed to influence hospital practices.
Who said what: The effects of cultural mindsets on perceptions of endorser–message relatedness
Authors: Kwon Mina , Saluja Geetanjali , Adaval Rashmi
Published: February 2015

The cultural lens through which an ad is viewed can affect the extent to which an endorser of the product in an ad and the message s(he) communicates are thought about in relation to one another. Consumers with a collectivist mindset tend to think about information relationally. Consequently, they consider the endorsement in relation to the endorser and this affects their memory for both. It also affects recipients' concern with the fit between the endorser's message and the endorser and consequently influences their judgments of both the ad and the product being advertised. When people have an individualist mindset, on the other hand, they appear to treat the endorser and the endorsement as independent pieces of information and are less sensitive to their fit. Four studies support these conclusions and provide insights into how endorser–message relatedness impacts persuasion under different cultural mindset conditions.