bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zinc-Induced Effects on Osteoclastogenesis Involves Activation of Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide Modulated Channels via Changes in Membrane Potential
Authors: Notomi Takuya , Kuno Miyuki , Hiyama Akiko , Ohura Kiyoshi , Noda Masaki , Skerry Timothy M
Published: March 2015

Zinc is a trace element in the mammalian body, and increasing evidence shows its critical role in bone development and osteoclastogenesis. The relationships between zinc and voltage-gated ion channels have been reported; however, the effects of zinc on membrane potential and the related ion channels remain unknown. In this study, we found that zinc-induced hyperpolarization in RAW264.7 cells (RAW) was promoted by inhibition of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide modulated channels (HCNs). In electrophysiological experiments with RAW-derived osteoclasts, HCNs were functional and generated hyperpolarization-activated inward currents (Ih) with properties similar to the Ih recorded in excitable cells such as neurons and cardiomyocytes. Quantitative PCR of HCN subunits HCN1 and HCN4 in RAW cells showed detectable levels of HCN1 mRNA and HCN4 expression was the highest of all four subunits. HCN4 knockdown decreased osteoclastic Ih and promoted osteoclastogenesis in the presence of zinc, but not in the absence of zinc. To determine the effect of membrane hyperpolarization on osteoclastogenesis, we developed a light-controllable membrane potential system in RAW cells by stably expressing the light-driven outward proton pump, Archaerhodopsin3 (Arch). Arch activation by yellow-green light hyperpolarizes the cell membrane. Light-induced hyperpolarization accelerated osteoclast differentiation in the presence of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL). Thus, HCN activation reduced the hyperpolarization-related promotion of osteoclast differentiation in the presence of zinc. This study revealed the novel role of HCN and membrane potential in non-excitable osteoclasts. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
STAQ: A route toward low power, Multicolor nanoscopy
Authors: Rosales Tilman , Sackett Dan L. , Xu Jianhua , Shi Zhen‐Dan , Xu Biying , Li Haitao , Kaur Gurpreet , Frohart Erin , Shenoy Nalini , Cheal Sarah M. , Wu Haitao , Dulcey Andrés E. , Hu Yulin , Li Changhui , Lane Kelly , Griffiths Gary L. , Knutson Jay R.
Published: March 2015

Nanoscopy has now become a real procedure in fluorescence microscopy of living cells. The STED/RESOLFT family of nanoscopy approaches has the best prospects for delivering high speed imaging, but the history of STED includes a continuing struggle to reduce the deactivation power applied, along with difficulties in achieving simultaneous multicolor images. In this manuscript, we present a concept for a similar real‐time nanoscopy, using a new class of bipartite probes that separate the luminescent and quenching functions into two coupled molecules. In particular, the STAQ (Superresolution via Transiently Activated Quencher) example we show herein employs the excited state absorbance (not ground state) of the partner to accept energy from and quench the luminescent dye. The result is that much less deactivation power is needed for superresolved (∼50 nm) imaging. Moreover, the TAQ partner excited by the “donut” beam is shown to quench several different visible dyes via the same mechanism, opening the door to easier multicolor imaging. We demonstrate three dyes sharing the same deactivation and show examples of superresolved multicolor images. We suggest STAQ will facilitate the growth of real‐time nanoscopy by reducing confounding photodamage within living cells while expanding the nanoscopist's palette. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:343–355, 2015. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA
Identification of individual isotopes in a polymer blend using tip enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Agapov Rebecca L. , Scherger Jacob D. , Sokolov Alexei P. , Foster Mark D.
Published: March 2015

For the first time, tip enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) blinking measurements are used to identify the individual isotopes of non‐Raman resonant polystyrene in a miscible, binary blend. This demonstrates the sensitivity and selectivity required for nanoscale chemical imaging and broadens the types of surface components potentially identifiable with TERS. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous determination of caffeine, paracetamol, and ibuprofen in pharmaceutical formulations by high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection and by capillary electrophoresis with conductivity detection
Authors: Cunha Rafael R. , Chaves Sandro C. , Ribeiro Michelle M. A. C. , Torres Lívia M. F. C. , Muñoz Rodrigo A. A. , Santos Wallans T. P. Dos , Richter Eduardo M.
Published: March 2015

Paracetamol, caffeine and ibuprofen are found in over‐the‐counter pharmaceutical formulations. In this work, we propose two new methods for simultaneous determination of paracetamol, caffeine and ibuprofen in pharmaceutical formulations. One method is based on high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode‐array detection and the other on capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection. The separation by high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode‐array detection was achieved on a C18 column (250×4.6 mm2, 5 μm) with a gradient mobile phase comprising 20–100% acetonitrile in 40 mmol L−1 phosphate buffer pH 7.0. The separation by capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection was achieved on a fused‐silica capillary (40 cm length, 50 μm i.d.) using 10 mmol L−1 3,4‐dimethoxycinnamate and 10 mmol L−1 β‐alanine with pH adjustment to 10.4 with lithium hydroxide as background electrolyte. The determination of all three pharmaceuticals was carried out in 9.6 min by liquid chromatography and in 2.2 min by capillary electrophoresis. Detection limits for caffeine, paracetamol and ibuprofen were 4.4, 0.7, and 3.4 μmol L−1 by liquid chromatography and 39, 32, and 49 μmol L−1 by capillary electrophoresis, respectively. Recovery values for spiked samples were between 92–107% for both proposed methods.
Shape Memory Hydrogel based on a Hydrophobically‐Modified Polyacrylamide (HMPAM)/α‐CD Mixture via a Host‐Guest Approach
Authors: Yasin Akram , Zhou Wanfu , Yang Haiyang , Li Huazhen , Chen Yin , Zhang Xingyuan
Published: March 2015

A novel thermally sensitive shape memory (SM) hydrogel is prepared by block copoly­merization of a cationic surfactant monomer, dimethylhexadecyl[2‐(dimethylamino)ethylmethacrylate]ammoniumbromide (C16DMAEMA), and acrylamide (AM) in the presence of α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) using N,N’‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker. XRD, solid state 13C NMR, and DSC measurements show that the crystalline domains, induced by the hydrogen bonds between α‐CDs threaded on the hydrophobic units of the polymer chains through the host‐guest approach, can reversibly melt and crystallize at different temperatures. Rheological measurements show that both the elastic modulus G’ and viscous modulus G’’ drastically change due to the formation and dissolution of the crystalline domains. These thermo‐sensitive crystalline domains serve as reversible physical crosslinks, endowing the hydrogel with excellent SM properties. Cyclic experiments show that the hydrogel can recover to almost 100% of the deformation in each cycle and can be reused several times.

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A highly accurate Jacobi collocation algorithm for systems of high‐order linear differential–difference equations with mixed initial conditions
Authors: Bhrawy A. H. , Doha E. H. , Baleanu D. , Hafez R. M.
Published: March 2015

In this paper, a shifted Jacobi–Gauss collocation spectral algorithm is developed for solving numerically systems of high‐order linear retarded and advanced differential–difference equations with variable coefficients subject to mixed initial conditions. The spatial collocation approximation is based upon the use of shifted Jacobi–Gauss interpolation nodes as collocation nodes. The system of differential–difference equations is reduced to a system of algebraic equations in the unknown expansion coefficients of the sought‐for spectral approximations. The convergence is discussed graphically. The proposed method has an exponential convergence rate. The validity and effectiveness of the method are demonstrated by solving several numerical examples. Numerical examples are presented in the form of tables and graphs to make comparisons with the results obtained by other methods and with the exact solutions more easier. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Smooth solutions for one‐dimensional relativistic radiation hydrodynamic equations
Authors: Geng Yongcai , Jiang Peng
Published: March 2015

In this research article, we investigated the existence of local smooth solutions for relativistic radiation hydrodynamic equations in one spatial variable. The proof is based on a classical iteration method and the Banach contraction mapping principle. However, because of the complexity of relativistic radiation hydrodynamics equations, we first rewrite this system into a semilinear form to construct the iteration scheme and then use left eigenvectors to decouple the system instead of applying standard energy method on symmetric hyperbolic systems. Different from multidimensional case, we just use the characteristic method, which can keep the properties of the initial data. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemostats with random inputs and wall growth
Authors: Caraballo Tomás , Han Xiaoying , Kloeden Peter E.
Published: March 2015

Chemostat refers to a laboratory device used for growing microorganisms in a cultured environment and has been regarded as an idealization of nature to study competition modeling in mathematical biology. The simple form of chemostat model assumes that the availability of nutrient and its supply rate are both fixed. In addition, the tendency of microorganisms to adhere to surfaces is neglected by assuming the flow rate is fast enough. However, these assumptions largely limit the applicability of chemostat models to realistic competition systems. In this paper, we relax these assumptions and study chemostat models with random nutrient supplying rate or random input nutrient concentration, with or without wall growth. This leads to random dynamical systems and requires the concept of random attractors developed in the theory of random dynamical systems. Our results include existence of uniformly bounded non‐negative solutions, existence of random attractors, and geometric details of random attractors for different value of parameters. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Consequences of weak Allee effect on prey in the May–Holling–Tanner predator–prey model
Authors: González‐Olivares Eduardo , Gallego‐Berrío Lina M. , González‐Yañez Betsabé , Rojas‐Palma Alejandro
Published: March 2015

In this work, a modified Holling–Tanner predator–prey model is analyzed, considering important aspects describing the interaction such as the predator growth function is of a logistic type; a weak Allee effect acting in the prey growth function, and the functional response is of hyperbolic type. Making a change of variables and time rescaling, we obtain a polynomial differential equations system topologically equivalent to the original one in which the non‐hyperbolic equilibrium point (0,0) is an attractor for all parameter values. An important consequence of this property is the existence of a separatrix curve dividing the behavior of trajectories in the phase plane, and the system exhibits the bistability phenomenon, because the trajectories can have different ω − limit sets; as example, the origin (0,0) or a stable limit cycle surrounding an unstable positive equilibrium point. We show that, under certain parameter conditions, a positive equilibrium may undergo saddle‐node, Hopf, and Bogdanov–Takens bifurcations; the existence of a homoclinic curve on the phase plane is also proved, which breaks in an unstable limit cycle. Some simulations to reinforce our results are also shown. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
3D high‐resolution diffusion‐weighted MRI at 3T: Preliminary application in prostate cancer patients undergoing active surveillance protocol for low‐risk prostate cancer
Authors: Nguyen Christopher , Sharif‐Afshar Ali‐Reza , Fan Zhaoyang , Xie Yibin , Wilson Sidney , Bi Xiaoming , Payor Lucas , Saouaf Rola , Kim Hyung , Li Debiao
Published: March 2015

Purpose

To improve spatial resolution and image quality of diffusion‐weighted (DW) MRI in detecting low‐risk prostate cancer (lrPC) in patients undergoing active surveillance protocol (AS‐PC), we propose the application of a diffusion‐prepared balanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP) technique capable of multishot acquisition.

Methods

Diffusion‐prepared bSSFP was compared with single‐shot DW echo planar imaging (SS‐DW‐EPI) at two prescribed resolutions (2.1 × 2.1 × 3.5mm3, 0.9 × 0.9 × 3.5 mm3) in nine healthy subjects and nine AS‐PC patients. Geometric distortion and susceptibility artifacts were quantitatively assessed in all subjects. In AS‐PC patients, lesion detection via blinded multiparametric MRI including T1‐weighted, T2‐weighted, dynamic contrast‐enhanced imaging, and along with either of two DW methods were evaluated against 12‐point biopsy.

Results

Geometric distortion and susceptibility artifacts were significantly less for diffusion‐prepared bSSFP at both prescribed spatial resolutions than SS‐DW‐EPI. Apparent diffusion coefficients of healthy prostate tissue were concordant between the two DW methods at both spatial resolutions. In AS‐PC patients, multiparametric MRI with diffusion‐prepared bSSFP had greater sensitivity (94%, 63%), accuracy (76%, 67%), positive‐predictive value (54%, 48%), negative‐predictive value (97%, 82%), and area under the curve (0.80, 0.67) than with SS‐DW‐EPI.

Conclusions

The proposed diffusion‐prepared technique with higher spatial resolution and improved image quality over SS‐DW‐EPI resulted in better multiparametric MRI detection of lrPC in AS‐PC patients. Magn Reson Med 75:616–626, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analytical three‐point Dixon method: With applications for spiral water–fat imaging
Authors: Wang Dinghui , Zwart Nicholas R. , Li Zhiqiang , Schär Michael , Pipe James G.
Published: March 2015

Purpose

The goal of this work is to present a new three‐point analytical approach with flexible even or uneven echo increments for water–fat separation and to evaluate its feasibility with spiral imaging.

Theory and Methods

Two sets of possible solutions of water and fat are first found analytically. Then, two field maps of the B0 inhomogeneity are obtained by linear regression. The initial identification of the true solution is facilitated by the root‐mean‐square error of the linear regression and the incorporation of a fat spectrum model. The resolved field map after a region‐growing algorithm is refined iteratively for spiral imaging. The final water and fat images are recalculated using a joint water–fat separation and deblurring algorithm.

Results

Successful implementations were demonstrated with three‐dimensional gradient‐echo head imaging and single breathhold abdominal imaging. Spiral, high‐resolution T1‐weighted brain images were shown with comparable sharpness to the reference Cartesian images.

Conclusion

With appropriate choices of uneven echo increments, it is feasible to resolve the aliasing of the field map voxel‐wise. High‐quality water–fat spiral imaging can be achieved with the proposed approach. Magn Reson Med 75:627–638, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Removal of nuisance signals from limited and sparse 1H MRSI data using a union‐of‐subspaces model
Authors: Ma Chao , Lam Fan , Johnson Curtis L. , Liang Zhi‐Pei
Published: March 2015

Purpose

To remove nuisance signals (e.g., water and lipid signals) for 1H MRSI data collected from the brain with limited and/or sparse (k, t)‐space coverage.

Methods

A union‐of‐subspace model is proposed for removing nuisance signals. The model exploits the partial separability of both the nuisance signals and the metabolite signal, and decomposes an MRSI dataset into several sets of generalized voxels that share the same spectral distributions. This model enables the estimation of the nuisance signals from an MRSI dataset that has limited and/or sparse (k, t)‐space coverage.

Results

The proposed method has been evaluated using in vivo MRSI data. For conventional chemical shift imaging data with limited k‐space coverage, the proposed method produced “lipid‐free” spectra without lipid suppression during data acquisition at 130 ms echo time. For sparse (k, t)‐space data acquired with conventional pulses for water and lipid suppression, the proposed method was also able to remove the remaining water and lipid signals with negligible residuals.

Conclusion

Nuisance signals in 1H MRSI data reside in low‐dimensional subspaces. This property can be utilized for estimation and removal of nuisance signals from 1H MRSI data even when they have limited and/or sparse coverage of (k, t)‐space. The proposed method should prove useful especially for accelerated high‐resolution 1H MRSI of the brain. Magn Reson Med, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Magn Reson Med 75:488–497, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reproducibility of phase rotation stimulated echo acquisition mode at 3T in schizophrenia: Emphasis on glutamine
Authors: Bustillo Juan R. , Rediske Nathan , Jones Thomas , Rowland Laura M. , Abbott Christopher , Wijtenburg S. Andrea
Published: March 2015

Purpose

To determine the reproducibility and reliability of glutamine (Gln), measured with a very short echo time phase rotation stimulated echo acquisition mode (VTE‐PR STEAM) sequence at 3T, in subjects with schizophrenia.

Methods

Seven subjects with schizophrenia were scanned twice with VTE‐PR STEAM in a Siemens 3T TIM Trio scanner with a 32‐channel head coil. Spectroscopic data were collected from two voxels in gray matter, one in the dorsal anterior cingulate and the other in the medial occipital cortex. Reproducibility was assessed using coefficients of variation (CVs) and reliability with standard error of measurement and intraclass correlations (ICCs). Phantoms containing increasing concentrations of Gln in a physiologic solution of other neurometabolites with overlapping resonances were scanned to assess the validity of spectral Gln measurement.

Results

Very good reliability and reproducibility for Gln in both regions of interest were supported by CVs of ≤10.0% and ICCs of ≥0.6, respectively. Phantom studies documented a robust correspondence between known Gln concentrations and VTE‐PR STEAM measurements of this metabolite (R2 = 0.988).

Conclusion

The VTE‐PR STEAM approach at 3T permits the longitudinal assessment of Gln and other 1H MR spectroscopy neurometabolites in a clinically plausible setting. Magn Reson Med 75:498–502, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Recent applications of UHF‐MRI in the study of human brain function and structure: a review
Authors: van der Zwaag Wietske , Schäfer Andreas , Marques José P. , Turner Robert , Trampel Robert
Published: March 2015

The increased availability of ultra‐high‐field (UHF) MRI has led to its application in a wide range of neuroimaging studies, which are showing promise in transforming fundamental approaches to human neuroscience. This review presents recent work on structural and functional brain imaging, at 7 T and higher field strengths. After a short outline of the effects of high field strength on MR images, the rapidly expanding literature on UHF applications of blood‐oxygenation‐level‐dependent‐based functional MRI is reviewed. Structural imaging is then discussed, divided into sections on imaging weighted by relaxation time, including quantitative relaxation time mapping, phase imaging and quantitative susceptibility mapping, angiography, diffusion‐weighted imaging, and finally magnetization‐transfer imaging. The final section discusses studies using the high spatial resolution available at UHF to identify explicit links between structure and function. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical utility of fetal autopsy and its impact on genetic counseling
Authors: Nayak Shalini S. , Shukla Anju , Lewis Leslie , Kadavigere Rajagopal , Mathew Mary , Adiga Prashanth K. , Vasudeva Akhila , Kumar Pratap , Shetty Jyothi , Shah Hitesh , Girisha Katta M.
Published: March 2015

Objectives

We aimed to analyze the utility of fetal autopsy in terms of its contribution to establishing a definitive diagnosis and its impact on genetic counseling.

Subjects and methods

Detailed fetal autopsy was carried out in fetuses referred for examination. Clinical utility of fetal autopsy and its impact on counseling were measured by adapting previously published parameters.

Results

We performed autopsy in 230 fetuses. There were 106 cases with single system and 92 cases with multisystem involvement. We confirmed prenatal findings in 23% of cases and observed additional findings in 37% of cases. In 23% of cases, autopsy findings differed enough to change the diagnosis. However, in 17% of fetuses, no cause of fetal loss was determined. Risk of recurrence became clear in 30.3% of the fetuses, and risk remained the same, but the diagnosis was different in 4.8% of cases after autopsy. Hence, autopsy led to refinement of the risk of recurrence in 36% of cases. Autopsy aided prenatal counseling of couples in 77% of cases by either confirming the prenatal findings (35%) or providing new information/ruling out a diagnosis (42%).

Conclusion

The present study quantifies the utility of fetal autopsy in reproductive genetic counseling in a large cohort. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phosphoproteome characterization reveals that Sendai virus infection activates mTOR signaling in human epithelial cells
Authors: Öhman Tiina , Söderholm Sandra , Paidikondala Maruthibabu , Lietzén Niina , Matikainen Sampsa , Nyman Tuula A.
Published: March 2015

Sendai virus (SeV) is a common respiratory pathogen in mice, rats, and hamsters. Host cell recognition of SeV is mediated by pathogen recognition receptors, which recognize viral components and induce intracellular signal transduction pathways that activate the antiviral innate immune response. Viruses use host proteins to control the activities of signaling proteins and their downstream targets, and one of the most important host protein modifications regulated by viral infection is phosphorylation. In this study, we used phosphoproteomics combined with bioinformatics to get a global view of the signaling pathways activated during SeV infection in human lung epithelial cells. We identified altogether 1347 phosphoproteins, and our data shows that SeV infection induces major changes in protein phosphorylation affecting the phosphorylation of almost one thousand host proteins. Bioinformatics analysis showed that SeV infection activates known pathways including MAPK signaling, as well as signaling pathways previously not linked to SeV infection including Rho family of GTPases, HIPPO signaling, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)‐signaling pathway. Further, we performed functional studies with mTOR inhibitors and siRNA approach, which revealed that mTOR signaling is needed for both the host IFN response as well as viral protein synthesis in SeV‐infected human lung epithelial cells.
Investigation of the conformational dynamics of the apo A2A adenosine receptor
Authors: Caliman Alisha D. , Swift Sara E. , Wang Yi , Miao Yinglong , McCammon J. Andrew
Published: March 2015

The activation/deactivation processes for G‐protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been computationally studied for several different classes, including rhodopsin, the β2 adrenergic receptor, and the M2 muscarinic receptor. Despite determined cocrystal structures of the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AAR) in complex with antagonists, agonists and an antibody, the deactivation process of this GPCR is not completely understood. In this study, we investigate the convergence of two apo simulations, one starting with an agonist‐bound conformation (PDB: 3QAK)14 and the other starting with an antagonist‐bound conformation (PDB: 3EML)11. Despite the two simulations not completely converging, we were able to identify distinct intermediate steps of the deactivation process characterized by the movement of Y2887.53 in the NPxxY motif. We find that Y2887.53 contributes to the process by forming hydrogen bonds to residues in transmembrane helices 2 and 7 and losing these interactions upon full deactivation. Y1975.58 also plays a role in the process by forming a hydrogen bond only once the side chain moves from the lipid interface to the middle of the helical bundle.
Discrete breathers in 2D and 3D crystals
Authors: Dmitriev Sergey V. , Chetverikov Alexander P. , Velarde Manuel G.
Published: March 2015

Discrete breathers (DB) are spatially localized, large‐amplitude vibrational modes in defect‐free nonlinear lattices. Recent numerical and experimental studies have confirmed that DB exist in crystals. In the present work, we briefly describe the well‐known existence conditions of DB in crystals and present our recent results on DB in 2D crystals such as graphene and graphane and in 3D crystals such as alkali halide crystals and pure metals. The possible role of DB in solid state physics and materials science is discussed.

Stroboscopic picture of atomic motions in the vicinity of discrete breather excited in graphene homogeneously strained with ϵxx=0.3, ϵyy=−0.1. Displacements of atoms from the equilibrium lattice positions are multiplied by the factor 4 for clarity. The discrete breather is of high spatial localization, so that only two atoms oscillate with a large amplitude.
Band gap and electronic structure of MgSiN2 determined using soft X‐ray spectroscopy and density functional theory
Authors: de Boer Tristan , Boyko Teak D. , Braun Cordula , Schnick Wolfgang , Moewes Alexander
Published: March 2015

We present a study of MgSiN2 using soft X‐ray absorption and emission spectroscopy which directly probe the partial density of states. MgSiN2 is new as a host lattice for luminescence materials and used in phosphor‐converted light‐emitting diodes. We compare our measurements to our full potential, all electron density funtional theory calculations. We find excellent agreement between experiment and theory and the band gap of MgSiN2 is measured to be 5.6 ± 0.2 eV in agreement with our calculated value of 5.72 eV. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The assimilation of horizontal line‐of‐sight wind information into the ECMWF data assimilation and forecasting system. Part II: The impact of degraded wind observations
Authors: Horányi András , Cardinali Carla , Rennie Michael , Isaksen Lars
Published: March 2015

Single‐component wind observations have been assimilated into the ECMWF data assimilation system. Various Observing System Experiments have been performed in order to estimate the impact of such information in numerical weather prediction. The investigations on the impact of the horizontal line‐of‐sight wind on the ECMWF analysis and forecast system is described in a two‐part article. Part I evaluates the impact of wind observations with respect to mass observations and the impact of assimilating different single wind components versus wind vector information. Part II assesses the forecast system performance in the presence of varying levels of random and systematic error in the line‐of‐sight wind measurements. The aim is to understand the sensitivity of weather forecasts with respect to possible observation error scenarios of the Doppler Wind Lidar (DWL) measurements from the Aeolus mission. It was found that even small wind observation biases (of the order of 1 m s−1) can deteriorate the forecast quality by 3–4% in terms of mean integrated total energy of the 24 h forecast error. This is particularly true for observation biases in the Tropics, in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. A 2 m s−1 bias degrades the forecasts by 15%. The increase of the line‐of‐sight random errors (from 25 to 100%) adds only 1–2% forecast skill degradation.
Bayesian modeling of the covariance structure for irregular longitudinal data using the partial autocorrelation function
Authors: Su Li , Daniels Michael J.
Published: March 2015

In long‐term follow‐up studies, irregular longitudinal data are observed when individuals are assessed repeatedly over time but at uncommon and irregularly spaced time points. Modeling the covariance structure for this type of data is challenging, as it requires specification of a covariance function that is positive definite. Moreover, in certain settings, careful modeling of the covariance structure for irregular longitudinal data can be crucial in order to ensure no bias arises in the mean structure. Two common settings where this occurs are studies with ‘outcome‐dependent follow‐up’ and studies with ‘ignorable missing data’. ‘Outcome‐dependent follow‐up’ occurs when individuals with a history of poor health outcomes had more follow‐up measurements, and the intervals between the repeated measurements were shorter. When the follow‐up time process only depends on previous outcomes, likelihood‐based methods can still provide consistent estimates of the regression parameters, given that both the mean and covariance structures of the irregular longitudinal data are correctly specified and no model for the follow‐up time process is required. For ‘ignorable missing data’, the missing data mechanism does not need to be specified, but valid likelihood‐based inference requires correct specification of the covariance structure. In both cases, flexible modeling approaches for the covariance structure are essential. In this paper, we develop a flexible approach to modeling the covariance structure for irregular continuous longitudinal data using the partial autocorrelation function and the variance function. In particular, we propose semiparametric non‐stationary partial autocorrelation function models, which do not suffer from complex positive definiteness restrictions like the autocorrelation function. We describe a Bayesian approach, discuss computational issues, and apply the proposed methods to CD4 count data from a pediatric AIDS clinical trial. © 2015 The Authors. Statistics in Medicine Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Bayesian sample sizes for exploratory clinical trials comparing multiple experimental treatments with a control
Authors: Whitehead John , Cleary Faye , Turner Amanda
Published: March 2015

In this paper, a Bayesian approach is developed for simultaneously comparing multiple experimental treatments with a common control treatment in an exploratory clinical trial. The sample size is set to ensure that, at the end of the study, there will be at least one treatment for which the investigators have a strong belief that it is better than control, or else they have a strong belief that none of the experimental treatments are substantially better than control. This criterion bears a direct relationship with conventional frequentist power requirements, while allowing prior opinion to feature in the analysis with a consequent reduction in sample size. If it is concluded that at least one of the experimental treatments shows promise, then it is envisaged that one or more of these promising treatments will be developed further in a definitive phase III trial. The approach is developed in the context of normally distributed responses sharing a common standard deviation regardless of treatment. To begin with, the standard deviation will be assumed known when the sample size is calculated. The final analysis will not rely upon this assumption, although the intended properties of the design may not be achieved if the anticipated standard deviation turns out to be inappropriate. Methods that formally allow for uncertainty about the standard deviation, expressed in the form of a Bayesian prior, are then explored. Illustrations of the sample sizes computed from the new method are presented, and comparisons are made with frequentist methods devised for the same situation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Viewing Sexual Stimuli Associated with Greater Sexual Responsiveness, Not Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Prause Nicole , Pfaus James
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Time spent viewing visual sexual stimuli (VSS) has the potential to habituate the sexual response and generalize to the partner context.

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine whether the time spent viewing VSS is related to sexual responsiveness felt in the laboratory or with a sexual partner.

Methods

Nontreatment-seeking men (N = 280) reported their weekly average VSS viewing in hours. VSS hours were examined in relation to the sexual arousal experienced while viewing a standardized sexual film in the laboratory and erectile problems experienced with a sexual partner.

Main Outcome Measures

Self-reported sexual arousal in response to sexual films and erectile problems on the International Index of Erectile Function were the main outcome measures.

Results

More hours viewing VSS was related to stronger experienced sexual responses to VSS in the laboratory, was unrelated to erectile functioning with a partner, and was related to stronger desire for sex with a partner.

Conclusions

VSS use within the range of hours tested is unlikely to negatively impact sexual functioning, given that responses actually were stronger in those who viewed more VSS.
Dendritic morphology changes in neurons from the ventral hippocampus, amygdala and nucleus accumbens in rats with neonatal lesions into the prefrontal cortex
Authors: Lazcano Zayda , Solis Oscar , Díaz Alfonso , Brambila Eduardo , Aguilar‐Alonso Patricia , Guevara Jorge , Flores Gonzalo
Published: March 2015

Neonatal prefrontal cortex (nPFC) lesions in rats could be a potential animal model to study the early neurodevelopmental abnormalities associated with the behavioral and morphological brain changes observed in schizophrenia. Morphological alterations in pyramidal neurons from the ventral hippocampus (VH) have been observed in post‐mortem schizophrenic brains, mainly because of decreased dendritic arbor and spine density. We assessed the effects of nPFC‐lesions on the dendritic morphology of neurons from the VH, basolateral‐amygdala (BLA) and the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) in rats. nPFC lesions were made on postnatal day 7 (PD7), after dendritic morphology was studied by the Golgi‐Cox stain procedure followed by Sholl analysis at PD35 (prepubertal) and PD60 (adult) ages. We also evaluated the effects of PFC‐lesions on locomotor activity caused by a novel environment. Adult animals with nPFC lesions showed a decreased spine density in pyramidal neurons from the VH and in medium spiny cells from the NAcc. An increased locomotion was observed in a novel environment for adult animals with a PFC‐lesion. Our results indicate that PFC‐lesions alter the neuronal dendrite morphology of the NAcc and the VH, suggesting a disconnection between these limbic structures. The locomotion paradigms suggest that dopaminergic transmission is altered in the PFC lesion model. This could help to understand the consequences of an earlier PFC dysfunction in schizophrenia. To evaluate possible dendritic changes in neonatal prefrontal cortex lesions in schizophrenia‐related regions including nucleus accumbens, ventral hippocampus and basolateral amygdala, we used the Golgi‐Cox stain samples at PD35 and PD70. Our results suggest that neonatal prefrontal cortex damage alters dendritic parameters in limbic regions, and this has potential implications for schizophrenia. Synapse 69:314–325, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interobserver agreement and accuracy of non‐invasive diagnosis of endometriosis by transvaginal sonography
Authors: Tammaa A. , Fritzer N. , Lozano P. , Krell A. , Salzer H. , Salama M. , Hudelist G.
Published: March 2015

Objectives

To evaluate interobserver agreement and accuracy of transvaginal sonography (TVS) in diagnosing deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) and endometriomas.

Methods

A total of 67 consecutive patients referred to a pelvic pain clinic and scheduled for laparoscopy were enrolled in the study between January 2013 and January 2014. Patients were independently examined prospectively by two experienced sonographers (Observers A and B) who were blinded to the other's results. For the two observers, Gwet's first‐order agreement coefficient (Gwet's AC1) was used to calculate interobserver agreement and diagnostic accuracy, as well as sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values using TVS, as compared to laparoscopy, for diagnosing DIE and endometriomas.

Results

Among the 67 patients enrolled, 65 were analyzed. For the diagnosis of DIE and endometriomas by TVS, the level of agreement (Gwet's AC1) between Observers A and B and sensitivity/specificity values for the respective Observers were, by site: vagina (Gwet's AC1, 0.933; 62%/94% and 82%/94%), bladder (Gwet's AC1, 1.00; 67%/97% and 67%/97%), uterosacral ligaments (Gwet's AC1, 0.84; 73%/83% and 53%/90%), adnexa (Gwet's AC1, 0.95; 71%/93% and 71%/93%), rectovaginal septum (Gwet's AC1, 0.95; 40%/90% and 33%/87%) and rectosigmoid (Gwet's AC1, 0.98; 93%/96% and 94%/98%) which reflected high interobserver agreement. With the exception of sensitivity of diagnosis of DIE affecting the RVS, similar results were observed when TVS was compared with laparoscopy.

Conclusions

TVS is a highly accurate and reproducible method for non‐invasive diagnosis of DIE by well‐trained professionals. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Rockslide and Impulse Wave Modelling in the Vajont Reservoir by DEM-CFD Analyses
Authors: Zhao T. , Utili S. , Crosta G. B.
Published: March 2015

This paper investigates the generation of hydrodynamic water waves due to rockslides plunging into a water reservoir. Quasi-3D DEM analyses in plane strain by a coupled DEM-CFD code are adopted to simulate the rockslide from its onset to the impact with the still water and the subsequent generation of the wave. The employed numerical tools and upscaling of hydraulic properties allow predicting a physical response in broad agreement with the observations notwithstanding the assumptions and characteristics of the adopted methods. The results obtained by the DEM-CFD coupled approach are compared to those published in the literature and those presented by Crosta et al. (Landslide spreading, impulse waves and modelling of the Vajont rockslide. Rock mechanics, 2014) in a companion paper obtained through an ALE-FEM method. Analyses performed along two cross sections are representative of the limit conditions of the eastern and western slope sectors. The max rockslide average velocity and the water wave velocity reach ca. 22 and 20 m/s, respectively. The maximum computed run up amounts to ca. 120 and 170 m for the eastern and western lobe cross sections, respectively. These values are reasonably similar to those recorded during the event (i.e. ca. 130 and 190 m, respectively). Therefore, the overall study lays out a possible DEM-CFD framework for the modelling of the generation of the hydrodynamic wave due to the impact of a rapid moving rockslide or rock–debris avalanche.
Mulberry Seed Oil: a Rich Source of δ‐Tocopherol
Authors: Yılmaz Mehmet Ali , Durmaz Gökhan
Published: March 2015

In the present study, mulberry seed oil (MSO) samples obtained from seeds of different mulberry varieties as well as concentrated mulberry juice production waste (mulberry pomace) were investigated. Radical scavenging capacity, tocopherol and total phenolic content of MSO were determined. It was observed that MSO contain unique amounts of δ‐tocopherol varying between 1645–2587 mg kg−1 oil depending on the variety. The secondary tocopherol homologue was γ‐tocopherol within a concentration range of 299–854 mg kg−1 oil. MSO exhibited a very high antioxidant capacity varying in the range of 1013–1743 and 2574–4522 mg α‐tocopherol equivalents (α‐TE) per kg of oil for 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and freeze‐dried 2,2′‐azino‐bis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (FD‐ABTS) radical cation assays, respectively. Both antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content were higher for mulberry pomace oil compared with the seed oils. Fatty acid composition of MSO was also determined, and linoleic acid was found to be the primary fatty acid (66–80 %).
Psychological Distress After Orthopedic Trauma: Prevalence in Patients and Implications for Rehabilitation
Authors: Vincent Heather K. , Horodyski MaryBeth , Vincent Kevin R. , Brisbane Sonya T. , Sadasivan Kalia K.
Published: March 2015

Orthopedic trauma is an unforeseen life‐changing event. Serious injuries include multiple fractures and amputation. Physical rehabilitation has traditionally focused on addressing functional deficits after traumatic injury, but important psychological factors also can dramatically affect acute and long‐term recovery. This review presents the effects of orthopedic trauma on psychological distress, potential interventions for distress reduction after trauma, and implications for participation in rehabilitation. Survivors commonly experience post‐traumatic stress syndrome, depression, and anxiety, all of which interfere with functional gains and quality of life. More than 50% of survivors have psychological distress that can last decades after the physical injury has been treated. Early identification of patients with distress can help care teams provide the resources and support to offset the distress. Several options that help trauma patients navigate their short‐term recovery include holistic approaches, pastoral care, coping skills, mindfulness, peer visitation, and educational resources. The long‐term physical and mental health of the trauma survivor can be enhanced by strategies that connect the survivor to a network of people with similar experiences or injuries, facilitate support groups, and social support networking (The Trauma Survivors Network). Rehabilitation specialists can help optimize patient outcomes and quality of life by participating in and advocating these strategies.
Perceived Quality of Life With Spinal Cord Injury: A Comparison Between Emergency Medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
Authors: Cushman Daniel M. , Thomas Katrina , Mukherjee Debjani , Johnson Reid , Spill Gayle
Published: March 2015

Objective

To explore the attitudes of health care providers who treat patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and examine whether Emergency Medicine (EM) and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians differ in their judgments about quality of life (QOL) after SCI.

Design

Questionnaire survey of PM&R and EM physicians.

Participants

Board‐certified PM&R and EM physicians listed in the American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and the American College of Emergency Physicians and/or faculty from academic PM&R and EM departments in the United States and Canada.

Main Outcome Measurements

Evaluating various aspects of perceived QOL if the physician hypothetically sustained an SCI, including impact on leisure activities, social relationships, happiness, meaningful work, satisfying sexual relationships, and overall QOL.

Results

A total of 91 EM physicians and 89 PM&R physicians completed the surveys. PM&R physicians were more likely to agree that they would have a better QOL compared with EM physicians, regardless of the level of injury or aspect of life (P < .01 in all cases). Female physicians, regardless of specialty, were more likely to choose a lower level at which they would choose to die, rather than live, if they sustained an SCI (P = .03). Physicians in both groups were more likely to disagree that they would have a high QOL at a lower level of injury if they disagreed at a higher level of injury (P ≤ .02).

Conclusions

Regardless of specialty, PM&R and EM physicians have their own personal perceptions of QOL with SCI. PM&R physicians tend to believe that they would have a higher QOL with an SCI compared with EM physicians and likely have a more optimistic view of SCI. Patient care may be improved by interdisciplinary discussion, as evidenced by the disparity exhibited by practitioners in these 2 specialties who care for the same patient population.
Variability of the Ischiofemoral Space Relative to Femur Position: An Ultrasound Study
Authors: Finnoff Jonathan T. , Bond Jeffrey R. , Collins Mark S. , Sellon Jacob L. , Hollman John H. , Wempe Michael K. , Smith Jay
Published: March 2015

Background

Ischiofemoral impingement is caused by compression of the quadratus femoris muscle between the ischial tuberosity and lesser trochanter. The evaluation of ischiofemoral impingement includes radiologic studies to evaluate the ischiofemoral space dimensions. No prior study has evaluated the effect of femoral position on ischiofemoral space dimensions.

Objective

To determine whether the dimensions of the ischiofemoral space vary with changes in femoral position.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Academic institution.

Participants

Six male and four female subjects with no hip pain and no history of hip disorders or surgery were selected to participate in the study. The subjects' mean age was 31.5 years; mean height, 176.8 cm; mean weight, 70.2 kg; and mean body mass index, 23.6 kg/m2.

Methods

Ultrasound was used to measure the ischiofemoral space in bilateral gluteal regions of each volunteer. The volunteers underwent imaging in a prone position. The ischiofemoral space was measured with the femur in 9 different positions created through various combinations of frontal (15° abduction, neutral, and 15° adduction) and transverse (30° internal rotation, neutral, and 30° external rotation) plane hip motions.

Main Outcome Measurements

The narrowest ischiofemoral interval, defined as the narrowest distance between the medial cortex of the lesser trochanter and the lateral cortex of the ischial tuberosity.

Results

The anatomic landmarks used to measure the ischiofemoral space were easily identified in all subjects. The frontal plane main effect (F2,18 = 38.611) was statistically significant (P < .001), as was the transverse plane main effect (F2,18 = 82.452, P < .001). These findings indicated that there was a statistically significant difference in ischiofemoral space according to hip position in the frontal and transverse planes. The largest ischiofemoral space measurement occurred with the hip in abduction and internal rotation (51.8 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI], 49.2‐54.5 mm), whereas hip adduction and external rotation resulted in the narrowest ischiofemoral space measurement (30.8 mm; 95% CI, 25.5‐36.0 mm). The largest difference was between the adduction‐external rotation and the abduction‐internal rotation positions (mean difference = 21.1 mm; 95% CI, 13.7‐28.5 mm; P < .001), and the smallest difference was between the adducted‐neutral rotation and the abducted‐external rotation positions (mean difference = 0.23 mm; 95% CI, ‐8.07‐8.55 mm; P = .99).

Conclusions

Femoral position affects ischiofemoral space dimensions. The ischiofemoral space widens with abduction and internal rotation and narrows with adduction and external rotation, and thus femoral position should be considered when imaging and measuring the ischiofemoral space.