bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of irradiation by 60Co gamma‐quanta on reliability of IR‐LEDs based upon AlGaAs heterostructures
Authors: Gradoboev Alexander V. , Simonova Anastasiia V. , Orlova Ksenia N.
Published: October 2016

We consider the influence of preliminary irradiation by 60Co gamma quanta on emission power decrease during the operating time of IR‐LEDs based upon AlGaAs double heterostructures. Irradiation was realized in passive power mode of the LEDs prior to aging. Aging under long operating time conditions was simulated by a step‐stress approach. We have determined that the emissive power decrease of LED during operating time has two stages. On the first stage, decrease of LED emissive power is due to rearrangement of original defect structure. On the second stage, emissive power goes down as the result of inducing new structural defects. We have shown identical multistage mechanisms of emissive power drop are observed during both operating time and influence of ionizing radiation. We have established that preliminary irradiation has increased reliability and operating time of LEDs. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
MeV ion irradiation effects on the luminescence properties of Si‐implanted SiO2‐thin films
Authors: Chulapakorn T. , Sychugov I. , Suvanam S. S. , Linnros J. , Primetzhofer D. , Hallén A.
Published: October 2016

The effects of MeV heavy ion irradiation at varying fluence and flux on excess Si, introduced in SiO2 by keV ion implantation, are investigated by photoluminescence (PL). From the PL peak wavelength (λ) and decay lifetime (τ), two PL sources are distinguished: i) quasi‐direct recombination of excitons of Si‐nanoparticles (SiNPs), appearing after thermal annealing (λ > 720 nm, τ ∼ μs), and ii) fast‐decay PL, possibly due to oxide‐related defects (λ ∼ 575‐690 nm, τ ∼ ns). The fast‐decay PL (ii) observed before and after ion irradiation is induced by ion implantation. It is found that this fast‐decay luminescence decreases for higher irradiation fluence of MeV heavy ions. After thermal annealing (forming SiNPs), the SiNP PL is reduced for samples irradiated by MeV heavy ions but found to stabilize at higher level for higher irradiation flux; the (ii) band vanishes as a result of annealing. The results are discussed in terms of the influence of electronic and nuclear stopping powers. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The evolution and sensitivity of katabatic flow dynamics to external influences through the evening transition
Authors: Jensen Derek D. , Nadeau Daniel F. , Hoch Sebastian W. , Pardyjak Eric R.
Published: October 2016

Data collected over an arid shallow slope (2–4°) during the Mountain Terrain Atmospheric Modeling and Observations (MATERHORN) Program are used to study the katabatic structure and onset of katabatic flow through the evening transition. An unprecedented suite of instrumentation, including a transect of five turbulence towers with 29 sonic anemometers, is used for the investigation. Fifteen transition periods with well‐defined katabatic flow and relatively little synoptic forcing are used in the study. The katabatic onset, jet velocity and jet height all show a large degree of interdiurnal and intersite variance. The slope‐aligned budgets of momentum and potential temperature are used to define time‐scales that describe the evolution of the katabatic flow. Composite wind velocity time series are used to show that ≈30 min elapses from the time when the katabatic flow initializes at 0.5 m to the point of initialization at 20 m. A simple katabatic model utilizing surface energy‐budget modelling is developed and used to model the interdiurnal katabatic variance. Finally, uni‐ and multi‐variate statistical analyses are used to diagnose the influence of specific external variables. Valley wind speed, turbulence structure, soil moisture, and shadow front speed are all found to influence the katabatic dynamics to varying degrees.
On the Performance of Shewhart median Chart in the Presence of Measurement Errors
Authors: Tran Kim Phuc , Castagliola Philippe , Balakrishnan Narayanaswamy
Published: October 2016

In the literature, median control charts have been introduced under the assumption of no measurement error. However, measurement errors always exist in practice and may considerably affect the ability of control charts to detect out‐of‐control situations. In this paper, we investigate the performance of Shewhart median chart by using a linear covariate error model. Several figures and tables are presented and commented to show the statistical performance of Shewhart median control chart in the presence of measurement errors. We also investigate the positive effect of taking multiple measurements for each item in a subgroup on the performance of Shewhart median chart. An example illustrates the use of Shewhart median chart in the presence of measurement errors. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Share secrets stage by stage with homogeneous linear feedback shift register in the standard model
Authors: Mashhadi Samaneh
Published: October 2016

A new multistage secret‐sharing scheme based on the homogeneous linear feedback shift register is proposed. This scheme has few public outputs, a new simple construction, and different techniques for the reconstruction phase. Moreover, based on the semantic security of the underlying encryption scheme, we prove the computational security of our scheme in the standard model. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bringing the Stages Back in: Social Network Ties and Start‐up firms’ Access to Venture Capital in China
Authors: Wang Yanbo
Published: October 2016

Research summary

Social networks are believed to help start‐ups access venture capital (VC). However, the causal mechanisms remain unclear because social ties probably influence both a start‐up's likelihood of being screened for evaluation and its likelihood of being funded. Whereas prior studies conceptualize venture financing as a single‐moment event, in this article, it is theorized as a dynamic multistage process in which a screening decision precedes a funding decision. Failure to address the selection effects at each stage could lead to biased findings regarding how social ties confer advantage in venture financing. This study uses a hand‐collected dataset from China to empirically examine these arguments.

Managerial summary

Social networks are believed to help start‐ups access venture capital. However, it is unclear whether this is because social ties help venture capitalists (VCs) and start‐ups overcome the problems of information asymmetry and behavioral opportunism in early‐stage financing or whether VCs are more likely to become aware of investment opportunities embedded within social networks. This study divides VC decision making into two stages: awareness generation and venture evaluation. This study finds that socially connected start‐ups have cumulative advantages in the access to venture capital, but this advantage mainly arises in the early stage where information embedded in social ties helps reduce investors’ search costs in deal screening. In contrast, social ties are a secondary consideration in the subsequent stage of VC funding decisions Copyright © 2016 Strategic Management Society.
Transparent hydrophobic and superhydrophobic coatings fabricated using polyamide 12–SiO2 nanocomposite
Authors: Prasad G. , Chakradhar R.P.S. , Bera Parthasarathi , Prabu A. Anand , Anandan C.
Published: October 2016

Optically transparent hydrophobic and superhydrophobic coatings have been prepared using polyamide 12–SiO2 nanocomposite (NC) on glass substrates by the spin‐coating method. The coatings have been optimized for their hydrophobicity and transparency. The transformation from hydrophobic to superhydrophobic is achieved with increase in roughness (Ra) which increases with SiO2 content. These coatings are highly transparent in the entire visible region (400–800 nm). The influence of layer thickness on water contact angle (WCA) and optical transmittance of the coatings has been studied. Field emission scanning electron micrograph (FESEM) shows the presence of SiO2 nanoparticles covered with polyamide homogenously on the surface and the particles are aggregated to form a rough structure. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns show that the polyamide losses its crystalline structure in the composite. The preparation procedure reported here is simple and eco‐friendly. The dual nature of the coatings, that is, high transparency and superhydrophobicity in the entire visible region suggests for its potential usage in self‐cleanings, wind screen and optoelectronic applications. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simulation of positron backscattering on Al, Cu, Ag and Au targets using GEANT4 code
Authors: Lai Xin , Jiang Xiaopan , Cao Xingzhong , Zhang Xi , Zhang Zhiming , Cao Xuexiang , Xiang Gang , Wang Baoyi , Wei Long
Published: October 2016

In this paper, backscattering of 3 to 50‐keV positrons on Al, Cu, Ag and Au metallic targets has been systematically investigated using GEANT4 code. The dependence of positron backscattering coefficients on atomic number Z, target thickness, incident energy and angles has been discussed comprehensively. Besides, positron backscattering spectra for those metallic targets at different discrete scattering angles were also studied to provide theoretical basis of the most appropriate scattering angle selected for simulation parameters and specified applied measurement techniques. The impact of atomic number Z of targets on positron backscattering spectra was investigated as well. Simulation results are in reasonable agreement with previous experiment data and theoretical work. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling hospital length of stay using convolutive mixtures distributions
Authors: Ickowicz Adrien , Sparks Ross
Published: October 2016

Length of hospital stay (LOS) is an important indicator of the hospital activity and management of health care. The skewness in the distribution of LOS poses problems in statistical modelling because it fails to adequately follow the usual traditional distribution of positive variables such as the log‐normal distribution. We present in this paper a model using the convolution of two distributions, a technique well known in the signal processing community. The specificity of that model is that the variable of interest is considered to be the resulting sum of two random variables with different distributions. One of the variables features the patient‐related factors in terms of their need to recover from their admission condition, while the other models the hospital management process such as the discharging process. Two estimation procedures are proposed. One is the classical maximum likelihood, while the other relates to the expectation–maximization algorithm. We present some results obtained by applying this model to a set of real data from a group of hospitals in Victoria (Australia). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neurotrophic Factor-α1: A Key Wnt-β-Catenin Dependent Anti-Proliferation Factor and ERK-Sox9 Activated Inducer of Embryonic Neural Stem Cell Differentiation to Astrocytes in Neurodevelopment
Authors: Selvaraj Prabhuanand , Xiao Lan , Lee Cheol , Murthy Saravana R. K. , Cawley Niamh X. , Lane Malcolm , Merchenthaler Istvan , Ahn Sohyun , Loh Y. Peng
Published: October 2016

Embryonic neurodevelopment involves inhibition of proliferation of multipotent neural stem cells (NSCs) followed by differentiation into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes to form the brain. We have identified a new neurotrophic factor, NF-α1, which inhibits proliferation and promotes differentiation of NSC/progenitors derived from E13.5 mouse cortex. Inhibition of proliferation of these cells was mediated through negatively regulating the Wnt pathway and decreasing β-catenin. NF-α1 induced differentiation of NSCs to astrocytes by enhancing Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) expression through activating the ERK1/2-Sox9 signaling pathway. Cultured E13.5 cortical stem cells from NF-α1-knockout mice showed decreased astrocyte numbers compared to wild-type mice, which was rescued by treatment with NF-α1. In vivo, immunocytochemistry of brain sections and Western blot analysis of neocortex of mice showed a gradual increase of NF-α1 expression from E14.5 to P1 and a surge of GFAP expression at P1, the time of increase in astrogenesis. Importantly, NF-α1-Knockout mice showed ∼49% fewer GFAP positive astrocytes in the neocortex compared to WT mice at P1. Thus, NF-α1 is critical for regulating antiproliferation and cell fate determination, through differentiating embryonic stem cells to GFAP-positive astrocytes for normal neurodevelopment.
Generation of Functional Human Retinal Ganglion Cells with Target Specificity from Pluripotent Stem Cells by Chemically Defined Recapitulation of Developmental Mechanism
Authors: Teotia Pooja , Chopra Divyan A. , Dravid Shashank Manohar , Van Hook Matthew J. , Qiu Fang , Morrison John , Rizzino Angie , Ahmad Iqbal
Published: October 2016

Glaucoma is a complex group of diseases wherein a selective degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) lead to irreversible loss of vision. A comprehensive approach to glaucomatous RGC degeneration may include stem cells to functionally replace dead neurons through transplantation and understand RGCs vulnerability using a disease in a dish stem cell model. Both approaches require the directed generation of stable, functional, and target-specific RGCs from renewable sources of cells, that is, the embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. Here, we demonstrate a rapid and safe, stage-specific, chemically defined protocol that selectively generates RGCs across species, including human, by recapitulating the developmental mechanism. The de novo generated RGCs from pluripotent cells are similar to native RGCs at the molecular, biochemical, functional levels. They also express axon guidance molecules, and discriminate between specific and nonspecific targets, and are nontumorigenic.
Lewis Base Catalyzed Stereo‐ and Regioselective Bromocyclization
Authors: Gieuw Matthew H. , Ke Zhihai , Yeung Ying‐Yeung
Published: October 2016

Oxygen‐ and nitrogen‐containing heterocyclic compounds are widely recognized as key components in many natural products and biologically relevant molecules, but often the problem comes down to methodologies in synthesizing them. Halocyclization of olefinic substrates is a promising strategy in the construction of O‐ and N‐heterocyclic compounds, which further signifies the development of their asymmetric variants. Over the past years, our group has been devoted to this particular area of asymmetric electrophilic halocyclization with chalcogen‐containing molecules as catalysts. In this account, the main focus is on the development of our novel chiral catalysts and applications derived from the reaction products.
Recent Developments in Coinage Metal Catalyzed Transformations of Stabilized Vinyldiazo Compounds: Beyond Carbenic Pathways
Authors: López Enol , González‐Pelayo Silvia , López Luis A.
Published: October 2016

Transition metal‐catalyzed transformations of vinyldiazo compounds have become a versatile tool in organic synthesis. Although several transition metals have been investigated for this purpose, this field has been mainly dominated by dirhodium catalysts. Remarkable levels of chemo‐, regio‐, diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity have been reached in some of these rhodium‐catalyzed transformations. In the last few years coinage metals have also emerged as useful catalysts in transformations involving vinyldiazo compounds. In some cases, highly efficient catalyst‐dependent protocols arising from divergent mechanistic pathways have been reported. In this Personal Account, we aim to showcase recent advances in metal coinage catalyzed transformations of vinyldiazoacetates, an exciting field of research to which our group has actively contributed in the last few years.
Secondary science teachers as curriculum makers: Mapping and designing Scotland's new Curriculum for Excellence
Authors: Wallace Carolyn S. , Priestley Mark R.
Published: October 2016

Scotland is one of several countries to have recently implemented a new national curriculum to highlight 21st century educational priorities. Teachers have been mandated to follow the new curriculum guidelines, known as Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), since the fall of 2010. The purpose of this study was to use a phenomenological lens to investigate how Scottish secondary science teachers are experiencing their work of curriculum development, including daily lesson design and more broadly, curriculum mapping within the context of reform (Remillard [1999], Curriculum Inquiry, 29: 315–342). We probed seven science teachers’ experiences to create both a composite profile of conscious thoughts about curriculum design and individual profiles that highlight interactions between the curriculum mandates, beliefs, and agentic orientations. The study indicated that changes to curriculum development required accepting new cognitive commitments including: (i) analyzing the CfE document to discern the most significant principles underlying change; (ii) reflecting on the ways that science teacher curriculum development is a problem‐solving endeavor; (iii) undertaking the complex processes of curriculum mapping, from primary school all the way through national qualification exams; and (iv) recognizing that the epistemological frame for students’ science learning has changed and providing opportunities for students to create and apply knowledge. Two significant findings include the unpacking of these cognitive activities as part of a transformation toward a new epistemology of pedagogy, and the assertion that official curriculum documents can promote change, albeit with caveats concerning individual beliefs, agentic orientations, and possibilities for agency within school contexts. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 54: 324–349, 2017
Re: Perinatal outcomes and intrauterine complications following fetal intervention for congenital heart disease: systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies. E. Araujo Júnior, G. Tonni, M. Chung, R. Ruano and W. P. Martins. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2016; 48: 426–433.
Authors: Moon‐Grady A. J.
Published: October 2016

Linked Comment: Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2016; 48: 426–433
Advances in RNA molecular dynamics: a simulator's guide to RNA force fields
Authors: Vangaveti Sweta , Ranganathan Srivathsan V. , Chen Alan A.
Published: October 2016

Molecular simulations have become an essential tool for biochemical research. When they work properly, they are able to provide invaluable interpretations of experimental results and ultimately provide novel, experimentally testable predictions. Unfortunately, not all simulation models are created equal, and with inaccurate models it becomes unclear what is a bona fide prediction versus a simulation artifact. RNA models are still in their infancy compared to the many robust protein models that are widely in use, and for that reason the number of RNA force field revisions in recent years has been rapidly increasing. As there is no universally accepted ‘best’ RNA force field at the current time, RNA simulators must decide which one is most suited to their purposes, cognizant of its essential assumptions and their inherent strengths and weaknesses. Hopefully, armed with a better understanding of what goes inside the simulation ‘black box,’ RNA biochemists can devise novel experiments and provide crucial thermodynamic and structural data that will guide the development and testing of improved RNA models. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1396. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1396

This article is categorized under:

RNA Structure and Dynamics > RNA Structure, Dynamics, and Chemistry

RNA Evolution and Genomics > Computational Analyses of RNA

RNA Methods > RNA Analyses In Vitro and In Silico
Posttranscriptional regulation of intestinal epithelial integrity by noncoding RNAs
Authors: Wang Jun‐Yao , Xiao Lan , Wang Jian‐Ying
Published: October 2016

Maintenance of the gut epithelial integrity under stressful environments requires epithelial cells to rapidly elicit changes in gene expression patterns to regulate their survival, adapt to stress, and keep epithelial homeostasis. Disruption of the intestinal epithelial integrity occurs commonly in patients with various critical illnesses, leading to the translocation of luminal toxic substances and bacteria to the blood stream. Recently, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as a novel class of master regulators of gene expression and are fundamentally involved in many aspects of gut mucosal regeneration, protection, and epithelial barrier function. Here, we highlight the roles of several intestinal epithelial tissue‐specific microRNAs, including miR‐222, miR‐29b, miR‐503, and miR‐195, and long ncRNAs such as H19 and SPRY4‐IT1 in the regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and cell‐to‐cell interactions and also further analyze the mechanisms through which ncRNAs and their interactions with RNA‐binding proteins modulate the stability and translation of target mRNAs. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1399. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1399

This article is categorized under:

Translation > Translation Regulation

RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
Elastic ball under non‐stationary axially symmetrical volume forces
Authors: Vestyak Vladimir A. , Tarlakovskiy Dmitriy V.
Published: October 2016

This paper studies deformation of homogeneous elastic isotropic ball under the action of non‐stationary axially symmetrical volume forces. Displacements at the boundary of the ball equal to zero. We used expansion in series of Legendre polynomials and their derivatives, as well as the Laplace transform by time. The solution is represented in integral form with kernels in form of Green functions. We have established the structure of such kernels and found their original functions. The present study presents examples of calculations of kernels and deformation of a ball under various external forces.
Exact one‐dimensional mapping of axially symmetric elastic contacts with superimposed normal and torsional loading
Authors: Willert E. , Popov V. L.
Published: October 2016

An exact method is presented to map axially symmetric, elastic, partial slip torsional contact problems with a constant coefficient of friction onto contacts with an elastic foundation of springs. This kind of mapping, called Method of Dimensionality Reduction is thereby extended for the usage in calculations including torsional contacts. All necessary steps for the mapping are given, analytically proven and illustrated by examples.
Triple Antithrombotic Therapy and Outcomes in Post‐PCI Patients Undergoing Non‐cardiac Surgery
Authors: Valle Javier A. , Graham Laura , DeRussy Aerin , Itani Kamal , Hawn Mary T. , Maddox Thomas M.
Published: October 2016

Background

Triple therapy, or the use of anticoagulants with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), is often used to protect against ischemic events in post‐percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients with indications for anticoagulation, but is associated with increased bleeding. As both ischemic and bleeding risks increase in the perioperative period, the impact of triple therapy may be especially pronounced in patients undergoing surgery. Outcomes in this population are currently unknown.

Methods

We identified patients undergoing non‐cardiac surgeries within 2 years of PCI in Veterans Affairs hospitals from 2004 to 2012. We compared perioperative major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE: mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, revascularization) and bleeding events (in‐hospital bleeding, transfusion) between surgeries in patients prescribed triple therapy and DAPT, adjusting for clinical, demographic, and operative characteristics.

Results

Among 7811 surgeries, 391 (5.0 %) occurred in patients receiving triple therapy. 44 (11.3 %) MACCE and 107 (27.4 %) bleeding events occurred with surgeries in triple therapy patients, compared to 366 (4.9 %) MACCE and 980 (13.2 %) bleeding events in DAPT patients. After adjustment, surgery in triple therapy patients was associated with higher rates of MACCE [odds ratio (OR) 1.65, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.16–2.34] or bleeding (OR 1.52, 95 % CI 1.17–1.99) as compared to surgery in DAPT patients.

Conclusions

One in twenty post‐PCI patients undergoing non‐cardiac surgery were on triple therapy. Surgery in these patients was associated with higher MACCE and bleeding events compared to surgery in patients on DAPT, independent of clinical and operative characteristics. These findings identify a high‐risk population for surgery, which may warrant increased surveillance for adverse perioperative events.
Pharmacogenomics of Drug Metabolizing Enzymes and Transporters: Relevance to Precision Medicine
Authors: Ahmed Shabbir , Zhou Zhan , Zhou Jie , Chen Shu-Qing
Published: October 2016

The interindividual genetic variations in drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters influence the efficacy and toxicity of numerous drugs. As a fundamental element in precision medicine, pharmacogenomics, the study of responses of individuals to medication based on their genomic information, enables the evaluation of some specific genetic variants responsible for an individual’s particular drug response. In this article, we review the contributions of genetic polymorphisms to major individual variations in drug pharmacotherapy, focusing specifically on the pharmacogenomics of phase-I drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters. Substantial frequency differences in key variants of drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters, as well as their possible functional consequences, have also been discussed across geographic regions. The current effort illustrates the common presence of variability in drug responses among individuals and across all geographic regions. This information will aid health-care professionals in prescribing the most appropriate treatment aimed at achieving the best possible beneficial outcomes while avoiding unwanted effects for a particular patient.
Somatic mutation detection using various targeted detection assays in paired samples of circulating tumor DNA, primary tumor and metastases from patients undergoing resection of colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Beije Nick , Helmijr Jean C. , Weerts Marjolein J.A. , Beaufort Corine M. , Wiggin Matthew , Marziali Andre , Verhoef Cornelis , Sleijfer Stefan , Jansen Maurice P.H.M. , Martens John W.M.
Published: October 2016

Assessing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a promising method to evaluate somatic mutations from solid tumors in a minimally‐invasive way. In a group of twelve metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients undergoing liver metastasectomy, from each patient DNA from cell‐free DNA (cfDNA), the primary tumor, metastatic liver tissue, normal tumor‐adjacent colon or liver tissue, and whole blood were obtained. Investigated was the feasibility of a targeted NGS approach to identify somatic mutations in ctDNA. This targeted NGS approach was also compared with NGS preceded by mutant allele enrichment using synchronous coefficient of drag alteration technology embodied in the OnTarget assay, and for selected mutations with digital PCR (dPCR). All tissue and cfDNA samples underwent IonPGM sequencing for a CRC‐specific 21‐gene panel, which was analyzed using a standard and a modified calling pipeline. In addition, cfDNA, whole blood and normal tissue DNA were analyzed with the OnTarget assay and with dPCR for specific mutations in cfDNA as detected in the corresponding primary and/or metastatic tumor tissue. NGS with modified calling was superior to standard calling and detected ctDNA in the cfDNA of 10 patients harboring mutations in APC, ATM, CREBBP, FBXW7, KRAS, KMT2D, PIK3CA and TP53. Using this approach, variant allele frequencies in plasma ranged predominantly from 1 to 10%, resulting in limited concordance between ctDNA and the primary tumor (39%) and the metastases (55%). Concordance between ctDNA and tissue markedly improved when ctDNA was evaluated for KRAS, PIK3CA and TP53 mutations by the OnTarget assay (80%) and digital PCR (93%). Additionally, using these techniques mutations were observed in tumor‐adjacent tissue with normal morphology in the majority of patients, which were not observed in whole blood. In conclusion, in these mCRC patients with oligometastatic disease NGS on cfDNA was feasible, but had limited sensitivity to detect all somatic mutations present in tissue. Digital PCR and mutant allele enrichment before NGS appeared to be more sensitive to detect somatic mutations.
Abnormal Joint Moment Distributions and Functional Performance During Sit‐to‐Stand in Femoroacetabular Impingement Patients
Authors: Samaan Michael A. , Schwaiger Benedikt J. , Gallo Matthew C. , Link Thomas M. , Zhang Alan L. , Majumdar Sharmila , Souza Richard B.
Published: October 2016

Background

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a morphological abnormality of the hip joint that causes pain when performing a mechanically demanding activity of daily living such as the sit‐to‐stand (STS) task. Previous studies have assessed lower extremity joint mechanics during an STS task in various pathologies, yet the STS task has not been studied in FAI patients.

Objective

The objective of this study was to identify differences in joint kinetics and performance between FAI patients and healthy controls during a STS task. It was hypothesized that FAI patients would exhibit altered time needed to complete the STS task, as well as altered lower extremity biomechanics, when compared to healthy controls.

Design

This was a cross‐sectional cohort study.

Setting

The study took place at a motion capture laboratory at an institutional orthopedic facility.

Participants

Biomechanical analysis was performed in 17 FAI patients and 31 age‐ and body mass index (BMI)−matched healthy controls during the STS task.

Methods

Sagittal plane joint moments, total support moment (TSM), joint contributions to the TSM, and functional measures during the STS task were compared between groups.

Main Outcome Measurements

Peak joint moments, TSM and joint contributions to the TSM were assessed during the STS task. In addition, the time to and value of the peak vertical ground reaction force (vGRF), limb symmetry index at peak vGRF, loading rate, and total time needed to perform the STS task were determined.

Results

Compared to the control participants, the FAI patients exhibited worse Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) pain and function subscores. No group differences were observed in peak sagittal joint moments during the STS task. However, when compared to controls, the FAI patients demonstrated reduced knee joint contributions to the TSM. In addition, the FAI patients exhibited increased time needed to perform the STS task, increased time to reach peak vGRF, and reduced lower extremity loading rate during the STS task.

Conclusions

FAI patients demonstrated abnormal joint contributions to TSM and altered functional performance during the STS task. These altered movement patterns during the STS task may be compensatory mechanisms used by the FAI patients to reduce pain and to improve function.

Level of Evidence

Not applicable.
Examining the Prospective Relationship between Family Affective Responsiveness and Theory of Mind in Chronic Paediatric Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Ryan Nicholas P. , Mihaljevic Kim , Beauchamp Miriam H. , Catroppa Cathy , Crossley Louise , Hearps Stephen , Silk Timothy , Godfrey Celia , Yeates Keith Owen , Anderson Vicki A.
Published: October 2016

Childhood and adolescence coincide with rapid structural and functional maturation of brain networks implicated in Theory of Mind (ToM); however, the impact of paediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) on the development of these higher order skills is not well understood. ToM can be partitioned intoconative ToM, defined as the ability to understand how indirect speech acts involving irony and empathy are used to influence the mental or affective state of the listener; andaffective ToM, concerned with understanding that facial expressions are often used for social purposes to convey emotions that we want people to think we feel. In a sample of 84 children with mild-severe TBI and 40 typically developing controls, this study examined the effect of paediatric TBI on affective and conative ToM; and evaluated the respective contributions of injury-related factors (injury severity/lesion location) and non-injury-related environmental variables (socio-economic status (SES)/family functioning) to long-term ToM outcomes. Results showed that the poorest ToM outcomes were documented in association with mild-complicated and moderate TBI, rather than severe TBI. Lesion location and SES did not significantly contribute to conative or affective ToM. Post-injury family affective responsiveness was the strongest and most significant predictor of conative ToM. Results suggest that clinicians should exercise caution when prognosticating based on early clinical indicators, and that group and individual-level outcome prediction should incorporate assessment of a range of injury- and non-injury-related factors. Moreover, the affective quality of post-injury family interactions represents a potentially modifiable risk factor, and might be a useful target for family-centred interventions designed to optimise social cognitive outcomes after paediatric TBI.
Visuospatial memory improvement in patients with diffuse axonal injury (DAI): a 1-year follow-up study
Authors: Zaninotto Ana Luiza , Vicentini Jessica Elias , Solla Davi Jorge Fontoura , Silva Tatiana Tateishi , Guirado Vinicius Monteiro de Paula , Feltrin Fabrício , de Lucia Mara Cristina Souza , Teixeira Manoel Jacobsen , Paiva Wellingson Silva
Published: October 2016

Objective

Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is prevalent in traumatic brain injury (TBI), and is often associated with poor outcomes and cognitive impairment, including memory deficits. Few studies have explored visual memory after TBI and its relationship to executive functioning. Executive functioning is crucial for remembering an object’s location, operating devices, driving, and route finding. We compared visual memory performance via the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) test 6 and 12 months after DAI.

Method

In total, 40 patients (mean age 28.7 years; 87.5% male) with moderate-to-severe DAI following a road traffic accident completed the 1-year follow-up. There was a three-phase prospective assessment. In phase 1 (1–3 months after trauma), patients completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). In phases 2 (6 months) and 3 (12 months), they completed the BDI, STAI, and a neuropsychological battery [ROCF copy and recall, digit span forward/backward, Grooved Pegboard test, intelligence quotient (IQ) by Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III (WAIS-III)].

Results

There was an improvement in ROCF recall over time (p=0.013), but not ROCF copy (p=0.657).There was no change in executive function (Savage scores) copy (p=0.230) or recall (p=0.155). Age, years of education, severity of the trauma, and IQ did not influence ROCF recall improvement.

Conclusion

There are time-dependent improvements in visual memory in patients with DAI. Neuroplasticity in the 1st months after trauma provides an opportunity for visuospatial memory learning. The present findings may be useful to formulate management plans for long-term TBI rehabilitation.
How to Increase Turnout in Low-Salience Elections: Quasi-Experimental Evidence on the Effect of Concurrent Second-Order Elections on Political Participation
Authors: Leininger Arndt , Rudolph Lukas , Zittlau Steffen
Published: October 2016

Voter turnout in second-order elections is on a dramatic decline in many modern democracies. This article investigates how electoral participation can be substantially increased by holding multiple of these less important elections simultaneously. Leading to a relative decrease in voting costs, concurrent elections theoretically have economies of scale to the individual voter and thus should see turnout levels larger than those obtained in any stand-alone election. Leveraging as-if-random variation of local election timing in Germany, we estimate the causal effect of concurrent mayoral elections on European election turnout at around 10 percentage points. Exploiting variation in treatment intensity, we show that the magnitude of the concurrency effect is contingent upon district size and the competitiveness of the local race.
Maternal diet quality before pregnancy and risk of childhood leukaemia
Authors: Singer Amanda W. , Carmichael Suzan L. , Selvin Steve , Fu Cecilia , Block Gladys , Metayer Catherine
Published: October 2016

Previous studies on maternal nutrition and childhood leukaemia risk have focused on the role of specific nutrients such as folate and have not considered broader measures of diet quality, which may better capture intake of diverse nutrients known to impact fetal development. We examined the relationship between maternal diet quality before pregnancy, as summarised by a diet quality index, and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in a case–control study in California. Dietary intake in the year before pregnancy was assessed using FFQ in 681 ALL cases, 103 AML cases and 1076 matched controls. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate OR and 95 % CI for diet quality continuous score and quartiles (Q1–Q4). Higher maternal diet quality score was associated with reduced risk of ALL (OR 0·66; 95 % CI 0·47, 0·93 for Q4v.Q1) and possibly AML (OR 0·42; 95 % CI 0·15, 1·15 for Q4v.Q1). No single index component appeared to account for the association. The association of maternal diet quality with risk of ALL was stronger in children diagnosed under the age of 5 years and in children of women who did not report using vitamin supplements before pregnancy. These findings suggest that the joint effects of many dietary components may be important in influencing childhood leukaemia risk.
Vitamin D3supplementation in healthy adults: a comparison between capsule and oral spray solution as a method of delivery in a wintertime, randomised, open-label, cross-over study
Authors: Todd Joshua J. , McSorley Emeir M. , Pourshahidi L. Kirsty , Madigan Sharon M. , Laird Eamon , Healy Martin , Magee Pamela J.
Published: October 2016

Vitamin D is typically supplied in capsule form, both in trials and in clinical practice. However, little is known regarding the efficacy of vitamin D administered via oral sprays – a method that primarily bypasses the gastrointestinal absorption route. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of vitamin D3liquid capsules and oral spray solution in increasing wintertime total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations. In this randomised, open-label, cross-over trial, healthy adults (n22) received 3000 IU (75 µg) vitamin D3daily for 4 weeks in either capsule or oral spray form. Following a 10-week washout phase, participants received the opposite treatment for a final 4 weeks. Anthropometrics and fasted blood samples were obtained before and after supplementation, with samples analysed for total 25(OH)D, creatinine, intact parathyroid hormone and adjusted Ca concentrations. At baseline, vitamin D sufficiency (total 25(OH)D>50 nmol/l), insufficiency (31–49 nmol/l) and clinical deficiency (<30 nmol/l) were evident in 59, 23 and 18 % of the participants, respectively. Overall, baseline total mean 25(OH)D concentration averaged 59·76 (sd29·88) nmol/l, representing clinical sufficiency. ANCOVA revealed no significant difference in the mean and standard deviation change from baseline in total 25(OH)D concentrations between oral spray and capsule supplementation methods (26·15 (sd17·85)v. 30·38 (sd17·91) nmol/l, respectively;F=1·044, adjustedr20·493,P=0·313). Oral spray vitamin D3is an equally effective alternative to capsule supplementation in healthy adults.
ADOPTION OF RICE VARIETIES. 2. ACCELERATING UPTAKE
Authors: WITCOMBE J. R. , KHADKA K. , PURI R. R. , KHANAL N. P. , SAPKOTA A. , JOSHI K. D.
Published: October 2016

Plant breeding makes genetic gains over years, so growing newer varieties generally provides greater benefits than growing older ones. However, in low-altitude districts of Nepal, a few rice varieties covered 75% of the rice area and were more than 20 years old (first paper in this series). We test here if this slow rate of adoption of new varieties could be accelerated using a participatory method, Informal Research and Development (IRD), where packets of seeds of new rice varieties are widely distributed to many farmers. From 2008 to 2011, over 117 000 IRD packets were distributed in 18 districts of the Nepal Terai, including over 70 000 of three released varieties from a client-oriented breeding (COB) programme in Nepal. The IRD significantly increased the adoption of the three COB varieties. The benefits obtained by farmers in a single growing season equal the costs of IRD, if for every 75 kits distributed an additional 1 ha is grown. This assumes that the new varieties produce a 10% increase in yield (lower than that evidenced in their release proposals). On an average, fewer than three IRD kits were distributed for each hectare of a new variety grown by farmers in 2011. Furthermore, the effectiveness of IRD could be increased 1.2 to 2.7 fold (depending on the COB variety) if the IRD distribution were to be restricted to the region where the variety was most accepted. The best comparison of IRD with extension by the conventional system was their popularity compared with similar-aged varieties that had been promoted in the two systems. The adoption of three COB varieties was about twicethat of three varieties from the National Rice Research Programme (NRRP) that were closest in release date to the COB varieties. Unlike cost effectiveness assessed by hectares grown per IRD kit distributed, this comparison can only indicate efficacy because, as well as extension method, many factors influenced the adoption rates of the COB and NRRP varieties. The costs of IRD are small, both relative to the cost of breeding new varieties and to the benefits gained; so it is one of the simplest and most cost-effective interventions to increase agricultural productivity.
BODY MASS INDEX VALUES IN THE GENTRY AND PEASANTRY IN NINETEENTH AND EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY POLAND
Authors: Czapla Zbigniew , Liczbińska Grażyna , Piontek Janusz
Published: October 2016

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of social and occupational status on the BMI of the gentry and peasantry in the Kingdom of Poland at the turn of 19th and early 20th centuries. Use was made of data on the height and weight of 304 men, including 200 peasants and 104 gentlemen, and 275 women, including 200 from the peasantry and 75 from the gentry. Gentlemen were characterized by a greater body height than peasants (169.40 cm and 166.96 cm, respectively), a greater body weight (67.09 kg and 60.99 kg, respectively) and a higher BMI (23.33 kg/m2and 21.83 kg/m2, respectively). Landowners and intelligentsia had a greater BMI than peasants (23.12 kg/m2and 24.20 kg/m2vs 21.83 kg/m2, respectively). In the case of women, there were no statistically significant differences in mean height, weight and BMI by their social position, and in BMI by occupational status. Underweight occurred less frequently in the gentry and more frequently in the peasantry (0.97% and 2.04%, respectively). Overweight was five times more common in gentlemen than in peasants (26.21% and 5.10%, respectively). Differences in the BMI of gentlefolk and peasants resulted from differences in diet and lifestyle related to socioeconomic status.
Timing variations and effects of size on the reproductive output of the wedge clam Donax trunculus (L. 1758) in the littoral of Huelva (SW Spain)
Authors: Delgado Marina , Silva Luis
Published: October 2016

This study aimed to augment existing knowledge of the reproductive characteristics of Donax trunculus through analysis of timing variations and the influence of shell size on partial fecundity (PF) during the reproductive period. To achieve this objective, two reproductive timing characteristics were also studied: size at first maturity (SL50) and the reproductive cycle using histology and image analysis techniques. SL50 was 10.83 mm for females and 10.86 for males. Donax trunculus showed a continuous and simultaneous release of gametes and high oocyte regeneration ability during the reproductive period (from February to July). These reproductive characteristics impeded the estimation of total fecundity. However, throughout the reproductive period an increasing pattern of PF was observed followed by a significant drop at the end of the same period, which could be quantified (293,390 of vitellogenic and ripe oocytes). At the same time PF quantifications allowed for predicting and estimating the influence of shell length (SL) on the reproductive output as a function of oocyte typology (PF = 4.12 + 3.96 SL; r2 = 0.86; all types). Levels of prevalence of a digenetic trematode-like parasite with castrate ability fluctuated between 0–20% depending on the time of the year and sex. In addition, the possible consequences of two different scenarios of population size structure on the reproductive output were simulated, and highlighted how beach areas supporting high levels of anthropogenic pressure (Isla Canela) could compromise future recruitments, producing 84% less oocytes than a beach with a lower level of disturbance (Doñana).
Directed complete poset models of T1 spaces
Authors: ZHAO DONGSHENG , XI XIAOYONG
Published: October 2016

A poset model of a topological space X is a poset P such that the subspace Max(P) of the Scott space ΣP is homeomorphic to X, where Max(P) is the set of all maximal points of P. Every T1 space has a (bounded complete algebraic) poset model. It was, however, not known whether every T1 space has a directed complete poset model and whether every sober T1 space has a directed complete poset model whose Scott topology is sober. In this paper we give a positive answer to each of these two problems. For each T1 space X, we shall construct a directed complete poset E that is a model of X, and prove that X is sober if and only if the Scott space Σ E is sober. One useful by-product is a method for constructing more directed complete posets whose Scott topology is not sober.
Labelled seeds and the mutation group
Authors: KING ALASTAIR , PRESSLAND MATTHEW
Published: October 2016

We study the set${\mathcal{S}}$of labelled seeds of a cluster algebra of rankninside a field${\mathcal{F}}$as a homogeneous space for the groupMnof (globally defined) mutations and relabellings. Regular equivalence relations on${\mathcal{S}}$are associated to subgroupsWof AutMn(${\mathcal{S}}$), and we thus obtain groupoidsW\${\mathcal{S}}$. We show that for two natural choices of equivalence relation, the corresponding groupsWcandW+act on${\mathcal{F}}$, and the groupoidsWc\${\mathcal{S}}$andW+\${\mathcal{S}}$act on the model field${\mathcal{K}}$=ℚ(x1,. . .,xn). The groupoidW+\${\mathcal{S}}$is equivalent to Fock–Goncharov's cluster modular groupoid. Moreover,Wcis isomorphic to the group of cluster automorphisms, andW+to the subgroup of direct cluster automorphisms, in the sense of Assem–Schiffler–Shramchenko.

We also prove that, for mutation classes whose seeds have mutation finite quivers, the stabiliser of a labelled seed underMndetermines the quiver of the seed up to ‘similarity’, meaning up to taking opposites of some of the connected components. Consequently, the subgroupWcis the entire automorphism group of${\mathcal{S}}$in these cases.
Susceptibility to interference affects the second and the first language
Authors: DUSSIAS PAOLA E. , BEATTY-MARTÍNEZ ANNE L. , PERROTTI LAUREN
Published: October 2016

Memory is an integral part of language processing. Given this, a better understanding of how people learn, represent and process language requires considerations of the principles of memory that support language comprehension. Cunnings’ paper (Cunnings, 2016) does just this. The core of his proposal is that second language (L2) processing that is non-target like can be explained in terms of memory operations rather than by invoking a shallow processor (cf. Clahsen & Felser, 2006).