bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A goodness‐of‐fit test for occupancy models with correlated within‐season revisits
Authors: Wright Wilson J. , Irvine Kathryn M. , Rodhouse Thomas J.
Published: July 2016

Occupancy modeling is important for exploring species distribution patterns and for conservation monitoring. Within this framework, explicit attention is given to species detection probabilities estimated from replicate surveys to sample units. A central assumption is that replicate surveys are independent Bernoulli trials, but this assumption becomes untenable when ecologists serially deploy remote cameras and acoustic recording devices over days and weeks to survey rare and elusive animals. Proposed solutions involve modifying the detection‐level component of the model (e.g., first‐order Markov covariate). Evaluating whether a model sufficiently accounts for correlation is imperative, but clear guidance for practitioners is lacking. Currently, an omnibus goodness‐of‐fit test using a chi‐square discrepancy measure on unique detection histories is available for occupancy models (MacKenzie and Bailey, Journal of Agricultural, Biological, and Environmental Statistics, 9, 2004, 300; hereafter, MacKenzie–Bailey test). We propose a join count summary measure adapted from spatial statistics to directly assess correlation after fitting a model. We motivate our work with a dataset of multinight bat call recordings from a pilot study for the North American Bat Monitoring Program. We found in simulations that our join count test was more reliable than the MacKenzie–Bailey test for detecting inadequacy of a model that assumed independence, particularly when serial correlation was low to moderate. A model that included a Markov‐structured detection‐level covariate produced unbiased occupancy estimates except in the presence of strong serial correlation and a revisit design consisting only of temporal replicates. When applied to two common bat species, our approach illustrates that sophisticated models do not guarantee adequate fit to real data, underscoring the importance of model assessment. Our join count test provides a widely applicable goodness‐of‐fit test and specifically evaluates occupancy model lack of fit related to correlation among detections within a sample unit. Our diagnostic tool is available for practitioners that serially deploy survey equipment as a way to achieve cost savings.
A Hydrodynamic Study of a Fast‐Bed Dual Circulating Fluidized Bed for Chemical Looping Combustion
Authors: Haider Syed K. , Duan Lunbo , Patchigolla Kumar , Anthony Edward J.
Published: July 2016

This study explores the use of a dual interconnected circulating fluidized bed (CFB) for chemical looping combustion. This design can enhance gas–solid interactions, but it is difficult to control the solid transfer and circulation rates. With the use of a 1:1 scale cold‐flow model, an investigation determining the hydrodynamic behavior of the dual CFB system has been conducted. The cold‐flow system consists of two identical fast‐bed risers, each with an internal diameter of 100 mm and a height of 7 m. The simplified cold‐flow model is based on the chemical looping Pilot‐Scale Advanced CO2 Capture Technology (PACT) facility at Cranfield. Here, we have determined the minimum fluidization and transport velocities, and we have assessed the solid density profiles, transport capacity, and potential for the dilution by air/N2 leakage into the CO2 stream exiting the fuel reactor. The experimental procedure uses two different bed materials, molochite (ceramic clay) and FE100 (iron particles), and it satisfies the dynamic scaling laws to model the bed inventory within the system. The results indicate that the two fast‐bed risers share similar density and pressure profiles. Stable circulation can be achieved through pneumatic transport. The circulation rate of the system is flexible and can be adjusted by altering the fluidization velocity in the riser and by altering the bed inventory. The gas leakage from the loop seal to the cyclone was found to be sensitive to the bed height and fluidization velocity in the loop seal. However, by maintaining a loop‐seal bed height above 600 mm during operation, the outlet stream remains undiluted.
Intersex and liver alterations induced by long-term sublethal exposure to 17α-ethinylestradiol in adult male Cnesterodon decemmaculatus (Pisces: Poeciliidae)
Authors: Young Brian Jonathan , López Gabriela Carina , Cristos Diego Sebastián , Crespo Diana Cristina , Somoza Gustavo Manuel , Carriquiriborde Pedro
Published: July 2016

The aim of the present study was to assess the responses of the gonopodium morphology and the gonadal and liver histology of adult male Cnesterodon decemmaculatus to sublethal long-term exposure concentrations of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2). Two experiments were conducted exposing the fish to waterborne concentrations of EE2 ranging from 20 ng/L to 200 ng/L for 8 wk, 12 wk, and 16 wk. Intersex gonads were observed after 8 wk and 16 wk in fish exposed to 200 ng EE2/L and 100 ng EE2/L, respectively. Oocytes’ development from testis germ cells and replacement of the efferent duct periodic acid-Schiff–positive secretion surrounding spermatozeugmata by parenchymal tissue and duct structure alterations were the major observed changes in the gonads. In contrast, no response was observed in the gonopodium morphology. Liver histology was also altered, showing increasing steatosis, single-cell necrosis to generalized necrosis, and disruption of acinar organization from 100 ng EE2/L to 200 ng EE2/L. In summary, the present results showed that although EE2 was not able to alter the morphology of a developed gonopodium, it was capable of inducing development of testicular oocytes in adult male C. decemmaculatus at environmentally relevant concentrations. Thus, externally normal but intersex C. decemmaculatus males would be expected in the wastewater-receiving streams that the species inhabits. According to the literature, the present study would be the first indicating estrogen-induced intersex in adult male poeciliid. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:1738–1745. © 2016 SETAC
Learning to Trust Flu Shots: Quasi‐Experimental Evidence from the 2009 Swine Flu Pandemic
Authors: Maurer Jürgen , Harris Katherine M.
Published: July 2016

This paper studies consumer learning in influenza vaccination decisions. We examine consumer learning in influenza vaccine demand within a reduced form instrumental variable framework that exploits differences in risk characteristics of different influenza viruses as a natural experiment to distinguish the effects of learning based on previous influenza vaccination experiences from unobserved heterogeneity. The emergence of a new virus strain (influenza A H1N1/09) during the 2009 ‘Swine flu’ pandemic resulted in two different vaccines being recommended for distinct population subgroups with some people, who were not usually targeted by seasonal vaccination programs, being specifically recommended for the new Swine flu vaccine. We use these differences in vaccination targeting to construct instrumental variables for estimating the effect of past influenza vaccination experiences on the demand for pandemic vaccine. We find large causal effects of previous seasonal vaccination on pandemic vaccination. Causal effects of past influenza vaccination experiences on perceived vaccination safety are likely to be an important pathway linking past vaccination experiences with future vaccine uptake. Our results suggest a significant role of learning in vaccination decisions. Current efforts to expand seasonal vaccination may thus have potentially important long‐term effects on future influenza vaccination levels and pandemic preparedness. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic and Environmental Influences on the Development and Stability of Executive Functions in Children of Preschool Age: A Longitudinal Study of Japanese Twins
Authors: Fujisawa Keiko K. , Todo Naoya , Ando Juko
Published: July 2016

Executive functions (EF) are an important predictor of later adaptive development. A number of environmental influences, such as parenting, have been suggested as important promoters of EF development. However, behavioural genetic research has demonstrated that many environmental influences could be affected by genetic influences. Therefore, it is important to consider genetic variations when investigating environmental influences on EF development in children. To date, few studies have used genetically informative designs to assess the etiology of EF development during the preschool years, a period of rapid development. As a result, it remains unclear how and to what extent the environmental influences that are not confounded by genetic influences affect EF development during this developmental period. The present study explored EF development during the preschool years using a longitudinal and genetically informative design and a non‐Western population. Japanese twins were visited at their homes and individually tested on EF measures at 24, 36, and 48 months of age. Phenotypic correlations and confirmatory factor analyses suggested that EF are less cohesive at 24 months of age and emerge as a common single factor at 36 and 48 months. Additionally, longitudinal and multivariate behavioural genetic analyses indicated that the EF developmental change during this period is promoted by both shared and nonshared environmental influences as well as genetic influences, while EF stability is brought about by shared environments. The present findings elucidated the etiology of EF development during the preschool years and confirmed that this period is an important transitional stage for EF development. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Benefit of low‐dose tamoxifen in a large observational cohort of high risk ER positive breast DCIS
Authors: Guerrieri‐Gonzaga Aliana , Sestak Ivana , Lazzeroni Matteo , Serrano Davide , Rotmensz Nicole , Cazzaniga Massimiliano , Varricchio Clara , Pruneri Giancarlo , Leonardi Maria Cristina , Orecchia Roberto , Galimberti Viviana , Bonanni Bernardo , DeCensi Andrea
Published: July 2016

Low‐dose tamoxifen has comparable antiproliferative effect to the standard dose of 20 mg/day in biomarker trials, but its clinical efficacy remains unclear. We assessed the effect of low‐dose tamoxifen on ipsilateral recurrence in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) patients treated in a referral Institution between 1996 and 2008. Following conserving surgery, women received radiotherapy and/or low‐dose tamoxifen upon clinical judgment and patient preferences. Cox regression analyses were used with and without confounding factors. Among 1,091 women with DCIS and median age 53 years (IQR: 46–62), 544 (49.9%) received radiotherapy. Of the 833 women with oestrogen receptor (ER) positive DCIS, 467 (56.1%) received low‐dose tamoxifen. After a median of 7.7 years, 235 ipsilateral recurrences and 62 contralateral breast tumors were observed. Low‐dose tamoxifen significantly decreased any breast event (HR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.54–0.91) and ipsilateral DCIS recurrence (HR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.49–0.88), but not ipsilateral invasive recurrence or contralateral tumors. Radiotherapy showed a large significant reduction for any breast event (HR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.42–0.72). Tamoxifen was more effective on all breast events in women aged >50 years than in women aged ≤50 (HR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.33–0.77 versus HR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.60–1.18, p‐interaction = 0.03). Age ≤50 years, positive margins, high Ki67, high grade and low BMI were independent predictors of ipsilateral recurrence. No increase of endometrial cancers and fewer deaths (p = 0.015) were observed on tamoxifen. Low‐dose tamoxifen seems to be safe and effective in reducing ipsilateral recurrence in ER positive DCIS in women aged >50 years. A randomized trial is underway to confirm these findings.
Evidence for the Role of BAG3 in Mitochondrial Quality Control in Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Tahrir Farzaneh G. , Knezevic Tijana , Gupta Manish K. , Gordon Jennifer , Cheung Joseph Y. , Feldman Arthur M. , Khalili Kamel
Published: July 2016

Mitochondrial abnormalities impact the development of myofibrillar myopathies. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying the removal of dysfunctional mitochondria from cells is of great importance toward understanding the molecular events involved in the genesis of cardiomyopathy. Earlier studies have ascribed a role for BAG3 in the development of cardiomyopathy in experimental animals leading to the identification of BAG3 mutations in patients with heart failure which may play a part in the onset of disease development and progression. BAG3 is co‐chaperone of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), which has been shown to modulate apoptosis and autophagy, in several cell models. In this study, we explore the potential role of BAG3 in mitochondrial quality control. We demonstrate that siRNA mediated suppression of BAG3 production in neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVCs) significantly elevates the level of Parkin, a key component of mitophagy. We found that both BAG3 and Parkin are recruited to depolarized mitochondria and promote mitophagy. Suppression of BAG3 in NRVCs significantly reduces autophagy flux and eliminates clearance of Tom20, an essential import receptor for mitochondria proteins, after induction of mitophagy. These observations suggest that BAG3 is critical for the maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis under stress conditions, and disruptions in BAG3 expression impact cardiomyocyte function. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 797–805, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Biochemical and Pathophysiological Premises to Positron Emission Tomography With Choline Radiotracers
Authors: Cuccurullo Vincenzo , Di Stasio Giuseppe Danilo , Evangelista Laura , Castoria Gabriella , Mansi Luigi
Published: July 2016

Choline is a quaternary ammonium base that represents an essential component of phospholipids and cell membranes. Malignant transformation is associated with an abnormal choline metabolism at a higher levels with respect to those exclusively due to cell multiplication. The use of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) with radiocholine (RCH), labeled with 11C or 18F, is widely diffuse in oncology, with main reference to restaging of patients with prostate cancer. The enhanced concentration in neoplasm is based not only on the increasing growing rate, but also on more specific issues, such as the augmented uptake in malignant cells due to the up‐regulation of choline kinase. Furthermore the role of hypoxia in decreasing choline's uptake determine an in vivo concentration only in well oxygenated tumors, with a lower uptake when malignancy increases, that is, in tumors positive at 18F‐Fluoro‐deoxyglucose. In this paper we have analyzed the most important issues related to the possible utilization of RCH in diagnostic imaging of human cancer. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 270–275, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetic analysis of neuraminidase gene of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus circulating in Southwest India from 2009 to 2012
Authors: Jagadesh Anitha , Salam Abdul Ajees Abdul , Zadeh Vahid Rajabali , Arunkumar Govindakarnavar
Published: July 2016

Genetic analysis of neuraminidase gene sequences in 23 archived isolates of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus, isolated during the 2009–2012 influenza seasons, was carried out to determine the genetic variability. Amino acid substitutions were observed at the rates of 0.3–0.7% per year. The catalytic site consisting of 8 functional and 11 framework residues were found conserved in 20 isolates and mutated in three (E228G, E278G, and N295T) isolates. To the best of our knowledge the three catalytic site mutants observed in our study have not been reported elsewhere to date. Similarly, mutations in the antigenic sites (K217E, K254E, V267A, and D451E except I263V) are discussed for the first time through this article. The effect of these mutations on drug and antibody binding were analyzed using biochemical and structural studies. Detailed studies on the neuraminidase gene are sparse and our study may serve as an appropriate platform to gain insights about the evolution of influenza virus, thereby facilitating drugs/vaccines design and development. J. Med. Virol. 89:202–212, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fractures of the tibial plateau involve similar energies as the tibial pilon but greater articular surface involvement
Authors: Dibbern Kevin , Kempton Laurence B. , Higgins Thomas F. , Morshed Saam , McKinley Todd O. , Marsh J. Lawrence , Anderson Donald D.
Published: July 2016

Patients with tibial pilon fractures have a higher incidence of post‐traumatic osteoarthritis than those with fractures of the tibial plateau. This may indicate that pilon fractures present a greater mechanical insult to the joint than do plateau fractures. We tested the hypothesis that fracture energy and articular fracture edge length, two independent indicators of severity, are higher in pilon than plateau fractures. We also evaluated whether clinical fracture classification systems accurately reflect severity. Seventy‐five tibial plateau fractures and 52 tibial pilon fractures from a multi‐institutional study were selected to span the spectrum of severity. Fracture severity measures were calculated using objective CT‐based image analysis methods. The ranges of fracture energies measured for tibial plateau and pilon fractures were 3.2–33.2 Joules (J) and 3.6–32.2 J, respectively, and articular fracture edge lengths were 68.0–493.0 mm and 56.1–288.6 mm, respectively. There were no differences in the fracture energies between the two fracture types, but plateau fractures had greater articular fracture edge lengths (p < 0.001). The clinical fracture classifications generally reflected severity, but there was substantial overlap of fracture severity measures between different classes. Similar fracture energies with different degrees of articular surface involvement suggest a possible explanation for dissimilar rates of post‐traumatic osteoarthritis for fractures of the tibial plateau compared to the tibial pilon. The substantial overlap of severity measures between different fracture classes may well have confounded prior clinical studies relying on fracture classification as a surrogate for severity. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:618–624, 2017.
Simulation and design of MIM nanoresonators for color filter applications
Authors: Banerjee Saswatee
Published: July 2016

We simulated metal–insulator–metal (MIM) nanoresonator structures that can be realized by sandwiching an insulator layer between two metal grating layers with subwavelength periods and heights. Simulation results indicate that it is possible to use relatively low refractive index polymeric materials as the insulator layer and such MIM structures can function as color filters with reasonably narrow bandwidths in transmission mode. Such color filters being superior in performance might find application in liquid crystal display devices replacing the conventional color filters. Simulations suggest that development of plasmonic modes at the metal–insulator interfaces might be responsible for the filter‐like transmission behavior of such structures. The transmission peaks can be tuned by changing the heights of the two grating layers and the refractive index of the insulator layer. Transmission peak is red‐shifted as insulator layer refractive index increases. Simulations were carried out using a home‐grown, monochromatic version of recursive convolution finite‐difference time‐domain method.
Early childhood obesity: Association with healthcare expenditure in Australia
Authors: Hayes Alison , Chevalier Anna , D'Souza Mario , Baur Louise , Wen Li Ming , Simpson Judy
Published: July 2016

Objective

To determine whether overweight or obesity among children (aged 2 to ≤5 years) is associated with direct healthcare costs, after adjusting for child, household, and socioeconomic characteristics.

Methods

A longitudinal cohort analysis was performed in 350 children aged 2 years assessed over 3 years of follow‐up. Child weight status was determined from mean BMI z‐scores at 2, 3.5, and 5 years, and healthcare utilization including medicines, nonhospital, hospital, and emergency care was determined by data linkage. Using adjusted multivariable regression analyses, the relationship between total 3‐year healthcare costs and weight status was examined. Observations took place in Sydney, Australia, between 2011 and 2014.

Results

After adjustment for significant maternal and sociodemographic characteristics, healthcare costs of children with obesity (BMI z‐score >2SD) were 1.62 (95% CI 1.12‐2.34, P = 0.01) times those of children with healthy weight. However, costs of overweight children were similar to those of healthy weight (P = 0.96). The additional 3‐year costs of healthcare for a child with obesity compared with healthy weight were $AUD 825 (95% CI $135‐$2,117) for general patients and $AUD 1332 (95% CI $174‐$4,280) for concession card holders.

Conclusions

Prevention of obesity in early childhood may have concurrent benefits in reducing healthcare expenditure.
Spectral, morphological, and antibacterial studies of conducting copolymers, Ppy‐MA, and their nanocomposites, Ag@Ppy‐MA
Authors: Nami Shahab A. A. , Khan Mohd. Shoeb , Arshad Mohammad , Khan Mo Aqib Raza , Khan Imran
Published: July 2016

Pyrrole and methyl anthranilate were copolymerized in different molar ratios in the presence of, H2O2, and FeSO4 at ambient temperature and pressure to obtain efficient conducting copolymers, Ppy‐MA. These conducting copolymers, Ppy‐MA, were in situ reacted with silver nanoparticles to generate nanocomposites, Ag@Ppy‐MA, which exhibit enhanced electrical conductivity. The spectra and morphology of different copolymers, Ppy‐MA, and their nanocomposites, Ag@Ppy‐MA, were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared, SEM, tunneling electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential thermal analysis. These studies have shown that the nanocomposites, Ag@Ppy‐MA, are thermally more stable and good electrical conductors as compared with their copolymers, Ppy‐MA. The antibacterial activity of the copolymers, Ppy‐MA, prepared from different monomer ratios and their nanocomposites, Ag@Ppy‐MA, has been carried out using disk diffusion method. The copolymers, Ppy‐MA, and its nanocomposites, Ag@Ppy‐MA, were screened against the standard drug Ciprofloxacin. The results clearly suggest that the nanocomposites, Ag@Ppy‐MA, are better antibacterial agent as compared with their copolymers, Ppy‐MA. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and properties of polyimide/chopped carbon fiber composite foams
Authors: Li Jianwei , Zhang Guangcheng , Li Jiantong , Zhou Lisheng , Jing Zhanxin , Ma Zhonglei
Published: July 2016

In this study, a series of reinforced polyimide (PI)/carbon fiber (CF) composite foams were fabricated through thermal foaming of polyester ammonium salt (PEAS) precursor powders. The PEAS precursor powders containing different contents of chopped CF were synthesized from benzophenone‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl ether (ODA). The effects of different CF loadings on foaming behavior of PEAS/CF composite precursor powders, final cellular morphology, and physical properties of PI composite foams were investigated. The results revealed that the chopped CF acted as nucleation agent in the foaming process. The dispersion of CF can be evaluated using digital microscope. It is interesting to find that the chopped CF were highly oriented along the direction of cell arrises. As a result, the mechanical properties of PI foams were significantly enhanced owing to the incorporation of chopped CF. Furthermore, the thermal stability of PI composite foams were also slightly improved owing to fine dispersion of CF. In addition, the PI/CF composite foam shows uniform cell size distribution and the best comprehensive physical properties as chopped CF loading at around 6 wt%. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative proteomics of umbilical vein blood plasma from normal and gestational diabetes mellitus patients reveals differentially expressed proteins associated with childhood obesity
Authors: Miao Zhijing , Wang Jianqing , Wang Fuqiang , Liu Lan , Ding Hongjuan , Shi Zhonghua
Published: July 2016

Purpose

Offspring obesity is one of long‐term complications of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aim of this study is to identify proteins differentially expressed in the umbilical vein blood plasma, which could become markers for early diagnosis of childhood obesity.

Experimental design

Umbilical vein plasma samples were collected from 30 control and 30 GDM patients in 2007–2008 whose offspring were suffering from obesity at 6–7 years old. Multiplexed isobaric tandem mass tag labeling combined with LC–MS/MS was used to identify differentially expressed proteins. Ingenuity pathway analysis was performed to identify canonical pathways, biological functions, and networks of interacting proteins. Western blotting was used to verify the expression of three selected proteins.

Results

A total of 318 proteins were identified, of which 12 proteins were upregulated in GDM group while 24 downregulated. Lipid metabolism was the top category identified by ingenuity pathway analysis. Three randomly chosen proteins were validated by Western blotting, which were consistent with LC–MS.

Conclusion

There are significant differences of protein profile in the umbilical vein blood plasma between normal and GDM patients with obese offspring. The results indicate that a variety of proteins and biological mechanisms may contribute to childhood obesity.
Non‐target impurity profiling of marketplace Cetirizine using high‐resolution mass spectrometry and multivariate data analysis
Authors: Zhou Zhe
Published: July 2016

Rationale

As always, drug impurity is the first concern of medication safety. The quality of pre‐ and post‐marketed drugs is estimated through systematic analysis of potential hazardous substances by impurity profiling. Impurity profile is the general name of all unwanted materials which may affect the purity of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The safety of original drugs is guaranteed by an enormous amount of animal experiments and clinical research while the safety of generic drugs should also be ensured by comparative analysis for consistency evaluation. The significantly differential impurities between them should be focused on and the toxicity should be further estimated if necessary. Herein, we take a marketplace drug named Cetirizine as an example to investigate if there was a method which could effectively discover the potential markers among Cetirizine tablets with different brands and describe specific impurity profiling which makes the unknown brand of Cetirizine tablets predictable.

Methods

Liquid chromatography coupled with high‐resolution mass spectrometry (LC/HRMS) was applied to capture the characteristic features of the impurity profile for three brands of marketplace Cetirizine tablets using full scan data‐dependent MS/MS scan mode (FS‐ddMS2).

Results

Unsupervised learning: principal component analysis (PCA) and supervised learning: consensus orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA) were utilized to reveal the essential character of Cetirizine impurity profile; 16 differential impurities were finally found, their structures were speculated by HRMS2 data.

Conclusions

The cause of formation was further elucidated which gave a suggestion for production process optimization. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lithium Halomethylcarbenoids: Preparation and Use in the Homologation of Carbon Electrophiles
Authors: Pace Vittorio , Holzer Wolfgang , De Kimpe Norbert
Published: July 2016

α‐Halomethyllithium carbenoids are useful homologating reagents which – reacting under proper reaction conditions as carbanions – enable the installation via nucleophilic addition of a reactive halomethyl fragment onto a preformed carbon–heteroatom bond. The pronounced thermolability represented – since seminal studies by Köbrich – the Achilles' heel of these reagents: the use of Barbier‐type methodologies (i.e., the electrophile should be present in the reaction mixture prior to the formation of the carbenoid) was pivotal in order to suppress decomposition through α‐elimination processes. Nowadays, the use of low temperatures (−78 °C) guarantees reliable procedures and, significantly, the employment of microreactor technologies allows external trapping to be performed even at higher temperatures as reported by Luisi. We will discuss the α‐halomethyllithium‐mediated homologations of a series of carbon electrophiles such as carbonyl compounds, imines, esters, Weinreb amides, and isocyanates.

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Series resonant high‐voltage DC–DC converter with reduced component count
Authors: Samsudin Nor Azura , Iqbal Shahid , Taib Soib
Published: July 2016

This paper proposes a novel zero‐current‐switching series resonant high‐voltage DC–DC converter with reduced component count. The series resonant inverter in the proposed topology has two power switches (insulated‐gate bipolar transistors, IGBTs), two resonant capacitors, and only one high‐voltage transformer (HVT) with center‐tapped primary windings. The power switches are connected in the form of a half‐bridge network. The leakage inductances of the transformer's primary windings together with the resonant capacitors form two series resonant circuits. The series resonant circuits are fed alternately by operating the power switches with interleaved half switching cycle. The secondary winding of the HVT is connected to a bridge rectifier circuit to rectify the secondary voltage. The converter operates in the discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) and its output voltage is regulated by pulse frequency modulation. Therefore, all the power switches turn on and off at the zero‐current switching condition. The main features of the proposed converter are its lower core loss, lower cost, and smaller size compared to previously proposed double series resonant high voltage DC–DC converters. The experimental results of a 130‐W prototype of the proposed converter are presented. The results confirm the excellent operation and performance of the converter. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Cloud storage application area of HDD–SSD hybrid storage, distributed storage, and HDD storage
Authors: Yamato Yoji
Published: July 2016

For a typical IaaS (infrastructure as a service) cloud usage, to strengthen a system, temporary and frequent provisioning of virtual volumes is needed. However, the performance of HDD (hard disk drive) storage is not sufficient and has become a bottleneck in IaaS cloud now. In this letter, we make a comparative study of HDD–SSD (solid‐state drive) hybrid storage, distributed storage, and normal HDD storage as the block storage of OpenStack Cinder, and evaluate the applicability of these three types storage to the IaaS cloud. Hybrid storage can achieve much higher performance compared to HDD storage and is suitable for analysis applications, but distributed storage performance degradation is lower than HDD storage when the number of concurrent processing is increased and is suitable for archiving or storing a large number of files. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Analysis of nouns and verbs uttered by adults with aphasia at community‐based rehabilitation training
Authors: Nosu Kiyoshi
Published: July 2016

This paper presents the morphological analysis of nouns and verbs uttered by adults with aphasia at community‐based rehabilitation training to obtain preliminary design guidelines for an IT‐based communication support tool for aphasics and their caregivers. The results of analysis show that the (i) frequently uttered verbs are limited among the subjects, and (ii) aphasics use a variety of nouns by reflecting their own disabilities and living environments. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Beyond elite control: residential reservoirs at Caracol, Belize
Authors: Chase Adrian S. Z.
Published: July 2016

The Classic Period Maya (300CEto 900CE) built many of their cities away from standing, flowing, or subterranean water resources. Because of this, scholars have suggested that one key manifestation of ancient Maya ritual and political authority was the control and management of water housed in large central‐site reservoirs, rectilinear excavated features that were lined with stone and coated with plaster or clay to catch and store rainfall runoff. This research assesses those arguments by using remote sensing data to map residential reservoirs—smaller versions of the monumental reservoirs in city centers—from the intensively investigated city of Caracol, Belize. The Caracol Maya were entirely dependent on rainfall and built monumental and residential reservoirs throughout their city. Using a 200‐square kilometer Digital Elevation Model created fromLiDAR(Light Detection and Ranging) data, research uncovered the extent of ancient water capture at Caracol. Analysis of theLiDARdata reveals a conservative count of 1590 reservoirs at Caracol; this is more than 25 times the number of reservoirs identified by traditional ground survey methods. These data demonstrate how the people of Caracol were able to successfully harness the water available in their environment. In addition, the decentralized nature of Caracol's reservoirs suggests that elite power, at least in this ancient city, was not based on control of water resources due to the ubiquity of residential reservoirs throughout the site.WIREs Water2016, 3:885–897. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1171

This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Planning Water

Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change

Human Water > Water Governance
Interaction of Age at Diagnosis with Transcriptional Profiling in Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Hsu Yi‐Chiung , Liu Chien‐Liang , Yang Po‐Sheng , Tsai Chung‐Hsin , Lee Jie‐Jen , Cheng Shih‐Ping
Published: July 2016

Background

Age is an important prognostic factor for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). However, little is known about why advanced age is associated with poor prognosis. The study investigated the changes in transcriptional profiling related to age.

Methods

RNA sequencing data of PTC samples were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas data portal. Spearman’s correlation was used to test the association between age and gene expression. Correlation in the same direction to disease severity was considered functionally relevant. Functional enrichment analysis and pathway annotations were performed.

Results

There was no correlation between age and thyroid‐specific genes, except for a weak, negative association between age and TSHR expression. Among 272 genes with a positive association between gene expression and age, the most prominent alteration was metabolic pathways, particularly glycolysis. Among 482 genes with a negative association between gene expression and age, the most enriched biological process was immune‐related functions, particularly natural killer cell‐mediated cytotoxicity.

Conclusions

Our analysis characterized the age‐associated molecular landscape in PTC. Metabolic alterations and immune dysregulation are probable mechanisms involving in worse prognosis in older patients with PTC.
The Chemical Properties and Volatile Compounds of Virgin Olive Oil from Oueslati Variety: Influence of Maturity Stages in Olives
Authors: Ouni Youssef , Flamini Guido , Zarrouk Mokhtar
Published: July 2016

The aim of the present work was to investigate the influence of fruit ripening on oil quality and volatile compounds in an attempt to establish an optimum harvesting time for Oueslati olives, the minor olive variety cultivated in Tunisia. Our results showed that many analytical parameters, i.e., peroxide value, UV absorbance at 232–270 nm, chlorophyll pigments, carotenoids and oleic acid contents decreased during ripening, whilst linolenic acid increased. Free acidity remained practically stable with a very slight rise at the highest maturity index. The volatile compounds emitted by the Oueslati olive oil were characterized and quantified by HS‐SPME‐GC‐EIMS. Twenty‐three volatile compounds were identified, mainly aldehydes, sesquiterpenes and esters. The results show variations in the volatile fractions and quality parameters of Oueslati extra virgin olive oil obtained at different olive‐ripening stages. Fifteen sesquiterpenes were identified for the first time in this cultivar, mainly hydrocarbon derivatives, but also oxygenated ones. On the basis of the quality parameters and volatile fractions studied, the best stage of Oueslati olive fruits for oil processing seems to be at ripeness index about 3.0. Indeed, these results suggested the possibility of using sesquiterpenes for olive authenticity and traceability and demonstrated that the volatile fractions can be used as indicators of the degree of ripening of the olives used to obtain the corresponding virgin olive oils.
Operative procedures in warm humidified air: Can it reduce adhesion formation? A randomized experimental rat model
Authors: de Vries Arild , Kuhry Esther , Mårvik Ronald
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACT

Background:

Postoperative peritoneal adhesions form in 63–97% of patients, give rise to subsequent adhesion related problems and create a considerable socioeconomic burden. In the present study, a local artificial atmosphere was created around the abdominal cavity during a surgical procedure in an effort to reduce postoperative adhesion formation.

Methods:

Forty-eight Wistar male rats (Clr:WI) were randomized into two groups and weighed about 280 grams each. The abdominal cavities of the rats of the study group were exposed to warm and humidified air (21% O2, 37 °C, 95–100% relative humidity (RH)) during an open surgical procedure, while the rats of the control group were exposed to the air from the operating theatre (21% O2, 21 °C, 40–47% RH). The surgical procedure consisted of a midline laparotomy, four cuts and ischaemic knots in the anterior abdominal wall and blood from the tail vein dripped into the abdominal cavity. The abdominal cavity was assessed for adhesion formation and the bacterial load (CFU/ml) was measured.

Results:

Significant differences in mean total adhesion, severity, tenacity scores and in the mean rank of the extent scores were found (p<0.001). Also, significant differences in the median numbers of CFU/ml on chocolate agar and blood agar were found (p<0.001).

Conclusions:

Rats in the study group had higher total adhesion, extent, severity and tenacity scores postoperatively compared to rats in the control group. A possible reason could be the observed higher bacterial load amongst the rats of the study group compared to the rats of the control group.

Highlights
Genetic variation in P2RX7 and pain
Authors: Kambur O. , Cajanus K. , Kaunisto M. , Winsvold Bendik , Stubhaug Audun , Zwartd John A. , Nielsen Christopher S. , Kalso E.
Published: July 2016

Background and aims

P2X7 is a purinoceptor and non-selective cation channel that is activated by extracellular ATP, especially in immune and glia cells. Activation of P2X7 triggers the secretion of several pro-inflammatory substances, such as IL- 1P, IL-18, TNF-α, and nitric oxide. P2X7 activation contributes to the pro-inflammatory response to injury or bacterial invasion and mediates apoptosis. It has been implicated in physiological and pathological conditions such as bone tissue remodelling, inflammation, oncogenesis, depression, and inflammatory, neuropathic and chronic pain. Here, we aim to characterize the effects of variation within the P2RX7 gene, which encodes the P2X7 receptor, on pain and opioid requirements in human patients.

Methods

Pain was assessed in Norwegian and Finnish cohorts. The Norwegian cohort represents the 6th wave of the Tromsø Study, a longitudinal and cross-sectional population based study (N = 3700), whereas the Finnish cohort (BrePainGen) consists of patients who underwent breast cancer surgery (N = 1000). For both cohorts, experimental pain data were analyzed. Pain intensity and tolerance were assessed with cold pressor test and after standardized noxious heat stimulation in both cohorts. In addition, data on acute postoperative pain and opioid requirements were analyzed in the BrePainGen cohort. Postoperative pain and opioid responses were followed during 20 h after surgery. In total, 29 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in P2RX7 were genotyped and their association with outcome variables was assessed using linear regression and analysis of variances (ANOVA).

Results

Several P2RX7 SNPs were associated with the pain phenotypes. The strongest associations were seen with cold pain intensity and tolerance. The results of this study will be presented at the meeting.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that P2X7 and genetic varia-tion in the P2RX7-gene are involved in the modulation of human pain responses.
Aerodynamic Effects of Top-Dressing Operations
Authors: de Bray B. P. G.
Published: July 2016

Aerial top-dressing, or the spreading of inorganic fertilisers from aircraft, introduces stringent flying conditions at extremely low altitudes. During release of the fertiliser there are large load and centre-of-gravity changes, and aerodynamic effects the cause of which has hitherto been conjectural. The experiments described in this paper were aimed at obtaining a knowledge of the aerodynamic effects of the cloud of falling material beneath the plane, and the effects of air flow through the empty hopper. The implications upon aircraft design are discussed. The high accident rate experienced in this industry emphasises the necessity for the production of a suitable aircraft designed solely for top-dressing.
The Influence of a 90° Mitre Bend on Transition in Smooth Pipes
Authors: Szomanski E.
Published: July 2016

In this note a brief description is given of some interesting results obtained in smooth pipes of circular cross section during an investigation of the steady flow losses in a 90° mitre bend at the Endicott Product Development Laboratory of I.B.M. The tests indicated that in a certain Reynolds number range the presence of a mitre bend was sufficient to cause flows of different types to exist in the upstream and downstream tangents of the bend. The definition of the bend loss in the light of this phenomenon is considered.

It is hoped that this paper will stimulate comment on similar occurrences, which would lead to a better understanding of flow behaviour in this rather neglected area of fluid mechanics.
Introduction
Authors: Baron Beth
Published: July 2016

Women's history emerged as a branch of social history in the 1970s, parallel to the feminist movement. Scholars of the Arab world, Iran, and Turkey began producing studies in numbers in the 1980s. The trickle of scholarship became a stream in the 1990s, developing greater theoretical complexity with the incorporation of gender as a category of analysis. The taking up of gender coincided with the cultural turn in historical studies, and gender history built on, or encompassed, women's history, as questions about whether “women” was a category at all were raised. The interest in gender was quickly followed by attention to sexuality, masculinity, and related topics.
Gender as a Category of Analysis in Development and Environmental History
Authors: Pursley Sara
Published: July 2016

In 2010, reflecting on her landmark 1986 article “Gender: A Useful Category of Historical Analysis,” Joan Scott wondered whether, since the original article's publication, the category of gender had “lost its critical edge.” She noted how it had often come to refer simply to the roles assigned to “women” and “men,” while those categories themselves were assumed to be determined by biological “sex” and thus stable and self-explanatory. In other words, the gender/sex binary persisted “despite a generation of scholarship aimed at deconstructing that opposition.” Scott proposed that gender as an analytical category continues to be useful today only if it is “taken as an invitation to think critically about how the meanings of sexed bodies are produced in relation to one another, how these meanings are deployed and changed.”
Gender, History, and Sovereignty
Authors: Jacob Wilson Chacko
Published: July 2016

Gender history has a history proper to itself. This is not only to say that the study of gender as a scholarly and institutional practice is bounded by space and time, and that it has an archive of its own, but also that “gender history” as a relatively recent disciplinary innovation is properly gender history to the extent that it exists in relation to and distinct from other histories of becoming man, woman, trans, and so forth. In other words, gender history, regarded as a discursive formation in its own right, constitutes its object in ways that overlap but remain distinct from other conceptions of being and becoming gendered that are spatially and temporally diverse. Seen in this light, it can be said to map onto a history of sovereignty that has privileged particular forms of life and that acts as a limit on gender's analytical and critical value.
Responsibility of the State for Air Traffic Control
Authors: Veal J. B.
Published: July 2016

I shall try to set the Air Traffic Control scene by describing how the responsibilities of States to provide Air Traffic Services are currently exercised in the United Kingdom, and by indicating some of the measures being taken to ensure that these services keep pace with the increasing demands of the air space users. Any opinions I may express are, of course, my own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Ministry of Aviation.
Responsibilities of the Individual Air Traffic Control Officer
Authors: Field Arnold
Published: July 2016

The Oxford Dictionary defines the word responsible as, “liable to be called to account; of good credit or position; trustworthy;” this you will agree is quite a formidable definition.

Therefore, I have assumed the title of this paper to indicate that I should try to explain the abstract effects of this definition upon the individual Air Traffic Control Officer, rather than detail a list of the many and varied duties for which he is responsible.
The Future of Air Traffic Control
Authors: Hunt V. A. M.
Published: July 2016

The purpose of this contribution is to draw attention to some of the major areas in A.T.C. where there are difficulties and to outline the steps that are being taken to surmount them.

Before looking quickly at some of the technical problems I think it might be worth taking a brief look at two important aspects which surmount the whole scene: namely the Civil/Military situation and the birth of Eurocontrol.

The relationship between service and civil authorities on A.T.C. matters springs directly from the differing requirements of the two sides for air space. The increasing use of jets by civil operators has made this problem more acute because now the Service aircraft not only have to be shepherded up through the commercial traffic, but also protected from them in the upper levels. The requirements of research aircraft are also stringent and yet again, different.
The Royal Aeronautical Society The First Fifty Years
Authors: Laurence Pritchard J.
Published: July 2016

It was nearly a year after the holding of the Aeronautical Exhibition, before the next meeting of the Society was held on 20th May 1869.

Despite the fact that in the first three years of the Society's life much attention had been paid to heavier-than-air ideas, the Chairman, Glaisher, had lost none of his enthusiasm for balloons for certain purposes.

“They met that night under peculiar circumstances,” he said, “there being in London at this time the largest balloon yet made.“

Glaisher referred to Henri Giffard's captive balloon, capable of lifting twenty people at a time. In a calm it could be held captive at 2,000 ft., and was exhibited at Ashburnham Park. Giffard placed the balloon at the disposal of Glaisher for taking meteorological observations, and he made close on 30 ascents in it on behalf of the British Association, in whose transactions the results are reported.