bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Composite piezoelectric spinal fusion implant: Effects of stacked generators
Authors: Goetzinger Nathan C. , Tobaben Eric J. , Domann John P. , Arnold Paul M. , Friis Elizabeth A.
Published: February 2015

Spinal fusion surgeries have a high failure rate for difficult‐to‐fuse patients. A piezoelectric spinal fusion implant was developed to overcome the issues with other adjunct therapies. Stacked generators were used to improve power generation at low electrical load resistances. The effects of the number of layers on average maximum power and the optimal electrical load resistance were characterized. The effects of mechanical preload, load frequency, and amplitude on maximum power and optimal electrical load resistance were also characterized. Increasing the number of layers from one to nine was found to lower the optimal electrical load resistance from 1.00 GΩ to 16.78 MΩ while maintaining maximum power generation. Mechanical preload did not have a significant effect on power output or optimal electrical load resistance. Increases in mechanical loading frequency increased average maximum power, while decreasing the optimal electrical load resistance. Increases in mechanical loading amplitude increased average maximum power output without affecting the optimal electrical load resistance. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 158–164, 2016.
Targeting Osteopontin, the Silent Partner of Na+/H+ Exchanger Isoform 1 in Cardiac Remodeling
Authors: Mohamed Iman A. , Mraiche Fatima
Published: February 2015

Cardiac hypertrophy (CH), characterized by the enlargement of cardiomyocytes, fibrosis and apoptosis, contributes to cardiac remodeling, which if left unresolved results in heart failure. Understanding the signaling pathways underlying CH is necessary to identify potential therapeutic targets. The Na+/H+‐exchanger isoform I (NHE1), a ubiquitously expressed glycoprotein and cardiac specific isoform, regulates intracellular pH. Recent studies have demonstrated that enhanced expression/activity of NHE1 contributes to cardiac remodeling and CH. Inhibition of NHE1 in both in vitro and in vivo models have suggested that inhibition of NHE1 protects against hypertrophy. However, clinical trials using NHE1 inhibitors have proven to be unsuccessful, suggesting that additional factors maybe contributing to cardiac remodeling. Recent studies have indicated that the upregulation of NHE1 is associated with enhanced levels of osteopontin (OPN) in the setting of CH. OPN has been demonstrated to be upregulated in left ventricular hypertrophy, dilated cardiomyopathy and in diabetic cardiomyopathy. The cellular interplay between OPN and NHE1 in the setting of CH remains unknown. This review focuses on the role of NHE1 and OPN in cardiac remodeling and emphasizes the signaling pathways implicating OPN in the NHE1‐induced hypertrophic response. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 2006–2018, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Role of Mg in mesoporous MgFe2O4 for efficient catalytic ozonation of Acid Orange II
Authors: Lu Jiang , Wei Xiaodan , Chang Yu , Tian Shuanghong , Xiong Ya
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND

An ozonation catalyst needs to be recycled easily and to exhibit high activity in view of its practical application in wastewater treatment. In this study, magnetic mesoporous MgFe2O4 was successfully prepared and used as a new ozonation catalyst for degradation of Acid Orange II (AOII). The role of Mg in MgFe2O4 was revealed to explain the high activity by catalytic experiments and XPS analysis.

RESULTS

The degradation efficiency of AOII in the MgFe2O4/O3 process exceeds 90% over a wide pH range of 4.6–9.6, slightly affected by the solution pH. The catalytic activity of MgFe2O4 is much higher than that of MgO, Fe2O3 and also their mixture (MgO+Fe2O3) with identical molar ratio of Mg2+ to Fe3+, indicating the first role of Mg, i.e. coupling with Fe to present a synergistically catalytic effect. Furthermore, MgFe2O4 possesses a reaction rate constant at least 2.3 times that of NiFe2O4, MnFe2O4, and CuFe2O4. It illustrates the second role of Mg, i.e. causing the high electron density on lattice oxygen in MgFe2O4 indicated by XPS and thus favoring activation of the electrophilic ozone.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the easy recycling and high activity of MgFe2O4 in catalytic ozonation, and revealed the role of Mg in MgFe2O4. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Larval growth rate and sex determine resource allocation and stress responsiveness across life stages in juvenile frogs
Authors: Warne Robin W. , Crespi Erica J.
Published: February 2015

The extent to which interactions between environmental stressors and phenotypic variation during larval life stages impose carry‐over effects on adult phenotypes in wildlife are not clear. Using semi‐natural mesocosms, we examined how chronically low food availability and size‐specific phenotypes in larval amphibians interact and carry over to influence frog growth, resource allocation, endocrine activity and survival. We tagged three cohorts of larvae that differed in body size and developmental stage at 3 weeks after hatching, and tracked them through 10 weeks after metamorphosis in high and low food conditions. We found that growth and development rates during the early tadpole stage not only affected metamorphic rates, but also shaped resource allocation and stress responsiveness in frogs: the slowest growing larvae from low‐food mesocosms exhibited a suppressed glucocorticoid response to a handling stressor; reduced growth rate and fat storage as frogs. We also show for the first time that larval developmental trajectories varied with sex, where females developed faster than males especially in food‐restricted conditions. Last, while larval food restriction profoundly affected body size in larvae and frogs, time to metamorphosis was highly constrained, which suggests that the physiology and development of this ephemeral pond‐breeding amphibian is adapted for rapid metamorphosis despite large potential variation in nutrient availability. Taken together, these results suggest that larval phenotypic variation significantly influences multiple dimensions of post‐metamorphic physiology and resource allocation, which likely affect overall performance. J. Exp. Zool. 323A: 191–201, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pancreatic fistulae secondary to trypsinogen activation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection after pancreatoduodenectomy
Authors: Yamashita Kanefumi , Sasaki Takamitsu , Itoh Ryota , Kato Daisuke , Hatano Naoya , Soejima Toshinori , Ishii Kazunari , Takenawa Tadaomi , Hiromatsu Kenji , Yamashita Yuichi
Published: February 2015

Background

Pancreatic fistula after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Trypsinogen activation and bacteria, although hypothesized to be interrelated etiopathogenetically, have not had their relationship and pathogenic mechanisms elucidated. This study investigated bacterial involvement in pancreatic juice activation perioperatively after PD at sites of pancreatic fistula formation.

Methods

Fifty patients underwent PD; postoperative pancreatic fistulae were graded based on the International Study Group for Pancreatic Fistula grading criteria. Bacteria were isolated from cultures of drainage fluid. Digested peptides from trypsinogen and bacterial culture supernatants underwent sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) separation and mass spectrometric analysis. Zymography was used to detect the trypsinogen activator.

Results

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter cloacae isolated from drainage fluid in patients with grades B and C pancreatic fistulae could cause trypsinogen activation. Trypsinogen activation by P. aeruginosa and E. cloacae were preventable by the use of a serine protease inhibitor in vitro. A protease in the supernatant from P. aeruginosa‐positive cultures acted as the trypsinogen activator.

Conclusions

Infection with P. aeruginosa perioperatively to PD entails secretion of a protease activator of trypsinogen to trypsin. Bacterial infection control in the perioperative PD period could be crucial to prevent development of pancreatic fistula.
Hypolipidaemic effects of oat flakes and β‐glucans derived from four Chinese naked oat (Avena nuda) cultivars in Wistar–Lewis rats
Authors: Zhou Xianrong , Lin Weijing , Tong Litao , Liu Xingxun , Zhong Kui , Liu Liya , Wang Lili , Zhou Sumei
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND

β‐Glucan is widely considered to be the major ingredient responsible for the hypolipidaemic effects of oat. Determination of the β‐glucan content in naked oat cultivars in China has been largely performed for breeding and food processing. Since oat is generally consumed as oat flakes in China, evaluation of the bioactivity of oat flakes might be more direct and comprehensive than determination of the internal β‐glucan. However, the hypolipidaemic activity of oat flakes processed from Chinese oat cultivars has rarely been reported.

RESULTS

The nutritional components of four naked oat cultivars were analysed before they were processed to oat flakes. The hypolipidaemic effects of oat flakes and the extracted β‐glucans were tested on rats fed a high‐fat diet for 30 days. Oat flakes and β‐glucans of different origins showed different preventative effects on hyperlipidaemia. Among the four cultivars, β‐glucan of ‘Bayou‐1’ showed the greatest hypolipidaemic effect. However, oat flake processed from ‘Dingyou‐7’ showed the best bioactivity to mediate the increase of serum lipid.

CONCLUSION

The hypolipidaemic effect of oat might not only depend on β‐glucan, but might also be related to other components. ‘Dingyou‐7’ might be suitable for oat flake processing because of its superior bioactivity. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Separation and analysis of trace volatile formaldehyde in aquatic products by a MoO3/polypyrrole intercalative sampling adsorbent with thermal desorption gas chromatography and mass spectrometry
Authors: Ma Yunjian , Zhao Cheng , Zhan Yisen , Li Jianbin , Zhang Zhuomin , Li Gongke
Published: February 2015

An in situ embedded synthesis strategy was developed for the preparation of a MoO3/polypyrrole intercalative sampling adsorbent for the separation and analysis of trace volatile formaldehyde in aquatic products. Structural and morphological characteristics of the MoO3/polypyrrole intercalative adsorbent were investigated by a series of characterization methods. The MoO3/polypyrrole sampling adsorbent possessed a higher sampling capacity and selectivity for polar formaldehyde than commonly used commercial adsorbent Tenax TA. Finally, the MoO3/polypyrrole adsorbent was packed in the thermal desorption tube that was directly coupled to gas chromatography with mass spectrometry for the analysis of trace volatile formaldehyde in aquatic products. Trace volatile formaldehyde from real aquatic products could be selectively sampled and quantified to be 0.43–6.6 mg/kg. The detection limit was achieved as 0.004 μg/L by this method. Good recoveries for spiked aquatic products were achieved in range of 75.0–108% with relative standard deviations of 1.2–9.0%.
Development of molecularly imprinted polymeric nanofibers by electrospinning and applications to pesticide adsorption
Authors: Ruggieri F. , D'Archivio A. A. , Di Camillo D. , Lozzi L. , Maggi M. A. , Mercorio R. , Santucci S.
Published: February 2015

Novel polystyrene‐based molecularly imprinted polymer nanofibers were synthesized through the electrospinning technique. The molecularly imprinted polymers were prepared using a non‐covalent approach and atrazine as template. For comparison, nonimprinted polymer nanofibers were also synthesized. The morphology of the synthesized nanofibers was characterized using scanning electron microscopy. The adsorption of pesticides, atrazine, atrazine desisopropyl, atraton, carboxin, linuron, and chlorpyrifos was studied under equilibrium (batch) conditions. To describe the adsorption capability of the synthesized polymers, Langmuir and Freundlich models were used. The Freundlich model provided a better mathematical approximation of the sorption characteristic for polymers nanofibers. To evaluate the adsorption capacity in the presence of interferents experiments on river water samples spiked with a mixture of six pesticides were also performed. The results obtained for the highest concentration levels investigated, show a greater amount of pesticide adsorbed on molecularly imprinted polymers and non‐imprinted polymers compared to those obtained using commercial stationary phases used as reference.
Pharyngeal myotomy for vocal rehabilitation postlaryngectomy
Authors: Chodosh Paul L. , Giancarlo Hector R. , Goldstein Jerome
Published: February 2015

In those patients requiring total laryngectomy, esophageal speech appears to be the most desirable form of rehabilitation. Satisfactory esophageal speech is only obtained in 40 to 65% of the patients. Tracheoesophageal shunts as per Singer and Panje have provided solutions for a significant number of non‐speakers, but still present problems as well as failures. Efforts to correct these failures have led to the concept of constrictor and cricopharyngeal discoordination. Pharyngeal block has demonstrated not only temporary correction of tracheoesophageal shunt failure but improvement and production of esophageal speech in non‐shunted patients. Subsequently myotomy has provided permanent esophageal speech. This paper proposes consideration of this procedure in esophageal speech failures, when the Taub test and/or pharyngeal block demonstrates the presence of constrictor‐cricopharyngeus discoordination. Representative cases are presented.
Stabilization of Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes Aqueous Dispersion with Poly‐N‐vinylpyrrolidone via Polymer‐Wrapping
Authors: Karpushkin Evgeny , Berkovich Anna , Sergeyev Vladimir
Published: February 2015

We report on systematic study of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes dispersing in aqueous medium, assisted by wrapping with poly‐N‐vinylpyrrolidone. We have prepared stable dispersions of multi‐walled nanotubes via a gentle procedure avoiding the nanotubes breakage upon dispersion. Concentration of the nanotubes in the stable dispersions can be fairly high, depending on the initial mixture composition and the inherited physical properties, in particular, on viscosity. The best dispersion conditions have been elaborated.
Effect of neurostimulation on camptocormia in Parkinson's disease depends on symptom duration
Authors: Schulz‐Schaeffer Walter J. , Margraf Nils G. , Munser Sari , Wrede Arne , Buhmann Carsten , Deuschl Günther , Oehlwein Christian
Published: February 2015

Although some reports on neurostimulation are positive, no effective treatment method for camptocormia in Parkinson's disease (PD) is known to date. We aim to identify prognostic factors for a beneficial DBS effect on camptocormia. In an observational cohort study, we investigated 25 idiopathic PD patients, who suffered additionally from camptocormia, and underwent bilateral neurostimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) to improve classical PD symptoms. Using an established questionnaire, we examined deep brain stimulation (DBS) effects on camptocormia in addition to general neurostimulation effects. A beneficial neurostimulation effect on camptocormia was defined as an improvement in the bending angle of a least 50%. In 13 patients, the bending angle of camptocormia improved, in 12 patients it did not. A multifactorial analysis revealed a short duration between onset of camptocormia and start of neurostimulation to be the relevant factor for outcome. All patients with duration of camptocormia up to 1.5 years showed a beneficial effect; patients between 1.5 and ∼3 years showed mixed results, but none with a duration of more than 40 months improved except for 1 patient whose camptocormia was levodopa responsive. The bending angle was not a prognostic factor. Our data indicate that the main prognostic factor for a beneficial DBS effect on camptocormia is its short duration. As an explanation, we suggest that neurostimulation may improve camptocormia only as long as muscle pathology is limited. Our findings may help to elucidate the mode of action of neurostimulation. A prospective study is necessary. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Chronic retinyl palmitate supplementation to middle‐aged Wistar rats disrupts the brain redox homeostasis and induces changes in emotional behavior
Authors: Schnorr Carlos Eduardo , Bittencourt Leonardo da Silva , Petiz Lyvia Lintzmaier , Gelain Daniel Pens , Zeidán‐Chuliá Fares , Moreira José Cláudio Fonseca
Published: February 2015

Scope

Aging process makes older adults especially vulnerable to neurodegeneration and mental disorders. Overconsumption‐related neurotoxic effects of certain dietary nutrients by older population could represent a contribution factor for the development of neuropsychiatric conditions by this subpopulation. Thus, we here investigated whether chronic supplementation with retinyl palmitate, at doses commonly found in vitamin supplements (300, 600, and 3000 mcg of RAE/kg/day), could have an impact on emotional behavior of middle‐aged Wistar rats.

Methods and results

We report that supplementation with retinyl palmitate for 28 days induces an altered emotional state of middle‐aged Wistar rats and oxidative stress in cerebellum, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and striatum, associated with imbalance of enzymatic antioxidant defenses, decrease in non‐enzymatic antioxidant defenses, and increase in protein and lipid damages.

Conclusion

Our data show evidence for (i) changes in emotional reactivity, similar to anxiety, in middle‐aged rats chronically supplemented with retinyl palmitate; and (ii) suggest a possible interrelation between pro‐oxidant events in the brain and these differences in the behavioral profile that cannot be attributed to hepatotoxicity. Our results invite for additional studies to further investigate such interrelation.
Military stop‐out seeks help with deployment‐related problems
Authors: Hope John
Published: February 2015

A former student stopped attending in the middle of a semester and failed the classes he was taking. Now he informs you that he was deployed with the military. He didn't have much time to get ready and didn't get around to withdrawing. Now he would like to re‐enroll and wants to know if the F's can be removed from his transcript, considering the circumstances. What would you do?
Know how social media can help you connect with adults
Authors: Silva‐Ford Liana
Published: February 2015

The Pew Research Center's 2013 “Social Media Update” stated that 73 percent of those adults they surveyed who were online had a profile on a social‐media site of some sort, and 42 percent of adults have a profile on more than one site. While institutions have traditionally used social‐media channels as a way to reach out to and engage younger students, this is a strategy that could help you better connect with your adult learners.
Help your instructors better engage adult learners
Authors: Gomez Cynthia
Published: February 2015

Stephen D. Brookfield's list of awards alone could take up more words than fit on a page. For instance, he won the Cyril O. Houle World Award for Literature in Adult Education six times between 1986 and 2012.
US adults recommended for weight reduction by 1998 and 2013 obesity guidelines, NHANES 2007‐2012
Authors: Stevens June , Oakkar Eva Erber , Cui Zhaohui , Cai Jianwen , Truesdale Kimberly P
Published: February 2015

Objective

To determine the number and proportion of American adults recommended for weight loss treatment under the 1998 and 2013 guidelines on the management of overweight and obesity in adults and to compare characteristics of individuals recommended for treatment.

Methods

A total of 6,692 adult, non‐pregnant participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007‐2012 with complete data on demographics, anthropometrics, and biomedical measures were analyzed.

Results

Compared to the 1998 guidelines, the 2013 guidelines increased the number of adults recommended for weight loss treatment by 20.9% from 116.0 million to 140.2 million, making 64.5% of non‐pregnant, non‐institutionalized US adults candidates for treatment. The new guidelines recommended treatment for a larger proportion of those overweight, having only one risk factor, or having a large waist circumference. Up to 53.4% of adults could be considered for pharmacologic therapy in addition to lifestyle therapy, and up to 14.7% could be considered for bariatric surgery.

Conclusions

The 2013 guidelines increased the number of adults to be treated with weight loss by 24.2 million, with the increases spread across groups that differ in socio demographic characteristics.
Individual differences in susceptibility to large portion sizes among obese and normal‐weight children
Authors: Mooreville Mira , Davey Adam , Orloski Alexandria , Hannah Elizabeth L. , Mathias Kevin C. , Birch Leann L. , Kral Tanja V.E. , Zakeri Issa F. , Fisher Jennifer O.
Published: February 2015

Objective

Determine the association of children's susceptibility to large food portion sizes with appetite regulation and obesity.

Methods

Normal‐weight and obese non‐Hispanic black children (n = 100) aged 5‐6 years were observed in four dinner conditions of varying portion size; portions of all foods (except milk) offered were: 100% (677 kcal), 150% (1015 kcal), 200% (1353 kcal), or 250% (1691 kcal) of those in the reference condition (100%). Condition order was randomly assigned to 2‐4 children who ate together at each meal. Child height and weight were measured and caregiver reports of child appetite were obtained. Hierarchical growth curve models were used to estimate associations of meal energy intake with portion size condition, child weight status, and appetite regulation traits, controlling for demographics.

Results

Total energy intake increased across conditions of increasing food portion size (P < 0.001). The effect of portion size condition on total energy intake varied with food responsiveness (P = 0.05) and satiety responsiveness (P < 0.05), but not weight status (P = 0.682). Children with lower satiety responsiveness and greater food responsiveness showed greater increases in meal energy across conditions.

Conclusions

Children with poorer appetite regulation may be more vulnerable to obesogenic dietary environments offering large food portions than other children.
Structural evolution of poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐dimethyl itaconate) copolymer during thermal oxidative stabilization
Authors: Fu Zhongyu , Ma Jianying , Deng Yunjiao , Wu Guangfeng , Cao Chunlei , Zhang Huixuan
Published: February 2015

The structural evolution of poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐dimethyl itaconate) [P(AN‐DMI)] copolymer was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in detail and compared with the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) homopolymer. The extent of cyclization reactions was calculated from the FTIR data. It was found that DMI comonomer had the ability to promote the cyclization reactions significantly at the temperature of 240°C, compared to the PAN homopolymer. The results of quantitative FTIR analysis in the range of 1000–1800 cm−1 showed that the DMI comonomer not only promoted the cyclization reactions, but also facilitated the oxygen uptake reactions, especially the conjugated carbonyl group in an acridone ring in the ladder polymer chains, which proved that DMI comonomer had the potential ability to make successful thermal oxidative stabilization (TOS) process. The positive effects of DMI comonomer on TOS reactions and carbon yield were further confirmed by the dynamic thermogravimetry (TG) analysis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Endoglin (CD 105) as a potential prognostic factor in neuroblastoma
Authors: Ćavar Stanko , Jelašić Dražen , Seiwerth Sven , Milošević Milan , Hutinec Zdravka , Mišić Marija
Published: February 2015

Background

Endoglin (CD105) is a cytokine that modulates angiogenesis by regulating different cellular functions, including endothelial proliferation, differentiation, migration and formation of microvessels. CD105 is expressed strongly in the tumor vasculature, and intratumoral microvessel density (IMVD), as determined by the use of antibodies to CD105, it has been found to be an important prognostic indicator for outcome in various malignances. This study aims to determine if the clinical outcome of children with neuroblastoma is correlated with IMVD, as determined by CD105 staining and other prognostic factors.

Procedure

Tumor tissue specimens from 38 patients with peripheral neuroblastic tumors who underwent surgical resection or biopsy of their primary tumor without any preoperative therapy were retrospectively reviewed. IMVD was identified immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies against CD105. Prognostic factors, such as the MYCN oncogene, disease stage, histopathology and age, were correlated with outcome.

Results

Among 38 examined specimens, the median IMVD value was 23.2 (15.1–28.4). The IMVD identified by CD105 was significantly higher in patients with unfavorable histology, metastatic disease, MYCN amplification and COG high risk group. ROC analysis was used to find significant IMVD level regarding EFS. The cut‐off >18 was selected according to the greatest sensitivity (100%) and specificity (68.42%). The multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis demonstrated that MYCN amplification and IMVD were significant prognostic factors in predicting EFS (hazard ratio for MYCN amplification: 3.61; 95% CI: 1.20–10.90; P = 0.023 and for IMVD: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.00–1.09; P = 0.037).

Conclusion

IMVD determined by CD105 appeared to be an independent prognostic factor for neuroblastoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:770–775. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Alteration in abundance of specific membrane proteins of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is attributed to deletion of the inner membrane protein MorC
Authors: Smith Kenneth P. , Fields Julia G. , Voogt Richard D. , Deng Bin , Lam Ying‐Wai , Mintz Keith P.
Published: February 2015

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is an important pathogen in the etiology of human periodontal and systemic diseases. Inactivation of the gene coding for the inner membrane protein, morphogenesis protein C (MorC), results in pleotropic effects pertaining to the membrane structure and function of this bacterium. The role of this protein in membrane biogenesis is unknown. To begin to understand the role of this conserved protein, stable isotope dimethyl labeling in conjunction with MS was used to quantitatively analyze differences in the membrane proteomes of the isogenic mutant and wild‐type strain. A total of 613 proteins were quantified and 601 of these proteins were found to be equal in abundance between the two strains. The remaining 12 proteins were found in lesser (10) or greater (2) abundance in the membrane preparation of the mutant strain compared with the wild‐type strain. The 12 proteins were ascribed functions associated with protein quality control systems, oxidative stress responses, and protein secretion. The potential relationship between these proteins and the phenotypes of the MorC mutant strain is discussed.
Impact of allele‐specific peptides in proteome quantification
Authors: Wu Linfeng , Snyder Michael
Published: February 2015

MS‐based proteome technologies have greatly improved our ability to detect and quantify proteomes across various biological samples. High throughput bottom‐up proteome profiling in combination with targeted MS method, e.g. SRM assay, is emerging as a powerful approach in the field of biomarker discovery. In the past few years, increasing number of studies have attempted to integrate genomic and proteomic data for biomarker discovery. Here, we describe how allele‐specific peptide can be applied in biomarker discovery and their impact in protein quantification.
High pressure phase transition in FeTe2O5Cl
Authors: Kim Y. , Choi I. H. , Choi K. Y. , Lemmens P. , Berger H.
Published: February 2015

Raman and optical absorption spectra of FeTe2O5Cl at pressures (P) up to 5.9 GPa were measured in order to identify the point of pressure‐induced structural phase transition and to compare the vibrational and optical properties of FeTe2O5Cl to those of FeTe2O5Br. The structural phase transition was recognized by noticeable changes in the Raman intensities and peak positions at pressure between 1.1 and 1.6 GPa. During the absorbance measurements, a sudden decrease of the band gap value, which is also an indicative of the pressure‐induced phase transition, was observed at pressure between 1.5 and 1.9 GPa. The pressure coefficient of the band gap of FeTe2O5Cl was about −0.118 eV · GPa−1 at pressures below 1.5 GPa, while the band gap decreases quadratically with pressure (when Eg = A + B · P + C · P2, A = 2.391 eV, B = 0.015 eV · GPa−1, and C = −0.003 eV · GPa−2) after the phase transition.
Investigation of cubic GaN quantum dots grown by the Stranski‐Krastanov process
Authors: Bürger M. , Lindner J. K. N. , Reuter D. , As D. J.
Published: February 2015

We investigate the formation of cubic GaN quantum dots (QDs) on pseudomorphic strained cubic AlN layers on 3C‐SiC (001) substrates grown by means of molecular beam epitaxy. Surface morphologies of various QD sizes and densities were obtained from uncapped samples by atomic force microscopy. These results were correlated with similar but capped samples by photoluminescence experiments. The QD density varies by one order of magnitude from ∼1x1010 cm‐2 to ∼1x1011 cm‐2 as a function of the GaN coverage on the surface. The initial layer thickness for the creation of cubic GaN QDs on cubic AlN was obtained to 1.95 monolayers by a comparison between the experimental results and an analytical model. Our results reveal the strain‐driven Stranski‐Krastanov growth mode as the main formation process of the cubic GaN QDs. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A robust continuous‐time fixed‐lag smoother for nonlinear uncertain systems
Authors: Rehman Obaid Ur , Petersen Ian R.
Published: February 2015

This paper presents a scheme for the design of a robust fixed‐lag smoother for a class of nonlinear uncertain systems. The proposed approach combines a nonlinear robust estimator with a stable fixed‐lag smoother, to improve the estimation error covariance. The robust fixed‐lag smoother is based on the use of integral quadratic constraints and minimax linear quadratic regulator estimation and control theory. The state estimator uses a copy of the system nonlinearity in the estimator and combines an approximate model of the delayed states to produce a smoother signal. Also in this work, a characterization of the delay approximation error is presented, and the corresponding integral quadratic constraint is included in the design, which gives a guaranteed bound on the performance cost function. In order to see the effectiveness of the method, it is applied to a quantum optical phase estimation problem. Results show a significant improvement in the error covariance of the estimator when compared with a robust nonlinear filter. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Truncated differential cryptanalysis of PRINCE
Authors: Zhao Guangyao , Sun Bing , Li Chao , Su Jinshu
Published: February 2015

PRINCE is a lightweight block cipher whose block size and key size are 64‐bit and 128‐bit, respectively. The core component of PRINCE is PRINCE
which is wrapped by the initial and final key whitening. PRINCEcore adopts a 12‐round SPN structure. This paper exploits some new vulnerabilities of PRINCE from an aspect different from previous results, and applies truncated differential cryptanalysis to PRINCE. The result demonstrates that for several reduced versions of PRINCE, there exist 5‐round and 6‐round (out of 12 rounds) truncated differential distinguishers. We introduce a key‐recovery attack on 7‐round PRINCEcore using two 5‐round distinguishers, the data complexity is 250 chosen plaintexts and the time complexity is 248.2 7‐round encryptions, with a storage of about 222.6 counters. Both the distinguishers and key‐recovery attacks are not related to the value of α. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Explorative Versus Exploitative Business Model Change: The Cognitive Antecedents of Firm‐Level Responses to Disruptive Innovation
Authors: Osiyevskyy Oleksiy , Dewald Jim
Published: February 2015

We develop a typology of incumbent adaptations to emerging disruptive business model innovations, based on two generic strategies: (1) explorative adoption of a disruptive business model; and (2) exploitative strengthening of the existing business model. We derive and test hypotheses concerning the cognitive antecedents of managerial intentions to embrace each of the two adaptation strategies. The results from our study of the real estate brokerage industry show that the explorative intentions are driven by opportunity perception, perceived performance‐reducing threat, and risk experience. Exploitative intentions are negatively associated with perceived critical threat and industry tenure and positively associated with risk experience. We contribute to the literature on disruptive business models by combining prior research into a definable framework and by testing the cognitive influences on strategic response. Copyright © 2015 Strategic Management Society.
Introduction to theSEJSpecial Issue on Business Models: Business Models within the Domain of Strategic Entrepreneurship
Authors: Demil Benoît , Lecocq Xavier , Ricart Joan E. , Zott Christoph
Published: February 2015

The study of business models involves exploring how firms do business at the system level. It lies at the intersection of strategy and entrepreneurship research and is, therefore, a topic of interest for scholars of strategic entrepreneurship. The purpose of this special issue is to publish work that develops theory on business models, or empirically investigates the phenomenon, and to inspire future research on the topic. In our introduction, we briefly review the main conceptual developments of the past two decades. We highlight three contributions that business model research is poised to make to the domain of strategic entrepreneurship, and, by extension, to its constituent disciplines of strategy and entrepreneurship: (1) reconnecting strategy with entrepreneurship; (2) suggesting a more central place for customers in our frameworks and analyses; and (3) emphasizing the importance of implementation. We subsequently present the articles in this special issue and explain how they relate to these themes. We conclude with suggestions for future research. Copyright © 2015 Strategic Management Society.
Outcomes for Organ-Preserving Surgery for Penile Cancer
Authors: Scarberry Kyle , Angermeier Kenneth W. , Montague Drogo , Campbell Steven , Wood Hadley M.
Published: February 2015

Aim

Squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (PC) has traditionally been treated with partial penectomy with a 2-cm margin. More conservative resection margins have been reported to have no effect on oncologic control, but there is no consensus in the literature regarding functional outcomes after organ-preserving surgery for PC.

Methods

Six patients meeting inclusion criteria were retrospectively identified to have received organ-sparing surgery for PC at the Cleveland Clinic from 2003 to 2012. Patient's sexual and urinary quality of life was assessed retrospectively using the International Index of Erectile Function and the patient-reported outcome measure for urethral stricture surgery.

Results

Three patients (50%) report normal erections but describe intercourse as not very enjoyable and report being dissatisfied with their sex life. The remaining 50% consistently report no sexual activity and denied feeling sexual desire. All report only mild urinary symptoms, including decreased stream (18%) and feelings of incomplete voiding (67%). Eighty-three percent of patients report their sexual symptoms do not interfere with their daily lives. One hundred percent report being satisfied with their procedure.

Conclusion

Our study is the first to use standardized, validated questionnaires to evaluate sexual and urinary function in a North American penile cancer patient population. We report excellent overall urinary function and quality of life following penile-sparing surgery for PC, and our results depict more realistic sexual outcomes than those reported in studies using non-blinded and non-validated methods.
Microwave Enabled One‐Pot, One‐Step Fabrication and Nitrogen Doping of Holey Graphene Oxide for Catalytic Applications
Authors: Patel Mehulkumar , Feng Wenchun , Savaram Keerthi , Khoshi M. Reza , Huang Ruiming , Sun Jing , Rabie Emann , Flach Carol , Mendelsohn Richard , Garfunkel Eric , He Huixin
Published: February 2015

The unique properties of a holey graphene sheet, referred to as a graphene sheet with nanoholes in its basal plane, lead to wide range of applications that cannot be achieved by its nonporous counterpart. However, the large‐scale solution‐based production requires graphene oxide (GO) or reduced GO (rGO) as the starting materials, which take hours to days for fabrication. Here, an unexpected discovery that GO with or without holes can be controllably, directly, and rapidly (tens of seconds) fabricated from graphite powder via a one‐step‐one‐pot microwave assisted reaction with a production yield of 120 wt% of graphite is reported. Furthermore, a fast and low temperature approach is developed for simultaneous nitrogen (N) doping and reduction of GO sheets. The N‐doped holey rGO sheets demonstrate remarkable electrocatalytic capabilities for the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction. The existence of the nanoholes provides a “short cut” for efficient mass transport and dramatically increases edges and surface area, therefore, creates more catalytic centers. The capability of rapid fabrication and N‐doping as well as reduction of holey GO can lead to development of an efficient catalyst that can replace previous coin metals for energy generation and storage, such as fuel cells and metal–air batteries.
A novel bridge structure damage diagnosis algorithm based on post‐nonlinear ICA and statistical pattern recognition
Authors: Xiao Haitao , Lou Sheng , Ogai Harutoshi
Published: February 2015

Monitoring the health of bridges and diagnosing the damage is vital for government and related institutions in Japan because of frequent earthquakes and the oceanic climate. This paper develops a bridge structure health monitoring system (BSHM), which includes data acquisition and analysis. A two‐stage structure damage detection algorithm based on post‐nonlinear independent component analysis (ICA) and statistical pattern recognition is proposed to analyze the acquired data and evaluate the health of bridges. First, an improved post‐nonlinear ICA algorithm is proposed for denoising, and a data‐sample matching based data normalization scheme to reduce the effect of varying environmental and operational condition. Thereafter, fast Fourier transform (FFT) is used to detect the damage. Based on the first stage, a statistical pattern recognition damage detection algorithm, including a new damage sensitive index DSPR, is proposed to determine the severity and location(s) of damage. In addition to the algorithm, this paper presents several simulations and experiments, including a detection experiment that applies artificial damage to a real bridge to show that our design choices are indeed effective. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Pseudo bond graph model of thermal transfers sustained by ice quantity of a domestic refrigerator for energy saving application
Authors: Aridhi Emna , Abbes Mehdi , Maarouf Saad , Mhiri Radhi , Mami Abdelkader
Published: February 2015

This paper presents a study on the use of ice to improve the energy efficiency of a domestic refrigerator by applying a pseudo bond graph model that describes the thermal transfers sustained by a quantity of ice introduced inside the cavity of refrigeration. The use of ice resulted in a global energy saving of 4.68%. The effect of ice was found to be more significant during the transitional regime. It reduced the response time to reach the stable average temperature from 15 h to only 3.5 h compared to when not using ice. This achievement did not cost additional electrical power, but rather allowed a saving of electrical energy of 76.73%. However, during the steady state, a reduction in the energy efficiency was noted. An improvement in the cooling by keeping the temperature inside the refrigerator more homogeneous is also proved. The model has two inputs: the outside temperature, and the modulated temperature of the evaporator. This latter determines the functioning of the compressor cycle. The model describes the thermal transfers by natural convection inside the refrigerator. Two experiments were carried out to make a performance comparison and to prove the influence of ice in cooling and energy saving. We used real measurements to modulate the evaporator temperature source in the pseudo bond graph model. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in natural bog pools and those created by rewetting schemes
Authors: Beadle Jeannie M , Brown Lee E , Holden Joseph
Published: February 2015

Anthropogenic drainage and cutting over of peatlands have historically occurred worldwide leading to erosion, issues with water quality, loss of biodiversity, and reduced rates of carbon accumulation. In recent years, rewetting measures have attempted to address these issues. Creating dams to block drainage ditches on peatlands is a common restoration tool, yet the ecological consequences of such management interventions are poorly understood. In particular, knowledge about the ecology of the thousands of pools created by drain blocking is limited even though they potentially provide valuable new habitat for aquatic species and food and water sources for terrestrial organisms. More research is needed to assess the suitability of these artificial pools as surrogates for naturally occurring peat pools with regard to the flora (e.g., bryophytes, algae, and macrophytes) and fauna (e.g., invertebrates and amphibians), which utilize them. Evidence suggests that (1) to maximize benefits to aquatic biota, land managers should consider creating an array of differently sized pools behind the dams as a broader size range would facilitate colonization by a wider range of taxa, (2) prioritizing landscapes close to existing water bodies would encourage faster colonization, and (3) even newly created pools with low macrophyte cover may be able to sustain substantial populations of larger fauna via algal primary production, consumption of detritus, and microbial processing of humic substances and methane. Ongoing programs of peatland restoration worldwide also afford unique opportunities to study how pool communities assemble and change over time. WIREs Water 2015, 2:65–84. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1063

This article is categorized under:

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness

Water and Life > Nature of Freshwater Ecosystems
Applications of polymer micelles for imaging and drug delivery
Authors: Movassaghian Sara , Merkel Olivia M. , Torchilin Vladimir P.
Published: February 2015

Polymeric micelles, self‐assembling nano‐constructs of amphiphilic copolymers, are widely considered as convenient nano‐carriers for a variety of applications, such as diagnostic imaging, and drug and gene delivery. They have demonstrated a variety of favorable properties including biocompatibility, longevity, high stability in vitro and in vivo, capacity to effectively solubilize a variety of poorly soluble drugs, changing the release profile of the incorporated pharmaceutical agents, and the ability to accumulate in the target zone based on the enhanced permeability and retention effect. Moreover, additional functions can be imparted to the micelle‐based delivery systems by engineering their surface for specific applications. Various targeting ligands can be attached for cell or intracellular accumulation at a site of interest. Also, the chelation or incorporation of imaging moieties into the micelle structure enables in vivo biodistribution studies. Moreover, pH‐, thermo‐, ultrasound‐, enzyme‐ and light‐sensitive block‐copolymers allow for controlled micelle dissociation and triggered drug release in response to the pathological environment‐specific stimuli and/or externally applied signals. The combination of these approaches can further improve specificity and efficacy of micelle‐based drug delivery to promote the development of smart multifunctional micelles. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2015, 7:691–707. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1332

This article is categorized under:

Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Lipid-Based Structures

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Crystal Structure of Mg0.39(2)NiSn1.61(2) and Mg2.61(2)Ni4Sn3.39(2) Featuring Mg/Sn Atom Networks with Different Connections of Ni@(Mg/Sn)8 Coordination Polyhedra
Authors: Siggelkow Lisa , Hlukhyy Viktor , Fässler Thomas F.
Published: February 2015

The intermetallic compounds Mg0.39(2)NiSn1.61(2) and Mg2.61(2)Ni4Sn3.39(2) are prepared by the reaction of the elements in welded tantalum ampoules in a resistance furnace. The crystal structures of the compounds were investigated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Mg0.39(2)NiSn1.61(2) crystallizes in the PdSn2 structure type with the space group I41/acd [a = 6.1941(4) Å, c = 23.498(2) Å, wR2 = 0.078 (all data), 303 F2 values, 19 variable parameters]. The main building block in the crystal structure of Mg0.39(2)NiSn1.61(2) are Ni2@(Mg/Sn)12 polyhedra, which consist of face‐sharing Ni‐centered square antiprisms. These polyhedra share vertices to form a three‐dimensional network of Mg and Sn atoms. The mixing of small amounts of magnesium in the binary Ni‐Sn phase stabilizes the non‐existing “NiSn2” in the PdSn2 structure type in form of NiSn2–xMgx with x = 0.39. Mg2.61(2)Ni4Sn3.39(2) crystallizes in an own structure type with space group P$\bar{3}$m1 [a = 4.3230(9) Å, c = 10.490(3) Å, wR2 = 0.048 (all data), 216 F2 values, 21 variable parameters]. The crystal structure of Mg2.61(2)Ni4Sn3.39(2) is described as an intermediate of a Heusler and a Half‐Heusler type structure what is demonstrated by group‐subgroup relationships.
Conductive grease synthesized using nanometer ATO as an additive
Authors: Ge Xiangyu , Xia Yanqiu , Shu Zongying , Zhao Xiaopei
Published: February 2015

A new conductive grease was synthesized using a nanometer powder, i.e., Sb doped SnO2 (ATO), as an additive. The typical properties of this new conductive grease were investigated in detail. The results indicate that ATO can dramatically improve the dropping point and reduce contact resistance. The tribological properties of the new conductive grease were investigated using the MFT-R4000 reciprocating friction and wear tester. The tribol-test results indicate that ATO can dramatically improve the tribological properties of the grease. When the ATO concentration is 0.1wt%, the grease demonstrates the best friction reduction properties; when the concentration is 0.5wt%, the grease demonstrates the best anti-wear properties. The worn surfaces were observed and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and the friction mechanisms for the new conductive grease are proposed. The excellent tribological properties of the new conductive grease are attributed to the mechanical effect of ATO, and the film formed by Sn and Sb elements or metallic oxide deposited on worn surfaces during the friction process.