bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scaling of the entropy budget with surface temperature in radiative‐convective equilibrium
Authors: Singh Martin S. , O'Gorman Paul A.
Published: June 2016

The entropy budget of the atmosphere is examined in simulations of radiative‐convective equilibrium with a cloud‐system resolving model over a wide range of surface temperatures from 281 to 311 K. Irreversible phase changes and the diffusion of water vapor account for more than half of the irreversible entropy production within the atmosphere, even in the coldest simulation. As the surface temperature is increased, the atmospheric radiative cooling rate increases, driving a greater entropy sink that must be matched by greater irreversible entropy production. The entropy production resulting from irreversible moist processes increases at a similar fractional rate as the entropy sink and at a lower rate than that implied by Clausius‐Clapeyron scaling. This allows the entropy production from frictional drag on hydrometeors and on the atmospheric flow to also increase with warming, in contrast to recent results for simulations with global climate models in which the work output decreases with warming. A set of approximate scaling relations is introduced for the terms in the entropy budget as the surface temperature is varied, and many of the terms are found to scale with the mean surface precipitation rate. The entropy budget provides some insight into changes in frictional dissipation in response to warming or changes in model resolution, but it is argued that frictional dissipation is not closely linked to other measures of convective vigor.
Media Use:India
Authors: Kumar Keval J.
Published: June 2016

Indian media and communication research related to use patterns and effects is dominated by market research agencies; this research is focused on counting heads in terms of demographics and psychographics. Social science research in India, however, probes media uses and effects from sociological, psychological, and cultural perspectives. This entry integrates the marketing and social science approaches in order to review research in use patterns and effects of both the traditional mass media and the new social media.
German Tectonics
Authors: Schwarzer Mitchell
Published: June 2016

This chapter examines the nineteenth‐century development of German tectonics, or the attempt to coordinate ornamentation and structural technology at a time when each architectural endeavor was changing rapidly. At the time, many architects worried that advances in functional program and constructional technology were inadequately harmonized with the predominant classical and medieval systems of ornamentation. Karl Friedrich Schinkel first broke art apart from construction, advocating the use of stylistic décor, derived from history, as a language to explicate emerging structural technologies. His former pupil, Karl Bötticher, developed this approach into a theory of tectonics. A building's
Werkformen
, or utilitarian/mechanical actions, were to be communicated through
Kunstformen
derived from Greek ornamentation, which he felt was the best articulated system of artistic forms in the history of architecture. Bötticher later extended the relationship between
Werkformen
and
Kunstformen
to the new, revolutionary material of iron. Finally, Gottfried Semper argued that ornamentation has functioned historically as a means to communicate deeper architectural values to its users. Ornamental systems deviated from a building's functional and structural demands, existing as a higher‐order language of spiritual and artistic yearnings. Connecting architecture to the oldest craft arts, such as textiles, ceramics, and stonework, Semper understood the evolution of architectural styles as the reinterpretation of past artistic languages in emerging materials.
Using Implementation Intentions in Shopping Situations: How Arousal Can Help Shield Consumers Against Temptation
Authors: Serfas Benjamin G. , Büttner Oliver B. , Florack Arnd
Published: June 2016

Previous research has suggested that individuals who repeatedly experience self‐regulatory failure in purchasing behaviour have trouble shielding themselves against temptations. Because shopping is often accompanied by increased arousal, we examined whether attending to affective arousal could help people keep their attention focused. Before participants completed a visual distraction task embedded in a shopping context, we (i) instructed them to formulate an implementation intention with affective arousal as the eliciting cue and concentrating on the task as the intention; (ii) instructed them to formulate the goal intention of concentrating on the task without mentioning an eliciting cue; or (iii) gave them no further instructions. During the task, we recorded eye movements to measure the time they looked at the target products. The findings suggest that implementation intentions with affective arousal as an eliciting cue enable consumers who repeatedly perceive self‐regulatory failure to focus their attention on their initial shopping goal. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Water Splitting Progress in Tandem Devices: Moving Photolysis beyond Electrolysis
Authors: Zhang Kan , Ma Ming , Li Ping , Wang Dong Hwan , Park Jong Hyeok
Published: June 2016

Water photolysis is a sustainable technology to convert natural solar energy and water into chemical fuels and is thus considered a thorough solution to the forthcoming energy crises. Unassisted water splitting that could directly harvest solar light and subsequently split water in a single device has become an important research theme. Three types of tandem devices including photoelectrochemical (PEC), photovoltaic (PV) cell/PEC and PV/electrolyser tandem cells are proposed to realize water photolysis at different levels of integration and component. Recent progress in tandem water splitting devices is summarized, and crucial issues on device optimization from the perspective of each photo‐absorber functionalities in band edge potential, light absorptivity and transmittance are discussed. By increasing the performances of stand‐alone PEC or PV devices, a 20% solar to hydrogen efficiency is predicted that is a significant value towards further application in practice. Accordingly, the challenges for materials development and configuration optimization are further outlined.
BRAT1 mutations are associated with infantile epileptic encephalopathy, mitochondrial dysfunction, and survival into childhood
Authors: Horn Denise , Weschke Bernhard , Knierim Ellen , Fischer‐Zirnsak Björn , Stenzel Werner , Schuelke Markus , Zemojtel Tomasz
Published: June 2016

We describe two siblings who were affected with early onset focal seizures, severe progressive postnatal microcephaly, muscular hypertonia, feeding problems and bouts of apnea, only minimal psychomotor development, as well as death in infancy and childhood. We identified compound heterozygous mutations in BRAT1 exons 5 (c.638_639insA) and 8 (c.1134+1G>A) in one affected child via next‐generation sequencing of the disease‐associated genome followed by phenotype‐driven bioinformatic analysis. Sanger sequencing confirmed the presence of these mutations in both patients and a heterozygote status of the parents. Whereas the frameshift mutation (c.638_639insA) has been described in one family, the splice‐site mutation (c.1134+1G>A) is novel. In contrast to all cases published so far, one of our patients showed a considerably milder clinical course with survival into childhood. Investigation of a skeletal muscle biopsy showed a severely reduced COX enzyme histochemical staining, indicating mitochondrial dysfunction. Our data expand the clinical and mutational spectrum of the BRAT1‐associated phenotype. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preparation of Fe3O4/poly(l‐glutamic acid) microspheres and their adsorption of Cu(II) ions
Authors: Wang Huashan , Liu Yufang , Deng Zijie , Han Shixin
Published: June 2016

Fe3O4/poly(l‐glutamic acid) (P‐l‐Glu) magnetic microspheres were synthesized in an l‐glutamic acid solution by coprecipitation and a dehydration condensation reaction and were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and ζ‐potential measurement. P‐l‐Glu was coated on the surface of Fe3O4 microspheres. The average particle diameter of Fe3O4/P‐l‐Glu was 388 nm and dispersed homogeneously in water. The adsorption of Cu(II) ions on Fe3O4/P‐l‐Glu was further studied. The effect of different pH values and reaction times on the adsorption of Fe3O4/P‐l‐Glu was discussed. The adsorption equilibrium was reached in 40 min, and the maximum adsorption for Cu(II) ions was more than 500 mg/g; this value occurred at pH 8 in water. The adsorption dynamic process fit the Freundlich isotherms well, and the adsorption kinetics followed the adsorption mechanism of the pseudo‐second‐order equation, which was the main complexation reaction. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43730.
Macromolecular photoinitiators enhance the hydrophilicity and lubricity of natural rubber
Authors: Chin Stacy L. , Xiao Ruiqing , Cooper Benjamin G. , Varongchayakul Nitinun , Buch Karen , Kim Ducksoo , Grinstaff Mark W.
Published: June 2016

A mild and facile strategy to coat natural rubber (NR) with a hydrophilic coating is described that uses light and photoinitiator copolymers. Five high molecular weight photoinitiator copolymers, composed of hydrophilic (e.g., 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate [HEA], poly(ethylene glycol) [PEG], N‐vinylpyrrolidone [NVP], N‐isopropylacrylamide [NIDAM], and acrylic acid [AA]) and hydrophobic benzophenone (BP) units, are synthesized and evaluated for coating NR on UV irradiation. When the HEA/BP, NVP/BP, and AA/BP macromolecular photoinitiators attach to the NR surface, the latter becomes hydrophilic. The resulting hydrophilic coatings on NR sheets are analyzed via FT‐IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, contact angle measurements, and transwell cytotoxicity assays using NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells. The addition of high molecular weight hydrophilic polymers (e.g., polyvinylpyrrolidone and poly(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine)) to the coating further enhances the coating's hydrophilicity and lubricity. The application of these non‐cytotoxic, hydrophilic, and lubricious coatings on NR expands current applications and usage of NR. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43930.
Synthesis of Hollow Platinum–Palladium Nanospheres with a Dendritic Shell as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Methanol Oxidation
Authors: Lu Qingqing , Wang Hongjing , Eid Kamel , Alothman Zeid Abdullah , Malgras Victor , Yamauchi Yusuke , Wang Liang
Published: June 2016

Engineering the size, composition, and morphology of platinum‐based nanomaterials can provide a great opportunity to improve the utilization efficiency of electrocatalysts and reinforce their electrochemical performances. Herein, three‐dimensional platinum–palladium hollow nanospheres with a dendritic shell (PtPd‐HNSs) are successfully fabricated through a facile and economic route, during which SiO2 microspheres act as the hard template for the globular cavity, whereas the triblock copolymer F127 contributes to the formation of the dendritic shell. In contrast with platinum hollow nanospheres (Pt‐HNSs) and commercial platinum on carbon (Pt/C) catalyst, the novel architecture shows a remarkable activity and durability toward the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) owing to the coupled merits of bimetallic nanodendrites and a hollow interior. As a proof of concept, this strategy is also extended to trimetallic gold–palladium–platinum hollow nanospheres (AuPdPt‐HNSs), which paves the way towards the controlled synthesis of other bi‐ or multimetallic platinum‐based hollow electrocatalysts.
Neural correlates of text‐based emoticons: a preliminary fMRI study
Authors: Kim Ko Woon , Lee Sang Won , Choi Jeewook , Kim Tae Min , Jeong Bumseok
Published: June 2016

Introduction

Like nonverbal cues in oral interactions, text‐based emoticons, which are textual portrayals of a writer's facial expressions, are commonly used in electronic device–mediated communication. Little is known, however, about how text‐based emoticons are processed in the human brain. With this study, we investigated whether the text‐based emoticons are processed as face expressions using fMRI.

Methods

During fMRI scan, subjects were asked to respond by pressing a button, indicating whether text‐based emoticons represented positive or negative emotions. Voxel‐wise analyses were performed to compare the responses and contrasted with emotional versus scrambled emoticons and among emoticons with different emotions. To explore processing strategies for text‐based emoticons, brain activity in the bilateral occipital and fusiform face areas were compared.

Results

In the voxel‐wise analysis, both emotional and scrambled emoticons were processed mainly in the bilateral fusiform gyri, inferior division of lateral occipital cortex, inferior frontal gyri, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), and parietal cortex. In a percent signal change analysis, the right occipital and fusiform face areas showed significantly higher activation than left ones. In comparisons among emoticons, sad one showed significant BOLD signal decrease in the dACC, the left AIC, the bilateral thalamus, and the precuneus as compared with other conditions.

Conclusion

The results of this study imply that people recognize text‐based emoticons as pictures representing face expressions. Even though text‐based emoticons contain emotional meaning, they are not associated with the amygdala while previous studies using emotional stimuli documented amygdala activation.
MicroRNAs in glioblastoma multiforme pathogenesis and therapeutics
Authors: Shea Amanda , Harish Varsha , Afzal Zainab , Chijioke Juliet , Kedir Habib , Dusmatova Shahnoza , Roy Arpita , Ramalinga Malathi , Harris Brent , Blancato Jan , Verma Mukesh , Kumar Deepak
Published: June 2016

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and lethal cancer of the adult brain, remaining incurable with a median survival time of only 15 months. In an effort to identify new targets for GBM diagnostics and therapeutics, recent studies have focused on molecular phenotyping of GBM subtypes. This has resulted in mounting interest in microRNAs (miRNAs) due to their regulatory capacities in both normal development and in pathological conditions such as cancer. miRNAs have a wide range of targets, allowing them to modulate many pathways critical to cancer progression, including proliferation, cell death, metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance. This review explores our current understanding of miRNAs that are differentially modulated and pathologically involved in GBM as well as the current state of miRNA‐based therapeutics. As the role of miRNAs in GBM becomes more well understood and novel delivery methods are developed and optimized, miRNA‐based therapies could provide a critical step forward in cancer treatment.
Distribution, Risk Assessment, and Source Identification of Heavy Metals in Surface Sediments of River Soan, Pakistan
Authors: Nazeer Summya , Hashmi Muhammad Zaffar , Malik Riffat Naseem
Published: June 2016

In the present study, heavy metals concentration and physico‐chemical properties of surface sediments of River Soan, Pakistan, have been investigated. In order to gain insight into the metals distribution, accumulation, and their pollution status, geo‐accumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF) were used. The ecological risk for different heavy metals was evaluated using sediment quality guidelines, threshold effect concentration (TEC), and probable effect concentration (PEC). The concentration of heavy metals was relatively high in the post monsoon season as compared to the pre monsoon season. The concentration of Cd was 69% in sediment samples that exceeded the TEC value while none of the metal concentration exceeded PEC. The mean PEC quotient value among different sampling sites ranged between 0.14 and 0.43. The Igeo indicated that surface sediments of River Soan were moderately polluted with Cd (1.42). The EF indicated significant pollution of Cd (12.01) and moderate pollution of Pb (4.05) in sediments, and indicated the influx of Cd and Pb in sediments from anthropogenic sources. Multivariate results indicated an effective role of organic matter, sediment pH, weathering of rocks, and particle size in distribution of metals along with identification of natural and anthropogenic sources of metals. The results can be used for effective management of fresh water resources in Pakistan as well as these findings are applicable to the other rivers of Himalayan region.
Cigarette smoking, comorbidity, and general health among survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer
Authors: Kaul Sapna , Veeranki Sreenivas P. , Rodriguez Ana M. , Kuo Yong‐Fang
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND

We examined the associations between cigarette smoking, comorbidity, and general health among survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer and a comparison group.

METHODS

From the 2012 to 2014 National Health Interview Surveys, we identified 1019 survivors of AYA cancer, defined as individuals who had been diagnosed with cancer between 15 and 39 years of age and were at least 5 years after their initial cancer diagnosis. A noncancer comparison group was matched on age, sex, and other factors. Self‐reported smoking status (never smoker, former smoker, or current smoker), comorbidities (eg, asthma and diabetes), and general health status (excellent, very good, or good versus poor or fair) were compared among these groups. Survivors' smoking status before diagnosis and interaction with health care professionals regarding smoking cessation were reported. Multivariable logistic regressions modeled the associations between smoking status and comorbidity and general health.

RESULTS

33% of survivors were current smokers compared with 22% in the comparison group (P < .001). Prevalence of comorbidities and fair/poor health was significantly higher among survivors. Current smokers among survivors were more likely to report greater comorbidities (odds ratio [OR], 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06‐2.47; P = .03) and less likely to report at least good health (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.22‐0.54; P < .001) than never‐smokers. Among survivors who smoked currently, 92% started smoking before diagnosis, and 37% reported having no smoking‐related discussions with health care professionals in the previous year.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking among survivors of AYA cancer is associated with greater comorbidities and poorer general health. Younger survivors may need to be targeted for effective smoking cessation interventions. Addressing cigarette smoking during medical visits may encourage survivors to quit smoking. Cancer 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society. Cancer 2016;122:2895–2905. © 2016 American Cancer Society
Racial disparities in the survival of American children, adolescents, and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, and Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Kahn Justine M. , Keegan Theresa H.M. , Tao Li , Abrahão Renata , Bleyer Archie , Viny Aaron D.
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND

Race‐based survival in children and adolescents with hematologic malignancies has been a national challenge for decades. Large‐scale investigations of age‐ and race‐based survival trends over time in these patients have not previously been reported. The objective of this study was to investigate whether race‐ and age‐related differences in pediatric and adolescent and young adult (AYA) leukemia and lymphoma survival persist and to what extent these differences have changed over time.

METHODS

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program, this study investigated the outcomes of black and white (1975‐2012; n = 27,369) and white and Hispanic (1992‐2012; n = 20,574) children (0‐14 years old) and AYAs (15‐39 years old) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Estimates of 5‐ and 10‐year relative survival were compared over time.

RESULTS

Trends showed a convergence of survival for white and black children with ALL but a divergence in survival for AYA patients. Hispanic children and AYAs both suffered inferior outcomes. Trends for AML revealed persistent survival differences between black and white children and suggested worsening disparities for AYAs. Survival trends in HL revealed sustained survival differences between black and white AYA patients, whereas no differences were found in Hispanic and white patient outcomes for AML or HL.

CONCLUSIONS

Although survival for children and AYAs with ALL, AML, and HL has improved over the past 4 decades, differences persist between black, white, and Hispanic children and AYAs; survival disparities between black and white children with ALL have been nearly eliminated. Strategies aimed at identifying causality and reducing disparities are warranted. Cancer 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society. Cancer 2016;122:2723–2730. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Profiling of Transcription Factor Binding Events by Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Sequencing (ChIP‐seq)
Authors: Song Liang , Koga Yusuke , Ecker Joseph R.
Published: June 2016

In multi‐cellular organisms, gene expression is orchestrated by thousands of transcription factors (TF). Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP‐seq) is a robust tool to investigate gene expression because this technique profiles in vivo protein‐DNA interaction at a genome‐wide scale. Eight years after the first ChIP‐seq paper, there are limited reports of ChIP‐seq experiments in plants, especially for sequence‐specific DNA binding TFs. This lag greatly prevents our understanding of transcriptional regulation in an entire kingdom. In order to bridge the technical gap, we describe a ChIP‐seq procedure that we have successfully applied to dozens of sequence‐specific DNA binding TFs. The basic protocol includes procedures to isolate nuclei, sonicate chromatin, immunoprecipitate TF‐DNA complex, and recover ChIP‐enriched DNA fragments. The support protocol also describes practices to optimize library preparation by a gel‐free DNA size selection. Lastly, examples are given to optimize library amplification using real‐time PCR. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Rice (Oryza sativa) Protoplast Isolation and Its Application for Transient Expression Analysis
Authors: He Feng , Chen Songbiao , Ning Yuese , Wang Guo‐Liang
Published: June 2016

Rice (Oryza sativa) is not only the staple food for half of the world's population but also a model monocot plant for molecular biology studies. Although rice genes have been extensively investigated in the last two decades, the functions of many genes in the rice genome are still not known. One of the rapid and efficient approaches for determining gene function in vivo is protoplast‐based transient expression analysis. We established a rice protoplast system about 10 years ago, which has been recently used in many laboratories. This protocol is useful for protein expression, subcellular localization, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and co‐immunoprecipitation assays. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Analysis and Quantification of Glucosinolates
Authors: Crocoll Christoph , Halkier Barbara Ann , Burow Meike
Published: June 2016

Recent advances in liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry have made it possible to increase the throughput of phytochemical analyses at high sensitivity. These improvements have made it more feasible to monitor metabolic processes at the metabolite level. Glucosinolates, the primary defense compounds in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, in particular, have gained increasing attention as model compounds for quantitative genetics and metabolic regulation. Depending on the plant species, tissue, glucosinolate content, complexity of the glucosinolate profile, and, most importantly, the overall purpose of the experiment, different choices need to be made regarding the methods of extraction and analysis. In this chapter, we describe different approaches for the analysis of glucosinolates and highlight advantages, disadvantages, and technical pitfalls. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan vs. enalapril at lower than target doses in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: the PARADIGM‐HF trial
Authors: Vardeny Orly , Claggett Brian , Packer Milton , Zile Michael R. , Rouleau Jean , Swedberg Karl , Teerlink John R. , Desai Akshay S. , Lefkowitz Martin , Shi Victor , McMurray John J.V. , Solomon Scott D. ,   for the Prospective Comparison of ARNI with ACEI to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure (PARADIGM‐HF) Investigators
Published: June 2016

Aims

In this analysis, we utilized data from PARADIGM‐HF to test the hypothesis that participants who exhibited any dose reduction during the trial would have similar benefits from lower doses of sacubitril/valsartan relative to lower doses of enalapril.

Methods and results

In a post‐hoc analysis from PARADIGM‐HF, we characterized patients by whether they received the maximal dose (200 mg sacubitril/valsartan or 10 mg enalapril twice daily) throughout the trial or had any dose reduction to lower doses (100/50/0 mg sacubitril/valsartan or 5/2.5/0 mg enalapril twice daily). The treatment effect for the primary outcome was estimated, stratified by dose level using time‐updated Cox regression models. In the two treatment arms, participants with a dose reduction (43% of those randomized to enalapril and 42% of those randomized to sacubitril/valsartan) had similar baseline characteristics and similar baseline predictors of the need for dose reduction. In a time‐updated analysis, any dose reduction was associated with a higher subsequent risk of the primary event [hazard ratio (HR) 2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2–2.7]. However, the treatment benefit of sacubitril/valsartan over enalapril following a dose reduction was similar (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.70–0.93, P < 0.001) to that observed in patients who had not experienced any dose reduction (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.71–0.88, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

In PARADIGM‐HF, study medication dose reduction identified patients at higher risk of a major cardiovascular event. The magnitude of benefit for patients on lower doses of sacubitril/valsartan relative to those on lower doses of enalapril was similar to that of patients who remained on target doses of both drugs.
Scorpionate Compounds
Authors: Pettinari Claudio
Published: June 2016

Guest editor Claudio Pettinari highlights the popularity and versatility of poly(pyrazolyl)borate ligands, introduced by Swiatoslaw “Jerry” Trofimenko 50 years ago, and summarizes the diverse ways in which these ligands are used in the research reported in this special issue.
Scorpionate Hydrotris(indazolyl)borate Ligands as Tripodal Platforms for Surface‐Mounted Molecular Gears and Motors
Authors: Kammerer Claire , Rapenne Gwénaël
Published: June 2016

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Gwénaël Rapenne and Claire Kammerer from CEMES‐CNRS at University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France. The cover image shows the use of scorpionates to anchor nanomachines on metal surfaces for mechanical applications such as unidirectional rotation (for motors) or power transmission (for gears).
In Honour of Swiatoslav Trofimenko
Authors: Hindson Karen
Published: June 2016

Editor Karen Hindson presents this double cluster issue highlighting scorpionate ligands on the 50th anniversary of the synthesis of the poly(pyrazolyl)borate ligand by Swiatoslav Trofimenko. The wealth and quality of the contents come from the popularity of the field, the enthusiasm of the authors and the commitment of Guest Editor Claudio Pettinari.
Exploring the Relationships Among Teacher Confidence, Learning, and Test Performance Within the English‐for‐Teaching Course
Authors: Gu Lin , Papageorgiou Spiros
Published: June 2016

In responding to the increasingly expanded emphasis on English language teaching (ELT) around the globe, Educational Testing Service (ETS) collaborated with National Geographic Learning to develop the ELTeach™ program (http://www.elteach.com), an online professional development program consisting of two courses, English‐for‐Teaching and Professional Knowledge for ELT, with the goal of improving ELT teachers' classroom English language proficiency. Within the English‐for‐Teaching course, there are three interrelated components: a precourse planner that asks teachers to rate their confidence in using English to teach English, a learning course that teaches the type of English needed to carry out essential classroom activities in English, and the TEFT™ assessment, which is developed based on the same framework as the learning course. Using data collected during the pilot administration of the ELTeach program in 2012, this study examines the relationship between self‐reported confidence level and engagement with the learning course, and the relationship between self‐reported confidence level and performance on the TEFT assessment. The findings suggested how users with different confidence levels might make use of the learning materials and how they might score on the TEFT assessment.
Validation of the S‐CLSVOF method with the density‐scaled balanced continuum surface force model in multiphase systems coupled with thermocapillary flows
Authors: Yamamoto Takuya , Okano Yasunori , Dost Sadik
Published: June 2016

Three numerical methods, namely, volume of fluid (VOF), simple coupled volume of fluid with level set (S‐CLSVOF), and S‐CLSVOF with the density‐scaled balanced continuum surface force (CSF) model, have been incorporated into OpenFOAM source code and were validated for their accuracy for three cases: (i) an isothermal static case, (ii) isothermal dynamic cases, and (iii) non‐isothermal dynamic cases with thermocapillary flow including dynamic interface deformation. Results have shown that the S‐CLSVOF method gives accurate results in the test cases with mild computation conditions, and the S‐CLSVOF technique with the density‐scaled balanced CSF model leads to accurate results in the cases of large interface deformations and large density and viscosity ratios. These show that these high accuracy methods would be appropriate to obtain accurate predictions in multiphase flow systems with thermocapillary flows. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immunological biomarkers associated with brain structure and executive function in late‐life depression: exploratory pilot study
Authors: Smagula Stephen F. , Lotrich Francis E. , Aizenstein Howard J. , Diniz Breno S. , Krystek Jeffrey , Wu Gregory F. , Mulsant Benoit H. , Butters Meryl A. , Reynolds Charles F. , Lenze Eric J.
Published: June 2016

Objective

Several immunological biomarkers are altered in late‐life major depressive disorder (LLD). Immunological alterations could contribute to LLD's consequences, but little is known about the relations between specific immunological biomarkers and brain health in LLD. We performed an exploratory pilot study to identify, from several candidates, the specific immunological biomarkers related to important aspects of brain health that are altered in LLD (brain structure and executive function).

Methods

Adults (n = 31) were at least 60 years old and had major depressive disorder. A multiplex immunoassay assessed 13 immunological biomarkers, and we examined their associations with structural MRI (grey matter volume and white matter hyperintensity volume (WMH)) and executive function (Color–Word Interference and Trail‐Making tests) measures.

Results

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the chemokine eotaxin had significant negative associations with grey matter volume (VEGF: n = 31, r = −0.65; eotaxin: n = 29, r = −0.44). Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) had a significant positive relationship with WMHs (n = 30, r = 0.52); interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and macrophage inflammatory protein‐1α (MIP‐1α) were also significantly associated with WMHs (IFN‐γ: n = 31, r = 0.48; MIP‐1α: n = 29, r = 0.45). Only eotaxin was associated with executive function (set‐shifting performance as measured with the Trail‐making test: n = 33, r = −0.43).

Conclusions

Immunological markers are associated with brain structure in LLD. We found the immunological correlates of grey and white matter differ. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate whether these immunological correlates of brain health increase the risk of LLD's consequences. Eotaxin, which correlated with both grey matter volume and set‐shifting performance, may be particularly relevant to neurodegeneration and cognition in LLD. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
FCGR3A/2A polymorphisms and diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma outcome treated with immunochemotherapy: a meta‐analysis on 1134 patients from two prospective cohorts
Authors: Ghesquières Hervé , Larrabee Beth R. , Haioun Corinne , Link Brian K. , Verney Aurélie , Slager Susan L. , Ketterer Nicolas , Ansell Stephen M. , Delarue Richard , Maurer Matthew J. , Fitoussi Olivier , Habermann Thomas M. , Peyrade Fréderic , Dogan Ahmet , Molina Thierry J. , Novak Anne J. , Tilly Hervé , Cerhan James R. , Salles Gilles
Published: June 2016

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FCγ‐receptor genes FCGR3A (rs396991) and FCGR2A (rs1801274) influence the affinity of the Fc portion of anti‐CD20 immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody. Their roles in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with rituximab in combination with anthracycline‐based chemotherapy remain controversial. To address this question, we genotyped FCGR2A and FCGR3A SNPs in two prospective DLBCL cohorts from Lymphoma Study Association trials (N = 554) and Iowa/Mayo Specialized Program Of Research Excellence (N = 580). Correlations with treatment response and hematological toxicity were assessed in Lymphoma Study Association. Correlation with event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) was performed in both cohorts, followed by a meta‐analysis to increase power. Our study shows the absence of correlation between these SNPs and treatment response. Grades 3 and 4 febrile neutropenia during treatment was more frequently observed in FCGR3A VV (39%) than VF (29%) and FF (32%) carriers (p = 0.04). Our analysis for EFS and OS shows that FCGR3A was not associated with outcome. In a meta‐analysis using an ordinal model, FCGR2A (per R allele) was associated with a better EFS (hazard ratio = 0.87; 95%CI, 0.76–0.99; p = 0.04) and OS (hazard ratio = 0.86; 95%CI, 0.73–1.00; p = 0.05) which was not altered after adjustment for the International Prognostic Index. Overall, our data demonstrate that patients with DLBCL with the low‐affinity FCγRIIA RR had an unexpectedly better outcome than FCγRIIA H carriers. Whether rituximab efficacy is improved in FCγRIIA RR patients due a clearance reduction or other functions of FCγRIIA in DLBCL should be investigated (clinicaltrials.gov identifiers: NCT00135499, NTC00135499 NCT00140595, NCT00144807, NCT00144755, NCT01087424, and NCT00301821). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SERUM metabolomics of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and acute myeloid leukaemia for probing biomarker molecules
Authors: Musharraf Syed Ghulam , Siddiqui Amna Jabbar , Shamsi Tahir , Naz Arshi
Published: June 2016

Acute leukaemia (AL) is a critical neoplasm of white blood cells. Diagnosing AL requires bone marrow puncture procedure, which many patients do not consent to for it is invasive. Hence sensitive and specific early diagnostic biomarkers are essential for non‐invasive diagnosis, new therapeutics and improving the disease prognosis. To differentiate the metabolic alterations associated with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), we investigated serum of ALL and AML patients in comparison with two controls using gas chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry and multivariate statistical analysis. Twenty seven out of 1425 metabolites were found differentiative among ALL, AML, aplastic anaemia (APA) patients and healthy control using p‐value ≤ 0.001. ALL is the most dissimilar group from other three groups as in hierarchical clustering showed 72.1% dissimilarity. Model generation using PLSDA gave an overall accuracy of 91.9%. This study helps in metabolic fingerprinting of control and disease serum at high significance levels and could be used for early diagnosing of AL. Based on pathways analysis, fatty acid metabolism is deregulated in patients with AL and may represent an underlying metabolic pathway associated with disease progression. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving performance of long‐term care networks at their initial stage: an empirical study of factors affecting results
Authors: Angiola Nunzio , Bianchi Piervito
Published: June 2016

Until now very little research has been carried out on the performance of health and human services networks in evolution. In particular, previous studies mainly referred to “centrally governed services networks” in the US context. According to Provan and Kenis (2008), these networks are “lead organization‐governed”, and are different from the “participant‐governed” model or the “network administrative organization (NAO)” solution. We focused our attention on the Apulia region care services networks (Italy). In the last few years, the governance of these networks has passed from the “participant‐governed” model to the NAO approach. We examined how the integration mechanisms work in this type of networks, and if there were challenges to tackle in order to improve their overall performance. These networks were examined at their initial stage, exactly when their governance model moved to a more integrated solution. We collected survey data from 17 health and human services networks out of 45 (38%). The research is carried out by means of statistical methods (OLS). The analysis is cross sectional. The implementation of “rational/technocratic” factors is important but not sufficient to enhance collaboration. The integration at the “professional level” should be kept in mind. In particular, the role of network (case) managers is paramount. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is Perceived Creativity‐Reward Contingency Good for Creativity? The Role of Challenge and Threat Appraisals
Authors: Li Fuli , Deng Hong , Leung Kwok , Zhao Yang
Published: June 2016

To address the complex effect of perceived reward for creativity on creative performance, we examined the role of cognitive appraisal as an individual difference variable. An individual's appraisal of reward for creativity, including challenge appraisal (perceived potential for recognition, growth, or mastery) and threat appraisal (perceived potential for revealing incompetence and damaging self‐respect), is hypothesized to shape the effects of perceived reward for creativity. We further expect creativity‐related intrinsic motivation to play a mediating role in the perceived reward‐creativity relationship. The results of a three‐wave field study showed that when challenge appraisal was high, perceived reward was positively related to creative performance through creativity‐related intrinsic motivation, whereas when threat appraisal was high, perceived reward was negatively related to creative performance through creativity‐related intrinsic motivation. A similar analysis showed that intrinsic task motivation was not able to channel the moderating effect of perceived reward and individual appraisal on creative performance. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dysbindin as a novel biomarker for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma identified by proteomic profiling
Authors: Guo Xin , Lv Xiaohui , Fang Cheng , Lv Xing , Wang Fengsong , Wang Dongmei , Zhao Jun , Ma Yueyun , Xue Yu , Bai Quan , Yao Xuebiao , Chen Yong
Published: June 2016

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is known to have a poor prognosis partly because of lack of effective biomarkers. In the test set, we investigated dysbindin (DTNBP1) as a potential biomarker for PDAC by comparing preoperative and postoperative serum mass spectrometry (MS) proteomic profilings. Of the included 50 PDAC patients, 42 (positivity of 84.0%) detected a lower MS peak in postoperative serums than preoperative ones which was then identified as dysbindin. In the verification set, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) were used to assess diagnostic efficiency. 550 participants were included in the verification set [250 with PDAC, 80 with benign biliary obstruction (BBO), 70 with chronic pancreatitis (CP) and 150 healthy donors (HD)]. Dysbindin was increased in PDAC patient sera than in all controls. ROC curves revealed the optimum diagnostic cutoff for dysbindin was 699.16 pg/ml [area under curve (AUC) 0.849 (95% CI 0.812–0.885), sensitivity 81.9% and specificity 84.7%]. Raised concentration of dysbindin in sera could differentiate PDAC from BBO, CP and HD. Moreover, dysbindin maintained its diagnostic accuracy for PDAC patients who were CA19‐9 negative [AUC 0.875 (95% CI 0.804–0.945), sensitivity 83.0%, specificity 89.0%] and for patients with benign biliary obstruction [AUC 0.849 (95% CI 0.803–0.894), sensitivity 82.3%, specificity 84.0%].Our discovery of dysbindin may complement measurement of CA19‐9 in the diagnosis of PDAC and help to discriminate PDAC from other pancreatic diseases or begin biliary obstruction.
Comparative oral dose toxicokinetics of sodium selenite and selenomethionine
Authors: Davis T. Zane , Tiwary Asheesh K. , Stegelmeier Bryan L. , Pfister James A. , Panter Kip E. , Hall Jeffery O.
Published: June 2016

Selenium (Se) poisoning by different forms of Se occurs in the United States. However, the toxicokinetics of different selenocompounds after oral ingestion is not well documented. In this study the toxicokinetics of Se absorption, distribution and elimination were determined in serum and whole blood of lambs that were orally dosed with increasing doses of Se as sodium selenite (inorganic Se) or selenomethionine (SeMet, organic Se). Thirty‐two lambs were randomly assigned to eight treatment groups, with four animals per group. Se was administered at 1, 2 or 3 mg kg−1body weight, as either sodium selenite or SeMet with proper control groups. Blood and serum were collected at predetermined time points for 7 days post‐dosing. Resulting Se concentrations in both serum and whole blood from SeMet treatment groups were significantly greater than those given equimolar doses of Se as sodium selenite. Se concentrations in serum and whole blood of lambs dosed with SeMet peaked at significantly greater concentrations when compared with lambs dosed with equimolar doses of sodium selenite. Based on the serum and whole blood kinetics, the rate of Se absorption was greater for SeMet than for sodium selenite although rates of absorption for both Se forms decreased with increasing dose. The rates of Se elimination increased with dose. These results demonstrate that SeMet has a greater absorption rate and a similar retention time resulting in a greater area under the curve and thus bioavailability than sodium selenite, which must be considered in both overdose and nutritional exposures. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Permissive role of cytosolic pH acidification in neurodegeneration: A closer look at its causes and consequences
Authors: Majdi Alireza , Mahmoudi Javad , Sadigh‐Eteghad Saeed , Golzari Samad E.J. , Sabermarouf Babak , Reyhani‐Rad Siamak
Published: June 2016

The maintenance of cytosolic pH in its physiological range is required for normal neuronal activity, and even minor alterations can have serious consequences. This Review summarizes the current understanding of the conditions that are associated with cytosolic pH disruption and that lead to abnormal cytosolic acidification. Oxidative stress results in cytosolic acidification, and this plays a crucial role in the emergence of apoptosis in protein misfolding and excitotoxicity, ultimately leading to irreversible neuronal damage. Through the identification of mechanisms by which intraneuronal pH acidification promotes neurodegeneration, we may identify new approaches for preventing and treating neurodegenerative disorders. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The role of small prey in human subsistence strategies from Early Upper Palaeolithic sites in Iberia: the rabbits from the Evolved Aurignacian level of Arbreda Cave
Authors: Lloveras Lluís , Maroto Julià , Soler Joaquim , Thomas Richard , Moreno‐García Marta , Nadal Jordi , Soler Narcís
Published: June 2016

In the western Mediterranean, changes in hunter‐gatherer subsistence strategies have been identified from the Early Upper Palaeolithic. These changes are characterized by broadening of diet and intensification of small prey exploitation. In the Iberian Peninsula region, intensified small prey exploitation is evidenced by the hunting of large quantities of European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), which are usually a ubiquitous feature of faunal assemblages from archaeological sites. Before interpretations of the significance of such assemblages can proceed, however, it is necessary to confirm their anthropic origin, as a wide range of predators are agents of accumulation. The taphonomic signatures observed for predators are here applied to the analysis of leporid (rabbits and hares) remains from the Evolved Aurignacian layer of Arbreda Cave (north‐east Iberia). The aims of this work are two‐fold: (i) to identify the agent/s of accumulation; and (ii) to assess possible changes in small prey use during the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition. Our results suggest that rabbit assemblages were probably hunted and consumed by humans and that rabbits became a primary resource in hunter‐gatherer diet from the Early Upper Palaeolithic.
Identification of robust microsatellite markers for wild pig fecal DNA
Authors: Kierepka Elizabeth M. , Unger Shem D. , Keiter David A. , Beasley James C. , Rhodes Olin E. , Cunningham Fred L. , Piaggio Antoinette J.
Published: June 2016

Collection of fecal samples for use in a genetic capture‐mark‐recapture framework has become popular as a noninvasive method of monitoring wildlife populations. A major caveat to this process, however, is that fecal samples often yield low quality DNA that is prone to genotyping errors, potentially leading to biases in population parameter estimation. Therefore, considerable care is required to identify robust genetic markers, especially in hot or humid conditions that may accelerate DNA degradation. We identified microsatellite loci in wild pig (Sus scrofa) fecal samples that were robust and informative within warm, humid ecosystems. To examine how degradation affected genotyping success, we sampled pig feces across 5 days and calculated how the number of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) cycles required to reach the fluorescent threshold (Ct) changed over time. We identified 17 microsatellite loci that had high polymorphism and amplification success and low genotyping error rates (0–0.050 per locus). In the degradation experiment, Ct increased over the 5 days, but in the absence of rain, the majority of samples produced accurate genotypes after 5 days (2,211/2,550 genotypes). Based on the high amplification success and low error rates, even after 5 days of exposure to warm, humid conditions, these loci are useful for estimating population parameters in pig fecal samples. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.