bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation and characterization of coaxial mullite/polypyrrole fibrous nanocomposites via self‐assembling and in situ surface‐initiated polymerization
Authors: Yang Chao , Mo Haodao , Zang Limin , Qiu Jianhui , Wang Xue , You Hui
Published: October 2013

After mullite fibers particles (MFPs) were surface modified, conductive polypyrrole (PPy) layer was chemically grafted on the surface of the self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) coated MFPs, via in situ surface‐initiated polymerization, resulting in SAM‐MFPs/PPy composites. The composites possess high electrical conductivity at room temperature, weakly temperature dependence of the conductivity. The nanocomposite electrochemical properties displayed nearly symmetric charge–discharge characteristics and an ideal rectangular cyclic voltammogram. X‐ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the main peaks of SAM‐MFPs/PPy composites are similar to the SAM‐MFPs, which reveal that the crystal structure of SAM‐MFPs is well‐maintained after the coating process under polymerization reaction conditions and exhibit semicrystalline behavior. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the thermal stability of SAM‐MFPs/PPy composites was enhanced and these can be attributed to the retardation effect of amine functionalized MFPs as barriers for the degradation of PPy. The morphology of SAM‐MFPs/PPy composites showed the coaxial fibrous structure. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:892–899, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effects of polymer molecular weight, concentration, and role of polyethylene glycol as additive on polyacrylonitrile homopolymer membranes
Authors: Rekha Panda Swapna , De Sirshendu
Published: October 2013

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN), is an important base polymer to cast porous membranes. In this work, a detailed study of the effects of molecular weight of PAN homopolymer and its concentration on the cast membrane has been undertaken. The effects of molecular weight of additive polyethylene glycol (PEG) and its concentration have also been investigated. The membranes are cast using dimethyl formamide as solvent using phase inversion technique. They are characterized in terms of porosity, water permeability, molecular weight cut off, average pore diameter, contact angle, and tensile strength at breaking point. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy are used to characterize the chemical and morphological changes of the membrane surface. Further studies have been considered to evaluate the antifouling property of various membranes using filtration of bovine serum albumin solution. Membrane modified by PEG 400 membrane shows an improved separation performance and antifouling characteristics. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2375–2391, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
A new 2D model for the electrical potential in a cell stripe in thin‐film solar modules including local defects
Authors: Pieters Bart E. , Rau Uwe
Published: October 2013

The performance of solar modules is strongly influenced by the presence of local defects (shunts) in the module. Modeling cell stripes with local defects requires at least a 2D model. Most works on such 2D models are based on the numerical solution of the involved differential equations. These numerical models are quite computationally intensive and hence tedious for applications that require many evaluations of the model, for example, fitting experiments, computing accurate current/voltage characteristics, and finding a maximum power point. In this work, we present a fast 2D model for a cell stripe based on the superposition of several analytical expressions. This model uses a linearization of the solar cell current/voltage characteristics and takes the sheet resistance of one electrode into account (i.e., the other electrode is assumed to be a perfect conductor). With our model, the potential distribution in a cell stripe in the presence of local shunts can be computed in a matter of seconds. The model has been made freely available. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of high‐performance multicrystalline silicon for photovoltaic industry
Authors: Yang Y. M. , Yu A. , Hsu B. , Hsu W. C. , Yang A. , Lan C. W.
Published: October 2013

The low cost and high quality of multicrystalline silicon (mc‐Si) based on directional solidification has become the main stream in photovoltaic (PV) industry. The mc‐Si quality affects directly the conversion efficiency of solar cells, and thus, it is crucial to the cost of PV electricity. With the breakthrough of crystal growth technology, the so‐called high‐performance mc‐Si has increased about 1% in solar cell efficiency from 16.6% in 2011 to 17.6% in 2012 based on the whole ingot performance. In this paper, we report our development of this high‐performance mc‐Si. The key ideas behind this technology for defect control are discussed. With the high‐performance mc‐Si, we have achieved an average efficiency of near 17.8% and an open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of 633 mV in production. The distribution of cell efficiency was rather narrow, and low‐efficiency cells (<17%) were also very few. The power of the 60‐cell module using the high‐efficiency cells could reach 261 W as well. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Think twice: Misleading food‐induced respiratory symptoms in children with food allergy
Authors: Ahrens B. , Mehl A. , Lau S. , Kroh L. , Magdorf K. , Wahn U. , Beyer K. , Niggemann B.
Published: October 2013

Reported food‐related symptoms of patients may sometimes be misleading. A correct delineation of food‐induced symptoms is often difficult and various differential diagnoses have to be considered. We report on two cases of food‐induced, predominantly respiratory symptoms (in one case life‐threatening) in children with food allergy. First, a two‐year‐old boy with no history of allergies and suspected foreign body aspiration which was finally diagnosed as an anaphylactic reaction to fish, and secondly a six‐year‐old girl with multiple food allergies and allergic asthma who during an electively performed oral food challenge developed severe respiratory distress, drop in blood pressure, and asphyxia not due to an anaphylactic reaction but due to choking on an unnoticed sweet. These two cases represent challenging, life‐threatening symptom constellations involving food‐induced reactions in food allergic children, reminding us to question first impressions. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:E59–E62. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The role of farm operational and rural environments as potential risk factors for pediatric asthma in rural Saskatchewan
Authors: Barry Rebecca J. , Pickett William , Rennie Donna C. , Dosman James A. , Pahwa Punam , Hagel Louise , Karunanayake Chandima , Lawson Joshua A. ,   on Behalf of the Saskatchewan Rural Health Study Team
Published: October 2013

Background

Researchers have historically reported that farm children have a lower prevalence of asthma compared to more urban children. Potential explanations include theories surrounding differences in personal factors, access to health care, engagement in health risk behaviors, and differences in the environment.

Objective

The aims of this study were to: (1) confirm whether the prevalence of asthma varies between farm and small town status among children living in Saskatchewan; (2) identify risk and protective factors for asthma, and use this information to infer which of the above theories is most explanatory for any observed geographic variations in pediatric asthma.

Methods

Rural students (N = 2383, 42% participation rate) from the province of Saskatchewan participated in a 2011 cross‐sectional study. Parents completed a survey that included questions about location of residence, respiratory symptoms, potential risk factors for respiratory disease, and exposures to farm activities. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine relations between respiratory outcomes (asthma, wheeze) with farm type and farm activities, while accounting for factors that may underlie such relations.

Results

Asthma and wheeze prevalence did not differ by residential status. Living on a grain farm (OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.43–0.96), cleaning or playing in pens (OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.46–1.02), filling grain bins (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.32–0.96), and riding horses (OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.40–1.05) were protective factors for ever diagnosis with asthma.

Conclusions

We identified a number of risk and protective factors for asthma and associated wheeze. This suggests the need to focus on specific environmental explanations to better understand previously observed associations between farm residential status and asthma. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:842–851. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pediatricians' attitudes and costs of bronchiolitis in the emergency department: A prospective multicentre study
Authors: Garcia‐Marcos Luis , Valverde‐Molina José , Pavlovic‐Nesic Svetlana , Claret‐Teruel Gemma , Peñalba‐Citores Ana C. , Nehme‐Álvarez Daniel , Korta‐Murua Javier , Sánchez‐Etxaniz Jesus , Alonso‐Salas Maria T. , Campos‐Calleja Carmen , Fernández‐Villar Andrés , Rodríguez‐Suarez Julian ,   the BCOST group
Published: October 2013

Background

How pediatricians manage bronchiolitis and the derived total costs (direct and indirect) in the emergency department (ED) have not been fully characterized. The aim of the present study is to calculate those costs in a European country.

Methods

A prospective and observational study, including 10 EDs of tertiary hospitals throughout Spain and during the bronchiolitis season 2010–2011, was performed. Every ED recruited children on random days of the week (3 days per week; always including one non‐working day per every week). Recruitment aimed at a total sample size of 600 children. Direct (diagnostic procedures, time spent in the ED and medication) and indirect costs (work hours lost by parents, babysitting, travels, and meals) were collected. Comparisons between bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and non‐RSV bronchiolitis, as well as costs across severity categories were performed with the Kruskal–Wallis test. A multiple regression model was built to assess the influence of several of the studied factors on the total costs, including a RSV positive test and episode severity as independent variables; and gender, age, attending nursery school, preterm birth, low birth weight, smoker mother during pregnancy, and current smoker father as covariates.

Results

From the 664 recruited children, direct mean costs were €213.2 ± 91.8 and indirect ones were €35.9 ± 55.3; the total costs being €249.2 ± 122.9. Costs were significantly higher in children positive to RSV and rose with increased severity. Those associations were maintained in the multiple regression analysis.

Conclusions

Although relatively low at the individual level (€249.2, mean total cost) the costs for just the ED expenses of bronchiolitis in Spain would add up to about €20 million per year. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:1011–1019. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Obesity negatively impacts lung function in children and adolescents
Authors: Davidson Warren J. , Mackenzie‐Rife Kelly A. , Witmans Manisha B. , Montgomery Mark D. , Ball Geoff D.C. , Egbogah Shirley , Eves Neil D.
Published: October 2013

Objectives

To investigate the relationship between weight status (body mass index [BMI] percentile and BMI z‐score) and lung volumes in healthy children and adolescents.

Hypotheses

We hypothesized that: (a) there would be a significant inverse relationship between age‐ and sex‐specific BMI distribution and functional residual capacity (FRC), and expiratory reserve volume (ERV), respectively; and (b) obese children would have significantly reduced FRC and ERV compared to their non‐obese peers.

Methods

The medical records of all individuals who successfully performed pulmonary function testing between 2000 and 2007 at two university children's hospitals were reviewed. Participants were excluded if they had cardiopulmonary, neuromuscular, or chest wall disease.

Results

Of 1,469 record reviewed, 327 subjects met study criteria. Percent predicted ERV was lowest in the obese group (P < 0.001) while residual volume (RV) was lowest in the overweight and obese groups (P < 0.001). Underweight participants had a lower percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) (P = 0.027) and vital capacity (VC; P = 0.039). Obese participants had the lowest FEV1/FVC (P < 0.001). A positive linear relationship existed between BMI z‐score and percent predicted FVC, VC, and diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO). A negative linear relationship was found between BMI z‐score and percent predicted FRC, ERV, RV, and absolute FEV1/FVC.

Conclusions

Our results show that increasing weight status in children and adolescents is associated with a general reduction in lung volume measurements, which may reflect impaired lung function, increased respiratory symptoms, and decreased functional status. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:1003–1010. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tracheomalacia is associated with lower FEV1 and Pseudomonas acquisition in children with CF
Authors: Fischer Anthony J. , Singh Sachinkumar B. , Adam Ryan J. , Stoltz David A. , Baranano Christopher F. , Kao Simon , Weinberger Miles M. , McCray Paul B. , Starner Timothy D.
Published: October 2013

Background

Tracheomalacia (TM) occurs in approximately 1 in 2,100 children. Because the trachea develops abnormally in animal models of cystic fibrosis (CF), we hypothesized this may also occur in children with CF, increasing their risk of TM.

Purpose

To examine the prevalence and clinical consequences of TM in children with CF.

Methods

We studied children with CF born between 1995 and 2012. TM was defined as dynamic collapse of the trachea, and the severity was recorded as described in the chart. The effect of TM on patient outcomes, including FEV1, CT changes, and acquisition of CF pathogens, was assessed using a longitudinal patient dataset.

Results

Eighty‐nine percent of children with CF had at least one bronchoscopy (n = 97/109). Fifteen percent of these children had TM described in any bronchoscopy report (n = 15/97). Of the patients with TM, eight had meconium ileus (P = 0.003) and all were pancreatic insufficient. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection occurred 1.3 years earlier among children with TM (P = 0.01). Starting FEV1 values by age 8 were diminished by over 18% of predicted for patients with TM. Life‐threatening episodes of airway obstruction occurred in 3 of 15 patients with CF and TM, including one leading to death. Gender, prematurity, and hepatic disease were not associated with TM. No difference was observed in the frequency of bronchiectasis.

Conclusions

TM is significantly more common in infants and children with CF than in the general population and is associated with airway obstruction and earlier Pseudomonas acquisition. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:960–970. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Disparities in assessments of asthma control between children, parents, and physicians
Authors: Shefer Galit , Donchin Milka , Manor Orly , Levy‐Hevroni Revital , Schechter Abraham , Cohen Rinat , Cohen Herman A. , Kerem Eitan , Engelhard Dan
Published: October 2013

Objective

Assessment of asthma control in children by physicians, patients and their parents was compared, assuming parents may underestimate symptoms in asthmatic children and exploring whether physicians tend to agree with them.

Design

Asthma control perception was assessed in 4‐ to 11‐year‐old asthmatic children and their parents, using C‐ACT, during 2011–2012. Pediatric pulmonologists used GINA guidelines for their assessment; pediatricians, not having spirometry, used the information given in addition to physical examination. The C‐ACT scores given by the children and their parents were further analyzed separately, and compared with their physicians' assessment. Statistical methods, which also measured possible influence of different variables, included kappa, Chi‐square, linear‐by‐linear association, McNemar test and logistic regression.

Patient Selection

The study comprised 354 parents and children aged 4–11 years with moderate‐severe asthma; 129 (36.4%) were treated by 23 pediatricians; 225 (63.6%) by 11 pediatric pulmonologists.

Results

The C‐ACT was generally found valid in assessing asthma control (P < 0.001; κ 0.529; CI 0.441, 0.617) and showed that in 229/354 (53%) of children the asthma was uncontrolled. Nevertheless, of the 229 children who indicated their asthma was uncontrolled, 124 (54.1%) of their parents (κ 0.245; CI 0.15, 0.34) and 96 (41.9%) of their physicians believed it to be controlled (κ 0.331; 0.24, 0.43). Comparing the physician‐child discordance vis‐à‐vis the parents, the significant difference was when 96/229 children (41.9%) and 34/126 parents (27.0%) indicated the asthma was uncontrolled while the physician determined it controlled (OR 1.95; 1.19, 3.24). There were no significant differences between pediatric pulmonologists and pediatricians.

Conclusions

In addition to increasing awareness of parents to symptoms in their asthmatic children, physicians should question the child appropriately, as well as using the children's responses to C‐ACT as an information source for properly assessing asthma control. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:943–951. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Asthma‐predictive‐index, bronchial‐challenge, sputum eosinophils in acutely wheezing preschoolers
Authors: Ater Dorit , Bar Bat‐El , Fireman Nir , Fireman Elizabeth , Shai Hanita , Tasher Diana , Dalal Ilan , Mandelberg Avigdor
Published: October 2013

Background

Most preschoolers with viral wheezing exacerbations are not atopic.

Aim

To test in a prospective controlled trial whether wheezing preschoolers presenting to the ED are different from the above in three different domains defining asthma: the atopic characteristics based on stringent asthma predictive index (S‐API), the characteristics of bronchial hyper‐responsiveness (BHR), and airway inflammation.

Methods

The S‐API was prospectively collected in 41 preschoolers (age 31.9 ± 17.4 months, range; 1–6 years) presenting to the ED with acute wheezing and compared to healthy preschoolers (n = 109) from our community (community control group). Thirty out of the 41 recruited preschoolers performed two sets of bronchial challenge tests (BCT)‐(methacholine and adenosine) within 3 weeks and following 3 months of the acute event and compared to 30 consecutive ambulatory preschoolers, who performed BCT for diagnostic workup in our laboratory (ambulatory control group). On presentation, induced sputum (IS) was obtained from 22 of the 41 children.

Outcomes

Primary: S‐API, secondary: BCTs characteristics and percent eosinophils in IS.

Results

Significantly more wheezing preschoolers were S‐API positive compared with the community control group: 20/41 (48.7%) versus 15/109 (13.7%, P < 0.001). All methacholine‐BCTs—30/30 (100%) were positive compared with 13/14 (92.8%) in the ambulatory control group (P = 0.32). However, 23/27 (85.2%) were adenosine‐BCT positive versus 3/17 (17.5%) in the ambulatory control group (P < 0.001). Diagnostic IS success rate was 18/22 (81.8%). Unexpectedly, 9/18 (50.0%) showed eosinophilia in the IS.

Conclusions

Wheezing preschoolers presenting to the ED is a unique population with significantly higher rate of positive S‐API and adenosine‐BCT compared with controls and frequently (50%) express eosinophilic airway inflammation. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:952–959. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Physiological correlates of pulmonary function in children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Wells Greg D. , Wilkes Donna L. , Schneiderman Jane E. , Thompson Sara , Coates Allan L. , Ratjen Felix
Published: October 2013

Rationale

Although peak aerobic capacity (VO2peak) has been linked to outcome in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), measuring is time consuming, and requires expensive equipment and expertise that is not readily available in all centers. Other fitness parameters such as peak anaerobic power, measures of power and strength may be simpler to deliver in the clinic. The relationship between these measures and established outcomes such as forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and peak aerobic power (VO2peak) in CF remains unclear. Therefore we evaluated (a) aerobic fitness, (b) anaerobic fitness, and (c) upper and lower body muscle strength to determine their relationship to FEV1 and VO2peak in children with CF.

Methods

Eighty‐two patients (7–18 years) with CF (40 female) from the CF clinic at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto performed a maximal incremental cycling test to exhaustion. Anaerobic power (W) for 10 and 30 sec cycling trials as well as vertical jump (VJ) and hand grip strength (HG) were compared to FEV1 and VO2peak.

Results

Absolute VO2peak (R2 = 0.16, P < 0.001), anaerobic power (R2 = 0.21, P < 0.001), and hand grip strength (R2 = 0.10, P = 0.003) were significantly correlated to lung function whereas measures of explosive lower body strength (VJ) were not. Anaerobic power (R2 = 0.16, P = 0.001) and hand grip strength (R2 = 0.08, P = 0.01) were related to VO2peak. Vertical jump was correlated with VO2peak (R2 = 0.29, P < 0.001) but not FEV1.

Conclusions

Simple fitness tests such as hand grip strength and anaerobic cycle tests may be useful indicators of lung health and fitness. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:878–884. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tracheobronchomalacia in infants: The use of non‐breath held 3D CT bronchoscopy
Authors: Lee Sungwon , Im Soo Ah , Yoon Jong‐seo
Published: October 2013

Objective

To evaluate the use of a non‐breath held 3D‐CT‐bronchoscopy in detecting tracheobronchomalacia in infants.

Methods

The study was based on 17 infants who received both bronchoscopy and 3D‐CT‐bronchoscopy within 1 week at our institution. 3D‐CT‐bronchoscopy consisted of an axial‐enhanced‐chest‐scan and a 3D‐volume‐external rendering (VR) image of the airways and was scanned with a consciously sedated non‐breath held protocol, using a 64‐channel‐multidetecter‐CT scanner. VR images were classified by two radiologists as normal, luminal narrowing or complete obliteration. All patients were confirmed with bronchoscopy and the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV) was calculated.

Results

Ten (M:F¼7:3, mean 1 month) out of 17 infants were confirmed of tracheobronchomalacia. The sensitivity was <75% in detecting laryngomalacia, tracheomalacia and bronchomalacia. However, the specificity and NPV were higher than 75% for laryngomalacia, tracheomalacia and bronchomalacia and the PPV was 100% in laryngomalacia and tracheomalacia. False‐positive cases included secretion plugging, extrinsic compression and foreign body, which were distinguishable in axial scans. The effective radiation dose was 0.73_0.49mSv.

Conclusion

A volume rendering image of the airways can be used to evaluate tracheobronchomalacia and stenosis in infants. Although, non‐breath held MDCT is not recommended for screening airway lesions, narrowing of the larynx, and trachea and patency of the bronchus are reliable findings. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:1028–1035. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of dietary induced weight loss on exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction in overweight and obese children
Authors: van Leeuwen Janneke C. , Hoogstrate Mira , Duiverman Eric J. , Thio Boony J.
Published: October 2013

Rationale

Previous studies showed that obesity in asthmatic children is associated with more severe exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), compared with non‐obese asthmatic children. This study investigates the effect of weight loss on EIB in overweight and obese asthmatic children.

Methods

In this intervention study, children aged 8–18 years with EIB and moderate to severe overweight, followed a diet based on healthy daily intake for 6 weeks. Before and after the diet period they underwent an exercise challenge test in cold air. Primary outcome was change in exercise‐induced fall in FEV1 and relation between weight loss and EIB. Secondary outcomes were changes in recovery of FEV1 (“area under the curve”; AUC), fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and scores of the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) and Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ).

Results

Twenty children completed the study. After the diet period, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were significantly reduced (changes respectively −2.6% and −1.5 kg/m2, P < 0.01). There was a significant improvement of the percentage exercise‐induced fall in FEV1 (30.6% vs. 21.8%, P < 0.01), AUC and PAQLQ score. The reduction in BMI z‐score was significantly related to the reduction in the percentage exercise‐induced fall in FEV1 in children that lost weight (r = 0.53, P = 0.03). There were no changes in FeNO and ACQ.

Conclusions

Dietary induced weight loss in overweight and obese asthmatic children leads to significant reduction in severity of EIB and improvement of the quality of life. The reduction in BMI z‐score is significantly related to the improvement of EIB. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:1155–1161. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Uncertain diagnosis after newborn screening for cystic fibrosis: An ethics‐based approach to a clinical dilemma
Authors: Massie John , Gillam Lynn
Published: October 2013

There is uncertainty about the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis after newborn screening (NBS) for some babies, either because of an intermediate sweat chloride test or inconclusive gene mutation analysis. There is considerable difficulty knowing how best to manage these babies, some of whom will develop cystic fibrosis, but many not. This article offers an ethics‐based approach to this clinical dilemma that should be helpful to clinicians managing the baby with an uncertain diagnosis of cystic fibrosis after NBS. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:1–7. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the bronchus presented with hydropneumothorax in a child
Authors: Kose Mehmet , Bilgin Mehmet , Kontas Olgun , Ozturk Sedat , Doganay Selim , Ozdemir Mehmet Akif
Published: October 2013

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a rare pulmonary neoplasm seen in the pediatric population. We report a low grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma in a 12‐year‐old boy who presented with spontaneous pneumothorax. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:E86–E89. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Kallikrein Panel for prostate cancer screening: Its economic impact
Authors: Voigt Jeffrey D. , Zappala Stephen M. , Vaughan E. Darracott , Wein Alan J.
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

Current diagnostic testing for prostate cancer results in numerous unnecessary biopsy procedures and creates a substantial financial burden. A statistical prediction model for prostate cancer has been developed, based on four Kallikrein markers in blood. This systematic review and meta‐analysis examines the aggregated results from published studies of the Kallikrein Panel.

METHODS

Literature searches to identify relevant studies were conducted. A meta‐analysis of the results was performed using inverse variance, mean difference with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). The results of the meta‐analysis were used to assess the Kallikrein Panel's effect on healthcare costs.

RESULTS

The Kallikrein Panel has been evaluated in more than 8,500 patients (2,780 with prostate cancer and 598 with high grade prostate cancer). Meta‐analysis demonstrates a statistically significant improvement of 8–10% in predictive accuracy. In addition, 48% to 56% of current prostate biopsies could be avoided. Use of the Kallikrein Panel could result in annual US savings approaching $1 billion.

CONCLUSIONS

The Kallikrein Panel has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs. The panel provides significantly improved specificity. Because the Kallikrein Panel has been studied in a range of clinical settings, it is a test that could be readily and widely used in practice. Prostate 74:250–259, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Proteomic signatures of angiogenesis in androgen‐independent prostate cancer
Authors: Karagiannis George S. , Saraon Punit , Jarvi Keith A. , Diamandis Eleftherios P.
Published: October 2013

INTRODUCTION

The observation that angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation, in healthy prostate and early prostate cancer is androgen‐dependent gave rise to significant questions on how hypervascularization and increased angiogenesis is also achieved at the molecular level in advanced androgen‐independent prostate cancer. The exact paracrine molecular network that is hardwired into the proteome of the endothelial and cancer subpopulations participating in this process remains partially understood.

METHODS

Here, we interrogated the signaling pathways and the molecular functional signatures across the proteome of endothelial cells after interacting with various secretomes produced by androgen‐dependent and ‐independent prostate cancer cells.

RESULTS

We found the significant overexpression (P < 0.05) of prominent markers of angiogenesis, such as vonWillebrand factor (vWF) (∼2.5‐fold) and CD31 (∼2‐fold) in HUVECs stimulated with conditioned media from the androgen‐independent prostate cancer cell line PC3. By mining the proteome of PC3 conditioned media, we discovered a signature of chemokine CXC motif ligands (i.e., CXCL3, CXCL5, CXCL6 and CXCL8) that could potentially coordinate increased angiogenesis in androgen‐independent prostate cancer and verified their increased expression (P < 0.05) in both in vitro and xenograft models of androgen‐independence.

DISCUSSION

Our findings form the basis for understanding the regulation of crucial metastatic phenomena during the transition of androgen‐dependent prostate cancer into the highly aggressive, androgen‐independent state and provide further insight on potential therapeutic targets of cancer‐related angiogenesis. Prostate 74:260–272, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ten years of resident Canada goose damage management in a New Jersey tidal freshwater wetland
Authors: Nichols Theodore C.
Published: October 2013

Intensive grazing by Atlantic Flyway Resident Population Canada geese (Branta canadensis) has been shown to dramatically reduce wild rice (Zizania aquatica) abundance in tidal freshwater marshes in the Mid‐Atlantic Region of the United States. From 2001 to 2010, I implemented an integrated damage management program (IDMP) during spring to abate Canada goose herbivory to wild rice in tidal freshwater marshes of the Maurice River, New Jersey, USA. The IDMP consisted of shooting, rendering goose nests unhatchable, and euthanizing molting geese. With implementation of an IDMP, the number of nests on the study area declined 70% over 10 years and the number of geese declined over time. Consequently, the amount of IDMP effort needed to sustain rice was reduced. Because the study area was a key nesting site for ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), which are state‐threatened species, there was concern that disturbance from IDMP activities could have a negative impact on osprey nesting or recruitment. The mean annual number of nesting ospreys doubled and the mean number of young fledged/nest was similar between years prior to and during implementation of the IDMP, suggesting that the IDMP did not have a negative impact on ospreys. Wetland managers should consider damage from excessive herbivory caused by non‐native, breeding waterfowl, such as resident Canada geese or mute swans (Cygnus olor), in their suite of wetland mitigation strategies. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Techniques for capturing bighorn sheep lambs
Authors: Smith Joshua B. , Walsh Daniel P. , Goldstein Elise J. , Parsons Zachary D. , Karsch Rebekah C. , Stiver Julie R. , Iii James W. Cain , Raedeke Kenneth J. , Jenks Jonathan A.
Published: October 2013

Low lamb recruitment is a major challenge facing managers attempting to mitigate the decline of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), and investigations into the underlying mechanisms are limited because of the inability to readily capture and monitor bighorn sheep lambs. We evaluated 4 capture techniques for bighorn sheep lambs: 1) hand‐capture of lambs from radiocollared adult females fitted with vaginal implant transmitters (VITs), 2) hand‐capture of lambs of intensively monitored radiocollared adult females, 3) helicopter net‐gunning, and 4) hand‐capture of lambs from helicopters. During 2010–2012, we successfully captured 90% of lambs from females that retained VITs to ≤1 day of parturition, although we noted differences in capture rates between an area of high road density in the Black Hills (92–100%) of South Dakota, USA, and less accessible areas of New Mexico (71%), USA. Retention of VITs was 78% with pre‐partum expulsion the main cause of failure. We were less likely to capture lambs from females that expelled VITs ≥1 day of parturition (range = 80–83%) or females that were collared without VITs (range = 60–78%). We used helicopter net‐gunning at several sites in 1999, 2001–2002, and 2011, and it proved a useful technique; however, at one site, attempts to capture lambs led to lamb predation by golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos). We attempted helicopter hand‐captures at one site in 1999, and they also were successful in certain circumstances and avoided risk of physical trauma from net‐gunning; however, application was limited. In areas of low accessibility or if personnel lack the ability to monitor females and/or VITs for extended periods, helicopter capture may provide a viable option for lamb capture. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Surveying populations of breeding grebes in prairie parkland Canada: Estimation problems and conservation applications
Authors: Routhier Daniel D. , Dufour Kevin W. , Bidwell Mark T. , Clark Robert G.
Published: October 2013

Annual ground surveys of mid‐continent waterfowl may provide a monitoring framework for other wetland‐associated species. We used a repeated‐counts method to estimate detection probabilities of adult horned (Podiceps auritus) and pied‐billed (Podylimbus podiceps) grebes on the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey (WBPHS) ground component conducted annually each May in the prairie and parkland ecoregions of Canada. Detection probabilities ( ± SE) were higher, more precise, and more consistent through time for horned grebes (0.52 ± 0.06 and 0.44 ± 0.05 in 2010 and 2011, respectively) than for pied‐billed grebes (0.25 ± 0.08 and 0.11 ± 0.05 in 2010 and 2011, respectively). Our results suggest that the ground component of the WBPHS could be used to monitor horned grebes in these ecoregions. Although an active call‐broadcast component would be valuable for obtaining unbiased abundance estimates for horned grebes, such a component would be critical for monitoring pied‐billed grebes. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
The evolution of flow devices used to reduce flooding by beavers: A review
Authors: Taylor Jimmy D. , Singleton Russell D.
Published: October 2013

Dams created by American beavers (Castor canadensis) are associated with positive and negative values, and beaver management decisions are based on stakeholder perception and levels of tolerance. Lethal trapping is a widely used and accepted tool to reduce beaver damage caused by flooding; however, acceptable and efficacious non‐lethal tools are increasingly desired by the public. We traced the origin of non‐lethal tools used to reduce beaver flooding as far back as the early 20th century, when beavers received protective status and were reintroduced to many areas across North America. These tools focus on 2 general factors—exclusion and deception—and can be categorized as fence systems and pipe systems. We found few technological advances in tools to reduce beaver flooding until the 1980–1990s, when fence systems and pipe systems were integrated to create “flow devices.” There are few studies that evaluate fence systems, pipe systems, and flow devices; however, we address their findings in chronological order. We recommend that natural resource managers avoid using fence systems or pipe systems alone, unless they can be used in areas where maintenance requirements and expected damage are extremely low. Flow devices are not intended to replace lethal control; however, we recommend use of flow devices as part of integrated management plans where beaver flooding conflicts are expected and where local conditions allow flow‐device installation and maintenance. Future research should evaluate flow devices under a range of environmental conditions and include considerations for fish passage. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA
Holonomy spin foam models: asymptotic geometry of the partition function
Authors: Hellmann Frank , Kaminski Wojciech
Published: October 2013

Abstract

We study the asymptotic geometry of the spin foam partition function for a large class of models, including the models of Barrett and Crane, Engle, Pereira, Rovelli and Livine, and, Freidel and Krasnov.

The asymptotics is taken with respect to the boundary spins only, no assumption of large spins is made in the interior. We give a sufficient criterion for the existence of the partition function. We find that geometric boundary data is suppressed unless its interior continuation satisfies certain accidental curvature constraints. This means in particular that most Regge manifolds are suppressed in the asymptotic regime. We discuss this explicitly for the case of the configurations arising in the 3-3 Pachner move.

We identify the origin of these accidental curvature constraints as an incorrect twisting of the face amplitude upon introduction of the Immirzi parameter and propose a way to resolve this problem, albeit at the price of losing the connection to the SU(2) boundary Hilbert space.

The key methodological innovation that enables these results is the introduction of the notion of wave front sets, and the adaptation of tools for their study from micro local analysis to the case of spin foam partition functions.
Truncation of a mannanase from Trichoderma harzianum improves its enzymatic properties and expression efficiency in Trichoderma reesei
Authors: Wang Juan , Zeng Desheng , Liu Gang , Wang Shaowen , Yu Shaowen
Published: October 2013

To obtain high expression efficiency of a mannanase gene, ThMan5A, cloned from Trichoderma harzianum MGQ2, both the full-length gene and a truncated gene (ThMan5A△CBM) that contains only the catalytic domain, were expressed in Trichoderma reesei QM9414 using the strong constitutive promoter of the gene encoding pyruvate decarboxylase (pdc), and purified to homogeneity, respectively. We found that truncation of the gene improved its expression efficiency as well as the enzymatic properties of the encoded protein. The recombinant strain expressing ThMan5A△CBM produced 2,460 ± 45.1 U/ml of mannanase activity in the culture supernatant; 2.3-fold higher than when expressing the full-length ThMan5A gene. In addition, the truncated mannanase had superior thermostability compared with the full-length enzyme and retained 100 % of its activity after incubation at 60 °C for 48 h. Our results clearly show that the truncated ThMan5A enzyme exhibited improved characteristics both in expression efficiency and in its thermal stability. These characteristics suggest that ThMan5A△CBM has potential applications in the food, feed, paper, and pulp industries.
Trends to Attain a Lower Interfacial Tension in a Revisited Pure Alkyl Polyethyleneglycol Surfactant–Alkane–Water Ternary System. Basic Concepts and Straightforward Guidelines for Improving Performance in Enhanced Oil Recovery Formulations
Authors: Salager Jean‐Louis , Manchego Lisbeth , Márquez Laura , Bullón Johnny , Forgiarini Ana
Published: October 2013

Surfactant–oil–water systems exhibit a low interfacial tension minimum when the interactions between the adsorbed surfactant with water exactly coincide with its interactions with oil. This occurrence takes place at the so‐called optimum formulation, which was conceptually derived by Winsor in the 1950s and rendered by numerical correlations for enhanced oil recovery in the 1970s. The actual low value of the interfacial tension minimum has been found to increase or decrease with formulation variables and though some hints are available, no general relationship has been reported up to now, probably because too many variables are involved in complex interactions. It is shown in the present article that a linear relationship between low‐tension performance and formulation variables can be found for very simple ternary systems containing a pure ethoxylated alcohol,n‐alkane and water at variable temperature, i.e., when there are only four degrees of freedom. In such a case the iso‐performance contours studied in bi‐dimensional spaces are reported to be almost straight lines and as a consequence the path to lower the tension through formulation adjustments is easy to find as being perpendicular as possible to the contours. On the other hand, it is shown that displacing the limit of restrictions like the surfactant precipitation boundary is a priority issue, thus justifying many trends which have been proposed on empirical grounds in the past years. The reported simple guidelines for a simple surfactant–oil–water ternary is likely to considerably facilitate the formulator's work in a real system with a score of formulation variables.
Comparison of Estimation Capabilities of the Artificial Neural Network with the Wavelet Neural Network in Lipase‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Triethanolamine‐Based Esterquats Cationic Surfactant
Authors: Fard Masoumi Hamid Reza , Basri Mahiran , Kassim Anuar , Kuang Abdullah Dzulkefly , Abdollahi Yadollah , Abd Gani Siti Salwa
Published: October 2013

In this study, estimation capabilities of the artificial neural network (ANN) and the wavelet neural network (WNN) based on genetic algorithm were investigated in a synthesis process. An enzymatic reaction catalyzed by Novozym 435 was selected as the model synthesis process. The conversion of enzymatic reaction was investigated as a response of five independent variables; enzyme amount, reaction time, reaction temperature, substrates molar ratio and agitation speed in conjunction with an experimental design. After training of the artificial neurons in ANN and WNN, using the data of 30 experimental points, the products were used for estimation of the response of the 18 experimental points. Estimated responses were compared with the experimentally determined responses and prediction capabilities of ANN and WNN were determined. Performance assessment indicated that the WNN model possessed superior predictive ability than the ANN model, since a very close agreement between the experimental and the predicted values was obtained.
LXR Driven Induction of HDL‐Cholesterol is Independent of Intestinal Cholesterol Absorption and ABCA1 Protein Expression
Authors: Kannisto Kristina , Gåfvels Mats , Jiang Zhao‐Yan , Slätis Katharina , Hu Xiaoli , Jorns Carl , Steffensen Knut R. , Eggertsen Gösta
Published: October 2013

We investigated whether: (1) liver X receptor (LXR)‐driven induction of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) and other LXR‐mediated effects on cholesterol metabolism depend on intestinal cholesterol absorption; and (2) combined treatment with the LXR agonist GW3965 and the cholesterol absorption inhibitor ezetimibe results in synergistic effects on cholesterol metabolism that could be beneficial for treatment of atherosclerosis. Mice were fed 0.2 % cholesterol and treated with GW3965+ezetimibe, GW3965 or ezetimibe. GW3965+ezetimibe treatment elevated serum HDL‐C and Apolipoprotein (Apo) AI, effectively reduced the intestinal cholesterol absorption and increased the excretion of faecal neutral sterols. No changes in intestinal ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) A1 or ABCG5 protein expression were observed, despite increased mRNA expression, while hepatic ABCA1 was slightly reduced. The combined treatment caused a pronounced down‐regulation of intestinal Niemann–Pick C1‐like 1 (NPC1L1) and reduced hepatic and intestinal cholesterol levels. GW3965 did not affect the intestinal cholesterol absorption, but increased serum HDL‐C and ApoAI levels. GW3965 also increased Apoa1 mRNA levels in primary mouse hepatocytes and HEPA1‐6 cells. Ezetimibe reduced the intestinal cholesterol absorption, ABCA1 and ABCG5, but did not affect the serum HDL‐C or ApoAI levels. Thus, the LXR‐driven induction of HDL‐C and ApoAI was independent of the intestinal cholesterol absorption and increased expression of intestinal or hepatic ABCA1 was not required. Inhibited influx of cholesterol via NPC1L1 and/or low levels of intracellular cholesterol prevented post‐transcriptional expression of intestinal ABCA1 and ABCG5, despite increased mRNA levels. Combined LXR activation and blocked intestinal cholesterol absorption induced effective faecal elimination of cholesterol.
Financial disclosure management in the nonprofit sector: A framework for past and future research
Authors: Hofmann Mary Ann , McSwain Dwayne
Published: October 2013

This paper provides a review and synthesis of past research regarding financial disclosure management by nongovernmental nonprofit organizations and suggests directions for future study. The primary purpose of this review is to summarize the evidence on financial disclosure management to help regulators and other stakeholders understand why, how, and to what extent nonprofits engage in this behavior. The paper begins by defining disclosure management in nonprofit organizations and exploring the motivations for why it might occur. Next is a survey of the nongovernmental nonprofit financial reporting environment: objectives, common practices, and the informational needs of users of nonprofit financial reports. Research exploring the motives, methods, and consequences of disclosure management is summarized. The evidence suggests that nongovernmental nonprofit managers have a variety of incentives to manage reported numbers and that they do in fact alter spending decisions, choose accounting methods, and design cost allocations to achieve certain performance benchmarks. Furthermore, this review sheds light on the consequences of disclosure management and what can or should be done to limit it.
Russian Modernization: Between the Need for New Players and the Fear of Losing Control of Rent Sources
Authors: Yakovlev Andrei
Published: October 2013

This paper considers current contradictions in state–business relations in Russia. On one hand, the Russian political elite needs economic growth to keep social stability in the country and to limit mass protesting in big cities. Economic growth is impossible without investment, which explains Russian leaders’ increased interest in improving Russia's business climate. On the other hand, influential interest groups (represented first of all by security and law enforcement agencies) try to expand their control on rent sources in the economy. These groups of interests could strengthen their positions due to fear of political protests. This strong conflict among different groups in the Russian elite creates additional uncertainty for investors and the business community, and can lead to economic recession independent of the level of oil prices and dynamics of global markets. Reversing these negative trends in economic development will be possible only with collective actions of different economic and political actors (including technocrats in federal and regional governments, representatives of large and successful middle-sized business and top-managers of public sector organizations) in the search for pragmatic solutions to the challenges faced by Russian economy and society.