bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fetal cardiac function: Feasibility in obtaining the right modified myocardial performance index in a single Doppler waveform
Authors: Meriki Neama , Welsh Alec W 
Published: February 2017

AbstractObjectiveWe aimed to assess the feasibility of assessing the fetal right Myocardial Performance Index (RMPI) using single waveform and to compare absolute values with dual technique.MethodsWe studied 145 morphologically normal appropriately grown fetuses at 16–28 weeks’ gestation with local Ethics Committee approval using fixed machine settings: Doppler sweep velocity at 15 cm/s; angle of insonation <150; wall motion filter 300 Hz. Doppler gate was 3 mm, increased to 4–5 mm if needed. RMPI was obtained twice in the same fetus; using ‘dual‐image’ and ‘single‐image’ techniques. Dual images were acquired as previously described. Single images were taken from the tip or just below the tricuspid valve towards the ventricular septum in the apical four‐chamber view. RMPI was calculated using two‐value (a–b/b) or three‐value (ICT+IRT/ET) formulae where ‘a’, ‘b’ or (ET) represent the isovolumetric and ejection times, and ICT and IRT represent the isovolumetric contraction and relaxation times.ResultsDual image was accessible in 100% of fetuses. Single‐image acquisition was 100%, 92.3% and 76.5% at 16+0–24+0, 24+1–27+0, and 27+1–28+0 weeks respectively (95.2% overall). Doppler gate increased in 23 cases (16.6%); 8/17 (47%) at 27+1–28+0 weeks’ gestation. Mean and standard deviation for ‘dual image’ and ‘single image’ were: RMPI 0.46 ± 0.09 and 0.49 ± 0.07; ‘a’ 249.06 ± 11.50 and 249.11 ± 11.93; ‘b’ 170.85 ± 8.95 and 167.62 ± 8.39.ConclusionsSingle‐image acquisition RMPI is highly feasible from 16 to 26 weeks gestation. Difference in mean values may represent overestimation of ejection time in the ‘dual‐image’ technique.
Urban Heat Islands – Reduktion von innerstädtischen Wärmeinseln durch Whitetopping
Authors: Krispel Stefan , Peyerl Martin , Maier Gerald , Weihs Philipp 
Published: February 2017

AbstractDie Anforderungen an Verkehrsflächen im urbanen Bereich sind vielfältig und steigen kontinuierlich. Von Bedeutung für die Bewohner ist die Reduktion von urbanen Wärmeinseln bzw. „Heat Islands”, welche aufgrund ihrer erhöhten Temperatur das Stadtklima negativ beeinflussen. Auf Basis der Untersuchung wurde festgestellt, dass die Oberflächentemperatur und das allgemeine Temperaturniveau im innerstädtischen Bereich (dargestellt am Beispiel Wien) durch Ausführung heller Verkehrsflächen deutlich reduziert und auch die Sichtbarkeit von Verkehrsteilnehmern bei gleicher Ausleuchtung in der Nacht wesentlich verbessert werden kann. Als effiziente Sanierungsmethode eignet sich hier das System Whitetopping besonders gut, da mit dieser Methode sowohl die Tragfähigkeit als auch die Helligkeitseigenschaften von urbanen Verkehrsflächen einfach und kostengünstig verbessert werden können. Das Ersetzen von Asphaltstraßen durch Straßen mit einem Betonbelag mit einer Albedo gleich 0,5 würde zu einer Abnahme der täglichen Lufttemperatur im Sommer um ca. 1 °C führen. Auch die Modellsimulationen der Lufttemperatur über eine 150 m × 150 m große homogene Fläche zeigen eine Abnahme der Temperatur um 1 °C über Flächen in Whitetopping‐Ausführung verglichen zu Asphalt. Da Straßen einen Anteil von ca. 10 % der Gesamtfläche einer Stadt in Anspruch nehmen, können hier effiziente und langfristige Maßnahmen zur Verbesserung des Mikroklimas sowie der Erhöhung der Verkehrssicherheit gesetzt werden.
miR‐92a enhances recombinant protein productivity in CHO cells by increasing intracellular cholesterol levels
Authors: Loh Wan Ping , Yang Yuansheng , Lam Kong Peng 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as promising targets for engineering of CHO cell factories to enhance recombinant protein productivity. Manipulation of miRNA levels in CHO cells have been shown to improve product yield by increasing proliferation and specific productivity (qP), resisting apoptosis and enhancing oxidative metabolism. The authors previously demonstrated that over‐expressing miR‐92a results in increases in qP and titer of CHO‐IgG cells. However, the mechanisms by which miR‐92a enhances qP in CHO cells are still uninvestigated. Here, the authors report the identification of insig1, a regulator of cholesterol biosynthesis, as a target of miR‐92a using computational prediction. Both transient and stable over‐expression of miR‐92a decreased the expression levels of insig1. Insig1 was further validated as a target of miR‐92a using 3' UTR reporter assay. Intracellular cholesterol concentration of two high‐producing miR‐92a clones were significantly increased by ≈30% compared to the blank‐transfected pool. Relative Golgi surface area was also found to be 18–26% higher in these clones. Our findings suggest that miR‐92a may affect cholesterol metabolism by repressing insig1, resulting in raised intracellular cholesterol levels and Golgi volume and hence enhanced protein secretion.
Using molecular visualization to explore protein structure and function and enhance student facility with computational tools
Authors: Terrell Cassidy R. , Listenberger Laura L. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractRecognizing that undergraduate students can benefit from analysis of 3D protein structure and function, we have developed a multiweek, inquiry‐based molecular visualization project for Biochemistry I students. This project uses a virtual model of cyclooxygenase‐1 (COX‐1) to guide students through multiple levels of protein structure analysis. The first assignment explores primary structure by generating and examining a protein sequence alignment. Subsequent assignments introduce 3D visualization software to explore secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure. Students design an inhibitor, based on scrutiny of the enzyme active site, and evaluate the fit of the molecule using computed binding energies. In the last assignment, students introduce a point mutation to model the active site of the related COX‐2 enzyme and analyze the impact of the mutation on inhibitor binding. With this project we aim to increase knowledge about, and confidence in using, online databases and computational tools. Here, we share results of our mixed methods pre‐ and postsurvey demonstrating student gains in knowledge about, and confidence using, online databases and computational tools. © 2017 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 45(4):318–328, 2017.
Bilateral internuclear and internal ophthalmoplegia due to artery of Percheron infarction
Authors: Puri Pushpa Raj , Sijapati Astha 
Published: February 2017

Key Clinical MessageThe artery of Percheron (AOP) infarction always manifests as paramedian bilateral thalamic infarcts and might present as paramedian midbrain infarcts. Despite the limited MRA evaluation, due to small size of the artery, careful evaluation of the patient's history, the clinical presentation with imaging findings can facilitate the proper diagnosis.
Electrochemically Induced Formation of Cytochrome c Oligomers at Soft Interfaces
Authors: Alvarez de Eulate Eva , O'Sullivan Shane , Arrigan Damien W. M. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe formation of cytochrome c oligomers was induced at liquid−gel and liquid−liquid interfaces via electroadsorption. At an optimum interfacial potential (Eads=0.975 V), the protein was accumulated at these soft interfaces. It was found that as the concentration of adsorbed protein increased, a single voltammetric peak evolved into double and triple peaks (tads=300 s). Analysis of the protein that accumulated at the interfaces by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated the presence of oligomeric species, corresponding to dimers (ca. 27 kD), trimers (ca. 35 kD), and even larger species (>250 kD) after prolonged electroadsorption (tads=2 h) at macro‐scale soft interfaces. Accordingly, it was possible to electrochemically induce oligomerisation at these soft interfaces, which can be tuned through experimental factors such as interfacial potential difference, electroadsorption time, and bulk solution concentration. These results suggest the use of electrochemistry at soft interfaces as a strategy for the investigation of protein oligomerisation and its inhibition.
Probing the Perspectives of Stakeholder Engagement and Resistance Against Large‐Scale Surface Mining in Developing Countries
Authors: Moomen Abdul–Wadood , Dewan Ashraf 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis paper probes the perspectives of resistance against large‐scale surface mining in developing countries. It draws extensively on scientific literature, governance sector policies and interventions, and mining industry reports. The paper finds that in resource‐rich developing countries, land use is the dominant issue between the mining industry and local communities. Communities that do not have previous experience with mining usually base their resistance on perception, uncertainties, and outside informants. It also found that the basic causes of local resistance are limited to narratives and impression management. Whilst a recognition of mechanisms developed by governments, the industry, and the scientific community toward addressing local communities' concerns is crucial, these approaches are rather inhibitory to mediations between the mining sector and host communities. There is the need to develop new mechanisms that would enhance mediation for optimum mining sector development in local space. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Data fusion of fluorescence and UV spectroscopies improves the detection of cocoa butter adulteration
Authors: Dankowska Anna 
Published: February 2017

The fraudulent addition of cheaper plant oils to cocoa butter is a real issue for the chocolate industry. The potential of fluorescence and UV and data fusion of these spectroscopies for the detection of cocoa butter adulteration with cocoa butter equivalents (CBEs) is investigated here. Principal component regression (PCR) models have been used to calculate the level of adulteration. A classification model has been built with the help of the principal component analysis (PCA) and the linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The LDA analysis has been applied to fluorescence intensities and UV spectra of cocoa butter, cocoa butter equivalents, and their mixtures in order to examine classification ability. The best prediction ability of adulteration was obtained for PCR data fusion models with the lowest errors of calibration (RMSEC) and validation (RMSEV) of 3.7 and 4.7%. The best performance of the PCA‐LDA analysis has been observed for data fusion of fluorescence and UV intensities measurements at wavelength intervals of 10 and 30 nm. The LDA shows that data fusion can achieve 95.2% correct classifications (sensitivity) in the validation data set, while the corresponding results for individual spectroscopies range from 66.7–90.5%. The results demonstrate that fluorescence and UV spectroscopies complement each other, giving a synergistic effect for the detection of cocoa butter adulteration with cocoa butter equivalents.Practical applications: The aim of this research is to develop a quick and cheap method of discriminating between cocoa butter and cocoa butter equivalents. The obtained results are satisfactory for classification of genuine cocoa butter and cocoa butter equivalents and for detection of cocoa butter adulterations with cheaper cocoa butter equivalents. The method is an important technical support of public health against profit‐driven practices.Application of fluorescence and UV spectroscopies to the detection of cocoa butter adulteration with cocoa butter equivalent and the synergy between both spectroscopies are investigated. The best prediction ability of MLR models i obtained for the data fusion model with the errors of calibration and validation of 3.7 and 4.7%. Compared to individual spectroscopies, data fusion shows better discrimination ability of PCA‐LDA model with the highest classification accuracy equal 100.0 and 95.2% in the calibration and validation data sets. The results show that fluorescence and UV spectroscopies give a synergistic effect for the detection of cocoa butter adulteration.
Attentional performance may help to identify duloxetine responders in chronic pain fibromyalgia patients
Authors: Schmidt G. , Alvarenga R. , Manhães A. , Schmidt S. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundLong‐term pain affects brain in response to attention tasks. This study aimed to verify the relationship between performance in a computerized visual attention test (CVAT) and response to duloxetine in fibromyalgia patients. Duloxetine is approved for the treatment but the response is not immediate.MethodsPatients were drawn from a sample of 74 patients with chronic pain. These patients were selected because they kept their subjective perceptions of pain as severe after 1 week of duloxetine treatment. All patients were tested in the CVAT on two occasions: the first appointment and 7 days after starting duloxetine.ResultsAfter 6 weeks, the group was subdivided into responsive and non‐responsive patients. Responsiveness was defined by a subjective improvement from severe to low‐intensity or no‐pain after the sixth week of duloxetine treatment. Responsive patients showed objective attentional improvements in the second test. Non‐respondent patients did not exhibit changes in attentional performance in the second test as compared to the first one.ConclusionsThe data were interpreted considering that persistent pain in fibromyalgia is maintained by central sensitization that may be associated with functional changes in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the posterior parietal cortex. In responsive patients, duloxetine treatment may be responsible for a partial recovery of these regions. This may explain the early attentional improvement observed in the responsive patients after 1 week of treatment. Thus, attentional performance may help to predict which patients will respond to duloxetine treatment even before they can demonstrate subjective improvements in pain perception.SignificanceThis study shows that an improvement in an attentional test is a reliable predictor of the treatment response even without any improvement in the perception of pain.
Potential induced degradation of n‐type crystalline silicon solar cells with p+ front junction
Authors: Bae Soohyun , Oh Wonwook , Lee Kyung Dong , Kim Seongtak , Kim Hyunho , Park Nochang , Chan Sung‐Il , Park Sungeun , Kang Yoonmook , Lee Hae‐Seok , Kim Donghwan 
Published: February 2017

AbstractN‐type silicon‐based solar cells are currently being used for achieving high efficiency. However, most of the photovoltaic modules already constructed are based on p‐type silicon solar cells, and there are few studies on potential induced degradation (PID) in n‐type solar cells. In this study, we investigated PID in n‐type silicon solar cells with a front p+ emitter. Further, the PID characteristics of n‐type solar cells are compared with those of p‐type solar cells. The electrical properties of PID in solar cells are observed with the light I‐V, quantum efficiency (QE), and electroluminescence (EL). The possible causes for the change in the external quantum efficiency (EQE) after PID are interpreted using PC1D and are discussed by comparing the experimental results with the simulation results.
Comprehensive study of performance degradation of field‐mounted photovoltaic modules in India
Authors: Dubey Rajiv , Chattopadhyay Shashwata , Kuthanazhi Vivek , Kottantharayil Anil , Singh Solanki Chetan , Arora Brij M. , Narasimhan Krishnamachari L. , Vasi Juzer , Bora Birinchi , Singh Yogesh Kumar , Sastry Oruganti S. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe All India Survey of Photovoltaic Module Reliability 2014 is an enhanced version of the survey conducted in the previous year, with detailed characterization of PV modules including current‐voltage, infrared and electroluminescence imaging, visual inspection, insulation resistance test and interconnect breakage test. More than a thousand modules were inspected in the field and the main results of the survey are presented in this paper. The average Pmax degradation rate for the so‐called ‘good’ modules (Group X) is 1.33%/year which is higher than that commonly projected by manufacturers, and widely employed in financial calculations. Modules falling in the ‘not‐so‐good’ category (Group Y) show even higher degradation rates, and it is at least partly due to higher number of micro‐cracks in the modules, and increased degradation of the packaging materials like encapsulant, backsheet, etc. Modules in ‘Hot’ climates degrade faster than modules in the ‘Non‐Hot’ climates. Degradation in fill factor is the primary cause for performance degradation in the young modules (ages <5 years), whereas short‐circuit current degradation is the main contributor to power degradation in the older modules. Small installations (<100 kWp capacity) show higher degradation than large systems, which may be partly due to lack of proper due diligence by the owner at the time of procurement and installation.
Characterising the friction and wear behaviour of lubricated metal‐metal pairings with an optical online particle detection system
Authors: Krasmik Viktor , Röbken Nils , Martin Christoph , Martin Peter , Schlattmann Josef 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIn this study, a simple ball‐on‐prism test set‐up is combined with an optical online wear particle detection system. The set‐up is used to study the friction and wear characteristics of some exemplary oil lubricated metal‐metal pairings. In addition to the time‐resolved evolutions of the coefficient of friction and the volumetric wear, the number of wear particles, the particle sizes and the particle shapes are obtained during the test by using an online particle detection system. The number of small (<5 μm) wear particles increases steadily during the tests, while the number of larger (>10 μm) particles only increases during the running‐in period and remains almost constant afterwards. Simultaneous drops in the curves for the coefficient of friction and the trend curves for the number of wear particles indicate a possible interrelation. The individual curves for the different particle sizes suggest that mainly small particles (<5 μm) contribute to that relation. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cover Image, Volume 73, Issue 3
Authors: Sierras Angela , Schal Coby 
Published: February 2017

The cover image of a fully blood‐engorged first instar bed bug, by Angela Sierras and Coby Schal, is based on the Research Article Comparison of ingestion and topical application of insecticides against the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), DOI: 10.1002/ps.4464. Photo Credit: Matt Bertone.
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Observer‐based fault estimators using iterative learning scheme for nonlinear time‐delay systems with intermittent faults
Authors: Feng Li , Chai Yi , Xu Shuiqing , Yang Zhimin 
Published: February 2017

SummaryThis paper deals with the intermittent fault estimation problem for a class of nonlinear time‐delay systems with measurement noise. The time delays are assumed to occur in state vector, nonlinear term as well as output vector, thus reflecting the time delays influence in reality more closely. The aim of the problem is to estimate the intermittent fault by using iterative learning scheme, with the property of
index, hence attenuating the influence from measurement noise. Different from existing fault estimating schemes, the state error information and fault estimating information in the previous iteration are used in the current iteration to improve the estimating results. The stability and convergence of iterative learning observer and uniform boundedness of dynamic error system are achieved by using Lyapunov function and optimal function design. Simultaneously, an improved sufficient condition for the existence of such an estimator is established in terms of the linear matrix inequality by the Schur complements and Young relations. Furthermore, the results are both suited for the systems with time‐varying delay and the systems with constant delay. Finally, two numerical examples are proposed to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, and a comparability example is presented to demonstrate its superiority. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
“And of course our major contribution remains to run a decent business.” Making sense of Shell's sense-making in Nigeria during the 1990s
Authors: Hofferberth Matthias 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe intellectual engagement with multinational enterprises in International Relations has found a new home within the narratives of global governance and corporate social responsibility. Both narratives seem to agree that the role of business has changed as state capacities to provide governance assumingly have diminished and, based on broader social and political responsibilities, enterprises began to participate more actively in the provision of collective goods. Increased participation alone, however, does not reveal how corporate actors define and make sense of their responsibilities and their roles within global governance. In fact, focusing on corporate responsibilities and corporate governance contributions does not consider enterprises as actorsin their own rightwho actively interpret and respond to changes in their normative environments. To fill this gap, the article proposes a framework that conceptualizes corporate agency as inherently social and creative. This framework, which can be applied to different contexts, is illustrated by reconstructing interpretative frames and self-understandings advanced by Shell in response to its crisis in Nigeria during the 1990s. Based on this reconstruction, Shell failed to develop and communicate a clear understanding of its social responsibilities, and its overall integration into global governance is likely to remain an ambiguous process in which uncertainty and indeterminacy prevail.
Network dynamics of HIV risk and prevention in a population-based cohort of young Black men who have sex with men
Authors: SCHNEIDER J. , CORNWELL B. , JONAS A. , LANCKI N. , BEHLER R. , SKAATHUN B. , YOUNG L. E. , MORGAN E. , MICHAELS S. , DUVOISIN R. , KHANNA A. S. , FRIEDMAN S. , SCHUMM P. , LAUMANN E. ,   FOR THE uCONNECT STUDY TEAM
Published: February 2017

AbstractCritical to the development of improved HIV elimination efforts is a greater understanding of how social networks and their dynamics are related to HIV risk and prevention. In this paper, we examine network stability of confidant and sexual networks among young black men who have sex with men (YBMSM). We use data from uConnect (2013–2016), a population-based, longitudinal cohort study. We use an innovative approach to measure both sexual and confidant network stability at three time points, and examine the relationship between each type of stability and HIV risk and prevention behaviors. This approach is consistent with a co-evolutionary perspective in which behavior is not only affected by static properties of an individual's network, but may also be associated with changes in the topology of his or her egocentric network. Our results indicate that although confidant and sexual network stability are moderately correlated, their dynamics are distinct with different predictors and differing associations with behavior. Both types of stability are associated with lower rates of risk behaviors, and both are reduced among those who have spent time in jail. Public health awareness and engagement with both types of networks may provide new opportunities for HIV prevention interventions.