bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Eddy current compensated double diffusion encoded (DDE) MRI
Authors: Mueller Lars , Wetscherek Andreas , Kuder Tristan Anselm , Laun Frederik Bernd 
Published: December 2015

PurposeEddy currents might lead to image distortions in diffusion‐weighted echo planar imaging. A method is proposed to reduce their effects on double diffusion encoding (DDE) MRI experiments and the thereby derived microscopic fractional anisotropy (μFA).MethodsThe twice‐refocused spin echo scheme was adapted for DDE measurements. To assess the effect of individual diffusion encodings on the image distortions, measurements of a grid of plastic rods in water were performed. The effect of eddy current compensation on μFA measurements was evaluated in the brains of six healthy volunteers.ResultsThe use of an eddy current compensation reduced the signal variation. As expected, the distortions caused by the second encoding were larger than those of the first encoding, entailing a stronger need to compensate for them. For an optimal result, however, both encodings had to be compensated. The artifact reduction strongly improved the measurement of the μFA in ventricles and gray matter by reducing the overestimation. An effect of the compensation on absolute μFA values in white matter was not observed.ConclusionIt is advisable to compensate both encodings in DDE measurements for eddy currents. Magn Reson Med 77:328–335, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Artificial Molecular Transporter
Authors: Schäfer Christian , Ragazzon Giulio , Colasson Benoit , La Rosa Marcello , Silvi Serena , Credi Alberto 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe transport of substrates is one of the main tasks of biomolecular machines in living organisms. We report a synthetic small‐molecule system designed to catch, displace, and release molecular cargo in solution under external control. The system consists of a bistable rotaxane that behaves as an acid–base controlled molecular shuttle, whose ring component bears a tether ending with a nitrile group. The latter can be coordinated to a ruthenium complex that acts as the load, and dissociated upon irradiation with visible light. The cargo loading/unloading and ring transfer/return processes are reversible and can be controlled independently. The robust coordination bond ensures that the cargo remains attached to the device while the transport takes place.
Management of descending necrotizing mediastinitis complicated with empyema by video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery
Authors: Chen I‐Chen , Hsu Jong‐Hau , Dai Zen‐Kong 
Published: December 2015

SummaryDescending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is an uncommon disease that can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Herein, we report a 17‐month‐old girl of DNM with an initial normal chest radiograph followed by rapid clinical deterioration during a period of 4 days, from deep neck infection to mediastinitis and then complicated empyema. She was managed successfully with intravenous antibiotics and surgical debridement by video‐assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and cervical drainage. Early recognition and meticulous intensive care of patients with DNM are important to minimize morbidity and mortality. VATS is an effective and minimally invasive therapeutic strategy in children with DNM. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:E17–E20. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lin28 induces resistance to anti‐androgens via promotion of AR splice variant generation
Authors: Tummala Ramakumar , Nadiminty Nagalakshmi , Lou Wei , Evans Christopher P. , Gao Allen C. 
Published: December 2015

BACKGROUNDProstate cancer (PCa) is androgen‐dependent initially and progresses to a castration‐resistant state after androgen deprivation therapy. Treatment options for castration‐resistant PCa include the potent second‐generation anti‐androgen enzalutamide or CYP17A1 inhibitor abiraterone. Recent clinical observations point to the development of resistance to these therapies which may be mediated by constitutively active alternative splice variants of the androgen receptor (AR).METHODSSensitivity of LNCaP cells overexpressing Lin28 (LN‐Lin28) to enzalutamide, abiraterone, or bicalutamide was compared to that of control LN‐neo cells using cell growth assays, proliferation assays using MTT, anchorage‐dependent clonogenic ability assays and soft agar assays. Ability of LN‐Lin28 cells to maintain AR activation after treatment with enzalutamide, abiraterone, or bicalutamide was tested using immunofluorescence, Western blotting, ChIP assays, and qRT‐PCR. Importance of Lin28 in enzalutamide resistance was assessed by the downregulation of Lin28 expression in C4‐2B and 22Rv1 cells chronically treated with enzalutamide. Requirement for sustained AR signaling in LN‐Lin28 cells was examined by the downregulation of either full length AR or AR‐V7 using siRNA.RESULTSWe show that Lin28 promotes the development of resistance to currently used targeted therapeutics by enhancing the expression of AR splice variants such as AR‐V7. PCa cells overexpressing Lin28 exhibit resistance to treatment with enzalutamide, abiraterone, or bicalutamide. Downregulation of Lin28 resensitizes enzalutamide‐resistant PCa cells to enzalutamide treatment. We also show that the upregulation of splicing factors such as hnRNPA1 by Lin28 may mediate the enhanced generation of AR splice variants in Lin28‐expressing cells.CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggest that Lin28 plays a key role in the acquisition of resistance to AR‐targeted therapies by PCa cells and establish the importance of Lin28 in PCa progression. Prostate 76:445–455, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
IgG4‐related disease in asbestos‐related pleural disease
Authors: Onishi Yasutaka , Nakahara Yasuharu , Hirano Katsuya , Sasaki Shin , Kawamura Tetsuji , Mochiduki Yoshiro 
Published: December 2015

AbstractA 67‐year‐old man with a history of asbestos exposure and rounded atelectasis complained of cough and swelling in the left submandibular region. Computed tomography showed an increase in size of the right lower lung lobe lesion, which was recognized as the pre‐existing rounded atelectasis, as well as swelling of the pancreas and submandibular glands. Biopsy from a submandibular gland and the pulmonary lesion led to a diagnosis of immunoglobulin G4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD). IgG4‐RD is a recently recognized disease that was first reported as an autoimmune disease; however, some reports have indicated another pathogenesis of an allergic nature that is characterized by type 2 helper T cell (Th2) inflammation. Additionally, it is recognized that long‐term exposure to asbestos can cause immune dysregulation. Here we present a case of IgG4‐RD associated with asbestos‐related pleural disease. Asbestos‐induced immune dysregulation may be one etiology of IgG4‐RD.
Robust H∞ switching control techniques for switched nonlinear systems with application to urban traffic control
Authors: Hajiahmadi Mohammad , De Schutter Bart , Hellendoorn Hans 
Published: December 2015

SummaryThis paper presents robust switching control strategies for switched nonlinear systems with constraints on the control inputs. A quantization technique is used to relax the constraint on continuous control inputs and the L2‐gain analysis and H∞ control design problem for switched nonlinear systems are presented. Next, as an alternative method, the switched nonlinear system is approximated by a switched affine system that has autonomous and controlled switching behavior. A robust switching control law is proposed to stabilize the switched affine system. The design procedure involves solving an optimization problem that is nonconvex in a single scalar variable only. Furthermore, we provide the sufficient conditions under which the proposed switching law is able to stabilize the original switched nonlinear system. Finally, the proposed methods are utilized for control of urban traffic networks modeled on a high level. The traffic control objective is translated into a stability and disturbance attenuation problem for the urban network represented by a switched nonlinear system. The switching control approaches are able to reduce congestion in the network and to attenuate the effects of uncertain trip demands. Because the design of the switching laws is performed offline, real‐time traffic control is possible with the proposed methods. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sustainable Development, Stakeholder Engagement and Analyst Forecasts’ Accuracy: Positive Evidence from the Spanish Setting
Authors: Garrido‐Miralles Pascual , Zorio‐Grima Ana , García‐Benau María A. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThis study looks into the effects of voluntary sustainability reporting in analysts’ earnings forecasts as a driver for sustainable development. The methodology used is based on a regression model to test whether the issuance of a CSR stand‐alone report affects analysts’ forecast errors and forecast dispersion. Forecast error refers to the difference between the forecasted earnings per share (EPS) and the actual EPS. Dispersion refers to the standard deviation in EPS forecasts between analysts following the same firm. Our study in the Spanish context includes 527 observations from listed firms and covers the period 2005–2010. We provide evidence that there is a negative statistically significant association between the absolute forecast earnings error and the publication of a sustainability report. However, we find that the CSR reports have lost power in reducing the earnings forecast error if we compare analysts' activity before the financial crisis and during the crisis itself, so we open up a question for future research to check whether this is a consistent trend or whether in times of economic recovery this phenomenon regains power. The main conclusion of this paper points to the importance of sustainable development and stakeholder engagement through the issuance of CSR reports, which can help the smooth running of capital markets in a context of increasing sensitiveness to social responsible investment. Our study in this field is pioneering in the Spanish setting, which is especially interesting given the growing trend to publish CSR reports in this country. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
The Impact of Social Capital on farmers' Willingness to Reuse Agricultural Waste for Sustainable Development
Authors: He Ke , Zhang Junbiao , Feng Junhui , Hu Ting , Zhang Lu 
Published: December 2015

AbstractReuse of agricultural waste plays a pivotal role in sustainable development and carbon emission abatement (CEA). We seek to confirm that social capital, which is a sociological concept, can influence farmers' willingness to reuse agricultural waste for CEA. Controlling for human capital and physical capital factors, we prove that social capital significantly affects farmers' willingness to reuse agricultural waste for CEA. In terms of driving farmers' willingness, the marginal utility of social capital varies with the dimension. Specifically, institutional trust is the largest driver, followed by civic engagement, interpersonal trust and norms of reciprocity networks. We also verify that a higher educational level, surplus labor (a human capital variable) and waste facility (a physical capital variable) can enhance farmers' willingness to reuse agricultural waste for CEA. Effective approaches to improve farmers' willingness to reuse agricultural waste for CEA include establishing a learning organization, strengthening the adaptability of environmental regulations in rural areas and forming strong social mores of mutual trust, mutual reciprocity and mutual benefit. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Sustainable Development in the Asian Century: An Inquiry of Its Understanding in Phuket, Thailand
Authors: Boonchai Chantinee , Beeton Robert J. S. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractSustainable development in the context of international policy is influenced by western values, with few critical evaluations of its application in Asian contexts. This paper presents the interpretation of sustainable development by businesses, civil society, government at various levels and a selection of graduate students in Phuket, Thailand. In all, 78 hours of observations in public meetings, 70 hours of interviews and 10 hours of sectorally arranged workshops were conducted over a period of two years. Data were transcribed and analysed using established qualitative methods. The paper reports how Thai value systems relate to sustainable development concepts and proposes that a culturally appropriate model is needed for understanding the path to a sustainable future in Phuket. Understanding cultural and social values is the key to sustainability. This will require appropriate network‐building that creates change towards a culturally sustainable society. We propose that similar cultural adjustment will be necessary for sustainable development to become effective as an organizing concept in Asia. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Sustainable Consumption in Chinese Cities: Green Purchasing Intentions of Young Adults Based on the Theory of Consumption Values
Authors: Awuni Joseph Agebase , Du Jianguo 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe efforts of businesses, governmental and non‐governmental organizations notwithstanding, unsustainable consumption continues to threaten society's vision of sustainable development. Green purchasing, therefore, offers a chance of reducing negative environmental impacts and promoting sustainable development. Yet, the question of how to encourage green purchasing behaviour remains poorly understood. Based on the theory of consumption values, this paper examines the antecedents of green purchasing intentions among young adults in Chinese cities. The structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was applied to data collected from 309 respondents by means of a mall‐intercept survey. The findings indicate that social and emotional values are positively related to young adults’ green purchasing intentions, but functional, conditional and epistemic values are not significantly related to green purchasing intentions. This paper has verified the contribution of the theory of consumption values to the green purchasing intentions of young adults in Chinese cities. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Does engagement in corporate social responsibility provide strategic insurance‐like effects?
Authors: Shiu Yung‐Ming , Yang Shou‐Lin 
Published: December 2015

Research summary: This study examines whether the stock and bond prices of firms engaging in corporate social responsibility (CSR) can benefit from insurance‐like effects during occurrences of negative events. Our results suggest that in the face of negative events, engagement in CSR on a continuous, long‐term basis provides insurance‐like effects on both the stock and bond prices of firms. Nevertheless, the effects are found to quickly disappear following the occurrence of a second, or subsequent, negative event. Although our results clearly indicate that firms need to allocate some of their available resources to long‐term strategic CSR activities, managers must also realize that in a crisis communication, they will probably be able to use their CSR claims on one occasion only.Managerial summary: The purpose of this article is to examine whether firms engaging in corporate social responsibility (CSR) can benefit from insurance‐like effects during occurrences of negative events. We find that on the occurrence of a negative event, long‐term CSR engagement does have insurance‐like effects. We also find that these insurance‐like effects may quickly disappear following the occurrence of a second negative event. Managers of firms with a long history of CSR activities need to realize that in a crisis communication, they can probably use their claims of adherence to CSR only once. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dietaryl‐carnitine prevents histopathological changes in tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) exposed to cylindrospermopsin
Authors: Guzmán‐Guillén Remedios , Prieto Ortega Ana I. , Moyano Rosario , Blanco Alfonso , Vasconcelos Vitor , Cameán Ana M. 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTCylindrospermopsin (CYN) is a cytotoxin highly water‐soluble, which is easily taken up by several aquatic organisms. CYN acts as a potent protein and glutathione synthesis inhibitor, as well as inducing genotoxicity, oxidative stress, and histopathological alterations. This is the first study reporting the protective effect of al‐carnitine (LC) pretreatment (400 or 880 mg LC/kg bw fish/day, for 21 days) on the histopathological alterations induced by pure CYN orAphanizomenon ovalisporumlyophilized cells (400 µg CYN/kg bw fish) in liver, kidney, heart, intestines, and gills of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) acutely exposed to the toxin by oral route. The main histopathological changes induced by CYN were disorganized parenchyma with presence of glycogen and lipids in the cytoplasm (liver), glomerulonephritis, glomerular atrophy, and dilatation of Bowman's capsule (kidney), myofibrolysis, loss of myofibrils, with edema and hemorrhage (heart), intestinal villi with necrotic enterocytes and partial loss of microvilli (gastrointestinal tract), and hyperemia and hemorrhage (gills). LC pretreatment was able to totally prevent those CYN‐induced alterations from 400 mg LC/kg bw fish/day in almost all organs, except in the heart, where 880 mg LC/kg bw fish/day were needed. In addition, the morphometric study indicated that LC managed to recover totally the affectation in the cross sections of the proximal and distal convoluted tubules in CYN‐exposed fish. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 241–254, 2017.
Electrospun PDA‐CA Nanofibers toward Hydrophobic Coatings
Authors: Abdelmoez Sherif , Abd El Azeem Rehab A. , Nada Ahmed A. , Khattab Tawfik A. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractNowadays, encapsulated dyes in a polymeric matrix have opened up new perspectives in many applications such as filtration of subatomic particles, composite reinforcement, multifunctional membranes, tissue engineering scaffolds, wound dressing, coatings, medical purposes as well as sensors. In the presented work, we report on electrospinning neat peryelene dianhydride based thermoplastic elastomers. Perylene‐3, 4,9, 10‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PDA) is encapsulated into cellulose acetate (CA) electrospun fibers, which was prepared from 12 % cellulose acetate solution, at 20 kV with a distance of 10 cm. The flow rate was 0.2 ml·h–1. These water repellent nanofibrous coatings are anticipated to serve as hydrophobic coatings. Scanning electron microscope is used to study the properties of the electrospun PDA‐CA nanofibers.
Can orbital angle morphology distinguish dogs from wolves?
Authors: Janssens Luc , Spanoghe Inge , Miller Rebecca , Van Dongen Stefan 
Published: December 2015

AbstractFor more than a century, the orbital angle has been studied by many authors to distinguish dog skulls from their progenitor, the wolf. In early studies, the angle was reported to be different between dogs (49°–55°) and wolves (39°–46°). This clear difference was, however, questioned in a more recent Scandinavian study that shows some overlap. It is clear that in all studies several methodological issues were unexplored or unclear and that group sizes and the variety of breeds and wolf subspecies were small. Archaeological dog skulls had also not been studied. Our goal was to test larger and more varied groups and add archaeological samples as they are an evolutionary stage between wolves and modern dogs. We also tested the influence of measuring methods, intra- and inter-reliability, angle symmetry, the influence of variations in skull position and the possibility of measuring and comparing this angle on 3D CT scan images. Our results indicate that there is about 50 % overlap between the angle range in wolves and modern dogs. However, skulls with a very narrow orbital angle were only found in wolves and those with a very wide angle only in dogs. Archaeological dogs have a mean angle very close to the one of the wolves. Symmetry is highest in wolves and lowest in archaeological dogs. The measuring method is very reliable, for both inter- and intra-reliability (0.99–0.97), and most skull position changes have no statistical influence on the angle measured. Three-dimensional CT scan images can be used to measure OA, but the angles differ from direct measuring and cannot be used for comparison. Evolutionary changes in dog skulls responsible for the wider OA compared to wolf skulls are mainly the lateralisation of the zygomatic process of the frontal bone. Our conclusion is that the orbital angle can be used as an additional morphological measuring method to discern wolves from recent and archaeological dogs. Angles above 60° are certainly from recent dogs. Angles under 35° are certainly of wolves.
Antibacterial Activity of Alanine‐Derived Gemini Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
Authors: Piecuch Agata , Obłąk Ewa , Guz‐Regner Katarzyna 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe antibacterial activity of alanine‐derived gemini quaternary ammonium salts (chlorides and bromides) with various spacer and alkyl chain lengths was investigated. The studied compounds exhibited a strong bactericidal effect, especially bromides with 10 and 12 carbon alkyl chains and 3 carbon spacer groups (TMPAL‐10 Br and TMPAL‐12 Br), with a short contact time. Both salts dislodged biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and were lethal to adherent cells of S. epidermidis. Bromide with 2 carbon spacer groups and 12 carbon alkyl chains (TMEAL‐12 Br) effectively reduced microbial adhesion by coating polystyrene and silicone surfaces. The results obtained suggest that, after further studies, gemini QAS might be considered as antimicrobial agents in medicine or industry.
Zinc Corrosion in Acidic Solutions Containing Single and Mixed Surfactants
Authors: Abdel‐Rahem Rami A. , Altwaiq Abdelmnim M. , Zaben Eman S. , Alnass’a Mohammad M. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe influence of surfactant synergism on Zn corrosion inhibition in 0.1‐M HCl aqueous solutions has been determined at room temperature. Solutions of single and mixed surfactants consisting of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) and N,N‐dimethyldodecan‐1‐amine oxide (DDAO) in water and in 0.1‐M HCl were also prepared at room temperature. Critical micelle concentration (CMC) data were obtained through surface tension measurements as a function of mixing composition. A regular solution model was considered to analyze CMC values. The interaction parameter (β), the composition of mixed micelles (x) and the activity coefficients (f) were estimated by a regular solution model for all amphoteric–anionic mixed systems. β Vvalues showed synergism for the binary mixtures of these solutions in the absence and presence of 0.1‐M HCl at all investigated compositions. Zinc corrosion in single and binary SDS/DDAO mixed solutions at 5‐mM total surfactant concentrations in the presence of 0.1‐M HCl was also investigated at static and dynamic conditions. The weight loss data revealed corrosion inhibition activity obeyed the following order: binary (0.75 DDAO + 0.25 SDS) > binary (0.50 DDAO + 0.50 SDS) > single DDAO > single SDS, suggesting an enhancement in the corrosion inhibition activity of DDAO in the presence of a proper amount of SDS. Conductivity time measurements show a similar trend as that obtained by a weight loss method at (0.50 DDAO + 0.50 SDS). The results were illustrated on the basis of synergistic interaction between the mixed surfactants.