bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new tree‐ring‐based summer temperature reconstruction over the last three centuries for east‐central Europe
Authors: Treml Václav , Ponocná Tereza , King Gregory M. , Büntgen Ulf 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTTree rings and documentary evidence are the most important palaeoclimatic archives with annual resolution that continuously span several centuries. Despite this benefit, local to regional‐scale temperature reconstructions and their spatial signatures tend to be irregularly distributed, and the appropriate extent of low‐frequency variability captured in these proxy records remains uncertain. Here, the first summer temperature reconstruction from the Czech Sudetes Mountains that extends to 1700 AD was introduced. An ensemble reconstruction approach using 251 new high‐elevation spruce ring width samples suggests particularly cold June–July temperatures at the beginning of the 18th century, in the 1740s and around 1820. Markedly warm conditions occurred in the 1790s and during the most recent decades. The reconstructed decadal summer temperature amplitude from ‘Little Ice Age Cooling’ to ‘Recent Anthropogenic Warming’ ranges from −3.5 °C between 1700 and 1710 to 1.3 °C in 1999–2009, with respect to the 1961–1990 mean climatology. Comparison of our new reconstruction with existing tree‐ring chronologies from the Alps reveals a significant level of coherency that is much higher than the agreement with geographically closer documentary evidence from Central Europe. Our study confirms the importance of independent regional climate reconstructions, which capture the full range of past variability and also fill spatial gaps in large‐scale networks.
Temporal Dynamics of Sediment Transport and Transient In‐channel Storage in a Highly Erodible Catchment
Authors: Buendia Cristina , Vericat Damià , Batalla Ramon J. , Gibbins Chris N. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTElucidating the links between catchment and channel geomorphic processes helps the understanding of landscape evolution and the geomorphic development of river basins, and then the land degradation processes. In this study, we analyse suspended sediment dynamics and its relationship with rainfall, discharge and in‐channel sediment storage in a highly dynamic Mediterranean montane catchment (the River Isáben, Southern Pyrenees, NE Iberian Peninsula). The aim is to assess hydrological controls on and temporal patterns of the suspended sediment load. High loads in this basin occur as a consequence of intense erosion in badlands located in the middle of the catchment. This study focuses on a reach located downstream from the main badland areas, where rainfall, discharge (Q), sediment transport (SSC) and in‐channel sediment storage were monitored for a 1‐year period. Marked seasonality in water and sediment load was observed; whereas most of the discharge occurred in winter and spring, most of the sediment was transported during summer and autumn.Q‐SSChysteretic loops revealed the importance of sediment availability (whether stored in the channel or originating from wider catchment source areas) in the river's sedimentary response. Clockwise loops dominated during winter and spring, whereas counter‐clockwise loops occurred mostly in summer and autumn, when in‐channel storage reached its maximum. There were significant correlations between rainfall intensity in the sediment source areas, in‐channel sediment storage and sediment yield. These correlations emphasize the importance of understanding sediment availability when analysing the temporal dynamics of sediment transport, especially in catchments where different source areas (slopes and riverbed) may contribute to the load to differing degrees and at different times of the year. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermorheological and Mechanical Properties of Copolymers of Lactide, Isosorbide, and Different Phthalic Acids
Authors: Zhang Zucong , Kricheldorf Hans Rytger , Friedrich Christian 
Published: November 2014

The thermal, rheological, and mechanical behavior of copolymers of lactide, isosorbide, and three different phthalic acids are studied in a wide range of compositions. A linear behavior in glass transition temperature (Tg) with respect to the mole fraction of isosorbide and phthalate content in the copolymers is observed. This behavior is in quantitative agreement with the well‐known Di Marzio‐Gibbs equation, which correlates the Tg with the mole fraction of flexible bonds in the monomers. The viscoelastic properties are found to obey the Williams‐Landel‐Ferry (WLF) behavior. This allows us to compare the zero‐shear viscosity η0 of all copolymers with different molecular weights at a reference temperature, thus studying the influence of the different phthalic acids on the viscosity. Again, a linear mixing rule on the basis of mole fractions is established in logarithmic scale of viscosities.
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Strategic Modulation of the Photonic Properties of Conjugated Organometallic Pt–Ir Polymers Exhibiting Hybrid CT‐Excited States
Authors: Soliman Ahmed M. , Zysman‐Colman Eli , Harvey Pierre D. 
Published: November 2014

Polymer 6, ([trans‐Pt(PBu3)2(CC)2]‐[Ir(dFMeppy)2(N^N)](PF6))n, (([Pt]‐[Ir](PF6))n; N^N = 5,5′‐disubstituted‐2,2′‐bipyridyl; dFMeppy = 2‐(2,4‐difluoro‐phenyl)‐5‐methylpyridine) is prepared along with model compounds. These complexes are investigated by absorption and emission spectroscopy and their photophysical and electrochemical properties are measured and compared with their corresponding non fluorinated complexes. Density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT computations corroborate the nature of the excited state as being a hybrid between the metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (1,3MLCT) for the trans‐Pt(PBu3)2(CCAr)2 unit, [Pt] and the metal‐to‐ligand/ligand‐to‐ligand′ charge transfer (1,3ML′CT/LL′CT) for [Ir] with L = dFMeppy. Overall, the fluorination of the phenylpyridine group expectedly does not change the nature of the excited state but desirably induces a small blue shift of the absorption and emission bands along a slight decrease in emission quantum yields and lifetimes.
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QoS‐Based Filters in Web Service Compositions: Utilizing Multi‐Criteria Decision Analysis Methods
Authors: Vesyropoulos Nikolaos , Georgiadis Christos K. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractDuring the past decade, Web services (WS) have gained attention, as they provided the means for interoperability between loosely coupled distributed systems over the Web. Regardless of the platforms and technologies deployed in their development, by using WS, the aforementioned systems can seamlessly exchange messages and, thus, engage into business transactions over the global network. Nevertheless, these opportunities resulted in a wide plethora of available WS, making it hard for end‐users and composition engines to select the optimal service between two or more services with seemingly identical operational features. As a result, the WS composition engines often make decisions on the basis of the QoS criteria. In modern literature, many researchers have tried to confront the issue of QoS‐based composition, by applying multi‐criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methods often showing mixed results. This is due to the different characteristics of each MCDA method. In this work, we tried to identify the key criteria that should be taken into account when deciding the optimal MCDA method to use in a given scenario, on the basis of its unique business context, and in addition, we provide an empirical study in order to compare the advantages and disadvantages of the mostly used MCDA methods in the field of WS selection and composition. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multi‐Server Approach for High‐Throughput Molecular Descriptors Calculation based on Multi‐Linear Algebraic Maps
Authors: García‐Jacas César R. , Aguilera‐Mendoza Longendri , González‐Pérez Reisel , Marrero‐Ponce Yovani , Acevedo‐Martínez Liesner , Barigye Stephen J. , Avdeenko Tatiana 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe present report introduces a novel module of the QuBiLS‐MIDAS software for the distributed computation of the 3D Multi‐Linear algebraic molecular indices. The main motivation for developing this module is to deal with the computational complexity experienced during the calculation of the descriptors over large datasets. To accomplish this task, a multi‐server computing platform named T‐arenal was developed, which is suited for institutions with many workstations interconnected through a local network and without resources particularly destined for computation tasks. This new system was deployed in 337 workstations and it was perfectly integrated with the QuBiLS‐MIDAS software. To illustrate the usability of the T‐arenal platform, performance tests over a dataset comprised of 15 000 compounds are carried out, yielding a 52 and 60 fold reduction in the sequential processing time for the 2‐Linear and 3‐Linear indices, respectively. Therefore, it can be stated that the T‐arenal based distribution of computation tasks constitutes a suitable strategy for performing high‐throughput calculations of 3D Multi‐Linear descriptors over thousands of chemical structures for posterior QSAR and/or ADME‐Tox studies.
A nurse‐led intervention study: Promoting compliance with Diskus Inhaler use in asthma patients
Authors: Mac Hale Elaine , Costello Richard W. , Cowman Seamus 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAimTo examine the impact of a nurse‐led patient assessment and education programme in promoting compliance with inhaler use in asthma patients.DesignA quasi‐experimental pre‐test and post‐test design.MethodsA sample of asthmatic patients (N = 21) were recruited from the population of patients attending an asthma clinic. An Inhaler Proficiency Schedule (IPS) was developed and validated. At each visit, participants were requested to demonstrate their inhaler technique. The participants were investigated as to their confidence level with self‐administration of their inhaler and adherence to prescribed doses. This information was recorded on a Patient‐Reported Behaviour (PRB) questionnaire.ResultsTechnique, compliance and patient confidence levels improved with nurse‐led education repeated over three visits; this was sustained on measurement at 6 months following completion of the education programme.
Phase II study of cixutumumab in combination with temsirolimus in pediatric patients and young adults with recurrent or refractory sarcoma: A report from the children's oncology group
Authors: Wagner Lars M. , Fouladi Maryam , Ahmed Atif , Krailo Mark D. , Weigel Brenda , DuBois Steven G. , Doyle L. Austin , Chen Helen , Blaney Susan M. 
Published: November 2014

BackgroundThe combined inhibition of insulin‐growth factor type 1 receptor (IGF‐1R) and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has shown activity in preclinical models of pediatric sarcoma and in adult sarcoma patients. We evaluated the activity of the anti‐IGF‐1R antibody cixutumumab with the mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus in patients with relapsed or refractory Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and other soft tissue sarcoma, using the recommended dosages from a pediatric phase I trial.MethodsCixutumumab 6 mg/kg and temsirolimus 8 mg/m2 were administered intravenously once weekly in 4‐week cycles to patients <30 years. Temsirolimus was escalated to 10 mg/m2 for subsequent cycles in patients who did not experience unacceptable first‐cycle toxicity. A two‐stage design was used to identify a response rate <10 or >35% for each tumor‐specific cohort. Tumor tissue was analyzed by immunohistochemistry for potential biomarkers of response.ResultsForty‐three evaluable patients received a median of 2 cycles (range 1–7). No objective responses were observed, and 16% of patients were progression‐free at 12 weeks. Dose‐limiting toxicity was observed in 15 (16%) of 92 cycles. The most common toxicities were mucositis, electrolyte disturbances, and myelosuppression. The majority of patients receiving a second cycle were not eligible for temsirolimus escalation due to first‐cycle toxicity. The lack of objective responses precluded correlation with tissue biomarkers.ConclusionsDespite encouraging preclinical data, the combination of cixutumumab and temsirolimus did not result in objective responses in this phase II trial of pediatric and young adults with recurrent or refractory sarcoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:440–444. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Oxidation of an allene compound bearing 1,8‐dichloroacridene moieties and photolysis of the halogenated allene compound for the generation of triplet carbenes
Authors: Fuku‐en Shin‐ichi , Furukawa Ko , Sasamori Takahiro , Tokitoh Norihiro , Abe Manabu , Yamamoto Yohsuke 
Published: November 2014

New allene compounds, 5c and 5d, bearing 1,8‐dichloroacridene moieties were synthesized, and the oxidation of 5c and 5d was performed to generate thermally stable triplet carbenes. Since the oxidation resulted in the formation of decomposition products, the photolysis of brominated allene compound 18 was performed. UV–vis measurement at low temperatures indicated the generation of intermediates with decreasing starting material 18, although the efficiency of photolysis was quite low. ESR and electron spin transient nutation (ESTN) spectra suggested that the multiplicity of intermediates is triplet, probably the target triplet carbene 6d is generated. In terms of |D| values of the intermediates, ESR showed that unpaired electrons are more effectively delocalized in 6d by the introduction of nitrogen atoms in the skeleton (biradical character in Scheme 1). The observed triplet species 6d was not stable enough to isolate. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fault‐tolerant controller design for a master generation unit in an isolated hybrid wind‐diesel power system
Authors: Vargas‐Martínez Adriana , Minchala‐Avila Luis Ismael , Zhang Youmin , Garza‐Castañón Luis Eduardo , Acosta‐Santana Patricia 
Published: November 2014

SummaryThis paper presents a methodology for designing an effective fault‐tolerant controller (FTC) through the combination of three control techniques: linear parameter varying (LPV), model reference adaptive control (MRAC), and a proportional‐integral‐derivative (PID) controller. The proposed FTC is tested in a diesel engine generator (DEG), operating as a master generation unit in an autonomous hybrid wind‐diesel power system with a battery storage system (BSS). The control objectives are to regulate voltage and frequency of the DEG and to ensure covering the demand load. Frequency regulation is achieved with the help of an MRAC‐LPV scheme combining a PID controller tuned by a genetic algorithm (GA) for maintaining the speed of the diesel engine (DE) in a constant value, and in consequence the frequency of the grid. Voltage magnitude control is performed through a constrained variation of the field voltage of the synchronous generator through a classic MRAC. Different operating conditions of the hybrid power system are applied in order to test the controller's robustness: (i) steady‐state operation; (ii) sudden connection of a load of 0.5 MW; (iii) a three‐phase fault with duration of 0.5 s; and (iv) DE's actuator fault with six different magnitudes. An improved performance is achieved by the proposed scheme over a baseline controller, IEEE type 1 AVR for voltage regulation and a governor with PI controller for frequency regulation. Dynamic models of the microgrid components are presented, and the proposed microgrid and its FTC are implemented and tested in the Simpower Systems of MATLAB/Simulink simulation environment. The simulation results showed that the use of an LPV methodology for designing the MRAC allows the online accommodation of different fault magnitudes in the DE actuator and improves the FTC system performance in comparison with the baseline controller. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TWIST1 Silencing Enhances In Vitro and In Vivo Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells by Triggering Activation of BMP-ERK/FGF Signaling and TAZ Upregulation
Authors: Quarto Natalina , Senarath-Yapa Kshemendra , Renda Andrea , Longaker Michael T. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show promise for cellular therapy and regenerative medicine. Human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hASCs) represent an attractive source of seed cells in bone regeneration. How to effectively improve osteogenic differentiation of hASCs in the bone tissue engineering has become a very important question with profound translational implications. Numerous regulatory pathways dominate osteogenic differentiation of hASCs involving transcriptional factors and signaling molecules. However, how these factors combine with each other to regulate hASCs osteogenic differentiation still remains to be illustrated. The highly conserved developmental proteins TWIST play key roles for transcriptional regulation in mesenchymal cell lineages. This study investigates TWIST1 function in hASCs osteogenesis. Our results show that TWIST1 shRNA silencing increased the osteogenic potential of hASCs in vitro and their skeletal regenerative ability when applied in vivo. We demonstrate that the increased osteogenic capacity observed with TWIST1 knockdown in hASCs is mediated through endogenous activation of BMP and ERK/FGF signaling leading, in turn, to upregulation of TAZ, a transcriptional modulator of MSCs differentiation along the osteoblast lineage. Inhibition either of BMP or ERK/FGF signaling suppressed TAZ upregulation and the enhanced osteogenesis in shTWIST1 hASCs. Cosilencing of both TWIST1 and TAZ abrogated the effect elicited by TWIST1 knockdown thus, identifying TAZ as a downstream mediator through which TWIST1 knockdown enhanced osteogenic differentiation in hASCs. Our functional study contributes to a better knowledge of molecular mechanisms governing the osteogenic ability of hASCs, and highlights TWIST1 as a potential target to facilitate in vivo bone healing. Stem Cells 2015;33:833–847
Age-Specific Functional Epigenetic Changes in p21 and p16 in Injury-Activated Satellite Cells
Authors: Li Ju , Han Suhyoun , Cousin Wendy , Conboy Irina M. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
The regenerative capacity of muscle dramatically decreases with age because old muscle stem cells fail to proliferate in response to tissue damage. Here, we uncover key age-specific differences underlying this proliferative decline: namely, the genetic loci of cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors (CDKIs) p21 and p16 are more epigenetically silenced in young muscle stem cells, as compared to old, both in quiescent cells and those responding to tissue injury. Interestingly, phosphorylated ERK (pERK) induced in these cells by ectopic FGF2 is found in association with p21 and p16 promoters, and moreover, only in the old cells. Importantly, in the old satellite cells, FGF2/pERK silences p21 epigenetically and transcriptionally, which leads to reduced p21 protein levels and enhanced cell proliferation. In agreement with the epigenetic silencing of the loci, young muscle stem cells do not depend as much as old on ectopic FGF/pERK for their myogenic proliferation. In addition, other CDKIs, such asp15INK4B and p27KIP1, become elevated in satellite cells with age, confirming and explaining the profound regenerative defect of old muscle. This work enhances our understanding of tissue aging, promoting strategies for combating age-imposed tissue degeneration. Stem Cells 2015;33:951–961
Carbon nanotubes: potential medical applications and safety concerns
Authors: Amenta Valeria , Aschberger Karin 
Published: November 2014

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have unique atomic structure, as well as outstanding thermal, mechanical, and electronic properties, making them extremely attractive materials for several different applications. Many research groups are focusing on biomedical applications of carbon‐based nanomaterials, however the application ofCNTsto the biomedical field is not developing as fast as in other areas. WhileCNTs‐based products are already being used in textiles, polymer matrices to strengthen materials, sports articles, microelectronics, energy storage, etc., medicinal products and medical devices forin vivoapplication based onCNTshave not been commercialized yet. However,CNTsfor biomedical application, i.e.,CNTsconjugated tosiRNAfor cancer therapy, orCNTsfor imaging of colorectal cancer and many other products may enter clinical trials in the next years. Concerns related to the toxicity ofCNTsmust be overcome in order to have these products commercialized in a near future. This article reviews emerging biomedical applications of CNTs, specifically for therapy. It also deals with challenges associated with possible medical applications ofCNTs, such as their not fully understood toxicological profile in the human body.WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol2015, 7:371–386. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1317This article is categorized under:Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging TechnologiesTherapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic DiseaseToxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials
The Effects of Elections Canada's Campaign Period Advertising
Authors: McGregor R. Michael , Anderson Cameron D. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractVoter participation is widely viewed as invaluable by democratic theorists, and a large majority of members of the Canadian public believe that low turnout weakens Canadian democracy. In response to decreasing rates of turnout in federal elections, Elections Canada has run advertising campaigns during the last several election campaigns encouraging Canadians to participate by voting. Using Election Canadian Study data from 2006 and 2008, this note examines the effect of Elections Canada's advertisements upon turnout and the partisan outcome of elections. Results reveal that the ad campaigns have effects upon both factors. The ads increase turnout among segments of the population with traditionally low turnout rates and are associated with an overall decrease in the Conservative party's vote share.
Local Village Workers, Foreign Factories and Village Politics in Coastal China: A Clientelist Approach
Authors: Paik Wooyeal 
Published: November 2014

AbstractIn market reform China, contentious and unfair labour relations between vulnerable migrant workers and exploitative foreign factory owners are one of the most critical issues of the political economy. This article analyses another group of workers – non-migrant local village workers – who protect themselves from foreign employers using two political resources: collective land-use rights and local political organizations, such as village governments, affective networks and physical forces, during their suburban village's industrialization. Based on intensive ethnographic fieldwork in Shandong (Qingdao) and other coastal regions in 2007, 2008 and 2011–2013, this article attempts to answer the questions of how local village workers protect their labour rights without reliable trade unions or rigorous governmental protection. How can villagers protect, if not maximize, their interests in their relations with the foreign factories in their villages? It also contrasts local labour relations in Qingdao with migrant labour relations in other coastal regions.