bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biomechanical comparison of effects of the Dynesys and Coflex dynamic stabilization systems on range of motion and loading characteristics in the lumbar spine: a finite element study
Authors: Kulduk Ahmet , Altun Necdet S. , Senkoylu Alpaslan 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe primary purpose of dynamic stabilization is to preserve the normal range of motion (ROM) by restricting abnormal movement in the spine. Our aim was to analyze the effects of two different dynamic stabilization systems using finite element modeling (FEM).MethodsCoflex and Dynesys dynamic devices were modeled and implanted at the L4‐L5 segment using virtual FEM. A 400 N compressive force combined with 6 N flexion, extension, bending and axial rotation forces was applied to the L3‐4 and L4‐5 segments. ROM and disc loading forces were analyzed.ResultsBoth systems reduced ROM and disc loading forces at the implanted lumbar segment, with the exception of the Coflex interspinous device, which increased ROM by 19% and did not change disc‐loading forces in flexion.ConclusionsThe Coflex device prevented excessive disc loading, but increased ROM abnormally in flexion. Neither device provided satisfactory motion preservation or load sharing in other directions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Asymmetric cell division in the Drosophila bristle lineage: from the polarization of sensory organ precursor cells to Notch‐mediated binary fate decision
Authors: Schweisguth François 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAsymmetric cell division (ACD) is a simple and evolutionary conserved process whereby a mother divides to generate two daughter cells with distinct developmental potentials. This process can generate cell fate diversity during development. Fate asymmetry may result from the unequal segregation of molecules and/or organelles between the two daughter cells. Here, I will review how fate asymmetry is regulated in the sensory bristle lineage in Drosophila and focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying ACD of the sensory organ precursor cells (SOPs). WIREs Dev Biol 2015, 4:299–309. doi: 10.1002/wdev.175This article is categorized under:

Nervous System Development > Flies
Structural Chemistry of Tetracyanopyrrolide (Part 2): Spin Crossover in a Bis‐Tripodal Iron(II) Complex
Authors: Szafranowska Barbara , Landvogt Christian , Beck Johannes 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe mononuclear iron(II) complex [Fe(tpm)2]2+(tcp–)2 (1) containing the neutral tripodal N3‐donor ligand tris(pyrazol‐1‐yl)methane (tpm) and the mononegative tetracyanopyrrolide (tcp) as counter‐anion was characterized by X‐ray diffraction on twinned crystals and investigated in the solid state by magnetic susceptibility measurements and differential scanning calorimetry. Structural investigations at 123 K reveal Fe–N distances typical for low‐spin d6 iron(II). Compound 1 undergoes a gradual, incomplete spin crossover in the examined temperature range 1.9–400 K. Comparisons are made with known analogous [Fe(tpm)2]2+(X–)2 compounds bearing different anions X, which display similar crossover behavior.
Radiosynthesis and in vivo evaluation of two imidazopyridineacetamides, [11C]CB184 and [11C]CB190, as a PET tracer for 18 kDa translocator protein: direct comparison with [11C](R)-PK11195
Authors: Hatano Kentaro , Sekimata Katsuhiko , Yamada Takashi , Abe Junichiro , Ito Kengo , Ogawa Mikako , Magata Yasuhiro , Toyohara Jun , Ishiwata Kiichi , Biggio Giovanni , Serra Mariangela , Laquintana Valentino , Denora Nunzio , Latrofa Andrea , Trapani Giuseppe , Liso Gaetano , Suzuki Hiromi , Sawada Makoto , Nomura Masahiko , Toyama Hiroshi 
Published: January 2015

Abstract

Objective
We report synthesis of two carbon-11 labeled imidazopyridines TSPO ligands, [11C]CB184 and [11C]CB190, for PET imaging of inflammatory process along with neurodegeneration, ischemia or brain tumor. Biodistribution of these compounds was compared with that of [11C]CB148 and [11C](R)-PK11195.

Methods
Both [11C]CB184 and [11C]CB190 having 11C-methoxyl group on an aromatic ring were readily prepared using [11C]methyl triflate. Biodistribution and metabolism of the compounds were examined with normal mice. An animal PET study using 6-hydroxydopamine treated rats as a model of neurodegeneration was pursued for proper estimation of feasibility of the radioligands to determine neuroinflammation process.

Results
[11C]CB184 and [11C]CB190 were obtained via O-methylation of corresponding desmethyl precursor using [11C]methyl triflate in radiochemical yield of 73 % (decay-corrected). In vivo validation as a TSPO radioligand was carried out using normal mice and lesioned rats. In mice, [11C]CB184 showed more uptake and specific binding than [11C]CB190. Metabolism studies showed that 36 % and 25 % of radioactivity in plasma remained unchanged 30 min after intravenous injection of [11C]CB184 and [11C]CB190, respectively. In the PET study using rats, lesioned side of the brain showed significantly higher uptake than contralateral side after i.v. injection of either [11C]CB184 or [11C](R)-PK11195. Indirect Logan plot analysis revealed distribution volume ratio (DVR) between the two sides which might indicate lesion-related elevation of TSPO binding. The DVR was 1.15 ± 0.10 for [11C](R)-PK11195 and was 1.15 ± 0.09 for [11C]CB184.

Conclusion
The sensitivity to detect neuroinflammation activity was similar for [11C]CB184 and [11C](R)-PK11195.
Drag reduction in heated channels
Authors: Floryan Daniel , Floryan J. M. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractIt is known that the drag for flows driven by a pressure gradient in heated channels can be reduced below the level found in isothermal channels. This reduction occurs for spatially modulated heating and is associated with the formation of separation bubbles which isolate the main stream from direct contact with the solid wall. It is demonstrated that the use of a proper combination of spatially distributed and spatially uniform heating components results in an increase in the horizontal and vertical temperature gradients which lead to an intensification of convection which, in turn, significantly increases the drag reduction. An excessive increase of the uniform heating leads to breakup of the bubbles and the formation of complex secondary states, resulting in a deterioration of the system performance. This performance may, under certain conditions, still be better than that achieved using only spatially distributed heating. Detailed calculations have been carried out for the Prandtl number $\mathit{Pr}=0.71$ and demonstrate that this technique is effective for flows with a Reynolds number $\mathit{Re}<10$; faster flows wash away separation bubbles. The question of net gain remains to be settled as it depends on the method used to achieve the desired wall temperature and on the cost of the required energy. The presented results provide a basis for the design of passive flow control techniques utilizing heating patterns as controlling agents.
MHD Flow of a Jeffrey Fluid with Newtonian Heating
Authors: Farooq M. , Gull N. , Alsaedi A. , Hayat T. 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTThe combined effects of Joule and Newtonian heating in magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow of Jeffrey fluid over a stretching cylinder with heat source/sink are addressed. Suitable transformations are considered to reduce the non-linear boundary layer partial differential equations into the ordinary differential equations. Convergent series solutions of the resulting dimensionless problems are obtained. Effects of emerging physical parameters on the velocity and temperature profiles are examined. Comparison between viscous and Jeffrey fluids for different cases of flat plate and cylinder is made. Numerical values of skin friction coefficient and local Nusselt number are tabulated and analyzed for different values of emerging parameters.
Design of Water Distribution Networks via a Novel Fractional Succedaneum Shuffled Frog Leaping Method
Authors: Aghdam K. M. , Mirzaee I. , Pourmahmood N. , Aghababa M. P. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractIt is known that the design problem of water distribution networks (WDNs) is an NP-hard combinatorial problem which cannot be easily solved using traditional mathematical numerical methods. On the other hand, fractional calculus, which is a generalization of the classical integer-order calculus, involves some interesting features such as having memory of past events. Based on the concept of fractional calculus, this paper proposes the use of a new version of heuristic shuffled frog leaping (SFL) algorithm for solving the optimal design problem of WDNs. In order to increase the convergence speed of the original SFL algorithm, a history of past events is added to the SFL updating formula. Moreover, some memeplexes of the original SFL method are altered to increase the diversification property of the SFL which helps the algorithm to avoid trapping in local optima. The new version of the SFL algorithm is called fractional succedaneum momentum shuffled frog leaping (FSSFL) method. The proposed FSSFL is applied for designing WDNs. Four illustrative and examples are presented to show the efficiency and superiority of the introduced FSSFL compared to the other well-known heuristic algorithms.
Nonlinear Vibration Analysis of Membrane SAR Antenna Structure Adopting a Vector Form Intrinsic Finite Element
Authors: Xu R. , Li D.-X. , Jiang J.-P. , Liu W. 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTThis study adopted the Vector Form Intrinsic Finite Element (VFIFE) method to study the nonlinear vibration of the membrane SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) antenna structure. As the dynamic characteristic of the antenna is mainly determined by the support frame, it can be simplified as an axially loaded cantilever beam. The linear and geometrically nonlinear models of the axially loaded cantilever beam are established. The beam is modeled as discrete mass points which are connected by deformable elements through VFIFE method. A statics analysis is first presented to verify the VFIFE method. Then effects of the geometrical nonlinearity and axial load are investigated. It is believed that the presented study is valuable for better understanding the influences of the geometrical nonlinearity and axial load of the cantilever beam on the structural vibration characteristics.
Specific leaf area development of autumn-sown sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) on different sowing dates in northern Germany
Authors: STEPHAN H. , BÖTTCHER U. , KAGE H. 
Published: January 2015

SUMMARYIn most regions, sugar beet is normally sown as a spring crop. If sown in autumn the crop remains on the field over winter and may achieve fast re-growth in spring from assimilates stored within the beet, allowing earlier leaf growth and light interception in spring. The specific leaf area (SLA) (ratio between leaf surface and leaf mass) is mainly affected by leaf area expansion and consequently affects productivity in early growth stages. The aim of the present study was (i) to examine the SLA dynamics of autumn-sown sugar beet before and after winter and (ii) to develop an empiric approach describing SLA changes during the growth period. A field trial in northern Germany with three different sowing times (mid-April, mid-June and mid-August) and varying plant densities (148 000, 246 000 and 370 000 plants/ha) was carried out in 2009/10 to 2011/12. The average SLA of the canopy was the highest (>25 m2/kg) directly after emergence, then decreased until autumn (<13 m2/kg) and increased again up to 20 m2/kg during re-growth of winter sugar beet in spring. A stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed mean photosynthetically active radiation over 10 days before measurement (PARmean), leaf area index (LAI), mean temperature over 10 days before measurement (Tmean) and temperature sum since sowing (Tsum) as the main influences on SLA dynamics. The strongest correlation to SLA was shown by Tmean (r = 0·69) and the weakest by Tsum (r = −0·28). A multiple linear regression model was fitted to the dataset with Tmean, PARmean and log (Tsum) achieving an adjusted R2 of 0·64. This empirical equation is suitable for use in a crop growth model for winter sugar beet.
Success in Global Venture Capital Investing: Do Institutional and Cultural Differences Matter?
Authors: Nahata Rajarishi , Hazarika Sonali , Tandon Kishore 
Published: January 2015

AbstractWe analyze the impact of institutional and cultural differences on success in global venture capital (VC) investing. In both developed and emerging economies, superior legal rights (and enforcement) and better developed stock markets significantly enhance VC performance. Remarkably, cultural distance between countries of the portfolio company and its lead investorpositivelyaffects VC success. Further analysis reveals that cultural differences create incentives for rigorous ex ante screening, improving VC performance. Finally, local VC participation enhances success and mitigates foreign VCs’ “liability of foreignness,” albeit only in developed economies. Our findings follow from analyzing VC investments in nearly 10,000 companies across 30 countries.
Corporate Governance and Innovation: Theory and Evidence
Authors: Sapra Haresh , Subramanian Ajay , Subramanian Krishnamurthy V. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractWe develop a theory to show how external and internal corporate governance mechanisms affect innovation. We predict a U-shaped relation between innovation and external takeover pressure, which arises from the interaction between expected takeover premia and private benefits of control. Using ex ante and ex post innovation measures, we find strong empirical support for the predicted relation. We exploit the variation in takeover pressure created by the passage of antitakeover laws across different states. Innovation is fostered either by an unhindered market for corporate control or by antitakeover laws that are severe enough to effectively deter takeovers.
Taking the Twists into Account: Predicting Firm Bankruptcy Risk with Splines of Financial Ratios
Authors: Giordani Paolo , Jacobson Tor , Schedvin Erik von , Villani Mattias 
Published: January 2015

AbstractWe demonstrate improvements in predictive power when introducing spline functions to take account of highly nonlinear relationships between firm failure and leverage, earnings, and liquidity in a logistic bankruptcy model. Our results show that modeling excessive nonlinearities yields substantially improved bankruptcy predictions, on the order of 70%–90%, compared with a standard logistic model. The spline model provides several important and surprising insights into nonmonotonic bankruptcy relationships. We find that low-leveraged as well as highly profitable firms are riskier than those given by a standard model, possibly a manifestation of credit rationing and excess cash-flow volatility.
The significance of the tail projections in female entomopathogenic nematodes within the family Steinernematidae
Authors: Mráček Z. , Půža V. , Nermut' J. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractSeveral taxonomic studies of the entomopathogenic nematode family Steinernematidae have reported on the minute tail projections on the tail tips of females of the first generation; however, the occurrence and morphology of these traits in other steinernematid species and their taxonomic significance are still unclear. In the present study, the tail projections in females of seven steinernematid species belonging to four phylogenetic clades were examined. The projections are present in all of the tested species and their number and shape is consistent within species but significantly differs among species. It thus seems that these structures may have taxonomic significance at the species level. Based on these results, we suggest that every description of a new species in the family Steinernematidae should contain a precise morphology of the female tail, focused on these projections, using both light and scanning electron microscopy.
The distribution and environmental requirements of large brown seaweeds in the British Isles
Authors: Yesson Chris , Bush Laura E. , Davies Andrew J. , Maggs Christine A. , Brodie Juliet 
Published: January 2015

Kelps, fucoids and other large brown seaweeds are common and important features of temperate coastal zones. The British Isles is a centre for seaweed diversity in the NE Atlantic, but, despite numerous surveys, an incomplete picture of the distribution remains. Survey data and herbarium specimens were used to examine the environmental preference of 15 species of large brown seaweeds, covering the orders Laminariales (kelps), Fucales (wracks) and one species of Tilopteridales. Habitat suitability models were developed to estimate broad-scale distribution and area of habitat created by these species around the British Isles. Topographic parameters were important factors limiting distributions. Generally, temperature did not appear to be a limiting factor, probably because the British Isles lies in the centre of the NE Atlantic distribution for most species, and not at climatic tolerance limits. However, for the recent migrant Laminaria ochroleuca, temperature was found to be important for the model, thus range expansion could continue northwards provided dispersal is possible. In contrast, the widespread Alaria esculenta showed a negative association with warmer summer temperatures. The total potential habitat around the British and Irish coastline is more than 19,000 km2 for kelps and 11,000 km2 for wracks, which represents a significant habitat area similar in scale to British broadleaf forest. We conclude that large brown algal species need to be managed and conserved in a manner that reflects their scale and importance.
Are common mental disorders more prevalent in the UK serving military compared to the general working population?
Authors: Goodwin L. , Wessely S. , Hotopf M. , Jones M. , Greenberg N. , Rona R. J. , Hull L. , Fear N. T. 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundAlthough the military is considered to be a stressful occupation, there are remarkably few studies that compare the prevalence of common mental disorder (CMD) between the military and the general population. This study examined the prevalence of probable CMD in a serving UK military sample compared to a general population sample of employed individuals.MethodData for the general population was from the 2003 and 2008 collections for the Health Survey for England (HSE) and for the serving military from phases 1 (2004–2006) and 2 (2007–2009) of the King's Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) cohort study. Probable CMD was assessed by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). The datasets were appended to calculate the odds of CMD in the military compared to the general population.ResultsThe odds of probable CMD was approximately double in the military, when comparing phase 1 of the military study to the 2003 HSE [odds ratio (OR) 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1–2.7], and phase 2 to the 2008 HSE (OR 2.3, 95% CI 2.0–2.6) after adjustment for sex, age, social class, education and marital status.ConclusionsServing military personnel are more likely to endorse symptoms of CMD compared to those selected from a general population study as employed in other occupations, even after accounting for demographic characteristics. This difference may be partly explained by the context of the military study, with evidence from previous research for higher reports of symptoms from the GHQ in occupational compared to population studies, in addition to the role of predisposing characteristics.
Optimizing coordinated motion planning for multiple car-like robots on a segment of highway
Authors: Reghelin Ricardo , Arruda Lucia Valeria 
Published: January 2015

SUMMARYReal-time responses for multiple robots motion planning demand heuristic algorithms. This paper presents a method to evaluate the efficiency of these algorithms in order to compute coordinated trajectories for multiple car-like robots on a segment of a highway. The idea is to compare the results of these algorithms with the optimal result obtained by a proposed mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) optimization model. The MILP model considers the main elements of a traffic system, such as topography of lanes, traffic rules and individual capacity of acceleration. Moreover, new indexes for microscopic traffic assessment are proposed a well. Several tests have been carried out to validate both the MILP model and the algorithm used.
Biomechatronic design and control of an anthropomorphic artificial hand for prosthetic applications
Authors: Zhang Ting , Wang Xin Qing , Jiang Li , Wu Xinyu , Feng Wei , Zhou Dingjiang , Liu Hong 
Published: January 2015

SUMMARYIn this paper, we propose a biomechatronic design of an anthropomorphic artificial hand that is able to mimic the natural motion of human fingers. The prosthetic hand has 5 fingers and 15 joints, which are actuated by 5 embedded motors. Each finger has three phalanges that can fulfill flexion-extension movements independently. The thumb is specially designed to move along a cone surface when grasping, and the other four fingers are well developed based on the four-bar link mechanism to imitate the motion of the human finger. To accomplish the sophisticated control schemes, the fingers are equipped with numerous torque and position sensors. The mechanical parts, sensors, and motion control systems are integrated in the hand structure, and the motion of the hand can be controlled through electromyography (EMG) signals in real-time. A new concept for the sensory feedback system based on an electrical stimulator is also taken into account. The low-cost prosthetic hand is small in size (85% of the human hand), of low weight (420 g) and has a large grasp power (10 N on the fingertips), hence it has a dexterous and humanlike appearance. The performance of the prosthetic hand is validated in a clinical evaluation on transradial amputees.
Variable expression of Alagille syndrome in a family with a new JAG1 gene mutation
Authors: Ziesenitz Victoria C. , Loukanov Tsvetomir , Gläser Christiane , Gorenflo Matthias 
Published: January 2015

AbstractWe report the case of a patient with tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve and familial Alagille syndrome who successfully underwent cardiac repair. The patient’s sister had liver and congenital heart disease. The father had undergone liver transplantation but showed no significant cardiac abnormalities. A yet-unknown mutation of the JAG1 gene was discovered in this family with variable expression of Alagille syndrome.
A binary progenitor for the Type Ib Supernova iPTF13bvn
Authors: Bersten Melina C. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe recent detection in archival HST images of an object at the the location of supernova (SN) iPTF13bvn may represent the first direct evidence of the progenitor of a Type Ib SN. The object's photometry was found to be compatible with a Wolf-Rayet pre-SN star mass of ≈ 11 M⊙. However, based on hydrodynamical models we show that the progenitor had a pre-SN mass of ≈ 3.5 M⊙ and that it could not be larger than ≈ 8 M⊙. We propose an interacting binary system as the SN progenitor and perform evolutionary calculations that are able to self-consistently explain the light-curve shape, the absence of hydrogen, and the pre-SN photometry. Our models also predict that the remaining companion is a luminous O-type star of significantly lower flux in the optical than the pre-SN object. A future detection of such star may be possible and would provide the first robust progenitor identification for a Type-Ib SN.