bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Animal models for percutaneous absorption
Authors: Jung Eui Chang , Maibach Howard I. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTAnimal models are important tools to predict human in vivo percutaneous absorption/penetration. Monkey, pig, rat, rabbit, guinea pig, hairless rodents, such as hairless rat, hairless mouse, hairless guinea pig and hairless dog, are among the most used animals for this purpose. Each animal model has its own advantages and weakness or limitation. To better correlate animal data with human skin absorption, we need to be familiar with each animal model's characteristics as well as experimental method and condition. We reviewed the original papers published after 1993 that described permeability of both animal skin and human skin. It showed that monkey, pig and hairless guinea pig are more predictive of human skin absorption/penetration and common laboratory animals, such as rat, rabbit, guinea pig, generally overestimate human skin absorption/penetration. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Essential Role of Osterix for Tooth Root but not Crown Dentin Formation
Authors: Zhang Hua , Jiang Yong , Qin Chunlin , Liu Ying , Ho Sunita P , Feng Jian Q 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

Tooth is made of crown and root. It is widely believed that dentin formation in crown and root uses the same regulatory mechanism. However, identification of nuclear factor 1 C (NFIC)'s unique function in determining root but not crown dentin formation challenges the old thinking. In searching for the target molecules downstream of NFIC, we unexpectedly found a sharp reduction of osterix (OSX), the key transcription factor in skeleton formation, in the Nfic knockout (Nfic-KO) tooth root. We then demonstrated a dose-dependent increase of Osx in the odontoblast cell line due to a transient transfection of Nfic expression plasmid. Studies of global and conditional Osx-KO mice revealed no apparent changes in the crown dentin tubules and dentin matrix. However, the OSX conditional KO (cKO) mice (crossed to the 2.3-kb collagen type 1 [Col1]-Cre) displayed an increase in cell proliferation but great decreases in expressions of root dentin matrix proteins (dentin matrix protein 1 [DMP1] and dentin sialophosphoprotein [DSPP]), leading to an inhibition in odontoblast differentiation, and short, thin root dentin with few dentin tubules. Compared to the Nfic-KO tooth, which contains essentially no dentin tubules and remains in a “root-less” status at adult stages, the Osx-cKO root phenotype had partially improved at the late stage, indicating that other factors can compensate for OSX function. Thus, we conclude that OSX, one of the key downstream molecules of NFIC, plays a critical role in root, but not crown, formation. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
An analysis of rainfall across the British Isles in the 1870s
Authors: Burt T. P. , Jones P. D. , Howden N. J. K. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTMonthly records for the period 1871–1970 from 91 stations across the British Isles are used to place very high rainfall totals during the 1870s, 1872 and 1876–1877 in particular, in context. Comparisons are drawn with 2012 and the winter of 2013–2014, both of which were exceptionally wet in parts of the British Isles. Traditional Lamb weather type count and objective measures of atmospheric circulation obtained from reanalysis of surface pressure charts are used to classify the weather conditions under which these very high rainfall totals were generated. The normally wettest locations in the British Isles, i.e. the uplands in the north and west, were not unusually wet in the 1870s, whereas locations with extremely high rainfall totals (relative to mean annual rainfall) tended to be further south and east in the lowlands. These exceptionally high totals were associated with a high frequency of cyclonic weather types and high scores for atmospheric vorticity; at the same time, the frequency of anticyclonic weather and of westerly winds tended to be very low. The winter of 2013–2014, remarkably wet in southern England, was somewhat different in that both the frequency of westerly air flow and the resultant flow were very high and so were vorticity and the frequency of cyclonic weather types; the year 2012 experienced similar atmospheric conditions. The results confirm the importance of cyclonic weather for large rainfall totals across much of the British Isles; strong westerly winds seem only to favour the uplands and northwest coastal locations.
Changes in heavy precipitation and floods in the upstream of the Beijiang River basin, South China
Authors: Wu Chuanhao , Huang Guoru 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to investigate the changes in heavy precipitation and floods and the causes of flood risk changes in the Beijiang River basin in southern China. Peak flow, daily discharge, and precipitation data from 1969 to 2011 were examined. Trends were calculated using Sen's slope estimator. The statistical significance of the observed trends was checked with the Mann–Kendall method. Change points were detected using the Pettitt test and moving T‐test methods. The hydrological periodicity was revealed by wavelet transformation. The results showed that the changes in monthly and monthly maximum 1‐ and 5‐day precipitation and discharges during the flood season showed very similar characteristics. They experienced positive (negative) trends mainly in June–July (April, May, and August), and mostly did not experience significant change points. Compared with the period 1969–1990, monthly and monthly maximum 1(5)‐day precipitation and discharges showed increasing (decreasing) trends, mainly in June–July (April–May) in 1991–2011. Overall, the changes in flood risk were mainly influenced by precipitation variability. However, human activity (including urbanization and the construction of reservoirs, soil and water conservation measures, and land use change, among others) have probably affected the flooding process in the study area. The decreases in peak flows during the late 1980s and early 1990s were probably caused by large‐scale soil and water conservation measures. Construction of reservoirs in the past 20 years also played a role in the reduction of peak flows. The results of this study are of great scientific value to better understand the changing flood risk under the changing environment in the Beijiang River basin.
Reliability and validity of procedure‐based assessments in otolaryngology training
Authors: Awad Zaid , Hayden Lindsay , Robson Andrew K. , Muthuswamy Keerthini , Tolley Neil S. 
Published: October 2014

Objectives/HypothesisTo investigate the reliability and construct validity of procedure‐based assessment (PBA) in assessing performance and progress in otolaryngology training.Study DesignRetrospective database analysis using a national electronic database.MethodsWe analyzed PBAs of otolaryngology trainees in North London from core trainees (CTs) to specialty trainees (STs). The tool contains six multi‐item domains: consent, planning, preparation, exposure/closure, technique, and postoperative care, rated as “satisfactory” or “development required,” in addition to an overall performance rating (pS) of 1 to 4. Individual domain score, overall calculated score (cS), and number of “development‐required” items were calculated for each PBA. Receiver operating characteristic analysis helped determine sensitivity and specificity.ResultsThere were 3,152 otolaryngology PBAs from 46 otolaryngology trainees analyzed. PBA reliability was high (Cronbach's α 0.899), and sensitivity approached 99%. cS correlated positively with pS and level in training (rs: +0.681 and +0.324, respectively). ST had higher cS and pS than CT (93% ± 0.6 and 3.2 ± 0.03 vs. 71% ± 3.1 and 2.3 ± 0.08, respectively; P < .001). cS and pS increased from CT1 to ST8 showing construct validity (rs: +0.348 and +0.354, respectively; P < .001). The technical skill domain had the highest utilization (98% of PBAs) and was the best predictor of cS and pS (rs: +0.96 and +0.66, respectively).ConclusionsPBA is reliable and valid for assessing otolaryngology trainees' performance and progress at all levels. It is highly sensitive in identifying competent trainees. The tool is used in a formative and feedback capacity. The technical domain is the best predictor and should be given close attention.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 125:1328–1335, 2015
Cochlear trajectory in pediatric patients
Authors: Jackson Neal M. , Givens Victoria B. , Carpenter Clelie C. , Allen Laveil M. , Morrell Brooke B. , Hurth Charles , Arriaga Moises A. , Ying Yu‐Lan Mary , Arcement Christopher , McCarter Kevin S. , Jeyakumar Anita 
Published: October 2014

Objectives/HypothesisAs cochlear implantation increases, surgeons are noting possible anatomical differences in pediatric population. Outcome objectives were to study pediatric temporal bone anatomy using high‐resolution temporal bone imaging, and analyze the anatomical differences in group 1 (<12 months) versus group 2 (1–4 years) versus group 3 (5–10 years) versus group 4 (10–18 years).Study DesignRetrospective chart and radiologic review.MethodsA retrospective chart and radiologic review of pediatric patients undergoing high‐resolution computer tomography of the temporal bones from April 2001 to February 2013 was conducted. Scans were reviewed to record the transmastoid angle and transcanal angle.ResultsSeven hundred fifty patients were identified. A total of 1,426 ears were reviewed. The age range was 8 days to 21 years. Of the patients, 57.0% (n = 407) were male. The patients were divided into four groups: group 1 (<12 months), group 2 (1–4 years), group 3 (5–10 years), and group 4 (10–18 years). The transmastoid angle was observed to have variability. Significant differences were observed between groups 2 and 3 (P = .0028) and groups 2 and 4 (P = .0432). Analysis on the transcanal angle was performed. Significant differences existed between age groups 1 and 3 (P = .0150), groups 1 and 4 (P = .0038), and groups 2 and 4 (P = .0358).ConclusionsConsiderable variation exists in pediatric temporal bones. The largest difference in the transmastoid angle was seen in children aged 1 to 4 years. The largest variability in the transcanal angle is between the infant (<12 months) and children >4 years of age. These differences are surgically relevant for round window identification and facial nerve safety during cochlear implant surgery in infants.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 125:961–965, 2015
SEC Analysis of Poly(Acrylic Acid) and Poly(Methacrylic Acid)
Authors: Lacík Igor , Stach Marek , Kasák Peter , Semak Vladislav , Uhelská Lucia , Chovancová Anna , Reinhold Günter , Kilz Peter , Delaittre Guillaume , Charleux Bernadette , Chaduc Isabelle , D'Agosto Franck , Lansalot Muriel , Gaborieau Marianne , Castignolles Patrice , Gilbert Robert G. , Szablan Zachary , Barner‐Kowollik Christopher , Hesse Pascal , Buback Michael 
Published: October 2014

The accurate characterization of molar‐mass distributions of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) by size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC) is addressed. Two methods are employed: direct aqueous‐phase SEC on P(M)AA and THF‐based SEC after esterification of P(M)AA to the associated methyl esters, P(M)MA. P(M)AA calibration standards, P(M)AA samples prepared by pulsed‐laser polymerization (PLP), and PAA samples prepared by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) are characterized in a joint initiative of seven laboratories, with satisfactory agreement achieved between the institutions. Both SEC methods provide reliable results for PMAA. In the case of PAA, close agreement between the two SEC methods is only observed for samples prepared by RAFT polymerization with weight‐average molar mass between 80 000 and 145 000 g mol−1 and for standards with peak molar masses below 20 000 g mol−1. For standards with higher molar masses and for PLP‐prepared PAA, the values from THF‐based SEC are as much as 40% below the molar masses determined by aqueous‐phase SEC. This discrepancy may be due to branching or degradation of branched PAA during methylation. While both SEC methods can be recommended for PMAA, aqueous‐phase SEC should be used for molar‐mass analysis of PAA unless the sample is not branched.
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Visualization of Real‐Time Degradation of pH‐Responsive Polyglycerol Nanogels via Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Richter Marcel , Steinhilber Dirk , Haag Rainer , von Klitzing Regine 
Published: October 2014

Polyglycerol nanogels (nPG) have a huge impact in biomedical applications as drug deliverer due to their high biocompability. For such nPG nanogels, particle degradation is widely used as drug delivery method. The knowledge of this degradation process is limited up to date. In this communication, a real time visualization of such a degradation process is presented for pH‐responsive nPG nanogels via atomic force microscopy (AFM) under ambient and in liquid conditions. The particle height plays a major role in the degradation process and decays exponentially in the beginning of this process. The particle width increases during the process indicating a “decross‐linking” step of the particles into their starting monomers. Measurements under ambient conditions confirm this assumption and provide further insight in the “decross‐linking” step of the nanogels into individual dendritic particles. The present work gives a detailed insight in the particle degradation process, which is essential for further progress for the development of new drug delivery systems.
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Supramolecular Assembly of Self‐Healing Nanocomposite Hydrogels
Authors: Gerth Marieke , Bohdan Malgorzata , Fokkink Remco , Voets Ilja , van der Gucht Jasper , Sprakel Joris 
Published: October 2014

Hierarchical self‐assembly of transient composite hydrogels is demonstrated through a two‐step, orthogonal strategy using nanoparticle tectons interconnected through metal–ligand coordination complexes. The resulting materials are highly tunable with moduli and viscosities spanning many orders of magnitude, and show promising self‐healing properties, while maintaining complete optical transparency.
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Methanogen Biomarkers in the Discontinuous Permafrost Zone of Stordalen, Sweden
Authors: Lupascu M. , Wadham J. L. , Hornibrook E. R. C. , Pancost R. D. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTPermafrost peatlands are both an important source of atmospheric CH4 and a substantial sink for atmospheric CO2. Climate change can affect this balance, with higher temperatures resulting in the conversion of permafrost soils to wetlands and associated accelerated mineralisation and increased CH4 emission. To better understand the impact of such processes on methanogen populations, we investigated the anaerobic decay of soil carbon in a low Arctic, discontinuous permafrost peatland. Cores were collected monthly from sedge and Sphagnum mires in north Sweden during the summer of 2006. We determined CH4 concentrations and production potentials, together with variations in the size of the methanogenic community as indicated by concentrations of archaeal lipid biomarkers (phosphorylated archaeol, archaeol and hydroxyarchaeol). Concentrations of methanogen biomarkers generally were higher at the sedge site, increased with depth for all sites and months, and were usually below the detection limits in shallow (<10 cm) Sphagnum peat. The distribution of biomarkers reflects the strong influence of water table depth on anaerobic conditions and methanogen populations, while differences in biomarker concentrations can be explained by differences in vegetation cover and pH. However, methanogen populations inferred from biomarker data show a decoupling from in‐situ CH4 production over the season and from CH4 production potential, suggesting that other factors such as the availability of labile organic substrates can influence methanogen abundance. Archaeal lipid biomarkers appear to offer a potential new means to investigate permafrost biogeochemical processes but the interpretation of signals remains complex. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gender‐ and age‐specific risk factors for wheeze from birth through adolescence
Authors: Tse Sze Man , Coull Brent A. , Sordillo Joanne E. , Datta Soma , Gold Diane R. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryBackground and ObjectiveCross‐sectional gender differences in wheeze are well documented, but few studies have examined the gender‐specific risk factors for wheeze longitudinally. This study aims to identify gender‐ and age‐specific risk factors for wheeze from birth through adolescence.MethodsThe incidence of wheeze was ascertained every 6 months through age 14 years in a birth cohort consisting of 499 children with a parental history of atopy. Gender‐ and age‐specific risk factors were identified through generalized estimating equations.ResultsA total of 454 (91.0%) and 351 (70.3%) children were followed past age 7 and 13 years, respectively. Maternal asthma was a risk factor for wheeze in girls (OR = 2.05, 95% CI 1.44–2.91, P < 0.0001) and boys (OR = 1.79, 1.29–2.48, P = 0.0004) and had a similar effect on wheeze throughout the ages. Paternal asthma (OR = 1.83, 1.38–2.57, P = 0.0005) and infant bronchiolitis (OR = 2.15, 1.47–3.14, P < 0.0001) were risk factors for boys only, with similar effects throughout the ages.ConclusionUsing a prospective cohort, we identified gender‐ and age‐specific risk factors for wheeze. The identification of gender‐specific early life risk factors may allow for timely interventions and a more personalized approach to the treatment of asthma. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015; 50:955–962. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Enhanced Tropism and Paracrine Secretion of Cytokines and Growth Factors to Treat Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Wang Zhe , Wang Yu , Wang Zhiyong , Gutkind J. Silvio , Wang Zhongliang , Wang Fu , Lu Jie , Niu Gang , Teng Gaojun , Chen Xiaoyuan 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising for the treatment of various diseases and injuries. Many strategies have been applied to attract MSCs to injury site after systemic infusion. In this study, we evidenced that the CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4)-SDF1α (stromal cell-derived factor 1α) axis in engineered MSCs serves not only to attract MSC migration to TBI but also to activate Akt kinase signaling pathway in MSCs to promote paracrine secretion of cytokines and growth factors. This leads to enhanced vasculogenesis and neuroprotection at the boundary of TBI for improved blood supply, recovery of axon connectivity, and behavioral ability and results in positive feedback loop to enhance additional MSC tropism to injury. These findings indicate a new aspect of SDF1α in mediating CXCR4 engineered MSCs for brain trauma homing and recovery. This potential mechanism may be applicable to other injuries, where CXCR4-SDF1α interaction is highly associated. Stem Cells 2015;33:456–467
The breaking of transient inertio-gravity waves in a shear flow using the Gaussian beam approximation
Authors: Rodas C. , Pulido M. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe propagation of transient inertio-gravity waves in a shear flow is examined using the Gaussian beam formulation. This formulation assumes Gaussian wavepackets in the spectral space and uses a second-order Taylor expansion of the phase of the wave field. In this sense, the Gaussian beam formulation is also an asymptotic approximation like spatial ray tracing; however, the first one is free of the singularities found in spatial ray tracing at caustics. Therefore, the Gaussian beam formulation permits the examination of the evolution of transient inertio-gravity wavepackets from the initial time up to the destabilization of the flow close to the critical levels. We show that the transience favours the development of the dynamical instability relative to the convective instability. In particular, there is a well-defined threshold for which small initial amplitude transient inertio-gravity waves never reach the convective instability criterion. This threshold does not exist for steady-state inertio-gravity waves for which the wave amplitude increases indefinitely towards the critical level. The Gaussian beam formulation is shown to be a powerful tool to treat analytically several aspects of inertio-gravity waves in simple shear flows. In more realistic shear flows, its numerical implementation is readily available and the required numerical calculations have a low computational cost.
Lyα Emitting Galaxies as a Probe of Reionisation
Authors: Dijkstra Mark 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe Epoch of Reionization (EoR) represents a milestone in the evolution of our Universe. Star-forming galaxies that existed during the EoR likely emitted a significant fraction ( ~ 5 − 40%) of their bolometric luminosity as Lyα line emission. However, neutral intergalactic gas that existed during the EoR was opaque to Lyα emission that escaped from galaxies during this epoch, which makes it difficult to observe. The neutral intergalactic medium (IGM) may thus reveal itself by suppressing the Lyα flux from background galaxies. Interestingly, a ‘sudden’ reduction in the observed Lyα flux has now been observed in galaxies at z > 6. This review contains a detailed summary of Lyα radiative processes: I describe (i) the main Lyα emission processes, including collisional-excitation & recombination (and derive the origin of the famous factor ‘0.68’), and (ii) basic radiative transfer concepts, including e.g. partially coherent scattering, frequency diffusion, resonant versus wing scattering, optically thick versus ‘extremely’ optically thick (static/outflowing/collapsing) media, and multiphase media. Following this review, I derive expressions for the Gunn-Peterson optical depth of the IGM during (inhomogeneous) reionisation and post-reionisation. I then describe why current observations appear to require a very rapid evolution of volume-averaged neutral fraction of hydrogen in the context of realistic inhomogeneous reionisation models, and discuss uncertainties in this interpretation. Finally, I describe how existing & futures surveys and instruments can help reduce these uncertainties, and allow us to fully exploit Lyα emitting galaxies as a probe of the EoR.