bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dysifragilones A–C, Unusual Sesquiterpene Aminoquinones and Inhibitors of NO Production from the South China Sea Sponge Dysidea fragilis
Authors: Jiao Wei‐Hua , Xu Ting‐Ting , Zhao Feng , Gao Hao , Shi Guo‐Hua , Wang Jie , Hong Li‐Li , Yu Hao‐Bing , Li Yu‐Shan , Yang Fan , Lin Hou‐Wen 
Published: January 2015

AbstractDysifragilones A–C (1–3), three unusual sesquiterpene aminoquinones based on a rearranged avarone skeleton, were isolated from the South China Sea sponge Dysidea fragilis. Their structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic and spectrometric analysis, and their absolute configurations were assigned from calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. The inhibitory activity of each compound on the production of nitric oxide (NO) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mouse RAW 264.7 macrophages was evaluated. Of the three metabolites, dysifragilone A (1) showed the most potent inhibitory activity, with an IC50 value of 6.61 ± 0.54 μM.
Evolving Smart Model to Predict the Combustion Front Velocity for In Situ Combustion
Authors: Ahmadi Mohammad Ali , Masoumi Mohammad , Askarinezhad Reza 
Published: January 2015

AbstractTo determine the breakthrough time of the combustion front in the in situ combustion process for heavy oil recovery processes, no records have been reported in previous literature to date. In this work, the developed model was inspired by a new intelligent method called the “least‐squares support vector machine” (LSSVM) to specify the combustion front velocity in heavy oil recovery process. The proposed approach is applied to the experimental data from Iranian oil fields and reported data from the literature has been incorporated to develop and test this model. The estimated outcomes from the LSSVM approach are compared to the aforementioned actual in situ combustion data. By comparing the results obtained from suggested method with the relevant experimental ones it is clear that the LSSVM approach predicts the combustion front velocity with reasonable degree of precision. It worth mentioning that the LSSVM contains no conceptual errors, such as over‐fitting, which is an issue for artificial neural networks. The results of this study could couple with the industrial reservoir simulation software for heavy oil reservoirs to select the proper production method or achieve related goals.
Biochar: a new promising catalyst support using methanation as a probe reaction
Authors: Zhu Lingjun , Yin Shi , Yin Qianqian , Wang Haixia , Wang Shurong 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBiochar (BC), a by‐product from the fast pyrolysis of rice husk, was activated by chemical and physical process. The activated biochar (ABC) showed graphite‐like morphology and had a large amount of random pores with BET surface area of 1058 m2/g. The biochar properties observed by further characterization revealed its feasibility to be used as a catalyst support. Syngas methanation as a probe reaction was utilized to characterize biochar supported Ru catalyst. The catalytic performance of the Ru/ABC catalyst in methanation was superior or comparable to the conventional activated carbon (AC) supported Ru catalyst. A high CH4 selectivity of 98% and a CO conversion of 100% were obtained under the proper reaction conditions over the Ru/ABC catalyst.
Cognition, even in the normal range, predicts disability: cross‐sectional and prospective analyses of a population‐based sample
Authors: St. John Philip D. , Tyas Suzanne L. , Montgomery Patrick R. 
Published: January 2015

ObjectiveTo determine if the modified mini–mental state examination (3MS) predicts functional status and if any effect on function is observed within the normal range of cognition.DesignCohort study.SettingCommunity‐dwelling older adults in the Canadian province of Manitoba sampled in 1991 and followed in 1996.ParticipantsBaseline sample of 1751 adults aged 65+ from a representative registry. Five years later, 1028 participants remained in the community and had no missing data.MeasurementsThe 3MS, age, gender, education, living arrangements, self‐rated health, and depressive symptoms were self‐reported. Functional status was assessed using the Older Americans Resource Survey, which was dichotomized into no/mild disability versus moderate/severe disability.ResultsBaseline 3MS score predicted baseline functional status. This effect was a gradient across the entire 3MS score, extending into the normal range with no apparent threshold. In logistic regression models, the unadjusted odds ratio (OR, 95% confidence interval) for the association of 3MS score with disability was 0.94 (0.93, 0.95); the adjusted OR was 0.96 (0.95, 0.98) in models including age, gender, education, and other covariates. Baseline 3MS score also predicted functional status 5 years later: The unadjusted OR for disability was 0.94 (0.92, 0.95); the adjusted OR was 0.97 (0.95, 0.99). Again, the risk of functional impairment at time 2 was a gradient effect, extending into the normal range of baseline 3MS score.ConclusionsThe 3MS predicts functional decline, and this effect is a gradient effect. These results support the hypothesis that cognition is a continuum in risk. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pain among institutionalized stroke patients and its relation to emotional distress and social engagement
Authors: van Almenkerk Suzanne , Depla Marja F. I. A. , Smalbrugge Martin , Eefsting Jan A. , Hertogh Cees M. P. M. 
Published: January 2015

ObjectivePain is a frequent long‐term consequence of stroke, but its relation to emotional and social well‐being is poorly studied in stroke populations. We aimed to identify the prevalence of substantial pain among institutionalized stroke patients and to explore its relation to emotional distress (ED) and low social engagement (SE).MethodsIn a cross‐sectional design, we collected data of 274 chronic stroke patients in Dutch nursing homes. Observation lists were filled out in structured interviews with qualified nurse assistants who knew the residents well. Pain and SE were measured with the Resident Assessment Instrument for Long‐term Care Facilities, and ED was measured with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPIQ).ResultsSubstantial pain was present in 28% of the residents, mostly located in the affected body side (68%). Multilevel regression analyses revealed that this pain was independently related to a 60% increase in NPIQ score (β 3.18 [1.84–4.53]) and to clinically relevant symptoms of delusions (odds ratio [OR] 8.45 [1.82–39.05]), agitation/aggression (OR 3.82 [1.76–8.29]), depression (OR 3.49 [1.75–6.98]), and anxiety (OR 2.32 [1.08–4.97]). Substantial pain was associated with low SE when adjusted for clinical covariates (OR 4.25 [1.72–10.53]), but only in residents with no/mild or severe cognitive impairment. This relation disappeared when additionally corrected for NPIQ score (OR 1.95 [0.71–5.39]).ConclusionsPain is a serious and multidimensional problem among institutionalized stroke patients. It is related to increased ED, which in turn can be a pathway to low SE as an indicator of social vulnerability. Future research should reveal how pain management in nursing homes can be tailored to the needs of this patient group. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of chronic benzodiazepine use on cognitive evolution in nursing home residents
Authors: Bourgeois Jolyce , Elseviers Monique M. , Van Bortel Luc , Petrovic Mirko , Vander Stichele Robert H. 
Published: January 2015

ObjectiveChronic use of benzodiazepines and Z‐drugs (BZD/Zs) has been linked to cognitive decline. In this one‐year prospective cohort study, we explored the impact of chronic BZD/Z use on cognitive decline compared to nonusers.MethodsIn cognitively capable BZD/Z users and nonusers in 10 Belgian nursing homes, we investigated cognition with the MiniMentalStateExamination(MMSE) at baseline and one year. A decrease of ≥4 points on the MMSE (clinically relevant decrease) was used in multiple logistic regression. We collected baseline demographics, functional, psychometric and social characteristics potentially influencing cognition.ResultsIn both the 131 BZD/Z users and 95 nonusers, the cognition decreased significantly over time, but without significant difference between the groups. Clinically relevant decrease was present in 34% BZD/Z users and 27% nonusers (NS). Controlled for age, gender, education and BZD/Z use, the significant risk factors for clinically relevant cognitive decline were depression, hearing and functional impairment. Frequent reading was associated with less MMSE decrease.Our findings could not demonstrate with statistical significance that BZD/Z use was associated with fast cognitive decline. The risk factors for fast decline were depression, hearing and functional impairment, and the absence of a reading attitude. In addition, BZD/Z use and depression were associated, indicating a complex relationship. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of particle size and porosity on in vivo remodeling of settable allograft bone/polymer composites
Authors: Prieto Edna M. , Talley Anne D. , Gould Nicholas R. , Zienkiewicz Katarzyna J. , Drapeau Susan J. , Kalpakci Kerem N. , Guelcher Scott A. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractEstablished clinical approaches to treat bone voids include the implantation of autograft or allograft bone, ceramics, and other bone void fillers (BVFs). Composites prepared from lysine‐derived polyurethanes and allograft bone can be injected as a reactive liquid and set to yield BVFs with mechanical strength comparable to trabecular bone. In this study, we investigated the effects of porosity, allograft particle size, and matrix mineralization on remodeling of injectable and settable allograft/polymer composites in a rabbit femoral condyle plug defect model. Both low viscosity and high viscosity grafts incorporating small (<105 μm) particles only partially healed at 12 weeks, and the addition of 10% demineralized bone matrix did not enhance healing. In contrast, composite grafts with large (105–500 μm) allograft particles healed at 12 weeks postimplantation, as evidenced by radial μCT and histomorphometric analysis. This study highlights particle size and surface connectivity as influential parameters regulating the remodeling of composite bone scaffolds. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 103B: 1641–1651, 2015.
Improved pre‐characterization method for the random walk based capacitance extraction of multi‐dielectric VLSI interconnects
Authors: Zhang Bolong , Yu Wenjian , Zhang Chao 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAccurately extracting capacitances among the interconnects in modern multi‐dielectric technology of integrated circuits is a challenging task. The floating random walk (FRW) algorithm is advantageous for capacitance extraction and has been extended by W. Yu et al. to accurately handle multi‐dielectric structures with a pre‐characterization approach. In this paper, we improve this pre‐characterization approach by permitting the cubic transition domains with three or four‐dielectric layers. The techniques of pre‐characterizing and utilizing these multi‐dielectric transition cubes are proposed. Experiments on the test cases under actual manufacture technologies show that the proposed method brings 13× speedup on average, with affordable memory overhead. The experiments also validate the accuracy of the proposed method and reveal the significant error caused by the dielectric homogenization approach in a commercial FRW solver. Finally, on a machine with 12‐core CPU, the parallel FRW algorithm equipped with the proposed pre‐characterization method demonstrates more than 10× speedup of parallelization. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The alleviating trend of drought in the Huang‐Huai‐Hai Plain of China based on the dailySPEI
Authors: Wang Qianfeng , Shi Peijun , Lei Tianjie , Geng Guangpo , Liu Jinghui , Mo Xinyu , Li Xiaohan , Zhou Hongkui , Wu Jianjun 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTDrought is a major natural hazard that can have devastating impacts on regional agriculture, water resources and the environment. To assess the variability and pattern of drought characteristics in the Huang‐Huai‐Hai (HHH) Plain, the daily Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) is developed based on daily meteorological data in this study. The dailySPEIdata are used, including Annual Total Drought Severity (ATDS), Annual Total Drought Duration (ATDD) and Annual Drought Frequency (ADF), which were calculated from 1981 to 2010 at 28 meteorological stations. We used the indices (ATDS,ATDDandADF), Hovmöller diagrams and the reliable no parameter statistical methods of the Mann–Kendall test to assess the variability and pattern of drought characteristics for the period from 1981 to 2010 in theHHHplain. The results suggested that severe drought occurred in the 1980s, the late 1990s and the early 2000s, severe drought events occurred in 1981, 1986, 1997 and 2002. Decreasing trends for bothATDSandATDDwere found, and the drought situation did not worsen under global warming during the past 30 years, and the drought situation is alleviating in the entireHHHplain. The northeast and southwest regions of theHHHplain have suffered from more severe drought, and the north region is prone to drought. The results of the study can provide a scientific understanding for the adoption of countermeasures of regional defence against drought and also may serve as a reference point for drought hazard vulnerability analysis.
On sequentially closed subsets of the real line in
Authors: Keremedis Kyriakos 
Published: January 2015

We show:

iff every countable product of sequential metric spaces (sequentially closed subsets are closed) is a sequential metric space iff every complete metric space is Cantor complete.
Every infinite subset X of has a countably infinite subset iff every infinite sequentially closed subset of includes an infinite closed subset.
The statement “ is sequential” is equivalent to each one of the following propositions:

Every sequentially closed subset A of includes a countable cofinal subset C,
for every sequentially closed subset A of , is a meager subset of ,
for every sequentially closed subset A of , ,
every sequentially closed subset of is separable,
every sequentially closed subset of is Cantor complete,
every complete subspace of is Cantor complete.
A slowly progressive form of limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy type 2C associated with founder mutation in the SGCG gene in Puerto Rican Hispanics
Authors: Al‐Zaidy Samiah A. , Malik Vinod , Kneile Kelley , Rosales Xiomara Q. , Gomez Ana Maria , Lewis Sarah , Hashimoto Sayaka , Gastier‐Foster Julie , Kang Peter , Darras Basil , Kunkel Louis , Carlo Jose , Sahenk Zarife , Moore Steven A. , Pyatt Robert , Mendell Jerry R. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractLimb‐girdle muscular dystrophy type 2C (LGMD2C) is considered one of the severe forms of childhood‐onset muscular dystrophy. The geographical distribution of founder mutations in the SGCG gene has a prominent effect on the prevalence of LGMD2C in certain populations. The aim of this study was to confirm the hypothesis that the c.787G>A (p.E263K) mutation in the SGCG gene is a founder mutation among Puerto Rican Hispanics and to characterize the associated clinical and immunohistochemical phenotype. Genotyping of six polymorphic microsatellite markers internal to (D13S232) and flanking (D13S175, D13S292, D13S787, D13S1243, D13S283) the SGCG gene was performed on four unrelated Puerto Rican patients with LGMD2C. Preserved ambulation to the second decade of life was observed in at least two subjects. Immunostaining of skeletal muscle demonstrated absence of γ‐sarcoglycan in all affected subjects. Two markers, D13S232 and D13S292, were highly informative and confirmed that all four families share the haplotype of the mutant allele. Our findings confirm that the E263K missense mutation in the SGCG gene is a founder mutation in Puerto Rican Hispanics. A slowly progressive disease course with prolonged preservation of ambulation can be seen in association with this mutation, providing evidence for phenotypic variability.
Sensitivity analysis using anchored ANOVA expansion and high‐order moments computation
Authors: Tang Kunkun , Congedo Pietro M. , Abgrall Rémi 
Published: January 2015

SUMMARYAn anchored analysis of variance (ANOVA) method is proposed in this paper to decompose the statistical moments. Compared to the standard ANOVA with mutually orthogonal component functions, the anchored ANOVA, with an arbitrary choice of the anchor point, loses the orthogonality if employing the same measure. However, an advantage of the anchored ANOVA consists in the considerably reduced number of deterministic solver's computations, which renders the uncertainty quantification of real engineering problems much easier. Different from existing methods, the covariance decomposition of the output variance is used in this work to take account of the interactions between non‐orthogonal components, yielding an exact variance expansion and thus, with a suitable numerical integration method, provides a strategy that converges. This convergence is verified by studying academic tests. In particular, the sensitivity problem of existing methods to the choice of anchor point is analyzed via the Ishigami case, and we point out that covariance decomposition survives from this issue. Also, with a truncated anchored ANOVA expansion, numerical results prove that the proposed approach is less sensitive to the anchor point. The covariance‐based sensitivity indices (SI) are also used, compared to the variance‐based SI. Furthermore, we emphasize that the covariance decomposition can be generalized in a straightforward way to decompose higher‐order moments. For academic problems, results show the method converges to exact solution regarding both the skewness and kurtosis. Finally, the proposed method is applied on a realistic case, that is, estimating the chemical reactions uncertainties in a hypersonic flow around a space vehicle during an atmospheric reentry. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decreased Low Back Pain Intensity and Differential Gene Expression Following Calmare®: Results From a Double‐Blinded Randomized Sham‐Controlled Study
Authors: Starkweather Angela R. , Coyne Patrick , Lyon Debra E. , Elswick R. K. , An Kyungeh , Sturgill Jamie 
Published: January 2015

AbstractIn this double‐blinded, randomized controlled trial we evaluated the effects of Calmare®, a non‐invasive neurocutaneous electrical pain intervention, on lower back pain intensity as measured by the “worst” pain score and on pain interference using the Brief Pain Inventory‐Short Form, on measures of pain sensitivity assessed by quantitative sensory testing, and on mRNA expression of pain sensitivity genes. Thirty participants were randomized to receive up to 10 sessions of Calmare® treatment (n = 15) or a sham treatment (n = 15) using the same device at a non‐therapeutic threshold. At 3 weeks after conclusion of treatment, compared with the sham group, the Calmare® group reported a significant decrease in the “worst” pain and interference scores. There were also significant differences in pain sensitivity and differential mRNA expression of 17 pain genes, suggesting that Calmare® can be effective in reducing pain intensity and interference in individuals with persistent low back pain by altering the mechanisms of enhanced pain sensitivity. Further study of long‐term pain outcomes, particularly functional status, analgesic use and health care utilization, is warranted. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Value of SAT Scores and High School Grades in the Selection of Honors Program Candidates from the Perspective of Honors Students and Graduates
Authors: Roszkowski Michael J. , Nigro Richard A. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAdmission to honors programs is competitive and typically relies heavily on the applicant's high school grades and SAT scores. Research shows that of the two criteria, the stronger predictor of performance in an honors curriculum is the high school record, which would imply that grades should receive the greater emphasis. We surveyed current students (109 respondents) and the graduates (203 respondents) of an honors program at a private university to determine their views about how high school grades and SAT scores should be treated in the honors admission decision. The majority in both groups indicated stronger support for a minimum high school GPA (74% of the current students and 72% of the alumni) than for a minimum SAT (49% of the students and 43% of the alumni). Similarly, a majority (74% of students, 67% of alumni) agreed that in the admissions process, a high GPA score should be allowed to override a nonqualifying SAT score. Conversely, only a minority (36% of students, 23% of alumni) supported the proposition that a good SAT score should be permitted to override a poor high school GPA. In cases where a discrepancy exists between the two criteria, the overwhelming view (84% of the students and 90% of the alumni) was that the high school GPA should receive the greater weight.A two‐step cluster analysis of the five items revealed the presence of two segments in both samples. The major differentiator between the two clusters was opinion about whether a high SAT score should be allowed to override a nonqualifying GPA. Since the defining feature of each cluster was whether or not good SAT scores should be allowed to override poor high school grades, we explored the relationship of opinion on this issue to motivation to enroll in an honors program and the perceived personality of the typical honors student. Surprisingly, very few of these items correlated to respondents’ position on this matter, and even the significant correlations were small in magnitude. The survey showed that irrespective of opinion about the SAT overriding GPA, honors students’ motivation to enroll in an honors program rests mainly on wanting to be with students who share both their ability and work ethic. In terms of personality, the typical honors student is viewed by honors participants themselves as someone who is more likely than the non‐honors student to be intellectually curious, highly motivated, possessing good study habits, and having a tendency to be compulsively driven to work hard. On the other hand, honors participants consider the typical honors student to be less likely than the non‐honors student to be extraverted, social, athletic, and to enjoy working in teams.