bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA expression profiling in children with different asthma phenotypes
Authors: Midyat Levent , Gulen Figen , Karaca Emin , Ozkinay Ferda , Tanac Remziye , Demir Esen , Cogulu Ozgur , Aslan Asli , Ozkinay Cihangir , Onay Huseyin , Atasever Mesude 
Published: September 2015

SummaryAn improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms in asthma through exploring the role of microRNAs may offer promise to reveal new approaches for primary prevention and identification of new therapeutic targets in childhood asthma. The primary goal of this study is to identify the microRNAs that play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma in pediatric age group. The secondary goal is to analyze these microRNAs according to the asthma phenotype, atopic status, and severity of the disease exacerbation. To our knowledge, this is the first research project in the literature which studies the relationship between microRNA expression and the severity of childhood asthma. One hundred children between 6 and 18 years old with a diagnosis of asthma, and 100 age‐matched healthy children were enrolled in this study, and the analyses of microRNA expression profiles were performed in the Medical Genetics Laboratories of Ege University between November 2009 and June 2010. The expression of 10 microRNAs were shown to be higher in patients with more severe asthma, and the expression of these microRNAs were also found to be higher in patients who present with more severe acute asthma exacerbation symptoms (P < 0.001). Also, five microRNAs were found to be expressed more than twofold in allergic patients when compared to non‐allergic participants (P <0.001). Asthma is one of the best examples of complex genetic diseases, and further studies, which will investigate the relationship between these microRNA's and their target genes, are needed to learn more about the specific roles of microRNAs in respiratory diseases. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:582–587. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Semipolar GaN‐based heterostructures on foreign substrates
Authors: Scholz Ferdinand , Caliebe Marian , Gahramanova Gulnaz , Heinz Dominik , Klein Martin , Leute Robert A. R. , Meisch Tobias , Wang Junjun , Hocker Matthias , Thonke Klaus 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThis paper reviews our recent investigations about semipolar GaN‐based optoelectronic heterostructures grown on foreign substrates. Two basically different approaches are discussed, both making use of epitaxial growth in the polar c‐direction to minimize any crystalline defects. By selective area growth, stripes with triangular cross‐section have been formed with semipolar side‐facets, on which quantum well and electroluminescence test structures have been deposited. By careful optimisation of many growth parameters, we could drastically increase the growth temperature of GaInN quantum wells emitting beyond 500 nm. In the second approach, the GaN growth starts on inclined sapphire c‐planes, which form the side facets of trenches etched into the substrates. After coalescence, planar semipolar GaN layers can be achieved. We investigated various sapphire wafer orientations leading to , , and layers. After careful optimisation with a major focus on the decrease of the stacking fault density, we have also investigated the doping behaviour of such semipolar structures. Eventually, full electroluminescence test structures could be grown.
A synchronization‐based state observer for impact oscillators using only collision time information
Authors: Baumann Michael , Leine Remco I. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryWe present the design of a state observer for Lagrangian systems subjected to frictionless geometric unilateral constraints. A master–slave synchronization setup is used in which the unidirectional coupling only consists of the information of the impact time instants. After a brief synchronization phase, the obtained observer replicates the full state of the observed system, independently of the initial conditions and even in the presence of accumulation points (Zeno behavior).The key idea is that the (virtual) observer system is subjected to switched kinematic unilateral constraints such that it may enjoy the property of incremental stability when the impact law is maximal monotone. The main inequality impact laws for hard unilateral constraints, that is, the generalized Poisson's and Newton's impact law, are under mild assumptions maximal monotone, which is a stronger condition than dissipativity. The results are applied to two different examples of mechanical impact oscillators. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new formulation for rotor equivalent wind speed for wind resource assessment and wind power forecasting
Authors: Choukulkar Aditya , Pichugina Yelena , Clack Christopher T. M. , Calhoun Ronald , Banta Robert , Brewer Alan , Hardesty Michael 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe spurt of growth in the wind energy industry has led to the development of many new technologies to study this energy resource and improve the efficiency of wind turbines. One of the key factors in wind farm characterization is the prediction of power output of the wind farm that is a strong function of the turbulence in the wind speed and direction. A new formulation for calculating the expected power from a wind turbine in the presence of wind shear, turbulence, directional shear and direction fluctuations is presented. It is observed that wind shear, directional shear and direction fluctuations reduce the power producing capability, while turbulent intensity increases it. However, there is a complicated superposition of these effects that alters the characteristics of the power estimate that indicates the need for the new formulation. Data from two field experiments is used to estimate the wind power using the new formulation, and results are compared to previous formulations. Comparison of the estimates of available power from the new formulation is not compared to actual power outputs and will be a subject of future work. © 2015 The Authors. Wind Energy published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identifying and characterizing the impact of turbine icing on wind farm power generation
Authors: Davis Neil N. , Pinson Pierre , Hahmann Andrea N. , Clausen Niels‐Erik , Žagar Mark 
Published: September 2015

AbstractWind park power production in cold climate regions is significantly impacted by ice growth on turbine blades. This can lead to significant errors in power forecasts and in the estimation of expected power production during turbine siting. A modeling system is presented that uses a statistical modeling approach to estimate the power loss due to icing, using inputs from both a physical icing and a numerical weather prediction model. The physical icing model is that of Davis et al., with updates to the simulation of ice ablation. A new approach for identifying periods of turbine blade icing from power observations was developed and used to calculate the observed power loss caused by icing. The observed icing power loss for 2years at six wind parks was used to validate the modeling system performance. Production estimates using the final production loss model reduce the root mean squared error when compared with the empirical wind park power curve (without icing influence) at five of the six wind parks while reducing the mean bias at all six wind parks. In addition to performing well when fit to each wind park, the production loss model was shown to improve the estimate of power when fit using all six wind parks, suggesting it may also be useful for wind parks where production data are not available. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Learning Curve of Robotic‐Assisted Low Rectal Resection of a Novice Rectal Surgeon
Authors: Foo Chi Chung , Law Wai Lun 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackgroundWith the increasing availability of the surgical robotic system, the young generation colorectal surgeons may learn robotic‐assisted rectal surgery upfront. There are currently very limited studies evaluating the learning curve of novice rectal surgeons.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the learning curve of a surgeon who had limited experience in open and laparoscopic rectal surgery.MethodsThirty‐nine consecutive robotic‐assisted total mesorectal excisions were performed from March 2013 to October 2014. All cases were performed by a single surgeon whose prior experience in open or laparoscopic low rectal cancer resections was <5 cases. The learning curve was analyzed using the cumulative sum method.ResultsThirty‐four low anterior resections, four abdomino‐perineal resections, and one Hartmann’s operation were performed. The mean total operating time was 397.2 ± 184.3 min. There was no conversion. The major complication rate was 10.3 %. When total operating time was analyzed with the CUSUM method, three phases could be identified. They are the initial eight cases, middle 17 cases, and the final 14 cases. The first phase consisted of more proximal tumors (86.3 ± 20.7 vs. 58.0 ± 34.9 mm from anal verge, p = 0.04) and was associated with a shorter total operating time (243.5 ± 38.0 vs. 540.9 ± 133.4 min, p = 0.000) and less estimated blood loss (81.3 ± 25.9 vs. 168.8 ± 99.5 ml, p = 0.02) compared to the second phase. When the third phase is compared with the first and second phase, it has shorter total operating time (310.6 ± 164.5 vs. 44 5.7 ± 179.8 min, p = 0.03). Complications rate were 12.5, 17.6, and 0 % for phase one, two, and three respectively.ConclusionsIn this study, the learning curve for a novice rectal surgeon was 25 cases. This is comparable to those who have already mastered the technique with laparoscopic or open approach. Surgical robotic system may have a role in shortening the learning curve for low rectal resection.
Variable history of land use reduces the relationship to specific habitat requirements of a threatened aquatic insect
Authors: Iversen Lars Lønsmann , Rannap Riinu , Briggs Lars , Sand‐Jensen Kaj 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe hutchinsonian realized niche of a species is the most common tool for selecting the actions needed when restoring habitats and establishing conservation areas of species. However, defining the realized niche of a species is problematic due to variation across spatial and temporal scales. In this study we tested the hypothesis that habitat parameters defining the realized niche of a species can be derived from a regional study and that national changes in land use influence the perception of the realized niche across different landscapes. We described the realized habitat niche of the threatened dragonfly Leucorrhinia pectoralis, in four Estonian landscapes which all have undergone more than 20 years of habitat degradations. We recorded the presence/absence of L. pectoralis and measured 7 habitat variables for 140 lakes and ponds located in one restored and three un‐restored landscapes. Lake size and proportion of short riparian vegetation were significantly positive parameters determining the presence of L. pectoralis across landscape types. The species was much more habitat specific in the restored landscape, with larger influence of other habitat parameters. Our data suggest that the realized niche of the species in the un‐restored landscapes was constrained by the present‐day habitats. The study demonstrate that if a species realized niche is derived from local distribution patterns without incorporating landscape history it can lead to an erroneous niche definition. We show that landscape restoration can provide knowledge on a species’ habitat dependencies before habitat degradation has occurred, provided that restoration mitigation reflects the former landscape characteristics.
Infrastructure for collaborative science and societal applications in the Columbia River estuary
Authors: Baptista António M. , Seaton Charles , Wilkin Michael P. , Riseman Sarah F. , Needoba Joseph A. , Maier David , Turner Paul J. , Kärnä Tuomas , Lopez Jesse E. , Herfort Lydie , Megler V. M. , McNeil Craig , Crump Byron C. , Peterson Tawnya D. , Spitz Yvette H. , Simon Holly M. 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
To meet societal needs, modern estuarine science needs to be interdisciplinary and collaborative, combine discovery with hypotheses testing, and be responsive to issues facing both regional and global stakeholders. Such an approach is best conducted with the benefit of data-rich environments, where information from sensors and models is openly accessible within convenient timeframes. Here, we introduce the operational infrastructure of one such data-rich environment, a collaboratory created to support (a) interdisciplinary research in the Columbia River estuary by the multi-institutional team of investigators of the Science and Technology Center for Coastal Margin Observation & Prediction and (b) the integration of scientific knowledge into regional decision making. Core components of the operational infrastructure are an observation network, a modeling system and a cyber-infrastructure, each of which is described. The observation network is anchored on an extensive array of long-term stations, many of them interdisciplinary, and is complemented by on-demand deployment of temporary stations and mobile platforms, often in coordinated field campaigns. The modeling system is based on finiteelement unstructured-grid codes and includes operational and process-oriented simulations of circulation, sediments and ecosystem processes. The flow of information is managed through a dedicated cyber-infrastructure, conversant with regional and national observing systems.
The cost‐effectiveness of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program: Results from a modelling study
Authors: Beckman Linda , Svensson Mikael 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTExposure to bullying affects around 3–5 percent of adolescents in secondary school and is related to various mental health problems. Many different anti‐bullying programmes are currently available, but economic evaluations are lacking. The aim of this study is to identify the cost effectiveness of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP). We constructed a decision‐tree model for a Swedish secondary school, using a public payer perspective, and retrieved data on costs and effects from the published literature. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis to reflect the uncertainty in the model was conducted. The base‐case analysis showed that using the OBPP to reduce the number of victims of bullying costs 131 250 Swedish kronor (€14 470) per victim spared. Compared to a relevant threshold of the societal value of bullying reduction, this indicates that the programme is cost‐effective. Using a relevant willingness‐to‐pay threshold shows that the OBPP is a cost‐effective intervention.
Short‐ and long‐term outcomes of kidney transplants with kidneys lavaged by retrograde perfusion technique
Authors: Han Xiu‐Wu , Zhang Xiao‐Dong , Wang Yong , Tian Xi‐Quan , Wang Jian‐Wen , Amin Bu‐He , Yan Wei 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of the retrograde perfusion technique in kidney transplantation.MethodsBetween January 2001 and June 2011, 24 cases of kidney transplantation with kidneys perfused using the retrograde perfusion technique due to renal artery variations or injury were selected as the observation group (retrograde perfussion group, RP group). Twenty‐two cases of kidney transplantation via conventional perfusion were chosen as the control group (antegrade perfussion group, AP group). There were no statistically significant differences in donor data between the two groups. Cold ischemia time, warm ischemia time, renal perfusion time, amount of perfusion fluid, acute renal tubular necrosis, wound infection, urinary fistula, graft kidney function, and the 1‐year, 3‐year, and 5‐year survival rates for the grafted kidney in both groups were observed and recorded.ResultsThe kidney perfusion time was shorter in the RP group than that in the AP group (3.14 ± 1.00 vs. 5.02 ± 1.15 min, P = 0.030). There were 10 cases of acute renal tubule necrosis in the RP group and 5 in the AP group. The length of hospital stay was 40 ± 14 d in the RP group and 25 ± 12 d in the AP group. The follow‐up time was 3.5–8.5 years (mean 6.25 years). The 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival rates for the grafted kidney were 95.8%, 75.5%, and 65.5% in the RP group and 97.1%, 82.5%, and 68.4% in the AP group, respectively (P>0.05).ConclusionsThis study indicates that retrograde perfusion is safe and practicable for cadaveric kidney harvesting and can be regarded as a better alternative or remedial measure for a poorly perfused kidney due to vascular deformity or injury.
Electrokinetics meets electrohydrodynamics
Authors: Bazant Martin Z. 
Published: September 2015

Despite studying the same subject – electrically induced flow – the fields of electrokinetics (EK) and electrohydrodynamics (EHD) have developed separately, for different types of fluids and interfaces. In colloids or porous media, EK phenomena derive from the electro-osmotic slip of a liquid electrolyte across the neutral electric double layer on a solid surface. On the other hand, EHD phenomena involve poorly conducting neutral fluids and solids, whose interfaces acquire net charge in response to electric fields. Over the past decade, combined theories of EK and EHD have emerged for fluid/solid interfaces, and now Schnitzer & Yariv (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 773, 2015, pp. 1–33) have taken a major step towards unifying EK and EHD for fluid/fluid interfaces. Following previous work by Baygents and Saville, they derive the classical Taylor–Melcher model of droplet EHD as the large-field thin-double-layer limit of the electrokinetic equations, thus elucidating the ubiquitous ‘leaky dielectric’ approximation. Future work could consider the secondary electro-osmotic flow and electrophoretic motion of the drop (neglected here as small perturbations) and allow for more general EK models.
Assessing risk factors of sporadicCampylobacterinfection: a case-control study in Arizona
Authors: POGREBA-BROWN K. , BAKER A. , ERNST K. , STEWART J. , HARRIS R. B. , WEISS J. 
Published: September 2015

SUMMARYCase-control studies of sporadicCampylobacterinfections have predominately been conducted in non-Hispanic populations. In Arizona, rates of campylobacteriosis have been historically higher than the national average, with particularly high rates in Hispanics. In 2010, health departments and a state university collaborated to conduct a statewide case-control study to determine whether risk factors differ in an ethnically diverse region of the United States. Statistically significant risk factors in the final multivariate model were: eating cantaloupe [odds ratio (OR) 7·64], handling raw poultry (OR 4·88) and eating queso fresco (OR 7·11). In addition, compared to non-Hispanic/non-travellers, the highest risk group were Hispanic/non-travellers (OR 7·27), and Hispanic/travellers (OR 5·87, not significant). Results of this study suggest Hispanics have higher odds of disease, probably due to differential exposures. In addition to common risk factors, consumption of cantaloupe was identified as a significant risk factor. These results will inform public health officials of the varying risk factors forCampylobacterin this region.
‘When operating a cafeteria, sales come before nutrition’ – finding barriers and facilitators to serving reduced-sodium meals in worksite cafeterias
Authors: Park Sohyun , Lee Jounghee 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectiveThe present study was conducted to examine barriers to and facilitators of serving reduced-sodium meals (RSM) in worksite cafeterias.DesignWe conducted in-depth interviews with key stakeholders in food catering companies.SettingFood catering companies at various customer sites in South Korea.SubjectsA total of nineteen interviews with twenty-five participants from ten catering companies were conducted. Sixteen on-site dietitians and nine managers from the catering companies’ headquarters participated in the interviews.ResultsFour main themes emerged from the interviews. First, key stakeholders’ psychosocial characteristics (perception, intention and knowledge) are important in serving RSM in worksite cafeterias. Second, skills and techniques related to measuring sodium content and preparing RSM were emphasized by the interviewees. Third, the lack of various delicious low-sodium menus is a barrier to serving RSM. Lastly, a number of environmental factors were addressed, which include social support for reduced-sodium diets (a facilitator) and pressure to maintain profit margins (a barrier), that contribute to serving meals with less salt. Based on these factors, various recommendations for future sodium reduction policies and programmes were suggested.ConclusionsIt is important to implement population-wide sodium reduction as a means of preventing CVD and stroke. The study provided important facilitators of and barriers to serving RSM in worksite cafeterias, which could be helpful in developing environmental interventions that promote low-sodium diets.
Nutritional status, tooth wear and quality of life in Brazilian schoolchildren
Authors: Andrade Francisco Juliherme Pires de , Sales-Peres André de Carvalho , Moura-Grec Patricia Garcia de , Mapengo Marta Artemisa Abel , Sales-Peres Arsenio , Sales-Peres Sílvia Helena de Carvalho 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the correlation among nutritional status, tooth wear and quality of life in Brazilian schoolchildren.DesignThe study followed a cross-sectional design. Nutritional status was measured via anthropometry using BMI and tooth wear was measured using the Dental Wear Index; both these assessments were carried out by a trained recorder according to standard criteria. A modified version of the Child Oral Impacts on Daily Performances was used to assess quality of life.SettingCity of Bauru, in Brazil.SubjectsA cluster sample of 396 schoolchildren (194 boys and 202 girls) aged 7–10 years.ResultsThe anthropometric assessment showed similar situations for both sexes regarding underweight (31·40 % in boys and 30·20 % in girls) and overweight/obesity (33·96 % in boys and 33·17 % in girls). The underweight children showed a greater severity of tooth wear in the primary teeth (OR=0·72; CI 0·36, 1·42), although in the permanent dentition the obese children had a greater severity of tooth wear (OR=1·42; 95 % CI 0·31, 6·55). The tooth wear was correlated with age for both dentitions.ConclusionsTooth wear in the primary and permanent dentition may be related to nutritional status. Tooth wear and obesity did not have a significant impact on the schoolchildren’s perception of quality of life.