bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modeling OFDM irreducible BER with impact of CP length and CFO in multipath channel with small delay dispersion
Authors: Lipovac Adriana , Lipovac Vlatko , Modlic Borivoj 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIn this paper, we propose an analytical model for estimating the irreducible bit error ratio (BER) in multipath channel with small‐extent delay dispersion, such as indoor, where the signal‐to‐noise ratio is high, implying dominance of inter‐symbol interference as error‐generating mechanism. Both channel and overall orthogonal frequency‐division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols are modeled stochastically, resulting with novel expression for the residual BER prediction that is shown to analytically distinguish power delay profiles with equal delay spreads but having different profile shapes. In addition, the model could simply accommodate insertion of cyclic prefix onto the OFDM symbol, providing a means for either testing adequacy of any applied (standard) cyclic prefix length or finding its optimal value as a compromise between the performance enhancement achieved by inserting cyclic prefix and the consequently added redundancy. Finally, the model was modified as to include the analysis of effects of subcarrier frequency inaccuracy or Doppler shift, by adding additional equivalent delay dispersion with equal effect on BER degradation, while considering the system virtually free of carrier frequency offset. All analytically achieved results and conclusions are tested and successfully verified by conducted extensive Monte Carlo simulations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cumulative risk and developmental health: an argument for the importance of a family‐wide science
Authors: Browne Dillon T. , Plamondon Andre , Prime Heather , Puente‐Duran Sofia , Wade Mark 
Published: April 2015

A substantial body of research links social disadvantage and developmental health via a cascade running from poverty, to cumulative psychosocial risk, to disrupted family dynamics, to child biological regulatory systems and neurocognitive processing, and finally to morbidity across the lifespan. Most research in this area employs single‐dyad or between‐family methodology. While informative, there are limitations to this approach. Specifically, it is impossible to determine how risk alters psychosocial environments that are similar for all persons within a household, versus processes that are unique to particular children. This is important in light of literature citing the primacy of child‐specific environments in driving developmental health. Methodologically speaking, there are both benefits and challenges to family‐wide approaches that differentiate between‐ and within‐family environments. This review describes literature linking cumulative risk and developmental health via family process, while articulating the importance of family‐wide approaches. Areas of shortcoming and recommendations for a family‐wide science are provided.WIREs Cogn Sci2015, 6:397–407. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1349This article is categorized under:Psychology > Development and AgingPsychology > Theory and Methods
Optical control of biological processes by light‐switchable proteins
Authors: Fan Linlin Z. , Lin Michael Z. 
Published: April 2015

Cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, or migration depend on precise spatiotemporal coordination of protein activities. Correspondingly, reaching a quantitative understanding of cellular behavior requires experimental approaches that enable spatial and temporal modulation of protein activity. Recently, a variety of light‐sensitive protein domains have been engineered as optogenetic actuators to spatiotemporally control protein activity. In the present review, we discuss the principle of these optical control methods and examples of their applications in modulating signaling pathways. By controlling protein activity with spatiotemporal specificity, tunable dynamics, and quantitative control, light‐controllable proteins promise to accelerate our understanding of cellular and organismal biology. WIREs Dev Biol 2015, 4:545–554. doi: 10.1002/wdev.188This article is categorized under:

Technologies > Perturbing Genes and Generating Modified Animals
Technologies > Analysis of Cell, Tissue, and Animal Phenotypes
Technologies > Analysis of Proteins
Gay‐Straight Alliances Vary on Dimensions of Youth Socializing and Advocacy: Factors Accounting for Individual and Setting‐Level Differences
Authors: Poteat V. Paul , Scheer Jillian R. , Marx Robert A. , Calzo Jerel P. , Yoshikawa Hirokazu 
Published: April 2015

AbstractGay‐Straight Alliances (GSAs) are school‐based youth settings that could promote health. Yet, GSAs have been treated as homogenous without attention to variability in how they operate or to how youth are involved in different capacities. Using a systems perspective, we considered two primary dimensions along which GSAs function to promote health: providing socializing and advocacy opportunities. Among 448 students in 48 GSAs who attended six regional conferences in Massachusetts (59.8 % LGBQ; 69.9 % White; 70.1 % cisgender female), we found substantial variation among GSAs and youth in levels of socializing and advocacy. GSAs were more distinct from one another on advocacy than socializing. Using multilevel modeling, we identified group and individual factors accounting for this variability. In the socializing model, youth and GSAs that did more socializing activities did more advocacy. In the advocacy model, youth who were more actively engaged in the GSA as well as GSAs whose youth collectively perceived greater school hostility and reported greater social justice efficacy did more advocacy. Findings suggest potential reasons why GSAs vary in how they function in ways ranging from internal provisions of support, to visibility raising, to collective social change. The findings are further relevant for settings supporting youth from other marginalized backgrounds and that include advocacy in their mission.
The Cup of Diogenes: A Fixed Anatomical Landmark for Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Authors: Houdek Matthew T. , Wagner Eric R. , Shin Alexander Y. 
Published: April 2015

Purpose Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common entrapment neuropathy. When conservative management fails to relieve symptoms, carpal tunnel surgery is indicated. The surgical exposure for this procedure is commonly based on variable anatomic landmarks. The purpose of this study was to describe a fixed, easily referenced anatomical landmark for the distal extension of the transverse carpal ligament, the “Cup of Diogenes.” Materials and Methods Topographical landmarks including Kaplan cardinal line, palmaris tendon, and distal palmer crease were marked on six fresh frozen cadaveric wrist and hand specimens. The apex of the Cup of Diogenes is determined to be the confluence of the thenar and hypothenar musculature of the palm. Wrists were dissected and the distance between these landmarks and the superficial palmar arch, median nerve, transverse carpal ligament, and ulnar nerve were measured. Results In all specimens, the ulnar nerve was ulnar to this the apex of the Cup of Diogenes, while the median nerve was radial. The apex was proximal in all specimens to the superficial palmar arch. The apex marked the distal extent of the transverse carpal ligament in all specimens. Discussion Based on our results, we feel the apex of the Cup of Diogenes is a consistent, fixed anatomical marker for the distal extent of the transverse carpal ligament, marking a safe zone in the palm for surgical planning of incisions. Level of Evidence Level V - Therapeutic
Branched‐Chain Fatty Acid Methyl Esters as Cold Flow Improvers for Biodiesel
Authors: Dunn Robert O. , Ngo Helen L. , Haas Michael J. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBiodiesel is an alternative diesel fuel derived mainly from the transesterification of plant oils with methanol or ethanol. This fuel is generally made from commodity oils such as canola, palm or soybean and has a number of properties that make it compatible in compression‐ignition engines. Despite its many advantages, biodiesel has poor cold flow properties that may impact its deployment during cooler months in moderate temperature climates. This work is a study on the use of skeletally branched‐chain‐fatty acid methyl esters (BC‐FAME) as additives and diluents to decrease the cloud point (CP) and pour point (PP) of biodiesel. Two BC‐FAME, methyl iso‐oleate and methyl iso‐stearate isomers (Me iso‐C18:1 and Me iso‐C18:0), were tested in mixtures with fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) of canola, palm and soybean oil (CaME, PME and SME). Results showed that mixing linear FAME with up to 2 mass% BC‐FAME did not greatly affect CP, PP or kinematic viscosity (ν) relative to the unmixed biodiesel fuels. In contrast, higher concentrations of BC‐FAME, namely between 17 and 39 mass%, significantly improved CP and PP without raising ν in excess of limits in the biodiesel fuel standard specification ASTM D 6751. Furthermore, it is shown that biodiesel/Me iso‐C18:0 mixtures matched or exceeded the performance of biodiesel/Me iso‐C18:1 mixtures in terms of decreasing CP and PP under certain conditions. This was taken as evidence that additives or diluents with chemical structures based on long‐chain saturated chains may be more effective at reducing the cold flow properties of mixtures with biodiesel than structures based on long‐chain unsaturated chains.
Is there a role for B lymphocyte chimerism in the monitoring of B‐acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients receiving allogeneic stem cell transplantation?
Authors: Yang Yi‐Ning , Wang Xiao‐Rui , Qin You‐Wen , Wan Li‐Ping , Jiang Ying , Wang Chun 
Published: April 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the sensitivity and significance of B‐cell chimerism for the detection of early engraftment, transplant rejection, and disease relapse.MethodsThe dynamic monitoring of lineage‐specific cell subtypes (B, T, and NK cells) was made in 20 B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B‐ALL) patients following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). In the early period after allo‐HSCT, the latest establishment of B‐cell complete chimerism (CC) was observed in a majority of patients.ResultsThe percentage of donor cells of B‐cell lineage was lower than the percent of T‐cell lineage in most of the mixed chimerism (MC) patients. During graft rejection, the frequency of patients with decreasing MC of B‐, T‐ and NK‐cell lineage were 5/5, 2/5, and 2/5. When disease relapsed, five patients showed a faster decrease of the donor percent of B‐cells than of T‐ or NK‐cells. Only one patient displayed a more rapid decrease in NK‐cells than in T‐ or B‐cells.ConclusionMonitoring of B‐cell chimerism after HSCT seems to be valuable for insuring complete engraftment, anticipating graft rejection, and relapse in B‐ALL patients.
Soluble CD40 in plasma and malignant pleural effusion with non‐small cell lung cancer: A potential marker of prognosis
Authors: Mu Chuan‐Yong , Qin Pang‐Xue , Qu Qiu‐Xia , Chen Cheng , Huang Jian‐An 
Published: April 2015

AbstractObjectiveSoluble CD40 (sCD40) is a potential modulator for both antitumor responses and CD40‐based immunotherapy; however the levels and significance of sCD40 in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with malignant pleural effusion are unknown.MethodsForty‐eight patients with lung cancer were treated in our institutions from January 2008 to January 2010. Peripheral blood and pleural effusion samples were collected from each subject. sCD40 levels in plasma and malignant pleural effusions supernatant were measured. The CD40L expression on CD3t T‐cells was confirmed by flow cytometric direct immunofluorescence analysis. All patients were followed up after the study ended on January 1, 2010.ResultsPatients with malignant pleural effusion of NSCLC had elevated circulating and pleural effusion levels of sCD40, and these elevated sCD40 levels were associated with advanced diseases and a poor prognosis.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that elevated sCD40 may have a role in modulating antitumor responses and may also be a useful prognostic marker.
Volcanic hydrothermal systems as potential analogues of Martian sulphate-rich terrains
Authors: Rodríguez A. , van Bergen M.J. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractRemote sensing observations and rover missions have documented the presence of sulphate-rich mineral associations on Mars. Many of these minerals are paleo-indicators of hydrous, acidic and oxidising environments that must have prevailed in Mars´ distant past, contrary to the present conditions. Furthermore, occurrences of silica together with high Cl and Br concentrations in Martian soils and rocks represent fingerprints of chemically atypical fluids involved in processes operating on the surface or at shallow depth. From field observations at representative active volcanoes in subduction settings, supported by geochemical modelling, we demonstrate that volcanic hydrothermal systems are capable of producing Mars-like secondary mineral assemblages near lakes, springs and fumaroles through the action of acidic fluids. Water–gas-rock interactions, together with localised flow paths of water and fumarolic gas emitted from associated subaerial vents, lead to deposition of a range of sulphates, including gypsum, jarosite, alunite, epsomite and silica. Evaporation, vapour separation and fluid mixing in (near-) surface environments with strong gradients in temperature and fluid chemistry further promote the diversity of secondary minerals. The mineralogical and chemical marks are highly variable in space and time, being subject to fluctuations in ambient conditions as well as to changes in the status of volcanic-hydrothermal activity. It is concluded that active processes in modern volcanic-geothermal systems may be akin to those that created several of the sulphate-rich terrains in the early history of Mars.
Solar Space Density of the Red Clump Stars and the Scale-Length of the Thin Disc
Authors: Yaz Gökçe E. , Karaali S. , Duran Ş. , Bilir S. , Yalçınkaya A. , Ak S. , Ak T. , López-Corredoira M. , Cabrera-Lavers A. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractWe estimated the scale-length of the thin disc with the J and W1 magnitudes of the most probable red clump stars in the Galactic plane, − 0°.5 ⩽ b ⩽ +0°.5, in 19 equal sized fields with consecutive Galactic longitudes which cover the interval 90° ⩽ l ⩽ 270°. Our results are constrained with respect to the solar space density (D* = 5.95), which indicates that the radial variation of the density is lower for higher Galactocentric distances. The scale-length of the thin disc is 2 kpc for the fields in the Galactic anticentre direction or close to this direction, while it decreases continuously in the second and third quadrants reaching to a lower limit of h = 1.6 kpc at the Galactic longitudes l = 90° and l = 270°. The distribution of the scale-length in 19 fields is consistent with the predictions from the Galaxia model and its variation with longitude is probably due to the inhomogeneity structure of the disc caused by the accreted material or other features such as warp and flare.
A novel set of microsatellite markers for the European Grapevine MothLobesia botranaisolated using next-generation sequencing and their utility for genetic characterization of populations from Europe and the Middle East
Authors: Reineke A. , Assaf H.A. , Kulanek D. , Mori N. , Pozzebon A. , Duso C. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractUsing a high-throughput 454 pyrosequencing approach a novel set of microsatellite markers was developed for one of the key grapevine insect pests, the European grapevine mothLobesia botrana(Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). 20 primer pairs flanking a microsatellite motif were designed based on the sequences obtained and were subsequently evaluated in a sample of 14L. botranapopulations from Europe and the Middle East. 11 markers showed stable and reproducible amplification patterns; however, one of the 11 markers was monomorphic in allL. botranapopulations analysed. Estimated frequencies of null alleles of more than 20% were evident for two of the markers tested, but varied substantially depending on the respectiveL. botranapopulation. In 12 of the 14L. botranapopulations observed heterozygosities were lower to those expected under Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, indicating a deficiency of heterozygotes in the respective populations. The overallFSTvalue of 0.075 suggested a moderate but significant genetic differentiation between theL. botranapopulations included in this study. In addition, a clear geographic structure was detected in the set of samples, evident through a significant isolation by distance and through results from structure analysis. In structure analysis,L. botranapopulations were grouped in two clearly separated clusters according to their European (Spain, Italy, Germany) or Middle Eastern (Israel, Syria, Turkey) origin. This novel set of microsatellite markers can now be applied to study the evolutionary ecology of this species including host shifts and host adaptation as well as spread of individuals across worldwide viticulture.
Equivalence criteria for the safety evaluation of a genetically modified crop: a statistical perspective
Authors: VAHL C. I. , KANG Q. 
Published: April 2015

SUMMARYSafety evaluation of a genetically modified (GM) crop is accomplished by establishing its substantial equivalence to non-GM reference crops with a history of safe use. Testing hypotheses of equivalence rather than difference is the appropriate statistical approach. A necessary first step in this regard is to specify a reasonable equivalence criterion that includes a measure for discrepancy between the GM and reference crops as well as a regulatory threshold. The present work explored several equivalence criteria and discussed their pros and cons. Each criterion addresses one of three ordered classes of equivalence: super, conditional and marginal equivalence. Their implications were investigated over an array of parameter values estimated from a real-world dataset. Marginal equivalence was identified as adhering most closely to the concept of substantial equivalence. Because conditional equivalence logically implies marginal equivalence and is practically quantifiable from current field designs, the present work recommends conditional equivalence criteria while encouraging producers to improve their design to enable testing marginal equivalence in the future. Contrary to concerns of the ag-biotech industry, empirical evidence from recent publications indicates that a linear mixed model currently implemented by the European Food Safety Authority is adequate for assessing equivalence despite its lack of genotype-by-environment interaction terms.
Corporate Policies of Republican Managers
Authors: Hutton Irena , Jiang Danling , Kumar Alok 
Published: April 2015

AbstractWe demonstrate that personal political preferences of corporate managers influence corporate policies. Specifically, Republican managers who are likely to have conservative personal ideologies adopt and maintain more conservative corporate policies. Those firms have lower levels of corporate debt, lower capital and research and development (R&D) expenditures, less risky investments, but higher profitability. Using the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Sept. 2008 Lehman Brothers bankruptcy as natural experiments, we demonstrate that investment policies of Republican managers became more conservative following these exogenous uncertainty-increasing events. Furthermore, around chief executive officer (CEO) turnovers, including CEO deaths, firm leverage policy becomes more conservative when managerial conservatism increases.
On Bank Credit Risk: Systemic or Bank Specific? Evidence for the United States and United Kingdom
Authors: Li Junye , Zinna Gabriele 
Published: April 2015

AbstractWe develop a multivariate credit risk model that accounts for joint defaults of banks and allows us to disentangle how much of banks’ credit risk is systemic. We find that the United States and United Kingdom differ not only in the evolution of systemic risk but, in particular, in their banks’ systemic exposures. In both countries, however, systemic credit risk varies substantially, represents about half of total bank credit risk on average, and induces high risk premia. The results suggest that sovereign and bank systemic risk are particularly interlinked in the United Kingdom.
The human hookworm vaccine: recent updates and prospects for success
Authors: Bottazzi M.E. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractApproximately 440 million people globally are afflicted by hookworm disease, one of the 17 WHO-recognized neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The iron-deficiency anaemia attributed to this disease contributes to at least 3.2 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) according to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. The current WHO-recommended control strategies rely primarily on mass drug administration or preventive chemotherapy. However, evidence is starting to accumulate confirming that preventive chemotherapy alone will not be sufficient to reduce the reinfection rates of hookworm, especially in areas of heavy transmission. The global health and research community is currently building a consensus stressing the need for the advancement of research and innovation to bridge the gaps and identify new public health interventions for diseases such as hookworm and other NTDs. This paper presents the strategies used by the Sabin Vaccine Institute Product Development Partnership (Sabin PDP) in their ongoing endeavour for the development of a human hookworm vaccine. Recent updates and the current prospects for success of an effective human hookworm vaccine, as a new technology to be linked to or combined with drug interventions, are presented.
ATaenia crassicepsfactor induces apoptosis of spleen CD4+T cells and TFG-β andFoxp3gene expression in mice
Authors: Zepeda N. , Tirado R. , Copitin N. , Solano S. , Fernández A.M. , Tato P. , Molinari J.L. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis study was undertaken to determine whether a parasite substance produces structural pathology in the mouse spleen. A low-molecular-weightTaenia crassicepsmetacestode factor (MF) isolated from the peritoneal fluid of female mice infected withT. crassicepsmetacestodes induced pathological and immunological changes in mouse spleen cellsin vivo.Electron microscopy and confocal microscopy revealed severe changes in the spleen histoarchitecture ofT. crassiceps-infected and MF-treated mice. Apoptotic degenerated spleen cells were observed in the white and red pulps and were more conspicuous in the white pulp of the spleen from theT. crassiceps-infected mice than in that of the MF-treated mice. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that the numbers of spleen CD4+T cells were significantly lower in both experimental groups than in control mice. Theex vivoexpression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and factor Foxp3 were significantly higher in splenocytes of the experimental mice than the basal expression observed in the control cells. These findings may have potential applications for a better understanding of the host–parasite relationship in human neurocysticercosis.