bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mental Health and Mental Health Service Use Among People Aged 45+ with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Garcia Jennifer , Finlayson Marcia
Published: October 2014

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease with numerous symptoms and consequences that does not typically reduce life expectancy. Mental health issues are common in this population, yet few investigations have targeted people aging with this disease (i.e., people aged 45+). This study examined factors contributing to mental health challenges among 1282 people with MS aged 45 to 90 and the extent of mental health service use among those who reported problems. Findings showed that functional abilities, age, years since diagnosis, presence of a helper, and self-rated health are related to mental health challenges. Less than 16% of people with mental health challenges were receiving services.
Being the Caregiver of a Person with a Mental Health Problem
Authors: Lemoine Odette , Lavoie Sylvie , Poulin Carole , Poirier Léo-Roch , Fournier Louise
Published: October 2014

Providing care to a friend or relative suffering from a mental health problem can affect the physical and mental health of the caregiver. In the Montreal Mental Health Survey, 405 caregivers of people suffering from such problems took part in a mail survey about their experiences. The goal of this article is to describe these caregiving experiences and to identify their predictors. Results show that seriousness of the care recipient's problem is a predictor of a negative caregiving appraisal, but much less so of a positive one. The caregiving context is decisive in relation to both the positive and negative aspects of the experience. A strong correlation is observed between the positive and negative aspects of the scale, indicating that the caregiving experience is not one-dimensional. On the contrary, it can be simultaneously burdensome and satisfying.
The Influence of Mental Illnesses on Work Potential and Career Development
Authors: Gewurtz Rebecca , Kirsh Bonnie , Jacobson Nora , Rappolt Susan
Published: October 2014

Despite the recent focus on work in community mental health, there has been little discussion about how consumers come to think about their future for work and careers. Little is known about how the experience of mental illnesses affects career development. Using a grounded theory approach, this study explores how consumers come to understand their potential for work. The findings confirm the importance of work and career development and the need to address these issues in community mental health services. Specifically, the analysis highlights how the experience of living with mental illnesses results in feelings of uncertainty about the future and doubt about one's capacity for work. This paper explores how mental illnesses interrupt and disrupt career development, and analyzes the process of how consumers begin to consider possibilities for the future and rebuild their identities as workers.
Intervention Research on Work Organization and Health: Research Design and Preliminary Results on Mental Health
Authors: Brisson Chantal , Cantin Viviane , Larocque Brigitte , Vézina Michel , Vinet Alain , Trudel Louis , Bourbonnais Renée
Published: October 2014

This article presents the overall research design and preliminary results of an intervention study on work organization and health which integrates the 3 phases of intervention research: development, implementation, and effectiveness. The demand-latitude-support and effort-reward-imbalance models were used to assess adverse work organization factors. Psychological distress was measured using the Psychiatric Symptoms Index. The intervention development phase in a major department of a public organization revealed an excess of psychological demands, job strain, low reward, effort-reward imbalance, and psychological distress compared to reference populations, and allowed workers to identify 5 priorities for action. The implementation phase showed that changes that were put into effect were consistent with those priorities.
Liquid-liquid Slug Flow in a Microchannel Reactor and its Mass Transfer Properties - A Review
Authors: Antony Rahul , Giri Nandagopal M. S. , Sreekumar Nidhin , Rangabhashiyam S. , Selvaraju N.
Published: October 2014

Mass transfer is a basic phenomenon behind many processes like reaction, absorption, extraction etc. Mass transfer plays a significant role in microfluidic systems where the chemical / biological process systems are shrinkened down to a micro scale. Micro reactor system, with its high compatibility and performance, gains a wide interest among the researchers in the recent years. Micro structured reac-tors holds advantages over the conventional types in chemical processes. The significance of micro re-actor not limited to its scalability but to energy efficiency, on-site / on-demand production, reliability, safety, highly controlled outputs, etc. Liquid-liquid two phase reaction in a microreactor system is highly demandable when both reactants are liquids or when air medium cannot be suitable. This arti-cle overviews various liquid-liquid flow regimes in a microchannel. Discussions on the hydrodynamics of flow in micro scale are made. Considering the importance of mass transfer in liquid-liquid systems and the advantage of slug regime over other regimes, the article focuses especially on the mass trans-fer between two liquid phases in slug flow and the details of experimental studies carried out in this area. The advantages of slug flow over other flow regimes in micro structured reactor applications are showcased. © 2014 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Catalytic Pyrolysis and a Pyrolysis Kinetic Study of Shredded Printed Circuit Board for Fuel Recovery
Authors: Ng Chee Hoe , Salmiaton Ali , Hizam Hashim
Published: October 2014

Scrap printed circuit boards (PCBs) are the most abundant wastes that can be found in the landfills in Malaysia and this disposal certainly poses serious detrimental to the environment. This research aims to investigate optimum temperature for pyrolyzing waste PCBs, find out the best catalyst to be used in accelerating PCBs’ pyrolysis, select suitable ratio of catalyst to PCBs for higher oil yield and examine kinetics pyrolysis of the waste PCBs’ decomposition. Operating temperatures ranged from 200 to 350 ˚C of PCB’s pyrolysis were conducted with the optimum temperature obtained was 275 ˚C. Fluid cata-lytic cracking (FCC) catalyst, zeolite socony mobil-5 (ZSM-5), H-Y-type zeolite and dolomite were used to accelerate PCB’s pyrolysis at 275 ˚C and FCC was identified as the best catalyst to be used. Differ-ent ratios of FCC to waste PCBs such as 10:90, 20:80, 30:70, 40:60 and 50:50 were applied in the pyro-lysis at 275 ˚C and ratio of 10:90 was selected as the suitable ratio to be utilized for maximum yield. The kinetic study was done through thermogravimetric analysis on waste PCBs under various heating rates and different particle sizes. The GC-MS analysis revealed that compounds detected in the pyro-oil have the potential to be used as fuel. © 2014 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Frontmatter (Front Cover, Editorial Team, Indexing, and Table of Contents)
Authors: Istadi Istadi
Published: October 2014

Frontmatter (Front Cover, Editorial Team, Indexing, and Table of Contents)
Characteristics of the flank magnetopause: Cluster observations
Authors: Haaland S. , Reistad J. , Tenfjord P. , Gjerloev J. , Maes L. , DeKeyser J. , Maggiolo R. , Anekallu C. , Dorville N.
Published: October 2014

The magnetopause is a current sheet forming the boundary between the geomagnetic field on one side and the shocked solar wind on the other side. This paper discusses properties of the low‐latitude dawn and dusk flanks of the magnetopause. The reported results are based on a large number of measurements obtained by the Cluster satellites during magnetopause traversals. Using a combination of single‐spacecraft and multispacecraft techniques, we calculated macroscopic features such as thickness, location, and motion of the magnetopause. The results show that the typical flank magnetopause is significantly thicker than the dayside magnetopause and also possesses a pronounced and persistent dawn‐dusk asymmetry. Thicknesses vary from 150 to 5000 km, with an median thickness of around 1400 km at dawn and around 1150 km at dusk. Current densities are on average higher on dusk, suggesting that the total current at dawn and dusk are similar. Solar wind conditions and the interplanetary magnetic field cannot fully explain the observed dawn‐dusk asymmetry. For a number of crossings we were also able to derive detailed current density profiles. The profiles show that the magnetopause often consists of two or more adjacent current sheets, each current sheet typically several ion gyroradii thick and often with different current direction. This demonstrates that the flank magnetopause has a structure that is more complex than the thin, one‐dimensional current sheet described by a Chapman‐Ferraro layer.
Response of the San Jacinto Fault Zone to static stress changes from the 1992 Landers earthquake
Authors: Bhloscaidh Mairéad Nic , McCloskey John , Bean Christopher J.
Published: October 2014

We perform an analysis of the seismicity response of the San Jacinto Fault Zone to static Coulomb stress changes from the 1992 Landers earthquake sequence. Results show that, in general, stress changes forecast rate changes well: we find a significant positive correlation between the change in rate and the magnitude of the Coulomb stress change, with a correlation coefficient of ρ = 0.76 (equivalent to 5.6σ, when compared to a ρ = 0 null hypothesis). Furthermore, although the correlations are less clear over negative than positive stress changes, there is evidence of some Coulomb stress dependent quiescence on stress shadows. Models that account for heterogeneity in reference seismicity show clear improvements in their predictions of spatial variability of aftershock rates, compared to those that assume uniform reference. We find also that better performance is obtained (1) using a time‐dependent Coulomb Rate‐State model compared to a time‐independent exponential model and (2) using structurally constrained rather than optimal target fault orientations. These results are an important step in the validation of Coulomb stress based methods for quantitative seismicity forecasting. We conclude that the correspondence between the predictions of Coulomb stress models for aftershock seismicity may be sensitive to strong heterogeneity in aftershock locations and orientations associated with the presence of large‐scale structure in aftershock study areas. In these cases, we suggest that, where the regional structure is mapped, incorporating it explicitly into Coulomb stress models may improve the performance of quantitative Coulomb stress‐based forecasts.
Radiation budget biases in AMIP5 models over the East Asian monsoon region
Authors: Wang Fang , Yang Song , Wu Tongwen
Published: October 2014

The abilities of 27 Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Projection models to simulate the radiation budget (RB) over the East Asian monsoon region (EAMR) are analyzed based on Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System Energy Balanced and Filled, hereafter CERES, products. The regional mean values of annual top of the atmosphere (TOA) net RB in the simulations are constantly larger than the CERES values in the majority of the models (24 of 27), due mainly to the overestimation of its shortwave (SW) component. The TOA SW RB overestimation in most models (25 of 27) is due mainly to the insufficient SW absorption by the atmosphere and the consequent superfluous downwelling shortwave radiation reaching and being absorbed by the surface. Both the intensity underestimation of SW cloud radiative forcing (CRF) and the inadequate clear‐sky atmospheric SW absorption contribute to the overestimation of TOA SW RB in the models. The underestimation of SW CRF intensity is mainly due to the reduced total cloud cover simulated in most of the models compared with the general circulation model‐oriented CALIPSO Cloud Product. Black carbon explains the greatest part of the clear‐sky atmospheric SW absorption biases in most of the models. The persistent underestimation of TOA SW CRF intensity over the EAMR across all seasons largely explains the seasonally constant overestimation of TOA SW RB. The seasonal variation in clear‐sky longwave (LW) RB demonstrates the remarkable seasonal variation in atmospheric and surface LW RB biases.
Examining future changes in the character of Central U.S. warm‐season precipitation using dynamical downscaling
Authors: Harding Keith J. , Snyder Peter K.
Published: October 2014

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency of hydrological extremes, producing more droughts and heavy rainfall events globally. How warm‐season precipitation extremes will change over the Central U.S. is unclear because most coarse spatial resolution global climate models inadequately simulate hydrological extremes resulting from convective precipitation. However, the higher spatial resolution from dynamical downscaling potentially enables improved projections of future changes in extreme rainfall events. In this study, we downscaled two models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project‐Phase 5 (CMIP5) using the Weather Research and Forecasting model for one historical period (1990–1999), two future periods (2040–2049, 2090–2099) in a midrange emissions scenario (Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5), and one period (2090–2099) in a high emissions (RCP8.5) scenario. The diurnal cycle, extremes, and averages of precipitation in historical simulations compare well with observations. While the future change in the total amount of precipitation is unclear, model simulations suggest that summer rainfall will be less frequent, but more intense when precipitation does occur. Significant intensification of the heaviest rainfall events occurs in the models, with the greatest changes in the early warm season (April). Increases in total April–July rainfall and the enhancement of extreme rainfall events in the RCP8.5 2090s are related to a stronger Great Plains Low‐Level Jet (GPLLJ) during those months. Conversely, late warm‐season drying over the North Central U.S. is present in nearly all future simulations, with increased drought in August–September associated with a slight weakening of the GPLLJ. Simulated trends generally increase with stronger greenhouse gas forcing.
Unusual Stüve‐Wiedemann syndrome with complete maternal chromosome 5 isodisomy
Authors: Melone Mariarosa A. B. , Pellegrino Michael J. , Nolano Maria , Habecker Beth A. , Johansson Stefan , Nathanson Neil M. , Knappskog Per M. , Hahn Angelika F. , Boman Helge
Published: October 2014

A woman was isozygous for a novel mutation in the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor gene (LIFR) (c.2170C>G; p.Pro724Ala) which disrupts LIFR downstream signaling and results in Stüve‐Wiedemann syndrome (STWS). She inherited two identical chromosomes 5 from her mother, heterozygous for the LIFR mutation. The presentation was typical for STWS, except there was no long bone dysplasia. Prominent cold‐induced sweating and heat intolerance lead to an initial diagnosis of cold‐induced sweating syndrome, excluded by exome sequencing. Skin biopsies provide the first human evidence of failed postnatal cholinergic differentiation of sympathetic neurons innervating sweat glands in cold‐induced sweating, and of a neuropathy.
Facile and Scalable Preparation of Pure and Dense DNA Origami Solutions
Authors: Stahl Evi , Martin Thomas G. , Praetorius Florian , Dietz Hendrik
Published: October 2014

DNA has become a prime material for assembling complex three‐dimensional objects that promise utility in various areas of application. However, achieving user‐defined goals with DNA objects has been hampered by the difficulty to prepare them at arbitrary concentrations and in user‐defined solution conditions. Here, we describe a method that solves this problem. The method is based on poly(ethylene glycol)‐induced depletion of species with high molecular weight. We demonstrate that our method is applicable to a wide spectrum of DNA shapes and that it achieves excellent recovery yields of target objects up to 97 %, while providing efficient separation from non‐integrated DNA strands. DNA objects may be prepared at concentrations up to the limit of solubility, including the possibility for bringing DNA objects into a solid phase. Due to the fidelity and simplicity of our method we anticipate that it will help to catalyze the development of new types of applications that use self‐assembled DNA objects.
Reversible Topochemical Exsolution of Iron in BaFe2+2(PO4)2
Authors: David Rénald , Kabbour Houria , Filimonov Dmitry , Huvé Marielle , Pautrat Alain , Mentré Olivier
Published: October 2014

BaFe2+2(PO4)2 was recently prepared and identified as the first 2D‐Ising ferromagnetic oxide with an original reentrant structural transition driven by high‐spin Fe2+ ions arranged in honeycomb layers. Both long‐term air exposure and moderate temperature (T>375 °C) leads to topochemical oxidation into iron‐depleted compounds with mixed Fe2+/Fe3+ valence. This process is unique, as the exsolution is effective even from single crystal with preservation of the initial crystallinity, and the structure of the deficient BaFe2−x(PO4)2 (x<ca. 0.5) is fully ordered for x=2/7 and 1/3 with creation of novel original depleted triangular lattices. Under flowing H2/Ar, Fe is reincorporated in the structure above 480 °C, as reproduced under the electron beam in a transmission microscope. After Fe exsolution, the insulating ferromagnetic compound turns into an antiferromagnetic semiconductor.
Breathing Pores on Command: Redox‐Responsive Spongy Membranes from Poly(ferrocenylsilane)s
Authors: Zhang Kaihuan , Feng Xueling , Sui Xiaofeng , Hempenius Mark A. , Vancso G. Julius
Published: October 2014

Redox‐responsive porous membranes can be readily formed by electrostatic complexation between redox active poly(ferrocenylsilane) PFS‐based poly(ionic liquid)s and organic acids. Redox‐induced changes on this membrane demonstrated reversible switching between more open and more closed porous structures. By taking advantage of the structure changes in the oxidized and reduced states, the porous membrane exhibits reversible permeability control and shows great potential in gated filtration, catalysis, and controlled release.
Combining Topology and Sequence Design for the Discovery of Potent Antimicrobial Peptide Dendrimers against Multidrug‐Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Stach Michaela , Siriwardena Thissa N. , Köhler Thilo , van Delden Christian , Darbre Tamis , Reymond Jean‐Louis
Published: October 2014

Multidrug‐resistant opportunistic bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, represent a major public health threat. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and related peptidomimetic systems offer an attractive opportunity to control these pathogens. AMP dendrimers (AMPDs) with high activity against multidrug‐resistant clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii were now identified by a systematic survey of the peptide sequences within the branches of a distinct type of third‐generation peptide dendrimers. Combined topology and peptide sequence design as illustrated here represents a new and general strategy to discover new antimicrobial agents to fight multidrug‐resistant bacterial pathogens.
Intramolecular Anion Effect in Polyoxometalate‐Based Organocatalysts: Reactivity Enhancement and Chirality Transfer by a Metal Oxide–Organic Cation Interaction
Authors: Brazel Christian , Dupré Nathalie , Malacria Max , Hasenknopf Bernold , Lacôte Emmanuel , Thorimbert Serge
Published: October 2014

An α1‐Dawson polyanion bearing a lateral side chain with a 4‐aminopyridine end group was synthesized. This organopolyoxometalate catalyzes the addition of indenyl allyl silanes to cinnamoyl fluorides. The polyanionic framework influences the organocatalyst activity and selectivity. A moderate but nonzero chirality transfer from the chiral inorganic framework to the organic substrate was observed.
Experimental and Computational Studies of a Multi‐Electron Donor–Acceptor Ligand Containing the Thiazolo[5,4‐d]thiazole Core and its Incorporation into a Metal–Organic Framework
Authors: Rizzuto Felix J. , Faust Thomas B. , Chan Bun , Hua Carol , D'Alessandro Deanna M. , Kepert Cameron J.
Published: October 2014

A ligand containing the thiazolo[5,4‐d]thiazole (TzTz) core (acceptor) with terminal triarylamine moieties (donors), N,N′‐(thiazolo[5,4‐d]thiazole‐2,5‐diylbis(4,1‐phenylene))bis(N‐(pyridine‐4‐yl)pyridin‐4‐amine (1), was designed as a donor–acceptor system for incorporation into electronically active metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). The capacity for the ligand to undergo multiple sequential oxidation and reduction processes was examined using UV/Vis‐near‐infrared spectroelectrochemistry (UV/Vis‐NIR SEC) in combination with DFT calculations. The delocalized nature of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) was found to inhibit charge‐transfer interactions between the terminal triarylamine moieties upon oxidation, whereas radical species localized on the TzTz core were formed upon reduction. Conversion of 1 to diamagnetic 2+ and 4+ species resulted in marked changes in the emission spectra. Incorporation of this highly delocalized multi‐electron donor–acceptor ligand into a new two‐dimensional MOF, [Zn(NO3)2(1)] (2), resulted in an inhibition of the oxidation processes, but retention of the reduction capability of 1. Changes in the electrochemistry of 1 upon integration into 2 are broadly consistent with the geometric and electronic constraints enforced by ligation.
Systemic therapy for early‐stage HER2‐positive breast cancers: Time for a less‐is‐more approach?
Authors: Paplomata Elisavet , Nahta Rita , O'Regan Ruth M.
Published: October 2014

Trastuzumab‐based chemotherapy has dramatically improved outcomes for patients with all stages of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)‐positive breast cancer. Additional HER2‐directed agents that have recently been approved are also expected to improve outcomes. Patients with small, lymph node‐negative, HER2‐positive breast cancers who are treated with trastuzumab‐based chemotherapy demonstrate especially favorable responses, with 5‐year recurrence rates of <5%. In this review, recent data regarding response rates among patients with early‐stage HER2‐positive breast cancer treated with trastuzumab‐based chemotherapy are discussed. This review supports future studies of the possible omission of chemotherapy in a subset of patients with HER2‐positive cancers, specifically those that coexpress hormone receptors. Cancer 2015;121:517–526. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Facile Synthesis of Copper‐Based Metal Oxide Nanoparticles with Exceptional Catalytic Activity for the Selective Oxidation of Styrenes into Benzaldehydes
Authors: Ge Danhua , Wang Jiaqing , Geng Hongbo , Lu Shuanglong , Wang Dongtao , Li Xinming , Zhao Xianli , Cao Xueqin , Gu Hongwei
Published: October 2014

The development of highly efficient catalysts for the selective oxidation of styrene to benzaldehyde has attracted great attention in recent years because of its significance in synthetic chemistry. In this study, two different kinds of copper‐based metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs), namely, CuO and CuO/Co3O4 NPs, were synthesized by a simple and scalable method, and these nanoparticles demonstrated efficient catalytic abilities for the selective oxidation of styrene and its derivatives to the corresponding aldehydes in the presence of tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) under mild reaction conditions in excellent yields. Importantly, both of the heterogeneous catalysts can be recycled up to five runs while still maintaining their high catalytic activity.
A new internet of things group search optimizer
Authors: Feng Xiang , Liu Xiaoting , Yu Huiqun
Published: October 2014

The development of the Internet of Things brings new opportunities and challenges for sensor networks. The scale of sensor networks tends to be larger. And the fusion rules need to be intelligent. In this paper, we propose a new Internet of Things group search optimizer (ITGSO) to solve intelligent information fusion problems in the high‐dimensional multi‐sensor networks. ITGSO is inspired by the latest research achievement about leader decision in Nature and works about social coordination, which mainly consists of three parts: basic group search optimizer, binary group search optimizer, and social decision model. With ITGSO, we need less time to obtain minimum Bayes cost than particle swarm optimization. And information of uncertain social intelligent problems can be fused. In this paper, we give the theoretical basic of ITGSO and proved its validity via mathematical analysis and simulation results. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Production and Anticipatory Hedging under Time‐Inconsistent Preferences
Authors: Lien Donald , Yu Chia‐Feng (Jeffrey)
Published: October 2014

This paper analyzes the production and hedging decisions of a competitive firm under price uncertainty and time‐inconsistent preferences. We show that the firm would over‐hedge and the output choice would be affected by the firm's preferences and the price distribution, thereby identifying a novel circumstance under which the full‐hedge theorem and the separation theorem may fail. Furthermore, when the firm can hedge at the same time as production or ahead of production, ex ante firm value is higher in the former case, suggesting that planning ahead for price risk may backfire in the presence of time‐inconsistent preferences. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 35:961–985, 2015
Bioactives in cactus (Opuntia ficus‐indica) stems possess potent antioxidant and pro‐apoptotic activities through COX‐2 involvement
Authors: Kim Jinhee , Soh Soon Yil , Shin Juha , Cho Chi‐Woung , Choi Young Hee , Nam Sang‐Yong
Published: October 2014

BACKGROUND

Bioactives extracted from cactus (Opuntia ficus‐indica) stems were investigated for their chemopreventive activities using human cancer cells in vitro. The bioactives present in crude extracts were detected and quantified using high‐performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

Among all the extracts, such as hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), acetone, methanol (MeOH), and MeOH:water (80:20), the MeOH extract had the highest amount of polyphenolic compounds and the acetone extract exhibited the most potent effect at scavenging the 2,2,‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′‐azino‐di‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline)‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS•+) radical. In addition, most of the extracts, with the exception of hexane, exhibited significant cytotoxicity in human SW480 colon and MCF7 breast cancer cells. Overall, the SW480 cells were more sensitive than the MCF7 cells to the cytotoxic effect of the O. ficus‐indica extracts (OFEs). Cell death by OFE treatment caused significant inhibition of cyclooxygenase‐2 and increased the Bax/Bcl2 ratio in both SW480 and MCF7 cell lines. However, degradation of poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase was significantly increased by OFE only in the MCF7 cells, thereby inducing apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate the health‐benefit roles, including anti‐oxidative and anti‐proliferative activities as well as pro‐apoptotic effects, of bioactive compounds in OFEs, suggesting a chemopreventive role in human cancer cells. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Relation of mean platelet volume and red blood cell distribution width with epistaxis
Authors: Kemal Ozgur , Müderris Togay , Sevil Ergün , Kutlar Gökhan
Published: October 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

Mean platelet volume is the measurement of the average size of platelets in the blood, and red blood cell distribution width is the variability of the size of red blood cells in circulation. This study aimed to investigate if there was any relationship between mean platelet volume, red blood cell distribution, and epistaxis.

Study Design

Prospective controlled trial.

Methods

The study included 90 patients admitted to Ankara Atatürk Hospital and Samsun Medicana Hospital with complaints of recurrent epistaxis, and a control group of 90 healthy subjects. Blood samples were taken from all patients and control group subjects. Mean platelet volume and red blood cell distribution parameters were examined and compared between the two groups.

Results

The mean platelet volume levels were determined as 8.86 ± 0.1 in the control group and 8.36 ± 0.1 in the patient group. The difference between the two groups with respect to mean platelet volume was statistically significant (P < .05). The mean red blood cell distribution levels were determined as 12.68 ± 0.32 in the control group and 11.90 ± 0.16 in the patient group. The difference between the two groups with respect to red blood cell distribution was also statistically significant (P < .05).

Conclusions

The results of this study showed a clinical finding of lower mean platelet volume and red blood cell distribution levels in epistaxis. These findings could be beneficial in new investigations into epistaxis mechanisms.

Level of Evidence

3b. Laryngoscope, 125:788–790, 2015
Patient knowledge and perception of computed tomography scan in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis symptoms
Authors: Daramola Opeyemi O. , Lidder Alcina K. , Ramli Ramiza , Chandra Rakesh K. , Shintani‐Smith Stephanie , Conley David B. , Kern Robert C. , Tan Bruce K.
Published: October 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

The objective of this study was to report patients' knowledge and comfort level with computed tomography (CT) imaging for sinus disease and evaluate patient willingness to undergo empiric medical therapy (EMT) versus CT‐directed therapy (CTDT).

Study Design

Prospective survey study.

Methods

A 22‐item survey was administered to patients with nasal/sinus symptoms in a tertiary care rhinology clinic. Questions elicited patient demographics, imaging history, and knowledge/comfort regarding imaging‐related radiation exposure. Patients were presented with the theoretical choice of EMT versus CTDT, given the expected positive predictive value, in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) management.

Results

Two hundred patients (52% female, age range 18–83 years) participated. Of these, 85% had symptoms for over 3 months. Only 91 patients (45.5%) were aware that CT imaging involved radiation exposure. Prior CT experience and past sinus surgery (P < .05), but not sex or education level, were associated with increased comfort with CT imaging. Most patients (78%) preferred CTDT over EMT. If a CT sinus was recommended, 77 patients (38.5%) had concerns, of which 26% identified radiation exposure as the leading concern. The majority (70%) were unsure about the relative radiation dose of a conventional CT.

Conclusions

Patients with CRS symptoms prefer CTDT over EMT if a diagnosis cannot be established definitively using exam findings. Although most patients deferred to the physician regarding the decision to utilize CT imaging, there is low awareness of CT‐related radiation exposure, and a significant minority of patients have radiation‐related concerns with regard to medical imaging for nasal and sinus symptoms.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 125:791–795, 2015
Corrosion behavior of new ternary zirconium alloys as alternative materials for biomedical applications
Authors: Rosalbino F. , Macciò D. , Scavino G. , Saccone A.
Published: October 2014

The in vitro corrosion behavior of four Zr‐based alloys (Zr97.5Nb1.5VM1.0; VM = valve metal: Ti, Mo, W, Ta; at%) to be used as implant materials has been assessed and compared with that of Grade 2 Ti, which is known to be a highly compatible metal standard. Corrosion resistance was investigated by open circuit potential and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements, as a function of exposure time to an artificial physiological environment (Ringer's solution). Open circuit potential values indicated that Zr‐based alloys and Grade 2 Ti undergo spontaneous passivation due to spontaneously formed oxide film passivating the metallic surface, in the simulated aggressive environment. It also indicated that the tendency for the formation of a spontaneous oxide is greater for the Zr97.5Nb1.5Ta1.0 alloy and that this oxide has better corrosion protection characteristics than the ones formed on Grade 2 Ti or on Zr97.5Nb1.5Ti1.0, Zr97.5Nb1.5Mo1.0, and Zr97.5Nb1.5W1.0 alloys. EIS study showed high impedance values for all samples, increasing with exposure time, indicating an improvement in corrosion resistance of the spontaneous oxide film. The fit obtained suggests a single passive film present on the metals surface, improving their resistance with exposure time, presenting the highest values to the Zr97.5Nb1.5Ta1.0 alloy. All these electrochemical results suggest that Zr97.5Nb1.5VM1.0 alloys are promising materials for osteo‐synthesis prosthetic devices, since corrosion stability is directly associated with biocompatibility and is a necessary condition for applying a material as biomaterial.
Computational Modeling of Particle Fragmentation in the Heterogeneous Olefin Polymerization
Authors: Najafi Mohsen , Parvazinia Mahmoud
Published: October 2014

The effect of fragmentation rate of a catalyst/polymer particle and diffusivity ratio inside cracks to fragments on reaction rate and molecular weight distribution are studied. A split algorithm is developed to reduce the computational cost and make it possible to simulate fragmentation on a normal PC computer. The simulation results show that the fragmentation rate and diffusivity ratio have a considerable effect on the polymerization rate and molecular properties of the polymer. In fragmentation process, the radial cracks play an important role to feed monomer into the particle to increase the reaction rate. To evaluate the accuracy of split algorithm, its results are compared with a normal method of solution for sample cases. The developed 2D model is also validated on a benchmark problem.
Multifunctional polyacrylonitrile‐ZnO/Ag electrospun nanofiber membranes with various ZnO morphologies for photocatalytic, UV‐shielding, and antibacterial applications
Authors: Chen Yen‐Yu , Kuo Chi‐Ching , Chen Bo‐Yu , Chiu Pei‐Chi , Tsai Ping‐Chun
Published: October 2014

New multifunctional polyacrylonitrile (PAN)‐ZnO/Ag composite electrospun nanofiber membranes consisting of pineal‐type, flower‐type, and sea‐urchin‐type ZnO morphologies were prepared using a single‐capillary electrospinning technique, hydrothermal ZnO synthesis, and Ag reduction. The various ZnO architectures exhibited differences in photocatalytic activity and UV‐shielding efficiency, and were ranked as follows: sea‐urchin type > flower type > pineal type. Sea‐urchin‐type ZnO features a higher surface‐to‐volume ratio than other ZnO architectures do because of its distinctive structure, thus yielding higher performance. The present study demonstrated that self‐standing PAN‐ZnO/Ag composite fiber membranes, especially those with the sea‐urchin‐type ZnO structure, can be applied in multifunctional textiles such as water purification filters and antibacterial and UV‐shielding clothes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 262–269
Facile and fast combustion synthesis and characterization of novel carbon nanostructures
Authors: Huczko Andrzej , Dąbrowska Agnieszka , Łabędź Olga , Soszyński Michał , Bystrzejewski Michał , Baranowski Piotr , Bhatta Rita , Pokhrel Balram , Kafle Bhim Prasad , Stelmakh Swietlana , Gierlotka Stanisław , Dyjak Sławomir
Published: October 2014

We present the exploratory results on fast combustion synthesis (CS) of carbon‐related nanomaterials including the exfoliated graphite. We found earlier that different solid compositions containing strong reducers and carbon‐bearing oxidizers could yield carbon vapors that may instantly condense toward 1D and 2D nanocarbons. Here, such a combustion route is extended toward the processing of the mixtures of a strong reducer (Mg, Si, AlH3, CaH2, or BH3NH3) and a strong oxidizer (C2.78F2, TEFLON® PTFE (CF2)n or PVC (C2H3Cl)n) in a heterogeneous, efficient, autothermic, high‐pressure, and high‐temperature reaction. The combustions were carried out both under neutral (Ar) and active atmosphere (CO2) at the starting pressure equal to 10 atm. The solid products (layered graphite and nanocarbides) were chemically purified and characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM, and Raman spectroscopy.

Combustion synthesis reaction chambers.
Small sample performance of bias‐corrected sandwich estimators for cluster‐randomized trials with binary outcomes
Authors: Li Peng , Redden David T.
Published: October 2014

The sandwich estimator in generalized estimating equations (GEE) approach underestimates the true variance in small samples and consequently results in inflated type I error rates in hypothesis testing. This fact limits the application of the GEE in cluster‐randomized trials (CRTs) with few clusters. Under various CRT scenarios with correlated binary outcomes, we evaluate the small sample properties of the GEE Wald tests using bias‐corrected sandwich estimators. Our results suggest that the GEE Wald z‐test should be avoided in the analyses of CRTs with few clusters even when bias‐corrected sandwich estimators are used. With t‐distribution approximation, the Kauermann and Carroll (KC)‐correction can keep the test size to nominal levels even when the number of clusters is as low as 10 and is robust to the moderate variation of the cluster sizes. However, in cases with large variations in cluster sizes, the Fay and Graubard (FG)‐correction should be used instead. Furthermore, we derive a formula to calculate the power and minimum total number of clusters one needs using the t‐test and KC‐correction for the CRTs with binary outcomes. The power levels as predicted by the proposed formula agree well with the empirical powers from the simulations. The proposed methods are illustrated using real CRT data. We conclude that with appropriate control of type I error rates under small sample sizes, we recommend the use of GEE approach in CRTs with binary outcomes because of fewer assumptions and robustness to the misspecification of the covariance structure. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intermittency and synchronized motion of red blood cell dynamics in shear flow
Authors: Cordasco Daniel , Bagchi Prosenjit
Published: October 2014

We present the first full-scale computational evidence of intermittent and synchronized dynamics of red blood cells in shear flow. These dynamics are characterized by the coexistence of a tumbling motion in which the cell behaves like a rigid body and a tank-treading motion in which the cell behaves like a liquid drop. In the intermittent dynamics, we observe sequences of tumbling interrupted by swinging, as well as sequences of swinging interrupted by tumbling. In the synchronized dynamics, the tumbling and membrane rotation are observed to occur simultaneously with integer ratios of the rotational frequencies. These dynamics are shown to be dependent on the stress-free state of the cytoskeleton, and are explained based on the cell membrane energy landscape.
An exploratory study of the associations between maternal iron status in pregnancy and childhood wheeze and atopy
Authors: Nwaru Bright I. , Hayes Helen , Gambling Lorraine , Craig Leone C. A. , Allan Keith , Prabhu Nanda , Turner Steven W. , McNeill Geraldine , Erkkola Maijaliisa , Seaton Anthony , McArdle Harry J. , Devereux Graham
Published: October 2014

Maternal nutritional status during pregnancy has been reported to be associated with childhood asthma and atopic disease. The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children has reported associations between reduced umbilical cord Fe status and childhood wheeze and eczema; however, follow-up was short and lung function was not measured. In the present study, the associations between maternal Fe status during pregnancy and childhood outcomes in the first 10 years of life were investigated in a subgroup of 157 mother–child pairs from a birth cohort with complete maternal, fetal ultrasound, blood and child follow-up data. Maternal Fe intake was assessed using FFQ at 32 weeks of gestation and Hb concentrations and serum Fe status (ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor and TfR-F (transferrin receptor:ferritin) index) were measured at 11 weeks of gestation and at delivery. Maternal Fe intake, Hb concentrations and serum Fe status were found to be not associated with fetal or birth measurements. Unit increases in first-trimester maternal serum TfR concentrations (OR 1·44, 95 % CI 1·05, 1·99) and TfR-F index (OR 1·42, 95 % CI 1·10, 1·82) (i.e. decreasing Fe status) were found to be associated with an increased risk of wheeze, while unit increases in serum ferritin concentrations (i.e. increasing Fe status) were found to be associated with increases in standardised mean peak expiratory flow (PEF) (β 0·25, 95 % CI 0·09, 0·42) and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) (β 0·20, 95 % CI 0·08, 0·32) up to 10 years of age. Increasing maternal serum TfR-F index at delivery was found to be associated with an increased risk of atopic sensitisation (OR 1·35, 95 % CI 1·02, 1·79). The results of the present study suggest that reduced maternal Fe status during pregnancy is adversely associated with childhood wheeze, lung function and atopic sensitisation, justifying further studies on maternal Fe status and childhood asthma and atopic disease.
Direct interaction of Plk4 with STIL ensures formation of a single procentriole per parental centriole
Authors: Ohta Midori , Ashikawa Tomoko , Nozaki Yuka , Kozuka-Hata Hiroko , Goto Hidemasa , Inagaki Masaki , Oyama Masaaki , Kitagawa Daiju
Published: October 2014

Formation of one procentriole next to each pre-existing centriole is essential for centrosome duplication, robust bipolar spindle assembly and maintenance of genome integrity. However, the mechanisms maintaining strict control over centriole copy number are incompletely understood. Here we show that Plk4 and STIL, the key regulators of centriole formation, form a protein complex that provides a scaffold for recruiting HsSAS-6, a major component of the centriolar cartwheel, at the onset of procentriole formation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that phosphorylation of STIL by Plk4 facilitates the STIL/HsSAS-6 interaction and centriolar loading of HsSAS-6. We also provide evidence that negative feedback by centriolar STIL regulates bimodal centriolar distribution of Plk4 and seemingly restricts occurrence of procentriole formation to one site on each parental centriole. Overall, these findings suggest a mechanism whereby coordinated action of three critical factors ensures formation of a single procentriole per parental centriole.
Mesomeric betaine – N-heterocyclic carbene interconversions of 1,2,4-triazolium-phenolates. Sulfur, selenium, and borane adduct formation
Authors: Liu Ming , Nieger Martin , Schmidt Andreas
Published: October 2014

Triazolium-phenolates form carbenic tautomers which can be trapped with boranes as a new heterocyclic ring system.
A series of cobalt and nickel clusters based on thiol-containing ligands accompanied by in situ ligand formation
Authors: Han Song-De , Miao Xiao-Hong , Liu Sui-Jun , Bu Xian-He
Published: October 2014

We report a series of cobalt and nickel clusters based on thiol-containing ligands, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (HMBT) and 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (H2MBI), accompanied by in situ ligand transformation of HMBT. The magnetic properties of the cobalt clusters have been investigated.
A large area full-field EDXRF imaging system based on a THCOBRA gaseous detector
Authors: Silva A. L. M. , Carvalho M. L. , Janssens K. , Veloso J. F. C. A.
Published: October 2014

A large area EDXRF imaging system based on a 2D-THCOBRA detector, an X-ray tube and a pinhole for elemental imaging applications.
A high-throughput metabolomic approach to explore the regulatory effect of mangiferin on metabolic network disturbances of hyperlipidemia rats
Authors: Zhou Chengyan , Li Gang , Li Yanchuan , Gong Liya , Huang Yifan , Shi Zhiping , Du Shanshan , Li Ying , Wang Maoqing , Yin Jun , Sun Changhao
Published: October 2014

This paper was designed to study metabolomic characters of the high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemia and the intervention effects of Mangiferin (MG).
Preparation of W/O nanoemulsion using tandem acoustic emulsification and its novel utilization as a medium for phase-transfer catalytic reaction
Authors: Nakabayashi K. , Yanagi H. , Atobe M.
Published: October 2014

We have successfully demonstrated that W/O nanoemulsion prepared by the tandem acoustic emulsification is extremely useful medium for enhancing the rate of phase-transfer catalytic reactions.
A novel ultra-thin catalyst layer based on wheat ear-like catalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
Authors: Zhang Changkun , Yu Hongmei , Fu Li , Gao Yuan , Jia Jia , Jiang Shangfeng , Yi Baolian , Shao Zhigang
Published: October 2014

Wheatear-like catalysts were prepared on the Co–OH–CO3 nanowires to design an ultra-thin catalyst layer for fuel cells.
Synthesis of N-alkyl pyrroles via decarboxylation/dehydration in neutral ionic liquid under catalyst-free conditions
Authors: Yadav Veena D. , Dighe Shashikant U. , Batra Sanjay
Published: October 2014

A catalyst-free benign route toN-alkyl pyrroles by reacting aromatic, heteroaromatic or aliphatic aldehydes with 4-hydroxyproline in neutral ionic liquid under microwave irradiation is presented.
A numerical study of a vortex ring impacting a permeable wall
Authors: Cheng M. , Lou J. , Lim T. T.
Published: October 2014

In this paper, we numerically simulate a vortex ring impacting a permeable wall by using a lattice Boltzmann method. The study is motivated by recent publications on vortex ring/permeable wall interaction and our desire to address some of the unanswered questions such as evolution of core vorticity, kinetic energy, and enstrophy of the flow field during the interaction. The simulation was conducted for a wide range of parameters, namely, wall open-area ratios (ϕ) (0 ≤ ϕ ≤ 1), wire structure dimensions (A) (0.015 ≤ A ≤ 0.1), wall-thicknesses (H) (0.015 ≤ H ≤ 1), and Reynolds numbers (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$Re_\Gamma$\end{document}ReΓ) (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$500 \le Re_\Gamma \le 5000$\end{document}500≤ReΓ≤5000). Results show that the flow characteristics upstream and downstream of the permeable wall depends on these parameters. Specifically, increasing ϕ or \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$Re_\Gamma$\end{document}ReΓ enhances vorticity transport across the permeable wall, leading to a regenerated vortex ring, while increasing H impedes vorticity transportation and the formation of regenerated vortex ring. Moreover, larger A promotes vortex shedding from wire grids and generates fine-scale flow structures in the wake region. The study further shows a strong correlation between the attainment of maximum enstrophy and the lifting of the secondary vortex ring from the wall by the induced velocity of the primary vortex ring. While increasing ϕ causes the peak enstrophy to decrease in the upstream region and increase in the downstream region, increasing wall thickness has the opposite effect on the peak enstrophy. On the other hand, increasing wire dimension reduces peak enstrophy in both the upstream and downstream regions, while increasing Reynolds number has the opposite effect on the peak enstrophy.