bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Historical abiotic events or human‐aided dispersal: inferring the evolutionary history of a newly discovered galaxiid fish
Authors: Chakona Gamuchirai , Swartz Ernst R. , Chakona Albert
Published: March 2015

Range expansion of obligate freshwater fishes in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of South Africa has mostly been attributed to river capture events and confluence of rivers following sea‐level regression. The role of low drainage divides and interbasin water transfers has received less attention. This study analyzed mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences to assess the processes that could have influenced the phylogeographic patterns of a newly discovered lineage of Galaxias zebratus (hereafter Galaxias zebratus “Joubertina”) that occurs across two currently isolated river systems close to the Joubertina area in the eastern CFR. Results from both analyses revealed that observed genetic differentiation cannot be explained by isolation between the two river systems. No genetic differentiation was found between the Krom River system and a population from one of the Gamtoos tributaries. Shallow genetic differentiation was found between the Krom and the other Gamtoos populations. Historical river capture events and sea‐level changes do not explain the present distribution of Galaxias zebratus “Joubertina” across the Krom and Gamtoos River systems. Interbasin dispersal during pluvial periods, recent river capture, or recent human‐mediated translocation seems to be the most plausible explanations.
Distribution of Palaeozoic tectonic superimposed unconformities in the Tarim Basin, NW China: significance for the evolution of palaeogeomorphology and sedimentary response
Authors: Liu Hao , Somerville Ian D. , Lin Changsong , Zuo Shengjie
Published: March 2015

Seismic and drilling well data were used to examine the occurrence of multiple stratigraphic unconformities in the Tarim Basin, NW China. The Early Cambrian, the Late Ordovician and the late Middle Devonian unconformities constitute three important tectonic sequence boundaries within the Palaeozoic succession. In the Tazhong, Tabei, Tadong uplifts and the southwestern Tarim palaeo‐uplift, unconformities obviously belong to superimposed unconformities. A superimposed unconformity is formed by superimposition of unconformities of multiple periods. Areas where superimposed unconformities develop are shown as composite belts of multiple tectonic unconformities, and as higher uplift areas of palaeo‐uplifts in palaeogeomorphologic units. The contact relationship of unconformities in the lower uplift areas is indicative of truncation‐overlap. A slope belt is located below the uplift areas, and the main and secondary unconformities are characterized by local onlap reflection on seismic profiles. The regional dynamics controlled the palaeotectonic setting of the Palaeozoic rocks in the Tarim Basin and the origin and evolution of the basin constrained deposition. From the Sinian to the Cambrian, the Tarim landmass and its surrounding areas belonged to an extensional tectonic setting. Since the Late Ordovician, the neighbouring north Kunlun Ocean and Altyn Ocean was transformed from a spreading ocean basin to a closed compressional setting. The maximum compression was attained in the Late Ordovician. The formation of a tectonic palaeogeomorphologic evolution succession from a cratonic margin aulacogen depression to a peripheral foreland basin in the Early Caledonian cycle controlled the deposition of platform, platform margin, and deep‐water basin. Tectonic uplift during the Late Ordovician resulted in a shallower basin which was followed by substantial erosion. Subsequently, a cratonic depression and peripheral or back‐arc foreland basin began their development in the Silurian to Early–Middle Devonian interval. In this period, the Tabei Uplift, the Northern Depression and the southern Tarim palaeo‐uplift showed obvious control on depositional systems, including onshore slope, shelf and deep‐water basin. The southern Tarim Plate was in a continuous continental compressional setting after collision, whereas the southern Tianshan Ocean began to close in the Early Ordovician and was completely closed by the Middle Devonian. At the same time, further compression from peripheral tectonic units in the eastern and southern parts of the Tarim Basin led to the expansion of palaeo‐uplift in the Late Devonian–Early Carboniferous interval, and the connection of the Tabei Uplift and Tadong Uplift, thus controlling onshore, fluvial delta, clastic coast, lagoon‐bay and shallow marine deposition. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Embodied Storytellers: Disability Studies and Medical Humanities
Authors: Holmes Martha Stoddard
Published: March 2015

Rereading a canonic book in medical humanities can generate an immediate sense of how much has changed in the larger conversations still circulating around the issues that book broached in significant ways. The appearance in 2013 of the second edition of Arthur Frank's The Wounded Storyteller, first published in 1995, prompted me to review what has happened in the field of body studies in the intervening decades. Some developments point to the continuing importance of Frank's book, and others raise productive questions about its limitations.
Teaching Nonauthoritarian Clinical Ethics: Using an Inventory of Bioethical Positions
Authors: Fiester Autumn
Published: March 2015

One area of bioethics education with direct impact on the lives of patients, families, and providers is the training of clinical ethics consultants who practice in hospital‐based settings. There is a universal call for increased skills and knowledge among practicing consultants, broad recognition that many are woefully undertrained, and a clear consensus that CECs must avoid an “authoritarian approach” to consultation—an approach, that is, in which the consultant imposes his or her values, ethical priorities, or religious convictions on the stakeholders in an ethics conflict. Yet little work has been done on how to teach CECs not to impose their values in an ethics consultation, or even on the dimensions of this problem. In this essay, I propose a tool for bioethical instruction that targets this question: how can CECs be taught a nonauthoritarian mode of ethical analysis and consultation that can avert the problem of values imposition?
Caring for Words about Limiting Care
Authors: Tilburt Jon
Published: March 2015

In the detailed, cogent, and well‐referenced Rationing Is Not a Four‐Letter Word: Setting Limits on Healthcare, Phillip Rosoff takes up an emotion‐laden entrenched argument as challenging as iPhone purchasing for teens—trying to convince a skeptical public and medical profession that “rationing” is just fine. According to Rosoff, despite its near expletive status, the “R word”—the much‐maligned third rail of American health policy‐is an inevitable and sensible choice for the future of health care in the United States. It is—rather like the iPhone 4S—good enough, much cheaper, and really not that bad.
How Much for That Stress Test?
Authors: Gilbert Susan
Published: March 2015

What if we could shop for health care the way we shop for a car or airline tickets, turning to online tools to learn the fair price? Would this kind of consumerism be good for patients and for health care more broadly? We are poised to find some answers to these questions, since several relatively new resources enable anyone with an Internet connection to search for prices of specific interventions and services and, in some cases, to identify who offers the best deal.
Depression of neuronal excitability and epileptic activities by group II metabotropic glutamate receptors in the medial entorhinal cortex
Authors: Zhang Haopeng , Cilz Nicholas I. , Yang Chuanxiu , Hu Binqi , Dong Hailong , Lei Saobo
Published: March 2015

Whereas the ionotropic glutamate receptors are the major mediator in glutamatergic transmission, the metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) usually play a modulatory role. Whereas the entorhinal cortex (EC) is an essential structure involved in the generation and propagation of epilepsy, the roles and mechanisms of mGluRs in epilepsy in the EC have not been determined. Here, we studied the effects of activation of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs II) on epileptiform activity induced by picrotoxin or deprivation of extracellular Mg2+ and neuronal excitability in the medial EC. We found that activation of mGluRs II by application of the selective agonist, LY354740, exerted robust inhibition on epileptiform activity. LY354740 hyperpolarized entorhinal neurons via activation of a K+ conductance and inhibition of a Na+‐permeable channel. LY354740‐induced hyperpolarization was G protein‐dependent, but independent of adenylyl cyclase and protein kinase A. However, the function of Gβγ was involved in mGluRs II‐mediated depression of both neuronal excitability and epileptiform activity. Our results provide a novel cellular mechanism to explain the antiepileptic effects of mGluRs II in the treatment of epilepsy. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of spaced learning in the water maze on development of dentate granule cells generated in adult mice
Authors: Trinchero Mariela F. , Koehl Muriel , Bechakra Malik , Delage Pauline , Charrier Vanessa , Grosjean Noelle , Ladeveze Elodie , Schinder Alejandro F. , Abrous D. Nora
Published: March 2015

New dentate granule cells (GCs) are generated in the hippocampus throughout life. These adult‐born neurons are required for spatial learning in the Morris water maze (MWM). In rats, spatial learning shapes the network by regulating their number and dendritic development. Here, we explored whether such modulatory effects exist in mice. New GCs were tagged using thymidine analogs or a GFP‐expressing retrovirus. Animals were exposed to a reference memory protocol for 10–14 days (spaced training) at different times after newborn cells labeling. Cell proliferation, cell survival, cell death, neuronal phenotype, and dendritic and spine development were examined using immunohistochemistry. Surprisingly, spatial learning did not modify any of the parameters under scrutiny including cell number and dendritic morphology. These results suggest that although new GCs are required in mice for spatial learning in the MWM, they are, at least for the developmental intervals analyzed here, refractory to behavioral stimuli generated in the course of learning in the MWM. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Immune parameters of patients treated with laquinimod, a novel oral therapy for the treatment of multiple sclerosis: results from a double‐blind placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Stasiolek Mariusz , Linker Ralf A. , Hayardeny Liat , Bar Ilan Oren , Gold Ralf
Published: March 2015

Laquinimod is a novel orally administered drug for the treatment of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). In this immunological substudy of the phase III Assessment of Oral Laquinimod in Preventing Progression of MS (ALLEGRO) trial, we performed an ex vivo and in vitro analysis of effects exerted by laquinimod on peripheral blood immune cell populations from RRMS patients with a special focus on monocyte phenotype and function. Approximately 100 patients were enrolled following a standardized protocol. Half of the patients received laquinimod and the other half received placebo. Peripheral blood samples were collected prior to commencement of therapy and after 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months of continuous therapy. Main lymphocytic and antigen presenting cell fractions were analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) ex vivo by flow cytometry. The proliferative response of PBMCs to mitogen or recall antigen was assessed in culture experiments. Untouched monocytes were sorted magnetically and cultured under pro‐inflammatory conditions. PBMC analysis showed no significant differences of investigated lymphocytic and antigen presenting cell populations over time within each group, or between the two groups. However, the detailed in vitro analysis of monocytes demonstrated a lower level of CD86 expression on monocytes stimulated with LPS in laquinimod patients beginning from the 1st month of treatment. Upon pro‐inflammatory stimulation, monocytes obtained from laquinimod treated patients tended to secrete lower levels of the proinflammatory chemokines CCL2 or CCL5. Taken together, in this prospective study, we demonstrate immune modulation but no immunosuppressive biological activity of laquinimod in a large group of MS patients.
Successful Scientific Replication and Extension of Levitt (2008): Child Seats are Still No Safer Than Seat Belts
Authors: Jones Lauren E. , Ziebarth Nicolas R.
Published: March 2015

Using US fatality data from 1975 to 2003, Levitt (Evidence that seat belts are as effective as child safety seats in preventing death for children aged two and up, Review of Economics and Statistics 2008; 90(1): 158–163) shows that child safety seats do not significantly reduce fatalities for children aged 2–6 years as compared to standard seat belts. Although we were unable to gain access to the original programs and dataset used, we were able to replicate Levitt's () findings almost exactly. We extend Levitt () by showing that the findings also hold for the years 2004–2011 despite changing driver characteristics and restraint use patterns. We fail to find evidence that SUVs provide additional safety for children. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bone Tissue Properties Measurement by Reference Point Indentation in Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis
Authors: Mellibovsky Leonardo , Prieto-Alhambra Daniel , Mellibovsky Fernando , Güerri-Fernández Roberto , Nogués Xavier , Randall Connor , Hansma Paul K , Díez-Perez Adolfo
Published: March 2015

Glucocorticoids, widely used in inflammatory disorders, rapidly increase bone fragility and, therefore, fracture risk. However, common bone densitometry measurements are not sensitive enough to detect these changes. Moreover, densitometry only partially recognizes treatment-induced fracture reductions in osteoporosis. Here, we tested whether the reference point indentation technique could detect bone tissue property changes early after glucocorticoid treatment initiation. After initial laboratory and bone density measurements, patients were allocated into groups receiving calcium + vitamin D (Ca+D) supplements or anti-osteoporotic drugs (risedronate, denosumab, teriparatide). Reference point indentation was performed on the cortical bone layer of the tibia by a handheld device measuring bone material strength index (BMSi). Bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Although Ca+D-treated patients exhibited substantial and significant deterioration, risedronate-treated patients exhibited no significant change, and both denosumab- and teriparatide-treated participants exhibited significantly improved BMSi 7 weeks after initial treatment compared with baseline; these trends remained stable for 20 weeks. In contrast, no densitometry changes were observed during this study period. In conclusion, our study is the first to our knowledge to demonstrate that reference point indentation is sensitive enough to reflect changes in cortical bone indentation after treatment with osteoporosis therapies in patients newly exposed to glucocorticoids. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Mitochondrial and Oxidative Stress Response in HepG2 Cells Following Acute and Prolonged Exposure to Antiretroviral Drugs
Authors: Nagiah Savania , Phulukdaree Alisa , Chuturgoon Anil
Published: March 2015

Chronic HIV treatment with antiretroviral drugs has been associated with adverse health outcomes. Mitochondrial toxicity exhibited by nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) is pinpointed as a molecular mechanism of toxicity. This study evaluated the effect of NRTIs: Zidovudine (AZT, 7.1 μM), Stavudine (d4T, 4 μM) and Tenofovir (TFV, 1.2 μM), on mitochondrial (mt) stress response, mtDNA integrity and oxidative stress response in human hepatoma cells at 24 and 120 h. Markers for mt function, mt biogenesis, oxidative stress parameters, and antioxidant response were evaluated by spectrophotometry, luminometry, flow cytometry, qPCR and western blots. We found that AZT and d4T reduced mtDNA integrity (120 h, AZT: 76.1%; d4T:36.1%, P < 0.05) and remained unchanged with TFV. All three NRTIs, however, reduced ATP levels (AZT: 38%; d4T: 56.4%; TFV: 27.4%, P = 0.01) and mt membrane potential at 120 h (P < 0.005). Oxidative damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were increased by TFV and AZT at 24 h, and by d4T at 120 h (P < 0.05). Antioxidant response molecules and mt biogenesis markers were elevated by all NRTIs, with TFV causing the most significant increase (P < 0.05). Data from this study suggest that AZT, d4T and TFV alter mt function. TFV, however, achieves this independently of mtDNA depletion. Furthermore, AZT exerts toxicity soon after exposure as noted from changes at 24 h and d4T exerts greater toxicity over prolonged exposure (120 h). J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 1939–1946, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Somatosensory temporal discrimination in essential tremor and isolated head and voice tremors
Authors: Conte Antonella , Ferrazzano Gina , Manzo Nicoletta , Leodori Giorgio , Fabbrini Giovanni , Fasano Alfonso , Tinazzi Michele , Berardelli Alfredo
Published: March 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold in patients with essential tremor (sporadic and familial) and to evaluate whether somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold values differ depending on the body parts involved by tremor. We also investigated the somatosensory temporal discrimination in patients with isolated voice tremor. We enrolled 61 patients with tremor: 48 patients with essential tremor (31 patients with upper limb tremor alone, nine patients with head tremor alone, and eight patients with upper limb plus head tremor; 22 patients with familial vs. 26 sporadic essential tremor), 13 patients with isolated voice tremor, and 45 healthy subjects. Somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold values were normal in patients with familial essential tremor, whereas they were higher in patients with sporadic essential tremor. When we classified patients according to tremor distribution, somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold values were normal in patients with upper limb tremor and abnormal only in patients with isolated head tremor. Temporal discrimination threshold values were also abnormal in patients with isolated voice tremor. Somatosensory temporal discrimination processing is normal in patients with familial as well as in patients with sporadic essential tremor involving the upper limbs. By contrast, somatosensory temporal discrimination is altered in patients with isolated head tremor and voice tremor. This study with somatosensory temporal discrimination suggests that isolated head and voice tremors might possibly be considered as separate clinical entities from essential tremor. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Diminished event‐related cortical arousals and altered heart rate response in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Sommerauer Michael , Imbach Lukas L. , Jarallah Mohan , Baumann Christian R. , Valko Philipp O.
Published: March 2015

Objectives

In Parkinson's disease (PD), partial neuronal loss occurs in several arousal‐promoting structures, but the effects on arousability have not yet been studied.

Methods

Polysomnographic analysis of 70 PD patients and 70 control subjects matched for age, sex, body mass index, apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI), and periodic limb movements in sleep index (PLMSI).

Results

In PD patients, arousal frequency was diminished by 50% compared with controls (9.1 ± 7.6 vs. 18.6 ± 22.9/h; P < 0.001), and the correlations with AHI (rho = 0.266 vs. 0.503, P = 0.004) and PLMSI (rho = 0.082 vs. 0.354, P = 0.006) were weaker. Hoehn & Yahr stage was an independent negative predictor of arousal index (β = –0.297, P = 0.015). Normalization of heart rate increase after cortical arousals was prolonged in PD patients compared with controls (P = 0.003).

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that the neurodegenerative process in PD is associated with an attenuated arousability to respiratory and motor events, and with an alteration of the heart rate pattern accompanying arousals. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Bio‐based high‐performance waterborne hyperbranched polyurethane thermoset
Authors: Gogoi Satyabrat , Karak Niranjan
Published: March 2015

Tannic‐acid‐based low volatile organic compound‐containing waterborne hyperbranched polyurethane was prepared. In order to improve the performance, it was modified in an aqueous medium using a glycerol‐based hyperbranched epoxy and vegetable‐oil‐based poly(amido amine) at different wt%. The combined system was cross‐linked by heating at 100°C for 45 min. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and swelling study were used to confirm the curing. A dose‐dependent improvement of properties was witnessed for the thermoset. Thermoset with 30 wt% epoxy showed excellent improvements in mechanical properties like tensile strength (~3.4 fold), scratch hardness (~2 fold), impact resistance (~1.3 fold), and toughness (~1.7 fold). Thermogravimetric analysis revealed enhancement of thermal properties (maximum 70°C increment of degradation temperature and 8°C increment of Tg). The modified system showed better chemical and water resistance compared with the neat polyurethane. Biodegradation study was carried out by broth culture method using Pseudomonas aeruginosa as the test organism. An adequate biodegradation was witnessed, as evidenced by weight loss profile, bacterial growth curve, and scanning electron microscope images. The work showed the way to develop environmentally benign waterborne polyurethane as a high‐performance material by incorporating a reactive modifier into the polymer network. Use of benign solvent and bio‐based materials as well as profound biodegradability justified eco‐friendliness and sustainability of the modified system. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Die Gurke leuchtet komplex
Authors: Vollmer Michael , Möllmann Klaus‐Peter
Published: March 2015

Das Experiment, bei dem eine Essiggurke elektrisch stimuliert leuchtet, gehört zum Standardrepertoire vieler Schulen und Hochschulen. Meist wird es zur Elektrizitätslehre oder zur Atomphysik vorgeführt, inklusive vordergründig einleuchtender Erklärung. Eine genauere Untersuchung zeigt jedoch, dass der Mechanismus komplexer als gedacht ist. Die Lichtemission entsteht in einem Zusammenspiel von Elektrolyse und hohen Elektrodentemperaturen. Dabei regen wahrscheinlich vor allem exotherme Wasserstoff‐ oder Knallgasreaktionen das Natriumlicht an.
Die Kunst des Elektronenzählens
Authors: Fricke Lukas , Dolata Ralf , Kästner Bernd , Hohls Frank , Schumacher Hans Werner
Published: March 2015

Das derzeitig verwendete Einheitensystem, SI, soll umdefiniert werden. Dabei werden die Einheiten auf Naturkonstanten zurückgeführt. Im Fall der einzigen elektrischen Einheit, dem Ampere, ist dies die Elementarladung des Elektrons. Eine solche Quantenstromquelle muss einzelne Elektronen zuverlässig abgeben können. Als zwei alternative Verfahren diskutiert man derzeit die Detektion zufällig emittierter Elektronen und das Elektronenpumpen durch ein äußeres Taktsignal. Damit lässt sich in beiden Fällen die Strommessung auf eine Zeitmessung zurückführen. An der PTB wird derzeit eine Schaltung entwickelt, die beide Verfahren kombiniert und somit beide Vorteile vereint. Das erlaubt eine genauere Bestimmung des erzeugten Stroms. Mit einer solchen Quelle könnte in Zukunft das Ampere auf Basis der Elementarladung realisiert werden.
Optimizing the electrochemical performance of imidazolium‐based polymeric ionic liquids by varying tethering groups
Authors: Jia Zhe , Yuan Wen , Sheng Chunjuan , Zhao Hui , Hu Heyi , Baker Gregory L.
Published: March 2015

We report the synthesis and characterization of a series of novel imidazolium cation and bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide anion (TFSI−)‐based ionic liquid (IL) model compounds and their corresponding polymeric ionic liquids (PILs) with various tethering groups. Ethylene oxide repeating units were attached as tethering groups to an imidazolium cation to optimize the glass transition temperatures (Tg) and ionic conductivities of the PILs. The novel PILs exhibit excellent conductivity values of around 8 × 10−4 S/cm at room temperature. The thermophysical and electrochemical properties of ILs, including thermal transition, ionic conductivity, and rheological behavior, were characterized to investigate the effect of tethering groups. We conclude that the length of poly(ethylene oxide) tethering group has a tremendous effect on both physical property and electrochemical behavior and that charge carrier density is dominant in defining ionic conductivity with free ILs, whereas ion mobility plays a more important role after polymerization. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 1339–1350
Screening of metal catalysts influence on the synthesis, structure, properties, and biodegradation of PLA‐PBA triblock copolymers obtained in melt
Authors: Kundys Anna , Plichta Andrzej , Florjańczyk Zbigniew , Frydrych Anita , Żurawski Konrad
Published: March 2015

The synthesis of ABA type triblock copolymers comprising poly(1,4‐butylene adipate) macroinitiator and polylactide segments is described in this article. Acetylacetonates of various low‐toxic metals: Li, Mg, Ca, Zn, Fe, and Zr are used as catalysts. The course of polymerization, microstructure, thermal properties, and biodegradation of the copolymers obtained are analyzed based on the electronegativity of the metal used. The macroinitiator is completely incorporated into the major products, however, linear and cyclic lactide homopolymers and copolymers are present because of moisture presence and transesterification processes. The efficiency of side reactions depends on the catalyst used. The highest molar mass of copolymer is obtained with a Zr‐based catalyst. The efficacy of polylactide racemization is higher for catalysts comprising the metal of lower electronegativity. Under thermal degradation conditions the polylactide segment degrades before the macroinitiator one. The copolymers studied undergo faster biodegradation than polylactide and they can decompose in compost within 16 weeks. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 1444–1456
Synthesis of diisocyanides with phenolic groups and their polymerization to helically chiral poly(quinoxaline‐2,3‐diyl)s
Authors: Scholz Johannes , Reggelin Michael
Published: March 2015

The development of synthetic routes which lead to five new diisocyanide monomers with one or two phenolic groups is described. Their polymerization behavior is studied with Pd‐ and Ni‐based initiators, as well as under microwave irradiation. The polymerizability is mainly dominated by steric effects as is concluded from experiments using different protecting groups. Chiroptical properties of these new polymers are studied by CD‐spectroscopy. After deprotection, helically chiral poly(quinoxalin‐2,3‐diyl)s are obtained which display a Brønsted function attached to a stereolabile biaryl axis whose configuration should be influenced by the chiral polymer backbone. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 1320–1329
Competitive permeation of gas and water vapour in high free volume polymeric membranes
Authors: Scholes Colin A. , Jin Jianyong , Stevens Geoff W. , Kentish Sandra E.
Published: March 2015

Highly permeable glassy polymeric membranes based on poly (1‐trimethylsilyl‐1‐propyne) (PTMSP) and a polymer of intrinsic porosity (PIM‐1) were investigated for water sorption, water permeability and the separation of CO2 from N2 under humid mixed gas conditions. The water sorption isotherms for both materials followed behavior indicative of multilayer adsorption within the microvoids, with PIM‐1 registering a significant water uptake at very high water activities. Analysis of the sorption isotherms using a modified dual sorption model which accounts for such multilayer effects gave Langmuir affinity constants more consistent with lighter gases than the use of the standard dual mode approach. The water permeability through PTMSP and PIM‐1 was comparable over the water activities studied, and could be successfully modeled through a dual mode sorption model with a concentration dependent diffusivity. The water permeability through both membranes as a function of temperature was also measured, and found to be at a minimum at 80 °C for PTMSP and 70 °C for PIM‐1. This temperature dependence is a function of reducing water solubility in both membranes with increasing temperature countered by increasing water diffusivity. The CO2 ‐ N2 mixed gas permeabilities through PTMSP and PIM‐1 were also measured and modeled through dual mode sorption theory. Introducing water vapour further reduced both the CO2 and N2 permeabilities. The plasticization potential of water in PTMSP was determined and indicated water swelled the membrane increasing CO2 and N2 diffusivity, while for PIM‐1 a negative potential implied that water filling of the microvoids hampered CO2 and N2 diffusion through the membrane. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 719–728
A complementary note to ‘A lag‐1 smoother approach to system‐error estimation’: the intrinsic limitations of residual diagnostics
Authors: Todling Ricardo
Published: March 2015

Recently, this author studied an approach to the estimation of system error based on combining observation residuals derived from a sequential filter and fixed lag‐1 smoother. While extending the methodology to a variational formulation, experimenting with simple models and making sure consistency was found between the sequential and variational formulations, the limitations of the residual‐based approach came clearly to the surface. This note uses the sequential assimilation application to simple nonlinear dynamics to highlight the issue. Only when some of the underlying error statistics are assumed known is it possible to estimate the unknown component. In general, when considerable uncertainties exist in the underlying statistics as a whole, attempts to obtain separate estimates of the various error covariances are bound to lead to misrepresentation of errors. The conclusions are particularly relevant to present‐day attempts to estimate observation‐error correlations from observation residual statistics. A brief illustration of the issue is also provided by comparing estimates of error correlations derived from a quasi‐operational assimilation system and a corresponding Observing System Simulation Experiments framework.
The impact of robotics on the mode of benign hysterectomy and clinical outcomes
Authors: Luciano Anthony A. , Luciano Danielle E. , Gabbert Jessica , Seshadri‐Kreaden Usha
Published: March 2015

Background

The impact of robotics on benign hysterectomy surgical approach, clinical outcomes, and learning curve is still unclear.

Methods

Review of abdominal, vaginal, laparoscopic, or robotic cases in 156 US hospitals in the Premier Research Database.

Results

Of 289 875 hysterectomies, abdominal cases decreased from 2005–2010 (60–33%) and minimally invasive approaches increased (40–67%). Conversion rates were: 0.04% for vaginal, 2.5% for robotic, and 7.2% for laparoscopy (P < 0.001). Robotic surgery time was longest (3.4 h vs. 2.2 vaginal, 2.5 abdominal, 2.7 laparoscopy, P < 0.001). Robotic complication rate was lowest (14.8% vs. 16.2% vaginal, 18.6% laparoscopy, 28.9% abdominal, P < 0.001). Hospital stay was longer following abdominal surgery (3.5 days vs. 1.8 robotic, 1.9 vaginal, 1.8 laparoscopy, P < 0.001). Robotic surgery times and conversion and complication rates improved with experience (2.8 h, 2%, and 13.9%, respectively), even with increasing complexity.

Conclusions

Robotics was successfully incorporated without jeopardizing patient outcomes and increased the overall use of minimally invasive approaches. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Necessary and sufficient conditions for bounded distributed mean square tracking of multi‐agent systems with noises
Authors: Li Wuquan , Li Tao , Xie Lihua , Zhang Ji‐Feng
Published: March 2015

This paper is concerned with the distributed control problem of second‐order agents under directed network topology. The control input of each agent only depends on its own state and the states of its neighbors corrupted by white noises. By using the algebraic graph theory and stochastic analysis method, necessary and sufficient conditions are presented for mean square bounded tracking. Finally, several simulation examples are given to illustrate the results. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Macroscopic Carbon Nanotube‐based 3D Monoliths
Authors: Du Ran , Zhao Qiuchen , Zhang Na , Zhang Jin
Published: March 2015

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the most promising carbon allotropes with incredible diverse physicochemical properties, thereby enjoying continuous worldwide attention since their discovery about two decades ago. From the point of view of practical applications, assembling individual CNTs into macroscopic functional and high‐performance materials is of paramount importance. For example, multiscaled CNT‐based assemblies including 1D fibers, 2D films, and 3D monoliths have been developed. Among all of these, monolithic 3D CNT architectures with porous structures have attracted increasing interest in the last few years. In this form, theoretically all individual CNTs are well connected and fully expose their surfaces. These 3D architectures have huge specific surface areas, hierarchical pores, and interconnected conductive networks, resulting in enhanced mass/electron transport and countless accessible active sites for diverse applications (e.g. catalysis, capacitors, and sorption). More importantly, the monolithic form of 3D CNT assemblies can impart additional application potentials to materials, such as free‐standing electrodes, sensors, and recyclable sorbents. However, scaling the properties of individual CNTs to 3D assemblies, improving use of the diverse, structure‐dependent properties of CNTs, and increasing the performance‐to‐cost ratio are great unsolved challenges for their real commercialization. This review aims to provide a comprehensive introduction of this young and energetic field, i.e., CNT‐based 3D monoliths, with a focus on the preparation principles, current synthetic methods, and typical applications. Opportunities and challenges in this field are also presented.
Non‐parametric Bayes to infer playing strategies adopted in a population of mobile gamers
Authors: Virtanen Seppo , Rost Mattias , Higgs Matthew , Morrison Alistair , Chalmers Matthew , Girolami Mark
Published: March 2015

Analysis of trace logging data collections of interactions of a heterogenous and diverse population of consumers of digital software with mobile devices provides unprecedented possibilities for understanding how software is actually used and for finding recurring patterns of software usage over the population that are exhibited to a greater or lesser degree in each individual software user. In this work, we consider an elementary mobile game played by a population of mobile gamers and collect pieces of game sessions over an extended period, resulting in a collection of users' trace logs for multiple sessions. We develop a simple, yet flexible, non‐parametric Bayes approach to infer playing strategies adopted in the population from the logged traces of game interactions. We demonstrate that our approach finds interpretable strategies and provides good predictive performance compared with alternative modelling assumptions using a non‐parametric Bayes framework. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Severe adult atopic dermatitis successfully treated with concurrent Unseiin and standard treatment
Authors: Nakai Noriaki , Katoh Norito
Published: March 2015

Case

A 64 year‐old woman suffering from atopic dermatitis refractory to standard treatment presented for treatment of severe skin eruptions on the whole body.

Outcome

On her first visit, white blood cell count including eosinophils (3310/μL), serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; 460 IU/L), serum immunoglobulin E (19 694 IU/mL), and thymus and activation‐regulated chemokine (TARC; 58 250 pg/mL) were elevated. Oral treatment with fexofenadine hydrochloride and topical steroids were started, but the eruptions and itching did not significantly improve. On day 18, concurrent treatment with Unseiin 7.5 g/day was started. On day 81, remission of skin eruption, and normal TARC (396 pg/mL), eosinophils (200/μL), and LDH (187 IU/L) were confirmed.

Conclusion

Concurrent treatment with Unseiin and standard treatment may provide an effective treatment option for patients with atopic dermatitis refractory to standard treatment.
Dielectric signatures and interpretive analysis for changes of state in composite materials
Authors: Raihan Rassel , Reifsnider Kenneth , Cacuci Dan , Liu Qianlong
Published: March 2015

A myriad of nondestructive interrogation methods have been developed to assess the initial and progressive integrity of composite materials, with varying degrees of success. Some frontiers, however, have stubbornly resisted this progress; the present paper addresses three of these by discussing our recent progress in the development and application of through‐thickness dielectric methods for a wide range of heterogeneous materials. The first topic is the creation of a characterization method and interpretive analysis that can correctly reveal the process of distributed damage initiation and accumulation with non‐dilute concentrations in heterogeneous structural composite materials, in contrast to more standard methods that focus on identifying individual flaws. The second topic is development of inverse and adjoint methods to enable the design of heterogeneous materials for specific dielectric responses. And the third topic is the development of a “current state method” for such materials that can provide measurements to predict the subsequent strength and life of individual specimens, in a manner that is somewhat analogous to a single crack analysis in homogeneous materials. The foundation for our discussion of those topics is through‐thickness characterization of the low‐frequency spectral dielectric response of composite materials to harmonic EMF signals. Successes and remaining challenges are discussed and opportunities for implementation identified.
Double Bond Stereochemistry Influences the Susceptibility of Short‐Chain Isoprenoids and Polyprenols to Decomposition by Thermo‐Oxidation
Authors: Molińska Ewa , Klimczak Urszula , Komaszyło Joanna , Derewiaka Dorota , Obiedziński Mieczysław , Kania Magdalena , Danikiewicz Witold , Swiezewska Ewa
Published: March 2015

Isoprenoid alcohols are common constituents of living cells. They are usually assigned a role in the adaptation of the cell to environmental stimuli, and this process might give rise to their oxidation by reactive oxygen species. Moreover, cellular isoprenoids may also undergo various chemical modifications resulting from the physico‐chemical treatment of the tissues, e.g., heating during food processing. Susceptibility of isoprenoid alcohols to heat treatment has not been studied in detail so far. In this study, isoprenoid alcohols differing in the number of isoprene units and geometry of the double bonds, β‐citronellol, geraniol, nerol, farnesol, solanesol and Pren‐9, were subjected to thermo‐oxidation at 80 °C. Thermo‐oxidation resulted in the decomposition of the tested short‐chain isoprenoids as well as medium‐chain polyprenols with simultaneous formation of oxidized derivatives, such as hydroperoxides, monoepoxides, diepoxides and aldehydes, and possible formation of oligomeric derivatives. Oxidation products were monitored by GC‐FID, GC‐MS, ESI‐MS and spectrophotometric methods. Interestingly, nerol, a short‐chain isoprenoid with a double bond in the cis (Z) configuration, was more oxidatively stable than its trans (E) isomer, geraniol. However, the opposite effect was observed for medium‐chain polyprenols, since Pren‐9 (di‐trans‐poly‐cis‐prenol) was more susceptible to thermo‐oxidation than its all‐trans isomer, solanesol. Taken together, these results experimentally confirm that both short‐ and long‐chain polyisoprenoid alcohols are prone to thermo‐oxidation.
Flow Experience during Attentional Training Improves Cognitive Functions in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: An Exploratory Case Study
Authors: Yoshida Kazuki , Sawamura Daisuke , Ogawa Keita , Ikoma Katsunori , Asakawa Kiyoshi , Yamauchi Taro , Sakai Shinya
Published: March 2015

Objective/Background

Flow is the holistic experience that occurs when an individual acts with total involvement. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of attention training that induces flow experience for patients with attention-deficit disorder after traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods

A two-patient case report with a within-subject AB design was conducted. Two patients with attention deficit after TBI were recruited for attention training. Two types of video game tasks for attention training were created, one inducing flow (flow task) and the other not (control task). Patient A performed the flow task for 14 days after receiving general occupational therapy (OT) for 11 days. Patient B performed the flow task for 15 days after performing the control task for 10 days. We examined training effects using neuropsychological tests. The Flow State Scale for Occupational Tasks was administered to identify the patient's flow state. To evaluate the training effect, we used visual analysis, the two-standard deviation band method, and effect-size analyses.

Results

Both Patient A and Patient B showed improvement on the Continuous Performance Test, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, and Moss Attention Rating Scale after the flow task. Patient B also showed improvement on the Trail Making Test.

Conclusion

The results for Patient A suggested that the flow task was more effective than general OT for improving attention deficits. Moreover, the results for Patient B suggested that the flow task was more effective than the control task. Attention training inducing flow experience may thus facilitate improvement of attention.
The Comorbidity of PTSD and MDD: Implications for Clinical Practice and Future Research
Authors: Angelakis Samantha , Nixon Reginald D.V.
Published: March 2015

The high prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) comorbidity is well established, with comorbidity rates often between 30 and 50%. However, despite the high prevalence of this comorbidity, very few researchers have explored specific treatments for individuals who present with comorbid PTSD and MDD. Further, there has not been explicit examination of the mechanisms through which MDD influences trauma-focused therapy. As individuals with comorbid PTSD and MDD often present with a more chronic course of impairment and in some instances, a more delayed response to treatment, the need for such research is imperative. It will be proposed that there is merit in targeting depression within the treatment of comorbid PTSD and MDD. Accordingly, in this article we review explanations for the high PTSD and MDD comorbid relationship and highlight variables likely to explain such comorbidity. Theoretical accounts for how depression impedes optimal recovery from PTSD and the associated empirical findings are illustrated. We consequently argue that there is a need to develop and test treatments that target both PTSD and MDD symptoms. Directions for future research are highlighted.
Impact of Self-Help Schema Therapy on Psychological Distress and Early Maladaptive Schemas: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Priemer Margaret , Talbot France , French Douglas J.
Published: March 2015

Self-help cognitive behaviour therapy has been found helpful in treating anxiety and depression. Recent evidence suggests that self-help schema therapy may represent another treatment alternative. The present study aimed to provide a preliminary assessment of the efficacy of self-help schema therapy on psychological distress and early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) using a 6-week treatment protocol with minimal email contact.Method:Participants were recruited from the general population and randomly assigned to self-help schema therapy (n= 32) or a waitlist (n= 32). Intent-to-treat analyses and study completer analyses were conducted using repeated-measures analyses of variance (time × group).Results:Intent-to-treat analyses revealed that treatment produced a marginal improvement in distress, but no change in EMSs. Among study completers (n= 34), self-help schema therapy yielded large reductions in distress scores on the Outcome Questionnaire-45.2 (partial eta squared = .16). Compared to the waitlist, self-help schema therapy also produced a moderate decrease in EMSs (partial eta squared = .10). The majority of study completers showed reliable clinical change in distress and reported high levels of satisfaction with the intervention.Conclusion:Self-help schema therapy may be an effective treatment for those individuals who persist in treatment. Self-help schema therapy has the potential to help a large number of individuals who may not otherwise have access to services. More research is needed to determine variables associated with treatment adherence and successful outcome.
Agonistic Pluralism and Stakeholder Engagement
Authors: Dawkins Cedric
Published: March 2015

This paper argues that, although stakeholder engagement occurs within the context of power, neither market-centered CSR nor the deliberative model of political CSR adequately addresses the specter of power asymmetries and the inevitability of conflict in stakeholder relations, particularly for powerless stakeholders. Noting that the objective of stakeholder engagement should not be benevolence toward stakeholders, but mechanisms that address power asymmetries such that stakeholders are able to protect their own interests, I present a framework of stakeholder engagement based on agonistic pluralism that seeks to structure and utilize discord rather than reduce or eliminate it. I then propose arbitration as an agonistic mechanism to address power asymmetries in stakeholder engagement and explore its implications.
Testing Core Predictions of Spatial Models: Platform Moderation and Challenger Success
Authors: Montagnes Brendan Pablo , Rogowski Jon C.
Published: March 2015

A large class of spatial models of elections converges upon a single prediction: a candidate’s vote share increases in the congruence between her platform and the median voter’s preferences. Though considerable empirical research provides support for this prediction, these studies have not adequately identified the effects of platform positioning net of other factors. In this paper, we study the impact of challenger moderation on vote shares using data from 444 US House elections from 1996 to 2006 in which successive challengers competed against a common incumbent. Our findings are largely null. We uncover no evidence that challengers increase their vote shares by adopting more moderate platform positions. This finding is robust across a wide range of model specifications and subsets of districts.