bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of a high power Yb fiber‐based laser compatible with commercial optical parametric oscillator for coherent anti‐stokes raman scattering microscopy
Authors: Hage Charles‐Henri , Boisset Simon , Ibrahim Ali , Morin Franck , Hoenninger Clemens , Grunske Tobias , SOUISSI SAMI , Heliot Laurent , Leray Aymeric
Published: April 2014

Coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy is a powerful tool for chemical analysis at a subcellular level, frequently used for imaging lipid dynamics in living cells. We report a high‐power picosecond fiber‐based laser and its application for optical parametric oscillator (OPO) pumping and CARS microscopy. This fiber‐based laser has been carefully characterized. It produces 5 ps pulses with 0.8 nm spectral width at a 1,030 nm wavelength with more than 10 W of average power at 80 MHz repetition rate; these spectral and temporal properties can be slightly modified. We then study the influence of these modifications on the spectral and temporal properties of the OPO. We find that the OPO system generates a weakly spectrally chirped signal beam constituted of 3 ps pulses with 0.4 nm spectral width tunable from 790 to 930 nm optimal for CARS imaging. The frequency doubling unconverted part is composed of 7–8 ps pulses with 0.75 nm spectral width compatible with CARS imaging. We also study the influence of the fiber laser properties on the CARS signal generated by distilled water. In agreement with theory, we find that shorter temporal pulses allow higher peak powers and thus higher CARS signal, if the spectral widths are less than 10 cm−1. We demonstrate that this source is suitable for performing CARS imaging of living cells during several hours without photodamages. We finally demonstrate CARS imaging on more complex aquatic organisms called copepods (micro‐crustaceans), on which we distinguish morphological details and lipid reserves. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:422–430, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nanophotonic approaches for nanoscale imaging and single‐molecule detection at ultrahigh concentrations
Authors: Mivelle Mathieu , Van Zanten Thomas. S. , Manzo Carlo , Garcia‐Parajo Maria F.
Published: April 2014

Over the last decade, we have witnessed an outburst of many different optical techniques aimed at breaking the diffraction limit of light, providing super‐resolution imaging on intact fixed cells. In parallel, single‐molecule detection by means of fluorescence has become a common tool to investigate biological interactions at the molecular level both in vitro and in living cells. Despite these advances, visualization of dynamic events at relevant physiological concentrations at the nanometer scale remains challenging. In this review, we focus on recent advancements in the field of nanophotonics toward nanoimaging and single‐molecule detection at ultrahigh sample concentrations. These approaches rely on the use of metal nanostructures known as optical antennas to localize and manipulate optical fields at the nanometer scale. We highlight examples on how different optical antenna geometries are being implemented for nanoscale imaging of cell membrane components. We also discuss different implementations of self‐standing and two‐dimensional antenna arrays for studying nanoscale dynamics in living cell membranes as well as detection of individual biomolecular interactions in the µM range for sensing applications. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:537–545, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Household Shocks and Coping Strategies in Rural and Peri‐Urban South Africa: Baseline Data from the Size Study in Kwazulu‐Natal, South Africa
Authors: Knight Lucia , Roberts Benjamin J. , Aber J. Lawrence , Richter Linda ,   The SIZE Research Group
Published: April 2014

The incidence and impact of a range of household shocks are investigated in a survey of households with children in 24 communities in peri‐urban and rural KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa. The results highlight the importance of health shocks among households in a high HIV prevalence context. Economic shocks, in particular unexpected price increments for basic necessities, are widely reported and shown to have moderate to severe self‐rated impacts with possible long‐term cumulative, community‐wide effects. Behaviour‐based coping responses were the most common, especially reduced consumption and spending, which has the potential for negative impacts on the health developmental and well‐being of children. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Turbulent kinetic energy in normal and myopathic left ventricles
Authors: Zajac Jakub , Eriksson Jonatan , Dyverfeldt Petter , Bolger Ann F. , Ebbers Tino , Carlhäll Carl‐Johan
Published: April 2014

Purpose

To assess turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) within the left ventricle (LV) of healthy subjects using novel 4D flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods and to compare TKE values to those from a limited group of patients with a spectrum of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Materials and Methods

4D flow and morphological MRI data were acquired in 11 healthy subjects and 9 patients with different degrees of diastolic dysfunction. TKELV was calculated within the LV at each diastolic timeframe. At peak early (E) and late (A) diastolic filling, the TKELV was compared to transmitral peak velocity, LV diameter, and mitral annular diameter.

Results

In the majority of subjects, TKELV peaks were observed at E and A. Peak TKELV at E was not different between the groups (P = 0.33), and correlated with mitral annular dimensions (r2 = 0.32, P = 0.01). Peak TKELV at A was higher in DCM patients compared to healthy subjects (3.0 ± 1.8 vs. 1.5 ± 0.8 mJ, P = 0.02), and correlated with LV diameter and transmitral velocity (r2 = 0.36, P = 0.01 and r2 = 0.47, P < 0.01, respectively).

Conclusion

In LVs of healthy subjects, TKE values are low. Values are highest during early diastole, and diminish with increasing LV size. In a heterogeneous group of DCM patients, late diastolic TKE values are higher than in healthy subjects. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:1021–1029. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Numerical modeling and optimization of laser soldering for Micro‐USB electric connector
Authors: Zeng Zhi , Li Xunbo , Wang Rui , Li Miao
Published: April 2014

The laser soldering process was introduced in Micro‐USB electronic packaging in this paper. Numerical modeling and analysis was used for laser process parameter design, because experimental measurements of peak temperature and soldering stress are expensive and often intractable. Accurate knowledge of the residual stress and distortion is a prerequisite for the reliability of the electric connector. The present work proposes a three‐dimensional transient heat transfer model of Micro‐USB package laser soldering process. The calculated thermal cycles and distribution are subsequently used to calculate the distortion and thermal stresses. Meanwhile, the effect of process parameters on residual stress and pin distortion was discussed, and the tensile strength, microstructure, and residual stresses of laser soldering were tested. It can be concluded that the proper laser soldering parameters and power can improve the mechanical property of solder joints on Micro‐USB connector. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Statistical–dynamical downscaling for wind energy potentials: evaluation and applications to decadal hindcasts and climate change projections
Authors: Reyers Mark , Pinto Joaquim G. , Moemken Julia
Published: April 2014

A statistical–dynamical downscaling (SDD) approach for the regionalization of wind energy output (Eout) over Europe with special focus on Germany is proposed. SDD uses an extended circulation weather type (CWT) analysis on global daily mean sea level pressure fields with the central point being located over Germany. Seventy‐seven weather classes based on the associated CWT and the intensity of the geostrophic flow are identified. Representatives of these classes are dynamically downscaled with the regional climate model COSMO‐CLM. By using weather class frequencies of different data sets, the simulated representatives are recombined to probability density functions (PDFs) of near‐surface wind speed and finally to Eout of a sample wind turbine for present and future climate. This is performed for reanalysis, decadal hindcasts and long‐term future projections. For evaluation purposes, results of SDD are compared to wind observations and to simulated Eout of purely dynamical downscaling (DD) methods.

For the present climate, SDD is able to simulate realistic PDFs of 10‐m wind speed for most stations in Germany. The resulting spatial Eout patterns are similar to DD‐simulated Eout. In terms of decadal hindcasts, results of SDD are similar to DD‐simulated Eout over Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, and Benelux, for which high correlations between annual Eout time series of SDD and DD are detected for selected hindcasts. Lower correlation is found for other European countries. It is demonstrated that SDD can be used to downscale the full ensemble of the Earth System Model of the Max Planck Institute (MPI‐ESM) decadal prediction system.

Long‐term climate change projections in Special Report on Emission Scenarios of ECHAM5/MPI‐OM as obtained by SDD agree well to the results of other studies using DD methods, with increasing Eout over northern Europe and a negative trend over southern Europe. Despite some biases, it is concluded that SDD is an adequate tool to assess regional wind energy changes in large model ensembles.
New-onset cognitive dysfunction impairs the quality of life in patients after liver transplantation
Authors: Tryc Anita Blanka , Pflugrad Henning , Goldbecker Annemarie , Barg-Hock Hannelore , Strassburg Christian P. , Hecker Hartmut , Weissenborn Karin
Published: April 2014

Patients after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) may show cognitive dysfunction. To date, it has not been clear whether this dysfunction is due to residual hepatic encephalopathy (HE) or new-onset cognitive disturbances. Just as little is known about the course and clinical significance. In this prospective, observational study, 50 patients on the waiting list for OLT were examined in an outpatient setting before OLT and 6 and 12 months after OLT with the Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score, the Inhibitory Control Test, and the critical flicker frequency for the diagnosis of HE; in addition, the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) was used as a tool for the measurement of global cognitive function. The Short Form 36 health survey was used to assess health-related quality of life. Twelve months after OLT, cognitive dysfunction characteristic of HE had resolved, but a secondary cognitive decline became apparent and had features different from those known with HE. Approximately 70% of the patients deteriorated in at least 1 cognitive domain of RBANS. This cognitive decline was related to neither a history of HE nor a history of alcohol abuse, but it was accompanied by a decline in the quality of life. In conclusion, OLT improves HE but is frequently followed by new-onset cognitive dysfunction, which can interfere with the quality of life. Liver Transpl 20:807–814, 2014. © 2014 AASLD.
Perioperative complications in liver transplantation using donation after cardiac death grafts: A propensity-matched study
Authors: Pan Xiongxiong , Apinyachon Worapot , Xia Wei , Hong Johnny C. , Busuttil Ronald W. , Steadman Randolph H. , Xia Victor W.
Published: April 2014

Donation after cardiac death (DCD) is an important source for expanding the donor pool for liver transplantation (LT). Although the long-term outcomes of LT using DCD grafts have been extensively studied, perioperative complications related to DCD grafts are rarely reported. The aim of this study was to determine whether DCD grafts were associated with a higher incidence of postreperfusion complications and worse outcomes in adult LT patients. After institutional review board approval, the medical records of all adult patients who underwent LT at our medical center between 2004 and 2011 were reviewed. Postreperfusion complications and posttransplant outcomes were compared between patients receiving DCD grafts and patients receiving donation after brain death (DBD) grafts. In all, 74 patients received DCD grafts during the study period, and 1369 patients received DBD grafts. An initial comparison showed that many preoperative, prereperfusion, and donor variables in the DCD group differed significantly from those in the DBD group. Propensity matching was chosen so that adjustments could be made for the differences. A postmatching analysis showed that the preoperative, prereperfusion, and donor variables no longer differed between the 2 groups. The postreperfusion requirements for blood products and vasopressors, the posttransplant ventilation times, the incidence of posttransplant acute renal injury, and the 30-day and 1-year patient and graft survival rates were comparable between the 2 groups. However, patients receiving DCD grafts experienced significantly higher rates of hyperkalemia (33.8% versus 18.9%, P < 0.05) and postreperfusion syndrome (PRS; 25.7% versus 12.3%, P < 0.05). In conclusion, after adjustments for preoperative and prereperfusion risks via propensity matching, DCD grafts remained a risk factor for postreperfusion hyperkalemia and PRS. A prophylactic regimen aimed at decreasing postreperfusion hyperkalemia and PRS is recommended for the management of LT using DCD grafts. Liver Transpl 20:823-830, 2014. © 2014 AASLD.
pH‐Sensitive Chitosan‐based Hydrogel Nanoparticles through Miniemulsion Polymerization Mediated by Peroxide Containing Macromonomer
Authors: Solomko Nadiya , Budishevska Olga , Voronov Stanislav , Landfester Katharina , Musyanovych Anna
Published: April 2014

New type of hydrogel nanoparticles (HNp) based on chitosan are synthesized by the free radical graft‐copolymerization reaction of peroxide containing chitosan derivative and 1‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (VP) in the inverse miniemulsion droplets. Free radicals are formed upon thermal decomposition of the peroxide groups that are attached to the chitosan chain. After introduction of the cross‐linker N,N‐methylenebisacrylamide, more densely cross‐linked HNp with a lower pH‐dependant swelling rate are produced. The release behavior is investigated by fluorescence measurements using HNp loaded with either anionic sulforhodamine 101 or cationic rhodamine 123 fluorescent dye. The obtained results revealed that the crucial points in the release kinetic are the nature of used “payload” molecules and their interaction with the hydrogel matrix. Synthesized HNp are of potential interest for diverse biomedical applications including controlled drug release and diagnostic.
MR microscopy of formalin fixed paraffin embedded histology specimens
Authors: Macura Slobodan , Mishra Prasanna K. , Gamez Jeffrey D. , Pirko Istvan
Published: April 2014

Purpose

Archived formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tissue collections represent a valuable informational resource for numerous studies. However, there is no NMR signal from FFPE specimens at room temperature. To obtain MR images and enable comparison of magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) and histology studies we propose to image FFPE tissue at elevated temperature.

Methods

A FFPE tissue block was imaged at 7 Tesla (T) and 16.4T at 70–80°C using T2‐weighting methods. The only difference from standard MR microscopy (MRM) is elevated temperature at which the embedding medium melts.

Results

Using FFPE murine brain tissue, we were able to demonstrate the feasibility of tissue MRM from paraffin embedded specimens. Histology images taken from the specimen after MRM demonstrate that keeping the FFPE specimen in paraffin melt at 70–80°C for dozens of hours does not affect subsequent histology analysis.

Conclusion

MRM of FFPE tissue from paraffin melt opens new avenues for analyzing archived histological specimens (biopsies, post mortem, etc.) and for correlating MR images with histology (optical microscopy). In addition, 3D MRM of FFPE specimens could guide histology in search for appropriate regions of interest and subsequently minimize occurrences of false negatives in tissue analysis. Magn Reson Med 71:1989–1994, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intravenous immunoglobulin maintenance treatment in myasthenia gravis: A randomized, controlled trial sample size simulation
Authors: Eienbröker Christian , Seitz Florian , Spengler Anna , Kurz Heike , Seipelt Maria , Sommer Norbert , Oertel Wolfgang H. , Timmesfeld Nina , Tackenberg Björn
Published: April 2014

Introduction: In cases of exacerbation or crisis, myasthenia gravis (MG) patients can be treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), plasmapheresis, or immunoadsorption. However, IVIg efficacy data in maintenance treatment are sparse. Methods: We prospectively observed 16 index patients with chronic and insufficiently controlled MG under standard immunosuppressant therapy and symptomatic treatment. The IVIg treatment response was measured using changes in quantitative myasthenia gravis (QMG) score and surrogates. Based on these results, a sample size calculation for a future randomized, controlled trial (RCT) was simulated. Results: There was an enduring decline in QMG score and other parameters of about 50% under IVIg maintenance treatment. RCT sample size calculation results in 73 or 33 patients per arm to detect at least a 20% vs. 30% clinical difference in QMG score. Conclusion: We recommend using the QMG score as a primary endpoint for an RCT of IVIg maintenance for chronic MG. Muscle Nerve 50: 999–1004, 2014
Extracellular magnesium and calcium reduce myotonia in isolated ClC‐1 chloride channel‐inhibited human muscle
Authors: Skov Martin , De Paoli Frank Vincenzo , Lausten Jesper , Nielsen Ole Baekgaard , Pedersen Thomas Holm
Published: April 2014

Introduction: Experimental myotonia induced in rat muscle by ClC‐1 chloride channel‐inhibited has been shown to be related inversely to extracellular concentrations of Mg2+ and Ca2+ ([Mg2+]o and [Ca2+]o) within physiological ranges. Because this implicates a role for [Mg2+]o and [Ca2+]o in the variability of symptoms among myotonia congenita patients, we searched for similar effects of [Mg2+]o and [Ca2+]o on myotonia in human muscle. Methods: Bundles of muscle fibers were isolated from abdominal rectus in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Myotonia was induced by ClC‐1 inhibition using 9‐anthracene carboxylic acid (9‐AC) and was assessed from integrals of force induced by 5‐Hz stimulation for 2 seconds. Results: Myotonia disappeared gradually when [Mg2+]o or [Ca2+]o were elevated throughout their physiological ranges. These effects of [Mg2+]o and [Ca2+]o were additive and interchangeable. Conclusions: These findings suggest that variations in symptoms in myotonia congenita patients may arise from physiological variations in serum Mg2+ and Ca2+. Muscle Nerve 51: 65–71, 2015
Mitochondrial myopathy with dystrophic features due to a novel mutation in the MTTM gene
Authors: Peverelli Lorenzo , Gold Carl A. , Naini Ali B. , Tanji Kurenai , Akman H. Orhan , Hirano Michio , Dimauro Salvatore
Published: April 2014

Introduction: A 61‐year‐old woman with a 5‐year history of progressive muscle weakness and atrophy had a muscle biopsy characterized by a combination of dystrophic features (necrotic fibers and endomysial fibrosis) and mitochondrial alterations [ragged‐red, cytochrome c oxidase (COX)‐negative fibers]. Methods: Sequencing of the whole mtDNA, assessment of the mutation load in muscle and accessible nonmuscle tissues, and single fiber polymerase chain reaction. Results: Muscle mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing revealed a novel heteroplasmic mutation (m.4403G>A) in the gene (MTTM) that encodes tRNAMet. The mutation was not present in accessible nonmuscle tissues from the patient or 2 asymptomatic sisters. Conclusions: The clinical features and muscle morphology in this patient are very similar to those described in a previous patient with a different mutation, also in MTTM, which suggests that mutations in this gene confer a distinctive “dystrophic” quality. This may be a diagnostic clue in patients with isolated mitochondrial myopathy. Muscle Nerve 50:292–295, 2014
FFT‐based bounds on the permeability of complex microstructures
Authors: Bignonnet F. , Dormieux L.
Published: April 2014

A numerical scheme for the computation of the permeability of complex microstructures is presented. As a darcean counterpart of the FFT‐based scheme in elasticity, the method is designed to be directly coupled with 3D imaging techniques of porous samples, without meshing or definition of an equivalent pore network. The method relies on the variational principle of Hashin and Shtrikman, which ensures a rigorous upper bound status to the estimated permeabilities and provides an energetically consistent rule for heterogeneous voxels comprising both the solid and fluid phases. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Energy‐work‐based numerical manifold seepage analysis with an efficient scheme to locate the phreatic surface
Authors: Wang Yuan , Hu Mengsu , Zhou Quanlin , Rutqvist Jonny
Published: April 2014

A major challenge in seepage analysis is to locate the phreatic surface in an unconfined aquifer. The phreatic surface is unknown and assumed as a discontinuity separating the seepage domain into dry and wet parts, thus should be determined iteratively with special schemes. In this study, we systematically developed a new numerical manifold method (NMM) model for unconfined seepage analysis. The NMM is a general numerical method for modeling continuous and discontinuous deformation in a unified mathematical form. The novelty of our NMM model is rooted in the NMM two‐cover‐mesh system: the mathematical covers are fixed and the physical covers are adjusted with iterations to account for the discontinuity feature of the phreatic surface. We developed an energy‐work seepage model, which accommodates flexible approaches for boundary conditions and provides a form consistent with that in mechanical analysis with clarified physical meaning of the potential energy. In the framework of this energy‐work seepage model, we proposed a physical concept model (a pipe model) for constructing the penalty function used in the penalty method to uniformly deal with Dirichlet, Neumann, and material boundaries. The new NMM model was applied to study four example problems of unconfined seepage with varying geometric shape, boundary conditions, and material domains. The comparison of our simulation results to those of existing numerical models for these examples indicates that our NMM model can achieve a high accuracy and faster convergence speed with relatively coarse meshes. This NMM seepage model will be a key component of our future coupled hydro‐mechanical NMM model. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stochastic framework for partially degradation systems with continuous component degradation‐rate‐interactions
Authors: Bian Linkan , Gebraeel Nagi
Published: April 2014

Many conventional models that characterize the reliability of multicomponent systems are developed on the premise that for a given system, the failures of its components are independent. Although this facilitates mathematical tractability, it may constitute a significant departure from what really takes place. In many real‐world applications, system components exhibit various degrees of interdependencies, which present significant challenges in predicting degradation performance and the remaining lifetimes of the individual components as well as the system at large. We focus on modeling the performance of interdependent components of networked systems that exhibit interactive degradation processes. Specifically, we focus on how the performance level of one component affects the degradation rates of other dependent components. This is achieved by using stochastic models to characterize how degradation‐based sensor signals associated with the components evolve over time. We consider “Continuous‐Type” component interactions that occur continuously over time. This type of degradation interaction exists in many applications, in which interdependencies occur on a continuum. We use a system of stochastic differential equations to capture such “Continuous‐Type” interaction. In addition, we utilize a Bayesian approach to update the proposed model using real‐time sensor signals observed in the field and provide more accurate estimation of component residual lifetimes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 61: 286–303, 2014
Greater emotional eating scores associated with reduced frontolimbic activation to palatable taste in adolescents
Authors: Bohon Cara
Published: April 2014

Objective

This study examined the relation between self‐reported emotional eating scores and frontolimbic brain response to palatable taste in adolescents.

Methods

Participants included 162 adolescents (mean BMI percentile = 52.7, range 3‐90). Participants completed a self‐report survey assessing emotional eating and underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while viewing pictures signaling subsequent delivery of a chocolate milkshake or a control taste and receiving the corresponding taste.

Results

Results revealed no significant relation between emotional eating scores and brain response to anticipation of receipt of milkshake. In response to milkshake taste receipt, emotional eating scores were negatively related to activation in the right thalamus, the left insula and orbitofrontal cortex, and bilateral putamen and caudate. These findings remained significant after controlling for body mass index and body fat percentage.

Conclusions

The current results are discussed in the context of findings of reduced reward activation to palatable taste receipt in obese adults and adolescents.
Fishing for fire: strategies for biological targeting and criteria for material design in anti‐inflammatory therapies
Authors: d'Arcy Richard , Tirelli Nicola
Published: April 2014

Inflammatory pathologies are a growing burden for developed societies, and the tools offered by medicinal chemistry/biotechnology have provided us with an armamentarium of active principles. Unfortunately, most of them are marred by very significant side effects that can be summarized by two words: poor targeting (of cells, of tissues, etc.). This review provides a broad overview of the approaches and of the materials used to obtain an inflammation‐responsive or inflammation‐targeted behavior, which can be used to improve anti‐inflammatory therapies. Here, we first define the biochemical factors that may allow both to recognize and to target an inflamed environment, for example, the leakiness of capillaries, the presence of oxidants (reactive oxygen species), or of upregulated receptors/enzymes. We then review the systems that have shown the possibility to accumulate in inflamed tissues, respond to its stimuli, or bind to activated inflammatory cells, separately discussing payload/carrier (guest/host) systems and macromolecular prodrugs/conjugates. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Durable bonding of silica nanoparticles to polymers by photoradiation for control of surface properties
Authors: Nahum T. , Dodiuk H. , Dotan A. , Kenig S. , Lellouche J. P.
Published: April 2014

Improvement of superhydrophobic surfaces durability is a critical key for potential commercial applications such as self‐cleaning and ice repellency. In this study, functionalization of silica nanoparticles by photoreactive benzophenone groups was made in order to covalently bond nanoparticles to polymer substrates to obtain durable coatings. Upon ultraviolet irradiation reactive excited triplet benzophenone species are formed enabling them to react with the polymer matrix through hydrogen abstraction. Two matrices were studied: radiation‐curable urethane acrylate and epoxy. The bonding of the particles to the surfaces was evaluated using atomic force microscope nanomanipulation and cross‐section analysis. The results have shown a greater stability of the photoreactive silica nanoparticles. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Delirium associated with therapeutic levels of lithium in bipolar disorder
Authors: Clough Zoe , Henry Rebecca , Ekelund Anders
Published: April 2014

Lithium has been associated with neurotoxicity even at ‘therapeutic’ levels. This case report describes a patient with bipolar disorder who developed signs of delirium following an increase in her dose of lithium, even though her serum levels remained in the therapeutic range. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons
Management of neuropsychiatric symptoms in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Sommerlad Andrew , Price Gary , Trip Anand
Published: April 2014

Multiple sclerosis is associated with a high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity, including affective, psychotic and cognitive disorders. In this review, Dr Sommerlad and colleagues discuss the epidemiology, aetiology and management of neuropsychiatric symptoms in multiple sclerosis, using case vignettes to demonstrate the wide range of clinical presentations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons
Synthesis of degradable poly(methyl methacrylate) star polymers via RAFT copolymerization with cyclic ketene acetals
Authors: Kobben Stephan , Ethirajan Anitha , Junkers Tanja
Published: April 2014

Copolymerization of the cyclic ketene acetal 5,6‐benzo‐2‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxepane (BMDO) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) is studied with respect to its copolymerization parameters and the suitability to control BMDO/MMA copolymerizations via the reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) technique to obtain linear and 4‐arm star polymers. BMDO shows disparate copolymerization behavior with MMA and r1 = 0.33 ± 0.06 and r2 = 6.0 ± 0.8 have been determined for polymerization at 110 °C in anisole from fitting copolymer composition vs. comonomer feed data to the Lewis–Mayo equation. Copolymerization of the two monomers is successful in RAFT polymerization employing a trithiocarbonate control agent. As desired, polymers contain only little amount of polyester units stemming from BMDO units and preliminary degradation experiment show that the polymer degrades slowly, but steadily in aqueous 1 M NaOH dispersion. Within ten days, the polymers are broken down to low molecular weight segments from an initial molecular weight of Mn = 6000 g mol−1. Star (co)polymerization with an erythritol‐based tetra‐functional RAFT agent following the Z‐group approach proceeds efficiently and polymers with a number‐average molecular weight of 10,000 g mol−1 are readily obtained that degrade in similar manner as the linear copolymer counterparts. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 1633–1641
Phenotypic comparisons of consensus variants versus laboratory resurrections of Precambrian proteins
Authors: Risso Valeria A. , Gavira Jose A. , Gaucher Eric A. , Sanchez‐Ruiz Jose M.
Published: April 2014

Consensus‐sequence engineering has generated protein variants with enhanced stability, and sometimes, with modulated biological function. Consensus mutations are often interpreted as the introduction of ancestral amino acid residues. However, the precise relationship between consensus engineering and ancestral protein resurrection is not fully understood. Here, we report the properties of proteins encoded by consensus sequences derived from a multiple sequence alignment of extant, class A β‐lactamases, as compared with the properties of ancient Precambrian β‐lactamases resurrected in the laboratory. These comparisons considered primary sequence, secondary, and tertiary structure, as well as stability and catalysis against different antibiotics. Out of the three consensus variants generated, one could not be expressed and purified (likely due to misfolding and/or low stability) and only one displayed substantial stability having substrate promiscuity, although to a lower extent than ancient β‐lactamases. These results: (i) highlight the phenotypic differences between consensus variants and laboratory resurrections of ancestral proteins; (ii) question interpretations of consensus proteins as phenotypic proxies of ancestral proteins; and (iii) support the notion that ancient proteins provide a robust approach toward the preparation of protein variants having large numbers of mutational changes while possessing unique biomolecular properties. Proteins 2014; 82:887–896. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On glassy behavior in ferroics
Authors: Lookman Turab , Xue Dezhen , Vasseur Romain , Zong Hongxiang , Ding Xiangdong
Published: April 2014

Ferroics include a range of materials classes with functionalities such as magnetism, polarization, and strain. We review coexistence and glassy behavior, as studied over the last decade, in systems such as perovskite manganites, ferroelectrics, and martensites to distil a common theme that includes the interplay of long‐range interactions, disorder, and cooperative behavior.
Domain wall dynamics in nanocrystalline microwires
Authors: Klein Peter , Varga Rastislav , Vazquez Manuel
Published: April 2014

The domain wall velocity in amorphous microwires approaches very high values up to 20 km/s but dynamics is extremely sensitive to time and temperature. On the other hand, high stability in crystalline materials is paid by very low velocity of the domain wall. One possible solution is using of nanocrystalline material, which are produced by controlled annealing from amorphous precursors. Domain wall velocity reaches up to 1 km/s in nanocrystalline microwires based on FINEMET composition. In different group of nanocrystalline microwires based on HITPERM composition was observed temperature stable and fast domain wall up to 3 km/s. In the present contribution, we present new class of nanocrystalline microwires based on FeNiMoB composition, where domain wall velocity up to 12 km/s was observed. In generally, domain wall velocity increases by annealing in FeNiMoB microwires in contrary to FeCoMoB microwires. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Thermodynamic analysis of possible phase states in Ni50Mn35In15 Heusler alloy
Authors: Zagrebin M.A. , Buchelnikov V.D. , Kostromitin K.I.
Published: April 2014

In this work, a phenomenological Ginzburg‐Landau free‐energy model is developed for investigating structural and magnetic phase transitions in Heusler alloy Ni50Mn35In15. In particular, our model accounts for the inversion of the exchange interaction, which is coupled to the structural parameters of the crystal structure.

Equilibrium magnetic states of the model are described by two interacting antiferromagtic sublattices with nonequal sublattice magnetizations, which allows for ferro‐, antiferro‐, and ferri‐magnetic solutions. The analysis of calculated phase stability diagrams shows a thermodynamic path that qualitatively reproduces the experimentally observed phase transitions. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Investigation of the physical properties of entangled electron spin states in a solid
Authors: Petrov Vladimir N. , Ustinov Alexander B. , Petrova Daria V. , Grib Andrey A.
Published: April 2014

A concept of experimental study of physical properties of entangled electron spin states (enton quasiparticles) in a solid has been suggested in this paper. In order to conduct such investigations we designed the experimental setup and created spin electron detectors of the next generation. The previous types of detectors didn’t meet all our requirements. The two Mott detectors simultaneously measured spin polarization of electrons during test measurements. The results show that Bell inequalities are satisfied in a traditional measurement mode without temporal pulse coincidence that corresponds to measurement mode of particles not being in the entangled state. The usage of pulse coincidence mode will allow establishing the fact of the Bell’s inequalities violation and will proof the existence of entangled electron spin states in a solid. Further measurements at different pulse durations in the pulse coincidence mode and also measurements at different energies and incidence angles will allow determining the lifetime, energy and dispersion of entangled states in a solid.
Magnetic shape memory microactuator
Authors: Kalimullina E. , Kamantsev A. , Koledov V. , Shavrov V. , Nizhankovskii V. , Irzhak A. , Albertini F. , Fabbrici S. , Ranzieri P. , Ari‐Gur P.
Published: April 2014

Bimetallic composite nanotweezers based on Ti2NiCu alloy with shape memory effect (SME) have been recently proved to allow the manipulation of real nano‐objects, such as nanotubes, and bionanoparticles while heated up to 40‐60 °C by laser radiation. The possibility of developing nanotweezers operating at a constant temperature is of particular importance mainly for the manipulation of biological objects. In this work, a microactuator was produced using a composite bilayer made of a layer of rapidly quenched Ni53Mn24Ga23 ferromagnetic shape memory Heusler alloy and an elastic layer of Pt. The size of the microactuator is 25×2.3×1.7 µm3. The controlled bending deformation of the actuator is 1.2%, with a deflection of the end of the actuator higher than 2 µm has been obtained by applying a magnetic field of 8 T at T = 62 °C The possibility of the development of new technologies for magnetic‐field‐controlled nanotools operating at a constant temperature using the new multifunction magnetic shape memory alloys will be discussed. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
GUI code tracing through direct program interaction
Authors: Santos André L.
Published: April 2014

A significant part of a developer's activity is spent on maintenance tasks, which might involve dealing with unfamiliar code. Especially in these cases, a maintenance task is likely to imply a considerable amount of time locating the relevant source code that needs to be changed, a problem often referred to as feature location. This paper proposes a navigation mechanism for tracing user interface elements of a running program to their representation in the source code. The mechanism realization relies on instrumenting the program in order to enable navigation from user interface elements to locations in the source code. We developed a prototype implementation of the proposed mechanism that implies an acceptable instrumentation overhead, suitable for being used on industrial‐scale programs. We performed a user study and observed that the proposed mechanism enables fast code location and that the time spent to accomplish similar tasks does not change significantly as program size increases. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low Pressure Effects in SEN‐Stopper Region in Continuous Casting
Authors: Thumfart Maria , Javurek Mirko
Published: April 2014

In the continuous casting of steel, the control of the flow to the mould is a critical issue as a constant mould level is essential for a good quality of the cast product. A stopper rod is a commonly used device to control the flow rate. Agglomeration of solid material near the stopper rod can lead to a reduced cross section and thus to a decreased casting speed or even total blockage (clogging). The mechanisms involved in clogging are still not fully understood. Single phase considerations of the flow in the region of the stopper rod result in a low or even negative pressure at the smallest cross‐section. This can cause degassing of dissolved gases from the melt, evaporation of alloys and entrainment of air through the refractory material. In this paper the criteria for degassing of liquid steel at low pressures are analyzed and compared with water. A mathematical model for a two phase flow situation (liquid steel/gas) in the SEN that links the pressure distribution and the throughput with the geometrical parameters, the amount of gas in the SEN and the pressure loss coefficient at the stopper rod is presented. An explanation theory for the diminishing influence of the gas injection on clogging is outlined.
A dual‐tracer study of extrastriatal 6‐[18F]fluoro‐m‐tyrosine and 6‐[18F]‐fluoro‐l‐dopa Uptake in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Li Clarence T. , Palotti Matthew , Holden James E. , Oh Jen , Okonkwo Ozioma , Christian Bradley T. , Bendlin Barbara B. , Buyan‐Dent Laura , Harding Sandra J. , Stone Charles K. , DeJesus Onofre T. , Nickles Robert J. , Gallagher Catherine L.
Published: April 2014

6‐[18F]‐Fluoro‐l‐dopa (FDOPA) has been widely used as a biomarker for catecholamine synthesis, storage, and metabolism—its intense uptake in the striatum, and fainter uptake in other brain regions, is correlated with the symptoms and pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). 6‐[18F]fluoro‐m‐tyrosine (FMT), which also targets l‐amino acid decarboxylase, has potential advantages over FDOPA as a radiotracer because it does not form catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) metabolites. The purpose of the present study was to compare the regional distribution of these radiotracers in the brains of PD patients. Fifteen Parkinson's patients were studied with FMT and FDOPA positron emission tomography (PET) as well as high‐resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI's were automatically parcellated into neuroanatomical regions of interest (ROIs) in Freesurfer (http://surfer.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu); region‐specific uptake rate constants (Kocc) were generated from coregistered PET using a Patlak graphical approach. The essential findings were as follows: (1) regional Kocc were highly correlated between the radiotracers and in agreement with a previous FDOPA studies that used different ROI selection techniques; (2) FMT Kocc were higher in extrastriatal regions of relatively large uptake such as amygdala, pallidum, brainstem, hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and thalamus, whereas cortical Kocc were similar between radiotracers; (3) while subcortical uptake of both radiotracers was related to disease duration and severity, cortical uptake was not. These results suggest that FMT may have advantages for examining pathologic changes within allocortical loop structures, which may contribute to cognitive and emotional symptoms of PD. Synapse 68:325–331, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Low‐molecular‐weight glycerol esters as plasticizers for poly(vinyl chloride)
Authors: Suárez Palacios Oscar Yesid , Narváez Rincón Paulo César , Corriou Jean‐Pierre , Camargo Pardo Mauricio , Fonteix Christian
Published: April 2014

Phthalates are the most important plasticizers used in the polymer industry. However, their fossil origin and the results of recent tests showing their potential negative effect on human health have encouraged the polymer industry to turn toward non‐phthalate plasticizers. At the same time, the biodiesel industry produces a surplus of glycerol, thus leading the scientific community to seek new applications for this substance. This paper presents the performance of eight esters derived from glycerol as plasticizers for poly(vinyl chloride), including tests to evaluate their compatibility. Results show that glycerol esters obtained from propanoic, butanoic, isobutanoic, isopentanoic, and benzoic acids, while volatile, can be used as poly(vinyl chloride) plasticizers in certain applications. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 20:65–71, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Single Crystal X‐ray Structure of Zinc tert‐Butylphosphonate
Authors: Borah Suchibrata , Kalita Alok Ch. , Gogoi Nayanmoni
Published: April 2014

The reaction of Zn(OAc)2·2H2O with tert‐butyl phosphonic acid (tBuPO3H2) yields the zinc phosphonate [Zn(tBuPO3)(H2O)]·H2O (1). X‐ray diffraction studies reveals that compound 1 has a novel layered structural arrangement with the central zinc atoms in a tetrahedral coordination environment. This observation emphasizes the crucial role played by organic substituents on the coordination chemistry of phosphonic acid with transition metal ions.
Retroconversion of Docosapentaenoic Acid (n‐6): an Alternative Pathway for Biosynthesis of Arachidonic Acid in Daphnia magna
Authors: Strandberg Ursula , Taipale Sami J. , Kainz Martin J. , Brett Michael T.
Published: April 2014

The aim of this study was to assess metabolic pathways for arachidonic acid (20:4n‐6) biosynthesis in Daphnia magna. Neonates of D. magna were maintained on [13C] enriched Scenedesmus obliquus and supplemented with liposomes that contained separate treatments of unlabeled docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n‐6), 20:4n‐6, linoleic acid (18:2n‐6) or oleic acid (18:1n‐9). Daphnia in the control treatment, without any supplementary fatty acids (FA) containing only trace amounts of 20:4n‐6 (~0.3 % of all FA). As expected, the highest proportion of 20:4n‐6 (~6.3 %) was detected in Daphnia that received liposomes supplemented with this FA. Higher availability of 18:2n‐6 in the diet increased the proportion of 18:2n‐6 in Daphnia, but the proportion of 20:4n‐6 was not affected. Daphnia supplemented with 22:5n‐6 contained ~3.5 % 20:4n‐6 in the lipids and FA specific stable isotope analyses validated that the increase in the proportion of 20:4n‐6 was due to retroconversion of unlabeled 22:5n‐6. These results suggest that chain shortening of 22:5n‐6 is a more efficient pathway to synthesize 20:4n‐6 in D. magna than elongation and desaturation of 18:2n‐6. These results may at least partially explain the discrepancies noticed between phytoplankton FA composition and the expected FA composition in freshwater cladocerans. Finally, retroconversion of dietary 22:5n‐6 to 20:4n‐6 indicates Daphnia efficiently retain long chain n‐6 FA in lake food webs, which might be important for the nutritional ecology of fish.
Rail expansion devices monitored by FBG sensors on an urban railway viaduct
Authors: Li Weilai , Pang Jin , Lu Xiaoshan , Liu Jie
Published: April 2014

The fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensing technology was used to monitor the situation of a crevice of the continuous beam joint and rails near rail expansion devices on a viaduct of the urban railway. The monitoring items consisted of the rail temperature, rail displacement, viaduct beam displacement, and strain of sliding rail in the rail expansion device section. The strain sensor was a prefabricate FBG strain gauge, the displacement sensor with different scales used an FBG stress ring, and the FBG of the temperature sensor was pre-drawn and fixed in a metal tube. Compensation sensors were used to balance environmental temperature changes. All FBGs were suspended adhered, therefore the chirped phenomenon of the FBG reflection peak was avoided, and the measurement accuracy was improved. The monitoring results matched to the manual test and theoretical estimation.
A 5-year prospective study of predictors for functional and work disability among primary care patients with depressive disorders
Authors: Riihimäki K. , Vuorilehto M. , Isometsä E.
Published: April 2014

Objective:

To study prevalence of and predictors for functional and work disability among primary care (PC) patients with depressive disorders in prospective long-term follow-up.

Methods:

The Vantaa Primary Care Depression Study followed up prospectively 137 patients with depressive disorders for 5 years with a life chart. Information on level of functioning in general and in different dimensions, employment, sick leaves and disability pensions were obtained from interviews and patient records.

Results:

Level of functioning and work ability were strongly associated with time spent depressed and/or current severity of depression. Patients who belonged to the labour force at baseline spent one-third of the follow-up off work due to depression; two-thirds were granted sick leaves, and one-tenth a disability pension due to depression. Longer duration of depression, co-morbid disorders and having received social assistance predicted dropping out from work.

Conclusion:

Duration of depressive episodes appears decisive for long-term disability among PC patients with depression. Patients spent one-third of the follow-up off work due to depression, and remaining outside the labour force is a common outcome. Psychiatric and somatic co-morbidities, education and socio-economic means influence the level of functioning and ability to work, but are not equally important for all areas of life.