bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toxicological role of an acyl glucuronide metabolite in diclofenac‐induced acute liver injury in mice
Authors: Oda Shingo , Shirai Yuji , Akai Sho , Nakajima Akira , Tsuneyama Koichi , Yokoi Tsuyoshi
Published: September 2016

Abstract

The acyl glucuronide (AG) metabolites of carboxylic acid‐containing drugs are potentially chemically reactive and are suggested to be implicated in toxicity, including hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and drug hypersensitivity reactions. However, it remains unknown whether AG formation is related to toxicity in vivo. In this study, we sought to determine whether AG is involved in the pathogenesis of liver injury using a mouse model of diclofenac (DIC)‐induced liver injury. Mice that were administered DIC alone exhibited significantly increased plasma alanine aminotransferase levels, whereas mice that were pretreated with the UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase inhibitor (−)‐borneol (BOR) exhibited suppressed alanine aminotransferase levels at 3 and 6 h after DIC administration although not significant at 12 h. The plasma DIC‐AG concentrations were significantly lower in BOR‐ and DIC‐treated mice than in mice treated with DIC alone. The mRNA expression levels of chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1), CXCL2 and the neutrophil marker CD11b were reduced in the livers of mice that had been pretreated with BOR compared to those that had been administered DIC alone, whereas mRNA expression of the macrophage marker F4/80 was not altered. An immunohistochemical analysis at 12 h samples revealed that the numbers of myeloperoxidase‐ and lymphocyte antigen 6 complex‐positive cells that infiltrated the liver were significantly reduced in BOR‐ and DIC‐treated mice compared to mice that were treated with DIC alone. These results indicate that DIC‐AG is partly involved in the pathogenesis of DIC‐induced acute liver injury in mice by activating innate immunity and neutrophils. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Current Physical Activity Is Independently Associated With Cortical Bone Size and Bone Strength in Elderly Swedish Women
Authors: Nilsson Martin , Sundh Daniel , Mellström Dan , Lorentzon Mattias
Published: September 2016

Physical activity is believed to have the greatest effect on the skeleton if exerted early in life, but whether or not possible benefits of physical activity on bone microstructure or geometry remain at old age has not been investigated in women. The aim of this study was to investigate if physical activity during skeletal growth and young adulthood or at old age was associated with cortical geometry and trabecular microarchitecture in weight-bearing and non–weight-bearing bone, and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) in elderly women. In this population-based cross-sectional study 1013 women, 78.2 ± 1.6 (mean ± SD) years old, were included. Using high-resolution 3D pQCT (XtremeCT), cortical cross-sectional area (Ct.CSA), cortical thickness (Ct.Th), cortical periosteal perimeter (Ct.Pm), volumetric cortical bone density (D.Ct), trabecular bone volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) were measured at the distal (14% level) and ultra-distal tibia and radius, respectively. aBMD was assessed using DXA (Hologic Discovery A) of the spine and hip. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect information about previous exercise and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) was used for current physical activity. A linear regression model (including levels of exercise during skeletal growth and young adulthood [10 to 30 years of age], PASE score, and covariates) revealed that level of current physical activity was independently associated with Ct.CSA (β = 0.18, p < 0.001) and Ct.Th (β = 0.15, p < 0.001) at the distal tibia, Tb.Th (β = 0.11, p < 0.001) and BV/TV (β = 0.10, p = 0.001) at the ultra-distal tibia, and total hip aBMD (β = 0.10, p < 0.001). Current physical activity was independently associated with cortical bone size, in terms of thicker cortex but not larger periosteal circumference, and higher bone strength at the distal tibia on elderly women, indicating that physical activity at old age may decrease cortical bone loss in weight-bearing bone in elderly women. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Behavior Therapy for Youth With Tourette Disorder
Authors: McGuire Joseph F.
Published: September 2016

Persistent tic disorders and Tourette disorder (TD) are neuropsychiatric conditions that commonly co‐occur among youth with obsessive‐compulsive disorder. Although historically managed with pharmacological agents such as antipsychotics and alpha‐2 agonists, behavioral interventions like habit reversal training (HRT) and the comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics have demonstrated considerable efficacy in reducing tic symptom severity. This case study illustrates the implementation of behavior therapy in reducing tic symptom severity of an adolescent with TD. Arlene was a 14‐year‐old girl with TD who presented with moderate tic symptom severity that caused her physical, academic, and social impairment. In addition to concurrent pharmacotherapy, Arlene completed a 20‐session weekly course of HRT, and experienced a clinically meaningful reduction in tic symptom severity and tic‐related impairment. This example provides further evidence of the benefit of behavior therapy in reducing tic symptom severity and highlights key considerations for treatment of youth with TD.
Oral Human Abuse Potential of Oxycodone DETERx® (Xtampza® ER)
Authors: Kopecky Ernest A. , Fleming Alison B. , Levy‐Cooperman Naama , O'Connor Melinda , M. Sellers Edward
Published: September 2016

Oxycodone DETERx® (Collegium Pharmaceutical Inc, Canton, Massachusetts) is an extended‐release, microsphere‐in‐capsule, abuse‐deterrent formulation designed to retain its extended‐release properties after tampering (eg, chewing/crushing). This randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, triple‐dummy study evaluated the oral abuse potential of intact and chewed oxycodone DETERx capsules compared with crushed immediate‐release oxycodone. Subjects with a history of recreational opioid use who were nondependent/nontolerant to opioids were enrolled. Treatments included intact oxycodone DETERx (high‐fat, high‐calorie meal and fasted), chewed oxycodone DETERx (high‐fat, high‐calorie meal and fasted), crushed immediate‐release oxycodone (fasted), and placebo (high‐fat, high‐calorie meal). Plasma samples were collected to determine pharmacokinetic parameters. The primary endpoint was drug liking at the moment; other endpoints included drug effects questionnaire scores, Addiction Research Center Inventory/Morphine Benzedrine Group score, pupillometry measurements, and safety. Thirty‐eight subjects completed the study. Chewed and intact oxycodone DETERx were bioequivalent, unlike crushed immediate‐release oxycodone, which yielded higher peak oxycodone plasma concentrations compared with all methods of oxycodone DETERx administration. The mean maximum (peak) effect (Emax) for drug liking was significantly lower for chewed and intact oxycodone DETERx than for crushed immediate‐release oxycodone (P < .01). The time to Emax was significantly longer for chewed and intact oxycodone DETERx than for crushed immediate‐release oxycodone (P < .0001). Scores for feeling high and Addiction Research Center Inventory/Morphine Benzedrine Group scores demonstrated lower abuse potential for chewed and intact oxycodone DETERx compared with crushed immediate‐release oxycodone. Study treatments were well tolerated; no subjects experienced serious adverse events. These results demonstrate the lower oral abuse potential of chewed and intact oxycodone DETERx than crushed immediate‐release oxycodone.
Selexipag in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Most Updated Evidence From Recent Preclinical and Clinical Studies
Authors: Ghosh Raktim K. , Ball Somedeb , Das Avash , Bandyopadhyay Dhrubajyoti , Mondal Samhati , Saha Debjit , Gupta Anjan
Published: September 2016

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a relatively rare disease that, due to its chronic nature, has always been difficult to treat effectively. Selexipag is an oral prostacyclin (PGI2) agonist that was approved by US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) in December 2015 for the treatment of PAH. After its success in phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials regarding the convenient oral twice‐daily dosing and low side‐effect profile, selexipag raised the hope of controlling the disease progression in PAH patients. In the recently completed multicentered phase 3 study (GRIPHON), selexipag has been shown to reduce death and hospitalization due to PAH significantly, an effect that was consistent across different ranges of maintenance dose. In the same study selexipag use was also associated with an increase in 6‐minute walk distance (a measure of symptom severity) from baseline, but no significant improvement in all‐cause mortality could be observed. The results of the ongoing phase 3 studies (TRITON and TRANSIT‐1) are expected to throw some more light on the safety and efficacy of this novel molecule across various treatment scenarios. Hence, our article aims to summarize all the available information from preclinical and clinical studies published to date on the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety (in general and in scenarios such as hepatic and renal function impairment), significant drug interactions (with warfarin and antiretroviral drugs), and clinical significance of oral selexipag in patients with PAH.
Diatom blooms and associated vegetation shifts in a subarctic peatland: responses to distant volcanic eruptions?
Authors: Kokfelt U. , Muscheler R. , Mellström A. , Struyf E. , Rundgren M. , Wastegård S. , Hammarlund D.
Published: September 2016

We test the hypothesis that rich occurrences of diatoms observed at transitions between major peat units representing different vegetation communities in a peat sequence from subarctic northern Sweden reflect responses to acid deposition from the Samalas AD 1257 and Laki AD 1783/1784 eruptions. We observe sudden changes in the mire ecosystem and thereby in the trophic status and biogeochemical cycling of the peatland. Both the eruptions are known to have been associated with significant acid deposition events and climatic anomalies, as recorded in polar ice cores. To test the hypothesis, new chronological analyses and age modelling were applied to existing biogeochemical and biological records from the peat sequence. This approach yielded modelled age ranges of AD 1239–1284 (1σ)/AD 1210–1303 (2σ) (median: AD 1260) and AD 1674–1795 (1σ)/AD 1665–1875 (2σ) (median AD 1743), respectively, for the stratigraphic transitions. Hence, the modelled age ranges bracket the ages of the eruptions in question and the hypothesis could therefore not be rejected. Impacts of acid deposition from the eruptions are assumed to have caused instant acidification, vegetation damage, increased nutrient cycling and blooms of opportunistic epiphytic diatoms. In addition, cooling may have contributed to vegetation changes through permafrost inception, frost heave and thereby altered hydrological conditions.
A multi‐proxy analysis of late Quaternary palaeoenvironments, Sekhokong Range, eastern Lesotho
Authors: Fitchett Jennifer M. , Grab Stefan W. , Bamford Marion K. , Mackay Anson W.
Published: September 2016

The eastern Lesotho Highlands host an array of periglacial and glacial geomorphic features. Their analysis has provided past climate interpretations predominantly for cold periods, yet no multi‐proxy temporally continuous palaeoenvironmental records exist. This study presents a palaeoenvironmental reconstruction based on sedimentary characteristics, fossil pollen and diatoms from an alpine wetland located in the Sekhokong Mountain Range. The record commences in the late Pleistocene with a wet period from ∼16 450 to 14 440 cal a BP, interrupted by dry conditions from ∼16 350 to 15 870 cal a BP. From ∼14 150 to 8560 cal a BP, drier conditions are inferred, slowly transitioning to warmer, wetter conditions. Warmer, dry conditions are inferred for ∼8560–7430 cal a BP, followed by cold, wet conditions from ∼7280 to 6560 cal a BP. A dry, warmer period occurs from ∼6560 to 3640 cal a BP indicated by pollen, diatom and sedimentary records, followed by cool, wet conditions from ∼3400 to 1200 cal a BP. The period from ∼1110 cal a BP to the present is characterized by progressive drying. Pronounced cold events are detected from the diatom record. Moisture records appear relatively specific to the topographic setting of Sekhokong near the Great Escarpment edge, probably driven by orographically constrained synoptic controls.
Highly Conductive Graphene and Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Thin Films Produced From Aqueous Suspension
Authors: Stevens Bart , Guin Tyler , Sarwar Owais , John Alyssa , Paton Keith R. , Coleman Jonathan N. , Grunlan Jaime C.
Published: September 2016

Rapid, large‐scale exfoliation of graphene in water has expanded its potential for use outside niche applications. This work focuses on utilizing aqueous graphene dispersions to form thin films using layer‐by‐layer processing, which is an effective method to produce large‐area coatings from water‐based solutions of polyelectrolytes. When layered with polyethyleneimine, graphene flakes stabilized with cholate are shown to be capable of producing films thinner than 100 nm. High surface coverage of graphene flakes results in electrical conductivity up to 5500 S m−1. With the relative ease of processing, the safe, cost effective nature of the ingredients, and the scalability of the deposition method, this system should be industrially attractive for producing thin conductive films for a variety of electronic and antistatic applications.

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Neurophysiological correlates of abnormal somatosensory temporal discrimination in dystonia
Authors: Antelmi Elena , Erro Roberto , Rocchi Lorenzo , Liguori Rocco , Tinazzi Michele , Di Stasio Flavio , Berardelli Alfredo , Rothwell John C. , Bhatia Kailash P.
Published: September 2016

Background

Somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold is often prolonged in patients with dystonia. Previous evidence suggested that this might be caused by impaired somatosensory processing in the time domain. Here, we tested if other markers of reduced inhibition in the somatosensory system might also contribute to abnormal somatosensory temporal discrimination in dystonia.

Methods

Somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold was measured in 19 patients with isolated cervical dystonia and 19 age‐matched healthy controls. We evaluated temporal somatosensory inhibition using paired‐pulse somatosensory evoked potentials, spatial somatosensory inhibition by measuring the somatosensory evoked potentials interaction between simultaneous stimulation of the digital nerves in thumb and index finger, and Gamma‐aminobutyric acid‐ergic (GABAergic) sensory inhibition using the early and late components of high‐frequency oscillations in digital nerves somatosensory evoked potentials.

Results

When compared with healthy controls, dystonic patients had longer somatosensory temporal discrimination thresholds, reduced suppression of cortical and subcortical paired‐pulse somatosensory evoked potentials, less spatial inhibition of simultaneous somatosensory evoked potentials, and a smaller area of the early component of the high‐frequency oscillations. A logistic regression analysis found that paired pulse suppression of the N20 component at an interstimulus interval of 5 milliseconds and the late component of the high‐frequency oscillations were independently related to somatosensory temporal discrimination thresholds. “Dystonia group” was also a predictor of enhanced somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold, indicating a dystonia‐specific effect that independently influences this threshold.

Conclusions

Increased somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold in dystonia is related to reduced activity of inhibitory circuits within the primary somatosensory cortex. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
A solution for the local plane strain problems using elliptic integrals of Cauchy type
Authors: Felipe‐Sosa Raul , Otero Jose A. , Solis Francisco J.
Published: September 2016

We consider a parallel fiber‐reinforced periodic elastic composite that present an imperfect contact of spring type between the fiber and the matrix. We use the elliptic integral of Cauchy type for solving the plane strain local problems that arise from the asymptotic homogenization method. Several general conditions are assumed, which include that the fibers are disposed of arbitrary manner in the local cell, that all fibers present contact perfect with different constants of imperfection, and that their cross section is a smooth closed arbitrary curve. We find that there are infinity solutions for these problems, and we find relations between these solutions and effective coefficients of the composite. Finally, we obtain analytic formulae for the circular fiber case and show some numerical examples. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of non‐Gaussian diffusion in cardiac MRI
Authors: McClymont Darryl , Teh Irvin , Carruth Eric , Omens Jeffrey , McCulloch Andrew , Whittington Hannah J. , Kohl Peter , Grau Vicente , Schneider Jürgen E.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The diffusion tensor model assumes Gaussian diffusion and is widely applied in cardiac diffusion MRI. However, diffusion in biological tissue deviates from a Gaussian profile as a result of hindrance and restriction from cell and tissue microstructure, and may be quantified better by non‐Gaussian modeling. The aim of this study was to investigate non‐Gaussian diffusion in healthy and hypertrophic hearts.

Methods

Thirteen rat hearts (five healthy, four sham, four hypertrophic) were imaged ex vivo. Diffusion‐weighted images were acquired at b‐values up to 10,000 s/mm2. Models of diffusion were fit to the data and ranked based on the Akaike information criterion.

Results

The diffusion tensor was ranked best at b‐values up to 2000 s/mm2 but reflected the signal poorly in the high b‐value regime, in which the best model was a non‐Gaussian “beta distribution” model. Although there was considerable overlap in apparent diffusivities between the healthy, sham, and hypertrophic hearts, diffusion kurtosis and skewness in the hypertrophic hearts were more than 20% higher in the sheetlet and sheetlet‐normal directions.

Conclusion

Non‐Gaussian diffusion models have a higher sensitivity for the detection of hypertrophy compared with the Gaussian model. In particular, diffusion kurtosis may serve as a useful biomarker for characterization of disease and remodeling in the heart. Magn Reson Med 78:1174–1186, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Investigating intracranial tumour growth patterns with multiparametric MRI incorporating Gd‐DTPA and USPIO‐enhanced imaging
Authors: Boult Jessica K.R. , Borri Marco , Jury Alexa , Popov Sergey , Box Gary , Perryman Lara , Eccles Suzanne A. , Jones Chris , Robinson Simon P.
Published: September 2016

High grade and metastatic brain tumours exhibit considerable spatial variations in proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, necrosis and oedema. Vascular heterogeneity arising from vascular co‐option in regions of invasive growth (in which the blood–brain barrier remains intact) and neoangiogenesis is a major challenge faced in the assessment of brain tumours by conventional MRI.

A multiparametric MRI approach, incorporating native measurements and both Gd‐DTPA (Magnevist) and ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (P904)‐enhanced imaging, was used in combination with histogram and unsupervised cluster analysis using a k‐means algorithm to examine the spatial distribution of vascular parameters, water diffusion characteristics and invasion in intracranially propagated rat RG2 gliomas and human MDA‐MB‐231 LM2–4 breast adenocarcinomas in mice.

Both tumour models presented with higher ΔR1 (the change in transverse relaxation rate R1 induced by Gd‐DTPA), fractional blood volume (fBV) and apparent diffusion coefficient than uninvolved regions of the brain. MDA‐MB‐231 LM2–4 tumours were less densely cellular than RG2 tumours and exhibited substantial local invasion, associated with oedema, whereas invasion in RG2 tumours was minimal. These additional features were reflected in the more heterogeneous appearance of MDA‐MB‐231 LM2–4 tumours on T2‐weighted images and maps of functional MRI parameters.

Unsupervised cluster analysis separated subregions with distinct functional properties; areas with a low fBV and relatively impermeable blood vessels (low ΔR1) were predominantly located at the tumour margins, regions of MDA‐MB‐231 LM2–4 tumours with relatively high levels of water diffusion and low vascular permeability and/or fBV corresponded to histologically identified regions of invasion and oedema, and areas of mismatch between vascular permeability and blood volume were identified.

We demonstrate that dual contrast MRI and evaluation of tissue diffusion properties, coupled with cluster analysis, allows for the assessment of heterogeneity within invasive brain tumours and the designation of functionally diverse subregions that may provide more informative predictive biomarkers.
Incident cancers and late mortality in Australian children treated by allogeneic stem cell transplantation for non‐malignant diseases
Authors: Nelson Adam S. , Vajdic Claire M. , Ashton Lesley J. , Le Marsney Renate E. , Nivison‐Smith Ian , Wilcox Leonie , Dodds Anthony J. , O'Brien Tracey A. ,   the CAST investigators
Published: September 2016

Background

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a life‐saving procedure for children with a variety of non‐malignant conditions. However, these children face an increased risk of late death and incident cancers after HSCT, which may occur many years after their initial HSCT.

Procedure

We examined cancer occurrence and late mortality in a population‐based cohort of 318 Australian children who underwent allogeneic HSCT for non‐malignant disease. Standardized incident ratios (SIRs) and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated and compared with population controls.

Results

We identified six (1.9%) cancers at a median 9.2 years post‐HSCT. Cancer occurred 15 times more frequently than in the general population (SIR 15.4, 95% CI = 6.9–34.2). Of the 198 patients who survived for at least 2 years post‐HSCT, 11 (5.6%) died at a median 7.5 years post‐HSCT. The mortality rate was 17 times higher than in the general population (SMR 17.5, 95% CI = 9.7–31.2).

Discussion

Children transplanted for non‐malignant conditions require evidence‐based survivorship programs to reduce excess morbidity and mortality.
Determining prescription durations based on the parametric waiting time distribution
Authors: Støvring Henrik , Pottegård Anton , Hallas Jesper
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to develop a method to estimate the duration of single prescriptions in pharmacoepidemiological studies when the single prescription duration is not available.

Methods

We developed an estimation algorithm based on maximum likelihood estimation of a parametric two‐component mixture model for the waiting time distribution (WTD). The distribution component for prevalent users estimates the forward recurrence density (FRD), which is related to the distribution of time between subsequent prescription redemptions, the inter‐arrival density (IAD), for users in continued treatment. We exploited this to estimate percentiles of the IAD by inversion of the estimated FRD and defined the duration of a prescription as the time within which 80% of current users will have presented themselves again. Statistical properties were examined in simulation studies, and the method was applied to empirical data for four model drugs: non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), warfarin, bendroflumethiazide, and levothyroxine.

Results

Simulation studies found negligible bias when the data‐generating model for the IAD coincided with the FRD used in the WTD estimation (Log‐Normal). When the IAD consisted of a mixture of two Log‐Normal distributions, but was analyzed with a single Log‐Normal distribution, relative bias did not exceed 9%. Using a Log‐Normal FRD, we estimated prescription durations of 117, 91, 137, and 118 days for NSAIDs, warfarin, bendroflumethiazide, and levothyroxine, respectively. Similar results were found with a Weibull FRD.

Conclusions

The algorithm allows valid estimation of single prescription durations, especially when the WTD reliably separates current users from incident users, and may replace ad‐hoc decision rules in automated implementations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Common Ideological Roots of Speciesism and Generalized Ethnic Prejudice: The Social Dominance Human–Animal Relations Model (SD–HARM)
Authors: Dhont Kristof , Hodson Gordon , Leite Ana C.
Published: September 2016

Recent research and theorizing suggest that desires for group–based dominance underpin biases towards both human outgroups and (non–human) animals. A systematic study of the common ideological roots of human–human and human–animal biases is, however, lacking. Three studies (in Belgium, UK, and USA) tested the Social Dominance Human–Animal Relations Model (SD–HARM) proposing that Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) is a key factor responsible for the significant positive association between ethnic outgroup attitudes and speciesist attitudes towards animals, even after accounting for other ideological variables (that possibly confound previous findings). Confirming our hypotheses, the results consistently demonstrated that SDO, more than right–wing authoritarianism (RWA), is a key factor connecting ethnic prejudice and speciesist attitudes. Furthermore, Studies 2 and 3 showed that both SDO and RWA are significantly related to perceived threat posed by vegetarianism (i.e. ideologies and diets minimizing harm to animals), but with SDO playing a focal role in explaining the positive association between threat perceptions and ethnic prejudice. Study 3 replicated this pattern, additionally including political conservatism in the model, itself a significant correlate of speciesism. Finally, a meta–analytic integration across studies provided robust support for SD–HARM and offers important insights into the psychological parallels between human intergroup and human–animal relations. Copyright © 2016 European Association of Personality Psychology
Synthesis and electrical properties of copolymers of o‐phenylenediamine with aniline, 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene and 2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoroaniline
Authors: Yamaguchi Isao , Morisaka Reika
Published: September 2016

Copolymers (P(PDA/Ar)) of o‐phenylenediamine with aniline (Ar = ANi), 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (Ar = EDOT) and 2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoroaniline (Ar = TFANi) were synthesized via polycondensation initiated by ammonium persulfate. The NH2 group content in the copolymers was determined by analyzing the 1H NMR spectra of the N‐acetylated copolymers. Copolymers crosslinked by viologen (1,1'‐disubstituted 4,4'‐bipyridinium dichloride) were obtained by reaction involving the reactive NH2 groups in the copolymers. The absorption wavelengths of solutions of the copolymers and the electrochemical oxidation and reduction potentials of cast films of the copolymers were affected by the electrical properties of the Ar unit. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
A SYSTEMATIC FRAMEWORK FOR ADDRESSING TREATMENT INTEGRITY IN SCHOOL SETTINGS
Authors: Kupzyk Sara , Shriver Mark D.
Published: September 2016

School psychologists are tasked with ensuring treatment integrity because the level of intervention implementation affects decisions about student progress. Treatment integrity includes multiple dimensions that may impact the effectiveness of an intervention including adherence, dosage, quality, and engagement. Unfortunately, treatment integrity is not routinely monitored in consultation. A systematic framework is needed to better prepare practitioners to assess, analyze, and intervene when there are treatment integrity failures. A framework for monitoring and improving multiple dimensions of treatment integrity in natural settings is proposed to provide guidance to practitioners through two phases. The first phase focuses on improving initial treatment integrity and the second phase outlines a problem‐solving process for improving treatment integrity.
Impact of native defects and impurities in m−HfO2 and β−Si3N4 on charge trapping memory devices: A first principle hybrid functional study
Authors: Lu Wenjuan , Dai Yuehua , Wang Feifei , Jin Bo
Published: September 2016

Using hybrid density functional calculations, this paper systematically investigated the common defects in m‐HfO2 and ‐Si3N4 trapping layer, respectively, on the performance of charge trapping memory (CTM) devices. Defects may act as charge traps or fixed charges, however, only traps can be used to store charges. Thus, firstly, the paper distinguished traps or fixed charges of defects in trapping layer through the band alignment method. Then we can restrain the formation of defects that act as fixed charges in manufacturing CTM devices, which is very meaningful in improving the performance of CTM. Secondly, it studied the storage performance of traps in m‐HfO2 and ‐Si3N4 by analyzing the formation energy, the atomistic structural change during program/erase (P/E) cycles, and localization energy. The simulation results found that only some defects can be charge traps in m‐HfO2 and ‐Si3N4, and the charge transition of these traps only appeared between certain charged states. In addition, these traps show reversible structural change during P/E cycles and different localizing abilities for holes and electrons. Therefore, this study would provide some theoretical guidance for improving the performance of CTM.
Comparative study of single and multi domain CVD graphene using large‐area Raman mapping and electrical transport characterization
Authors: Thodkar Kishan , El Abbassi Maria , Lüönd Felix , Overney Frédéric , Schönenberger Christian , Jeanneret Blaise , Calame Michel
Published: September 2016

We systematically investigate the impact of granularity in CVD graphene films by performing Raman mapping and electrical characterization of single (SD) and multi domain (MD) graphene. In order to elucidate the quality of the graphene film, we study its regional variations using large‐area Raman mapping and compare the G and 2D peak positions of as‐transferred chemical vapor deposited (CVD) graphene on SiO2 substrate. We find a similar upshift in wavenumber in both SD and MD graphene in comparison to freshly exfoliated graphene. In our case, doping could play the dominant role behind the observation of such upshifts rather than the influence due to strain. Interestingly, the impact of the polymer‐assisted wet transfer process is the same in both the CVD graphene types. The electrical characterization shows that SD graphene exhibits a substantially higher (a factor 5) field‐effect mobility when compared to MD graphene. We attribute the low sheet resistance and mobility enhancement to a decrease in charge carrier scattering thanks to a reduction of the number of grain boundaries and defects in SD graphene.
Perovskite Solar Cells on Corrugated Substrates with Enhanced Efficiency
Authors: Luo Yu , Liu Shuyi , Barange Nilesh , Wang Li , So Franky
Published: September 2016

Organometallic halide perovskites solar cells are fabricated on nano‐scaled corrugated substrates using a sequential deposition method. The corrugated substrates are fabricated using colloidal lithography followed by reactive ion etching. The corrugated structure is found to accelerate the chemical reaction between the sequentially deposited lead iodide (PbI2) and methyl ammonium iodide layers to form stoichiometric perovskite films, and the corrugated morphology is preserved at the interface of the hole transport layer (HTL) and the perovskite layer. The shunt resistance of the corrugated devices is found to be higher than that of the planar devices, leading to a higher open circuit voltage (VOC) and fill factor (FF) in the corrugated devices. Finite‐difference time‐domain simulation is carried out on both planar and corrugated devices. The results revealed that light absorption is enhanced in the corrugated devices due to the corrugated HTL/perovskite interface, resulting in a significantly higher short circuit current (JSC) observed in the corrugated devices. As a result, the average power conversion efficiency increases from 8.7% for the planar devices to 13% for the corrugated devices.
Theoretical Study of the Adsorption Mechanism of Cystine on Au(110) in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Monti Susanna , Carravetta Vincenzo , Ågren Hans
Published: September 2016

The adsorption and dynamics of cystine, which is the oxidized dimer of cysteine where the monomers are connected through a disulfide bond, on the Au(110) surface, in water solution, is characterized by means of classical molecular dynamics simulations based on a recently developed reactive force field (ReaxFF). The adopted computational procedure and the force field description are able to give a complete and reliable picture, in line with experiments, of the molecule behavior in solution and in close contact with the metal support. Many different aspects, which have never been explored computationally at this level of theory, are disclosed, namely, physisorption, chemisorption, disulfide bridge breaking/creation, and formation of staples. It is demonstrated that all these events are connected with the specific orientation and location of cystine on the substrate. Simulations in pure water reveal that the disulfide bridge is stable, whereas dissociation is observed on gold. This is favored at low coverage, whereas at high coverage both intact and dissociated forms can be observed depending on local arrangements. The computed photoemission spectra at different K‐edges for the predicted adsorbate structures satisfactorily agree with the experimental measurements extracted from literature.
Non‐Volatile ReRAM Devices Based on Self‐Assembled Multilayers of Modified Graphene Oxide 2D Nanosheets
Authors: Rani Adila , Velusamy Dhinesh Babu , Kim Richard Hahnkee , Chung Kyungwha , Mota Filipe Marques , Park Cheolmin , Kim Dong Ha
Published: September 2016

2D nanomaterials have been actively utilized in non‐volatile resistive switching random access memory (ReRAM) devices due to their high flexibility, 3D‐stacking capability, simple structure, transparency, easy fabrication, and low cost. Herein, it demonstrates re‐writable, bistable, transparent, and flexible solution‐processed crossbar ReRAM devices utilizing graphene oxide (GO) based multilayers as active dielectric layers. The devices employ single‐ or multi‐component‐based multilayers composed of positively charged GO (N‐GO(+) or NS‐GO(+)) with/without negatively charged GO(‐) using layer‐by‐layer assembly method, sandwiched between Al bottom and Au top electrodes. The device based on the multi‐component active layer Au/[N‐GO(+)/GO(‐)]n/Al/PES shows higher ON/OFF ratio of ≈105 with switching voltage of −1.9 V and higher retention stability (≈104 s), whereas the device based on single component (Au/[N‐GO(+)]n/Al/PES) shows ≈103 ON/OFF ratio at ±3.5 V switching voltage. The superior ReRAM properties of the multi‐component‐based device are attributed to a higher coating surface roughness. The Au/[N‐GO(+)/GO(–)]n/Al/PES device prepared from lower GO concentration (0.01%) exhibits higher ON/OFF ratio (≈109) at switching voltage of ±2.0 V. However, better stability is achieved by increasing the concentration from 0.01% to 0.05% of all GO‐based solutions. It is found that the devices containing MnO2 in the dielectric layer do not improve the ReRAM performance.
Freeze'nSense: estimation of performance isolation in cloud environments
Authors: Kandalintsev Alexander , Kliazovich Dzmitry , Lo Cigno Renato
Published: September 2016

Modern computing hardware has a very good task parallelism, but resource contention between tasks remains high. This renders large fractions of CPU time wasted and leads to application interference. Even tasks running on dedicated CPU cores can still incur interference from other tasks, most notably because of the caches and other hardware components shared by more than one core. The level of interference depends on the nature of executed tasks and is difficult to predict. A customer who has been granted that his task will run as if it were alone (e.g., a CPU core dedicated to a virtual machine), indeed suffers from significant performance degradation due to the time spent waiting for resources occupied by other tasks. Measuring actual performance of a task or a virtual machine can be difficult. However, even more challenging is estimating what the performance of the task should be if it were running completely in isolation. In this paper, we present a measurement technique Freeze'nSense. It is based on the hardware performance counters and allows measuring actual performance of a task and estimating performance as if the task were in isolation, all during runtime. To estimate performance in isolation, the proposed technique performs a short‐time freezing of the potentially interfering tasks. Freeze'nSense introduces lower than 1% overhead and is confirmed to provide accurate and reliable measurements. In practice, Freeze'nSense becomes a valuable tool helping to automatically identify tasks that suffer the most in a shared environment and move them to a distant core. The observed performance improvement can be as large as 80–100% for individual tasks, and scale up to 15–20% for the computing node. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Indiscernibility Does Not Distinguish Particularity
Authors: Giberman Daniel ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: September 2016

According to the indiscernibility characterization of the distinction between particulars and universals, only and all the former have possible numerically distinct indiscernible intrinsic qualitative duplicates. It is argued here that both the sufficiency and the necessity directions are defective and that indiscernibility thus does not distinguish particularity. Against sufficiency: universals may lack intrinsic qualitative character and thus be trivially indiscernible from one another. Against necessity: pluralities of duplicate-less entities are at once duplicate-less and particular.
Maternal cardiovascular function at 35–37 weeks' gestation: relation to maternal characteristics
Authors: Guy G. P. , Ling H. Z. , Garcia P. , Poon L. C. , Nicolaides K. H.
Published: September 2016

Objective

To examine the possible effects of maternal characteristics and obstetric and medical history on maternal cardiovascular parameters at 35–37 weeks' gestation.

Methods

In 3013 singleton pregnancies at 35–37 weeks, maternal characteristics and medical history were recorded; uterine artery pulsatility index, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and maternal cardiovascular parameters were measured. Multivariable regression analysis was used to determine significant predictors of the cardiovascular parameters among gestational age (GA), maternal characteristics and medical history.

Results

Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that significant independent prediction of log10cardiac output and log10cardiac power was provided by GA, maternal age, weight, weight gain from the first trimester, height, racial origin, smoking, assisted conception and previous neonatal birth‐weight Z‐score in parous women. For log10total peripheral resistance, significant prediction was provided by GA, maternal age, height, racial origin, chronic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, assisted conception, previous neonatal birth‐weight Z‐score and prior pre‐eclampsia (PE) in parous women. For log10stroke volume, significant prediction was provided by maternal age, height, racial origin, smoking, chronic hypertension and diabetes mellitus. For heart rate, significant prediction was provided by GA, weight, weight gain, height, racial origin, chronic hypertension, previous neonatal birth‐weight Z‐score and prior PE in parous women. For log10MAP, significant prediction was provided by maternal weight, racial origin, family history of PE, chronic hypertension and diabetes mellitus. For log10thoracic fluid capacity, significant prediction was provided by GA, maternal age, weight, height, racial origin and systemic lupus erythematosus or antiphospholipid syndrome. For log10ventricular ejection time, significant prediction was provided by GA, weight, height and racial origin.

Conclusion

Maternal cardiovascular parameters are affected by maternal characteristics and medical and obstetric history, and they should therefore be converted into multiples of the normal median adjusted for significant independent predictors before their inclusion in combined screening for PE. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Nano-machining of materials: understanding the process through molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Cui Dan-Dan , Zhang Liang-Chi
Published: September 2016

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation has been widely applied in various complex, dynamic processes at atomistic scale, because an MD simulation can provide some deformation details of materials in nano-processing and thus help to investigate the critical and important issues which cannot be fully revealed by experiments. Extensive research with the aid of MD simulation has provided insights for the development of nanotechnology. This paper reviews the fundamentals of nano-machining from the aspect of material structural effects, such as single crystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous materials. The classic MD simulations of nano-indentation and nano-cutting which have aimed to investigate the machining mechanism are discussed with respect to the effects of tool geometry, material properties and machining parameters. On nano-milling, the discussion focuses on the understanding of the grooving quality in relation to milling conditions.
Myotonic Dystrophy and Huntington’s Disease Care: “We Like to Think We’re Making a Difference”
Authors: LaDonna Kori A. , Watling Christopher J. , Ray Susan L. , Piechowicz Christine , Venance Shannon L.
Published: September 2016

Background: Patient-centered care for individuals with myotonic dystrophy (DM1) and Huntington’s disease (HD)—chronic, progressive, and life-limiting neurological conditions—may be challenged by patients’ cognitive and behavioral impairments. However, no research has explored health care providers’ (HCPs’) perspectives about patient-centered care provision for these patients along their disease trajectory. Methods: Constructivist grounded theory informed the iterative data collection and analysis process. Eleven DM1 or HD HCPs participated in semistructured interviews, and three stages of coding were used to analyze their interview transcripts. Codes were collapsed into themes and categories.Results: Three categories including an evolving care approach, fluid roles, and making a difference were identified. Participants described that their clinical care approach evolved depending on the patient’s disease stage and caregivers’ degree of involvement. HCPs described that their main goal was to provide hope to patients and caregivers through medical management, crisis prevention, support, and advocacy. Despite the lack of curative treatments, HCPs perceived that patients benefited from ongoing clinical care provided by proactive clinicians. Conclusions: Providing care for individuals with DM1 and HD is a balancing act. HCPs must strike a balance between (1) the frustrations and rewards of patient-centered care provision, (2) addressing symptoms and preventing and managing crises while focusing on patients’ and caregivers’ quality of life concerns, and (3) advocating for patients while addressing caregivers’ needs. This raises important questions: Is patient-centered care possible for patients with cognitive decline? Does chronic neurological care need to evolve to better address patients’ and caregivers’ complex needs?
The International Incidence of Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Nguyen Rita , Fiest Kirsten M. , McChesney Jane , Kwon Churl-Su , Jette Nathalie , Frolkis Alexandra D. , Atta Callie , Mah Sarah , Dhaliwal Harinder , Reid Aylin , Pringsheim Tamara , Dykeman Jonathan , Gallagher Clare
Published: September 2016

Background: Understanding the epidemiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is essential to shape public health policy, implement prevention strategies, and justify allocation of resources toward research, education, and rehabilitation in TBI. There is not, to our knowledge, a systematic review of population-based studies addressing the epidemiology of TBI that includes all subtypes. We performed a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of the worldwide incidence of TBI. Methods: A search was conducted on May 23, 2014, in Medline and EMBASE according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Abstracts were screened independently and in duplicate to identify original research. Study quality and ascertainment bias were assessed in duplicate using a previously published tool. Demographic data and incidence estimates from each study were recorded, along with stratification by age, gender, year of data collection, and severity. Results: The search strategy yielded 4944 citations. Two hundred and sixteen articles met criteria for full-text review; 144 were excluded. Hand searching resulted in ten additional articles. Eighty-two studies met all eligibility criteria. The pooled annual incidence proportion for all ages was 295 per 100,000 (95% confidence interval: 274-317). The pooled incidence rate for all ages was 349 (95% confidence interval: 96.2-1266) per 100,000 person-years. Incidence proportion and incidence rate were examined to see if associated with age, sex, country, or severity. Conclusions: We conclude that most TBIs are mild and most TBIs occur in males among the adult population. The incidence of TBI varies widely by ages and between countries. Despite being an important medical, economic, and social problem, the global epidemiology of TBI is still not well-characterized in the current literature. Understanding the incidence of TBI, particularly mild TBI, remains challenging because of nonstandardized reporting among neuroepidemiological studies.
Lignes directrices facultatives en matière de pensions alimentaires pour époux – Pertinence de leur application au Québec?
Authors: Jarry Jocelyne , Lapierre-Adamcyk Évelyne , Le Bourdais Céline , Roy Alain
Published: September 2016

L’approche sur laquelle reposent les Lignes directrices facultatives en matière de pensions alimentaires pour époux vise à instaurer plus de certitude et de prévisibilité dans la détermination des pensions alimentaires entre époux et ex-époux, divorcés ou en instance de l’être. Au moyen de formules basées sur les revenus des deux époux, leur âge respectif et la durée de leur cohabitation, ces lignes permettent de situer le montant et la durée de la pension alimentaire payable par le débiteur, à l’intérieur de fourchettes préétablies. L’analyse qui suit montre que les pensions alimentaires octroyées par les tribunaux québécois sont moins généreuses que celles qui résultent de l’application des Lignes directrices facultatives. En conclusion, on s’interroge sur les raisons des différences observées et sur la pertinence des Lignes directrices facultatives au Québec.