bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sequencing of hepatitis C virus for detection of resistance to direct‐acting antiviral therapy: A systematic review
Authors: Bartlett Sofia R. , Grebely Jason , Eltahla Auda A. , Reeves Jacqueline D. , Howe Anita Y.M. , Miller Veronica , Ceccherini‐Silberstein Francesca , Bull Rowena A. , Douglas Mark W. , Dore Gregory J. , Harrington Patrick , Lloyd Andrew R. , Jacka Brendan , Matthews Gail V. , Wang Gary P. , Pawlotsky Jean‐Michel , Feld Jordan J. , Schinkel Janke , Garcia Federico , Lennerstrand Johan , Applegate Tanya L.
Published: May 2017

The significance of the clinical impact of direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) resistance‐associated substitutions (RASs) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) on treatment failure is unclear. No standardized methods or guidelines for detection of DAA RASs in HCV exist. To facilitate further evaluations of the impact of DAA RASs in HCV, we conducted a systematic review of RAS sequencing protocols, compiled a comprehensive public library of sequencing primers, and provided expert guidance on the most appropriate methods to screen and identify RASs. The development of standardized RAS sequencing protocols is complicated due to a high genetic variability and the need for genotype‐ and subtype‐specific protocols for multiple regions. We have identified several limitations of the available methods and have highlighted areas requiring further research and development. The development, validation, and sharing of standardized methods for all genotypes and subtypes should be a priority. (Hepatology Communications 2017;1:379–390)
Model for end‐stage liver disease Na Score predicts incident major cardiovascular events in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Simon Tracey G. , Kartoun Uri , Zheng Hui , Chan Andrew T. , Chung Raymond T. , Shaw Stanley , Corey Kathleen E.
Published: May 2017

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality among adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); however, accurate tools for identifying NAFLD patients at highest CVD risk are lacking. Using a validated algorithm, we identified a retrospective cohort of 914 NAFLD patients without known CVD. Fibrosis severity was estimated using the fibrosis‐4 index. Patients were followed for 5 years for the development of a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE); a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or unstable angina; urgent coronary revascularization; or stroke. Using an adjusted Cox proportional hazard regression model, NAFLD‐specific biomarkers of CVD risk were identified. Discrimination was compared to that of the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Among 914 patients, the mean age was 53.4 years and 60.6% were female. Over 5 years, 288 (31.5%) experienced MACE. After adjustment for traditional cardiometabolic risk factors and underlying FIB‐4 index score, each 1‐point increase in the model for end‐stage liver disease integrating sodium (MELD‐Na) was associated with a 4.2% increased risk of MACE (hazard ratio, 1.042; 95% confidence interval, 1.009‐1.075; P = 0.011). Compared to patients in the lowest MELD‐Na quartile (<7.5), those in the highest quartile (≥13.2) had a 2.2‐fold increased risk of MACE (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.11‐4.40; P = 0.024; P trend = 0.004). Incorporating MELD‐Na with the FRS significantly improved discrimination of future CVD risk (combined C‐statistic 0.703 versus 0.660 for the FRS alone; P = 0.040). Conclusion: Among patients with NAFLD, the MELD‐Na score accurately stratifies the risk for patients according to future CVD event risk. The addition of the MELD‐Na score to the FRS may further improve discrimination of NAFLD‐related CVD risk. (Hepatology Communications 2017;1:429–438)
MTHFR gene C677T and A1298C variants are associated with FMF risk in a Turkish cohort
Authors: Nursal Ayse Feyda , Kaya Süheyla , Sezer Ozlem , Karakus Nevin , Yigit Serbulent
Published: May 2017

Background

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a crucial enzyme in homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism. We aimed to evaluate a possible relationship between MTHFR gene C677T (rs 1801133), A1298C (rs 1801131) variants and susceptibility to FMF in a Turkish cohort.

Material‐Methods

This case‐control study included 198 Turkish FMF patients and 100 healthy subjects as controls. MTHFR C677T and A1298C were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods.

Results

The genotype distribution and allele frequency of the MTHFR C677T were statistically different between the patients and the control group (P=.006, P=.001, respectively). The frequency of the TT genotype and T allele of MTHFR C677T was significantly higher in the patients than in the controls. The genotype distribution of MTHFR A1298C variant did not show any statistically significant difference between the patients and the controls (P›.05). The patients had statistically different frequencies in allele C of MTHFR A1298C variant compared with the control (P=.032). We also examined the risk associated with inheriting the combined genotypes for the two MTHFR variants. According to these results, individuals who were CC homozygous at C677T locus and AA homozygous at A1298C locus have a lower risk of developing FMF (P=.002). Individuals who were TT homozygous at C677T locus and AC heterozygous at A1298C locus have higher risk of developing FMF (P=.033).

Conclusion

Our findings clearly showed there was an association the MTHFR C677T/A1298C variants and susceptibility to FMF in the Turkish sample.
Metagenomic profiling of the microbial freshwater communities in two Bulgarian reservoirs
Authors: Iliev Ivan , Yahubyan Galina , Marhova Mariana , Apostolova Elena , Gozmanova Mariyana , Gecheva Gana , Kostadinova Sonya , Ivanova Angelina , Baev Vesselin
Published: May 2017

Microorganisms inhabiting freshwater environments are an integral part of the aquatic ecosystems. Very few data are available regarding the profiles of the microbial communities in the reservoirs in Bulgaria, despite their key role in the biogeochemical processes. In the present study, we provide the first comprehensive metagenomic analysis on the planktonic bacterial diversity of two large and economically important Bulgarian reservoirs (Batak and Tsankov Kamak) using next‐generation sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA gene (16S rRNA). Analysis of the metagenomic amplicon datasets, including quality filtering, clustering of Operational Taxonomic Units and taxonomy assignment revealed that 78.45% of the microbial communities between the two reservoirs were overlapping. The diversity (H) and Pielou's evenness (J) indices declined along the longitudinal axis of both reservoirs. The estimated values for the Shannon diversity index are typically observed in oligotrophic lakes. The microbial communities of both reservoirs were dominated by Proteobacteria, followed by Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes all comprised over 95% of the relative abundance, regardless of the reservoir's large hydrogeological differences. The bacterioplankton was characterized by high phylogenetic heterogeneity in the taxonomic structure, being distributed among 211 genera. The genera Limnohabitans and Rhodoferax held the absolute predominance, implying their significance in the aquatic food webs. The obtained data can contribute to the better systematic understanding of the microbial diversity of freshwater environments.
Viable bacteria persist on antibiotic spacers following two‐stage revision for periprosthetic joint infection
Authors: Ma Dongzhu , Shanks Robert M.Q. , Davis Charles M. , Craft David W. , Wood Thomas K. , Hamlin Brian R , Urish Kenneth L.
Published: May 2017

Treatment in periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains challenging. The failure rate of two‐stage revision and irrigation and debridement with component retention in PJI suggests that biofilm cells have a high tolerance to antibiotic chemotherapy. Previous work has demonstrated that biofilm cells have high antibiotic tolerance in vitro, but there is little clinical evidence to support these observations. The aim of this study was to determine if retrieved antibiotic spacers from two‐stage revision total knee arthroplasty for PJI have evidence of remaining viable bacteria. Antibiotic poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) spacers from two‐stage revision total knee arthroplasty for PJI were prospectively collected and analyzed for bacterial 16s rRNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), reverse transcription (RT)‐PCR, quantitative RT‐PCR (qRT‐PCR), and single genome analysis (SGA). PCR and RT‐PCR identified bacterial species on 53.8% (7/13) of these samples. When initial culture negative cases are excluded, 68% (6/9) samples were identified with bacterial species. A more rigorous qRT‐PCR analysis showed a strong positive signal for bacterial contamination in 30.7% (4/13) of cases. These patients did not show any clinical evidence of PJI recurrence after 15 months of follow‐up. Because the half‐life of bacterial rRNA is approximately a few days, the identification of bacteria rRNA on antibiotic PMMA spacers suggests that viable bacteria were present after conclusion of antibiotic therapy. This study provides evidence for the high tolerance of biofilm cells to antibiotics in vivo and the important role of bacterial persisters in PJI. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:452–458, 2018.
New insights into the Quaternary evolution of the Bristol Channel, UK
Authors: Gibbard Philip L. , Hughes Philip D. , Rolfe Christopher J.
Published: May 2017

A synthesis of new publically available borehole and bathymetric data, combined with a wealth of other existing disparate data sources, reveals new insights into the Quaternary history of the Bristol Channel area. Sediment boreholes throughout the Bristol Channel confirm the area was glaciated in the Pleistocene. Till is present below marine deposits and, in some areas, is visible morphologically as submerged moraines. In the central and eastern Bristol Channel the submerged valley course of the palaeo‐Severn is very clear in new high‐resolution bathymetric surveys. This former river course and associated tributaries cross‐cut through glacial sediments in the Bristol Channel. At least three phases of glaciation are recorded in the Bristol Channel, one related to the southern limits of a Late Devensian Substage (∼Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2) Welsh Ice Cap which reached into Swansea Bay, an earlier Devensian (MIS 4–3) glaciation associated with Irish Sea ice, and another older glaciation that is associated with ice that filled the entire outer and central Bristol Channel. The age of the older Bristol Channel glaciation is still open, although it pre‐dates the Devensian (Late Pleistocene) and must date to the Middle Pleistocene. It is therefore evident that Pleistocene glacial and fluvial activity, combined with subsequent post‐glacial sea transgression, directly account for current morphometries of the Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary, and the current geography of the SW British Isles.
Vena Cava Responsiveness to Controlled Isovolumetric Respiratory Efforts
Authors: Folino Anna , Benzo Marco , Pasquero Paolo , Laguzzi Andrea , Mesin Luca , Messere Alessandro , Porta Massimo , Roatta Silvestro
Published: May 2017

Objectives

Respirophasic variation of inferior vena cava (IVC) size is affected by large variability with spontaneous breathing. This study aims at characterizing the dependence of IVC size on controlled changes in intrathoracic pressure.

Methods

Ten healthy subjects, in supine position, performed controlled isovolumetric respiratory efforts at functional residual capacity, attaining positive (5, 10, and 15 mmHg) and negative (−5, −10, and −15 mmHg) alveolar pressure levels. The isovolumetric constraint implies that equivalent changes are exhibited by alveolar and intrathoracic pressures during respiratory tasks.

Results

The IVC cross‐sectional area equal to 2.88 ± 0.43 cm2 at baseline (alveolar pressure = 0 mmHg) was progressively decreased by both expiratory and inspiratory efforts of increasing strength, with diaphragmatic efforts producing larger effects than thoracic ones: −55 ± 15% decrease, at +15 mmHg of alveolar pressure (P < .01), −80 ± 33 ± 12% at −15 mmHg diaphragmatic (P < .01), −33 ± 12% at −15 mmHg thoracic. Significant IVC changes in size (P < .01) and pulsatility (P < .05), along with non significant reduction in the response to respiratory efforts, were also observed during the first 30 minutes of supine rest, detecting an increase in vascular filling, and taking place after switching from the standing to the supine position.

Conclusions

This study quantified the dependence of the IVC cross‐sectional area on controlled intrathoracic pressure changes and evidenced the stronger influence of diaphragmatic over thoracic activity. Individual variability in thoracic/diaphragmatic respiratory pattern should be considered in the interpretation of the respirophasic modulations of IVC size.
The adenoid: Its history and a cautionary tale
Authors: Ruben Robert J.
Published: May 2017

The existence of the adenoid first appears to have been noted by Conrad Victor Schneider in 1661. James Yearsley reported in 1842 one case in which he improved hearing by removal of a mucus membrane from behind the uvula, which indicates some appreciation of a relationship of the nasopharynx to ear disease. Hans Wilhelm Meyer, in 1868, was the first to demonstrate the relationship of the adenoid to ear disease and to develop an effective, although somewhat difficult, surgical operation to remove the adenoid. Removal of the adenoid became rapidly accepted worldwide as a treatment for many morbidities, including otitis, speech problems, cognitive problems, and sleep apnea. Until the 1920s, adenoidectomy often was performed as a staged procedure and without general anesthesia. Early tools and techniques included use of the bare fingernail, a finger ring knife, a curette, and electrical desiccation. From the mid‐1930s to the early 1960s, radiation therapy of the adenoid was in extensive use, both for children and in caring for army aviators and navy submarine crews during WWII. The effectiveness of surgical adenoidectomy for hearing loss led to a belief that radiation, which had been found to ablate lymphoid tissue, would be equally effective, and led to the wide‐spread use of radiation. Ultimately, 500 thousand to 2.5 million children and adults were estimated to have been treated with radiation, and follow‐up studies found increased risk for cancer. Furthermore, a follow‐up study by Stacey R. Guild (1890–1966), published in 1950, on a very large sample of children who previously were reported to have had their hearing loss diminished through radiation, found that irradiation had produced no effect on high‐tone loss. Thus, irradiation was both useless and harmful. Acceptance of authority, which can lurk within medical culture, led to the development of a tragically misguided management of adenoid disease.

Laryngoscope, 127:S13–S28, 2017
Intensity of catchment land use influences biological traits of benthic invertebrates along a freshwater‐marine continuum
Authors: Bierschenk Antje M. , Savage Candida , Matthaei Christoph D.
Published: May 2017

Catchment land‐use intensification and conversion of native vegetation to farmland threatens aquatic ecosystems worldwide by increasing exports of nutrients and fine sediment into streams, rivers and estuaries, resulting in a decline of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem health. Using a survey approach, we studied the effects of catchment land‐use intensity on benthic invertebrate communities along a freshwater‐marine gradient in 21 New Zealand rivers and their estuaries, encompassing a broad range of catchment land‐use intensities. Traditional community metrics such as total invertebrate abundance and taxonomic richness decreased from freshwater sites to near‐marine sites, but did not perform as well as biological traits when detecting catchment land‐use effects along the freshwater‐marine continuum. Three trait categories were directly related to the gradient of catchment development while 11 trait categories responded to increasing deposited fine sediment levels which, in turn, were positively related to catchment development. The direction of the response varied for the different biological traits along the gradient. Only one trait category (medium body size) was negatively related to nutrients (dissolved inorganic nitrogen). Importantly, the effects of catchment development did not decrease toward the ocean for any of the response variables studied, indicating no dilution effect due to an increasing marine influence. Consequently, aquatic resource managers need to consider the entire source‐to‐sea continuum when making decisions to avoid or minimize adverse effects of human land‐use activities such as intensive agriculture on freshwater, estuarine, and coastal marine habitats.
Tribological properties of 3 types of MoS2 additives in different base greases
Authors: Hu E.Z. , Xu Y. , Hu K.H. , Hu X.G.
Published: May 2017

A tribological comparison was conducted among micro‐MoS2 (m‐MoS2), platelet‐like nano‐MoS2, and spherical nano‐MoS2 in lithium grease, lithium‐calcium grease, and polyurea grease, respectively. Micro‐MoS2 slightly improved the lubrication of the 3 greases. The 2 nano‐MoS2 samples had obvious superiority over m‐MoS2. The tribofilms produced by nano‐MoS2 contained MoS2 and MoO3. However, the tribofilms with m‐MoS2 did not contain Mo, or Mo only existed in the form of MoO3. The absence of MoS2 in tribofilms was the main reason for the poor lubrication of m‐MoS2 greases. Moreover, the improved lubrication of the spherical nano‐MoS2 greases than the platelet‐like nano‐MoS2 ones was ascribed to the lubricating superiority of the spherical structure to the platelet‐like one.
pH‐Responsive Polymer Coatings for Reporting Early Stages of Metal Corrosion
Authors: Wang Jun‐Peng , Song Yan , Wang Jun‐Kuo , Zhou Qiong , Li Zhan , Han Yongsheng , Yang Shuo , Li Guo Liang , Qi Tao
Published: May 2017

Many systems benefit from the ability to autonomously signal the occurrence of damage. The development of smart polymer coatings on metals can address scientific challenges such as nondestructive detection of early corrosion to avoid further destruction of materials. Here, pH‐responsive polymer coatings on metals such as steel, aluminum, magnesium, and copper alloys are reported. The defect areas of coatings can gradually exhibit strong fluorescence as the corrosion starts. Based on the fundamental understanding of electrochemical mechanisms in metal corrosion, the designed pH‐responsive polymer coating is dormant before crack occurrence. However, the on‐demand release of fluorescent molecules from nanocontainers in coatings occurs as corrosion proceeds with increasing pH value by transformation into highly active fluorescence indication from the dormant state at the stage of corrosion commencement. The developed smart polymer coatings can report the corrosion caused by a coating failure which provides a new strategy for nondestructive corrosion detection.

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Technical Note: Evaluation of pre‐reconstruction interpolation methods for iterative reconstruction of radial k‐space data
Authors: Tian Ye , Erb Kay Condie , Adluru Ganesh , Likhite Devavrat , Pedgaonkar Apoorva , Blatt Michael , Kamesh Iyer Srikant , Roberts John , DiBella Edward
Published: May 2017

Purpose

To evaluate the use of three different pre‐reconstruction interpolation methods to convert non‐Cartesian k‐space data to Cartesian samples such that iterative reconstructions can be performed more simply and more rapidly.

Methods

Phantom as well as cardiac perfusion radial datasets were reconstructed by four different methods. Three of the methods used pre‐reconstruction interpolation once followed by a fast Fourier transform (FFT) at each iteration. The methods were: bilinear interpolation of nearest‐neighbor points (BINN), 3‐point interpolation, and a multi‐coil interpolator called GRAPPA Operator Gridding (GROG). The fourth method performed a full non‐Uniform FFT (NUFFT) at each iteration. An iterative reconstruction with spatiotemporal total variation constraints was used with each method. Differences in the images were quantified and compared.

Results

The GROG multicoil interpolation, the 3‐point interpolation, and the NUFFT‐at‐each‐iteration approaches produced high quality images compared to BINN, with the GROG‐derived images having the fewest streaks among the three preinterpolation approaches. However, all reconstruction methods produced approximately equal results when applied to perfusion quantitation tasks. Pre‐reconstruction interpolation gave approximately an 83% reduction in reconstruction time.

Conclusion

Image quality suffers little from using a pre‐reconstruction interpolation approach compared to the more accurate NUFFT‐based approach. GROG‐based pre‐reconstruction interpolation appears to offer the best compromise by using multicoil information to perform the interpolation to Cartesian sample points prior to image reconstruction. Speed gains depend on the implementation and relatively standard optimizations on a MATLAB platform result in preinterpolation speedups of ~ 6 compared to using NUFFT at every iteration, reducing the reconstruction time from around 42 min to 7 min.
Implementing the psychosocial standards in pediatric cancer: Current staffing and services available
Authors: Scialla Michele A. , Canter Kimberly S. , Chen Fang Fang , Kolb E. Anders , Sandler Eric , Wiener Lori , Kazak Anne E.
Published: May 2017

Background

Fifteen evidence‐based Standards for Psychosocial Care for Children with Cancer and Their Families (Standards) were published in 2015. The Standards cover a broad range of topics and circumstances and require qualified multidisciplinary staff to be implemented. This paper presents data on the availability of psychosocial staff and existing practices at pediatric oncology programs in the United States, providing data that can be used to advocate for expanded services and prepare for implementation of the Standards.

Procedure

Up to three healthcare professionals from 144 programs (72% response rate) participated in an online survey conducted June–December 2016. There were 99 pediatric oncologists with clinical leadership responsibility (Medical Director/Clinical Director), 132 psychosocial leaders in pediatric oncology (Director of Psychosocial Services/Manager/most senior staff member), and 58 administrators in pediatric oncology (Administrative Director/Business Administrator/Director of Operations). The primary outcomes were number and type of psychosocial staff, psychosocial practices, and identified challenges in the delivery of psychosocial care.

Results

Over 90% of programs have social workers and child life specialists who provide care to children with cancer and their families. Fewer programs have psychologists (60%), neuropsychologists (31%), or psychiatrists (19%). Challenges in psychosocial care are primarily based on pragmatic issues related to funding and reimbursement.

Conclusion

Most participating pediatric oncology programs appear to have at least the basic level of staffing necessary to implement of some of the Standards. However, the lack of a more comprehensive multidisciplinary team is a likely barrier in the implementation of the full set of Standards.
Demographics, insulin use and clinical targets in type 2 diabetes insulin users: comparison of a local integrated diabetes service vs a UK‐wide cohort
Authors: Anyanwagu Uchenna , Owen Karissa , Mamza Jil , Sugunendran Suma , Stone Lisa , Langeland Lin , Idris Iskandar
Published: May 2017

Insulin‐treated patients with type 2 diabetes require specialist multidisciplinary input to achieve treatment targets. We compared the demographics, achievement of combined NICE targets for HbA1c (≤7.5%), blood pressure (<140/80mmHg) and total cholesterol (<4mmol/L), and insulin use between patients from a local integrated diabetes service with those from a representative UK population.

A cross‐sectional evaluation of individual patient data from six randomly‐selected primary care practices in Erewash (Integrated) Diabetes Service was compared with The Health Improvement Network (THIN) UK primary care database.

Baseline age (61.5 years vs 65.8 years; p < 0.0001) and duration of insulin use (4.3 vs 6.3 years; p < 0.0001) use were lower in the THIN cohort. Mean HbA1c was similar between the two cohorts but weight, blood pressure, total and LDL cholesterol were significantly lower in the Erewash population compared with THIN. The combined achievement of HbA1c, total cholesterol and blood pressure was 17.5% in the Erewash cohort compared with 9.6% in the THIN cohort (p < 0.0001). There was a higher proportion of insulin users on basal‐bolus than on premix in the Erewash cohort (89.3% vs 10.7%) compared with THIN (59.0% vs 41.1%). The proportion of patients who received concurrent oral glucose‐lowering therapies in the Erewash integrated service was lower, except for SGLT2 inhibitors (2.5% in the Erewash cohort vs 0.5% in THIN; p < 0.0001).

This model of an integrated diabetes service appears to confer better achievement for the NICE defined clinical targets compared with the THIN cohort. Further studies are required to investigate the impact of this service model on health economics, patient pathway and patient experience. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons.
The impact of dapagliflozin on HbA1c, systolic blood pressure and weight: a review of dapagliflozin use in a Scottish city
Authors: Kueh Christopher JL , Connelly Paul , Harte Rachael , Smith Christopher , Boyle James G
Published: May 2017

We aimed to determine the efficacy of dapagliflozin in the management of type 2 diabetes in a Scottish population through measurements of glycaemic control, blood pressure and weight.

Dapagliflozin was effective in improving HbA1c by 10 mmol/mol (SE 1.8, p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure by 9.8mmHg (SE 2.2, p < 0.001) and weight by 3.2 kg (SE 0.6, p < 0.001). There was a significant proportion of people with diabetes who reported side effects with dapagliflozin relating to genital and urinary tract infections.

Dapagliflozin appears to be an effective drug in improving HbA1c, systolic blood pressure and weight in people with type 2 diabetes. However, in this cohort a substantial proportion of people with diabetes did not tolerate this drug due to side effects. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons.
Revisit of a rare complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus: Mauriac syndrome
Authors: Thakkar Umang G , Vanikar Aruna V , Trivedi Hargovind L
Published: May 2017

Mauriac syndrome is an uncommon complication of poorly‐controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) reported in children 13–17 years of age. It manifests as delayed growth, hepatomegaly, elevated liver enzymes and serum lipids, and glycogen accumulation in hepatocytes. Common presenting features include short stature, growth retardation, moon facies, protuberant abdomen and proximal muscle wasting. Since the advent of long‐ and intermediate‐acting insulin, this syndrome is now rarely encountered.

We report the case of a 16‐year‐old male who had a 13‐year history of T1DM and was diagnosed with Mauriac syndrome. He was treated with biphasic isophane insulin and recovered – good glycaemic control was maintained, his height increased from 128cm to 141.5cm, hepatomegaly disappeared with normal liver enzymes, and the onset of pubertal spurt at eight months' follow up was shown.

In conclusion, ensuring compliance with insulin therapy, and providing supportive treatment, nutritional support and good follow‐up care can help to mitigate most of the complications relating to Mauriac syndrome. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons.
In Utero Oxcarbazepine Exposure and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Case Report and Brief Review of the Literature
Authors: Chen Chao‐yang , Li Xing , Ma Ling‐yue , Wu Peng‐hui , Zhou Ying , Feng Qi , Cui Yi‐min
Published: May 2017

Oxcarbazepine is a second‐generation antiepileptic drug that is used to treat partial seizures. Although it has been increasingly used in pregnant women, its fetal safety has not been fully validated. We describe a 12‐hour‐old neonate who developed neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) after intrauterine exposure to oxcarbazepine. The neonate was born via cesarean section to a mother who took oxcarbazepine 300 mg/day for treatment of seizures throughout her pregnancy. Approximately 12 hours after birth, the infant developed paroxysmal jitter, which mainly presented as increased excitability, irritability, limb shaking, and increased muscle tone. These symptoms resolved by day 9 of life. Although NAS occurs most often after in utero exposure to opioids, exposure to other drugs during pregnancy may contribute to a small proportion of NAS cases. To our knowledge, this is the second case report of oxcarbazepine‐induced NAS. Pregnant women with epilepsy should weigh the pros and cons of continuing oxcarbazepine during their pregnancy when they are prescribed this drug. For infants with in utero oxcarbazepine exposure, comprehensive assessments and examinations are necessary for screening oxcarbazepine‐induced NAS.
A fully coupled thermo‐viscoelastic finite element model for self‐folding shape memory polymer sheets
Authors: Mailen Russell W. , Dickey Michael D. , Genzer Jan , Zikry Mohammed A.
Published: May 2017

The thermo‐mechanical response of heat activated shape memory polymers (SMPs) has been investigated using a thermo‐viscoelastic finite element analysis that accounts for external and internal heat sources. SMPs can be thermally stimulated by external heat sources, such as temperature and surface heat flux, or from internal viscous heating. Viscous heating can significantly affect the response of SMP sheets by increasing the temperature during pre‐strain, which accelerates stress relaxation. This stress relaxation results in a slower shrinking rate when the SMP is reheated. Viscous heating also causes an increase in temperatures during unconstrained recovery. The predicted results elucidate how the coupled thermo‐mechanical loading conditions affect folding and unfolding of SMP sheets in response to localized heating in a hinged region. A parametric study of sheet thickness, hinge width, degree of pre‐strain, and hinge surface temperature is also conducted. The validated results can provide guidelines for the design of functional, self‐folding structures. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017, 55, 1207–1219
Self‐assembled gold nanoparticle–molecular electronic networks
Authors: Zhang Po , Venkataraman Anusha , Papadopoulos Chris
Published: May 2017

Electronic transport through self‐assembled networks consisting of colloidal gold particles interconnected with thiolated alkane molecules is studied using a combination of broad area and scanning probe microscope‐based measurements. The molecule–gold nanoparticle ratio and/or type of molecules is used to alter electronic transport paths through the network and allow the resistance to be controllably tuned by several orders of magnitude (∼105–1011 ohms for the structures studied). Local probing and imaging of the colloidal gold networks via atomic force microscopy is able to detect the presence of molecular connections and also indicates that the number of molecules is important for achieving good network packing with a minimum ratio of molecules to particles between 1:1 and 5:1 found to be needed in order to form well‐connected molecular electronic circuits. Circuit simulations used to model the electrical behavior of the self‐assembled nanoscale networks based on different morphologies and dimensions show good agreement with experiment and provide a guide for engineering network properties using superstructures of different molecules. These results demonstrate directed self‐assembly as a potential avenue for the creation of molecular integrated circuits.
Investigation of MoOx/n‐Si strong inversion layer interfaces via dopant‐free heterocontact
Authors: Sun Teng , Wang Rongbin , Liu Ruiyuan , Wu Chen , Zhong Yanan , Liu Yuqiang , Wang Yusheng , Han Yujie , Xia Zhouhui , Zou Yatao , Song Tao , Koch Norbert , Duhm Steffen , Sun Baoquan
Published: May 2017

Transition metal oxides (TMOs)/silicon (Si) heterocontact solar cells are currently under intensive investigation due to their simple fabrication process and less parasitic light absorption compared to traditional heterocontact counterparts. Effective segregation of carriers which is related to carrier‐selective heterocontact is crucial for the performance of photovoltaic devices. Molybdenum oxide (MoOx, x ≤ 3), with a wide bandgap of ∼3.24 eV as well as defect bands derived from oxygen vacancies located inside the band gap, has been introduced to integrate with n‐type Si (n‐Si) as hole selective contact. Here, we utilize a stepwise in situ deposition of MoOx to investigate its interaction with Si by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) measurements. A strong inversion layer originating from a charge transfer process is demonstrated in the n‐Si surface region upon MoOx contact characterized by XPS, UPS, capacitance–voltage (C–V), and minority charge carrier lifetime mapping measurements.

A dopant‐free heterocontact is built within n‐Si with a high built‐in potential (Vbi) of ∼0.80 V which benefits for acquiring a high open circuit voltage (Voc). These results give a detailed interpretation on the carrier transport mechanism of MoOx/n‐Si heterocontact and also pave a new route toward fabricating high efficiency, low‐cost solar cells.
The nested k‐means method: A new approach for detecting lost persons in aerial images acquired by unmanned aerial vehicles
Authors: Niedzielski Tomasz , Jurecka Mirosława , Stec Magdalena , Wieczorek Małgorzata , Miziński Bartłomiej
Published: May 2017

A new method, named as the nested k‐means, for detecting a person captured in aerial images acquired by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), is presented. The nested k‐means method is used in a newly built system that supports search and rescue (SAR) activities through processing of aerial photographs taken in visible light spectra (red‐green‐blue channels, RGB). First, the k‐means classification is utilized to identify clusters of colors in a three‐dimensional space (RGB). Second, the k‐means method is used to verify if the automatically selected class of colors is concurrently spatially clustered in a two‐dimensional space (easting‐northing, EN), and has human‐size area. The UAV images were acquired during the field campaign carried out in the Izerskie Mountains (SW Poland). The experiment aimed to observe several persons using an RGB camera, in spring and winter, during various periods of day, in uncovered terrain and sparse forest. It was found that the nested k‐means method has a considerable potential for detecting a person lost in the wilderness and allows to reduce area to be searched to 4.4 and 7.3% in spring and winter, respectively. In winter, land cover influences the performance of the nested k‐means method, with better skills in sparse forest than in the uncovered terrain. In spring, such a relationship does not hold. The nested k‐means method may provide the SAR teams with a tool for near real‐time detection of a person and, as a consequence, to reduce search area to approximately 0.5–7.3% of total terrain to be visited, depending on season and land cover.
Healing Effect of Controlled Anti‐Electromigration on Conventional and High‐Tc Superconducting Nanowires
Authors: Baumans Xavier D. A. , Lombardo Joseph , Brisbois Jérémy , Shaw Gorky , Zharinov Vyacheslav S. , He Ge , Yu Heshan , Yuan Jie , Zhu Beiyi , Jin Kui , Kramer Roman B. G. , de Vondel Joris Van , Silhanek Alejandro V.
Published: May 2017

The electromigration process has the potential capability to move atoms one by one when properly controlled. It is therefore an appealing tool to tune the cross section of monoatomic compounds with ultimate resolution or, in the case of polyatomic compounds, to change the stoichiometry with the same atomic precision. As demonstrated here, a combination of electromigration and anti‐electromigration can be used to reversibly displace atoms with a high degree of control. This enables a fine adjustment of the superconducting properties of Al weak links, whereas in Nb the diffusion of atoms leads to a more irreversible process. In a superconductor with a complex unit cell (La2−xCexCuO4), the electromigration process acts selectively on the oxygen atoms with no apparent modification of the structure. This allows to adjust the doping of this compound and switch from a superconducting to an insulating state in a nearly reversible fashion. In addition, the conditions needed to replace feedback controlled electromigration by a simpler technique of electropulsing are discussed. These findings have a direct practical application as a method to explore the dependence of the characteristic parameters on the exact oxygen content and pave the way for a reversible control of local properties of nanowires.
Attenuation of Coda Waves in the Nubra-Siachen Region, Himalaya, India
Authors: Parshad Rajinder , Snehmani  , Kumar Parveen , Srivastva P. K. , Ganju A.
Published: May 2017

The attenuation properties have been estimated in the Nubra-Siachen region situated in the highly mountainous region of Himalayan belt. Coda wave quality factor (Qc) has been determined for this virgin region by using the single backscattering method. A total of thirty earthquakes recorded in this region, which fall in the epicentral distance range of 3 to 115km have been used for the present work. A 30 sec window length of coda waves at different central frequencies 1.5, 3.0, 6.0, 9.0, 12.0, 18.0 and 24.0 Hz have been studied to determine Qc at different recording stations. The frequency dependent coda wave quality factor relationships of the form Qc(f) = Qof n, have been computed at each recording stations separately: BASE: Qc(f) = (137 ± 4.2) f (0.99 ± 0.12), CHALUNKA: Qc(f) = (116±3.8)f (1.0±0.05), PARTA: Qc(f) = (122±3.0)f (1.0±0.02) , and SASOMA: Qc(f) = (111±4.1)f (1.0±0.03). A regional Qc relation has been developed for the Nubra-Siachen region by using the average value of Qc at different frequencies obtained at each recording station of the form Qc(f) = (121±7.2)f (1.0±0.04). The average Qc values vary from 183 at 1.5 Hz to 3684 at 24 Hz central frequencies. The present regional relation developed for Nubra-Siachen region indicates heterogeneous and tectonically active region.
Primary Sedimentary Structures and MISS in Gulcheru Quartzite along SW Part of Cuddapah Basin
Authors: Goswami Sukanta , Mukherjee Atanu , Bhattacharjee Purnajit , Zakaulla Syed
Published: May 2017

Sedimentary structures are very useful in paleocurrent analysis and interpretation of siliciclastic shallow marine environment. These interesting sedimentary structures such as parallel bedding, cross bedding, ripples, and mud cracks as well as synaeresis cracks, are best studied in the field. They are formed by a variety of sedimentary processes, including fluid flow, sediment-gravity flow, soft-sediment deformation and biogenic activity. Gulcheru Formation has evidence of interaction of microbial communities with clastic sedimentation during Palaeoproterozoic time. Because of high porosity-permeability of siliciclastics of Gulcheru Formation, palaeontologists do not expect many fossils preserved in such rocks and thus they have been overlooked. Microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS) are highlighted in the Gulcheru Formation. They are indicative of shallow marine environment. Gulcheru Formation shows alluvial fan to shallow marine shelf environments within a limited thickness of about ∼ 110m, which indicates an alluvial plain coast where alluvial deposits are modified by wave forces.
Petrography and Geochemistry of Archaean Greywackes from Northern Part of the Dharwar-Shimoga Greenstone Belt, Western Dharwar Craton: Implications for Nature of Provenance
Authors: Ugarkar A. G. , Kumar B. Chandan , Malapur M. A. , Manuvachari T. B. , Kerr A. C.
Published: May 2017

Greywackes (Dharwar greywackes) are the most abundant rock types in the northern part of the Dharwar-Shimoga greenstone belt of the western Dharwar craton. They are distinctly immature rocks with poorly-sorted angular to sub-angular grains, comprising largely quartz, plagioclase feldspar and lithic fragments of volcanics (mafic+felsic), chert and quartzite, with subordinate biotite, K-feldspar and muscovite. They are characterized by almost uniform silica (59.78-67.96 wt%; av. 62.58), alkali (4.62-7.35 wt%; av. 5.41) contents, SiO2/Al2O3 (3.71-5.25) ratios, and compositionally are comparable to the andesite and dacite. As compared to Ranibennur greywackes, located about 100 km south of Dharwad in the Dharwar-Shimoga greenstone belt, the Dharwar greywackes have higher K2O, CaO, Zr, Y, ΣREE, Th/Sc, Zr/Cr, La/Sc and lower Sr, Cr, Ni, Sc, Cr/Th values. The chondrite normalized patterns of Dharwar greywackes are characterized by moderately fractionated REE patterns with moderate to high LREE enrichment, with almost flat HREE patterns and small negative Eu anomalies, suggesting felsic dominated source rocks in the provenance. The frame work grains comprising felsic and mafic volcanics, feldspars and quartz suggest a mixed source in the provenance. The moderate CIA values ranging between 57 and 73, indicate derivation of detritus from fresh basement rocks and from nearby volcanic sources.The mixing calculations suggest that the average REE pattern is closely matching with a provenance having 40% dacite, 30% granite, 20% basalt and 10% tonalite. These greywackes were deposited in a subduction related fore-arc basin than a continental margin basin. Their La/Sc ratios are high (av. 4.07) compared to the Ranibennur greywackes (1.79), suggesting that the greywackes of the northern part of the basin received detritus from a more evolved continental crust than the greywackes of the central part of the Dharwar-Shimoga basin.
Fracture and Stress Orientation from Borehole Image Logs: A Case Study from Cambay Basin, India
Authors: Chatterjee Rima , Gupta Saurabh Datta , Mandal Partha Pratim
Published: May 2017

The Deccan trap basalt, laid down by multiple lava flows during upper Cretaceous to Paleocene times forms the basement of current study in Cambay basin. As such, there is great interest and value in fracture detection and evaluation of fractured basement reservoirs in the Cambay basin. The procedure for identification and evaluation of natural as well as induced fractures in basaltic basement of the Cambay basin is presented in this work. In this study formation micro-imager (FMI) and extended range micro-imager (XRMI) log data for fracture identification is used. The Deccan trap basaltic basement of the study area, comprising five wells in the Tarapur-Cambay block, has potential for holding commercial hydrocarbon due to the presence of fractures and weathered basement. Both image logs (FMI, XRMI) identify three types of fracture including open (conductive), partially open and closed (resistive) fractures, of which open and partially open fractures are important for hydrocarbon accumulation. Fracture dip ranges from 10° to 80°. Image logs have also identified washout, breakout and drilling-induced fracture zones. The strike direction of the open natural fractures for four wells varies from N60°E to N30°E whereas the strike direction of most natural fracture in the fifth well is oriented towards N20°W. The orientations of drilling-induced fractures and breakouts may be interpreted for the in-situ stress direction over the logged interval. Drilling-induced tensile fractures, identified over the depth interval of 1969–1972 m, and borehole breakouts over the interval of 1953–1955 m in one well, suggest an orientation of maximum in-situ horizontal compressive stress (SH) lies in the north-south direction. The azimuths of open natural fractures in the same well vary from north-south to N30°E. It is expected that the direction of fluid flow will be controlled by open natural fractures and therefore would be in a direction parallel to the SH direction, which is orthogonal to the minimum horizontal stress (Sh) direction. The orientations observed are consistent with the present day SH direction in the study area of Cambay basin.
Assessment of Excavatability, Abrasivity and Slope Stability in a Sandstone Quarry in Istanbul, Turkey
Authors: Er Selman , Yilmaz Murat , Ertin Altay , Tugrul Atiye , Tokgöz Nuray
Published: May 2017

The Cebeci region is characterized by outcrops of Carboniferous sandstone, including diabase dykes. This region is very important area for aggregate production in Istanbul, Turkey. The aim of this study is to determine the engineering geological properties of sandstones to assess the excavatability, abrasivity and stability of cut slopes in a quarry site. Firstly, the sandstone samples were used to determine their petrographical and mineralogical characteristics. Then, physico-mechanical tests were performed on these samples. In order to determine rock mass properties, scan-line surveys were performed, and the major orientations of discontinuities were analyzed through the stereographic projection technique. Kinematical analyses were also made to determine the potential failures at the quarry site. According to the results obtained, excavatability is changed from easy ripping to hard ripping on sandstones; the carbonated sandstone is less abrasive than other sandstones. Based on the field studies and stability analyses of the cut slopes, optimum slope geometry and necessary support measures, such as wire mesh and rock fall barriers, are suggested.
Longitudinal changes in amyloid positron emission tomography and volumetric magnetic resonance imaging in the nondemented Down syndrome population
Authors: Lao Patrick J. , Handen Ben L. , Betthauser Tobey J. , Mihaila Iulia , Hartley Sigan L. , Cohen Annie D. , Tudorascu Dana L. , Bulova Peter D. , Lopresti Brian J. , Tumuluru Rameshwari V. , Murali Dhanabalan , Mathis Chester A. , Barnhart Todd E. , Stone Charles K. , Price Julie C. , Devenny Darlynne A. , Mailick Marsha R. , Klunk William E. , Johnson Sterling C. , Christian Bradley T.
Published: May 2017

Introduction

Down syndrome (DS) arises from a triplication of chromosome 21, causing overproduction of the amyloid precursor protein and predisposes individuals to early Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods

Fifty‐two nondemented adults with DS underwent two cycles of carbon 11‐labeled Pittsburgh compound B ([11C]PiB) and T1 weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans 3.0 ± 0.6 years apart. Standard uptake value ratio (SUVR) images (50–70 minutes; cerebellar gray matter [GM]) and GM volumes were analyzed in standardized space (Montreal Neurological Institute space).

Results

85% of PiB(−) subjects remained PiB(−), whereas 15% converted to PiB(+), predominantly in the striatum. None reverted from PiB(+) to PiB(−). Increases in SUVR were distributed globally, but there were no decreases in GM volume. The PiB positivity groups differed in the percent rate of change in SUVR [PiB(−): 0.5%/year, PiB converters: 4.9%/year, and PiB(+): 3.7%/year], but not in GM volume.

Discussion

Despite the characteristic striatum‐first pattern, the global rate of amyloid accumulation differs by pre‐existing amyloid burden and precedes atrophy or dementia in the DS population, similar to general AD progression.