bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bringing the Laser to the Product
Authors: Steck Dieter
Published: April 2017

Highly agile, self‐organizing industrial 4.0 production environments require an extremely high level of intelligence and networking of all process relevant factors. Not to be underestimated in this context is the integration of laser marking systems, which ensure a safe, durable marking, and therefore a definite traceability of the produced parts or products. Optical part recognition and individual laser marking as part of the automatized production may already be state of the art, however, the list of requirements for lasers for surface marking continues to grow — especially with regards to the laser's flexibility and cost effectiveness.
Climate extreme indices derived from observed daily precipitation and temperature data over Cameroon: the need for further assessments
Authors: Menang Kaah P.
Published: April 2017

Understanding, monitoring and predicting weather and climate extremes is important because of their severe impacts on communities and ecosystems. In many parts of the world, climate extreme indices have been calculated from daily precipitation and temperature data. However, in Cameroon very few analyses of daily precipitation and temperature data have been carried out. This review is thus a call for an immediate, systematic analysis of observed climate extreme indices from daily precipitation and temperature data. The analysis will provide an understanding of the temporal and spatial variability of weather and climate extremes over Cameroon as well as contributing to the ongoing World Climate Research Programme Grand Challenge on Weather and Climate Extremes.
Measurement and modelling of temperature cold pools in the Cerdanya valley (Pyrenees), Spain
Authors: Pagès M. , Pepin N. , Miró J. R.
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

The Cerdanya valley in northeast Spain experiences intense cold air pooling which decouples the valley atmosphere from the regional circulation, especially in winter. This makes air temperature prediction a challenge. A network of 40 temperature sensors was installed in 2012 along seven elevational transects to collect hourly temperatures throughout the cold pool, enabling measurement of the detailed cold pool structure for the first time. Sensors were also installed in the upper Conflent valley to the northeast for comparison, where previous research has shown that there is reduced cold air pooling. Sensor data were validated against automatic weather station observations at two locations. Through calculation of hourly lapse rates in various elevation bands for 2 years, frequent inversions developing up to 1450 m are shown, and sometimes extending much higher than this, concentrating in winter. Case studies of two intense episodes in December 2012 and January 2013 show that model simulations, despite being able to simulate broad mechanisms of cold air pooling formation, underestimate the amount of cooling. This is due to over‐enthusiastic simulation of a low level jet in the first case and mountain waves in the second. Solving these model problems has important consequences for the future ability to predict episodes of extreme low temperatures and associated hazards (frost, fog) in Cerdanya and mountain valleys elsewhere.
Development of Simple QSPR Models for the Prediction of the Heat of Decomposition of Organic Peroxides
Authors: Prana Vinca , Rotureau Patricia , André David , Fayet Guillaume , Adamo Carlo
Published: April 2017

Quantitative structure‐property relationships represent alternative method to experiments to access the estimation of physico‐chemical properties of chemicals for screening purpose at R&D level but also to gather missing data in regulatory context. In particular, such predictions were encouraged by the REACH regulation for the collection of data, provided that they are developed respecting the rigorous principles of validation proposed by OECD. In this context, a series of organic peroxides, unstable chemicals which can easily decompose and may lead to explosion, were investigated to develop simple QSPR models that can be used in a regulatory framework. Only constitutional and topological descriptors were employed to achieve QSPR models predicting the heat of decomposition, which could be used without any time consuming preliminary structure calculations at quantum chemical level. To validate the models, the original experimental dataset was divided into a training and a validation set according to two methods of partitioning, one based on the property value and the other based on the structure of the molecules by the mean of PCA. Four QSPR models were developed upon the type of descriptors and the methods of partitioning. The 2 models issuing from the PCA based method were highlighted as they presented good predictive power and they are easier to apply than our previous quantum chemical based model, since they do not need any preliminary calculations.
Bound and anti‐bound states for coupled‐channel scattering
Authors: Abdelmoula Salmine , Baklouti Hamadi
Published: April 2017

We discuss bound and anti‐bound states for 2×2 matrix Schrödinger operator. We analyze the Fredholm determinant for Hamiltonians that can be represented in a multi‐channel framework. Our analysis covers the whole and the half‐line problems. We obtain some results on counting anti‐bound states between successive bound states. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Explicit solution and Darboux transformation for a new discrete integrable soliton hierarchy with 4×4 Lax pairs
Authors: yu Fajun , Feng Shuo
Published: April 2017

The Darboux transformation method with 4×4 spectral problem has more complexity than 2×2 and 3×3 spectral problems. In this paper, we start from a new discrete spectral problem with a 4×4 Lax pairs and construct a lattice hierarchy by properly choosing an auxiliary spectral problem, which can be reduced to a new discrete soliton hierarchy. For the obtained lattice integrable coupling equation, we establish a Darboux transformation and apply the gauge transformation to a specific equation and then the explicit solutions of the lattice integrable coupling equation are obtained. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrafast compartmentalized relaxation time mapping with linear algebraic modeling
Authors: Zhang Yi , Liu Xiaoyang , Zhou Jinyuan , Bottomley Paul A.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

To dramatically accelerate compartmental‐average longitudinal (T1) and transverse (T2) relaxation measurements using the minimal‐acquisition linear algebraic modeling (SLAM) method, and to validate it in phantoms and humans.

Methods

Relaxation times were imaged at 3 Tesla in phantoms, in the abdomens of six volunteers, and in six brain tumor patients using standard inversion recovery and multi–spin‐echo sequences. k‐space was fully sampled to provide reference T1 and T2 measurements, and SLAM was performed using a limited set of phase encodes from central k‐space. Anatomical compartments were segmented on scout images post‐acquisition, and SLAM reconstruction was implemented using two algorithms. Compartment‐average T1 and T2 measurements were determined retroactively from fully sampled data sets, and proactively from SLAM data sets at acceleration factors of up to 16. Values were compared with reference measurements. The compartment's localization properties were analyzed using the discrete spatial response function.

Results

At 16‐fold acceleration, compartment‐average SLAM T1 measurements agreed with the full k‐space compartment‐average results to within 0.0% ± 0.7%, 1.4% ± 3.4%, and 0.5% ± 2.9% for phantom, abdominal, and brain T1 measurements, respectively. The corresponding T2 measurements agreed within 0.2% ± 1.9%, 0.9% ± 7.9%, and 0.4% ± 5.8%, respectively.

Conclusion

SLAM can dramatically accelerate relaxation time measurements when compartmental or lesion‐average values can suffice, or when standard relaxometry is precluded by scan‐time limitations. Magn Reson Med 79:286–297, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Physicomechanical, friction, and abrasion properties of EVA/PU blend foams foamed by supercritical nitrogen
Authors: Zhang Zhen Xiu , Zhang Tao , Wang Dan , Zhang Xin , Xin Zhenxiang , Prakashan K.
Published: April 2017

Elastomer foams based on EVA, PU, and EVA/PU blends formulated for shoe‐sole applications were prepared by a supercritical N2 batch foaming process and characterized for physicomechanical, friction and abrasion properties. The blending of EVA with PU was aimed for improving the friction and wear characteristics of the EVA based foams. All of the foams prepared showed spherical cells with closed‐cell morphology and the cell sizes varied with varying the EVA/PU blend ratio and CaCO3 content of the foams. The properties such as hardness and resilience, friction coefficients and abrasion resistance improved for the EVA/PU blend foams compared to the EVA foam, but their compression set, tensile strength, and tear strength were inferior to the EVA foam. The incorporation of CaCO3 filler increased density, hardness, tensile strength, and tear strength of the EVA/PU blend foams but decreased resilience, compression set, friction coefficients, and abrasion resistance. The improvement in friction coefficients and wear resistance obtained in the EVA/PU blend foams was significant for shoe‐sole applications. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Synthesis of silane‐grafted ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and its application to compatibilize the blend of ethylene‐propylene‐diene copolymer and silicone rubber
Authors: Zhang Weijian , Yan Wei , Pan Renjie , Guo Weihong , Wu Genhua
Published: April 2017

Vinyltrimethoxysilane‐grafted ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA‐g‐VTMS) was synthesized and applied to compatibilize ethylene‐propylene‐diene copolymer (EPDM)/methyl vinyl silicone rubber (MVQ) blends. The silane‐grafting was successfully proved by differential scanning calorimetry, FTIR spectroscopy and XPS spectroscopy. The additive amount of the compatibilizer (EVA‐g‐VTMS) was optimized to be 10 phr (parts per hundred of rubber in weight) based on analysis of scanning electron microscopy, mechanical properties, aging properties, dynamic mechanical properties, rheological properties and thermal properties. Compared with the blend without EVA‐g‐VTMS, results show that the blend with 10 phr of EVA‐g‐VTMS exhibits the finest morphology. Tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus at 100% elongation, tear strength and TE index increase by 82.5%, 16.9%, 60.0%, 40.9%, and 41.9%, respectively. Dynamic mechanical analysis reveals storage modulus increase and glass transition temperatures of EPDM and MVQ move closer to each other. Rheological analysis shows a decrease in complex modulus and complex viscosity, and the processibility of the blend was improved. Furthermore, thermogravimetric analysis shows enhancement of thermal stability. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Advanced cancer caregiving as a risk for major depressive episodes and generalized anxiety disorder
Authors: Trevino Kelly M. , Prigerson Holly G. , Maciejewski Paul K.
Published: April 2017

Objective

Caregivers of advanced cancer patients provide extensive care associated with high levels of caregiver distress. The degree to which cancer caregiving increases caregivers' risk for a psychiatric disorder is unknown. The current study examines whether advanced cancer caregiving poses distinct risks for initial and recurrent major depressive episodes (MDEs) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) relative to the general population.

Methods

Caregivers of advanced cancer patients (N = 540) from Coping with Cancer were compared to general population controls (N = 9282) from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. The general population comparison sample was propensity‐weighted to be demographically similar to the caregiver sample.

Results

Caregivers of advanced cancer patients were more likely than individuals in the general population to have an initial MDE (OR = 7.7; 95% CI, 3.5‐17.0; P < .001), but no more likely than the general population to have a recurrent MDE (OR = 1.1; 95% CI, 0.6‐2.1; P = .662). Caregivers were also more likely than the general population to have GAD (OR = 3.0; 95% CI, 1.9‐4.8; P < .001) and comorbid MDE and GAD (OR = 2.5; 95% CI, 1.1‐5.9; P = .038).

Conclusions

The increased risk of meeting diagnostic criteria for current MDE and GAD and comorbid MDE and GAD associated with advanced cancer caregiving highlights the degree of emotional burden among cancer caregivers. Clinical services that assess, prevent, and treat depression and anxiety in cancer caregivers are needed to reduce the burden of caregiving and improve the mental health of this growing population.
Feasibility and acceptability of “healthy directions” a lifestyle intervention for adults with lung cancer
Authors: Blok Amanda C. , Blonquist Traci M. , Nayak Manan M. , Somayaji Darryl , Crouter Scott E. , Hayman Laura L. , Colson Yolonda L. , Bueno Raphael , Emmons Karen M. , Cooley Mary E.
Published: April 2017

Objective

The aims of this feasibility study of an adapted lifestyle intervention for adults with lung cancer were to (1) determine rates of enrollment, attrition, and completion of 5 nurse‐patient contacts; (2) examine demographic characteristics of those more likely to enroll into the program; (3) determine acceptability of the intervention; and (4) identify patient preferences for the format of supplemental educational intervention materials.

Methods

This study used a single‐arm, pretest and posttest design. Feasibility was defined as ≥20% enrollment and a completion rate of 70% for 5 nurse‐patient contact sessions. Acceptability was defined as 80% of patients recommending the program to others. Data was collected through electronic data bases and phone interviews. Descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used for analyses.

Results

Of 147 eligible patients, 42 (28.6%) enrolled and of these, 32 (76.2%) started the intervention and 27 (N = 27/32; 84.4%; 95% CI, 67.2%‐94.7%) completed the intervention. Patients who were younger were more likely to enroll in the study (P = .04) whereas there were no significant differences by gender (P = .35). Twenty‐three of the 24 (95.8%) participants' contacted posttest recommended the intervention for others. Nearly equal numbers of participants chose the website (n = 16, 50%) vs print (n = 14, 44%).

Conclusion

The intervention was feasible and acceptable in patients with lung cancer. Recruitment rates were higher and completion rates were similar as compared to previous home‐based lifestyle interventions for patients with other types of cancer. Strategies to enhance recruitment of older adults are important for future research.
NMR structures and molecular dynamics simulation of hylin‐a1 peptide analogs interacting with micelles
Authors: Crusca Edson , Câmara Amanda Souza , Matos Carolina Oliveira , Marchetto Reinaldo , Cilli Eduardo Maffud , Lião Luciano Morais , Lima de Oliveira Aline
Published: April 2017

Antimicrobial peptides are recognized candidates with pharmaceutical potential against epidemic emerging multi‐drug resistant bacteria. In this study, we use nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations to determine the unknown structure and evaluate the interaction with dodecylphosphatidylcholine (DPC) and sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) micelles with three W6‐Hylin‐a1 analogs antimicrobial peptides (HyAc, HyK, and HyD). The HyAc, HyK, and HyD bound to DPC micelles are all formed by a unique α‐helix structure. Moreover, all peptides reach the DPC micelles' core, which thus suggests that the N‐terminal modifications do not influence the interaction with zwiterionic surfaces. On the other hand, only HyAc and HyK peptides are able to penetrate the SDS micelle core while HyD remains always at its surface. The stability of the α‐helical structure, after peptide‐membrane interaction, can also be important to the second step of peptide insertion into the membrane hydrophobic core during permeabilization. Copyright © 2017 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploration and performance evaluation of microwave‐induced plasma with different discharge gases for ambient desorption/ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Yin Jinwei , Zhao Zhongjun , Zhan Xuefang , Duan Yixiang
Published: April 2017

Rationale

Microwave‐induced plasma (MIP) with different discharge gases of argon or helium provides significant plasma‐based ambient desorption/ionization sources, which have potential applicability in direct analysis of complex samples without any sample pre‐treatment. In this study, experiments were conducted to better understand microwave‐induced plasma desorption/ionization (MIPDI) sources and the corresponding ionization mechanisms.

Methods

Emission spectra of microwave‐induced argon (MIP‐Ar) and helium (MIP‐He) plasmas were obtained from the plasma tail flame of a MIP source. Compounds including L‐phenylalanine, L‐serine, L‐valine, urea, 4‐acetaminophen, gallic acid and L‐ascorbic acid were analyzed using both sources. Polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400) oligomers were detected by MIP‐Ar and MIP‐He mass spectrometry at different microwave powers. Mass spectra of higher molecular weight PEGs (including PEG800, PEG1000 and PEG2000) were also acquired using both sources.

Results

In the emission spectra, N2, H‐I and O‐I species were observed by MIP‐Ar/He. In addition, SiO2, Na‐I, Si‐I and Si‐II species were generated by MIP‐He. In the mass spectra of compounds, [M+H]+, [2M+H]+, [M+O+H]+, [M+2O–H]+ and fragment ions were observed. In the mass spectra of PEG400 obtained by MIP‐Ar/He at different microwave powers, higher molecular weight oligomers could only be observed with higher microwave power. PEGs with molecular weights as high as 1000 Da were also successfully analyzed by MIPDI.

Conclusions

According to the different natures of the samples, either MIP‐Ar or MIP‐He can be chosen as a working ion source for mass spectrometry. The MIPDI source is potentially applicable to the analysis of compounds with high molecular weights, especially polymers with high degree of polymerization (such as PEG2000), which is a challenging issue for the traditional ambient ionization sources. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An electrospray ionization mass spectrometry study of azidoacetic acid/transition metal complexes
Authors: Pinto Vítor S. , Marques Susana C. R. , Rodrigues Paula , Barros M. Teresa , Costa M. Lourdes , Langley G. John , Fernandez M. Tereza , Cabral Benedito J. C. , Duarte M. Filomena , Couto Narciso
Published: April 2017

Rationale

The complexation behavior of transition metals with organic azides by electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) is not completely understood. In this study, fragmentation patterns of complex ions having azidoacetic acid coordinated to Ni/Co/Fe were elucidated. The role of transition metals in the mediation of ligand rearrangements in gas phase is experimentally supported.

Methods

The complexation of some transition metals, nickel, cobalt and iron, by azidoacetic acid was studied by means of ESI and MS/MS. Fragmentation patterns were discerned via consecutive MS/MS experiments on an ion trap mass spectrometer and confirmed by high‐resolution (HR) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance MS. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to characterize the major ions observed in MS.

Results

Only singly positively charged complex ions were detected presenting various stoichiometries. MS/MS and theoretical calculations allowed us to confirm assignments and coordination sites. Structural evidence suggested that the azidoacetic acid can behave as monodentate and/or bidentate and coordination through the oxygen and nitrogen atoms are both possible. Experimental evidence strongly points to a role of Ni/Co/Fe, in oxidative state (I), in mediating C–C bond activation in the gas phase.

Conclusions

MS/MS and HRMS experiments were able to elucidate azidoacetic acid complexation with Ni/Co/Fe and several gas‐phase processes involving metal reduction and rearrangements. The definition of the coordination pattern dictated by the competition between the nitrogen and the oxygen atoms is also dependent on the metal centre in a very dynamic process. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bone Marrow, Adipose, and Lung Tissue-Derived Murine Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Release Different Mediators and Differentially Affect Airway and Lung Parenchyma in Experimental Asthma
Authors: Abreu Soraia C. , Antunes Mariana A. , Xisto Debora G. , Cruz Fernanda F. , Branco Vivian C. , Bandeira Elga , Zola Kitoko Jamil , de Araújo Almair F. , Dellatorre-Texeira Ludmilla , Olsen Priscilla C. , Weiss Daniel J. , Diaz Bruno L. , Morales Marcelo M. , Rocco Patricia R. M.
Published: April 2017

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from different sources have differential effects on lung injury. To compare the effects of murine MSCs from bone marrow (BM), adipose tissue (AD), and lung tissue (LUNG) on inflammatory and remodeling processes in experimental allergic asthma, female C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) or saline (C). Twenty-four hours after the last challenge, mice received either saline (50 µl, SAL), BM-MSCs, AD-MSCs, or LUNG-MSCs (105 cells per mouse in 50 µl total volume) intratracheally. At 1 week, BM-MSCs produced significantly greater reductions in resistive and viscoelastic pressures, bronchoconstriction index, collagen fiber content in lung parenchyma (but not airways), eosinophil infiltration, and levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in lung homogenates compared to AD-MSCs and LUNG-MSCs. Only BM-MSCs increased IL-10 and interferon (IFN)-γ in lung tissue. In parallel in vitro experiments, BM-MSCs increased M2 macrophage polarization, whereas AD-MSCs and LUNG-MSCs had higher baseline levels of IL-4, insulin-like growth factor (IGF), and VEGF secretion. Exposure of MSCs to serum specimens obtained from asthmatic mice promoted reductions in secretion of these mediators, particularly in BM-MSCs. Intratracheally administered BM-MSCs, AD-MSCs, and LUNG-MSCs were differentially effective at reducing airway inflammation and remodeling and improving lung function in the current model of allergic asthma. In conclusion, intratracheal administration of MSCs from BM, AD, and LUNG were differentially effective at reducing airway inflammation and remodeling and improving lung function comparably reduced inflammation and fibrogenesis in this asthma model. However, altered lung mechanics and lung remodeling responded better to BM-MSCs than to AD-MSCs or LUNG-MSCs. Moreover, each type of MSC was differentially affected in a surrogate in vitro model of the in vivo lung environment.
Influence of metal electrodes on c‐axis orientation of AlN thin films deposited by DC magnetron sputtering
Authors: Imran Shahid , Yuan Jun , Yin Ge , Ma Yungui , He Sailing
Published: April 2017

Nanocrystalline aluminum nitride (AlN) thin films were deposited on two types of metallic seed layers on silicon substrates, (111) textured Pt and (110) Mo, by reactive DC magnetron sputtering at low temperature (200 °C). Both textured films of Pt and Mo promote nucleation, thereby improving the crystallinity and epitaxial growth condition for AlN thin films. The deposited films were examined by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy techniques. The results indicated that the preferred orientation of crystallites greatly depends upon the kinetic energy of the sputtered species (target power) and seed layers used. Furthermore, AlN thin films with c‐axis perpendicular to the substrate grew on both types of metal electrodes at all power levels larger than 100 W. By comparing the structural properties and compressive stresses at perfect c‐axis orientation conditions, it is evident that AlN films deposited on (110) oriented Mo substrates exhibited superior properties as compared with Pt/Ti seed layers. Furthermore, less values of compressive stresses (−3 GPa) as compared with Pt/Ti substrates (−7.08 GPa) make Mo preferentially better candidate to be employed in the field of suspended Micro/Nano ‐ electromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) for piezoelectric devices. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic probability control limits for risk‐adjusted CUSUM charts based on multiresponses
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Loda Justin B. , Woodall William H.
Published: April 2017

For a patient who has survived a surgery, there could be several levels of recovery. Thus, it is reasonable to consider more than two outcomes when monitoring surgical outcome quality. The risk‐adjusted cumulative sum (CUSUM) chart based on multiresponses has been developed for monitoring a surgical process with three or more outcomes. However, there is a significant effect of varying risk distributions on the in‐control performance of the chart when constant control limits are applied. To overcome this disadvantage, we apply the dynamic probability control limits to the risk‐adjusted CUSUM charts for multiresponses. The simulation results demonstrate that the in‐control performance of the charts with dynamic probability control limits can be controlled for different patient populations because these limits are determined for each specific sequence of patients. Thus, the use of dynamic probability control limits for risk‐adjusted CUSUM charts based on multiresponses allows each chart to be designed for the corresponding patient sequence of a surgeon or a hospital and therefore does not require estimating or monitoring the patients' risk distribution. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization the carotenoid productions and profiles of three Rhodosporidiumtoruloides mutants from Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated transformation
Authors: Lin Xinping , Gao Ning , Liu Sasa , Zhang Sufang , Song Shuang , Ji Chaofan , Dong Xiuping , Su Yichen , Zhao Zongbao Kent , Zhu Beiwei
Published: April 2017

The red yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides is a known lipid producer capable of accumulating large amounts of triacylglycerols and carotenoids. However, it remains challenging to study its carotenoid production profiles owing to limited biochemical information and inefficient genetic tools. Here we used an Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated transformation (ATMT) to change its carotenoid production and profiles. We constructed R. toruloides NP11 mutant libraries with ATMT, selected three mutants with different colours, characterized their carotenoid products by high‐pressure liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS) analysis and assured differences among those strains in terms of carotenoid production and its composition profiles. We then located T‐DNA insertion sites using the genome walking technology and provided discussions in terms of the new phenotypes. This study is the first of its kind to change the carotenoid production profiles in R. toruloides. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physicochemical Properties of Acer truncatum Seed Oil Extracted Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Hu Peng , Xu Xuebing , Yu Liangli
Published: April 2017

Acer truncatum seed oil rich in nervonic acid was extracted using supercritical carbon dioxide. GC (Gas Chromatography) analysis revealed that the oil contained approximately 6.22% nervonic acid. The sn‐2 compositions were also determined using lipase hydrolysis. A total of 52 triacylglycerides (TAG) were tentatively identified in the oil using an ultra‐performance convergence chromatography (UPC2) coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (Q‐TOF‐MS) for the first time. In addition, the contents of phytosterols (1961.9–2402.8 μmol/kg) and β‐carotene (2.09–2.35 μmol/kg) were also quantified for the first time, along with tocopherols (2352.0–2654.3 μmol/kg). The γ‐tocopherol (1296.9‐1442.3 μmol/kg) was the primary tocopherol, while β‐sitosterol (1355.2–1631.3 μmol/kg) was the dominant phytosterol. The physicochemical properties of the oil were also investigated. This study indicated that A. truncatum seed oil is rich in nervonic acid and other nutraceutical constituents. It has a high potential in functional foods for improving human health.
Patient healthcare trajectory. An essential monitoring tool: a systematic review
Authors: Pinaire Jessica , Azé Jérôme , Bringay Sandra , Landais Paul
Published: April 2017

Background

Patient healthcare trajectory is a recent emergent topic in the literature, encompassing broad concepts. However, the rationale for studying patients’ trajectories, and how this trajectory concept is defined remains a public health challenge. Our research was focused on patients’ trajectories based on disease management and care, while also considering medico-economic aspects of the associated management. We illustrated this concept with an example: a myocardial infarction (MI) occurring in a patient’s hospital trajectory of care. The patient follow-up was traced via the prospective payment system. We applied a semi-automatic text mining process to conduct a comprehensive review of patient healthcare trajectory studies. This review investigated how the concept of trajectory is defined, studied and what it achieves.

Methods

We performed a PubMed search to identify reports that had been published in peer-reviewed journals between January 1, 2000 and October 31, 2015. Fourteen search questions were formulated to guide our review. A semi-automatic text mining process based on a semantic approach was performed to conduct a comprehensive review of patient healthcare trajectory studies. Text mining techniques were used to explore the corpus in a semantic perspective in order to answer non-a priori questions. Complementary review methods on a selected subset were used to answer a priori questions.

Results

Among the 33,514 publications initially selected for analysis, only 70 relevant articles were semi-automatically extracted and thoroughly analysed. Oncology is particularly prevalent due to its already well-established processes of care. For the trajectory thema, 80% of articles were distributed in 11 clusters. These clusters contain distinct semantic information, for example health outcomes (29%), care process (26%) and administrative and financial aspects (16%).

Conclusion

This literature review highlights the recent interest in the trajectory concept. The approach is also gradually being used to monitor trajectories of care for chronic diseases such as diabetes, organ failure or coronary artery and MI trajectory of care, to improve care and reduce costs. Patient trajectory is undoubtedly an essential approach to be further explored in order to improve healthcare monitoring.
Pharmacologic Complement Inhibition in Clinical Transplantation
Authors: Tatapudi Vasishta S. , Montgomery Robert A.
Published: April 2017

Purpose of Review

Over the past two decades, significant strides made in our understanding of the etiology of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in transplantation have put the complement system in the spotlight. Here, we review recent progress made in the field of pharmacologic complement inhibition in clinical transplantation and aim to understand the impact of this therapeutic approach on outcomes in transplant recipients.

Recent Findings

Encouraged by the success of agents targeting the complement cascade in disorders of unrestrained complement activation like paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), investigators are testing the safety and efficacy of pharmacologic complement blockade in mitigating allograft injury in conditions ranging from AMR to recurrent post-transplant aHUS, C3 glomerulopathies and antiphospholipid anti-body syndrome (APS). A recent prospective study demonstrated the efficacy of terminal complement inhibition with eculizumab in the prevention of acute AMR in human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-incompatible living donor renal transplant recipients. C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) was well tolerated in two recent studies in the treatment of AMR and was associated with improved renal allograft function.

Pharmacologic complement inhibition is emerging as valuable therapeutic tool, especially in the management of highly sensitized renal transplant recipients. Novel and promising agents that target various elements in the complement cascade are in development.
Evaluation of symptoms and risks in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with radiographic bronchiectasis
Authors: Zhang Rong‐Bao , Yuan Fei , Tan Xing‐Yu , He Quan‐Ying
Published: April 2017

Objective

To investigate the presence of previously undiagnosed radiographic bronchiectasis in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients using high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and to evaluate the effect of radiographic bronchiectasis on the symptoms and risks in stable COPD patients.

Methods

From May 2012 to April 2014, there were 347 patients enrolled in COPD database. Data describing the general conditions, the frequency of acute exacerbations the year before, COPD assessment test, modified medical research council (mMRC) score, spirometric classification, and HRCT were collected. COPD patients were classified into two groups: COPD with bronchiectasis and COPD without bronchiectasis. The clinical characteristics of both groups were compared.

Results

Bronchiectasis was presented in 18.4% (n = 64). The proportion of smokers, smoking index, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second predicted value were 62.5%, 27.3 ± 13.2, 48.2 ± 26.4, respectively, in the bronchiectasis group, which were lower than those of the group without bronchiectasis (82.0%, 32.6 ± 17.6, and 57.9 ± 18.8) (P < 0.05). Complications, COPD assessment test (CAT) and the rate of CAT ≥ 10 in the bronchiectasis group were 2.8 ± 1.7,13.6 ± 7.4 and 26.6%, respectively, which were higher than those of the group without bronchiectasis (2.3 ± 1.5,11.3 ± 6.0, and 11.7%) (P < 0.05). The proportion of type D (high‐risk more‐symptoms) in the bronchiectasis group was 50.0%; it was significantly higher than that of 35.7% in the group without bronchiectasis (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

COPD with bronchiectasis is associated with more complications, symptoms, and risks. More attention should be paid to the treatment of COPD with bronchiectasis to reduce the frequency of exacerbation and improve the health status.
Lithology, organic geochemistry, and petroleum potential of the northern areas of the Kureika syneclise
Authors: Varaksina I.V. , Timoshina I.D. , Kontorovich A.E. , Tumashov I.V.
Published: April 2017

We present results of lithological and geochemical studies of Paleozoic deposits stripped by drilling within the Ledyanskaya area in the north of the Tunguska syneclise. The studied section has a terrigenous sulfate–carbonate composition and is complicated by trap intrusions. We have established that the Ordovician–Devonian sedimentation proceeded within an epicontinental basin, with its depth varying from supralittoral to lower sublittoral zones. In the Carboniferous and Permian, coastal-continental sedimentation was predominant; in the Late Permian it was accompanied by volcanic activity. Analysis of the poroperm properties of rocks has distinguished three potential oil reservoirs: Silurian reef carbonate deposits and Ordovician and Carboniferous sand horizons. The Lower Silurian argillaceous–carbonate rocks and Devonian carbonate–sulfate–clay members, halite beds, dolerite bodies, and tuffaceous rocks are probably confining beds of these reservoirs. Geochemical study of organic matter has shown several possible sources of hydrocarbons: Upper Proterozoic deposits, Lower and Middle Cambrian Kuonamka complex, Middle Devonian Yukta Formation, and Upper Paleozoic coal-bearing deposits.
Sex moderates the effects of positive and negative affect on clinical pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Speed Traci J. , Richards Jessica M. , Finan Patrick H. , Smith Michael T.
Published: April 2017

Background and aims

Sex differences in clinical pain severity and response to experimental pain are commonly reported, with women generally showing greater vulnerability. Affect, including state (a single rating) and stable (average daily ratings over two weeks) positive affect and negative affect has also been found to impact pain sensitivity and severity, and research suggests that affect may modulate pain differentially as a function of sex. The current study aimed to examine sex as a moderator of the relationships between affect and pain-related outcomes among participants with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Methods

One hundred and seventy-nine participants (59 men) with KOA completed electronic diaries assessing clinical pain, positive affect, and negative affect. A subset of participants (n = 120) underwent quantitative sensory testing, from which a single index of central sensitization to pain was derived. We used multiple regression models to test for the interactive effects of sex and affect (positive versus negative and stable versus state) on pain-related outcomes. We used mixed effects models to test for the moderating effects of sex on the relationships between state affect and pain over time.

Results

Sex differences in affect and pain were identified, with men reporting significantly higher stable positive affect and lower central sensitization to pain indexed by quantitative sensory testing, as well as marginally lower KOA-specific clinical pain compared to women. Moreover, there was an interaction between stable positive affect and sex on KOA-specific clinical pain and average daily non-specific pain ratings. Post hoc analyses revealed that men showed trends towards an inverse relationship between stable positive affect and pain outcomes, while women showed no relationship between positive affect and pain. There was also a significant interaction between sex and stable negative affect and sex on KOA-specific pain such that men showed a significantly stronger positive relationship between stable negative affect and KOA-specific pain than women. Sex did not interact with state affect on pain outcomes.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that men may be particularly sensitive to the effects of stable positive affect and negative affect on clinical pain. Future work with larger samples is needed in order to identify potential mechanisms driving the sex-specific effects of affect on pain.

Implications

The current study provides novel data that suggesting that the association of positive affect, negative affect, and pain are different in men versus women with KOA. Further understanding of the difference in affective expression between men and women may lead to the development of novel therapeutic interventions and help to identify additional modifiable factors in the prevention and management of pain.
Belts Evaluated as Limb Tourniquets: BELT Study Comparing Trouser Supporters Used as Medical Devices in a Manikin Model of Wound Bleeding
Authors: Bequette Blake W. , Kragh John F. , Aden James K. , Dubick Michael A.
Published: April 2017

Objective

The purpose of the present study is to compare several models of commercially designed belts as used as a tourniquet.

Methods

In the Belts Evaluated as Limb Tourniquets (BELT) study, an experiment was designed to test the effectiveness of pants belts as nonimprovised medical devices to control hemorrhage in a manikin. Models of belts included Tourni-belt, Tourniquet Belt, ParaBelt, and Battle Buddy. Data collected included effectiveness, time to stop bleeding, total time of application, pressure, blood loss, and composite results (score count of good results; composite outcome good if every component was good).

Results

Differences in effectiveness percentages among models were not statistically significant. The difference in mean between users was statistically significant for stop time, total time, pressure, blood loss, composite score, and composite outcome. Mean time to stop bleeding differed for only 1 pair of models after the Tukey-Kramer adjustment; ParaBelt was faster than Tourniquet Belt. Mean total time of application differed between ParaBelt–Tourniquet Belt and Tourni-belt–Tourniquet Belt; the former model in both pairs was faster. No significant difference in mean blood loss measured by model was found. For composite outcome score, no pairwise difference between models was significant. For composite outcome (good-bad), ParaBelt had good results in 75% of tests; the other 3 models had significantly worse results.

Conclusions

In a preliminary laboratory analysis of belt tourniquet models using a manikin, performance differed by model. ParaBelt performed better than other models for the composite outcome.
Impact of a multifaceted antimicrobial stewardship program: A front-line ownership driven quality improvement project in a large urban emergency department
Authors: Kaufman Adam Jonathan , McCready Janine , Powis Jeff
Published: April 2017

Background

Antibiotic overuse has promoted growing rates of antimicrobial resistance and secondary antibiotic-associated infections such asClostridium difficile(C. difficile). Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are effective in reducing antimicrobial use in the inpatient setting; however, the unique environment of the emergency department (ED) lends itself to challenges for successful implementation. Front-line ownership (FLO) methodology has been shown to be a potentially effective strategy for the implementation of inpatient ASPs through an iterative multi-pronged approach driven by front-line providers.

Objective

To determine whether a FLO approach to antimicrobial stewardship in the ED can alter antimicrobial usage.

Methods

Interventions were driven by ED physicians and facilitated by Infectious Diseases Division physicians from the hospital’s ASP using FLO principles. Measured end points included antibiotic usage in the ED as measured by defined daily doses, and rates of urine culture sent from the ED.

Results

There was a step-wise significant reduction in the use of azithromycin (p=0.006), ceftriaxone (p=0.045), ciprofloxacin (p=0.034), and moxifloxacin (p=0.008). There was also a significant reduction in rates of urine cultures (p<0.001) by 2.26 urine cultures per 100 ED patient visits.

Conclusions

FLO offers a promising approach to successful implementation of an ASP in the ED. Future studies would be important to evaluate the generalizability of the FLO approach to ASP development in other EDs and to determine strategies to improve the sustainability of reductions in antimicrobial use.
From community engagement, to community-engaged research, to broadly engaged team science
Authors: Selker Harry P. , Wilkins Consuelo H.
Published: April 2017

A foundational principle and practice for translational research is active participation of a range of disciplines, referred to as “team science.” It is increasingly apparent that to be relevant and impactful, these teams must also include stakeholders outside the usual academic research community, such as patients, communities, and not-for- and for-profit organizations. To emphasize the need to link the practices of team science and of community-engaged research, we propose a framework that has community members and stakeholders as integral members of the research team, which we term, “broadly engaged team science.” Such transdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder teams will be best suited to pose translational research questions, conduct the research, and interpret and disseminate the results. We think this will generate important and impactful science, and will support the public’s regard for, and participation in, research.
A Novel Twist to Tocqueville: Competing Visions of Democracy inParrot and Olivier in America
Authors: Johnson Joel
Published: April 2017

Peter Carey'sParrot and Olivier in Americais a fictionalized version of Tocqueville's travels through the young United States. Unlike Tocqueville, Olivier de Garmont is accompanied by Parrot Larrit, an English servant who offers a bold egalitarian counterpoint to Olivier's aristocratic liberalism. This article compares Carey's work with Tocqueville's on the consequences of democracy for political institutions, education, and art; discusses Carey's technique of using alternating narration between Olivier and Parrot to capture the complexities of American democracy; and concludes with thoughts about being a friendly critic of democracy in the twenty-first century. AlthoughParrot and Olivieris no substitute forDemocracy in America, it addresses Tocqueville's concerns in a creative and subtle manner, prompting reflection on whether—to use Olivier's terms—democracy has “ripened well.”
The Pagan-Christian Admixture in Romeo Castellucci's Oedipus the Tyrant
Authors: Hyldig Keld
Published: April 2017

In 2015, the Italian director Romeo Castellucci presented Oedipus the Tyrant at the Schaubühne in Berlin. His staging was based on the German poet-philosopher Friedrich Hölderlin's translation of 1804, which is known for its peculiar linguistic, philosophical, and theatrical approaches to Greek tragedy. In this article Keld Hyldig examines how Castellucci, in a response to Hölderlin's translation and commentaries on the tragedy, staged Oedipus as a theatrical and philosophical confrontation between religious and rational approaches to knowledge. The staging was seemingly simple, showing a group of nuns performing Oedipus in a monastery. However, the nuns’ Christian and feminine performance of the pagan and masculine tragedy was the basis of a metatheatrical complexity, which was reinforced through a film projection showing Romeo Castellucci getting tear gas sprayed in his eyes, making the relation between physical reality and fictional representation problematic. Keld Hyldig is an Associate Professor in Theatre Studies at the University of Bergen. He has published several articles about the Ibsen tradition in Norwegian theatre and is currently working on a monograph on that subject.
Parent–child intervention decreases stress and increases maternal brain activity and connectivity during own baby-cry: An exploratory study
Authors: Swain James E. , Ho S. Shaun , Rosenblum Katherine L. , Morelen Diana , Dayton Carolyn J. , Muzik Maria
Published: April 2017

Parental responses to their children are crucially influenced by stress. However, brain-based mechanistic understanding of the adverse effects of parenting stress and benefits of therapeutic interventions is lacking. We studied maternal brain responses to salient child signals as a function of Mom Power (MP), an attachment-based parenting intervention established to decrease maternal distress. Twenty-nine mothers underwent two functional magnetic resonance imaging brain scans during a baby-cry task designed to solicit maternal responses to child's or self's distress signals. Between scans, mothers were pseudorandomly assigned to either MP (n = 14) or control (n = 15) with groups balanced for depression. Compared to control, MP decreased parenting stress and increased child-focused responses in social brain areas highlighted by the precuneus and its functional connectivity with subgenual anterior cingulate cortex, which are key components of reflective self-awareness and decision-making neurocircuitry. Furthermore, over 13 weeks, reduction in parenting stress was related to increasing child- versus self-focused baby-cry responses in amygdala–temporal pole functional connectivity, which may mediate maternal ability to take her child's perspective. Although replication in larger samples is needed, the results of this first parental-brain intervention study demonstrate robust stress-related brain circuits for maternal care that can be modulated by psychotherapy.