bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of uterine volume: A comparison between Viewpoint and 3D ultrasound estimation in women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy
Authors: Casikar Ishwari , Mongelli Max , Reid Shannon , Condous George
Published: December 2015

Objectives: To assess the three‐dimensional (3D) tool, Virtual Organ Computed‐aided AnaLysis™ (VOCAL) in the calculation of pre‐operative uterine volume and to correlate the measurements with those obtained with Viewpoint, using uterine dry weight (UDW) as the gold standard.

Methods: Prospective observational study of women consented for a laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) at Nepean Hospital between October 2008 and November 2011. All women underwent detailed transvaginal scan (TVS) at the pre‐operative assessment. Two‐dimensional (D) images of the uterus were obtained both in the mid‐sagittal and transverse planes. 3D volumetric acquisitions were also obtained for each uterus in the mid‐sagittal plane. 2D measurements of the uterus in millimetres (Anterio‐Posterior, longitudinal and transverse) were recorded in Viewpoint software package (GE Healthcare ViewPoint, Germany); which then generated an estimated uterine volume (ml) using the ellipsoid formula. The 3D uterine volumetric datasets were reviewed using SonoView Pro and uterine volumes were estimated with off‐line processing using VOCAL™. The gold standard for comparison was UDW in grams (g), measured by the histopathologist at the time of analysis of the LH specimens. The relationship between the estimated uterine volumes and actual UDW was evaluated using correlation analysis. P‐values were calculated to ascertain the significance of these findings; P values &< 0.05 represented statistical significance.

Results: 76 women underwent LH during the study period. Complete data were available in 96% (74/76) of cases. The mean age of the women was 43.7 years and 92% were multiparous. The mean Viewpoint uterine volume was 283 ml, the mean VOCAL™ uterine volume was 249 ml and the mean UDW was 295 g. There was a significant correlation between UDW and estimated uterine volumes both for Viewpoint (R = 0.83, P < 0.001) and VOCAL™ (R = 0.97, P < 0.001), respectively. Viewpoint systematically overestimated weight by 43.1 g, whereas VOCAL™ underestimated by an average of 42.4 g, and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). In terms of absolute values, the mean prediction error for VOCAL™ was −18.0 g and for Viewpoint it was 27.6 g (P &< 0.0001). Conclusion: VOCAL™ was found to be significantly more accurate than Viewpoint in the estimation of uterine volumes, and it was better correlated with UDW.
Fetal urinoma: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Vress Danica , Robertson Meiri , Paoletti Debra
Published: December 2015

Fetal urinomas are a rare but important sonographic finding. Urinomas are peri‐renal collections of urine, formed after the rupture of the kidney secondary to an underlying urinary tract obstruction or trauma. Diagnosis antenatally is important for ongoing monitoring and postnatal follow up as their presence may indicate reduced or absent kidney function in the affected kidney.
A review of the diagnostic accuracy of fetal cardiac anomalies
Authors: Miceli Frances
Published: December 2015

Objectives: In order to assess the diagnostic accuracy of fetal cardiac anomalies in our Department we undertook a retrospective analysis and compared our results with those of the paediatric cardiologists in the same cases.

Methods: Sixty‐five patients referred for second and third trimester fetal echocardiographic examinations were identified in our database from November 2005 to February 2014. Of these six scans were found to be normal by ultrasound and not referred on to the paediatric cardiologist. An additional six scans were diagnosed to have complex congenital heart disease (CHD) with or without extra cardiac abnormalities and/or aneuploidy. These six patients opted for termination of pregnancy and were also not seen by the paediatric cardiologist. The remaining 53 cases were referred to the paediatric cardiologist. Our results were analysed and then compared to the cardiologist's findings. There were an additional three cases scanned during the pregnancy in our department and diagnosed as normal but ultimately found in the neonatal period, to have CHD.

Results: The ultrasound findings of the 53 cases scanned in our department were analysed and compared to the findings in the cardiologist's reports. The earlier scans tended to describe the abnormal anatomy but showed a reluctance to name any pathology. As training and confidence levels increased the less complex pathologies were correctly identified by our department and confirmed by the cardiologist.

Conclusion: The skills, training and level of confidence required to diagnose fetal cardiac anomalies in our Department have improved over the eight years of the study period, particularly in regards to some of the less complex cardiac pathologies. However the more complex pathologies remain difficult to assess.
The importance of infection prevention and control in medical ultrasound
Authors: Moshkanbaryans Lia , Meyers Craig , Ngu Andrew , Burdach Jon
Published: December 2015

Infection control and prevention is critical to delivering safe and high‐quality care to patients undergoing sonographic procedures. In Australia comprehensive standards for reprocessing of ultrasound probes are based on the AS/NZS, TGA and ASUM recommendations. These standards align with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. However compliance to these guidelines is not ideal and there exists an unmet need for refinement of the guidelines relating to specific factors in clinical sonography.

Significant microbiological evidence exists reflecting the increased risk of infection transmission specifically through inadequately reprocessed ultrasound probes. Studies have reported > 80% of transvaginal ultrasound probe handles are contaminated with disease causing pathogens since handle disinfection is omitted from standard reprocessing protocols. Significantly, it was recently discovered that widely‐used high level disinfectants referred to in guidelines are unable to kill HPV while it is becoming increasingly apparent that attention must be paid to the clinical sonography environment as a potential source of nosocomial pathogens.

Ultrasound probe reprocessing guidelines and standards are comprehensive however the challenge is in general awareness and effective implementation into practice. As future research in this area is performed, guidelines will need to be amenable to revision to provide patients with the best standard of care.
Experience of a tutor centric model for sonography training of emergency department registrars in an Australian urban emergency department 2009–2012
Authors: Sweetman Greg , Fear Mark , Hird Kathryn
Published: December 2015

Purpose: To assess the impact of a regular sonographer proctored training program for emergency medicine trainees in the use of Emergency Department bedside ultrasound

Methods: Emergency Department (ED) Registrars in the Swan District Hospital ED were provided with proctored instruction in bedside ultrasound in performance of extended focused assessment sonography in trauma (eFAST) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) detection. Training was conducted by credentialed sonographers for individual trainees in a 1:1 or 1:2 setting for 1 hour on a weekly basis. Registrars who trained in the Department between Jan 2009 to Dec 2012 were invited to participate in a survey conducted between June–August 2013 designed to assess the impact of training on their confidence and use of bedside sonography.

Results: Registrars reported increased perception of their skill level in AAA and eFAST post‐training. High levels of confidence in their ability to adjust machine settings for image optimisation, recognition of free fluid in the abdomen and ability to recognise an AAA were also reported. The participants who completed at least 10 hours of training and at least 20 scans showed significantly greater improvement in their perception of skill and confidence levels than those with less time. Registrars reported training was of significant benefit, improving their confidence in obtaining good quality images and their understanding of the equipment, which contributed to them obtaining accreditation. Benefits were ongoing and 50% of participants reported using ultrasound in clinical practice at least 3 times per week and a further 30% at least weekly after leaving ED.

Conclusion: Proctored training in the clinical context for ED registrars resulted in improvement in skills, confidence and willingness to maintain skills through practice in the clinical context over the long‐term.
Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping of Intracerebral Hemorrhages at Various Stages
Authors: Chang Shixin , Zhang Jingwei , Liu Tian , Tsiouris Apostolos John , Shou Jian , Nguyen Thanh , Leifer Dana , Wang Yi , Kovanlikaya Ilhami
Published: December 2015

Purpose

To investigate the magnetic susceptibility of intracerebral hemorrhages (ICH) at various stages by applying quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM).

Materials and Methods

Blood susceptibility was measured serially using QSM after venous blood withdrawal from healthy subjects. Forty‐two patients who provided written consent were recruited in this Institutional Review Board‐approved study. Gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of the 42 patients (17 females; 64 ± 12 years) with ICH were processed with QSM. The susceptibilities of various blood products within hematomas were measured on QSM.

Results

Blood susceptibility continually increased and reached a plateau 96 hours after venous blood withdrawal. Hematomas at all stages were consistently hyperintense on QSM. Susceptibility was 0.57 ± 0.48, 1.30 ± 0.33, 1.14 ± 0.46, 0.40 ± 0.13, and 0.71 ± 0.31 ppm for hyperacute, acute, early subacute, late subacute, and chronic stages of hematomas, respectively. The susceptibility decrease from early subacute (1.14 ppm) to late subacute (0.4 ppm) was significant (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

QSM reveals positive susceptibility in hyperacute hematomas, indicating that even at their hyperacute stage, deoxyhemoglobin may exist throughout the hematoma volume, not just at its rim, as seen on conventional
imaging. QSM also reveals a reduction of susceptibility from early subacute to late subacute ICH, suggesting that methemoglobin concentration decreases at the late subacute stage. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:420–425.
Clinical implications of positive margins following non‐small cell lung cancer surgery
Authors: Predina Jarrod D. , Keating Jane , Patel Neil , Nims Sarah , Singhal Sunil
Published: December 2015

Positive margins following pulmonary resection of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) occur in approximately 5–15% of patients undergoing a curative procedure. The presence of positive margins negatively impacts long‐term outcomes by setting the stage for local and potentially distant disease recurrence. Despite major clinical ramifications, there are very few dedicated reports that examine the implications of positive margins following surgery for NSCLC. Furthermore, published series are typically retrospective studies from single institutions. In this review we analyze published data with special consideration of four pertinent questions: (i) what are the long term outcomes of a positive margin following pulmonary resection?, (ii) is intraoperative margin assessment by frozen section reliable?, (iii) what is the optimal distance of the tumor margin to the surgical margin?, and (iv) should adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy be used in the setting of a positive surgical margin? J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:264–269. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Two‐step ion‐exchange chromatographic purification combined with reversed‐phase chromatography to isolate C‐peptide for mass spectrometric analysis
Authors: Kabytaev Kuanysh , Durairaj Anita , Shin Dmitriy , Rohlfing Curt L. , Connolly Shawn , Little Randie R. , Stoyanov Alexander V.
Published: December 2015

A liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry on‐line platform that includes the orthogonal techniques of ion exchange and reversed phase chromatography is applied for C‐peptide analysis. Additional improvement is achieved by the subsequent application of cation‐ and anion‐exchange purification steps that allow for isolating components that have their isoelectric points in a narrow pH range before final reversed‐phase mass spectrometry analysis. The utility of this approach for isolating fractions in the desired “pI window” for profiling complex mixtures is discussed.
Protective effects of β‐casofensin, a bioactive peptide from bovine β‐casein, against indomethacin‐induced intestinal lesions in rats
Authors: Bessette Claudine , Benoit Bérengère , Sekkal Soraya , Bruno Jérémie , Estienne Monique , Léonil Joelle , Ferrier Laurent , Théodorou Vassilia , Plaisancié Pascale
Published: December 2015

Scope

β‐casofensin, also known as peptide β‐CN(94‐123), is a milk bioactive peptide that modulates the intestinal barrier through its action on goblet cells. Here, we evaluated whether oral administration of β‐casofensin can prevent indomethacin‐induced injury of the jejunum in rats.

Methods and results

Rats received β‐casofensin (0.01–100 μM) or tap water by daily gavage (4 μL/g) for eight days, then two subcutaneous injections of indomethacin (10 mg/kg, days 9 and 10) and were euthanized on day 12. In vitro, we investigated the effects of β‐casofensin on the restitution of a wounded monolayer. Preventive administration of β‐casofensin (100 μM) reduced intestinal macroscopic and microscopic damage induced by indomethacin. β‐casofensin also prevented the depletion of goblet cells and increased myeloperoxidase activity, as well as tumor necrosis factor‐ɑ (TNF‐ɑ) expression and immunostaining of active caspase‐3 in the jejunum of rats treated with indomethacin. In wound healing experiments, β‐casofensin promoted epithelial restitution with no effect on cell proliferation. This effect was inhibited by pre‐incubation with an anti‐CC chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) neutralizing antibody.

Conclusions

β‐casofensin exerts protective effects in indomethacin‐induced enteritis through preservation of goblet cells and improvement in wound healing. β‐casofensin could therefore become vital in nutritional programs for the prevention of intestinal diseases.
Patterns of early dietary exposures have implications for maternal and child weight outcomes
Authors: Rose Chelsea M. , Savage Jennifer S. , Birch Leann L.
Published: December 2015

Objective

This article examines relations between patterns of dietary exposures at 9 months and infant and maternal weight status at 1 year postpartum.

Methods

Participants were part of the Infant Feeding Practices Study II and included 1807 mothers participating through the first year postpartum. All data were self‐reported monthly by mothers. Latent class analysis was conducted to identify patterns of infant dietary exposures at 9 months. Factors that predicted dietary pattern class membership were examined including infant sleep and parity. Dietary pattern membership was used to predict child and maternal weight outcomes at 1 year postpartum.

Results

Five patterns of dietary exposures were identified, characterized by differences in milk‐feeding and solid foods at 9 months: “Breastfed Fruits and Vegetables,” “Breastfed Low Variety,” “Formula‐Fed Fruits and Vegetables,” “Formula‐Fed Low Variety,” and “Mixed High Energy Density.” Infants in the Mixed High Energy Density dietary pattern were more likely to be overweight at 1 year.

Conclusions

Dietary classes that capture different combinations of several aspects of infant feeding may be more useful than single dietary predictors, for example, breastfeeding, formula‐feeding, or early introduction to solids, to describe differences in infants' early dietary experience and risk for overweight.
Protein markers of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus Steiner & Buhrer, 1934 (Nickle, 1970) populations using quantitative proteomics and character compatibility
Authors: Ciordia Sergio , Robertson Lee , Arcos Susana C. , González María Rosa , Mena María del Carmen , Zamora Paula , Vieira Paulo , Abrantes Isabel , Mota Manuel , Castagnone‐Sereno Philippe , Navas Alfonso
Published: December 2015

The Pine Wood Nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is a severe forest pathogen in countries where it has been introduced and is considered a worldwide quarantine organism. In this study, protein markers for differentiating populations of this nematode were identified by studying differences among four selected Iberian and one American population. These populations were compared by quantitative proteomics (iTRAQ). From a total of 2860 proteins identified using the public database from the B. xylophilus genome project, 216 were unambiguous and significantly differentially regulated in the studied populations. Comparisons of their pairwise ratio were statistically treated and supported in order to convert them into discrete character states, suggesting that 141 proteins were not informative as population specific markers. Application of the Character Compatibility methodology on the remaining 75 proteins (belonging to families with different biological functions) excludes 27 which are incompatible among them. Considering only the compatible proteins, the method selects a subset of 30 specific unique protein markers which allowed the compared classification of the Iberian isolates. This approach makes it easier search for diagnostic tools and phylogenetic inference within species and populations of a pathogen exhibiting a high level of genetic diversity.
Ear wound regeneration in the African spiny mouse Acomys cahirinus
Authors: Matias Santos Dino , Rita Ana Martins , Casanellas Ignasi , Brito Ova Adélia , Araújo Inês Maria , Power Deborah , Tiscornia Gustavo
Published: December 2015

While regeneration occurs in a number of taxonomic groups across the Metazoa, there are very few reports of regeneration in mammals, which generally respond to wounding with fibrotic scarring rather than regeneration. A recent report described skin shedding, skin regeneration and extensive ear punch closure in two rodent species, Acomys kempi and Acomys percivali. We examined these striking results by testing the capacity for regeneration of a third species, Acomys cahirinus, and found a remarkable capacity to repair full thickness circular punches in the ear pinna. Four‐millimeter‐diameter wounds closed completely in 2 months in 100% of ear punches tested. Histology showed extensive formation of elastic cartilage, adipose tissue, dermis, epidermis and abundant hair follicles in the repaired region. Furthermore, we demonstrated abundant angiogenesis and unequivocal presence of both muscle and nerve fibers in the reconstituted region; in contrast, similar wounds in C57BL/6 mice simply healed the borders of the cut by fibrotic scarring. Our results confirm the regenerative capabilities of Acomys, and suggest this model merits further attention.
Twist-1 Enhances Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Support of Hematopoiesis by Modulating CXCL12 Expression
Authors: Arthur Agnieszka , Cakouros Dimitrios , Cooper Lachlan , Nguyen Thao , Isenmann Sandra , Zannettino Andrew C.W. , Glackin Carlotta A. , Gronthos Stan
Published: December 2015

Twist-1 encodes a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, known to contribute to mesodermal and skeletal tissue development. We have reported previously that Twist-1 maintains multipotent human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (BMSC) in an immature state, enhances their life-span, and influences cell fate determination. In this study, human BMSC engineered to express high levels of Twist-1 were found to express elevated levels of the chemokine, CXCL12. Analysis of the CXCL12 proximal promoter using chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis identified several E-box DNA sites bound by Twist-1. Functional studies using a luciferase reporter construct showed that Twist-1 increased CXCL12 promoter activity in a dose dependent manner. Notably, Twist-1 over-expressing BMSC exhibited an enhanced capacity to maintain human CD34 + hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in long-term culture-initiating cell (LTC-IC) assays. Moreover, the observed increase in HSC maintenance by Twist-1 over-expressing BMSC was blocked in the presence of the CXCL12 inhibitor, AMD3100. Supportive studies, using Twist-1 deficient heterozygous mice demonstrated a significant decrease in the frequency of stromal progenitors and increased numbers of osteoblasts within the bone. These observations correlated to a decreased incidence in the number of clonogenic stromal progenitors (colony forming unit–fibroblasts) and lower levels of CXCL12 in Twist-1 mutant mice. Furthermore, Twist-1 deficient murine stromal feeder layers, exhibited a significant decrease in CXCL12 levels and lower numbers of hematopoietic colonies in LTC-IC assays, compared with wild type controls. These findings demonstrate that Twist-1, which maintains BMSC at an immature state, endows them with an increased capacity for supporting hematopoiesis via direct activation of CXCL12 gene expression.
Developing a Model of Advanced Training to Promote Career Advancement for Certified Genetic Counselors: An Investigation of Expanded Skills, Advanced Training Paths, and Professional Opportunities
Authors: Baty Bonnie J. , Trepanier Angela , Bennett Robin L. , Davis Claire , Erby Lori , Hippman Catriona , Lerner Barbara , Matthews Anne , Myers Melanie F. , Robbins Carol B. , Singletary Claire N.
Published: January 2016

There are currently multiple paths through which genetic counselors can acquire advanced knowledge and skills. However, outside of continuing education opportunities, there are few formal training programs designed specifically for the advanced training of genetic counselors. In the genetic counseling profession, there is currently considerable debate about the paths that should be available to attain advanced skills, as well as the skills that might be needed for practice in the future. The Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors (AGCPD) convened a national committee, the Committee on Advanced Training for Certified Genetic Counselors (CATCGC), to investigate varied paths to post‐master's training and career development. The committee began its work by developing three related grids that view career advancement from the viewpoints of the skills needed to advance (skills), ways to obtain these skills (paths), and existing genetic counselor positions that offer career change or advancement (positions). Here we describe previous work related to genetic counselor career advancement, the charge of the CATCGC, our preliminary work in developing a model through which to view genetic counselor advanced training and career advancement opportunities, and our next steps in further developing and disseminating the model.
Testicular function among testicular cancer survivors treated with cisplatin‐based chemotherapy
Authors: Namekawa Takeshi , Imamoto Takashi , Kato Mayuko , Sazuka Tomokazu , Fuse Miki , Sakamoto Shinichi , Kawamura Koji , Ichikawa Tomohiko
Published: December 2015

Purpose

The aim of our study was to identify the clinical predictors of spermatogenesis recovery in testicular cancer (TC) patients after chemotherapy and to determine the recuperation period for spermatogenesis.

Methods

Patients treated for TC from January 1982 to November 2001 at Chiba University Hospital were retrospectively assessed. Thirty‐five patients who met the following criteria were examined—(i) underwent both high orchiectomy and cisplatin‐based chemotherapy; (ii) had semen analyses and hormonal measurements; and (iii) were alive with no evidence of disease. Clinical variables associated with normalization of spermatogenesis after chemotherapy were examined. Time to recover normospermia was also evaluated using Kaplan–Meier analysis.

Results

The observation period was 13.3 ± 5.6 years. Reappearance of sperm was confirmed in 85.7 % of patients, and 54.3 % of patients recovered normospermia. Age at diagnosis <25 years (p = 0.0057), number of chemotherapy cycles <4 cycles (p = 0.0042), and follicle‐stimulating hormone at the end of chemotherapy <18 mIU/ml (p = 0.0220) were independent factors related to post‐chemotherapy normalization of semen findings. The median (95 % CI) time to recover normospermia was 40 (range 22–96) months.

Conclusions

These findings help to predict whether spermatogenesis will recover and its timing. They may also help clinicians identify and manage TC patients at a higher risk of prolonged azoospermia after chemotherapy.
Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: Early termination versus standard termination of ablation procedure
Authors: Cheng Ya‐Ting , Ong Arlinking , Lin Chen‐Chun , Lin Chun‐Jung , Chen Wei‐Ting , Lin Shi‐Ming
Published: December 2015

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of early termination (ET) and standard termination (ST) of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using internally cooled electrodes.

Methods

Eighty‐three treatment naïve patients with HCC with 101 index tumor underwent RFA. ET was defined as termination of ablation if after 6 minutes the power emission was < 10 seconds for three times per minute under maximal power. Standard termination was defined as termination of ablation according to manufactures’ algorithms of 12 minutes’ procedure. Primary end point was complete ablation of index tumor after 4 weeks of RFA.

Results

Nineteen patients (22.9%) underwent ET and 64 patients (77.1%) underwent ST. The mean size of the index tumor was 2.2 + 0.9 cm. Patient had complete ablation of the index tumor at 92.0% for the ET and 88.2% for the ST (p = 0.593). Eight of 25 (32.0%) for the ET and 18 of 73 (24.7%) for the ST group had local tumor progression on last follow‐up (p = 0.473). After a median follow‐up of 23 weeks (range, 9–33 weeks), the 24 weeks cumulative probability of local tumor progression was not different between ET (46.2%) and ST (25.6%; p = 0.387). Complete ablation at 4 weeks was the only independent factor associated with local tumor progression (adjusted hazard ratio 0.04, 95% confidence interval 0.01–0.16, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Using ET in RFA is as effective as the ST in achieving complete ablation and local tumor progression.
Factors Disrupting the Preference Card Management Process: A Root Cause Analysis
Authors: Dizon Jennifer M. , Richesson Rachel L. , Lytle Kathryn S. , Hawks Sharon J.
Published: December 2015

Preference cards, the nexus of an efficient OR, help ensure that OR personnel have what they need to safely and efficiently care for surgical patients. In June 2013, a new electronic health record (EHR) was implemented in the ORs of the Duke University Health System, Durham, North Carolina. Although it was an integrated system, the EHR disrupted supply management in the OR, which affected the availability of correct resources. The project team performed a process‐improvement project using root cause analysis (RCA) to identify the factors that led to the disruption in the preference card management process for orthopedic surgical procedures. Team members identified that a chief cause of resource disruption was the mistiming of interface messages that created the pick lists and requisition forms. Based on the results of the RCA, the project team developed and implemented recommendations for process improvement.
Effect of intranasal steroids on rhinosinusitis after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: clinical study
Authors: Feng S , Fan Y , Liang Z , Yang G , Liao Z , Guo L
Published: January 2016

Objective:

Post-irradiation rhinosinusitis is one of the most common untoward side effects in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray on post-irradiation rhinosinusitis.

Methods:

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who had undergone radiotherapy and subsequently developed chronic rhinosinusitis were randomised to receive either fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray 200 µg plus nasal irrigation or a single nasal irrigation, for six months. A questionnaire, nasal endoscopy and computed tomography were used to evaluate rhinosinusitis severity, at the beginning of treatment, and at three and six months after treatment.

Results:

The group who received fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray combined with irrigation had fewer nasal complaints (overall symptoms, blocked nose and headache were reduced), a better quality of life and less severe endoscopic findings than those who only received nasal irrigation at three and six months after treatment.

Conclusion:

Nasal steroids are a safe and effective therapy for patients with post-irradiation rhinosinusitis.
Floating surface potential of spherical dust grains in magnetized plasmas
Authors: Lange Dennie
Published: January 2016

A particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation study of the charging processes of spherical dust grains in a magnetized plasma environment is presented. Different magnetic field strengths with corresponding electron/ion gyration radii of smaller, the same or larger size than the grain radius and the plasma Debye length are examined. The magnetized plasma is created by overlapping the simulation box with a homogeneous, constant magnetic field. The charging currents are significantly reduced in the presence of a magnetic field, resulting in a more negative grain floating potential. Indeed, the most probable electron gyration radius is always smaller than that of ions in a Maxwellian plasma: however, it is demonstrated that the situation of simultaneous magnetized electron but an unmagnetized ion charging current never exists. The simulation results do not fit with a modified orbital motion limited (OML) theory approach for this situation, since the ion current is significantly reduced due to the increase of the gyration radius in the potential field of the dust grain. For very small gyration radii, the simulation results are in good agreement with a modified OML approach for both magnetized electron and ion charging currents.
Creating Resilient Communities Through Earth Science Data
Authors: Fowler Rebecca , Robinson Erin
Published: December 2015

Federation of Earth Science Information Partners 2015 Summer Meeting; Pacific Grove, California, 14–17 July 2015
Role of two sequence motifs of mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor in its survival-promoting activity
Authors: Mätlik K , Yu Li-ying , Eesmaa A , Hellman M , Lindholm P , Peränen J , Galli E , Anttila J , Saarma M , Permi P , Airavaara M , Arumäe U
Published: December 2015

Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is a prosurvival protein that protects the cells when applied intracellularlyin vitroor extracellularlyin vivo. Its protective mechanisms are poorly known. Here we studied the role of two short sequence motifs within the carboxy-(C) terminal domain of MANF in its neuroprotective activity: the CKGC sequence (a CXXC motif) that could be involved in redox reactions, and the C-terminal RTDL sequence, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal. We mutated these motifs and analyzed the antiapoptotic effect and intracellular localization of these mutants of MANF when overexpressed in cultured sympathetic or sensory neurons. As anin vivomodel for studying the effect of these mutants after their extracellular application, we used the rat model of cerebral ischemia. Even though we found no evidence for oxidoreductase activity of MANF, the mutation of CXXC motif completely abolished its protective effect, showing that this motif is crucial for both MANF’s intracellular and extracellular activity. The RTDL motif was not needed for the neuroprotective activity of MANF after its extracellular application in the stroke modelin vivo. However,in vitrothe deletion of RTDL motif inactivated MANF in the sympathetic neurons where the mutant protein localized to Golgi, but not in the sensory neurons where the mutant localized to the ER, showing that intracellular MANF protects these peripheral neuronsin vitroonly when localized to the ER.
Effect of different oxide thickness on the bending Young’s modulus of SiO2@SiC nanowires
Authors: Ma Jinyao , Liu Yanping , Hao Peida , Wang Jin , Zhang Yuefei
Published: January 2016

The surface or sheath effect on core-shell nanowires plays an important role in the nanomechanical test. In the past few years, SiC nanowires have been synthesized using various methods with an uneven and uncontrollable amorphous silicon dioxide sheath. The bending Young’s modulus of the SiC nanowires has scarcely been measured and the effect of the oxide sheath has not been taken into account. In this paper, SiO2-coated SiC (SiO2@SiC) nanowires were synthesized using the chemical vapor deposition method, followed by thermal reduction. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy show that the SiO2@SiC nanowires in this paper have diameters ranging from 130 ~ 150 nm, with the average thickness of SiO2 layer approximately 14 nm. After different processing times with 1 mol/L NaOH, approximately 5 nm, 9 nm, 14 nm silicon dioxide layers were obtained. The results of the three-point-bending test show that the modulus of SiO2@SiC nanowires is found to clearly decrease with the increase in oxide thickness and the influence of the oxide sheath should not be ignored when the layer thickness is above 5 nm. Young’s modulus of the SiO2@SiC nanowires calculated in this study by the core-shell structure model is in good agreement with the theoretical value.
Optimization of the procedure for efficient dispersion of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in aqueous samples
Authors: Vidmar Janja , Milačič Radmila , Golja Viviana , Novak Saša , Ščančar Janez
Published: January 2016

The widespread use of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) in consumer products has led to an increase of their concentrations in the environment.
Rapid growth of high quality perovskite crystal by solvent mixing
Authors: Zhou Yangyang , Zhang Tiankai , Li Chunmei , Liang Zhimin , Gong Li , Chen Jian , Xie Weiguang , Xu Jianbin , Liu Pengyi
Published: January 2016

The formation mechanism of perovskite crystal in different mixed solvents.
Multifunctional lanthanide–organic frameworks for fluorescent sensing, gas separation and catalysis
Authors: Liu Xiaobin , Lin Huan , Xiao Zhenyu , Fan Weidong , Huang Ao , Wang Rongming , Zhang Liangliang , Sun Daofeng
Published: January 2016

Two lanthanide MOFs have been synthesized based on a novel anthracene-functionality semi-rigid ligand, which show good selective fluorescent sensing capabilities for 4-nitrophenol and Al3+.
Metabolomic study of corticosterone-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells by ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Hongye , Zheng Hua , Zhao Gan , Tang Chaoling , Lu Shiyin , Cheng Bang , Wu Fang , Wei Jinbin , Liang Yonghong , Ruan Junxiang , Song Hui , Su Zhiheng
Published: January 2016

UPLC-Q/TOF-MS-based cell metabolomics illustrates dysfunction of multiple pathways was involved in the corticosterone-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells.
Influence of the supramolecular order on the electrical properties of 1D coordination polymers based materials
Authors: Musumeci Chiara , Osella Silvio , Ferlauto Laura , Niedzialek Dorota , Grisanti Luca , Bonacchi Sara , Jouaiti Abdelaziz , Milita Silvia , Ciesielski Artur , Beljonne David , Hosseini Mir Wais , Samorì Paolo
Published: December 2015

Inter-chain interactions play a fundamental role in the conductive properties of metal coordination polymers based on terpyridine–pyridine ligands.
Rapid endothelialization and thin luminal layers in vascular grafts using silk fibroin
Authors: Yamamoto Satoshi , Okamoto Hiroyuki , Haga Makoto , Shigematsu Kunihiro , Miyata Tetsuro , Watanabe Toshiaki , Ogawa Yoko , Takagi Yoshihide , Asakura Tetsuo
Published: December 2015

The histological effects of silk fibroin in vascular grafts were clarified comprehensively on a large-animal model.
ASHA-PAHO Collaboration: Addressing Communication Disorders Across Three Countries
Authors: Rosa-Lugo Linda I. , Martinez Silvia , Weddington Gloria , Waterston Lily
Published: December 2015

This article will focus on the work, challenges, and experiences of three American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Ad Hoc Committees that are collaborating in a project between ASHA and the Pan American Health Organization/Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), known as the ASHA-PAHO/WHO project. Their charge, to provide technical assistance on educational initiatives and the delivery of high quality speech- language-pathology/audiology services in three of PAHO's priority countries in Latin America, El Salvador, Honduras and Guyana, is being addressed by ASHA professionals as they share their participation in the implementation phase in these three countries.
Healthcare and Education in the Republic of Cuba
Authors: Battle Dolores E.
Published: December 2015

Cuba has had many challenges to healthcare and education, particularly for its urban poor and rural citizens. The healthcare and education programs were restructured following the Cuban revolution led by Fidel Castro in 1959. The United States imposed an embargo on the country and ceased diplomatic relations in 1961. With the support of the Soviet Union, Cuba established programs that provide free healthcare and free education to all from preschool through university. The literacy rate in Cuba exceeds 99%. Its programs in health diplomacy and literacy promotion have worldwide recognition. With the end of the Cold War, Cuba was able to continue its programs of healthcare and education without Soviet support. In July 2015 a group of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and hearing specialists visited Cuba to gain an understanding of the Cuban health diplomacy and education systems for persons with communication disorders. This article will look at healthcare services, health diplomacy, services for the deaf, and education in Cuba. With brief review of Cuba pre-and post-revolution it will present a review of Cuba healthcare and education today and a look at the future as the United States moves toward normalization of relations with Cuba.
Standardized Patients: Potential to Improve Student Training in Aural Rehabilitation
Authors: Picou Erin , Tharpe Anne Marie
Published: December 2015

Hearing loss is a growing public health concern. The multifaceted consequences of hearing loss are far reaching and include reduced audibility, well-being, and quality-of-life. Audiologists require specific training to address the wide range of hearing loss (re)habilitation needs, including some of the psychosocial needs of patients. One instructional method that might provide valuable training for the next generation of clinicians is the use of simulated or standardized patients (SPs). Standardized patients (SPs) are actors who are recruited, trained, and typically paid to portray patients, family members, or healthcare team members in a standardized manner for purposes of training healthcare professionals. Advantages to using SPs as an instructional technique were identified through a review of the literature and through discussion with two focus groups of experienced educators in the field of audiology. Advantages included those inherent to SP scenarios (e.g., standardization, authenticity, and safety), as well as those inherent to the experience (e.g., student reflection, comprehensive feedback, etc.). Benefits to students can include increased student confidence and improved interpersonal skills. Although time and resource investments necessary for SP case implementation can be prohibitive for some programs, creative instructors can harness many of the benefits using alternative implementations of SP cases.
Water droplet excess free energy determined by cluster mitosis using guided molecular dynamics
Authors: Lau Gabriel V. , Hunt Patricia A. , Müller Erich A. , Jackson George , Ford Ian J.
Published: December 2015

Atmospheric aerosols play a vital role in affecting climate by influencing the properties and lifetimes of clouds and precipitation. Understanding the underlying microscopic mechanisms involved in the nucleation of aerosol droplets from the vapour phase is therefore of great interest. One key thermodynamic quantity in nucleation is the excess free energy of cluster formation relative to that of the saturated vapour. In our current study, the excess free energy is extracted for clusters of pure water modelled with the TIP4P/2005 intermolecular potential using a method based on nonequilibrium molecular dynamics and the Jarzynski relation. The change in free energy associated with the “mitosis” or division of a cluster of N water molecules into two N/2 sub-clusters is evaluated. This methodology is an extension of the disassembly procedure used recently to calculate the excess free energy of argon clusters [H. Y. Tang and I. J. Ford, Phys. Rev. E 91, 023308 (2015)]. Our findings are compared to the corresponding excess free energies obtained from classical nucleation theory (CNT) as well as internally consistent classical theory (ICCT). The values of the excess free energy that we obtain with the mitosis method are consistent with CNT for large cluster sizes but for the smallest clusters, the results tend towards ICCT; for intermediate sized clusters, we obtain values between the ICCT and CNT predictions. Furthermore, the curvature-dependent surface tension which can be obtained by regarding the clusters as spherical droplets of bulk density is found to be a monotonically increasing function of cluster size for the studied range. The data are compared to other values reported in the literature, agreeing qualitatively with some but disagreeing with the values determined by Joswiak et al. [J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 4, 4267 (2013)] using a biased mitosis approach; an assessment of the differences is the main motivation for our current study.
Complex conductance of ultrathin La2–xSrxCuO4 films and heterostructures
Authors: Gasparov V. A. , Božović I.
Published: December 2015

We used atomic-layer molecular beam epitaxy to synthesize bilayers of a cuprate metal (La1.55Sr0.45CuO4) and a cuprate insulator (La2CuO4), in which each layer is just one unit cells thick. We have studied the magnetic field and temperature dependence of the complex sheet conductance, σ(ω), of these films. Experiments have been carried out at frequencies between 2 and 50 MHz using the single-spiral coil technique. We found that: (i) the inductive response starts at ΔT = 3 K lower temperatures than Re σ(T), which in turn is characterized by a peak close to the transition, (ii) this shift is almost constant with magnetic field up to 14 mT; (iii) ΔT increases sharply up to 4 K at larger fields and becomes constant up to 8 T; (iv) the vortex diffusion constant D(T) is not linear with T at low temperatures as in the case of free vortices, but is rather exponential due to pinning of vortex cores, and (v) the dynamic Berezinski–Kosterlitz–Thouless (BKT) transition temperature occurs at the point where Y=(lω/ξ+)2=1. Our experimental results can be described well by the extended dynamic theory of the BKT transition and dynamics of bound vortex–antivortex pairs with short separation lengths.
Electronic structure and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism of Mn-doped TiO2
Authors: Bekenov L. V. , Antonov V. N.
Published: December 2015

The electronic structure of (Ti,Mn)O2 diluted magnetic semiconductors was investigated theoretically from first principles using the fully relativistic Dirac linear muffin-tin orbital band structure method. The electronic structure was obtained with the local spin-density approximation taking into account strong Coulomb correlations in the frame of the LSDA + U approximation. The x-ray absorption spectra and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism spectra at the Mn and Ti L2,3 and O K edges were investigated theoretically from first principles. The origin of the XMCD spectra in these compounds was examined. The calculated results are compared with available experimental data.
Magnetic and magnetoelastic properties of valence transition compounds based on YbInCu4 (Review Article)
Authors: Mushnikov N. V.
Published: December 2015

The intermetallic compound YbInCu4 undergoes an isostructural first-order valence-changing phase transition from a state with localized moments of the Yb into a Fermi liquid state with strong Kondo screening. This article reviews studies of the structure and of the electronic, magnetic, and magnetoelastic properties of compounds based on YbInCu4. The effects of alloying and pressure on such parameters of the electronic and magnetic state as the Kondo temperature, Curie paramagnetic temperature, effective magnetic moment, and valence of Yb are determined. The observational data are interpreted in terms of a single-impurity Kondo model. The magnetic anisotropy of single-crystal YbInCu4 and magnetostriction in high magnetic fields are studied. It is shown that a crystal field model for localized states of Yb3+ provides a good description of magnetic anisotropy and anisotropic magnetostriction in the high-temperature phase.
Existence of quasi-periodic solutions of fast excited van der Pol-Mathieu-Duffing equation
Authors: Lu Lin , Li Xuemei
Published: December 2015

The van der Pol-Mathieu-Duffing equation ẍ+(Ω02+h1cosΩ1t+h2cosΩ2t)x−(α−βx2)ẋ−h3x3=h4Ω32cosxcosΩ3t is considered in this paper, where α, β, h1, h2, h3, h4, Ω1, Ω2 are small parameters, α, β > 0, the frequency Ω3 is large compared to Ω1 and Ω2, the above parameters are real. For ∀α, β > 0, we use KAM (Kolmogorov-Arnold-Moser) theory to prove that the van der Pol-Mathieu-Duffing equation possesses quasi-periodic solutions for most of the parameters Ω0, Ω1, Ω2, Ω3, it verifies some phenomenon of Fahsi and Belhaq [Commun. Nonlinear Sci. 14, 244-253 (2009)] and can be regarded as a extension of Abouhazim et al. [Nonlinear Dyn. 39, 395-409 (2005)].
Mesoscale simulation of reactive pressed energetic materials under shock loading
Authors: Rai Nirmal K. , Udaykumar H. S.
Published: December 2015

Shock load analysis of two different samples of pressed HMX energetic material is performed using the Eulerian compressible multimaterial code SCIMITAR3D. The numerical framework uses an image to computation approach to perform shock analysis on real microstructures of the energetic samples. Image processing algorithms are applied on SEM images of both samples to implicitly represent the microstructures using level set functions. The chemical decomposition of HMX is modeled using the Henson-Smilowitz multi-step kinetic mechanism. It is observed that microstructural characteristics play a crucial role in determining the ignition behavior of the energetic materials. For the applied shock loads and for the particular samples investigated, class III sample leads to initiation of chemical reaction and the class V sample does not ignite. It is also shown that the orientation of elongated voids with respect to incident shock load is an important factor contributing to the initiation of chemical reactions in the class III sample. This is explained by performing numerical experiments of elongated void oriented at different angles with respect to the shock load. Results show the importance of microstructural details, such as void size, distribution, and orientation for initiation.