bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Randomized clinical trial of stapler versus clamp-crushing transection in elective liver resection
Authors: Rahbari N N , Elbers H , Koch M , Vogler P , Striebel F , Bruckner T , Mehrabi A , Schemmer P , Büchler M W , Weitz J
Published: January 2014

Background

Various devices have been developed to facilitate liver transection and reduce blood loss in liver resections. None of these has proven superiority compared with the classical clamp-crushing technique. This randomized clinical trial compared the effectiveness and safety of stapler transection with that of clamp-crushing during open liver resection.

Methods

Patients admitted for elective open liver resection between January 2010 and October 2011 were assigned randomly to stapler transection or the clamp-crushing technique. The primary endpoint was the total amount of intraoperative blood loss. Secondary endpoints included transection time, duration of operation, complication rates and resection margins.

Results

A total of 130 patients were enrolled, 65 to clamp-crushing and 65 to stapler transection. There was no difference between groups in total intraoperative blood loss: median (i.q.r.) 1050 (525–1650) versus 925 (450–1425) ml respectively (P = 0·279). The difference in total intraoperative blood loss normalized to the transection surface area was not statistically significant (P = 0·092). Blood loss during parenchymal transection was significantly lower in the stapler transection group (P = 0·002), as were the parenchymal transection time (mean(s.d.) 30(21) versus 9(7) min for clamp-crushing and stapler transection groups respectively; P < 0·001) and total duration of operation (mean(s.d.) 221(86) versus 190(85) min; P = 0·047). There were no significant differences in postoperative morbidity (P = 0·863) or mortality (P = 0·684) between groups.

Conclusion

Stapler transection is a safe technique but does not reduce intraoperative blood loss in elective liver resection compared with the clamp-crushing technique. Registration number: NCT01049607 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
Catalytic Combustion of Ethyl Acetate over Manganese Oxides Deposited on Metallic Monoliths
Authors: Durán Flavia G. , Barbero Bibiana P. , Cadús Luis E.
Published: January 2014

MnOx/AISI 304 austenitic stainless‐steel monolithic catalysts were prepared by impregnation with aqueous solutions of manganese nitrate or acetate. The preparation method was satisfactory in terms of reproducibility and adherence of the deposited phase. The use of different precursors led to significantly dissimilar results. With manganese nitrate, the formation of Mn‐Cr‐O mixed phases on the surface was favored, whereas with manganese acetate, Mn2O3 was the predominant active phase. The Mn‐Cr‐O mixed phases would be highly dispersed but their catalytic activity was low. The major catalytic behavior was obtained with monoliths impregnated with manganese acetate.
Porous MII/Pyrimidine‐4,6‐Dicarboxylato Neutral Frameworks: Synthetic Influence on the Adsorption Capacity and Evaluation of CO2‐Adsorbent Interactions
Authors: Cepeda Javier , Pérez‐Yáñez Sonia , Beobide Garikoitz , Castillo Oscar , Fischer Michael , Luque Antonio , Wright Paul A.
Published: January 2014

The understanding of the factors that affect the real pore‐network structure for a given bulk material due to different synthetic procedures is essential to develop the material with the best adsorption properties. In this work, we have deeply studied the influence of the crystallinity degree over the adsorption capacity on three new isostructural MOFs with the formula {[CdM(μ4‐pmdc)2(H2O)2]⋅solv}n (in which, pmdc=pyrimidine‐4,6‐dicarboxylate; solv=corresponding solvent; MII=Cd (1), Mn (2), Zn (3)). Compared with other methods, the solvent‐free synthesis stands as the most effective route because, apart from enabling the preparation of the heterometallic compounds 2 and 3, it also renders the adsorbents with the highest performance, which is indeed close to the expected one derived from Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) calculations. The structural analysis of the as‐synthesised and evacuated frameworks reveals the existence of a metal atom exposed to the pore. The accessibility of this site is limited due to its atomic environment, which is why it is considered as a pseudo‐open‐metal site. The chemical and physical characterisation confirms that this site can be modified as the metal atom is replaced in compounds 2 and 3. To assess the effect of the metal replacement on the adsorption behaviour, an exhaustive study of CO2 experimental isotherms has been performed. The affinity of the pseudo‐open metal sites towards CO2 and the distribution of the preferred adsorption sites are discussed on the basis of DFT and GCMC calculations.
How Water Interacts with Halogenated Anesthetics: The Rotational Spectrum of Isoflurane–Water
Authors: Gou Qian , Feng Gang , Evangelisti Luca , Vallejo‐López Montserrat , Spada Lorenzo , Lesarri Alberto , Cocinero Emilio J. , Caminati Walther
Published: January 2014

The rotational spectra of several isotopologues of the 1:1 complex between the inhaled anesthetic isoflurane and water have been recorded and analyzed by using Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. The rotational spectrum showed a single rotamer, corresponding to the configuration in which the most stable conformer of isolated isoflurane is linked to the water molecule through an almost linear CH⋅⋅⋅O weak hydrogen bond. All transitions display a hyperfine structure due to the 35Cl (or 37Cl) nuclear quadrupole effects.
The Mechanism of Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Hydroalkoxylation of Alkynes: An Extensive Experimental Study
Authors: Zhdanko Alexander , Maier Martin E.
Published: January 2014

An extensive experimental study of the mechanism of gold(I)‐catalyzed hydroalkoxylation of internal alkynes has been conducted by using NMR spectroscopy. This study was focused on the organogold intermediates, observations of actual catalytic intermediates in situ, and the reaction kinetics that are involved in this reaction. Based on the experimental results, a complete mechanistic picture was established, including on‐ and off‐cycle processes that explain the role of diaurated species. We have shown that gold‐catalyzed hydroalkoxylation of internal alkynes is a reaction that requires only one gold atom for the catalytic cycle, disproving a recent hypothesis regarding the involvement of cooperative gold catalysis.
A Maillard Approach to 2‐Formylpyrroles: Synthesis of Magnolamide, Lobechine and Funebral
Authors: Yuen Tsz‐Ying , Eaton Samantha E. , Woods Tom M. , Furkert Daniel P. , Choi Ka Wai , Brimble Margaret A.
Published: January 2014

A convenient synthesis of the traditional medicine constituents magnolamide, lobechine and funebral is described. Construction of the 2‐formylpyrrole core of these natural products was achieved by means of a Maillard reaction, involving condensation of the sugar surrogate, dihydropyranone 9, with the requisite primary amines. This approach offers a very direct and general route to the 2‐formylpyrrole ring system.
Serial diffusion tensor imaging for early detection of radiation‐induced injuries to normal‐appearing white matter in high‐grade glioma patients
Authors: Hope Tuva R. , Vardal Jonas , Bjørnerud Atle , Larsson Christopher , Arnesen Marius R. , Salo Raimo A. , Groote Inge R.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

To study the potential of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to serve as a biomarker for radiation‐induced brain injury during chemo‐radiotherapy (RT) treatment.

Materials and Methods

Serial DTI data were collected from 18 high‐grade glioma (HGG) patients undergoing RT and 7 healthy controls. Changes across time in mean, standard deviation (SD), skewness, and kurtosis of fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (λa), and transversal diffusivity (λt) within the normal‐appearing white matter (NAWM) were modeled using a linear mixed‐effects model to assess dose dependent changes of five dose bins (0–60 Gy), and global changes compared with a control group.

Results

Mean MD, λa and λt were all significantly increasing in >41 Gy dose regions (0.14%, 0.10%, and 0.18% per week) compared with <12 Gy regions. SD λt had significant dose dependent time evolution of 0.019*dose per week. Mean and SD MD, λa and λt in the global NAWM of the patient group significantly increased (mean; 0.06%, 0.03%, 0.09%, and SD; 0.57%, 0.34%, 0.51 per week) compared with the control group. The changes were significant at week 6 of, or immediately after RT.

Conclusion

DTI is not sensitive to acute global NAWM changes during the treatment of HGG, but sensitive to early posttreatment changes. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:414–423.© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Outdoor use of mobile Raman spectrometers to study the solutions and ices of amino acids
Authors: Culka Adam , Jehlička Jan , Čapoun Tomáš
Published: January 2014

Selected amino acids (glycine, alanine, and threonine) were analysed in the form of water solutions, mixtures of these amino acids in solution, as well as their respective ices using two hand‐held instruments under outdoor and winter mountain conditions. The hand‐held instruments featured 785 and 532 nm excitations; the latter being one of the first using this wavelength on the market. The changes to the Raman spectra of the solutions and ices are discussed in relationship to the degree of ambiguity of the detection of the amino acids within the mixtures. The hand‐held instruments were able to detect two amino acids out of the three in solution. The results showed that the hand‐held instruments provide sufficient quality spectra when analysing ices prepared from the solutions; however, an unambiguous detection of these amino acids within mixtures still remains a challenge. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The increase in prescriptions of bisphosphonates and the incidence proportion of osteonecrosis of the jaw after risk communication activities in Japan: a hospital‐based cohort study
Authors: Sumi Eriko , Yamazaki Toru , Tanaka Shiro , Yamamoto Keiichi , Nakayama Takeo , Bessho Kazuhisa , Yokode Masayuki
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of risk communication about bisphosphonate (BP)‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) on the number of reported cases to the Drug Adverse Reactions Reporting System and on the incidence proportion of ONJ in a hospital‐based cohort study in Japan.

Method

We conducted a survey of the safety information on BP‐related ONJ available from regulatory authorities, pharmaceutical manufacturers and academic associations. We also performed a trend analysis of a dataset from the Drug Adverse Reactions Reporting System and a sub‐analysis, using previously constructed data from a retrospective cohort study.

Results

Risk communication from pharmaceutical manufacturers and academic associations began within 1 year after revisions were made to the package inserts, in October 2006. Twenty times more cases of ONJ have been reported to regulatory authority since 2007, compared with the period before 2007. In our cohort, the incidence proportion of ONJ during and after 2009 was four times greater than before 2009. During this period, BPs were frequently prescribed, whereas there was no increase in the use of alternative agents, such as selective estrogen receptor modulators.

Conclusion

ONJ was increasingly diagnosed after risk communication efforts, but the impact of the communications was not clear. Safety notifications were diligently disseminated after the package insert was revised. However, there was no surveillance for ONJ before the revision. © 2014 The Authors. Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of carbon‐doped In3Sb1Te2 ternary alloys for multibit (MLC) phase‐change memory
Authors: Kim Hyun Soo , Kim Yong Tae , Hwang Ha Sub , Sung Man Young
Published: January 2014

One of the candidate materials for phase‐change memory, In3Sb1Te2 (IST), shows multilevel phase transformations from amorphous to several crystalline materials of IST, intermediate phases such as InSb, SbTe and InTe. However, its volume can change abruptly in the multilevel phase transformation, and this change can lead to vacancy movement and atomic migration, which are related to failures and reliability issues. We propose the carbon‐incorporated In3Sb1Te2 (IST‐C) alloy, which has higher retention ability than the IST ternary alloy. Carbon atoms delay crystallization and prevent volume change during the set/reset operation. The carbon concen‐ tration is 12.5%, and the activation energy increases from 5.1 eV to 5.4 eV. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Quality of service‐aware and security‐aware dynamic spectrum management in cyber‐physical surveillance systems for transportation
Authors: Si Pengbo , Liu Jia , Sun Yanhua , Zhang Yanhua
Published: January 2014

Cyber‐physical system has been widely used in various areas as the integration of computing and physical system. As a typical application of cyber‐physical system, cyber‐physical surveillance system for transportation (CPSST) allows real‐time video monitoring to facilitate the deploying of smart transportation systems. For video streaming in CPSST, dynamic radio spectrum management is a key technology dealing with the current situation that the spectrum resource is almost used up. In this paper, taking into account the application layer quality of service and wireless link security, a novel dynamic spectrum management scheme has been proposed to minimize the system cost of CPSST. Video distortion is considered as the application layer quality of service metric, and the system cost is defined as a combination of distortion and security cost. We use intra‐refreshing rate in video coding to minimize the distortion. Furthermore, the problem is formulated as a restless bandit system, which uses current and historical information to optimize the action, with the objective of maximizing the total discounted system reward. We also describe the two spectrum management processes. Extensive simulation results are presented to demonstrate the significant performance improvement of the proposed scheme compared with the existing one that ignores video distortion and subband security optimization. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
C-Type Natriuretic Peptide Modulates Permeability of the Blood–Brain Barrier
Authors: Bohara Manoj , Kambe Yuki , Nagayama Tetsuya , Tokimura Hiroshi , Arita Kazunori , Miyata Atsuro
Published: January 2014

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is abundant in brain and is reported to exert autocrine function in vascular cells, but its effect on blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability has not been clarified yet. Here, we examined this effect. Transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) of in vitro BBB model, composed of bovine brain microvascular endothelial cells and astrocytes, was significantly dose dependently decreased by CNP (1, 10, and 100 nmol/L). C-type natriuretic peptide treatment reduced both the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expressions of tight junction (TJ) protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1). The effects on TEER, mRNA, and protein expressions of ZO-1 were mimicked by cyclic GMP (cGMP) analog 8-bromo-cGMP (1  μmol/L) and reversed by protein kinase G (PKG) inhibitor Rp-8-CPT-cGMPS (100  μmol/L), thus implying the role of PKG and cGMP signaling in BBB function. Transcription factor JunD knockdown by small interfering RNA resulted in no change of permeability by CNP. In vivo study of mouse brain by fluorimetric analysis with intravenous administration of sodium fluorescein (40 mg/kg) also showed a significant increase in BBB permeability by CNP (10 nmol/kg, intravenously). These findings suggest that CNP modulates the BBB permeability by altering ZO-1 expression.
Early Poststroke Experience Differentially Alters Periinfarct Layer II and III Cortex
Authors: Clarke Jared , Langdon Kristopher D , Corbett Dale
Published: January 2014

Early poststroke rehabilitation effectively improves recovery of function, likely by engaging multiple plasticity processes through use-dependent activation of neural circuits. The loci of such neuroplastic reorganization have not been examined during the initial phase of behavioral recovery. In the current study, we sought to evaluate sub-components of rehabilitation and to identify brain sites first engaged by early rehabilitation. Rats were subjected to endothelin-1 ischemia and placed in either enriched environment (EE), daily reach training (RT), combination of enriched environment and reach training (ER), or standard housing (ST) starting 7 days post ischemia. Functional and histopathological assessments were made after 2, 5, and 10 days of treatment. Animals exposed to 10 days of ER treatment exhibited significantly more use-dependent neuronal activity (FosB/ΔFosB expression) in perilesional cortex than those exposed to EE, RT, or ST treatments. Similar trends were observed in both perilesional striatum and contralesional forelimb motor cortex. This use-dependent plasticity was not explained by differences in neuronal death, inflammation, or lesion volume. The increased activity likely contributes to the neuroplastic changes and functional recovery observed after extended periods of rehabilitation. Importantly, EE or RT alone did not lead to enhanced activity suggesting that combination therapy is necessary to promote maximum recovery.
Investigating the use of Raman and immersion Raman spectroscopy for spectral histopathology of metastatic brain cancer and primary sites of origin
Authors: Fullwood Leanne M. , Clemens Graeme , Griffiths Dave , Ashton Katherine , Dawson Timothy P. , Lea Robert W. , Davis Charles , Bonnier Franck , Byrne Hugh J. , Baker Matthew J.
Published: January 2014

Raman and immersion Raman spectroscopy for diagnosing metastatic brain cancer and identifying primary sites of origin using brain tissue.
Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based ABC triblock terpolymers – synthetic complexity vs. application benefits
Authors: Barthel Markus J. , Schacher Felix H. , Schubert Ulrich S.
Published: January 2014

This review presents a short summary of possible synthetic routes for the synthesis of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) containing triblock terpolymers, as well as different applications in the bulk or in solution – including the preparation of porous materials, hybrid systems, and carriers for controlled drug delivery.
An ebselen like catalyst with enhanced GPx activity via a selenol intermediate
Authors: Balkrishna Shah Jaimin , Kumar Shailesh , Azad Gajendra Kumar , Bhakuni Bhagat Singh , Panini Piyush , Ahalawat Navjeet , Tomar Raghuvir Singh , Detty Michael R. , Kumar Sangit
Published: January 2014

Benzamide ring-substituted, quinine-derived ebselen analogue is synthesized which exists in selenol form upon addition of PhSH. It catalyses oxidation of PhSH with H2O2 faster (103-fold) than ebselen.
Molecular dynamics simulations of shock waves in hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene melts: Mechanical and structural responses
Authors: Fröhlich Markus G. , Sewell Thomas D. , Thompson Donald L.
Published: January 2014

The mechanical and structural responses of hydroxyl-terminated cis-1,4-polybutadiene melts to shock waves were investigated by means of all-atom non-reactive molecular dynamics simulations. The simulations were performed using the OPLS-AA force field but with the standard 12-6 Lennard-Jones potential replaced by the Buckingham exponential-6 potential to better represent the interactions at high compression. Monodisperse systems containing 64, 128, and 256 backbone carbon atoms were studied. Supported shock waves were generated by impacting the samples onto stationary pistons at impact velocities of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 km s−1, yielding shock pressures between approximately 2.8 GPa and 12.5 GPa. Single-molecule structural properties (squared radii of gyration, asphericity parameters, and orientational order parameters) and mechanical properties (density, shock pressure, shock temperature, and shear stress) were analyzed using a geometric binning scheme to obtain spatio-temporal resolution in the reference frame centered on the shock front. Our results indicate that while shear stress behind the shock front is relieved on a ∼0.5 ps time scale, a shock-induced transition to a glass-like state occurs with a concomitant increase of structural relaxation times by several orders of magnitude.
Nuclear quadrupole moment-induced Cotton-Mouton effect in molecules
Authors: Fu Li-juan , Vaara Juha
Published: January 2014

Nuclear magneto-optic effects could make important contributions to novel, high-sensitivity, and high-resolution spectroscopic and imaging methods that provide nuclear site-specific structural and dynamic information on molecular and materials systems. Here we present a first-principles electronic structure formulation of nuclear quadrupole moment-induced Cotton-Mouton effect in terms of response theory, as well as ab initio and density-functional theory calculations of this phenomenon for a series of molecular liquids: H2O, CH3NO2, CH3CH2OH, C6H6, C6H12 (cyclohexane), HI, XeF2, WF5Cl, and Pt(C2dtp)2. The roles of basis-set convergence, electron correlation, and relativistic effects are discussed. The estimated order of magnitude of the overall ellipticities induced to linearly polarized light is 10−3–10−7 rad/(M cm) for fully spin polarized nuclei. The cases with the largest presently obtained ellipticities should be detectable with modern instrumentation in the Voigt magneto-optic setup, particularly for the heavy nuclei.
Photo-fragmentation spectroscopy of benzylium and 1-phenylethyl cations
Authors: Féraud Géraldine , Dedonder-Lardeux Claude , Soorkia Satchin , Jouvet Christophe
Published: January 2014

The electronic spectra of cold benzylium (C6H5-CH2+) and 1-phenylethyl (C6H5-CH-CH3+) cations have been recorded via photofragment spectroscopy. Benzylium and 1-phenylethyl cations produced from electrosprayed benzylamine and phenylethylamine solutions, respectively, were stored in a cryogenically cooled quadrupole ion trap and photodissociated by an OPO laser, scanned in parts of the UV and visible regions (600–225 nm). The electronic states and active vibrational modes of the benzylium and 1-phenylethyl cations as well as those of their tropylium or methyl tropylium isomers have been calculated with ab initio methods for comparison with the spectra observed. Sharp vibrational progressions are observed in the visible region while the absorption features are much broader in the UV. The visible spectrum of the benzylium cation is similar to that obtained in an argon tagging experiment [V. Dryza, N. Chalyavi, J. A. Sanelli, and E. J. Bieske, J. Chem. Phys. 137, 204304 (2012)], with an additional splitting assigned to Fermi resonances. The visible spectrum of the 1-phenylethyl cation also shows vibrational progressions. For both cations, the second electronic transition is observed in the UV, around 33 000 cm−1 (4.1 eV) and shows a broadened vibrational progression. In both cases the S2 optimized geometry is non-planar. The third electronic transition observed around 40 000 cm−1 (5.0 eV) is even broader with no apparent vibrational structures, which is indicative of either a fast non-radiative process or a very large change in geometry between the excited and the ground states. The oscillator strengths calculated for tropylium and methyl tropylium are weak. Therefore, these isomeric structures are most likely not responsible for these absorption features. Finally, the fragmentation pattern changes in the second and third electronic states: C2H2 loss becomes predominant at higher excitation energies, for both cations.
Numerical optimization of writer geometries for bit patterned magnetic recording
Authors: Kovacs A. , Oezelt H. , Bance S. , Fischbacher J. , Gusenbauer M. , Reichel F. , Exl L. , Schrefl T. , Schabes M. E.
Published: January 2014

A fully-automated pole-tip shape optimization tool, involving write head geometry construction, meshing, micromagnetic simulation, and evaluation, is presented. Optimizations have been performed for three different writing schemes (centered, staggered, and shingled) for an underlying bit patterned media with an areal density of 2.12 Tdots/in.2. Optimizations were performed for a single-phase media with 10 nm thickness and a mag spacing of 8 nm. From the computed write field and its gradient and the minimum energy barrier during writing for islands on the adjacent track, the overall write error rate is computed. The overall write errors are 0.7, 0.08, and 2.8×10−5 for centered writing, staggered writing, and shingled writing.
Magnetic properties of epitaxial Fe/MgO/InAs(001) thin films
Authors: Hong Jo Jeong , Kim Kyung-Ho , Kim Hyung-jun , Chang Joonyeon , Ho Lim Sang
Published: January 2014

The magnetic properties of epitaxial Fe/MgO/InAs(001) thin films are examined, both experimentally and theoretically, and magnetic parameters are extracted by comparing an experimental hysteresis loop with a theoretical one calculated using a total energy equation. Out-of-plane hysteresis loops, measured along various magnetic field directions, indicate the formation of the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy at 30° from the normal of the film plane. The strength of the first-order cubic magnetocrystalline anisotropy is determined to be 6 × 104 erg/cm3, which is an order of magnitude weaker than that of bulk Fe, probably because of a large lattice mismatch between Fe and MgO (∼4.2%). The strength of the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy (9.6 × 104 erg/cm3) is on the same order of magnitude as that of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy. The parameters extracted from the out-of-plane hysteresis loop are then used to calculate the remanence ratios of in-plane hysteresis loops along various magnetic field directions. Good agreement is observed between the two sets of results, indicating the reliability of the extracted parameters.
Turing-Hopf instabilities through a combination of diffusion, advection, and finite size effects
Authors: Galhotra Sainyam , Bhattacharjee J. K. , Agarwalla Bijay Kumar
Published: January 2014

We show that in a reaction diffusion system on a two-dimensional substrate with advection in the confined direction, the drift (advection) induced instability occurs through a Hopf bifurcation, which can become a double Hopf bifurcation. The box size in the direction of the drift is a vital parameter. Our analysis involves reduction to a low dimensional dynamical system and constructing amplitude equations.
A novel facility for 3D micro-irradiation of living cells in a controlled environment by MeV ions
Authors: Mäckel V. , Meissl W. , Ikeda T. , Clever M. , Meissl E. , Kobayashi T. , Kojima T. M. , Imamoto N. , Ogiwara K. , Yamazaki Y.
Published: January 2014

We present a novel facility for micro-irradiation of living targets with ions from a 1.7 MV tandem accelerator. We show results using 1 MeV protons and 2 MeV He2+. In contrast to common micro-irradiation facilities, which use electromagnetic or electrostatic focusing and specially designed vacuum windows, we employ a tapered glass capillary with a thin end window, made from polystyrene with a thickness of 1–2 μm, for ion focusing and extraction. The capillary is connected to a beamline tilted vertically by 45°, which allows for easy immersion of the extracted ions into liquid environment within a standard cell culture dish. An inverted microscope is used for simultaneously observing the samples as well as the capillary tip, while a stage-top incubator provides an appropriate environment for the samples. Furthermore, our setup allows to target volumes in cells within a μm3 resolution, while monitoring the target in real time during and after irradiation.
Improvements for extending the time between maintenance periods for the Heidelberg ion beam therapy center (HIT) ion sources
Authors: Winkelmann Tim , Cee Rainer , Haberer Thomas , Naas Bernd , Peters Andreas , Schreiner Jochen
Published: January 2014

The clinical operation at the Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center (HIT) started in November 2009; since then more than 1600 patients have been treated. In a 24/7 operation scheme two 14.5 GHz electron cyclotron resonance ion sources are routinely used to produce protons and carbon ions. The modification of the low energy beam transport line and the integration of a third ion source into the therapy facility will be shown. In the last year we implemented a new extraction system at all three sources to enhance the lifetime of extraction parts and reduce preventive and corrective maintenance. The new four-electrode-design provides electron suppression as well as lower beam emittance. Unwanted beam sputtering effects which typically lead to contamination of the insulator ceramics and subsequent high-voltage break-downs are minimized by the beam guidance of the new extraction system. By this measure the service interval can be increased significantly. As a side effect, the beam emittance can be reduced allowing a less challenging working point for the ion sources without reducing the effective beam performance. This paper gives also an outlook to further enhancements at the HIT ion source testbench.
What Scientists Know Is Not a Function of What Scientists Know
Authors: Magnus P. D.
Published: January 2014

There are two senses of ‘what scientists know’: An individual sense (the separate opinions of individual scientists) and a collective sense (the state of the discipline). The latter is what matters for policy and planning, but it is not something that can be directly observed or reported. A function can be defined to map individual judgments onto an aggregate judgment. I argue that such a function cannot effectively capture community opinion, especially in cases that matter to us.
Seventeenth-Century Mechanism: An Alternative Framework for Reductionism
Authors: Theurer Kari L.
Published: January 2014

The current antireductionist consensus rests in part on the indefensibility of the deductive-nomological model of explanation, on which classical reductionism depends. I argue that the DN model is inessential to the reductionist program and that mechanism provides a better framework for thinking about reductionism. This runs counter to the contemporary mechanists’ claim that mechanism is an alternative to reductionism. I demonstrate that mechanists are committed to reductionism, as evidenced by the historical roots of the contemporary mechanist program. This view shares certain core commitments with reductionism. It is these shared commitments that constitute the essential elements of the reductionist program.
Presentism as an Empirical Hypothesis
Authors: Brading Katherine
Published: January 2014

Within philosophy of physics it is broadly accepted that presentism as an empirical hypothesis has been falsified by the development of special relativity. In this article, I identify and reject an assumption common to both presentists and advocates of the block universe and then offer an alternative version of presentism that does not begin from spatiotemporal structure, which is an empirical hypothesis, and which has yet to be falsified. While some features of familiar presentism are lost, a sufficient core remains to warrant the label (though I fear that labeling it “presentism” dooms the view).
Deep Conventionalism about Evolutionary Groups
Authors: Barker Matthew J. , Velasco Joel D.
Published: January 2014

We reject a widespread objectivism about kinds of evolutionary groups in favor of a new conventionalism. Surprisingly, being any one kind of evolutionary group typically depends on which of many incompatible values are taken by suppressed variables. This novel pluralism underlies almost any single evolutionary group concept, unlike familiar pluralisms claiming that multiple concepts of certain sorts are legitimate. Consequently, we must help objective facts determine which candidate evolutionary groups satisfy the definition of a given evolutionary group concept, regardless of whether we also help determine the legitimacy of that concept’s applications.
Shattering the Myth of Semmelweis
Authors: Tulodziecki Dana
Published: January 2014

The case of Semmelweis has been well known since Hempel. More recently, it has been revived by Peter Lipton, Donald Gillies, Alexander Bird, Alex Broadbent, and Raphael Scholl. While these accounts differ on what exactly the case of Semmelweis shows, they all agree that Semmelweis was an excellent reasoner. This widespread agreement has also given rise to a puzzle: why Semmelweis’s views were rejected for so long. I aim to dissolve both this puzzle and the standard view of Semmelweis by showing that, contrary to prevailing opinion, Semmelweis was not the excellent reasoner he has been assumed to be.
Acceptance, Values, and Inductive Risk
Authors: Steel Daniel
Published: January 2014

The argument from inductive risk attempts to show that practical and ethical costs of errors should influence standards of evidence for accepting scientific claims. A common objection charges that this argument presupposes a behavioral theory of acceptance that is inappropriate for science. I respond by showing that the argument from inductive risk is supported by a nonbehavioral theory of acceptance developed by Cohen, which defines acceptance in terms of premising. Moreover, I argue that theories designed to explain how acceptance can be guided exclusively by epistemic values suffer from difficulties that do not afflict Cohen’s theory.
The Stem Cell Uncertainty Principle
Authors: Fagan Melinda Bonnie
Published: January 2014

Stem cells are defined as having capacities for both self-renewal and differentiation. Many different entities satisfy this working definition. I show that this general stem cell concept is relative to a cell lineage, temporal duration, and characters of interest. Experiments specify values for these variables. So claims about stem cells must be understood in terms of experimental methods used to identify them. Furthermore, the stem cell concept imposes evidential constraints on interpretation of experimental results. From these constraints, it follows that claims about stem cell capacities are inherently uncertain. This result has important implications for stem cell research.
Nonnegative solutions with a nontrivial nodal set for elliptic equations on smooth symmetric domains
Authors: Poláčik P. , Terracini Susanna
Published: January 2014

We consider a semilinear elliptic equation on a smooth bounded domain

Ω
\Omega

in

R

2

\mathbb {R}^2

, assuming that both the domain and the equation are invariant under reflections about one of the coordinate axes, say the

y
y

-axis. It is known that nonnegative solutions of the Dirichlet problem for such equations are symmetric about the axis, and, if strictly positive, they are also decreasing in

x
x

for

x
>
0

x>0

. Our goal is to exhibit examples of equations which admit nonnegative, nonzero solutions for which the second property fails; necessarily, such solutions have a nontrivial nodal set in

Ω
\Omega

. Previously, such examples were known for nonsmooth domains only.
Comment on “The paradox of the ‘paradox of the plankton’” by Record et al.
Authors: Cropp Roger , Norbury John
Published: January 2014

Cropp, R., and Norbury, J. 2014. Comment on “The paradox of the ‘paradox of the plankton’” by Record et al. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 71: 293–295. The biodiversity of plankton ecosystems is no longer a paradox. The mathematical mechanisms that determine the coexistence of competitors in a general class of models, which includes almost all theoretical and applied mass conserving ecosystem models in present use, are clear. Knowledge of these mechanisms simplifies the identification and construction of models with the structural property that all species coexist for all time, irrespective of environmental forcings, spatial interactions, and further model complexities. Here, we discuss the “paradox of the ‘paradox of the plankton’” proposed by Record et al. (ICES Journal of Marine Science, 71: 236–240) and explain the mechanisms that underpin the solution.
Plankton post-paradox: reply to comment on “The paradox of the ‘paradox of the plankton’” by Record et al.
Authors: Record Nicholas R. , Pershing Andrew J. , Maps Frédéric
Published: January 2014

Record, N. R., Pershing, A. J. and Maps, F. 2014. Plankton post-paradox: reply to comment on “The paradox of the ‘paradox of the plankton’” by Record et al. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 71: 296–298. Classical theoretical ecology has largely focused on the coexistence of populations at the species level, particularly since the coining of the “paradox of the plankton”. The known mechanisms for coexistence, both mathematically and in nature, are myriad and diverse. Building on a dialogue in this journal (Cropp, R., and Norbury, J. 2014. Comment on “The paradox of the ‘paradox of the plankton’” by Record et al. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 71: 293 – 295; Record, N. R., Pershing, A. J., and Maps, F. 2014. The paradox of ‘the paradox of the plankton’. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 71: 236–240.), we outline a perspective whereby approaching the problem from a different organizational level—namely the community level—can offer valuable simplifications and insights. We expand on a prototype model that demonstrates the potential of this approach.
UHMWPE Sublaminar Wires in Posterior Spinal Instrumentation
Authors: Bogie Rob , Voss Laura , Arts Jacobus J. , Lataster Arno , Willems Paul C. , Brans Boudewijn , van Rhijn Lodewijk W. , Welting Tim J. M.
Published: January 2014

Study Design:

An animal study.

Objective:

To explore ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) sublaminar wires in spinal surgery and to assess stability and biocompatibility of the UHMWPE instrumentation in an ovine model.

Summary of Background Data:

Sublaminar wiring is a well-established technique in segmental scoliosis surgery. However, during introduction and/or removal of the metal sublaminar wires, neurological problems can occur. Abrasion after cutting metal wires for removal can lead to damage to the dural sac. Sublaminar wires have to withhold large forces and breakage of the wires can occur. Different types of sublaminar wires have been developed to address these problems. UHMWPE sublaminar wires can potentially substitute currently used metal sublaminar metal wires. In vivo testing and biocompatibility analysis of UHMWPE wires are recommended before clinical use in spinal surgery.

Materials and Methods:

In 6 immature sheep, pedicle screws were instrumented at lumbar level L4 and attached with titanium rods to 4 thoracolumbar vertebrae using 3- and 5-mm-wide UHMWPE sublaminar wiring constructions in 5 animals. Titanium sublaminar wires were applied in 1 animal to function as a control subject. After a follow-up period of 16 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and the spines were isolated. Radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans were made to assess stability of the instrumentation. The vertebrae were dissected for macroscopic and histologic evaluation.

Results:

None of the wires had loosened and the instrumentation remained stable. CT scans and radiographs showed no signs of failure of the instrumentation and no neurological complications occurred. Although several bony bridges were seen on CT, growth was observed at the operated levels. Biocompatibility was assessed by macroscopical and histologic analysis, showing no signs of dural or epidural inflammation.

Conclusions:

This pilot animal study shows that UHMWPE sublaminar wiring is a safe technique. The UHMWPE wires are biocompatible and provide sufficient stability in spinal instrumentation. Heterotopic ossification because of periost reactions in the ovine spine led to some restrictions in this study.
Is the whole more than the sum of its parts? Evolutionary trade-offs between burst and sustained locomotion in lacertid lizards
Authors: Vanhooydonck B. , James R. S. , Tallis J. , Aerts P. , Tadic Z. , Tolley K. A. , Measey G. J. , Herrel A.
Published: January 2014

Trade-offs arise when two functional traits impose conflicting demands on the same design trait. Consequently, excellence in one comes at the cost of performance in the other. One of the most widely studied performance trade-offs is the one between sprint speed and endurance. Although biochemical, physiological and (bio)mechanical correlates of either locomotor trait conflict with each other, results at the whole-organism level are mixed. Here, we test whether burst (speed, acceleration) and sustained locomotion (stamina) trade off at both the isolated muscle and whole-organism level among 17 species of lacertid lizards. In addition, we test for a mechanical link between the organismal and muscular (power output, fatigue resistance) performance traits. We find weak evidence for a trade-off between burst and sustained locomotion at the whole-organism level; however, there is a significant trade-off between muscle power output and fatigue resistance in the isolated muscle level. Variation in whole-animal sprint speed can be convincingly explained by variation in muscular power output. The variation in locomotor stamina at the whole-organism level does not relate to the variation in muscle fatigue resistance, suggesting that whole-organism stamina depends not only on muscle contractile performance but probably also on the performance of the circulatory and respiratory systems.
TheArabidopsisSIAMESE-RELATED Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitors SMR5 and SMR7 Regulate the DNA Damage Checkpoint in Response to Reactive Oxygen Species
Authors: Yi Dalong , Alvim Kamei Claire Lessa , Cools Toon , Vanderauwera Sandy , Takahashi Naoki , Okushima Yoko , Eekhout Thomas , Yoshiyama Kaoru Okamoto , Larkin John , Van den Daele Hilde , Conklin Phillip , Britt Anne , Umeda Masaaki , De Veylder Lieven
Published: January 2014

Whereas our knowledge about the diverse pathways aiding DNA repair upon genome damage is steadily increasing, little is known about the molecular players that adjust the plant cell cycle in response to DNA stress. By a meta-analysis of DNA stress microarray data sets, three family members of the SIAMESE/SIAMESE-RELATED (SIM/SMR) class of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors were discovered that react strongly to genotoxicity. Transcriptional reporter constructs corroborated specific and strong activation of the three SIM/SMR genes in the meristems upon DNA stress, whereas overexpression analysis confirmed their cell cycle inhibitory potential. In agreement with being checkpoint regulators, SMR5 and SMR7 knockout plants displayed an impaired checkpoint in leaf cells upon treatment with the replication inhibitory drug hydroxyurea (HU). Surprisingly, HU-induced SMR5/SMR7 expression depends on ATAXIA TELANGIECTASIA MUTATED (ATM) and SUPPRESSOR OF GAMMA RESPONSE1, rather than on the anticipated replication stress-activated ATM AND RAD3-RELATED kinase. This apparent discrepancy was explained by demonstrating that, in addition to its effect on replication, HU triggers the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS-dependent transcriptional activation of the SMR genes was confirmed by different ROS-inducing conditions, including high-light treatment. We conclude that the identified SMR genes are part of a signaling cascade that induces a cell cycle checkpoint in response to ROS-induced DNA damage.
Exploring the power dimensions of the human resource function
Authors: Sheehan Cathy , De Cieri Helen , Cooper Brian , Brooks Robert
Published: January 2014

While a large body of literature has investigated the content of human resource management (HRM) practices, this research explores the process through which the HRM function impacts on organisational performance. Specifically, the research explores the reasons for the success or failure of HRM initiatives that have been associated with organisational outcomes and classifies the reasons as dimensions of HRM power. Based on 26 interviews conducted in Australia with senior HRM executives, top management team (TMT) executives and two management consultants, we found that, in order to contribute to organisational performance, HRM professionals can effectively utilise three dimensions of power, namely power of resources, power of processes and power of meaning. The findings offer new insights to the relationship between dimensions of HRM power and organisational performance.
Typology of Public Outreach for Biodiversity Conservation Projects in Spain
Authors: JIMÉNEZ AMANDA , INIESTA‐ARANDIA IRENE , MUÑOZ‐SANTOS MARIA , MARTÍN‐LÓPEZ BERTA , JACOBSON SUSAN K. , BENAYAS JAVIER
Published: January 2014

Conservation education and outreach programs are a key approach to promote public understanding of the importance of biodiversity conservation. We reviewed 85 biodiversity conservation projects supported by the Spanish Ministry of Environment's Biodiversity Foundation. Through content analysis and descriptive statistics, we examined how the projects carried out communication, education, and public awareness and participation (CEPA) actions. We also used multivariate statistical analysis to develop a typology of 4 classes of biodiversity conservation projects on the basis of CEPA implementation. The classifications were delineated by purpose of CEPA, level of integration of CEPA actions, type of CEPA goals, main CEPA stakeholders, and aim of conservation. Our results confirm the existence of 2 key positions: CEPA has intrinsic value (i.e., they supposed the implementation of any CEPA action indirectly supported conservation) and CEPA is an instrument for achieving conservation goals. We also found that most CEPA actions addressed general audiences and school children, ignored minority groups and women, and did not include evaluation. The characteristics of the 4 types of projects and their frequency of implementation in the sample reflect the need for better integration of different types of actions (communication, education, and participation) and improved fostering of participation of multiple stakeholders in developing policy and implementing management strategies.

Tipología de la Divulgación Pública para Proyectos de Conservación de la Biodiversidad en España
Quantifying temperature and relative humidity of medical gases used for newborn resuscitation
Authors: Dawson Jennifer A , Owen Louise S , Middleburgh Robin , Davis Peter G
Published: January 2014

Aim

The gases used to stabilise infants during resuscitation are usually unconditioned air and oxygen, often described as ‘cold and dry’, in comparison with the heated, humidified gases used for ongoing ventilation in neonatal intensive care units. The aim of this study was to determine exactly how ‘cold and dry’ these unconditioned gases are.

Method

Multiple measurements of temperature and relative humidity (RH) of piped gases were recorded at different sites, and at different times of day, across The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne. Ambient temperature and relative humidities were also recorded.

Results

Eighty paired air and oxygen measurements of temperature and RH were recorded. Mean temperatures of piped oxygen and air were 23.3 (0.9) and 23.4 (0.9) °C respectively. Mean RH of piped air was 5.4 (0.7) %; piped oxygen was significantly drier, mean RH 2.1 (1.1) %.

Conclusion

Piped gases were delivered at room temperature and were extremely dry. This highlights the importance of research assessing the practicality of heating and humidifying resuscitation gases, and assessing the impact of their use on clinically important neonatal outcomes.