bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vivo endoscopic Doppler optical coherence tomography imaging of the colon
Authors: Welge Weston A. , Barton Jennifer K.
Published: August 2016

Background and Objective

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second deadliest cancer in the United States. Several screening methods exist; however, detection of small polyps remains a challenge. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been demonstrated to be capable of detecting lesions as small as 1 mm in the mouse colon, but detection is based on measuring a doubling of the mucosa thickness. The colon microvasculature may be an attractive biomarker of early tumor development because tumor vessels are characterized by irregular structure and dysfunction. Our goal was to develop an endoscopic method of detecting and segmenting colon vessels using Doppler OCT to enable future studies for improving early detection and development of novel chemopreventive agents.

Method

We conducted in vivo colon imaging in an azoxymethane (AOM)‐treated mouse model of colorectal cancer using a miniature endoscope and a swept‐source OCT system at 1,040 nm with a 16 kHz sweep rate. We applied the Kasai autocorrelation algorithm to laterally oversampled OCT B‐scans to resolve vascular flow in the mucosa and submucosa. Vessels were segmented by applying a series of image processing steps: (i) intensity thresholding; (ii) two‐dimensional matched filtering; and (iii) histogram segmentation.

Results

We observed differences in the vessels sizes and spatial distribution in a mature adenoma compared to surrounding undiseased tissue and compared the results with histology. We also imaged flow in four young mice (two AOM‐treated and two control) showing no significant differences, which is expected so early after carcinogen exposure. We also present flow images of adenoma in a living mouse and a euthanized mouse to demonstrate that no flow is detected after euthanasia.

Conclusion

We present, to the best of our knowledge, the first Doppler OCT images of in vivo mouse colon collected with a fiber‐based endoscope. We also describe a fast and robust image processing method for segmenting vessels in the colon. These results suggest that Doppler OCT is a promising imaging modality for vascular imaging in the colon that requires no exogenous contrast agents. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:249–257, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Einflüsse kleiner Zusätze von Niob oder Cer auf Korrosion und Kriechen von Incoloy 800 in Co‐H2O‐H2‐Atmosphären
Authors: Hemptenmacher Jürgen , Grabke Hans Jürgen
Published: August 2016

In oxidierenden und aufkohlenden Atmosphären werden Fe‐Ni‐Cr‐Legierungen bei hohen Temperaturen und Kriechen der Werkstoffe aufgekohlt, dadurch daß eine Kohlenstoffübertragung durch Risse in der Oxidschicht erfolgt. Bei Kriechversuchen in CO‐H2O‐H2‐Atmosphären bei 1000°C mit verschieden Legierungen auf der Basis von Incoloy 800 konnte die Kohlenstoffaufnahme mit der Dehnung des Werkstoffs korreliert werden.

Legierungszusätze von Niob im Bereich 0,2 bis 1% bewirkten Änderungen der Kriechgeschwindigkeit, eine Abnahme für >0,35% Nb und eine Zunahme für >0,35%. Der Kriechwiderstand für die höheren Nb‐Konzentrationen (1% Nb) konnte durch eine Lösungsglühung bei hoher Temperatur (1200°C) verbessert werden.

Niob hemmt die Aufkohlung sehr wirksam. Dieser Einfluß ist durch die Bildung einer inneren Oxidschicht aus Al‐ und Nb‐Oxiden unterhalb der äußeren Cr2O3‐Schicht zu erklären. Auch ein Zusatz von Cer (0,06%) hat günstige Auswirkungen auf den Kriechwiderstand und den Widerstand gegen Aufkohlung des Werkstoffs.
Korrosion von Chemieemail durch wäßrig‐neutrale Medien
Authors: Lorentz R.
Published: August 2016

Chemieemails sind hochbeständige Spezialgläser im Schmelzverbund mit Stahl, ein Verbundwerkstoff, der vorzugsweise im Chemiebetrieb als korrosionsfestes all‐round Material für Rührbehälter und Zubehör eingesetzt wird. Die Korrosionsbeständigkeit des Glasemails gegenüber wäßrig neutralen Medien wird überprüft durch gravimetrische Auswertung von Laborversuchen mit allseitig emaillierten Probekörpern. Für den Angriff des reinen Wassers werden für Email die vom Massivglas bekannten Vorgänge bestätigt. Wird jedoch, wie im Chemiebetrieb üblich, stattdessen Leitungswasser genommen, oder sind im Wasser Neutralsalze wie Chloride, Phosphate, Hydrogenkarbonate vorhanden, werden deutlich höhere Emailabtragsraten gefunden; umgekehrt wirken sich Aluminium(III) oder organische Verbindungen im Wasser positiv für Email aus. Durch die Wahl von praxisanalogen Versuchsparametern können die quantitativen Ergebnisse auf die Realität übertragen werden und verhelfen damit dem Betreiber zu einer optimalen Nutzung seiner emaillierten Apparate.
Influence of nitrogen addition on microstructure and pitting corrosion resistance of austenitic weld metals
Authors: Mudali U. Kamachi , Dayal R. K. , Gill T. P. S. , Gnanamoorthy J. B.
Published: August 2016

A study to investigate the role of nitrogen in improving the pitting corrosion resistance of types 316 and 304 stainless steel weld metals has been attempted. Weld metals were prepared by autogenous TIG welding process with argon‐nitrogen mixture as the shielding gas. Delta‐ferrite measurements, made with Magne‐Gage, showed the absence of delta‐ferrite in all the samples of type 316 ss weld metal whereas for type 304 ss it decreased from 3.8 to 0 FN with increase in the levels of nitrogen. Potentiodynamic anodic polarization studies carried out on weld metal samples in deaerated neutral chloride medium showed improved resistance to pitting attack with increase in the amount of nitrogen. This improvement in pitting resistance could be due to the dissolution of nitrogen and formation of inhibiting compounds at the pit sites. The ESCA results of the anodically polarized weld metal samples showed the presence of nitrogen in a compound form. SEM and optical microscopic studies of the pitted samples showed that the initiation sites for pitting attack were triple points, austenite centres and delta‐ferrite/austenite interfaces.
Kohlenstoffaustausch zwischen Stahl und Natrium als Korrosionserscheinung
Authors: Borgstedt H. U. , Frees G.
Published: August 2016

Neue Meßmethoden ermöglichen die Bestimmung von Kohlenstoff in flüssigem Natrium im Konzentrationsbereich unter 1 μg C/gNa. Dadurch wird der Kohlenstoffaustausch zwischen Natrium und austenitischem Stahl vor allem bei Entkohlungsvorgängen verständlich. Der Kohlenstoffaustausch vom Stahl zum Natrium kann zu einer Schädigung der Werkstoffe in der Nähe der Oberfläche führen. So ist in solchen Fällen die Verminderung der Zeitstandfestigkeit des Stahls 1.4948 bei 550°C beobachtet worden. Die Schädigung durch Entkohlung schreitet allerdings nur langsam fort, wie sich im Falle von Proben mit größerem Durchmesser gezeigt hat, in denen praktisch keine Reduktion der Zeitstandfestigkeit auftrat.
Korrosionsvérhalten hochlegierter Stähle im System H2O/NH3/CO2/H2S/HCN/HSCN (Teil 1)
Authors: Schröpfer J. , Wendler‐Kalsch E.
Published: August 2016

Es wurde der Einfluß von Schwefelwasserstoff, Blausäure, Polysulfid und Rhodanwasserstoff auf das Korrosionsverhalten hochlegierter Stähle und einer Nickelbasislegierung in Ammoncarbonatlösung mit elektrochemischen Methoden untersucht. Die wesentlichen Mechanismen für die Stärke des Korrosionsangriffs werden anhand schematischer Diagramme aufgezeigt.

Geringe H2S‐Gehalte erhöhen die Korrosionsrate, hohe H2S‐Gehalte erniedrigen sie durch Bildung schützender Deckschichten. Polysulfid stabilisiert aufgrund des kathodischen Teilstroms der Schwefelreduktion das freie Korrosionspotential beim Redoxpotential im Passivbereich der Werkstoffe. HCN erhöht einerseits die Korrosionsrate aktivierter Proben in H2S‐haltigen Lösungen durch Entfernen sulfidischer Deckschichten, andererseits inhibiert es die Korrosion in HSCN‐haltigen Lösungen. Auch in H2S‐haltigen Lösungen sind inhibierende Effekte und instabile Passivität bei Proben mit oxidischer Deckschicht möglich. Die Stärke des Korrosionsangriffs in HSCN‐haltigen Lösungen wird durch CO2 erhöht und ist abhängig vom Nickelgehalt der Werkstoffe.
Eigenschaftsprofil des neuentwickelten Stahls X2 CrNiMnMoN 23 1764
Authors: Grundmann R. , Gümpel P. , Ladwein Th.
Published: August 2016

Durch eine abgewogene Legierungszusammensetzung war es möglich, den hochlegierten Edelstahl X 2 CrNiMnMoN 23 17 6 4 mit einem Stickstoffgehalt von > 0,4% bei konventioneller Erzeugung herzustellen. Der Werkstoff hat ein vollaustenitisches Gefüge, eine 0,2%‐Dehngrenze von > 420 N/mm2 und ist schweißtechnisch gut verarbeitbar. Im Lochfraßtest nach ASTM G 48‐76 erreicht er eine kritische Lochfraßtemperatur von > 85°C, die auch im geschweißten Zustand nur geringfügig niedriger liegt. Der Stahl stellt damit eine interessante Lösung für Anwendungen in der chemischen Industrie dar, in denen hochlegierte Edelstähle aus Beständigkeitsgründen versagen und teure Sonderwerkstoffe, z. B. Ni‐Basislegierungen, nicht unbedingt erforderlich sind.
Halbleitereigenschaften von Passivfilmen und ihre Bedeutung für die Lochkorrosion
Authors: Schmuki P. , Böhni H.
Published: August 2016

Mit Hilfe von Mott‐Schottky‐Analysen und photoelektrochemischen Untersuchungen wurden die Halbleitereigenschaften von Passivfilmen auf AISI 304 charakterisiert und mit dem Auftreten von Stromtransienten, welche aus metastabilen Lochkorrosionsvorgängen resultieren, verglichen.

Es zeigte sich, daß das Potential, unter welchem keine Lochinitiierungsvorgänge mehr beobachtbar sind, mit dem Potential des Ladungsnullpunkts im Passivfilm (Flachbandpotential) zusammenfällt. Ein einfaches elektrostatisches Modell wird vorgeschlagen, welches zeigt, daß der erste Schritt des Lochbildungsvorganges ‐ nämlich die Adsorption von lochfraßerzeugenden Anionen‐erst ermöglicht wird, wenn im Passivfilm eine positive Raumladung auftritt.

Dieses Modell wird weiter gestützt durch das Auftreten eines Maximums in der Transientenzahl, welches in einem Potentialbereich erfolgt, in dem auch drastische Änderungen in den elektronischen Eigenschaften des Passivfilmes festzustellen sind.
Sporopollenin, a Natural Copolymer, is Robust under High Hydrostatic Pressure
Authors: Montgomery Wren , Potiszil Christian , Watson Jonathan S. , Sephton Mark A.
Published: August 2016

Lycopodium sporopollenin, a natural copolymer, shows exceptional stability under high hydrostatic pressures (10 GPa) as determined by in situ high pressure synchrotron source Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. This stability is evaluated in terms of the component compounds of the sporopollenin: p‐coumaric acid, phloretic acid, ferulic acid, and palmitic and sebacic acids, which represent the additional n‐acid and n‐diacid components. This high stability is attributed to interactions between these components, rather than the exceptional stability of any one molecular component. This study proposes a biomimetic solution for the creation of polymer materials that can withstand high pressures for a multitude of uses in aeronautics, vascular autografts, ballistics, and light‐weight protective materials.

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Generation Mechanism of Oxidation Products during the Air Atmosphere Oxidation of SEBS/PP Blends: Tracked by 2D Correlation Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Yongcheng , Zhou Tao , Zhang Aiming
Published: August 2016

In this paper, the generation mechanism of oxidation products during the oxidation of the polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene‐co‐1‐butene)‐block‐polystyrene copolymer (SEBS)/poly(propylene) (PP) blend in air atmosphere is investigated using temperature‐dependent FTIR combined with 2D correlation infrared spectroscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and perturbation‐correlation moving‐window 2D correlation FTIR spectroscopy find three processes associated with SEBS/PP oxidative degradation. The 2D correlation analysis is used to study the sequential order of groups' movement of reactants and oxidation products involved in the main oxidation. It is found that the main oxidation starts from the molecular chains of PP and EB blocks of SEBS. It firstly forms COC structure between the molecular chains of PP and the EB blocks, resulting in the cross‐linked structure. Aliphatic ketones are formed via the β‐scission of the main chains of PP or the EB blocks. Then, aliphatic ketones are converted into aliphatic esters. After the above reactions, the S blocks of SEBS begin to oxidize. The S blocks are generated into aromatic ketones through β‐scission. The formation of lactones in the molecular chains of PP and EB blocks is followed via the radical biting back. Finally, aromatic ketones generated from the S blocks are converted into aromatic esters through the reactions of Norrish I, the radical coupling, and so on.

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The Synthesis and Characterization of the Poly[N‐vinylpyrrolidone‐co‐ethylidene‐bis‐3‐(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone)] Hydrogel Matrix for Drug Delivery to the Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Hrib Jakub , Sirc Jakub , Hobzova Radka , Krumbholcova Eva , Zak Ales , Stankova Barbora , Slanar Ondrej , Hromadka Robert , Michalek Jiri
Published: August 2016

Hydrogels based on copolymers of N‐vinylpyrrolidone and ethylidene‐bis‐3‐(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) (EBVP) were prepared as polymer matrices for controlled release of high loads of hydrophilic compounds into the gastrointestinal tract. EBVP was synthesized and used as a crosslinking agent for the N‐vinylpyrrolidone monomer. The polymerization mixtures, containing 65–80 wt.% of the model pharmacologically active compound, were polymerized to create cylindrical formulations. The release experiments were carried out under conditions corresponding to the digestive tract. Various compositions of hydrogel matrices were tested to reveal the influence of the active compound content and the crosslinking ratio on the release kinetics. Processes such as hydrogel swelling, dissolution and formulation disintegration were evaluated. The results obtained show that the system offers many possibilities to control the drug release to meet various medicinal requirements.
Evaluation of Grain Size by Small‐Angle X‐Ray Scattering for a Block Copolymer Film in Which Cylindrical Microdomains Are Perpendicularly Oriented
Authors: Ohnogi Hiroshi , Sasaki Sono , Sakurai Shinichi
Published: August 2016

Method of evaluation of grain size of hexagonally‐packed cylindrical microdomains is presented by taking as an example the data from the polystyrene‐block‐polyethylenebutylene‐block‐polystyrene (SEBS) triblock copolymer film, where the polystyrene cylinders are embedded in the polyethylenebutylene matrix with being oriented perpendicular to the surface of the film. For this purpose, the two‐dimensional small‐angle X‐ray scattering was measured by illuminating X‐ray beam from the side of the film. The procedure is similar to the method how to evaluate the crystallite size of polymer, using the peak width of crystalline reflection in the wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) measurement. While single crystal is used as the standard sample for the case of WAXD because it can be postulated that the crystallite size is infinity in the single crystal, we propose here to use collagen as a standard sample for the SAXS measurement, since collagen forms very regular stacking of texture with 65.3 nm repeating period and the number of the stacking texture is infinitely large. It was confirmed that the grain size evaluated by the SAXS method was in sufficient accord with the result of the transmission electron microscopic observation.
Contact Angle Studies in XLPE Hybrid Nanocomposites with Inorganic Nanofillers
Authors: Jose Josmin P. , Abraham Jiji , Maria Hanna J. , Varughese K.T. , Thomas Sabu
Published: August 2016

Wetting properties and surface energy characteristics of cross‐linked polyethylene (XLPE) with different nanofillers (such as Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, and clay) were studied using contact angle measurements with water and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as solvents. Similar trend of variation of contact angle was found for both the kinds of systems. In nanocomposites, the high packing density of the macromolecules on the super molecular level (with marked ordering even in quasi‐amorphous regions) create steric and kinetic hindrances for penetration of solvent molecules, which may result in high degree of solvent resistance, confirmed by the transition of the material from wetting region (for neat XLPE) to a non‐ wetting region (for nanocomposites). Results of contact angle studies have been correlated with the morphology and microstructure development in each system by electron microscopy.
Molecular Weight Distribution of Core Cross‐Linked Star Polymers
Authors: Tobita Hidetaka
Published: August 2016

The analytic formulas for the number‐ and weight‐average molecular weights (MWs) of the core cross‐linked star polymers (CCSPs) are proposed. In the arm‐first method, the number‐ and weight‐average MWs of the arms ( and ) and CCSPs ( and ) can be determined experimentally. From , , and weight fraction of the arms wA (or the core, wC = 1−wA), the number‐average number of the arms () and the number‐average core MW () can be determined. Because of the correlation between the core MW and the number of the arms, the general solution of for CCSPs presented requires attention to the nature of correlation. When the average and variance of the arm‐number distribution are linear function of core MW, the weight‐average number of the arms () and the weight‐average core MW () can be determined. The approximate estimation method for is also discussed.

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Oscillatory activity in the basal ganglia and deep brain stimulation
Authors: Guridi Jorge , Alegre Manuel
Published: August 2016

Over the past 10 years, research into the neurophysiology of the basal ganglia has provided new insights into the pathophysiology of movement disorders. The presence of pathological oscillations at specific frequencies has been linked to different signs and symptoms in PD and dystonia, suggesting a new model to explain basal ganglia dysfunction. These advances occurred in parallel with improvements in imaging and neurosurgical techniques, both of which having facilitated the more widespread use of DBS to modulate dysfunctional circuits. High‐frequency stimulation is thought to disrupt pathological activity in the motor cortex/basal ganglia network; however, it is not easy to explain all of its effects based only on changes in network oscillations. In this viewpoint, we suggest that a return to classic anatomical concepts might help to understand some apparently paradoxical findings. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Predictors of functional dependency in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Macleod Angus D. , Counsell Carl E.
Published: August 2016

Background

Functional dependency, the need for help in basic activities of daily living, is an important patient‐oriented outcome. We aimed to describe the development of dependency in Parkinson's disease (PD) and identify independent prognostic factors for this outcome.

Methods

We analyzed data from the Parkinsonism Incidence in North‐East Scotland (PINE) study, a prospective, community‐based incident cohort of PD with ongoing follow‐up. We described the development of dependency defined by a Schwab & England score of < 80% and a Barthel Index of <19. We identified the baseline predictors of dependency using multivariable Cox regression.

Results

In 198 patients with PD, the rate of development of dependency was 14 per 100 person years. Older age at diagnosis (hazard ratio for 10‐year increase 2.23 [95% confidence interval 1.66‐2.98]), greater smoking history (hazard ratio for 10‐pack‐year increase, 1.15 [1.04‐1.26]), more severe axial impairment (hazard ratio for 5‐point increase in sum of axial items from UPDRS scale, 1.78 [1.30‐2.44]), and lower MMSE score (hazard ratio 0.88 [0.79‐0.98]) were independently associated with a higher risk of dependency as defined by Schwab & England. Only older age (hazard ratio for 10‐year increase 1.35 [1.04‐1.76]) and severity of axial impairment (hazard ratio for 5‐point increase 1.85 [1.31‐2.62]) were associated with a higher risk of dependency as defined by the Barthel Index. Sex, deprivation, comorbidity, overall UPDRS motor score, and disease stage were not independently associated with dependency.

Conclusion

This is the first community‐based study of dependency in PD. There was a high rate of dependency development. Older age, more smoking, more axial impairment, and poorer cognition were independent predictors. © 2016 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Longitudinal changes in CSF alpha‐synuclein species reflect Parkinson's disease progression
Authors: Majbour Nour K. , Vaikath Nishant N. , Eusebi Paolo , Chiasserini Davide , Ardah Mustafa , Varghese Shiji , Haque M. Emdadul , Tokuda Takahiko , Auinger Peggy , Calabresi Paolo , Parnetti Lucilla , El‐Agnaf Omar M.A.
Published: August 2016

Background

Parkinson's disease (PD) diagnosis is mainly based on clinical criteria, with a high risk of misdiagnosis. The identification of reliable biomarkers for disease diagnosis and progression has a key role for developing disease‐modifying therapies. In this article, we investigated the longitudinal changes of CSF α‐synuclein species in early PD patients and explored the potential use of these species as surrogate biomarkers for PD progression.

Methods

We used our newly developed enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay systems for measuring different forms of α‐synuclein, such as oligomeric‐α‐synuclein, phosphorylated‐α‐synuclein at serine 129, or total‐α‐synuclein in CSF from the longitudinal Deprenyl and Tocopherol Antioxidative Therapy for Parkinsonism study cohort (n = 121). CSF Alzheimer's disease biomarkers (total‐tau, phosphorylated‐tau, Aβ40, and Aβ42) were also measured for this cohort.

Results

Interestingly, total‐α‐synuclein and oligomeric‐α‐synuclein levels significantly increased during the 2‐year Deprenyl and Tocopherol Antioxidative Therapy for Parkinsonism study follow‐up period, whereas phosphorylated‐α‐synuclein at serine 129 levels showed a longitudinal decrease. We have also noted an association between a change of the oligomeric‐α‐synuclein/total‐α‐synuclein ratio and a worsening of motor signs, in particular in the postural‐instability and gait‐difficulty dominant PD group. A strong positive correlation between the changes in CSF total‐α‐synuclein and oligomeric‐α‐synuclein during the 2‐year Deprenyl and Tocopherol Antioxidative Therapy for Parkinsonism study was also noted (r = 0.84,P < .001).

Conclusion

Our data show that CSF α‐synuclein species have a dynamic pattern along the course of the disease, supporting their possible role as progression biomarkers for PD and their link with PD clinical phenotypes. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
The prevalence of diagnosed tourette syndrome in Canada: A national population‐based study
Authors: Yang Jaeun , Hirsch Lauren , Martino Davide , Jette Nathalie , Roberts Jodie , Pringsheim Tamara
Published: August 2016

Objective

The objective of this study was to examine: (1) the prevalence of diagnosed Tourette syndrome in Canada by sex in youth (aged 12‐17) and adults and (2) socioeconomic factors in this population.

Background

The majority of epidemiological studies of tics have focused on children and youth, with few studies describing the prevalence of tics in adult populations.

Methods

Canadian data on Tourette syndrome prevalence were derived from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2010 and 2011 cycles, a Statistics Canada population‐based cross‐sectional survey that collects information related to health status. We determined the prevalence of diagnosed Tourette syndrome and examined sociodemographic factors, including age, sex, education, income, employment, and birthplace.

Results

Overall, 122,884 Canadians participated in the surveys, with 122 participants diagnosed with Tourette syndrome. The prevalence of Tourette syndrome was higher in males in youth: 6.03 per 1000 (95% confidence interval: 3.24‐8.81) in males versus 0.48 per 1,000 (95% confidence interval: 0.05‐0.91) in females, with a prevalence risk ratio of 5.31 (95% confidence interval: 2.38‐11.81). In adults, the prevalence of Tourette syndrome was 0.89 per 1,000 (95% confidence interval: 0.48‐1.29) in males versus 0.44 (95% confidence interval: 0.16.0‐0.71) in females, with a prevalence risk ratio of 1.93 (95% confidence interval: 1.21‐3.08). After adjusting for age and sex, adults with Tourette syndrome had lower odds of receiving postsecondary education or being employed and higher odds of having income lower than the median and receiving governmental support.

Conclusion

Data on the prevalence of Tourette syndrome in adults are scarce because most studies focus on children. Our data demonstrate a decreasing prevalence risk ratio for sex in adults compared to children. A diagnosis of Tourette syndrome is associated with lower education, income, and employment in adulthood. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A branch‐and‐cut‐and‐price algorithm for the mixed capacitated general routing problem
Authors: Bach Lukas , Lysgaard Jens , Wøhlk Sanne
Published: August 2016

In this paper, we consider the Mixed Capacitated General Routing Problem which is a combination of the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem and the Capacitated Arc Routing Problem. The problem is also known as the Node, Edge, and Arc Routing Problem. We propose a Branch‐and‐Cut‐and‐Price algorithm for obtaining optimal solutions to the problem and present computational results based on a set of standard benchmark instances. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 68(3), 161–184 2016
Reliability and Validity of the 4‐Item Version of the Korean Perceived Stress Scale
Authors: Kim Hee‐Ju
Published: August 2016

This study was designed to evaluate the reliability (internal consistency, reproducibility over time, and measurement precision) and validity (factorial, convergent, and concurrent validity) of the 4‐item Korean Perceived Stress Scale in comparison to the 10‐item Korean Perceived Stress Scale. Participants were 650 students from seven schools of nursing in South Korea. Measures included Korean versions of the Perceived Stress Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and a single‐item quality‐of‐life measure. The 4‐item Perceived Stress Scale had lower Cronbach alpha than the 10‐item Perceived Stress Scale (.65 vs. .80), but its item‐total correlations (.35–.47) and split‐half coefficient (.81) were comparable to the 10‐item Perceived Stress Scale (item‐total correlations = .20–.56; split‐half coefficient = .82). Reproducibility of the 4‐item scale after a 1‐week interval (r = .67, ICC absolute agreement = .64) was similar to the 10‐item scale (r = .70, ICC absolute agreement = .65). The standard error of measurement was slightly higher in the 4‐item scale. Scale constructs of the two were identical in exploratory factor analysis. The two scales were highly correlated (r = .93) and showed similar levels of concurrent validity with sleep quality and quality of life. In conclusion, the 4‐ and 10‐item Korean Perceived Stress Scale are similar in psychometric qualities. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Change in Dietary Patterns and Change in Waist Circumference and DXA Trunk Fat Among Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Cespedes Feliciano Elizabeth M. , Tinker Lesley , Manson JoAnn E. , Allison Matthew , Rohan Thomas , Zaslavsky Oleg , Waring Molly E. , Asao Keiko , Garcia Lorena , Rosal Milagros , Neuhouser Marian L.
Published: August 2016

Objective

To examine whether changes in diet quality predict changes in central adiposity among postmenopausal women.

Methods

At baseline and 3‐year follow‐up, Women's Health Initiative Observational Study participants completed food frequency questionnaires, and waist circumference was measured (WC, n = 67,175). In a subset, trunk fat was measured via dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA, n = 4,254). Using multivariable linear regression, 3‐year changes in dietary patterns (Healthy Eating Index‐2010, Alternate Healthy Eating Index‐2010, Alternate Mediterranean Diet, and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) were examined as predictors of concurrent changes in WC and, secondarily, DXA.

Results

Mean (SD) age and 3‐year changes in weight and WC were 63 (7) years, 0.52 (4.26) kg, and 0.94 (6.65) cm. A 10% increase in any dietary pattern score, representing improved diet quality, was associated with 0.07 to 0.43 cm smaller increase in WC over 3 years (all P < 0.05). After adjusting for weight change, associations attenuated to 0.02 to 0.10 cm but remained statistically significant for all patterns except Alternate Mediterranean Diet. Results were similar for DXA trunk fat.

Conclusions

Three‐year improvements in diet quality are modestly protective against gain in WC and partially explained by lesser weight gain. Achieving and maintaining a healthful diet after menopause may protect against gains in central adiposity.
Affinity Capturing and Surface Enrichment of a Membrane Protein Embedded in a Continuous Supported Lipid Bilayer
Authors: Gunnarsson Anders , Simonsson Nyström Lisa , Burazerovic Sabina , Gunnarsson Jenny , Snijder Arjan , Geschwindner Stefan , Höök Fredrik
Published: August 2016

Investigations of ligand‐binding kinetics to membrane proteins are hampered by their poor stability and low expression levels, which often translates into sensitivity‐related limitations impaired by low signal‐to‐noise ratios. Inspired by affinity capturing of water‐soluble proteins, which utilizes water as the mobile phase, we demonstrate affinity capturing and local enrichment of membrane proteins by using a fluid lipid bilayer as the mobile phase. Specific membrane‐protein capturing and enrichment in a microfluidic channel was accomplished by immobilizing a synthesized trivalent nitrilotriacetic acid (tris‐NTA)–biotin conjugate. A polymer‐supported lipid bilayer containing His6‐tagged β‐secretase (BACE) was subsequently laterally moved over the capture region by using a hydrodynamic flow. Specific enrichment of His6–BACE in the Ni2+–NTA‐modified region of the substrate resulted in a stationary three‐fold increase in surface coverage, and an accompanied increase in ligand‐binding response.
Online Deliberation in Academia: Evaluating the Quality and Legitimacy of Cooperatively Developed University Regulations
Authors: Escher Tobias , Friess Dennis , Esau Katharina , Sieweke Jost , Tranow Ulf , Dischner Simon , Hagemeister Philipp , Mauve Martin
Published: August 2016

This article focuses on the potential of online participation to enable the cooperative development of norms by affected stakeholders, investigating whether such processes can produce norms of both high quality and legitimacy. To answer this question, we designed, implemented, and evaluated an online norm setting process that goes beyond the scope of those usually described in the literature. Taking as a case study a process to redraft the examination regulations for doctoral degrees at a science faculty of a German university, we show that such instances of online deliberation can integrate the diversity of opinions of all affected stakeholders. The result was a norm that implemented previously controversial external recommendations for doctoral dissertation procedures and that was met with high satisfaction from both those who participated as well as those who remained passive. While we believe that the university context in which this process was conducted is particularly promising for such efforts because of its organization, its members, and the issue that was at stake, we argue that similar conducive conditions exist, for example, for political parties. As such, the findings can be instructive for understanding the potential and limits of successful online participation in other contexts.
The role of average time dependence on the relaxation of excited electron populations in nonequilibrium many‐body physics
Authors: Kemper A. F. , Krishnamurthy H. R. , Freericks J. K.
Published: August 2016

We examine the exact equation of motion for the relaxation of populations of strongly correlated electrons after a nonequilibrium excitation by a pulsed field, and prove that the populations do not change when the Green's functions have no average time dependence. We show how the average time dependence enters into the equation of motion to lowest order and describe what governs the relaxation process of the electron populations in the long‐time limit. While this result may appear, on the surface, to be required by any steady‐state solution, the proof is nontrivial, and provides new critical insight into how nonequilibrium populations relax, which goes beyond the assumption that they thermalize via a simple relaxation rate determined by the imaginary part of the self‐energy, or that they can be described by a quasi‐equilibrium condition with a Fermi‐Dirac distribution and a time‐dependent temperature. We also discuss the implications of this result to approximate theories, which may not satisfy the exact relation in the equation of motion.
Phenotyping and genotyping of CYP2C19 using comparative metabolism of proguanil in sickle‐cell disease patients and healthy controls in Nigeria
Authors: Adejumo Olufunmilayo E. , Kotila Taiwo R. , Falusi Adeyinka G. , Silva Boladale O. , Nwogu Jacinta N. , Fasinu Pius S. , Babalola Chinedum P.
Published: August 2016

Polymorphic expression of metabolic enzymes have been identified as one of the key factors responsible for the interindividual/ethnic/racial variability in drug metabolism and effect. In Nigeria, there is a disproportionately high incidence of sickle‐cell disease (SCD), a condition characterized by painful crisis frequently triggered by malaria. Proguanil, a substrate of the polymorphic CYP2C19, is a chemoprophylactic antimalarial drug widely used among SCD patients in Nigeria. This study aimed to conduct a comparative CYP2C19 phenotyping among SCD patients and healthy controls and to compare the results with those previously reported. One hundred seventy‐seven unrelated subjects comprising 131 SCD patients and 46 non‐SCD volunteers were phenotyped. This was carried out by collecting pooled urine samples over 8 h following PG administration. Proguanil and its major CYP2C19‐dependent metabolites were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Metabolic ratios (MRs) were computed and employed in classifying subjects into poor or extensive metabolizers. Among SCD group, 130 (99.2%) were extensive metabolizers (EMs) and 1 (0.8%) was poor metabolizer (PM) of PG, while 95.7 and 4.3% non‐SCDs were EMs and PMs, respectively. MRs ranged from 0.02 to 8.70 for SCD EMs and from 0.22 to 8.33 for non‐SCD EMs. Two non‐SCDs with MRs of 18.18 and 25.76 and the SCD with MR of 16.77 regarded as PMs had earlier been genotyped as CYP2C19*2/*2. Poor metabolizers of proguanil in SCD patients are reported for the first time. Regardless of clinical significance, a difference in metabolic disposition of proguanil and CYP2C19 by SCDs and non‐SCDs was established.
Investigation of the lattice behavior of cubic Y2O3/Eu3+ nanotubes under high pressure
Authors: Li Zepeng , Xu Hao , Liu Bo , Song Qinggong , Zhou Qingjun , Song Hongwei , Liu Bingbing
Published: August 2016

In situ Raman vibration characterization and angle‐dispersive X‐ray diffraction (ADXD) measurements were performed on Y2O3/Eu3+ nanotubes to study its lattice change behavior under high pressure. The Raman vibration and lattice reflection both show changes in behavior near 8–10 GPa. The lattice of the cubic structure of Y2O3/Eu3+ nanotubes exhibits two different lattice states related to forms of the micro local atom arrangement. The lattice states resulted from the local disorder of the lattice due to pressure‐induced deformation of the YO6 octahedra under the high pressure.
Follow practical plan for successfully seeking gifts, grants to fund programs
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: August 2016

It doesn't seem to make sense to ignore opportunities to receive financial gifts — especially in these tight financial times.
OCR investigates student's complaint over gluten‐free meal
Authors: Gelpi Aileen
Published: August 2016

Case name: Letter to: Franklin & Marshall College, No. 03‐14‐2389 (OCR 02/20/14).
Collaborating, listening play key roles in managing challenges
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: August 2016

Student affairs professionals know all too well that college campuses aren't the idyllic cocoon that others might imagine. In fact, many of the issues occurring beyond campus borders often impact college life in unique ways, leaving student affairs professionals with the responsibility for addressing complicated, pressing challenges.
R&D team diversity and performance in hypercompetitive environments
Authors: Hoisl Karin , Gruber Marc , Conti Annamaria
Published: August 2016

Research summary: This article examines the effects of an R&D team's composition on its performance outcomes in hypercompetition. The fundamental feature of firms in hypercompetitive settings is that they are constantly challenged to improve their competitiveness in a relentless race to outperform one another. Analyzing a unique data set from the Formula 1 motorsport racing industry, we find an inverse U‐shaped relationship between team diversity in task‐related experience and performance an important result that diverges from well‐established theories developed in more stable environments. Fundamentally, we show that the role of R&D team experience diversity varies depending on the size of the organizations in which R&D teams operate. While we find a moderating effect for firm age, this effect is not as robust as that of firm size.

Managerial summary: This article examines the relationship between R&D team composition and performance in fast‐moving environments. Firms in these environments are constantly challenged to improve their competitiveness by outperforming one another. Analyzing a unique data set from the Formula 1 motorsport racing industry, we find that a team's diversity in job‐related experience increases its performance up to a certain extent. Once R&D teams become too diverse, performance decreases because communication and coordination become more difficult. We also show that the role of R&D team diversity varies depending on the size of the organizations in which R&D teams operate. Overall, our findings provide several novel implications for the strategy, innovation, and team literatures. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Systematic review of first‐trimester ultrasound screening for detection of fetal structural anomalies and factors that affect screening performance
Authors: Karim J. N. , Roberts N. W. , Salomon L. J. , Papageorghiou A. T.
Published: August 2016

Objectives

To determine the sensitivity and specificity of first‐trimester ultrasound for the detection of fetal abnormalities and to establish which factors might impact on screening performance.

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of all relevant publications was performed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of two‐dimensional transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound in the detection of congenital fetal anomalies prior to 14 weeks' gestation. The reference standard was detection of abnormalities at birth or postmortem. Factors that may impact on detection rates were evaluated, including population characteristics, gestational age, healthcare setting, ultrasound modality, use of an anatomical checklist for detection of first‐trimester anomalies and type of malformation included in the study. In an effort to reduce the impact of study heterogeneity on the results of the meta‐analysis, data from the studies were analyzed within subgroups of major anomaliesvsall types of anomaly and low‐risk/unselected populationsvshigh‐risk populations.

Results

An electronic search (until 29 July 2015) identified 2225 relevant citations, from which a total of 30 studies, published between 1991 and 2014, were selected for inclusion. The pooled estimate for the detection of major abnormalities in low‐risk or unselected populations (19 studies, 115 731 fetuses) was 46.10% (95%CI, 36.88–55.46%). The detection rate for all abnormalities in low‐risk or unselected populations (14 studies, 97 976 fetuses) was 32.35% (95%CI, 22.45–43.12%), whereas in high‐risk populations (six studies, 2841 fetuses) it was 61.18% (95%CI, 37.71–82.19%). Of the factors examined for their impact on detection rate, there was a statistically significant relationship (P < 0.0001) between the use of a standardized anatomical protocol during first‐trimester anomaly screening and its sensitivity for the detection of fetal anomalies in all subgroups.

Conclusions

Detection rates of first‐trimester fetal anomalies ranged from 32% in low‐risk groups to more than 60% in high‐risk groups, demonstrating that first‐trimester ultrasound has the potential to identify a large proportion of fetuses affected with structural anomalies. The use of a standardized anatomical protocol improves the sensitivity of first‐trimester ultrasound screening for all anomalies and major anomalies in populations of varying risk. The development and introduction of international protocols with standard anatomical views should be undertaken in order to optimize first‐trimester anomaly detection. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
A Majority of Admitted Patients With Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Undergo and Survive Corrective Treatment: A Population‐Based Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hultgren R. , Zommorodi Sayid , Gambe Moa , Roy Joy
Published: August 2016

Background

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an asymptomatic, potentially lethal condition predominantly found in elderly. The mortality is 100 % if rupture occurs and left untreated, but even in treated patients the mortality is substantial. Female sex and treatment with open repair rather than endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) have been reported to negatively affect outcome. The objective was to describe the contemporary care and outcome of all treated and untreated patients with ruptured AAA (rAAA) admitted to hospital.

Method

Population‐based retrospective investigation, including all patients admitted to the emergency departments within Stockholm County diagnosed with rAAA 2009–2013. All identified patients’ charts (n = 297) were analyzed; the study cohort includes 283 verified patients.

Results

Men were in majority [214 (76 %), 69 (24 %) women] and were younger than women (78 vs 82 years, p < 0.001). A majority of patients were treated (212/283, 75 %), a similar proportion of women and men. Untreated patients had a higher mean age (84 vs 77 years, p < 0.001). The proportion treated with EVAR was 27 %, and they were older than OR treated (79 vs 76 years, p = 0.043). Forty‐seven percentage of patients admitted with rAAA survived 30 days, and 62 % of treated patients survived 30 days. The 30‐day mortality for women and men was similar.

Conclusions

Our results and other contemporary series show a shift toward a higher rate of treated patients with rAAA, and improving outcomes, similar for women and men. The increased use of EVAR contributes to this improvement in short‐term outcome. High age influences the willingness to treat patients with rAAA.
Chemical Composition and Physical Properties of High Oleic Safflower Oils (Carthamus tinctorius, Var. CW88‐OL and CW99‐OL)
Authors: Salaberría Florencia , Constenla Diana , Carelli Amalia A. , Carrín María E.
Published: August 2016

Chemical composition and physical properties of CW88‐OL and CW99‐OL cultivars of high oleic safflower seeds and their hexane‐extracted oils were determined. Dry‐based seed composition of CW88‐OL and CW99‐OL was: moisture = 4.29 and 4.23 %, oil = 42.29 and 46.44 %, Crude protein = 20.94 and 16.41 %, neutral detergent fiber = 28.11 and 28.49 %, ash = 1.55 and 2.01 %, phosphorus content = 2033 and 3995 mg/kg, respectively. Major fatty acids in oils were ~78 % oleic (O), ~13 % linoleic (L), ~5 % palmitic (P) and ~2 % stearic (St) acids, for both cultivars. The main triacylglycerols were OOO (~50 %), OOL (~20 %), SOL + OPO (~10 %), and LLP (~5 %). The oil composition of CW88‐OL and CW99‐OL in main minor components was: α‐tocopherol = 582 and 551 mg/kg, total sterols = 3996 and 3362 mg/kg, phospholipids = 22 and 21 mg/kg and wax content = 70 and 74 mg/kg. For both cultivars, density and viscosity of the oils between 25 and 55 °C varied from 903.4 to 912.6 kg/m3 and 63 to 23 mPa.s showing linear and exponential behaviors, respectively. The refractive index was 1.4694. The CIELab color parameters were: 89.69 and 89.53 (L*), −3.72 and −3.07 (a*), and 47.28 and 47.78 (b*) (CW88‐OL and CW99‐OL, respectively). Thus, the high oil content of the seeds and nutritional quality of the oil accompanied by low levels of waxes and phospholipids makes the cultivars studied promising for producers and consumers.
Beleidsaanbevelingen omtrent de implementatie van val- en fractuurpreventie bij thuiswonende ouderen
Authors: Vlaeyen Ellen , Etienne Jan , Geeraerts Annelies , Leysens Greet , Dejaeger Eddy , Milisen Koen
Published: August 2016

Several factors impede the implementation of effective strategies for fall and fracture prevention. The Centre of Expertise forFall & Fracture prevention Flanders organized a symposium, “Implementation of fall en fracture prevention in older people”,with the aim to elaborate on the facilitation of effective strategies for falls and fall-related injuries in community-dwelling olderpeople in Flanders. This article summarizes the main bottlenecks for implementation and provides recommendations foroptimizing dissemination and implementation.
Reliability analysis of slopes in strain-softening soils considering critical slip surfaces
Authors: Metya Subhadeep , Bhattacharya Gautam , Chowdhury Robin
Published: August 2016

The paper concerns to the reliability analysis of slopes in strain-softening cohesive soils, using the first order reliability method (FORM). The performance function is based on the Bishop simplified method adapted to take strain-softening into account in terms of the residual factor R
F over a potential slip surface, estimated based on a progressive failure model available in the literature. The reliability analysis is carried out on the surface of minimum factor of safety determined using the sequential quadratic programming (SQP). The random shear strength parameters are assumed to follow normal distribution while the residual factor has been considered both as a deterministic parameter and a beta-distributed random variable. The results obtained for an illustrative example shows substantial reduction (21 %) in the value of reliability index when R
F is considered as a random variable with an assumed COV of 0.3. Results of FORM-based sensitivity analyses also reveal that R
F has the most dominating influence on reliability and thus justifies its inclusion as one of the random variables. A parametric study, varying the assumed correlation coefficient between the random shear strength parameters from 0 to 1, shows that there is a maximum reduction of 16 % in reliability index.
Random forest to differentiate dementia with Lewy bodies from Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Dauwan Meenakshi , van der Zande Jessica J. , van Dellen Edwin , Sommer Iris E.C. , Scheltens Philip , Lemstra Afina W. , Stam Cornelis J.
Published: August 2016

Introduction

The aim of this study was to build a random forest classifier to improve the diagnostic accuracy in differentiating dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) from Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to quantify the relevance of multimodal diagnostic measures, with a focus on electroencephalography (EEG).

Methods

A total of 66 DLB, 66 AD patients, and 66 controls were selected from the Amsterdam Dementia Cohort. Quantitative EEG (qEEG) measures were combined with clinical, neuropsychological, visual EEG, neuroimaging, and cerebrospinal fluid data. Variable importance scores were calculated per diagnostic variable.

Results

For discrimination between DLB and AD, the diagnostic accuracy of the classifier was 87%. Beta power was identified as the single‐most important discriminating variable. qEEG increased the accuracy of the other multimodal diagnostic data with almost 10%.

Discussion

Quantitative EEG has a higher discriminating value than the combination of the other multimodal variables in the differentiation between DLB and AD.