bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations between pro‐inflammatory cytokines, learning, and memory in late‐life depression and healthy aging
Authors: Charlton Rebecca A. , Lamar Melissa , Zhang Aifeng , Ren Xinguo , Ajilore Olusola , Pandey Ghanshyam N. , Kumar Anand
Published: March 2017

Objectives

Pro‐inflammatory cytokines may play a role in learning and memory difficulties and may be exacerbated in late‐life depression (LLD), where pro‐inflammatory markers are already elevated because of aging and age‐related vascular risk.

Methods

Learning and memory, and pro‐inflammatory cytokines‐Interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) were measured in 24 individuals with LLD and 34 healthy older adults (HOA). Hippocampal volumes were segmented using Freesurfer software.

Results

Pro‐inflammatory cytokines were higher in LLD compared with HOA. Regression analyses demonstrated that educational level and right hippocampal volume significantly contributed to explaining the variance in learning. For memory performance, educational level, right hippocampal volume and a group‐by‐IL‐6 interaction significantly contributed to the model.

Conclusions

High levels of IL‐6 impact cognition in LLD but not HOA. Results suggest that high levels of inflammation alone are not sufficient to account for cognitive difficulties, but may interact with other factors in at‐risk populations like LLD, to contribute to memory difficulties. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
University Faculty and the Value of Their Intellectual Property: Comparing IP in Teaching and Research
Authors: Hentschke Guilbert C.
Published: March 2017

This chapter describes the protectionist and access functions of intellectual property for the teaching and research work of university faculty. The degree to which an individual piece of IP is protected or made accessible to others depends in large measure on its market‐related characteristics, including costs of production, availability of substitutes, and repurposing potential.
Faculty Voice in Intellectual Property Policies: Collective Action for the Public Good
Authors: Kezar Adrianna
Published: March 2017

This chapter synthesizes the previous chapters to offer to readers practical recommendations for navigating IP issues, including resources and advice for faculty and administrations to engage in more equitable discussions about the rights of faculty and the interests of the public good.
A 3‐D numerical heat and mass transfer model for simulating the vibration effects on drying process
Authors: Rzig Ramzi , Ben Khedher Nidhal , Ben Nasrallah Sassi
Published: March 2017

The high‐energy costs in the drying process highlight the employment of vibration which is a promising way to intensify this process. This work presents a three‐dimensional (3‐D) numerical version that exhibits the coupled heat and mass transfer phenomena posed by the external vibrating flow of hot air during the drying process. In order to simulate 3‐D vibrating drying, a 3‐D unstructured control volume finite element method is developed to analyze the heat and mass transfer during unsaturated porous media drying. Numerical simulation results, which depict the effects of the external vibrating flow which forces the drying process to occur more rapidly and intensively than ever before, are presented and analyzed.
The turn of the gradient? Educational differences in breast cancer mortality in 18 European populations during the 2000s
Authors: Gadeyne S. , Menvielle G. , Kulhanova I. , Bopp M. , Deboosere P. , Eikemo T.A. , Hoffmann R. , Kovács K. , Leinsalu M. , Martikainen P. , Regidor E. , Rychtarikova J. , Spadea T. , Strand B.H. , Trewin C. , Wojtyniak B. , Mackenbach J.P.
Published: March 2017

This study aims to investigate the association between educational level and breast cancer mortality in Europe in the 2000s. Unlike most other causes of death, breast cancer mortality tends to be positively related to education, with higher educated women showing higher mortality rates. Research has however shown that the association is changing from being positive over non‐existent to negative in some countries. To investigate these patterns, data from national mortality registers and censuses were collected and harmonized for 18 European populations. The study population included all women aged 30‐74. Age‐standardized mortality rates, mortality rate ratios, and slope and relative indexes of inequality were computed by education. The population was stratified according to age (women aged 30‐49 and women aged 50‐74). The relation between educational level and breast cancer mortality was predominantly negative in women aged 30‐49, mortality rates being lower among highly educated women and higher among low educated women, although few outcomes were statistically significant. Among women aged 50‐74, the association was mostly positive and statistically significant in some populations. A comparison with earlier research in the 1990s revealed a changing pattern of breast cancer mortality. Positive educational differences that used to be significant in the 1990s were no longer significant in the 2000s, indicating that inequalities have decreased or disappeared. This evolution is in line with the “fundamental causes” theory which stipulates that whenever medical insights and treatment become available to combat a disease, a negative association with socio‐economic position will arise, independently of the underlying risk factors.
Dynamics of the metal binding domains and regulation of the human copper transporters ATP7B and ATP7A
Authors: Yu Corey H. , Dolgova Natalia V. , Dmitriev Oleg Y.
Published: March 2017

Copper transporters ATP7A and ATP7B regulate copper levels in the human cells and deliver copper to the biosynthetic pathways. ATP7A and ATP7B belong to the P‐type ATPases and share much of the domain architecture and the mechanism of ATP hydrolysis with the other, well‐studied, enzymes of this type. A unique structural feature of the copper ATPases is the chain of six cytosolic metal‐binding domains (MBDs), which are believed to be involved in copper‐dependent regulation of the activity and intracellular localization of these enzymes. Although the structures of all the MBDs have been solved, the mechanism of copper‐dependent regulation of ATP7B and ATP7A, the roles of individual MBDs, and the relationship between the regulatory and catalytic copper binding are still unknown. We describe the structure and dynamics of the MBDs, review the current knowledge about their functional roles and propose a mechanism of regulation of ATP7B by copper‐dependent changes in the dynamics and conformation of the MBD chain. Transient interactions between the MBDs, rather than transitions between distinct static conformations are likely to form the structural basis of regulation of the ATP‐dependent copper transporters in human cells. © 2016 IUBMB Life, 69(4):226–235, 2017
Creative Criticism: Dialogue and Aesthetics in the English Language Arts Classroom
Authors: Blom Nathan
Published: March 2017

The author discusses the theoretical foundations for creative criticism, a term denoting the application of multimodal responses to literature for the construction of meaning. The author develops a theoretical framework from Bakhtin's principles of dialogical interpenetration, internally persuasive discourse, and utterance, as well as Dewey's conceptions of unified aesthetic experiences. The author then uses this framework of transactional processes to illuminate the efficacy of classroom applications of creative criticism. In particular, the author examines two projects from 12th‐grade English language arts classrooms. The first uses musical and visual response to make meaning out of classical literature. The second engages students in annotating literature online through the use of multimodal responses. This research articulates theoretically grounded principles of effective multimodal response to literature.
Value of contrast‐enhanced sonography of small hepatocellular carcinoma with sonazoid prior to radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Lee So Jung , Won Hyung Jin , Kim Kyung Won , Shin Yong Moon , Kim Pyo Nyun
Published: March 2017

Background

We aimed to determine the value of contrast‐enhanced sonography (CEUS) with Sonazoid prior to percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of small (<3 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

This prospective study was approved by our institutional review board and informed consent was obtained. The following criteria were used for study enrollment: (1) cirrhotic patients with HCCs found by contrast‐enhanced CT or Gd‐EOB‐DTPA–enhanced MRI; (2) a single HCC <3 cm in longest diameter or multinodular HCCs (<3) with each tumor <3 cm in longest diameter; and (3) indeterminate identification of the index tumor from the surrounding cirrhosis‐related pseudolesions on conventional US. Percutaneous RFA was performed under the guidance of CEUS with Sonazoid. The value of CEUS in index tumor detection and targeting was compared with that of concurrently performed conventional US.

Results

A total of 38 patients with 43 HCCs (mean size, 1.6 cm; range, 0.5–2.9 cm) were enrolled. The vascular phase of Sonazoid‐enhanced ultrasonography showed good tumor enhancement in 30/43 HCCs (70%). The Kupffer phase increased lesion conspicuity and operator's diagnostic confidence in 29 patients with 31 HCCs (31/43, 72%) compared with conventional US.

Conclusions

CEUS with Sonazoid is useful for detection and targeting of small HCC prior to RFA. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:383–390, 2017
Colored Saturation Parameters for Rainbow Subgraphs
Authors: Barrus Michael D. , Ferrara Michael , Vandenbussche Jennifer , Wenger Paul S.
Published: March 2017

Inspired by a 1987 result of Hanson and Toft [Edge‐colored saturated graphs, J Graph Theory 11 (1987), 191–196] and several recent results, we consider the following saturation problem for edge‐colored graphs. An edge‐coloring of a graph F is rainbow if every edge of F receives a different color. Let denote the set of rainbow‐colored copies of F. A t‐edge‐colored graph G is ‐saturated if G does not contain a rainbow copy of F but for any edge and any color , the addition of e to G in color i creates a rainbow copy of F. Let denote the minimum number of edges in an ‐saturated graph of order n. We call this the rainbow saturation number of F. In this article, we prove several results about rainbow saturation numbers of graphs. In stark contrast with the related problem for monochromatic subgraphs, wherein the saturation is always linear in n, we prove that rainbow saturation numbers have a variety of different orders of growth. For instance, the rainbow saturation number of the complete graph lies between and , the rainbow saturation number of an n‐vertex star is quadratic in n, and the rainbow saturation number of any tree that is not a star is at most linear.
Austral summer precipitation interannual variability and trends over Southeastern South America in CMIP5 models
Authors: Díaz Leandro B. , Vera Carolina S.
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this study is to assess the ability of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5 (CMIP5) models in reproducing the variability and change of the austral summer precipitation observed in Southeastern South America (SESA) along the 20th century and beginning of the 21st. Models show a reduction in mean precipitation biases and inter‐model dispersion, and a significant improvement in the representation of the leading pattern of precipitation interannual variability (EOF1), in comparison with Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 3 (CMIP3) models. Changes of the EOF1 activity in the present climate, as represented by both, climate model simulations and rainfall gridded datasets, evidence an increase of the frequency of EOF1 positive events (associated with positive precipitation anomalies in SESA and negative ones in the South Atlantic Convergence Zone) and a decrease of the frequency of EOF1 negative events. Nevertheless there are still large uncertainties due to model differences and the internal variability of the climate system. In order to reduce the impact of model uncertainties, an ensemble of the climate simulations that represent better the features associated with EOF1 activity was built, regardless to which model they correspond. The results obtained with this ensemble confirm that largest precipitation trends in SESA are those represented by climate simulations associated with an increase (decrease) of EOF1 positives (negative) events. It was also found that positive precipitation trends in SESA resulted from climate simulations forced by anthropogenic sources are the largest and significantly different from those from simulations forced by natural sources only, which are not significantly different from zero.
Intraseasonal variability and predictability of the subtropical Asian summer rain band
Authors: Wang Zunya , Ding Yihui , Lu Mengmeng , Zhou Botao , Yang Song , Jiang Xingwen , Ke Zongjian
Published: March 2017

The climatological intraseasonal oscillations (CISOs) of the subtropical Asian summer rain band (SASRB) are found significantly related with the CISO in the atmospheric circulation over extratropical Eurasian continent, which is dominated by an intraseasonal North Pacific oscillation (ISNAO) pattern and its associated wave trains. The anomalous trough (ridge) of the eastward propagating wave train of the ISNAO pattern affects active (break) rainfall of SASRB and modulates the CISO of SASRB, together with the anomalous active (suppressed) convection northward propagating from the tropics and the subtropics. Moreover, the anomalous trough (ridge) around the Lake Baikal bridges the CISO in the mid‐high latitudes and that of SASRB. The NCEP Climate Forecast System version 2 (CFSv2) depicts the spatial–temporal features, principal modes, and propagation of the CISO of SASRB reasonably well. However, the mean state of precipitation and the variance of CISO are overestimated. In the model, the ISNAO pattern is too weak and its fluctuating frequency is too high. Moreover, the CFSv2 only shows marginal skills in simulating the ISNAO pattern and the propagation of its associated wave trains, and underestimates the relationship between the atmospheric circulation in the mid‐high latitudes and the CISO of SASRB. In addition, overestimation of the intensity of CISO in the tropical–subtropical and higher‐latitude atmosphere may cause overestimation of the CISO of SASRB.
Phosphorus fractions in preferential flow pathways and soil matrix in hillslope soils in the Thuringian Forest (Central Germany)
Authors: Julich Dorit , Julich Stefan , Feger Karl-Heinz
Published: March 2017

Phosphorus (P) is primarily transported in soil through preferential flow pathways (PFP), which can rapidly move water and matter bypassing large portions of the soil. This study investigated the composition of P forms in PFPs and soil matrix in two profiles at a forested hillslope in the Thuringian Forest (Central Germany), in order to evaluate (1) the effect of PFPs on the distribution of P fractions in forest soils, and (2) how hillslope position influences P fractions and other chemical parameters. To characterize water and mass fluxes in the profiles, flow pathways were visualized using dye tracer experiments. Stained and unstained soil material was sampled to assess differences of chemical parameters in the PFPs and soil matrix, and tested for correlations between chemical parameters to determine the factors influencing P fractions in soils. The results revealed significantly higher P contents (total P and most P fractions) in the upslope profile compared to the downslope profile. This accumulation effect in the upper profile was also observed for C, N, Fe, and Mn. The distribution of flow patterns also differed between the two profiles with stronger vertical infiltration into mineral soil and more preferential flow along stones and roots in the upslope profile compared to the downslope profile. However, the observed difference could not be addressed to hillslope effects as both test plots were located in mid‐slope position, but were strongly influenced by spatial heterogeneity (e.g., micro‐relief). Furthermore, no statistically significant accumulation effect of P or other elements in PFPs compared to soil matrix was found. At the test site, the combination of high stone content with low potential for P sorption, and predominance of near‐surface lateral flow, appears to have hampered the development of gradients in chemical parameters between PFPs and soil matrix.
Assessment of diffusive phosphate supply in soils by microdialysis
Authors: Demand Dominic , Schack-Kirchner Helmer , Lang Friederike
Published: March 2017

Standard procedures to assess P availability in soils are based on batch experiments with various extractants. However, in most soils P nutrition is less limited by bulk stocks but by strong adsorption and transport limitation. The basic principle of root‐phosphate uptake is to strip phosphate locally from the solid phase by forming a radial depletion zone in the soil solution, optionally enhanced by release of mobilizing substances. Microdialysis (MD), a well‐established method in pharmacokinetics, is capable to mimic important characteristics of P root uptake. The sampling is by diffusional exchange through a semipermeable membrane covering the probes with their sub‐mm tubular structure. Additionally, the direct environment of the probe can be chemically modified by adding, e.g., carboxylates to the perfusate. This study is the first approach to test the applicability of MD in assessing plant available phosphate in soils and to develop a framework for its appropriate use.We used MD in stirred solutions to quantify the effect of pumping rate, concomitant ions, and pH value on phosphate recovery. Furthermore, we measured phosphate yield of top‐soil material from a beech forest, a non‐fertilized grassland, and from a fertilized corn field. Three perfusates have been used based on a 1 mM KNO3 solution: pure (1), with 0.1 mM citric acid (2), and with 1 mM citric acid (3). Additionally, a radial diffusion model has been parametrized for the stirred solutions and the beech forest soil.Results from the tests in stirred solutions were in good agreement with reported observations obtained for other ionic species. This shows the principal suitability of the experimental setup for phosphate tests. We observed a significant dependency of phosphate uptake into the MD probes on dialysate pumping rate and on ionic strength of the outside solution. In the soils, we observed uptake rates of the probes between 1.5 × 10−15 and 6.7 × 10−14 mol s−1 cm−1 in case of no citrate addition. Surprisingly, median uptake rates were mostly independent of the bulk soil stocks, but the P‐fertilized soil revealed a strong tailing towards higher values. This indicates the occurrence of hot P spots in soils. Citrate addition increased P yields only in the higher concentration but not in the forest soil. The order of magnitude of MD uptake rates from the soil samples matched root‐length related uptake rates from other studies. The micro‐radial citrate release in MD reflects the processes controlling phosphate mobilization in the rhizosphere better than measurements based on “flooding” of soil samples with citric acid in batch experiments. Important challenges in MD with phosphate are small volumes of dialysate with extremely low concentrations and a high variability of results due to soil heterogeneity and between‐probe variability. We conclude that MD is a promising tool to complement existing P‐analytical procedures, especially when spatial aspects or the release of mobilizing substances are in focus.
Estimating data from figures with a Web‐based program: Considerations for a systematic review
Authors: Burda Brittany U. , O'Connor Elizabeth A. , Webber Elizabeth M. , Redmond Nadia , Perdue Leslie A.
Published: March 2017

Background

Systematic reviewers often encounter incomplete or missing data, and the information desired may be difficult to obtain from a study author. Thus, systematic reviewers may have to resort to estimating data from figures with little or no raw data in a study's corresponding text or tables.

Methods

We discuss a case study in which participants used a publically available Web‐based program, called webplotdigitizer, to estimate data from 2 figures. We evaluated and used the intraclass coefficient and the accuracy of the estimates to the true data to inform considerations when using estimated data from figures in systematic reviews.

Results

The estimates for both figures were consistent, although the distribution of estimates in the figure of a continuous outcome was slightly higher. For the continuous outcome, the percent difference ranged from 0.23% to 30.35% while the percent difference of the event rate ranged from 0.22% to 8.92%. For both figures, the intraclass coefficient was excellent (>0.95).

Conclusions

Systematic reviewers should consider and be transparent when estimating data from figures when the information cannot be obtained from study authors and perform sensitivity analyses of pooled results to reduce bias.
Phytochemical compounds in sport nutrition: Synephrine and hydroxycitric acid (HCA) as examples for evaluation of possible health risks
Authors: Bakhiya Nadiya , Ziegenhagen Rainer , Hirsch‐Ernst Karen I. , Dusemund Birgit , Richter Klaus , Schultrich Katharina , Pevny Sophie , Schäfer Bernd , Lampen Alfonso
Published: March 2017

Numerous food supplements contain phytochemical compounds as active ingredients. Although such supplements are often perceived by consumers as being risk‐free, the safety of many of them is currently uncertain. The present review provides two examples for risk assessment for phytochemical ingredients that are used in certain supplements marketed for sportspeople—synephrine (extracted from fruits of Citrus aurantium) and hydroxycitric acid (HCA, isolated from fruits of Garcinia cambogia). Animal and human studies, as well as case reports, provide evidence for cardiovascular effects due to ingestion of high synephrine doses, especially in combination with caffeine and physical exertion. A dose of up to 6.7 mg synephrine/day, however, which is equivalent to the median dietary intake from conventional foods in Germany, is presumed to represent a safe intake from supplements. In subchronic animal studies, administration of high doses of certain HCA‐containing preparations led to testicular toxicity (i.e., testicular atrophy and impaired spermatogenesis), yielding a no observed adverse effect level of 389 mg HCA/kg bw/day. In view of lack of adequate human data on the safety of HCA preparations, particularly with respect to the human male reproductive system, substantial uncertainties exist regarding the safety of supplements containing high amounts of HCA.
Feasibility study of using fall‐off gradients of early and late PET scans for proton range verification
Authors: Cho Jongmin , Grogg Kira , Min Chul Hee , Zhu Xuping , Paganetti Harald , Lee Hyun Cheol , El Fakhri Georges
Published: March 2017

Purpose

While positron emission tomography (PET) allows for the imaging of tissues activated by proton beams in terms of monitoring the therapy administered, most endogenous tissue elements are activated by relatively high‐energy protons. Therefore, a relatively large distance off‐set exists between the dose fall‐off and activity fall‐off. However, 16O(p,2p,2n)13N has a relatively low energy threshold which peaks around 12 MeV and also a residual proton range that is approximately 1 to 2 mm. In this phantom study, we tested the feasibility of utilizing the 13N production peak as well as the differences in activity fall‐off between early and late PET scans for proton range verification. One of the main purposes for this research was developing a proton range verification methodology that would not require Monte Carlo simulations.

Methods and materials

Both monoenergetic and spread‐out Bragg peak beams were delivered to two phantoms — a water‐like gel and a tissue‐like gel where the proton ranges came to be approximately 9.9 and 9.1 cm, respectively. After 1 min of postirradiation delay, the phantoms were scanned for a period of 30 min using an in‐room PET. Two separate (Early and Late) PET images were reconstructed using two different postirradiation delays and acquisition times; Early PET: 1 min delay and 3 min acquisition, Late PET: 21 min delay and 10 min acquisition. The depth gradients of the PET signals were then normalized and plotted as functions of depth. The normalized gradient of the early PET images was subtracted from that of the late PET images, to observe the 13N activity distribution in relation to depth. Monte Carlo simulations were also conducted with the same set‐up as the measurements stated previously.

Results

The subtracted gradients show peaks at 9.4 and 8.6 cm in water‐gel and tissue‐gel respectively for both pristine and SOBP beams. These peaks are created in connection with the sudden change of 13N signals with depth and consistently occur 2 mm upstream to where 13N signals were most abundantly created (9.6 and 8.8 cm in water‐gel and tissue‐gel, respectively). Monte Carlo simulations provided similar results as the measurements.

Conclusions

The subtracted PET signal gradient peaks and the proton ranges for water‐gel and tissue‐gel show distance off‐sets of 4 to 5 mm. This off‐set may potentially be used for proton range verification using only the PET measured data without Monte Carlo simulations. More studies are necessary to overcome various limitations, such as perfusion‐driven washout, for the feasibility of this technique in living patients.
Evaluation of segmentation methods on head and neck CT: Auto‐segmentation challenge 2015
Authors: Raudaschl Patrik F. , Zaffino Paolo , Sharp Gregory C. , Spadea Maria Francesca , Chen Antong , Dawant Benoit M. , Albrecht Thomas , Gass Tobias , Langguth Christoph , Lüthi Marcel , Jung Florian , Knapp Oliver , Wesarg Stefan , Mannion‐Haworth Richard , Bowes Mike , Ashman Annaliese , Guillard Gwenael , Brett Alan , Vincent Graham , Orbes‐Arteaga Mauricio , Cárdenas‐Peña David , Castellanos‐Dominguez German , Aghdasi Nava , Li Yangming , Berens Angelique , Moe Kris , Hannaford Blake , Schubert Rainer , Fritscher Karl D.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Automated delineation of structures and organs is a key step in medical imaging. However, due to the large number and diversity of structures and the large variety of segmentation algorithms, a consensus is lacking as to which automated segmentation method works best for certain applications. Segmentation challenges are a good approach for unbiased evaluation and comparison of segmentation algorithms.

Methods

In this work, we describe and present the results of the Head and Neck Auto‐Segmentation Challenge 2015, a satellite event at the Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Interventions (MICCAI) 2015 conference. Six teams participated in a challenge to segment nine structures in the head and neck region of CT images: brainstem, mandible, chiasm, bilateral optic nerves, bilateral parotid glands, and bilateral submandibular glands.

Results

This paper presents the quantitative results of this challenge using multiple established error metrics and a well‐defined ranking system. The strengths and weaknesses of the different auto‐segmentation approaches are analyzed and discussed.

Conclusions

The Head and Neck Auto‐Segmentation Challenge 2015 was a good opportunity to assess the current state‐of‐the‐art in segmentation of organs at risk for radiotherapy treatment. Participating teams had the possibility to compare their approaches to other methods under unbiased and standardized circumstances. The results demonstrate a clear tendency toward more general purpose and fewer structure‐specific segmentation algorithms.
A Novel SiO2‐Supported Fluorine Modified Chromium–Vanadium Bimetallic Catalyst for Ethylene Polymerization and Ethylene/1‐Hexene Copolymerization
Authors: Sun Qiaoqiao , Wang Lisong , Cheng Ruihua , Liu Zhen , He Xuelian , Zhao Ning , Liu Boping
Published: March 2017

Phillips catalyst is one of the most significant industrial ethylene polymerization catalysts. Chemical modifications have been carried out to tune the Phillips catalyst performance and improve the polyethylene properties. After the modification of the catalyst by fluorine, the polyethylene product with higher molecular weight (MW) and narrower molecular weight distribution (MWD) is suitable for producing automobile fuel tanks. Vanadium containing Phillips catalyst enhances α‐olefin incorporation and MW regulation. In present work, fluorine modified and unmodified chromium–vanadium (Cr–V) bimetallic catalysts are prepared and explored. Compared with the fluorine‐free catalyst, the activities of F‐modified bimetallic catalysts slightly decrease with the increasing MW of the product and the hydrogen response increases slightly. Due to the synergistic effect of the chromium, vanadium and fluorine on the silica gel support, the short‐chain branch distribution (SCBD) of copolymers from F‐modified Cr–V bimetallic catalyst (Cr–V–F)600 is more beneficial than that of Cr–V bimetallic catalyst (Cr–V)600 and F‐modified Cr–V bimetallic catalyst (Cr–V–F)500. The fluorination of Cr–V bimetallic catalysts has not only preserved the high polyethylene activity of bimetallic active sites but also produced the advantage of the high MW ability from fluorine.

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Non‐water‐suppressed short‐echo‐time magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging using a concentric ring k‐space trajectory
Authors: Emir Uzay E. , Burns Brian , Chiew Mark , Jezzard Peter , Thomas M. Albert
Published: March 2017

Water‐suppressed MRS acquisition techniques have been the standard MRS approach used in research and for clinical scanning to date. The acquisition of a non‐water‐suppressed MRS spectrum is used for artefact correction, reconstruction of phased‐array coil data and metabolite quantification. Here, a two‐scan metabolite‐cycling magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) scheme that does not use water suppression is demonstrated and evaluated. Specifically, the feasibility of acquiring and quantifying short‐echo (TE = 14 ms), two‐dimensional stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM) MRSI spectra in the motor cortex is demonstrated on a 3 T MRI system. The increase in measurement time from the metabolite‐cycling is counterbalanced by a time‐efficient concentric ring k‐space trajectory. To validate the technique, water‐suppressed MRSI acquisitions were also performed for comparison. The proposed non‐water‐suppressed metabolite‐cycling MRSI technique was tested for detection and correction of resonance frequency drifts due to subject motion and/or hardware instability, and the feasibility of high‐resolution metabolic mapping over a whole brain slice was assessed. Our results show that the metabolite spectra and estimated concentrations are in agreement between non‐water‐suppressed and water‐suppressed techniques. The achieved spectral quality, signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) > 20 and linewidth <7 Hz allowed reliable metabolic mapping of five major brain metabolites in the motor cortex with an in‐plane resolution of 10 × 10 mm2 in 8 min and with a Cramér‐Rao lower bound of less than 20% using LCModel analysis. In addition, the high SNR of the water peak of the non‐water‐suppressed technique enabled voxel‐wise single‐scan frequency, phase and eddy current correction. These findings demonstrate that our non‐water‐suppressed metabolite‐cycling MRSI technique can perform robustly on 3 T MRI systems and within a clinically feasible acquisition time.
Sensitivity of diffusion MRI to perilesional reactive astrogliosis in focal ischemia
Authors: Weber Rachel A. , Chan Clifford H. , Nie Xingju , Maggioncalda Emily , Valiulis Grace , Lauer Abigail , Hui Edward S. , Jensen Jens H. , Adkins DeAnna L.
Published: March 2017

Reactive astrogliosis is a response to injury in the central nervous system that plays an essential role in inflammation and tissue repair. It is characterized by hypertrophy of astrocytes, alterations in astrocyte gene expression and astrocyte proliferation. Reactive astrogliosis occurs in multiple neuropathologies, including stroke, traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer's disease, and it has been proposed as a possible source of the changes in diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) metrics observed with these diseases. In this study, the sensitivity of dMRI to reactive astrogliosis was tested in an animal model of focal acute and subacute ischemia induced by the vasoconstricting peptide, endothelin‐1. Reactive astrogliosis in perilesional cortex was quantified by calculating the astrocyte surface density as determined with a glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibody, whereas perilesional diffusion changes were measured in vivo with diffusional kurtosis imaging. We found substantial changes in the surface density of GFAP‐positive astrocyte processes and modest changes in dMRI metrics in the perilesional motor cortex following stroke. Although there are time point‐specific correlations between dMRI and histological measures, there is no definitive evidence for a causal relationship.
Deploying WLAN service with OpenFlow technology
Authors: Hsu Huai‐Wen , Huang Kuei‐Li , Kao Yi‐Chih , Tsai Shi‐Chun , Lin Yi‐Bing
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we proposed a feasible software‐defined networking (SDN) wireless local area network (WLAN) solution that leverages OpenFlow technique and provides affordable centralized WLAN service without the proprietary restrictions of centralized thin access point WLAN architecture. On the basis of an SDN‐enabled WLAN architecture with fat access points, we implement and deploy a wireless network test bed, where network administrators can exploit the extensibility and flexibility of OpenFlow‐based SDN switches and controller. Service providers can develop customized application modules and required features. We build our system with open sources and commercial off‐the‐shelf hardware and develop a mechanism to control wireless bandwidth. Field experimental results show that our SDN wireless bandwidth control application can effectively manage bandwidth in a dynamic and flexible way via the SDN WLAN.
Approximating the large sparse matrix exponential using incomplete orthogonalization and Krylov subspaces of variable dimension
Authors: Vo Huy D. , Sidje Roger B.
Published: March 2017

Krylov subspace approximations to the matrix exponential are popularly used with full orthogonalization instead of incomplete orthogonalization, even though the latter strategy is known to reduce the cost by truncating the recurrences of the modified Gram–Schmidt process. This study combines such a strategy with an adaptive step‐by‐step integration scheme that allows both the stepsize and the dimension of the Krylov subspace to vary. A convergence analysis is done. Numerical results on test problems drawn from systems biology and computer systems show a significant speedup over the standard implementation with full orthogonalization and fixed dimension.
Tetrahydropyranyl: A Non‐aromatic, Mild‐Acid‐Labile Group for Hydroxyl Protection in Solid‐Phase Peptide Synthesis
Authors: Sharma Anamika , Ramos‐Tomillero Iván , El‐Faham Ayman , Rodríguez Hortensia , de la Torre Beatriz G. , Albericio Fernando
Published: March 2017

The use of the tetrahydropyranyl (Thp) group for the protection of serine and threonine side‐chain hydroxyl groups in solid‐phase peptide synthesis has not been widely investigated. Ser/Thr side‐chain hydroxyl protection with this acid‐labile and non‐aromatic moiety is presented here. Although Thp reacts with free carboxylic acids, it can be concluded that to introduce Thp ethers at the hydroxyl groups of N‐protected Ser and Thr, protection of the C‐terminal carboxyl group is unnecessary due to the lability of Thp esters. Thp‐protected Ser/Thr‐containing tripeptides are synthesized and the removal of Thp studied in low concentrations of trifluoroacetic acid in the presence of cation scavengers. Given its general stability to most non‐acidic reagents, improved solubility of its conjugates and ease with which it can be removed, Thp emerges as an effective protecting group for the hydroxyl groups of Ser and Thr in solid‐phase peptide synthesis.
Patterned deposition of luminescent organic nanoparticles fabricated by visible laser processing
Authors: Matsuba Yoshitaka , Fushii Sho , Kawabata Masato , Tomioka Akihiro
Published: March 2017

Dye polymer solution was dispersed homogeneously in water as µm‐size tiny droplets, leading to turbid appearance due to light scattering. Upon irradiation of Nd/YAG SHG ns‐laser, the solvent rapidly evaporated from each droplet, and the insoluble polymer was exposed to and cooled by the surrounding water, precipitating as nanoparticles (NPs), still highly luminescent under fluorescent microscope observation. The NP size deduced from the dynamic light scattering was 100–250 nm for MEHPPV NPs, and 300–500 nm for polyfluorene NPs, after centrifugal removal of the aggregates. The NP suspension was then cast on the surface of TiO2 substrate with nanogrooves transcribed from a recorded DVD‐R disk. Both MEHPPV and polyfluorene NPs were successfully observed as separate luminescent spots deposited on the nanogrooves of the TiO2 substrate. The number density of deposited NPs would be increased if a condensed NP suspension was cast on the substrate, leading to the realization of an intentional geometric pattern for example “digital signage” device application, that displays a high‐resolution static image, at low cost without the need for expensive TFT circuitry.
Effect of Ziziphus jujube Fruit Infusion on Lipid Profiles, Glycaemic Index and Antioxidant Status in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Yazdanpanah Zeinab , Ghadiri‐Anari Akram , Mehrjardi Alireza Vahidi , Dehghani Ali , Zardini Hadi Zare , Nadjarzadeh Azadeh
Published: March 2017

This study was designed to assess the effects of Ziziphus jujube fruit (ZJF) infusion on lipid profiles, glycaemic control and antioxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 116 participants with T2DM (older than 30 years) were assigned to consume a balanced diet or diet plus ZJF infusion (10 g/100 mL boiling water) three times/day before main meals for 12 weeks. Diet was designed to be energy restricted (500 kcal/day deficit from estimated energy requirements), and macronutrient content was similar in both groups (55% carbohydrate, 15% protein and 30% fat). The consumption of ZJF infusion compared with the control group was associated with significant improvement in glycosylated haemoglobin (−0.68 ± 0.65 vs. −0.44 ± 0.55%; p = 0.03), total cholesterol (−24.29 ± 28.89 vs. −11.21 ± 29.98 mg/dL; p = 0.02), triglycerides (−43.3 ± 39.26 vs. −27.16 ± 46.84 mg/dL; p = 0.05), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (−19.85 ± 27.62 vs. −6.55 ± 27.82 mg/dL; p = 0.01), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol/high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (−0.56 ± 0.80 vs. −0.2 ± 0.72; p = 0.01) and total cholesterol to high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios (−0.73 ± 0.94 vs. −0.35 ± 0.77; p = 0.02). ZJF had beneficial effects on glycosylated haemoglobin and lipid profile in T2DM patients. Further research is needed to identify the mechanism of ZJF action on glucose and lipid metabolism. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diffuse panbronchiolitis in a Samoan man
Authors: Gibson Justine , King Harrison , Singh Mahendra , Tran Khoa
Published: March 2017

Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is an idiopathic inflammatory disease which is predominantly recognised in the Japanese population with only isolated case reports in Western populations. This is the first reported case of DPB in a Samoan man with typical radiological and histopathological features. He had an excellent response to long‐term erythromycin and this case highlights the importance of recognising this rare disease.
Finite‐time control for LPV systems with parameter‐varying time delays and exogenous disturbances
Authors: Hu Yanmei , Duan Guangren , Tan Feng
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we consider the stability analysis and control synthesis of finite‐time boundedness problems for linear parameter‐varying (LPV) systems subject to parameter‐varying time delays and external disturbances. First, the concepts of uniform finite‐time stability and uniform finite‐time boundedness are introduced to LPV systems. Then, sufficient conditions, which guarantee LPV systems with parameter‐varying time delays finite‐time bounded, are presented by using parameter‐dependent Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals and free‐weight matrix technologies. Moreover, on the basis of the results on the uniform finite‐time boundedness, the parameter‐dependent state feedback controllers are designed to finite‐time stabilize LPV systems. Both analysis and synthesis conditions are delay‐dependent, and they are formulated in terms of linear matrix inequalities by using efficient interior‐point algorithms. Finally, results obtained in simulation demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Profiles of Transformative Engagement: Identification, Description, and Relation to Learning and Instruction
Authors: PUGH KEVIN J. , BERGSTROM CASSENDRA M. , SPENCER BRYDEN
Published: March 2017

Transformative experience refers to learning episodes in which students use ideas from the science classroom to see and experience the world differently in their everyday lives. The construct is defined by three characteristics: (1) motivated use (application of learning in “free‐choice” contexts), (2) expansion of perception (seeing objects, events, or issues through the lens of the content), and (3) experiential value (valuing content for how it enriches everyday experience). To enhance conceptions of engagement in science, the current study sought to identify and describe profiles oftransformativeengagement by investigating levels and combinations of the three characteristics of transformative experience. In addition, it examined how learning and instruction relate to these profiles. Sixty‐five middle school science students were interviewed and responses were coded for the three characteristics of transformative experience. Scores on these characteristics were used as variables in cluster analysis and representative clusters were identified. Profiles of transformative engagement were developed and described based on these clusters. Profiles representing greater transformative engagement were associated with greater learning. Relative to a comparison condition, instruction designed to foster transformative experience yielded a higher percentage of students in the profile reflecting engagement in a genuine transformative experience.
Ethische Aspekte der klinischen Prüfung bei seltenen Erkrankungen
Authors: Hasford Joerg , Koch Armin
Published: March 2017

Seltene Erkrankungen, an denen allein in Deutschland geschätzte 4 Mio. Menschen leiden, sind in den Blickpunkt des Interesses der Therapieforschung gerückt. Die klinische Prüfung von Arzneimitteln ist sehr detailliert in Gesetzen, Verordnungen und ethischen Konventionen geregelt, die keine Sonderregelungen für klinische Prüfungen bei seltenen Erkrankungen vorsehen. Somit gelten für die ethische Bewertung entsprechender Anträge die gleichen Standards wie für häufige Krankheiten. Dies macht auch Sinn, da ethische Standards bezüglich Aufklärung, Einwilligung und Studiendurchführung, die zudem meist im Recht kodifiziert sind, nicht von der Häufigkeit der Erkrankung abhängen können. Besondere Bedeutung im Kontext der ethischen Bewertung spielen biometrische Aspekte wie Studiendesign und statistische Auswertung, da nicht aussagekräftig angelegte klinische Forschung mit Menschen per se unethisch ist. Auf die Probleme der Fallzahlschätzung und von Pilotstudien wird näher eingegangen. Pilotstudien sollten nach Möglichkeit vermieden werden. Bei der Fallzahlschätzung sollte nicht von überoptimistischen Annahmen ausgegangen werden und keine Erhöhung der üblichen Irrtumswahrscheinlichkeit von 5 % erfolgen.
Anhedonia predicts poor psychosocial functioning: Results from a large cohort of patients treated for major depressive disorder by general practitioners
Authors: Vinckier F. , Gourion D. , Mouchabac S.
Published: March 2017

Background:

Anhedonia is a core symptom of major depression and a key prognostic factor that is often poorly explored in clinical trials of major depressive disorder (MDD). Beyond symptomatic remission, psychosocial functioning also reveals difficulty in achieving remission in patients with MDD. The main objective of this study was to explore the interrelationships between social functioning and anhedonia on a longitudinal basis.

Methods:

In total, 1570 outpatients treated for MDD with agomelatine were included. Severity of depression and levels of anhedonia and of psychosocial functioning were assessed at inclusion and at 10–14 weeks, with specific standardized scales (MADRS, QFS, SHAPS, CGI). Multivariate regression and mediation analyses were performed.

Results:

Using multivariate regression, we showed that improvement of anhedonia was the strongest predictor of improvement in psychosocial functioning (odds ratio = 7.3 [4.3–12.1] P < 0.0001). In addition, mediation tests confirmed that the association between improvement of depressive symptoms and improvement of social functioning was significantly underpinned by the improvement of anhedonia over time. Finally, we explored the determinants of the dissociation of the response, i.e., the persistence of psychosocial dysfunctioning despite a symptomatic response to antidepressant treatment, which remains a widespread situation in clinical practice. We showed that this dissociation was strongly predicted by persistence of anhedonia.

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that anhedonia is one of the strongest predictors of psychosocial functioning, along with symptomatic remission, and should be carefully assessed by health professionals, in order to optimize pharmacological as well as non-pharmacological management of depression.
Comparison of 3 mm versus 4 mm rigid endoscope in diagnostic nasal endoscopy
Authors: Neel Gregory S. , Kau Ryan L. , Bansberg Stephen F. , Lal Devyani
Published: March 2017

Objective

Compare nasal endoscopy with 3 mm versus conventional 4 mm rigid 30° endoscopes for visualization, patient comfort, and examiner ease.

Methods

Ten adults with no previous sinus surgery underwent bilateral nasal endoscopy with both 4 mm and 3 mm endoscopes (resulting in 20 paired nasal endoscopies). Visualization, patient discomfort and examiner's difficulty were assessed with every endoscopy. Sino‐nasal structures were checked on a list if visualized satisfactorily. Patients rated discomfort on a standardized numerical pain scale (0–10). Examiners rated difficulty of examination on a scale of 1–5 (1 = easiest).

Results

Visualization with 3 mm endoscope was superior for the sphenoid ostium (P = 0.002), superior turbinate (P = 0.007), spheno‐ethmoid recess (P = 0.006), uncinate process (P = 0.002), cribriform area (P = 0.007), and Valve of Hasner (P = 0.002). Patient discomfort was not significantly different for 3 mm vs. 4 mm endoscopes but correlated with the examiners' assessment of difficulty (r = 0.73). The examiner rated endoscopy with 4 mm endoscopes more difficult (P = 0.027).

Conclusions

The 3 mm endoscope was superior in visualizing the sphenoid ostium, superior turbinate, spheno‐ethmoid recess, uncinate process, cribriform plate, and valve of Hasner. It therefore may be useful in assessment of spheno‐ethmoid recess, nasolacrimal duct, and cribriform area pathologies. Overall, patients tolerated nasal endoscopy well. Though patient discomfort was not significantly different between the endoscopes, most discomfort with 3 mm endoscopes was noted while examining structures difficult to visualize with the 4 mm endoscope. Patients' discomfort correlated with the examiner's assessment of difficulty.