bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and severity of behavioural symptoms in patients with Korsakoff syndrome and other alcohol‐related cognitive disorders: a systematic review
Authors: Gerridzen Ineke J. , Moerman‐van den Brink Wiltine G. , Depla Marja F. , Verschuur Els M. L. , Veenhuizen Ruth B. , van der Wouden Johannes C. , Hertogh Cees M. P. M. , Joling Karlijn J.
Published: December 2016

Objective

Experiences from clinical practice suggest that behavioural symptoms in patients with Korsakoff syndrome (KS) are a frequent problem. Knowledge about behavioural symptoms is important in understanding and managing these symptoms. The aim of this study is to review the prevalence and severity of behavioural symptoms in KS.

Methods

Relevant articles were identified by searching Medline (PubMed), PsycINFO, Embase and CINAHL up to 4 June 2014. Two reviewers independently selected the studies, extracted their baseline data and assessed methodological quality using a standardized checklist.

Results

Fifteen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A diversity of diagnoses was used indicating that KS and other alcohol‐related cognitive disorders and terms were used interchangeably. None of the studies were primarily designed to estimate the prevalence or severity of behavioural symptoms in patients with KS. Most studies had serious methodological limitations. The reported prevalence estimates of behavioural symptoms in the included studies varied strongly. Most prevalent were depressive symptoms and disorders (2–50%, median 27%) and agitation and aggression (10–54%, median 27%). None of the reported, mean severity estimates met pathological thresholds. The highest severity estimates were found for apathy.

Conclusions

Good quality studies on behavioural symptoms in patients with KS are lacking. Observational research designed to provide reliable estimates of the prevalence and severity of behavioural symptoms in patients with KS is needed. This could improve understanding and managing these symptoms and help care staff to better support the needs of this specific patient group. © 2016 The Authors. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Effective human utilization in an original equipment manufacturing (OEM) industry by the implementation of agile manufacturing: A POLCA approach
Authors: Ajay Guru Dev C. , Senthil Kumar V. S. , Rajesh G.
Published: December 2016

Agile manufacturing (AM) has been recognized as an international strategy for improving industrial competitiveness. Agility refers to the ability of an organization to adapt to changes within its environment and to utilize them for earning profit and constituting a major item of expense for any organization, having a palpable effect on its profitability. Manpower utilization is considered as one of the important attributes affecting the organization's ability to be agile. In other words, an effective manpower utilization in any agile environment can reduce the workload and enhance the profitability of any organization. The efficiency of any agile organization lies in improved production, through the utilization of a smaller workforce without impacting on its work‐life balance. Thus, this research is focused on ensuring minimum manpower utilization on the machine shop floor of an Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) industry by implementing the Paired‐cell Overlapping Loops of Card with Authorization (POLCA) approach. Effective manpower utilization is an important aspect requiring focus in all areas relating to manufacture. However, POLCA, despite being a powerful and multiapplicative tool for AM, has still not been used by researchers for effective manpower utilization. This article takes initiative in this area.
An Empirical Comparison Between the Synthetic Control Method and HSIAO et al.'s Panel Data Approach to Program Evaluation
Authors: Gardeazabal Javier , Vega‐Bayo Ainhoa
Published: December 2016

We compare two program evaluation methodologies: the synthetic control method and the panel data approach. We apply both methods to estimate the effect of the political and economic integration of Hong Kong. The results obtained differ depending on the methodology used. We then conduct a simulation that shows that the synthetic control method results in a post‐treatment mean squared error, mean absolute percentage error, and mean error with a smaller interquartile range, whenever there is a good enough match. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
FGF Suppresses Poldip2 Expression in Osteoblasts
Authors: Katsumura Sakie , Izu Yayoi , Yamada Takayuki , Griendling Kathy , Harada Kiyoshi , Noda Masaki , Ezura Yoichi
Published: December 2016

Osteoporosis is one of the most prevalent ageing‐associated diseases that are soaring in the modern world. Although various aspects of the disease have been investigated to understand the bases of osteoporosis, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying bone loss is still incompletely understood. Poldip2 is a molecule that has been shown to be involved in cell migration of vascular cells and angiogenesis. However, expression of Poldip2 and its regulation in bone cells were not known. Therefore, we examined the Poldip2 mRNA expression and the effects of bone regulators on the Poldip2 expression in osteoblasts. We found that Poldip2 mRNA is expressed in osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells. As FGF controls osteoblasts and angiogenesis, FGF regulation was investigated in these cells. FGF suppressed the expression of Poldip2 in MC3T3‐E1 cells in a time dependent manner. Protein synthesis inhibitor but not transcription inhibitor reduced the FGF effects on Poldip2 gene expression in MC3T3‐E1 cells. As for bone‐related hormones, dexamethasone was found to enhance the expression of Poldip2 in osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells whereas FGF still suppressed such dexamethasone effects. With respect to function, knockdown of Poldip2 by siRNA suppressed the migration of MC3T3‐E1 cells. Poldip2 was also expressed in the primary cultures of osteoblast‐enriched cells and FGF also suppressed its expression. Finally, Poldip2 was expressed in femoral bone in vivo and its levels were increased in aged mice compared to young adult mice. These data indicate that Poldip2 is expressed in osteoblastic cells and is one of the targets of FGF. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1670–1677, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Type 2 Diabetes Inhibited Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Angiogenic Response by Over‐Activity of the Autophagic Pathway
Authors: Rezabakhsh Aysa , Cheraghi Omid , Nourazarian Alireza , Hassanpour Mehdi , Kazemi Masoumeh , Ghaderi Shahrooz , Faraji Esmaeil , Rahbarghazi Reza , Avci Çığır Biray , Bagca Bakiye Goker , Garjani Alireza
Published: December 2016

The current study aimed to address the impact of serum from type 2 diabetes patients on the angiogenic properties of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and its relationship to autophagy signaling. Human primary stem cells were enriched and incubated with serum from diabetic and normal subjects for 7 days. Compared to data from the control group, diabetic serum was found to induce a higher cellular death rate (P < 0.001) and apoptotic changes (P < 0.01). We also showed that diabetic condition significantly abolished angiogenesis tube formation on Matrigel substrate, decreased cell chemotaxis (P < 0.01) in response to SDF‐1α, and inhibited endothelial differentiation rate (P < 0.0001). Western blotting showed autophagic status by high levels of P62 (P < 0.0001), beclin‐1 (P < 0.0001), and increase in LC3II/I ratio (P < 0.001). In vivo Matrigel plug assay revealed that supernatant conditioned media prepared from cells exposed to diabetic serum caused a marked reduction in the recruitment of VE‐cadherin‐ (P < 0.01) and α‐SMA‐positive (P < 0.0001) cells 7 days after subcutaneous injection. PCR expression array analysis confirmed the overexpression of autophagy and apoptosis genes in cultured cells in response to a diabetic condition (P < 0.05). Using bioinformatic analysis, we noted a crosstalk network between DM2, angiogenesis, and autophagy signaling. DM2 could potently modulate angiogenesis by the interaction of IL‐1β with downstream insulin receptor and upstream androgen receptor. Corroborating to data, diabetic serum led to abnormal regulation of P62 during the angiogenic response. These data demonstrate that diabetic serum decreased human mesenchymal stem cell angiogenic properties directly on angiogenesis pathways or by the induction of autophagy signaling. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1518–1530, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Resveratrol Inhibits Proliferation, Invasion, and Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition by Increasing miR‐200c Expression in HCT‐116 Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Karimi Dermani Fatemeh , Saidijam Massoud , Amini Razieh , Mahdavinezhad Ali , Heydari Korosh , Najafi Rezvan
Published: December 2016

Objective: colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies, associated with high rates of relapse. A notable challenge in treatment is low response rate to current therapies for advanced CRC. The miR‐200c plays an essential role in tumor suppression by inhibiting epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Resveratrol, a natural compound found in red wine, reveals anti‐cancer properties in several types of cancers such as CRC. The aim of current study was to evaluate the effects of resveratrol on proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion of HCT‐116 cells and also expression of EMT‐related genes in presences or absence of miR‐200c. Methods: the effect of resveratrol on viability was examined by MTT assay. LNA‐anti‐miR‐200c transfection of HCT‐116 cells was carried out in a time dependent manner. Then, the expression of miR‐200c and EMT‐related genes were quantified by qRT‐PCR. Further, expression of EMT‐related proteins, apoptosis, and invasion were analyzed by Western blot, Annexin V/PI staining and scratch test, respectively. Results: resveratrol could significantly inhibit viability of HCT‐116 cells. LNA‐anti‐miR‐200c suppressed the endogenous miR‐200c in transfected cells compared with the control. qRT‐PCR and Western blot analysis of LNA‐anti‐miR‐200c transfected cells revealed a considerable increase in vimentin and ZEB‐1 expression, with a concomitant reduction in E‐cadherin expression level. Migration of HCT‐116 cells increased, and apoptosis significantly reduced in transfected cells. While, resveratrol could entirely reverse these changes by modulation of miR‐200c expression. Conclusion: our findings revealed a major role of resveratrol in apoptosis, invasion, and switching of EMT to MET phenotype through upregulation of miR‐200c in CRC. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1547–1555, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Landscape attributes explain migratory caribou vulnerability to sport hunting
Authors: Plante Sabrina , Dussault Christian , Côté Steeve D.
Published: December 2016

Human disturbances are increasing in Arctic regions and have been suggested as one of the main factors explaining caribou (Rangifer tarandus) decline. The cumulative effects of disturbances may negatively affect caribou habitat use, survival, and population dynamics. Thus, there is a need to evaluate the impact of various human disturbances, especially those that cause direct mortality (e.g., sport hunting). We evaluated the relative importance of caribou and hunter habitat selection and landscape characteristics on caribou vulnerability to sport hunting in northern Québec, Canada. We used resource selection functions to describe habitat selection of 223 caribou and 87 hunters. We then characterized >169,000 caribou harvest sites recorded over 17 years according to the relative probability of co‐occurrence of caribou and hunters, the relative probability of occurrence of hunters only, or the characteristics of the landscape (e.g., distance to human infrastructures, elevation, land cover type). Landscape characteristics better explained caribou vulnerability to sport hunting than habitat selection of caribou and hunters, or their co‐occurrence. Caribou were more vulnerable in proximity to hunting infrastructures (e.g., roads, outfitter camps) than elsewhere, but caribou strongly avoided roads. Caribou were also more vulnerable on frozen lakes than in other land cover types. Lakes were, however, avoided by caribou and not selected by hunters. Harvest was more likely in smoother terrain, even if caribou and hunters did not select for this characteristic. We demonstrated caribou were more vulnerable in areas with good accessibility (near roads) or where caribou were easily detectable (lakes, smoother terrain), which also represents areas that were either avoided or not selected by caribou or hunters. This discrepancy between harvest distribution and behaviors of caribou and hunters suggests that harvest may be an opportunistic event where visibility and accessibility increased chances of success for hunters. Managers could use this information to manipulate hunting success according to population estimates and harvest quota by establishing minimal distance to risky areas within which hunting would be prohibited. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Evaluation of the Biocompatibility of Polypyrrole Implanted Subdurally in GAERS
Authors: Bauquier Sebastien H. , McLean Karen J. , Jiang Jonathan L. , Boston Ray C. , Lai Alan , Yue Zhilian , Moulton Simon E. , Halliday Amy J. , Wallace Gordon , Cook Mark J.
Published: December 2016

This blinded controlled prospective randomized study investigates the biocompatibility of polypyrrole (PPy) polymer that will be used for intracranial triggered release of anti‐epileptic drugs (AEDs). Three by three millimeters PPy are implanted subdurally in six adult female genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg. Each rat has a polymer implanted on one side of the cortex and a sham craniotomy performed on the other side. After a period of seven weeks, rats are euthanized and parallel series of coronal sections are cut throughout the implant site. Four series of 15 sections are histological (hematoxylin and eosin) and immunohistochemically (neuron‐specific nuclear protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and anti‐CD68 antibody) stained and evaluated by three investigators. The results show that implanted PPy mats do not induce obvious inflammation, trauma, gliosis, and neuronal toxicity. Therefore the authors conclude the PPy used offer good histocompatibility with central nervous system cells and that PPy sheets can be used as intracranial, AED delivery implant.

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Self‐Assembled Supramolecular Nanogels as a Safe and Effective Drug Delivery Vector for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Cheng Chih‐Chia , Liang Mei‐Chih , Liao Zhi‐Sheng , Huang Jyun‐Jie , Lee Duu‐Jong
Published: December 2016

Simple construction and manipulation of low‐molecular‐weight supramolecular nanogels, based on the introduction of multiple hydrogen bonding interactions, with the desired physical properties to achieve effective and safe delivery of drugs for cancer therapy remain highly challenging. Herein, a novel supramolecular oligomer cytosine (Cy)‐polypropylene glycol containing self‐complementary multiple hydrogen‐bonded Cy moieties is developed, which undergoes spontaneous self‐assembly to form nanosized particles in an aqueous environment. Phase transitions and scattering studies confirm that the supramolecular nanogels can be readily tailored to obtain the desired phase‐transition temperature and temperature‐induced release of the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). The resulting nanogels exhibit an extremely high load carrying capacity (up to 24.8%) and drug‐entrapment stability, making the loading processes highly efficient. Importantly, in vitro cytotoxicity assays indicate that DOX‐loaded nanogels possess excellent biosafety for drug delivery applications under physiological conditions. When the environmental temperature is increased to 40 °C, DOX‐loaded nanogels trigger rapid DOX release and exert cytotoxic effects, significantly reducing the dose required compared to free DOX. Given its simplicity, low cost, high reliability, and efficiency, this newly developed temperature‐responsive nanocarrier has highly promising potential for controlled release drug delivery systems.

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A comparative study of chlorides and longer‐term reinforcement corrosion
Authors: Melchers R. E. , Chaves I. A.
Published: December 2016

High concentrations of chlorides in reinforced concretes usually are held responsible for reinforcement corrosion. However, this conflicts with many practical examples of actual concrete structures that show little reinforcement corrosion even with very high chloride concentrations. Herein a series of tests is described for reinforced concrete specimens made with fresh water, seawater, and with seawater with additional sodium chloride and exposed for 10 years in a moisture‐rich environment. All concretes retained concrete pH values well above 9, and particularly for dense high strength concretes, pH around 12. The overall amount of reinforcement corrosion was zero or almost negligible, irrespective of concrete mix proportions or concrete chloride content. These results are in strong contrast with significant corrosion reported in 1959 after only 2–3 years exposure in a parallel experiment. The difference is attributed to poor compaction of those concretes inhibiting their inability to maintain sufficiently alkaline conditions and thus protection of the reinforcing bars. Overall the present controlled experiments support practical experience that reinforced concrete structures, properly made, can survive for long periods of time in chloride‐rich environments without the occurrence of serious reinforcement corrosion.
4D Printing of Shape Memory‐Based Personalized Endoluminal Medical Devices
Authors: Zarek Matt , Mansour Nicola , Shapira Shir , Cohn Daniel
Published: December 2016

The convergence of additive manufacturing and shape‐morphing materials is promising for the advancement of personalized medical devices. The capability to transform 3D objects from one shape to another, right off the print bed, is known as 4D printing. Shape memory thermosets can be tailored to have a range of thermomechanical properties favorable to medical devices, but processing them is a challenge because they are insoluble and do not flow at any temperature. This study presents here a strategy to capitalize on a series of medical imaging modalities to construct a printable shape memory endoluminal device, exemplified by a tracheal stent. A methacrylated polycaprolactone precursor with a molecular weight of 10 000 g mol−1 is printed with a UV‐LED stereolithography printer based on anatomical data. This approach converges with the zeitgeist of personalized medicine and it is anticipated that it will broadly expand the application of shape memory‐exhibiting biomedical devices to myriad clinical indications.

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Simultaneous orthogonal plane imaging
Authors: Mickevicius Nikolai J. , Paulson Eric S.
Published: December 2016

Purpose

Intrafraction motion can result in a smearing of planned external beam radiation therapy dose distributions, resulting in an uncertainty in dose actually deposited in tissue. The purpose of this paper is to present a pulse sequence that is capable of imaging a moving target at a high frame rate in two orthogonal planes simultaneously for MR‐guided radiotherapy.

Theory

By balancing the zero gradient moment on all axes, slices in two orthogonal planes may be spatially encoded simultaneously. The orthogonal slice groups may be acquired with equal or nonequal echo times.

Methods

A Cartesian spoiled gradient echo simultaneous orthogonal plane imaging (SOPI) sequence was tested in phantom and in vivo. Multiplexed SOPI acquisitions were performed in which two parallel slices were imaged along two orthogonal axes simultaneously. An autocalibrating phase‐constrained 2D‐SENSE‐GRAPPA (generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisition) algorithm was implemented to reconstruct the multiplexed data.

Results

SOPI images without intraslice motion artifacts were reconstructed at a maximum frame rate of 8.16 Hz. The 2D‐SENSE‐GRAPPA reconstruction separated the parallel slices aliased along each orthogonal axis.

Conclusion

The high spatiotemporal resolution provided by SOPI has the potential to be beneficial for intrafraction motion management during MR‐guided radiation therapy or other MRI‐guided interventions. Magn Reson Med 78:1700–1710, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Akademisch und vernetzt
Authors: Böhme Uwe , Tesch Silke
Published: December 2016

In den letzten Jahren entstanden neue Portale, Communities und Online‐Tools, welche die Kommunikation in allen Phasen der wissenschaftlichen Arbeit erleichtern. Was sind Nutzen und Risiken dieser wissenschaftlichen Netzwerke?
Perspektivwechsel
Authors: Glorius Frank , Rakers Lena , Tebben Ludger
Published: December 2016

Über sechs Monate arbeiteten Kunststudierende und Chemiedoktoranden aus Münster zusammen in ihren Laboren und Werkstätten. Dabei tauschten sie nicht nur Techniken und Sichtweisen aus: Beide Seiten lernten auch neu, sich auszudrücken, und ließen sich voneinander inspirieren.
Mehr Pumpen, weniger Kosten
Authors: Melching Achim
Published: December 2016

An Gloveboxen entfernen meist ölgedichtete Drehschieberpumpen die Luft aus Haupt‐ und Transferkammer. Für einen sicheren Dauerbetrieb ist der Wartungsaufwand allerdings hoch. Das Institut für Anorganische Chemie und Kristallographie der Universität Bremen hat zusammen mit dem Pumpenhersteller Vacuubrand nach einer Lösung gesucht, welche die Kosten dafür senkt.
Bioanorganisches Symposium 2016 in Aachen
Authors: Liebhäuser Patricia
Published: December 2016

Anfang September fand an der RWTH Aachen das Bioanorganische Symposium 2016 mit 90 Teilnehmern statt. Die Mitglieder der DFG‐geförderten Forschergruppe 1405 präsentierten in diesem Abschlusssymposium ihre neuesten Ergebnisse zum Thema Biological and Inorganic Charge Transfer Dynamics und diskutierten sie mit den neun eingeladenen Vortragenden aus aller Welt. Zur Forschergruppe gehören insgesamt sieben Arbeitsgruppen von der RWTH Aachen, der Universität Hamburg, dem Center of Free‐Electron Laser Science (CFEL) und der Universität Paderborn. Sie beschäftigt sich mit experimentellen und theoretischen Untersuchungen von Elektronen‐ und Charge‐Transfer‐Reaktionen. Etliche Wissenschaftler aus Deutschland nahmen teil und präsentierten neben 25 Vorträgen 55 Poster.
Vorstandssitzung
Authors: Koch Wolfram
Published: December 2016

Die dritte Sitzung des Vorstands der Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker im Jahr 2016 fand am 9. September statt; wie alle zwei Jahre in Verbindung mit der Versammlung der Gesellschaft Deutscher Naturforscher und Ärzte, dieses Mal bei der 129. Versammlung in Greifswald.
Die lebendige Chemie
Authors: Lindhorst Thisbe K.
Published: December 2016

Im Jahr 1867 gründete sich in Berlin die Deutsche Chemische Gesellschaft, die ältere der beiden Vorgängerorganisationen der Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker. Bevor es ab Januar 2017 losgeht mit dem Trubel des Jubiläumsjahres, sollten ein paar nachdenkliche Worte nicht fehlen.
An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for the conservative and nonpharmacological management of female pelvic floor dysfunction
Authors: Bo Kari , Frawley Helena C. , Haylen Bernard T. , Abramov Yoram , Almeida Fernando G. , Berghmans Bary , Bortolini Maria , Dumoulin Chantale , Gomes Mario , McClurg Doreen , Meijlink Jane , Shelly Elizabeth , Trabuco Emanuel , Walker Carolina , Wells Amanda
Published: December 2016

Introduction and hypothesis There has been an increasing need for the terminology on the conservative management of female pelvic floor dysfunction to be collated in a clinically based consensus report.

Methods This Report combines the input of members and elected nominees of the Standardization and Terminology Committees of two International Organizations, the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) and the International Continence Society (ICS), assisted at intervals by many external referees. An extensive process of nine rounds of internal and external review was developed to exhaustively examine each definition, with decision‐making by collective opinion (consensus). Before opening up for comments on the webpages of ICS and IUGA, five experts from physiotherapy, neurology, urology, urogynecology, and nursing were invited to comment on the paper.

Results A Terminology Report on the conservative management of female pelvic floor dysfunction, encompassing over 200 separate definitions, has been developed. It is clinically based, with the most common symptoms, signs, assessments, diagnoses, and treatments defined. Clarity and ease of use have been key aims to make it interpretable by practitioners and trainees in all the different specialty groups involved in female pelvic floor dysfunction. Ongoing review is not only anticipated, but will be required to keep the document updated and as widely acceptable as possible.

Conclusion A consensus‐based terminology report for the conservative management of female pelvic floor dysfunction has been produced, aimed at being a significant aid to clinical practice and a stimulus for research.
Distributive Justice for Volunteers
Authors: Hurst Christine , Scherer Lisa , Allen Joseph
Published: December 2016

Volunteer organizations continue to suffer from turnover; the current volunteer rate is the lowest since 2002. Distributive justice, satisfaction, and extrinsic outcome importance were examined as influences of volunteer intention to quit. Survey results from 294 volunteers revealed that those who perceived less than fair distribution of extrinsic outcomes experienced heightened intention to quit compared to those who perceived fair distribution. Overall satisfaction partially mediated this relationship. We explored the potential moderating role of volunteers’ assessment of the importance of extrinsic outcomes on the overall mediated relationship.
A high accuracy minimally invasive regularization technique for navier–stokes equations at high reynolds number
Authors: Aggul Mustafa , Labovsky Alexander
Published: December 2016

A method is presented, that combines the defect and deferred correction approaches to approximate solutions of Navier–Stokes equations at high Reynolds number. The method is of high accuracy in both space and time, and it allows for the usage of legacy codes a frequent requirement in the simulation of turbulent flows in complex geometries. The two‐step method is considered here; to obtain a regularization that is second order accurate in space and time, the method computes a low‐order accurate, stable, and computationally inexpensive approximation (Backward Euler with artificial viscosity) twice. The results are readily extendable to the higher order accuracy cases by adding more correction steps. Both the theoretical results and the numerical tests provided demonstrate that the computed solution is stable and the accuracy in both space and time is improved after the correction step. We also perform a qualitative test to demonstrate that the method is capable of capturing qualitative features of a turbulent flow, even on a very coarse mesh. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 33: 814–839, 2017
Societal preferences in the treatment of pediatric medulloblastoma: Balancing risk of death and quality of life
Authors: Khakban Amir , Mohammadi Tima , Lynd Larry D. , Mabbott Don , Bouffet Eric , Gastonguay Louise , Zafari Zafar , Malkin David , Taylor Michael , Marra Carlo A.
Published: December 2016

Purpose

Medulloblastoma is the most prevalent childhood brain cancer. Children with medulloblastoma typically receive a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The survival rate is high but survivors often have sequelae from radiotherapy of the entire developing brain and spinal cord. Ongoing genetic studies have suggested that decreasing the dose of radiation might be possible among children with favorable molecular variants; however, this may result in an increased disease recurrence. As such, there is a need to investigate the nature of trade‐offs that individuals are willing to make regarding the treatment of medulloblastoma.

Method

We used best–worst scaling to estimate the importance of attributes affecting the general public's decision making around the treatment of medulloblastoma. After conducting focus groups, we selected three relevant attributes: (1) the accuracy of the genetic test; (2) the probability of serious adverse effects of the treatment(s); and (3) the survival rate. Using the paired method, we applied a conditional logit model to estimate preferences.

Results

In total, 3,006 respondents (51.3% female) with an average age of 43 years answered the questionnaires. All coefficients were statistically significantly different from zero and the attribute levels of adverse effects and the survival rate had the most impact on individuals’ stated decision making.

Conclusion

Overall, respondents showed high sensitivity to children experiencing disability particularly in the setting of a good prognosis. However, among children with poor prognostic molecular variants, participants showed tolerance about having a child with mild and partial disability compared to a low rate of survival.
Incident light angle dependence of microwalled silicon solar cell efficiency for fracture transfer printing applications
Authors: Yengel E. , Karaagac H. , Logeeswaran V. J. , Saif Islam M.
Published: December 2016

Herein, we report the results in the search for optimized parameters to fabrication of substrate free microwalled photovoltaic devices for maximum light harvesting. By using the fracture transfer printing method, silicon (Si)‐based microwalls (MWs) and micropilars (MPs) with an aspect ratio of 24 were successfully fabricated and transferred into PMMA on secondary substrates. Also, MW solar cell with the filling ratio ∼40% was fabricated by further processing a commercial solar cell with surface texture using deep reactive ion etching (DRIE). The results show that reflection is minimized for light incidence angle greater than 5° with respect to the surface normal to the solar cell plane. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the MW PV device starts to increase from 2% as the incident light angle increases from 0° and reaches its maximum at 3.5% for 70°. On the other hand, a textured commercial solar cell, with PCE of 9.5% exhibits decreasing PCE when the incident light angle is varied from orthogonal to parallel orientation with respect to the solar cell plane.
Taped Barrier Test for Internal Bags Used in Boxes of Recycled Paperboard: The Role of the Paperboard and Its Consequence for the Test
Authors: Biedermann‐Brem Sandra , Biedermann Maurus , Grob Koni
Published: December 2016

Internal bags with a functional barrier are a promising solution to render recycled paperboard acceptable for food packaging. Producers and users of such bags as well as control authorities need a tool to evaluate whether a bag satisfies the requirements of safety. In the previously proposed methods, the criterion focused on the permeability of the barrier layer. This neglected the influence of absorption or adsorption of the substances in the paperboard and the plastic of the bag. To take these contributions into account, it was proposed to change the criterion and use the percentage of the amount of (surrogate) substances in the recycled paperboard that passes into the food. This paper explains this, in particular how the method better reflects the reality in a pack of food. Firstly, donors should be prepared from recycled paperboard, as the behaviour differs from that of paper. Secondly, absorption into the paperboard seems to be a slow process. It was noted that freshly added surrogate substances were easily extracted by methyl tert‐butyl ether, but the extraction yield decreased during storage over some weeks. To catch this reality of the substances in the paperboard, donors need to be conditioned before use. Finally, absorption in the paperboard may depend on the concentration, which prompted a further reduction of the amounts of the surrogate substances used for testing. It turned out that usually the hydrocarbon (C17) determines the barrier efficiency; triethyl citrate is no longer used, as it was never a relevant surrogate. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A combined registration and finite element analysis method for fast estimation of intraoperative brain shift; phantom and animal model study
Authors: Mohammadi Amrollah , Ahmadian Alireza , Rabbani Shahram , Fattahi Ehsan , Shirani Shapour
Published: December 2016

Background

Finite element models for estimation of intraoperative brain shift suffer from huge computational cost. In these models, image registration and finite element analysis are two time‐consuming processes.

Methods

The proposed method is an improved version of our previously developed Finite Element Drift (FED) registration algorithm. In this work the registration process is combined with the finite element analysis. In the Combined FED (CFED), the deformation of whole brain mesh is iteratively calculated by geometrical extension of a local load vector which is computed by FED.

Results

While the processing time of the FED‐based method including registration and finite element analysis was about 70 s, the computation time of the CFED was about 3.2 s. The computational cost of CFED is almost 50% less than similar state of the art brain shift estimators based on finite element models.

Conclusions

The proposed combination of registration and structural analysis can make the calculation of brain deformation much faster.
The Shocking Origins of Political Transitions: Evidence from Earthquakes
Authors: Habibur Rahman Muhammad , Anbarci Nejat , Bhattacharya Prasad Sankar , Ulubaşoğlu Mehmet Ali
Published: December 2016

Do earthquakes trigger political transitions? Using a rich panel dataset of 160 countries observed over 1950–2007, we find that earthquake shocks, measured in terms of the effect of ground‐motion amplitude on death toll, have two contradicting effects on political change. On the one hand, earthquakes drive transitions into democracy due to an affective shock, which we interpret to be the reaction of citizens by which they hold the incumbent government responsible for earthquake damages. On the other hand, earthquakes indirectly hasten transitions into a less democratic regime because they increase the income level contemporaneously, possibly due to short‐term emergency response and recovery expenditures, and thus, raising the opportunity cost of contesting the incumbent government. Overall, we show that, while not leading to a full‐fledged regime transition, earthquake shocks open a new democratic window of opportunity, but this window is narrowed by improved economic conditions.
Vorspannkraftverluste in HV‐Schraubverbindungen
Authors: Friede Roland , Lange Jörg
Published: December 2016

Herrn Univ.‐Prof. Dr.‐Ing. Gerhard Hanswille zur Vollendung seines 65. Lebensjahres gewidmet

Bei HV‐Verbindungen werden die Schrauben planmäßig vorgespannt. Hierbei führen die Effekte “Setzen” und “selbsttätiges Losdrehen” zu Vorspannkraftverlusten, die bei der Planung prinzipiell zu berücksichtigen sind. Am Institut für Stahlbau und Werkstoffmechanik der TU Darmstadt wurden Versuche zum Setzen und selbsttätigen Losdrehen durchgeführt. Ziel war es, die Effekte weiter zu erforschen und Konstruktionsregeln für die praktische Auslegung von HV‐Verbindungen abzuleiten. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden Grundlagen zum Vorspannen zusammengefasst sowie die Versuche zum Setzen und selbsttätigen Losdrehen vorgestellt und die daraus resultierenden Ergebnisse und Konstruktionsempfehlungen präsentiert.

Loss of preload in connections using high‐strength bolts. In high‐strength structural bolting connections (system HV) the bolts are usually preloaded. Embedding and self‐loosening lead to a loss of the preload that has to be considered in the structural design. At the Institut für Stahlbau und Werkstoffmechanik (Institute for Steel Structures and Materials Mechanics) of TU Darmstadt the embedding and self‐loosening was assessed experimentally. Aim of this was to gain further knowledge of these effects and to develop recommendations for the practical application of preloaded bolted connections. In this paper some basics of preloading are presented. Furthermore the test‐results are presented and some design recommendations are given.
Plastische Querschnittstragfähigkeit von kreisförmigen Hohlprofilen
Authors: Kindmann Rolf , Jonczyk Dominik , Knobloch Markus
Published: December 2016

Herrn Univ.‐Prof. Dr.‐Ing. Gerhard Hanswille zur Vollendung seines 65. Lebensjahres gewidmet

Traditionell wird die plastische Querschnittstragfähigkeit von kreisförmigen Hohlprofilen in der Regel mit einem Modell bestimmt, bei dem der Querschnitt auf eine Linie reduziert wird (Linienmodell). Damit ergeben sich Näherungen, deren Güte von den Durchmessern und Profildicken abhängt. In dem vorliegenden Beitrag werden dünn‐ und dickwandige Querschnitte untersucht und die plastische Querschnittstragfähigkeit für einzelne Schnittgrößen und ihre Kombinationen ermittelt. Darüber hinaus werden Näherungen für vereinfachte Berechnungen angegeben und Tragfähigkeitsbedingungen gemäß DIN EN 1993‐1‐1 hinsichtlich ihrer Genauigkeit bewertet.

Plastic resistance of circular hollow sections. The plastic resistance of circular hollow sections is usually determined by reducing the cross‐section to a line. The use of this model leads to approximations, which accuracy depends on the diameters and the thicknesses. The present paper deals with the plastic resistance of thin and thick circular hollow sections for each stress resultant and for combinations. Precise solutions and approximations for simplified verifications are given. The accuracy of verifications given in DIN EN 1993‐1‐1 is evaluated.
Application of activity sensors for estimating behavioral patterns
Authors: Roberts Caleb P. , Cain James W. , Cox Robert D.
Published: December 2016

The increasing use of Global Positioning System (GPS) collars in habitat selection studies provides large numbers of precise location data points with reduced field effort. However, inclusion of activity sensors in many GPS collars also grants the potential to remotely estimate behavioral state. Thus, only using GPS collars to collect location data belies their full capabilities. Coupling behavioral state with location data would allow researchers and managers to refine habitat selection models by using diel behavioral state changes to partition fine‐scale temporal shifts in habitat selection. We tested the capability of relatively unsophisticated GPS‐collar activity sensors to estimate behavior throughout diel periods using free‐ranging female elk (Cervus canadensis) in the Jemez Mountains of north‐central New Mexico, USA, 2013–2014. Collars recorded cumulative number of movements (hits) per 15‐min recording period immediately preceding GPS fixes at 0000, 0600, 1200, and 1800 hr. We measured diel behavioral patterns of focal elk, categorizing active (i.e., foraging, traveling, vigilant, grooming) and inactive (i.e., resting) states. Active behaviors (foraging, traveling) produced more average hits (0.87 ± 0.69 hits/min, 4.0 ± 2.2 hits/min, respectively; 95% CI) and inactive (resting) behavior fewer hits (−1.1 ± 0.61 95% CI). We differentiated active and inactive behavioral states with a bootstrapped threshold of 5.9 ± 3.9 hits/15‐min recording period. Mean cumulative activity‐sensor hits corresponded with observed diel behavioral patterns: hits increased during crepuscular (0600, 1800 hr) observations when elk were most active (0000–0600 hr: d = 0.19; 1200–1800 hr: d = 0.64) and decreased during midday and night (0000 hr, 1200 hr) when elk were least active (1800–0000 hr: d = −0.39; 0600–1200 hr: d = −0.43). Even using relatively unsophisticated GPS‐collar activity sensors, managers can remotely estimate behavioral states, approximate diel behavioral patterns, and potentially complement location data in developing habitat selection models. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Rational Syntheses of CdII and PbII Metal‐Organic Frameworks for Luminescence Sensing of Nitroaromatics, Ferric and Chromate Ions
Authors: Wu Yu , Li Yulong , Zou Like , Feng Jianshen , Liu Jianqiang , Luo Miaomiao , Xu Jingwen , Yadav Reena , Kumar Abhinav
Published: December 2016

The metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), {[Cd(L)(H2O)]·CH3OH·DMF} (1) and [Pb(L)(DMF)] (2) (L = 2,4‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde nicotinoylhydrazone), were synthesized and characterized using microanalyses, IR spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Single crystal X‐ray analyses revealed that both 1 and 2 exhibit 2D grid networks. The photoluminescence investigation indicates that 1 and 2 could be a prospective candidate for developing luminescencent sensors for the selective sensing of nitrobenzene, which is used as a precursor for explosives. The luminescent properties of 1 and 2 in different solvents were investigated and corroborated by theoretical calculations. Additionally compounds 1 and 2 also show selective sensing ability for Fe3+ as well as for CrO42– ions.
Formation and Unimolecular Dehydrogenation of Gaseous Alkaline‐earth Metal Amidoboranes M(NH2BH3)2 (M = Be – Ba): Comparative Computational Study
Authors: Lisovenko Anna S. , Timoshkin Alexey Y.
Published: December 2016

Formation of alkaline‐earth metal amidoboranes M(NH2BH3)2 (M = Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) and unimolecular dehydrogenation reactions were computationally studied at the B3LYP/def2‐TZVPPD level of theory. Formation of M(NH2BH3)2 from ammonia borane and MH2 is exergonic, but subsequent unimolecular dehydrogenation reactions are endergonic at room temperature. In contrast to alkali metal amidoboranes, for M(NH2BH3)2 the nature of M significantly affects their reactivity. Activation energies for the dehydrogenation of first and second hydrogen molecules decrease from Be to Ba. In case of Be compounds, intramolecular M···H–B contacts play an important role, whereas for heavier analogs such contacts are much less pronounced.
Transoral Approach for Odontoidectomy Efficacy and Safety
Authors: Elbadrawi Ahmed Mohamed , Elkhateeb Tameem Mohamed
Published: December 2016

Background

Odontoid process pathologies can cause upper motor neuron lesions. These pathologies can be approached through either a high retropharyngeal approach or a transoral approach. The introduction of the surgical microscope, proper instrumentations, and proper antibiotics has increased utilization of the transoral approach.

Questions/Purposes

Our approach to anterior odontoid resection through transoral approach for different pathologies resulting in compression the cervical cord or causing craniocervical instability is described here. We aim to explore the safety and efficacy of this approach.

Methods

Twenty cases of different odontoid pathologies were managed by transoral surgery. Patients were assessed clinically for axial neck pain and radicular symptoms using visual analog scale. The Nurick score was used to get an overall functional evaluation of the difficulty of ambulation and walking. Radiological evaluation of the patients included plain radiographs, CT scans, and MRI of the cervical spine. Posterior surgery was done as a first stage for restoring the sagittal profile of the cervical spine. Transoral surgery was done as a second stage for odontoid resection and anterior decompression of the cord.

Results

Average follow-up was 29.4 ± 3.8 months. Mean preoperative Nurick scale was 1.3 ± 1.2. Mean postoperative Nurcik scale was 0.5 ± 0.61. Patients with axial neck pain were improved after surgery except the 6 patients; mean VAS preoperative 8.2 ± 2.3 SD, mean postoperative VAS 3.7 ± 0.8SD, and radicular symptoms were not significantly changed after surgery; gait changes were improved in all patients with preoperative gait disturbance.

Conclusion

The transoral approach is a safe and effective surgical method for the direct decompression of ventral midline extradural compressive disease of the craniovertebral junction.
Safety and Efficacy of Natalizumab in Japanese Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Open-Label Extension Study of a Phase 2 Trial
Authors: Saida Takahiko , Kira Jun-Ichi , Kishida Shuji , Yamamura Takashi , Ohtsuka Nobuhisa , Ling Yan , Torii Shinichi , Lucas Nisha , Kuesters Geoffrey , Steiner Deb , Tibung J. T. ,   on behalf of the Natalizumab Trial Principal Investigators
Published: December 2016

Introduction

The efficacy of natalizumab was evaluated in Japanese patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in a 24-week, phase 2 bridging study. An open-label, 2-year extension study from this trial was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of natalizumab treatment in Japanese patients.

Methods

A total of 97 patients (43 previously on placebo; 54 previously on natalizumab) who had completed the bridging study were treated with 300 mg natalizumab every 4 weeks. Multiple sclerosis relapses, changes in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, and adverse events were assessed at regular intervals. Anti-natalizumab and anti-JC virus (JCV) antibodies were measured.

Results

After 2 years of natalizumab treatment, the mean adjusted annualized relapse rate was 0.30 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18–0.52) among previously-on-placebo patients and 0.13 (95% CI: 0.05–0.29) among previously-on-natalizumab patients. The mean change in EDSS score from baseline to week 120 was −0.03 among previously-on-placebo patients and −0.18 among previously-on-natalizumab patients. In both groups, >90% of patients experienced ≥1 adverse event. Two previously-on-placebo patients developed persistently positive anti-natalizumab antibodies. Approximately 65% of all patients tested positive for anti-JCV antibodies at open-label treatment initiation. No deaths or progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy cases were reported.

Conclusions

The efficacy and safety findings from this 2-year open-label extension study are comparable to and confirm the results of other clinical trials of natalizumab conducted in non-Asian patient populations, and provide longer-term evidence of efficacy and safety in Japanese patients.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01416155.

Funding

Biogen.
Singular solutions for divergence-form elliptic equations involving regular variation theory: Existence and classification
Authors: Chang Ting-Ying , Cîrstea Florica C.
Published: December 2016

We generalise and sharpen several recent results in the literature regarding the existence and complete classification of the isolated singularities for a broad class of nonlinear elliptic equations of the form

\tag{0.1}
−\mathrm{div}(\mathcal{A}(|x|) |\mathrm{∇}u|^{p−2}\mathrm{∇}u + b(x)\:h(u) = 0 \quad \mathrm{in} \quad B_{1} \setminus {\{0\}},

where

B_{r}

denotes the open ball with radius

r > 0

centred at

0

in

\mathbb{R}^{N}

(N \geq 2)

. We assume that

\mathcal{A} \in C^{1}(0,1]

,

b \in C(\overline{B_{1}} \setminus \{0\})

and

h \in C[0,\infty)

are positive functions associated with regularly varying functions of index

ϑ, σ

and

q

at

0, 0

and

\infty

respectively, satisfying

q > p−1 > 0

and

\vartheta −\sigma < p < N + \vartheta

. We prove that the condition

b(x)\:h(\mathrm{\Phi }) \notin L^{1}(B_{1/ 2})

is sharp for the removability of all singularities at

0

for the positive solutions of

(0.1)

, where

\Phi

denotes the “fundamental solution” of

−\mathrm{div}\:(\mathcal{A}(|x|)\:|\mathrm{∇}u|^{p−2}\mathrm{∇}u) = \delta _{0}

(the Dirac mass at 0) in

B_{1}

, subject to

\mathrm{\Phi }|_{\partial B_{1}} = 0

.
If

b(x)\:h(\mathrm{\Phi }) \in L^{1}(B_{1/ 2})

, we show that any non-removable singularity at

0

for a positive solution of (0.1) is either
weak
(i.e.,

\mathrm{\lim }_{|x|\rightarrow 0}⁡u(x)/ \mathrm{\Phi }(|x|) \in (0,\infty )

) or
strong
(

\mathrm{\lim }_{|x|\rightarrow 0}⁡u(x)/ \mathrm{\Phi }(|x|) = \infty

). The main difficulty and novelty of this paper, for which we develop new techniques, come from the explicit asymptotic behaviour of the strong singularity solutions in the critical case, which had previously remained open even for

\mathcal{A} = 1

. We also study the existence and uniqueness of the positive solution of

(0.1)

with a prescribed admissible behaviour at

0

and a Dirichlet condition on

\partial B_{1}

.