bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Malleable Curie Temperatures of Natural Titanomagnetites: Occurrences, Modes, and Mechanisms
Authors: Jackson Mike , Bowles Julie
Published: January 2018

Intermediate‐composition titanomagnetites have Curie temperatures (Tc) that depend not only on composition but also on thermal history, with increases of 100°C or more in Tc produced by moderate‐temperature (300–400°C) annealing in the laboratory or in slow natural cooling and comparable decreases produced by more rapid cooling (“quenching”) from higher temperatures. New samples spanning a range of titanomagnetite compositions exhibit reversible changes in Tc comparable to those previously documented for pyroclastic samples from Mt. St. Helens and Novarupta. Additional high‐ and low‐temperature measurements help to shed light on the nanoscale mechanisms responsible for the observed changes in Tc. High‐T hysteresis measurements exhibit a peak in high‐field slope khf(T) at the Curie temperature, and the peak magnitude decreases as Tc increases with annealing. Sharp changes in low‐T magnetic behavior are also strongly affected by prior annealing or quenching, suggesting that these treatments affect the intrasite cation distributions. We have examined the effects of oxidation state and nonstoichiometry on the magnitude of Tc changes produced by quenching/annealing in different atmospheres. Treatments in air generally cause large changes (ΔTc > 100°). In an inert atmosphere, the changes are similar in many samples but strongly diminished in others. When the samples are embedded in a reducing material, ΔTc becomes insignificant. These results strongly suggest that cation vacancies play an essential role in the cation rearrangements responsible for the observed changes in Tc. Some form of octahedral‐site chemical clustering or short‐range ordering appears to be the best way to explain the large observed changes in Tc.
No Correlation Between Atmospheric Dust and Surface Ocean Chlorophyll‐a in the Oligotrophic Gulf of Aqaba, Northern Red Sea
Authors: Torfstein A. , Kienast S. S.
Published: January 2018

High‐resolution records of daily surface chlorophyll‐a (chl‐a) concentrations and hourly atmospheric dust concentrations in the Gulf of Aqaba, northern Red Sea, are compared between 2012 and 2016 in order to examine the interplay between atmospheric dust input and surface productivity in this subtropic, nutrient‐poor marine ecosystem. Given that lags of days to weeks may occur between the dust input and phytoplankton response, and because of potential biases associated with differences in the sampling resolution, temporal offsets of 1–10 days between the dust and chl‐a are examined using smoothing windows between 3 and 31 days. The results suggest that there is no significant positive (or negative) correlation between dust and chl‐a surface concentrations, even when allowing for temporal offsets between the two records. This observation pertains to the seasonal as well as the daily time scale (i.e., abrupt dust storms). It is concluded that the role of atmospheric dust as a control on productivity in the Gulf of Aqaba and possibly other oligotrophic regions may have been previously overestimated.
New adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction ASiR‐V: Assessment of noise performance in comparison to ASiR
Authors: De Marco Paolo , Origgi Daniela
Published: January 2018

Purpose

To assess the noise characteristics of the new adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASiR‐V) in comparison to ASiR.

Methods

A water phantom was acquired with common clinical scanning parameters, at five different levels of CTDIvol. Images were reconstructed with different kernels (STD, SOFT, and BONE), different IR levels (40%, 60%, and 100%) and different slice thickness (ST) (0.625 and 2.5 mm), both for ASiR‐V and ASiR. Noise properties were investigated and noise power spectrum (NPS) was evaluated.

Results

ASiR‐V significantly reduced noise relative to FBP: noise reduction was in the range 23%–60% for a 0.625 mm ST and 12%–64% for the 2.5 mm ST. Above 2 mGy, noise reduction for ASiR‐V had no dependence on dose. Noise reduction for ASIR‐V has dependence on ST, being greater for STD and SOFT kernels at 2.5 mm. For the STD kernel ASiR‐V has greater noise reduction for both ST, if compared to ASiR. For the SOFT kernel, results varies according to dose and ST, while for BONE kernel ASIR‐V shows less noise reduction. NPS for CT Revolution has dose dependent behavior at lower doses. NPS for ASIR‐V and ASiR is similar, showing a shift toward lower frequencies as the IR level increases for STD and SOFT kernels. The NPS is different between ASiR‐V and ASIR with BONE kernel. NPS for ASiR‐V appears to be ST dependent, having a shift toward lower frequencies for 2.5 mm ST.

Conclusions

ASiR‐V showed greater noise reduction than ASiR for STD and SOFT kernels, while keeping the same NPS. For the BONE kernel, ASiR‐V presents a completely different behavior, with less noise reduction and modified NPS. Noise properties of the ASiR‐V are dependent on reconstruction slice thickness. The noise properties of ASiR‐V suggest the need for further measurements and efforts to establish new CT protocols to optimize clinical imaging.
Iron Single Clusters Anchored on N‐Doped Porous Carbon as Superior Trace‐Metal Catalysts toward Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Xue Hui , He Ting , Chabu Johnny Muya , Liu Jingjing , Wu Huiqiong , Zheng Jun , Tan Minli , Ma Jing , Shen Rujuan , Deng Liu , Zhang Yi
Published: January 2018

A new strategy to in situ immobilize iron (Fe) single clusters on N‐doped porous carbon under the confinement effect of N‐coordination supplied by porphyrins is demonstrated. During the pyrolysis reaction, the strong chelated interaction between Fe and N atoms serves as the pivotal role for achieving Fe single clusters via inhibiting the superabundant aggregation of Fe atoms. Compared to the Fe‐based nanoparticles and commercial Pt‐C, the synthesized single Fe cluster catalyst (C/TP‐Fe700) owns a superior catalytic performance in alkaline medium, which is confirmed by the more positive half‐wave potential (0.865 V, 28 mV higher than Pt‐C), high mass activity (0.60 A mg−1Fe, 10 times larger than Pt‐C), the excellent durability and remarkable methanol tolerance. Additionally, it likewise presents satisfactory oxygen reduction reaction activity in acidic medium compared with Pt‐C. This single metal cluster (metal cluster with subnanometer) catalyst with trace‐metal contents displays double advantages from metal and metal‐free oxygen reduction catalysts, such as high activity, ultralight mass, and environmental friendliness. Insight into this successful paradigm can provide a novel concept for constructing and understanding oxygen reduction catalysts at an approximate atomic scale.
Solid Lipid Nanoparticles of Serine Designed by Evaluating Affinity of Solid Lipids to Stratum Corneum for Enhanced Skin Hydration in Combination with Reed Root Extract
Authors: Barua Sonia , Lee Dong Il , Kim Hyeongmin , Jo Kanghee , Yeo Sooho , Yoo Seung‐Yup , Jeon Hyojin , Lee Ji‐Yun , Lee Jaehwi
Published: January 2018

The study aimed to assess the skin hydrating effect of hydrogels containing serine‐loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) prepared with lipids having high affinity to the stratum corneum (SC) and polysaccharide‐rich reed (Phragmites communis) root extract (RRE). To select a lipid with high affinity to the SC, the interaction between the SC obtained by a tape stripping technique and three different lipids such as glycerol mono‐oleate (GMO), lauric acid (LA), and capric acid (CA) was examined by ATR‐FTIR. After choosing GMO as the lipid with the highest affinity to the SC, hydrogel formulations containing serine‐loaded GMO SLN and/or RRE were prepared, and their skin hydrating effect was evaluated after applying the hydrogels to the surface of human skin. The hydrogel containing serine‐loaded GMO SLN and RRE exhibited the greatest skin moisturizing effect, followed by the hydrogels with serine‐loaded GMO SLN, RRE, and blank hydrogel. The results implied that SLN prepared with GMO having high affinity to the SC could be used as an efficacious carrier of serine for the purpose of skin hydration, and synergistic skin hydrating effect could be achieved by different skin moisturizing mechanisms of the serine‐loaded SLN and RRE.
Layered Molybdenum (Oxy) Pyrophosphate (MoO2)2P2O7 as a Cathode Material for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Deng Wenwen , Feng Xuyong , Xiao Yao , Li Changming
Published: January 2018

Layer‐structured (MoO2)2P2O7 was prepared through the decomposition of MoO2HPO4 and further used as a cathode material for sodium‐ion batteries. Results reveal that the capacity and cycling stability of the (MoO2)2P2O7/Na battery largely depends on the lower cutoff voltage. When cycling between 4.0 ‐1.5 V, (MoO2)2P2O7 delivers a capacity of 180 mAh g−1 in the first cycle, but it drops very fast owing to a phase decomposition of the crystal structure to an amorphous one. The cycling stability is still not good when cycling between 4.0 ‐1.7 V. However, when cycling between 4.0 ‐ 2.0 V, the performance can be significantly improved, which delivers 93 mAh g−1 in the first cycle and, after 50 cycles, the capacity can maintain 55 mAh g−1. This is mainly attributed to the stable crystal structure of the Na‐intercalated (MoO2)2P2O7 electrode. Ex situ X‐ray diffraction examination demonstrates that the volume change of the (MoO2)2P2O7 electrode during the first charging process is only 1 %.
Nutraceuticals in the management of patients with statin‐associated muscle symptoms, with a note on real‐world experience
Authors: Ward Natalie C. , Pang Jing , Ryan Jacqueline D.M. , Watts Gerald F.
Published: January 2018

There is considerable evidence for the role of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Although statin therapy remains the most frequency prescribed medication to reduce LDL‐C and lower risk of cardiovascular disease, a considerable number of patients develop muscle‐related side affects. This review summarizes recent literature supporting the role of nutraceuticals as LDL‐C–lowering therapy in statin‐intolerant patients, with evidence from our own clinical practices.
Self‐Organized Porous Titanium‐Chitosan Hybrid Materials with Tunable Functions
Authors: Khoury Christine , Gazit Oz M.
Published: January 2018

Multifunctional hybrid polymer‐based materials are shown to self‐organize into a patterned solid microstructure, specific enough to induce cooperative catalytic interactions between primary amine sites and grafted titanium (Ti) sites. We demonstrate this by a new procedure for the grafting of titanium sites onto the backbone of polyhydroxylated‐amine‐containing polymer (chitosan). The Ti grafting is shown to form an amorphous hybrid (Ti@CS) high surface area material (up to 130 m2 g−1), despite the strong thermodynamic tendency of CS to collapse into a compact structure held by hydrogen bonds. We find that the surface area of Ti@CS materials is stable even at 110 °C under high vacuum. Tuning of the grafting conditions and the post treatment conditions provide control over the functionalities of both the Ti sites and the primary amine sites. These can be tuned such that the nitro‐aldol condensation (Henry), used as probe reaction, is either (i) not catalyzed, (ii) catalyzed by amines promoted by Ti presence or (iii) catalyzed cooperatively by the primary amines and the Ti sites. Critical parameters related to the microstructure and chemical interactions between the organic and inorganic components are discussed in detail and cross‐referenced with catalytic results.
Ecohydrological functioning of an upland undergoing reclamation on post‐mining landscape of the Athabasca oil sands region, Canada
Authors: Gingras‐Hill Tristan , Nwaishi Felix C. , Macrae Merrin L. , Price Jonathan S. , Petrone Richard M.
Published: January 2018

Ecohydrological functioning of natural Boreal forest in Canada's Boreal Plains is a product of interactions between soil hydrophysical characteristics and hydrogeochemical processes. These interactions create a moisture–nutrient gradient within the surface soils, increasing along low‐relief transitions from upland to riparian zone, and in turn influence the distribution of vegetation communities. It is not yet known if/when analogous ecohydrological functions can be achieved in constructed uplands following industrial disturbance, such as that following oil sands development. Hence, to assess this, we studied interactions between hydrogeochemical processes and vegetation colonization in a constructed upland relative to hydrophysical properties of 2 reclamation cover substrates during a typical continental climate's growing season. Our results indicated that in 3 years of postconstruction, the establishment of a moisture–nutrient gradient that supports vegetation colonization along slope positions was still limited by heterogeneity of cover substrates. Portions of the upland under peat–mineral mix were characterized by lower nutrient availability, high moisture content, and establishment of planted shrubs and trees. In contrast, forest floor materials plots were characterized by poor soil quality, but higher nutrient availability and greater colonization of invasive grasses and native shrubs. We suggest that the colonization of underdeveloped soils by invasive grasses may facilitate pedogenic processes and thus should be accepted by reclamation managers as a successional milestone in the recovery of ecohydrological functioning of constructed uplands. Poor soil structure under forest floor materials could not support edaphic conditions required by plants to efficiently utilize fertilizer, making this practise futile at the early stage of soil development.
Effects of higher versus lower threat contexts on pain‐related attention biases: An eye‐tracking study
Authors: Jackson T. , Su L. , Wang Y.
Published: January 2018

Background

Threat is hypothesized to affect the degree to which pain captures attention but little is known about its impact on dynamic courses of attention towards pain. In this eye‐tracking study, we evaluated pain‐related visual attention biases during image pair presentations in comparatively lower versus higher threat conditions.

Methods

Gaze biases of healthy adults (47 women, 35 men) were assessed during image presentation phases standardized across (1) a modified visual dot‐probe task featuring painful‐neutral (pain) and neutral–neutral contrast (neutral) image pair blocks (lower threat context); and (2) an impending pain task wherein the same image pair blocks, respectively, cued potentially painful postoffset somatosensory stimuli (higher threat context) and its absence.

Results

Across tasks, participants were more often oriented towards, gazed longer at, and fixated more times on pain images in pain block trials, although trait fear of pain was not related to any gaze biases. Critically, however, participants reported more state fear and displayed significantly fewer initial fixations, longer first and overall gaze durations, and more unique fixations on pain images when image pairs signalled possible postoffset pain stimulation.

Conclusions

Results underscored stronger overall attention maintenance on visual pain cues in a higher threat (impending pain) context.

Significance

Through considering gaze parameters during image presentation phases of dot‐probe and impending pain tasks, possible effects of lower versus higher threat contexts on attention biases were elucidated. Participants reported more fear and gazed longer at painful than neutral images in the higher threat context whereby image pairs cued possible pain.
Analyse der Temperaturfahnenausbreitung kleiner Geothermiesondenanlagen
Authors: Wagner Isabel M.
Published: January 2018

Kleine oberflächennahe Geothermiesondenanlagen mit einer Heizleistung < 30 kW sind insbesondere im privaten Wohnsektor zu finden. Die Geothermiesonden erzeugen durch ihren Wärmeentzug Temperaturänderungen im Untergrund, deren Form sich in Abhängigkeit von den projektbezogenen Parametern, wie u. a. den geothermischen Untergrundeigenschaften, dem Betrieb der Sonde und der Grundwasserströmung, ausbildet. Im Rahmen des Genehmigungsprozesses werden vonseiten der Genehmigungsbehörde pauschale und nicht projektbezogene Grenzabstände für die Geothermiesonden gefordert, deren Einhaltung sich mit abnehmender Grundstücksgröße bisweilen schwierig gestaltet. Der Einsatz eines analytischen Ansatzes zur Abschätzung der Temperaturfahnenausbreitung wird präsentiert, um eine auf das Projekt abgestimmte Festlegung der Grenzabstände zu ermöglichen, die die Größe der Grundwasserströmung, die Betriebsweise und die Anzahl der Sonden kleiner oberflächennaher Geothermiesondenanlagen berücksichtigt.
N‐Palmitoyl Ethanol Amide Pharmacological Treatment in Patients With Nonsurgical Lumbar Radiculopathy
Authors: Chirchiglia Domenico , Paventi Saverio , Seminara Paolo , Cione Erika , Gallelli Luca
Published: January 2018

Palmitoyl ethanol amide (PEA) is an endogenous substance that plays a role in neuropathic pain. In this article, we evaluated both the safety and the efficacy of ultramicronized PEA (um‐PEA) in the treatment of low back pain related to nonsurgical lumbar radiculopathy. In this prospective single‐blind study, patients with low back pain related to nonsurgical lumbar radiculopathy received the fixed combination acetaminophen/codeine (500 mg + 30 mg/d) for 7 days, and then it was stopped and changed to um‐PEA (1200 mg/d) for 30 days. Patients without an improvement in pain or disability started a second cycle of treatment with um‐PEA (600 mg/d in tablets) for 30 days and then acetaminophen/codeine for 30 days. A total of 155 patients were included in the analysis. After the first cycle of treatment we recorded an improvement of pain in all patients with mild pain (visual analog scale score from 3‐4 to 1) and in 75% of the patients with moderate pain (visual analog scale score from 5‐6 to 2). After the second cycle, we recorded an improvement of pain and disability in all patients with moderate pain (P < .01), but in 26% of patients with severe pain we did not record any improvement in disability (P > .05). In conclusion we evaluated the role of um‐PEA in patients with lumbar radiculopathy with a long‐term follow‐up (24 months) and put in evidence the effectiveness and the safety of this formulation in patients with mild and moderate pain.
Maturation periods for Coffea arabica cultivars and their implications for yield and quality in Brazil
Authors: de Oliveira Aparecido Lucas Eduardo , Rolim Glauco de Souza , Moraes José Reinaldo da Silva Cabral de , Valeriano Taynara Tuany Borges , Lense Guilherme Henrique Expedido
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

Climatic conditions directly affect the maturation period of coffee plantations, affecting yield and beverage quality. The quality of coffee beverages is highly correlated with the length of fruit maturation, which is strongly influenced by meteorological elements. The objective was to estimate the probable times of graining and maturation of the main coffee varieties in Brazil and to quantify the influences of climate on coffee maturation. We used degree days to estimate flowering/graining periods (green fruit) and flowering/maturation periods (cherry fruit) for all cultivars. We evaluated the influence of climate on the time of maturity using Pearson correlation and nonlinear regression analysis and successfully mapped the influences of these elements.

RESULTS

Arabica coffee matured up to 2–3 months earlier in São Paulo, where air temperatures (TAIR) were higher, than in Minas Gerais, which would allow earlier harvesting and the training of seedlings at the beginning of the rainy season. Catuaí‐Amarelo‐IAC‐62 cultivar needed 205–226 days between the end of flowering and maturation at locations with high TAIR and 375–396 days at locations with low TAIR.

CONCLUSION

Water surplus and deficit were generally the most important variables for coffee maturation. Coffee matured faster in regions with high TAIR and evapotranspiration, moderate altitudes and deficits. Acaiá‐Cerrado‐MG‐1474 and Icatu‐Precoce‐Amarelo‐3282 were cultivars with an early cycle. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Advanced Hemophilic Arthropathy: Sensitivity of Soft Tissue Discrimination With Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
Authors: von Drygalski Annette , Moore Randy E. , Nguyen Sonha , Barnes Richard F. W. , Volland Lena M. , Hughes Tudor H. , Du Jiang , Chang Eric Y.
Published: January 2018

Objectives

Point‐of‐care musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) is increasingly used by hemophilia providers to guide management; however, pathologic tissue differentiation with US is uncertain. We sought to determine the extent to which point‐of‐care musculoskeletal US can identify and discriminate pathologic soft tissue changes in hemophilic arthropathy.

Methods

Thirty‐six adult patients with hemophilia A/B were prospectively enrolled. Point‐of‐care musculoskeletal US examinations were performed on arthropathic joints (16 knees, 10 ankles, and 10 elbows) using standard views by a musculoskeletal US–trained and certified hematologist, who recorded abnormal intra‐articular soft tissue accumulation. Within 3 days, magnetic resonance imaging was performed using conventional and multiecho ultrashort echo time sequences. Soft tissue identification (synovial proliferation with or without hemosiderin, fat, and/or blood products) was performed by a musculoskeletal radiologist. Findings obtained with both imaging modalities were compared and correlated in a blinded fashion.

Results

There was perfect agreement between the modalities on the presence of abnormal soft tissue (34 of 36 cases). However, musculoskeletal US was unable to discriminate between coagulated blood, synovium, intrasynovial or extrasynovial fat tissue, or hemosiderin deposits because of wide variations in echogenicity.

Conclusions

Musculoskeletal US is valuable for point‐of‐care imaging to determine the presence of soft tissue accumulation in discrete areas. However, because of limitations of musculoskeletal US in discriminating the nature of pathologic soft tissues and detecting hemosiderin, magnetic resonance imaging will be required if such discrimination is clinically important.
Brachial Artery Wall Stiffness Assessment by Shear Wave Elastography: A Promising New Diagnostic Tool for Endothelial Dysfunction Detection
Authors: Gülşen Fatih , Samanci Cesur , Memis Durmaz Emine Sebnem , Durmaz Eser , Tel Cigdem , Gencturk Mert , Ağırman Aysegul
Published: January 2018

Objectives

This study was designed to measure the changes in brachial artery wall stiffness by shear wave elastography (SWE) and evaluate the accuracy of SWE changes for detection of endothelial dysfunction.

Methods

Sixty‐five consecutive participants (19 patients with atherosclerosis proven by coronary angiography, 16 healthy young adults, 15 patients with cardiovascular risk factors, and 15 healthy older adults between 50 and 60 years) were prospectively included in this study. They were examined in the same week by SWE, and flow‐mediated dilatation was evaluated for each patient.

Results

The mean flow‐mediated dilatation values ± 2 SDs after forearm occlusion were 8.54% ± 1.4% in healthy young adults, 7.61% ± 1.4% in healthy older adults, 5.83% ± 0.7% in patients with risk factors (P < .001), and 3.81% ± 2.4% in patients with atherosclerosis (P < .001, with respect to the risk factor group). There was a significant decrease in stiffness measurements in parallel with the increase in flow‐mediated dilatation: 19.9% ± 6.3% in healthy young adults, 16.3% ± 5.1% in healthy older adults, 9.8% ± 5.4% in patients with risk factors (P < .05 with respect to the group with no risk factors), and 7.8% ± 6.4% in patients with atherosclerosis (P < .001 with respect to the healthy older adults).

Conclusions

Shear wave elastography in combination with flow‐mediated dilatation could be a promising, widely available noninvasive diagnostic tool for detecting endothelial dysfunction.
The cost‐efficiency and reliability of two methods for soil organic C accounting
Authors: Viscarra Rossel Raphael A. , Brus Dick J.
Published: January 2018

Sequestering organic carbon (C) in soil can help to combat land degradation, improve food security, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. But we need reliable, cost‐efficient methods to assess, monitor, and verify the change. Here, we compared two methods for the direct measurement of soil organic C stocks and for monitoring the change. Our aims were to quantify the soil organic C stock in two carbon estimation areas, under cropping and grazing, using composite sampling with two designs and proximal sensing. We compared the two schemes in terms of the (a) accuracy of the estimated C stocks, the total cost, and the cost‐efficiency, calculated as the ratio of the accuracy of the estimate and the total cost, and (b) uncertainty of the estimated standard error of the estimated C stocks. We found that compositing was cheaper but more inaccurate than sensing. Sensing was 1.2 to 2.1 times more cost‐efficient than compositing. We also found that the uncertainty of the estimated standard errors from compositing was large and unreliable, which can hinder the quantification of a minimum detectable difference in organic C stocks. We show that the sensor‐derived spatially explicit data can also be used to map the C stocks, which can help to optimise the sampling design in subsequent monitoring rounds. Our findings have important implications for the development of C measurement and monitoring methodologies. Visible–near infrared and gamma attenuation sensing can accurately, cost‐efficiently, and reliably monitor and verify changes in soil C stocks.
Assessment of image quality and scatter and leakage radiation of an integrated MR‐LINAC system
Authors: Wang Jihong , Yung Joshua , Kadbi Mo , Hwang Ken , Ding Yao , Ibbott Geoffrey S.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

To assess the image quality, scatter, and leakage radiation of an integrated magnetic resonance linear accelerator (MR‐LINAC or MRL) system.

Methods

A large American College of Radiology (ACR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) accreditation phantom was used to evaluate the MRI capabilities of the integrated MRL system compared with those of other diagnostic MRI systems. Multiple sets of T1 and T2/PD images were acquired with the linear accelerator positioned at various angles and with the radiation beam on and off. Images also were acquired on three different occasions over a period of about 12 months. Scatter and leakage radiation were measured with a large (150 cm3) ion chamber recalibrated for MV energy. For scatter measurements, a 25‐cm stack of solid‐water materials was placed at the isocenter on the patient couch to simulate a patient. The head leakage was measured at 1 m from the linear accelerator head in directions determined to produce the maximum leakage. All measurements were repeated with the magnetic field turned off to study the effects of the magnetic field.

Results

The geometric distortion, slice thickness accuracy, image uniformity, ghosting ratio, and high‐contrast detectability were comparable to other 1.5 T diagnostic MRI scanners. No observable changes in image quality and no appreciable differences were found between radiation beam‐on and beam‐off images. The measured leakage and scattered radiation changed by less than 5% when the magnetic field was on compared to measurements with the field off. The beam stopper leakage was approximately 0.3 R/1000 MU, and because there was no direct beam imparted on the walls, a vault designed for a modern‐day LINAC should have enough required radiation shielding to house the MRL.

Conclusions

The image quality generated by the MRI system of the integrated MRL was similar to that of a diagnostic MRI scanner. Interference from the MV radiation was minimal, and there was no measurable difference in image quality with the beam on and off. Scatter radiation and leakage radiation of the MRL system were within the expected range of a comparable MV‐LINAC.
Time separation technique: Accurate solution for 4D C‐Arm‐CT perfusion imaging using a temporal decomposition model
Authors: Bannasch Sebastian , Frysch Robert , Pfeiffer Tim , Warnecke Gerald , Rose Georg
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The issue of perfusion imaging using a temporal decomposition model is to enable the reconstruction of undersampled measurements acquired with a slowly rotating x‐ray‐based imaging system, for example, a C‐arm‐based cone beam computed tomography (CB‐CT). The aim of this work is to integrate prior knowledge into the dynamic CT task in order to reduce the required number of views and the computational effort as well as to save dose. The prior knowledge comprises of a mathematical model and clinical perfusion data.

Methods

In case of model‐based perfusion imaging via superposition of specified orthogonal temporal basis functions, a priori knowledge is incorporated into the reconstructions. Instead of estimating the dynamic attenuation of each voxel by a weighting sum, the modeling approach is done as a preprocessing step in the projection space. This point of view provides a method that decomposes the temporal and spatial domain of dynamic CT data. The resulting projection set consists of spatial information that can be treated as individual static CT tasks. Consequently, the high‐dimensional model‐based CT system can be completely transformed, allowing for the use of an arbitrary reconstruction algorithm.

Results

For CT, reconstructions of preprocessed dynamic in silico data are illustrated and evaluated by means of conventional clinical parameters for stroke diagnostics. The time separation technique presented here, provides the expected accuracy of model‐based CT perfusion imaging. Consequently, the model‐based handled 4D task can be solved approximately as fast as the corresponding static 3D task.

Conclusion

For C‐arm‐based CB‐CT, the algorithm presented here provides a solution for resorting to model‐based perfusion reconstruction without its connected high computational cost. Thus, this algorithm is potentially able to have recourse to the benefit from model‐based perfusion imaging for practical application. This study is a proof of concept.
Examining the Effects of Controlling for Shared Variance among the Dark Triad Using Meta–Analytic Structural Equation Modelling
Authors: Vize Colin E. , Collison Katherine L. , Miller Joshua D. , Lynam Donald R.
Published: January 2018

Multivariate procedures (e.g. structural equation modelling) are essential to personality psychology, but interpretive difficulties can arise when examining the relations between residualized variables (i.e. the residual content of a variable after its overlap with other variables has been statistically controlled for) and outcomes of interest. These issues have been the focus of recent debate within the research literature on the Dark Triad, which is a collection of interrelated but theoretically distinct personality constructs made up of narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy. The present paper highlights previous work on the issue of partialling and also makes use of recent developments surrounding meta–analytic structural equation modelling to reliably assess the impact of partialling on the empirical profiles of the Dark Triad components. The results show that numerous interpretive difficulties arise after partialling the overlap among the Dark Triad components, most notably for narcissism and Machiavellianism. The results are discussed in the context of contemporary Dark Triad research in addition to discussing the implications for structural equation modelling methods in personality psychology more generally. Recommendations are made for how future research can mitigate the interpretive difficulties that may arise from partialling. Copyright © 2018 European Association of Personality Psychology
Proposal of Organic Single Crystal Growth Method Using Electrospray Deposition and Thin‐Film Ionic Liquid
Authors: Ueda Hiroyuki , Takeuchi Keita , Terada Ryo , Kikuchi Akihiko
Published: January 2018

A novel crystal growth technique is proposed that uses a thin ionic liquid film with an extremely low vapor pressure as the crystal growth field, and a solute supplied by electrospray deposition through the surface of the liquid film. The precipitation properties of small molecule Alq3 single crystals were investigated at 25 °C under atmospheric pressure in a nitrogen atmosphere. Using the proposed method, aggregated small crystals of less than 10 μm, rhombic plate‐like crystals with diagonal lengths of 50 μm, and hexagonal plate‐like crystals of 100 μm were precipitated when the solution supply rates (supply times) were 8.0 (90), 4.0 (180), and 2.0 μl min−1 (360 min), respectively. Alq3 is known to be a material difficult to grow into plate‐like crystals, however, when solution was supplied to the ionic liquid at a rate of 2.0 μl min−1 for 16 h, large hexagonal plate‐like crystals with a diagonal length of about 400 μm are obtained, which are among the largest plate‐like Alq3‐based crystals ever reported. The proposed crystal growth technique is expected to be beneficial for growing large size plate‐like single crystals of various organic materials.
Access to Safe, Timely, and Affordable Surgical Care in Uganda: A Stratified Randomized Evaluation of Nationwide Public Sector Surgical Capacity and Core Surgical Indicators
Authors: Albutt Katherine , Punchak Maria , Kayima Peter , Namanya Didacus B. , Anderson Geoffrey A. , Shrime Mark G.
Published: January 2018

Background

Access to safe surgery is critical to health, welfare, and economic development. In 2015, the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery recommended that all countries collect surgical indicators to lend insight into improving surgical care. No nationwide high‐quality data exist for these metrics in Uganda.

Methods

A standardized quantitative hospital assessment and a semi‐structured interview were administered to key stakeholders at 17 randomly selected public hospitals. Hospital walk‐throughs and retrospective reviews of operative logbooks were completed.

Results

This study captured information for public hospitals serving 64.0% of Uganda’s population. On average, <25% of the population had 2 h access to a surgically capable facility. Hospitals averaged 257 beds/facilities and there were 0.2 operating rooms per 100,000 people. Annual surgical volume was 144.5 cases per 100,000 people per year. Surgical, anesthetic, and obstetrician physician workforce density was 0.3 per 100,000 people. Most hospitals reported having electricity, oxygen, and blood available more than half the time and running water available at least three quarters of the time. In total, 93.8% of facilities never had access to a CT scan. Sterile gloves, nasogastric tubes, and Foley catheters were frequently unavailable. Uniform outcome reporting does not exist, and the WHO safe surgery checklist is not utilized.

Conclusion

The Ugandan public hospital system does not meet LCoGS targets for surgical access, workforce, or surgical volume. Critical policy and programmatic developments are essential to build surgical capacity and facilitate provision of safe, timely, and affordable surgical care. Surgery must become a public health priority in Uganda and other low resource settings.
A dynamical version of the Kuratowski–Mycielski theorem and invariant chaotic sets
Authors: LI JIAN , LÜ JIE , XIAO YUANFEN
Published: January 2018

We establish a dynamical version of the Kuratowski–Mycielski theorem on the existence of ‘large’ invariant dependent sets. We apply this result to the study of invariant chaotic sets in topological dynamical systems, simplify many known results on this topic and also obtain some new results.
Morphological evolution of the bivalvePtychomyathrough the Lower Cretaceous of Argentina
Authors: Milla Carmona Pablo S. , Lazo Darío G. , Soto Ignacio M.
Published: January 2018

The complex morphological evolution of the bivalvePtychomyathroughout the well-studied Agrio Formation in the Neuquén Basin (west-central Argentina, lower/upper Valanginian–lowest Barremian) constitutes an ideal opportunity to study evolutionary patterns and processes occurring at geological timescales. Ptychomyais represented in this unit by four species, the morphological variation of which needs to be temporally assessed to obtain a thorough picture of the evolution of the group. Here we use geometric morphometrics to measure variation in shell outline, ribbing pattern, and shell size in these species. We bracket the ages of our samples using a combination of ammonoid biostratigraphy and absolute ages and study the anagenetic pattern of evolution of each trait by means of paleontological time-series analysis and change tracking. We find that evolution inPtychomyais mostly speciational, as the majority of traits show stasis, with the exceptions of shell size inP. coihuicoensisand shell outline inP. windhauseni, which seem to evolve directionally toward larger and higher shells, respectively.Ptychomyadisplays changes in its average morphology and disparity, which are the result of a mixture of taxonomic turnover and mosaic evolution of traits. Pulses of speciation would have been triggered by ecological opportunity, as they occur during the recovery of shallow-burrowing bivalve faunas after dysoxic events affecting the basin. On the other hand, the presence of directional patterns of evolution inP. coihuicoensisandP. windhauseniseems to be the result of a general shallowing-upward trend observed in the basin during the upper Hauterivian–lowest Barremian, as opposed to the cyclical paleoenvironmental stability inferred for the early/late Valanginian–early Hauterivian, which would have prompted stasis inP. koeneniandP. esbelta.
Photometric Variability of the mCP Star CS Vir: Evolution of the Rotation Period
Authors: Ozuyar D. , Sener H. T. , Stevens I. R.
Published: January 2018

The aim of this study is to accurately calculate the rotational period of CS Vir by using STEREO observations and investigate a possible period variation of the star with the help of all accessible data. The STEREO data that cover 5-yr time interval between 2007 and 2011 are analysed by means of the Lomb–Scargle and Phase Dispersion Minimization methods. In order to obtain a reliable rotation period and its error value, computational algorithms such as the Levenberg–Marquardt and Monte Carlo simulation algorithms are applied to the data sets. Thus, the rotation period of CS Vir is improved to be 9.29572(12) d by using the 5-yr of combined data set. Also, the light elements are calculated as HJDmax = 2454715.975(11) + 9d· 29572(12) × E + 9d· 78(1.13) × 10 − 8 × E2 by means of the extremum times derived from the STEREO light curves and archives. Moreover, with this study, a period variation is revealed for the first time, and it is found that the period has lengthened by 0.66(8) s y−1, equivalent to 66 s per century. Additionally, a time-scale for a possible spin-down is calculated around τSD ~ 106 yr. The differential rotation and magnetic braking are thought to be responsible of the mentioned rotational deceleration. It is deduced that the spin-down time-scale of the star is nearly three orders of magnitude shorter than its main-sequence lifetime (τMS ~ 109 yr). It is, in return, suggested that the process of increase in the period might be reversible.
Use of central composite design to optimize working conditions ofStreptomyces griseusenzymatic method in estimatingin vitrorumen undegraded crude protein of feedstuffs
Authors: Gallo A. , Fortunati P. , Bruschi S. , Giuberti G. , Masoero F.
Published: January 2018

The aim was to identify optimized combinations ofStreptomyces griseusprotease concentration (CONC), incubation length (TIME), or amount of crude protein (CP) incubated in buffered enzymatic solution (CPW) to predict thein vitrorumen-undegraded feed CP (RUP) of 26 different feeds (soybean, rapeseed or sunflower meals, wheat bran, distillers dried grains with solubles, maize co-products and alfalfa hay). Different levels of CONC (0.08, 0.19, 0.44, 0.69 and 0.80 enzymatic units [U] ofS. griseusprotease/ml), TIME (6, 10, 18, 26 and 30 h) and CPW (69, 118, 235, 353 and 401 mg CP) were tested in agreement with a central composite design (CCD) with four replications of the central point to calculate second-order polynomial equations of main tested effects. The RUP was estimated by incubating samples in a buffered rumen fluid for 16 h or by adopting different enzymatic approaches as planneda prioriin CCD. Differences between rumen and enzymatic RUP (ΔRUP) were estimated and regression terms of second-order polynomial equations for estimating ΔRUP were calculated between and within feeds. These equations were optimized using the non-linear generalized reduced gradient method with the objective set at ΔRUP equal to 0. The adoption of CCD permitted identification of optimized enzymatic combinations of CONC (0.12 U ofS. griseusprotease/ml), TIME (18 h) and CPW (from 233 to 458 mg CP for distillers dried grains with solubles and soft white wheat bran, respectively) to predict RUP accurately in all feed categories except for soybean meal, where optimized combinations were 0.47 U ofS. griseusprotease/ml, 18 h and 435 mg CP.
A morphological and molecular study of adults and metacercariae ofHysteromorpha triloba(Rudolpi, 1819), Lutz 1931 (Diplostomidae) from the Neotropical region
Authors: Sereno-Uribe A.L. , López-Jimenez A. , Andrade-Gómez L. , García-Varela M.
Published: January 2018

Adults ofHysteromorpha triloba(Rudolpi, 1819), Lutz, 1931 inhabit primarily the intestine of cormorants across the globe, whereas metacercariae have been found in the body cavity of freshwater fishes of the families Cyprinidae, Ictaluridae, Ariidae, Pimelodidae and Catostomidae. In this study, adults and metacercariae identified asH. trilobawere collected from the Neotropical cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianus) and from the Mexican tetra fish (Astyanax mexicanus) from the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean slopes in the Neotropical region. Partial DNA sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochromecoxidase subunit I (cox1) and the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA were generated for both developmental stages, and were compared with available sequences ofH. trilobafrom the Nearctic region. The genetic divergence between metacercariae and adults ofH. trilobafrom the Neotropical and Nearctic region (Canada) associated with the double-crested cormorant (Nannopterum auritus), ranged from 0 to 5.5% forcox1 and from 0 to 0.2% for ITS. Phylogenetic analyses inferred with both molecular markers using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference placed the adults and metacercariae in a single clade, confirming that both stages are conspecific. Our data confirmed thatH. trilobais a widely distributed species across the Americas, parasitizing both the Neotropical and Nearctic cormorants in Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, USA and Canada.
The Flint Food Store Survey: combining spatial analysis with a modified Nutrition Environment Measures Survey in Stores (NEMS-S) to measure the community and consumer nutrition environments
Authors: Shaver Erika R , Sadler Richard C , Hill Alex B , Bell Kendall , Ray Myah , Choy-Shin Jennifer , Lerner Joy , Soldner Teresa , Jones Andrew D
Published: January 2018

Objective

The goal of the present study was to use a methodology that accurately and reliably describes the availability, price and quality of healthy foods at both the store and community levels using the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey in Stores (NEMS-S), to propose a spatial methodology for integrating these store and community data into measures for defining objective food access.

Setting

Two hundred and sixty-five retail food stores in and within 2 miles (3·2 km) of Flint, Michigan, USA, were mapped using ArcGIS mapping software.

Design

A survey based on the validated NEMS-S was conducted at each retail food store. Scores were assigned to each store based on a modified version of the NEMS-S scoring system and linked to the mapped locations of stores. Neighbourhood characteristics (race and socio-economic distress) were appended to each store. Finally, spatial and kernel density analyses were run on the mapped store scores to obtain healthy food density metrics.

Results

Regression analyses revealed that neighbourhoods with higher socio-economic distress had significantly lower dairy sub-scores compared with their lower-distress counterparts (βcoefficient=−1·3;P=0·04). Additionally, supermarkets were present only in neighbourhoods with <60 % African-American population and low socio-economic distress. Two areas in Flint had an overall NEMS-S score of 0.

Conclusions

By identifying areas with poor access to healthy foods via a validated metric, this research can be used help local government and organizations target interventions to high-need areas. Furthermore, the methodology used for the survey and the mapping exercise can be replicated in other cities to provide comparable results.
Processing methods of organic liquid fertilizers affect nutrient availability and yield of greenhouse grown parsley
Authors: Pokhrel Bhaniswor , Sorensen Jorn Nygaard , Moller Henrik Bjarne , Petersen Karen Koefoed
Published: January 2018

The demand for organic foods is increasing globally, but a key limiting factor to the production of organic greenhouse produce is the lack of certified liquid fertilizers. In this experiment, four organic fertilizers were produced using either acidic extraction, anaerobic digestion or both of ensiled biomass of organic red clover and white mustard. The resulting fertilizers were applied to greenhouse-grown parsley either alone, or in combination with nitrogen (N)-enriched water produced by flushing acidic water with ammonia, to determine their effect on plant growth and the nutrient concentrations of parsley. Six combinations of fertilizer treatments were included in the greenhouse experiment. Three treatments received either fertilizers derived from acidic extraction, anaerobic digestion or both and three treatments received fertilizers derived from acidic extraction combined with N-enriched water. Conventional inorganic liquid fertilizer, chicken manure extract and no liquid fertilizer (only water) were added as control treatments. A higher N-min (ammonium and nitrate) to potassium (K) ratio was found in fertilizers after anaerobic digestion compared to acidic extraction. All organic fertigation treatments resulted in high pH, high K and chloride concentrations and high NH4/NO3 ratios in the root zone. In addition, high electrical conductivity (EC), P, K and Mg concentrations were found when only acidic extracted fertilizers were applied. Application of plant-based organic fertilizers without amending with N-enriched water resulted in biomass yields that were 21–26% lower than the inorganic fertigation control. However, fertigation with chicken manure extract, or a combination of fertilizer derived from acidic extraction and N-enriched water, resulted in similar plant growth as inorganic fertilizer. The lower yield from fertilizer derived from acidic extraction was due to elevated EC levels in the growing medium. Our results suggest that yield of greenhouse-grown parsley using either organic fertilizers combined with N-enriched water or chicken manure extract is similar to conventional fertilizer.