bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A thermochronological perspective on the morphotectonic evolution of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Tian Yuntao , Kohn Barry P. , Gleadow Andrew J. W. , Hu Shengbiao
Published: December 2013

A large part of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau (TP) is characterized by low‐relief surfaces at high elevations (>3.5 km). The origin of these landscapes and their geodynamic implications with regard to evolution of the southeastern TP has been the subject of considerable debate. Focusing on this topic, this study utilizes fission track and (U‐Th)/He thermochronology to reconstruct the thermal history of the Late Triassic Daocheng granite, on which a low‐relief high‐elevation landscape has developed. Results suggest that the plateau surface experienced widespread Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous cooling (at a rate of ~1–2°C/Ma), followed by minimal regional cooling (~0.3°C/Ma) and Early Miocene enhanced cooling (~2–3°C/Ma) along deep valleys at the southern edge of the landscape. Given the subdued Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous crustal deformation in the study area, we relate the coeval cooling to crustal refrigeration and exhumation triggered by northward subduction of the Meso‐Tethys Ocean along the Bangong suture. Subsequent Late Cretaceous to Cenozoic minimal cooling supports arguments for the formation of a low‐elevation landform prior to uplift of the southeastern TP. The enhanced cooling commenced at the Early Miocene (~15–22 Ma) along deep valleys and heralded the onset of river incision and surface uplift of the southeastern TP. This finding does not support previous proposals claiming that high elevations of the southeastern TP were formed in Late Miocene time resulting from lower crustal flow but rather supports a model highlighting continental subduction and extrusion along the large Tanggula‐Yushu‐Batang‐Red River fault system.
Three‐dimensional resistivity structure and magma plumbing system of the Kirishima Volcanoes as inferred from broadband magnetotelluric data
Authors: Aizawa Koki , Koyama Takao , Hase Hideaki , Uyeshima Makoto , Kanda Wataru , Utsugi Mitsuru , Yoshimura Ryokei , Yamaya Yusuke , Hashimoto Takeshi , Yamazaki Ken'ichi , Komatsu Shintaro , Watanabe Atsushi , Miyakawa Koji , Ogawa Yasuo
Published: December 2013

Broadband magnetotelluric (MT) measurements were conducted in 2010 and 2011 in the vicinity of Shinmoe‐dake Volcano in the Kirishima volcano group, Japan, where sub‐Plinian eruptions took place 3 times during 26–27 January 2011. By combining the new observations with previous MT data, it is found that an anomalous phase in excess of 90° is commonly observed in the northern sector of the Kirishima volcano group. Because the anomalous phase is not explained by 1‐D or 2‐D structure with isotropic resistivity media, 3‐D inversions were performed. By applying small errors to the anomalous phase, we successfully estimated a 3‐D resistivity structure that explains not only the normal data but also the anomalous phase data. The final model shows a vertical conductor that is located between a deep‐seated conductive body (at a depth greater than 10 km) and a shallow conductive layer. By applying the findings of geophysical and petrological studies of the 2011 sub‐Plinian eruptions, we infer that the subvertical conductor represents a zone of hydrothermal aqueous fluids at temperatures over 400°C, in which a magma pathway (interconnected melt) is partially and occasionally formed before magmatic eruptions. To the north of the deep conductor, earthquake swarms occurred from 1968 to 1969, suggesting that these earthquakes were caused by volcanic fluids.
Polynya dynamics drive primary production in the Larsen A and B embayments following ice shelf collapse
Authors: Cape Mattias R. , Vernet Maria , Kahru Mati , Spreen Gunnar
Published: December 2013

The climate‐driven collapses of the Larsen A and B ice shelves have opened up new regions of the coastal Antarctic to the influence of sea ice resulting in increases in seasonal primary production. In this study, passive microwave remote sensing of sea ice concentration and satellite imagery of ocean color are employed to quantify the magnitude of and variability in open water area and net primary productivity (NPP) in the Larsen embayments between 1997 and 2011. Numerical model output provides context to analyze atmospheric forcing on the coastal ocean. Following ice shelf disintegration the embayments function as coastal, sensible heat polynyas. The Larsen A and B are as productive as other Antarctic shelf regions, with seasonally averaged daily NPP rates reaching 1232 and 1127 mg C m−2 d−1 and annual rates reaching 200 and 184 g C m−2 yr−1, respectively. A persistent cross‐shelf gradient in NPP is present with higher productivity rates offshore, contrasting with patterns observed along the West Antarctic Peninsula. Embayment productivity is intimately tied to sea ice dynamics, with large interannual variability in NPP rates driven by open water area and the timing of embayment opening. Opening of the embayment is linked to periods of positive Southern Annular Mode and stronger westerlies, which lead to the vertical deflection of warm, maritime air over the peninsula and down the leeward side causing increases in surface air temperature and wind velocity. High productivity in these new polynyas is likely to have ramifications for organic matter export and marine ecosystem evolution.
Semiconductor Composites: Strategies for Enhancing Charge Carrier Separation to Improve Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Marschall Roland
Published: December 2013

The formation of semiconductor composites comprising multicomponent or multiphase heterojunctions is a very effective strategy to design highly active photocatalyst systems. This review summarizes the recent strategies to develop such composites, and highlights the most recent developments in the field. After a general introduction into the different strategies to improve photocatalytic activity through formation of heterojunctions, the three different types of heterojunctions are introduced in detail, followed by a historical introduction to semiconductor heterojunction systems and a thorough literature overview. Special chapters describe the highly‐investigated carbon nitride heterojunctions as well as very recent developments in terms of multiphase heterojunction formation, including the latest insights into the anatase‐rutile system. When carefully designed, semiconductor composites comprising two or three different materials or phases very effectively facilitate charge separation and charge carrier transfer, substantially improving photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical efficiency.
25th Anniversary Article: Scalable Multiscale Patterned Structures Inspired by Nature: the Role of Hierarchy
Authors: Bae Won‐Gyu , Kim Hong Nam , Kim Doogon , Park Suk‐Hee , Jeong Hoon Eui , Suh Kahp‐Yang
Published: December 2013

Multiscale, hierarchically patterned surfaces, such as lotus leaves, butterfly wings, adhesion pads of gecko lizards are abundantly found in nature, where microstructures are usually used to strengthen the mechanical stability while nanostructures offer the main functionality, i.e., wettability, structural color, or dry adhesion. To emulate such hierarchical structures in nature, multiscale, multilevel patterning has been extensively utilized for the last few decades towards various applications ranging from wetting control, structural colors, to tissue scaffolds. In this review, we highlight recent advances in scalable multiscale patterning to bring about improved functions that can even surpass those found in nature, with particular focus on the analogy between natural and synthetic architectures in terms of the role of different length scales. This review is organized into four sections. First, the role and importance of multiscale, hierarchical structures is described with four representative examples. Second, recent achievements in multiscale patterning are introduced with their strengths and weaknesses. Third, four application areas of wetting control, dry adhesives, selectively filtrating membranes, and multiscale tissue scaffolds are overviewed by stressing out how and why multiscale structures need to be incorporated to carry out their performances. Finally, we present future directions and challenges for scalable, multiscale patterned surfaces.
Continuous and scale‐up synthesis of high purity H2O2 by safe gas‐phase H2/O2 plasma reaction
Authors: Yi Yanhui , Zhou Juncheng , Gao Tianlong , Guo Hongchen , Zhou Juncheng , Zhang Jialiang
Published: December 2013

Significance

A new generation of double dielectric barrier discharge (DDBD) reactor featured by a metal powder (MP) high voltage electrode is presented. The MP high voltage electrode not only has excellent homogeneous discharge performance but also has the advantage of without regular maintenance. Therefore, the MP‐DDBD reactor was proved to be suitable for the uninterrupted and safe synthesis of high purity H2O2 aqueous solution with up to 65 wt % concentration from the H2/O2 mixture. The scale‐up synthesis of H2O2 was successfully attempted in an integrated device based on the MP‐DDBD reactor. The future practical H2O2 synthesizer based on the MP‐DDBD reactor will be small and movable, and therefore, be convenient to supply high purity H2O2 on site for small scale users like semiconductor industry. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J 60: 415–419, 2014
Ferritin trends do not predict changes in total body iron in patients with transfusional iron overload
Authors: Puliyel Mammen , Sposto Richard , Berdoukas Vasilios A. , Hofstra Thomas C. , Nord Anne , Carson Susan , Wood John , Coates Thomas D.
Published: December 2013

Ferritin levels and trends are widely used to manage iron overload and assess the efficacy of prescribed iron chelation in patients with transfusional iron loading. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 134 patients with transfusion‐dependent anemia, over a period of up to 9 years. To determine whether the trends in ferritin adequately reflect the changes in total body iron, changes in ferritin between consecutive liver iron measurements by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were compared to changes in liver iron concentrations (LIC), a measure of total body iron. The time period between two consecutive LIC measurements was defined as a segment. Trends in ferritin were considered to predict the change in LIC within a segment if the change in one parameter was less than twofold that of the other, and was in the same direction. Using the exclusion criteria detailed in methods, the trends in ferritin were compared to changes in LIC in 358 segments. An agreement between ferritin trends and LIC changes was found in only 38% of the 358 segments examined. Furthermore, the change in ferritin was in opposite direction to that of LIC in 26% of the segments. Trends in ferritin were a worse predictor of changes in LIC in sickle cell disease than in thalassemia (P < 0.01). While ferritin is a convenient measure of iron status; ferritin trends were unable to predict changes in LIC in individual patients. Ferritin trends need to be interpreted with caution and confirmed by direct measurement of LIC. Am. J. Hematol. 89:391–394, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Free‐standing aniline oligomer functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube films from a filtration method
Authors: Wang Qiguan , Zhou Wei , Wang Sumin , Li Jianping , Zhang Wenzhi , Wang Xiaomin
Published: December 2013

High electrochemical active free‐standing multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) films have been synthesized from aniline oligomer functionalized MWNTs (MWNT‐AO), by using filtration of the acidic phosphate ester (APE) doped MWNT‐AO dispersions. The homogeneously distributed MWNTs endowed APE/MWNT films automatically releasing from the filter membrane. The sheet resistivity of MWNT‐AO (850 Ω sq−1) showed a lower value than that of carboxyl MWNTs (1273 Ω sq−1), due to the doping effect of MWNT on aniline oligomer, confirmed by the N1s X‐ray photoelectron spectrum. However, it showed a higher sheet resistivity value of 1526 Ω sq−1 after further doped by APE, because of the presence of unreacted dopant. After removing the residual insulating dopant by the vacuum filtration, the resultant APE/MWNT films showed the sheet resistivity value as low as 131 Ω sq−1. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the MWNT loading in the film can be over than 77%, which showed the specific capacitance as high as 249 F g−1. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40259.
Changes in Mortality Patterns Following Total Hip or Knee Arthroplasty Over the Past Two Decades: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Lalmohamed Arief , Vestergaard Peter , de Boer Anthonius , Leufkens Hubertus G. M. , van Staa Tjeerd P. , de Vries Frank
Published: December 2013

Objective

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are effective procedures for patients with moderate‐to‐severe osteoarthritis. Mortality rates after THA and TKA may have changed because of new surgical techniques, improvement of peri‐ and postoperative care, and performance of surgery in older patients having multiple comorbidities. However, data on secular mortality trends are scarce. We undertook this study to evaluate mortality patterns between 1989 and 2007 in patients undergoing elective THA and TKA.

Methods

In a Danish retrospective nationwide cohort study, 71,812 patients who underwent THA and 40,642 patients who underwent TKA were identified between January 1989 and December 2007. All‐cause and disease‐specific mortality was assessed, stratified by calendar periods. Using Cox proportional hazards models, relative risks (RRs) of mortality were calculated between different calendar periods, adjusted for age, sex, and comorbid diseases.

Results

Since the early 1990s, short‐term survival following elective THA and TKA has greatly improved. Compared with the period between 1989 and 1991, 60‐day mortality rates between 2004 and 2007 were substantially lower for patients undergoing THA (RR 0.40, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.28–0.58) and for patients undergoing TKA (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.21–0.67). This trend was far superior to what was seen in the general population. The decrease in mortality was greatest for deaths from myocardial infarction, venous thromboembolism, pneumonia, and stroke. Patients tended to have more presurgical comorbidity over time, and the duration of hospital stay was roughly halved.

Conclusion

Mortality rates following elective THA and TKA have decreased substantially since the early 1990s, despite patients having more presurgical comorbidity. These findings are reassuring for patients undergoing elective THA or TKA.
Impact of Exercise Type and Dose on Pain and Disability in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Regression Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Juhl C. , Christensen R. , Roos E. M. , Zhang W. , Lund H.
Published: December 2013

Objective

To identify the optimal exercise program, characterized by type and intensity of exercise, length of program, duration of individual supervised sessions, and number of sessions per week, for reducing pain and patient‐reported disability in knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials were performed. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were combined using a random‐effects model. Study‐level covariates were applied in meta‐regression analyses in order to reduce between‐study heterogeneity.

Results

Forty‐eight trials were included. Similar effects in reducing pain were found for aerobic, resistance, and performance exercise (SMD 0.67, 0.62, and 0.48, respectively; P = 0.733). These single‐type exercise programs were more efficacious than programs that included different exercise types (SMD 0.61 versus 0.16; P < 0.001). The effect of aerobic exercise on pain relief increased with an increased number of supervised sessions (slope 0.022 [95% confidence interval 0.002, 0.043]). More pain reduction occurred with quadriceps‐specific exercise than with lower limb exercise (SMD 0.85 versus 0.39; P = 0.005) and when supervised exercise was performed at least 3 times a week (SMD 0.68 versus 0.41; P = 0.017). No impact of intensity, duration of individual sessions, or patient characteristics was found. Similar results were found for the effect on patient‐reported disability.

Conclusion

Optimal exercise programs for knee OA should have one aim and focus on improving aerobic capacity, quadriceps muscle strength, or lower extremity performance. For best results, the program should be supervised and carried out 3 times a week. Such programs have a similar effect regardless of patient characteristics, including radiographic severity and baseline pain.
3D shape retrieval using viewpoint information‐theoretic measures
Authors: Bonaventura Xavier , Guo Jianwei , Meng Weiliang , Feixas Miquel , Zhang Xiaopeng , Sbert Mateu
Published: December 2013

In this paper, we present an information‐theoretic framework to compute the shape similarity between 3D polygonal models. Given a 3D model, an information channel between a sphere of viewpoints around the model and its polygonal mesh is defined to compute the specific information associated with each viewpoint. The obtained information sphere can be seen as a shape descriptor of the model. Then, given two models, their similarity is obtained by performing a registration process between the corresponding information spheres. The distance between the information histograms is also defined as a coarse measure of similarity, as well as the scalar value given by the mutual information of the channel. The performance of all these measures is tested using the Princeton Shape Benchmark database. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
(+)‐Catechin attenuates activation of hepatic stellate cells
Authors: Bragança de Moraes Cristina Machado , Bitencourt Shanna , de Mesquita Fernanda Cristina , Mello Denizar , de Oliveira Leticia Paranhos , da Silva Gabriela Viegas , Lorini Vinicius , Caberlon Eduardo , de Souza Basso Bruno , Schmid Julia , Ferreira Gabriela Acevedo , de Oliveira Jarbas Rodrigues
Published: December 2013

(+)‐Catechin is a type of catechin present in large amounts in açaí fruits and cocoa seeds. Besides its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities, little is known about its effects in the liver, especially during hepatic fibrosis. We report here the effects of (+)‐catechin on hepatic stellate cells. (+)‐Catechin induced quiescent phenotype in GRX cells, along with an increase in lipid droplets. Proliferator‐activated receptor γ mRNA expression was upregulated, whereas type I collagen mRNA expression was downregulated. Pro‐inflammatory cytokines were not influenced by (+)‐catechin, whereas the levels of interleukin 10 were significantly increased. The data provide evidence that (+)‐catechin can reduce hepatic stellate cell activation.
Prostate functional magnetic resonance image analysis using multivariate curve resolution methods
Authors: Prats‐Montalbán José Manuel , Sanz‐Requena Roberto , Martí‐Bonmatí Luis , Ferrer Alberto
Published: December 2013

This paper discusses the potential of multivariate curve resolution models to extract physiological dynamics behaviors from dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging prostate perfusion studies for cancer diagnosis. A relationship with biomarkers (“hidden” parameters for assessing the possible existence of a tumor) from pharmacokinetic models is also studied. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Visualization of the actin cytoskeleton: Different F‐actin‐binding probes tell different stories
Authors: Lemieux Michael G. , Janzen Dani , Hwang Rander , Roldan Jeannette , Jarchum Irene , Knecht David A.
Published: December 2013

The actin cytoskeleton is necessary for cell viability and plays crucial roles in cell motility, endocytosis, growth, and cytokinesis. Hence visualization of dynamic changes in F‐actin distribution in vivo is of central importance in cell biology. This has been accomplished by the development of fluorescent protein fusions to actin itself or to various actin‐binding proteins, actin cross‐linking proteins, and their respective actin‐binding domains (ABDs). Although these protein fusions have been shown to bind to F‐actin in vivo, we show that the fluorescent protein used for visualization changes the subset of F‐actin labeled by an F‐actin ABD probe. Further, different amino acid linkers between the fluorescent protein and ABD induced a similar change in localization. Although different linkers and fluorescent proteins can alter the subset of actin bound by a particular ABD, in most cases, the fusion protein did not label all of a cell's F‐actin all of the time. Even LimEΔcoil and GFP‐actin, which have been used extensively for cytoskeletal visualization, were highly variable in the subsets of actin that they labeled. Lifeact, conversely, clearly labeled cortical F‐actin as well as F‐actin in the anterior pseudopods of motile cells and in macropinocytotic cups. We conclude that Lifeact most accurately labels F‐actin and is the best currently available probe for visualization of dynamic changes in F‐actin networks. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Structure‐Based and Fragment‐Based GPCR Drug Discovery
Authors: Andrews Stephen P. , Brown Giles A. , Christopher John A.
Published: December 2013

G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) are an important family of membrane proteins; historically, drug discovery in this target class has been fruitful, with many of the world’s top‐selling drugs being GPCR modulators. Until recently, the modern techniques of structure‐ and fragment‐based drug discovery had not been fully applied to GPCRs, primarily because of the instability of these proteins when isolated from their cell membrane environments. Recent advances in receptor stabilisation have facilitated major advances in GPCR structural biology over the past six years, with 21 new receptor targets successfully crystallised with one or more ligands. The dramatic increase in GPCR structural information has yielded an increased use of structure‐based methods for hit identification and progression, which are reviewed herein. Additionally, a number of fragment‐based drug discovery techniques have been validated for use with GPCRs in recent years; these approaches and their use in hit identification are reviewed.
Sensing‐throughput tradeoff for cooperative multiple‐input single‐output cognitive radio
Authors: Liu Xin , Jing Qingfeng , Jia Yun , Zhong Weizhi , Guan Yong Liang
Published: December 2013

In this paper, we propose a new cooperative multiple‐input single‐output (MISO) cognitive radio (CR) system, which can use some of the antennas to transmit its data and the others to help to transmit the data of the primary user (PU) by performing cooperative communication if the presence of the PU is detected through the cooperative spectrum sensing. A new cooperative sensing‐throughput tradeoff model is proposed, which maximizes the aggregate rate of the CR by jointly optimizing sensing time and spatial sub‐channel power, subject to the constraints of the aggregate rate of the PU, the false alarm and detection probabilities, the aggregate interference to the PU and the aggregate power of the CR. Simulation results show that compared with the conventional scheme, the proposed cooperative scheme can achieve the larger aggregate rate of the CR, while keeping the aggregate rate of the PU invariable with the increasing of the interference. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lipid and sensory quality of canned Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): Effect of the use of different seaweed extracts as covering liquids
Authors: Ortiz Jaime , Vivanco Juan P. , Aubourg Santiago P.
Published: December 2013

The addition of natural compounds as additives in fish products is increasingly important to prevent or delay their deterioration. Nowadays, most of the additives used on seafood are synthetic, and their safety is being increasingly questioned. The aim of this research was to compare the effects of the addition of different seaweeds extracts on lipid and sensory quality parameters of canned Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) muscle. For this purpose, four different seaweeds extracts were tested: cochayuyo, sea lettuce, ulte, and red luche as covering liquids against a standard, without seaweed extract. For each sampling day, three cans from each treatment were analyzed periodically, up to reach 140 days of storage at 40°C. The parameters that were measured are: fatty acids content (saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated), polyene index (PI), peroxide value (PV), p‐anisidine value (pAV), astaxanthin content (AX), total tocopherols content, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N), and sensory indicators of “characteristic flavor” and “rancid odor.” All chemical parameters measured (fatty acids, PI, PV, pAV, AX, total tocopherols, and TVB‐N) showed significant differences between all treatments and throughout storage time. Sensory parameters were not significantly different between canned salmons packed with different covering liquids, and they were always within acceptable limits.

Practical applications: The results obtained in this research show the possibility of the use of seaweeds as an alternative source of natural antioxidants in fatty fish canning. Next studies on the use of seaweeds to help in fish and seafood preservation should be focused on the use of mixtures of seaweeds as protective extracts. The results indicate that it is possible to obtain advantages in the preservation of canned salmon, based on the use of some seaweed extracts as covering liquid, which can help inhibit lipid peroxidation.
Tridocosahexaenoyl glycerol purification from docosahexaenoic acid single cell oil (DHASCO)
Authors: Venegas‐Venegas Elena , Guil‐Guerrero José Luis , Rincón‐Cervera Miguel Ángel , Ramos‐Bueno Rebeca Pilar
Published: December 2013

Tridocosahexaenoyl glycerol (tri‐DHA) has been identified and purified from the commercial oil DHASCO®, a natural and renewable source of DHA with 7.48 wt% of tri‐DHA, by means of a gravimetric normal‐phase chromatographic column and silver nitrate‐silica gel as stationary phase. This method allows the purification of a highly enriched tri‐DHA fraction from DHASCO® (84.4% of the total tri‐DHA contained in DHASCO®), and DHA accounting for 79.8% of the total fatty acids of the purified fraction. Subsequently, the whole process was scaled up to 10 times with satisfactory results.

Practical applications: This work was conducted to obtain a valuable form of DHA from a natural resource. The whole process, in which the use of unsafe solvents is avoided, has been designed to allow the potential use of the DHA‐enriched fraction in the food and pharmaceutical industries as nutritional supplement, as well as for use in laboratory research using animal models.
Low Catalyst Loadings for Ligand‐Free Copper(I)‐Oxide‐Catalyzed N‐Arylation of Methanesulfonamide in Water
Authors: Tan Bryan Yong‐Hao , Teo Yong‐Chua , Seow Ai‐Hua
Published: December 2013

A simple and practical protocol for the cross‐coupling of methanesulfonamide and aryl iodides under ligand‐free copper(I)‐oxide‐catalyzed conditions in water is reported. The method allows the preparation of a wide variety of synthetically useful N‐arylated methanesulfonamides in good to excellent yields (up to 90 %) under the optimized conditions.
Influence of experimental conditions on data variability in the liver comet assay
Authors: Guérard M. , Marchand C. , Plappert‐Helbig U.
Published: December 2013

The in vivo comet assay has increasingly been used for regulatory genotoxicity testing in recent years. While it has been demonstrated that the experimental execution of the assay, for example, electrophoresis or scoring, can have a strong impact on the results; little is known on how initial steps, that is, from tissue sampling during necropsy up to slide preparation, can influence the comet assay results. Therefore, we investigated which of the multitude of steps in processing the liver for the comet assay are most critical. All together eight parameters were assessed by using liver samples of untreated animals. In addition, two of those parameters (temperature and storage time of liver before embedding into agarose) were further investigated in animals given a single oral dose of ethyl methanesulfonate at dose levels of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, 3 hr prior to necropsy. The results showed that sample cooling emerged as the predominant influence factor, whereas variations in other elements of the procedure (e.g., size of the liver piece sampled, time needed to process the liver tissue post‐mortem, agarose temperature, or time of lysis) seem to be of little relevance. Storing of liver samples of up to 6 hr under cooled conditions did not cause an increase in tail intensity. In contrast, storing the tissue at room temperature, resulted in a considerable time‐dependent increase in comet parameters. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 55:114–121, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Binge Eating, Binge Eating Disorder and Loss of Control Eating: Effects on Weight Outcomes after Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Meany Gavin , Conceição Eva , Mitchell James E.
Published: December 2013

There is increasing evidence that patients who have problems with binge eating (BE) or BE disorder (BED) are quite common among the severely obese, including bariatric surgery candidates. The literature suggests that in many cases such eating behaviours improve after bariatric surgery, although this is not uniformly true. The current paper reviews the data on the development of BE, BED and loss of control (LOC) eating after bariatric surgery and the impact of these problems on long‐term weight outcome. A search was made of various databases regarding evidence of BE, BED and LOC eating post‐operatively in bariatric surgery patients. The data extracted from the literature suggests that 15 research studies have now examined this question. Fourteen of the available 15 studies suggest that the development of problems with BE, BED or LOC eating post‐bariatric surgery is associated with less weight loss and/or more weight regain post‐bariatric surgery. These data suggests that it is important to identify individuals at high risk for these problems, to follow them post‐operatively, and, if appropriate interventions can be developed if such behaviours occur in order to maximize weight loss outcomes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Effects of 2 different swallowing exercise regimens during organ‐preservation therapies for head and neck cancers on swallowing function
Authors: Virani Aneesha , Kunduk Melda , Fink Daniel S. , McWhorter Andrew J.
Published: December 2013

Background

This study investigated the effects of 2 different swallowing exercise regimens performed during radiation therapy with/without chemotherapy on swallowing function.

Methods

Fifty patients were recruited prospectively to 2 groups (the exercise group, n = 26 and the repetitive swallow group, n = 24). Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) scores and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placements were compared at posttreatment and at 3 months.

Results

The exercise group eliminated significantly more PEG tubes at 3 months posttreatment compared to the swallow group (16% vs 50%). Among patients who received both radiation and chemotherapy, the exercise group had significantly less PEG tubes immediately posttreatment as well as 3 months posttreatment (35% and 10%), compared to the swallow group (69% and 50%).

Conclusion

Findings indicate significant benefits of the exercise group's exercise regimen in reducing PEG dependence and oral intake difficulties. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: 162‐170, 2015
Definitive radiotherapy for cervical esophageal cancer
Authors: Cao Caineng , Luo Jingwei , Gao Li , Xu Guozhen , Yi Junlin , Huang Xiaodong , Wang Kai , Zhang Shiping , Qu Yuan , Li Suyan , Xiao Jianping , Zhang Zhong
Published: December 2013

Background

The role of contemporary radiotherapy (RT) has not yet been elucidated, mainly because of the low incidence of cervical esophageal cancer. The purpose of this study was to analyze the outcome in patients with cervical esophageal cancer treated with definitive RT.

Methods

A total of 115 patients with cervical esophageal cancer treated with definitive RT during January 2001 through April 2012 in our center were analyzed. Eighty patients received RT alone and 35 patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin administered either weekly (30 mg/m2) or every 3 weeks (80 mg/m2).

Results

The median follow‐up time was 17.1 months. For all patients, the overall 2‐year local failure‐free survival (LFFS), regional failure‐free survival (RFFS), distant failure‐free survival (DFFS), and overall survival (OS) rate was 68.3%, 83.3%, 75.7%, and 47.6%, respectively.

Conclusion

Definitive RT accomplished a satisfactory local control rate and contributed to organ preservation for patients with cervical esophageal cancer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: 151‐155, 2015
Pamidronate Attenuates Muscle Loss After Pediatric Burn Injury
Authors: Børsheim Elisabet , Herndon David N , Hawkins Hal K , Suman Oscar E , Cotter Matthew , Klein Gordon L
Published: December 2013

Children who are burned >40% total body surface area lose significant quantities of both bone and muscle mass because of acute bone resorption, inflammation, and endogenous glucocorticoid production, which result in negative nitrogen balance. Because administration of the bisphosphonate pamidronate within 10 days of the burn injury completely prevents the bone loss, we asked whether muscle protein balance was altered by the preservation of bone. We reviewed the results from 17 burned pediatric subjects previously enrolled in a double-blind randomized controlled study of pamidronate in the prevention of post-burn bone loss and who were concurrently evaluated for muscle protein synthesis and breakdown by stable isotope infusion studies during the acute hospitalization. We found a significantly lower fractional protein synthesis rate (FSR) in the pamidronate group and a correspondingly lower rate of appearance of the amino acid tracer in venous blood, suggesting lower muscle protein turnover. Moreover, net protein balance (synthesis minus breakdown) was positive in the subjects receiving pamidronate and negative in those receiving placebo. Muscle fiber diameter was significantly greater in the pamidronate subjects and leg strength at 9 months post-burn was not different between subjects who received pamidronate and normal physically fit age-matched children studied in our lab. Leg strength in burned subjects who served as controls tended to be weaker, although not significantly so. If substantiated by a larger study, these results suggest that bone may have a paracrine mechanism to preserve muscle and this finding may have implications for the treatment of sarcopenia in the elderly. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Correlations between apparent diffusion coefficient values of invasive ductal carcinoma and pathologic factors on diffusion‐weighted MRI at 3.0 Tesla
Authors: Park Sung Hee , Choi Hye‐Young , Hahn Soo Yeon
Published: December 2013

Purpose

To investigate correlations between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and pathologic factors on diffusion‐weighted MRI. We measured the ADC values of IDC of the breast and analyzed correlations between ADC values and factors such as tumor size, axillary lymph node status, histologic grade, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epithelial growth factor 2 (HER2) using diffusion‐weighted MRI at 3.0 Tesla (T).

Materials and Methods

We examined 110 patients with pathologically confirmed IDC using diffusion‐weighted MRI at 3.0T. The ADC values of breast cancer were calculated using two b factors (0 and 1000 s/mm2). The relationship between ADC values and tumor size, histologic grade, axillary lymph node status, hormonal receptors, and HER2 were analyzed.

Results

The mean ADC value of IDC (n = 110) was 0.88 ± 0.15 × 10−2 mm2/s. Tumors were subgrouped according to size (<2 cm, 2–5 cm, and ≥5 cm). Multiple comparisons within subgroups according to size showed that the ADC values for the three tumor size groups were significantly different (correlation coefficient = −0.007). The mean apparent diffusion coefficient of HER2‐positive IDC was significantly higher than that of HER2‐negative invasive ductal carcinoma (correlation coefficient = 0.218).

Conclusion

ADC values of IDC were significantly correlated with tumor size and HER2 status. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:175–182. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of physical activity on T1 and T2* relaxation times of healthy achilles tendons at 3T
Authors: Grosse Ulrich , Springer Fabian , Hein Tobias , Grözinger Gerd , Schabel Christoph , Martirosian Petros , Schick Fritz , Syha Roland
Published: December 2013

Purpose

To evaluate longitudinal (T1) and transverse (T2*) relaxation times at different Achilles tendon locations (insertion, mid‐portion, and musculotendinous area) in a cohort of subjects with variable tendon straining activity, but without any signs of tendinopathy.

Materials and Methods

T1 and T2* relaxation times of the Achilles tendon were measured using an ultrashort echo time (UTE) imaging sequence with flip angle and echo time variation on a 3T whole‐body clinical magnetic resonance (MR) scanner. Twenty‐four tendons of 12 healthy volunteers and 18 tendons of nine healthy recreational long‐distance runners (average weekly running distance of 47.4 ± 5.3 km) were enrolled.

Results

Mean T1 values of the whole tendon showed no marked group differences, whereas T2* relaxation times of runners were significantly longer (mean percentage increase 15.7 ± 4.9%; P = 0.0181) compared to controls. Regarding group differences for the investigated insertional, mid‐portion, and musculotendinous area of the Achilles tendon, only the mid‐portion of the Achilles tendon in the running group presented significantly longer T2* values (mean percentage increase 29.1 ± 23.0%; P = 0.0420) in comparison to the control group.

Conclusion

Prolonged T2* values especially in the mid‐portion of the Achilles tendon of runners are likely to reflect an adaptation of the tendon microstructure to repetitive tendon straining activity. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:193–201. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Changes in MR relaxation times of the meniscus with acute loading: An in vivo pilot study in knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Subburaj Karupppasamy , Souza Richard B. , Wyman Bradley T. , Le Graverand‐Gastineau Marie‐Pierre Hellio , Li Xiaojuan , Link Thomas M. , Majumdar Sharmila
Published: December 2013

Purpose

To prospectively evaluate changes in T1ρ and T2 relaxation times in the meniscal body with acute loading using MRI in osteoarthritic knees and to compare these findings with those of age‐matched healthy controls.

Materials and Methods

Female subjects above 40 years of age with (N1 = 20) and without osteoarthritis (OA) (N2 = 10) were imaged on a 3 Tesla MR scanner using a custom made loading device. MR images were acquired, with the knee flexed at 20°, with and without a compressive load of 50% of the subject's bodyweight. The subjects were categorized based on the radiographic evidence of OA. Three different zones (outer, middle, and inner) of meniscus body were defined (each occupying 1/3rd the width). After adjusting for age and body mass index in the general linear regression model, repeated measures analysis of variance was used to detect significant differences in T1ρ and T2 with and without loading.

Results

In the unloaded condition, the average T1ρ and T2 times were elevated in the outer and middle zones of the medial meniscus in OA subjects compared with the controls. In the loaded condition, T1ρ and T2 times of the outer zone of the medial meniscus was significantly elevated in OA subjects compared with controls. Finally the change (from unloaded to loaded) was significantly higher in controls than OA subjects (15.1% versus 8.3%; P = 0.039 for ΔT1ρ, and 11.5% versus 6.9%, P = 0.049 for ΔT2).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that while the OA process appears to affect the relaxation times of all regions within the meniscus, it may affect some regions sooner or to a greater degree. Furthermore, the differences in the change in relaxation times between unloaded and loaded conditions may reveal evidence about load transmission failure of the outer zone of the medial meniscus in subjects with knee OA. It is possible that these metrics (ΔT1ρ and ΔT2) may be valuable as an early biomechanical biomarker, which could be used to predict load transmission to the underlying articular cartilage.J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:536–543.© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of uncertainties on the B(H) curves on the flux linkage of a turboalternator
Authors: Mac D. H. , Clénet S. , Beddek K. , Chevallier L. , Korecki J. , Moreau O. , Thomas P.
Published: December 2013

In this paper, we analyze the influence of the uncertainties on the behavior constitutive laws of ferromagnetic materials on the behavior of a turboalternator. A simple stochastic model of anhysteretic nonlinear B(H) curve is proposed for the ferromagnetic yokes of the stator and the rotor. The B(H) curve is defined by five random parameters. We quantify the influence of the variability of these five parameters on the flux linkage of one phase of the stator winding depending on the excitation current I. The influence of each parameter is analyzed via the Sobol indices. With this analysis, we can determine the most influential parameters for each state of magnetization (according to the level of I) and investigate where the characterization process of the B(H) curve should focus to improve the accuracy of the computed flux linkage. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An integrated Raman and petrographic characterization of Italian mediaeval artifacts in pietra ollare (soapstone)
Authors: Baita Chiara , Lottici Pier Paolo , Salvioli‐Mariani Emma , Vandenabeele Peter , Librenti Mauro , Antonelli Fabrizio , Bersani Danilo
Published: December 2013

Ten fragments of pots made by pietra ollare (basic and ultrabasic metamorphic rocks belonging to greenschist facies) found in the archaeological site of Crocetta di Sant'Agata Bolognese (Bologna, Italy) have been studied to characterize them and to define their provenance. The fragments, dated between the 9th and 10th century AD, show traces of blackening from fire, indicating the use of these findings as pots by fire. The extensive use of a non‐destructive technique, Raman spectroscopy, in both laboratory and portable forms, for the provenance analysis of pietra ollare artifacts has been evaluated. Micro‐Raman spectroscopy was used for a detailed study of the main components, to identify the secondary minerals and to study the distribution of the mineral phases in the samples. The samples show schistose texture, are fine grained and consist mainly of talc and chlorite, and subordinate carbonates, oxides and serpentine. Olivine is rare. Based on the mineralogical composition, the material can be defined as chlorite and carbonate talc‐schist. Our samples of pietra ollare may be assigned to chlorite and magnesite‐bearing talc‐schists. The alpine areas of origin of this lithotype are Valtellina, Valchiavenna and Val Bregaglia. In particular, we can hypothesize that the origin of these findings is Valchiavenna, which had great commercial importance in the Middle Ages. Further measurements, obtained with a portable Raman spectrometer, directly on a quarry near Chiavenna, support our hypothesis. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural Investigations of Titanium Metaphosphate Glasses by Ambient and High‐Temperature X‐Ray Diffraction Techniques
Authors: Lakhkar Nilay J. , Knowles Jonathan C.
Published: December 2013

This paper presents the structural characterization of melt‐quenched titanium metaphosphate glasses having compositions of 0.5P2O5–0.4CaO–(0.1–x)Na2O–xTiO2 (x = 0.00–0.07 mol fraction) by means of x‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques employed under both ambient and high‐temperature conditions. Ambient XRD spectra of powdered glass samples revealed the amorphous nature of the glasses, while ambient XRD software analysis of crystallised glass powders provided information regarding the phase transitions in the glass compositions with an increase in the TiO2 content. High‐temperature XRD (HT‐XRD) contour plots showed good agreement with the results of both ambient XRD and differential thermal analysis, thereby demonstrating the correspondence between three distinct sets of experimental data and allowing us to correlate thermal events with the crystalline phases formed. Thus, the overall results offer interesting clues into the structure of these titanium metaphosphate glasses, which have emerged as major candidates in the biomedical field for use as substrates in the regeneration of hard and soft tissues.
Development and Noninvasive Characterization of Hormone Releasing In Situ Forming Implants
Authors: Kempe S. , Schreier B. , Ruhs S. , Wollert I. , Teixeira M. B. , Gekle M. , Mäder K.
Published: December 2013

In the human body aldosterone plays a major role in the regulation of the salt water balance and the blood pressure. To investigate the pathophysiological effects of aldosterone in a mouse model appropriate drug delivery systems, that release the drug in a constant and continuous manner, are needed. Therefore novel in situ forming implants were developed as alternative aldosterone releasing depots. The non‐invasive analytical method electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy was applied to characterize in situ the implant formation by direct and continuous quantification of polymer precipitation and solvent exchange rates. Therewith influences of several key formulation parameters, such as type of the solvent and the polymer have been investigated. In this context AB di‐ and triblock copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) were firstly explored as polymeric matrices for in situ forming implants. The phase separation kinetics and therewith the aldosterone releases were highly dependent on the hydrophilic character and the molecular weight of the used polymers.
Poly(glycerol sebacate)\Poly(butylene succinate‐dilinoleate) Blends as Candidate Materials for Cardiac Tissue Engineering
Authors: Tallawi M. , Rai R. , R‐Gleixner M. , Roerick O. , Weyand M. , Roether J. A. , Schubert D. W. , Kozlowska A. , Fray M. El , Merle B. , Göken M. , Aifantis K. , Boccaccini A. R.
Published: December 2013

Poly (glycerol sebacate) (PGS) and poly (butylene succinate‐dilinoleate) (PBS‐DLA) are biodegradable polymers with potential application in cardiac tissue engineering. In the present study novel blends comprising PGS prepolymer and PBS‐DLA were prepared with varying compositions (70/30, 60/40, 50/50, 40/60, 30/70 and 0/100 in weight percentage). The physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of the PGS/PBS‐DLA blends were measured and compared. By adding PBS‐DLA to PGS the need for curing PGS prepolymer was eliminated, as the blended films are chemically stable. With increasing amount of PBS‐DLA the hydrophobicity of the blend system increased reaching values close to that of neat PBS‐DLA films. Furthermore, addition of PBS‐DLA significantly affected the mechanical properties of the blends, i.e. the elastic modulus of the blends was enhanced with increasing PBS‐DLA addition from 1.2 MPa to 54 MPa. At the same time, PBS‐DLA addition led to decreased degradation rate of the films. Furthermore the PBS‐DLA counteracted the acidity of the free carboxylic groups on the free end chains of the PGS prepolymer. In vitro cytocompatibility studies indicated high biocompatibility. Taken together the results confirm that the novel PGS/PBS‐DLA matrices exhibit promising characteristics as a biomaterial for application in cardiac regeneration approaches.