bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early medieval stone‐lined graves in Southern Germany: analysis of an emerging noble class
Authors: Rott Andreas , Turner Nils , Scholz Ulrike , von Heyking Kristin , Immler Franziska , Peters Joris , Haberstroh Jochen , Harbeck Michaela
Published: January 2017

Objectives

Stone‐lined graves, which first appear in Bavarian territory during the 7th century AD, are assumed to be tombs of emerging nobility. While previous research on stone‐lined grave goods supports their status as elite burials, an important factor defining nobility—kinship—has not been examined so far.

Materials and methods

Morphological analysis of the commingled skeletal remains of 21 individuals from three archaeological sites was carried out. Radiocarbon dating was conducted on these individuals to gain information on usage intervals of these graves. To test whether stone‐lined graves can be considered family graves, analyses of mitochondrial HVR I, Y‐chromosomal and autosomal STRs were carried out.

Results

Morphological examination revealed a surplus of males buried in stone‐lined graves and radiocarbon dating points to usage of the tombs for several generations. According to aDNA analysis, kinship can be assumed both between and within stone‐lined graves.

Discussion

Taken together, these results hint at burials of family members with high social status being inhumed at the same site, in some cases even the same grave, for several generations. They also suggest, for the first time, that an early medieval linear cemetery was structured according to biological kinship.
Comparing early liver graft function from heart beating and living‐donors: A pilot study aiming to identify new biomarkers of liver injury
Authors: Yang Qi Joy , Kluger Michael , Goryński Krzysztof , Pawliszyn Janusz , Bojko Barbara , Yu Ai‐Ming , Noh Keumhan , Selzner Markus , Jerath Angela , McCluskey Stuart , Pang K. Sandy , Wąsowicz Marcin
Published: January 2017

The liver and kidney functions of recipients of liver transplantation (LT) surgery with heart beating (HBD, n = 13) or living donors (LD, n = 9) with different cold ischemia times were examined during the neohepatic phase for the elimination of rocuronium bromide (ROC, cleared by liver and kidney) and tranexamic acid (TXA, cleared by kidney). Solid phase micro‐extraction and LC–MS/MS was applied to determine the plasma concentrations of ROC and TXA, and creatinine was determined by standard laboratory methods. Metabolomics and the relative expressions of miR‐122, miR‐148a and γ‐glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT), liver injury biomarkers, were also measured. The ROC clearance for HBD was significantly lower than that for LD (0.147 ± 0.052 vs. 0.265 ± 0.148 ml·min−1·g−1 liver) after intravenous injection (0.6 mg·kg−1). The clearance of TXA, a compound cleared by glomerular filtration, given as a 1 g bolus followed by infusion (10 mg·kg−1·h−1), was similar between HBD and LD groups (~ 1 ml·min−1·kg−1). The TXA clearance in both groups was lower than the GFR, showing a small extent of hepatorenal coupling. The miR‐122 and miR‐148a expressions were similar for the HBD and LD groups, whereas GGT expression was significantly increased for HBD. The lower ROC clearance and the higher GGT levels in the HBD group of longer cold ischemia times performed worse than the LD group during the neophase. Metabololmics further showed clusters of bile acids, phospholipids and lipid ω‐oxidation products for the LD and HBD groups. In conclusion, ROC CL and GGT expression, and metabolomics could serve as sensitive indices of early graft function. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protonation Sites of Aromatic Compounds in (+) Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization
Authors: Kim Sunghwan , Ahmed Arif
Published: January 2017

Reaction enthalpy of hydrogen transfer reactions of aromatic compounds has been observed to be greatly affected by the exact location of the protonation site. Therefore, to clearly identify the protonation location, each candidate protonation site for 43 aromatic compounds were theoretically determined and their location was compared with that determined based on experimental MS data. Only the basic nitrogen atom is favorable as a protonation site for pyridine‐type aromatic compounds, whereas carbon atoms are preferable for the protonation of pyrrole‐type compounds. The most favorable protonation sites for aniline or methylated aniline‐type aromatic compounds are either the nitrogen atom in the amine group or the carbon atom at the para‐position to the amine group. Like pyrrole‐type compounds, aromatic compounds with amine groups also favor protonation at the carbon atom instead of at the nitrogen atom. In addition, hydrocarbons having an anthracene structural motif without heteroatoms produced higher or equal percentages of protonated ions compared to that achieved with molecular ions. The results of this study can be used to improve the analyses of aromatic compounds.
Increasing incidence of invasive and in situ cervical adenocarcinoma in the Netherlands during 2004–2013
Authors: van der Horst Judith , Siebers Albert G. , Bulten Johan , Massuger Leon F. , de Kok Inge MCM
Published: January 2017

In the developed world, the incidence of cervical squamous cell carcinoma has decreased, however, the incidence of adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and invasive adenocarcinoma increased, predominantly in young females. The goal of this study was to evaluate the most recent incidence rates of AIS, adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix in the Netherlands in 2004–2013. By using Dutch national pathology and cancer registries, we calculated European standardized incidence rates (ESR) and estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) for AIS during 2004–2013 and for invasive cervical carcinomas during 1989–2013. For AIS, presence or absence of concomitant cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was explored. The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) of squamous cell carcinoma decreased significantly in 1989–2013, predominantly in 1989–2003. The EAPC of invasive adenocarcinoma decreased in 1989–2003, but remained stable in 2004–2013. The EAPC of AIS increased significantly, predominantly in women of 25–39 years old. Of these AIS cases, 58.9% had concomitant CIN and AIS with concomitant CIN showed a significantly higher EAPC compared to AIS without CIN. Our conclusion is that despite a nationwide screening program for cancer of the uterine cervix, the incidence of adenocarcinoma in the Netherlands remained stable during 2004–2013 and the incidence of adenocarcinoma in situ increased. This was most predominant in cases with concomitant CIN and in younger females. The incidence of squamous cell carcinoma decreased in the same timeframe.
Synthesis of Hierarchically Porous Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Yang , Gao Zhiqiang
Published: January 2017

In this work, a facile synthetic strategy is developed for the preparation of nitrogen‐doped (N‐doped) hierarchically porous carbon materials. During the preparation process, sodium citrate and urea serve as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, without any template or additional activation reagents. Both the microstructure and nitrogen dopant content of the porous carbon can be tuned. The as‐prepared porous carbon materials are tested as anodes in sodium‐ion batteries. The porous N‐doped carbon prepared at 650 °C shows a high reversible capacity of 305.7 mA h g−1 at a current density of 0.1 A g−1. Even at a higher current density of 8.0 A g−1, a specific capacity of 164.5 mA h g−1 is obtained. After 500 cycles, the specific capacity of the electrode remains as high as 219 mA h g−1 at a current density of 1.0 A g−1. This synthetic strategy provides a simple and efficient approach for preparing heteroatom‐doped porous carbon in energy storage and other fields.
The mechanism of texture formation during crystallization process of Ge2Sb2Te5 thin films
Authors: Yin Qixun , Chen Leng
Published: January 2017

In this work, we determined the grain growth mode and texture formation process experimentally and theoretically in crystallization process of Ge2Sb2Te5 thin films, which were prepared by ion beam sputtering using Ge2Sb2Te5 alloy target. Experiment results demonstrated that crystalline grains had a trend of island growth during annealing, the texture components of cube {100}<001> and rotation cube {100}<011> are present in 250 °C annealed thin films, and {0001} basal texture component was produced in 400 °C annealed thin films. Theoretical analysis proved the mechanism and driving forces of grain growth and cubic texture formation: grains gathered in the basal surface as island because of large lattice mismatch, meanwhile, the preferred orientation of thin films was triggered by the minimization of lattice mismatch strain energy. The calculation results were in conformance with the experimental results. Researches about grain growth mode and texture formation of Ge2Sb2Te5 thin films may provide an advice to increase the crystallization rate of phase change material.
Electrochemical Reduction of Oxygen in Aprotic Ionic Liquids Containing Metal Cations: A Case Study on the Na–O2 system
Authors: Azaceta Eneko , Lutz Lukas , Grimaud Alexis , Vicent‐Luna Jose Manuel , Hamad Said , Yate Luis , Cabañero German , Grande Hans‐Jurgen , Anta Juan A. , Tarascon Jean‐Marie , Tena‐Zaera Ramon
Published: January 2017

Metal–air batteries are intensively studied because of their high theoretical energy‐storage capability. However, the fundamental science of electrodes, electrolytes, and reaction products still needs to be better understood. In this work, the ionic liquid N‐butyl‐N‐methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (PYR14TFSI) was chosen to study the influence of a wide range of metal cations (Mn+) on the electrochemical behavior of oxygen. The relevance of the theory of Lewis hard and soft acids and bases to predict satisfactorily the reduction potential of oxygen in electrolytes containing metal cations is demonstrated. Systems with soft and intermediate Mn+ acidity are shown to facilitate oxygen reduction and metal oxide formation, whereas oxygen reduction is hampered by hard acid cations such as sodium and lithium. Furthermore, DFT calculations on the energy of formation of the resulting metal oxides rationalize the effect of Mn+ on oxygen reduction. A case study on the Na–O2 system is described in detail. Among other things, the Na+ concentration of the electrolyte is shown to control the electrochemical pathway (solution precipitation vs. surface deposition) by which the discharge product grows. All in all, fundamental insights for the design of advanced electrolytes for metal–air batteries, and Na–air batteries in particular, are provided.
Size‐Dependent Activity of Palladium Nanoparticles: Efficient Conversion of CO2 into Formate at Low Overpotentials
Authors: Rahaman Motiar , Dutta Abhijit , Broekmann Peter
Published: January 2017

Remarkable size‐dependent activity of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) towards formate production is evident at very low overpotentials (−0.1 to −0.5 V vs. RHE). Size‐selective PdNPs, chemically synthesized at sizes of 3.8–10.7 nm, effected an electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction in aqueous 0.5 m NaHCO3. The faradaic efficiency of formate production (FEformate) on 3.8 nm PdNPs exceeded 86 % at E=−0.1 V versus RHE, whereas on 6.5 nm PdNPs an even higher FEformate of 98 % was observed. However, FEformate decreased for larger PdNPs. The superior efficiency towards formate production at low overpotentials is rationalized in terms of a changed catalytic pathway through PdH phases. The observed maximum in the formate efficiency for a mean particle size of about 6.5 nm is discussed in terms of counterbalancing the size‐dependent effects of a competing CO2 reduction reaction and a parasitic hydrogen evolution reaction. Production rates of formate are also remarkably high at −0.3 V versus RHE with 539.9 and 452.3 ppm h−1 mgPd−1 for the 6.5 and 3.8 nm PdNPs, respectively.
Benefit of tolvaptan in the management of hyponatraemia in patients with diuretic‐refractory congestive heart failure: the SEMI‐SEC project
Authors: Pose Antonio , Almenar Luis , Gavira Juan José , López‐Granados Amador , Blasco Teresa , Delgado Juan , Aramburu Oscar , Rodríguez Avelino , Manzano Luis , Manito Nicolás
Published: January 2017

Aims

Hyponatraemia is an electrolyte disorder that occurs in advanced congestive heart failure (HF) and worsens prognosis. We explored the usefulness of tolvaptan, which has shown promising results in the treatment of this condition.

Methods and results

This study is based on a retrospective national registry (2011–15) of patients hospitalized with refractory HF and hyponatraemia who agreed to receive tolvaptan when standard treatment was ineffective. The benefit of tolvaptan was analysed according to the following criteria: normalization ([Na+] ≥ 135 mmol/L) or increased sodium levels [Na+] ≥ 4 mEq/L on completion of treatment, and increase in urine output by 300 or 500 mL at 48 h. Factors associated with tolvaptan benefit were explored. A total of 241 patients were included, 53.9% of whom had ejection fraction <40%. All patients received concomitant loop diuretics. Initial tolvaptan dose was 17.2 ± 6.1 mg, and end dose was 26.4 ± 23.2 mg (duration 7.8 ± 8.6 days). Serum sodium concentrations increased significantly at 24–48 h, from 126.5 ± 6.2 mEq/L at baseline to 134.1 ± 6.1 mEq/L at the end of treatment (P < 0.0001). Weight fell by ~5 kg before discharge (P < 0.0001) and urine output increased 1.3‐fold (P < 0.0001). Normal sodium levels and/or increases of 500 mL in urine output were achieved by 90.8% of patients (35.7% achieved both) and 94.8% increased to [Na+] ≥ 4 mEq/L and/or +300 mL in urine output (54.4% both).

Conclusions

An increase in sodium levels and/or improvement in urine output was observed in patients admitted for HF and refractory hyponatraemia under tolvaptan treatment. Tolvaptan may be useful in this setting, in which no effective proven alternatives are available.
TGF‐β regulation of encephalitogenic and regulatory T cells in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Lee Priscilla W. , Severin Mary E. , Lovett‐Racke Amy E.
Published: January 2017

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) is a pleiotropic cytokine that has been shown to influence the differentiation and function of T cells. The role that TGF‐β plays in immune‐mediated disease, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), has become a major area of investigation since CD4+ T cells appear to be a major mediator of autoimmunity. This review provides an analysis of the literature on the role that TGF‐β plays in the generation and regulation of encephalitogenic and regulatory T cells (Treg) in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS, as well as in T cells of MS patients. Since TGF‐β plays a major role in the development and function of both CD4+ effector and Treg, which are defective in MS patients, recent studies have found potential mechanisms to explain the basis for these T‐cell defects to establish a foundation for potentially modulating TGF‐β signaling to restore normal T‐cell function in MS patients.
Human β‐defensin 3 increases the TLR9‐dependent response to bacterial DNA
Authors: McGlasson Sarah L. , Semple Fiona , MacPherson Heather , Gray Mohini , Davidson Donald J. , Dorin Julia R.
Published: January 2017

Human β‐defensin 3 (hBD3) is a cationic antimicrobial peptide with potent bactericidal activity in vitro. HBD3 is produced in response to pathogen challenge and can modulate immune responses. The amplified recognition of self‐DNA by human plasmacytoid dendritic cells has been previously reported, but we show here that hBD3 preferentially enhances the response to bacterial DNA in mouse Flt‐3 induced dendritic cells (FLDCs) and in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We show the effect is mediated through TLR9 and although hBD3 significantly increases the cellular uptake of both E. coli and self‐DNA in mouse FLDCs, only the response to bacterial DNA is enhanced. Liposome transfection also increases uptake of bacterial DNA and amplifies the TLR9‐dependent response. In contrast to hBD3, lipofection of self‐DNA enhances inflammatory signaling, but the response is predominantly TLR9‐independent. Together, these data show that hBD3 has a role in the innate immune‐mediated response to pathogen DNA, increasing inflammatory signaling and promoting activation of the adaptive immune system via antigen presenting cells including dendritic cells. Therefore, our data identify an additional immunomodulatory role for this copy‐number variable defensin, of relevance to host defence against infection and indicate a potential for the inclusion of HBD3 in pathogen DNA‐based vaccines.
Polysialic acid production using Escherichia coli K1 in a disposable bag reactor
Authors: de Vries Ingo , Busse Christoph , Kopatz Jens , Neumann Harald , Beutel Sascha , Scheper Thomas
Published: January 2017

Polysialic acid (polySia), consisting of α‐(2,8)‐linked N‐acetylneuraminic acid monomers plays a crucial role in many biological processes. This study presents a novel process for the production of endogenous polySia using Escherichia coli K1 in a disposable bag reactor with wave‐induced mixing. Disposable bag reactors provide easy and fast production in terms of regulatory requirements as GMP, flexibility, and can easily be adjusted to larger production capacities not only by scale up but also by parallelization. Due to the poor oxygen transfer rate compared to a stirred tank reactor, pure oxygen was added during the cultivation to avoid oxygen limitation. During the exponential growth phase the growth rate was 0.61 h−1. Investigation of stress‐related product release from the cell surface showed no significant differences between the disposable bag reactor with wave‐induced mixing and the stirred tank reactor. After batch cultivation a cell dry weight of 6.8 g L−1 and a polySia concentration of 245 mg L−1 were reached. The total protein concentration in the supernatant was 132 mg L−1. After efficient and time‐saving downstream processing characterization of the final product showed a protein content of below 0.04 mgprotein/gpolySia and a maximal chain length of ∼90 degree of polymerization.
The relationship between climate and adult body size in redback salamanders (Plethodon cinereus)
Authors: McCarthy Thomas , Masson Philippe , Thieme Alison , Leimgruber Peter , Gratwicke Brian
Published: January 2017

Several biogeographic studies of salamanders have described relationships between salamander body size and climate. We specifically selected Plethodon cinereus as a widely distributed species that was well represented in museum collections to investigate the effects of warming climate on adult body size. We found a positive correlation between mean maximum July temperature and body size, and a negative correlation between precipitation of the driest month and body size. Surface‐collected adult P. cinereus were 2.3% larger in warmer counties on the coastal plain compared with cooler counties in the Appalachian Mountains. We compared salamanders collected between 1950 and 1970 versus those collected between 1980 and 2000 and found that body size increased 1.8% in counties on the coastal plain where mean maximum July temperatures had also increased by 0.5–1.2 °C. Warming temperatures alone, however, did not adequately account for the observed size increases, because body size also increased 1.3% in places that experienced less than 0.25 °C warming, but that difference was not statistically significant.
Cellular crosstalk between airway epithelial and endothelial cells regulates barrier functions during exposure to double‐stranded RNA
Authors: Blume Cornelia , Reale Riccardo , Held Marie , Loxham Matthew , Millar Timothy M. , Collins Jane E. , Swindle Emily J. , Morgan Hywel , Davies Donna E.
Published: January 2017

Introduction

The epithelial and endothelial barriers of the airway mucosa are critical for regulation of tissue homeostasis and protection against pathogens or other tissue damaging agents. In response to a viral infection, epithelial cells must signal to the endothelium to initiate immune cell recruitment. This is a highly temporal regulated process; however, the mechanisms of this cross‐talk are not fully understood.

Methods

In a close‐contact co‐culture model of human airway epithelial and endothelial cells, cellular crosstalk was analyzed using transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) measurements, immunofluorescence, electron microscopy, and ELISA. Viral infections were simulated by exposing airway epithelial cells apically to double‐stranded RNA (Poly(I:C)). Using a microfluidic culture system, the temporal release of mediators was analyzed in the co‐culture model.

Results

Within 4 h of challenge, double‐stranded RNA induced the release of TNF‐α by epithelial cells. This activated endothelial cells by triggering the release of the chemoattractant CX3CL1 (fractalkine) by 8 h post‐challenge and expression of adhesion molecules E‐selectin and ICAM‐1. These responses were significantly reduced by neutralising TNF‐α.

Conclusion

By facilitating kinetic profiling, the microfluidic co‐culture system has enabled identification of a key signaling mechanism between the epithelial and endothelial barriers. Better understanding of cell–cell cross‐talk and its regulatory mechanisms has the potential to identify new therapeutic strategies to control airway inflammation.
Fluorescent Probes for HOCl Imaging
Authors: Hu Jun Jacob , Ye Sen , Yang Dan
Published: January 2017

Small‐molecule fluorescent probes for hypochlorous acid (HOCl), one of the poorly understood reactive oxygen species (ROS), help to unveil HOCl functions in health and disease. Numerous small‐molecule HOCl fluorescent probes have been developed in the past decade. Nevertheless, only a portion of them demonstrated their practical applications in biomedical research because of common problems in selectivity, sensitivity, chemostability, and photostability, etc. The problems could be addressed by a combination of rational probe design and careful selection of fluorophore templates. In this review, we describe several classes of representative HOCl fluorescent probes based on their fluorophore templates, and we discuss their design strategies, photophysical properties, and biological applications. A comprehension of their strengths, weaknesses, and common uses will facilitate the development of ideal HOCl assays and the discovery of novel biological processes.
Association between timing of elective cesarean delivery and adverse outcomes among women with at least two previous cesareans
Authors: Hamadneh Jehan , Alchalabi Haifaa , Hamadneh Shereen , Amarin Zouhair , Khader Yousef S. , Kassab Manal , Bani‐Hani Mahmoud
Published: January 2017

Objective

To assess the impact of delivery at 37 weeks of pregnancy versus 38 weeks or later on maternal and neonatal outcomes among women with multiple previous cesareans.

Methods

In a retrospective study, data were assessed from women with at least two previous cesareans who delivered by cesarean at 37 weeks of pregnancy or later at a tertiary referral hospital in Jordan between January 2013 and November 2015.

Results

Among 886 eligible women, 505 (57.0%) delivered at 37 weeks (group 1) and 381 (43.0%) delivered at 38 weeks or later (group 2). There was no difference in intraoperative or postoperative complications between the two groups. In multivariate analysis, women in group 2 had lower odds of delivering neonates with respiratory distress syndrome than did those in group 1 (adjusted odds ratio 0.3, 95% confidence interval 0.2–0.5; P=0.046). However, neonatal jaundice was more common in group 2 (adjusted odds ratio 2.1, 95% confidence interval 1.7–2.7; P=0.035).

Conclusion

Among women with multiple cesareans, delivery at 37 weeks was associated with increased risk of neonatal respiratory morbidity and decreased risk of neonatal jaundice, but not with a reduction in maternal complications, as compared with delivery at 38 weeks or later.
Phosphorus recovery from simulated municipal wastewater (SMW) through the crystallization of magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate (MAP)
Authors: Mpountas Ioannis , Papadakis Emmanuel , Koutsoukos Petros
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND

Phosphorus and nitrogen recovery from municipal and/or industrial wastewater treatment plants in the form of magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate (MgNH4PO4·6H2O, MAP, Struvite) is an attractive alternative for the valorization of wastes. Although efforts have been focused on the recovery of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients from wastewater at alkaline pH, removal of these nutrients in weakly acid pH is still challenging. The advantage of acid pH is that the precipitation of heavy metals in the form of insoluble hydroxides is avoided provided that their concentrations are relatively low.

RESULTS

The metastable zone width of solutions, supersaturated with respect to MAP at pH 6.50 was investigated. The kinetics of MAP formation both in unseeded and in seeded solutions was investigated in batch reactors at constant supersaturation. The rates of crystal growth of MAP on seed crystals showed a parabolic dependence on the relative supersaturation. The concentration of the inoculating seed crystals affected the rates of crystal growth.

CONCLUSIONS

It is possible to crystallize MAP at pH values of 6.50 provided that the supersaturation is sufficient. From the rate dependence on relative supersaturation (parabolic) it was concluded that the crystal growth mechanism was surface diffusion controlled for the integration of the growth units at the active crystal growth sites. Secondary nucleation, depending on the solution supersaturation, was observed within the stable domain of the metastable zone. The morphology of MAP seed crystals remained unchanged, while the mean particle size increased reaching comparable sizes irrespective of the degree of supersaturation. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
A second type of magnitude effect: Reinforcer magnitude differentiates delay discounting between substance users and controls
Authors: Mellis Alexandra M. , Woodford Alina E. , Stein Jeffrey S. , Bickel Warren K.
Published: January 2017

Basic research on delay discounting, examining preference for smaller–sooner or larger–later reinforcers, has demonstrated a variety of findings of considerable generality. One of these, the magnitude effect, is the observation that individuals tend to exhibit greater preference for the immediate with smaller magnitude reinforcers. Delay discounting has also proved to be a useful marker of addiction, as demonstrated by the highly replicated finding of greater discounting rates in substance users compared to controls. However, some research on delay discounting rates in substance users, particularly research examining discounting of small‐magnitude reinforcers, has not found significant differences compared to controls. Here, we hypothesize that the magnitude effect could produce ceiling effects at small magnitudes, thus obscuring differences in delay discounting between groups. We examined differences in discounting between high‐risk substance users and controls over a broad range of magnitudes of monetary amounts ($0.10, $1.00, $10.00, $100.00, and $1000.00) in 116 Amazon Mechanical Turk workers. We found no significant differences in discounting rates between users and controls at the smallest reinforcer magnitudes ($0.10 and $1.00) and further found that differences became more pronounced as magnitudes increased. These results provide an understanding of a second form of the magnitude effect: That is, differences in discounting between populations can become more evident as a function of reinforcer magnitude.
Effects of shifts in food reinforcement context on rats’ consumption of concurrently available water or sucrose solution
Authors: Galuska Chad M. , Sawyer Leslie E.
Published: January 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of signaled transitions from relatively rich to lean conditions of food reinforcement on drinking concurrently available water or sucrose‐sweetened water in rats. Past research demonstrated that these negative incentive shifts produce behavioral disruption in the form of extended pausing on fixed‐ratio schedules. Four male Long‐Evans rats operated on a two‐component multiple fixed‐ratio fixed‐ratio schedule. In one manipulation, the ratio was held constant and the components arranged either a large six‐pellet reinforcer (rich) or small one‐pellet reinforcer (lean). In a second manipulation, the components both produced a one‐pellet reinforcer but differed in terms of the ratio requirement, with the rich and lean conditions corresponding to relatively small and large ratios. In both manipulations, components were pseudorandomly presented to arrange four transitions signaled by retractable levers: lean‐to‐lean, lean‐to‐rich, rich‐to‐rich, and rich‐to‐lean (the negative incentive shift). During experimental conditions, a bottle with lickometer was inserted in the chamber, providing concurrent access either to tap water or a 10% sucrose solution. The negative incentive shift produced considerably more drinking than the other transitions in all rats during both manipulations. The level of drinking was not polydipsic; rather, it appears that the negative incentive shift enhanced the value of concurrently available reinforcers relative to food reinforcement.
Lay perceptions of interrogation techniques: Identifying the role of Belief in a Just World and Right Wing Authoritarianism
Authors: Jones Angela M. , Brimbal Laure
Published: January 2017

False confessions due to overtly coercive interrogation techniques have led to the development of more ethically‐minded alternative techniques. Several studies have surveyed the public about their perceptions of confession‐oriented techniques (e.g., Leo & Liu, ), although none have examined the use of information gathering and strategic interviewing techniques or individual differences in such perceptions. Thus, the current study assessed public perceptions of a wide variety of techniques by recruiting a total of 332 participants. Results indicated that our participants would rather risk releasing a guilty person than convicting an innocent. Overall, confession‐oriented techniques were rated the least acceptable and effective across participants. However, perceptions of these techniques varied as a function of Belief in a Just World (BJW; Lipkus, ) and Right Wing Authoritarianism (RWA; Zakrisson, ). Specifically, those higher in these two individual differences found confession‐oriented techniques to be both more acceptable and effective than those scoring lower on these measures. The results speak to the importance of individual differences and the potential for such differences to bias juror decision‐making when interrogation evidence is at stake.
Mechanical and barrier properties of maize starch–gelatin composite films: effects of amylose content
Authors: Wang Kun , Wang Wenhang , Ye Ran , Xiao Jingdong , Liu Yaowei , Ding Junsheng , Zhang Shaojing , Liu Anjun
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND

In order to obtain new reinforcing bio‐fillers to improve the physicochemical properties of gelatin‐based films, three types of maize starch, waxy maize starch (Ap), normal starch (Ns) and high‐amylose starch (Al), were incorporated into gelatin film and the resulting film properties were investigated, focusing on the impact of amylose content.

RESULTS

The thickness, opacity and roughness of gelatin film increased depending on the amylose content along with the starch concentration. The effects of the three starches on the mechanical properties of gelatin film were governed by amylose content, starch concentration as well as environmental relative humidity (RH). At 75% RH, the presence of Al and Ns in the gelatin matrix increased the film strength but decreased its elongation, while Ap exhibited an inverse effect. Starch addition decreased the oxygen permeability of the film, with the lowest value at 20% Al and Ns. All starches, notably at 30% content, led to a decrease in the water vapor permeability of the film at 90% RH, especially Ns starch. Furthermore, the starches improved the thermal stability of the film to some extent. Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated that some weak intermolecular interactions such as hydrogen bonding occurred between gelatin and starch. Moreover, a high degree of B‐type crystallinity of starch was characterized in Gel‐Al film by X‐ray diffraction.

CONCLUSION

Tailoring the properties of gelatin film by the incorporation of different types of maize starch provides the potential to extend its applications in edible food packaging. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Stochastic quasilinear evolution equations in UMD Banach spaces
Authors: Mohan Manil T. , Sritharan Sivaguru S.
Published: January 2017

In this work we prove the existence and uniqueness up to a stopping time for the stochastic counterpart of Tosio Kato's quasilinear evolutions in UMD Banach spaces. These class of evolutions are known to cover a large class of physically important nonlinear partial differential equations. Existence of a unique maximal solution as well as an estimate on the probability of positivity of stopping time is obtained. An example of stochastic Euler and Navier–Stokes equation is also given as an application of abstract theory to concrete models.
Dietary α‐cyclodextrin reduces atherosclerosis and modifies gut flora in apolipoprotein E‐deficient mice
Authors: Sakurai Toshihiro , Sakurai Akiko , Chen Ye , Vaisman Boris L. , Amar Marcelo J. , Pryor Milton , Thacker Seth G. , Zhang Xue , Wang Xujing , Zhang Yubo , Zhu Jun , Yang Zhi‐Hong , Freeman Lita A. , Remaley Alan T.
Published: January 2017

Scope

α‐Cyclodextrin (α‐CD), a cyclic polymer of glucose, has been shown to lower plasma cholesterol in animals and humans; however, its effect on atherosclerosis has not been previously described.

Methods and results

apoE‐knockout mice were fed either low‐fat diet (LFD; 5.2% fat, w/w), or Western high fat diet (21.2% fat) containing either no additions (WD), 1.5% α‐CD (WDA); 1.5% β‐CD (WDB); or 1.5% oligofructose‐enriched inulin (WDI). Although plasma lipids were similar after 11 weeks on the WD vs. WDA diets, aortic atherosclerotic lesions were 65% less in mice on WDA compared to WD (P < 0.05), and similar to mice fed the LFD. No effect on atherosclerosis was observed for the other WD supplemented diets. By RNA‐seq analysis of 16S rRNA, addition of α‐CD to the WD resulted in significantly decreased cecal bacterial counts in genera Clostridium and Turicibacterium, and significantly increased Dehalobacteriaceae. At family level, Comamonadaceae significantly increased and Peptostreptococcaceae showed a negative trend. Several of these bacterial count changes correlated negatively with % atherosclerotic lesion and were associated with increased cecum weight and decreased plasma cholesterol levels.

Conclusion

Addition of α‐CD to the diet of apoE‐knockout mice decreases atherosclerosis and is associated with changes in the gut flora.
Quantitative impact of changes in marrow cellularity, skeletal size, and bone mineral density on active marrow dosimetry based upon a reference model
Authors: Geyer Amy M. , Schwarz Bryan C. , Hobbs Robert F. , Sgouros George , Bolch Wesley E.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The hematopoietically active tissues of skeletal bone marrow are a prime target for computational dosimetry given potential risks of leukemia and, at higher dose levels, acute marrow toxicity. The complex three‐dimensional geometry of trabecular spongiosa, however, complicates schema for dose assessment in such a way that only a few reference skeletal models have been developed to date, and which are based upon microimaging of a limited number of cadaveric bone spongiosa cores. The question then arises as to what degree of accuracy is achievable from reference skeletal dose models when applied to individual patients or specific exposed populations?

Methods

Patient variability in marrow dosimetry were quantified for three skeletal sites — the ribs, lumbar vertebrae, and cranium — for the beta‐emitters 45Ca, 153Sm, and 90Y, and the alpha‐particle emitters 223Ra, 219Rn, and 215Po, the latter two being the immediate progeny of the former. For each radionuclide and bone site, three patient parameters were altered from their values in the reference model: (1) bone size as a surrogate for patient stature, (2) marrow cellularity as a surrogate for age‐ or disease‐related changes in marrow adiposity, and (3) the trabecular bone volume fraction as a surrogate for bone mineral density. Marrow dose variability is expressed as percent differences in the radionuclide S value given by the reference model and the patient‐parameterized model. The impact of radionuclide biokinetics on marrow dosimetry was not considered.

Results

Variations in overall bone size play a very minor role in active marrow dose variability. Marrow cellularity is a significant factor in dose variability for active marrow self‐irradiation, but it plays no role for radionuclides localized to the trabecular bone matrix. Variations in trabecular bone volume fractions impact the active marrow dose variability for short‐range particle emitters 45Ca, 223Ra, 219Rn, and 215Po in the vertebrae and ribs, skeletal sites with small spongiosa proportions of trabecular bone. In the cranium, with its relative high proportion of trabecular bone, significant differences in marrow dosimetry from the reference model were noted for all radionuclides.

Conclusions

Skeletal models of active marrow dosimetry should be more fully parameterized to permit closer matching to patient bone density and marrow cellularity, particularly when considering short‐range particle emitters localized to either the bone trabeculae or active marrow, respectively.
Use of parallel‐plate ionization chambers in reference dosimetry of NOVAC and LIAC® mobile electron linear accelerators for intraoperative radiotherapy: a multi‐center survey
Authors: Scalchi Paolo , Ciccotelli Alessia , Felici Giuseppe , Petrucci Assunta , Massafra Raffaella , Piazzi Valeria , D'Avenia Paola , Cavagnetto Francesca , Cattani Federica , Romagnoli Raffaella , Soriani Antonella
Published: January 2017

Purpose

LIAC® and NOVAC are two mobile linear accelerators dedicated to intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT), generating electron beams in the energy range of 3–12 MeV. Due to high dose‐per‐pulse (up to 70 mGy per pulse), in 2003 the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS) stated that “for the measure of dose to water in reference conditions, ionization chambers cannot be employed and no published dosimetry protocol can be used”. As a consequence, ferrous sulphate (or, alternatively alanine) dosimetry was recommended. Based on a retrospective multi‐center survey, a comparison with ferrous sulphate dosimetry is now used to validate the parallel‐plate ionization chambers for reference dosimetry of NOVAC and LIAC.

Methods

The IAEA TRS‐398 dosimetry protocol was applied except for the reference irradiation setup and the determination of the ion‐recombination correction factor ks. Moreover the depth of maximum dose (R100) instead of zref as measurement depth was chosen by the majority of centers, thus implying a renormalization of the beam‐quality correction factor kQ,Qo, based on water‐air stopping power ratios. Regarding the ks determination, a previously published method, independent of ferrous sulphate dosimetry, was adopted. All the centers participating in this study had used both ferrous sulphate dosimeters and ionization chambers in water phantoms for dosimetry under reference conditions.

Results

The mean percentage difference between ionization chambers and ferrous sulphate dosimetry was −0.5% with a dispersion of 3.9% (2σ). Moreover, the uncertainty analysis allowed the agreement between ionization chambers and ferrous sulphate dosimetry to be verified. These results did not show any significant dependence on electron energy, thus indirectly confirming kQ,Qo renormalization. The results from the centers using zref as the measurement depth were similar to the other data, but further focused studies could aim at investigating possible dependences of the dose differences on the chosen reference depth.

Conclusion

The present study confirms that parallel‐plate ionization chambers can properly and accurately substitute ferrous sulphate detectors in reference dosimetry of LIAC and NOVAC mobile linear accelerators. Therefore, we hope that the most commonly used protocols for reference dosimetry in external‐beam radiotherapy will be updated in order to provide guidance in the calibration of electron beams from linear accelerators dedicated to IORT, so that users may benefit from specific, authoritative and up‐to‐date recommendations.
Dosimetric impact of Lipiodol in stereotactic body radiation therapy on liver after trans‐arterial chemoembolization
Authors: Kawahara Daisuke , Ozawa Shuichi , Saito Akito , Nishio Teiji , Kimura Tomoki , Suzuki Tatsuhiko , Hioki Kazunari , Nakashima Takeo , Ohno Yoshimi , Murakami Yuji , Nagata Yasushi
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) combining trans‐arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with Lipiodol is expected to improve local control. This study is aimed to estimate the dose enhancement in Lipiodol's proximity and to evaluate the dose calculation accuracy of the Acuros XB (AXB) algorithm and anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) in the Eclipse treatment planning system (TPS) (ver. 11, Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, USA), compared with that of the Monte Carlo (MC) calculation (using BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc code) for a virtual phantom and a treatment plan for liver SBRT after TACE.

Methods

The MC calculation accuracy was validated by comparing its results with the percent depth dose (PDD) and the off‐axis ratio (OAR) measured using a water‐equivalent phantom containing Lipiodol. The dose difference in Lipiodol's proximity and the inhomogeneity correction accuracies of the AAA, AXB algorithm, and MC calculation were evaluated by calculating the PDDs and OARs for the virtual phantom with Lipiodol and the lateral profile for the clinical plan data.

Results

The measured data and the MC results agreed within 3%. The average dose in the Lipiodol uptake region was higher by 8.1% for the virtual phantom and 6.0% for the clinical case compared to that in regions without Lipiodol uptake. For the virtual phantom, compared with the MC calculation, the AAA and the AXB algorithm underestimated the doses immediately upstream of the Lipiodol region by 5.0% and 4.2%, in the Lipiodol region by 7.4% and 9.8%, and downstream of the Lipiodol region by 5.5% and 3.9% respectively. These discrepancy between the AXB and MC calculations were due to the incorrect assignment of Lipiodol material properties. Namely, the bone material was assigned automatically by the AXB algorithm as the materials for the AXB algorithm do not contain iodine, which is the main constituent of Lipiodol.

Conclusions

The MC calculation indicated a larger and more accurate dose increase in Lipiodol compared with the TPS algorithms. The observed dose enhancement in the tumor area could be clinically significant.
A Safety Strategy for Producing Poly(Acrylic Acid) of Low Molar Mass
Authors: Montenegro Gerardo Cáceres , Gutierrez Carolina G. , Vaillard Santiago E. , Minari Roque J. , Vega Jorge R. , Gugliotta Luis M.
Published: January 2017

The synthesis of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) of low molar mass under safe conditions is difficult due to the high polymerization rate of acrylic acid (AA) and the fast heat generation. The aqueous‐solution “semibatch” polymerization of non‐ionized AA in almost starved conditions involves high initiator loads when low molar masses are required. This article proposes the simultaneous feeding of AA and nonconventional chain transfer agents (CTA) as a strategy aimed at controlling both the molar masses and the generated heat rate. Three CTAs are investigated: 2‐mercaptoethanol, thioglycolic acid, and isopropyl alcohol. Even when PAA of relatively low molar mass can be produced by adequately selecting the flow rates and concentrations of both AA and CTA, it is found that the nature of CTA can have a significant effect on the polymerizations kinetics. The mechanisms responsible for these effects are discussed with the help of a representative mathematical model.

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PVP‐stabilized arsenic sulfide As4S4 nanocomposites probed with positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy
Authors: Shpotyuk O. , Ingram A. , Shpotyuk Y. , Bujňáková Z. , Baláž P.
Published: January 2017

Atomic‐deficient nanostructurization in composites based on arsenic sulfide As4S4 polymorphs, such as (1) β‐As4S4, (2) realgar α‐As4S4, and (3) mixture of realgar, pararealgar, and intermediate χ‐phase subjected to high‐energy mechanochemical milling in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) solution, are studied exploring the method of positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. Positron lifetime spectra reconstructed from unconstrained x3‐term fitting procedure testify in a favor of mixed positron‐positronium trapping in the studied composites. Modified x3‐x2‐coupling decomposition algorithm is applied to parameterize expected annihilation channels in As4S4‐PVP nanocomposites in respect to PVP matrix. Interfacial free‐volume voids between nanoparticles composed of arsenic sulfide crystallites embedded in PVP environment are defined as most favorable positron trapping sites, loosely packed in respect to variety of crystallographic polymorphs used for milling. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:502–505, 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Performance in functional balance tests during menopausal hormone replacement: a double‐blind placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Lindmark Birgitta , Lagerström Christel , Naessén Tord , Larsen Hans-Christian , Persson Ingemar
Published: January 2017

Background and Purpose. Recent studies have indicated that oestrogens might have an effect on postural control. The purpose of this study was to investigate the short‐term effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on postural control in menopausal women and to analyse the correlation between sway velocity measures and results of functional balance tests. Subjects: 100 menopausal women who were randomized to receive either HRT or placebo for three months were included in the study. Method. The balance function was measured with nine different static and dynamic functional balance tests. The sway velocities were measured on a computerized force platform. Results. No significant differences were found between the two groups in the results of the functional balance tests after the three‐month placebo‐controlled period or in the changes over time. However, some significant improvements occurred within both groups over this three‐month period. The correlations between different sway velocities and the results of the functional balance tests were all very low (r<0.35). Conclusion. It can not be concluded that HRT had a positive effect on the performance in the functional balance tests, as some improvement occurred in both groups. The low correlations indicate that the sway velocity and functional balance tests measure different aspects of balance function.
The effects of knee extensor and flexor muscle training on the timed‐up‐and‐go test in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: McMeeken Joan , Stillman Barry , Story Ian , Kent Peter , Smith Jenni
Published: January 2017

Background and Purpose. Rheumatoid arthritis frequently results in functional impairment. This study investigated the effect of a specific exercise regimen on function. Method. A randomized controlled assessor‐blinded (N = 36) compared the effect of knee extensor and f lexor muscle training on pain, the timed up and go (TUG) test and the Health Assessment Questionnaire in subjects with non‐acute rheumatoid arthritis. Results. Knee extensor and flexor muscle training increased isokinetic torques at speeds of 60°/sec−1 and 120°/sec−1 as measured by an isokinetic dynamometer (p = 0.02–0.003). The experimental group experienced a reduction in pain (p = 0.03), an improvement in TUG time (p = 0.01) and in function as measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (p = 0.04). Conclusions. Specific knee muscle training can be administered safely in people with non‐acute rheumatoid arthritis, and may produce functional benefits.