bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in Blood Proaccelerin (Factor V) in Rats with Intestinal Strangulation Obstruction
Authors: Hauge A , Amundsen E , Waaler B. A
Published: June 2018

1. In a group of rats with experimentally arranged strangulation obstruction of the small intestine there ocurred a marked temporary rise in blood fibrinogen during the first 2–4 days after the operation. A marked increase in circulating thrombocytes was also seen in these animals. In a control group of sham-operated animals the blood fibrinogen level and the number of circulating thrombocytes increased much less.

2. The proaccelerin-accelerin value in the blood of the animals with strangulation obstruction increased markedly during the first 2–4 days after the operation. The increase was greater than that observed in the group of sham-operated animals.

3. In the animals with strangulation obstruction, but not in the sham-operated animals, there occurred a fall in the accelerin capacity of the blood. This fall coincided with the rise in the proaccelerin-accelerin value of the blood, as measured directly.

4. It is concluded that some transformation of proaccelerin to accelerin or an accelerin-like intermediate is occurring in vivo in the rats with strangulation obstruction. The peritoneal fluid produced by the strangulated segment of intestine can cause transformation of proaccelerin to accelerin in vitro. This fluid, which is reabsorbed from the peritoneum, may be responsible for the observed transformation in vivo as well.

5. The accelerin produced by strangulation fluid may not be identical with the accelerin produced by thrombin.
Probleme der Antikoagulantienbehandlung im Rahmen des Thrombosedienstes
Authors: Fischer M
Published: June 2018

Anhand des Tätigkeitsberichtes über das zweite Behandlungsjahr des Wiener Thrombosedienstes an der 1. Medizinischen Universitätsklinik wurden einige beachtenswerte Probleme der AK-Langzeitbehandlung besprochen. Besonders berücksichtigt wurden die thromboembolischen Zwischenfälle und Blutungen während der Therapie und deren Ursachen, die Erfolgsbeurteilung und letztlich die Frage nach der Konstanz der therapeutisch effektiven AK-Dosis bei den Patienten. Dabei konnte das Phänomen einer wirklichen Resistenzveränderung gegenüber AK während einer länger bestehenden Therapie festgestellt werden. Die sich daraus ergebenden Schwierigkeiten wurden aufgezeigt.
Observation of Factor XII and Factor XII Deficient Plasma at an Interface
Authors: Adams Ann Lukosevicius , Vroman Leo
Published: June 2018

Ellipsometry recordings and measurements, using wettable anodized tantalum slides (TaW), showed that an adsorbed film of factor XII deficient plasma could be partially removed by adding factor XII to the liquid medium.

When factor XII was first adsorbed onto the slide, addition of factor XII deficient plasma caused adsorption followed by partial desorption.

Adsorption from a mixture of factor XII and factor XII deficient plasma was followed by spontaneous partial desorption, thus showing a pattern similar to that of intact normal plasma.

The ability of a TaW surface to activate intact normal plasma was also demonstrated. The possibility is discussed that the sequence of factors XI and XII adsorption, interaction and desorption, as well as the possible resorption of their activation product, are a function of nature and amount of surface and duration of exposure.
Factors Effecting the Electrophoretic Mobility of Prothrombin
Authors: Peacock Andrew C. , Reed Roswell A.
Published: June 2018

Semipurified preparations of prothrombin were found to migrate slightly faster than albumin when studied by continuous flow electrophoresis. In contrast, similar studies with plasma, and serum enriched with prothrombin showed substantially slower migration rates for prothrombin. Albumin was shown to be one of the plasma constituents responsible for this change in prothrombin mobility. The broad range of prothrombin mobilities found in plasma is ascribed to multiple interactions between prothrombin and the plasma proteins, and not to the existence of isozymes of prothrombin.
The Effect of Copper Ions on Clot Lysis Time in the Fibrinolytic Assay of Streptokinase
Authors: Bogert Alwin B.
Published: June 2018

Experiments were conducted to determine why different lots of Borate Buffer reagent affect the clot lysis times obtained in the fibrinolytic assay of Streptokinase. Minerals naturally occurring in distilled water were screened individually to determine their influence on lysis. Copper was found to have a very pronounced effect in this regard on the fibrinolytic system in that low levels reduce the lysis time and high levels increase it.
Circulating Fibrinogen Degradation Products (FDP) in Dog Blood after Intravenous Thrombin Infusion
Authors: Kowalski E , Budzyński A. Z , Kopeć Maria , Latallo Z. S , Lipiński B , Węgrzynowicz Z
Published: June 2018

1. The effect of thrombin infusion into dogs was studied with the use of 131I-labelled fibrinogen and compared with the better known effect of plasmin.

2. Rapid infusion of thrombin brings about almost complete defibrination followed by the appearance of high molecular fragments of the fibrinogen molecule.

3. Some anticoagulant activity of plasma, but not as pronounced as after plasmin infusion, is observed in the case of thrombin infusion.

4. A hypothesis is discussed, according to which the proteolytic degradation of fibrin which is formed as a result of thrombin action, and cleared out of the circulating blood, does occur. The products are then released back into the circulation system.
Optimal Intensity for Oral Anticoagulation in Patients with Prosthetic Heart Valves
Authors: Turpie Alexander
Published: June 2018

Antithrombotic therapy in patients with heart valve replacement has been placed on a firm scientific footing based on a number of prospective clinical trials. Patients with bioprostheses in the mitral position require a minimal of 3 months oral anticoagulants at a target INR of 2.0-3.0. Patients with bioprostheses with additional risk factors should receive oral anticoagulants indefinitely. Patients with mechanical prostheses require life-long anticoagulants at a target INR of 2.5-3.5. The addition of antiplatelet drugs to anticoagulants improves the outcome particularly in patients at risk of vascular disease.
Stroke Prevention in Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: O’Brien Judith , Klittich Wendy , Caro J. Jaime
Published: June 2018

Despite evidence from 6 major clinical trials that warfarin effectively prevents strokes in atrial fibrillation, clinicians and health care managers may remain reluctant to support anticoagulant prophylaxis because of its perceived costs. Yet, doing nothing also has a price. To assess this, we carried out a pharmacoe-conomic analysis of warfarin use in atrial fibrillation. The course of the disease, including the occurrence of cerebral and systemic emboli, intracranial and other major bleeding events, was modeled and a meta-analysis of the clinical trials and other relevant literature was carried out to estimate the required probabilities with and without warfarin use. The cost of managing each event, including acute and subsequent care, home care equipment and MD costs, was derived by estimating the cost per resource unit, the proportion consuming each resource and the volume of use. Unit costs and volumes of use were determined from established US government databases, all charges were adjusted using cost-to-charge ratios, and a 3% discount rate was applied to costs incurred beyond the first year. The proportions of patients consuming each resource were estimated by fitting a joint distribution to the clinical trial data, stroke outcome data from a recent Swedish study and aggregate ICD-9 specific, Massachusetts discharge data. If nothing is done, 3.2% more patients will suffer serious emboli annually and the expected annual cost of managing a patient will increase by DM 2,544 (1996 German Marks), from DM 4,366 to DM 6,910. Extensive multiway sensitivity analyses revealed that the higher price of doing nothing persists except for very extreme combinations of inputs unsupported by literature or clinical standards. The price of doing nothing is thus so high, both in health and economic terms, that cost-consciousness as well as clinical considerations mandate warfarin prophylaxis in atrial fibrillation.
Substitutionstherapie bei hepatogenen Gerinnungsstörungen
Authors: Schramm W. , Spannagl M.
Published: June 2018

Die Substitutionstherapie bei Lebererkrankung ist wegen der Komplexität der Veränderungen eine Domäne der ungezielten Substitution mit gefrorenem Frischplasma. Optimierte Inaktivierungsverfahren sowie eine konsequente Deklaration der wesentlichen Faktoren lassen vermehrt den Einsatz von Hochkonzentraten aus verschiedenen Hämostasefaktoren zu. Auch das Problem des Vorliegens aktivierter Faktoren und damit von thromboembolischen Komplikationen konnte inzwischen nahezu ausgeschlossen werden. Die Verfügbarkeit hochinaktivierter, an Menge und Qualität der Inhaltsstoffe konstanter Faktorenkonzentrate wird eine gezielte Hämotherapie auch bei Lebererkrankungen ermöglichen.
Die Therapie des akuten ischämischen Insultes
Authors: Marx P.
Published: June 2018

Der ischämische Insult ist ähnlich dem Herzinfarkt ein akuter Notfall, der unmittelbarer Diagnostik, Behandlung und Überwachung bedarf. Hierzu sind adäquate personelle, apparative und logistische Voraussetzungen zu schaffen. Überwacht werden sollten neben dem neurologischen Verlauf Blutdruck, EKG, Atmung, Temperatur und möglichst auch O2-Sättigung. Der meist situativ erhöhte Blutdruck bei Aufnahme darf (außer bei Komplikationen wie Angina pectoris) nicht sofort, sondern erst nach 15-20 Minuten und nicht um mehr als 20% gesenkt werden. Interventionsgrenzwerte müssen individuell bestimmt werden. Hypotone Werte sollten durch Volumengabe und in Ausnahmefällen durch Vasopressiva bekämpft werden. Eine Hämodilution (Verminderung der Sauerstofftransportkapazität) ist nicht indiziert, wohl aber eine moderate Volumensubstitution. Der Wert der Fibrinolyse ist z. Zt. nicht gesichert. Antiaggreganzien verbessern wahrscheinlich die Prognose eines Insultes, gleiches gilt für niedrigdosiertes Heparin. Der Einsatz PTT-wirksamer Heparindosen ist nicht gesichert und sollte auf Patienten mit hohem Frührezidiv-oder Verschlechterungsrisiko beschränkt bleiben. Zur Prophylaxe des Hirnödems sind 20-30° Hochlagerung des Oberkörpers, optimale Atmung und Normothermie wesentlich. Hyperosmolare Lösungen sind nur bei eingetretener intrakranieller Druckerhöhung (nicht prophylaktisch) anzuwenden. Bei ausgedehnten, raumfordernden Infarkten ist eine Dekompressionsoperation möglich. Physikalische Therapie in der Frühphase verringert das Risiko von Sekundärschäden und verbessert die Chancen einer funktionellen und emotionellen Restitution.
Heparin-induzierte Thrombozytopenie – Pathogenese und Behandlung
Authors: Greinacher A.
Published: June 2018

Heparin bindet aufgrund seiner negativen Ladung an Thrombozytenproteine. Hierdurch werden Thrombozyten leicht aktiviert. Dies kann bei Krankheiten, bei denen per se die Thrombozyten aktiviert sind, z.B. periphere arterielle Verschlußkrankheiten, zum Abfall der Thrombozyten führen. Diese nicht-immunologischen Wechselwirkungen von Heparin und Thrombozyten sind klinisch von untergeordneter Bedeutung. Viel wichtiger, da in einigen Fällen mit lebensbedrohlichen neuen thromboembolischen Komplikationen verbunden, ist die immunologische Heparin-induzierte Thrombozytopenie (HIT). Betroffene Patienten bilden Antikörper, die an Komplexe aus Thrombozytenproteinen und Heparin binden. Diese Immunkomplexe aktivieren Thrombozyten und Endothelzellen. Dies führt zu einer massiven Verstärkung der Thrombinbildung mit der Konsequenz der Gerinnungsaktivierung. Daher müssen betroffene Patienten weiter antikoaguliert werden. Hierfür stehen vor allem zwei Medikamente zur Verfügung: Rekombinantes Hirudin (Lepirudin, Refludan®) und Danaparoid-Natrium (Orgaran®). Hirudin ist ein direkter Thrombininhibitor, Danaparoid-Natrium zeigt vor allem Anti-Faktor-Xa-Aktivität. Die wichtigsten Therapieoptionen bei ङ IT-Patienten werden in dem Artikel diskutiert.
Hämodialyse bei Heparin-induzierter Thrombozytopenie
Authors: Fischer K.-G.
Published: June 2018

Für die Hämodialyse von Patienten mit Heparin-induzierter Thrombozytopenie ist ein alternatives Antikoagulans erforderlich. Danaparoid-Natrium, rekombinante Hirudin-Derivate oder Argatroban scheinen geeignete Wirkstoffe zu sein, da sie eine Thrombenbildung wirkungsvoll unterdrücken, ohne das Blutungsrisiko wesentlich zu erhöhen. Da diese Ergebnisse auf Erfahrungen mit einer begrenzten Anzahl von Patienten basieren, sind größere prospektive Studien notwendig, um die besten Behandlungsmodalitäten für diese Erkrankungssituation festzulegen. Die Heparin-induzierte Thrombozytopenie sollte gleichwohl heute nicht mehr länger ein lebensbedrohliches Problem für dialysepflichtige Patienten sein.
Präanalytik in der Gerinnungsdiagnostik – Welchen Einfluß haben Lagerungsdauer und Lagerungstemperatur auf Meßgrößen des Gerinnungssystems?
Authors: Grunewald Regina , Amend M. , Heil W. , Heins M.
Published: June 2018

Bis heute fehlen in der Hämostaseologie größere umfassende Studien über die Stabilität von Meßgrößen des Gerinnungssystems im Plasma. Daher haben wir den Einfluß von Lagerungsdauer und -temperatur auf Thromboplastinzeit, aPTT (aktivierte partielle Thromboplastinzeit), Thrombinzeit, Fibrinogen, Faktor V und VIII, Antithrombin, Protein C und Protein S im Plasma von 20 gesunden Probanden und 20 Patienten, die Heparin in therapeutischen Dosen erhielten, untersucht. Die Stabilität im Plasma war definiert als der Zeitraum, in dem im Vergleich zum Ausgangswert eine Änderung von weniger als 10% gemessen wurde. Während der Lagerung bei 6° C lag die Stabilität in der Gruppe der gesunden Probanden für die aPTT bei 8 h, für die Thromboplastinzeit bei 24 h, für Faktor V bei 48 h und 7 Tage für Thrombinzeit, Fibrinogen, Antithrombin, Protein C. Faktor VIII und Protein S zeigten eine 19- bzw. 12prozentige Verminderung der Aktivität nach 8 h.

Bei den Probanden, die nicht mit Heparin behandelt wurden, war die aPTT 8 h lang, die Thromboplastinzeit 48 h und Thrombinzeit, Fibrinogen und Antithrombin 7 Tage lang während der Probenlagerung bei Raumtemperatur stabil. Faktor VIII zeigte eine Abnahme von 18% nach 8 h. Für Patienten, die eine Heparintherapie erhielten, lag die Stabilität unter 6° C bei 8 h für die Thrombinzeit, 24 h für die Thromboplastinzeit und aPTT sowie 7 Tage für Fibrinogen und Antithrombin. Faktor V und VIII zeigten eine Abnahme von 13 bzw. 20% nach 8 h. Sobald das Plasma von diesen Patienten bei Raumtemperatur gelagert wurde, war Faktor V über 8 h stabil, die Thromboplastinzeit über 24 h und sowohl Fibrinogen als auch Antithrombin blieben über 7 Tage unverändert. Die aPTT zeigte einen Anstieg von 13%, die Thrombinzeit einen Abfall um 16% und Faktor VIII einen Abfall um 18% nach 8 h.
Einsatz des PFA 100 bei angeborenen und erworbenen hämorrhagischen Diathesen
Authors: Domsch Ch. , Müller-Beißenhirtz H. , Spannagl M.
Published: June 2018

Eine praktikable Methode zur Messung der Thrombozytenfunktion unter Routinebedingungen wird aus klinischer Sicht benötigt. Die bis jetzt üblichen Blutungszeitmethoden haben sich wegen einer nicht ausreichenden Standardisierbarkeit nicht durchgesetzt. Eine Messung der therapeutischen Wirkung von plättchen-hemmenden Medikamenten kommt als weitere Indikation in Frage. Ein Therapiemonitoring von Risikopatienten ist aus klinischer Sicht vor allem bei zusätzlichen Blutungsrisikofaktoren (ζ. B. Zustand nach zerebraler Blutung) aber weiter bestehender Indikation zur Plättchenhemmung erforderlich. In der Abklärung angeborener Thrombozytenfunktionsstörungen zeigte sich die Platelet-Function-Analyser (PFA)-100-Methode sensitiver als die In-vivo-Blutungszeit oder Throm-bozytenaggregationsuntersuchungen. Untersuchungen zum Therapiemonitoring unter ASS-Einnahme ergaben eine deutliche interindividuelle Variabilität der Wirkung dieser Substanz. Schließlich kann bei Blutungskomplikationen oder unter elektiven Bedingungen die Wirksamkeit blutungstillender Medikamente quantitativ dokumentiert werden. Bewährt hat sich die Untersuchung der Wirkung von Vasopressin-Analoga (z. B. Minirin®). Es konnten sowohl bei angeborenen (Wille-brand-Jürgens-Syndrom) als auch erworbenen (Hepathopathie, Urämie) hämorrhagischen Diathesen ein signifikanter Effekt auf die Verschlußzeit im PFA dokumentiert werden. Diese empfindliche Messung der Thrombozytenfunktion hat eine sorgfältige Präanalytik zur Voraussetzung. Zitratgehalt, Pufferung und Lagerungsbedingungen der Probe vor der Messung müssen präzise eingehalten werden und zwischen den Labors, die die Methode anwenden, vergleichbar sein.
Incorporating Guideline Adherence and Practice Implementation Issues into the Design of Decision Support for Beta-Blocker Titration for Heart Failure
Authors: Smith Michael , Brown Charnetta , Virani Salim , Weir Charlene , Petersen Laura , Kelly Natalie , Akeroyd Julia , Garvin Jennifer
Published: June 2018

Background The recognition of and response to undertreatment of heart failure (HF) patients can be complicated. A clinical reminder can facilitate use of guideline-concordant β-blocker titration for HF patients with depressed ejection fraction. However, the design must consider the cognitive demands on the providers and the context of the work.

Objective This study's purpose is to develop requirements for a clinical decision support tool (a clinical reminder) by analyzing the cognitive demands of the task along with the factors in the Cabana framework of physician adherence to guidelines, the health information technology (HIT) sociotechnical framework, and the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) framework of health services implementation. It utilizes a tool that extracts information from medical records (including ejection fraction in free text reports) to identify qualifying patients at risk of undertreatment.

Methods We conducted interviews with 17 primary care providers, 5 PharmDs, and 5 Registered Nurses across three Veterans Health Administration outpatient clinics. The interviews were based on cognitive task analysis (CTA) methods and enhanced through the inclusion of the Cabana, HIT sociotechnical, and PARIHS frameworks. The analysis of the interview data led to the development of requirements and a prototype design for a clinical reminder. We conducted a small pilot usability assessment of the clinical reminder using realistic clinical scenarios.

Results We identified organizational challenges (such as time pressures and underuse of pharmacists), knowledge issues regarding the guideline, and information needs regarding patient history and treatment status. We based the design of the clinical reminder on how to best address these challenges. The usability assessment indicated the tool could help the decision and titration processes.

Conclusion Through the use of CTA methods enhanced with adherence, sociotechnical, and implementation frameworks, we designed a decision support tool that considers important challenges in the decision and execution of β-blocker titration for qualifying HF patients at risk of undertreatment.
Dielectric properties of amorphous Ta-Ge-O and Ta-Si-O thin films
Authors: Naoi T. A. , van Dover R. B.
Published: June 2018

We have investigated the structural and dielectric properties of two complementary amorphous oxide systems, Ta-Ge-O and Ta-Si-O. We found that these two chemically similar amorphous systems exhibit substantially different composition-property trends. In particular, the dielectric constant of Ta-Ge-O is strongly enhanced in Ta2O5-rich films as previously reported, while only a slight enhancement was observed for any Ta-Si-O compositions and the index of refraction does not show any appreciable enhancement in either system. We determined the effective polarizabilities of the mixed oxides by directly inferring the density of the films, avoiding the assumption that atomic polarizations are additive. The results confirm that Ta2O5-rich compositions in the Ta-Ge-O system exhibit an ionic polarizability that is strongly enhanced over the value expected using the rule of mixtures, which suggests that even small levels of incorporation of GeO2 have a substantial effect on the vibrational structure of the oxide. In this work, we have explored the limitations of the Clausius-Mossotti relation, showing that calculating the dielectric constant using tabulated atomic polarizabilities and experimentally inferred molecular volumes systematically underestimates the dielectric constant for both systems. Only by directly measuring densities and dielectric properties, are we able to expose trends that can be definitively interpreted.
Analyzing the spectral energy cascade in turbulent channel flow
Authors: Andrade João Rodrigo , Martins Ramon Silva , Mompean Gilmar , Thais Laurent , Gatski Thomas B.
Published: June 2018

An analysis of the spectral turbulent kinetic energy budget in a fully developed turbulent plane channel flow is performed. Direct numerical simulation data are evaluated at friction Reynolds numbers Reτ of 180 and 1000. The analysis is focused on the influence of the Reynolds number on the spectral cascade of energy and the corresponding energy cascade in physical space in the presence of inhomogeneity and anisotropy. The turbulent kinetic energy distribution is compared for both Reynolds numbers, and the relevant characteristics of the energy transfer process in a wall-bounded turbulent flow are described. Differences in energy cascade are noted between the Reynolds number at both low and high wavenumbers. The results of the analysis are further assessed with a comparison to an earlier study of spectral energy transfer at Reτ = 180.
Enhancement of reaction rate in small-sized droplets: A combined analytical and simulation study
Authors: Mondal Sayantan , Acharya Subhajit , Biswas Rajib , Bagchi Biman , Zare Richard N.
Published: June 2018

Several recent mass spectrometry experiments reveal a marked enhancement of the reaction rate of organic reactions in microdroplets. This enhancement has been tentatively attributed to the accumulation of excess charge on a surface, which in turn can give rise to a lowering of activation energy of the reaction. Here we model the reactions in droplets as a three-step process: (i) diffusion of a reactant from the core of the droplet to the surface, (ii) search by diffusion of the reactant on the surface to find a reactive partner, and finally (iii) the intrinsic reaction leading to bond breaking and product formation. We obtain analytic expressions for the mean search time (MST) to find a target located on the surface by a reactant in both two- and three-dimensional droplets. Analytical results show quantitative agreement with Brownian dynamics simulations. We find, as also reported earlier, that the MST varies as R2/D, where R is the radius of the droplet and D is the diffusion constant of the molecules in the droplet medium. We also find that a hydronium ion in the vicinity can substantially weaken the bond and hence lowers the activation barrier. We observe a similar facilitation of bond breaking in the presence of a static dipolar electric field along any of the three Cartesian axes. If the intrinsic reaction is faster compared to the mean search time involved, it becomes primarily a diffusion-controlled process; otherwise the reaction cannot be accelerated in the droplet medium. The air-droplet interface provides a different environment compared to the interior of the droplet. Hence, we might also expect a completely different mechanism and products in the case of droplet reactions.
Low magnetic damping and large negative anisotropic magnetoresistance in half-metallic Co2−xMn1+xSi Heusler alloy films grown by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Oogane Mikihiko , McFadden Anthony P. , Fukuda Kenji , Tsunoda Masakiyo , Ando Yasuo , Palmstrøm Chris J.
Published: June 2018

Co2−xMn1+xSi films with various composition x were epitaxially grown using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). High crystallinity and atomic ordering in the prepared Co2−xMn1+xSi films were observed, and their magnetic damping and anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) effect were systematically investigated. An ultra-low magnetic damping constant of 0.0007 was obtained in the Co2−xMn1+xSi film with a valence electron number (NV) of about 29.0. Additionally, a relatively large negative AMR effect was observed in the Co2−xMn1+xSi films that had a NV of about 29.0. This low damping and the large negative AMR effect indicate that epitaxial Co2−xMn1+xSi films with high atomic ordering grown by MBE possess a high-spin polarization.
Spin torque diode effect of the magnetic tunnel junction with MnGa free layer
Authors: Tsunegi Sumito , Mizunuma Kotaro , Suzuki Kazuya , Imamura Hiroshi , Tamaru Shingo , Yoshimura Masahiro , Sato Masashige , Kono Yasushi , Wado Hiroyuki , Fukushima Akio , Kubota Hitoshi , Mizukami Shigemi
Published: June 2018

We fabricated a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) using an MgO barrier and MnGa electrode, which shows large magnetic anisotropy, and we investigated the spin torque diode effect in the MTJ. The magnetoresistance ratio increased up to approximately 40% by inserting thin FeB/Fe layers at the MnGa/MgO interface. The obtained diode effect was as high as 70 GHz, which is thought to occur due to the coupled precession acoustic mode in the MnGa/Fe-B multi-layer. Numerical simulation suggests that a very high frequency diode signal of more than 150 GHz can be expected in the optical mode precession.
Out-of-plane modes in three-dimensional Fabry-Perot microlasers
Authors: Sobeshchuk N. , Guidry M. A. , Lafargue C. , Gashemi R. , Decanini D. , Zyss J. , Lebental M.
Published: June 2018

Microlasers are involved in a broad range of devices for numerous research applications. However, the mode structures of three-dimensional microlasers without rotational symmetry are largely unexplored. Previous studies of such cavities revealed lasing modes exclusively localized on periodic orbits in the plane parallel to the substrate, which is to say that the associated momentum vectors are concentrated in the plane. In this paper, we characterize three-dimensional, polymer-based Fabry-Perot (i.e., ribbon-shaped) microcavities and demonstrate that such cavities exhibit modes with momentum vectors out of the substrate plane. These results constitute a proof-of-principle and motivate follow-up studies with more complex three-dimensional geometries.
Fermi resonance in OH-stretch vibrational spectroscopy of liquid water and the water hexamer
Authors: Kananenka Alexei A. , Skinner J. L.
Published: June 2018

Vibrational spectroscopy of water contains a wealth of information about the structure and dynamics of this fascinating substance. Theoretical modeling of fundamental vibrational transitions in condensed water has proven difficult, and in many circumstances, one cannot reach even qualitative agreement with experiment. Due to the ability of water to form hydrogen bonds of various strengths, the OH stretching band spans several hundreds of wave numbers in the spectra, overlapping with the first overtone of the HOH bending band and triggering a resonance between these two vibrations. This effect, known as Fermi resonance, has been traditionally ignored in theoretical condensed-phase simulations due to the additional computational burden and its deemed low importance. Depending on a particular molecular environment, the Fermi resonance manifests itself from small spectral features in the spectra of liquid water to pronounced distinct peaks in the spectra of ice and water clusters. The goal of this work is to illustrate the effects of including the Fermi resonance coupling between the bending overtone and stretching fundamental vibrations in the mixed quantum-classical formalism developed by Skinner and co-workers on the IR and Raman spectra of liquid water and the water hexamer. We show that by adding the Fermi resonance coupling, we are able to reproduce the location of the peak and a shoulder on the red side of the IR spectrum as well as the bimodal structure of the polarized Raman spectrum of liquid water at 300 K. Very good agreement between theory and experiment is achieved for the IR spectra of the water hexamer as well. We suggest that the Fermi resonance should not be ignored if intricate features of spectra are of interest. In spite of these promising results obtained in the region of a spectrum where Fermi resonance is important, further development of spectroscopic maps is needed to improve agreement with the experiment outside of the frequency range affected by the Fermi resonance.
Electric current as a steel wire manufacturing tool
Authors: Omoigiade O.
Published: June 2018

Dry drawing is an essential procedure in transforming steel rods into wires. However, it results in extensive work hardening and wires requiring patenting to restore the microstructure and hence ductility to prevent premature failure. This increases processing time and high stresses limit service life of drawing dies. However, the application of pulsed electric current has been reported to reduce the stress required to deform a metal in uniaxial tension and enhance deformation making the material easier to work. This could slow the work hardening rate of wires and therefore reduce the necessity for patenting and reduce wear on dies. To date, confined usage of the technique suggests it is either not well understood or lacks its acclaimed benefits.

This review was submitted as part of the 2018 Materials Literature Review Prize of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining run by the Editorial Board of MST. Sponsorship of the prize by TWI Ltd is gratefully acknowledged.
Motivational Interviewing Training of Substance Use Treatment Professionals: A Systematic Review
Authors: Madson Michael B. , Villarosa-Hurlocker Margo C. , Schumacher Julie A. , Williams Daniel C. , Gauthier Jami M.
Published: June 2018

Background: Through evaluations of training programs, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, advances in identifying best practices for disseminating motivational interviewing (MI) have emerged. To advance this work further, inclusion of thorough descriptions of the following is needed in research publications: study (design, trainee characteristics, setting characteristics), training and coaching methods (if applicable), trainer qualifications, and evaluation of MI skills. Methods: The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the research on MI training of substance use treatment professionals for the inclusion of such descriptions. Twenty-five studies were reviewed using a scoring rubric developed by the authors. Results: Just over two thirds of the studies (68%) were randomized controlled trials of MI training. The majority of studies provided information about (a) trainee characteristics (professional background = 76%, education = 60%, experience = 56%); (b) setting characteristics (80%); (c) training methods (format = 96%, length = 92%); (d) coaching (76%); and (e) evaluation of MI skills (92%). Conclusion: Findings suggest advancements in MI training studies since previous reviews, especially in regards to the inclusion of feedback and coaching. However, this review also found that inconsistencies in methods and reporting of training characteristics, as well as limited follow-up assessment of trainees’ skill, continue to limit knowledge of effective training methods.
MetaboAnalystR: an R package for flexible and reproducible analysis of metabolomics data
Authors: Chong Jasmine , Xia Jianguo
Published: June 2018

The MetaboAnalyst web application has been widely used for metabolomics data analysis and interpretation. Despite its user-friendliness, the web interface has presented its inherent limitations (especially for advanced users) with regard to flexibility in creating customized workflow, support for reproducible analysis, and capacity in dealing with large data. To address these limitations, we have developed a companion R package (MetaboAnalystR) based on the R code base of the web server. The package has been thoroughly tested to ensure that the same R commands will produce identical results from both interfaces. MetaboAnalystR complements the MetaboAnalyst web server to facilitate transparent, flexible and reproducible analysis of metabolomics data.

Availability and implementation

MetaboAnalystR is freely available from https://github.com/xia-lab/MetaboAnalystR.
Sports interest mediating exercise and compulsive internet use among undergraduates
Authors: Ting J , Chien K P , Dhir A , Chen S
Published: June 2018

With the massive growth in Internet technologies, people have become wary of excessive Internet usage, known as compulsive Internet usage or Internet addiction. This study looks into how exercise is related to compulsive Internet usage. Previous research showed varying results regarding the relationship between sports habit and Internet usage; this project clarifies the relationship by investigating mediating variables in terms of interest in different aspects of sports, such as physical education, mastering sport skills, sports participation, and watching sports. Two survey studies were conducted. The participants were 232 male and 107 female Taiwanese undergraduate students in the first survey, totaling 339 students. The second survey had 233 males, 98 female students, and 2 who did not disclose their gender, with a final total of 333. The results reveal that interest in physical education (IPE) mediates sports habit and compulsive Internet usage. As long as the student had a habit of doing sports that increased IPE, this would in turn decrease compulsive Internet use. The importance of igniting students’ IPE is discussed.
Determinants of health behavior inequalities: a cross-sectional study from Israel
Authors: Bayram Tevfik , Donchin Milka
Published: June 2018

Health behaviors are shaped by the opportunities people have; and the choices they make according to these opportunities. Inequality in economic, cultural and social resources causes disparities in health and health behaviors. Jerusalem has a multiethnic structure, mainly made up of Jews and Arabs. Arabs and Ultra-Orthodox Jews are disadvantaged in terms of socio-economic and health indicators. The purpose of this study is to determine the factors associated with three health behaviors: physical activity (PA), fruit and vegetable consumption, and smoking. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1682 adults from a stratified sample by age, sex and neighborhood from 2011 to 2015, in accordance with the Healthy Cities project. Univariate analyses were conducted by Chi-square test of independence; and multivariate analyses by logistic regression models. Of the total population, 12% do adequate amounts of PA; 17.6% consume adequate amounts of fruits/vegetables; and 19.4% are current smokers. Multivariate analyses indicates for both genders: ethnicity/religion and education level is associated with doing PA; ethnicity/religion, education and income level is associated with fruit/vegetable consumption; and ethnicity/religion, and age is associated with smoking. However, gender significantly modifies the effect of ethnicity/religion for all the three health behaviors. Gender disparities regarding health behaviors are higher among Arabs and Ultra-Orthodox Jews. In similar economic, cultural and social circumstances, men and women have similar health behaviors; and unequal opportunity to education and income creates a vicious gender inequality cycle. Therefore, to reduce health behavior inequalities, besides economic and cultural inequalities, social and gender inequalities should also be reduced.
Apparent stability of a low-density Diadema antillarum regime for Puerto Rican coral reefs
Authors: Rodríguez-Barreras Ruber , Montañez-Acuña Alfredo , Otaño-Cruz Abimarie , Ling Scott D
Published: June 2018

Caribbean reefs have suffered decline in coral cover in recent decades due to recurrent anthropogenic and natural stressors. The regional collapse of the sea urchin Diadema antillarum, combined with overfishing, has contributed to a phase-shift of coral reef communities towards fleshy macroalgal dominance. Here, we examine the population dynamics of D. antillarum at five sites in Puerto Rico from 2011 to 2016 and determine trends between the sea urchin and local benthic habitats. The sea urchin population exhibited low but stable densities (with slight, but non-significant trend of increase), yet showed variability between sites. Large urchins (>60 mm test diam.) were the most abundant across sites and through time, followed by medium urchins (41–60 mm test diam.), whereas small individuals (<40 mm) were rare, indicating recruitment-limitation. Spatial and temporal differences in benthic habitats were not related to local D. antillarum abundances. Macroalgae cover declined at all sites over the 6 years, ranging 5–86%, whereas live coral cover also decreased across all sites (ranging 4–38%). Diadema antillarum populations in Puerto Rico appear stable with limited evidence for recovery trends back to pre-mass mortality densities. Full population recovery may take longer than expected; however, evidence indicates that the contemporary low-density D. antillarum population represents a novel stable regime.
Random permutations fix a worst case for cyclic coordinate descent
Authors: Lee Ching-pei , Wright Stephen J
Published: June 2018

Variants of the coordinate descent approach for minimizing a nonlinear function are distinguished in part by the order in which coordinates are considered for relaxation. Three common orderings are cyclic (CCD), in which we cycle through the components of $x$ in order; randomized (RCD), in which the component to update is selected randomly and independently at each iteration; and random-permutations cyclic (RPCD), which differs from CCD only in that a random permutation is applied to the variables at the start of each cycle. Known convergence guarantees are weaker for CCD and RPCD than for RCD, though in most practical cases, computational performance is similar among all these variants. There is a certain type of quadratic function for which CCD is significantly slower than for RCD; a recent paper by Sun & Ye (2016, Worst-case complexity of cyclic coordinate descent: $O(n^2)$ gap with randomized version. Technical Report. Stanford, CA: Department of Management Science and Engineering, Stanford University. arXiv:1604.07130) has explored the poor behavior of CCD on functions of this type. The RPCD approach performs well on these functions, even better than RCD in a certain regime. This paper explains the good behavior of RPCD with a tight analysis.
Potential Mechanisms of Age Acceleration Caused by Estrogen Deprivation: Do Endocrine Therapies Carry the Same Risks?
Authors: Sehl Mary E , Ganz Patricia A
Published: June 2018

Longer duration of endocrine therapy decreases breast cancer recurrence and mortality, but these benefits need to be weighed against potential risks to overall health. Notable side effects of endocrine therapy include cataracts, uterine cancer, thromboembolic events, osteoporosis and fracture risk, chronic musculoskeletal complaints, as well as vaginal dryness and discharge, and vasomotor symptoms. Estrogen deprivation in healthy women younger than 50 years undergoing bilateral oophorectomy has been shown to accelerate the development of diseases related to aging, including coronary artery disease, cardiac arrhythmias, stroke, dementia, and osteoporosis, raising concern that even less dramatic modulation of estrogen homeostasis may adversely affect health outcomes. Diminished available estrogen at the cellular and molecular level may facilitate mechanisms that underlie the aging process, often termed the hallmarks of aging. In this review, we describe estrogen’s role in normal physiology across tissues, review the effects of estrogen deprivation on health outcomes in the setting of both surgical and natural menopause, and examine the hallmarks of aging with attention to the effects of estrogen and estrogen blockade on each molecular mechanism underlying the aging process.
Cerebral Aneurysms in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: A Comparison of Management Approaches
Authors: Wilkinson D Andrew , Heung Michael , Deol Amrit , Chaudhary Neeraj , Gemmete Joseph J , Thompson B Gregory , Pandey Aditya S
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a risk factor for formation of intracranial aneurysms (IAs), though the ideal screening and treatment strategies in this population are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To report outcomes of observation, open surgical, or endovascular management of ruptured and unruptured aneurysms in patients with ADPKD.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients with ADPKD and IAs at a single center from 2000 to 2016.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients with ADPKD harboring 71 aneurysms were identified, including 11 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Of 22 aneurysms managed with observation, none ruptured in 136 yr of clinical follow-up. Thirty-five aneurysms were treated with open surgery and 14 with an endovascular approach. Among treated aneurysms, poor neurologic outcome (modified Rankin scale >2) was seen only in patients presenting with SAH (17% SAH vs 0% elective, P = .06). Acute kidney injury (AKI) was also significantly associated with SAH presentation (22% SAH vs 0% elective, P = .05). Neither procedural complications nor AKI were associated with treatment modality. Among 175 yr of radiographic follow-up in patients with known IAs, 8 de novo aneurysms were found, including 3 that were treated. Of 11 patients with SAH, 7 ruptured in the setting of previously known ADPKD, including 2 with prior angiographic screening and 5 without screening.

CONCLUSION

Poor outcomes occurred only with ruptured presentation but were equivalent between treatment modalities. Screening is performed only selectively, and 64% (7 of 11) of patients presenting with SAH had previously known ADPKD.
Environmental Education and Children
Authors: Walker Catherine
Published: June 2018

Environmental education (EE) is an interdisciplinary field of educational and social science research and pedagogic practice. Scholars working in the field trace the formal emergence of EE to the late 1960s, when evidence of strains in the relationship between humans and the nonhuman environment made human-environment relations an object of scientific concern and debate in many (largely Global North) contexts. Various national EE bodies, as well as the first (US-based) journal dedicated to EE, were established around this time. EE was formalized on a global scale and assigned a set of global objectives through a series of conferences convened by the United Nations (UN) under the governance of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). These conferences have secured EE as a policy tool within the architecture of global environmental governance, most notably through the UNESCO-led “Education for Sustainable Development” (ESD) framework, which, in its current phase, is closely aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Nonetheless, pedagogic practices of teaching in and about “the environment” predate top-down formalization in national and global contexts and are much more diverse than published EE research and policy initiatives might suggest. The disproportionate volume of anglophone research published in, if not on, Global North contexts means that debates and developments in EE research reprise particular historical and cultural viewpoints and may not be reflective of the environmental and educational concerns of lesser published contexts. Reviews—often critical—of top-down EE initiatives may also give the impression that such global initiatives are more of a defining force in education than may be the case in many local contexts, where many educators struggle to incorporate EE into the demands of national curricula or university courses. Despite these caveats, the growth of EE as a field of research and practice reflects increasing recognition of the fundamental challenges posed to and by human-environment relations and the urgency of using education—in all its many forms and guises—to find ways to resolve these challenges and promote socio-ecological justice. Owing in no small part to the increasing calls led by young people across the world for action on climate change, climate change and climate justice are central points of focus in EE policy initiatives, yet these points of focus do not always translate to classrooms and pedagogic practices within the broad remit of what is known and taught as EE.
Origin of Eukaryotes
Authors: Dey Gautam , Baum Buzz , Baum David A.
Published: June 2018

Much of the visible living world around us is characterized by cells that contain a nucleus enclosing the genetic material, a highly specialized network of dynamic interconnected membrane compartments, energy-producing mitochondria, and a cytoskeletal meshwork that can produce a dazzling variety of cellular shapes. These “eukaryotic” cells, which only represent a small fraction of the total cellular diversity on earth, have an internal organization that is strikingly different from that of “prokaryotes,” which lack nuclei or any internal membrane-bound compartments. Given the great structural chasm between these cell types, the question of eukaryotic origins is one of the most enduring mysteries in modern biology. Over the course of the 20th century, advances in cytology, the characterization of DNA as the universal genetic material, and pioneering work on phylogenies of ribosomal RNA all combined to establish a common origin for all life and identified a deep split in the prokaryotic world between the domains of archaea (once called Archaebacteria) and bacteria (once called Eubacteria). At the close of the 20th century, phylogenetic data had been used to support either the three-domain view of life (monophyletic Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya) or a competing two-domain model, which features a paraphyletic archaeal grade from which the eukaryotes emerged. These two competing views are relevant to the origin of the eukaryotes since they each suggest different characteristics of the eukaryotic progenitor. Apart from the convincing demonstration that plastids, of which chloroplasts are the most familiar, and mitochondria are derived from endosymbiotic bacteria, the field of eukaryotic origins remains full of uncertainties and controversy. Cell biological arguments have been used to support a bewildering variety of models for the origins of the nucleus and other aspects of eukaryotic cellular organization. Studies of the breadth of eukaryotic diversity help paint a convincing picture of a last eukaryotic common ancestor possessed of mitochondria, a complete cytoskeleton and trafficking machinery. In parallel, newly sequenced bacterial and archaeal genomes have revealed prokaryotic homologues for many genes originally deemed eukaryotic “inventions,” reducing the perceived gap between prokaryotic and eukaryotic complexity. The last few years in particular have generated a great deal of excitement, as newly discovered archaeal genomes, which includes a complete genome from the recently cultured Asgard archaeon Prometheoarchaeum syntrophicum, have shifted the consensus steadily toward models of eukaryotes emerging from the symbiosis of an Asgard-like archaeal host and a protomitochondrial bacterial cell. Recent advances in super-resolution microscopy, meta-genomics, and gene editing techniques mean that archaea and bacteria can be studied in greater cellular and ecological detail than ever before, raising hopes that insights from comparative cell biology will help us distinguish between competing models of eukaryogenesis in the near future.