bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel hybrid approach based on cuckoo search optimization algorithm for short‐term wind speed forecasting
Authors: Zhang Kequan , Qu Zongxi , Wang Jianzhou , Zhang Wenyu , Yang Feiyue
Published: March 2017

A type of renewable energy, wind power, which has a large generating capacity, has increasingly captured the world's attention. Forecasting wind speed is of great significance in wind‐related engineering studies, the planning and designing of wind packs, wind farm management and the integration of wind power into electricity grids. Because of the chaotic nature and intrinsic complexity of wind speed, reducing forecasting errors related to wind speed has been an important research subject. This article proposes a hybrid forecasting model based on the wavelet neural network (WNN) method and ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) de‐noise technology. Moreover, the cuckoo search optimization (CSO) algorithm is employed to optimize the parameters of the WNN model to avoid the over‐fitting problem and improve fitting accuracy. A case study is performed to forecast 10‐min wind speed data for wind farms in the coastal areas of China, and a comparison of the forecasting results with other models demonstrates that the proposed model can provide desirable forecasting results and improve forecasting accuracy. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 943–952, 2017
Continuing a Culture of Evidence: Student‐Level Assessment
Authors: Markle Ross
Published: March 2017

From 2006 to 2008, Educational Testing Service (ETS) produced a series of reports titled A Culture of Evidence, designed to capture a changing climate in higher education assessment. A decade later, colleges and universities already face a new set of challenges resulting from societal, technological, and various other influences. ETS is now initiating a new series of reports that describe current issues and trends in assessment and how they relate to the needs of higher education institutions. In this report, I discuss an increasing need to understand individual students rather than whole institutions. Previous models of assessment, which focused on comparability and accountability, made inferences at the group level, often comparing one institution to a group of similar institutions. However, emerging trends in the ways students learn, the sources of the learning, and the use of assessment results have made aggregate data alone insufficient. Greater consideration of student‐level data could help to foster emerging educational trends as well as guide learning in existing colleges and universities.
Continuing a Culture of Evidence: Expanding Skills in Higher Education
Authors: Oliveri María Elena , Markle Ross
Published: March 2017

From 2006 to 2008, Educational Testing Service (ETS) produced a series of reports titled A Culture of Evidence, designed to capture a changing climate in higher education assessment. A decade later, colleges and universities face a new set of challenges resulting from societal, technological, and other influences, leading to a need to augment the skills expected of college graduates. This report is one of a new series of reports by ETS describing current issues and trends in higher education with a focus on assessment. In this report, we discuss shifts in cognitive and noncognitive skills expected of college graduates in response to new educational and occupational demands. In particular, we describe these demands, the factors influencing them, and the impact of these factors on the instruction and assessment of skills needed for success in higher education and the workforce.
Hepatitis C virus–induced CCL5 secretion from macrophages activates hepatic stellate cells
Authors: Sasaki Reina , Devhare Pradip B. , Steele Robert , Ray Ranjit , Ray Ratna B.
Published: March 2017

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)–mediated chronic liver disease is a serious health problem around the world and often causes fibrosis/cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The mechanism of liver disease progression during HCV infection is still unclear, although inflammation is believed to be an important player in disease pathogenesis. We previously reported that macrophages including Kupffer cells exposed to HCV induce proinflammatory cytokines. These secreted cytokines may activate hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) toward fibrosis. In this study, we examined crosstalk between macrophages and HSCs following HCV infection. Primary human HSCs and immortalized HSCs (LX2 cells) were incubated with conditioned medium derived from HCV‐exposed human macrophages. Expression of inflammasome and fibrosis‐related genes in these cells was examined, with increased expression of inflammatory (NLR family pyrin domain containing 3, interleukins 1β and 6, and cysteine‐cysteine chemokine ligand 5 [CCL5]) and profibrogenic (transforming growth factor β1, collagen type 4 alpha 1, matrix metalloproteinase 2, and alpha‐smooth muscle actin) markers. Further investigation suggested that CCL5, secreted from HCV‐exposed macrophages, activates inflammasome and fibrosis markers in HSCs and that neutralizing antibody to CCL5 inhibited activation. Conclusion: Together, our results demonstrate that human macrophages exposed to HCV induce CCL5 secretion, which plays a significant role in hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. (Hepatology 2017;66:746–757).
Analysis and determination the efficiency of the European health systems
Authors: del Rocío Moreno‐Enguix María , Gómez‐Gallego Juan Cándido , Gómez Gallego María
Published: March 2017

The current economic crisis has increased the interest in analyzing the efficiency of health care systems, as their funding is a very important part of the budgets for different countries. In this work determines the efficiency in the health services in European countries applying data envelopment analysis. In addition, the combined application of data envelopment analysis methods and ACP can provide an evaluation of the efficiency with respect to differently oriented productive health systems in the different countries. The results show that models with a lower level of efficiency are those whose input is beds, followed by the models whose input is physicians. Finally, we apply the AD to select a few simple indicators that facilitate control of the level of operational efficiency of a health system.
A retrospective study of the effect of increasing age on success rates of assisted reproductive technology
Authors: O'Brien Yvonne M. , Ryan Michael , Martyn Fiona , Wingfield Mary B.
Published: March 2017

Objective

To demonstrate the effect of increasing age on the outcome of assisted reproductive technology, particularly among women aged 40 years or older.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted using prospectively collected data for all in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles among women aged 30–35 years or 40–44 years conducted at Merrion Fertility Clinic, Dublin, Ireland, between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2014. The relationship between age and treatment outcome was assessed.

Results

Among women aged 30–35 years, 726 cycles led to 281 (38.7%) clinical pregnancies and 242 (33.3%) live births. By contrast, among women aged 40–44 years, 433 cycles led to 102 (23.6%) clinical pregnancies and 64 (14.8%) live births (both P<0.001). The live birth rate was particularly low after cycles among the women aged 42 years (5/89 [5.6%]) or 43 years (2/30 [6.7%]).

Conclusion

The success rates of assisted reproductive technology are decreased among women aged older than 40 years. Fertility clinics have a responsibility to fully inform this group about the limitations of assisted reproductive technology.
Computational study of the reactivity of cytosine derivatives
Authors: Jerbi Jihène , Springborg Michael
Published: March 2017

The aim of the present study is to provide computational insight using dispersion‐corrected density‐functional calculations into the reactivity properties of modified cytosine in the gas phase and in aqueous solution, whereby special emphasis is put on systems that are obtained through demethylation and methylation. Since this field is relatively incipient, our goal is to identify relationships between reactivity and stability for the modified compounds to understand their biological functionalities. Our results show that addition of a methyl, hydroxylmethyl, formyl, or carboxyl group reduces the length of the nearest hydrogen bond between the cytosine–guanine (CG) base pair and increases the length of the longest hydrogen bond of the DNA base pair. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Numerical interpretation of molecular surface field in dielectric modeling of solvation
Authors: Wang Changhao , Xiao Li , Luo Ray
Published: March 2017

Continuum solvent models, particularly those based on the Poisson‐Boltzmann equation (PBE), are widely used in the studies of biomolecular structures and functions. Existing PBE developments have been mainly focused on how to obtain more accurate and/or more efficient numerical potentials and energies. However to adopt the PBE models for molecular dynamics simulations, a difficulty is how to interpret dielectric boundary forces accurately and efficiently for robust dynamics simulations. This study documents the implementation and analysis of a range of standard fitting schemes, including both one‐sided and two‐sided methods with both first‐order and second‐order Taylor expansions, to calculate molecular surface electric fields to facilitate the numerical calculation of dielectric boundary forces. These efforts prompted us to develop an efficient approximated one‐dimensional method, which is to fit the surface field one dimension at a time, for biomolecular applications without much compromise in accuracy. We also developed a surface‐to‐atom force partition scheme given a level set representation of analytical molecular surfaces to facilitate their applications to molecular simulations. Testing of these fitting methods in the dielectric boundary force calculations shows that the second‐order methods, including the one‐dimensional method, consistently perform among the best in the molecular test cases. Finally, the timing analysis shows the approximated one‐dimensional method is far more efficient than standard second‐order methods in the PBE force calculations. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Re‐activation of aged‐ZVI by iron‐reducing bacterium Shewanella putrefaciens for enhanced reductive dechlorination of trichloroethylene
Authors: Yang Zhilong , Wang Xiao‐li , Li Hui , Yang Jie , Zhou Li‐Yang , Liu Yong‐di
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

Zero valent iron (ZVI) has been extensively applied in the remediation of groundwater and wastewater contamination. This study aimed to investigate the depassivation effect of iron‐reducing bacterium Shewanella putrefaciens on aged ZVI towards the dechlorination of trichloroethylene in aqueous solutions.

RESULTS

Both mmZVI and nZVI showed high reactivity towards TCE until they were passivated. Lepidocrocite was identified as the main corrosion product of nZVI, while green rust was identified as the main corrosion product of mmZVI. More importantly, the combination of iron‐reducing bacteria with aged mmZVI generated greater enhancement of TCE removal than the combination with nZVI. Better bacterium–mineral association conditions determined by SEM and the release of ZVI in the core of aged mmZVI counted for the depassivation effect of iron‐reducing bacterium on aged mmZVI. Moreover, dialysis bag experiments indicated that Shewanella putrefaciens could employ both indirect and direct mechanisms of electron transfer to iron oxide, and the addition of metal chelating agent promoted the iron reducing process greatly. Synergistic mechanisms between dissimilatory iron reducing bacteria (DIRB) and aged ZVI was proposed.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that the contaminants reduction ability of aged ZVI could be recovered to some extent by DIRB and DIRB influenced the long‐term performance of ZVI. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Brain Gene Expression is Influenced by Incubation Temperature During Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius) Development
Authors: Pallotta Maria Michela , Turano Mimmo , Ronca Raffaele , Mezzasalma Marcello , Petraccioli Agnese , Odierna Gaetano , Capriglione Teresa
Published: March 2017

Sexual differentiation (SD) during development results in anatomical, metabolic, and physiological differences that involve not only the gonads, but also a variety of other biological structures, such as the brain, determining differences in morphology, behavior, and response in the breeding season. In many reptiles, whose sex is determined by egg incubation temperature, such as the leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius, embryos incubated at different temperatures clearly differ in the volume of brain nuclei that modulate behavior. Based on the premise that “the developmental decision of gender does not flow through a single gene”, we performed an analysis on E. macularius using three approaches to gain insights into the genes that may be involved in brain SD during the thermosensitive period. Using quantitative RT‐PCR, we studied the expression of genes known to be involved in gonadal SD such as WNT4, SOX9, DMRT1, Erα, Erβ, GnRH, P450 aromatase, PRL, and PRL‐R. Then, further genes putatively involved in sex dimorphic brain differentiation were sought by differential display (DDRT‐PCR) and PCR array.

Our findings indicate that embryo exposure to different sex determining temperatures induces differential expression of several genes that are involved not only in gonadal differentiation (PRL‐R, Wnt4, Erα, Erβ, p450 aromatase, and DMRT1), but also in neural differentiation (TN‐R, Adora2A, and ASCL1) and metabolic pathways (GP1, RPS15, and NADH12). These data suggest that the brains of SDT reptiles might be dimorphic at birth, thus behavioral experiences in postnatal development would act on a structure already committed to male or female.
Global trends in esophageal cancer
Authors: Malhotra Gautam K. , Yanala Ujwal , Ravipati Advaitaa , Follet Matthew , Vijayakumar M. , Are Chandrakanth
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Esophageal Cancer (EC) is a lethal malignancy with poor prognosis and significant variations in the incidence, mortality, and histopathology based on geographic regions. The aim of this study was to quantitatively analyze these variations to identify patterns and areas for further research.

METHODS

We utilized the GLOBOCAN 2012, and Cancer Incidence in five Continents, Volume X (CI5X) database to analyze variations in EC incidence and mortality.

RESULTS

We found the EC incidence and mortality is geographically varied with a particularly high burden in East Asia and Eastern/Southern Africa where esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) predominates over adenocarcinoma (AC). Interestingly, there is a dichotomy between the high incidence of esophageal SCC in East Africa and low incidence in West Africa. The global incidence and mortality from EC is expected to rise in the coming decades. Asia, and China in particular, will continue to be the areas most burdened by EC, while Africa is expected to surpass the incidence and mortality rates of Europe.

CONCLUSIONS

The global burden of EC is expected to rise in the coming years. Understanding the geographic, environmental, and genetic contributors to the development of EC will be essential in combating its prevalence.
Centrifugeless ultrasound‐assisted emulsification microextraction based on salting‐out phenomenon followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography for the simple determination of phthalate esters in aqueous samples
Authors: Mirparizi Ehsan , Rajabi Maryam , Bazregar Mohammad , Asghari Alireza
Published: March 2017

A fast, sensitive, and centrifugeless ultrasound‐assisted emulsification microextraction followed by a high‐performance liquid chromatography method is developed for the determination of some phthalate esters in aqueous samples. In this method, a simple approach is followed to eliminate the centrifugation step in dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction using an organic solvent whose melting point is near the ambient temperature, consumption of the extracting solvent is efficiently reduced, and the overall extraction time was found to be only 7 min. The variables affecting the method are optimized. Under the optimal experimental conditions (75 μL of 1‐undecanol, a flow rate of 2.0 mL/min, and an ultrasound irradiation of 1 min), the proposed method exhibits good preconcentration factors (52–97), low limits of detection (1.0–5.0 ng/mL), and linearities in the range of 5–1500 ng/mL (r2 ≥ 0.995). Finally, the method is successfully applied to the analysis of phthalate esters in the drinking and river water samples. To study the probable release of the phthalate esters from a polyethylene container into boiling water, the boiling water exposed to the polyethylene container was analyzed by the proposed method.
Integrated evaluation of HPLC and UV fingerprints for the quality control of Danshen tablet by systematic quantified fingerprint method combined with antioxidant activity
Authors: Shi Min , Sun Guoxiang
Published: March 2017

Danshen tablet, which consists of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Borneolum syntheticum, has been widely used in the therapy of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to develop comprehensive evaluation methods for the quality control of Danshen tablet. First, five‐wavelength fusion fingerprint was established to avoid one‐sidedness of a single wavelength. Then, the ultraviolet spectrum fingerprint was applied to reflect the information of unsaturated bond and conjugated system of chemical substances in Danshen tablet. The similarity analyses of these two fingerprints were performed by systematic quantified fingerprint method in terms of qualitative and quantitative aspects. After that, the evaluation results of high‐performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet fingerprints were integrated by the mean algorithm, which could reduce the error caused by single method. The integrated evaluation results showed that 30 batches of samples were classified into seven grades. Finally, the fingerprint–efficacy relationship was established using an on‐line antioxidant system and partial least‐squares model to explore the connection between chemical components and antioxidant activities. The methods established in this paper were found suitable for the analysis of Danshen tablet.
An evaluation of northern bobwhite translocation to restore populations
Authors: Downey Michelle C. , Rollins Dale , Hernández Fidel , Wester David B. , Grahmann Eric D.
Published: March 2017

Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations have been declining in Texas during the last 2 decades. This decline also is occurring in areas with apparently ample habitat such as the Rolling Plains of Texas, USA. The goal of our study was to examine the efficacy of translocating wild‐trapped bobwhites into recently depopulated areas in the eastern Rolling Plains as a method of restoring population size. Our objectives were to document survival (spring‐summer and annual), reproductive efforts, and site fidelity of translocated bobwhites and compare relative abundance of bobwhites between release and control sites to evaluate the efficacy of translocation. We translocated 409 wild bobwhites (n = 186 radio‐marked F) to 2 sites in Shackelford and Stephens counties, Texas, during March 2013 and 2014. Spring‐summer (Mar–Sep) survival ranged between 0.32 and 0.38 (n = 186 bobwhites), and annual survival ranged between 0.19 and 0.23 (n = 186 bobwhites) during 2013–2015. Seventy‐four percent of translocated females that entered the nesting season (i.e., May 1; n = 112 bobwhites) produced a nest, resulting in 125 nests with an apparent nest success of 46.1% and a nesting rate of 1.1 ± 0.1 (SE) nests/female. Site fidelity post‐translocation was moderate to high; 67.7% (n = 44 bobwhites) and 85.1% (n = 40 bobwhites) of translocated bobwhites did not disperse >2 km from their release point during the summers of 2013 and 2014, respectively. Despite this strong demographic performance, relative abundance of bobwhites did not differ between the release and control sites after 2 years as indexed by covey‐call counts (2.7 ± 0.6 vs. 3.0 ± 1.2 coveys/point, respectively; P = 0.71) and helicopter surveys (0.9 ± 0.2 vs. 0.7 ± 0.2 bobwhites/km, respectively; P = 0.64). Thus, translocation of bobwhites failed to increase the bobwhite population beyond that of the control during this study. Future translocation research should aim to increase translocation success by investigating methods for increasing survival during the 1‐month period following translocation (e.g., soft‐release, vitamin E and selenium injections) and for improving site fidelity using conspecific attraction. Future research should incorporate genetic measures to assess genetic contribution of translocated individuals to improve evaluation of translocation success. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Extraction efficiency and quantification of dissolved metabolites in targeted marine metabolomics
Authors: Johnson Winifred M. , Kido Soule Melissa C. , Kujawinski Elizabeth B.
Published: March 2017

The field of metabolomics seeks to characterize the suite of small molecules that comprise the end‐products of cellular regulation. Metabolomics has been used in biomedical applications as well as environmental studies that explore ecological and biogeochemical questions. We have developed a targeted metabolomics method using electrospray ionization–liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to analyze metabolites dissolved in seawater. Preparation of samples from the marine environment presents challenges because dilute metabolites must be concentrated and desalted. We present the extraction efficiencies of 89 metabolites in our targeted method using solid phase extraction (SPE). In addition, we calculate the limits of detection and quantification for the metabolites in the method and compare the instrument response factors in five different matrices ranging from deionized water to spent medium from cultured marine microbes. High background organic matter content reduces the instrument response factor for only a small group of metabolites, yet enhances the extraction efficiency for other metabolites on the SPE cartridge used here, a modified styrene‐divinylbenzene polymer called PPL. Aromatic or larger uncharged compounds, in particular, are reproducibly well retained on the PPL polymer. This method is suitable for the detection of dissolved metabolites in marine samples, with limits of detection ranging from < 1 pM to ∼ 2 nM dependent on the dual impacts of seawater matrix on extraction efficiency and on instrument response factors.
Evaluation of a transparent perfluorodecalin‐infused patch as an adjunct to laser‐assisted tattoo removal: A pivotal trial
Authors: Biesman Brian S. , Costner Cara
Published: March 2017

Background and Objective

Laser‐assisted treatment of tattoos is well recognized to produce opaque epidermal whitening that prevents multiple sequential passes during a single treatment session. The amount of epidermal whitening produced in association with the procedure can be minimized by topical application of perfluorodecalin (PFD), which is an optical clearing agent. This pivotal trial assessed the ability of a transparent PFD‐infused patch used in conjunction with a Q‐switched nanosecond laser in the treatment of tattoos to permit multiple laser passes during a single 5 minute treatment session in comparison to the number of passes that could be completed using conventional treatment of the tattoo with the laser alone.

Study Design

Thirty subjects (mean age 37 years; 14 males) with predominantly dark blue or black tattoos were enrolled in a split‐tattoo trial. One half of each tattoo was treated conventionally, whereas the other half was treated through the PFD patch. Treatments were performed using a nanosecond Q‐switched 755‐nm Alexandrite laser. The number of treatments performed in a 5‐minute time period was quantified for each side of the tattoo (primary effectiveness outcome). Patient‐reported pain scores and adverse events (AEs) were also evaluated.

Results

Significantly more laser passes could be made on average using the PFD patch compared with treatment using the laser alone (3.7 passes vs. 1.4 passes; P < 0.001). AEs were limited to those expected during laser removal of tattoos. The proportions of subjects with transient edema and erythema were lower in the PFD patch treatment group (36.7% vs. 63.3% and 33.3% vs. 70.0%, respectively); all AEs were transient and resolved quickly. No patient in either group exhibited dyschromia (hypo‐ or hyperpigmentation) in the treatment area at the 1‐month post treatment visit. Additionally, when surveyed at the 1‐month follow‐up visit, all subjects (30/30) preferred to continue laser‐assisted tattoo removal with the PFD patch.

Conclusion

An average of 3.7 laser passes were made in a defined 5‐minute treatment session when using the transparent PFD‐infused patch, which is significantly more than was possible with the laser alone (average of 1.4 passes). Use of the PFD patch was associated with improved tolerability compared with conventional treatment, with subjects experiencing fewer and less severe AEs related to epidermal injury. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:335–340, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparative genome analysis reveals important genetic differences among serotype O1 and serotype O2 strains of Y. ruckeri and provides insights into host adaptation and virulence
Authors: Cascales Desirée , Guijarro José A. , García‐Torrico Ana I. , Méndez Jessica
Published: March 2017

Despite the existence of a commercial vaccine routinely used to protect salmonids against Yersinia ruckeri, outbreaks still occur, mainly caused by nonmotile and lipase‐negative strains (serotype O1 biotype 2). Moreover, epizootics caused by other uncommon serotypes have also been reported. At the moment, one of the main concerns for the aquaculture industry is the expanding range of hosts of this pathogen and the emergence of new biotypes and serotypes causing mortality in fish farms and against which the vaccine cannot protect. The comparative analysis of the genome sequences of five Y. ruckeri strains (150, CSF007‐82, ATCC29473, Big Creek 74, and SC09) isolated from different hosts and classified into different serotypes revealed important genetic differences between the genomes analyzed. Thus, a clear genetic differentiation was found between serotype O1 and O2 strains. The presence of 99 unique genes in Big Creek 74 and 261 in SC09 could explain the adaptation of these strains to salmon and catfish, respectively. Finally, the absence of 21 genes in ATCC29473 which are present in the other four virulent strains could underpin the attenuation described for this strain. The study reveals important genetic differences among the genomes analyzed. Further investigation of the genes highlighted in this study could provide insights into the understanding of the virulence and niche adaptive mechanisms of Y. ruckeri.
Stereotactic radiosurgery for essential tremor: Retrospective analysis of a 19‐year experience
Authors: Niranjan Ajay , Raju Sudesh S. , Kooshkabadi Ali , Monaco Edward , Flickinger John C. , Lunsford L. Dade
Published: March 2017

Background: Essential Tremor (ET) is a common movement disorder that can be disabling. Initial treatment is in the form of medical therapies. Patients with medically refractory ET seek surgical intervention which include radiofrequency thalamotomy, deep brain stimulation, and radiosurgical thalamotomy. Radiosurgical thalamotomy is a minimally invasive surgical option which is especially valuable for elderly and high surgical risk patients.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyze the outcomes of stereotactic radiosurgery for patients suffering from medically refractory essential tremor.

Methods: During a 19‐year period (1996–2015), 73 patients underwent gamma knife thalamotomy for intractable essential tremor. A median central dose of 140 Gy (range, 130–150) was delivered to the nucleus ventralis intermedius through a single 4‐mm isocenter. We used the Fahn‐Tolosa‐Marin clinical tremor rating scale to score tremor, handwriting, drawing, and ability to drink fluids. The median time to last follow‐up was 28 months (range, 6–152).

Results: After gamma knife thalamotomy, 93.2% improved in tremor. Forty‐four patients (60.3%) experienced tremor arrest or barely perceptible tremor. Eighteen patients (24.7%) noted tremor arrest and complete restoration of motor function. Tremor improvement was sustained at last follow‐up in 96% of patients who experience tremor relief. Mean tremor score improved from 3.19 before to 1.27 after gamma knife thalamotomy (P < 0.0001). Mean handwriting score improved from 2.97 to 1.25 (P < 0.0001). Mean drawing score improved from 3.16 to 1.26 (P < 0.0001). Mean drinking score improved from 3.14 to 1.56 (P < 0.0001). Imaging follow‐up showed three types of lesions: enhancing lesion, streaking along internal capsule on fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery, and significant reactive changes. Three patients (4%) experienced temporary adverse radiation effects.

Conclusion: Radiosurgery is a safe and valuable treatment option for medically refractory essential tremor, especially for the elderly or those with high surgical risk for DBS or radiofrequency thalamotomy. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Bilateral breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps in slim patients
Authors: Mani Maria , Saour Samer , Ramsey Kelvin , Power Kieran , Harris Paul , James Stuart
Published: March 2017

Background

Slim women are not always considered candidates for bilateral autologous breast reconstruction. The study aims to assess the volume considerations and complications of deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap in bilateral breast reconstruction among slim patients.

Methods

All patients undergoing bilateral DIEP breast reconstruction at the Royal Marsden Hospital, London, September 2007‐March 2015, were reviewed. Flap weight was compared to mastectomy weight (weight ratio) and complications were recorded. Subgroup analyses according to Body Mass Index (BMI) were performed.

Results

One‐hundred seventy patients (340 flaps) were included. There were 42 in the slim‐group (BMI <25) (84 flaps), 70 in the traditional (BMI = 25.0‐29.9) (140 flaps), and 58 in the obese (BMI >30) (116 flaps). There were no significant differences in reconstruction weight ratio between the slim and the traditional groups (1.04 ± 0.31 versus 0.95 ± 0.38, p = .267). When comparing the slim to obese group the ratio was lower for the obese group, inferring that a larger reconstruction was performed (p = .016). Complications was less frequent in the slim group compared to the traditional and the obese groups (31% compared to 50% and to 53% (p = .060 and p = .021, respectively). Donor‐site specific complications did not differ between groups (29% 26% and 29%; p = .823 and .830, respectively).

Conclusion

The DIEP flaps may be a safe option for bilateral breast reconstruction among patients with BMI <25 without sacrifice in volume or increase in donor‐site complications; low BMI does not in itself contraindicate bilateral DIEP breast reconstruction.
Cardiometabolic risk factors in type 2 diabetes with high fat and low muscle mass: At baseline and in response to exercise
Authors: Terada Tasuku , Boulé Normand G. , Forhan Mary , Prado Carla M. , Kenny Glen P. , Prud'homme Denis , Ito Eiji , Sigal Ronald J.
Published: March 2017

Objective

To examine the interplay between high fat and low muscle mass on cardiometabolic risk factors at baseline and in response to exercise in type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Using baseline percent body fat and skeletal muscle mass index, 248 participants were divided into high fat versus low fat and low muscle versus high muscle. Linear mixed models were used to examine the main effects of fat mass and muscle mass and their interaction on baseline cardiometabolic risk factors and changes in risk factors in response to 6‐month exercise training.

Results

At baseline, there was a fat mass by muscle mass interaction effect on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c; P = 0.009), suggesting that low muscle was associated with elevated HbA1c in those with high fat but not low fat. Significant interactions between baseline fat mass and muscle mass on the exercise‐induced changes in visceral adipose tissue, insulin resistance, and triglyceride concentration indicated that low muscle attenuated the exercise responses in participants with high fat at baseline (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

High fat and low muscle may be synergistically associated with higher HbA1c in type 2 diabetes. In participants with high fat mass, low muscle mass may attenuate exercise‐induced improvements in some cardiometabolic risk factors.
Biosimilar insulin: the current landscape
Authors: Llano Andrea , Fisher Miles , McKay Gerry
Published: March 2017

The first insulin biosimilar, Abasaglar, is now available in the UK and several more are in development. Biosimilars are manufactured copies of previously approved biopharmaceuticals no longer under patent protection. They are not identical versions of their reference product due to the complexity of their production and resultant protein product.

The present article reviews the current biosimilar landscape including manufacture, regulatory requirements, safety and prescribing issues. Abasaglar is used to illustrate the process of biosimilar development and approval. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons.
Let's Prevent Diabetes: from idea to implementation
Authors: Gray Laura J , Troughton Jacqui , Khunti Kamlesh , Davies Melanie J
Published: March 2017

The prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus is a global health care priority. We describe a programme of work, which developed a method for identifying those with non‐diabetic hyperglycaemia (a high risk group in which type 2 diabetes is preventable) in primary care and developed and tested a prevention programme suitable for delivery within the NHS.

The subsequent implementation of this programme as part of the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, which was launched in 2016, is then described. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons.
A case of hemichorea‐hemiballism presenting in association with diabetic ketoacidosis
Authors: Kurdi Hibba , Ershaid Dana , Evans Peter
Published: March 2017

Movement disorders are a rare but recognised manifestation of non‐ketotic hyperglycaemic episodes on a background of poorly‐controlled diabetes mellitus. The literature is otherwise sparse when it comes to an association between hemichorea‐hemiballism and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

A patient with no past medical history of note was admitted with a sudden‐onset involuntary movement disorder and was found to be in DKA during her inpatient stay. There was a delay in diagnosis and management as all efforts pointed in the direction of diagnosing the cause of the sudden‐onset hemichorea‐hemiballism as a potential cerebrovascular event. The movements subsided with treatment of the ketoacidosis and with the addition of tetrabenazine. Imaging revealed a hyperdensity of the left basal ganglia consistent with a metabolic cause and not an ischaemic event.

Although the pathophysiology of movement disorders in diabetes is still unclear, this case highlights the importance in maintaining a wide list of differentials when faced with an atypical presentation of hemichorea‐hemiballism, especially as DKA is a reversible emergency with high mortality rates if left untreated. Hemichorea‐hemiballism as a consequence of DKA seems to be a multifactorial phenomenon. In this case, it began with non‐ketotic hyperglycaemia and evolved into ketoacidosis. Confounding factors precipitating this included infection, and delayed diagnosis and management. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons.
Stabilizing effect of carbodiimide and dehydrothermal treatment crosslinking on the properties of collagen/hydroxyapatite scaffolds
Authors: Kozlowska Justyna , Sionkowska Alina , Osyczka Anna Maria , Dubiel Marta
Published: March 2017

This paper reports the effect of the combined technique of dehydrothermal treatment (DHT) and a mixture of 1‐ethyl‐3(3‐dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N‐hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) crosslinking on the physicochemical properties of collagen/hydroxyapatite materials. Collagen and collagen/hydroxyapatite porous scaffolds containing different amounts of collagen and hydroxyapatite were prepared with use of the freeze‐drying technique. All samples were capable of absorbing a large quantity of phosphate buffered saline. Samples crosslinked by DHT+EDC/NHS presented higher resistance to collagenase degradation (with slightly reduced degradation in DHT+EDC/NHS crosslinked scaffolds prepared from 2% collagen solution), whereas DHT scaffolds exhibited faster degradation. Mechanical testing results suggested that scaffolds crosslinked by DHT+EDC/NHS treatment have an improved compressive modulus compared with EDC/NHS crosslinking. The qualitative analysis of colour intensity resulting from the CellTiter 96 Aqueous One Solution Cell Proliferation Assay (MTS) led to the conclusion that all samples, regardless of the crosslinking method, were well tolerated by cells. However, DHT and EDC/NHS crosslinked scaffolds seem to support better cell viability, in contrast to DHT+EDC/NHS crosslinked scaffolds that support cell differentiation instead. DHT+EDC/NHS crosslinked scaffolds markedly increase the specific alkaline phosphatase activity of cells, which may be of benefit in bone tissue engineering. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Polymerization of alkenes with a post‐metallocene catalyst containing a titanium complex with an oxyquinolinyl ligand
Authors: Rishina Laura А. , Kissin Yury V. , Lalayan Svetlana S. , Gagieva Svetlana Ch. , Тuskaev Vladislav А. , Krasheninnikov Vadim G.
Published: March 2017

Polymerization reactions of ethylene, propylene, higher 1‐alkenes (1‐hexene, 1‐octene, 1‐decene, vinyl cyclohexane, 3‐methyl‐1‐butene), and copolymerization reactions of ethylene with 1‐octene with a post‐metallocene catalyst containing an oxyquinolinyl complex of Ti and a combination of Al(C2H5)2Cl and Mg(C4H9)2 as a cocatalyst were studied. The catalyst is highly active and, judging by the broad molecular weight distribution of the polymers, contains several active center populations. The active centers differ not only in their kinetic parameters but also in stereospecificity. Most of the active centers produce essentially atactic polypropylene but a small fraction of the centers produces polypropylene of moderate isotacticity degree. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 1844–1854
Polybutylene terephthalate reactive blending with polymethylhydrosiloxane by ruthenium‐catalyzed carbonyl hydrosilylation reaction
Authors: Li Jing Ping , Cassagnau Philippe , Da Cruz‐Boisson Fernande , Mélis Flavien , Alcouffe Pierre , Lucas Christine , Bounor‐Legaré Veronique
Published: March 2017

Carbonyl hydrosilylation reaction was developed to prepare reactive blending between PBT and polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS). It focused on the addition reaction of Si–H groups from PMHS onto carbonyl groups from PBT catalyzed by triruthenium dodecacarbonyl (Ru3(CO)12). An approach on PBT model compounds was carried out and investigated by NMR spectroscopy to evidence the potentiality and efficiency of carbonyl hydrosilylation reaction. At temperatures up to 100 °C, the hydrosilylation reaction can reach 33 mol% conversion in a few hours. Side reactions were also highlighted. Such side reactions can reach more than 23 mol% of the final products when temperature increases to 180 °C. Then hydrosilylation reaction was extended to PBT modification with a molar ratio of ester group/SiH = 3.5 and viscosity ratio polysiloxane/PBT = 4.0 × 10−5. The reaction was carried out in an internal mixer at 220 °C and followed through the evolution of the torque of the reactional medium. Samples for different processing times were investigated by SEM and rheology. From these analyses, the dispersion of PMHS was promoted with diameters of few micrometers. The elastic behavior of final material was characteristic of solid or gel‐like structures, suggesting a network structure formation consistent with the gel fraction increase from 0 to 0.55. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 1855–1868
S‐duality in orientifold SCFTs
Authors: García‐Etxebarria Iñaki , Heidenreich Ben
Published: March 2017

We present a general solution to the problem of determining all S‐dual descriptions for a specific (but very rich) class of SCFTs. These SCFTs are indexed by decorated toric diagrams, and can be engineered in string theory by probing orientifolds of isolated toric singularities with D3 branes. The S‐dual phases are described by quiver gauge theories coupled to specific types of conformal matter which we describe explicitly. We illustrate our construction with many examples, including S‐dualities in previously unknown SCFTs.
algebras and field theory
Authors: Hohm Olaf , Zwiebach Barton
Published: March 2017

We review and develop the general properties of algebras focusing on the gauge structure of the associated field theories. Motivated by the homotopy Lie algebra of closed string field theory and the work of Roytenberg and Weinstein describing the Courant bracket in this language we investigate the structure of general gauge invariant perturbative field theories. We sketch such formulations for non‐abelian gauge theories, Einstein gravity, and for double field theory. We find that there is an algebra for the gauge structure and a larger one for the full interacting field theory. Theories where the gauge structure is a strict Lie algebra often require the full algebra for the interacting theory. The analysis suggests that algebras provide a classification of perturbative gauge invariant classical field theories.
Evaluating Dosage Optimality for Tofacitinib, an Oral Janus Kinase Inhibitor, in Plaque Psoriasis, and the Influence of Body Weight
Authors: Hutmacher MM , Papp K , Krishnaswami S , Ito K , Tan H , Wolk R , Valdez H , Mebus C , Rottinghaus ST , Gupta P
Published: March 2017

Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor. An integrated analysis was conducted to evaluate dosage optimality for tofacitinib in patients with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis and the impact of body weight on optimality in this patient population. Data were pooled from one phase IIb trial (2, 5, and 15 mg twice daily (b.i.d.)) and four phase III trials (5 and 10 mg b.i.d.). A longitudinal exposure–response model for Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) improvement (percent change from baseline) was established. Body weight influenced potency; heavier subjects require higher doses to achieve comparable benefit to lighter subjects. Disease severity, sex, and prior biologic usage were also predictive of response. The 10 and 5 mg doses were predicted to achieve 81% and 65%, respectively, of the maximum effect based on a 75% improvement in PASI. The greater efficacy of 10 mg over 5 mg was clinically meaningful.
Dynamical X‐ray diffraction theory: Characterization of defects and strains in as‐grown and ion‐implanted garnet structures
Authors: Olikhovskii S. I. , Molodkin V. B. , Skakunova O. S. , Len E. G. , Kyslovskyy Ye. M. , Vladimirova T. P. , Reshetnyk O. V. , Kochelab E. V. , Lizunova S. V. , Pylypiv V. M. , Ostafiychuk B. K. , Garpul O. Z.
Published: March 2017

The generalized dynamical theory of X‐ray diffraction by imperfect single crystals is extended to characterize structure imperfections of real single crystals with complex basis and similar crystalline films with inhomogeneous strain fields. The influence of various defects (intrinsic and extrinsic point defects, nanoclusters, and microdefects), simultaneously presented in such structures, on changing both average and fluctuating strain fields as well as structure factors are taken into account. The analytical expressions connecting immediately the coherent and diffuse components of the scattering intensity with statistical characteristics of these defects are obtained. Thus, the self‐consistent description of the coherent and diffuse dynamical diffraction intensity components is provided. Some examples of the application of the developed theoretical model to treat rocking curves measured from various garnet structures by using high‐resolution double‐crystal X‐ray diffractometer are reviewed. Possibilities for the quantitative characterization of structural defects and strain profiles in the as‐grown and ion‐implanted garnet single crystals and yttrium iron garnet films are demonstrated.

The self‐consistent dynamical description of coherent and diffuse scattering intensities from imperfect crystal structures with inhomogeneous strain fields and randomly distributed defects make it possible to determine the parameters of strain profiles and statistical characteristics of defects by analytical treating the coherent and diffuse components of rocking curves measured by the high‐resolution double‐crystal X‐ray diffractometer with widely open detector window.
An operational analysis system for the global diurnal cycle of sea surface temperature: implementation and validation
Authors: While J. , Mao C. , Martin M. J. , Roberts‐Jones J. , Sykes P. A. , Good S. A. , McLaren A. J.
Published: March 2017

An operational system for producing a global diurnally varying analysis of skin sea‐surface temperature (SST) has been developed at the Met Office. Skin SST is formulated as the sum of a foundation temperature, a warm‐layer temperature difference, and a thermal skin temperature difference. Foundation temperature is taken from the Operational Sea surface Temperature and sea Ice Analysis (OSTIA) system, while numerical models are used for the warm layer and thermal skin layer. Both the thermal skin layer and warm‐layer models are forced using outputs from the Met Office's numerical weather prediction system. Data assimilation is used to improve estimates of the warm layer, with observations coming from the geostationary SEVIRI and GOES‐W instruments, as well as the polar orbiting NOAA‐AVHRR sensors. The SST observations of these instruments are converted to observations of the warm‐layer temperature difference by subtracting an instrument‐specific foundation SST calculated using just night‐time data from that sensor. A quality control procedure removes warm‐layer observations where the satellite‐specific foundation estimates are less robust due to lack of data.

Validation of the analysis system has been performed by comparing the model to the assimilated satellite data, and to independent near‐surface observations from Argo floats. The mean state of the system was assessed via a comparison to a climatology generated from drifting buoys. Results from the validation show that the system does a good job of replicating the climatology and that assimilation improves the analysis when assessed against Argo. However, the system has been found to underestimate the diurnal range of skin SST by approximately 0.1–0.3 °C on average. Data from the system are available free of charge from the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service.