bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On numerical investigation of local Nusselt distribution between flat surface and impinging air jet from straight circular nozzle and power law correlations generation
Authors: Siddique Umair M , Bhise Ganesh A , Gulhane Nitin P
Published: June 2017

The computational study of heat transfer characteristics over a flat surface under the impingement of an air jet is the most advanced scheme in the research field of convective heat transfer technology. This research aims to construct the semiempirical relations for predicting the magnitude of local Nusselt number (Nu) against the various impinging and target surface parameters. The impinging parameter includes Reynolds number (Re) and nozzle‐target spacing (Z/d), while the target surface parameter represents the Prandtl number (Pr) and nondimensional geometric thickness (t/d) of the target surface. The graphical representation of Nu versus r/d for different Pr and t/d justifies the saturation in the Nusselt profile beyond a critical value. The critical limit of Pr × t/d, reported in this study, rounds to 0.012. Hence, two sets of empirical relations for Pr × t/d < 0.012 and Pr × t/d > 0.012 must be defined. The semiempirical relations for Pr × t/d > 0.012 is only a function of impinging parameters, since the variation in Pr and t/d does not affect the Nu profile beyond this range. This work takes an initiative in reporting the semiempirical power law relations, which represent the local Nu magnitude within the range of Pr × t/d < 0.012. The reported empirical relations are the functions of Pr, t/d, Z/d, Re, and r/d.
Updating of working memory in ecstasy polydrug users: Findings from fNIRS
Authors: Montgomery Catharine , Fisk John E. , Roberts Carl A.
Published: June 2017

Aims/Objectives

Cognitive deficits are now well documented in ecstasy (MDMA) users with type and relative demand of task emerging as important factors. The updating component of executive processes appears to be particularly affected. The study reported here used functional near infrared spectroscopy imaging to investigate changes in cortical haemodynamics during memory updating.

Method

Twenty ecstasy users and 20 non‐users completed verbal and spatial memory updating tasks and brain blood oxygenation and deoxygenation change was measured using functional near infrared spectroscopy.

Results

There was no interaction between group and difficulty on the updating tasks, though there was a significant main effect of difficulty on both tasks. The effects of group approached significance on the verbal updating task. There were significant differences in blood oxygenation and deoxygenation change at optodes centred over the right and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, with ecstasy users showing greater blood oxygenation than the other groups.

Discussion

The lack of a behavioural difference on both tasks but presence of blood oxygenation and deoxygenation changes in letter updating provides support for the notion that ecstasy‐polydrug users are investing more effort to achieve the same behavioural output. Total lifetime dose was high, and recency of use was significantly related to most changes, suggesting that heavy and recent use may be particularly detrimental.
Impact of synthetic cannabinoids on the duration of opioid‐related withdrawal and craving among patients of addiction clinics in Kazakhstan: A prospective case–control study
Authors: Prilutskaya Mariya , Bersani Francesco Saverio , Corazza Ornella , Molchanov Sergey
Published: June 2017

Objective

The aim of the study was to prospectively assess whether regular use of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) affects the duration of opioid‐related withdrawal and craving symptoms in patients undergoing drug detoxification treatments.

Methods

Patients (n = 193) with opioid use disorder, among which 47 patients are regularly using SCs, underwent integrated drug detoxification therapies. The Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale and a specific visual analogue scale were used to assess opioid withdrawal and craving symptoms over time.

Results

Subjects using SCs had significantly longer duration of withdrawal and craving symptoms (p < .001). Higher intake of SCs in the last 30 days (p = .045), shorter time since the last intake of SCs (p = .033), longer duration of SCs use (p < .001), and higher dosage of SCs (p < .001) were associated with longer duration of symptoms.

Discussion

This is the first study to assess the impact of SCs on the course of opioid withdrawal and craving symptoms. The results (a) suggest that patients with opioid use disorder in combination with regular use of SCs exhibit a significantly longer duration of opioid withdrawal and craving symptoms, (b) add to the accumulating evidence showing clinical and molecular cross talks between cannabinoids and opioids, and (c) underline novel harmful effects of SCs.
NLRP3 expression and urinary HSP72 in relation to biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in diabetic nephropathy patients
Authors: El‐Horany Hemat El‐Sayed , Abd‐Ellatif Rania Nagi , Watany Mona , Hafez Yasser M. , Okda Hanaa Ibrahim
Published: June 2017

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the major causes of end‐stage renal disease. Nod‐like receptors nucleotide‐binding domain and leucine‐rich repeat pyrin‐3 domain (NLRP3) inflammasome displays a considerable role in the chronic inflammatory state observed in diabetic patients. Urinary heat shock protein 72 (uHSP72) is a sensitive and specific biomarker for the early detection of acute kidney injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate NLRP3 relative gene expression, its correlation with inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, and to assess the value of uHSP72 in the early detection of DN in type 2 diabetic patients with different degrees of DN. Forty‐five type 2 diabetic patients: 15 normoalbuminuric, 15 microalbuminuric, 15 macroalbuminuric, in addition to 15 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Clinical examination and routine laboratory investigations were performed. NLRP3 mRNA expression was assessed by real time polymerase chain reaction. Serum 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG), interleukin 1β (IL‐1β), and uHSP72 levels were estimated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Serum chitotriosidase (CHIT1) activity was examined. NLRP3 mRNA relative expression, serum levels of 8‐OHdG, IL‐1β, and uHSP72, in addition to CHIT 1 activity were significantly increased in the macroalbuminuric patient group as compared to control and the other two diabetic groups. Also, a significant positive correlation was documented between the previously mentioned parameters and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio, serum creatinine, and HbA1c. Multiple linear regression analysis using urinary albumin/creatinine ratio as dependent variable confirmed that uHSP72 and NLRP3 mRNA relative expression were the independent predictors of DN (β were 0.432 and 0.448 respectively, P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analyses revealed that both NLRP3 mRNA relative expression and uHSP72 levels were useful biomarkers discriminating DN patients from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (AUC were 0.957 and 0.983, respectively). uHSP72 may be considered as a novel potential diagnostic biomarker for the early detection of DN. Moreover, these data support the pivotal role of NLRP3 in the development and progression of DN. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(8):623–630, 2017
Are visceral adiposity index and lipid accumulation product reliable indices for metabolic disturbances in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus?
Authors: Kavaric Nebojsa , Klisic Aleksandra , Ninic Ana
Published: June 2017

Background

Visceral adiposity index (VAI) and Lipid accumulation product (LAP) are novel visceral adiposity indexes, proposed for the evaluation of cardiometabolic risk in adult population. Considering contradictory results obtained from many studies so far, we aimed to examine the potential benefit of applicability of VAI and LAP, over simple anthropometric indices and traditional lipid parameters in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2).

Methods

A total of 180 DM2 (of them 50% females) and 119 controls who volunteered to participate in this cross‐sectional study were enrolled. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters, as well as blood pressure were obtained. VAI and LAP were calculated.

Results

Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐c), (P<.001), waist circumference (WC), (P=.027), age (P=.001), hypolipemic therapy (P=.024), and LAP (P=.005) were independent predictors of DM2 in adjusted models.

In Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis, used to discriminate subjects with DM2 from those who did not have it, good accuracy of the applied procedures was only achieved with models which were consisted of parameters used in VAI (Body mass index, WC, HDL‐c, triglycerides) and LAP (WC, triglycerides) indexes equations, respectively [Area under the curve (AUC)=0.819 and AUC=0.800, respectively], but not with VAI (AUC=0.781) and LAP (AUC=0.784) indexes themselves.

Conclusion

Visceral adiposity index and Lipid accumulation product may not be better than parameters that enter its equation in type 2 diabetes prediction.
Relationship of human herpes virus 6 and multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Pormohammad Ali , Azimi Taher , Falah Fateme , Faghihloo Ebrahim
Published: June 2017

Infection with human herpes viruses has been suggested to contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS), while interaction between human herpes 6 (HHV6) and MS remain unclear yet. Here, we conducted a meta‐analysis on the relationship of HHV6 infection and MS. All related studies were collected from major databases. The analyses were performed by STATA 14 and Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis V2.0 softwares. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95%CIs were calculated from the raw data of the including studies by the random effects models when I2 > 50% and fix model when I2 < 50%. Thirty nine studies were included in the meta‐analysis that 34 studies used molecular assays and 7 studies used serological assays for diagnosis of HHV6 infected cases. The relationship of HHV6 and MS was significant in healthy control group by yielding a summary OR of (2.23 [1.5–3.3], p = 0.06). A significant HHV6 association with MS were in the studies with >6 score that used serum/blood sample with OR of (6.7 [95%CI 4.8–8.6], p < 0.00001) and in serological studies, IgM positive titer in other neurological diseases (OND) control group was significant with OR of (8.3 [95%CI 3–24.07], p < 0.00001). This study has been showed that there were significant relationship between MS and HHV6 infection.
Solvent‐free Synthesis of 2,6‐Dihydroxy‐9H‐purin and Pteridine Derivatives
Authors: Nami Navabeh , Tizkar Mozhgan , Zardost Mohammad Reza
Published: June 2017

5,6‐Diaminopyrimidin‐2,4‐diol 1 was reacted with 1,4‐d‐gluconolactone 2, 6‐chloro‐4‐cyclopropyl‐7‐floro‐1,4‐dihydro‐1‐oxonaphthalen‐2‐carboxilic acid 4, (3S)‐9,10‐difloro‐3,7‐dihydro‐3‐methyl‐7‐oxo‐2H‐[1,4]oxazino[2,3,4‐ij]quinolin‐6‐carboxylic acid 6, and dimethylacetylendicarboxylate to afford 1‐(2,6‐dihydroxy‐9H‐purin‐8‐yl)‐sorbitol 3, 7‐chloro‐1‐cyclopropyl‐6‐flouro‐3‐(2,6‐dihydroxy‐9H‐purin‐8‐yl)quinoline‐4(1H)‐one 5, 9,10‐difluoro‐2,3‐dihydro‐6‐(2,6‐dihydroxy‐9H‐purin‐8‐yl)‐3‐methyl‐[1,4]oxazine[2,3,4‐ij]quinoline‐7‐one 7, and (2,4‐dihydroxy‐6‐oxo‐5,8‐dihydro‐6H‐pteridine‐7‐yiliden)‐acetic acid methyl ester 9, respectively. The synthesized compounds characterized by IR, 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, GC‐mass, and elemental analysis.
Socioeconomic Inequalities in Maternity Care Utilization: Evidence From Egypt, Jordan and Yemen
Authors: Rashad Ahmed Shoukry , Sharaf Mesbah Fathy
Published: June 2017

We examine the socioeconomic inequalities in maternity care utilization in Egypt, Jordan and Yemen after the Arab Spring. The level of inequality is severe in Yemen, moderate in Egypt and minor in Jordan. Socioeconomic disparities in maternity care utilization are mainly a result of the lack of economic resources and its correlates among the poor. The political instability in the region did not hinder Egypt and Jordan from improving maternal health indicators at the national level. Increasing women education and poverty reduction measures focusing on rural communities could help narrow the inequalities in maternity care and hence improves population health outcomes. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sonic hedgehog, Wnt, and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor cell signaling pathway crosstalk: potential therapy for depression
Authors: Tayyab Mohd , Shahi Mehdi H. , Farheen Shirin , Mariyath Mubeena P.M. , Khanam Nabeela , Castresana Javier S. , Hossain M. Mobarak
Published: June 2017

There are various theories to explain the pathophysiology of depression and support its diagnosis and treatment. The roles of monoamines, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and Wnt signaling are well researched, but sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling and its downstream transcription factor Gli1 are not well studied in depression. Shh signaling plays a fundamental role in embryonic development and adult hippocampal neurogenesis and also involved in the growth of cancer. In this article, we summarize the evidence for the Shh signaling pathway in depression and the potential crosstalk of Shh with Wnt and BDNF. Antidepressants are known to upregulate the adult hippocampal neurogenesis to treat depression. Shh plays an important role in adult hippocampal neurogenesis, and its downstream signaling components regulate the synthesis of Wnt proteins.

Moreover, the expression of Gli1 and Smo is downregulated in depression. BDNF and Wnt signaling are also regulated by various available antidepressants, so there is the possibility that Shh may be involved in the pathophysiology of depression. Therefore, the crosstalk between the Shh, Wnt, and BDNF signaling pathways is being discussed to identify the potential targets. Specifically, the potential role of the Shh signaling pathway in depression is explored as a new target for better therapies for depression.
Evaluation of the Regional Climate Model over the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Wang Lang , Cheung Kevin K. W. , Tam Chi‐Yung , Tai Amos P. K. , Li Yubin
Published: June 2017

This paper presents an evaluation study of the Regional Climate Model version 4.3 (RegCM4.3) over the Loess Plateau in northern China, which is a semi‐arid region characterized by complex topography. During recent years, a series of reforestation programmes have been implemented across the region that might influence the local climate in complex ways. To better understand the local climate, the RegCM4.3 was applied to simulate the present‐day conditions over the Loess Plateau. The simulation was carried out from 1990 to 2009 at the 50‐km horizontal resolution, with lateral boundary conditions taken from the ECMWF‐Interim reanalysis. A series of climate variables and processes were evaluated during the winter and summer seasons, such as 2‐m air temperature, precipitation, wind circulation, surface energy balance, full moisture budget, and cloud radiative forcing (CRF). The possible origins of the simulation bias and the physical linkages with other model processes were examined.

In general, RegCM4.3 is able to reproduce both the spatial and temporal features of the regional climate over the Loess Plateau. However, there are still biases in some meteorological variables including precipitation and 2‐m air temperature. In particular, the model tends to produce cold biases during winter and underestimate precipitation during summer. Further analyses indicates that the cold biases in winter may have resulted from the deficiency of the downward longwave radiation fluxes, excessive ground heat fluxes, and negative temperature advection by the seasonal mean circulation. These processes are primarily triggered by deficiencies in CRF and excessive northwesterlies over the plateau. The underestimated precipitation during summer is associated with a weak southerly monsoon in the model. A full moisture budget analysis reveals that the dry bias in this region can be mainly attributed to model deficiency in moisture advection and convergence, and to a lesser extent to that in surface evaporation.
ENSO and the recent warming of the Indian Ocean
Authors: Abish B. , Cherchi Annalisa , Ratna Satyaban B.
Published: June 2017

The recent Indian Ocean (IO) warming and its relation with the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is investigated using available ocean and atmospheric reanalyses. By comparing the events before and after 1976 (identified as a threshold separating earlier and recent decades with respect to global warming trends), our results indicate that the IO had experienced a distinct change in the warming pattern. After 1976, during the boreal summer season the cold anomalies in the IO were replaced by warm anomalies in both warm (El Niño) and cold (La Niña) ENSO events. Strong sinking by upper level winds and the associated anomalous equatorial easterly winds created favourable conditions for the IO warming from 90°E towards the western IO. Our study highlights that after 1976, atmospheric and oceanic fields changed mostly during La Niña, with both ENSO phases contributing to the warming of the IO. Warm anomalies of 0.2 °C are seen over large areas of the IO in the post‐1976 La Niña composites. Our analysis suggests that the IO warming during La Niña events after 1976 may have a relation to the warm anomalies persisting from the preceding strong El Niño events.
Raman spectroscopy of weathered shungites
Authors: Chazhengina S. Y. , Kovalevski V. V.
Published: June 2017

Raman spectroscopy has proven to be a useful tool for the study of carbonaceous material (CM). This method is used to distinguish various types of CM and to study the evolution of Raman spectra characteristics of CM during metamorphic transformations. In the present study, we applied the Raman spectroscopy and electron diffraction methods to investigate the evolution of structural ordering of CM of shungite rocks, Karelia (Russia), during weathering. The studies of the CM structure evolution during weathering are rare and ambiguous. The Raman spectra of weathered shungites are characterized by increase of FWHM‐D1, that is accompanied by the decrease of intensity‐based ratio R1 = ID/IG and the change of the intensity of the bands in second‐order region. The Raman spectral data indicate that weathering results in the alteration of both intralayer and interlayer ordering of shungites, but there are some peculiarities for the shungites subjected to the various types of weathering. The present study establishes that the Raman spectra characteristics of weathered shungites can be used as the indicators of weathering for CM from various carbon‐bearing rocks. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of in vivo toxicity, antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities of coconut, nipah and pineapple juice vinegars
Authors: Mohamad Nurul Elyani , Keong Yeap Swee , Beh Boon Keen , Romli Muhammad Firdaus , Yusof Hamidah Mohd , Kristeen‐Teo Ye Wen , Sharifuddin Shaiful Adzni , Long Kamariah , Alitheen Noorjahan Banu
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

Vinegar is widely used as a food additive, in food preparation and as a food supplement. This study compared the phenolic acid profiles and in vivo toxicities, and antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of coconut, nipah and pineapple juice vinegars, which were respectively prepared via a two‐step fermentation using Saccharomyces cerevisiae 7013 INRA and Acetobacter aceti vat Europeans.

RESULTS

Pineapple juice vinegar, which had the highest total phenolic acid content, also exhibited the greatest in vitro antioxidant capacity compared to coconut juice and nipah juice vinegars. Following acute and sub‐chronic in vivo toxicity evaluation, no toxicity and mortality were evident and there were no significant differences in the serum biochemical profiles between mice administered the vinegars versus the control group. In the sub‐chronic toxicity evaluation, the highest liver antioxidant levels were found in mice fed with pineapple juice vinegar, followed by coconut juice and nipah juice vinegars. However, compared to the pineapple juice and nipah juice vinegars, the mice fed with coconut juice vinegar, exhibited a higher population of CD4+ and CD8+ T‐lymphocytes in the spleen, which was associated with greater levels of serum interleukin‐2 and interferon‐γ cytokines.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the data suggested that not all vinegar samples cause acute and sub‐chronic toxicity in vivo. Moreover, the in vivo immunity and organ antioxidant levels were enhanced, to varying extents, by the phenolic acids present in the vinegars. The results obtained in this study provide appropriate guidelines for further in vivo bioactivity studies and pre‐clinical assessments of vinegar consumption. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Cactus stem (Opuntia ficus‐indica Mill): anatomy, physiology and chemical composition with emphasis on its biofunctional properties
Authors: Ventura‐Aguilar Rosa Isela , Bosquez‐Molina Elsa , Bautista‐Baños Silvia , Rivera‐Cabrera Fernando
Published: June 2017

Cactus stem (Opuntia ficus‐indica Mill) is native to Mesoamerica and marketed in different forms such as fresh, frozen or pre‐cooked. Worldwide, this vegetable is recognized for its pharmaceutical actions, including its antioxidant, diuretic, anticarcinogenic, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐diabetic, and anti‐hypercholesterolemic properties, as well as their antiviral and antispermatogenic effects. However, not all of these properties have been associated with its chemical composition; therefore, this review aims to present and integrate information available on the physiology and anatomy of cactus stem and its chemical composition, focusing on some of the many factors that determine its biofunctionality. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Mandarin fruit quality: a review
Authors: Goldenberg Livnat , Yaniv Yossi , Porat Ron , Carmi Nir
Published: June 2017

During the last decade, there has been a continuous rise in consumption and global marketing of fresh, easy‐to‐peel mandarins, with current annual production of nearly 29 million tons. Nevertheless, most of the existing knowledge on quality traits of citrus fruit comes from research conducted on oranges and grapefruit, which are the main products for the citrus juice manufacturing industry; relatively little is yet known regarding the unique fruit quality traits of mandarins, nor about the great diversity in these traits among the various natural sub‐groups and varieties of mandarins. In the present review we discuss the physiological, biochemical, and molecular factors governing key fruit quality attributes of mandarins, including fruit colour, size and shape, ease of peeling, seedlessness, flavour, and nutritional quality. Fruit colour, size, and shape contribute to external appearance; peelability and seedlessness to ease of consumption; and flavour and nutritional quality to internal quality. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Identification of chemical components in Baidianling Capsule based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and high‐performance liquid chromatography combined with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry
Authors: Wu Wenying , Chen Yu , Wang Binjie , Sun Xiaoyang , Guo Ping , Chen Xiaohui
Published: June 2017

Baidianling Capsule, which is made from 16 Chinese herbs, has been widely used for treating vitiligo clinically. In this study, the sensitive and rapid method has been developed for the analysis of chemical components in Baidianling Capsule by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in combination with retention indices and high‐performance liquid chromatography combined with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Firstly, a total of 110 potential volatile compounds obtained from different extraction procedures including alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, ketones, ethers, aldehydes, alcohols, phenols, organic acids, esters, furans, pyrrole, acid amides, heterocycles, and oxides were detected from Baidianling Capsule by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, of which 75 were identified by mass spectrometry in combination with the retention index. Then, a total of 124 components were tentatively identified by high‐performance liquid chromatography combined with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Fifteen constituents from Baidianling Capsule were accurately identified by comparing the retention times with those of reference compounds, others were identified by comparing the retention times and mass spectrometry data, as well as retrieving the reference literature. This study provides a practical strategy for rapidly screening and identifying the multiple constituents of a complex traditional Chinese medicine.
Corrosion behavior of primary and secondary AlSi high pressure die casting alloys
Authors: Cecchel S. , Cornacchia G. , Gelfi M.
Published: June 2017

This work characterized and compared the corrosion resistance of a traditional secondary HPDC AlSiCu alloy with two innovative AlSi low‐Cu and low‐Fe ones. Samples were collected from both the bulk and the skin of castings to evaluate the differences. Potentiodynamic tests were performed in 3.5% NaCl and 0.05 M Borax + 0.01 M NaCl water solutions and microstructural analyses have been carried out. The results demonstrated the higher corrosion resistance of the two innovative alloys tested. Skin surface showed a worse resistance compared to bulk, especially for the traditional AlSiCu alloy.
High sensitivity MR acoustic radiation force imaging using transition band balanced steady‐state free precession
Authors: Zheng Yuan , Marx Michael , Miller G. Wilson , Butts Pauly Kim
Published: June 2017

Purpose

MR acoustic radiation force imaging (MR‐ARFI) provides a method to visualize the focal spot of a focused ultrasound (FUS) beam without introducing a significant temperature rise. With conventional spoiled MR‐ARFI pulse sequences, the ARFI phase always equals the motion‐encoded phase. In this work, MR‐ARFI using transition band balanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP) is presented, which improves the sensitivity of MR‐ARFI with high acquisition speed.

Theory and Methods

Motion‐encoding gradients (MEG) are inserted into bSSFP sequences for MR‐ARFI. By applying an ultrasound pulse during the MEG, motion‐encoded phase is generated, which leads to an amplified change in the image phase when operating in the bSSFP transition band. MR‐ARFI was performed on a homemade gel phantom using both the proposed technique and a spoiled gradient echo ARFI sequence with identical MEG and FUS, and ARFI images were compared.

Results

The bSSFP‐ARFI sequence generated an ARFI image phase that is more than 5 times larger than the motion‐encoded phase in a few seconds with 2DFT readout. By keeping FUS pulses as short as 1.45 ms, temperature rise was insignificant during the measurement.

Conclusion

bSSFP‐ARFI has enhanced sensitivity compared with conventional MR‐ARFI pulse sequences and could provide an efficient way to visualize the focal spot. Magn Reson Med 79:1532–1537, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Developing multidisciplinary clinics for neuromuscular care and research
Authors: Paganoni Sabrina , Nicholson Katie , Leigh Fawn , Swoboda Kathryn , Chad David , Drake Kristin , Haley Kellen , Cudkowicz Merit , Berry James D.
Published: June 2017

Multidisciplinary care is considered the standard of care for both adult and pediatric neuromuscular disorders and has been associated with improved quality of life, resource utilization, and health outcomes. Multidisciplinary care is delivered in multidisciplinary clinics that coordinate care across multiple specialties by reducing travel burden and streamlining care. In addition, the multidisciplinary care setting facilitates the integration of clinical research, patient advocacy, and care innovation (e.g., telehealth). Yet, multidisciplinary care requires substantial commitment of staff time and resources. We calculated personnel costs in our ALS clinic in 2015 and found an average cost per patient visit of $580, of which only 45% was covered by insurance reimbursement. In this review, we will describe classic and emerging concepts in multidisciplinary care models for adult and pediatric neuromuscular disease. We will then explore the financial impact of multidisciplinary care with emphasis on sustainability and metrics to demonstrate quality and value. Muscle Nerve 56: 848–858, 2017
Overactive bladder symptoms after midurethral sling surgery in women: Risk factors and management
Authors: Marcelissen Tom , Van Kerrebroeck Philip
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) including urgency and urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) occurs frequently after stress urinary incontinence (SUI) surgery. It is important to identify the risk factors for the occurrence of OAB symptoms in order to adequately inform the patient before surgery. Furthermore, when facing OAB after sling surgery it is crucial to know how to manage these symptoms.

Methods

We conducted a literature review in order to assess the risk factors and management of OAB symptoms after SUI surgery. We searched for relevant articles in PubMed that specifically addressed the topic of OAB symptoms after midurethral sling surgery.

Results

The incidence of de novo and persistent urgency and UUI is reported around 15% and 30%, respectively. Several studies demonstrated that women with mixed incontinence who have a predominant urge component will have worse outcomes after surgery. Older age was also found to be a predictive factor in three studies. Furthermore, urodynamic signs of overactive bladder (eg, DO, low bladder capacity, elevated detrusor pressure) can predict postoperative urgency or UUI. The management of OAB symptoms after SUI surgery is essentially the same as in idiopathic OAB. However, before commencing therapy it is crucial to rule out other factors than can cause urgency, including bladder outlet obstruction, urinary tract infection, or sling erosion.

Conclusions

OAB symptoms are frequently reported after sling surgery. Women with mixed incontinence and older women are at risk of developing post‐operative OAB symptoms. We have proposed an algorithm for the treatment of these symptoms which can be useful in clinical practice.
Analytical modeling provides new insight into complex mutual coupling between surface loops at ultrahigh fields
Authors: Avdievich N. I. , Pfrommer A. , Giapitzakis I. A. , Henning A.
Published: June 2017

Ultrahigh‐field (UHF) (≥7 T) transmit (Tx) human head surface loop phased arrays improve both the Tx efficiency (B1+/√P) and homogeneity in comparison with single‐channel quadrature Tx volume coils. For multi‐channel arrays, decoupling becomes one of the major problems during the design process. Further insight into the coupling between array elements and its dependence on various factors can facilitate array development. The evaluation of the entire impedance matrix Z for an array loaded with a realistic voxel model or phantom is a time‐consuming procedure when performed using electromagnetic (EM) solvers. This motivates the development of an analytical model, which could provide a quick assessment of the Z‐matrix. In this work, an analytical model based on dyadic Green's functions was developed and validated using an EM solver and bench measurements. The model evaluates the complex coupling, including both the electric (mutual resistance) and magnetic (mutual inductance) coupling. Validation demonstrated that the model does well to describe the coupling at lower fields (≤3 T). At UHFs, the model also performs well for a practical case of low magnetic coupling. Based on the modeling, the geometry of a 400‐MHz, two‐loop transceiver array was optimized, such that, by simply overlapping the loops, both the mutual inductance and the mutual resistance were compensated at the same time. As a result, excellent decoupling (below −40 dB) was obtained without any additional decoupling circuits. An overlapped array prototype was compared (signal‐to‐noise ratio, Tx efficiency) favorably to a gapped array, a geometry which has been utilized previously in designs of UHF Tx arrays.
Effects of halloysite nanotubes on the mechanical, thermal, and flammability properties of PP‐g‐MAH compatibilized polyethylene terephthalate/polypropylene nanocomposites
Authors: Inuwa Ibrahim Mohammed , Che Abdul Razak Noorzilawani , Arjmandi Reza , Hassan Azman
Published: June 2017

This work investigates the effect of HNTs content on the mechanical, thermal and flammability properties of polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride (PP‐g‐MAH) compatibilized polyethylene terephthalate/polypropylene (PET/PP) blends. The synthesized composites were characterized after compounding using a twin‐screw extruder and injection‐molding machine. The tensile, flexural and impact strengths values peaked at 2 parts per hundred resin (phr). Thermogravimetric analysis showed a marked improvement in thermal stability of the fabricated composites. A gradual increase in T50 and Tmax with increasing HNTs content was observed. The limiting oxygen index revealed a linear relationship with HNTs content. Transmission electron microscopy images showed uniform dispersion of nanotubes at lower HNTs content and agglomerated structures were formed at higher HNTs content due to inter‐tubular interactions both in face‐to‐face or face‐to‐edge manner. The improvements in thermal stability and flammability are attributed to these interactions. Due to improved mechanical properties and flammability, the fabricated composites have potential applications in automotive industries. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E1554–E1564, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Metabolomics as a Driver in Advancing Precision Medicine in Sepsis
Authors: Eckerle Michelle , Ambroggio Lilliam , Puskarich Michael A. , Winston Brent , Jones Alan E. , Standiford Theodore J. , Stringer Kathleen A.
Published: June 2017

The objective of this review is to explain the science of metabolomics—a science of systems biology that measures and studies endogenous small molecules (metabolites) that are present in a single biological sample—and its application to the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis. In addition, we discuss how discovery through metabolomics can contribute to the development of precision medicine targets for this complex disease state and the potential avenues for those new discoveries to be applied in the clinical environment. A nonsystematic literature review was performed focusing on metabolomics, pharmacometabolomics, and sepsis. Human (adult and pediatric) and animal studies were included. Metabolomics has been investigated in the diagnosis, prognosis, and risk stratification of sepsis, as well as for the identification of drug target opportunities. Metabolomics elucidates a new level of detail when compared with other systems biology sciences, with regard to the metabolites that are most relevant in the pathophysiology of sepsis, as well as highlighting specific biochemical pathways at work in sepsis. Metabolomics also highlights biochemical differences between sepsis survivors and nonsurvivors at a level of detail greater than that demonstrated by genomics, transcriptomics, or proteomics, potentially leading to actionable targets for new therapies. The application of pharmacometabolomics and its integration with other systems pharmacology to sepsis therapeutics could be particularly helpful in differentiating drug responders and nonresponders and furthering knowledge of mechanisms of drug action and response. The accumulated literature on metabolomics suggests it is a viable tool for continued discovery around the pathophysiology, diagnosis and prognosis, and treatment of sepsis in both adults and children, and it provides a greater level of biochemical detail and insight than other systems biology approaches. However, the clinical application of metabolomics in sepsis has not yet been fully realized. Prospective validation studies are needed to translate metabolites from the discovery phase into the clinical utility phase.
A natural bond orbital analysis of aryl‐substituted polyfluorinated carbanions: negative hyperconjugation
Authors: Suenaga Masahiko , Nakata Kazuhide , Abboud José‐Luis M. , Mishima Masaaki
Published: June 2017

Aryl‐substituted polyfluorinated carbanions, ArCHRf− where Rf = CF3 (1), C2F5 (2), i‐C3F7 (3), and t‐C4F9 (4), were analyzed by means of the natural bond orbital (NBO) theory at the B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p) computational level. A lone pair NBO at the formal anionic center carbon (Cα) was not found in the Lewis structure. Instead, significant donor/acceptor NBO interactions between π(Cα‐C1) and σ*(Cβ‐F) or σ*(Cβ‐Cγ) were observed for 1, 2, 3a (strong electron‐withdrawing substituent, from p‐CF3 to p‐NO2), and 4. Their second‐order donor/acceptor perturbation interaction energy, E(2), values decreased with the increase of the stability of carbanions. A larger E(2) value corresponds to longer Cβ‐F and Cβ‐Cγ bonds and a shorter Cα‐Cβ bond, indicating that the E(2) values can be associated with the negative hyperconjugation of the Cβ‐F and Cβ‐Cγ bonds. In accordance with this, the E(2) values for π(Cα‐C1) → σ*(Cβ‐F) were linearly correlated with the ΔGoβ‐F values (an empirical measure of β‐fluorine negative hyperconjugation obtained from an increased acidity). In 3b (weak electron‐withdrawing substituents, from H to m‐NO2) very large E(2) values for LP(Fβ) → π*(Cα‐Cβ) were obtained. This was attributed to the Cβ‐F bond cleavage and the Cα‐Cβ double bond formation in the Lewis structure that is caused by the extremely strong negative hyperconjugation of the Cβ‐F bond.
Computational design of tetrazolone‐based high‐energy density energetic materials: Property prediction and decomposition mechanism
Authors: Shi Ying
Published: June 2017

The density functional theory methods are used to design a series of new highly energetic tetrazolone‐based molecules by the combination of the linked tetrazolone framework and versatile substitutes. The molecular and electronic structures, physicochemical, and energetic properties were analyzed and predicted. The decomposition mechanisms were computationally simulated, and 3 potential decomposition channels were proposed. These newly designed tetrazolone‐based compounds show high densities (up to 2.08 g/cm3) and highly positive heats of formation (407.0‐1377.9 kJ/mol) due to all right content of nitrogen and oxygen. Most of them exhibit good detonation velocity (8.31‐9.62 km/s) and detonation pressure (32.40‐43.86 GPa), and some are comparative to excellent explosive CL‐20. Results show that compounds 6, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24 own superior detonation performance than widely used explosive HMX and may be promising candidates of green high‐performance energetic materials.
Numerical simulation of the impact of surface traps on the performance of InP‐based high electron mobility transistors
Authors: Sun Shu‐Xiang , Ma Liu‐Hong , Cheng Chao , Zhang Chao , Zhong Ying‐Hui , Li Yu‐Xiao , Ding Peng , Jin Zhi
Published: June 2017

In this paper, the DC and RF characteristics of our own InP‐based HEMTs were investigated comprehensively with surface traps concentration varying among 0 cm−2, 1 × 1012 cm−2, 3 × 1012 cm−2. Reasonable physical models were used to describe the device performances, including hydrodynamic transport model, density gradient model, recombination models and so on. Moreover, surface Shockley–Read–Hall model and improved Possion's equation were introduced to implement for the impact of surface traps. The DC and RF characteristics have shown compatible trends between computation and experiment. With the increasing surface traps concentration over the gate‐recess region, the channel current, transconductance, current gain cut‐off frequency (fT) and maximum oscillation frequency (fmax) exhibit apparent decrease trends. The observed obvious changes of the DC and RF properties with surface traps could be accounted for carrier sheet density reduction, which resulted from the surface potential modulated by negatively charged surface traps. Additionally, the charged surface traps could deplete the electrons in channel region, which leads to an increase in channel sheet resistance, and thus, further decreasing the fmax.
New memory‐type dispersion control charts
Authors: Ali Rizwan , Haq Abdul
Published: June 2017

The exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control chart is a memory‐type process monitoring tool that is frequently used to monitor small and moderate disturbances in the process mean and/or process dispersion. In this study, we propose 2 new memory‐type control charts for monitoring changes in the process dispersion, namely, the generally weighted moving average and the hybrid EWMA charts. We use Monte Carlo simulations to compute the run length profiles of the proposed control charts. The run length comparisons of the proposed and existing charts reveal that the generally weighted moving average and hybrid EWMA charts provide better protection than the existing EWMA chart when detecting small to moderate shifts in the process dispersion. An illustrative dataset is also used to show the superiority of the proposed charts over the existing chart.
Hydrology under climate change in a temporary river system: Potential impact on water balance and flow regime
Authors: De Girolamo A. M. , Bouraoui F. , Buffagni A. , Pappagallo G. , Lo Porto A.
Published: June 2017

The potential impacts of future climate scenarios on water balance and flow regime are presented and discussed for a temporary river system in southern Italy. Different climate projections for the future (2030–2059) and the recent conditions (1980–2009) were investigated. A hydrological model (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) was used to simulate water balance at the basin scale and streamflow in a number of river sections under various climate change scenarios, based on different combinations of global and regional models (global circulation models and regional climate models). The impact on water balance components was quantified at the basin and subbasin levels as deviation from the baseline (1980–2009), and the flow regime alteration under changing climate was estimated using a number of hydrological indicators. An increase in mean temperature for all months between 0.5–2.4 °C and a reduction in precipitation (by 4–7%) was predicted for the future. As a consequence, a decline of blue water (7–18%) and total water yield (11–28%) was estimated. Although the river type classification remains unvaried, the flow regime distinctly moves towards drier conditions and the divergence from the current status increases in future scenarios, especially for those reaches classified as I‐D (ie, intermittent‐dry) and E (ephemeral). Hydrological indicators showed a decrease in both high flow and low flow magnitudes for various time durations, an extension of the dry season and an exacerbation of extreme low flow conditions. A reduction of snowfall in the mountainous part of the basin and an increase in potential evapotranspiration was also estimated (4–4.4%). Finally, the paper analyses the implications of the climate change for river ecosystems and for River Basin Management Planning. The defined quantitative estimates of water balance alteration could support the identification of priorities that should be addressed in upcoming years to set water‐saving actions.
An EM algorithm for nonparametric estimation of the cumulative incidence function from repeated imperfect test results
Authors: Witte Birgit I. , Berkhof Johannes , Jonker Marianne A.
Published: June 2017

In screening and surveillance studies, event times are interval censored. Besides, screening tests are imperfect so that the interval at which an event takes place may be uncertain. We describe an expectation–maximization algorithm to find the nonparametric maximum likelihood estimator of the cumulative incidence function of an event based on screening test data. Our algorithm has a closed‐form solution for the combined expectation and maximization step and is computationally undemanding. A simulation study indicated that the bias of the estimator tends to zero for large sample size, and its mean squared error is in general lower than the mean squared error of the estimator that assumes the screening test is perfect. We apply the algorithm to follow‐up data from women treated for cervical precancer. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tyrosine Kinase Expressed in Hepatocellular Carcinoma, TEC, Controls Pluripotency and Early Cell Fate Decisions of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells via Regulation of Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 Secretion
Authors: Vanova Tereza , Konecna Zaneta , Zbonakova Zuzana , La Venuta Giuseppe , Zoufalova Karolina , Jelinkova Sarka , Varecha Miroslav , Rotrekl Vladimir , Krejci Pavel , Nickel Walter , Dvorak Petr , Kunova Bosakova Michaela
Published: June 2017

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) require signaling provided by fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors. This can be initiated by the recombinant FGF2 ligand supplied exogenously, but hPSC further support their niche by secretion of endogenous FGF2. In this study, we describe a role of tyrosine kinase expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (TEC) kinase in this process. We show that TEC-mediated FGF2 secretion is essential for hPSC self-renewal, and its lack mediates specific differentiation. Following both short hairpin RNA- and small interfering RNA-mediated TEC knockdown, hPSC secretes less FGF2. This impairs hPSC proliferation that can be rescued by increasing amounts of recombinant FGF2. TEC downregulation further leads to a lower expression of the pluripotency markers, an improved priming towards neuroectodermal lineage, and a failure to develop cardiac mesoderm. Our data thus demonstrate that TEC is yet another regulator of FGF2-mediated hPSC pluripotency and differentiation.
Hybrid vortex simulations of wind turbines using a three‐dimensional viscous–inviscid panel method
Authors: Ramos‐García Néstor , Hejlesen Mads Mølholm , Sørensen Jens Nørkær , Walther Jens Honoré
Published: June 2017

A hybrid filament‐mesh vortex method is proposed and validated to predict the aerodynamic performance of wind turbine rotors and to simulate the resulting wake. Its novelty consists of using a hybrid method to accurately simulate the wake downstream of the wind turbine while reducing the computational time used by the method. The proposed method uses a hybrid approach, where the near wake is resolved by using vortex filaments, which carry the vorticity shed by the trailing edge of the blades. The interaction of the vortex filaments in the near vicinity of the wind turbine is evaluated using a direct calculation, whereas the contribution from the large downstream wake is calculated using a mesh‐based method. The hybrid method is first validated in detail against the well‐known MEXICO experiment, using the direct filament method as a comparison. The second part of the validation includes a study of the influence of the time‐integration scheme used for evolving the wake in time, aeroelastic simulations of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory 5 MW wind turbine and an analysis of the central processing unit time showing the gains of using the hybrid filament‐mesh method. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.