bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cannabinoid‐1 Receptor Antagonism Improves Glycemic Control and Increases Energy Expenditure Through Sirtuin‐1/Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 2 and 5′Adenosine Monophosphate–Activated Protein Kinase Signaling
Authors: Liu Jie , Godlewski Grzegorz , Jourdan Tony , Liu Ziyi , Cinar Resat , Xiong Keming , Kunos George
Published: December 2018

Endocannabinoids promote energy conservation in obesity, whereas cannabinoid‐1 receptor (CB1R) blockade reverses body weight gain and insulin resistance and increases energy expenditure. Here we investigated the molecular mechanisms of the catabolic effects of CB1R blockade in the liver. Exposure of primary mouse hepatocytes and HepG2 cells to the CB1R agonist arachidonyl‐2'‐chloroethylamide inhibited the expression of Sirtuin‐1 (Sirt1) and Rictor, a component of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) and suppressed insulin‐induced Akt phosphorylation at serine 473. These effects were reversed by peripheral CB1R antagonist JD5037 in control hepatocytes but not in hepatocytes deficient in Sirt1 and/or Rictor, indicating that these two proteins are required for the CB1R‐mediated inhibition of insulin signaling. Feeding C57BL/6J mice a high‐fat diet (HFD) inhibited hepatic Sirt1/mTORC2/Akt signaling, and the inhibition was reversed by rimonabant or JD5037 in wild‐type but not liver‐specific Sirt1‐/‐ (Sirt1‐LKO) mice, to levels observed in hepatocyte‐specific CB1R‐/‐ mice. A similar attenuation of hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia in wild‐type mice with obesity but not in Sirt1‐LKO mice could be attributed to insufficient reversal of HFD‐induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation in peripheral tissues in the latter. In contrast, JD5037 treatment was equally effective in HFD‐fed wild‐type and Sirt1‐LKO mice in reducing hepatic steatosis, increasing fatty acid β‐oxidation, and activating 5′adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK) through liver kinase B1 (LKB1), resulting in a similar increase in total energy expenditure in the two strains. Conclusion: Peripheral CB1R blockade in mice with obesity improves glycemic control through the hepatic Sirt1/mTORC2/Akt pathway, whereas it increases fatty acid oxidation through LKB1/AMPK signaling.
Vitamin E Improves Transplant‐Free Survival and Hepatic Decompensation Among Patients With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Advanced Fibrosis
Authors: Vilar‐Gomez Eduardo , Vuppalanchi Raj , Gawrieh Samer , Ghabril Marwan , Saxena Romil , Cummings Oscar W. , Chalasani Naga
Published: December 2018

Vitamin E improves liver histology in adults with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) but not diabetes, but its impact on long‐term patient outcomes is unknown. We evaluated whether vitamin E treatment improves clinical outcomes of NASH patients with bridging fibrosis or cirrhosis. Two hundred and thirty‐six patients with biopsy‐proven NASH and bridging fibrosis or cirrhosis seen at Indiana University Medical Center between October 2004 and January 2016 were included. Ninety of them took 800 international units/day of vitamin E for ≥2 years (vitamin E users) and were propensity‐matched to 90 adults who did not take vitamin E (controls) after adjusting for fibrosis severity, age, gender, body mass index, comorbidities and their treatment, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, liver biochemistries, and length of follow‐up on vitamin E. Covariate‐adjusted Cox and competing risk regression models were assessed to evaluate the association between vitamin E treatment and patient outcomes. The median follow‐up was 5.62 (interquartile range [IQR], 4.3‐7.5) and 5.6 (IQR, 4‐6.9) years for vitamin E users and controls, respectively. Vitamin E users had higher adjusted transplant‐free survival (78% versus 49%, P < 0.01) and lower rates of hepatic decompensation (37% versus 62%, P = 0.04) than controls. After controlling for severity of fibrosis, calendar year of patient enrollment, and other potential confounders, vitamin E treatment decreased the risk of death or transplant (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.12‐0.74; P < 0.01) and hepatic decompensation (adjusted sub‐HR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.28‐0.96; P = 0.036). These benefits were evident in both those with diabetes and those without diabetes. Adjusted 10‐year cumulative probabilities of hepatocellular carcinoma, vascular events, and nonhepatic cancers were not different between vitamin E–exposed patients and controls. Conclusion: Vitamin E use was associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients with NASH and bridging fibrosis or cirrhosis.
Racial Disparities in Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Are Not Explained by Differences in Comorbidities, Liver Disease Severity, or Tumor Burden
Authors: Dakhoul Lara , Gawrieh Samer , Jones Keaton R. , Ghabril Marwan , McShane Chelsey , Orman Eric , Vilar‐Gomez Eduardo , Chalasani Naga , Nephew Lauren
Published: December 2018

Black patients have higher mortality and are less likely to receive liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than white patients. Reasons for these disparities have not been fully elucidated. Comorbid disease, liver disease severity, cirrhosis etiologies, and tumor characteristics were compared between black and white patients with HCC seen at the Indiana University Academic Medical Center from January 2000 to June 2014. Logistic regression was used to investigate the primary outcome, which was liver transplantation. Log‐rank testing was used to compare survival between the two groups. Subgroup analysis explored reasons for failure to undergo liver transplantation in patients within Milan criteria. The cohort included 1,032 (86%) white and 164 (14%) black patients. Black and white patients had similar Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) and Child‐Pugh scores (CPSs). There was a trend toward larger tumor size (5.3 cm versus 4.7 cm; P = 0.05) in black patients; however, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging and Milan criteria were similar. Black patients were less likely to undergo liver transplantation than white patients; this was a disparity that was not attenuated (odds ratio [OR], 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21‐0.90) on multivariable analysis. Substance abuse was more frequently cited as the reason black patients within Milan criteria failed to undergo transplantation compared to white patients. Survival was similar between the two groups. Conclusion: Racial differences in patient and tumor characteristics were small and did not explain the disparity in liver transplantation. Higher rates of substance abuse in black patients within Milan criteria who failed to undergo transplantation suggest social factors contribute to this disparity in this cohort.
Three‐dimensional visualization of an electrically conducting and viscous dissipative fluid flow over a moving permeable vertical cylinder
Authors: Parasuraman Loganathan , Mohanavel Dhivya
Published: December 2018

This study numerically scrutinizes the boundary layer flow of an electrically conducting and viscous dissipative fluid past an impulsively started permeable vertical cylinder together with thermal radiation. The solutions of the governing problem are accomplished using the Crank‐Nicholson scheme. The impressions of pertinent parameters on the flow patterns of the fluid particles as well as on the velocity, temperature, and distributed regions are captured and visualized three‐dimensionally.
Promoter Cre‐Specific Genotyping Assays for Authentication of Cre‐Driver Mouse Lines
Authors: Couasnay Greig , Frey Christopher , Elefteriou Florent
Published: December 2018

The Cre‐LoxP system gene knockout (KO) technology provides cell‐ and time‐specificity of gene ablation to investigate cell‐autonomous gene function in vivo, and is paramount for understanding the function of genes involved in bone development, remodeling, and repair. This approach permits gene ablation in a cell‐ or tissue‐specific, differentiation stage‐specific, and inducible manner, thanks to the use of well‐chosen promoters that drive expression of the Cre recombinase in selected cells/tissues. The generation of these powerful tools has led to the expansion of Cre mouse lines available to the research community, which are often shared within and between laboratories. Although convenient and commonly used, genotyping these Cre lines with a generic set of primers that amplifies the Cre transgene does not distinguish between various Cre‐deleter lines. This practice poses the significant risk of mistakenly swapping Cre lineages, as laboratories often host and handle several lines at a time and utilize multiple lines per project. In line with the NIH‐led effort to promote authentication of biological reagents and increase scientific rigor, we report here strategies for designing appropriate sets of primers able to discriminate some of most widely used Cre‐deleter mouse lines in the field of bone biology, and the validation of 24 of them. © 2018 The Authors JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Profilin 1 Negatively Regulates Osteoclast Migration in Postnatal Skeletal Growth, Remodeling, and Homeostasis in Mice
Authors: Shirakawa Jumpei , Kajikawa Shuhei , Böttcher Ralph T , Costell Mercedes , Izu Yayoi , Hayata Tadayoshi , Noda Masaki , Ezura Yoichi
Published: December 2018

Profilin 1 (Pfn1), a regulator of actin polymerization, controls cell movement in a context‐dependent manner. Pfn1 supports the locomotion of most adherent cells by assisting actin‐filament elongation, as has been shown in skeletal progenitor cells in our previous study. However, because Pfn1 has also been known to inhibit migration of certain cells, including T cells, by suppressing branched‐end elongation of actin filaments, we hypothesized that its roles in osteoclasts may be different from that of osteoblasts. By investigating the osteoclasts in culture, we first verified that Pfn1‐knockdown (KD) enhances bone resorption in preosteoclastic RAW264.7 cells, despite having a comparable number and size of osteoclasts. Pfn1‐KD in bone marrow cells showed similar results. Mechanistically, Pfn1‐KD osteoclasts appeared more mobile than in controls. In vivo, the osteoclast‐specific conditional Pfn1‐deficient mice (Pfn1‐cKO) by CathepsinK‐Cre driver demonstrated postnatal skeletal phenotype, including dwarfism, craniofacial deformities, and long‐bone metaphyseal osteolytic expansion, by 8 weeks of age. Metaphyseal and diaphyseal femurs were drastically expanded with suppressed trabecular bone mass as indicated by μCT analysis. Histologically, TRAP‐positive osteoclasts were increased at endosteal metaphysis to diaphysis of Pfn1‐cKO mice. The enhanced movement of Pfn1‐cKO osteoclasts in culture was associated with a slight increase in cell size and podosome belt length, as well as an increase in bone‐resorbing activity. Our study, for the first time, demonstrated that Pfn1 has critical roles in inhibiting osteoclast motility and bone resorption, thereby contributing to essential roles in postnatal skeletal homeostasis. Our study also provides novel insight into understanding skeletal deformities in human disorders. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
E4F1 silencing inhibits the cell growth through cell‐cycle arrest in malignant transformed cells induced by hydroquinone
Authors: Tan Qiang , Li Jieyou , Peng Jianming , Liu Zhidong , Liu Jiaxian , Zhang Haiqiao , Yuan Qian , Pan Zhijie , Liu Linhua
Published: December 2018

Hydroquinone (HQ), one of the most significant metabolic activation products of benzene in an organism, can cause hematological toxicity, such as acute myeloid leukemia. It is a clear carcinogen that can cause changes in the disorder of cell cycle and cell growth. However, its molecular mechanisms remain unclear. E4 transcription factor 1 (E4F1), an important transcription factor, participating in the regulation of cell cycle may be related to the occurrence of tumor. Here, we examined the HQ‐induced malignant transformed TK6 cells (TK6‐HT) to illustrate the role of E4F1 in carcinogenesis. The present study showed that both the expressions of E4F1 messenger RNA and protein increased obviously in TK6‐HT, preliminarily indicating that E4F1 is associated with HQ‐induced carcinogenesis. To further explore the role of E4F1, we established E4F1 silencing TK6‐HT (pLVX‐shE4F1) and its control cells (pLVX‐shNC) using lentiviral short hairpin RNA (shRNA) interference expression plasmid vector pLVX‐shRNA. Flow cytometry and cell counting kit‐8 assay were used to determine the effects of E4F1 silencing on cell cycle and cell growth, respectively. E4F1 silencing inhibited cell growth in TK6‐HT. The results from flow cytometry indicated that the inhibitory effect on cell growth may be the results of the E4F1 silencing–induced accumulation in G2/M compared with TK6‐HT‐shNC. Meanwhile, levels of DNA damage (γ‐H2AX), proteins of Rb and phosphorylated Rb, and reactive oxygen species were increased in TK6‐HT‐shRNA2 cells, which is the critical reason of cell‐cycle arrest. In conclusion, E4F1 silencing inhibits the cell growth through cell‐cycle arrest in malignant transformed cells induced by HQ.
Cadmium‐induced neurodegeneration and activation of noncanonical sonic hedgehog pathway in rat cerebellum
Authors: P. M. Mubeena Mariyath , Shahi Mehdi H. , Tayyab Mohd , Farheen Shirin , Khanam Nabeela , Tabassum Sartaj , Ali Asif
Published: December 2018

Background

Cadmium is a nonessential toxic heavy metal, which enters the body easily and damages the cellular system. The sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway is one of the key regulatory pathways, which define neural growth and development.

Objectives

This study aimed to explore how cadmium exposure affects neural activities, Shh signaling cascade, and its downstream target genes.

Methods

Total 18 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups, control and test groups. Test rats were administered with 3 mg cadmium/kg body weight, while the control rats were treated with vehicle continuously for 28 days. Thereafter, rats were killed and the isolated brain samples were examined using oxidative stress assessment, histological and immunohistological behavioral assessment, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the comet assay.

Results

A disturbed oxidative balance, DNA damage, and an upregulated Shh signaling pathway were observed in cadmium‐treated samples. Loss of structural integrity in cerebellum and loss of motor activity were observed in cadmium‐treated rats.
Coronary vein defibrillator coil placement in patients with high defibrillation thresholds
Authors: Rodríguez‐Mañero Moisés , Kreidieh Bahij , Ibarra‐Cortez Sergio H. , Álvarez Paulino , Schurmann Paul , Dave Amish S. , Valderrábano Miguel
Published: December 2018

Background

Elevated defibrillation threshold (DFT) occurs in 2%‐6% of patients undergoing implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation. Adding a defibrillation coil in the coronary sinus (CS) or its branches can result in substantial reductions in the mean DFT. However, data regarding acute success and long‐term stability remain lacking. We report our experience with this bailout strategy.

Methods

Patients with elevated DFT at implantation (safety margin at implantation <10 J) and those with failed ICD shocks for ventricular arrhythmias (VA) referred for high DFT underwent placement of an additional defibrillation coil in the CS. DFT testing was performed at the completion of the implantation procedure. External potentially reversible factors were excluded. High‐output devices were systematically used.

Results

Four patients with high DFT at implantation and two with several failed shock attempts underwent placement of a defibrillation coil in the CS. Mean age was 41.8 (23‐78). They presented a mean LVEF of 21% (15‐30), QRS‐complex duration of 109.8 milliseconds (87‐168), body surface area of 1.96 m2 (1.45‐2.58), and a mean R wave of 16.3 mV (8‐27). Defibrillation coil implantation in the CS (final shocking configuration of right ventricle as anode and left ventricle (LV) plus can as cathode) was associated with successful DFT testing in all. Three patients had a concomitant LV lead for biventricular pacing. During a mean follow‐up of 54.67 months (10‐118), two patients experienced successful ICD shocks for VA (one of them also presented inappropriate shocks because of the fast conducting atrial fibrillation).

Conclusions

Positioning of a defibrillation coil in the CS can result in a substantial reduction in mean DFT and associates with optimal long‐term stability.
An Investigation of the Relationship between Age, Achievement, and Creativity in Mathematics
Authors: Haavold Per Øystein
Published: December 2018

In this exploratory study, I investigate the relationship between age, knowledge, and creativity in mathematics, by looking at to what extent does grade level, controlled for mathematical achievement, influence mathematical creativity and what characterizes the relationship between grade level, mathematical achievement and mathematical creativity. This was accomplished in two steps. In the first part, 301 students, 184 grade eight students and 117 grade eleven students, were given a creative mathematics test. A 3 × 2 ANOVA indicates that the older students were more creative; however, there was a significant interaction effect between grade level and achievement in mathematics on mathematical creativity. In the second part, an inductive content analysis was performed on the solutions of high achievers in grade eleven and grade eight. The results indicate that high achievers in grade eight are more creative than high achievers in grade eleven, but the nature of the task mediates the relationship between creativity and knowledge.
Climate warming response of mountain lakes affected by variations in snow
Authors: Sadro Steven , Melack John M. , Sickman James O. , Skeen Kevin
Published: December 2018

Our objectives were to determine how temperatures in mountain lakes respond to changes in climate and to characterize how their responses are mediated by landscape or lake morphometric factors. Our analysis combines the use of high‐frequency climate and lake temperature data from 1983 to 2016 in a high‐elevation catchment in the Sierra Nevada of California with summer water temperature data from a set of 18 additional lakes scattered throughout the range. Average annual air temperatures warmed at 0.63°C decade−1, but variation in lake temperature was driven primarily by amount of precipitation as snow. By regulating the duration of ice cover and volume of inflowing spring snowmelt, variation in snowpack size accounted for 93% of variation in summer epilimnetic temperatures. The effect of snow on lake temperatures was mediated by variation in elevation and lake depth at landscape scales, creating a predictable mosaic of lake sensitivities to climate warming.
Modular Approach for the Design of Smart Polymeric Nanocapsules
Authors: Iyisan Banu , Landfester Katharina
Published: December 2018

The formation of nanocapsules from a modular perspective for self‐assembled nanocapsules, so‐called polymersomes, and nanocapsules with a covalently formed shell are discussed in this review. It is shown that there are common and comparable ways for the selective and controlled release of payloads for stimuli‐responsive systems and nanocapsule functionalization in order to use them for drug delivery and diagnostic applications.
High percentage of microbial colonization of osteosynthesis material in clinically unremarkable patients
Authors: Knabl Ludwig , Kuppelwieser Bettina , Mayr Astrid , Posch Wilfried , Lackner Michaela , Coraҫa‐Huber Débora , Danita Adrian , Blauth Michael , Lass‐Flörl Cornelia , Orth‐Höller Dorothea
Published: December 2018

Stabilization of fractures with internal fixation devices is a common procedure and implant‐associated infections are a dreaded complication. The exact pathomechanism is not completely understood; however, microbial colonization of osteosynthesis material is considered a trigger for infection. This study aimed to determine the colonization rate of osteosynthesis implants in patients with no clinical or laboratory signs of infection, using two methods, conventional culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of sonication fluid. Fifty‐seven patients aged between 18 and 79 years without signs of infection who underwent routine removal of osteosynthesis devices between March 2015 and May 2017 were included in this study. Osteosynthesis material was investigated by sonication followed by cultivation of the sonication fluid in blood culture bottles and PCR analysis, simultaneously. Additionally, electron scanning microscopy was performed in nine representative implants to evaluate biofilm production. Thirty‐two (56.1%) implants showed a positive result either by culture or PCR with coagulase‐negative staphylococci being the most commonly identified microorganism (68.1%). Furthermore, the detection rate of the culture (50.9%) was significantly higher compared to PCR (21.1%). The scanning electron microscopy imaging demonstrated biofilm‐like structures in four of six culture and/or PCR‐positive samples. This study is the first, to the best of our knowledge, to demonstrate bacterial colonization of osteosynthesis implants in healthy patients with no clinical or laboratory signs of infection. Colonization rate was unexpectedly high and conventional culture was superior to PCR in microbial detection. The common understanding that colonization is a trigger for infection underlines the need for strategies to prevent colonization of implant material like antibiotic‐loaded coating or intraoperative gel application.
A new propeller trapezius muscle flap for reconstruction of posterior trunk defects: An anatomic study and report of three cases
Authors: Meyerson Joseph , O'Brien Andrew , Calvin Nicholas , Chandawarkar Rajiv
Published: December 2018

Background

Reconstruction of complex back defects, especially after corrective spine surgery, is a challenging problem. In these patients hardware issues predominate and flap failure has serious consequences. Certain subunits of the back pose even greater problems, specifically the central region between T9 and T12. The purpose of this article is to present a novel technique for reconstruction of such spinal defects using a newly described trapezius muscle propeller flap based on the dorsal scapular vessels.

Methods

Four cadaveric trapezius muscle propeller flaps were raised to ensure appropriate rotation into central region of the posterior trunk between T9 and T12. Three patients all had similar presentations with a history of scoliosis, previous failed spinal instrumentation, prominent hardware, impending exposure, worsening kyphosis, and back pain. The patients underwent planned extension fusions from the upper thoracic to lumbar vertebrae by orthopedic surgery. All three patients lacked local reconstructive options and propeller trapezius muscle flaps were dissected.

Results

All cadaveric dissections demonstrated adequate rotation of the muscle flap without tension or kinking of the vascular pedicle. For the case studies, two patients had right sided trapezius flaps utilized, one patient had injury to the right dorsal scapular vessels during dissection, thus a left sided trapezius was rotated. One patient had complications including a seroma requiring aspiration and superficial wound breakdown. All had complete healing with no postoperative shoulder dysfunction noted.

Conclusion

As a result, the trapezius muscle propeller flap is found to be a novel flap that provides a simple, yet robust solution to an otherwise difficult reconstructive problem.
Multiscale finite element discretizations based on local defect correction for the biharmonic eigenvalue problem of plate buckling
Authors: Wang Shijie , Yang Yidu , Bi Hai
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we study the multiscale finite element discretizations about the biharmonic eigenvalue problem of plate buckling. On the basis of the work of Dai and Zhou (SIAM J. Numer. Anal. 46[1] [2008] 295‐324), we establish a three‐scale scheme, a multiscale discretization scheme, and the associated parallel version based on local defect correction. We first prove a local priori error estimate of finite element approximations, then give the error estimates of multiscale discretization schemes. Theoretical analysis and numerical experiments indicate that our schemes are suitable and efficient for eigenfunctions with local low smoothness.
Positive ground state solutions for fractional Kirchhoff type equations with critical growth
Authors: Huang Wentao , Luo Xiao
Published: December 2018

We study the existence of positive ground state solutions for the following fractional Kirchhoff type equation

urn:x-wiley:mma:media:mma5411:mma5411-math-0001
where a,b > 0 are constants, μ is a positive parameter,
with
and s ∈ (0,1). Under suitable assumptions on V(x), by using a monotonicity trick and a global compactness principle, we prove that the equation admits a positive ground state solution if
and μ > 0 large enough.
Compact unequal filtering power divider operating in two bands with controllable characteristic impedances
Authors: Tian Riyun , Weng Zibin , Zhang Chi , Wang Lei
Published: December 2018

A design method for unequal filtering power dividers (PDs) working at 2 bands is presented in this article. Compared with conventional unequal PDs, in this method, each section of the proposed circuit uses transmission lines whose characteristic impedances are controllable to avoid high‐impedance line. Meanwhile, the conventional λ/4 transmission line in PDs is substituted with a pair of proper dual‐mode resonators. To prove the effectiveness of the proposed design principle, a miniaturized unequal filtering PD working at 3.5 and 4.9 GHz is designed, fabricated and measured. Eventually, it is clear that the simulated results and the measurements have favorable agreement.
Tri‐core photonic crystal fiber based refractive index dual sensor for salinity and temperature detection
Authors: Amiri Iraj S. , Paul Bikash Kumar , Ahmed Kawsar , Aly Arafa H. , Zakaria Rozalina , Yupapin Preecha , Vigneswaran Dhasarathan
Published: December 2018

This article discusses the tri‐core photonic crystal microstructure fiber for the process of simultaneous sensing for salinity and temperature of water substances. This kind of microstructure is preferred in many sensing application to scale the detection process in micrometer range. In this novel sensor, the sensitivity is calculated through coupling mechanism by tracking wavelength shift of various concentrations of salinity and temperature using finite element method. The sensible samples are in liquid and are infiltrated into the framed hollow cavity. Based on the coupling principle between silica substrate and the analyte material, the sense of the salt as well as temperature is obtained. Finally, it is noted that sensitivity of the salt level in water as 5404.9 nm/RIU for x polarization direction and 5674 nm/RIU for y polarization direction have been calculated with the temperature sensitivity of 4 nm/°C in the same water substances.
Low profile octa‐band antenna without lumped elements for WWAN/LTE metallic narrow‐frame tablet computers
Authors: Chen Chu‐Hui , Jiao Yong‐Chang , Weng Zi‐Bin
Published: December 2018

A low profile octa‐band antenna with a small size of 74 × 5 × 0.8 mm3 for the WWAN/LTE metallic narrow‐frame tablet computer is proposed. The antenna consists of a driven strip and a ground strip. A gap of 2.5 mm in width is disposed at the top of metallic frame, and a T‐shaped open slot is formed by the ground clearance and the metallic frame. As a result, additional slot resonant modes can be excited, and the operating bandwidth of the antenna is widened. With only 5 mm ground clearance, the antenna successfully covers all WWAN/LTE bands without any lumped elements. The antenna is fabricated. The measured results show that the antenna operates in 698‐960 and 1710‐2690 MHz bands with good radiation efficiencies. The proposed antenna is suitable for the metallic narrow‐frame tablet computer applications.
Knowledge‐based dose prediction models for head and neck cancer are strongly affected by interorgan dependency and dataset inconsistency
Authors: Wang Yibing , Heijmen Ben J. M. , Petit Steven F.
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The goal of this study was to generate a large treatment plan database for head and neck (H&N) cancer patients that can be considered as the gold standard to train and validate models for knowledge‐based (KB) treatment planning and QA. With this dataset, the intrinsic prediction performance, the effect of interorgan dependency, and the impact of dataset inconsistency was investigated for an existing treatment planning QA model.

Methods

The CT scans of 108 previously treated oropharyngeal patients were used to establish the plan database. For each patient, 15 Pareto optimal treatment plans with different planning priorities for the parotid glands were generated with fully automatic multicriterial treatment planning (1620 plans in total). For each of the 15 sets of plans in the database, a KB model was trained with 54 patients and validated on the other 54 by comparing the predictions with the achieved doses. The dose prediction accuracy (predicted—achieved) of the KB models was assessed and compared among the different models to characterize the intrinsic performance and effect of interorgan dependency. In addition, the effect of dataset inconsistency with respect to planning prioritizations was investigated by mixing plans with different prioritizations, for the training, the validation dataset, and for both combined.

Results

In the case of a high planning priority, the mean ± SD of the prediction error for the mean dose of the parotid glands was only 0.2 ± 2.2 Gy, but this increased to 1.0 ± 5.0 Gy in the case that the parotid glands had a low planning priority. Dataset inconsistency (in planning priority) led to a large increase in prediction error for the parotid glands (mean ± SD) from 0.2 ± 2.2 Gy to 2.8 ± 3.3 Gy, −3.2 ± 5.0 Gy or −0.6 ± 5.4 Gy, depending on the way the datasets were mixed.

Conclusions

The generated plan database can be used to validate and characterize KB prediction models for H&N cancer and will be made available upon request. The investigated KB model performed well in case the parotid glands had a high planning priority (little dependence on lower priority OARs), but poorly for organs for which the dose strongly depends on other higher priority OARs. To improve the performance of KB prediction models for H&N cancer, interorgan dependency should be modeled and accounted for. Dataset inconsistency has a large negative impact on the prediction errors of KB models and should be avoided as much as possible.
Flow MR fingerprinting
Authors: Flassbeck Sebastian , Schmidt Simon , Bachert Peter , Ladd Mark E. , Schmitter Sebastian
Published: December 2018

Purpose

To investigate the feasibility to quantify blood velocities within the magnetic resonance fingerprinting framework, while providing relaxometric maps of static tissue.

Methods

Bipolar gradients are inserted into an SSFP‐based MRF sequence to achieve velocity‐dependent signal phases, allowing tri‐directional time‐resolved velocity component quantification. The accuracy of both relaxometric mapping and velocity quantification was validated in vivo and in phantom studies.

Results

Simulations determined that even for strong cardiac cycle length variations (700–1400 ms) Flow‐MRF determines accurate velocity maps deviating <0.1% from the ground truth on average. The cardiac cycle length variability only results in reduced velocity‐to‐noise ratios. Good agreement in the velocity quantification between a standard phase–contrast cine and the Flow‐MRF sequence was reached in phantom experiments. Relaxometric phantom experiments determined mean deviations between Flow‐MRF and spin‐echo‐based reference measurements of 89 ± 25 ms / 0.8 ± 2.5 ms over the range of 630–2630 ms / 49–145 ms for T1 / T2, respectively. The in vivo study of a human knee determined mean T1 / T2 values of 1383 ± 75 ms / 26 ± 4 ms for the gastrocnemius muscle that agree with literature values.

Conclusion

Flow‐MRF presents a novel way of quantifying velocities while simultaneously providing relaxometric maps of static tissue and it can potentially be a viable method to accelerate the inherently long acquisition times of time‐resolved velocity quantification.
Double‐row 18‐loop transceive–32‐loop receive tight‐fit array provides for whole‐brain coverage, high transmit performance, and SNR improvement near the brain center at 9.4T
Authors: Avdievich Nikolai I. , Giapitzakis Ioannis‐Angelos , Bause Jonas , Shajan Gunamony , Scheffler Klaus , Henning Anke
Published: December 2018

Purpose

To improve the transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) performance of a human head array and provide whole‐brain coverage at 9.4T, a novel 32‐element array design was developed, constructed, and tested.

Methods

The array consists of 18 transceiver (TxRx) surface loops and 14 Rx‐only vertical loops all placed in a single layer. The new design combines benefits of both TxRx and transmit‐only–receive‐only (ToRo) designs. The general idea of the design is that the total number of array elements (both TxRx and Rx) should not exceed the number of required Rx elements. First, the necessary number of TxRx loops is placed around the object tightly to optimize the Tx performance. The rest of the elements are loops, which are used only for reception. We also compared the performance of the new array with that of a state‐of‐the‐art ToRo array consisting of 16 Tx‐only loops and 31 Rx‐only loops.

Results

The new array provides whole‐brain coverage, ~1.5 times greater Tx efficiency and 1.3 times higher SNR near the brain center as compared to the ToRo array, while the latter delivers higher (up to 1.5 times) peripheral SNR.

Conclusion

In general, the new approach of constructing a single‐layer array consisting of both TxRx‐ and Rx‐only elements simplifies the array construction by minimizing the total number of elements and makes the entire design more robust and, therefore, safe. Overall, our work provides a recipe for a Tx‐ and Rx‐efficient head array coil suitable for parallel transmission and reception as well as whole‐brain imaging at UHF.
Acceleration of vessel‐selective dynamic MR Angiography by pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling in combination with Acquisition of ConTRol and labEled images in the Same Shot (ACTRESS)
Authors: Suzuki Yuriko , Okell Thomas W. , Fujima Noriyuki , van Osch Matthias J.P.
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The recently introduced “Acquisition of ConTRol and labEled imaging in the Same Shot” (ACTRESS) approach was designed to halve the scan time of arterial spin labeling (ASL) ‐based 4D‐MRA by obtaining both labeled and control images in a single Look‐Locker readout. However, application for vessel‐selective labeling remains difficult. The aim of this study was to achieve a combination of ACTRESS and vessel‐selective labeling to halve the scan time of vessel‐selective 4D‐MRA.

Methods

By Bloch equation simulations, Look‐Locker pseudocontinuous‐ASL (pCASL) was optimized to achieve constant static tissue signal across the multidelay readout, which is essential for the ACTRESS approach. Additionally, a new subtraction scheme was proposed to achieve visualization of the inflow phase even when labeled blood will have already arrived in the distal arteries during the first phase acquisition due to the long duration of the pCASL labeling module. In vivo studies were performed to investigate the signal variation of the static tissue, as well as to assess image quality of vessel‐selective 4D‐MRA with ACTRESS.

Results

In in vivo studies, the mean signal variation of the static tissue was 8.98% over the Look‐Locker phases, thereby minimizing the elevation of background signal. This allowed visualization of peripheral arteries and slowly arriving arterial blood with image quality as good as conventional pCASL within half the acquisition time. Vessel‐selective pCASL‐ACTRESS enabled the separated visualization of vessels arising from internal and external carotid arteries within this shortened acquisition time.

Conclusion

By combining vessel‐selective pCASL and ACTRESS approach, 4D‐MRA of a single targeted arterial tree was achieved in a few minutes.
Bienenverträgliche Insektizide – eine Utopie?
Authors: Groß Michael
Published: December 2018

Die EU hat festgelegt: Ab Ende des Jahres dürfen Landwirte drei Neonicotinoide nicht mehr im Freiland verwenden. Doch was kann diese ersetzen? Denn ein Produkt, das ehemals als aussichtsreicher Kandidat galt, gefährdet möglicherweise nicht nur Bienen, sondern auch Hummeln.
Blickpunkt Anorganik ‐ Spektroskopie: Licht ins Dunkel der Metalloenzyme
Authors: Rickmeyer Kerstin , Daumann Lena J.
Published: December 2018

Die Natur hat metallbasierte Katalysatoren hervorgebracht, die Reaktionen in einer Weise beeinflussen, von der Synthesechemiker nur träumen können. Um diese Verbindungen als Inspiration zu nutzen, müssen die Prozesse in der Natur verstanden sein.
Vorausschauend entwickeln
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: December 2018

Kurzbilanzierungswerte zeigen, wie ein Produkt auf die Umwelt wirkt, wenn es gefertigt und später als Abfall entsorgt wird. Damit bewerten Entwickler, ob es umweltverträglich ist.
Effects of chronic fentanyl administration on behavioral characteristics of mice
Authors: Fujii Kazuki , Koshidaka Yumie , Adachi Mayumi , Takao Keizo
Published: December 2018

Background

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid categorized as a narcotic analgesic, has a 100‐ to 200‐fold stronger effect than most opioids, such as morphine. Fatal accidents due to chronic use and abuse of fentanyl are a worldwide social problem. One reason for the abuse of fentanyl is its psychostimulant effects that could induce behavioral changes. The effects of chronic fentanyl administration on behavior, however, are unclear.

Methods

Adult male C57BL/6J mice were chronically administered fentanyl (0.03 or 0.3 mg/kg/d i.p.), and various behaviors were assessed using a behavioral test battery.

Results

Mice chronically administered a high dose of fentanyl (0.3 mg/kg/d) exhibited decreased anxiety‐like behavior as assessed by the open field and elevated plus maze tests. On the other hand, interruption of fentanyl administration led to increased anxiety‐like behavior as observed in the light and dark transition test. The hot plate test revealed that chronic administration of fentanyl reduced pain sensitivity. High‐dose chronic fentanyl administration reduced the locomotor stimulatory effects of cocaine. The results, however, failed to reach the threshold for study‐wide statistical significance.

Conclusion

Chronic fentanyl administration induces some behavioral changes in mice. Although further studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms of the behavioral effects of chronic fentanyl administration, our findings suggest that fentanyl is safe under properly controlled conditions.
Complete flux scheme for parabolic singularly perturbed differential‐difference equations
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Rathish Kumar Bayya Venkatesulu , Ten Thije Boonkkamp Johannes Hendrikus Maria
Published: December 2018

In this study, we investigate the concept of the complete flux (CF) obtained as a solution to a local boundary value problem (BVP) for a given parabolic singularly perturbed differential‐difference equation (SPDDE) with modified source term to propose an efficient complete flux‐finite volume method (CF‐FVM) for parabolic SPDDE which is μ‐ and ϵ‐uniform method where μ, ϵ are shift and perturbation parameters, respectively. The proposed numerical method is shown to be consistent, stable, and convergent and has been successfully implemented on three test problems.
Catecholamine Vasopressor Support Sparing Strategies in Vasodilatory Shock
Authors: Buckley Mitchell S. , Barletta Jeffrey F. , Smithburger Pamela L. , Radosevich John J. , Kane‐Gill Sandra L.
Published: December 2018

Shock syndromes are associated with unacceptably high rates of mortality in critically ill patients despite advances in therapeutic options. Vasodilatory shock is the most common type encountered in the intensive care unit. It is manifested by cardiovascular failure, peripheral vasodilatation, and arterial hypotension leading to tissue hypoperfusion and organ failure. Hemodynamic support is typically initiated with fluid resuscitation strategies and administration of adrenergic vasopressor agents in nonresponsive patients to restore arterial pressure with subsequent adequate organ reperfusion. Unfortunately, high catecholamine dosing requirements may be necessary to achieve targeted hemodynamic goals that may increase the risk of vasopressor‐induced adverse events. The purpose of this article is to review the clinical efficacy and safety data and potential role in therapy for catecholamine‐sparing agents in vasodilatory shock. Adjunctive therapeutic options to reduce vasoactive support requirements without compromising arterial pressure include arginine vasopressin and analogs, corticosteroids, midodrine, methylene blue, and angiotensin II. Although concomitant vasopressin and corticosteroids have a more defined role in evidence‐based guidelines for managing shock, clinicians may consider other potential catecholamine‐sparing agents.
Synthesis of n‐alkyl methacrylate polymers with pendant carbazole moieties and their derivatives
Authors: Bandera Yuriy , McFarlane Tucker M. , Burdette Mary K. , Jurca Marek , Klep Oleksandr , Foulger Stephen H.
Published: December 2018

New methacrylate monomers with carbazole moieties as pendant groups were synthesized by multistep syntheses starting from carbazoles with biphenyl substituents in the aromatic ring. The corresponding polymers were prepared using a free‐radical polymerization. The novel polymers contain N‐alkylated carbazoles mono‐ or bi‐substituted with biphenyl groups in the aromatic ring. N‐alkyl chains in polymers vary by length and structure. All new polymers were synthesized to evaluate the structural changes in terms of their effect on the energy profile, thermal, dielectric, and photophysical properties when compared to the parent polymer poly(2‐(9H‐carbazol‐9‐yl)ethyl methacrylate). According to the obtained results, these compounds may be well suited for memory resistor devices. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 70–76
Delocalized Nonlinear Vibrational Modes in Graphene: Second Harmonic Generation and Negative Pressure
Authors: Korznikova Elena A. , Shcherbinin Stepan A. , Ryabov Denis S. , Chechin George M. , Ekomasov Evgeny G. , Barani Elham , Zhou Kun , Dmitriev Sergey V.
Published: December 2018

With the help of molecular dynamics simulations, delocalized nonlinear vibrational modes (DNVM) in graphene are analyzed. Such modes are dictated by the lattice symmetry, they are exact solutions to the atomic equations of motion, regardless the employed interatomic potential and for any mode amplitude (though for large amplitudes they are typically unstable). In this study, only one‐ and two‐component DNVM are analyzed, they are reducible to the dynamical systems with one and two degrees of freedom, respectively. There exist 4 one‐component and 12 two‐component DNVM with in‐plane atomic displacements. Any two‐component mode includes one of the one‐component modes. If the amplitudes of the modes constituting a two‐component mode are properly chosen, periodic in time vibrations are observed for the two degrees of freedom at frequenciesωand 2ω, that is, second harmonic generation takes place. For particular DNVM, the higher harmonic can have frequency nearly two times larger than the maximal frequency of the phonon spectrum of graphene. Excitation of some of DNVM results in the appearance of negative in‐plane pressure in graphene. This counterintuitive result is explained by the rotational motion of carbon hexagons. Our results contribute to the understanding of nonlinear dynamics of the graphene lattice.
Controlling the Electrical Characteristics of ZrO2/Al2O3/ZrO2 Capacitors by Adopting a Ru Top Electrode Grown via Atomic Layer Deposition
Authors: An Cheol Hyun , Lee Woongkyu , Kim Sang Hyeon , Cho Cheol Jin , Kim Dong‐Gun , Kwon Dae Seon , Cho Seong Tak , Cha Soon Hyung , Lim Jun Il , Jeon Woojin , Hwang Cheol Seong
Published: December 2018

The electrical characteristics of metal–insulator–metal (MIM) capacitors consisting of a ZrO2/Al2O3/ZrO2 (ZAZ) dielectric film, a TiN bottom electrode (BE), and two different top electrodes (TEs; TiN and Ru) are examined. The enhanced property in the leakage current density versus equivalent oxide thickness (J–tox) plot is observed in the MIM structure with the Ru TE for the ZAZ film with specific film thickness of ≈4.6 nm. Especially, the J due to the electron injection from the TiN BE was significantly decreased for the Ru TE case compared to the TiN TE sample at 1–2 MV cm−1 electric field region. These extraordinary behaviors are found to have originated the change in the oxygen vacancy density in the ZAZ film, which induces Poole–Frenkel emission through the reaction with the active oxygen during the Ru TE fabrication process. The difference in nonlinearity of the capacitance–voltage (C–V) curve also indicates a different trap density at the interface of ZAZ and the TiN BE, suggesting a change in the oxygen vacancy density in the ZAZ film.
Inverse Spin Hall Effect in Electron Beam Evaporated Topological Insulator Bi2Se3 Thin Film
Authors: Singh Braj B. , Jena Sukanta K. , Samanta Manisha , Biswas Kanishka , Satpati Biswarup , Bedanta Subhankar
Published: December 2018

Spintronics exploiting pure spin current in ferromagnetic (FM)/heavy metals (HM) is a subject of intense research. Topological insulators having spin momentum locked surface states exhibit high spin–orbit coupling and thus possess a huge potential to replace the HM like Pt, Ta, W, etc. In this context, the spin pumping phenomenon in Bi2Se3/CoFeB bilayers has been investigated. Bi2Se3 thin films are fabricated by electron beam evaporation method on Si (100) substrate. In order to confirm the topological nature of Bi2Se3, low temperature magnetotransport measurement on a 30 nm thick Bi2Se3 film which shows 10% magnetoresistance (MR) at 1.5 K has been performed. A linear increase in MR with applied magnetic field indicates the presence of spin momentum‐locked surface states. A voltage has been measured at room temperature to quantify the spin pumping which is generated via inverse spin Hall effect (ISHE). For the separation of spin rectification effects mainly produced by the FM CoFeB layer, in plane angular dependence of the dc voltage with respect to applied magnetic field has been measured. Our analysis reveals that spin pumping induced ISHE is the dominant contribution in the measured voltage.