bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supported and inserted monomeric niobium oxide species on/in silica: a molecular picture
Authors: Tranca Diana C. , Wojtaszek-Gurdak Anna , Ziolek Maria , Tielens Frederik
Published: July 2015

The geometry, energetic, and spectroscopic properties of molecular structures of silica-supported niobium oxide catalysts are studied using periodic density functional calculations (DFT) and compared with experimental data.
Tuning the charge state of Ag and Au atoms and clusters deposited on oxide surfaces by doping: a DFT study of the adsorption properties of nitrogen- and niobium-doped TiO2and ZrO2
Authors: Schlexer Philomena , Ruiz Puigdollers Antonio , Pacchioni Gianfranco
Published: July 2015

Defects (O vacancies) and dopants (nitrogen and niobium impurities) in titania and zirconia affect the properties of adsorbed Ag and Au clusters.
Analysis of relative standard deviation of spectral line intensity and intensity ratio in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy using CuIn1−xGaxSe2 thin film samples
Authors: In Jung-Hwan , Kim Chan-Kyu , Jeong Sungho
Published: July 2015

The precision of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) measurement is analyzed in consideration of both the shot noise of the detector and the shot-to-shot fluctuation noise of the laser plasma.
One-pot pyrolysis of lithium sulfate and graphene nanoplatelet aggregates: in situ formed Li2S/graphene composite for lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Li Zhe , Zhang Shiguo , Zhang Ce , Ueno Kazuhide , Yasuda Tomohiro , Tatara Ryoichi , Dokko Kaoru , Watanabe Masayoshi
Published: July 2015

Lithium sulfide/graphene composite as high capacity cathode material is facilely obtained by one-pot pyrolysis of graphene nanoplatelet aggregates and low-cost lithium sulfate.
Transparent and through thickness conductive polystyrene films using external magnetic fields for “Z” alignment of nickel nanoparticles
Authors: Chen Yuwei , Guo Yuanhao , Batra Saurabh , Wang Enmin , Wang Yanping , Liu Xueqing , Wang Yimin , Cakmak Miko
Published: July 2015

A combination of transparency, electrical conductivity and flexibility is desired in the emerging flexible electronics industry for current and future applications.
Convenient synthesis and application of versatile nucleic acid lipid membrane anchors in the assembly and fusion of liposomes
Authors: Ries Oliver , Löffler Philipp M. G. , Vogel Stefan
Published: July 2015

Hydrophobic moieties like lipid membrane anchors are highly demanded modifications for nucleic acid oligomers.
Legonaridin, a new member of linaridin RiPP from a Ghanaian Streptomyces isolate
Authors: Rateb Mostafa E. , Zhai Yin , Ehrner Emmanuelle , Rath Christopher M. , Wang Xiaoling , Tabudravu Jioji , Ebel Rainer , Bibb Mervin , Kyeremeh Kwaku , Dorrestein Pieter C. , Hong Kui , Jaspars Marcel , Deng Hai
Published: July 2015

In this paper we describe the identification of a new linaridin RiPP, legonaridin, from the new soil bacterium Streptomyces sp. CT34.
Effects of structural modifications on the metal binding, anti-amyloid activity, and cholinesterase inhibitory activity of chalcones
Authors: Fosso Marina Y. , LeVine 3rd Harry , Green Keith D. , Tsodikov Oleg V. , Garneau-Tsodikova Sylvie
Published: July 2015

Twenty chalcone derivatives were synthesized and found to bind Cu2+and Zn2+ions, modulate the dissociation of Aβ aggregates, and inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity. These chalcones show promise for the development of probes and/or therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease.
Glimpses of the modification of perovskite with graphene-analogous materials in photocatalytic applications
Authors: Acharya Saumyaprava , Martha Satyabadi , Sahoo Prakash Chandra , Parida Kulamani
Published: July 2015

This review highlights the recent trends in the modification of perovskite with graphene-analogous materials towards H2production and pollutant degradation.
Low temperature Au induced crystallization of titanium dioxide thin films for resistive switching applications
Authors: Sangani L. D. Varma , Sri K. Vijaya , Mohiddon Md. Ahamad , Krishna M. Ghanashyam
Published: July 2015

Au induced decrease of TiO2 crystallization temperature.
WS2 inorganic nanotubes reinforced poly(l-lactic acid)/hydroxyapatite hybrid composite biomaterials
Authors: Naffakh Mohammed , Díez-Pascual Ana M.
Published: July 2015

This study confirms the potential use of WS2 inorganic nanotubes to prepare a novel PLLA/HA hybrid nanocomposite for biomedical applications.
Synthesis and characterization of Hg(ii)-ion-imprinted polymer and its application for the determination of mercury in water samples
Authors: Luo Fengxian , Huang Shuiying , Xiong Xiaodong , Lai Xiaoqi
Published: July 2015

Hg(ii)-ion-imprinted polymer for the sensitive and selective determination of mercury in water samples.
Upconversion NaYF4:Yb:Er nanoparticles co-doped with Gd3+ and Nd3+ for thermometry on the nanoscale
Authors: Klier D. T. , Kumke M. U.
Published: July 2015

The upconversion luminescence properties of oleic acid capped NaYF4:Gd3+:Yb3+:Er3+ upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP) with pure β crystal phase and Nd3+ ions as an additional sensitizer were studied in the temperature range of 288 K < T < 328 K.
Roles of solvent, annealing and Bi3+ co-doping on the crystal structure and luminescence properties of YPO4:Eu3+ nanoparticles
Authors: Ningthoujam R. S. , Sharma Anusha , Sharma K. S. , Barick K. C. , Hassan P. A. , Vatsa R. K.
Published: July 2015

There are roles of solvent, annealing and Bi3+ co-doping on crystal structure and luminescence properties of YPO4:Eu3+ nanoparticles.
Direct synthesis of Cu-BDC frameworks on a quartz crystal microresonator and their application to studies of n-hexane adsorption
Authors: Yim Changyong , Jeon Sangmin
Published: July 2015

Cu-BDC frameworks were synthesized from metallic copper and the adsorption of n-hexane vapor was investigated by using a quartz crystal microbalance.
Floating zone growth and optical phonon behavior of corundum Mg4Ta2O9 single crystals
Authors: Li Liang , Liu Wenqiang , Han Bo , Jin Xilian , Li Fangfei , Wang Wenquan , Zhou Qiang , Xu Dapeng , Cui Tian
Published: July 2015

We demonstrate that corundum Mg4Ta2O9 crystals, free of low-angle grain boundaries and bubbles, were prepared for the first time by the infrared heating optical floating zone method.
A concise route to functionalized benzofurans directly from gem-dibromoalkenes and phenols
Authors: Rao Maddali L. N. , Dasgupta Priyabrata
Published: July 2015

A tandem strategy for the construction of benzofuran motifs has been developed directly from gem-dibromoalkenes and phenols under palladium-catalyzed conditions.
Billion-fold rate enhancement of urethane polymerization via the photothermal effect of plasmonic gold nanoparticles
Authors: Haas Kaitlin M. , Lear Benjamin J.
Published: July 2015

We report that the photothermal effect of gold nanoparticles can be used to provide a billion fold enhancement to the rate of urethane polymerization.
Cerebellar cystic ganglioglioma in an 8-year-old child
Authors: Özer Erdener , Yüceer Nurullah
Published: July 2015

The authors report a child with a cerebellar ganglioglioma and large cyst. An 8-year-old boy presented with headache and ataxia. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies demonstrated a large cystic component associated with intense contrast enhancement of a mural nodule in the left cerebellar hemisphere. A preoperative diagnosis of cystic astrocytoma was made. The tumor was removed via a midline suboccipital approach. Pathological examination of the tumor specimen revealed a ganglioglioma. The postoperative course was uneventful. There was no tumor recurrence on repeat MRI. At most recent follow-up, the patient was well. Although rare, cerebellar cystic gangliogliomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of posterior fossa tumors.
Temperature bistability in a 2D electron system on liquid helium induced by Coulomb interaction under cyclotron-resonance excitation
Authors: Monarkha Yu. P.
Published: July 2015

The energy balance of strongly interacting surface electrons on liquid helium under cyclotron-resonance excitation is theoretically studied. The Coulomb interaction is shown to induce temperature bistability of the electron system, if the magnetic field and electron density are high enough. Surprisingly, bistability appears already for quite low average kinetic energies, when nearly all electrons occupy the ground surface subband. The electron temperature Te, as the function of the magnetic field B, exhibits hysteresis and bistability jumps in a certain range of the microwave power. Above the threshold microwave field, the line shape Te(B) is shown to be sensitive to details of the ripplon dispersion at large wave numbers.
Phonon spectrum and vibrational characteristics of linear nanostructures in solid matrices
Authors: Manzhelii E. V. , Feodosyev S. B. , Gospodarev I. A. , Syrkin E. S. , Minakova K. A.
Published: July 2015

The atomic dynamics of linear chains embedded in a crystalline matrix or adsorbed on its surface is studied. A linear chain formed by substitutional impurities in a surface layer and at the same time offsetting from this layer was analyzed particularly. This system models the actively studied experimentally structures in which gas molecules are adsorbed on the walls of the bundles of carbon nanotubes located in certain medium. It is shown that the quasi-one-dimensional features are typical for the chains in which the interatomic interaction is higher than the interaction between the atoms of the chain and the atoms of the crystal matrix. On the local phonon density of atoms of the chain the transition to quasi-one-dimensional behavior has the form of the kink. In other words, it is the first (lowest-frequency) van Hove singularity, which in 3D structures (the system under consideration is generally three-dimensional) corresponds to the transition from closed to open constant frequency (quasi-plane) surfaces. The local phonon densities of atoms in the chain have one-dimensional character at frequencies higher than the frequency of the van Hove singularity. The rms amplitude of embedded chains atoms vibrations is calculated and the behavior of the atomic vibrations contribution in the low-temperature heat capacity of the system is analyzed.
Nanotube-based source of charges for experiments with solid helium at low temperatures
Authors: Borisenko D. N. , Walmsley P. M. , Golov A. I. , Kolesnikov N. N. , Kotov Yu. V. , Levchenko A. A. , Mezhov-Deglin L. P. , Fear M. J.
Published: July 2015

Methods of preparation of the field-emission sources of charges from carbon nanotubes suitable for study of injected charges in solid helium at low temperatures T < 1 K are presented. The sources have been prepared by arc discharge deposition of nanotubes onto a flat copper substrate or by mechanical rubbing of nanotubes into porous metal surface. The test study of the voltage-current characteristics of a diode cell with the nanotube source in superfluid He II have shown that at voltages above 120 V one can observe a relatively large current I ≥ 10–13 A of negative charges in liquid helium. The field and temperature dependences of positive and negative currents in solid 4He were studied in samples grown by the blocked capillary technique. Usage of the nanotube based source of injected charges had permitted us for the first time to observe motion of the positive charges in solid helium at temperatures below 0.1 K. The current-voltage dependence could be described by a power law I∼Uα, with the value of the exponent α ≫ 2, much higher than what one would expect for the regime of space charge limited currents.
Effect of pressure on the magnetic properties of multiferroic BiFeO3
Authors: Panfilov A. S. , Grechnev G. E. , Ishchuk V. M.
Published: July 2015

Chemical bonds and their manifestations in the magnetism of multiferroic BiFeO3 in the ground state are studied theoretically. The magnetic properties of BiFeO3 in the antiferromagnetic state and their dependences on hydrostatic pressure are studied experimentally and theoretically. These results indicate a substantial rise in the magnetic susceptibility χ of the compound under pressure with a characteristic pressure derivative dlnχ/dP ∼ 3 × 10−2 GPa−1. A quantitative estimate of the magnetostriction is made on the basis of this value for the derivative and it is shown that a magnetostriction mechanism predominates in the interplay of the magnetic and electric subsystems of multiferroic BiFeO3.
Quasi-periodic solutions for d-dimensional beam equation with derivative nonlinear perturbation
Authors: Mi Lufang , Cong Hongzi
Published: July 2015

In this paper, we consider the d-dimensional beam equation with convolution potential under periodic boundary conditions. We will apply the Kolmogorov-Arnold-Moser theorem in Eliasson and Kuksin [Ann. Math. 172, 371-435 (2010)] into this system and obtain that for sufficiently small ε, there is a large subset S′ of S such that for all s ∈ S′, the solution u of the unperturbed system persists as a time-quasi-periodic solution which has all Lyapunov exponents equal to zero and whose linearized equation is reducible to constant coefficients.
The effect of high pressure on the electrical resistivity of 2H-NbSe2 single crystals intercalated with deuterium
Authors: Biletskyi V. I. , Chashka Kh. B. , Sokolov A. N. , Vovk R. V.
Published: July 2015

A study of how hydrostatic pressure of up to 13 kbar affects the superconducting transition and electrical resistivity of D-intercalated 2H-NbSe2 samples, in a temperature range of 4.2–50 K. It is shown that the growth of Tc in the intercalated samples cannot be associated solely with the suppression of the charge density wave (CDW). For a more complete explanation of the effect of increasing Tc, it is necessary to account for changes in the density of the electron states at the Fermi level, not associated with CDW, and also changes in the constants of the electron-phonon coupling, caused by the pressure.
Elucidation of structure-to-property relationships of piezoresistive polymer-carbon nanotube nanocomposites
Authors: Fang Weiqing , Leung Siu N.
Published: July 2015

Polymeric nanocomposites (PNC) filled with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess superior multifunctionality, including electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties, making them an emerging family of advanced and multifunctional materials. In recent years, flexible polymer/CNT nanocomposites are increasingly being considered as promising alternatives to conventional smart materials. Their piezoresistive behaviours have led to many potential applications in strain sensing. Despite extensive experimental and theoretical research, the underlying mechanisms for polymer/CNT nanocomposites' piezoresistive behaviours have yet been elucidated. This paper reports comprehensive investigations on the mechanisms and the structure-to-property relationships of these piezoresistive nanocomposites. Quantitative analyses revealed that piezoresistivity of polymer/CNT nanocomposites is predominantly governed by the three mechanisms related to the strain-induced morphological evolution of the CNT network embedded in the polymer matrix. Furthermore, both CNT content and CNT alignment are key structural parameters that affect the contribution of different mechanisms on PNCs' piezoresistivity and the sensitivity of flexible PNCs as strain sensors. For PNC filled with high content of randomly dispersed CNTs, the piezoresistivity was predominantly caused by the breakage of a complex conductive network into two or more simpler conductive paths. For PNC filled with low content of highly aligned CNTs, the piezoresistivity was mainly contributed by the complete disruption of originally interconnected CNTs in electrically conductive pathways.
Full wave finite-difference time-domain study of lossless acoustic bipolar cylindrical cloak with compressed geometry and complementary media
Authors: Ahn D. , Lee Y. Y. , Lee S. , Park S.-H.
Published: July 2015

Full-wave finite-difference time-domain analysis of a lossless acoustic cloak with complementary media is studied for bipolar cylindrical geometry. The material parameters for the acoustic cloak are obtained by comparing two-dimensional Maxwell's equations in the transverse magnetic polarization and acoustic field equations for general curvilinear coordinates. The permittivity and permeability tensors for the corresponding electromagnetic fields are then obtained by using an effective medium approach in general relativity. The complementary media cancels the phase vectors across the boundaries of the illuminated acoustic waves. It is shown that for the lossless cloak the broadband and illumination direction independent cloaking can be achieved with the proposed structure.
Evaluation of salt stress of Iranian wheat germplasm under field conditions
Authors: Akbarpour Omid Ali , Dehghani Hamid , Rousta Mohammad Javad
Published: July 2015

Salinity is one of the most serious problems of crop production worldwide. In this research, a set of different wheat landraces with high diversity collected throughout Iran, advanced lines in breeding programs, and some well-known tolerant and sensitive cultivars were used to estimate genetic parameters of agronomic traits by using the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) approach. The results showed that several genotypes such as BUMI8, Salt18, BUMI1, Check cultivar and Salt25 had no reduction in grain yield under saline conditions compared with normal conditions. Minimum reductions in grain yield were related to BUMI6, Roshan and Shahpasand genotypes. High broad-sense heritability for most traits showed that they could be used to select and improve the salt tolerance of wheat germplasm in breeding programs. Grain yield had high broad-sense heritability under normal (H2b = 0.61) and saline (H2b = 0.55) conditions. Traits related to height and number of spikes per plant showed a positive correlation with grain yield. Time to heading and to maturity showed negative correlation with grain yield. Number of kernels per spike, kernel weight per spike, number of spikes per plant and spike weight showed positive correlations with grain yield under saline conditions. A significantly negative correlation was also seen between grain yield and days to heading or days to maturity under saline conditions. High variation and moderate to high heritabilities of yield and yield components in normal and salt-stressed field conditions for Iranian bread wheat germplasm are promising to enhance the narrow genetic pool of salinity tolerance.
Use of DArT molecular markers for QTL analysis of drought-stress responses in soybean. I. Phenotypic evaluation of traits
Authors: Vu Hang T. T. , James A. T. , Lawn R. J. , Bielig L. M. , Kilian A.
Published: July 2015

Physiological drought stress responses were assessed in recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from three soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) crosses, in preparation for quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses using Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) markers. The three RIL populations were derived from pairwise crosses between three genotypes, cv. Valder, CPI 26671 and G2120, which in previous studies had differed in drought-stress response. Of particular interest was the landrace variety G2120, which in the previous reports had recovered better after severe drought. To assess drought-stress response, the plants were grown in deep cylindrical pots in the glasshouse and exposed to severe water deficit followed by re-watering. Two plants to be genotyped were grown in each pot, together with one plant of G2120, which served as a reference plant against which the responses of the two other plants were assessed. Traits recorded included measures of relative water content (RWC), epidermal conductance (ge) and recovery in growth following re-watering. The responses in the reference and parental plants and the RIL populations were broadly consistent with previous studies. As plant-available water in the soil declined, both RWC and ge declined, although the relation between RWC and ge was exponential, rather than linear as in previous studies. Analysis of variance revealed large environmental effects on most of the traits, which resulted in high coefficients of variation and low estimates of broad-sense heritability. However, there were significant differences at both the population and genotype levels for all key traits, confirming the presence of genetic variation for drought-stress response. Some opportunities for enhancing the observed genetic differences and reducing the environmental noise in future studies are canvassed. Application of the observed phenotypic data reported in this paper in subsequent QTL analyses based on DArT markers is reported in the companion paper.
Pulmonary Capillary Hemangiomatosis: The Role of Invasive Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing
Authors: DuBrock Hilary M. , Kradin Richard L. , Rodriguez‐Lopez Josanna M. , Channick Richard N.
Published: July 2015

Pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis (PCH) is a rare form of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) characterized by pulmonary capillary proliferation and pseudoinvasion of collagenous septal structures. PCH is often accompanied by veno‐occlusive changes and pulmonary hypertensive arterial remodeling. The clinical and pathological diagnosis of PCH can be subtle and easily missed. Most reported cases of PCH have been associated with resting PAH. We report the cases of 3 patients who initially presented with exertional dyspnea with normal to mildly elevated resting pulmonary arterial pressures and marked intrapulmonary shunting. In all 3 patients, invasive cardio‐pulmonary exercise testing was suggestive of pulmonary vascular disease. Owing to abnormalities on invasive exercise testing, lung biopsies were performed; these were diagnostic of PCH, and the patients were referred for lung transplantation. We describe unique features of these 3 cases—including novel pathological findings and the presence of intrapulmonary shunting in all 3 patients—and we discuss the role of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in the evaluation of PCH.
Never Too Old for Congenital Heart Disease: Sinus Venosus Atrial Septal Defect with Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return in an Octogenarian
Authors: Sharma Ravi K. , Houston Brian A. , Lima João A. C. , Cameron Duke E. , Tedford Ryan J.
Published: July 2015

We report a rare case in an 86‐year‐old woman with symptoms of exercise intolerance, fatigability, worsening lower extremity edema, and normal ejection fraction on echocardiographic examination who presented with a presumptive diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Hemodynamic studies revealed that she had normal left‐sided filling pressures, mildly elevated pulmonary pressures with normal pulmonary vasculature resistance, and evidence of right ventricular dysfunction. Significant shunting was also detected with a step‐up blood oxygen saturation from superior vena cava to right atrium and a calculated pulmonary‐to‐systemic blood flow ratio of 3.9. Contrast‐enhanced multidetector cardiac computed tomography confirmed the presence of a patent foramen ovale, a sinus venosus atrial septal defect, and 3 anomalous pulmonary venous communications to the right atrium and superior vena cava. We hereby present one of the oldest diagnosed cases of sinus venosus defect with anomalous pulmonary venous return as a rare cause of recent‐onset dyspnea, volume overload, and functional intolerance in an 86‐year‐old woman with an initial misdiagnosis of HFpEF.
Integrating community-based participatory research and informatics approaches to improve the engagement and health of underserved populations
Authors: Unertl Kim M , Schaefbauer Chris L , Campbell Terrance R , Senteio Charles , Siek Katie A , Bakken Suzanne , Veinot Tiffany C
Published: July 2015

Objective We compare 5 health informatics research projects that applied community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches with the goal of extending existing CBPR principles to address issues specific to health informatics research.

Materials and methods We conducted a cross-case analysis of 5 diverse case studies with 1 common element: integration of CBPR approaches into health informatics research. After reviewing publications and other case-related materials, all coauthors engaged in collaborative discussions focused on CBPR. Researchers mapped each case to an existing CBPR framework, examined each case individually for success factors and barriers, and identified common patterns across cases.

Results Benefits of applying CBPR approaches to health informatics research across the cases included the following: developing more relevant research with wider impact, greater engagement with diverse populations, improved internal validity, more rapid translation of research into action, and the development of people. Challenges of applying CBPR to health informatics research included requirements to develop strong, sustainable academic-community partnerships and mismatches related to cultural and temporal factors. Several technology-related challenges, including needs to define ownership of technology outputs and to build technical capacity with community partners, also emerged from our analysis. Finally, we created several principles that extended an existing CBPR framework to specifically address health informatics research requirements.

Conclusions Our cross-case analysis yielded valuable insights regarding CBPR implementation in health informatics research and identified valuable lessons useful for future CBPR-based research. The benefits of applying CBPR approaches can be significant, particularly in engaging populations that are typically underserved by health care and in designing patient-facing technology.
Impact of the HITECH Act on physicians’ adoption of electronic health records
Authors: Mennemeyer Stephen T , Menachemi Nir , Rahurkar Saurabh , Ford Eric W
Published: July 2015

Background and Objective The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act has distributed billions of dollars to physicians as incentives for adopting certified electronic health records (EHRs) through the meaningful use (MU) program ultimately aimed at improving healthcare outcomes. The authors examine the extent to which the MU program impacted the EHR adoption curve that existed prior to the Act.

Methods Bass and Gamma Shifted Gompertz (G/SG) diffusion models of the adoption of “Any” and “Basic” EHR systems in physicians’ offices using consistent data series covering 2001–2013 and 2006–2013, respectively, are estimated to determine if adoption was stimulated during either a PrePay (2009–2010) period of subsidy anticipation or a PostPay (2011–2013) period when payments were actually made.

Results Adoption of Any EHR system may have increased by as much as 7 percentage points above the level predicted in the absence of the MU subsidies. This estimate, however, lacks statistical significance and becomes smaller or negative under alternative model specifications. No substantial effects are found for Basic systems. The models suggest that adoption was largely driven by “imitation” effects ( q -coefficient) as physicians mimic their peers’ technology use or respond to mandates. Small and often insignificant “innovation” effects (p-coefficient) are found suggesting little enthusiasm by physicians who are leaders in technology adoption.

Conclusion The authors find weak evidence of the impact of the MU program on EHR uptake. This is consistent with reports that many current EHR systems reduce physician productivity, lack data sharing capabilities, and need to incorporate other key interoperability features (e.g., application program interfaces).
Afferent System Overview
Authors: Flemming Kelly D.
Published: July 2015

The afferent, or sensory, systems include visual, auditory, somatosensory, and interoceptive (ie, pain, temperature, and visceral sensation) inputs to the central nervous system. This chapter briefly reviews principles of transduction, relay, and processing of sensory information. The dorsal column–medial lemniscal system is reviewed in more detail. However, pain, vision, olfaction, and hearing are reviewed in subsequent chapters.
Special Somatic Sensory Afferent Overview
Authors: Eggers Scott D. , Benarroch Eduardo E. , Leavitt Jacqueline A.
Published: July 2015

The special somatic afferent systems include vestibular, auditory, and vision. Vestibular and auditory afferent information is received by cranial nerve VIII, which then projects to central pathways. Cranial nerve II carries afferent visual information to central pathways. This chapter reviews the receptors and structural components of these special somatic afferent systems.
Brainstem and Cranial Nerves: Overview and Medulla
Authors: Flemming Kelly D.
Published: July 2015

This chapter and the following 3 chapters will review the anatomy of the brainstem and cranial nerves. This chapter contains an overview of the cranial nerves as well as important structures at the level of the medulla. There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves (numbered I through XII). Like spinal nerves, cranial nerves contain sensory or motor fibers or a combination of fiber types. These fibers are classified by their embryologic origin or common structural and functional characteristics.
Brainstem and Cranial Nerves
Authors: Flemming Kelly D. , Brazis Paul W.
Published: July 2015

This chapter will review pathways that are not at a single level of the brainstem, but rather involve multiple areas with supratentorial input. These include autonomic pathways, the reticular formation and chemically defined groups, and coordination of eye movements. The sympathetic fibers travel from the hypothalamus to the intermediolateral column in the spinal cord through the lateral brainstem. Patients with a unilateral lesion of the lateral brainstem may develop ipsilateral Horner syndrome. The ventrolateral medulla is also a sympathetic region of the brainstem. It projects to the spinal cord and is involved in the innervation of blood vessels in the limbs.
Supranuclear Ocular Motor Systems
Authors: Brazis Paul W. , Eggers Scott D.
Published: July 2015

Saccadic eye movements and nystagmus are 2 types of fast eye movements. Slow eye movements are smooth pursuit, vestibular, optokinetic, and vergence. Reflexive and voluntary conjugate eye movements incorporate cortical, subcortical (basal ganglia), and vestibulocerebellar input to the final common pathways of horizontal and vertical eye movements. This chapter reviews the anatomy and dysfunction of the supranuclear input to conjugate gaze.
The Limbic System
Authors: Flemming Kelly D. , Benarroch Eduardo E.
Published: July 2015

The limbic “lobe” is not a well-defined lobe like other areas of the cortex. The term limbic system is also a misnomer because the “system” involves several cortical and subcortical structures. The cortical areas include the insular cortex, the cingulate gyrus, the parahippocampal gyrus, and the hippocampus. The subcortical structures include the amygdala, the nucleus accumbens (ventral or “limbic” striatum), the septal nuclei, the dorsomedial and anterior nuclei of the thalamus, and the hypothalamus. Brainstem components include the periaqueductal gray matter and the monoaminergic nuclei (in particular, dopaminergic neurons of the ventral tegmental area).
Cerebellum
Authors: Graff-Radford Jonathan , Hassan Anhar , Benarroch Eduardo E.
Published: July 2015

The cerebellum is crucial for planning, executing, terminating, and learning movements. The cerebellum compares actual motor performance with intended motor performance; thus, it is important in the adaptation of movement and posture as well. In addition, the cerebellum contributes to cognition and behavior. The main functions of the cerebellum appear to be the timing of motor functions and other functions. This chapter reviews the anatomy and circuitry of the cerebellum.
Cortex
Authors: Flemming Kelly D.
Published: July 2015

The cerebral cortex consists of 2 hemispheres, the left and the right. These are divided by the falx cerebri, a dural-derived structure. The cerebral cortex receives input from a wide variety of subcortical structures, often connecting via the thalamus and from other areas of the cortex via association fibers. The cortex then projects back to wide regions of the central nervous system, including the cortex, thalamus, basal nuclei, cerebellum, brainstem, and spinal cord. The types of fibers connecting areas of the central nervous system are designated based on the regions they connect. This chapter reviews the gross anatomy of the cerebral cortex.
Focal Cognitive Syndromes
Authors: Caselli Richard J.
Published: July 2015

The neurologic results of cortical lesions reflect the structural properties of the affected region. Lesions affecting primary sensorimotor cortices result in primary sensorimotor deficits that are qualitatively all-or-nothing, such as blindness (hemianopia) and paralysis (hemiparesis). Quantitatively, though, the severity of the deficit depends on the extent of the lesion (so that a hemiparetic patient may not be completely paralyzed but simply weak). Lesions affecting modality-specific association regions result in conceptually more complex disorders that are confined to a single modality, such as nonfluent aphasia or prosopagnosia. This chapter reviews clinical cortical syndromes.
Cellular Signaling
Authors: Staff Nathan P.
Published: July 2015

Cell communication in the nervous system is finely tuned to respond rapidly to external stimuli, learn from those stimuli, and produce more effective responses in the future. The physical basis for this cell communication is the manipulation of ion gradients via ion pumps and channels, chemical neurotransmission, and synaptic plasticity, all of which are discussed in this chapter.
Cellular Processes
Authors: Staff Nathan P.
Published: July 2015

Although cells in the nervous system contain all the cellular machinery that exists in other cells throughout the body, nervous system cells have many specialized functions that present unique challenges in the maintenance of cell functionality and homeostasis. The unique morphology of neurons demands elaborate cytoarchitecture, energy production, and cellular processing machinery that are unparalleled in other parts of the body. In this chapter, a broad overview of cellular processes related to cytoskeleton, axonal transport, protein processing, and energy metabolism within the nervous system are discussed. Foreshadowing subsequent chapters, many diseases of the nervous system are due to breakdowns of the intricate processes that are outlined in this chapter.
Electroencephalography
Authors: Burkholder David B. , Britton Jeffrey W.
Published: July 2015

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a useful procedure for diagnosis, evaluation, and prognosis of cerebral diseases and related conditions. EEG is particularly helpful for evaluation of transient neurologic disorders, altered states of consciousness, and encephalopathies.
Nerve Conduction Studies and Needle Electromyography
Authors: Crum Brian A.
Published: July 2015

Nerve conduction studies (NCSs) and needle electromyography (EMG) should be considered extensions of the neurologic history and examination of the peripheral sensory and motor systems. NCSs assess large, myelinated sensory and motor nerve fibers. EMG assesses primarily type 1 muscle fibers. Because of the limitations of NCSs and EMG, small-fiber function (ie, small-fiber neuropathies) and, to an extent, type 2 muscle-fiber diseases (ie, steroid myopathy) cannot be excluded with these studies. The main goal of NCSs and EMG is to obtain objective evidence of disease within the peripheral nervous system and to assist with localization of the problem.
Evoked Potentials
Authors: Watson James C.
Published: July 2015

Evoked potentials provide a noninvasive, sensitive, and quantitative way to assess the functional integrity of the somatosensory, auditory, and visual pathways. The basic principle of evoked potentials is to apply a stimulus (sensory, auditory, or visual) in a controlled manner to create a volley of depolarization and repolarization. The role of somatosensory and brainstem auditory evoked potentials in the outpatient setting has declined in the past decades with the improved quality and availability of neuroimaging; however, their use has had a resurgence in electrophysiologic monitoring of surgical cases of the spine and posterior fossa, for which they are now a part of the standard of care.
Mood Disorders
Authors: Kung Simon
Published: July 2015

Mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorders) are the second most common set of psychiatric disorders, behind anxiety disorders. The lifetime prevalence of any mood disorder in US adults is approximately 20%, and the 12-month prevalence is approximately 10%. Common mood disorders and their treatment are discussed below. Additional information on pharmacologic therapy and electroconvulsive therapy is covered elsewhere.
Anxiety Disorders
Authors: Reese Michael M.
Published: July 2015

Anxiety disorders are among the most frequent psychiatric ailments in US adults, with lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates of 29% and 18%, respectively. Nearly 30 million people are affected in the United States, with females affected nearly twice as frequently as males. Anxiety disorders and their treatment are discussed in this chapter.
Pharmacologic Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders
Authors: Abulseoud Osama A.
Published: July 2015

Human behaviors, including thinking, feeling, and action, can be viewed as products of the interactions between brain circuits, neurotransmitters, and oscillations that are influenced to a certain extent by inherited genes, acquired values, and social norms. A psychiatric disorder reflects a dysfunctional brain, and one way to treat such a disorder is through the use of pharmacologic compounds that can help restore order in disorderly brains. This chapter reviews the 4 main classes of drugs used to treat major mental illnesses: antidepressants, mood stabilizers, sedative hypnotics, and antipsychotics, followed by brief comments on a few drugs used to treat alcohol, opiate, and nicotine dependence. A short account on the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for difficult-to-treat conditions concludes the chapter.
Nonpharmacologic Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders
Authors: Leffler Jarrod M.
Published: July 2015

Nonpharmacologic therapies (psychotherapy, psychosocial interventions) often complement pharmacologic therapies in the treatment of psychiatric disease. An overview of the theory and practice of psychotherapy and interventions is provided in this chapter.
Non-small cell lung cancer and superior vena cava obstruction
Authors: Beaton Laura , Wong Swee-Ling , Mulatero Clive
Published: July 2015

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancers. Patients frequently present with a variety of non-specific symptoms including cough and dyspnoea and more rarely with symptoms such as haemoptysis or the signs of superior vena cava obstruction (SVCO), as illustrated in this case. Treatment strategies in early and recurrent disease are discussed including the role of tyrosine kinase inhibitors against tumours with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) sensitising mutations.
Advanced pancreatic cancer
Authors: Basu Bristi , Doherty Gary , Corrie Pippa
Published: July 2015

Improving outcomes in pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains a key challenge, and few advances have yet impacted significantly on life expectancy; the overall 5-year survival rate remains less than 5%, even including patients undergoing surgical resection. This case history illustrates the difficulties in diagnosis and the complexity of this disease. Most patients present too late for curative surgery, and symptom palliation involves multidisciplinary approaches to relieve common problems associated with obstructive jaundice, pain, cachexia, and ascites. Venous thromboembolism is also common, and its management discussed here. Although responses to chemotherapy and radiotherapy are poor, systemic therapy has been established as an effective adjuvant for those patients identified early enough to undergo surgery, whilst, in advanced disease, recent approaches to combination chemotherapy may offer modest improvements in life expectancy. However, drug-induced toxicity limits patients <tolerance of treatment. Considerable hope lies in a better understanding of the molecular characteristics of this disease, which may yield novel targets for therapeutic intervention.
Colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Maisey Nick , Khan Khurum
Published: July 2015

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second commonest cause of cancer-related mortality in the world. There have been significant advances in the treatment of metastatic CRC, particularly in the management of CRC with liver metastases. These advances are primarily driven by the development of active targeted agents for use in both the neoadjuvant and metastatic setting; however, these drugs work best when combined with conventional chemotherapy agents. Despite these advances, there remains a paucity of predictive biomarkers to inform us about the most effective management of these patients. It is therefore imperative to select carefully the patients, with comprehensive multidisciplinary team (MDT) input, in order to optimize the management of these patients. This chapter describes a case of colorectal liver metastases and its management within the MDT and the toxicities associated with systemic therapy. Specifically discussed are the management of capecitabine-induced diarrhoea, cetuximab-associated rash, and neuropathy with oxaliplatin.
Metastatic renal cell cancer and hypercalcaemia
Authors: Wheater Matthew , Chitnis Meenali
Published: July 2015

The standard of care in the treatment of renal cancer has changed dramatically in recent years. This chapter highlights the major advances that have been made, with a focus on the evidence base for the use of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and mTOR inhibitors in renal cancer. The case highlights the typical presentation of metastatic renal cancer and the treatment options available. The common side effects of VEGF-targeted therapies are outlined. This chapter also summarizes current therapeutic uncertainties and challenges in the management of renal cancer, including the role and timing of palliative nephrectomy, optimal sequencing of targeted agents, and emergence of resistance to targeted therapies. The case also discusses the management of hypercalcaemia, common in many malignancies. Lastly, potential future areas for development in the field of renal cancer are discussed.
Transformed follicular lymphoma
Authors: Davies Andrew , Lee Chern Siang
Published: July 2015

Follicular lymphoma is the commonest subtype of indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), with a steady rise in incidence over the last 40 years. It has a long clinical course, characterized by a progressing and regressing pattern in response to treatment, and is usually considered incurable. There is no consensus on optimal therapy, but the management strategy incorporates consideration of tumour characteristics and patient-related factors. The quality and duration of response typically decline with repeated treatments. This is particularly in the event of histological transformation to a more aggressive subtype of NHL such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. This case study illustrates the clinical approach to lymphoma in general and discusses in detail the management paradigm for indolent and transformed NHL.
Metastatic germ cell cancer
Authors: Shamash Jonathan , Bradbury Jennifer
Published: July 2015

This is a case of a patient presenting with extensive metastatic non-seminoma who remains in remission. The classification and prognosis for non-seminoma and the management options for stage I disease are discussed. The chemotherapy options for advanced disease at presentation and for relapsed disease are explored. Issues surrounding acute treatment-related toxicity are considered, particularly lung injury secondary to bleomycin. Given the improvements that have been made, in terms of prognosis, for patients with germ cell cancers, it is essential to consider the potential late effects of treatment. The risk of cardiovascular complications and secondary malignancy are discussed in this context. Some of the current challenges and controversies in advanced disease, such as the management of residual metastatic disease in multiple sites and brain metastases, are also explored.
Osteosarcoma and the use of high-dose chemotherapy
Authors: Strauss Sandra , Shiu Kai-Keen
Published: July 2015

Primary bone malignancies are rare, and it is unlikely that an oncology trainee, or even a consultant, will have been involved closely in the care of a patient with this diagnosis, unless they have worked within a specialist sarcoma unit. However, due to the centralization of specialist care, patients may present to local non-specialist hospitals with complications of treatment or progression of disease. The principles of management of these rare tumours require timely, but safe, delivery of intensive, combination chemotherapy, specialist orthopaedic surgery, and a potentially aggressive approach to resection of metastatic disease. Furthermore, the majority of patients are young and should be managed within specialist services with age-appropriate care facilities. As management involves high doses of potentially toxic therapies, the complications of high-dose methotrexate and ifosfamide are discussed in this chapter. These are usually, but not always, managed within a specialist centre, so all involved in their care should be aware of, and be able to, act upon/seek appropriate specialist advice.
Laryngeal cancer and oral mucositis
Authors: Sibtain Amen , Eminowicz Gemma
Published: July 2015

Hoarseness or voice change can be a presenting feature of laryngeal carcinomas. Diagnosis is confirmed with nasendoscopy, staging imaging, and biopsy. Laryngeal cancer is the commonest of all head and neck tumours, and treatment depends upon the stage of disease. Localized disease may be treated with surgical procedures, e.g. laser resection or partial laryngectomy, or radiotherapy which may preserve voice function more successfully. More advanced disease may be treated with total laryngectomy and/or chemoradiotherapy. Before chemoradiotherapy is started, the dental, nutritional, and SALT status must be assessed and optimized. Careful monitoring of the nutritional status and SALT throughout treatment is essential. Patients should stop smoking; nutritional support should continue, and mucositis be managed carefully throughout chemoradiotherapy. The case history discussed here highlights all of these important issues in laryngeal carcinoma.
Neuroendocrine tumours and treatment complications
Authors: Valle Juan , Lamarca Angela
Published: July 2015

Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are epithelial neoplasms with predominant neuroendocrine differentiation which can arise in most organs of the body; gastroenteropancreatic (GEP)-NETs are those arising from the digestive tract. NETs vary considerably with respect to the functionality (evidenced by excessive hormone secretion) and the clinical and biological behaviour. Updates in the terminology, classification, and advances in therapy options for these tumours have changed their management. The important aspects of diagnosis, clinical presentation, and treatment options are reviewed in this case, with a special focus on available therapies for metastatic GEP-NETs, including somatostatin analogues, radionuclide therapies, interferon (IFN), and chemotherapy, as well as novel targeted therapies, namely everolimus and sunitinib, reviewing the most relevant data.