bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OpenNotes: Hospitalists' challenge and opportunity
Authors: Feldman Henry J. , Walker Janice , Li Joseph , Delbanco Tom
Published: June 2013

At a time of societal fascination both with transparency and the explosion of health information technologies, a growing number of hospitals are offering, or will soon offer patients and their family instantaneous access to their doctors' and nurses' notes. What will this new opportunity for patient engagement mean for the hospitalist? Today, state and federal government regulations either encourage or require healthcare providers to grant patients access to their clinical information. But despite the rules embedded in the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), patients often face time‐consuming obstacles in their quest for access, and many providers view compliance as a burden. We suggest an alternative view: Over time, we anticipate that inviting patients to review their medical record will reduce risk, increase knowledge, foster active engagement, and help them take more control of their care. The OpenNotes trial provides clues as to how such practice will affect both patients and providers (1, 2). We anticipate that transparent records will stimulate hospitalists, PCPs, and other caregivers to improve communication throughout the patient's hospital stay. OpenNotes offers a special opportunity for improving the patient experience after leaving the hospital as well. Open notes will be viewed by many as a disruptive change, and the best strategy for adapting will be to move proactively to create policies that establish clear guidelines, for which the authors offer some suggestions. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:414–417. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine
Local cooling reduces regional bone blood flow
Authors: Venjakob Arne J. , Vogt Stephan , Stöckl Klaus , Tischer Thomas , Jost Philipp J. , Thein Eckart , Imhoff Andreas B. , Anetzberger Hermann
Published: June 2013

Local cooling is very common after bone and joint surgery. Therefore the knowledge of bone blood flow during local cooling is of substantial interest. Previous studies revealed that hypothermia leads to vasoconstriction followed by decreased blood flow levels. The aim of this study was to characterize if local cooling is capable of inducing reduced blood flow in bone tissue using a stepwise‐reduced temperature protocol in experimental rabbits. To examine bone blood flow we utilized the fluorescent microsphere (FM) method. In New Zealand white rabbits one randomly chosen hind limb was cooled stepwise from 32 to 2°C, whereas the contra lateral hind limb served as control. Injection of microspheres was performed after stabilization of bone and muscle temperature at each temperature level. Bones were removed, dissected and fluorescence intensity was determined to calculate blood flow values. We found that blood flow of all cooled regions decreased relative to the applied external temperature. At maximum cooling blood flow was almost completely disrupted, indicating local cooling as powerful regulatory mechanism for regional bone blood flow (RBBF). Postoperative cooling therefore may lead to strongly decreased bone blood flow values. As a result external cooling has capacity to both diminish bone healing and reduce bleeding complications. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1820–1827, 2013
Organic monoliths for high‐performance reversed‐phase liquid chromatography
Authors: Liu Kun , Aggarwal Pankaj , Lawson John S. , Tolley H. Dennis , Lee Milton L.
Published: June 2013

RPLC is the most common mode of LC. It is widely used for separations of both small and large molecules. Monolithic columns, which are currently under intensive study by many groups, have the potential of becoming attractive alternatives to particle‐packed columns. They are generally easier and faster to fabricate, and they demonstrate a lower pressure drop, less nonspecific adsorption, and richer chemistry (in the case of organic polymer monoliths) for providing broad selectivity. Silica monoliths, as is also true for columns packed with silica particles, are best applied to small‐molecule separations. Organic polymer monoliths, on the other hand, have shown advantages for large‐molecule separations. Recently, improvements in organic monoliths have led to efficiencies for small molecules that are approaching and even surpassing 100 000 plates/m. While this performance is still far short of what is currently available using modern small particles and silica monoliths in RPLC, steady progress is being made. This review describes recent developments in the synthesis and performance of organic polymer RPLC monoliths, and identifies areas where additional work is needed to significantly improve their performance for both small‐ and large‐molecule separations.
Restricted access media as a streamlined approach toward on‐line sample preparation: Recent advancements and applications
Authors: Yang Samuel H. , Fan Hui , Classon Robert J. , Schug Kevin A.
Published: June 2013

Restricted access media (RAM) as an alternative to traditional sample preparation strategies are reviewed. RAM comprise chromatographic packing materials that combine, typically, a restrictive outer surface to exclude the retention of large biomolecules, which are common interferences in biological fluids, with retentive inner pores or phases to capture analytes of interest. Through the years, a variety of RAM formats have been created, including internal surface phases, semipermeable phases, and molecularly imprinted polymer phases. Many phases are commercially available through a variety of manufacturers. The use of on‐line sample preparation using RAM can increase throughput, recovery, and ease of use for sample preparation of complex biological matrices. The state‐of‐the‐art with respect to production and use of these media for a variety of applications is covered.
Synthesis, Self‐Assembly, and Properties of Homoarm and Heteroarm Star‐Shaped Inorganic–Organic Hybrid Polymers with a POSS Core
Authors: Yuan Weizhong , Liu Xu , Zou Hui , Li Jianbo , Yuan Hua , Ren Jie
Published: June 2013

Novel homoarm and heteroarm star‐shaped inorganic–organic hybrid polymers with a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) core are prepared via click chemistry of azide POSS [POSS‐(N3)8], alkynyl poly(L‐lactide) (PLLA), and alkynyl poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). The melting and crystallization behaviors of the polymers can be adjusted by altering the PLLA to PEO ratio. The hybrid polymers reveal unique crystalline morphology due to the influence of the star‐shaped structure and the mutual influence of PLLA and PEO. The hybrid polymers show different thermostabilities, owing to the different compositions of the polymers. The hydrophilicity can be adjusted by alternating the composition of the PLLA and PEO segments. In addition, the sizes of the polymer micelles change with the change of the ratio of PLLA and PEO arms in the hybrid polymers.

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The Challenge of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Role of Biochemical Markers in Diagnosis of Brain Damage
Authors: Mondello Stefania , Schmid Kara , Berger Rachel P. , Kobeissy Firas , Italiano Domenico , Jeromin Andreas , Hayes Ronal L. , Tortella Frank C. , Buki Andras
Published: June 2013

During the past decade there has been an increasing recognition of the incidence of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and a better understanding of the subtle neurological and cognitive deficits that may result from it. A substantial, albeit suboptimal, effort has been made to define diagnostic criteria for mTBI and improve diagnostic accuracy. Thus, biomarkers that can accurately and objectively detect brain injury after mTBI and, ideally, aid in clinical management are needed. In this review, we discuss the current research on serum biomarkers for mTBI including their rationale and diagnostic performances. Sensitive and specific biomarkers reflecting brain injury can provide important information regarding TBI pathophysiology and serve as candidate markers for predicting abnormal computed tomography findings and/or the development of residual deficits in patients who sustain an mTBI. We also outline the roles of biomarkers in settings of specific interest including pediatric TBI, sports concussions and military injuries, and provide perspectives on the validation of such markers for use in the clinic. Finally, emerging proteomics‐based strategies for identifying novel markers will be discussed.
Global stability of the virus dynamics model with intracellular delay and Crowley–Martin functional response
Authors: Li Xiaojuan , Fu Shengmao
Published: June 2013

In this paper, a virus dynamics model with intracellular delay and Crowley–Martin functional response is discussed. By constructing suitable Lyapunov functions and using LaSalles invariance principle for delay differential equations, we established the global stability of uninfected equilibrium and infected equilibrium; it is proved that if the basic reproductive number is less than or equal to one, the uninfected equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable; if the basic reproductive number is more than one, the infected equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable. We also discuss the effects of intracellular delay on global dynamical properties by comparing the results with the stability conditions for the model without delay. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
T1 estimation for aqueous iron oxide nanoparticle suspensions using a variable flip angle SWIFT sequence
Authors: Wang Luning , Corum Curtis A. , Idiyatullin Djaudat , Garwood Michael , Zhao Qun
Published: June 2013

Purpose

T1 quantification of contrast agents, such as super‐paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, is a challenging but important task inherent to many in vivo applications in magnetic resonance imaging. In this work, a sweep imaging with Fourier transformation using variable flip angles (VFAs‐SWIFT) method was proposed to measure T1 of aqueous super‐paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle suspensions.

Methods

T1 values of various iron concentrations (from 1 to 7 mM) were measured using VFA‐SWIFT and three‐dimensional spoiled gradient‐recalled echo with VFAs (VFA‐SPGR) sequences on a 7 T MR scanner. For validation, T1 values were also measured using a spectroscopic inversion‐recovery sequence on a 7 T spectrometer.

Results

VFA‐SWIFT demonstrated its advantage for quantifying T1 of highly concentrated aqueous super‐paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle suspensions, but VFA‐SPGR failed at the higher end of iron concentrations. Both VFA‐SWIFT and VFA‐SPGR yielded linear relationships between the relaxation rate and iron concentrations, with relaxivities of 1.006 and 1.051 s−1 mM−1 at 7 T, respectively, in excellent agreement with the spectroscopic measurement of 1.019 s−1 mM−1.

Conclusion

VFA‐SWIFT is able to achieve accurate T1 quantification of aqueous super‐paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle suspensions up to 7 mM. Magn Reson Med 70:341–347, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nonlinear rotation‐free three‐node shell finite element formulation
Authors: Stolarski Henryk , Gilmanov Anvar , Sotiropoulos Fotis
Published: June 2013

A new triangular thin‐shell finite element formulation is presented, which employs only translational degrees of freedom. The formulation allows for large deformations, and it is based on the nonlinear Kirchhoff thin‐shell theory. A number of static and dynamic test problems are considered for which analytical or benchmark solutions exist. Comparisons between the predictions of the new model and these solutions show that the new model accurately reproduces complex nonlinear analytical solutions as well as solutions obtained using existing, more complex finite element formulations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemically modified polymeric filtration membranes for the selective elimination of active pharmaceutical ingredients from water
Authors: Gong Yu‐shan , Xiao Pu , Shahgaldian Patrick , Nie Jun
Published: June 2013

Poly(ether sulfone) (PES) filtration membranes were chemically modified by ultraviolet‐assisted graft polymerization radical reactions using two monomers, namely acrylic acid (AA) and N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NVP). The reaction kinetics was assessed by applying increasing irradiation durations keeping the monomer concentration constant, and the degree of substitution of the produced materials was monitored by attenuated total reflection‐Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The selective binding properties of the produced chemically modified membranes of a series of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), namely 4‐acetamidophenol (APAP), ofloxacin (OFX), ciprofloxacin (CFX), tetracycline (TC), chloramphenicol (CHPH), (±)‐propranolol (PRO) and diclofenac (DF) were evaluated by means of high‐performance liquid chromatography. It was observed that native PES membranes showed specific elimination of some of the selected pharmaceuticals (i.e. PRO, OFX, CFX and DF), and this elimination was improved after chemical modification with AA (except for DF). After chemical modification by NVP, the binding properties were partially improved for several pharmaceuticals, namely TC, CHPH and PRO, and partially reduced for OFX and CFX. The selective elimination of PRO was significantly improved with both AA‐ and NVP‐modified membranes. The reported results demonstrated that the chemical modification of PES filtration membranes allowed improving significantly their API retention properties. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photocrosslinked poly(ester‐anhydride) microspheres with macroporous structure
Authors: Jaszcz Katarzyna
Published: June 2013

In this work, the new method of preparation biodegradable microspheres with macroporous structure is presented. Typical methods used for generation of porous structures in microspheres obtained from preformed polymers require the use of additional substances acting as porogens. In this study, the porosity was achieved as the effect of photocrosslinking, without porogens. Microspheres were prepared using emulsion solvent evaporation technique from functional poly(ester‐anhydride)s with different amount of allyl groups in the side chains. The crosslinking was carried out by UV irradiation during the solvent evaporation (photoinitiator was introduced to polymer solution). The size of microspheres obtained was in the range of 1.7 – 4 µm (small microspheres) or 31 – 50 µm (large ones) and depended on the conditions used in emulsion formulation process. Effectiveness of the crosslinking was characterized by the content of insoluble part of samples, and it was in the range of 42–89%. The content of insoluble part of sample of microspheres and their porosity were dependent on functionality of poly(ester‐anhydride)s, the amount of photoinitiator used, and also on size of microparticles. The small particles were always more crosslinked than the large ones, but the latter were more porous than the small ones. Crosslinked microparticles indicated higher loading efficiency of model compound and appeared to degrade faster than uncrosslinked ones, probably due to their high porosity. The high porosity of microspheres obtained would enable their eventual use in pulmonary drug delivery systems or in construction of porous scaffolds for tissue engineering. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanical and thermal properties of graphene oxide/phenolic resin composite
Authors: Zhou Jintang , Yao Zhengjun , Chen Yongxin , Wei Dongbo , Wu Yibing , Xu Tishou
Published: June 2013

In this article, samples of phenolic resin reinforced with graphene oxide were prepared. Mechanical properties of the composite were tested. Dynamic mechanical analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis were employed to study the mechanical properties in varied temperatures to infer the influence of graphene oxide on thermal performance of phenolic resin. The results show that the addition of graphene oxide resulted in a significant improvement in the elastic modulus of phenolic resin; Young's modulus, and tensile strength increase along with the graphene oxide content. Esterification reaction happened between alcohol OH groups on resole and carbonyl (sbond]COOH) groups on graphene oxide. Addition of graphene oxide improved residue rate of phenolic resin by 5.8%, whereas the temperature distribution of phenolic pyrolysis stay unchanged. The glass transition temperature of phenolic resin has been improved by 30°C. POLYM. COMPOS. 34:1245–1249, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
A LC/QTOF–MS/MS Application to Investigate Chemical Compositions in a Fraction with Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B Inhibitory Activity from Rosa Rugosa Flowers
Authors: Gu Dongyu , Yang Yi , Bakri Mahinur , Chen Qibin , Xin Xuelei , Aisa Haji Akber
Published: June 2013

Introduction

Rosa rugosa flowers used as herbal medicine possess many activities. A fraction extracted by ethyl acetate exhibited strong inhibitive activity against protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) in vitro.

Objective

Establish an efficient method of LC coupled to quadrupole time‐of‐flight (QTOF) with tandem MS/MS to investigate the compositions in the active fraction.

Methods

Chemical compositions were separated and investigated by LC/QTOF–MS/MS in negative electrospray ionisation (ESI) mode at different collision energy (CE) values. The maximal structural information was obtained for the identification of components.

Results

A total of 75 compounds including tannins, their related compounds and flavonoids were identified or partially characterised according to accurate mass and the characteristic fragments at low and high CE. Meanwhile, the fragmentation pathways of gallotannins and ellagitannins (hexahydroxydiphenoyl group and lactonised valoneoyl group) were studied and proposed and were used to trace tannins in crude extracts.

Conclusion

The results suggest that this fraction is a source of PTP1B inhibitory activity with a potential for treating diabetes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance of the ultrasound examination in the early and late third trimester for the prediction of birth weight deviations
Authors: Souka Athena P. , Papastefanou Ioannis , Pilalis Athanasios , Michalitsi Vasiliki , Panagopoulos Perikles , Kassanos Dimitrios
Published: June 2013

Objectives

This study aimed to define the optimal gestational age in the third trimester, early (30–33 weeks + 6 days) versus late (34–37 weeks), for performing an ultrasound examination for fetal biometry to predict birth weight deviations: small for gestational age (SGA ≤ 5th centile) and large for gestational age (LGA ≥ 95th centile) neonates.

Methods

We used an observational cross‐sectional study in uncomplicated singleton pregnancies that had a third trimester ultrasound for fetal biometry and umbilical and middle cerebral fetal Doppler studies. Estimated fetal weight and fetal Doppler parameters were the examined variables for the prediction of SGA and LGA.

Results

Three thousand six hundred ninety women had an early examination, and 2288 women had a late one. For a screen‐positive rate of 10%, estimated fetal weight achieved 58% and 53.4% sensitivity for the prediction of SGA [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.8578, p < 0.001] and LGA (AUC = 0.8547, p < 0.001), respectively, by the early examination. Accordingly, the sensitivities significantly increased to 75.2% and 63.2% for the prediction of SGA (AUC = 0.9074, p < 0.001) and LGA (AUC = 0.8782, p < 0.001), respectively, by the late examination. The inclusion of the Doppler indices did not improve the predictive models.

Conclusions

A late third trimester ultrasound was superior in the prediction of SGA and LGA, and this improvement was more pronounced for the prediction of SGA. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel hydroxysuberamide derivative potentiates MG132‐mediated anticancer activity against human hormone refractory prostate cancers—the role of histone deacetylase and endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Chen Yi‐Cheng , Huang Wei‐Jan , Hsu Jui‐Ling , Yu Chia‐Chun , Wang Wei‐Ting , Guh Jih‐Hwa
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are successful for treatment of advanced cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma but only show modest effect in solid tumors. Approaches for HDAC inhibitors to improve activity against solid tumors are necessary.

METHODS

Sulforhodamine B assay and flow cytometric analysis detected cell proliferation and cell‐cycle progression, respectively. Protein expression was determined by Western blotting. Comet assay and DNA end‐binding activity of Ku proteins detected DNA damage and DNA repair activity, respectively. siRNA technique was used for knockdown of specific cellular target.

RESULTS

WJ25591 displayed inhibitory activity against HDAC1 and cell proliferation in human hormone‐refractory prostate cancers PC‐3 and DU‐145. WJ25591 caused an arrest of cell‐cycle at both G1‐ and G2‐phase and increased protein expressions of p21 and cyclin E, followed by cell apoptosis. WJ25591‐induced Bcl‐2 down‐regulation and activation of caspase‐9, ‐8, and ‐3, suggesting apoptotic execution through both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. WJ25591 also significantly inhibited DNA repair activity but not directly induced DNA damage. Moreover, the proteasome inhibitor MG‐132 dramatically sensitized WJ25591‐induced cell apoptosis. The siRNA technique demonstrated that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, in particular CHOP/GADD153 up‐regulation, contributed to the synergistic effect.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that WJ25591 inhibited HDAC activity, leading to cell‐cycle arrest and inhibition of DNA repair. Caspase cascades are subsequently triggered to execute cell apoptosis. MG‐132 dramatically sensitizes WJ25591‐mediated apoptosis, at least partly, through ER stress response. The data also reveal that combination of HDAC inhibitors and proteasome inhibitors may be a potential strategy against hormone‐refractory prostate cancers. Prostate 73:1270–1280. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The direct inhibitory effect of dutasteride or finasteride on androgen receptor activity is cell line specific
Authors: Chhipa Rishi Raj , Halim Danny , Cheng Jinrong , Zhang Huan Yi , Mohler James L. , Ip Clement , Wu Yue
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND

Finasteride and dutasteride were developed originally as 5α‐reductase inhibitors to block the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). These drugs may possess off‐target effects on the androgen receptor (AR) due to their structural similarity to DHT.

METHODS

A total of four human prostate cancer cell models were examined: LNCaP (T877A mutant AR), 22Rv1 (H874Y mutant AR), LAPC4 (wild‐type AR), and VCaP (wild‐type AR). Cells were cultured in 10% charcoal‐stripped fetal bovine serum, either with or without DHT added to the medium. AR activity was evaluated using the ARE‐luciferase assay or the expression of AR regulated genes.

RESULTS

Dutasteride was more potent than finasteride in interfering with DHT‐stimulated AR signaling. Disruption of AR function was accompanied by decreased cell growth. Cells that rely on DHT for protection against death were particularly vulnerable to dutasteride. Different prostate cancer cell models exhibited different sensitivities to dutasteride and finasteride. LNCaP was most sensitive, LAPC4 and VCaP were intermediate, while 22Rv1 was least sensitive. Regardless of the AR genotype, if AR was transfected into drug‐sensitive cells, AR was inhibited by drug treatment; and if AR was transfected into drug‐resistant cells, AR was not inhibited.

CONCLUSIONS

The direct inhibitory effect of dutasteride or finasteride on AR signaling is cell line specific. Mutations in the ligand binding domain of AR do not appear to play a significant role in influencing the AR antagonistic effect of these drugs. Subcellular constituent is an important factor in determining the drug effect on AR function. Prostate 73: 1483–1494, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intrinsically unstructured proteins by design—electrostatic interactions can control binding, folding, and function of a helix‐loop‐helix heterodimer
Authors: Rydberg Johan , Baltzer Lars , Sarojini Vijayalekshmi
Published: June 2013

Intrinsically disordered proteins that exist as unordered monomeric structures in aqueous solution at pH 7 but fold into four‐helix bundles upon binding to recognized polypeptide targets have been designed. NMR and CD spectra of the monomeric polypeptides show the hallmarks of unordered structures, whereas in the bound state they are highly helical. Analytical ultracentrifugation data shows that the polypeptides bind to their targets to form exclusively heterodimers at neutral pH. To demonstrate the relationship between binding, folding, and function, a catalytic site for ester hydrolysis was introduced into an unordered and largely inactive monomer, but that was structured and catalytically active in the presence of a specific polypeptide target. Electrostatic interactions between surface‐exposed residues inhibited the binding and folding of the monomers at pH 7. Charge–charge repulsion between ionizable amino acids was thus found to be sufficient to disrupt binding between polypeptide chains despite their inherent propensities for structure formation and may be involved in the folding and function of inherently disordered proteins in biology. Copyright © 2013 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The design and implementation of a secure CAPTCHA against man‐in‐the‐middle attacks
Authors: Ferraro Petrillo Umberto , Mastroianni Giovanni , Visconti Ivan
Published: June 2013

In this paper, we propose a novel security protocol for the implementation of CAPTCHA tests that feature advance mechanisms against man‐in‐the‐middle (MITM, for short) attacks. This type of attack is fulfilled by a malicious entity, the MITM, that leverages on unaware users to mass‐solve CAPTCHA tests shielding the access to a service. The protocol that we propose uses collision‐resistant hash functions modeled as random oracles to guarantee that the solution to a CAPTCHA test solved by an end user is valid only for the server to which the user is connected to. This will prevent MITM attacks because the user is not directly connected to the server. We developed a reference implementation for our protocol that has a low impact and is easy to use, featuring a software plug‐in running in the Firefox web browser, on the client side, and a Java servlet‐based application, on the server side. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impacts of an ethanol‐blended fuel release on groundwater and fate of produced methane: Simulation of field observations
Authors: Rasa Ehsan , Bekins Barbara A. , Mackay Douglas M. , de Sieyes Nicholas R. , Wilson John T. , Feris Kevin P. , Wood Isaac A. , Scow Kate M.
Published: June 2013

In a field experiment at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) designed to mimic the impact of a small‐volume release of E10 (10% ethanol and 90% conventional gasoline), two plumes were created by injecting extracted groundwater spiked with benzene, toluene, and o‐xylene, abbreviated BToX (no‐ethanol lane) and BToX plus ethanol (with‐ethanol lane) for 283 days. We developed a reactive transport model to understand processes controlling the fate of ethanol and BToX. The model was calibrated to the extensive field data set and accounted for concentrations of sulfate, iron, acetate, and methane along with iron‐reducing bacteria, sulfate‐reducing bacteria, fermentative bacteria, and methanogenic archaea. The benzene plume was about 4.5 times longer in the with‐ethanol lane than in the no‐ethanol lane. Matching this different behavior in the two lanes required inhibiting benzene degradation in the presence of ethanol. Inclusion of iron reduction with negligible growth of iron reducers was required to reproduce the observed constant degradation rate of benzene. Modeling suggested that vertical dispersion and diffusion of sulfate from an adjacent aquitard were important sources of sulfate in the aquifer. Matching of methane data required incorporating initial fermentation of ethanol to acetate, methane loss by outgassing, and methane oxidation coupled to sulfate and iron reduction. Simulation of microbial growth using dual Monod kinetics, and including inhibition by more favorable electron acceptors, generally resulted in reasonable yields for microbial growth of 0.01–0.05.
Reshaping of the hyporheic zone beneath river restoration structures: Flume and hydrodynamic experiments
Authors: Zhou Tian , Endreny Theodore A.
Published: June 2013

In‐channel stream restoration structures readjust surface water hydraulics, streambed pressure, and subsurface hyporheic exchange characteristics. In this study, we conducted flume experiments (pool‐riffle amplitude of 0.03 m and wavelengths of 0.5 m) and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations to quantify how restoration structures impacted hyporheic penetration depth, Dp, and hyporheic vertical discharge rate, Qv. Restoration structures were channel‐spanning vanes with subsurface footers placed in the gravel bed at each riffle. Hyporheic vertical discharge rate was estimated by analyzing solute concentration decay data, and maximum hyporheic penetration depth was measured as the interface between hyporheic water and groundwater using dye tracing experiments. The CFD was verified with literature‐based flume hydraulic data and with Dp and Qz observations, and the CFD was then used to document how Dp and Qz varied with flume discharge, Q, ranging from 1 to 15 L/s (3E + 03 < Re < 5E + 04). Flume experiments and CFD simulations showed that restoration structures increased Qz and decreased Dp, creating a shallower but higher flux hyporheic zone. Qz had a positive linear relationship with Q, while Dp initially grew as Q increased, but then shrunk when a hydraulic jump with low streambed pressured formed downstream of the structure. The restoration structures created counter‐acting forces of increased downwelling head due to backwater effects, and increased upwelling due to low streambed pressure and standing waves downstream of the structure.
Snow water equivalent in the Sierra Nevada: Blending snow sensor observations with snowmelt model simulations
Authors: Guan Bin , Molotch Noah P. , Waliser Duane E. , Jepsen Steven M. , Painter Thomas H. , Dozier Jeff
Published: June 2013

We estimate the spatial distribution of daily melt‐season snow water equivalent (SWE) over the Sierra Nevada for March to August, 2000–2012, by two methods: reconstruction by combining remotely sensed snow cover images with a spatially distributed snowmelt model and a blended method in which the reconstruction is combined with in situ snow sensor observations. We validate the methods with 17 snow surveys at six locations with spatial sampling and with the operational snow sensor network. We also compare the methods with NOAA's operational Snow Data Assimilation System (SNODAS). Mean biases of the methods compared to the snow surveys are −0.193 m (reconstruction), 0.001 m (blended), and −0.181 m (SNODAS). Corresponding root‐mean‐square errors are 0.252, 0.205, and 0.254 m. Comparison between blended and snow sensor SWE suggests that the current sensor network inadequately represents SWE in the Sierra Nevada because of the low spatial density of sensors in the lower/higher elevations. Mean correlation with streamflow in 19 Sierra Nevada watersheds is better with reconstructed SWE (r = 0.91) versus blended SWE (r = 0.81), snow sensor SWE (r = 0.85), and SNODAS SWE (r = 0.86). On the other hand, the correlation with blended SWE is generally better than with reconstructed, snow sensor, and SNODAS SWE late in the snowmelt season when snow sensors report zero SWE but snow remains in the higher elevations. Sensitivity tests indicate downwelling longwave radiation, snow albedo, forest density, and turbulent fluxes are potentially important sources of errors/uncertainties in reconstructed SWE, and domain‐mean blended SWE is relatively insensitive to the number of snow sensors blended.
Quantitative analysis of heavy elements and semi‐quantitative evaluation of heavy mineral compositions of sediments in Japan for construction of a forensic soil database using synchrotron radiation X‐ray analyses
Authors: Nakai Izumi , Furuya Shunsuke , Bong Willy , Abe Yoshinari , Osaka Keiichi , Matsumoto Takuya , Itou Masayoshi , Ohta Atsuyuki , Ninomiya Toshio
Published: June 2013

We have started to construct a nationwide forensic soil sediment database for Japan, based on the heavy mineral and trace heavy element compositions of stream sediments collected at 3024 points across Japan. The data were measured by high‐resolution synchrotron radiation X‐ray powder diffraction (SR‐XRD) and high‐energy SR X‐ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) using the SR source of SPring‐8, the SR radiation facility in Japan. The automated sampling systems allow the measurement of 130 powder diffraction patterns and 100 XRF spectra per day using sediment samples of just a few milligrams, which enabled us to construct a database of a large number of samples. The concentrations of heavy elements such as rare earth elements, Cs and W up to 500 ppm level in soil sediments can be determined by the calibration curve method by using high‐energy SR‐XRF utilizing monochromatic X‐rays of 116 keV. A heavy element concentration map superimposed on a geographical map of Japan was successfully prepared from these analytical data. The heavy mineral compositions were quantitatively evaluated by using the peak intensity of characteristic XRD peaks of the component minerals measured by a Debye–Scherrer camera having a radius of 286.5 mm, recorded with an imaging plate and monochromatic X‐rays (λ = 1.0 Å). This study demonstrates that XRF and XRD data collected from the sediments of Shizuoka Prefecture closely reflect the geological and geographical signature of the sediment samples, which can be used for the provenance determination of soil evidence from a crime scene. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Risk Factors of Hospital Mortality after Re‐laparotomy for Post‐hepatectomy Hemorrhage
Authors: Yang Tian , Li Li , Zhong Qian , Lau Wan Yee , Zhang Han , Huang Xing , Yu Wei‐Feng , Shen Feng , Li Jie‐Wei , Wu Meng‐Chao
Published: June 2013

Background

Post‐hepatectomy hemorrhage (PHH) requiring re‐laparotomy is a life‐threatening situation and is associated with a considerably high hospital mortality rate. However, risk factors of hospital mortality in patients with this condition have not yet been investigated.

Methods

The perioperative data of 258 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent re‐laparotomy for PHH from 1997 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed and evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses to identify risk factors of hospital mortality.

Result

Hospital death occurred in 43 patients between 16 h and 40 days after re‐laparotomy, and the overall mortality rate was 16.7 %. The median time lag between first recognition of active bleeding and re‐laparotomy was 6 h (range 0.5–34 h). The mortality of patients undergoing late re‐laparotomy (≥6 h) was much higher than those undergoing early re‐laparotomy (<6 h) (25 vs 8.6 %; P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed early time period (1997–2004) (P = 0.040), liver cirrhosis (P = 0.025), ineffective hemostasis during re‐laparotomy due to coagulopathy (P = 0.038), late re‐laparotomy (≥6 h) (P = 0.032), postoperative liver failure (P = 0.001), and postoperative acute renal failure requiring hemodialysis (P = 0.024) were independent risk factors of hospital mortality.

Conclusion

Immediate re‐laparotomy is a key factor to reduce hospital mortality for patients with active bleeding after partial hepatectomy. More care should be taken in those patients who develop acute liver failure and/or serious acute renal failure after re‐laparotomy.
Digital Campaigning and the Growing Anti-elitism: The Pirates and Beppe Grillo
Authors: Hartleb Florian
Published: June 2013

In the digital age, new ways of interaction provide a new type of public sphere which has dramatically changed party politics. This includes not only the modernisation and professionalisation of mainstream political parties but also paves the way for new challengers and a new dimension of campaigning. The current examples, the Pirate Party, especially in Germany, and the Five Star Movement of Beppe Grillo, show at least short-term potential. The Pirate Party caused a media hype about the young activists. Grillo transcended the borders between comedy and politics without the helping hand of the traditional media, which ignored him. The threat for representative democracies lies in the growing anti-elitism which is combined in the Pirates and Grillo. Mainstream political parties should indicate that the claim for a new participatory politics beyond right and left is a utopian one, while attacking the way that party politics works.
E-voting: Lessons from Estonia
Authors: Tsahkna Anna-Greta
Published: June 2013

Estonia has used e-voting since 2005, and because e-voting is more accessible, more flexible and saves time, the result has been an increase in voter turnout. Compared with traditional voting in which a person must go to the polling station, a process that takes about 44 minutes, e-voting requires only 6 minutes. So far, supporters of right-wing parties and the Reform Party (Liberals) are more likely to use e-voting, with the result that Isamaa and ResPublica Liit (Conservatives) gained the majority of e-votes during the last parliamentary elections in 2011.
Infertility and Immunocontraception based on zona pellucida
Authors: Hasegawa Akiko , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Shibahara Hiroaki
Published: June 2013

The zona pellucida (ZP) is an extracellular matrix surrounding ovarian oocytes, ovulated eggs and preimplantation embryos. It plays several important roles at different stages of reproduction. Its constituent glycoproteins are expressed specifically in the ovary. It is thus possible to produce autoantibodies to ZP proteins that interfere with reproductive functions including folliculogenesis, fertilization and implantation. First, this article describes the history of anti‐ZP antibodies detected in women with idiopathic infertility. Second, the current relationship between anti‐ZP antibodies and infertility is discussed in relation to assisted reproductive medicine. Third, we introduce the latest studies of animal experiments involving the ZP. Finally, immunocontraceptive vaccine development using various ZP antigens is reviewed.
Thinking outside the box
Authors: Peeraer G.
Published: June 2013

None
Pregnancy outcomes among women with Marfan syndrome
Authors: Omnes Sophie , Jondeau Guillaume , Detaint Delphine , Dumont Agathe , Yazbeck Chadi , Guglielminotti Jean , Luton Dominique , Azria Elie
Published: June 2013

Objective

To determine cardiac and obstetric outcomes among women with Marfan syndrome (MS) whose pregnancies were managed in accordance with the French national guidelines.

Methods

A descriptive analysis was conducted for a prospective cohort of 18 women with MS who gave birth in the maternity unit of Bichat‐Claude Bernard Hospital, Paris, France, between January 1, 1998, and May 31, 2011. The study hospital was the national referral center for MS and related diseases.

Results

A total of 22 pregnancies were recorded among the study cohort. Of these, 21 were managed according to the national guidelines. One woman who was referred to the study hospital during late pregnancy was not managed according to the national guidelines; this patient experienced aortic dissection at 37 weeks. In the cohort, aortic diameter did not increase significantly during pregnancy. Vascular fetal growth restriction was observed in 7 (31.8 %) of the pregnancies. Cesarean delivery was planned for 17 (77.3%) of the pregnancies.

Conclusion

Risk of aortic dissection was low among a cohort of pregnant women with MS who were managed according to the French national guidelines.
The effect of food toppings on calorie estimation and consumption
Authors: Jiang Ying , Lei Jing
Published: June 2013

In this research we examine the effect of adding a food topping to the base food on consumers' calorie estimation and consumption of the augmented food (base food plus topping). We show that consumers underestimate the calorie content of augmented food with an unhealthy base, especially when the topping is healthy. However, consumers are less likely to underestimate the calorie content of augmented food with a healthy base, regardless of whether the topping is healthy or unhealthy. Further, we show that adding a healthy topping to an unhealthy base makes consumers not only underestimate the calorie content but also eat more of the augmented food.
A Systematic Comparison Between Subjects With No Pain and Pain Associated With Active Myofascial Trigger Points
Authors: Gerber Lynn H. , Sikdar Siddhartha , Armstrong Katee , Diao Guoqing , Heimur Juliana , Kopecky John , Turo Diego , Otto Paul , Gebreab Tadesse , Shah Jay
Published: June 2013

Objective

To determine whether standard evaluations of pain distinguish subjects with no pain from those with myofascial pain syndromes (MPS) and active myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) and to assess whether self‐reports of mood, function, and health‐related quality of life differ between these groups.

Design

A prospective, descriptive study.

Setting

University.

Patients

Adults with and without neck pain.

Methods

We evaluated adults with MPS and active (painful) MTrPs and those without pain. Subjects in the “active” (A) group had at least one active MTrP with spontaneous pain that was persistent, lasted longer than 3 months, and had characteristic pain on palpation. Subjects in the “no pain” (NP) group had no spontaneous pain. However, some of these subjects had discomfort upon MTrP palpation (latent MTrP), whereas others in the NP group had no discomfort upon palpation of nodules or had no nodules.

Outcome Measures

Each participant underwent range of motion measurement, a 10‐point manual muscle test, and manual and algometric palpation. The latter determined the pain/pressure threshold using an algometer of 4 predetermined anatomic sites along the upper trapezius. Participants rated pain using a verbal analog scale (0‐10) and completed the Brief Pain Inventory and Oswestry Disability Scale (which included a sleep subscale), the Short ‐Form 36 Health Survey, and the Profile of Mood States.

Results

The A group included 24 subjects (mean age 36 years; 16 women), and the NP group included 26 subjects (mean age 26 years; 12 women). Group A subjects differed from NP subjects in the number of latent MTrPs (P = .0062), asymmetrical cervical range of motion (P = .01 for side bending and P = .002 for rotation), and in all pain reports (P < .0001), algometry (P < .03), Profile of Mood States (P < .038), Short Form 36 Health Survey (P < .01), and Oswestry Disability Scale (P < .0001).

Conclusion

A systematic musculoskeletal evaluation of people with MPS reliably distinguishes them from subjects with no pain. The 2 groups are significantly different in their physical findings and self‐reports of pain, sleep disturbance, disability, health status, and mood. These findings support the view that a “local” pain syndrome has significant associations with mood, health‐related quality of life, and function.
The high returns to low volatility stocks are actually a premium on high quality firms
Authors: Walkshäusl Christian
Published: June 2013

Recent empirical research shows that low volatility stocks outperform high volatility stocks around the world. This study documents that the volatility effect is associated with the quality of the firm using a large sample of international stocks. First, adding a quality factor to the Fama–French model contributes to the explanation of the volatility effect. Furthermore, the negative volatility–return relation is shown to be stronger and significant only among high quality firms which are profitable and have stable cash flows. Second, a fundamental investment strategy that goes long high quality firms and short low quality firms performs like a volatility strategy and cannot be explained by common asset pricing models. However, a low–high volatility factor adds to the explanation of the return difference between high and low quality stocks as volatility and quality strategies have a common component.
New clues to LEDs’ efficiency droop
Authors: Smart Ashley G.
Published: June 2013

Electrons spewed from the surface of an LED implicate Auger recombination—but not everyone is convinced.
Extreme binary pulsar shows no deviation from general relativity
Authors: Schwarzschild Bertram M.
Published: June 2013

A previously unexplored regime of massive neutron stars and fast companions disappoints anticipations of new gravity physics.
Cost increases at fusion project going critical
Authors: Kramer David
Published: June 2013

US domestic program braces for budget cut as senators seek schedule for completion and cost of ITER.
Business emphasis at research council has Canada’s scientists concerned
Authors: Feder Toni
Published: June 2013

In bolstering industry, the NRC aims for innovation and economic gain. Will isolation from research developments also result?
Reinventing physics for life-sciences majors
Authors: Meredith Dawn C. , Redish Edward F.
Published: June 2013

An introductory physics course that meets the needs of biology students must recognize that the two disciplines see the world differently.
Optical multidimensional coherent spectroscopy
Authors: Cundiff Steven T. , Mukamel Shaul
Published: June 2013

Techniques developed decades ago for nuclear magnetic resonance and now adapted for the IR, visible, and UV regions of the spectrum are enabling new insights into chemical kinetics and solid-state physics.
Exoplanet atmospheres
Authors: Knutson Heather A.
Published: June 2013

Twenty years ago planets orbiting faraway stars were the stuff of science fiction. Now their atmospheric composition and even their weather are being revealed by sensitive spectral measurements.