bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel biodegradable polyurethanes reinforced with green nanofibers for applications in tissue engineering. Synthesis and characterization
Authors: Nakhoda Hamza M. , Dahman Yaser
Published: August 2014

A new class of polyurethane (PU) biocomposites reinforced with green biocellulose nanofibers (BC) were designed and synthesized. These newly introduced non‐cytotoxic and biodegradable composites were synthesized with different ratios of hard to soft segments of the linear, aliphatic hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and polycaprolactone diol (PCL), respectively. The porosity was introduced in the polyurethane matrix using a combination of salt leaching and thermally induced phase separation (TIPS). BC contents were in the range of 0–15 % of the final PU by weight. FTIR spectra showed complete conversion of HDI through the disappearance of the isocyanate and imine characteristic bands (at 2260 cm−1and 1635 cm−1, respectively) and appearance of carbonyl group band in PU (at 1730 cm−1). The hard to soft segment (i.e., HDI:PCL) ratios in the final PU polymer were quantified from1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra by comparing the proton peaks arising for CH2CO at 2.25 ppm or OCH2at 3.9 ppm to CH2N at 2.9 ppm. Results showed that the ratios in the final product were consistent with the amounts added initially during the synthesis. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed that porosity (57–75 %) were formed (pore size in the range of 125–355 µm), with an increase in pore content with the decrease in HDI:PCL content.
Colorectal cancer screening in the American Indian/Alaska Native population: Progress and at least one new challenge
Authors: Lynch Patrick M.
Published: August 2014

A new report in this issue describes improvements in colorectal cancer screening among American Indians and Alaska Natives but with rates that still lag far behind those of whites and African Americans. The Affordable Care Act has provisions specifically targeting the American Indian/Alaska Native population that may or may not be positive disrupting factors in screening trends, with modality‐specific and overall colorectal cancer screening patterns serving as interesting benchmarks against which to measure the impact of the Affordable Care Act over the next 10 or more years.
United States colorectal cancer screening practices among American Indians/Alaska Natives, blacks, and non‐Hispanic whites in the new millennium (2001 to 2010)
Authors: Johnson‐Jennings Michelle Dawn , Tarraf Wassim , Xavier Hill Kyle , González Hector M.
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND

The objectives of this study were to describe, examine, and compare prevalence estimates of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening practices and to determine whether disparities exist for American Indians/Alaska Natives (AIANs) and blacks compared with whites.

METHODS

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2001‐2010) data from respondents aged ≥50 years (n = 356,073) were used. The primary outcome was self‐reported CRC screening according to US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines for endoscopy (colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy), fecal occult blood test (FOBT), or mixed screening (endoscopy or FOBT).

RESULTS

From 2001 to 2010, endoscopy screening increased in the AIAN population by 44.8% (P < .001) compared with black respondents (51.7%) and white respondents (26.5%). AIANs were less likely to report endoscopy screening (45%) compared with both blacks (56%) and whites (55%). For mixed CRC screenings, AIAN rates increased by 34.5%, compared with 29.7% for blacks and 15% for whites. In 2010, AIANs (51%) had the lowest prevalence of mixed CRC screening compared with blacks (61%) and whites (60%; P < .001). Factors that enabled health care attenuated the lowered likelihood of CRC screenings, but disparities remained for AIAN CRC screening. In contrast, once enabling factors were controlled, the odds ratios of CRC screening among blacks were higher compared with whites.

CONCLUSIONS

Between 2001 and 2010, AIANs had the lowest CRC screening rates in the United States compared with blacks and whites, presenting a CRC disparity, as rigorously defined. The current findings indicate that, although considerable progress has been made to increase CRC screening for blacks and whites, progress for AIANs continues to lag behind in the first decade of 21st century. Cancer 2014;120:3192–3299. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Conserved expression of the GPR151 receptor in habenular axonal projections of vertebrates
Authors: Broms Jonas , Antolin‐Fontes Beatriz , Tingström Anders , Ibañez‐Tallon Ines
Published: August 2014

The habenula is a phylogenetically conserved brain structure in the epithalamus. It is a major node in the information flow between fronto‐limbic brain regions and monoaminergic brainstem nuclei, and is thus anatomically and functionally ideally positioned to regulate emotional, motivational, and cognitive behaviors. Consequently, the habenula may be critically important in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders such as addiction and depression. Here we investigated the expression pattern of GPR151, a G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR), whose mRNA has been identified as highly and specifically enriched in habenular neurons by in situ hybridization and translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP). In the present immunohistochemical study we demonstrate a pronounced and highly specific expression of the GPR151 protein in the medial and lateral habenula of rodent brain. Specific expression was also seen in efferent habenular fibers projecting to the interpeduncular nucleus, the rostromedial tegmental area, the rhabdoid nucleus, the mesencephalic raphe nuclei, and the dorsal tegmental nucleus. Using confocal microscopy and quantitative colocalization analysis, we found that GPR151‐expressing axons and terminals overlap with cholinergic, substance P‐ergic, and glutamatergic markers. Virtually identical expression patterns were observed in rat, mouse, and zebrafish brains. Our data demonstrate that GPR151 is highly conserved, specific for a subdivision of the habenular neurocircuitry, and constitutes a promising novel target for psychiatric drug development. J. Comp. Neurol. 523:359–380, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Relative bioavailability of pediatric oral solution and tablet formulations of trametinib in adult patients with solid tumors
Authors: Cox Donna S. , Allred Alicia , Zhou YanYan , Infante Jeffrey R. , Gordon Michael S. , Bendell Johanna , Jones Suzanne , Burris Howard , Orford Keith
Published: August 2014

Trametinib (Mekinist®) is a selective inhibitor of mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) approved in the United States as a single agent and in combination with dabrafenib (Tafinlar®) for treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a positive BRAF V600E/V600K mutation for which a pediatric oral solution formulation is being developed. This open‐label, two‐period, two‐treatment, randomized, crossover study assessed the relative bioavailability of the trametinib pediatric oral solution compared to the tablet formulation after a single‐dose administration to adult patients with solid tumors. Primary pharmacokinetic endpoints derived from standard non‐compartmental methods were AUC0–inf, AUC0–t, and Cmax. As expected, Cmax was higher and Tmax earlier for the pediatric oral solution compared to the tablet formulation. Administration of the trametinib pediatric oral solution resulted in a 12%, 10%, 18%, and 71% higher AUC0–inf, AUC0–last, AUC0–24, and Cmax, respectively, as compared to the tablet formulation. Safety results were aligned with the known safety profile of trametinib. No serious or non‐serious adverse events resulted in study drug withdrawal. Palatability of the pediatric oral solution was evaluated and found to be acceptable to most adult patients, but may differ in the pediatric population.
Fine‐grain data management directory for OpenMP 4.0 and OpenACC
Authors: Jaeger Julien , Carribault Patrick , Pérache Marc
Published: August 2014

Today's trend to use accelerators in heterogeneous systems forces a paradigm shift in programming models. The use of low‐level APIs for accelerator programming is tedious and not intuitive for casual programmers. To tackle this problem, recent approaches focused on high‐level directive‐based models, with a standardization effort made with OpenACC and the directives for accelerator in the latest OpenMP 4.0 release. The pragmas for data management automatically handle data exchange between the host and the device. To keep the runtime simple and efficient, severe restrictions hinder the use of these pragmas. To address this issue, we propose the design for a directory, along with a reduced runtime application binary interface, to handle correctly data management in these standards. A few improvements to our directory allow a more flexible use of data management pragmas, with negligible overhead. Our design fits a multi‐accelerator system. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous flow cytometric analysis of IFN‐γ and CD4 mRNA and protein expression kinetics in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells during activation
Authors: Van Hoof Dennis , Lomas Woodrow , Hanley Mary Beth , Park Emily
Published: August 2014

The application of fluorescently‐labeled antibodies for flow cytometric identification and characterization of specific cell types within heterogeneous populations by their protein expression profile is well established. While detection of proteins is informative, concomitant transcript analysis in the same cells would provide a more complete and comprehensive view of intracellular signaling events. We recently reported on the efficient detection of RNA in suspension cells for flow cytometric analysis. The improved RNA flow cytometry procedure described here allows for the specific labeling of multiple RNA species, and is compatible with antibody‐based targeting of extracellular and intracellular antigens for multiplexing purposes. To show proof of concept, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate and ionomycin for a maximum of 5 h, during which their CD4 and interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) transcript and protein levels were monitored. Substantial and increasing numbers of IFN‐γ mRNA+ cells were detected within 30 min after initiation of induction, while IFN‐γ protein+ cells could only be discerned at 1 h and beyond. Surprisingly, resting lymphocytes contained less CD4 mRNA but more of the protein per cell compared with monocytes, revealing a difference in the relationship of transcript and protein levels in these two cell types. We additionally applied monensin, which is commonly used to block cytokine secretion, and found that IFN‐γ mRNA can still be analyzed consistently using the improved RNA flow cytometry staining method. Notably, a subset of IFN‐γ mRNA‐/protein+ cells that were not observed in the absence of monensin became apparent at the 5‐h mark. This subset probably represents cells that have accumulated IFN‐γ protein, but no longer transcribe mRNA. Collectively, the results described here exemplify how the improved RNA flow cytometry labeling procedure can be applied to simultaneously assess mRNA and protein dynamics to gain insight into the regulation of gene transcription and translation in individual cells. © 2014 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Improvement of complex regional pain syndrome after plasmapheresis
Authors: Blaes F. , Dharmalingam B. , Tschernatsch M. , Feustel A. , Fritz T. , Kohr D. , Singh P. , Kaps M. , Szalay G.
Published: August 2014

Complex regional pain syndrome is a severe complication following trauma that is associated with vasomotor, sudomotor and sensory disturbances in an affected limb or region of the body. The exact physiopathology is not fully understood yet. Recently, autoantibody findings suggested an immune‐mediated physiopathology of the disease. We here describe two otherwise treatment‐resistant patients with complex regional pain syndrome and high‐titre beta2 adrenergic receptor autoantibodies, who did respond to plasmapheresis. Both patients showed strong improvement of pain and autonomic symptoms measured by impairment level sum score.
Effect of Item Response Theory (IRT) Model Selection on Testlet‐Based Test Equating
Authors: Cao Yi , Lu Ru , Tao Wei
Published: August 2014

The local item independence assumption underlying traditional item response theory (IRT) models is often not met for tests composed of testlets. There are 3 major approaches to addressing this issue: (a) ignore the violation and use a dichotomous IRT model (e.g., the 2‐parameter logistic [2PL] model), (b) combine the interdependent items to form a polytomous item and apply a polytomous IRT model (e.g., the graded response model [GRM]), and (c) apply a model that explicitly takes into account the dependence at the item level (e.g., the testlet response theory [TRT] model). In this study, a simulation was conducted to compare the performance of these 3 approaches on number‐correct score equating when degrees of testlet effect were manipulated. The traditional equipercentile method was used as an evaluation baseline. The results show that the 2PL and the TRT approaches produce comparable results that more closely agree with the results of the equipercentile method than the GRM does. And the number‐correct equating using the 2PL is robust to the violation of local item independence.
Analysis and modelling of resources shared in the BitTorrent network
Authors: Rodríguez‐Gómez Rafael A. , Maciá‐Fernández Gabriel , Sánchez‐Casado Leovigildo , García‐Teodoro Pedro
Published: August 2014

BitTorrent is nowadays the most common protocol to distribute contents through peer‐to‐peer networks. Because of its relevance, it is important to study and understand its behaviour and impact from several points of view, including those related to communication efficiency and security risks. In this paper, we analyse BitTorrent network focusing on the behaviour of shared resources. For that, we develop a monitoring methodology that allows to extract the time evolution of a sample of 1/256 of all the resources shared in the network. As a main difference with previous approaches, our methodology allows to monitor distributed hash table‐based BitTorrent networks, that is, without considering trackers. We discuss the data obtained from a monitoring process carried out during 3 months, and as a result, we analyse the information of more than 70 000 resources. This analysis is based on four features: geographic dispersion, popularity, sharing duration and availability. Finally, we show the potential of our methodology by outlining an example application that consists of a detection system intended to identify anomalous behaviours in the sharing of BitTorrent resources. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The N‐terminal transactivation domain of the glucocorticoid receptor mediates apoptosis of human small cell lung cancer cells
Authors: Singh Nimisha , Taylor Kerryn , Mjoli Phiwokuhle B. , Poolman Toryn , Ray David W. , Sommer Paula
Published: August 2014

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis. These cancers are deficient in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression, and therefore, resistant to glucocorticoids. Overexpression of the GR both in vivo and in vitro leads to apoptotic cell death suggesting that loss of GR is favorable for cancer growth. Indeed, the GR promoter is silenced in SCLC cells by methylation. We now show that treatment of the SCLC cell line (DMS79) cells with the demethylating agent, 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine (5‐aza), results in significant endogenous re‐expression of both GRα and the ligand‐independent GR‐P. The GR gene has a complex promoter region comprising nine alternative promoters, the proximal seven of which lie within a CpG island. The endogenous re‐expression seen is attributed to the constitutive promoters 1B and 1C and 1J but predominantly 1F, which we show to be heavily methylated in SCLC cells. Flow cytometric analysis using the apoptotic marker, Annexin V, shows that this endogenous re‐expression is sufficient to drive the SCLC cells to apoptosis. Apoptotic induction is specific to GR re‐expression as cotreatment with 5‐aza and the GR antagonist, RU486 prevented apoptosis. Of the three functional GR domains (the DNA binding domain, ligand binding domain, and transactivation domain), we identified that the transactivation domain is essential for apoptosis in SCLC. The discovery that endogenous re‐expression of the GR in SCLC cells is sufficient to induce apoptotic cell death by reversing a cancer‐driven DNA methylation effect may lead to the development of novel adjunct therapies. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Older adults recently started on psychotropic medication: where are the symptoms?
Authors: Maust Donovan T. , Chen Shirley H. , Benson Amy , Mavandadi Shahrzad , Streim Joel E. , DiFilippo Suzanne , Snedden Thomas M. , Oslin David W.
Published: August 2014

Objective

The objective of this study is to understand the characteristics of older adults on newly prescribed psychotropic medication with minimal psychiatric symptoms.

Methods

Naturalistic cohort study of non‐institutionalized older adults in Pennsylvania participating in the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly. Persons newly prescribed antidepressant or anxiolytic monotherapy or combination therapy were contacted for clinical assessment by a telephone‐based behavioral health service. The initial assessment included standardized mental health screening instruments and scales including the Blessed Orientation‐Memory‐Concentration test, Patient Health Questionnaire‐9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder‐7, and Medical Outcomes Survey (SF‐12). In addition, patients were asked for their understanding of the prescription indication.

Results

Of the 254 participants who met minimal symptom criteria (Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 < 5 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder‐7 < 5), women comprised slightly more of the anxiolytic compared with antidepressant monotherapy group (88.9% vs. 76.7%, p = 0.04). The most common self‐reported reason for prescription of an antidepressant or anxiolytic was depression or anxiety, respectively, despite near‐absence of these symptoms on clinical assessment. Comparing monotherapy to combination therapy groups, those with combination therapy were more likely to report a history of depression (12.6% vs. 1.8%, p < 0.001) and also report depression as the reason for the prescription (40.2% vs. 21.0%, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

In this sample of older adults on new psychotropic medication with minimal psychiatric symptoms, there are few patient characteristics that distinguish those on antidepressant versus anxiolytic monotherapy or those on monotherapy versus combination therapy. While quality of care in late‐life mental health has focused on improving detection and treatment, there should be further attention to low‐symptom patients potentially receiving inappropriate pharmacotherapy. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Screening for prostate cancer in the US? Reduce the harms and keep the benefit
Authors: de Carvalho Tiago M. , Heijnsdijk Eveline A.M. , de Koning Harry J.
Published: August 2014

While the benefit of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) based screening is uncertain, a significant proportion of screen‐detected cases is overdiagnosed. In order to make screening worthwhile, it is necessary to find policies that minimize overdiagnosis, without significantly increasing prostate cancer mortality (PCM). Using a microsimulation model (MISCAN) we project the outcomes of 83 screening policies in the US population, with different start and stop ages, screening frequencies, strategies where the PSA value changes the screening frequency, and strategies in which the PSA threshold (PSAt) increases with age. In the basecase strategy, yearly screening 50–74 with a PSAt of 3, the lifetime risk of PCM and overdiagnosis equals, respectively, 2.4 and 3.8%. The policies that reduce overdiagnosis the most (for maximum PCM increases relative to basecase of 1%, 3%, and 5%, respectively) are with a PSAt of 3, (1) yearly screening 50–74 where, if PSA <1 at age 65 or older, frequency becomes 4 years, with 3.6% (5.9% reduction), (2) 2‐year screening 50–72, with 2.9% (24.3% reduction), and (3) yearly screening 50–70 (PSAt of 4 after age 66), with 2.2% (43.4% reduction). Stopping screening at age 70 is a reasonable way to reduce the harms and keep the benefit. Decreasing the stopping age has a larger effect on overdiagnosis reduction than reducing the screen frequency. Screening policies where the frequency of screening depends on PSA result or in which the PSAt changes with age did not substantially improve the balance of harms and benefits relative to simple yearly screening.
Few views image reconstruction using alternating direction method via ‐norm minimization
Authors: Sun Yuli , Tao Jinxu
Published: August 2014

In the medical computer tomography field, total variation (TV), which is the
‐norm of the gradient‐magnitude images, is widely used as the regularization based on the compressive sensing theory. To overcome the TV model's disadvantageous tendency of uniformly penalize the image gradient and over smooth the low‐contrast structures, an iterative algorithm based on the
‐norm optimization of the finite difference is proposed. To rise to the challenges introduced by the
‐norm minimization, the algorithm uses the alternating direction method to solve the unconstrained augmented Lagrangian function, which involves a hard thresholding method, a linearization and proximal points technique for each subproblem. The simulation demonstrates the conclusions and indicates that the algorithm proposed in this article can obviously improve the reconstruction quality. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 24, 215–223, 2014
Four‐neighborhood clique kernel: A general framework for Bayesian and variational techniques of noise reduction in magnetic resonance images of the brain
Authors: Osadebey Michael , Bouguila Nizar , Arnold Douglas ,   for the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: August 2014

Several algorithms have been proposed in the literature for image denoising but none exhibit optimal performance for all range and types of noise and for all image acquisition modes. We describe a new general framework, built from four‐neighborhood clique system, for denoising medical images. The kernel quantifies smoothness energy of spatially continuous anatomical structures. Scalar and vector valued quantification of smoothness energy configures images for Bayesian and variational denoising modes, respectively. Within variational mode, the choice of norm adapts images for either total variation or Tikhonov technique. Our proposal has three significant contributions. First, it demonstrates that the four‐neighborhood clique kernel is a basic filter, in same class as Gaussian and wavelet filters, from which state‐of‐the‐art denoising algorithms are derived. Second, we formulate theoretical analysis, which connects and integrates Bayesian and variational techniques into a two‐layer structured denoising system. Third, our proposal reveals that the first layer of the new denoising system is a hitherto unknown form of Markov random field model referred to as single‐layer Markov random field (SLMRF). The new model denoises a specific type of medical image by minimizing energy subject to knowledge of mathematical model that describes relationship between the image smoothness energy and noise level but without reference to a classical prior model. SLMRF was applied to and evaluated on two real brain magnetic resonance imaging datasets acquired with different protocols. Comparative performance evaluation shows that our proposal is comparable to state‐of‐the‐art algorithms. SLMRF is simple and computationally efficient because it does not incorporate a regularization parameter. Furthermore, it preserves edges and its output is devoid of blurring and ringing artifacts associated with Gaussian‐based and wavelet‐based algorithms. The denoising system is potentially applicable to speckle reduction in ultrasound images and extendable to three‐layer structure that account for texture features in medical images. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 24, 224–238, 2014
Segmentation and analysis of brain subcortical regions using regularized multiphase level set in autistic MR images
Authors: Jac Fredo A. R. , Kavitha G. , Ramakrishnan S.
Published: August 2014

In this work, subcortical regions of autistic magnetic resonance brain images are analyzed using multiphase level set method. The images considered in this work are obtained from autism brain image data exchange database. The subcortical regions such as corpus callosum, cerebellum, and brain stem are segmented from the cortical region using Fuzzy c‐means (FCM)‐based multiphase level set method. FCM with three cluster center is used as the intensity discriminator and the evolution of the level set curve is regularized by a distance function. The results show that the multiphase level set method is able to segment the desired subcortical regions. The results are validated with the ground truth images. The average similarity values are found to be 0.85. The segmented subcortical regions of autistic have reduced tissue area and are distinct from the controls (p < 0.0001). Further, it is observed that the subcortical area gives comparable results with clinical intelligent quotient values and is able to discriminate the controls and autistic subjects. As the feature area extracted from brain subcortical regions are significant, this study seems to be clinically helpful in mass screening of autistic subjects. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 24, 256–262, 2014
The impact of constraint induced movement therapy on brain activation in chronic stroke patients with upper extremity paralysis: An fMRI study
Authors: Wen Bo , Ma Lin , Weng Changshui
Published: August 2014

This study is designed to explore the impact of constraint‐induced movement therapy (CIMT) on brain activation in chronic stroke patients with upper extremity paralysis and seek valuable predictors of recovery. Six chronic stroke patients with right hand dysfunction and nine healthy control subjects participated in the study. The patient's hand function was assessed by the Action Research Arm Test and statistical significance was determined by a paired Student's t‐tests. We conducted functional magnetic resonance imaging and analyzed the data using Analysis of Functional Neuroimages software. After CIMT, function of the affected right hand improved continuously with no deterioration of left hand function. The bilateral primary sensorimotor, primary somatosensory, and somatosensory association cortex were evidently activated in response to paretic right hand movement with a tendency to transfer from the ipsilateral hemisphere to the contralateral hemisphere. Remarkably, the corpus striatum, thalamus, and cerebellum showed persistently increased bilateral activation throughout the whole process. Bilateral extrapyramidal structures including corpus striatum, thalamus, and cerebellum exhibited activation at low levels in response to movement of the unaffected left hand. Our results indicated that the bilateral primary sensorimotor cortex is the most highly activated brain region during CIMT. Furthermore, the hyperactivity of extrapyramidal structures plays an important facilitating role during recovery and represents a good predictor of recovery. A gradual rebalance of the activation of the neural network between the two cerebral hemispheres and a return to normal conditions was seen, which may be a positive sign for recovery. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 24, 270–275, 2014
Resurgence: Response competition, stimulus control, and reinforcer control
Authors: Podlesnik Christopher A. , Kelley Michael E.
Published: August 2014

Resurgence is the relapse of a previously reinforced and then extinguished target response when extinguishing a more recently reinforced alternative response. We designed the present study to assess the contribution of stimulus‐control and reinforcer‐control processes in determining resurgence. In a modified resurgence procedure, we removed the alternative discriminative stimulus signaling alternative reinforcement when extinguishing the alternative response. This produced more abrupt resurgence of target responding than in a typical resurgence procedure maintaining the alternative discriminative stimulus when extinguishing the alternative response. The overall amount of resurgence did not differ. Importantly, a “renewal” control added and removed the alternative stimulus during extinction, identically as in the modified resurgence procedure. However, alternative responding was never reinforced, which produced no relapse of target responding. Therefore, the more abrupt resurgence with the modified procedure than with the typical procedure suggests removing the alternative stimulus reduced the competition between alternative and target responding. These findings revealed the importance of adding and removing alternative reinforcement in producing resurgence (reinforcer control) but little influence of simply adding and removing the alternative stimulus (stimulus control). These data suggest that clinicians should consider the long‐term availability of the alternative response option when developing differential‐reinforcement interventions.
Human papillomavirus type‐specific prevalence in women referred for colposcopic examination in Beijing
Authors: Ding Xiurong , Liu Zhizhong , Su Jianrong , Yan Donghui , Sun Wei , Zeng Zhaoying
Published: August 2014

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with several disorders of the genital tract, skin, and oropharynx. This study investigated the prevalence of infection by 37 HPV genotypes among women of the Beijing area in China. Cervical specimens from 1,082 patients and 165 healthy controls were tested for HPV genotypes using a chip hybridization assay. Based on the local pathology, patients were divided into cervicitis and cervical lesion groups. Overall HPV infection rates were 30.5% for the cervicitis group and 78.4% for the cervical lesion group; whereas infection rates for high‐risk HPV types (i.e., those associated with cervical cancers) were 24.0% and 73.4%, respectively. The most common HPV genotypes were HPV 52, 16, 81, 58, and 18 in healthy controls, HPV 52, 61, 55, 16, and 53 in those with cervicitis, HPV 52, 16, 33, 39, and 58 in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1, HPV 16, 58, 31, 52, and 33 in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or grade 3, and HPV 16, 33, 18, 52, and 58 in cervical cancer. Established high‐risk HPV showed two peaks, in patients aged 30–34 and 55–79 years. In Beijing, HPV 16, 52, 58, and 33 are the most prevalent HPV types in women with cervical lesions, which should affect development of a cervical cancer vaccination for local use. J. Med. Virol. 86:1937–1943, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Epidemiological characteristics and immune status of children with Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Authors: Ye Qing , Shao Wen‐Xia , Shang Shi‐Qiang , Pan Yan‐Xiang , Shen Hong‐Qiang , Chen Xue‐Jun
Published: August 2014

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections are the dominant cause of pneumonia in children. In order to determine the epidemiological characteristics and immune status of children with Respiratory Syncytial Virus, a prospective study was performed among patients with RSV infection. Comparisons between RSV pneumonia group and normal control group, RSV pneumonia group had lower IL‐2 (median levels, pg/ml: 3.8 vs. 5.1, P < 0.01), and higher IL‐4 (median levels, pg/ml: 3.2 vs. 2.4, P < 0.01), IL‐10 (median levels, pg/ml: 12.2 vs. 2.3, P < 0.01), and IFN‐γ (median levels, pg/ml: 13.4 vs. 4.6, P < 0.01). The level of IgE among pneumonia patients caused by RSV increased sharply (median levels, mg/L: 48.1 vs. 8.8, P < 0.01). Another amazing finding is that after birth, the degree of IgE of the children infected by RSV increases gradually with age. This effect is at its peak in 0.6 years old. The IgE and eosinophil levels were higher when patients suffered from RSV pneumonia with wheeze (IgE median levels, IU/ml: with wheeze: 72.74 vs. without wheeze: 11.5, P < 0.05; eosinophil median levels, ×109/l: with wheeze: 0.21 vs. without wheeze: 0.05, P < 0.05). The main morbidity crowd is the children under the age of 1 year old. The downregulation of IL2 and the upregulation of IL‐4, IL‐10, IFN‐γ, and IgE happen after RSV infection. J. Med. Virol. 87:323–329, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The use of multivariate statistics to resolve multiple contamination signals in the oxygen isotope analysis of biogenic silica
Authors: WILSON KATY E. , LENG MELANIE J. , MACKAY ANSON W.
Published: August 2014

Analysis of the oxygen isotope composition (δ18O) of diatom silica is a commonly used tool for palaeoclimate reconstruction that recent studies have demonstrated may be complicated by the presence of non‐diatom detrital material. Such contamination can mask any true climate‐driven signal, leading to spurious results. Analysis of the 2.6‐Ma Barsemoi diatomites from the East African Rift Valley highlights the presence of both tephra and clay in purified samples. Here we present a new method for assessing the relative contribution and geochemical composition of contamination components where sedimentary samples may be affected by more than one type of contamination. This approach shows that the incorporation of analytical techniques, such as X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry, coupled with statistical modelling, can be used to develop a three end‐member model to successfully resolve climate‐driven changes in δ18Odiatom. Mass‐balance corrections made to δ18Odiatom data demonstrate the importance of adopting quantitative geochemical analysis in tandem with the δ18O analysis of biogenic silica, to obtain accurate and meaningful results for palaeoclimate reconstruction.
Combined approach of FT‐Raman, SERS and IR micro‐ATR spectroscopies to enlighten ancient technologies of painted and varnished works of art
Authors: Daher Céline , Drieu Léa , Bellot‐Gurlet Ludovic , Percot Aline , Paris Céline , Le Hô Anne‐Solenn
Published: August 2014

The characterization of materials involved in painted works of art provides a better knowledge of artworks through the understanding of artistic and technological processes. In this study, some pieces selected from a large corpus of French Decorative Arts objects from 18thcentury museum collections were analyzed. These materials are complex system made of a multilayered colored background, covered with varnish layers. Colored or gilded ornaments are applied, representing different characters, flowers or landscapes, then varnished again. The aim of this study was to improve the painting and varnishing techniques knowledge in the Decorative Arts field during the 18thcentury. Vibrational spectroscopies, Raman, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and infrared, were used to analyze some specific parts of these objects, especially organic materials such as lake pigments, binders and varnishes, and some of them were identified. For this purpose, a set of experimental setups and parameters were used according to the samples. The performed analyses were thus done using conventional FT‐Raman at 1064 nm, SERS with a 458 nm excitation wavelength, infrared using a micro‐ATR mode, and by defining for each technique and each analysed sample the best set of analytical parameters. The results obtained are all complementary and allowed us to completely identify and characterize multilayered paint systems as well as varnish compositions using specific data treatment methodology. This study is a description of the various possibilities that vibrational spectroscopies can provide when the right settings are employed, with a deeper look into the vibrational features using new data treatments. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid separation and characterization of diterpenoid alkaloids in processed roots of Aconitum carmichaeli using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid linear ion trap‐Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Xu Wen , Zhang Jing , Zhu Dayuan , Huang Juan , Huang Zhihai , Bai Junqi , Qiu Xiaohui
Published: August 2014

The lateral root of Aconitum carmichaeli, a popular traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used to treat rheumatic diseases. For decades, diterpenoid alkaloids have dominated the phytochemical and biomedical research on this plant. In this study, a rapid and sensitive method based on ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap‐Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry was developed to characterize the diterpenoid alkaloids in Aconitum carmichaeli. Based on an optimized chromatographic condition, more than 120 diterpenoid alkaloids were separated with good resolution. Using a systematic strategy that combines high resolution separation, highly accurate mass measurements and a good understanding of the diagnostic fragment‐based fragmentation patterns, these diterpenoid alkaloids were identified or tentatively identified. The identification of these chemicals provided essential data for further phytochemical studies and toxicity research of Aconitum carmichaeli. Moreover, the ultra high performance liquid chromatography with linear ion trap‐Orbitrap mass spectrometry platform was an effective and accurate tool for rapid qualitative analysis of secondary metabolite productions from natural resources.
Multiresidue determination of UV filters in water samples by solid‐phase extraction and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis
Authors: Capriotti Anna Laura , Cavaliere Chiara , Piovesana Susy , Samperi Roberto , Stampachiacchiere Serena , Ventura Salvatore , Laganà Aldo
Published: August 2014

UV filters, contained in sunscreens and other cosmetic products, as well as in some plastics and industrial products, are nowadays considered contaminants of emerging concern because their widespread and increasing use has lead to their presence in the environment. Furthermore, some UV filters are suspected to have endocrine disruption activity. In the present work, we developed an analytical method based on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of UV filters in tap and lake waters. Sixteen UV filters were extracted from water samples by solid‐phase extraction employing graphitized carbon black as adsorbent material. Handling 200 mL of water sample, satisfactory recoveries were obtained for almost all the analytes. The limits of detection and quantification of the method were comparable to those reported in other works, and ranged between 0.7–3.5 and 1.9–11.8 ng/L, respectively; however in our case the number of investigated compounds was larger. The major encountered problem in method development was to identify the background contamination sources and reduce their contribution. UV filters were not detected in tap water samples, whereas the analyses conducted on samples collected from three different lakes showed that the swimming areas are most subject to UV filter contamination.
Laser all‐ceramic crown removal—A laboratory proof‐of‐principle study—Phase 1 material characteristics
Authors: Rechmann Peter , Buu Natalie C.H. , Rechmann Beate M.T. , Le Charles Q. , Finzen Frederick C. , Featherstone John D.B.
Published: August 2014

Background and Objectives

The removal of all‐ceramic crowns is a time consuming and destructive procedure in the dental office. The removal of all‐ceramic crowns using Er:YAG lasers has not been previously described in the scientific literature. The objective of this laboratory proof‐of‐principle study was to evaluate whether with regards to absorption and transmission characteristics of bonding cements and ceramics all‐ceramic crowns can be removed from natural teeth using an Erbium laser.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used on flat ceramic samples (IPS Empress Esthetic (EE), E.max CAD, and E.max ZirCAD) to assess which infrared laser wavelengths transmit through the ceramics. Additionally, FTIR spectra for four bonding cements (Variolink Veneer, Variolink II, Multilink Automix, and SpeedCEM) were obtained. The Er:YAG laser energy transmission (wavelength 2,940 nm, 10 Hz repetition rate, pulse duration 100 µs at 126 mJ/pulse to 300 µs at 508 mJ/pulse) through different ceramic thicknesses was measured. Ablation thresholds for bonding cements were determined. Cement samples were directly irradiated or laser light was transmitted through ceramic samples.

Results

While the ceramics did not show any characteristic water absorption bands in the FTIR, all bonding cements showed a broad H2O/OH absorption band. Some cements exhibited a distinct absorption peak at the Er:YAG laser emission wavelength. Depending on the ceramic thickness, EE and E.max CAD ceramics transmitted between 21 and 60% of the incident Er:YAG energy, with E.max CAD transmitting more energy than EE at comparable thicknesses. In contrast, E.max ZirCAD transmitted only 5–10% of the incident energy. Initial signs of cement deterioration occurred at 1.3–2.6 J/cm2. Multilink Automix, SpeedCEM, and Variolink II started ablation at 4.4–4.7 J/cm2. Variolink Veneer needed 44% less energy for ablation.

Conclusion

Er:YAG laser energy can be transmitted through all‐ceramic materials and those transmitted energies are sufficient for ablation of bonding cements. Lasers Surg. Med. 46:628–635, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Porous Polymers Based on Aryleneethynylene Building Blocks
Authors: Bunz Uwe H. F. , Seehafer Kai , Geyer Florian L. , Bender Markus , Braun Ingo , Smarsly Emanuel , Freudenberg Jan
Published: August 2014

Porous conjugated polymers are synthesized by metal‐catalyzed coupling reactions. The progress for porous polymers when planar or tetrahedral building blocks are connected by alkyne units into novel materials is highlighted. The most prominent reaction for the buildup of the microporous alkyne‐bridged polymers is the Sonogashira reaction, connecting alkynes to aromatic iodides or bromides. The availability of the building blocks and the potency of the Sonogashira reaction allow preparing a large variety of intrinsically porous polymeric materials, in which rigid struts connect multipronged centers. The microporous polymers are used as catalysts and as storage materials for gases and sensors. Postfunctionalization schemes, understanding of structure‐property relationships, and the quest for high porosity are pertinent.

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Metabolism in HD: Still a relevant mechanism?
Authors: Duan Wenzhen , Jiang Mali , Jin Jing
Published: August 2014

The polyglutamine expansion within huntingtin is the causative factor in the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease (HD). Although the underlying mechanisms by which mutant huntingtin causes neuronal dysfunction and degeneration have not been fully elucidated, compelling evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction and compromised energy metabolism are key players in HD pathogenesis. Longitudinal studies of HD subjects have shown reductions in glucose utilization before the disease clinical onset. Preferential striatal neurodegeneration, a hallmark of HD pathogenesis, also has been associated with interrupted energy metabolism. Data from genetic HD models indicate that mutant huntingtin disrupts mitochondrial bioenergetics and prevents adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation, implying altered energy metabolism as an important component of HD pathogenesis. Here we revisit the evidence of abnormal energy metabolism in the central nervous system of HD patients, review our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying abnormal metabolism induced by mutant huntingtin, and discuss the promising therapeutic development by halting abnormal metabolism in HD. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Low energy ion scattering: surface preparation and analysis of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Téllez Helena , Druce John , Hall Allen , Ishihara Tatsumi , Kilner John , Rockett Angus
Published: August 2014

Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) single‐crystal epitaxial films have been analyzed by low energy ion scattering, which is sensitive to exactly the outermost surface atomic layer, to determine the surface chemistry as a function of preparation conditions. The samples were grown by a hybrid sputtering and evaporation method on cation (A) or anion (B) terminated (111) GaAs substrates and had smooth surfaces. The samples were exposed to excited atomic oxygen or hydrogen beams or were sputtered with 500 eV Ar+ ions. Atomic O* treatment resulted in an otherwise clean, oxidized surface including all film constituents. Atomic H* resulted in strong enhancement of the surface Ga population, probably due to a preexisting Ga native oxide in the outermost atomic layer. Sputtering produced a clean surface that was closest to the bulk composition of the film as measured by energy‐dispersive spectroscopy. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the Possibility of Autoxidation of TEX – A DFT Study
Authors: Türker Lemi , Variş Serhat
Published: August 2014

TEX is an explosive with interesting isowurtzitane cage structure. It exhibits successful explosion performance and good sensitivity. Herein, the tendency of TEX to form hydroperoxide structure under storage conditions was examined by density functional treatment. Additionally the possible decomposition products of the hydroperoxides were investigated. Moreover, the detonation performance values for TEX itself and two isomeric hydroperoxide derivatives were calculated. Detonation products and explosive power index values were investigated and the effect of O2 molecule on sensitivity and detonation properties was studied.
Compacted Modified Propellant Blocks as Traveling Charge in the Hybrid Shot Scheme
Authors: Ermolaev Boris Sergeevich , Romankov Alexander V. , Sulimov Alexey A. , Crowley Anna B.
Published: August 2014

The burning of compacted modified propellant charges applied as a traveling charge in the hybrid shot scheme was studied. The block charges were manufactured by pressing fine propellant grains coated by a thin film of polyvinyl butyral. A stick from several pressed pellets was insulated over its lateral surface by a thin layer of silicon paste, glued to the back of the projectile and inserted into the barrel of the 23‐mm smooth‐bore laboratory gun. The loose‐packed accelerator charge was placed in the breech. Combustion was initiated by an igniter plug placed between the traveling and breech charges. A set of piezo‐quartz gauges placed in the breech and along the barrel, as well as a frame‐target device were used for recording characteristics of the firings. It is shown that blocks of this type, applied as the traveling charge, provide a stable burning process resulting in high ballistic performance. The block traveling charge preserves its integrity in the course of its motion along the barrel, and burning envelopes its total mass when pressure in the breach passes the maximum value. The descending portion of the pressure diagram demonstrates appreciable transformation, with convex or secondary hump sections. The shape of spatial pressure profiles behind the moving projectile is also transformed, and the pressure at the projectile butt end may be higher than the pressure in the breech. Compared to the conventional charges at the same maximum pressures the muzzle velocity increment attains 340 m s−1 (or 23 %) for a light 35‐g projectile and 200 m s−1 (or 19 %) for a heavy 104‐g projectile.