bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A web‐based multi‐agent decision support system for a city‐oriented management of cruise arrivals
Authors: Di Napoli Claudia , Santamaria Pol Mateu , Rossi Silvia
Published: July 2017

Cruise tourism represents a strategic sector for the economic growth of several countries, impacting on different direct and indirect markets. The arrival of cruises in a city represents an unmissable opportunity to increment its tourist market penetration. Nevertheless, the management of an unforeseen number of passengers that need to visit a city in a short time may also have a negative impact, so reducing the expected benefits. This is mainly due to the difficulty of taking the right decisions when organizing the dispatching of passengers in different city areas since these decisions depend on several conditions that can also dynamically occur, and may have an impact on different city sectors. Here, a decision support system is proposed to help involved stakeholders to make decisions to plan passengers' transportation in the city and also to evaluate the consequences for the city if the plans are really implemented. The system is designed according to the multi‐agent paradigm, so allowing one to easily manage the necessary coordination among different entities and data sources that are usually distributed and need to cooperate to provide useful suggestions. In addition, a prototype of a web‐based application is provided to end users, so that it can run on heterogeneous platforms, and it can be easily accessed by different users from different devices, as it is the case for the considered application domain.
Thyroxin Use Is Associated With Increased Risk of Thyroid Cancer in Patients With Hypothyroidism
Authors: Hung Shih‐Han , Chung Shiu‐Dong , Lin Herng‐Ching
Published: July 2017

Despite evidence linking thyroxin use and breast cancer, little is known regarding the risk of other cancers with thyroxin use. The purpose of this case‐control study was to evaluate the association of thyroid cancer with primary hypothyroidism based on a population‐based database. The data for this case‐control study were retrieved from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005. We included 1285 patients with thyroid cancer as cases and 3855 sex‐ and age‐matched subjects as controls. We used conditional logistic regression to examine the association of thyroid cancer with previously diagnosed hypothyroidism. We found that a prior hypothyroidism diagnosis was found among 37 cases (2.88%) and 33 controls (0.86%). Conditional logistic regression analysis revealed that the cases were more likely to have been previously diagnosed with hypothyroidism than controls (adjusted OR, 3.01; 95%CI, 1.85–4.89). We also found that thyroid cancer was significantly associated with hypothyroidism patients who were regular thyroxin users (adjusted OR, 8.68; 95%CI, 4.34–17.34). However, we failed to observe a significant association between thyroid cancer and hypothyroidism patients who were irregular thyroxin users. This investigation detected a novel association between thyroid cancer and thyroxin use in patients with primary hypothyroidism.
A Size and Scale Framework for Guiding Curriculum Design and Assessment
Authors: Kong Yi , Douglas Kerrie A. , Rodgers Kelsey J. , Diefes‐Dux Heidi , Madhavan Krishna
Published: July 2017

Background

The concepts of size and scale in nanotechnology are difficult for most beginning engineering students to grasp. Yet, guidance on the specific aspects of size and scale that should be taught and assessed is limited.

Purpose

This research sought to empirically develop a framework for size and scale conceptualization and provide a blueprint to guide curriculum development and assessment.

Design/Methods

Through an exploratory sequential mixed methods design, we qualitatively examined 30 teams of 119 first‐year engineering students' nanotechnology‐based projects to identify concepts beyond those in the literature to create a Size and Scale Framework (SSF). We then created a blueprint with associated learning objectives that can guide curriculum and assessment development. To demonstrate the utility of the SSF blueprint, an SSF‐based quiz was developed and studied using classical test theory with 378 first‐year engineering students.

Results

The findings categorized size and scale in terms of eight aspects: Definition, Qualitative Categorical, Qualitative Relational, Qualitative Proportional, Quantitative Absolute, Quantitative Categorical, Quantitative Relational, and Quantitative Proportional. The SSF can be applied as a blueprint for others to develop curriculum and assessment. The SSF‐based quiz demonstrated acceptable properties for use with first‐year engineering students.

Conclusions

Development of the SSF‐based quiz is an example of how the SSF can be applied to create a classroom quiz to assess students' size and scale knowledge in the context of nanotechnology.
Engineering Thinking in Prekindergarten Children: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Lippard Christine N. , Lamm Monica H. , Riley Katie L.
Published: July 2017

Background

Children begin foundational learning in early childhood that sets the stage for later learning and academic success. Research regarding engineering in early childhood is limited yet growing.

Purpose

Because interest in engineering in early childhood is growing, this article reviews research regarding interactions, materials, and activities that promote prekindergarten children's engineering thinking, and in turn how this engineering thinking is related to developmental outcomes.

Scope/Method

The initial search for papers with relevant keywords returned over 2,000 papers. Upon review, 27 papers pertained to children age five or under and to engineering. The following research questions were addressed: What (a) interactions and (b) materials and activities promote prekindergarten children's engineering thinking? What developmental outcomes are related to children's engineering thinking?

Conclusions

The small body of research regarding engineering thinking in prekindergarten children only allows for a few limited conclusions. Specifically, results indicate that children display engineering thinking when actively engaged with materials, adults are better able to facilitate engineering thinking if they have received some guidance on both engineering principles and asking children questions, and children's engineering thinking can promote early math skills and possibly social and emotional development. However, a consistent limitation in the literature is that measures are underdeveloped and their psychometric properties are often unestablished.
Balancing life and work by unbending gender: Early American women psychologists’ struggles and contributions
Authors: Johnston Elizabeth , Johnson Ann
Published: July 2017

Women's participation in the work force shifted markedly throughout the twentieth century, from a low of 21 percent in 1900 to 59 percent in 1998. The influx of women into market work, particularly married women with children, put pressure on the ideology of domesticity: an ideal male worker in the outside market married to a woman taking care of children and home (Williams, 2000). Here, we examine some moments in the early‐to‐mid‐twentieth century when female psychologists contested established norms of life‐work balance premised on domesticity. In the 1920s, Ethel Puffer Howes, one of the first generation of American women psychologists studied by Scarborough and Furumoto (1987), challenged the waste of women's higher education represented by the denial of their interests outside of the confines of domesticity with pioneering applied research on communitarian solutions to life‐work balance. Prominent second‐generation psychologists, such as Leta Hollingworth, Lillian Gilbreth, and Florence Goodenough, sounded notes of dissent in a variety of forums in the interwar period. At mid‐century, the exclusion of women psychologists from war work galvanized more organized efforts to address their status and life‐work balance. Examination of the ensuing uneasy collaboration between psychologist and library scholar Alice Bryan and the influential male gatekeeper E. G. Boring documents gendered disparities in life‐work balance and illuminates how the entrenched ideology of domesticity was sustained. We conclude with Jane Loevinger's mid‐century challenge to domesticity and mother‐blaming through her questioning of Boring's persistent focus on the need for job concentration in professional psychologists and development of a novel research focus on mothering.
Left ventricular function and regional strain with subtly‐tagged steady‐state free precession feature tracking
Authors: Schrauben Eric M. , Cowan Brett R. , Greiser Andreas , Young Alistair A.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

To provide regional strain and ventricular volume from a single acquisition, using subtly tagged steady‐state free precession (SubTag SSFP) feature tracking.

Materials and Methods

The effects on regional strain of tag strength in gradient recalled echo (GRE) tagging, flip angle in untagged balanced SSFP, and both in SubTag SSFP were examined in the mid left ventricle of 15 healthy volunteers at 3T. Optimal parameters were determined from varying both tag strength and SSFP flip angle using full tag saturation GRE as the reference standard. SubTag SSFP was acquired in 15 additional healthy volunteers for whole‐heart volume and strain assessment using the optimized parameters. Values measured by two image analysts were compared to clinical reference standards from untagged SSFP (volumes) and GRE tagging (strains).

Results

Regional strain accuracy was maintained with decreasing total tagging flip angle (β); less than 3% differences for β ≥ 26°. For untagged SSFP flip angle (α), whole‐wall strain differences became statistically significant when α < 40°. A SubTag SSFP acquisition with α = 40° and β = 46° showed the best combination of tagging strength, blood‐myocardial contrast, and tag persistence at end‐systole for regional strain estimation. SubTag SSFP also showed excellent agreement with untagged SSFP for volumetrics (percent difference: end‐diastolic volume = 0.6%, end‐systolic volume = 0.4%, stroke volume = 1.2%, ejection fraction = 0.6%, mass = 1.1%).

Conclusion

Feature tracking for regional myocardial strain assessment is dependent on image features, mainly the tag strength, persistence, and image contrast. SubTag SSFP balances these criteria to provide accurate regional strain and volumetric assessment in a single acquisition.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy Stage: 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:787–797.
Identifying remains of extinct kangaroos in Late Pleistocene deposits using collagen fingerprinting
Authors: Buckley Michael , Cosgrove Richard , Garvey Jillian , Prideaux Gavin J.
Published: July 2017

Our knowledge of past animal populations, including the geographical ranges of extinct species, has largely been derived from morphological analyses of skeletal fossil remains. However, a major barrier to the identification of the remains of extinct megafaunal species in archaeological and palaeontological sites is the highly fragmented nature of the material, which often precludes confident taxonomic identifications based on morphology. Biomolecular techniques are able to go beyond these limitations and are increasingly being used to make such identifications. Protein analysis offers a promising alternative to DNA techniques because they can be much cheaper, more amenable to high‐throughput processing and work on much older specimens. Here we demonstrate the potential of collagen fingerprinting in an Australian context by extracting collagen from 50‐ka kangaroo fossils from two caves in Tasmania, and identify several species including the extinct short‐faced kangaroo Simosthenurus occidentalis. Importantly, of the five fossil bones sampled that had hitherto been ascribed morphology‐based identifications below the family level, three had been incorrectly identified during an initial assessment of photographs taken in the field. Our results highlight the utility of using protein‐based methods for making genus‐level identification of marsupial bone, especially those that may form a basis for broader arguments such as that of late‐surviving megafaunal species.
Effects of alternative cropping systems on globe artichoke qualitative traits
Authors: Spanu Emanuela , Deligios Paola A , Azara Emanuela , Delogu Giovanna , Ledda Luigi
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, globe artichoke cultivation in the Mediterranean basin is based on monoculture and on use of high amounts of nitrogen fertiliser. This raises issues regarding its compatibility with sustainable agriculture. We studied the effect of one typical conventional (CONV) and two alternative cropping systems [globe artichoke in sequence with French bean (NCV1), or in biannual rotation (NCV2) with cauliflower and with a leguminous cover crop in inter‐row spaces] on yield, polyphenol and mineral content of globe artichoke heads over two consecutive growing seasons.

RESULTS

NCV2 showed statistical differences in terms of fresh product yield with respect to the monoculture systems. In addition, the dihydroxycinnamic acids and dicaffeoylquinic acids of non‐conventional samples were one‐fold significantly higher than the conventional one. All the samples reported good mineral content, although NCV2 achieved a higher Fe content than conventional throughout the two seasons. After two and three dates of sampling, the CONV samples showed the highest levels of K content.

CONCLUSION

In our study, an acceptable commercial yield and quality of ‘Spinoso sardo’ were achieved by shifting the common conventional agronomic management to more sustainable ones, by means of an accurate choice of cover crop species and rotations introduced in the systems. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Application of a sensory–instrumental tool to study apple texture characteristics shaped by altitude and time of harvest
Authors: Charles Mathilde , Corollaro Maria Laura , Manfrini Luigi , Endrizzi Isabella , Aprea Eugenio , Zanella Angelo , Corelli Grappadelli Luca , Gasperi Flavia
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Texture is important in the preferences of apple consumers. Of the pre‐harvest factors affecting fruit quality and especially texture, altitude and subsequent climatic conditions are crucial, determining differences in the physiological mechanisms of fruit growth, ripening stage and chemical composition, as demonstrated by several studies. This work applies a detailed sensory‐instrumental protocol developed in a previous paper to investigate the impact of altitude, time of harvest and their cross‐effect on sensory characteristics of apple, with a focus on texture.

RESULTS

Sensory differences were found in relation to altitude, although the profile results were mainly affected by the time of harvest. Fruit from lower altitude was described as juicier, crunchier and sweeter than samples from higher altitude, which were floury, sourer and more astringent. Texture performance, soluble solids content and titratable acidity corroborated this sensory description. Moreover, anatomical data showed that fruit from lower altitude had a larger volume, a higher number of cells and a higher percentage of intercellular spaces.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that differences between fruit from various altitudes can be perceived through human senses, and that the proposed sensory–instrumental tool can be used to describe such differences. This study brings more understanding about the impact of altitude and time of harvest on apple sensory properties. This work could support apple producers, from semi‐mountainous regions (Alps, Tyrol, etc.), in advertising and valorising their products with their specific characteristics in a more efficient manner. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Medical residents' circadian preferences across specialties
Authors: Chin‐Quee Anthony L , Yaremchuk Kathleen
Published: July 2017

Objective

Circadian preference refers to the tendency of individuals to be more alert and effective in the morning (larks) or the evening (owls). Given the rigors of medical residency training and perceived lifestyle differences among specialties, circadian preference may play a role in choice of medical specialty and subsequent job satisfaction during training. This study aimed to determine the circadian preferences of residents across specialties and correlations with specialty choice and job satisfaction.

Study Design

Single‐institution, cross‐sectional survey.

Methods

The Horne‐Ostberg Morningness‐Eveningness questionnaire, the standard to identify circadian preference, was modified to include demographic and job satisfaction variables and administered to residents at our tertiary care hospital in 2014. Independent t tests were used to correlate circadian preference and specialty choice, and Spearman's correlations were used to correlate circadian preference and job satisfaction.

Results

A total of 160 residents from postgraduate years 1 through 7 and 10 specialties responded. The mean chronotype scores from all specialties met the category of “neither” morning nor evening type. A significant difference occurred between emergency medicine residents and residents from anesthesiology (P = 0.0007), surgery (P < 0.0001), and medicine (P = 0.0005). Residents in the surgical specialties trended toward the morning chronotype, whereas emergency medicine trended toward evening chronotype. There was no significant correlation between chronotype and job satisfaction.

Conclusion

Although preliminary because of the low response rate, this study points to the potential of considering circadian preference in choice of specialty training and for designing resident on‐call schedules.

Level of Evidence

NA. Laryngoscope, 127:2236–2238, 2017
Bone involvement: Histopathological evidence for endoscopic management of sinonasal inverted papilloma
Authors: Liang Na , Huang Zhenxiao , Liu Honggang , Xian Junfang , Huang Qian , Zhou Bing
Published: July 2017

Objective

The aim of this study is to provide histopathological evidence for a better understanding of the excision of bone underlying tumor.

Study Design

Retrospective study.

Methods

Thirty patients with histopathological diagnosis of sinonasal inverted papilloma (SIP) were enrolled. All patients underwent preoperative radiography to define the tumor location. The primary tumor and underlying bone, removed during endoscopic surgery, were examined under microscope.

Results

Twenty‐five of 30 specimens exhibited bony hyperostosis on computed tomography (CT) images, and 12 of 30 specimens showed evidence of bony lamellar erosion. Both coexisted in 11 cases. Half of the relapse cases (8 of 16) presented bone discontinuity on CT, which indicates a higher propensity for bone involvement when compared with primary SIP. On histopathology, 26 cases presented hyperostosis and 11 cases showed bone invasion. In total, 90% of cases covered both. Sixteen cases showed a growing tendency of inflammatory cells infiltration.

Conclusion

Histopathological evidence of bone involvement indicates the importance of removal of the underlying bone at the time of endoscopic tumor resection. We hypothesized that bone involvement including bone invasion and osteogenesis may be induced by the tumor, and any microscopic lesion in the bony crevices probably indicates recurrence of SIP. Furthermore, infiltration of inflammatory cells may facilitate bone involvement and cause recurrence.

Level of Evidence

NA.Laryngoscope, 127:2703–2708, 2017
Rapidly growing cystic vestibular schwannoma with sudden onset facial palsy, ten years after subtotal excision
Authors: Dandinarasaiah Manjunath , Grinblat Golda , Prasad Sampath Chandra , Taibah Abdelkader , Sanna Mario
Published: July 2017

An elderly male patient diagnosed with a right‐sided cystic vestibular schwannoma (CVS) at our center underwent a translabyrinthine approach with a subtotal excision to preserve the facial nerve (FN). The tumor grew slowly for the first 9 years but in the subsequent 2 years grew rapidly, with the patient developing a FN paralysis. Using the previous approach, a second surgery was done and the tumor was excised, leaving behind a sheath of tumor on the facial and lower cranial nerves. This case demonstrates that CVSs show unpredictable growth patterns and need to be followed up for a longer period of time. Laryngoscope, 128:1649–1652, 2018
Impact of sinonasal disease on depression, sleep duration, and productivity among adults in the United States
Authors: Zhou Sheng , Hur Kevin , Shen Jasper , Wrobel Bozena
Published: July 2017

Objective

Examine the relationship between depression symptoms and sinonasal inflammatory diseases, and investigate health disparities associated with allergic rhinitis (AR) and sinusitis in the United States.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional analysis of 2014 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data.

Methods

Adult cases of AR and sinusitis were extracted from the 2014 NHIS in addition to demographic, socioeconomic, and related depressive symptom data. The dataset was analyzed with chi‐square, t‐tests, and multivariate regression.

Results

There were 19.1 ± 1.1 million adult AR cases and 29.4 ± 1.4 million adult sinusitis cases. Of these, 20.6% and 22.0% reported depression symptoms in the past 12 months for those with AR or sinusitis, respectively. Both diseases were also associated with significantly fewer mean hours of sleep a night (AR: 7.02 vs. 7.14, P < 0.01; Sinusitis: 6.98 vs. 7.14, P < 0.01) and greater mean days of work missed (AR: 4.60 vs. 3.62, P < 0.01; Sinusitis: 5.87 vs. 3.41; P < 0.01). On multivariate analysis, the prevalence of AR and sinusitis was significantly higher among men, Caucasians, older adults, the more educated, and adults with depression symptoms. Only the prevalence of sinusitis varied depending on income and geography.

Conclusion

Allergic rhinitis and sinusitis are associated with an increased likelihood of depressive symptoms, shorter sleep duration, and more workdays lost. The prevalence of both are influenced by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and education level. Targeted initiatives should be developed to address these health disparities and comorbidities associated with inflammatory sinonasal disease.

Level of Evidence

4.
Progressive resistance training in head and neck cancer patients undergoing concomitant chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Lonkvist Camilla K. , Vinther Anders , Zerahn Bo , Rosenbom Eva , Deshmukh Atul S. , Hojman Pernille , Gehl Julie
Published: July 2017

Objectives

Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma undergoing concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) frequently experience weight loss, especially loss of lean body mass (LBM), and reduced functional performance. This study investigated whether a 12‐week hospital‐based progressive resistance training (PRT) program during CCRT is feasible in the clinical setting before planning initiation of a larger randomized study which is the long‐term goal.

Study design

Prospective pilot study.

Methods

Twelve patients receiving CCRT were planned to attend a 12‐week PRT program. Primary endpoint was feasibility measured as attendance to training sessions. Secondary endpoints included changes in functional performance, muscle strength, and body composition measured by Dual‐energy X‐ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scans. Furthermore, sarcomeric protein content, pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) activity, and glycolysis were determined in muscle biopsies.

Results

Twelve patients with p16 positive oropharyngeal cancer were enrolled. The primary endpoint was met with 9 of the 12 patients completing at least 25 of 36 planned training sessions. The mean attendance rate was 77%. Functional performance was maintained during the treatment period and increased during follow‐up (p < 0.01). Strength was regained after an initial dip during treatment, paralleling responses in LBM and sarcomeric protein content. LBM began to increase immediately after treatment. The PPP was upregulated after the treatment period, whilst glycolysis remained unchanged. No adverse events were related to PRT and in questionnaires, patients emphasized the social and psychological benefits of attendance.

Conclusion

Progressive resistance training is feasible and safe during CCRT for head and neck cancer, and is associated with high patient satisfaction.

Level of Evidence

2C.
Verbal working memory and inhibition‐concentration in adults with cochlear implants
Authors: Moberly Aaron C. , Houston Derek M. , Harris Michael S. , Adunka Oliver F. , Castellanos Irina
Published: July 2017

Objectives

Neurocognitive functions contribute to speech recognition in postlingual adults with cochlear implants (CIs). In particular, better verbal working memory (WM) on modality‐specific (auditory) WM tasks predicts better speech recognition. It remains unclear, however, whether this association can be attributed to basic underlying modality‐general neurocognitive functions, or whether it is solely a result of the degraded nature of auditory signals delivered by the CI. Three hypotheses were tested: 1) Both modality‐specific and modality‐general tasks of verbal WM would predict scores of sentence recognition in speech‐shaped noise; 2) Basic modality‐general neurocognitive functions of controlled fluency and inhibition‐concentration would predict both modality‐specific and modality‐general verbal WM; and 3) Scores on both tasks of verbal WM would mediate the effects of more basic neurocognitive functions on sentence recognition.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional study of 30 postlingual adults with CIs and thirty age‐matched normal‐hearing (NH) controls.

Materials and Methods

Participants were tested for sentence recognition in speech‐shaped noise, along with verbal WM using a modality‐general task (Reading Span) and an auditory modality‐specific task (Listening Span). Participants were also assessed for controlled fluency and inhibition‐concentration abilities.

Results

For CI users only, Listening Span scores predicted sentence recognition, and Listening Span scores mediated the effects of inhibition‐concentration on speech recognition. Scores on Reading Span were not related to sentence recognition for either group.

Conclusion

Inhibition‐concentration skills play an important role in CI users' sentence recognition skills, with effects mediated by modality‐specific verbal WM. Further studies will examine inhibition‐concentration and WM skills as novel targets for clinical intervention.

Level of Evidence

4.
Linear and cyclic codes over direct product of finite chain rings
Authors: Borges J. , Fernández‐Córdoba C. , Ten‐Valls R.
Published: July 2017

We introduce a new type of linear and cyclic codes. These codes are defined over a direct product of 2 finite chain rings. The definition of these codes as certain submodules of the direct product of copies of these rings is given, and the cyclic property is defined. Cyclic codes can be seen as submodules of the direct product of polynomial rings. Generator matrices for linear codes and generator polynomials for cyclic codes are determined. Further, we study the concept of duality.
The least square inversion method for the exterior ray transforms of 3D scalar and vector fields
Authors: Balandin A. L.
Published: July 2017

Inversion of the scalar and vector ray transforms is performed in domain
, ie, with the presence of an obstacle or singularity in the origin. Initially, the ray transforms of the basis functions for the scalar and vector fields are evaluated in an analytical form, and next, the inversion procedure is reduced to a linear system of equations by the use of the least squares method.
Plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in young adults: Obesity increases fasting levels only in men whereas glucose ingestion, and not protein or lipid intake, increases postprandial concentrations regardless of sex and obesity
Authors: Montes‐Nieto Rafael , Insenser María , Murri Mora , Fernández‐Durán Elena , Ojeda‐Ojeda Miriam , Martínez‐García María Ángeles , Luque‐Ramírez Manuel , Escobar‐Morreale Héctor F.
Published: July 2017

Scope

Oxidative stress and damage participate in the pathophysiology of obesity and its metabolic complications. We studied the influence of sex, obesity, and ingestion of different macronutrients on fasting and postprandial thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), which can be considered as an index of lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage.

Methods and results

We studied 19 men and 17 women, out of whom nine men and eight women had obesity. We collected blood samples in the fasting state and, on alternate days, following the ingestion of 300 kcal in the form of glucose, lipids, or proteins. Fasting TBARS concentrations correlated with waist circumference and were increased in obese men compared with nonobese men. This increase was not, however, observed in women. TBARS concentrations showed a marked increase following the ingestion of glucose in parallel to the increase in plasma glucose when considering all subjects as a whole, but did not increase after the oral intake of lipids and proteins.

Conclusion

Plasma TBARS concentrations are increased in the fasting state only in obese men in association with abdominal adiposity, and increases markedly after the ingestion of glucose, but not after oral intake of lipids and proteins, regardless of sex and obesity.
Prospective motion correction using coil‐mounted cameras: Cross‐calibration considerations
Authors: Maclaren Julian , Aksoy Murat , Ooi Melvyn B. , Zahneisen Benjamin , Bammer Roland
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Optical prospective motion correction substantially reduces sensitivity to motion in neuroimaging of human subjects. However, a major barrier to clinical deployment has been the time‐consuming cross‐calibration between the camera and MRI scanner reference frames. This work addresses this challenge.

Methods

A single camera was mounted onto the head coil for tracking head motion. Two new methods were developed: (1) a rapid calibration method for camera‐to‐scanner cross‐calibration using a custom‐made tool incorporating wireless active markers, and (2) a calibration adjustment method to compensate for table motion between scans. Both methods were tested at 1.5T and 3T in vivo. Simulations were performed to determine the required mechanical tolerance for repositioning of the camera.

Results

The rapid calibration method is completed in a short (<30 s) scan, which is carried out only once per installation. The calibration adjustment method requires no extra scan time and runs automatically whenever the system is used. The mechanical tolerance analysis indicates that most motion (90% reduction in voxel displacement) could be corrected even with far larger camera repositioning errors than are observed in practice.

Conclusion

The methods presented here allow calibration of sufficient quality to be carried out and maintained with no additional technologist workload. Magn Reson Med 79:1911–1921, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Homotopy approach for random eigenvalue problem
Authors: Huang Bin , Zhang Heng , Phoon Kok‐Kwang
Published: July 2017

A novel approach, referred to as the homotopy stochastic finite element method, is proposed to solve the eigenvalue problem of a structure associated with some amount of uncertainty based on the homotopy analysis method. For this approach, an infinite multivariate series of the involved random variables is proposed to express the random eigenvalue or even a random eigenvector. The coefficients of the multivariate series are determined using the homotopy analysis method. The convergence domain of the derived series is greatly expanded compared with the Taylor series due to the use of an approach function of the parameter h. Therefore, the proposed method is not limited to random parameters with small fluctuation. However, in practice, only single‐variable and double‐variable approximations are employed to simplify the calculation. The numerical examples show that with a suitable choice of the auxiliary parameter h, the suggested approximations can produce very accurate results and require reduced or similar computational efforts compared with the existing methods.
Triple shape memory effect of foamed natural Eucommia ulmoides gum/high‐density polyethylene composites
Authors: Wang Yan , Xia Lin , Xin Zhenxiang
Published: July 2017

This paper proposes a new technique for the preparation of foamed Eucommia ulmoides gum (EUG)/high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) shape memory composites and establishes the relationship between structures and properties in foamed shape memory composites. Eucommia ulmoides gum/HDPE shape memory composites are designed to memorize 2 temporary shapes by exploiting the different melting points of the 2 phases; the triple shape memory effect in the composites is investigated via mechanical measurements, thermal analysis, and shape memory behavior analysis. The results show that HDPE phase enables the composites to effectively memorize the first temporary shape and EUG phase contributes the second temporary shape. When the ratios of EUG and HDPE were 80/20 and 70/ 30, the composite exhibited satisfactory shape memory behavior with favorable shape fixity ratio and shape recovery ratio, in addition to excellent mechanical properties (tensile strength of 15 MPa, tear strength above 51 KN/m, and foam porosity of about 11%).
DBD‐based plasma polymerization from monomer‐argon mixtures: Analytical model of monomer reactions with excited argon species
Authors: Klages Claus‐Peter , Czerny Andreas K. , Philipp Jens , Becker Markus M. , Loffhagen Detlef
Published: July 2017

Experimental studies of DBD‐based atmospheric‐pressure plasma polymerization from mixtures of hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) with argon are presented and interpreted using an analytical model of the plasma‐chemical kinetics. Gradient films are obtained using a special DBD‐PACVD reactor. Growth‐rate profiles and their monomer fraction dependence show that long‐living excited Ar species play a major role in the deposition mechanism. Reactions of HMDSO with metastable and resonance argon atoms as well as argon excimers are considered within the presented model which may be simplified by introducing a lumped excited argon species Ar*. Model predictions are compared with experimental results. Recombination reactions must be included in order to reproduce characteristic features of the measured growth‐rate curves.
Self‐assembled dielectric microsphere as light concentrators for ultrathin‐silicon‐based photodetectors with broadband enhancement
Authors: Li Gongjin , Guo Qinglei , Fang Yangfu , Tang Shiwei , Liu Minjie , Huang Gaoshan , Mei Yongfeng
Published: July 2017

Owning to their superior electronic and optical properties, silicon nanomembranes (NMs) have attracted considerable attention to be exploited as fundamental building blocks for the applications in electronics, photonics, and optoelectronics. Nevertheless, small photon traveling distance in such ultra‐thin silicon (UT‐Si) nanomembranes with nanoscale thicknesses (50 nm) induces low total light absorption, which is crucial for optoelectronic applications. Here, a convenient and controllable strategy, involving self‐assembly of dielectric polystyrene (PS) microsphere array on UT‐Si, was proposed to enhance optoelectronic responses of UT‐Si‐based photodetectors in broadband. Scattering effect of PS microspheres facilitates to couple incident light into UT‐Si layer, thus enhancing the light absorption. UT‐Si‐based metal‐semiconductor‐metal (MSM) photodetectors with a PS microspehere array demonstrate significant enhancement in optoelectronic response compared with the photodetector without PS microspeheres. Furthermore, the response spectrum can be controllably tuned by adjusting the size of paved microspeheres. This research may provide a practical and cost‐efficient approach for enhancing the optoelectronic responses of nanomaterials with nanoscale thicknesses, thus expediting their potential applications in optoelectronic devices.
Antibiotic affecting risperidone and venlafaxine concentrations
Authors: Lam Y. W. Francis
Published: July 2017

Psychiatric patients often have concurrent medical conditions that require management with pharmacotherapy, thereby increasing the potential for drug‐drug interactions. The following case involved an occurrence of increased risperidone and venlafaxine concentrations and a change in the metabolic ratios between the parent compound and the respective metabolite after the antibiotic metronidazole was added to an ongoing regimen of both psychotropics.
Progress of Large‐Scale Synthesis and Electronic Device Application of Two‐Dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenides
Authors: Song Xiongfei , Guo Zhongxun , Zhang Qiaochu , Zhou Peng , Bao Wenzhong , Zhang David Wei
Published: July 2017

The recent exploration of semiconducting two‐dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with atomic thickness has taken both the scientific and technological communities by storm. Extensively investigated TMD that are accessible by large‐scale synthetic methods materials are remarkably stable, such as MoS2 and WSe2. They allow superior gate control due to their 2D nature and favorable electronic transport properties, thus suggesting a bright future for digital and RF electronics. In this review, the latest developments in the controlled synthesis of large scale TMDs are firstly introduced by discussing various approaches. The major obstacles that must be overcome to achieve wafer‐scale, uniform, and high‐quality TMD films for practical electronic applications are included. Advances in the electronic transport studies of TMDs are presented, such as doping, contact engineering, and mobility improvement, which contribute to overall device performance. A perspective and a look at the future for this field is provided in closing.
Energy Migration Upconversion in Ce(III)‐Doped Heterogeneous Core−Shell−Shell Nanoparticles
Authors: Chen Xian , Jin Limin , Sun Tianying , Kong Wei , Yu Siu Fung , Wang Feng
Published: July 2017

One major challenge in upconversion research is to develop new materials and structures to expand the emission spectrum. Herein, a heterogeneous core−shell−shell nanostructure of NaYbF4:Gd/Tm@NaGdF4@CaF2:Ce is developed to realize efficient photon upconversion in Ce3+ ions through a Gd‐mediated energy migration process. The design takes advantage of CaF2 host that reduces the 4f–5d excitation frequency of Ce3+ to match the emission line of Gd3+. Meanwhile, CaF2 is isostructural with NaGdF4 and can form a continuous crystalline lattice with the core layer. As a result, effective Yb3+ → Tm3+ → Gd3+ → Ce3+ energy transfer can be established in a single nanoparticle. This effect enables efficient ultraviolet emission of Ce3+ following near infrared excitation into the core layer. The Ce3+ upconversion emission achieved in the core−shell−shell nanoparticles features broad bandwidth and long lifetime, which offers exciting opportunities of realizing tunable lasing emissions in the ultraviolet spectral region.
Stress analysis of functional gradient strip due to transient thermal heat
Authors: Zou Guangping , Dergachova Nadiia
Published: July 2017

The work is mainly focuses on the analysis of thermal gradients and its effect on thermal stresses in FGM (functional gradient material) grading‐strip made up of TiC‐Ni due to thermal heat with different rate: thermal shock, transient exponential and linear heat. In this paper, asymptotic analytical solution for exponential and linear heat will be investigated. Few models of material grading are considered: (a) models which depend on different volume content of TiC and (b) models with homogeneous layers. Thermal and mechanical properties of the material are assumed different along axis. It is assumed that Poisson's ratio and Young's modulus varies exponentially with the coordinate of the strip. The dependence on different material property idealizations is also investigated. As well for research maximum and minimal thermal stresses in paper compared laminated non‐FGM and FGM strip. The maximum tensile stress obtained for FGM case. At the same time compressive stresses near heated surface for two‐layered strip lager then for three‐layered and less or absent for FGM strip. Heating/cooling opposite edge to thermal shocked ones leads to increase/decrease compressive stress in metal phase part in FGM and layered strip. At the beginning of heat the differences in compressive stress for thermal shock and exponential heat could differ in ten times. Compressive stress in linear heat case increase from beginning and stay stable as maximum from three heat cases as long as edge heat up to maximum temperature. The results obtained in this research paper allow us to analyze the validity of this method and to understand principles of thermal behavior on FGM‐strip in a case of different conditions and different heat transfer rate.
Well‐posed dual‐phase‐lag model of a thermoelastic dipolar body
Authors: Marin Marin , Broadbridge Philip , Öchsner Andreas
Published: July 2017

We consider a time differential model for dual‐phase‐lag thermoelastic dipolar material. For the heat flux with dual‐phase‐lag we introduce a time differential equation to describe the thermal effects, and this is coupled with elastic deformation. Some qualitative results on solutions of the mixed initial boundary value problem, associated with this model, are obtained under mild constitutive restrictions. We will deduce an identity of Lagrange type and will use a conservation law in order to prove the uniqueness of solution, whereas the result of continuous dependence of solution is established by using a Gronwall type inequality and a conservation law.
Languages of Witchcraft
Authors: Clark Stuart
Published: July 2017

Different conceptions of the world and of reality have made witchcraft possible in some societies and impossible in others. How did the people of early modern Europe experience it and what was its place in their culture? The new essays in this collection illustrate the latest trends in witchcraft research and in cultural history in general. After three decades in which the social analysis of witchcraft accusations has dominated the subject, they turn instead to its significance and meaning as a cultural phenomenon - to the ‘languages’ of witchcraft, rather than its causes. As a result, witchcraft seems less startling than it once was, yet more revealing of the world in which it occurred.
Retrosternal Reconstruction Can be a Risk Factor for Upper Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis After Esophagectomy
Authors: Takahashi Takamasa , Fukaya Masahide , Miyata Kazushi , Sakatoku Yayoi , Nagino Masato
Published: July 2017

Background

Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) is a rare but important complication because it can cause pulmonary embolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of UEDVT after esophagectomy and the risk factors related to UEDVT.

Methods

This study included 88 patients who underwent esophagectomy with retrosternal or posterior mediastinal reconstruction using gastric tube. The incidence of UEDVT and the diameter of left brachiocephalic vein were measured using postoperative contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT). (a) The distance from sternum to brachiocephalic artery and (b) the distance from sternum to vertebra were measured by preoperative CT, and the ratio of (a) to (b) was defined as the width of the retrosternal space.

Results

Among the patients, 14 (15.9%) suffered from UEDVT. All UEDVTs were found in left‐side upper extremity deep veins. Twelve of the 14 patients (85.7%) underwent retrosternal reconstruction. In a multivariate analysis, retrosternal reconstruction was an independent risk factor for UEDVT (odds ratio 5.48). The diameter of the left brachiocephalic vein in patients with retrosternal reconstruction was significantly smaller than that in patients with posterior mediastinal reconstruction (4.3 vs 6.9 mm; P < 0.001) due to compression of left brachiocephalic vein by the gastric tube. Among patients with retrosternal reconstruction, the width of the retrosternal space in patients with UEDVT was significantly smaller than that in patients without UEDVT (0.21 vs 0.27; P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Retrosternal reconstruction can be a risk factor for UEDVT. In patients with small width of the retrosternal space, retrosternal reconstruction might be inappropriate.
Cardiac complications of congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG): a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Marques‐da‐Silva D. , Francisco R. , Webster D. , dos Reis Ferreira V. , Jaeken J. , Pulinilkunnil T.
Published: July 2017

Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) are inborn errors of metabolism due to protein and lipid hypoglycosylation. This rapidly growing family of genetic diseases comprises 103 CDG types, with a broad phenotypic diversity ranging from mild to severe poly‐organ ‐system dysfunction. This literature review summarizes cardiac involvement, reported in 20% of CDG. CDG with cardiac involvement were divided according to the associated type of glycosylation: N‐glycosylation, O‐glycosylation, dolichol synthesis, glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchor biosynthesis, COG complex, V‐ATPase complex, and other glycosylation pathways. The aim of this review was to document and interpret the incidence of heart disease in CDG patients. Heart disorders were grouped into cardiomyopathies, structural defects, and arrhythmogenic disorders. This work may contribute to improved early management of cardiac complications in CDG.
Loss of sirtuin 4 leads to elevated glucose‐ and leucine‐stimulated insulin levels and accelerated age‐induced insulin resistance in multiple murine genetic backgrounds
Authors: Huynh Frank K. , Hu Xiaoke , Lin Zhihong , Johnson James D. , Hirschey Matthew D.
Published: July 2017

Several inherited metabolic disorders are associated with an accumulation of reactive acyl‐CoA metabolites that can non‐enzymatically react with lysine residues to modify proteins. While the role of acetylation is well‐studied, the pathophysiological relevance of more recently discovered acyl modifications, including those found in inherited metabolic disorders, warrants further investigation. We recently showed that sirtuin 4 (SIRT4) removes glutaryl, 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl, 3‐methylglutaryl, and 3‐methylglutaconyl modifications from lysine residues. Thus, we used SIRT4 knockout mice, which can accumulate these novel post‐translational modifications, as a model to investigate their physiological relevance. Since SIRT4 is localized to mitochondria and previous reports have shown SIRT4 influences metabolism, we thoroughly characterized glucose and lipid metabolism in male and female SIRT4KO mice across different genetic backgrounds. While only minor perturbations in overall lipid metabolism were observed, we found SIRT4KO mice consistently had elevated glucose‐ and leucine‐stimulated insulin levels in vivo and developed accelerated age‐induced insulin resistance. Importantly, elevated leucine‐stimulated insulin levels in SIRT4KO mice were dependent upon genetic background since SIRT4KO mice on a C57BL/6NJ genetic background had elevated leucine‐stimulated insulin levels but not SIRT4KO mice on the C57BL/6J background. Taken together, the data suggest that accumulation of acyl modifications on proteins in inherited metabolic disorders may contribute to the overall metabolic dysfunction seen in these patients.