bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stable Casein‐Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Complexes at Low pH
Authors: Ye Ran , Cheng Qunkang , Cai Jianchao , Feng Tao , Wang Guanyu
Published: February 2016

The effect of pH at acidic pH range on the stability of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and casein complexes was studied. Results suggested the occurrence of clear and transparent appearance of HPC‐casein complexes at pH 2.5 and 3. After storage for 3 weeks, the complexes maintained the excellent stability, as HPC molecules attached onto the surfaces of casein micelles through electrostatic interactions with strong positive charges resulted in an interparticle electrostatic repulsion, thereby preventing aggregation. The particle size, zeta potential analysis, turbidity, the protein concentration and viscosity confirmed the hypothesis. In addition, microscopic images revealed that the polysaccharide (HPC) particles adsorbed onto the surfaces of casein micelles, and casein‐HPC complexes were uniformly dispersed in the system. Moreover, the effects of the ionic strength on the stability of the complex were investigated. It was indicated that the particle size of casein‐HPC complexes at low concentration (2 mM) of NaCl remained the identical level (P > 0.05), while the particle sizes significantly were increasing at the relatively higher concentrations (50 mM and 100 mM) of NaCl (P < 0.05).

Practical Applications

In this study, the casein‐HPC complexes at different pH values in aqueous systems were investigated. The results illustrate that the stable casein‐HPC complexes could be formed at low pH and the stability could be maintained over the duration of 3 weeks. The findings in this study would contribute to the production of acidified milk drinks in food industry.
Plain water consumption in relation to energy intake and diet quality among US adults, 2005–2012
Authors: An R. , ‎McCaffrey J.
Published: February 2016

Objective

The present study examined plain water consumption in relation to energy intake and diet quality among US adults.

Methods

A nationally representative sample of 18 311 adults aged ≥18 years, from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2012, was analysed. The first‐difference estimator approach addressed confounding bias from time‐invariant unobservables (e.g. eating habits, taste preferences) by using within‐individual variations in diet and plain water consumption between two nonconsecutive 24‐h dietary recalls.

Results

One percentage point increase in the proportion of daily plain water in total dietary water consumption was associated with a reduction in mean (95% confidence interval) daily total energy intake of 8.58 (7.87–9.29) kcal, energy intake from sugar‐sweetened beverages of 1.43 (1.27–1.59) kcal, energy intake from discretionary foods of 0.88 (0.44–1.32) kcal, total fat intake of 0.21 (0.17–0.25) g, saturated fat intake of 0.07 (0.06–0.09) g, sugar intake of 0.74 (0.67–0.82) g, sodium intake of 9.80 (8.20–11.39) mg and cholesterol intake of 0.88 (0.64–1.13) g. The effects of plain water intake on diet were similar across race/ethnicity, education attainment, income level and body weight status, whereas they were larger among males and young/middle‐aged adults than among females and older adults, respectively. Daily overall diet quality measured by the Healthy Eating Index‐2010 was not found to be associated with the proportion of daily plain water in total dietary water consumption.

Conclusions

Promoting plain water intake could be a useful public health strategy for reducing energy and targeted nutrient consumption in US adults, which warrants confirmation in future controlled interventions.
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in twelve baboons (Papio spp.)
Authors: Owston M.A. , LaRue M.K. , Dick E.J. , Ambrus A. , Porter B.F.
Published: February 2016

Background

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are rare in nonhuman primates and in humans.

Methods

Twenty‐one PNETs from twelve female baboons (Papio spp.) from the Southwest National Primate Research Center were evaluated using histopathology and immunohistochemistry.

Results

Histologically, all tumors were benign and had neuroendocrine packeting. Immunohistochemical staining for synaptophysin and chromogranin was positive in all tumors evaluated (17/17). Insulin was positive in 16 of 21 tumors. Somatostatin was positive in 9 of 20 tumors. Multifocal staining for glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide was evident in a minority of tumors (6/20 and 2/17, respectively). Gastrin and vasoactive intestinal peptide were negative in all tumors evaluated. Nine tumors expressed more than one hormone marker.

Conclusions

This is the first detailed pathologic study of pancreatic endocrine tumors in the baboon. The findings suggest that these tumors are generally benign and have similar morphologic and immunohistochemical features as those described in people, including the ability to express multiple hormones.
LRRK2 pathobiology in Parkinson's disease – virtual inclusion
Authors: Martin Ian , Kim Jungwoo Wren , Dawson Valina L. , Dawson Ted M.
Published: February 2016

A common cause of Parkinson disease are missense mutations in the leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) catalytic Roc‐COR domain, leading to a decrease in GTPase activity; and its kinase domain, leading to an increase in kinase activity and subsequent LRRK2 toxicity. Targeting LRRK2 with selective, brain‐permeable kinase inhibitors is a promising approach to reduce toxicity, and thus is a major goal of clinical development. Understanding the specific signaling cascades triggered by LRRK2 mutations will be key to this aim.

This article is part of a special issue on Parkinson disease.
Influence of home care services on caregivers' burden and satisfaction
Authors: Kim Eun‐Young , Yeom Hyun‐E
Published: February 2016

Aims and objectives

To examine the factors affecting the burden and satisfaction of family caregivers, focusing on the beneficial impacts of home care service use.

Background

Long‐term care for older patients is a multifaceted process that brings both burden and satisfaction to family caregivers. It is expected that home care services offered by the Korean long‐term care insurance may contribute to decreasing the burden of family caregivers and enhancing their satisfaction by assisting with practical caregiving tasks.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Methods

A convenience sample of 157 family caregivers was recruited from five home care service agencies in South Korea. Information about the caregivers, caregiving history, older care recipients and use of home care services was assessed. The effects of home care service use on caregiving burden and satisfaction were tested using hierarchical multiple regression analyses after adjusting for the characteristics of the caregivers, caregiving history and older care recipients.

Results

There was no significant influence of home care service use on reducing caregiving burden or on increasing caregivers' satisfaction. Although several factors were associated with caregiving burden and satisfaction, family functioning was the most unique factor to significantly affect both caregiving burden and satisfaction.

Conclusions

Home care services might not automatically have a positive impact on caregivers' burden and satisfaction, but maintaining healthy family functioning is an important issue for family caregivers. The findings highlight the important need to reconsider ways to provide home care services and to develop nursing interventions to reinforce supportive family functioning.

Relevance to clinical practice

Practical strategies for providing home care services should be developed through a concrete assessment of the family dynamics and the needs of family caregivers. Health professionals should play a pivotal role in performing the assessment and in developing interventions to strengthen supportive family functioning.
Good‐Specific Habit Formation and the Cross‐Section of Expected Returns
Authors: BINSBERGEN JULES H. VAN
Published: February 2016

I study asset prices in a general equilibrium framework in which agents form habits over individual varieties of goods rather than over an aggregate consumption bundle. Goods are produced by monopolistically competitive firms whose elasticities of demand depend on consumers' habit formation. Firms that produce goods with a high habit level relative to consumption have low demand elasticities, set high prices for their product, have low expected returns on their stock, and have low asset pricing betas and stock return volatilities. I find supportive evidence for these predictions in the data.
Feeling Closer to the Future Self and Doing Better: Temporal Psychological Mechanisms Underlying Academic Performance
Authors: Adelman Robert Mark , Herrmann Sarah D. , Bodford Jessica E. , Barbour Joseph E. , Graudejus Oliver , Okun Morris A. , Kwan Virginia S. Y.
Published: February 2016

This research examined the function of future self‐continuity and its potential downstream consequences for academic performance through relations with other temporal psychological factors and self‐control. We also addressed the influence of cultural factors by testing whether these relations differed by college generation status. Undergraduate students enrolled at a large public university participated in two studies (Study 1: N = 119, Mage = 20.55, 56.4% women; Study 2: N = 403, Mage = 19.83, 58.3% women) in which they completed measures of temporal psychological factors and psychological resources. In Study 2, we also obtained academic records to link responses to academic performance. Future self‐continuity predicted subsequent academic performance and was related positively to future focus, negatively to present focus, and positively to self‐control. Additionally, the relation between future focus and self‐control was stronger for continuing‐generation college students than first‐generation college students. Future self‐continuity plays a pivotal role in academic contexts. Findings suggest that it may have positive downstream consequences on academic achievement by directing attention away from the present and toward the future, which promotes self‐control. Further, the strategy of focusing on the future may be effective in promoting self‐control only for certain cultural groups.
Possibilities for preservation of coarse particles in pelleting process to improve feed quality characteristics
Authors: Vukmirović D. , Fišteš A. , Lević J. , Čolović R. , Rakić D. , Brlek T. , Banjac V.
Published: February 2016

Poultry diets are mainly used in pelleted form because pellets have many advantages compared to mash feed. On the other hand, pelleting causes reduction of feed particle size. The aim of this research was to investigate the possibility of increasing the content of coarse particles in pellets, and, at the same time, to produce pellets with satisfactory quality. In this research, the three grinding treatments of corn were applied using hammer mill with three sieve openings diameter: 3 mm (HM‐3), 6 mm (HM‐6) and 9 mm (HM‐9). These grinding treatments were combined in pelleting process with three gaps between rollers and the die of pellet press (roller‐die gap, RDG) (0.30, 1.15 and 2.00 mm) and three moisture contents of the pelleted material (14.5, 16.0 and 17.5%). The increased coarseness of grinding by the hammer mill resulted in the increased amount of coarse particles in pellets, especially when the smallest RDG was applied (0.30 mm), but pellet quality was greatly reduced. Increasing of RDG improved the quality of pellets produced from coarsely ground corn, but reduced the content of coarse particles in pellets and increased specific energy consumption of the pellet press. Increasing the moisture content of material to be pelleted (MC) significantly reduced energy consumption of the pellet press, but there was no significant influence of MC on particle size after pelleting and on the pellet quality. The optimal values of the pelleting process parameters were determined using desirability function method. The results of optimization process showed that to achieve the highest possible quantity of coarse particles in the pellets, and to produce pellets of satisfactory quality, with the lowest possible energy consumption of the pellet press, the coarsest grinding on hammer mill (HM‐9), the largest RDG (2 mm) and the highest MC (17.5%) should be applied.
Oxygen desaturation during night sleep affects decision‐making in patients with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Delazer Margarete , Zamarian Laura , Frauscher Birgit , Mitterling Thomas , Stefani Ambra , Heidbreder Anna , Högl Birgit
Published: February 2016

This study assessed decision‐making and its associations with executive functions and sleep‐related factors in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Thirty patients with untreated obstructive sleep apnea and 20 healthy age‐ and education‐matched controls performed the Iowa Gambling Task, a decision‐making task under initial ambiguity, as well as an extensive neuropsychological test battery. Patients, but not controls, also underwent a detailed polysomnographic assessment. Results of group analyses showed that patients performed at the same level of controls on the Iowa Gambling Task. However, the proportion of risky performers was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. Decision‐making did not correlate with executive functions and subjective ratings of sleepiness, whereas there was a significant positive correlation between advantageous performance on the Iowa Gambling Task and percentage of N2 sleep, minimal oxygen saturation, average oxygen saturation and time spent below 90% oxygen saturation level. Also, the minimal oxygen saturation accounted for 27% of variance in decision‐making. In conclusion, this study shows that a subgroup of patients with obstructive sleep apnea may be at risk of disadvantageous decision‐making under ambiguity. Among the sleep‐related factors, oxygen saturation is a significant predictor of advantageous decision‐making.
Do experiments exploring plant diversity–ecosystem functioning relationships inform how biodiversity loss impacts natural ecosystems?
Authors: Wardle David A.
Published: February 2016

An enormous recent research effort focused on how plant biodiversity (notably species richness) influences ecosystem functioning, usually through experiments in which diversity is varied through random draws of species from a species pool. Such experiments are increasingly used to predict how species losses influence ecosystem functioning in ‘real’ ecosystems. However, this assumes that comparisons of experimental communities with low vs high species richness are analogous to comparisons of natural communities from which species either have or have not been lost. I explore the validity of this assumption, and highlight difficulties in using such experiments to draw conclusions about the ecosystem consequences of biodiversity loss in natural systems. Notably, these experiments do not mimic what happens in real ecosystems either when local extinctions occur or when species losses are offset by gains of new species. Despite limitations, this single experimental approach for studying how biodiversity loss affects ecosystems has often been advocated and implemented at the expense of other approaches; this limits understanding of how natural ecosystems respond to biodiversity loss. I conclude that a broader spectrum of approaches, and more explicit consideration of how species losses and gains operate in concert to influence ecosystems, will help progress this field.
Maternal mental health symptoms are positively related to emotional and restrained eating attitudes in a statewide sample of mothers participating in a supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and young children
Authors: Emerson Jillian A. , Hurley Kristen M. , Caulfield Laura E. , Black Maureen M.
Published: February 2016

Postpartum, low‐income mothers are at risk for mental health symptoms and obesity, and disordered eating attitudes may be associated with both mental health and obesity in this vulnerable population. The study objective is to determine whether higher levels of mental health symptoms are associated with increased odds of emotional and restrained eating attitudes in this sample of Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) participants. Data on 711 mothers of infants <13 months from a statewide sample of Maryland WIC participants were collected via telephone survey. Maternal mental health symptoms were measured on continuous scales for depression (PRIME‐MD), stress (Perceived Stress Scale) and anxiety (Spielberger State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory). Emotional and restrained eating attitudes were measured with questions adapted from the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used. Obesity [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30] was explored as a moderating variable. Mothers reporting higher levels of depression symptoms [odds ratio (OR) = 3.93, 95%CI: 2.71–5.69], anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.96, 95%CI: 1.47–2.65), stress symptoms (OR = 2.09, 95%CI: 1.67–2.61) and high overall mental health symptomatology (OR = 3.51, 95%CI: 2.43–5.3) had increased odds of emotional eating attitudes. There were significant associations between symptoms of depression (OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.12–2.25) and increased odds of restrained eating attitudes. Obesity did not moderate the association. Mothers with mental health symptoms are at risk for disordered eating attitudes, which may increase risk of poor diet. These findings underscore the need for greater focus on addressing maternal mental health status and eating attitudes in the postpartum period.
Effect of organic solvents and ultrasound on the removal of orthodontic brackets
Authors: Santana R. M. , Rached R. N. , Souza E. M. , Guariza‐Filho O. , Camargo E. S. , Pithon M. M. , Tanaka O. M.
Published: February 2016

Structured Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the effect of organic gel solvents (70% acetone and 90% ethanol) and ultrasound in the removal of metallic brackets.

Materials and Methods

Metallic brackets were bonded with light‐cured orthodontic composite (Transbond XT) in 120 human bicuspids and divided into 6 groups for the enamel etch‐and‐rinse adhesive system (XT) and 6 groups to self‐etching system (SEPT) according to pretreatment to removal test: control, 70% acetone, 90% ethanol, ultrasound, 70% acetone+ultrasound, and 90% ethanol+ultrasound. The brackets were subjected to removal by shear testing and Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) evaluation. Some specimens were prepared and its adhesive interface and etching ability observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Results

Only the factor ‘ultrasound’ and its interaction with ‘adhesive’ were detected as a source of variance, with the SEPT/ultrasound showing the lowest shear strength than the other groups. Regardless the factor ‘ultrasound’, XT showed a higher ARI than SEPT; however, when the solvents were used, no differences were detected between XT and SEPT.

Conclusion

The organic solvents were not effective in reducing shear bond strength. The etch‐and‐rinse adhesive system showed a higher and more favorable ARI score than the self‐etching primer. The behavior of the organic solvents on ARI showed to be better when associated with the self‐etching primer. The ultrasound was effective in reducing the shear bond strength of the self‐etching adhesive system but not in affecting the ARI of the adhesive systems.
Genetic analysis and QTL mapping of oil content and seed index using two recombinant inbred lines and two backcross populations in Upland cotton
Authors: Shang Lianguang , Abduweli Abdugheni , Wang Yumei , Hua Jinping
Published: February 2016

Cottonseed is one of the main by‐products of cotton. To explore the genetic composition of oil content (OC) and seed index (SI) is helpful for utilizing the cottonseed. Under multiple environmental conditions, the genetic structures of OC and SI were explored using two recombinant inbred lines (RILs) and corresponding backcross (BC) populations in Upland cotton. Twenty‐four and 31 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for OC and SI, respectively, were detected using composite interval mapping, in which 9 QTLs for OC and 18 QTLs controlling SI were simultaneously identified in more than two environments or two populations. Forty‐seven and 37 QTLs with main effects (M‐QTLs) for OC and SI and 114 and 74 QTLs involved in digenic interactions (E‐QTLs), respectively, identified by inclusive composite interval mapping. On average, the E‐QTLs explained a larger portion of the phenotypic variation than the M‐QTLs did. It was concluded that additive effects of single‐locus and epistasis derived from complementary loci with few detectable single‐locus effects played an important role in oil content and seed index in Upland cotton.
Intra‐arterial nitroglycerin for intra‐operative arterial vasospasm during pediatric renal transplantation
Authors: Penna Frank J. , Harvey Elizabeth , John Philip , Armstrong Derek , Luginbuehl Igor , Odeh Rakan I. , Alyami Fahad , Koyle Martin A. , Lorenzo Armando J.
Published: February 2016

Intra‐operative arterial vasospasm during pediatric renal transplantation is an urgent clinical situation resulting in end‐organ ischemia, associated changes in parenchymal turgor and color, diminished flow on ultrasound, and if left untreated, allograft loss. We hypothesized that intra‐operative intra‐arterial injection of nitroglycerin would reverse vasospasm and improve renal perfusion. A three‐yr‐old girl with end‐stage renal disease due to autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease on peritoneal dialysis underwent deceased donor renal transplantation. After optimal immediate reperfusion and hemodynamic parameters, the kidney lost turgor and became mottled in appearance despite adequate hilar arterial and venous Doppler waveforms. Two aliquots of 40 μg (0.4 mL of a 100 μg/mL) nitroglycerin solution were injected directly into the renal artery 10 min apart. Nitroglycerin resulted in dramatic change in the consistency and appearance of the allograft. An improvement in renal blood flow was demonstrated by ultrasound after the second intra‐arterial nitroglycerin injection with only a transient decrease in systemic arterial blood pressure. The child experienced normal allograft perfusion on serial postoperative ultrasounds, with a prompt decrease in serum creatinine and excellent diuresis. Intra‐arterial nitroglycerin is a promising option for intra‐operative arterial vasospasm during pediatric renal transplantation with objective improvement in blood flow and perfusion.
Cognitive flexibility, heart rate variability, and resilience predict fine‐grained regulation of arousal during prolonged threat
Authors: Hildebrandt Lea K. , McCall Cade , Engen Haakon G. , Singer Tania
Published: February 2016

Emotion regulation in the ongoing presence of a threat is essential for adaptive behavior. Threatening situations change over time and, as a consequence, require a fine‐tuned, dynamic regulation of arousal to match the current state of the environment. Constructs such as cognitive flexibility, heart rate variability, and resilience have been proposed as resources for adaptive emotion regulation, especially in a moment‐to‐moment fashion. Nevertheless, none of these constructs has been empirically related to the dynamic regulation of arousal as it unfolds over the course of a prolonged threatening episode. Here, we do so by placing participants in a threatening and evolving immersive virtual environment called Room 101, while recording their skin conductance. Subsequently, participants rated their subjective arousal continuously over the course of the experience. Participants who had shown greater cognitive flexibility in a separate task (i.e., fewer task‐switching costs when switching to evaluating the valence of positive stimuli) showed better regulation of physiological arousal (skin conductance level), during less‐threatening phases of Room 101. Individuals with higher trait resilience and individuals with higher resting heart rate variability showed more regulation in terms of their subjective arousal experience. The results indicate that emotional, cognitive, and physiological flexibility support nuanced adaptive regulation of objective and experienced arousal in the ongoing presence of threats. Furthermore, the results indicate that these forms of flexibility differentially affect automatic and objective versus reflective and subjective processes.
The Politics of Higher Education: University President Ideology and External Networking
Authors: Rabovsky Thomas , Rutherford Amanda
Published: February 2016

While the importance of networking is increasingly recognized by practitioners and scholars alike, little is known about why significant variance is observed in how often and with whom organizational leaders network. Further, while we know that political ideology plays a critical role in shaping decision making within public organizations, current models of networking have largely failed to consider the importance of ideology in driving networking efforts. Using data from a 2012 survey of U.S. university presidents and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, this article explores the role that president ideology plays in shaping networking behavior with political principals. Findings suggest that the effect of ideology on external networking efforts is moderated by state policy maker ideology.
Weight Gain Alters Adiponectin Receptor 1 Expression on Adipose Tissue‐Resident Helios+ Regulatory T Cells
Authors: Ramos‐Ramírez P. , Malmhäll C. , Johansson K. , Lötvall J. , Bossios A.
Published: February 2016

Adipose tissue produces multiple mediators that modulate the immune response. Adiponectin is an adipocyte‐derived cytokine that exhibits metabolic and anti‐inflammatory effects. Adiponectin acts through binding to adiponectin receptor 1 and 2 (AdipoR1/AdipoR2). AdipoR1 is ubiquitously expressed, whereas AdipoR2 is restricted to skeletal muscle and liver. AdipoR1 expression has been reported on a small percentage of T cells; nevertheless, it is still unknown whether Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) express AdipoR1. Recently, it has been shown that Tregs accumulate in adipose tissue and that they play a potential role in modulating adipose tissue inflammation. Our aim was to evaluate AdipoR1 expression in adipose tissue‐resident Tregs and to evaluate the effect of weight gain on this expression. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed with a high‐fat diet for 14 weeks (to develop overweight) or 21 weeks (to develop obesity). Mice on a standard diet were used as age‐matched controls. Helios expression was evaluated as a marker to discriminate thymic‐derived from peripherally induced Tregs. The majority of Tregs in both adipose tissue and the spleen expressed Helios. Adipose tissue Tregs expressed higher levels of AdipoR1 than Tregs in the spleen. AdipoR1 expression on adipose tissue Helios+ Tregs was negatively correlated with epididymal fat. Overall, we show that AdipoR1 is expressed on adipose tissue‐resident Tregs, mainly Helios+ Tregs, and that this expression is dependent on weight and fat accumulation. Because both adiponectin and Tregs play roles in anti‐inflammatory mechanisms, our data propose a new mechanism through which weight gain might alter immunoregulation.
Detection of HLA‐C*04:212, a novel HLA‐C*04 variant, in a Taiwanese hematopoietic stem cell donor
Authors: Yang E. K. L. , Ng J. , Lazaro A. , Hung J. H. , Lin P. Y.
Published: February 2016

Recombination and point mutation may result the formation of HLA‐C*04:212.
A selected reaction monitoring‐based analysis of acute phase proteins in interstitial fluids from experimental equine wounds healing by secondary intention
Authors: Bundgaard Louise , Bendixen Emøke , Sørensen Mette Aa. , Harman Victoria M. , Beynon Robert J. , Petersen Lars J. , Jacobsen Stine
Published: February 2016

In horses, pathological healing with formation of exuberant granulation tissue (EGT) is a particular problem in limb wounds, whereas body wounds tend to heal without complications. Chronic inflammation has been proposed to be central to the pathogenesis of EGT. This study aimed to investigate levels of inflammatory acute phase proteins (APPs) in interstitial fluid from wounds in horses. A novel approach for absolute quantification of proteins, selected reaction monitoring (SRM)‐based mass spectrometry in combination with a quantification concatamer (QconCAT), was used for the quantification of five established equine APPs (fibrinogen, serum amyloid A, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, and plasminogen) and three proposed equine APPs (prothrombin, α‐2‐macroglobulin, and α‐1‐antitrypsin). Wound interstitial fluid was recovered by large pore microdialysis from experimental body and limb wounds from five horses at days 1, 2, 7, and 14 after wounding and healing without (body) and with (limb) the formation of EGT. The QconCAT included proteotypic peptides representing each of the protein targets and was used to direct the design of a gene, which was expressed in Escherichia coli in a media supplemented with stable isotopes for metabolically labeling of standard peptides. Co‐analysis of wound interstitial fluid samples with the stable isotope‐labeled QconCAT tryptic peptides in known amounts enabled quantification of the APPs in absolute terms. The concentrations of fibrinogen, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, prothrombin, and α‐1‐antitrypsin in dialysate from limb wounds were significantly higher than in dialysate from body wounds. This is the first report of simultaneous analysis of a panel of APPs using the QconCAT‐SRM technology. The microdialysis technique in combination with the QconCAT‐SRM‐based approach proved useful for quantification of the investigated proteins in the wound interstitial fluid, and the results indicated that there is a state of sustained inflammation in equine wounds healing with formation of EGT.
Facility Integrity Management and Assessment of Associated Risk Conditions
Authors: Jaske Carl E. , Brongers Michiel P. H.
Published: February 2016

This paper reviews the basic elements of a facility integrity management program (FIMP) and describes the process used to assess risk conditions related to a facility. The policies, goals, and objectives of the program should be defined before implementing it. The location and details of the facility and all its equipment must be described, and the information should be recorded in a computerized database. Important triggers for change management and the minimum features of change management are reviewed. Ensuring the competency and training of personnel responsible for integrity management is essential. The integrity management team must identify hazards associated and ways of controlling them. Once hazards are identified, risk assessment is performed and options for reducing risk are considered. Results of the risk assessment are then used to plan and execute activities of the integrity management program (IMP). Needed repairs or replacements are identified, planned, and completed. Finally, the IMP should incorporate a continuous improvement process and information from investigations of incidents at the facility, at other company locations, and within the industry.
An Underactuated Robotic Arm Based on Differential Gears for Capturing Moving Targets: Analysis and Design
Authors: Wang Qingchuan , Quan Qiquan , Deng Zongquan , Hou Xuyan
Published: February 2016

This paper presents the design of an underactuated robotic arm for capturing moving targets with an impact-absorbing capability. The arm consists of three joints (a base joint (BJ), a medial joint (MJ), and a distal joint (DJ)) that are driven by two actuators. A one-input dual-output planetary gear (PG) system, in which neither the ring gear nor the planetary carrier is fixed, is employed to distribute the driving torque between the MJ and DJ. As is well known, an underactuated arm may exhibit unstable grasping performance such that the arm loses contact with the target in certain grasping postures. Therefore, a method is presented for analyzing the equilibrium contact force and the relative movement trend between the target and the arm to determine the work space in which stable grasping is possible. The structural configuration parameters, such as the length ratios among the three beams and the reduction ratio of the PG system, were optimized to maximize the grasp stability work space. Subsequently, a prototype was designed and fabricated based on these optimized parameters. Experiments indicate that this arm design can effectively reduce the peak torque on the joints when grasping a moving target.
Modeling of Streamwise and Transverse Fluidelastic Instability in Tube Arrays
Authors: Hassan Marwan , Weaver David S.
Published: February 2016

The development of a theoretical model for fluidelastic instability (FEI) in tube arrays is presented. Based on the simple model of Lever and Weaver, it considers a group of seven tubes which move in both the streamwise and transverse directions. The analysis does not constrain either tube frequency or relative mode shape so that the tubes' behavior evolves from a perturbation naturally. No additional empirical input is required. A particular case is used to evaluate the model's performance and the ratio of streamwise-to-transverse natural frequency is varied. Both streamwise and transverse directions of FEI are predicted and the results agree well with experimental observations.
Ultrasonographic evaluation of the median nerve at the level of the carpal tunnel outlet and mid forearm in patients with type II Mucopolysaccharidosis
Authors: Bocsa Corina , Asavoaie Carmen , Bucerzan Simona , Nascu Ioana , Brumboiu Irina , Al-Khzouz Camelia
Published: February 2016

Aims: The ultrasonographic (US) evaluation of the median nerve at the level of the carpal tunnel outlet (CTO) and mid forearm in pediatric patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II) and comparison with healthy subjects. Material and method: Fifteen children with MPS II and 44 healthy children were included in the study and they were divided into three age groups. The cross-sectional area, the appearance of the nerve, and the ratio of the cross-sectional areas were evaluated by US. Results: At the level of the CTO the mean area of the nerve was increased in all MPS II groups compared with the correspondent healthy age groups and the differences were statistically significant (p<0.01). At the level of the mid forearm the differences were statistically significant only for the first age group. Other US findings at the level of the CTO in the MPS II groups were represented by hypoechogenicity (86.67 % on the right and 93.33% on the left), thickened fascicles (80% bilaterally), irregular contour (53.33% bilaterally) and the presence of the Doppler signal including the nerve (26.67 % on the right and 33.33 % on the left). The CTO/mid forearm cross-sectional area ratio was higher in all MPS II age groups and the differences were statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: In patients with MPS II there are significant US changes in the size and aspect of the median nerve.
Multimodal endocavitary ultrasound versus MRI and clinical findings in pre- and post-treatment advanced cervical cancer. Preliminary report.
Authors: Csutak Csaba , Badea Radu , Bolboacă Sorana D. , Ordeanu Claudia , Nagy Viorica M. , Fekete Zsolt , Chiorean Liliana , Dudea Sorin M.
Published: February 2016

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of pre and post-therapy transrectal and transvaginal ultrasonography (TRUS, TVUS) with contrast enhancement and strain elastography compared with clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment of advanced stage cervical cancer. Material and methods:  This was a prospective study, carried out over a period of nine months on subjects with advanced-stage cervical cancer (stage ≥IIB). All included patients were examined clinically and underwent abdomino-pelvic contrast enhanced MRI and multimodal US examinations (TRUS with strain elastography and contrast enhanced TVUS) at the time of diagnosis and after radiochemotherapy. Tumor size and staging at TRUS and TVUS was compared with the same data obtained by clinical examination and MRI. Pathology was the golden standard. Results: Eight patients accomplished the inclusion criteria.  In five cases the tumor stage was identical on clinical and MRI examinations. In all cases parametrial infiltration was diagnosed by all pre-treatment examinations. No significant differences were observed in tumor size between clinical, US and MRI exams either at baseline or post-therapy, in native or post-contrast examinations. The size of the tumor evaluated pre-treatment proved to be significantly smaller post-contrast in both US and MRI examinations compared with the native images. Post-therapy, no significant differences were observed on US measured tumor dimensions when comparing native with post-contrast images. Oppositely, significant smaller dimensions were observed on post-contrast MRI compared with native scans. Conclusions: TRUS is accurate in the estimation of pre-therapy cervical cancer dimension. The post therapy tumor evaluation is better performed with MRI. The use of intravenous contrast agents on both examinations did not improved the accuracy of tumor evaluation pre or post-therapy.
EFSUMB COMPASS for Rheumatologists dissemination and implementation – an international survey.
Authors: Janta Iustina , Terslev Lene , Ammitzbøll-Danielsen Mads , Kosevoi-Tichie Alexandra , Berner-Hammer Hilde , Naredo Esperanza
Published: February 2016

Aim: The European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) competency assessment (COMPASS) for rheumatologists performing musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) was developed and published 2 years ago. It consists of a 3 level competency system. The objective of this study was to evaluate how the EFSUMB COMPASS has been disseminated and implemented and to assess the potential obstacles encountered. Materials and methods: A questionnaire was developed and distributed by e-mail to all rheumatologists certified as EFSUMB level 3. Results: Seventeen (85%) rheumatologists considered that the EFSUMB COMPASS is useful for training MSUS. The majority of them (17; 85%) had informed their colleagues or national rheumatology societies about the EFSUMB COMPASS. The most common obstacle encountered for the implementation of the COMPASS was the lack of time for supervision of the trainees (9; 45%).  A total of 83 rheumatologists had been trained and assessed for competency in the three EFSUMB levels. Conclusion: This survey highlights the current status of EFSUMB COMPASS implementation in European countries with an expected increased number of rheumatologists being able to train and assess new trainees. Still, more efforts should be done for a higher implementation of EFSUMB COMPASS across European countries.
Tumor protrusion with intensive blood signals on ultrasonography is a strongly suggestive finding of follicular thyroid carcinoma.
Authors: Kobayashi Kaoru , Hirokawa Mitsuyoshi , Yabuta Tomonori , Masuoka Hiroo , Fukushima Mitsuhiro , Kihara Minoru , Higashiyama Takuya , Ito Yasuhiro , Miya Akihiro , Amino Nobuyuki , Miyauchi Akira
Published: February 2016

Aim:  It is difficult to differentiate follicular carcinomas (FC) from follicular adenomas (FA) because ultrasonography and cytology provide very similar findings. FC is histopathologically diagnosed to have capsular and/or vascular invasion. In a few patients, tumor protrusions are observed by preoperative ultrasonography as large forms of capsular invasion of follicular carcinomas. The aim of the study was to clarify the predictive value of tumor protrusions on preoperative ultrasonography for follicular carcinomas. Material and methods: A total of 531 patients (FC: 184 patients, FA: 347 patients) undergoing thyroid surgery were included in this study. A tumor protrusion on ultrasonography was defined as follows: 1) a solid tumor extending beyond a marginal line of capsular zone of the main tumor on B-mode ultrasonography; 2) intensive blood signals observed within the protrusion area on Doppler ultrasonography. The large form of capsular invasion was defined if the protrusion lesion was histopathologically diagnosed to be a capsular invasion of follicular carcinoma. Results: The sensitivity of tumor protrusion was 0.071, specificity 0.994, positive predictive value 0.867, and negative predictive value 0.669 for FC diagnosis. For the large form of capsular invasion in FC the sensitivity of tumor protrusion was 0.813, specificity 0.982, positive predictive value 0.684, and negative predictive value 0.982. Conclusions: A tumor protrusion with intensive blood signals extending from the main tumor on ultrasonography strongly suggests a large form of capsular invasion of follicular carcinoma.
Ultrasonography in the diagnosis and management of non inflammatory conditions of the hand and wrist
Authors: Vreju Florentin Ananu , Ciurea Marius Eugen , Popa Dragos , Popa Florin , Parvanescu Cristina Dorina , Chisalau Beatrice Andreea , Barbulescu Andreea Lili , Parvanescu Vlad , Rosu Anca , Ciurea Paulina Lucia
Published: February 2016

High resolution ultrasonography has already become an important tool in the diagnosis and management of inflammatory arthritis of the hand and wrist but lately it has been proven to be the method of choice in the evaluation of traumatic lesions of tendons, annular pulleys, nerves, and ligaments and  at the same time in detecting foreign bodies. The objective of this paper is to review and describe the current knowledge on  these US findings and to highlight the ultrasonography role in the evaluation of non-inflammatory conditions of the hand and wrist.
A novel approach to assessing fetal tissue stiffness using virtual touch tissue quantification.
Authors: Zheng Xiao-Zhi , Wu Jing , Tan Xu-Yan
Published: February 2016

Aims: Virtual touch tissue quantification (VTTQ) has been widely used in adults, but its application in fetuses has not been reported. The purposes of this study were to describe the normal shear wave velocity (SWV) values of fetal brain, lung, and liver by VTTQ and to examine the clinical usefulness of this procedure in THE evaluation of gestational age-related SWV changes in the fetal brain, lung and liver. Material and methods: One hundred fetuses were enrolled in this study and were evaluated at 18 weeks (second trimester) and 35 weeks (third trimester) during pregnancy. The SWV was measured at the cerebral parenchyma, thalamus, cerebellum, choroid plexus, left lung, right lung, right and left lobe of the liver in each participant. Results：The SWV at the cerebral parenchyma were all significantly greater in the third trimesters than in the second trimesters (3.29±1.05 vs. 2.22±0.97 m/s, p<0.001), while the velocities at thalamus, cerebellum, choroid plexus, left lung, right lung, right lobe of the liver and left lobe of the liver did not differ between the second and the third trimesters (p>0.05). Moreover, the SWV at the cerebral parenchyma correlated significantly with gestational age (r=0.47, p<0.001). Conclusions：VTTQ can provide numerical measurements of fetal brain, lung and liver stiffness and can effectively and objectively indicate gestational age-related changes in cerebral parenchyma stiffness by measuring SWV values.
Study on bubble defects in roll-to-roll UV imprinting process for micropyramid arrays. I. Experiments
Authors: Wu Hao , Yi Peiyun , Peng Linfa , Lai Xinmin
Published: February 2016

Bubble defect is a major problem in roll-to-roll (R2R) ultraviolet (UV) imprinting of micropyramid arrays. It renders the structure incomplete and significantly downgrade the optical performance of light reflection ability. This study aims to investigate the influence of processing parameters on the generation of bubble defects in micropyramid arrays fabricated by R2R UV imprinting, and eliminate the existence of bubbles in the fabricated structures by choosing the right processing parameter values. Experiments were carried out on R2R UV imprinting equipment with polyethylene terephthalate substrate and a radical curing system UV resist. Three processing parameters in terms of mold temperature, web speed, and roller pressure were selected, and their impact on the generation of bubble defects in micropyramid arrays was systematically studied. Box-Behnken design method was adopted as the response surface method to design the experiments. The experiment results were measured by KEYENCE VK-X 200 laser confocal scanning microscopy. Two methods were proposed to assess the seriousness of bubble defects in the fabricated structures in the study: the percentage of bubble affected micropyramid arrays was used to assess the defect distribution among the fabricated micropyramid arrays, and the bubble diameter was used to assess the defect seriousness of a single micropyramid. It was found from the study that the processing parameters play important roles in affecting the bubble defect generation in the micropyramid arrays, and possible explanations for their influence were provided in the paper. Also, it was found that it is possible to manufacture micropyramid arrays free of bubble defects using R2R UV imprinting technique through selecting processing parameters within the process window: the web speed between 0.5 and 0.7 m/min, the pressure between 4 and 5 kg/cm2, and the mold temperature between 57 and 65 °C.
Bone regeneration after chemotherapy for vault lymphoma
Authors: Akamatsu Yosuke , Kanamori Masayuki , Uenohara Hiroshi , Tominaga Teiji
Published: February 2016

A 76-year-old woman presented with a mass in the left frontal region of the scalp. On admission, neurological examination found no deficits. CT revealed an osteolytic mass lesion in the left frontal cranial vault. She underwent open biopsy of the subcutaneous lesion. Histological examination identified cells with pleomorphic nuclei and marked nucleoli, and immunohistochemical staining showed these cells were positive for CD20, but negative for CD3. The histological diagnosis was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The patient received chemotherapy consisting of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine and prednisolone. Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography demonstrated complete response. Follow-up CT revealed that the tumour had completely disappeared, with regeneration of the destroyed bone. The regenerated skull bone had adequate strength without significant deformity, so cranioplasty was unnecessary. The present case demonstrates the regeneration of destroyed skull bone after chemotherapy for cranial vault lymphoma.