bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advising Mothers on the Use of Medications during Breastfeeding
Authors: Davanzo Riccardo , Bua Jenny , De Cunto Angela , Farina Maria Luisa , De Ponti Fabrizio , Clavenna Antonio , Mandrella Stefania , Sagone Antonella , Clementi Maurizio
Published: July 2015

The use of medications by the nursing mother is a common reason for interrupting breastfeeding. Few drugs have been demonstrated to be absolutely contraindicated during breastfeeding. Excessive caution may lead health professionals to unnecessarily advise to interrupt breastfeeding, without assessing the latest evidence or considering the risk–benefit ratio of taking a medication versus terminating breastfeeding. To foster an appropriate approach toward the use of medications in breastfeeding women, the Italian Society of Perinatal Medicine created the following policy statement.
Elliptical ultrasonic–assisted turning tool with longitudinal and bending vibration modes
Authors: Amini Saeid , Khosrojerdi MR , Nosouhi Reza
Published: July 2015

Ultrasonic-assisted turning is a machining process in which a vibrational displacement (usually in ultrasonic frequencies) is superimposed with the machining displacements in the cutting direction (one-dimensional ultrasonic-assisted turning) or in the cutting direction along with the radial direction (two-dimensional ultrasonic-assisted turning or elliptical ultrasonic–assisted turning). In this research, an elliptical ultrasonic–assisted turning tool is designed in ABAQUS software, in which the longitudinal and bending vibration modes have the minimum resonance frequency difference, so that the resonance of both the vibration modes can be achieved in a definite frequency. A set of half-ring piezoelectric stacks is employed for excitement of the bending mode, and a set of ring-shaped piezoelectric stacks is used for the excitement of the longitudinal mode. There is a phase shift with the amount of π/2 between the longitudinal and bending vibration modes to produce an elliptical vibration. The manufactured tool is employed for machining of copper, which resulted in better surface finish and lower cutting forces.
Measurements of water film thickness on a wing surface in simulated heavy rain
Authors: Wu Zhenlong , Cao Yihua
Published: July 2015

This paper primarily discusses the measurements water film thickness on a three-dimensional wing with a NACA 23015 section in simulated heavy rain conditions. The two-way momentum coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian two-phase flow approach in our previous work is adopted. The modeled aerodynamic coefficients are generally in good agreement with wind-tunnel experimental data. The impact of the interphase coupling on the aerodynamic performance of the wing is revealed and analyzed. The effects of liquid water content, angle of attack and three-dimensional span on the distribution of the surface water film are also discussed. This paper comprehensively studies the thickness of water film on a three-dimensional wing in heavy rain conditions and should be of some reference value in practical engineering.
Microvibration suppression of space truss structures using viscoelastic dampers with design parameter optimization
Authors: Xu Rui , Li DongXu , Luo Qing , Liu Wang , Jiang Jianping
Published: July 2015

This paper addresses the microvibration suppression problem for space truss structures by using viscoelastic dampers (VEDs). Based on the principle of virtual work, a finite element dynamic model of a spacecraft consisting of a reaction wheels assembly (RWA), a truss support structure, VEDs, and an optic camera is built. The angular displacement response function of the structure at the camera optic axis excited by the RWA disturbance forces is obtained. Then an optimization model is built in which an improved average pointing stability metric is adopted as the objective function, and the placement, number, and design parameters of VEDs are considered as optimal variables. To solve the presented discrete–continuous optimization problem, a new hybrid algorithm that has combined the advantage of the differential evolution (DE) algorithm and the simulated annealing (SA) algorithm is presented. Simulation results demonstrate that the present method can find the optimal solution faster than DE. Finally, the disturbance forces data of the RWA are measured by experiment, and were used as the system input to simulate the pointing stability of the optic camera in three cases: without VEDs, with VEDs (initial parameters), and with VEDs (optimal parameters). The results indicate that VEDs with optimized parameters can significantly improve the pointing stability of the optic camera.
Exploring patient strategies in response to untoward healthcare encounters
Authors: Brüggemann A Jelmer
Published: July 2015

Background:

Increasing attention to patients’ rights and their ability to choose their healthcare provider have changed the way patients can respond to untoward, disempowering and abusive healthcare encounters. These responses are often seen as crucial for quality improvement, yet they are little explored and conceptualized.

Objective:

To explore patients’ potential responses to untoward healthcare encounters and looking at their possible consequences for care quality improvement as well as for the individual patient.

Research design:

The article is structured looking at two primary strategies: patient exit (leaving a healthcare provider) and patient voice (expressing grievances), derived from Hirschman (1970). These strategies were explored by the use of theoretical and empirical literature and applied to an individual patient case. The case functions as a pedagogical tool to illustrate and problematize what exit and voice strategies can mean for a single patient.

Ethical considerations:

The patient case is my version of a generalized scenario that is described elsewhere. It does not represent an individual patient’s story, but aims to be realistic and recognizable.

Findings and conclusion:

Based on the existing literature, it is hypothesized that, in their current form, exit and voice strategies have a limited effect on care quality and can come at a price for patients. However, both strategies may be of value to patients and providers. Therefore, the healthcare system could empower patients to engage in action and could further develop ways for providers to effectively use patients’ responses to improve practice and find ways to prevent patients from untoward experiences in healthcare.
p16 Expression in Fat Necrosis
Authors: Ng Wen , Messiou Christina , Smith Myles , Thway Khin
Published: July 2015

Distinguishing well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDL) from lipoma is of clinical and prognostic importance, but can be difficult on imaging and histology alone. WDL characteristically harbor amplifications of the MDM2 and CDK4 cell cycle oncogenes and overexpress the cell cycle regulator p16. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to assess for MDM2 and CDK4 gene amplification is the diagnostic gold standard, and immunohistochemistry for the overexpressed MDM2 and CDK4 proteins is also useful but may not be routinely offered by pathology laboratories. p16 immunohistochemistry is a sensitive marker for WDL and is in the repertoire of most laboratories, and it has been suggested as a useful method of distinguishing WDL from lipomas when other ancillary modalities are not readily available. We describe a case of a large retroperitoneal adipocytic mass occurring in a 27-year-old male, which was clinically and radiologically in keeping with WDL. Histologically this was a differentiated adipocytic neoplasm with prominent fibrous septa and fat necrosis, more suggestive of retroperitoneal lipoma. Immunohistochemistry showed diffuse, strong nuclear expression of p16 in the areas of fat necrosis. However, CDK4 was negative and the lesion lacked evidence of MDM2 amplification with FISH. Diffuse expression of p16 in areas of fat necrosis in large or deep lipomas highlights the potential for diagnostic misinterpretation as well differentiated liposarcoma, and we therefore emphasize that p16 immunohistochemistry should always be interpreted as part of a panel with CDK4 +/− MDM2 in the differential diagnosis of WDL and lipoma.
The Pesticide Metabolites Paraoxon and Malaoxon Induce Cellular Death by Different Mechanisms in Cultured Human Pulmonary Cells
Authors: Angelini Daniel J. , Moyer Robert A. , Cole Stephanie , Willis Kristen L. , Oyler Jonathan , Dorsey Russell M. , Salem Harry
Published: July 2015

Organophosphorus (OP) pesticides are known to induce pulmonary toxicity in both humans and experimental animals. To elucidate the mechanism of OP-induced cytotoxicity, we examined the effects of parathion and malathion and their respective metabolites, paraoxon and malaoxon, on primary cultured human large and small airway cells. Exposure to paraoxon and malaoxon produced a dose-dependent increase in cytotoxicity following a 24-hour exposure, while treatment with parathion or malathion produced no effects at clinically relevant concentrations. Exposure to paraoxon-induced caspase activation, but malaoxon failed to induce this response. Since caspases have a major role in the regulation of apoptosis and cell death, we evaluated OP-induced cell death in the presence of a caspase inhibitor. Pharmacological caspase inhibition protected against paraoxon-induced cell death but not malaoxon-induced cell death. These data suggest that caspase activation is a key signaling element in paraoxon-induced cell death, but not malaoxon-induced cellular death in the pulmonary epithelium.
Evaluation of dissimilar joints properties of 5083-H12 and 6061-T6 aluminum alloys produced by tungsten inert gas and friction stir welding
Authors: Ghaffarpour Morteza , Kazemi Mohammad , Mohammadi Sefat Mohammad Javad , Aziz Ahmad , Dehghani Kamran
Published: July 2015

In the present study, friction stir welding (FSW) and tungsten inert gas (TIG) techniques were used to join the dissimilar aluminum alloys of 5083-H12 and 6061-T6. The laboratory tests were designed using design of experiment (DOE) method. Variables for the FSW process were the rotational speed, traverse speed, shoulder diameter, and pin diameter. They changed in ranges of 700–2500 r/min, 25–400 mm/min, 10–14 mm, and 2–4 mm, respectively. In the case of TIG process, the variables were current intensity, traverse speed, and tilt angle. These parameters varied from 80 to 90 A, 200 to 400 mm/min, and 3° to 12°, respectively. The optimum amounts of parameters were obtained using response surface methodology (RSM). The RSM-based model was developed to predict ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the welds produced. In FSW, the difference between predicted and measured UTS was about 1.28% and in TIG it was 1.78%. The good agreement between experimental and predicted results indicates the high accuracy of the developed model. Mechanical properties and also the microstructure of the welds were compared after optimizing both welding processes using RSM. The results showed that the welds produced by FSW indicated a considerably higher quality and also improved mechanical properties compared to TIG. Properties of the joints obtained by FSW in single-sided joints were more desirable. In the double-sided welds obtained by FSW these differences were of an even higher significance.
Positive Stereotypes Are Pervasive and Powerful
Authors: Czopp Alexander M. , Kay Aaron C. , Cheryan Sapna
Published: July 2015

Stereotypes and their associated category-based processes have traditionally been considered largely within the context of the negativity of their content and consequences, both among the general public and the scientific community. This review summarizes and integrates extant research on positive stereotypes, which are subjectively favorable beliefs about social groups, and examines their implications for individuals and groups directly targeted by such stereotypes. Furthermore, we examine the beneficial and adverse implications of positive stereotypes for interpersonal and intergroup relations, as well as the ways in which positive stereotypes, more so than negative stereotypes, may contribute to and perpetuate systemic differences in power and privilege.
Sterile pyuria: a forgotten entity
Authors: Goonewardene Sanchia , Persad Raj
Published: July 2015

Sterile pyuria is a common entity. Yet there are no guidelines to address this issue. We have conducted a systematic review over 20 years and reviewed the results. Guidelines for assessment, diagnosis and management are developed based on these results.
Diseases masking and delaying the diagnosis of urogenital tuberculosis
Authors: Kulchavenya Ekaterina , Kholtobin Denis
Published: July 2015

As urogenital tuberculosis (UGTB) has no specific clinical features, it is often overlooked. To identify some of the reasons for misdiagnosing UGTB we performed a systematic review. We searched in Medline/PubMed papers with keywords ‘urogenital tuberculosis, rare’ and ‘urogenital tuberculosis, unusual’. ‘Urogenital tuberculosis, rare’ presented 230 articles and ‘urogenital tuberculosis, unusual’ presented 81 articles only, a total of 311 papers. A total of 34 papers were duplicated and so were excluded from the review. In addition, we excluded from the analysis 33 papers on epidemiological studies and literature reviews, papers describing non-TB cases and cases of TB another than urogenital organs (48 articles), cases of congenital TB (three articles), UGTB as a case of concomitant disease (16 articles), and UGTB as a complication of BCG-therapy (eight articles). We also excluded 22 articles dedicated to complications of the therapy, which made a total of 164 articles. Among the remaining 147 articles we selected 43 which described really unusual, difficult to diagnose cases. We also included in our review a WHO report from 2014, and one scientific monograph on TB urology. The most frequent reasons for delayed diagnosis were absence typical clinical features of UGTB, and the tendency of UGTB to hide behind the mask of another disease. We can conclude that actually UGTB is not rare disease, but it is often an overlooked disease. The main reasons for delayed diagnosis are vague, atypical clinical features and a low index of suspicion.
Using Social Media to Analyze Candidate Performance During Televised Political Debates
Authors: Tremayne Mark , Minooie Milad
Published: July 2015

A network analysis of Twitter discussion during the first presidential debate between President Obama and Mitt Romney was used to examine the process of public opinion formation as the debate was occurring. Hypotheses derived from network theory were tested to determine which mechanisms drive hub formation. Additional questions were examined. What user characteristics are associated with centrality in this kind of network? What roles do journalists and other media figures play? Does sentiment move toward one candidate or the other as the debate progresses? The viability of social networks as a gauge of public opinion is discussed as well as the implications for media.
A British perspective on the critical sociology of religion: A response to Mary Jo Neitz
Authors: Bruce Steve
Published: July 2015

In a recent issue of Critical Research on Religion, Mary Jo Neitz presents a four-cell Locations Matrix created by the two dimensions of the status of the religion studied, as dominant and marginal, and position of the researchers vis-à-vis that religion, as insiders or outsiders. Her subsequent arguments about the influence of researcher standpoint perhaps work in the US setting where religion remains popular. This paper points out difficulties in applying the Matrix in the UK setting where religion is unpopular and uses the patently disinterested nature of much of the research conducted by professional sociologists of religion to retrieve the possibility of objective and value-neutral research.
Data flows and water woes: The Utah Data Center
Authors: Hogan Mél
Published: July 2015

Using a new materialist line of questioning that looks at the agential potentialities of water and its entanglements with Big Data and surveillance, this article explores how the recent Snowden revelations about the National Security Agency (NSA) have reignited media scholars to engage with the infrastructures that enable intercepting, hosting, and processing immeasurable amounts of data. Focusing on the expansive architecture, location, and resource dependence of the NSA’s Utah Data Center, I demonstrate how surveillance and privacy can never be disconnected from the material infrastructures that allow and render natural the epistemological state of mass surveillance. Specifically, I explore the NSA’s infrastructure and the million of gallons of water it requires daily to cool its servers, while located in one of the driest states in the US. Complicating surveillance beyond the NSA, as also already imbricated with various social media companies, this article questions the emplacement and impact of corporate data centers more generally, and the changes they are causing to the landscape and local economies. I look at how water is an intriguing and politically relevant part of the surveillance infrastructure and how it has been constructed as the main tool for activism in this case, and how it may eventually help transform the public’s conceptualization of Big Data, as deeply material.
Superficial temporal myofascial flap application in temporomandibular joint arthroplasty in a cat
Authors: Mestrinho Lisa A , Gawor Jerzy P , Serrano Ana M , Niza Maria M
Published: July 2015

Case summary

A 2-year-old, intact female domestic longhair cat was referred for surgical treatment after diagnosis of closed jaw locking secondarily to right temporomandibular joint ankylosis and left pseudoankylosis. The animal underwent successful surgical management with bilateral excision arthroplasty followed by interposition of a temporal superficial myofascial flap. Immediately after surgery, the full range of lower jaw movement was achieved and normal occlusion was maintained. Ankylosis did not recur in the 1 year postoperative follow-up period.

Relevance and novel information

A temporal myofascial flap could be considered as interposition material after temporomandibular joint arthroplasty to avoid postoperative re-ankylosis and mandibular drift. The main advantages of this flap are its autogenous origin, and the ability to maintain separation between the two bones, preserve mobility and disrupt new bone formation.
Follow-Up of Persistent Tracheal Stenosis After Surgery for a Double Aortic Arch
Authors: Iwaki Ryuma , Higuma Tomonori , Ichida Fukiko , Yoshimura Naoki
Published: July 2015

Persistent respiratory symptoms often occur after surgical repair of double aortic arch (DAA). Most often, symptoms are relatively mild and tend to be self-limited and improve with growth. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) imaging can be used to obtain needed anatomic information regarding the potential for extrinsic airway compression and is minimally invasive, safe, and readily available after surgery. We herein report the cases of two patients with persistent airway symptoms after surgical therapy for a double aortic arch. One of the patients eventually required aortopexy in order to achieve complete relief from recurrent symptoms of airway compression. In the other case, wheezing persisted following surgical division of the vascular ring, but it resolved over time without further intervention. In both cases, serial follow-up imaging with computed tomography scans was informative and helped guide management decisions.
Diagnosis of Anomalous Aortic Origin of the Left Coronary Artery in a Pediatric Patient
Authors: Arunamata Alisa , Buccola Stauffer Katie Jo , Punn Rajesh , Chan Frandics P. , Maeda Katsuhide , Balasubramanian Sowmya
Published: July 2015

Anomalous aortic origin of the left coronary artery is rare and confers increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Accurate diagnosis is crucial and often requires many diagnostic modalities. This case report highlights the echocardiographic characteristics and pitfalls in diagnosing the anomaly in addition to the advantages of using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in a pediatric patient.
Nutrition Support for Children Undergoing Congenital Heart Surgeries
Authors: Wong Judith J. M. , Cheifetz Ira M. , Ong Chengsi , Nakao Masakazu , Lee Jan Hau
Published: July 2015

Energy imbalance in infants and children with congenital heart disease (CHD) is common and influenced by age, underlying cardiac diagnoses, and presence or absence of congestive heart failure. During the surgical hospitalization period, these children are prone to nutritional deterioration due to stress of surgery, anesthetic/perfusion techniques, and postoperative care. Poor nutrition is associated with increased perioperative morbidity and mortality. This review aims to examine various aspects of nutrition in critically ill children with CHD, including (1) energy expenditure, (2) perioperative factors that contribute to energy metabolism, (3) bedside practices that are potentially able to optimize nutrient delivery, and (4) medium- to long-term impact of energy balance on clinical outcomes. We propose a nutrition algorithm to optimize nutrition of these children in the perioperative period where improvements in nutrition status will likely impact surgical outcomes.
Repair of Anomalous Left Coronary Artery From the Right Pulmonary Artery
Authors: Marshall Clement D. , Weigand Justin , Sambatakos Peter , Hayes Denise A. , Chen Jonathan M. , Quaegebeur Jan M. , Bacha Emile , Richmond Marc E.
Published: July 2015

Background:

Repair of anomalous left coronary artery from the right pulmonary artery presents a particular technical challenge to the congenital cardiac surgeon. There is disagreement in the literature over the optimal technique for this defect, with some authors advocating for unroofing of the periaortic segment of coronary artery, while others prefer direct aortic reimplantation of the artery.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective study examining outcomes of patients who were repaired for this anomaly at our institution. In-hospital and outpatient follow-up data were analyzed.

Results:

Nine patients were identified. Most patients had poor left ventricular function at the time of surgery. All patients in our series were repaired using the direct coronary transfer technique. To date there were no mortalities among the study participants. At last follow-up, all patients with available echocardiograms had normal ventricular function. One patient required reoperation for anastomotic stenosis.

Conclusions:

We demonstrate that using the technique of direct coronary transfer to the aorta, we have achieved excellent results with repair of this defect.
Comparative Review of Outcomes in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease Requiring Cardiopulmonary Support for Failure to Wean From Cardiopulmonary Bypass or for Refractory Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Pourmoghadam Kamal K. , Olsen Monica C. , Nguyen Moui , O’Brien Michael C. , DeCampli William M.
Published: July 2015

Background:

We reviewed the outcomes of patients who underwent cardiopulmonary support (CPS) for either refractory sudden cardiac arrest or failure to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods:

Between January 2005 and July 2013, 37 patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) underwent 39 instances of CPS for sudden cardiac arrest as extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR; group I, n = 19) or for failure to wean from CPB (group II, n = 20). Univariate analyses determined which variables differed among the groups and which had significant association with hospital survival. Binary logistic regression determined the significant associations in a multivariable model.

Results:

Overall 30-day and hospital survival were 76.9% (30) and 69.2% (27), respectively. For groups I and II, hospital survival was 68.4% (13) and 70.0% (14), respectively. Variables associated with mortality in the univariate analysis included hours on CPS ( P = .045), initial aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level on CPS ( P = .007), and bicarbonate 24 hours on CPS ( P = .004). Logistic regression showed single-ventricle physiology ( P = .05), initial AST level on CPS ( P = .03), and lower bicarbonate 24 hours on CPS ( P = .026) to be significantly associated with mortality.

Conclusions:

Comparable rates of survival to discharge can be obtained when CPS is initiated for E-CPR or for failure to wean from CPB in resuscitating patients with CHD. Hepatic and renal factors indicative of inadequate early tissue perfusion, single-ventricle physiology, and lower bicarbonate level are factors associated with poor outcome.
Setting Up an ECMO Program in a South American Country
Authors: Flórez Claudia X. , Bermon Anderson , Castillo Victor R. , Salazar Leonardo
Published: July 2015

Background:

Less than 1% of the extracorporeal life support organization (ELSO) registry patients are from South America. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an expensive therapy not only in terms of direct financial cost but also with respect to technical and human resources. Finding a successful ECMO model that developing countries can afford is critical to the expansion of therapy to include the availability of this technology for patients in the developing world.

Methods:

We retrospectively studied the first 104 pediatric ECMO patients in the Fundacion Cardiovascular de Colombia between May 2007 and May 2013. We collected the ELSO registry data from electronic medical records to determine the survival rate, mortality risk factors, and complications in pediatric patients who received ECMO support for cardiac failure, respiratory failure, or ECMO for extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the setting of refractory cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We describe our model of ECMO care regarding staff, training process, care protocol, ECMO circuit, and costs.

Results:

Of 104 patients, 82 were diagnosed with congenital heart disease. Of those, 50 had biventricular and 32 had univentricular physiology, with a significantly higher survival rate at discharge in the biventricular group (44% vs 18.7%, odds ratio [OR] 3.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.28-10.52, P = .01). Pediatric patients with a cardiac indication had survival rates of 76.3% at weaning and 52.6% at discharge, which is roughly comparable to those reported by the ELSO in 2013. Univentricular physiology, ECPR, severe pre-ECMO acidosis, ECMO-associated renal failure, and duration of ECMO support were factors associated with increased mortality.

Conclusion:

Despite limited availability of technical and economic resources, ECMO therapy can be done successfully in a developing country. A model of care based on nurses as ECMO specialists, supported by a multidisciplinary team, is cost-effective.
Mortality and Operative Management for Patients Undergoing Repair of Coarctation of the Aorta
Authors: St. Louis James D. , Harvey Brian A. , Menk Jeremiah S. , O’Brien James E. , Kochilas Lazaros K.
Published: July 2015

Background:

The surgical mortality associated with repair of coarctation of the aorta (CoA) over a 25-year period was examined. Risk factors for discharge mortality were evaluated as well as the surgical techniques and its evolution over the period studied.

Methods:

Utilizing the pediatric cardiac care consortium, we conducted a retrospective review of patients less than 18 years of age submitted between 1982 and 2007. Variables reviewed included weight at birth, age and weight at the operation, type of coarctation repair, associated cardiac anomalies, year of repair, center-specific volume, postoperative length of stay, and in-hospital mortality.

Results:

There were 7,860 patients submitted with the procedural code for repair of CoA. Forty-five percent underwent repair within 30 days of life (n = 3,549), including 1,444 patients who were operated upon within the first 7 days of life (18% of all patients). Seventy percent (n = 5,528) of patients had an isolated CoA (iCoA). The overall mortality for the entire group was 4.2% (n = 331), decreasing to 2.0% (n = 114) for iCoA ( P < .0001). A hypoplastic aortic arch occurred in 4.6%, with a mortality of 10.6%. Coarctectomy with an end-to-end reconstruction was the most common procedure performed. Multivariable modeling for discharge mortality was significant for diagnosis of ventricular septal defect, operative weight, operative year, and diagnosis of aortic arch hypoplasia.

Conclusions:

Operative repair of CoA is accomplished with a low mortality, although certain subgroups have persistently inferior outcomes. The techniques utilized for aortic reconstruction have evolved, with coarctectomy and an end-to-end anastomosis becoming the dominant surgical procedures.
New method of assessing susceptibility of welds to transverse cracking
Authors: Cheng F. J. , Zhang X. T. , Zhang Z. , Wang Y. , Wang D. P. , Wang Z. J.
Published: July 2015

A method for assessing the susceptibility of a weld to transverse cracking is proposed based on a newly designed test specimen featuring a transverse gap in the centre to control restraint and produce a large residual stress in the weld metal. Through FEM simulation of the effects of the weld bead length on the longitudinal residual tensile stress (σx) after welding, it is confirmed that the transverse gap can significantly increase σx after welding. Furthermore, with a fixed transverse gap length, σx increases monotonically with the length of the weld bead. Two different commercial weld wires were used to check the effectiveness of this method; the experimental results obtained indicate that the critical cracking length of the weld bead differs depending on the weld wire used. The critical length of the weld bead can therefore be used as an effective index of its susceptibility to transverse cracking.
Distribution of Raphespinal Fibers in the Mouse Spinal Cord
Authors: Liang Huazheng , Wang Shaoshi , Francis Richard , Whan Renee , Watson Charles , Paxinos George
Published: July 2015

Background

Serotonergic raphespinal neurons and their fibers have been mapped in large mammals, but the non-serotonergic ones have not been studied, especially in the mouse. The present study aimed to investigate the termination pattern of fibers arising from the hindbrain raphe and reticular nuclei which also have serotonergic neurons by injecting the anterograde tracer BDA into them.

Results

We found that raphespinal fibers terminate in both the dorsal and ventral horns in addition to lamina 10. There is a shift of the fibers in the ventral horn towards the dorsal and lateral part of the gray matter. Considerable variation in the termination pattern also exists between raphe nuclei with raphe magnus having more fibers terminating in the dorsal horn. Fibers from the adjacent gigantocellular reticular nucleus show similar termination pattern as those from the raphe nuclei with slight difference. Immunofluorescence staining showed that raphespinal fibers were heterogeneous and serotoninergic fibers were present in all laminae but mainly in laminae 1, 2, medial lamina 8, laminae 9 and 10. Surprisingly, immunofluorescence staining on clarified spinal cord tissue revealed that serotoninergic fibers formed bundles regularly in a short distance along the rostrocaudal axis in the medial part of the ventral horn and they extended towards the lateral motor neuron column area.

Conclusion

Serotonergic and non-serotonergic fibers arising from the hindbrain raphe and reticular nuclei had similar termination pattern in the mouse spinal cord with subtle difference. The present study provides anatomical foundation for the multiple roles raphe and adjacent reticular nuclei play.
Clinical value of measurement of pulmonary radioaerosol mucociliary clearance in the work up of primary ciliary dyskinesia
Authors: Munkholm Mathias , Nielsen Kim Gjerum , Mortensen Jann
Published: July 2015

Background

We aimed to evaluate and define the general clinical applicability and impact of pulmonary radioaerosol mucociliary clearance (PRMC) on the work up of patients suspected of having primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). In addition, we wanted to evaluate the accuracy of the reference values used in the PRMC test.

Methods

Measurement of PRMC after inhalation of 99mTc-albumin colloid aerosol was carried out on 239 patients (4–75 years of age) during a 9-year period. All were referred to the nuclear medicine department because of clinical suspicion of PCD. The results were compared primarily to results from nasal ciliary function testing, to electron microscopic (EM) examination of the ultrastructure of the cilia, and to the final clinical diagnosis.

Results

Of the 239 patients, 27 ended up with a final clinical diagnosis of definitive PCD. No patients with a PRMC test that was normal or otherwise not consistent with PCD ended up with PCD as final clinical diagnosis (though a minority of patients in this group ended up unresolved in regard to PCD). Forty percent of patients with an abnormal PRMC test ended up with PCD as final clinical diagnosis. Furthermore, the PRMC test had a high rate of conclusive results (90 %). Children <14 years of age with normal PRMC measurements showed significantly faster lung clearance than adults with similarly normal PRMC measurements.

Conclusions

To this date, PRMC is the only test providing evaluation of the mucociliary clearance of the entire lung. Its greatest strength is its ability to reject a suspected PCD diagnosis with great certainty. In our material, this accounted for 2/3 of referred patients. In addition, the test has a high rate of conclusive results. According to our analyses, reference equations on children would benefit from updated data.
Strong convergence theorem for a common fixed point of a finite family of strictly pseudo-contractive mappings and a strictly pseudononspreading mapping
Authors: Ke Yifen , Ma Changfeng
Published: July 2015

In this paper, we introduce a new mapping in a real Hilbert space to prove a strong convergence theorem for finding a common fixed point of a finite family of strictly pseudo-contractive mappings and a strictly pseudononspreading mapping. Moreover, we also obtain a strong convergence theorem for a finite family of inverse-strongly monotone mappings and a strictly pseudononspreading mapping.
Determine the relationship between perceived social support and depression level of patients with diabetic foot
Authors: Yildiz Ebru , Aşti Türkinaz
Published: July 2015

Background

As a lifelong disease, diabetes impairs the quality of life by limiting the eating and drinking habits and by bringing out the risk of kidney, eye, cardiovascular and diabetic neurological diseases in the long run. Loss of health might result in mourning, grief, rebellion, denial, anxiety, rage and sometimes these feelings might overcome the patient’s coping skills leading to depression [Clinical Psychiatry 11 (Suppl 3) 3-18, 2008]. How individuals suffering from depression perceive and interpret the incidents around them is also important [Rel. Scie. Acad. J. III, 2: 129-152, 2003]. Accordingly, the determination of the correlation of the depression with the perceived social support level by the patients with diabetic foot was programmed and performed in order to take essential precautions, to generate proper solutions and treatment process and to make supportive plans for patients with developing diabetic foot and depression.

Methods

The data was obtained from 128 patients who applied to hospital within the scope of research between July 1st 2011 and January 31st 2012 that were diagnosed with diabetes and had diabetic foot. Pearson chi-square, Fisher Exact and Likelihood ratio, chi-square, Student t test and one way analysis of variance, Levene’ s test, One way ANOVA, Welch and Games Howell tests were used in the analysis and evaluation. The data was collected by meeting face to face the individuals and by making use of the patient files and using the “Personal Information Form” which includes introductory information about individuals with diabetic foot, “Beck Depression Scale” which is applied to determine emotion status of individuals and “Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support” which is applied to determine the level of social support individuals perceive.

Results

In the performed statistical evaluation, mean scores of Beck Depression scale and MSPSS family support, friend support, special person support sub-dimension and scale total scores were found to be in negative statistical correlation (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

In the treatment and care of the patients with diabetic foot; anxiety and depression status of the patients, as well as physical status, should also be evaluated routinely. The individuals provided to take professional care.
Ion Coalescence in Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry: Should We Worry about This in Shotgun Proteomics?
Authors: Tarasova Irina A. , Surin Alexey K. , Fornelli Luca , Pridatchenko Marina L. , Suvorina Mariya Yu. , Gorshkov Mikhail V.
Published: July 2015

Coupling of motion of the ion clouds with close m/z values is a well-established phenomenon for ion-trapping mass analyzers. In Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry it is known as ion coalescence. Recently, ion coalescence was demonstrated and semiquantitatively characterized for the Orbitrap mass analyzer as well. When it occurs, the coalescence negatively affects the basic characteristics of a mass analyzer. Specifically, the dynamic range available for the high resolving power mass measurements reduces. In shotgun proteomics, another potentially adverse effect of ion coalescence is interference of the isotopic envelopes for the coeluting precursor ions of close m/z values, subjected to isolation before fragmentation. In this work we characterize coalescence events for synthetic peptide mixtures with fully and partially overlapping 13C-isotope envelopes, including pairs of peptides with glutamine deamidation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that fragmentation of the otherwise coalesced peptide ion clouds may remove the locking between them owing to the total charge redistribution between more ion species in the mass spectrum. Finally, we estimated the possible scale of the coalescence phenomenon for shotgun proteomics by considering the fraction of coeluted peptide pairs with the close masses using literature data for the yeast proteome. It was found that up to one-tenth of all peptide identifications with the relative mass differences of 20 ppm or less in the corresponding pairs may potentially experience the coalescence of the 13C-isotopic envelopes. However, sample complexity in a real proteomics experiment and precursor ion-signal splitting between many channels in tandem mass spectrometry drastically increase the threshold for coalescence, thus leading to practically coalescence-free proteomics based on Fourier transform mass spectrometry.
Surface-Induced Dissociation: A Unique Tool for Studying Energetics and Kinetics of the Gas-Phase Fragmentation of Large Ions
Authors: Laskin Julia
Published: July 2015

Surface-induced dissociation (SID) is a valuable tool for investigating the activation and dissociation of large ions in tandem mass spectrometry. This account summarizes key findings from studies of the energetics and mechanisms of complex ion dissociation in which SID experiments were combined with Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus modeling of the experimental data. These studies used time- and collision-energy-resolved SID experiments and SID combined with resonant ejection of selected fragment ions on a specially designed Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer. Fast-ion activation by collision with a surface combined with the long and variable timescale of FT-ICR mass spectrometry is perfectly suited to studying the energetics and dynamics of complex ion dissociation in the gas phase. Modeling of time- and collision-energy-resolved SID enables the accurate determination of energy and entropy effects in the dissociation process. It has been demonstrated that entropy effects play an important role in determining the dissociation rates of both covalent and noncovalent bonds in large gaseous ions. SID studies have provided important insights on the competition between charge-directed and charge-remote fragmentation in even-electron peptide ions and the role of the charge and radical site on the energetics of the dissociation of odd-electron peptide ions. Furthermore, this work examined factors that affect the strength of noncovalent binding, as well as the competition between covalent and noncovalent bond cleavages and between proton and electron transfer in model systems. Finally, SID studies have been used to understand the factors affecting nucleation and growth of clusters in solution and in the gas phase.
Ultraviolet Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry for Phosphopeptide Analysis with a Solidified Ionic Liquid Matrix
Authors: Mukherjee Gargee , Röwer Claudia , Koy Cornelia , Protzel Chris , Lorenz Peter , Thiesen Hans-Jürgen , Hakenberg Oliver W. , Glocker Michael O.
Published: July 2015

A solidified ionic liquid matrix (SILM) consisting of 3-aminoquinoline, α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate combines the benefits of liquid and solid MALDI matrices and proves to be well suitable for phosphopeptide analysis using MALDI-MS in the low femtomole range. Desalting and buffer exchange that typically follow after phosphopeptide elution from metal oxide affinity chromatography (MOAC) materials can be omitted. Shifting the pH from acidic to basic during target preparation causes slow matrix crystallization and homogeneous embedding of the analyte molecules, forming a uniform preparation from which (phospho) peptides can be ionized in high yields over long periods of time. The novel combination of MOAC-based phosphopeptide enrichment with SILM preparation has been developed with commercially available standard phosphopeptides and with α-casein as phosphorylated standard protein. The applicability of the streamlined phosphopeptide analysis procedure to cell biological and clinical samples has been tested (i) using affinity-enriched endogenous TRIM28 from cell cultures and (ii) by analysis of a two-dimensional gel-separated protein spot from a bladder cancer sample.
Effect of Response Factor Variations on the Response Distribution of Complex Mixtures
Authors: Gundlach-Graham Alexander , Enke Christie G.
Published: July 2015

The goal of “comprehensive” or “untargeted” analysis is to generate a list of all the compounds of a particular type in a complex mixture. To this end, modern analytical techniques, including high-resolution mass spectrometry, enable the individual detection of hundreds to tens of thousands of compounds, which can have response magnitudes that span several orders of magnitude. Moreover, we and others have found that many comprehensive analyses of complex mixtures result in a log-normal distribution of measured responses. The response distribution is not the concentration distribution but is related to it through the distribution of component response factors (RFs). Here, we present a theoretical investigation of how the shape of the RF distribution can impact the distribution of measured responses. We show that several distributions of RFs combined with a log-normal distribution of concentrations result in log-normal distributions of responses. Additionally, we find that deviations from log-normal responses depend on the shape of the RF distribution, and that, when they occur, these deviations occur in the low-response regions of the response distribution, which would often be below the detection limits for real measurements. In all cases, applying a distribution of RFs to a concentration distribution results in a response distribution that is both broader than the original concentration distribution and has a lower mean value than it would if the RFs for all the components were unity. Further, the distorting effect of the RF distribution can impair the determination of the original concentration distribution and the prediction of the number and concentrations of the undetected components.
Letter: The Formation of Ion Packages with Ultrashort Duration in a Laser Ion Source
Authors: Sysoev Alexander A. , Karpov Alexander V. , Gracheva Oksana I.
Published: July 2015

A new approach to the formation of ultrashort laser ion packages in the ion source of a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer for elemental analysis is described. This is achieved by installing a wedge-shaped reflector with special correcting plates. The reflector provides time and space focusing of the ion packages. Such time focusing allows the reduction of the ion package duration up to 1 ns. The proposed approach allows more than an order of magnitude increase in the resolution of the laser TOF mass spectrometer with an axially symmetric electrostatic analyzer to 10,000–13,000. In this Letter the theoretical calculations justifying the proposed method are presented.
Letter: Observation of the 16O/18O Exchange during Electrospray Ionization
Authors: Kostyukevich Yury , Kononikhin Alexey , Popov Igor , Nikolaev Eugene
Published: July 2015

Isotopic exchange approach coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry has become the power analytical approach for a wide range of analytical and bioanalytical applications. Considerable efforts have been dedicated to developing fast exchange techniques directly in the ionization source. But all such methods are limited to the hydrogen/deuterium exchange approaches. In this paper we demonstrate that certain types of oxygen atoms can also be exchanged for 18O on the time scale of the ionization process. Using HIO3 and NaIO4 and by infusing the heavy water H218O in the ESI source we have demonstrated that it is possible to obtain a high level of oxygen exchange. It was observed that the rate of this exchange depends to a large extent on the temperature of the desolvating capillary of the mass spectrometer. Several other species, such as peptides, oligonucleotides and low weight organic molecules, were subjected to in-ESI 16O/18O exchange but the exchange was not observed.
Mass Spectrometry of Analytical Derivatives. 1. Cyanide Cations in the Spectra of N-Alkyl-N-Perfluoroacyl-α-Amino Acids and Their Methyl Esters
Authors: Todua Nino G. , Tretyakov Kirill V. , Mikaia Anzor I.
Published: July 2015

The central mission for the development of the National Institute of Standards and Technology/National Institutes of Health/Environmental Protection Agency Mass Spectral Library is the acquisition of reference gas chromatography–mass spectrometry data for important compounds and their chemical modification products. The addition of reliable reference data of various derivatives of amino acids to The Library, and the study of their behavior under electron ionization conditions may be useful for their identification, structure elucidation, and a better understanding of the data obtained when the same derivatives are subjected to other ionization methods. N-Alkyl- N-perfluoroacyl derivatives of amino acids readily produce previously unreported alkylnitrilium cations of composition [HC≡ N-alkyl]+. Homologous [HC≡ N-aryl]+ cations are typical for corresponding N-aryl analogs. The formation of other ions characteristic for these derivatives involves oxygen rearrangement giving rise to ions [C nF2 n+1–C≡N+–C nH2 n+1] and [C nF2 n+1-C≡N+-aryl]. The introduction of an N-benzyl substituent in a molecule favors a process producing benzylidene iminium cations. L-Threonine and L-cysteine derivatives exhibit more fragmentation pathways not typical for other α-amino acids; additionally, the Nω-amino group in L-lysine directs the dissociation process and provides structural information on the substitution at the amino functions in the molecule.
PHYSICAL RECREATION AS A PREREQUISITE TO A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE OF STUDENTS
Authors: Сикорская  , Sikorskaya Galina , Могунова  , Mogunova M. , Сушкова  , Sushkova A. , Струцкая  , Strutskaya M
Published: July 2015

A student today is a busy activity, which is characterized by great emo-tional stress at the weakest part of the muscle. Physical recreation meets the needs of young people in emotional activities, while promoting the proper func-tioning of the body by creating optimal health.