bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compromised Activation of Vitamin D After Elective Surgery: A Prospective Pilot Study
Authors: Blomberg Jensen Martin , Husted Henrik , Bjerrum Poul Jannik , Juul Anders , Kehlet Henrik
Published: April 2018

Surgical stress reduces concentrations of most proteins in serum and necessitates a rapid adjustment of hormones dependent on protein binding. Activation of vitamin D by renal 1α‐hydroxylation is dependent on protein binding because 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D3) is formed after megalin‐mediated reabsorption of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) bound to vitamin D binding protein (DBP). Postoperative alterations in serum concentrations of DBP and albumin may therefore impair 1,25(OH)2D3 production. Our objective was to determine sex‐specific changes in serum concentrations of vitamin D metabolites and sex steroids 2, 6, 24, and 48 hours and 3 weeks postoperatively. Fourteen women and eleven men aged 45 to 77 years without severe comorbidities undergoing unilateral total knee arthroplasty participated in this prospective study in a tertiary center for arthroplasty (trial ID: NCT02336932). The main outcome measures were total and free serum concentrations of 25OHD, 1,25(OH)2D3, 24,25‐dihydroxyvitamin‐D, DBP, albumin, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), calcium, and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Serum albumin and SHBG decreased postoperatively (Δalbumin48h −18% [−22%; −14%]). Unexpectedly, concentrations of DBP and 25OHD remained unaltered, but 1,25(OH)2D3 declined postoperatively. 1,25(OH)2D3 was 3 weeks after surgery −24% (−40%; −8%) lower than preoperative levels, whereas 24,25‐dihydroxyvitamin‐D remained unchanged in postmenopausal women. The calculated conversion rate of 25OHD to 1,25(OH)2D3 was strongly associated with serum 25‐OHD and PTH preoperatively, whereas serum calcium was most predictive postoperatively. In conclusion, surgery had no effect on serum concentrations of DBP, 25OHD, and PTH, whereas production of 1,25(OH)2D3 was markedly reduced. Further studies are needed to determine duration and putative outcome effects of this postoperative 1,25(OH)2D3 deficit in women, which in part may be due to discordance in CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 activity. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Building Blocks to Portability: Culmination of the 20/20 Initiative
Authors: Kaplan David M. , Kraus Kurt L.
Published: April 2018

The profession of counseling has now endorsed a consensus licensure title and scope of practice for all U.S. states and jurisdictions. This article describes the development of the title and scope of practice through the Building Blocks to Portability Project of the 20/20: A Vision for the Future of Counseling initiative. Outcomes and implications of this final stage of the 20/20 project intended to ease interstate licensure portability are presented.
Conductometric Probe Analysis of the Effect of Benzyldimethylhexadecylammonium Chloride on the Micellization Behavior of Dodecyltrimethylammonium Bromide in Aqueous/Urea Solution: Investigation of Concentration and Temperature Effect
Authors: Molla Mohammad Robel , Rana Shahed , Rub Malik Abdul , Ahmed Anwar , Hoque Md. Anamul
Published: April 2018

Surfactant mixtures are used in many different industrial formulations. In this study, the mixed micelle formation behavior of 2 different cationic surfactants, namely dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) and benzyldimethylhexadecylammonium chloride (BDHAC), in the absence and presence of urea at various temperatures (298.15–318.15 K) was studied using the conductometric method. The attractive interaction between DTAB and BDHAC was estimated from the values of critical micelle concentration (CMC) and the CMC for ideal mixing (CMCid). Urea increases the CMC value as a result of the enrichment in the surface charge of the micelles/mixed micelles. The values of micellar mole fraction (X1Rub [Rubingh], X1M [Motomura], X1Rod [Rodenas]) and ideal micellar (X1id) of surfactant BDHAC were obtained by different models and are shown to exhibit the high contribution or effective involvement of BDHAC in mixed micelles and increase with increasing BDHAC mole fraction (α1). Activity coefficients (f1 and f2) were also evaluated from the relevant formula given in the literature. The negative values of the interaction parameters (β) show the attractive interaction among the studied components. Excess Gibbs free energy (∆Gex) of micellization revealed that the stability of mixed micelles is higher in aqueous solution than in urea solution. The thermodynamic parameters, namely the Gibbs free energy change, enthalpy change, and entropy change (∆Gom, ΔHom, and ∆Som, respectively), were also calculated from the conventional standard equations.
Additives for Rape Seed Oil 2: Preparation and Tribological Behaviour of a Hydroxyl‐Modified Rape Seed Oil Lubricant Additive
Authors: Fang J.-H. , Chen B.-S. , Dong L. , Wang J. , Li X.-D.
Published: April 2018

A lubricant additive, hydroxyl‐modified rape seed oil, was synthesised. Its structure was characterised using infrared spectroscopy. Its tribological properties in a rape seed base oil were investigated using a four‐ball tester, The morphologies and tribochemical species of worn surfaces were analysed with scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results show that the modified rape seed oil additive can increase the load‐carrying capacity and improve the antiwear and friction‐reducing properties of rape seed oil. The inferred lubrication mechanism is that a high‐strength polyester film, ferric oxide film, and ferrous oxide form on rubbing surfaces due to the adsorption or tribochemical reaction of the modified long‐chain rape seed oil molecules.
Antiwear Additives for Ester Oils
Authors: Minami I. , Mori S.
Published: April 2018

Esters for lubrication can be classified into two major groups. One is the neopentyl type or the so‐called hindered type. The other is the triglyceride type, which includes vegetable oils. The improvement of the antiwear properties of carboxylic esters by additive technology under boundary lubrication conditions is studied in this paper. Two strategies are considered, based on the structure of the esters. Triglyceride‐type esters are mainly used as rapidly biodegradable fluids. They have carbon‐carbon unsaturated bonds in their molecules, which are susceptible to auto‐oxidation, and this auto‐oxidation has deleterious effects on the antiwear properties. A synergistic effect of antioxidants and antiwear additives on wear reduction was observed. The mechanism is discussed and practical solutions proposed. Neopentyl‐type esters have thermal and oxidative stability. For these oils, the antiwear properties depend on the polarity of the additive and base oil. The effect of molecular structure on the antiwear properties is discussed. Computer simulation is used to understand the mechanism of action. Examples of molecular design of antiwear additives for neopentyl‐type esters are also proposed.
Frequency‐based analysis of random fatigue loads: Models, hypotheses, reality
Authors: Benasciutti D. , Tovo R.
Published: April 2018

Spectral methods use analytical expressions to estimate the fatigue damage in vibrating structures subjected to uniaxial or multiaxial random stresses. They exploit the random vibration theory which idealizes the random stress as a random process characterized by a power spectral density (PSD) in the frequency‐domain. The random process is hypothesized to be stationary or non‐stationary, Gaussian or non‐Gaussian, and with narrow‐band or wide‐band power spectral density. The accuracy of analytical spectral solutions depends on whether such hypotheses are fulfilled by actual random time‐histories encountered in practice. Knowing the range of applicability of each spectral method is then of utmost importance to avoid estimation errors. After a short account on the frequency‐domain description of random processes, this paper presents a brief survey on selected spectral methods for uniaxial and multiaxial random loading. It then analyzes when the hypotheses behind each spectral method are not verified in reality, with the purpose to provide recommendations for a safe use of frequency‐based methods.
AutoVOI: real‐time automatic prescription of volume‐of‐interest for single voxel spectroscopy
Authors: Park Young Woo , Deelchand Dinesh K. , Joers James M. , Hanna Brian , Berrington Adam , Gillen Joseph S. , Kantarci Kejal , Soher Brian J. , Barker Peter B. , Park HyunWook , Öz Gülin , Lenglet Christophe
Published: April 2018

Purpose

To develop a fast and automated volume‐of‐interest (VOI) prescription pipeline (AutoVOI) for single‐voxel MRS that removes the need for manual VOI placement, allows flexible VOI planning in any brain region, and enables high inter‐ and intra‐subject consistency of VOI prescription.

Methods

AutoVOI was designed to transfer pre‐defined VOIs from an atlas to the 3D anatomical data of the subject during the scan. The AutoVOI pipeline was optimized for consistency in VOI placement (precision), enhanced coverage of the targeted tissue (accuracy), and fast computation speed. The tool was evaluated against manual VOI placement using existing T1‐weighted data sets and corresponding VOI prescriptions. Finally, it was implemented on 2 scanner platforms to acquire MRS data from clinically relevant VOIs that span the cerebrum, cerebellum, and the brainstem.

Results

The AutoVOI pipeline includes skull stripping, non‐linear registration of the atlas to the subject's brain, and computation of the VOI coordinates and angulations using a minimum oriented bounding box algorithm. When compared against manual prescription, AutoVOI showed higher intra‐ and inter‐subject spatial consistency, as quantified by generalized Dice coefficients (GDC), lower intra‐ and inter‐subject variability in tissue composition (gray matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid) and higher or equal accuracy, as quantified by GDC of prescribed VOI with targeted tissues. High quality spectra were obtained on Siemens and Philips 3T systems from 6 automatically prescribed VOIs by the tool.

Conclusion

Robust automatic VOI prescription is feasible and can help facilitate clinical adoption of MRS by avoiding operator dependence of manual selection.
Der fluoreszierende Springbrunnen
Authors: Ducci Matthias
Published: April 2018

Die Farbstoffe aus Tinten oder Textmarkern eignen sich als pH‐Indikatoren. Bei einem bewährten Experiment aus der Schulchemie erzeugen solche Moleküle zusammen mit einer UV‐Lampe grün oder blau leuchtende Fontänen.
Amphibian Response to Rotenone Treatment of Ten Alpine Lakes in Northwest Montana
Authors: Fried Lynda M. , Boyer Matthew C. , Brooks Meriel J.
Published: April 2018

The piscicide rotenone is an important and widely used management tool for native fish conservation; however, long-term empirical field studies investigating potential effects on nontarget species are lacking. We tested for effects of rotenone on four native amphibian species inhabiting 10 fish-bearing alpine lakes in northwest Montana. Visual encounter amphibian surveys were conducted for 2–4 years to establish baseline species-specific detection frequencies prior to piscicide treatment to eradicate nonnative trout. Species diversity and detection frequencies varied considerably among lakes, presumably due to differences in the amount of emergent vegetation. Comparisons between baseline detection frequencies and those established from posttreatment surveys consistently revealed no significant changes in amphibian detection frequency, suggesting resiliency of amphibian populations to these piscicide treatments. These results may be explained by one or more of the following: (1) timing the rotenone application when many amphibians had metamorphosed beyond the gill-breathing life stage; (2) application of rotenone at a concentration that was sublethal to amphibians; and (3) posttreatment immigration of adults from habitats not treated with rotenone. This study provides insight into the factors that contribute to amphibian population resiliency to alpine lake rotenone treatments within the context of a watershed-scale native trout restoration program.
Effect of a 5‐HT2c receptor agonist on urethral closure mechanisms in female rats
Authors: Ouchi Mifuka , Kitta Takeya , Kanno Yukiko , Higuchi Madoka , Togo Mio , Moriya Kimihiko , Shinohara Nobuo
Published: April 2018

Aims

The serotonin (5‐HT2c) receptor is known to be involved in the mechanism of urethral closure in a model of stress incontinence. Lorcaserin (Belviq®) has received Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of obesity. However, it is unclear whether this selective 5‐HT2c receptor agonist enhances urethral closure in stress urinary incontinence (SUI) models. Therefore, we investigated whether lorcaserin could enhance urethral closure in female rats with vaginal distention (VD).

Methods

Normal female rats and rats with stress incontinence induced by VD were tested. We evaluated the effect of a single dose of lorcaserin (0.03, 0.3, or 0.9 mg/kg with cumulative administration) on the urethral pressure amplitude during electrical stimulation (A‐URE) and on the urethral baseline pressure (UBP). The manual compression‐induced leak point pressure (LPP) was also measured.

Results

In VD rats, a single intravenous injection of lorcaserin (0.3 and 0.9 mg/kg) significantly increased both A‐URE and LPP compared to saline (P < 0.05). In normal rats, intravenous lorcaserin (0.3 and 0.9 mg/kg) also significantly increased A‐URE and LPP compared to saline (P < 0.05). The changes of A‐URE and LPP, which are parameters of active urethral closure, were significantly larger in normal rats than in VD rats.

Conclusions

We showed that lorcaserin can activate the external urethral sphincter and pelvic floor muscles, suggesting an influence on active closure mechanisms. 5‐HT2c receptors agonists may have dual effects in patients with SUI, not only by reducing obesity but also by enhancing active urethral closure.
Sulfenamides as Building Blocks for Efficient Disulfide‐Based Self‐Healing Materials. A Quantum Chemical Study
Authors: Ruipérez Fernando , Galdeano Maialen , Gimenez Ekiñe , Matxain Jon M.
Published: April 2018

The theoretical self‐healing capacity of new sulfenamide‐based disulfides is estimated by using theoretical methods of quantum chemistry. Starting from previously studied aromatic disulfides, the influence of inserting a NH group between the disulfide and the phenyl ring (forming the sulfenamide), as well as the role of the phenyl ring in the self‐healing process is analyzed. Three parameters are used in the evaluation of the self‐healing capacity: i) the probability to generate sulfenyl radicals, which is the first step of the process; ii) the effect of the hydrogen bonding, which affects the mobility of the chains; and iii) the height of the exchange reaction barrier. The insertion of the NH group notably decreases the bond dissociation energy and, therefore, increases the probability to produce sulfenyl radicals and helps the approach of these radicals to neighboring disulfides, favoring the self‐healing process. The role of the phenyl rings is clearly observed in the reaction barriers, where the π–π stacking interactions notably stabilize the transition states, resulting in larger rate constants. Nevertheless, this stabilization is somewhat reduced in the aromatic sulfenamides, owing to a less effective π–π interaction. Therefore, the sulfenamide‐based aromatic disulfides may be considered as promising candidates for the design of efficient self‐healing materials.
Synthesis of Hydrocinnamaldehyde via Vapor Phase Dehydrogenation of Hydrocinnamyl alcohol over Rice‐Derived MgO‐Supported Copper Catalysts
Authors: Koppadi Kumara Swamy , Chada Raji Reddy , Gurram Venkata Ramesh Babu , Kancharakuntla Saidulu Reddy , Kamaraju Seetha Rama Rao , Burri David Raju
Published: April 2018

Green synthetic method for the production of hydrocinnamaldehyde via vapour phase dehydrogenation of hydrocinnnamyl alcohol over high surface area MgO (HSA‐MgO) supported Cu catalyst at atmospheric pressure without using any additives has been attempted. Cu/HSA‐MgO catalysts have been prepared by thermal decomposition of cooked rice grains mixed with magnesium acetate followed by wet impregnation by Cu. The prepared catalysts have been characterized by various physiochemical characterization techniques such as TGA, XRD, BET surface area, TPD of CO2, H2‐TPR, TEM, SEM, EDX and N2O pulse chemisorption. Among all the catalysts, 10%Cu/HSA‐MgO catalyst is found to be the best catalyst with 78% conversion of hydrocinnnamyl alcohol and 96% selectivity of hydrocinnamaldehyde. N2O pulse chemisorption and TPR analysis results divulge the high dispersion of smaller copper particles on the surface of HSA‐MgO support which is considered to be responsible for its superior catalytic activity.
Substituent Effects on Selective Syntheses of Fused‐Ring Heterocycles Based on Carbazole and Naphthalene by Photocyclization: Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Properties
Authors: Luo Xin‐Yu , Liu Zhi , Zhang Bao‐Jie , Hua Wan‐Ming , Feng Ying , Li Li , Zhang Ding‐Chao , Cui De‐Liang
Published: April 2018

Two new different types of fused‐ring heterocycles based on the carbazole and naphthalene, that is, 10‐bromine‐7‐hexyl‐7‐monoaza[6]helicene (7) and 14‐hexyl‐11‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐14H‐phenanthro[4, 3‐b]carbazole (10) were successfully synthesized through the introduction of bromine and thiophene subtituents into 9‐Hexyl‐9‐carbazole‐3‐carbaldehyde. Their structures were fully characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction pattern. Single‐crystal structures revealed that compound 10 possessed less distortion and deformation, and better planarity than compound 7. Compounds 7 and 10 had good solubility and thermal stability (Td = 236.82 °C for 7, Td = 214.96 °C for 10). These compounds had absorption maximum peaks at 319 nm for 7, 337 nm for 10, and emitted blue light with the peaks at 435 nm for 7, 447 nm for 10 in dichloromethane. The fluorescence quantum yields of compounds 7, 10 in different solvents were measured in the range of 8% ‐ 18%, 35% ‐ 74%, respectively. These results showed that introducing the functional substituent group of thiophene to the carbazole could not only transform photocyclization products from helicenes into other types of fused‐ring heterocyclic compounds but also increase the fluorescence quantum yields of compound 10 by more than three and half times. The simple synthetic method would pave the way for obtaining fused‐ring heterocycles with diverse types and various properties.
A Bayesian spatial–temporal model with latent multivariate log‐gamma random effects with application to earthquake magnitudes
Authors: Hu Guanyu , Bradley Jonathan
Published: April 2018

We introduce a Bayesian spatial–temporal model for analyzing earthquake magnitudes. Specifically, we define a spatial–temporal Pareto regression model with latent multivariate log‐Gamma random vectors to analyze earthquake magnitudes. This represents a marked departure from the traditional spatial generalized linear regression model, which uses latent Gaussian random effects. The multivariate log‐Gamma distribution results in a full‐conditional distribution that can be easily sampled from, which leads to a fast mixing Gibbs sampler. Thus, our proposed model is a computationally efficient approach for modelling Pareto spatial data. The empirical results suggest similar estimation properties between the latent Gaussian model and latent multivariate log‐Gamma model, but our proposed model has stronger predictive properties. Additionally, we analyze a small US earthquake data set as an illustration of the effectiveness of our approach. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Shear behavior of high‐performance basalt fiber concrete—Part I: Laboratory shear tests on beams with macro fibers and bars
Authors: Mohammadi Mohaghegh Ali , Silfwerbrand Johan , Årskog Vemund
Published: April 2018

This paper presents findings from an experimental study on shear properties of high‐performance concrete beams reinforced with basalt fiber reinforced polymer bars and macrobasalt fibers. The test specimens comprised seven beams for shear testing and five beams for measuring the residual tensile strength of fiber concrete. No stirrups were used in the test beams. As part of the experiments, the compressive strength and bulk electrical resistivity were measured. To assess the influence of fiber dosage on shear capacity of concrete beams, five‐volume fractions of 43 mm macrobasalt fibers were investigated. The experimental results verified the hypothesis that shear capacity of concrete beams is associated with the fiber dosage. Furthermore, the results show a good correspondence with the predictions of Swedish standard (SS 812310:2014) and the fib Model Code 2010 predictions of shear strength of fiber reinforced concrete beams without shear stirrups.
Comparing Immobilization, Recovery, and Stress Indicators Associated with Electric Fish Handling Gloves and a Portable Electrosedation System
Authors: Abrams Alice E. I. , Rous Andrew M. , Brooks Jill L. , Lawrence Michael J. , Midwood Jonathan D. , Doka Susan E. , Cooke Steven J.
Published: April 2018

Fish sedation facilitates safer handling of fish during scientific research or fisheries assessment practices, thus limiting risk of injury to fish and reducing stress responses. In recent years, there has been growing interest in using electricity to sedate fish; two methods include (1) lower‐voltage, non‐pulsed‐DC fish handling gloves (FHGs) that tend to only sedate fish while the gloves are touching the animal; and (2) a comparatively high‐voltage, pulsed‐DC Portable Electrosedation System (PES) that leads to galvanonarcosis. This study compared the physiological consequences of exposure to FHGs and PES in teleost fish. Bluegills Lepomis macrochirus and Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides were exposed to FHGs, PES, or a handling control for a 3‐min simulated surgery. Blood was then sampled at 0.5 and 4.5 h postexposure and was analyzed for blood glucose, blood lactate, and plasma cortisol concentrations. Opercular rates were monitored during surgery, at 2 min postsurgery, and 0.5 h postsurgery. At 24 h postsurgery, time to exhaustion (via a standardized swimming chase protocol) was assessed. Fish exposed to FHGs tended to exhibit lower opercular rates than fish that were sedated with the PES during simulated surgery. Cortisol levels of Largemouth Bass treated with FHGs were higher than those of fish sedated with the PES. Glucose levels recorded for Bluegills at 4.5 h postsurgery were higher with FHGs than with the PES. In both species, lactate was lower for fish treated with FHGs than for those treated with the PES. At 24 h posttreatment, Bluegills sedated with FHGs exhibited a longer time to exhaustion than those subjected to the PES, whereas Largemouth Bass sedated with the PES exhibited a longer time to exhaustion than those sedated with FHGs. Physiological responses to treatments were inconsistent between species. Further investigation to determine the optimal electrosedation method is required.
Journal watch
Authors: Kirby Mike
Published: April 2018

GP and Visiting Professor to the University of Hertfordshire and The Prostate Centre, London, picks some interesting recent papers and highlights the ‘take‐home message’
Treat constituents with care, respect
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: April 2018

Like most registrars, Laura Jacobs Anderson, university registrar at Willamette University in Oregon, didn't grow up dreaming of someday becoming a registrar. As a social work major in college, she went into the Registrar's Office to ask a question and mentioned that she worked as a checkout clerk at a grocery store. Shortly after that, the associate registrar stopped by the store to tell Anderson there was an opening in the office and suggested she apply.
The rendering of human phenotype and rare diseases in ICD‐11
Authors: Chute Christopher G.
Published: April 2018

ICD‐11 (International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision) is the next major revision of the ICD by the World Health Organization (WHO). ICD‐11 differs dramatically from historical versions, as it is based on an underlying semantic network of terms and meaning, called the Foundation. To function as a mutually exclusive and exhaustive statistical classification, ICD‐11 creates derivative linearizations from the network that is a monohierarchy with residual categories such as Not Elsewhere Classified. ICD‐11 also introduces the widespread post‐coordination of terms, which allows for highly expressive representation of detailed patient descriptions. Phenotyping features are included in many subchapters or the signs and symptoms chapter. Composite phenotype descriptions of specific presentations or syndromes can be represented though post‐coordination. Rare diseases are well represented in the Foundation, though not all appear in the relatively shallow linearization hierarchies.
Correction to: Web image search revealed large‐scale variations in breeding season and nuptial coloration in a mutually ornamented fish, Tribolodon hakonensis
Authors: Atsumi Keisuke , Koizumi Itsuro
Published: April 2018

The article “Web image search revealed large‐scale variations in breeding season and nuptial coloration in a mutually ornamented fish.
Segregation-Assisted Plasticity in Ni-Based Superalloys
Authors: Barba D. , Smith T. M. , Miao J. , Mills M. J. , Reed R. C.
Published: April 2018

Correlative high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy are used to study deformation-induced planar faults in the single-crystal superalloy MD2 crept at 800 °C and 650 MPa. Segregation of Cr and Co at microtwins, anti-phase boundaries (APB), and complex/superlattice extrinsic and intrinsic stacking faults (CESF/SESF and CISF/SISF) is confirmed and quantified. The extent of this is found to depend upon the fault type, being most pronounced for the APB. The CESF/SESF is studied in detail due to its role as a precursor of the microtwins causing the majority of plasticity under these conditions. Quantitative modeling is carried out to rationalize the findings; the experimental results are consistent with a greater predicted velocity for the lengthening of the CESF/SESF—compared with the other types of fault—and hence confirm its role in the diffusion-assisted plasticity needed for the microtwinning mechanism to be operative.
Plasma phospho‐tau181 increases with Alzheimer's disease clinical severity and is associated with tau‐ and amyloid‐positron emission tomography
Authors: Mielke Michelle M. , Hagen Clinton E. , Xu Jing , Chai Xiyun , Vemuri Prashanthi , Lowe Val J. , Airey David C. , Knopman David S. , Roberts Rosebud O. , Machulda Mary M. , Jack Clifford R. , Petersen Ronald C. , Dage Jeffrey L.
Published: April 2018

Introduction

We examined and compared plasma phospho‐tau181 (pTau181) and total tau: (1) across the Alzheimer's disease (AD) clinical spectrum; (2) in relation to brain amyloid β (Aβ) positron emission tomography (PET), tau PET, and cortical thickness; and (3) as a screening tool for elevated brain Aβ.

Methods

Participants included 172 cognitively unimpaired, 57 mild cognitively impaired, and 40 AD dementia patients with concurrent Aβ PET (Pittsburgh compound B), tau PET (AV1451), magnetic resonance imaging, plasma total tau, and pTau181.

Results

Plasma total tau and pTau181 levels were higher in AD dementia patients than those in cognitively unimpaired. Plasma pTau181 was more strongly associated with both Aβ and tau PET. Plasma pTau181 was a more sensitive and specific predictor of elevated brain Aβ than total tau and was as good as, or better than, the combination of age and apolipoprotein E (APOE).

Discussion

Plasma pTau181 may have utility as a biomarker of AD pathophysiology and as a noninvasive screener for elevated brain Aβ.
Applying novelty detection to identify model element to IFC class misclassifications on architectural and infrastructure Building Information Models
Authors: Koo Bonsang , Shin Byungjin
Published: April 2018

Ensuring the correct mapping of model elements to Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) classes is fundamental for the seamless exchange of information between Building Information Modeling (BIM) applications, and thus achieve true interoperability. This research explored the possibility of employing novelty detection, a machine learning approach, as a way to detect potential misclassifications that occur during current ad hoc and manual mapping practices. By training the algorithm to learn the geometry of BIM elements for a given IFC class, outliers are detected automatically. A framework for leveraging multiple BIM models and training individual one-class SVM's was formulated and tested on four IFC classes. Performance results demonstrate the classification models to be robust and unbiased. The algorithms developed thus can be leveraged to check the integrity of IFC data, a prerequisite for BIM-based quality control and code compliance.

Highlights The correct mapping of BIM elements to IFC classes is critical for IFC based interoperability. A framework is formalized for applying novelty detection to automate the checking of misclassifications. One-class SVM's are trained and tested on two architectural and two infrastructure IFC classes. Performance metrics indicate robust and unbiased models with high accuracy and true negative rates. Novelty detection is a superior approach to outlier detection in identifying misclassifications of BIM to IFC associations.
Effects of Sex Hormones and Age on Brain Volume in Post-Menopausal Women
Authors: Kim Gwang-Won , Park Kwangsung , Jeong Gwang-Woo
Published: April 2018

Background

Investigation of the effect of sex hormones on the brain volume in women provides a unique opportunity to examine menopause-related morphometric alterations.

Aim

To evaluate brain morphological alterations in post-menopausal women using voxel-based morphometry and its correlations with sex hormone levels.

Methods

20 Pre-menopausal women and 20 post-menopausal women underwent structural MRI.

Outcomes

T1-weighted magnetic resonance data were acquired and serum sex hormones including total estrogen, estriol, estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone, free testosterone, SHBG, and luteinizing hormone were measured.

Results

Post-menopausal women showed decreased gray matter (GM) in the supplementary motor area (SMA), inferior frontal gyrus, olfactory cortex, and superior temporal gyrus as contrasted with pre-menopausal women using analysis of covariance (P < .05). The GM volume (GMV) values of the SMA, inferior frontal gyrus, and superior temporal gyrus were positively correlated with the levels of E2 in the pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women, in which the volume of the SMA was negatively correlated with the duration of time after menopause in post-menopausal women.

Clinical Translation

This finding is potentially applicable to assess the brain dysfunction with morphological changes in post-menopausal women.

Conclusions

Our study is the first to evaluate a direct relationship between the level of E2 and GMV change. We directly compared pre-menopausal and menopausal women un-matched in age. This study highlights the menopause-related morphological alterations in post-menopausal women, suggesting that the reduced GMV were closely associated with the symptoms of menopause caused by the decreased levels of E2.
Effects of Whole Body Vibration on Tibia Strength and Structure of Competitive Adolescent Swimmers: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Gómez‐Bruton Alejandro , González‐Agüero Alejandro , Matute‐Llorente Angel , Julián Cristina , Lozano‐Berges Gabriel , Gómez‐Cabello Alba , Garatachea Nuria , Casajús Jose A. , Vicente‐Rodríguez German
Published: April 2018

Background

Swimming has no effect on bone mass or structure. Therefore, adolescent swimmers present similar bone strength values when compared to normo‐active controls, and lower values when compared to weight‐bearing athletes. It thus seems necessary to try to improve bone structure and strength of adolescent swimmers through a weight‐bearing intervention in order to reduce the risk of suffering osteoporosis later in life.

Objective

To evaluate the effects of a 6‐month whole body vibration (WBV) intervention on bone strength and structure of adolescent swimmers.

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Research center.

Participants

A total of 51 swimmers (14.4 ± 2.0 years) participated in the study.

Methods

Swimmers were randomly allocated into 2 groups: 20 swimmers (9 females) who only performed their swimming training, and 31 swimmers (15 females) who performed their swimming training and received a WBV intervention (3.6‐11.6 g) 3 times per week during 6 months (VIB).

Outcome measurements

Peripheral quantitative computed tomography was performed in the nondominant tibia of all swimmers at 4%, 38%, and 66% of the tibia length before and after the intervention.

Results

No differences between groups in any bone structure variable were found at pre‐ or postintervention. Both groups presented similar improvements in time, and no group by time interactions were found, suggesting that the WBV intervention was not intense enough to achieve positive changes in bone strength or structure.

Conclusion

WBV, at the chosen intensities and durations, had no effect on adolescent swimmers' bone strength or structure. Future studies should test other weight‐bearing interventions aiming to improve bone strength and structure of adolescent swimmers.

Level of Evidence

II
Genicular Radiofrequency Ablation for the Treatment of Post‐traumatic Knee Pain: A Case Presentation
Authors: Carrier Jonathan D. , Poliak‐Tunis Michelle
Published: April 2018

This is the first reported case presentation utilizing cooled genicular radiofrequency ablation (C‐RFA) for the treatment of post‐traumatic knee pain. The patient is a 29‐year‐old man who sustained open right femoral and tibial fractures following 2 motor vehicle collisions. He was deemed too young to undergo total knee arthroplasty by orthopedic surgery. It was recommended he trial diagnostic genicular nerve blocks followed by C‐RFA. The procedure provided a >50% reduction in average pain with an increase in activity tolerance lasting 9 months. In this case, C‐RFA of the genicular nerves was a safe, effective, and durable treatment modality for post‐traumatic knee pain.

Level of Evidence

V
Amplitude statistics prediction in thermoacoustics
Authors: Ghirardo G. , Boudy F. , Bothien M. R.
Published: April 2018

We discuss the statistics of acoustic pressure of thermoacoustic oscillations, either axial or azimuthal in nature. We derive a model where the describing functions of the fluctuating heat release rate of the flame and of the acoustic losses appear directly in the equations. The background combustion noise is assumed to be additive, and we show how one can recover, from the measurement of the acoustic pressure at the flame location, the projected describing function of the flame minus the acoustic losses. Using the same equations, one can predict the statistics of the amplitude of acoustic pressure for a certain system. The theory is then tested on an azimuthal thermoacoustic instability in an industrial annular combustor by measuring the state of the system, predicting the acoustic pressure amplitude statistics after a design change and comparing the prediction with the measured statistics after the design change has been implemented.
The effect of downstream turbulent region on the spiral vortex structures of a rotating-disk flow
Authors: Lee K. , Nishio Y. , Izawa S. , Fukunishi Y.
Published: April 2018

Direct numerical simulations are carried out to investigate the role of the turbulent region in a self-sustaining system with a spiral vortex structure in the three-dimensional boundary layer over a rotating disk by solving the full Navier–Stokes equations. Two computational domains with two different azimuthal sizes,$2\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}/68$and$2\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}/32$, are used to deal with different initially dominant wavenumbers. An artificial disturbance is introduced by short-duration strong suction and blowing on the disk surface. After the flow field reaches a steady state, a turbulent region forms downstream of$Re=640$. The turbulent region is then removed using two methods: a sponge region, and application of a slip condition at the wall. In both cases, the turbulent region disappears, leaving the spiral vortex structure upstream unaffected. The results suggest that the downstream turbulent region is not related to the velocity fluctuations that grow by the global instability. In addition, when the area where the slip condition is applied is changed from$Re>630$to$Re>610$, the velocity fluctuations decay. The results indicate that the vibration source of the velocity fluctuations which grow by the global instability is located between$Re=611$and$Re=630$.
Antioch 268 and Its Legacy in the Fourth-Century Theological Debates
Authors: Giulea Dragoș Andrei
Published: April 2018

The study proposes an analysis of the concepts ofousiaandhypostasisin the theology of the Council of Antioch which condemned Paul of Samosata in 268 CE. The authentic reports preserved from the assembly unveil the fact that the synodals who condemned Paul of Samosata employed the two terms interchangeably to denote the individual entity or person rather than the common essence or nature of the Father and Son. Additionally, they defended Christ's divinity before time and simultaneously assumed a certain subordinationism. The study additionally explores theSitz im Lebenof this theology, an accepted language embraced in the Eastern part of the Roman world in the third century. The article further traces the elements of this Antiochene theology in the fourth century in what was traditionally viewed as the “Arian” councils held in Antioch in 341 and 345 as well as in such authors as Eusebius of Caesarea and the Homoiousians. While Antioch 341 and 345 distanced themselves from Arianism, it is more coherent to interpret them, together with Eusebius and the Homoiousians, through this new hermeneutical lens, namely Antioch 268, rather than the traditional polarization between Nicaea and Arianism.
The Effect of Credit Competition on Banks’ Loan-Loss Provisions
Authors: Dou Yiwei , Ryan Stephen G. , Zou Youli
Published: April 2018

Exploiting differential interstate-branching deregulation across contiguous counties of adjacent states, we investigate the effect of entry threat on incumbent banks’ loan-loss provisions. Incumbents exposed to entry threat have offsetting incentives; lower provisions make their loan-underwriting quality appear better, deterring entry, but make local economic conditions appear better, encouraging entry. We find that the incentive to increase apparent loan-underwriting quality dominates on average. We further find that this incentive is stronger in counties with a higher proportion of heterogeneous loans, while the other incentive dominates in counties with both low heterogeneous loans and highly volatile economic conditions.
An existential perspective on the psychological function of shamans
Authors: Schindler Simon , Greenberg Jeff , Pfattheicher Stefan
Published: April 2018

Shamans deal with events that involve the threat of death. They help buffer death anxiety because, through their claimed supernatural abilities, they can provide both hope for averting death and evidence for existence of a spirit world offering continuance beyond death. Thus, managing the threat of mortality probably played a major role in the development and maintenance of shamanism.
Largest Components in Random Hypergraphs
Authors: COOLEY OLIVER , KANG MIHYUN , PERSON YURY
Published: April 2018

In this paper we considerj-tuple-connected components in randomk-uniform hypergraphs (thej-tuple-connectedness relation can be defined by letting twoj-sets be connected if they lie in a common edge and considering the transitive closure; the casej= 1 corresponds to the common notion of vertex-connectedness). We show that the existence of aj-tuple-connected component containing Θ(nj)j-sets undergoes a phase transition and show that the threshold occurs at edge probability$$\frac{(k-j)!}{\binom{k}{j}-1}n^{j-k}.$$Our proof extends the recent short proof for the graph case by Krivelevich and Sudakov, which makes use of a depth-first search to reveal the edges of a random graph.

Our main original contribution is abounded degree lemma, which controls the structure of the component grown in the search process.
Reputational Rankings of Peer-Reviewed Law Journals: A Survey Approach
Authors: Collins Paul M.
Published: April 2018

This article presents the results of the first-ever survey that captures how political scientists view peer-reviewed law journals with regard to overall impact, familiarity, and article quality, as well as reading and submission preferences. In addition, it examines the extent to which the evaluation of journal quality differs depending on a researcher’s methodological approach. I find that scholars generally agree on a set of top peer-reviewed law journals, although some differences do exist based on the methodological approach of the respondent. These results can be used by a wide range of scholars to formulate publication strategies and evaluate the scholarly productivity of their peers.
Simulating Redistricting in the Classroom: A Binding Arbitration Decision Game Using Louisiana Census Data
Authors: Miller Peter , Kimbrough Steven , Schacht Johanna
Published: April 2018

This article describes the design and implementation of a redistricting simulation in two classes at a large university. Simulations often include a high degree of abstraction and, as a result, may not inform and develop an understanding of how the world operates. We developed a binding-arbitration game, based on the New Jersey model of a bipartisan commission, in which groups of students used US Census data and a set of mandatory and discretionary criteria to design congressional districts in Louisiana as well as advocate for their plan at an open hearing. In so doing, they learned about the complexities of redistricting and were introduced to geographical information systems (GIS). The student-drawn maps, on average, were more compact and preserved a larger proportion of places and parishes in a single district than the legislature-drawn map. The article discusses other features of the students’ maps and concludes with comments on the general decision-game design.
Children's Naive Concepts of OCD and How They Are Affected by Biomedical Versus Cognitive Behavioural Psychoeducation
Authors: Butlin B. , Wilson C.
Published: April 2018

Background: How we conceptualize mental health conditions is important as it impacts on a wide range of mediators of treatment outcome. We do not know how children intuitively conceptualize obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), nor do we know the relative impact of biomedical or cognitive behavioural conceptual explanations, yet both are being widely used in psychoeducation for children with OCD. Aims: This study identified children's naive concepts of OCD, and the comparative impact of biomedical versus cognitive behavioural psychoeducation on perceived prognosis. Method: A within- and between-subjects experimental design was used. After watching a video of a young person describing their OCD, 202 children completed a questionnaire examining their concepts of the condition. They repeated the questionnaire following a second equivalent video, this time preceded by either biomedical or cognitive behavioural psychoeducation. Results: Participants’ naive concepts of OCD reflected predominant models of OCD in healthcare. Even at the minimal dose of psychoeducation, participants’ conceptualizations of OCD changed. Prior exposure to OCD resulted in a stronger alignment with the biomedical model. Exposure to biomedical psychoeducation resulted in participants predicting a slower recovery with less chance of complete remission. Conclusion: Psychoeducation for childhood OCD is impactful. Despite its wide use by clinicians and mental health services, biomedical psychoeducation appears to have deleterious effects. Children's concepts of OCD merit attention but caution should be applied in how they are targeted.
In uncharted waters
Authors: Carolin Peter
Published: April 2018

arq's first editor returns to the origins of the journal and reflects on the period of his editorship from 1994-2003. He also reflects on the opening ‘leader’ in the first issue of arq, which is reprinted here. The journal's founding principles remain just as urgent today, he concludes.
Architecture and nature: reflections from active retirement
Authors: Weston Richard
Published: April 2018

Richard Weston – Editor of arq from 2004 to 2013, and best known for his distinguished monographs on Alvar Aalto, Modernism and Utzon – reflects here on his more recent practice-led research into minerals, materials and digitisation. These studies explore the qualities of materials themselves but also the materialisation of imagery. This work is ‘practice-led’ in the way that the term is used in academe – meaning research which emerges out of a series of investigations – rather than ‘practice-led’ in the way architects might understand the term, as emerging from a professional office. As Weston reflects, however, this is work that would – most likely – be supported neither in the contexts of academe nor professional practice. It has been made possible instead by his ‘active retirement’. This paper explores how a chance encounter with an ammonite led Weston to Liberty's ‘Scarf Hall’, world-renowned in global fashion, a creative app for children called Molly's World, and virtual realities captured from microscopic mineral-worlds.
Mixed deep learning and natural language processing method for fake-food image recognition and standardization to help automated dietary assessment
Authors: Mezgec Simon , Eftimov Tome , Bucher Tamara , Koroušić Seljak Barbara
Published: April 2018

Objective

The present study tested the combination of an established and a validated food-choice research method (the ‘fake food buffet’) with a new food-matching technology to automate the data collection and analysis.

Design

The methodology combines fake-food image recognition using deep learning and food matching and standardization based on natural language processing. The former is specific because it uses a single deep learning network to perform both the segmentation and the classification at the pixel level of the image. To assess its performance, measures based on the standard pixel accuracy and Intersection over Union were applied. Food matching firstly describes each of the recognized food items in the image and then matches the food items with their compositional data, considering both their food names and their descriptors.

Results

The final accuracy of the deep learning model trained on fake-food images acquired by 124 study participants and providing fifty-five food classes was 92·18 %, while the food matching was performed with a classification accuracy of 93 %.

Conclusions

The present findings are a step towards automating dietary assessment and food-choice research. The methodology outperforms other approaches in pixel accuracy, and since it is the first automatic solution for recognizing the images of fake foods, the results could be used as a baseline for possible future studies. As the approach enables a semi-automatic description of recognized food items (e.g. with respect to FoodEx2), these can be linked to any food composition database that applies the same classification and description system.