bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smell no evil: Copper disrupts the alarm chemical response in a diadromous fish, Galaxias maculatus
Authors: Thomas Oliver R.B. , Barbee Nicole C. , Hassell Kathryn L. , Swearer Stephen E.
Published: January 2016

Fish, at all life stages, utilize olfactory information in the decision-making processes essential to survival. Olfaction is a sensitive sensory process, and toxicants within urban aquatic environments can have destructive or depreciating effects. In the present study, the authors exposed Galaxias maculatus, a native fish commonly found in urban waterways throughout southeastern Australia, to 1 of 5 ecologically relevant copper (II) chloride concentrations (<1 μg/L, 1 μg/L, 6 μg/L, 8 μg/L, 18 μg/L) for 16 h. After exposure, the authors tested the response of individual fish to 1 of 3 stimuli: a conspecific skin extract containing a stress-inducing alarm chemical odor, a conspecific odor, and distilled water as a control. Stress responses were quantified through behavioral assays. The authors found evidence for distinct changes in behavioral response with increasing copper concentration and a marked difference in response between control fish and fish exposed to the alarm chemical odor. Copper, even at relatively low concentrations, can have a significant effect on the stress response behavior shown by G. maculatus. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2209–2214. © 2016 SETAC
Lipiodol transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review of efficacy and safety data
Authors: Lencioni Riccardo , de Baere Thierry , Soulen Michael C. , Rilling William S. , Geschwind Jean‐Francois H.
Published: January 2016

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) using lipiodol‐based regimens, including the administration of an anticancer‐in‐oil emulsion followed by embolic agents, is widely used in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This approach has been supported by meta‐analyses of randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) performed more than a decade ago. We performed a systematic review to understand current efficacy and safety data of lipiodol TACE in treatment of HCC. A search of the literature published between January 1, 1980 and June 30, 2013 was performed using MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. All potentially relevant publications were reviewed and articles were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of a total of 1,564 articles reviewed, 101 articles, including a total of 10,108 patients treated with lipiodol TACE, were selected for the efficacy analysis. Objective response rate was 52.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 43.6‐61.5). Overall survival (OS) was 70.3% at 1 year, 51.8% at 2 years, 40.4% at 3 years, and 32.4% at 5 years. Median OS was 19.4 months (95% CI: 16.2‐22.6). A total of 217 articles presenting precise description on numbers of adverse events (AEs) were selected for the safety review: In these studies, a total of 21,461 AEs were reported in 15,351 patients. Liver enzyme abnormalities were the most commonly observed AE, followed by the symptoms associated with postembolization syndrome. Overall mortality rate was 0.6% and the most common cause of death was related to acute liver insufficiency. Conclusions: In a systematic literature review, survival figures of HCC patients undergoing lipiodol TACE appear to be in line with those reported in previous RCTs, and no new or unexpected safety concerns were identified. (Hepatology 2016;64:106–116)
Synthesis and Evaluation of Pancreatic Lipase Inhibitory Effects Halogenated Polyunsaturated Lipids from Marine Natural Products: Methyl Xestospongoate and Analogs
Authors: Gong Jing‐Xu , He Wen‐Fei , Liu Hai‐Li , Jiang Cheng‐Shi , Wang Ting , Wang He‐Yao , Guo Yue‐Wei
Published: January 2016

Methyl xestospongoate (MXS), a brominated polyunsaturalted lipid recently isolated from the Chinese marine sponge Xestospongia testudinaria, showed strong in vitro pancreatic lipase (PL) inhibitory activity. Inspired by its promising activity and potential clinical application, a series of shorter or longer‐chain and chlorinated analogs of MXS was prepared and evaluated for PL inhibitory activity. The result of a bioassay indicated that the terminal brominated ones are better than the chlorinated ones on their bioactivity, and 16–20 C‐atoms in the structures of MXS analogs might be optimal for their PL inhibitory activity. The results obtained in the present work are useful for the design of novel pancreatic lipase inhibitors.
Analysis of the Essential Oil of Elsholtzia ciliate Aerial Parts and Its Insecticidal Activities against Liposcelis bostrychophila
Authors: Ping Zhao Mei , Chao Liu Xin , Lai Daowan , Zhou Ligang , Long Liu Zhi
Published: January 2016

Water‐distilled essential oil from Elsholtzia ciliate (Labiatae) aerial parts at flowering stage was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Thirty‐six compounds, accounting for 98.3% of the total oil content, were identified, and the main components of the essential oil were dehydroelsholtzia ketone (26.5%), (R)‐carvone (16.6%), elsholtzia ketone (14.6%), and D‐limonene (4.1%). The essential oil contained higher amounts of monoterpenoids (83.4%) than of sesquiternoids (8.3%). Bioactivity‐directed chromatographic separation of the essential oil on repeated silica gel columns led to the isolation of three monoterpenoids. The essential oil possessed fumigant toxicity against the booklice (Liposcelis bostrychophila) with an LC50 value of 475.2 μg/l, while the isolated constituents, (R)‐carvone, dehydroelsholtzia ketone, and elsholtzia ketone had LC50 values of 417.4, 658.2, and 547.3 μg/l, respectively. The essential oil also exhibited contact toxicity against L. bostrychophila with an LC50 value of 145.5 μg/cm2. (R)‐Carvone, dehydroelsholtzia ketone, and elsholtzia ketone exhibited acute toxicity against the booklice with LC50 values of 57.0, 151.5, and 194.1 μg/cm2, respectively. The results indicated that the essential oil and the isolated constituents have potential for the development into natural insecticides/fumigants for the control of insects in stored grains.
Bidirectional semantic associations between social power and weight
Authors: He Xiaoling , Chen Jun , Li Jianan
Published: January 2016

Two experiments were conducted to examine bidirectional semantic associations between power and weight using a priming paradigm. Bidirectionality in the relationship between power and weight was demonstrated, utilising tasks that were identical except that the orders in which the stimuli were presented were reversed. In Experiment 1, an empty scale leaning either leftward or rightward was used as a priming stimulus, and a scale that appeared in equilibrium with a pair of power words was used as a target stimulus. In Experiment 2, a scale with a pair of words that appeared in equilibrium was used as a priming stimulus, and an empty scale leaning either leftward or rightward was used as a target stimulus. We identified interaction effects between power and weight in both experiments. Associations between power and weight provide evidence for both conceptual metaphor views and evolutionary theory. The bidirectionality of metaphorical effects is in line with the strong version of metaphoric structuring. Both language and experiential correlations play important roles in the development of the mapping between power and weight.
Pharmacometric Approaches to Personalize Use of Primarily Renally Eliminated Antibiotics in Preterm and Term Neonates
Authors: Wilbaux Mélanie , Fuchs Aline , Samardzic Janko , Rodieux Frédérique , Csajka Chantal , Allegaert Karel , van den Anker Johannes N. , Pfister Marc
Published: January 2016

Sepsis remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity in neonates, and, as a consequence, antibiotics are the most frequently prescribed drugs in this vulnerable patient population. Growth and dynamic maturation processes during the first weeks of life result in large inter‐ and intrasubject variability in the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of antibiotics. In this review we (1) summarize the available population PK data and models for primarily renally eliminated antibiotics, (2) discuss quantitative approaches to account for effects of growth and maturation processes on drug exposure and response, (3) evaluate current dose recommendations, and (4) identify opportunities to further optimize and personalize dosing strategies of these antibiotics in preterm and term neonates. Although population PK models have been developed for several of these drugs, exposure‐response relationships of primarily renally eliminated antibiotics in these fragile infants are not well understood, monitoring strategies remain inconsistent, and consensus on optimal, personalized dosing of these drugs in these patients is absent. Tailored PK/PD studies and models are useful to better understand relationships between drug exposures and microbiological or clinical outcomes. Pharmacometric modeling and simulation approaches facilitate quantitative evaluation and optimization of treatment strategies. National and international collaborations and platforms are essential to standardize and harmonize not only studies and models but also monitoring and dosing strategies. Simple bedside decision tools assist clinical pharmacologists and neonatologists in their efforts to fine‐tune and personalize the use of primarily renally eliminated antibiotics in term and preterm neonates.
Evaluating the diagnostic sensitivity of computed diffusion‐weighted MR imaging in the detection of breast cancer
Authors: O'Flynn Elizabeth A.M. , Blackledge Matthew , Collins David , Downey Katherine , Doran Simon , Patel Hardik , Dumonteil Sam , Mok Wing , Leach Martin O , Koh Dow‐Mu
Published: January 2016

Purpose

To evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity of computed diffusion‐weighted (DW)‐MR imaging for the detection of breast cancer.

Materials and Methods

Local research ethics approval was obtained. A total of 61 women (median 48 years) underwent dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE)‐ and DW‐MR between January 2011 and March 2012, including 27 with breast cancer on core biopsy and 34 normal cases. Standard ADC maps using all four b values (0, 350, 700, 1150) were used to generate computed DW‐MR images at b = 1500 s/mm2 and b = 2000 s/mm2. Four image sets were read sequentially by two readers: acquired b = 1150 s/mm2, computed b = 1500 s/mm2 and b = 2000 s/mm2, and DCE‐MR at an early time point. Cancer detection was rated using a five‐point scale; image quality and background suppression were rated using a four‐point scale. The diagnostic sensitivity for breast cancer detection was compared using the McNemar test and inter‐reader agreement with a Kappa value.

Results

Computed DW‐MR resulted in higher overall diagnostic sensitivity with b = 2000 s/mm2 having a mean diagnostic sensitivity of 76% (range 49.8‐93.7%) and b = 1500 s/mm2 having a mean diagnostic sensitivity of 70.3% (range 32‐97.7%) compared with 44.4% (range 25.5‐64.7%) for acquired b = 1150 s/mm2 (both p = 0.0001). Computed DW‐MR images produced better image quality and background suppression (mean scores for both readers: 2.55 and 2.9 for b 1500 s/mm2; 2.55 and 3.15 for b 2000 s/mm2, respectively) than the acquired b value 1150 s/mm2 images (mean scores for both readers: 2.4 and 2.45, respectively).

Conclusion

Computed DW‐MR imaging has the potential to improve the diagnostic sensitivity of breast cancer detection compared to acquired DW‐MR. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:130–137.
Potential of monitoring isotopologues by quantitative gas chromatography with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry for metabolomic assay
Authors: Wang Yi , Hu Haiyan , Su Yue , Zhang Fang , Guo Yinlong
Published: January 2016

Because of the extreme complexity of metabolomic samples, the effectiveness of quantitative gas chromatography with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry depends substantially on the expansion of the linear dynamic range. Facing the existence of numerous saturated detector signals, a data processing method based on monitoring isotopologues has been developed. The monoisotopic ion kept the high mass spectrometry sensitivity, and the less abundant isotopologue ions extended the linear dynamic range. This alternative method was proved to extend the linear dynamic range to five orders of magnitude successfully and overcome the quantitative problems induced by the ion detector saturation. Finally, to validate the applicability, the method was applied to a metabolomic assay of Alzheimer's disease. Comparing with the traditional monoisotopic method, the use of monitoring isotopologues helped us to discover an additional eight metabolites with significant difference and to conduct a more reliable principal component analysis as well. The results demonstrated that monitoring isotopologues in quantitative gas chromatography with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry could improve the authenticity of metabolomic analysis.
Molecularly Imprinted Bio‐Membranes Based on Cellulose Nano‐Fibers for Drug Release and Selective Separations
Authors: Dima Ştefan‐Ovidiu , Dobre Tănase , Stoica‐Guzun Anicuţa , Oancea Florin , Jinga Sorin‐Ion , Nicolae Cristian‐Andi
Published: January 2016

The present work is a preliminary study for the preparation of molecularly imprinted membranes based on bacterial cellulose nano‐fibers combined with a biodegradable natural polymer (e.g. xanthan), in order to obtain systems with high efficiency in controlled drug release and selective separations. The results evidenced a possible viable solution for obtaining biocompatible and biodegradable molecularly imprinted membranes for diosgenin, a molecule with anti‐cancerous and anti‐cholesterol properties. A composite material with the mass ratios between components of 1:0.5:0.1:0.05 xanthan: bacterial cellulose:citric acid:diosgenin showed interesting properties and will represent the starting point for more complex studies, like adsorption, selectivity, or controlled delivery studies.
Structural Phase Transitions of Syndiotactic Polystyrene upon the Guest Extraction Process
Authors: Shaiju P. , Bhoje Gowd Erathimmanna
Published: January 2016

In this work, the effects of initial morphology/crystalline form and the guest molecules used for the preparation of syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) co‐crystals, on the structural phase transitions of sPS upon the guest extraction process were systematically investigated. For that purpose, samples having two different initial morphologies such as amorphous and γ form were used as the starting materials and guests such as chloroform and toluene were used for the preparation of sPS co‐crystals. Selective extraction of guest molecules resulted in complex phase transitions in the host structure. In the case of toluene‐treated amorphous samples, the structure transformed into the δ (δe) form. On the other hand, the chloroform‐treated amorphous samples transformed into the mixture of nanoporous δ (δe) and ϵ (ϵe) forms. When chloroform‐treated γ form samples were used for the guest extraction, the ϵ (ϵe) form with channel‐shaped cavities was obtained. In contrast, when toluene‐treated γ form samples were for used guest extraction, the co‐crystal structure transformed to its initial crystalline form, i.e., γ form, instead of forming nanoporous structure.
Information on Microenvironment in Amorphous Region of Polymer Films Revealed by PFR Method
Authors: Itagaki Hideyuki , Sago Tomohiro
Published: January 2016

Measurement of the polarized fluorescence intensities of chromophores in a sample by rotating the sample around the excitation light beam, i.e., the PFR method, is very efficient for determining the three‐dimensional arrangement of the chromophores in the film. We have applied the PFR method to monitor the orientation of fluorescent species in amorphous regions of polymer films. In particular, the present paper reviews two successful studies obtained by PFR method: (i) the microenvironmental change of amorphous regions induced by uniaxially stretching of the films, and (ii) the initial stage of the cold crystallization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) films stretched uniaxially.
Phase Behavior and Thermal Analyses of Novel Blends Based on Poly(Styrene‐Co‐Itaconic Acid) and Poly(Ethylacrylate‐Co‐4‐Vinylpyridine)
Authors: Hambli Sofiane , Djadoun Said
Published: January 2016

Aimed to be used in very specific applications, novel materials with properties different from those of their neat constituents, based on poly(styrene‐co‐itaconic acid) (PSIA‐x) and poly(ethylacrylate‐co‐4‐vinylpyridine) (PEA4VP‐y) of various compositions, prepared by free radical polymerization, were elaborated by simply mixing pairs of these copolymers in chloroform or THF used as a common solvent. The effective specific interactions that occurred between the two constituents of the blends, evidenced by FTIR spectroscopy, depended on the blend composition and controlled the morphology of the various elaborated materials. Their phase behavior and thermal properties, investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), confirmed enhanced thermal stability of most of these materials and differences in their mechanism of degradation. Moreover, the apparent activation energies of thermal degradation of a specific blend system estimated using Tang's method also confirmed a change in the thermal behavior of these materials with blend composition.
Application of diffusion‐edited and solvent suppression 1H‐NMR to the direct analysis of markers in valerian‐hop liquid herbal products
Authors: Prieto Jose M. , Mellinas‐Gomez Maria , Zloh Mire
Published: January 2016

Introduction – The rising trend to consume herbal products for the treatment and/or prevention of minor ailments together with their chemical and pharmacological complexity means there is an urgent need to develop new approaches to their quality and stability.

Objectives – This work looks at the application of one‐dimensional diffusion‐edited 1H‐NMR spectroscopy (1D DOSY) and 1H‐NMR with suppression of the ethanol and water signals to the characterisation of quality and stability markers in multi‐component herbal medicines/food supplements.

Material and Methods – The experiments were performed with commercial tinctures of Valeriana officinalis L. (valerian), expired and non‐expired, as well as its combination with Hummulus lupulus L. (hops), which is one of the most popular blends of relaxant herbs. These techniques did not require purification or evaporation of components for the qualitative analysis of the mixture, but only the addition of D2O and TSP.

Results – The best diagnostic signals were found at δ 7 ppm (H‐11, valerenic acid), δ 4.2 ppm (H‐1, hydroxyvalerenic acid) and δ 1.5‐1.8 ppm (methyl groups in prenylated moieties, α‐acids/prenylated flavones).

Conclusion – This work concludes on the potential value of 1D DOSY 1H‐NMR to provide additional assurance of quality in complex natural mixtures. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Economic feasibility of bifacial silicon solar cells
Authors: Fertig Fabian , Nold Sebastian , Wöhrle Nico , Greulich Johannes , Hädrich Ingrid , Krauß Karin , Mittag Max , Biro Daniel , Rein Stefan , Preu Ralf
Published: January 2016

Bifacial solar cells and modules are a promising approach to increase the energy output of photovoltaic systems, and therefore decrease levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). This work discusses the bifacial silicon solar cell concepts PERT (passivated emitter, rear totally diffused) and BOSCO (both sides collecting and contacted) in terms of expected module cost and LCOE based on in‐depth numerical device simulation and advanced cost modelling. As references, Al‐BSF (aluminium back‐surface field) and PERC (passivated emitter and rear) cells with local rear‐side contacts are considered. In order to exploit their bifacial potential, PERT structures (representing cells with single‐sided emitter) are shown to require bulk diffusion lengths of more than three times the cell thickness. For the BOSCO concept (representing cells with double‐sided emitter), diffusion lengths of half the cell thickness are sufficient to leverage its bifacial potential. In terms of nominal LCOE, BOSCO cells are shown to be cost‐competitive under monofacial operation compared with an 18% efficient (≙ pMPP = 18 mW/cm2) multicrystalline silicon (mc‐Si) Al‐BSF cell and a 19% mc‐Si PERC cell for maximum output power densities of pMPP ≥ 17.3 mW/cm2 and pMPP ≥ 18.1 mW/cm2, respectively. These values assume the use of $10/kg silicon feedstock for the BOSCO and $20/kg for the Al‐BSF and PERC cells. For the PERT cell, corresponding values are pMPP ≥ 21.7 mW/cm2 and pMPP ≥ 22.7 mW/cm2, respectively, assuming the current price offset (≈50%, at the time of October 2014) of n‐type Czochralski‐grown silicon (Cz‐Si) compared with mc‐Si wafers. The material price offset of n‐type to p‐type Cz‐Si wafers (≈15%, October 2014) currently accounts for approximately 1 mW/cm2, which correlates to a conversion efficiency difference of 1%abs for monofacial illumination with 1 sun. From p‐type mc‐Si to p‐type Cz‐Si (≈30% wafer price offset, October 2014), this offset is approximately 2.5 mW/cm2 for a PERT cell. When utilizing bifacial operation, these required maximum output power densities can be transformed into required minimum rear‐side illumination intensities for arbitrary front‐side efficiencies ηfront by means of the performed numerical simulations. For a BOSCO cell with ηfront = 18%, minimum rear‐side illumination intensities of ≤ 0.02 suns are required to match a 19% PERC cell in terms of nominal LCOE. For an n‐type Cz‐Si PERT cell with ηfront = 21%, corresponding values are ≤ 0.11 suns with 0.05 suns being the n‐type to p‐type material price offset. This work strongly motivates the use of bifacial concepts to generate lowest LCOE. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The proteome profile of embryogenic cell suspensions of Coffea arabica L.
Authors: Campos Nádia A. , Paiva Luciano V. , Panis Bart , Carpentier Sebastien C.
Published: January 2016

Somatic embryogenesis, is a process by which new viable embryos are produced from somatic tissues. Somatic embryogenesis is not only a useful biotechnological tool for the massive clonal propagation and genetic engineering but it also allows to obtain fundamental knowledge about the molecular changes that take place during embryogenesis. We present the proteome profile of two embryogenic cell suspensions. We identified 1052 non‐redundant proteins. We present their known GO annotations and show two protein networks sharing the GO annotations related to stress and embryogenic capacity via the free program Cytoscape. To our knowledge these results give the first high‐throughput proteome description of embryogenic cell suspensions and provide new information about somatic embryos for the whole plant community. The published proteome is a first step toward understanding somatic embryogenesis in coffee and toward a better annotation of proteins in an important non‐model crop. All data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD002963.
Cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers with alkyl or ionic side groups in ionic liquids
Authors: Yoshimitsu Hayato , Kanazawa Arihiro , Kanaoka Shokyoku , Aoshima Sadahito
Published: January 2016

Controlled cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether was demonstrated to proceed in an ionic liquid (IL), 1‐butyl‐3‐octylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, using a 1‐(isobutoxy)ethyl acetate/TiCl4 initiating system, ethyl acetate as an added base, and 2,6‐di‐tert‐butylpyridine as a proton trap reagent. Judicious choices of metal halide catalysts, counteranions of ILs, and additives were essential for controlling the polymerization. The polymerization proceeded much faster in the IL than in CH2Cl2, indicating an increased population of ionic active species in the IL due to the high polarity. Polymers with a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution were obtained in the IL with a bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (
) anion even in the absence of an added base, which suggested possible interactions of the counteranion of the IL with the growing carbocations. Moreover, the direct cationic polymerization of a vinyl ether with pendant imidazolium salts, 1‐(2‐vinyloxyethyl)‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, proceeded in a homogeneous state in 1‐methyl‐3‐octylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide. The solubilities of the obtained polymers were readily tuned by counteranion exchange. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 1774–1784
Addressing potential prior‐data conflict when using informative priors in proof‐of‐concept studies
Authors: Mutsvari Timothy , Tytgat Dominique , Walley Rosalind
Published: January 2016

Bayesian methods are increasingly used in proof‐of‐concept studies. An important benefit of these methods is the potential to use informative priors, thereby reducing sample size. This is particularly relevant for treatment arms where there is a substantial amount of historical information such as placebo and active comparators. One issue with using an informative prior is the possibility of a mismatch between the informative prior and the observed data, referred to as prior‐data conflict. We focus on two methods for dealing with this: a testing approach and a mixture prior approach. The testing approach assesses prior‐data conflict by comparing the observed data to the prior predictive distribution and resorting to a non‐informative prior if prior‐data conflict is declared. The mixture prior approach uses a prior with a precise and diffuse component. We assess these approaches for the normal case via simulation and show they have some attractive features as compared with the standard one‐component informative prior. For example, when the discrepancy between the prior and the data is sufficiently marked, and intuitively, one feels less certain about the results, both the testing and mixture approaches typically yield wider posterior‐credible intervals than when there is no discrepancy. In contrast, when there is no discrepancy, the results of these approaches are typically similar to the standard approach. Whilst for any specific study, the operating characteristics of any selected approach should be assessed and agreed at the design stage; we believe these two approaches are each worthy of consideration. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gravity currents propagating into ambients with arbitrary shear and density stratification: vorticity‐based modelling
Authors: Nasr‐Azadani M. M. , Meiburg E.
Published: January 2016

We develop a vorticity‐based approach for modelling quasi‐steady, supercritical gravity currents propagating into a finite‐height channel with arbitrary density and velocity stratification. The model enforces the conservation of mass, horizontal and vertical momentum. In contrast to previous approaches, it does not rely on empirical, energy‐based closure assumptions. Instead, the effective energy loss of the flow can be calculated a posteriori. The present model results in the formulation of a second‐order, nonlinear ordinary differential equation (ODE) that can be solved in a straightforward fashion to determine the gravity‐current velocity, along with the downstream ambient velocity and density profiles. Comparisons between model predictions and direct numerical simulations (DNS) show excellent agreement. Furthermore, they indicate that, for high Reynolds numbers, the gravity‐current height adjusts itself so as to maximize the loss of energy.
Nitrofurantoin‐induced acute pulmonary toxicity
Authors: Livanios Konstantinos , Karampi Eirini‐Sofia , Sotiriou Adamantia , Tavernaraki Kyriaki , Styliara Panagiota , Kainis Elias
Published: January 2016

We report a case of a female admitted to the emergency department with fever and severe type I acute respiratory failure. After detailed examination, all other potential causes were excluded and the patient was diagnosed with nitrofurantoin‐induced acute pulmonary toxicity.
Evaluating predictors of competing risk outcomes when censoring depends on time‐dependent covariates, with application to safety and efficacy of HIV treatment
Authors: Lok Judith J. , Hughes Michael D.
Published: January 2016

We propose a prediction model for the cumulative incidence functions of competing risks, based on a logit link. Because of a concern about censoring potentially depending on time‐varying covariates in our motivating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) application, we describe an approach for estimating the parameters in the prediction models using inverse probability of censoring weighting under a missingness at random assumption. We then illustrate the application of this methodology to identify predictors of the competing outcomes of virologic failure, an efficacy outcome, and treatment limiting adverse event, a safety outcome, among human immunodeficiency virus‐infected patients first starting antiretroviral treatment. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is that an opportunity? An attention model of top managers' opportunity beliefs for strategic action
Authors: Shepherd Dean A. , Mcmullen Jeffery S. , Ocasio William
Published: January 2016

Research summary: Exploiting opportunities is critical to a firm's competitive advantage. Not surprisingly, there has been considerable interest in the processes by which top managers allocate attention to potential opportunities. Although such investigations have largely focused on top‐down processes for allocating attention to the environment, some studies have explored bottom‐up processes. In this article, we consider both top‐down and bottom‐up processing to develop a model by which top managers form opportunity beliefs for strategic action depending on the allocation of transient and sustained attention. Specifically, this attentional model provides insights into how a top manager's attention is allocated to identify potential opportunities from environmental change and explores how different modes of attentional engagement impact the likelihood of forming beliefs about radical and incremental opportunities requiring strategic action.

Managerial summary: Managers are interested in noticing and exploiting opportunities because the exploitation of an opportunity represents an important strategic action. Noticing and exploiting opportunities depends on how and where top managers allocate their attention. Managers can focus attention based on their knowledge and experience or as a result of something in the environment capturing their attention. In this paper, we consider both knowledge‐driven and environment‐driven processes for allocating attention to form opportunity beliefs. This opportunity belief arises from a two stage process. The first stage explains how a top manager identifies environmental changes as potential opportunities. The second stage explains how the top manager forms a belief that these identified environmental changes represent a radical or incremental opportunity worthy of exploitation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maturation and electrophysiological properties of human pluripotent stem cell-derived oligodendrocytes
Authors: Livesey Matthew R. , Magnani Dario , Cleary Elaine M. , Vasistha Navneet A. , James Owain T. , Selvaraj Bhuvaneish T. , Burr Karen , Story David , Shaw Christopher E. , Kind Peter C. , Hardingham Giles E. , Wyllie David J.A. , Chandran Siddharthan
Published: January 2016

Rodent-based studies have shown that the membrane properties of oligodendrocytes play prominent roles in their physiology and shift markedly during their maturation from the oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) stage. However, the conservation of these properties and maturation processes in human oligodendrocytes remains unknown, despite their dysfunction being implicated in human neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here, we have defined the membrane properties of human oligodendrocytes derived from pluripotent stem cells as they mature from the OPC stage, and have identified strong conservation of maturation-specific physiological characteristics reported in rodent systems. We find that as human oligodendrocytes develop and express maturation markers, they exhibit a progressive decrease in voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels and a loss of tetrodotoxin-sensitive spiking activity. Concomitant with this is an increase in inwardly rectifying potassium channel activity, as well as a characteristic switch in AMPA receptor composition. All these steps mirror the developmental trajectory observed in rodent systems. Oligodendrocytes derived from mutant C9ORF72-carryng ALS patient induced pluripotent stem cells did not exhibit impairment to maturation and maintain viability with respect to control lines despite the presence of RNA foci, suggesting that maturation defects may not be a primary feature of this mutation. Thus, we have established that the development of human oligodendroglia membrane properties closely resemble those found in rodent cells and have generated a platform to enable the impact of human neurodegenerative disease-causing mutations on oligodendrocyte maturation to be studied.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Prophylactic Abdominal Drainage in Distal Pancreatectomy
Authors: Yamashita Suguru , Ishizawa Takeaki , Ichida Akihiko , Kaneko Junichi , Aoki Taku , Sakamoto Yoshihiro , Sugawara Yasuhiko , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Kokudo Norihiro
Published: January 2016

Background

A method to completely prevent postoperative pancreatic fistula (PF) in distal pancreatectomy (DP) is lacking. Hence, prophylactic abdominal drains could be used to prevent PF from developing into life‐threatening complications.

Methods

In 152 consecutive patients undergoing DP, three drains were placed routinely toward the pancreatic stump, supra‐pancreatic space, and left subphrenic space. Abdominal drains were removed after surgery gradually based on amylase levels and positivity for bacterial infection in abdominal fluids.

Results

Postoperative symptomatic PF occurred in 57 of 152 patients (37.5 %). Prevalence of severe postoperative complications (Clavien–Dindo grade ≥IIIa) was 16 %, with surgery‐associated mortality observed in one patient (0.7 %). Prevalence of infection in drained abdominal fluids increased gradually and was >10 % on postoperative day (POD)‐7. Severe postoperative complications led to longer postoperative hospital stays and higher treatment costs. Multivariate analyses revealed that a body mass index ≥25 kg/m2, serum albumin level ≤3.8 g/dL, and white blood cell count at POD‐3 ≥15,000/μL were independent predictors for development of severe postoperative complications.

Conclusion

Use of prophylactic abdominal drains in DP seems to be effective for preventing PF from developing into fatal complications. However, definitive criteria should be established for enhancing safety and cost efficiency of DP through selective use and early removal of prophylactic drains.
Medikamentöse Therapie der rheumatoiden Arthritis bei Malignomanamnese
Authors: Schmalzing M. , Strangfeld A. , Tony H.-P.
Published: January 2016

Hintergrund

Bei der Frage, ob eine immunsuppressive oder eine Biologikatherapie bei Malignomanamnese möglich und sicher ist, kann man sich nur auf eine begrenzte Datenlage berufen.

Methodik

Es erfolgte eine Recherche in PubMed, EULAR-Abstracts sowie ACR-Abstracts 2013 bis 2015.

Ergebnisse

Die französische sowie die kanadische Fachgesellschaft und das American College of Rheumatology unternehmen den Versuch, konkrete Empfehlungen zu dieser Problematik zu geben. Direkte Evidenz bezieht sich v. a. auf Daten aus 3 nationalen Registern, die den Schluss nahelegen, dass eine Therapie mit TNF-Inhibitoren oder Rituximab bei der üblichen vorsichtigen Vorauswahl der Patienten mit Malignomanamnese zumindest bei längerem Abstand zur Malignomtherapie möglich erscheint. Für sämtliche gängigen Medikamente der medikamentösen Therapie der rheumatoiden Arthritis scheint kein eindeutig erhöhtes De-novo-Malignomrisiko vorzuliegen bei teils widersprüchlichen Ergebnissen. Die aktuelle Datenlage zu den einzelnen Substanzen wird dargestellt.

Schlussfolgerung

Vor dem Hintergrund der aktuellen Literatur wird der Versuch eines Therapiealgorithmus zur medikamentösen Therapie der rheumatoiden Arthritis bei Malignomanamnese unternommen.
Evaluation of Manual and Automated Bloodstream Infection Surveillance in Outpatient Dialysis Centers
Authors: Thompson Nicola D. , Wise Matthew , Belflower Ruth , Kanago Meredith , Kainer Marion A. , Lovell Chris , Patel Priti R.
Published: January 2016

Outpatient hemodialysis bloodstream infection rates, now used for performance measurement and were significantly higher for manual compared with automated surveillance (P<.001), largely owing to the absence of blood culture data in the dialysis electronic health record. Improvement in data sharing between hospitals and outpatient dialysis centers is necessary.

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2016;37(4):472–474
Shear flow instabilities in shallow-water magnetohydrodynamics
Authors: Mak J. , Griffiths S. D. , Hughes D. W.
Published: January 2016

Within the framework of shallow-water magnetohydrodynamics, we investigate the linear instability of horizontal shear flows, influenced by an aligned magnetic field and stratification. Various classical instability results, such as Høiland’s growth-rate bound and Howard’s semi-circle theorem, are extended to this shallow-water system for quite general flow and field profiles. In the limit of long-wavelength disturbances, a generalisation of the asymptotic analysis of Drazin & Howard (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 14, 1962, pp. 257–283) is performed, establishing that flows can be distinguished as either shear layers or jets. These possess contrasting instabilities, which are shown to be analogous to those of certain piecewise-constant velocity profiles (the vortex sheet and the rectangular jet). In both cases it is found that the magnetic field and stratification (as measured by the Froude number) are generally each stabilising, but weak instabilities can be found at arbitrarily large Froude number. With this distinction between shear layers and jets in mind, the results are extended numerically to finite wavenumber for two particular flows: the hyperbolic-tangent shear layer and the Bickley jet. For the shear layer, the instability mechanism is interpreted in terms of counter-propagating Rossby waves, thereby allowing an explication of the stabilising effects of the magnetic field and stratification. For the jet, the competition between even and odd modes is discussed, together with the existence at large Froude number of multiple modes of instability.
Could the impaired intention of ethical investment be recovered?
Authors: Huang Chiung-Yao , Lin Yu-Cheng , Chen Chiung-Hui
Published: January 2016

The environmental pollution caused by Advanced Semiconductor Engineering in October 2013 in Taiwan highlighted the fact that foreign investors tend to support the classical economic ideas of arbitrage and shareholder wealth maximization, which is in conflict with the fact that institutional investors in the current global capital market lean towards the stakeholder theory in ethical investments. Will local investors’ decision-making also be influenced by differences in the perceived ethics of negative environmental corporate social responsibility (ECSR)? Compared to the remedial measures implemented by British Petroleum for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, another international corporation, decided to not respond to any news regarding the toxic wastewater incident. In contrast, Advanced Semiconductor Engineering only made clearer promises after extreme public pressure. This study investigated whether remedial measures for negative ECSR are an important factor influencing investors’ decisions. The purpose is to clarify the interactions among perceived moral intensity of negative ECSR, the implementation of remedial measures, and the intention of ethical investment. An experimental design was employed to test the hypotheses. The results indicated that perceived moral intensity has a significant negative impact on the intention of ethical investment. The implementation of remedial measures for negative ECSR affects investors’ intent to invest. Finally, positive ECSR remedial measures also serve as a key moderating variable in the relationship between perceived moral intensity and the intention of ethical investment. This study clarified whether the provision of remedial mechanisms can effectively recover or maintain investor investment intent when companies experience negative ECSR.
Association between AUTS2 haplotypes and alcohol dependence in a Japanese population
Authors: Narita Shin , Nagahori Kenta , Nishizawa Daisuke , Yoshihara Eiji , Kawai Atsuko , Ikeda Kazutaka , Iwahashi Kazuhiko
Published: January 2016

Objective

Recent genome-wide analysis has indicated that the autism susceptibility candidate 2 (AUTS2) gene is involved in the regulation of alcohol consumption. We hypothesised that AUTS2 might be associated with the development of alcohol dependence. Therefore, in this exploratory study, we compared the genotype and allele frequencies of the polymorphisms rs6943555 and rs9886351 in the AUTS2 gene between patients with alcohol dependence and healthy control subjects living in a Japanese provincial prefecture. We also examined whether or not the haplotypes consisting of these polymorphisms are related to alcohol dependence.

Methods

The subjects of this study consisted of 64 patients with alcohol dependence and 75 unrelated healthy people. The AUTS2 genotypes were determined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method.

Results

No significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of the polymorphisms AUTS2 rs6943555 and rs9886351 were found between alcohol dependence and control subjects. On the other hand, the frequencies of the AUTS2 haplotypes were significantly different between them, and the rs6943555 and rs9886351 A-A haplotype was associated with alcohol dependence (p=0.0187).

Conclusion

This suggests that the rs6943555 and rs9886351 A-A haplotype might affect the vulnerability to alcohol dependence pathogenesis. Further studies are needed to confirm the reproducibility of the results of this study with increased numbers of subjects.
A Scandinavian Cremation-Ceremony
Authors: Lorimer
Published: January 2016

Many years ago, when searching for accounts of cremations which might illustrate those described by Homer, I came across a paper by the late Dr Joseph Anderson, entitled ‘ Ceremonies at the Incremation of a Norse Chief ’, read to the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1872. A large part of it consists of a translation, apparently the only one in English, of the narrative of an Arab, Ahmad bin Fudhlan, who early in the 10th century visited a Scandinavian settlement on the Volga and there witnessed the cremation of the body of a chief. Though it attracted much attention at the time and is of great intrinsic interest, Anderson’s paper is now virtually unknown, and except for Orientalists the important Arab document is available only in Holmboe’s Danish version, from which Anderson made his translation, and in Fraehn’s German translation of 1823, As Anderson’s translation was not made from the Arabic, was slightly expurgated, and is not very accessible, it seems worth while to publish a new translation made from the original text by Miss Charis Waddy. This was originally intended to form an appendix to an article on cremation in the Aegaean area and in Homer which had appeared in the Journal of Hellenic Studies, but proved to be too long. I am grateful for the opportunity of publishing it, almost simultaneously, in Antiquity, for it supports the point which I sought to establish, viz. : that for all the glamour thrown over it by Homer, cremation of the dead is naturally associated with a somewhat barbaric culture, and in the case of the Greeks was mainly practised at an early date and by the more backward members of the race.
The Mountain of 'Uweinat
Authors: Shaw W. B. K.
Published: January 2016

‘Gently undulating gravel plain ’, ‘ limitless expanse of rolling sand ’, ‘ succession of low sandstone ridges ’—such phrases are common in any book of desert travel, for most of the desert is featureless almost to monotony were it not that its very monotony has a charm which, for those who have felt it, no other landscape can rival. In the desert anything unusual attracts, a patch of rare shade, a hollow with a few dried bushes, a conspicuous hill,—one is drawn to each, sometimes to find the remains of some earlier and less fortunate visitor. So a 6000-foot mountain set down in the heart of one of the worst, one of the most ‘ howling ’, deserts in the world merits and receives its share of attention.
Simonides, Aeschylus, and the Battle of Marathon
Authors: Myres J. L.
Published: January 2016

It is not often that lost works of two famous writers can be recovered simultaneously, and recognized without mention of the name of either on the monument they adorned. But in Hesperia, the Journal of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens (II.4, 1933, p. 480 ff.), Dr James H. Oliver has made out a good case for the identification of epigrams composed by Simonides and by Aeschylus to commemorate those Athenians who fell at Marathon.

As long ago as 1855 the Greek scholar A. R. Rhangabé published a fragmentary inscription found in a courtyard off Hadrian Street. There were four lines of verse, two at the top of the dressed front of the block, two engraved subsequently across the panel of pecked dressing, which had been smoothed away to receive them : the letters were however in the same style, though rather rougher, so the additional lines must have been cut very soon after the stone was erected. As the word ‘Persians’ occurred in the later inscription (and, as now seems possible, also in the earlier) the monument must have belonged to the period of the Persian Wars, and with this date the style of the letters agrees.
Aboriginal Rock-Carvings in Tasmania
Authors: Meston A. L.
Published: January 2016

When Tasmania was first settled in 1803, the English found a Primitive race with an early Palaeolithic civilization living there. Within forty years these aborigines were practically exterminated, and a race, the study of which would have thrown much interesting light upon prehistoric man, was allowed to pass away with barely a comment, and with a singular lack of observation by the settlers.

There has always been considerable doubt whether this race expressed themselves pictorially before the advent of Europeans. Ling Roth, indeed, in The Aborzgines of Tasmania, after citing most of the evidence that exists, goes so far as to say that the question of the existence of drawings before the coming of Europeans ‘is practically an open one, for the evidence is not satisfactory’. But in the last three or four years the discovery of rock-carvings in two distinct and widely separated districts has produced evidence that is conclusive.
Some Ancient Italian Country-Houses
Authors: Carrington R. C.
Published: January 2016

It is a matter for surprise that none but the vaguest idea can be gleaned from ancient writers of the appearance or plan of an ordinary farm-house in the ancient world. Cato, Varro, Columella, the Elder Pliny, and Palladius describe with varying degrees of detail the kind of site on which such a house might most suitably be built and the type of rooms required for those who inhabit it. They indicate the uses to which the various portions of the house were put (villa urbana, villa rustica, willa fructuaria) but none of them thought it necessary to describe methodically the lay-out of the house as a whole. Varro mentions incidentally a ‘cohors’ (cortile or farm-yard) and states that on a large farm it is more convenient to have two such areas, one for the kitchen and tool-sheds, the other for live-stock. Varro's remark is vague enough, but the notices of other writers are even vaguer. The younger Pliny sets out to give a detailed description of his Laurentine villa, but the attempts of modern scholars to reconstruct the plan of the villa from Pliny's description have produced the most varied results and shown the futility of the quest.