bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classification of Angular Limb Deformities Affecting the Canine Radius and Ulna Using the Center of Rotation of Angulation Method
Authors: Knapp Jessica L. , Tomlinson James L. , Fox Derek B.
Published: March 2016

Objective

To classify the type of angular deformity affecting the radius and ulna in canine limbs using the center of rotation of angulation methodology.

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Animals

Dogs (n=71) diagnosed with thoracic limb lameness attributable to antebrachial angular limb deformities.

Methods

Medical records from 2006–2013 were searched and cases with orthogonal radiographs or computed tomographic scans of the affected antebrachium were included. Classification of the deformity in the frontal plane and the presence of sagittal plane angulation, torsion, and adjacent joint radiographic disease were determined and compared.

Results

Chondrodystrophic (n=26; 44 limbs) and non‐chondrodystrophic (n=45; 62 limbs) dogs were included. Thirty‐five uniapical and 71 biapical or multiapical deformities in the frontal plane were identified. The incidence of biapical deformities was statistically higher in chondrodystrophic compared to non‐chondrodystrophic dogs (P=.02). When breeds were combined, biapical deformities were associated with a significantly higher incidence of adjacent radiographic joint disease (P=.049), more frequently affecting the elbow (P=.022). Overall, 82% of the 106 limbs had radiographic evidence of either elbow or carpal joint disease at the time of presentation.

Conclusion

Biapical deformities are common in dogs with limb deformities, particularly chondrodystrophic dogs. Radiographic evidence of disease in adjacent joints should be evaluated in patients presenting for antebrachial deformities.
Ex Vivo Mechanical Evaluation of a Sternal ZipFix®Implant for Prosthetic Laryngoplasty in Horses
Authors: Markwell Harry J. , Mueller P. O. Eric
Published: March 2016

Objective

To evaluate the properties of a ZipFix®(ZipFix) implant in equine laryngeal cartilages.

Study Design

Ex vivo biomechanical study.

Sample Population

Equine arytenoid (n=36) and cricoid cartilages (n=18).

Methods

Suture bites were placed in arytenoid or cricoid cartilages using a ZipFix®implant or a single strand of USP 5 braided polyester (TiCron™), and arytenoid and cricoid cartilages were separately subjected to single load to failure (25 N preload) or cyclic loading for 1,000 cycles, followed by single load to failure. Load, distraction, and stiffness were recorded.

Results

Four arytenoid‐ZipFix cartilages fractured on implant placement. Under single load, arytenoid‐ZipFix (n=9) failed at a greater mean load (359.01 ± 57.98 N) than arytenoid‐Ticron (159.11 ± 22.98 N; n=12;P<.001). Arytenoid‐ZipFix stiffness (31.32 ± 4.26 N/mm) was significantly greater than arytenoid‐Ticron (13.18 ± 2.60 N/mm;P<.001). Cricoid‐ZipFix stiffness (20.83 ± 3.37 N/mm) was significantly greater than cricoid‐Ticron (13.6 ± 3.82 N/mm; n=6;P=.006). Under cyclic load, arytenoid‐ZipFix distraction (2.53 ± 0.63 mm; n=5) was significantly less than arytenoid‐Ticron (5.06 ± 1.37 mm; n=6,P=.006). After cyclic load, arytenoid‐ZipFix failure load (295.16 ± 54.95 N) was significantly greater than arytenoid‐Ticron (127.69 ± 32.67 N;P=.002). Arytenoid‐ZipFix stiffness (35.59 ± 1.58 N/mm) was significantly greater than arytenoid‐Ticron (24.10 ± 6.85 N/mm;P=.019).

Conclusion

In arytenoid cartilages, the sternal ZipFix®implant was significantly stronger and stiffer compared to a single strand of Ticron. During placement of the ZipFix®implant, frequent arytenoid cartilage failure occurred before testing, suggesting the implant is not suitable for clinical application.
Accurate Predetermination of the Process Parameters for Glass/Glass Laser Bonding Based on the Temperature Distribution Analysis
Authors: Xiao Yanyi , Wang Wen , Zhang Jianhua
Published: March 2016

Temperature distribution is the key factor affecting the bonding quality in the glass/glass laser bonding process. In this work, the finite element method was used to establish three-dimensional (3D) numerical analysis model of the temperature field during bonding. Based on the result of the finite element analysis, the crucial parameters and their influences on the temperature distribution were discussed. In order to predetermine the necessary process parameter values for bonding, a nonlinear multiparameter fitting formula was established to predict the maximum temperature. The fitting model was validated experimentally by recording the maximum temperature during laser bonding via an infrared thermal imager.
Assessment of Joule Heating and Temperature Distribution on Printed Circuit Boards Via Electrothermal Simulations
Authors: Baris Dogruoz M.
Published: March 2016

A printed circuit board (PCB) comprises a solid piece of dielectric material with embedded layers of current carrying metal traces and vias. Geometric features of these metal traces and vias in modern PCBs are highly nonuniform and complicated such that the card level or system level numerical simulations by using the actual trace and via geometries are computationally expensive. The present study investigates the effects of Joule heating in current carrying traces on the temperature distribution of PCBs by conducting one-way and two-way direct current (DC) electric and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. DC electric field simulations are performed to determine the power map of trace layers which are modeled as planar heat generating sources by using the temperature-dependent electrical conductivity of the metal trace. The power distribution varies with the implemented size and power thresholds. Thermal conductivity map of the PCB is determined by using the electronic computer-aided design (ECAD) images of the individual layers. By using these planar source and thermal conductivity maps, CFD simulations are conducted to determine the resulting temperature distribution on the board. A methodology is developed and applied to a sample, complex PCB, and the generated results are compared with those of the previous studies and conventional models. The computational data show that the temperature distributions over the PCB and its mounted components experience large variations based on the implemented thermal conductivity mapping and the Joule heating modeling technique.
Analysis of a Novel Y-Y Micromixer for Mixing at a Wide Range of Reynolds Numbers
Authors: Viktorov Vladimir , Visconte Carmen , Readul Mahmud Md
Published: March 2016

A novel passive micromixer, denoted as the Y-Y mixer, based on split-and-recombine (SAR) principle is proposed and studied both experimentally and numerically over Reynolds numbers ranging from 1 to 100. Two species are supplied to a prototype via a Y inlet, and flow through four identical elements repeated in series; the width of the mixing channel varies from 0.4 to 0.6 mm, while depth is 0.4 mm. An image analysis technique was used to evaluate mixture homogeneity at four target areas along the mixer. Numerical simulations were found to be a useful support for observing the complex three-dimensional flow inside the channels. Comparison with a known mixer, the tear-drop one, based on the same SAR principle, was also performed, to have a point of reference for evaluating performances. A good agreement was found between numerical and experimental results. Over the examined range of Reynolds numbers Re, the Y-Y micromixer showed at its exit an almost flat mixing characteristic, with a mixing efficiency higher than 0.9; conversely, the tear-drop mixer showed a relevant decrease of efficiency at the midrange. The good performance of the Y-Y micromixer is due to the three-dimensional 90 deg change of direction that occurs in its channel geometry, which causes a fluid swirling already at the midrange of Reynolds numbers. Consequently, the fluid path is lengthened and the interfacial area of species is increased, compensating for the residence time reduction.
Characterization of Flow Structures in a Diesel Injector for Different Needle Lifts and a Fluctuating Injection Pressure
Authors: Pelletingeas Alexandre , Dufresne Louis , Seers Patrice
Published: March 2016

This paper aims at analyzing the needle lift's influence on the internal flow of single-hole diesel injector to identify flow structures. A numerical Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) model of a single-hole diesel injector was developed and validated to study the flow's dynamic for different needle's lifts and subjected to realistic injection pressure. The main findings are: (1) under steady injection pressure, flow coefficients reached a steady-state value and maximum injected fuel mass flow rate is reached at intermediate needle's lifts. (2) The sac volume is the area with several vortex structures due to the throttling between the needle body and the injector body. (3) The frequency of the fluctuating injection pressure can excite the initial jet entering the sac volume similarly to the Coanda effect. Finally, using a proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) allowed extracting coherent structures within the sac volume and putting in evidence a reorganization of the flow.
Performance of Balancing Wedge Action in Textured Hydrodynamic Pad Bearings
Authors: Yagi Kazuyuki , Sugimura Joichi
Published: March 2016

This study investigates a mechanism of textured features taking into account the balance of moment termed “balancing wedge action.” The principle of the suggested mechanism is that a change in moment applied to the lubricated area by incorporating textured features promotes the entire wedge action over the lubricated area. In the current study, multiple dimples are created on the stationary surface of an infinite pad bearing. A one-dimensional incompressible Reynolds equation is solved numerically to determine the load-carrying capacity of infinite pad bearings with a centrally located pivot. Numerical results show the importance of the balancing wedge action. When multiple dimples are created at the inlet side or outlet side of the lubricated area, positive load-carrying capacity is realized. When multiple dimples are located around the central area, no balance solution is obtained for the pad. The dimple depth, width, and distribution are varied to investigate the behavior of the load-carrying capacity realized by the action of the balancing wedge.
Tribological Behavior of Polytetrafluoroethylene: Effect of Sliding Motion
Authors: Shibo Wang , Niu Chengchao , Teng Bing
Published: March 2016

Wear characteristics were influenced by the parameters of wear-testing apparatus including configuration of contact surface and form of the relative motion. The tribological behavior of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) disk against AISI1045 steel pin under unidirectionally rotating, linearly reciprocating, and torsional motion was studied. The friction coefficients under unidirectional rotating, linearly reciprocating and torsional motion were 0.1, 0.118 and 0.12, respectively. The highest wear mass loss of PTFE was obtained under linearly reciprocating. The wear mass loss under torsional motion was lowest. The wear mechanism of PTFE under unidirectional rotating, linearly reciprocating, and torsional motion was slight plowing, serious abrasive wear, and adhesive wear, respectively. Through finite element analysis, a higher normal stress induced by the edge effect of steel pin promoted a higher shear stress in PTFE disk. The plastic ratcheting mechanism occurred on the contact edge when the steel pin entered and exited the contact zone, as led to higher wear mass loss under linearly reciprocating and unidirectional rotation. The plastic ratcheting mechanism did not occur under torsional motion. Different transfer films with various topographies were formed on the steel pins under the three motions.
Secondary ion and neutral mass spectrometry with swift heavy ions: Organic molecules
Authors: Breuer Lars , Meinerzhagen Florian , Herder Matthias , Bender Markus , Severin Daniel , Lerach Jordan O. , Wucher Andreas
Published: March 2016

The authors report on experiments regarding the electronic and nuclear sputtering of organic films. The newly built swift heavy ion induced particle emission and surface modifications setup [Meinerzhagen et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 87, 013903 (2016)] at the M1 Branch at the universal linear accelerator (UNILAC) beam line at GSI in Darmstadt, Germany, has been used for research on organic molecules in the electronic sputtering regime. This setup has the unique capability not only to investigate electronically sputtered ions by projectiles with kinetic energies up to several giga-electron-volt but also to detect their neutral counterparts as well by laser postionization. For this purpose, the experiment is equipped with a laser system delivering 157 nm pulses with photon energies of 7.9 eV to be utilized in single photon ionization. In addition to the investigation of sputtered ions and neutrals in the electronic sputtering regime, a comparison of typical fragments between fundamentally different sputtering mechanisms has been performed by using two different common time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) instruments. The use of the different instruments offers the possibility to investigate the influence of the differing sputter processes from the linear cascade regime over collisional spikes to the thermal spike regime under high energy ion bombardment. The experiments in the collision-dominated nuclear stopping regime have been performed using 20 keV Bi+ and Bi3+ as atomic and small cluster projectiles and using 20 keV C60+ representing a medium-sized cluster. In the electronic sputtering regime, 4.8 MeV/u 197Au26+ swift heavy ions created by the UNILAC have been used as projectiles. As targets thin films of coronene on silicon substrates, a polycyclic hydrocarbon and Irganox 1010, an antioxidant well known from different studies in the SIMS community, have been utilized.
Auditory masking of speech in reverberant multi-talker environments
Authors: Weller Tobias , Buchholz Jörg M. , Best Virginia
Published: March 2016

Auditory localization research needs to be performed in more realistic testing environments to better capture the real-world abilities of listeners and their hearing devices. However, there are significant challenges involved in controlling the audibility of relevant target signals in realistic environments. To understand the important aspects influencing target detection in more complex environments, a reverberant room with a multi-talker background was simulated and presented to the listener in a loudspeaker-based virtual sound environment. Masked thresholds of a short speech stimulus were measured adaptively for multiple target source locations in this scenario. It was found that both distance and azimuth of the target source have a strong influence on the masked threshold. Subsequently, a functional model was applied to analyze the factors influencing target detectability. The model is comprised of an auditory front-end that generates an internal representation of the stimuli in both ears, followed by a decision device combining d′ information across time, frequency and both ears. The model predictions of the masked thresholds were overall in very good agreement with the experimental results. An analysis of the model processes showed that head shadow effects, signal spectrum, and reverberation have a strong impact on target audibility in the given scenario.
Generation of half-space sound fields with application to personal sound systems
Authors: Poletti M. A. , Fazi F. M.
Published: March 2016

A method is presented for generating a sound field that is significantly attenuated over half of the reproduction region, which has application to the generation of two independent sound fields for two listeners. The half-space sound field is produced by attenuating the negative or positive modes in the cylindrical or spherical expansion of a plane wave or point source sound field. It is shown that this is equivalent to adding to the original sound field, in quadrature, a second field which is the Hilbert transform of the original field. The resulting analytic field has a small magnitude in one half of the plane. Methods are presented for controlling the attenuation in the unwanted half-space. Finally, a simulation is presented showing the generation of a wideband pulse that propagates across half of the area within a circular array of sources.
Robust spot-poled membrane hydrophones for measurement of large amplitude pressure waveforms generated by high intensity therapeutic ultrasonic transducers
Authors: Wilkens Volker , Sonntag Sven , Georg Olga
Published: March 2016

The output characterization of medical high intensity therapeutic ultrasonic devices poses several challenges for the hydrophones to be used for pressure measurements. For measurements at clinical levels in the focal region, extreme robustness, broad bandwidth, large dynamic range, and small receiving element size are all needed. Conventional spot-poled membrane hydrophones, in principle, meet some of these features and were used to detect large amplitude ultrasonic fields to investigate their applicability. Cavitation in water was the limiting effect causing damage to the electrodes and membrane. A new hydrophone design comprising a steel foil front protection layer has been developed, manufactured, characterized, tested, and optimized. The latest prototypes additionally incorporate a low absorption and acoustic impedance matched backing, and could be used for maximum peak rarefactional and peak compressional pressure measurements of 15 and 75 MPa, respectively, at 1.06 MHz driving frequency. Axial and lateral beam profiles were measured also for a higher driving frequency of 3.32 MHz to demonstrate the applicability for output beam characterization at the focal region at clinical levels. The experimental results were compared with results of numerical nonlinear sound field simulations and good agreement was found if detection bandwidth and spatial averaging were taken into account.
Seismic Evidence for Sharp Lithosphere-Asthenosphere Boundaries of Oceanic Plates
Authors: Kawakatsu Hitoshi , Kumar Prakash , Takei Yasuko , Shinohara Masanao , Kanazawa Toshihiko , Araki Eiichiro , Suyehiro Kiyoshi
Published: March 2016

Detection of the presence of melt at variable depth beneath two oceanic plates reveals the vertical extent of old oceanic plates.
It's a Bull's Market
Authors: Lewin Harris A.
Published: March 2016

Research on domesticated livestock heralds new advances in evolutionary biology, animal breeding, and animal models for human diseases.
Comment on “Single-trial spike trains in parietal cortex reveal discrete steps during decision-making”
Authors: Shadlen Michael N. , Kiani Roozbeh , Newsome William T. , Gold Joshua I. , Wolpert Daniel M. , Zylberberg Ariel , Ditterich Jochen , de Lafuente Victor , Yang Tianming , Roitman Jamie
Published: March 2016

Latimer
et al
. (Reports, 10 July 2015, p. 184) claim that during perceptual decision formation, parietal neurons undergo one-time, discrete steps in firing rate instead of gradual changes that represent the accumulation of evidence. However, that conclusion rests on unsubstantiated assumptions about the time window of evidence accumulation, and their stepping model cannot explain existing data as effectively as evidence-accumulation models.
A benchmark for materials simulation
Authors: Skylaris Chris-Kriton
Published: March 2016

Material properties can now be predicted reliably from first-principles calculations

[Also see Research Article by

Lejaeghere
et al.

]
The oncogene makes its escape
Authors: Wala Jeremiah , Beroukhim Rameen
Published: March 2016

Disruptions in 3D genomic architecture allow cancer genes to evade transcriptional silencing

[Also see Report by

Hnisz
et al.

]
Evaluation of a Quantitative Serological Assay for Diagnosing Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis
Authors: Fujiuchi Satoru , Fujita Yuka , Suzuki Hokuto , Doushita Kazushi , Kuroda Hikaru , Takahashi Masaaki , Yamazaki Yasuhiro , Tsuji Tadakatsu , Fujikane Toshiaki , Osanai Shinobu , Sasaki Takaaki , Ohsaki Yoshinobu
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of a quantitative
Aspergillus
IgG assay for diagnosing chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. We examined
Aspergillus
-specific IgG levels in patients who met the following criteria: (i) chronic (duration of >3 months) pulmonary or systemic symptoms, (ii) radiological evidence of a progressive (over months or years) pulmonary lesion with surrounding inflammation, and (iii) no major discernible immunocompromising factors. Anti-
Aspergillus
IgG serum levels were retrospectively analyzed according to defined classifications. Mean
Aspergillus
IgG levels were significantly higher in the proven group than those in the possible and control groups (
P
< 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the
Aspergillus
IgG cutoff value for diagnosing proven cases was 50 mg of antigen-specific antibodies/liter (area under the curve, 0.94; sensitivity, 0.98; specificity, 0.84). The sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing proven cases using this cutoff were 0.77 and 0.78, respectively. The positive rates of
Aspergillus
IgG in the proven and possible groups were 97.9% and 39.2%, respectively, whereas that of the control group was 6.6%. The quantitative
Aspergillus
IgG assay offers reliable sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and may be an alternative to the conventional precipitin test.
The Essential Human Cytomegalovirus Proteins pUL77 and pUL93 Are Structural Components Necessary for Viral Genome Encapsidation
Authors: Borst Eva Maria , Bauerfeind Rudolf , Binz Anne , Stephan Thomas Min , Neuber Sebastian , Wagner Karen , Steinbrück Lars , Sodeik Beate , Lenac Roviš Tihana , Jonjić Stipan , Messerle Martin
Published: March 2016

Several essential viral proteins are proposed to participate in genome encapsidation of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), among them pUL77 and pUL93, which remain largely uncharacterized. To gain insight into their properties, we generated an HCMV mutant expressing a pUL77-monomeric enhanced green fluorescent protein (mGFP) fusion protein and a pUL93-specific antibody. Immunoblotting demonstrated that both proteins are incorporated into capsids and virions. Conversely to data suggesting internal translation initiation sites within the UL93 open reading frame (ORF), we provide evidence that pUL93 synthesis commences at the first start codon. In infected cells, pUL77-mGFP was found in nuclear replication compartments and dot-like structures, colocalizing with capsid proteins. Immunogold labeling of nuclear capsids revealed that pUL77 is present on A, B, and C capsids. Pulldown of pUL77-mGFP revealed copurification of pUL93, indicating interaction between these proteins, which still occurred when capsid formation was prevented. Correct subnuclear distribution of pUL77-mGFP required pUL93 as well as the major capsid protein (and thus probably the presence of capsids), but not the tegument protein pp150 or the encapsidation protein pUL52, demonstrating that pUL77 nuclear targeting occurs independently of the formation of DNA-filled capsids. When pUL77 or pUL93 was missing, generation of unit-length genomes was not observed, and only empty B capsids were produced. Taken together, these results show that pUL77 and pUL93 are capsid constituents needed for HCMV genome encapsidation. Therefore, the task of pUL77 seems to differ from that of its alphaherpesvirus orthologue pUL25, which exerts its function subsequent to genome cleavage-packaging.

IMPORTANCE
The essential HCMV proteins pUL77 and pUL93 were suggested to be involved in viral genome cleavage-packaging but are poorly characterized both biochemically and functionally. By producing a monoclonal antibody against pUL93 and generating an HCMV mutant in which pUL77 is fused to a fluorescent protein, we show that pUL77 and pUL93 are capsid constituents, with pUL77 being similarly abundant on all capsid types. Each protein is required for genome encapsidation, as the absence of either pUL77 or pUL93 results in a genome packaging defect with the formation of empty capsids only. This distinguishes pUL77 from its alphaherpesvirus orthologue pUL25, which is enriched on DNA-filled capsids and exerts its function after the viral DNA is packaged. Our data for the first time describe an HCMV mutant with a fluorescent capsid and provide insight into the roles of pUL77 and pUL93, thus contributing to a better understanding of the HCMV encapsidation network.
Curved versusStraight Stem UncementedTotal Hip ArthroplastyOsteoarthritisMulticenter trial (CUSTOM): design of a prospective blinded randomised controlled multicentre trial
Authors: van Beers Loes W A H , van Oldenrijk Jakob , Scholtes Vanessa A B , Geerdink Carel H , Niers Bob B A M , Runne Wouter , Bhandari Mohit , Poolman Rudolf W
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Answering the demands of an increasingly young and active patient population, recent developments in total hip arthroplasty (THA) have shifted towards minimising tissue damage. The Collum Femoris Preserving (CFP) stem was developed to preserve the trochanteric region of the femur, which potentially preserves the insertion of the gluteus musculature. This might accelerate early postoperative rehabilitation and improve functional outcome. Currently the functional results of the CFP stem have not been compared with conventional straight stems in a randomised controlled trial (RCT). The primary purpose of this trial is to compare the functional result of CFP stem THA with conventional uncemented straight stem THA, measured by the Dutch Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) at 3-month follow-up.

Methods

A prospective blinded multicentre RCT will be performed. We aim to recruit 150 patients. The patients will be randomly allocated to a THA with a straight or a curved stem. All patients, research assistants, clinical assessors and investigators will be blinded for the type of prosthesis for 5 years. Clinical assessments and roentgenograms will be taken preoperative, at 6 weeks after surgery, at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years after surgery. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) will be obtained at the same follow-up moments. In addition, the PROMs will also be sent to the patients at 3 and 6 months after surgery. The HOOS at 3-month follow-up will be our primary outcome.

Ethics and dissemination

This trial will be performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. A local ethics committee has approved this trial. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participating patients. All serious adverse events will be reported to the ethics committee.

Results

Results will be submitted for publication to an orthopaedics related journal.

Trial registration number

NTR1560.
A group-enhanced sprint interval training program for amateur athletes
Authors: Martin Luc J. , Anderson Scott H. , Schmale Matthew S. , Hallworth Jillian R. , Hazell Tom J.
Published: March 2016

Sprint interval training (SIT) can elicit improvements in aerobic and anaerobic capacity. While variations in SIT protocols have been investigated, the influence of social processes cannot be overlooked. As research supports the use of groups to influence individual cognitions and behaviours, the current project assessed the effectiveness of a group-based intervention with participants conducting SIT. Specifically, 53 amateur athletes (age, 21.9 ± 2.9 years; 53% females) took part in a 4-week training program (3 sessions per week, 30-s “all-out” efforts with 4 min active recovery, repeated 4–6 times per session), and were assigned to “true group”, aggregate, or individual conditions. Results indicated no significant differences between groups for the physiological measures. With regards to training improvements from baseline for all participants— regardless of condition — significant main effects for time were identified for maximal oxygen uptake (2.5–2.8 mL·kg−1·min−1, p < 0.001, η2= 0.03), time-trial performance (14–32 s, p < 0.001, η2= 0.37), and anaerobic power (1.1–1.7 k·h−1, p < 0.001, η2= 0.66). With regards to the psychological measures, significant main effects between groups were found for motivation (p = 0.033, η2= 0.13), task self-efficacy (p = 0.018, η2= 0.15), and scheduling self-efficacy (p = 0.003, η2= 0.22). The true group experienced greater improvements in motivation than the individual condition, but the aggregate and individual conditions demonstrated greater increases in task and scheduling self-efficacy. Though the SIT paradigm employed induced training improvements similar to previous work, the group intervention was not able to further these improvements.
Local versus whole-body sweating adaptations following 14 days of traditional heat acclimation
Authors: Poirier Martin P. , Gagnon Daniel , Kenny Glen P.
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine if local changes in sweat rate following 14 days of heat acclimation reflect those that occur at the whole-body level. Both prior to and following a 14-day traditional heat acclimation protocol, 10 males exercised in the heat (35 °C, ∼20% relative humidity) at increasing rates of heat production equal to 300 (Ex1), 350 (Ex2), and 400 (Ex3) W·m−2. A 10-min recovery period followed Ex1, while a 20-min recovery period separated Ex2 and Ex3. The exercise protocol was performed in a direct calorimeter to measure whole-body sweat rate and, on a separate day, in a thermal chamber to measure local sweat rate (LSR), sweat gland activation (SGA), and sweat gland output (SGO) on the upper back, chest, and mid-anterior forearm. Post-acclimation, whole-body sweat rate was greater during each exercise bout (Ex1: 14.3 ± 0.9; Ex2: 17.3 ± 1.2; Ex3: 19.4 ± 1.3 g·min−1, all p ≤ 0.05) relative to pre-acclimation (Ex1: 13.1 ± 0.6; Ex2: 15.4 ± 0.8; Ex3: 16.5 ± 1.3 g·min−1). In contrast, only LSR on the forearm increased with acclimation, and this increase was only observed during Ex2 (Post: 1.32 ± 0.33 vs. Pre: 1.06 ± 0.22 mg·min−1·cm−2, p = 0.03) and Ex3 (Post: 1.47 ± 0.41 vs. Pre: 1.17 ± 0.23 mg·min−1·cm−2, p = 0.05). The greater forearm LSR post-acclimation was due to an increase in SGO, as no changes in SGA were observed. Overall, these data demonstrate marked regional variability in the effect of heat acclimation on LSR, such that not all local measurements of sweat rate reflect the improvements observed at the whole-body level.
Can potential for dark cutting be predicted by phenotype? Relationship between sex, carcass characteristics, and the incidence of dark cutting beef
Authors: Mahmood Shahid , Basarab John A. , Dixon Walter T. , Bruce Heather L.
Published: March 2016

Recent research indicated that reduced carcass muscling and weight are associated with beef dark cutting. Existing data from a single farm (44 heifers, 136 steers) from three normal beef quality grades (Canada AAA, AA, A) and the dark cutting grade (Canada B4) (n = 35, 106, 28, and 11, respectively) were used to identify relationships between sex, live animal, and carcass characteristics and the incidence of dark cutting. Categorical modelling showed a trend (P = 0.106) for heifer carcasses to have a greater probability [11.36 ± 4.78% standard error of the mean (SEM)] of dark cutting than carcasses from steers (4.4 ± 1.76% SEM). Mixed model analysis of variance indicated dark cutting heifers weighed less than cattle from normal grades at weaning (P = 0.0229) and slaughter (P = 0.0295). Logistic regression revealed that the probability of each carcass grade occurring was influenced by dry matter intake (DMI) (P = 0.0034), and the probability of dark cutting was lowest (P = 0.0286) in cattle with carcasses greater than 300 kg. Results suggested that cattle at risk of dark cutting may be identified by weight, average daily gain (ADG), and feed intake.
Larger pores via shorter pillars in flexible layer coordination networks
Authors: Vaidhyanathan Ramanathan , Martens Isaac , Lin Jian-Bin , Iremonger Simon S. , Shimizu George K.H.
Published: March 2016

Metal organic frameworks are porous coordination networks that offer tunable structures via modular synthetic routes. It is well established that zinc 3-amino-1,2,4-triazolate (ATz) forms structures with cationic layers. These layers can be pillared by anions to generate pores. We present three new Zn2(ATz)2(A) structures with A = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate (BDC) pillars, 2-amino-1,4-benzene-dicarboxylate (BDC-NH2) and 2-methyl-1,4-benzenedicarboxylate (BDC-Me) to give the CALF-24 series of metal organic frameworks. Initially, these compounds were prepared to assess their CO2 capture ability and these data are presented. More significantly, comparing these and published ZnATz relatives, primarily from the group of X.M. Chen, we propose that, for layered systems with some flexibility in their bonding, larger pores actually result by pillaring with shorter linkers. While this may seem counterintuitive, a rationale is offered as borne out by the library of existing data. This offers a general concept for making porous materials based on the rigidity of the building units.
Optical properties of Yb-doped LaB6 from first-principles calculation
Authors: Chao Luomeng , Bao Lihong , Wei Wei , Tegus O.
Published: March 2016

The optical properties of Yb-doped LaB6 have been investigated by first-principles calculations within the framework of density functional theory. The results show that the Yb [Formula: see text] states at near Fermi surface affect their optical properties and the Yb-doping leads to a reduction of the plasmon energy of LaB6, i.e. a redshift of the position of transmission peak in the visible-near infrared region. This study offers a theoretical prediction for the design and application of Yb-doped LaB6 as an optoelectronic material.
Capillary ultrastructure and mitochondrial volume density in skeletal muscle in relation to reduced exercise capacity of patients with intermittent claudication
Authors: Baum Oliver , Torchetti Eleonora , Malik Corinna , Hoier Birgitte , Walker Meegan , Walker Philip J. , Odriozola Adolfo , Graber Franziska , Tschanz Stefan A. , Bangsbo Jens , Hoppeler Hans , Askew Christopher D. , Hellsten Ylva
Published: March 2016

Intermittent claudication (IC) is the most commonly reported symptom of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Impaired limb blood flow is a major casual factor of lower exercise tolerance in PAD but cannot entirely explain it. We hypothesized that IC is associated with structural changes of the capillary-mitochondria interface that could contribute to the reduction of exercise tolerance in IC patients. Capillary and mitochondrial morphometry were performed after light and transmission electron microscopy using vastus lateralis muscle biopsies of 14 IC patients and 10 age-matched controls, and peak power output (PPO) was determined for all participants using an incremental single-leg knee-extension protocol. Capillary density was lower (411 ± 90 mm−2vs. 506 ± 95 mm−2; P ≤ 0.05) in the biopsies of the IC patients than in those of the controls. The basement membrane (BM) around capillaries was thicker (543 ± 82 nm vs. 423 ± 97 nm; P ≤ 0.01) and the volume density of mitochondria was lower (3.51 ± 0.56% vs. 4.60 ± 0.74%; P ≤ 0.01) in the IC patients than the controls. In the IC patients, a higher proportion of capillaries appeared with collapsed slit-like lumen and/or swollen endothelium. PPO was lower (18.5 ± 9.9 W vs. 33.5 ± 9.4 W; P ≤ 0.01) in the IC patients than the controls. We suggest that several structural alterations in skeletal muscle, either collectively or separately, contribute to the reduction of exercise tolerance in IC patients.
Predicting binaural responses from monaural responses in the gerbil medial superior olive
Authors: Plauška Andrius , Borst J. Gerard , van der Heijden Marcel
Published: March 2016

Accurate sound source localization of low-frequency sounds in the horizontal plane depends critically on the comparison of arrival times at both ears. A specialized brainstem circuit containing the principal neurons of the medial superior olive (MSO) is dedicated to this comparison. MSO neurons are innervated by segregated inputs from both ears. The coincident arrival of excitatory inputs from both ears is thought to trigger action potentials, with differences in internal delays creating a unique sensitivity to interaural time differences (ITDs) for each cell. How the inputs from both ears are integrated by the MSO neurons is still debated. Using juxtacellular recordings, we tested to what extent MSO neurons from anesthetized Mongolian gerbils function as simple cross-correlators of their bilateral inputs. From the measured subthreshold responses to monaural wideband stimuli we predicted the rate-ITD functions obtained from the same MSO neuron, which have a damped oscillatory shape. The rate of the oscillations and the position of the peaks and troughs were accurately predicted. The amplitude ratio between dominant and secondary peaks of the rate-ITD function, captured in the width of its envelope, was not always exactly reproduced. This minor imperfection pointed to the methodological limitation of using a linear representation of the monaural inputs, which disregards any temporal sharpening occurring in the cochlear nucleus. The successful prediction of the major aspects of rate-ITD curves supports a simple scheme in which the ITD sensitivity of MSO neurons is realized by the coincidence detection of excitatory monaural inputs.
Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome Presenting with Rectal Prolapse, Severe Mucorrhea and Eroded Polypoid Hyperplasia: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Gopal Deepak V , Young Christopher , Katon Ronald M
Published: March 2016

A case of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome in a 36-year-old woman presenting with severe, persistent mucorrhea and eroded polypoid hyperplasia as the predominant clinical features, who was ultimately noted to have symptoms of rectal prolapse, is presented. Endoscopically, she had multiple (50 to 60) small, whitish polypoid lesions in the rectum that were initially misinterpreted as being a carpeted villous adenoma, juvenile polyposis or atypical proctitis. The lesions were treated with argon plasma coagulation with resolution, but a solitary rectal ulcer developed. The patient then admitted to a history of massive rectal prolapse over the preceding six months and underwent surgical treatment. Severe mucorrhea as the presenting feature and the presence of multiple polypoid lesions consistent with a histological diagnosis of eroded polypoid hyperplasia make the present case unique.
ACE Inhibitor-Induced Angioedema of the Intestine: Case Report, Incidence, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Oudit Gavin , Girgrah Nigel , Allard Johane
Published: March 2016

A case report of fosinopril-induced angioedema of the intestine with a chronic course accompanied by multiple acute exacerbations is described. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor-induced angioedema of the intestine (AIAI) occurs in a minority of patients taking an ACE inhibitor. The clinical presentation encompasses acute abdominal symptoms, pronounced bowel edema and ascites with occasional facial and/or oropharyngeal swelling. AIAI is diagnosed based on the temporal relationship between the symptomatic presentation and drug use, absence of alternative diagnoses including other causes of angioedema, and the prompt resolution of symptoms upon discontinuation of the ACE inhibitor. Prompt radiological investigation (abdominal computerized tomography and/or ultrasound) is critical in making an early diagnosis and in preventing unnecessary surgical intervention. There is a female predominance of AIAI, which may reflect the interaction of estradiol with the various pathways involved in the pathophysiology of AIAI. Management of AIAI consists mainly of conservative measures and discontinuation of the ACE inhibitor. Angiotensin II receptor antagonists should not be considered as appropriate alternatives. Awareness and knowledge of AIAI are important because of the increasing use of ACE inhibitors, current delays in making the diagnosis, obvious management strategies once the diagnosis is made and the dysutility of alternative diagnoses, which may lead to considerable morbidity. AIAI must be considered in patients taking ACE inhibitors who develop gastrointestinal complaints irrespective of the duration of the therapy.
Autoimmune Hepatitis: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Criteria
Authors: Mcfarlane Ian G
Published: March 2016

In 1998, the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group - a panel of 40 hepatologists and hepatopathologists from 17 countries who have a particular interest in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) - undertook a review, in light of subsequent experience, of the descriptive criteria and diagnostic scoring system that it had proposed in 1993 for the diagnosis of AIH. This review (published in 1999) noted that the original descriptive criteria appeared to be quite robust and required only relatively minor modifications to bring them up to date with developments and experience in diagnostic modalities for liver disease in general. Analysis of published data on the application of the original criteria in nearly 1000 patients revealed that the diagnostic scoring system had an overall diagnostic accuracy of 89.8%, with a sensitivity of 98.0%. Specificity for excluding definite AIH in patients with chronic viral hepatitis and circulating autoantibodies or patients with overlapping cholestatic syndromes was 98% to 100%, but specificity for excluding probable AIH in these disorders ranged from only 60% to 80%. Modifications, including adjustments to the weightings against biochemical and histological cholestatic features, have been made to the scoring system to improve its specificity.
Multiple Focal Nodular Hyperplasia and Steatohepatitis: Atypical Imaging Characteristics
Authors: Myers Robert P , Downey Dónal , Chakrabarti Subrata , Marotta Paul J
Published: March 2016

Focal nodular hyperplasia is a rare, benign condition of the liver. A 28-year-old woman with malignant melanoma, mild liver enzyme abnormalities, steatohepatitis and newly documented hepatic lesions is described. Ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging suggested only areas of focal fatty sparing but could not eliminate the concern for metastases. A99mtechnetium-labelled sulphur colloid scan, however, revealed areas of increased uptake consistent with multiple focal nodular hyperplasia. This diagnosis was ultimately confirmed with a liver biopsy. The investigation of a patient with a malignancy and expanding hepatic lesions is challenging. This case illustrates the usefulness of the99mtechnetium-labelled sulphur colloid scan in the evaluation of patients with hepatic lesions.
A Question of Honor(aria)
Authors: Wallace John L
Published: March 2016

Honorarium: fee, especially for professional services normally rendered without payment (Oxford English Dictionary)One of the main activities of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG) is the organizing of professional education events, and the largest of these events is Canadian Digestive Diseases Week (CDDW). The CDDW is organized by members of the CAG for members of the CAG. The funds needed to run this meeting are generated from a number of sources - membership dues, sponsorship from pharmaceutical companies, sale of exhibit space, etc. These funds are used to pay for the convention facilities, for the audiovisual services, for the coffee breaks and lunches, and for the cost of bringing to our meetings the many experts who are on the program.
Development of an Assay for Antibodies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Easy, Cheap and Specific for Crohn′s Disease
Authors: Bernstein Charles N , Orr Ken , Blanchard James F , Sargent Michael , Workman Donna
Published: March 2016

OBJECTIVE: To develop a serological test to measure antibodies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

METHODS: An ELISA to the mannan of S cerevisiae that is commercially available was developed. Sera were tested from randomly chosen sera specimens kept frozen at the University of Manitoba Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical and Research Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Clinical diagnoses were kept blinded until the assay results were finalized. One hundred thirty‐six sera were tested, including 51 with Crohn′s disease, 32 with ulcerative colitis, one with indeterminate colitis and 16 other control subjects. Thirty‐six samples were duplicates from patients already studied but were either run on separate days or drawn on different days.

RESULTS: Using a cutoff of 15 binding units as a positive result, Crohn′s disease was found to have a sensitivity of 53% but a specificity of 100% compared with ulcerative colitis. Compared with all other diagnoses (including ulcerative colitis), Crohn′s disease had a sensitivity of 53% and a specificity of 96%. For patients with Crohn′s disease only, those who were anti‐S cerevisiae antibody (ASCA) positive (n=27) were significantly more likely to have proximal gastrointestinal disease and significantly less likely to have colonic or inflammatory type disease than those who were ASCA negative (n=24). The direct cost of this assay was $6.00 per positive test, and the total charge was set at $38.15.

CONCLUSIONS: A reasonably inexpensive, easy and reproducible assay to assess for antibodies to S cerevisiae has been developed. Using a cutoff for positivity of 15 binding units, this test had a specificity of 100% for ruling out Crohn′s disease and a lower (60%) sensitivity compared with ulcerative colitis. This test could identify a specific phenotype of patients with Crohn′s disease as being more likely to have small bowel Crohn′s disease and less likely to have colonic (isolated) or inflammatory disease, as opposed to fibrostenotic disease or penetrating disease. The test proved reliable when assaying samples drawn or assayed on different days.
Pyloric Balloon Dilatation for Delayed Gastric Emptying in Children
Authors: Israel DM , Mahdi G , Hassall E
Published: March 2016

Delayed gastric emptying may manifest with symptoms of epigastric pain, early satiety and delayed vomiting, and at times may be associated with failure to thrive. These symptoms and signs may improve following surgical pyloroplasty. To determine whether pyloric balloon dilation (PBD) is an effective therapy for children with these symptoms, hospital records of all children who underwent endoscopic PBD between October 1991 and March 1994 at British Columbia's Children's Hospital were reviewed. Excluded were children with chromosomal abnormalities, neurological disorders and erosive esophagitis. Through-the-scope balloons of diameter 15 or 18 mm were positioned in the pyloric channel and inflated with air to 2334 or 1815 mmHg respectively, for 2 min. Nineteen children with a mean age of 3.75 years (range eight months to 10 years) who presented with symptoms for more than three months (mean 11 months) were identified. Eleven children presented with failure to thrive, 14 with delayed vomiting and 10 with early satiety. Results of gastric emptying tests at 90 min ranged from 8% to 75% (mean 32%). The pylorus was difficult to intubate in 11 of 19 children, and in two the pylorus could not be passed before PBD. No complications were experienced with PBD. Thirteen children had complete resolution of symptoms, and five had transient improvement lasting four to eight weeks after PBD with subsequent complete resolution of symptoms following surgical pyloroplasty. One child continued to have mild symptoms after PBD but did not have further treatment. This study suggests that PBD is a safe and effective therapeutic option in children with symptoms and signs associated with delayed gastric emptying.