bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative assessment of device–clot interaction for stent retriever thrombectomy
Authors: van der Marel Kajo , Chueh Ju-Yu , Brooks Olivia W , King Robert M , Marosfoi Miklos G , Langan Erin T , Carniato Sarena L , Gounis Matthew J , Nogueira Raul G , Puri Ajit S
Published: November 2016

Purpose

Rapid revascularization in emergent large vessel occlusion with endovascular embolectomy has proven clinical benefit. We sought to measure device–clot interaction as a potential mechanism for efficient embolectomy.

Methods

Two different radiopaque clot models were injected to create a middle cerebral artery occlusion in a patient-specific vascular phantom. A radiopaque stent retriever was deployed within the clot by unsheathing the device or a combination of unsheathing followed by pushing the device (n=8/group). High-resolution cone beam CT was performed immediately after device deployment and repeated after 5 min. An image processing pipeline was created to quantitatively evaluate the volume of clot that integrates with the stent, termed the clot integration factor (CIF).

Results

The CIF was significantly different for the two deployment variations when the device engaged the hard clot (p=0.041), but not the soft clot (p=0.764). In the hard clot, CIF increased significantly between post-deployment and final imaging datasets when using the pushing technique (p=0.019), but not when using the unsheathing technique (p=0.067). When we investigated the effect of time on CIF in the different clot models disregarding the technique, the CIF was significantly increased in the final dataset relative to the post-deployment dataset in both clot models (p=0.004–0.007).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates in an in vitro system the benefit of pushing the Trevo stent during device delivery in hard clot to enhance integration. Regardless of delivery technique, clot–device integration increased in both clot models by waiting 5 min.
Republished: Aneurysmal wall imaging in a case of cortical superficial siderosis and multiple unruptured aneurysms
Authors: Yalo Bertrand , Pop Raoul , Zinchenko Ielyzaveta , Diaconu Mihaela , Chibbaro Salvatore , Manisor Monica , Wolff Valerie , Beaujeux Remy
Published: November 2016

We report a case of interhemispheric and bifrontal cortical superficial siderosis in association with two intracranial aneurysms. The patient had no clinical history suggestive of aneurysm rupture, no feature of amyloid angiopathy or other apparent etiology for cortical siderosis. We performed high resolution brain MRI with dark blood T1 sequences before and after IV contrast injection. An anterior communicating aneurysm showed partial wall enhancement on the posterior wall whereas a left posterior communicating aneurysm did not. In the light of recent reports of the association of wall enhancement with unstable aneurysms, we considered wall enhancement to be a marker of inflammation and remodeling of the aneurysm wall, resulting in chronic hemorrhagic suffusion in the subarachnoid spaces. To our knowledge, this is the first report offering proof for a possible link between apparently unruptured aneurysms and cortical siderosis.
Perspective and future of evidence-based medicine
Authors: You Suning
Published: November 2016

Background

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) has evolved over a century. EBM is now the guiding principle of medical practice. High-level EBM usually derives from a well-designed, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial of parallel groups and sufficient number of patients enrolled. However, in recent times, concerns of EBM misguiding clinical practice have been on the rise. This paper aims at exploring the root cause of why EBM is perhaps losing its touch as the measuring standard of clinical practice.

Method

History of EBM and criteria of determining a well-designed and conducted trial were reviewed. The impact of pharmaceutical industry on EBM has been elucidated. The percentage of clinical trials that were sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry was calculated. Some of the wrong motives of conducting clinical research were identified.

Result

To some extent, EBM may have contributed to overdiagnose or overuse of medicine. Nearly 46% of clinical trials were financed by pharmaceutical companies. About 90% of manuscripts printed might not need to be published. Many trials contained at least one outcome that did not match its initial specification as registered.

Conclusions

While EBM continues to be the guiding principle, clinicians should be aware of potential tainted results. In the future, big data is likely going to offer us a new aspect of EBM and arm us with more comprehensive data when we make our clinical decisions.
Field measurements of water storage capacity in a loess–gravel capillary barrier cover using rainfall simulation tests
Authors: Zhan Liang-tong , Li Guang-yao , Jiao Wei-guo , Wu Tao , Lan Ji-wu , Chen Yun-min
Published: November 2016

A 30 m long × 20 m wide capillary barrier cover (CBC) test site was constructed at the Jiangcungou landfill in Xi’an, China. The cover consisted of a compacted loess layer with a thickness of 0.9 m underlain by a gravel layer. After the cover surface was kept bare and exposed to natural climate conditions for nearly 5 months, one artificial rainfall event was implemented at the site. Vegetation was established at the test site after the first rainfall event. Four months later, a second artificial rainfall event was applied to the surface of the vegetated site. The pore-water pressures (PWPs) and volumetric water contents (VWCs) of the cover were monitored using jet-filled tensiometers and time-domain reflectometry moisture probes, respectively. Surface runoff and percolation were measured using field collection devices. The field measurements demonstrated a more rapid response of PWPs to the rainfall compared to the response of the VWCs. Percolation was observed when the PWPs near the interface reached the water-entry value of the gravel at local points. At that moment, the measured VWC near the interface was less than the VWC according to the water-entry value. The observation indicated that preferential flows took place in the compacted loess during the rainfall. As a result, the maximum water storage capacity was not reached at the onset of percolation. When percolation ceased, the average PWP near the interface decreased below the water-entry value, while the VWC near the interface was higher than that at the onset of percolation. Water storage at the completion of percolation was approximately 5% greater than that at the onset of percolation. Compared with the monolithic loess cover, the loess–gravel CBC increased the available water storage capacity by 41% at the completion of percolation. Vegetation had an insignificant influence on water storage capacity.
The death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) moves to a native tree in Victoria, British Columbia
Authors: Berch Shannon M. , Kroeger Paul , Finston Terrie
Published: November 2016

Amanita phalloides (Vaill. ex Fr.) Link, the death cap mushroom, is an invasive ectomycorrhizal fungus in North America that was inadvertently introduced from Europe. Death cap mushrooms are highly toxic and have caused three recorded poisonings in British Columbia (BC), including one recent death. In BC, these mushrooms fruit mostly in urban environments in the greater Vancouver and Victoria areas under planted exotic broadleaf trees. In California, A. phalloides was demonstrated to also form ectomycorrhizas with a native oak species. Here we report that A. phalloides forms ectomycorrhizas with Quercus garryana, which is BC’s only native species of oak, and can fruit in association with this tree host. If death cap mushrooms spread in Q. garryana habitat, the risk for serious mushroom poisoning will increase, and mushroom harvesters, the medical community, and park managers will need to be made aware of this increased risk.
Integrating fecundity variation and genetic relatedness in estimating the gene diversity of seed crops:Pinus koraiensisseed orchard as an example
Authors: Park Ji-Min , Kwon Soon-Ho , Lee He-Jin , Na Sung-Joon , El-Kassaby Yousry A. , Kang Kyu-Suk
Published: November 2016

The genetic gain and gene diversity of seed crops from a 1.5-generation clonal seed orchard of Pinus koraiensis Siebold & Zucc. were estimated under consideration of parental genetic values and fecundity variation. Fecundity variation among clones was estimated for 5 consecutive years (2010–2014) as the sibling coefficient, which was drawn from clonal contribution to the total production of seed conelet. To monitor gene diversity, status number was estimated by the integration of fecundity variation and group coancestry. Group coancestry was calculated as the average of genetic relatedness (coancestry) among orchard clones. The averages of conelet production were high in 2010 and 2011, moderate in 2013 and 2014, and poor in 2012 with a grand mean of 13.7. Correlation analysis showed that good conelet producers consistently gave good production. Cumulative distribution of clonal conelet production was presented as a function of the total conelet yield, and this distribution indicated deviation from the expected clonal equal production. Group coancesrtry was 0.0096, indicating minimal loss of gene diversity. Status number and genetic gain were higher in good than in poor conelet production years, highlighting the importance of fecundity variation in determining the genetic gain and gene diversity of seed orchard crops.
State Complexity of Catenation Combined with a Boolean Operation: A Unified Approach
Authors: Caron Pascal , Luque Jean-Gabriel , Mignot Ludovic , Patrou Bruno
Published: November 2016

We study the state complexity of catenation combined with symmetric difference. First, an upper bound is computed using some combinatoric tools. Then, this bound is shown to be tight by giving a witness for it. Moreover, we relate this work with the study of state complexity for two other combinations: catenation with union and catenation with intersection. We extract a unified approach which allows to obtain the state complexity of any combination involving catenation and a binary boolean operation.
Small flow-time representation of fermion bilinear operators
Authors: Hieda Kenji , Suzuki Hiroshi
Published: November 2016

Fermion bilinear operators of mass dimension 3, such as the axial-vector and vector currents, the pseudo-scalar and scalar densities, whose normalizations are fixed by Ward–Takahashi (WT) relations, are related to small flow-time behavior of composite operators of fermion fields evolved by Lüscher’s flow equation. The representations can be useful in lattice numerical simulations, as recently demonstrated by the WHOT QCD collaboration for the chiral condensation of the [Formula: see text] quantum chromodynamics (QCD) at finite temperature.
A test of local Lorentz invariance with Compton scattering asymmetry
Authors: Mohanmurthy Prajwal , Narayan Amrendra , Dutta Dipangkar
Published: November 2016

We report on a measurement of the constancy and anisotropy of the speed of light relative to the electrons in photon–electron scattering. We used the Compton scattering asymmetry measured by the new Compton polarimeter in Hall C at Jefferson Lab (JLab) to test for deviations from unity of the vacuum refractive index (n). For photon energies in the range of 9–46 MeV, we obtain a new limit of 1 − n < 1.4 × 10[Formula: see text]. In addition, the absence of sidereal variation over the six-month period of the measurement constrains any anisotropies in the speed of light. These constitute the first study of Lorentz invariance (LI) using Compton asymmetry. Within the minimal Standard Model extension (MSME) framework, our result yield limits on the photon and electron coefficients [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Although these limits are several orders of magnitude larger than the current best limits, they demonstrate the feasibility of using Compton asymmetry for tests of LI. Future parity-violating electron-scattering experiments at JLab will use higher energy electrons enabling better constraints.
The long journey to the Higgs boson and beyond at the LHC: Emphasis on CMS
Authors: Virdee Tejinder Singh
Published: November 2016

Since 2010 there has been a rich harvest of results on standard model physics by the ATLAS and CMS experiments operating on the Large Hadron Collider. In the summer of 2012, a spectacular discovery was made by these experiments of a new, heavy particle. All the subsequently analysed data point strongly to the properties of this particle as those expected for the Higgs boson associated with the Brout–Englert–Higgs mechanism postulated to explain the spontaneous symmetry breaking in the electroweak sector, thereby explaining how elementary particles acquire mass. This article focuses on the CMS experiment, the technological challenges encountered in its construction, describing some of the physics results obtained so far, including the discovery of the Higgs boson, and searches for the widely anticipated new physics beyond the standard model, and peer into the future involving the high-luminosity phase of the LHC. This article is complementary to the one by Peter Jenni4 that focuses on the ATLAS experiment.
Stochastic resonance in tristable system induced by dichotomous noise
Authors: Shi Peiming , Su Xiao , Han Dongying
Published: November 2016

Stochastic resonance (SR) of a tristable system driven by dichotomous noise (DN) is investigated firstly by the mean signal-to-noise ratio gain (SNR-GM). Utilizing an efficiently numerical algorithm, we acquire the asymmetric DN accurately. Then the system responses and the SNR-GM as the signatures of the stochastic resonance are calculated by the fourth-order Runge–Kutta algorithm. It is founded that the change of system parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in a certain range can induce SR phenomenon. Moreover, with the increase of parameter [Formula: see text], the amplitude of SNR-GM increases and shows the trend of moving to the left. For the different state values of the symmetric DN, the SNR-GM will increase with the increase of state value [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] but only a highest peak and the interval of SR shift to the left. However, with the increase of forcing frequency, the SNR-GM decreases and the interval of SR moves to right. In addition to, the highest peak of SNR-GM will decrease with the increase of periodic signal amplitude. These results provide a reliable basis for how to realize the parameter selection of stochastic resonance in tristable system driven by DN.
Two-qubit separability probabilities as joint functions of the Bloch radii of the qubit subsystems
Authors: Slater Paul B.
Published: November 2016

We detect a certain pattern of behavior of separability probabilities [Formula: see text] for two-qubit systems endowed with Hilbert–Schmidt (HS), and more generally, random induced measures, where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are the Bloch radii ([Formula: see text]) of the qubit reduced states ([Formula: see text]). We observe a relative repulsion of radii effect, that is [Formula: see text], except for rather narrow “crossover” intervals [Formula: see text]. Among the seven specific cases we study are, firstly, the “toy” seven-dimensional [Formula: see text]-states model and, then, the fifteen-dimensional two-qubit states obtained by tracing over the pure states in [Formula: see text]-dimensions, for [Formula: see text], with [Formula: see text] corresponding to HS (flat/Euclidean) measure. We also examine the real (two-rebit) [Formula: see text], the [Formula: see text]-states [Formula: see text], and Bures (minimal monotone)–for which no nontrivial crossover behavior is observed–instances. In the two [Formula: see text]-states cases, we derive analytical results; for [Formula: see text], we propose formulas that well-fit our numerical results; and for the other scenarios, rely presently upon large numerical analyses. The separability probability crossover regions found expand in length (lower [Formula: see text]) as [Formula: see text] increases. This report continues our efforts [P. B. Slater, arXiv:1506.08739] to extend the recent work of [S. Milz and W. T. Strunz, J. Phys. A 48 (2015) 035306.] from a univariate ([Formula: see text]) framework — in which they found separability probabilities to hold constant with [Formula: see text] — to a bivariate ([Formula: see text]) one. We also analyze the two-qutrit and qubit–qutrit counterparts reported in Quantum Inform. Process. 15 (2016) 3745 in this context, and study two-qubit separability probabilities of the form [Formula: see text]. A physics.stack.exchange link to a contribution by Mark Fischler addressing, in considerable detail, the construction of suitable bivariate distributions is indicated at the end of the paper.
Subphthalocyanine derivatives as donor for solution-processed small molecule organic solar cells
Authors: Sarı Fatma Aslıhan , Yuzer Abdulcelil , Cambarau Werther , Ince Mine
Published: November 2016

A series of symmetrically substituted subphthalocyanine derivatives with diverse substituent such as electron-donating or electron-withdrawing moieties at the peripheral position have been synthesized and their photophysical and electrochemical properties have been investigated. Solution-processed bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells using SubPc derivatives as electron donor and fullerene derivative PCBM as an electron acceptor in the active layer were fabricated and characterized to evaluate the photovoltaic behavior of these molecules.
A Compressed Representation for Ray Tracing Parametric Surfaces
Authors: Selgrad Kai , Lier Alexander , Martinek Magdalena , Buchenau Christoph , Guthe Michael , Kranz Franziska , Schäfer Henry , Stamminger Marc
Published: November 2016

Parametric surfaces are an essential modeling tool in computer aided design and movie production. Even though their use is well established in industry, generating ray-traced images adds significant cost in time and memory consumption. Ray tracing such surfaces is usually accomplished by subdividing the surfaces on the fly, or by conversion to a polygonal representation. However, on-the-fly subdivision is computationally very expensive, whereas polygonal meshes require large amounts of memory. This is a particular problem for parametric surfaces with displacement, where very fine tessellation is required to faithfully represent the shape. Hence, memory restrictions are the major challenge in production rendering. In this article, we present a novel solution to this problem. We propose a compression scheme for a priori Bounding Volume Hierarchies (BVHs) on parametric patches, that reduces the data required for the hierarchy by a factor of up to 48. We further propose an approximate evaluation method that does not require leaf geometry, yielding an overall reduction of memory consumption by a factor of 60 over regular BVHs on indexed face sets and by a factor of 16 over established state-of-the-art compression schemes. Alternatively, our compression can simply be applied to a standard BVH while keeping the leaf geometry, resulting in a compression rate of up to 2:1 over current methods. Although decompression generates additional costs during traversal, we can manage very complex scenes even on the memory restrictive GPU at competitive render times.
Algorithms for Hub Label Optimization
Authors: Babenko Maxim , Goldberg Andrew V. , Gupta Anupam , Nagarajan Viswanath
Published: November 2016

We consider the hub label optimization problem, which arises in designing fast preprocessing-based shortest-path algorithms. We give
O
(log
n
)-approximation algorithms for the objectives of minimizing the maximum label size (ℓ
∞
-norm) and simultaneously minimizing a constant number of ℓ

p

-norms. Prior to this, an
O
(log
n
)-approximation algorithm was known [Cohen et al. 2003] only for minimizing the total label size (ℓ
1
-norm).
Exploiting Viral Marketing for Location Promotion in Location-Based Social Networks
Authors: Zhu Wen-Yuan , Peng Wen-Chih , Chen Ling-Jyh , Zheng Kai , Zhou Xiaofang
Published: November 2016

With the explosion of smartphones and social network services, location-based social networks (LBSNs) are increasingly seen as tools for businesses (e.g., restaurants and hotels) to promote their products and services. In this article, we investigate the key techniques that can help businesses promote their locations by advertising wisely through the underlying LBSNs. In order to maximize the benefit of location promotion, we formalize it as an influence maximization problem in an LBSN, i.e., given a target location and an LBSN, a set of
k
users (called seeds) should be advertised initially such that they can successfully propagate and attract many other users to visit the target location. Existing studies have proposed different ways to calculate the information propagation probability, that is, how likely it is that a user may influence another, in the setting of a static social network. However, it is more challenging to derive the propagation probability in an LBSN since it is heavily affected by the target location and the user mobility, both of which are dynamic and query dependent. This article proposes two user mobility models, namely the Gaussian-based and distance-based mobility models, to capture the check-in behavior of individual LBSN users, based on which location-aware propagation probabilities can be derived. Extensive experiments based on two real LBSN datasets have demonstrated the superior effectiveness of our proposals compared with existing static models of propagation probabilities to truly reflect the information propagation in LBSNs.
Gamification Is Simply Bells and Whistles
Authors: Boulet Guy
Published: November 2016

Gamification has become the latest buzzword in the learning community. It is the addition of game mechanics elements to learning content in order to motivate learners. But, most claims about the efficiency of gamification of learning are theoretical. Various studies have demonstrated gamification relies on extrinsic motivators, which may work in the short term but have negative impacts on the long term as it undermines students' intrinsic motivation to learn. Gamification is nothing more than bells and whistles: It is fun at first, but it quickly becomes annoying. In the end, isn't the reliance of gamification to make content more interesting a sign that the content itself is boring?
Partial Oxygen Pressure Affects the Expression of Prognostic Biomarkers HIF‐1 Alpha, Ki67, and CK20 in the Microenvironment of Colorectal Cancer Tissue
Authors: Zhang Lirong , Hu Yu , Xi Ning , Song Jie , Huang Wenjing , Song Shanshan , Liu Yiting , Liu Xianying , Xie Yingjun
Published: November 2016

Hypoxia is prognostically important in colorectal cancer (CRC) therapy. Partial oxygen pressure (pO2) is an important parameter of hypoxia. The correlation between pO2 levels and expression levels of prognostic biomarkers was measured in CRC tissues. Human CRC tissues were collected and pO2 levels were measured by OxyLite. Three methods for tissue fixation were compared, including formalin, Finefix, and Finefix‐plus‐microwave. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was conducted by using the avidin‐biotin complex technique for detecting the antibodies to hypoxia inducible factor‐1 (HIF‐1) alpha, cytokeratin 20 (CK20), and cell proliferation factor Ki67. The levels of pO2 were negatively associated with the size of CRC tissues. Finefix‐plus‐microwave fixation has the potential to replace formalin. Additionally, microwave treatment improved Finefix performance in tissue fixation and protein preservation. The percentage of positive cells and gray values of HIF‐1 alpha, CK20, and Ki67 were associated with CRC development (P < 0.05). The levels of pO2 were positively related with the gray values of Ki67 and negatively related with the values of HIF‐1 alpha and CK20 (P < 0.05). Thus, the levels of microenvironmental pO2 affect the expression of predictive biomarkers HIF‐1 alpha, CK20, and Ki67 in the development of CRC tissues.
Performance Analysis of Reuse Distance in Cooperative Broadcasting
Authors: Grönkvist Jimmi , Hansson Anders , Komulainen Arwid
Published: November 2016

Cooperative broadcasting is a promising technique for robust broadcast with low overhead and delay in mobile ad hoc networks. The technique is attractive for mission-oriented mobile communication, where a majority of the traffic is of broadcast nature. In cooperative broadcasting, all nodes simultaneously retransmit packets. The receiver utilizes cooperative diversity in the simultaneously received signals. The retransmissions continue until all nodes are reached. After the packet has traveled a specific number of hops out from the source, denoted as reuse distance, the source node transmits a new broadcast packet in the time slot used for the previous broadcast packet. If the reuse distance is too small, interference causes packet loss in intermediate nodes. In the literature, a reuse distance of three is common. With an analysis based on a realistic interference model and real terrain data, we show that a reuse distance of at least four is necessary to avoid packet loss in sparsely connected networks, especially for high spectral efficiencies. For frequency hopping, widely used in military systems, we propose a novel method. This method almost eliminates interference for a reuse distance of three, increasing the throughput by 33% compared to systems with a reuse distance of four.
Conditional Ciphertext-Policy Attribute-Based Encryption Scheme in Vehicular Cloud Computing
Authors: Guan Zhitao , Li Jing , Zhang Zijian , Zhu Liehuang
Published: November 2016

VCC (Vehicular Cloud Computing) is an emerging and promising paradigm, due to its significance in traffic management and road safety. However, it is difficult to maintain both data security and system efficiency in Vehicular Cloud, because the traffic and vehicular related data is large and complicated. In this paper, we propose a conditional ciphertext-policy attribute-based encryption (C-CP-ABE) scheme to solve this problem. Comparing with CP-ABE, this scheme enables data owner to add extra access trees and the corresponding conditions. Experimental analysis shows that our system brings a trivial amount of storage overhead and a lower amount of computation compared with CP-ABE.
Technical Innovation Case Report: Ultrasound-Guided Prolotherapy Injection for Insertional Achilles Calcific Tendinosis
Authors: Buchanan Benjamin K. , DeLuca Jesse P. , Lammlein Kyle P.
Published: November 2016

We describe the use of ultrasound guidance for hyperosmolar dextrose (prolotherapy) injection of the distal calcaneal tendon specifically just anterior to identified enthesophytes in patients with insertional Achilles calcific tendinosis refractory to conservative treatment. This specific technique has not to our knowledge been described or used in literature previously.
Nonproportional Correlative Reduction Finite Element Method for Slope Strength Parameters
Authors: Xue Haibin , Dang Faning , Yin Xiaotao , Ding Weihua , Yang Chao
Published: November 2016

To solve the problems presented by the rational determination of the reduction mode in the traditional strength reduction method and to overcome the difficulty in determining double safety factors from the existing double reduction factors method, a nonproportional relationship between the cohesion reduction factor and the internal friction angle reduction factor is established for a case in which the strength parameter distribution obeys the linear attenuation assumption. By introducing this correlation into the traditional strength reduction finite element method, the nonproportional correlative reduction finite element method for slope strength parameters is proposed. To verify the reliability of the proposed method, the nonproportional correlation is introduced into Bishop’s slice method, yielding the nonproportional double safety factors of Bishop’s slice method. For the whole safety storage of the slope based on the double safety factors, a comprehensive safety factor with the contribution of the shear strength parameter to the sliding resistance force as weight is proposed. Finally, in combination with an example and a comparative analysis of the slope sliding surface positions and the comprehensive safety factors for three different types of reduction modes with two types of methods, the rationality and reliability of this method were validated.
The Effects of Four‐Week Multivitamin Supplementation on Mood in Healthy Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Macpherson Helen , Rowsell Renee , Cox Katherine H. M. , Reddan Jeffery , Meyer Denny , Scholey Andrew , Pipingas Andrew
Published: November 2016

Objective. Nutritional deficiencies have been associated with cognitive decline and mood disturbances. Vitamin intake can influence mood and randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that multivitamin supplements are capable of reducing mild symptoms of mood dysfunction. However, few studies have focussed on healthy older women. Methods. This study investigated the effects of four weeks’ multivitamin supplementation on mood in 76 healthy women aged 50–75 years. Mood was assessed before and after intervention in the laboratory using measures of current mood and retrospective experiences of mood over the past week or longer. Mobile phones were used to assess changes in real‐time mood ratings, twice weekly in the home. Results. There were no multivitamin‐related benefits identified for measures of current mood or reflections of recent mood when measured in the laboratory. In‐home assessments, where mood was rated several hours after dose, revealed multivitamin supplementation improved ratings of stress, with a trend to reduce mental fatigue. Conclusions. Over four weeks, subtle changes to stress produced by multivitamin supplementation in healthy older women may not be detected when only pre‐ and posttreatment mood is captured. In‐home mobile phone‐based assessments may be more sensitive to the effects of nutritional interventions compared to traditional in‐laboratory assessments.
A Case Report of Acute Diverticulitis in “Pseudodiverticulosis” after Hemorpex System® Procedure
Authors: Testa Tommaso , Costanzo Federico
Published: November 2016

Introduction. In the last years many mini-invasive approaches were developed in order to reduce postoperative pain and complication after haemorrhoid surgery: one of these alternatives is represented by Hemorpex System, a relatively young technique that combines transanal dearterialization with mucopexy through a dedicated proctoscope. Case Presentation. A 78-year-old male patient was admitted to the Emergency Department for acute urinary retention and elevated temperature. Hemorpex procedure was performed 4 years before. Clinical, endoscopic, and radiological findings demonstrated the presence of multiple diverticula-like structures fulfilled by purulent fluid and a deep alteration of the normal anatomy of the rectum. He was treated following the standard protocol of acute diverticulitis and full recovery from symptoms was achieved. Discussion. Hemorpex System is a young technique, and nowadays-available studies lack long-term follow-up data. Anatomical changes induced by the procedure are consistent and definitive. Our patient luckily demonstrated a prompt response to conservative treatment, but it must be taken into account that, in case of medical treatment failure, surgical approach would be necessary and the actual patient anatomical changes could lead the surgeon to unavoidable threatening maneuvers.
Interactions Study of Hydrodynamic-Morphology-Vegetation for Dam-Break Flows
Authors: Zhang Mingliang , Xu Yuanyuan , Li Jin , Qiao Huiting , Zhang Hongxing
Published: November 2016

This study models a dam-break flow over a bed by using a depth-averaged numerical model based on finite-volume method and computes the dam-break flow and bed morphology characteristics. The generalized shallow water equations considering the sediment transport and bed change on dam-break flow are adopted in the numerical model, and the vegetation effects on the flow and morphological changes are considered. The model is verified against three cases from the laboratory and field data documented in the literature. The numerical results are consistent with the measured results, which show that the model could accurately simulate the evolution of the dam-break flows and the morphology evolution of bed within a computational domain with complex plant distribution. The results show that the riparian vegetation in the waterway narrows the channel and reduces the conveyance capacity of river. The flood flow is diverted away from the vegetation community toward two sides and forms a weak flow region behind the vegetation domain. The resistance of plants markedly reduces the flow velocity, which directly alters the fluvial processes and influences the waterway morphology.
Pulmonary Artery Dissection: A Fatal Complication of Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Zhang Chuanchen , Huang Xiaoyong , Li Shuhua , Yao Hengchen , Zhang Bin
Published: November 2016

Pulmonary artery dissection is extremely rare but it is a really life-threatening condition when it happens. Most patients die suddenly from major bleeding or tamponade caused by direct rupture into mediastinum or retrograde into the pericardial sac. What we are reporting is a rare case of a 46-year-old female patient whose pulmonary artery dissection involves both the pulmonary valve and right pulmonary artery. The patient had acute chest pain and severe dyspnea, and the diagnosis of pulmonary artery dissection was confirmed by ultrasonography and CT angiography. Moreover, its etiology, clinical manifestations, and management are also discussed in this article.
Novel Use of an Orbital Atherectomy Device for In-Stent Restenosis: Lessons Learned
Authors: Shaikh K. , Kelly S. , Gedela M. , Kumar V. , Stys A. , Stys T.
Published: November 2016

We present a case of a 67-year-old man with stage III chronic kidney disease, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and high surgical risk who presented with two episodes of acute coronary syndrome attributed to in-stent restenosis (ISR) associated with heavily calcified lesions. In this case, we were able to improve luminal patency with orbital atherectomy system (OAS); however, withdrawal of the device resulted in a device/stent interaction, causing failure of the device. Given limitations in current evidence and therapies, managing ISR can be a technical and cognitive challenge. Balloon expansion of the affected region often provides unsatisfactory results, possibly related to significant calcium burden. OAS could be an efficacious way of reestablishing luminal patency in ISR lesions, as these lesions are often heavily calcified.
Ectropion and Conjunctival Mass in a Patient with Primary Bilateral Conjunctival Amyloidosis
Authors: Meduri Alessandro , Rechichi Miguel , Mazzotta Cosimo , Scalinci Sergio Zaccharia , Jaroudi Mahmoud O.
Published: November 2016

Background. Amyloidosis is a group of disorders characterized by deposition of an extracellular protein, known as amyloid, in an abnormal fibrillar form with highly characteristic histopathologic staining properties. The clinical presentation can vary from a focal, localized lesion where amyloidosis has minor clinical consequences to extensive systemic disease that can involve any organ system of the body. Ocular amyloidosis can occur as a localized lesion or as a part of a systemic disorder. Conjunctival amyloidosis is an uncommon condition that is rarely associated with systemic disease. It may be a manifestation of an immunologic disorder. Case Report. We report the case of a patient with bilateral conjunctival amyloidosis who was referred to us with the suspicion of a malignant conjunctival lesion. Examination of both eyes showed a yellow-pink mass with prominent intrinsic vessels, subconjunctival hemorrhage, and ectropion of the left lower eyelid. Diagnosis of primary localized conjunctival amyloidosis was made based on histopathologic evaluation of incisional biopsy and negative systemic work-up. Conclusion. Ocular amyloidosis is a rare disease that is slowly progressive and has a wide variety of clinical presentations. Consequently, the clinical diagnosis is often overlooked or delayed. Definitive diagnosis is achieved through histopathologic evaluation of biopsy specimen.
Elevated Admission Base Deficit Is Associated with a Complex Dynamic Network of Systemic Inflammation Which Drives Clinical Trajectories in Blunt Trauma Patients
Authors: Abdul-Malak Othman , Vodovotz Yoram , Zaaqoq Akram , Guardado Jesse , Almahmoud Khalid , Yin Jinling , Zuckerbraun Brian , Peitzman Andrew B. , Sperry Jason , Billiar Timothy R. , Namas Rami A.
Published: November 2016

We hypothesized that elevated base deficit (BD) ≥ 4 mEq/L upon admission could be associated with an altered inflammatory response, which in turn may impact differential clinical trajectories. Using clinical and biobank data from 472 blunt trauma survivors, 154 patients were identified after excluding patients who received prehospital IV fluids or had alcohol intoxication. From this subcohort, 84 patients had a BD ≥ 4 mEq/L and 70 patients with BD < 4 mEq/L. Three samples within the first 24 h were obtained from all patients and then daily up to day 7 after injury. Twenty-two cytokines and chemokines were assayed using Luminex™ and were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and dynamic network analysis (DyNA). Multiple mediators of the innate and lymphoid immune responses in the BD ≥ 4 group were elevated differentially upon admission and up to 16 h after injury. DyNA revealed a higher, sustained degree of interconnectivity of the inflammatory response in the BD ≥ 4 patients during the initial 16 h after injury. These results suggest that elevated admission BD is associated with differential immune/inflammatory pathways, which subsequently could predispose patients to follow a complicated clinical course.
Cauliflower Leave, an Agricultural Waste Biomass Adsorbent, and Its Application for the Removal of MB Dye from Aqueous Solution: Equilibrium, Kinetics, and Thermodynamic Studies
Authors: Ansari Seraj Anwar , Khan Fauzia , Ahmad Anees
Published: November 2016

Cauliflower leaf powder (CLP), a biosorbent prepared from seasonal agricultural crop waste material, has been employed as a prospective adsorbent for the removal of a basic dye, methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution by the batch adsorption method under varying conditions, namely, initial dye concentration, adsorbent dose, solution pH, and temperature. Characterization of the material by FTIR and SEM indicates the presence of functional groups and rough coarse surface suitable for the adsorption of methylene blue over it. Efforts were made to fit the isotherm data using Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin equation. The experimental data were best described by Freundlich isotherm model, with an adsorption capacity of 149.22 mg/g at room temperature. To evaluate the rate of methylene blue adsorption onto CLP, pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion models were employed. The experimental data were best described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Evaluation of thermodynamic parameters such as changes in enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs’ free energy showed the feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic nature of the adsorption process. On the basis of experimental results obtained, it may be concluded that the CLP prepared from agricultural waste has considerable potential as low-cost adsorbent in wastewater treatment for the removal of basic dye, MB.
In SituAtomistic Deformation Mechanisms Study of Nanowires
Authors: Yue Yonghai , Gong Qihua , Zhang Qi
Published: November 2016

“Smaller is stronger,” sub-, micro-, and nanomaterials exhibit high strength, ultralarge elasticity and unusual plastic and fracture behaviors which originate from their size effect and the low density of defects, different from their conventional bulk counterparts. To understand the structural evolution process under external stress at atomic scale is crucial for us to reveal the essence of these “unusual” phenomena and is momentous in the design of new materials. Our review presents the recent developments in the methods, techniques, instrumentation, and scientific progress of atomic scalein situdeformation dynamics on single crystalline nanowires. The super-large elasticity, plastic deformation mechanism transmission, and unusual fracture behavior related to the experimental mechanics of nanomaterials are reviewed.In situexperimental mechanics at the atomic scale open a new research field which is important not only to the microscopic methodology but also to the practice.
Mixed-Potential Integral Equation Based Characteristic Mode Analysis of Microstrip Antennas
Authors: Chen Yikai , Guo Liwen , Yang Shiwen
Published: November 2016

A characteristic mode (CM) formulation is developed for the modal analysis of microstrip antennas. It is derived from the mixed-potential integral equation (MPIE) with spatial-domain Green’s functions for multilayered media, where spatial-domain Green’s functions take into account the effect of the multilayered media. The resultant characteristic currents and fields are orthogonal with each other among different orders of modes. Together with the eigenvalues and their deduced indicators, the CMs provide deep physical insights into the radiation mechanisms of microstrip antennas. Numerical results are presented to confirm CM formulation’s effectiveness and accuracy in determining the resonant frequencies, radiating mode currents, and modal fields of microstrip antennas. As opposed to the very popular CM formulation for conducting bodies, comparative studies are presented to show the quite different modal analysis results by considering the multilayered media.
Immune Therapies in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Kumar Shaji K. , Anderson Kenneth C.
Published: November 2016

Treatment paradigms have changed rapidly for multiple myeloma, and immune therapies have taken center stage. Advances in therapies for myeloma have led to a dramatic improvement in the survival of patients with this incurable malignancy. The immune system is significantly impaired in patients with myeloma as a result of the disease leading to suppression of normal plasma cells as well the negative effects on cellular immunity. Given this scenario, immune approaches have not been successful until recently. Monoclonal antibodies directed against CD38 (daratumumab) and SLAMF7 (elotuzumab) are already in the clinic, and several other antibodies directed against different plasma cell antigens are under evaluation. Although immune checkpoint inhibition with PD-1 inhibitors had no clinical efficacy when the inhibitors were used as single agents, it has led to some dramatic results when the inhibitors are combined with immunomodulatory drugs such as lenalidomide and pomalidomide. Vaccination strategies have shown in vivo immune responses but no clear clinical efficacy. Newer approaches to vaccination with multiple antigens, used in combinations with immunomodulatory drugs and in the setting of minimal residual disease, have all increased possibility of this approach succeeding. Ex vivo effector cell expansion also appears to be promising and is in clinical trials. Finally, a chimeric antigen receptor T-cell approach appears to have some promise based on isolated reports of success and remains an area of intense investigation. Immune-based approaches can potentially augment or even supplant some of the current approaches and, given the low toxicity profile, may hold great potential in the early treatment of precursor-stage diseases. Clin Cancer Res; 22(22); 5453–60. ©2016 AACR.

See all articles in this CCR Focus section, “Multiple Myeloma: Multiplying Therapies.”
Cytotoxic T Cells in PD-L1–Positive Malignant Pleural Mesotheliomas Are Counterbalanced by Distinct Immunosuppressive Factors
Authors: Awad Mark M. , Jones Robert E. , Liu Hongye , Lizotte Patrick H. , Ivanova Elena V. , Kulkarni Meghana , Herter-Sprie Grit S. , Liao Xiaoyun , Santos Abigail A. , Bittinger Mark A. , Keogh Lauren , Koyama Shohei , Almonte Christina , English Jessie M. , Barlow Julianne , Richards William G. , Barbie David A. , Bass Adam J. , Rodig Scott J. , Hodi F. Stephen , Wucherpfennig Kai W. , Jänne Pasi A. , Sholl Lynette M. , Hammerman Peter S. , Wong Kwok-Kin , Bueno Raphael
Published: November 2016

PD-L1 immunohistochemical staining does not always predict whether a cancer will respond to treatment with PD-1 inhibitors. We sought to characterize immune cell infiltrates and the expression of T-cell inhibitor markers in PD-L1–positive and PD-L1–negative malignant pleural mesothelioma samples. We developed a method for immune cell phenotyping using flow cytometry on solid tumors that have been dissociated into single-cell suspensions and applied this technique to analyze 43 resected malignant pleural mesothelioma specimens. Compared with PD-L1–negative tumors, PD-L1–positive tumors had significantly more infiltrating CD45+ immune cells, a significantly higher proportion of infiltrating CD3+ T cells, and a significantly higher percentage of CD3+ cells displaying the activated HLA-DR+/CD38+ phenotype. PD-L1–positive tumors also had a significantly higher proportion of proliferating CD8+ T cells, a higher fraction of FOXP3+/CD4+ Tregs, and increased expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Double-positive PD-1+/TIM-3+ CD8+ T cells were more commonly found on PD-L1–positive tumors. Compared with epithelioid tumors, sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma samples were significantly more likely to be PD-L1 positive and showed more infiltration with CD3+ T cells and PD-1+/TIM-3+ CD8+ T cells. Immunologic phenotypes in mesothelioma differ based on PD-L1 status and histologic subtype. Successful incorporation of comprehensive immune profiling by flow cytometry into prospective clinical trials could refine our ability to predict which patients will respond to specific immune checkpoint blockade strategies. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(12); 1038–48. ©2016 AACR.
Deep Brain Stimulation in Posttraumatic Tremor: A Series of Cases and Literature Review
Authors: Rojas-Medina Luis Mariano , Esteban-Fernández Lucia , Rodríguez-Berrocal Victor , Del Álamo de Pedro Marta , Ley Urzaiz Luis , Bailly-Baillere Ignacio Regidor
Published: November 2016

Background: Posttraumatic tremor (PTT) is the most frequent movement disorder secondary to cranioencephalic trauma and can be persistent and disabling. Objectives: We review and assess the efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) at the VIM/VOP/ZI (ventralis intermedius/ventrooralis posterior/zona incerta) complex level for the treatment of PTT. Methods: During the period from 1999 to 2014, 5 patients diagnosed with PTT were selected who had experienced a major deterioration in their quality of life without improvement during medical treatment for more than 1 year. They underwent surgery for DBS at the VIM/VOP/ZI complex level, and the modified tremor scale before and after surgery was used for their follow-up. Results: Each patient showed improvements in their symptoms after DBS compared with baseline, which was moderate (II) in 2 cases and marked (III) in the other cases. All of the improvements were maintained with chronic DBS, without tremor rebound. Conclusions: Stimulation of the contralateral VIM/VOP/ZI complex resulted in a noticeable improvement in tremor and recovery of independence in basic daily activities in patients with PTT.