bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison between radiofrequency ablation and chemical neurolysis of thoracic splanchnic nerves for the management of abdominal cancer pain, randomized trial
Authors: Amr S.A. , Reyad R.M. , Othman A.H. , Mohamad M.F. , Mostafa M.M. , Alieldin N.H. , Hamed F.A.
Published: July 2018

Background

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the splanchnic nerves has been reported as a predictable and safe technique for abdominal pain management. We compare between RFA and chemical neurolysis of bilateral thoracic splanchnic nerves in the management of refractory cancer pain.

Methods

The study was conducted on 60 patients aged ≥18 years who suffered from abdominal pain (visceral pain, VAS ≥4) due to upper abdominal cancers. Participants were randomized into two groups. Group I (RF): 30 participants received a bilateral splanchnic nerve block at T10 and T11 levels using RFA. Group II (alcohol): 30 participants received a bilateral splanchnic nerve block at T11 using alcohol. Pain relief was assessed using VAS (0–10) and total daily oral opioid consumption (primary outcome).

Results

Significant reductions of VAS and global perceived effect satisfaction scores (GPES) were observed in both groups compared to baseline levels (p < 0.001); Group I had the largest reduction. MST consumption and QOL scores improved significantly in both groups (p < 0.001). Oral opioid consumption started to reduce at the end of the first post‐interventional week for Group I, 0.00 (0–45 mg), and at the end of the second post‐interventional week for Group II, 20.00 (0–135 mg). No major complications were recorded in either group.

Conclusion

Simultaneous bilateral pain block of splanchnic nerves at the levels of T10 and T11 using RFA is more effective than using alcohol at a single level of T11 in cancer patients presenting with upper abdominal pain. The RFA intervention acted faster, provided longer duration analgesia, worked in a higher proportion of patients and had a better safety profile than the alcohol intervention.

Significance

Radiofrequency ablation of the splanchnic nerves is safe and effective for relieving upper abdominal cancer pain.
Impact of transportation, storage, and retail shelf conditions on lettuce quality and phytonutrients losses in the supply chain
Authors: Managa Millicent G. , Tinyani Peter P. , Senyolo Grany M. , Soundy Puffy , Sultanbawa Yasmina , Sivakumar Dharini
Published: July 2018

This study was initiated to investigate the impact of transportation, storage, and retail shelf conditions on lettuce quality and phytonutrients losses in the urban fresh produce market supply chain. Reducing postharvest losses is a priority to reduce the loss of the dietary‐based phytonutrients and to improve the health of the consumers. Limited information is available in South Africa related to the postharvest and nutrition loss in the urban fresh produce market supply chain. In this study, we quantified the postharvest losses, changes in phytochemicals, and loss of minerals in lettuce at different points of Tshwane Fresh Produce Market supply chain. Lettuce supply to the Tshwane Fresh Produce Market from two different provinces, Gauteng and North West, were included in this study for comparison. Lettuce from the two provinces was collected from five different farms. The loss of fresh weight, changes in visual quality, phytonutrition properties, and economic loss of lettuce at the supply chain points: (a) transport; (b) storage; (c) and at the retail shelf was investigated. Five boxes of lettuce per supply chain point from Gauteng and North West provinces were randomly selected. The results indicated that the high temperature (25°C) and low RH (40%) at the retail shelf affected the weight, overall quality, and phytonutrition properties of lettuce. Cumulative economic loss was higher at the retail shelf due to the inferior quality of lettuce. The study identified where major quality and phytonutrition losses occur during marketing. The study demonstrated to identify the where major food and nutritional loss losses occur during marketing. This information will significantly benefit food sustainability by introducing technologies to manage food and nutrition losses.
GSH/GSSG redox couple plays central role in aryl hydrocarbon receptor‐dependent modulation of cytochrome P450 1A1
Authors: Omidi Mahmoud , Ghafarian‐Bahraman Ali , Mohammadi‐Bardbori Afshin
Published: July 2018

The redox regulation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) target genes such as the best characterized, cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) has not been known. Therefore the aim of this study was to explore how cellular redox state can influence on AHR‐dependent modulation of CYP1A1 transcription and enzyme activities. Male BALB/c albino mice, HepG2 cells, and human hepatoma cell line (HepG2‐XRE‐Luc) carrying CYP1A1 response elements were exposed to suggested endogenous ligand of AHR,6‐formylindolo[3,2‐b] carbazole (FICZ) alone or in combination with, buthionine‐(S,R)‐sulfoximine (BSO) or N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine (NAC). A clear link between CYP1A1 transcription and enzyme activity and changes in the glutathione/oxidised glutathione (GSH/GSSG) redox couple was shown. In vivo and in vitro findings demonstrated that the time course of AHR activation/inhibition is characterized by an increase/decrease in the GSH/GSSG ratio. Based on these findings, we propose that many environmental pollutants and oxidants by alteration in the intracellular redox potential may interfere with the normal function of AHR target genes.
Oxidative stress‐induced renal telomere shortening as a mechanism of cyclosporine‐induced nephrotoxicity
Authors: Raeisi Sina , Ghorbanihaghjo Amir , Argani Hassan , Dastmalchi Siavoush , Seifi Morteza , Ghasemi Babollah , Ghazizadeh Teimour , Abbasi Mehran Mesgari , Karimi Pouran
Published: July 2018

Due to the association of oxidative stress and telomere shortening, it was aimed in the present study to investigate the possibility whether cyclosporine‐A exerts its nephrotoxic side effects via induction of oxidative stress‐induced renal telomere shortening and senescent phenotype in renal tissues of rats. Renal oxidative stress markers, 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine, malondialdehyde, and protein carbonyl groups were measured by standard methods. Telomere length and telomerase activity were also evaluated in kidney tissue samples. Results showed that cyclosporine‐A treatment significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced renal malondialdehyde, 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine, and protein carbonyl groups levels, decreased renal telomere length, and deteriorated renal function compared with the controls. Renal telomerase activity was not affected by cyclosporine‐A. Renal telomere length could be considered as an important parameter of both oxidative stress and kidney function. Telomere shortening and accelerated kidney aging may be caused by cyclosporine‐induced oxidative stress, indicating the potential mechanism of cyclosporine‐induced nephrotoxicity.
MiR‐106b regulates the apoptosis and tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma via targeting Zinc finger and BTB domain‐containing protein 7A (Zbtb7a)
Authors: Liang Xiao , Zhao Qinghua , Geng Tingting , Luo Shengshu , He Qin
Published: July 2018

MicroRNAs play vital regulatory roles in various type of tumorigenesis. We aimed to explore the functional microRNAs that might play as therapeutic targets in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, our results revealed that microRNA‐106b was significantly increased in HCC tumor tissues. However, miR‐106b knockdown remarkably suppressed the growth and increased the apoptosis of Hub‐7 HCC cells. Biological analysis indicated that miR‐106b directly targeted toZinc finger and BTB domain‐containing protein 7A (Zbtb7a) to regulate the apoptosis of Hub‐7 cells. Extensively, Zbtb7a overexpression reversed Huh‐7 cell apoptosis and growth in vitro. Furthermore, in vivo studies confirmed that miR‐106b inhibition or Zbtb7a overexpression retarded the growth of Hub‐7 xenograft tumor in nude mice. In conclusion, we provide the evidence for the regulatory role of miR‐106b in HCC, which is causally linked to targeting of Zbtb7a. This study may provide miR‐106b as a potential therapeutic strategy for HCC.
The effect of astaxanthin and cadmium on rat erythrocyte G6PD, 6PGD, GR, and TrxR enzymes activities in vivo and on rat erythrocyte 6PGD enzyme activity in vitro
Authors: Bayramoğlu Akkoyun Mahire , Bengü A. Şükrü , Temel Yusuf , Akkoyun H. Turan , Ekin Suat , Ciftci Mehmet
Published: July 2018

In this study, the effects of astaxanthin (AST) that belongs to carotenoid family and cadmium (Cd), which is an important heavy metal, on rat erythrocyte G6PD, 6PGD, GR, and TrxR enzyme activities in vivo and on rat erythrocyte 6PGD enzyme activity in vitro were studied. In in vitro studies, 6PGD enzyme was purified from rat erythrocytes with 2′,5′‐ADP Sepharose4B affinity chromatography. Results showed inhibition of enzyme by Cd at IC50; 346.5 μM value and increase of 6PGD enzyme activity by AST. In vivo studies showed an increase in G6PD, 6PGD, and GR enzyme activities (P ˃ 0.05) and no chance in TrxR enzyme activity by AST. Cd ion inhibited G6PD, 6PGD, and GR enzyme activities (P ˂ 0.05) and also decreased TrxR enzyme activity (P ˃ 0.05). AST + Cd group G6PD enzyme activity was statistically low compared with control group (P ˂ 0.05). 6PGD and TrxR enzyme activities decreased without statistical significance (P ˃ 0.05); however, GR enzyme activity increased statistically significantly (P ˂ 0.05).
Antiapoptotic effects of vitamins C and E against cypermethrin‐induced oxidative stress and spermatogonial germ cell apoptosis
Authors: Bhardwaj Jitender Kumar , Kumari Priya , Saraf Priyanka , Yadav Abhay Singh
Published: July 2018

Toxicological studies have demonstrated the relation between use of agrochemicals and fertility issues within males. Thus, the present study aimed to elucidate the propensity of cypermethrin (CYP) in bringing testicular germ cell apoptosis and effective attenuation by vitamins C and E in caprines. Reproductive toxicity of CYP was evaluated using histomorphological, cytological, and biochemical changes in the testicular germ cells in dose‐dependent (1, 5, 10 μg/mL) and time‐dependent (4, 6, 8 h) manner. Histological and ethidium bromide/acridine orange fluorescence staining exhibited that vitamins C and E (0.5 and 1.0 mM) successfully diminished the CYP‐induced testicular germ cells apoptosis. CYP exposure along with vitamins C and E supplementation also resulted in significantly increased ferric reducing antioxidant power activity along with the antioxidant enzymes, namely catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione‐s‐transferase, and decreased lipid peroxidation in testicular germ cells. Thus, vitamins C and E ameliorated CYP‐induced testicular germ cell apoptosis, thereby preventing spermatogonial cells degeneration and male infertility.
Comparison of whole‐blood tacrolimus concentrations measured by different immunoassay systems
Authors: Kaneko Tetsuya , Fujioka Takashi , Suzuki Yosuke , Nagano Toshiaki , Sato Yuhki , Asakura Syunji , Itoh Hiroki
Published: July 2018

Introduction

Different measured values for tacrolimus were obtained with different automated immunoassays. We aimed to examine the differences in the blood tacrolimus concentrations measured by the major immunoassay systems commercially available in Japan.

Methods

Whole‐blood samples from 118 patients were assayed by 3 commercial assays: chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLIA), affinity column‐mediated immunoassay (ACMIA), and enzyme‐multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT). Liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) was used for reference.

Key findings

The correlation coefficient of immunoassay vs LC‐MS/MS was excellent for ACMIA (.83) and CLIA (.81) and good for EMIT (.71). The mean error was negative for ACMIA and positive for CLIA and EMIT. The mean absolute error and root‐mean‐square error were almost the same for ACMIA and CLIA and lower than those for EMIT.

Conclusions

The ACMIA and CLIA yield considerably better results than the EMIT for monitoring blood tacrolimus concentrations.
Using propensity score matching to estimate treatment effects of afterschool programs on third‐grade reading outcomes
Authors: Baker Scott K. , Kamata Akihito , Wright Annie , Farmer Dylan , Nippert Regina
Published: July 2018

Evidence on whether afterschool programs enhance academic achievement is limited and mixed. In this study, a group of community providers delivered interventions to students to improve academic achievement. We used propensity score matching to estimate the impact of these afterschool interventions on third‐grade reading achievement. A significant effect of moderate magnitude was found favoring students who participated in afterschool programming. Propensity score matching and other methodological considerations are described to support the importance and value of conducting rigorous evaluations of afterschool programs.
Winter hoar frost conditions on Swedish roads in a warming climate
Authors: Hu Yumei , Ou Tinghai , Huang Jianbin , Gustavsson Torbjörn , Bogren Jörgen
Published: July 2018

As one of the most common reasons for slippery roads in wintertime, hoar frost can reduce surface friction and affect traffic safety. The risk of winter road hoar frost is subjected to changes in the warming climate. A better understanding of these changes could lead to improved forecasting of hoar frost risk and provide information to policymakers in making climate adaptation strategies. In this work, the decadal variation in winter road hoar frost risk between 2000 and 2016 in Sweden was examined by using in situ observations from 244 stations in the Swedish Road Weather Information System. Results show that hoar frost risks have decreased in the south of Sweden (south of 59°N), whilst increasing in central Sweden (approximately 59°–65°N). Hoar frost risk tends to increase (decrease) in regions where there is a relatively high (low) mean number of hoar frost risk days. Further analysis indicates that the strengthened winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) over the last few decades, which resulted in warmer and wetter winters in Sweden, is the main cause of the changes. During strong positive NAO winters, the frequency of blocking anticyclones centred to the south‐west of Sweden significantly decreased and led to more warm and moist air from south‐west being transported to Sweden. The reduction in hoar frost risk in the southern part of Sweden is mainly due to an increase in road surface temperature, while the increasing hoar frost risk in central Sweden is dominated by the increase in relative humidity, which favours the occurrence of hoar frost.
Who Owns Psychopathology? The DSM: Its Flaws, Its Future, and the Professional Counselor
Authors: BONINO JENNIFER L. , HANNA FRED J.
Published: July 2018

Psychiatry has determined the scope of psychopathology for all mental health professionals, including counselors. The authors discuss the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in terms of its reductionist philosophy related to diagnosis and how an integration of frameworks may enhance the treatment process, with a goal of providing a dialectical and humanistic treatment approach.
Targeted profiling and relative quantification of benzoyl diterpene alkaloids in Aconitum roots by using LC–MS/MS with precursor ion scan
Authors: Gao Wen , Liu Xin‐Guang , Liu Lei , Li Ping , Yang Hua
Published: July 2018

Benzoyl aconite alkaloids have myocardial protective effects at a low dose and produce toxic effects at high dose. Due to lack of enough reference compounds, most of the benzoyl alkaloids had few concerns, except the typical ones, i.e. aconitine, mesaconitine, and hypaconitine. To rapidly screen out and quantify benzoyl alkaloids, a high performance liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry was proposed based on precursor ion scanning mode. First, a diagnostic ion at m/z 105 corresponding to benzoyl group was observed by using tandem mass spectrometry, which could be used for the rapid identification of benzoyl alkaloids. The targeted screening of these alkaloids was then conducted by using precursor ion scan of characteristic ion at m/z 105. Shengfuzi (the lateral root of A. carmichaelii) was taken as example, and 24 benzoyl‐containing alkaloids were identified. The six major alkaloids including aconitine, mesaconitine, hypaconitine, benzoylaconine, benzoylmesaconine, and benzoylhypaconine were determined in the precursor ion scan mode by the standard curve method. Reliable linearity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy, and repeatability were obtained and validated. Then the relative response factors between these six analytes were calculated, which were not more than two times using any alkaloid as reference. Thus, the other 18 alkaloids lacking reference compounds were relatively quantified. This approach provides a useful tool for rapid identification and quantitative analysis of toxic benzoyl alkaloids, and also an efficient method for the safety assessment of Aconitum roots.
Bioinspired Functional Gradients for Toughness Augmentation in Synthetic Polymer Systems
Authors: Chorazewicz Kayetan , Sundrani Sameer , Ahn B. Kollbe
Published: July 2018

In nature, load‐bearing polymeric materials that do not present significant trade‐off between elongation and elastic modulus are often found, but are rare in synthetic systems. One mechanism for emulating these natural systems is with functionally graded materials (FGMs). The development of synthetic FGM systems with varying moduli gradient using tuned poly(meth)acrylate multilayers is shown. Such localized tuning of crosslink density is shown as a mechanism to increase rigidity without significant compromise to maximum strain. The toughest FGM shows 43% higher tensile strength and 9% higher stiffness than copolymer elastomers with similar maximum strain (εmax ≈ 110%), increasing toughness by 25%. These improved tensile mechanical properties can be due to beneficial interlayer crack deflection and delamination. This gradient approach provides potential to improve toughness of various load‐bearing polymeric materials.
An Acid Test: Facile SI‐ARGET‐ATRP of Methacrylic Acid
Authors: Michl Thomas D. , Jung Dimitri , Pertoldi Andrea , Schulte Anna , Mocny Piotr , Klok Harm‐Anton , Schönherr Holger , Giles Carla , Griesser Hans J. , Coad Bryan R.
Published: July 2018

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methacrylic acid (MAA) is challenging. Herein is reported a study of conditions for facile surface‐initiated ATRP by activator regenerated electron transfer (SI‐ARGET‐ATRP) growth of poly‐methacrylic acid (PMAA) chains from a plasma polymer surface bearing surface‐immobilized α‐bromoisobutyryl bromide, with no deoxygenation required. Factors that affect PMAA polymer growth off the surface under ARGET‐ATRP conditions are systematically investigated, such as monomer/catalyst ratio, solvent, and, most importantly, addition of salts and change of pH. While the concentrations of the copper catalyst and acid affect grafting, the most pronounced effect arises from the concentration of chloride ions. Adding 0.1 m NaCl and acidifying the reaction solution to pH 3 offers the best trade‐off between reaction rate and reproducibility; yielding ≈60 nm thick PMAA graft polymers in 1 h under ambient conditions. Using this easily scalable recipe and surface analysis, the grafted polymers are verified to be pure PMAA and the graft coatings to be homogenous across a substrate of 100 mm diameter.
What if there were no tapes?
Authors: Haylen Bernard T. , Lee Joseph K.S. , Sivagnanam Vasukhi , Cross Angela
Published: July 2018

It is possible that the controversy involving prostheses implanted into women with pelvic floor problems might result in the majority of, or even all such products being restricted, banned or withdrawn in certain jurisdictions. A clear distinction between “tapes” for urinary incontinence and “mesh” for prolapse has been made in the enquiries and subsequent rulings in Australia and New Zealand. Transvaginal “mesh” will be unavailable with the range of “tapes” much more restricted in those countries from January 2018. The Chair of the all‐party parliamentary group on surgical mesh implants in the United Kingdom was reported as describing the New Zealand announcement as “hugely significant” and “it's precisely what we've been calling for the UK.” The title of this article has changed from a hypothetical piece to a potential reality review. Where does that leave the clinicians treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and the large number of female sufferers? “Tapes” (synthetic midurethral slings—MUS) have become very popular over the last 20 years since their original development and introduction in Scandanavia. Evidence‐based medicine has shown their advantages over previous surgeries, in terms of ease of use, safety and efficacy. This article outlines the options which countries potentially rejecting the use of tapes, must now resort to for women with SUI. Those countries considering such action need the note of caution that none of the options are as good as tapes.
The calculation and comparison of the Detrusor Contractility Parameter and Watts Factor
Authors: Gammie Andrew , Kitney Darryl , Drake Marcus , Abrams Paul , Fry Chris
Published: July 2018

Aims

To test the significance of association between a validated index of detrusor contractility, vCE, the Watts Factor, and the Detrusor Contractility Parameter, t20‐80; and to test whether t20‐80 depends on outflow tract resistance as indicated by Bladder Outlet Obstruction Index (BOOI).

Methods

Thirty‐seven pressure‐flow traces from 20 male and 17 female patients were analyzed and forms of the Watts Factor, t20‐80 and BOOI were compared with vCE.

Results

The Detrusor Contractility Parameter, t20‐80, is significantly associated with vCE for both women and men without a high degree of bladder outlet obstruction. The Watts Factor only had a significant association with vCE at the point of maximum flow in women.

Conclusions

The Detrusor Contractility Parameter (DCP) (t20‐80), can be measured easily from the pressure flow curves of a urodynamic test. The Watts Factor at maximum urine flow, WFQmax, can be readily calculated, but is only applicable to women. In both women and men without a high degree of bladder outlet obstruction, DCP is better associated with true detrusor contractility than any Watts Factor analysis.
Impact of contrast agent injection duration on dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI quantification in prostate cancer
Authors: Klawer Edzo M.E. , van Houdt Petra J. , Pos Floris J. , Heijmink Stijn W.T.P.J. , van Osch Matthias J.P. , van der Heide Uulke A.
Published: July 2018

The volume transfer constant Ktrans, which describes the leakage of contrast agent (CA) from vasculature into tissue, is the most commonly reported quantitative parameter for dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE‐) MRI. However, the variation in reported Ktrans values between studies from different institutes is large. One of the primary sources of uncertainty is quantification of the arterial input function (AIF). The aim of this study is to determine the influence of the CA injection duration on the AIF and tracer kinetic analysis (TKA) parameters (i.e. Ktrans, kep and ve).

Thirty‐one patients with prostate cancer received two DCE‐MRI examinations with an injection duration of 5 s in the first examination and a prolonged injection duration in the second examination, varying between 7.5 s and 30 s. The DCE examination was carried out on a 3.0 T MRI scanner using a transversal T1‐weighted 3D spoiled gradient echo sequence (300 s duration, dynamic scan time of 2.5 s). Data of 29 of the 31 were further analysed. AIFs were determined from the phase signal in the left and right femoral arteries. Ktrans, kep and ve were estimated with the standard Tofts model for regions of healthy peripheral zone and tumour tissue.

We observed a significantly smaller peak height and increased width in the AIF for injection durations of 15 s and longer. However, we did not find significant differences in Ktrans, kep or ve for the studied injection durations. The study demonstrates that the TKA parameters Ktrans, kep and ve, measured in the prostate, do not show a significant change as a function of injection duration.
Ammonia‐weighted imaging by chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI at 3 T
Authors: Zöllner Helge Jörn , Butz Markus , Kircheis Gerald , Klinker Stefan , Häussinger Dieter , Schmitt Benjamin , Schnitzler Alfons , Wittsack Hans‐Jörg
Published: July 2018

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is triggered by liver cirrhosis and is associated with an increased ammonia level within the brain tissue. The goal of this study was to investigate effects of ammonia on in vitro amide proton transfer (APT)‐weighted chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging in order to develop an ammonia‐sensitive brain imaging method.

APT‐weighted CEST imaging was performed on phantom solutions including pure ammonia, bovine serum albumin (BSA), and tissue homogenate samples doped with various ammonia concentrations. All CEST data were assessed by magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry. In addition, optical methods were used to determine possible structural changes of the proteins in the BSA phantom. In vivo feasibility measurements were acquired in one healthy participant and two patients suffering from HE, a disease associated with increased brain ammonia levels.

The CEST effect of pure ammonia showed a base‐catalyzed behavior. At pH values greater than 5.6 no CEST effect was observed. The APT‐weighted signal was significantly reduced for ammonia concentrations of 5mM or more at fixed pH values within the different protein phantom solutions. The optical methods revealed no protein aggregation or denaturation for ammonia concentrations less than 5mM. The in vivo measurements showed tissue specific and global reduction of the observed CEST signal in patients with HE, possibly linked to pathologically increased ammonia levels.

APT‐weighted CEST imaging is sensitive to changes in ammonia concentrations. Thus, it seems useful for the investigation of pathologies with altered tissue ammonia concentrations such as HE. However, the underlying mechanism needs to be explored in more detail in future in vitro and in vivo investigations.
Decoupling of a double‐row 16‐element tight‐fit transceiver phased array for human whole‐brain imaging at 9.4 T
Authors: Avdievich Nikolai I. , Giapitzakis Ioannis A. , Pfrommer Andreas , Shajan Gunamony , Scheffler Klaus , Henning Anke
Published: July 2018

One of the major challenges in constructing multi‐channel and multi‐row transmit (Tx) or transceiver (TxRx) arrays is the decoupling of the array's loop elements. Overlapping of the surface loops allows the decoupling of adjacent elements and also helps to improve the radiofrequency field profile by increasing the penetration depth and eliminating voids between the loops. This also simplifies the design by reducing the number of decoupling circuits. At the same time, overlapping may compromise decoupling by generating high resistive (electric) coupling near the overlap, which cannot be compensated for by common decoupling techniques. Previously, based on analytical modeling, we demonstrated that electric coupling has strong frequency and loading dependence, and, at 9.4 T, both the magnetic and electric coupling between two heavily loaded loops can be compensated at the same time simply by overlapping the loops. As a result, excellent decoupling was obtained between adjacent loops of an eight‐loop single‐row (1 × 8) human head tight‐fit TxRx array. In this work, we designed and constructed a 9.4‐T (400‐MHz) 16‐loop double‐row (2 × 8) overlapped TxRx head array based on the results of the analytical and numerical electromagnetic modeling. We demonstrated that, simply by the optimal overlap of array loops, a very good decoupling can be obtained without additional decoupling strategies. The constructed TxRx array provides whole‐brain coverage and approximately 1.5 times greater Tx efficiency relative to a transmit‐only/receive‐only (ToRo) array, which consists of a larger Tx‐only array and a nested tight‐fit 31‐loop receive (Rx)‐only array. At the same time, the ToRo array provides greater peripheral signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and better Rx parallel performance in the head–feet direction. Overall, our work provides a recipe for a simple, robust and very Tx‐efficient design suitable for parallel transmission and whole‐brain imaging at ultra‐high fields.
Large deformation poromechanics with local mass conservation: An enriched Galerkin finite element framework
Authors: Choo Jinhyun
Published: July 2018

Numerical modeling of large deformations in fluid‐infiltrated porous media must accurately describe not only geometrically nonlinear kinematics but also fluid flow in heterogeneously deforming pore structure. Accurate simulation of fluid flow in heterogeneous porous media often requires a numerical method that features the local (elementwise) conservation property. Here, we introduce a new finite element framework for locally mass conservative solution of coupled poromechanical problems at large strains. At the core of our approach is the enriched Galerkin discretization of the fluid mass balance equation, whereby elementwise constant functions are augmented to the standard continuous Galerkin discretization. The resulting numerical method provides local mass conservation by construction with a usually affordable cost added to the continuous Galerkin counterpart. Two equivalent formulations are developed using total Lagrangian and updated Lagrangian approaches. The local mass conservation property of the proposed method is verified through numerical examples involving saturated and unsaturated flow in porous media at finite strains. The numerical examples also demonstrate that local mass conservation can be a critical element of accurate simulation of both fluid flow and large deformation in porous media.
A probabilistic framework for multidisciplinary design: Application to the hydrostructural optimization of supercavitating hydrofoils
Authors: Bonfiglio Luca , Perdikaris Paris , del Águila Jose , Karniadakis George E.
Published: July 2018

The analysis and optimization of complex multiphysics systems presents a series of challenges that limit the practical use of computational tools. Specifically, the optimization of such systems involves multiple interconnected components with competing quantities of interest and high‐dimensional spaces and necessitates the use of costly high‐fidelity solvers to accurately simulate the coupled multiphysics. In this paper, we put forth a data‐driven framework to address these challenges leveraging recent advances in machine learning. We combine multifidelity Gaussian process regression and Bayesian optimization to construct probabilistic surrogate models for given quantities of interest and explore high‐dimensional design spaces in a cost‐effective manner. The synergistic use of these computational tools gives rise to a tractable and general framework for tackling realistic multidisciplinary optimization problems. To demonstrate the specific merits of our approach, we have chosen a challenging large‐scale application involving the hydrostructural optimization of three‐dimensional supercavitating hydrofoils. To this end, we have developed an automated workflow for performing multiresolution simulations of turbulent multiphase flows and multifidelity structural mechanics (combining three‐dimensional and one‐dimensional finite element results), the results of which drive our machine learning analysis in pursuit of the optimal hydrofoil shape.
Measuring carrier injection from amorphous silicon into crystalline silicon using photoluminescence
Authors: Paduthol A. , Juhl M.K. , Nogay G. , Löper P. , Trupke T.
Published: July 2018

In devices with intrinsic amorphous silicon layer on a crystalline silicon substrate, the light absorbed in the amorphous layer can be weakly electronically coupled into the silicon base. Such carrier injection has previously been reported from measurements on finished devices containing stacks of intrinsic and doped amorphous silicon layers. Here, we use spectral response of photoluminescence, a contactless approach, to investigate this carrier injection on significantly simpler structures. In such devices, the effect of absorption in the front layer can be measured by the internal quantum efficiency. A highly absorbing front layer is expected to cause a drop in the quantum efficiency at short wavelengths. However, if electron‐hole pairs that are generated in the front layer are subsequently injected into the base, the optical losses will be reduced, resulting in a partial recovery of the quantum efficiency at short wavelengths. Here, we quantify the efficiency of carrier injection from the intrinsic amorphous silicon front layer to the crystalline silicon base, by measuring the spectral response of photoluminescence heterojunction test structures. For devices with just an intrinsic amorphous silicon layer, the carrier injection from the layer was found to be close to unity.
Encapsulation of Co3O4 Nanoparticles Inside CeO2 Nanotubes: An Efficient Biocatalyst for the Ultrasensitive Detection of Ascorbic Acid
Authors: Zhu Yun , Yang Zezhou , Song Lifei , Chi Maoqiang , Li Meixuan , Wang Ce , Lu Xiaofeng
Published: July 2018

A quick and sensitive detection of ascorbic acid (AA) is essential in the fields of biosensing and disease diagnosis. In this work, an effective approach combined with electrospinning, chemical bath deposition, and calcination process is developed to encapsulate Co3O4 nanoparticle into CeO2 nanotubes as efficient peroxidase mimics for the detection of AA. The peroxidase‐like catalytic activity of the as‐prepared Co3O4@CeO2 nanotubes is much higher than that of individual Co3O4 nanofibers and CeO2 nanotubes alone due to the synergistic effect between the two components. Owing to the superior catalytic efficiency of the prepared Co3O4@CeO2 nanotubes, a colorimetric route for the rapid and accurate detection of AA with a detection limit of 0.73 × 10−9m with a wide linear range from 0 to 0.8 × 10−6m is demonstrated. This detection limit is much better than the previous reports based on the enzyme‐like catalytic systems. In addition, a good selectivity toward the detection of AA over amino acids, common ions, dopamine, and uric acid is achieved. This study offers a new approach for the fabrication of Co3O4@CeO2 nanotubes as sensing platform toward the detection of AA, which presents promising potential applications in biosensing, environmental monitoring, and medical diagnostics.
Observation of the Recrystallization Process in Pure Nb and Zr Using Positron Lifetime Spectroscopy and XRD Techniques
Authors: Dryzek Jerzy , Wróbel Mirosław
Published: July 2018

Results of research on the recrystallization of highly deformed Nb and Zr with the use of positron lifetime spectroscopy and XRD measurements are presented here. A significant decrease in positron lifetime during annealing of deformed Nb and Zr samples is observed, which is clearly correlated with changes in the pole figures and reduction of the crystal lattice strain of the tested samples. This indicates their recrystallization, that is, nucleation and growth of new, defect free grains. Application of the positron diffusion trapping model to description of the obtained dependencies allows us to determine the activation energy of migration of grain boundary in both metals, which is 2.26 ± 0.4 eV and 1.33 ± 0.6 eV for Nb and Zr, respectively.
Study design with staggered sampling times for evaluating sustained unresponsiveness to peanut sublingual immunotherapy
Authors: Chaudhari Monica , Kim Edwin H. , Withana Gamage Prabhashi W. , McMahan Christopher S. , Kosorok Michael R.
Published: July 2018

In this work, we delineate an altered study design of a pre‐existing clinical trial that is currently being implemented in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The purpose of the ongoing investigation of the desensitized pediatric cohort is to address the effectiveness of sublingual immunotherapy in achieving sustained unresponsiveness (SU) as assessed by repeated double‐blind placebo‐controlled food challenges (DBPCFC). With scarce published literature characterizing SU, the length of time off‐therapy that would represent clinically meaningful benefit remains undefined. We use the new design features to assess time to loss of SU, an important efficacy endpoint, that to our knowledge, no prior study has investigated. Our work has two‐fold objectives: first is to propose and discuss aspects of the altered design that would allow us to study SU and second is to explore methodology to evaluate the time to loss of SU and its association with risk factors in the context of the data originating from the trial. The salient feature of the new design is the allocation scheme of study subjects to staggered sampling timepoints when a subsequent DBPCFC is administered. Due to this feature, the time to loss of SU is either left or right censored. Additionally, some participants at study entry fail the DBPCFC, leading to what can be construed as an instantaneous failure. Through in‐depth numerical studies, we examine the performance and power of a recently proposed mixture proportional hazards model specifically designed for the analysis of interval‐censored data subject to instantaneous failures.
Aging Time of Soluble Potato Starch Solutions for Ultrafine Fibers Formation by Electrospinning
Authors: Fonseca Laura Martins , da Silva Francine Tavares , Antunes Mariana Dias , Mello El Halal Shanise Lisie , Lim Loong‐Tak , Dias Alvaro Renato Guerra
Published: July 2018

The objective of this study is to develop a methodology to produce ultrafine fibers of soluble potato starch with normal amylose content by electrospinning, and to evaluate the characteristics of the fibers produced from fiber‐forming solutions subjected to different aging times. The fiber‐forming polymer solutions are prepared with 40% soluble potato starch (with amylose content of 32.54 ± 3.65%) and formic acid (75%) as solvent. The solutions are allowed to age for 0, 24, 48, and 72 h before electrospinning. Viscosity and electrical conductivity of the solutions are determined. The electrospun fibers are analyzed for morphology, size distribution, and thermal properties, and investigated through Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. The shear viscosity of the solutions decreases as aging time increases from 0 to 48 h but did not change upon further aging (p > 0.05). The electrical conductivity did not influenced the studied properties in the present study such as morphology and size distribution of the fibers. The electrospun fibers show a morphology with beads and average diameter in the range 128–143 nm. The weight loss in thermal properties is lower in the fibers than in the starch. This study showes that soluble potato starch with normal amylose content can be converted into ultrafine fibers by electrospinning like a neat polymer in a fiber‐forming solution.
Multi-photon production in the Type-I 2HDM
Authors: Arhrib A. , Benbrik R. , Moretti S. , Rouchad A. , Yan Q.-S. , Zhang Xianhui
Published: July 2018

Abstract

This paper presents a study of a possible contribution to a Higgs boson signal in the hh → γγγγ channel due to H → hh decays, in the framework of the CP-conserving 2-Higgs Doublet Model Type-I (2HDM-I), where the heavier of the two CP-even Higgs bosons defined herein, H, is the SM-like Higgs state observed with a mass of 125 GeV at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). We perform a broad scan of the 2HDM-I parameter space, in presence of both up-to-date theoretical and experimental constraints, in order to extract the interesting regions yielding such a signal. Then, after validating our numerical framework against public experimental analyses carried out at the LHC, we proceed to assess its scope in constraining and/or extracting the gg → H → hh → γγγγ signal in presence of a sophisticated Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. We find that, over a substantial region of the 2HDM-I parameter space presently un-accessible, the LHC will be able to establish such a potential signature in the next 2–3 years.
Vocational Interests and Job Choices Following an Acquired Disability: Results and Implications of an Idiographic Study
Authors: Athanasou James
Published: July 2018

This idiographic study explored the value of six vocational interest types (realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising and conventional) for guiding a person's occupational choices. To that end, five rehabilitation clients who attended for vocational assessment following a personal injury (e.g., motor vehicle or general accident or work injury) reported on their vocational interests. Participants indicated their preferences (like or dislike) for 77 occupations. Altogether, they made from 5 to 27 choices. A profiling procedure indicated that clients reported more occupational dislikes rather than likes. Of the vocational interest types the choices in realistic, investigative, artistic and enterprising domains were endorsed more than those in social or conventional domains. It was not clear that the six vocational interest types determined occupational choice following an injury. Instead, occupational dislikes may provide more useful data for vocational counselling.
BRILL–NOETHER THEOREMS AND GLOBALLY GENERATED VECTOR BUNDLES ON HIRZEBRUCH SURFACES
Authors: COSKUN IZZET , HUIZENGA JACK
Published: July 2018

In this paper, we show that the cohomology of a general stable bundle on a Hirzebruch surface is determined by the Euler characteristic provided that the first Chern class satisfies necessary intersection conditions. More generally, we compute the Betti numbers of a general stable bundle. We also show that a general stable bundle on a Hirzebruch surface has a special resolution generalizing the Gaeta resolution on the projective plane. As a consequence of these results, we classify Chern characters such that the general stable bundle is globally generated.
Ben Burns and the Boundaries of Black Print in Chicago, 1942–1954
Authors: WEST E. JAMES
Published: July 2018

This article focusses on the career of Ben Burns, a white Jewish radical who came to play a central role in Chicago's black press during the mid-twentieth century. As an editor for periodicals such as theChicago Defender, Negro DigestandEbony, Burns helped to edit and develop some of the nation's most influential black publications. However, many of his readers remained oblivious to his racial identity – something which was both implicitly and explicitly obscured by his employers, and which was influenced by and manifested itself through the spatial politics of the workplace and the Chicago South Side. Drawing on a range of archival and biographical material, personal correspondence, and newspaper and magazine articles, this paper reconsiders Burns's literal movement through the terrain of Chicago's black press to assess his broader influence as a white editor in black journalism. Complicating depictions of Burns as a racial interloper, this article situates his contributions within a broader history of white participation in black print production. Furthermore, it demonstrates how the parameters of his role were heavily framed by the complex racial and spatial politics of the editorial room and Chicago's urban politics at mid-century.
The role of benzathine penicillin G in predicting and preventing all-cause acute respiratory disease in military recruits: 1991–2017
Authors: Ball Jacob D. , Prosperi Mattia A. , Brown Alfonza , Chen Xinguang , Kenah Eben , Yang Yang , Cummings Derek A. T. , Rivers Caitlin M.
Published: July 2018

The adenovirus vaccine and benzathine penicillin G (BPG) have been used by the US military to prevent acute respiratory diseases (ARD) in trainees, though these interventions have had documented manufacturing problems. We fit Poisson regression and random forest models (RF) to 26 years of weekly ARD incidence data to explore the impact of the adenovirus vaccine and BPG prophylaxis on respiratory disease burden. Adenovirus vaccine availability was among the most important predictors of ARD in the RF, while BPG was the ninth most important. BPG was a significant protective factor against ARD (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0.68; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67–0.70), but less so than either the old or new adenovirus vaccine (IRR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.38–0.39 and IRR = 0.11, 95% CI 0.11–0.11), respectively. These results suggest that BPG is moderately predictive of, and significantly protective against ARD, though to a lesser extent than either the old or new adenovirus vaccine.
Were Acheulean Bifaces Deliberately Made Symmetrical? Archaeological and Experimental Evidence
Authors: Shipton Ceri , Clarkson Chris , Cobden Rommy
Published: July 2018

Acheulean bifaces dominate the archaeological record for 1.5 million years. The meaning behind the often symmetrical forms of these tools is the topic of considerable debate, with explanations ranging from effectiveness as a cutting tool to sexual display. Some, however, question whether the symmetry seen in many Acheulean bifaces is intentional at all, with suggestions that it is merely the result of a bias in hominin perception or an inevitable consequence of bifacial flaking. In this paper we address the issue of intention in biface symmetry. First, we use transmission chain experiments designed to track symmetry trends in the replication of biface outlines. Secondly, we use archaeological data to assess the symmetry of Acheulean bifaces from British, East African and Indian assemblages in relation to reduction intensity; the degree of bifaciality; and the symmetry of four Middle Palaeolithic bifacial core assemblages. Thirdly, we look at specific examples of the reduction sequences that produced symmetrical Acheulean cleavers at the sites of Olorgesailie CL1-1, Isinya, Chirki, Morgaon and Bhimbetka. All three lines of evidence support the notion that symmetry was a deliberately imposed property of Acheulean bifaces and not an epiphenomenon of hominin visual perception or bifacial technology.
Grand Rounds Teaching Monograph: Current Treatments in Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Sussman Norman , Asnis Gregory , Bowden Charles L.
Published: July 2018

Evidence continues to mount that anticonvulsants represent broad-spectrum central nervous system agents which are highly efficacious in the treatment of core psychiatric symptoms. The US Food and Drug Administration has extended the use of anticonvulsants beyond the treatment of epilepsy, to include wide-reaching neuropsychiatric illnesses such as mania, migraine, panic disorder, and trigeminal neurologia. From the perspective of psychiatric disorders, the most exciting development about these newer agents is the emergence of persuasive evidence that they are effective in treating mood disorders. Depakote and Tegretol have been joined by Neurontin and Lamictal as agents shown to be useful in the treatment of bipolar, and possibly unipolar, depression.

Recently, both clinical and research attention has focused specifically on the use of Neurontin and Lamictal as alternatives to standard, agents for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders. Because many patients with bipolar disorder experience continued symptomology despite standard treatment, further study of these novel agents for the treatment of affective disorders is warranted.