bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minimizing the false alarm rate in systems with transient abnormality
Authors: Wang Jue
Published: June 2016

We consider a stochastic partially observable system that can switch between a normal state and a transient abnormal state before entering a persistent abnormal state. Only the persistent abnormal state requires alarms. The transient and persistent abnormal states may be similar in appearance, which can result in excess false alarms. We propose a partially observable Markov decision process model to minimize the false alarm rate, subject to a given upper bound on the expected alarm delay time. The cost parameter is treated as the Lagrange multiplier, which can be estimated from the bound of the alarm delay. We show that the optimal policy has a control‐limit structure on the probability of persistent abnormality, and derive closed‐form bounds for the control limit and present an algorithm to specify the Lagrange multiplier. We also study a specialized model where the transient and persistent abnormal states have the same observation distribution, in which case an intuitive “watchful‐waiting” policy is optimal. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 63: 320–334, 2016
Relapsed/refractory pediatric B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma treated with rituximab combination therapy: A report from the Japanese Pediatric Leukemia/Lymphoma Study Group
Authors: Osumi Tomoo , Mori Tetsuya , Fujita Naoto , Saito Akiko M. , Nakazawa Atsuko , Tsurusawa Masahito , Kobayashi Ryoji
Published: June 2016

Background

Pediatric relapsed/refractory (R/R) B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (B‐NHL) has been reported to be extremely difficult to cure, but rituximab is expected to be effective in improving the prognosis of pediatric R/R B‐NHL patients. Here, we assessed the treatment and prognosis of pediatric R/R B‐NHL in the rituximab era in Japan.

Methods

We collected information on patients with R/R B‐NHL who were registered with the Japanese Pediatric Leukemia/Lymphoma Study Group (JPLSG) B‐NHL03 protocol, a nationwide multicenter trial for newly diagnosed patients. We assessed the treatment and outcome of 33 pediatric R/R B‐NHL cases.

Results

Twenty‐eight patients received rituximab combination therapy as salvage treatment. R‐ICE (rituximab, ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide), the most common regimen, was used in 22 patients as first‐line salvage therapy. Twenty‐three patients received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Among all 33 patients, 23 (70.0%) achieved partial remission or complete remission. Their 5‐year overall survival rate was 48.5%, which was far superior to that in both our previous study and in another study on pediatric R/R B‐NHL. Four toxic deaths associated with viral infection occurred after allogeneic HSCT following on rituximab combined salvage therapy. Risk factor multivariate analysis for survival in patients receiving rituximab combination therapy showed central nervous system combined relapse had inferior outcome.

Conclusions

The prognosis of pediatric R/R B‐NHL in a Japanese cohort remained poor but is showing improvement in the rituximab era. Rituximab combination therapy is effective for R/R B‐NHL patients who did not receive rituximab as primary treatment. We need to consider possible viral infections in allogeneic HSCT after rituximab treatment.
Synthesis, characterization, and charge transport mechanism of polyaniline/ZnSe nanocomposites for promising optoelectronic applications
Authors: Shokr F.S. , Al‐Gahtany S.A.
Published: June 2016

The elaboration of organic–inorganic nanohybrid compounds has demonstrated substantial attentiveness owing to an inclusive extent of potential applications in optoelectronic devices. Here, we report about the synthesis of novel hybrid compound based on polyaniline/ZnSe nanocomposites. The ZnSe nanoparticles are prepared by colloidal technique to get average particle size of 8.5 nm. The polyaniline was prepared in the presence of the ZnSe nanostructure. The structure and morphology of the prepared polyaniline/ZnSe nanocomposites were investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The XRD implied that all patterns are corresponding to the semicrystalline polyaniline and ZnSe with cubic crystal structure. The SEM images revealed that the incorporation of the ZnSe into the polyaniline matrix leads to an increasing of the particles size. The optical features of the polyaniline/ZnSe nanocomposites are investigated by UV–Vis spectroscopy. The optical band gap of polyaniline is decreased from 3.42 to 2.92 eV with increasing the ZnSe content. The electrical conductivity measurement showed that the incorporation of the ZnSe into the polyaniline matrix increased the dc conductivity and decreased the activation energy. The charge transport mechanism belonged to the hopping conduction mechanism. The thermoelectric power measurement depicted that the majority carriers are holes. The mobility and the number of charge carriers are increased, while the potential barrier is decreased with increasing the ZnSe concentration into the polyaniline matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:1724–1730, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Simultaneous Quantification of Seven Bioactive Flavonoids in Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium by Ultra‐Fast Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Zhao Lian‐hua , Zhao Hong‐zheng , Zhao Xue , Kong Wei‐jun , Hu Yi‐chen , Yang Shi‐hai , Yang Mei‐hua
Published: June 2016

Introduction

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP) is a commonly‐used traditional Chinese medicine with flavonoids as the major bioactive components. Nevertheless, the contents of the flavonoids in CRP of different sources may significantly vary affecting their therapeutic effects. Thus, the setting up of a reliable and comprehensive quality assessment method for flavonoids in CRP is necessary.

Objective

To set up a rapid and sensitive ultra‐fast liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC‐MS/MS) method for simultaneous quantification of seven bioactive flavonoids in CRP.

Methods

A UFLC‐MS/MS method coupled to ultrasound‐assisted extraction was developed for simultaneous separation and quantification of seven flavonoids including hesperidin, neohesperidin, naringin, narirutin, tangeretin, nobiletin and sinensetin in 16 batches of CRP samples from different sources in China.

Results

The established method showed good linearity for all analytes with correlation coefficient (R) over 0.9980, together with satisfactory accuracy, precision and reproducibility. Furthermore, the recoveries at the three spiked levels were higher than 89.71% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) lower than 5.19%. The results indicated that the contents of seven bioactive flavonoids in CRP varied significantly among different sources. Among the samples under study, hesperidin showed the highest contents in 16 samples ranged from 27.50 to 86.30 mg/g, the contents of hesperidin in CRP‐15 and CRP‐9 were 27.50 and 86.30 mg/g, respectively, while, the amount of narirutin was too low to be measured in some samples.

Conclusion

This study revealed that the developed UFLC‐MS/MS method was simple, sensitive and reliable for simultaneous quantification of multi‐components in CRP with potential perspective for quality control of complex matrices. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In situ Identification of Labile Precursor Compounds and their Short‐lived Intermediates in Plants using in vivo Nanospray High‐resolution Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Chang Qing , Peng Yue'e , Shi Bin , Dan Conghui , Yang Yijun , Shuai Qin
Published: June 2016

Introduction

Many secondary metabolites in plants are labile compounds which under environmental stress, are difficult to detect and track due to the lack of rapid in situ identification techniques, making plant metabolomics research difficult. Therefore, developing a reliable analytical method for rapid in situ identification of labile compounds and their short‐lived intermediates in plants is of great importance.

Objective

To develop under atmospheric pressure, a rapid in situ method for effective identification of labile compounds and their short‐lived intermediates in fresh plants.

Methodology

An in vivo nanospray high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HR‐MS) method was used for rapid capture of labile compounds and their short‐lived intermediates in plants. A quartz capillary was partially inserted into fresh plant tissues, and the liquid flowed out through the capillary tube owing to the capillary effect. A high direct current (d.c.) voltage was applied to the plant to generate a spray of charged droplets from the tip of the capillary carrying bioactive molecules toward the inlet of mass spectrometer for full‐scan and MS/MS analysis.

Results

Many labile compounds and short‐lived intermediates were identified via this method: including glucosinolates and their short‐lived intermediates (existing for only 10 s) in Raphanus sativus roots, alliin and its conversion intermediate (existing for 20 s) in Allium sativum and labile precursor compound chlorogenic acid in Malus pumila Mill.

Conclusion

The method is an effective approach for in situ identification of internal labile compounds and their short‐lived intermediates in fresh plants and it can be used as an auxiliary tool to explore the degradation mechanisms of new labile plant compounds. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Myrosinase Compatible Simultaneous Determination of Glucosinolates and Allyl Isothiocyanate by Capillary Electrophoresis Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography (CE‐MEKC)
Authors: Gonda Sándor , Kiss‐Szikszai Attila , Szűcs Zsolt , Nguyen Nhat Minh , Vasas Gábor
Published: June 2016

Introduction

The functional food Cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates which are decomposed by the myrosinase enzyme upon tissue damage. The isothiocyanates are the most frequent decomposition products. Because of their various bioactivities, these compounds and the myrosinase is of high interest to many scientific fields.

Objective

Development of a capillary electrophoresis method capable of myrosinase‐compatible, simultaneous quantification of glucosinolates and isothiocyanates.

Methods

Capillary electrochromatography parameters were optimised, followed by optimisation of a myrosinase‐compatible derivatisation procedure for isothiocyanates. Vegetable extracts (Brussels sprouts, horseradish, radish and watercress) were tested for myrosinase activity, glucosinolate content and isothiocyanate conversion rate. Allyl isothiocyanate was quantified in some food products.

Results

The method allows quantification of sinigrin, gluonasturtiin and allyl isothiocyanate after myrosinase compatible derivatisation in‐vial by mercaptoacetic acid. The chromatograhpic separation takes 2.5 min (short‐end injection) or 15 min (long‐end injection). For the tested vegetables, measured myrosinase activity was between 0.960–27.694 and 0.461–26.322 µmol/min/mg protein, glucosinolate content was between 0–2291.8 and 0–248.5 µg/g fresh weight for sinigrin and gluconastrutiin, respectively. The possible specificity of plants to different glucosinolates was also shown. Allyl isothiocyanate release rate was different in different vegetables (73.13 − 102.13%). The method could also be used for quantification of allyl isothiocyanate from food products.

Conclusions

The presented capillary electrophoresis method requires a minimal amount of sample and contains only a few sample preparation steps, and can be used in several applications (glucosinolate determination, myrosinase activity measurement, isothiocyanate release estimation). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of a Smartphone Metabolomics Platform to the Authentication of Schisandra sinensis
Authors: Kwon Hyuk Nam , Phan Hong‐Duc , Xu Wen Jun , Ko Yoon‐Joo , Park Sunghyouk
Published: June 2016

Introduction

Herbal medicines have been used for a long time all around the world. Since the quality of herbal preparations depends on the source of herbal materials, there has been a strong need to develop methods to correctly identify the origin of materials.

Objective

To develop a smartphone metabolomics platform as a simpler and low‐cost alternative for the identification of herbal material source.

Methodology

Schisandra sinensis extracts from Korea and China were prepared. The visible spectra of all samples were measured by a smartphone spectrometer platform. This platform included all the necessary measures built‐in for the metabolomics research: data acquisition, processing, chemometric analysis and visualisation of the results. The result of the smartphone metabolomics platform was compared to that of NMR‐based metabolomics, suggesting the feasibility of smartphone platform in metabolomics research.

Results

The smartphone metabolomics platform gave similar results to the NMR method, showing good separation between Korean and Chinese materials and correct predictability for all test samples.

Conclusion

With its accuracy and advantages of affordability, user‐friendliness, and portability, the smartphone metabolomics platform could be applied to the authentication of other medicinal plants. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antitrypanosomal Activity of a Novel Taccalonolide from the Tubers of Tacca leontopetaloides
Authors: Dike Vivian T. , Vihiior Burbwa , Bosha Joel A. , Yin Tung Mei , Ebiloma Godwin Unekwuojo , de Koning Harry P. , Igoli John O. , Gray Alexander I.
Published: June 2016

Introduction

Several taccalonolides with various bioactivities have been isolated from Tacca species but no studies to isolate taccalonolides with anti‐trypanosomal activity from Tacca leontopetaloides have been reported.

Objectives

To analyse extracts of the roots of Tacca leontopetaloides, purify the extracts by column chromatography and identify isolated compounds by spectroscopic methods. The compounds and fractions will be tested for antitrypanosomal activity in vitro against Trypanosoma brucei brucei.

Material and methods

Dried roots or tubers of Tacca leontopetaloides, chromatographic separation and spectroscopic identification.

Results

A novel taccalonolide A propanoate and some known taccalonolides were isolated and their structures were determined by NMR and mass spectrometry

Conclusion

Several taccalonolides were isolated from Tacca leontopetaloides and were found to have in vitro antitrypanosomal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei and EC50 values for the isolated compounds were from 0.79 µg/mL. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vibrational spectroscopy of synthetic and natural eumelanin
Authors: Perna Giuseppe , Lasalvia Maria , Capozzi Vito
Published: June 2016

We report vibrational spectra of two types of eumelanin samples: a synthetic one, produced by oxidation of tyrosine with hydrogen peroxide, and a natural one, extracted from Sepia officinalis, with the aim of pointing out the differences between the main vibrational properties of such two pigments. Fourier transform infrared, Raman and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering spectra allow the identification of several vibrational modes involving specific monomeric units. The main differences between the spectra of the two types of eumelanin are related to (i) a larger amount of carboxylic acid in the synthetic than in the natural sample; (ii) a shift of spectral position of corresponding peaks; and (iii) a contribution of residual proteins to the signals from the natural sample. Such results suggest that vibrational techniques may be helpful for non‐destructively determining the composition of various eumelanin pigments, with potential applications in biomedical, electronic and cultural heritage fields. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Solar cell efficiency tables (version 48)
Authors: Green Martin A. , Emery Keith , Hishikawa Yoshihiro , Warta Wilhelm , Dunlop Ewan D.
Published: June 2016

Consolidated tables showing an extensive listing of the highest independently confirmed efficiencies for solar cells and modules are presented. Guidelines for inclusion of results into these tables are outlined, and new entries since January 2016 are reviewed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analytical modeling of nonideal Schottky diode with series and shunt resistance and application in hydrogen gas sensors
Authors: Liu Y. , Tang W. M. , Lai P. T.
Published: June 2016

This work proposes a method for extracting the barrier height, ideality factor, series, and shunt resistances of Schottky diodes with high accuracy and consistency. By defining the voltage boundaries for the three regions of the current–voltage curve that are controlled by shunt resistance, thermal emission, and series resistance, respectively, the method can avoid the problems of traditional methods through nonlinear fitting and iterations. The application on Schottky‐diode‐type hydrogen sensor with a structure of Pd/WO3/SiC reveals excellent agreement between the extracted voltage boundaries and the turning points on the current–voltage curve under different temperatures and hydrogen concentrations. The average mean‐squared error of the model current–voltage data vs. experimental data is 0.371, more than five times smaller than that of traditional methods based on least‐squares linear regression.
Analysing adverse events by time‐to‐event models: the CLEOPATRA study
Authors: Proctor Tanja , Schumacher Martin
Published: June 2016

When analysing primary and secondary endpoints in a clinical trial with patients suffering from a chronic disease, statistical models for time‐to‐event data are commonly used and accepted. This is in contrast to the analysis of data on adverse events where often only a table with observed frequencies and corresponding test statistics is reported. An example is the recently published CLEOPATRA study where a three‐drug regimen is compared with a two‐drug regimen in patients with HER2‐positive first‐line metastatic breast cancer. Here, as described earlier, primary and secondary endpoints (progression‐free and overall survival) are analysed using time‐to‐event models, whereas adverse events are summarized in a simple frequency table, although the duration of study treatment differs substantially. In this paper, we demonstrate the application of time‐to‐event models to first serious adverse events using the data of the CLEOPATRA study. This will cover the broad range between a simple incidence rate approach over survival and competing risks models (with death as a competing event) to multi‐state models. We illustrate all approaches by means of graphical displays highlighting the temporal dynamics and compare the obtained results. For the CLEOPATRA study, the resulting hazard ratios are all in the same order of magnitude. But the use of time‐to‐event models provides valuable and additional information that would potentially be overlooked by only presenting incidence proportions. These models adequately address the temporal dynamics of serious adverse events as well as death of patients. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Compositional Data Methods in Customer Survey Analysis
Authors: Vives‐Mestres Marina , Martín‐Fernández Josep‐Antoni , Kenett Ron S.
Published: June 2016

Customer satisfaction is usually measured by questionnaires with statements scored on an anchored scale. Responses to such surveys consist of compositional data (CoDa) by considering the frequency distribution of ratings across questions or respondents. By CoDa, we mean vectors whose elements contain relative information, that is, its total sum is not informative. In this paper, we explore the contribution of CoDa methodology to the analysis of customer satisfaction surveys. Compositional methods are based on the principle of working on coordinates, that is, values obtained by the logarithm of ratios of the parts in a composition. We present common compositional tools such as descriptive statistics,
control chart and principal component analysis (among others), and show an example of application to the annual customer satisfaction survey of the ABC Company. We highlight the advantage of the compositional approach in dealing with non response, which turns into a difficulty when dealing with zeros. We finally underline the pros and cons of the proposed analysis. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving Websites' Quality of Service by Shortening Their Browsing Expected Path Length
Authors: Postelnicu Zohar , Raviv Tal , Ben‐Gal Irad
Published: June 2016

This work proposes a method to improve the QoS provided to internet users by website servers. In particular, the goal is to minimize the expected number of browsing steps (clicks), also known as the expected path length, which are required to reach a website page by a community of users. We use Markov chain modeling to represent the transition probabilities from one webpage to another, and the first passage from page to page that can be retrieved from web server logs. The proposed method deletes links among webpages to minimize the expected path length of the website. Three different methods for achieving this goal are examined: (i) a greedy deletion heuristic; (ii) an approximated branch and bound algorithm; and (iii) a cross‐entropy metaheuristic. Numerical studies show that the proposed greedy heuristic results in the optimal solution in more than 60% of the tested cases, while in almost 90% of the cases, the obtained solution is within 10% of the optimal solution. Both the approximated branch and bound and the cross‐entropy methods achieved optimality in more than 80% of the tested cases; however, this came with a much higher computational cost. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measurement Error Models for Interlaboratory Comparison Measurement Data
Authors: Berni Rossella , Nikiforova Nedka D.
Published: June 2016

Test laboratories with International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission 17025:2005 accreditation are obliged to calculate measurement uncertainty and declare the calculated value. Furthermore, they have to ensure the quality of the test results, and their participation in interlaboratory comparisons is mandatory for the accreditation. To this end, a standard procedure is available, and the laboratory's performance is also assessed by comparing its results with the reference value.

While several studies consider the problem of analyzing interlaboratory comparison data, the problem still remains of how to include all the measurements (containing uncertainties and outliers) and all the dispersion effects arising during the test activity, in the analysis. This paper aims to improve the analysis of interlaboratory comparison data by focusing on an error measurement model, which considers the declared measured values and the corresponding uncertainties, and by also accounting for other dispersion effects involved in the interlaboratory activity. The problems of the small sample size and the presence of outliers are taken into account through the calculation of confidence intervals, by also evaluating the contribution of the variances estimated for the uncertainties, namely, by the signal‐to‐noise and reliability ratios. Moreover, the laboratory's performance is assessed by discriminating for the presence of outliers related to the reference value and/or to the uncertainty. The results are satisfactory in view of the issues addressed in this study, especially if we consider the specific kind of data. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional Control Charts and Health Monitoring of Steam Sterilizers
Authors: Fassò Alessandro , Toccu Maurizio , Magno Marino
Published: June 2016

In this paper, motivated by a multiple profile monitoring problem, we introduce general functional exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control charts. When functional data to be monitored are smooth enough to be representable by a finite dimensional basis, a particular version of these functional EWMAs is shown to be a multivariate EWMA applied to basis coefficients. Hence, it is called f‐EWMA for monitoring single profiles and f‐MEWMA for multiple profiles. The use of f‐MEWMA is illustrated in connection to health monitoring of a steam sterilizer during its life cycle. Indeed, each sterilization run gives several profiles related to machine health, and degradation of the steam sterilizer during its life cycle modifies profile curvature in an unpredictable way. Hence, a control chart capable to monitor multiple sterilization profiles during the sterilizer life cycle is needed. The f‐EWMA thresholds or control limits have been computed using Monte Carlo simulations. Moreover, the f‐EWMA performance has been assessed using experimental data generated in laboratory according to anomalies considered relevant to the sterilizer maintenance program. Consequently, the average run length for these anomalies has been computed applying Monte Carlo simulation to experimental results. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The analysis of terminal endpoint events in stepped wedge designs
Authors: Zhan Zhuozhao , de Bock Geertruida H. , Wiggers Theo , van den Heuvel Edwin
Published: June 2016

The stepped wedge design is a unique clinical trial design that allows for a sequential introduction of an intervention. However, the statistical analysis is unclear when this design is applied in survival data. The time‐dependent introduction of the intervention in combination with terminal endpoints and interval censoring makes the analysis more complicated. In this paper, a time‐on‐study scale discrete survival model was constructed. Simulations were conducted primarily to study the performance of our model for different settings of the stepped wedge design. Secondary, we compared our approach to continuous Cox proportional hazard model. The results show that the discrete survival model estimates the intervention effects unbiasedly. If the length of the censoring interval is increased, the precision of the estimates is decreased. Without left truncation and late entry, the number of steps improves the precision of the estimates, whereas in combination of left truncation and late entry, the number of steps decreases the precision. Given the same number of participants and clusters, a parallel group design has higher precision than a stepped wedge design. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Individualizing drug dosage with longitudinal data
Authors: Zhu Xiaolu , Qu Annie
Published: June 2016

We propose a two‐step procedure to personalize drug dosage over time under the framework of a log‐linear mixed‐effect model. We model patients' heterogeneity using subject‐specific random effects, which are treated as the realizations of an unspecified stochastic process. We extend the conditional quadratic inference function to estimate both fixed‐effect coefficients and individual random effects on a longitudinal training data sample in the first step and propose an adaptive procedure to estimate new patients' random effects and provide dosage recommendations for new patients in the second step. An advantage of our approach is that we do not impose any distribution assumption on estimating random effects. Moreover, the new approach can accommodate more general time‐varying covariates corresponding to random effects. We show in theory and numerical studies that the proposed method is more efficient compared with existing approaches, especially when covariates are time varying. In addition, a real data example of a clozapine study confirms that our two‐step procedure leads to more accurate drug dosage recommendations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modulation of Emission Intensities of Binary Films Composed of Fluorescent Amorphous Molecular Materials and p‐Toluenesulfonic Acid in Response to Exhaled Breath
Authors: Nakano Hideyuki , Nishimura Tomohiro , Nagata Eisuke , Ichikawa Ryoji
Published: June 2016

We have found that fluorescence emission of binary films composed of fluorescent amorphous molecular materials, 4‐[bis(4‐methylphenylaryl)amino]benzaldehyde (BMABA) and 4‐[bis(4‐methylphenylaryl)amino]acetophenone (BMAAP), with p‐toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH) was quenched at ambient dry atmosphere but enhanced when we breathed onto their films. When pausing the breath, the emission was again quenched. Moisture in the exhaled breath was suggested to play a role for such phenomena. It was suggested that some BMABA and BMAAP molecules were protonated in their films as prepared at ambient dry atmosphere and that protonation and deprotonation took place corresponding to change in surrounding humidity, resulting in modulation of emission intensity.
Nickel‐Catalyzed Desulfitative C–C Cross Coupling: The Synthesis of 6‐Aza‐Tetrahydroquinazolines and their Solvatochromism
Authors: Rajaguru Kandasamy , Mariappan Arumugam , Beneto Arockiam Jesin , Sivaraman Gandhi , Muthusubramanian Shanmugam , Siva Ayyanar , Bhuvanesh Nattamai
Published: June 2016

A convenient nickel catalyzed approach towards the synthesis of diversely substituted 6‐aza‐tetrahydroquinazolines from pyrido‐pyrimidine‐2‐thione motifs with organo boronic acids by non‐basic desulfitative C−C cross coupling strategy is described. The absorption and emission spectral studies on some of the synthesised compounds reveal the existent of D‐π‐A−D systems displaying solvatochromism.
Tapered Optical Fiber Probe with a Double–substrate Strategy for Surface–enhanced Raman Scattering Detection
Authors: Cao Jie , Mao Qinghe
Published: June 2016

We present a double‐substrate fiber probe for the improvement of SERS detection sensitivity by the laser‐induced deposition of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the taper surface of the optical fiber and the addition of highly active AgNPs (prepared by an autoclave reaction method) in the analyte solution. The SERS performance of such fiber probe was evaluated by using 4‐aminothiophenol (4‐ATP) as a target analyte molecule, and the results indicate that double SERS substrate displays higher SERS enhancement compared to each substrate alone or a simple sum of the signals from the two separate substrates. Furthermore, the detection limit of double‐substrate fiber probe for 4‐ATP aqueous solution can be down to 10−10 M.
Synthesis of ZIF‐8 Hollow Spheres via MOF‐to‐MOF Conversion
Authors: Xu Xiaona , Sun Ying , Zhang Qing , Wang Sixia , Zhang Lin , Wu Zhengming , Lu Guang
Published: June 2016

We report herein the synthesis of ZIF‐8 hollow spheres with uniform size and shell thickness from monodisperse MOF‐5 cubes via the MOF‐to‐MOF conversion strategy. The ZIF‐8 hollow spheres were obtained by reacting micron‐sized MOF‐5 cubes in the 2‐methylimidazole solution under the optimized experimental conditions. Their chemical composition, crystallinity, porosity, and thermal stability were well characterized and their formation was investigated by time‐dependent electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The porous nature of MOF‐5 and the stronger coordination interaction between 2‐methylimidazole and Zn ions are believed to be responsible for the formation of the ZIF‐8 hollow spheres.
Fundamental study of high Q‐factor RF spiral inductor using carbonyl‐iron/epoxy composite magnetic core
Authors: Sonehara Makoto , Furihata Kazuaki , Koguchi Jun , Tanaka Shingo , Sato Toshiro
Published: June 2016

In order to increase the Q‐factor of an RF spiral inductor used in the RF front‐end circuit of smartphone handsets, we introduced a carbonyl‐iron/epoxy composite magnetic core in the air‐core spiral inductor. The composite magnetic core, which was made by metal‐mask printing, consisted of carbonyl‐iron powder of 1.1 μm mean diameter and an epoxy resin matrix. We found that the 45 vol.% CIP composite magnetic core had a saturation magnetization of 0.9 T, relative permeability of ∼6, and loss tangent (tan δ) of ∼0.2 at 1 GHz. A two‐turn copper spiral inductor fabricated with the composite magnetic core filled only in the spacing between the conductor lines showed a clear Q‐factor increase of ∼29% compared to the air‐core spiral inductor at 1 GHz. Thus we obtained a substantial increase in the Q‐factor by the embedded composite magnetic core in the spacing between the conductor lines. The main reason for this is that the magnetic flux passing through the conductor lines was decreased by the magnetic core embedded in the spacing between conductor lines as a result of the magnetic flux passing mainly through the embedded magnetic core. Therefore, proximity effect is suppressed in the conductor line of the spiral coil. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
“We Need More Consistency”: Negotiating the Division of Labor in ESOL–Mainstream Teacher Collaboration
Authors: Peercy Megan Madigan , Ditter Margaret , Destefano Megan
Published: June 2016

This study contributes to research on teacher collaboration, which has not adequately examined the supports and challenges to English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) specialists and mainstream classroom teachers sharing roles in a student‐centered classroom. Using a sociocultural theoretical framework, this study highlights the importance of routine in collaborating teachers' attempts to create a shared division of labor. Using qualitative analysis of interview and observational data, we focus on the division of labor of a coteaching pair, exploring how the teachers used shared teaching goals and tools to facilitate collaboration. Findings indicate that although the teachers valued their collaborative work, interruptions to their routine made it difficult to work productively together at times. This work has implications for administrators and policy makers whose decision making has an impact on teachers' daily schedules. When teachers cannot count on a consistent routine together, they are unable to engage in truly equal coteaching in which both teachers' skills are used to their fullest to benefit not only English language learners, but all students. Future studies should engage in more detailed and sustained observation of coteaching pairs as they negotiate roles and engage in their particular approaches to their division of labor.
Enzymatic Interesterification of Lauric Fat Blends Formulated by Grouping Triacylglycerol Melting Points
Authors: Nusantoro B. P. , Xanthina M. , Kadivar S. , Yanty N. A. M. , Dewettinck K.
Published: June 2016

Lauric fat blends (appreciable amount of lauric fat with liquid oil and hard fat) initially formulated for shortening production by grouping triacylglycerol (TAG) melting points were further modified by enzymatic interesterification (EIE) to improve their key functionalities as plastic fats. At a similar fat blend formulation, only the high melting fat and medium melting fat were interesterified in binary‐EIE. Meanwhile, both fats and the liquid oil were interesterified in ternary‐EIE. The solid fat content (SFC) of all binary‐EIE blends was generally retained as similar in the temperature range between 0 and 20 °C when the amount of unsaturated TAGs was limited by excluding the liquid oil during EIE. However, the SFC was significantly reduced at temperatures above 20 °C compared to that of the initial blends. Furthermore, the melting point of binary‐EIE blends at BH50H15 formulation prepared with palm stearin and fully hydrogenated rapeseed oil as the hard fat was found to be drastically reduced from 54.6 to 35.3 °C and from 62.8 to 39.2 °C, respectively. In contrast, the SFC of ternary‐EIE blends was generally reduced when more unsaturated TAGs were available for EIE by including the liquid oil. However, higher SFC was noticed at temperatures around 10 °C in ternary‐EIE blends, as the amount of high‐melting fractions in their initial blends was increased from BH50H5 to BH50H15. Eventually, both binary and ternary‐EIE were also found to significantly alter the crystal microstructure of lauric fat blends, in terms of crystal morphology, size and network density.
Retrospective analysis of clinicopathological features of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas
Authors: Ugras Nesrin , Yerci Ömer , Coşkun Sinem Kantarcıoğlu , Ocakoğlu Gökhan , Sarkut Pınar , Dündar Halit Ziya
Published: June 2016

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the pancreas is a rare neoplasm that accounts for 2–3% of all primary pancreatic neoplasms. This study aimed to characterize clinicopathological features associated with SPNs and to retrospectively evaluate the relationship of these features with predictive parameters associated with aggressive behavior. We reviewed 16 cases of SPN of the pancreas that had been diagnosed between 2005 and 2014 at our pathology department. A total of 16 cases, 15 female and one male, were evaluated in this study. The patient age ranged from 13 years to 63 years with a median of 35.70 years. The mean tumor diameter ranged from 2 cm to 18 cm with a mean diameter of 5.90 cm. We identified a significant association between the presence of clear cells and perineural invasion (p = 0.019), which was considered to be a predictive factor for aggressive behavior. Other features (i.e., localization, nuclear grooves, central hyalinization, myxoid stroma, eosinophilic bodies, foamy histiocyte aggregates, multinucleated cells, and calcification) were not significantly associated with predictive factors for aggressive behavior. One patient died as a result of a pancreatic fistula that developed as a postoperative complication. The remaining 15 patients are alive and have not demonstrated any signs of recurrence or metastasis. The current study suggested that the presence of clear cells might serve as a possible prognostic indicator of perineural invasion, which is a predictive parameter associated with aggressive behavior in SPN.
Beneficial Effects of Dry Needling for Treatment of Chronic Myofascial Pain Persist for 6 Weeks After Treatment Completion
Authors: Gerber Lynn H. , Sikdar Siddhartha , Aredo Jacqueline V. , Armstrong Katee , Rosenberger William F. , Shao Hui , Shah Jay P.
Published: June 2016

Background

Dry needling is an effective treatment for reducing pain associated with active myofascial trigger points (a‐MTrPs) in the short term. The duration of the benefits of this treatment have not been fully assessed.

Objective

To determine whether the benefits of dry needling (DN) of a‐MTrPs are sustained 6 weeks posttreatment.

Design

Follow‐up of a prospective study.

Setting

University.

Participants

A total of 45 patients (13 male and 32 female) with cervical pain >3 months and a‐MTrPs in the upper trapezius who completed 3 DN treatments and who were evaluated 6 weeks posttreatment.

Interventions

None.

Main Outcome Measures

Primary outcomes were changes from baseline to follow‐up in scores for the verbal analogue scale (VAS), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and MTrP status. MTrPs were rated as active (spontaneously painful), latent (painful only on compression), and nonpalpable nodule. Responders were patients whose MTrP status changed from active to latent or nonpalpable nodule (resolved). Secondary outcomes were pain pressure threshold (PPT), Profile of Mood States, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), MOS 36‐Item Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36), and cervical range of motion.

Results

Pain measures remained significantly improved 6 weeks posttreatment (P < .003), as did the SF‐36 physical functioning score (0.01) and ODI (P = .002). Side bending and PPT for subjects with unilateral MTrPs had sustained improvement (P = .002). The number of subjects with sustained MTrP response at 6 weeks was significant (P < .001). Comparing responders to nonresponders, the changes in VAS and BPI were statistically significant (P = .006, P = .03) but the change in PPT was not. Patients with higher baseline VAS scores had a higher risk of not responding to DN; those with a greater drop in VAS score from baseline had a higher probability of sustained response. A 1‐unit decrease in VAS at baseline resulted in a 6.3‐fold increase in the odds of being a responder versus a nonresponder (P = .008).

Conclusions

In this study, there was sustained reduction of pain scores after completion of DN, which is more likely with a greater drop in VAS score. Patients with higher baseline VAS scores are less likely to respond to DN. Early intervention toward significant pain reduction is likely to be associated with sustained clinical response.

Level of Evidence

IV
F.06 Our institution’s experience with in-patient falls on the Neurosurgery ward
Authors: Naeem AH , Wang B , Siddiqi F
Published: June 2016

Background: Neurosurgery patients are at higher risk of falls given the morbidity associated with their neurological disease. We present our department’s experience with in-patient falls. Methods: We analyzed our hospital’s database for Neurosurgery in-patient falls from January 1st till December 31st, 2015. Results: Of 1,317 patients admitted under Neurosurgery, 5% (n=63) had in-patient falls. CT head was done in 24% (n=15) of patients who had a fall and 93% (n=14) of the CT head post-fall was reported as no significant interval change. The combined cost of repeat CT imaging reporting no interval changes was approximately $ 7,000. One CT head post-fall showed worsening midline shift but did not impact management. One of the 78% (n=48) post-fall patients who did not get a CT head progressed to coma requiring emergent surgery and another patient suffered an isolated hip fracture requiring operation. 41% (n=26) of falls were from bed and 37% (n=22) were while ambulating. Leading diagnosis of in-patient falls was subdural hematoma (33%, n=21) and tumour (32%, n=20). Conclusions: Identification of risk factors for in-patient falls can reduce hospitalization costs. The highest number of in-patient falls occurs in patients with subdural hematoma and are likely to occur from a patient’s bed.
F.11 Predictors of length of stay following lumbar fusion
Authors: Lang ST , Yavin D , Dhaliwal P , Steve C , DuPlessis S
Published: June 2016

Background: Accurate prediction of length of stay (LOS) following elective lumbar fusion may help optimize the utilization of resources and may assist with physician and patient expectations. Methods: Outcomes were collected prospectively among patients undergoing elective lumbar fusion. Prolonged LOS was defined as ≥5 days. The influence of baseline and peri-operative characteristics on the odds of prolonged LOS was assessed by a multivariate logistic regression model. Results: 150 patients underwent elective lumbar fusion surgery. Patient characteristics were as follows: average age was 61.9, average pre-operative back pain measured by the visual analogue scale was 54.3, and 36.5% of patients were identified as having severe disability, defined by an Oswestry disability index over 40. The average LOS was 4.9 days, with 28% having a prolonged LOS. Majority of patients had one level fused (69.7%). The odds of prolonged LOS were increased by severe disability (odds ratio [OR] 3.58, p<0.005), levels fused (OR 2.52, p<0.005), greater than 70 years of age (OR 3.81, p<0.005), and any treatment related adverse event (OR 4.32, p <0.02). There was no significant influence of prolonged surgery (p=0.3) or pre-operative back pain (p=0.23) on LOS. Conclusions: Prolonged length of stay was significantly influenced by severe disability, levels fused, age > 70, and any adverse events.
P.001 The use of evidence based guidelines to identify candidates for epilepsy surgery referral in a paediatric epilepsy practice
Authors: Gallipoli A , Macdonald EA
Published: June 2016

Background: Approximately 95,000 Ontarians, including nearly 15,000 children, have a diagnosis of epilepsy (CCSO, 2015). Management is typically with medication, though surgical resection offers permanent cure in a subsection of patients. A 2012 Health Quality Ontario study estimated a potential 9,300 patients as surgical candidates, but only 150 operations are performed annually, suggesting the surgery option is underutilized. This study attempts to identify reasons for non-referral in a small epilepsy practice. Methods: Evidence based guidelines (Jette, N et al, CMAJ 2014) were used to define eligibility for surgical referral in 274 children with epilepsy. The presence of referral criteria was analyzed. Results: 22 children had clear evidence of drug resistance and one other criteria for referral for epilepsy surgery. 10 referrals had been made. Complex syndromes were present in 40% of the referrals, and 10% of the unreferred. Surgical lesions were present on MRI in 60% of the referrals and 14% of the unreferred. The majority of the unreferred have refractory focal epilepsy but no known surgical abnormality on MRI. Conclusions: In our practice there is a referral bias towards patients with MRI lesions, whereas those without MRI findings tend not to be referred, despite being refractory.
P.002 Neurodevelopment at 2 years in asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia can be predicted by early neuroimaging markers
Authors: Al Amrani FJ , Wintermark P
Published: June 2016

Background: Brain imaging in asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia has shown that brain injury can be identified as early as day 2 of life and continue to evolve over the first month of life. Methods: Asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia were enrolled prospectively. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were measured on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed over the first month of life. Neurodevelopment was evaluated around 2 years of age. Results: Twenty-six asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia were enrolled. In asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia, who developed cerebral palsy, ADC values were significantly decreased on day 1 of life, on day 2-3 and around day 10 of life in the thalamus. In the same newborns, the FA values were significantly decreased on day 10 of life. Conclusions: Early MRI measurements permitted to identify the newborns developing cerebral palsy as early as on day 1 of life and could thus be used in the future to predict the long-term neurodevelopmental outcome asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia.
A.07 Head circumference in preterm neonates: size at birth and postnatal growth predict neurodevelopment at 18 months
Authors: Selvanathan T , Chau V , Brant R , Synnes A , Grunau R , Miller S
Published: June 2016

Background: We determined the association between head circumference (HC) at birth and through neonatal intensive care with neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm neonates, accounting for brain injury on MRI. Methods: 169 neonates born 24-32 weeks gestation were studied prospectively with serial MRI. HC was measured at birth and discharge from neonatal intensive care. Outcome was assessed at 18 months corrected age using Bayley Scales of Infant & Toddler Development III motor and cognitive scores. Using multivariate linear regressions we evaluated the association between HC and outcomes, accounting for severity of brain injury and postnatal infection. Results: 46 neonates had HC <10th percentile at birth (SHC) which predicted poorer motor (~4 points; p=0.001) and cognitive (~4 points; p=0.005) outcomes, relative to those with normal HC at birth. In 9 of these neonates, SHC persisted to discharge; they had dramatically lower motor scores (15 points; p=0.004) and cognitive scores (12 points; p<0.001), even after adjusting for known risk factors Those born with SHC whose HC normalized by discharge did not show significantly poorer outcomes than those born with normal HC. Conclusions: The relationship between small HC at birth and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes can be attenuated with normalization of head growth through the period of neonatal intensive care.