bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A road to a multiconfigurational ensemble density functional theory without ghost interactions
Authors: Pastorczak Ewa , Pernal Katarzyna
Published: February 2016

Ensemble density functional theory (DFT) is a theory potentially able to describe electronic states inaccessible to traditional time‐dependent DFT approaches, e.g. Rydberg and double excitations. When combined with ensemble wavefunction approaches through a range‐separation scheme of Stoll and Savin (Density Functional Methods in Physics, 1985, 177‐207), a resulting multiconfiguration ensemble DFT is able to address also such challenging phenomena as bond breaking in the electronically excited molecules. Ensemble DFT is, however, crippled by the so‐called “ghost interaction” error, analogous to the self‐interaction error in the ground‐state DFT. We are exploring ways to alleviate this effect. We also study the importance of spin polarization in the density functional, the self‐consistency effects and the impact of tunable parameters on the quality of shapes of potential energy surfaces. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Critical parameters and spherical confinement of H atom in screened Coulomb potential
Authors: Roy Amlan K.
Published: February 2016

Critical parameters in three screened potentials, namely, Hulthén, Yukawa, and exponential cosine screened Coulomb potential are reported. Accurate estimates of these parameters are given for each of these potentials, for all states having
. Comparison with literature results is made, wherever possible. Present values compare excellently with reference values; for higher n, ℓ, our results are slightly better. Some of these are presented for first time. Further, we investigate the spherical confinement of H atom embedded in a dense plasma modeled by an exponential cosine screened potential. Accurate energies along with their variation with respect to box size and screening parameter are calculated and compared with reference results in literature. Sample dipole polarizabilities are also provided in this case. The generalized pseudospectral method is used for accurate determination of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for all calculations. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
JS‐SAN: defense mechanism for HTML5‐based web applications against javascript code injection vulnerabilities
Authors: Gupta Shashank , Gupta B. B.
Published: February 2016

This paper presents an injection and clustering‐based sanitization framework, i.e. JS‐SAN (JavaScript SANitizer) for the mitigation of JS code injection vulnerabilities. It generates an attack vector template by performing the clustering on the extracted JS attack vector payloads corresponding to their level of similarity. As a result, it then sanitizes the extracted JS attack vector template by an automated technique of placement of sanitizers in the source code of generated templates of web applications. We have also performed the deepest possible crawling of web pages for finding the possible user‐injection points and injected the latest HTML5‐based XSS attack vectors for testing the mitigation capability of our framework. The implementation of our design was done on the browser‐side JavaScript library and tested as an extension on the Google Chrome. The attack mitigation capability of JS‐SAN was evaluated by incorporating the support from a tested suite of open source web applications that are vulnerable to JS code injection vulnerabilities. The proposed framework validates its novelty by producing a less rate of false negatives and tolerable runtime overhead as compared to existing sanitization‐based approaches. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cyclodextrin – ferrocene host – guest complexes on silicon oxide surfaces
Authors: Nietzold C. , Dietrich P. M. , Lippitz A. , Panne U. , Unger W. E. S.
Published: February 2016

Research on carbohydrate‐based interactions with proteins, nucleic acids, or antibodies has gained increased interest in the last years especially in clinical diagnosis or drug development. The efficiency of diagnostic interfaces depends upon the number of probe molecules, e.g., carbohydrates. The control of surface parameters as density and distribution of immobilized carbohydrates is essential for a reliable interaction with protein analytes. A controlled production of biomolecular interfaces can be reached by a stepwise quality control during buildup of these biointerfaces.

Here, ß‐amino‐cyclodextrin molecules were attached to amine‐reactive silicon oxide surfaces via click chemistry to construct a model biosensor surface. The amount of surface bound carbohydrates was determined indirectly after chemical derivatization with 4‐(trifluoromethyl)‐benzylamine (TFMBA). Moreover, these surfaces were used to form host–guest complexes of ferrocene (guest) and β‐cyclodextrin (host) moieties to mimic the target binding (sensing) of the model biosensor. Surface chemical analysis of all steps during biosensor construction was performed using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and near‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. Our approach widens the possibilities to generate switchable surfaces based on ß‐cyclodextrin surfaces for biosensor applications. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adjusting for unmeasured confounding due to either of two crossed factors with a logistic regression model
Authors: Li Li , Brumback Babette A. , Weppelmann Thomas A. , Morris J.Glenn , Ali Afsar
Published: February 2016

Motivated by an investigation of the effect of surface water temperature on the presence of Vibrio cholerae in water samples collected from different fixed surface water monitoring sites in Haiti in different months, we investigated methods to adjust for unmeasured confounding due to either of the two crossed factors site and month. In the process, we extended previous methods that adjust for unmeasured confounding due to one nesting factor (such as site, which nests the water samples from different months) to the case of two crossed factors. First, we developed a conditional pseudolikelihood estimator that eliminates fixed effects for the levels of each of the crossed factors from the estimating equation. Using the theory of U‐Statistics for independent but non‐identically distributed vectors, we show that our estimator is consistent and asymptotically normal, but that its variance depends on the nuisance parameters and thus cannot be easily estimated. Consequently, we apply our estimator in conjunction with a permutation test, and we investigate use of the pigeonhole bootstrap and the jackknife for constructing confidence intervals. We also incorporate our estimator into a diagnostic test for a logistic mixed model with crossed random effects and no unmeasured confounding. For comparison, we investigate between‐within models extended to two crossed factors. These generalized linear mixed models include covariate means for each level of each factor in order to adjust for the unmeasured confounding. We conduct simulation studies, and we apply the methods to the Haitian data. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparing for the Field by Topics: A Systems Theory Inspired Strategy for Improving Social Access
Authors: Grothe‐Hammer Michael
Published: February 2016

This paper presents a preparation strategy for ethnographic field stays that seeks to speed up the process of gaining social access (after physical access) to the participants in the field by a thematic preparation for the stay. We build on our experiences of an ethnographic inquiry as well as on autopoietic systems theory by Niklas Luhmann. We shall argue that so far, little attention has been given to possibilities of preparation of topics of communication with field participants in the foregoing of a stay. However, the existing methodological literature in this respect so far focuses mainly on the preparation of professional topics for communication. We want to add to these strategies and propose to gain knowledge about possibly acceptable topics for sociable communication in the field by conducting ex ante interviews with existing gatekeepers. Researchers can therefore prepare those topics to quickly gain social access in the field. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Epistemology of Enterprises
Authors: Pennock Michael J. , Rouse William B.
Published: February 2016

Enterprises are essential to the sustainment of our modern society. However, they rarely receive the level of attention and rigor that technical systems do. Treating enterprises as systems is a promising approach, but enterprises depend on a substantial social component. The inherent complexity of social systems introduces epistemic limitations that inhibit our ability to model social systems and predict their behavior. Consequently, traditional engineering approaches that rely on prediction and control can be ineffective or misleading when applied to enterprises. In this paper we explore the implications of these epistemic limitations on the engineering of enterprises. We conclude that it is necessary to apply dynamic strategies to mitigate these limitations and adapt enterprise modeling efforts accordingly. The goal with enterprises, in contrast to traditional technical systems, is to influence rather than control. We outline an interdisciplinary research agenda to progress toward this goal.
Games, Gaming, and Gamification: Some Aspects of Motivation
Authors: Hanson‐Smith Elizabeth
Published: February 2016

Unsupported claims have been made for the use of games in education and the gamification (game‐like aspects, such as scores and point goals) of various learning elements. This brief article examines what may be the motivational basis of gaming and how it can affect students’ behavior and ultimate success.
Protective effect of wogonin on endotoxin‐induced acute lung injury via reduction of p38 MAPK and JNK phosphorylation
Authors: Wei Cheng‐Yu , Sun Hai‐Lun , Yang Ming‐Ling , Yang Ching‐Ping , Chen Li‐You , Li Yi‐Ching , Lee Chien‐Ying , Kuan Yu‐Hsiang
Published: February 2016

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a serious inflammatory disorder which remains the primary cause of incidence and mortality in patients with acute pulmonary inflammation. However, there is still no effective medical strategy available clinically for the improvement of ALI. Wogonin, isolated from roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, is a common medicinal herb which presents biological and pharmacological effects, including antioxidation, anti‐inflammation, and anticancer. Preadministration of wogonin inhibited not only lung edema but also protein leakage into the alveolar space in murine model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced ALI. Moreover, wogonin not only reduced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)−2 but also inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) induced by LPS. We further found wogonin inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK at a concentration lower than ERK. In addition, inhibition of lung edema, protein leakage, expression of iNOS and COX‐2, and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK were all observed in a parallel concentration‐dependent manner. These results suggest that wogonin possesses potential protective effect against LPS‐induced ALI via downregulation of iNOS and COX‐2 expression by blocking phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 397–403, 2017.
Gene expression profile changes induced by acute toxicity of [C16mim]Cl in loach (Paramisgurnus dabryanus)
Authors: Nan Ping , Yan Shuaiguo , Wang Yaxing , Du Qiyan , Chang Zhongjie
Published: February 2016

Ionic liquids (ILs) are widely used as reaction media in various commercial applications. Many reports have indicated that most ILs are poorly decomposed by microorganisms and are toxic to aquatic organisms. In this study, differential gene expression profiling was conducted using a suppression subtraction hybridization cDNA library from hepatic tissue of the loach (Paramisgurnus dabryanus) after exposure to 1‐hexadecyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride ([C16mim]Cl), a representative IL. Two hundred and fifty‐nine differentially expressed candidate genes, whose expression was altered by >2.0‐fold by the [C16mim]Cl treatment, were identified, including 127 upregulated genes and 132 downregulated genes. A gene ontology analysis of the known genes isolated in this study showed that [C16mim]Cl‐responsive genes were involved in cell cycle, stimulus response, defense response, DNA damage response, oxidative stress responses, and other biological responses. To identify candidate genes that may be involved in [C16mim]Cl‐induced toxicity, 259 clones were examined by Southern blot macroarray hybridization, and 20 genes were further characterized using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Finally, six candidate genes were selected, including three DNA damage response genes, two toxic substance metabolic genes, and one stress protein gene. Our results indicate that these changes in gene expression are associated with [C16mim]Cl‐induced toxicity, and that these six candidate genes can be promising biomarkers for detecting [C16mim]Cl‐induced toxicity. Therefore, this study demonstrates the use of a powerful assay to identify genes potentially involved in [C16mim]Cl toxicity, and it provides a foundation for the further study of related genes and the molecular mechanism of [C16mim]Cl toxicity. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 404–416, 2017.
Effect of benzofuranone on degradation and mechanical properties of polypropylene in processing
Authors: Meng Xin , Chen Weijie , Xin Zhong , Wu Chushi
Published: February 2016

Melt flow index, polydistribution index, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry have been used for the assessment of the degradation of virgin polypropylene (PP) and PP stabilized with benzofuranone derivatives. When PP samples were subjected to five extrusion cycles, the melt flow index and polydistribution index values of virgin PP sharply increased with the number of extrusion cycles, but the corresponding changes of PP stabilized with benzofuranone derivatives were not as great as those of virgin PP. Furthermore, the results of Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry showed that benzofuranone prevented the increasing of double bonds and the moving of crystal peak temperature to the higher temperature. All those changes indicate that the degradation of PP is inhibited efficiently by benzofuranone derivatives, and the stabilization with benzofuranone derivative in PP is beneficial to the maintenance of mechanical properties of PP. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 24:124–129, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Computing optical properties of ultra‐thin crystals
Authors: Sahin H. , Torun E. , Bacaksiz C. , Horzum S. , Kang J. , Senger R. T. , Peeters F. M.
Published: February 2016

An overview is given of recent advances in experimental and theoretical understanding of optical properties of ultra‐thin crystal structures (graphene, phosphorene, silicene, MoS2, MoSe2, WS2, WSe2, h‐AlN, h‐BN, fluorographene, and graphane). Ultra‐thin crystals are atomically thick‐layered crystals that have unique properties which differ from their 3D counterpart. Because of the difficulties in the synthesis of few‐atom‐thick crystal structures, which are thought to be the main building blocks of future nanotechnology, reliable theoretical predictions of their electronic, vibrational, and optical properties are of great importance. Recent studies revealed the reliable predictive power of existing theoretical approaches based on density functional theory. WIREs Comput Mol Sci 2016, 6:351–368. doi: 10.1002/wcms.1252

This article is categorized under:

Structure and Mechanism > Computational Materials Science

Electronic Structure Theory > Ab Initio Electronic Structure Methods

Electronic Structure Theory > Density Functional Theory
New methods to image transcription in living fly embryos: the insights so far, and the prospects
Authors: Ferraro Teresa , Lucas Tanguy , Clémot Marie , De Las Heras Chanes Jose , Desponds Jonathan , Coppey Mathieu , Walczak Aleksandra M. , Dostatni Nathalie
Published: February 2016

The regulation of transcription is a fundamental process underlying the determination of cell identity and its maintenance during development. In the last decades, most of the transcription factors, which have to be expressed at the right place and at the right time for the proper development of the fly embryo, have been identified. However, mostly because of the lack of methods to visualize transcription as the embryo develops, their coordinated spatiotemporal dynamics remains largely unexplored. Efforts have been made to decipher the transcription process with single molecule resolution at the single cell level. Recently, the fluorescent labeling of nascent RNA in developing fly embryos allowed the direct visualization of ongoing transcription at single loci within each nucleus. Together with powerful imaging and quantitative data analysis, these new methods provide unprecedented insights into the temporal dynamics of the transcription process and its intrinsic noise. Focusing on the Drosophila embryo, we discuss how the detection of single RNA molecules enhanced our comprehension of the transcription process and we outline the potential next steps made possible by these new imaging tools. In combination with genetics and theoretical analysis, these new imaging methods will aid the search for the mechanisms responsible for the robustness of development. WIREs Dev Biol 2016, 5:296–310. doi: 10.1002/wdev.221

This article is categorized under:

Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Regulatory Mechanisms

Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Quantitative Methods and Models
Community detection in social networks
Authors: Bedi Punam , Sharma Chhavi
Published: February 2016

The expansion of the web and emergence of a large number of social networking sites (SNS) have empowered users to easily interconnect on a shared platform. A social network can be represented by a graph consisting of a set of nodes and edges connecting these nodes. The nodes represent the individuals/entities, and the edges correspond to the interactions among them. The tendency of people with similar tastes, choices, and preferences to get associated in a social network leads to the formation of virtual clusters or communities. Detection of these communities can be beneficial for numerous applications such as finding a common research area in collaboration networks, finding a set of likeminded users for marketing and recommendations, and finding protein interaction networks in biological networks. A large number of community‐detection algorithms have been proposed and applied to several domains in the literature. This paper presents a survey of the existing algorithms and approaches for the detection of communities in social networks. We also discuss some of the applications of community detection. WIREs Data Mining Knowl Discov 2016, 6:115–135. doi: 10.1002/widm.1178

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Structure Discovery
Characterization of the VARIAN®PaxScan 2020+ flat panel detector for quantitative X‐ray imaging
Authors: Geser F. A. , Chacón D. , Figueroa R. , Malano F. , Santibañez M. , Valente M.
Published: February 2016

In this work, the response of the VARIAN® PaxScan 2020+ flat panel detector was characterized in terms of spatial resolution and uniformity across the detection area along with detection efficiency for photon beams from conventional X‐ray tubes. This information is not commonly provided by the manufacturer. The characterization of spatial resolution, response uniformity and the detection efficiency of the VARIAN® PaxScan 2020+ are a crucial key for improving imaging procedures with diagnostic purposes, mainly when quantification by image processing is required. According to the obtained results, the VARIAN® PaxScan 2020+ detector has, on average, a spatial uniformity, considered as detector response corresponding to different positions for a fixed excitation beam, of 77% measured across the whole detection area 19.8×19.8 cm2; whereas the minimum size measurable is (357 ± 14) μm. A rigorous method is shown to characterize the quantum efficiency, obtaining a suitable description and parameterization of the quantum efficiency as a function of energy. The incorporation of spatial uniformity and quantum efficiency for the convolution of the recorded images is in fact mandatory for the extraction of accurate quantitative information of scanned samples. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preventive Measures for Postoperative Bile Leakage After Central Hepatectomy: A Multicenter, Prospective, Observational Study of 101 Patients
Authors: Ishii Takamichi , Hatano Etsuro , Furuyama Hiroaki , Manaka Dai , Terajima Hiroaki , Uemoto Shinji
Published: February 2016

Background

There are no conclusive measures for preventing postoperative bile leakage (POBL).

Methods

First, 310 patients who underwent hepatectomy were analyzed retrospectively to clarify risk factors for POBL. Then, focusing on operations at high risk of POBL, patients who underwent central hepatectomy were recruited prospectively among 18 institutions, to evaluate various preventive measures for avoiding POBL. The primary endpoint was the frequency of POBL.

Results

The retrospective analysis revealed central hepatectomy and repeated hepatectomy to be independent risk factors for POBL. One hundred and one patients undergoing central hepatectomy were enrolled in the prospective study. POBL developed in 13 patients (12.9 %). Intraoperative bile leakage was recognized in 42 of the 101 patients (41.6 %), and 10 of the 42 patients developed POBL (23.8 %). Primary closure of the site of bile leakage and/or biliary drainage tube placement was preferable for preventing POBL in the patients with intraoperative bile leakage. Although 59 patients (58.4 %) did not show intraoperative bile leakage, three patients (5.1 %) developed POBL. In the group without intraoperative bile leakage, treatment with fibrin glue with a polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheet or collagen sheet coated with a fibrinogen and thrombin layer (CSFT) had good results.

Conclusions

Primary closure of the site of bile leakage and/or placement of biliary drainage tubes may be recommended in cases involving intraoperative bile leakage. Treatment with fibrin glue with a PGA sheet and/or CSFT might have preventive effects in patients without intraoperative bile leakage.
Further Defining the Role of the Laboratory Genetic Counselor
Authors: Waltman Lindsey , Runke Cassandra , Balcom Jessica , Riley Jacquelyn D. , Lilley Margaret , Christian Susan , Zetzsche Lindsay , Goodenberger McKinsey L.
Published: February 2016

Laboratory genetic counseling is becoming increasingly common as a result of increased laboratory services and genetic testing menus, as well as growing job responsibilities. Christian et al. (2012) provided the first quantitative data regarding the roles of the laboratory‐based genetic counselor (LBGC) finding that two of the most prevalent roles are as customer liaisons and communicators of test results. The goal of the present study was to further delineate the role of the LBGC by addressing specific tasks that LBGCs are involved with on a day‐to‐day basis. A survey was designed to expand upon themes identified in the Christian et al. (2012) study by querying specific tasks performed in several categories of potential LBGC job duties. An invitation for LBGCs to participate was distributed via email to the membership of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) and the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors (CAGC). We identified 121 genetic counselors who primarily work in the laboratory setting or whose job role includes a laboratory component. Almost all respondents performed customer liaison/case coordination (95 %), and interpretation and result reporting (88 %). The most frequently performed tasks within these categories involved addressing questions from clients, making phone calls with genetic testing results, obtaining clinical or family history information for results interpretation, and composing case‐specific interpretations for unique results and/or obtaining literature references to support interpretations. The study results also point to trends of expanding roles in sales and marketing, variant interpretation and management responsibilities. Results of this study may be useful to further define the full scope of practice of LBGCs, aid in the development of new LBGC positions and expand current positions to include roles related to test development, research, and student supervision. It may also aid in curriculum updates for training programs to increase exposure to LBGC roles.
Normal Femorotibial Rotational Alignment and Implications for Total Knee Arthroplasty: An MRI Analysis
Authors: Wernecke Gregory C. , Harrris Ian A. , Seeto Bradley G. , Chen Darren B. , MacDessi Samuel J.
Published: February 2016

Background

Rotational alignment of prosthetic components in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is important to successful outcomes. Component malrotation is a known cause of revision and understanding normal rotational alignment may help recreate normal joint kinematics. To date, no large MRI study assessing femorotibial rotational alignment in nonarthritic knees has been undertaken.

Questions/Purposes

Is Insall's tibial axis a reliable rotational landmark against common femoral rotational axes in the nonarthritic patient population?

Methods

We reviewed 544 knee MRI scans performed for suspected soft tissue pathology and identified Insall's tibial rotational axis as well as the femoral clinical trans-epicondylar axis (TEAc), femoral surgical trans-epicondylar axis (TEAs), posterior condylar articular axis (PCA), and a modified Eckhoff's cylindrical axis. The perpendiculars of these axes were superimposed on Insall's tibial axis, and the angular differences were measured.

Results

Insall's axis was internally rotated to the TEAc by 1.4°, externally rotated to Eckhoff's cylindrical axis by 1.8°, externally rotated to the TEAs by 2.7°, and externally rotated to the PCA by 3.5°. The mean deviation from 0° (optimal alignment for each femoral axis) was significantly greater for the PCA relative to all other femoral axis.

Conclusion

Insall's axis is a reliable landmark for rotational positioning of the tibial component and may optimize femorotibial kinematics in fixed-bearing TKA.
Who Shops at Local Farmers’ Markets? Committed Loyals, Experiencers and Produce-Orientated Consumers
Authors: McNeill Lisa , Hale Olivia
Published: February 2016

Lifestyle segmentation, used to explore consumer attitudes, interests, opinions and values, is applied to a local farmers’ market (the Otago farmers’ market, in New Zealand) in order to build a profile of consumer motivations and behavioural drivers beyond simple demographic data. Prior research indicates a growing need for studies that seek to understand the intangible aspects of food selection and consumption. Farmers’ market consumers are often treated as a homogenous group, with purchase and consumption decision making assumed to rest with tangible aspects of produce on offer, such as its organic nature or lower cost. The overall experience of the consumer within the food purchase environment is often overlooked. The current study finds that three distinctly different consumer segments exist within the farmers’ market context, with those concerned with the tangible aspects of produce being the smallest group of consumers. Two consumer segments driven by differing experience-related motivations give the greatest insight into consumer behaviour in a farmers’ market context, with committed, loyal consumers being concerned with relationships with sellers and producers, and experience orientated consumers motivated by the opportunity to interact with other farmers’ market attendees.
The Relationship between Shopping Mall Image and Congruity on Customer Behaviour: Evidence from Indonesia
Authors: Kaihatu Thomas S. , Spence Mark T.
Published: February 2016

Competition is intensifying amongst shopping malls. In response scholars have advanced various perspectives regarding how to differentiate shopping malls to gain competitive advantage, such as adding or expanding the level of entertainment available ( Sit et al., 2003 ). Others suggest malls satisfy non-functional wants, which stem from associations one has with the mall ( Rintamaki et al., 2006 ). Herein, a reflective measurement model is tested that explores the relationships between the latent constructs shopping mall image and congruity on customer behaviour. A high-end shopping mall in Indonesia is the context. As hypothesized, shopping mall image had a strong effect on customer behaviour, namely, the likelihood of purchasing, returning to the mall, and spreading positive WOM. However, congruity – captured by the indicator variables ‘self-image congruity’ and ‘congruity with other shoppers’ – had no effect on customer behaviour. We attribute this unanticipated finding to Indonesians scoring low on Hofstede's dimensions of Individualism and Indulgence. Survey participants indicated that there was high self-image congruity as well as congruity with other shoppers, but were unwilling to admit it affects their shopping behaviour – arguably, that would be self-indulgent and indicate a lack of restraint with respect to controlling their desires.
Enteric Distribution of Oral Contrast in Emergency Department Patients Undergoing Abdominal-Pelvic Computed Tomography
Authors: Hanna Tarek N. , Streicher Drew A. , Razavi Seyed Amirhossein , Khosa Faisal , Johnson Jamlik-Omari , Applegate Kimberly E.
Published: February 2016

Purpose

The study sought to assess the gastrointestinal (GI) distribution of oral contrast (OC) among emergency department (ED) patients and determine if contrast reaches the terminal ileum or site of pathology to assist in diagnosis.

Methods

Retrospectively, adults undergoing abdominal-pelvic computed tomography (APCT) in the ED at 2 hospitals were identified over a 3-month period. APCTs were reviewed for location of OC. Presence, site, type of bowel pathology, and prior gastrointestinal surgery were documented. When applicable, the site of bowel pathology was evaluated for the presence or absence of OC.

Results

There were 1349 exams with mean age 50.5 years (range 18–97 years), 41% male, with 530 (39%) receiving OC. In 271 of 530 (51%), OC reached the terminal ileum (TI). Bowel pathology was present in 31% of cases (165 of 530). When bowel pathology was present, 47% (77 of 165) had OC present at the pathology site. The GI tract was divided into 4 anatomic segments: OC most frequently reached pathology in stomach and duodenum (84%), but was present less frequently at sites of pathology from jejunum to TI (35%), proximal colon (57%), and distal colon (28%). In only 84 of 530 OC cases (16%) did contrast extend from the stomach to distal colon. OC administration contributed to longer mean APCT order to final report of 0.5 hours and longer mean ED length of stay of 0.8 hours compared with all patients who received APCT.

Conclusions

Optimal OC distribution is not achieved in more than half of ED patients, raising questions about the continued use of OC in the ED.
Visibility of Different Intraorbital Foreign Bodies Using Plain Radiography, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Cone-Beam Computed Tomography: An in Vitro Study
Authors: Javadrashid Reza , Golamian Masoud , Shahrzad Maryam , Hajalioghli Parisa , Shahmorady Zahra , Fouladi Daniel F. , Sadrarhami Shohreh , Akhoundzadeh Leila
Published: February 2016

Purpose

The study sought to compare the usefulness of 4 imaging modalities in visualizing various intraorbital foreign bodies (IOFBs) in different sizes.

Methods

Six different materials including metal, wood, plastic, stone, glass. and graphite were cut in cylindrical shapes in 4 sizes (dimensions: 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mm) and placed intraorbitally in the extraocular space of fresh sheep's head. Four skilled radiologists rated the visibility of the objects individually using plain radiography, spiral computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in accordance with a previously described grading system.

Results

Excluding wood, all embedded foreign bodies were best visualized in CT and CBCT images with almost equal accuracies. Wood could only be detected using MRI, and then only when fragments were more than 2 mm in size. There were 3 false-positive MRI reports, suggesting air bubbles as wood IOFBs.

Conclusions

Because of lower cost and using less radiation in comparison with conventional CT, CBCT can be used as the initial imaging technique in cases with suspected IOFBs. Optimal imaging technique for wood IOFBs is yet to be defined.
A meta‐analysis of the prognosis in patients with breast cancer with ipsilateral supraclavicular lymph node metastasis versus patients with stage IIIb/c or IV breast cancer
Authors: Liu Xu‐Hong , Zhang Lei , Chen Bo
Published: February 2016

Objective

To systematically evaluate the prognosis in patients with breast cancer with ipsilateral supraclavicular lymph node metastasis (SLNM) versus patients with stage IIIb/c or IV breast cancer, so as to provide evidence for clinical practice and research.

Methods

Computer retrieval from PubMed, Cochrane Libratory, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), CBM and Wanfang Database with the assistance of other retrieval tools. All the studies evaluating the prognosis in patients with breast cancer with ipsilateral supraclavicular lymph node metastasis versus patients with stage IIIb/c or IV breast cancer were collected. Quality assessment was performed for the included data based on the quality assessment criteria appropriate for this study. Meta‐analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software.

Results

A total of four references (1277 patients) were included. Assessment of influences on prognosis: As compared to the stage IIIb/c group, the 5‐year survival rate was slightly lower in the SLNM group (relative risk (RR) 0.79; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59–1.06; Z = 1.55, P = 0.12), but there was no statistical significance; in contrast, the 5‐year survival rate was significantly increased in the SLNM group as compared to the stage IV group (RR = 2.70; 95%CI: 1.36–5.37; Z = 2.84, P = 0.005). As compared to the stage IIIb/c group, the 5‐year disease‐free survival rate was lower in the SLNM group (RR = 0.65; 95%CI: 0.40–1.05; Z = 1.75, P = 0.08); however, there was no statistical significance.

Conclusions

In patients with advanced breast cancer receiving combined therapy, the prognosis in patients with breast cancer with ipsilateral SLNM was significantly better than in those with stage IV breast cancer, and slightly worse than those with stage IIIb/c breast cancer. However, with the scarcity and poor quality of these observational studies, the long‐term prognosis remains to be further verified in large‐sample, high‐quality studies.
Impact of interventions to reduce Alzheimer's disease pathology on the prevalence of dementia in the oldest‐old
Authors: Brookmeyer Ron , Kawas Claudia H. , Abdallah Nada , Paganini‐Hill Annlia , Kim Ronald C. , Corrada María M.
Published: February 2016

Introduction

The number of persons aged >90 years will grow significantly in coming decades. This group has the highest rates of dementia, most commonly Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods

Using The 90+ Study, we developed a statistical model for dementia risk based on brain pathologies. Intervention scenarios which reduce or eliminate AD pathology were considered, and the numbers of dementia cases among the U.S. oldest‐old that could be prevented were estimated.

Results

The U.S. dementia prevalence among the oldest‐old will increase from 1.35 million in 2015 to 4.72 million in 2050. If interventions eliminate AD pathology, dementia prevalence would be reduced by approximately 50%, averting nearly 2.4 million cases in 2050. However, large numbers of dementia cases would still remain.

Discussion

Reducing AD pathology would significantly decrease the public health burden of dementia. However, other interventions are needed to address the burden associated with other dementing pathologies prevalent in the oldest‐old.
The impact of self‐construal and ethnicity on self‐gifting behaviors
Authors: Pusaksrikit Theeranuch , Kang Jikyeong
Published: February 2016

This research extends the understanding of how self‐construal plays a role in our consumption behavior using self‐gifting as its context. By applying a four‐dimensional self‐construal model, we sought to examine differences in self‐gifting behaviors among the four self‐construal groups (i.e., Bicultural, Western, Traditional, and Alienated), composed of participants from four ethnic groups in the UK (White, Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi). The dependent variables included self‐gift propensity, self‐gift selection effort, and self‐gift post‐emotion. Our findings revealed significant differences in self‐gifting patterns among different self‐construal groups. Generally, the Bicultural and Western self‐construal groups are similar, but differ in self‐gifting behaviors from Traditional and Alienated self‐construal groups. We demonstrate how the four‐dimensional self‐construal model allows a more precise conceptualization of self‐construal and a more thorough investigation of cross‐cultural consumption patterns than does the two‐dimensional view.
Simultaneous identification of abused drugs, benzodiazepines, and new psychoactive substances in urine by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Lee Hei‐Hwa , Lee Jong‐Feng , Lin Shin‐Yu , Chen Bai‐Hsiun
Published: February 2016

A literature search reveals no studies concerning simultaneous identification of commonly abused drugs, benzodiazepines, and new psychoactive substances in urine by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). We developed and validated an LC–MS/MS method for simultaneous identification of multiple abused drugs, benzodiazepines, and new psychoactive substances in urine from suspected drug abusers. The instrument was operated in multiple‐reaction monitoring using an electrospray ionization mode. Chromatograms were separated using an ACE5 C18 column on a gradient of acetonitrile. After liquid–liquid extraction, samples were passed through a 0.22‐μm polyvinylidene difluoride filter before injection into the LC–MS/MS. The limits of quantitation ranged from 0.5 ng/mL to 31.3 ng/mL. The linearity ranged from 0.5 ng/mL to 200 ng/mL. The precision results were below 15.4% (intraday) and 18.7% (interday). The intraday accuracy ranged from 85.9% to 121.0%; interday accuracy ranged from 66.1% to 128.7%. The proposed method was applied to 769 urine samples. The most common three drugs identified were ketamine, amphetamine, and opiates. The drug positive rate for one or more drugs was 79.6%. Our results demonstrate the suitability of the LC–MS/MS method for simultaneous identification of multiple abused drugs, benzodiazepines, and new psychoactive substances in urine.
Acute Calcific Bursitis After Ultrasound‐Guided Percutaneous Barbotage of Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinopathy: A Case Report
Authors: Kang Bo‐Sung , Lee Seung Hak , Cho Yung , Chung Sun Gun
Published: February 2016

Ultrasound‐guided percutaneous barbotage is an effective treatment for rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy, providing rapid and substantial pain relief. We present the case of a 49‐year‐old woman with aggravated pain early after ultrasound‐guided barbotage of a large calcific deposit in the supraspinatus tendon. Subsequent examination revealed a thick calcification spreading along the subacromial‐subdeltoid bursa space, suggesting acute calcific bursitis complicated by barbotage. Additional barbotage alleviated her pain completely. Therefore, a high index of suspicion for acute calcific bursitis is required in patients with unresolved or aggravated pain after barbotage. Repeated barbotage could be effective for this condition.
Food patterns and the prevention of depression
Authors: Martínez-González Miguel A. , Sánchez-Villegas Almudena
Published: February 2016

An emerging field of research in nutritional epidemiology is the assessment of several links between nutritional quality and mental health. Specifically, some studies have pointed out that several food patterns could be associated with a reduced risk of depression among adults. This association seems to be consistent across countries, cultures and populations according to several systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies. Some previously described food patterns, specifically the Mediterranean Food Pattern, the Alternative Healthy Eating Index, the Prudent diet or the Provegetarian Food Pattern may be effective to reduce the future risk of depression. Among them, only the Mediterranean Food Pattern has been tested for primary prevention in a large randomised trial, but the inverse association found was not statistically significant. The scientific report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committee concluded that current evidence is still limited. Notwithstanding, this field is promising and, according to large and well-conducted observational studies, food patterns potentially associated with reduced risk of depression are those emphasising seafood, vegetables, fruits and nuts. There is a need to assess whether differences in the intake of some micro or macronutrients between these dietary patterns can make a difference in their association with a lower risk of depression. Moreover, the shape of the dose–response curve and the potential existence of a nonlinear threshold effect have not yet been established.
ULVS XXVIII: Manipulating the Desert Environment: ancient walls, floodwater farming and territoriality in the Tripolitanian pre-desert of Libya
Authors: Gilbertson D. D. , Chisholm N. W. T.
Published: February 2016

This paper examines the intentions, successes and failures of remarkable Romano-Libyan floodwater farmers who settled the arid Libyan pre-desert and used complexes of walls to manage the occasional floodwater as well as the desert's soils, sediments and biota. The paper presents and analyses a near ‘total’ data-set on the determinable locational properties of these ancient walls within one wadi — the 10 km long Wadi Umm el-Kharab. The organisation of these wall systems is shown to alter along the wadi according to changes in topographic, geomorphic and hydrological factors, as well as in relation to what are regarded in this paper as design and settlement factors. The organisation of the walls changes at confluences and distinctive topographic features. An analysis of the shape of enclosed areas indicates that the wadi can be divided into three broad sectors, each of which can be identified by differences in the shapes of the areas enclosed by walls. The enclosed shapes, as well as the general properties of the walls themselves do not vary in any simple linear manner along the wadi. Precise field mapping, as well as statistical displays of wall-related data, indicate the presence of similar ‘gaps’ in both the frequencies of settlement and of walls along the wadi. These gaps are, in part, explicable as the secondary consequences of hypothesised past flood-management problems associated with the confluences within the wadi system. They are also interpreted in this paper as some type of land use or other territorial ‘break’ created between the ancient community groups who occupied the wadi. This study has demonstrated the existence of distinct ‘preferences’ in the distances between walls, the areas enclosed between walls, and the thicknesses of walls. Overall, the types of organisation, and presumed functions of walls in this wadi are similar to those established from elsewhere in the Libyan pre-desert, but the balance is different in the Wadi Umm el-Kharab. The emphasis of wall-design in the Wadi Umm el-Kharab appeared to be upon the containment and management of floodwater, rather than the maximisation of the input of waters to the wadi floor, as deduced elsewhere. The long-term robustness and the environmental sophistication of these wall-systems are evident.
Libyan tribes in diaspora
Authors: Najem Faraj
Published: February 2016

Tribal immigration into and out of Libya has been largely unexplored. This study, based on Arabic and Libyan sources, begins to rectify this. It aims to examine the causes that have led tribes to flee the country voluntarily or by force and will follow the hardship of immigrants during the Qaramanh rule (1711-1835) and their establishment in neighbouring countries.

Based on the author's own fieldwork and that of others, the methodology focuses on primary Arabic sources including interviews and oral traditions to establish a chronology of tribal movements to Egypt, Tunisia and Chad. Once settled outside Libya, these ex-patriot Libyans were involved in key events in their host countries.
Water table decline, springline desiccation and the early development of irrigated agriculture in the Wādi al-Ajāl, Libyan Fazzān
Authors: Drake Nick , Wilson Andrew , Peiling Ruth , White Kevin , Mattingly David , Black Stuart
Published: February 2016

Uranium/Thorium (U/Th) and226Ra dating has been applied to spring deposits in order to determine the timing of the drying up of springs in the Wādī al-Ajāl, Fazzān, Libya. These dates are compared with results of archaeological surveys of irrigation structures and archaeobotanical studies of plant remains to further our understanding of the factors that controlled the introduction of irrigated agriculture, its nature and timing.

Though there are still important gaps in our understanding, the results suggest that by 3,100 ±125 BP surface water was either very scarce or nonexistent at the base of the escarpment, although the water table was probably very near the surface at the base of the Wādī in the vicinity of Jarma. Archaeobotanical evidence indicates that irrigated agriculture was introduced in the early part of the first millennium BC, soon after the desiccation of the springs and presumably in response to the fall in the water table and the increasingly scarce availability of surface water. No irrigation structures have been found that relate to this period, but the most likely scenario involves wells tapping the near surface water in the vicinity of Jarma. The earliest irrigation systems are foggaras which archaeological evidence suggests were probably introduced by the final few centuries BC, and definitely before the fourth century AD. The extensification of agriculture associated with extensive foggara development broadly corresponds with archaeobotanical evidence for an intensification and diversification of agriculture involving the introduction of a farming system utilising both winter and summer crops. There are likely to be strong connections between these two developments and that of the rise of the Garamantes.