bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flocculation Using Polyacrylamide Polymers for Fresh Microalgae
Authors: Mikulec Jozef , Polakovičová Gabriela , Cvengroš Ján
Published: March 2015

Flocculation‐sedimentation of five microalgae species was tested with high‐molecular‐weight cationic polyacrylamide flocculants. An apparent difference in the shape of flocculated particles was detected when comparing flocculation with increasing pH of the microalgae culture to that with polyacrylamide. In the case of flocculation with pH adjustment, the surface charge of the cells is neutralized. Polyacrylamides can cause induction of bridging and facilitate sedimentation. Significantly higher flocculation efficiency was found for microalgae with a cylindrical shape and with the ability to form colonies. Overdosing of the flocculant may lead to a reduction in the flocculation efficiency as a result of destabilization of the suspension of charge excess flocculant. If algogenic organic matter was removed, flocculant consumption was drastically reduced and sedimentation of large flocs occurred very fast.
Stability of Three‐Phase Water‐Particle‐Oil Systems
Authors: Polowczyk Izabela , Bastrzyk Anna , Koźlecki Tomasz , Sadowski Zygmunt
Published: March 2015

The stability of three‐phase systems consisting of oil and a solid phase dispersed in aqueous solutions is examined. To achieve a sufficiently hydrophobic surface of the solid particles, the surface of glass microspheres was modified with ionic surfactants. The destabilization kinetics profile was determined and the instability index (TSI) was calculated for each sample. In an oil‐free system, destabilization occurred very fast and there were no significant temporal profile changes for the samples modified with both cationic and anionic surfactants. For particles modified with cationic surfactant after the addition of oil, a decrease in TSI values with increasing surfactant concentration was observed as a result of oil agglomeration. Higher TSI values for bare particles modified with anionic surfactant reflected the behavior of oil droplets remaining in solution as they exhibit no attachment to the surface of glass beads.
Electrocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Reduction by Using Cationic Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl–Iridium Complexes with Unsymmetrically Substituted Bipyridine Ligands
Authors: Sypaseuth Fanni D. , Matlachowski Corinna , Weber Manuela , Schwalbe Matthias , Tzschucke C. Christoph
Published: March 2015

Eight [Ir(bpy)Cp*Cl]+‐type complexes (bpy= bipyridine, Cp*=1,2,3,4,5‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) containing differently substituted bipyridine ligands were synthesized and characterized. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) of the complexes in Ar‐saturated acetonitrile solutions showed that the redox behavior of the complexes could be fine tuned by the electronic properties of the substituted bipyridine ligands. Further CV in CO2‐saturated MeCN/H2O (9:1, v/v) solutions showed catalytic currents for CO2 reduction. In controlled potential electrolysis experiments (MeCN/MeOH (1:1, v/v), Eapp=−1.80 V vs Ag/AgCl), all of the complexes showed moderate activity in the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 with good stability over at least 15 hours. This electrocatalytic process was selective toward formic acid, with only traces of dihydrogen or carbon monoxide and occasionally formaldehyde as byproducts. However, the turnover frequencies and current efficiencies were quite low. No direct correlation between the redox potentials of the complexes and their catalytic activity was observed.
Minimising Research Bottlenecks by Decluttering NMR Spectra
Authors: Aguilar Juan A. , Cassani Julia , Delbianco Martina , Adams Ralph W. , Nilsson Mathias , Morris Gareth A.
Published: March 2015

The lack of resolving power in everyday NMR produces ambiguous data, causing bottlenecks, lengthening multi‐step projects and increasing the likelihood of making mistakes. Significant impacts can be made in many fields by minimising these problems with the aid of pure shift techniques.
Ionic Conductivity of β‐Cyclodextrin–Polyethylene‐Oxide/Alkali‐Metal‐Salt Complex
Authors: Yang Ling‐Yun , Fu Xiao‐Bin , Chen Tai‐Qiang , Pan Li‐Kun , Ji Peng , Yao Ye‐Feng , Chen Qun
Published: March 2015

Highly conductive, crystalline, polymer electrolytes, β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD)–polyethylene oxide (PEO)/LiAsF6 and β‐CD–PEO/NaAsF6, were prepared through supramolecular self‐assembly of PEO, β‐CD, and LiAsF6/NaAsF6. The assembled β‐CDs form nanochannels in which the PEO/X+ (X=Li, Na) complexes are confined. The nanochannels provide a pathway for directional motion of the alkali metal ions and, at the same time, separate the cations and the anions by size exclusion.
Guest‐Induced 2‐D Metallopolycapsular Networks Based on a 1,3‐Alternate Calix[4]arene Derivative
Authors: Lee Eunji , Ju Huiyeong , Kang Youngjin , Lee Shim Sung , Park Ki‐Min
Published: March 2015

Solvothermal reactions of the calix[4]arene tetraacetic acid (H4CTA) with zinc nitrate in the presence of α,ω‐diaminoalkanes afford two‐dimensional metallopolycapsular networks of the formula {[Me2NH2]2[G@(Zn2(CTA)2)]⋅(DMF)2⋅(H2O)4}n (G=+NH3–(CH2)n–NH3+, n=2, 3, 4; DMF=N,N‐dimethylformamide). These metallopolycapsular networks are built up of metallocapsules that consist of two CTA and two ZnII ions. Short alkanediyldiammonium (+NH3–(CH2)n–NH3+, n=2, 3, 4) guest ions are accommodated in each capsule of the metallopolycapsular network through a variety of supramolecular interactions. The thermal behaviours and the solid‐state photoluminescent properties of these complexes were also investigated.
An Alternative to the Sandmeyer Approach to Aryl Iodides
Authors: Hu Bao , Miller William H. , Neumann Kiel D. , Linstad Ethan J. , DiMagno Stephen G.
Published: March 2015

Iodoarenes are important synthons for a wide range of organic transformations. Here we report a general strategy to prepare singly iodinated electron‐rich aromatic compounds through the intermediacy of diaryliodonium salts. This process, which incorporates a phase separation that greatly simplifies product purification, is an attractive replacement for the Sandmeyer approach to iodoarenes that are otherwise difficult to access.
Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysms: Review of the Literature and an Update on Management
Authors: Weinreich Michael , Yu Pey‐Jen , Trost Biana
Published: March 2015

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SOVA), a congenital or acquired cardiac defect that is present in roughly 0.09% of the general population, often presents as an incidental finding during cardiac imaging. Although an echocardiogram is the standard imaging technique for such findings, cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has been increasingly utilized. If SOVA is diagnosed, CCTA is also a useful test for patients who are at low to intermediate risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to surgical repair. CCTA can accurately rule out CAD, obviating the need for invasive angiography in most cases, which may be more risky in SOVA patients because their coronaries may be more difficult to engage and their aortic root may be more prone to injury. Although surgery has previously been the treatment of choice, transcatheter techniques have added to the spectrum of nonsurgical alternatives for repair. We report here 4 incidental SOVA cases and review the current literature.
Incidence of secondary malignancies among patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia: An analysis of the SEER database
Authors: Castillo Jorge J. , Olszewski Adam J. , Hunter Zachary R. , Kanan Sandra , Meid Kirsten , Treon Steven P.
Published: March 2015

BACKGROUND

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is an indolent malignancy that predominantly affects older individuals who are at risk for secondary malignancies (SMs). The objective of this study was to characterize the incidence of SMs after a diagnosis of WM with the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.

METHODS

With SEER‐13 data (1992‐2011), standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for the rates of solid and hematologic SMs in WM patients versus the general population. The analysis was stratified by age, sex, race, year of diagnosis, and latency from the WM diagnosis.

RESULTS

Among 4676 patients with WM, 681 SMs were recorded. The overall SIR was 1.49 (95% CI, 1.38‐1.61), and the median time to an SM was 3.7 years. The cumulative incidence of SMs was 10% at 5 years and 16% at 10 years. The risk was significantly increased for cancers of the lungs, urinary tract, and thyroid; melanoma; aggressive lymphoma; and acute leukemia. The SIR for SMs in patients with WM was increased, regardless of age, sex, race, or year of diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with WM had a 49% higher risk of SMs than the general population. The selectively increased risk for hematologic SMs and certain solid SMs may be associated with transformation, therapy, and immune dysregulation. Cancer 2015;121:2230–2236. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Assemblies of Copper Ferrite and Palladium Nanoparticles on Silica Microparticles as a Magnetically Recoverable Catalyst for Sonogashira Reaction under Mild Conditions
Authors: Gholinejad Mohammad , Ahmadi Jahantab
Published: March 2015

Copper ferrite and palladium nanoparticles assembled on silica microparticles are prepared successfully and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron‐dispersive X‐ray analysis, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and infrared studies. The catalyst is applied effectively for the Sonogashira coupling reaction of aryl iodides and bromides under heterogeneous and phosphine‐free reaction conditions. The reactions proceed at 50 °C with a low loading of palladium catalyst. The magnetically recoverable catalyst is recycled successfully for five consecutive runs with very small drops in catalytic activity.
Chemiluminescence detection of MDMA in street drug samples using tris(2,2′‐bipyridine)ruthenium(III)
Authors: Theakstone Ashton G. , Smith Zoe M. , Terry Jessica M. , Barnett Neil W. , Francis Paul S.
Published: March 2015

Tris(2,2′‐bipyridine)ruthenium(II) chemiluminescence was investigated for the detection of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and several related compounds in street drug samples. Optimization using flow injection analysis showed that the selectivity of the reagent can be targeted towards the detection of secondary amines by altering the pH of the reaction environment. The greater selectivity of this mode of detection, compared to UV‐absorbance, reduces the probability of false positive results from interfering compounds. The detection limit for MDMA under these conditions was 0.48 μM. A HPLC method incorporating post‐column tris(2,2′‐bipyridine)ruthenium(II) chemiluminescence detection was applied to the determination of MDMA in five street drug samples. The results obtained were in good agreement with quantification performed using traditional UV‐absorbance detection, which demonstrates the viability of this method for confirmatory analysis of drug samples. This is the first report of tris(2,2′‐bipyridine)ruthenium(II) chemiluminescence for the detection of MDMA and related amphetamine derivatives. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
‘Of the group’ and ‘for the group’: How followership is shaped by leaders' prototypicality and group identification
Authors: Steffens Niklas K. , Schuh Sebastian C. , Haslam S. Alexander , Pérez Antonia , van Dick Rolf
Published: March 2015

Previous research has focused on the importance of leaders being seen to be of the group (i.e. to be prototypical of a group) but less on the impact of leaders' own degree of identification with the group. Also, little is known about the combined impact of leader prototypicality and leader identification on followers' responses. This paper reports two studies that address these lacunae. Study 1 shows experimentally that perceived leader identification and prototypicality interact to determine followers' personal identification with leaders and their perceptions of leader charisma. Findings indicate that high identification can compensate for low prototypicality such that high‐identified leaders are able to inspire followership when leaders are low prototypical. Study 2 replicates these findings in the field by examining followers' responses to workgroup leaders. In addition, results demonstrate that the aforementioned responses are more pronounced for highly identified followers. The present research extends social identity theorizing by demonstrating that leaders' inability to inspire followership derives as much from their failure to project a sense of ‘we’ and ‘us’ as part of their self‐concept as from a failure to exemplify group‐typical attributes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Histamine H3 receptor in primary mouse microglia inhibits chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and cytokine secretion
Authors: Iida Tomomitsu , Yoshikawa Takeo , Matsuzawa Takuro , Naganuma Fumito , Nakamura Tadaho , Miura Yamato , Mohsen Attayeb S. , Harada Ryuichi , Iwata Ren , Yanai Kazuhiko
Published: March 2015

Histamine is a physiological amine which initiates a multitude of physiological responses by binding to four known G‐protein coupled histamine receptor subtypes as follows: histamine H1 receptor (H1R), H2R, H3R, and H4R. Brain histamine elicits neuronal excitation and regulates a variety of physiological processes such as learning and memory, sleep–awake cycle and appetite regulation. Microglia, the resident macrophages in the brain, express histamine receptors; however, the effects of histamine on critical microglial functions such as chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and cytokine secretion have not been examined in primary cells. We demonstrated that mouse primary microglia express H2R, H3R, histidine decarboxylase, a histamine synthase, and histamine N‐methyltransferase, a histamine metabolizing enzyme. Both forskolin‐induced cAMP accumulation and ATP‐induced intracellular Ca2+ transients were reduced by the H3R agonist imetit but not the H2R agonist amthamine. H3R activation on two ubiquitous second messenger signalling pathways suggests that H3R can regulate various microglial functions. In fact, histamine and imetit dose‐dependently inhibited microglial chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced cytokine production. Furthermore, we confirmed that microglia produced histamine in the presence of LPS, suggesting that H3R activation regulate microglial function by autocrine and/or paracrine signalling. In conclusion, we demonstrate the involvement of histamine in primary microglial functions, providing the novel insight into physiological roles of brain histamine. GLIA 2015;63:1213–1225
Modulation of hippocampal theta and hippocampal‐prefrontal cortex function by a schizophrenia risk gene
Authors: Cousijn Helena , Tunbridge Elizabeth M. , Rolinski Michal , Wallis George , Colclough Giles L. , Woolrich Mark W. , Nobre Anna C. , Harrison Paul J.
Published: March 2015

Hippocampal theta‐band oscillations are thought to facilitate the co‐ordination of brain activity across distributed networks, including between the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Impairments in hippocampus‐PFC functional connectivity are implicated in schizophrenia and are associated with a polymorphism within the ZNF804A gene that shows a genome‐wide significant association with schizophrenia. However, the mechanisms by which ZNF804A affects hippocampus‐PFC connectivity are unknown. We used a multimodal imaging approach to investigate the impact of the ZNF804A polymorphism on hippocampal theta and hippocampal network coactivity. Healthy volunteers homozygous for the ZNF804A rs1344706 (A[risk]/C[nonrisk]) polymorphism were imaged at rest using both magnetoencephalography (MEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). A dual‐regression approach was used to investigate coactivations between the hippocampal network and other brain regions for both modalities, focusing on the theta band in the case of MEG. We found a significant decrease in intrahippocampal theta (using MEG) and greater coactivation of the superior frontal gyrus with the hippocampal network (using fMRI) in risk versus nonrisk homozygotes. Furthermore, these measures showed a significant negative correlation. Our demonstration of an inverse relationship between hippocampal theta and hippocampus‐PFC coactivation supports a role for hippocampal theta in coordinating hippocampal‐prefrontal activity. The ZNF804A‐related differences that we find in hippocampus‐PFC coactivation are consistent with previously reported associations with functional connectivity and with these changes lying downstream of altered hippocampal theta. Changes in hippocampal‐PFC co‐ordination, driven by differences in oscillatory activity, may be one mechanism by which ZNF804A impacts on brain function and risk for psychosis. Hum Brain Mapp 36:2387–2395, 2015. © 2015 The Authors Human Brain Mapping Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ipsilateral hippocampal atrophy is associated with long‐term memory dysfunction after ischemic stroke in young adults
Authors: Schaapsmeerders Pauline , van Uden Inge W.M. , Tuladhar Anil M. , Maaijwee Noortje A.M. , van Dijk Ewoud J. , Rutten‐Jacobs Loes C.A. , Arntz Renate M. , Schoonderwaldt Hennie C. , Dorresteijn Lucille D.A. , de Leeuw Frank‐Erik , Kessels Roy P.C.
Published: March 2015

Memory impairment after stroke in young adults is poorly understood. In elderly stroke survivors memory impairments and the concomitant loss of hippocampal volume are usually explained by coexisting neurodegenerative disease (e.g., amyloid pathology) in interaction with stroke. However, neurodegenerative disease, such as amyloid pathology, is generally absent at young age. Accumulating evidence suggests that infarction itself may cause secondary neurodegeneration in remote areas. Therefore, we investigated the relation between long‐term memory performance and hippocampal volume in young patients with first‐ever ischemic stroke. We studied all consecutive first‐ever ischemic stroke patients, aged 18–50 years, admitted to our academic hospital center between 1980 and 2010. Episodic memory of 173 patients was assessed using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test and the Rey Complex Figure and compared with 87 stroke‐free controls. Hippocampal volume was determined using FSL‐FIRST, with manual correction. On average 10 years after stroke, patients had smaller ipsilateral hippocampal volumes compared with controls after left‐hemispheric stroke (5.4%) and right‐hemispheric stroke (7.7%), with most apparent memory dysfunctioning after left‐hemispheric stroke. A larger hemispheric stroke was associated with a smaller ipsilateral hippocampal volume (b=−0.003, P<0.0001). Longer follow‐up duration was associated with smaller ipsilateral hippocampal volume after left‐hemispheric stroke (b=−0.028 ml, P=0.002) and right‐hemispheric stroke (b=−0.015 ml, P=0.03). Our results suggest that infarction is associated with remote injury to the hippocampus, which may lower or expedite the threshold for cognitive impairment or even dementia later in life. Hum Brain Mapp 36:2432–2442, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Functional Significance of Nuclear α Spectrin
Authors: Lambert Muriel W.
Published: March 2015

Nonerythroid alpha spectrin (αIISp) interacts in the nucleus with an array of different proteins indicating its involvement in a number of diverse functions. However, the significance of these interactions and their functional importance has been a relatively unexplored area. The best documented role of nuclear αIISp is in DNA repair where it is critical for repair of DNA interstrand cross‐links (ICLs), acting as a scaffold recruiting proteins to sites of damage in genomic and telomeric DNA. A deficiency in αIISp can importantly impact DNA ICL repair as is seen in cells from patients with the genetic disorder, Fanconi anemia (FA), where loss of αIISp leads to not only defects in repair of both genomic and telomeric DNA but also to telomere dysfunction and chromosome instability. This previously unexplored link between αIISp and telomere function is important in developing an understanding of maintenance of genomic stability after ICL damage. In FA cells, these defects in chromosome instability after ICL damage can be corrected when levels of αIISp are returned to normal by knocking down μ‐calpain, a protease which cleaves αIISp. These studies suggest a new direction for correcting a number of the phenotypic defects in FA and could serve as a basis for therapeutic intervention. More in depth, examination of the interactions of αIISp with other proteins in the nucleus is of major importance in development of insights into the interacting key elements involved in the diverse processes occurring in the nucleus and the consequences loss of αIISp has on them. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 1816–1830, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Systems Chemo‐Biology and Transcriptomic Meta‐Analysis Reveal the Molecular Roles of Bioactive Lipids in Cardiomyocyte Differentiation
Authors: de Faria Poloni Joice , Bonatto Diego
Published: March 2015

Lipids, which are essential constituents of biological membranes, play structural and functional roles in the cell. In recent years, certain lipids have been identified as regulatory signaling molecules and have been termed “bioactive lipids”. Subsequently, the importance of bioactive lipids in stem cell differentiation and cardiogenesis has gained increasing recognition. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the biological processes underlying murine cardiac differentiation and the mechanisms by which bioactive lipids affect these processes. For this purpose, a transcriptomic meta‐analysis of microarray and RNA‐seq data from murine stem cells undergoing cardiogenic differentiation was performed. The differentially expressed genes identified via this meta‐analysis, as well as bioactive lipids, were evaluated using systems chemo‐biology tools. These data indicated that bioactive lipids are associated with the regulation of cell motility, cell adhesion, cytoskeletal rearrangement, and gene expression. Moreover, bioactive lipids integrate the signaling pathways involved in cell migration, the secretion and remodeling of extracellular matrix components, and the establishment of the cardiac phenotype. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into the contribution of bioactive lipids to the induction of cellular responses to various stimuli, which may originate from the extracellular environment and morphogens, and the manner in which this contribution directly affects murine heart morphogenesis. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 2018–2031, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The performance of low‐cost commercial cloud computing as an alternative in computational chemistry
Authors: Thackston Russell , Fortenberry Ryan C.
Published: March 2015

The growth of commercial cloud computing (CCC) as a viable means of computational infrastructure is largely unexplored for the purposes of quantum chemistry. In this work, the PSI4 suite of computational chemistry programs is installed on five different types of Amazon World Services CCC platforms. The performance for a set of electronically excited state single‐point energies is compared between these CCC platforms and typical, “in‐house” physical machines. Further considerations are made for the number of cores or virtual CPUs (vCPUs, for the CCC platforms), but no considerations are made for full parallelization of the program (even though parallelization of the BLAS library is implemented), complete high‐performance computing cluster utilization, or steal time. Even with this most pessimistic view of the computations, CCC resources are shown to be more cost effective for significant numbers of typical quantum chemistry computations. Large numbers of large computations are still best utilized by more traditional means, but smaller‐scale research may be more effectively undertaken through CCC services. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Therapeutic role of curcumin in oxidative DNA damage caused by formaldehyde
Authors: Ciftci Gulay , Aksoy Abdurrahman , cenesiz Sena , sogut Mehtap unlu , Yarim Gul Fatma , Nisbet Cevat , Guvenc Dilek , Ertekin Ali
Published: March 2015

Purpose

Formaldehyde is a common environmental contaminant that causes oxidative DNA damage in cells by increasing the production of reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study was to investigate the amount of 8‐hydroxy‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OhdG), tumor protein 53(TP53), beta‐amyloid[Aß(1‐42), Aß (1‐40)], total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and the therapeutic role of curcumin in rat cells with oxidative DNA damage caused by formaldehyde. Method: The control group was given physiological saline for 15 days (ip) and the second group was given 37% formaldehyde (ip) at a dose of 9 mg/kg group every other day. The third group was given 9 mg/kg formaldehyde (ip) every other day and treated therapeutically with 100 mg/kg curcumin every day by gavage. At the end of the trial period, urine, blood, and brain tissue was collected from the rats. Results: The levels of MDA in sera were increased and the TAC, TP53, and Aß (1−40) levels were reduced in the formaldehyde‐treated group with respect to the control group (p<0.005). After treatment with curcumin, the levels of sera MDA were significantly reduced, the TAC, TP53, and Aß (1‐40) levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05). The levels of whole brain Aß (1‐42) and 8‐OhdG were increased in the formaldehyde‐treated group and reduced after treatment with curcumin (P < 0.05). Urinary 8‐OhdG excretion increased in the formaldehyde‐treated group (P < 0.05) and decreased after treatment with curcumin (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

In conclusion, the oxidative stress caused by formaldehyde exposure was reduced with the application of curcumin. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:391–395, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Study of the sensitivity and resonant frequency of the torsional modes of an AFM cantilever with a sidewall probe based on a nonlocal elasticity theory
Authors: Abbasi Mohammad , Karami Mohammadi Ardeshir
Published: March 2015

A relationship based on a nonlocal elasticity theory is developed to investigate the torsional sensitivity and resonant frequency of an atomic force microscope (AFM) with assembled cantilever probe (ACP). This ACP comprises a horizontal cantilever and a vertical extension, and a tip located at the free end of the extension, which makes the AFM capable of topography at sidewalls of microstructures. First, the governing differential equations of motion and boundary conditions for dynamic analysis are obtained by a combination of the basic equations of nonlocal elasticity theory and Hamilton's principle. Afterward, a closed‐form expression for the sensitivity of vibration modes has been obtained using the relationship between the resonant frequency and contact stiffness of cantilever and sample. These analysis accounts for a better representation of the torsional behavior of an AFM with sidewall probe where the small‐scale effect are significant. The results of the proposed model are compared with those of classical beam theory. The results show that the sensitivities and resonant frequencies of ACP predicted by the nonlocal elasticity theory are smaller than those obtained by the classical beam theory. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:408–415, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development and implementation of healthcare waste management policy at Civil Service Hospital, Nepal
Authors: Sapkota Binaya , Gupta Gopal Kumar , Mainali Dhiraj , Shrestha Nirmal
Published: March 2015

Over the last 5 years, the Civil Service Hospital (Nepal) has dealt with various serious health hazards including infectious diseases and other important risks. A management committee was appointed to develop a healthcare waste management policy in 2013. The policy deals with the management of safety issues associated with occupational hazards, as well as raising public awareness of the importance of proper waste management. Safe management of healthcare waste enhances patient safety and promotes occupational safety. This policy was categorised into three chapters: preliminary discussion, organisational and managerial aspects and occupational health and safety. The policy was implemented in several phases. During the first phase, medicine, orthopedics, gynecology, obstetrics and paediatric services were targeted, while the second phase included the surgical, post‐operative and haematology wards, the high care unit and emergency and laboratory departments. The third phase involved the pharmacy, out‐patient department and hospital administration, while the fourth phase eventually included the whole hospital. Development of this policy was guided by Government of Nepal Solid Waste Management Act 2011 and the World Health Organisation Guidelines.
Improving the transition of elderly patients with multiple comorbidities into the community: impact of a pharmacist in a General Medicine outpatient follow‐up clinic
Authors: Tong Erica , Choo Shin , Ooi Sheue‐Ching , Newnham Harvey
Published: March 2015

Aim

To investigate the impact of extending the traditional roles of pharmacists from that of providing a service to inpatients under the General Medical Unit in the acute hospital setting, to the enhancement of continuity of care and reduction in medication misadventure by implementing clinical pharmacy services in the outpatient follow‐up clinic.

Method

A prospective pilot study was conducted in the General Medical Unit post‐discharge follow‐up clinic between March 2012 and February 2014. Each patient enrolled in the study was reviewed by a pharmacist through a scheduled 20 min consultation after their appointment with the medical doctor. Patient's demographic data, number of days from discharge to clinic review and number of regular medications were collected. Drug‐related problems (DRPs) identified by the pharmacist were recorded. Any discrepancies from the discharge medication plan identified by the pharmacist were also recorded, in addition to compliance issues, initiation of dose‐administration aids and referrals to the outreach pharmacy service.

Results

Eighty‐seven patients were enrolled (average age: 73 years) with an average time between discharge and clinic review of 25 days. The most frequent intervention made by the pharmacist was therapeutic drug monitoring (74%) followed by counselling on new or changed medications (49%). The pharmacist identified a number of patients who had continued taking medications that were ceased during their admission (15%) and patients who were not taking medications which had been initiated during hospitalisation (15%). Ten patients (11%) were taking the wrong dose of at least one medication. At least one DRP was identified in 77 (89%) patients, and discrepancies between the discharge medication plan and what the patient was taking at the time of the clinic visit were identified in 33 patients (38%).

Conclusion

Medication discrepancies often occur at transitions of care. Our data highlight the potential role of a pharmacist in this setting and the importance that the medication management plan put in place at the time of discharge should be communicated to the appropriate healthcare practitioners and the patient.
PRO‐OSTEO Extend I study (improving osteoporosis management in the acute and rehabilitation settings): multicentre audit
Authors: Banakh Iouri , Chao Sarah
Published: March 2015

Background

Osteoporosis contributes to a large number of admissions to hospitals after minimal‐trauma fractures but is poorly recognised as an underlying cause of admissions and may be inadequately managed following hospitalisation.

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine osteoporosis management across Peninsula Health, assessing the effect of the introduction of a standard form to guide osteoporosis management after minimal‐trauma fractures.

Method

This was a retrospective cohort study measuring rates of osteoporosis assessment and treatment for patients admitted with minimal‐trauma fractures. Two periods were compared (in 2012 and 2013), before and after the introduction of an osteoporosis management form that allowed a pharmacist‐driven approach to management. The study end points were the extents of use of the osteoporosis form and the rates of osteoporosis assessment and treatment.

Results

Osteoporosis assessment and treatment rates varied widely across Peninsula Health, with acute wards such as the emergency departments providing no assessment or treatment (before and after the intervention). The uptake of the osteoporosis management form was negligible in the post‐intervention period. The overall 2‐year mortality rate was 7.4% following any fracture within 2 years of admission, and up to 33% following a hip or neck of femur fracture at some sites.

Conclusion

Osteoporosis management remained inadequate in the hospital settings despite intervention. Strategies such as ongoing prescriber education and employment of a local change champion specialised in osteoporosis management with support from all departments may be needed to achieve the aim of lowering the morbidity and mortality associated with this disease.
The impact of the peri‐operative period on cognition in older individuals
Authors: Evered Lisbeth A. , Silbert Brendan , Scott David A.
Published: March 2015

This review aims to highlight the importance of peri‐operative and longer‐term postoperative cognitive changes and to put them in the context of other cognitive disorders. Cognitive decline is common among the elderly and is impacted by many factors, both known and unknown. Individuals aged 65 years and above comprise the most frequent users of the healthcare system; thus this group is at risk of both cognitive decline associated with ageing, such as mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease, and cognitive disorders associated with surgery and anaesthesia, including delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction.

Until now research and management of geriatric cognitive disorders has occurred in isolation from peri‐operative medicine and research, such that any overlap between the cognitive disorders has been largely overlooked. Factors contributing to this division include the classification of geriatric cognitive disorders according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD) criteria, while cognitive disorders associated with the peri‐operative period are largely research diagnoses.

Given the large overlap between individuals at risk of cognitive decline (those aged 65 or above) and individuals exposed to surgery and anaesthesia, consideration of the role of the peri‐operative period in geriatric cognitive disorders is imperative. Recent work investigating postoperative cognitive dysfunction has identified baseline cognitive function as a more significant predictor of further decline than increasing age, suggesting that preoperative cognitive trajectory may be the most important factor in determining postoperative decline. Both animal and human data provide evidence of a role of inflammation in cognitive decline, although this area requires further research to definitively identify associations and possible therapeutic strategies.

Given the ageing population and the associated healthcare costs of caring for an increasing number of individuals suffering cognitive decline, any insults that exacerbate this problem need to be avoided. Understanding the overlap between geriatric and postoperative cognitive disorders is essential to ensure appropriate healthcare management of the elderly.
Early development of Calanus glacialis and C. finmarchicus
Authors: Jung‐Madsen Signe , Nielsen Torkel Gissel
Published: March 2015

Egg and nauplii development of coexisting populations of Calanus glacialis and C. finmarchicus from Disko Bay, western Greenland, were measured in the laboratory with, and without addition of food. Egg hatching rate was measured at five temperatures from 0°C to 10°C and the fit to a Belěhrádek equation was highly significant (r2 > 0.99). There was little difference between hatching and development rates of the two species; however, the egg hatching rate at low temperatures was faster than predicted from measurements made in other areas. Also, nauplii development times at 0°C were similar, with C. glacialis and C. finmarchicus reaching nauplii stage N6 after 44 d and 48 d, respectively. The laboratory‐reared nauplii could be separated accurately to species by stage and length alone. However, separation by size was not possible for the in situ community of nauplii where the influence of food, temperature, and size‐dependent predation mortality, made the size distribution more variable and overlapping.
Microbial respiration in the euphotic zone at Station ALOHA
Authors: Martínez‐García Sandra , Karl David M.
Published: March 2015

Measurements of the temporal and vertical variability of microbial community respiration (MCR) in the euphotic zone (0–200 m) at Station ALOHA were made using the in vivo INT method to constrain oxygen and carbon cycling at this oceanic site. Mean ( ± 1 SE) MCR was higher in the upper (0–100 m) (0.89 ± 0.05 mmol O2 m−3 d−1) than in the lower (100–200 m) portion of the euphotic zone (0.52 ± 0.05 mmol O2 m−3 d−1). Respiration in the 0.8 μm size‐fraction relative to respiration in the 0.2–0.8 μm size‐fraction was on average 1.4 ± 0.1. Variability in MCR was observed on both daily and monthly time scales, suggesting that respiration is a dynamic process throughout the year at Station ALOHA. MCR in the 0.2–0.8 μm size fraction was more variable than > 0.8 μm MCR. Despite significant vertical and temporal variability in MCR, the euphotic zone depth‐integrated (0–200 m) MCR was relatively constant (134.8 ± 11.8 mmol O2 m−2 d−1) throughout the period of observation. Oxygen consumption via MCR always exceeded O2 production extrapolated from 14C‐primary production estimation, assuming a photosynthetic quotient of 1.13 mol O2 produced : mol CO2 fixed. MCR plus particulate carbon export from the euphotic zone for the period November 2011–October 2012 at Station ALOHA can be used to set a lower limit of ∼ 45 mol C m−2 yr−1 for gross primary production.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Kelley Dan E.
Published: March 2015

MÜLLER, PETER. 2006. The Equations of Oceanic Motions. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978‐0‐521‐85513‐6 (hardcover). x + 291 p. US $85.
Degradation of microstructure and mechanical properties in martensitic cast steel after ageing
Authors: Golański G. , Zieliński A. , Zieliński‐Lipiec A.
Published: March 2015

The paper presents the results of research carried out to investigate the influence of ageing on the degree of microstructure degradation and mechanical properties of martensitic GX12CrMoVNbN9‐1 (GP91) cast steel. The tests were performed on GP91 cast steel after heat treatment (as – received condition) and ageing at times to 20,000 hours at the temperature of 600 °C. In the as‐received condition, the microstructure of the examined cast steel was a microstructure of lath tempered martensite with numerous precipitates. In the microstructure not only the retained lath substructure of martensite was observed, but also the areas of polygonized ferrite. After the process of ageing, in the microstructure of the examined cast steel, the following was observed: advanced processes of recovery and polygonization of the matrix, revealed by the disappearance of lath microstructure of martensite in favor of the polygonized microstructure of ferrite, large precipitations of Laves phase, and single CrNbN particles. The changes running in the microstructure of GP91 cast steel contributed to an insignificant decrease in the strength properties on the level of maximum 5% and around 70% decrease in the impact energy KV, compared to the as‐received condition. Considerable fall of impact energy KV, in comparison with other properties, should be mostly associated with the precipitation of Laves phase on the boundaries of grains, but it is also influenced by the precipitation of M23C6 carbides and the disappearance of lath microstructure of martensite.
Automatic extraction of three‐dimensional thoracic aorta geometric model from phase contrast MRI for morphometric and hemodynamic characterization
Authors: Volonghi Paola , Tresoldi Daniele , Cadioli Marcello , Usuelli Antonio M. , Ponzini Raffaele , Morbiducci Umberto , Esposito Antonio , Rizzo Giovanna
Published: March 2015

Purpose

To propose and assess a new method that automatically extracts a three‐dimensional (3D) geometric model of the thoracic aorta (TA) from 3D cine phase contrast MRI (PCMRI) acquisitions.

Methods

The proposed method is composed of two steps: segmentation of the TA and creation of the 3D geometric model. The segmentation algorithm, based on Level Set, was set and applied to healthy subjects acquired in three different modalities (with and without SENSE reduction factors). Accuracy was evaluated using standard quality indices. The 3D model is characterized by the vessel surface mesh and its centerline; the comparison of models obtained from the three different datasets was also carried out in terms of radius of curvature (RC) and average tortuosity (AT).

Results

In all datasets, the segmentation quality indices confirmed very good agreement between manual and automatic contours (average symmetric distance < 1.44 mm, DICE Similarity Coefficient > 0.88). The 3D models extracted from the three datasets were found to be comparable, with differences of less than 10% for RC and 11% for AT.

Conclusion

Our method was found effective on PCMRI data to provide a 3D geometric model of the TA, to support morphometric and hemodynamic characterization of the aorta. Magn Reson Med 75:873–882, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A SEmi‐Adiabatic matched‐phase spin echo (SEAMS) PINS pulse‐pair for B1‐insensitive simultaneous multislice imaging
Authors: Feldman Rebecca E. , Islam Haisam M. , Xu Junqian , Balchandani Priti
Published: March 2015

Purpose

Simultaneous multislice (SMS) imaging is a powerful technique that can reduce image acquisition time for anatomical, functional, and diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging. At higher magnetic fields, such as 7 Tesla, increased radiofrequency (RF) field inhomogeneity, power deposition, and changes in relaxation parameters make SMS spin echo imaging challenging. We designed an adiabatic 180° Power Independent of Number of Slices (PINS) pulse and a matched‐phase 90° PINS pulse to generate a SEmi‐Adiabatic Matched‐phase Spin echo (SEAMS) PINS sequence to address these issues.

Methods

We used the adiabatic Shinnar Le‐Roux (SLR) algorithm to generate a 180° pulse. The SLR polynomials for the 180° pulse were then used to create a matched‐phase 90° pulse. The pulses were sub‐sampled to produce a SEAMS PINS pulse‐pair and the performance of this pulse‐pair was validated in phantoms and in vivo.

Results

Simulations as well as phantom and in vivo results, demonstrate multislice capability and improved B1‐insensitivity of the SEAMS PINS pulse‐pair when operating at RF amplitudes of up to 40% above adiabatic threshold.

Conclusion

The SEAMS PINS approach presented here achieves multislice spin echo profiles with improved B1‐insensitivity when compared with a conventional spin echo. Magn Reson Med 75:709–717, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Long duration of stressful homework as a potential obesogenic factor in children: A QUALITY study
Authors: Michaud Isabelle , Chaput Jean‐Philippe , O'Loughlin Jennifer , Tremblay Angelo , Mathieu Marie‐Eve
Published: March 2015

Objective

To examine for the first time whether stressful mental tasks are associated with an unfavorable anthropometric profile in children.

Methods

A cross‐sectional analysis was undertaken in 511 children. A complete anthropometric profile was assessed, and children reported their homework duration and the presence/absence of stress related to schoolwork. Accelerometers and questionnaires provided the other profile of lifestyle components.

Results

Homework duration was not related to adiposity indicators in children not stressed by schoolwork. In boys stressed by schoolwork, significantly higher total and trunk body fat percentages were obtained in the high versus low duration of homework group. No difference in adiposity indicators was present in boys not stressed by schoolwork and in girls. A reduced activity level and an increased screen time partly mediated the relationship between homework and anthropometric profiles.

Conclusions

Boys with a high workload of homework, when combined with the presence of schoolwork‐related stress, have unfavorable adiposity indicators. This study suggests that more attention should be paid to stressful mental work as a potent risk factor for obesity.
Proteomics for the detection of indirect markers of steroids treatment in bovine muscle
Authors: Stella Roberto , Biancotto Giancarlo , Arrigoni Giorgio , Barrucci Federica , Angeletti Roberto , James Peter
Published: March 2015

Despite the ban by the European Union, anabolic steroids might still be illicitly employed in bovine meat production. The surveillance of misuse of such potentially harmful molecules is necessary to guarantee consumers’ health. Analytical methods for drug residue control are based on LC‐MS/MS, but their efficacy can be hindered due to undetectable residual concentrations as a result of low‐dosage treatments. Screening methods based on the recognition of indirect biological effects of growth promoters’ administration, such as the alteration of protein expression, can improve the efficacy of surveillance. The present study was aimed at identifying modifications in the muscle protein expression pattern between bulls treated with an ear implant (Revalor‐XS®) containing trenbolone acetate (200 mg) and estradiol (40 mg), and untreated animals. The analysis of skeletal muscle was carried out using a tandem mass tags shotgun proteomics approach. We defined 28 candidate protein markers with a significantly altered expression induced by steroids administration. A subset of 18 candidate markers was validated by SRM and allowed to build a predictive model based on partial least square discriminant analysis. Our findings confirm the effectiveness of the proteomics approach as potential tool to overcome analytical limitations of drug residue monitoring.
Amphiphilic p‐tert‐butylthiacalix[4]arenes containing quaternary ammonium groups: from small molecules toward water‐soluble nanoscale associates
Authors: Andreyko Elena A. , Padnya Pavel L. , Stoikov Ivan I.
Published: March 2015

The formation of supramolecular associates based on water‐soluble p‐tert‐butylthiacalix[4]arenes with amino acids has been studied. It was shown that amphiphilic p‐tert‐butylthiacalix[4]arenes preferably formed supramolecular associates with aromatic α‐amino acids (tyrosine and tryptophan). Increasing size of the substituents of p‐tert‐butylthiacalix[4]arenes led to increase molecular weight of supramolecular associates based on the macrocycles and “guest” molecules. The spatial structures of p‐tert‐butylthiacalix[4]arenes and their associates with phenylalanine were studied by two‐dimensional 1H‐1H nuclear Overhauser effect NMR spectroscopy. The ability of aggregates based on p‐tert‐butylthiacalix[4]arenes and amino acids to effectively interact with bovine serum albumin with the formation of 7‐ to 8‐nm nanoparticles was shown. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.