bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Appearance of High Endothelial Venule‐Like Vessels in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is Associated With Lower Urinary tract Symptoms
Authors: Inamura So , Shinagawa Tomochika , Hoshino Hitomi , Sakai Yasuhiro , Imamura Yoshiaki , Yokoyama Osamu , Kobayashi Motohiro
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND

Chronic prostatic inflammation is implicated in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)‐associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Previous studies evaluated the degree of chronic prostatic inflammation based on histological scores, which may contain subjective factors. We previously demonstrated that the number of high endothelial venule (HEV)‐like vessels correlates positively with the magnitude of inflammation in chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases. Here, we evaluated the degree of BPH‐associated chronic prostate inflammation based on appearance of HEV‐like vessels and determined whether the extent of inflammation correlated with LUTS severity, as evaluated by a urodynamic study.

METHODS

Eighty‐six BPH tissue specimens derived from patients who had undergone urodynamic analysis were immunostained for CD34 and MECA‐79 to determine HEV‐like vessel number. Triple immunohistochemistry for either CD3 and CD20 or CD4 and CD8, together with MECA‐79, was conducted to identify lymphocyte subsets associated with HEV‐like vessels. We also determined whether the magnitude of chronic prostatic inflammation, as assessed by HEV‐like vessel number, correlated with the degree of LUTS.

RESULTS

HEV‐like vessels were induced in lymphoid aggregates seen frequently in BPH. The number of HEV‐like vessels positively correlated not only with the magnitude of chronic prostatic inflammation but also with the degree of LUTS, particularly with symptoms associated with voiding function, which was measured objectively in a pressure flow study.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic prostate inflammation may promote BPH and resulting voiding dysfunction. Assessment of the number of HEV‐like vessels could be a surrogate for identifying the degree of chronic prostatic inflammation. Prostate 77:794–802, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Benchmarking density functionals in conjunction withGrimme's dispersion correction for noble gas dimers (Ne2, Ar2, Kr2, Xe2, Rn2)
Authors: Kovács Attila , Cz. Dobrowolski Jan , Ostrowski Sławomir , Rode Joanna E.
Published: February 2017

Eleven exchange‐correlational functionals of different types corrected for dispersion by Grimme's D3 correction in conjunction with the aug‐cc‐pVTZ basis set were tested on the following noble gas (Ng) dimers: Ne2, Ar2, Kr2, Xe2, and Rn2. For comparison, the D2 and D3BJ corrections were probed with the B3LYP functional. From post‐HF wavefunction methods, CCSD(T) theory was also included. The investigated properties involved potential energy curves, equilibrium bond distances, and interaction energies. The B3LYP‐D3, B3LYP‐D3BJ, and PBE0‐D3 functionals performed overall best for bond distances, while B3LYP‐D3 and B97‐D3 performed best for interaction energies. The importance of fortunate error cancellations was seen in the often reduced agreement with reference data upon correction for BSSE. As several functionals performed well selectively for some noble gases (and poorly for others), we also analysed the performance on the Ng2dimers individually and recommended DFT‐D3 functionals for the calculation of large clusters of each Ng.
The dietary protein paradox and threonine 15N‐depletion: Pyridoxal‐5'‐phosphate enzyme activity as a mechanism for the δ15N trophic level effect
Authors: Fuller Benjamin T. , Petzke Klaus J.
Published: February 2017

Rationale

Nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ15N values) are used to reconstruct dietary patterns, but the biochemical mechanism(s) responsible for the diet to tissue trophic level effect and its variability are not fully understood. Here δ15N amino acid (AA) values and physiological measurements (nitrogen intake, plasma albumin concentrations, liver‐reduced glutathione concentrations and leucine oxidation rates) are used to investigate increased dietary protein consumption and oxidative stress (vitamin E deficiency) in rat total plasma protein.

Methods

Using gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry, the δ15N values from N‐pivaloyl‐i‐propyl esters of 15 AAs are reported for rats (n = 40) fed casein‐based diets with: adequate protein (AP, 13.8%; n = 10), medium protein (MP, 25.7%; n = 10), high protein (HP, 51.3%; n = 10) or HP without vitamin E (HP‐E; n = 10) for 18 weeks.

Results

Between the HP and AP groups, the δ15NAA values of threonine (–4.0‰), serine (+1.4‰) and glycine (+1.2‰) display the largest differences and show significant correlations with: nitrogen intake, plasma albumin concentrations, liver‐reduced glutathione concentrations and leucine oxidation rates. This indicates increased AA catabolism by the dietary induction of shared common metabolic pathways involving the enzymes threonine ammonia‐lyase (EC 4.3.1.19), serine hydroxymethyltransferase (EC 2.1.2.1) and the glycine cleavage system (EC 2.1.2.10). The δ15NAA values of the HP‐E and HP groups were not found to be significantly different.

Conclusions

The 15N‐depleted results of threonine are linked to increased activity of threonine ammonia‐lyase, and show potential as a possible biomarker for protein intake and/or gluconeogenesis. We hypothesize that the inverse nitrogen equilibrium isotope effects of Schiff base formation, between AAs and pyridoxal‐5'‐phosphate cofactor enzymes, play a key role in the bioaccumulation and depletion of 15N in the biomolecules of living organisms and contributes to the variability in the nitrogen trophic level effect. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel method to authenticate in website using CAPTCHA‐based validation
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Suresh Kumar , Thankappan Sasikala
Published: February 2017

Web security has become vital, as the practice of internet is embryonic nowadays. To protect network from adversaries and to improve web security, researches has been done for a long time. The most solemn issue is phishing attack as well as access of web services by illicit users. Many users are not even sentient about phishing websites. Phishing is a kind of falsified approach employed by an attacker to get sensitive information from the users who are unaware of phishing attacks. User authorization is a noteworthy security measure that confirms the integrity of the user and ensures the confidentiality associated user data. The significant work done here is to prevent web users from entering into phishing websites and to provide web access only to authorized users via web server. Applications based on CAPTCHA provides more security against attacks. The proposed novel technique identifies phishing websites and authorized web access using Cropped Image CAPTCHA algorithm. The image CAPTCHA technique is not easily prone to web attacks moreover. Threshold values and conditions are defined. Based on this, Cropping‐Based Image CAPTCHA System appraises if the website is phishing website or legitimate website furthermore denies acquiescence to web admittance for unconstitutional users. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Insights into the Inhibitory Mechanism of Dicyanovinyl‐Substituted J147 Derivative against Aβ42 Aggregation and Protofibril Destabilization: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study
Authors: Shuaib Suniba , Saini Rajneet Kaur , Goyal Deepti , Goyal Bhupesh
Published: February 2017

The self‐assembly of amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ) into β‐sheet enriched fibrillar aggregates is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). A disease modifying therapy for AD involves a search for inhibitors that can inhibit Aβ aggregation. Previous studies reported that compound C1 (J147 derivative) strongly inhibit Aβ aggregation and disassemble preformed fibrils, however, the underlying inhibitory mechanism remains elusive. In this regard, the molecular mechanism behind the anti‐aggregation activity of C1 has been investigated using molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. C1 effectively binds to central hydrophobic core (CHC) region i. e. KLVFF (16‐20) of Aβ42 monomer and inhibit its conformational transition into aggregation prone β‐conformation. C1 destabilize Aβ42 protofibril structure by increasing the interchain distance between chains A−B, disrupting the salt‐bridge interaction between D23‐K28 and decreasing the number of backbone hydrogen bonds between chains A−B of Aβ42 protofibril. The present study provides a complete picture of the inhibitory mechanism of C1 against Aβ42 oligomer formation and fibril disassembly.
Hybridizing TiO2 with Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon: A New Route to A Highly Visible Light‐Active Photocatalyst
Authors: Chen Xiaofang , Xie Zongli , Liang Yan , Wei Jing , Zhu Yonggang , Huo Yuning , Zhang Xiwang , Wang Huanting
Published: February 2017

TiO2 hybridized with nitrogen‐doped carbon (N‐doped C/TiO2) was prepared as a photocatalyst with improved visible‐light catalytic activity for the first time. It was found that N‐doped carbon was formed by etching and partial decomposition of as‐formed graphitic carbon nitride on the surface of TiO2 under calcination at 500 °C in open air, which avoided direct doping of nitrogen into TiO2 structure. N‐doped carbon on the surface of TiO2 led to an enhanced light absorption in the range of 400 to 550 nm. The resulting N‐doped C/TiO2 exhibited about 2 times higher activity than the graphitic carbon nitride/TiO2 prepared by direct carbonization in argon atmosphere. Compared with the commercial TiO2 (Degussa, P25), N‐doped C/TiO2 showed a higher reaction rate in the degradation of various pollutants such as rhodamine B, phenol and methyl orange (MO) under simulated solar light irradiation.
Anion Induced Dediazotization of In Situ Generated Aniline Diazonium Compounds in Direct C–H Arylation of Heteroarenes: An Experimental and Computational Study
Authors: Kharade Anuradha , Patil Manish , Patil Mahendra
Published: February 2017

Direct C–H arylation of heteroarenes with in situ generated diazonium compounds has been accomplished in the presence of hydrogen peroxide as an additive. The scope and limitation of this method were examined for several electron deficient aniline and electron rich heteroarenes. Computational studies revealed an intriguing mechanism for the generation of aryl radical from in situ generated aniline diazonium compounds.
Instability analysis of reinforced concrete walls with various support conditions
Authors: Ho Nhat‐Minh , Doh Jeung‐Hwan , Fragomeni Sam
Published: February 2017

Axially loaded reinforced concrete walls can be designed using simplified design methods given in codes such as the Australian Concrete Standard Code (AS3600‐09) and the American Concrete Institute Code (ACI318‐14). However, these practical equations are based on empirical models, and their scope of application is still limited. In particular, walls with the various support conditions, high slenderness, and aspect ratios have been given little treatment. Recent research has been undertaken on the applicability of more reliable and accurate wall design methods. This paper initially presents a derived numerical technique incorporated in a computer program (WASTABT), to implement the iterative analysis for concrete walls with various support conditions. The outputs from the WASTABT program are verified using the results obtained from previous experimental results. A parametric study is then conducted using the verified computer‐based numerical technique to analyse axially loaded reinforced concrete panels. The study focuses on the effect of varying panel properties such as slenderness ratios, aspect ratios, concrete strengths, eccentricities, and reinforcement ratios, along with varying support conditions.
Defining and characterizing ecosystem services for education: A Delphi study
Authors: Ruppert John , Duncan Ravit Golan
Published: February 2017

Recent advancements in science have led to an increasingly sophisticated understanding of the many ways in which humans benefit from environmental systems. These benefits, termed Ecosystem Services, are sparsely characterized in education literature, but were included in the most recent iteration of US national science standards: the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). In this paper, we introduce the concept of Ecosystem Services and discuss why it is emerging as an important idea to teach. Specifically, we present a definition and set of big conceptual ideas about ecosystem services developed using a Delphi technique: a method that uses repeat survey of a panel of experts in a domain, to reach a consensus about important ideas. Using the central ideas that emerged during this study, we developed a refined model of coupled human‐environment systems that articulates multiple human populations as embedded within ecosystems, connected to these ecosystems near and far, and benefiting from the resources and conditions provisioned by these ecosystems. We discuss the implications of this model to future education research, as well as to future revisions of Disciplinary Core Ideas in the National Research Council Framework for Science Education. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 54:737–763, 2017
Allethrin toxicity causes reproductive dysfunction in male rats
Authors: Madhubabu Golla , Yenugu Suresh
Published: February 2017

Pyrethroids are widely used for domestic and agricultural purposes and their use is increasing, especially in developing countries. Uncontrolled use of these insecticides resulted in their entry into the food chain thereby causing toxicity to different organ systems. Allethrin is one of the widely used pyrethroids, but its toxicological effects are underreported when compared to other pyrethroids. Further, its effects on the male reproductive tract remain uncharacterized. In this study, its toxicity on the male reproductive tract was evaluated by administering 25–150 mg/kg body weight allethrin to adult rats for 60 days. The mRNA expression of factors that are important in spermatogenesis (Scf, c‐Kit, Hsf2, Ovol1, Brdt, Kdm3A, Ybx‐2, and Grth) and steroidogenesis (StAR, 3β‐HSD, 17β‐HSD) was significantly downregulated. Decreased levels of testosterone, reduced sperm count and daily sperm production was also observed due to allethrin toxicity. However, sperm quality parameters assessed by computer‐assisted sperm analyzer were not affected. Spermatozoa obtained from allethrin‐treated rats failed to undergo acrosome reaction. Results of this study indicate that allethrin affects spermatogenesis and sperm function, thus lending further support to the growing evidence of its toxicity.
The aflatoxin B1‐fumonisin B1 toxicity in BRL‐3A hepatocytes is associated to induction of cytochrome P450 activity and arachidonic acid metabolism
Authors: Mary Verónica S. , Arias Silvina L. , Otaiza Santiago N. , Velez Pilar A. , Rubinstein Héctor R. , Theumer Martín G.
Published: February 2017

Human oral exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) is associated with increased hepatocellular carcinoma. Although evidence suggested interactive AFB1–FB1 hepatotoxicity, the underlying mechanisms remain mostly unidentified. This work was aimed at evaluating the possible AFB1–FB1 interplay to induce genetic and cell cycle toxicities in BRL‐3A rat hepatocytes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) involvement, and the AFB1 metabolizing pathways cytochrome P450 (CYP) and arachidonic acid (ArAc) metabolism as ROS contributors. Flow cytometry of stained BRL‐3A hepatocytes was used to study the cell cycle (propidium iodide), ROS intracellular production (DCFH‐DA, HE, DAF‐2 DA), and phospholipase A activity (staining with bis‐BODIPY FL C11‐PC). The CYP1A activity was assessed by the 7‐ethoxyresorufin‐O‐deethylase (EROD) assay. Despite a 48‐h exposure to FB1 (30 μM) not being genotoxic, the AFB1 (20 μM)‐induced micronucleus frequency was overcome by the AFB1–FB1 mixture (MIX), presumably showing toxin interaction. The mycotoxins blocked G1/S‐phase, but only MIX caused cell death. Overall, the oxidative stress led these alterations as the pretreatment with N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine reduced such toxic effects. While AFB1 had a major input to the MIX pro‐oxidant activity, with CYP and ArAc metabolism being ROS contributors, these pathways were not involved in the FB1‐elicited weak oxidative stress. The MIX‐induced micronucleus frequency in N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine pretreated cells was greater than that caused by AFB1 without antioxidants, suggesting enhanced AFB1 direct genotoxicity probably owing to the higher CYP activity and ArAc metabolism found in MIX. The metabolic pathways modulation by AFB1–FB1 mixtures could raise its hepatocarcinogenic properties.
Endocrine‐disrupting effects of methylparaben on the adult gerbil prostate
Authors: Costa Janaína R. , Campos Mônica S. , Lima Rodrigo F. , Gomes Liana S. , Marques Mara R. , Taboga Sebastião R. , Biancardi Manoel F. , Brito Pedro V. A. , Santos Fernanda C. A.
Published: February 2017

Parabens are xenoestrogens widely employed in cosmetics, foodstuffs, and pharmaceutical products. These chemicals are known to disrupt hormone‐dependent organs, due to their binding affinity for hormonal receptors. Although recent studies have evaluated the endocrine‐disrupting potential of parabens in several reproductive organs, few have investigated the effects of these chemicals in the prostate. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of oral exposure to methylparaben (500 mg/kg/day) for 3, 7, and 21 days on male and female adult gerbil prostate. For this purpose, we employed biometrical, morphological, and immunohistochemical analyses. The results showed that methylparaben caused morphological changes in gerbil prostates in all experimental groups. These animals displayed similar alterations such as prostate epithelial hyperplasia, increased cell proliferation, and a higher frequency of AR‐positive cells. However, the prostate of the female gerbil showed additional changes such as stromal inflammatory infiltration, intraepithelial neoplasia foci, and an increase in AR‐positive frequency. Altogether, these data show that methylparaben was responsible for disrupting estrogenic and androgenic receptors, suggesting that parabens may have estrogenic and antiandrogenic effects in the prostate.
Entwicklungen in der Heliumdichtheitsprüfung
Authors: Seibert Dennis
Published: February 2017

Als wesentlicher Baustein in verschiedensten Forschungs‐ und Technologiebereichen gewährleistet die Dichtheitsprüfung Funktionsweise und Sicherheit von Anlagen, Geräten und Gebrauchsgegenständen.

Anhand von ausgewählten historischen Beispielen führt der Beitrag zunächst durch die Anfänge und die grundlegenden Entwicklungsschritte der Heliumdichtheitsprüfung. Im weiteren Verlauf wird auf Basis aktueller Anwendungen gezeigt, welche Anforderungen heute an die Dichtheitsprüfung gestellt werden, und wie sich Unternehmen aufstellen, um einen marktgerechten Support leisten zu können.
Kostenstruktur von Plasmaverfahren
Authors: Oehr Christian , Brand Jochen , Hegemann Dirk , Liehr Michael , Wohlfart Peter
Published: February 2017

Beschichtungskosten erscheinen im Falle von Plasmaprozessen auf den ersten Blick durch hohe Investitionskosten dominiert zu sein. Hier wird gezeigt, dass Betriebs‐ und Verbrauchskosten von gleicher oder größerer Bedeutung sein können. Zielführend ist es, die Beschichtungskosten als einen Beitrag unter mehreren für das Endprodukt zu verstehen. Das Beispiel Solarzellen zeigt, dass es sich kaum lohnt, die Beschichtungsprozesse weiter zu beschleunigen, wogegen aber eine kleine Effizienzsteigerung bereits deutliche Kostenvorteile bringt.

Auch bei Hartstoffschichten zeigt sich, dass man nicht an den Anlagen sparen sollte, sondern versuchen muss, den Energieverbrauch zu senken und die Abscheiderate zu erhöhen. Von den Beschichtungskosten her liegt man im gleichen Bereich wie bei Flüssigphasenbeschichtungen, hat aber deutlich weniger Konfliktpotential mit den sich stetig verschärfenden Umweltauflagen (keine Bäder zu entsorgen etc.).

Das häufig vertretene Argument, dass die Einsparung von Pumpen beim Einsatz von Plasmen bei Atmosphärendruck einen Kostenvorteil bietet, muss (gleiche Schichtqualität unterstellt) relativiert werden, da die Betriebskosten deutlich höher liegen, insbesondere, wenn als Schutz‐ und Trägergas Edelgase erforderlich sind.
CRONO: a fast and reconfigurable macro X‐ray fluorescence scanner for in‐situ investigations of polychrome surfaces
Authors: Alberti R. , Frizzi T. , Bombelli L. , Gironda M. , Aresi N. , Rosi F. , Miliani C. , Tranquilli G. , Talarico F. , Cartechini L.
Published: February 2017

CRONO is a new portable and easy reconfigurable macro X‐ray fluorescence scanner based on the energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence technique, which has been specifically designed for in‐situ, fast, and non‐invasive elemental mapping of polychrome surfaces. The main components are fully integrated into the detection head which includes an X‐ray tube, a large area silicon drift detector, a microscope camera, two pointing lasers, a Helium gas purging set, and fast acquisition electronics. This very compact detection head is mounted on motorized stages (with a linear speed up to 45 mm/s) that allow the scanning of areas up to 450 × 600 mm2. Three collimators (0.5, 1, and 2‐mm diameter) are software selectable to obtain different spot sizes on the sample. The typical measurement time for the full scanned area ranges from 1 h with the 2‐mm collimator to about 9 h with the 0.5‐mm collimator using a dwell time of 30 ms. Technical details and achievable performances of the instrument are presented and discussed along with an example of application which illustrates the value of the developed instrument in the investigation of paintings. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microbial arsenite oxidation with oxygen, nitrate, or an electrode as the sole electron acceptor
Authors: Nguyen Van Khanh , Tran Huong T , Park Younghyun , Yu Jaecheul , Lee Taeho
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this study was to identify bacteria that can perform As(III) oxidation for environmental bioremediation. Two bacterial strains, named JHS3 and JHW3, which can autotrophically oxidize As(III)–As(V) with oxygen as an electron acceptor, were isolated from soil and water samples collected in the vicinity of an arsenic-contaminated site. According to 16S ribosomal RNA sequence analysis, both strains belong to the ɤ-Proteobacteria class and share 99% sequence identity with previously described strains. JHS3 appears to be a new strain of the Acinetobacter genus, whereas JHW3 is likely to be a novel strain of the Klebsiella genus. Both strains possess the aioA gene encoding an arsenite oxidase and are capable of chemolithoautotrophic growth in the presence of As(III) up to 10 mM as a primary electron donor. Cell growth and As(III) oxidation rate of both strains were significantly enhanced during cultivation under heterotrophic conditions. Under anaerobic conditions, only strain JHW3 oxidized As(III) using nitrate or a solid-state electrode of a bioelectrochemical system as a terminal electron acceptor. Kinetic studies of As(III) oxidation under aerobic condition demonstrated a higher V  max and K  m from strain JHW3 than strain JHS3. This study indicated the potential application of strain JHW3 for remediation of subsurface environments contaminated with arsenic.
Advancement in bioprocess technology: parallels between microbial natural products and cell culture biologics
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Arpan A , Khetan Anurag , Malmberg Li-Hong , Zhou Weichang , Hu Wei-Shou
Published: February 2017

The emergence of natural products and industrial microbiology nearly eight decades ago propelled an era of bioprocess innovation. Half a century later, recombinant protein technology spurred the tremendous growth of biologics and added mammalian cells to the forefront of industrial producing cells in terms of the value of products generated. This review highlights the process technology of natural products and protein biologics. Despite the separation in time, there is a remarkable similarity in their progression. As the new generation of therapeutics for gene and cell therapy emerges, its process technology development can take inspiration from that of natural products and biologics.
Disturbed iron metabolism in erythropoietic protoporphyria and association of GDF15 and gender with disease severity
Authors: Barman‐Aksoezen Jasmin , Girelli Domenico , Aurizi Caterina , Schneider‐Yin Xiaoye , Campostrini Natascia , Barbieri Luca , Minder Elisabeth I. , Biolcati Gianfranco
Published: February 2017

Patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) have reduced activity of the enzyme ferrochelatase that catalyzes the insertion of iron into protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) to form heme. As the result of ferrochelatase deficiency, PPIX accumulates and causes severe photosensitivity. Among different patients, the concentration of PPIX varies considerably. In addition to photosensitivity, patients frequently exhibit low serum iron and a microcytic hypochromic anemia. The aims of this study were to (1) search for factors related to PPIX concentration in EPP, and (2) characterize anemia in EPP, i.e., whether it is the result of an absolute iron deficiency or the anemia of chronic disease (ACD). Blood samples from 67 EPP patients (51 Italian and 16 Swiss) and 21 healthy volunteers were analyzed. EPP patients had lower ferritin (p = 0.021) and hepcidin (p = 0.031) concentrations and higher zinc–protoporphyrin (p < 0.0001) and soluble‐transferrin‐receptor (p = 0.0007) concentrations compared with controls. This indicated that anemia in EPP resulted from an absolute iron deficiency. Among EPP patients, PPIX concentrations correlated with both growth differentiation factor (GDF) 15 (p = 0.012) and male gender (p = 0.015). Among a subgroup of patients who were iron replete, hemoglobin levels were normal, which suggested that iron but not ferrochelatase is the limiting factor in heme synthesis of individuals with EPP.
Analysis of Reimbursement of Genetic Counseling Services at a Single Institution in a State Requiring Licensure
Authors: Leonhard Jennifer R. , Munson Paul J. , Flanagan Jason D. , De Berg Kristen L. , Thompson Paul A. , Dean Lori W. , Stein Quinn P.
Published: February 2017

Reimbursement for genetic counseling services was examined at a single institution. Patient encounters utilizing the 96040 CPT® code from 7/31/2009 through 7/31/2013 were reviewed. Exclusion criteria included billing records of patients seen by a physician the same day, self‐pay, Medicaid, and Medicare patients. Of the 8,630 encounters with a genetic counselor, 582 encounters were eligible for review. Descriptive statistics (i.e., percentage of encounters receiving some level of reimbursement, average reimbursement rate, number of third party payors providing any level of reimbursement, and number of ICD‐9 codes receiving any level of reimbursement) depicted reimbursement of the 96040 CPT® code for the encounters analyzed. Statistical analysis found a significant difference in reimbursement between third party payors that do and do not credential genetic counselors (p < .0001). There was no statistically significant difference between reimbursement rates for primary diagnostic ICD‐9 codes when compared to primary diagnostic ICD‐9 V codes used. Results will provide a useful baseline for local and national comparisons due to the paucity of data regarding CPT® 96040.
The Effect of Aniline Hydrochloride Hydrotrope on the Phase Behavior of SDS/Water System
Authors: Huerta Marcial Silvia T. , Landázuri Gabriel , Macías‐Balleza Emma R. , Rosales‐Rivera Luis C. , Ruso Juan M. , Puig Jorge E. , Soltero J. F. Armando
Published: February 2017

The aim of this work was to determine the detailed phase behavior of the sodium dodecyl sulfate/aniline hydrochloride/water system as a function of concentration of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), aniline hydrochloride (AHC) to sodium dodecyl sulfate molar ratio (R = [AHC]/[SDS]) and temperature. Phase behavior information was obtained via polarizing microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), cryo‐scanning electron microscopy (Cryo‐SEM) and oscillatory linear rheological measurements with good agreement among these techniques. It is well known that SDS in water forms spherical micelles at concentrations lower than 40 wt% and temperatures above its Krafft temperature (Tk = 16–21 °C). In this region, the SDS/water system exhibits Newtonian rheological behavior, which is characteristic of spherical micellar solutions. The addition of the hydrotrope, aniline hydrochloride, to SDS aqueous solutions produces a viscosity increase in this system as R augments, and a maximum of about five orders of magnitude was found at R = 0.47 for 5 wt% SDS at 20 °C. Moreover, the system shows a transition from viscous to strong viscoelastic behavior. These changes in the rheological behavior are produced by the transitions from sphere to rodlike micelles, which are induced by the hydrophobicity of AHC causing it to be absorbed into the core and the hydrophilic interface of the micelles, which screens the repulsions between the charged head groups.
Feasibility, safety, and potential demand of emergent brain magnetic resonance imaging of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices
Authors: Ono Maki , Suzuki Makoto , Isobe Mitsuaki
Published: February 2017

Background

The feasibility, safety, and potential demand of emergent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients with a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) in emergency situations are unknown.

Methods

We retrospectively compared emergent and scheduled MRI orders for patients with CIEDs at Kameda General Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Japan, from October 2012 to September 2016.

Results

We identified 11 emergent MRI orders via the emergency room and 38 scheduled MRI orders. Although the baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups, brain scanning was predominant in emergent scanning (p=0.002). The reasons for MRI and physicians who ordered it were also significantly different between the two groups (p<0.001, p=0.03, respectively). Among the emergent orders via the emergency room, 10 out of 11 were brain scans. Nine out of 10 patients underwent successful emergent brain MRI. The time from arrival at the emergency room to MRI was 144±29 min, and the time from the MRI order made by the cardiologist to its actual performance was 60±10 min. Four out of 9 patients had a diagnosis of acute stroke confirmed by emergent MRI, and two had emergent thrombolysis with a complete neurological recovery. All emergent scanning was conducted safely with no complications.

Conclusions

Our study found the potential demand of brain MRI of patients with CIEDs in emergency situations compared with scheduled scanning, which was shown to be feasible and safe for the diagnosis and treatment of an acute stroke.
More than a feeling: Tracing the progressive era origins of historical empathy in the social studies curriculum, 1890–1940s
Authors: Perrotta Katherine Assante , Bohan Chara Haeussler
Published: February 2017

Understanding historical empathy is a bourgeoning subfield of social studies education research. Students demonstrate historical empathy by analyzing sources 1) to determine historical context, 2) identify perspectives of historical figures, and 3) make affective connections to historical content. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to examine primary sources from educational leaders and organizations during the Progressive Era in American public school education in order to trace the origins of historical empathy as an implicit goal in the social studies curriculum. Our guiding research question is “How does the work of Progressive Era organizations and educational leaders impact how Americans viewed historical empathy?” We purposefully selected documents from Progressive Era organizations and certain leaders whose work formed a strong foundation of social studies education history. We conclude with an examination of the importance of historical empathy today in order to demonstrate the importance of historical empathy as a curricular aim of social studies education.
The effect of statins on rate of cognitive decline in mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Smith Kyle B. , Kang Paul , Sabbagh Marwan N. ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: February 2017

Introduction

This study's aims are to identify whether a relationship between statin use and rate of cognitive decline exists. The relationship between statins and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has been investigated in the past with the evidence showing mixed results.

Methods

Seven hundred sixty‐eight subjects were identified with MCI. Subjects were stratified into six possible groups according to apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele status and statin use and assessed for decline in cognitive function.

Results

All cognitive assessments trended toward less decline with statin use. Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale 11 (ADAS 11) showed the biggest difference in mean change between statin users and nonusers (−0.82 vs. −1.22, respectively). Change reached marginal significance on the ADAS 11 when stratified by APOE ε4–negative subjects.

Discussion

All cognitive assessments trended toward less decline when subjects were concurrently treated with a statin, supporting the position that statins do not have a net negative effect on cognitive assessment and suggesting a potential treatment benefit.
Global analysis for a two-dimensional elliptic eigenvalue problem with the exponential nonlinearity
Authors: Suzuki Takashi
Published: February 2017

For the Emden–Fowler equation

−\mathrm{\Delta }u = \mathrm{\lambda }e^{u}

in

Ω ⊂ R^2

, the connectivity of the trivial solution and the one-point blow-up singular limit is studied with respect to the parameter

λ > 0

. The connectivity is assured when the domain

Ω

is simply connected and the total mass

\mathrm{\Sigma } = \int _{\mathrm{\Omega }}\mathrm{\lambda }\:e^{u}dx

tends to

8 π

from below, which is a generalization for the case that

Ω

is a ball.
The large deformation of nonlinearly elastic shells in axisymmetric flows
Authors: De Cristoforis Massimo Lanza , Antman Stuart S.
Published: February 2017

This paper treats the large deformation of closed nonlinearly elastic axisymmetric shells under an external pressure field generated by the steady, irrotational, axisymmetric flow of an incompressible, inviscid fluid. The flow is assumed to have a prescribed velocity U and pressure Ρ at infinity. The deformation of the shells is described by a geometrically exact theory. The parameters U and Ρ and the deformed shape of the shell uniquely determine the velocity field of the steady flow. The most difficult part of the analysis is to show that the velocity and pressure of the flow on the shell depend continuously and compactly on the function describing the shape. The pressure field on the shell is substituted into the equilibrium equations for the shell, yielding a system of ordinary functional-differential equations. These are converted into a fixed-point form, which is analyzed by a global implicit function theorem. The problem has technical difficulties that do not arise in problems with rigid obstacles.

On s’intéresse aux grandes déformations d’une coque fermée axisymétrique soumise à l’action du champ de pression externe engendré par l’écoulement stationnaire et irrotationnel d’un fluide parfait incompressible autour de la coque. On utilise pour modéliser la coque une théorie géométriquement exacte avec une loi de comportement élastique non linéaire générale. La vitesse et la pression de l’écoulement à l’infini sont deux constantes données U et P. Le champ de vitesse du fluide est déterminé de façon unique par ces deux paramètres et par la forme de la coque dans sa configuration déformée. La partie la plus délicate de notre analyse consiste à montrer que les champs de vitesse et de pression sur la surface de la coque dépendent continûment et de façon compacte de la fonction qui décrit la forme de la coque. Substituant la pression dans les équations d’équilibre de la coque, on obtient un système d’équations fonctionnelles-différentielles ordinaires que l’on transforme ensuite en problème de point fixe. Ce problème est lui-même résolu à l’aide d’un théorème des fonctions implicites global. On rencontre ici les difficultés techniques qui ne se présentent pas dans les problèmes avec obstacle rigide.
Teachers’ Understanding and Practice of Mandatory Reporting of Child Maltreatment
Authors: Falkiner Meredith , Thomson Donald , Day Andrew
Published: February 2017

Across the eight jurisdictions of Australia, mandatory reporting obligations and thresholds for reporting vary. Teachers are one group of the professionals who are mandated to report child maltreatment, yet some teachers are still reluctant to make such a report. This paper examines the barriers that discourage teachers from reporting child maltreatment and also whether teachers consider it necessary to question a child about the maltreatment before they decide if a report should be made. Thirty semi-structured interviews with Victorian primary school teachers were thematically analysed and revealed that inadequate and inconsistent mandatory reporting training, the need for certainty before initiating a report and the ambiguous concept of neglect were barriers to teachers identifying and reporting child maltreatment. Analyses further revealed that teachers gather evidence to confirm or disconfirm their suspicions of maltreatment by questioning the suspected child victim. The consequences of this practice are discussed along with recommendations to help overcome the barriers to making a formal report when child maltreatment is suspected.
Leaving Care and at Risk of Homelessness: The Lift Project
Authors: Clare Mike , Anderson Becky , Bodenham Murielle , Clare Brenda
Published: February 2017

The paper reflects on developments in leaving care policy and practice in Western Australia (WA) and nationally from the mid-1990s. The review of national and some international literature suggests that current Australian policy and practice shows a ‘systems stuckness’ that requires a more potent form of annual auditing and reporting of jurisdictional leaving care outcomes. The review of mostly Australian publications focusing on leaving care and the risk of homelessness includes reflections on recent developments in leaving care services in England, which recognise and restore relationship-based services for care leavers. Finally, the history, vision and initial impact of the Living Independently for the First Time (LIFT) Project, a case study of learning by doing, is outlined. The authors and their colleagues from the Department for Child Protection and Family Support (Midland District), Swan Emergency Accommodation (now known as Indigo Junction) and the Housing Authority of WA have collaborated to design and develop the LIFT Project. This initially unfunded action-research strategy involves inter-agency policy and practice designed to prevent homelessness of vulnerable care leavers.
Conventionality, Disagreement, and Fidelity
Authors: Ewing Benjamin
Published: February 2017

Legal philosophers have taken what Ronald Dworkin called “theoretical disagreement” or disagreement about the “grounds of law,” to be of jurisprudential interest because of its putative incompatibility with legal positivism. The first aim of this article is to reframe theoretical disagreement as part of a broader challenge for all jurisprudential theories, positivist or not: how to refine and reconcile three theses that should appear plausible, important, and in tension. (1) Conventionality: the content of the law is determined, presumptively if not definitively, by meta-rules of law whose status as meta-rules arises from a consensus among relevant legal actors to treat them as having that status. (2) Disagreement: judges have theoretical disagreements about the law-i.e., disagreements about such meta-rules of law as legal interpretive methods, which they do not attempt to resolve merely by reference to explicit or implicit empirical consensus. (3) Fidelity: judges’ theoretical disagreements can be in good faith, reasonable, and legally resolvable. The article’s second ambition is to synthesize a broad range of jurisprudential writing pertinent to conventionality, theoretical disagreement, and judicial fidelity to law, in order to bring forward a potential reconciliation of all three that gives each one its due. Law and the requirements of judicial fidelity can be broadly conventional yet subject to reasonable, genuinely “theoretical disagreement” insofar as they are determined not only by contingent empirical truths about convergent practice but also by non-contingent conceptual truths about law’s nature and distinctive virtues. Unlike accounts of theoretical disagreement developed by theorists attacking or defending legal positivism, the view of theoretical disagreement I sketch here is ecumenical. It is compatible with accepting or rejecting legal positivism-though not on all positivists’ or all non-positivists’ terms.
Very-large-scale motions in rough-bed open-channel flow
Authors: Cameron S. M. , Nikora V. I. , Stewart M. T.
Published: February 2017

Long-duration particle image velocimetry measurements in rough-bed open-channel flows (OCFs) reveal that the pre-multiplied spectra of the streamwise velocity have a bimodal distribution due to the presence of large- and very-large-scale motions (LSMs and VLSMs, respectively). The existence of VLSMs in boundary layers, pipes and closed channels has been acknowledged for some time, but strong supporting evidence for their presence in OCF has been lacking. The data reported in this paper fill this gap. Length scales of the LSMs and VLSMs in OCF exhibit different scaling properties; whereas the streamwise length of the LSM scales with the flow depth, the VLSM streamwise length does not scale purely with flow depth and may additionally depend on other scales such as the channel width, roughness height or viscous length. The transverse extent of the LSMs was found to increase with increasing elevation, but the VLSM transverse scale is anchored around two flow depths. The origin and nature of LSMs and VLSMs are still to be resolved, but differences in their scaling suggest that VLSMs in rough-bed OCFs form independently rather than as a spatial alignment of LSMs.
Analysis of the flow field around a rudder in the wake of a simplified marine propeller
Authors: Muscari Roberto , Dubbioso Giulio , Di Mascio Andrea
Published: February 2017

The vortex–body interaction problem, which characterizes the flow field of a rudder placed downstream of a single-blade marine rotor, is investigated by numerical simulations. The particular topology of the propeller wake, consisting of a helicoidal vortex detached from the blade tips (tip vortex) and a longitudinal, streamwise oriented vortex originating at the hub (hub vortex), embraces two representative mechanisms of vortex–body collisions: the tip vortices impact almost orthogonally to the mean plane, whereas the hub vortex travels in the mean plane of the wing (rudder), perpendicularly to its leading edge. The two vortices evolve independently only during the approaching and collision phases. The passage along the body is instead characterized by strong interaction with the boundary layer on the rudder and is followed by reconnection and merging in the middle and far wake. The features of the wake were investigated by the $\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}$-criterion (Jeong & Hussain, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 285, 1995, pp. 69–94) and typical flow variables (pressure, velocity and vorticity) of the instantaneous flow field; wall pressure spectra were analysed and related to the tip and hub vortices evolution, revealing a non-obvious behaviour of the loading on the rudder that can be related to undesired unsteady loads.
The Dynamics of Fluid Propulsion with Special Reference to the Problem of the Airscrew
Authors: Riach M. A. S.
Published: February 2017

In March of last year I had the privilege of reading a paper on the airscrew before the Society, “The Screw Propeller in Air.” The object of this paper was to extend what is usually known as the aerofoil theory of the airscrew, so as to include to some extent the phenomena of slip essential to propulsion in a fluid. This method has since, I believe, been fairly widely adopted both in experimental research work on airscrews and for purposes of designing and analysis.

The present contribution is the outcome of an attempt to modify the previous theory outlined in my paper, “The Screw Propeller in Air,” which theory cannot be considered as being complete although at the time it was written nothing of a similar theoretical nature had been published with the exception of Mr. Lanchester's paper on “The Screw Propeller,” this work being of a purely theoretical nature throughout and not directly based on model aerofoil data obtained from the wind channel.

The previous method of estimating the quantity of fluid, air in the case under consideration, dealt with by the propeller was to assume some constant fraction f say of each annular ring element along the blade, the limiting possible value of f being taken to be unity.
The Annals and Their Contribution to International Criminology
Authors: Viano Emilio C.
Published: February 2017

The International Society for Criminology marked in 2013 the 75th anniversary of its foundation in Rome, Italy in 1938. Since the founding of the Society, criminology as a field has grown exponentially as an academic discipline, a research field, a policy-making tool, and a source of different approaches, solutions, and interventions. During these 75 years, the discipline has been able to establish its identity, gain a measure of autonomy, delimit its area of research and inquiry, demonstrate its usefulness, expand its influence, and deepen its impact. This has been accomplished because of the work of countless scholars, researchers and professionals and especially thanks to the Society and its journal, the Annals.
Major human milk oligosaccharides are absorbed into the systemic circulation after oral administration in rats
Authors: Vazquez E. , Santos-Fandila A. , Buck R. , Rueda R. , Ramirez M.
Published: February 2017

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) are involved in many biological functions influencing infant health. Although HMO act locally at the intestine, recent evidence has demonstrated that HMO are partially incorporated into the systemic circulation of breast-fed infants. In the last few years, a large amount of research has been conducted using preclinical models to uncover new biological functions of HMO. The aim of this study was to evaluate the absorption and urine excretion of HMO in rats. We administered a single oral dose of the following HMO: 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL), 6'-sialyllactose and lacto-N-neotetraose at different concentrations to adult rats. The time course of absorption of HMO into the bloodstream and their appearance in urine was studied. Our results showed that rats, similar to human infants, are able to effectively absorb a portion of HMO from the intestine into plasma and to excrete them in urine. On the basis of this, we also conducted a specific kinetic absorption study with 2'-FL, the most predominant HMO in human milk, in 9–11-d-old rat pups. Our results confirmed that a significant amount of 2'-FL was absorbed into the systemic circulation and subsequently excreted in urine during lactation in rats in a dose-depended manner. We also found basal levels of these HMO in plasma and urine of adult rats as well as rat pups as a natural result of nursing. Our data suggest that the rat may be a useful preclinical model that provides new insights into the metabolism and functions of HMO.