bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cost‐effectiveness of multisystemic therapy versus usual treatment for young people with antisocial problems
Authors: Vermeulen Karin M. , Jansen Daniëlle E. M. C. , Knorth Erik J. , Buskens Erik , Reijneveld Sijmen A.
Published: January 2016

Background

Behavioural problems are common among adolescents. The burden on society in social disturbance, health, failures to contribute and costs has triggered innovative community‐based interventions such as multisystemic therapy (MST).

Aims

Our aim was to compare the cost‐effectiveness of MST and treatment as usual (TAU).

Methods

Cost‐effectiveness was assessed alongside a randomised clinical trial. One hundred and sixteen adolescents were allocated to MST or TAU. Follow‐up lasted six months. Quality of life (EQ‐5D) as perceived by the adolescents was the primary outcome. A societal perspective was used for cost assessment.

Results

There was no significant difference between groups in the small improvement experienced in quality of life (EQ‐5D average score improvement in both 0.02 points, standard deviation 0.13 MST; 0.23 TAU). Dropout before follow‐up was 48% and 69% respectively. Overall costs attributed to these young people were, however, 50% lower in the MST group. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) was 384,633€ (95% CI: −2,001,433 to 2,024,681€), which indicates dominance of MST over TAU.

Conclusions/Implications for practice

Our study shows that, at worst, MST offers no advantage to young offenders in terms of their experienced quality of life, but ‘TAU’ included family focused intervention as well as standard supervision. There were some cost advantages for the individual and his/her family in the MST group, but substantial cost benefits for wider society. The case for a large, multi‐centre, perhaps international trial is strong as widespread implementation of MST would benefit everyone if these findings are confirmed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of N‐octylnortadalafil and its Stereoisomers in Dietary Supplements with Chiral Liquid Chromatography–Circular Dichroism
Authors: Sakamoto Miho , Kishimoto Kiyoko , Saito Yuri , Suzuki Ikuo , Moriyasu Takako
Published: January 2016

A direct chiral liquid chromatography–circular dichroism (LC‐CD) method was developed for the simple and rapid identification of N‐octylnortadalafil [(6R, 12aR)‐6‐(1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐yl)‐2‐octyl‐2,3,6,7,12,12a‐hexahydropyrazino[1’,2’:1,6]pyrido[3,4‐b]indole‐1,4‐dione; RR‐OTDF] and its stereoisomers in dietary supplements. Samples were extracted with methanol. Compounds were then separated by chiral LC‐CD using Chiralcel OD‐RH (4.6 × 150 mm, 5 µm) with 5 mM ammonium formate (pH 3)/0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile (95:5, v/v) mixture solution (mobile phase A) and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile (mobile phase B). The isocratic elution used was mobile phase A / mobile phase B (3:7, v/v) at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. The column temperature was held at 30°C. RR‐OTDF and its stereoisomers were separated within 20 min with the resolution factors being over 2.0. Using this method, RR‐OTDF and (6R, 12aS)‐6‐(1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐yl)‐2‐octyl‐2,3,6,7,12,12a‐hexahydropyrazino[1’,2’:1,6]pyrido[3,4‐b]indole‐1,4‐dione were detected in a dietary supplement. Chirality 28:204–208, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
HPC‐GAP: engineering a 21st‐century high‐performance computer algebra system
Authors: Behrends Reimer , Hammond Kevin , Janjic Vladimir , Konovalov Alexander , Linton Steve , Loidl Hans‐Wolfgang , Maier Patrick , Trinder Phil
Published: January 2016

Symbolic computation has underpinned a number of key advances in Mathematics and Computer Science. Applications are typically large and potentially highly parallel, making them good candidates for parallel execution at a variety of scales from multi‐core to high‐performance computing systems. However, much existing work on parallel computing is based around numeric rather than symbolic computations. In particular, symbolic computing presents particular problems in terms of varying granularity and irregular task sizes that do not match conventional approaches to parallelisation. It also presents problems in terms of the structure of the algorithms and data. This paper describes a new implementation of the free open‐source GAP computational algebra system that places parallelism at the heart of the design, dealing with the key scalability and cross‐platform portability problems. We provide three system layers that deal with the three most important classes of hardware: individual shared memory multi‐core nodes, mid‐scale distributed clusters of (multi‐core) nodes and full‐blown high‐performance computing systems, comprising large‐scale tightly connected networks of multi‐core nodes. This requires us to develop new cross‐layer programming abstractions in the form of new domain‐specific skeletons that allow us to seamlessly target different hardware levels. Our results show that, using our approach, we can achieve good scalability and speedups for two realistic exemplars, on high‐performance systems comprising up to 32000 cores, as well as on ubiquitous multi‐core systems and distributed clusters. The work reported here paves the way towards full‐scale exploitation of symbolic computation by high‐performance computing systems, and we demonstrate the potential with two major case studies. © 2016 The Authors. Concurrency and Computation: Practice and Experience Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Forensic analysis of P2P derived amphetamine synthesis impurities: identification and characterization of indene by‐products
Authors: Power John D. , Kavanagh Pierce , McLaughlin Gavin , Dowling Geraldine , Barry Michael , O'Brien John , Talbot Brian , Twamley Brendan , Brandt Simon D.
Published: January 2016

1‐Phenyl‐2‐propanone (P2P) is an internationally monitored precursor that has become increasingly difficult for illicit amphetamine producers to source, which means that alternative routes to its preparation have become increasingly important. One such approach includes the hydrolysis of alpha‐phenylacetoacetonitrile (APAAN) with sulfuric acid. Previously, we reported the identification of 4,6‐dimethyl‐3,5‐diphenylpryid‐2‐one following implementation of hydrolysis conditions and it was proposed that this compound might serve as one route specific by‐product in the APAAN to P2P conversion. This study continued to explore the presence of impurities formed during this conversion and expanded also into a second route of P2P synthesis starting from alpha‐methylstyrene (AMS). All P2P products underwent the Leuckart procedure to probe the presence of P2P‐related impurities that might have carried through to the final product. Two by‐products associated with the APAAN hydrolysis route to P2P were identified as 2,3‐diacetyl‐2,3‐diphenylsuccinonitrile (1) and 2‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1,3‐dicarbonitrile‐1H‐indene (2), respectively. Two by‐products associated with the AMS route to P2P and subsequent Leuckart reaction were 1,1,3‐trimethyl‐3‐phenyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indene (3) and 1‐phenyl‐N‐(phenylethyl)propan‐2‐amine (4), respectively. The two indenes (2 and 3) identified in synthesized amphetamine originating from P2P suggested that it might be possible to differentiate between the two synthetic routes regarding the use of APAAN and AMS. Furthermore, the association of these compounds with amphetamine production appears to have been reported for the first time. The presence of compounds 1 – 4 in seized amphetamine samples and waste products could facilitate the suggestion whether APAAN or AMS were employed in the synthesis route to the P2P. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of functional beverages from blends of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract and selected fruit juices for optimal antioxidant properties
Authors: Ogundele Oluwatoyin M. A. , Awolu Olugbenga O. , Badejo Adebanjo A. , Nwachukwu Ifeanyi D. , Fagbemi Tayo N.
Published: January 2016

The demand for functional foods and drinks with health benefit is on the increase. The synergistic effect from mixing two or more of such drinks cannot be overemphasized. This study was carried out to formulate and investigate the effects of blends of two or more of pineapple, orange juices, carrot, and Hibiscus sabdariffa extracts (HSE) on the antioxidant properties of the juice formulations in order to obtain a combination with optimal antioxidant properties. Experimental design was carried out using optimal mixture model of response surface methodology which generated twenty experimental runs with antioxidant properties as the responses. The DPPH (1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS [2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid)] radical scavenging abilities, ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), vitamin C, total phenolics, and total carotenoids contents of the formulations were evaluated as a test of antioxidant property. In all the mixtures, formulations having HSE as part of the mixture showed the highest antioxidant potential. The statistical analyzes, however, showed that the formulations containing pineapple, carrot, orange, and HSE of 40.00, 16.49, 17.20, and 26.30%, respectively, produced optimum antioxidant potential and was shown to be acceptable to a research laboratory guidance panel, thus making them viable ingredients for the production of functional beverages possessing important antioxidant properties with potential health benefits.
NAESB Focusing on Crucial Industry Topics in 2016
Authors: Trum Caroline
Published: January 2016

Before the doors even closed on 2015, the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) eagerly awaited the dawn of the new year. In 2016, NAESB will continue its long‐standing tradition of leading the industry in the development of commercial standards for the wholesale and retail gas and electric markets by undertaking an array of exciting projects. Since its inception, NAESB has been at the forefront of standards development, and this year will be no exception.
Use Great Caution in Design of Residential Demand Charges
Authors: Lazar Jim
Published: January 2016

For decades, electricity prices for larger commercial and industrial customers have included demand charges, which recover a portion of the revenue requirement based on the customer's highest usage during the month. Data being collected through smart meters allows utilities to consider expanding the use of demand charges to residential consumers.
Does Most Shale Gas Worldwide Remain in the Ground?
Authors: Makholm Jeff D.
Published: January 2016

On the subject of international energy, shale gas is a big deal.
Preoperative biliary drainage does not increase major complications in pancreaticoduodenectomy: a large single center experience from the Massachusetts General Hospital
Authors: Sahora Klaus , Morales‐Oyarvide Vicente , Ferrone Cristina , Fong Zhi Ven , Warshaw Andrew L. , Lillemoe Keith D. , Fernández‐del Castillo Carlos
Published: January 2016

Background

The impact of preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) on perioperative morbidity and mortality in pancreatic surgery is still under debate. The aim of this study was to investigate outcomes of stented vs. non‐stented patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (PD).

Methods

We retrospectively compared 500 consecutive patients who underwent PBD prior to PD with 500 patients who did not. Ninety‐day mortality and morbidity were assessed.

Results

The overall postoperative morbidity and mortality was 37% and 1.4%, respectively. Major complications (Clavien ≥ III) occurred in 16% of patients. The overall morbidity and mortality was not significantly higher in patients who underwent PBD. However, the rate of wound infection was significantly higher in patients who underwent PBD (19% vs. 9%, P = 0.001). When comparing intraoperative bile cultures of stented patients with and without wound infection, the presence of Enterobacter species (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.5–4.1, P = 0.001) and Citrobacter species (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1–5.2, P = 0.037) in the bile significantly increased the likelihood of wound infection.

Conclusion

Preoperative biliary drainage is associated with bactobilia and wound infection, but does not affect the overall morbidity and mortality of patients undergoing PD.
Microencapsulation of fish oil
Authors: Chatterjee Sudipta , Judeh Zaher M. A.
Published: January 2016

Fish oil is susceptible to oxidative degradation generating undesired lipid peroxides, secondary and tertiary oxidation products. These products pose health risks, reduce shelf‐life stability and cause fishy odor and taste leading to decreased sensory quality. Microencapsulation of fish oil using spray drying, coacervation, ultrasonication and membrane emulsification techniques is employed to overcome these problems.
Comparative genome‐wide analysis reveals that Burkholderia contaminans MS14 possesses multiple antimicrobial biosynthesis genes but not major genetic loci required for pathogenesis
Authors: Deng Peng , Wang Xiaoqiang , Baird Sonya M. , Showmaker Kurt C. , Smith Leif , Peterson Daniel G. , Lu Shien
Published: January 2016

Burkholderia contaminans MS14 shows significant antimicrobial activities against plant and animal pathogenic fungi and bacteria. The antifungal agent occidiofungin produced by MS14 has great potential for development of biopesticides and pharmaceutical drugs. However, the use of Burkholderia species as biocontrol agent in agriculture is restricted due to the difficulties in distinguishing between plant growth‐promoting bacteria and the pathogenic bacteria. The complete MS14 genome was sequenced and analyzed to find what beneficial and virulence‐related genes it harbors. The phylogenetic relatedness of B. contaminans MS14 and other 17 Burkholderia species was also analyzed. To research MS14′s potential virulence, the gene regions related to the antibiotic production, antibiotic resistance, and virulence were compared between MS14 and other Burkholderia genomes. The genome of B. contaminans MS14 was sequenced and annotated. The genomic analyses reveal the presence of multiple gene sets for antimicrobial biosynthesis, which contribute to its antimicrobial activities. BLAST results indicate that the MS14 genome harbors a large number of unique regions. MS14 is closely related to another plant growth‐promoting Burkholderia strain B. lata 383 according to the average nucleotide identity data. Moreover, according to the phylogenetic analysis, plant growth‐promoting species isolated from soils and mammalian pathogenic species are clustered together, respectively. MS14 has multiple antimicrobial activity‐related genes identified from the genome, but it lacks key virulence‐related gene loci found in the pathogenic strains. Additionally, plant growth‐promoting Burkholderia species have one or more antimicrobial biosynthesis genes in their genomes as compared with nonplant growth‐promoting soil‐isolated Burkholderia species. On the other hand, pathogenic species harbor multiple virulence‐associated gene loci that are not present in nonpathogenic Burkholderia species. The MS14 genome as well as Burkholderia species genome show considerable diversity. Multiple antimicrobial agent biosynthesis genes were identified in the genome of plant growth‐promoting species of Burkholderia. In addition, by comparing to nonpathogenic Burkholderia species, pathogenic Burkholderia species have more characterized homologs of the gene loci known to contribute to pathogenicity and virulence to plant and animals.
Embedded Fin‐Like Metal/CNT Hybrid Structures for Flexible and Transparent Conductors
Authors: Jiang Di , Wang Nan , Edwards Michael , Mu Wei , Nylander Andreas , Fu Yifeng , Jeppson Kjell , Liu Johan
Published: January 2016

In this paper, an embedded fin‐like metal‐coated carbon nanotube (Fin‐M/CNT) structure is demonstrated for flexible and transparent conductor wire applications. Embedded in a polydimethylsiloxane polymeric substrate, Fin‐M/CNT wires with a minimum width of 5 μm and a minimum pitch of 10 μm have been achieved. Direct current resistances of single Fin‐M/CNT wires, where the supporting CNT structures have been covered by Ti/Al/Au metal coatings of different thicknesses, have been measured. The high aspect ratio of the fin‐like structures not only improves the adhesion between the wires and the polymeric substrate, but also yields a low resistance at a small surface footprint. In addition, transparent Fin‐M/CNT grid lines with hexagonal patterns, with a sheet resistance of as low as 45 Ω sq−1, have been achieved at an optical transmittance of 88%. The robustness of the Fin‐M/CNT structures has been demonstrated in bending tests up to 500 cycles and no significant changes in wire resistances are observed.
From constant to non-degenerately vanishing magnetic fields in superconductivity
Authors: Helffer Bernard , Kachmar Ayman
Published: January 2016

We explore the relationship between two reference functions arising in the analysis of the Ginzburg–Landau functional. The first function describes the distribution of superconductivity in a type II superconductor subjected to a constant magnetic field. The second function describes the distribution of superconductivity in a type II superconductor submitted to a variable magnetic field that vanishes non-degenerately along a smooth curve.
Vaginohysteroscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of vaginal lesions
Authors: Di Spiezio Sardo Attilio , Zizolfi Brunella , Calagna Gloria , Florio Pasquale , Nappi Carmine , Di Carlo Costantino
Published: January 2016

Background

The vaginoscopic approach for hysteroscopy allows detailed endoscopic evaluation of the vaginal walls, fornices, and exocervix.

Objectives

To review the feasibility and efficacy of vaginohysteroscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of vaginal lesions.

Search strategy

A systematic review was performed of PubMed/Medline, Embase, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Database to identify papers published in English. The search terms were “hysteroscopy,” “vaginoscopy,” “vagino‐hysteroscopy,” and “vaginal lesion.” The last review was performed on January 31, 2015.

Selection criteria

Studies in which the diagnosis and treatment of vaginal lesions used the vaginoscopic approach and hysteroscopic instrumentation were reviewed.

Data collection and analysis

Data were extracted from the identified studies and then analyzed.

Main results

Thirteen studies were reviewed. Eleven described one case; one reported observations from two patients, and one study reported a case series. All vaginohysteroscopies reported were performed successfully and without significant complications.

Conclusions

Vaginohysteroscopy is an easy way to gain access to the cervical canal and an important tool with which to diagnose and treat vaginal lesions.
Meta‐analysis of synaptic pathology in Alzheimer's disease reveals selective molecular vesicular machinery vulnerability
Authors: de Wilde Martijn C. , Overk Cassia R. , Sijben John W. , Masliah Eliezer
Published: January 2016

Introduction

Loss of synapses best correlates to cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD) in which oligomeric neurotoxic species of amyloid‐β appears to contribute synaptic pathology. Although a number of clinical pathologic studies have been performed with limited sample size, there are no systematic studies encompassing large samples. Therefore, we performed a meta‐analysis study.

Methods

We identified 417 publications reporting postmortem synapse and synaptic marker loss from AD patients. Two meta‐analyses were performed using a single database of subselected publications and calculating the standard mean differences.

Results

Meta‐analysis confirmed synaptic loss in selected brain regions is an early event in AD pathogenesis. The second meta‐analysis of 57 synaptic markers revealed that presynaptic makers were affected more than postsynaptic markers.

Discussion

The present meta‐analysis study showed a consistent synaptic loss across brain regions and that molecular machinery including endosomal pathways, vesicular assembly mechanisms, glutamate receptors, and axonal transport are often affected.
Parabolized stability analysis of jets from serrated nozzles
Authors: Sinha Aniruddha , Gudmundsson Kristján , Xia Hao , Colonius Tim
Published: January 2016

We study the viscous spatial linear stability characteristics of the time-averaged flow in turbulent subsonic jets issuing from serrated (chevroned) nozzles, and compare them to analogous round jet results. Linear parabolized stability equations (PSE) are used in the calculations to account for the non-parallel base flow. By exploiting the symmetries of the mean flow due to the regular arrangement of serrations, we obtain a series of coupled two-dimensional PSE problems from the original three-dimensional problem. This reduces the solution cost and manifests the symmetries of the stability modes. In the parallel-flow linear stability theory (LST) calculations that are performed near the nozzle to initiate the PSE, we find that the serrated nozzle reduces the growth rates of the most unstable eigenmodes of the jet, but their phase speeds are approximately similar. We obtain encouraging validation of our linear PSE instability wave results vis-à-vis near-field hydrodynamic pressure data acquired on a phased microphone array in experiments, after filtering the latter with proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) to extract the energetically dominant coherent part. Additionally, a large-eddy simulation database of the same serrated jet is investigated, and its POD-filtered pressure field is found to compare favourably with the corresponding PSE solution within the jet plume. We conclude that the coherent hydrodynamic pressure fluctuations of jets from both round and serrated nozzles are reasonably consistent with the linear instability modes of the turbulent mean flow.
Exposure pattern influences the degree of drug-seeking behaviour after withdrawal
Authors: In Sunghyun , Zhao Rong Jie , Han Hye Ryeong , Yang Chae Ha , Kim Hee Young , Gwak Young S. , Lee Bong Hyo
Published: January 2016

Objectives

The occurrence of a relapse during abstinence is an important issue that must be addressed during treatment for drug addiction. We investigated the influence of drug exposure pattern on morphine-seeking behaviour following withdrawal. We also studied the role of the hippocampus in this process to confirm its involvement in drug relapse.

Methods

Male Sprague–Dawley rats that were trained to self-administer morphine (1.0 mg/kg) using 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 h daily sessions underwent withdrawal in their home cages and were re-exposed to the operant chamber to evaluate morphine-seeking behaviour. During the relapse session, rats were intravenously injected with morphine (0.25 mg/kg) or saline before re-exposure to the chamber. In the second experiment, rats were administered a microinjection of saline or cobalt chloride (CoCl2, 1 mM), a synaptic blocker, into the CA1 of the hippocampus prior to the relapse test.

Results

In the first experiment, more morphine-seeking behaviour was observed in the 2 h group (animals trained to self-administer morphine during a 2 h daily session spread over 21 days) during the relapse session, despite all groups being exposed to similar amounts of morphine during the training period before withdrawal. In the second experiment, pretreatment with CoCl2 markedly reduced morphine-seeking behaviour in the 2 h group.

Conclusions

The present findings suggest that the exposure pattern influences the degree of relapse and that control of memorisation is important for prevention of relapse.
The Cosquer Cave on Cape Morgiou, Marseilles
Authors: Clottes Jean , Beltrán Antonio , Courtin Jean , Cosquer Henri
Published: January 2016

The discovery of Palaeolithic wall paintings and engravings in a cave whose entrance lies below the present sea-level near Marseilles has created considerable interest – and no little controversy. The paper describes and analyses the remarkable find, with special attention to its authenticity.

During the Pleistocene there were large variations in sea-level under the influence of glaciations and inter-glacial warm episodes. During the Late Wurm glaciation in the Upper Palaeolithic the sea-level dropped to 110–120 m below its present level (Lumley 1976: 311). At that time the Lerins islands, the Hyeres islands and the Frioul archipelago and the islet of Planier off Marseilles were linked with the coast, and much of the Golfe du Lion was occupied by a vast plain.
Stonehenge: creating a definitive account
Authors: Lawson Andrew J.
Published: January 2016

The preparation of an archive of all 20th-century excavations at Stonehenge and the re-analysis of these records has been commissioned by English Heritage. This note reviews the development of ideas on the phased construction of the monument and reveals the potential for the publication of a full account of the excavations.
The context of Early Medieval barrows in western Europe
Authors: Noort Robert Van De
Published: January 2016

In the early Middle Ages there was a short period when prehistoric burial mounds were reused and new barrows constructed over much of western Europe. This is interpreted as an expression of opposition to the new Christian ideology, in a time of social changes in the distribution of power and property.
Radiocarbon dating and talayots: the example of Son Ferrandell Oleza
Authors: Chapman Robert , Strydonck Mark Van , Waldren William
Published: January 2016

Like the Sardinian nuraghi, which they closely resemble, the stone-built towers on the Balearic Islands known as talayots have been the subject of considerable research in recent years. The present paper analyses a series of radiocarbon dates from the Son Ferrandell Oleza settlement and discusses the implications for Balearic prehistory.
Prehistoric shellfish-harvesting strategies: implications from the growth patterns of soft-shell clams (Mya arenaria)
Authors: Lightfoot Kent G. , Cerrato Robert M. , Wallace Heather V. E.
Published: January 2016

Shellfish-gathering is the stuff of many a hunter-gatherer economy. It is technically hunting – the beasties are animals – but they conveniently sit in the mud and on the rocks ready to be gathered. A new means of studying growth-rings in clam shells gives insight into shellfish-gathering and the seasonal pattern of life-ways in southern New England.
Climatic changes: new archaeological evidence from the Bohemian Karst and other areas
Authors: Bouzek Jan
Published: January 2016

A review of the scattered evidence for climate change in Bohemia and its Bohemia and its region shows the importance as well as the difficulty of plotting a better history. Newly identified phases, both dry and wet hint at other fluctuations as yet only guessed at.
US Cultural Resource Management and the ICAHM Charter
Authors: Elia Ricardo J.
Published: January 2016

The ICAHM Charter for the Protection and Management of the Archaeological Heritage was developed to serve as an international statement of principles and guidelines relevant to archaeological resources (Lund 1989: 15-17]. The need for such a document is great: even a brief survey of archaeological heritage management systems throughout the world (e.g. Cleere 1984; 1989) reveals that no nation currently offers adequate protection to its archaeological heribage. To varying degrees, all nations fall short of realizing the ideals espoused in the Charter. The United States of America, despite having highly developed preservation legislation, regulations and procedures, a full-blown archaeological bureaucracy and more than 20 years of experience in cultural resource management, is no exception.
The medieval town of David-gorod, Belarus
Authors: Earwood Caroline , Małachowska Sylwia
Published: January 2016

David-gorod, now in the state of Belarus, is an ancient wood-built settlement in eastern Europe, where astounding preservation of timber buildings, streets and objects gives us a full and organic view of its medieval world. The finds from excavations in 1937–8, conducted by the Państwowe Muzeum Archeologiczne, Warsaw, are at last being published – metal, glass, pottery, leather, bone, stone, textile, along with the wood. The town was an important craft centre with trade links to Old Rus and beyond.
Dendrochronological dating of the Viking Age ship burials at Oseberg, Gokstad and Tune, Norway
Authors: Bonde Niels , Christensen Arne Emil
Published: January 2016

Dendrochronology now provides a date, exact nearly to the year, for three Viking Age burial mounds of special importance for chronology in Scandinavia and across early medieval northern Europe. Their dating used to depend on the style of the carved wooden artefacts in the grave goods; now the grave-goods are exactly and independently dated by the tree-rings, those same links will provide dating bridges across the Viking world.
Ancient Chinese ritual bronzes: the evidence from tombs and hoards of the Shang (c. 1500-1050 BC) and Western Zhou (c. 1050-771 BC) periods
Authors: Rawson Jessica
Published: January 2016

The great cast bronzes of China are today deservedly celebrated for their splendour and sheer size. By looking behind that surface impression, and into the characters of their find-contexts, one can - as for any class of artefact - see behind what they are for us towards what they were in their own time.
New radiocarbon dates from Bougon and the chronology of French passage-graves
Authors: Scarre Chris , Switsur Roy , Mohen Jean-Pierre
Published: January 2016

New radiocarbon determinations from northwest France further contribute to the proposition - 25 years old now – that the megaliths of the region are astoundingly early in the west European Neolithic sequence.
TRI: three-dimensional imaging for recording and analysing stone-artefact concentrations
Authors: Fukasawa Yuriko
Published: January 2016

Software for computer graphics is rapidly growing in power. Here is an application which enables a complex three-dimensional assemblage to be recorded and explored in its full spatial order. ANTIQUITY's illustrations – stationary in monochrome two dimensions – can so little show what the technique offers as to underline Ms Fukasawa's point.
An interim report on the dendrochronology of Flag Fen and Fengate
Authors: Neve Janet
Published: January 2016

The Flag Fen excavations of 1984 revealed a large number of oak timbers and it was immediately apparent that there was potential for dendrochronology. It was suggested that the work should initially comprise a major element in the Ph.D research of Nigel Holman, at the University of Cambridge. The direction of that research, however, moved away from Flag Fen, and it was not until 1987 that the Trust became aware of the situation. It was then decided, after much urgent consultation, that the best approach to the Flag Fen tree-ring analysis would be to undertake the study in-house (Pryor 1991: 111). The intention has been to keep costs low and (in view of the accumulated backlog) to produce as many measured samples as was reasonably possible. The dendrometer and computer facilities were initially provided by the Trust and the full implementation of the scheme has been supervised by the author. This work has been carried out under the supervision of the English Heritage funded Sheffield Dendrochronology Laboratory – to whom special thanks are due.
Older adults have an altered chylomicron response to a high-fat meal
Authors: Milan Amber M. , Nuora Anu , Pundir Shikha , Pileggi Chantal A. , Markworth James F. , Linderborg Kaisa M. , Cameron-Smith David
Published: January 2016

Ageing is associated with a prolonged and exaggerated postprandial lipaemia. This study aimed to examine the contribution of alterations in chylomicron synthesis, size and lipid composition to increased lipaemia. Healthy older (60–75 years;n15) and younger (20–25 years;n15) subjects consumed a high-fat breakfast. Chylomicron dynamics and fatty acid composition were analysed for 5 h in the postprandial state. Plasma TAG levels were elevated following the meal in the older subjects, relative to younger subjects (P<0·01). For older subjects compared with younger subjects, circulating chylomicron particle size was smaller (P<0·05), with greater apoB content (P<0·05) at all postprandial time points. However, total chylomicron TAG concentration between the groups was unaltered post-meal. Compared with younger subjects, the older subjects exhibited a greater proportion of oleic acid in the TAG and phospholipid (PL) fraction (P<0·05), plus lower proportions of linoleic acid in the TAG fraction of the chylomicrons (P<0·01). Thus, following the ingestion of a high-fat meal, older individuals demonstrate both smaller, more numerous chylomicrons, with a greater total MUFA and lower PUFA contents. These data suggest that the increased postprandial lipaemia of ageing cannot be attributed to increased chylomicron TAG. Rather, ageing is associated with changes in chylomicron particle size, apoB content and fatty acid composition of the chylomicron TAG and PL fractions.
Does superior caval vein pressure impact head growth in Fontan circulation?
Authors: Trachsel Tina , Balmer Christian , Wåhlander Håkan , Weber Roland , Dave Hitendu , Poretti Andrea , Kretschmar Oliver , Cavigelli-Brunner Anna
Published: January 2016

Background

Patients with bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis have unphysiologically high superior caval vein pressure as it equals pulmonary artery pressure. Elevated superior caval vein pressure may cause communicating hydrocephalus and macrocephaly. This study analysed whether there exists an association between head circumference and superior caval vein pressure in patients with single ventricle physiology.

Methods

We carried out a retrospective analysis of infants undergoing Fontan completion at our institution from 2007 to 2013. Superior caval vein pressures were measured during routine catheterisation before bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis and Fontan completion as well as head circumference, adjusted to longitudinal age-dependent percentiles.

Results

We included 74 infants in our study. Median ages at bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis and Fontan were 4.8 (1.6–12) and 27.9 (7–40.6) months, respectively. Head circumference showed significant growth from bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis until Fontan completion (7th (0–100th) versus 20th (0–100th) percentile). There was no correlation between superior caval vein pressure and head circumference before Fontan (R2=0.001). Children with lower differences in superior caval vein pressures between pre-bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis and pre-Fontan catheterisations showed increased growth of head circumference (R2=0.19).

Conclusions

Patients with moderately elevated superior caval vein pressure associated with single ventricle physiology did not have a tendency to develop macrocephaly. There is no correlation between superior caval vein pressure before Fontan and head circumference, but between bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis and Fontan head circumference increases significantly. This may be explained by catch-up growth of head circumference in patients with more favourable haemodynamics and concomitant venous pressures in the lower range. Further studies with focus on high superior caval vein pressures are needed to exclude or prove a correlation.
Crop diversity and plant–plant interactions in urban allotment gardens
Authors: Woods Matthew E. , Ata Rehman , Teitel Zachary , Arachchige Nishara M. , Yang Yi , Raychaba Brian E. , Kuhns James , Campbell Lesley G.
Published: January 2016

Allotment food gardens represent important sources of food security for urban residents. Since urban gardeners rarely receive formal agricultural education and have extremely limited space, they may be relying on readily available gardening advice (e.g., seed packet instructions), inventing cultural strategies that consider inter-specific competitive dynamics, or making poor planting decisions. Knowledge of garden crop diversity and planting arrangements can aid in designing strategies for productive urban gardens and food systems. We surveyed 96 individual plots in 10 allotment gardens in the Toronto region, assessed crop diversity within gardens and recorded planting practices used by urban gardeners by measuring the proximity of individual plants relative to similar or different crop species. We also compared planting densities used by urban gardeners with those recommended by major seed distributers. Collectively, Toronto urban agriculture contributes substantially to urban plant diversity (108 crops), but each plot tends to be relatively depauperate. Carrots and lettuce were three to five times more likely to be planted in clusters than intermingled with other crops (P< 0.05); whereas gardeners did not appear to use consistent planting arrangements for tomatoes or zucchini. Gardeners tended to plant tomatoes and zucchini 56–62.5% more densely than recommended by seed distributers (P< 0.001), whereas they planted 147 times fewer carrots in a given area than recommended (P< 0.05). Furthermore, neither crop planting density nor crop diversity changed with plot size. The planting arrangements we have documented suggest gardeners using allotment plots attempt plant densely in extremely limited space, and are employing cultural strategies that intensify competitive dynamics within gardens. Future research should assess the absolute and relative effect of altered cultural practices on yield, such that any modifications can be prioritized by their impact on yield.
Chronic and remitting trajectories of depressive symptoms in the elderly. Characterisation and risk factors
Authors: Carrière I. , Farré A. , Proust-Lima C. , Ryan J. , Ancelin M.L. , Ritchie K.
Published: January 2016

Background.

In elderly general population sub-syndromal clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms are highly prevalent and associated with high co-morbidity and increased mortality risk. However changes in depressive symptoms over time and etiologic factors have been difficult to characterise notably due to methodological shortcomings. Our objective was to differentiate trajectories of depressive symptoms over 10 years in community-dwelling elderly men and women using statistical modelling methods which take into account intra-subject correlation and individual differences as well as to examine current and life-time risk factors associated with different trajectories.

Methods.

Participants aged 65 and over were administered standardised questionnaires and underwent clinical examinations at baseline and after 2, 4, 7 and 10 years. Trajectories over time of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scores were modelled in 517 men and 736 women separately with latent class mixed models which include both a linear mixed model to describe latent classes of trajectories and a multinomial logistic model to characterise the latent trajectories according to baseline covariates (socio-demographic, lifestyle, clinical, genetic characteristics and stressful life events).

Results.

In both genders two different profiles of symptom changes were observed over the 10-year follow-up. For 9.1% of men and 25% of women a high depressive symptom trajectory was found with a trend toward worsening in men. The majority of the remaining men and women showed decreasing symptomatology over time, falling from clinically significant to very low levels of depressive symptoms. In large multivariate class membership models, mobility limitations [odds ratio (OR) = 4.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6–12.9 and OR = 4.9, 95% CI 2.3–10.7, in men and women respectively], ischemic pathologies (OR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.0–8.3 and OR = 3.1, 95% CI 1.0–9.9), and recent stressful events (OR = 4.5, 95% CI 1.1–18.5, OR = 3.2, 95% CI 1.6–6.2) were associated with a poor symptom course in both gender as well as diabetes in men (OR = 3.5, 95% CI 1.1–10.9) and childhood traumatic experiences in women (OR = 3.1, 95% CI 1.6–5.8).

Conclusions.

This prospective study was able to differentiate patterns of chronic and remitting depressive symptoms in elderly people with distinct symptom courses and risk factors for men and women. These findings may inform prevention programmes designed to reduce the chronic course of depressive symptomatology.
miR-23b/SP1/c-myc forms a feed-forward loop supporting multiple myeloma cell growth
Authors: Fulciniti M , Amodio N , Bandi R L , Cagnetta A , Samur M K , Acharya C , Prabhala R , D'Aquila P , Bellizzi D , Passarino G , Adamia S , Neri A , Hunter Z R , Treon S P , Anderson K C , Tassone P , Munshi N C
Published: January 2016

Deregulated microRNA (miR)/transcription factor (TF)-based networks represent a hallmark of cancer. We report here a novel c-Myc/miR-23b/Sp1 feed-forward loop with a critical role in multiple myeloma (MM) and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia (WM) cell growth and survival. We have found miR-23b to be downregulated in MM and WM cells especially in the presence of components of the tumor bone marrow milieu. Promoter methylation is one mechanism of miR-23b suppression in myeloma. In gain-of-function studies using miR-23b mimics-transfected or in miR-23b-stably expressing MM and WM cell lines, we observed a significant decrease in cell proliferation and survival, along with induction of caspase-3/7 activity over time, thus supporting a tumor suppressor role for miR-23b. At the molecular level, miR-23b targeted Sp1 3′UTR and significantly reduced Sp1-driven nuclear factor-κB activity. Finally, c-Myc, an important oncogenic transcription factor known to stimulate MM cell proliferation, transcriptionally repressed miR-23b. Thus MYC-dependent miR-23b repression in myeloma cells may promote activation of oncogenic Sp1-mediated signaling, representing the first feed-forward loop with critical growth and survival role in myeloma.
Infectious complications in children with acute myeloid leukemia: decreased mortality in multicenter trial AML-BFM 2004
Authors: Bochennek K , Hassler A , Perner C , Gilfert J , Schöning S , Klingebiel T , Reinhardt D , Creutzig U , Lehrnbecher T
Published: January 2016

Infections are an important cause for morbidity and mortality in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We therefore characterized infectious complications in children treated according to the trial AML-BFM 2004. Patients with Down syndrome were excluded from the analysis. Data were gathered from the medical records in the hospital where the patients were treated. A total of 405 patients (203 girls; median age 8.4 years) experienced 1326 infections. Fever without identifiable source occurred in 56.1% of the patients and clinically and microbiologically documented infections in 17.5% and 32.4% of the patients, respectively. In all, 240 Gram-positive (112 viridans group streptococci) and 90 Gram-negative isolates were recovered from the bloodstream. Invasive fungal infection was diagnosed in 3% of the patients. Three children each died of Gram-negative bacteremia and invasive aspergillosis, respectively. As compared with the results of AML-BFM 93 with lower dose intensity, infection-related morbidity was slightly higher in AML-BFM 2004 (3.3. versus 2.8 infections per patient), whereas infection-related mortality significantly decreased (1.5% versus 5.4%; P=0.003). Specific anti-infective recommendations included in the treatment protocol, regular training courses for pediatric hematologists and increasing experience may be the reason for reduced infection-related mortality in children with AML. Further studies are needed to decrease infection-related morbidity.
Prognostic interaction between ASXL1 and TET2 mutations in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
Authors: Patnaik M M , Lasho T L , Vijayvargiya P , Finke C M , Hanson C A , Ketterling R P , Gangat N , Tefferi A
Published: January 2016

Mutations involving epigenetic regulators (TET2~60% and ASXL1~40%) and splicing components (SRSF2~50%) are frequent in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). On a 27-gene targeted capture panel performed on 175 CMML patients (66% males, median age 70 years), common mutations included: TET2 46%, ASXL1 47%, SRSF2 45% and SETBP1 19%. A total of 172 (98%) patients had at least one mutation, 21 (12%) had 2, 24 (14%) had 3 and 30 (17%) had >3 mutations. In a univariate analysis, the presence of ASXL1 mutations (P=0.02) and the absence of TET2 mutations (P=0.03), adversely impacted survival; while the number of concurrent mutations had no impact (P=0.3). In a multivariable analysis that included hemoglobin, platelet count, absolute monocyte count and circulating immature myeloid cells (Mayo model), the presence of ASXL1 mutations (P=0.01) and absence of TET2 mutations (P=0.003) retained prognostic significance. Patients were stratified into four categories: ASXL1wt/TET2wt (n=56), ASXL1mut/TET2wt (n=31), ASXL1mut/TET2mut (n=50) and ASXL1wt/TET2mut (n=38). Survival data demonstrated a significant difference in favor of ASXL1wt/TET2mut (38 months; P=0.016), compared with those with ASXL1wt/TET2wt (19 months), ASXL1mut/TET2wt (21 months) and ASXL1mut/TET2mut (16 months) (P=0.3). We confirm the negative prognostic impact imparted by ASXL1 mutations and suggest a favorable impact from TET2 mutations in the absence of ASXL1 mutations.
Karyotype complexity and prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Stölzel F , Mohr B , Kramer M , Oelschlägel U , Bochtler T , Berdel W E , Kaufmann M , Baldus C D , Schäfer-Eckart K , Stuhlmann R , Einsele H , Krause S W , Serve H , Hänel M , Herbst R , Neubauer A , Sohlbach K , Mayer J , Middeke J M , Platzbecker U , Schaich M , Krämer A , Röllig C , Schetelig J , Bornhäuser M , Ehninger G
Published: January 2016

A complex aberrant karyotype consisting of multiple unrelated cytogenetic abnormalities is associated with poor prognosis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The European Leukemia Net classification and the UK Medical Research Council recommendation provide prognostic categories that differ in the definition of unbalanced aberrations as well as the number of single aberrations. The aim of this study on 3526 AML patients was to redefine and validate a cutoff for karyotype complexity in AML with regard to adverse prognosis. Our study demonstrated that (1) patients with a pure hyperdiploid karyotype have an adverse risk irrespective of the number of chromosomal gains, (2) patients with translocation t(9;11)(p21∼22;q23) have an intermediate risk independent of the number of additional aberrations, (3) patients with ⩾4 abnormalities have an adverse risk per se and (4) patients with three aberrations in the absence of abnormalities of strong influence (hyperdiploid karyotype, t(9;11)(p21∼22;q23), CBF-AML, unique adverse-risk aberrations) have borderline intermediate/adverse risk with a reduced overall survival compared with patients with a normal karyotype.
Characterization of glycosphingolipid epimers by radical-directed dissociation mass spectrometry
Authors: Pham Huong T. , Julian Ryan R.
Published: January 2016

Radical chemistry can efficiently distinguish isomers varying in position at a single alcohol.
Nicking endonuclease-assisted recycling of target–aptamer complex for sensitive electrochemical detection of adenosine triphosphate
Authors: Hu Tianxing , Wen Wei , Zhang Xiuhua , Wang Shengfu
Published: January 2016

An electrochemical biosensor was developed for the detection of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) based on target-induced conformation switching and nicking endonuclease (NEase)-assisted signal amplification.
Automated analysis of food-borne pathogens using a novel microbial cell culture, sensing and classification system
Authors: Xiang Kun , Li Yinglei , Ford William , Land Walker , Schaffer J. David , Congdon Robert , Zhang Jing , Sadik Omowunmi
Published: January 2016

We hereby report the design and implementation of an Autonomous Microbial Cell Culture, sensing and Classification (AMC3) system for rapid detection of food pathogens.
Radical C–H arylations of (hetero)arenes catalysed by gallic acid
Authors: Perretti Marcelle D. , Monzón Diego M. , Crisóstomo Fernando P. , Martín Víctor S. , Carrillo Romen
Published: January 2016

Gallic acid is able to catalyse radical C–H arylations of (hetero)arenes with diazonium salts at room temperature in water–acetone. As gallic acid is present in multiple bio-wastes, this methodology unleashes an alternative method for waste reutilization.