bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combined active solar and geothermal heating: A renewable and environmentally friendly energy source in pig houses
Authors: Islam Md. Manirul , Mun Hong‐Seok , Bostami A. B. M. Rubayet , Park Keum‐Joo , Yang Chul‐Ju
Published: January 2016

Increased energy price and CO2 emissions through burning fossil fuel for heating nursery pig houses in winter are major problems. This study was conducted to evaluate the combined effects of an active solar and geothermal heating system (CSGHP) on electricity use, cost, and CO2 and noxious gas emissions from pig houses during heating in winter at the experimental farm of Sunchon National University, Korea. The electricity use, inside room temperature, humidity, and noxious gas emissions were measured and CO2 emissions and costs were calculated based on the difference in electricity used by control (conventional electric heating system) and CSGHP supported pig houses. A significant increase in internal room temperature was found in the CSGHP system relative to the control house (P < 0.05). Electricity use, CO2 emissions and costs were reduced substantially in the CSGHP system compared with the control house. Moreover, noxious gas emissions were reduced significantly in the CSGHP system relative to the control (P < 0.05). Overall, the results of this study indicated that the CSGHP system has the potential to reduce electricity use, overall cost and CO2 and noxious gas emissions. Therefore, the CSGHP system has the potential for use as an environmentally friendly renewable energy source for animal houses. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 1156–1165, 2016
The effect of cooling loads management on electric power supply system of Kerman province by the year 2031
Authors: Mahmoudi Mohammad Amin , Kharazmi Mehdi , Rashidinejad Masoud , Iranmanesh Masoud , Aghaie Peyman
Published: January 2016

The purpose of load management and energy management in power networks is reducing economic costs and increasing the reliability of the power grid. Achieving this goal is possible in management both the demand and supply side of electric power system. In this article, two methods of forecasting for electricity demand have been presented. Gray Model (GM) and trigonometric gray prediction approach. These two methods are used to forecast total electricity demand of Kerman province for a period of 2012–2031.then electric power supply system of Kerman province for base year 2012 has been modeled using LEAP software. Then the electric power supply system has been developed for the target year 2031 based on two different scenarios, namely, status quo scenario and cooling loads management scenario (CLM). These scenarios have been evaluated in three sections viz. power generation, cost analysis, and environmental emissions. results indicate that, assuming the implementation of CLM scenarios from 2020, capacity requirement of power plants will be reduced up to 1000 MW in comparison with status quo scenario by the year 2031 which results in a significant reduction in the capital costs, operation and maintenance costs, fuel costs, electricity generation, greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel consumption in power plants, and peak load of the electric power system by the year 2031. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 1177–1189, 2016
Near‐collapse response of existing RC building under severe pulse‐type ground motion using hybrid simulation
Authors: Murray Justin A. , Sasani Mehrdad
Published: January 2016

Column shear‐axial failure is a complex response, which lends itself to physical experimentation. Reinforced concrete structures built prior to the mid‐1970s are particularly susceptible to such failure. Shear‐axial column failure has been examined and studied at the element level, but current rehabilitation practice equates such a column failure with structural collapse, neglecting the collapse resistance of the full structural system following column failure. This system‐level response can prevent a column failure from leading to progressive collapse of the entire structure. In this study, a hybrid simulation was conducted on a representative pre‐1970s reinforced concrete frame structure under severe seismic ground motion, in which three full‐scale reinforced concrete columns were tested at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. The analytical portion of the model was represented in the computer program OpenSees. Failure occurred in multiple physical specimens as a result of the ground motion, and the hybrid nature of the test allowed for observation of the system‐level response of the tested columns and the remaining structural system. The behavior of the system accounting for multiple column shear‐axial failure is discussed and characterized. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of a Motivation and Psycho‐Educational Guided Self‐Help Intervention for People with Eating Disorders (MOPED)
Authors: Brewin Nicola , Wales Jackie , Cashmore Rebecca , Plateau Carolyn R , Dean Brett , Cousins Tara , Arcelus Jon
Published: January 2016

High dropout rates and poor levels of engagement are well documented for patients with eating disorders. Utilising motivational techniques and providing psycho‐education have been suggested as ways to reduce treatment disengagement. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a newly developed motivational and psycho‐educational (MOPED) guided self‐help intervention for people with eating disorders on engagement and retention in therapy. Patients who received MOPED pre‐treatment (n = 79) were compared with a diagnosis‐matched group of patients receiving treatment as usual (TAU; n = 79). The study found that patients receiving MOPED had a higher engagement rate than those within the TAU group. Specifically, patients in the anorexic spectrum were found to present with both higher rates of engagement and completion of therapy when issued with MOPED in comparison with TAU. Self‐help packages using motivational style could be a valuable and cost‐effective intervention for patients with eating disorders. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Comparison of Economic Evaluation Methods Across Low‐income, Middle‐income and High‐income Countries: What are the Differences and Why?
Authors: Griffiths Ulla Kou , Legood Rosa , Pitt Catherine
Published: January 2016

There are marked differences in methods used for undertaking economic evaluations across low‐income, middle‐income, and high‐income countries. We outline the most apparent dissimilarities and reflect on their underlying reasons. We randomly sampled 50 studies from each of three country income groups from a comprehensive database of 2844 economic evaluations published between January 2012 and May 2014. Data were extracted on ten methodological areas: (i) availability of guidelines; (ii) research questions; (iii) perspective; (iv) cost data collection methods; (v) cost data analysis; (vi) outcome measures; (vii) modelling techniques; (viii) cost‐effectiveness thresholds; (ix) uncertainty analysis; and (x) applicability. Comparisons were made across income groups and odds ratios calculated. Contextual heterogeneity rightly drives some of the differences identified. Other differences appear less warranted and may be attributed to variation in government health sector capacity, in health economics research capacity and in expectations of funders, journals and peer reviewers. By highlighting these differences, we seek to start a debate about the underlying reasons why they have occurred and to what extent the differences are conducive for methodological advancements. We suggest a number of specific areas in which researchers working in countries of differing environments could learn from one another. © 2016 The Authors.Health Economicspublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Entropy Generation Analysis of the MHD Flow of Couple Stress Fluid between Two Concentric Rotating Cylinders with Porous Lining
Authors: Nagaraju G. , Srinivas J. , Murthy J.V. Ramana , Rashad A.M.
Published: January 2016

An attempt has been made to study the entropy generation analysis of couple stress fluid flow in an annulus between two concentric rotating vertical cylinders. There is a porous lining attached to the inside of an outer cylinder. The flow is under the influence of a radial magnetic field. The flow in the annular gap is caused by rotation of the cylinders. The Stokes couple stress flow model is employed. The flow in the porous sleeve is governed by Darcy's law. The velocity, temperature, entropy generation number, Bejan number, wall shear stress and heat transfer rate at the inner and outer cylinders are obtained numerically by employing a finite difference scheme with vanishing of couple stresses on the boundary. The effect of relevant parameters on the flow and entropy generation rate are discussed and depicted through graphs.
Discontinuous headwater stream networks with stable flowheads, Salmon River basin, Idaho
Authors: Whiting John A. , Godsey Sarah E.
Published: January 2016

Headwater streams expand, contract, and disconnect in response to seasonal moisture conditions or those related to individual precipitation events. The fluctuation of the surface flow extent, or active drainage network, reflects catchment storage characteristics and has important impacts on stream ecology; however, the hydrological mechanisms that drive this phenomenon are still uncertain. Here, we present field surveys of the active drainage networks of four headwater streams in Central Idaho's Frank Church‐River of No Return Wilderness (7–21 km2) spanning the spring and summer months of 2014. We report the total length of the active drainage networks, which varied as a power law function with stream discharge with an average exponent of 0.11 ± 0.03 (range of 0.05–0.20). Generally, these active drainage networks were less responsive to changes in discharge than many streams in past studies. We observed that the locations where surface flow originates, or flowheads, were often stable, and an average of 64% of the change in active drainage network length was explained by downstream discontinuities. Analysis of geologic and geomorphic characteristics of individual watersheds and flowheads suggests that most flowheads below approximately 2200 m are supported by stable flowpaths controlled by bedrock structure. At higher elevations, small accumulation areas and saturation of shallow and conductive soil and colluvium after snowmelt result in more mobile flowhead locations. The dynamics of active drainage networks can help illuminate the spatiotemporal structure of flowpaths supporting surface flow. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The factor structure of Lithuanian personality‐descriptive adjectives of the highest frequency of use
Authors: Livaniene Vitalija , De Raad Boele
Published: January 2016

We developed the Lithuanian taxonomy of personality traits according to the psycho‐lexical approach. This was done in two studies. First, trait descriptive terms were selected from a Lithuanian dictionary. This selection led to a list of 435 personality‐relevant adjectives was thus collected. This list was reduced to the more useful terms and ultimately led to the 194 most frequently used trait adjectives. Second, self‐ratings from 212 participants were collected on both those 194 terms and on the 44‐item BFI. Principal Components Analysis followed by Varimax rotation was applied on the collected ratings, and also on the ratings after ipsatization. For both these types of analysis structures with two up to seven factors were discussed. Each of the structures was also related to the five BFI‐scales. The slightly clearer structure was found in the ipsatized ratings, in which clear support was found for the two‐factor model (with Dynamism and Social Propriety), for the three‐factor model (Dynamism, Affiliation and Order). A five‐factor solution was fully presented with the Big Five factors Extraversion, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness and with a factor that had Intellect traits on the one pole and Neurotic traits on the other, and finally a factor called Toughness.
In vivo and in situ imaging of controlled‐release dissolving silk microneedles into the skin by optical coherence tomography
Authors: Liu Ran , Zhang Mingtian , Jin Cuiyun
Published: January 2016

Nowadays, transdermal drug delivery has become a hot topic with regard to delivery. Also, the percutaneous microneedle patch made of water‐soluble material makes this technique one step closer to clinical application. The process of the microneedle patch penetrates and dissolves in the animal skin can directly reflect the efficiency of drug delivery. Hence, it is important to reflect the situation of microneedles dissolution and drug release by in vivo and in situ imaging in real time. This paper's purpose is to use the means of OCT (optical coherence tomography) to realize assessment of dissolving microneedles delivery efficiency in vivo and in situ imaging. This is the first study to utilize OCT to observe the dissolving process of silk microneedles (SFM) in different carriers. Dissolving process es of silk fibroin microneedles in different carriers were captured by the OCT system. The solution rate of silk fibroin microneedles in water is rapid. It also has good solution in the skin of mouse in vivo. OCT is a noncontact, noninvasive imaging technique with high resolution, the detecting depth of which is generally 1–3 mm under the skin. OCT has great potential to observe the solution process of dissolving microneedles in the skin.

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Current investigations into magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications
Authors: Li Xiaoming , Wei Jianrong , Aifantis Katerina E. , Fan Yubo , Feng Qingling , Cui Fu‐Zhai , Watari Fumio
Published: January 2016

It is generally recognized that nanoparticles possess unique physicochemical properties that are largely different from those of conventional materials, specifically the electromagnetic properties of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). These properties have attracted many researchers to launch investigations into their potential biomedical applications, which have been reviewed in this article. First, common types of MNPs were briefly introduced. Then, the biomedical applications of MNPs were reviewed in seven parts: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cancer therapy, the delivery of drugs and genes, bone and dental repair, tissue engineering, biosensors, and in other aspects, which indicated that MNPs possess great potentials for many kinds of biomedical applications due to their unique properties. Although lots of achievements have been obtained, there is still a lot of work to do. New synthesis techniques and methods are still needed to develop the MNPs with satisfactory biocompatibility. More effective methods need to be exploited to prepare MNPs‐based composites with fine microstructures and high biomedical performances. Other promising research points include the development of more appropriate techniques of experiments both in vitro and in vivo to detect and analyze the biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of MNPs and understand the possible influencing mechanism of the two properties. More comprehensive investigations into the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of composites containing MNPs with “core‐shell” structure and deeper understanding and further study into the properties of MNPs to reveal their new biomedical applications, are also described in the conclusion and perspectives part. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1285–1296, 2016.
Co‐cultured hBMSCs and HUVECs on human bio‐derived bone scaffolds provide support for the long‐term ex vivo culture of HSC/HPCs
Authors: Huang Xiaobing , Li Chenglong , Zhu Biao , Wang Hailian , Luo Xiangwei , Wei Lingling
Published: January 2016

In order to closely mimic a multi‐cell state in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSC/HPCs) vascular niche, we co‐cultured human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) without any cytokines as feeder cells and applied bio‐derived bone from human femoral metaphyseal portion as scaffold to develop a new HSC/HPCs three‐dimensional culture system (named 3D‐Mix cultures). Scanning electron and fluorescent microscopy showed excellent biocompatibility of bio‐derived bone to hBMSCs and HUVECs in vitro. Flow cytometry analysis and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay of p21 expression demonstrated that 3D‐Mix could promote self‐renewal and ex vivo expansion of HSCs/HPCs significantly higher than 3D‐hMSC and 3D‐HUVEC. Long‐term culture initiating cell (LTC‐IC) confirmed that 3D‐Mix had the most powerful activity of maintaining multipotent differentiation of primitive cell subpopulation in HSCs. The nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) repopulating cell (SRC) assay demonstrated that 3D‐Mix promoted the expansion of long‐term primitive transplantable HSCs. qPCR of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OC) demonstrated that HUVECs enhanced the early osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Western blot and qPCR revealed that HUVECs activated Wnt/β‐catenin signaling in hBMSCs inducing Notch signal activation in HSCs. Our study indicated that interaction between hMSCs and HUVECs may have a critical role in to influent on HSCs/HPCs fate in vitro. These results demonstrated that the 3D‐Mix have the ability to support the maintenance and proliferation of HSCs/HPCs in vitro. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1221–1230, 2016.
Hydration study from different calcium phosphate biocements with microstructure and nanostructure
Authors: Franczak Priscila F. , Camargo Nelson H. A. , Floriano‐Silva Daiara , Dalmônico Gisele M. L. , Gemelli Enori
Published: January 2016

Important features of biocements include easy molding and good wettability, hydration, and setting time during its application in biological tissue. Interest in calcium phosphate biocements is directly related to its characteristics of bioactivity, biocompatibility, and crystallographic similarity to bone apatite. This experimental study aimed to understand hydration behavior of calcium phosphate biocements with microstructure and nanostructure, with molar ratios Ca/P = 1.5; 1.6; 1.67; and 1.7 and hydration times of 5 and 30 min. The hydration tests were performed on the same solid/liquid ratio for the four Ca/P compositions. The morphology was observed via scanning electron microscopy and phases were identified with help from X‐ray diffraction. The biocements showed similar effects of hydration and gelling for the periods of 5 and 30 min. The results show that these biocements can offer favorable wettability, hydration, and easy molding during the surgical procedure, which could be an innovation in implant fixation and bone tissue repair. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 820–827, 2017.
Protection by Edaravone, a Radical Scavenger, against Manganese‐Induced Neurotoxicity in Rats
Authors: Apaydin Melda , Erbas Oytun , Taskiran Dilek
Published: January 2016

Manganese (Mn) is a required element for biological systems; however, its excessive exposure may lead to a neurological syndrome known as manganism. The aim of the present study was to assess the toxic effects of subacute exposure of Mn by measuring weight gain, motor performance, and biochemical parameters (complex I activity, lipid peroxides, and protein carbonyls) in brain mitochondria in rats. We also examined whether edaravone (EDA), a radical scavenger, exerts protective effects against Mn‐induced neurotoxicity. In addition, we evaluated the accumulation of Mn in brain regions using magnetic resonance imaging. Mn‐exposed rats revealed significantly impaired motor performance, weight loss, and Mn accumulation in particular brain area. Lipid peroxides and protein carbonyls were significantly increased in Mn‐exposed rats, whereas complex I activity was found to be decreased. EDA treatment significantly prevented mitochondrial oxidative damage and improved motor performance. These findings suggested that EDA might serve as a clinically effective agent against Mn‐induced neurotoxicity.
Morphological differentiation of seven parthenogenetic Artemia (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) populations from China, with special emphasis on ploidy degrees
Authors: Asem Alireza , Sun Shi‐Chun
Published: January 2016

Parthenogenetic Artemia from seven Chinese locations with different elevations and various ploidies are characterized by phenotypic and morphometric analyses. Our findings show that the studied populations exhibit dissimilar patterns of ovisac. Four phenotypic patterns of furca are qualified and one of them is shared among di‐, tetra‐ and pentaploid Artemia. Results of discriminant analysis based on morphometric data reveal that tetra‐ and pentaploid populations are grouped together, but the Aqqikkol Lake population is clearly differentiated. Previous hypothesis/conclusion that polyploid Artemia are larger than diploids is only partly supported by the present results, which show that pentaploid and tetraploid populations are larger than the mostly diploid populations in terms of the total length, but the body size of the Aibi Lake triploids has not significant difference with the sympatric diploids and the mostly diploid Aqqikkol population that inhabit in very high altitude has the largest body size among all parthenogenetic populations. The founding confirms that body size of Artemia is following with Bergmann's rule. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:258–266, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Strongly Even‐Cycle Decomposable Graphs
Authors: Huynh Tony , King Andrew D. , Oum Sang‐il , Verdian‐Rizi Maryam
Published: January 2016

A graph is strongly even‐cycle decomposable if the edge set of every subdivision with an even number of edges can be partitioned into cycles of even length. We prove that several fundamental composition operations that preserve the property of being Eulerian also yield strongly even‐cycle decomposable graphs. As an easy application of our theorems, we give an exact characterization of the set of strongly even‐cycle decomposable cographs.
Synthesis and Antioxidant Activity of Some New Thiazolyl–Pyrazolone Derivatives
Authors: Gaffer H. E. , Abdel‐Fattah S. , Etman H. A. , Abdel‐Latif E.
Published: January 2016

3‐Methyl‐1‐thiocarbamoyl‐2‐pyrazolin‐5‐one has been utilized as a core for the synthesis of some 1‐(thiazol‐2‐yl)‐pyrazolin‐5‐one derivatives through diazo‐coupling reaction and/or Knoevenagel condensation followed by heterocyclization with some α‐halogenated reagents such as bromoacetone, phenacyl bromide, and ethyl bromoacetate. Base prompted addition of the core compound to an equimolar amount of phenyl isothiocyanate furnished 3‐methyl‐4‐phenylthiocarbamoyl‐1‐thiocarbamoyl‐2‐pyrazolin‐5‐one which undergoes heterocyclization with α‐halogenated reagents at the more reactive phenylthiocarbamoyl moiety to afford the corresponding 4‐(thiazol‐2‐yl)‐1‐thiocarbamoyl‐2‐pyrazolin‐5‐ones. The new synthesized thiazolyl–pyrazolone compounds were evaluated for their potential antioxidant activity by using (ABTS Radical Cation Decolorization Assay).
Real‐time patient experience surveys of hospitalized medical patients
Authors: Indovina Kimberly , Keniston Angela , Reid Mark , Sachs Katherine , Zheng Chi , Tong Angie , Hernandez Danny , Bui Kathy , Ali Zeinab , Nguyen Thao , Guirguis Helpees , Albert Richard K. , Burden Marisha
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUND

Real‐time feedback about patients' perceptions of the quality of the care they are receiving could provide physicians the opportunity to address concerns and improve these perceptions as they occur, but physicians rarely if ever receive feedback from patients in real time.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate if real‐time patient feedback to physicians improves patient experience.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized, quality‐improvement initiative.

SETTING

University‐affiliated, public safety net hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients and hospitalist physicians on general internal medicine units.

INTERVENTION

Real‐time daily patient feedback to providers along with provider coaching and revisits of patients not reporting optimal satisfaction with their care.

MEASUREMENTS

Patient experience scores on 3 provider‐specific questions from daily surveys on all patients and Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores and percentiles on randomly selected patients.

RESULTS

Changes in HCAHPS percentile ranks were substantial (communication from doctors: 60th percentile versus 39th, courtesy and respect of doctors: 88th percentile versus 23rd, doctors listening carefully to patients: 95th percentile versus 57th, and overall hospital rating: 87th percentile versus 6th (P = 0.02 for overall differences in percentiles), but we found no statistically significant difference in the top box proportions for the daily surveys or the HCAHPS survey. The median [interquartile range] top box score for the overall hospital rating question on the HCAHPS survey was higher in the intervention group than in the control group (10 [9, 10] vs 9 [8, 10], P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Real‐time feedback, followed by coaching and patient revisits, seem to improve patient experience. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:251–256. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine
Great Expectations? Remittances and Asset Accumulation in Pakistan
Authors: Ahmed Junaid , Mughal Mazhar , Klasen Stephan
Published: January 2016

This study examines asset accumulation patterns of the recipients of foreign and domestic remittances. Employing a number of matching techniques, we analyse stocks of consumer, productive, housing and financial assets among migrants' stay‐behind households in Pakistan. We find that asset accumulation among remittance‐receiving households depends upon the nature and magnitude of remittances, the economic situation, and the geographical location of the recipient households. Foreign remittances lead to a substantial increase in household assets, while no significant change results from domestic remittances. We conclude that foreign remittances are considered as mainly transitory income and are used to generate precautionary savings in cash and kind. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
USPIO‐enhanced 3D‐cine self‐gated cardiac MRI based on a stack‐of‐stars golden angle short echo time sequence: Application on mice with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Trotier Aurélien J. , Castets Charles R. , Lefrançois William , Ribot Emeline J. , Franconi Jean‐Michel , Thiaudière Eric , Miraux Sylvain
Published: January 2016

Purpose

To develop and assess a 3D‐cine self‐gated method for cardiac imaging of murine models.

Materials and Methods

A 3D stack‐of‐stars (SOS) short echo time (STE) sequence with a navigator echo was performed at 7T on healthy mice (n = 4) and mice with acute myocardial infarction (MI) (n = 4) injected with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles. In all, 402 spokes were acquired per stack with the incremental or the golden angle method using an angle increment of (360/402)° or 222.48°, respectively. A cylindrical k‐space was filled and repeated with a maximum number of repetitions (NR) of 10. 3D cine cardiac images at 156 μm resolution were reconstructed retrospectively and compared for the two methods in terms of contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR). The golden angle images were also reconstructed with NR = 10, 6, and 3, to assess cardiac functional parameters (ejection fraction, EF) on both animal models.

Results

The combination of 3D SOS‐STE and USPIO injection allowed us to optimize the identification of cardiac peaks on navigator signal and generate high CNR between blood and myocardium (15.3 ± 1.0). The golden angle method resulted in a more homogeneous distribution of the spokes inside a stack (P < 0.05), enabling reducing the acquisition time to 15 minutes. EF was significantly different between healthy and MI mice (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The method proposed here showed that 3D‐cine images could be obtained without electrocardiogram or respiratory gating in mice. It allows precise measurement of cardiac functional parameters even on MI mice. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:355–365.
Diffusion‐Weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging detect delayed graft function and correlate with allograft fibrosis in patients early after kidney transplantation
Authors: Hueper Katja , Khalifa Abedalrazag A. , Bräsen Jan H. , Vo Chieu Van Dai , Gutberlet Marcel , Wintterle Sabine , Lehner Frank , Richter Nicolas , Peperhove Matti , Tewes Susanne , Weber Kristina , Haller Hermann , Wacker Frank , Gwinner Wilfried , Gueler Faikah , Hartung Dagmar
Published: January 2016

Purpose

To combine diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for detection of allograft dysfunction in patients early after kidney transplantation and to correlate diffusion parameters with renal function and renal histology of allograft biopsies.

Materials and Methods

Between day 4 and 11 after kidney transplantation 33 patients with initial graft function and 31 patients with delayed graft function (DGF) were examined with a 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. DTI and DWI sequences were acquired and fractional anisotropy (FA), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmono), pure diffusion (ADCdiff), and the perfusion fraction (Fp) were calculated. Kidney biopsies in 26 patients were analyzed for allograft pathology, ie, acute tubular injury, inflammation, edema, renal fibrosis, and rejection. Histological results were correlated with MRI parameters.

Results

In the renal medulla FA (0.25 ± 0.06 vs. 0.29 ± 0.06, P < 0.01) and ADCmono (1.73 ± 0.13*10−3 vs. 1.93 ± 0.16*10−3 mm2/s, P < 0.001) were significantly reduced in DGF patients compared with patients with initial function. For ADCdiff and Fp similar reductions were observed. FA and ADCmono significantly correlated with renal function (r = 0.53 and r = 0.57, P < 0.001) and were inversely correlated with the amount of renal fibrosis (r = –0.63 and r = –0.65, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Combined DTI and DWI detected allograft dysfunction early after kidney transplantation and correlated with allograft fibrosis. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:112–121.
Characteristics of sea breezes over the Jiangsu coastal area, China
Authors: Huang Meng , Gao Zhiqiu , Miao Shiguang , Xu Xiazhen
Published: January 2016

The synoptic circulation patterns during sea breeze events for the period March 2010 to February 2011 in the coastal region of the Jiangsu Province are investigated using the Lamb–Jenkinson circulation classification method for National Centers for Environment Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis data. The results show that the undefined flow type (UD), the rotational flow types of anticyclones (A)/cyclones (C), the directional flow types of southeast (SE)/southwest (SW) and the hybrid flow type CSW (combining the C and SW patterns) are conducive to the development of sea breeze circulation in the coastal region of the Jiangsu Province and together account for 84.3% of the circulation types in the year 2010. The wind observation data collected at a height of 70 m over the Nantong wind tower operated by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) and located on the coast of Jiangsu are also analysed. The statistical characteristics of sea breeze circulation in the coastal area of Jiangsu are: (1) sea breeze circulation occurs most often in the summer (June–August) with a frequency of 52.8% and is rarely observed from November to January; (2) sea breeze circulation usually occurs 5–6 h after sunrise and lasts until 2–3 h after sunset, and the duration of sea breeze circulation has a maximum value of approximately 11 h in February; (3) the seasonal variation of sea breeze strength is small, with the monthly average wind speed about 3 m s−1; and (4) in 2010, the daily average hodograph in the Nantong station during the sea breeze days exhibits an expected clockwise rotation.
The true prognosis of resected distal cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Courtin‐Tanguy Laetitia , Rayar Michel , Bergeat Damien , Merdrignac Aude , Harnoy Yann , Boudjema Karim , Meunier Bernard , Sulpice Laurent
Published: January 2016

Background

Prognosis of distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remains poorly assessed. The aims of this study were to describe the oncological results of PD in DCC and to compare its prognosis to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods

All PD for periampullary carcinoma performed between January 2000 and March 2013 were extracted from a prospective database. Risk factors likely to influence overall (OS) and disease‐free (DFS) survivals of DCC were assessed by multivariable analyses. The DCC and PDAC prognoses were compared after matching using propensity score (nearest neighbor matching).

Results

Of the 290 patients analyzed, 56 had DCC, with a mean age of 65 ± 15 years. The median OS was 36.9 months. Recurrence occurred in 35 patients (67%), mostly in the liver (37%). The median DFS was 14.6 months. Combined organ resection was an independent risk factor for worse OS and DFS (P = 0.01 and P = 0.001, respectively). Matching analysis found no significant difference between DCC and PDAC in terms of OS (P = 0.284) or DFS (P = 0.438).

Conclusion

This first propensity analysis demonstrated that DCC and PDAC have the same prognosis, linked to the high rate of early recurrence, particularly associated with the need for combined organ resection. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:575–580. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A generalized Sard theorem on real closed fields
Authors: Valette Anna , Valette Guillaume
Published: January 2016

We work with semi‐algebraic functions on arbitrary real closed fields. We generalize the notion of critical values and prove a Sard type theorem in our framework.
‐triangular operators: spectral properties and important examples
Authors: Sakhnovich Lev
Published: January 2016

We introduce a notion of ‐triangular operators in the Hilbert space using some basic ideas from triangular representation theory. Our notion generalizes the well‐known notion of the spectral operators so that many properties of the ‐triangular operators coincide with those of spectral operators. At the same time we show that wide classes of operators are ‐triangular.
The dietary flavonol quercetin ameliorates angiotensin II‐induced redox signaling imbalance in a human umbilical vein endothelial cell model of endothelial dysfunction via ablation of p47phox expression
Authors: Jones Huw S. , Gordon Andrew , Magwenzi Simba G. , Naseem Khalid , Atkin Stephen L. , Courts Fraser L.
Published: January 2016

Scope

Quercetin is reported to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive but not normotensive humans, but the role of endothelial redox signaling in this phenomenon has not been assessed. This study investigated the effects of physiologically obtainable quercetin concentrations in a human primary cell model of endothelial dysfunction in order to elucidate the mechanism of action of its antihypertensive effects.

Methods and results

Angiotensin II (100 nM, 8 h) induced dysfunction, characterized by suppressed nitric oxide availability (85 ± 4% p<0.05) and increased superoxide production (136 ± 5 %, p<0.001). These effects were ablated by an NADPH oxidase inhibitor. Quercetin (3 μM, 8 h) prevented angiotensin II induced changes in nitric oxide and superoxide levels, but no effect upon nitric oxide or superoxide in control cells. The NADPH oxidase subunit p47phox was increased at the mRNA and protein levels in angiotensin II‐treated cells (130 ± 14% of control, p<0.05), which was ablated by quercetin co‐treatment. Protein kinase C activity was increased after angiotensin II treatment (136 ± 51%), however this was unaffected by quercetin co‐treatment.

Conclusion

Physiologically obtainable quercetin concentrations are capable of ameliorating angiotensin II‐induced endothelial nitric oxide and superoxide imbalance via protein kinase C‐independent restoration of p47phox gene and protein expression.
Effect of low or high glycemic load diets on experimentally induced mammary carcinogenesis in rats
Authors: Thompson Henry J. , Neuhouser Marian L. , Lampe Johanna W. , McGinley John N. , Neil Elizabeth S. , Schwartz Yvonne , McTiernan Anne
Published: January 2016

Scope

High glycemic load diets have been associated with increased breast cancer risk in population‐based studies, but the evidence is mixed. This investigation determined whether diets differing in glycemic load affected the carcinogenic process using a preclinical model.

Methods and results

Human diets, formulated to differ 2‐fold in glycemic load, were evaluated in the 1‐methyl‐nitrosourea‐induced (37.5 mg/kg) mammary carcinogenesis model. Cancer incidence (23.3 versus 50.0%, p = 0.032), multiplicity, (0.40 versus 1.03, p = 0.030) and burden, (0.62 versus 1.19 g/rat, p = 0.037) were reduced in the low versus high glycemic load diets, respectively. However, the low glycemic protective effect was attenuated when two purified diets that differed in resistant starch and simulated the glycemic effects of the human diets were fed. Protection was associated with alterations in markers of cell growth regulation.

Conclusion

Our findings show that human low or high glycemic load dietary patterns differentially affect the carcinogenic response in a nondiabetic rodent model for breast cancer. However, factors that are associated with these patterns, in addition to dietary carbohydrate availability, appear to account for the differences observed.
A fast and flexible MRI system for the study of dynamic vocal tract shaping
Authors: Lingala Sajan Goud , Zhu Yinghua , Kim Yoon‐Chul , Toutios Asterios , Narayanan Shrikanth , Nayak Krishna S.
Published: January 2016

Purpose

The aim of this work was to develop and evaluate an MRI‐based system for study of dynamic vocal tract shaping during speech production, which provides high spatial and temporal resolution.

Methods

The proposed system utilizes (a) custom eight‐channel upper airway coils that have high sensitivity to upper airway regions of interest, (b) two‐dimensional golden angle spiral gradient echo acquisition, (c) on‐the‐fly view‐sharing reconstruction, and (d) off‐line temporal finite difference constrained reconstruction. The system also provides simultaneous noise‐cancelled and temporally aligned audio. The system is evaluated in 3 healthy volunteers, and 1 tongue cancer patient, with a broad range of speech tasks.

Results

We report spatiotemporal resolutions of 2.4 × 2.4 mm2 every 12 ms for single‐slice imaging, and 2.4 × 2.4 mm2 every 36 ms for three‐slice imaging, which reflects roughly 7‐fold acceleration over Nyquist sampling. This system demonstrates improved temporal fidelity in capturing rapid vocal tract shaping for tasks, such as producing consonant clusters in speech, and beat‐boxing sounds. Novel acoustic‐articulatory analysis was also demonstrated.

Conclusion

A synergistic combination of custom coils, spiral acquisitions, and constrained reconstruction enables visualization of rapid speech with high spatiotemporal resolution in multiple planes. Magn Reson Med 77:112–125, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
True and apparent optogenetic BOLDfMRI signals
Authors: Schmid Florian , Wachsmuth Lydia , Albers Franziska , Schwalm Miriam , Stroh Albrecht , Faber Cornelius
Published: January 2016

Purpose

Optogenetic fMRI (ofMRI) is a novel tool in neurophysiology and neuroimaging. The method is prone to light‐induced artifacts, two of which were investigated in this study.

Methods

ofMRI was performed in rats using two excitatory opsins (ChR2 and C1V1TT) virally transduced in somatosensory cortex or thalamus. Heat‐induced apparent BOLD activation at the site of the optical fiber and stimulation light–induced activation of the visual pathways were investigated, and control experiments for these two artifacts were established.

Results

Specific optogenetic BOLD activation was observed with both opsins, accompanied by BOLD in the visual pathways. Unspecific heat‐induced BOLD was ruled out by a control experiment employing low‐level constant illumination in addition to pulsed optogenetic stimulation. Activation of the visual pathways was confirmed to be physiological by direct visual stimulation of the eyes and was suppressed by additional low‐level constant light to the eyes. Light inside the brain was identified as one source of the BOLD signal observed in the visual pathways.

Conclusion

ofMRI is a method of tremendous potential, but unspecific activations in fMRI not caused by the activation of opsins must be avoided or recognized as such. The control experiments presented here allow for validating the specificity of optogenetic stimulation. Magn Reson Med 77:126–136, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Measuring distributions by phase encoding
Authors: Jordanova Kalina V. , Nishimura Dwight G. , Kerr Adam B.
Published: January 2016

Purpose

We propose a method to acquire
distribution plots by encoding in
instead of image space. Using this method,
data is acquired in a different way from traditional spatial
mapping, and allows for quick measurement of high dynamic range
data.

Methods

To encode in
, we acquire multiple projections of a slice, each along the same direction, but using a different phase sensitivity to
. Using a convex optimization formulation, we reconstruct histograms of the
distribution estimates of the slice.

Results

We verify in vivo
distribution measurements by comparing measured distributions to distributions calculated from reference spatial
maps using the Earth Mover's Distance. Phantom measurements using a surface coil show that for increased spatial
variations, measured
distributions using the proposed method more accurately estimate the distribution than a low‐resolution spatial
map, resulting in a 37% Earth Mover's Distance decrease while using fewer measurements.

Conclusion

We propose and validate the performance of a method to acquire
distribution information directly without acquiring a spatial
map. The method may provide faster estimates of a
field for applications that do not require spatial
localization, such as the transmit gain calibration of the scanner, particularly for high dynamic
ranges. Magn Reson Med 77:229–236, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Three‐layered radio frequency coil arrangement for sodium MRI of the human brain at 9.4 Tesla
Authors: Shajan G. , Mirkes Christian , Buckenmaier Kai , Hoffmann Jens , Pohmann Rolf , Scheffler Klaus
Published: January 2016

Purpose

A multinuclei imaging setup with the capability to acquire both sodium (23Na) and proton (1H) signals at 9.4 Tesla is presented. The main objective was to optimize coil performance at the 23Na frequency while still having the ability to acquire satisfactory 1H images.

Methods

The setup consisted of a combination of three radio frequency (RF) coils arranged in three layers: the innermost layer was a 27‐channel 23Na receive helmet which was surrounded by a four‐channel 23Na transceiver array. The outer layer consisted of a four‐channel 1H dipole array for B0 shimming and anatomical localization. Transmit and receive performance of the 23Na arrays was compared to a single‐tuned 23Na birdcage resonator.

Results

While the transmit efficiency of the 23Na transceiver array was comparable to the birdcage, the 23Na receive array provided substantial signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) gain near the surface and comparable SNR in the center. The utility of this customized setup was demonstrated by 23Na images of excellent quality.

Conclusion

High SNR, efficient transmit excitation and B0 shimming capability can be achieved for 23Na MRI at 9.4T using novel coil combination. This RF configuration is easily adaptable to other multinuclei applications at ultra high field (≥ 7T). Magn Reson Med 75:906–916, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modeling non‐linear kinetics of hyperpolarized [1‐13C] pyruvate in the crystalloid‐perfused rat heart
Authors: Mariotti E. , Orton M. R. , Eerbeek O. , Ashruf J. F. , Zuurbier C. J. , Southworth R. , Eykyn T. R.
Published: January 2016

Hyperpolarized 13C MR measurements have the potential to display non‐linear kinetics. We have developed an approach to describe possible non‐first‐order kinetics of hyperpolarized [1‐13C] pyruvate employing a system of differential equations that agrees with the principle of conservation of mass of the hyperpolarized signal. Simultaneous fitting to a second‐order model for conversion of [1‐13C] pyruvate to bicarbonate, lactate and alanine was well described in the isolated rat heart perfused with Krebs buffer containing glucose as sole energy substrate, or glucose supplemented with pyruvate. Second‐order modeling yielded significantly improved fits of pyruvate–bicarbonate kinetics compared with the more traditionally used first‐order model and suggested time‐dependent decreases in pyruvate–bicarbonate flux. Second‐order modeling gave time‐dependent changes in forward and reverse reaction kinetics of pyruvate–lactate exchange and pyruvate–alanine exchange in both groups of hearts during the infusion of pyruvate; however, the fits were not significantly improved with respect to a traditional first‐order model. The mechanism giving rise to second‐order pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) kinetics was explored experimentally using surface fluorescence measurements of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide reduced form (NADH) performed under the same conditions, demonstrating a significant increase of NADH during pyruvate infusion. This suggests a simultaneous depletion of available mitochondrial NAD+ (the cofactor for PDH), consistent with the non‐linear nature of the kinetics. NADH levels returned to baseline following cessation of the pyruvate infusion, suggesting this to be a transient effect. © 2016 The Authors. NMR in Biomedicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Morphological dissimilarities of ZnO nanoparticles and its effect on thermo‐physical behavior of epoxy composites
Authors: Prasad Tankeshwar , Halder Sudipta , Goyat M.S. , Dhar S.S.
Published: January 2016

The work demonstrated the effect of ZnO nanoparticles with varied morphology on the thermal stability of epoxy composites. Optimization of three key parameters such as the molar ratio of ZnSO4/NaOH, reaction time, and calcination temperature was performed using Taguchi design method. The ZnO nanostructures of three categories such as nanoplatelets (PZs), nanospheres (SZs), and nanoplatelets/nanorods (CZs) were successfully grown by controlled process parameters. Field emission electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction were used to determine the size, morphology, and crystallite size of ZnO nanostructures. The effect ZnO nanoparticle morphology on thermal properties of epoxy composites was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. The TGA analysis demonstrated the significant effect of PZs on the enhancement of thermal stability of epoxy composites. This work, thus, exposed the ability of PZs for its symptomatic espousal as reinforcement in polymer to improve thermo‐physical behavior. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:135–145, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers