bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patent und Publikation
Authors: Seifert Annekathrin , Wortmann Jens
Published: May 2017

Durch die Vorab‐Veröffentlichung der für den Druck vorgesehenen Beiträge in Online‐Plattformen, die Veröffentlichung in reinen Online‐Journalen und die extrem rasche „Open Access“‐Veröffentlichung hat sich die Zeit zwischen der Einreichung eines Manuskripts und seiner öffentlichen Zugänglichkeit drastisch verkürzt. Eine schnelle online Vorab‐Veröffentlichung einer Publikation steht auch vor ihrer redaktionellen Bearbeitung einer Patentanmeldung neuheitsschädlich entgegen. Die öffentliche Zugänglichkeit wird aber nicht dadurch begründet, dass der Autor die Verfügungsgewalt darüber verliert, die Publikation noch verhindern zu können. Da etliche Industrieländer eine Neuheitsschonfrist gewähren, kann es deshalb sinnvoll sein, die Anmeldung möglichst rasch einzureichen, auch wenn die wissenschaftliche Publikation bereits veröffentlicht ist.
An experimental investigation of high‐viscosity oil‐water flow in a horizontal pipe
Authors: Shi Jing , Al‐Awadi Hameed , Yeung Hoi
Published: May 2017

An experimental investigation on high‐viscosity oil‐water flow in a horizontal pipe (I.D. = 26 mm) has been conducted. The oil viscosity investigated varied between 3800 and 16 000 mPa · s. Flow patterns observed in experiments are presented and flow pattern maps are reported. The inversion from oil‐continuous to annular‐water‐continuous is discussed. The average pressure gradient of oil‐continuous two‐phase flow can be reduced before the inversion to annular‐water‐continuous flow due to partial lubrication from discontinuous water streams. The stable water‐lubricated flow develops at a lower input water volume fraction with increase of the superficial oil velocity. An empirical criterion for the formation of stable water‐lubricated flow was proposed in terms of the oil phase Froude number and the input water volume fraction. The friction factor of water‐lubricated flow can be one to two orders of magnitude higher than that of single‐phase water flow and has a faster decrease with increase of the Reynolds number than that of single‐phase turbulent flow. These are linked to the oil fouling on the pipe wall. Models for the prediction of the pressure gradient of core flow proposed by different authors in the literature were evaluated with the experimental data.
Afferent and efferent projections of the anterior cortical amygdaloid nucleus in the mouse
Authors: Cádiz‐Moretti Bernardita , Abellán‐Álvaro María , Pardo‐Bellver Cecília , Martínez‐García Fernando , Lanuza Enrique
Published: May 2017

The anterior cortical amygdaloid nucleus (ACo) is a chemosensory area of the cortical amygdala that receives afferent projections from both the main and accessory olfactory bulbs. The role of this structure is unknown, partially due to a lack of knowledge of its connectivity. In this work, we describe the pattern of afferent and efferent projections of the ACo by using fluorogold and biotinylated dextranamines as retrograde and anterograde tracers, respectively. The results show that the ACo is reciprocally connected with the olfactory system and basal forebrain, as well as with the chemosensory and basomedial amygdala. In addition, it receives dense projections from the midline and posterior intralaminar thalamus, and moderate projections from the posterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, mesocortical structures and the hippocampal formation. Remarkably, the ACo projects moderately to the central nuclei of the amygdala and anterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and densely to the lateral hypothalamus. Finally, minor connections are present with some midbrain and brainstem structures. The afferent projections of the ACo indicate that this nucleus might play a role in emotional learning involving chemosensory stimuli, such as olfactory fear conditioning. The efferent projections confirm this view and, given its direct output to the medial part of the central amygdala and the hypothalamic ‘aggression area’, suggest that the ACo can initiate defensive and aggressive responses elicited by olfactory or, to a lesser extent, vomeronasal stimuli.
Towards generating efficient flow solvers with the ExaStencils approach
Authors: Kuckuk Sebastian , Haase Gundolf , Vasco Diego A. , Köstler Harald
Published: May 2017

ExaStencils aims at providing intuitive interfaces for the specification of numerical problems and resulting solvers, particularly those from the class of (geometric) multigrid methods. It envisions a multi‐layered domain‐specific language and a sophisticated code generation framework ultimately emitting source code in a chosen target language. We present our recent advances in fully generating solvers applied to 3D fluid mechanics for nonisothermal/non‐Newtonian flows. In detail, a system of time‐dependent, nonlinear partial differential equations is discretized on a cubic, nonuniform, and staggered grid using finite volumes. We examine the contained problem of coupled Navier‐Stokes and temperature equations, which are linearized and solved using the SIMPLE algorithm and geometric multigrid solvers, as well as the incorporation of non‐Newtonian properties. Furthermore, we provide details on necessary extensions to our domain‐specific language and code generation framework, in particular, those concerning the handling of boundary conditions, support for nonequidistant staggered grids, and supplying specialized functions to express operations reoccurring in the scope of finite volume discretizations. Many of these enhancements are generalizable and thus suitable for utilization in similar projects. Lastly, we demonstrate the applicability of our code generation approach by providing convincing performance results for fully generated and automatically parallelized solvers.
HIDCC: A hybrid intrusion detection approach in cloud computing
Authors: Hatef Mohammad Amin , Shaker Vahid , Jabbarpour Mohammad Reza , Jung Jason , Zarrabi Houman
Published: May 2017

The rapid growth of distributed computing systems that heavily communicate and interact with each other has raised the importance of confrontation against cyber intruders, attackers, and subversives. With respect to the emergence of cloud computing and its deployment all over the world, and because of its distributed and decentralized nature, a special security requirement is needed to protect this paradigm. Intrusion detection systems could differentiate usual and unusual behaviors by means of supervising, verifying, and controlling the configurations, log files, network traffic, user activities, and even the actions of different processes by which they could add new security dimensions to the cloud computing systems. The position of the intrusion detection mechanisms in cloud computing systems as well as the applied algorithms in those mechanisms are the 2 main factors in which many researches have focused on. The goal of those researches is to uncover intrusions as much as possible and to increase the rate and accuracy of detections while reducing the false warnings. Those solutions, however, mainly have high computational loads, low accuracy, and high implementation costs. In this paper, we present a comprehensive and accurate solution to detect and prevent intrusions in cloud computing systems by using a hybrid method, called HIDCC. The implementation results of the proposed method show that the intrusion coverage, intrusion detection accuracy, reliability, and availability in cloud computing systems are considerably increased, and false warnings are significantly reduced.
Reversible Photocontrol of Lipase Activity by Incorporating a Photoswitch into the Lid Domain
Authors: Liu Ying , Gao Xin , Wei Dongzhi , Ren Yuhong
Published: May 2017

Photocontrol of enzymatic activity has become a helpful strategy to control biological processes. Herein, a method for the reversible photocontrol of lipase activity was developed by utilizing the conformational change of the lid structure. A bifunctional azobenzene derivative, whose trans/cis‐form photoisomerization processes could be used to control the folded and unfolded conformations of the α‐helix structure, was cross‐linked with two cysteine residues on the lid domain to achieve photocontrol of lipase activity. To screen for the optimum sites of cross‐linking, several cysteine‐replaced lipase variants were constructed. The variant C127C138 attached with a cross‐linker showed a threefold fully reversible activity change after illumination with UV and blue light. Furthermore, the structural change in the α‐helix of the lipase was confirmed by circular dichroism. This strategy could be applied for photocontrolling activity of other enzymes where an α‐helix is an important structural component.
Do plant populations on distinct inselbergs talk to each other? A case study of genetic connectivity of a bromeliad species in an Ocbil landscape
Authors: Hmeljevski Karina Vanessa , Nazareno Alison Gonçalves , Leandro Bueno Marcelo , dos Reis Maurício Sedrez , Forzza Rafaela Campostrini
Published: May 2017

Here, we explore the historical and contemporaneous patterns of connectivity among Encholirium horridum populations located on granitic inselbergs in an Ocbil landscape within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, using both nuclear and chloroplast microsatellite markers. Beyond to assess the E. horridum population genetic structure, we built species distribution models across four periods (current conditions, mid‐Holocene, Last Glacial Maximum [LGM], and Last Interglacial) and inferred putative dispersal corridors using a least‐cost path analysis to elucidate biogeographic patterns. Overall, high and significant genetic divergence was estimated among populations for both nuclear and plastid DNA (ΦST(n) = 0.463 and ΦST(plastid) = 0.961, respectively, p < .001). For nuclear genome, almost total absence of genetic admixture among populations and very low migration rates were evident, corroborating with the very low estimates of immigration and emigration rates observed among E. horridum populations. Based on the cpDNA results, putative dispersal routes in Sugar Loaf Land across cycles of climatic fluctuations in the Quaternary period revealed that the populations’ connectivity changed little during those events. Genetic analyses highlighted the low genetic connectivity and long‐term persistence of populations, and the founder effect and genetic drift seemed to have been very important processes that shaped the current diversity and genetic structure observed in both genomes. The genetic singularity of each population clearly shows the need for in situ conservation of all of them.
Explaining unexplainable food choices
Authors: Adriaanse Marieke A. , Kroese Floor M. , Weijers Jonas , Gollwitzer Peter M. , Oettingen Gabriele
Published: May 2017

In recent years, psychologists have started to investigate the downstream consequences of nonconsciously activated behaviour (acting in an ‘explanatory vacuum’). Results have shown that when such behaviour is norm‐violating, people experience a need to confabulate reasons for this behaviour. The present paper aims to add more convincing evidence for this assumption. Study 1 addresses this question by replicating Study 2 of Adriaanse, Weijers, De Ridder, De Witt Huberts, and Evers () while adding a condition in which people are post hoc provided with an explanation for their behaviour. Study 2 addresses this question by explicitly demanding an explanation for a nonconsciously steered choice. Both studies were conducted in the context of eating behaviour. Results of both studies were indicative of confabulation as a downstream consequence of nonconsciously steered eating behaviour (Study 1) or food choice (Study 2). Future research should address the potential of confabulated reasons spilling over to next occasions.
Value‐related goals and vocational choice: The effect of temporal distance
Authors: Elias Yaron , Nussinson Ravit , Roccas Sonia
Published: May 2017

This field study examines the importance that people assign to value‐related goals in their vocational decisions. We focused on the interactive effects of temporal distance from the vocational decision and the level of abstraction of the goal. Soldiers rated the importance of value‐related goals for their vocational choice following their release from military service. They were presented with value‐driven, abstract, decontextualized goals and with value‐driven, concrete, job‐related goals. For half, vocational choice was temporally close, and for the rest, it was temporally distant. Temporal distance from the vocational decision interacted with the level of abstraction of the goals in predicting their importance: When construed in the abstract, the goals were deemed more important if the vocational decision was distant. When construed concretely, the goals were deemed more important if the vocational decision was proximate.
Seeking revenge or seeking reconciliation? How concern for social‐image and felt shame helps explain responses in reciprocal intergroup conflict
Authors: Gausel Nicolay , Leach Colin Wayne , Mazziotta Agostino , Feuchte Friederike
Published: May 2017

In conflicts with reciprocal violence, individuals belong to a group that has been both perpetrator and victim. In a field experiment in Liberia, West Africa, we led participants (N = 146) to focus on their group as either perpetrator or victim in order to investigate its effect on orientation towards inter‐group reconciliation or revenge. Compared to a perpetrator focus, a victim focus led to slightly more revenge orientation and moderately less reconciliation orientation. The effect of the focus manipulation on revenge orientation was fully mediated, and reconciliation orientation partly mediated, by viewing the in‐group's social‐image as at risk. Independent of perpetrator or victim focus, shame (but not guilt) was a distinct explanation of moderately more reconciliation orientation. This is consistent with a growing body of work demonstrating the pro‐social potential of shame. Taken together, results suggest how groups in reciprocal conflict might be encouraged towards reconciliation and away from revenge by feeling shame for their wrongdoing and viewing their social‐image as less at risk. As victims and perpetrators are widely thought to have different orientations to inter‐group reconciliation and revenge, we suggest that work on reciprocal conflicts should account for the fact that people can belong to a group that has been both perpetrator and victim.
High self‐monitors modulate their responses as a function of relevant social roles
Authors: Adams Katherine E. , Tyler James M.
Published: May 2017

We reasoned that high self‐monitors' responses may be influenced by the characteristic traits and behaviors associated with social roles. Results across four studies confirmed expectations. The findings from Experiments 1, 2, and 3 demonstrated that exposure to a particular role (e.g., nurse) led high self‐monitors to respond in a manner consistent with the relevant role. Results from Experiment 4 showed that the effect found in the first three experiments was attenuated when the behavioral guidance of the particular role was reduced. Low self‐monitors' responses were not influenced by exposure to the role. Showing that high self‐monitors use information embedded in a social role to tailor their behavior provides a novel finding that has heretofore been absent from the literature.
Does intergroup contact affect personality? A longitudinal study on the bidirectional relationship between intergroup contact and personality traits
Authors: Vezzali Loris , Turner Rhiannon , Capozza Dora , Trifiletti Elena
Published: May 2017

We conducted a longitudinal study to test whether, in addition to being predicted by personality, intergroup contact is longitudinally associated with personality traits. Participants were 388 majority (Italian) and 109 minority (immigrant) first‐year high school students. Results revealed a bidirectional relationship between contact and personality: Quality of contact was longitudinally associated with greater agreeableness and openness to experience, whereas agreeableness and openness to experience were longitudinal predictors of contact quality. An unexpected negative longitudinal association also emerged between quantity of contact and agreeableness. These effects were not moderated by group of belonging (majority vs. minority). Our findings highlight the importance of integrating research on intergroup contact with research on personality.
Bivariate geostatistical modelling of the relationship between Loa loa prevalence and intensity of infection
Authors: Giorgi Emanuele , Schlüter Daniela K. , Diggle Peter J.
Published: May 2017

Loiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by the parasitic roundworm Loa loa. A challenge faced by current multinational programmes to control two other diseases, namely, lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis, by mass administration of prophylactic medication to at‐risk communities is that individuals highly coinfected with Loa loa are at risk of developing serious adverse reactions to the medication. For this reason, understanding the geographical distribution of Loa loa prevalence and the distribution of microfilarial loads in communities has become of crucial importance. In this paper, we develop methodology to analyse data on microfilariae counts per millilitre of blood whilst allowing for spatial correlation. One feature of the data is the excess of zero counts, which makes the use of standard geostatistical methods for prevalence data inappropriate. This phenomenon, also known as zero inflation, is typical of count data from NTDs, whose endemic boundaries are often unknown, thus leading to the inclusion of disease‐free communities in the sampling frame. We introduce a bivariate geostatistical model in order to study the relationship between the distributions of prevalence and intensity of Loa loa infections at the community level. We show through a simulation study that the spatial model leads to more precise spatial predictions than the nonspatial approach used by Schlüter et al. (), and accordingly provide a geostatistical reanalysis of the Loa loa data.
Development of a screening test based on isothermal calorimetry for determination of self‐heating potential of biomass pellets
Authors: Larsson Ida , Lönnermark Anders , Blomqvist Per , Persson Henry , Bohlén Haleh
Published: May 2017

For the risk for spontaneous combustion in storage of biomass pellets to be assessed, it is important to know how prone the fuel is to self‐heating. There are traditional methods that are used to determine self‐heating characteristics of fuels, eg, basket heating tests. The results from basket heating tests indirectly give the reactivity from a series of tests at high temperatures. This paper presents a sensitive screening test procedure for biomass pellets using isothermal calorimetry for direct measurement of the heat production rate at typical bulk storage temperatures. This method can be used to directly compare the reactivity of different batches of biomass pellets. The results could be used, eg, by storage security managers to gain better knowledge of their fuels propensity for self‐heating and thereby for safer storage.

A large number of tests have been performed to develop the test procedure presented. Different parameters, such as temperature, type of the test sample (powder/crushed or pellets), mass of test sample, and preheating time, have been varied. Furthermore, gas concentrations in the sample ampoule have been measured before and after some tests to study the oxygen consumption and the formation of CO and CO2. Three different types of pellets with different characteristics were tested to assess the variation in behaviour.

Based on these tests, a screening test procedure is presented with a test temperature of 60°C, a sample size of 4 g, a 15‐minute preheating period at the test temperature, and 24‐hour test duration.
Stem Cell Therapy: A New Therapeutic Option for Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Goradel Nasser Hashemi , Hour Farshid Ghiyami‐ , Negahdari Babak , Malekshahi Ziba Vaisi , Hashemzehi Milad , Masoudifar Aria , Mirzaei Hamed
Published: May 2017

Cardiovascular diseases are known as one of major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite the many advancement in therapies are associated with cardiovascular diseases, it seems that finding of new therapeutic option is necessary. Cell therapy is one of attractive therapeutic platforms for treatment of a variety of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases. Among of various types of cell therapy, stem cell therapy has been emerged as an effective therapeutic approach in this area. Stem cells divided into multipotent stem cells and pluripotent stem cells. A large number studies indicated that utilization of each of them are associated with a variety of advantages and disadvantages. Multiple lines evidence indicated that stem cell therapy could be used as suitable therapeutic approach for treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Many clinical trials have been performed for assessing efficiency of stem cell therapies in human. However, stem cell therapy are associated with some challenges, but, it seems resolving of them could contribute to using of them as effective therapeutic approach for patients who suffering from cardiovascular diseases. In the current review, we summarized current therapeutic strategies based on stem cells for cardiovascular diseases. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 95–104, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
M2BPGi as a potential diagnostic tool of cirrhosis in Chinese patients with Hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Wei Bin , Feng Shu , Chen Enqiang , Li Dongdong , Wang Tingting , Gou Yu , Yang Tingting , Zhang Dongmei , Tao Chuanmin , Tang Hong
Published: May 2017

Background

M2BPGi is a novel serum glycobiomarker of liver fibrosis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of M2BPGi for predicting liver fibrosis and disease progression in Chinese hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected patients.

Methods

We enrolled 228 HBV infected patients with different status of liver fibrosis diagnosed using FibroScan. We analyzed the diagnostic accuracy of M2BPGi, and compared it with AST‐to‐platelet ratio (APRI), FIB‐4 index, AST to ALT ratio (AAR), and RDW to platelet ratio (RPR). We performed receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) to evaluate the diagnostic performance of M2BPGi for significant fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Results

Median M2BPGi values in each fibrosis stage were: 0.88 cut‐off index (COI) in F0‐1, 1.165 in F2‐3, and 1.92 in F4 (P<.01), respectively. For F≥2, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy of M2BPGi were 72.28%, 73.23%, 66.67%, while 55.07%, 93.71%, 82.02% for F≥4. For predicting significant fibrosis (≥F2), M2BPGi showed comparable performance to FIB4 index (P<.01), APRI (P<.01) and RPR (P<.01) with area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.788. M2BPGi was superior to other surrogate markers for diagnosing cirrhosis (F4) with the highest AUC of 0.811 (P<.01).

Conclusions

M2BPGi levels increased with the progression of liver fibrosis in HBV infected patients. M2BPGi can be served as a potential glycobiomarker to assess the stage of liver fibrosis, especially for the diagnosis of cirrhosis.
Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis reveals adaptive changes of hibernating retinas
Authors: Luan Yizhao , Ou Jingxing , Kunze Vincent P. , Qiao Fengyu , Wang Yan , Wei Lai , Li Wei , Xie Zhi
Published: May 2017

Hibernation is a seasonally adaptive strategy that allows hibernators to live through extremely cold conditions. Despite the profound reduction of blood flow to the retinas, hibernation causes no lasting retinal injury. Instead, hibernators show an increased tolerance to ischemic insults during the hibernation period. To understand the molecular changes of the retinas in response to hibernation, we applied an integrative transcriptome and metabolome analysis to explore changes in gene expression and metabolites of 13‐lined ground squirrel retinas during hibernation. Metabolomic analysis showed a global decrease of ATP synthesis in hibernating retinas. Decreased glucose and galactose, increased beta‐oxidation of carnitine and decreased storage of some amino acids in hibernating retinas indicated a shift of fuel use from carbohydrates to lipids and alternative usage of amino acids. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the down‐regulated genes were enriched in DNA‐templated transcription and immune‐related functions, while the up‐regulated genes were enriched in mitochondrial inner membrane and DNA packaging‐related functions. We further showed that a subset of genes underwent active alternative splicing events in response to hibernation. Finally, integrative analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome confirmed the shift of fuel use in the hibernating retina by the regulation of catabolism of amino acids and lipids. Through transcriptomic and metabolomic data, our analysis revealed the altered state of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and the shift of energy source in the hibernating retina, advancing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms employed by hibernators. The data will also serve as a useful resource for the ocular and hibernation research communities.
Biochemical characterisation and dominance of different hydrolases in different types of Daqu – a Chinese industrial fermentation starter
Authors: Liu Jingjing , Chen Jingyu , Fan Yi , Huang Xiaoning , Han Beizhong
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

Daqu is a fermentative saccharification agent that is used to initiate fermentation in the production of Chinese liquor and vinegar. This study investigated the differences of amylase, protease and esterase in dominance of different types of Daqu, which can be useful for quality control and flavor improvement of Daqu production by enzyme technology.

RESULTS

Hydrolase activities in different Daqu samples were compared by principal component analysis (PCA). Based on protein electrophoresis and 1H NMR spectroscopy, the protein patterns and metabolites in Daqu were further analysed. The results indicated that the highest amylase activities and diversities were found in low/medium‐temperature of Daqu which had light‐flavour and strong‐flavour. Proteases play a significant role in determining the quality of high‐temperature Daqu samples which had a sauce‐flavour. Furthermore, the contributions of esterase to both strong and sauce flavour development in high‐temperature Daqu are similar.

CONCLUSION

Results from the present work showed that differences in amylase, protease and esterase play a leading role in different types of Daqu, which can be useful for quality control and technology development of Daqu. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Changes in mineral elements and starch quality of grains during the improvement of japonica rice cultivars
Authors: Zhang Hao , Yu Chao , Hou Danping , Liu Hailang , Zhang Huiting , Tao Rongrong , Cai Han , Gu Junfei , Liu Lijun , Zhang Zujian , Wang Zhiqin , Yang Jianchang
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

The improvement of rice cultivars plays an important role in yield increase. However, little is known about the changes in starch quality and mineral elements during the improvement of rice cultivars. This study was conducted to investigate the changes in starch quality and mineral elements in japonica rice cultivars.

RESULTS

Twelve typical rice cultivars, applied in the production in Jiangsu province during the last 60 years, were grown in the paddy fields. These cultivars were classified into six types according to their application times, plant types and genotypes. The nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and, and potassium (K) were mainly distributed in endosperm, bran and bran, respectively. Secondary and micromineral nutrients were distributed throughout grains. With the improvement of cultivars, total N contents gradually decreased, while total P, K and magnesium contents increased in grains. Total copper and zinc contents in type 80'S in grains were highest. The improvement of cultivars enhanced palatability (better gelatinisation enthalpy and amylose content), taste (better protein content) and protein quality (better protein components and essential amino acids). Correlation analysis indicated the close relationship between mineral elements and starch quality.

CONCLUSION

The mineral elements and starch quality of grains during the improvement of japonica rice cultivars are improved. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Cereal bars produced with banana peel flour: evaluation of acceptability and sensory profile
Authors: Carvalho Vania Silva , Conti‐Silva Ana Carolina
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

A mixture design was used to investigate the effects of banana peel flour, rice flakes and oat flour on sensory acceptability of cereal bars, with subsequent evaluation of sensory profile of products identified as having high acceptability.

RESULTS

Regions of greater response for acceptability of the cereal bars, which are dependent on the three investigated components, were found. Although having good acceptability, sensory profiles of cereal bars were different. A cereal bar with the lowest quantity of banana peel flour was described as having a higher amount of rice flakes, chewiness and crispness, while formulations with intermediate and highest quantities of banana peel flour were described by darker color, higher banana aroma and bitter taste. Contrary to expectations, banana flavor of cereal bar with highest quantity of banana peel flour was lower than cereal bars with intermediate quantities. Cereal bars were not different in terms of hardness and adhesiveness and they also had a similar sweet taste and oat flavor.

CONCLUSION

The use of banana peel flour in production of cereal bars is feasible and, even with different sensory profiles, cereal bars with banana peel flour are acceptable, which may favor the development of new products for different market niches. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
The prognostic utility of the “Tumor Burden Score” based on preoperative radiographic features of colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Sasaki Kazunari , Margonis Georgios A. , Andreatos Nikolaos , Zhang Xu‐Feng , Buettner Stefan , Wang Jaeyun , Deshwar Amar , He Jin , Wolfgang Christopher L. , Weiss Matthew , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: May 2017

Background

Recently, a tumor‐burden “metro ticket” score (TBS) based on final pathology was proposed to predict outcome following resection of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). We sought to validate the TBS prognostic tool using preoperative radiologic cross‐sectional imaging.

Methods

Imaging TBS was defined on a Cartesian plane that incorporated both maximum tumor size (x‐axis) and lesion number (y‐axis) assessed by pre‐operative imaging. The discriminatory power (area under the curve [AUC]) and goodness‐of‐fit (Harrel's C statistic and Somer's D statistics) of the imaging TBS model was assessed.

Results

Imaging and pathologic TBS correlated strongly (r = 0.76, P < 0.01). Among patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy, the correlation was strongest among patients with progressive disease/stable disease (PD/SD) (r = 0.81). Discriminatory power of the imaging‐based versus pathology‐based TBS models were comparable (AUC 0.64 vs. 0.67, respectively P > 0.05). An incremental worsening of long‐term survival was noted as the imaging TBS increased (5‐year OS: Zone1, Zone2, and Zone3—61.3%, 46.7%, and 38.5%, respectively; P = 0.03). The imaging‐based TBS model outperformed the “classic” pathology‐based Fong score (Harrel's C‐index: imaging TBS‐0.56 vs. Fong score‐0.53; Somers'D‐index: imaging TBS‐012 vs. Fong score‐0.06).

Conclusions

Imaging‐based TBS was superior to traditional tumor size and number and was comparable to pathology‐based TBS. Imaging‐based TBS may have the potential to facilitate improved preoperative risk stratification of patients with CRLM.
Sterilization of tumor‐positive lymph nodes of esophageal cancer by neo‐adjuvant treatment is associated with worse survival compared to tumor‐negative lymph nodes treated with surgery first
Authors: Mantziari Styliani , Allemann Pierre , Winiker Michael , Sempoux Christine , Demartines Nicolas , Schäfer Markus
Published: May 2017

Background and Objectives

Lymph node (LN) involvement by esophageal cancer is associated with compromised long‐term prognosis. This study assessed whether LN downstaging by neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) might offer a survival benefit compared to patients with a priori negative LN.

Methods

Patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer between 2005 and 2014 were screened for inclusion. Group 1 included cN0 patients confirmed as pN0 who were treated with surgery first, whereas group 2 included patients initially cN+ and down‐staged to ypN0 after NAT. Survival analysis was performed with the Kaplan‐Meier and Cox regression methods.

Results

Fifty‐seven patients were included in our study, 24 in group 1 and 33 in group 2. Group 2 patients had more locally advanced lesions compared to a priori negative patients, and despite complete LN sterilization by NAT they still had worse long‐term survival. Overall 3‐year survival was 86.8% for a priori LN negative versus 63.3% for downstaged patients (P = 0.013), while disease‐free survival was 79.6% and 57.9%, respectively (P = 0.021). Tumor recurrence was also earlier and more disseminated for the down‐staged group.

Conclusions

Downstaged LN, despite the systemic effect of NAT, still inherit an increased risk for early tumor recurrence and worse long‐term survival compared to a priori negative LN.
Rapid discovery and identification of the prototypes and their metabolites of Da‐Huang‐Xiao‐Shi decoction in rat plasma by an integrative strategy based on liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry
Authors: Wang Dan , Shi Qingshui , Feng Fang
Published: May 2017

Da‐Huang‐Xiao‐Shi decoction has been used to treat damp‐heat jaundice for centuries in China. However, the absorbed components of the decoction and their related metabolites are little known until now. In this work, an integrative strategy based on liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (time‐of‐flight/triple‐quadruple tandem) was adopted to effectively identify the prototypes and their metabolites and to speculate the possible transformation pathways among these compounds. Using pattern recognition approaches, the exogenous compounds in rat plasma were screened out from endogenous compounds and then distinguished into prototypes and metabolites according to the characteristic information from the self‐building database of Da‐Huang‐Xiao‐Shi decoction. On this basis, the metabolic profiles of main prototypes (such as iridoid glycosides, alkaloids, and anthraquinones) were proposed. As a result, a total of 62 related prototypes and their metabolites were detected and tentatively identified in rat plasma after administration, and among them, three prototypes were found for the first time. Glucuronidation and sulfation were deduced to be the main metabolic pathways of alkaloids, iridoid glycosides, and anthraquinones. The integrative strategy used in this study was an effective approach to rapidly discover and characterize the prototypes and their metabolites from a complex bio‐sample without the use of standard substances.
Sensitivity of 3‐Dimensional Sonography in Preoperative Evaluation of Parathyroid Glands in Patients With Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Frank Susan J. , Goldman‐Yassen Adam E. , Koenigsberg Tova , Libutti Steven K. , Koenigsberg Mordecai
Published: May 2017

Objectives

Preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism facilitates targeted surgery. We assessed the sensitivity of 3‐dimensional (3D) sonography for preoperative localization of abnormal parathyroid glands.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism at a single site at our institution. We compared preoperative 2‐dimensional (2D) sonography, 3D sonography, and sestamibi scans with final gland localization at surgery. Two readers reviewed the sonograms to assess inter‐reader variability.

Results

From January 2010 through April 2015, 52 patients underwent parathyroidectomy after preoperative 2D sonography, 3D sonography, and sestamibi scans. Three‐dimensional sonography had sensitivity of 88–92% compared with 69–71% for 2D sonography for gland localization. In patients in whom sonography and sestamibi scans localized abnormalities to the same side, the sensitivities were 100% (43 of 43) for 3D sonography and 96% (48 of 50) for 2D sonography. Three‐dimensional sonography had significantly higher sensitivity for localization of glands smaller than 500 mg compared with 2D sonography (88% versus 58%; P = .012). There was better inter‐reader agreement between the radiologists when using 3D sonography (κ = 0.65) compared with 2D sonography (κ = 0.41).

Conclusions

We found a significantly higher sensitivity and better inter‐reader agreement for 3D sonography compared with 2D sonography for preoperative identification of abnormal parathyroid glands, especially among smaller glands.
Amyloid β Plaque Reduction With Antibodies Crossing the Blood‐Brain Barrier, Which Was Opened in 3 Sessions of Focused Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Alecou Tereza , Giannakou Marinos , Damianou Christakis
Published: May 2017

Objectives

The main objective of this study was to remove amyloid β plaques by applying multiple sessions of focused ultrasound (US)‐induced blood‐brain barrier (BBB) opening using microbubbles with and without delivery of antibodies in a rabbit model.

Methods

The animal model was achieved by feeding a high‐cholesterol diet to rabbits for 4 months. Fifty‐two New Zealand White rabbits were divided into treatment groups: untreated control, high‐cholesterol diet only, antibodies only, focused US only, and focused US and antibodies. Three sessions of focused US were administered to the treatment groups.

Results

It was shown that with this animal model, the plaques were 30 μm in diameter. By increasing the number of sessions, the number of plaques decreased (both for focused US only and focused US and antibodies). Without the application of focused US, the average number of plaques dropped from 200/cm2 (before treatment) to 170/cm2 (after treatment). The effect of treatment with focused US with antibodies was more drastic. With 3 BBB opening sessions, the average number of plaques was reduced from 200 to 78/cm2.

Conclusions

This feasibility study had demonstrated that by opening the BBB, it will be possible to deliver exogenous antibodies to the brain, thus eliminating amyloid β plaques. More importantly with repeated opening of the BBB (3 times in this study), the reduction in the number of plaques was increased.
4‐Styrenesulfonyl‐(2‐methyl)aziridine: The First Bivalent Aziridine‐Monomer for Anionic and Radical Polymerization
Authors: Gleede Tassilo , Rieger Elisabeth , Homann‐Müller Tatjana , Wurm Frederik R.
Published: May 2017

4‐Styrenesulfonyl‐(2‐methyl)aziridine (StMAz), the first orthogonal aziridine monomer, for both anionic ring‐opening and radical polymerization is presented. Both polymerization pathways are accessible without using protective groups. Aza‐anionic ring‐opening polymerization (A‐AROP) of StMAz and other methyl‐aziridine derivatives provide multifunctional polyaziridines. Molecular weights between 3000 and 13 000 g mol−1 are obtained with low molecular weight dispersities (Ð = 1.1). The amount of vinyl groups in linear polyaziridines from A‐AROP depends on the monomer/comonomer ratio. The vinyl groups of P(StMAz)‐ homo‐ or copolymers are entirely convertible by thiol‐ene addition. This allows modification with multiple functional groups. Free radical polymerization of StMAz leads to polyalkylenes with aziridine side groups, which are known to be efficiently addressable via nucleophiles. Polysulfonamides still belong to a rather new class of polymers accessible by anionic polymerization. Enlarging the scope of postpolymerization modifications on polyaziridines/‐sulfonamides is important for further macromolecular architectures. The aziridine and the vinyl group are combined to develop the first orthogonal monomer for aza‐anionic polymerization and radical polymerization.

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Evaluation of microstructural evolution during torsion fatigue and surface performance of high nitrogen stainless steels suitable for biomedical applications
Authors: Amer A.E. , Shash A.Y.
Published: May 2017

In this contribution the microstructural changes of four different solution annealed face centered cubic/FCC materials subjected to torsion fatigue were studied. Standard materials X5CrNiMo17‐13‐2 (1.4441, AISI 316 L) and the Co‐base alloy CoCr29Mo6 in addition to two high‐nitrogen stainless steels X13CrMnMoN18‐14‐3 (1.4452) and X6CrNiMnMoN22‐10‐4‐3 were investigated. The torsional fatigue tests were carried out by means of stress controlled incremental step tests at 25 Hz and 3 Hz, respectively. Simultaneously the shear strains were measured in order to gain stress‐strain hysteresis at every 30th cycles. The solution annealed X13CrMnMoN18‐14‐3 (1.4452) and X6CrNiMnMoN22‐10‐4‐3 nitrogen containing steels as well as 316 L‐type stainless steels have been tested and their fatigue endurance limits were determined and compared to that of the CoCr alloy. Transmission electron microscope observations were carried out for the investigated materials before and after the fatigue tests. The results of Transmission electron microscope observations reveal the effect of further nitrogen additions on the fatigue properties. Microstructure observations depicted the effect of nitrogen additions on the modification of slip behavior and the role of the stacking fault energy herein. Wear tests for alloys with substantially more nitrogen than can be accommodated interstitially, form coarse CrN precipitates. These precipitates significantly influence the abrasive wear characteristics of the alloy, particularly when they are large (i. e., 50 μm in width).
Green innovation of green roof technology ‐ a case study
Authors: Yu W.D. , Cheng S.T. , Miao C.M. , Perng G.Y.
Published: May 2017

Although providing both aesthetic and environmental benefits, previous research has identified limitations with the existing green roof technologies, including higher construction cost, long term maintenance requirements, damages to structure, roof leakage, among others. In order to break the above‐mentioned limitations, this paper presents the application of the generic eco‐innovation model to develop a design alternative of a green roof that is eco‐friendlier, more durable, and more cost‐effective, compared with existing ones. A case study incorporating building information modeling technology and energy consumption analysis software was conducted to demonstrate the benefits of the innovative green roof proposed by the generic eco‐innovation model. The case study results show that the proposed eco‐innovative alternative can reduce more than 20 % of energy consumption of traditional roof. It is thus concluded that the generic eco‐innovation model provides a promising tool for engineers/architect in achieving more sustainable construction during the design phase.
Ethical and Practical Realities of Using Letters for Recruitment in Bereavement Research
Authors: Butler Ashleigh E. , Hall Helen , Copnell Beverley
Published: May 2017

Recruitment of participants into bereavement research may present many challenges for the research team. At present, there is little consensus for researchers and ethics committees on the most appropriate method of recruitment. There is some evidence that participants prefer to be contacted about research studies via letters. However, recruitment involving the use of a letter can occur in a number of ways, each with ethical and practical benefits and limitations. In a study of the experiences of bereaved parents, we used letters in three ways: direct mailing from the research team with an opt‐out option; permission to mail letters obtained by social workers from a hospital‐based follow‐up program during routine contact; and letters mailed from the hospital's PICU research nurse at the hospital with instruction on how to opt in. In this paper, the practical and ethical realities of each method are highlighted, using examples from our own experiences. Nineteen parents also provided reflections in follow‐up phone calls. While direct researcher contact is perhaps the most feasible for researchers, ethical concerns may render it unacceptable. While contact via a known member of a follow‐up program is more ethically appropriate for participants, it also presents significant practical issues. We suggest that contact via a representative of the healthcare institution provides the best balance of ethical and practical acceptability for both participants and the research team, but responsiveness to the ethical and practical requirements of the study is crucial in ensuring it can be successfully undertaken. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The national healthcare system claims databases in France, SNIIRAM and EGB: Powerful tools for pharmacoepidemiology
Authors: Bezin Julien , Duong Mai , Lassalle Régis , Droz Cécile , Pariente Antoine , Blin Patrick , Moore Nicholas
Published: May 2017

The French health care system is based on universal coverage by one of several health care insurance plans. The SNIIRAM database merges anonymous information of reimbursed claims from all these plans, linked to the national hospital‐discharge summaries database system (PMSI) and the national death registry. It now covers 98.8% of the French population, over 66 million persons, from birth (or immigration) to death (or emigration), making it possibly the world's largest continuous homogeneous claims database. The database includes demographic data; health care encounters such as physician or paramedical visits, medicines, medical devices, and lab tests (without results); chronic medical conditions (ICD10 codes); hospitalisations with ICD10 codes for primary, linked and associated diagnoses, date and duration, procedures, diagnostic‐related groups, and cost coding; date but currently not cause of death. The power of the database is correlatively great, and its representativeness is near perfect, since it essentially includes the whole country's population. The main difficulty in using the database, beyond its sheer size and complexity, is the administrative process necessary to access it. Recent legislative advances are making this easier.

EGB (Echantillon Généraliste de Bénéficiaires) is the 1/97th random permanent representative sample of SNIIRAM, with planned 20‐year longitudinal data (10 years at this time). Access time is 1 to 3 months, but its power is less (780 000 subjects). This is enough to study common issues with older drugs but may be limited for new products or rare events.