bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obstetrics anal sphincter injury and repair technique: A review
Authors: Temtanakitpaisan Teerayut , Bunyacejchevin Suvit , Koyama Masayasu
Published: December 2014

The Urogynecology Committee of the Asia and Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOFOG) has held seminars and workshops on various urogynecological problems in each country in the Asia–Oceania area in order to encourage young obstetricians and gynecologists. In 2013, we organized the operative seminar for obstetrical anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) in which we prepared porcine models to educate young physicians in a hands‐on workshop at the 23rd Asian and Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Bangkok, Thailand. Laceration of the anal sphincter mostly occurs during vaginal delivery and it can develop into anal sphincter deficiency, which causes fecal incontinence, if an appropriate suture is not performed. OASIS has become an important issue, especially in developing countries. The prevalence of OASIS of more than the third degree is around 5% in primary parous women and the frequency is higher when detected by ultrasonographic evaluation. Several risk factors, such as macrosomia, instrumental labor, perineal episiotomy and high maternal age, have been recognized. In a society where pregnant women are getting older, OASIS is becoming a more serious issue. An intrapartum primary appropriate stitch is important, but the 1‐year outcome of a delayed operation after 2 weeks postpartum is similar. A randomized controlled study showed that overlapping suture of the external sphincter is better than that of end‐to‐end surgical repair. The Urogynecology Committee of the AOFOG would like to continue with educative programs about the appropriate therapy for OASIS.
Altered autonomic nervous system activity in women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss
Authors: Kataoka Kumie , Tomiya Yumi , Sakamoto Ai , Kamada Yasuhiko , Hiramatsu Yuji , Nakatsuka Mikiya
Published: December 2014

Aim

Autonomic nervous system activity was studied to evaluate the physical and mental state of women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).

Methods

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measure of beat‐to‐beat temporal changes in heart rate and provides indirect insight into autonomic nervous system tone and can be used to assess sympathetic and parasympathetic tone. We studied autonomic nervous system activity by measuring HRV in 100 women with unexplained RPL and 61 healthy female volunteers as controls. The degree of mental distress was assessed using the Kessler 6 (K6) scale.

Results

The K6 score in women with unexplained RPL was significantly higher than in control women. HRV evaluated on standard deviation of the normal‐to‐normal interval (SDNN) and total power was significantly lower in women with unexplained RPL compared with control women. These indices were further lower in women with unexplained RPL ≥4. On spectral analysis, high‐frequency (HF) power, an index of parasympathetic nervous system activity, was significantly lower in women with unexplained RPL compared with control women, but there was no significant difference in the ratio of low‐frequency (LF) power to HF power (LF/HF), an index of sympathetic nervous system activity, between the groups.

Conclusions

The physical and mental state of women with unexplained RPL should be evaluated using HRV to offer mental support. Furthermore, study of HRV may elucidate the risk of cardiovascular diseases and the mechanisms underlying unexplained RPL.
Intracerebral antioxidant ability of mature rats after neonatal hypoxic–ischemic brain injury estimated using the microdialysis–electron spin resonance method
Authors: Nakajima Akira , Ueda Yuto , Sameshima Hiroshi , Ikenoue Tsuyomu
Published: December 2014

Aim

The intracerebral antioxidant ability of mature rats after neonatal hypoxic–ischemic (HI) brain injury was estimated using the microdialysis–electron spin resonance method.

Material and Methods

Seven‐day‐old Wistar rats were subjected to a modified Levine's procedure for producing HI brain injury. After HI insult, pups were returned and reared with their dams. Seven weeks after HI insult, their intracerebral antioxidant abilities were measured using the microdialysis–electron spin resonance method after the intraperitoneal injection of 3‐methoxycarbonyl‐2,2,5,5‐tetramethylpyrrolidine‐1‐oxyl. Ascorbic acid, L‐cysteine, and glutathione (GSH) were also determined. The rats without HI insult were used as a control.

Results

The decay rate of 3‐methoxycarbonyl‐2,2,5,5‐tetramethylpyrrolidine‐1‐oxyl in the non‐ligated side of the cerebral hemisphere of the HI group was significantly larger than that of the control group. The amounts of ascorbic acid in the perfusate from the non‐ligated side of the HI group were about four times larger than those of the control group. The amounts of L‐cysteine and GSH of the HI group were about 10 times larger than those of the control group.

Conclusions

The antioxidant ability in the non‐ligated sides of the cerebral hemispheres of the mature rats 7 weeks after neonatal HI insult was higher than that of the control group. Higher amounts of ascorbic acid and GSH supported the higher antioxidant ability. The increase of the intracerebral antioxidant ability of the non‐ligated side indicates the compensation of motor function for the lost side. The present results should offer important insights into the prognosis for hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy.
Passion for a Cause: How It Affects Health and Subjective Well‐Being
Authors: St‐Louis Ariane C. , Carbonneau Noémie , Vallerand Robert J.
Published: December 2014

Using the dualistic model of passion (Vallerand et al., 2003), this research investigated how harmonious passion (HP) or obsessive passion (OP) for a cause can affect volunteers' health and subjective well‐being. Three studies with volunteers for local (local emergency crises and community help) and international (humanitarian missions) causes assessed physical and psychological health using cross‐sectional and longitudinal designs. Study 1 (N = 108) showed that HP was positively related to satisfaction with one's involvement in the cause and unrelated to physical injuries due to cause involvement. OP was unrelated to satisfaction but positively associated with injuries. Findings were replicated in Study 2 (N = 83). Moreover, self‐neglect mediated the positive and negative effects of HP and OP, respectively, on injuries. Study 3 (N = 77) revealed that HP predicted an increase in satisfaction and health over a 3‐month mission. OP predicted an increase in physical symptoms and a decrease in health. Furthermore, OP before a mission was positively related to self‐neglect that was positively associated with physical symptoms after a mission. OP also positively predicted rumination that was conducive to posttraumatic stress disorder. HP was unrelated to these variables. Findings underscore the role of passion for a cause in predicting intrapersonal outcomes of volunteers.
Judgments of Meaning in Life, Religious Beliefs, and the Experience of Cognitive (Dis)Fluency
Authors: Davis William E. , Hicks Joshua A.
Published: December 2014

The primary aim of the current studies was to test whether religiousness interacted with self‐reported levels of meaning in life (MIL) to predict the ease or difficulty in judging one's MIL, the search for meaning itself, and religious doubt. Undergraduate students in Study 1 (N = 111) and adult participants recruited online in Study 2 (N = 206) completed measures of religious beliefs, MIL, cognitive fluency related to MIL, and related variables. Study 3 merged these data sets. In Study 4 (N = 255), online participants completed measures of religious beliefs, cognitive fluency related to religious beliefs, and MIL. Studies 1 and 2 showed that highly religious people with lower MIL reported greater difficulty making their MIL judgments than other people. Study 3 showed that they were also more likely to search for MIL and that disfluency mediated this effect. Study 4 demonstrated that they also reported more difficult judgments of religious beliefs and more religious doubts than their religious peers with high MIL. The current studies demonstrate that the experience of ease or difficulty associated with MIL judgments represents an important yet largely unexamined aspect of MIL. Our findings have implications for understanding the cognitive mechanisms underlying responses to meaning threats.
Determinants of pressure drift in Manoscan™ esophageal high‐resolution manometry system
Authors: Babaei A. , Lin E. C. , Szabo A. , Massey B. T.
Published: December 2014

Background

Manoscan™ is one of the commonly used high‐resolution manometry (HRM) systems with declared measurement accuracy of 1–2 mmHg. However, the accuracy of pressure measurements is limited by development of pressure drift (PD) throughout recording. To date, there has been no systematic investigation to identify the factors contributing to PD. The aim of the present study was to characterize the frequency and magnitude of PD in Manoscan™ system and identify the factors contributing to PD.

Methods

Records of 560 consecutive clinical esophageal HRM studies recorded by six distinct HRM catheters were retrospectively reviewed. PD was defined as the residual pressure measurement by each sensor immediately after removal of the catheter. Non‐parametric locally weighted regression analysis was performed to assess the effect of duration of study, number of prior uses of a catheter, peak and average pressure exposure during a study on the PD.

Key Results

The majority (95%) of clinical manometry studies showed a non‐negligible PD of more than 5 mmHg. The overall PD was 13 ± 5 mmHg and the sensor with greatest amount of PD showed 23 ± 12 mmHg of drift. The upper esophageal sphincter showed the highest PD. Average pressure exposure of a sensor throughout the recording was the most important predictor of PD. PD inversely correlated with number of prior uses of a catheter.

Conclusions & Inferences

The PD preferentially affects esophageal high‐pressure zones, and strongly correlates with ‘average pressure exposure’ of a sensor during manometry. Available algorithms of the analysis software do not adequately correct the PD.
Distraction osteogenesis versus orthognathic surgery for the treatment of maxillary hypoplasia in cleft lip and palate patients: a systematic review
Authors: Austin S. L. , Mattick C. R. , Waterhouse P. J.
Published: December 2014

Structured Abstract

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of distraction osteogenesis to orthognathic surgery for the treatment of maxillary hypoplasia in individuals with cleft lip and palate.

Method

A systematic review of prospective randomized, quasi‐randomized or controlled clinical trials. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, CENTRAL, trial registers and grey literature were searched. Hand searching of five relevant journals was completed. Two reviewers independently completed inclusion assessment. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were completed by a single reviewer and checked by a second reviewer.

Results

Five publications all reporting different outcomes of a single randomized controlled trial are included within the review. The quality of the evidence was low with a high risk of bias. Both surgical interventions produce significant soft tissue improvement. Horizontal relapse of the maxilla was statistically significantly greater following orthognathic surgery. There was no statistically significant difference in speech and velo‐pharyngeal function between the interventions. Maxillary distraction initially lowered social self‐esteem, but this improved with time resulting in higher satisfaction with life in the long term.

Conclusions

The low quality of evidence included within the review means there is insufficient evidence to conclude whether there is a difference in effectiveness between maxillary distraction and osteotomy for the treatment of cleft‐related maxillary hypoplasia. There is a need for further high‐quality randomized controlled trials to allow conclusive recommendations to be made.
The Economic Model of Forgiveness
Authors: Warmke Brandon
Published: December 2014

It is sometimes claimed that forgiveness involves the cancellation of a moral debt. This way of speaking about forgiveness exploits an analogy between moral forgiveness and economic debt‐cancellation. Call the view that moral forgiveness is like economic debt‐cancellation the Economic Model of Forgiveness. In this article I articulate and motivate the model, defend it against some recent objections, and pose a new puzzle for this way of thinking about forgiveness.
Aluminium tolerance in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) with monogenic inheritance pattern
Authors: Singh Dharmendra , Dikshit Harsh Kumar , Kumar Arun
Published: December 2014

The objectives of this study were to determine genetics of Al tolerance and whether the Al tolerance observed is governed by the same gene. The lines ‘L‐7903’ and ‘L‐4602’ have been developed through breeding programme as Al‐tolerant lines. These lines showed maximum root regrowth and minimum accumulation of Al and callose as compared to sensitive genotypes (‘BM‐4’ and ‘L‐4147’). Al tolerance in the parents, F1, F2 and backcross generations was estimated using the regrowth of the primary root after staining and scoring of fluorescent signals. The F1 hybrids responded similarly to the tolerant parents, indicating dominance of Al tolerance over sensitivity. The segregation ratios obtained for Al tolerance and sensitivity in the F2 and backcross generations were 3 : 1 and 1 : 1, respectively. Test of allelism confirmed the same gene was conferring Al tolerance in both genotypes (‘L‐7903’ and ‘L‐4602’) as the F1 was also tolerant and no segregation of tolerant : sensitive was recorded. These results indicated that Al tolerance is a monogenic dominant trait that can be easily transferred to agronomic bases through backcross breeding technique.
The making of giant pumpkins: how selective breeding changed the phloem of Cucurbita maxima from source to sink
Authors: SAVAGE JESSICA A. , HAINES DUSTIN F. , HOLBROOK N. MICHELE
Published: December 2014

Despite the success of breeding programmes focused on increasing fruit size, relatively little is known about the anatomical and physiological changes required to increase reproductive allocation. To address this gap in knowledge, we compared fruit/ovary anatomy, vascular structure and phloem transport of two varieties of giant pumpkins, and their smaller fruited progenitor under controlled environmental conditions. We also modelled carbon transport into the fruit of competitively grown plants using data collected in the field. There was no evidence that changes in leaf area or photosynthetic capacity impacted fruit size. Instead, giant varieties differed in their ovary morphology and contained more phloem on a cross‐sectional area basis in their petioles and pedicels than the ancestral variety. These results suggest that sink activity is important in determining fruit size and that giant pumpkins have an enhanced capacity to transport carbon. The strong connection observed between carbon fixation, phloem structure and fruit growth in field‐grown plants indicates that breeding for large fruit has led to changes throughout the carbon transport system that could have important implications for how we think about phloem transport velocity and carbon allocation.
Mechanisms underlying turgor regulation in the estuarine alga Vaucheria erythrospora (Xanthophyceae) exposed to hyperosmotic shock
Authors: MURALIDHAR ABISHEK , SHABALA LANA , BROADY PAUL , SHABALA SERGEY , GARRILL ASHLEY
Published: December 2014

Aquatic organisms are often exposed to dramatic changes in salinity in the environment. Despite decades of research, many questions related to molecular and physiological mechanisms mediating sensing and adaptation to salinity stress remain unanswered. Here, responses of Vaucheria erythrospora, a turgor‐regulating xanthophycean alga from an estuarine habitat, have been investigated. The role of ion uptake in turgor regulation was studied using a single cell pressure probe, microelectrode ion flux estimation (MIFE) technique and membrane potential (Em) measurements. Turgor recovery was inhibited by Gd3+, tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA), verapamil and orthovanadate. A NaCl‐induced shock rapidly depolarized the plasma membrane while an isotonic sorbitol treatment hyperpolarized it. Turgor recovery was critically dependent on the presence of Na+ but not K+ and Cl− in the incubation media. Na+ uptake was strongly decreased by amiloride and changes in net Na+ and H+ fluxes were oppositely directed. This suggests active uptake of Na+ in V. erythrospora mediated by an antiport Na+/H+ system, functioning in the direction opposite to that of the SOS1 exchanger in higher plants. The alga also retains K+ efficiently when exposed to high NaCl concentrations. Overall, this study provides insights into mechanisms enabling V. erythrospora to regulate turgor via ion movements during hyperosmotic stress.
Disentangling the contributions of osmotic and ionic effects of salinity on stomatal, mesophyll, biochemical and light limitations to photosynthesis
Authors: CHEN TSU‐WEI , KAHLEN KATRIN , STÜTZEL HARTMUT
Published: December 2014

There are conflicting opinions on the relative importance of photosynthetic limitations under salinity. Quantitative limitation analysis of photosynthesis provides insight into the contributions of different photosynthetic limitations, but it has only been applied under saturating light conditions. Using experimental data and modelling approaches, we examined the influence of light intensity on photosynthetic limitations and quantified the osmotic and ionic effects of salinity on stomatal (LS), mesophyll (LM), biochemical (LB) and light (LL) limitations in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under different light intensities. Non‐linear dependencies ofLS,LMandLLto light intensity were found. Osmotic effects onLSandLMincreased with the salt concentration in the nutrient solution (Ss) and the magnitude ofLMdepended on light intensity.LSincreased with theNa+concentration in the leaf water (Sl) and its magnitude depended onSs. Biochemical capacity declined linearly withSlbut, surprisingly, the relationship betweenLBandSlwas influenced bySs. Our results suggest that (1) improvement of stomatal regulation under ionic stress would be the most effective way to alleviate salinity stress in cucumber and (2) osmotic stress may alleviate the ionic effects onLBbut aggravate the ionic effects onLS.
The Kidder Equation:
Authors: Iacono Roberto , Boyd  John P.
Published: December 2014

The Kidder problem is with and where . This looks challenging because of the square root singularity. We prove, however, that for all . Other very simple but very accurate curve fits and bounds are given in the text; . Maple code for a rational Chebyshev pseudospectral method is given as a table. Convergence is geometric until the coefficients are when the coefficients . An initial‐value problem is obtained if is known; the slope Chebyshev series has only a fourth‐order rate of convergence until a simple change‐of‐coordinate restores a geometric rate of convergence, empirically proportional to . Kidder's perturbation theory (in powers of α) is much inferior to a delta‐expansion given here for the first time. A quadratic‐over‐quadratic Padé approximant in the exponentially mapped coordinate predicts the slope at the origin very accurately up to about . Finally, it is shown that the singular case can be expressed in terms of the solution to the Blasius equation.
Supporting Disadvantaged Young People into Work: Insights from the Capability Approach
Authors: Egdell Valerie , McQuaid Ronald
Published: December 2014

The Capability Approach (CA) offers a perspective on the employment activation of young people that is concerned with their freedom to make choices that they value rather than focusing solely on outcomes, such as having to take any job. It incorporates empowerment and the individual and external conversion factors that influence the conversion of resources into functionings for young people, such as getting a job that they value. This article considers the implications of using the CA as a lens for analyzing youth activation polices. A more capability informed approach to employment activation would not measure success solely by the transition into work, but rather by whether it has improved the young person's capabilities, and might focus, for example, on more sustainable and valued careers and develop individuals' freedom of choice in the labour market. Using data from two UK case studies of third sector organizations that support young people into work, it explores these issues empirically, including the extent to which these employment activation programmes, in their current form, can enhance the capabilities of beneficiaries. Conclusions on the implications of a CA for employment activation are made.
Strain Profiling of a Ferritic‐Martensitic Stainless Steel Sheet — Comparing Synchrotron with Conventional X‐Ray Diffraction
Authors: Olsson C.‐O. A. , Boström M. , Buslaps T. , Steuwer A.
Published: December 2014

To improve the fatigue resistance of stainless steel sheet, it is a common practice to induce compressive residual stress in the surface through shot‐peening or tumbling. Stress depth profiles obtained by tumbling of thin stainless steel tensile rods were analysed using laboratory and synchrotron X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD). Both the non‐destructive synchrotron and the laboratory XRD etch‐depth profile gave similar results: a residual stress profile decaying over a depth not exceeding 50 µm into the material.
Comparative assessment of a canine‐specific medium to support colony formation from canine hair follicular keratinocytes
Authors: Wiener Dominique J. , Doherr Marcus G. , Müller Eliane J. , Suter Maja M. , Welle Monika M.
Published: December 2014

Background

Follicular stem cells and their progeny are responsible for the cyclical renewal of hair follicles and maintenance of the hair coat. The understanding of pathways involved in this process is essential to elucidate the pathogenetic mechanisms of primary alopecia. Stem cells and their direct descendants are located in the bulge region of the isthmus of hair follicles. Although these cells have been studied extensively in mice and humans, data for canine isthmic keratinocyte activation and proliferation are not available.

Hypothesis/Objectives

The aim was to establish an accurate and reliable in vitro system to study the growth potential of canine isthmic keratinocytes. We assessed the colony‐promoting capability of a commercially available canine‐specific medium, CELLnTEC (CnT‐09), compared with a well‐established home‐made medium, complete FAD (cFAD). The CnT‐09 medium is specific for the growth of canine keratinocytes, while the cFAD medium can support growth and colony formation of keratinocytes from several species.

Animals

Skin biopsies were obtained from 15 recently euthanized dogs of various breeds with no skin abnormalities.

Methods

The isthmic region of compound hair follicles was isolated by microdissection and cell growth monitored using several parameters with colony‐forming assays.

Results

The CnT‐09 and cFAD media provided similar growth as measured by the total number and size of colonies, as well as rate of cell differentiation.

Conclusions

The commercial canine‐specific CnT‐09 medium was comparable to the home‐made cFAD medium in supporting the growth and proliferation of canine follicular keratinocytes in vitro. The CnT‐09 medium should be a viable alternative growth medium for molecular studies of alopecic disorders in dogs.
Reliability and agreement in the use of four‐ and six‐point ordinal scales for the assessment of erythema in digital images of canine skin
Authors: Hill Peter B.
Published: December 2014

Background

Grading of erythema in clinical practice is a subjective assessment that cannot be confirmed using a definitive test; nevertheless, erythema scores are typically measured in clinical trials assessing the response to treatment interventions. Most commonly, ordinal scales are used for this purpose, but the optimal number of categories in such scales has not been determined.

Hypothesis/Objectives

This study aimed to compare the reliability and agreement of a four‐point and a six‐point ordinal scale for the assessment of erythema in digital images of canine skin.

Methods

Fifteen digital images showing varying degrees of erythema were assessed by specialist dermatologists and laypeople, using either the four‐point or the six‐point scale. Reliability between the raters was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients and Cronbach's α. Agreement was assessed using the variation ratio (the percentage of respondents who chose the mode, the most common answer). Intraobserver variability was assessed by comparing the results of two grading sessions, at least 6 weeks apart.

Results

Both scales demonstrated high reliability, with intraclass correlation coefficient values and Cronbach's α above 0.99. However, the four‐point scale demonstrated significantly superior agreement, with variation ratios for the four‐point scale averaging 74.8%, compared with 56.2% for the six‐point scale. Intraobserver consistency for the four‐point scale was very high.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Although both scales demonstrated high reliability, the four‐point scale was superior in terms of agreement. For the assessment of erythema in clinical trials, a four‐point ordinal scale is recommended.
MEASUREMENTS OF THE PULMONARY VASCULATURE ON THORACIC RADIOGRAPHS IN HEALTHY DOGS COMPARED TO DOGS WITH MITRAL REGURGITATION
Authors: Oui Heejin , Oh Juyeon , Keh Seoyeon , Lee Gahyun , Jeon Sunghoon , Kim Hyunwook , Yoon Junghee , Choi Jihye
Published: December 2014

This study reassessed the previously reported radiographic method of comparing pulmonary vessels versus rib diameter for differentiating healthy dogs and dogs with mitral regurgitation. The width of the right cranial pulmonary artery and vein at the fourth rib level, right caudal pulmonary artery and vein at the ninth rib level, and the diameters of the fourth rib and ninth rib were measured in prospectively recruited healthy dogs (n = 40) and retrospectively recruited dogs with mitral regurgitation (n = 58). In healthy dogs, the pulmonary arteries and accompanying veins were similar in size. The cranial lobar vessels were smaller than the fourth rib. However, 67.5% of right caudal pulmonary artery diameters and 65% of vein diameters were larger than the ninth rib in healthy dogs. The right caudal pulmonary vein diameter in dogs with mitral regurgitation, particularly those within moderate and severe grades, was significantly larger than that in healthy dogs (P < 0.001). The comparative method used to detect enlargement of the right caudal pulmonary vein relative to the accompanying pulmonary artery had the highest sensitivity (80.2%) and specificity (82.5%) for predicting mitral regurgitation. A cut‐off of 1.22 when applying the ninth rib criterion had better specificity (73%) than the most used value ≤ 1 (89.7% sensitivity and 63.8% specificity), although it has less sensitivity (73%). We recommend using the accompanying pulmonary artery and 1.22 × the diameter of the ninth rib as a radiographic criterion for assessing the size of the right caudal pulmonary vein and differentiating healthy dogs from those with mitral regurgitation.
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC PNEUMOCOLONOGRAPHY IN NORMAL DOGS
Authors: Steffey Michele A. , Daniel Leticia , Taylor Sandra L. , Chen Rachel X. , Zwingenberger Allison L.
Published: December 2014

Objectives of this prospective study were to describe effects of varying technical components that may contribute to an optimal protocol for computed tomographic pneumocolonography (CTP) in dogs, and to develop a standardized methodology for CTP as a future potential diagnostic tool in canine clinical patients with large bowel disease. Eight purpose‐bred intact male hound cross‐research dogs were enrolled and randomized to groups based on variables of pressure/body position (n = 4) and insufflation time (n = 4). For each segment of large bowel (rectum, colorectal junction, descending colon, transverse colon, ascending colon), the adequacy of bowel preparation, % of bowel lumen filled with fecal material, and bowel tortuosity or folding were assessed. Measurements of bowel wall thickness (cm), cross‐sectional bowel lumen diameter (cm), and cross‐sectional bowel luminal area (cm2) were obtained at standardized locations within the large bowel. False discovery rates (FDR) were calculated to adjust for multiple testing. Values of FDR < 0.05 were considered significant. Differences in mean cross‐sectional area and diameter and bowel wall thickness under increasing pressure were not significant after adjusting for multiple testing; some had raw p values <0.05. Ascending colon diameter and ascending colon area significantly increased with insufflation time (FDR < 0.05). No other response variables showed a significant change with insufflation time. The optimal insufflation pressure for maintaining pneumocolon in this study was determined to be 20 mmHg. CTP is a feasible technique to provide consistent distension for imaging of the large bowel and further study on application of CTP in clinical patients is warranted.
Determination of GaN polarity on periodically oriented surfaces
Authors: Ferguson Josephus D. , Reshchikov Michael A. , Baski Alison A. , Hite Jennifer K. , Mastro Michael A. , Eddy Charles R.
Published: December 2014

Periodically oriented GaN surfaces have been investigated using scanning probe microscopy techniques to compare Ga- and N-polar regions on a common surface. An epitaxial layer comprising 16 μm-wide stripes of alternating surface polarity was grown by utilizing a patterned AlN layer on an N-polar GaN template. The regions of different polarity are easily distinguishable in atomic force microscopy (AFM) images, with the Ga-polar stripes, which nucleate on the patterned AlN regions being approximately 300 nm higher than the adjacent N-polar stripes. In addition, local surface potential measurements using scanning Kelvin probe microscopy (SKPM) indicate that the N-polar regions are 0.2 to 0.5 eV higher in potential compared to Ga-polar ones, with lower surface potential contrast occurring after an HCl-based surface treatment. Using conductive AFM, electrons were injected into the surface to probe the surface charging behavior in dark. Only the N-polar regions demonstrated significant localized charging, where changes of over 1.5 eV were seen in SKPM images taken immediately after charging. This behavior was appreciably decreased by an HCl treatment, suggesting that a surface oxide in the N-polar regions plays a significant role in the charging behavior. In addition, the local surface photovoltage (SPV) was measured using above-bandgap illumination. The N-polar regions demonstrate a higher steady-state SPV value and a significantly slower restoration behavior as compared to the Ga-polar regions. The authors therefore find that several characterization techniques can readily distinguish the Ga- versus N-polar regions on this periodically oriented surface.
Growth mechanism and optical properties of Ti thin films deposited onto fluorine-doped tin oxide glass substrate
Authors: Einollahzadeh-Samadi Motahareh , Dariani Reza S.
Published: December 2014

In this work, a detailed study of the influence of the thickness on the morphological and optical properties of titanium (Ti) thin films deposited onto rough fluorine-doped tin oxide glass by d.c. magnetron sputtering is carried out. The films were characterized by several methods for composition, crystallinity, morphology, and optical properties. Regardless of the deposition time, all the studied Ti films of 400, 1500, 2000, and 2500 nm in thickness were single crystalline in the α-Ti phase and also very similar to each other with respect to composition. Using the atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique, the authors analyzed the roughness evolution of the Ti films characteristics as a function of the film thickness. By applying the dynamic scaling theory to the AFM images, a steady growth roughness exponent α = 0.72 ± 0.02 and a dynamic growth roughness exponent β = 0.22 ± 0.02 were determined. The value of α and β are consistent with nonlinear growth model incorporating random deposition with surface diffusion. Finally, measuring the reflection spectra of the samples by a spectrophotometer in the spectral range of 300–1100 nm allowed us to investigate the optical properties. The authors observed the increments of the reflection of Ti films with thickness, which by employing the effective medium approximation theory showed an increase in thickness followed by an increase in the volume fraction of metal.
Planar strain analysis of liver undergoing microwave thermal ablation using x‐ray CT
Authors: Weiss Noam , Goldberg S. Nahum , Nissenbaum Yitzhak , Sosna Jacob , Azhari Haim
Published: December 2014

Purpose:

To study the planar strain effects in liver during microwave (MW) thermal ablation as a means for tracking tissue expansion and contraction as a method for improving ablation monitoring.

Methods:

1.4 mm circular metallic markers were inserted into 16 ex‐vivo bovine fresh liver specimens, that were subsequently ablated (with the markers inside the specimen) by 40 W of microwave energy, for 1, 2, 3, 6, and 10 min. The markers were tracked during the ablation using an x‐ray CT scanner. Images were acquired every 5–10 s enabling determination of the markers’ coordinates over time. The 2D principal strains were calculated for triangles formed by subgroups of three markers, and their planar strain index, Ω, was plotted vs time. In addition, the radial distance of the markers from the antenna was measured at the end of each ablation. Subsequently, the tissue was sliced parallel to the imaged planes and the ablation zone was traced and digitized. The average ablation radius was then computed and compared to the radial distance.

Results:

The planar strain, Ω(t), profile demonstrated an ascending pattern until reaching a maximum at about 180 s, with a mean peak value (Ω = 1.31 ± 0.04) indicating tissue expansion. Thereafter, Ω progressively declined over the remaining duration of the ablation treatment, indicating tissue contraction. Furthermore, when plotting the ablation size vs time and the markers’ mean radial distance vs time, it was found that the two curves intercepted at a time corresponding to the time of peak planar strain.

Conclusions:

By detecting the point of maximal planar strain in tissues during MW application, it is possible to noninvasively identify the location of the ablation zone front. The fact that the liver tissue proximal to the ablated zone expands during the first part of the treatment and then contracts when the ablation front reaches it, may serve as an index for monitoring the thermal treatment.
The Inverted Snow Globe Shadow
Authors: Ribeiro Jair Lúcio Prados
Published: December 2014

Our high school optics course finishes with an assignment that students usually appreciate. They must take pictures of everyday situations representing optical phenomena such as reflection, refraction, or dispersion, and post them on Instagram.1 When the photos were presented to the class, one student revealed an intriguing photo, similar to Fig. 1, showing a snow globe exposed to sunlight and its inverted shadow. This paper offers an explanation of the problem, which occurs due to light refraction from the globe.
Bullet-Block Science Video Puzzle
Authors: Shakur Asif
Published: December 2014

A science video blog,1 which has gone viral, shows a wooden block shot by a vertically aimed rifle. The video2 shows that the block hit dead center goes exactly as high as the one shot off-center. (Fig. 1). The puzzle is that the block shot off-center carries rotational kinetic energy in addition to the gravitational potential energy. This leads a majority of the bloggers to claim that the block shot off-center should not go as high as the one shot dead center. Others have claimed that the energy tied up as rotational energy is insignificant and the two blocks should rise to the same height within experimental error.
Using “Flatland 2: Sphereland” to Help Teach Motion and Multiple Dimensions
Authors: Caplan Seth , Johnson Dano , Vondracek Mark
Published: December 2014

The 1884 book Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions,1 written by Edwin Abbott, has captured the interest of numerous generations, and has also been used in schools to help students learn and think about the concept of dimension in a creative, fun way. In 2007, a film was released called “Flatland: The Movie,”2 and over one million students have watched it worldwide, primarily in mathematics classes. Since then, a sequel to the “Flatland” movie was released in 2012, entitled “Flatland 2: Sphereland.”3 A primary goal of this sequel is to expand the use of the movie beyond mathematics classes and into physics classes because a central premise to “Sphereland” is the notion of warped space. This latest movie provides an engaging and interesting visual way for students to think about both dimension and motion through warped space. In addition, basic motion concepts such as speed and acceleration can be studied by students in introductory physics classes, for instance, by using frame-by-frame analysis of various scenes in the movie.
Discovery of Hubble's Law as a Series of Type III Errors
Authors: Belenkiy Ari
Published: December 2014

Recently much attention has been paid to the history of the discovery of Hubble's law—the linear relation between the rate of recession of the remote galaxies and distance to them from Earth. Though historians of cosmology now mention several names associated with this law instead of just one, the motivation of each actor of that remarkable story still remains somewhat obscure and is addressed here.
The Simplest Demonstration on Acoustic Beats
Authors: Ganci Alessio , Ganci Salvatore
Published: December 2014

The classical demonstration experiment on acoustic beats using two signal generators and a dual trace oscilloscope is an important ingredient in teaching the subject.1 This short laboratory note aims to point out what may be the simplest demonstrative experiment on acoustic beats to carry out in a classroom without employing any lab apparatus.
Charged Particle Dynamics in the Magnetic Field of a Long Straight Current-Carrying Wire
Authors: Prentice A. , Fatuzzo M. , Toepker T.
Published: December 2014

By describing the motion of a charged particle in the well-known nonuniform field of a current-carrying long straight wire, a variety of teaching/learning opportunities are described. Brief review of a standard problemVector analysisDimensionless variablesCoupled differential equationsNumerical solutions
Stationary waves in tubes and the speed of sound
Authors: Kasper Lutz , Vogt Patrik , Strohmeyer Christine
Published: December 2014

The opportunity to plot oscillograms and frequency spectra with smartphones creates many options for experiments in acoustics, including several that have been described in this column.1–3 The activities presented in this paper are intended to complement these applications, and include an approach to determine sound velocity in air by using standard drain pipes4 and an outline of an investigation of the temperature dependency of the speed of sound.
Doppler dart demo
Authors: Marry Stephanie
Published: December 2014

During last summer at Barrington High School, I taught a course in a summer bridge program designed to prepare students for physics. As an element of the course, students were asked to design a quantitative lab relating to something they enjoyed doing outside of school. The project required students to collect data, observe the effects of changing one variable, and present their conclusions. One group of students chose to determine the best method for completing timed paintball target practice courses. They wanted to see how firing a paint gun while moving toward and away from the target would affect the time required to complete the course. To answer these questions they decided to employ two automatic 18-dart Nerf® guns and a skateboard. Two experiments were performed, one with the student firing the dart gun while riding the skateboard toward the target and one with him firing the dart gun while riding the skateboard away from the target (Fig. 1). (Note: Teachers should inform their school administrators of their intent to use toy guns in class.)
Post Hoc
Analysis of the PATRICIA Randomized Trial of the Efficacy of Human Papillomavirus Type 16 (HPV-16)/HPV-18 AS04-Adjuvanted Vaccine against Incident and Persistent Infection with Nonvaccine Oncogenic HPV Types Using an Alternative Multiplex Type-Specific PCR Assay for HPV DNA
Authors: Struyf Frank , Colau Brigitte , Wheeler Cosette M. , Naud Paulo , Garland Suzanne , Quint Wim , Chow Song-Nan , Salmerón Jorge , Lehtinen Matti , Del Rosario-Raymundo M. Rowena , Paavonen Jorma , Teixeira Júlio C. , Germar Maria Julieta , Peters Klaus , Skinner S. Rachel , Limson Genara , Castellsagué Xavier , Poppe Willy A. J. , Ramjattan Brian , Klein Terry D. , Schwarz Tino F. , Chatterjee Archana , Tjalma Wiebren A. A. , Diaz-Mitoma Francisco , Lewis David J. M. , Harper Diane M. , Molijn Anco , van Doorn Leen-Jan , David Marie-Pierre , Dubin Gary
Published: December 2014

The efficacy of the human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16)/HPV-18 AS04-adjuvanted vaccine against cervical infections with HPV in the
Pa
pilloma
Tri
al against
C
ancer
i
n Young
A
dults (PATRICIA) was evaluated using a combination of the broad-spectrum L1-based SPF
10
PCR-DNA enzyme immunoassay (DEIA)/line probe assay (LiPA
25
) system with type-specific PCRs for HPV-16 and -18. Broad-spectrum PCR assays may underestimate the presence of HPV genotypes present at relatively low concentrations in multiple infections, due to competition between genotypes. Therefore, samples were retrospectively reanalyzed using a testing algorithm incorporating the SPF
10
PCR-DEIA/LiPA
25
plus a novel E6-based multiplex type-specific PCR and reverse hybridization assay (MPTS12 RHA), which permits detection of a panel of nine oncogenic HPV genotypes (types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 45, 52, 58, and 59). For the vaccine against HPV types 16 and 18, there was no major impact on estimates of vaccine efficacy (VE) for incident or 6-month or 12-month persistent infections when the MPTS12 RHA was included in the testing algorithm versus estimates with the protocol-specified algorithm. However, the alternative testing algorithm showed greater sensitivity than the protocol-specified algorithm for detection of some nonvaccine oncogenic HPV types. More cases were gained in the control group than in the vaccine group, leading to higher point estimates of VE for 6-month and 12-month persistent infections for the nonvaccine oncogenic types included in the MPTS12 RHA assay (types 31, 33, 35, 45, 52, 58, and 59). This
post hoc
analysis indicates that the per-protocol testing algorithm used in PATRICIA underestimated the VE against some nonvaccine oncogenic HPV types and that the choice of the HPV DNA testing methodology is important for the evaluation of VE in clinical trials. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT00122681.)
Experimental Human Infection with Norwalk Virus Elicits a Surrogate Neutralizing Antibody Response with Cross-Genogroup Activity
Authors: Czakó Rita , Atmar Robert L. , Opekun Antone R. , Gilger Mark A. , Graham David Y. , Estes Mary K.
Published: December 2014

The human noroviruses (NoVs) are genetically diverse, rapidly evolving RNA viruses and are the major cause of epidemic gastroenteritis of humans. Serum antibodies that block the interaction of NoVs and NoV viruslike particles (VLPs) with host attachment factors are considered surrogate neutralizing antibodies in the absence of cell culture and small-animal replication models for the human NoVs. A serological assay for NoV-blocking antibodies was used to assess the breadth of the heterotypic antibody response in the context of an experimental challenge study with a human NoV. Heterotypic histo-blood group antigen (HBGA)-blocking activity against GI.4, GI.7, and GII.4 NoVs increased significantly in the serum of individuals (n= 18) infected with Norwalk virus (GI.1). Although the fold increases and peak titers of heterotypic antibody were more modest than titers of antibody reactive with the challenge antigen, Norwalk virus infection elicited a serological rise even against the novel Sydney variant of GII.4 NoVs. These observations indicate that the development of a broadly cross-protective NoV vaccine containing a limited number of genotypes may be possible.
An Inactivated Ross River Virus Vaccine Is Well Tolerated and Immunogenic in an Adult Population in a Randomized Phase 3 Trial
Authors: Wressnigg Nina , van der Velden Maikel V. W. , Portsmouth Daniel , Draxler Wolfgang , O'Rourke Maria , Richmond Peter , Hall Stephen , McBride William J. H. , Redfern Andrew , Aaskov John , Barrett P. Noel , Aichinger Gerald
Published: December 2014

Ross River virus (RRV) is endemic in Australia and several South Pacific Islands. More than 90,000 cases of RRV disease, which is characterized by debilitating polyarthritis, were reported in Australia in the last 20 years. There is no vaccine available to prevent RRV disease. A phase 3 study was undertaken at 17 sites in Australia to investigate the safety and immunogenicity of an inactivated whole-virus Vero cell culture-derived RRV vaccine in 1,755 healthy younger adults aged 16 to 59 years and 209 healthy older adults aged ≥60 years. Participants received a 2.5-μg dose of Al(OH)3-adjuvanted RRV vaccine, with a second and third dose after 3 weeks and 6 months, respectively. Vaccine-induced RRV-specific neutralizing and total IgG antibody titers were measured after each immunization. Vaccine safety was monitored over the entire study period. The vaccine was safe and well-tolerated after each vaccination. No cases of arthritis resembling RRV disease were reported. The most frequently reported systemic reactions were headache, fatigue, and malaise; the most frequently reported injection site reactions were tenderness and pain. After the third immunization, 91.5% of the younger age group and 76.0% of the older age group achieved neutralizing antibody titers of ≥1:10; 89.1% of the younger age group and 70.9% of the older age group achieved enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) titers of ≥11 PanBio units. A whole-virus Vero cell culture-derived RRV vaccine is well tolerated in an adult population and induces antibody titers associated with protection from RRV disease in the majority of individuals. (This study is registered atwww.clinicaltrials.govunder registration no. NCT01242670.)
Survey of Immunological Features of the Alpha-Like Proteins of Streptococcus agalactiae
Authors: Maeland Johan A. , Afset Jan E. , Lyng Randi V. , Radtke Andreas
Published: December 2014

Nearly allStreptococcus agalactiae(group B streptococcus [GBS]) strains express a protein which belongs to the so-called alpha-like proteins (Alps), of which Cα, Alp1, Alp2, Alp3, Rib, and Alp4 are known to occur in GBS. The Alps are chimeras which form mosaic structures on the GBS surface. Both N- and C-terminal stretches of the Alps possess immunogenic sites of dissimilar immunological specificity. In this review, we have compiled data dealing with the specificity of the N- and C-terminal immunogenic sites of the Alps. The majority of N-terminal sites show protein specificity while the C-terminal sites show broader cross-reactivity. Molecular serotyping has revealed that antibody-based serotyping has often resulted in erroneous Alp identification, due to persistence of cross-reacting antibodies in antisera for serotyping. Retrospectively, this could be expected on the basis of sequence analysis results. Some of the historical R proteins are in fact Alps. The data included in the review may provide a basis for decisions regarding techniques for the preparation of specific antisera for serotyping of GBS, for use in other approaches in GBS research, and for decision making in the context of GBS vaccine developments.