bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A review of the potential risks associated with chemicals present in poured-in-place rubber surfacing
Authors: Janes Courtney , Rodriguez Ludmilla , Kelly Chris , White Theron , Beegan Chad
Published: March 2018

Poured-in-place (PIP) rubber surface systems are becoming a popular material for playground and play area surfaces due to their customizability, durability, and impact protection. The material is constructed from crumb rubber, which is made from recycled tires as well as synthetic components and other additives, such as a binding agent. Several government agencies and nongovernmental organizations have commissioned studies and status reports to identify possible health risks related to exposure to the chemical hazards present in PIP surface materials. Various routes of exposure were considered such as inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact. After a review of the available literature addressing potential chemical hazards of PIP surfaces, no health risks were noted. Some information gaps, such as limited experimental data specific to PIP surface systems, were identified at the time of the review.
Gilles Deleuze: Becoming Alcoholic, Becoming Addict, Becoming Imperceptible
Authors: Baranova Jūratė
Published: March 2018

In the article an attempt is made to reconstruct alcoholic and drug abdiction lines of flight relying on Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari’s reflections and some Lithuanian writers’ insights by asking the question what are the peculiarities of this line looking from the perspective of everyday economy. The author notices that Deleuze connects the everyday regime of an alcoholic style of life with the concepts of limit and threshold, the paradigm of disenchántedness and becoming imperceptible. On the other side, he discerns alcoholism as a social style of life preferred by creative personalities, relying on the mode of life examples of some American creators, John Ford (1894–1973), Jack London (1876–1916), and Francis Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940). Thirdly, the author in this article notices that by connecting the drug users line of flight with the molecular becoming and taking the examples of Henri Michaux (1899–1984) and Antonin Artaud (1896–1948) experiences Deleuze and Guattari discover the paradoxical sticking of this line of flight to the spiral moving not upwards but downwards. In the article the rhetorical question is asked: is it possible that Deleuze and Guattari wax lyrical these destructive modes of life as creative lines of flight? Nevertheless, the final conclusion is that after making the attempt to discover the inner framework of such possible styles of life, Deleuze and Guattari come to the conclusion that the best intoxication is abstinence, and the topmost level of intoxication is reached by pure water.
Gerald R. McDermott. Israel Matters: Why Christians Must Think Differently about the People and the Land
Authors: Moses Jay
Published: March 2018

No abstract is available.
Module 2: Editorial Workflow Overview
Authors: Stranack Kevin , Frederiksen Niels Erik
Published: March 2018

Introduction to the workflow
Retour réflexif sur un cheminement
Authors: Loiseau Dominique
Published: March 2018

L’article est un retour réflexif sur le cheminement d’une chercheuse travaillant sur les rapports sociaux de sexe et le mouvement ouvrier, en histoire et en sociologie : réflexion sur l’évolution de ses supports de recherche (rapport aux sources orales, à l’image), sur les outils facilitant une transmission, sur la confrontation à de nouveaux langages pour rendre compte de la recherche, sur de nouvelles pratiques pour sortir de l’entre-soi universitaire, s’enrichir des réactions d’un public qui a été – ou pas – partie prenante de l’étude.

Et, en amont, faciliter la production d’une réflexion par les personnes enquêtées, pour qu’elles deviennent, dans une certaine mesure, sujets et pas seulement objets, s’approprient la démarche et participent, par exemple, à l’élaboration du contenu d’un texte théâtral sur la thématique des stéréotypes sexués.

En transversal, la question de la posture de la chercheuse, du rapport entre connivence, empathie et altérité.
Quelle sociologie relationnelle? Une perspective non relationniste
Authors: Donati Pierpaolo
Published: March 2018

Dans cet article, l’auteur présente sa version originale d’une sociologie relationnelle, laquelle repose sur un réalisme critique, qu’on appelle aussi « théorie relationnelle de la société ». Elle partage avec d’autres versions de la sociologie relationnelle l’objectif de comprendre les faits sociaux en tant qu’entités constituées relationnellement. Mais elle diffère des versions constructivistes radicales (ici nommées sociologies relationnistes) par la façon dont les relations sociales sont définies, les voies par lesquelles elles sont générées et elles changent (morphogénèse sociale), et la manière dont elles configurent les formations sociales. L’article met au clair les avantages qu’offre cette perspective originale pour l’explication des phénomènes sociaux émergents. En particulier, montre-t-il, cette perspective peut orienter la recherche sociale vers des réalités invisibles ou immatérielles. Empiriquement, elle peut montrer comment des formes sociales nouvelles sont créées, comment elles changent ou comment elles se détruisent en fonction de divers processus de valorisation ou de dévalorisation des relations sociales. Ultimement, cette approche offre la possibilité de mettre en lumière des processus relationnels qui peuvent permettre aux agents sociaux humains de mieux se réaliser et leur donner, en tant que sujets relationnels, l’occasion d’accéder au bien-vivre.
Climatic niche contraction, habitat restoration opportunities, and conservation biogeography in California's San Joaquin Desert
Authors: Stewart Joseph AE , Butterfield H Scott , Richmond Jonathan Q , Germano David J , Westphal Michael F , Tennant Erin N , Sinervo Barry
Published: March 2018

Aim: Habitat loss has been the greatest historical driver of species extinctions. A recent global trend toward retirement of marginally productive agricultural lands presents opportunities to reclaim critical habitat for endangered species. We examine habitat restoration opportunities in the context of historical sources of habitat loss, including agriculture, development, habitat fragmentation, and invasive-species-mediated climatic niche contraction.

Location: California’s San Joaquin Desert (SJD) is one of the world’s most agriculturally productive landscapes. Fragments of remnant habitat serve as habitat for 34 threatened and endangered species. Retirement of agricultural land in the SJD is being driven by climate change, groundwater salinization, and historical groundwater overdraft—even as unmitigated loss of virgin habitat continues.

Methods: To promote efficient habitat protection and restoration, we conducted a quantitative assessment of habitat suitability, habitat loss, climatic niche stability, projected effects of climate change, and reintroduction opportunities for an umbrella species, the endangered blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila).

Results: Analyses indicate that G. sila habitat overlaps with occurrence records for 128 vulnerable species and that its habitat is broadly representative of the habitat of other vulnerable species in the SJD. We document an apparent climatic niche contraction for G. sila and associated range contraction away from more mesic margins of the historical distribution, apparently driven by introduction of exotic grasses and forbs. We use habitat suitability models, in conjunction with modern and historical land use maps, to estimate historical and modern rate of habitat loss to development and fragmentation. We use NASA fallowed area maps to identify 610 km2 of fallowed or retired agricultural land with high potential to be restored as habitat. We discuss conservation strategies in light of anticipated climate change and potential for habitat restoration.

Main Conclusions: In the midst of multiple sources of historical and ongoing habitat loss, farmland retirement presents an opportunity to recover large amounts of endangered species habitat.
Vulnerability of marine forests to temperature and UV radiation: effects on the recruits
Authors: Verges Alba , de Caralt Sonia , Verdura Jana , Santamaria Jorge , Ballesteros Enric , Cebrian Emma
Published: March 2018

Macroalgal forests provide essential ecosystem services and are home for a wide variety of organisms. The genus Cystoseira includes several species, each being dominant in a determined range of environmental variables. Most Cystoseira species are Mediterranean endemisms, and show clear signs of regression across all their distribution range. Even if these regressions are well known, the ultimate drivers are still not clearly understood. Here we explore experimentally how climate change affects two Cystoseira species adapted to contrasting hydrodynamic regimes: exposed (C. mediterranea) and sheltered (C. crinita). Viability of Cystoseira populations strongly rely on their recruitment. We focus in the recruitment survival of both species, at normal (21ºC to 25ºC) and high temperatures (28ºC), and at increased rates of UV radiation (PAR and PAR+UVA+UVB). Results show that normal temperatures did not affect Cystoseira recruitment, whereas unusual high temperatures (28ºC) lead to the death of settlers of both species. In contrast, UVA-UVB radiation showed a cumulative impact on the recruitment survival, strongly impairing the development of recruits growing at all temperature conditions. Our results are the first experimental evidences of climate strongly compromising the viability of Cystoseira forests.
Estimating intraspecific genetic diversity from community DNA metabarcoding data
Authors: Elbrecht Vasco , Vamos Ecaterina Edith , Steinke Dirk , Leese Florian
Published: March 2018

Background. DNA metabarcoding is used to generate species composition data for entire communities. However, sequencing errors in high throughput sequencing instruments are fairly common, usually requiring reads to be clustered into operational taxonomic units (OTU), losing information on intraspecific diversity in the process. While COI haplotype information is limited in resolution, it is nevertheless useful in a phylogeographic context, helping to formulate hypothesis on taxon dispersal.

Methods. This study combines sequence denoising strategies, normally applied in microbial research, with additional abundance-based filtering to extract haplotypes from freshwater macroinvertebrate metabarcoding data sets. This novel approach was added to the R package "JAMP" and can be applied to Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) amplicon datasets. We tested our haplotyping method by sequencing i) a single-species mock community composed of 31 individuals with different haplotypes spanning three orders of magnitude in biomass and ii) 18 monitoring samples each amplified with four different primer sets and two PCR replicates.

Results. We detected all 15 haplotypes of the single specimens in the mock community with relaxed filtering and denoising settings. However, up to 480 additional unexpected haplotypes remained in both replicates. Rigorous filtering removes most unexpected haplotypes, but also can discard expected haplotypes mainly from the small specimens. In the monitoring samples, the different primer sets detected 177 - 200 OTUs, each containing an average of 2.40 to 3.30 haplotypes per OTU. Population structures were consistent between replicates, and similar between primer pairs, depending on the primer length. A closer look at abundant taxa in the data set revealed various population genetic patterns, e.g. Taeniopteryx nebulosa and Hydropsyche pellucidula with a difference in north-south haplotype distribution, while Oulimnius tuberculatus and Asellus aquaticus display no clear population pattern but differ in genetic diversity.

Discussion. We developed a strategy to infer intraspecific genetic diversity from bulk invertebrate monitoring samples using metabarcoding data. It needs to be stressed that at this point metabarcoding-informed haplotyping is not capable of capture the full diversity present in such samples, due to variation in specimen size, primer bias and loss of sequence variants with low abundance. Nevertheless, for a high number of species intraspecific diversity was recovered, identifying potentially isolated populations and potential taxa for further more detailed phylogeographic investigation. While we are currently lacking large-scale metabarcoding data sets to fully take advantage of our new approach, metabarcoding-informed haplotyping holds great promise for biomonitoring efforts that not only seek information about biological diversity but also underlying genetic diversity.
Nonvolatile Memory Device Based on Bipolar and Unipolar Resistive Switching in Bio‐Organic Aloe Polysaccharides Thin Film
Authors: Lim Zhe Xi , Cheong Kuan Yew
Published: March 2018

Growing environmental awareness has prompted a paradigm shift toward using green materials for various electronic applications. Bio‐organic materials are promising candidates attributable to their inherent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and environmental friendliness. Here, a nonvolatile memory device based on resistive switching in a bio‐organic polysaccharides film is presented. The polysaccharides are extracted from natural Aloe vera gel using facile alcohol precipitation. Optimal film deposition is achieved through spin‐coating followed by drying at 120 °C, which is higher than the usual processing temperature of commercial Aloe vera gel. Both bipolar and unipolar resistive switching can be induced in the polysaccharides film depending on the top electrode of the device. A comprehensive elucidation of the switching mechanism reveals the existence of various conduction processes that are electronic, electrochemical, and thermochemical in nature resulting in the unique resistive switching behaviors. The device is capable of delivering competitive performances, featuring wide read memory windows and large ON/OFF ratios that render it with potential as a next‐generation nonvolatile memory. The demonstration represents an important milestone toward the realization of green electronics.
Integration of the nasal complex: Implications for developmental and evolutionary change in modern humans
Authors: Holton Nathan E. , Piche Amanda , Yokley Todd R.
Published: March 2018

Objectives

Assessing the strength of integration among different regions of the modern human nasal complex is important for developing a more thorough understanding of the determinants of nasal morphology. Given the morphogenetic influence of cartilage on adjacent intramembranous growth sites, the interaction between chondrocranial‐ versus intramembranous‐derived nasal structures may have a significant influence on patterns of nasal variation. The purpose of this study is to examine integration between the chondrocranial‐ and intramembranous‐derived regions of the nasal complex.

Materials and methods

Using computed tomograph (CT) scans, we collected three‐dimensional coordinate landmark data from a static adult sample (n = 62). First, using centroid size, and the symmetric and asymmetric components of shape variation, we examined the strength of integration between landmarks representing chondrocranial‐derived structures (e.g., ethmoid, external nasal cartilages) and landmarks representing intramembranous‐derived structures (nasal floor, anterior nasal aperture, etc.). Second, given that the strength of integration is a relative measure, we compared integration between chondrocranial‐ and intramembranous‐derived structures to the more modularized external and internal regions of the nasal complex.

Results

There was significant moderate morphological integration between chondrocranial‐ versus intramembranous‐derived regions of the nasal complex. Moreover, integration between chondrocranial‐ versus intramembranous‐derived structures was consistently stronger when compared to external versus internal regions for both the symmetric and asymmetric components of variation. Thus, more covariation within the nasal complex could be explained by the relationship between chondrocranial‐ and intramembranous‐derived structures.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the interaction between chondrocranial‐ and intramembranous‐derived structures may be an important determinant in the patterning of nasal complex variation.
Selective versus universal third trimester ultrasound: Time for a rethink? An audit of current practices at a metropolitan Sydney hospital
Authors: King Kristina , Foo Jinny , Hazelton Kirsty , Henry Amanda
Published: March 2018

Introduction

Routine third‐trimester ultrasound (T3US) is not recommended in evidence‐based clinical guidelines despite occurring frequently. This study investigated the incidence, indication for, results and follow‐up needs of T3US performed at a Sydney metropolitan teaching hospital.

Methods

Audit of T3US amongst singleton pregnancies at St George Hospital, Sydney: retrospective review October–December 2012, prospective cohort with clinician survey February–April 2013. Data included are as follows: maternal demographics, aneuploidy screening results, T3US ordering patterns, results, follow‐up management and pregnancy outcomes. Comparison of demographic characteristics and pregnancy outcomes was performed for women undergoing T3US vs. no T3US.

Results

One thousand and thirty‐five women (623 retrospective, 412 prospective) were included, of whom 560 (54%) received at least one T3US. Characteristics of retrospective and prospective cohorts were similar, so combined data are presented. Most initial T3USs were for valid indications (463 of 560; 83%), most frequently low‐lying placenta at morphology (19%), reduced fundal height (10%) and to follow‐up fetal concerns at morphology ultrasound (9%). One hundred and sixty‐two out of 560 (29%) of initial T3US were not normal, predominantly related to accelerated or reduced fetal growth. Detection of SGA babies was significantly higher in the T3US group (32% SGA babies detected vs. 0% if no T3US, P < 0.001). However, overall detection rates remained low, with 5.2% and 3.0% of babies who had a T3US unexpectedly <10th and <3rd centile birthweight, respectively.

Discussion/Conclusion

The majority of women received at least one, usually indicated, T3US in routine practice at our metropolitan Sydney hospital. This may impact obstetric care, resource allocation and patient well‐being. Detection of small for gestational age fetuses was poor.
Multistate Photoswitches: Macrocyclic Dihydroazulene/Azobenzene Conjugates
Authors: Vlasceanu Alexandru , Koerstz Mads , Skov Anders B. , Mikkelsen Kurt V. , Nielsen Mogens Brøndsted
Published: March 2018

Molecules comprised of three covalently linked bi‐stable switches can exist in states described by a combination of binary numbers, one for each individual switch: ⟨000⟩, ⟨001⟩, etc. Here we have linked three photo‐/thermoswitches together in a rigid macrocyclic structure, one azobenzene (bit no 1) and two dihydroazulenes (DHAs; bits no 2 and 3) and demonstrate how electronic interactions and unfavorable strain in some states can be used to control the speed by which a certain state is reached. More specifically, upon irradiation of state ⟨000⟩, the AZB isomerizes fromtranstocisand the two DHAs to vinylheptafulvenes (VHFs), generating ⟨111⟩. The thermal VHF‐to‐DHA back‐reactions from this state also occur stepwise and can be accelerated by photo‐induced AZBcis‐to‐transconversion, proceeding via ⟨011⟩ to ultimately furnish ⟨000⟩. Overall, the accessibility to a specific state of one bit was found to depend on the states of its neighboring bits.
Graphen: das Kathodenmaterial der Wahl für Aluminiumionenbatterien
Authors: Das Shyamal K.
Published: March 2018

Die Kombination aus einer Aluminiumanode und einer Kathode mit hoher Energie‐ und Leistungsdichte repräsentiert die Zukunft der Aluminiumionenbatterietechnik. Entscheidend ist dabei die Frage nach dem geeigneten Kathodenmaterial für die Speicherung einer ausreichenden Menge trivalenter Aluminiumionen bei einem relativ hohen Betriebspotential. Diese Anforderungen erfüllt Graphen, das erst seit drei Jahren in Bezug auf Aluminiumionenbatterien untersucht wird und den anderen Kathodenmaterialien durch seine außerordentliche Energiedichte, Leistungsdichte, Lebensdauer, thermische Stabilität, Betriebssicherheit und Flexibilität überlegen ist. Deshalb steht die Al‐Graphen‐Kombination vor einer großen Zukunft. Dieser Kurzaufsatz beschäftigt sich mit dem Einsatz von Graphen als Kathodenmaterial für Aluminium‐Ionen‐Batterien mit Chloraluminat‐Elektrolyten. Außerdem wird der Mechanismus der Ladungsspeicherung im Graphen diskutiert.
Graphene: A Cathode Material of Choice for Aluminum‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Das Shyamal K.
Published: March 2018

The pairing of an aluminum anode with a cathode of high energy and power density determines the future of aluminum‐ion battery technology. The question is—“Is there any suitable cathode material which is capable of storing sufficiently large amount of trivalent aluminum‐ions at relatively higher operating potential?”. Graphene emerges to be a fitting answer. Graphene emerged in the research arena of aluminum‐ion battery merely three years ago. However, research progress in this front has since been tremendous. Outperforming all other known cathode materials, several remarkable breakthroughs have been made with graphene, in offering extraordinary energy density, power density, cycle life, thermal stability, safety and flexibility. The future of the Al–graphene couple is indeed bright. This Minireview highlights the electrochemical performances, advantages and challenges of using graphene as the cathode in aluminum‐ion batteries in conjugation with chloroaluminate based electrolytes. Additionally, the complex mechanism of charge storage in graphene is also elaborated.
Linear Generalized Synchronization of Spatial Chaotic Systems
Authors: Hai Quan , Liu Shutang , Hu Changquan
Published: March 2018

This paper is devoted to study the generalized synchronization of spatial chaotic systems by applying linear coupling. Based on the stability of the fixed point of a plane system, we obtain the stable domain of the space plane. According to the stable domain of the space plane, the stable domain of the coupling strength for the linear generalized synchronization of the spatial chaotic systems is determined. Moreover, the relationship between the stable fixed plane and the synchronization of the spatial chaos system is also analyzed. Finally, an example is presented to validate the scheme and the analysis.
N‐rich Porous Organic Polymer as Heterogeneous Organocatalyst for the One‐Pot Synthesis of Polyhydroquinoline Derivatives through the Hantzsch Condensation Reaction
Authors: Das Sabuj Kanti , Mondal Sujan , Chatterjee Sauvik , Bhaumik Asim
Published: March 2018

Incorporation of nitrogen functionality onto the high surface area porous polymeric network are very demanding in designing suitable heterogeneous organocatalyst having surface basicity. Here we report the synthesis of a new N‐rich triazine based microporous organic polymer (TrzMOP) through a simple and efficient condensation pathway involving the reaction between 1,4‐bis(4,6‐diamino‐s‐triazin‐2‐yl)‐benzene (SL‐1) and 2,5‐thiophene dicarboxaldehyde. The material has been characterized by using powder XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, solid state magic‐angle spinning 13C NMR, CHN analysis, FESEM, HRTEM, CO2‐TPD and N2 adsorption/desorption techniques. This nitrogen‐rich new porous organic polymer showed very high catalytic efficiency for one‐pot proficient synthesis of polyhydroquinoline derivatives via microwave assisted condensation reaction. As little as 8 mg of catalyst was found to be effective under the optimum reaction conditions. In addition, TrzMOP catalyzed synthesis of biologically active polyhydroquinoline derivatives are very cost effective, scalable, less time consuming, and environmentally benign compared to those of currently used as heterogeneous catalysts.
A [4+2] Condensation Strategy to Imine‐Linked Single‐Crystalline Zeolite‐Like Zinc Phosphate Frameworks
Authors: Jangir Ritambhara , Kalita Alok Ch. , Kaleeswaran Dhananjayan , Gupta Sandeep K. , Murugavel Ramaswamy
Published: March 2018

Double‐4‐ring zinc phosphate (D4R), [Zn(dipp)(4‐Py‐CHO)]4 (2) (dipp=diiminopyridine), bearing four formyl groups, has been utilized as a building block (SBU) for the synthesis of a new class of imine‐linked [4+2] COF‐like polycrystalline zinc phosphate frameworks. Reactions of 2 with a series of linear aromatic diamines results in the formation of polycrystalline frameworks [Zn4(dipp)4(L)2]n (3–6) (L=L1 to L4, diimines formed by condensation of 4‐pyridine carboxaldehyde with diamines). Employing an alternative synthetic strategy, through a diffusion‐controlled slow reaction of 2 with the pre‐synthesized 4,4‘‐bispyridyl bisimine (L3), [Zn4(dipp)4(L3)2]n (5′) has been obtained as single crystals. Complex 5′ is a 3D‐framework, exhibiting a rare eightfold interpenetrated diamondoid network. The long spacer length (19.6 Å) results in extensive entanglement in 5′. Powder diffraction data suggest that these compounds are isoreticular 3D‐frameworks. To study the effect of the relative position of pyridyl donors with respect to the central benzidine moiety, 3,3‘‐bispyridyl bisimine (L5) was investigated as the spacer. A slow reaction of 1 b with L5 leads to the isolation of a 2D‐boxed‐sheet coordination polymer [Zn4(dipp)4(L5)2]n (7). Selective formation of 3D‐framework 5′ from L3 and the 2D‐framework 7 from L5 is due to the angles created by the coordination of para‐ and meta‐pyridyl nitrogen centers at the zinc centers of the D4R cubane. Compound 5′ has been utilized as a catalyst for Knoevenagel condensation.
The First Silicon(IV) Corrole Complexes: Synthesis, Structures, Properties, and Formation of a μ‐Oxo Dimer
Authors: Ueta Kento , Fukuda Masaya , Kim Gakhyun , Shimizu Soji , Tanaka Takayuki , Kim Dongho , Osuka Atsuhiro
Published: March 2018

The first SiIV corrole complexes were synthesized in good yields by treatment of meso‐triarylcorroles with tetrachlorosilane in 1,2‐dichloroethane at 60 °C. The central silicon atom possesses a square‐pyramidal coordination geometry with slightly longer Si−N bond lengths as compared with those of known triazacorrole SiIV complexes. The SiIV corrole complexes exhibit sharp and blue‐shifted absorption spectra and larger fluorescence quantum yields as compared with the corresponding free‐base corroles. A μ‐oxo dimer of a SiIV corrole was synthesized upon treatment with methanesulfonyl chloride in pyridine at 100 °C. This dimer shows a face‐to‐face structure with a 90° twist in the solid state. Although the dimer exhibits a blue‐shifted Soret band, reflecting the face‐to‐face geometry, it displays a largely red‐shifted and broad fluorescence spectrum with a large Stokes shift, suggesting a large structural change in the S1 state. These intriguing optical properties have been comprehensively studied by magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy, femtosecond transient absorption (fs‐TA) measurements, and theoretical calculations.
Branched Fatty Acyl Esters of Hydroxyl Fatty Acids (FAHFAs), Appealing Beneficial Endogenous Fat against Obesity and Type‐2 Diabetes
Authors: Balas Laurence , Feillet‐Coudray Christine , Durand Thierry
Published: March 2018

After a brief overview of the biological significance of FAHFAs, the present Minireview highlights the different strategies developed for their chemical syntheses. The term “FAHFAs” has been introduced in 2014 for fatty acyl esters of hydroxyl fatty acids, found in adipocytes, with antidiabetic properties. However, many other natural products contain this type of branched lipids in their structure. This review was then extended to the synthesis of these subunits, even though the length of the lipid chains and the location of the ester linkages are different, since the developed strategies may be applied to the synthesis of “FAHFA”.
Association between lifetime risk of atrial fibrillation and mortality in the oldest old
Authors: Kheirbek Raya Elfadel , Fokar Ali , Moore Hans J. , Shara Nawar , Doukky Rami , Fletcher Ross D.
Published: March 2018

Background

Age is the strongest predictor of atrial fibrillation (AF), yet little is known about AF incidence in the oldest old.

Hypothesis

AF incidence declines after age 90 years, and morbidity is compressed into a brief period at the end of life.

Methods

In this retrospective, longitudinal cohort study of patients (born 1905–1935), we examined cumulative lifetime incidence of AF and its impact on mortality. Data included records from 1 062 610 octogenarians, 317 161 nonagenarians, and 3572 centenarians. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to estimate cumulative incidence of AF by age group, incidence rates were compared using log‐rank tests, and Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate unadjusted hazard ratios. The primary outcome was AF incidence at age > 80 years; the secondary outcome was mortality.

Results

The cumulative AF incidence rate was 5.0% in octogenarians, 5.4% in nonagenarians, and 2.3% in centenarians. Octogenarians and nonagenarians had a higher risk of AF incidence compared to centenarians (adjusted hazard ratio 8.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.31–12.04; and 2.98, 95% CI: 2.17–4.1, respectively). The lowest hazard ratio for mortality in patients with AF compared to those without was 2.3 (95% CI: 2.3–2.4) in patients who were on antiplatelet and anticoagulant medication and had a score of 0 on the Elixhauser comorbidity index score.

Conclusions

Although AF incidence increased with age, being a centenarian was associated with reduced incidence and compression of morbidity. Patients with AF had a higher adjusted mortality rate. However, data suggest that a regimen of anticoagulants and antiplatelets may reduce risk of mortality in patients over 80 with an AF diagnosis.
Color stability of denture shade tabs is affected by exposure to daylight and decontamination protocols
Authors: Soares Eduardo José , Tonani Rafaella , Contente Marta Maria Martins Giamatei , Arruda Carolina Noronha Ferraz , Pires‐de‐Souza Fernanda de Carvalho Panzeri
Published: March 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of light exposure and decontamination protocols on the color stability of denture shade guide tabs. Fifty tabs for shades 62, 66, and 69 (Biotone IPN, Dentsply Sirona) were submitted to baseline L*a*b* measurements (EasyShade, Vita), separated into 5 experimental groups (n = 10), and subjected to one of the following conditions: G1–distilled water (DW‐H2O)–control; G2 −70% alcohol; G3–sodium hypochlorite 1% (NaClO); G4–no light exposure; G5–natural light exposure for 6 months. The experimental conditions were designed to simulate 6 months of clinical use. After the test period, final color measurements were recorded. The mean tristimulus coordinate difference (ΔL*,Δa*,Δb*) and total color difference values () were analyzed using 2‐way ANOVA and the Tukey test, α = .05. G2 (alcohol) produced less (P < .05) color change in shade 69 than G3 (NaClO). G5 (light exposure) affected the color stability for all shades, producing a statistical difference (P < .05) from G4 (no light exposure). It was concluded that natural light changes the color stability of the shade guides and that decontamination with 70% alcohol had the least impact on the color stability of the shade guide tabs.
Evaluation of a rehabilitation planning consult for survivors of head and neck cancer
Authors: McEwen Sara E. , Dunphy Colleen , Rios Jorge N. , Davis Aileen M. , Jones Jennifer , Martino Rosemary , Poon Ian , Ringash Jolie
Published: March 2018

Background

The rehabilitation planning consult (RPC) is a novel, transdisciplinary rehabilitation intervention for survivors of head and neck cancer. The study aimed to: (1) estimate recruitment and withdrawal rates, and adverse events; and (2) estimate the effect on rehabilitation indicators in survivors of head and neck cancer.

Methods

A single group pre‐post study with follow‐up was conducted with survivors of head and neck cancer who had completed treatment within 18 months. Outcome measures included goal attainment and quality of life indicators.

Results

Thirty participants (30) completed the RPC, and 20 completed follow‐up. The average age was 59.8 years (SD 13.3), 23 were men, and 23 set rehabilitation goals. At follow‐up, there was a large effect on goal performance (d = 1.5) and satisfaction (d = 1.5), and on the Short Form Health Survey‐36 (SF‐36) physical role and social functioning subscales (d = 1.0 and 0.8). There was a small to moderate effect on most other outcomes.

Conclusion

The RPC is a promising transdisciplinary rehabilitation intervention warranting further study with a controlled trial.
Context‐aware medium access control protocols in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Ghrab Dhouha , Jemili Imen , Belghith Abdelfettah , Mosbah Mohamed
Published: March 2018

Context‐awareness has recently been considered as a viable performance leverage for adapting protocols to their deployment evolving contexts. In constrained‐based Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), context‐awareness enables sensors to learn about their contexts and automatically adjust their behaviors to improve the overall system performance. Most of the proposed solutions, however, dealt with the optimization of the usage of resources at the MAC (Medium Access Control) level. In this regard, context‐awareness allows nodes to smartly adapt their behavior to achieve application requirements while maintaining a balanced trade‐off between resources usage and network performances. We first review the most relevant work and proposals exploiting context‐awareness at the MAC level, and then highlight the benefits of using context awareness.
How frequent and important is behavioral thermoregulation by embryonic reptiles?
Authors: Shine Richard , Du Wei‐Guo
Published: March 2018

The debate about behavioral thermoregulation inside reptile eggs centers on the frequency (and hence, biological significance) of the phenomenon, not about its validity. Both sides of the debate agree that large eggs in shallow nests laid in sun‐exposed soil will experience clines in mean temperature and (especially) diel thermal variance; that embryos in the middle phase of development have the ability to reposition themselves, and room to do so; and that small changes in developmental temperatures can influence offspring fitness. Equally, all protagonists agree that thermal clines will be too low in some other kinds of nests, and that embryonic repositioning is impossible very early and very late in development. Based on an array of other fitness‐enhancing behaviors exhibited by tetrapod embryos, and general principles for recognizing adaptation, we conclude that behavioral thermoregulation inside the egg likely is adaptive in some but not all reptile species. We identify productive directions for empirical research to resolve points of contention.
Segmentation of gray matter, white matter, and CSF with fluid and white matter suppression using MP2RAGE
Authors: Wang Yishi , Wang Yajie , Zhang Zhe , Xiong Yuhui , Zhang Qiang , Yuan Chun , Guo Hua
Published: March 2018

Background

MP2RAGE can generate uniform T1‐weighted images, which have been used for brain segmentation. However, there remain concerns about carrying out fast brain segmentation.

Purpose

To propose an acquisition‐based method for fast segmentation of gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of healthy human brains with fluid and white matter suppression (FLAWS) using MP2RAGE.

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

12 volunteers (23–28 years, seven subjects; 51–62 years, five subjects).

Field Strength/Sequences

3T/3D MPRAGE and FLAWS.

Assessment

The proposed method was evaluated by calculating tissue volumes and the spatial overlap with the segmentation results from FSL and SPM12. The processing time was recorded.

Statistical Tests

A paired t‐test was used to compare the tissue volumes of the proposed method with those from other segmentation methods

Results

For the 12 subjects, the tissue volume difference between the proposed and SPM12 were 3.2 ± 2.8%, 4.2 ± 2.5%, 18.2 ± 13.1% for GM, WM, and CSF, respectively. The relative difference between the proposed and FSL was over 14% for all tissue classes. The spatial overlap between the proposed and other methods were 87–94% for GM and WM and less than 80% for CSF. The GM and WM volumes of the proposed method were not significantly different from those of SPM12 using MPRAGE as the input (P = 0.5540 and P = 0.3115, respectively). The rest of the comparisons all showed significant differences between the proposed and other methods. Statistical analysis of the two subgroups yielded similar results. The mean processing time of one subject was 6.5, 185, and 165 seconds for the proposed method, FSL, and SPM12, respectively.

Data Conclusion

Our method may be accurate for the segmentation of most brain structures using FLAWS. In addition, the proposed method is fast and applicable to the two distinct age ranges.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1540–1550
Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) minimizes interference from cellular pathology in R2* estimation of liver iron concentration
Authors: Li Jianqi , Lin Huimin , Liu Tian , Zhang Zhuwei , Prince Martin R. , Gillen Kelly , Yan Xu , Song Qi , Hua Ting , Zhao Xiance , Zhang Miao , Zhao Yu , Li Gaiying , Tang Guangyu , Yang Guang , Brittenham Gary M. , Wang Yi
Published: March 2018

Background

A challenge for R2 and R2* methods in measuring liver iron concentration (LIC) is that fibrosis, fat, and other hepatic cellular pathology contribute to R2 and R2* and interfere with LIC estimation.

Purpose

To examine the interfering effects of fibrosis, fat, and other lesions on R2* LIC estimation and to use quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) to reduce these distortions.

Study Type

Prospective.

Phantoms, Subjects

Water phantoms with various concentrations of gadolinium (Gd), collagen (Cl, modeling fibrosis), and fat; nine healthy controls with no known hepatic disease, nine patients with known or suspected hepatic iron overload, and nine patients with focal liver lesions.

Field Strength/Sequence

The phantoms and human subjects were imaged using a 3D multiecho gradient‐echo on clinical 1.5T and 3T MRI systems.

Assessment

QSM and R2* images were postprocessed from the same gradient‐echo data. Fat contributions to susceptibility and R2* were corrected in signal models for LIC estimation.

Statistical Tests

Polynomial regression analyses were performed to examine relations among susceptibility, R2* and true [Gd] and [Cl] in phantoms, and among susceptibility and R2* in patient livers.

Results

In phantoms, R2* had a strong nonlinear dependency on [Cl], [fat], and [Gd], while susceptibility was linearly dependent (R2 > 0.98). In patients, R2* was highly sensitive to liver pathological changes, including fat, fibrosis, and tumors, while QSM was relatively insensitive to these abnormalities (P = 0.015). With moderate iron overload, liver susceptibility and R2* were not linearly correlated over a common R2* range [0, 100] sec−1 (P = 0.35).

Data Conclusion

R2* estimation of LIC is prone to substantial nonlinear interference from fat, fibrosis, and other lesions. QSM processing of the same gradient echo MRI data can effectively minimize the effects of cellular pathology.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1069–1079.
The effects of cystoscopy and hydrodistention on symptoms and bladder capacity in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome
Authors: Kirk Peter S. , Santiago‐Lastra Yahir , Qin Yongmei , Stoffel John T. , Clemens James Q. , Cameron Anne P.
Published: March 2018

Aims

The use of cystoscopy and hydrodistention in the management of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) varies widely between providers. Current evidence regarding the risks and benefits of hydrodistention, as well as the long term effects of repeated hydrodistention are not well established. We sought to characterize the effects of hydrodistention on IC/BPS symptoms as well as bladder capacity.

Methods

We retrospectively queried our institutional records for patients with non‐ulcerative IC/BPS who underwent hydrodistention over an 11‐year period to obtain demographic and clinical factors at the time of diagnosis and treatment. Symptom relief and bladder capacity changes were assessed, and multivariable models were used to predict response to treatment.

Results

There were 328 patients who underwent hydrodistention during the study period, of whom 36% received the procedure multiple times, and overall median follow‐up was 38.6 months. Patients with repeated hydrodistentions were more likely to be female, have more comorbid pain disorders, and have trialed anticholinergic medications and intravesical instillations. No decrease in mean bladder capacity was observed over time (P = 0.40). Significant decreases in symptom scores were observed following the procedure on multiple questionnaires.

Conclusions

Hydrodistention does not decrease bladder capacity even with multiple procedures, and measurably improves symptoms in some patients with IC/BPS. Continuing efforts to better identify those patients most likely to benefit from this procedure are justified.
Comparison of vesical pressure values achieved by Valsalva maneuvers: A standardization proposal
Authors: Pereira‐Correia João A. , Rosa Livia P. L. , da Silva Costa Vinícius R. , Berle Fabiola V. D. , Werneck Barbara M. , dos Santos Karolina P. R. , de Sousa Araujo Gustavo B. , de Carvalho Bittencourt Sodré Maria J. , de Fassio Rubina L. R. , Muller Valter J. F.
Published: March 2018

Aims

To perform a comparative evaluation of Valsalva maneuver techniques, in an attempt to identify the most suitable one for achieving leak point pressure (LPP) during the cystometric phase of the urodynamic study (UDS), in order to propose a method for technical standardization.

Methods

Urodynamic data from women with stress urinary incontinence at three urogynecological medical centers were randomly selected and prospectively analyzed. Valsalva maneuver was executed through forceful attempted exhalation against the dorsal surface of the hand (Group 1), through abdominal strain (Group 2), or through low‐elasticity latex balloon‐blowing (Group 3). Patients were classified based on age and higher vesical pressure value, as well as time to perform Valsalva maneuver.

Results

Initially, 1358 urodynamic studies were identified as eligible for analysis. Among these, 340 belonged to Group 1, 318 to Group 2, and 700 to Group 3. Valsalva maneuver accomplished through abdominal straining was more effective, inducing increased vesical pressure, across age groups. The same maneuver may be sustained for longer than the other two techniques.

Conclusion

When performed through abdominal strain, the Valsalva maneuver was more effective for stress urinary incontinence urodynamic‘s investigation.
Optimal solvers for linear systems with fractional powers of sparse SPD matrices
Authors: Harizanov S. , Lazarov R. , Margenov S. , Marinov P. , Vutov Y.
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we consider efficient algorithms for solving the algebraic equation
, 0<α<1, where
is a properly scaled symmetric and positive definite matrix obtained from finite difference or finite element approximations of second‐order elliptic problems in
, d=1,2,3. This solution is then written as
with
with β positive integer. The approximate solution method we propose and study is based on the best uniform rational approximation of the function tβ−α for 0<t≤1 and on the assumption that one has at hand an efficient method (e.g., multigrid, multilevel, or other fast algorithms) for solving equations such as
, c≥0. The provided numerical experiments confirm the efficiency of the proposed algorithms.
Multilayer Bacteriostatic Coating for Surface Modified Titanium Implants
Authors: Vögeling Hendrik , Duse Lili , Seitz Benjamin Sebastian , Plenagl Nikola , Wojcik Matthias , Pinnapireddy Shashank Reddy , Bakowsky Udo
Published: March 2018

One of the serious problems occurring after the insertion of implants is the formation of biofilms. This leads to implant loss or sepsis. The multilayer coating developed in this study addresses the problems pertaining to bacterial growth and biofilm formation by two different approaches viz. preventing bacterial adhesion by nanostructured surface modification and by modification of the titanium surface by creating an ultra‐thin poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA)/norfloxacin (NFX) nanoparticle coating. In this study, NFX loaded PLGA nanoparticles are used to coat titanium surfaces using the layer by layer method alternating with chitosan. The advantages of biodegradable polymers like PLGA and chitosan to create an anti‐adhesive and antibacterial coating are utilised. The polymers in this study show a high biocompatibility and are completely degraded within 10 weeks which makes them an excellent choice for use in dental implants and stents.
Distributed attitude synchronization control for multiple flexible spacecraft without modal variable measurement
Authors: Wang Qishao , Duan Zhisheng , Lv Yuezu
Published: March 2018

This paper solves the attitude synchronization and tracking problem for a group of flexible spacecraft without flexible‐mode variable measurement. The spacecraft formation is studied in a leader‐following synchronization scheme with a dynamic virtual leader. With the application of adaptive sliding‐mode control technique, a distributed modified Rodriguez parameters‐based dynamic controller is proposed for flexible spacecraft without requiring modal variable measurement. It is proved that the attitude synchronization and tracking can be achieved asymptotically under the control strategy through the Lyapunov's stability analysis. Furthermore, a distributed robust continuous control algorithm is designed to guarantee the ultimate boundedness of both the attitude tracking error and the modal variable observation error when bounded external disturbances exist. Some numerical simulation examples for multiple flexible spacecraft formation are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Theory in strategic management
Authors: Ethiraj Sendil K. , Gambardella Alfonso , Helfat Constance E.
Published: March 2018

Strategic Management Journal (SMJ) seeks to publish high‐quality theoretical research on a regular basis. By publishing theoretical research, SMJ advances the field of strategic management through insights and analyses that make sense of business phenomena and prior research findings, and provide a foundation for new research.