bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kibble–Zurek Scaling during Defect Formation in a Nematic Liquid Crystal
Authors: Fowler Nicholas , Dierking Dr Ingo 
Published: February 2017

AbstractSymmetry‐breaking phase transitions are often accompanied by the formation of topological defects, as in cosmological theories of the early universe, superfluids, liquid crystals or solid‐state systems. This scenario is described by the Kibble–Zurek mechanism, which predicts corresponding scaling laws for the defect density ρ. One such scaling law suggests a relation ρ≈τQ−1/2 with τQ the change of rate of a control parameter. In contrast to the scaling of the defect density during annihilation with ρ≈t−1, which is governed by the attraction of defects of the same strength but opposite sign, the defect formation process, which depends on the rate of change of a physical quantity initiating the transition, has only rarely been investigated. Herein, we use nematic liquid crystals as a different system to demonstrate the validity of the predicted scaling relation for defect formation. It is found that the scaling exponent is independent of temperature and material employed, thus universal, as predicted.
The role of ancillary tests in the evaluation and management of patients with negative and non‐diagnostic pancreatic cyst aspirates
Authors: Selvaggi Suzanne M. 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundFine needle aspiration of pancreatic cystic lesions has its limitations as the cytology is often paucicellular to acellular. This study reports on the value of ancillary tests, amylase and carcinoembryonic, in the evaluation and management of patients with negative and non‐diagnostic pancreatic cysts.MethodsFrom January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2015, the Cytopathology Laboratory processed 119 pancreatic cyst aspirates of which 51(43%) were negative and 52(44%) were non‐diagnostic and form the basis of this study. The 103 patients, 66 men and 37 women underwent endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration and biochemical and biomarker analysis; amylase and carcinoembryonic antigen, of cyst contents. In this study, the cytologic findings were interpreted independent of the cyst fluid analysis.ResultsOf the 51 patients with negative pancreatic cyst aspirates, combined endoscopic ultrasound/cytology/cyst fluid analysis findings were compatible with 37 (72%) pseudocysts, 11 (22%) serous cystadenomas, and 3 (6%) intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms. Of the 52 patients with non‐diagnostic pancreatic cyst aspirates, combined endoscopic ultrasound/cyst fluid analysis findings were compatible with 17 (33%) pseudocysts, 17 (33%) serous cystadenomas, 14 (27%) intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, and 4 (7%) mucinous cystic neoplasms. Eight patients underwent surgical resection and the remaining 95 patients were managed medically with repeat imaging.ConclusionAncillary tests are of added benefit in the evaluation and management of patients with negative and non‐diagnostic pancreatic cyst aspirates. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2017;45:303–307. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Weight gain trajectories in hospital‐based treatment of anorexia nervosa
Authors: Makhzoumi Saniha H. , Coughlin Janelle W. , Schreyer Colleen C. , Redgrave Graham W. , Pitts Steven C. , Guarda Angela S. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWeight gain is a primary treatment goal for anorexia nervosa (AN); however little is known about heterogeneity in weight gain pattern during treatment. Preliminary evidence suggests weight gain trajectory is associated with treatment outcome. This study grouped patients using mixture modeling into weight gain trajectories, and compared predictors and treatment outcomes between trajectory groups. Women diagnosed with AN or subthreshold AN (N = 211) completed self‐report measures at admission and six‐months after discharge from an integrated inpatient (IP)‐partial hospitalization (PH) behavioral specialty eating disorders program. Gowned weights were measured daily. Three distinct trajectories emerged: negative quadratic (Optimal), negative quadratic with fast weight gain (Fast), and positive linear with slower weight gain (Slow). The majority of patients were assigned to the Optimal group. Trajectory groups differed on admission, discharge, and follow‐up variables. The Fast group emerged as most distinct. Women in this group were more than twice as likely to binge and or vomit regularly compared with the other two groups and were most likely to achieve weight restoration by discharge and to have more positive weight outcomes at short‐term follow‐up. There were no group differences in eating disorder behavioral frequencies at follow‐up when adjusting for behavioral severity at admission. Weight gain trajectory may serve as a personalized in‐treatment marker of outcome and could inform research on moderators and mediators of treatment response. Randomized controlled treatment studies, utilizing weight gain trajectories to determine group membership, may help identify subgroups of patients with differential responses to treatment interventions.
Plant structural complexity and mechanical defenses mediate predator–prey interactions in an odonate–bird system
Authors: Grof‐Tisza Patrick , LoPresti Eric , Heath Sacha K. , Karban Richard 
Published: February 2017

AbstractHabitat‐forming species provide refuges for a variety of associating species; these refuges may mediate interactions between species differently depending on the functional traits of the habitat‐forming species. We investigated refuge provisioning by plants with different functional traits for dragonfly and damselfly (Odonata: Anisoptera and Zygoptera) nymphs emerging from water bodies to molt into their adult stage. During this period, nymphs experience high levels of predation by birds. On the shores of a small pond, plants with mechanical defenses (e.g., thorns and prickles) and high structural complexity had higher abundances of odonate exuviae than nearby plants which lacked mechanical defenses and exhibited low structural complexity. To disentangle the relative effects of these two potentially important functional traits on nymph emergence‐site preference and survival, we conducted two fully crossed factorial field experiments using artificial plants. Nymphs showed a strong preference for artificial plants with high structural complexity and to a lesser extent, mechanical defenses. Both functional traits increased nymph survival but through different mechanisms. We suggest that future investigations attempt to experimentally separate the elements contributing to structural complexity to elucidate the mechanistic underpinnings of refuge provisioning.
Midge‐stabilized sediment drives the composition of benthic cladoceran communities in Lake Mývatn, Iceland
Authors: Webert Kyle C. , Herren Cristina M. , Einarsson Árni , Bartrons Mireia , Hauptfleisch Ulf , Ives Anthony R. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe importance of environmental disturbances as drivers of ecological communities depends not only on the magnitude of the disturbance, but also on the disturbance‐specific sensitivity of the community. Organisms that alter the physical structure of their surroundings can affect the sensitivity of their habitat to environmental disturbance, and may alter the potential for disturbance to shape ecological communities. Such organisms therefore act as ecosystem engineers by indirectly modifying the resources available to other species. The benthos of shallow, eutrophic Lake Mývatn, Iceland, is frequently disturbed by wind events that lead to sediment resuspension. The impact of wind, however, depends on the abundance of midges (Chironomidae) whose larval tubes bind sediment and reduce wind‐driven resuspension. Here, we investigate the long‐term effect of fluctuations in midge abundance on the benthic cladoceran community using two lake sediment cores representing 30 and 140 years of deposition. In both cores, midge remains show a significant positive correlation with abundance of a large benthic surface‐dwelling cladoceran,Eurycercus lamellatus, relative to the abundance of a small within‐sediment‐dwelling cladoceran,Alona rectangula. To experimentally investigate whether this shift could have been caused by midges acting as ecosystem engineers, we subjected cladoceran communities to sediment resuspension events within mesocosms. We found a significant decrease in abundance of the large epibenthicE. lamellatusrelative to the abundance of small infaunalAlonaspp. when subjected to disturbance. These findings show that physical alteration of benthic sediment and hence the sensitivity of the sediment to disturbance may explain the community shift in cladocerans observed with fluctuating midge abundance in Lake Mývatn.
Timing of disturbance affects biomass and flowering of a saltmarsh plant and attack by stem‐boring herbivores
Authors: Li Shanze , Pennings Steven C. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIn salt marshes, disturbance by wrack (floating mats of dead vegetation) is common and affects plant productivity and species composition, but little is known about how the timing of disturbance mediates these effects, nor how it interacts with herbivory. Using a field experiment on the Georgia coast, we simulated the effects of wrack disturbance at different times of the year on the marsh grass Spartina alterniflora and its stem‐boring herbivorous insects. The timing of disturbance throughout the growing season strongly affected fall biomass, stem height, the proportion of stems flowering, and the proportion of stems colonized by stem‐boring herbivorous insects. End‐of‐season biomass in plots disturbed in March did not differ from undisturbed controls, but biomass was reduced by 50% in plots disturbed in May, and by over 90% in plots disturbed in September. Disturbance in March and May stimulated flowering, but disturbance later in the growing season suppressed it. Plots disturbed late in the growing season had a low frequency of stem‐boring herbivores. Stems containing stem borers rarely flowered. These results indicate that the timing of disturbance matters in coastal salt marshes. Late‐season disturbances had the strongest effects on S. alterniflora and its herbivores. Disturbances early in the growing season did not affect end‐of‐season biomass, and stimulated flowering, suggesting parallels between fire disturbance in grasslands and wrack disturbance in salt marshes. Late‐season disturbance did reduce herbivory by stem‐boring insects, but not enough to compensate for the direct effects of disturbance on the plants. Future studies of disturbance in salt marshes should consider how the timing of experimental disturbance treatments relates to the timing of natural disturbances.
Pre‐processing effects on cold pressed rapeseed oil quality indicators and phenolic compounds
Authors: McDowell Daniel , Elliott Christopher T. , Koidis Anastasios 
Published: February 2017

This study exposed seven rapeseed cultivars to various seed pre‐processing practices. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of pre‐processing on cold pressed rapeseed oil parameters associated with health and flavor. Results showed the pre‐processing in this study were not a significant factor regarding oil quality. The total phenols of oils from unprocessed seeds ranged from 0.005–2.468 mg/kg oil. The phenolic acids investigated in the roasted group averaging 10.386 mg/kg and the microwaved group averaging 8.015 mg/kg. Part of this increase was due to the formation of canolol in these groups. Microwaved and roasted groups had significantly higher DPPH radical scavenging potential than the other groups. The thermal pre‐processing techniques also significantly altered the volatile composition of the roasted and microwaved groups. Ultrasound pre‐processing had no significant impact on any of the parameters studied.Practical applications: The regulations surrounding cold pressing means that there are restrictions regarding extraction procedures and the treatment of the oil after cold pressing. This means that the main opportunity to alter cold pressed oil is pre‐processing of the seed (in this case rapeseed). Pre‐processing of rapeseed can alter the composition of cold pressed rapeseed oil without impinging on cold pressing regulations. This study shows how pre‐processing techniques can increase the attributes of cold pressed rapeseed oil in relation to antioxidant activity and phenolic acids. This work shows that pre‐processing has a much greater effect on these parameters than varietal selection.Rapeseed pre‐processing and subsequent analysis of cold pressed rapeseed oil compounds associated with flavor and health.
Transience of channel head locations following disturbance
Authors: Wohl Ellen , Scott Daniel N. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWe used annual re‐surveys of two populations of channel heads affected by a severe wildfire in 2012 to monitor changes in channel head location with time following disturbance. Relative to channel heads in surrounding unburned areas, the median contributing drainage area of burned channel heads decreased by two orders of magnitude immediately after the fire, but then returned to values comparable to unburned areas within four years. We distinguish three types of channel heads. Permanent channel heads, which constitute 4% of the total population, occur in well‐developed swales in association with stable features such as bedrock outcrops: these channel heads appear to have been unaffected by the fire. Persistent channel heads, which are 40% of the total population, also occur within hillslope concavities, but the exact location of the channel head moves upslope and downslope through time in response to varying inputs of water and sediment. Transient channel heads form on straight and convex slopes immediately following disturbance, but disappear as regrowth of ground cover limits overland flow and sediment movement. The majority of the position changes for persistent and transient channel heads occurred abruptly when viewed as annual time steps. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The association between hope and mortality in homebound elders
Authors: Zhu Andrea Q. , Kivork Christine , Vu Linh , Chivukula Meenakshi , Piechniczek‐Buczek Joanna , Qiu Wei Qiao , Mwamburi Mkaya 
Published: February 2017

ObjectiveDespite high rates of mortality and depression, there is limited knowledge of how depressive symptoms, especially feeling of hopefulness, affect mortality in the homebound elderly.MethodsWe conducted a secondary analysis of data from a community sample of 1034 adults, age 60 years and older. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale was used to evaluate the mood symptoms and feeling of hopefulness at baseline. The death data were collected within an 8‐year follow‐up period. Analysis of variance and Chi‐square were used to compare the clinical conditions among the groups of individuals who feel hopeful always, sometimes, and rarely. Logistic regression was used to explore the association between the hopefulness about the future and mortality as an outcome.ResultsIn the 8‐year follow‐up period, frequency of feeling hopeful, but not other individual depressive symptoms, was associated with mortality rate. The mortality rate among those who always, sometimes, and rarely felt hopeful were 21.6%, 26.4%, and 35.7%, respectively (P = 0.002). Logistic regression also confirmed that individuals who rarely feel hopeful had higher odds of decease within the 8‐year follow‐up period than those who always felt hopeful (OR = 1.74, CI = 1.14–2.65) after adjusting for age and medical conditions.ConclusionsBaseline hopefulness predicts mortality outcome among the homebound elderly in the community. Identifying individuals who are depressed with hopelessness in the elderly and providing early intervention may improve the mortality rate. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of a novel alginate‐polyvinyl alcohol‐hydroxyapatite hydrogel for 3D bioprinting bone tissue engineered scaffolds
Authors: Bendtsen Stephanie T. , Quinnell Sean P. , Wei Mei 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThree‐dimensional printed biomaterials used as personalized tissue substitutes have the ability to promote and enhance regeneration in areas of defected tissue. The challenge with 3D printing for bone tissue engineering remains the selection of a material with optimal rheological properties for printing in addition to biocompatibility and capacity for uniform cell incorporation. Hydrogel biomaterials may provide sufficient printability to allow cell encapsulation and bioprinting of scaffolds with uniform cell distribution. In this study, a novel alginate‐polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)‐hydroxyapatite (HA) hydrogel formulation with optimal rheological properties for 3D bioprinting of mouse calvaria 3T3‐E1 (MC3T3) cells into scaffolds of high shape fidelity has been developed. A systematic investigation was conducted to determine the effect of varying concentrations of alginate, phosphate, calcium, and the PVA‐HA suspension in the formulation on the resulting viscosity and thus printability of the hydrogel. HA, the main mineral component in natural bone, was incorporated into the hydrogel formulation to create a favorable bone‐forming environment due to its excellent osteoconductivity. Degradation studies in α‐MEM cell culture media showed that the 3D printed alginate‐PVA‐HA scaffolds remained in‐tact for 14 days. MC3T3 cells were well distributed and encapsulated throughout the optimal hydrogel formulation and expressed high viability through the completion of the 3D printing process. Thus, the development of this novel, osteoconductive, biodegradable, alginate‐PVA‐HA formulation and its ability to 3D bioprint tissue engineered scaffolds make it a promising candidate for treating personalized bone defects. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1457–1468, 2017.
Retrospective analysis on the diagnostic performances and signal‐to‐cut‐off ratios of the Elecsys Anti‐HCV II assay
Authors: Kim Banseok , Ahn Hyo Jun , Choi Min Hyuk , Park Yongjung 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundAnti‐HCV assays are widely used as a screening tool for HCV infection. However, diagnostic performances and effective signal‐to‐cut‐off ratios (S/COs) for predicting true HCV infections would vary according to the assays used. Thus, we evaluated the diagnostic performances of the new Elecsys Anti‐HCV assay.MethodsA total of 41 694 cases tested by the Elecsys Anti‐HCV II assay (Roche Diagnostics, Germany) during January 2013 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed by comparing with the diagnosis on HCV infections determined by patients’ medical records and results of laboratory tests.ResultsExcluding 62 cases with unclear history of HCV infection, 430 and 41 202 cases were respectively assorted as “true infection” and “no evidence of infection,” and 99.85% of the initial results by the Elecsys assay were concordant with the diagnosis on HCV infection. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were respectively 99.30%, 99.86%, 88.04%, and 99.99%, where the prevalence of the HCV infection was 1.0%. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve value of the Elecsys assay was 0.9980 (95% confidence interval [CI]=0.9944 to 1.0017). The S/CO by the Elecsys assay for predictive of a true‐positive ≥95% of the time was 19.0 (95% CI=15.0 to 25.1).ConclusionThe Elecsys Anti‐HCV II assay showed excellent diagnostic performances, particularly in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and NPV. However, the results obtained by this assay with S/CO less than a certain value would need to be retested by HCV RNA PCR or another anti‐HCV assay.
A comparison of cystatin C concentrations between patients with chronic interstitial nephritis and glomerular diseases
Authors: Robles Nicolas Roberto , Mena Candido , Chavez Edgar , Bayo Miguel Angel , Gonzalez Candia Boris , Cidoncha Antonio , Lopez Gomez Juan , Cubero Juan Jose 
Published: February 2017

AimsCystatin C have shown to be a renal function parameter with higher sensitivity and specificity than serum creatinine. In tubular diseases, cystatin C degradation and an increase in its urinary elimination would be observed. We have tried to define if different kinds of kidney diseases may significantly affect the serum levels of cystatin C.Design and MethodsFour hundred and four patients were studied: 249 men and 155 women, mean age was 64.3±10.1 years. Patients were classified into three groups: (1) Chronic interstitial nephropathy (CIN), (2) Glomerular nephropathy (GN), and (3) Non‐ CKD patients (control). GFR was estimated though the CKD‐EPI equation and the Hoek formula.ResultsMedian of serum creatinine levels was higher in CIN group than in GN and control groups. Median cystatin C levels were lower in control group compared with CIN and GN groups. No significant differences were found between CIN group and GN group. Nevertheless, the cystatin/creatinine rate was lower in the CIN group patients (0.94, 0.81‐1.11) than in the GN group (1.02,I 0.85‐1.25) as well as the control group (1.02, I 0.88‐1.20). The cystatin C‐estimated GFR/creatinine‐estimated GFR rate was higher in the CIN group (1.18, 1.03‐1.36) than in the GN patients (1.03, 0.88‐1.21) and control ones (1.07, 0.88‐1.20).ConclusionsPatients with CIN had lower serum levels of cystatin C defined as cystatin C/creatinine rate when they were compared with GN subject and control ones. In the same way, the index between cystatin C‐estimated GFR and creatinine‐estimated GFR was higher in CIN patients.
Maintaining Mental Health Through Positive Writing: Effects of a Resource Diary on Depression and Emotion Regulation
Authors: Suhr M. , Risch A.K. , Wilz G. 
Published: February 2017

ObjectiveThe present study investigated the beneficial effects of the resource‐oriented positive writing intervention resource diary (RD) on mental health variables among patients recently discharged from psychiatric inpatient treatment.MethodEighty‐nine patients were randomly assigned to either an intervention group completing RD over the course of 4 weeks (n = 45) or a control group receiving no intervention (n = 44). To measure changes in mental health, patients filled out a number of self‐report questionnaires on depression, emotion regulation, and resource activation before and after the intervention. ResultsParticipants completing RD had significantly lower depression scores than controls and reported an increased use of the functional emotion regulation strategy “reappraisal” 5 weeks after discharge. A decreased use of the dysfunctional strategy “expressive suppression” was found in the female subsample. No differences were found for resource activation.ConclusionThese findings suggest that a resource‐oriented positive writing intervention has potential for stabilizing mental health after psychiatric discharge and could therefore present an economical alternative or addition to established aftercare programs.