bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved accuracy and precision in δ15NAIR measurements of explosives, urea, and inorganic nitrates by elemental analyzer/isotope ratio mass spectrometry using thermal decomposition
Authors: Lott Michael J. , Howa John D. , Chesson Lesley A. , Ehleringer James R. 
Published: July 2015

RationaleElemental analyzer systems generate N2 and CO2 for elemental composition and isotope ratio measurements. As quantitative conversion of nitrogen in some materials (i.e., nitrate salts and nitro‐organic compounds) is difficult, this study tests a recently published method – thermal decomposition without the addition of O2 – for the analysis of these materials.MethodsElemental analyzer/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA/IRMS) was used to compare the traditional combustion method (CM) and the thermal decomposition method (TDM), where additional O2 is eliminated from the reaction. The comparisons used organic and inorganic materials with oxidized and/or reduced nitrogen and included ureas, nitrate salts, ammonium sulfate, nitro esters, and nitramines. Previous TDM applications were limited to nitrate salts and ammonium sulfate. The measurement precision and accuracy were compared to determine the effectiveness of converting materials containing different fractions of oxidized nitrogen into N2.ResultsThe δ13CVPDB values were not meaningfully different when measured via CM or TDM, allowing for the analysis of multiple elements in one sample. For materials containing oxidized nitrogen, 15N measurements made using thermal decomposition were more precise than those made using combustion. The precision was similar between the methods for materials containing reduced nitrogen. The %N values were closer to theoretical when measured by TDM than by CM. The δ15NAIR values of purchased nitrate salts and ureas were nearer to the known values when analyzed using thermal decomposition than using combustion.ConclusionsThe thermal decomposition method addresses insufficient recovery of nitrogen during elemental analysis in a variety of organic and inorganic materials. Its implementation requires relatively few changes to the elemental analyzer. Using TDM, it is possible to directly calibrate certain organic materials to international nitrate isotope reference materials without off‐line preparation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gas‐phase fragmentation of deprotonated tryptophan and its clusters [Trpn–H]– induced by different activation methods
Authors: Feketeová Linda , Khairallah George N. , O'Hair Richard A. J. , Nielsen Steen Brøndsted 
Published: July 2015

RationaleNon‐covalent amino acid clusters are the subject of intense research in diverse areas including peptide bond formation studies or the determination of proton affinities or methylating abilities of amino acids. However, most of the research has focused on positive ions and little is known about anionic clusters.MethodsFragmentation reactions of deprotonated tryptophan (Trp), [Trp−H]− and Trp singly deprotonated non‐covalently bound clusters [Trpn−H]−, n = 2, 3, 4, were investigated using low‐energy collision‐induced dissociation (CID) with He atoms, high‐energy CID with Na atoms, and electron‐induced dissociation (EID) with 20–35 eV electrons. Fragmentation of the monomeric Trp anion, where all labile hydrogens were exchanged for deuterium [d4‐Trp−D]−, was investigated using low‐energy CID and EID, in order to shed light on the dissociation mechanisms.ResultsThe main fragmentation channel for Trp cluster anions, [Trpn−H]−, n >1, is the loss of the neutral monomer. The fragmentation of the deprotonated Trp monomer induced by electrons resembles the fragmentation induced by high‐energy collisions through electronic excitation of the parent. However, the excitation must precede in a different way, shown through only monomer loss from larger clusters, n >1, in case of EID, but intracluster chemistry in the case of high‐energy CID.ConclusionsThe anion of the indole ring C8H6N− has been identified in the product ion spectra of [Trpn−H]− using all activation methods, thus providing a diagnostic marker ion. No evidence was found for formation of peptide bonds as a route to prebiotic peptides in the fragmentation reactions of these singly deprotonated Trp cluster ions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intranuclear Actin Regulates Osteogenesis
Authors: Sen Buer , Xie Zhihui , Uzer Gunes , Thompson William R. , Styner Maya , Wu Xin , Rubin Janet 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Depolymerization of the actin cytoskeleton induces nuclear trafficking of regulatory proteins and global effects on gene transcription. We here show that in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), cytochalasin D treatment causes rapid cofilin-/importin-9-dependent transfer of G-actin into the nucleus. The continued presence of intranuclear actin, which forms rod-like structures that stain with phalloidin, is associated with induction of robust expression of the osteogenic genes osterix and osteocalcin in a Runx2-dependent manner, and leads to acquisition of osteogenic phenotype. Adipogenic differentiation also occurs, but to a lesser degree. Intranuclear actin leads to nuclear export of Yes-associated protein (YAP); maintenance of nuclear YAP inhibits Runx2 initiation of osteogenesis. Injection of cytochalasin into the tibial marrow space of live mice results in abundant bone formation within the space of 1 week. In sum, increased intranuclear actin forces MSC into osteogenic lineage through controlling Runx2 activity; this process may be useful for clinical objectives of forming bone. Stem Cells 2015;33:3065–3076
Quick and easy preparation method for decoction of Kampo formula inspired by the method of boiling powdered crude drugs in the Song period of China
Authors: Fueki Tsukasa , Makino Toshiaki , Matsuoka Takanori , Beppu Masashi , Sunaga Takao , Tanaka Koichiro , Nagamine Koichi , Namiki Takao 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTAimFor the purpose of reducing both the consumption of crude drug resources and patient burden in preparing the decoctions, we developed a new preparation method for the decoctions of Kampo formula: immersion of powdered crude drugs in hot water (IPCD method), inspired by a method of decoction that was widely used in the Song period of China.MethodsEphedra herb (terrestrial stem of Ephedra sinica), scutellaria root (root of Scutellaria baicalensis), and Kampo formulas that contain several crude drugs including ephedra herb and scutellaria root were powdered, and then immersed in hot water to extract the ingredients. The residue was filtered out using a commercially available tea server. The contents of marker compounds in the decoctions were measured.ResultsUsing the IPCD method, the amounts of marker compounds from ephedra herb and scutellaria root transferred to hot water exceeded by 1.3–1.4‐fold that obtained by the standard method of decocting the same amounts of cut crude drugs for >30 min. The amount of transferred marker compounds reached a plateau within 4 min after the beginning of immersion, suggesting that only 4 min of immersion is sufficient for the IPCD method. The sludge residue of powdered crude drug produced by immersion could be easily filtered with a commercially available tea server.ConclusionUsing this method, the same or greater amounts of marker compounds were transferred in the decoctions in a much shorter time with lower consumption of crude drugs than with the usual decoction method.
Modulation of cytokines and chemokines expression by NAC in cadmium chloride treated human lung cells
Authors: Odewumi Caroline O. , Latinwo Lekan M. , Ruden Michael L. , Badisa Veera L. D. , Fils‐Aime Sheila , Badisa Ramesh B. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTCadmium (Cd), is one of the most hazardous metals found in the environment. Cd exposure through inhalation has been linked to various diseases in lungs. It was shown that Cd induces proinflammatory cytokines through oxidative stress mechanism. In this report, we studied the immunomodulatory effect of a well known antioxidant, N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) on cadmium chloride (CdCl2) treated human lung A549 cells through human cytokine array 6. The lung cells were treated with 0 or 75 µM CdCl2 alone, 2.5 mM NAC alone, or co‐treated with 2.5 mM NAC and 75 µM CdCl2 for 24 h. The viability of cells was measured by crystal violet dye. The array results were validated by human IL‐1alpha enzyme‐ linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The viability of the 75 µM CdCl2 alone treated cells was decreased to 44.5%, while the viability of the co‐treated cells with 2.5 mM NAC was increased to 84.1% in comparison with untreated cells. In the cell lysate of CdCl2 alone treated cells, 19 and 8 cytokines were up and down‐regulated, while in the medium 15 and 3 cytokines were up and downregulated in comparison with the untreated cells. In the co‐treated cells, all these cytokines expression was modulated by the NAC treatment. The IL‐1α ELISA result showed the same pattern of cytokine expression as the cytokine array. This study clearly showed the modulatory effect of NAC on cytokines and chemokines expression in CdCl2‐treated cells and suggests the use of NAC as protective agent against cadmium toxicity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1612–1619, 2016.
Percutaneous minimally invasive fetoscopic surgery for spina bifida aperta. Part III: neurosurgical intervention in the first postnatal year
Authors: Graf K. , Kohl T. , Neubauer B. A. , Dey F. , Faas D. , Wanis F. A. , Reinges M. H. T. , Uhl E. , Kolodziej M. A. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo evaluate the need for postnatal neurosurgical intervention after fetoscopic patch coverage of spina bifida aperta (SBA).MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of a cohort of 71 fetuses which underwent minimally invasive fetoscopic patch coverage of SBA between 21 + 0 and 29 + 1 weeks of gestation. Postnatal neurosurgical procedures were classified into two types: re‐coverage of the SBA within the first 3 months following birth, and shunt placement as treatment of associated hydrocephalus within the first year.ResultsLocation of the SBA was lumbosacral in 59 cases, lumbar in seven, thoracic in three and sacral in two. In total, 20/71 (28%) patients underwent early postnatal neurosurgical intervention by means of re‐coverage of the SBA. This was performed because of cerebrospinal fluid leakage in seven (35%), adhesions with functional deterioration in three (15%), incomplete coverage in five (25%) and skin defect in five (25%) cases. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement within 1 year was required in 32 (45%) cases and was preceded by ventriculostomy in two. Three (4%) infants needed Chiari decompression surgery in the first 12 months following birth, because of syringomyelia or gait disturbance.ConclusionsFetoscopic patch coverage of SBA may require postnatal re‐coverage in some cases. In most cases, conservative wound treatment shows good results, without requiring neurosurgical intervention. The low 1‐year‐shunt rate is comparable to data of the Management of Myelomeningocele Study and lower compared with published data of patients with postnatal only coverage of SBA. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Evaluation of right ventricular function in fetal hypoplastic left heart syndrome by color tissue Doppler imaging
Authors: Graupner O. , Enzensberger C. , Wieg L. , Willruth A. , Steinhard J. , Gembruch U. , Doelle A. , Bahlmann F. , Kawecki A. , Degenhardt J. , Wolter A. , Herrmann J. , Axt‐Fliedner R. ,   on behalf of the Fetal Cardiac Imaging Research Group Germany
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTObjectivePostnatal outcome of fetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is determined mainly by right ventricular function. Our study examines whether there are differences in right ventricular function during gestation of fetuses with HLHS compared with healthy fetuses.MethodsA prospective study was conducted including 20 fetuses with HLHS and 20 gestational age‐matched controls. Peak systolic and diastolic right ventricular free wall velocities were assessed using color tissue Doppler imaging (c‐TDI). Subsequently, isovolumic time intervals, ejection time (ET′), E′/A′ ratio and tissue Doppler‐derived myocardial performance index (MPI′) were calculated. Possible changes to c‐TDI indices during the course of pregnancy in both the HLHS group and the control group were investigated.ResultsExamination of right ventricular function revealed significantly lower E′ velocities (13.6 vs 21.0 cm/s; P = 0.017) and E′/A′ ratios (0.55 vs 0.76; P = 0.012) and prolonged isovolumic contraction time (ICT′) (57.0 vs 45.7 ms; P = 0.008) in the HLHS group compared with healthy fetuses. Furthermore, isovolumic relaxation time and MPI′ increased significantly with gestational age in HLHS fetuses but not in controls. Values for systolic and diastolic peak velocities (E′, A′, S′), ET′ and ICT′ did not change significantly during gestation in either group.ConclusionRight ventricular function in HLHS is altered as early as in fetal life, well before palliative surgery is performed. Future research should provide further insight into ventricular remodeling during gestation in cases of HLHS. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Design space exploration of gyrocopter‐type airborne wind turbines
Authors: Rancourt David , Bolduc‐Teasdale François , Bouchard Etienne Demers , Anderson Michael J. , Mavris Dimitri N. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThis paper presents a multidisciplinary framework for the design and analysis of gyrocopter‐type airborne wind turbines. In this concept, four rotary wings provide lift to a flying vehicle, and excess power is extracted using gearboxes and generators before being transferred to the ground through electrical conductors embedded in a structural tether. A physical breakdown of the system was performed, and five models were constructed: wind model, rotor aerodynamics, structural mass, electrical system, and tether (structures and aerodynamics). A stochastic optimizer in the framework enforces interdisciplinary compatibility and maximizes electrical power transmitted to the ground under various operating conditions. The framework is then used to explore the design space of this advanced concept in numerous flight conditions. The effect of implementing new technologies was also studied in order to evaluate their effect on the overall performance of the system. It is shown through a 1.3MW design that a gyrocopter‐type airborne generator could provide more power than a ground‐based wind turbine for a given blade radius, although only a fraction of the available wind power can be harvested using off‐the‐shelf technologies and components. The work presented in this study demonstrates the challenges of designing a high altitude wind generator and shows that performance is affected by complex interactions between each subsystem. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A crossover study comparing gabapentin and fluoxetine for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms among postmenopausal women
Authors: Rahmanian Mojgan , Mohseni Arash , Ghorbani Raheb 
Published: July 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of fluoxetine and gabapentin for treatment of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) after the menopause.MethodsBetween March 2011 and March 2012, a randomized crossover study was performed at a center in Semnan, Iran, among postmenopausal women aged 45–57 years with hot flashes (≥ 2 per day for previous 4 months) for which they had received no previous treatment. Participants were divided into two groups with consecutive numbers assigned in order of recruitment. In the first treatment round (4 weeks), group A received 20 mg/day fluoxetine and group B received 300 mg/day gabapentin. After a 2‐week washout period, group A received gabapentin and group B received fluoxetine in a second round (4 weeks). Information about VMS was obtained with the Greene Climacteric Scale questionnaire. Participants and all investigators except one were masked to group assignment.ResultsData for 79 participants (39 in group A, 40 in group B) were analyzed. In both treatment rounds, gabapentin caused greater reductions in the severity of hot flashes than did fluoxetine (P < 0.001 for both). After the first round of treatment, those who had received gabapentin reported greater reductions in the severity of night sweats (P < 0.001).ConclusionGabapentin at a dose of 300 mg/day is more effective for treatment of VMS among postmenopausal women than is 20 mg/day fluoxetine.Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials: IRCT2014092711019N3.
Effect of prenatal betamethasone on fetal, uteroplacental, and maternal blood flow velocity in pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction
Authors: Niroomanesh Shirin , Shojaei Kobra , Moghadam Sahar F. , Mohammadi Noshin , Rahimi Zahra , RezaeiKeyhanaei Khadija 
Published: July 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo assess Doppler flow velocity in fetal, uteroplacental, and maternal arteries before and after betamethasone therapy among singleton pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction (FGR).MethodsA prospective, longitudinal, multicenter study was conducted at three university‐affiliated hospitals in Tehran, Iran, between January 1 and November 30, 2013. The inclusion criteria were FGR, a gestational age of 24–34 weeks, no fetal anomalies, and no previous betamethasone therapy. Doppler blood flow was measured in uterine, umbilical, and middle cerebral arteries before treatment, and 24 hours and 5 days after completion of betamethasone therapy (two 12‐mg doses at a 24‐hour interval).ResultsOverall, 40 women were enrolled. Doppler blood flow through the uterine and umbilical arteries showed significant but transient changes across the three timepoints (P < 0.001), whereas the middle cerebral artery showed no changes.ConclusionPrenatal betamethasone led to transient improvements in blood flow in the uterine and umbilical arteries among pregnancies affected by FGR.
Haunts or helps from the past: Understanding the effect of recall on current self‐control
Authors: Nikolova Hristina , Lamberton Cait , Haws Kelly L. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractConventional wisdom suggests that remembering our past successes or failures can help us make better decisions in the present. But how successful is this practice in the domain of self‐control? Our work examines how the content of consumers' recollections (past self‐control successes versus failures) and the subjective difficulty with which this content comes to mind (easily or with difficulty) jointly shape consumers' self‐control decisions. When successes are easy to recall, people display more self‐control than when they have difficulty recalling successes. However, recalling failures prompts indulgence regardless of its difficulty. We suggest that these differences in behavior may exist because recalling failures has substantially different affective and cognitive consequences than does recalling successes. Consistent with this theory, we demonstrate that external cues toward high or low self‐certainty moderate the effects of recall on self‐control. Taken together, this work enhances our understanding of self‐control, self‐perceptions, and metacognition.
Reconsidering Contact Precautions for Endemic Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus
Authors: Morgan Daniel J. , Murthy Rekha , Munoz-Price L. Silvia , Barnden Marsha , Camins Bernard C. , Johnston B. Lynn , Rubin Zachary , Sullivan Kaede V. , Shane Andi L. , Dellinger E. Patchen , Rupp Mark E. , Bearman Gonzalo 
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUNDWhether contact precautions (CP) are required to control the endemic transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) in acute care hospitals is controversial in light of improvements in hand hygiene, MRSA decolonization, environmental cleaning and disinfection, fomite elimination, and chlorhexidine bathing.OBJECTIVETo provide a framework for decision making around use of CP for endemic MRSA and VRE based on a summary of evidence related to use of CP, including impact on patients and patient care processes, and current practices in use of CP for MRSA and VRE in US hospitals.DESIGNA literature review, a survey of Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America Research Network members on use of CP, and a detailed examination of the experience of a convenience sample of hospitals not using CP for MRSA or VRE.PARTICIPANTSHospital epidemiologists and infection prevention experts.RESULTSNo high quality data support or reject use of CP for endemic MRSA or VRE. Our survey found more than 90% of responding hospitals currently use CP for MRSA and VRE, but approximately 60% are interested in using CP in a different manner. More than 30 US hospitals do not use CP for control of endemic MRSA or VRE.CONCLUSIONSHigher quality research on the benefits and harms of CP in the control of endemic MRSA and VRE is needed. Until more definitive data are available, the use of CP for endemic MRSA or VRE in acute care hospitals should be guided by local needs and resources.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2015;36(10):1163–1172
Topological effects on vorticity evolution in confined stratified fluids
Authors: Camassa R. , Falqui G. , Ortenzi G. , Pedroni M. 
Published: July 2015

For a stratified incompressible Euler fluid under gravity confined by rigid boundaries, sources of vorticity are classified with the aim of isolating those which are sensitive to the topological configurations of density isopycnals, for both layered and continuous density variations. The simplest case of a two-layer fluid is studied first. This shows explicitly that topological sources of vorticity are present whenever the interface intersects horizontal boundaries. Accordingly, the topological separation of the fluid domain due to the interface–boundary intersections can contribute additional terms to the vorticity balance equation. This phenomenon is reminiscent of Klein’s ‘Kaffeelöffel’ thought-experiment for a homogeneous fluid (Klein, Z. Math. Phys., vol. 59, 1910, pp. 259–262), and it is essentially independent of the vorticity generation induced by the baroclinic term in the bulk of the fluid. In fact, the two-layer case is generalized to show that for the continuously stratified case topological vorticity sources are generically present whenever density varies along horizontal boundaries. The topological sources are expressed explicitly in terms of local contour integrals of the pressure along the intersection curves of isopycnals with domain boundaries, and their effects on vorticity evolution are encoded by an appropriate vector, termed here the ‘topological vorticity’.