bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Insurance Carrier, Prior Authorization, and Socioeconomic Status on Appropriate Use of SPECT Myocardial Perfusion Imaging in Private Community‐Based Office Practice
Authors: Doukky Rami , Hayes Kathleen , Frogge Nathan , Nazir Noreen T. , Collado Fareed M. , Williams Kim A. 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe impact of health insurance carrier and socioeconomic status (SES) on the adherence to appropriate use criteria (AUC) for radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is unknown.HypothesisHealth insurance carrier's prior authorization and patient's SES impact adherence to AUC for MPI in a fee‐for‐service setting.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study of 1511 consecutive patients who underwent outpatient MPI in a multi‐site, office‐based, fee‐for‐service setting. The patients were stratified according to the 2009 AUC into appropriate/uncertain appropriateness and inappropriate use groups. Insurance status was categorized as Medicare (does not require prior authorization) vs commercial (requires prior authorization). Socioeconomic status was determined by the median household income in the ZIP code of residence.ResultsThe proportion of patients with Medicare was 33% vs 67% with commercial insurance. The rate of inappropriate use was higher among patients with commercial insurance vs Medicare (55% vs 24%; P < 0.001); this difference was not significant after adjusting for confounders known to impact AUC determination (odds ratio: 1.06, 95% confidence interval: 0.62‐1.82, P = 0.82). The mean annual household income in the residential areas of patients with inappropriate use as compared to those with appropriate/uncertain use was $72 000 ± 21 000 vs $68 000 ± 20 000, respectively (P < 0.001). After adjusting for covariates known to impact AUC determination, SES (top vs bottom quartile income area) was not independently predictive of inappropriate MPI use (odds ratio: 0.9, 95% confidence interval: 0.53‐1.52, P = 0.69).ConclusionsInsurance carriers prior authorization and SES do not seem to play a significant role in determining physicians adherence to AUC for MPI.
Synthesis and Nanostructures of Metal Selenide Precursors for Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Thin‐Film Solar Cells
Authors: Cha Ji‐Hyun , Noh Se Jin , Jung Duk‐Young 
Published: May 2015

AbstractA nanoink solution‐based process was developed as a low‐costing method for the fabrication of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGSe) thin‐film photovoltaic cells. The sonochemical synthesis of CIGSe nanocrystals of the nanoink through step‐by‐step mixing of the reactants was investigated. To achieve the ideal stoichiometry of Cu(In0.7Ga0.3)Se2 to tune the bandgap and to fabricate high‐efficiency photovoltaic cells, the synthetic parameters, the concentration of hydrazine, and the amount used of the gallium precursor were investigated. As the hydrazine concentration increased, gallium loss was observed in the CIGSe product. The gallium content in the reactant mixture strongly affected the metal stoichiometry of the prepared CIGSe nanocrystals. The nanoink solution based fabrication of thin‐film photovoltaic cells was also explored, and the resulting device showed a conversion efficiency of 5.17 %.
Environmentally Friendly Carbon‐Preserving Recovery of Noble Metals From Supported Fuel Cell Catalysts
Authors: Latsuzbaia R. , Negro E. , Koper G. J. M. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe dissolution of noble‐metal catalysts under mild and carbon‐preserving conditions offers the possibility of in situ regeneration of the catalyst nanoparticles in fuel cells or other applications. Here, we report on the complete dissolution of the fuel cell catalyst, platinum nanoparticles, under very mild conditions at room temperature in 0.1 M HClO4 and 0.1 M HCl by electrochemical potential cycling between 0.5–1.1 V at a scan rate of 50 mV s−1. Dissolution rates as high as 22.5 μg cm−2 per cycle were achieved, which ensured a relatively short dissolution timescale of 3–5 h for a Pt loading of 0.35 mg cm−2 on carbon. The influence of chloride ions and oxygen in the electrolyte on the dissolution was investigated, and a dissolution mechanism is proposed on the basis of the experimental observations and available literature results. During the dissolution process, the corrosion of the carbon support was minimal, as observed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
Facile Rearrangement of a Bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene)borate Chelate Ligand and Access to [:GeX]+ Complexes (X = H, Cl)
Authors: Xiong Yun , Yao Shenglai , Szilvási Tibor , Driess Matthias 
Published: May 2015

AbstractInvited for the cover of this issue is the group of Matthias Driess at the Technische Universität Berlin, Germany. The cover image shows the unexpected rearrangement of the bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene)borate chelating ligand induced by the “Kalium” (German for potassium) ion in toluene. This rearrangement affords a unique imidazolyl–NHC–borate potassium salt, which represents a new chelating bis(donor) ligand, allowing access to a novel hydridogermyliumylideneborate complex.
A 3D mesh deformation technique for irregular in‐flight ice accretion
Authors: Pendenza Andrew , Habashi Wagdi G. , Fossati Marco 
Published: May 2015

SummaryAircraft holding around busy airports may be requested to sustain as much as 45 min of icing before landing or being diverted to another airport. In this paper, a three‐dimensional mesh deformation scheme, based on a structural frame analogy, is proposed for the numerical simulation of ice accretion during extended exposure to adverse weather conditions. The goal is to provide an approach that is robust and efficient enough to delay or altogether avoid re‐meshing while preserving (enforcing) nearly orthogonal elements at the highly distorted ice surface. Robustness is achieved by suitably modifying the axial and torsional stiffness components of the frame elements in order to handle large and irregular grid displacements typical of in‐flight icing. Computational efficiency is obtained by applying the mesh displacement to an automatically selected small subset of the entire computational domain. The methodology is validated first in the case of deformations typical of fluid‐structure interaction problems, including wing bending, a helicopter rotor in forward flight, and the twisting of a high‐lift wing configuration. The approach is then assessed for aero‐icing on two swept wings and compared against experimental measurements where available. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cooling rate effects on thermal, structural, and microstructural properties of bio‐hydroxyapatite obtained from bovine bone
Authors: Ramirez‐Gutierrez Cristian F. , Palechor‐Ocampo Anderzon F. , Londoño‐Restrepo Sandra M. , Millán‐Malo Beatriz M. , Rodriguez‐García Mario E. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThis article is focused on the study of cooling rate effects on the thermal, structural, and microstructural properties of hydroxyapatite (HAp) obtained from bovine bone. A three‐step process was used to obtain BIO‐HAp: hydrothermal, calcinations, and cooling. Calcined samples in a furnace and cooling in air (HAp‐CAir), water (HAp‐CW), and liquid nitrogen (HAp‐CN2), as well as an air cooled sample inside the furnace (HAp‐CFAir), were studied. According to this study, the low cooling rate that was achieved for air cooled samples inside the furnace produce single crystal BIO‐HAp with better crystalline quality; other samples exhibited polycrystalline structures forming micron and submicron grains. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 339–344, 2016.
A new methodology for quantifying bubble flow rates in deep water using splitbeam echosounders: Examples from the Arctic offshore NW‐Svalbard
Authors: Veloso M. , Greinert J. , Mienert J. , De Batist M. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractQuantifying marine methane fluxes of free gas (bubbles) from the seafloor into the water column is of importance for climate related studies, for example, in the Arctic, reliable methodologies are also of interest for studying man‐made gas and oil leakage systems at hydrocarbon production sites. Hydroacoustic surveys with singlebeam and nowadays also multibeam systems have been proven to be a successful approach to detect bubble release from the seabed. A number of publications used singlebeam echosounder data to indirectly quantify free gas fluxes via empirical correlations between gas fluxes observed at the seafloor and the hydroacoustic response. Others utilize the hydroacoustic information in an inverse modeling approach to derive bubble fluxes. Here, we present an advanced methodology using data from splitbeam echosounder systems for analyzing gas release water depth (> 100 m). We introduce a new MATLAB‐based software for processing and interactively editing data and we present how bubble‐size distribution, bubble rising speed and the model used for calculating the backscatter response of single bubbles influence the final gas flow rate calculations. As a result, we highlight the need for further investigations on how large, wobbly bubbles, bubble clouds, and multi‐scattering influence target strength. The results emphasize that detailed studies of bubble‐size distributions and rising speeds need to be performed in parallel to hydroacoustic surveys to achieve realistic mediated methane flow rate and flux quantifications.
The minor ecdysteroids from Ajuga turkestanica
Authors: Guibout Louis , Mamadalieva Nilufar , Balducci Christine , Girault Jean‐Pierre , Lafont René 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIntroductionAjuga turkestanica is a plant used in traditional medicine for its high ecdysteroid content, including the presence of the particularly active turkesterone, which possess efficient anabolic activity.ObjectivesTo isolate and identify minor ecdysteroids present in a semi‐purified plant fraction containing ca. 70% turkesterone.Material and MethodsMulti‐step preparative HPLC (combining RP‐ and NP‐HPLC systems) was used to purify the different components present in the turkesterone fraction. Isolated compounds were identified by high‐resolution mass spectrometry and 2D‐NMR.ResultsFourteen ecdysteroids (including turkesterone and 20‐hydroxyecdysone) were isolated. Seven of these, all bearing an 11α‐hydroxy group, were previously unreported.ConclusionAjuga turkestanica ecdysteroids are characterised by the abundance of 11α‐hydroxylated compounds and by the simultaneous presence of 24C, 27C, 28C and 29C ecdysteroids. It is expected that even more ecdysteroids are to be found in this plant since the starting material for this study lacked the less polar ecdysteroids. The simultaneous presence of 20‐hydroxyecdysone and turkesterone (its 11α‐hydroxy analogue) as the two major ecdysteroids suggests that every ecdysteroid is probably present in both 11α‐hydroxy and 11‐deoxy forms. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perspectives on Sexual Health and Function of Recent Male Combat Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan
Authors: Helmer Drew A. , Beaulieu Gregory , Powers Catherine , Houlette Cheryl , Latini David , Kauth Michael 
Published: May 2015

Abstract

Background
U.S. veterans of recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan may be at greater risk for sexual dysfunction due to injuries, mental health conditions, medications used to treat those conditions, and psychosocial factors.

Objective
To explore the perceptions of recent Veterans about sexual health and dysfunction, contributing factors, its impact and solutions.

Design
Qualitative study.

Participants
Eight men who screened positive for sexual dysfunction at initial presentation to a postdeployment clinic at a Veterans Affairs medical center

Approach
Patients who screened positive for sexual dysfunction and indicated an interest in participating were contacted and scheduled for an in-person private interview with a researcher. Interviews were semistructured, utilizing open-ended and follow-up probe questions to elicit the individual's perspective about sexual dysfunction and its cause, impact and solutions. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed for themes.

Key Results
These heterosexual men discussed a range of sexual dysfunction in their activities including lack of desire, erectile dysfunction, delayed orgasm, premature ejaculation, and distraction. They also discussed the importance of setting or context and changes over time to their sexual health and function. The men shared their ideas about contributory factors, including normal aging, medication side effects, injury and a possible role for combat deployment more generally. Reported solutions for sexual dysfunction included medications, herbal remedies, and new positions and approaches to sexual activity. Participants reported discussing sexual dysfunction with their health-care providers and what was helpful. Finally, the men expressed in their own words the significant impact of sexual dysfunction on their self-perception, their partners, and their relationships.

Conclusions
Sexual dysfunction in recent combat veterans can have important negative effects on their health and relationships. Our findings elucidate perceived contributory factors and preferred solutions, which can be applied by health-care providers to improve the management of sexual dysfunction in these patients.
Internet Use, Facebook Intrusion, and Depression: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Błachnio A. , Przepiórka A. , Pantic I. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractFacebook has become a very popular social networking platform today, particularly among adolescents and young adults, profoundly changing the way they communicate and interact. However, some reports have indicated that excessive Facebook use might have detrimental effects on mental health and be associated with certain psychological problems. Because previous findings on the relationship between Facebook addiction and depression were not unambiguous, further investigation was required. The main objective of our study was to examine the potential associations between Internet use, depression, and Facebook intrusion. A total of 672 Facebook users took part in the cross-sectional study. The Facebook Intrusion Questionnaire and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale were used. For collecting the data, the snowball sampling procedure was used. We showed that depression can be a predictor of Facebook intrusion. Our results provides additional evidence that daily Internet use time in minutes, gender, and age are also predictors of Facebook intrusion: that Facebook intrusion can be predicted by being male, young age, and an extensive number of minutes spent online. On the basis of this study, it is possible to conclude that there are certain demographic – variables, such as age, gender, or time spent online – that may help in outlining the profile of a user who may be in danger of becoming addicted to Facebook. This piece of knowledge may serve for prevention purposes.
Numerical simulation of supersquare patterns in Faraday waves
Authors: Kahouadji L. , Périnet N. , Tuckerman L. S. , Shin S. , Chergui J. , Juric D. 
Published: May 2015

We report the first simulations of the Faraday instability using the full three-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations in domains much larger than the characteristic wavelength of the pattern. We use a massively parallel code based on a hybrid front-tracking/level-set algorithm for Lagrangian tracking of arbitrarily deformable phase interfaces. Simulations performed in square and cylindrical domains yield complex patterns. In particular, a superlattice-like pattern similar to those of Douady & Fauve (Europhys. Lett., vol. 6, 1988, pp. 221–226) and Douady (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 221, 1990, pp. 383–409) is observed. The pattern consists of the superposition of two square superlattices. We conjecture that such patterns are widespread if the square container is large compared with the critical wavelength. In the cylinder, pentagonal cells near the outer wall allow a square-wave pattern to be accommodated in the centre.
Growth Directions of Precipitates in the Al–Si–Mg–Hf Alloy Using Combined EBSD and FIB 3D-Reconstruction Techniques
Authors: Wang Xueli , Xing Yuan , Huang Huilan , Li Yanjun , Jia Zhihong , Liu Qing 
Published: May 2015

AbstractNanobelt-like precipitates in an Al–Si–Mg–Hf alloy were studied using electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and focused ion beam (FIB) scanning electron microscopy techniques. One grain of the Al matrix with a near [111] normal direction was identified by EBSD and the three-dimensional (3D) microstructure of nanobelt-like precipitates in this grain was studied using 3D-FIB. Ten growth directions of the nanobelt-like precipitates in the grain were identified.
Automatic Evaluation of Collagen Fiber Directions from Polarized Light Microscopy Images
Authors: Novak Kamil , Polzer Stanislav , Tichy Michal , Bursa Jiri 
Published: May 2015

AbstractMechanical properties of the arterial wall depend largely on orientation and density of collagen fiber bundles. Several methods have been developed for observation of collagen orientation and density; the most frequently applied collagen-specific manual approach is based on polarized light (PL). However, it is very time consuming and the results are operator dependent. We have proposed a new automated method for evaluation of collagen fiber direction from two-dimensional polarized light microscopy images (2D PLM). The algorithm has been verified against artificial images and validated against manual measurements. Finally the collagen content has been estimated. The proposed algorithm was capable of estimating orientation of some 35 k points in 15 min when applied to aortic tissue and over 500 k points in 35 min for Achilles tendon. The average angular disagreement between each operator and the algorithm was −9.3±8.6° and −3.8±8.6° in the case of aortic tissue and −1.6±6.4° and 2.6±7.8° for Achilles tendon. Estimated mean collagen content was 30.3±5.8% and 94.3±2.7% for aortic media and Achilles tendon, respectively. The proposed automated approach is operator independent and several orders faster than manual measurements and therefore has the potential to replace manual measurements of collagen orientation via PLM.
Dissection of C. elegans behavioral genetics in 3-D environments
Authors: Kwon Namseop , Hwang Ara B. , You Young-Jai , V. Lee Seung-Jae , Ho Je Jung 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe nematodeCaenorhabditis elegansis a widely used model for genetic dissection of animal behaviors. Despite extensive technical advances in imaging methods, it remains challenging to visualize and quantifyC. elegansbehaviors in three-dimensional (3-D) natural environments. Here we developed an innovative 3-D imaging method that enables quantification ofC. elegansbehavior in 3-D environments. Furthermore, for the first time, we characterized 3-D-specific behavioral phenotypes of mutant worms that have defects in head movement or mechanosensation. This approach allowed us to reveal previously unknown functions of genes in behavioral regulation. We expect that our 3-D imaging method will facilitate new investigations into genetic basis of animal behaviors in natural 3-D environments.
Maternal salt and fat intake causes hypertension and sustained endothelial dysfunction in fetal, weanling and adult male resistance vessels
Authors: Gray Clint , Harrison Claudia J. , Segovia Stephanie A. , Reynolds Clare M. , Vickers Mark H. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractMaternal salt and fat intake can independently programme adult cardiovascular status, increasing risk of cardiovascular disease in offspring. Despite its relevance to modern western-style dietary habits, the interaction between increased maternal salt and fat intake has not been examined. Female virgin Sprague-Dawley rats were fed, a standard control diet (CD) (10% kcal fat, 1% NaCl), High-fat diet (HF) (45% kcal fat, 1% NaCl), High-salt diet (SD) (10% kcal fat, 4% NaCl), High-fat high-salt diet (HFSD) (45% kcal fat, 4% NaCl) prior to pregnancy, during pregnancy and throughout lactation. Fetal, weanling and adult vessels were mounted on a pressure myograph at fetal day 18, weaning day 21 and day 135 of adulthood. Increased blood pressure in SD, HFD and HFSD male offspring at day 80 and 135 of age was consistent with perturbed vascular function in fetal, weanling and adult vessels. Maternal salt intake reduced EDHF and calcium-mediated vasodilation, maternal fat reduced NO pathways and maternal fat and salt intake, a combination of the two pathways. Adult offspring cardiovascular disease risk may, in part, relate to vascular adaptations caused by maternal salt and/or fat intake during pregnancy, leading to persistent vascular dysfunction and sustained higher resting blood pressure throughout life.
Toxin acidic residue evolutionary function-guided design of de novo peptide drugs for the immunotherapeutic target, the Kv1.3 channel
Authors: Chen Zongyun , Hu Youtian , Hong Jing , Hu Jun , Yang Weishan , Xiang Fang , Yang Fan , Xie Zili , Cao Zhijian , Li Wenxin , Lin Donghai , Wu Yingliang 
Published: May 2015

AbstractDuring the long-term evolution of animal toxins acting on potassium channels, the acidic residues can orientate the toxin binding interfaces by adjusting the molecular polarity. Based on the evolutionary function of toxin acidic residues, de novo peptide drugs with distinct binding interfaces were designed for the immunotherapeutic target, the Kv1.3 channel. Using a natural basic toxin, BmKTX, as a template, which contains 2 acidic residues (Asp19 and Asp33), we engineered two new peptides BmKTX-19 with 1 acidic residue (Asp33) and BmKTX-196 with 2 acidic residues (Asp6 and Asp33) through only adjusting acidic residue distribution for reorientation of BmKTX binding interface. Pharmacological experiments indicated that BmKTX-19 and BmKTX-196 peptides were specific inhibitors of the Kv1.3 channel and effectively suppressed cytokine secretion. In addition to the structural similarity between the designed and native peptides, both experimental alanine-scanning mutagenesis and computational simulation further indicated that the binding interface of wild-type BmKTX was successfully reoriented in BmKTX-19 and BmKTX-196, which adopted distinct toxin surfaces as binding interfaces. Together, these findings indicate not only the promising prospect of BmKTX-19 and BmKTX-196 as drug candidates but also the desirable feasibility of the evolution-guided peptide drug design for discovering numerous peptide drugs for the Kv1.3 channel.
Controlled motion of electrically neutral microparticles by pulsed direct current
Authors: Zhang Xinfang , Qin Rongshan 
Published: May 2015

AbstractA controlled motion of electrically neutral microparticles in a conductive liquid at high temperatures has not yet been realized under the uniform direct electric current field. We propose a simple method, which employs pulsed direct current to a conductive liquid metal containing low-conductivity objects at high temperature. The electric current enables the low-conductivity particles to pass from the centre towards the various surfaces of the high-conductivity liquid metal. Most interestingly, the directionality of microparticles can be controlled and their speed can be easily regulated by adjusting pulsed current density. We find that the movement may arise from the configuration of electrical domains which generates a driving force which exceeds the force of gravity and viscous friction. All of these features are of potential benefit in separating the particles of nearly equal density but distinctly different electrical conductivities and also offer considerable promise for the precise and selective positioning of micro-objects or the controlled motion of minute quantities of surrounding fluids.