bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Involvement of the endocannabinoid system in attentional modulation of nociceptive behaviour in rats
Authors: Ford G.K. , Moriarty O. , Okine B.N. , Tully E. , Mulcahy A. , Harhen B. , Finn D.P. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundDistraction is used clinically to relieve and manage pain. It is hypothesized that pain demands attention and that exposure to another attention‐demanding stimulus causes withdrawal of attention away from painful stimuli, thereby reducing perceived pain. We have recently developed a rat model that provides an opportunity to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms mediating distraction‐induced analgesia, as these mechanisms are, at present, poorly understood. Given the well‐described role of the endogenous cannabinoid (endocannabinoid; EC) system in the modulation of pain and attentional processing, the present study investigated its role in distraction‐induced antinociception in rats.MethodsAnimals received the CB1 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist, rimonabant or vehicle intraperitoneally, 30 min prior to behavioural evaluation. Formalin‐evoked nociceptive behaviour was measured in the presence or absence of a novel‐object distractor. Liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine the levels of the endogenous cannabinoids anandamide and 2‐arachidonoylglycerol (2‐AG) in the ventral hippocampus (vHip).ResultsExposure to a novel object distractor significantly reduced formalin‐evoked nociceptive behaviour. The novel object‐induced reduction in nociceptive behaviour was attenuated by rimonabant. Novel object exposure was also associated with increased tissue levels of anandamide and 2‐AG in the vHip.ConclusionsThese data suggest that the reduction in formalin‐evoked nociceptive behaviour that occurs as a result of exposure to a novel object may be mediated by engagement of the EC system, in particular in the vHip. The results provide evidence that the EC system may be an important neural substrate subserving attentional modulation of pain.
Dual‐Carbon Network for the Effective Transport of Charged Species in a LiFePO4 Cathode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Ding Bo , Ji Ge , Sha Zhou , Wu Jishan , Lu Li , Lee Jim Yang 
Published: December 2014

AbstractCost and safety considerations have driven up the interest in LiFePO4 as a lithium‐ion battery cathode material. Carbon nanopainting is currently the most common approach to increase the power density of LiFePO4, but more can be done to improve the application performance further. In this study the rate performance of LiFePO4 was increased by using a conductive dual‐carbon network that can extract and conduct electrons from the Li+ storage host more effectively than common pyrolyzed carbon. The dual‐carbon network consists of a connected network of graphene sheets and a nanoscale continuous coating of pyrolyzed conductive carbon on the surface of the aggregated LiFePO4 nanocrystals. Such a construction supports fast electron transport between the aggregated LiFePO4 nanocrystals as well as within them. Consequently the LiFePO4/C composite fabricated as such delivered very high rate performances even at very high discharge rates (104 mAh g−1 at 50 C where 1 C=170 mA g−1).
High fat diet deviates PtC‐specific B1 B cell phagocytosis in obese mice
Authors: Vo Hung , Chiu Joanna , Allaimo Danielle , Mao Changchuin , Wang Yaqi , Gong Yuefei , Ow Hooisweng , Porter Tyrone , Zhong Xuemei 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPhagocytosis had been attributed predominantly to “professional” phagocytes such as macrophages, which play critical roles in adipose tissue inflammation. However, recently, macrophage‐like phagocytic activity has been reported in B1 B lymphocytes. Intrigued by the long‐established correlation between high fat diet (HFD)‐induced obesity and immune dysfunction, we investigated how HFD affects B1 B cell phagocytosis. A significant number of B1 B cells recognize phosphatidylcholine (PtC), a common phospholipid component of cell membrane. We report here that unlike macrophages, B1 B cells have a unique PtC‐specific phagocytic function. In the presence of both PtC‐coated and non‐PtC control fluorescent nano‐particles, B1 B cells from healthy lean mice selectively engulfed PtC‐coated beads, whereas B1 B cells from HFD‐fed obese mice non‐discriminately phagocytosed both PtC‐coated and control beads. Morphologically, B1 B cells from obese mice resembled macrophages, displaying enlarged cytosol and engulfed more beads. Our study suggests for the first time that HFD can affect B1 B cell phagocytosis, substantiating the link of HFD‐induced obesity and immune deviation.
Computerized tomography of the otic capsule and otoliths in the oyster toadfish, Opsanus tau
Authors: Edds‐Walton Peggy L. , Arruda Julie , Fay Richard R. , Ketten Darlene R. 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTThe neurocranium of the toadfish (Opsanus tau) exhibits a distinct translucent region in the otic capsule (OC) that may have functional significance for the auditory pathway. This study used ultrahigh resolution computerized tomography (100 µm voxels) to compare the relative density of three sites along the OC (dorsolateral, midlateral, and ventromedial) and two reference sites (dorsal: supraoccipital crest; ventral: parasphenoid bone) in the neurocranium. Higher attenuation occurs where structural density is greater; thus, we compared the X‐ray attenuations measured, which provided a measure of relative density. The maximum attenuation value was recorded for each of the five sites (x and y) on consecutive sections throughout the OC and for each of the three calcareous otoliths associated with the sensory maculae (lagena, saccule, and utricle) in the OC. All three otoliths had higher attenuations than any sites in the neurocranium. Both dorsal and ventral reference sites (supraoccipital crest and parasphenoid bone, respectively) had attenuation levels consistent with calcified bone and had relatively small, irregular variations along the length of the OC in all individuals. The lowest relative attenuations (lowest densities) occurred consistently at the three sites along the OC. In addition, the lowest attenuations measured along the OC occurred at the ventromedial site around the saccular otolith for all seven fish. The decrease in bone density along the OC is consistent with the hypothesis that there is a low‐density channel in the skull to facilitate transmission of acoustic stimuli to the auditory endorgans of the ear. J. Morphol. 276:228–240, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chronic fetal hypoxia affects axonal maturation in guinea pigs during development: A longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging and T2 mapping study
Authors: Kim Jieun , Choi In‐Young , Dong Yafeng , Wang Wen‐Tung , Brooks William M. , Weiner Carl P. , Lee Phil 
Published: December 2014

PurposeTo investigate the impact of chronic hypoxia on neonatal brains, and follow developmental alterations and adaptations noninvasively in a guinea pig model. Chronic hypoxemia is the prime cause of fetal brain injury and long‐term sequelae such as neurodevelopmental compromise, seizures, and cerebral palsy.Materials and MethodsThirty guinea pigs underwent either normoxic and hypoxemic conditions during the critical stage of brain development (0.7 gestation) and studied prenatally (n = 16) or perinatally (n = 14). Fourteen newborns (7 hypoxia and 7 normoxia group) were scanned longitudinally to characterize physiological and morphological alterations, and axonal myelination and injury using in vivo diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), T2 mapping, and T2‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Sixteen fetuses (8 hypoxia and 8 normoxia) were studied ex vivo to assess hypoxia‐induced neuronal injury/loss using Nissl staining and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction methods.ResultsDevelopmental brains in the hypoxia group showed lower fractional anisotropy in the corpus callosum (−12%, P = 0.02) and lower T2 values in the hippocampus (−16%, P = 0.003) compared with the normoxia group with no differences in the cortex (P > 0.07), indicating vulnerability of the hippocampus and cerebral white matter during early development. Fetal guinea pig brains with chronic hypoxia demonstrated an over 10‐fold increase in expression levels of hypoxia index genes such as erythropoietin and HIF‐1α, and an over 40% reduction in neuronal density, confirming prenatal brain damage.ConclusionIn vivo MRI measurement, such as DTI and T2 mapping, provides quantitative parameters to characterize neurodevelopmental abnormalities and to monitor the impact of prenatal insult on the postnatal brain maturation of guinea pigs. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:658–665.
Narrative abilities in early implanted children
Authors: Murri Alessandra , Cuda Domenico , Guerzoni Letizia , Fabrizi Enrico 
Published: December 2014

Objectives/HypothesisTo investigate the effect of age at cochlear implant activation on oral narrative ability in children implanted before 2.5 years of age and to examine the role of other variables (gender, parental education level, stimulation modality) in narrative skills.Study designretrospective nonrandomized group studyMethodsThirty children (21 females; 9 males) with congenital, bilateral severe‐to‐profound sensorineural hearing loss were included in this study. The mean age at cochlear implant activation was 14.7 months (standard deviation [SD] ± 5.3). The Renfrew Bus Story was used to analyze oral narrative skills at mean chronological age of 63 months (SD ± 0.2).ResultsThe total information on the Renfrew Bus Story raw score ranged from 8 to 40, with a mean of 22.7 (SD ± 8.6). Children produced on average 7.5 words in a sentence (SD ± 1.5). The mean score for complexity was 2.2 (SD ± 1.5). Regression analysis revealed a highly significant and negative linear effect of age at cochlear implant activation on all outcomes. The mother's education level had a positive strong effect on sentence length but a weak effect on total information and complexity. The paternal education score had a weak influence on the sentence length. Gender, age at diagnosis, and stimulation modality were not correlated with the narrative outcomes.ConclusionsEarly implanted children can develop narrative skills close to normal hearing children. The sociocultural context, expressed by maternal and paternal educational level, are positively related to the development of oral narrative.Levels of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 125:1685–1690, 2015
PEGylated Metalloporphyrin Nanoparticles as a Promising Catalyst for the Heterogeneous Oxidation of Cyclohexene in Water
Authors: Xu Li Qun , Chen Jiu Cun , Qian Shan Shan , Zhang Ao Kai , Fu Guo Dong , Li Chang Ming , Kang En‐Tang 
Published: December 2014

Amphiphilic poly[poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate]‐b‐poly(azidopropyl acrylamide) (PPEGMEMA‐b‐PAzPA) block copolymers are synthesized via a combination of reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and a reactive ester‐amine reaction. The azido‐functionalized PPEGMEMA‐b‐PAzPA block copolymers can self‐assemble into polymeric micelles in an aqueous medium and encapsulate hydrophobic alkynyl‐containing manganese(III)porphyrin (MnP) within the core domain. The subsequent in situ copper(I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) leads to the formation of PEGylated‐MnP nanoparticles (PEG‐MnP NPs). The as‐synthesized PEG‐MnP NPs are explored as a heterogeneous catalyst for oxidation of cyclohexene in water. The effect of various parameters, such as precursor oxidants, substrate to catalyst loading ratio, and presence of a cocatalyst, is investigated to optimize the oxidation conditions. The catalytic activity of PEG‐MnP NPs in water is also compared with that of dissolved MnP in organic solvent.
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Fetal cardiac biometry and function in HIV‐infected pregnant women exposed to HAART therapy
Authors: De la Calle M. , Rodriguez R. , Deirós L. , Bartha J. L. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractObjectivePrevious studies have suggested that antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected pregnant women can cause alterations in cardiac structure and function in fetuses or children, although the results are not very clear. The aim of this study is to assess whether or not these alterations are present in the heart of fetuses of HIV‐infected pregnant women, undergoing treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).Study DesignWe performed a prospective study on 29 consecutive HIV‐positive pregnant women treated with HAART and 70 consecutive HIV‐negative pregnant women as controls. Fetal cardiac biometry and function was evaluated by echocardiography at 30–32 weeks of gestation. Fetal biometry, estimated fetal weight and umbilical artery Doppler were also measured.ResultsWe found E/A tricuspid ratio values slightly increased (0.84 vs 0.80, p = 0.03) and diastolic length shortened (49.7 vs 51.7%, p = 0.03) in the HIV‐infected group. The rest of the biometric and functional cardiac parameters were not different between both groups. There were no cases of vertical transmission of HIV infection.ConclusionIn HIV‐infected pregnant women treated with HAART, no significant changes are showed in fetal cardiac parameters. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Control of mechanically activated polymersome fusion: Factors affecting fusion
Authors: Henderson Ian M. , Paxton Walter F. 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTPreviously, it was found that extruded (200 nm) polymer vesicles are capable of fusion into giant polymersomes using agitation in the presence of salt. In this study, several factors contributing to this phenomenon, including the effects of (i) polymer vesicle concentration, (ii) agitation speed and duration, and (iii) variation of the salt and its concentration are investigated. To accomplish these goals dynamic light scattering is used in conjunction with fluorescence microscopy, which provides insight into vesicles above the practical limit for DLS characterization. Increasing the concentration of the polymer dramatically increases the production of giant vesicles through the increased collisions of polymersomes. Likewise, increasing the frequency of agitation increases the efficiency of fusion, although ultimately the size of vesicle that could be produced is limited due to the high shear involved. Finally, salt‐mediation of the fusion process was not limited to NaCl, but is instead a general effect facilitated by the presence of solvated ionic compounds, albeit with different salts initiating fusion at different concentrations. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 297–303
Chemical explosion isolation applied to small mills
Authors: Taveau Jérôme R. , Farrell Thomas M. 
Published: December 2014

Mills are used in many branches of the process industries (food, chemical, pharmaceutical, and energy). According to accident statistics, this type of equipment is also among the most likely places for a dust deflagration to occur:

fine dust is continuously produced and suspended
mechanical sparks or hot particles can be created during the milling operation, ignite an explosible atmosphere within the mill, or travel with the process flow into downstream equipment.
Protection of both the mill and the interconnected equipment needs to be addressed for an effective explosion protection strategy. Since mills generally exhibit a fairly strong design, they are expected to withstand a dust explosion without any additional overpressure protection (in this case, high strength pipes need to be employed with). On the other hand, explosion isolation must be considered carefully, as a dust explosion can propagate through pipes and reach other equipment. The fact that reduced explosion pressure in a mill is typically an order of magnitude higher than in a vented enclosure poses some challenges to isolation techniques, and particularly chemical isolation barriers. An experimental investigation was carried out to verify the effectiveness of a chemical explosion isolation barrier applied to a small unvented vessel (representing a mill) equipped with long pipes. Dust was injected inside the pipes to promote flame propagation and create challenging conditions for the isolation barrier. Application limits, specifically focusing on installation distances, were studied. The effect of chemical isolation upon downstream pipe pressure development was also investigated. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 34: 157–166, 2015
Examination of Extraction of Vanadium(V) by Trioctylamine from Sulfuric Solutions
Authors: Kurbatova Ludmilla D. , Koryakova Olga V. , Valova Marina A. , Yanchenko Mikhail Yu. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe effect of different factors, such as pH of the medium (1.5 < pH < 4.0; 1 × 10–4 mol·L–1 < [SO42–] < 1 × 10–1 mol·L–1), the concentration of extracting agent, temperature and the type of the solvent, on the extraction of vanadium(V) by trioctylamine was studied. It was shown that the extraction of vanadium(V) by trioctylamine at 25 ± 0.5 °C takes place in the pH range 2.0–3.5 and the extracting complex contains decavanadate anion H2V10O284– and four molecules of the extracting agent. This allows the reaction of vanadium(V) extraction by trioctylamine to be described by the following equation: 2(R3NH)2SO4 + H2V10O284– → (R3NH)4H2V10O28 + 2SO4. The effect of the length of the alkyl chain of alcohol (propyl, butyl, isododecyl alcohol) on the homogeneity of the system VV‐TOA‐toluene‐alcohol was investigated. It was established that the solubility of the extracting complexes of vanadium(V) with trioctylamine can be increased by using isododecyl alcohol C12H25OH as a modifying agent. It was shown that under optimal conditions in the presence of isododecyl alcohol at temperatures above 25 °C in the pH interval 2.0–3.5 trioctylamine extracts vanadium(V) with a high distribution coefficient (lg DVV > 2).
Organization‐Level Predictors of Sustained Social Movement Participation
Authors: Tesdahl Eric A. , Speer Paul W. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractLong‐term sustained participation represents one of the most important resources available to community organizations and social movement organizations (SMOs). The participatory literature on community and SMOs has identified a host of individual‐level factors that influence participation beyond initial engagement, and has more recently identified contextual factors that influence participation. This study builds upon current understandings of participation in SMOs by examining how sustained participation in movement activities is affected by two qualities of SMO settings: repertoire of organizational activity, and equality of staff contact with organization members to cultivate and facilitate individual participation. To this end, we employ multi‐level regression techniques to examine longitudinal data on participation within 50 local chapters of a national congregation‐based community organizing federation. We find that the conduct of organizational activities previously shown to increase levels of participation among individual persons does not necessarily lead to increases in aggregate or organization‐level participation. Further, we find that conditions of unequal staff contact among organization members represent a notable drag on organization‐level participation over time. Our findings suggest that organizers and organizational leaders may well see greater levels of participation in their organizations by simply re‐distributing resources and opportunities more equitably within their organizations.
An unusual polynodular liver disease: Multiple biliary hamartoma
Authors: Teng Shih‐Lun , Shin Jeng‐Shiann , Huang Jen‐Chieh 
Published: December 2014

SummaryWe report a 73‐year‐old male patient who suffered from right upper abdominal dull pain, fever, and chills for 2 days. Gall bladder stones and acute cholecystitis were diagnosed, and parenteral antibiotics were used. The abdominal ultrasonography showed multiple tiny hyperechoic nodules over both lobes of the liver. His computed tomography scan revealed low‐density lesions without contrast enhancement. Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography further revealed lesions that were hypointense on T1‐weighted images and hyperintense on T2‐weighted images. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and liver biopsy were performed, and biliary hamartoma was diagnosed based on the pathology. This report describes an unusual case of multiple biliary hamartomas and reviews the literature regarding the incidence, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of this disease.
Algebraic independence of multipliers of periodic orbits in the space of polynomial maps of one variable
Authors: GORBOVICKIS IGORS 
Published: December 2014

We consider the space of complex polynomials of degree $n\geq 3$ with $n-1$ distinct marked periodic orbits of given periods. We prove that this space is irreducible and the multipliers of the marked periodic orbits, considered as algebraic functions on that space, are algebraically independent over $\mathbb{C}$. Equivalently, this means that at its generic point the moduli space of degree-$n$ polynomial maps can be locally parameterized by the multipliers of $n-1$ arbitrary distinct periodic orbits. We also prove a similar result for a certain class of affine subspaces of the space of complex polynomials of degree $n$.
Random affine code tree fractals and Falconer–Sloan condition
Authors: JÄRVENPÄÄ ESA , JÄRVENPÄÄ MAARIT , LI BING , STENFLO ÖRJAN 
Published: December 2014

We calculate the almost sure dimension for a general class of random affine code tree fractals in $\mathbb{R}^{d}$. The result is based on a probabilistic version of the Falconer–Sloan condition $C(s)$ introduced in Falconer and Sloan [Continuity of subadditive pressure for self-affine sets. Real Anal. Exchange 34 (2009), 413–427]. We verify that, in general, systems having a small number of maps do not satisfy condition $C(s)$. However, there exists a natural number $n$ such that for typical systems the family of all iterates up to level $n$ satisfies condition $C(s)$.
SUCCESSIVE RADII OF FAMILIES OF CONVEX BODIES
Authors: GONZÁLEZ BERNARDO , HERNÁNDEZ CIFRE MARÍA A. , HINRICHS AICKE 
Published: December 2014

AbstractWe study properties of the so-called inner and outer successive radii of special families of convex bodies. First we consider the balls of the $p$-norms, for which we show that the precise value of the outer (inner) radii when $p\geq 2$ ($1\leq p\leq 2$), as well as bounds in the contrary case $1\leq p\leq 2$ ($p\geq 2$), can be obtained as consequences of known results on Gelfand and Kolmogorov numbers of identity operators between finite-dimensional normed spaces. We also prove properties that successive radii satisfy when we restrict to the families of the constant width sets and the $p$-tangential bodies.