bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating risks to wildlife from coal fly ash incorporating recent advances in metals and metalloids risk assessment
Authors: Meyer Carolyn B , Schlekat Tamar H , Walls Suzanne J , Iannuzzi Jacqueline , Souza Marcy J 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Current scientific advances in metal and metalloid risk assessment were applied to evaluate risk to aquatic and riparian wildlife species potentially impacted by residual coal fly ash after cleanup of an unprecedented large ash release into an aquatic environment—the first assessment of its kind. Risk was evaluated using multiple lines of evidence (LOE), including 1) tissue-based risk assessment of inorganic concentrations in piscivorous and insectivorous bird eggs and raccoon organs, 2) deterministic and probabilistic diet-based risk estimates for 10 receptors species, 3) raccoon health metrics, and 4) tree swallow nest productivity measures. Innovative approaches included use of tissue-based toxicity reference values (TRVs), adjustment of bioavailability in the dietary uptake models (using sequential metal extractions in sediment), partitioning chemical species into uptake compartments (e.g., prey gut, nongut, sediment), incorporating uncertainty in both modeled dose and dietary TRVs, matching TRVs to chemical forms of constituents, and pairing these LOEs with reproductive success or health status of sensitive receptor species. The weight of evidence revealed that risk to wildlife from residual ash was low and that risk, though low, was most pronounced for insectivorous birds from exposure to Se and As. This information contributes to the debate surrounding coal combustion residue regulations prompted by this ash release. Because of the responsible party's proactive approach of applying state-of-the-art methods to assess risk using several LOEs that produced consistent results, and because of their inclusion of the regulating agencies in decisions at every step of the process, the risk assessment results were accepted, and an effective approach toward cleanup protective of the environment was quickly implemented. This study highlights the value of using multiple LOEs and the latest scientific advances to assist in timely decision making to obtain an effective remedy for an emergency spill. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;11:67–79. © 2014 SETAC
Key Points
The manuscript presents an assessment of risk to wildlife from exposure to residual coal fly ash in the Watts Bar Reservoir in Tennessee. The risk assessment utilized a weight-of-evidence approach that relied on multiple lines of evidence including dietary uptake models, concentrations in tissues, reproductive success, and health metrics. Dietary uptake models were used to estimate both deterministic and probabilistic risk. The dietary model inputs were refined to incorporate site-specific measures of bioaccessibility/bioavailability based on advances in metals risk assessment that support the importance of bioavailability considerations. The results indicate that ash-related metals posed negligible risk to herbivorous wildlife and low risk to other species which was most pronounced in aerial insectivorous birds.
Ecological risk assessment for residual coal fly ash at Watts Bar Reservoir, Tennessee: Limited alteration of riverine-reservoir benthic invertebrate community following dredging of ash-contaminated sediment
Authors: Buys David J , Stojak Amber R , Stiteler William , Baker Tyler F 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Benthic invertebrate communities were assessed after the December 2008 release of approximately 4.1 million m3 coal fly ash from a disposal dredge cell at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Kingston Fossil Plant on Watts Bar Reservoir in Roane County, Tennessee, USA. Released ash filled the adjacent embayments and the main channel of the Emory River, migrating into reaches of the Emory, Clinch, and Tennessee Rivers. Dredging was completed in summer 2010, and the benthic community sampling was conducted in December 2010. This study is part of a series that supported an Ecological Risk Assessment for the Kingston site. Benthic invertebrate communities were sampled at transects spread across approximately 20 miles of river that includes both riverine and reservoirlike conditions. Community composition was assessed on a grab sample and transect basis across multiple cross-channel transects to gain an understanding of the response of the benthic community to a fly ash release of this magnitude. This assessment used invertebrate community metrics, similarity analysis, geospatial statistics, and correlations with sediment chemistry and habitat. The community composition was reflective of a reservoir system, with dominant taxa being insect larva, bivalves, and aquatic worms. Most community metric results were similar for ash-impacted areas and upstream reference areas. Variation in the benthic community was correlated more with habitat than with sediment chemistry or residual ash. Other studies have reported that a benthic community can take several years to a decade to recover from ash or ash-related constituents. Although released ash undoubtedly had some initial impacts on the benthic community in this study, the severity of these effects appears to be limited to the initial smothering of the organisms followed by a rapid response and the initial start of recovery postdredging. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;11:43–55. © 2014 SETAC
Key Points
The benthic community recolonized the system in a quicker timeframe than other ash-impacted sites. The severity of effects appears to be limited to the initial smothering of benthic organisms. Variation in the community was correlated more with habitat than residual ash. Long-term monitoring of the benthic community will be conducted to assess the effectiveness of the remedial action and natural recovery.
Procedural sedation and analgesia as an adjunct to periprostatic nerve block for prostate biopsy: A prospective randomized trial
Authors: Doğanca Tünkut , Savsin Abdurrahman , Erdoğan Sarper , Altindas Fatis , Özdemir Fatih , Ekici Birsel , Öbek Can 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundTo assess whether patient comfort could be increased by adding procedural sedation and analgesia (PSAA) to periprostatic nerve block (PNB) in patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound‐guided prostatic biopsy (TRUS‐PB).MethodsThis was a prospective, randomized (1:2) trial comparing PNB with the combination of PSAA+PNB in patients undergoing TRUS‐PB. PNB was achieved by using lidocaine gel and lidocaine and bipuvacaine infiltration. PSAA‐treated patients received midazolam and remifentanil. All biopsies were standardized and performed in a fully equipped endourology suite. PSAA was delivered by an anesthesiology nurse in the presence and availability of an anesthesiologist. An orally administered numeric scale of 0–10 was used to assess the patient's pain, and a visual scale of 0–4 was used to quantify their satisfaction. Pain and satisfaction scores were compared between the groups.ResultsData on 331 patients were analyzed: 235 received PNB, and 96 received PSAA+PNB. Distribution within the groups by age, prostate‐specific antigen serum levels, prostate volume, and number of cores obtained was similar. Airway insertion was required in 4 of 96 patients in PSAA+PNB arm (4%), with no other complications related to sedation. The average pain level was significantly lower in the PSAA+PNB group than it was in the PNB group (0.88 versus 1.31; p = 0.008). The satisfaction level was high (3.5) and alike in the two groups; however, significantly more patients reported a perfect score of 4 in the PSAA+PNB arm (p = 0.03).ConclusionsPSAA with midazolam and remifentanil used as an adjunct to the standard PNB is safe and effective during TRUS‐PB. Patients undergoing PSAA in addition to PNB experienced significantly less pain and higher satisfaction scores than did those given PNB alone. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 43:288–294, 2015
Embedding a Graph‐Like Continuum in Some Surface
Authors: Christian R. , Richter R. B. , Salazar G. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractWe show that a graph‐like continuum embeds in some surface if and only if it does not contain one of: a generalized thumbtack; or infinitely many K3, 3s or K5s that are either pairwise disjoint or all have just a single point in common.
Effects of Perinatal Stress and Maternal Traumatic Stress on the Cortisol Regulation of Preterm Infants
Authors: Habersaat Stephanie , Borghini Ayala , Nessi Jennifer , Forcada‐Guex Margarita , Müller‐Nix Carole , Pierrehumbert Blaise , Ansermet François 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPreterm infants experience intense stress during the perinatal period because they endure painful and intense medical procedures. Repeated activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis during this period may have long‐term effects on subsequent cortisol regulation. A premature delivery may also be intensely stressful for the parents, and they may develop symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Usable saliva samples were collected (4 times per day over 2 days, in the morning at awakening, at midday, in the afternoon, and in the evening before going to bed) to assess the diurnal cortisol regulation from 46 preterm infants when the infants were 12 months of corrected age (∼ 14 months after birth). Mothers reported their level of PTSD symptoms. The results showed an interaction between perinatal stress and maternal traumatic stress on the diurnal cortisol slope of preterm infants (R2 = .32). This suggests that the HPA axis of preterm infants exposed to high perinatal stress may be more sensitive to subsequent environmental stress.
Factors Related to Clinician Attitudes Toward Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD
Authors: Ruzek Josef I. , Eftekhari Afsoon , Rosen Craig S. , Crowley Jill J. , Kuhn Eric , Foa Edna B. , Hembree Elizabeth A. , Karlin Bradley E. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThis study examines pretraining attitudes toward prolonged exposure (PE) therapy in a sample of 1,275 mental health clinicians enrolled in a national PE training program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Attitudes assessed via survey included values placed on outcomes targeted by PE, outcome expectancies (positive expectancies for patient improvement and negative expectancies related to patient deterioration, clinician time burden, and clinician emotional burden), and self‐efficacy for delivering PE. Results indicated that clinicians were receptive to learning PE and had positive expectations about the treatment, but expressed concerns that PE might increase patient distress. Responses varied by clinician characteristics with psychologists, clinicians working in specialty PTSD treatment settings (as opposed to those in mental health clinics and other clinic types), and those with a primarily cognitive–behavioral orientation expressing attitudes that were most supportive of learning and implementing PE across various indicators. Implications for addressing attitudinal barriers to implementation of PE therapy are discussed.
Progress in Understanding Low‐Temperature Organic Compound Oxidation Using a Jet‐Stirred Reactor
Authors: Herbinet Olivier , Battin‐Leclerc Frédérique 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTThe jet‐stirred reactor (JSR) has become a tool frequently used to study the oxidation of a wide range of reactants and particularly to obtain data for testing detailed kinetic models. This paper aims to discuss recent knowledge pertaining to low‐temperature oxidation of hydrocarbons and oxygenated reactants that has been gained from using a JSR in connection with gas chromatography, especially for the detailed quantification of cyclic ethers. Furthermore, JSR in conjunction with mass spectrometry has been applied to the detection of hydroperoxides, including ketohydroperoxides, acids, and compounds with two carbonyl functions. Finally, along with optical diagnostics, JSR has notably been used for the detection of hydrogen peroxide and OH and HO2 radicals. These aspects are also discussed here.
On the Application of the Pseudophase Model to Excited State Processes: Quenching of Pyrene by the Iodide Ion in β‐Cyclodextrin and Micellar (SDS) Solutions
Authors: Carnerero Jose Maria , Sanchez Francisco , Perez‐Tejeda Pilar 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTThe pseudophase model, a two‐state model, is based on the assumption of the existence of an equilibrium between these two states (free and bound), which is not perturbed in the case of a reactive event. This implies that the processes in which these two states participate must be slow, in relation to the exchange processes between these states. This condition does not hold in the case of very rapid photochemical quenching processes. However, for these processes the pseudophase model is formally applicable. In this paper, a treatment that quantitatively explains this formal applicability is presented. This treatment is checked through the study of the quenching of pyrene fluorescence by the iodide ion in solutions containing β‐cyclodextrin and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles.
Thiazolium‐Containing Poly(ionic liquid)s and Ionic Polymers
Authors: Grygiel Konrad , Chabanne Laurent , Men Yongjun , Yuan Jiayin 
Published: August 2014

SummaryThis paper reports on the synthesis of a new type of ionic polymers, including poly(ionic liquid)s, which contain 4‐methylthiazolium‐based ionic liquid pending groups along the polymer chain. The monomers were prepared via simple quaternization reaction of 4‐methyl thiazole with 4‐vinylbenzyl chloride and the subsequentanion exchange with various anions. Free radical polymerization and anion exchange reactions were employed to prepare several 4‐methylthiazolium‐based ionic polymers. These polymers show anion‐dependent tuneable solubility in water and organic solvents. In addition, the new polycations' ability to stabilize single‐walled as well as multi‐walled carbon nanotubes in water and acetone is presented.
Ionic Liquids as Advantageous Reaction Media for Free Radical Polymerization
Authors: Strehmel Veronika , Wetzel Hendrik , Laschewsky André 
Published: August 2014

SummaryIonic liquids are attractive solvents for polymer synthesis because their properties can be easily and broadly tuned by varying the structure of both the cation and the anion. Application of ionic liquids as reaction medium for free radical polymerization of vinyl monomers, such as methacrylates or styrene, results in high yields and high molecular weights of the polymers. Reasons for these effects are only partially due to the high viscosity of ionic liquids, which may reduce bimolecular termination of the propagating chains, but are also due to solvent cage effects that differ from those in traditional organic solvents because of strong ionic interactions between the individual ions of the ionic liquids. Furthermore, the high dissolving power of ionic liquids for both weakly polar as well as highly polar monomers makes ionic liquids interesting as solvents for statistical copolymerization. Interestingly, variation of the alkyl chain length of substituents at the cation of the ionic liquid allows altering of copolymer composition.
Influence of Counterion on Thermal, Viscoelastic, and Ion Conductive Properties of Phosphonium Ionenes
Authors: Abdulahad Asem I. , Jangu Chainika , Hemp Sean T. , Long Timothy E. 
Published: August 2014

SummaryAnion metathesis enabled a systematic study focused on the thermal, viscoelastic, and conductivity properties of a 4P,12 phosphonium ionenes with various counterions. Aqueous size exclusion chromatography confirmed the well‐defined synthesis of 4P,12‐Br from the step‐growth polymerization of 1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphino) butane and 1,12‐dibromododecane at a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio. Subsequent anion‐exchange employing a dialysis method exchanged the Br‐ counterion to trifluoromethanesulfonate (TfO‐), bis(trifluoromethane) sulfonimide (Tf2N‐), and tetrafluoroborate (BF4‐) counterion. 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the 4P,12 ionenes showed a distinct upfield chemical shift for methylene protons adjacent to the phosphonium cation after anion‐exchange. Thermal characterization using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry probed the thermal properties of the phosphonium ionenes. Counterion exchange to more bulky and delocalized anions led to improved thermal stabilities and lower glass transition temperatures. Rheological characterization facilitated the generation of time‐temperature superposition (TTSp) master curves and pseudo‐master curves for each 4P,12 ionene. TTSp revealed two distinct relaxation modes attributed to long‐range segmental motion and electrostatic interactions. Anion‐exchange resulted in a shift of these two modes of relaxation to higher shear rates. The calculated melt flow activation energy and thermal expansion coefficients were also observed to decrease and increase, respectively. Melt rheological characterization also probed the temperature dependence of the storage and loss moduli and suggested that the counterions have a plasticizing effect on the viscoelasticity of the 4P,12 ionene. Ionic conductivity increased with increasing size of the counterion (Br‐ < BF4‐< TfO‐< Tf2N‐) and demonstrated the viability of these novel materials as potential anion‐exchange ionomeric membranes.
Multivariate Analysis of Side Effects of Drug Molecules Based on Knowledge of Protein Bindings and ProteinProtein Interactions
Authors: Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Funatsu Kimito 
Published: August 2014

AbstractHere, we examined the relationships between 969 side effects associated with 658 drugs and their 1368 human protein targets using our hybrid approaches. Firstly, L‐shaped PLS (LPLS) was used to construct a multivariate model of side effects and protein bindings of drug molecules. LPLS is an extension of standard PLS regression, where, in addition to the response matrix Y and the regressor matrix X, an extra data matrix Z is constructed that summarizes the background information of X. X and Y are matrices comprising drugs‐target proteins, and drugs‐side effects, respectively. The Z matrix is the proteinprotein interaction data. From the loading plot of Y, we could identify two remarkable side effects (urinary incontinence and increased salivation) From the corresponding loading plot of X, the responsible protein targets causing each side effect could be estimated (sodium channels and gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors). The loading plot of the Z matrix indicated that the GABA receptors interact with each other and they heavily influence the side effect of increased salivation. Secondly, Bayesian classifier methods were separately applied to the cases of the two side effects. That is, the Bayesian classifier method was used to classify drug molecules as binding or not binding to the responsible protein targets associated with each side effect. Using atom‐coloring techniques, it was possible to estimate which fragments on the drug molecule might cause the specific side effects. This information is valuable for drug design to avoid specific side effects.
Reducing view‐sharing using compressed sensing in time‐resolved contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance angiography
Authors: Rapacchi Stanislas , Natsuaki Yutaka , Plotnik Adam , Gabriel Simon , Laub Gerhard , Finn J. Paul , Hu Peng 
Published: August 2014

PurposeTo study temporal and spatial blurring artifacts from k‐space view‐sharing in time‐resolved MR angiography (MRA) and to propose a technique for reducing these artifacts.MethodsWe acquired k‐space data sets using a three‐dimensional time‐resolved MRA view‐sharing sequence and retrospectively reformatted them into two reconstruction frameworks: full view‐sharing via time‐resolved imaging with stochastic trajectories (TWIST) and minimal k‐space view‐sharing and compressed sensing (CS‐TWIST). The two imaging series differed in temporal footprint but not in temporal frame rate. The artifacts from view‐sharing were compared qualitatively and quantitatively in nine patients in addition to a phantom experiment.ResultsCS‐TWIST was able to reduce the imaging temporal footprint by two‐ to three‐fold compared with TWIST, and the overall subjective image quality of CS‐TWIST was higher than that for TWIST (P < 0.05). View sharing caused a delay in the visualization of small blood vessels, and the mean transit time of the carotid artery calculated based on TWIST reconstruction was 0.6 s longer than that for CS‐TWIST (P < 0.01). In thoracic MRA, the shorter temporal footprint decreased the sensitivity to physiological motion blurring, and vessel sharpness was improved by 8.8% ± 6.0% using CS‐TWIST (P < 0.05).ConclusionIn time‐resolved MRA, the longer temporal footprint due to view‐sharing causes spatial and temporal artifacts. CS‐TWIST is a promising method for reducing these artifacts. Magn Reson Med 74:474–481, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tilt optimized flip uniformity (TOFU) RF pulse for uniform image contrast at low specific absorption rate levels in combination with a surface breast coil at 7 Tesla
Authors: van Kalleveen Irene M.L. , Boer Vincent O. , Luijten Peter R. , Klomp Dennis W.J. 
Published: August 2014

PurposeGoing to ultrahigh field MRI (e.g., 7 Tesla [T]), the nonuniformity of thefield and the increased radiofrequency (RF) power deposition become challenging. While surface coils improve the power efficiency in, its field remains nonuniform. In this work, an RF pulse was designed that uses the slab selection to compensate the inhomogeneousfield of a surface coil without a substantial increase in specific absorption rate (SAR).Theory and MethodsA breast surface coil was used with a decayingfield in the anterior–posterior direction of the human breast. Slab selective RF pulses were designed and compared with adiabatic and spokes RF pulses. Proof of principle was demonstrated with FFE andmaps of the human breast.ResultsIn vivo measurements obtained with the breast surface coil show that the tilt optimized flip uniformity (TOFU) RF pulses can improve the flip angle homogeneity by 31%, while the SAR will be lower compared with BIR‐4 and spokes RF pulses.ConclusionBy applying TOFU RF pulses to the breast surface coil, we are able to compensate the inhomogeneousfield, while keeping the SAR low. Therefore strongerT1‐weighting in FFE sequences can be obtained, while pulse durations can remain short, as shown in the human breast at 7T. Magn Reson Med 74:482–488, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
IL‐17A produced by both γδ T and Th17 cells promotes renal fibrosis via RANTES‐mediated leukocyte infiltration after renal obstruction
Authors: Peng Xiaogang , Xiao Zhicheng , Zhang Jing , Li Yulin , Dong Yanjun , Du Jie 
Published: August 2014

AbstractIL‐17A‐producing T lymphocytes play a crucial role in inflammatory kidney diseases, but their role in renal fibrosis remains to be explored. Here, we demonstrated that up‐regulation of IL‐17A was associated with the development of obstructive kidney injury. The primary source of IL‐17A production in obstructed kidneys was infiltrating γδ T lymphocytes and CD4+ T cells. IL‐17A‐deficient mice were protected from myofibroblast activation and extracellular matrix deposition, leading to reduced kidney fibrosis in response to obstructive injury. Mechanistically, IL‐17A deficiency suppressed the expression of the chemokine RANTES in infiltrated CD3+ T cells and peritubular inflammation following renal obstruction. Administration of RANTES‐neutralizing antibody significantly reduced the accumulation of T cells and macrophages, and of collagen deposition in obstructed kidneys. Taken together, our results indicate that IL‐17A contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis by regulating RANTES‐mediated inflammatory cell infiltration. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd