bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systemic administration of a nanoemulsion with tributyrin reduces inflammation in experimental colitis
Authors: Leonel Alda Jusceline , Silva Elton Luiz , Aguilar Edenil Costa , Teixeira Lilian Gonçalves , Oliveira Rafael Pires , Faria Ana Maria Caetano , Cara Denise Carmona , Ferreira Lucas Antônio Miranda , Alvarez‐Leite Jacqueline I. 
Published: March 2015

Tributyrin (TBT) is a triacylglycerol formed by three molecules of butyrate that is able to improve colonic mucosal lesions and inflammation when given orally or as an enema. The effects of systemic TBT administration in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been less well studied. We prepared a nanoemulsion containing tributyrin (nTBT) and studied its effects on a model of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)‐induced colitis. Mice were kept in the experiment for 15 days. Animals in the Colitis group received DSS (2.5% in their drinking water), whereas Control mice received only water during the last 7 experimental days. Animals were injected intraperitoneally (IP) with a nanoemulsion lacking TBT (Control and Colitis group) or containing TBT (Control nTBT and nTBT‐Colitis) every other day for 15 days. Colonic mucosal damage and cytokine concentration were assessed by histopathological score and ELISA, respectively. Inflammatory infiltrates were assessed by enzymatic assay, and leukocyte rolling and adhesion in the colonic circulation were determined by intravital microscopy. Results revealed that the colonic architecture was not modified by nTBT administration. However, the colons of nTBT‐Colitis mice presented reduced eosinophilic and neutrophilic infiltration associated with increased TGF‐β concentrations compared to those of the Colitis group. Leukocyte rolling and adhesion were reduced in the nTBT‐Colitis group, suggesting a systemic anti‐inflammatory effect of nTBT. In conclusion, our results show that nTBT administered intraperitoneally is effective in reducing DSS‐induced inflammation, whereas the trophic effects described with oral or local administration of TBT were not present when it was injected systemically.Practical applications: In this study, we show that the intraperitoneal administration of a nanoemulsion with tributyrin (nTBT) is able to reduce the inflammation observed in DSS‐induced colitis. Due to its anti‐inflationary actions, nTBT could be used in the future as a potential auxiliary drug in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases as well as other disorders with a systemic (low‐grade) inflammatory component such as atherosclerosis and obesity.Nanoemulsion of tributyrin (nTBT) reduces inflammation related to DSS induced colitis. The determination of macrophage (i), neutrophil (ii), and eosinophil (iii) infiltration in colon and intravital microscopy of mesenteric vessels showing the rolling (iv) and the adhesion (v) of total leukocytes in the colons of mice from the Control group receiving water and a nanoemulsion lacking tributyrin, the nTBT group receiving water and nanoemulsion with nTBT, the Colitis group receiving DSS and a nanoemulsion lacking tributyrin, and the Colitis nTBT group receiving DSS and nTBT. Different letters indicate p < 0.05.
Optimum design and application of non‐traditional tuned mass damper toward seismic response control with experimental test verification
Authors: Xiang Ping , Nishitani Akira 
Published: March 2015

SummaryA variant type of tuned mass damper (TMD) termed as ‘non‐traditional TMD (NTTMD)’ is recently proposed. Mainly focusing on the employment of TMD for seismic response control, especially for base‐isolated or high‐rise structures, this paper aims to derive design formulae of NTTMDs based on two methodologies with different targets. One is the fixed points theory with the performance index set as the maximum magnitude of the frequency response function of the relative displacement of the primary structure with respect to the ground acceleration, and the other is the stability maximization criterion (SMC) to make the free vibration of the primary structure decay in the minimum duration. Such optimally designed NTTMDs are compared with traditional TMDs by conducting both numerical simulations and experiments. The optimum‐designed NTTMDs are demonstrated to be more effective than the optimum‐designed traditional TMDs, with smaller stroke length required. In particular, the effectiveness of the TMDs combined with a base‐isolated structure is investigated by small‐scale model experimental tests subjected to a time scaled long period impulsive excitation, and it is demonstrated that the SMC‐based NTTMD can suppress structural free vibration responses in the minimum duration and requires much smaller accommodation space. Additionally, a small‐scale shaking table experiment on a high‐rise bending model attached with a SMC‐based NTTMD is conducted. This study indicates that NTTMD has a high potential to apply to seismic response control or retrofit of structures such as base‐isolated or central column‐integrated high‐rise structures even if only a limited space is available for accommodating TMDs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stabilized finite element method for flows with multiple reference frames
Authors: Pauli L. , Both J. W. , Behr M. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryWe present a space‐time finite element method capable of dealing with flows in multiple co‐rotating reference frames. Since equal order interpolation is used for all degrees of freedom, Galerkin/least‐squares stabilization is applied. We give a detailed derivation of the equations involved, introduce the variational form, present the stabilization parameters, and also discuss implementation issues. Numerical examples in 2D and 3D show generality and efficiency of the method, if steady‐state behavior of rotating components is sufficient for the CFD analysis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scan–rescan reproducibility of parallel transmission based amide proton transfer imaging of brain tumors
Authors: Togao Osamu , Hiwatashi Akio , Keupp Jochen , Yamashita Koji , Kikuchi Kazufumi , Yoshiura Takashi , Suzuki Yuriko , Kruiskamp Marijn J. , Sagiyama Koji , Takahashi Masaya , Honda Hiroshi 
Published: March 2015

PurposeTo evaluate the reproducibility of amide proton transfer (APT) imaging of brain tumors using a parallel transmission‐based technique.Materials and MethodsThirteen patients with brain tumors (four low‐grade gliomas, three glioblastoma multiforme, five meningiomas, and one malignant lymphoma) were included in the study. APT imaging was conducted at 3T using a 2‐channel parallel transmission scheme with a saturation time of 2 seconds and B1 amplitude of 2 μT. A 2D fast spin‐echo sequence with driven‐equilibrium refocusing was used for imaging. Z‐spectra were obtained at 25 frequency offsets from −6 to +6 ppm (step 0.5 ppm). A point‐by‐point B0 correction was performed with a B0 map. A scan–rescan reproducibility test was performed in two sessions on separate days for each patient. The interval between the two sessions was 4.8 ± 3.5 days. Regions‐of‐interest (ROIs) were placed to include the whole tumor for each case. A mean and 90‐percentile value of APT signal for the whole tumor histogram was calculated for each session. The between‐session and within‐session reproducibility was evaluated using linear regression analysis, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and a Bland‐Altman plot.ResultsThe mean and 90‐percentile values of the APT signal for whole tumor ROI showed excellent agreements between the two sessions, with R2 of 0.91 and 0.96 in the linear regression analysis and ICC of 0.95 and 0.97, respectively.ConclusionParallel transmission‐based APT imaging of brain tumors showed good reproducibility. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:1346–1353.
‘Study the past, if you would divine the future’: a retrospective on measuring and understanding Quaternary climate change
Authors: MCCARROLL DANNY 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTResearch on Quaternary climate change is reviewed from the perspective of the real or potential contribution to improving our ability to predict the climate of the future. For convenience the literature is divided into four timescales: orbital, sub‐Milankovitch, Holocene and the last 2000 years. Four ‘challenges’ provide a framework for discussion: better understanding of the way the climate system works, better forecasting of the drivers of climate change, improved estimates of climate sensitivity (change in global mean annual temperature per unit increase in forcing) and evaluation of the models used to predict the climate of the future. Although a great deal of progress has been made, it is concluded that there are some aspects of our scientific culture that limit our potential. These include our tradition of storytelling rather than critical hypothesis testing, an over‐emphasis on the role of surface water sinking in the far north Atlantic as a driver of ocean circulation and an attendant under‐emphasis on the critical importance of changes in atmospheric circulation, and a lack of rigour in testing the hypothesis that changes in solar irradiance are an important driver of climate change.
Noncontrast‐enhanced peripheral venography using velocity‐selective magnetization preparation and transient balanced SSFP
Authors: Shin Taehoon , Kligerman Seth J. , Crawford Robert S. , Rajagopalan Sanjay , Gullapalli Rao P. 
Published: March 2015

PurposeTo develop a three‐dimensional (3D) noncontrast‐enhanced (NCE) peripheral magnetic resonance venography (MRV) method and demonstrate its feasibility in vivo.MethodsThe proposed MRV pulse sequence consisted of a velocity‐selective (VS) inversion preparation module, inversion delay time (TI), fat inversion pulse, and 3D balanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP) dummy excitations and readout. The VS preparation module inverted arterial blood, which recovered close to zero magnetization during TI. The TI and the number of dummy excitations (Nnum) were numerically optimized for maximizing vein‐to‐background contrast and tested in a healthy subject. The proposed MRV of the entire peripheral system, using four‐station acquisition, was performed in six healthy subjects and three peripheral artery patients.ResultsThe numerical optimization yielded TI = 350 ms and Ndum = 40, which was supported by the largest vein contrast among the parameters chosen around the optima on in vivo venograms. Four‐station peripheral MRV using the optimized parameters well visualized all major deep veins with high vein‐to‐background contrast. The relative vein contrast ratios were 0.80 ± 0.08, 0.75 ± 0.07, and 0.84 ± 0.06 against the arteries, muscle, and fat, respectively.ConclusionThe proposed NCE MRV using VS preparation and transient bSSFP can generate high‐contrast peripheral venograms directly with a single acquisition. Magn Reson Med 75:653–664, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Signal‐to‐noise ratio‐enhancing joint reconstruction for improved diffusion imaging of mouse spinal cord white matter injury
Authors: Kim Joong Hee , Song Sheng‐Kwei , Haldar Justin P. 
Published: March 2015

PurposeTo assess the capability of signal‐to‐noise ratio enhancing reconstruction (SER) to reduce the acquisition time for quantitative white matter injury assessment.MethodsFour single‐average diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) datasets were acquired for each animal from four mouse cohorts: two models of spinal cord injury and two control groups. Quantitative parameters (apparent diffusion coefficient, relative anisotropy, axial and radial diffusivities) were computed from (I) single‐average data with traditional reconstruction; (II) single‐average data with SER; (III) four‐average data with traditional reconstruction; and (IV) single‐average data with optimized multicomponent nonlocal means (OMNLM) denoising. These approaches were compared based on coefficients of variation (COVs) and whether estimated diffusion parameters were sensitive to injury.ResultsSER yielded better COVs for diffusivity and anisotropy than traditional reconstruction of single‐average data, and yielded comparable COVs to that achieved with four‐average data. In addition, diffusion parameters obtained using SER with single‐average data had comparable injury sensitivity to those obtained from four‐average data, while diffusion parameters obtained from OMNLM and traditional reconstruction of single‐average data had limited sensitivity.ConclusionA four‐fold reduction in the number of averages for quantitative diffusion imaging of small animal white matter injury is feasible using SER. Our results also underscore the need to validate nonlinear methods using task‐based measures on an application‐by‐application basis. Magn Reson Med 75:852–858, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Incremental work minimization algorithm for rate‐independent plasticity of single crystals
Authors: Petryk H. , Kursa M. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryA new constitutive algorithm for the rate‐independent crystal plasticity is presented. It is based on asymptotically exact formulation of the set of constitutive equations and inequalities as a minimum problem for the incremental work expressed by a quadratic function of non‐negative crystallographic slips. This approach requires selective symmetrization of the slip‐system interaction matrix restricted to active slip‐systems, while the latent hardening rule for inactive slip‐systems is arbitrary. The active slip‐system set and incremental slips are determined by finding a constrained minimum point of the incremental work. The solutions not associated with a local minimum of the incremental work are automatically eliminated in accord with the energy criterion of path stability. The augmented Lagrangian method is applied to convert the constrained minimization problem to a smooth unconstrained one. Effectiveness of the algorithm is demonstrated by the large deformation examples of simple shear of a face‐centered cubic (fcc) crystal and rolling texture in a polycrystal. The algorithm is extended to partial kinematic constraints and applied to a uniaxial tension test in a high‐symmetry direction, showing the ability of the algorithm to cope with the non‐uniqueness problem and to generate experimentally observable solutions with a reduced number of active slip‐systems. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiscale computational homogenization of heterogeneous shells at small strains with extensions to finite displacements and buckling
Authors: Cong Yu , Nezamabadi Saeid , Zahrouni Hamid , Yvonnet Julien 
Published: March 2015

SummaryIn this paper, a framework for computational homogenization of shell structures is proposed in the context of small‐strain elastostatics, with extensions to large displacements and large rotations. At the macroscopic scale, heterogeneous thin structures are modeled using a homogenized shell model, based on a versatile three‐dimensional seven‐parameter shell formulation, incorporating a through‐thickness and pre‐integrated constitutive relationship. In the context of small strains, we show that the local solution on the elementary cell can be decomposed into six strains and six‐strain gradient modes, associated with corresponding boundary conditions. The heterogeneities can have arbitrary morphology but are assumed to be periodically distributed in the tangential direction of the shell. We then propose an extension of the small‐strain framework to geometrical nonlinearities. The procedure is purely sequential and does not involve coupling between scales. The homogenization method is validated and illustrated through examples involving large displacements and buckling of heterogeneous plates and shells. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of openings on the punching shear strength of RC flat‐plate slabs without shear reinforcement
Authors: Ha Taehun , Lee Myung‐Ho , Park Jonghwan , Kim Dae‐Jin 
Published: March 2015

SummaryOpenings in RC flat‐plate slabs are one of the critical factors that influence the punching shear strength of the slab and determine its thickness in the vicinity of the slab‐column joint. This study experimentally investigates the effects of openings on the punching shear strength of flat‐plate slabs without shear reinforcement. Tests were performed on eight flat‐plate slab specimens considering the layout and number of openings as test variables. The failure characteristics of each specimen are examined, and the effects of the test variables on the punching shear strengths of the test specimens are investigated. The measured punching shear strengths of the test specimens are compared with the predictions of several concrete design codes, including the American Concrete Institute (ACI), Comité Euro‐International du Béton and Fédération Internationale de la Précontrainte (CEB‐FIP) model and fédération internationale du béton (fib) model codes. This indicates that the reductions in punching shear strength due to the existence of openings are generally proportional to the loss of effective critical sections, and an L‐shaped opening layout around the corner of the column may further reduce the punching shear strength and may contribute to the loss of effective critical sections due to the existence of openings. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prediction of small‐for‐gestational‐age neonates: screening by maternal biochemical markers at 30–34 weeks
Authors: Bakalis S. , Gallo D. M. , Mendez O. , Poon L. C. , Nicolaides K. H. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the potential value of serum placental growth factor (PlGF), soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1), pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A), free β‐human chorionic gonadotropin (β‐hCG) and α‐fetoprotein (AFP) at 30–34 weeks' gestation in the prediction of delivery of small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) neonates, in the absence of pre‐eclampsia (PE).MethodsThis was a screening study in singleton pregnancies at 30–34 weeks' gestation, including 490 that delivered SGA neonates and 9360 cases that were unaffected by SGA, PE or gestational hypertension (normal outcome). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine if screening by serum PlGF, sFlt‐1, PAPP‐A, free β‐hCG and AFP, individually or in combination, improved the prediction of SGA neonates provided by screening with maternal characteristics and medical history (maternal factors), and estimated fetal weight (EFW) from fetal head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length.ResultsCompared to the normal group, the mean log10 multiples of the median (MoM) values of PlGF and AFP were significantly lower and the mean log10 MoM values of sFlt‐1 and free β‐hCG were significantly higher in the SGA group with a birth weight < 5th percentile (SGA < 5th) delivering < 5 weeks following assessment. The best model for prediction of SGA was provided by a combination of maternal factors, EFW and serum PlGF. Such combined screening, predicted, at a 10% false‐positive rate, 85%, 93% and 92% of SGA neonates delivering < 5 weeks following assessment with birth weight < 10th, < 5th and < 3rd percentiles, respectively; the respective detection rates of combined screening for SGA neonates delivering ≥ 5 weeks following assessment were 57%, 64% and 71%.ConclusionCombined screening by maternal factors, EFW and serum PlGF at 30–34 weeks' gestation can identify a high proportion of pregnancies that subsequently deliver SGA neonates. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Prediction of small‐for‐gestational‐age neonates: screening by placental growth factor and soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 at 35–37 weeks
Authors: Fadigas C. , Peeva G. , Mendez O. , Poon L. C. , Nicolaides K. H. 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo investigate the potential value of maternal serum placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1) at 35–37 weeks' gestation in the prediction of delivery of small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) neonates, in the absence of pre‐eclampsia (PE).MethodsThis was a screening study in singleton pregnancies at 35–37 weeks, including 158 that delivered SGA neonates with birth weight < 5th percentile and 3701 cases unaffected by SGA, PE or gestational hypertension. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine if measuring serum levels of PlGF and sFlt‐1 improved the prediction of delivery of SGA neonates provided by screening with maternal characteristics and medical history (maternal factors), and estimated fetal weight (EFW) from fetal head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length.ResultsCompared to the normal group, the median PlGF multiples of the median (MoM) was significantly lower and the median sFlt‐1 MoM was significantly higher in the SGA group. Combined screening by maternal factors and EFW at 35–37 weeks predicted, at 10% false‐positive rate (FPR), 90%, 92% and 94% of SGA neonates with birth weight < 10th, < 5th and < 3rd percentiles, respectively, delivering < 2 weeks following assessment; the respective values for SGA delivering ≥ 37 weeks were 66%, 73% and 80%. When PlGF and sFlt‐1 were added to a model that combines maternal factors and EFW, sFlt‐1 did not remain as a significant independent predictor of SGA < 5th. Combined screening by maternal factors, EFW and serum PlGF, predicted, at a 10% FPR, 88%, 96% and 94% of SGA neonates with birth weight < 10th, < 5th and < 3rd percentiles, respectively, delivering < 2 weeks following assessment and the respective values for SGA delivering ≥ 37 weeks were 64%, 75% and 80%.ConclusionsFlt‐1 does not provide significant independent prediction of SGA, in the absence of PE, in addition to combined testing by maternal factors and fetal biometry at 35–37 weeks; whilst the addition of PlGF alone marginally improves the performance of screening. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Patterns of Use and Short‐Term Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Surgery for Malignant Pheochromocytoma: A Population‐Level Study
Authors: Goffredo P. , Adam M. A. , Thomas S. M. , Scheri R. P. , Sosa J. A. , Roman S. A. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundMalignant pheochromocytoma is rare, and there is a scarcity of data on the use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for treatment. The aims of this study were to analyze patterns of use of MIS for malignant pheochromocytoma in the U.S. and compare short‐term outcomes to those of open adrenalectomy.MethodsPatients with malignant pheochromocytoma undergoing MIS, including laparoscopy, robotic assisted, laparoscopy converted to open, or open adrenalectomy, were culled from the National Cancer Database, from 1998 to 2011. Data were examined using simple summary statistics, Χ2 and student’s t tests, Mann–Whitney test, and logistic regression.ResultsA total of 36 MIS and 67 open adrenalectomies were identified in 2010–2011. No significant differences were observed between the two treatment groups in demographic characteristics or comorbidities. Preoperative diagnosis of malignancy was made in 52.8 % of MIS and 48.5 % of open patients (p = NS). MIS and open adrenalectomies did not differ with respect to lymph node metastases, vascular invasion, extra‐adrenal‐extension, and distant metastases (all p = NS). MIS tended to more often be used to perform partial adrenalectomy (38.9 vs. 20.4 % open, p = 0.061); surgical margins, 30‐day readmission and mortality rates were similar to open adrenalectomy (all p = NS). Tumors removed via MIS were smaller (48.7 vs. 73.3 mm open, p = 0.003) and associated with a shorter length of stay.ConclusionsA significant proportion of patients with malignant pheochromocytomas underwent MIS, with short‐term outcomes which are comparable to those of open surgery. Further studies focused on long‐term survival and recurrence are needed to assess the role of MIS in the management of these rare tumors.