bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pattern difference of dissociated hand muscle atrophy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and variants
Authors: Kim Jee‐Eun , Hong Yoon‐Ho , Lee Joon‐Hyung , Ahn Suk‐Won , Kim Sung‐Min , Park Kyung‐Seok , Sung Jung‐Joon , Lee Kwang‐Woo , Seong Seung‐Yong 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Split hand is considered to be a specific feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods: We evaluated the pattern difference of intrinsic hand muscles of upper limb‐onset ALS (UL‐ALS), upper limb‐onset progressive muscular atrophy (UL‐PMA), brachial amyotrophic diplegia (BAD), and Hirayama disease (HD) by measuring objective electrophysiological markers. Results: The abductor digiti minimi (ADM)/abductor pollicis brevis (APB) compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude ratio was significantly higher in UL‐ALS than other variants, but a considerable proportion of UL‐ALS cases had an amplitude ratio in the range of other variants. Absent APB CMAP and abnormally high ADM/APB CMAP amplitude ratio (≥4) occurred only with UL‐ALS. Conversely, an absent ADM CMAP was identified only in UL‐PMA and BAD. Conclusions: The absolute ADM/APB CMAP amplitude ratio was not specific for ALS; however, several findings from simple electrophysiological measurements may help predict prognosis in patients with motor neuron diseases and may be early diagnostic markers for ALS. Muscle Nerve 51: 333–337, 2015
Mean‐strain eight‐node hexahedron with stabilization by energy sampling
Authors: Krysl Petr 
Published: June 2014

SummaryA method for stabilizing the mean‐strain hexahedron is described that differs from the currently known approaches. For simplicity, the developments are limited to linear elasticity but with an arbitrarily anisotropic elasticity matrix. The technique relies on a sampling of the stabilization energy using two quadrature rules, the mean‐strain quadrature and the full Gaussian integration rule. The use of two quadrature rules is shown to guarantee consistency and stability. The stabilization energy is assumed to be generated by a modified constitutive matrix based on the spectral decomposition. The spectral decomposition of the constitutive matrix identifies the stiff and flexible modes of deformation. The stiff modes of deformation are only sampled by the mean‐strain integration, which eliminates volumetric locking for isotropic materials as well as locking due to strongly anisotropic material properties. The accuracy and convergence characteristics of the present formulations compare favorably with the capabilities of mean‐strain and other high‐performance hexahedral elements as implemented in ABAQUS. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved fractional step method for simulating fluid‐structure interaction using the PFEM
Authors: Zhu Minjie , Scott Michael H. 
Published: June 2014

SUMMARYNumerical difficulties are present in the particle finite element method even though it has been shown to be a powerful and effective approach to simulating fluid‐structure interaction. To overcome problems of mass loss on the free surface and the added‐mass effect, an improved fractional step method (FSM) that handles added‐mass terms in a mathematically exact way is developed. A further benefit is that no assumptions regarding the structural response are made in handling added‐mass terms, thus it is straightforward to incorporate material nonlinearity in fluid‐structure interaction (FSI) under this approach. Patch tests and comparisons with experimental data are presented in order to verify and validate the improved FSM for FSI applications. The computational cost of this approach is shown to be negligible compared with the other aspects of the FSM, particularly when the size of the structure and the fluid‐structure interface is small relative to the volume of fluid. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Human Response to Climate Change during the Umm an‐Nar/Wadi Suq Transition in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Gregoricka L. A. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractStable oxygen isotope ratios in archaeological human dental enamel represent an under‐utilised tool in the examination of changing climatic patterns in the ancient world. In the Oman Peninsula at the end of the third millennium bc, rapid aridification was accompanied by a breakdown in interregional trade relations; however, the human response to these changes is poorly understood. At the Bronze Age necropolis at Shimal in the United Arab Emirates, dental enamel from individuals interred in both Umm an‐Nar (ca 2700–2000 bc) and Wadi Suq (ca 2000–1300 bc) tombs underwent oxygen, strontium and carbon isotope analyses to examine how local inhabitants of southeastern Arabia responded to both environmental and socioeconomic change. While individuals from Shimal exhibit a clear shift in mean δ18Oc(VPDB) values from the Umm an‐Nar (−3.5 ± 0.6‰, 1σ) to the Wadi Suq (−2.4 ± 0.9‰, 1σ), corresponding 87Sr/86Sr and δ13Cap signatures display homogeneity indicative of continuity in Bronze Age lifeways. Together, these data highlight the ability of local communities to successfully adapt to their changing environs (in lieu of societal collapse or a shift to a more mobile lifestyle) in an effort to maintain their way of life. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Validation of a Patient‐Level Medication Regimen Complexity Index as a Possible Tool to Identify Patients for Medication Therapy Management Intervention
Authors: Hirsch Jan D. , Metz Kelli R. , Hosokawa Patrick W , Libby Anne M. 
Published: June 2014

BackgroundThe Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI) is a 65‐item instrument that can be used to quantify medication regimen complexity at the patient level, capturing all prescribed and over‐the‐counter medications. Although the MRCI has been used in several studies, the narrow scope of the initial validation limits application at a population or clinical practice level.PurposeTo conduct a MRCI validation pertinent to the desired clinical use to identify patients for medication therapy management interventions.MethodsAn expert panel of clinical pharmacists ranked medication regimen complexity for two samples of cases: a single‐disease cohort (diabetes mellitus) and a multiple‐disease cohort (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, human immunodeficiency virus infection, geriatric depression). Cases for expert panel review were selected from 400 ambulatory clinic patients, and each case description included data that were available via claims or electronic medical records (EMRs). Construct validity was assessed using patient‐level MRCI scores, medication count, and additional patient data. Concordance was evaluated using weighted κ agreement statistic, and correlations were determined using Spearman rank‐order correlation coefficient (ρ) or Kendall τ.ResultsModerate to good concordance between patient‐level MRCI scores and expert medication regimen complexity ranking was observed (claims data, consensus ranking: single‐disease cohort 0.55, multiple disease cohort 0.63). In contrast, only fair to moderate concordance was observed for medication count (single‐disease cohort 0.33, multiple‐disease cohort 0.48). Adding more‐detailed administration directions from EMR data did not improve concordance. MRCI convergent validity was supported by strong correlations with medication count (all cohorts 0.90) and moderate correlations with morbidity measures (e.g., all cohorts; number of comorbidities 0.46, Chronic Disease Score 0.46). Nonsignificant correlation of MRCI scores with age and gender (all cohorts 0.08 and 0.06, respectively) supported MRCI divergent validity.LimitationsThis study used cross‐sectional, retrospective patient data for a small number of patients and clinical pharmacists from only two universities; therefore, results may have limited generalizability.ConclusionsThe patient‐level MRCI is a valid tool for assessing medication regimen complexity that can be applied by using data commonly found in claims and EMR databases and could be useful to identify patients who may benefit from medication therapy management.
Life at the border: Adaptation of proteins to anisotropic membrane environment
Authors: Pogozheva Irina D. , Mosberg Henry I. , Lomize Andrei L. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThis review discusses main features of transmembrane (TM) proteins which distinguish them from water‐soluble proteins and allow their adaptation to the anisotropic membrane environment. We overview the structural limitations on membrane protein architecture, spatial arrangement of proteins in membranes and their intrinsic hydrophobic thickness, co‐translational and post‐translational folding and insertion into lipid bilayers, topogenesis, high propensity to form oligomers, and large‐scale conformational transitions during membrane insertion and transport function. Special attention is paid to the polarity of TM protein surfaces described by profiles of dipolarity/polarizability and hydrogen‐bonding capacity parameters that match polarity of the lipid environment. Analysis of distributions of Trp resides on surfaces of TM proteins from different biological membranes indicates that interfacial membrane regions with preferential accumulation of Trp indole rings correspond to the outer part of the lipid acyl chain region—between double bonds and carbonyl groups of lipids. These “midpolar” regions are not always symmetric in proteins from natural membranes. We also examined the hydrophobic effect that drives insertion of proteins into lipid bilayer and different free energy contributions to TM protein stability, including attractive van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds, side‐chain conformational entropy, the hydrophobic mismatch, membrane deformations, and specific protein–lipid binding.
Exploration of polyamide structure–property relationships by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Barrère Caroline , Rejaibi Majed , Curat Aurélien , Hubert‐Roux Marie , Lavanant Hélène , Afonso Carlos , Kebir Nasreddine , Desilles Nicolas , Lecamp Laurence , Burel Fabrice , Loutelier‐Bourhis Corinne 
Published: June 2014

RATIONALEPolyamides (PA) are among the most used classes of polymers because of their attractive properties. Depending on the nature and proportion of the co‐monomers used for their synthesis, they can exhibit a very large range of melting temperatures (Tm). This study aims at the correlation of data from mass spectrometry (MS) with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X‐ray diffraction analyses to relate molecular structure to physical properties such as melting temperature, enthalpy change and crystallinity rate.METHODSSix different PA copolymers with molecular weights around 3500 g mol–1 were synthesized with varying proportions of different co‐monomers (amino‐acid AB/di‐amine AA/di‐acid BB). Their melting temperature, enthalpy change and crystallinity rate were measured by DSC and X‐ray diffraction. Their structural characterization was carried out by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS). Because of the poor solubility of PA, a solvent‐free sample preparation strategy was used with 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5‐DHB) as the matrix and sodium iodide as the cationizing agent.RESULTSThe different proportions of the repeating unit types led to the formation of PA with melting temperatures ranging from 115°C to 185°C. The structural characterization of these samples by MALDI‐TOF‐MS revealed a collection of different ion distributions with different sequences of repeating units (AA, BB; AB/AA, BB and AB) in different proportions according to the mixture of monomers used in the synthesis. The relative intensities of these ion distributions were related to sample complexity and structure. They were correlated to DSC and X‐ray results, to explain the observed physical properties.CONCLUSIONSThe structural information obtained by MALDI‐TOF‐MS provided a better understanding of the variation of the PA melting temperature and established a structure‐properties relationship. This work will allow future PA designs to be monitored. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transmission geometry laser ablation into a non‐contact liquid vortex capture probe for mass spectrometry imaging
Authors: Ovchinnikova Olga S. , Bhandari Deepak , Lorenz Matthias , Van Berkel Gary J. 
Published: June 2014

RATIONALECapture of material from a laser ablation plume into a continuous flow stream of solvent provides the means for uninterrupted sampling, transport and ionization of collected material for coupling with mass spectral analysis. Reported here is the use of vertically aligned transmission geometry laser ablation in combination with a new non‐contact liquid vortex capture probe coupled with electrospray ionization for spot sampling and chemical imaging with mass spectrometry.METHODSA vertically aligned continuous flow liquid vortex capture probe was positioned directly underneath a sample surface in a transmission geometry laser ablation (355 nm, 10 Hz, 7 ns pulse width) set up to capture into solution the ablated material. The outlet of the vortex probe was coupled to the Turbo V™ ion source of an AB SCIEX TripleTOF 5600+ mass spectrometer. System operation and performance metrics were tested using inked patterns and thin tissue sections. Glass slides and slides designed especially for laser capture microdissection, viz., DIRECTOR® slides and PEN 1.0 (polyethylene naphthalate) membrane slides, were used as sample substrates.RESULTSThe estimated capture efficiency of laser‐ablated material was 24%, which was enabled by the use of a probe with large liquid surface area (~2.8 mm2) and with gravity to help direct ablated material vertically down towards the probe. The swirling vortex action of the liquid surface potentially enhanced capture and dissolution not only of particulates, but also of gaseous products of the laser ablation. The use of DIRECTOR® slides and PEN 1.0 (polyethylene naphthalate) membrane slides as sample substrates enabled effective ablation of a wide range of sample types (basic blue 7, polypropylene glycol, insulin and cyctochrome c) without photodamage using a UV laser. Imaging resolution of about 6 µm was demonstrated for stamped ink on DIRECTOR® slides based on the ability to distinguish features present both in the optical and in the chemical image. This imaging resolution was 20 times better than the previous best reported results with laser ablation/liquid sample capture mass spectrometry imaging. Using thin sections of brain tissue the chemical image of a selected lipid was obtained with an estimated imaging resolution of about 50 µm.CONCLUSIONSA vertically aligned, transmission geometry laser ablation liquid vortex capture probe, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry system provides an effective means for spatially resolved spot sampling and imaging with mass spectrometry. Published in 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Product ion distributions for the reactions of NO+ with some physiologically significant volatile organosulfur and organoselenium compounds obtained using a selective reagent ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer
Authors: Mochalski Paweł , Unterkofler Karl , Španěl Patrik , Smith David , Amann Anton 
Published: June 2014

RATIONALEThe reactions of NO+ with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Selective Reagent Ionization Time‐of‐Flight Mass Spectrometry (SRI‐TOF‐MS) reactors are relatively poorly known, inhibiting their use for trace gas analysis. The rationale for this product ion distribution study was to identify the major product ions of the reactions of NO+ ions with 13 organosulfur compounds and 2 organoselenium compounds in an SRI‐TOF‐MS instrument and thus to prepare the way for their analysis in exhaled breath, in skin emanations and in the headspace of urine, blood and cell and bacterial cultures.METHODSProduct ion distributions have been investigated by a SRI‐TOF‐MS instrument at an E/N in the drift tube reactor of 130 Td for both dry air and humid air (4.9% absolute humidity) used as the matrix gas. The investigated species were five monosulfides (dimethyl sulfide, ethyl methyl sulfide, methyl propyl sulfide, allyl methyl sulfide and methyl 5‐methyl‐2‐furyl sulfide), dimethyl disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, thiophene, 2‐methylthiophene, 3‐methylthiophene, methanethiol, allyl isothiocyanate, dimethyl sulfoxide, and two selenium compounds – dimethyl selenide and dimethyl diselenide.RESULTSCharge transfer was seen to be the dominant reaction mechanism in all reactions under study forming the M+ cations. For methanethiol and allyl isothiocyanate significant fractions were also observed of the stable adduct ions NO+M, formed by ion‐molecule association, and [M–H]+ ions, formed by hydride ion transfer. Several other minor product channels are seen for most reactions indicating that the nascent excited intermediate (NOM)+* adduct ions partially fragment along other channels, most commonly by the elimination of neutral CH3, CH4 and/or C2H4 species that are probably bound to an NO molecule. Humidity had little effect on the product ion distributions.CONCLUSIONSThe findings of this study are of particular importance for data interpretation in studies of volatile organosulfur and volatile organoselenium compounds employing SRI‐TOF‐MS in the NO+ mode. © 2014 The Authors. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Gas chromatography/isotope ratio mass spectrometry: Analysis of methanol, ethanol and acetic acid by direct injection of aqueous alcoholic and acetic acid samples
Authors: Ai Guomin , Sun Tong , Dong Xiuzhu 
Published: June 2014

RATIONALEMethanol, ethanol, and acetic acid are not easily extracted from aqueous samples and are susceptible to isotope fractionation in gas chromatography/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/IRMS) analysis. Developing a direct dilution GC/IRMS method for aqueous samples, by adjusting the sample concentrations in common solvents to be similar to each other and using a fixed GC split ratio, is very convenient and important because any linearity effects caused by amount‐dependent isotope fractionation can be avoided.METHODSThe suitability of acetonitrile and acetone solvents for the GC/IRMS analysis of pure methanol, ethanol and acetic acid, and commercial liquor and vinegar samples was evaluated using n‐hexane and water as control solvents. All the solvents including water were separated from the analyte on a HP‐INNOWAX column and were diverted away from the combustion interface. The influence of liquor matrix on the ethanol GC/IRMS analyses was evaluated by adding pure ethanol to liquor samples.RESULTSAcetonitrile and acetone gave similar δ13C values for pure ethanol and pure acetic acid to those obtained in water and n‐hexane, and also gave similar δ13C values of ethanol in liquor and acetic acid in white vinegar to that obtained in water. For methanol analysis, acetonitrile and refined acetone gave similar δ13C values to that obtained in water, but n‐hexane was not a suitable solvent. In addition, isotopic fractionation caused by solvent and solute interactions was observed.CONCLUSIONSWe recommend using acetonitrile for the GC/IRMS analysis of aqueous alcoholic samples, and acetone for the analysis of aqueous acetic acid samples. This direct dilution method can provide high accurate and precise GC/IRMS analysis of the relative changes in δ13C values of methanol, ethanol, and acetic acid. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Temporal and spatial analysis of enteric nervous system regeneration in the sea cucumber Holothuria glaberrima
Authors: Tossas Karen , Qi‐Huang Sunny , Cuyar Eugenia , García‐Arrarás Jose E. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThere is limited information on the regeneration of the enteric nervous system (ENS) following major reconstruction of the digestive tract. We have studied ENS regeneration in the sea cucumber Holothuria glaberrima which undergoes an organogenic process forming a new digestive tract at the tip of the mesentery. Our results show that (1) a degeneration of nerve fibers occurs early in the regeneration process, prior to eventual regeneration; (2) nerve fibers that innervate the regenerating intestine are of extrinsic and intrinsic origin; (3) innervation by extrinsic fibers occurs in a gradient that begins in the proximal area of the regenerate; (4) late events include the appearance of nerve fibers that project from the serosa into the connective tissue and of nerve bundles in the mesothelial layer; (5) neurons and neuroendocrine cells appear early following the formation of the epithelial layers. Our results provide not only a comparative biological approach to study ENS regeneration but also an alternative point of view for the study of enteric neuropathologies and for the innervation of organs made in vitro.
Automatic optimization of piled raft design based on branch and bound method
Authors: Sales Maurício M. , Lima Bruno S. , Almeida Sylvia Regina M. , Farias Márcio M. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryPiled rafts are foundation systems that combine a shallow raft with the minimum number of piles beneath the raft, in order to achieve the necessary bearing capacity and the acceptable settlement restrictions. Its use is increasing in many countries, especially in skyscrapers in Europe and Asia, for which the foundation design can result in hundreds of piles due to the high load magnitude. However, controlling the most influencing variables on the foundation behaviour, while achieving an acceptable cost, is a challenge for designers. This paper presents an optimization procedure to determine the best raft thickness, number of piles and their location. The branch and bound optimization method was combined with a specific computational programme for piled raft analysis (GARP) providing an automatic technique to obtain the lower cost design. A building in Brazil and theoretical examples of a piled raft with different load sets are presented and analysed using this numerical approach. The results show that the presented automatic procedure provides interesting solutions, economically enhancing the design of piled raft foundation systems. The optimization process provides arrangements using lower number of piles while satisfying the constraints in both analysed cases. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.