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In order to further improve the performance of 0.94[(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3]‐0.06BaTiO3/polyvinylidene fluoride (NBT‐BT/PVDF) flexible composite films prepared by the hot‐pressing method, the effect of surface modification of the NBT‐BT particles on the structure and properties of the films was investigated. Two coupling agents, namely, (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and dodecyl triethoxysilane (DDTES) were added to enhance dispersion and interfacial adhesion of the active phase powder with the polymer matrix. The highest amount of the electroactive PVDF β‐phase was formed in APTES‐modified samples while in DDTES samples mainly γ‐phase was formed as shown by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements indicated that the addition of filler particles reduced the total crystallinity degree of the PVDF. Dielectric permittivity values as well as dielectric losses decreased for silanized samples due to reduced tension at the interface between particles and polymer. Strong intermolecular interaction between the PVDF chains and the APTES‐modified particles led to enhanced breakdown strength of these samples. The highest level of agglomeration in the DDTES‐modified samples induced the deterioration of ferroelectric properties. The highest voltage output of ~15 V and 225 μW of power was obtained for the APTES‐modified harvester, evidencing their potential for energy harvesting applications. Highlights: Surface of NBT‐BT particles was successfully modified by the silanization method.NBT‐BT‐PVDF flexible lead‐free composite films were prepared by hot pressing.APTES coupling agent enabled the transformation of PVDF α‐phase into electro‐active β.APTES‐modified samples showed the highest breakdown strength.Notable properties for energy harvesting application found, up to 225 μW of generated power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Lacosamide is a third‐generation antiepileptic drug used as adjunctive therapy for partial seizures. Since its approval in 2008 very few cases of lacosamide overdose have been described in literature. The aim of our study was to evaluate clinical characteristics of acute lacosamide poisoning. Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed including all cases of acute lacosamide poisoning referred to Pavia Poison Control Centre from January 2012 to December 2021. For each patient age, sex, ingested dose, coingestants, clinical manifestations, treatment and outcome were collected. Results: A total of 31 subjects (median age 39 years, [interquartile range: 26.5–46.5]; females 22/31) were included. The median lacosamide ingested dose was 1500 mg [650–2800]. In 35.5% of cases lacosamide was the single ingested substance, while in 64.5% coingestants were also present. Coingestants varied from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 3, with the more common being benzodiazepines and valproic acid. Clinical manifestations were present in 87% patients the most common were: vomiting (29%); seizures (29%), coma (25.8%), drowsiness (25.8%), confusion (12.9%), agitation (12.9%), tachycardia (12.9%), tremors (9.7%), bradycardia (9.7%), headache (6.5%) and hypertension (3.2%). The median lacosamide ingested dose was significantly higher in patients that experienced coma compared to patient who did not (2800 vs. 800 mg; P =.0082). Orotracheal intubation was necessary in 32.3% of patients. All patients fully recovered. Conclusion: Lacosamide acute overdose may lead to a severe clinical picture. Dentral nervous system symptoms predominated, particularly seizures and coma occurred in a high percentage of cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valvular heart diseases (such as stenosis and regurgitation) are recognized as a rapidly growing cause of global deaths and major contributors to disability. The most effective treatment for these pathologies is the replacement of the natural valve with a prosthetic one. Our work considers an innovative design for prosthetic aortic valves that combines the reliability and durability of artificial valves with the flexibility of tissue valves. It consists of a rigid support and three polymer leaflets which can be cut from an extruded flat sheet, and is referred to hereafter as the Wheatley aortic valve (WAV). As a first step towards the understanding of the mechanical behavior of the WAV, we report here on the implementation of a numerical model built with the ICFD multi‐physics solver of the LS‐DYNA software. The model is calibrated and validated using data from a basic pulsatile‐flow experiment in a water‐filled straight tube. Sensitivity to model parameters (contact parameters, mesh size, etc.) and to design parameters (height, material constants) is studied. The numerical data allow us to describe the leaflet motion and the liquid flow in great detail, and to investigate the possible failure modes in cases of unfavorable operational conditions (in particular, if the leaflet height is inadequate). In future work the numerical model developed here will be used to assess the thrombogenic properties of the valve under physiological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that disordered relaxor ferroelectrics exhibit local polar correlations. The origin of localized fields that disrupt long‐range polar order for different substitution types, however, is unclear. Currently, it is known that substituents of the same valence as Ti4+ at the B‐site of barium titanate lattice produce random disruption of TiOTi chains that induces relaxor behavior. On the other hand, investigating lattice disruption and relaxor behavior resulting from substituents of different valence at the B‐site is more complex due to the simultaneous occurrence of charge imbalances and displacements of the substituent cation. The existence of an effective charge mediated mechanism for relaxor behavior appearing at low (<10%) substituent contents in heterovalent modified barium titanate ceramics is presented in this work. These results will add credits to the current understanding of relaxor behavior in chemically modified ferroelectric materials and also acknowledge the critical role of defects (such as cation vacancies) in lattice disruption, paving the way for chemistry‐based materials design in the field of dielectric and energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As nanoparticles (NPs) can access the brain and impact on CNS function, novel in vitro models for the evaluation of NPs‐induced neurotoxicity are advocated. Three‐dimensional spheroids of primary neuron‐like cells (hNLCs) of human origin have been generated, from differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The study evaluated Fe3O4NP impact on the differentiation process by applying the challenge at complete 3D hNLC spheroid formation (after 4 days, T4) or at beginning of neurogenic induction/simultaneously 3D forming (T0). Different endpoints were monitored over time (up to 10 days): spheroid growth, size, morphology, ATP, cell death, neuronal markers (β‐Tub III, MAP‐2, and NSE), NP uptake. At T0 application, a marked concentration‐ and time‐dependent cell mortality occurred: effect started early (day 2) and low concentration (1 μg/ml) and exacerbated (80% mortality) after prolonged time (day 6) and increased concentrations (50 μg/ml). ATP was strikingly affected. All neuronal markers were downregulated, and spheroid morphology altered in a concentration‐dependent manner (from ≥5 μg/ml) after day 2. Fe3O4NPs applied at complete 3D formation (T4) still induced adverse effects although less severe: cell mortality (20–60%) and ATP content decrease (10–40%) were observed in a concentration‐dependent manner (from ≥ 5 μg/ml). A neuronal‐specific marker effect and spheroid size reduction from 25 μg/ml without morphology alteration were evidenced. This finding provides additional information on neurotoxic effects of Fe3O4NPs in a new 3D hNLC spheroid model derived from MSCs that could find a consistent application as in a testing strategy serving in first step hazard identification for correct risk assessment. Human spheroids of neuron‐like cells (hNLCs) were generated from differentiation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. When Fe3O4NPs were applied at beginning of neurogenic induction/simultaneously spheroid forming, marked toxicity occurred early (day2) from 5 μg/ml. Fe3O4NPs applied at complete spheroid formation still induced adverse effects although less severe. This finding provides additional information on neurotoxic effects of Fe3O4NPs in a new hNLC spheroid model that could find a consistent application as in a testing strategy serving in first step hazard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composites of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and BaTiO3 nanoparticles (average diameter ca. 125 nm) are fabricated by a solvent‐free and industrially scalable technique, that is, melt blending, followed by compression molding. The effect of processing parameters on the spectroscopic, microstructural, thermal, mechanical and dielectric properties are evaluated as a function of composition (loading up to 30 vol%). The presence of nanoparticle inclusions as well as specific compression molding parameters demonstrate both to affect the molecular relaxations of the PVDF matrix, studied by correlating the results of different techniques, and to induce the PVDF crystallization as β phase. Processing parameters also play a key role for optimizing the dielectric properties. An improved dielectric behavior of the composites is obtained in terms of both permittivity, whose value increases up to four times that of neat PVDF, and dielectric losses, lower than 5% between 10 and 3·104 Hz. The obtained performances resulted enhanced compared to analogous composites prepared with the use of solvents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum (Al) powder is commonly encountered in improvised explosive devices (IEDs) as a metallic fuel due to its availability and low cost. Although available commercially in powder form, amateur bomb‐makers also produce their own Al powder via simple methods found online. In order to provide investigative leads and forensic intelligence, it is important to evaluate not only the composition of homemade devices, but also to distinguish between the various forms of Al powder they contain. To achieve this goal, a method using automated microscopy in combination with statistical techniques has been demonstrated to have the potential to provide source discrimination and investigative leads in source attribution of Al powders in IEDs. The present research refined this method and investigated 59 industrially and amateurly produced Al powder sources with seven subsamples per source using two traditional linear discriminant analyses (LDA), one with a standard data split for training and testing, and another using leave‐one‐out cross‐validation. Averaging the classification accuracies for the two LDA‐based analyses, LDA has the ability to correctly classify 59.26%, 83.35%, and 80.69% of the samples based on their powder source, type, and production method, respectively. This classification accuracy represents a 3407%, 317%, and 61.38% increase in accuracy from random class assignment, respectively. Further, in most instances of incorrect data attribution to a particular source, the subsample has been misidentified with another sample of the same powder type or production method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in complex automated handwriting identification systems have led to a lack of understandability of these systems' computational processes and features by the forensic handwriting examiners that they are designed to support. To mitigate this issue, this research studied the relationship between two systems: FLASH ID®, an automated handwriting/black box system that uses measurements extracted from a static image of handwriting, and MovAlyzeR®, a system that captures kinematic features from pen strokes. For this study, 33 writers each wrote 60 phrases from the London Letter using cursive writing and handprinting, which led to thousands of sample pairs for analysis. The dissimilarities between pairs of samples were calculated using two score functions (one for each system). The observed results indicate that dissimilarity scores based on kinematic spatial‐geometric pen stroke features (e.g., amplitude and slant) have a statistically significant relationship with dissimilarity scores obtained using static, graph‐based features used by the FLASH ID® system. Similar relationships were observed for temporal features (e.g., duration and velocity) but not pen pressure, and for both handprinting and cursive samples. These results strongly imply that both the current implementation of FLASH ID® and MovAlyzeR® rely on similar features sets when measuring differences in pairs of handwritten samples. These results suggest that studies of biometric discrimination using MovAlyzeR®, specifically those based on the spatial‐geometric feature set, support the validity of biometric matching algorithms based on FLASH ID® output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Transseptal puncture (TSP) is widely used in clinical practice but is negatively affected by a nonneglectable rate of complications and X‐ray exposure. To address these problems, we investigated whether or not impedance mapping could correctly identify fossa ovalis (FO) and safely guide TSP. Methods and Results: Electroanatomic mapping was performed with CARTO 3 system version 7 and a ThermoCool® SmartTouch® mapping catheter was employed. In each patient, an impedance map and a bipolar voltage map of the whole interatrial septum were collected, acquiring at least 150 points with a contact force ≥2 g and using the pattern matching filter. Thirty‐five patients were enrolled. A low impedance area was clearly identified in 34 of them. In 30 patients (88%), the FO was located in the low impedance area. The map was obtained in sinus rhythm in 17 cases (50%); in 15 of these (88%), the TSP site, the patent foramen ovale, or the FO tenting area fell inside the low impedance area. The same numbers were observed when mapping during atrial fibrillation. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that provides the reliability and reproducibility of impedance mapping in identifying FO, an affordable and feasible tool that could be potentially introduced into clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has one of the lowest 5‐year survival rates of all cancers, differences in survival exist between patients with clinically identical characteristics. The authors previously demonstrated that keratin 17 (K17) expression in PDAC, measured by RNA sequencing or immunohistochemistry (IHC), is an independent negative prognostic biomarker. Only 20% of cases are candidates for surgical resection, but most patients are diagnosed by needle aspiration biopsy (NAB). The aims of this study were to determine whether there was a correlation in K17 scores detected in matched NABs and surgical resection tissue sections and whether K17 IHC in NAB cell block specimens could be used as a negative prognostic biomarker in PDAC. Methods: K17 IHC was performed for a cohort of 70 patients who had matched NAB cell block and surgical resection samples to analyze the correlation of K17 expression levels. K17 IHC was also performed in cell blocks from discovery and validation cohorts. Kaplan‐Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression models were analyzed to determine survival differences in cases with different levels of K17 IHC expression. Results: K17 IHC expression correlated in matched NABs and resection tissues. NAB samples were classified as high for K17 when ≥80% of tumor cells showed strong (2+) staining. High‐K17 cases, including stage‐matched cases, had shorter survival. Conclusions: K17 has been identified as a robust and independent prognostic biomarker that stratifies clinical outcomes for cases that are diagnosed by NAB. Testing for K17 also has the potential to inform clinical decisions for optimization of chemotherapeutic interventions. Keratin 17 (K17) expression, measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC), correlates in needle aspiration biopsies (NABs) and matched resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tissue sections. K17 IHC is a negative prognostic biomarker in PDAC NABs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the properties of broadband dielectric spectra up to THz–infrared range of the (1 − x)BaTiO3‐xBaZrO3 (BZT‐x) solid solution are reviewed and complemented. This includes the proper ferroelectric (x = 0), diffuse ferroelectrics (0 < x ≤ 0.2), relaxor ferroelectrics (0.4 ≤ x ≤ 0.8), dipolar glasses (x > 0.8), and the normal dielectric (x = 1). The spectra are characterized by an overdamped central mode in the microwave range which weakens on cooling. Except for BaTiO3, the soft mode and central mode do not soften appreciably and do not contribute substantially to the low‐frequency permittivity maximum. The most important dielectric contribution is brought by Cole–Cole relaxation assigned to hopping of Ti ions in the BaTiO3 clusters, which obeys the Arrhenius law with a common activation energy for the whole relaxor range of Ea ≈ 181±17 meV and broadens on cooling as described by a temperature‐independent distribution of activation energies. It follows that the polar nanoregions within the BaTiO3 clusters remain very small with temperature‐independent size and frozen boundaries, even if the Ti ions inside them are hopping. This differs from the usual lead‐containing relaxors, in which the polar nanoregions grow on cooling and follow the glass‐like freezing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multidisciplinary and multi‐technical study of the coffin lid of Neskhonsuennekhy (Turin, Museo Egizio, inventory number S.05245) datable to the 26th dynasty (664–525 BC) was launched in 2015 at the Centro Conservazione e Restauro La Venaria Reale during the conservation activities required by the Museo Egizio, as part of wider research on the so‐called red coffins. Widespread abrasions and gaps in the pictorial stratigraphy strongly impeded the reading of the decoration, and a reddish and locally blackened material was covering many areas. Integrating multispectral imaging (UV fluorescence, VIL, IR reflectography), MA‐XRF, radiography, and analyses on micro‐samplings (OM, SEM‐EDX, FT‐IR) allowed deepening the state of preservation, detecting previous intervention, and characterizing the blackened surface, necessary to define the cleaning intervention objectives. In particular, the IR reflectography allowed recovering the readability of the beautiful drawings and the ancient hieroglyphs hidden beneath the reddish blackened surface. Based on the analytical data and compatibility with the pigments known in ancient Egypt, it was possible to return to the public the original lost decoration with a descriptive and virtual reconstruction. The new LANDIS‐X scanning station equipped with a real‐time macro XRF was fundamental for studying pigments, glazes, and mixtures besides the presence of lead impurities in the copper source used to make the Egyptian blue pigment, encouraging the research on the sources of mineral supply. Finally, this study allowed understanding the technique of execution of the find, from the assembly of the wooden elements to the reddish finish, noticing analogies with the other red coffins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amazing properties of ferroelectric perovskite BaTiO3 (BT) and its solid solutions make them indispensable for many technological applications (e.g. multilayer capacitors). Unfortunately, the so‐called 'size effect' limits their use. Indeed, under a certain critical particle size, these materials show a suppression of the spontaneous polarization and thus of the ferroelectric properties. In pure nanometric BaTiO3, this is related to a certain local structural disorder. However, only a few studies have explored BT solid solutions, where the doping effect, coupled to the reduced particle size, can play an important role. Therefore, in this work, the structure of BaCexTi1–xO3 (x = 0.02–0.20) was explored by traditional Rietveld method and Pair Distribution Function. Samples present a particle size from 80–160 nm to 400–1000 nm depending on increasing x. The carbox approach was applied, investigating the evolution of the local structure, its modifications and the structural coherent correlation length, as a function of cerium amount. Results demonstrate a cooperative effect of composition and reduced size in the ferroelectricity loss. The two, in fact, contribute to intensify the local structural disorder, decreasing the structural coherent correlation length. The local structural disorder is thus confirmed to be a relevant factor in the ferroelectric properties degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To study the predictive factors for the development of clinical manifestations in poisoning due to the erroneous taking of low‐dose methotrexate (MTX). Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed. Only cases of erroneous administration in non‐oncologic outpatients were included (July 2008‐March 2020). Results: Forty‐one cases were included. All patients were taking MTX for the first time. In 36 cases, patients took MTX daily instead of weekly. In the other five patients, MTX was sold instead of methylergometrine. Clinical manifestations were absent in 12/41 patients (29.3%). All 29 (70.7%) symptomatic patients recognized the medication error when they developed clinical manifestations: dermatological, haematological and gastrointestinal symptoms. Statistical results showed that symptomatic patients were older, received a higher amount of total dose and were treated for longer. Moreover, the probability of being symptomatic increases as a function of age and of total dose. Asymptomatic patients were treated with folinic acid (30 mg/m2/day) for 5 days. Symptomatic patients were treated with folinic acid together with treatments for the specific clinical manifestations. No patients were treated with glucarpidase. All patients fully recovered. Conclusions: When MTX is prescribed for the first time, it is important to clearly communicate with patients to avoid therapeutic errors. In our experience, age, total dose taken and number of days of assumption are predictive for the presence/absence of clinical manifestations. These parameters must be evaluated together to identify patients needing maximum starting treatment with folinic acid and closer monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Site‐specific conditions, climate, and management decisions all dictate the establishment and composition of desired plant communities within grassland restorations. The uncertainty, complexity, and large size of grassland restorations necessitate monitoring plant communities across spatial and temporal scales. Remote sensing with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) may provide a tool to monitor restored plant communities at various scales, but many potential applications are still unknown. In a tallgrass prairie restoration located in Franklin Grove, IL, we used UAV‐based multispectral imagery to assess the ability of spectral indices to predict ecological characteristics (plant community, plant traits, soil properties) in the summer of 2017. Using 19 sites, we calculated the moments of 26 vegetation indices and four spectral bands (green, red, red edge, near infrared). Models based on each moment and a model with all moments were estimated using ridge regression with model training based on a subset of 15 sites. Each tested for significant error reduction against a null model. We predicted mean graminoid cover, mean dead aboveground biomass, mean dry mass, and mean soil K with significant reductions in cross‐validated root mean square error. Averaged coefficients determined from cross‐validation of ridge regression models were used to develop a final predictive model of the four successfully predicted ecological characteristics. Graminoid cover and soil potassium were successfully predicted in one of the sites while the other two were not successfully predicted in any site. This study provides a path toward a new level of ease and precision in monitoring community dynamics of restored grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum (Al) powders are commonly used in improvised explosive devices as metallic fuels, a component of explosive mixtures. These powders can be obtained readily from industrial‐scale and consumer products, and produced using unsophisticated "kitchen chemistry" techniques. This research demonstrates the potential of automated particle micromorphometry for comparisons between known source and questioned Al powders recovered from IEDs, as well as for insight into the method of Al powder manufacture. Al powder samples were obtained from legitimate manufacturers, and 56 samples were produced "in‐house" from Al‐containing spray paints and ball‐milled Al foils. Transmitted light microscope images of Al powder particles were acquired using an automated stage with automated z‐focus; 17 size and shape parameters were measured for all particles. Approximately 37,000–2,500,000 particles/sample were analyzed using an open‐source statistical package with customized code. Dimensionality reduction was required for processing the large datasets: eight of the 17 measured variables were selected based on inspection of the correlation matrix. Data from four subsamples from each of the 56 samples produced using "in‐house" methods were analyzed using ANOVA to assess the within‐ and between‐sample variation. High within‐sample variation was noted; however, ANOVA and post‐hoc Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) tests demonstrated that the between‐sample variation was substantially larger than the within‐sample variation. Each sample could be differentiated from all other samples in the test set. Future experiments will focus on ways to reduce the within‐sample variation, and additional statistical and microanalytical methods to classify sources and confidently constrain the method of Al powder manufacture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 19‐year‐old female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) presented for cachexia, acute weakness, hyporexia, icterus, and polyuria. The animal was diagnosed with a hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state, which is a well‐recognized syndrome in diabetic humans that is rarely diagnosed in animals. This case documents an important and likely under‐reported syndrome in non‐human primates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat stress (HS), causing impairment in several physiological processes, is one of the most damaging environmental cues for plants. To counteract the harmful effects of high temperatures, plants activate complex signalling networks, indicated as HS response (HSR). Expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) and adjustment of redox homeostasis are crucial events of HSR, required for thermotolerance. By pharmacological approaches, the involvement of cAMP in triggering plant HSR has been recently proposed. In this study, to investigate the role of cAMP in HSR signalling, tobacco BY‐2 cells overexpressing the 'cAMP‐sponge', a genetic tool that reduces intracellular cAMP levels, have been used. in vivo cAMP dampening increased HS susceptibility in a HSPs‐independent way. The failure in cAMP elevation during HS caused a high accumulation of reactive oxygen species, due to increased levels of respiratory burst oxidase homolog D, decreased activities of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase, as well as down‐accumulation of proteins involved in the control of redox homeostasis. In addition, cAMP deficiency impaired proteasome activity and prevented the accumulation of many proteins of ubiquitin‐proteasome system (UPS). By a large‐scale proteomic approach together with in silico analyses, these UPS proteins were identified in a specific cAMP‐dependent network of HSR. In vivo cAMP dampening, obtained through the expression of 'cAMP‐sponge', increases heat stress (HS) susceptibility of tobacco BY‐2 cells, without affecting the expression of heat shock proteins. cAMP plays a key role in HS response, controlling redox homeostasis and ubiquitin‐proteasome system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)‐based composites containing up to 30 vol % of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) particles were prepared by: (a) different techniques, melt blending and solvent casting; and (b) different molding procedures, a single‐step and a two‐step hot‐pressing method. The obtained samples were characterized in order to study how the processing affects their final properties. Results indicate that the different molding processes have a strong effect on polymorphism and molecular relaxations of PVDF as well as on dielectric response of the composite materials, that results enhanced by the two‐step molding. The preparation technique influences the filler dispersion and, consequently, the elastic modulus of the composites, but without remarkably impacting on other properties. This suggests the possibility of preparing performing composites by a solvent‐free and easily scalable technique (i.e., melt blending) and obtaining suitable dielectric characteristics, very important for application of such kind of materials, just by tuning the molding conditions. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 137, 48871. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membranes made of perfluorinated materials having a refractive index close to that of water enable straightforward detection of water solutes at the interface, hence providing a novel sensing tool for fluidic systems. Here it is reported the production by non‐solvent induced phase separation and characterization of microporous membranes made of Hyflon AD, an amorphous copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene. Their optical turbidity when soaked in liquids having different refractive indices is studied and the data are interpreted with an optical model linking scattered light and structural features of the membrane. The average polymer and pore chord lengths obtained in this way scale with the filtering pore size measured by capillary flow porometry. Then, the optical response of the membranes when soaked in aqueous surfactant solutions is investigated and the effects of the molecular adsorption on the internal membrane surface is successfully interpreted by an extension of the model. Overall, the results show that index‐matched membranes can be designed and produced to provide a simple optical detection of the composition of the soaking liquid or to monitor the initial stage of membrane fouling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was undertaken using nonhuman mammal specimens to better understand environmental influences on postmortem hair root band (PMRB) formation and to see whether PMRBs would occur in nonhuman mammal hairs in a similar fashion to human hairs. Carcasses from surrounding roadways were the primary source of specimens for this study, augmented by donated deceased domestic pets. Sections of pelt from each specimen were placed in controlled environmental conditions while the remainder of the carcass was left in a secure outdoor setting. Hair samples were collected daily from outdoor and control specimens and examined for evidence of PMRBs. Several environmental factors were also recorded on a daily basis. Results demonstrate PMRBs can occur in nonhuman mammal hairs, and they have microscopic characteristics similar to human PMRBs. Factors found to correlate with PMRB formation include postmortem interval, temperature, pH, and the formation and subsequent volatilization of ammonia from the surrounding tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceramics with perovskite structure and composition BaCexTi1−xO3 (x = 0.02–0.30) show a progressive evolution with increasing x, from the long‐range polar order of ferroelectric BaTiO3 to the short‐range polar order typical of relaxors. The ionic size mismatch between Ti4+ and Ce4+ determines strong local strains which have a significant impact on dielectric properties and phase transitions. The pair distribution function, coupled with transmission electron microscopy analysis, was applied to study the local structure. Because of the inner B‐cation sizes, the superposition of rigid B—O octahedra with different volumes is not compatible with the construction of an ideal perovskite structure. In this light, local structure can be described by an original model which allows (i) different Ti—O and Ce—O distances and (ii) the typical distortions of the two end members: off‐center displacement of Ti occurring in BaTiO3 and octahedral tilt in BaCeO3. The results show a clear difference, in terms of volumes, between oxygen octahedra with titanium and those related to cerium. In addition, the inclusion of cerium causes a tilt of its oxygen cage, as occurs in pure BaCeO3, creating contra‐rotations and distortions of the octahedra containing titanium. This complex arrangement entails a substantial distortion, increasing as a function of cerium amount, which strongly influences the directions of titanium displacements, their local correlation and consequently their long‐range cooperative effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stinging test is an in vivo protocol that evaluates sensitive skin using lactic acid (LA). A soothing sensation of cosmetics or ingredients can be also appreciated through a decrease in stinging score. To predict the soothing sensation of a product before in vivo testing, we developed a model based on an LA test and substance P (SP) release using a co-culture of human keratinocytes and NGF-differentiated PC12 cells. A bacterial fucose-rich polysaccharide present in Fucogel® was evaluated as the soothing molecule in the in vivo stinging test and our in vitro model. Excluding toxic concentrations, the release of SP was significant from 0.2% of lactic acid for the PC12 cells and from 0.1% of lactic acid for the keratinocytes. When the pH was adjusted to approximately 7.4, LA did not provoke SP release. At these concentrations of LA, 0.1% of polysaccharide showed a significant decrease in SP release from the two cellular types and in co-cultures without modifying the pH of the medium. In vivo, a stinging test using the polysaccharide showed a 30% decrease in prickling intensity vs the placebo in 19 women between the ages of 21 and 69. Our in vitro model is ethically interesting and is adapted for cosmetic ingredients screening because it does not use animal experimentation and limits human volunteers. Moreover, Fucogel® reduced prickling sensation as revealed by the in vivo stinging test and inhibits the neurogenic inflammation as showed by our new in vitro stinging test based on SP release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The establishment of the Economic and Monetary Union was expected to determine price convergence in the market of the European Union, leading to the equilibrium theorized by the law of one price. This article investigates prices convergence in the coffee market among European importers. Coffee is not only a tradable and traded good, but also one of the most valuable traded commodities. We account for different qualities of coffee in a hedonic regression model, which isolate and remove the effects of factors that might affect price dispersion. Adjusted import prices result to be significantly different between European Member States, and do not support the hypothesis of a deepening European market integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A writer's biometric identity can be characterized through the distribution of physical feature measurements ("writer's profile"); a graph-based system that facilitates the quantification of these features is described. To accomplish this quantification, handwriting is segmented into basic graphical forms ("graphemes"), which are "skeletonized" to yield the graphical topology of the handwritten segment. The graph-based matching algorithm compares the graphemes first by their graphical topology and then by their geometric features. Graphs derived from known writers can be compared against graphs extracted from unknown writings. The process is computationally intensive and relies heavily upon statistical pattern recognition algorithms. This article focuses on the quantification of these physical features and the construction of the associated pattern recognition methods for using the features to discriminate among writers. The graph-based system described in this article has been implemented in a highly accurate and approximately language-independent biometric recognition system of writers of cursive documents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The grain size influence on the dielectric relaxation and nonlinear dielectric properties of BaTiO3 ceramics with grain size in the range of (92÷936) nm densified by Spark Plasma Sintering ( SPS) from ultrafine powders were investigated. The progressive reduction of the Curie temperature and of the effective permittivity results from a combination of intrinsic size effects and low-permittivity grain boundary layer. A model of dielectric cylindrical cavities was employed in order to calculate intrinsic effective permittivity values in GHz range. An interesting feature is the presence of a thermally activated Debye-like relaxation in the ferroelectric state of ceramics with grain size above 300 nm, with activation energies of 0.45-0.49 eV, which seems to be related to the domain walls forced motion under the applied field. By diminishing grain size, a progressive reduction of the ferroelectric nonlinear character was obtained, reaching a macroscopic non-switching character and a linear permittivity versus field dependence for the finest ceramics (grain size of 90-100 nm) until very high values of the applied field. The observed behavior supports the idea of frozen polarization induced by pinning centers as due to a large number of grain boundaries and charged defects in the fine structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of BaTiO3 nanoparticles by a solid-state reaction between nanocrystalline raw materials BaCO3 and TiO2 was studied as a function of temperature (400°–800°C), time (1–24 h), and titania particle size (15 and 30 nm). The reaction starts at 500°C and a high reaction rate is already observed at 600°C for the finest titania, with up to 90% conversion after 2 h. Two main reaction stages were observed at 600°–700°C. The first step is dominated by nucleation and growth of BaTiO3 at the TiO2–BaCO3 contact points and at the TiO2 surface. Surface diffusion of BaCO3 is, most likely, the prevailing mass transport mechanism responsible for the rapid formation of BaTiO3, even in the absence of a significant contribution from lattice diffusion. The second stage begins when the residual TiO2 cores are completely covered by the product phase. For longer times, the reaction can only proceed by the slower lattice diffusion, resulting in a strong decrease of the reaction rate. Single-phase BaTiO3 nanopowders with a specific surface area of 12–15 m2/g, an average particle size of 70–85 nm, a relative density of 96.5%–98.3%, and a tetragonality of 1.005 were obtained by calcination at 700°–800°C. Critical parameters in the preparation of ultrafine powders by solid-state reactions are the particle size of both raw materials, the absence of large hard agglomerates, and the homogeneity of the mixture. The use of fine raw materials and optimization of the reaction conditions make mechanical activation unnecessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barium titanate has been prepared by solid-state reaction of nanocrystalline TiO2 (70 nm) with BaCO3 of different particle size (650, 140, and 50 nm). The results give evidence of a strong effect of the size of BaCO3 in the solid-state synthesis of barium titanate. The use of nanocrystalline BaCO3 already leads to formation of the single-phase BaTiO3 after calcination for 8 h at 800°C. The final powder consists of primary particles of ≈100 nm, has a narrow particle size distribution with d50=270 nm, and no agglomerates larger than 800 nm. For the coarser carbonate, 4 h calcination at 1000°C are required and the final powder is much coarser. Solid-state reaction of nanocrystalline BaCO3 and TiO2 represents an alternative to chemical preparation routes for the production of barium titanate ultrafine powders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barium titanate has been prepared by solid-state reaction of nanocrystalline TiO2 (70 nm) with BaCO3 of different particle size (650, 140, and 50 nm). The results give evidence of a strong effect of the size of BaCO3 in the solid-state synthesis of barium titanate. The use of nanocrystalline BaCO3 already leads to formation of the single-phase BaTiO3 after calcination for 8 h at 800°C. The final powder consists of primary particles of ≈100 nm, has a narrow particle size distribution with d50=270 nm, and no agglomerates larger than 800 nm. For the coarser carbonate, 4 h calcination at 1000°C are required and the final powder is much coarser. Solid-state reaction of nanocrystalline BaCO3 and TiO2 represents an alternative to chemical preparation routes for the production of barium titanate ultrafine powders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well-defined and stoichiometric spherical particles of BaTiO[sub 3] of narrow size distribution were produced at 82° and 92°C by precipitation from chloride solutions in a strong alkaline environment. The size of the particles can be tailored in the range from ≈10³ to 70-80 nm by increasing the barium concentration from ≈0.07 to 0.7 mol/L. The particles are composed of tight aggregates resulting from the assembly of several nanocrystals. The size of the nanocrystals decreases from 200-300 to 30-40 nm by increasing reactant concentration. At low barium concentration (≤0.07 mol/L at 82°C, ≤0.06 mol/L at 92°C), formation of BaTiO[sub 3] is strongly slowed down and nonstoichiometric, Ti-rich powders are produced. Under these conditions, the particles have the tendency to develop a dendritic-like morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim A randomized controlled trial ( RCT) was conducted to test the null hypothesis that there is no difference in complication rates and length of stay ( LOS) between laparoscopic right colectomy ( LRC) and laparoscopic-assisted colonoscopic polypectomy ( LACP) for endoscopically unresectable polyps of the right colon. Method A single-centre RCT ( NCT01986699) was conducted on patients with polyps of the right colon deemed by the gastroenterologist to be unresectable. Patients underwent a repeat colonoscopy with biopsy by an interventional endoscopist and were allocated to LRC or LACP. Patients with a nonlift sign, dysplasia, adenocarcinoma, inflammatory bowel disease or familial adenomatous polyposis were excluded from the trial. The study was powered to detect a 73% difference in the LOS which required 17 patients in each arm with an α error of 0.05 and a power of 95%. Results Thirty-four patients were comparable for age ( P = 0.919), gender ( P = 0.364), body mass index ( P = 0.634), American Society of Anesthesiologists class ( P = 0.388) and previous abdominal surgery ( P = 0.366). There was no significant difference in the preoperative morphology ( P = 0.485), location ( P = 0.297), size ( P = 0.690) or histology of the polyps ( P = 0.779). LRC patients experienced a longer operating time (180 vs 90 min; P = 0.001), required more intravenous infusion (3.1 vs 2.0 l; P = 0.025), took significantly longer to pass flatus (2.88 vs 1.44 days; P < 0.001), resumed solid food later (3.94 vs 1.69 days; P < 0.001) and had a longer postoperative LOS (4.94 vs 2.63 days; P < 0.001). Postoperative complications ( P = 0.656), readmissions ( P = 0.5) and reoperations ( P = 0.5) did not differ. Final size ( P = 0.339) and histology ( P = 0.104) of the polyps did not differ. There were four cancers in the LRC arm. At follow-up colonoscopy with biopsy of the scar in 10 patients at 15.3 months, one patient had recurrence of the polyp at the site of the previous LACP. Conclusion LACP and LRC had similar complication rates, but LOS was shorter after LACP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to present the results of the analysis of a gunflints sample from two Colonial archaeological sites located in Patagonia (Argentina). The questions that guided the investigation were related primarily to determination of their origin and the context of their use, as well as the possibility of recycling and reclamation after they were discarded. We perform techno-morphological, raw materials and use-wear analyses. The results indicate that, given their form, the raw materials, an important amount of edge scarring and evidence of contact with metal, all of the pieces were used as gunflints and are of European origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the incorporation of erbium into barium titanate ceramics. Incorporation of erbium at the titanium site; Reduction of tetragonality; Fabrication of electric and electronic devices.

Presents the results of an atomistic simulation study on the incorporation of ions of the first series of transition metals. Substitution of ions of the transition metals to substitute at the titanium site with oxygen-vacancy compensation; Incorporation of iron and cobalt from the divalent to the trivalent state.

Aim Surgery residents are required to become proficient in colonoscopy before completing training. The aim of this study was to evaluate the responsiveness of surgery interns to simulated colonoscopy training. Method Interns, defined as postgraduate year 1 residents without exposure to endoscopy, underwent training in a physical model including colonoscopy, synthetic anatomy trays with luminal tattoos and a hybrid simulator. After baseline testing and mentored training, final testing was performed using five predetermined proficiency criteria. Content-valid metrics defined by the extent of departure from clinical reality were evaluated by two blinded assessors. Responsiveness was defined as change in performance over time and assessed comparing baseline testing with nonmentored final testing. Results Twelve interns (eight male, mean age 26, 80% right-handed) performed 48 colonoscopies each over 1 year. Improvement was seen in the overall procedure time (24 min 46 s vs 20 min 54 s; P = 0.03), passing the splenic flexure (20 min 33 s vs 10 min 45 s; P = 0.007), passing the hepatic flexure (23 min 31 s vs 12 min 45 s; P = 0.003), caecal intubation time (23 min 38 s vs 13 min 26 s; P = 0.008), the duration of loss of view of the lumen (75% vs 8.3%; P = 0.023), incomplete colonoscopy (100% vs 33.3%; P = 0.042), colonoscope withdrawal < 6 min (16.7% vs 8.3%; P = 0.052). Tattoo identification time (9 min 16 s vs 12 min 25 s; P = 0.50), colon looped time (2 min 12 s vs 1 min 45 s; P = 0.50) and rate of colon perforation (8.3% vs 8.3%; P = 1) remained unchanged. Interrater reliability was 1.0 for all measures. Conclusion Simulated colonoscopy training in a low-cost physical model improved the performance of surgery interns with decreased procedure time, increased rates of complete colonoscopy and appropriate scope withdrawal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background A number of studies have shown that ethanol (EtOH) activates dopamine neurocircuitries and is self-administered into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the rat brain. In vitro and in silico studies have showed that hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) ionic channels on VTA dopamine neurons may constitute a molecular target of EtOH; however, there is no in vivo evidence supporting this assumption. Methods Wistar-derived University of Chile Drinking (UChB) rats were microinjected into the VTA with a lentiviral vector coding for rat HCN-2 ionic channel or a control vector. Four days after vector administration, daily voluntary EtOH intake was assessed for 30 days under a free-access paradigm to 5% EtOH and water. After EtOH consumption studies, the effect of HCN-2 overexpression was also assessed on EtOH-induced conditioned place preference (CPP); EtOH-induced locomotion, and EtOH-induced dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc). Results Rats microinjected with the HCN-2 coding vector into the VTA showed (i) a ~2-fold increase in their voluntary EtOH intake compared to control animals, (ii) lentiviral-HCN-2-treated animals also showed an increased CPP to EtOH (~3-fold), (iii) a significant higher locomotor activity (~2-fold), and (iv) increased dopamine release in NAcc upon systemic administration of EtOH (~2-fold). Conclusions Overexpression of HCN-2 ionic channel in the VTA of rats results in an increase in voluntary EtOH intake, EtOH-induced CPP, locomotor activity, and dopamine release in NAcc, suggesting that HCN levels in the VTA are relevant for the rewarding properties of EtOH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro X-ray fluorescence ( μ-XRF) spectrometry using an energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) detector is capable of detecting certain major, minor, and trace elements that permit potential discrimination of glass fragments in forensic cases on the basis of differences in elemental composition. Often, elements used for discrimination are present at concentrations near the detection limit of the EDS system, and the decision whether to utilize these minor peaks in a comparative analysis has generally been left to the discretion of the examiner. The use of signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of spectral peaks provides additional objectivity in peak identification/label decisions and in the selection of elements in semiquantitative ratio comparisons. In addition, the use of SNRs enables calculations of limits of detection and limits of quantitation and the monitoring of instrument performance, and facilitates performance comparisons of different μ-XRF configurations. This paper demonstrates a practical method for applying the concepts of SNR, limits of detection, and limits of quantitation to μ-XRF generated EDS-based spectra, discusses the implications of such determinations, addresses spectral features that must be considered when making the calculations, and illustrates the application of these concepts to the example of forensic examination and comparison of glass samples. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The confinement of liquid crystals in geometries with frustrating boundary conditions gives rise to nontrivial effects such as bistability and memory. It is shown that large memory effects arise when nematic liquid crystals are embedded in cubic micrometer-sized scaffolds made by two-photon polymerization. The electric field alignment of the liquid crystals inside the porous medium is maintained when the applied field is above a threshold (approximately 2 V per micrometer of cell thickness). The onset of the memory is an on/off type process for each individual pore of the scaffold, and the memory typically starts emerging in one region of the structure and then propagates. The global memory effects in porous structures with controlled geometry are enhanced with respect to the case of random porous structures. This work is a proof of the 'memory from topology' principle, which was previously suggested by computer simulations. These new materials can pave the way to new types of bistable displays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The 3′-terminal extensions of eukaryotic chromosomes are unique examples of functional single-stranded DNA. Human telomeres are constructed of the repeated DNA sequence 5′-d(TTAGGG). Four-repeats of human telomeric DNA have been characterized by high-resolution techniques to be capable of forming at least five distinct monomeric conformations. The predominant solution topology is influenced by solution conditions and the presence of 3′- or 5′-flanking residues. This study describes the unfolding mechanisms for human telomeric quadruplexes formed by eight sequence variants that form three unique antiparallel topologies in K+ solution. Thermal unfolding monitored by circular dichroism is analyzed by singular value decomposition to enumerate the number of significant spectral species required to model the unfolding process. Thermal denaturation of all quadruplexes studied is found to be best modeled by a four-state sequential mechanism with two populated intermediates. The thermal unfolding was also investigated in 50% (v/v) acetonitrile in which a parallel topology is favored. Under these dehydrating conditions, quadruplex thermal denaturation is best modeled by a three-state sequential unfolding mechanism with one populated intermediate. Dehydrated parallel quadruplexes demonstrate increased thermal stability. The spectral properties of the unfolding intermediate suggest that it is most likely a triple-helical structure. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 99: 1006-1018, 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT An in-house fully three-dimensional general-purpose finite element model is applied to solve the hydrodynamic structure in a periodic Kinoshita-generated meandering channel. The numerical model solves the incompressible Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations for mass and momentum, while solving the k − ε equations for turbulence. The free surface is described by the rigid-lid approximation (using measured water surface data) for flat (smooth-bed) and self-formed (rough-bed) conditions. The model results are compared against experimental measurements in the 'Kinoshita channel', where three-dimensional flow velocities and turbulence parameters were measured. This validation was carried out for the upstream-valley meander bend orientation under smooth (flat bed) conditions. After validation, several simulations were carried out to predict the hydrodynamics in conditions where either it was not possible to perform measurements (e.g. applicability of the laboratory acoustic instruments) and to extrapolate the model to other planform configurations. For the flat smooth-bed case, a symmetric (no skewness) planform configuration was modeled and compared to the upstream-skewed case. For the self-formed rough-bed case, prediction of the hydrodynamics during the progression of bedforms was performed. It appears that the presence of bedforms on a bend has the following effects: (i) the natural secondary flow of the bend is disrupted by the presence of the bedforms, thus depending on the location of the dune, secondary flows might differ completely from the traditional orientation; (ii) an increment on both the bed and bank shear stresses is induced, having as much as 50% more fluvial erosion, and thus a potential increment on the migration rate of the bend. Implications on sediment transport and bend morphodynamics are also discussed in the paper. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY This work presents a generic and efficient black-box approach for the strong iterative coupling of dimensionally heterogeneous flow models in computational hemodynamics. A heterogeneous model of the cardiovascular system is formed by several vascular black-box components, which are connected through coupling equations. The associated system of equations is solved using the Broyden algorithm. In addition, a multiple time-stepping strategy is introduced to meet different component requirements. The proposed algorithm is employed to split a 3D-1D-0D closed-loop model of the cardiovascular system into corresponding black-box components standing for the 3D (specific vessels), 1D (systemic arteries/peripheral vessels), and 0D (venous/cardiac/pulmonary circulation) components. Examples of application are presented showing the robustness and suitability of this novel approach. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY In this work, a new enrichment space to accommodate jumps in the pressure field at immersed interfaces in finite element formulations, is proposed. The new enrichment adds two degrees of freedom per element that can be eliminated by means of static condensation. The new space is tested and compared with the classical P1 space and to the space proposed by Ausas et al (Comp. Meth. Appl. Mech. Eng., Vol. 199, 1019-1031, 2010) in several problems involving jumps in the viscosity and/or the presence of singular forces at interfaces not conforming with the element edges. The combination of this enrichment space with another enrichment that accommodates discontinuities in the pressure gradient has also been explored, exhibiting excellent results in problems involving jumps in the density or the volume forces. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

c-Myc dysregulation is one of the most common abnormalities found in human cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are functionally intertwined with the c-Myc network as multiple miRNAs are regulated by c-Myc, while others directly suppress c-Myc expression. In this work, we identified miR-33b as a primate-specific negative regulator of c-Myc. The human miR-33b gene is located at 17p11.2, a genomic locus frequently lost in medulloblastomas, of which a subset displays c-Myc overproduction. Through a small-scale screening with drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), we found that lovastatin upregulated miR-33b expression, reduced cell proliferation and impaired c-Myc expression and function in miR-33b-positive medulloblastoma cells. In addition, a low dose of lovastatin treatment at a level comparable to approved human oral use reduced tumour growth in mice orthotopically xenografted with cells carrying miR-33b, but not with cells lacking miR-33b. This work presents a highly promising therapeutic option, using drug repurposing and a miRNA as a biomarker, against cancers that overexpress c-Myc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preoperative diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is difficult, given its similar clinical presentation to pancreatic cancer. The aims of the study are to describe our center's experience with AIP and apply the Japanese AIP diagnostic criteria to a cohort of patients with histologically-proven AIP in order to assess their performance characteristics. A prospective pathology database was queried for AIP patients who were evaluated and/or treated at Johns Hopkins Hospital from 2002 to 2009. AIP histology was defined by the presence of lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, periductal inflammation, fibrosis, and periphlebitis. Imaging, clinical, and biochemical data were analyzed. Thirty patients had pancreatic resection with pathological confirmation of AIP. Imaging revealed pancreatic mass (45%), focal prominence without mass lesion (24%), diffuse enlargement (17%), and normal pancreas (14%). Twenty-four patients underwent an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and/or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and 4/24 (17%) had pancreatic ductal narrowing or irregularity. Extrapancreaticobiliary organ involvement was found in 6% ( n = 2) of patients. Biliary strictures were present in 87% of patients. Of 16 patients who underwent preoperative tissue biopsy, 10 had non-diagnostic pathology, five had cellular atypia, and one had AIP. Serum immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) levels were elevated in 12 of 29 (41%) patients. Three (10%) patients had evidence of extrapancreatic manifestations of AIP. When applying the Japanese criteria to the 27 patients who had serum IgG4 measurement, preoperative biopsy, and cross-sectional abdominal imaging, only 44% of the patients would have been diagnosed accurately. When applied to a highly-selected single-center referral population in the USA, current Japanese guidelines for the diagnosis of AIP are found to have suboptimal sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]