bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Road Map toward Room-Temperature Superconductivity: Manipulating Different Pairing Channels in Systems Composed of Multiple Electronic Components
Authors: Bussmann-Holder Annette , Köhler Jürgen , Simon Arndt , Whangbo Myung-Hwan , Bianconi Antonio , Perali Andrea
Published: July 2017

While it is known that the amplification of the superconducting critical temperature TC is possible in a system of multiple electronic components in comparison with a single component system, many different road maps for room temperature superconductivity have been proposed for a variety of multicomponent scenarios. Here we focus on the scenario where the first electronic component is assumed to have a vanishing Fermi velocity corresponding to a case of the intermediate polaronic regime, and the second electronic component is in the weak coupling regime with standard high Fermi velocity using a mean field theory for multiband superconductivity. This roadmap is motivated by compelling experimental evidence for one component in the proximity of a Lifshitz transition in cuprates, diborides, and iron based superconductors. By keeping a constant and small exchange interaction between the two electron fluids, we search for the optimum coupling strength in the electronic polaronic component which gives the largest amplification of the superconducting critical temperature in comparison with the case of a single electronic component.
Influence of Copper Particles on Breakdown Voltage and Frequency-Dependent Dielectric Property of Vegetable Insulating Oil
Authors: Zhang Jing , Wang Feipeng , Li Jian , Ran Hehuan , Huang Dali
Published: July 2017

The insulating performance of oil is vulnerable to particles especially the conductive particles. This paper investigated the influence of copper particles of micrometer size on the breakdown strength and frequency-dependent properties of vegetable oil. The AC breakdown voltage of contaminated vegetable oil with copper particles of different numbers (ranging from 103 to 106) was measured. The frequency-dependent dielectric properties including volume resistivity, relative permittivity and dissipation factor of the contaminated vegetable oil with copper particles of various volumetric concentrations (0.011%, 0.056% and 0.112%) were measured. Identical experiments were conducted with mineral oil for comparison. Results show that the AC breakdown voltage of vegetable oil decreases with the increase of copper particle concentration. The mineral oil exhibits a similar trend, but the influence of copper particles on the AC breakdown voltage of vegetable oil is less significant than that on mineral oil because of its greater viscosity. The relative permittivity and dissipation factor increase with increasing copper volumetric concentration while the volume resistivity decreases. The influence of copper particles on them is significant at low frequencies and this influence becomes inconspicuous as the frequency increases. Similar results were observed for mineral oil.
Wheat and Sugar Beet Coproducts for the Bioproduction of 3-Hydroxypropionic Acid by Lactobacillus reuteri DSM17938
Authors: Couvreur Julien , Teixeira Andreia , Allais Florent , Spinnler Henry-Eric , Saulou-Bérion Claire , Clément Tiphaine
Published: July 2017

An experimental design based on Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used for the formulation of a growth medium based on sugar beet and wheat processing coproducts adapted to the cultivation of Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) DSM17938. The strain was cultivated on 30 different media varying by the proportions of sugar beet and wheat processing coproducts, and the concentration of yeast extract, tween 80 and vitamin B12. The media were used in a two-step process consisting of L. reuteri cultivation followed by the bioconversion of glycerol into 3-hydroxypropionic acid by resting cells. The efficiency of the formulations was evaluated according to the maximal optical density at the end of the growth phase (ΔOD620nm) and the ability of the resting cells to convert glycerol into 3-hydroxypropionic acid, a platform molecule of interest for the plastic industry. De Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe medium (MRS), commonly used for the cultivation of lactic bacteria, was used as the control medium. The optimized formulation allowed increasing the 3-HP production.
When Less Is Good, Is None Better? The Prognostic and Therapeutic Significance of Peri-Transplant Minimal Residual Disease Assessment in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Lamble Adam , Phelan Rachel , Burke Michael
Published: July 2017

The measurement of minimal residual disease (MRD) in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has become the most important prognostic tool of, and the backbone to, upfront risk stratification. While MRD assessment is the standard of care for assessing response and predicting outcomes for pediatric patients with ALL receiving chemotherapy, its use in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) has been less clearly defined. Herein, we discuss the importance of MRD assessment during the peri-HSCT period and its role in prognostication and management.
NMR Profiling of Metabolites in Larval and Juvenile Blue Mussels (Mytilus edulis) under Ambient and Low Salinity Conditions
Authors: May Melissa , Bishop Karl , Rawson Paul
Published: July 2017

Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) are ecologically and economically important marine invertebrates whose populations are at risk from climate change-associated variation in their environment, such as decreased coastal salinity. Blue mussels are osmoconfomers and use components of the metabolome (free amino acids) to help maintain osmotic balance and cellular function during low salinity exposure. However, little is known about the capacity of blue mussels during the planktonic larval stages to regulate metabolites during osmotic stress. Metabolite studies in species such as blue mussels can help improve our understanding of the species’ physiology, as well as their capacity to respond to environmental stress. We used 1D 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and 2D total correlation spectroscopy (TOCSY) experiments to describe baseline metabolite pools in larval (veliger and pediveliger stages) and juvenile blue mussels (gill, mantle, and adductor tissues) under ambient conditions and to quantify changes in the abundance of common osmolytes in these stages during low salinity exposure. We found evidence for stage- and tissue-specific differences in the baseline metabolic profiles of blue mussels, which reflect variation in the function and morphology of each larval stage or tissue type of juveniles. These differences impacted the utilization of osmolytes during low salinity exposure, likely stemming from innate physiological variation. This study highlights the importance of foundational metabolomic studies that include multiple tissue types and developmental stages to adequately evaluate organismal responses to stress and better place these findings in a broader physiological context.
Design, Synthesis and Bioactivities of Novel 1,4-Pentadien-3-one Derivatives Containing a Substituted Pyrazolyl Moiety
Authors: Chen Cuili , Chen Jia , Gu Haiying , Bao Ning , Dai Hong
Published: July 2017

In this study, in order to find novel biologically active penta-1,4-dien-3-one derivatives, a series of penta-1,4-dien-3-one compounds containing a substituted pyrazole subunit were designed and synthesized. Their structures were characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and elemental analysis. The preliminary bioassays displayed that most of the title compounds showed significant antiproliferative activity against HepG2 cell lines. Especially, compounds 7a–m, o, r, s, u, w, y and z were active against HepG2 cells with IC50 values of 0.10–5.05 μM, which were superior to that of the contrast sorafenib (IC50 = 16.20 μM).
DeCAF—Discrimination, Comparison, Alignment Tool for 2D PHarmacophores
Authors: Stepniewska-Dziubinska Marta , Zielenkiewicz Piotr , Siedlecki Pawel
Published: July 2017

Comparison of small molecules is a common component of many cheminformatics workflows, including the design of new compounds and libraries as well as side-effect predictions and drug repurposing. Currently, large-scale comparison methods rely mostly on simple fingerprint representation of molecules, which take into account the structural similarities of compounds. Methods that utilize 3D information depend on multiple conformer generation steps, which are computationally expensive and can greatly influence their results. The aim of this study was to augment molecule representation with spatial and physicochemical properties while simultaneously avoiding conformer generation. To achieve this goal, we describe a molecule as an undirected graph in which the nodes correspond to atoms with pharmacophoric properties and the edges of the graph represent the distances between features. This approach combines the benefits of a conformation-free representation of a molecule with additional spatial information. We implemented our approach as an open-source Python module called DeCAF (Discrimination, Comparison, Alignment tool for 2D PHarmacophores), freely available at http://bitbucket.org/marta-sd/decaf. We show DeCAF’s strengths and weaknesses with usage examples and thorough statistical evaluation. Additionally, we show that our method can be manually tweaked to further improve the results for specific tasks. The full dataset on which DeCAF was evaluated and all scripts used to calculate and analyze the results are also provided.
Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) Channels in Drug Discovery: Old Concepts & New Thoughts
Authors: Huang Susan , Szallasi Arpad
Published: July 2017

2017 marks the 20th anniversary of the molecular cloning by David Julius and colleagues (1997) of the long sought-after capsaicin receptor, now known as TRPV1 (Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1) [1]. This seminal discovery has opened up a “hot” new field of basic research and launched drug discovery efforts into the large family (by the latest count 28 mammalian members, 27 in humans) of TRP ion channels [2]. Indeed, it took less than a decade for the first potent, small molecule TRPV1 antagonists to enter phase 1 clinical trials [3]. Yet, despite the large amount of resources that has been invested in TRPV1 research, there are currently no TRPV1-targeted drugs in phase 3 clinical trials. In this special issue of Pharmaceuticals, we aim to capture the progress in the TRP channel field over the past twenty years, with 15 articles covering a variety of TRP channels and potential relevant disease states and applications.
USEQ: A Short Questionnaire for Satisfaction Evaluation of Virtual Rehabilitation Systems
Authors: Gil-Gómez José-Antonio , Manzano-Hernández Pilar , Albiol-Pérez Sergio , Aula-Valero Carmen , Gil-Gómez Hermenegildo , Lozano-Quilis José-Antonio
Published: July 2017

New emerging technologies have proven their efficacy in aiding people in their rehabilitation. The tests that are usually used to evaluate usability (in general) or user satisfaction (in particular) of this technology are not specifically focused on virtual rehabilitation and patients. The objective of this contribution is to present and evaluate the USEQ (User Satisfaction Evaluation Questionnaire). The USEQ is a questionnaire that is designed to properly evaluate the satisfaction of the user (which constitutes part of usability) in virtual rehabilitation systems. Forty patients with balance disorders completed the USEQ after their first session with ABAR (Active Balance Rehabilitation), which is a virtual rehabilitation system that is designed for the rehabilitation of balance disorders. Internal consistency analysis and exploratory factor analysis were carried out to identify the factor structure of the USEQ. The six items of USEQ were significantly associated with each other, and the Cronbach alpha coefficient for the questionnaire was 0.716. In an analysis of the principal components, a one-factor solution was considered to be appropriate. The findings of the study suggest that the USEQ is a reliable questionnaire with adequate internal consistency. With regard to patient perception, the patients found the USEQ to be an easy-to-understand questionnaire with a convenient number of questions.
A Study of Vicon System Positioning Performance
Authors: Merriaux Pierre , Dupuis Yohan , Boutteau Rémi , Vasseur Pascal , Savatier Xavier
Published: July 2017

Motion capture setups are used in numerous fields. Studies based on motion capture data can be found in biomechanical, sport or animal science. Clinical science studies include gait analysis as well as balance, posture and motor control. Robotic applications encompass object tracking. Today’s life applications includes entertainment or augmented reality. Still, few studies investigate the positioning performance of motion capture setups. In this paper, we study the positioning performance of one player in the optoelectronic motion capture based on markers: Vicon system. Our protocol includes evaluations of static and dynamic performances. Mean error as well as positioning variabilities are studied with calibrated ground truth setups that are not based on other motion capture modalities. We introduce a new setup that enables directly estimating the absolute positioning accuracy for dynamic experiments contrary to state-of-the art works that rely on inter-marker distances. The system performs well on static experiments with a mean absolute error of 0.15 mm and a variability lower than 0.025 mm. Our dynamic experiments were carried out at speeds found in real applications. Our work suggests that the system error is less than 2 mm. We also found that marker size and Vicon sampling rate must be carefully chosen with respect to the speed encountered in the application in order to reach optimal positioning performance that can go to 0.3 mm for our dynamic study.
Raman Plus X: Biomedical Applications of Multimodal Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Das Nandan , Dai Yichuan , Liu Peng , Hu Chuanzhen , Tong Lieshu , Chen Xiaoya , Smith Zachary
Published: July 2017

Raman spectroscopy is a label-free method of obtaining detailed chemical information about samples. Its compatibility with living tissue makes it an attractive choice for biomedical analysis, yet its translation from a research tool to a clinical tool has been slow, hampered by fundamental Raman scattering issues such as long integration times and limited penetration depth. In this review we detail the how combining Raman spectroscopy with other techniques yields multimodal instruments that can help to surmount the translational barriers faced by Raman alone. We review Raman combined with several optical and non-optical methods, including fluorescence, elastic scattering, OCT, phase imaging, and mass spectrometry. In each section we highlight the power of each combination along with a brief history and presentation of representative results. Finally, we conclude with a perspective detailing both benefits and challenges for multimodal Raman measurements, and give thoughts on future directions in the field.
User Classification in Crowdsourcing-Based Cooperative Spectrum Sensing
Authors: Zhai Linbo , Wang Hua
Published: July 2017

This paper studies cooperative spectrum sensing based on crowdsourcing in cognitive radio networks. Since intelligent mobile users such as smartphones and tablets can sense the wireless spectrum, channel sensing tasks can be assigned to these mobile users. This is referred to as the crowdsourcing method. However, there may be some malicious mobile users that send false sensing reports deliberately, for their own purposes. False sensing reports will influence decisions about channel state. Therefore, it is necessary to classify mobile users in order to distinguish malicious users. According to the sensing reports, mobile users should not just be divided into two classes (honest and malicious). There are two reasons for this: on the one hand, honest users in different positions may have different sensing outcomes, as shadowing, multi-path fading, and other issues may influence the sensing results; on the other hand, there may be more than one type of malicious users, acting differently in the network. Therefore, it is necessary to classify mobile users into more than two classes. Due to the lack of prior information of the number of user classes, this paper casts the problem of mobile user classification as a dynamic clustering problem that is NP-hard. The paper uses the interdistance-to-intradistance ratio of clusters as the fitness function, and aims to maximize the fitness function. To cast this optimization problem, this paper proposes a distributed algorithm for user classification in order to obtain bounded close-to-optimal solutions, and analyzes the approximation ratio of the proposed algorithm. Simulations show the distributed algorithm achieves higher performance than other algorithms.
Source Water Protection Planning and Management in Metropolitan Canada: A Preliminary Assessment
Authors: Al Ibrahim Azhar , Patrick Robert
Published: July 2017

Source Water Protection (SWP) is the process of protecting a drinking water source through land use planning policies and land management activities. The risk of source water contamination is a human health concern even in developed countries such as Canada. Much of the existing SWP literature in the more developed world is centred on small and rural water systems with a focus on capacity needs to support SWP activities and planning. These capacity needs tend to centre on five key elements: political, financial, human, technical and legal. While these contributions have added value to the water resource planning literature in rural areas, there remains a noticeable gap in the literature with respect to SWP activities in metropolitan areas. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to report the kinds of source water threats facing metropolitan water systems in Canada; and, second, to explore the utility of the capacity literature with respect to SWP planning in metropolitan Canada.
Mechanochemistry-assisted synthesis of hierarchical porous carbons applied as supercapacitors
Authors: Leistenschneider Desirée , Jäckel Nicolas , Hippauf Felix , Presser Volker , Borchardt Lars
Published: July 2017

A solvent-free synthesis of hierarchical porous carbons is conducted by a facile and fast mechanochemical reaction in a ball mill. By means of a mechanochemical ball-milling approach, we obtained titanium(IV) citrate-based polymers, which have been processed via high temperature chlorine treatment to hierarchical porous carbons with a high specific surface area of up to 1814 m2g−1and well-defined pore structures. The carbons are applied as electrode materials in electric double-layer capacitors showing high specific capacitances with 98 F g−1in organic and 138 F g−1in an ionic liquid electrolyte as well as good rate capabilities, maintaining 87% of the initial capacitance with 1 M TEA-BF4in acetonitrile (ACN) and 81% at 10 A g−1in EMIM-BF4.
Haplotypes Phased from Population Transcriptomes Detecting Selection in the Initial Adaptation of Miscanthus lutarioriparius to Stressful Environments
Authors: Zhu Cai‐yun , Liu Wei , Kang Li‐Fang , Xu Qin , Xing Shi‐Lai , Fan Yang‐Yang , Song Zhi‐Hong , Yan Juan , Li Jian‐Qiang , Sang Tao
Published: July 2017

Adaptation is a characteristic that enhances the survival or reproduction of organisms; selection is the critical process leading to adaptive evolution. Therefore, detecting selection is important in studying evolutionary biology. Changes in allele frequency are fundamental to adaptive evolution. The allele frequency of entire genes at the genomic scale is more intensive and precise for analyzing selection effects, compared with simple sequence repeat and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) alleles from nuclear gene fragments. Here, we analyzed 29,094 SNPs derived from 80 individuals of 14 Miscanthus lutarioriparius L. Liou ex S.L. Chen & Renvoize populations planted near their native habitat (Jiangxia, Hubei Province, JH) and a stressful environment (Qingyang, Gansu Province, QG) to detect selection during initial adaptation. The nucleotide diversity of over 60% of genes was decreased in QG compared with JH, suggesting that most genes were undergoing selection in the stressful environment. We explored a new approach based on haplotype data inferred from RNA‐seq data to analyze the change in frequency between two sites and to detect selection signals. In total, 402 and 51 genes were found to be targets of positive and negative selection, respectively. Among these candidate genes, the enrichment of abiotic stress‐response genes and photosynthesis‐related genes might have been responsible for establishment in the stressful environment. This is the first study assessing the change in allele frequency at the genomic level during adaptation. The method in which allele frequency detects selection during initial adaptation using population RNA‐seq data would be useful for developing evolutionary biology.
Strategies for Selecting Crosses Using Genomic Prediction in Two Wheat Breeding Programs
Authors: Lado Bettina , Battenfield Sarah , Guzmán Carlos , Quincke Martín , Singh Ravi P. , Dreisigacker Susanne , Peña R. Javier , Fritz Allan , Silva Paula , Poland Jesse , Gutiérrez Lucía
Published: July 2017

The single most important decision in plant breeding programs is the selection of appropriate crosses. The ideal cross would provide superior predicted progeny performance and enough diversity to maintain genetic gain. The aim of this study was to compare the best crosses predicted using combinations of mid‐parent value and variance prediction accounting for linkage disequilibrium (VLD) or assuming linkage equilibrium (VLE). After predicting the mean and the variance of each cross, we selected crosses based on mid‐parent value, the top 10% of the progeny, and weighted mean and variance within progenies for grain yield, grain protein content, mixing time, and loaf volume in two applied wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeding programs: Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA) Uruguay and CIMMYT Mexico. Although the variance of the progeny is important to increase the chances of finding superior individuals from transgressive segregation, we observed that the mid‐parent values of the crosses drove the genetic gain but the variance of the progeny had a small impact on genetic gain for grain yield. However, the relative importance of the variance of the progeny was larger for quality traits. Overall, the genomic resources and the statistical models are now available to plant breeders to predict both the performance of breeding lines per se as well as the value of progeny from any potential crosses.
Marker–Trait Association Analysis of Iron and Zinc Concentration in Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) Seeds
Authors: Khazaei Hamid , Podder Rajib , Caron Carolyn T. , Kundu Shudhangshu S. , Diapari Marwan , Vandenberg Albert , Bett Kirstin E.
Published: July 2017

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) seeds are relatively rich in iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), making lentil a potential crop to aid in the global battle against human micronutrient deficiency. Understanding the genetic basis for uptake of seed Fe and Zn is required to increase sustainable concentrations of these minerals in seeds. The objectives of this study were to characterize genetic variation in seed Fe and Zn concentration and to identify molecular markers associated with these traits across diverse lentil accessions. A set of 138 cultivated lentil accessions from 34 countries were evaluated in four environments (2 sites × 2 yr) in Saskatchewan, Canada. The collection was genotyped using 1150 single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers that are distributed across the lentil genome. The germplasm tested exhibited a wide range of variation for seed Fe and Zn concentration. The marker–trait association analysis detected two SNP markers tightly linked to seed Fe and one linked to seed Zn concentration (−log10 P ≥ 4.36). Additional markers were detected at −log10 P ≥ 3.06. A number of putative candidate genes underlying detected loci encode Fe‐ and Zn‐related functions. This study provides insight into the genetics of seed Fe and Zn concentration of lentil and opportunities for marker‐assisted selection to improve micronutrient concentration as part of micronutrient biofortification programs.
H i Kinematics and Mass Distribution of Messier 33
Authors: Kam S. Z. , Carignan C. , Chemin L. , Foster T. , Elson E. , Jarrett T. H.
Published: July 2017

A new deep H i survey of the galaxy Messier 33 is presented, based on observations obtained at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory. We observe a perturbed outer gas distribution and kinematics in M33, and confirm the disk warping as a significant twist of the major axis of the velocity field, although no strong tilt is measured, in agreement with previous work. Evidence for a new low-brightness H i component with anomalous velocity is reported. It harbors a large velocity scatter, as its kinematics both exceeds and lags the rotation of the disk, and leaks in the forbidden velocity zone of apparent counterrotation. The observations also reveal wide and multiple-peak H i profiles that can be partly explained by crowded orbits in the framework of the warp model. Asymmetric motions are identified in the velocity field as possible signatures of a lopsided potential and the warp. The mass distribution modeling of the hybrid Hα–H i rotation curve favors a cuspy dark matter halo with a concentration in disagreement with the ΛCDM dark halo mass–concentration relationship. The total mass enclosed in 23 kpc is

, of which 11% are stars and gas. At the virial radius of the cuspy halo, the resulting total mass is

, but with a baryonic mass fraction of only 2%. This strongly suggests a more realistic radius encompassing the total mass of M33 that is well smaller than the virial radius of the halo, possibly comparable to the size of the H i disk.
Revisiting SNR Puppis A with Seven Years of Fermi Large Area Telescope Observations
Authors: Xin Yu-Liang , Guo Xiao-Lei , Liao Neng-Hui , Yuan Qiang , Liu Si-Ming , Wei Da-Ming
Published: July 2017

Puppis A is a very famous and extensively studied supernova remnant that shows strong evidence of shock-cloud interaction. We reanalyze its GeV γ-ray emission using seven years of Pass 8 data recorded by the Fermi Large Area Telescope. The morphology of the γ-ray emission is more compatible with that of the thermal X-ray and IR emissions than the radio image, which suggests a possible correlation between the gamma-ray-emitting region and dense clouds. The γ-ray spectrum in the energy range of 1–500 GeV shows a break at 7.92 ± 1.91 GeV, with photon indices of 1.81 ± 0.08 below the break and 2.53 ± 0.12 above the break, which can naturally explain the lack of TeV γ-ray emission from Puppis A. The multi-wavelength observations favor a hadronic origin for the γ-ray emission.
Rediscovering digitules in Aphidomorpha and the question of homology among Sternorrhyncha (Insecta, Hemiptera)
Authors: Metz Mark A. , Miller Douglass R. , Dickey Aaron M. , Bauchan Gary R. , Ochoa Ronald , Skvarla Michael J. , Miller Gary L.
Published: July 2017

We explore and expand on the morphological term digitule. The term was originally proposed for toe-like setae on a species ofPhylloxeraBoyer de Fonscolombe, 1834 (Hemiptera, Sternorrhyncha, Aphidomorpha) by Henry Shimer, an American naturalist. While it is standard terminology in scale systematics (Hemiptera, Sternorrhyncha, Coccidomorpha), the term digitule was ignored by aphid specialists despite being the original taxon for which the term was described. Similar setae occur on many arthropod groups, so the homology is poorly understood even within any superfamily of Hemiptera. We provide the etymology of the term, a proposed explanation for why it was used among scale taxonomists and not aphid taxonomists, and discuss briefly options to progress beyond the confusion between terminology for morphology and homology in Sternorrhyncha.
Refractive Changes Induced by Spherical Aberration in Laser Correction Procedures: An Adaptive Optics Study
Authors: Amigó Alfredo , Martinez-Sorribes Paula , Recuerda Margarita
Published: July 2017

PURPOSE:

To study the effect on vision of induced negative and positive spherical aberration within the range of laser vision correction procedures.

METHODS:

In 10 eyes (mean age: 35.8 years) under cyclopegic conditions, spherical aberration values from −0.75 to +0.75
µ
m in 0.25-
µ
m steps were induced by an adaptive optics system. Astigmatism and spherical refraction were corrected, whereas the other natural aberrations remained untouched. Visual acuity, depth of focus defined as the interval of vision for which the target was still perceived acceptable, contrast sensitivity, and change in spherical refraction associated with the variation in pupil diameter from 6 to 2.5 mm were measured.

RESULTS:

A refractive change of 1.60 D/
µ
m of induced spherical aberration was obtained. Emmetropic eyes became myopic when positive spherical aberration was induced and hyperopic when negative spherical aberration was induced (
R
2
= 81%). There were weak correlations between spherical aberration and visual acuity or depth of focus (
R
2
= 2% and 3%, respectively). Contrast sensitivity worsened with the increment of spherical aberration (
R
2
= 59%). When pupil size decreased, emmetropic eyes became hyperopic when preexisting spherical aberration was positive and myopic when spherical aberration was negative, with an average refractive change of 0.60 D/
µ
m of spherical aberration (
R
2
= 54%).

CONCLUSIONS:

An inverse linear correlation exists between the refractive state of the eye and spherical aberration induced within the range of laser vision correction. Small values of spherical aberration do not worsen visual acuity or depth of focus, but positive spherical aberration may induce night myopia. In addition, the changes in spherical refraction when the pupil constricts may worsen near vision when positive spherical aberration is induced or improve it when spherical aberration is negative.

[
J Refract Surg.
2017;33(7):470–474.]
Editing genetico: nuova questione bioetica? / Gene editing: a new issue for Bioethics?
Authors: Refolo Pietro , Pascali Vincenzo L. , Spagnolo Antonio G.
Published: July 2017

Modificazioni controllate nel genoma sono possibili, tramite svariate tecniche, sin dagli anni ’70. Nucleasi a dito di zinco, nucleasi TALE, ma soprattutto CRISPR-Cas9 sono tecniche di editing genetico che hanno reso più semplice effettuarle. Il sistema CRISPR-Cas9, in particolare, si sta dimostrando estremamente vantaggioso in termini di accessibilità, efficienza e versatilità. Gli obiettivi del presente contributo consistono nel: 1. ricostruire i “fatti” salienti che hanno determinato l’emergere del topic dell’“editing genetico”; 2. provare a dar risposta a un primo fondamentale interrogativo circa l’originalità dei dilemmi etici da esso sollevato con particolare riferimento al CRISPR-Cas9. La conclusione è che, allo stato attuale, l’impiego di queste nuove tecniche non solleva questioni etiche nuove. L’unica eccezione sembrerebbe essere data dal particolare tipo di mutazioni indotte da queste tecniche, indistinguibili a lungo termine da quelle prodotte dalla natura, fatto che sta già determinando qualche difficoltà nella classificazione degli OGM ottenuti tramite queste tecniche. ---------- Controlled genome mutations are made possible through several techniques since the ’70s. Zinc finger nucleases, TALE nucleases and above all CRISPR-Cas9 system are “gene editing” techniques which have made mutations easier. Particularly, CRISPR-Cas9 system seems to be extremely profitable in terms of accessibility, efficiency and versatility. The aims of the present article are: 1. to reconstruct the main “facts” about the birth of the topic on “gene editing”; to seek to answer a first question about the novelty of issues raised by this topic. Our conclusion is that, from an ethical point of view, using these techniques does not raise new ethical questions. Perhaps, the only exception refers to the specific mutations produced through these techniques which cannot be distinguished from natural mutations and makes GMO classification more difficult.
Corpi e ragioni. Nietzsche e la complessità dell’umano / Bodies and reasons. Nietzsche and the human complexity
Authors: Scolari Paolo
Published: July 2017

Le molteplici osservazioni di Nietzsche intorno al corpo rappresentano senza dubbio uno snodo ermeneutico fondamentale nell’ambito della riflessione morale sul tema della corporeità. Al tempo stesso, la ricostruzione del suo pensiero su questo delicato argomento va a costituire un banco di prova decisivo per ripensare criticamente la ragione, provando a rivedere la sua posizione all’interno del mondo dell’umano. Il leitmotiv del corpo lega ben salde fra loro le aspre critiche che Nietzsche rivolge alla civiltà occidentale, la quale, da Socrate in poi, ha visto il predominio di una razionalità astratta e calcolante ai danni di una ragione incarnata e più umana. Dagli scritti giovanili a quelli della maturità, dallo Zarathustra agli ultimi pamphlet polemici, passando per la miriade dei frammenti postumi. Disseminato in quasi tutte le sue opere e spalmato su un arco temporale di quasi vent’anni, il suo interesse per la dimensione corporea dell’umano non perde mai di tensione. ---------- Nietzsche’s various observations about the body represent without a doubt a fundamental hermeneutic crossroad in the area of the moral reflection on the topic of corporeity. At the same time, the reconstruction of his thought on this delicate subject constitutes a decisive test bed to critically re-think reason, seeking to review its position within the world of the humane. The leitmotif of the body firmly binds to one another the harsh critiques which Nietzsche moves to the Western civilisation, which, from Socrates onward, saw the dominance of an abstract and calculating form of rationality, to the detriment of an incarnated and more humane reason. From the early writings to the mature ones, from the Zarathustra to the late polemical pamphlets, through the myriad posthumous fragments. Scattered around almost all of his works and stretching over almost twenty years, Nietzsche’s interest in the corporeal dimension of the humane never drops tension.
Il diritto alla salute tra selezione eugenetica e dignità della persona / Right to health between eugenetic selection and dignity of person
Authors: Vitale Aldo Rocco
Published: July 2017

L’articolo esamina il problema del diritto alla salute determinato tra la selezione eugenetica e la dignità della persona. Il diritto alla salute è reclamato sia nella procreazione medicalmente assistita, sia nell’aborto, sia nell’eutanasia. In queste tre situazioni il diritto alla salute è inteso come pubblico e come individuale. In tale scenario il diritto alla salute si ritrova in mezzo tra la volontà di selezionare eugeneticamente le persone e il dovere di rispettarne la dignità. Ma cosa è il diritto alla salute? E cosa la dignità della persona? A queste domande risponde il seguente lavoro. ---------- The article examines the issue about the right to health between the eugenetic selection and human dignity. The right to health is claimed in assisted reproductive technologies, in abortion, in euthanasia. In these three situations the right to health is understood as public and as an individual. In this perspective, the right to health is to be found in the middle between the desire to select eugenically people and the duty to respect their dignity. But what is the right to health? And what dignity? These questions answer the following work.
Continuity and discontinuity between psychopathology of childhood and adulthood: a review on retrospective and prospective studies
Authors: Zarrella Immacolata , Russolillo Luigi Alessandro , Caviglia Giorgio , Perrella Raffaella
Published: July 2017

The knowledge of the possible development of a psychiatric disorder, diagnosed for the first time in childhood, is very crucial for all specialists in helping professions working with children and adults. Recent longitudinal studies have demonstrated the possibility that disturbances in childhood may increase the risk of psychiatric illnesses in adulthood, through a homotypic or heterotypic continuity. The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review of existing literature on the psychopathological progression from childhood to adulthood, taking into account both prospective and retrospective studies, and the antecedents and conditions that may encourage/disadvantage the process of continuity of psychopathological syndromes. The study of the possible trajectories of psychopathological disorders is considered fundamental, as it allows the clinician to configure prevention strategies and evaluate interventions, but also to offer to the parent a more concrete vision of the possible risks of their childâ€™s disorders to minimize them.
A pilot study of the Italian adaptation of the Session Evaluation Questionnaire fourth version
Authors: Rocco Diego , Salcuni Silvia , Antonelli Elena
Published: July 2017

The Session Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ) measures the impact of counselling and psychotherapy sessions; it may be conceived as a bridge between psychotherapy process and outcome. Even if the original American SEQ has been translated into many languages, only a few translations have been validated. This is a pilot study that attempted to replicate the five-dimensional structure of the fourth version of the Anglo-American SEQ, for the Italian population. The SEQ is a self-report tool asking patients about their experience with the clinical session just ended; it consists of 27 adjectives in semantic differential scale, divided into three thematic parts: evaluation of the session itself, feelings after the session, and evaluation of the therapist. Data were collected on 111 outpatients attending the Dynamic Psychological Service for University Students, after their first two clinical interviews. Exploratory factor analyses were performed on each of the three parts of the SEQ. Results confirmed the original factorial structure, for Depth, Smoothness, Positivity and Arousal dimensions; Good Therapist dimension overlapped perfectly with the original one. The Italian SEQ showed adequate internal consistency. Convergent validity measured with an index of perceived satisfaction in the counselling process showed significant positive correlations. This pilot study showed that the Italian SEQ is a reliable instrument to measure the impact of clinical sessions. Validation studies are needed, especially to replicate the factor structure of the instrument and to better assess its validity.
Embrace of Christianity and reaction to conquest: Transformative role of South African independent churches
Authors: Makhanya Mandla
Published: July 2017

No abstract available.
Genetic variation in and relationships among faecal worm eggs recorded in different seasons of the year at the Tygerhoek farm in South Africa
Authors: Mpetile Ziyanda , Dzama Kennedy , Cloete Schalk W.P.
Published: July 2017

Gastrointestinal nematodes result in severe economic and production losses to the sheep industry. An increase in resistance of the nematodes to chemicals used for control, as well as a demand of consumers for meat products free from chemicals, has fostered research on alternative control strategies. Breeding for resistance to nematodes offers an alternative to control parasitism but its effectiveness depends on genetic variation in faecal worm egg count (FWEC), an indirect measure of parasite resistance. A historic dataset of FWEC from four Merino lines subjected to natural parasite challenge was used to estimate genetic parameters for FWEC in three seasons (autumn, winter and spring) using a repeated records animal model, followed by a three-trait animal model analysis treating FWEC in different seasons as separate traits. The effects of selection line, birth year, sex, the sex x birth year interaction, season and the season x year interaction were significant when using 4994 records recorded from 1997 to 2000 (p 0.001). The heritability of log-transformed FWEC amounted to 0.09 ± 0.02, with no contribution from the animal permanent environmental variance to the between animal variation across seasons. Three-trait heritability estimates for log-transformed FWEC amounted to 0.07 ± 0.05 in autumn, 0.13 ± 0.05 in winter and 0.19 ± 0.05 in spring. These results suggest sufficient genetic variation in FWEC to support selection for lower log-transformed FWEC. However, the best time to record data for selection is after the break of the season in winter and in spring, when sheep are stimulated by a greater intake of infective larvae from the pasture after the first rains. Genetic correlations among FWEC in the respective seasons were moderate to high, ranging from 0.55 to 0.89. Phenotypic correlations, on the other hand, were significant but lower in magnitude, ranging from 0.09 to 0.16. These results provide useful information for developing strategies for the genetic improvement of ovine resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes under Mediterranean conditions in South Africa by using FWEC as an indicator trait.
Role of Colonoscopy in Differentiating Intestinal Tuberculosis from Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Prabhu P. Rajesh , Jain Mayank , Bawane Piyush , Varghese Joy , Venkataraman Jayanthi
Published: July 2017

Background: The interface between tuberculosis (TB) and Crohn’s disease (CD) is relevant as TB complicates both the diagnosis and management of CD. Aim: This study aimed to identify the distinctive characteristics of ileocaecal and colonic TB (C‑TB) and colonic CD (C‑CD) at colonoscopy and to correlate the colonoscopy findings with histology. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included consecutive patients presenting with classical symptoms of TB or CD. The colonoscopic findings were compared with histology, which was taken as gold standard. Appropriate statistical tests were applied. Results: Fifty‑eight individuals fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Nine and 16 patients with C‑TB and C‑CD, respectively, had histological confirmation of respective diagnosis. In 33 specimens, the histological diagnosis was inconclusive. The sensitivity of colonoscopy for diagnosing C‑TB was high at 88.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 51.8–99.7). It was 50% (95% CI: 24.7–75.4) for CD. The reverse was true for CD whose specificity was high at 71.4% (95% CI: 55.3–84.3) and low for TB at 46.9% (95% CI: 32.5–61.7). All the patients diagnosed as confirmed CD or TB responded well to respective treatment. Six of the thirty patients with failed response to anti‑TB treatment required surgery or change in treatment after 2 months. Conclusion: Colonoscopic findings of isolated ileal involvement, aphthous ulcer, cobble stoning, long‑segment strictures, skip lesions and perianal involvement favored a diagnosis of CD. Correlation of colonoscopy with histology is poor for both CD and TB. The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of colonoscopy were better and superior for the diagnosis of CD, than in the diagnosis of TB.
Unique Removal of a Kinked Nasogastric Tube
Authors: Narayan Kumar Shwetanshu , Gupta Gaurav Kumar , Nijhawan Sandeep , Puri Shekhar
Published: July 2017

Nasogastric (NG) tube insertion is a common clinical procedure used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. As the importance of enteral nutrition is being increasingly recognized; the use of NG tube insertion has steadily increased. Here, we present an interesting case in which a kinked NG tube was removed in a unique manner with “push and pull” technique without untoward trauma.
Acute Schistosomal Colitis Preceded by Katayama Syndrome
Authors: Elamin Bushara Sarra Osman , Abbas Mohammed Sara Elfadil , Elagib Elnour Mohamed , Yousif Mudawi Hatim Mohamed
Published: July 2017

Schistosomiasis is prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas. It manifests as an acute or chronic illness caused by the body’s reaction to the worms’ eggs. In view of its clinical similarity to various other diseases, the disorder may cause diagnostic errors. We present a case of a Sudanese man, who presented with fever, headache, fatigue, myalgia, excessive sweating, abdominal cramps, and a high eosinophil count on blood testing. He was diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder and was started on prednisolone, but 3 weeks later, he presented with rectal bleeding. Colonoscopy showed features of moderate distal colitis. Colonic biopsies revealed several viable schistosome ova associated with aggregates of eosinophils, compatible with active colonic schistosomiasis.
Single Balloon Enteroscopy-assisted Balloon Dilation of Roux-en-Y Jejunojejunostomy Stricture
Authors: Palakurthy Murali Krishna , Girinadh L.R.S. , Uppala Bhaskar Rao , Korrapati Sravan Kumar
Published: July 2017

Total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy is a procedure commonly performed for gastric cancer patients. Postoperative stricture at esophagojejunostomy site is commonly reported, but a stricture at jejunojejunostomy site is rarely reported. We report a rare case of stricture at Roux-en-Y jejunojejunostomy site which was managed successfully by endoscopic intervention.
Endoscopic Ultrasound‑guided Thrombin Injection in Angiographically Unfeasible Giant Pseudoaneurysm of Gastroduodenal Artery in a Patient of Chronic Pancreatitis: An Unusual Case
Authors: Jhajharia Ashok , Sharma S. S. , Nijhawan Sandeep , Puri Shekhar , Narayan Kumar Shwetanshu , Singh R. P. , Dhandhu Bhanwar Singh , Sapra Bharat
Published: July 2017

Pseudoaneurysm is a known complication of pancreatitis associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Computed tomography (CT) localizes the pseudoaneurysm apart from the severity of underlying pancreatitis. Digital subtraction angiography with coil embolization is recommended treatment for pseudoaneurysm to avoid bleeding and surgery. However, in cases where angiographic coil embolization fails due to technical reasons, CT/ultrasonography‑ guided thrombin injection remains a viable option as described in literature. In the present case, role of endoscopic ultrasound‑guided thrombin injection into large pseudoaneurysm that was not feasible by angiographic occlusion has been highlighted. The procedure avoided surgery and its related complication.
Successful Retrieval of Retained Video Capsule Endoscope Using Double Balloon Enteroscope: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Gupta Sudhir Jagdishprasad , Sawalakhe Niraj Rambhau , Samarth Amol Rajendra , Gaikwad Nitin Rangrao
Published: July 2017

Video capsule endoscopy is now the first-line tool in evaluating and diagnosing obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease, and small bowel neoplasms. Capsule retention is an uncommon but clinically significant complication. How to best retrieve these retained capsules is currently being debated. In this case report, we describe a retained capsule successfully retrieved using double-balloon enteroscopy. This case also highlights the fact that capsule retention can occur even in the absence of signs and symptoms suggestive of intestinal obstruction.
Equilibrium Configurations of Classical Polytropic Stars with a Multi-Parametric Differential Rotation Law: A Numerical Analysis
Authors: Cipolletta Federico , Cherubini Christian , Filippi Simonetta , Rueda Jorge A. , Ruffini Remo
Published: July 2017

In this paper we analyze in detail the equilibrium configurations of classical polytropic stars with a multi-parametric differential rotation law of the literature using the standard numerical method introduced by Eriguchi and Mueller. Specifically we numerically investigate the parameters’ space associated with the velocity field characterizing both equilibrium and non-equilibrium configurations for which the stability condition is violated or the mass-shedding criterion is verified.