bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Angina pectoris bei einer jungen Frau mit Lupus erythematodes
Authors: Braumann Simon , Bartram Malte , Pfister Roman , Michels Guido
Published: September 2017

Anamnese und klinische Befunde Eine 31-jährige Patientin, die seit 6 Jahren an einem kutanen Lupus erythematodes (CLE) litt, präsentierte sich mit typischen pektanginösen Beschwerden. Das Ruhe-EKG und die transthorakale Notfall-Echokardiografie waren nicht wegweisend. Bei lediglich dezenter Troponin-Erhöhung ohne relevante Dynamik wurde die Arbeitsdiagnose einer Perikarditis gestellt und eine Therapie mit NSAR initiiert sowie die bisherige Immunsuppression intensiviert, worunter die Patientin beschwerdefrei entlassen werden konnte. Wenige Tage später erfolgte eine Wiedervorstellung in der rheumatologischen Klinik mit zunehmenden Beschwerden. In der Laborchemie fielen neben einer deutlichen Troponin-Erhöhung auch erhöhte Herzenzyme auf, sodass die Indikation zur Herzkatheteruntersuchung gestellt wurde. In der Koronarangiografie zeigte sich eine koronare 3-Gefäßerkrankung.

Therapie und Verlauf Die Patientin wurde einer dringenden operativen Myokardrevaskularisation zugeführt. Der postoperative Verlauf gestaltete sich trotz immunsuppressiver Therapie komplikationslos.

Folgerung Lupus-Patienten besitzen ein deutlich erhöhtes Risiko für eine koronare Herzerkrankung. Gerade bei jungen Frauen, die sich mit Brustschmerzen präsentieren, muss daher neben den klassischen kardiopulmonalen Lupusmanifestationen wie Pleuritis und Perikarditis differenzialdiagnostisch stets an ein akutes Koronarsyndrom gedacht werden.
Anisotropy of the magnetoresistance hysteresis in the granular superconductor Y-Ba-Cu-O at different magnetic-field and transport-current orientations
Authors: Balaev D. A. , Semenov S. V. , Pochekutov M. A.
Published: September 2017

Dissipation in granular high-temperature superconductors (HTSs) during the passage of macroscopic transport current j is mainly determined by carrier tunneling through intergrain boundaries (Josephson junctions). In the presence of external magnetic field H, it is necessary to take into account the significant magnetic flux compression, which can lead to the situation when the effective field Beff in the intergrain boundaries exceeds the external field by an order of magnitude. This is observed as a wide hysteresis of the field dependence of magnetoresistance R(H). In this study, we investigate the R(H) hysteresis evolution in granular 1–2-3 HTSs in different j–H orientations. The magnetic flux compression significantly affects the magnetoresistance and its hysteresis for both perpendicular (H ⊥ j) and parallel (H ǁ j) orientations. The obtained experimental data on the R(H) hysteresis at the arbitrary angles θ = ∠H, j are explained using the approach developed for describing the magnetoresistance hysteresis in granular HTSs with regard to the magnetic flux compression and the model representations proposed by Daghero et al. [Phys. Rev. B 66(13), 11478 (2002)]. A concept of the effective field in the intergrain medium explains the well-known anisotropy of the magnetotransport properties of granular HTSs.
Reconfigurable broadband microwave photonic intensity differentiator based on an integrated optical frequency comb source
Authors: Xu Xingyuan , Wu Jiayang , Shoeiby Mehrdad , Nguyen Thach G. , Chu Sai T. , Little Brent E. , Morandotti Roberto , Mitchell Arnan , Moss David J.
Published: September 2017

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a microwave photonic intensity differentiator based on a Kerr optical comb generated by a compact integrated micro-ring resonator (MRR). The on-chip Kerr optical comb, containing a large number of comb lines, serves as a high-performance multi-wavelength source for implementing a transversal filter, which will greatly reduce the cost, size, and complexity of the system. Moreover, owing to the compactness of the integrated MRR, frequency spacings of up to 200-GHz can be achieved, enabling a potential operation bandwidth of over 100 GHz. By programming and shaping individual comb lines according to calculated tap weights, a reconfigurable intensity differentiator with variable differentiation orders can be realized. The operation principle is theoretically analyzed, and experimental demonstrations of the first-, second-, and third-order differentiation functions based on this principle are presented. The radio frequency amplitude and phase responses of multi-order intensity differentiations are characterized, and system demonstrations of real-time differentiations for a Gaussian input signal are also performed. The experimental results show good agreement with theory, confirming the effectiveness of our approach.
Measurement of ablative Richtmyer-Meshkov evolution from laser imprint
Authors: Martinez D. A. , Smalyuk V. A. , Igumenshchev I. V. , Delorme B. , Casner A. , Masse L. , Park H.-S. , Remington B. A. , Olazabal-Loumé M.
Published: September 2017

Experiments were performed to investigate the ablative Richtmyer-Meshkov (RM) instability in plastic (CH2) foils. The two-dimensional (2-D) perturbations were created by laser imprinting using a special phase plate with a 2-D single mode, ∼70 μm wavelength sinusoidal intensity pattern on the plastic foil. The growth of imprinted perturbations was measured by face-on, X-ray radiography using Sm and Ta backlighters in 30-μm and 50-μm thick plastic foils, respectively. After the initial imprinting phase, the 2-D perturbations grew due to ablative RM instability before the onset of foil acceleration when they were further amplified by Rayleigh-Taylor instability. Experimental results agree reasonably well with 2-D hydrodynamic simulations and analytic models showing that the modulation growth in areal density is due to ablative RM instability.
Biaxially stretchable carbon nanotube transistors
Authors: Wu Meng-Yin , Zhao Juan , Curley Nicholas J. , Chang Tzu-Hsuan , Ma Zhenqiang , Arnold Michael S.
Published: September 2017

Biaxially stretchable field effect transistors (FETs) fabricated on elastomeric substrates are demonstrated incorporating a buckled network of polymer-wrapped semiconducting carbon nanotubes in the channel and a buckled layer of an ion gel as the gate dielectric. The FETs maintain an on/off ratio of >104 and a field-effect mobility of >5 cm2 V−1 s−1 for biaxial elongation up to 67% or uniaxial elongation either parallel or perpendicular to the channel. The performance is stable for at least 10 000 stretch-release cycles. Failure analysis shows that the extent of elongation is limited only by the magnitude of the pre-strain used during fabrication. This work is important because deformable FETs are needed for future technologies including stretchable electronics and displays.
Self-gravito-acoustic shock structures in a self-gravitating, strongly coupled, multi-component, degenerate quantum plasma system
Authors: Mamun A. A.
Published: September 2017

The existence of self-gravito-acoustic (SGA) shock structures (SSs) associated with negative self-gravitational potential in a self-gravitating, strongly coupled, multi-component, degenerate quantum plasma (SGSCMCDQP) system is predicted for the first time. The modified Burgers (MB) equation, which is valid for both planar and non-planar (spherical) geometries, is derived analytically, and solved numerically. It is shown that the longitudinal viscous force acting on inertial plasma species of the plasma system is the source of dissipation and is responsible for the formation of these SGA SSs in the plasma system. The time evolution of these SGA SSs is also shown for different values (viz., 0.5, 1, and 2) of Γ, where Γ is the ratio of the nonlinear coefficient to the dissipative coefficient in the MB equation. The SGSCMCDQP model and the numerical analysis of the MB equation presented here are so general that they can be applied in any type of SGSCMCDQP systems like astrophysical compact objects having planar or non-planar (spherical) shape.
Synthesis of boron-doped diamond and its application as a heating material in a multi-anvil high-pressure apparatus
Authors: Xie Longjian , Yoneda Akira , Yoshino Takashi , Yamazaki Daisuke , Tsujino Noriyoshi , Higo Yuji , Tange Yoshinori , Irifune Tetsuo , Shimei Toru , Ito Eiji
Published: September 2017

We developed methods to use synthesized boron-doped diamond (BDD) as a heater in a multi-anvil high-pressure apparatus. The synthesized BDD heater could stably generate an ultra-high temperature without the issues (anomalous melt, pressure drop, and instability of heating) arising from oxidation of boron into boron oxide and graphite-diamond conversion. We synthesized BDD blocks and tubes with boron contents of 0.5–3.0 wt. % from a mixture of graphite and amorphous boron at 15 GPa and 2000 °C. The electrical conductivity of BDD increased with increasing boron content. The stability of the heater and heating reproducibility were confirmed through repeated cycles of heating and cooling. Temperatures as high as ∼3700 °C were successfully generated at higher than 10 GPa using the BDD heater. The effect of the BDD heater on the pressure-generation efficiency was evaluated using MgO pressure scale by in situ X-ray diffraction study at the SPring-8 synchrotron. The pressure-generation efficiency was lower than that using a graphite-boron composite heater up to 1500 tons. The achievement of stable temperature generation above 3000 °C enables melting experiments of silicates and determination of some physical properties (such as viscosity) of silicate melts under the Earth’s lower mantle conditions.
Time-varying droplet configuration determines break-up probability of drops within a concentrated emulsion
Authors: Khor Jian Wei , Kim Minkyu , Schütz Simon S. , Schneider Tobias M. , Tang Sindy K. Y.
Published: September 2017

This paper aims to identify the origin of the probability of break-up of drops within a concentrated emulsion flowing as a 2D monolayer through a tapered microchannel into a constriction. Although the concentrated emulsion is complex involving many-body interactions, all break-up events occur between two drops pinching each other as they enter the constriction under the conditions tested. Whether break-up occurs or not depends strongly on the relative position between the two drops at the entrance of the constriction. There exist a critical offset between the initial positions of the two drops below which break-up always occurs and another critical offset above which no break-up occurs. In between these two critical offsets, there is a narrow bistable region where both break-up and non-break-up events are observed. For a flowing concentrated emulsion, the relative position between two droplets entering the constriction varies stochastically. The frequency of occurrence of drop pairs having specific offsets, together with the critical offset values for break-up, determines the break-up probability in the flowing emulsion.
Full control of heat transfer in single-particle structural materials
Authors: Yang S. , Xu L. J. , Wang R. Z. , Huang J. P.
Published: September 2017

Thermal metamaterials have been applied to implement thermal phenomena, such as invisibility, illusion, and refraction. However, during the fabrication, they probably have complicated issues which are on account of the complicated structures. To get around this, here we put forward a single-particle structure. The theory helps to simplify the existing methods, which will undoubtedly contribute to the efficiency of fabrication. For clarity, we show the simulation and experimental results of thermal invisibility and illusion based on our proposed single-particle structural materials. Moreover, by tailoring the shape factor of the single particle appropriately, we can simultaneously realize thermal invisibility and illusion with only one device. The adjustable area fraction also indicates that these types of structural materials are highly adaptable. Such a single-particle device may have broad applications in misleading infrared detection. This work not only opens an avenue to design thermal materials based on single-particle structures but also holds for other physical fields like electrostatics, magnetostatics, and particle dynamics.
Surface aging effects of long-term energized conductors on spectrum characteristics of audible noise
Authors: Yi Y. , Chen Z. Y. , Wang L. M.
Published: September 2017

The impact of surface aging level of long-term energized conductors on spectrum characteristics of audible noise is studied in this paper. It is found that the average roughness and root-mean-square roughness of conductors increase with the operating time, namely the aging degree, through the quantitative measurement. A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level (LAeq) is found to increase with the aging level. As the aging aggravation, the LAeq and its high-frequency components (>1 kHz) increase substantially and high-frequency components are mainly contributing to the increasing of LAeq. The high-frequency components (>1 kHz) of the new and aged stranded conductors have a marked increasing trend as the surface potential gradient increases, while the low-frequency components are mainly environment noise.
Assessment of a new ZnO:Al contact to CdZnTe for X- and gamma-ray detector applications
Authors: Roy U. N. , Camarda G. S. , Cui Y. , Gul R. , Hossain A. , Yang G. , Mundle R. M. , Pradhan A. K. , James R. B.
Published: September 2017

The large mismatch of the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) between the metal contact and CdZnTe exerts thermal stress at the metal/CZT interface, which causes mechanical degradation of the contact in addition to the poor adhesion of the metallic thin film to CZT. To form a reliable and stable interface, the contact material should have better adhesion and a close match of the coefficients of thermal expansion with CZT/CdTe. Here, we report on our investigations of a novel non-metallic contact layer for use in radiation detector applications. The proposed ZnO:Al contact layer offers better adhesion due to the oxide interface, higher hardness and better matching of the CTE with CZT. It has high prospects for a reliable and stable device structure that can serve as a replacement to the common metallic electrodes used today. We evaluated AZO contacts to CZT and extracted the electronic characteristics, such as resistivity and mobility-lifetime product of electrons, and compared the results of the same characterization measurements for CZT with gold contacts. The present observations showed that the characteristics of CZT detectors with AZO contacts are nearly identical to the same detectors with gold contacts.
Localized detection of reversal nucleation generated by high moment magnetic nanoparticles using a large-area magnetic sensor
Authors: Feng Yinglong , Liu Jinming , Klein Todd , Wu Kai , Wang Jian-Ping
Published: September 2017

This report introduces a local-magnetic-reversal-nucleation based giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor with a large sensing area and further discusses its novel sensing scheme of high magnetic moment nanoparticles (MNPs). We demonstrated experimentally that this large-area GMR sensor could successfully detect high moment MNPs. The detection scheme of localized reversal nucleation of GMR sensor induced by MNPs was analyzed and further confirmed by the micromagnetic simulations. This work may provide one pathway in designing next generation GMR biosensors with large area and high sensitivity. This sensing scheme could be applicable to other magnetic biosensors such as magnetic tunnel junction sensors and planar Hall sensors.
Limit cycles for the motion of finite-size particles in axisymmetric thermocapillary flows in liquid bridges
Authors: Romanò Francesco , Kuhlmann Hendrik C. , Ishimura Misa , Ueno Ichiro
Published: September 2017

The motion of a small spherical particle of finite size in an axisymmetric thermocapillary liquid bridge is investigated numerically and experimentally. Due to the crowding of streamlines towards the free surface and the recirculating nature of the flow, advected particles visit the free surface repeatedly. The balance between centrifugal inertia and the strong short-range repulsive forces a particle experiences near the free surface leads to an attracting limit cycle for the particle motion. The existence of this limit cycle is established experimentally. It is shown that limit cycles obtained numerically by one-way-coupled simulations based on the Maxey–Riley equation and a particle–surface interaction model compare favorably with the experimental results if the thickness of the lubrication gap between the free surface and the surface of the particle is properly taken into account.
Conduction mechanism in epitaxial BiFe0.95Mn0.05O3 thin film
Authors: Yousfi S. , Bouyanfif H. , El Marssi M.
Published: September 2017

An epitaxial BiFe0.95Mn0.05O3 thin film of about 280 nm thickness was deposited on conductive SrRuO3 on a (001)LaAlO3 substrate by pulsed laser deposition. At room temperature, x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy evidenced a pure rhombohedral structure and the hysteresis loop measurements showed a remanent polarization of Pr = 73 μC/cm2. The transport mechanisms were investigated from 90 to 400 K and compared to several models. It was found that the nearest neighbor hopping and variable range hopping mechanisms dominate the conduction above and below 270 K, respectively. Bulk like limited transport is attributed to hopping from and within trap levels depending on the temperature. Defects (vacancies) and manganese multiple valences play a major role in the electronic transport of such a strongly correlated system and should be considered to explain the recently observed photovoltaic effect in similar heterostructures.
Exploring interacting Floquet states in black phosphorus: Anisotropy and bandgap laser tuning
Authors: Iurov Andrii , Zhemchuzhna Liubov , Gumbs Godfrey , Huang Danhong
Published: September 2017

Non-adiabatic interacting Floquet (or dressed) states arising from the intrinsic coupling between electrons and holes with off-resonant electromagnetic radiation have been investigated for recently synthesized ultrathin gapped and anisotropic black phosphorus. Our analytical calculations were carried out for the low-energy electronic subbands near the Γ point. Optical dressed states for both linear and circular polarizations of the incoming radiation have been obtained and analyzed. We focus our attention on linearly polarized light with arbitrary polarization direction since this case has not been considered for dressing fields imposed on initially anisotropic structures. We have examined and compared various cases for one- and few-layer phosphorus, including massless Dirac fermions with laser tunable in-plane anisotropy. The electronic properties, such as bandgaps, Fermi velocities, and effective masses, are renormalized in a very different way compared to those for the previously studied gapped Dirac structures. More importantly, material anisotropy and angular dependence of energy dispersions could be tuned by incident polarized light in the individual direction. The interaction of electrons with photons brings out a product term for two wave-vector components in energy dispersions, which leads to non-vanishing off-diagonal elements in inverse effective-mass and momentum-relaxation-time tensors and is expected to have a significant effect on the conductivities of electrons and holes. Such unique features in the band structure can be applied to new designs and fabrications of optical transistors and logic devices used in optical computers and communications.
Characteristics of intense multispecies metallic ion beams extracted from plasma of a pulsed cathodic arc
Authors: Shipilova O. I. , Chernich A. A. , Paperny V. L.
Published: September 2017

The energy spectra of a metallic ion beam extracted by a three-grid extractor from the plasma of a pulsed vacuum arc (pulse duration of 200 μs, discharge current Id of up to 100 A and ion current of up to 0.6 A) are studied by means of an electrostatic energy analyzer in a range of the extraction voltage Uext of up to 10 keV. It is found that the most probable ion energy Em/Z is markedly less than eUext, and the difference between these values as well as the width of the spectra decrease with increasing Uext or/and decreasing Id. It is found as well that the spectra contain “tails” of ions with energies significantly exceeding Em/Z. The shape of the spectra differs at various phases of the pulse, so that Em/Z in the initial transition phase is considerably more than that in the quasi-stationary phase. As possible causes of these effects, the nonmatched ion optics of the extraction gap and the action of the non-neutralized space charge of the extracted ion beam moving through the drift gap are considered.
Resonance-free optical response of a vertical cavity transistor laser
Authors: Feng M. , Wu Cheng-Han , Wu M. K. , Wu Chao-Hsin , Holonyak N.
Published: September 2017

Optical resonance in a semiconductor laser is a major limitation in high speed data communications, resulting in bit error rate degradation and requiring additional power consuming error-correction circuits to counter these effects. In this work, we report the microwave bandwidth measurement of a vertical cavity transistor laser with an oxide-confined aperture of 4.7 × 5.4 μm2 and demonstrate a 3 dB bandwidth of 11 GHz resonance-free optical response via base-current or collector-voltage modulation. The emission spectra exhibit single-mode operation around 970 nm with a narrow linewidth of Δλ ∼ 0.23 Å (cavity Q of 42 216). The resonance-free optical response is explained by the absence of carrier “accumulating” due to the fast base electron-hole recombination lifetimes and a gradient in the minority carrier charge in the transistor active mode.
Exploring experience and motivation using means-end chain theory.
Authors: Jiang Shan Jiang Shan
Published: September 2017

This chapter discusses the use of the means-end chain (MEC) approach as a method of capturing the motivational antecedents of tourists' experiences. MEC is a hierarchical ladder linking the attributes that exist in products (the means), to the consequences (benefits) for the consumer provided by the attributes, and ultimately to the personal values (the ends) the consequences reinforce. The chapter discusses the use of MEC for examining the reasons underlying the choice of tourist experiences.
Innovative approaches to researching consumer experience: an evaluation and comparison.
Authors: Wang Ying Wang Ying , Liu Wei Liu Wei , Sparks B.
Published: September 2017

This chapter seeks to broaden the approach to researching consumer experience in tourism through a discussion of multiple methods. The methods reviewed and evaluated include eye tracking, experience sampling method and photo elicitation. The chapter reviews each method, providing details on the advantages and disadvantages, and highlighting examples from the literature.
Perceived value of destination experiences in Zhouzhuang, China.
Authors: Gao LiHua Gao LiHua , Scott N. , Ding PeiYi Ding PeiYi
Published: September 2017

The study presented in this chapter identifies tourists' perceptions of value from their visit to Zhouzhuang, China. The study explores how the different types of value (functional, experiential, symbolic and cost values) that tourists perceived during their experience in the destination are related, and how those perceived customer values can help influence tourist behaviours or behavioural intentions.
Conclusion: where to from here?
Authors: Scott N. , Gao Jun Gao Jun , Ma JianYu Ma JianYu
Published: September 2017

This concluding chapter notes that the use of cognitive psychological concepts in tourism research is underdeveloped. It then discusses how tourism research can apply theories from cognitive psychology, particularly theories on perception, categorization, emotion and memory.
Extracts of black and brown rice powders improve hepatic lipid accumulation via the activation of PPARα in obese and diabetic model mice
Authors: Felix Angelina D R , Takahashi Nobuyuki , Takahashi Mami , Katsumata-Tsuboi Rie , Satoh Ryo , Soon Hui Teoh , Miyajima Katsuhiro , Nakae Dai , Inoue Hirofumi , Uehara Mariko
Published: September 2017

Rice powder extract (RPE) from black and brown rice (Oryza sativa L. indica) improves hepatic lipid accumulation in obese and diabetic model mice via peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation. RPE showed PPARα agonistic activity which did not differ between black and brown RPE despite a higher anthocyanin content in black RPE.
Structural plasticity of the living kinetochore
Authors: Dhatchinamoorthy Karthik , Shivaraju Manjunatha , Lange Jeffrey J. , Rubinstein Boris , Unruh Jay R. , Slaughter Brian D. , Gerton Jennifer L.
Published: September 2017

The kinetochore is a large, evolutionarily conserved protein structure that connects chromosomes with microtubules. During chromosome segregation, outer kinetochore components track depolymerizing ends of microtubules to facilitate the separation of chromosomes into two cells. In budding yeast, each chromosome has a point centromere upon which a single kinetochore is built, which attaches to a single microtubule. This defined architecture facilitates quantitative examination of kinetochores during the cell cycle. Using three independent measures—calibrated imaging, FRAP, and photoconversion—we find that the Dam1 submodule is unchanged during anaphase, whereas MIND and Ndc80 submodules add copies to form an “anaphase configuration” kinetochore. Microtubule depolymerization and kinesin-related motors contribute to copy addition. Mathematical simulations indicate that the addition of microtubule attachments could facilitate tracking during rapid microtubule depolymerization. We speculate that the minimal kinetochore configuration, which exists from G1 through metaphase, allows for correction of misattachments. Our study provides insight into dynamics and plasticity of the kinetochore structure during chromosome segregation in living cells.
ZCCHC17 is a master regulator of synaptic gene expression in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Tomljanovic Zeljko , Patel Mitesh , Shin William , Califano Andrea , Teich Andrew F
Published: September 2017

Motivation

In an effort to better understand the molecular drivers of synaptic and neurophysiologic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), we analyzed neuronal gene expression data from human AD brain tissue to identify master regulators of synaptic gene expression.

Results

Master regulator analysis identifies ZCCHC17 as normally supporting the expression of a network of synaptic genes, and predicts that ZCCHC17 dysfunction in AD leads to lower expression of these genes. We demonstrate that ZCCHC17 is normally expressed in neurons and is reduced early in the course of AD pathology. We show that ZCCHC17 loss in rat neurons leads to lower expression of the majority of the predicted synaptic targets and that ZCCHC17 drives the expression of a similar gene network in humans and rats. These findings support a conserved function for ZCCHC17 between species and identify ZCCHC17 loss as an important early driver of lower synaptic gene expression in AD.

Availability and implementation

Matlab and R scripts used in this paper are available at https://github.com/afteich/AD_ZCC

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
RRDB: a comprehensive and non-redundant benchmark for RNA–RNA docking and scoring
Authors: Yan Yumeng , Huang Sheng-You
Published: September 2017

Motivation

With the discovery of more and more noncoding RNAs and their versatile functions, RNA–RNA interactions have received increased attention. Therefore, determination of their complex structures is valuable to understand the molecular mechanism of the interactions. Given the high cost of experimental methods, computational approaches like molecular docking have played an important role in the determination of complex structures, in which a benchmark is critical for the development of docking algorithms.

Results

Meeting the need, we have developed the first comprehensive and nonredundant RNA–RNA docking benchmark (RRDB). The diverse dataset of 123 targets consists of 78 unbound-unbound and 45 bound-unbound (or unbound-bound) test cases. The dataset was classified into three groups according to the interface conformational changes between bound and unbound structures: 47 ‘easy’, 38 ‘medium’ and 38 ‘difficult’ targets. A docking test with the benchmark using ZDOCK 2.1 demonstrated the challenging nature of the RNA–RNA docking problem and the important value of the present benchmark. The bound and unbound cases of the benchmark will be beneficial for the development and optimization of docking and scoring algorithms for RNA–RNA interactions.

Availability and implementation

The benchmark is available at http://huanglab.phys.hust.edu.cn/RRDbenchmark/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Oscillation Theory for the Density of States of High Dimensional Random Operators
Authors: Groß mann Julian , Schulz-Baldes Hermann , Villegas-Blas Carlos
Published: September 2017

Sturm–Liouville oscillation theory is studied for Jacobi operators with block entries given by covariant operators on an infinite dimensional Hilbert space. It is shown that the integrated density of states of the Jacobi operator is approximated by the winding of the Prüfer phase w.r.t. the trace per unit volume. This rotation number can be interpreted as a spectral flow in a von Neumann algebra with finite trace.
Are We on the Same Page? A Multi-Institutional Evaluation of Faculty and Resident Training Needs
Authors: Braun Kelli , Swift Steven , Beasley Anitra , Wyatt Tasha , Toomey Mitchell , Stepleman Lara
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND:

Resident and faculty needs are important in guiding the educational agenda; studies demonstrate that these groups do not always agree on needs. A previously piloted 50-item needs assessment evaluating content areas of feedback, the 15 Ob-Gyn milestone procedures, and simulation was used to assess and compare faculty and resident needs.

METHODS:

The needs assessment was administered electronically to two academic Ob-Gyn residency programs (located in South Carolina and Texas) in June 2016; all items were ranked on a 5-point agreement scale. Equivalent versions were written to capture resident and faculty perceptions of the training program; results were anonymous and participation was voluntary.

RESULTS:

Forty-two surgical faculty (52.5%) and 47 residents (62.5%) completed the needs assessment; t tests compared resident/faculty group differences. Both groups agreed on the adequacy of surgical content, however, faculty consistently self-reported delivering feedback at a significantly higher level than residents' perceived receiving it (P<.05) for 8/16 feedback items. Overall, both groups were least satisfied with training in breech vaginal delivery, 3rd/4th-degree laceration repair and operative vaginal delivery; residents were most satisfied with training in cesarean delivery while faculty were most satisfied with laparoscopy. Both groups agreed simulation can improve procedure performance; no significant differences existed. These findings were consistent between institutions, although each institution's levels of agreement differed for individual items.

DISCUSSION:

Although residents and faculty agree on areas of strengths and weaknesses, significant differences exist in perception of feedback delivery and reception.
Behind the Curtain: What Makes the Land of OB GYN Appealing to Our Students
Authors: Green Isabel , Riddle Julia
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND:

In 2005, in response to a decline in residency applications in OBGYN, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Presidential Task Force outlined strategies for attracting medical students to OBGYN. Our program implemented interventions across all years of medical school education, increased efforts to “teach the teachers,” and improve faculty and resident relations with students. Application rates increased, but little is still known about which interventions work.

METHODS:

This qualitative study received IRB approval. Students applying or recently matched into OB GYN residency programs from the Class of 2014–2016 were included. Eleven participants completed a phone interview exploring why they chose OB GYN, focusing on positive and negatives experiences. The survey instrument was designed to include open ended questions and a Likert-type survey. Grounded theory methodology was used for analysis. Participants received a $50 Starbucks card.

RESULTS:

Preliminary analysis identified the following themes: 1) potential for a “meaningful” job and a future role in women's health, advocacy for women or empowerment of women; 2) first impressions in the clinical clerkship and “welcoming” teams; 3) content and diversity of our field; 4) impact of supportive mentors in career decisions.

DISCUSSION:

Participants identify important events that even precede medical school, but commonly highlight finding meaning in their work, and identifying with others that share in their interest and goals as guiding them toward OB GYN.
Interdisciplinary Obstetric Simulation for Common Obstetric Emergencies
Authors: Durst Jennifer , Temming Lorene , Gamboa Christine , Tuuli Methodius , Macones George , Young Omar
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND:

Duty hour restrictions limit trainee exposure to obstetric emergencies. Additionally, nursing turnover creates an area of need for increased education for preparation for these emergencies. Simulation has been used to improve physician performance, communication, and medical documentation; however, whether these benefits extend to all providers is understudied.

METHODS:

We conducted a quasi-randomized prospective educational trial targeted toward L&D nurses with less than 2 years' experience and junior obstetric residents. Participants were exposed to a pretest examining their knowledge (multiple choice, yes/no, free text responses) and comfort level (measured utilizing the Likert scale) with three common obstetric emergencies: shoulder dystocia, emergency cesarean delivery, and eclampsia. Participants underwent a simulation of one of the scenarios, watched their video-taped performance, participated in a debrief and educational session, and then repeated the simulation. Participants were administered a posttest following the simulation.

RESULTS:

Eighteen L&D nurses and 17 obstetric residents participated. Examination of the pre- and posttest results revealed improvements in the comfort level with shoulder dystocia maneuvers (P=.0178), communication during a shoulder dystocia (P=.0339), medical management of an eclamptic seizure (P=.0190), and knowledge of how to appropriately administer magnesium to an eclamptic patient without an IV (P=.0047).

DISCUSSION:

Interdisciplinary collaboration through the use of obstetric simulation can be utilized to improve knowledge and comfort necessary for the management of obstetric emergencies for both obstetric residents and L&D nurses.
Operative Learning Needs and Preparation for the Gynecologic Operating Room: A Comparison Between Junior and Senior Residents
Authors: Wood Sara , DaRosa Debra , Park Yoon Soo , Tekian Ara
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND:

Differences in operative learning needs and preoperative educational resources utilized by OBGYN residents across postgraduate year (PGY) levels in preparation for gynecologic operative cases are unknown. Understanding these learning needs and preparatory patterns can inform surgical curricula development and address gaps in preparation.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional survey developed with validity evidence was administered to a registry of 19 OBGYN residency programs. Residents were surveyed on 12 operative learning needs that persisted following routine preoperative preparation and resources utilized to prepare for gynecologic surgical cases and the frequency of use.

RESULTS:

Participants included 214 residents distributed similarly across PGY levels. The frequency of unmet operative learning needs was consistent across PGY levels with no differences in 8 of 12 topic areas. Junior and senior residents reported a similar ranking of their most frequently unmet operative learning needs in topics of anatomy, patient outcomes, suture selection, and follow-up procedures. No significant differences between junior and senior residents were noted in their regular/frequent use of preparatory educational resources, and more than 90% of both groups reported YouTube as the most commonly accessed web-based resource.

DISCUSSION:

Despite differences in years of training and surgical case experience, junior and senior residents reported similar unmet operative learning needs and preparatory resource utilization. These findings call for improved alignment in training and identify considerations for future surgical curricula development.
Single-Facilitator Case-Based Learning as an Alternative to a Didactic Curriculum in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship
Authors: Potts Lauren , Rodriguez Isabel , Livingston Elizabeth , Brown Haywood
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND:

Case-based learning is a pedagogical model that has become popular among medical curricula. Intended benefits over traditional, lecture-based didactics include greater learner participation due to active use of knowledge and problem-solving techniques, collaboration among colleagues, and clearer translation to the clinical setting. Limited data exist as to whether this format leads to enhanced learning, improved performance on standardized examinations, or greater interest in the specialty.

METHODS:

This study utilized an electronic questionnaire distributed to two consecutive cohorts of medical students. The first cohort followed an established didactic curriculum consisting of lectures from multiple faculty experts, and the second completed case-based sessions led by a single faculty facilitator. The questionnaire consisted of 10 items assessing medical student satisfaction with their learning and career plans. Official shelf examination score reports were obtained. Chi-square and student t tests with a Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons were performed to evaluate the difference between each cohort.

RESULTS:

A total of 40 students completed the questionnaire, 22 in the didactic cohort and 18 in the case-based cohort. A greater proportion of students undergoing the case-based curriculum felt that their educational sessions were time well spent (67% versus 18%, P=.004) and that they were of greater quality than the curricula of other clerkships (44% versus 0%, P=.002). No differences were identified between career interest or perception of faculty engagement in student learning. There were no differences between cohorts in shelf examination scores, time spent in preparation, or subjective readiness for the examination.

DISCUSSION:

Medical students reported greater satisfaction with single-facilitator, case-based learning over traditional lecture-based curriculum in the Obstetrics and Gynecology clerkship. Although no differences were noted between interest in the field or performance on national standardized examinations, positive experiences during their clerkship may lead to enhanced engagement with the content, perceptions of the specialty, and care for patients with obstetric or gynecologic diagnoses.
Sustainable Global Health Education in Obstetrics & Gynecology: Meeting the Administrative Demands
Authors: Ray Chadburn , Ferris Daron , Braun Kelli
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND:

While resident interest in global health education has increased, the administrative demands of providing a meaningful and safe international experience have also grown. In 2012, the Department of OBGYN at the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) established a global women’s health program, including an international rotation.

METHODS:

After constructing a program outline, identifying stakeholders, establishing educational goals and objectives, and determining available resources, an educational program in global women’s health was developed. Barriers related to finance, educational structure, and personal/professional liabilities were resolved. ACGME requirements were reviewed, including: 1) supervision; 2) establishment of competency-based goals and objectives; and 3) evaluation. A program letter of agreement was signed with the international practice site.

RESULTS:

Since program inception, 88% of eligible residents (16 of 18) have completed the educational modules and international rotation, averaging 4 weeks abroad. Educational goals and objectives are based on epidemiology related to global health and disease-specific clinical practice. Residents complete online modules and participate in weekly departmental conferences via videoconference. Residents log procedural data and duty hours while abroad. A competency-based evaluation is completed by the supervising physician. The average cost per resident for travel, insurance, and housing is $2,416, paid by the department. The supervising physician is compensated by the department. MCG pays resident salary and benefits while abroad.

DISCUSSION:

As popularity for global health education has grown, the administrative requirements have become prescriptive to ensure a meaningful educational experience.
A Needs Assessment Report for Development of an Obstetrics and Gynecology Skills Elective
Authors: Hyer Jennifer , Tocce Kristina , Steinauer Jody
Published: September 2017

OBJECTIVE:

We completed a needs assessment for obstetrics and gynecology exam and procedural skills to inform a 4th-year exam and procedural skills elective.

METHODS:

We surveyed 4th-year medical students matching in ob-gyn and junior ob-gyn residents about what skills should be included in a 4th-year procedure elective. We created a 15-question survey of ob-gyn exam and procedural skills using APGO Medical Student Educational Objectives and Year One Milestones, with answers on a Likert scale.

RESULTS:

Ten (7%) 4th-year medical students who matched into ob-gyn residency and 18 (48%) ob-gyn residents at the University of Colorado completed the survey. They identified basic ultrasound skills (96%), postoperative care (96%), and surgical preparation (93%) as the most valuable procedural skills to include in a 4th-year medical school elective for students entering into an obstetrics and gynecology residency. The procedural skills with the lowest support for to inclusion in an elective were hysteroscopy (32%), laparoscopy (43%), and colposcopy (61%).

CONCLUSION:

Students entering ob-gyn and junior ob-gyn residents desire training in ultrasound skills, basic surgical preparation, and postoperative care education over more complex ob-gyn procedural skills before residency. We will use these results to create a 4th-year medical student elective that includes these skills.
The Innovative Use of a Paging Simulation to Assess Professionalism and Communication Competencies
Authors: Bell Carrie , Lawrence Emma , Powers Holly , Bailey Joanne , Morgan Helen
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND:

Communication and professionalism competencies present assessment challenges for medical educators at the undergraduate and graduate medical education levels. A simulated paging curriculum could provide an opportunity to assess and supply feedback on the level one milestone Professionalism and Communication competencies for medical students matching into OBGYN residencies.

METHODS:

Fourth-year medical students enrolled in a 4-week residency preparation course participated in a paging simulation curriculum consisting of six cases. A Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) simulated the role of floor nurse and recorded the time from the page to a response time. After each case, the CNM assessed level one communication competencies for each student using a 100 mm visual analogue scale. The CNM assessed global effectiveness in communication using a 1–10 scale.

RESULTS:

A response time within 5 minutes occurred for 83% of the 171 pages sent. Sixty percent of pages were returned in under 3 minutes. The mean score for “respectful when communicating” and “cooperative when communicating” was 87 and 86%, respectively. Assessment of “structured when communicating” had a mean of 77% and “able to gather and share information” 75%. The overall mean score for global effectiveness of communication during the scenario was 9.

DISCUSSION:

The paging simulation offered a unique platform for the assessment of Professionalism and Communication level one competencies. While students were effective when communicating, structured conversation, and the ability to gather and share information might be improved. This curriculum provided an opportunity for informed feedback to individual students on these necessary skills in an OBGYN residency.
The Rate of Medical Student Mistreatment in Clinical Clerkships: The Impact of Increasing Awareness
Authors: Schefter Alexandra , Elson Marygrace , Stockdale Colleen
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND:

Mistreatment is a topic of increasing study and importance, as rates of medical student-reported mistreatment have escalated in recent years. Historically, Ob/Gyn is known to have high rates of mistreatment, second only to General Surgery. Our goal was to determine how an intervention to increase awareness would impact the rates of reported mistreatment, and more specifically address institution-specific shortcomings.

METHODS:

Presentations about mistreatment were given by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Curriculum to students beginning clinical clerkships, and also to the Department of Ob/Gyn starting January 2016. Required electronic postclerkship evaluations given to every student following clinical clerkships before and after this presentation were eligible for analysis (2011–2016). Rates and classification of student-reported mistreatment were analyzed.

RESULTS:

Of the completed surveys, 148 of 7,332 (2.0%) students reported mistreatment before the presentation was given versus 45 of 1,583 (2.76%) students reporting mistreatment after the presentation, P<.046. Thirteen total incidents of mistreatment in the Ob/Gyn department were reported. The majority (56%) of reported mistreatment was classified as “public belittlement or humiliation.”

DISCUSSION:

It appears the dean increased awareness with students, resulting in a significantly increased rate of reported mistreatment. There were too few incidents in the department of Ob/Gyn to note whether the presentation to the members of the department had a positive or negative impact on the rate of mistreatment.