bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards the use of bioresorbable fibers in time‐domain diffuse optics
Authors: Di Sieno Laura , Boetti Nadia G. , Dalla Mora Alberto , Pugliese Diego , Farina Andrea , Konugolu Venkata Sekar Sanathana , Ceci‐Ginistrelli Edoardo , Janner Davide , Pifferi Antonio , Milanese Daniel
Published: June 2017

In the last years bioresorbable materials are gaining increasing interest for building implantable optical components for medical devices. In this work we show the fabrication of bioresorbable optical fibers designed for diffuse optics applications, featuring large core diameter (up to 200 μm) and numerical aperture (0.17) to maximize the collection efficiency of diffused light. We demonstrate the suitability of bioresorbable fibers for time‐domain diffuse optical spectroscopy firstly checking the intrinsic performances of the setup by acquiring the instrument response function. We then validate on phantoms the use of bioresorbable fibers by applying the MEDPHOT protocol to assess the performance of the system in measuring optical properties (namely, absorption and scattering coefficients) of homogeneous media. Further, we show an ex‐vivo validation on a chicken breast by measuring the absorption and scattering spectra in the 500–1100 nm range using interstitially inserted bioresorbable fibers. This work represents a step toward a new way to look inside the body using optical fibers that can be implanted in patients. These fibers could be useful either for diagnostic (e. g. for monitoring the evolution after surgical interventions) or treatment (e. g. photodynamic therapy) purposes. Picture: Microscopy image of the 100 μm core bioresorbable fiber.

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Propagation of Gaussian and Laguerre‐Gaussian vortex beams through mouse brain tissue
Authors: Shi Lingyan , Lindwasser Lukas , Wang Wubao , Alfano Robert , Rodríguez‐Contreras Adrián
Published: June 2017

Light transmission of Gaussian (G) and Laguerre‐Gaussian (LG) vortex beams in mouse brain tissue is investigated. Transmittance is measured with different orbital angular momentums (OAM) at various tissue thicknesses. In both ballistic and diffusive regions, transmittances of G and LG beams show no significant difference. The transition point from ballistic to diffusive region for the mouse brain tissue is determined at about 480 μm. The observed transmittances of the G and LG beams show independence on OAM modes, which may be attributed to poorly understood interference effects from brain tissue.
Strontium‐releasing fluorapatite glass‐ceramics: Crystallization behavior, microstructure, and solubility
Authors: Denry Isabelle , Goudouri Ourania‐Menti , Harless Jeffrey D. , Hubbard E. M. , Holloway Julie A.
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this work was to investigate the effect of strontium partial replacement for calcium on the crystallization behavior, microstructure and solubility of fluorapatite glass‐ceramics. Four glass compositions were prepared with increasing amounts of strontium partially replacing calcium. The crystallization behavior was analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The microstructure was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The chemical solubility was quantified according to ISO standard 10993‐14. The amount of strontium released in solution after incubation in TRIS‐HCl or citric acid buffer was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. XRD analyses revealed that partially substituted strontium‐fluorapatite and strontium‐åkermanite crystallized after strontium additions. The lattice cell volume of both phases increased linearly with the amount of strontium in the composition. Strontium additions led to a reduction in crystal size and an increase in crystal number density. The chemical solubility and amount of strontium released in solution increased linearly with the amount of strontium present in the composition in both TRIS‐HCl and citric acid buffers. Total amounts of strontium released reached a maximum of 547 ± 80 ppm in TRIS‐HCl and 1252 ± 290 ppm in citric acid buffer for the glass composition with the highest amount of strontium. For all strontium‐containing compositions, the amount released in TRIS‐HCl continued to increase between 70 and 120 h, indicating sustained release rather than burst release. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomater Res Part B: 106B: 1421–1430, 2018.
The Role of Organomodified DifferentLDHson Recycled Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Nanocomposites
Authors: Tsai Tsung‐Yen , Bunekar Naveen , Wu Ti‐Chia
Published: June 2017

Recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)/organomodified‐layered double hydroxide (PET/organo‐LDH) nanocomposites were successfully synthesized via a melt‐extrusion method. In an attempt to improve the compatibility withPET,LiAl,MgAl, andZnAl LDHsurfaces were modified with sulfanilic acid (SAS) via electrostatic interaction withLDHcationic layers. InPETnanocomposites containingSAS‐modifiedLDH, the (00l) X‐ray diffraction (XRD) peaks originating from organo‐LDHwere not observed, indicating that the organomodifiedLDHlayers were fully exfoliated and homogeneously dispersed within thePETmatrix, which was also confirmed bytransmission electron microscopyanalysis. However,PETnanocomposites containingSAS‐modifiedLiAl,MgAl, and ZnAlLDHshowed broad (00l)XRDpeaks, indicating that the organo‐LDHwas partially exfoliated. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that the thermal stability of PET/SAS‐modified LDH was significantly improved, depending on the type and loading content of SAS‐modified LDH compared to that of pristinePET.PETnanocomposites containing well‐dispersed SAS‐modified LDH showed substantial enhancement of the storage modulus.
A suspicious case of cefmetazole‐induced hypoprothrombinemia
Authors: Kodama Nobuhiro , Matsumoto Shuichi , Matsubayashi Sunao
Published: June 2017

Cefmetazole occasionally prolongs the prothrombin time. The mechanism is considered to be because of (i) inhibition of vitamin K metabolism, (ii) a lack of vitamin K, and (iii) low vitamin K stores. We report the death of a 93‐year‐old woman who was administered cefmetazole and exhibited a prolonged prothrombin time. When using cefmetazole in elderly patients, PT‐INR should be monitored every few days.
Two Different Green Catalytic Systems for One‐Pot Regioselective and Chemoselective Synthesis of Some Pyrimido[4,5‐d]Pyrimidinone Derivatives in Water
Authors: Rimaz Mehdi , Khalafy Jabbar , Mousavi Hossein , Bohlooli Sanaz , Khalili Behzad
Published: June 2017

In this work, we have developed green and efficient regioselective and chemoselective syntheses of 5‐aryloyl‐1,3‐dimethyl‐7‐thioxo‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydropyrimido[4,5‐d]pyrimidine‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione and 5‐aryloyl‐1,3‐dimethyl‐2,7‐dithioxo‐2,3,5,6,7,8‐hexahydropyrimido[4,5‐d]pyrimidin‐4(1H)‐one derivatives via one‐pot three‐component Biginelli‐like condensation of arylglyoxal monohydrates, N,N‐dimethylbarbituric acid or N,N‐dimethyl‐2‐thiobarbituric acid, and thiourea in water at 50°C. The presence of two different green catalytic systems (ZrOCl2.8H2O and also DABCO) proceeded efficiently to afford the desired products in good‐to‐excellent yields. An aqueous reaction medium, high regioselectivity and chemoselectivity, simple operation and suitable yields of products are the important features of these green protocols.
Series resistance imaging of silicon solar cells by lock‐in photoluminescence
Authors: Song Peng , Liu Junyan , Oliullah Mohummad , Wang Yang
Published: June 2017

An advanced method for determining the spatially resolved series resistance of silicon solar cells by lock‐in photoluminescence (LIPL) is presented, which only needs two LIPL images taken at different illumination levels similarly to the photoluminescence (PL) method. However, the LIPL approach does not require the calibration images at short circuit conditions, and it has the merit of improving the signal to noise ratio (SNR) in comparison with the PL method. Furthermore, the Rs images obtained by LIPL are in good agreement with PL, and the LIPL method seems more independent of the acquisition time which could make the acquisition time short. Thus, LIPL could provide a possible approach to achieve more accurate inline characterization of spatially resolved information.
Suicidal ideation and planning among Palestinian middle school students living in Gaza Strip, West Bank, and United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) camps
Authors: Itani Taha , Jacobsen Kathryn H. , Kraemer Alexander
Published: June 2017

The goal of this study was to identify the prevalence and correlates of suicidal thinking among Palestinian middle school students by using complex samples analysis to explore data about suicidal ideation and suicidal planning in the past year from 14,303 students in grades 7, 8, and 9 (roughly ages 13–15 years) who participated in the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) in 2010 in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) refugee camps. We also analyzed data from the seven other GSHS-participating countries from the Eastern Mediterranean region: Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates. The overall prevalence of suicidal ideation and/or planning was 25.6%. Males were more likely than females to report suicidal thinking. The health behaviors and exposures most strongly associated with suicidal thinking were marijuana use, having no close friends, tobacco use, loneliness, worry-induced insomnia, food insecurity, and being the victim of a bully. Being involved in physical fights and attacks, skipping school, and perceptions of limited parental support were also associated with suicidal thinking. The prevalence of suicidal thinking among Palestinian adolescents was higher than the rates in the other GSHS-participating countries, pointing toward a need for improved access to adolescent mental health services.
Exquisite Slaves
Authors: Walker Tamara J.
Published: June 2017

In Exquisite Slaves, Tamara J. Walker examines how slaves used elegant clothing as a language for expressing attitudes about gender and status in the wealthy urban center of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Lima, Peru. Drawing on traditional historical research methods, visual studies, feminist theory, and material culture scholarship, Walker argues that clothing was an emblem of not only the reach but also the limits of slaveholders' power and racial domination. Even as it acknowledges the significant limits imposed on slaves' access to elegant clothing, Exquisite Slaves also showcases the insistence and ingenuity with which slaves dressed to convey their own sense of humanity and dignity. Building on other scholars' work on slaves' agency and subjectivity in examining how they made use of myriad legal discourses and forums, Exquisite Slaves argues for the importance of understanding the body itself as a site of claims-making.
FORCING WITH BUSHY TREES
Authors: KHAN MUSHFEQ , MILLER JOSEPH S.
Published: June 2017

We present several results that rely on arguments involving the combinatorics of “bushy trees”. These include the fact that there are arbitrarily slow-growing diagonally noncomputable (DNC) functions that compute no Kurtz random real, as well as an extension of a result of Kumabe in which we establish that there are DNC functions relative to arbitrary oracles that are of minimal Turing degree. Along the way, we survey some of the existing instances of bushy tree arguments in the literature.
Radiocarbon Constraints on the Age of the World’s Highest-Elevation Cave-Bear Population, Conturines Cave (Dolomites, Northern Italy)
Authors: Spötl Christoph , Reimer Paula J , Rabeder Gernot , Bronk Ramsey Christopher
Published: June 2017

We report radiocarbon (14C) dates on bone samples of Ursus ladinicus, a small cave bear species well adapted to a life in the mountains, whose remains were found in Conturines Cave. Located at 2775 m asl in the Dolomites of northern Italy, this cave is by far the highest known cave bear site worldwide. Eleven 14C dates obtained by the Belfast and Oxford laboratories on samples showing good collagen preservation yielded consistent ages in excess of 46–50 ka BP. These results show that contrary to the previously held view these cave bear remains are older than Marine Isotope Stage 3, and likely date from a warm climate period with a high treeline, possibly the Last Interglacial.
Past and present: the status and distribution of otters (Carnivora: Lutrinae) in China
Authors: Li Fei , Chan Bosco Pui Lok
Published: June 2017

Three species of otters are known from China; the Eurasian otterLutra lutrais widespread throughout the country and the smooth-coatedLutrogale perspicillataand Asian small-clawed ottersAonyx cinereusoccur in tropical and subtropical regions. We summarize the past status and distribution of otters in China, and provide an update based on a literature review, interviews and field surveys. Otter populations have undergone a dramatic countrywide decline, and are extirpated over much of their former ranges. Relict populations persist, however, in well-protected nature reserves, in sparsely populated headwaters of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, at remote sites along international borders, and in densely populated deltas and floodplains. Recent records were mostly of the Eurasian otter, and we could find no confirmed recent record of the smooth-coated otter. The otters that survive in certain well-protected sites could act as source populations for recolonization if adequate conservation interventions are implemented. Urgent, focused action is needed to protect the remaining populations, and to study the taxonomy and ecology of China's otters.
The Presence of Julius Eastman, London Contemporary Music Festival
Authors: Harper Ben
Published: June 2017

For four years now, the London Contemporary Music Festival has been organising some of the most exciting new music events in town. In contrast to the eclectic extravaganzas of previous years, LCMF 2016 was tightly focused: three nights only, dedicated to the work of Julius Eastman. The programme was a revelation, even for those who are aware of Eastman and his music.
ECLAT 2017, Stuttgart, Germany
Authors: Marcoll Maximilian
Published: June 2017

Unlike many other New Music festivals, Eclat has so far resisted the temptation to build the festival programmes around central themes. The Eclat festival is one of the major annual gatherings of the German and international scene for contemporary music, taking place in Stuttgart and organised by ‘Musik der Jahrhunderte’ (Christine Fischer) in collaboration with the SWR (Lydia Jeschke). The lack of a central theme doesn't indicate a pragmatic or vague approach to curation, but the festival organisers’ aim to assemble a selection of artists, ensembles and pieces that are either directly asking or indirectly raising questions considered relevant and at the forefront of the scene's discourse at the time of the event.
Facilitators and barriers experienced by federal cross-sector partners during the implementation of a healthy eating campaign
Authors: Fernandez Melissa Anne , Desroches Sophie , Marquis Marie , Turcotte Mylène , Provencher Véronique
Published: June 2017

Objective

To identify facilitators and barriers that Health Canada’s (HC) cross-sector partners experienced while implementing the Eat Well Campaign: Food Skills (EWC; 2013–2014) and describe how these experiences might differ according to distinct partner types.

Design

A qualitative study using hour-long semi-structured telephone interviews conducted with HC partners that were transcribed verbatim. Facilitators and barriers were identified inductively and analysed according partner types.

Setting

Implementation of a national mass-media health education campaign.

Subjects

Twenty-one of HC’s cross-sector partners (food retailers, media and health organizations) engaged in the EWC.

Results

Facilitators and barriers were grouped into seven major themes: operational elements, intervention factors, resources, collaborator traits, developer traits, partnership factors and target population factors. Four of these themes had dual roles as both facilitators and barriers (intervention factors, resources, collaborator traits and developer traits). Sub-themes identified as both facilitators and barriers illustrate the extent to which a facilitator can easily become a barrier. Partnership factors were unique facilitators, while operational and target population factors were unique barriers. Time was a barrier that was common to almost all partners regardless of partnership type. There appeared to be a greater degree of uniformity among facilitators, whereas barriers were more diverse and unique to the realities of specific types of partner.

Conclusions

Collaborative planning will help public health organizations anticipate barriers unique to the realities of specific types of organizations. It will also prevent facilitators from becoming barriers. Advanced planning will help organizations manage time constraints and integrate activities, facilitating implementation.
Gezielte Trainingstherapie zur Sekundärprävention von Stürzen und Hüftfrakturen
Authors: Theiler Robert , Freystätter Gregor , Meyer Ursina , Bischoff-Ferrari Heike Annette
Published: June 2017

Zusammenfassung. In den vergangenen 20 Jahren wurden einige heimbasierte Trainingsstudien in der Nachbehandlung von Hüftfrakturpatienten publiziert. Die Zürcher Hüftfraktur-Studie zeigte, dass ein Heimprogramm bei «frail» (gebrechlichen) Senioren effektiv sein kann. Weitere Studien müssen den Wert einer kostengünstigen Heimtherapie bei «frail» und «pre-frail» Senioren als nicht-medikamentöse Behandlungsstrategie evaluieren.
Gibt es ein Recht auf assistierten Suizid?
Authors: Schaber Peter
Published: June 2017

Zusammenfassung. Es ist unklar, ob es zum Selbstbestimmungsrecht einer Person gehört, seinem eigenen Leben ein Ende zu setzen. Es ist auch unklar, worauf ein solches Recht ein Recht wäre. Es soll in diesem Aufsatz deutlich werden, wieso dieses Recht zum Selbstbestimmungsrecht gehört. Das Recht auf Leben, so wird argumentiert, ist in bestimmten Situationen ein veräusserliches Recht. Es würde dem Sinn von Rechten widersprechen, wenn das nicht so wäre. Es soll darüber hinaus deutlich werden, dass es sich dabei um ein Recht handelt, dessen Ausübung keine Pflichten, sondern bloss Erlaubnisse erzeugt.
Insomnie – ein Symptom mit multifaktorieller Genese
Authors: Rauen Katrin , Weidt Steffi
Published: June 2017

Zusammenfassung. Insomnien sind ein klinisch relevantes Symptom und betreffen bis zu 30 % der Allgemeinbevölkerung. 80 % der Betroffenen leiden bereits chronisch an der Schlafstörung, bevor eine suffiziente Diagnostik oder Therapie eingeleitet wird. Die Diagnostik primärer und sekundärer Insomnien kann durch schlafspezifische Anamnesefragen und die hier dargestellte Stufendiagnostik hausärztlich erfolgen, die Früherkennung verbessern und eine fachärztliche Weiterbehandlung rechtzeitig initiieren. Spezielle neurologisch bedingte Schlafstörungen nach Schlaganfall, Schädel-Hirn-Trauma und bei neurodegenerativen Erkrankungen werden erläutert, da sie häufig unzureichend erkannt und behandelt werden. Zusammenfassend kann die hausärztliche Früherkennung primärer und sekundärer Insomnien die Chronifizierung sowie das Risiko für zerebrovaskuläre, metabolische, psychiatrische oder andere Folgeerkrankungen reduzieren und die Lebensqualität der Betroffenen verbessern.
Search for Capacity-Limited and Super-Capacity Search
Authors: Han Suk Won
Published: June 2017

Abstract. The present study investigated capacity limitations of visual search. In a series of experiments, participants searched for a singleton target among homogenous distractors, a conjunction target defined by combination of two features, or a feature target among heterogeneous distractors. Using the simultaneous-sequential paradigm, I found that singleton search proceeded in a capacity-unlimited manner. By contrast, the performance of the conjunction search was found to depend on a capacity-limited process. For feature searches, the performance of searching for a specific color was not affected by how the stimuli were presented, while the orientation search performance was enhanced as the number of distractors simultaneously presented with the target increased. These results imply that distinct colors are individually coded, whereas multiple orientations are encoded as an ensemble in a structured way. Taken together, the present study clarifies which type of search process are capacity-limited and reveals how this limit can be overcome.
Heads Up!
Authors: Wagman Jeffrey B. , Dayer Alex , Hajnal Alen
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Possibilities for behavior (i.e., affordances) can be perceived with units spanning anatomical components and external objects. For example, affordances for standing on an inclined surface can be perceived with an object held in the hand or attached to the head. We investigated whether these two person-plus-object perceptual systems exhibit the same pattern of nonlinear phase transitions in perception of this affordance. Blindfolded participants explored an inclined surface with a rod held in the hand or attached to the head and reported whether they could stand on that surface. Inclinations were presented in ascending or descending sequences. In both conditions, responses exhibited negative hysteresis – perceptual boundaries occurred at steeper angles for descending than for ascending sequences. The generalization of this pattern across components that differ in physiology, sensitivity, and experience is consistent with both the soft assembly of perceptual devices and with a dynamical systems perspective on perception of affordances.
The Automatic Mapping of Magnitude to Temporal Order Is	Space-Dependent
Authors: Ben-Meir Shachar , Ganor-Stern Dana , Tzelgov Joseph
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Past research has shown that performance in ordinal magnitude tasks is enhanced when stimuli are presented in ascending order, suggesting that magnitude is mapped to temporal order, with small magnitude associated with early and large with late presentation. The present study addresses the automaticity of this effect and its limitations. We used the “same/different” task for numbers (Experiment 1) and physical sizes of shapes (Experiment 2) as well as identity of shapes (Experiment 3). The advantage for stimuli in ascending order was found for both numbers and physical sizes of shapes. However, it was limited to specific conditions – when magnitude processing was required for the task and when a “different” response was mapped to the right hand side. Thus, it seems that the automatic mapping of magnitude to temporal order is dependent on the mapping of magnitude to space.
PLK2 Plays an Essential Role in High D-Glucose-Induced Apoptosis, ROS Generation and Inflammation in Podocytes
Authors: Zou Hong-hong , Yang Ping-ping , Huang Tian-lun , Zheng Xiao-xu , Xu Gao-si
Published: June 2017

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a serious complication of hyperglycemia. Currently, there is no effective therapeutic intervention for DKD. In this study, we sought to provide a set of gene profile in diabetic kidneys. We identified 338 genes altered in diabetes-induced DKD glomeruli, and PLK2 exhibited the most dramatic change. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) indicated multiple signaling pathways are involved DKD pathogenesis. Here, we investigated whether PLK2 contributes to podocyte dysfunction, a characteristic change in the development of DKD. High D-glucose (HDG) significantly increased PLK2 expression in mouse podocytes. Suppressing PLK2 attenuated HDG-induced apoptosis and inflammatory responses both in vitro and in vivo. NAC, an antioxidant reagent, rescued HDG and PLK2 overexpression-induced kidney injuries. In summary, we demonstrated that silencing PLK2 attenuates HDG-induced podocyte apoptosis and inflammation, which may serve as a future therapeutic target in DKD.
The effect of interface anisotropy on demagnetization progress in perpendicularly oriented hard/soft exchange-coupled multilayers
Authors: Zhao Qian , Chen Jun , Wang Jiaqi , Zhang Xuefeng , Zhao Guoping , Ma Qiang
Published: June 2017

The demagnetization progress of various hard/soft multilayers with perpendicular crystalline anisotropy has been studied by a micromagnetic model, incorporating the effect of the interface anisotropy, which is evident on the nucleation field when the soft layer thickness is small. Both microscopic and macroscopic hysteresis loops as well as angular distributions for the magnetizations in the thickness direction have been calculated, taking into account of realistic values of the interface anisotropy. The formula for the nucleation field has been derived analytically, where the nucleation field increases linearly with the interface anisotropy for a wide thickness region. While the nucleation field could change by more than 90% due to the influence of the interface anisotropy, the interface anisotropy has no effect on the pinning field or the coercivity, but it has some slight influence on the angular distributions. On the other hand, positive interface anisotropy enhances the remanence and the energy products, whereas negative interface anisotropy deteriorates both of them. Comparison with the experimental data justifies our calculation, indicating that negative interface anisotropy should be avoided in the experiment.
Contribution of plasma membrane lipid domains to red blood cell (re)shaping
Authors: Leonard C. , Conrard L. , Guthmann M. , Pollet H. , Carquin M. , Vermylen C. , Gailly P. , Van Der Smissen P. , Mingeot-Leclercq M. P. , Tyteca D.
Published: June 2017

Although lipid domains have been evidenced in several living cell plasma membranes, their roles remain largely unclear. We here investigated whether they could contribute to function-associated cell (re)shaping. To address this question, we used erythrocytes as cellular model since they (i) exhibit a specific biconcave shape, allowing for reversible deformation in blood circulation, which is lost by membrane vesiculation upon aging; and (ii) display at their outer plasma membrane leaflet two types of submicrometric domains differently enriched in cholesterol and sphingomyelin. We here reveal the specific association of cholesterol- and sphingomyelin-enriched domains with distinct curvature areas of the erythrocyte biconcave membrane. Upon erythrocyte deformation, cholesterol-enriched domains gathered in high curvature areas. In contrast, sphingomyelin-enriched domains increased in abundance upon calcium efflux during shape restoration. Upon erythrocyte storage at 4 °C (to mimick aging), lipid domains appeared as specific vesiculation sites. Altogether, our data indicate that lipid domains could contribute to erythrocyte function-associated (re)shaping.
Ca2+ ionophores are not suitable for inducing mPTP opening in murine isolated adult cardiac myocytes
Authors: Panel Mathieu , Ghaleh Bijan , Morin Didier
Published: June 2017

Opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) plays a major role in cell death during cardiac ischaemia-reperfusion. Adult isolated rodent cardiomyocytes are valuable cells to study the effect of drugs targeting mPTP. This study investigated whether the use of Ca2+ ionophores (A23187, ionomycin and ETH129) represent a reliable model to study inhibition of mPTP opening in cardiomyocytes. We monitored mPTP opening using the calcein/cobalt fluorescence technique in adult rat and wild type or cyclophilin D (CypD) knock-out mice cardiomyocytes. Cells were either treated with Ca2+ ionophores or subjected to hypoxia followed by reoxygenation. The ionophores induced mPTP-dependent swelling in isolated mitochondria. A23187, but not ionomycin, induced a decrease in calcein fluorescence. This loss could not be inhibited by CypD deletion and was explained by a direct interaction between A23187 and cobalt. ETH129 caused calcein loss, mitochondrial depolarization and cell death but CypD deletion did not alleviate these effects. In the hypoxia-reoxygenation model, CypD deletion delayed both mPTP opening and cell death occurring at the time of reoxygenation. Thus, Ca2+ ionophores are not suitable to induce CypD-dependent mPTP opening in adult murine cardiomyocytes. Hypoxia-reoxygenation conditions appear therefore as the most reliable model to investigate mPTP opening in these cells.
Structure stability of HKUST-1 towards water and ethanol and their effect on its CO2capture properties
Authors: Álvarez J. Raziel , Sánchez-González Elí , Pérez Eric , Schneider-Revueltas Emilia , Martínez Ana , Tejeda-Cruz Adriana , Islas-Jácome Alejandro , González-Zamora Eduardo , Ibarra Ilich A.
Published: June 2017

Plausible mechanisms that explain the different structure stability of HKUST-1 towards water and ethanol using their diffusion coefficients.
Model predictive control for pre‐compensated voltage mode controlled DC–DC converters
Authors: Cavanini Luca , Cimini Gionata , Ippoliti Gianluca , Bemporad Alberto
Published: June 2017

This study introduces the use of model predictive control (MPC) to improve the performance of pre‐compensated power supplies, and in particular of DC–DC converters, by dynamically modifying their output voltage reference. The importance of developing controllers for pre‐compensated converters is twofold. First, the hierarchical structure is particularly useful when the primal controller is already coded, or hardware based, and cannot be changed. Second, the double‐loop and, possible, multi‐rate structure represents a computationally cheaper alternative to a direct MPC that would replace the primal controller and would require a much higher sampling frequency. In this study a MPC controller has been applied for the regulation of a pre‐compensated synchronous DC–DC buck converter. The aim is to improve the performance of standard voltage mode control (VMC), without replacing the linear controller and without drastically affecting the computational burden. The algorithm has been tested both in simulation and experimentally, on commercially available hardware. The results show the performance improvement with respect to the standard VMC, as well as the feasibility of the proposed approach in an embedded platform. Tests with different primal controller tunings, and unknown varying loads, confirm the advantages of the method.
Distributed adaptive consensus protocols for linearly coupled Lur'e systems over a directed topology
Authors: Feng Yuting , Lv Yuezu , Duan Zhisheng
Published: June 2017

This study solves the consensus problem of networked Lue' system over a directed graph. First, a novel unified framework for multi‐agent systems and complex networks is proposed, where the inner‐linking function is given in advance, while the control protocols have to be designed through a communication topology. Then, for both leaderless and leader–follower situations, adaptive consensus protocols are designed in a fully distributed fashion, without using any global information of the communication graphs. Sufficient conditions are provided to design distributed protocols to ensure consensus. Furthermore, compared with other works, the simulation result of a coupled Chua's circuit shows that these conditions can be further released, since the consensus can be achieved with the union graph of the inherent connections and communication graph containing a directed spanning tree. In particular, special case of first‐order system is discussed, where specific threshold is given to show how the ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ inherent interactions affect the choice of the communication graph and the feedback gain. Finally, a more practical flexible link robotic arm example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical analysis.
Robust measure of non‐linearity‐based cubature Kalman filter
Authors: Zhang Lei , Li Sheng , Zhang Enze , Chen Qingwei
Published: June 2017

In this study, a novel robust measure of non‐linearity‐based cubature Kalman filter (RMoNCKF) is proposed to obtain good performance with lower computational burden. The proposed filter inherits the virtues of high accuracy of the high‐degree filter and computation efficiency of the low‐degree one. When the measure of non‐linearity (MoN) is evaluated and compared with the threshold in the dynamic system, the cubature rules nested in the RMoNCKF can be switched autonomously to decrease the computation complexity in the low non‐linear condition. Furthermore, the robust estimation technology can help to improve the value of MoN for the non‐Gaussian distributed case. Simulation results of target tracking and integrated navigation system demonstrate that the RMoNCKF can have a close performance to the fifth‐degree CKF with less computation time. In the circumstances of the time‐varying noise and contaminated Gaussian distributed noise, the RMoNCKF outperforms the UKF, the third‐degree CKF and fifth‐degree CKF.
Transarterial and Transhepatic Endovascular Intervention to Alleviate Portal Hypertension Secondary to Arterioportal Fistula in a Trisomy 21 Infant
Authors: Cil Barbaros , Bayrakci Benan , Sasmaz Necati , Baysoy Gokhan , Gurakan Figen , Yazici Mutlu
Published: June 2017

Individuals with trisomy 21 have an 80% risk reduction of vascular anomalies compared with general population. However, an association of trisomy 21 and portal vascular and arteriovenous anomalies has been defined in the literature. The primary hemodynamic abnormality in portal hypertension is increased resistance to portal blood flow. In various case reports in adults and pediatric age group patients, transarterial coil embolization of hepatoportal fistula was described. One of the authors of this article has previously reported successful treatment of congenital arterioportal fistula (APF) with percutaneous transhepatic liquid embolization in a patient who previously had transarterial coil embolization. To date, eight patients with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and congenital portosystemic shunts were reported of which four were treated with embolization. Here, we describe a 3-month-old infant with trisomy 21 and intrahepatic APF associated with extrahepatic portal hypertension and massive ascites. In the current report, a rare case of a patient with a diagnosis of trisomy 21 is discussed who was attempted to be treated with transarterial coil embolization and percutaneous transhepatic liquid embolization of the congenital APF in a single session.
Comparison of Azithromycin versus Erythromycin for Prolongation of Latency in Pregnancies Complicated by Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes
Authors: Appiagyei Ashley , Templin Megan , Mertz Heather , Finneran Matthew
Published: June 2017

Objective To assess the impact on the duration of latency to delivery when a single oral dose of azithromycin is substituted for erythromycin in the standard antibiotic regimen used in pregnancies complicated by preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM).

Study Design A retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies complicated by PPROM between 23 and 33 6/7 weeks of gestation from January 2012 to June 2016. Patients prior to June 2014 received a standard antibiotic regimen of 7 days of erythromycin and ampicillin/amoxicillin. After this period, patients received a single oral dose of azithromycin 1 g substituted for erythromycin in this regimen. Primary outcome was latency from PPROM to delivery.

Results One hundred sixty-two women met the inclusion criteria, 84 in the erythromycin group and 78 in the azithromycin group. There was no difference in the median latency from PPROM to delivery between the groups (erythromycin: 6.37 days, interquartile range [IQR]: 3.59–10.93 vs. azithromycin: 5.86 days, IQR: 3.12–12.05, p = 0.75). There was a higher rate of cesarean delivery (48.8 vs. 29.5%, p = 0.01) and positive neonatal blood cultures (13.6 vs. 4.1%, p = 0.05) in the erythromycin group.

Conclusion There is no difference in latency to delivery when a single oral dose of azithromycin 1 g is substituted for erythromycin in the standard antibiotic regimen used in singleton pregnancies complicated by PPROM.
Vitamine und Spurenelemente in der Onkologie
Authors: Holch Julian , Michl Marlies , Heinemann Volker , Erickson Nicole
Published: June 2017

The use of vitamins and minerals to prevent cancer as well as their supportive use in oncological patients is widespread and often occurs without the knowledge of the treating physician. Beyond general recommendations with regard to a balanced and healthy diet, no evidence exists supporting the use of vitamins and minerals in the prevention of cancer. Furthermore, the diet of oncological patients should contain vitamins and minerals of the same quantity as for healthy individuals. In particular, there is currently no rationale for a high-dosage administration of antioxidants.
Komplementärmedizin in der Onkologie – was ist sinnvoll?
Authors: Eustachi Axel , Melchart Dieter
Published: June 2017

The basis of any complementary therapy should be the recommendation of a healthy lifestyle (diet, nutrition, exercise, stress-reduction), and appropriate self-help techniques (e. g. thermotherapy, herbal OTC-products) aimed at releasing the patients’ most debilitating symptoms. For therapy-resistant or strong symptoms, more invasive interventions or medical treatments with an acceptable evidence base can be used (e. g. acupuncture for cancer pain, herbal prescriptions). The effects of any complementary intervention should be controlled for a period of six weeks after its administration. Patients should be advised not to use products or methods with possibly harmful side effects or negative interactions with conventional medications.
Safety and efficacy of glycopyrrolate as a premedication for endoscopic submucosal dissection: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Authors: Kim Eui , Um Min , Kim Kyoung , Kim Jung , Kim Su , Park Dong , Kwon Kwang , Chung Jun , Kim Yoon
Published: June 2017

Background and study aims Anticholinergic premedication has not been validated for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we investigated the efficacy and safety of glycopyrrolate as a premedication for ESD.

Methods A total of 196 patients undergoing ESD at a single tertiary medical center between December 2014 and February 2016 were randomly allocated to receive one of the following two premedications: glycopyrrolate (0.004 mg/kg intramuscularly [IM]) or placebo (2.0 mL normal saline solution IM). All patients received the premedication 30 minutes prior to ESD in a double-blind manner. The endoscopists reported the ease of performing the procedure and the incidence of secretion-induced hypoxemia, cough, and other procedure-related adverse events.

Results Glycopyrrolate and placebo were received by 96 and 100 patients, respectively. ESD was successfully performed in all patients without any serious adverse events related to sedation or ESD. The median visual analog scale for procedure ease was higher in the glycopyrrolate group at 8 (interquartile range [IQR] 7 – 9) vs. 7 (IQR 6 – 8.25); P < 0.001. The proportions of patients with secretion-induced hypoxemia (4.4 % vs. 14.3 %; P = 0.03) and cough (16.7 % vs. 35.7 %; P = 0.005) were lower in the glycopyrrolate group. 

Conclusions The use of glycopyrrolate as a premedication for ESD significantly improved
the ease of performing the procedure and reduced the incidence of secretion-induced hypoxemia and cough during ESD. Glycopyrrolate may be a promising premedication to ensure safe and stable ESD procedures.

Trial registration: Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS): KCT0001540.
Die Behandlung chronischer Gelenkerkrankungen mit Harpagophytum
Authors: Stübler Martin
Published: June 2017

Es wird über eine chronische sero-positive Polyarthritis einer 40jährigen Patientin berichtet, die vom 4.1.1983 - 30.5.1986 beobachtet wurde; unter der Behandlung mit Harpagophytum als Tropfen und Injektionen trat eine weitgehende Besserung, vielleicht eine Heilung ein. Die Modalitäten von Harpagophytum werden diskutiert.
Der interessante Fall: Verwirrtheitspsychose bei Schizophrenie
Authors: Müller H.V.
Published: June 2017

Der Patient litt an einer als unheilbar geltenden Krankheit, nämlich an einer Schizophrenie, als er im Oktober 1990 erstmalig in meine Behandlung kam. Die Krankheit hatte 1988 mit dem ersten Schub begonnen und zu mehreren Klinikaufenthalten geführt, die den Zustand aber nicht ändern konnten. Nach Verabreichung seines Simillimum, nämlich Cuprum cyanatum, im Januar 1989 hatte der Patient bis heute, 23.10.95, keinen Rückfall mehr, sondern erfreut sich ausgezeichneter Gesundheit und verhält sich vollkommen normal. Wie bei einer Reihe anderer Patienten mit derselben Krankheit kann ich hier also von einer Ausheilung sprechen - ein Novum in der Medizin.
Rotational magnetocaloric effect in TbAl3(BO3)4
Authors: Pashchenko M. I. , Bedarev V. A. , Merenkov D. N. , Bludov A. N. , Pashchenko V. A. , Gnatchenko S. L. , Zajarniuk T. , Szewczyk A. , Temerov V. L.
Published: June 2017

A rotational magnetocaloric effect is predicted in the TbAl3(BO3)4 crystal based on the results of measuring field dependences of magnetization and the temperature dependence of heat capacity. The effect is modeled using the quasi-doublet approximation. Changes to the crystal entropy at constant temperature are determined, as well as at varying temperature under adiabatic conditions. The refrigerant capacity of the crystal is estimated. It is shown that terbium aluminum borate is a promising material for magnetic cooling.
Features of the intensity behavior of Kramers doublet components in NdFe3(BO3)4 in the transverse Zeeman geometry
Authors: Kachur I. S. , Kurnosov V. S. , Piryatinskaya V. G. , Yeremenko A. V. , Gudim I. A.
Published: June 2017

Nontrivial magnetic field dependence of the polarization of the Kramers doublet absorption lines (15 971–15 978 cm−1) was observed in the range of the 4I9/2 → 2H11/2 optical transition of Nd3+ ion in an easy-plane antiferromagnet NdFe3(BO3)4 in the transversal Zeeman effect geometry. Values of the transversal g factor and the effective exchange field with Fe3+ magnetic subsystem were determined for the excited state of Nd3+ from the field dependence of the doublet splitting. A semiempirical equation was proposed for the description of the field dependence of the intensities of the polarized components of the absorption lines corresponding to the Kramers doublet 15 971–15 978 cm−1. Besides the scaling factors, the equation contains only the independently determined magnitudes of exchange fields for the ground and excited states as parameters.
Clinical Experience With the Use of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS) in the Treatment of Atypical Femoral Fractures
Authors: Lee Sang Yang , Niikura Takahiro , Iwakura Takashi , Fukui Tomoaki , Kuroda Ryosuke
Published: June 2017

Objective:

The aim of this study was to report the clinical results of atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) treated with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS).

Materials and Methods:

The data on AFFs that were surgically treated in our hospital from 2010 to 2016 was retrospectively analyzed. AFF was diagnosed based on the criteria defined by the second report of an ASBMR task force.

Results:

Seven fractures in 6 cases were included in this study. Two fractures were referred to us as being nonunion. Five fractures were subtrochanteric fractures and 2 fractures were shaft fractures. Five fresh AFFs were fixed with an intramedullary nail and 2 nonunion fractures were fixed with plates. LIPUS was used in 6 fractures. Bone union was achieved in 5 fractures with the average time to union being 17 months (5–29). In 4 out of the 6 fractures treated with LIPUS, bone union was achieved after 14 months on average. In the other 2 LIPUS-treated fractures, bone union was not achieved even at 1 year after surgery.

Discussion:

It is known that AFF healing tends to be very slow. Some case reports indicate that AFF healing might be accelerated by LIPUS. In the current series, the subtrochanteric fracture that was not treated with LIPUS healed at 29 months after surgery, which was much longer than the average time to union in the 5 fractures that were treated with LIPUS. Although our number of cases is small, LIPUS may be a potentially useful tool for accelerating AFF repair.
The Retrograde-Antegrade-Retrograde Technique for Successful Placement of a Retrograde Superior Ramus Screw
Authors: Weatherby David J. , Chip Routt Milton L. , Eastman Jonathan G.
Published: June 2017

Stabilization of pelvic ring injuries and certain acetabular fractures using percutaneous techniques is becoming increasingly more common. Intramedullary superior ramus screw fixation is beneficial in both injury types. While implants can be placed in an antegrade or retrograde direction, parasymphyseal ramus fractures benefit from retrograde implant insertion. In some patients, the parabolic osseous anatomy or obstructing soft tissues of the anterior pelvis or thigh can prevent appropriate hand and instrumentation positioning for appropriate retrograde ramus screw insertion through the entire osseous fixation pathway. Instead of abandoning medullary fixation, we propose a technique utilizing cannulated screws to successfully place retrograde screws in this distinct clinical scenario.
Gottron Papules Show Histopathologic Features of Localized Lymphedema
Authors: Fernandez-Flores Angel , Cassarino David S.
Published: June 2017

Although Gottron papules are a relevant feature of dermatomyositis, they are reported in very few papers in the literature, and the largest series on the subject includes 11 cases. We intend to study the main histopathologic features of Gottron papules in a series of 12 biopsies. We evaluated hematoxylin–eosin stains on all cases. We also performed histochemical stains to evaluate the dermal deposition of mucin. Finally, we studied the CD123+ cell population in the inflammatory infiltrate by immunohistochemistry. We found that the epidermis was either acanthotic or hyperplastic in all cases. We found a dermal inflammatory infiltrate in all cases but one. Mucin deposition in the reticular dermis was an inconstant feature. Vacuolization of the basal layer was also a frequent finding. There was thickening of the base membrane on periodic acid-Schiff stains in all our cases. We identified CD123+ cells in all cases but 2. Intraepidermal CD123+ cells were also found in 8 cases. All cases but one showed lymphangiectasia in the upper part of the dermis, including the papillary and reticular dermis. In addition, collapsed lymphatics were evident underlying the dermal sclerosis. We conclude that Gottron papules show typical features of localized lymphedema.
Transducing-Like Enhancer of Split 1: A Potential Immunohistochemical Marker for Glomus Tumor
Authors: Bozdogan Nazan , Dilek Gulay B. , Benzer Emine , Karadeniz Mujde , Bozdogan Onder
Published: June 2017

Glomus tumors (GTs) are rare, perivascular soft tissue tumors. Although GTs are usually found in the subcutaneous tissue, they may be detected in extracutaneous sites and mucosal areas. Transducing-like enhancer of split 1 (TLE1) is a highly useful immunohistochemical marker, which basically helps in differential diagnosis of synovial sarcoma. Based on a coincidental detection of TLE1 in one GT case, we studied 26 additional GT cases to establish the importance and distribution of TLE1 in GTs. Of 24 subcutaneous GTs, 22 (91.6%) were positive for TLE1 antibody and the remaining 2 mucosal GTs were negative. Of the 22 positive cases, 10 showed strong nuclear positivity. There was no difference between the subtypes of the GTs. Although TLE1 expression is significantly correlated to SS18 (SYT) rearrangements in synovial sarcomas, the fluorescence in situ hybridization analyses of the GTs showed no evidence of translocation involving this locus. TLE1 is a potential immunohistochemical marker for GTs, but further studies are required to confirm this finding.