bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correction to: Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy, natural menopause, and breast cancer risk: an international prospective cohort of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers
Authors:   GENEPSO, Mavaddat Nasim ,   EMBRACE,   HEBON,   kConFab Investigators,   on behalf of IBCCS, kConFab and BCFR, Antoniou Antonis C. , Mooij Thea M. , Hooning Maartje J. , Heemskerk-Gerritsen Bernadette A. , Noguès Catherine , Gauthier-Villars Marion , Caron Olivier , Gesta Paul , Pujol Pascal , Lortholary Alain , Barrowdale Daniel , Frost Debra , Evans D. Gareth , Izatt Louise , Adlard Julian , Eeles Ros , Brewer Carole , Tischkowitz Marc , Henderson Alex , Cook Jackie , Eccles Diana , van Engelen Klaartje , Mourits Marian J. E. , Ausems Margreet G. E. M. , Koppert Linetta B. , Hopper John L. , John Esther M. , Chung Wendy K. , Andrulis Irene L. , Daly Mary B. , Buys Saundra S. , Benitez Javier , Caldes Trinidad , Jakubowska Anna , Simard Jacques , Singer Christian F. , Tan Yen , Olah Edith , Navratilova Marie , Foretova Lenka , Gerdes Anne-Marie , Roos-Blom Marie-José , Van Leeuwen Flora E. , Arver Brita , Olsson Håkan , Schmutzler Rita K. , Engel Christoph , Kast Karin , Phillips Kelly-Anne , Terry Mary Beth , Milne Roger L. , Goldgar David E. , Rookus Matti A. , Andrieu Nadine , Easton Douglas F.
Published: February 2020

After publication of the original article [1], we were notified that columns in Table 2 were erroneously displayed.
Self-cut titanium-coated polypropylene mesh versus pre-cut mesh-kit for transvaginal treatment of severe pelvic organ prolapse: study protocol for a multicenter non-inferiority trial
Authors: Chen Juan , Yu Jiajie , Morse Abraham , Fünfgeld Christian , Huang Kuanhui , Gong Jian , Tao Guangshi , Wang Binan , Wang Yuling , Jiang Xiangyang , Ababaikeli Gulina , Liu Peishu , Nisier Hatiguli , Zhang Xiaowei , Wang Ping , Sun Xin , Zhu Lan
Published: February 2020

Background

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common health problem and has significant negative effects on a woman’s quality of life. The transvaginal mesh procedure is a durable reconstructive surgery, but the mesh kits are expensive for underdeveloped countries. Our previous case-series study showed that the use of self-cut mesh had a good success rate (91.8% at 1-year follow-up) and low complication rate. This trial is designed to compare a self-cut titanium-coated polypropylene mesh procedure with a mesh kit for the treatment of symptomatic stage III–IV anterior or apical prolapse in terms of efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness.

Methods

The trial is a randomized controlled multicenter non-inferiority trial. The primary outcome measure is the composite success rate at 1-year follow-up. The secondary outcomes are anatomic outcomes of each vaginal segment (anterior, posterior and apical) using the POP-Q score, subjective improvement of quality of life according to questionnaires, intraoperative parameters, complications and costs. Analysis will be performed according to the intention-to-treat principle. Based on a comparable success rate of 90% and 10% as the margin (β = 0.2 and one-sided α = 0.025), about 312 patients in total from 11 centers will be recruited including 10% dropout. The aims of the research are to demonstrate whether the self-cut mesh procedure is non-inferior to the mesh-kit procedure and to investigate the performance of titanium-coated mesh for vaginal prolapse repair.

Discussion

This multicenter non-inferiority trial will evaluate whether the efficacy and safety of self-cut mesh is non-inferior to mesh kits in women with severe symptomatic stage III–IV anterior or apical prolapse. If we are able to show that the self-cut mesh procedure is non-inferior to the mesh-kit procedure in success rates, then the self-cut mesh procedure may be more cost-effective.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03283124. Registered on 17 January 2018.
Gut microbiome of native Arab Kuwaitis
Authors: Plummer Erica , Bulach Dieter , Carter Glen , Albert M. John
Published: February 2020

Background

The human gut microbiome has an important role in health and disease. There is extensive geographical variation in the composition of the gut microbiome, however, little is known about the gut microbiome composition of people from the Arabian Peninsula. In this study, we describe the gut microbiome of Arab Kuwaitis. The gut microbiome of 25 native adult Arab Kuwaitis was characterised using 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the V3–V4 regions. Sequencing data were analysed using DADA2. Phylogeny analysis was performed using amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) assigned to the Bacteroides genus and 16S rRNA sequences of Bacteroides type strains to understand the relationships among Bacteroides ASVs.

Results

About 63% of participants were overweight/obese reflecting normal Kuwaiti population. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the dominant phyla detected in the gut microbiome (representing 48% and 46% of total sequencing reads respectively). At the genus level, Bacteroides was the most abundant genus in 22 of 25 participants. A total of 223 ASVs were assigned to the Bacteroides genus, eleven of which were present in 50% or more of study participants, reflecting a high diversity of this genus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Bacteroides dorei/vulgatus group was the most abundant phylogenetic group (representing 11.91% of all sequence reads) and was detected in all 25 individuals.

Conclusions

Bacteroides was the most abundant genus in the gut microbiome of native Arab Kuwaiti adults, with Bacteroides dorei/vulgatus forming the predominant phylogenetic group. The microbiome composition would also have been influenced by the nutritional status of participants.
Exosomal microRNA-144 from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells inhibits the progression of non-small cell lung cancer by targeting CCNE1 and CCNE2
Authors: Liang Yuan , Zhang Dalin , Li Linlin , Xin Tian , Zhao Yuwei , Ma Rui , Du Jiang
Published: February 2020

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are pluripotent mesenchymal cells present in various adult tissues. MSCs secrete exosomes as regulators of the tumor niche, with involvement in tumorigenesis and metastasis. The regulatory role of microRNAs (miRs or miRNAs) in MSCs via targeting cyclin E1 (CCNE1) or cyclin E2 (CCNE2) has been extensively reported. Since exosomes are considered as protective and enriched sources of shuttle miRNAs, we hypothesized that exosomal transfer of miR-144 from bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMMSCs) would affect the development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells by targeting CCNE1 and CCNE2.

Methods

We first quantified the levels of miR-144, CCNE1, and CCNE2 in NSCLC tissues and cell lines and then undertook gain- and loss-of-function studies of miR-144, CCNE1, and CCNE2 to investigate their roles in the biological characteristics of NSCLC in vitro. NSCLC cells (A549) were exposed to exosomes derived from MSCs, and cell proliferation and colony formation rate were determined using in vitro assays. Finally, effects of BMMSC-derived exosomal miR-144 on tumor development were studied in vivo.

Results

In NSCLC tissues and cell lines, miR-144 was expressed poorly and CCNE1 and CCNE2 were expressed highly. Artificially elevating miR-144 inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, and the number of S phase-arrested cells in NSCLC by downregulating CCNE1 and CCNE2. Additionally, BMMSC-derived exosomal miR-144 led to restrained NSCLC cell proliferation and colony formation. These inhibitory effects of BMMSC-derived exosomes carrying miR-144 on NSCLC were confirmed by experiments in vivo.

Conclusion

Collectively, these findings revealed inhibitory effects of BMMSC-derived exosomal miR-144 on NSCLC progression, which were mediated by downregulation of CCNE1 and CCNE2.
In vitro effects of lonidamine and 6-aminonicotinamide against Echinococcus granulosussensu stricto and Echinococcus multilocularis
Authors: Xin Qi , Yuan Miaomiao , Li Huanping , Song Xiaoxia , Lu Jun , Jing Tao
Published: February 2020

Echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease caused by cestode species of the genus Echinococcus, which demonstrates considerable medical and veterinary concerns. The development of novel drugs for echinococcosis treatment is urgently needed. In this study, we demonstrated that lonidamine (LND) and 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN) exhibited considerable in vitro effects against both larval- and adult-stage of E. granulosussensu stricto (s. s.) and E. multilocularis. The combination of LND and 6-AN exhibited a significantly higher activity than the single drug treatment. These results highlight the therapeutic potential of LND, 6-AN and the combination of LND and 6-AN for the treatment of echinococcosis.
Correction to: Mothers screening for malnutrition by mid-upper arm circumference is non-inferior to community health workers: results from a large-scale pragmatic trial in rural Niger
Authors: Alé Franck G. B. , Phelan Kevin P. Q. , Issa Hassan , Defourny Isabelle , Le Duc Guillaume , Harczi Geza , Issaley Kader , Sayadi Sani , Ousmane Nassirou , Yahaya Issoufou , Myatt Mark , Briend André , Allafort-Duverger Thierry , Shepherd Susan , Blackwell Nikki
Published: February 2020

In the original publication of this article [1], the author pointed out the affiliation of author Franck G.B. Alé should be: Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), ALIMA, Fann Residence, BP155530, Dakar, Senegal and University Rey Juan Carlos, C/ Tulipan, Mostoles, Spain.
Activity of catechins and their applications
Authors: Bae Joonseo , Kim Nayoung , Shin Yunyoung , Kim Soo-Yeon , Kim You-Jeong
Published: February 2020

Background

Catechins, which are polyphenol compounds found in many plants and are an important component of tea leaves, are strong anti-oxidants.

Research

Many studies seek to enhance the effects of catechins on the human body and boost their protective power against UV radiation. There are many examples of the positive anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic, and anti-cancer effects of catechins. Catechins increase the penetration and absorption of healthy functional foods and bio cosmetics into the body and the skin, thus improving their utility. High value-added anti-oxidant substances have been extracted from food and plant sludge, and experiments have shown that catechins are safe when applied to the human body. The stability of catechins is very important for their absorption into the human body and the effectiveness of their anti-oxidant properties.

Conclusion

Continued research on the strong anti-oxidant effects of catechins is expected to result in many advances in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.
Portal Vein Embolization is Associated with Reduced Liver Failure and Mortality in High-Risk Resections for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors:   the Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma Collaboration Group, Olthof Pim B. , Aldrighetti Luca , Alikhanov Ruslan , Cescon Matteo , Groot Koerkamp Bas , Jarnagin William R. , Nadalin Silvio , Pratschke Johann , Schmelze Moritz , Sparrelid Ernesto , Lang Hauke , Guglielmi Alfredo , van Gulik Thomas M.
Published: February 2020

Background

Preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) is frequently used to improve future liver remnant volume (FLRV) and to reduce the risk of liver failure after major liver resection.

Objective

This paper aimed to assess postoperative outcomes after PVE and resection for suspected perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) in an international, multicentric cohort.

Methods

Patients undergoing resection for suspected PHC across 20 centers worldwide, from the year 2000, were included. Liver failure, biliary leakage, and hemorrhage were classified according to the respective International Study Group of Liver Surgery criteria. Using propensity scoring, two equal cohorts were generated using matching parameters, i.e. age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, jaundice, type of biliary drainage, baseline FLRV, resection type, and portal vein resection.

Results

A total of 1667 patients were treated for suspected PHC during the study period. In 298 patients who underwent preoperative PVE, the overall incidence of liver failure and 90-day mortality was 27% and 18%, respectively, as opposed to 14% and 12%, respectively, in patients without PVE (p < 0.001 and p = 0.005). After propensity score matching, 98 patients were enrolled in each cohort, resulting in similar baseline and operative characteristics. Liver failure was lower in the PVE group (8% vs. 36%, p < 0.001), as was biliary leakage (10% vs. 35%, p < 0.01), intra-abdominal abscesses (19% vs. 34%, p = 0.01), and 90-day mortality (7% vs. 18%, p = 0.03).

Conclusion

PVE before major liver resection for PHC is associated with a lower incidence of liver failure, biliary leakage, abscess formation, and mortality. These results demonstrate the importance of PVE as an integral component in the surgical treatment of PHC.
Phantomless assessment of volumetric bone mineral density using virtual non-contrast images from spectral detector computed tomography
Authors: Zopfs David , Lennartz Simon , Zaeske Charlotte , Merkt Martin , Laukamp Kai Roman , Reimer Robert Peter , Maintz David , Borggrefe Jan , Grosse Hokamp Nils
Published: February 2020

Objective:

To evaluate phantomless assessment of volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) based on virtual non-contrast images of arterial (VNCa) and venous phase (VNCv) derived from spectral detector CT in comparison to true non-contrast (TNC) images and adjusted venous phase conventional images (CIV(adjusted)).

Methods:

104 consecutive patients who underwent triphasic spectral detector CT between January 2018 and April 2019 were retrospectively included. TNC, VNCa, VNCv and venous phase images (CIV) were reconstructed. vBMD was obtained by two radiologists using an FDA/CE-cleared software. Average vBMD of the first three lumbar vertebrae was determined in each reconstruction; vBMD of CIV was adjusted for contrast enhancement as suggested earlier.

Results:

vBMD values obtained from CIV(adjusted) are comparable to vBMD values derived from TNC images (91.79 ± 36.52 vs 90.16 ± 41.71 mg/cm3, p = 1.00); however, vBMD values derived from VNCa and VNCv (42.20 ± 22.50 and 41.98 ± 23.3 mg/cm3 respectively) were significantly lower as compared to vBMD values from TNC and CIV(adjusted) (all p ≤ 0.01).

Conclusion:

Spectral detector CT-derived virtual non-contrast images systematically underestimate vBMD and therefore should not be used without appropriate adjustments. Adjusted venous phase images provide reliable results and may be utilized for an opportunistic BMD screening in CT examinations.

Advances in knowledge:

Adjustments of venous phase images facilitate opportunistic assessment of vBMD, while spectral detector CT-derived VNC images systematically underestimate vBMD.
Advanced multimodality MR imaging of a cerebral nocardiosis abscess in an immunocompetent patient with a focus on Amide Proton Transfer weighted imaging
Authors: Sartoretti Elisabeth , Sartoretti Thomas , Gutzwiller Annina , Karrer Urs , Binkert Christoph , Najafi Arash , Czell David , Beyeler Simon , Sartoretti-Schefer Sabine
Published: February 2020

Cerebral nocardiosis abscess is a very rare entity in an immunocompetent patient. In this case report multiparametric and multimodality MR imaging characteristics of a pyogenic brain abscess caused by Nocardia Farcinica are discussed with a specific focus on amide proton transfer weighted imaging as a modern non-invasive, molecular MR imaging method which detects endogenous mobile protein and peptide concentration and tissue pH changes in pathologic brain lesions. The imaging characteristics are reviewed and discussed in respect to possible differential diagnoses, especially malignant tumorous lesions.
Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for recurrent and previously irradiated head and neck cancers
Authors: Anand Anil Kumar , Dua Bharat , Bansal Anil Kumar , Singh Heigrujam Malhotra , Verma Amit , Kumar Amit
Published: February 2020

Objective:

To assess the response and toxicity of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) in patients with recurrent head and neck cancer (HNC), who had previously received radiation for their primary tumor.

Methods:

Between 2014 and 2018, patients who received SABR to recurrent HNC within the previously irradiated region were retrospectively reviewed. Mean age was 60 years (range 30–78 Years). Histology was confirmed in all patients. MRI and /or CT-positron emission tomography were done to evaluate local extent and to rule out metastasis. Response was assessed as per RECIST/PERCIST Criteria. Cox proportional hazards regression and the Kaplan–Meier methods were used for statistical analysis.

Results:

32 patients received SABR. RPA Class II, III patients were 20 and 12 respectively. 87% patients received a dose of ≥30 Gy/5 fractions. Median follow-up was 12 months. Estimated 1 year and 2 years local control was 64.2 and 32% and 1 year and 2 years overall survival was 67.5 and 39.5% respectively. Acute Grade 2 skin and Grade 3 mucosal toxicity was seen in 31.3 and 28% patients respectively. Late Grade 3 toxicity was seen in 9.3% patients.

Conclusion:

Re-irradiation with SABR yields high local control rates and is well tolerated. It compares favorably with other treatment modalities offered to patients with recurrent HNC. It is also suitable for patients of RPA Class II and III. There is need for novel systemic agents to further improve the survival.

Advances in knowledge:

Treatment of patients with recurrent HNC is challenging and is more difficult in previously radiated patient. More than 50% patients are unresectable. Other options of salvage treatment like re-irradiation and chemotherapy are associated with poor response rates and high incidence of acute and late toxicity (Gr ≥3 toxicity 50–70%). SABR is a novel technology to deliver high dose of radiation to recurrent tumor with high precision. It yields high local control rates with less toxicity compared to conventionally fractionated radiation.
Psychosomatic disorders in clinical practice
Authors: Mukharovskaya I. R. , Markov M. V. , Abdryakhimova Ts. B. , Kleban K. I. , Sapon D. M.
Published: February 2020

Psychosomatic disorders in a broad sense represent a group of conditions that are different in etiology and pathogenesis, characterizing the interconnection and mutual influence of the somatic and mental sphere: psychosomatic diseases, somatoform disorders, somatogenia, psychogenia, personality traits and behavior that lead to the development of somatic diseases. Diagnosis of psychosomatic disorders in patients in the somatic network is of great practical importance in connection with the early detection of pathology and effective action on the immediate causes of its occurrence.
Formation of ready for professional activity of future service favorites
Authors: Hevko Ihor Vasilievich
Published: February 2020

The article examines the readiness for professional activity of future specialists in the service sector, a certain systematic approach to training, which should become the basis for its modernization. In addition, appropriate mechanisms are needed to ensure that the system responds to environmental challenges. Vocational education is not just a means of obtaining and disseminating the necessary knowledge, but an essential factor in the adaptation of an individual in a constantly changing society. In the article it is proved that the sphere of services, in which professional competence - the ability to apply knowledge and skills for successful activity - becomes the main and determining factor - allows to successfully solve the actual tasks related to the motivation of the specialist of the sphere of services. The content of the professional training of specialists is defined in such component of the state industry standard as the educational and professional training program. Therefore, the analysis of the state of professional training of future specialists in the field of service in forming their readiness for professional interaction with service consumers shows that the practical training does not correspond to the requirements of employers, namely: insufficient ability to deal positively with conflict situations; uncertainty about professional activities.
LTE Signal Fingerprinting Device-Free Passive Localization in Changing Environments
Authors: Cianca Ernestina , Pecoraro Giovanni , De Sanctis Mauro , Di Domenico Simone
Published: February 2020

This paper proposes a fingerprinting-based device Free Passive localization system based on the use of the LTE signal and it is robust to environment changes. The proposed methodology uses as fingerprints descriptors calculated on the CSI vectors rather than directly CSI vectors. The paper shows the performance of the proposed methods also assuming that the monitored environment might be different from the one characterized during the training phase as some equipment may be moved. Moreover, the paper compares the proposed method with signal fingerprinting approaches based on RSSI or direct CSI vectors. Experimental results, which consider one single LTE receiver in the monitored room, show the effectiveness of the proposed solution.
Electrically amplified optical recording
Authors: Lemons R. A. , Bosch M. A.
Published: February 2020

One of the major goals in developing optical recording media is to reduce the laser power required for consistent writing to a few milliwatts or less.
Scaling of x-ray preionized HgBr lasers
Authors: Fisher C. H. , Smilanski I. , Znotins T. A. , Cassady Philip E. , Burkes T. R. , Ewing J. J.
Published: February 2020

The avalanche discharge HgBr laser at 502 nm has recently been shown to be scalable to singlepulse energies of ~2 J at efficiencies of over 1 %. This performance level was achieved by x-ray preionization of a large-volume 5 × 5 × 100-cm3 high-pressure low-inductance fast discharge device, operating as a single-pulse laser. Scaling from this device to a 200-W 100-Hz long-lifetime device will be discussed.
Isotope separation with high repetition rate gas lasers
Authors: Baranov V. Yu.
Published: February 2020

No summary was available when this Digest went to press.
Neurological applications of lasers
Authors: Walker M. L.
Published: February 2020

Argon, CO2, and Nd:YAG lasers have uses in many surgical specialties. Neurosurgery is using these lasers with great benefits to patients. The use of lasers in neurosurgery with both clinical and research applications is discussed.
Laser-generated metallic gases
Authors: Von Allmen M.
Published: February 2020

Amorphous metals are conventionally made by mechanical splat-cooling of molten alloys. Cooling rates achieved a range up to ~106°C/sec, enough to obtain metallic glass formation for a number of binary or more complicated mixtures of near-eutectic composition. We are using nanosecond laser pulses to induce melting, alloying, and rapid solidification of thin (a few 1000-Å) films deposited on suitable substrates. Cooling rates achieved in this process are in excess of 1010°C/sec, as inferred from numerical simulations of the motion of the liquid-solid phase boundary.
Laser applications in cell biology and cancer treatment
Authors: Berns M. W.
Published: February 2020

Laser microsurgery is applied in cell biology by focusing a tunable dye laser beam onto organelles of living cells. Dye lasers are used in the cancer clinic in conjunction with porphyrin sensitization to selectively destroy tumors.
Deep UV contact lithography with excimer lasers
Authors: Jain K. , Willson C. G. , Lin B. J.
Published: February 2020

The first results described for photolithography using high-power pulsed excimer lasers will be described. High resolution, fast exposures, and absence of speckle will be experimentally demonstrated. Use of stimulated Raman shifting is proposed for obtaining the most desirable set of spectral lines for any resist, permitting the optimization of the exposure wavelengths for a given photoresist rather than the other way around. Excellent quality images have been obtained in several resists by contact printing with an XeCl laser at 308 nm, a KrF laser at 248 nm, and a KrCl laser at 222 nm. Resolution down to 1000 Ip/mm has been demonstrated.
Optical switching devices: speed and energy considerations
Authors: Smith P. W.
Published: February 2020

A number of recent developments have increased the interest in digital optical signal processing devices and techniques. Laser technology has now advanced to the point that lasers are being used in consumer electronics. Optical fiber communication systems are being widely installed. Integrated optics spectrum analyzers are being considered for signal processing applications.
Harmonic emission from symmetrically Illuminated microballoons
Authors: Rizzo J. , Letzring S. , Villeneuve D. M. , Richardson Martin C. , Gregory G. , Kim Y. , Craxton R. S. , Delettrez J. , Lee K. , Hutchison R.
Published: February 2020

The interaction between an intense laser beam and the corona of an irradiated spherical target causes the generation of second harmonic (2ω0) emission at the optical density (n
c
) and 3/2 harmonic emission (3ω0/2) at the quarter critical density (n
c
/4). Potentially, a number of mechanisms can be responsible for the generation of these harmonics, but for laser fusion, resonant absorption at n
c
and the two plasmon and stimulated Raman instabilities at n
c
/4 are of particular concern because of their capability of producing fast electrons.
Implosion experiments by green beams from the Gekko IV Nd:glass laser
Authors: Yamanaka T. , Azechi H. , Nakai M. , Yabe T. , Shiraga H. , Mizutani F. , Nakai S. , Yamanaka C.
Published: February 2020

Short-wavelength lasers offer great advantages in absorption and implosion properties. We have performed large-scale implosion experiments using green beams from our Gekko IV four-beam Nd: phosphate glass laser. The experimental results are compared with similar work with 1-µm laser light. The green light data show that neutron yield and implosion uniformity are improved.
Space communications test program
Authors: Maynard J. , Schulz R. , Speno G.
Published: February 2020

The Lasercom AFTS program has successfully demonstrated the operation of a 1000 Mbμsec laser communications system operating from an airborne transmitter over ranges of up to 100 km to a ground receiver.
Electronics and photonics: electrooptics for the Eighties
Authors: Kogelnik Herwig
Published: February 2020

The laser has already found a truly dazzling variety of applications in science, technology, industry, medicine, and art.
Jinc trap resonators
Authors: O’meara T. R.
Published: February 2020

It is widely believed that only unstable resonators form a high-quality broad mode which efficiently fills a laser gain medium.
Electron-beam uniformity measurements applicable to a large KrF laser system
Authors: Patterson E. L. , Hamil R A. , Samlin G. E.
Published: February 2020

The electron-beam excited KrF laser system is currently under investigation as a driver for laser fusion applications in the Single Pulse Test Facility.
Theory of an injection locked laser
Authors: Chow Weng W. , Mciver John K.
Published: February 2020

Good beam quality is required in many high-power laser applications. The use of intracavity apertures, gratings, or etalons to control beam quality is not practical in high-power lasers because of losses and material damage problems.
Blast-furnace burden profile measurement apparatus with a giant-pulse YAG laser
Authors: Fujimori Y. , Kimura H. , Matsuda M. , Shimada T. , Inazaki K. , Nangai T. , Kusano M.
Published: February 2020

Measurement of a blast-furnace burden profile has always been an important problem in blast-furnace operation. Knowledge of such a profile could make possible detection of irregularities in the descent of the burden. Both temporal and spatial irregularities can occur. For this reason, there have been numerous efforts in this field during the last decade. Three main methods have been tried using x-ray, acoustic beam, and microwave reflection from the burden surface. The industrial application of these methods has been difficult because of the unfavorable environment that exists at the throat of a blast furnace.
Development and optical performance of large aperture harmonic generation crystal arrays
Authors: Johnson B. C. , Bryan J. B. , Murray J. E. , Summers M. A. , Williams J. D. , Woods B. W.
Published: February 2020

There is considerable interest in frequency converting glass laser systems to reduce anomalous absorption processes in laser heated plasmas. Harmonic generation on the LLNL Nova system requires nonlinear optical crystals of 74-cm aperture. However, single crystals of this size have yet to be grown arid are not likely to become available in time for Nova activation in 1985. To overcome crystal size limitations we have developed and tested KDP crystal arrays.
Compression of femtosecond optical pulses
Authors: Shank C. V. , Fork R. L. , Yen R. , Stolen R. H. , Tomlinson W. Jack
Published: February 2020

We report the generation and measurement of art optical pulse of only 30 fsec (3 × 10−14 sec) in duration using optical compression techniques. This is the shortest optical laser pulse ever generated and corresponds to 14 optical cycles. We produce these extremely short pulses by using nonlinear frequency broadening in a short piece of optical fiber followed by compression with a dispersive delay line.
Diode-pumped triple-clad fiber MOPA with an output power scaling up to 4.67  kW
Authors: Kalyoncu Salıh K. , Mete Busra , Yenıay Aydın
Published: February 2020

In this Letter, we have demonstrated a triple-cladded fiber (TCF)-based master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA), with an output power scaling up to 4.67 kW, an optical-to-optical efficiency of 78%, and a beam quality factorM2of 1.57. The MOPA output power was limited by stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) of which our design yielded a 31.2 dB suppression ratio at the 4.67 kW output power. Such a unique design of a TCF-based structure allows a wide range of flexibility over fiber parameters, mitigation of nonlinear effects, low-loss splice integration, reliable high-power pump guiding in turn, and an ease in overall thermal management at multi-kW output power levels. Together with direct diode-pumping configuration, TCF-based designs promise thermally and mechanically robust, compact, and highly efficient MOPA systems of a superior beam quality.
Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Colonic Metastases
Authors: Wiseman Daniel , Ferri Lorenzo , Lakatos Peter L. , Fiset Pierre-Olivier , Bessissow Talat
Published: February 2020

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is recognized as one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide. The disease's tendency to quickly metastasize precludes many patients from receiving curative therapy. The most common sites of distal metastases include the liver, lungs, bones, and brain. We report a case of ESCC metastasizing to the rectosigmoid region years after treatment with neoadjuvant chemoradiation and esophagectomy. To our knowledge, only a handful of cases of ESCC with colonic metastases have been previously documented.
Use of Open Access Publishing by Researchers an Analysis of Open Access Availability of Research Literature in the field of Digital Library
Authors: Nazim Mohammad , Zia Sana
Published: February 2020

This paper aims to examine the availability of Open Access (OA) research literature in the field of digital library. In order to analyse the availability of OA research literature in the field of digital library, a search was conducted on Web of Science’s Core collection database on June 11, 2019. In response to a topic search TS = “Digital Library” using the advanced search option, 849 articles were retrieved. Of the 849 articles examined, the details of 26 articles were not found in the Google Scholar. Therefore, 823 articles were selected for further analyses. After examining the Websites of OA articles, they were classified into three categories: gold OA, green OA, and both gold and green OA. Furthermore, all the green OA articles were systematically organised into six groups for the examination of the self-archiving venues used by the researchers for self-archiving. Out of 823 articles analysed, OA versions were found for 64.76 per cent of articles. This study found that 26.68 per cent of OA articles were available through gold OA and 60.39 per cent articles were available through green OA, while 36.53 per cent articles were accessible via both OA journals and self-archiving (gold & green OA). Although researchers used various OA platforms for self-archiving of their research work, publishers’ Websites were found as the most preferred choice for self-archiving of research work by the authors in the field of digital library. Computer Science discipline has the highest share of OA copies available through self-archiving. However, it is important to point out that more than 78 per cent of self-archived articles were found as the final publisher’s PDF versions of the article which publishers never allow for self-archiving.
Impoliteness in negative online consumer reviews: A cross-language and cross-sector comparison
Authors: Feng Wei , Ren Wei
Published: February 2020

This article presents a multifaceted comparative investigation into the linguistic impoliteness in the negative online consumer reviews on one of the world’s largest e-commerce tycoons and the flagship giant Amazon. The findings were derived from 600 items of online consumer reviews from two comparative perspectives: cross-language (English vs. Chinese) and cross-sector (daily necessities vs. luxury goods). Four impoliteness strategies were identified, calculated and illustrated based on the collected dataset, ranging from January 2016 to October 2018. Findings indicate that in terms of decreasing frequency, the impoliteness strategies reviews are positive impoliteness, implicated impoliteness, negative impoliteness and sarcasm in the negative online consumer reviews of both languages and both sectors. The results reveal that, regardless of sector and language differences, on-record impoliteness is much more frequent than off-record impoliteness in the genre of online consumer reviews. Despite of similarities, discrepancies were also found with regard to the employment of impoliteness strategies in online consumer reviews across languages and sectors. As a timely effort, the findings offer impoliteness-related insights and implications to both theorists and practitioners in the e-commerce industry.
The complex experience of psoriasis related skin pain: a qualitative study
Authors: Ljosaa Tone Marte , Bondevik H. , Halvorsen J.A. , Carr E. , Wahl A.K.
Published: February 2020

Background and aims

Psoriasis is a common chronic skin condition, causing skin lesions with thickened and scaling skin, as well as erythema and inflammation that may involve painful sores, cracks, and pustules. Previously psoriasis was regarded as a painless skin condition. However, over the past decade studies show that skin pain is a frequently reported and bothersome symptom in patients with psoriasis. There is however a lack of rich narratives describing the experience of skin pain in these patients. The aims of this qualitative study were therefore to explore in depth how patients experience psoriasis-related skin pain, and how they deal with it.

Methods

Thirteen patients with psoriasis were recruited from a dermatology ward and outpatient clinic. One of the investigators (TML) performed individual, semi-structured interviews at an undisturbed room in the hospital. Interviews were thematically analyzed using the method of Systematic Text Condensation as described by Malterud (2012).

Results

Three main themes were identified from the interviews. First, the skin pain experience was complex. Patients used a variety of adjectives and metaphors to describe their pain, and their skin was sensitive to stimuli of every-day activities. Itch was a common cosymptom, and could both mask pain but also cause severe pain due to excessive scratching and damage to the skin. Second, skin pain had a negative impact on patients’ life. Skin pain reduced their physical activity level, impaired their sleep, and made them irritable, depressed, unconcentrated on tasks, as well as withdrawn from other people and social activities. Third, patients dealt with their skin pain in various ways. Although some took action to relieve the pain and distract themselves from pain, most of the patients applied maladaptive and passive coping strategies such as put up with it, avoid painful activities, become fearful or trivialize their pain.

Conclusions

The experience of psoriasis related skin pain is complex. The pain has a major negative impact on patients’ life in terms of physical, emotional, cognitive, and social functions. Patients use a variety of adaptive but most frequently maladaptive coping strategies in order to deal with their skin pain.

Implications

This study provides new and in-depth knowledge on psoriasis related skin pain. This information is valuable for further work on pain assessment tools and pain management recommendations customized for skin pain experienced by patients with psoriasis.
El fin del estado de bienestar social: las políticas públicas en el estado necroneoliberal
Authors: Padilla Sanabria Lizbeth Xóchitl
Published: February 2020

La administración pública y la inserción de políticas públicas no funcionan de igual manera en todos los grupos sociales ni en todas la épocas; la llamada “paz social” depende de la eficacia y eficiencia que el control social logre con la aplicabilidad de ambas.De lo anterior se puede deducir que la administración pública clasifica las prioridades funcionales del sistema, las cuales se materializan en políticas públicas.De ahí que siendo el sistema económico el dominante, las políticas públicas y la administración pública, tanto en el ámbito local como en el internacional, se dirigirán a la protección del primero.En efecto, si los sujetos sociales son el elemento dominante que produce capital a través de su trabajo, entonces la administración pública y las políticas públicas estarán dirigidas hacia su protección; en cambio, si el factor básico de acumulación de capital es la especulación o la desregulación económica a través de la competencia de libre mercado, el recorte al gasto público, la desestatización, así como la inversión extranjera directa, cierto es que nuestros objetos de estudio estarán dirigidos a la protección de la dinámica económica neoliberal.El problema básico consiste en el papel que juegan los sujetos sociales y en sus alcances de supervivencia en una administración pública con políticas direccionadas a resguardar el capital global.A mayor abundamiento, resulta interesante realizar la comparativa de la direccionalidad de las políticas públicas en el Estado de Bienestar Social con las del Estado Neoliberal; que de acuerdo con este análisis, es factible que podamos vislumbrar la funcionalidad-finalidad del papel que juegan la violencia y la muerte en la Administración de los Estados que actualmente sufren la imposición de la dinámica económica neoliberal.En ese sentido, y con base en la metodología de Achillí Mbembe y Michel Foucault, intentaremos construir, describir, así como revelar la funcionalidad-finalidad en las actuales administraciones neoliberales y en sus políticas públicas al que llamamos “El Estado Necroneoliberal”.
Candidaturas independientes. ¿Solución a la crisis de representación política?
Authors: Santiago Castillo Javier , Larrosa Haro Manuel
Published: February 2020

El concepto de candidatura en los sistemas electorales democráticos está íntimamente relacionado con el derecho a ocupar un cargo de elección popular mediante el derecho al voto de los ciudadanos. Ahora bien, un candidato independiente es aquella persona sin militancia en un partido político, aunque pudiera ser simpatizante y que cumple con los requisitos de elegibilidad y tiene el respaldado de un determinado número de ciudadanos. A partir de la Reforma constitucional de 2012, se consagró el derecho de los ciudadanos para ser candidatos por la vía independiente. En 2014, las candidaturas independientes fueron incorporadas formalmente al Sistema Electoral Federal Mexicano. Los problemas que surgen a partir de la nueva figura electoral para la participación en los comicios han sido revisados en diversos textos académicos. Sin embargo, poco se ha discutido sobre el problema fundamental a dilucidar en una época de crisis institucional generalizada de la figura partido político, al respecto nos preguntamos: ¿Las candidaturas independientes resuelven la crisis de representación política en el sistema político mexicano?
Presentación
Authors: Kala Julio César
Published: February 2020

Presentación del número
Justicia restaurativa: una mirada a las necesidades de la víctima, la parte ofensora y la comunidad
Authors: González Torres Mónica
Published: February 2020

La justicia restaurativa se centra más en la reparación y menos en el castigo, es una relectura en el tratamiento del delito, en el que éste se convierte en un conflicto, otorgándole a la víctima, la parte infractora y la comunidad de apoyo el protagonismo en la solución del conflicto. Mientras la víctima reivindica su papel dentro de la comunidad, la parte ofensora comprende las secuelas de su acción, asume su responsabilidad en la comisión del delito y se compromete a reparar los daños. Se trata de una justicia que abona a la pacificación social y propicia la recomposición del tejido social, en virtud de que todos estamos interconectados.
Círculo familiar. Figura jurídica laboral que posibilita el trabajo infantil
Authors: Sánchez Tejeda Juan Pablo
Published: February 2020

En México está prohibido que las personas menores de quince años trabajen; sin embargo, en la Ley Federal del Trabajo se contempla una figura jurídica que se denomina círculo familiar, con la que se permite que niñas y niños realicen actividades de trabajo, pero sin que se les considere propiamente como trabajadores. Esto provoca la posibilidad de que se genere lo que jurídicamente se considera como trabajo infantil, el cual también está prohibido.
La violencia de género como causa de algunos fenómenos migratorios en Europa
Authors: Beleggia Lavinia
Published: February 2020

El estudio de la identidad y el rol de género que ha interesado el análisis crítico de los autores internacionales autorizados del siglo pasado (De Beauvoir, Friedan, Witting, Irigaray, Kristeva, Millett, Foucault, Pitch, Butler, MacKinnon, Fineman, Nussbaum) es punto de apoyo conceptual para entender cómo, incluso hoy, el problema de la desigualdad de género es predominante en la esfera pública y privada. Con un enfoque socio-antropológico y jurídico, se vuelven evidentes los legados históricos de un "modus operandi" discriminatorio y violento de dominación del sujeto femenino, que se ve obligado a emigrar por una vana esperanza de salvación y disfrute de sus derechos.
Dopamine Receptor Dop1R2 Stabilizes Appetitive Olfactory Memory through the Raf/MAPK Pathway inDrosophila
Authors: Sun Huan , Nishioka Tomoki , Hiramatsu Shun , Kondo Shu , Amano Mutsuki , Kaibuchi Kozo , Ichinose Toshiharu , Tanimoto Hiromu
Published: February 2020

InDrosophila, dopamine signaling to the mushroom body intrinsic neurons, Kenyon cells (KCs), is critical to stabilize olfactory memory. Little is known about the downstream intracellular molecular signaling underlying memory stabilization. Here we address this question in the context of sugar-rewarded olfactory long-term memory (LTM). We show that associative training increases the phosphorylation of MAPK in KCs, via Dop1R2 signaling. Consistently, the attenuation ofDop1R2,Raf, orMAPKexpression in KCs selectively impairs LTM, but not short-term memory. Moreover, we show that the LTM deficit caused by the knockdown ofDop1R2can be rescued by expressing active Raf in KCs. Thus, the Dop1R2/Raf/MAPK pathway is a pivotal downstream effector of dopamine signaling for stabilizing appetitive olfactory memory.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTDopaminergic input to the Kenyon cells (KCs) is pivotal to stabilize memory inDrosophila. This process is mediated by dopamine receptors like Dop1R2. Nevertheless, little is known for its underlying molecular mechanism. Here we show that the Raf/MAPK pathway is specifically engaged in appetitive long-term memory in KCs. With combined biochemical and behavioral experiments, we reveal that activation of the Raf/MAPK pathway is regulated through Dop1R2, shedding light on how dopamine modulates intracellular signaling for memory stabilization.
The Relationship Between Glutamate Dynamics and Activity-Dependent Synaptic Plasticity
Authors: Barnes Jocelyn R. , Mukherjee Bandhan , Rogers Ben C. , Nafar Firoozeh , Gosse Madeline , Parsons Matthew P.
Published: February 2020

The spatiotemporal dynamics of excitatory neurotransmission must be tightly regulated to achieve efficient synaptic communication. By limiting spillover, glutamate transporters are believed to prevent excessive activation of extrasynaptically located receptors that can impair synaptic plasticity. While glutamate transporter expression is reduced in numerous neurodegenerative diseases, the contributions of transporter dysfunction to disease pathophysiology remain ambiguous as the fundamental relationship between glutamate dynamics and plasticity, and the mechanisms linking these two phenomena, remain poorly understood. Here, we combined electrophysiology and real-time high-speed imaging of extracellular glutamate transients during LTP induction and characterized the sensitivity of the relationship between glutamate dynamics during theta burst stimulation (TBS) and the resulting magnitude of LTP consolidation, both in control conditions and following selective and nonselective glutamate transporter blockade. Glutamate clearance times were negatively correlated with LTP magnitude following nonselective glutamate transporter inhibition but not following selective blockade of a majority of GLT-1, the brain's most abundant glutamate transporter. Although glutamate transporter inhibition reduced the postsynaptic population response to TBS, calcium responses to TBS were greatly exaggerated. The source of excess calcium was dependent on NMDARs, L-type VGCCs, GluA2-lacking AMPARs, and internal calcium stores. Surprisingly, inhibition of L-type VGCCs, but not GluA2-lacking AMPARs or ryanodine receptors, was required to restore robust LTP. In all, these data provide a detailed understanding of the relationship between glutamate dynamics and plasticity and uncover important mechanisms by which poor glutamate uptake can negatively impact LTP consolidation.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTSpecific patterns of neural activity can promote long-term changes in the strength of synaptic connections through a phenomenon known as synaptic plasticity. Synaptic plasticity is well accepted to represent the cellular mechanisms underlying learning and memory, and many forms of plasticity are initiated by the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. While essential for rapid cellular communication in the brain, excessive levels of extracellular glutamate can negatively impact brain function. In this study, we demonstrate that pharmacological manipulations that increase the availability of extracellular glutamate during neural activity can have profoundly negative consequences on synaptic plasticity. We identify mechanisms through which excess glutamate can negatively influence synaptic plasticity, and we discuss the relevance of these findings to neurodegenerative diseases and in the aging brain.