bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Water Physiological Integration and its Ecological Significance for Populus euphratica Young Ramets in an Extremely Drought Environment
Authors: Zhu C. G. , Li W. H. , Chen Y. N. , Chen Y. P.
Published: May 2018

Water physiological integration plays an important role and has profound effects on the population renewal and expansion of clonal plants. This work discussed the spatial distribution architecture, water sources, water physiological integration, and the ecological significance of Populus euphratica young ramets in an extremely drought environment based on field investigation, stable isotope technology, and eco‐physiological experiments. The spatial distribution architecture of P. euphratica young ramets assumes a guerrilla growth form that is adapted to significant heterogeneity and patches of habitat resources. There is obvious water integration that is characterized by an acropetally flow. The water integration process and daily flow showed the bimodal pattern following the physiological rhythm of parent trees and declined with increasing length of spacers connecting parent trees and their young daughter ramets. The young daughter ramets of P. euphratica can use the deeper soil water in a similar manner to the parent trees and obtain an average daily water acquisition of about 1.09 kg by water integration when the spacer length is about 2–3 m. It is about 5 times as much water as seedlings sucking by themselves. This lets young ramets maintain higher leaf water content and midday leaf water potential of 10.27% and 29.73%, respectively, than seedlings in same habitats. Therefore, P. euphratica young ramets can benefit from a higher survival advantage in extreme drought habitats compared to seedlings. This facilitates the establishment and growth of young ramets in those adverse habitats where P. euphratica seedlings are less likely to survive.
Viewpoint and practical recommendations from a movement disorder specialist panel on objective measurement in the clinical management of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Odin Per , Chaudhuri K. Ray , Volkmann Jens , Antonini Angelo , Storch Alexander , Dietrichs Espen , Pirtošek Zvezdan , Henriksen Tove , Horne Malcolm , Devos David , Bergquist Filip
Published: May 2018

Motor aspects of Parkinson’s disease, such as fluctuations and dyskinesia, can be reliably evaluated using a variety of “wearable” technologies, but practical guidance on objective measurement (OM) and the optimum use of these devices is lacking. Therefore, as a first step, a panel of movement disorder specialists met to provide guidance on how OM could be assessed and incorporated into clinical guidelines. A key aspect of the incorporation of OM into the management of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is defining cutoff values that separate “controlled” from “uncontrolled” symptoms that can be modified by therapy and that relate to an outcome that is relevant to the person with PD (such as quality of life). Defining cutoffs by consensus, which can be subsequently tested and refined, is the first step to optimizing OM in the management of PD. OM should be used by all clinicians that treat people with PD but the least experienced may find the most value, but this requires guidance from experts to allow non-experts to apply guidelines. While evidence is gained for devices that produce OM, expert opinion is needed to supplement the evidence base.
Automated optimization of large quantum circuits with continuous parameters
Authors: Nam Yunseong , Ross Neil J. , Su Yuan , Childs Andrew M. , Maslov Dmitri
Published: May 2018

We develop and implement automated methods for optimizing quantum circuits of the size and type expected in quantum computations that outperform classical computers. We show how to handle continuous gate parameters and report a collection of fast algorithms capable of optimizing large-scale quantum circuits. For the suite of benchmarks considered, we obtain substantial reductions in gate counts. In particular, we provide better optimization in significantly less time than previous approaches, while making minimal structural changes so as to preserve the basic layout of the underlying quantum algorithms. Our results help bridge the gap between the computations that can be run on existing hardware and those that are expected to outperform classical computers.
Publisher Correction: Full-Wave Electromagnetic Optimisation of Corrugated Metallic Reflectors Using a Multigrid Approach
Authors: Karaova Gökhan , Altınoklu Aşkın , Ergül Özgür
Published: May 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Pb(II) Induces Scramblase Activation and Ceramide-Domain Generation in Red Blood Cells
Authors: Ahyayauch Hasna , García-Arribas Aritz B. , Sot Jesús , González-Ramírez Emilio J. , Busto Jon V. , Monasterio Bingen G. , Jiménez-Rojo Noemi , Contreras F. Xabier , Rendón-Ramírez Adela , Martin Cesar , Alonso Alicia , Goñi Félix M.
Published: May 2018

The mechanisms of Pb(II) toxicity have been studied in human red blood cells using confocal microscopy, immunolabeling, fluorescence-activated cell sorting and atomic force microscopy. The process follows a sequence of events, starting with calcium entry, followed by potassium release, morphological change, generation of ceramide, lipid flip-flop and finally cell lysis. Clotrimazole blocks potassium channels and the whole process is inhibited. Immunolabeling reveals the generation of ceramide-enriched domains linked to a cell morphological change, while the use of a neutral sphingomyelinase inhibitor greatly delays the process after the morphological change, and lipid flip-flop is significantly reduced. These facts point to three major checkpoints in the process: first the upstream exchange of calcium and potassium, then ceramide domain formation, and finally the downstream scramblase activation necessary for cell lysis. In addition, partial non-cytotoxic cholesterol depletion of red blood cells accelerates the process as the morphological change occurs faster. Cholesterol could have a role in modulating the properties of the ceramide-enriched domains. This work is relevant in the context of cell death, heavy metal toxicity and sphingolipid signaling.
Scalable and accurate deep learning with electronic health records
Authors: Rajkomar Alvin , Oren Eyal , Chen Kai , Dai Andrew M. , Hajaj Nissan , Hardt Michaela , Liu Peter J. , Liu Xiaobing , Marcus Jake , Sun Mimi , Sundberg Patrik , Yee Hector , Zhang Kun , Zhang Yi , Flores Gerardo , Duggan Gavin E. , Irvine Jamie , Le Quoc , Litsch Kurt , Mossin Alexander , Tansuwan Justin , Wang De , Wexler James , Wilson Jimbo , Ludwig Dana , Volchenboum Samuel L. , Chou Katherine , Pearson Michael , Madabushi Srinivasan , Shah Nigam H. , Butte Atul J. , Howell Michael D. , Cui Claire , Corrado Greg S. , Dean Jeffrey
Published: May 2018

Predictive modeling with electronic health record (EHR) data is anticipated to drive personalized medicine and improve healthcare quality. Constructing predictive statistical models typically requires extraction of curated predictor variables from normalized EHR data, a labor-intensive process that discards the vast majority of information in each patient’s record. We propose a representation of patients’ entire raw EHR records based on the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) format. We demonstrate that deep learning methods using this representation are capable of accurately predicting multiple medical events from multiple centers without site-specific data harmonization. We validated our approach using de-identified EHR data from two US academic medical centers with 216,221 adult patients hospitalized for at least 24 h. In the sequential format we propose, this volume of EHR data unrolled into a total of 46,864,534,945 data points, including clinical notes. Deep learning models achieved high accuracy for tasks such as predicting: in-hospital mortality (area under the receiver operator curve [AUROC] across sites 0.93–0.94), 30-day unplanned readmission (AUROC 0.75–0.76), prolonged length of stay (AUROC 0.85–0.86), and all of a patient’s final discharge diagnoses (frequency-weighted AUROC 0.90). These models outperformed traditional, clinically-used predictive models in all cases. We believe that this approach can be used to create accurate and scalable predictions for a variety of clinical scenarios. In a case study of a particular prediction, we demonstrate that neural networks can be used to identify relevant information from the patient’s chart.
The geometry of periodic knots, polycatenanes and weaving from a chemical perspective: a library for reticular chemistry
Authors: Liu Yuzhong , O'Keeffe Michael , Treacy Michael M. J. , Yaghi Omar M.
Published: May 2018

The geometry of the most regular polycatenanes and weavings, as an extended family of discrete knots and catenanes, is described in terms of sticks and corners in their optimal embeddings.
In situ growth of graphdiyne on arbitrary substrates with a controlled-release method
Authors: Zhao Fuhua , Wang Ning , Zhang Mingjia , Sápi András , Yu Jiaojiao , Li Xiaodong , Cui Weiwei , Yang Ze , Huang Changshui
Published: May 2018

GDY is in situ synthesized on arbitrary substrates catalyzed by Cu2+-ions escaping from the PVP/Cu(OAc)2 film on the surface of substrates.
The future of solar fuels: when could they become competitive?
Authors: Detz R. J. , Reek J. N. H. , van der Zwaan B. C. C.
Published: May 2018

We analyze cost developments for technologies required to produce renewable fuels by applying learning curves.
Diffusiophoretic exclusion of colloidal particles for continuous water purification
Authors: Lee Hyomin , Kim Junsuk , Yang Jina , Seo Sang Woo , Kim Sung Jae
Published: May 2018

A micro/nanofluidic device for continuous water purification utilizing long-range diffusiophoretic migration around ion exchangeable surfaces.
Computational modeling and fluorescence microscopy characterization of a two-phase magnetophoretic microsystem for continuous-flow blood detoxification
Authors: Gómez-Pastora Jenifer , González-Fernández Cristina , Real Eusebio , Iles Alexander , Bringas Eugenio , Furlani Edward P. , Ortiz Inmaculada
Published: May 2018

A magnetophoretic microsystem is modeled for continuous blood detoxification, taking into account particle separation and biofluid degradation, including experimental validation.
A gold–chitosan composite with low symmetry zinc phthalocyanine for enhanced singlet oxygen generation and improved photodynamic therapy activity
Authors: Dube Edith , Oluwole David O. , Prinsloo Earl , Nyokong Tebello
Published: May 2018

A gold–chitosan composite with low symmetry zinc phthalocyanine showed no dark cytotoxicity activity and improved photodynamic therapy compared to that of the phthalocyanine alone.
Electronic structure manipulation of graphene dots for effective hydrogen evolution from photocatalytic water decomposition
Authors: Nguyen Ba-Son , Xiao Yuan-Kai , Shih Chun-Yan , Nguyen Van-Can , Chou Wei-Yang , Teng Hsisheng
Published: May 2018

Sulfur–nitrogen-codoping introduces quaternary-N to graphene-oxide dots to facilitate π-conjugation and charge separation, engendering high activity in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.
Bioconcentration of organic dyes via fungal hyphae and their derived carbon fibers for supercapacitors
Authors: Lei Jia , Guo Qi , Yao Weitang , Duan Tao , Chen Ping , Zhu Wenkun
Published: May 2018

We demonstrated a novel strategy to fabricate HDC fiber materials by bioconcentration of different toxic organic dyes via fungal hyphae.
Cubic mesoporous Pd–WO3 loaded graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) nanohybrids: highly sensitive and temperature dependent VOC sensors
Authors: Malik Ritu , Tomer Vijay K. , Dankwort Torben , Mishra Yogendra Kumar , Kienle Lorenz
Published: May 2018

The Pd–WO3/m-CN sensor, exhibits enhanced response/recovery times to 25 ppm VOCs and formaldehyde under fluctuating humidity conditions.
Sprinkling MnFe2O4quantum dots on nitrogen-doped graphene sheets: the formation mechanism and application for high-performance supercapacitor electrodes
Authors: Su Lijun , Lei Shulai , Liu Li , Liu Lingyang , Zhang Yuefei , Shi Siqi , Yan Xingbin
Published: May 2018

Ultra-small QDs are uniformly anchored on NG surfaces formed MnFe2O4QDs@NG. The pitaya slices-like condensed electrode with high mass loading exhibits high areal and volumetric capacitance.
Rational design of a synthetic strategy, carburizing approach and pore-forming pattern to unlock the cycle reversibility and rate capability of micro-agglomerated LiMn0.8Fe0.2PO4 cathode materials
Authors: Wang Yan , Wu Cheng-Yu , Yang Hao , Duh Jenq-Gong
Published: May 2018

A uniform 3D interconnected conductive carbon network modified LiMn0.8Fe0.2PO4 micro agglomerate was synthesized via three-step solid-state method combined with three-step carburizing and two-step pore-forming.
Scalable fabrication of free-standing, stretchable CNT/TPE ultrathin composite films for skin adhesive epidermal electronics
Authors: Liang Yun , Xiao Peng , Wang Shuai , Shi Jiangwei , He Jiang , Zhang Jiawei , Huang Youju , Chen Tao
Published: May 2018

Wearable electronics have drawn extensive interest on account of their potential applications in smart human–machine interfaces, wearable human-health monitors and mimicking biological organs.
Evolutionary structure prediction of two-dimensional IrB14: a promising gas sensor material
Authors: Yu Jun , Khazaei Mohammad , Umezawa Naoto , Wang Junjie
Published: May 2018

Two-dimensional (2D) boron structures, in which boron atoms arrange in a 2D manner, have attracted great attention for their potential applications in nanoelectronic devices.
The Receptive–Expressive Gap in English Narratives of Spanish–English Bilingual Children With and Without Language Impairment
Authors: Gibson Todd A. , Peña Elizabeth D. , Bedore Lisa M.
Published: May 2018

Purpose

First, we sought to extend our knowledge of second language (L2) receptive compared to expressive narrative skills in bilingual children with and without primary language impairment (PLI). Second, we sought to explore whether narrative receptive and expressive performance in bilingual children's L2 differed based on the type of contextual support.

Method

In a longitudinal group study, 20 Spanish–English bilingual children with PLI were matched by sex, age, nonverbal IQ score, and language exposure to 20 bilingual peers with typical development and administered the Test of Narrative Language (Gillam & Pearson, 2004) in English (their L2) at kindergarten and first grade.

Results

Standard scores were significantly lower for bilingual children with PLI than those without PLI. An L2 receptive–expressive gap existed for bilingual children with PLI at kindergarten but dissipated by first grade. Using single pictures during narrative generation compared to multiple pictures during narrative generation or no pictures during narrative retell appeared to minimize the presence of a receptive–expressive gap.

Conclusions

In early stages of L2 learning, bilingual children with PLI have an L2 receptive–expressive gap, but their typical development peers do not. Using a single picture during narrative generation might be advantageous for this population because it minimizes a receptive–expressive gap.
Prosodic Boundary Effects on Syntactic Disambiguation in Children With Cochlear Implants
Authors: Fortunato-Tavares Talita , Schwartz Richard G. , Marton Klara , de Andrade Claudia F. , Houston Derek
Published: May 2018

Purpose

This study investigated prosodic boundary effects on the comprehension of attachment ambiguities in children with cochlear implants (CIs) and normal hearing (NH) and tested the absolute boundary hypothesis and the relative boundary hypothesis. Processing speed was also investigated.

Method

Fifteen children with NH and 13 children with CIs (ages 8–12 years) who are monolingual speakers of Brazilian Portuguese participated in a computerized comprehension task with sentences containing prepositional phrase attachment ambiguity and manipulations of prosodic boundaries.

Results

Children with NH and children with CIs differed in how they used prosodic forms to disambiguate sentences. Children in both groups provided responses consistent with half of the predictions of the relative boundary hypothesis. The absolute boundary hypothesis did not characterize the syntactic disambiguation of children with CIs. Processing speed was similar in both groups.

Conclusions

Children with CIs do not use prosodic information to disambiguate sentences or to facilitate comprehension of unambiguous sentences similarly to children with NH. The results suggest that cross-linguistic differences may interact with syntactic disambiguation. Prosodic contrasts that affect sentence comprehension need to be addressed directly in intervention with children with CIs.
Statistical evaluation of corner detectors: does the statistical test have an effect?
Authors: Anjum Fatima , Kanwal Nadia , Clark Adrian F. , Bostanci Erkan
Published: May 2018

This study explores the use of several non‐parametric statistical tests for evaluating the performances of computer vision algorithms, specifically corner detectors, as a more reliable alternative to the graphical approaches that have been commonly employed to date. Using synthetic images carrying corners of different internal angles and orientations and a carefully designed testing framework, a ranking of the performances of corner detectors was established. It was found that Harris & Stephens and SUSAN out‐performed more modern detectors. These are one of the few examples where evaluation of vision operators independent of the application has predicted performance in a real‐world problem. A similar exercise on real images of the same patterns produced similar results and the findings of a real‐world application that uses corners to identify signage were also consistent. Together, all of the tests considered essentially perform pairwise comparisons of performance, so when many algorithms are involved it is important to take account of the potential for type I statistical errors. Several approaches were evaluated and none were found to affect the conclusions.
Non‐contact voltage measurement of three‐phase overhead transmission line based on electric field inverse calculation
Authors: Xiao Dongping , Xie Yutong , Ma Qichao , Zheng Qi , Zhang Zhanlong
Published: May 2018

With the development of smart grid, the demand for voltage measurement along the overhead transmission lines is increasing. However, the installation of voltage transformers in the existing lines entails numerous difficulties. This study proposes a new non‐contact measurement method by inversely calculating the voltages on AC overhead transmission lines based on the power‐frequency electric field measurement data. To improve the calculation accuracy, the 3D model of transmission lines is built, and the relations between the 3D electric fields and voltages are presented. An improved algorithm that intermingles with the particle swarm algorithm and genetic algorithm is developed to ascertain optimal inverse solutions, meanwhile to improve the convergence speed and calculation stability. To further reduce the computational complexity, the constraint relations between the voltages and electric fields are derived, thereby the simplification from three decision variables to one is achieved. Then, some simulation cases with different measurement errors and voltage running states are conducted to show the good robustness and high accuracy of the proposed inversion method. Finally, a three‐phase experimental system is built and the actual measured data are used to inversely calculate, which verifies the practicability of the proposed non‐contact voltage measurement method.
Study on plasma‐photonic‐crystal‐like beam–plasma system
Authors: Zhou Qing , Yang Shengpeng , Tang Changjian , Wei Yanyu , Duan Zhaoyun , Gong Yubin
Published: May 2018

In this study, the plasma‐photonic‐crystal‐like beam–plasma system has been proposed. Two types of plasma‐photonic‐crystal‐like beam–plasma systems, namely plasma‐vacuum‐plasma‐vacuum‐plasma (PVPVP) beam–plasma system and plasma‐vacuum‐plasma (PVP) beam–plasma system, have been simulated using the particle‐in‐cell method. The simulation results show that the beam electrons can be focused without an external magnetic field, and the electromagnetic (EM) radiation can be observed. For the PVPVP beam–plasma system, the EM radiation frequency is 0.9035 THz, and the electron efficiency that the beam electrons give out their energy to the EM wave is 3.06%. For the PVP beam–plasma system, the EM radiation frequency is also 0.9035 THz, but the electron efficiency can be up to 10.5%. This work can contribute to the engineering practice of the beam–plasma system.
Second cancers after radiotherapy: update and recommandations
Authors: Cosset J.-M. , Hetnal M. , Chargari C.
Published: May 2018

While radio-induced cancers are well known since the first years of the xxth century, they did not represent a major concern for radiation oncologists for many decades. With better and better results of modern radiotherapy and prolonged follow-up of patients, secondary radio-induced cancers should now be systematically taken into account when irradiating patients. The analysis of the available literature allows to stress a few main points; (1) cancer patients are at a higher risk for developing secondary cancers than the general population, radiotherapy being only responsible for a (small) proportion of those second malignancies; (2) the clinical data emphasize the role of age, with children being much more susceptible to the carcinogenic effect of ionizing radiation than adults; (3) most radio-induced cancers occur in or close to the high-dose treatment volume; (4) the relative risk of radio-induced cancer appears to be different for different organs; (5) the relative risks of radio-induced cancers tend to be lower in the medical cohort studies than in the Japanese A-Bomb survivor studies; (6) several cofactors (genetic, lifestyle…) account for the risk of secondary and radiation-induced cancer. The exact shape of the dose/effect (carcinogenesis) curve is still debated, particularly for the high doses of radiotherapy, with a direct impact on risk calculations, which can be very different if using different radiobiological models. In spite of some uncertainties, a few main recommendations could be proposed to reduce as much as possible the risk of radio-induced cancer after radiotherapy: (1) adapting the irradiation technique; (2) reducing the target volumes; (3) adapting to patient’s age; (4) adapting to specific organs; (5) and optimizing the imaging dose. In conclusion, even if radio-induced cancers are rare, they must be kept in mind each time a radiotherapy is proposed in 2018.
Herzinsuffizienz bei niedrigem BNP-Wert: Paradoxon oder Wegweiser?
Authors: Dopp Henning , Maagh Petra , Meissner Axel
Published: May 2018

Anamnese und klinischer Befund Wir berichten über einen 48-jährigen Patienten indischer Abstammung, der sich mit Luftnot, Beinödemen und Aszitesbildung in unserer Notaufnahme vorstellte.

Im Vorjahr war die Diagnose einer tuberkulösen Pleuritis bioptisch gesichert und leitliniengerecht behandelt worden.

Untersuchungen In der Computertomografie des Herzens zeigte sich eine Perikardverdickung mit punktuellen Verkalkungen. Die Echokardiografie und invasive Druckmessung lieferten keine eindeutigen Befunde in Bezug auf eine Pericarditis constrictiva. Eine koronare Makroangiopathie konnte ausgeschlossen werden. Laborchemisch fiel, trotz schwerer kardialer Dekompensation, ein niedriger BNP-Wert auf.

Diagnose Vor dem Hintergrund des wegweisenden niedrigen BNP-Wertes stellten wir die Verdachtsdiagnose einer Pericarditis constrictiva.

Therapie und Verlauf Nach intraoperativer Diagnosesicherung durch unsere kardiochirurgischen Kollegen erfolgte eine komplette Perikardektomie. Postoperativ stellte sich der Patient beschwerdefrei und mit normaler Belastbarkeit zur Nachuntersuchung vor.

Folgerung Im Fall von inkongruenten Befunden kann ein niedriger BNP-Wert ein zusätzliches hilfreiches Kriterium zur Diagnosestellung der Pericarditis constrictiva darstellen.
Structural and Functional Changes in Maternal Heart during Pregnancy: An Echocardiographic Study
Authors: Kasula Sunanda , Beeram Sumalatha , Janapati Ramakrishna , Garre Indrani
Published: May 2018

Background Pregnancy is associated with profound physiologic alterations in the maternal cardiovascular system. This study aimed to investigate maternal cardiac performance during normal pregnancy by two-dimensional echocardiography parameters and various functional and structural alterations.

Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 100 normal pregnant women who attended the antenatal clinic, and all participants had clinical history, physical examination, and 12-lead electrocardiogram. Two-dimensional, M-mode, and Doppler echocardiography was done. Echocardiographic parameters were compared with normal age-matched controls from previously published studies.

Results The mean age of the study group was 23.35 ± 3.05 years, mean systolic blood pressure was 110.5 ± 8.69 mm Hg, and mean diastolic blood pressure was 71.6 ± 6.77 mm Hg. There was an increase in left atrial (LA) diameter, left ventricular end diastolic diameter, and interventricular septum (IVS) thickness as gestational age advanced. There was a gradual decrease in E-wave velocity, and E/A ratio increased during the second trimester and decreased during the third trimester. The E-wave deceleration time increased with gestational age There was no statistically significant difference between IVS thickness and E/A ratio (p = 1.000).

Conclusion Cardiac chamber dimensions, LV wall thickness, and LA size, most indices of systolic function although within normal range, were significantly higher in pregnant Asian Indian women than in the controls. This study shows that the subtle reduction in myocardial compliance appears as an adaptive response to changes of preload, afterload, and LV geometry.
Coronal Knee Malalignment in Young Adults and Its Link to Body Measures
Authors: Hershkovich Oded , Thein Ran , Gordon Barak , Burstein Gideon , Tenenbaum Shay , Derazne Estela , Tzur Dorit , Afek Arnon
Published: May 2018

Our aim was to report the prevalence of knee varus-valgus malalignment (KVVM) and its association with body mass index (BMI) and body height in a healthy and fit young adult population. Information on the disability codes associated with KVVM according to the Regulations of Medical Fitness Determination was retrieved from a medical database containing records of 17-year-old males and females before their recruitment into mandatory military service. Logistic regression models assessed the association between the BMI and body height to KVVM. The study cohort included 821,381 subjects (460,674 males and 360,707 females). The prevalence of KVVM was 0.9% in males and 0.6% for females. Under/overweight subjects were associated with higher prevalence of KVVM. The odds ratios (ORs) had a “J” curve pattern, increasing for underweight males and females, and even more so for above-normal BMIs (for obese males and for both overweight and obese females). The strongest association was between obese females and KVVM: an obese female had an OR of 22.864 (confidence interval [CI] = 20.683–25.725, p < 0.001) to have KVVM and an obese male had an OR of 4.483 (CI = 4.158–4.833 p < 0.001). When the BMI was analyzed as a continuous variable, each increase in one BMI unit was associated with an increase in OR of 7.6% for males and 24.1% for females. There is a strong association between BMI and KVVM in both underweight and overweight young adults. KVVM is more common in males, but most strongly associated with overweight and obese females.This is a Level III, case–control study.
Arzneimittel zur Gewichtsreduktion
Authors: Engeli S.
Published: May 2018

Der Einsatz von Arzneimitteln zur Gewichtsreduktion wird in den Leitlinien der Deutschen Adipositas-Gesellschaft klar geregelt. Als adjuvante Therapie zusätzlich zu Interventionen bei Ernährung, Bewegung und Verhalten können sichere und wirksame Arzneimittel zur Gewichtsreduktion zur Anwendung kommen. Der Artikel fasst die Indikationsstellung zusammen und zeigt die derzeitige Situation in Deutschland auf, wo aktuell drei Arzneimittel(kombinationen) die geforderten Kriterien von Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit erfüllen (Orlistat, Liraglutid, Naltrexon+Bupropion). Weitere, nur in den USA zugelassene Arzneimittel werden beschrieben (Lorcaserin, Phentermin+Topiramat). Zuletzt wird die derzeitige Erstattungssituation in Deutschland im Bereich der gesetzlichen Krankenkassen dargestellt.
Nahrungsergänzungsmittel: Bedeutung in der ärztlichen Praxis
Authors: Bakhiya Nadiya , Richter Klaus , Ziegenhagen Rainer , Hirsch-Ernst Karen , Lampen Alfonso
Published: May 2018

Food supplements in Europe are subject to food safety legislation. They should not be confused with pharmaceuticals. Rather, they are foods, whose purpose is to supplement the normal diet, and represent concentrated sources of nutrients (i. e. vitamins and minerals, including trace elements) or other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect. Nevertheless, it should be kept in mind that consumers may in some cases use food supplements for the purpose of self-medication. In the context of anamnesis, physicians should specifically question their patients about the use of food supplements. This can be of significant relevance for evaluation of possible undesirable or adverse effects, influences on laboratory parameters, or interactions with pharmaceuticals, which may be due to consumption of certain products that are marketed as food supplements. Furthermore, education of patients with respect to the possible benefits and risks related to the use of vitamins, minerals and other constituents of food supplements should be intensified.
Der Gendergap in der medizinischen Spitzenforschung
Authors: Bendels Michael , Wanke Eileen , Benik Steffen , Schehadat Marc , Schöffel Norman , Bauer Jan , Gerber Alexander , Brüggmann Dörthe , Oremek Gerhard , Groneberg David
Published: May 2018

Hintergrund Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die Integration weiblicher Akademiker anhand ihrer Repräsentation in wissenschaftlichen Autorenschaften im Bereich der medizinischen Spitzenforschung für die Jahre 2008 bis September 2017 zu objektivieren.

Methode Insgesamt wurden 133 893 Autorenschaften aus 7 der einflussreichsten medizinischen Fachjournale analysiert. Kernmethodik war die kombinierte Analyse der relativen Häufigkeiten, Odds Ratios und Zitationen weiblicher Autorenschaften. Der Prestige-Index misst die Verteilung prestigeträchtiger Autorenschaften zwischen beiden Geschlechtern.

Ergebnisse 35,0 % aller Autorenschaften und 34,3 % der Erst-, 36,1 % der Co- und 24,2 % der Letzt-Autorenschaften werden von Frauen gehalten. Frauen besitzen bezogen auf Männer eine Odds Ratio von 0,97 (KI: 0,93 – 1,01) für Erst-, 1,36 (KI: 1,32 – 1,40) für Co- und 0,57 (KI: 0,54 – 0,60) für Letzt-Autorenschaften. Der Anteil weiblicher Autorenschaften besitzt eine durchschnittliche jährliche Wachstumsrate von 1,3 % (total) und 0,5 % für Erst-, 1,2 % für Co- und 0,8 % für Letzt-Autorenschaften. Frauen sind auf prestigeträchtigen Autorenschaften unterrepräsentiert (Prestige Index = –0,38). Die weibliche Unterrepräsentation akzentuiert in zitationsstarken Artikeln mit hochkompetitiven Autorenschaften (Artikel mit vielen Autoren, Artikel aus hochrenommierten Fachjournalen). Multi-Autoren-Artikel mit männlichen Erst- und Letztautoren werden signifikant häufiger zitiert als jene mit weiblichen Schlüsselautoren. Die geschlechtsspezifischen Unterschiede in den Zitationsraten sind umso größer, je mehr Autoren an einem Artikel beteiligt sind. Frauen publizieren weniger als Männer (39,6 % weibliche Autoren halten 35,0 % der Autorenschaften) und sind ab einem Produktivitätsniveau von mehr als einem Artikel pro Autor relativ unterrepräsentiert. Es finden sich deutliche länderspezifische Unterschiede.

Schlussfolgerung Die medizinische Spitzenforschung ist charakterisiert durch wenige, als Letzt-Autor agierende Gruppenleiterinnen und viele weibliche Co- und Erst-Autoren am Anfang ihrer Karriere. Es ist wahrscheinlich, dass diese geschlechtsspezifische Karriere-Dichotomie in der nächsten Dekade persistiert.
Social interaction effects on immigrant integration
Authors: Agliari Elena , Barra Adriano , Contucci Pierluigi , Pizzoferrato Andrea , Vernia Cecilia
Published: May 2018

In recent years Italy has been involved in massive migration flows and, consequently, migrant integration is becoming a urgent political, economic and social issue. In this paper we apply quantitative methods, based on probability theory and statistical mechanics, to study the relative integration of migrants in Italy. In particular, we focus on the probability distribution of a classical quantifier that social scientists use to measure migrant integration, that is, the fraction of mixed (natives and immigrants) married couples, and we study, in particular, how it changes with respect to the migrant density. The analysed dataset collected yearly by ISTAT (Italian National Institute of Statistics), from 2002 to 2010, provides information on marriages and population compositions for all Italian municipalities. Our findings show that there are strong differences according to the size of the municipality. In fact, in large cities the occurrence of mixed marriages grows, on average, linearly with respect to the migrant density and its fluctuations are always Gaussian; conversely, in small cities, growth follows a square-root law and the fluctuations, which have a much larger scale, approach an exponential quartic distribution at very small densities. Following a quantitative approach, whose origins trace back to the probability theory of interacting systems, we argue that the difference depends on how connected the social tissue is in the two cases: large cities present a highly fragmented social network made of very small isolated components while villages behave as percolated systems with a rich tie structure where isolation is rare or completely absent. Our findings are potentially useful for policy makers; for instance, the incentives towards a smooth integration of migrants or the size of nativist movements should be predicted based on the size of the targeted population.
Fourier and non-Fourier bio-heat transfer models to predict ex vivo temperature response to focused ultrasound heating
Authors: Li Chenghai , Miao Jiaming , Yang Kexin , Guo Xiasheng , Tu Juan , Huang Pintong , Zhang Dong
Published: May 2018

Although predicting temperature variation is important for designing treatment plans for thermal therapies, research in this area is yet to investigate the applicability of prevalent thermal conduction models, such as the Pennes equation, the thermal wave model of bio-heat transfer, and the dual phase lag (DPL) model. To address this shortcoming, we heated a tissue phantom and ex vivo bovine liver tissues with focused ultrasound (FU), measured the temperature response, and compared the results with those predicted by these models. The findings show that, for a homogeneous-tissue phantom, the initial temperature increase is accurately predicted by the Pennes equation at the onset of FU irradiation, although the prediction deviates from the measured temperature with increasing FU irradiation time. For heterogeneous liver tissues, the predicted response is closer to the measured temperature for the non-Fourier models, especially the DPL model. Furthermore, the DPL model accurately predicts the temperature response in biological tissues because it increases the phase lag, which characterizes microstructural thermal interactions. These findings should help to establish more precise clinical treatment plans for thermal therapies.
Effect of NiFeCr seed and capping layers on exchange bias and planar Hall voltage response of NiFe/Au/IrMn trilayer structures
Authors: Talantsev Artem , Elzwawy Amir , Kim CheolGi
Published: May 2018

Thin films and cross junctions, based on NiFe/Au/IrMn structures, were grown on Ta and NiFeCr seed layers by magnetron sputtering. The effects of substitution of Ta with NiFeCr in seed and capping layers on an exchange bias field are studied. A threefold improvement of the exchange bias value in the structures, grown with NiFeCr seed and capping layers, is demonstrated. The reasons for this effect are discussed. Formation of clusters in the NiFeCr capping layer is proved by atomic force microscopy technique. Ta replacement on NiFeCr in the capping layer results in the enhancement of magnetoresistive response and a reduction of noise.
Spontaneous Hall effects in the electron system at the SmTiO3/EuTiO3 interface
Authors: Ahadi Kaveh , Kim Honggyu , Stemmer Susanne
Published: May 2018

Magnetotransport and magnetism of epitaxial SmTiO3/EuTiO3 heterostructures grown by molecular beam epitaxy are investigated. It is shown that the polar discontinuity at the interface introduces ∼3.9 × 1014 cm−2 carriers into the EuTiO3. The itinerant carriers exhibit two distinct contributions to the spontaneous Hall effect. The anomalous Hall effect appears despite a very small magnetization, indicating a non-collinear spin structure, and the second contribution resembles a topological Hall effect. Qualitative differences exist in the temperature dependence of both Hall effects when compared to uniformly doped EuTiO3. In particular, the topological Hall effect contribution appears at higher temperatures and the anomalous Hall effect shows a sign change with temperature. The results suggest that interfaces can be used to tune topological phenomena in itinerant magnetic systems.
Nonlinear periodic wavetrains in thin liquid films falling on a uniformly heated horizontal plate
Authors: Issokolo Remi J. Noumana , Dikandé Alain M.
Published: May 2018

A thin liquid film falling on a uniformly heated horizontal plate spreads into fingering ripples that can display a complex dynamics ranging from continuous waves, nonlinear spatially localized periodic wave patterns (i.e., rivulet structures) to modulated nonlinear wavetrain structures. Some of these structures have been observed experimentally; however, conditions under which they form are still not well understood. In this work, we examine profiles of nonlinear wave patterns formed by a thin liquid film falling on a uniformly heated horizontal plate. For this purpose, the Benney model is considered assuming a uniform temperature distribution along the film propagation on the horizontal surface. It is shown that for strong surface tension but a relatively small Biot number, spatially localized periodic-wave structures can be analytically obtained by solving the governing equation under appropriate conditions. In the regime of weak nonlinearity, a multiple-scale expansion combined with the reductive perturbation method leads to a complex Ginzburg-Landau equation: the solutions of which are modulated periodic pulse trains which amplitude and width and period are expressed in terms of characteristic parameters of the model.
Z-dependence of mean excitation energies for second and third row atoms and their ions
Authors: Sauer Stephan P. A. , Sabin John R. , Oddershede Jens
Published: May 2018

All mean excitation energies for second and third row atoms and their ions are calculated in the random-phase approximation using large basis sets. To a very good approximation, it turns out that mean excitation energies within an isoelectronic series are a quadratic function of the nuclear charge. It is demonstrated that this behavior is linked to the fact that the contributions from continuum electronic states give the dominate contributions to the mean excitation energies and that these contributions for atomic ions appear hydrogen-like. We argue that this finding may present a method to get a first estimate of mean excitation energies also for other non-relativistic atomic ions.
The Russian Revolution and the development challenge – Part II: the Russian Revolution and the mantra of developmentalism
Authors: Hopfmann Arndt
Published: May 2018

100 years after the Great Russian Revolution it is time to evaluate the impact of this epoch-making event on the politics and development of the Global South. Part I, published in the December 2017 issue of ROAPE, provided deliberations on historical and geo-political aspects of the Revolution. Part II deals with some of its influences on development theory.
A novel geometry of ECM-based RRAM with improved variability
Authors: Hong XiaoLiang , Dananjaya Putu Andhita , Krishnia Sachin , Gan Weiliang , Loy Desmond JiaJun , Tan Funan , Ng CheeMang , Lew WenSiang
Published: May 2018

Resistive random-access memory (RRAM) is promising for various low-power applications, including Internet of Things (IOTs), neuromorphic and data-centric computing. However, the poor reliability, mainly the variability in switching, is one of the biggest challenges for RRAM. Here, a novel geometry of electrochemical metallization memory (ECM)-based RRAM is proposed with lower switching voltage and less switching variability. From COMSOL Multiphysics simulation, the intensity and distribution of electric field can be tuned by design of RRAM geometry in C-shape. It is anticipated that a higher and more refined electric field can improve the RRAM variability. This hypothesis is validated with experiment on forming-free ECM-based RRAM in C-shape and traditional square-shape, where around 36% less set voltage and 32% less set variation observed for as-designed C-shaped RRAM.
Predictive factors of life quality among packaging workers in Taiwan
Authors: Yang Shang-Yu , Hsu Der-Jen , Yen Chun-Ming , Chang Jer-Hao
Published: May 2018

The semiconductor plants on the top of high-tech industrial chain hire many packaging workers to carry out miscellaneous packing tasks for various product orders from different companies and countries. Under tremendous workload the quality of life (QoL) of such packaging workers need to be concerned. The aim of this study was to explore factors influencing their QoL. This study recruited 247 packing workers (162 male and 85 female; mean age: 35.6 years old) in 2015 and 2016 from a semiconductor plant in Taiwan by convenience sampling. The questionnaire comprised four parts: demographics, the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF), an occupational burnout inventory and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. The four domains of the WHOQOL-BREF were defined as outcome variables. Predictive factors included gender (reference: male), age (reference: ≤ 35), BMI (reference: ≤ 25), educational level (reference: below university), marital/partner status (reference: married/cohabiting), years of work (reference: ≤ 5), work shift (reference: day shift), personal burnout, work-related burnout, over-commitment to work and the number of body parts with discomfort (0–9). The findings showed that physical QoL was negatively correlated with night -shift work, personal burnout, and number of body parts with discomfort. Psychological QoL was negatively correlated with night shift work and personal burnout. Environment QoL was negatively correlated with being male, night shift work and personal burnout. The results showed that the QoL among the packaging workers could be improved by reducing musculoskeletal discomfort, personal burnout and by improving work schedules.
Comparing Survival After Recurrent vs De Novo Stage IV Advanced Breast, Lung, and Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Hassett Michael J , Uno Hajime , Cronin Angel M , Carroll Nikki M , Hornbrook Mark C , Ritzwoller Debra P
Published: May 2018

The treatments provided to and survival of patients with recurrent vs de novo stage IV advanced breast, lung, and colorectal cancer may differ but have not been well studied. Using population-based data from the Cancer Research Network for 4510 patients with advanced breast, lung, or colorectal cancer, we matched recurrent/de novo patients on demographic factors. We found longer survival for recurrent vs de novo lung cancer (182 matched pairs); no significant difference for colorectal cancer (332 matched pairs); and shorter survival for recurrent vs de novo breast cancer (219 matched pairs). Compared with recurrent cases, chemotherapy use and radiation therapy use were more common among de novo cases. Differences in treatment and survival between recurrent and de novo advanced cancer patients could inform prognostic estimates and clinical trial design.
Sudomotor dysfunction independently predicts incident cardiovascular–renal events and all-cause death in type 2 diabetes: the Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation register
Authors: Lim Lee Ling , Fu Amy W C , Lau Eric S H , Ozaki Risa , Cheung Kitty K T , Ma Ronald C W , Luk Andrea O Y , Chan Juliana C N , Kong Alice P S
Published: May 2018

Background

Early detection and risk factor control prevent chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. Evaluation of peripheral autonomic dysfunction may detect incident cardiovascular–renal events in type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

SUDOSCAN, a non-invasive tool, provides an age-adjusted electrochemical skin conductance (ESC) composite score incorporating hands/feet ESC measurements, with a score ≤53 indicating sudomotor dysfunction. A consecutive cohort of 2833 Chinese adults underwent structured diabetes assessment in 2012–13; 2028 participants without preexisting cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CKD were monitored for incident cardiovascular–renal events until 2015.

Results

In this prospective cohort {mean age 57.0 [standard deviation (SD) 10.0] years; median T2D duration 7.0 [interquartile range (IQR) 3.0–13.0] years; 56.1% men; 72.5% never-smokers; baseline ESC composite score 60.7 (SD 14.5)}, 163 (8.0%) and 25 (1.2%) participants developed incident CKD and CVD, respectively, after 2.3 years of follow-up. The adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) per 1-unit decrease in the ESC composite score for incident CKD, CVD and all-cause death were 1.02 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.04], 1.04 (1.00–1.07) and 1.04 (1.00–1.08), respectively. Compared with participants with an ESC composite score >53, those with a score ≤53 had an aHR of 1.56 (95% CI 1.09–2.23) for CKD and 3.11 (95% CI 1.27–7.62) for CVD, independent of common risk markers. When added to clinical variables (sex and duration of diabetes), the ESC composite score improved discrimination of all outcomes with appropriate reclassification of CKD risk.

Conclusions

A low ESC composite score independently predicts incident cardiovascular–renal events and death in T2D, which may improve the screening strategy for early intervention.
Usefulness of Simultaneous Screening for HIV- and Hepatitis C–Specific Antibodies and Hepatitis B Surface Antigen by Capillary-Based Multiplex Immunochromatographic Rapid Test to Strengthen Prevention Strategies and Linkage to Care in Childbearing-Aged Women Living in Resource-Limited Settings
Authors: Mboumba Bouassa Ralph-Sydney , Nodjikouambaye Zita Aleyo , Sadjoli Damtheou , Moussa Ali Mahamat , Adawaye Chatte , Koyalta Donato , Bélec Laurent
Published: May 2018

Childbearing-aged women (n = 266) attending a gynecological clinic in Chad were subjected to multiplex immunochromatographic rapid test for HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Ten (3.7%) and 8 (3.0%) were seropositive for HIV and HCV, respectively, and 20 (7.5%) for HBV surface antigen, allowing diagnosis of chronic viral infections in 1 of 7 (14.3%) women.