bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Clinical Study on Axial Symptoms and Imaging Changes in Paraspinal Muscles after Cervical Posterior Open-door Laminoplasty
Authors: Yin Hao , Han Guang , Li Qiang , He Xuejun , Wang Congyang
Published: March 2018

Objective This research aimed to gain a better understanding of the relationship between cervical posterior open-door laminoplasty on axial symptoms, the net cross-sectional area of paraspinal muscles, and the degree of pimelosis.

Method A retrospective study was conducted on a consecutive series of 37 patients who had underwent cervical posterior open-door laminoplasty + lateral mass fixation and bone graft fusion between January 2015 and July 2015. All patients received postoperative examinations at 6 months and 18 months after the operation. For each follow-up visit, the VAS Rating Scale and ODI Function Index Questionnaire were filled out. Meanwhile, a C-Spine X-ray and MRI of the patients were taken. In the measurements taken with ImageJ 1.51 K Software, the cervical vertebra MRI T2-weighted image cross-section for each segment was measured separately, mainly including the mean T2 signal value of the contour area and the net area of the paraspinal muscles.

Results Differences between VAS and ODI (%) at three different time points were of statistical significance (p < 0.01). Pairwise comparisons of the results showed that VAS and ODI (%) at different times were clearly different (p < 0.01). Differences in the mean T2 signal value and net area at different times were of statistical significance (p < 0.01). Pairwise comparisons of the results indicated that the mean T2 signal value and net area at different times were clearly different (p < 0.01). The corresponding analytical results for VAS, ODI (%), and the mean of the T2 signal value and net area demonstrated that VAS6 months after surgery was positively correlated to the net area of C3/4 and C4/5 (r = 0.352, p < 0.05; r = 0.338, p < 0.05). The analogous analytical results for the mean T2 signal value and net area were of no statistical significance (p > 0.05).

Conclusions We believe that axial symptoms after cervical spine surgery does not affect the recovery of neurological function. There is a process of acute or subacute enlargement of paraspinal muscles on segments C3/4 and C4/5 after the operation, while the results of the follow-up visits show that there is a gradual process of atrophy in local posterior muscles, which may be related to axial symptoms. The degree of pimelosis of the neck paraspinal muscles may have no relationship with axial symptoms.
Intramedullary Screws versus Kirschner Wires for Metacarpal Fixation, Functional, and Patient-Related Outcomes
Authors: Couceiro Jose , Ayala Higinio , Sanchez Manuel , De la Red Maria , Velez Olga , Del Canto Fernando
Published: March 2018

Purpose The purpose of our study is to compare the intramedullary fixation of metacarpal fractures with cannulated headless screws and antegrade Kirschner wires in terms of final total active motion, grip strength, patient-related outcomes, need for casting, and return to work times.

Methods The authors performed a retrospective review of the hospital records. Thirty fractures were included in the study, 19 in the screw fixation group, and 11 in the Kirschner wire group. Grip strength, and total active motion, was measured at the latest follow-up for both the injured and contralateral hand. Pain was measured on the visual analog scale. Patients were requested to fill a Quick disabilities of the arm and hand score (DASH) questionnaire at the latest follow-up. Satisfaction was measured on a scale from 0 to 10. The time to return to work was quantified from the accident to the point when the patient was back to active duty. Postoperative casting time was also quantified.

Results The authors did not find any differences between the two groups in total active motion, grip strength, pain, satisfaction, or Quick DASH scores. We did find a difference in the return to work and casting times; these appeared to be shorter in the screw group.

Conclusion Due to the small number of cases, we have been unable to clearly conclude that there were any benefits in the application of one particular technique when compared with the other.
Long-term Sequelae of Pediatric Neurocritical Care: The Parent Perspective
Authors: Eriksson Carl , Piantino Juan , Hall Trevor , Moyer Danielle , Kirby Aileen , McEvoy Cindy , Williams Cydni
Published: March 2018

Critical neurologic disease and injury affect thousands of children annually with survivors suffering high rates of chronic morbidities related directly to the illness and to critical care hospitalization. Postintensive care syndrome (PICS) in patients and families encompasses a variety of morbidities including physical, cognitive, emotional, and psychological impairments following critical care. We conducted a focus group study with parents of children surviving pediatric neurocritical care (PNCC) for traumatic brain injury, stroke, meningitis, or encephalitis to determine outcomes important to patients and families, identify barriers to care, and identify potential interventions to improve outcomes. Sixteen parents participated in four groups across Oregon. Three global themes were identified: (1) PNCC is an intense emotional experience for the whole family; (2) PNCC survivorship is a chronic illness; and (3) PNCC has a significant psychological and social impact. Survivors and their families suffer physical, emotional, psychological, cognitive, and social impairments for many years after discharge. Parents in this study highlighted the emotional and psychological distress in survivors and families after PNCC, in contrast to most PNCC research focusing on physical outcomes. Several barriers to care were identified with potential implications on survivor outcomes, including limited pediatric resources in rural settings, perceived lack of awareness of PICS among medical providers, and the substantial financial burden on families. Parents desire improved education surrounding PICS morbidities for families and medical providers, improved communication with primary care providers after discharge, access to educational materials for patients and families, direction to mental health providers, and family support groups to assist them in dealing with morbidities and accessing appropriate resources. Clinicians and researchers should consider the parent perspectives reported here when caring for and evaluating outcomes for children requiring PNCC.
Begutachtung chronischer muskuloskeletaler Schmerzen
Authors: Schiltenwolf Marcus ,   Leitliniengruppe
Published: March 2018

Begutachtungen von Menschen mit chronischen muskuloskeletalen Schmerzen sind im Fachgebiet von Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie häufig. Die erstmals 2005 publizierte Leitlinie für die ärztliche Begutachtung von Menschen mit chronischen Schmerzen liegt inzwischen in ihrer 4. Version vor (AWMF-Registernummer 094 – 003). Sie gibt Empfehlungen für den Ablauf und dient damit der Qualitätssicherung bei Begutachtungen, wenn Klagen über chronische Schmerzen als Leitsymptom im Vordergrund stehen. In der aktuellen Version wurden die Indikationen zur Durchführung schmerzmedizinischer Gutachten neu formuliert, die Begutachtungskriterien wurden an die Vorgaben der ICF angepasst, und es erfolgte eine stringente Trennung zwischen Zustandsgutachtung und Gutachtung zu Zusammenhangsfragen. Ein eigenes Kapitel über Beschwerdevalidierung wurde eingeführt.
Associations Between Thyroid and Blood Pressure in Euthyroid Adults: A 9-Year Longitudinal Study
Authors: Abdi Hengameh , Gharibzadeh Safoora , Tasdighi Erfan , Amouzegar Atieh , Mehran Ladan , Tohidi Maryam , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: March 2018

Longitudinal studies considering associations between thyroid function in the reference range (RR) with blood pressure (BP) are scarce and contradictory. We aimed to investigate the associations of serum thyrotropin (TSH) and free T4 (FT4) with different components of BP also incident prehyperetension (preHTN) and HTN during a 9-year follow-up. A sum of 2282 euthyroid individuals from an ongoing population-based cohort study were selected. A sex-stratified multivariate generalized estimating equation (GEE) method was employed. Moreover, a multivariate transitional model was used considering preceding BP status as a predictor of dichotomous outcomes of preHTN and HTN. Multivariate-adjusted GEE analysis revealed a decreasing trend for systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse pressure (PP) throughout the study period in both men and women, either adjusted for serum TSH or FT4 levels. Serum FT4 within the RR was positively associated with all BP parameters in total population and in men, but serum TSH had a statistically significant mild increasing effect only on SBP, DBP and MAP of men. Multivariate transitional model found no association between serum TSH levels within the reference range (RR) and BP status; regarding serum FT4, a 1 ng/dl higher FT4 was associated with 40% increased risk of preHTN [OR (95% CI), 1.40 (1.02–1.90)], but not with HTN [OR (95% CI), 0.93 (0.80–1.09)]. It is concluded that serum FT4 within the RR is more strongly associated with BP parameters compared to TSH. This association is not consistent between men and women. Moreover, higher FT4 is associated with increased risk of preHTN.
The Effects of Supplementation with Chromium on Insulin Resistance Indices in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Authors: Heshmati Javad , Omani-Samani Reza , Vesali Samira , Maroufizadeh Saman , Rezaeinejad Mahroo , Razavi Maryam , Sepidarkish Mahdi
Published: March 2018

Recently, the effects of nutritional supplementation on improvement or prevention of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have been considered. Several studies have been carried out on the effect of chromium supplementation in improving PCOS patients. This study aimed to summarize the available findings regarding the effect of chromium on improving the polycystic ovary syndrome. The review includes randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing chromium treatment with placebo or other treatments in women with PCOS. Women with PCOS diagnosed according to the ESHRE/ASRM or NIH criteria in reproductive age were eligible. Electronic searches using the MeSH terms were conducted in the following databases: Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library. Effects were measured as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for studies of PCOS and control subjects were calculated by using random-effects model. The initial search yielded potentially 100 relevant articles of randomized clinical trials on dietary chromium supplements: 16 from Pubmed, 36 from Embase, 29 from Scopus, and 19 from Web of Science. After studying these publications, 5 were potentially eligible and retrieved in full text. The five studies included in the meta-analysis reported data on 137 women with PCOS and 131 controls. A meta-analysis of 5 studies showed a non-significant difference in fasting insulin between chromium, and placebo or other treatment (mean difference (MD): –1.14; (95% CI: –4.11 to 1.83, p=0.45). We retrieved two randomized controlled trials, in which Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) was compared between chromium, and placebo or other treatment in 156 women with PCOS. Meta-analysis of two RCTs showed no significant difference in QUICKI score between chromium and placebo (MD: 0.01; 95% CI: –0.01 to 0.04, p=0.34). Two randomized controlled trials compared Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) between chromium, and placebo or other treatment in 81 women with PCOS. After combining the data, there was a significantly lower HOMA-IR in the chromium group (MD: –1.68; 95% CI: –2.42 to –0.94, p<0.001). One RCT reported a significant difference in Homeostatic Model Assessment-beta-cell function (HOMA-B) between chromium and placebo groups (–15.5±32.3 vs. +13.6±23.1, p<0.001). No significant effect of chromium on fasting insulin and QUICKI score was found in women with PCOS. Chromium supplementation significantly improved HOMA-IR and HOMA-B among patients with diabetes. The magnitude of the effect is small, and the clinical relevance is uncertain. Future trials in well characterized studies that address the limitations in the current evidence are needed before definitive claims can be made about the effect of chromium supplementation.
The city politics of an urban age: urban resilience conceptualisations and policies
Authors: X Sanchez Adriana , van der Heijden Jeroen , Osmond Paul
Published: March 2018

Around the globe, cities seek to improve their resilience to face the stresses and shocks that are expected from global climate change and other threats. In implementing urban resilience policies, they are guided by different urban resilience conceptualisations. What is meant by the concept differs between scholars, governments, as well as international organisations that seek to study, advise on and implement urban resilience policies and governance interventions. This article presents a review of the urban resilience literature since the 1970s. It seeks to map and interrogate dominant urban resilience conceptualisations, and decipher whether and how different understandings of the concept can result in essentially different policies and governance interventions and outcomes. In contrasting the ‘what’ of urban resilience (various conceptualisations) with the ‘why’ of urban resilience policy (bouncing back, falling forwards, persistence) it investigates approaches to overcome some of the key critiques to urban resilience policy and research.
The production efficiency of renewable energy generation and its influencing factors: Evidence from 20 countries
Authors: Xu Xin-long , Chen Hsing Hung , Feng Ye , Tang Jian
Published: March 2018

We define renewable energy generation (REG) inputs as the installed capacity of solar energy, wind power, geothermal energy, and bio-fuel production and define electricity from renewable energy as an output indicator. Based on balanced panel data from 2007 to 2016 for 20 countries, we use stochastic frontier analysis to calculate the efficiency of REG and analyze the influencing factors. We find the following results: the efficiency of global REG is improving; increased carbon emissions have not influenced it; the proportion of natural resource rent has a positive effect; increasing urbanization rates have hindered efficiency; and higher per capita income can lead to higher efficiency. Based on these findings, we propose that more attention should be given to the coordination of policies associated with the expansion of installed capacity and the acceleration of REG. Research and development should be increased for energy storage technology to take advantage of regional natural resource endowments.
An implicit scheme with memory reduction technique for steady state solutions of DVBE in all flow regimes
Authors: Yang L. M. , Shu C. , Yang W. M. , Wu J.
Published: March 2018

High consumption of memory and computational effort is the major barrier to prevent the widespread use of the discrete velocity method (DVM) in the simulation of flows in all flow regimes. To overcome this drawback, an implicit DVM with a memory reduction technique for solving a steady discrete velocity Boltzmann equation (DVBE) is presented in this work. In the method, the distribution functions in the whole discrete velocity space do not need to be stored, and they are calculated from the macroscopic flow variables. As a result, its memory requirement is in the same order as the conventional Euler/Navier-Stokes solver. In the meantime, it is more efficient than the explicit DVM for the simulation of various flows. To make the method efficient for solving flow problems in all flow regimes, a prediction step is introduced to estimate the local equilibrium state of the DVBE. In the prediction step, the distribution function at the cell interface is calculated by the local solution of DVBE. For the flow simulation, when the cell size is less than the mean free path, the prediction step has almost no effect on the solution. However, when the cell size is much larger than the mean free path, the prediction step dominates the solution so as to provide reasonable results in such a flow regime. In addition, to further improve the computational efficiency of the developed scheme in the continuum flow regime, the implicit technique is also introduced into the prediction step. Numerical results showed that the proposed implicit scheme can provide reasonable results in all flow regimes and increase significantly the computational efficiency in the continuum flow regime as compared with the existing DVM solvers.
Magnetoelectric gradiometer with enhanced vibration rejection efficiency under H-field modulation
Authors: Xu Junran , Zhuang Xin , Leung Chung Ming , Staruch Margo , Finkel Peter , Li Jiefang , Viehland D.
Published: March 2018

A magnetoelectric (ME) gradiometer consisting of two Metglas/Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 fiber-based sensors has been developed. The equivalent magnetic noise of both sensors was first determined to be about 60 pT/√Hz while using an H-field modulation technique. The common mode rejection ratio of a gradiometer based on these two sensors was determined to be 74. The gradiometer response curve was then measured, which provided the dependence of the gradiometer output as a function of the source-gradiometer-normalized distance. Investigations in the presence of vibration noise revealed that a ME gradiometer consisting of two ME magnetometers working under H-field modulation was capable of significant vibration rejection. The results were compared to similar studies of ME gradiometers operated in a passive working mode. Our findings demonstrate that this active gradiometer has a good vibration rejection capability in the presence of both magnetic signals and vibration noise/interferences by using two magnetoelectric sensors operated under H-field modulation.
Hairpins in the conformations of a confined polymer
Authors: Werner E. , Jain A. , Muralidhar A. , Frykholm K. , St Clere Smithe T. , Fritzsche J. , Westerlund F. , Dorfman K. D. , Mehlig B.
Published: March 2018

If a semiflexible polymer confined to a narrow channel bends around by 180°, the polymer is said to exhibit a hairpin. The equilibrium extension statistics of the confined polymer are well understood when hairpins are vanishingly rare or when they are plentiful. Here, we analyze the extension statistics in the intermediate situation via experiments with DNA coated by the protein RecA, which enhances the stiffness of the DNA molecule by approximately one order of magnitude. We find that the extension distribution is highly non-Gaussian, in good agreement with Monte-Carlo simulations of confined discrete wormlike chains. We develop a simple model that qualitatively explains the form of the extension distribution. The model shows that the tail of the distribution at short extensions is determined by conformations with one hairpin.
Atomistic insights on the nanoscale single grain scratching mechanism of silicon carbide ceramic based on molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Liu Yao , Li Beizhi , Kong Lingfei
Published: March 2018

The precision and crack-free surface of brittle silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic was achieved in the nanoscale ductile grinding. However, the nanoscale scratching mechanism and the root causes of SiC ductile response, especially in the atomistic aspects, have not been fully understood yet. In this study, the SiC atomistic scale scratching mechanism was investigated by single diamond grain scratching simulation based on molecular dynamics. The results indicated that the ductile scratching process of SiC could be achieved in the nanoscale depth of cut through the phase transition to an amorphous structure with few hexagonal diamond structure. Furthermore, the silicon atoms in SiC could penetrate into diamond grain which may cause wear of diamond grain. It was further found out that the chip material in the front of grain flowed along the grain side surface to form the groove protrusion as the scratching speed increases. The higher scratching speed promoted more atoms to transfer into the amorphous structure and reduced the hexagonal diamond and dislocation atoms number, which resulted in higher temperature, smaller scratching force, smaller normal stress, and thinner subsurface damage thickness, due to larger speed impaction causing more bonds broken which makes the SiC more ductile.
Role of ICT in enhancing energy efficiency of commercial buildings: Case study of optimized energy control system in hospital “P”
Authors: Lee Junghwan , Ryu Seung Ho , Kim Dongwook
Published: March 2018

The increase in oil prices and energy consumption has been a great burden for Korea, which significantly depends on imported, foreign energy sources. In this context, the reduction of building energy consumption, which comprises 40% of total energy consumption, is a very important issue. The use of ICT to optimize energy control of building has surfaced as an effective solution. Therefore, this research empirically analyzed a hospital “P” that implemented ICT-based energy consumption and cost reduction initiative. The hospital first replaced the existing inefficient absorption type heating/cooling system with a hot water storage and pump system. This was accompanied by a change in electricity plans to maximize cost reduction. Second, the hospital applied an ICT-based optimized control algorithm that considers surrounding factors (external temperature and changes in energy demands). The analysis of these mechanisms indicates that the ICT-based energy consumption and cost reduction initiative for hospitals can reduce energy consumption by 52.7% by replacing low-efficiency equipment and additionally by 25.7% with implementation of an optimized control algorithm. Therefore, the implementation of the explored mechanisms will provide effective energy consumption reduction opportunities for other hospitals and buildings with high energy consumption.
Heterogeneities in explosives affect detonation process
Authors: Larter Raima
Published: March 2018

An explicit microstructure model reveals the role of heterogeneities in shock physics interactions.
Involvement of signalling molecules NO, H2O2 and H2S in modification of plasma membrane proton pump in cucumber roots subjected to salt or low temperature stress
Authors: Janicka Małgorzata , Reda Małgorzata , Czyżewska Katarzyna , Kabała Katarzyna
Published: March 2018

In the present study we demonstrate that the signalling molecules NO, H2O2 and H2S are important for understanding the mechanisms of modification of plasma membrane H+-ATPase (EC 3.6.3.14) activity in conditions of both salt (50 mM NaCl) and low temperature (10°C, LT) stress. Plants were subjected to stress conditions for 1 or 6 days. After 3 days of exposure to stress some of the plants were transferred to control conditions for another 3 days: post-stressed plants (3 + 3). We measured the endogenous levels of signalling molecules in stressed plants. To determine the physiological significance of NO, H2O2 and H2S induced activity of plasma membrane H+-ATPase (PM H+-ATPase) in salt and LT stresses, we investigated the activity of the plasma membrane proton pump in stress conditions, and plants were additionally supplemented with PTIO (a scavenger of NO), ascorbic acid (a scavenger of H2O2) or hypotaurine (a scavenger of H2S). H2S contributed to increased activity of PM H+-ATPase in short-term salt stress (1 day) and in low temperature treated plants (both 6 days and post-stressed plants), by stimulation of expression of several genes encoding isoforms of the plasma membrane proton pump (CsHA2, CsH4, CsH8, CsH9 and CsHA10). In contrast, NO and H2O2 play a minor role in the regulation of ATPase activity at the genetic level, because they significantly increased the expression of only one isoform, CsHA1, the expression level of which was very low in the tissues of the control plants, and additionally they slightly increased the expression of the gene encoding the isoform CsHA2. However, NO plays an important role in stimulation of the plasma membrane proton pumps under salt stress and low temperature. NO participates in post-translational modifications because it leads to increased enzyme phosphorylation and an increased H+/ATP coupling ratio.
Sperm motility in fish: technical applications and perspectives through CASA-Mot systems
Authors: Gallego V. , Asturiano J. F.
Published: March 2018

Although a relatively high number of sperm quality biomarkers have been reported over the years in several fish species, sperm motility is nowadays considered the best biomarker for fish spermatozoa. The first scientific reports focusing on fish sperm motility date from a century ago, but the objective assessment allowed by computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA-Mot) systems was not applied to fish species until the mid-1980s. Since then, a high number of sperm kinetic parameters from more than 170 fish species have been reported in more than 700 scientific articles, covering a wide range of topics, such as sperm physiology, sperm storage, broodstock management, the phenomenon of sperm competition, ecotoxicology and understanding the life cycle of the species. The sperm kinetic parameters provided by CASA-Mot systems can serve as powerful and useful tools for aquaculture and ecological purposes, and this review provides an overview of the major research areas in which fish sperm motility assessment by a CASA-Mot system has been used successfully.
Microstructure and corrosion resistance of yellow MAO coatings
Authors: Yang Xiaowei , Ma Aibin , Liu Huan , Jiang Jinghua , Li Yuhua , Sun Jiapeng
Published: March 2018

Yellow ceramic coatings were prepared on ultra-fine grained (UFG) AZ91 magnesium alloy using micro-arc oxidation (MAO) process in the alkaline-silicate electrolyte with different KMnO4 addition. Microstructure and phase composition were investigated by SEM, EDS (energy-dispersive spectrometer) and XRD (X-ray diffraction). With 2 gL−1 KMnO4 addition, the extreme sparking discharge was inhibited and the coating exhibited more compact and uniform morphology. However, adding 3 gL−1 KMnO4 in electrolyte extremely woke the discharge intensity and caused deleterious influence such as micro-crack. The generation of complex oxide Mg6MnO8 phase resulted in the yellow colour of the coatings. Electrochemical measurements including potentiodynamic polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests were carried out in 3.5% NaCl solution. The UFG alloy with the MAO coating produced with 2 gL−1 KMnO4 addition exhibited superior corrosion resistance, which was owing to the more compact and uniform microstructural features.
Influence of tungsten coating on microstructure and thermal damage of brazed diamonds
Authors: Liu Fan , Yang Yang , Pan Bingsuo
Published: March 2018

Degradation of diamond strength resulting from thermal damage in vacuum brazing process constrains the application of Ni-based brazed diamond tools. To reduce the thermal damage to brazed diamonds, the effectiveness of coating diamond with tungsten was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and friability test. Tungsten coating was deposited on diamond surfaces by vacuum diffusion method. The experimental results show that tungsten coating, as a buffering layer, plays a stress-relaxing role and brings about fewer cracks in the Ni-based matrix near diamond grains. Graphitization of W-coated diamond after brazing is much slighter than that of uncoated diamond and Ti-coated diamond, according to the morphology and Raman spectra. The isolation of diamond from nickel catalyst by tungsten coating inhibits the graphitization of diamond, which can further explain the increase in the toughness index of brazed diamonds.
A novel synthetic compound, (Z)-5-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzylidene)-2-iminothiazolidin-4-one (MHY773) inhibits mushroom tyrosinase
Authors: Jung Hee Jin , Lee Min Jung , Park Yeo Jin , Noh Sang Gyun , Lee A Kyoung , Moon Kyoung Mi , Lee Eun Kyeong , Bang Eun Jin , Park Yun Jung , Kim Su Jeong , Yang Jungho , Ullah Sultan , Chun Pusoon , Jung Young Suk , Moon Hyung Ryong , Chung Hae Young
Published: March 2018

As part of continued efforts for the development of new tyrosinase inhibitors, (Z)-5-(substituted benzylidene)-2-iminothiazolidin-4-one derivatives (1a – 1l) were rationally synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory potential in vitro. These compounds were designed and synthesized based on the structural attributes of a β-phenyl-α,β-unsaturated carbonyl scaffold template. Among these compounds, (Z)-5-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzylidene)-2-iminothiazolidin-4-one (1e, MHY773) exhibited the greatest tyrosinase inhibition (IC50 = 2.87 μM and 8.06 μM for monophenolase and diphenolase), and outperformed the positive control, kojic acid (IC50 = 15.59 and 31.61 μM). The kinetic and docking studies demonstrated that MHY773 interacted with active site of tyrosinase. Moreover, a melanin quantification assay demonstrated that MHY773 attenuates α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX)-induced melanin contents in B16F10 melanoma cells. Taken together, these data suggest that MHY773 suppressed the melanin production via the inhibition of tyrosinase activity. MHY773 is a promising for the development of effective pharmacological and cosmetic agents for skin-whitening.
Comparison of WRF local and nonlocal boundary layer Physics in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Authors: Ooi M C G , Chan A , Kumarenthiran S , Morris K I , Oozeer M Y , Islam M A , Salleh S A
Published: March 2018

The urban boundary layer (UBL) is the internal advection layer of atmosphere above urban region which determines the exchanges of momentum, water and other atmospheric constituents between the urban land surface and the free troposphere. This paper tested the performance of three planetary boundary layer (PBL) physics schemes of Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) software to ensure the appropriate representation of vertical structure of UBL in Greater Kuala Lumpur (GKL). Comparison was conducted on the performance of respective PBL schemes to generate vertical and near-surface weather profile and rainfall. Mellor-Yamada- Janjíc (MYJ) local PBL scheme coupled with Eta MM5 surface layer scheme was found to predict the near-surface temperature and wind profile and mixing height better than the nonlocal schemes during the intermonsoonal period with least influences of the synoptic background weather.
Focus group discussion in built environment qualitative research practice
Authors: Omar D
Published: March 2018

Focus groups discussion is a useful way in built environment for qualitative research practice. Drawing upon recent reviews of focus group discussion and examples of how focus group discussions have been used by researchers and educators, this paper provides what actually happens in focus group discussion as practiced. There is difference between group of people and topic of interest. This article examines the focus group discussions as practiced in built environment. Thus, there is broad form of focus group discussions as practiced in built environment and the applications are varied.
Historicizing North Korea: State Socialism, Population Mobility, and Cold War Historiography
Authors: Schmid Andre
Published: March 2018

The Cold War is far from over on the Korean Peninsula. Korean history—especially for the northern half—remains deeply shaped by the legacies of transnational anti-communism even as historians who study socialism in other settings have shed many of the Cold War–era assumptions about the extensive power of the state. By putting North Korea in a comparative perspective with other socialist countries such as the USSR, the People’s Republic of China, and the German Democratic Republic, this article suggests ways of integrating the constitutive power of social forces beyond the state into our histories of North Korea, as seen through an examination of population movement. Beginning with the dissolution of the Japanese Empire, the mobility of people has always been a politicized issue between the two Koreas. Historians have taken up this issue, yet dependence on sources produced by the North Korean state has led many narratives—however harshly critical of the regime—to reproduce within their own analytical frameworks key assumptions originally produced in Pyongyang in support of the personality cult. The result has been a cartoonish depiction of the North Korean state. By using a diverse set of public media as sources, this article shows that due to conflicting interests of migrants, factory managers, and central economic planners, many North Koreans moved into the cities despite administrative injunctions and the admonishments of Kim Ilsung. Asking questions about the limits of the state, rather than assuming its totalitarian capacity, becomes one way of escaping the historiographical legacies of the Cold War even as the politics of division continue to rage on the peninsula.
Thinking the Nation
Authors: Bergholz Max
Published: March 2018

In “Thinking the Nation,” Max Bergholz offers a reappraisal of Benedict Anderson’s seminal 1983 book Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism. He does so through the telling of a set of interconnected stories. The first is the story of Anderson himself—who he was as a scholar and how the world in which he lived shaped his unique approach to nationalism. The second is the story of the reaction to his book in the immediate aftermath of its publication, and the subsequent ways in which historians derived inspiration from this work. The third and final story concerns the lasting contribution of Imagined Communities. The telling of these stories suggests that the continuing relevance of Anderson’s book seems to be not its specific historical explanation of the origin and spread of nationalism, but rather how it reorients its readers’ analytical gaze away from focusing largely on ideology, elites, and socioeconomic change, and toward cognitive processes of nationalism. In so doing, Anderson provides those seeking to tell histories of nationalism with a new conceptual vocabulary to excavate and explain human agency, and specifically the role of the imagination, in the making of nationalism into a real political force.
NMRNet: a deep learning approach to automated peak picking of protein NMR spectra
Authors: Klukowski Piotr , Augoff Michał , Zięba Maciej , Drwal Maciej , Gonczarek Adam , Walczak Michał J
Published: March 2018

Motivation

Automated selection of signals in protein NMR spectra, known as peak picking, has been studied for over 20 years, nevertheless existing peak picking methods are still largely deficient. Accurate and precise automated peak picking would accelerate the structure calculation, and analysis of dynamics and interactions of macromolecules. Recent advancement in handling big data, together with an outburst of machine learning techniques, offer an opportunity to tackle the peak picking problem substantially faster than manual picking and on par with human accuracy. In particular, deep learning has proven to systematically achieve human-level performance in various recognition tasks, and thus emerges as an ideal tool to address automated identification of NMR signals.

Results

We have applied a convolutional neural network for visual analysis of multidimensional NMR spectra. A comprehensive test on 31 manually annotated spectra has demonstrated top-tier average precision (AP) of 0.9596, 0.9058 and 0.8271 for backbone, side-chain and NOESY spectra, respectively. Furthermore, a combination of extracted peak lists with automated assignment routine, FLYA, outperformed other methods, including the manual one, and led to correct resonance assignment at the levels of 90.40%, 89.90% and 90.20% for three benchmark proteins.

Availability and implementation

The proposed model is a part of a Dumpling software (platform for protein NMR data analysis), and is available at https://dumpling.bio/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Bastion6: a bioinformatics approach for accurate prediction of type VI secreted effectors
Authors: Wang Jiawei , Yang Bingjiao , Leier André , Marquez-Lago Tatiana T , Hayashida Morihiro , Rocker Andrea , Zhang Yanju , Akutsu Tatsuya , Chou Kuo-Chen , Strugnell Richard A , Song Jiangning , Lithgow Trevor
Published: March 2018

Motivation

Many Gram-negative bacteria use type VI secretion systems (T6SS) to export effector proteins into adjacent target cells. These secreted effectors (T6SEs) play vital roles in the competitive survival in bacterial populations, as well as pathogenesis of bacteria. Although various computational analyses have been previously applied to identify effectors secreted by certain bacterial species, there is no universal method available to accurately predict T6SS effector proteins from the growing tide of bacterial genome sequence data.

Results

We extracted a wide range of features from T6SE protein sequences and comprehensively analyzed the prediction performance of these features through unsupervised and supervised learning. By integrating these features, we subsequently developed a two-layer SVM-based ensemble model with fine-grain optimized parameters, to identify potential T6SEs. We further validated the predictive model using an independent dataset, which showed that the proposed model achieved an impressive performance in terms of ACC (0.943), F-value (0.946), MCC (0.892) and AUC (0.976). To demonstrate applicability, we employed this method to correctly identify two very recently validated T6SE proteins, which represent challenging prediction targets because they significantly differed from previously known T6SEs in terms of their sequence similarity and cellular function. Furthermore, a genome-wide prediction across 12 bacterial species, involving in total 54 212 protein sequences, was carried out to distinguish 94 putative T6SE candidates. We envisage both this information and our publicly accessible web server will facilitate future discoveries of novel T6SEs.

Availability and implementation

http://bastion6.erc.monash.edu/

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Controllability of semilinear impulsive control systems with multiple time delays in control
Authors: Muni Vijayakumar S , George Raju K
Published: March 2018

In this article, we study the controllability of finite-dimensional dynamical control systems modelled by semilinear impulsive ordinary differential equations with multiple constant time delays in the control function. Initially, we recall a necessary and sufficient condition for the controllability of the corresponding linear system without impulses, with multiple constant time delays in the control function in terms of a matrix rank condition. Then under some sufficient conditions, we show that the actual system is also controllable for certain classes of non-linearities and impulse functions. We employ Schauder fixed-point theorem and Banach contraction mapping principle to establish the results. Our obtained results are applicable for both autonomous and non-autonomous systems. An example is given to illustrate the theoretical results.
The First Four Years of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Graduate School of Nursing
Authors: Levine Eugene , Monaqhan W. Patrick
Published: March 2018

The Graduate School of Nursing (GSN) was established at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in 1993 to prepare advanced practice nurses, namely family nurse practitioners (FNPs) and nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), for the uniformed services. A study of needs for nurses in the uniformed services in these specialties indicated that by the year 2000 there would be a need requiring a total enrollment in educational programs of 268 CRNAs and 100 FNPs over a 5-year period. Offering the master of science in nursing degree, the GSN has enrolled 61 students in its two programs, and by the end of the 1997 academic year, it will have graduated 19 FNPs and 19 CRNAs. The GSN was authorized by the Department of Defense, Office of Health Affairs, in February 1996. Federal nursing chiefs serve as advisors to the GSN. The GSN received full accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs in 1994 and from the National League for Nursing in December 1996. All students who have graduated have successfully passed their certification examinations. Supplementing other educational resources, the GSN is helping to meet the educational needs of the uniformed nursing services by introducing pilot programs specifically designed to meet these needs.
Psychological Characteristics of Wounded and Disabled Croatian War Veterans
Authors: Janković Stipan , Stivičević Vlasta , Dodig Goran , Biočić Mihovil , Stajner Ivan , Primorac Dragon
Published: March 2018

Objective: Evaluation of the psychological state of a group of 119 Croatian disabled war veterans who suffered grave traumatic war experiences during the war in Croatia (1991–1992). Methods: Semistructured Clinical Interview, Profile Index Emotions test, and Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale were used to assess disabled war veterans accommodated in special institutions for rehabilitation. Results: Changes in psychological functioning were established in 63.8% of disabled war veterans, the most frequent among them being indisposition, irritability, anxiety, and fear. In nearly half of the veterans there were changes in their relationships with close persons, difficulties in accepting the reality of their situations, and increased aggressiveness. Higher average values on the depression index (0.52) were also established. Conclusion: The established change in the psychological profile of disabled Croatian war veterans was lower than expected. However, because of their great vulnerability, it is necessary to increase efforts to secure their complete psychosocial recovery.
The clustering of the SDSS-IV extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey DR14 quasar sample: anisotropic Baryon Acoustic Oscillations measurements in Fourier-space with optimal redshift weights
Authors: Wang Dandan , Zhao Gong-Bo , Wang Yuting , Percival Will J , Ruggeri Rossana , Zhu Fangzhou , Tojeiro Rita , Myers Adam D , Chuang Chia-Hsun , Baumgarten Falk , Zhao Cheng , Gil-Marín Héctor , Ross Ashley J , Burtin Etienne , Zarrouk Pauline , Bautista Julian , Brinkmann Jonathan , Dawson Kyle , Brownstein Joel R , de la Macorra Axel , Schneider Donald P , Shafieloo Arman
Published: March 2018

We present a measurement of the anisotropic and isotropic Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) from the extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey Data Release 14 quasar sample with optimal redshift weights. Applying the redshift weights improves the constraint on the BAO dilation parameter α(zeff) by 17 per cent. We reconstruct the evolution history of the BAO distance indicators in the redshift range of 0.8 < z < 2.2. This paper is part of a set that analyses the eBOSS DR14 quasar sample.
Similarity solutions of time-dependent relativistic radiation-hydrodynamical plane-parallel flows
Authors: Fukue Jun
Published: March 2018

Similarity solutions are examined for the frequency-integrated relativistic radiation-hydrodynamical flows, which are described by the comoving quantities. The flows are vertical plane-parallel time-dependent ones with a gray opacity coefficient. For adequate boundary conditions, the flows are accelerated in a somewhat homologous manner, but terminate at some singular locus, which originates from the pathological behavior in relativistic radiation moment equations truncated in finite orders.
Fear-avoidance and Pelvic Floor Muscle Function are Associated With Pain Intensity in Women With Vulvodynia
Authors: Benoit-Piau Justine , Bergeron Sophie , Brassard Audrey , Dumoulin Chantale , Khalifé Samir , Waddell Guy , Morin Mélanie
Published: March 2018

Objective:

To investigate the association between fear-avoidance variables, pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function, pain intensity in women with provoked vestibulodynia (PVD), as well as the moderator effect of partner support.

Materials and Methods:

A sample of 173 women diagnosed with PVD participated in the study. Fear-avoidance variables were assessed with validated self-administered questionnaires: pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale), pain-related fear (Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale), and partner support (Partner Support Questionnaire). Pain intensity was evaluated using a numerical rating scale. PFM function, including maximal strength, speed of contraction, flexibility, and muscle tone, was evaluated with a dynamometric speculum.

Results:

Pain catastrophizing was significantly associated with pain intensity (β=0.310, P<0.001), partner support (β=0.194, P=0.004), and PFM flexibility (β=−0.255, P<0.001). Fear-avoidance, PFM variables, and partner support explained 28.3% of the variance in pain during intercourse (P<0.001). The addition of PFM was of particular interest as it explained a significant addition of 9% of the variance in pain intensity. Partner support was found to moderate the association between pain intensity and catastrophizing. Among women with high partner support, catastrophizing was not significantly related to pain (b=0.150, P=0.142). When partner support was low, catastrophizing was significantly related to pain (b=0.068, P<0.001).

Discussion:

Findings of this study support that the symptomatology of PVD can be explained partly by fear-avoidance variables and PFM function. This study supports the significant role of PFM function and its importance in the pathophysiology of PVD. It also sheds light on the role of partner support and its moderating effect on pain catastrophizing.
Arthroscopy assisted fixation of posterior malleolar fractures: case series for novel approach
Authors: Diab Hossam S.
Published: March 2018

Background:

Posterior malleolar fractures are not uncommon ankle injuries. Despite their biomechanical significance for syndesmotic stability and stress distribution, there is no consensus about which fractures to treat surgically. The purpose of this study was to evaluate arthroscopic guided fixation of posterior malleolar fractures. This technique is hypothesized to provide visualized optimal reduction in a minimally invasive manner.

Methods:

Twelve consecutive ankle injuries with posterior malleolar fracture were treated and enrolled in this prospective study. The standard procedure included posterior ankle arthroscopic guided reduction and cannulated screw fixation of the posterior malleolus. Patients were evaluated using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and Ankle-Hindfoot scale. A composite questionnaire, including the EQ-5D and visual analog scales (VAS) for pain and satisfaction was accomplished.

Results:

Postoperatively, all radiographs showed good reduction of the posterior malleolus and an even joint, with a mean tibiofibular clear space of 4.2 mm. All patients had returned to their preinjury activity levels at their final follow-up. The mean FAOS score for patients included in the study was 92.46, and the mean Ankle-Hindfoot score was 92.0. Adequate range of motion was achieved in relation to the contralateral ankle, with insignificant comparative chi-square statistic at a P-value of 0.99, and overall satisfaction scale of 9.42.

Conclusions:

Arthroscopic guided fixation of the posterior malleolar fracture is an effective treatment modality that achieves direct reduction of the fracture, faster rehabilitation, and has a lower risk of neurovascular complications.