bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D correlate with idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Authors: Ding Jing , Liu Lei , Kong Wei-Kuan , Chen Xiao-Bing , Liu Xudong
Published: April 2019

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH) D) levels in Chinese patients with idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and to investigate the possible relationship between the occurrence and recurrence of idiopathic BPPV and low 25(OH) D levels. Methods: Between 1 January 2017 and 31 May, 2018, consecutively older patients (age, older than 50 years) with idiopathic BPPV were recruited in the present study. For each patient, 2:1 sex and age matched healthy people were assigned as the control group. The influence of 25(OH) D levels on BPPV and recurrent BPPV were performed by binary logistic regression analysis. Results: In the present study, 174 patients with BPPV and 348 controls were included. The serum levels of 25(OH) D in those patients were lower than in those controls (P<0.001). One hundred eight patients were found to have vitamin D deficiency; thus, the prevalence was 62.1%, which was higher than that in the controls (42.8%). The data showed that patients with recurrent BPPV (N = 31) had lower serum levels of 25(OH) D compared with those who were not (11.2 ng/ml [interquartile range, 7.2–20.8 ng/ml] vs 18.7 ng/ml [14.2–24.8 ng/ml]). The regression analyses demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency was associated with BPPV and recurrent BPPV with an odds ratio of 2.15 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30–4.32; P=0.006) and 5.16 (95% CI, 1.00–34.12; P=0.05). Conclusion: Decreased serum levels of 25(OH)D were associated with the occurrence and recurrence of BPPV in a Chinese population, independent of other baseline markers.
Protective effect of dexmedetomidine on kidney injury of parturients with preeclampsia undergoing cesarean section: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Zhang Qing-lin , Wang Lei , Xu Ming-jun , Wang Tian-long
Published: April 2019

The present study aimed to elucidate the effects of dexmedetomidine on kidney injury of parturients with preeclampsia (PE) undergoing cesarean section. Total 134 cesarean delivery women with PE were randomly divided into intervention group (IG) and control group (CG). Both groups underwent combined spinal and epidural anesthesia (CSEA), the IG was treated with 0.4 μg/(kg·min) dexmedetomidine for 10 min before surgery. The CG was treated with equivalent saline. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure, oxygen saturation (SpO2) of the two groups were measured at different time point after administration. Level of inflammatory factors were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Visual analogue score (VAS), Ramsay sedation score (RSS), and kidney injury related indexes were evaluated at different time points. The plasma-drug concentration of patients was determined by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method. Compared with CG, HR, PE, and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) showed lower level while SpO2 showed higher level in IG. Furthermore, expression of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-10 in IG was decreased after drug administration, the contents of β2-MG, KIM-1 and urine protein were also decreased in contrast to the CG (all P<0.05). Besides, VAS score was decreased but Ramsay score was increased in the IG (both P<0.05). The results of HPLC showed that the half life of dexmedetomidine was about 20 min and it is speculated that the drug can be quickly metabolized within 24 h. Dexmedetomidine exerted protective effects on kidney injury of parturients with PE undergoing cesarean section.
Basic Research of Improving the Mortar Flow by Thermal Stimulation to Superplasticizer
Authors: Takigawa Mizuki , Rahmanzai Fraidoon , Kita Rio , Date Shigeyuki
Published: April 2019

Polycarboxylic acid-based superplasticizers are being used for various fields of concrete work, however little has reported on changing basic performance by thermal fluctuation. In this study, heating superplasticizers itself is hereinafter as referred to as “thermal stimulation”, the effect of thermal stimulation and heat retention of superplasticizer on the fresh mortar, moreover the influence of molecular structural changed of superplasticizer by thermal stimulation were investigated. As the result, it was confirmed that improving fluidity of the mortar flow on this condition the highly heat temperature and heat over a long time by thermal stimulation of superplasticizer. In addition, it turned out that this phenomenon was caused molecular structural changed by thermal stimulation, and the result was revealed that the effect of thermal stimulation varies according to the type of polymer.
The Impact of Transit Oriented Development Apartment Building to Pedestrian's Level of Service in Pondok Cina Station Using Microscopic Modeling
Authors: Pradana Randy Asad , Sumabrata R. Jachrizal
Published: April 2019

The construction of the TOD apartment at the Pondok Cina Station will have an impact on the level of service at the venue. This has a positive impact because there is an increase in KRL users, but it also has the potential to cause problems due to the increased volume. This study aims to analyze the impact of TOD station Pondok Cina apartment development on station service level in 2022 condition and find the best solution to improve service level. The station model is created using PTV VISWALK 10. Validation testing is needed to determine the model is acceptable or not by comparing the model results and actual conditions in the field. Analysis of service level using HCM as a reference. There are several models performed, such as the condition of existing year 2018, condition year 2022 without apartment, condition 2022 with apartment, and alternative condition. Alternative conditions of total change in Pondok Cina station. After the simulation, see the performance of all models based on service level and travel time. The result show given the influence of the apartment, if nothing is done then the level of service worsens from LOS B to LOS E while travel time increases drastically from 78 seconds to 429 seconds by 2022.
An outbreak of trichomonosis in European greenfinchesChloris chlorisand European goldfinchesCarduelis cardueliswintering in Northern France
Authors: Chavatte Jean-Marc , Giraud Philippe , Esperet Delphine , Place Grégory , Cavalier François , Landau Irène
Published: April 2019

Avian trichomonosis is a common and widespread disease, traditionally affecting columbids and raptors, and recently emerging among finch populations mainly in Europe. Across Europe, finch trichomonosis is caused by a single clonal strain ofTrichomonas gallinaeand negatively impacts finch populations. Here, we report an outbreak of finch trichomonosis in the wintering populations ofChloris chloris(European greenfinch) andCarduelis carduelis(European goldfinch) from the Boulonnais, in northern France. The outbreak was detected and monitored by bird ringers during their wintering bird ringing protocols. A total of 105 records from 12 sites were collected during the first quarter of 2017, with 46 and 59 concerning dead and diseased birds, respectively. Fourteen carcasses from two locations were necropsied and screened for multiple pathogens; the only causative agent identified wasT. gallinae. Genetic characterization was performed by four markers (small subunit ribosomal RNA, hydrogenosomal iron-hydrogenase, and RNA polymerase II subunit 1 genes, and the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) region) and confirmed theT. gallinaestrain to be A1, which affects the finch populations of Europe. This was also confirmed by an ITS-based phylogenetic analysis which further illustrated the diversity of theTrichomonasinfecting birds. Preliminary data on the survival and dispersion of infected birds were obtained from ring-returns of diseased individuals. The anthropogenic spread of diseases through bird feeding practices is highlighted and some suggestions to prevent pathogen transmission via backyard supplementary feeders for garden birds are given.
Editorial
Authors: Lock G.
Published: April 2019

Dear Colleagues,

Evidence based medicine and guidelines have considerably changed our medical thinking and practice in the last few decades, and they are the key point of this first issue of UIO in 2019.
Erfolgreich schwierige zeiten Meistern: Die Bedeutung der Kommunikation in der Insolvenz
Authors: Endele Kerstin
Published: April 2019

Vielen Kliniken in Deutschland geht es schlecht. Die Deutsche Krankenhausgesellschaft (DKG) spricht von rund 320 Kliniken, die bundesweit in den vergangenen 20 Jahren geschlossen wurden. Gerade kleinere Häuser, besonders im ländlichen Raum, kämpfen ums Überleben. Trotzdem war Insolvenz lange ein Fremdwort in der Kliniklandschaft.
Organisation: Agilität im Krankenhaus – Chance oder Utopie?
Authors: Oldhafer Martina , Nolte Felix
Published: April 2019

Das Thema Agilität erlebt seit einigen Jahren enorme Beachtung. Im Kliniksektor hört man davon jedoch kaum etwas. Das Change-Management des Universitätsklinikums Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) untersucht, inwiefern agile Ansätze und Methoden auch für Krankenhäuser nützlich sein können.
One-Year Patient Outcomes for Robotic-Arm-Assisted versus Manual Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Marchand Robert C. , Sodhi Nipun , Anis Hiba K. , Ehiorobo Joseph , Newman Jared M. , Taylor Kelly , Condrey Caitlin , Hepinstall Matthew S. , Mont Michael A.
Published: April 2019

Although there are many studies on the alignment advantages when using the robotic arm–assisted (RAA) system for total knee arthroplasty (TKA), there have been questions regarding patient-reported outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to use this index to compare: (1) total, (2) physical function, and (3) pain scores for manual versus RAA patients. We compared 53 consecutive RAA to 53 consecutive manual TKAs. No differences in preoperative scores were found between the cohorts. Patients were administered a modified Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index satisfaction survey preoperatively and at 1-year postoperatively. The results were broken down to: (1) total, (2) physical function, and (3) pain scores. Univariate analysis with independent samples t-tests was used to compare 1-year postoperative scores. Multivariate models with stepwise backward linear regression were utilized to evaluate the associations between scores and surgical technique, age, sex, as well as body mass index (BMI). Statistical analyses were performed with a p < 0.05 to determine significance. The RAA cohort had significantly improved mean total (6 ± 6 vs. 9 ± 8 points, p = 0.03) and physical function scores (4 ± 4 vs. 6 ± 5 points, p = 0.02) when compared with the manual cohort. The mean pain score for the RAA cohort (2 ± 3 points [range, 0–14 points]) was also lower than that for the manual cohort (3 ± 4 points [range, 0–11 points]) (p = 0.06). On backward linear regression analyses, RAA was found to be significantly associated with more improved total (β coefficient [β] −0.208, standard error [SE] 1.401, p < 0.05), function (β = 0.216, SE = 0.829, p < 0.05), and pain scores (β −0.181, SE = 0.623, p = 0.063). The RAA technique was found to have the strongest association with improved scores when compared with age, gender, and BMI. This study suggests that RAA patients may have short-term improvements at minimum 1-year postoperatively. However, longer term follow-up with greater sample sizes is needed to further validate these results.
Polarized cathodoluminescence for strain measurement
Authors: Fouchier M. , Rochat N. , Pargon E. , Landesman J. P.
Published: April 2019

Strain can alter the properties of semiconductor materials. The selection of a strain measurement technique is a trade-off between sensitivity, resolution, and field of view, among other factors. We introduce a new technique based on the degree of polarization of cathodoluminescence (CL), which has excellent sensitivity (10−5), an intermediate resolution (about 100 nm), and an adjustable field of view. The strain information provided is complementary to that obtained by CL spectroscopy. Feasibility studies are presented. The experimental setup and the data treatment procedure are described in detail. Current limitations are highlighted. The technique is tested on the cross section of bulk indium phosphide samples strained by a patterned hard mask.
Current induced forces in graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Asoudegi Nima , Soleimani Maryam , Pourfath Mahdi
Published: April 2019

Current induced forces at atomic scale have proven to limit the stability and performance of nanoscale devices. In this work, we employed a semiempirical tight-binding model along with a generalized Hellmann–Feynman theorem to calculate “wind-forces” due to the flow of electric current. The developed model is applied to calculate these forces for pristine and defected armchair and zigzag graphene nanoribbons under different magnetic states. Special profile, dependence on the ribbon’s width, and the effect of defects on the current induced forces are discussed. Transport calculations are followed by molecular dynamics simulations for evaluating atomic displacement and mechanical strains due to current induced forces. The results indicate the importance of including current induced forces for a careful analysis of two-dimensional based devices.
Current-voltage and flicker noise analysis and unified modeling for amorphous indium-gallium-zinc-oxide thin film transistors with etch stop layer from 298 to 333 K
Authors: Muhea Wondwosen Eshetu , Gneiting Thomas , Iñiguez Benjamin
Published: April 2019

We propose a unified DC and flicker noise model for bottom-gate amorphous InGaZO (a-IGZO) thin film transistors (TFTs) with an etch stop layer (ESL) valid for subthreshold, linear, and saturation regimes. A recent study carried out by our group about the origin of 1/f noise in four ESL a-IGZO TFTs with gate lengths 15, 20, 30, and 50μm and a width of 100μm revealed that carrier number fluctuation is the dominant mechanism of flicker noise in these specific devices and the contact resistances do not significantly contribute to the overall noise level. In this paper, we extended the work to develop a physics based 1/f noise model for ESL a-IGZo TFTs. The unified model and parameter extraction method, a technique developed for accurate parameter extraction and modeling of TFT device characteristics, is adapted to develop the I-V model. The noise model is subsequently derived taking into account the observed correlated mobility fluctuation based on the unified 1/f noise modeling idea. Results showed an excellent agreement between the experimental and modeled data for both the DC and flicker noise behavior of sample ESL a-IGZO TFTs over a broad range of bias conditions, at 298, 315, and 333 K operating temperatures.
Linewidth broadening and tunneling of excitons bound to N pairs in dilute GaAs:N
Authors: Fluegel B. , Beaton D. A. , Alberi K. , Volz K. , Stolz W.
Published: April 2019

The exciton bound to a pair of nitrogen atoms situated at nearby lattice sites in dilute GaAs:N provides an energetically uniform electronic system, spectrally distinct from pairs with larger or smaller separations, and can even be grown with a uniform pair orientation in the crystal. We use photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy on an ensemble of N pairs to study the narrow continuous energy distribution within two of the individual exchange- and symmetry-split exciton states. Inhomogeneous linewidths of 50–60 μeV vary across the crystal on a mesoscopic scale and can be 30 μeV at microscopic locations indicating that the homogeneous linewidth inferred from previous time-domain measurements is still considerably broadened. While excitation and emission linewidths are similar, results show a small energy shift between them indicative of exciton transfer via phonon-assisted tunneling between spatially separated N pairs. We numerically simulate the tunneling in a spatial network of randomly distributed pairs having a normal distribution of bound exciton energies. Comparing the ensemble excitation-emission energy shift with the measured results shows that the transfer probability is higher than expected from the dilute pair concentration and what is known of the exciton wavefunction spatial extent. Both the broadening and the exciton transfer have implications for the goal of pair-bound excitons as a single- or multi-qubit system.
A simple local expression for the prefactor in transition state theory
Authors: Kadkhodaei S. , van de Walle A.
Published: April 2019

We present a simple and accurate computational technique to determine the frequency prefactor in harmonic transition state theory without necessitating full phonon density of states (DOS) calculations. The atoms in the system are partitioned into an “active region,” where the kinetic process takes place, and an “environment” surrounding the active region. It is shown that the prefactor can be obtained by a partial phonon DOS calculation of the active region with a simple correction term accounting for the environment, under reasonable assumptions regarding atomic interactions. Convergence with respect to the size of the active region is investigated for different systems, as well as the reduction in computational costs when compared to full phonon DOS calculation. Additionally, we provide an open source implementation of the algorithm that can be added as an extension to Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator software.
High-temperature photocurrent mechanism of β-Ga2O3 based metal-semiconductor-metal solar-blind photodetectors
Authors: Tak B. R. , Garg Manjari , Dewan Sheetal , Torres-Castanedo Carlos G. , Li Kuang-Hui , Gupta Vinay , Li Xiaohang , Singh R.
Published: April 2019

High-temperature operation of metal–semiconductor–metal (MSM) UV photodetectors fabricated on pulsed laser deposited β-Ga2O3 thin films has been investigated. These photodetectors were operated up to 250 °C temperature under 255 nm illumination. The photo to dark current ratio of about 7100 was observed at room temperature and 2.3 at a high temperature of 250 °C with 10 V applied bias. A decline in photocurrent was observed until a temperature of 150 °C beyond which it increased with temperature up to 250 °C. The suppression of the UV and blue band was also observed in the normalized spectral response curve above 150 °C temperature. Temperature-dependent rise and decay times of temporal response were analyzed to understand the associated photocurrent mechanism at high temperatures. Electron–phonon interaction and self-trapped holes were found to influence the photoresponse in the devices. The obtained results are encouraging and significant for high-temperature applications of β-Ga2O3 MSM deep UV photodetectors.
Spectrum tailoring of low charge-to-mass ion beam by the triple-stage acceleration mechanism
Authors: Wang W. P. , Shen B. F. , Zhang H. , Lu X. M. , Li J. F. , Zhai S. H. , Li S. S. , Wang X. L. , Xu R. J. , Wang C. , Leng Y. X. , Liang X. Y. , Li R. X. , Xu Z. Z.
Published: April 2019

Lower charge-to-mass ions are more difficult to be accelerated during the traditional single accelerating progress, because they are generally modulated by the weaker charge-separated electric field. In this paper, the cascaded target normal sheath acceleration (TNSA) mechanism is proposed to solve this issue in experiments, where the low charge-to-mass ions (C2+) generated from the first TNSA stage can be further tailored to a mono-energetic bunch by the peak of the sheath field in the additive TNSA stages. A simple numerical model is used to explain the experimental result and shows that the energetic spread of the ion beam can be further reduced from 27% to ∼1% by expanding the two-stage acceleration to triple-stage acceleration. Here, the sheath field works like a spectral knife that can control the peak energy and bandwidth of the spectra for the ions with any charge-to-mass ratio. More choices can be provided for many potential applications, such as ion therapy and nuclear physics.
Band structure and thermoelectric performances of antimony under trigonal transformation
Authors: Sun L. , Wu C. Y. , Han J. C. , Gong H. R. , Chang M. L. , Chen D. C.
Published: April 2019

Ab initio calculation and Boltzmann transport equation have been integrated to find the fundamental influences of trigonal transformation on band structures and thermoelectric performances of antimony. Calculations reveal that antimony could keep its semimetal feature within the c/a range of 2.27–2.82 and that two transitions of band structures of antimony under trigonal transformation are revealed for the first time. Moreover, trigonal transformation has a significant influence on the thermoelectric performances of antimony, and the Seebeck coefficients for the electrons and holes of antimony reach the peaks at the c/a points of 2.72 and 2.57, respectively. The calculated results are in good agreement with the values from experiments in the literature and could deepen the comprehension of the intrinsic relationship between trigonal transformation, band structures, and Seebeck coefficients of antimony.
Bounded inverse power potentials: Isomorphism and isosbestic points
Authors: Nikiteas I. , Heyes D. M.
Published: April 2019

The bounded inverse power (BIP) interaction pair potential, ϕ(r)=1/(aq+rq)n/q, where a and the exponent, n, are constants which control the interaction softness, q is a positive integer, and r is the pair separation, is shown to exhibit isomorphic scaling as does the well-known inverse power potential, i.e., where a = 0. If T is the temperature and ρ is the number density of particles, two state points are isomorphic if a reference state, ρ0, T0, a0 and another state, ρ, T, a are related through the relationships ρn/3/T=ρ0n/3/T0 and a=a0ρ0/ρ1/3=a0T0/T1/n. The potential form is therefore density dependent along an isomorph. Molecular dynamics simulations and solutions of the Ornstein-Zernike integral equation for q = 2 demonstrate the existence of isosbestic points (IBPs) in the radial distribution function and structure factor for 6 ≤ n ≤ 18 and a wide range of a and ρ values. For the BIP potentials with not too small a values and over a wide density range, the IBP distance is insensitive to the number density and is equal to the distance, rT, defined through ϕ(rT) = T. For exponential potentials of the general form, ϕ(r) = C exp(−rm) with 1 ≤ m ≤ 3, there are also IBPs which are at r values that are typically ∼10–15% larger than predicted by the formula for rT.
The embrittlement and toughening of metallic glasses from nano-crystallization
Authors: Deng Binghui , Shi Yunfeng
Published: April 2019

Metallic glasses with secondary crystalline phase have been reported to either enhance or degrade the global plasticity. Here, we employed molecular dynamics simulation to investigate a generic glass-forming system, in which crystal-glass composites can be obtained via in situ crystallization. Ex situ composite samples were also constructed by embedding perfect crystals into monolithic glasses in order to delineate the precise influences of the composite microstructure. Our simulations demonstrate both toughening and embrittlement effects due to nanocrystallization. The double-edged-sword role of nanocrystals is mainly controlled by elasticity mismatch between the crystalline phase and the glass matrix. The effects of volume fraction and the size of nanocrystals can be understood in the perspective of cumulative probability of shear bands formation and propagation being interfered by the presence of nanocrystals.
Electrocaloric effect in ferroelectric ceramics with point defects
Authors: Wu Ming , Zhu Qingshan , Li Jianting , Song Dongsheng , Wu Honghui , Guo Mengyao , Gao Jinghui , Bai Yang , Feng Yujun , Pennycook Stephen J. , Lou Xiaojie
Published: April 2019

The electrocaloric effect has drawn much attention due to its potential application in cooling devices. A negative electrocaloric effect is predicted to be induced in defect-doped ferroelectrics by computational results [A. Grünebohm and T. Nishimatsu, Phys. Rev. B 93, 134101 (2016) and Ma et al., Phys. Rev. B 94, 094113 (2016)], but it need to be confirmed by experimental results. In this work, we prepared a 1 mol. % Mn-doped Pb(Zr0.2,Ti0.8)O3 ceramics (Pb((Zr0.2,Ti0.8)0.99,Mn0.01)O3), and the electrocaloric effect of the defect-containing ferroelectric ceramics has been investigated by both direct and indirect methods. The indirect method shows a similar negative electrocaloric effect signal as the computational results predicted, while the direct method gives a positive electrocaloric effect. The absence of the negative electrocaloric effect obtained by the direct method may originate from: (a) the unavailability and the improper prediction of the Maxwell relation, (b) an improper assumption of fixed defects in the computational models, and (c) the offset of heat loss due to the application of a large electric field. In addition, we find a giant positive electrocaloric effect of 0.55 K at room temperature in the aged ceramics where no phase transition takes place. We attribute this abnormal electrocaloric effect to the restoration force of the defect dipoles. Our results not only provide insights into the origin of the negative electrocaloric effect, but also offer opportunities for the design of electrocaloric materials.
The Enigma of Amyloid Forming Proteins: Insights From Molecular Simulations
Authors: Todorova Nevena , Yarovsky Irene
Published: April 2019

Molecular level insight into the interplay between protein sequence, structure, and conformational dynamics is crucial for the comprehensive understanding of protein folding, misfolding, and aggregation phenomena that are pertinent to the formation of amyloid fibrils implicated in several degenerative diseases. Computational modelling provides insight into protein behaviour at spatial and temporal resolution still largely outside the reach of experiments. Herein we present an account of our theoretical modelling research conducted in collaboration with several experimental groups where we explored the effects of local environment on the structure and aggregation propensity of several types of amyloidogenic peptides and proteins, including apolipoprotein C-II, insulin, amylin, and amyloid-β using a variety of computational approaches.
Effects of gonadotrophins and insulin on glucose uptake in the porcine cumulus–oocyte complex during IVM
Authors: Alvarez Gabriel Martín , Barrios Expósito María Josefina , Elia Evelin , Paz Dante , Morado Sergio , Cetica Pablo Daniel
Published: April 2019

The combination of gonadotrophins (LH and FSH) and insulin is frequently used in porcine oocyte IVM, but the individual effects of gonadotrophins and insulin have not been completely studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms involved in glucose metabolism in the swine cumulus–oocyte complex (COC), analysing the effects of gonadotrophins (10IUmL−1 LH+10IUmL−1 FSH) and 0.4μUmL−1insulin, during 44h of IVM, on glucose transport and consumption, as well as on nuclear maturation and sperm penetration. We evaluated the effects of gonadotrophins and insulin separately or in combination on glucose consumption, membrane permeability to the glucose fluorescent analogue 6-(N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino)-6-deoxyglucose (6-NBDG), the presence of GLUT-4 and oocyte maturation rates, after 44h of IVM. Nuclear maturation percentages increased significantly following the addition of gonadotrophins alone or in combination with insulin to the culture medium (P<0.0001), whereas insulin alone had no effect. A significant increase was observed in sperm penetration of COCs matured with insulin, gonadotrophins or their combination (P<0.0001). However, only gonadotrophins significantly increased glucose uptake (P<0.0001). Although gonadotrophins and insulin increased GLUT-4 expression, neither modified 6-NBDG incorporation. In conclusion, gonadotrophins and insulin had different effects during IVM; although gonadotrophins increased maturation rates and glucose consumption, they had no effect on glucose transport, and insulin improved sperm penetration without affecting the parameters related to glucose utilisation. Therefore, glucose metabolism is likely to be primarily regulated by its consumption in metabolic pathways rather than by changes in membrane permeability.
In transit
Authors: Felberg Tatjana Radanović , Šarić Ljiljana
Published: April 2019

This article investigates the representation of migration and migrants in Croatian
and Serbian public broadcasters’ online portals during the “migrant crisis” in
2015/2016. The study shows that there are similarities in representations in the
two portals at both the macro- and micro-linguistic levels. The migrants are
generally represented in positive terms congruent with the official policies of
Croatia and Serbia. However, this positive representation was frequently used for
positive self-evaluation in contrast to negative evaluation of others – in this case,
neighboring countries.
"We mustn't fool ourselves"
Authors: Bolonyai Agnes , Campolong Kelsey
Published: April 2019

The historic wave of refugees reaching Europe in 2015 was met with a volatile
mixture of ethno-nationalist, anti-Muslim fearmongering and political infighting
within the European Union (EU). Perhaps no one was more influential in
promulgating fear and anti-refugee sentiment than Viktor Orbán, the Prime
Minister of Hungary, whose inflammatory rhetoric and uncompromising, illiberal
political stance helped escalate the refugee-crisis in a discursive battle
of political wills, ideologies, and identity politics within the EU. This paper
explores how Orbán employs political discourse practices and strategies to enact his right-wing populist (RWP) ideology and anti-immigrant ‘politics of fear’
(Wodak 2015) vis-à-vis EU politicians’ pro-migration discourses. Adopting a
broad critical discourse-analytic approach, we demonstrate Orbán’s iterative
production of discourses of threat and defense underlying discourses of fear (law
and order, cultural/religious difference), and discourses of oppositional political
identities and ideologies through fractal recursion. We argue that recursive
performance of RWP stances creates a recognizable political style characteristic
of Orbán’s RWP political persona or type.
"A great and beautiful wall"
Authors: Demata Massimiliano
Published: April 2019

This paper focuses on Trump’s aggressive language on immigration. By analyzing a data set made of public speeches, interviews, and statements from Trump’s official website, the paper will look at how certain lexico-grammatical and intertextual choices in Trump’s representation of immigration display all the
typical features of a populist agenda. Trump’s texts will be analyzed according
to Wodak’s Discourse-Historical approach: Trump’s own “politics of fear” and
language on immigration are evidence of the strong currency held by values
associated with right-wing, ethno-nationalist populism, once the core ideological
tenets only of certain fringe movements such as the Tea Party, but now firmly
established in mainstream politics.
Additive manufacturing of copper alloys: Influence of process parameters and alloying elements
Authors: Tiberto Dario , Klotz Ulrich E. , Held Franz , Wolf Gerhard
Published: April 2019

Owing to the physical properties of copper and its alloys it is challenging to achieve good surface quality and low porosity by the widely used laser-based additive manufacturing processes. This paper deals with the role of alloy composition, powder size and process parameters in additive manufacturing with laser beam melting machine (with power up to 100 W). Test parts were produced in pure copper and CuNiSi(Cr) alloys. The porosity was investigated as a function of different process parameters and powder size ranges. The effects of the alloy physical properties (reflectivity, thermal conductivity, melting range and surface tension) are discussed. Moreover, the effect of thermal treatment on the properties of CuNiSi parts was assessed in conventional two-step heat treatments.
En bloc release of MVB‐like small extracellular vesicle clusters by colorectal carcinoma cells
Authors: Valcz Gábor , Buzás Edit I. , Kittel Ágnes , Krenács Tibor , Visnovitz Tamás , Spisák Sándor , Török György , Homolya László , Zsigrai Sára , Kiszler Gábor , Antalffy Géza , Pálóczi Krisztina , Szállási Zoltán , Szabó Vanessza , Sebestyén Anna , Solymosi Norbert , Kalmár Alexandra , Dede Kristóf , Lőrincz Péter , Tulassay Zsolt , Igaz Péter , Molnár Béla
Published: April 2019

Small extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane enclosed structures that are usually released from cells upon exocytosis of multivesicular bodies (MVBs) as a collection of separate, free EVs. In this study, we analysed paraffin embedded sections of archived human colorectal cancer samples. We studied 3D reconstructions of confocal microscopic images complemented by HyVolution and STED imaging. Unexpectedly, we found evidence that large, MVB‐like aggregates of ALIX/CD63 positive EV clusters were released en bloc by migrating tumour cells. These structures were often captured with partial or complete extra‐cytoplasmic localization at the interface of the plasma membrane of the tumour cell and the stroma. Their diameter ranged between 0.62 and 1.94 μm (mean±S.D.: 1.17 ± 0.34 μm). High‐resolution 3D reconstruction showed that these extracellular MVB‐like EV clusters were composed of distinguishable internal particles of small EV size (mean±S.D.: 128.96 ± 16.73 nm). In vitro, HT29 colorectal cancer cells also showed the release of similar structures as confirmed by immunohistochemistry and immune electron microscopy. Our results provide evidence for an en bloc transmission of MVB‐like EV clusters through the plasma membrane. Immunofluorescent‐based detection of the MVB like small EV clusters in archived pathological samples may represent a novel and unique opportunity which enables analysis of EV release in situ in human tissues.
Plasma disinfection via the reduced-pH method using an ex vivo porcine contaminated skin model
Authors: Yokoyama Takashi , Ikawa Satoshi , Kitano Katsuhisa
Published: April 2019

Plasma disinfection has been developed as a medical application using low temperature atmospheric pressure plasma. We identified an enhancement effect of the bactericidal activity of plasma treatment against a bacterial suspension by the acidification of the solution (the reduced-pH method). The key efficacy factor of the reduced-pH method was shown to be hydroperoxy radicals (HOO•). However, in the case of medical application, the efficacy of plasma disinfection on living body should be evaluated, because it have complicated surface structure and rich organic matter which can inhibit disinfection. Here, we demonstrated the efficacy of the reduced-pH method on the skin surface by using a porcine skin model. The bactericidal activity of plasma treatment at pH 3.7 and 6.6 was 3.7 and 0.8 log reduction, respectively. The enhancement effect of bactericidal activity was confirmed to be 4.6 on the skin at the tested pH conditions. The method for providing pH control on the skin surface was very simple, involving spreading of the pH buffer solution on the skin. The reduced-pH method may therefore serve as an essential technique for plasma disinfection on the human body, as one of the most important concerns for such treatment is to ensure low levels of thermal damage by the plasma jet. The reduced-pH method thus enables enhancement of the bactericidal activity of plasma treatment without increasing the plasma power.
Quantum current in dissipative systems
Authors: Hovhannisyan Karen V , Imparato Alberto
Published: April 2019

Describing current in open quantum systems can be problematic due to the subtle interplay of quantum coherence and environmental noise. Probing the noise-induced current can be detrimental to the tunneling-induced current and vice versa. We derive a general theory for the probability current in quantum systems arbitrarily interacting with their environment that overcomes this difficulty. We show that the current can be experimentally measured by performing a sequence of weak and standard quantum measurements. We exemplify our theory by analyzing a simple Smoluchowski–Feynman-type ratchet consisting of two particles, operating deep in the quantum regime. Fully incorporating both thermal and quantum effects, the current generated in the model can be used to detect the onset of ‘genuine quantumness’ in the form of quantum contextuality. The model can also be used to generate steady-state entanglement in the presence of arbitrarily hot environment.
Level crossing in random matrices. II. Random perturbation of a random matrix
Authors: Grøsfjeld Tobias , Shapiro Boris , Zarembo Konstantin
Published: April 2019

In this paper we study the distribution of level crossings for the spectra of linear families

where A and B are square matrices independently chosen from some given Gaussian ensemble and

is a complex-valued parameter. We formulate a number of theoretical and numerical results for the classical Gaussian ensembles and some of their generalisations. Besides, we present intriguing numerical information about the monodromy distribution in case of linear families for the classical Gaussian ensembles of

-matrices.
Future Thinking in Korsakoff Syndrome
Authors: El Haj Mohamad , Moustafa Ahmed A , Nandrino Jean-Louis
Published: April 2019

Aims

Prior research has been mainly concerned with the ability of patients with Korsakoff syndrome (KS) to project themselves into the past. Little is known about the patients’ ability to project themselves into the future. We therefore compared past and future thinking in patients with KS.

Methods

We invited patients with KS and control participants to retrieve past events and reconstruct future events. Participants were also invited to rate subjective characteristics (i.e. time travel, emotional feeling, and visual imagery) of the past and future events.

Results

Patients with KS demonstrated low specificity, time travel, and emotional experience during past and future thinking. However, while lower emotional experience was observed in patients with KS than in the control participants during future thinking, no significant differences were observed between the two populations during past thinking. Regarding within-group comparisons, patients with KS demonstrated no significant differences between past and future thinking in terms of specificity, time travel, and visual imagery; however, they demonstrated higher emotional experience during past than during future thinking. Regarding control participants, they demonstrated no significant differences between past and future thinking in terms of specificity, time travel, emotional experience, and visual imagery.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate a diminished ability to construct specific future scenarios as well as a diminished subjective experience during future thinking in KS.
Response of photosynthesis, growth and water relations of a savannah-adapted tree and grass grown across high to low CO2
Authors: Quirk Joe , Bellasio Chandra , Johnson David A , Beerling David J
Published: April 2019

Background and Aims

By the year 2100, atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]a) could reach 800 ppm, having risen from ~200 ppm since the Neogene, beginning ~24 Myr ago. Changing [CO2]a affects plant carbon–water balance, with implications for growth, drought tolerance and vegetation shifts. The evolution of C4 photosynthesis improved plant hydraulic function under low [CO2]a and preluded the establishment of savannahs, characterized by rapid transitions between open C4-dominated grassland with scattered trees and closed forest. Understanding directional vegetation trends in response to environmental change will require modelling. But models are often parameterized with characteristics observed in plants under current climatic conditions, necessitating experimental quantification of the mechanistic underpinnings of plant acclimation to [CO2]a.

Methods

We measured growth, photosynthesis and plant–water relations, within wetting–drying cycles, of a C3 tree (Vachellia karroo, an acacia) and a C4 grass (Eragrostis curvula) grown at 200, 400 or 800 ppm [CO2]a. We investigated the mechanistic linkages between trait responses to [CO2]a under moderate soil drying, and photosynthetic characteristics.

Key results

For V. karroo, higher [CO2]a increased assimilation, foliar carbon:nitrogen, biomass and leaf starch, but decreased stomatal conductance and root starch. For Eragrostis, higher [CO2]a decreased C:N, did not affect assimilation, biomass or starch, and markedly decreased stomatal conductance. Together, this meant that C4 advantages in efficient water-use over the tree were maintained with rising [CO2]a.

Conclusions

Acacia and Eragrostis acclimated differently to [CO2]a, with implications for their respective responses to water limitation and environmental change. Our findings question the carbon-centric focus on factors limiting assimilation with changing [CO2]a, how they are predicted and their role in determining productivity. We emphasize the continuing importance of water-conserving strategies in the assimilation response of savannah plants to rising [CO2]a.
Decision Making in Preservation Rhinoplasty: A 100 Case Series With One-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Kosins Aaron M , Daniel Rollin K
Published: April 2019

Background

Preservation rhinoplasty (PR) is a new chapter in rhinoplasty history. The term was coined by Daniel in 2018 and represents a fundamental change in philosophy.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to discuss a single-surgeon case series utilizing PR techniques.

Methods

One hundred fifty-three primary rhinoplasty cases were studied retrospectively between December 2016 and August 2017. One hundred cases had at least 1 year of follow-up. Technical details were recorded, including dissection plane, ligament preservation, tip support, lateral crural maneuvers, alar contour grafts, and preservation of the dorsum vs traditional reduction. These 100 cases can be categorized as either complete preservation rhinoplasty (PR-C) or partial preservation rhinoplasty (PR-P).

Results

All patients had open rhinoplasty and the average follow-up time was 13 months. All patients had preservation of the dorsal soft tissue envelope, and in 36 the entire soft tissue envelope and ligaments were preserved. Fifty-four had preservation of the alar cartilages. Thirty-one had dorsal preservation. The combinations include: PR-C (skin, dorsum, and alars): 24; PR-P (skin and dorsum): 2; PR-P (alars and dorsum): 2; and PR-P (skin and alars): 7.

Conclusions

In most patients, the dorsal soft tissue envelope and nasal ligaments can be preserved. When possible, the lateral crura should be preserved and tensioning chosen over excision. Dorsal preservation is a versatile technique when proper patient selection is undertaken, and long-term issues with the middle vault and keystone area can be avoided. Some patients will benefit from total preservation where nothing is removed/disrupted and underlying structures are reshaped.

Level of Evidence: 4
Symmetrical discrimination despite weak song differentiation in 2 suboscine bird sister species
Authors: Macedo Gabriel , Silva Marco , Amaral Fábio Raposo do , Maldonado-Coelho Marcos
Published: April 2019

Song mediates territorial competition and mate choice in birds and population divergence in this signal can have important evolutionary consequences. For example, divergent songs can act in specific recognition and limit gene flow and, hence, have a fundamental role on the origin and/or integrity of evolutionary lineages. Especially interesting systems to test the role of song in specific recognition are species pairs that present small structural differences in this signal. Here, we perform song play-back experiments on males of a long-diverged sister pair of Neotropical Suboscine species, the squamate antbird (Myrmoderus squamosus) and the white-bibbed antbird (Myrmoderus loricatus), which occur in parapatry in the Atlantic Forest and that overlap extensively in song variation. Previous evidence indicates that genetic introgression between these species is either absent or negligible, suggesting that vocal discrimination or other mechanisms function as effective barriers to gene flow. Our results show that responses to heterospecific songs were symmetrical and intermediary compared with responses to conspecific songs in both species. A stronger response to conspecific territorial songs suggests that conspecific individuals pose greater competitive threat than heterospecifics. An important implication of our study is that even small song differences can play an important role in specific recognition.
ASICS: an R package for a whole analysis workflow of 1D 1H NMR spectra
Authors: Lefort Gaëlle , Liaubet Laurence , Canlet Cécile , Tardivel Patrick , Père Marie-Christine , Quesnel Hélène , Paris Alain , Iannuccelli Nathalie , Vialaneix Nathalie , Servien Rémi
Published: April 2019

Motivation

In metabolomics, the detection of new biomarkers from Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra is a promising approach. However, this analysis remains difficult due to the lack of a whole workflow that handles spectra pre-processing, automatic identification and quantification of metabolites and statistical analyses, in a reproducible way.

Results

We present ASICS, an R package that contains a complete workflow to analyse spectra from NMR experiments. It contains an automatic approach to identify and quantify metabolites in a complex mixture spectrum and uses the results of the quantification in untargeted and targeted statistical analyses. ASICS was shown to improve the precision of quantification in comparison to existing methods on two independent datasets. In addition, ASICS successfully recovered most metabolites that were found important to explain a two level condition describing the samples by a manual and expert analysis based on bucketing. It also found new relevant metabolites involved in metabolic pathways related to risk factors associated with the condition.

Availability and implementation

ASICS is distributed as an R package, available on Bioconductor.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Everything Is Related and It All Leads Up to My Mental Well-Being: A Qualitative Study of the Determinants of Mental Wellness Amongst Urban Indigenous Elders
Authors: Schill Kaela , Terbasket Edna , Thurston Wilfreda E , Kurtz Donna , Page Stacey , McLean Freda , Jim Randy , Oelke Nelly
Published: April 2019

Indigenous peoples in Canada often experience a greater burden of poor health and wellness relative to non-Indigenous Canadians due to a legacy of colonisation and racism. However, Indigenous mental wellness outcomes vary by community, and it is essential to understand how a community has been impacted by the determinants to improve mental wellness outcomes. This article shares insight from a research partnership with the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, an urban Indigenous community service organisation. The study used a decolonising, qualitative methodology in which urban Indigenous Elders shared their knowledge of mental wellness and experiences of services and supports. Elders described mental wellness holistically, connected to their relationships, land, language and culture. They described several determinants of wellness including identity, poverty, transportation, abuse and trauma. Elders shared experiences of culturally unsafe care and identified colonisation as root causes of poor mental wellness. They shared how some determinants affect urban Indigenous communities uniquely. This included limited transportation to cultural activities outside urban centres, such as medicine picking, the importance of urban organisations (such as Aboriginal Friendship Centres) in developing social support networks, and the role of discrimination, racism and inequitable care as barriers to accessing services in urban centres.