bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gastrectomy compared to oesophagectomy for Siewert II and III gastro-oesophageal junctional cancer in relation to resection margins, lymphadenectomy and survival
Authors: Kauppila Joonas H. , Wahlin Karl , Lagergren Jesper
Published: December 2017

It is unclear whether gastrectomy or oesophagectomy offer better outcomes for gastro-oesophageal junction (GOJ) cancer. A total of 240 patients undergoing total gastrectomy (n = 85) or oesophagectomy (n = 155) for Siewert II-III GOJ adenocarcinoma were identified from a Swedish prospective population-based nationwide cohort. The surgical approaches were compared in relation to non-radical resection margins (main outcome) using multivariable logistic regression, providing odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), mean number of removed lymph nodes with standard deviation (SD) using ANCOVA, assessing mean differences and 95% CIs, and 5-year mortality using Cox regression estimating hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs. The models were adjusted for age, sex, comorbidity, tumour stage, and surgeon volume. The non-radical resection rate was 15% for gastrectomy and 14% for oesophagectomy, and the adjusted OR was 1.61 (95% CI 0.68–3.83). The mean number of lymph nodes removed was 14.2 (SD ± 9.6) for gastrectomy and 14.2 (SD ± 10.4) for oesophagectomy, with adjusted mean difference of 2.4 (95% CI-0.2–5.0). The 5-year mortality was 76% following gastrectomy and 75% following oesophagectomy, with adjusted HR = 1.07 (95% CI 0.78–1.47). Gastrectomy and oesophagectomy for Siewert II or III GOJ cancer seem comparable regarding tumour-free resection margins, lymph nodes removal, and 5-year survival.
ATP-degrading ENPP1 is required for survival (or persistence) of long-lived plasma cells
Authors: Wang Hongsheng , Gonzalez-Garcia Ines , Traba Javier , Jain Shweta , Conteh Solomon , Shin Dong-Mi , Qi Chenfeng , Gao Yuanyuan , Sun Jiafang , Kang Sungyun , Abbasi Sadia , Naghashfar Zohreh , Yoon Jeongheon , DuBois Wendy , Kovalchuk Alexander L. , Sack Michael N. , Duffy Patrick , Morse Herbert C.
Published: December 2017

Survival of antibody-secreting plasma cells (PCs) is vital for sustained antibody production. However, it remains poorly understood how long-lived PCs (LLPCs) are generated and maintained. Here we report that ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1) is preferentially upregulated in bone marrow LLPCs compared with their splenic short-lived counterparts (SLPCs). We studied ENPP1-deficient mice (Enpp1−/−) to determine how the enzyme affects PC biology. AlthoughEnpp1−/−mice generated normal levels of germinal center B cells and plasmablasts in periphery, they produced significantly reduced numbers of LLPCs following immunization with T-dependent antigens or infection with plasmodiumC.chabaudi. Bone marrow chimeric mice showed B cell intrinsic effect of ENPP1 selectively on generation of bone marrow as well as splenic LLPCs. Moreover,Enpp1−/−PCs took up less glucose and had lower levels of glycolysis than those of wild-type controls. Thus, ENPP1 deficiency confers an energetic disadvantage to PCs for long-term survival and antibody production.
The pesticide flupyradifurone impairs olfactory learning in Asian honey bees (Apis cerana) exposed as larvae or as adults
Authors: Tan Ken , Wang Cao , Dong Shihao , Li Xinyu , Nieh James C.
Published: December 2017

Relatively little attention has focused on how pesticides may affect Asian honey bees, which provide vital crop pollination services and are key native pollinators. We therefore studied the effects of a relatively new pesticide, flupyradifurone (FLU), which has been developed, in part, because it appears safer for honey bees than neonicotinoids. We tested the effects of FLU onApis ceranaolfactory learning in larvae (lower dose of 0.033 µg/larvae/day over 6 days) and, in a separate experiment, adults (lower dose of 0.066 µg/adult bee/day) at sublethal, field-realistic doses given over 3 days. A worst-case field-realistic dose is 0.44 µg/bee/day. Learning was tested in adult bees. The lower larval dose did not increase mortality, but the lower adult dose resulted in 20% mortality. The lower FLU doses decreased average olfactory learning by 74% (larval treatment) and 48% (adult treatment) and reduced average memory by 48% (larval treatment) and 22% (adult treatment) as compared to controls. FLU at higher doses resulted in similar learning impairments. The effects of FLU, a pesticide that is reported to be safer than neonicotinoids for honey bees, thus deserve greater attention.
Image-Guided Fluorescence Endomicroscopy: From Macro- to Micro-Imaging of Radiation-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Perez Jessica R. , Ybarra Norma , Chagnon Frederic , Serban Monica , Pare Gabriel , Lesur Olivier , Seuntjens Jan , Naqa Issam El
Published: December 2017

Radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (RIPF) is a debilitating side effect of radiation therapy (RT) of several cancers including lung and breast cancers. Current clinical methods to assess and monitor RIPF involve diagnostic computed tomography (CT) imaging, which is restricted to anatomical macroscopic changes. Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) or fluorescence endomicroscopy (FE) in combination with a fibrosis-targeted fluorescent probe allows to visualize RIPF in real-time at the microscopic level. However, a major limitation of FE imaging is the lack of anatomical localization of the endomicroscope within the lung. In this work, we proposed and validated the use of x-ray fluoroscopy-guidance in a rat model of RIPF to pinpoint the location of the endomicroscope during FE imaging and map it back to its anatomical location in the corresponding CT image. For varying endomicroscope positions, we observed a positive correlation between CT and FE imaging as indicated by the significant association between increased lung density on CT and the presence of fluorescent fiber structures with FE in RT cases compared to Control. Combining multimodality imaging allows visualization and quantification of molecular processes at specific locations within the injured lung. The proposed image-guided FE method can be extended to other disease models and is amenable to clinical translation for assessing and monitoring fibrotic damage.
Inhibition of C1-Ten PTPase activity reduces insulin resistance through IRS-1 and AMPK pathways
Authors: Jeong Heeyoon , Koh Ara , Lee Jiyoun , Park Dohyun , Lee Jung Ok , Lee Mi Nam , Jo Kyung-Jin , Tran Huynh Nguyen Khanh , Kim Eui , Min Byung-Sun , Kim Hyeon Soo , Berggren Per-Olof , Ryu Sung Ho
Published: December 2017

Insulin resistance causes type 2 diabetes; therefore, increasing insulin sensitivity is a therapeutic approach against type 2 diabetes. Activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an effective approach for treating diabetes, and reduced insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) protein levels have been suggested as a molecular mechanism causing insulin resistance. Thus, dual targeting of AMPK and IRS-1 might provide an ideal way to treat diabetes. We found that 15,16-dihydrotanshinone I (DHTS), as a C1-Ten protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, increased IRS-1 stability, improved glucose tolerance and reduced muscle atrophy. Identification of DHTS as a C1-Ten inhibitor revealed a new function of C1-Ten in AMPK inhibition, possibly through regulation of IRS-1. These findings suggest that C1-Ten inhibition by DHTS could provide a novel therapeutic strategy for insulin resistance-associated metabolic syndrome through dual targeting of IRS-1 and AMPK.
Non-structural protein 1 of H3N2 influenza A virus induces nucleolar stress via interaction with nucleolin
Authors: Yan Yinxia , Du Yongming , Wang Gefei , Li Kangsheng
Published: December 2017

The nucleolus is a stress sensor associated with cell cycle progression and a central hub for the replication of pathogenic RNA viruses. However, the role of nucleolus in influenza A virus infection has not been well studied. Here we show that the interaction between NS1 protein of influenza A/Shantou/602/06 (H3N2) and nucleolin, a ubiquitous protein of nucleolus repressed RNA Pol I-dependent transcription via establishing hyper-methylation in the UCE of rRNA gene promoter. NS1 expressed cells showed significant association of ribosomal proteins with MDM2, and p53 accumulation, suggesting induced nucleolar stress. Disruption of the interaction of NS1 with nucleolin or overexpression of nucleolin in NS1 expressed cells revived RNA Pol I-dependent transcription, indicating nucleolin could be one target for NS1 to repress rRNA synthesis of host cells. Our present study suggests that NS1 protein of H3N2 could induce nucleolar stress based on epigenetic alteration of rRNA gene promoter via interaction with nucleolin.
Snail collaborates with EGR-1 and SP-1 to directly activate transcription of MMP 9 and ZEB1
Authors: Wu Wen-Sheng , You Ren-In , Cheng Chuan-Chu , Lee Ming-Che , Lin Teng-Yi , Hu Chi-Tan
Published: December 2017

The Snail transcription factor plays as a master regulator of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), one of the steps of tumor metastasis. Snail enhances expressions of a lot of mesenchymal genes including the matrix degradation enzyme matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP9) and the EMT transcription factor zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1), however, the underlying mechanisms are not clarified. Herein, we investigated how Snail upregulated transcription of ZEB1 and MMP9 induced by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) in hepatoma cell HepG2. According to deletion mapping and site directed mutagenesis analysis, the TPA-responsive elements on both MMP9 and ZEB1 promoters locate on a putative EGR1 and SP1 overlapping region coupled with an upstream proposed Snail binding motif TCACA. Consistently, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay showed TPA triggered binding of Snail, EGR1 and SP1 on MMP9 and ZEB1 promoters. Double ChIP further indicated TPA induced association of Snail with EGR1 and SP1 on both promoters. Also, electrophoresis mobility shift assay revealed TPA enhanced binding of Snail with a MMP9 promoter fragment. According to shRNA techniques, Snail was essential for gene expression of both ZEB1 and MMP9. In conclusion, Snail transactivates genes involved in tumor progression via direct binding to a specific promoter region.
Analysis of killing of growing cells and dormant and germinated spores of Bacillus species by black silicon nanopillars
Authors: Ghosh Sonali , Niu Shanyuan , Yankova Maya , Mecklenburg Matthew , King Stephen M. , Ravichandran Jayakanth , Kalia Rajiv K. , Nakano Aiichiro , Vashishta Priya , Setlow Peter
Published: December 2017

Black silicon (bSi) wafers with a high density of high-aspect ratio nanopillars have recently been suggested to have mechanical bactericidal activity. However, it remains unclear whether bSi with the nanopillars can kill only growing bacterial cells or also dormant spores that are harder to kill. We have reexamined the cidal activity of bSi on growing cells, dormant and germinated spores of B. subtilis, and dormant spores of several other Bacillus species by incubation on bSi wafers with and without nanopillars. We found that the bSi wafers with nanopillars were indeed very effective in rupturing and killing the growing bacterial cells, while wafers without nanopillars had no bactericidal effect. However, bSi wafers with or without nanopillars gave no killing or rupture of dormant spores of B. subtilis, Bacillus cereus or Bacillus megaterium, although germinated B. subtilis spores were rapidly killed. This work lays a foundation for novel bactericidal applications of bSi by elucidating the limits of mechanical bactericidal approaches.
A 100,000 Scale Factor Radar Range
Authors: Blanche Pierre-Alexandre , Neifeld Mark , Peyghambarian Nasser
Published: December 2017

The radar cross section of an object is an important electromagnetic property that is often measured in anechoic chambers. However, for very large and complex structures such as ships or sea and land clutters, this common approach is not practical. The use of computer simulations is also not viable since it would take many years of computational time to model and predict the radar characteristics of such large objects. We have now devised a new scaling technique to overcome these difficulties, and make accurate measurements of the radar cross section of large items. In this article we demonstrate that by reducing the scale of the model by a factor 100,000, and using near infrared wavelength, the radar cross section can be determined in a tabletop setup. The accuracy of the method is compared to simulations, and an example of measurement is provided on a 1 mm highly detailed model of a ship. The advantages of this scaling approach is its versatility, and the possibility to perform fast, convenient, and inexpensive measurements.
IFNγ induces PD-L1 overexpression by JAK2/STAT1/IRF-1 signaling in EBV-positive gastric carcinoma
Authors: Moon Ji Wook , Kong Su-Kang , Kim Byung Soo , Kim Hyun Ji , Lim Hyangsoon , Noh Kyeonga , Kim Younghye , Choi Jung-Woo , Lee Ju-Han , Kim Young-Sik
Published: December 2017

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) acts as an immune checkpoint inhibitor in various cancers. PD-L1 is known to be more frequently expressed in EBV (+) gastric cancer (GC). However, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of PD-L1 expression in EBV (+) GC remain unclear. We investigated the basal and inducible PD-L1 expressions in GC cells. PD-L1 expression was upregulated upon treatment with IFNγ in both EBV (−) and EBV (+) GC cells. Upon stimulation with the same concentration of IFNγ for 24 h, EBV (+) SNU-719 cells showed dramatically higher PD-L1 expression levels by activating JAK2/STAT1/IRF-1 signaling than those of EBV (−) AGS cells. PD-L1 promoter assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that IFNγ-inducible PD-L1 overexpression is primarily mediated by the putative IRF-1α site of the PD-L1 promoter in EBV (+) SNU-719 cells. Moreover, EBNA1 knockdown reduced both constitutive and IFNγ-inducible PD-L1 promoter activity by decreasing the transcript and protein levels of JAK2 and subsequently STAT1/IRF-1/PD-L1 signaling. EBNA1 is suggested to be moderately enhance both constitutive and IFNγ-inducible PD-L1 expression in EBV (+) GC cells. Thus, the signaling proteins and EBNA1 that regulate PD-L1 expression are potential therapeutic targets in EBV (+) GC.
Measurement of Nanowire Optical Modes Using Cross-Polarization Microscopy
Authors: Kakko Joona-Pekko , Matikainen Antti , Anttu Nicklas , Kujala Sami , Mäntynen Henrik , Khayrudinov Vladislav , Autere Anton , Sun Zhipei , Lipsanen Harri
Published: December 2017

A method to detect optical modes from vertical InGaAs nanowires (NWs) using cross-polarization microscopy is presented. Light scattered from the optical modes in the NWs is detected by filtering out the polarized direct reflection with a crossed polarizer. A spectral peak and a valley were seen to red-shift with increasing NW diameter in the measured spectra. The peak was assigned to scattering from the TE01 optical mode and the valley was an indication of the HE11 mode, based on finite-element and scattering matrix method simulations. The cross-polarization method can be used to experimentally determine the spectral positions of the TE01 and HE11 optical modes. The modes are significantly more visible in comparison to conventional reflectance measurements. The method can be beneficial in the characterization of NW solar cells, light-emitting diodes and lasers where precise mode control is required.
Modelling neuroanatomical variation during childhood and adolescence with neighbourhood-preserving embedding
Authors: Ball Gareth , Adamson Chris , Beare Richard , Seal Marc L.
Published: December 2017

Brain development is a dynamic process with tissue-specific alterations that reflect complex and ongoing biological processes taking place during childhood and adolescence. Accurate identification and modelling of these anatomical processes in vivo with MRI may provide clinically useful imaging markers of individual variability in development. In this study, we use manifold learning to build a model of age- and sex-related anatomical variation using multiple magnetic resonance imaging metrics. Using publicly available data from a large paediatric cohort (n = 768), we apply a multi-metric machine learning approach combining measures of tissue volume, cortical area and cortical thickness into a low-dimensional data representation. We find that neuroanatomical variation due to age and sex can be captured by two orthogonal patterns of brain development and we use this model to simultaneously predict age with a mean error of 1.5–1.6 years and sex with an accuracy of 81%. We validate this model in an independent developmental cohort. We present a framework for modelling anatomical development during childhood using manifold embedding. This model accurately predicts age and sex based on image-derived markers of cerebral morphology and generalises well to independent populations.
Preparation of a new 2D MXene/PES composite membrane with excellent hydrophilicity and high flux
Authors: Han Runlin , Ma Xufeng , Xie Yongli , Teng Da , Zhang Shouhai
Published: December 2017

MXene, a new 2D transition metal carbide-based material, possesses excellent permselectivity and hydrophilicity.
Unraveling the cooperative synergy of zero-dimensional graphene quantum dots and metal nanocrystals enabled by layer-by-layer assembly
Authors: Zeng Zhiping , Xiao Fang-Xing , Phan Hung , Chen Shufen , Yu Zhongzheng , Wang Rong , Nguyen Thuc-Quyen , Yang Tan Timothy Thatt
Published: December 2017

A judicious layer-by-layer assembly strategy has been developed to rationally integrate graphene quantum dots with metal nanocrystals for multifarious catalysis.
A precious metal-free solar water splitting cell with a bifunctional cobalt phosphide electrocatalyst and doubly promoted bismuth vanadate photoanode
Authors: Kim Jin Hyun , Han Suenghoon , Jo Yim Hyun , Bak Yunji , Lee Jae Sung
Published: December 2017

A bifunctional cobalt phosphide (CoP) electrocatalyst is applied to a doubly promoted BiVO4 photoanode as an oxygen evolution as well as to a cathode as a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyst to establish a photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting cell made of only earth abundant elements without any precious metals.
Graduate Student Perceptions Regarding Common Speech-Language Pathology Supervisory Practices
Authors: Carter Matthew D. , Carter Melissa , Randolph Crystal , Backes Lora , Noll Karen , Cole Lorena
Published: December 2017

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) describes the supervisory process as a collaborative effort between both the student clinician and the certified supervisor. In order to support this process, it is important that both the supervisor and supervisee's preferences be considered regarding how these efforts will proceed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the opinions of graduate speech-language pathology clinicians regarding the supervision provided by on-campus clinical educators. Eighty-four graduate students completed an online survey. Results indicated that students generally preferred supervisory practices that simultaneously promote clinical independence while offering knowledge and support in a structured and timely manner.
Comparative study on primary frequency control schemes for variable‐speed wind turbines
Authors: Wang Siying , Hu Jiabing , Wang Shuo , Tang Haiyan , Chi Yongning
Published: December 2017

Wind generation have played an important role in the total generation mix in power systems in order to meet the need of environment regulations. The stability of the system frequency may be reduced due to the increasing penetration of wind power, which has attracted wide attention. Several studies have tried to provide the frequency support strategies, but all lack the intensive research of generator frequency response characteristics, the foundation of understanding the system frequency dynamic. To consider the frequency response in weak grid, especially with various complicated control schemes, the uniform comparison is needed. On this basis, this study focuses on wind generators with inertia control and primary frequency control, which can be classified with different strategies and power point track operation. Comparison of the frequency response about synchronous generators, external characteristics (such as turbine inertia and frequency response speed) with typical control schemes and the preliminary idea about modelling is proposed. The simulation result in Matlab/Simulink with the example of doubly‐fed induction generator (DFIG) model shows the difference between typical control methods with measurable external behaviours. In addition, the idea and simulation in this paper can be applied to optimise primary frequency control strategies and understand the dynamic of system frequency.
Screeninginstrumente zur Erfassung von männerspezifischen Symptomen der unipolaren Depression – Ein kritischer Überblick
Authors: Zülke Andrea , Kersting Anette , Dietrich Sandra , Luck Tobias , Riedel-Heller Steffi , Stengler Katarina
Published: December 2017

Hintergrund Geschlechterunterschiede in der Prävalenz von Depressionen zuungunsten von Frauen sind hinreichend belegt. Dagegen sind wissenschaftliche Publikationen zu diagnostischen Kriterien und Screeninginstrumenten für Geschlechterunterschiede bei Depressionen selten.

Methode Anhand einer systematischen Literatursuche wurden Publikationen recherchiert, die Hinweise für männerspezifische Symptome bei Depressionen bzw. verfügbare Screeninginstrumente geben sollten.

Ergebnisse Von 122 thematisch relevanten Titeln testeten 8 Arbeiten männerspezifische Inventare. Unter Berücksichtigung männertypischer Symptome verringern sich Geschlechterunterschiede in der Prävalenz von Depression.

Diskussion Die Ergebnisse deuten auf einen Bedarf geschlechtersensibler Diagnoseinstrumente für Depressionen hin.
Aktuelle Literaturübersicht zur Therapie der Adipositas bei Kindern und Jugendlichen
Authors: Brauchmann Jana , Weihrauch-Blüher Susann , Ehehalt Stefan , Wiegand Susanna
Published: December 2017

Hintergrund Adipositas ist durch die mit ihr einhergehende Komorbidität und den Bedarf an langfristiger medizinischer Versorgung als chronische Krankheit zu betrachten. Dabei ist auf jeder Stufe der Pathophysiologie eine therapeutische Intervention möglich. Ziel der Arbeit ist es, den Effekt von multimodalen Lebensstilinterventionen nicht nur bezüglich des BMI/BMI-SDS, sondern auch bezüglich (sekundärer) Outcomes wie Komorbiditäten, Lebensqualität sowie des Ernährungs- und Bewegungsverhalten darzustellen.

Material und Methoden In der Literaturdatenbank PubMed wurde international nach klinischen Studien zu Lebensstilinterventionen bei 0 bis 18-Jährigen mit Übergewicht und Adipositas im Zeitraum vom 01/01/2009 bis 01/01/2016 gesucht.

Ergebnisse Es sind 64 Publikationen mit Daten aus 55 Studien in die Übersichtsarbeit eingeflossen. Durch multimodale Lebensstilinterventionen konnten vielfältige Verbesserungen in den Bereichen Komorbidität, Lebensqualität, Ernährung und Bewegung erzielt werden.

Diskussion Der Nutzen einer Adipositastherapie geht weit über eine Gewichtsreduktion hinaus, weshalb weitere Parameter als Therapieziele regelhaft erfasst werden sollten. So haben die Verbesserung von Komorbiditäten, der Lebensqualität sowie des Bewegungs- und Ernährungsverhaltens für einen langfristig gesunden Lebensstil eine mind. genauso große Bedeutung und reduzieren die Gefahr des Regains nach einer initialen Gewichtsreduktion.
Narrative and History
Authors: Munslow Alun
Published: December 2017

Narrative history is the practice of writing history in a story-based form. It tends to entail history-writing based on reconstructing series of short-term events, and ever since the influential work of Leopold von Ranke on professionalising history-writing in the nineteenth century has been associated with empiricism. The term narrative history thus overlaps with the term histoire événementielle ('event-history') coined by Fernand Braudel in the early twentieth century, as he promoted forms of history-writing analysing much longer-term trends (what he called the longue durée).

Though history is considered a social science, the story-based nature of history allows for the inclusion of a greater or lesser degree of narration in addition to an analytical or interpretative exposition of historical knowledge. It can be divided into two subgenres: the traditional narrative and the modern narrative.

Traditional narrative focuses on the chronological order of history. It is event driven and tends to center upon individuals, action, and intention. For example, in regard to the French Revolution, an historian who works with the traditional narrative might be more interested in the revolution as a single entity (one revolution), centre it in Paris, and rely heavily upon major figures such as Maximilien Robespierre.

Conversely, modern narrative typically focuses on structures and general trends. A modern narrative would break from rigid chronology if the historian felt it explained the concept better. In terms of the French Revolution, an historian working with the modern narrative might show general traits that were shared by revolutionaries across France but would also illustrate regional variations from those general trends (many confluent revolutions). Also this type of historian might use different sociological factors to show why different types of people supported the general revolution.

Historians who use the modern narrative might say that the traditional narrative focuses too much on what happened and not enough on why and causation. Also, that this form of narrative reduces history into neat boxes and thereby does an injustice to history. J H Hexter characterized such historians as "lumpers". In an essay on Christopher Hill, he remarked that "lumpers do not like accidents: they would prefer them vanish...The lumping historian wants to put all of the past into boxes..and then to tie all the boxes together into one nice shapely bundle."

Historians who use traditional narrative might say that the modern narrative overburdens the reader with trivial data that had no significant effect on the progression of history. They believe that the historian needs to stress what is consequential in history, as otherwise the reader might believe that minor trivial events were more important than they were.
Probing the intrinsic charge transport in indacenodithiophene-co-benzothiadiazole thin films
Authors: Wang Wenhe , Tang Wei , Zhao Jiaqing , Bao Bei , Xing Hui , Guo Xiaojun , Wang Shun , Liu Ying
Published: December 2017

Indacenodithiophene-co-benzothiadiazole (IDTBT) belongs to a class of donor-acceptor polymers, exhibiting high electronic mobility and low energetic disorder. Applying vacuum as dielectric enables us to investigate the intrinsic charge transport properties in IDTBT. Vacuum-gap IDTBT field-effect transistors (FET) show high mobilites approaching 1 cm2V−1s−1. In addition, with increasing dielectric constant of the gate insulators, the mobilites of IDTBT transistors first increase and then decrease. The reason could be attributed to effect of both charge carrier accumulation and the presence of dipolar disorder at the semiconductor/insulator interface induced by polar insulator layer.
Force characteristic analysis of a magnetic gravity compensator with annular magnet array for magnetic levitation positioning system
Authors: Zhou Yiheng , Kou Baoquan , Liu Peng , Zhang He , Xing Feng , Yang Xiaobao
Published: December 2017

Magnetic levitation positioning system (MLPS) is considered to be the state of the art in inspection and manufacturing systems in vacuum. In this paper, a magnetic gravity compensator with annular magnet array (AMA-MGC) for MLPS is proposed. Benefiting from the double-layer annular Halbach magnet array on the stator, the proposed AMA-MGC possesses the advantages of symmetrical force, high force density and small force fluctuation. Firstly, the basic structure and operation principle of the AMA-MGC are introduced. Secondly, the basic characteristics of the AMA-MGC such as magnetic field distribution, levitation force, parasitic force and parasitic torque are analyzed by the three-dimensional finite element analysis (3-D FEA). Thirdly, the influence of structural parameters on force density and force fluctuation is investigated, which is conductive to the design and optimization of the AMA-MGC. Finally, a prototype of the AMA-MGC is constructed, and the experiment shows good agreement with the 3-D FEA results.
Young’s modulus of multi-layer microcantilevers
Authors: Deng Zhikang , Deng Jinglan , He Liang , Zhuo Rongshu , Zhu Ruiqi , Shi Yang , Liu Hui , Yang Wei , Yuan Hui , Chen Yiming , Huang Yue , Zheng Yi
Published: December 2017

A theoretical model for calculating the Young’s modulus of multi-layer microcantilevers with a coating is proposed, and validated by a three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model using ANSYS parametric design language (APDL) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) characterization. Compared with typical theoretical models (Rayleigh-Ritz model, Euler-Bernoulli (E-B) beam model and spring mass model), the proposed theoretical model can obtain Young’s modulus of multi-layer microcantilevers more precisely. Also, the influences of coating’s geometric dimensions on Young’s modulus and resonant frequency of microcantilevers are discussed. The thickness of coating has a great influence on Young’s modulus and resonant frequency of multi-layer microcantilevers, and the coating should be considered to calculate Young’s modulus more precisely, especially when fairly thicker coating is employed.
Beyond rentierism: the United Arab Emirates’ exceptionalism in a turbulent region
Authors: Antwi-Boateng Osman , Binhuwaidin Mohammed
Published: December 2017

The Arab-Muslim world is often described negatively as undemocratic, intolerant and economically backward. Rare positive commentary about the region is usually reserved for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states based on the belief that their status as rentier states coupled with immense energy resources has enabled them to escape the failures of the larger region. However, this research posits a United Arab Emirates (UAE) exceptionalism attributed to its internalization of key political, economic and social norms, and the promotion of such norms as a norm entrepreneur. The attractiveness of the UAE’s accomplishments in the region has made it worthy of emulation and, thus, a soft power.
The Hamas Movement and its political and democratic practice, 1992–2016
Authors: Salah Aqel Mohammed Ahmed
Published: December 2017

The concept of a political opportunity structure contributes to the analysis of the behaviour of political actors and is one of the current central topics that has importance for political systems at the regional and international levels, as well as for political and social scientific research centres. This study falls within the range of studies on ideological movements and political parties, and the political variables that affect the political system and these movements which lead them to adapt their ideology, by changing their position – from one of rejection to one of acceptance – with regard to participation in parliamentary elections. To achieve their aim of getting into power, ideological movements and political parties can adapt to political changes, influence the structure of political opportunities and exploit ones available to them. This study focuses on the analysis of factors that led to the change in the position of Hamas with regard to democratic practice, from boycotting the first parliamentary elections in 1996 to actively participating in the 2006 elections. It discusses a number of factors: first, the internal organizational factors of the movement; second, the political variables in the Palestinian arena; and third, the internal factors related to the ruling party (Fatah). In light of this, the study principally aims at providing an objective view on the position of Hamas with regard to its political and democratic practice prior to its participation in the Palestinian political system and beyond, using the concept of political opportunities structure. Given that the movement was restricted by its ideology and governed by the political changes that had taken place in the Palestinian political system, it was forced to adapt to the new circumstances that followed the Oslo Treaty by changing its position from opposition and rejection to political participation.
Curatr: a web application for creating, curating and sharing a mass spectral library
Authors: Palmer Andrew , Phapale Prasad , Fay Dominik , Alexandrov Theodore
Published: December 2017

We have developed a web application curatr for the rapid generation of high quality mass spectral fragmentation libraries from liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry datasets. Curatr handles datasets from single or multiplexed standards and extracts chromatographic profiles and potential fragmentation spectra for multiple adducts. An intuitive interface helps users to select high quality spectra that are stored along with searchable molecular information, the providence of each standard and experimental metadata. Curatr supports exports to several standard formats for use with third party software or submission to repositories. We demonstrate the use of curatr to generate the EMBL Metabolomics Core Facility spectral library http://curatr.mcf.embl.de.

Availability and implementation

Source code and example data are at http://github.com/alexandrovteam/curatr/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Monitoring Student Immunization, Screening, and Training Records for Clinical Compliance: An Innovative Use of the Institutional Learning Management System
Authors: Elting Julie Kientz
Published: December 2017

Clinical compliance for nursing students is a complex process mandating them to meet facility employee occupational health requirements for immunization, screening, and training prior to patient contact. Nursing programs monitor clinical compliance with in-house management of student records, either paper or electronic, or by contracting with a vendor specializing in online record tracking. Regardless of method, the nursing program remains fully accountable for student preparation and bears the consequences of errors. This article describes how the institution's own learning management system can be used as an accurate, cost-neutral, user-friendly, and Federal Educational Rights Protection Act-compliant clinical compliance system.
Oath Taking at U.S. and Canadian Medical School Ceremonies: Historical Perspectives, Current Practices, and Future Considerations
Authors: Scheinman Steven J. , Fleming Patrick , Niotis Kellyann
Published: December 2017

The widespread use of oaths at medical commencements is a recent phenomenon of the late 20th century. While many are referred to as “Hippocratic,” surveys have found that most oaths are modern, and the use of unique oaths has been rising. Oaths taken upon entry to medical school are even more recent, and their content has not been reported. The authors surveyed all Association of American Medical Colleges–member schools in the United States and Canada in 2015 and analyzed oath texts. Of 111 (70.2%) responses, full texts were submitted for 80 commencement and 72 white coat oaths. Previous studies have shown that while oaths before World War II were commonly variations on the original Hippocratic text and subsequently more often variations on the Geneva or Lasagna oath, now more than half of commencement ceremonies use an oath unique to that school or written by that class. With a wider range of oath texts, content elements are less uniformly shared, so that only three elements (respecting confidentiality, avoiding harm, and upholding the profession’s integrity) are present in as many as 80% of oaths. There is less uniformity in the content of oaths upon entry to medical school. Consistently all of these oaths represent the relationship between individual physicians and individual patients, and only a minority express obligations to teach, advocate, prevent disease, or advance knowledge. They do not reflect obligations to ensure that systems operate safely, for example. None of the obligations in these oaths are unique to physicians.
Nerve Growth Factor Changes and Corneal Nerve Repair after Keratoplasty
Authors: Pan Yueji , Liu Fang , Qi Xiaofeng , Hu Yuan , Xu Feihong , Jia Hui
Published: December 2017

SIGNIFICANCE

Measured tear concentration of nerve growth factor is correlated with postoperative corneal reinnervation among patients who undergo keratoplasty. This may be a future therapeutic target for post-keratoplasty corneal nerve regeneration.

PURPOSE

To determine the relationship between changes in the content of nerve growth factor (NGF) in tear fluid and corneal subepithelial nerve regeneration in patients after keratoplasty.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, 30 eyes of 28 patients (15 males, 13 females; mean age 42.8 [range 16–73] years) who underwent primary keratoplasty for the first time were recruited through the clinics of the Department of Ophthalmology, Jilin University affiliated First Hospital, between May and December 2015. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination preoperatively. Tear fluid samples were collected to detect the content of NFG at different time points in the follow-up period (day 1 preoperatively and days 1, 7, 30, and 90 postoperatively) and analyzed correlations between NFG content and age, infective factors, and variables of the surgical procedure as well as with subepithelial nerve repair at 30 and 90 days postoperatively.

RESULTS

The NFG content in tear fluid on day 1 postoperatively was lower than that on the day preceding surgery; however, it was higher than the preoperative value on postoperative days 7, 30, and 90 (F = 5.046, P < 0.05). Further, the NFG content of tear fluid at 30 days postoperatively correlated with the surgical procedure (coefficient = −2.775, P = 0.010); however, no significant correlation was found on postoperative day 1 (coefficient = −1.315, P
> 0.05). At all study time points, the NFG content of tear fluid had no correlation with infective factors or age (P
> 0.05). Postoperatively, at day 30, small nerve buds were observed in the periphery of the corneal graft in 13 eyes (43.3% of cases) but not in 17 eyes (56.7% of cases), which showed a significant correlation with the NFG content of tear fluid (coefficient = −3.370, P = 0.010). By postoperative day 90, small nerve buds were observed in the periphery of the corneal graft in 24 eyes (80.0% of cases) and showed a significant correlation with the NFG content of tear fluid (coefficient = −2.750, P = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

The NFG content in tear fluid increases with the increasing ratio of small nerve buds indicating corneal nerve regeneration. NFG promotes subepithelial nerve regeneration in patients after keratoplasty.
The Validity of Training Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery Techniques on the Experimental Head Model
Authors: Mladina Ranko , Skitarelić Neven , Cingi Cemal , Chen Lei , Bayar Muluk Nuray
Published: December 2017

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to better understand the usual learning curve in acquiring endonasal endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery (ESSBS) techniques during the novice training on the lamb's head model.

Methods:

Ten novices were asked to perform 10 bilateral dissections on the particular lamb's head each. The dissections were uniform, consisted of 10 well-defined steps, beginning from the simple removal of the inferior turbinate, and ending with more complicated procedures like cerebrospinal fluid leak repair, Draf 3 procedure for the frontal sinus and elevation of the nasal septal flap. The dissections have been supervised by experienced surgeons. A set of standard ESSBS instruments and 0° and 45° endoscopes have been used under the navigational system. The time required to complete each step has been measured in minutes.

Results:

In general and quite expectedly, time rates have been obviously lowering as the number of the dissections performed has been growing in each of the participants.

Conclusion:

Training of the endonasal ESSBS techniques on the lamb's head proved to be useful for novices in getting basic surgical skills in the field. Because of the high degree of anatomic similarity and high level of the anatomic dimensions congruency between the lamb's head and human head (sheep's head has bigger dimensions!) it proved to be an essential preparation for the human cadaveric dissection. The median values of the time rates having been needed to complete the particular of the 10 steps in the last novices’ dissections could be accepted as an orientation, just suggesting that once the time needed to complete 1 of the 10 steps has been and achieved by the particular novice, this could be an approximate sign of the maturity for the exercises on human cadaver head.
Genotype-specific relationships among phosphorus use, growth and abundance in
Daphnia pulicaria
Authors: Sherman Ryan E. , Chowdhury Priyanka Roy , Baker Kristina D. , Weider Lawrence J. , Jeyasingh Punidan D.
Published: December 2017

The framework ecological stoichiometry uses elemental composition of species to make predictions about growth and competitive ability in defined elemental supply conditions. Although intraspecific differences in stoichiometry have been observed, we have yet to understand the mechanisms generating and maintaining such variation. We used variation in phosphorus (P) content within a
Daphnia
species to test the extent to which %P can explain variation in growth and competition. Further, we measured
33
P kinetics (acquisition, assimilation, incorporation and retention) to understand the extent to which such variables improved predictions. Genotypes showed significant variation in P content,
33
P kinetics and growth rate. P content alone was a poor predictor of growth rate and competitive ability. While most genotypes exhibited the typical growth penalty under P limitation, a few varied little in growth between P diets. These observations indicate that some genotypes can maintain growth under P-limited conditions by altering P use, suggesting that decomposing P content of an individual into physiological components of P kinetics will improve stoichiometric models. More generally, attention to the interplay between nutrient content and nutrient-use is required to make inferences regarding the success of genotypes in defined conditions of nutrient supply.
Tongues on the EDGE: language preservation priorities based on threat and lexical distinctiveness
Authors: Perrault Nicolas , Farrell Maxwell J. , Davies T. Jonathan
Published: December 2017

Languages are being lost at rates exceeding the global loss of biodiversity. With the extinction of a language we lose irreplaceable dimensions of culture and the insight it provides on human history and the evolution of linguistic diversity. When setting conservation goals, biologists give higher priority to species likely to go extinct. Recent methods now integrate information on species evolutionary relationships to prioritize the conservation of those with a few close relatives. Advances in the construction of language trees allow us to use these methods to develop language preservation priorities that minimize loss of linguistic diversity. The evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered (EDGE) metric, used in conservation biology, accounts for a species’ originality (evolutionary distinctiveness—ED) and its likelihood of extinction (global endangerment—GE). Here, we use a similar framework to inform priorities for language preservation by generating rankings for 350 Austronesian languages. Kavalan, Tanibili, Waropen and Sengseng obtained the highest EDGE scores, while Xârâcùù (Canala), Nengone and Palauan are among the most linguistically distinct, but are not currently threatened. We further provide a way of dealing with incomplete trees, a common issue for both species and language trees.
Pathway enrichment analysis of -omics data
Authors: Reimand Jüri , Isserlin Ruth , Voisin Veronique , Kucera Mike , Tannus-Lopes Christian , Rostamianfar Asha , Wadi Lina , Meyer Mona , Wong Jeff , Xu Changjiang , Merico Daniele , Bader Gary D.
Published: December 2017

Pathway enrichment analysis helps gain mechanistic insight into large gene lists typically resulting from genome scale (–omics) experiments. It identifies biological pathways that are enriched in the gene list more than expected by chance. We explain pathway enrichment analysis and present a practical step-by-step guide to help interpret gene lists resulting from RNA-seq and genome sequencing experiments. The protocol comprises three major steps: define a gene list from genome scale data, determine statistically enriched pathways, and visualize and interpret the results. We focus on differentially expressed genes and mutated cancer genes, however the described principles can be applied to diverse –omics data. The protocol is designed for biologists with no prior bioinformatics training and uses freely available software including g:Profiler, GSEA, Cytoscape and Enrichment Map.
A chiral diamine: practical implications of a three-stereoisomer cocrystallization
Authors: Dolinar Brian S. , Samedov Kerim , Maloney Andrew G. P. , West Robert , Khrustalev Victor N. , Guzei Ilia A.
Published: December 2017

A brief comparison of seven straightforward methods for molecular crystal-volume estimation revealed that their precisions are comparable. A chiral diamine, N
2,N
3-bis[2,6-bis(propan-2-yl)phenyl]butane-2,3-diamine, C28H44N2, has been used to illustrate the application of the methods. Three stereoisomers of the diamine cocrystallize in the centrosymmetric space group P21/c with Z′ = 1.5. The molecules occupying general positions are RR and SS, whereas that residing on an inversion center is meso. This is one of only ten examples of three stereoisomers with two asymmetric atoms cocrystallizing together reported to the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD). The conformations of the SS/RR and meso molecules differ considerably and lead to statistically significantly different C(asymmetric)—C(asymmetric) bond lengths in the diastereomers. An advanced Python script-based CSD searching technique for chiral compounds is presented.
Cross-border quality assurance: case study of Hong Kong and Macao
Authors: Fearnside Robert , Chung Kathy
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to set out the experience of the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) in carrying out cross-border quality assurance (QA) in Macao.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on case studies of two very different QA exercises conducted by HKCAAVQ in Macao in 2015 and 2016. The first was a program accreditation conducted as part of a pilot of the external QA standards and process developed by the Macao Government’s Tertiary Education Services Office (GAES) for potential use by all higher education institutions (HEIs) in Macao. The second was a learning program review (LPR) conducted by HKCAAVQ following a request by a HEI in Macao using QA standards and processes developed by HKCAAVQ.

Findings

The key findings from the case studies are that an agency engaging in cross-border QA needs to have a clear rationale for their engagement, ensure that they are “fit-for-purpose” in terms of the context of the employing jurisdiction and the expectations of their HEIs and have a clear understanding of the relevant legal framework.

Originality/value

Cross-border QA is likely to grow in importance and activity in the coming years. The example of Macao provides a useful reference point for governments, HEIs and external quality assurance agency considering engaging in cross-border QA activities.