bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic demagnetisation investigation for less‐rare‐earth flux switching permanent magnet motors considering three‐phase short‐circuit fault
Authors: Fan Deyang , Zhu Xiaoyong , Quan Li , Xiang Zixuan
Published: May 2018

This study presents dynamic demagnetisation investigations of less‐rare‐earth (LRE) flux switching permanent magnet (LRE‐FSPM) motor under three‐phase short‐circuit (SC) fault. Owing to relatively low coercivity of ferrite PMs, it is necessary to investigate demagnetised risk of LRE PM motors. Actually, motors suffer from larger demagnetising risk under SC faults than normal conditions. Hence, it is essential for LRE PM motors to comprehensively investigate and enhance anti‐demagnetisation capability during design stage. Here, by integrating electrical–magnetic field calculation and driving control circuit, dynamic demagnetisation characteristics of the LRE‐FSPM motor under SC faults are calculated as an example. To fairly evaluate demagnetisation withstand capability of LRE‐FSPM motor, the non‐rare‐earth (NRE)‐FSPM motor is also presented and compared as a referenced motor. Then, the dynamic demagnetisation characteristics of two motors are analysed and compared, including demagnetising d‐axis current, operating points, and demagnetised area. It is found that, the proposed LRE‐FSPM motor exhibits improved operating points and less demagnetised area, which is only about one‐third of that of NRE‐FSPM motor. Finally, the demagnetisation calculation results not only verify the validity of dynamic demagnetisation investigation approach, but also prove the reasonability of LRE‐FSPM motor, which provide a promising research path for the design of LRE PM motors.
Vehicle scheduling approach and its practice to optimise public bicycle redistribution in Hangzhou
Authors: Liu Dongxu , Dong Hongzhao , Li Tiebei , Corcoran Jonathan , Ji Shiming
Published: May 2018

Public bicycle sharing programmes (PBSPs) have become increasingly popular across many urban areas in China. Hangzhou PBSP is the world's largest and forms this case study. The management of this large inventory of bicycles is a particularly challenging issue with the goal to ensure the demand for bicycles is met at all times across the network. To this end, an efficient scheduling approach is needed with the capacity to guide the redistribution of bicycles across the self‐service stations. Drawing on 7 years of disaggregate trip data, this study first captures the usage dynamics across both space and time to extract the candidate stations and redistribution periods for vehicle scheduling. A region partition method with K‐means clustering is proposed to satisfy the real‐time requirement of large‐scale PBSPs' redistribution. Moreover, drawing on the variations in demand a back‐propagation neural network short‐term prediction model is computed to inform the necessary prospective redistribution of bicycles to ensure demand is always met. Finally, a vehicle scheduling model employing a rolling horizon scheduling algorithm is established and implemented in a GIS‐based prototype system. The prototype is evaluated through its effectiveness and found benefit for following 18 months of practical operation in Hangzhou PBSP.
Figures of merit for transparent conductors from copper networks prepared by DC‐magnetron sputtering of electrospun templates
Authors: Pirsalami Sedigheh , Zebarjad Seyed Mojtaba , Daneshmanesh Habib
Published: May 2018

Transparent conductors (TCs) have applications in numerous electronic and optoelectronic devices and are commonly ranked by a parameter known as figure of merit (FoM). In this study, TCs from copper networks are prepared by a combination of electrospinning and DC‐magnetron sputtering and their performance is evaluated and compared by conventional FoMs. Also, the novel concept of ‘application‐oriented’ FoM is introduced and accordingly a new FoM is defined. This FoM is based on the fundamental requirements of transparency, conductivity and flexibility; each represented in terms of optical transmittance, sheet resistance and the new parameter ‘threshold bending radius’, respectively. The proposed FoM identifies TCs with improper, optimum and over‐qualified performance for a desired application. It is shown that this FoM is a more justified criterion for rating TCs for practical means compared to previously defined FoMs.
Family of zero voltage transition interleaved converters with low voltage and current stress
Authors: Akhlaghi Baharak , Esteki Morteza , Farzanehfard Hosein
Published: May 2018

This study presents a family of zero voltage transition (ZVT) interleaved converters which utilises a simple auxiliary cell. The ZVT cell has only a single auxiliary switch for multi‐phase interleaved converters. In the proposed converters, all semiconductor devices operate under fully soft switching condition. The main switches turn on and turn off under zero voltage switching (ZVS) condition while the auxiliary switch turns on and turns off under zero current switching (ZCS) condition. Besides, all the converter main and auxiliary diodes turn off under ZCS condition which alleviates the diodes reverse recovery problem. The ZVT cell imposes no extra current and voltage stresses on the semiconductor devices. The effectiveness of the proposed method is evaluated by a 100 kHz, 200 W two‐phase interleaved boost converter and the theoretical analysis and design procedure are discussed in detail. Furthermore, the results of an implemented laboratory prototype are provided which are consistent with the theoretical analysis.
Application of swarm optimisation‐based modified algorithm for selective harmonic elimination in reduced switch count multilevel inverter
Authors: Panda Kaibalya Prasad , Panda Gayadhar
Published: May 2018

Multilevel inverters (MLIs) are nowadays extensively used in integration with renewable energy sources and in drives applications. The converter cost and voltage quality improvement are the utmost importance in such application of MLI. A six‐switch seven‐level reduced switch symmetrical MLI (6S‐7L MLI) is proposed here. Compared to the conventional and similar existing MLI topologies, the proposed MLI uses less active switches and has less driver circuit requirement. A particle swarm optimisation (PSO)‐based modified selected harmonic elimination technique is derived and analysed for computing optimal switching angles of proposed 6S‐7L MLI to eliminate third‐ and fifth‐order harmonics. Moreover, the performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with the two most commonly used PSO variants. The analysis shows the modified version of PSO is most suitable for optimising the output voltage of proposed MLI through targeted harmonic elimination. The proposed topology is investigated through simulation by applying the calculated switching angles using modified PSO algorithm. Finally, a single‐phase experimental prototype is designed to verify the validity of the proposed structure.
Amplitude and lifetime of radial modes in red giant star spectra observed by Kepler
Authors: Vrard M. , Kallinger T. , Mosser B. , Barban C. , Baudin F. , Belkacem K. , Cunha M. S.
Published: May 2018

Context. The space-borne missions CoRoT and Kepler have provided photometric observations of unprecedented quality. The study of solar-like oscillations observed in red giant stars by these satellites allows a better understanding of the different physical processes occurring in their interiors. In particular, the study of the mode excitation and damping is a promising way to improve our understanding of stellar physics that has, so far, been performed only on a limited number of targets.

Aims. The recent asteroseismic characterization of the evolutionary status for a large number of red giants allows us to study the physical processes acting in the interior of red giants and how they are modified during stellar evolution. In this work, we aim to obtain information on the excitation and damping of pressure modes through the measurement of the stars’ pressure mode widths and amplitudes and to analyze how they are modified with stellar evolution. The objective is to bring observational constraints on the modeling of the physical processes behind mode excitation and damping.

Methods. We fit the frequency spectra of red giants with well-defined evolutionary status using Lorentzian functions to derive the pressure mode widths and amplitudes. To strengthen our conclusions, we used two different fitting techniques.

Results. Pressure mode widths and amplitudes were determined for more than 5000 red giants. With a stellar sample two orders of magnitude larger than previous results, we confirmed that the mode width depends on stellar evolution and varies with stellar effective temperature. In addition, we discovered that the mode width depends on stellar mass. We also confirmed observationally the influence of the stellar metallicity on the mode amplitudes, as predicted by models.
Untersuchung und Behandlung der Rippen – Die tückischen 12
Authors: Petzold Ronny
Published: May 2018

Über 70 Prozent der Patienten mit Thoraxbeschwerden gehen nicht zum Arzt, aus Angst vor einer kardialen Diagnose. Die Hälfte dieser Patienten hat jedoch lediglich ein muskuloskeletales Problem, an dem die Rippen beteiligt sind. Physiotherapeut Ronny Petzold erklärt, wie sich in diesem Fall Untersuchung und Behandlung aufbauen lassen.
Acute Hip Abduction Fatigue on Lumbopelvic-Hip Complex Stability in Softball Players
Authors: Washington Jessica , Gilmer Gabrielle , Oliver Gretchen
Published: May 2018

During an overhead throw, the gluteal muscle group stabilizes the lumbopelvic-hip complex (LPHC), leading to efficient energy transfer from the lower to upper extremity. It has been shown that LPHC instability can lead to throwing pathomechanics. The single leg squat has become a common assessment for LPHC stability, and could be used to determine the effects of fatigue on throwing athletes. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an acute abduction fatigue protocol on the LPHC of collegiate softball players via the single leg squat assessment of the leg ipsilateral to the throwing arm. Eighteen National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I softball players volunteered (20.5±1.9 years; 169.4±10.0 cm; 72.9±11.5 kg). Each participant performed a single leg squat on the leg ipsilateral to the throwing arm prior to and post side-lying hip abduction fatigue. LPHC and lower extremity kinematics were examined to determine potential effects of fatigue on LPHC stability. There were no significant main effects or interactions of LPHC or lower extremity kinematics during the single leg squat assessments across the fatigue protocol. Based on the current study, an acute bout of fatigue to the hip abductors does not affect LPHC stability in single leg squat execution.
Spezifische Hautbeteiligung als erstes klinisches Symptom eines Hodgkin-Lymphoms
Authors: Troyanova-Slavkova S. , Stassart R. , Slavkov D. , Beloia S.-D. , Monecke A. , Hammerschmidt D. , Bielfeld C. , Ziegler H. , Soos L. , Eickenscheidt L. , Kowalzick L.
Published: May 2018

Das Hodgkin-Lymphom ist eine maligne Erkrankung der Lymphknoten und des lymphatischen Systems, bei der zusätzlich weitere Organe befallen sein können. Bei etwa 15 % aller Lymphome handelt es sich um ein Hodgkin-Lymphom. Die Prognose des Hodgkin-Lymphoms ist im Allgemeinen gut. Auch in fortgeschritteneren Stadien beträgt die 5-Jahres-Überlebensrate immer noch über 90 %. Eine Hautbeteiligung beim Hodgkin-Lymphom ist extrem selten und tritt vor allem im fortgeschrittenen Stadium der Krankheit auf. Die Prognose ist in diesen Fällen sehr schlecht. Die Behandlung von Patienten mit kutaner Beteiligung des Hodgkin-Lymphoms hängt vom Stadium der Erkrankung ab. Die Mehrheit der Daten basiert auf Einzelfällen oder Fallsammlungen. Wir berichten über einen Fall eines 37-jährigen Patienten, der aufgrund multipler Ulzerationen am vorderen Stamm bei uns vorstellig wurde und bei dem histologisch eine Hautbeteiligung eines noch nicht vorher bekannten Hodgkin-Lymphoms im Stadium IVAE nach modifizierter Ann-Arbor-Klassifikation diagnostiziert wurde.
Management von akutem Kreuzschmerz ohne Trauma – ein Algorithmus
Authors: Melcher Carolin , Wegener Bernd , Jansson Volkmar , Mutschler Wolf , Kanz Karl-Georg , Birkenmaier Christof
Published: May 2018

Hintergrund Rückenschmerzen stellen ein häufiges Problem in Allgemeinarztpraxen, Spezialambulanzen und chirurgischen Notaufnahmen dar. Überwiegend handelt es sich um sog. „unkomplizierte“ Rückenschmerzen, jedoch können sich schwerwiegende Pathologien hinter dem Symptomkomplex „Kreuzschmerz“ verbergen. Gerade für unerfahrene Kollegen bleibt die Behandlung trotz vielfältiger Empfehlungen und Leitlinien der Fachgesellschaften schwierig, da kaum übersichtliche und schnell einzusehende Handlungsalgorithmen existieren.

Methode In der Literaturrecherche (Medline/Cochrane) wurden aus 15 000 Veröffentlichungen 158 relevante Artikel selektiert und entsprechend ihres Evidenzgrades klassifiziert. Diese wurden mit den Guidelines der Fachgesellschaften für Orthopädie und Schmerztherapie aus Europa, Nordamerika und Übersee sowie Erfahrungswerten der Spezialisten der LMU München abgestimmt, um sowohl eine Übereinstimmung mit den Empfehlungen der Literatur als auch eine Durchführbarkeit im Alltag zu gewährleisten und eine hohe Praxisnähe zu erzielen.

Ergebnis Entstanden ist ein Algorithmus, welcher die entscheidenden Differenzialdiagnosen des akuten Kreuzschmerzes ihrer Priorität entsprechend bearbeitet und einen Handlungsablauf von diagnostischen Maßnahmen und therapeutische Schritten vorgibt. Durch klare binäre Entscheidungen und daraus resultierenden Anweisungen sollen Patienten mit akuten Kreuzschmerzen jederzeit von Kollegen entsprechend den zugrunde liegenden Leitlinien behandelt, Notfälle erkannt, nicht notwendige Untersuchungen und Interventionen vermieden und die für die jeweilige Pathologie sinnvollen therapeutischen Maßnahmen eingeleitet werden können.

Schlussfolgerung Im Kontext der verfügbaren Evidenz entwickelten wir einen klinischen Algorithmus, der die komplexe Diagnostik von akutem Kreuzschmerz in einen transparenten, systematischen und strukturierten Leitfaden umsetzt.
„Treffer im Kopf“ – Stigma psychischer Erkrankungen als Einflussfaktor auf die Inanspruchnahme von Hilfsangeboten durch VeteranInnen der Bundeswehr
Authors: Schuy Katrin , Brants Loni M. , Dors Simone , Ströhle Andreas , Zimmermann Peter Lutz , Willmund Gerd Dieter , Rau Heinrich , Siegel Stefan
Published: May 2018

Theoretischer Hintergrund und Ziel der Studie Stigmatisierung psychischer Erkrankungen ist ein Faktor, der die Inanspruchnahme von Hilfe behindern kann. Für die hier untersuchte Gruppe der VeteranInnen der Bundeswehr gibt es zum gegenwärtigen Zeitpunkt keine Studienergebnisse bezüglich des Zusammenhangs zwischen Stigma und Inanspruchnahme gesundheitlicher Hilfe. Ziel dieser Studie ist es, einen Überblick über das Stigmaerleben in einer Stichprobe von VeteranInnen der Bundeswehr zu erhalten.

Methodik Es wurden 43 narrative Interviews mit VeteranInnen der Bundeswehr geführt. Die daraus gewonnenen Daten wurden in mehreren Codierungsschritten analysiert. Es wurde untersucht, ob das Stigmaerleben von VeteranInnen der Bundeswehr sich gut durch das theoretisch begründete Stigmamodell von Link und Phelan abbilden lässt. Erste Hypothesen zu Stigma und Inanspruchnahme von Hilfe in dieser Stichprobe wurden aus dem Datenmaterial entwickelt.

Ergebnisse Die Stigmamodell nach Link und Phelan bildet das Stigmaerleben in der untersuchten Stichprobe gut ab. Wahrgenommenes und internalisiertes Stigma, berufliche Benachteiligung und sozialer Ausschluss, aber auch befürchtetes Unverständnis für die militärische Vergangenheit auf dem zivilen Sektor wurden als stigmarelevante Hauptbarrieren bei der Inanspruchnahme von Hilfe berichtet.

Schlussfolgerungen Es wurden Empfehlungen für Interventionen zum besseren Umgang mit den bestehenden Stigmata gegeben.
Approach to Reconstruction of Cheek Defects
Authors: Başağaoğlu Berkay , Bhadkamkar Mohin , Hollier Pierce , Reece Edward
Published: May 2018

The cheek is the largest facial unit with a prominent position on the face. Trauma, burns, and the resection of skin cancers constitute common sources of injury, potentially resulting in defects that, through natural healing, produce noticeable scarring. Surgical repair focuses on the reformation of three-dimensional geometries, proper establishment of symmetry, and the minimization of color and texture discrepancies to the surrounding. Defects located in this region may extend to the orbital, nasal, or buccal units and cause unique structural and functional disturbances. Furthermore, without appropriate repair, full-thickness defects involving the buccal mucosa may result in oral dysfunction. In this article, the authors provide a framework to approach various cheek defects and provide a review of the host of ideologies and techniques.
Early Pulmonary Interstitial Emphysema in Preterm Neonates—Respiratory Management and Case Report in Nonventilated Very Low Birth Weight Twins
Authors: Gronbach Judith , Ehrhardt Harald , Zimmer Klaus-Peter , Waitz Markus
Published: May 2018

Early pulmonary interstitial emphysema in extreme preterm neonates is closely linked with respiratory distress syndrome and exposure to mechanical ventilation. In severe cases, maintaining adequate gas exchange aiming to avoid further lung damage and other neonatal morbidities associated with systemic/pulmonary hypoperfusion, prolonged hypoxia, and respiratory acidosis can be challenging and requires in-depth knowledge into the pathophysiology of the disease. Herein, we report on very low birth weight twins who developed early pulmonary interstitial emphysema during noninvasive respiratory support. We further review the current evidence from the literature, specifically addressing on possible preventive measures and the respiratory management options of this acute pulmonary disease in high-risk neonates.
C1C2 Distraction and Compression Technique for Craniovertebral Junction Anomalies with Basilar Invagination and Irreducible Atlantoaxial Dislocation
Authors: Yerramneni Vamsi , Kotha Vamshi , Reddy Ramanadha
Published: May 2018

The authors describe four cases of basilar invagination (BI) with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) by distraction and compression technique. The article describes the technique in detail and the principles of the reduction achieved in all the planes by C1C2 screw placement, the cage insertion in the C1C2 joint, and manipulation of the joint. They described in the literature well-discussed various modifications and their application for treatment of BI with irreducible AAD.
Lipomyelomeningocele—Controversies in Management
Authors: Singh Abhishek , Ghosh Samarendranath , Chaudhuri Anup , Sadique Shahid , Chaudhuri Subhamitra
Published: May 2018

Management of lipomyelomeningocele is one of the most discussed and controversial topics in recent years. Till date, there is no consensus on the most appropriate mode of management for lipomyelomeningocele, particularly in asymptomatic patients. This article tries to sort out controversies associated with lipomyelomeningocele based on various literatures and also takes into account patient profile of a developing country.
Social Media in Shoulder & Elbow Surgery: An Analysis of Twitter and Instagram
Authors: Ramkumar Prem , Navarro Sergio , Cornaghie Margaret , Haeberle Heather , Hameed Hafsah , Schickendantz Mark , Ricchetti Eric , Iannotti Joseph
Published: May 2018

Social media provide a unique method of analyzing outcomes and quality in medicine. The purpose of this observational study was to investigate the nature of social media content related to shoulder and elbow (S&E) surgery posted by patients, surgeons, and hospitals. A public search of Instagram for a two-year period yielded 1,177 patient-related posts. A categorical system assessed the perspective, timing, tone, and content of each post. Twitter accounts of 77 S&E specialists from the top five ranked U.S. News & World Report institutions were analyzed for activity and content. 5,246 Twitter and Instagram posts for the institutions were analyzed for frequency and content. Most patient-related posts were by patients (68%), postoperative (82%), positive (87%), and centered on return-to-play for Tommy John (34%), surgical site for shoulder arthroplasty (52%), and activities of daily living for rotator cuff repair (22%). 37% of surgeons had active accounts averaging 46 posts, 87% of which were practice advertisements. Hospitals averaged 273 posts over the 2-year period, focusing on education (38%) and community (18%). S&E patients share outcomes on social media in a positive tone with procedure-dependent emphases. Surgeons on social media use sites for practice augmentation. Hospitals often focused posts towards educating the community.
Broadband unidirectional invisibility for airborne sound
Authors: Kan Weiwei , Guo Mengping , Shen Zhonghua
Published: May 2018

We present a metafluid-based broadband cloak capable of guiding acoustic waves around obstacles along given directions while maintaining the wavefront undisturbed. The required parameter distribution of the proposed cloak is derived by coordinate transformation and practically implemented by employing the acoustic metafluid formed with periodically arranged slabs in acoustic chambers. The method for independently modulating the effective mass density and bulk modulus of the metafluid is developed by tuning the geometry parameters and the temperature of the acoustic chamber in a specific process. By virtue of this free-modulated method, the range of realizable effective parameters is substantially broadened, and the acoustic impedance of the anisotropic structures can be well matched to the background. The performance of the designed structure is quantitatively evaluated in the frequency range of 3–4 kHz by the averaged invisibility factor. The results show that the proposed cloak is effective in manipulating the acoustic field along the given direction and suppressing the wave scattering from the hidden object.
Thermal conductivity and thermal boundary resistance of atomic layer deposited high-k dielectric aluminum oxide, hafnium oxide, and titanium oxide thin films on silicon
Authors: Scott Ethan A. , Gaskins John T. , King Sean W. , Hopkins Patrick E.
Published: May 2018

The need for increased control of layer thickness and uniformity as device dimensions shrink has spurred increased use of atomic layer deposition (ALD) for thin film growth. The ability to deposit high dielectric constant (high-k) films via ALD has allowed for their widespread use in a swath of optical, optoelectronic, and electronic devices, including integration into CMOS compatible platforms. As the thickness of these dielectric layers is reduced, the interfacial thermal resistance can dictate the overall thermal resistance of the material stack compared to the resistance due to the finite dielectric layer thickness. Time domain thermoreflectance is used to interrogate both the thermal conductivity and the thermal boundary resistance of aluminum oxide, hafnium oxide, and titanium oxide films on silicon. We calculate a representative design map of effective thermal resistances, including those of the dielectric layers and boundary resistances, as a function of dielectric layer thickness, which will be of great importance in predicting the thermal resistances of current and future devices.
Salt type and concentration affect the viscoelasticity of polyelectrolyte solutions
Authors: Turkoz Emre , Perazzo Antonio , Arnold Craig B. , Stone Howard A.
Published: May 2018

The addition of small amounts of xanthan gum to water yields viscoelastic solutions. In this letter, we show that the viscoelasticity of aqueous xanthan gum solutions can be tuned by different types of salts. In particular, we find that the decrease in viscoelasticity not only depends, as is known, on the salt concentration, but also is affected by the counterion ionic radius and the valence of the salt.
Tapered lateral flow immunoassay based point-of-care diagnostic device for ultrasensitive colorimetric detection of dengue NS1
Authors: Kumar Sanjay , Bhushan Pulak , Krishna Vinay , Bhattacharya Shantanu
Published: May 2018

Dengue virus, a Flaviviridae family member, has emerged as a major worldwide health concern, making its early diagnosis imperative. Lateral flow immunoassays have been widely employed for point-of-care diagnosis of dengue because of their rapid naked eye readouts, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness. However, they entail a drawback of low sensitivity, limiting their usage in clinical applications. Herein, we report a novel lateral flow immunoassay for detection of dengue leveraging on the benefits of gold decorated graphene oxide sheets as detection labels and a tapered nitrocellulose membrane. The developed assay allows for rapid (10 min) and sensitive detection of dengue NS1 with a detection limit of 4.9 ng mL−1, ∼11-fold improvement over the previously reported values. Additionally, the clinical application of the developed assay has been demonstrated by testing it for dengue virus spiked in human serum. The reported lateral flow immunoassay shows significant promise for early and rapid detection of several target diseases.
‘On the Oliphant Deign, Now to Sound the Blast’: How Mark Oliphant Secretly Warned of America’s Post-war Intentions of an Atomic Monopoly
Authors: Holden Darren
Published: May 2018

In 1943, Mark Oliphant arrived on the Manhattan Project as a leading member of the British mission. Inside the laboratory he was a measured and skilful physicist, but outside he was a bull that charged headlong into the gates of secrecy and the unholy communion of science, politics and military. General Leslie Groves was the abrasive and practical military man in charge of the Manhattan Project and he rarely let his guard down. But in 1944, Oliphant and Ernest Lawrence challenged him on secrecy, and the usually circumspect Groves became agitated at the naivety of the self-absorbed scientists and provided an insight on America's secret post-war intentions of an atomic monopoly. Oliphant, not a man to let explosive knowledge pass him by, headed to the British Embassy inWashington to send a secure report to London that escalated all the way to the top of Britain's war time leadership. In this moment, Oliphant was sounding a horn to warn that Britain's own atomic ambitions and scientific freedoms were under imminent threat.
Selection and environmental adaptation along a path to speciation in the Tibetan frogNanorana parkeri
Authors: Wang Guo-Dong , Zhang Bao-Lin , Zhou Wei-Wei , Li Yong-Xin , Jin Jie-Qiong , Shao Yong , Yang He-chuan , Liu Yan-Hu , Yan Fang , Chen Hong-Man , Jin Li , Gao Feng , Zhang Yaoguang , Li Haipeng , Mao Bingyu , Murphy Robert W. , Wake David B. , Zhang Ya-Ping , Che Jing
Published: May 2018

Significance

Central topics in evolutionary biology include uncovering the processes and genetic bases of speciation and documenting environmental adaptations and processes responsible for them. The challenging environment of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) facilitates such investigations, and the Tibetan frog,Nanorana parkeri, offers a unique opportunity to investigate these processes. A cohort of whole-genome sequences of 63 individuals from across its entire range opens avenues for incorporating population genomics into studies of speciation. Natural selection plays an important role in maintaining and driving the continuing divergence and reproductive isolation of populations of the species. The QTP is a natural laboratory for studying how selection drives adaptation, how environments influence evolutionary history, and how these factors can interact to provide insight into speciation.
Estrogen receptor β controls proliferation of enteric glia and differentiation of neurons in the myenteric plexus after damage
Authors: D’Errico F. , Goverse G. , Dai Y. , Wu W. , Stakenborg M. , Labeeuw E. , De Simone V. , Verstockt B. , Gomez-Pinilla P. J. , Warner M. , Di Leo A. , Matteoli G. , Gustafsson J. A.
Published: May 2018

Significance

The selective estrogen receptor β (ERβ) agonist, LY3201, acts on enteric neuronal stem/progenitor cells, enhancing their capacity to generate enteric glial cells and neurons in vitro. Using two murine models of enteric nervous system damage, we showed that in vivo an ERβ agonist elicited accelerated reconstitution of the enteric neuron pool in the myenteric plexus. Our study suggests that selective ERβ agonists might be useful to promote neurogenesis in the damaged enteric nervous system.
The rich, the poor, the obvious
Authors: Günther Christine
Published: May 2018

This paper deals with nominal constructions such as the rich, the poor, the impossible, i.e. noun phrases that have a more or less fixed form and meaning ([+human] or [+abstract]). The focus is on the question of headedness and internal structure – the paper presents new data and ideas against the view that the adjective undergoes a conversion/nominalisation process. Drawing on parallels with elliptical noun phrases, it is argued that the adjective in the noun phrases under consideration remains an adjective which modifies a silent noun. This receives further support from a contrastive perspective – a comparison with German demonstrates that restrictions on the form and function of the construction derive from the rather impoverished inflectional system in English, as argued by Olsen (1988). The analysis proposed here addresses hitherto unaccounted-for aspects such as the use of an overt head noun (lexical or one) and non-adjectival elements in prenominal position (quantifiers, determiners other than the definite article) in nounless noun phrases.
Variable article usage with institutional nouns
Authors: Hundt Marianne
Published: May 2018

In English, singular institutional nouns like church or hospital are variably used with or without a definite article following verb-preposition collocations like go to and be at. British English has been reported to prefer the bare NP use whereas American English allegedly tends towards the variant with the definite article. Corpus data from the British National Corpus and the Corpus of Contemporary American English are used to test this hypothesis. In addition to regional variation, language-internal factors (choice and form of head noun, modification, semantics of the construction, collocational effects) are investigated. A variable rule analysis shows that regional variation is, in fact, not the most important factor and that choice of head noun and modification play a more important part. The results confirm that grammar often has a strong lexical base. Theoretical background to the study is provided by construction grammar, on the one hand, and previous work on category gradience.
Mitotic kinesins in action: diffusive searching, directional switching, and ensemble coordination
Authors: Gicking Allison M. , Qiu Weihong , Hancock William O.
Published: May 2018

Mitotic spindle assembly requires the collective action of multiple microtubule motors that coordinate their activities in ensembles. However, despite significant advances in our understanding of mitotic kinesins at the single-motor level, multi-motor systems are challenging to reconstitute in vitro and thus less well understood. Recent findings highlighted in this perspective demonstrate how various properties of kinesin-5 and -14 motors—diffusive searching, directional switching, and multivalent interactions—allow them to achieve their physiological roles of cross-linking parallel microtubules and sliding antiparallel ones during cell division. Additionally, we highlight new experimental techniques that will help bridge the gap between in vitro biophysical studies and in vivo cell biology investigations and provide new insights into how specific single-molecule mechanisms generate complex cellular behaviors.
Significance of an Increase in Diastolic Blood Pressure During a Stress Test in Terms of Comorbidities and Long-Term Total and CV Mortality
Authors: Sydó Nóra , Sydó Tibor , Gonzalez Carta Karina A , Hussain Nasir , Merkely Béla , Murphy Joseph G , Squires Ray W , Lopez-Jimenez Francisco , Allison Thomas G
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

A decrease in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) with exercise is considered normal, but the significance of an increase in DBP has not been validated. Our aim was to determine the relationship of DBP increasing on a stress test regarding comorbidities and mortality.

METHODS

Our database was reviewed from 1993 to 2010 using the first stress test of a patient. Non-Minnesota residence, baseline cardiovascular (CV) disease, rest DBP <60 or >100 mm Hg, and age <30 or ≥80 were exclusion criteria. DBP response was classified: normal if peak DBP–rest DBP < 0, borderline 0–9, and abnormal ≥10 mm Hg. Mortality was determined from Mayo Clinic records and Minnesota Death Index. Logistic regression was used to determine the relationship of DBP response to the presence of comorbidities. Cox regression was used to determine total and CV mortality risk by DBP response. All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, and resting DBP.

RESULTS

Twenty thousand seven hundred sixty patients were included (51 ± 11 years, female n = 7,314). Rest/peak averaged DBP 82 ± 8/69 ± 15 mm Hg in normal vs. 79 ± 9/82 ± 9 mm Hg in borderline vs. 76 ± 9/92 ± 11 mm Hg in abnormal DBP response. There were 1,582 deaths (8%) with 557 (3%) CV deaths over 12 ± 5 years of follow-up. In patients with borderline and abnormal DBP response, odds ratios for obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and current smoking were significant, while hazard ratios for total and CV death were not significant compared with patients with normal DBP response.

CONCLUSIONS

DBP response to exercise is significantly associated with important comorbidities at the time of the stress test but does not add to the prognostic yield of stress test.
Evaluating the consistency of large-scale pharmacogenomic studies
Authors: Rahman Raziur , Dhruba Saugato Rahman , Matlock Kevin , De-Niz Carlos , Ghosh Souparno , Pal Ranadip
Published: May 2018

Recent years have seen an increase in the availability of pharmacogenomic databases such as Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) and Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) that provide genomic and functional characterization information for multiple cell lines. Studies have alluded to the fact that specific characterizations may be inconsistent between different databases. Analysis of the potential discrepancies in the different databases is highly significant, as these sources are frequently used to analyze and validate methodologies for personalized cancer therapies. In this article, we review the recent developments in investigating the correspondence between different pharmacogenomics databases and discuss the potential factors that require attention when incorporating these sources in any modeling analysis. Furthermore, we explored the consistency among these databases using copulas that can capture nonlinear dependencies between two sets of data.
Single cell clustering based on cell-pair differentiability correlation and variance analysis
Authors: Jiang Hao , Sohn Lydia L , Huang Haiyan , Chen Luonan
Published: May 2018

Motivation

The rapid advancement of single cell technologies has shed new light on the complex mechanisms of cellular heterogeneity. Identification of intercellular transcriptomic heterogeneity is one of the most critical tasks in single-cell RNA-sequencing studies.

Results

We propose a new cell similarity measure based on cell-pair differentiability correlation, which is derived from gene differential pattern among all cell pairs. Through plugging into the framework of hierarchical clustering with this new measure, we further develop a variance analysis based clustering algorithm ‘Corr’ that can determine cluster number automatically and identify cell types accurately. The robustness and superiority of the proposed algorithm are compared with representative algorithms: shared nearest neighbor (SNN)-Cliq and several other state-of-the-art clustering methods, on many benchmark or real single cell RNA-sequencing datasets in terms of both internal criteria (clustering number and accuracy) and external criteria (purity, adjusted rand index, F1-measure). Moreover, differentiability vector with our new measure provides a new means in identifying potential biomarkers from cancer related single cell datasets even with strong noise. Prognosis analyses from independent datasets of cancers confirmed the effectiveness of our ‘Corr’ method.

Availability and implementation

The source code (Matlab) is available at http://sysbio.sibcb.ac.cn/cb/chenlab/soft/Corr--SourceCodes.zip

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
EBIC: an evolutionary-based parallel biclustering algorithm for pattern discovery
Authors: Orzechowski Patryk , Sipper Moshe , Huang Xiuzhen , Moore Jason H
Published: May 2018

Motivation

Biclustering algorithms are commonly used for gene expression data analysis. However, accurate identification of meaningful structures is very challenging and state-of-the-art methods are incapable of discovering with high accuracy different patterns of high biological relevance.

Results

In this paper, a novel biclustering algorithm based on evolutionary computation, a sub-field of artificial intelligence, is introduced. The method called EBIC aims to detect order-preserving patterns in complex data. EBIC is capable of discovering multiple complex patterns with unprecedented accuracy in real gene expression datasets. It is also one of the very few biclustering methods designed for parallel environments with multiple graphics processing units. We demonstrate that EBIC greatly outperforms state-of-the-art biclustering methods, in terms of recovery and relevance, on both synthetic and genetic datasets. EBIC also yields results over 12 times faster than the most accurate reference algorithms.

Availability and implementation

EBIC source code is available on GitHub at https://github.com/EpistasisLab/ebic.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Variability and Coupling of Olfactory Identification and Episodic Memory in Older Adults
Authors: Knight Jamie E , Bennett David A , Piccinin Andrea M
Published: May 2018

Objectives

To determine whether assessment-to-assessment fluctuations in episodic memory (EM) reflect fluctuations in olfaction over time.

Methods

Within-person coupled variation in EM and the Brief Smell Identification Test (BSIT) was examined in 565 participants aged 58–106 with autopsy data from the Rush Memory and Aging Project. A growth model for up to 15 years of EM data, with BSIT as time-varying covariate, was estimated accounting for main effects of sex, education, ε4 allele, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology, BSIT and time-varying BSIT, as well as the interaction between AD pathology and time-varying BSIT.

Results

Individuals with higher BSIT scores (b = .01, standard error [SE] = .004, p = .009) had slower declines in EM. High AD pathology (b = −.06, SE = .02, p = .001) was associated with more rapid declines in EM. The association between time-specific fluctuations in EM and BSIT differed by level of AD pathology (b = .08, SE = .034, p = .028), with a higher EM–BSIT association at higher levels of pathology.

Discussion

BSIT and EM fluctuate together over measurement occasions, particularly for individuals with AD pathology. Repeated intraindividual measurements provide information that could lead to early detection and inexpensive monitoring of accumulating AD pathology.
Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy as a Primary Treatment for Deep Inaccessible Gliomas
Authors: Shah Ashish H , Burks Joshua D , Buttrick Simon S , Debs Luca , Ivan Michael E , Komotar Ricardo J
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Treatment strategies for deep intracranial gliomas remain limited to stereotactic biopsy in many cases due to the morbidity of aggressive surgical resection. Since no cytoreductive therapy is offered, outcomes have been demonstrably poor compared to patients who are able to undergo primary surgical resection.

OBJECTIVE

To present our practice, in an effort to reduce morbidity and still offer cytoreductive treatment, of offering the possibility of laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) for the primary treatment of intracranial deep gliomas that would be otherwise unamenable for resection.

METHODS

From 2010 to 2017, 74 patients were identified from a single surgeon at a single tertiary care referral center who had been treated with LITT. We conducted an exploratory cohort study on patients (n = 6) who have undergone contemporaneous biopsy and laser ablation for the treatment of deep gliomas with a mean tumor volume of 10.9 cc (range 4.2-52 cc).

RESULTS

In our cohort, mean extent of ablation (EOA) was 98.5% on postoperative MRI; mean progression-free survival was 14.3 mo, and 5 patients (83%) remained alive at mean follow-up time of 19.7 mo without any complications. Additionally, there was a negative linear relationship between preoperative lesion size and EOA (P < .04) when analyzed with previously reported series.

CONCLUSION

Although our series is small, we suggest that LITT can be a safe alternative cytoreductive therapy for deep surgically inaccessible gliomas. Given the known benefit of near gross total resection for high-grade gliomas, we believe LITT may improve survival for these patients and complement adjuvant treatments if patients are appropriately selected.
Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of an Evidence-Based iPad-App for Cognitive Rehabilitation in Patients with Primary Brain Tumors
Authors: van der Linden Sophie Dorothee , Sitskoorn Margriet Maria , Rutten Geert-Jan Maria , Gehring Karin
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Many patients with primary brain tumors suffer from cognitive deficits, which negatively impact their quality of life. However, cognitive rehabilitation programs for these patients are scarce. We developed an iPad-based cognitive rehabilitation program for brain tumor patients, which was based on our effective face-to-face cognitive rehabilitation program. After successful completion of a feasibility study, a randomized controlled trial has been started.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the immediate and long-term effects of the iPad-based program on cognitive performance and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in patients with primary brain tumors in an early stage of the disease.

METHODS

Prior to surgery, patients with presumed low-grade glioma and meningioma are included. Before surgery and 3 mo after surgery, neuropsychological assessments are conducted. After the second neuropsychological assessment, patients are assigned to the intervention group or waiting-list control group. The intervention consists of psychoeducation, compensation training, and retraining. Patients are advised to spend 3 h per week on the program for 10 wk. Immediately after completion of the program and a half-year thereafter, postintervention assessments take place. Patients in the control group are offered the opportunity to follow the program after all study assessments.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

We expect that early cognitive rehabilitation has beneficial effects on cognitive performance and PROMs in brain tumor patients.

DISCUSSION

The iPad-based program allows brain tumor patients to follow a cognitive rehabilitation program from their homes. Forthcoming results may contribute to further improvement of supportive care for brain tumor patients.
In Situ Left Azygous Anterior Cerebral Artery to Right Pericallosal Artery Bypass for Treatment of a Giant Right A1/2 Aneurysm: 2-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Rajah Gary , Hoeprich Mark , Narayanan Sandra , Guthikonda Murali , Mittal Sandeep
Published: May 2018

Here we present a 46-yr-old man with recurrent syncopal episodes thought to be of cardiac origin. He was eventually found to harbor a giant, partially thrombosed, saccular aneurysm arising from the A1/A2 segment of the right anterior cerebral artery with foramen of Monro obstruction and a trapped left-sided ventricular system. An azygous left A2 artery segment supplied both callosomarginal arteries. We performed an in situ side-to-side anastomosis between the distal left azygous anterior cerebral artery and the right pericallosal artery, which was previously supplied by the right A1. The right A1 was clip ligated, and the aneurysm evacuated with an ultrasonic aspirator. Postoperatively, the patient did well with no recurrence of the aneurysm and resolution of his preoperative obstructive hydrocephalus. He continues to be independent >7 yr post surgery. His 6-mo follow-up angiogram revealed a patent bypass.
The financialization of local governments—the case of financial rationality in the management of Norwegian hydroelectric utilities
Authors: Løding Tomas Hostad
Published: May 2018

Research on the diminishing distance between global financial markets and traditional nonfinancial actors has increased dramatically over the last decade, most commonly captured in the notion of ‘financialization’. This literature has largely been preoccupied with a confluence of structural changes in the state and in the economy that advance the power and scope of financial capital. However, scholars have also provided evidence for cultural change in the framework in which people think about finance and property. Despite the fact that governments have increasingly engaged in heterodox financial market practices, this culturalized analysis has not yet been extended to the public sector. Based on interview data from Norwegian municipal owners of hydroelectric utilities, this article suggests that a rationality attuned to a financialized world economy is disseminating into public sector management. The article concludes by discussing what this means in a sector traditionally governed by a logic rather alien to that of global finance.
What Nurses Do During Time Scarcity—and Why
Authors: Jones Terry L.
Published: May 2018

Time scarcity is a common occurrence in the nurse work environment that stimulates a decision-making process, known as clinical prioritization or implicit rationing. In implicit rationing, nurses must decide what care they will complete and what they will leave unfinished. Five mechanisms that influence this process are supported in the literature. The effects of these influential mechanisms leave patients vulnerable to unmet educational, psychological, care coordination and discharge planning needs. Potential areas for intervention by nurse leaders include redesigning care delivery models to reduce time scarcity, adding balancing measures to performance monitoring systems to promote patient-centered care, and creating work cultures that support the values of nursing.