bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correcting for peculiar velocities of Type Ia supernovae in clusters of galaxies
Authors: Léget P.-F. , Pruzhinskaya M. V. , Ciulli A. , Gangler E. , Aldering G. , Antilogus P. , Aragon C. , Bailey S. , Baltay C. , Barbary K. , Bongard S. , Boone K. , Buton C. , Childress M. , Chotard N. , Copin Y. , Dixon S. , Fagrelius P. , Feindt U. , Fouchez D. , Gris P. , Hayden B. , Hillebrandt W. , Howell D. A. , Kim A. , Kowalski M. , Kuesters D. , Lombardo S. , Lin Q. , Nordin J. , Pain R. , Pecontal E. , Pereira R. , Perlmutter S. , Rabinowitz D. , Rigault M. , Runge K. , Rubin D. , Saunders C. , Says L.-P. , Smadja G. , Sofiatti C. , Suzuki N. , Taubenberger S. , Tao C. , Thomas R. C. ,   The Nearby Supernova Factory
Published: April 2018

Context. Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are widely used to measure the expansion of the Universe. To perform such measurements the luminosity and cosmological redshift (z) of the SNe Ia have to be determined. The uncertainty on z includes an unknown peculiar velocity, which can be very large for SNe Ia in the virialized cores of massive clusters.

Aims. We determine which SNe Ia exploded in galaxy clusters using 145 SNe Ia from the Nearby Supernova Factory. We then study how the correction for peculiar velocities of host galaxies inside the clusters improves the Hubble residuals.

Methods. We found 11 candidates for membership in clusters. We applied the biweight technique to estimate the redshift of a cluster. Then, we used the galaxy cluster redshift instead of the host galaxy redshift to construct the Hubble diagram.

Results. For SNe Ia inside galaxy clusters, the dispersion around the Hubble diagram when peculiar velocities are taken into account is smaller compared with a case without peculiar velocity correction, which has a wRMS = 0.130 ± 0.038 mag instead of wRMS = 0.137 ± 0.036 mag. The significance of this improvement is 3.58σ. If we remove the very nearby Virgo cluster member SN2006X (z < 0.01) from the analysis, the significance decreases to 1.34σ. The peculiar velocity correction is found to be highest for the SNe Ia hosted by blue spiral galaxies. Those SNe Ia have high local specific star formation rates and smaller stellar masses, which is seemingly counter to what might be expected given the heavy concentration of old, massive elliptical galaxies in clusters.

Conclusions. As expected, the Hubble residuals of SNe Ia associated with massive galaxy clusters improve when the cluster redshift is taken as the cosmological redshift of the supernova. This fact has to be taken into account in future cosmological analyses in order to achieve higher accuracy for cosmological redshift measurements. We provide an approach to do so.
The reduction of atmospheric emissions after the implementation of first Polish nuclear power plant
Authors: Cholewiński Maciej
Published: April 2018

In this work the environmental benefits in the atmospheric emissions after the implementation of 3,000 MW nuclear power plants were assessed and presented. To determine the quantity of avoided emissions of CO2, NOx, SO2 and Hg compounds, harmonised stoichiometric combustion model dedicated to solid fuel fired power plant was created. To increase the credibility of the studies, future strict emission standards (Directive 2010/75/EU, BAT documents for LCP) were included as well. In conducted studies, representative samples of 3 different Polish solid fuels were examined (by comprehensive proximate and ultimate analysis) and used in assessment. It was proven that by the replacement of thermal solid fuel power plant by nuclear unit (with annual production rate of 22.4 TWh net) up to 16.4 million tonnes of lignite, 8.9 million tonnes of hard coal or 13.1 million tonnes of solid biomass can be saved. Further, for the case of lignite, the emission, at least, of 21.29 million tonnes of CO2 (6.9% of all Polish emission in 2015), 1,610 tonnes of dust (0.4%), 16,102 tonnes of NOx (2.2%), 16,102 tonnes of SO2 (2.0%) and 564 kg of mercury (5.9%) can be avoided. For selected hard coal, calculated emission savings were equal to 17.60 million tonnes of CO2 (5.7%), 1,357 tonnes of dust (0.4%), 13,566 tonnes of NOx (1.9%), 13,566 tonnes of SO2 (1.7%), 271 kg of mercury (2.9%), and for biomass - equal to 20.04 million tonnes of CO2 (6.5%), 1,471 tonnes of dust (0.4%), 14,712 tonnes of NOx (2.0%), 14,712 tonnes of SO2 (1.8%) and 294 kg of mercury (3.1%).
Slow magnetic monopoles search in NOvA
Authors: Antoshkin Alexander , Frank Martin
Published: April 2018

The NOvA far detector is well suited for finding exotic particles due to its technical features (see [1]). One type of those exotic particles is a "slow" magnetic monopole. It is assumed that the energy deposition of such monopoles should be enough to be registered (see [2]). Measurement of the expected signals was performed on the NOvA test bench at JINR (see [3]). Result of this measurement allows us to perform slow monopole's research using NOvA software and hardware with high efficiency. As a whole, the research can lead to a discovery, or it can limit the existence of monopoles in a wide range of parameters, previously unreachable in other experiments (MACRO, SLIM, RICE, IceCube). Several special software tools have been developed. Slow Monopole Trigger has been created and implemented in the NOvA Data-Driven-Trigger system. Also, an online reconstruction algorithm has been developed and tested on 5% of the data. A technical description of these tools and current results of the analysis are presented in this work.
Study of the GEM detector performance in BM@N experiment
Authors: Bazylev Sergei , Kapishin Mikhail , Kapusniak Kacper , Karjavine Vladimir , Khabarov Sergei , Kolesnikov Alexander , Kulish Elena , Lenivenko Vasilisa , Makankin Alexander , Maksymchuk Anna , Mehl Bertrand , De Oliveira Rui , Palchik Vladimir , Pokatashkin Gleb , Rodriguez A. , Rufanov Igor , Shutov Alexander , Slepnev Ilya , Slepnev Vyacheslav , Vasiliev Sergei , Zinchenko Alexander
Published: April 2018

BM@N is the fixed target experiment at the accelerator complex NICA-Nuclotron aimed to study nuclear matter in the relativistic heavy ion collisions. Triple-GEM detectors were identified as appropriate for the BM@N tracking system located inside the analyzing magnet. Seven GEM chambers are integrated into the BM@N experimental setup and data acquisition system. GEM construction, main characteristics and first obtained results of the GEM tracking system performance in the technical run with the deuteron beam are shortly reviewed.
Measurement of multiplicities of charged hadrons, pions and kaons in DIS at COMPASS
Authors: Mitrofanov Nikolai
Published: April 2018

Precise measurements of multiplicities of charged hadrons, pions and kaons in deep inelastic scattering were performed. The data were obtained by the COMPASS Collaboration by scattering 160 GeV muons off an isoscalar 6LiD target. The results were obtained in three-dimensional bins of the Bjorken scaling variable x, the relative virtual-photon energy y, and the fraction z of the virtual-photon energy carried by the produced hadron. A leading-order pQCD analysis was performed using the pion multiplicity results to extract quark fragmentation functions into pions. The results for the sum of the z-integrated multiplicities for pions and for kaons, differ from earlier results from the HERMES experiment. The results from the sum of the z-integrated K+ and K- multiplicities at high x point to a value of the non-strange quark fragmentation function larger than obtained by the earlier DSS fit.
Processing of higher count rates in Troitsk nu-mass experiment
Authors: Nozik Alexander , Chernov Vaslily
Published: April 2018

In this article we give a short outline of current status of search for sterile neutrinos with masses up to 4 keV in “Troitsk nu-mass experiment”. We also discuss major sources of systematic uncertainties and methods to lower them.
DataForge: Modular platform for data storage and analysis
Authors: Nozik Alexander
Published: April 2018

DataForge is a framework for automated data acquisition, storage and analysis based on modern achievements of applied programming. The aim of the DataForge is to automate some standard tasks like parallel data processing, logging, output sorting and distributed computing. Also the framework extensively uses declarative programming principles via meta-data concept which allows a certain degree of meta-programming and improves results reproducibility.
Induction and repair of DNA double-strand breaks in hippocampal neurons of miсe of different age after exposure to 60Со γ-rays in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Kozhina R.A. , Chausov V.N. , Kuzmina E.A. , Boreyko A.V.
Published: April 2018

One of the central problems of modern radiobiology is the study of DNA damage induction and repair mechanisms in central nervous system cells, in particular, in hippocampal cells. The study of the regularities of molecular damage formation and repair in the hippocampus cells is of special interest, because these cells, unlike most cells of the central nervous system (CNS), keep proliferative activity, i.e. ability to neurogenesis. Age-related changes in hippocampus play an important role, which could lead to radiosensitivity changes in neurons to the ionizing radiation exposure. Regularities in DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) induction and repair in different aged mice hippocampal cells in vivo and in vitro under the action of γ-rays 60Со were studied with DNA comet-assay. The obtained dose dependences of DNA DSB induction are linear both in vivo and in vitro. It is established that in young animals' cells, the degree of DNA damage is higher than in older animals. It is shown that repair kinetics is basically different for exposure in vivo and in vitro.
Visualization of complex DNA damage along accelerated ions tracks
Authors: Kulikova Elena , Boreyko Alla , Bulanova Tatiana , Ježková Lucie , Zadneprianetc Mariia , Smirnova Elena
Published: April 2018

The most deleterious DNA lesions induced by ionizing radiation are clustered DNA double-strand breaks (DSB). Clustered or complex DNA damage is a combination of a few simple lesions (single-strand breaks, base damage etc.) within one or two DNA helix turns. It is known that yield of complex DNA lesions increases with increasing linear energy transfer (LET) of radiation. For investigation of the induction and repair of complex DNA lesions, human fibroblasts were irradiated with high-LET 15N ions (LET = 183.3 keV/μm, E = 13MeV/n) and low-LET 60Co γ-rays (LET ≈ 0.3 keV/μm) radiation. DNA DSBs (γH2AX and 53BP1) and base damage (OGG1) markers were visualized by immunofluorecence staining and high-resolution microscopy. The obtained results showed slower repair kinetics of induced DSBs in cells irradiated with accelerated ions compared to 60Co γ-rays, indicating induction of more complex DNA damage. Confirming previous assumptions, detailed 3D analysis of γH2AX/53BP1 foci in 15N ions tracks revealed more complicated structure of the foci in contrast to γ-rays. It was shown that proteins 53BP1 and OGG1 involved in repair of DNA DSBs and modified bases, respectively, were colocalized in tracks of 15N ions and thus represented clustered DNA DSBs.
Magnetoelectric Effect in Lorentz-violating Extensions of the Standard Model
Authors: Kharlanov Oleg , Degtev Ivan
Published: April 2018

We demonstrate that an atom placed in a constant background interacting with the electronic axial-vector current exhibits a new type of parity-breaking transverse magnetoelectric polarizability. Within beyond-Standard-Model (BSM) frameworks, such as the Lorentz-violating Standard Model Extension, such constant backgrounds are considered to be condensates of Planck-scale fields, thus, precision measurements of the magnetoelectric polarizability is able to constrain non-trivial BSM physics. Indeed, we demonstrate that the contribution to this effect within the Standard Model due to weak interaction is strongly suppressed, the effect virtually being purely exotic. We calculate magnetoelectric polarizability for a simple atom and discuss its observability.
Influence of environmental factors on vertical distribution of zooplankton communities in humic lakes
Authors: Karpowicz Maciej , Ejsmont-Karabin Jolanta
Published: April 2018

The influence of vertical environmental gradients on zooplankton communities was studied in five humic lakes with the high availability of food resources (phytoplankton and bacterioplankton) and low fish pressure. The factors that inhibit the development of large zooplankton in humic lakes are currently widely debated. We have found that relatively productive humic lakes do not offer many niches for zooplankton because of the sharp thermal gradient which results in a shallow layer of oxygenated waters. The results of this study indicated that different taxonomic groups of zooplankton are determined by a different set of environmental variables. This phenomenon explains very low species richness of zooplankton and a possibility of their coexistence in the narrow oxygenated layer. We concluded that due to sharp thermal gradient in humic lakes biomass of herbivores may be reduced which could promote development of phytoplankton.
Synthesis of control laws of electromechanical systems under polynomial approximation of characteristics of nonlinear elements
Authors: Shishlakov Vladislav , Vataeva Elizaveta , Reshetnikova Natalia , Shishlakov Dmitriy
Published: April 2018

The paper presents the solution of the problem of synthesis of the laws of control of electromechanical automatic control system under polynomial approximation. As a mathematical apparatus of the decision the generalized Galerkin's method is applied. This method is extended to a new class of objects with nonlinear characteristics approximated polynomially.
Intellectual decision-making system in the context of potentially dangerous nuclear power facilities
Authors: Danilov Alexander , Povarov Vladimir , Burkovsky Viktor , Podvalny Semen , Gusev Konstantin
Published: April 2018

The article deals with intelligent operation decision support system under condition of potentially hazardous nuclear facilities. The proposed system is referred to the class of advising systems and does not make final decisions in case of deviations of parameters to be analyzed, but generates general ways to solve an encountered problem and issues a set of recommendations for the plant personnel. In the article a fuzzy logic tool is used as mathematic tool. Lessons learnt from operation of nuclear facilities demonstrate that existing critical components (parts, areas, welding joints) are subject to increased failure under conditions of high operational loads, including beyond design loads and negative environmental impact. Usually in that situation there is probability of equipment integrity failure, when the unit is at power, with severe defect downing. For instance, the coolant leak and potential development of initial penetration defect to critical dimensions. In other words, in fact, the final observable result is always one – formation and development of operational crack which jeopardizes design integrity of the component and, accordingly, seriously compromises the nuclear power unit operation. The proposed situational model is linked with real knowledge data base where generated situational pairs are stored. The expert system is used for knowledge data base formation. Actually the proposed system consists of two independent fuzzy systems. From mathematical tool point of view, the advantage of such systems combination is lack of defuzzification unit in the first system and fuzzification unit in the second one.
A fuzzy adaptive sliding mode controller for uncertain nonlinear multi motor systems
Authors: Tinh Tran Xuan , Thanh Pham Tuan , Tuyen Tran Van , Tien Nguyen Van , Nam Dao Phuong
Published: April 2018

Multi-motor drive systems are nonlinear, multi-input multi-output (MIMO) and strong-coupling complicated system, including the effect of friction and elastic, backlash. They have been widely used in many modern industries. The control law for this dive system much depend on the determining of the tension being hard to obtain this tension in practice based on a load cell or a pressure meter due to the accuracy of sensors or external disturbance. An emerging proposed technique in the control law is the use of adaptive sliding mode control scheme to stabilize closed system. However, the control system would be affected by chattering phenomenon. In order to eliminate this term, fuzzy technique is proposed by adjusting equivalent coefficients. The theory analysis and simulation results point out the good performance of the proposed fuzzy adaptive sliding mode control for the drive system.
A dataset of head and eye gaze during dyadic interaction task for modeling robot gaze behavior
Authors: Raković Mirko , Duarte Nuno , Tasevski Jovica , Santos-Victor José , Borovac Branislav
Published: April 2018

In this work is presented a dataset of humans‘ head and eye gaze acquired with Pupil Labs gazetracking glasses and Optitrack motion capture system. The dataset contains recordings of adult subjects in dyadic interaction task. During the experiment, the subjects are asked to pick up an object and, based on the randomly defined instructions, to place it on the table in front of her/him or to give the object to a person sitting across the table. If the object is handed over, the second person takes the object and places it on the table it in front of her/him. The dataset is intended to be used to model the behavior of the human’s gaze while interacting with another human and implement the model in a controller of a robot for dyadic interaction with a humans.
A comparison of multi-style DNN-based TTS approaches using small datasets
Authors: Suzić Siniša , Delić Tijana , Jovanović Vladimir , Sečujski Milan , Pekar Darko , Delić Vlado
Published: April 2018

Studies have shown that people already perceive the interaction with computers, robots and media in the same way as they perceive social communication with other people. For that reason it is critical for a high-quality text-to-speech system (TTS) to sound as human-like as possible. However, a major obstacle in creating expressive TTS voices is that the amount of style-specific speech needed for training such a system is often not sufficient. This paper presents a comparison between different approaches to multi-style TTS, with focus on cases when only a small dataset per style is available. The described approaches have been originally proposed for efficient modelling of multiple speakers with a limited amount of data per speaker. Among the suggested approaches the approach based on style codes has emerged as the best, regardless of the target speech style.
The control algorithm of the lower limb exoskeleton synchronous gait
Authors: Antipov Vladimir , Postolny Alexey , Yatsun Andrey , Jatsun Sergey
Published: April 2018

In this article a study of algorithms for human movement in the lower limbs exoskeleton is presented. Human-machine system is considered, the classification of the existing exoskeletons by type of power distribution, the features of stable motion of the mechanism are presented. The law of the necessary trajectory of the center of mass of the exoskeleton is shown in the sagittal and frontal planes to maintain stability. The synchronous motion scheme of the centre of mass and the foot is described.
Approaches to the robotization of agricultural mobile machines
Authors: Serebrenny Vladimir , Shereuzhev Madin , Metasov Ivan
Published: April 2018

Agriculture is the extremely important and developing economic movement in all times. Automation of agricultural machines occurs by different ways. One way is through the creation of specialized technical solutions for the required technological processes, another way is the construction of automatic agricultural machines, including mobile ones. The state of modern technology allows to create autonomous machines. The agriculture robotization trends are the high precision and unmanned farming. The article considers the issues of robotization of agricultural machinery. Stages of robotization of agricultural mobile machines were analyzed. The factors affecting the autonomous movement of mobile agrorobots were shown.
Hierarchical classification of robotic grippers applied for agricultural object manipulations
Authors: Vu Quyen , Kuzov Mikhail , Ronzhin Andrey
Published: April 2018

An overview of agricultural grippers used to control weeds and harvesting is presented. The classification of the grippers, which are installed on robotic agricultural tools for manipulation of fruits, weeds and other objects, is compiled. There are 22 types of grippers depending on 6 selected criteria: drive type, the presence of the drive in the grip, the number of fingers, the type of gripper movement, the type of mechanism, the type of sensors. In this classification, we mainly consider the characteristics of the gripper, which is installed at the end of the manipulator and is responsible for physical contact with the object. Therefore, the main attention is paid to problems requiring direct capture of objects by the agrobots. The issue of joint interaction of a group of heterogeneous terrestrial and airborne robots in the performance of the target agrarian task in an autonomous mission will also be investigated.
Experiments on mobile robot stereo vision system calibration under hardware imperfection
Authors: Safin Ramil , Lavrenov Roman , Saha Subir Kumar , Magid Evgeni
Published: April 2018

Calibration is essential for any robot vision system for achieving high accuracy in deriving objects metric information. One of typical requirements for a stereo vison system in order to obtain better calibration results is to guarantee that both cameras keep the same vertical level. However, cameras may be displaced due to severe conditions of a robot operating or some other circumstances. This paper presents our experimental approach to the problem of a mobile robot stereo vision system calibration under a hardware imperfection. In our experiments, we used crawler-type mobile robot «Servosila Engineer». Stereo system cameras of the robot were displaced relative to each other, causing loss of surrounding environment information. We implemented and verified checkerboard and circle grid based calibration methods. The two methods comparison demonstrated that a circle grid based calibration should be preferred over a classical checkerboard calibration approach.
The model of UAV formation based on the uniform allocation of points on the sphere
Authors: Khachumov Mikhail , Khachumov Vyacheslav
Published: April 2018

We consider an approach to constructing the desired virtual structure, which should be formed by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The proposed model is based on the principle of quasi-uniform allocation of points, previously used by the author in clustering problems. The mathematical apparatus for solving the problem of forming the desired structure is given: necessary theorems are proved; the hypothesis on the uniform distribution of points on the boundary of the circle and the sphere is put forward and partially proved. The method for optimal assignment of UAVs to goal positions in the desired formation is considered.
Classification of robotic battery service systems for unmanned aerial vehicles
Authors: Ngo Tien , Guzey Mehmet , Dashevsky Vladimir
Published: April 2018

Existing examples of prototypes of ground-based robotic platforms used as a landing site for unmanned aerial vehicles are considered. In some cases, they are equipped with a maintenance mechanism for the power supply module. The main requirements for robotic multi-copter battery maintenance systems depending on operating conditions, required processing speed, operator experience and other parameters are analyzed. The key issues remain questions of the autonomous landing of the unmanned aerial vehicles on the platform and approach to servicing battery. The existing prototypes of service robotic platforms are differed in the complexity of internal mechanisms, speed of service, algorithms of joint work of the platform and unmanned aerial vehicles during the landing and maintenance of the battery. The classification of robotic systems for servicing the power supply of multi-copter batteries criteria is presented using the following: the type of basing, the method of navigation during landing, the shape of the landing pad, the method of restoring the power supply module. The proposed algorithmic model of the operation of battery power maintenance system of the multi-copter on ground-based robotic platform during solving the target agrarian problem is described. Wireless methods of battery recovery are most promising, so further development and prototyping of a wireless charging station for multi-copter batteries will be developed.
Fractal analysis of the relationship between the visual complexity of laser show pictures and a human psychophysiological state
Authors: Matveev Nikolai , Sherstobitova Aleksandra , Gerasimova Olga
Published: April 2018

This paper presents the results of the fractal analysis of the relationship between the visual complexity of laser show pictures and its human aesthetic perception. Recommendations on the use of laser effects in the art therapy are presented
Sky brightness measurements for different environmental conditions by the example of St. Petersburg
Authors: Kolgushkina Svetlana
Published: April 2018

St. Petersburg is unique place in Russia with an environmental phenomenon called “white nights” during summertime: sky brightness levels are influenced mostly by environmental conditions. Sky conditions during the winter are opposite: light emission is mostly caused by the anthropogenic factors. A series of experiments were conducted between May and December 2017 using a Sky Quality Meter (SQM-LU-DL), a night sky brightness photometer, to understand the differences between sky brightness levels for different environmental conditions and seasonal variations. Sky brightness distinction between the city center and 20 km distance were estimated for clear sky conditions.
Living with Light: an ethnographic study of older people’s use and experience of lighting at home
Authors: Nielsen S.L. , Mullins M.F.
Published: April 2018

This ethnographic study aims to better understand the culture, values and everyday life of elderly people in view of their use of lighting in their homes. By addressing different types of lighting and exploring when, how and why older people used various lighting sources in their homes, the study seeks new insight into and an in-depth understanding of how older people experience light in their everyday lives. The paper introduces the results of a qualitative analysis of the collected data and presents some observations on the values and meanings the elderly attach to light and lighting in their daily lives. It is argued that these patterns are largely shaped by the elderly’s bodily, social and cultural experiences and contexts, so a framework encompassing four major themes is proposed: 1. Traditions, Economy and Environment; 2. Quality of Life and Independence; 3. Health; and 4. Security and Safety.
Risk factors for advanced duodenal and ampullary adenomatosis in familial adenomatous polyposis: a prospective, single-center study
Authors: Sulbaran M. , Campos F. , Ribeiro U. , Kishi H. , Sakai P. , de Moura E. , Bustamante-López L. , Tomitão M. , Nahas S. , Cecconello I. , Safatle-Ribeiro A.
Published: April 2018

Background and study aims To determine the clinical features associated with advanced duodenal and ampullary adenomas in familial adenomatous polyposis. Secondarily, we describe the prevalence and clinical significance of jejunal polyposis.

Patients and methods This is a single center, prospective study of 62 patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. Duodenal polyposis was classified according to Spigelman and ampullary adenomas were identified. Patients with Spigelman III and IV duodenal polyposis underwent balloon assisted enteroscopy. Predefined groups according to Spigelman and presence or not of ampullary adenomas were related to the clinical variables: gender, age, family history of familial adenomatous polyposis, type of colorectal surgery, and type of colorectal polyposis.

Results Advanced duodenal polyposis was present in 13 patients (21 %; 9 male) at a mean age of 37.61 ± 13.9 years. There was a statistically significant association between family history of the disease and groups according to Spigelman (P = 0.03). Seven unrelated patients (6 male) presented ampullary adenomas at a mean age of 36.14 ± 14.2 years. The association between ampullary adenomas and extraintestinal manifestations was statistically significant in multivariate analysis (P = 0.009). Five endoscopic types of non-ampullary adenoma were identified, showing that lesions larger than 10 mm or with a central depression presented foci of high grade dysplasia. Among 28 patients in 12 different families, a similar Spigelman score was identified; 10/12 patients (83.3 %) who underwent enteroscopy presented small tubular adenomas with low grade dysplasia in the proximal jejunum.

Conclusions Advanced duodenal polyposis phenotype may be predictable from disease severity in a first-degree relative. Ampullary adenomas were independently associated with the presence of extraintestinal manifestations.

Study registration: NCT02656134
Kapsulorhexis Real-Life – erfahrener Operateur versus Literaturdaten zur Femto Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS)
Authors: Sachers Frank , Goldblum David
Published: April 2018

Hintergrund Die Kapsulorhexis ist einer der wichtigsten Schritte der Kataraktchirurgie. Gute Zentrierung, zirkuläre Überlappung bei ausreichender Größe und ein intakter Rhexisrand gewährleisten eine optimale Intraokularlinsenzentrierung (IOL-Zentrierung). Ziel der Arbeit war es, die Resultate eines erfahrenen Operateurs mit berichteten Daten von femtolaserassistierten Kataraktoperationen (FLACS) zu vergleichen.

Patienten und Methoden 105 konsekutive Kataraktoperationen wurden fotodokumentiert, bei 81 Aufnahmen erfolgte eine retrospektive Auswertung bezüglich Durchmesser und Überlappung der IOL. Die Häufigkeit radiärer Einrisse wurde der EUREQUO-Statistik des Operateurs entnommen.

Ergebnisse Die durchschnittliche Rhexisgröße betrug 5,03 ± 0,3 mm, der Unterschied der beiden erfassten Durchmesser 0,28 ± 0,18 mm. 88,9% der auswertbaren Rhexen wiesen eine zirkuläre Überlappung auf. Radiäre Einrisse traten bei den letzten 8000, in EUREQUO erfassten Eingriffen nicht auf, entsprechend einer Häufigkeit von unter 0,0125%.

Schlussfolgerungen Im Vergleich mit der mittels Femtolaser durchgeführten Kapsulotomie sind die Resultate bezüglich Überlappung vergleichbar. Ob die diskret „rundere“ Kapseleröffnung eine klinische Relevanz besitzt, bleibt offen. Das Risiko eines radiären Einrisses der vorderen Kapsel ist bei einem erfahrenen Operateur sehr gering und gegenüber FLACS geringer.
The Essential Ectoenzyme SmNPP5 from the Human Intravascular Parasite Schistosoma mansoni is an ADPase and a Potent Inhibitor of Platelet Aggregation
Authors: Elzoheiry Manal , Da'dara Akram , deLaforcade Armelle , El-Beshbishi Samar , Skelly Patrick
Published: April 2018

Schistosomes are intravascular parasitic platyhelminthes infecting > 200 million people globally and causing a debilitating disease, schistosomiasis. Despite the relatively large size of the adult worms and their disruption of blood flow, surprisingly, they do not appear to provoke thrombus formation around them in vivo. We hypothesize that proteins expressed at the host–parasite interface are key to this ability. Here, we functionally express an ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase homologue, SmNPP5, that is expressed at the tegumental surface of intravascular Schistosoma mansoni. We report that SmNPP5, a known virulence factor for the worms, is a type one glycoprotein that cleaves the artificial substrate p-Nph-5′-TMP in a reaction that requires cations and at an optimal pH of 9. Using immunolocalization and enzyme activity measurements, we confirm that SmNPP5 is exclusively expressed at the host interactive surface of all intravascular life stages. SmNPP5 inhibits platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner, as measured by multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA) using whole blood. Inhibition is apparent when either collagen or adenosine diphosphate (ADP) is used as agonist but is lost following heat treatment of SmNPP5. Unlike its mammalian homologue, NPP5, the schistosome protein cleaves ADP and with a Km of 246 ± 34 µM. In sum, SmNPP5 is expressed in the intravascular environment where it can degrade ADP and act as an anticoagulant. In this manner, the protein likely helps limit blood clot formation around the worms in vivo to permit the parasites free movement within the vasculature.
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 2 in Various Disease States
Authors: Kruithof Egbert K O , Gudinchet Annelise , Bachmann Fedor
Published: April 2018

The association of increased PA-inhibitor (PAI) activity and of PAI-1 and PAI-2 antigen levels with different pathological conditions was studied in a collective of over 300 patients. PAI-1 and PAI-2 levels were measured by specific radioimmunoassays. A good correlation was observed of PAI activity with PAI-1 antigen (r = 0.718; p <0.0001) but not with PAI-2 (r = 0.070; n.s.). Both in the controls and in the patients, PAI activity and PAI-1 antigen showed an extremely large range of values. PAI activity ranged from 0.5 to 68 U/ml and PAI-1 antigen from 6 to 600 ng/ml. Increased PAI activity and PAI-1 antigen was observed in patients with malignant tumors, cardiovascular or thromboembolic disease, in the postoperative phase, with hepatic insufficiency, after trauma and after extracorporeal circulation. The large spectrum of disease states with increased PAI activity and PAI-1 antigen reinforces previous suggestions that PAI-1 is an acute phase reactant. After extracorporeal circulation, PAI activity and PAI-1 concentrations strongly increased within one hour, remained elevated for at least one week and returned to preoperation values within 7 days.

PAI-2 values ranged from below detection limit (15 ng/ml), observed in half of the plasmas, to 485 ng/ml in a pregnant woman. High values of PAI-2 were only observed in pregnancy.
AT III Barcelona: A Familial Quantitative-Qualitative AT III Deficiency
Authors: Grau E , Fontcuberta J , Félez J , de Diego I , Soto R , Rutllant M LI
Published: April 2018

A quantitative and qualitative deficiency of antithrombin III (AT III) was found in four members of a Spanish family with thrombotic tendency. In all affected members, levels of AT III antigen and activity (heparin cofactor activity) were reduced to 50% of the normal range. When crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) was performed in the presence of heparin, an abnormal slow-moving peak was found. Crossed immunoelectrofocusing (CIEF) from normal and affected individuals showed that normal AT III migrated between pH 4.9–5.3 while the AT III under study was asymetrically distributed between two pH ranges: 4.9–5.3 and 4.6–4.8. Affinity adsorption of affected members’ plasma to heparin-sepharose beads revealed one population of AT III in the supernatant corresponding to the abnormal AT III, devoid of heparin cofactor activity and showing a peak between pH range: 4.6–4.8 in CIEF.

Our data supports the view that a quantitative-qualitative deficiency was present in the heterozygous state in all the affected family members. Both normal and abnormal ATIII were present in plasma of the affected individuals. This abnormal ATIII was characterized by a lack of affinity for heparin. This familial ATIII deficiency was named ATIII Barcelona.
Monoamine Oxidase and Other Mitochondrial Enzymes in Density Subpopulations of Human Platelets
Authors: Chamberlain K G , Penington D G
Published: April 2018

Normal human platelets have been separated according to density on continuous Percoll gradients and the platelet distribution divided into five fractions containing approximately equal numbers of platelets. The mean volumes and protein contents of the platelets in each fraction were found to correlate positively with density while the protein concentration did not differ significantly between the fractions. Four mitochondrial enzymes (monoamine oxidase, glutamate dehydrogenase, cytochrome oxidase and NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase) were assayed and their activities per unit volume were found to increase in a very similar monotonie fashion with platelet density. When MAO and GDH were assayed on the same set of density fractions the correlation between the two activities was very high (r = 0.94–1.00, p <0.001) and a similar close correlation was found between MAO and ICDH. The results support the hypothesis that high density platelets either have a higher concentration of mitochondria or have larger mitochondria than low density platelets.
The Effect of Hypoxia on Platelet Survival and Site of Sequestration in the Newborn Rabbit
Authors: Castle Valerie , Coates Geoffrey , Mitchell Lesley G , O’Brodovich Hugh , Andrew Maureen
Published: April 2018

Thrombocytopenia occurs frequently in sick neonates that have experienced perinatal asphyxia. This study investigated the effect of one component of asphyxia, hypoxia, on platelet life-span and site of sequestration. 11 indium oxine platelet survivals with scintigraphic imaging were performed in newborn and adult rabbits exposed to room air (normoxia) or following exposure to a 15 minute, severe hypoxic insult (FjOa = 0.05). Platelet survivals in normoxic adults (n = 27) and newborn rabbits (n = 11) were similar (60 ± 3.9 hr vs 64 ± 8.0 hr, m ± SEM). Inhalation of 5% oxygen for 15 minutes was not associated with an acidemia and did not produce thrombocytopenia but significantly shortened the platelet survival to 34 ± 3 hr in the adult (n = 18) and 38 ± 3 hr in the newborn rabbit (n = 7). Postmortem measurement of the sites of mIn-platelet accumulation showed that under normoxic conditions the platelets accumulated in the liver and spleen (23 ±4.3% and 8 ± 1.0% of the total body counts) in the adult with even greater accumulation in the liver (58 ± 6.8%) and spleen (19 ± 4.9%) of the newborn (p <0.001). The latter observation was likely due to the relatively increased size of the liver and spleen in the newborn compared to the adult. Hypoxia did not alter the site of platelet sequestration in adults or newborns. Our results suggest that the newborn has the same platelet survival as the adult and that acute, severe hypoxia significantly shortens the survival of platelets in both groups. Although the sites of sequestration are qualitatively the same in the newborn, there is greater sequestration in the liver and spleen when compared to the adult.
Identity of Saturable Calcium-Binding Sites on Blood Platelets and Their Involvement in Platelet Aggregation
Authors: Johnston Geoffrey I , Heptinstall Stanley
Published: April 2018

Extracellular Ca2+ ions are required for platelet aggregation and we show that they enter two platelet pools. One pool is rapidly filled and easily displaced by EGTA. The second is filled more slowly and is not displaced by EGTA. The EGTA-displaceable pool is believed to be surface-located and was found to contain at least one class of saturable binding sites as well as a class of non-saturable binding sites. The saturable sites were found to be highly selective for Ca2+ (dissociation constant, 3.5 × IO−7 M) even in the presence of 1 mM Mg2+ ions, and they took up between 261,000 and 307,000 Ca2+ ions/platelet. Full occupancy of the saturable binding sites appeared to be necessary for platelet aggregation to proceed. We also studied platelets that were unable to aggregate normally, either due to the congenital bleeding disorder Glanzmann’s thrombastenia or due to experimental manipulation. In both cases wc found decreased Ca2+uptake specifically by the saturable Ca2+ binding sites, and that this was associated with decreased number of GP IIb/IIIa molecules expressed on these platelets. We suggest that the Ca2+binding sites involved in platelet aggregation are located on the GP Ilb/IIIa complexes and may be involved in holding the glycoproteins in the complex together, and that the binding sites need to be fully occupied before aggregation can proceed.
Preoperative Identification of Patients at High Risk of Deep Venous Thrombosis Despite Prophylaxis in Total Hip Replacement
Authors: Rocha E , Alfaro M J , Páramo J A , Cañadell J M
Published: April 2018

Clinical and laboratory variables were measured on the day before operation in 111 patients who underwent total hip replacement prophylactically treated with acetylsalicilic acid or heparin-dihydroergotamine. Postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was deteced in 16 patients by ascending venography. Stepwise logistic discriminant analysis was used to identify DVT predicting factors. Three such factors, fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PA-inhibitor) and tissue type plasminogen activator (t-PA), were found to be significantly associated with DVT and were used to construct a predictive index. The predictive index, I = —2.09 + 0.46 (FDP) +1.39 (PA-inhibitor)-0.24 (t-PA), was 100% sensitive and 95% specific in the prediction of DVT. This index would allow for identification of those patients in whom routine prophylaxis would be sufficient and for selecting those in whom more effective prophylactic regimens would be necessary.
Mild Haemostatic Problems Associated with Congenital Heterozygous α2-Antiplasmin Deficiency
Authors: Leebeek F W G , Stibbe J , Knot E A R , Kluft C , Gomes M J , Beudeker M
Published: April 2018

A Dutch family, of which 13 members are heterozygotes, deficient for α2-antiplasmin (α2-AP) is reported. Clinical studies showed that 2 heterozygotes had a mild bleeding tendency, which presented as bleeding episodes after tooth extraction and after surgery and, in one patient, also as excessive menstruation. Laboratory investigations revealed an α2-AP activity of 62% (51-71) (median and range) and an antigen level of 60% (60-66). The plasminogen binding as well as the fibrin binding properties of α2-AP were normal. Plasminogen concentrations were significantly higher in the heterozygotes compared to the other family members. However, free plasminogen not bound to histidine-rich glycoprotein was not significantly different between these two groups. We propose that in this family the deficiency of α2-AP is due to a decreased synthesis of a normal α2-AP molecule. This present study brings the frequency of heterozygous α2-AP deficient patients with a bleeding tendency to 13 out of 59 heterozygotes reported in the literature.
Evaluation of a new stent for EUS-guided pancreatic duct drainage: long-term follow-up outcome
Authors: Matsunami Yukitoshi , Itoi Takao , Sofuni Atsushi , Tsuchiya Takayoshi , Kamada Kentaro , Tanaka Reina , Tonozuka Ryosuke , Honjo Mitsuyoshi , Mukai Shuntaro , Fujita Mitsuru , Yamamoto Kenjiro , Asai Yasutsugu , Kurosawa Takashi , Tachibana Shingo , Nagakawa Yuichi
Published: April 2018

Background and study aims Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided pancreatic duct drainage (EUS-PD) has been reported as an alternative for failed conventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). However, there are few dedicated devices for EUS-PD. Recently, we have developed a new plastic stent dedicated to EUS-PD and have conducted a feasibility study to evaluate its efficacy. In the current study, we evaluated the long-term efficacy of this new plastic stent.

Patients and methods Thirty patients (61 ± 14.3 years old, 14 men) with acute recurrent pancreatitis caused by a stricture in the main pancreatic duct (MPD) or stenotic pancreatoenterostomy were treated at our institution using our recently developed 7Fr plastic stent between August 2013 and April 2017.

Results The stent was placed successfully in all patients (30/30) and early clinical success was achieved in all of them. Early adverse events (AEs) occurred in seven patients (23.3 %), namely, self-limited abdominal pain (n = 5), mild pancreatitis (n = 1), and bleeding which required transcatheter arterial embolization (n = 1). Two patients died of primary disease and three were lost to follow-up. The remaining 25 patients were followed up after initial EUS-PD for a median of 23 months (range, 6 – 44 months). Twenty patients required regular stent exchange (3 times; range, 1 – 12 times). Spontaneous stent dislodgement was observed in six patients. Four patients wanted their stents removed 1 year after the initial intervention. Twelve patients (48 %) had regular stent exchange 1 year after the initial intervention. Three patients converted to standard transpapillary pancreatic duct stenting by conventional ERCP. Finally, nine patients (36 %) had complete stent removal either intentionally or by spontaneous dislodgement without any symptoms.

Conclusion The new plastic stent for EUS-PD was associated with not only short-term technical success but also long-term clinical success in the majority of patients evaluated in this study.
12-Year Outcomes of Microkeratome-Assisted Anterior Lamellar Therapeutic Keratoplasty (ALTK) for Disorders of the Anterior Part of the Corneal Stroma – A Comparative Review of Adult and Children
Authors: Guber Ivo , Bergin Ciara , Othenin-Girard Philippe , Munier Francis , Majo François
Published: April 2018

Purpose To report the visual outcomes and complications of automated anterior lamellar therapeutic keratoplasty (ALTK) in adults and children, and to examine these outcomes as a function of age and etiology.

Methods A consecutive series of cases undergoing automated ALTK procedures performed at the Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital Lausanne, Switzerland, between June 2003 and January 2015. Only patients with at least 3 months of follow-up were included.

Results There were 53 eyes (24 right) of 51 patients (17 female, 16 juvenile), with a mean age of 34.8 years (range from 3 months to 88 years), analyzed. The mean follow-up was 35 (± 26) months. Diagnosis in the adult (n = 37) vs. juvenile (n = 16) eyes was different: opacity following surgical complication 8 vs. 0, congenital 1 vs. 1, dystrophy 5 vs. 2, infection 12 vs. 5, keratectasia 3 vs. 0, trauma 7 vs. 0, tumor 1 vs. 3, and allergy 0 vs. 5. Visual impairment as a consequence of corneal scarring was the principle indication for surgery in both adult (70%; 26) and juvenile eyes (63%; 10); other indications were choristoma, dermoid, other tumors, astigmatism, and congenital opacity. In adult vs. juvenile eyes, the mean visual acuity (spectacle and contact lenses) was, at last visit, 0.55 vs. 0.45 LogMAR (p = 0.78), with a range of 100% to hand movements. Failure occurred in 6 (16%) vs. 2 (13%) cases and complications were observed in 14 (38%) vs. 9 (56%) cases, however, more surgical revision was required in juvenile eyes, 4 (11%) vs. 7 (43%) (p = 0.01, Fisher test).

Conclusions This study shows that anterior lamellar keratoplasty in children retains good visual function when combined with adequate amblyopic therapy. However, the rate of complications is higher in juveniles and requires more intensive interdisciplinary follow-up.