bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishing a risk scoring system for predicting erosive esophagitis
Authors: Hung Hung‐Hsu , Su Chien‐Wei , Wang Yuan‐Jen , Luo Jiing‐Chyuan , Leu Hsin‐Bang , Huang Hui‐Chun , Yang Ying‐Ying , Chen Tseng‐Shing , Lu Ching‐Liang , Hou Ming‐Chih , Chan Wan‐Leong , Lin Han‐Chieh , Chang Full‐Young , Lee Fa‐Yauh , Lee Shou‐Dong
Published: September 2015

Objective

This study aims to establish a noninvasive scoring system to predict the risk of erosive esophagitis (EE).

Methods

From 2002 to 2009, a total of 34,346 consecutive adults who underwent health check‐ups and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were retrospectively enrolled. Of the participants, 22,892 in the earlier two‐thirds period of examination were defined as the training set and the remaining 11,454 as the validation set. EE was diagnosed by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Independent risk factors associated with EE were analyzed by multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model with the forward stepwise selection procedure in the training set. Subsequently, an EE risk scoring system was established and weighted by β coefficient. This risk scoring system was further validated in the validation set.

Results

In the training set, older age, male gender, higher body mass index, higher waist circumference, higher serum triglyceride, and lower high‐density lipid cholesterol levels were independent risk factors for predicting EE. According to the β coefficient value of each independent risk factor, the total score ranging from 0 to 10 was established, and then low‐ (0–3), moderate‐ (4–6), and high‐risk (7–10) groups were identified. In the validation set, the prevalence rates of EE in the low‐, moderate‐, and high‐risk groups were 5.15%, 15.76% and 26.11%, respectively (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This simple noninvasive risk scoring system, including factors of age, gender, body mass index, waist circumference, triglyceride, and high‐density lipid cholesterol, effectively predicted EE and stratified its incidence.
Back to Basics: Inhaled Anesthesia
Authors: Spruce Lisa
Published: September 2015

The administration of inhalational anesthesia is a major component of providing care for patients undergoing operative or other invasive procedures. The perioperative nurse should understand the effects of anesthesia and actions of anesthetic agents (eg, unconsciousness, analgesia, anesthesia, muscle relaxation) and carefully assess the patient for contraindications to the anesthetic proposed, understand its effect on the patient, and understand how anesthesia affects the care provided. This Back to Basics article provides an overview of inhalational anesthesia and serves as a guide for nurses in the perioperative care of anesthetized patients.
Incorporating Age‐Specific Plans of Care to Achieve Optimal Perioperative Outcomes
Authors: Mower Juliana
Published: September 2015

When developing a nursing plan of care, a perioperative nurse identifies nursing diagnoses during the preoperative patient assessment. The ability to identify age‐specific outcomes (ie, infant/child, adolescent, adult, elderly adult) in addition to those that are universally applicable is a major responsibility of the perioperative RN. Having an individualized plan of care is one of the best ways to determine whether desired patient outcomes have been successfully attained. Nursing care plans address intraoperative and postoperative risks and allow for a smooth transfer of care throughout the perioperative experience. A good nursing care plan also includes education for the patient and his or her caregiver. Within an overall plan of care, the use of methods such as a concept or mind map can visually demonstrate the relationships between systems, nursing diagnoses, nursing interventions, and desirable outcomes.
ECG Interpretation Using the CRISP Method: A Guide for Nurses
Authors: Atwood Denise , Wadlund Diana L.
Published: September 2015

Nurses often struggle with identifying electrocardiogram (ECG) rhythms, but rapidly interpreting these rhythms is an essential skill that every nurse should master, especially in the perioperative setting. The CRISP (Cardiac Rhythm Identification for Simple People) method is an algorithm designed to help nurses rapidly interpret ECGs. Key aspects of assisting patients with suspected cardiac issues include the nursing assessment, correct three‐lead ECG placement, and calculation of the heart rate. Then the perioperative nurse can use the steps of the CRISP method to identify nursing actions related to specific arrhythmias, including determining whether QRS complexes are present, P waves are present, and QRS complexes are wide or narrow or whether there are more P waves than QRS complexes.
A role of astrocytes in mediating postnatal neurodegeneration in Glutaric acidemia‐type 1
Authors: Olivera-Bravo Silvia , Barbeito Luis
Published: September 2015

Astrocytes are crucial for postnatal development of neuronal networks, axon myelination and neurovascular structures. Defects in astrocyte generation or maturation are associated with severe neurological developmental disorders. Glutaric acidemia type I (GAI), an inherited neurometabolic disorder characterized by accumulation of glutaric (GA) and 3‐hydroxyglutaric acids, shows a paradigmatic postnatal neuropathology characterized by massive degeneration of neurons in the striatum. While the disorder is caused by genetic mutations on glutaryl‐CoA dehydrogenase, the neurological defects usually start months after birth. Pathogenesis of GAI has remained largely unknown, and specifically, it is unclear how accumulation of GAI metabolites may result in neurodegeneration. Recent evidence supports a GAI model involving primary defective astrocyte maturation leading to a co‐morbid spectrum of neurologic symptoms similar to those of patients. Astrocytes are vulnerable to GAI metabolites, but instead of dying, they follow long‐lasting phenotypic changes leading to striatal neuron degeneration as well as defective myelination and blood brain barrier maturation. Here, we summarized recent findings on the pathogenic role of GA‐damaged astrocytes in GAI and discuss if astrocyte dysfunction may be a target of therapeutic interventions.
Maternal nerve growth factor levels during pregnancy in women with preeclampsia: A longitudinal study
Authors: D'souza Vandita , Kilari Anitha , Pisal Hemlata , Patil Vidya , Mehendale Savita , Wagh Girija , Gupte Sanjay , Joshi Sadhana
Published: September 2015

Preeclampsia (PE) is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria. Improper development of the placenta due to altered angiogenesis is the main culprit in PE. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is an angiogenic factor which is expressed and localized in the placenta. Our earlier cross sectional study has shown altered NGF levels at delivery in women with PE. However, there are no studies on NGF levels in PE early in pregnancy before manifestation of the disease. Thus, there is a need to examine the role of NGF in vascular development during different stages of gestation in PE. A longitudinal study was carried out where pregnant women were enrolled from two major hospitals from Pune, Bharati hospital and Gupte hospital. They were followed at three different time points [16–20 weeks (T1), 26–30 weeks (T2) and at delivery (T3)] during pregnancy and maternal blood at every time point and cord blood at delivery was collected and processed. This study included normotensive women (n = 88) and women with PE (n = 48). NGF levels were measured from maternal and cord plasma using the Emax Immuno Assay System (Promega). The data was analyzed using the SPSS/PC+ package (Version 20.0, Chicago, IL, USA). Maternal NGF levels did not change at all time points while cord NGF levels were higher (p < 0.05) in women with PE. Further, maternal NGF levels were negatively associated with blood pressure while cord NGF levels were positively associated with baby head circumference. Our data suggests that there may possibly be a compensatory role for NGF in the foeto‐placental circulation in PE.
An appropriate shock of the wearable cardioverter‐defibrillator in an outpatient setting
Authors: Kishihara Jun , Niwano Shinichi , Nakamura Hironori , Igarashi Tazuru , Ishizue Naruya , Fujiishi Tamami , Oikawa Jun , Murakami Masami , Fukaya Hidehira , Ako Junya
Published: September 2015

The wearable cardioverter‐defibrillator (WCD) represents an alternative clinical approach to prevent sudden cardiac death as a bridge to therapy when making a final decision regarding the need for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), especially in patients who are in the so‐called gray zone according to ICD guidelines. Although the WCD system was introduced in Japan in April 2014, data regarding its usage and experience are limited. We report the first case of appropriate shock therapy using the WCD in an outpatient setting in Japan. We describe the case of a 22‐year‐old‐woman who received the first case of successful appropriate WCD shock therapy in an outpatient setting in Japan.
Kindergarten Students’ Social Studies and Content Literacy Learning from Interactive Read-Alouds
Authors: Strachan Stephanie L.
Published: September 2015

Research suggests that although many elementary teachers integrate social studies with the language arts, this instruction tends to be poorly designed with little emphasis on social studies learning. This study examined an instructional method rarely used as a form of integration at the primary-grade level—interactive read-alouds of informational text—in order to determine the degree that this intervention might simultaneously build kindergarten students’ knowledge of economic concepts and content literacy in low-SES settings. As evidenced by students’ responses during one-on-one assessments before and following the interactive read-alouds, students made statistically significant learning gains in both social studies and content literacy. Implications of the findings and areas for further research are discussed.
Mineral and geochemical compositions, regularities of distribution, and specific formation of ore mineralization of the Rogovik gold–silver deposit (northeastern Russia)
Authors: Kravtsova R.G. , Makshakov A.S. , Pavlova L.A.
Published: September 2015

New data on the mineral composition and the first data on the geochemical composition of ores of the Rogovik gold–silver deposit (Omsukchan ore district, northeastern Russia) have been obtained. Study of the regularities of the spatial distribution of ore mineralization shows that the deposit ores formed in two stages. Epithermal Au–Ag ores of typical poor mineral and elemental compositions were generated at the early volcanic stage. The major minerals are low-fineness native gold, electrum, acanthite, silver sulfosalts, kustelite, and pyrite. The typomorphic elemental composition of ores is as follows: Au, Ag, Sb, As, Se, and Hg. The content of S is low, mostly ≤1%. Silver ores of more complex mineral and elemental compositions were produced under the impact of granitoid intrusion at the late volcanoplutonic stage. The major minerals are high-Hg kustelite and native silver, silver sulfosalts and selenides, fahlore, pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, and sphalerite. The typomorphic elemental composition of ores is as follows: Ag, As, Sb, Se, Hg, Pb, Zn, Cu, and B. The content of S is much higher than 1%. The ores also have elevated contents of Mo, Ge, F, and LREE (La, Ce, and Nd). At the volcanoplutonic stage, polychronous Au–Ag ores formed at the sites of the coexistence of silver and epithermal gold–silver mineralization. Their specific feature is a multicomponent composition and a strong variability in chemical composition (both qualitative and quantitative). Along with the above minerals, the ores contain high-Hg gold, hessite, argyrodite, canfieldite, orthite, fluorapatite, and arsenopyrite. At the sites with strongly rejuvenated rocks, the ores are strongly enriched in Au, Ag, Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ge, Se, La, Ce, Nd, S, and F and also contain Te and Bi. The hypothesis is put forward that the late silver ores belong to the Ag–complex-metal association widespread in the Omsukchan ore district. A close relationship between the ores of different types and their zonal spatial distribution have been established. In the central part of the Rogovik deposit, epithermal Au–Ag ores are widespread in the upper horizons, Ag ores are localized in the middle horizons, and rejuvenated polyassociation Au–Ag ores occur at the sites (mostly deep-seated) with ore-bearing structures of different ages.
Seismically mobilized moraines in the Tien Shan
Authors: Korzhenkov A.M. , Abdieva S.V. , Fortuna A.B. , Charimov T.A. , Yudakhin A.S.
Published: September 2015

Moraines studied in the Chon-Kyzylsuu River valley (southeastern Lake Issyk-Kul region, Tien Shan) were mobilized during historic and prehistoric large earthquakes. Seismic triggers of moraine mobilization included the M > 8 Kebin earthquake of 1911 and prehistoric events that produced rockslides, landslides, and multiple fault scarps. Rockslides in the Chon-Kyzylsuu basin are located in the hanging wall of the Terskey border thrust fault. The observed deformation results from at least four prehistoric earthquakes in the second half of the Holocene (early 20th century BC, early 11th century BC, middle 8th century BC, and early 2nd century BC), with local shaking intensity I ≥ 7.
Vegetation responses to the last glacial and early Holocene environmental changes in the northern Leizhou Peninsula, south China
Authors: Xue Jibin , Zhong Wei , Xie Lichun , Unkel Ingmar
Published: September 2015

A well-dated palynological record spanning the interval ~ 40,500–7060 cal yr BP, retrieved from a peatland on the Leizhou Peninsula in south China, clearly shows regional vegetation and climate changes during the last glacial period. Pollen data showed that the study region was mainly covered by subtropical evergreen trees during Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3), indicating a subtropical climate with relatively high temperature and precipitation. During MIS 2, subtropical evergreen-deciduous forest with large areas of grassland occurred, implying cooler and drier conditions. Some tropical forest elements increased during the early Holocene, indicating a warm and wet trend. Several millennial-scale oscillations of the pollen records appeared to correlate with the cold anomalies in the North Atlantic region. Our records agree well with many records from other regions, but they are a bit different than that inferred from the neighboring Huguang Maar Lake. Furthermore, our results suggest that the vegetation surrounding Xialu peatland was strongly influenced by the migration of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and variability in the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM). Changes of atmospheric CO2concentration (pCO2) levels may have also affected the long-term vegetation changes in the study region.
Slip-induced suppression of Marangoni film thickening in surfactant-retarded Landau–Levich–Bretherton flows
Authors: Halpern David , Li Yen-Ching , Wei Hsien-Hung
Published: September 2015

We report that the well-known Marangoni film thickening in surfactant-laden Landau–Levich–Bretherton coating flow can be completely suppressed by wall slip. The analysis is made by mainly looking at how the deposited film thickness varies with the capillary number $Ca$ ($\ll 1$) and the dimensionless slip length ${\it\Lambda}={\it\lambda}/R$ ($\ll 1$) in the presence of a trace amount of insoluble surfactant, where ${\it\lambda}$ is the slip length and $R$ is the radius of the meniscus. When slip effects are weak at sufficiently large $Ca$ (but still $\ll 1$) such that $Ca\gg {\it\Lambda}^{3/2}$, the film thickness can still vary as $Ca^{2/3}$ and be thickened by surfactant as if wall slip were absent. However, when slip effects become strong by lowering $Ca$ to $Ca\ll {\it\Lambda}^{3/2}$, the film, especially when surface diffusion of surfactant is negligible, does not get thinner according to the strong-slip quadratic law reported previously (Liao et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 111, 2013, 136001; Li et al., J. Fluid Mech., vol. 741, 2014, pp. 200–227). Instead, the film behaves as if both surfactant and wall slip were absent, precisely following the no-slip $2/3$ law without surfactant. Effects of surface diffusion are also examined, revealing three distinct regimes as $Ca$ is varied from small to large values: the strong-slip quadratic scaling without surfactant, the no-slip $2/3$ scaling without surfactant and the film thickening along the no-slip $2/3$ scaling with surfactant. An experiment is also suggested to test the above findings.
Unsteadiness in transonic shock-wave/boundary-layer interactions: experimental investigation and global stability analysis
Authors: Sartor F. , Mettot C. , Bur R. , Sipp D.
Published: September 2015

A transonic interaction between a shock wave and a turbulent boundary layer is experimentally and theoretically investigated. The configuration is a transonic channel flow over a bump, where a shock wave causes the separation of the boundary layer in the form of a recirculating bubble downstream of the shock foot. Different experimental techniques allow for the identification of the main unsteadiness features. As recognised in similar shock-wave/boundary-layer interactions, the flow field exhibits two distinct characteristic frequencies, whose origins are still controversial: a low-frequency motion which primarily affects the shock wave; and medium-frequency perturbations localised in the shear layer. A Fourier analysis of a series of Schlieren snapshots is performed to precisely characterise the structure of the perturbations at low- and medium-frequencies. Then, the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations closed with a Spalart–Allmaras turbulence model are solved to obtain a mean flow, which favourably compares with the experimental results. A global stability analysis based on the linearization of the full RANS equations is then performed. The eigenvalues of the Jacobian operator are all damped, indicating that the interaction dynamic cannot be explained by the existence of unstable global modes. The input/output behaviour of the flow is then analysed by performing a singular-value decomposition of the Resolvent operator; pseudo-resonances of the flow may be identified and optimal forcings/responses determined as a function of frequency. It is found that the flow strongly amplifies both medium-frequency perturbations, generating fluctuations in the mixing layer, and low-frequency perturbations, affecting the shock wave. The structure of the optimal perturbations and the preferred frequencies agree with the experimental observations.
Iodine status of young Burkinabe children receiving small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements and iodised salt: a cluster-randomised trial
Authors: Hess Sonja Y. , Abbeddou Souheila , Yakes Jimenez Elizabeth , Ouédraogo Jean-Bosco , Brown Kenneth H.
Published: September 2015

The objective of the present study was to assess the impact of providing small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) on the I status of young Burkinabe children. In total, thirty-four communities were assigned to intervention (IC) or non-intervention cohorts (NIC). IC children were randomly assigned to receive 20 g lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS)/d containing 90 µg I with 0 or 10 mg Zn from 9 to 18 months of age, and NIC children received no SQ-LNS. All the children were exposed to iodised salt through the national salt iodization programme. Spot urinary iodine (UI), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and total thyroxine (T4) in dried blood spots as well as plasma thyroglobulin (Tg) concentrations were assessed at 9 and 18 months of age among 123 IC and fifty-six NIC children. At baseline and at 18 months, UI, TSH and T4did not differ between cohorts. Tg concentration was higher in the NICv. IC at baseline, but this difference did not persist at 18 months of age. In both cohorts combined, the geometric mean of UI was 339·2 (95 % CI 298·6, 385·2) µg/l, TSH 0·8 (95 % CI 0·7, 0·8) mU/l, T4118 (95 % CI 114, 122) nmol/l and Tg 26·0 (95 % CI 24·3, 27·7) µg/l at 18 months of age. None of the children had elevated TSH at 18 months of age. Marginally more children in NIC (8·9 %) had low T4(<65 nmol/l) compared with the IC (1·6 %) (P=0·052). Salt samples (n106) were collected from randomly selected participants and assessed by titration for I content, which was on average 37 (sd15) ppm (range 5–86 ppm); 95 % of households had adequately iodised salt (I>15 ppm). A reduction of SQ-LNS I content could be considered in settings with similarly successful salt iodisation programmes.
Hardly theTadićof Targeting: Missed Opportunities in the ICTY'sGotovinaJudgments
Authors: Ariav Roee
Published: September 2015

TheGotovinacase presented the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) with a unique opportunity to adjudicate on issues connected with the law of targeting and international humanitarian law (IHL) in a criminal context. This opportunity was especially important given the fact that legal issues arising out of complex, intense combat situations have only rarely been adjudicated. Although Gotovina was not formally charged with carrying out unlawful attacks on civilians, attacks by Croatia on four towns over the course of ‘Operation Storm’ were the focus of the proceedings. This led both Trial and Appeal Chambers to deal with issues related to the law of targeting such as classification of military objectives, proportionality, and the intent behind an attack. This article argues that the judges failed to take full advantage of the opportunity to discuss these issues. They failed consistently to articulate the legal reasoning behind their findings; they failed to explain the branch of law on which any of their substantive determinations were based; and, perhaps most importantly, they did not explain the relationship between IHL and criminal law and how IHL is to be applied in a courtroom.
The effect of pulsation ratio on teat condition, milk somatic cell count and productivity in dairy cows in automatic milking
Authors: Ferneborg Sabine , Svennersten-Sjaunja Kerstin
Published: September 2015

The pulsation ratio of a milking machine affects milk flow and milking time, and has also been reported to influence teat condition and milk somatic cell count (SCC). However, most studies comparing pulsation ratios have been performed on conventional cluster milking (whole-udder level), where effects such as deteriorated teat end condition and increased milk SCC are likely to be caused by over-milking on teats that are emptied faster than the other teats. When the teat cups are detached from each udder quarter separately which can be done in automatic milking systems (AMS), the risk of over-milking, especially in front teats, may be significantly reduced. This study investigated the effects of pulsation ratio on teat end condition, milk SCC, milk yield, milking time and milk flow in an automatic milking system where each udder quarter is milked separately. In total, 356 cows on five commercial farms were included in a split-udder design experiment comparing three pulsation ratios (60:40, 70:30 and 75:25) with the standard pulsation ratio (65:35) during 6 weeks. Pulsation rate was 60 cycles/min and vacuum level 46 kPa. The 70:30 and 75:25 ratios increased peak and average milk flow and the machine-on time was shorter with 75:25, while both peak and average milk flows were lower and machine-on time was longer with the 60:40 ratio. No negative effects on teat condition or milk SCC were observed with any of the pulsation ratios applied during the study. Thus it is possible that increased pulsation ratio can be used to increase milking efficiency in AMS where quarter milking is applied.
Validation and evaluation of new assessments for the otolaryngology undergraduate medical clerkship
Authors: Woods R , Subramaniam T , Patterson A , Hennessy M , Timon C
Published: September 2015

Objectives:

To validate and evaluate a short answer question paper and objective structured clinical examination. Validity and effect on overall performance were considered.

Methods:

Students completed a voluntary short answer question paper during their otolaryngology attachment. Short answer question paper results were collated and compared to the essay examination and new end of year objective structured clinical examination.

Results:

The study comprised 160 students. Questions were validated for internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.76). Correlations were determined for: short answer question paper and essay results (r = 0.477), short answer question paper and objective structured clinical examination results (r = 0.355), and objective structured clinical examination and essay results (r = 0.292). On unpaired t-tests comparing the short answer question paper group and non-short answer question paper group, essay results were 1.2 marks higher (p = 0.45) and the objective structured clinical examination results were 0.09 marks lower (p = 0.74) in the short answer question paper group.

Conclusion:

Two new valid summative assessments of student ability have been introduced, which contribute to an enhanced programme of assessment to drive student learning.
Post-release habitat utilisation by Francolinus bicalcaratus ayesha, a critically endangered subspecies endemic to Morocco: implications for optimising future release programmes
Authors: HANANE SAÂD , MAGRI NAJIB
Published: September 2015

Characterising the habitat use of released captive-bred birds is required to help optimise future avian reintroduction programmes. The critically endangered Double-spurred Francolin Francolinus bicalcaratus ayesha is endemic to north-west Morocco, where it inhabits forests of cork oak Quercus suber. To improve the viability of this threatened population, 300 captive-bred francolins were released into a game reserve, and post-release monitoring was conducted. This study aimed to identify habitat variables determining the habitat selection of the Double-spurred Francolin. Auditory detection was used during transect surveys of calling males to locate birds and their habitat occupation. Comparison of occupied and random plots showed that this bird is found mostly in flat topography with high cover of shrubs and dense cork oak trees, and close to the release site and water points. Conservation of Double-spurred Francolin depends on the choice of the release point within the cork oak forest, which should be in proximity to suitable cover of cork oak trees, shrubs and water points. Such choices would allow a rapid adaptation to prevailing conditions within release sites. Further multi-scale studies are needed to improve our understanding of the effects of ecological factors on the processes of habitat selection by this endemic subspecies.
SOCIAL LEARNING ABOUT CONSUMPTION
Authors: Salle Isabelle , Seppecher Pascal
Published: September 2015

This paper applies a social learning model to the optimal consumption rule of Allen and Carroll [Macroeconomic Dynamics5(2001), 255–271] and delivers convincing convergence dynamics toward the optimal rule. These findings constitute a significant improvement over previous results in the literature, in terms of both speed of convergence and parsimony of the learning model. The learning model exhibits several appealing features: it is frugal, is easy to apply to a various range of learning objectives, and requires few procedures and little information. Particular care is given to behavioral interpretation of the modeling assumptions in light of evidence from the fields of psychology and social science. Our results highlight the need to depart from the genetic metaphor, and account for intentional decision-making, based on agents' relative performances. By contrast, we show that convergence is strongly hindered by exact imitation processes, or random exploration mechanisms, which are usually assumed when modeling social learning behavior. Our results suggest a method for modeling bounded rationality, which could be interestingly tested in a wide range of economic models with adaptive dynamics.
Wave Optical Calculation of Probe Size in Low Energy Scanning Electron Microscope
Authors: Radlička Tomáš
Published: September 2015

A wave optical calculation of the probe size of a low energy scanning electron microscope is presented. The resolution for the optimal aperture was computed and compared with results of standard approaches. The effect of deflection aberrations is also considered, and it was found to be critical for the landing energies below 5eV and fields of view larger than 100 x 100 μm2.
Analytical Method for Electron Gun Calculation
Authors: Potapkin Oleg D.
Published: September 2015

The model of thermionic electron gun was developed. The Dirichlet problem for the cylinder (the Wehnelt electrode) restricted by two bottoms, one of them imitates a plane cathode and another imitates the equipotential surface, was solved analytically. It allows to study electron optical properties of the gun and its behaviour in dependence on Wehnelt potential for different cylinder depths. When the focal distance and the crossover size have the minimal value, this mode is called a work one. The crossover size and the beam half-angle values in this mode were approximated and the analytical method for electron gun calculation was developed.
How can the aetiological factors of rectal distension be managed to reduce interfraction prostate motion during a course of radiotherapy treatment
Authors: Bayles Helen , Collins Mark , Clarkson Melanie
Published: September 2015

Aim

During radiotherapy of the prostate it is important to minimise interfraction prostate motion to allow dose escalation and reduce normal tissue damage. Rectal volume has been identified as playing a significant role in prostate motion with various methods used to reduce it. The aim was to systematically review published literature to allow evidence based recommendations to be made to current practice to reduce interfraction prostate motion.

Materials and methods

A systematic search of CINAHL, Medline, PubMed, Science Direct, NHS Evidence and The Cochrane Library was performed. Limited searches of The Society of Radiographers website, OpenGrey and COPAC were undertaken, alongside manual searches of cross references of eligible articles. The quality of included papers was measured using a pre-existing tool. The causes, consequences and solutions to manage rectal volume and its effect on prostate position were extracted, compared and evaluated to extract solutions to be implemented into clinical practice.

Results

Of the 2,339 unique articles systematically retrieved, 23 met the inclusion criteria, 15 of which discuss radiotherapy, five constipation and three flatulence.

Findings

A combined medicinal and dietary approach adaptable to departmental workflow is required to manage rectal volume, with special consideration to patients with pre-existing extrinsic factors.
Sunlight-powered kHz rotation of a hemithioindigo-based molecular motor
Authors: Guentner Manuel , Schildhauer Monika , Thumser Stefan , Mayer Peter , Stephenson David , Mayer Peter J. , Dube Henry
Published: September 2015

Photodriven molecular motors are able to convert light energy into directional motion and hold great promise as miniaturized powering units for future nanomachines. In the current state of the art, considerable efforts have still to be made to increase the efficiency of energy transduction and devise systems that allow operation in ambient and non-damaging conditions with high rates of directional motions. The need for ultraviolet light to induce the motion of virtually all available light-driven motors especially hampers the broad applicability of these systems. We describe here a hemithioindigo-based molecular motor, which is powered exclusively by nondestructive visible light (up to 500 nm) and rotates completely directionally with kHz frequency at 20 °C. This is the fastest directional motion of a synthetic system driven by visible light to date permitting materials and biocompatible irradiation conditions to establish similarly high speeds as natural molecular motors.
Steric Interference of Adhesion Supports In-Vitro Chondrogenesis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Hydrogels for Cartilage Repair
Authors: Goldshmid Revital , Cohen Shlomit , Shachaf Yonatan , Kupershmit Ilana , Sarig-Nadir Offra , Seliktar Dror , Wechsler Roni
Published: September 2015

Recent studies suggest the presence of cell adhesion motifs found in structural proteins can inhibit chondrogenesis. In this context, the current study aims to determine if a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified fibrinogen matrix could support better chondrogenesis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) based on steric interference of adhesion, when compared to a natural fibrin matrix. Hydrogels used as substrates for two-dimensional (2D) BM-MSC cultures under chondrogenic conditions were made from cross-linked PEG-fibrinogen (PF) and compared to thrombin-activated fibrin. Cell morphology, protein expression, DNA and sulfated proteoglycan (GAG) content were correlated to substrate properties such as stiffness and adhesiveness. Cell aggregation and chondrogenic markers, including collagen II and aggrecan, were observed on all PF substrates but not on fibrin. Shielding fibrinogen’s adhesion domains and increasing stiffness of the material are likely contributing factors that cause the BM-MSCs to display a more chondrogenic phenotype. One composition of PF corresponding to GelrinC™—a product cleared in the EU for cartilage repair—was found to be optimal for supporting chondrogenic differentiation of BM-MSC while minimizing hypertrophy (collagen X). These findings suggest that semi-synthetic biomaterials based on ECM proteins can be designed to favourably affect BM-MSC towards repair processes involving chondrogenesis.
Correction: Corrigendum: Crystallinity of tellurium capping and epitaxy of ferromagnetic topological insulator films on SrTiO3
Authors: Park Jihwey , Soh Yeong-Ah , Aeppli Gabriel , Feng Xiao , Ou Yunbo , He Ke , Xue Qi-Kun
Published: September 2015

Thin films of topological insulators are often capped with an insulating layer since topological insulators are known to be fragile to degradation. However, capping can hinder the observation of novel transport properties of the surface states. To understand the influence of capping on the surface states, it is crucial to understand the crystal structure and the atomic arrangement at the interfaces. Here, we use x-ray diffraction to establish the crystal structure of magnetic topological insulator Cr-doped (Bi,Sb)2Te3 (CBST) films grown on SrTiO3 (1 1 1) substrates with and without a Te capping layer. We find that both the film and capping layer are single crystal and that the crystal quality of the film is independent of the presence of the capping layer, but that x-rays cause sublimation of the CBST film, which is prevented by the capping layer. Our findings show that the different transport properties of capped films cannot be attributed to a lower crystal quality but to a more subtle effect such as a different electronic structure at the interface with the capping layer. Our results on the crystal structure and atomic arrangements of the topological heterostructure will enable modelling the electronic structure and design of topological heterostructures.
A RANKL mutant used as an inter-species vaccine for efficient immunotherapy of osteoporosis
Authors: Liu Changzhen , Zhao Yunfeng , He Wen , Wang Wei , Chen Yuan , Zhang Shiqian , Ma Yijing , Gohda Jin , Ishida Takaomi , Walter Thomas S. , Owens Raymond J. , Stuart David I. , Ren Jingshan , Gao Bin
Published: September 2015

Anti-cytokine therapeutic antibodies have been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of several auto-immune disorders. However, The problems in antibody manufacture and the immunogenicity caused by multiple doses of antibodies inspire people to use auto-cytokine as immunogen to induce anti-cytokine antibodies. Nevertheless, the tolerance for inducing immune response against self-antigen has hindered the wide application of the strategy. To overcome the tolerance, here we proposed a strategy using the inter-species cytokine as immunogen for active immunization (TISCAI) to induce anti-cytokine antibody. As a proof of concept, an inter-species cytokine RANKL was successfully used as immunogen to induce anti-RANKL immune response. Furthermore, to prevent undesirable side-effects, the human RANKL was mutated based on the crystal structure of the complex of human RANKL and its rodent counterpart receptor RANK. We found, the antibodies produced blocked the osteoclast development in vitro and osteoporosis in OVX rat models. The results demonstrated this strategy adopted is very useful for general anti-cytokine immunotherapy for different diseases settings.
Primordial soup was edible: abiotically produced Miller-Urey mixture supports bacterial growth
Authors: Xie Xueshu , Backman Daniel , Lebedev Albert T. , Artaev Viatcheslav B. , Jiang Liying , Ilag Leopold L. , Zubarev Roman A.
Published: September 2015

Sixty years after the seminal Miller-Urey experiment that abiotically produced a mixture of racemized amino acids, we provide a definite proof that this primordial soup, when properly cooked, was edible for primitive organisms. Direct admixture of even small amounts of Miller-Urey mixture strongly inhibitsE. colibacteria growth due to the toxicity of abundant components, such as cyanides. However, these toxic compounds are both volatile and extremely reactive, while bacteria are highly capable of adaptation. Consequently, after bacterial adaptation to a mixture of the two most abundant abiotic amino acids, glycine and racemized alanine, dried and reconstituted MU soup was found to support bacterial growth and even accelerate it compared to a simple mixture of the two amino acids. Therefore, primordial Miller-Urey soup was perfectly suitable as a growth media for early life forms.
Functional Analyses of the Toxoplasma gondii DNA Gyrase Holoenzyme: A Janus Topoisomerase with Supercoiling and Decatenation Abilities
Authors: Lin Ting-Yu , Nagano Soshichiro , Gardiner Heddle Jonathan
Published: September 2015

A number of important protozoan parasites including those responsible for toxoplasmosis and malaria belong to the phylum Apicomplexa and are characterised by their possession of a relict plastid, the apicoplast. Being required for survival, apicoplasts are potentially useful drug targets and their attractiveness is increased by the fact that they contain “bacterial” gyrase, a well-established antibacterial drug target. We have cloned and purified the gyrase proteins from the apicoplast of Toxoplasma gondii (the cause of toxoplasmosis), reconstituted the functional enzyme and succeeded in characterising it. We discovered that the enzyme is inhibited by known gyrase inhibitors and that, as well as the expected supercoiling activity, it is also able to decatenate DNA with high efficiency. This unusual dual functionality may be related to the apparent lack of topoisomerase IV in the apicoplast.
Flexible Tricolor Flag-liked Microribbons Array with Enhanced Conductive Anisotropy and Multifunctionality
Authors: Ma Qianli , Yu Wensheng , Dong Xiangting , Yang Ming , Wang Jinxian , Liu Guixia
Published: September 2015

Anisotropically conductive materials are important components in subminiature devices. However, at this stage, some defects have limited practical applications of them, especially low anisotropic degree and high cost. Here, we report novel tricolor flag-liked microribbons array prepared by electrospinning technique. The tricolor flag-liked microribbons array is composed of parallel microribbons and each microribbon consists of three different regions, just like tricolor flag. The tricolor flag-liked microribbons array is only electrically conductive in the direction parallel to the microribbons, whereas in the perpendicular and thickness directions are insulative. The electrical conductivity along parallel direction reaches up to 8 orders of magnitude higher than that along perpendicular direction. The degree of anisotropy in present study is increased by 2 orders of magnitude than that of the anisotropically conductive material in references reported before. Besides, other functions can be conveniently assembled into tricolor flag-liked microribbons array to realize multifunctionality. Owing to the high electrical anisotropy and multifunctionality, tricolor flag-liked microribbons array will have important applications. Furthermore, a universal technique to prepare microribbons with three functional regions has been established for fabricating excellent multifunctional materials.
Electrochemical detection of protein by using magnetic graphene-based target enrichment and copper nanoparticles-assisted signal amplification
Authors: Zhao Jing , Lv Yun , Kang Mingyang , Wang Keming , Xiang Yang
Published: September 2015

A new electrochemical method for protein detection has been proposed based on magnetic graphene and duplex DNA-templated copper nanoparticles.
The construction of a two-dimensional supramolecular organic framework with parallelogram pores and stepwise fluorescence enhancement
Authors: Xu Shun-Qi , Zhang Xiang , Nie Cheng-Bin , Pang Zhong-Fu , Xu Xiao-Na , Zhao Xin
Published: September 2015

A novel single-layer two-dimensional (2D) supramolecular organic framework (SOF) with parallelogram pores has been assembled and a stepwise fluorescence emission enhancement was observed.
Light-triggered chemical amplification to accelerate degradation and release from polymeric particles
Authors: Olejniczak Jason , Nguyen Huu Viet Anh , Lux Jacques , Grossman Madeleine , He Sha , Almutairi Adah
Published: September 2015

We describe a means of chemical amplification to accelerate triggered degradation of a polymer and particles composed thereof.
Electrical properties of doped conjugated polyelectrolytes with modulated density of the ionic functionalities
Authors: Mai Cheng-Kang , Arai Tomoya , Liu Xiaofeng , Fronk Stephanie L. , Su Gregory M. , Segalman Rachel A. , Chabinyc Michael L. , Bazan Guillermo C.
Published: September 2015

We report the synthesis of a series of water soluble anionic narrow band-gap conjugated polyelectrolytes with a varied density of the ionic functional groups.
Helix handedness inversion in arylamide foldamers: elucidation and free energy profile of a hopping mechanism
Authors: Abramyan Ara M. , Liu Zhiwei , Pophristic Vojislava
Published: September 2015

The free energy landscape and conformations of minima and intermediates along the stepwise handedness inversion pathway, proceeding through the simultaneous unfolding/folding of adjacent monomer–monomer linkages, for a helical arylamide foldamer.
Density functional investigation and some optical experiments on dye-sensitized quantum dots
Authors: Jain Kalpna , Kaniyankandy Sreejith , Kishor Shyam , Josefsson Ida , Ghosh Hirendra N. , Singh Khundrakpam S. , Mookerjee Sumit , Odelius Michael , Ramaniah Lavanya M.
Published: September 2015

Dye-sensitized quantum dots (QDs) are promising candidates for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).
Nitrogen content and morphology dependent field emission properties of nitrogen-doped SiC nanowires and density functional calculations
Authors: Zhao Jian , Meng Alan , Zhang Meng , Ren Weipeng , Li Zhenjiang
Published: September 2015

N-Doped SiC NWs with varying N content have been synthesized via a one-step CVR, and they exhibit excellent FE properties.
Thermally activated long range electron transport in living biofilms
Authors: Yates Matthew D. , Golden Joel P. , Roy Jared , Strycharz-Glaven Sarah M. , Tsoi Stanislav , Erickson Jeffrey S. , El-Naggar Mohamed Y. , Calabrese Barton Scott , Tender Leonard M.
Published: September 2015

The rate of extracellular electron transport through living, electrode-grown Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilms decreases with decreasing temperature, consistent with incoherent redox conductivity (electron hopping) among hemes of c-type cytochromes to conductive surfaces.
Cross-linking and postfunctionalization of polymer films by utilizing the orthogonal reactivity of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane
Authors: Washino Yusuke , Michinobu Tsuyoshi
Published: September 2015

Spontaneous radical copolymerization of poly(7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane) and α-chloromethylstyrene followed by click postfunctionalization produces colored and redox-active cross-linked polymer films.
Towards quantum networks of single spins: analysis of a quantum memory with an optical interface in diamond
Authors: Blok M. S. , Kalb N. , Reiserer A. , Taminiau T. H. , Hanson R.
Published: September 2015

Single defect centers in diamond have emerged as a powerful platform for quantum optics experiments and quantum information processing tasks. Connecting spatially separated nodes via optical photons into a quantum network will enable distributed quantum computing and long-range quantum communication. Initial experiments on trapped atoms and ions as well as defects in diamond have demonstrated entanglement between two nodes over several meters. To realize multi-node networks, additional quantum bit systems that store quantum states while new entanglement links are established are highly desirable. Such memories allow for entanglement distillation, purification and quantum repeater protocols that extend the size, speed and distance of the network. However, to be effective, the memory must be robust against the entanglement generation protocol, which typically must be repeated many times. Here we evaluate the prospects of using carbon nuclear spins in diamond as quantum memories that are compatible with quantum networks based on single nitrogen vacancy (NV) defects in diamond. We present a theoretical framework to describe the dephasing of the nuclear spins under repeated generation of NV spin-photon entanglement and show that quantum states can be stored during hundreds of repetitions using typical experimental coupling parameters. This result demonstrates that nuclear spins with weak hyperfine couplings are promising quantum memories for quantum networks.
Crystallographic, optical and dielectric properties of gel grown praseodymium malonate single crystals
Authors: Ahmad Nazir , Ahmad M. M. , Kotru P. N.
Published: September 2015

Single crystals of praseodymium malonate hexahydrate are grown by gel encapsulation technique.
A novel supramolecular polymer fabricated via stronger hydrogen-bonding interactions between substituted amide groups: design, synthesis, properties and mechanism
Authors: Dai Ze-Hui , Qiang Lu , Tang Li-ming , Guo Bao-Hua
Published: September 2015

By modulating the electron densities of substitutes of both a proton donor (N–H) and proton acceptor (CO), the molecules of DPCHP-DODE assemble into a supramolecular polymer during the cooling process of the melt DPCHP-DODE.
Study of coke deposition phenomena on the SAPO_34 catalyst and its effects on light olefin selectivity during the methanol to olefin reaction
Authors: Rostami Reza Bagherian , Ghavipour Mohammad , Di Zuoxing , Wang Yao , Behbahani Reza Mosayyebi
Published: September 2015

Hydrogen transfer index was found to be a key parameter in prediction of coke deposition behavior. A good macro-model of product distribution with coke formation is provided. Temperature had a great influence on distribution of coke species and catalyst deactivation.
Multifunctional magnetic graphene hybrid architectures: one-pot synthesis and their applications as organic pollutants adsorbents and supercapacitor electrodes
Authors: Zhang Zheye , Dong Yue , Xiao Fei , Wang Shuai
Published: September 2015

A multifunctional magnetic 3D porous graphene/Fe3O4 architecture (GFA) has been successfully fabricated by a facile yet scalable and environmental friendly one-pot hydrothermal self-assembly approach.
Synthesis and magnetic properties of nano-dimensional Fe1−xCuxAl2O4 (0.3 ≤ x ≤ 0.8)
Authors: Maiti Sayantani , Kundu Asish K. , Lebedev Oleg I. , Bera Parthasarathi , Anandan Chinnasamy , Gayen Arup , Seikh Md. Motin
Published: September 2015

Here we report, the sol–gel synthesized, microstructural analysis, surface and magnetic properties of solid solutions of Fe1−xCuxAl2O4.