bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors for Contralateral ACL Injury: A Single Institution Case–Control Study
Authors: Pierce Todd , Issa Kimona , Cassidy Kaitlin , Festa Anthony , McInerney Vincent , Scillia Anthony
Published: January 2018

Our purpose was to evaluate if there is any association between requiring contralateral anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and various: (1) demographics, (2) patient characteristics, and (3) surgery-specific factors. A prospectively collected database at a single institution was queried to find all patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction between 2012 and 2014. We identified 312 primary ACL reconstruction patients with a mean age of 24 years and a mean follow-up of 3 years (range, 2–5 years). This cohort was compared with all those who had primary ACL reconstructions during the same time period without a contralateral procedure. We evaluated: (1) incidence, (2) demographic variables, (3) family history, (4) graft choice, (5) activity causing injury, and (6) mechanism of injury (contact versus noncontact). There were 16 patients (4.8%) with a mean age of 21 years and a mean follow-up of 3 years that required a contralateral reconstruction. More females required contralateral reconstruction when compared with the control cohort (p = 0.049). However, there was no difference in the mean age between the cohorts (p = 0.32). Those who underwent reconstruction using a tibialis anterior allograft were far more likely to require a contralateral reconstruction (p = 0.0002). Bone-tendon-bone patellar autograft (p = 0.16), hamstring autograft (p = 0.76), and hamstring allograft (p = 0.68) had similar incidences of contralateral ACL injury. Lacrosse was associated with higher risk of contralateral procedure (p = 0.03). Mechanism of injury had no association of contralateral reconstruction (p = 0.71). We found that those with the highest risk of contralateral ACL reconstruction following their index procedure were females, those with tibialis anterior allografts, and those who had their ipsilateral injury while playing lacrosse. These data may be used by practitioners when educating patients regarding their potential for requiring a contralateral reconstruction following their index procedure.
Preterm Preeclampsia with Severe Features: Composite Maternal and Neonatal Morbidities Associated with Fetal Growth Restriction
Authors: Khanagura Raminder , Kregel Heather , Amro Farah , Sibai Baha , Chauhan Suneet , Balogun Olaide
Published: January 2018

Objective The objective of this study was to compare adverse pregnancy outcomes between fetuses with estimated fetal weight (EFW) < 10 to > 10% in women with preterm preeclampsia (PE) with severe features.

Materials and Methods All women with preterm PE with severe features and nonanomalous singletons with EFW were identified at a tertiary center. Women with oligohydramnios or absent/reversed umbilical Doppler velocimetry were excluded. Using multivariable analysis, we compared the composite maternal and neonatal morbidities (CMM and CNM) between those with appropriate for gestational age (AGA) fetal growth, defined as EFW at 10 to 90th versus those with fetal growth restriction (FGR), defined as EFW < 10th percentile for gestational age (GA).

Results In this study, 165 patients were included; 112 had EFW at 10th to 90th percentile, and 53 had FGR. Of the 53 with FGR, 33 (62%) had EFW at 5 to 9% for GA and 20 (38%) had EFW < fifth percentile for GA. The CMM was significantly higher among women with FGR versus AGA (29 vs. 7%; p < 0.001). The CNM was significantly higher with FGR versus AGA (20 vs. 6%; p = 0.01).

Conclusion Women with preterm PE with severe features and FGR, when compared with those with AGA, have significantly higher risk of CMM and CNM.
Körperliche Aktivität im Kontext der betrieblichen Gesundheitsförderung – ein systematisches Review zur Effektivität software- gegenüber personalgestützter Interventionen
Authors: Rudolph Sabrina , Göring Arne , Padrok Dennis
Published: January 2018

Ziel der Studie Sport- und Bewegungsinterventionen erfahren im betrieblichen Kontext eine hohe Aufmerksamkeit. Aufgrund einer zunehmenden Digitalisierung finden insbesondere softwaregestützte Interventionen zur Bewegungsförderung immer häufiger den Weg in die Praxis. Empirische Nachweise hinsichtlich der Effektivität sind im betrieblichen Kontext bislang gering. Der Beitrag untersucht die Fragestellung, inwiefern softwaregestützte Interventionen eine höhere Effektivität als personalgestützte Interventionen hinsichtlich der Steigerung körperlicher Aktivität darstellen.

Methodik Es wurde ein systematischer Review nach den Vorgaben der Cochrane Collaboration durchgeführt. Dazu wurden Einschluss- und Sollkriterien festgelegt und mittels der Sollkriterien ein Qualitätsscore der Studien errechnet. In 2 Summary-of-findings-Tabellen werden die software- und personalgestützten Interventionen nach den Kategorien Autor, Jahr, Land, Stichprobe, Ziel der Intervention, Methodik, Outcome und Studienqualität präsentiert.

Ergebnisse Es wurden insgesamt 25 Studien in die Auswertung einbezogen (12 personal- und 13 softwaregestützte Interventionen). Der Qualitätsscore lag zwischen 3 und 9 und die Ergebnisse sind insgesamt sehr heterogen. In jeweils 5 personal- als auch softwaregestützten Interventionen konnte eine Steigerung der körperlichen Aktivität erzielt werden. Weitere positive gesundheitliche Effekte zeigten sich z. B. in der Verringerung des Blutdrucks und des Body Mass Indexes. In wenigen Studien kam es zu keiner Verbesserung gesundheitsbezogener Parameter.

Schlussfolgerung Der vorliegende Beitrag zeigt auf, dass sich durch beide Interventionsformen positive Effekte generieren lassen. Softwaregestützte Interventionen weisen Vorteile durch den Einsatz neuer Technologien auf. Durch die Verwendung von z. B. Desktop- und App-Anwendungen werden die Organisation, Kommunikation und Datenerfassung erleichtert und es werden weniger Ressourcen in der Durchführung benötigt. Der Einsatz eines geschulten Trainers hat dahingegen den Vorteil, dass dieser auf die spezifischen, variierenden Bedürfnisse der Mitarbeiter eingehen kann. Dieser Aspekt sollte als besonders bedeutsam bewertet werden.
Changes to the Editorial Team of the IJSM
Authors: Duarte José
Published: January 2018

There have been some changes to the Board of Editors of the IJSM. Already this year, Prof. Donald Dengel of the University of Minnesota, USA, replaced editor Prof. Joseph Houmard, who had been with the journal since 2006 and chose to leave the team for professional reasons.

Unfortunately, our Editor-in-Chief Prof. Appell Coriolano is fast approaching his retirement from academia and will also be leaving the IJSM editorial team. Hans-Joachim Appell Coriolano joined the Editorial Board of the IJSM in 1987 and accepted the position of Assistant Editor in 1989. Over the years, he gradually assumed even greater responsibility for manuscript organization and editing. He has served as Editor-in-Chief since 2006 and is regarded as a true “primus inter pares” within the editors' team. For his tremendous commitment and unwavering dedication to the IJSM for nearly 30 years, Prof. Appell Coriolano is acknowledged by his peers and Thieme Publishers as the “heart and soul” of the IJSM as it exists today. The level of scientific quality and international recognition attained by the IJSM is in large part due to his valuable contributions and scientific rigor. It is therefore with great regret that we bid him farewell, but we are sure that his guidance and spirit will continue to shape the future of this publication.
NIMROD calculations of energetic particle driven toroidal Alfvén eigenmodes
Authors: Hou Yawei , Zhu Ping , Kim Charlson C. , Hu Zhaoqing , Zou Zhihui , Wang Zhengxiong ,   NIMROD Team
Published: January 2018

Toroidal Alfvén eigenmodes (TAEs) are gap modes induced by the toroidicity of tokamak plasmas in the absence of continuum damping. They can be excited by energetic particles (EPs) when the EP drive exceeds other dampings, such as electron and ion Landau damping, and collisional and radiative damping. A TAE benchmark case, which was proposed by the International Tokamak Physics Activity group, is studied in this work. The numerical calculations of linear growth of TAEs driven by EPs in a circular-shaped, large aspect ratio tokamak have been performed using the Hybrid Kinetic-MHD (HK-MHD) model implemented in the NIMROD code. This HK-MHD model couples a δf particle-in-cell representation of EPs with the 3D MHD representation of the bulk plasma through moment closure for the momentum conservation equation. Both the excitation of TAEs and their transition to energetic particle modes (EPMs) have been observed. The influence of EP density, temperature, density gradient, and position of the maximum relative density gradient, on the frequency and the growth rate of TAEs are obtained, which are consistent with those from the eigen-analysis calculations, kinetic-MHD, and gyrokinetic simulations for an initial Maxwellian distribution of EPs. The relative pressure gradient of EP at the radial location of the TAE gap, which represents the drive strength of EPs, can strongly affect the growth rate of TAEs. It is demonstrated that the mode transition due to EP drive variation leads to not only the change of frequency but also the change of the mode structure. This mechanism can be helpful in understanding the nonlinear physics of TAE/EPM, such as frequency chirping.
Ab-initio investigation of Rb substitution in KTP single crystal
Authors: Ghoohestani Marzieh , Arab Ali , Hashemifar S. Javad , Sadeghi Hossein
Published: January 2018

The effects of rubidium doping on the structural, electronic, and optical properties of KTiOPO4 (KTP) are investigated in the framework of density functional theory. The equilibrium structural parameters of KTP and RbTiOPO4 (RTP) are calculated within the local density and Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE), Wu-Cohen, and PBEsol formulation of generalized gradient approximations. We discuss that PBEsol predicts better equilibrium parameters for the KTP alloy. In addition, the variation of lattice constants and Ti-O-Ti bond angles are evaluated as a function of rubidium concentration. The modern modified Becke-Johnson functional is applied for more accurate band gap determination in the pure and alloyed KTP/RTP compounds. The phenomenological pseudoinversion parameter is calculated for a qualitative understanding of the effect of impurity on a non-linear optical response of KTP. We also analyze the behavior of the dielectric function, dispersive refractive indices, and birefringence of KTP/RTP alloys.
Optically reversible electrical soft-breakdown in wide-bandgap oxides—A factorial study
Authors: Zhou Y. , Ang D. S. , Kalaga P. S.
Published: January 2018

In an earlier work, we found that an electrical soft-breakdown region in wide-bandgap oxides, such as hafnium dioxide, silicon dioxide, etc., could be reversed when illuminated by white light. The effect is evidenced by a decrease in the breakdown leakage current, termed as a negative photoconductivity response. This finding raises the prospect for optical sensing applications based on these traditionally non-photo-responsive but ubiquitous oxide materials. In this study, we examine the statistical distribution for the rate of breakdown reversal as well as the influence of factors such as wavelength, light intensity, oxide stoichiometry (or oxygen content) and temperature on the reversal rate. The rate of breakdown reversal is shown to be best described by the lognormal distribution. Light in the range of ∼400–700 nm is found to have relatively little influence on the reversal rate. On the other hand, light intensity, oxygen content and temperature, each of them has a clear impact; a stronger light intensity, an oxide that is richer in oxygen content and a reduced temperature all speed up the reversal process substantially. These experimental results are consistent with the proposed phenomenological redox model involving photo-assisted recombination of the surrounding oxygen interstitials with vacancy defects in the breakdown path.
Optimal design of graphene nanopores for seawater desalination
Authors: Li Zhongwu , Qiu Yinghua , Li Kun , Sha Jingjie , Li Tie , Chen Yunfei
Published: January 2018

Extensive molecular dynamics simulations are employed to optimize nanopore size and surface charge density in order to obtain high ionic selectivity and high water throughput for seawater desalination systems. It is demonstrated that with the help of surface charge exclusion, nanopores with diameter as large as 3.5 nm still have high ionic selectivity. The mechanism of the salt rejection in a surface-charged nanopore is mainly attributed to the ion concentration difference between the cations and anions induced by the surface charges. Increasing surface charge density is beneficial to enhance ionic selectivity. However, there exists a critical value for the surface charge density. Once the surface charge density exceeds the critical value, charge inversion occurs inside a nanopore. Further increasing the surface charge density will deteriorate the ionic selectivity because the highly charged nanopore surface will allow more coions to enter the nanopore in order to keep the whole system in charge neutrality. Besides the surface charge density, the nanopore length also affects the ionic selectivity. Based on our systematic simulations, nanopores with surface charge density between −0.09 C/m2 and −0.12 C/m2, diameters smaller than 3.5 nm, and membrane thickness ranging between 8 and 10 graphene layers show an excellent performance for the ionic selectivity.
Sub-Doppler slit jet infrared spectroscopy of astrochemically relevant cations: Symmetric (ν1) and antisymmetric (ν6) NH stretching modes in ND2H2+
Authors: Chang Chih-Hsuan , Nesbitt David J.
Published: January 2018

Sub-Doppler infrared rovibrational transitions in the symmetric (v1) and antisymmetric (v6) NH stretch modes of the isotopomerically substituted ND2H2+ ammonium cation are reported for the first time in a slit jet discharge supersonic expansion spectrometer. The partially H/D substituted cation is generated by selective isotopic exchange of ND3 with H2O to form NHD2, followed by protonation with H3+ formed in the NHD2/H2/Ne slit-jet discharge expansion environment. Rotational assignment for ND2H2+ is confirmed rigorously by four line ground state combination differences, which agree to be within the sub-Doppler precision in the slit jet (∼9 MHz). Observation of both b-type (ν1) and c-type (ν6) bands enables high precision determination of the ground and vibrationally excited state rotational constants. From an asymmetric top Watson Hamiltonian analysis, the ground state constants are found to be A″ = 4.856 75(4) cm−1, B″ = 3.968 29(4) cm−1, and C″ = 3.446 67(6) cm−1, with band origins at 3297.5440(1) and 3337.9050(1) cm−1 for the v1 and v6 modes, respectively. This work permits prediction of precision microwave/mm-wave transitions, which should be invaluable in facilitating ongoing spectroscopic searches for partially deuterated ammonium cations in interstellar clouds and star-forming regions of the interstellar medium.
Influence of magnetic frustration and structural disorder on magnetocaloric effect and magneto-transport properties in La1.5Ca0.5CoMnO6 double perovskite
Authors: Sahoo R. C. , Das Sananda , Nath T. K.
Published: January 2018

The rare existence of a magnetocaloric effect, a Griffith phase, and frustrated magnetism in the antisite disorder compound La1.5Ca0.5CoMnO6 have been investigated in detail in this work. The nature of the observed Griffith phase (at TG ∼ 226 K) can be best understood in terms of ferromagnetic (FM) entities within the globally paramagnetic network above the Curie temperature. From the isothermal magnetization measurement around Curie temperature (TC ∼ 157 K) and cluster glass transition temperature (Tg ∼ 51 K), we have determined the maximum entropy change (−ΔSM) as ∼2.2 J/kg K and ∼1.2 J/kg K, respectively, for a magnetic field variation of 7 T. Interestingly, a sudden drop of resistivity curve at Tg, associated with magnetic frustration or magnetic disorder, can be related to the ferromagnetic (FM) phases with antiferromagnetic antiphase boundaries, giving rise to a large negative magnetoresistance (∼67%) at 45 K.
Effect of mechanical and electrical stimuli in conductive atomic force microscopy with noble metal-coated tips
Authors: Zade Vishal , Kang Hung-Sen , Lee Min Hwan
Published: January 2018

Conductive atomic force microscopy has been widely employed to study the localized electrical properties of a wide range of substrates in non-vacuum conditions by the use of noble metal-coated tips. However, quantitative characterization of the electrical properties was often precluded by unpredictable changes in the tip apex morphology, and/or electronic transport characteristics of undesired oxide overcoats on the tip. In this paper, the impact of mechanical and electrical stimuli on the apex geometry of gold coated tips and electrical conduction properties at the tip-substrate contact is discussed by choosing gold and highly ordered pyrolytic graphite as the representative tip and substrate materials, respectively.
Assessing the performance of the Tran–Blaha modified Becke–Johnson exchange potential for optical constants of semiconductors in the ultraviolet–visible light region
Authors: Nakano Kousuke , Sakai Tomohiro
Published: January 2018

We report on the performance of density functional theory (DFT) with the Tran–Blaha modified Becke–Johnson exchange potential and the random phase approximation dielectric function for optical constants of semiconductors in the ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) light region. We calculate optical bandgaps Eg, refractive indices n, and extinction coefficients k of 70 semiconductors listed in the Handbook of Optical Constants of Solids [(Academic Press, 1985), Vol. 1; (Academic Press, 1991), Vol. 2; and (Academic Press, 1998), Vol. 3] and compare the results with experimental values. The results show that the calculated bandgaps and optical constants agree well with the experimental values to within 0.440 eV for Eg, 0.246–0.299 for n, and 0.207–0.598 for k in root mean squared error (RMSE). The small values of the RMSEs indicate that the optical constants of semiconductors in the UV-Vis region can be quantitatively predicted even by a low-cost DFT calculation of this type.
A mini-photofragment translational spectrometer with ion velocity map imaging using low voltage acceleration
Authors: Qi Wenke , Jiang Pan , Lin Dan , Chi Xiaoping , Cheng Min , Du Yikui , Zhu Qihe
Published: January 2018

A mini time-sliced ion velocity map imaging photofragment translational spectrometer using low voltage acceleration has been constructed. The innovation of this apparatus adopts a relative low voltage (30–150 V) to substitute the traditional high voltage (650–4000 V) to accelerate and focus the fragment ions. The overall length of the flight path is merely 12 cm. There are many advantages for this instrument, such as compact structure, less interference, and easy to operate and control. Low voltage acceleration gives a longer turn-around time to the photofragment ions forming a thicker Newton sphere, which provides sufficient time for slicing. Ion trajectory simulation has been performed for determining the structure dimensions and the operating voltages. The photodissociation and multiphoton ionization of O2 at 224.999 nm is used to calibrate the ion images and examine the overall performance of the new spectrometer. The velocity resolution (Δν/ν) of this spectrometer from O2 photodissociation is about 0.8%, which is better than most previous results using high acceleration voltage. For the case of CF3I dissociation at 277.38 nm, many CF3 vibrational states have been resolved, and the anisotropy parameter has been measured. The application of low voltage acceleration has shown its advantages on the ion velocity map imaging (VMI) apparatus. The miniaturization of the VMI instruments can be realized on the premise of high resolution.
Magnetic measurement of soft magnetic composites material under 3D SVPWM excitation
Authors: Zhang Changgeng , Jiang Baolin , Li Yongjian , Yang Qingxin
Published: January 2018

The magnetic properties measurement and analysis of soft magnetic material under the rotational space-vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) excitation are key factors in design and optimization of the adjustable speed motor. In this paper, a three-dimensional (3D) magnetic properties testing system fit for SVPWM excitation is built, which includes symmetrical orthogonal excitation magnetic circuit and cubic field-metric sensor. Base on the testing system, the vector B and H loci of soft magnetic composite (SMC) material under SVPWM excitation are measured and analyzed by proposed 3D SVPWM control method. Alternating and rotating core losses under various complex excitation with different magnitude modulation ratio are calculated and compared.
Interface control of domain wall depinning field
Authors: Huang Yangqi , Li Xiang , Wang Lezhi , Yu Guoqiang , Wang Kang L. , Zhao Weisheng
Published: January 2018

We study the impact of Mg insertion layer at the CoFeB|MgO interface on the domain wall depinning field and motion as well as other magnetic properties in a perpendicular magnetized Ta/CoFeB/Mg(wedged)/MgO structure. With the increase of the Mg layer from 0.4 nm to 0.8 nm, the field-induced domain wall moving velocity increases while the depinning field decreases. The minimum depinning field of around 10 Oe for as-grown sample and 7 Oe for annealed sample is found with a 0.8 nm Mg insertion layer, which is 2 times lower than the ones reported before. Further increase of the Mg layer leads to a lower velocity and higher depinning field. Similar phenomena happens to the magnetic properties such as the saturation magnetization and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Both for as-grown and annealed samples, the tendency is similar. This may be explained by the oxidation and crystallinity manipulation of the CoFeB|MgO interface. These results show an ultra-low depinning field in the Ta/CoFeB/MgO system as well as a possible way for controlling the depinning field.
Negative thermal expansion and magnetocaloric effect in Mn-Co-Ge-In thin films
Authors: Liu Y. , Qiao K. M. , Zuo S. L. , Zhang H. R. , Kuang H. , Wang J. , Hu F. X. , Sun J. R. , Shen B. G.
Published: January 2018

MnCoGe-based alloys with magnetostructural transition show giant negative thermal expansion (NTE) behavior and magnetocaloric effects (MCEs) and thus have attracted a lot of attention. However, the drawback of bad mechanical behavior in these alloys obstructs their practical applications. Here, we report the growth of Mn-Co-Ge-In films with thickness of about 45 nm on (001)-LaAlO3, (001)-SrTiO3, and (001)-Al2O3 substrates. The films grown completely overcome the breakable nature of the alloy and promote its multifunctional applications. The deposited films have a textured structure and retain first-order magnetostructural transition. NTE and MCE behaviors associated with the magnetostructural transition have been studied. The films exhibit a completely repeatable NTE around room temperature. NTE coefficient α can be continuously tuned from the ultra-low expansion (α ∼ −2.0 × 10−7/K) to α ∼ −6.56 × 10−6/K, depending on the growth and particle size of the films on different substrates. Moreover, the films exhibit magnetic entropy changes comparable to the well-known metamagnetic films. All these demonstrate potential multifunctional applications of the present films.
Designing a tunable magnet using cluster-assembled iron
Authors: Takahashi Keisuke
Published: January 2018

The design of a cluster-assembled three dimensional crystal is performed through first principle calculations. In particular, Fe6 and Fe5A (A = B, C, N, F, or Cl) clusters are treated as a single atom and periodically placed in a body center cubic (BCC) unit cell. Calculations reveal that van der Waals forces play a major role between the clusters where exothermic binding energy is observed in Fe6 and Fe5A (A = B, C, N, or Cl) cluster-assembled BCC crystal. The magnetic moment of the designed cluster-assembled crystal is much higher than that of bulk iron where the magnetic moment is tunable upon the introduction of the dopants. In addition, the bandgap of cluster-assembled crystal is different from bulk Fe where Fe6, Fe5B, and Fe5C cluster-assembled BCC crystal have a large bandgap. One can thereby consider that the ability to tune the magnetic moment and bandgap is achievable in principle through the design of the cluster-assembled material as well as through the introduction of dopants. Thus, cluster-assembled crystal expands upon how a material can be designed and properties that are tailorable through controlling the structure and through the composition of the clusters.
Anisotropy stress invariants of thermally stratified wind turbine array boundary layers using large eddy simulations
Authors: Ali Naseem , Hamilton Nicholas , Cortina Gerard , Calaf Marc , Cal Raúl Bayoán
Published: January 2018

In the interest of understanding the dynamics and energy transfer between the atmospheric boundary layer and large wind turbine arrays, a description of the turbulence anisotropy in the wake region of wind turbines is necessary. Flux of high momentum flow into the wind turbine array by anisotropic turbulence is a dominant factor of mean kinetic energy resupply for the wind farm. Under thermal stratification, the behavior of the turbulence field, and the energy flux, is significantly altered. Here, a thermally stratified wind turbine array boundary layer is studied in detail using a combination of Lumley and barycentric maps together with the recently introduced spheroid and color maps. The atmospheric flow is modelled using a large eddy simulation driven by a constant geostrophic wind and a time-varying ground surface temperature, obtained from a selected period of the Cooperative Atmosphere-Surface Exchange Study-99 field experiment. The wind farm is modelled using the traditional actuator-disk with rotation and yaw-alignment. The results show that turbulence under unstable stratification tends to be more isotropic than that under neutral and stable stratification. The turbulent mixing attributed to positive buoyancy in unstable regimes determines the energy distribution between flow layers, directly affecting the vertical distribution of anisotropy. Contrarily, in the stably stratified flow, negative buoyancy damps the turbulent fluctuations, hence affecting the evolution of the Reynolds stress, leading to an increase of flow anisotropy. In both thermal stratification regimes, wind turbines alter the structure of the turbulence within the atmospheric boundary layer by creating regions of greater anisotropy and expanding the boundary layer vertically. For the modeling community, it is important to note that the wind turbine wakes display a larger degree of anisotropy that is related well to the production of turbulent kinetic energy and mean kinetic energy entrainment, and hence, it is important to model correctly for accurate power forecasting. Leveraging the new insights into wind turbine/atmospheric boundary layer interaction found here will benefit the formulation of a new generation of efficient low order models for commercial application.
Feynman graphs and the large dimensional limit of multipartite entanglement
Authors: Di Martino Sara , Facchi Paolo , Florio Giuseppe
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we extend the analysis of multipartite entanglement, based on techniques from classical statistical mechanics, to a system composed of n d-level parties (qudits). We introduce a suitable partition function at a fictitious temperature with the average local purity of the system as Hamiltonian. In particular, we analyze the high-temperature expansion of this partition function, prove the convergence of the series, and study its asymptotic behavior as d → ∞. We make use of a diagrammatic technique, classify the graphs, and study their degeneracy. We are thus able to evaluate their contributions and estimate the moments of the distribution of the local purity.
Engraved in the Landscape: The Study of Spatial and Temporal Characteristics of Field Names in the Changing Landscape
Authors: Penko Seidl Nadja
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe importance of toponym studies for understanding the relationship between people and the place they inhabit has been emphasized by several studies. Despite the differences in the landscapes’ physical character and social relations, similar naming concepts can be found globally. Although toponyms are not visible or tangible, they are one of the most persistent linguistic symbols. As such they reveal much information about a landscape in the time when it was settled and named. The presented research focuses on three aspects of field names – microtoponyms, which in detail describe landscape that is shaped and managed by agriculture. An analysis of historical and contemporary sources offers insight into the temporal dimension of field names; the interconnection between names and named places shows the relation between named places, management practices, and landscape character; and last, an overview of landscape changes and their relationship to the persistence of field names is presented.
Amelioration of diabetic nephropathy by oral administration of d-α-tocopherol and its mechanisms
Authors: Hayashi Daiki , Ueda Shuji , Yamanoue Minoru , Ashida Hitoshi , Shirai Yasuhito
Published: January 2018

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a diabetic vascular complication, and abnormal protein kinase C (PKC) activation from increased diacylglycerol (DG) production in diabetic hyperglycemia is one of the causes of DN. Diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) converts DG into phosphatidic acid. In other words, DGK can attenuate PKC activity by reducing the amount of DG. Recently, we reported that intraperitoneally administered d-α-tocopherol (vitamin E, αToc) induces an amelioration of DN in vivo through the activation of DGKα and the prevention of podocyte loss. However, the effect of the oral administration of αToc on DN in mice remains unknown. Here, we evaluated the effect of oral administration of αToc on DN and its molecular mechanism using streptozocin-induced diabetic mice. Consequently, the oral administration of αToc significantly ameliorated the symptoms of DN by preventing the loss of podocytes, and it was revealed that the inhibition of PKC activity was involved in this amelioration.
The Prandtl–Tomlinson model of friction with stochastic driving
Authors: Jagla E A
Published: January 2018

We consider the classical Prandtl–Tomlinson model of a particle moving on a corrugated potential, pulled by a spring. In the usual situation in which pulling acts at constant velocity

γ
˙

, the model displays an average friction force σ that relates to

γ
˙

(for small

γ
˙

)

as

γ
˙

∼
(
σ
−

σ

c

)

β

, where

σ

c

is a critical friction force. The possible values of β are well known in terms of the analytical properties of the corrugated potential. We study here the situation in which the pulling has, in addition to the constant velocity term, a stochastic term of mechanical origin. We analytically show how this term modifies the force-velocity dependence close to the critical force, and give the value of β in terms of the analytical properties of the corrugation potential and the scaling properties of the stochastic driving, encoded in the value of its Hurst exponent.
Mappings of exponentially integrable distortion: Decay of the Jacobian
Authors: Räbinä Antti
Published: January 2018

We establish an integrability result on the reciprocal of the Jacobian determinant for a mapping of exponentially integrable distortion and thus answer a question raised by S. Hencl and P. Koskela.
Off-diagonal estimates of the Bergman kernel on hyperbolic Riemann surfaces of finite volume
Authors: Aryasomayajula Anilatmaja , Majumder Priyanka
Published: January 2018

In this article, we derive off-diagonal estimates of the Bergman kernel associated to tensor-powers of the cotangent line bundle defined over a hyperbolic Riemann surface of finite volume.
Galectin-8 induces partial epithelial–mesenchymal transition with invasive tumorigenic capabilities involving a FAK/EGFR/proteasome pathway in Madin–Darby canine kidney cells
Authors: Oyanadel Claudia , Holmes Christopher , Pardo Evelyn , Retamal Claudio , Shaughnessy Ronan , Smith Patricio , Cortés Priscilla , Bravo-Zehnder Marcela , Metz Claudia , Feuerhake Teo , Romero Diego , Roa Juan Carlos , Montecinos Viviana , Soza Andrea , González Alfonso
Published: January 2018

Epithelial cells can acquire invasive and tumorigenic capabilities through epithelial–mesenchymal-transition (EMT). The glycan-binding protein galectin-8 (Gal-8) activates selective β1-integrins involved in EMT and is overexpressed by certain carcinomas. Here we show that Gal-8 overexpression or exogenous addition promotes proliferation, migration, and invasion in nontumoral Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, involving focal-adhesion kinase (FAK)-mediated transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), likely triggered by α5β1integrin binding. Under subconfluent conditions, Gal-8–overexpressing MDCK cells (MDCK-Gal-8H) display hallmarks of EMT, including decreased E-cadherin and up-regulated expression of vimentin, fibronectin, and Snail, as well as increased β-catenin activity. Changes related to migration/invasion included higher expression of α5β1 integrin, extracellular matrix-degrading MMP13 and urokinase plasminogen activator/urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPA/uPAR) protease systems. Gal-8–stimulated FAK/EGFR pathway leads to proteasome overactivity characteristic of cancer cells. Yet MDCK-Gal-8Hcells still develop apical/basolateral polarity reverting EMT markers and proteasome activity under confluence. This is due to the opposite segregation of Gal-8 secretion (apical) and β1-integrins distribution (basolateral). Strikingly, MDCK-Gal-8Hcells acquired tumorigenic potential, as reflected in anchorage-independent growth in soft agar and tumor generation in immunodeficient NSG mice. Therefore, Gal-8 can promote oncogenic-like transformation of epithelial cells through partial and reversible EMT, accompanied by higher proliferation, migration/invasion, and tumorigenic properties.
Fibronectin type III and intracellular domains of Toll-like receptor 4 interactor with leucine-rich repeats (Tril) are required for developmental signaling
Authors: Kim Hyung-Seok , McKnite Autumn , Xie Yuanyuan , Christian Jan L.
Published: January 2018

Toll-like receptor 4 interactor with leucine-rich repeats (Tril) functions as a coreceptor for Toll-like receptors (Tlrs) to mediate innate immune responses in adults. In embryos, Tril signals to promote degradation of the Bmp inhibitor, Smad7, to allow for blood formation. It is not known whether this function requires, or is independent of, Tlrs. In the current studies, we performed a structure–function analysis, which indicated that the fibronectin type III (FN) domain and the intracellular domain of Tril are required to trigger Smad7 degradation in Xenopus embryos. Furthermore, we found evidence suggesting that a Tril deletion mutant lacking the FN domain (Tril∆FN) can dominantly inhibit signaling by endogenous Tril when overexpressed. This finding raises the possibility that the FN domain functions to bind endogenous Tril ligands. We also show that Tril cycles between the cell surface and endosomes and that the Tril extracellular domain, as well as cadherin based cell–cell adhesion, are required for cell surface retention, while the intracellular domain is required for internalization in Xenopus ectodermal explants. Using a CHO cell aggregation assay, we show that, unlike other transmembrane proteins that contain leucine-rich repeats, Tril is not sufficient to mediate homophilic adhesion.
Recognition Memory Dysfunction Relates to Hippocampal Subfield Volume: A Study of Cognitively Normal and Mildly Impaired Older Adults
Authors: Bennett Ilana J , Stark Shauna M , Stark Craig E L
Published: January 2018

Objectives

The current study examined recognition memory dysfunction and its neuroanatomical substrates in cognitively normal older adults and those diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods

Participants completed the Mnemonic Similarity Task, which provides simultaneous measures of recognition memory and mnemonic discrimination. They also underwent structural neuroimaging to assess volume of medial temporal cortex and hippocampal subfields.

Results

As expected, individuals diagnosed with MCI had significantly worse recognition memory performance and reduced volume across medial temporal cortex and hippocampal subfields relative to cognitively normal older adults. After controlling for diagnostic group differences, however, recognition memory was significantly related to whole hippocampus volume, and to volume of the dentate gyrus/CA3 subfield in particular. Recognition memory was also related to mnemonic discrimination, a fundamental component of episodic memory that has previously been linked to dentate gyrus/CA3 structure and function.

Discussion

Results reveal that hippocampal subfield volume is sensitive to individual differences in recognition memory in older adults independent of clinical diagnosis. This supports the notion that episodic memory declines along a continuum within this age group, not just between diagnostic groups.
Review of Neurosurgery Medical Professional Liability Claims in the United States
Authors: Elsamadicy Aladine A , Sergesketter Amanda R , Frakes Michael D , Lad Shivanand P
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

Due to disparaging costs and rates of malpractice claims in neurosurgery, there has been significant interest in identifying high-risk specialties, types of malpractice claims, and characteristics of claim-prone physicians.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the malpractice claims against neurosurgeons.

METHODS

This was a comprehensive analysis of all malpractice liability claims involving a neurosurgeon as the primary defendant, conducted using the Physician Insurers Association of America Data Sharing Project from January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2012.

RESULTS

From 2003 to 2012, 2131 closed malpractice claims were filed against a neurosurgeon. The total amount of indemnity paid collective between 1998 to 2002, 2003 to 2007, and 2008 to 2012 was $109 614 935, $140 031 875, and $122 577 230, respectively. Of all the neurosurgery claims, the most prevalent chief medical factor was improper performance (42.1%, $124 943 933), presenting medical condition was intervertebral disc disorder (20.6%, $54 223 206), and operative procedure performed involved the spinal cord and/or spinal canal (21.0%, $62 614 995). Eighty-five (22.91%) of the total neurosurgery claims resulted in patient death, resulting in $32 067 759 paid. Improper performance of the actual procedure was the most prevalent and highest total paid cause for patient death ($9 584 519).

CONCLUSION

From 2003 to 2012, we found that neurosurgery malpractice claims rank among one of the most costly and prevalent, with the average indemnities paid annually and the overall economic burden increasing. Diagnoses and procedures involving the spine, along with improper performance, were the most prevalent malpractice claims against neurosurgeons. Continued medical malpractice reform is essential to correct the overall health care cost burdens, and ultimately improve patient safety.
Identification and Characterization of Colletotrichum Species Associated with Mango Anthracnose in Guangxi, China
Authors: Mo Jianyou , Zhao Guang , Li Qili , Solangi Ghulam S. , Tang Lihua , Guo Tangxun , Huang Suiping , Hsiang Tom
Published: January 2018

Mango (Mangifera indica) is widely grown across southern China, especially in the provinces of Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan, Sichuan, and Taiwan. Guangxi itself has over 86,667 ha of mango production. The purpose of this study was to identify Colletotrichum species associated with mango in different parts of Guangxi and examine their pathogenicity on leaves and fruits of mango in vitro. Diseased leaves were collected from 25 mango orchards in different areas of Guangxi province. Sixty-five isolates were obtained from mango leaves with anthracnose symptoms, and these were further characterized based on morphology and DNA sequencing. Twenty-nine isolates from different areas were selected for sequencing and analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, partial actin, β-tubulin, and chitin synthase genomic regions. The most common fungal isolates were these three species: Colletotrichum asianum, C. fructicola, and C. siamense. C. asianum was the most common and widely distributed in Guangxi (51.7%), followed by C. fructicola (37.9%) and C. siamense (10.2%), both found in Tiandong, Tianyang, and Wuming counties. There was no evidence of geographical specialization of the different species. Pathogenicity assays showed that all isolates were pathogenic to mango leaves and fruit (cultivar Tainong). No relationship was found between origin of isolates and their virulence. This is the first description of C. asianum, C. fructicola, and C. siamense as causal agents of mango leaf anthracnose from Guangxi province, China.
Medical Education Videos for the World: An Analysis of Viewing Patterns for a YouTube Channel
Authors: Tackett Sean , Slinn Kyle , Marshall Tanner , Gaglani Shiv , Waldman Vincent , Desai Rishi
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Medical education videos can enhance learning and easily integrate into common instructional methods. YouTube permits worldwide access to high-quality medical education videos; however, no studies have described the reach of medical education videos on YouTube or what topics are preferred.

Method

One year of YouTube analytics data (February 1, 2016, to January 31, 2017) was collected for a medical-education-focused channel called Osmosis. Created December 20, 2015, the channel had 189 disease-focused videos by January 2017. Viewer and subscriber data were analyzed according to the World Bank’s four income and seven region classifications. Topic viewing was analyzed according to income level.

Results

The channel had accumulated 105,117 subscribers and 5,226,405 views for 20,153,093 minutes (38.3 years) from viewers located in 213/218 (97.7%) World Bank economies. While the number of videos increased 4.8-fold from February 2016 to January 2017, monthly views increased 50-fold and subscribers increased 117-fold. Low- or middle-income countries generated 2.2 million (42%) views and 52,942 (50%) subscribers, with similar view proportions across income level during the 12 months. A plurality of views (1.5 million; 29%) came from North America; Sub-Saharan Africa had the lowest number (150,065; 2.9%). Topic viewing generally corresponded to population health statistics.

Conclusions

Medical education content on YouTube can immediately and consistently reach a global viewership with relevant content. Educators may consider posting videos to YouTube to reach a broad audience. Future work should seek to optimize assessment of learning and investigate how videos may affect patients.
Charting the Publication and Citation Impact of the NIH Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program From 2006 Through 2016
Authors: Llewellyn Nicole , Carter Dorothy R. , Rollins Latrice , Nehl Eric J.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The authors evaluated publication and citation patterns for articles supported by Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) hub investment over the first decade of the CTSA program. The aim was to elucidate a pivotal step in the translational process by providing an account of how time, hub maturity, and hub attributes were related to productivity and influence in the academic literature.

Method

In 2017, the authors collected bibliometric data from PubMed, Web of Science InCites, and National Institutes of Health (NIH) iCite for articles citing any CTSA hub grants published from hub inception through 2016. They compiled data on publication and citation rates and indices of relative citation impact aggregated by hub funding year cohort. They compared hub-level bibliometric activity by multi- versus single-institution structure and total monetary award sums, compiled from NIH RePORTER.

Results

From 2006–2016, CTSA hubs supported over 66,000 publications, with publication rates accelerating as hubs matured. These publications accumulated over 1.2 million citations, with some articles cited over 1,000 times. Indices of relative citation impact indicated CTSA-supported publications were cited more than twice as often as expected for articles of their publication years and disciplines. Multi-institutional hubs and those awarded higher grant sums exhibited significantly higher publication and citation activity.

Conclusions

The CTSA program is yielding a robust and growing body of influential research findings with consistently high indices of relative citation impact. Preliminary evidence suggests multi-institutional collaborations and more monetary resources are associated with elevated bibliometric activity and, therefore, may be worth their investment.
Evaluating Differential Effects of Specific Pain Dismissal Interactions With Physicians
Authors: Lang Amy C. , Igler Eva C. , Defenderfer Ellen K. , Uihlein Julia , Brimeyer Chasity T. , Davies W. Hobart
Published: January 2018

Objectives:

Over 40% of adolescents with chronic pain report experiencing pain dismissal, which is a response from another individual that is perceived as diminishing, denying, or disbelieving an individual’s report of pain. Pain dismissal by physicians often leaves patients feeling discredited, which may discourage them from seeking and receiving proper treatment for their pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate how the 4 most commonly reported types of physician pain dismissal differentially affect individuals’ reactions.

Materials and Methods:

Emerging adults, age 18- to 25-years old (N=352, 60% female), were randomly assigned to read 1 of 4 vignettes describing patient-provider interactions that included the most commonly reported types of pain dismissal identified by previous research: denial/disbelief, minimizing, faking for secondary gain, and psychogenic. Participants answered questions regarding their reactions to the pain dismissal vignettes.

Results:

All 4 vignettes were perceived as dismissive and problematic by the majority of participants, but participants who read the psychogenic pain dismissal vignette were less dissatisfied overall with the hypothetical medical appointment than participants who read the other 3 vignettes.

Discussion:

All 4 types of physician pain dismissal were broadly perceived negatively, suggesting that the experience of pain dismissal is likely not due to patient hypersensitivity but to physician behavior. Discussion of the psychological factors associated with pain was less likely to be perceived as dismissive. Psychologists and physicians should collaborate to develop recommended language that validates patients’ experiences of pain, communicates appropriate levels of empathy, and reduces the frequency of perceived physician pain dismissal.