bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Biomedical Informatics Perspective on Human Factors - How Human Factors Influence Information Technology Adoption
Authors: Meyer R. ,   Section Editor for the IMIA Yearbook Section on Human Factors
Published: March 2018

to select and summarize excellent research published in 2010 in the field of bio-medical informatics human factors.

we attempt to derive a synthetic overview of the activity and new trends in this field, from a selection of worldwide research papers published during 2010.

this year again, healthcare information technology (HIT) adoption occupies a central role in the field and leads to research focused mainly on measuring impact and factors influencing it. One of the selected papers especially dissects the anatomy of a nationwide personal electronic health record adoption failure.

Due to the vast and increasing amount of excellent works, choosing the best papers in human factors is a challenge. More and more the published work takes into account fundamental principles expressed in Grudin’s Laws, one form of which is: “When those who beneût from a technology are not those who do the work, then the technology is likely to fail or be subverted.”.
The Role of Social Media for Patients and Consumer Health
Authors: Siek K. A. , Fernandez-Luque L. , Tange H. , Chhanabhai P. , Li S. Y. W. , Elkin P. L. , Arjabi A. , Walczowski L. , Ang C. S. , Eysenbach G. , Lau A. Y. S.
Published: March 2018

To provide an overview on social media for consumers and patients in areas of health behaviours and outcomes.

A directed review of recent literature.

We discuss the limitations and challenges of social media, ranging from social network sites (SNSs), computer games, mobile applications, to online videos. An overview of current users of social media (Generation Y), and potential users (such as low socioeconomic status and the chronically ill populations) is also presented. Future directions in social media research are also discussed.

We encouragethe health informaticscommunity to consider the socioeconomic class, age, culture, and literacy level of their populations, and select an appropriate medium and platform when designing social networkedinterventionsforhealth.Little isknown about the impact of second-hand experiences faciliated by social media, nor the quality and safety of social networks on health. Methodologies and theories from human computer interaction, human factors engineering and psychology may help guide the challenges in design-ingand evaluatingsocial networkedinterventionsforhealth. Further, by analysing how people search and navigate social media for health purposes, infodemiology and infoveillance are promising areas of research that should provide valuable insights on present and emergening health behaviours on a population scale.
Effektive Therapie nach Test auf zirkulierende Tumor-DNA
Authors: Krome Susanne
Published: March 2018

Die Therapiesteuerung auf der Basis des wiederholten Bluttests auf zirkulierende Tumor-DNA (ctDNA) könnte auch beim metastasierenden Melanom eine überlegenswerte Alternative zur Gewebediagnostik sein. In dem Fallbericht konnte bei einer 63-jährigen Patientin mit infauster Prognose eine komplette Response erreicht werden.
„Letztmittel“, „Bewährte Indikationen“ und die „Wiener Schule“ nach Mathias Dorcsi
Authors: Drexler Leopold
Published: March 2018

Ausgehend von den „Letztmitteln“ („Endmitteln“) in den „Bewährten Indikationen“ sollen hier Hintergründe, Entstehung, Zusammenhänge und das Ziel der „Wiener Schule der Homöopathie von Mathias Dorcsi“ aufgezeigt werden. Insbesondere werden die „Bewährten Indikationen“, das „Kleine Symptomenverzeichnis“ besprochen. Es werden die Themen Lern- und Lehrbarkeit, Konstitution sowie Stellung der Homöopathie als ein Teil einer erweiterten Medizin behandelt.
Die Quaternität
Authors: Winter Norbert
Published: March 2018

Der Dialog des Physikers Wolfgang Pauli und des Psychologen C. G. Jung warf Licht auf parallele Denkmuster, die einerseits bei Autoren der Früh-Renaissance erkennbar waren und die sich andererseits für das Verständnis der modernen Physik als notwendig erwiesen. Diese Denkmuster weisen gegenüber dem der Klassischen Physik eine Erweiterung auf, die einen Wirkzusammenhang jenseits dessen der Kausalität nahelegt – vorläufig als Akausalität bezeichnet. Um das Gefüge von kausalen und akausalen Strukturen zu veranschaulichen, entwarfen Pauli und Jung nach langem Ringen das Modell der Quaternität, die beiden Aspekten Rechnung tragen kann und somit einen Rahmen für physikalische, aber auch psychische Vorgänge und deren Wechselwirkung bieten kann.
Maps on statistical manifolds exactly reduced from the Perron-Frobenius equations for solvable chaotic maps
Authors: Goto Shin-itiro , Umeno Ken
Published: March 2018

Maps on a parameter space for expressing distribution functions are exactly derived from the Perron-Frobenius equations for a generalized Boole transform family. Here the generalized Boole transform family is a one-parameter family of maps, where it is defined on a subset of the real line and its probability distribution function is the Cauchy distribution with some parameters. With this reduction, some relations between the statistical picture and the orbital one are shown. From the viewpoint of information geometry, the parameter space can be identified with a statistical manifold, and then it is shown that the derived maps can be characterized. Also, with an induced symplectic structure from a statistical structure, symplectic and information geometric aspects of the derived maps are discussed.
Entropy-based generating Markov partitions for complex systems
Authors: Rubido Nicolás , Grebogi Celso , Baptista Murilo S.
Published: March 2018

Finding the correct encoding for a generic dynamical system's trajectory is a complicated task: the symbolic sequence needs to preserve the invariant properties from the system's trajectory. In theory, the solution to this problem is found when a Generating Markov Partition (GMP) is obtained, which is only defined once the unstable and stable manifolds are known with infinite precision and for all times. However, these manifolds usually form highly convoluted Euclidean sets, are a priori unknown, and, as it happens in any real-world experiment, measurements are made with finite resolution and over a finite time-span. The task gets even more complicated if the system is a network composed of interacting dynamical units, namely, a high-dimensional complex system. Here, we tackle this task and solve it by defining a method to approximately construct GMPs for any complex system's finite-resolution and finite-time trajectory. We critically test our method on networks of coupled maps, encoding their trajectories into symbolic sequences. We show that these sequences are optimal because they minimise the information loss and also any spurious information added. Consequently, our method allows us to approximately calculate the invariant probability measures of complex systems from the observed data. Thus, we can efficiently define complexity measures that are applicable to a wide range of complex phenomena, such as the characterisation of brain activity from electroencephalogram signals measured at different brain regions or the characterisation of climate variability from temperature anomalies measured at different Earth regions.
Organic thin film transistors using a liquid crystalline palladium phthalocyanine as active layer
Authors: Jiménez Tejada Juan A. , Lopez-Varo Pilar , Chaure Nandu B. , Chambrier Isabelle , Cammidge Andrew N. , Cook Michael J. , Jafari-Fini Ali , Ray Asim K.
Published: March 2018

70 nm thick solution-processed films of a palladium phthalocyanine (PdPc6) derivative bearing eight hexyl (–C6H13) chains at non-peripheral positions have been employed as active layers in the fabrication of bottom-gate bottom-contact organic thin film transistors (OTFTs) deposited on highly doped p-type Si (110) substrates with SiO2 gate dielectric. The dependence of the transistor electrical performance upon the mesophase behavior of the PdPc6 films has been investigated by measuring the output and transfer characteristics of the OTFT having its active layer ex situ vacuum annealed at temperatures between 500 °C and 200 °C. A clear correlation between the annealing temperature and the threshold voltage and carrier mobility of the transistors, and the transition temperatures extracted from the differential scanning calorimetric curves for bulk materials has been established. This direct relation has been obtained by means of a compact electrical model in which the contact effects are taken into account. The precise determination of the contact-voltage drain-current curves allows for obtaining such a relation.
Atomistic models of Cu diffusion in CuInSe2 under variations in composition
Authors: Sommer David E. , Dunham Scott T.
Published: March 2018

We construct an analytic model for the composition dependence of the vacancy-mediated Cu diffusion coefficient in undoped CuInSe2 using parameters from density functional theory. The applicability of this model is supported numerically with kinetic lattice Monte Carlo and Onsager transport tensors. We discuss how this model relates to experimental measurements of Cu diffusion, arguing that our results can account for significant contributions to the bulk diffusion of Cu tracers in non-stoichiometric CuInSe2.
Analysis of micro-fluidic tweezers in the Stokes regime
Authors: Zhao Longhua , Zhang Li , Ding Yang
Published: March 2018

Nanowire fluidic tweezers have been developed to gently and accurately capture, manipulate, and deliver micro objects. The mechanism behind the capture and release process has not yet been well explained. Utilizing the method of regularized Stokeslet, we study a cylindrical nanowire tumbling and interacting with spherical particles in the Stokes regime. The capture phenomenon observed in experiments is reproduced and illustrated with the trajectories of micro-spheres and fluid tracers. The flow structure and the region of capture are quantitatively examined and compared for different sizes of particles, various tumbling rates, and dimensions of the tweezers. We find that pure kinematic effects can explain the mechanism of capture and transport of particles. We further reveal the relation between the capture region and stagnation points in the displacement field, i.e., the displacement for tracer particles in the moving frame within one rotation of the wire.
Accurate modeling of the hose instability in plasma wakefield accelerators
Authors: Mehrling T. J. , Benedetti C. , Schroeder C. B. , Martinez de la Ossa A. , Osterhoff J. , Esarey E. , Leemans W. P.
Published: March 2018

Hosing is a major challenge for the applicability of plasma wakefield accelerators and its modeling is therefore of fundamental importance to facilitate future stable and compact plasma-based particle accelerators. In this contribution, we present a new model for the evolution of the plasma centroid, which enables the accurate investigation of the hose instability in the nonlinear blowout regime. It paves the road for more precise and comprehensive studies of hosing, e.g., with drive and witness beams, which were not possible with previous models.
The gaseous plasmonic response of a one-dimensional photonic crystal composed of striated plasma layers
Authors: Wang B. , Righetti F. , Cappelli M. A.
Published: March 2018

We present simulations of the response of a one-dimensional striated plasma slab to incident electromagnetic waves that span regions both above and below the plasma frequency, ωp. Photonic bandgap modes are present throughout these regions, and volume and surface plasmon modes facilitate the response below ωp, where the dielectric constant, εp < 0. In the vicinity of ωp, most apparently, when ωp is in proximity of the lattice frequency, there is a feature for transverse magnetic (TM) polarization that is associated with the emergence of new dispersion branches. Also for TM polarization, a very low frequency mode emerges outside of the light line. Both these features are plasmonic and are attributed to the excitation of symmetric and asymmetric surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) at the plasma-dielectric interface of the multi-layer plasma slabs. The features seen in the bandgap maps near ωp reveal the possible presence of Fano resonances between the symmetric branch of the SPP and the Bragg resonance as a narrow stop band (anti-node) is superimposed on the otherwise broad transmission band seen for transverse-electric polarization. We provide renderings that allow the visualization of where the transmission bands are and compute the transmittance and reflectance to facilitate the design and interpretation of experiments. The transmission bands associated with photonic bandgap modes above the plasma frequency are rather broad. The plasmonic modes, i.e., those associated with εp ≤ 0, can be quite narrow and are tuned by varying the plasma density, affording an opportunity for the application of these structures as ultra-narrow tunable microwave transmission filters.
A thermal theory for unifying and designing transparency, concentrating and cloaking
Authors: Wang Ruizhe , Xu Liujun , Ji Qin , Huang Jiping
Published: March 2018

In the existing literature of thermal metamaterials or metadevices, many properties or functions are designed via coordinate transformation theory (transformation thermotics), including thermal concentrating and cloaking. But other properties or functions, say, thermal transparency, are designed by using theories differing from the transformation thermotics. Here, we put forward an effective medium theory in thermotics by considering anisotropic layered/graded structures, and we reveal that the theory can unify transparency, concentrating, and cloaking into the same theoretical framework. Furthermore, the theory not only gives the criterion for transparency, concentrating, and cloaking, but also helps to predict a type of ellipses-embedded structures which can achieve transparency, concentrating, and cloaking, respectively. The prediction is confirmed by our finite-element simulations and/or experiments. This work provides a different theory to understand and design thermal metamaterials or metadevices, which might be extended to other disciplines, such as optics/electromagnetics and acoustics.
Collective excitations and ultrafast dipolar solvation dynamics in water-ethanol binary mixture
Authors: Hazra Milan K. , Bagchi Biman
Published: March 2018

In order to understand the intermolecular vibrational spectrum and the collective excitations of water-ethanol binary mixture, we investigate the density of states and the power spectrum using computer simulations aided by theory. We investigate in particular the spectra at intermediate to low frequencies (a few hundreds to few tens of cm−1) by calculating (i) the density of states from quenched normal modes, (ii) the power spectrum from velocity time correlation function, and (iii) the far infrared and dielectric spectra (that is, the Cole-Cole plot) from the total dipole moment time correlation function. The different spectra are in broad agreement with each other and at the same time reveal unique characteristics of the water-ethanol mixture. Inverse participation ratio reveals several interesting features. Libration of pure ethanol is more localized than that of pure water. With increasing ethanol content, we observe localization of the collective libration mode as well as of the hindered translational and rotational mode. An interesting mixing between the libration of water and ethanol is observed. Solvation dynamics of tryptophan measured by equilibrium energy fluctuation time correlation function show surprisingly strong non-linear dependence on composition that can be tested against experiments.
Complete stress-induced depolarization of relaxor ferroelectric crystals without transition through a non-polar phase
Authors: Shkuratov Sergey I. , Baird Jason , Antipov Vladimir G. , Hackenberger Wesley , Luo Jun , Zhang Shujun , Lynch Christopher S. , Chase Jay B. , Jo Hwan R. , Roberts Christopher C.
Published: March 2018

The development of relaxor ferroelectric single crystal technology is driven by the ability to tailor ferroelectric properties through domain engineering not achievable in polycrystalline materials. In this study, three types of domain-engineered rhombohedral Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3–Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 crystals were subjected to transverse high strain rate loading. The experimental results indicate that the domain configuration has a significant effect on the stress-induced depolarization and the associated charge released. A complete depolarization of the single-domain crystals with 3m symmetry is observed, while multidomain crystals with 4mm and mm2 symmetries retain a fraction of their initial remanent polarization. The complete depolarization of single-domain crystals is unique without transition to a non-polar phase, with a stress-induced charge density of 0.48 C/m2. This is up to three times higher than that of the multidomain crystals and PbZrxTi1−xO3 ferroelectric ceramics that are critical for ultrahigh-power transducer applications. The main offering of this work is to propose a detailed mechanism for complete stress-induced depolarization in ferroelectric crystals which does not involve an intermediate transformation to a non-polar phase.
Alchemical and structural distribution based representation for universal quantum machine learning
Authors: Faber Felix A. , Christensen Anders S. , Huang Bing , von Lilienfeld O. Anatole
Published: March 2018

We introduce a representation of any atom in any chemical environment for the automatized generation of universal kernel ridge regression-based quantum machine learning (QML) models of electronic properties, trained throughout chemical compound space. The representation is based on Gaussian distribution functions, scaled by power laws and explicitly accounting for structural as well as elemental degrees of freedom. The elemental components help us to lower the QML model’s learning curve, and, through interpolation across the periodic table, even enable “alchemical extrapolation” to covalent bonding between elements not part of training. This point is demonstrated for the prediction of covalent binding in single, double, and triple bonds among main-group elements as well as for atomization energies in organic molecules. We present numerical evidence that resulting QML energy models, after training on a few thousand random training instances, reach chemical accuracy for out-of-sample compounds. Compound datasets studied include thousands of structurally and compositionally diverse organic molecules, non-covalently bonded protein side-chains, (H2O)40-clusters, and crystalline solids. Learning curves for QML models also indicate competitive predictive power for various other electronic ground state properties of organic molecules, calculated with hybrid density functional theory, including polarizability, heat-capacity, HOMO-LUMO eigenvalues and gap, zero point vibrational energy, dipole moment, and highest vibrational fundamental frequency.
Effect of lithium doping on the optical properties of monolayer MoS2
Authors: Saigal Nihit , Wielert Isabelle , Čapeta Davor , Vujičić Nataša , Senkovskiy Boris V. , Hell Martin , Kralj Marko , Grüneis Alexander
Published: March 2018

The effect of lithium atoms' evaporation on the surface of monolayer MoS2 grown on SiO2/Si substrate is studied using ultrahigh vacuum (∼10−11 mbar) Raman and circularly polarized photoluminescence spectroscopies, at low lithium coverage (up to ∼0.17 monolayer). With increasing Li doping, the dominant E2g1 and A1g Raman modes of MoS2 shift in energy and broaden. Additionally, non zone-center phonon modes become Raman active. This regards, in particular, to double resonance Raman scattering processes, involving longitudinal acoustic phonon modes at the M and K points of the Brillouin zone of MoS2 and defects. It is also accompanied by a significant decrease in the overall intensity and the degree of circular polarization of the photoluminescence spectrum. The observed changes in the optical spectra are understood as a result of electron doping by lithium atoms and disorder-activated intervalley scattering of electrons and holes in the electronic band structure of monolayer MoS2.
Dynamic modeling method of the bolted joint with uneven distribution of joint surface pressure
Authors: Li Shichao , Gao Hongli , Liu Qi , Liu Bokai
Published: March 2018

The dynamic characteristics of the bolted joints have a significant influence on the dynamic characteristics of the machine tool. Therefore, establishing a reasonable bolted joint dynamics model is helpful to improve the accuracy of machine tool dynamics model. Because the pressure distribution on the joint surface is uneven under the concentrated force of bolts, a dynamic modeling method based on the uneven pressure distribution of the joint surface is presented in this paper to improve the dynamic modeling accuracy of the machine tool. The analytic formulas between the normal, tangential stiffness per unit area and the surface pressure on the joint surface can be deduced based on the Hertz contact theory, and the pressure distribution on the joint surface can be obtained by the finite element software. Futhermore, the normal and tangential stiffness distribution on the joint surface can be obtained by the analytic formula and the pressure distribution on the joint surface, and assigning it into the finite element model of the joint. Qualitatively compared the theoretical mode shapes and the experimental mode shapes, as well as quantitatively compared the theoretical modal frequencies and the experimental modal frequencies. The comparison results show that the relative error between the first four-order theoretical modal frequencies and the first four-order experimental modal frequencies is 0.2% to 4.2%. Besides, the first four-order theoretical mode shapes and the first four-order experimental mode shapes are similar and one-to-one correspondence. Therefore, the validity of the theoretical model is verified. The dynamic modeling method proposed in this paper can provide a theoretical basis for the accurate dynamic modeling of the bolted joint in machine tools.
Room temperature ferromagnetism and its origin for amorphous MoSe2 nanoflowers
Authors: Xing Xuejun , Wang Xinwei , Wu Chen , Lu Yunhao , Yan Mi
Published: March 2018

Amorphous MoSe2 has been fabricated hydrothermally, and the degree of amorphousness was tuned by post-annealing procedures. Large room temperature ferromagnetism (RTFM) has been achieved for the amorphous MoSe2 which weakens during crystallization and phase transition from the 1T to the 2H structure. Theoretical calculations indicate that the amorphous MoSe2 exhibits higher magnetization compared with the crystalline 1T and 2H phases and that the magnetization mainly originates from the d orbitals of Mo atoms. This study provides insights into the RTFM for the amorphous transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and provides amorphousness as a new option to tailor the magnetization of the TMDs for future spintronic applications.
Serologic detection ofBrachyspira (Serpulina) hyodysenteriaeinfections
Authors: La T. , Hampson D.J.
Published: March 2018

Swine dysentery (SD) caused by the intestinal spirocheteBrachyspira hyodysenteriaeis an economically important disease in pig-producing countries throughout the world. To date, no specific serologic assay is commercially available for the diagnosis of pigs with SD. Several serologic techniques have been identified in the past; however, these tests have all used either whole-cell proteins or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as the antigen. Whole-cell antigens are plagued with false-positive reactions due to cross-reactivity with common proteins shared with other spirochetes. LPS antigens produce fewer false-positives; however, false-negatives may result due to LPS components being serogroup-specific. Generally, these techniques are useful for detecting infected herds, but are unreliable for the detection of individual infected pigs. In order to develop improved serologic tests it will be necessary to identify suitable diagnostic antigens, in particular immunogenic cell-surface structures which are specific toB. hyodysenteriaebut common amongst different strains of the species. Recently, we identified and cloned a 30-kDa outer membrane lipoprotein (BmpB) which is specific toB. hyodysenteriaeand is recognized by experimentally and naturally infected pigs. In this review we summarize the available serologic tests for SD, and speculate on the use of recombinant BmpB as an antigen for future development of an improved serologic test for SD diagnosis.
Brachyspiraspp. (Serpulinaspp.) in birds: a review and results from a study of Swedish game birds
Authors: Jansson Désirée S. , Bröjer Caroline , Gavier-Widén Dolores , Gunnarsson Anders , Fellström Claes
Published: March 2018

Only limited data concerning the prevalence of intestinal spirochetes are available in game birds. This paper describes the prevalence and biochemical reactions of spirochetes isolated from 25 common partridges, 7 pheasants and 16 mallards originating from nine Swedish game-bird farms. The birds, which had been submitted for post-mortem examination due to various problems, showed a variety of underlying diseases. Additionally, fecal droppings from 22 common partridges, 20 pheasants and 20 mallards obtained at one of the farms were included in the study. Intestinal spirochetes were isolated from 85.4% of the game birds and from 71% of the fecal droppings. Seven biochemical types were identified. Seventeen per cent of all isolates were classified as Brachyspira pilosicoli and 3% as B. intermedia. One isolate showed strong -hemolysis and a positive indole reaction that is consistent with B. hyodysenteriae. In addition, three previously unknown biochemical types were found. Unclassified spirochetes in presumed mixed cultures were observed in 21% of all samples of fecal droppings. Histologic examination of spirochete-positive birds revealed numerous spirochetes in the lumen and crypts of the cecum, in some cases densely adhered by one end to the luminal surface. The significance of the findings is discussed.
Identification of virulence attributes of gastrointestinalEscherichia coliisolates of veterinary significance
Authors: DebRoy Chitrita , Maddox Carol W.
Published: March 2018

The pathogenic strains ofEscherichia colirecovered from the intestinal tract of animals fall into categories called enterotoxigenic, enteropathogenic, enterohemorrhagic and necrotoxigenic. The other two categories, enteroinvasive and enteroaggregative, have not been reported in animals. The pathogenicity of these strains is determined by the presence of certain genes that encode adhesins and toxins, are generally organized in large blocks in chromosomes, large plasmids or phages, and are often transmitted horizontally between strains. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of the virulence attributes that determine the pathogenic potential ofE. colistrains and the methods available to assess the virulence of the strains. We also discuss the clinical symptoms, the gross and histological lesions, and the molecular diagnostic methods our laboratories have implemented for detecting pathogenic strains ofE. colithat are isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of animals.
Regulation of the circadian rhythmic expression of Sglt1 in the mouse small intestine through histone acetylation and the mRNA elongation factor, BRD4-P-TEFb
Authors: Yamauchi Hiroyuki , Honma Kazue , Mochizuki Kazuki , Goda Toshinao
Published: March 2018

Jejunal sodium/glucose co-transporter (Sglt1) displays circadian expression. The jejunum was collected every 4 h from mice, and we examined histone acetylation and binding of bromodomain-containing protein-4 (BRD4) around of the gene. Histone acetylation increased in the transcribed region of Sglt1 prior to induction of the gene. Furthermore, the binding of mRNA elongation factor around the gene showed circadian rhythm.
Non‐physical approaches to counteract age‐related functional deterioration: Applications for rehabilitation and neural mechanisms
Authors: Marusic Uros , Grosprêtre Sidney
Published: March 2018

Normal and pathological ageing are associated with several motor impairments that reduce quality of life and represent a general challenge for public healthcare systems. Consequently, over the past decades, many scientists and physiotherapists dedicated their research to the development and improvement of safe and costless methods to counteract the progressive decline of motor functions with age. The urgency of finding new and easy to implement methods is even more paramount in case of acute pathologies (e.g. stroke or hip surgery). The frailty of older population makes it difficult or even impossible to use traditional physical therapy at an early stage after the occurrence of a pathology. To that purpose, non‐physical approaches such as cognitive training (e.g. memory, attention training) and mental techniques (e.g. motor imagery) have grown in popularity for the elderly. Such methods, involving individual and/or group exercises, have shown particular effects on increasing or maintaining cognitive functions, as well as physical performances. Improving the motor function (especially in older age) requires an improvement of motor execution, i.e. the pathway from the brain motor areas to the muscle but also higher cognitive control. The present work reviews different non‐physical interventions that can be used as a complementary approach by asymptomatic or frail older adults, and the effects thereof on functional performance. The use of cognitive training or motor imagery protocols is recommended when physical practice is limited or not possible. Finally, insights into the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms are proposed.
A Matter of Choice: Printed Design Proposals and the Nature of Selection, 1470–1610
Authors: Brisman Shira
Published: March 2018

In the third decade of the sixteenth century, engravers began to frame booklets that offered examples of decorative images and objects with written explanations of their motivations for issuing the proposed designs. Prior to this use of text, earlier engravings by Martin Schongauer and Israhel van Meckenem employed vegetal motifs with severed stems to convey that their compositions were available for selection, drawing an analogy between the utilization of prints by fellow craftsmen and the process of plucking from nature. This vocabulary of extraction returns in the rhymed couplets and playful images of Christoph Jamnitzer’s “Neuw Grotteßken Buch” of 1610.
Framing the Early Modern French Best Seller: American Settings for François de Belleforest’s Tragic Histories
Authors: Campangne Hervé–Thomas
Published: March 2018

This article shows how François de Belleforest (1530–83) adapted a variety of historical and geographical sources to meet the demands of thehistoire tragiquegenre in composing three narratives set in the Americas. One recounts the destiny of conquistador Francisco Pizarro; another is the story of Marguerite de Roberval, who was allegedly marooned on a Canadian island; the third concerns Taino cacique Enriquillo’s heroic rebellion in 1520s Hispaniola. These narratives fostered a tragic image of the Americas that had a considerable influence on early modern readers, inviting them to ponder essential questions about European encounters with the American continent and its inhabitants.
Design tools for MPRA experiments
Authors: Ghazi Andrew R , Chen Edward S , Henke David M , Madan Namrata , Edelstein Leonard C , Shaw Chad A
Published: March 2018

Motivation

Genetic reporter assays are a convenient, relatively inexpensive method for studying the regulation of gene expression. Massively Parallel Reporter Assays (MPRA) are high-throughput functionalization assays that interrogate the transcriptional activity of many genetic variants at once using a library of synthetic barcoded constructs. Despite growing interest in this area, there are few computational tools to design and execute MPRA studies.

Results

We designed an online web-tool and R package that allows for interactive MPRA experimental design encompassing both power analysis and design of constructs. Our tool is tuned using data from real MPRA studies. Users can adjust experimental parameters to examine the predicted effect on assay power as well as upload VCFs for automated construct sequence generation.

Availability and implementation

The MPRA Design Tools web application is available here: https://andrewghazi.shinyapps.io/designmpra/, https://github.com/andrewGhazi/designMPRA and https://github.com/andrewGhazi/mpradesigntools.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Allergin-1 on mast cells suppresses house dust mite-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in mice
Authors: Hitomi Kaori , Tahara-Hanaoka Satoko , Miki Haruka , Iwata Kanako , Shibayama Shiro , Kubo Masato , Shibuya Akira
Published: March 2018

Although airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) is a prominent feature of asthma, how it is regulated remains incompletely understood. Allergin-1, an inhibitory immunoglobulin-like receptor containing an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM), is expressed on human and mouse mast cells (MCs) and inhibits high-affinity receptor for IgE (FcεRI)-mediated signaling. Using MC-deficient KitW-sh/W-sh mice and Mas-TRECK mice, which carries a diphtheria toxin (DT)-induced MC deletion system based on il4 enhancer elements, we demonstrate here that MCs are involved in the induction of house dust mite (HDM)-induced AHR. Further, we show that MCs deficient in Allergin-1 exacerbated HDM-induced AHR, but had no effect on airway inflammation. In vitro analysis demonstrated that Allergin-1 inhibited anti-HDM allergen antibody-dependent HDM allergen-mediated degranulation by MCs. Thus, Allergin-1 on MCs plays an important role in the regulation of HDM-induced AHR.
Improving Quality of Care for SUDS: Where Do We Go From Here?
Authors: Acevedo Andrea
Published: March 2018

Initiation and engagement (IET), a process quality indicator for the treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs), has been associated with better treatment outcomes and has been part of the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set for over a decade. However, nationally, IET rates tend to be low and not improving. Integration may be a promising way to improve IET and quality of care, as suggested by the findings. To guarantee that integration is a truly effective mechanism for improving patient engagement and quality would likely require providing clinicians and other primary care providers with additional support and training on SUDs and treatment, and ensure that everyone, regardless of demographic characteristics, can equally benefit from these system level changes.
Stiffness Matters
Authors: Peterson Joshua M. , Chlebek Carolyn , Clough Ashley M. , Wells Alexandra K. , Batzinger Kathleen E. , Houston John M. , Kradinova Katerina , Glennon Joseph C. , DiRisio Darryl J. , Ledet Eric H.
Published: March 2018

Study Design.

Real time in vivo measurement of forces in the cervical spine of goats following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

Objective.

To measure interbody forces in the cervical spine during the time course of fusion following ACDF with plates of different stiffnesses.

Summary of Background Data.

Following ACDF, the biomechanics of the arthrodesis is largely dictated by the plate. The properties of the plate prescribe the extent of load-sharing through the disc space versus the extent of stress-shielding. Load-sharing promotes interbody bone formation and stress-shielding can inhibit maturation of bone. However, these principles have never been validated in vivo. Measuring in vivo biomechanics of the cervical spine is critical to understanding the complex relationships between implant design, interbody loading, load-sharing, and the progression of fusion.

Methods.

Anterior cervical plates of distinct bending stiffnesses were placed surgically following ACDF in goats. A validated custom force-sensing interbody implant was placed in the disc space to measure load-sharing in the spine. Interbody loads were measured in vivo in real time during the course of fusion for each plate.

Results.

Interbody forces during flexion/extension were highly dynamic. In animals that received high stiffness plates, maximum forces were in extension whereas in animals that received lower stiffness plates, maximum forces were in flexion. As fusion progressed, interbody load magnitude decreased.

Conclusion.

The magnitude of interbody forces in the cervical spine is dynamic and correlates to activity and posture of the head and neck. The magnitude and consistency of forces in the interbody space correlates to plate stiffness with more compliant plates resulting in more consistent load-sharing. The magnitude of interbody forces decreases as fusion matures suggesting that smart interbody implants may be used as a diagnostic tool to indicate the progression of interbody fusion.

Level of Evidence: N/A
Three-dimensional Printing Technology and Role for Custom Implants in Orthopedic Oncology
Authors: Gao Terry , Rivlin Michael , Abraham John A.
Published: March 2018

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an evolving technology that involves the sequential application of material to a flat surface to gradually build structures from the base up. This technique of “additive manufacturing” has a broad range of applications in the medical field and has significant potential to improve current clinical practice. Orthopedic surgery is at the forefront of these advancements and has incorporated the use of this technology in various ways. 3D-printed surgical applications include surgical planning, custom manufacturing of cutting guides and jigs, patient-matched implants, and 3D-printed biotechnology. This article introduces the current uses of 3D printing technology in orthopedic oncology, as well as the future potential for biological applications.
Interplay between regulation by methylation and noncoding RNAs in cancers
Authors: Lu Chun-Xiao , Wu Xiao-Li , Zhang Guang-Yuan , Gu Xiao-Ting , Ma Xin , He Dong-Xu
Published: March 2018

Cancer is one of the most important health problems today; therefore, many researchers are focusing on exploring the mechanisms underlying its development and treatment. The field of cancer epigenetics has flourished in recent decades, and studies have shown that different epigenetic events, such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and noncoding RNA regulation, work together to influence cancer development and progression. In this short review, we summarize the interactions between methylation and noncoding RNAs that affect cancer development.
Long-term follow-up of bulking agents for stress urinary incontinence in older patients
Authors: Plotti Francesco , Montera Roberto , Terranova Corrado , Luvero Daniela , Marrocco Francesca , Miranda Andrea , Gatti Alessandra , De Cicco Nardone Carlo , Angioli Roberto , Scaletta Giuseppe
Published: March 2018

Objective:

Implantation of bulking agents represents a noninvasive procedure for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in all patients where a more invasive procedure may increase perioperative risks. The primary aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy over time of bulking agent implantation. As secondary aims, we evaluated long-term (patients’ subjective) satisfaction rate, rate of de novo urinary symptoms, and the impact of urinary incontinence on the quality of life.

Methods:

All patients who underwent implantation of bulking agents between 1999 and 2013 at Campus Bio-Medico of Rome were retrospectively considered eligible for this study. Patients were interviewed using two standardized questionnaires: International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form and Patient Global Impression of Improvement. Cure rate, improvement rate, failure rate, and the onset of new symptoms were also investigated through specific questions. The original group of patients was then divided into two subgroups according to follow-up time (group A: shorter than median follow-up; group B: longer than median follow-up).

Results:

Sixty-three patients were enrolled. Mean follow-up was 8.3 ± 3.5 years with a range of 3.5 to 18 years. Fifteen (24%) cured patients (cure rate), 12 (19%) improved patients (improvement rate), 36 (57%) failed treatment (failure rate). We reported an overall success rate of 43%. No differences were reported among groups in terms of overall success rate (42% vs 44% for group A and group B, respectively).

Conclusions:

Bulking agent implantation is an effective treatment for people with intrinsic sphincter deficiency (type III SUI) and it is a valid alternative to more invasive surgeries in older patients. Moreover, it shows an overall success rate (43%) that remains high even after many years.
Genetic Requirement of talin1 for Proliferation of Cranial Neural Crest Cells during Palate Development
Authors: Ishii Kana , Mukherjee Kusumika , Okada Takashi , Liao Eric C.
Published: March 2018

Background:

Craniofacial malformations are among the most common congenital anomalies. Cranial neural crest cells (CNCCs) form craniofacial structures involving multiple cellular processes, perturbations of which contribute to craniofacial malformations. Adhesion of cells to the extracellular matrix mediates bidirectional interactions of the cells with their extracellular environment that plays an important role in craniofacial morphogenesis. Talin (tln) is crucial in cell-matrix adhesion between cells, but its role in craniofacial morphogenesis is poorly understood.

Methods:

Talin gene expression was determined by whole mount in situ hybridization. Craniofacial cartilage and muscles were analyzed by Alcian blue in Tg(mylz2:mCherry) and by transmission electron microscopy. Pulse-chase photoconversion, 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine proliferation, migration, and apoptosis assays were performed for functional analysis.

Results:

Expression of tln1 was observed in the craniofacial cartilage structures, including the palate. The Meckel’s cartilage was hypoplastic, the palate was shortened, and the craniofacial muscles were malformed in tln1 mutants. Pulse-chase and EdU assays during palate morphogenesis revealed defects in CNCC proliferation in mutants. No defects were observed in CNCC migration and apoptosis.

Conclusions:

The work shows that tln1 is critical for craniofacial morphogenesis in zebrafish. Loss of tln1 leads to a shortened palate and Meckel’s cartilage along with disorganized skeletal muscles. Investigations into the cellular processes show that tln1 is required for CNCC proliferation during palate morphogenesis. The work will lead to a better understanding of the involvement of cytoskeletal proteins in craniofacial morphogenesis.
Bilateral Sciatic Neuropathy following Gluteal Augmentation With Autologous Fat Grafting
Authors: Vasilakis Vasileios , Hamade Malack , Stavrides Steven A. , Davenport Thomas A.
Published: March 2018

As gluteal augmentation continues to gain in popularity among patients seeking aesthetic enhancements, a thorough knowledge of the postoperative complications associated with this procedure is crucial. This case report concerns a 31-year-old woman who suffered bilateral foot drop secondary to sciatic neuropathy and as a result was wheelchair-bound for several months, following gluteal autologous fat grafting in the Dominical Republic. One year later, the patient had persistent left foot drop and sensory deficits. This is a devastating but seldom reported complication that all plastic surgeons need to be aware of when performing this operation.
Surface Areas of Textured Breast Implants: Implications for the Biofilm Theory of Capsule Formation
Authors: Brown Tim
Published: March 2018

Background:

Increased surface area of mammary implants is suggested as a causative agent for the development of biofilms, which may lead to capsular contraction. The aim of this study was to quantify the surface areas of round implants of different textures and examine how these data can be interpreted with regard to clinical observation.

Methods:

Surface areas of textured round breast implants were calculated from previously reported confocal scanning microscopic assessment, and dimensions sourced from 3 breast implant manufacturers (McGhan, Mentor, and Silimed). Statistical comparisons were made between manufacturers for different implant volumes, profiles, and texturing.

Results:

There was a difference in surface area between manufacturers for all implant profiles and between manufacturers for equivalent volume implants (F (3, 253) = 2,828.87; P < 0.001). Silimed polyurethane implants (mean area = 6.12 × 106 mm2) was the highest. Natrelle (mean area = 1.2 × 106 mm2) was the next highest, followed by Siltex (mean area = 4.8 × 105 mm2). Mentor smooth implants (mean area = 4 × 104 mm2) had the lowest mean surface area. There were no differences in surface area between the different profiles for Siltex, Silimed polyurethane, and Mentor smooth implants of the same volume.

Conclusions:

The increased surface area produced by texturing, although different between manufacturers, seems to provide protection against capsular contraction. Correlation with clinical data indicates that the surface area alone cannot account for these differences. Smooth implants, which have the smallest surface area have the highest incidence of capsular contraction. These data are at odds with the biofilm theory of capsular contraction.