bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forced magnetic reconnection and plasmoid coalescence
Authors: Potter M. A. , Browning P. K. , Gordovskyy M.
Published: December 2018

Context. Forced magnetic reconnection, a reconnection event triggered by external perturbation, should be ubiquitous in the solar corona. Energy released during such cases can be much greater than that which was introduced by the perturbation. The exact dynamics of magnetic reconnection events are determined by the structure and complexity of the reconnection region: the thickness of reconnecting layers, the field curvature; the presence, shapes and sizes of magnetic islands. It is unclear how the properties of the external perturbation and the initial current sheet affect the reconnection region properties, and thereby the reconnection dynamics and energy release profile.

Aims. We investigate the effect of the form of the external perturbation and initial current sheet on the evolution of the reconnection region and the energy release process. Chiefly we explore the non-linear interactions between multiple, simultaneous perturbations, which represent more realistic scenarios. Future work will use these results in test particle simulations to investigate particle acceleration over multiple reconnection events.

Methods. Simulations are performed using Lare2d, a 2.5D Lagrangian-remap solver for the visco-resistive MHD equations. The model of forced reconnection is extended to include superpositions of sinusoidal driving disturbances, including localised Gaussian perturbations. A transient perturbation is applied to the boundaries of a region containing a force-free current sheet. The simulation domain is sufficiently wide to allow multiple magnetic islands to form and coalesce.

Results. Island coalescence contributes significantly to energy release and involves rapid reconnection. Long wavelength modes in perturbations dominate the evolution, without the presence of which reconnection is either slow, as in the case of short wavelength modes, or the initial current sheet remains stable, as in the case of noise perturbations. Multiple perturbations combine in a highly non-linear manner: reconnection is typically faster than when either disturbance is applied individually, with multiple low-energy events contributing to the same total energy release.
Smoking is Associated with Increased Risk of Major Bleeding: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Langsted Anne , Nordestgaard Børge
Published: December 2018

Background Tobacco smoking represents the most preventable cause of several fatal and disabling diseases worldwide. Several ingredients in tobacco have been suspected to cause changes in the arterial wall leading to instability of blood vessels. The association of smoking with major bleeding is largely unexplored. We tested the hypothesis that smoking and high tobacco consumption are associated with increased risk of bleeding.

Materials and Methods This is a prospective cohort study with a mean follow-up of 5.9 years including 99,359 individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study, with a questionnaire including self-reported smoking status and information on smoking intensity in cigarettes per day and pack-years. In this study, 17,555 were current smokers, 40,182 former smokers and 41,622 were never smokers.

Results Multivariable adjusted hazard ratios for current smokers versus never smokers were 1.49 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38–1.61) for any major bleeding, 1.71 (1.37–2.13) for intracranial bleeding, 1.35 (1.14–1.60) for airway bleeding, 2.20 (1.84–2.62) for gastrointestinal bleeding and 1.39 (1.26–1.55) for urinary bleeding. Increased smoking intensity was also associated with increased risk of any major bleeding, where > 40 pack-years in current and former smokers compared with never smokers had a multivariable adjusted hazard ratio of 1.59 (95% CI: 1.45–1.73) (p for trend across four groups: < 0.001). Also, current smokers smoking > 20 cigarettes per day compared with former and never smokers had a corresponding hazard ratio of 1.67 (1.51–1.85) (p for trend across four groups: < 0.001).

Conclusion Current smokers have an increased risk of any major bleeding as well as of intracranial, airway, gastrointestinal and urinary bleeding. Also, increased smoking intensity was associated with increased risk of major bleeding.
Human Platelet Protein Ubiquitylation and Changes following GPVI Activation
Authors: Unsworth Amanda , Bombik Izabela , Pinto-Fernandez Adan , McGouran Joanna , Konietzny Rebecca , Zahedi René , Watson Steve , Kessler Benedikt , Pears Catherine
Published: December 2018

Platelet activators stimulate post-translational modification of signalling proteins to change their activity or their molecular interactions leading to signal propagation. One covalent modification is attachment of the small protein ubiquitin to lysine residues in target proteins. Modification by ubiquitin can either target proteins for degradation by the proteasome or act as a scaffold for other proteins. Pharmacological inhibition of deubiquitylases or the proteasome inhibition of platelet activation by collagen, demonstrating a role for ubiquitylation, but relatively few substrates for ubiquitin have been identified and the molecular basis of inhibition is not established. Here, we report the ubiquitome of human platelets and changes in ubiquitylated proteins following stimulation by collagen-related peptide (CRP-XL). Using platelets from six individuals over three independent experiments, we identified 1,634 ubiquitylated peptides derived from 691 proteins, revealing extensive ubiquitylation in resting platelets. Note that 925 of these peptides show an increase of more than twofold following stimulation with CRP-XL. Multiple sites of ubiquitylation were identified on several proteins including Syk, filamin and integrin heterodimer sub-units. This work reveals extensive protein ubiquitylation during activation of human platelets and opens the possibility of novel therapeutic interventions targeting the ubiquitin machinery.
tPA Point Mutation at Autolysis Loop Enhances Resistance to PAI-1 Inhibition and Catalytic Activity
Authors: Peng Shuangzhou , Xue Guangpu , Chen Shanli , Chen Zhuo , Yuan Cai , Li Jinyu , Huang Mingdong
Published: December 2018

Recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (r-tPA) was approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a thrombolytic drug. However, a high dose of r-tPA (up to 100 mg/person) is typically used in clinical applications. Such high dosage leads to severe side effects including haemorrhage and neurotoxicity, which can be fatal. To improve the proteolytic properties of tPA to enhance thrombolytic therapy, we designed a series of mutants in tPA serine protease domain (tPA-SPD) based on the crystal structure of tPA-SPD:plasminogen activators inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) complex that we determined recently. We found that the A146Y substitution in tPA-SPD(A146Y) enhanced resistance to PAI-1 inactivation by 30-fold compared with original tPA-SPD. Interestingly, the tPA-SPD(A146Y) variant showed fivefold higher activation for plasminogen compared with tPA-SPD. The variant also demonstrated thrombolytic activity stronger than tPA-SPD in a clot lysis assay. In vivo, we showed tPA-SPD(A146Y) possessed higher thrombolytic efficacy in a pulmonary embolism model compared with original tPA-SPD. Furthermore, a mouse tail bleeding assay showed that tPA-SPD(A146Y) did not increase bleeding risk compared with clinical drug r-tPA. Together, our findings reveal novel functions of A146Y variant, which not only increases the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme, but also enhances resistance to PAI-1 inhibition, and demonstrating that tPA-SPD (A146Y) variant is a much improved agent for thrombolytic therapy.
Effect of Multiple Doses of Oral Tranexamic Acid on Haemostasis and Inflammatory Reaction in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Wang Duan , Yang Yang , He Chuan , Luo Ze-Yu , Pei Fu-Xing , Li Qi , Zhou Zong-Ke , Zeng Wei-Nan
Published: December 2018

Tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces surgical blood loss and alleviates inflammatory response in total hip arthroplasty. However, studies have not identified an optimal regimen. The objective of this study was to identify the most effective regimen of multiple-dose oral TXA in achieving maximum reduction of blood loss and inflammatory response based on pharmacokinetic recommendations. We prospectively studied four multiple-dose regimens (60 patients each) with control group (group A: matching placebo). The four multiple-dose regimens included: 2-g oral TXA 2 hours pre-operatively followed by 1-g oral TXA 3 hours post-operatively (group B), 2-g oral TXA followed by 1-g oral TXA 3 and 7 hours post-operatively (group C), 2-g oral TXA followed by 1-g oral TXA 3, 7 and 11 hours post-operatively (group D) and 2-g oral TXA followed by 1-g oral TXA 3, 7, 11 and 15 hours post-operatively (group E). The primary endpoint was estimated blood loss on post-operative day (POD) 3. Secondary endpoints were thromboelastographic parameters, inflammatory components, function recovery and adverse events. Groups D and E had significantly less blood loss on POD 3, with no significant difference between the two groups. Group E had the most prolonged haemostatic effect, and all thromboelastographic parameters remained within normal ranges. Group E had the lowest levels of inflammatory cytokines and the greatest range of motion. No thromboembolic complications were observed. The post-operative four-dose regimen brings about maximum efficacy in reducing blood loss, alleviating inflammatory response and improving analgaesia and immediate recovery.
Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis and Antibiotic Use in Northeast Thailand
Authors: Kiatchoosakun Pakaphan , Jirapradittha Junya , Sirikarn Prapassara , Laopaiboon Malinee , Pattanittum Porjai , Chandrakachorn Woranart , Srirojana Sakulrat , Jeffery Heather , Green Sally , Lumbiganon Pagakrong ,   on behalf of the SEA-URCHIN Study Group
Published: December 2018

Objective Antibiotics are commonly prescribed in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) for suspected sepsis because of the nonspecific clinical symptoms of sepsis. The overuse of antibiotic is associated with adverse outcomes. This study aimed to determine the rate of early-onset sepsis (EOS) and antibiotic use in neonates admitted to three NICUs in Northeast Thailand

Study Design This is a descriptive study using the data collected in the South East Asia—Using Research for Change in Hospital-acquired Infection in Neonates project. Neonates admitted within 3 days of life were included. EOS was defined as neonates who presented with three or more clinical signs or laboratory results suggested sepsis and received antibiotics for at least 5 days. Those with positive blood culture were culture-proven EOS. Antibiotic use within 3 days of life and up to 28 days was described.

Results Among 1,897 neonates, 160 cases were classified as EOS (8.4%) with culture-proven EOS in 4 cases (0.2%). The median durations of antibiotic use in culture-proven and culture-negative EOSs were 15 and 8 days, respectively.

Conclusion The rate of culture-proven EOS was low, but there was a high rate of antibiotic use. Antibiotic stewardship should be emphasized.
Renal Parenchymal Disease Mimicking Preeclampsia
Authors: Paul Sashikala , Garre Indrani , Achukatla Kumar
Published: December 2018

A 28-year-old primigravida woman, who was diagnosed with preeclampsia and managed with calcium channel blockers during the pregnancy for control of hypertension, was referred to the cardiologist 2 weeks after the pregnancy for management of accelerated hypertension. Preeclampsia diagnosis is substantiated by detecting hypertension in the 20th week of pregnancy, pedal edema, proteinuria, and liver enzyme abnormalities. A subsequent evaluation found that the patient had shrunken kidney, perhaps due to chronic pyelonephritis. Physicians always have to keep in mind to detect the secondary cause of hypertension in a pregnant woman.
External electron injection, trapping, and emittance evolution in the blow-out regime
Authors: Pronold Jari , Thomas Johannes , Pukhov Alexander
Published: December 2018

In this work, we study electron side-injection and trapping in the blow-out regime in deep plasma channels. We analyze the maximum angle of injection, for which at least 90% of the injected electrons are trapped. We discuss the dependence of this angle on the electrons' initial energy and their injection positions. In the scope of a semi-analytical blow-out model, we show that the injection position is a less critical factor for trapping if electrons are injected into deep plasma channels. Photonic integrated circuit simulations and analytical approximations support our results from the semi-analytical model. Furthermore, a discussion of the temporal evolution of the normalized radial emittance during the trapping process and further acceleration is presented.
Effects of solvent quality and non-equilibrium conformations on polymer translocation
Authors: Kwon Seulki , Sung Bong June
Published: December 2018

The conformation and its relaxation of a single polymer depend on solvent quality in a polymer solution: a polymer collapses into a globule in a poor solvent, while the polymer swells in a good solvent. When one translocates a polymer through a narrow pore, a drastic conformational change occurs such that the kinetics of the translocation is expected to depend on the solvent quality. However, the effects of solvent quality on the translocation kinetics have been controversial. In this study, we employ a coarse-grained model for a polymer and perform Langevin dynamics simulations for the driven translocation of a polymer in various types of solvents. We estimate the free energy of polymer translocation using steered molecular dynamics simulations and Jarzynski’s equality and find that the free energy barrier for the translocation increases as the solvent quality becomes poorer. The conformational entropy contributes most to the free energy barrier of the translocation in a good solvent, while a balance between entropy and energy matters in a poor solvent. Interestingly, contrary to what is expected from the free energy profile, the translocation kinetics is a non-monotonic function of the solvent quality. We find that for any type of solvent, the polymer conformation stays far away from the equilibrium conformation during translocation due to an external force and tension propagation. However, the degree of tension propagation differs depending on the solvent quality as well as the magnitude of the external force: the tension propagation is more significant in a good solvent than in a poor solvent. We illustrate that such differences in tension propagation and non-equilibrium conformations between good and poor solvents are responsible for the complicated non-monotonic effects of solvent quality on the translocation kinetics.
Accelerated freezing due to droplet pinning on a nanopillared surface
Authors: Bohm Rachel , Haque Mohammad Rejaul , Qu Chuang , Kinzel Edward C. , Betz Amy Rachel
Published: December 2018

The freezing process is significantly influenced by environmental factors and surface morphologies. At atmospheric pressure, a surface below the dew and freezing point temperature for a given relative humidity nucleates water droplets heterogeneously on the surface and then freezes. This paper examines the effect of nanostructured surfaces on the nucleation, growth, and subsequent freezing processes. Microsphere Photolithography (MPL) is used to pattern arrays of silica nanopillars. This technique uses a self-assembled lattice of microspheres to focus UV radiation to an array of photonic jets in photoresist. Silica is deposited using e-beam evaporation and lift-off. The samples were placed on a freezing stage at an atmospheric temperature of 22±0.5°C and relative humidities of 40% or 60%. The nanopillar surfaces had a significant effect on droplet dynamics and freezing behavior with freezing accelerated by an order of magnitude compared to a plain hydrophilic surface at 60% RH where the ice bridges need to cover a larger void for the propagation of the freezing front within the growing droplets. By pinning droplets, coalescence is suppressed for the nanopillared surface, altering the size distribution of droplets and accelerating the freezing process. The main mechanism affecting freezing characteristics was the pinning behavior of the nanopillared surface.
Understanding doped perovskite ferroelectrics with defective dipole model
Authors: Liu J. , Jin L. , Jiang Z. , Liu L. , Himanen L. , Wei J. , Zhang N. , Wang D. , Jia C.-L.
Published: December 2018

While doping is widely used for tuning physical properties of perovskites in experiments, it remains a challenge to exactly know how doping achieves the desired effects. Here, we propose an empirical and computationally tractable model to understand the effects of doping with Fe-doped BaTiO3 as an example. This model assumes that the lattice sites occupied by a Fe ion and its nearest six neighbors lose their ability to polarize, giving rise to a small cluster of defective dipoles. Employing this model in Monte Carlo simulations, many important features such as reduced polarization and the convergence of phase transition temperatures, which have been observed experimentally in acceptor doped systems, are successfully obtained. Based on microscopic information of dipole configurations, we provide insights into the driving forces behind doping effects and propose that active dipoles, which exist in proximity to the defective dipoles, can account for experimentally observed phenomena. Close attention to these dipoles is necessary to understand and predict doping effects.
Electrical detection of multiple ferromagnetic resonance modes in interlayer exchange coupled Fe20Ni80/Ru/Fe20Ni80 multilayers
Authors: Chaudhuri Ushnish , Xiong Lulu , Mahendiran Ramanathan , Adeyeye Adekunle O.
Published: December 2018

We report the electrical detection of multiple ferromagnetic (FM) resonance modes in multilayers of Pt/Fe20Ni80/Ru/Fe20Ni80 using microwave spin pumping and the inverse spin Hall effect (ISHE) as a function of Ru layer thickness tRu. The electrically detected voltage signals were analyzed for the anti-parallel magnetization state as well as the “spin-flop” magnetization state of the two Fe20Ni80 layers. When the two FM layers are antiferromagnetically (AFM) coupled (tRu = 1 nm), both the optic and acoustic modes were observed. The amplitude of the acoustic mode voltage signals obtained increases with frequency. However, when the two magnetic layers are ferromagnetically coupled (tRu = 1.4 nm), only acoustic mode was observed whose voltage signals decreases as frequency increases. We demonstrate the tunability of the sign of the ISHE voltage in the AFM coupled system by controlling the polarization of the spin currents.
HOD on Ni(111): Ab Initio molecular dynamics prediction of molecular beam experiments
Authors: Migliorini Davide , Nattino Francesco , Tiwari Ashwani K. , Kroes Geert-Jan
Published: December 2018

The dissociation of water on a transition-metal catalyst is a fundamental step in relevant industrial processes such as the water-gas shift reaction and steam reforming. Although many theoretical studies have been performed, quantitative agreement between theoretical simulations and molecular beam experiments has not yet been achieved. In this work, we present a predictive ab initio molecular dynamics study on the dissociation of mono-deuterated water (HOD) on Ni(111). The analysis of the trajectories gives useful insight into the full-dimensional dynamics of the process and suggests that rotational steering plays a key role in the dissociation. The computed reaction probability suggests that, in combination with accurate molecular beam experiments, the specific reaction parameter density functional developed for CHD3 (SRP32-vdW) represents a good starting point for developing a semi-empirical functional able to achieve chemical accuracy for HOD on Ni(111).
Thin-film solar cells exceeding 22% solar cell efficiency: An overview on CdTe-, Cu(In,Ga)Se2-, and perovskite-based materials
Authors: Powalla Michael , Paetel Stefan , Ahlswede Erik , Wuerz Roland , Wessendorf Cordula D. , Magorian Friedlmeier Theresa
Published: December 2018

Already, several technologies of polycrystalline thin-film photovoltaic materials have achieved certified record small-cell power conversion efficiencies exceeding 22%. They are CdTe, Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 (CIGS), and metal halide perovskite (PSC), each named after the light-absorbing semiconductor material. Thin-film solar cells and modules require very little active material due to their very high absorption coefficient. Efficient production methods with low materials waste, moderate temperatures, attractive cost structures, and favorable energy payback times will play a strong role in market development as thin-film technologies reach full maturity, including mass production and the standardization of production machineries. In fact, the first two technologies have already been developed up to the industrial scale with a market share of several GW. In this review article, we outline similarities and differences between these high-efficiency thin-film technologies from both the materials and the industrial point of view. We address the materials characteristics and device concepts for each technology, including a description of recent developments that have led to very high efficiency achievements. We provide an overview of the CIGS industry players and their current status. The newcomer PSC has demonstrated its potential in the laboratory, and initial efforts in industrial production are underway. A large number of laboratories are experimenting through a wide range of options in order to optimize not only the efficiency but also stability, environmental aspects, and manufacturability of PSC. Its high efficiency and its high bandgap make PSC particularly attractive for tandem applications. An overview of all these topics is included here along with a list of materials configurations.
Mechanically driven spin-orbit-active weak links
Authors: Jonson M. , Shekhter R. I. , Entin-Wohlman O. , Aharony A. , Park H. C. , Radić D.
Published: December 2018

We show that new functionality of spin-orbit-active electronic weak links can be achieved by their time-dependent mechanical deformation. As an illustration we use a simple model to calculate the electronic spin current generated by rotating a bent spin-orbit-active nanowire coupled to bulk metallic leads.
Quantum discretization of Landau damping
Authors: Castillo-López S. G. , Pérez-Rodríguez F. , Makarov N. M.
Published: December 2018

We derive and analyze analytical expressions for the quantum electron current density and electromagnetic field distribution inside a metallic nanoslab. Besides, we obtain general explicit expressions for the surface impedances of both metal slab boundaries. We found that the phenomenon of Landau damping manifests itself in the frequency dependence of the surface impedances as resonances associated with the discretization of the electromagnetic and electron wave numbers inside the metal nanoslab. In particular, the quantum nonlocal resonances of the surface impedances are clearly discernible at slab thicknesses smaller than the electromagnetic skin depth. The predictions for the surface impedances in the quantum regime turn out to be radically different from those of the quantum local approach, the semiclassical Boltzmann kinetic equation formalism and the classical Drude–Lorentz local model. The analytical study completely agrees with the respective numerical calculations.
Dynamical effective parameters of elastic superlattice with strong acoustic contrast between the constituents
Authors: Zubov Yurii , Djafari-Rouhani Bahram , Krokhin Arkadii
Published: December 2018

Analytical formulas are obtained for frequency-dependent effective elastic modulus and effective mass density for a periodic layered structure. The proposed homogenization procedure is valid at sufficiently high frequencies well above the lowest band gap in the acoustic spectrum of the structure. It is shown that frequency-dependent effective parameters may take negative values either in different regions of frequencies or in the same quite narrow region. This property demonstrates that the 1D elastic structure may behave in the limit of small Bloch wave vectors as a double-negative acoustic metamaterial.
Low-temperature properties of finite XX-chains with additional Ising spin
Authors: Artemov A. V. , Ezerskaya E. V.
Published: December 2018

This is a theoretical study of quantum stationary states and thermodynamics of two exactly solvable quantum models: a finite XX-chain with an “offshoot” that is connected via ZZ-interaction (Ising) to one of the chain nodes, and two different finite XX-chains joined through an additional ZZ-spin. It is shown that the spectrum can have impurity levels localized near the impurity spin, and the conditions for their manifestation are determined. The field and temperature dependences of the main thermodynamic characteristics of the models are investigated.
Landau–Zener transitions and Rabi oscillations in a Cooper-pair box: beyond two-level models
Authors: Parafilo A. V. , Kiselev M. N.
Published: December 2018

We investigate quantum interference effects in a superconducting Cooper-pair box by taking into account the possibility of tunneling processes involving one and two Cooper pairs. The quantum dynamics is analyzed in a framework of three-level model. We compute Landau–Zener probabilities for a linear sweep of the gate charge and investigate Rabi oscillations in a periodically driven three-level system under in- and off-resonance conditions. It was shown that the Landau–Zener probabilities reveal two different patterns: “step”- and “beats”-like behaviors associated with the quantum interference effects. Control on these two regimes is provided by the change of the ratio between two characteristic time scales of the problem. We demonstrate through the analysis of a periodically driven three-level system, that if a direct transition between certain pairs of levels is allowed and fine-tuned to a resonance, the problem is mapped to the two-level Rabi model. If the transition between a pair of levels is forbidden, the off-resonance Rabi oscillations involving second order in tunneling processes are predicted. This effect can be observed by measuring a population difference slowly varying in time between the states of the Cooper-pair box characterized by the same parity.
On the steady Prandtl type equations with magnetic effects arising from 2D incompressible MHD equations in a half plane
Authors: Wang Jing , Ma Shixiang
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we study a steady Prandtl type boundary layer system of equations, which is derived from the two-dimensional incompressible magnetohydrodynamics equations without magnetic diffusion under the no-slip boundary condition. By the classical von Mises transformation, this Prandtl type system is reduced to a single second order quasilinear parabolic equation, in which the coefficient depends on the strength of magnetic field. For different ratios of the magnetic field and the velocity field, we prove the global existence of solutions to the boundary layer system and the non-existence of global smooth solutions, respectively.
1.0 GPa low carbon medium Mn heavy steel plate with excellent ductility
Authors: Chen Jun , Ren Jia-kuan , Liu Zhen-yu , Wang Guo-dong
Published: December 2018

A vanadium-bearing medium Mn heavy steel plate was designed, and the yield strength reaches around 1.0 GPa and the total elongation reaches around 18% after the annealing treatments. Meanwhile, the steel also possesses relatively good cryogenic impact toughness. Although the dislocation density of ∼2.65 × 1014 m−2 in the hot-rolled steel decreases to ∼1.13 × 1014 m−2 in both annealed steels and the volume fractions of retained austenite reach ∼7.9% and ∼13.5% for the steels annealed at 620°C for 1 and 2 h, there is no or small decrease in yield strength owing to numerous nanometer-sized carbides precipitated in martensite matrix.

This paper is part of a Thematic Issue on Medium Manganese Steels.
Neurobiological Information and Consideration in Dutch Pre-trial Forensic Reports of Juvenile Criminal Offenders
Authors: Kempes Maaike , Berends Iris , Duits Nils , Brink Wim van den
Published: December 2018

The increasing scientific evidence about the role of neurobiological factors in criminal behavior may affect daily practice of forensic assessment of young criminal offenders. We therefore investigated whether Dutch forensic experts increasingly include neurobiological factors in their pre-trial forensic reports and how this information was used in forensic considerations and recommendations. We used a sample of 232 pre-trial forensic reports (2005–2015) of adolescent and young adult (12–25) offenders with information on acquired brain injury, neurological disorder and/or a genetic abnormality. Attention to these neurobiological factors in relation to forensic questions in our sample was low and did not increase over the years. In addition, even when forensic experts mentioned a relation between neurobiological information and the index offense, this information was often not considered in questions regarding future risk and risk management. Forensic experts should pay more attention to neurobiological risk factors in both their assessment and further considerations and recommendations.
Scribble: A master scaffold in polarity, adhesion, synaptogenesis, and proliferation
Authors: Bonello Teresa T. , Peifer Mark
Published: December 2018

Key events ranging from cell polarity to proliferation regulation to neuronal signaling rely on the assembly of multiprotein adhesion or signaling complexes at particular subcellular sites. Multidomain scaffolding proteins nucleate assembly and direct localization of these complexes, and the protein Scribble and its relatives in the LAP protein family provide a paradigm for this. Scribble was originally identified because of its role in apical–basal polarity and epithelial integrity in Drosophila melanogaster. It is now clear that Scribble acts to assemble and position diverse multiprotein complexes in processes ranging from planar polarity to adhesion to oriented cell division to synaptogenesis. Here, we explore what we have learned about the mechanisms of action of Scribble in the context of its multiple known interacting partners and discuss how this knowledge opens new questions about the full range of Scribble protein partners and their structural and signaling roles.
Effect of thermal radiation and heat absorption of MHD Casson nanofluid over a stretching surface in a porous medium with convective heat and mass conditions
Authors: Eswaramoorthi S , Sivasankaran S , Alshomrani Ali Saleh
Published: December 2018

This article explores the impact of radiation and heat absorption on magneto-convective flow of Casson nanofluid over a stretching surface in a porous medium. The convective heat and mass boundary conditions are also taken into consideration in this study. The governing models are converted into a nonlinear ODE models and they are solved analytically using homotopy analysis method (HAM). The significance of physical parameters on velocity, temperature and nano particle volume fraction are discussed graphically.
Thermosolutal combined convection in a lid-driven enclosure with time periodic heating and linearly salting
Authors: Ananthan S. S. , Sivasankaran S. , Bhuvaneswari M. , Hakeem A. K. Abdul
Published: December 2018

Thermosoutal combined convective flow with mass and energy transport in a lid-driven enclosure box with discrete time periodic heating and linearly varying mass transfer is numerically investigated. The segment of the left wall is heating periodically in time and the right wall is preserved at a lower temperature. The top and bottom walls are thermally insulated. Two different concentrations are imposed along the left and right walls. The mathematical systems are solved by finite volume method. The results are obtained for various values of factors, like, Richardson number, period and amplitude. It is observed that the oscillating frequency of averaged Nusselt number diminishes with raise in the period in the forced and free convection modes. The averaged Sherwood number rises as amplitude raise in the free convection mode. It is also attained that both averaged Sherwood and Nusselt numbers are diminished on raising the Richardson number.
Impacts of chemical reaction on MHD double diffusive flow with suction/blowing and slip
Authors: Malarselvi A. , Bhuvaneswari M. , Sivasankaran S. , Ganga B. , Hakeem A.K. Abdul
Published: December 2018

Unsteady double diffusive chemically reactive MHD thin fluid layer flow near the surface of an electrically conducting fluid with incompressibility past a flat surfaced plate is investigated by similarity analysis. The mathematically formulated PDEs are converted into ODEs by utilizing the similarity transforms. Then the numerical solution is determined for ODEs by operating Runge-Kutta method together with shooting technique. The impacts of varieties of parameters are scrutinized on stream velocity, energy distribution and solute dispensation through portraits. The inspection for the magnitude of local skin drag, rate of energy and solute transfer is executed through table.
Effective Heat-Insulating Solutions
Authors: Zagorodnuk L.Kh. , Sumskoy D.A. , Chepenko A.S.
Published: December 2018

The paper presents the results of the study devoted tothe reduction of perlite wastesin size in a vortex jet mill, as well as their reduction features. The bonding compositions were obtained at various ratios of cement and perlitesand wastes in a vortex jet mill at different reduction modes. Peculiarities of reduction processes were studied and technological and physical-mechanical properties of obtained bonding compositions were defined. The electron microscopy made it possible to study microstructures of cement stones received from taggedPortland cement and bonding compositions in a vortex jet mill. It was established that the open pores of cement bonding compositions prepared using perlite aggregates are always filled with new growths at various stages of collective growth. The microstructure of bonding compositions has dense structure due to rationally selectedcontent, use of effective mineral aggregates, i.e. perlite wastes thus creating additional substrates for the formation of an internal microstructure of a composite, mechanochemical activation of raw mix allowing obtaining composites with prescribed properties.
Hochschild cohomology and dominant dimension
Authors: Fang Ming , Miyachi Hyohe
Published: December 2018

A new approach is established to compare Hochschild cohomologies of an algebra and of its centralizer subalgebras. This approach is based on dominant dimension, a homological dimension that is shown to control the comparison in a precise sense for a large class of algebras including classical and quantized Schur algebras. For the same class of algebras, it is shown that derived equivalences preserve dominant dimension. This is applied to determine the dominant dimensions of

q
q

-Schur algebras and of their blocks.
Effects of Media Exposure to Conflicting Information About Mammography: Results From a Population-based Survey Experiment
Authors: Nagler Rebekah H , Yzer Marco C , Rothman Alexander J
Published: December 2018

Background

Although there is growing theoretical and empirical support for the proposition that media exposure to conflicting health information negatively influences public understanding and behavior, few studies have causally linked exposure to conflict with undesirable outcomes. Such outcomes might be particularly likely in the context of mammography, given widespread media attention to conflicting recommendations about the age at and frequency with which average-risk women should be screened for breast cancer.

Purpose

The current study tests whether exposure to conflicting information about mammography negatively influences women’s affective and cognitive responses and examines whether effects vary by socioeconomic position.

Methods

We conducted an online survey experiment in 2016 with a population-based sample of U.S. women aged 35–55 (N = 1,474). Participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions that differed in the level of conflict about mammography presented in a news story (no, low, medium, or high conflict), stratifying by poverty level.

Results

Greater exposure to conflict increased women’s negative emotional responses to the story they read, their confusion about and backlash toward cancer prevention recommendations and research, and their ambivalence about mammography and other types of cancer screening, though ambivalence leveled off at high levels of exposure. There was little evidence that effects varied across socioeconomic position.

Conclusions

Findings add to the growing evidence base documenting undesirable outcomes of exposure to conflicting health information. Future research should examine whether the negative affective and cognitive responses observed translate into behavior, which could have implications for both health campaigns and patient-provider communication.
BreakID: genomics breakpoints identification to detect gene fusion events using discordant pairs and split reads
Authors: Jin Linfang , Lai Jinhuo , Zhang Yang , Fu Ying , Wang Shuhang , Dai Heng , Huang Bingding
Published: December 2018

Here we developed a tool called Breakpoint Identification (BreakID) to identity fusion events from targeted sequencing data. Taking discordant read pairs and split reads as supporting evidences, BreakID can identify gene fusion breakpoints at single nucleotide resolution. After validation with confirmed fusion events in cancer cell lines, we have proved that BreakID can achieve high sensitivity of 90.63% along with PPV of 100% at sequencing depth of 500× and perform better than other available fusion detection tools. We anticipate that BreakID will have an extensive popularity in the detection and analysis of fusions involved in clinical and research sequencing scenarios.

Availability and implementation

Source code is freely available at https://github.com/SinOncology/BreakID.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Characteristics of Campylobacter and Salmonella Infections and Acute Gastroenteritis in Older Adults in Australia, Canada, and the United States
Authors: White Alice E , Ciampa Nadia , Chen Yingxi , Kirk Martyn , Nesbitt Andrea , Bruce Beau B , Walter Elaine Scallan
Published: December 2018

Background

The early detection of enteric infections in older adults is challenging because typical signs and symptoms of disease may be less common, absent, or overlooked. Understanding illness characteristics of enteric infections among older adults could improve the timeliness and accuracy of clinical diagnoses, thereby improving patient outcomes and increasing cases reported to surveillance.

Methods

Here, we describe illness characteristics (percentage reporting bloody diarrhea, fever, vomiting, abdominal pain; percentage hospitalized; duration of hospitalization; and duration of illness) among older adults (≥65 years) with acute gastroenteritis and culture-confirmed Campylobacter and nontyphoidal Salmonella infections in Australia, Canada, and the United States and compare these characteristics with those among younger people (<5 years, 5–24 years, and 25–64 years).

Results

A significant negative correlation was found between all symptoms and increasing age group, except for bloody diarrhea in cases of acute gastroenteritis. Adults aged ≥85 years reported bloody diarrhea in only 9% of nontyphoidal Salmonella and 4% of Campylobacter infections compared with 59% and 55% among children aged <5 years. Conversely, a greater percentage of older adults (≥65) than younger persons (<5, 5–24, 25–64) reported being hospitalized, with an increasing linear relationship in age groups 65 years and older.

Conclusions

Although older adults are more likely to have severe illness and be hospitalized, we found that the proportion of persons reporting symptoms typically associated with enteric infections decreases with age. These findings have implications for clinical recognition and treatment of gastrointestinal illness, as well as for public health research.
Preemptive endoluminal vacuum therapy to reduce anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy: a game-changing approach?
Authors: Gubler C , Vetter D , Schmidt H M , Müller P C , Morell B , Raptis D , Gutschow C A
Published: December 2018

Endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVT) is an accepted treatment for anastomotic leakage (AL) after esophagectomy. A novel concept is to use this technology in a preemptive setting, with the aim to reduce the AL rate and postoperative morbidity. Preemptive EVT (pEVT) was performed intraoperatively in 19 consecutive patients undergoing minimally invasive esophagectomy, immediately after completion of esophagogastrostomy. Twelve patients (63%) were high-risk cases with severe comorbidity. The EVT device was removed routinely three to six (median 5) days after esophagectomy. The endpoints of this study were AL rate and postoperative morbidity. There were 20 anastomoses at risk in 19 patients. One patient (5.3%) experienced major morbidity (Clavien–Dindo grade IIIb) unrelated to anastomotic healing. He underwent open reanastomosis at postoperative day 12 with pEVT for redundancy of the gastric tube and failure of transition to oral diet. Mortality after 30 days was 0% and anastomotic healing was uneventful in 19/20 anastomoses (95%). One minor contained AL healed after a second course of EVT. Except early proximal dislodgement in one patient, there were no adverse events attributable to pEVT. The median comprehensive complication index 30 days after surgery was 20.9 (IQR 0–26.2). PEVT appears to be a safe procedure that may have the potential to improve surgical outcome in patients undergoing esophagectomy.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for right ventricular failure following pericardiectomy
Authors: Ahmad Hasham , Porter Richard , Yusuff Hakeem , Roman Marius
Published: December 2018

We report the case of a 61-year-old gentleman who underwent pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis. Constrictive pericarditis was diagnosed through echocardiogram, computed tomography chest and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. An elective decision was made for commencing venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) immediately postoperatively to prevent significant right ventricular failure (RVF). Postoperatively, the patient remained on ECMO for 4 days in a stable condition, showing no further signs of RVF. Venoarterial ECMO may be of use as an elective adjunct in cases at high risk of RVF following pericardiectomy.
Impact of Epithelial–Stromal Interactions on Peritumoral Fibroblasts in Ductal Carcinoma in Situ
Authors: Strell Carina , Paulsson Janna , Jin Shao-Bo , Tobin Nicholas P , Mezheyeuski Artur , Roswall Pernilla , Mutgan Ceren , Mitsios Nicholas , Johansson Hemming , Wickberg Sarah Marie , Svedlund Jessica , Nilsson Mats , Hall Per , Mulder Jan , Radisky Derek C , Pietras Kristian , Bergh Jonas , Lendahl Urban , Wärnberg Fredrik , Östman Arne
Published: December 2018

Background

A better definition of biomarkers and biological processes related to local recurrence and disease progression is highly warranted for ductal breast carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Stromal–epithelial interactions are likely of major importance for the biological, clinical, and pathological distinctions between high- and low-risk DCIS cases.

Methods

Stromal platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) was immunohistochemically assessed in two DCIS patient cohorts (n = 458 and n = 80). Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate the hazard ratios of recurrence. The molecular mechanisms regulating stromal PDGFR expression were investigated in experimental in vitro co-culture systems of DCIS cells and fibroblasts and analyzed using immunoblot and quantitative real-time PCR. Knock-out of JAG1 in DCIS cells and NOTCH2 in fibroblasts was obtained through CRISPR/Cas9. Experimental data were validated by mammary fat pad injection of DCIS and DCIS-JAG1 knock-out cells (10 mice per group). All statistical tests were two-sided.

Results

PDGFRα(low)/PDGFRβ(high) fibroblasts were associated with increased risk for recurrence in DCIS (univariate hazard ratio = 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02 to 2.46; P = .04 Wald test; multivariable hazard ratio = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.07 to 2.97; P = .03). Tissue culture and mouse model studies indicated that this fibroblast phenotype is induced by DCIS cells in a cell contact-dependent manner. Epithelial Jagged1 and fibroblast Notch2 were identified through loss-of-function studies as key juxtacrine signaling components driving the formation of the poor prognosis-associated fibroblast phenotype.

Conclusions

A PDGFRα(low)/PDGFRβ(high) fibroblast subset was identified as a marker for high-risk DCIS. The Jagged-1/Notch2/PDGFR stroma–epithelial pathway was described as a novel signaling mechanism regulating this poor prognosis-associated fibroblast subset. In general terms, the study highlights epithelial–stromal crosstalk in DCIS and contributes to ongoing efforts to define clinically relevant fibroblast subsets and their etiology.
History playground: A tool for discovering temporal trends in massive textual corpora
Authors: Lansdall-Welfare Thomas , Cristianini Nello
Published: December 2018

Recent studies have shown that macroscopic patterns of continuity and change over the course of centuries can be detected through the analysis of time series extracted from massive textual corpora. Similar data-driven approaches have already revolutionized the natural sciences and are widely believed to hold similar potential for the humanities and social sciences, driven by the mass-digitization projects that are currently under way, and coupled with the ever-increasing number of documents which are ‘born digital’. As such, new interactive tools are required to discover and extract macroscopic patterns from these vast quantities of textual data. Here we present History Playground, an interactive web-based tool for discovering trends in massive textual corpora. The tool makes use of scalable algorithms to first extract trends from textual corpora, before making them available for real-time search and discovery, presenting users with an interface to explore the data. Included in the tool are algorithms for standardization, regression, change-point detection in the relative frequencies of n-grams, multi-term indices, and comparison of trends across different corpora.
Awake Craniotomy for Resection of Left Temporal Cavernoma: 3-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Patel Krunal , Olijnyk Leonardo Desessards , Budohoski Karol P , Santarius Thomas , Kirollos Ramez W , Trivedi Rikin A
Published: December 2018

Cavernomas presenting with seizures refractory to medical treatment may require surgical excision for seizure control. If superficial, they can be surgically accessible but can pose additional risks when located in or near eloquent cortex. In this 3D operative video we illustrate the technique for the resection of a left temporal cavernoma located near eloquent cortex for speech with awake surgery and cortical mapping to avoid a speech deficit postoperatively.

Informed consent was obtained for this procedure. Navigation is used to localize the cavernoma following which a large craniotomy is performed exposing the temporal lobe, frontal lobe, and sylvian vein. Bipolar stimulation is used to localize speech with the patient awake until speech arrest occurs. The cavernoma is situated immediately inferior to the sulcus over which speech arrest occurs. The sulcus immediately above the cavernoma is opened and adjacent arteries are carefully preserved. The glial plane around the cavernoma is used to dissect the cavernoma from the surrounding cortex. Care is taken to remove the haemosiderin as this can act as a precipitant for ongoing seizures.

In this case the patient had no neurological deficits following surgery and was seizure free.