bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of healthy and tumour DNA methylation distributions in kidney‐renal‐clear‐cell‐carcinoma using Kullback–Leibler and Jensen–Shannon distance measures
Authors: Ramakrishnan Nithya , Bose Ranjan
Published: March 2017

DNA methylation is an epigenetic phenomenon in which methyl groups get bonded to the cytosines of the DNA molecule altering the expression of the associated genes. Cancer is linked with hypo or hyper‐methylation of specific genes as well as global changes in DNA methylation. In this study, the authors study the probability density function distribution of DNA methylation in various significant genes and across the genome in healthy and tumour samples. They propose a unique ‘average healthy methylation distribution’ based on the methylation values of several healthy samples. They then obtain the Kullback–Leibler and Jensen–Shannon distances between methylation distributions of the healthy and tumour samples and the average healthy methylation distribution. The distance measures of the healthy and tumour samples from the average healthy methylation distribution are compared and the differences in the distances are analysed as possible parameters for cancer. A classifier trained on these values was found to provide high values of sensitivity and specificity. They consider this to be a computationally efficient approach to predict tumour samples based on DNA methylation data. This technique can also be improvised to consider other differentially methylated genes significant in cancer or other epigenetic diseases.
Photocatalytic activity enhanced by 1D TiO2 nanobelts and 2D BiVO4 nanosheets heterostructures
Authors: Gao Liguo , Du Jingwen , Ma Tingli
Published: March 2017

Heterostructures that are formed by incorporating one‐dimensional (1D) titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanobelts into 2D bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) nanosheets are fabricated via an electrostatic self‐assembly process. The key features are investigated by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, zeta potential, ultraviolet–visible (vis) diffuse reflection spectra and photoluminescence spectra. As vis‐light sensitiser and catalyst support, 2D BiVO4 nanosheets can improve the vis‐light photocatalytic activity of 1D TiO2 nanobelts. Results show that 1D TiO2 nanobelt–2D BiVO4 nanosheet composites exhibit more efficient decomposition rate of rhodamine B compared with pure TiO2 nanobelts. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2–5% BiVO4 composites is nearly 1.7 times higher than that of pure TiO2 nanobelts. The enhanced photocatalytic performance is attributed to the bandgap match and the formation of heterostructures between TiO2 nanobelts and BiVO4 nanosheets. The heterostructures extend the light responsive range and promote efficient separation of photoinduced electron–hole pairs.
Energy director structure and self‐balancing jig for the ultrasonic bonding of microfluidic chips
Authors: Li Jingmin , Meng Fanjian , Liang Chao , Liu Chong
Published: March 2017

Ultrasonic bonding was widely used to seal polymer microfludic chips due to its high strength, low cost and good biocompatibility. However, in the process of ultrasonic bonding, the easy clogging of microchannels and the difficulty of controlling microchannel heights limit the use of ultrasonic bonding in mass fabrication. In this study, energy director's structure including director protrusion, bonding limited platform and bonding pool is designed and used. A self‐balancing jig is designed to automatically adjust with the horn and produce an even bonding energy distribution. Ultrasonic bonding parameters including bonding pressure and bonding time are optimised. The tensile destruction test, leakage test and serum driving test are employed to measure the performance of the ultrasonic bonding chips. Results have shown that the energy director's structure and the self‐balancing jig can obviously reduce the clogging of microchannels and improve the uniformity of microchannel heights. By using the optimised bonding parameters, the bonding strength has reached >2.5 Mpa, and channel leakage has not been observed under 0.7 MPa air pressure. The energy director's structure and the self‐balancing jig presented here can provide an effective alternative for the mass ultrasonic bonding of microfluidic devices.
Assessment of Fixation of Mandibular Interforaminal Fractures by Using a Single Second-Generation Headless Compression Screw: A Pilot Study
Authors: Ram Rangila , Ahsan Razi , Bhardwaj Yogesh , Ghezta Narotam , Kumar Santosh
Published: March 2017

The aim of this article is to evaluate the efficacy of a single second-generation headless compression screw along with a lower arch bar in the fixation of interforaminal mandible fractures. A total of seven patients were included in the study. An open approach was used either intraorally or extraorally. A second-generation 3.0 HCS (headless compression screw), 24 to 32 mm in length, diameter at the head of 3.5 mm, smooth shaft with 2.0 mm and at the leading edge 3.0 mm (Synthes, Paoli, PA) was used for the fixation along with a lower arch bar. Postoperative clinical and radiographic follow-up was performed at 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. A single, cannulated HCS was found to be effective in fixation of interforaminal mandible fractures except in one case where a miniplate had to be applied subapically. Clinical and radiographic follow-up revealed accurate reduction and fixation in all cases and no postoperative occlusal disturbances. A single, second-generation HCS along with a lower arch bar provides good results when used for the fixation of interforaminal mandible fractures. Headless compression screw fixation of interforaminal mandible fracture is a simple, quick, economic, and efficient method of rigid fixation with minimum complications.
Pentalogy of Cantrell: Is Echocardiography Sufficient in the Neonatal Period?
Authors: Zani-Ruttenstock Elke , Zani Augusto , Honjo Osami , Chiu Priscilla
Published: March 2017

Pentalogy of Cantrell is a rare syndrome that is characterized by varying degrees of midline wall defects and congenital cardiac anomalies. A left ventricular diverticulum (LVD) is defined as partial ectopia cordis, can be part of the pentalogy of Cantrell, and can put the patient at risk of severe complications. Early diagnosis and ligation/resection of the LVD is important to prevent complications. We report on a case of pentalogy of Cantrell, in which a LVD was diagnosed only at 2 months of age despite preceding pre- and postnatal echocardiography. We conclude that in the suspicion of pentalogy of Cantrell, either complete or incomplete, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging should be performed, when possible, to avoid the potential complication of a herniating ventricular diverticulum.
Anreize für regionale Risikoselektion unter dem Morbiditätsorientierten Risikostrukturausgleich
Authors: Wende Danny
Published: March 2017

Die Einführung des GKV-FQWG sorgt für einen verstärkten Wettbewerbsdruck innerhalb des Systems der gesetzlichen Krankenkassen. Bestehen hohe Anreize zur Risikoselektion, so kann dieser Druck in einen vermehrten Kampf um vermeintlich vorteilhafte Versichertengruppen führen. Die Studie stellt heraus, welche Anreize zur regionalen Risikoselektion unter einem differenzierten Risikostrukturausgleichssystem vorliegen und gibt einen Einblick in die Bedeutung des Problemfeldes.

Bestimmung der regionalen Autokorrelation mittels Morans’I für Finanzkennzahlen des Risikostrukturausgleichsverfahrens.

Anreize zur regionalen Risikoselektion sind innerhalb der gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung vorhanden. Das Risikostrukturausgleichsverfahren reduziert die regionalen Kostencluster um 91% und trägt zur Vermeidung von Selektionsanreizen bei. Dennoch kann ein Zusammenhang zwischen der Wettbewerbsposition von Krankenkassen und deren geografischen Lage nachgewiesen werden (Korrelation -69,5%). Erst durch den Einsatz von regionalen Kontrollvariablen in der Ausgleichsregression kann die regionale Autokorrelation der Finanzergebnisse gänzlich vermieden werden.

Die aktuelle Ausgestaltung des Finanzausgleichssystems führt zu regionalen Ungleichgewichten, die zur Risikoselektion genutzt werden können und die Wettbewerbsposition der Krankenkassen beeinflussen.
Measurement system for temperature dependent noise characterization of magnetoresistive sensors
Authors: Nording F. , Weber S. , Ludwig F. , Schilling M.
Published: March 2017

Magnetoresistive (MR) sensors and sensor systems are used in a large variety of applications in the field of industrial automation, automotive business, aeronautic industries, and instrumentation. Different MR sensor technologies like anisotropic magnetoresistive, giant magnetoresistive, and tunnel magnetoresistive sensors show strongly varying properties in terms of magnetoresistive effect, response to magnetic fields, achievable element miniaturization, manufacturing effort, and signal-to-noise ratio. Very few data have been reported so far on the comparison of noise performance for different sensor models and technologies, especially including the temperature dependence of their characteristics. In this paper, a stand-alone measurement setup is presented that allows a comprehensive characterization of MR sensors including sensitivity and noise over a wide range of temperatures.
Dynamics of local magnetization in the eigenbasis of the Bloch-Torrey operator
Authors: Herberthson Magnus , Özarslan Evren , Knutsson Hans , Westin Carl-Fredrik
Published: March 2017

We consider diffusion within pores with general shapes in the presence of spatially linear magnetic field profiles. The evolution of local magnetization of the spin bearing particles can be described by the Bloch-Torrey equation. We study the diffusive process in the eigenbasis of the non-Hermitian Bloch-Torrey operator. It is possible to find expressions for some special temporal gradient waveforms employed to sensitize the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal to diffusion. For more general gradient waveforms, we derive an efficient numerical solution by introducing a novel matrix formalism. Compared to previous methods, this new approach requires a fewer number of eigenfunctions to achieve the same accuracy. This shows that these basis functions are better suited to the problem studied. The new framework could provide new important insights into the fundamentals of diffusion sensitization, which could further the development of the field of NMR.
Development of an 83.2 MHz, 3.2 kW solid-state RF amplifier using Wilkinson power divider and combiner for a 10 MeV cyclotron
Authors: Song Ho Seung , Ghergherehchi Mitra , Oh Seyoung , Chai Jong Seo
Published: March 2017

We design a stripline-type Wilkinson power divider and combiner for a 3.2 kW solid-state radio frequency (RF) amplifier module and optimize this setup. A Teflon-based printed circuit board is used in the power combiner to transmit high RF power efficiently in the limited space. The reflection coefficient (S11) and insertion loss (S21) related to impedance matching are characterized to determine the optimization process. The resulting two-way divider reflection coefficient and insertion loss were −48.00 dB and −3.22 dB, respectively. The two-way power combiner reflection coefficient and insertion loss were −20 dB and −3.3 dB, respectively. Moreover, the 3.2 kW solid-state RF power test results demonstrate that the proposed power divider and combiner exhibit a maximum efficiency value of 71.3% (combiner loss 5%) at 48 V supply voltage.
Surface transport mechanisms in molecular glasses probed by the exposure of nano-particles
Authors: Ruan Shigang , Musumeci Daniele , Zhang Wei , Gujral Ankit , Ediger M. D. , Yu Lian
Published: March 2017

For a glass-forming liquid, the mechanism by which its surface contour evolves can change from bulk viscous flow at high temperatures to surface diffusion at low temperatures. We show that this mechanistic change can be conveniently detected by the exposure of nano-particles native in the material. Despite its high chemical purity, the often-studied molecular glass indomethacin contains low-concentration particles approximately 100 nm in size and 0.3% in volume fraction. Similar particles are present in polystyrene, another often-used model. In the surface-diffusion regime, particles are gradually exposed in regions vacated by host molecules, for example, the peak of a surface grating and the depletion zone near a surface crystal. In the viscous-flow regime, particle exposure is not observed. The surface contour around an exposed particle widens over time in a self-similar manner as 3 (Bt)1/4, where B is a surface mobility constant and the same constant obtained by surface grating decay. This work suggests that in a binary system composed of slow- and fast-diffusing molecules, slow-diffusing molecules can be stranded in surface regions vacated by fast-diffusing molecules, effectively leading to phase separation.
Application of Berendsen barostat in dissipative particle dynamics for nonequilibrium dynamic simulation
Authors: Lin Yuqing , Pan Dingyi , Li Jiaming , Zhang Lingxin , Shao Xueming
Published: March 2017

The Berendsen barostat from molecular dynamics simulation is applied in both standard dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) and many-body dissipative particle dynamics (MDPD) simulations. The original Berendsen barostat works well in (M)DPD simulation of a single-component system under constant pressure condition and in nonequilibrium dynamic processes. The partial Berendsen barostat is proposed for multi-component system simulation with (M)DPD. The displacement rescaling process of the Berendsen barostat is only applied on the particles outside the center region, acting as a pressure “boundary condition.” The center part forms the free zone, in which the interface shape and nonequilibrium dynamic behavior between different phases can be captured properly. An immiscible bubble in the second fluid under constant pressure condition is studied, and the oscillation of the bubble radius and fluctuation of system pressure can be obtained by the current barostat. Preliminary models for bubble growing and collapsing under square pressure wave and bubble oscillation under harmonic pressure wave are also reported in the current simulation. It shows that the partial Berendsen barostat is suitable for the modeling of nonequilibrium process of single or few droplets/bubbles in multi-component systems.
Hepatic FcRn regulates albumin homeostasis and susceptibility to liver injury
Authors: Pyzik Michal , Rath Timo , Kuo Timothy T. , Win Sanda , Baker Kristi , Hubbard Jonathan J. , Grenha Rosa , Gandhi Amit , Krämer Thomas D. , Mezo Adam R. , Taylor Zachary S. , McDonnell Kevin , Nienaber Vicki , Andersen Jan Terje , Mizoguchi Atsushi , Blumberg Laurence , Purohit Shalaka , Jones Susan D. , Christianson Greg , Lencer Wayne I. , Sandlie Inger , Kaplowitz Neil , Roopenian Derry C. , Blumberg Richard S.
Published: March 2017

Significance

Neonatal crystallizable fragment receptor (FcRn) regulates immunity and homeostasis of the two most abundant circulating proteins, IgG and albumin. FcRn is expressed in hepatocytes, but hepatic FcRn function is unknown. We show that hepatic FcRn regulates albumin biodistribution. Absence of FcRn in the liver leads to hypoalbuminemia by preventing efficient albumin delivery into the circulation, causing albumin retention within hepatocytes and increasing biliary albumin excretion. Blockade of albumin–FcRn interactions protects liver from damage induced by acetaminophen, a hepatotoxin. This protection results from hepatocyte accumulation of albumin, which scavenges superoxide radicals, and from the redirection of albumin-bound acetaminophen into the bile. Therefore, FcRn-mediated homeostatic distribution of albumin into the bloodstream renders hepatocytes susceptible to acute hepatotoxin exposure, and inhibition of FcRn in the hepatocyte is protective.
Combining DNP NMR with segmental and specific labeling to study a yeast prion protein strain that is not parallel in-register
Authors: Frederick Kendra K. , Michaelis Vladimir K. , Caporini Marc A. , Andreas Loren B. , Debelouchina Galia T. , Griffin Robert G. , Lindquist Susan
Published: March 2017

Significance

Self-propagating changes in the conformation of amyloidogenic proteins play vital roles in normal biology and disease. Despite intense research, the architecture of amyloid fibers remains poorly understood. In this work, we used both segmental and specific isotopic labeling schemes in combination with dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) NMR to measure long-range interactions to distinguish between two models for the arrangement of monomers in amyloid fibers. These measurements enabled us to determine that the monomers in one variant of an amyloid form of NM do not adopt a parallel in-register arrangement. The combination of segmental and specific labeling schemes with DNP NMR enables the testing of structural models for systems for which it was previously impossible due to low experimental sensitivity.
Development of a Video Trawl Survey System for New England Groundfish
Authors: DeCelles Gregory R. , Keiley Emily F. , Lowery Travis M. , Calabrese Nicholas M. , Stokesbury Kevin D. E.
Published: March 2017

Using an iterative approach and extensive field testing we developed a new video trawl survey system that used a live‐feed video camera mounted in the cod end of a demersal trawl to record, identify, and quantify fish as they pass through the net. The majority of tows are made with an open cod end, allowing the fish to escape the net after being recorded by the camera. Periodically, closed cod end tows are made to collect biological samples and validate the video data. Eight field trials were conducted on Georges Bank and in the Gulf of Maine, and 229 h of video were recorded. The in‐trawl camera system performed reliably under harsh conditions in the field. Preliminary data analysis showed that the in‐trawl camera system can be used to count and identify roundfishes, such as Atlantic Cod Gadus morhua and Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus with a high degree of accuracy (97%), and the video can be used to calculate absolute abundance estimates. However, identifying flatfishes to the species level in the video was challenging, although improvements in identification rates were realized by modifying our camera system and lighting. This approach provides an alternative methodology to acquire abundance and distribution data for groundfish stocks. We described the iterative approach used to develop the video trawl system and discussed the future direction of the video processing and analysis.

Received August 15, 2016; accepted January 9, 2017 Published online March 23, 2017
Insights on Mitochondrial Genetic Variation in Chesapeake Bay Summer‐Resident Cownose Rays
Authors: Carney Susan L. , McVeigh Doreen M. , Moss Jeanette B. , Ferrier M. Drew , Morrissey John F.
Published: March 2017

The Cownose Ray Rhinoptera bonasus has been hunted and fished without restrictions in the Chesapeake Bay in recent years despite minimal understanding of its population size or stability. We used genetics to characterize Cownose Rays from three locations in the Chesapeake Bay in an effort to better understand their population structure. The Chesapeake Bay individuals were compared with Cownose Ray samples from a location in their southern U.S. range, the Gulf of Mexico. Direct sequencing of 1,094 base pairs of two mitochondrial gene regions revealed 16 haplotypes with frequencies that were not significantly differentiated by collection site within the bay. Frequencies of haplotypes from the Gulf of Mexico (at Tampa, Florida) were significantly different from those at each of the Chesapeake Bay sites, supporting previous work that determined separate migratory patterns for Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico individuals. The possibility of sex‐specific patterns in genetic variation by sampling site remains to be determined. A more robust understanding of how genetic variation is distributed among locations and by sex in Cownose Rays will be essential in the event that management of the species becomes necessary.

Received July 6, 2016; accepted January 18, 2017 Published online March 23, 2017
Sexism in adolescence: parenting styles, division of housework, prosocial behaviour and aggressive behaviour / Sexismo en la adolescencia: estilos de crianza, división de tareas domésticas, conducta prosocial y agresividad
Authors: Malonda Elisabeth , Tur-Porcar Ana , Llorca Anna
Published: March 2017

The aim of this study was to identify which factors were the best predictors of sexist attitudes. To achieve this aim, two groups of variables were analysed. The first group consisted of variables relating to parenting styles and the division of housework. The second group consisted of personal factors related to prosocial behaviour and physical and verbal aggression. The sample was made up of 732 adolescents aged 12–14 from Valencia (Spain). The analysis was conducted separately for boys and girls. Correlation analyses and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted on each subsample. The results show that the division of housework and parenting styles were related to sexist attitudes. This connection was especially strong for the division of housework according to traditional gender roles, which was found to lead to hostile and benevolent sexist attitudes. The results also showed that prosocial and aggressive behaviours were correlated with sexist attitudes. The results varied by gender. The findings of this research have implications for the prevention of sexist attitudes.
Security sector reform, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of militias: the challenges for state building in Libya
Authors: Sawani Youssef Mohammad
Published: March 2017

Even though the rebels, later turned ‘revolutionaries’, actually had an insignificant role as combatants in the violent downfall of the Gaddafi regime in Libya in 2011, they became involved in acts of war in many parts of the country in what came to resemble a civil war. Their militias flourished thanks to the lucrative financial handouts that governments paid to them. To complicate matters, additional militias sprang up in the absence of any sort of viable state/institutional control on the part of the nascent ‘state’ or an inability to restrict and monopolize the use of force. Therefore, disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and security sector reform have not been possible, and the Libyan case demonstrates the failure to emulate international best practices, thus hindering any state-building. This paper seeks to analyse the Libyan case and provide an approach and framework for dealing with the genuine causes of the current situation in order help put the appropriate disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) and security sector reform (SSR) policy in place, while simultaneously not ignoring other major, contributing factors. This study suggests that the case of Libya is unique and likely to prove challenging to both established and evolving theoretical approaches to both DDR and SSR. Experiments in the country that have ignored the holistic security sector reform will be examined and its programmes analysed to ascertain whether these have produced any effective state-run structures and mechanisms, norms and procedures, or whether they have only served to reinforce the de facto roles of militias. The article argues that unless the state-building approach is revitalized and national reconciliation made a top priority, Libya’s current debacle and instability is most likely to continue.
Direct measurement of the strength of microtubule attachment to yeast centrosomes
Authors: Fong Kimberly K. , Sarangapani Krishna K. , Yusko Erik C. , Riffle Michael , Llauró Aida , Graczyk Beth , Davis Trisha N. , Asbury Charles L.
Published: March 2017

Centrosomes, or spindle pole bodies (SPBs) in yeast, are vital mechanical hubs that maintain load-bearing attachments to microtubules during mitotic spindle assembly, spindle positioning, and chromosome segregation. However, the strength of microtubule-centrosome attachments is unknown, and the possibility that mechanical force might regulate centrosome function has scarcely been explored. To uncover how centrosomes sustain and regulate force, we purified SPBs from budding yeast and used laser trapping to manipulate single attached microtubules in vitro. Our experiments reveal that SPB–microtubule attachments are extraordinarily strong, rupturing at forces approximately fourfold higher than kinetochore attachments under identical loading conditions. Furthermore, removal of the calmodulin-binding site from the SPB component Spc110 weakens SPB–microtubule attachment in vitro and sensitizes cells to increased SPB stress in vivo. These observations show that calmodulin binding contributes to SPB mechanical integrity and suggest that its removal may cause pole delamination and mitotic failure when spindle forces are elevated. We propose that the very high strength of SPB–microtubule attachments may be important for spindle integrity in mitotic cells so that tensile forces generated at kinetochores do not cause microtubule detachment and delamination at SPBs.
The Baptized Muse
Authors: Pollmann Karla
Published: March 2017

With the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire, increasing numbers of educated people converted to this new belief. As Christianity did not have its own educational institutions, the issue of how to harmonize pagan education and Christian convictions became increasingly pressing. Especially classical poetry, the staple diet of pagan education, was considered morally corrupting (because of its deceitful mythological content) and damaging for the salvation of the soul (because of the false gods it advocated). But Christianity recoiled from an unqualified anti-intellectual attitude, while at the same time the experiment of creating an idiosyncratic form of genuinely Christian poetry failed (the sole exception being the poet Commodianus). This book argues that, instead, Christian poets made creative use of the classical literary tradition, and—in addition to blending it with Judaeo-Christian biblical exegesis—exploited poetry’s special ability of enhancing the effectiveness of communication through aesthetic means. It seeks to explore these strategies through a close analysis of a wide range of Christian, and for comparison partly also pagan, writers mainly from the fourth to sixth centuries. The book reveals that early Christianity was not a hermetically sealed uniform body, but displays a rich spectrum of possibilities in dealing with the past and a willingness to engage with and adapt the surrounding culture(s), thereby developing diverse and changing responses to historical challenges. By demonstrating throughout that authority is a key in understanding the long denigrated and misunderstood early Christian poets, this book reaches the ground-breaking conclusion that early Christian poetry is an art form that gains its justification by adding cultural authority to Christianity. Thus, in a wider sense this book engages with the recently emerged scholarly interest in aspects of religion as cultural phenomena.
Versifying Authoritative Prose
Authors: Pollmann Karla
Published: March 2017

The fourth-century Eucherius narrates in his Passio Acaunensium Martyrum that during the persecution under Diocletian a whole army of Christian soldiers suffered the martyr’s death at Acaunum in the Swiss Alps. His brief prose narrative had a rich reception which manifests itself in various hardly known poetic paraphrases. The versifications of Venantius Fortunatus, Walafrid Strabo, and Sigebert of Gembloux are analysed regarding their poetic technique, their literary intention, and socio-historical context. The chapter highlights the most important changes in these paraphrases in comparison with their prose hypotext. Particular attention is paid to the question whether, and, if so, to what extent, one can observe: (a) specific exegetical additions only possible because of the versification; and (b) significant changes regarding the paraphrastic technique and characteristics through the ages, namely, from late antiquity to the Middle Ages, as exemplified by the selected authors.
Christianity as Decadence or Progress in Pseudo-Hilary’s Paraphrastic Verse Summary of the History of Salvation
Authors: Pollmann Karla
Published: March 2017

Christianity favours a linear model of historical development, and has therefore an inherent interest in the notions of progress and decadence. Late antique Christianity partly takes inspiration from pagan classical models. But its archetypal textual matrix to elucidate the specifically Christian explanation of the purpose and meaning of history and the world is the creation narrative in the biblical book of Genesis which can be understood as an aetiological (foundation) story of the origins of the world and humanity. The fifth-century paraphrastic verse summary of the Bible by an anonymous poet (Pseudo-Hilary) confronts, similar to Proba (see Chapter 4), the creation narrative with selections from the New Testament in order to delineate a universal history of salvation. Most remarkably, this chapter illuminates the partly approving, partly critical usage of Lucretius whose Epicurean world-view was normally considered incompatible with Christian values.
East Asian Industrial Pioneers
Authors: Perkins Dwight H. , Tang John P.
Published: March 2017

The successful industrial growth spurts of Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan in the twentieth century shared many features, including an emphasis on manufacturing and export promotion, and newly established governments that actively supported structural change. Less obvious are the differences in their domestic institutions, external trade environments, geopolitical considerations, and strategies for continued growth. Japanese industrial growth began at the turn of the century, following the patterns set by the United Kingdom and the United States, while both South Korea and Taiwan emerged as major industrial countries only after the Second World War. Noted for the rapidity of their industrial growth performance, perhaps even more remarkable was how these were sustained given the experiences of their contemporaries in the industrial periphery.
From Artisanal Production to Machine Tools
Authors: Gupta Bishnupriya , Roy Tirthankar
Published: March 2017

This chapter documents the decline and rise of industrial production in India. As the economy integrated into the British Empire’s global network, there was a rapid decline in artisanal and cottage industries in the nineteenth century and a rising share of commodity exports. However, modern industries also developed in cotton textiles, jute, and tea under the entrepreneurship of British and Indian interests and with little support from the state. After independence in 1947, India adopted the planned development of an industrial sector, by regulating foreign trade and investment. Initial attempts succeeded in building a large capital goods sector, but import substitution ran out of steam. Indian industries remained inefficient and failed to match East Asia’s successful entry to the world market in industrial goods. Re-integration into the global economy after 1980 led to efficiency gains, but rising growth in recent years has been led by the services rather than industry.
Industrial Growth in South America
Authors: Duran Xavier , Musacchio Aldo , Paolera Gerardo della
Published: March 2017

This chapter uses new time series data to examine the industrialization in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia since the early twentieth century. This allows the authors to uncover variation across countries and over time that the literature has overlooked. Rather than providing a single explanation of how specific shocks or policies shaped the industrialization of the region, their argument is that the timing of the industrial take-off was linked to initial conditions, while external shocks and macroeconomic and trade policy explain the variation in the rates of industrialization after the 1930s, and favourable terms of trade and liberalization explain de-industrialization after 1990.
Topological superconducting phases in one dimension
Authors: Oppen Felix von , Peng Yang , Pientka Falko
Published: March 2017

These lecture notes give a pedagogical account of the basic physics of Majorana bound states and the topological superconductors that host them. They introduce the basic concepts, as well as possible experimental realizations, emphasizing one-dimensional systems, on which much current experimental activity is focused. In these notes, simple arguments and explicit derivations illustrating the main points are preferred over theoretically more pleasing or general approaches.
The Rural Non-Farm Economy
Authors: Kinghan Christina , Newman Carol
Published: March 2017

In Viet Nam, the diversification of household activities away from agriculture is a key characteristic of the country’s economic development. This chapter examines the extent of diversification among Vietnamese households, from agriculture into waged employment and entrepreneurship, and looks at whether this diversification is welfare enhancing. It then examines the factors determining the transition out of agriculture. Using four waves of the VARHS panel data, it finds that diversification is, on average, welfare enhancing, and that the most beneficial form of diversification is into household enterprises. The decision to diversify is primarily motivated by income, especially for those from low-income households.
Gender Inequality and the Empowerment of Women
Authors: Newman Carol
Published: March 2017

This chapter examines gender inequality and female empowerment in rural Viet Nam. Using an extensive panel dataset on 2,181 households, it examines how the welfare of women living in rural areas has evolved during a period of dramatic rural transformation, 2008–14. It finds that, while the economic situation of women has improved, significant gender disparities remain, particularly for female-headed households. Women continue to bear a greater burden of responsibility for income-generating activities within households. Evidence suggests, however, that women are more empowered in 2014 than in 2008, and that this is related to higher levels of household welfare more generally.
A Dictionary of Ophthalmology
Authors: Barry Robert J. , Denniston Alastair K.
Published: March 2017

600 entries

This dictionary contains entries on all aspects of the field of ophthalmology, with terms related to ocular anatomy and physiology, the diseases of the eye and of the visual pathway, and medical and surgical treatment of the same. There is also a full list of the entries by their respective subject to aid navigation and discoverability, dividing them between twenty specialist categories.

This dictionary is an excellent reference source for individuals from many different disciplines, including ophthalmologists (surgeons and physicians), optometrists, ophthalmic nurses, orthoptists, ophthalmic technicians, and visual scientists.
Entropy-based consensus clustering for patient stratification
Authors: Liu Hongfu , Zhao Rui , Fang Hongsheng , Cheng Feixiong , Fu Yun , Liu Yang-Yu
Published: March 2017

Motivation

Patient stratification or disease subtyping is crucial for precision medicine and personalized treatment of complex diseases. The increasing availability of high-throughput molecular data provides a great opportunity for patient stratification. Many clustering methods have been employed to tackle this problem in a purely data-driven manner. Yet, existing methods leveraging high-throughput molecular data often suffers from various limitations, e.g. noise, data heterogeneity, high dimensionality or poor interpretability.

Results

Here we introduced an Entropy-based Consensus Clustering (ECC) method that overcomes those limitations all together. Our ECC method employs an entropy-based utility function to fuse many basic partitions to a consensus one that agrees with the basic ones as much as possible. Maximizing the utility function in ECC has a much more meaningful interpretation than any other consensus clustering methods. Moreover, we exactly map the complex utility maximization problem to the classic K-means clustering problem, which can then be efficiently solved with linear time and space complexity. Our ECC method can also naturally integrate multiple molecular data types measured from the same set of subjects, and easily handle missing values without any imputation. We applied ECC to 110 synthetic and 48 real datasets, including 35 cancer gene expression benchmark datasets and 13 cancer types with four molecular data types from The Cancer Genome Atlas. We found that ECC shows superior performance against existing clustering methods. Our results clearly demonstrate the power of ECC in clinically relevant patient stratification.

Availability and implementation

The Matlab package is available at http://scholar.harvard.edu/yyl/ecc.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
TASIC: determining branching models from time series single cell data
Authors: Rashid Sabrina , Kotton Darrell N , Bar-Joseph Ziv
Published: March 2017

Motivation

Single cell RNA-Seq analysis holds great promise for elucidating the networks and pathways controlling cellular differentiation and disease. However, the analysis of time series single cell RNA-Seq data raises several new computational challenges. Cells at each time point are often sampled from a mixture of cell types, each of which may be a progenitor of one, or several, specific fates making it hard to determine which cells should be used to reconstruct temporal trajectories. In addition, cells, even from the same time point, may be unsynchronized making it hard to rely on the measured time for determining these trajectories.

Results

We present TASIC a new method for determining temporal trajectories, branching and cell assignments in single cell time series experiments. Unlike prior approaches TASIC uses on a probabilistic graphical model to integrate expression and time information making it more robust to noise and stochastic variations. Applying TASIC to in vitro myoblast differentiation and in-vivo lung development data we show that it accurately reconstructs developmental trajectories from single cell experiments. The reconstructed models enabled us to identify key genes involved in cell fate determination and to obtain new insights about a specific type of lung cells and its role in development.

Availability and Implementation

The TASIC software package is posted in the supporting website. The datasets used in the paper are publicly available.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Apheresis as novel treatment for refractory angina with raised lipoprotein(a): a randomized controlled cross-over trial
Authors: Khan Tina Z. , Hsu Li-Yueh , Arai Andrew E. , Rhodes Samantha , Pottle Alison , Wage Ricardo , Banya Winston , Gatehouse Peter D. , Giri Shivraman , Collins Peter , Pennell Dudley J. , Barbir Mahmoud
Published: March 2017

Aims

To determine the clinical impact of lipoprotein apheresis in patients with refractory angina and raised lipoprotein(a) > 500 mg/L on the primary end point of quantitative myocardial perfusion, as well as secondary end points including atheroma burden, exercise capacity, symptoms, and quality of life.

Methods

We conducted a single-blinded randomized controlled trial in 20 patients with refractory angina and raised lipoprotein(a) > 500 mg/L, with 3 months of blinded weekly lipoprotein apheresis or sham, followed by crossover. The primary endpoint was change in quantitative myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance. Secondary endpoints included measures of atheroma burden, exercise capacity, symptoms and quality of life.

Results

The primary endpoint, namely MPR, increased following apheresis (0.47; 95% CI 0.31–0.63) compared with sham (−0.16; 95% CI − 0.33–0.02) yielding a net treatment increase of 0.63 (95% CI 0.37–0.89; P < 0.001 between groups). Improvements with apheresis compared with sham also occurred in atherosclerotic burden as assessed by total carotid wall volume (P < 0.001), exercise capacity by the 6 min walk test (P = 0.001), 4 of 5 domains of the Seattle angina questionnaire (all P < 0.02) and quality of life physical component summary by the short form 36 survey (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Lipoprotein apheresis may represent an effective novel treatment for patients with refractory angina and raised lipoprotein(a) improving myocardial perfusion, atheroma burden, exercise capacity and symptoms.
The Influence of Pelvic Incidence and Lumbar Lordosis Mismatch on Development of Symptomatic Adjacent Level Disease Following Single-Level Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Authors: Tempel Zachary J. , Gandhoke Gurpreet S. , Bolinger Bryan D. , Khattar Nicolas K. , Parry Philip V. , Chang Yue-Fang , Okonkwo David O. , Kanter Adam S.
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND: Annual incidence of symptomatic adjacent level disease (ALD) following lumbar fusion surgery ranges from 0.6% to 3.9% per year. Sagittal malalignment may contribute to the development of ALD.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the relationship between pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis (PI-LL) mismatch and the development of symptomatic ALD requiring revision surgery following single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for degenerative lumbar spondylosis and/or low-grade spondylolisthesis.

METHODS: All patients who underwent a single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion at either L4/5 or L5/S1 between July 2006 and December 2012 were analyzed for pre- and postoperative spinopelvic parameters. Using univariate and logistic regression analysis, we compared the spinopelvic parameters of those patients who required revision surgery against those patients who did not develop symptomatic ALD. We calculated the predictive value of PI-LL mismatch.

RESULTS: One hundred fifty-nine patients met the inclusion criteria. The results noted that, for a 1° increase in PI-LL mismatch (preop and postop), the odds of developing ALD requiring surgery increased by 1.3 and 1.4 fold, respectively, which were statistically significant increases. Based on our analysis, a PI-LL mismatch of >11° had a positive predictive value of 75% for the development of symptomatic ALD requiring revision surgery.

CONCLUSIONS: A high PI-LL mismatch is strongly associated with the development of symptomatic ALD requiring revision lumbar spine surgery. The development of ALD may represent a global disease process as opposed to a focal condition. Spine surgeons may wish to consider assessment of spinopelvic parameters in the evaluation of degenerative lumbar spine pathology.
Treatment of Unstable Versus Stable Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis Using the Modified Dunn Procedure
Authors: Davis Richard L. , Samora Walter P. , Persinger Freddie , Klingele Kevin E.
Published: March 2017

Background:

The modified Dunn procedure (open subcapital realignment via a surgical dislocation approach) has been shown to be a safe and effective way of treating acute, unstable slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). There is a paucity of literature comparing the modified Dunn procedure in stable SCFE. The purpose of this study was to compare acute, unstable versus chronic, stable SCFE managed with the modified Dunn procedure.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was performed on 44 skeletally immature patients who underwent the modified Dunn procedure for SCFE. Patients were divided into stable or unstable based on clinical presentation and intraoperative findings. Demographics, radiographic measurements, and complications were recorded and compared. χ2 and t tests were used to compare variables.

Results:

In total, 31 consecutive hips (29 patients) with acute, unstable slips, and 17 consecutive hips (15 patients) with chronic, stable slips were reviewed. Average age was 12.5 and 13.8 years for acute and chronic, respectively (P=0.05). Mean follow-up was 27.9 months (unstable) and 35.5 months (stable). Average postoperative Southwick angle was 14.2 degrees; (unstable) and 25.3 degrees (stable) (P=0.001). Greater trochanteric height averaged 6.2 mm below the center of the femoral head in the acute group and 6.2 mm above center in the chronic group (P<0.001). Average femoral neck length measured 34.1 mm (unstable) and 27.1 mm (stable) (P<0.001). Two patients (6%) developed avascular necrosis (AVN) in the unstable group, with 5 patients (29.4%) in the stable group (P=0.027). All patients with hip instability (N=3) developed AVN.

Conclusions:

Although both acute, unstable and chronic, stable SCFE can be successfully treated with the modified Dunn procedure, the complication rate is statistically higher in patients with stable SCFE, specifically both AVN rate and postoperative instability. In addition, it is more difficult to establish normal anatomic indexes with regard to greater trochanteric height and femoral neck length. This procedure has great utility in the correction of the anatomic deformity associated with SCFE, but should be used with caution in patients with chronic, stable SCFE.

Level of Evidence:

Level III—retrospective review.
Patients Without Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) Alerts During VEPTR Implantation Did Not Sustain Neurological Injury During Subsequent Routine Expansions: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: LaGreca Jaren , Flynn Tara , Cahill Patrick J. , Samdani Amer , Vitale Michael G. , El-Hawary Ron , Smith John T. , Phillips Jonathan H. , Flynn John M. , Glotzbecker Michael , Garg Sumeet
Published: March 2017

Background:

The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of intraoperative neurological monitoring (IONM) alerts and neurological injury during vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) treatment and evaluate the utility of IONM during VEPTR expansion procedures in patients who have not previously had neurological injury or IONM alerts.

Methods:

After institutional review board approval, VEPTR procedures and IONM records were reviewed at 17 institutions for patients treated with VEPTR from 2005 to 2011. All consecutive cases in patients with minimum 2-year follow-up were included. Patients with prior history of growing rods or other invasive spine-based surgical treatment were excluded. Surgeries were categorized into implant, revision, expansion, and removal procedures. Cases with IONM alerts or neurological injury had additional detailed review. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.

Results:

In total, 2355 consecutive VEPTR procedures (352 patients) consisting of 299 implant, 377 revision, 1587 expansion, and 92 removal procedures were included. In total, 620 VEPTR procedures had IONM, and 539 of those had IONM records available for review. IONM alerts occurred in 9/539 procedures (1.7%): 3/192 implants (1.6%), 3/58 revisions (5.2%), and 3/258 expansions (1.2%). New neurological injury occurred in 3/2355 procedures (0.1%), 3/352 patients (0.9%). All 3 injuries were in implant procedures, only 1 had an IONM alert. All 3 had upper extremity motor deficits (1 had sensory deficit also). All had full recovery at 17, 30, and 124 days postinjury. One patient without prior neurological injury or IONM alert had an IONM alert during expansion that resolved after an increase in blood pressure. The remaining IONM alerts during expansions were all in children with prior IONM alerts during implant, revision, or exchange procedures.

Conclusions:

The highest rate of neurological injury in VEPTR surgery was found for implant procedures. There were no instances of neurological injury during VEPTR expansion, revision, or removal procedures. IONM did not identify new neurological injuries in patients undergoing VEPTR expansion who did not previously have a history of IONM signal change or neurologic injury.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV—diagnostic study.