bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subcutaneous Low Molecular Weight Heparin versus Subcutaneous Unfractionated Heparin in the Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis: a Polish Multicenter Trial
Authors: Lopaciuk S , Meissner A J , Filipecki S , Zawilska K , Sowier J , Ciesielski L , Bielawiec M , Glowinski S , Czestochowska E ,   others
Published: July 2018

In a prospective multicenter trial, 149 consecutive patients with phlebographically proven proximal and/or distal deep vein thrombosis of the leg were randomly allocated to receive subcutaneously for 10 days either low molecular weight heparin CY 216 (Fraxiparine) in a fixed dose or unfractionated heparin (UFH) in doses adjusted according to the activated partial thromboplastin time. Pre- and post-treatment phlebograms were assessed blindly using the Arnesen’s score system in 134 patients available for analysis of the treatment efficacy. The mean phlebographic score after 10 days of treatment was significantly decreased in both groups (p <0.001) in comparison with the baseline score but the difference in score changes between the two groups was not statistically significant. There was an improvement in 45/ 68 patients (66%) in the Fraxiparine group and in 32/66 patients (48%) in the UFH group, and an increase in the thrombus size in 10/68 (15%) and 12/66 (18%), respectively. One symptomatic non-fatal pulmonary embolism and one major bleeding episode were observed in the UFH group. During a follow-up period of 3 months, two rethromboses had occurred in the UFH group and none in the Fraxiparine group. It is concluded that subcutaneous fixed dose Fraxiparine is safe and at least as effective as subcutaneous adjusted UFH in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis.
Granulocyte Elastase, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Urokinase Levels as Prognostic Markers in Severe Infection
Authors: Philippé J , Dooijewaard G , Offner F , Turion P , Baele G , Leroux-Roels G
Published: July 2018

We have examined the prognostic value of the levels in the blood of granulocyte elastase-α1-proteinase inhibitor (E-α1-PI) complex, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) in 35 patients with severe infection upon admission to an Intensive Care Unit. Fourteen patients died.

No differences for E-α1-PI complex were found between survivors and nonsurvivors, but in all patients the levels on admission were eight-fold higher than the reference value.

TNF-α levels, measured by immunoassay, on admission were four times higher in the nonsurvivors than in the survivors (p = 0.0003) and correlated with the severity of the disease (APACHE II score, r = 0.43, p <0.05). TNF-α was not detectable by bioassay.

Total u-PA antigen (u-PA Ag), plasmin-activatable single-chain u-PA (scu-PA) and inactive, nonactivatable u-PA (u-PA#) were on admission all two-fold higher in the nonsurvivors (p = 0.0006, 0.003 and 0.0003, respectively), while normal in the survivors. In both, survivors and nonsurvivors, the ratio between scu-PA and u-PA Ag was significantly decreased (p <0.001, compared to a reference group of healthy volunteers), indicative for enhanced conversion of scu-PA to active two-chain u-PA (tcu-PA) and inactive u-PA# during severe infectious disease. tcu-PA was detected in nine of the 35 patients, while virtually undetectable in controls. scu-PA correlated with the Child-Pugh score on admission (r = 0.42, p <0.05). TNF-α correlated with u-PA Ag (r = 0.38, p <0.05) and with u-PA# (r = 0.47, p <0.01).

In a stepwise logistic regression analysis, documentation of infection and plasma levels of u-PA Ag contributed most significantly to prediction of patient outcome. Serum levels of TNF-α did not. These results suggest that, in addition to a number of other clinical and laboratory parameters, u-PA Ag can be used as a prognostic marker in patients with severe infection admitted to an Intensive Care Unit.
Screening for Fibrin Specific Monoclonal Antibodies: The Development of a New Procedure
Authors: Tymkewycz P M , Creighton-Kempsford L J , Hockley D , Gaffney P J
Published: July 2018

The acquisition of monoclonal antibodies specific for human fibrin has been impaired by the similarity in chemical composition between fibrinogen and fibrin and the conformational difference between immobilised and soluble fibrinogen. Five monoclonal antibodies (mabs) with a known affinity for fibrin have been subjected to screening procedures which involved the presentation of different forms of both fibrinogen and fibrin to the test mabs. It was observed by scanning electron microscopy that dried fibrin (denoted fibrin D), immobilised on the wells of PVC plates was morphologically similar to the fibrin found in human clots whereas PVC-immobilised fibrin monolayers (fibrin M) and a homogenised form of fibrin (fibrin FF) presented two very different morphological appearances. It was shown that lack of cross reactivity of a mab with an antigen (e.g. fibrinogen) was validly demonstrated only when both mab and antigen were present in the soluble state. These findings have allowed the generation of a screening procedure which involves the use of fibrin D on PVC plates in conjunction with whole human plasma incubated with the test antibody. This screening procedure has been validated using two mabs, one of which has an exclusive fibrin affinity while the other has a broad spectrum crossreactivity with both fibrinogen and fibrin. This procedure would ensure the acquisition of all the five fibrin-specific mabs used in this study while other less reliable screening procedures might not.
A Collaborative Study on the Measurement of Protein S Antigen in Plasma
Authors: Hubbard Anthony R , Wong Man Yu
Published: July 2018

A collaborative study on the measurement of protein S (PS) antigen (total and free) in a freeze-dried ampouled test plasma by assay against local house standard plasmas was carried out in eleven laboratories. Potency estimates of total PS showed good agreement between laboratories with a geometric coefficient of variation (gcv) of 5.9% and an overall combined potency of 0.84 units per ml. Potency estimates of free PS antigen in the test sample were associated with increased variability between laboratories resulting from the polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation step which is used to separate free PS from PS bound to the C4b binding protein. Free PS in the test could be expressed relative to either total PS in the house standards (e. g. 0.28 units per ml) or relative to free PS in the house standards following PEG precipitation (e. g. 0.71 units free PS per ml).
Inhibition by D-MePhe-Pro-Arg-H (GYKI-14766) of Thrombus Growth in Experimental Models of Thrombosis
Authors: Bagdy Dániel , Szabó Gabriella , Barabás Éva , Bajusz Sándor
Published: July 2018

The antithrombotic action of the highly effective synthetic thrombin inhibitor D-MePhe-Pro-Arg-H (GYKI-14766) was studied in various models of experimental thrombosis. The compound administered to rats and rabbits by i. v. bolus injections, continuous i. v. infusions, subcutaneously and orally, respectively, induced significant decrease in thrombus weight (i) in a quantitative venous thrombosis model with stasis based on vascular lesion in rats, (ii) in an extracorporeal arterio-venous shunt model in rabbits, and (iii) prevented the occlusion of the vessel in arterial thrombosis induced by mechanical damage in rats. By using the arterio-venous shunt model in rabbits the inhibitory effect on thrombus growth could be demonstrated as a function of dose and time in self-controlled experiments. Blood level of the inhibitor determined by a bioassay varied between 0.09-0.67 µg/ml whole blood when doses of 15 and 20 mg/kg were administered orally. A correlation was found between thrombin time, platelet aggregation induced by thrombin ex vivo and the weight of thrombi formed.
Vampire Bat Salivary Plasminogen Activator Promotes Robust Lysis of Plasma Clots in a Plasma Milieu Without Causing Fluid Phase Plasminogen Activation
Authors: Hare Timothy R , Gardell Stephen J
Published: July 2018

Vampire bat salivary plasminogen activator (BatPA), human tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) or streptokinase (SK) were incubated in human citrated plasma containing a plasma clot that was radiolabelled with iodine-125 fibrin(ogen). Complete clot dissolution by BatPA (30 nM) was associated with slight activation of “fluid phase” plasminogen; the plasma levels of functional fibrinogen and α2-antiplasmin decreased by only 8 and 19%, respectively. Addition of SK (3,600 IU/ml) to the clot-containing plasma caused complete clot lysis and massive activation of the “fluid phase” plasminogen, leading to >60 and 96% decreases of the functional levels of fibrinogen and α2-antiplasmin, respectively. Incubation of tPA (30 nM) in clot-containing plasma caused complete clot lysis as well as substantial activation of “fluid phase” plasminogen; the plasma levels of functional fibrinogen and α2-antiplasmin decreased by 45 and 79%, respectively. The profound degradation of fibrinogen in the SK and tPA but not BatPA-containing samples was confirmed by immunoblot analysis. Additional experiments showed that the presence of soluble clot lysate in plasma containing tPA enhanced the extent of fibrinogen degradation from 25% to >60%; the addition of soluble clot lysate to the plasma containing BatPA did not prompt further fibrinogen degradation. Finally, studies using exogenous α2-antiplasmin suggested that plasmin generated via tPA-mediated activation of “fluid phase” plasminogen does not play an important role in clot dissolution.
Lysine-Binding Heterogeneity of Lp(a): Consequences for Fibrin Binding and Inhibition of Plasminogen Activation
Authors: Leerink C Bas , Duif Pieter F C C M , Gimpel Joke A , Kortlandt Wouter , Bouma Bonno N , Rijn Herman J M van
Published: July 2018

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is recognized as an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. Lp(a) consists of a LDL-like moiety with an additional glycoprotein, apo(a), linked to apolipoprotein B-100. Apo(a) has a high homology with plasminogen (Pg). In vivo, Pg is activated on a fibrin surface by tissue Pg activator (tPA). We prepared Lp(a) from plasma by sequential ultracentrifugation followed by lysine-sepharose affinity chromatography. We found that a changing (donor dependent) fraction of the Lp(a) did not bind to lysine-sepharose. This fraction, designated Lp(a)lys–, was further purified using gel filtration. Bound Lp(a) [Lp(a)lys+] was eluted with 0.2 M EACA. Apo(a) isoforms in both fractions were identical. In contrast Lp(a)lys+ inhibited Pg activation by tPA in vitro (IC50% 20 mg/1), whereas Lp(a)lys– did not. In addition Lp(a)lys– did not bind to CNBr-digested fibrinogen whereas Lp(a)lys+ did (K
d, app = 0.2 nM). Therefore we conclude that a changing donor dependent fraction of human plasma Lp(a) does not inhibit Pg activation in vitro and does not bind to CNBr-digested fibrinogen.
Transient Expression of Recombinant Glycoprotein Ibα Polypeptides in COS Cells that Inhibit von Willebrand Factor Binding to the Platelet Glycoprotein Ib/IX Complex
Authors: Petersen Eefke , Handin Robert I
Published: July 2018

The cDNA encoding the glycoprotein Ibα polypeptide has been expressed in COS cells. Transfection with full-length cDNA and a cDNA truncated at an internal Xbal site produced a recombinant polypeptide doublet with estimated molecular weights of 48 and 46 kDa (rGpIbαL318) which could be resolved into a single band of molecular weight 36 kDa following digestion with endoglycosidase F. A portion of the truncated polypeptide was retained in the endoplasmic reticulum of COS cells and slowly released. A second fraction was rapidly secreted into COS cell-conditioned medium and could be used for functional studies. Soluble rGpIbαL318 harvested from COS cell-conditioned medium inhibited ristocetin-dependent binding of [125I]-vWF to fixed washed human platelets (IC50 20 nM). Binding was inhibited by reduction and alkylation of “rGpIbαL318” suggesting the need for a critical disulfide bond to maintain biological activity of the recombinant polypeptide. We conclude that the recombinant polypeptides produced by transfection of GpIbα cDNA into heterologous cells are secreted, soluble, and can inhibit vWF binding to platelet GpIb/IX.
Geburtshilfliches Vorgehen beim HELLP-Syndrom
Authors: Loos W. , Rath W. , Kuhn W. , Graeff H.
Published: July 2018

Das HELLP-Syndrom ist eine atypische Verlaufsform der Präeklampsie mit ungewöhnlicher Symptomatik. Es geht mit einer beträchtlichen mütterlichen und perinatalen Mortalität einher. Bisher wurden an den Frauenkliniken der Universität Göttingen und der TU München 23 Schwangere mit einem HELLP-Syndrom behandelt. Die rasche Entbindung durch Kaiserschnitt erscheint gerechtfertigt durch die akute mütterliche Symptomatik und die häufig auftretende intrauterine Gefährdung des Feten.
Adolescent's Hair Loss due to Levetiracetam
Authors: Hamd Rola S. , Hasbini Dana A.
Published: July 2018

Hair loss is a known complication observed with the intake of many medications including a few antiepileptic drugs. We report, in this article, a 13-year-old girl with epilepsy who developed hair loss, which was noted within 2 months of starting levetiracetam. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of hair loss induced by levetiracetam in this age group.
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy for High-Grade Skull-Base Meningioma
Authors: Takeuchi Koji , Hiramatsu Ryo , Matsushita Yoko , Tanaka Hiroki , Sakurai Yoshinori , Suzuki Minoru , Ono Koji , Miyatake Shin-Ichi , Kuroiwa Toshihiko , Kawabata Shinji
Published: July 2018

Objectives Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a nuclear reaction-based tumor cell-selective particle irradiation that occurs when nonradioactive Boron-10 is irradiated with low-energy neutrons to produce high-energy α particles (10B [n, α] 7Li). Possible complications associated with extended surgical resection render high-grade meningioma (HGM) a challenging pathology and skull-base meningiomas (SBMs) even more challenging. Lately, we have been trying to control HGMs using BNCT. This study aims to elucidate whether the recurrence and outcome of HGMs and SBMs differ based on their location.

Design Retrospective review.

Setting Osaka Medical College Hospital and Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute.

Participants Between 2005 and 2014, 31 patients with recurrent HGM (7 SBMs) were treated with BNCT.

Main Outcome Measures Overall survival and the subgroup analysis by the anatomical tumor location.

Results Positron emission tomography revealed that HGMs exhibited 3.8 times higher boron accumulation than the normal brain. Although tumors displayed transient increases in size in several cases, all lesions were found to decrease during observation. Furthermore, the median survival time of patients with SBMs post-BNCT and after being diagnosed as high-grade were 24.6 and 67.5 months, respectively (vs non-SBMs: 40.4 and 47.5 months).

Conclusions BNCT could be a robust and beneficial therapeutic modality for patients with high-grade SBMs.
Aneignung oder Entfremdung? Das Bedürfnis nach Sinn und die provozierende Frage nach einer „geglückten Psychose“
Authors: Bock Thomas
Published: July 2018

Welche Sicht auf psychische Erkrankungen, vor allem Psychosen, hilft dem Patienten, die eigene Erfahrung (wieder) anzueignen, und anderen, keine soziale Distanz entstehen zu lassen. Kann die Psychiatrie lernen und dann auch lehren, die Besonderheiten der Menschen nicht nur pathologisch als Fremdheit und Normabweichung, sondern auch anthropologisch als zutiefst menschliche Ausprägung auf einem Kontinuum zu begreifen? Welche Bedeutung können Kategorien wie Sinn und Glück in diesem Zusammenhang haben? – Die Abhandlung versucht zu skizzieren, welche Sichtweise auf psychische Erkrankung und welche therapeutische Haltung hilfreich sind, damit sich Krankheit und Glück nicht ausschließen.
Zum Glück – eine philosophische Landkarte
Authors: Stoecker Ralf
Published: July 2018

Die interdisziplinären Untersuchungen, die in dem Sonderheft „Zum Glück“ der Psychiatrischen Praxis versammelt sind, haben ganz unterschiedliche Zugänge zu diesem Thema gewählt. Der abschließende Beitrag zu dem Themenheft soll eine inhaltliche Orientierung aus philosophischer Sicht bieten, indem er verschiedene Themen und Probleme skizziert, auf die man bei der Beschäftigung mit dem Glück stößt. Dabei lässt er sich von 4 grundsätzlichen Fragen leiten: Was ist Glück? Wie wird man glücklich? Wie wichtig ist es, glücklich zu sein? Und was hat Glück mit Ethik zu tun?
The effect of inserted layers on the anomalous Hall effect and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in Ta/CoFeB/MgO heterostructures
Authors: Li Minghua , Fang Shuai , Shi Hui , Jiang Shaolong , Han Gang , Gao Rongsheng , Zhang Xudan , Liu Xiaotong , Li Jiafang , Zhu Yixin , Chen Jinshuai , Yu Guanghua
Published: July 2018

In this work, Ta/M/CoFeB/MgO/Ta multilayers were designed to investigate the effect of M insertion on the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). Once inserted, Bi did not remain at the interface of Ta and CoFeB; it migrated to the surface of the films, which was not beneficial to PMA. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analyses revealed that the segregation of Ta was partly suppressed by the insertion of an Mo, Hf or Pt layer. However, the formation of a CoPt (or FePt) alloy decreased the PMA in the case of a Pt layer. The sample with Hf and Mo still exhibited a clear PMA after annealing at a 350 and 500 °C, respectively.
Hybrid capillary discharge waveguide for laser wakefield acceleration
Authors: Qin Zhiyong , Li Wentao , Liu Jiansheng , Liu Jiaqi , Yu Changhai , Wang Wentao , Qi Rong , Zhang Zhijun , Fang Ming , Feng Ke , Wu Ying , Ke Lintong , Chen Yu , Wang Cheng , Li Ruxin , Xu Zhizhan
Published: July 2018

A hybrid capillary discharge waveguide formed by injecting low-pressure hydrogen (<3.8 Torr) into a pure ablative capillary is presented to supply the stable guiding for multi-GeV laser wakefield acceleration. The injected low-pressure gas only provides the seed plasma for ablative discharge breakdown, like the adsorbed gas in the inner wall of the ablative capillary. With this hybrid capillary, a stable discharge with low jitter (∼5 ns) can be achieved in a simple way, and the plasma density inside the plasma channel can also be controlled in the range of ∼0.7×1018cm−3–1.2×1018cm−3 within a 150-ns temporal window. Furthermore, the hybrid capillary can also be easily extended to a longer length by adding multiple segments, and femtosecond laser pulses can be well guided in both the single and multiple segment modes. With these advantages, the hybrid capillary may provide an attractive plasma channel for multi-GeV-scale laser wakefield acceleration.
Artificial electronic synapse characteristics of a Ta/Ta2O5-x/Al2O3/InGaZnO4 memristor device on flexible stainless steel substrate
Authors: Yan Xiaobing , Wang Jingjuan , Zhao Mengliu , Li Xiaoyan , Wang Hong , Zhang Lei , Lu Chao , Ren Deliang
Published: July 2018

In this work, we fabricate and report a flexible memristor device with the structure of Ta/Ta2O5-x/Al2O3/InGaZnO4 on a stainless steel substrate, which is robust in emulating the bio-synapse function and anti-pull capacity. The I-V curves show that this device has excellent stability and uniformity in 100 sweep cycles. When applying stimulation voltage pulses, the device conductance is adjusted gradually and can still be modulated after 1000 times of bending. Furthermore, this device demonstrates essential synaptic behaviors, including short-term plasticity, long-term plasticity, and short-term to long-term transition. In addition, under a tension of 200 N, the I-V characteristics have no obvious degeneration and the conduction of the device can still be modulated under pulse trains. The flexible Ta/Ta2O5-x/Al2O3/InGaZnO4 memristor can be a promising candidate for neuromorphic computing applications.
How to transform a fixed stroke alternating syringe ventricle into an adjustable elastance ventricle
Authors: Corazza Ivan , Casadei Lorenzo , Bonafè Elisa , Cercenelli Laura , Marcelli Emanuela , Zannoli Romano
Published: July 2018

Most devices used for bench simulation of the cardiovascular system are based either on a syringe-like alternating pump or an elastic chamber inside a fluid-filled rigid box. In these devices, it is very difficult to control the ventricular elastance and simulate pathologies related to the mechanical mismatch between the ventricle and arterial load (i.e., heart failure). This work presents a possible solution to transforming a syringe-like pump with a fixed ventricle into a ventricle with variable elastance. Our proposal was tested in two steps: (1) fixing the ventricle and the aorta and changing the peripheral resistance (PHR); (2) fixing the aorta and changing the ventricular elastance and the PHR. The signals of interest were acquired to build the ventricular pressure-volume (P-V) loops describing the different physiological conditions, and the end-systolic pressure-volume relationships (ESPVRs) were calculated with linear interpolation. The results obtained show a good physiological behavior of our mock for both steps. (1) Since the ventricle is the same, the systolic pressures increase and the stroke volumes decrease with the PHR: the ESPVR, obtained by interpolating the pressure and volume values at end-systolic phases, is linear. (2) Each ventricle presents ESPVR with different slopes depending on the ventricle elastance with a very good linear behavior. In conclusion, this paper demonstrates that a fixed stroke alternating syringe ventricle can be transformed into an adjustable elastance ventricle.
Electric field induced surface modification and impermeability enhancement for a polymer film
Authors: Feng Zhenliang , Song Guang-Ling , Zheng Dajiang , Gui Qi , Xu Yuqing
Published: July 2018

A compression region was unexpectedly formed in a semiliquid alkyd film during polymerization under a local electric field, and the thin compression region in the cured film was found to be interestingly more impermeable than the other thick areas. Based on optical and SEM observations and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis, a charging process was proposed to interpret the film morphology change. It was further inferred that some of the species from air ionization in the electric field might participate in the polymerization of the film and the electric field could beneficially interfere the micro-defects in the film, both of which helped lower the permeability of the cured film. The study also implies that the electric field modification may be employed to micro-machine a soft surface, enhance the quality of an organic coating, and even control automatons in future.
Bandgap and band edge positions in compositionally graded ZnCdO
Authors: Jensen I. J. T. , Johansen K. M. , Zhan W. , Venkatachalapathy V. , Brillson L. , Kuznetsov A. Yu. , Prytz Ø.
Published: July 2018

Introducing Cd into ZnO allows for bandgap engineering, potentially with particularly interesting properties to observe in compositionally graded samples. In this work, compositionally graded Zn1–xCdxO samples with 0 ≤ x < 0.16 were made using metal organic vapour phase epitaxy. The chemical composition was studied using scanning transmission electron microscopy, while the band structure of the samples was investigated using a combination of cathodoluminescence spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It is found that the reduction of the bandgap in our samples is caused by changes in the conduction band. The position of the Fermi level relative to the vacuum level, i.e., the workfunction, was also found to change upon addition of Cd, giving an apparent shift in the valence band when evaluated from the XPS valence spectra.
A simple method of dust charge estimation using an externally applied oscillating electric field
Authors: Saitou Yoshifumi
Published: July 2018

A new estimation method on the electric charge quantity of dust particles in a complex plasma is developed. This method estimates the mean electric charge of dust particles in a measurement domain. The measurement system is simple and there is not much influence on experimental conditions of a dust phenomenon in which we are interested. The experimental result obtained with this method is compared with theoretical estimations. It is confirmed that the new method provides a quantitatively correct electric charge of dust particles.
Modulating the lattice dynamics of n-type Heusler compounds via tuning Ni concentration
Authors: Chauhan Nagendra S. , Gahtori Bhasker , Sivaiah Bathula , Mahanti Subhendra D. , Dhar Ajay , Bhattacharya Amrita
Published: July 2018

Reducing the lattice thermal conductivity (κL) comprises one of the crucial aspects of thermoelectric research. Ternary intermetallic half Heusler compounds have revealed properties promising for thermoelectric applications. Studies have shown that self doping with Ni in Ni based half Heuslers leads to unprecedented lowering in the κL. Although the underlying physical mechanisms have not been explored in detail, with ZrNiSn as a case study, we experimentally investigate the change in κL with increase in the Ni concentration in Ni based n-type half Heusler alloys. We observe that at excess Ni doping of 3% in the half Heusler lattice, the thermal conductivity reduces by more than 60%. Our density functional theory based analysis on the ongoing phenomena reveals that at ultralow Ni doping, the localized modes of the antisite Ni defect hybridize with the acoustic modes and this plays the most dominant role in scattering of the thermal phonons leading to significant lowering in κL. Our theoretical analysis can be employed for predicting a suitable dopants that may reduce the κL prior to the synthesis of the compound in the laboratory.
Mean-field Matsubara dynamics: Analysis of path-integral curvature effects in rovibrational spectra
Authors: Trenins George , Althorpe Stuart C.
Published: July 2018

It was shown recently that smooth and continuous “Matsubara” phase-space loops follow a quantum-Boltzmann-conserving classical dynamics when decoupled from non-smooth distributions, which was suggested as the reason that many dynamical observables appear to involve a mixture of classical dynamics and quantum Boltzmann statistics. Here we derive a mean-field version of this “Matsubara dynamics” which sufficiently mitigates its serious phase problem to permit numerical tests on a two-dimensional “champagne-bottle” model of a rotating OH bond. The Matsubara-dynamics rovibrational spectra are found to converge toward close agreement with the exact quantum results at all temperatures tested (200–800 K), the only significant discrepancies being a temperature-independent 22 cm−1 blue-shift in the position of the vibrational peak and a slight broadening in its line shape. These results are compared with centroid molecular dynamics (CMD) to assess the importance of non-centroid fluctuations. Above 250 K, only the lowest-frequency non-centroid modes are needed to correct small CMD red-shifts in the vibrational peak; below 250 K, more non-centroid modes are needed to correct large CMD red-shifts and broadening. The transition between these “shallow curvature” and “deep curvature” regimes happens when imaginary-time Feynman paths become able to lower their actions by cutting through the curved potential surface, giving rise to artificial instantons in CMD.
Plate geometries for contact resonance atomic force microscopy: Modeling, optimization, and verification
Authors: Aureli Matteo , Ahsan Syed N. , Shihab Rafiul H. , Tung Ryan C.
Published: July 2018

A novel contact resonance atomic force microscopy (CR-AFM) method utilizing a two-dimensional Kirchhoff-Love plate framework is presented. Theoretical formulations are discussed, and the classic CR-AFM problem is re-cast into an easily implementable generalized eigenvalue problem. An analysis is performed to determine the optimal placement of the sensing tip for plates of different aspect ratios. Finally, an experiment is conducted using the finite element method to numerically verify the proposed technique. By using a plate geometry for CR-AFM and optimizing the sensor tip location, we achieve a higher measurement sensitivity and modal density when compared with standard AFM cantilever geometries. A higher modal density allows CR-AFM measurement to be conducted using more information extracting eigenmodes in a given frequency bandwidth.
Differences in germination response to smoke and temperature cues in ‘pyrophyte’ and ‘pyrofuge’ forms of Erica coccinea (Ericaceae)
Authors: Leonard Jenny , West Adam G. , Ojeda Fernando
Published: July 2018

Many plants in fire-prone ecosystems produce seeds that are cued to germinate after fire. However, fire is not uniform in the landscape, and there are often refugia where fire does not reach, like rocky outcrops or moist valleys. Erica coccinea, a heath shrub from the South African fynbos, has two distinct pyrophyte forms (a resprouter and a seeder) as well as a ‘pyrofuge’ form that only occurs in fire refugia. We measured germination response to smoke and incubation temperature in seeds from pyrophyte (resprouter and seeder) and pyrofuge populations to determine whether these forms responded differently to a fire-cue (smoke) and a general germination cue (temperature). We found that seeds from pyrofuge plants had high germination success (80.9–92.0%) at the lowest incubation temperature (15/8°C 12h day/night cycle) regardless of smoke exposure. In contrast, seeds from pyrophytes (resprouters and seeders) responded strongly to the smoke cue (71.2–95.0%) and were not as limited by temperature. These results show that fire presence and absence is driving divergence of the primary germination cue in Erica coccinea. Given the patchiness of many natural fire regimes worldwide, we expect there may be pyrofuge populations exhibiting a similar divergence of traits in other species and other fire-prone ecosystems.
Local structure can identify and quantify influential global spreaders in large scale social networks
Authors: Hu Yanqing , Ji Shenggong , Jin Yuliang , Feng Ling , Stanley H. Eugene , Havlin Shlomo
Published: July 2018

Significance

Identification and quantification of influential spreaders in social networks are challenging due to the gigantic network sizes and limited availability of the entire structure. Here we show that such difficulty can be overcome by reducing the problem scale to a local one, which is essentially independent of the entire network. This is because in viral spreading the characteristic spreading size does not depend on network structure outside the local environment of the seed spreaders. Our approach may open the door to solve various big data problems such as false information surveillance and control, viral marketing, epidemic control, and network protection.
Genetic selection of athletic success in sport-hunting dogs
Authors: Kim Jaemin , Williams Falina J. , Dreger Dayna L. , Plassais Jocelyn , Davis Brian W. , Parker Heidi G. , Ostrander Elaine A.
Published: July 2018

Significance

We found that hundreds of years of selection by humans have produced sport-hunting breeds of superior speed and athleticism through strong selection on multiple genes relating to cardiovascular, muscle, and neuronal functions. We further substantiated these findings by showing that genes under selection significantly enhanced athleticism, as measured by racing speed and obstacle course success, using standardized measures from dogs competing in national competitions. Overall these results reveal both the evolutionary processes and the genetic pathways putatively involved in athletic success.
Atmospheric sulfur isotopic anomalies recorded at Mt. Everest across the Anthropocene
Authors: Lin Mang , Kang Shichang , Shaheen Robina , Li Chaoliu , Hsu Shih-Chieh , Thiemens Mark H.
Published: July 2018

Significance

Signatures of sulfur isotopic anomalies (a proxy used in tracking the atmospheric oxygen/sulfur cycles in the past) preserved in the Himalayas (“Asian water towers”) reveal significant changes in the regional atmospheric sulfur cycle and glacial hydrological system during the second industrial revolution. The record extends our atmospheric sulfur isotopic anomaly observation to a unique region and different time and transitional period. Distinct from most existing aerosol measurements made in the twenty-first century, the 200-y record mimics the Archean (4–2.5 billion years ago) barite record and may provide a broader view of the mechanistic origin of sulfur isotopic anomalies in the modern atmosphere and another tool to deepen insights into the Earth’s sulfur cycle during the evolution of early life.
Home after Isis: A study of Return as A Durable Solution in Iraq
Authors: Davis Rochelle , Benton Grace , Al Dairani Dana , Gallien Michaela , Al-Shami Salma
Published: July 2018

Return to one's place of origin is considered to be one of the three ‘durable solutions’ whereby the displaced can effectively end their situation of displacement. However, to consider return to the place of origin, which in many cases has been transformed by war and conflict, without considering the conditions that people have returned to is to elide a whole host of challenges facing people upon their return. In Iraq, as military actors have reclaimed territory from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), internally displaced persons (IDPs) have begun to return to their homes in these liberated areas. While the liberation of these territories from ISIS signals the beginning of the end of a conflict that has persisted for almost four years, preliminary data from an International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Georgetown University longitudinal study on displacement in Iraq reveals that the security and material conditions for returnees are precarious. Using the Inter-agency Standing Committee (IASC) Framework on Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons, which offers criteria for whether a durable solution has been accessed, our paper draws on quantitative data and qualitative interviews with returnees to explore the material and security conditions for recent returnees and the strategies returnees employ to cope with these issues.
Neopatrimonialism in Afghanistan: Former Warlords, New Democratic Bureaucrats?
Authors: Mehran Weeda
Published: July 2018

An indispensable part of the liberal peacebuilding package is rebuilding effective and meritocratic administrative structures. This paper analyses building state institutions in Afghanistan with a focus on the role of warlords in the process. The findings are based on in-depth interviews conducted from 2012 to 2016 in five different provinces of Afghanistan. The paper uses neopatrimonialism as an analytical framework to shed light on our understanding of warlords’ influence on building state institutions in a war-torn country such as Afghanistan. The paper argues that warlords have played a major role in the formation of neopatrimonialism in the country, a system that has proven pervasive, flexible and resistant to change. Additionally, this paper contends that neopatrimonial networks centred on warlords have been relatively effective in delivering services to those within the network while excluding others, nonetheless creating enough legitimacy and support to survive. Overall, this neopatrimonial system excludes some segments of the population and is very difficult to reform to make it more inclusive.
Atomised and Subordinated? Unpacking the role of International Involvement in ‘The Local turn’ of Peacebuilding in Nepal and Cambodia
Authors: Lundqvist Martin Ola , Öjendal Joakim
Published: July 2018

The local turn debate sometimes falls into the trap of romanticising the local, while vilifying international involvement in peacebuilding. Although this post-colonially informed argument makes immediate theoretical sense, there is a dearth of empirically driven comparative research which explores whether, and if so how, an international presence actually influences local peacebuilding efforts. In order to address this research gap, the present article sets out to study the execution of local peacebuilding programmes in two relatively similar cases where one (Nepal) has enjoyed little international peacebuilding presence, while the other (Cambodia) has seen a massive influx of international actors and funding in its peacebuilding endeavour. Our empirical material indicates that international support for the local peacebuilding process in Cambodia has bolstered it, while the locally owned process in Nepal has been far from successful in forging the conditions for sustainable peace. To fathom why these particular outcomes have occurred, however, the full answers are unlikely to be found by merely scrutinising whether the peacebuilding processes have been primarily internationally or locally driven. Instead, we suggest that peacebuilding outcomes are better understood by studying situated practices.
Ethnic Minority Women, Diversity, and Informal Participation in Peacebuilding in Myanmar
Authors: Pepper Mollie
Published: July 2018

Myanmar is in the midst of a complex peace process following nearly 70 years of civil conflict that has left the country severely underdeveloped. Despite the presence of influential women's organisations that attend to everyday needs as well as larger political projects, women are not well represented in the peace process. This article uses qualitative data to examine the influence that women do have on the peace process, albeit informally. Findings show that although women are not making it into peace negotiations in Myanmar, nevertheless they are key players in peacebuilding because of their civil society activism, organised through ethnic women's organisations, which places them around the table, if not at the table. The paper concludes that women's activism does have an effect on peacebuilding and that a shift in perspective is required to recognise their contributions.
Connection between target poisoning and current waveforms in reactive high-power impulse magnetron sputtering of chromium
Authors: Layes Vincent , Corbella Carles , Thiemann-Monjé Sascha , Schulz-von der Gathen Volker , von Keudell Achim , de los Arcos Teresa
Published: July 2018

Global models of high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) plasmas in the literature predict a unique connection between target current waveform and oxidation state of the target (metallic versus poisoned): in the metallic mode, the current waveform reaches a plateau due to metal atom recycling, in the poisoned mode a triangular current waveform is predicted driven by plasma gas recycling. This hypothesis of such a unique connection is tested by measuring the surface chemical composition of chromium magnetron targets directly during reactive high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (r-HiPIMS) by spatially resolved x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The sputtering setup was connected to the ultra-high vacuum XPS spectrometer so that the targets could be transferred between the two chambers without breaking the vacuum. The O2/Ar feed gas ratio, the input power and the pulse frequency of the HiPIMS plasmas were varied. The racetrack oxidation state was measured for different plasma parameters and correlated to the target current waveform shape. It was found that a shift of the target operation from the poisoned mode at low powers to the metallic mode at high powers when operating the discharge at 20 Hz pulse frequency occurs. The transition between these modes was directly correlated with analysis of the Cr2p core level peak on the complete target area. A unique correlation between the metallic and poisoned state of the target and the plateau and triangular current waveform was identified for very low powers and very high powers. In the intermediate power range, such a unique connection is absent. It is argued that the presence of already a small fraction of metal on the target may induce a plateau current waveform despite a significant oxidation of the target. This implies a finite contribution of metal sputtering during the pulse that dominates the recycling and leads to a plateau current waveform. Consequently, the shape of current waveforms cannot easily be connected to target poisoning, but a more detailed modeling of the recycling mechanisms is required.
Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Aesthetic Surgery
Authors: Glass Graeme Ewan , Ferretti Patrizia
Published: July 2018

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) have come to be viewed as a ubiquitous solution for aesthetic and reconstructive problems involving loss of tissue volume and age or radiation-induced loss of tissue pliability and vascularity. As the theoretical potential of “stem cell therapy” has captured the public imagination, so the commercial potential of novel therapies is being exploited beyond scientifically sound, hypothesis-driven paradigms and in the absence of evidence establishing clinical efficacy and safety. Moreover, with variations in methods of isolation, manipulation, and reintroduction described, it is unclear how the practitioner with an interest in ADSC can harness the clinical potential in reproducible and scientifically measurable ways. This Continuing Medical Education (CME) article presents a summary of our understanding of what ADSC are, their utility within the field of aesthetic surgery, and the current and future directions for adipose stem cell research.
Draft Genome Resource for the Potato Powdery Scab Pathogen Spongospora subterranea
Authors: Ciaghi Stefan , Neuhauser Sigrid , Schwelm Arne
Published: July 2018

The Plasmodiophorida (Phytomyxea, Rhizaria) are a group of protists that infect plants. Of this group, Spongospora subterranea causes major problems for the potato industry by causing powdery scab and root galling of potatoes and as vector for the Potato mop-top virus (PMTV) (genus Pomovirus, family Virgaviridae). A single tuber isolate (SSUBK13) of this uncultivable protist was used to generate DNA for Illumina sequencing. The data were assembled to a draft genome of 28.08 Mb consisting of 2,340 contigs and an L50 of 280. A total of 10,778 genes were predicted and 93% of the BUSCO genes were detected. The presented genome assembly is only the second genome of a plasmodiophorid. The data will accelerate functional genomics to study poorly understood interaction of plasmodiophorids and their hosts.
Scapulothoracic and Glenohumeral Motions During Functional Reaching Tasks in Women With a History of Breast Cancer and Healthy Age-Matched Controls
Authors: Spinelli Bryan A. , Silfies Sheri , Jacobs Linda A. , Brooks Ari D. , Ebaugh Dave
Published: July 2018

Purposes:

(1) To determine differences in scapulothoracic (ST) and glenohumeral (GH) motions between women with and without breast cancer (BrCa); and (2) to determine association between ST and GH motions and shoulder pain and disability.

Methods:

Thirty women with BrCa and 30 women without BrCa participated in this observational study. ST and GH kinematic data were collected during 5 repetitions of unilateral unweighted overhead reaching, weighted overhead reaching (0.91 kg), and simulated hair combing in a research laboratory. The involved side in women with BrCa was matched by hand dominance with the appropriate side in women without BrCa. Shoulder pain and disability were measured using the Penn Shoulder Score. Separate 1-way multivariate analysis of variance tests were conducted to determine whether differences existed. Pearson correlations were used to determine association between ST and GH motions and shoulder pain and disability. Significance levels were set at .05.

Results:

There were no significant differences in ST and GH motions between women with and without BrCa. Specific ST and GH motions were significantly correlated (r = 0.36-0.57) with shoulder pain and disability.

Conclusion:

Lack of significant differences in ST and GH motions suggests that the majority of women with BrCa in our study had sufficient motion to accomplish the functional tasks. Several ST and GH motions were weakly to moderately associated with shoulder pain and disability among women with BrCa. However, it is not clear whether these ST and GH motions are compensatory strategies or contributing factors to the development of shoulder pain and disability.
Feasibility and Functional Outcomes of Children and Adolescents Undergoing Preoperative Chemotherapy Prior to a Limb-Sparing Procedure or Amputation
Authors: Corr Angela Meyer , Liu Wei , Bishop Michael , Pappo Alberto , Srivastava Deo Kumar , Neel Michael , Rao Bhaskar , Wilson Terry , Ness Kirsten K.
Published: July 2018

Background:

Survivors of lower extremity (LE) malignancies experience functional deficits.

Purpose:

The purpose of this prospective clinical trial was to determine feasibility and functional outcomes of adding prehabilitation during the 10- to 12-week period prior to a planned surgery to remove the tumor in children and adolescents with an LE sarcoma.

Design:

Pilot study.

Setting:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Patients:

Participants included 14 individuals between the ages of 8 and 20 years who had a diagnosis of an LE sarcoma. Participant outcomes were compared with a control group of 35 individuals treated for osteosarcoma who underwent the same functional assessments but no prehabilitation.

Intervention:

Participants in the intervention group received strengthening exercises and mobility training 3 times per week for 30 to 60 minutes for 10 to 12 weeks preoperatively.

Measurements:

Participants completed the Functional Mobility Assessment (FMA) and measures of strength and range of motion (ROM) of bilateral LEs at baseline, after 10 to 12 weeks of preoperative physical therapy (PT), and at 20 to 22 weeks.

Results:

Twelve participants completed at least 50% of their schedule prehabilitative sessions. Participants in the intervention group scored significantly better on the FMA than participants in the control group at weeks 20 to 22 (35.6 vs 25.7, P = .0267). No significant difference was found in ROM or strength.

Limitations:

Because of this study being a pilot study, the sample size was small. Therefore, we cannot infer generalizability.

Conclusions:

Findings suggest that those with a diagnosis of an LE malignancy awaiting a limb-sparing procedure or amputation participate in at least 50% of scheduled PT sessions and benefit from them.
Oncology Section EDGE Task Force on Cancer: A Systematic Review of Patient-Reported Measures for Sexual Dysfunction
Authors: Alappattu Meryl , Harrington Shana E. , Hill Alexandra , Roscow Amanda , Jeffrey Alicia
Published: July 2018

Background:

Sexual dysfunction is an important and infrequently addressed issue in patients with cancer.

Purpose:

To identify self-report measures for assessing sexual dysfunction and to evaluate their psychometric properties and relevance to patients with cancer.

Methods:

Multiple electronic databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO) were reviewed using specific search terms to locate articles that identify self-report measures assessing sexual dysfunction. From the 1118 articles reviewed, 21 measures were selected for analysis. Each measure was independently reviewed and rated by 2 reviewers using the Cancer EDGE Task Force Outcome Measure Rating Form. Any discrepancies between reviewers were discussed, and an overall recommendation for each measure was made using the 4-point Cancer EDGE Task Force Rating Scale.

Results:

On the basis of the psychometric properties and relevance to patients with cancers, we highly recommend the following 4 measures: Sexual Function–Vaginal Changes Questionnaire; International Index of Erectile Function; Erection Hardness Score; and Sexual Health Inventory for Men (aka International Index of Erectile Function–5). We recommend one measure, the Sexual Interest and Desire Inventory. We are unable to recommend 8 measures, based on limited psychometric information and/or clinical utility. Finally, we do not recommend an additional 8 measures.

Conclusions:

Five of the 21 sexual dysfunction measures demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties and application to the cancer population and are thereby recommended for clinical use in patients with cancer.