bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Orthogonal 19F‐Labeling for Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy Reveals the Conformation and Orientation of Short Peptaibols in Membranes
Authors: Grage Stephan L. , Kara Sezgin , Bordessa Andrea , Doan Véronique , Rizzolo Fabio , Putzu Marina , Kubař Tomáš , Papini Anna Maria , Chaume Grégory , Brigaud Thierry , Afonin Sergii , Ulrich Anne S.
Published: January 2018

Peptaibols are promising drug candidates in view of their interference with cellular membranes. Knowledge of their lipid interactions and membrane‐bound structure is needed to understand their activity and should be, in principle, accessible by solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. However, their unusual amino acid composition and noncanonical conformations make it very challenging to find suitable labels for NMR spectroscopy. Particularly in the case of short sequences, new strategies are required to maximize the structural information that can be obtained from each label. Herein, l‐3‐(trifluoromethyl)bicyclopent[1.1.1]‐1‐ylglycine, (R)‐ and (S)‐trifluoromethylalanine, and 15N‐backbone labels, each probing a different direction in the molecule, have been combined to elucidate the conformation and membrane alignment of harzianin HK‐VI. For the short sequence of 11 amino acids, 12 orientational constraints have been obtained by using 19F and 15N NMR spectroscopy. This strategy revealed a β‐bend ribbon structure, which becomes realigned in the membrane from a surface‐parallel state towards a membrane‐spanning state, with increasing positive spontaneous curvature of the lipids.
Branch‐Like Iron Nitride and Carbide Magnetic Fibres Using an Electrospinning Technique
Authors: García‐Márquez Alfonso , Glatzel Stefan , Kraupner Alexander , Kiefer Klaus , Siemensmeyer Konrad , Giordano Cristina
Published: January 2018

Fe3N and Fe3C nanocomposites have a wide range of applications thanks to their ceramic nature, magnetic properties, conductivity and catalytic activity, just to cite some. In many fields optimal performances are ensured by crystallinity, homogeneity and hierarchical organization. In the present paper, crystalline, magnetic and well‐defined nanofibres of iron nitride and iron carbide/carbon nanocomposite with tunable composition and size were prepared via electrospinning. The starting polymeric material was directly electrospun into fibres and then calcined, leading to a highly homogeneous final product of nanoparticles along the fibres (both outside and inside). A mechanistic study was undertaken and here discussed. The magnetic properties of the as‐prepared nanofibres were also studied. The as‐prepared final fibre mat composite material can serve as active catalyst, for example, in oxygen reduction reaction (where nanofibres outperformed mere nanoparticles), it can serve as functional support for classical catalytic processes or, thanks to its magnetic properties, can be applied in magnetic‐field assisted separation or as magneto‐active membranes.
Phytomining – neue Perspektiven für die Rohstoffgewinnung
Authors: Hille‐Rehfeld Annette
Published: January 2018

Manche Pflanzen besitzen die bemerkenswerte Fähigkeit, für andere Organismen toxische Metalle unbeschadet aufzunehmen und im Spross zu akkumulieren. Diese Fracht hilft den Pflanzen, Schädlinge abzuwehren und liefert die Basis neuer Technologien für die Bodensanierung und Rohstoffgewinnung.
Immobilization of UDP‐Galactose on an Amphiphilic Resin
Authors: Bevan Jessica G. M. , Lourenço Eva C. , Chaves‐Ferreira Miguel , Rodrigues João A. , Rita Ventura M.
Published: January 2018

Nucleotide sugars are activated sugar precursors used by glycosyltransferases to form glycans. Here we report the first examples of resin‐bound nucleotide sugars: fluorinated UDP‐galactose and UDP‐galactose. They were conjugated to a polyethylene glycol resin through the C6 position with an SMCC linker in good to excellent yields. This synthesis represents an efficient method to access resin‐bound nucleotide sugars in a modular approach that enables modifications of the sugar or nucleotide before conjugation. The system has been conceived as a new chemistry‐based screening system for enzymes that use UDP‐galactose.
An internal penalty discontinuous Galerkin method for simulating conjugate heat transfer in a closed cavity
Authors: Cai Z. , Thornber B.
Published: January 2018

Using the discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method for conjugate heat transfer problems can provide improved accuracy close to the fluid‐solid interface, localizing the data exchange process, which may further enhance the convergence and stability of the entire computation. This paper presents a framework for the simulation of conjugate heat transfer problems using DG methods on unstructured grids. Based on an existing DG solver for the incompressible Navier‐Stokes equation, the fluid advection‐diffusion equation, Boussinesq term, and solid heat equation are introduced using an explicit DG formulation. A Dirichlet‐Neumann partitioning strategy has been implemented to achieve the data exchange process via the numerical flux of interface quadrature points in the fluid‐solid interface. Formal h and p convergence studies employing the method of manufactured solutions demonstrate that the expected order of accuracy is achieved. The algorithm is then further validated against 3 existing benchmark cases, including a thermally driven cavity, conjugate thermally driven cavity, and a thermally driven cavity with conducting solid, at Rayleigh numbers from 1000 to 100 000. The computational effort is documented in detail demonstrating clearly that, for all cases, the highest‐order accurate algorithm has several magnitudes lower error than first‐ or second‐order schemes for a given computational effort.
Functional connectivity predicts gender: Evidence for gender differences in resting brain connectivity
Authors: Zhang Chao , Dougherty Chase C. , Baum Stefi A. , White Tonya , Michael Andrew M.
Published: January 2018

Prevalence of certain forms of psychopathology, such as autism and depression, differs between genders and understanding gender differences of the neurotypical brain may provide insights into risk and protective factors. In recent research, resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rfMRI) is widely used to map the inherent functional networks of the brain. Although previous studies have reported gender differences in rfMRI, the robustness of gender differences is not well characterized. In this study, we use a large data set to test whether rfMRI functional connectivity (FC) can be used to predict gender and identify FC features that are most predictive of gender. We utilized rfMRI data from 820 healthy controls from the Human Connectome Project. By applying a predefined functional template and partial least squares regression modeling, we achieved a gender prediction accuracy of 87% when multi‐run rfMRI was used. Permutation tests confirmed that gender prediction was reliable (
). Effects of motion, age, handedness, blood pressure, weight, and brain volume on gender prediction are discussed. Further, we found that FC features within the default mode (DMN), fronto‐parietal and sensorimotor networks contributed most to gender prediction. In the DMN, right fusiform gyrus and right ventromedial prefrontal cortex were important contributors. The above regions have been previously implicated in aspects of social functioning and this suggests potential gender differences in social cognition mediated by the DMN. Our findings demonstrate that gender can be reliably predicted using rfMRI data and highlight the importance of controlling for gender in brain imaging studies.
Material dependent fretting corrosion in spinal fusion devices: Evaluation of onset and long‐term response
Authors: Singh Vaneet , Shorez Jacob P. , Mali Sachin A. , Hallab Nadim J. , Gilbert Jeremy L.
Published: January 2018

Posterior spinal fusion implants include number of interconnecting components, which are subjected to micromotion under physiological loading conditions inducing a potential for fretting corrosion. There is very little known about the fretting corrosion in these devices in terms of the minimum angular displacement (threshold) necessary to induce fretting corrosion or the amount of fretting corrosion that can arise during the life of the implant. Therefore, the first goal was to evaluate the threshold fretting corrosion in three anatomical orientations and second the long‐term fretting corrosion for the three different material types of spinal implants under physiological loading conditions. In threshold test, axial rotation exhibited highest changes in open circuit potential (VOCP in mV) and induced fretting currents (Ifrett in µA) for cobalt chrome (ΔVOCP: 24.71 ± 5.53; ΔIfrett: 4.03 ± 0.51) and stainless steel (ΔVOCP: 28.21 ± 6.97; ΔIfrett: 2.98 ± 0.42) constructs whereas it was flexion‐extension for titanium constructs (ΔVOCP: 4.51 ± 2.48; ΔIfrett: 0.38 ± 0.12). Long‐term test indicated that the titanium (VOCP:101 ± 0.06; Ifrett: 0.07 ± 0.02) and cobalt chrome (VOCP: 140.67 ± 0.04; Ifrett: 0.12 ± 0.05) constructs were more resistant to the fretting corrosion compared to stainless steel (VOCP: −135.33 ± 0.31; Ifrett: 2.63 ± 1.06). © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2858–2868, 2018.
Fasudil alleviates pressure overload‐induced heart failure by activating Nrf2‐mediated antioxidant responses
Authors: Guan Peng , Liang Yingran , Wang Na
Published: January 2018

The RhoA/Rho‐kinase cascade plays an important role in many aspects of cardiovascular function. This study aims to investigate the protective effects of fasudil, a Rho‐kinase inhibitor, on pressure overload induced heart failure in rats. Pressure overload induced heart failure was induced in SD rats by banding the abdominal aorta for 8 weeks. The rats were divided into four groups: Sham, TAC, TAC plus low dose of fasudil, and TAC plus high dose of fasudil group. Low dose and high dose fasudil were 5 and 10 mg/kg/day, respectively. Rats in the Sham and TAC groups were treated with vehicle. Fasudil effectively inhibited TAC‐induced heart failure, as evaluated by echocardiography and transmission electron microscopy. Fasudil could significantly promote superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and significantly decrease malondialdehyde (MDA) content in a dose‐dependent maner in TAC rats. Consistently, fasudil evoked significant nuclear translocation of Nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 (Nrf2) with increased DNA/promoter binding and transactivation of Nrf2 targets. In addition, fasudil increased the content of iron as well as transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) in TAC rats. A mild oxidative stress induced by iron may activate the antioxidant enzymes by feedback response. Taken together, these results indicate that the protective effect of fasudil may be due to its strong antioxidative activities which related with the activated Nrf2 and its down‐regulated genes. These findings provide a new treatment concept and support the benefit of fasudil treatment in heart failure.
A molecular dynamics investigation into the mechanisms of alectinib resistance of three ALK mutants
Authors: He Muyang , Li Weikang , Zheng Qingchuan , Zhang Hongxing
Published: January 2018

Alectinib, a highly selective next‐genetation anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor, has demonstrated promising antitumor activity in patients with ALK‐positive non‐small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC). However, the therapeutic benefits of alectinib is inescapably hampered by the development of acquired resistant mutations in ALK. Despite the availability of ample experimental mutagenesis data, the molecular origin and the structural motifs under alectinib binding affinity deficiencies are still ambiguous. Here, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and molecular mechanics generalized born surface area (MM‐GBSA) calculation approaches were employed to elucidate the mechanisms of alectinib resistance induced by the mutations I1171N, V1180L, and L1198F. The MD results reveal that the studied mutations could trigger the dislocation of alectinib as well as conformational changes at the inhibitor binding site, thus induce the interactional changes between alectinib and mutants. The most influenced regions are the ligand binding entrance and the hinge region, which are considered to be the dominant binding motifs accounting for the binding affinity loss in mutants. The “key and lock mechanism” between the ethyl group at position 9 of alectinib and a recognition cavity in the hinge region of ALK is presented to illustrate the major molecular origin of drug resistance. Our results provide mechanistic insight into the effect of ALK mutations resistant to alectinib, which could contribute to further rational design of inhibitors to combat the acquired resistance.
Serenity: A subsystem quantum chemistry program
Authors: Unsleber Jan P. , Dresselhaus Thomas , Klahr Kevin , Schnieders David , Böckers Michael , Barton Dennis , Neugebauer Johannes
Published: January 2018

We present the new quantum chemistry program Serenity. It implements a wide variety of functionalities with a focus on subsystem methodology. The modular code structure in combination with publicly available external tools and particular design concepts ensures extensibility and robustness with a focus on the needs of a subsystem program. Several important features of the program are exemplified with sample calculations with subsystem density‐functional theory, potential reconstruction techniques, a projection‐based embedding approach and combinations thereof with geometry optimization, semi‐numerical frequency calculations and linear‐response time‐dependent density‐functional theory. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Therapeutic action and aesthetic experience: Resonance and reorganization
Authors: Wexler Joan
Published: January 2018

Is there an aesthetic dimension to therapeutic action? The author proposes that while the arts, in this example, dance, can serve as a bridge to give form and expression to the ineffable for both the artist and the observer, language, especially metaphorical language, in the context of a resonating therapeutic relationship, similarly gives form and enhanced meaning to what has been felt but not yet understood. Even if the content is painful, the process of mutually creating a common language that reorganizes the mind is aesthetically pleasing.
The protective effects of distal ischemic treatment on apoptosis and mitochondrial permeability in the hippocampus after cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Authors: Zhou Xiang , Yong Liu , Huang Yang , Zhu ShuiBo , Song XiaoYang , Li BiXi , Zhu Jian , Wang HaiBo
Published: January 2018

Apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction are the main cause of neurological injury after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, the effects of distal ischemic treatments on ischemia induced apoptosis are rarely studied, and the mechanism by which mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to CPR still unclear. A rat model of distal ischemia was established by clipping the right femoral artery. Rats were divided into blank, model, pre distal ischemic treatment, per‐treatment, and post‐treatment groups. Neurological deficit score was scored to evaluate neurologic function after cardiopulmonary resuscitation for 72 hr. We employed TUNEL and flow cytometry to measure the rate of apoptosis of hippocampal neurons, the integrity of mitochondrial membrane and the degree of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening. The rate of apoptosis rate of hippocampal CA1 neurons in the pre‐treatment and post‐treatment groups were significantly lower than that of the model group. Moreover, the integrity of the mitochondrial membrane in the pre‐treatment and post‐treatment groups was higher than that in the model and per‐ treatment groups. Furthermore, the degree of mPTP opening was lower in the pre‐treatment and post‐treatment groups than the untreated and per‐treatment groups. Taken together, our results show that ischemic preconditioning and post processing can maintain the integrity of mitochondria, perhaps by inhibiting the opening of mPTP, and reducing apoptosis of hippocampal neurons by regulating expression of apoptosis related proteins after CPR, to improve neurological function. This study highlights a novel target pathway for treatment of CPR.
NEAT1 contributes to breast cancer progression through modulating miR‐448 and ZEB1
Authors: Jiang Xing , Zhou Yong , Sun Ai‐Jun , Xue Jun‐Li
Published: January 2018

Breast cancer is a kind of common female cancers. Increasing evidence has exhibited that lncRNAs exert a crucial role in breast cancer. So far, the mechanism of lncRNAs in breast cancer is still not well established. In our current study, we focused on the biological role of lncRNA Nuclear Enriched Abundant Transcript 1 (NEAT1) in breast cancer. We observed that NEAT1 levels were significantly increased in human breast cancer cells including MCF‐7, MDA‐MB‐453, MDA‐MB‐231, and SKBR3 cells compared to normal mammary epithelial cells MCF‐10A while miR‐448 was decreased. We found that downregulation of NEAT1 was able to inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells and miR‐448 mimic exerted the similar function. Bioinformatics analysis and dual luciferase reporter assays confirmed the negative correlation between NEAT1 and miR‐448 in vitro. In addition, ZEB1 was predicted as a novel mRNA target of miR‐448. Overexpression of NEAT1 can induce breast cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion by inhibiting miR‐448 and upregulating ZEB1. It was demonstrated that NEAT1 can increase ZEB1 levels while miR‐448 mimic can repress ZEB1. It was speculated in our study that NEAT1 can serve as a competing endogenous lncRNA (ceRNA) to modulate ZEB1 by sponging miR‐448 in breast cancer. To conclude, we uncovered that NEAT1 participated in breast cancer progression by regulating miR‐448 and ZEB1. NEAT1 can be provided as a vital biomarker in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment therapy.
The multifaceted link between inflammation and human diseases
Authors: Rajendran Peramaiyan , Chen Ya‐Fang , Chen Yu‐Feng , Chung Li‐Chin , Tamilselvi Shanmugam , Shen Chia‐Yao , Day Cecilia Hsuan , Chen Ray‐Jade , Viswanadha Vijaya P. , Kuo Wei‐Wen , Huang Chih‐Yang
Published: January 2018

Increasing reports on epidemiological, diagnostic, and clinical studies suggest that dysfunction of the inflammatory reaction results in chronic illnesses such as cancer, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, neurological disorders, liver diseases, and renal disorders. Chronic inflammation might progress if injurious agent persists; however, more typically than not, the response is chronic from the start. Distinct to most changes in acute inflammation, chronic inflammation is characterized by the infiltration of damaged tissue by mononuclear cells like macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells, in addition to tissue destruction and attempts to repair. Phagocytes are the key players in the chronic inflammatory response. However, the important drawback is the activation of pathological phagocytes, which might result from continued tissue damage and lead to harmful diseases. The longer the inflammation persists, the greater the chance for the establishment of human diseases. The aim of this review was to focus on advances in the understanding of chronic inflammation and to summarize the impact and involvement of inflammatory agents in certain human diseases.
Growth rings in roots of medicinal perennial dicotyledonous herbs from temperate and subtropical zones in China
Authors: Chu Shanshan , Tan Lingling , Liu Chanchan , Peng Huasheng , Duan Haiyan , Huang Luqi
Published: January 2018

Growth years are closely related to the quality of Chinese medicinal materials, and they can provide a reliable basis for quality evaluation on crude drugs in accordance with the suitable growth years. Herbchronology, the numerical and pattern analysis of annual growth rings in herbaceous perennials, has emerged to be a recognized science that is applied in age determination of perennial forbs. Fifty medicinal species growing in temperate and subtropical zones of China were examined by microstructure observation to determine the presence of growth rings in the secondary root xylem of medicinal perennial dicotyledonous herbs. Nearly half of the surveyed species showed clearly or relatively clearly demarcated growth rings in their roots, and additional anatomical patterns have been observed in different species. Clear variations in growth rings of different genus or species were characterized in this study, and these findings proved the feasibility of applying herbaceous plant growth rings in age identification of traditional Chinese medicine.
Revisiting Microcredit's Poverty‐Reducing Promise: Evidence from Cambodia
Authors: Seng Kimty
Published: January 2018

This article analyses the effects of microcredit offered by microfinance institutions on household poverty in terms of household food consumption, with data from the Cambodia Socio‐Economic Survey conducted in 2014. The analysis is carried with an endogenous switching model accounting for endogenous selection bias resulting from unobservable confounders and for inherent differences between household borrowers and non‐borrowers in terms of food consumption functions. The results suggest that households, whether extremely poor, relatively poor or non‐poor, which take out microcredit, get worse off in terms of household food consumption per capita. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stainless steel wear debris of a scoliotic growth guidance system has little local and systemic effect in an animal model
Authors: Singh Vaneet , Rawlinson Jeremy , Hallab Nadim
Published: January 2018

Options to treat early‐onset scoliosis include guided‐growth systems with sliding action between rods and pedicle screws. The wear was previously measured in an in vitro test, and in this in vivo rabbit model, we evaluated the local and systemic biological response to the stainless steel debris. Compared to the previous study, a relatively higher volume of representative wear particles with a median particle size of 0.84 μm were generated. Bolus dosages were injected into the epidural space at L4‐L5 for a minimum of 36 rabbits across three treatment groups (negative control, 1.5 mg, and 4.0 mg) and two timepoints (12 and 24 weeks). Gross pathology evaluated distant organs and the injection site with a dorsal laminectomy to examine the epidural space and dosing site. Peri‐implanted particle tissues were stained for immunohistochemical and quantitatively analyzed for IL‐6 and TNF‐α cytokines. Based on ISO 10993‐6:2007 scoring, particles in the high‐dose group were primarily non‐irritant (12 weeks) with one slightly irritant. At 24 weeks, inflammatory cell infiltration was non‐existent to minimal with all groups considered non‐irritant at the injection site. Material characterization confirmed that particles detected in distant organs were stainless steel or contaminants. At 12 weeks, stainless steel groups demonstrated statistically increased amounts of cytokine levels compared to control but there was a statistical decrease for both at 24 weeks. These findings indicate that stainless steel wear debris, comparable to the expected usage from a simulated growth guidance system, had no discernible untoward biological effects locally and systemically in an animal model. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1980–1990, 2018.
Characterization of Natural Rubber End Groups Using High‐Sensitivity NMR
Authors: Kitaura Takehiro , Kobayashi Masatoshi , Tarachiwin Lucksanaporn , Kum‐ourm Hathainat , Matsuura Ai , Fushihara Kazuhisa , Ute Koichi
Published: January 2018

The chemical structures of natural rubber (NR) end groups are investigated by combining chemical treatments and sensitivity‐enhanced modern nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy instruments equipped with a cryoprobe. The obtained 1H NMR spectrum of the α‐end has improved signal intensity than that obtained with conventional instruments, as well as clearer splitting patterns due to the higher resolution given by the higher magnetic field. Through the 1H/13C 2D NMR experiments and the 1D NMR spectra of the model compounds, four types of α‐end structures are suggested. Two structures among them are considered related to those of mushroom‐derived NR found in the literature, whereas the others are not recognized to date. Solid‐state 31P cross‐polarization/magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) NMR is also carried out to detect the phosphate group around the terminal.
The gain‐of‐function mutation E76K in SHP2 promotes CAC tumorigenesis and induces EMT via the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Qian , Li Yao , Zhao Rongrong , Wang Xinyi , Fan Chuling , Xu Youzhi , Liu Yakun , Li Jiabin , Wang Siying
Published: January 2018

SHP2 is encoded by the protein tyrosine phosphatase 11 (Ptpn11) gene. Several gain‐of‐function (GOF) mutations in Ptpn11 have been identified in human hematopoietic malignancies and solid tumors. In addition, the mutation rate for SHP2 is the highest for colorectal cancer (CRC) among solid tumors. The E76K GOF mutation is the most common and active SHP2 mutation; however, the pathogenic effects and function of this mutation in CRC tumor progression have not been well characterized. The Wnt/β‐catenin (CTNNB1) signaling pathway is crucial for CRC, and excessive activation of this pathway has been observed in several tumors. We used Ptpn11E76K conditional knock‐in mice to study this GOF mutation in colitis‐associated CRC (CAC) and used the CRC cell lines HT29 and HCT116 to determine the relationship between SHP2 and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. Ptpn11E76K conditional knock‐in mice exhibited aggravated inflammation and increased CAC tumorigenesis. In vitro, SHP2E76K and SHP2WT promoted malignant biological behaviors of CRC cells and induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) via the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway. Together, our results showed that SHP2E76K acts as an oncogene that promotes the tumorigenesis and metastasis of CRC.
Improvement of the salvage‐rate of flap after venous thrombosis with intraparenchymatous venous pressure monitoring
Authors: Matsumine Hajime , Mogami Mariko , Fujiwara Osamu , Hasegawa Masahiro , Ito Hiroshi , Sakurai Hiroyuki
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Intraparenchymatous venous pressure (IVP) monitoring in flap can measure venous pressure with catheter placement. Among patients with IVP monitoring, this study reviewed postoperative microvascular complications for investigating the transplanted‐tissue salvage‐rate.

Patients and Methods

Two hundred and seventy‐one patients (male, 132; female, 139; mean age, 52.3 years; age range, 9–82 years) underwent free flap transfer and postoperative continuous IVP monitoring, which performed as follows; a venous catheter was connected to a transducer, and venous pressure in the flap was recorded for three consecutive days postoperatively. The threshold of alarm for elevated venous pressure was set at 50 mm Hg. When abnormal measurements or fluctuation were observed, the vascular anastomotic site was exposed immediately. The flap salvage‐rate of non‐IVP monitoring group (n = 393; male, 305; female, 81; mean age, 61.3 years; age range, 23–83 years), which were confirmed by a portable ultrasonographic device, was compared with that of IVP‐monitoring group.

Results

Twenty‐one patients developed postoperative microvascular complications at the vascular anastomosis sites. Sensitivity rate of IVP monitoring was 86%; specificity rate, 96%; positive predictive value rates, 64%; negative predictive value rate, 99%; false positive rate, 4%. The flap salvage‐rate was 83% in venous thrombosis cases and only 33% in arterial thrombosis cases. In non‐IVP monitoring group, flap salvage‐rate was 20% with arterial thrombosis and 36% with venous thrombosis, resulting in an increasing the salvage‐rate (P = .021).

Conclusions

IVP monitoring could visualize and quantify venous pressure waves in flap and detect early microvascular complications, resulting in a marked improvement in the graft‐tissue salvage‐rate.
MR and CT data with multiobserver delineations of organs in the pelvic area—Part of the Gold Atlas project
Authors: Nyholm Tufve , Svensson Stina , Andersson Sebastian , Jonsson Joakim , Sohlin Maja , Gustafsson Christian , Kjellén Elisabeth , Söderström Karin , Albertsson Per , Blomqvist Lennart , Zackrisson Björn , Olsson Lars E. , Gunnlaugsson Adalsteinn
Published: January 2018

Purpose

We describe a public dataset with MR and CT images of patients performed in the same position with both multiobserver and expert consensus delineations of relevant organs in the male pelvic region. The purpose was to provide means for training and validation of segmentation algorithms and methods to convert MR to CT like data, i.e., so called synthetic CT (sCT).

Acquisition and validation methods

T1‐ and T2‐weighted MR images as well as CT data were collected for 19 patients at three different departments. Five experts delineated nine organs for each patient based on the T2‐weighted MR images. An automatic method was used to fuse the delineations. Starting from each fused delineation, a consensus delineation was agreed upon by the five experts for each organ and patient. Segmentation overlap between user delineations with respect to the consensus delineations was measured to describe the spread of the collected data. Finally, an open‐source software was used to create deformation vector fields describing the relation between MR and CT images to further increase the usability of the dataset.

Data format and usage notes

The dataset has been made publically available to be used for academic purposes, and can be accessed from https://zenodo.org/record/583096.

Potential applications

The dataset provides a useful source for training and validation of segmentation algorithms as well as methods to convert MR to CT‐like data (sCT). To give some examples: The T2‐weighted MR images with their consensus delineations can directly be used as a template in an existing atlas‐based segmentation engine; the expert delineations are useful to validate the performance of a segmentation algorithm as they provide a way to measure variability among users which can be compared with the result of an automatic segmentation; and the pairwise deformably registered MR and CT images can be a source for an atlas‐based sCT algorithm or for validation of sCT algorithm.
Femtosecond laser writing of PPV‐doped three‐dimensional polymeric microstructures
Authors: Avila Oriana Ines , Tomazio Nathália Beretta , Otuka Adriano Jose Galvani , Stefanelo Josiani Cristina , Andrade Marcelo Barbosa , Balogh Debora Terezia , Mendonca Cleber Renato
Published: January 2018

Poly(para‐phenylene vinylene) (PPV) is a key material for optoelectronics because it combines the potential of both polymers and semiconductors. PPV has been synthesized via solution‐processable precursor route, in which the precursor polymer poly(xylene tetrahydrothiophenium chloride) (PTHT) is thermally converted to PPV throughout the sample as a whole. Much effort has been devoted to fulfill spatial selectivity of PPV conversion. However, none of the methods proposed stand for PPV conversion three dimensionally, which would be appealing for the design of microdevices. Here, we demonstrate the potential of fs‐laser direct writing via two‐photon polymerization (2PP) to fabricate PPV‐doped 3D microstructures. PTHT is incorporated into the polymeric material and it is subsequently converted to PPV through a thermal treatment. Optical measurements, taken prior and after thermal conversion, confirm the PTHT to PPV conversion. Fs‐laser direct writing via 2PP can be exploited to fabricate a variety of 3D microdevices, thus opening new avenues in polymer‐based optoelectronics. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 479–483
The impact of college‐ and university‐run high school summer programs on students’ end of high school STEM career aspirations
Authors: Kitchen Joseph A. , Sonnert Gerhard , Sadler Philip M.
Published: January 2018

Insufficient student interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers has been identified as a pressing issue by educators and education policy makers. This retrospective cohort study examined one promising approach to reach and inspire students early on: college‐ and university‐ run high school STEM summer programs. Data were collected from 27 colleges and universities participating in the National Science Foundation's STEM Talent Expansion Program. We examined the impact of high school STEM summer program participation on end of high school career aspirations among a sample of 845 program participants and 15,002 controls. The study employed logistic regression modeling with propensity weighting to address differences in group characteristics to model the impact of programs. Results showed that students who participated in a program had 1.4 times the odds of wanting to pursue a STEM career, controlling for background characteristics. A closer look at program design revealed that students experiencing the real‐world relevance of STEM had 1.8 times the odds of aspiring to STEM careers at the end of high school compared with controls. Findings suggest that scaling up STEM summer programs and carefully designing programs to show the real‐life relevance of STEM may be an effective strategy to curtail pipeline attrition and to inspire more students to pursue STEM careers.
A New Co‐P Nanocomposite with Ultrahigh Relaxivity for In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging‐Guided Tumor Eradication by Chemo/Photothermal Synergistic Therapy
Authors: Liu Jianhua , Jin Longhai , Wang Yinghui , Ding Xing , Zhang Songtao , Song Shuyan , Wang Daguang , Zhang Hongjie
Published: January 2018

Design of new nanoagents that intrinsically have both diagnostic imaging and therapeutic capabilities is highly desirable for personalized medicine. In this work, a novel nanotheranostic agent is fabricated based on polydopamine (PDA)‐functionalized Co‐P nanocomposites (Co‐P@PDA) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐guided combined photothermal therapy and chemotherapy. The ultrahigh relaxivity of 224.61 mm−1 s−1 can enable Co‐P@PDA to be applied as an excellent contrast agent for MRI in vitro and in vivo, providing essential and comprehensive information for tumor clinical diagnosis. Moreover, Co‐P@PDA exhibit excellent photothermal performance owing to the strong near‐infrared (NIR) absorbance of both Co‐P nanocomposite and PDA. Highly effective ablation of tumors is achieved in a murine tumor model because the NIR laser not only induces photothermal effects but also triggers the chemotherapeutic drug on‐demand release, which endows the Co‐P@PDA with high curative effects but little toxicity and few side effects. These findings demonstrate that Co‐P@PDA are promising agents for highly effective and precise antitumor treatment and warrant exploration as novel theranostic nanoagents with good potential for future clinical translation.
Decomposition of the Gender Wage Gap Using Matching: An Application for Switzerland
Authors: Djurdjevic Dragana , Radyakin Sergiy
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we investigate the gender wage differentials for Switzerland. Using micro data from the Swiss Labour Force Survey, we apply a matching method to decompose the wage gap in Switzerland. This nonparametric technique accounts for wage differences that can be due to differences in the supports. We can interpret these differences as a form of “discrimination” which is reflected in wages because women face “barriers” in accessing certain characteristics that men achieve. As a consequence, accounting for these differences in gender supports may be useful in terms of policy implications in promoting more equality between men and women.
To Wait or Not to Wait: Swiss EU-Membership as an Investment under Uncertainty
Authors: Spirig Beat , Weder Rolf
Published: January 2018

Why do some countries join the EU earlier than others, why do others wait? In order to address this question we apply the theory of investment under uncertainty (Dixit and Pindyck, 1994) to the decision on EU-membership. We present the idea in a simplified model of two periods to study how the value of waiting depends among other things on the expected benefits, the degree of uncertainty and the adjustment costs. The approach gives rise to a country’s position to deliberately postpone a membership in order to keep the option to join later if this is desirable. The model, thus, may explain delayed accession to the EU. We apply this framework to Switzerland by quantifying some of the crucial determinants of the value of waiting and qualitatively compare these findings with the experiences of other countries. We find evidence that adjustment costs are relatively high for Switzerland whereas net annual benefits are limited and subject to an increased degree of uncertainty.
Swiss DRGs: Patient Heterogeneity and Hospital Payments
Authors: Mougeot Michel , Naegelen Florence
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we analyze the prospective method of paying hospitals when the within-DRG variance is high. To avoid patients dumping, an outlier payment system is implemented. In the APDRG Swiss System, it consists in a mixture of fully prospective payments for low costs patients and partially cost-based system for high cost patients. We show how the optimal policy depends on the degree to which hospitals take patients’ interest into account. A fixed-price policy is optimal when the hospital is sufficiently benevolent. When the hospital is weakly benevolent, a mixed policy solving a trade-off between rent extraction, efficiency and dumping deterrence must be preferred. Following Mougeot and Naegelen (2008), we show how the optimal combination of fixed price and partially cost-based payment depends on the degree of benevolence of the hospital, the social cost of public funds and the distribution of patients severity.
Swiss monetary policy 2000–2009
Authors: Genberg Hans , Gerlach Stefan
Published: January 2018

In January 2000 the Swiss National Bank adopted a new monetary policy framework incorporating a price stability objective defined as (any rate of) CPI inflation below 2 percent. We contrast this framework with inflation targeting strategies and review the SNB’s policy decisions since its introduction. Empirical results indicate that in setting policy the SNB reacts in much the same way as inflation targeting central banks. The recent sharp reduction in the policy rate is consistent with the estimated reaction function until the second quarter of 2009 when the zero bound became binding, while the deterioration of economic conditions still called for further monetary easing. This may explain the unconventional monetary policy measures adopted since then.
Measuring the natural output level by DSGE models: An empirical investigation for Switzerland
Authors: Leist Stefan , Neusser Klaus
Published: January 2018

The output gap plays an important role in the assessment and conduct of monetary policy. Most of the current literature, however, relies on filtering procedures which use ad hoc smoothness arguments for identification. Furthermore, they are subject to end-of-sample problems and do not provide estimates of the output gap based on economic theory. In contrast, our model-based approach relies on a precise definition of the natural level of output and consequently of the output gap. This paper provides, for the first time, an estimate of the output gap based on a DSGE small open economy model for Switzerland. We use Bayesian econometrics to derive an estimate of the output gap, which is then compared to some alternatives. Except for the last years, our measure of the output gap is close to zero most of the time. This suggests that price rigidities play a minor role in the propagation of the Swiss business cycle. We show that our estimate produces sensible and robust results which encourage further research.
Poverty in Tunisia: A Fuzzy measurement approach
Authors: Belhadj Besma , Matoussi Mohamed Salah
Published: January 2018

Although poverty is widely recognised as a multidimensional phenomenon, we still believe that monetary aspect has a fundamental role and therefore deserves a special treatment. For this reason we propose an individual unidimensional measure according to a fuzzy approach that, unlike conventional methods, is consistent with the vague nature of poverty and preserves all the available statistical information. Referred to the overall population, we use an Information Theory approach to design unidimensional fuzzy collective index. The methodology proposed here is illustrated by means of the Tunisia case.
The effect of parental background on track choices and wages
Authors: Falter Jean-Marc , Luzzi Giovanni Ferro , Sbergami Federica
Published: January 2018

Intergenerational links are often investigated by computing educational attainment correlations between parents and children, even though parental background may influence outcomes at earlier stages of the educational path. Because of early school track selection and widespread vocational training, this effect may be quite important in the Swiss context. We first investigate the importance of parental background variables for upper secondary educational attainment over the last 6 decades. We next estimate the impact of parental background on earnings. This effect is shown to depend on the magnitude of intergenerational correlations, the returns to qualifications and the availability of further training for those having ended up in a low educational track at age 15. The impact of tracking at age 15 on wage inequality is found to be relatively small in Switzerland, comparing to results for Germany. Relatively low returns from academic education best explain this pattern.
Socialisation, trust and reciprocity among young people
Authors: Migheli Matteo
Published: January 2018

This paper analyzes the contribution of youth’s different time allocations to positive behaviors in exchanges. Psychologists highlight that time spent within voluntary organizations fosters positive development. The paper aims at deepening the knowledge of the psychological bases of the observed outcomes of a basic trust game. Undergraduate students played a basic trust game; after this, information about the use of their spare time was collected. Higher passed amounts positively correlate with time spent in youth organizations. The main novelties of the paper are: the way social capital is measured and the strong link with the psychological literature.
Swiss Climate Change and Nuclear Policy: A Comparative Analysis Using an Energy System Approach and a Sectoral Electricity Model
Authors: Weidmann Nicolas , Kannan Ramachandran , Turton Hal
Published: January 2018

Decisions on climate change and nuclear policies are likely to have major influences on the future evolution of the Swiss energy system. To understand the implications of selected future policy decisions, we analyse the development of the Swiss energy system with a bottom-up technology-rich least-cost optimisation modelling framework. We use the Swiss MARKAL energy system model and analyse a stringent climate change mitigation policy with two policy variants on the availability of nuclear energy, i.e. with and without nuclear new builds. The energy system modelling approach provides insights into system-wide energy pathways, technology choice and cross-sectoral trade-offs like resource competition, electrification, and CO2 mitigation options across supply and demand sectors. To complement the full system approach, we apply an experimental TIMES model — a successor to MARKAL — of the Swiss electricity sector with a detailed representation of the electricity load curve accounting for diurnal and seasonal variations in demand and resource supply. The analytical results from both modelling approaches are presented and the electricity sector results compared to illustrate the complementary policy insights. The implications for realising an ambitious climate target with and without investment in new nuclear plants are discussed, and a number of areas for possible policy support identified.
Spatial and temporal aggregation in racial profiling
Authors: Ilić Dragan
Published: January 2018

In the last decade, models of rational choice have chimed into the discussion on racial profiling, the use of race in stop and search decisions of the police. The models describe the behavior of motorists and the police and provide empirical tests to assess the question whether the police exhibit racial animus. However, existing studies have neglected the effect of spatial and temporal aggregation of the data on the application of the tests. Using data from the Florida Highway Patrol, this paper shows that regional subsets disclose policing behavior which deviates substantially from the aggregate. Broad conclusions on the absence or presence of racial prejudice are thus at risk of being unfounded. In addition, the disaggregated analysis suggests that the empirical tests implied by the rational choice models are not applicable to all observed regions. The results call for a cautious application of the tests and the interpretation of their conclusions.
The value of a statistical injury: New evidence from the Swiss labor market
Authors: Kuhn Andreas , Ruf Oliver
Published: January 2018

We study the monetary compensation for non-fatal accident risk in Switzerland using the number of accidents within cells defined over industry × skill-level of the job and capitalizing on the partial panel structure of our data. Our results show that using accident risk at a lower level of aggregation, using narrower samples of workers, and using the wage component that is specific to the firm all yield higher (i.e. more positive) estimates of risk compensation. However, we only find a statistically significant positive compensation for non-fatal accident risk for workers in jobs with the lowest skill-level. Our preferred estimate for this group of workers yields an estimate of about 35,000 Swiss francs per prevented injury per year.
What news drive variation in Swiss and US bond and stock excess returns?
Authors: Nitschka Thomas
Published: January 2018

Based on a vector autoregressive model (VAR), this paper shows that time variation in monthly excess returns on Swiss government bonds and stocks is predominantly driven by news of inflation and dividends, respectively. This finding is in marked contrast to US evidence which points to a more prominent role of excess return news. Variance decompositions based on estimates from threshold VARs show that US stock market evidence is consistent with the view that market participants put more weight on news of macroeconomic, i.e. cash-flow, risks in periods of exceptionally low real interest rates than in normal times.
The Characteristics of FDI Activities Located in Different Host Regions — A Study Based on Firm-Level Data
Authors: Arvanitis Spyros , Hollenstein Heinz , Stucki Tobias
Published: January 2018

Based on a unique firm-level dataset for Swiss MNEs, this paper characterizes FDI activities located in different host regions. The characterization of the FDI activities is based on information on the parent companies, their foreign subsidiaries and the two-way trade flows between parent companies and foreign affiliates Concretely, the study provides econometric evidence based on multivariate probit estimates about the relationship between a firm’s choice of nine alternative host regions and the type of FDI (horizontal production-oriented, vertical production-oriented, distribution-oriented), a firm’s FDI experience and its capabilities for innovation, respectively. The estimation results indicate that there is low correlation between a firm’s capability for innovation and FDI experience, respectively, and the location of their FDI activities. Further, our estimates indicate large heterogeneity with respect to the type of FDI activities.