bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sagenumwoben
Authors: Stern Cornelia
Published: August 2017

Der Schwarze Holunder begleitet den Menschen schon seit Jahrtausenden. Nicht nur seine heilenden, auch seine angeblich magischen Wirkungen wurden geschätzt.
Hörtestergebnisse bei 18- bis 20-jährigen Männern aus Kreiswehrersatzämtern von 2008–2010
Authors: Holube Inga , von Gablenz Petra , Schüssler Frank , Jacob Roland
Published: August 2017

Hintergrund Während eine mit dem Alter zunehmende Schwerhörigkeit im Hochtonbereich hinreichend belegt ist, sind das Ausmaß und die
Zunahme möglicher Schwerhörigkeiten bei jungen Menschen weiterhin unklar. Da in diesem Altersbereich ein hoher Anteil an Normalhörigkeit zu
erwarten ist, sind die Anforderungen an Screening-Methoden besonders hoch und die Motivation zur Teilnahme eher niedrig. Die verpflichtende
Musterung umfasst u. a. eine audiologische Hörprüfung (Tonaudiogramm) und bietet daher die Möglichkeit das Hörvermögen junger männlicher
Erwachsener zu analysieren.

Material und Methoden Die Prävalenz für Hörbeeinträchtigungen wurde anhand der Luftleitungshörschwellen 18- bis 20-jähriger Männer von
54 deutschen Kreiswehrersatzämtern (KWEA) der Jahre 2008–2010 bestimmt. Als Kriterium wurde die Überschreitung einer Hörschwelle von 20 dB
HL bei mindestens einer der Frequenzen 3, 4 oder 6 kHz auf mindestens einem Ohr verwendet. Diesem sehr strengen Kriterium wurden andere
Definitionen für Hörschäden vergleichend gegenübergestellt.

Ergebnisse Die Prävalenz von relevanten Hörschäden beträgt im Mittel 15,3 % und liegt damit im Bereich anderer Untersuchungen. Die
Ergebnisse einzelner KWEA unterscheiden sich jedoch um bis zu einem Faktor 10.

Schlussfolgerung Aufgrund stark schwankender Messqualität in den KWEA lässt sich nicht klären, ob regionale Unterschiede im
Hörvermögen junger Männer bestehen und ob sich dieses im Vergleich zu früheren Untersuchungen verschlechtert hat. Die hohe Variabilität bei
Messungen nahe der Hörschwelle erfordert eine ständige Qualitätskontrolle. Dabei können die Hörergebnisse im Screening nicht nach den
strengen Kriterien bewertet werden, die für Hörprüfungen in audiologischen Zentren oder Studien anzusetzen sind.
Die Begutachtung der Facialisparese in der österreichischen privaten Unfallversicherung
Authors: Kuchler Wolfgang Willibald
Published: August 2017

In Westeuropa ist die periphere Facialisparese die häufigste Hirnnervenaffektion. Traumatisch bedingte Paresen weisen im Gegensatz zu
nichttraumatischen Paresen eine höhere Defektheilungsrate auf. Die anlagebedingte Form tritt als Bell’sche Lähmung oder in Kombination mit
anderen Pathologien, vor allem in Verbindung mit der Lyme’schen Erkrankung oder dem Zoster oticus, in Erscheinung. Die traumatische Parese
ist überwiegend unfallbedingt und fast immer vergesellschaftet mit multiplen anderen Verletzungsmustern. Anlagebedingte Formen haben im
Vergleich zur traumatischen Form eine niedrige Defektheilungsrate. Der Gutachter hat diese Defekte, so wie sie sich ihm aktuell bieten, zu
beurteilen, wobei auch prognostische Überlegungen einfließen sollten. Die österreichische private Unfallversicherung deckt das Risiko einer
unfallbedingten Verletzung. Dieser versicherungsrechtliche Unfallbegriff umfasst ein breites Spektrum von Verletzungsmustern sowie auch eine
durch Zeckenbiss verursachte Facialisparese. Primär stellt die österreichische private Unfallversicherung auf die erlittene unfallbedingte
Funktionsstörung ab. Trotzdem bietet sie auch eingeschränkt Deckung für ästhetische aus dem Unfall resultierende Folgen.
Fallbericht: Einsatz von Antibiotika bei Kindern mit Pneumonie
Authors: Martin David
Published: August 2017

Ein 8-jähriger Junge mit Lobärpneumonie wurde stationär mit Anthroposophika, aber ohne Antipyretika oder Antibiotika behandelt. Der Verlauf wurde anhand sonografischer Kontrollen beurteilt. Auch vorangegangene akute Infektionen (Otitis mediaacutaperforata, Pneumonie, Angina tonsillaris) wurden ohne Antibiotika oder Antipyretika behandelt. Zur Behandlung einer Borreliose im Vorfeld erhielt der Junge jedoch Antibiotika. Folgende Punkte werden in dem Fallbericht unter anderem diskutiert: Vitamin-D-Mangel, antibiotische Behandlungen, Fieber und Fiebersenkung, sonografische Diagnosestellung und Verlaufskontrollen. Vor dem Hintergrund der steigenden Rate von Antibiotika-Resistenzen soll dieser Fall zur Diskussion beitragen, wann Antibiotika notwendig sind und wann nicht.
Response Evaluation of Malignant Liver Lesions After TACE/SIRT: Comparison of Manual and Semi-Automatic Measurement of Different Response Criteria in Multislice CT
Authors: Höink Anna , Schülke Christoph , Koch Raphael , Löhnert Annika , Kammerer Sara , Fortkamp Rasmus , Heindel Walter , Buerke Boris
Published: August 2017

Purpose To compare measurement precision and interobserver variability in the evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver metastases in MSCT before and after transarterial local ablative therapies.

Materials and Methods Retrospective study of 72 patients with malignant liver lesions (42 metastases; 30 HCCs) before and after therapy (43 SIRT procedures; 29 TACE procedures). Established (LAD; SAD; WHO) and vitality-based parameters (mRECIST; mLAD; mSAD; EASL) were assessed manually and semi-automatically by two readers. The relative interobserver difference (RID) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated.

Results The median RID for vitality-based parameters was lower from semi-automatic than from manual measurement of mLAD (manual 12.5 %; semi-automatic 3.4 %), mSAD (manual 12.7 %; semi-automatic 5.7 %) and EASL (manual 10.4 %; semi-automatic 1.8 %). The difference in established parameters was not statistically noticeable (p > 0.05). The ICCs of LAD (manual 0.984; semi-automatic 0.982), SAD (manual 0.975; semi-automatic 0.958) and WHO (manual 0.984; semi-automatic 0.978) are high, both in manual and semi-automatic measurements. The ICCs of manual measurements of mLAD (0.897), mSAD (0.844) and EASL (0.875) are lower. This decrease cannot be found in semi-automatic measurements of mLAD (0.997), mSAD (0.992) and EASL (0.998).

Conclusion Vitality-based tumor measurements of HCC and metastases after transarterial local therapies should be performed semi-automatically due to greater measurement precision, thus increasing the reproducibility and in turn the reliability of therapeutic decisions.

Key points 

Citation Format
Lipofuscin Accumulation in Cortisol-Producing Adenomas With and Without PRKACA Mutations
Authors: Angelousi Anna , Szarek Eva , Shram Vincent , Kebebew Electron , Quezado Martha , Stratakis Constantine
Published: August 2017

The adrenal cortex accumulates lipofuscin granules with age. Lipofuscin accumulation is also seen in adrenocortical tumors associated with Cushing syndrome (CS), particularly those with PRKAR1A mutations, such as in primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD). We investigated the presence of lipofuscin in cortisol-producing adenomas (CPAs) responsible for CS with and without the PRKACA (pLeu206Arg) somatic mutation. Ten paraffin-embedded sections of CPAs from cases with overt CS with (n=4) and without (n=6) a PRKACA mutation were microscopically examined through three detection methods, the hematoxylin-Eosin (H & E) staining, the Fontana Masson (FM) staining using light microscopy, and lipofuscin autofluorescence, using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Sections were examined quantitatively according to the intensity of the pigmentation, as well as qualitatively based on the total number of granular pigments at all visual fields per tissue slide. Tissues from CPAs were compared to peritumoral adjacent tissues (n=5), to Conn adenomas (n=4), and PPNAD (n=3). CPAs had significantly higher number of lipofuscin-pigment granules compared to peritumoral adrenal tissue and Conn adenomas (46.9±9.5 vs. 3.8±4.8, p=0.0001). The presence of the PRKACA mutation did not increase the chances of pigmentation in the form of lipofuscin granules within CPAs associated with CS. Thus, all CPAs leading to CS accumulate lipofuscin, which presents like pigmentation sometimes seen macroscopically but always detected microscopically. PPNAD caused by PRKAR1A mutations is the best known adrenal lesion leading to CS associated with intense lipofuscin pigmentation and this was confirmed here; CPAs harboring PRKACA mutations did not have statistically significantly more pigmentation than CPAs without mutation, but a larger study might have shown a difference.
Wortübungen für den Alltag
Authors: d’Albert Yan
Published: August 2017

Mantras und Affirmationen entfalten ihre Wirkung erst durch regelmäßiges Wiederholen. Dieser Übungsteil soll beim Einstieg in die Praxis helfen.
Therapeutische Optionen beim periprothetischen Infekt des Schultergelenks
Authors: Fink Bernd , Sevelda Florian
Published: August 2017

Für die Behandlung von periprothetischen Infektionen von Schulterendoprothesen existieren verschiedene therapeutische Konzepte. Bei akuten periprothetischen Infektionen kann das Implantat belassen werden, alle mobilen Teile (Inlay) sollten bei einem offenen Débridement gewechselt werden und Spülungen mit antibakteriellen Lösungen wie Octinedin oder Polyhexanid durchgeführt werden. Bei Spätinfektionen sind die therapeutischen Optionen nach der Entfernung des infizierten Implantats: Einlage eines permanent verbleibenden Spacers, die Resektionsarthroplastik, einzeitige und zweizeitige Wechsel mit und ohne temporären Spacer. Die funktionellen Ergebnisse sind beim einzeitigen Wechsel am besten und die Eradikationsrate vergleichbar mit derjenigen beim zweizeitigen Wechsel. Voraussetzung für den einzeitigen Wechsel ist die Identifizierung des Keimes, um zielgerichtete Antibiotika in den Zement beizumischen und systemisch zu verabreichen.
Kuckucksei im Nest
Authors: Bramhoff Heinz-Georg , Kämper Siegfried
Published: August 2017

Bei einem Seminar bietet der ärztliche Dozent den teilnehmenden Heilpraktikern an, ihnen ein verschreibungspflichtiges Injektionspräparat zur therapeutischen Nutzung zu verschreiben. Ebenso empfiehlt er seinen Seminarteilnehmern, nicht verschreibungspflichtige Trinkampullen derselben Firma parenteral als Beigabe zu Infusionen zu verabreichen. Als der Heilpraktiker Herr F. den Arzt konfrontiert, beharrt dieser auf der Rechtmäßigkeit seines Vorgehens und stützt sich dabei auf Aussagen des betroffenen Arzneimittelherstellers.
Morbus Menière und das Akustikusneurinom
Authors: Schmid Eva
Published: August 2017

Beide Erkrankungen können mit Hörminderung, Schwindel und Ohrgeräuschen einhergehen. Die Ursachen und die Ausprägung der Symptome sind jedoch sehr unterschiedlich.
Ultrathin strain-gated field effect transistor based on In-doped ZnO nanobelts
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Du Junli , Li Bing , Zhang Shuhao , Hong Mengyu , Zhang Xiaomei , Liao Qingliang , Zhang Yue
Published: August 2017

In this work, we fabricated a strain-gated piezoelectric transistor based on single In-doped ZnO nanobelt with ±(0001) top/bottom polar surfaces. In the vertical structured transistor, the Pt tip of the AFM and Au film are used as source and drain electrode. The electrical transport performance of the transistor is gated by compressive strains. The working mechanism is attributed to the Schottky barrier height changed under the coupling effect of piezoresistive and piezoelectric. Uniquely, the transistor turns off under the compressive stress of 806 nN. The strain-gated transistor is likely to have important applications in high resolution mapping device and MEMS devices.
Perfect quintuple layer Bi2Te3 nanowires: Growth and thermoelectric properties
Authors: Schönherr P. , Kojda D. , Srot V. , Fischer S. F. , van Aken P. A. , Hesjedal T.
Published: August 2017

Bi2Te3 nanowires are promising candidates for thermoelectric applications. Vapor-liquid-solid growth of these nanowires is straightforward, but the traditional Au-catalyzed method is expected to lead to Au contamination and subsequently crystal defects. Here, we present a comparison of the Au-catalyzed growth method with an alternative method using TiO2. We observe that the latter approach results in perfect quintuple layer nanowires, whilst using Au leads to mixed quintuple and septuple layer structures. Despite these differences, we surprisingly find only a negligible effect on their thermoelectric properties, namely conductivity and Seebeck coefficient. This result is relevant for the further optimization and engineering of thermoelectric nanomaterials for device applications.
Thermal conductivity of tungsten: Effects of plasma-related structural defects from molecular-dynamics simulations
Authors: Hu Lin , Wirth Brian D. , Maroudas Dimitrios
Published: August 2017

We report results on the lattice thermal conductivities of tungsten single crystals containing nanoscale-sized pores or voids and helium (He) nanobubbles as a function of void/bubble size and gas pressure in the He bubbles based on molecular-dynamics simulations. For reference, we calculated lattice thermal conductivities of perfect tungsten single crystals along different crystallographic directions at room temperature and found them to be about 10% of the overall thermal conductivity of tungsten with a weak dependence on the heat flux direction. The presence of nanoscale voids in the crystal causes a significant reduction in its lattice thermal conductivity, which decreases with increasing void size. Filling the voids with He to form He nanobubbles and increasing the bubble pressure leads to further significant reduction of the tungsten lattice thermal conductivity, down to ∼20% of that of the perfect crystal. The anisotropy in heat conduction remains weak for tungsten single crystals containing nanoscale-sized voids and He nanobubbles throughout the pressure range examined. Analysis of the pressure and atomic displacement fields in the crystalline region that surrounds the He nanobubbles reveals that the significant reduction of tungsten lattice thermal conductivity in this region is due to phonon scattering from the nanobubbles, as well as lattice deformation around the nanobubbles and formation of lattice imperfections at higher bubble pressure.
Polar nature of stress-induced twin walls in ferroelastic CaTiO3
Authors: Yokota H. , Niki S. , Haumont R. , Hicher P. , Uesu Y.
Published: August 2017

A compressive uniaxial mechanical stress is applied on ferroelastic CaTiO3 (CTO), and a change in the domain structure is observed under a polarization microscope and a second harmonic generation (SHG) microscope. New twin walls (TWs) appear perpendicular to the original TWs under stress. The SHG microscope observations and analyses confirm that this type of stress-induced TWs is polar, similar to the original TWs, and is crystallographically prominent with monoclinic symmetry m. A quantitative estimation of this stress-induced effect reveals that CTO is hard ferroelastic in the sense that the TW movement requires a large stress. A possible application of this phenomenon is discussed.
An Ising model for metal-organic frameworks
Authors: Höft Nicolas , Horbach Jürgen , Martín-Mayor Victor , Seoane Beatriz
Published: August 2017

We present a three-dimensional Ising model where lines of equal spins are frozen such that they form an ordered framework structure. The frame spins impose an external field on the rest of the spins (active spins). We demonstrate that this “porous Ising model” can be seen as a minimal model for condensation transitions of gas molecules in metal-organic frameworks. Using Monte Carlo simulation techniques, we compare the phase behavior of a porous Ising model with that of a particle-based model for the condensation of methane (CH4) in the isoreticular metal-organic framework IRMOF-16. For both models, we find a line of first-order phase transitions that end in a critical point. We show that the critical behavior in both cases belongs to the 3D Ising universality class, in contrast to other phase transitions in confinement such as capillary condensation.
On the effect of laterally varying boundary heat flux on rapidly rotating spherical shell convection
Authors: Sahoo Swarandeep , Sreenivasan Binod
Published: August 2017

The onset of convection in a rotating spherical shell subject to laterally varying heat flux at the outer boundary is considered in this paper. The focus is on the geophysically relevant regime of rapid rotation (low Ekman number) where the natural length scale of convection is significantly smaller than the length scale imposed by the boundary heat flux pattern. Contrary to earlier studies at a higher Ekman number, we find a substantial reduction in the onset Rayleigh number Rac with increasing lateral variation. The decrease in Rac is shown to be closely correlated to the equatorial heat flux surplus in the steady, basic state solution. The consistency of such a correlation makes the estimation of Rac possible without solving the full stability problem. The steady baroclinic flow has a strong cyclone–anticyclone asymmetry in the kinetic helicity only for equatorially symmetric lateral variations, with possible implications for dynamo action. Equatorially antisymmetric variations, on the other hand, break the symmetry of the mean flow, in turn negating its helicity. Analysis of the perturbation solution reveals strongly localized clusters through which convection rolls drift in and out at a frequency higher than that for the reference case with homogeneous boundary heat flux. Large lateral variations produce a marked decrease in the azimuthal length scale of columns, which indicates that small-scale motions are essential to the transport of heat in rapidly rotating, localized convection. With an equatorially antisymmetric heat flux pattern, convection in individual clusters goes through an asynchronous wax-wane cycle whose frequency is much lower than the drift rate of the columns. These continual variations in convection intensity may in turn result in fluctuations in the magnetic field intensity, an effect that needs to be considered in dynamo models. Finally, there is a notable analogy between the role of a laterally varying boundary heat flux and the role of a laterally varying magnetic field in confining small-scale convection.
Supercritical flows past a square cylinder with rounded corners
Authors: Cao Yong , Tamura Tetsuro
Published: August 2017

Large-eddy simulations were used to investigate the supercritical aerodynamics of a square cylinder with rounded corners in comparison with those in the subcritical regime. First, the numerical methods, especially the dynamic mixed model, were validated on the basis of their prediction of supercritical flows past a circular cylinder. Then, the supercritical flows past a rounded-corner square cylinder were simulated and systematically clarified. Strong Reynolds number (Re) effects existed in the forces and local pressures as Re increased from o(104) to o(106). Changeover of flow patterns occurred as Re increased. At the supercritical Re, the free stream overall flowed along the cross sections of the cylinder, separated from the leeward corners and generated Karman vortices behind the cylinder. This pattern resulted in a much smaller recirculation region behind the cylinder compared with the subcritical flow. At the micro level, the flow experienced laminar separation and flow reattachment near the frontal corners, followed by the spatial development of turbulent boundary layers (TBLs) on the side faces and turbulent separation near the leeward corners. The feedback by large-scale primary vortex shedding and the small-scale turbulent motions in the high-frequency region with a slope of −5/3 were detected in the TBL. Their interaction affected the spanwise correlations of wall pressure fluctuations. The TBL on the side face differed from the zero-pressure-gradient flat-plate one; it was subjected to pressure gradients varying in space and time.
Autapse-induced multiple stochastic resonances in a modular neuronal network
Authors: Yang XiaoLi , Yu YanHu , Sun ZhongKui
Published: August 2017

This study investigates the nontrivial effects of autapse on stochastic resonance in a modular neuronal network subjected to bounded noise. The resonance effect of autapse is detected by imposing a self-feedback loop with autaptic strength and autaptic time delay to each constituent neuron. Numerical simulations have demonstrated that bounded noise with the proper level of amplitude can induce stochastic resonance; moreover, the noise induced resonance dynamics can be significantly shaped by the autapse. In detail, for a specific range of autaptic strength, multiple stochastic resonances can be induced when the autaptic time delays are appropriately adjusted. These appropriately adjusted delays are detected to nearly approach integer multiples of the period of the external weak signal when the autaptic strength is very near zero; otherwise, they do not match the period of the external weak signal when the autaptic strength is slightly greater than zero. Surprisingly, in both cases, the differences between arbitrary two adjacent adjusted autaptic delays are always approximately equal to the period of the weak signal. The phenomenon of autaptic delay induced multiple stochastic resonances is further confirmed to be robust against the period of the external weak signal and the intramodule probability of subnetwork. These findings could have important implications for weak signal detection and information propagation in realistic neural systems.
Effect of spatial distribution of porous matrix surface charge heterogeneity on nanoparticle attachment in a packed bed
Authors: Pham Ngoc H. , Papavassiliou Dimitrios V.
Published: August 2017

In this study, the effect of spatial distribution of the porous matrix surface heterogeneity on nanoparticle deposition is numerically explored using lattice Boltzmann simulation methods and tracking of individual particles with Lagrangian algorithms. Packed beds with four different patterns of surface charge heterogeneity, on which favorable surfaces for particle attachment are located at different locations, are generated. The heterogeneity is binary, so that the porous surface can either accommodate nanoparticle attachment or not. It is found that the heterogeneity pattern has a stronger effect when the rate constant for particle attachment is high, when the particle size is small, and/or when the fraction of the surface area that is favorable to attachment is about 0.5. At fixed conditions, the heterogeneity pattern with randomly and uniformly distributed active surface area is the most favorite for particle attachment, compared to those where the active surface areas are banded perpendicularly to the flow direction. There exists a critical ratio of the Damkohler number to the Peclet number, beyond which the heterogeneity pattern effect becomes more visible.
Slow [Na+]i dynamics impacts arrhythmogenesis and spiral wave reentry in cardiac myocyte ionic model
Authors: Krogh-Madsen Trine , Christini David J.
Published: August 2017

Accumulation of intracellular Na+ is gaining recognition as an important regulator of cardiac myocyte electrophysiology. The intracellular Na+ concentration can be an important determinant of the cardiac action potential duration, can modulate the tissue-level conduction of excitation waves, and can alter vulnerability to arrhythmias. Mathematical models of cardiac electrophysiology often incorporate a dynamic intracellular Na+ concentration, which changes much more slowly than the remaining variables. We investigated the dependence of several arrhythmogenesis-related factors on [Na+]i in a mathematical model of the human atrial action potential. In cell simulations, we found that [Na+]i accumulation stabilizes the action potential duration to variations in several conductances and that the slow dynamics of [Na+]i impacts bifurcations to pro-arrhythmic afterdepolarizations, causing intermittency between different rhythms. In long-lasting tissue simulations of spiral wave reentry, [Na+]i becomes spatially heterogeneous with a decreased area around the spiral wave rotation center. This heterogeneous region forms a functional anchor, resulting in diminished meandering of the spiral wave. Our findings suggest that slow, physiological, rate-dependent variations in [Na+]i may play complex roles in cellular and tissue-level cardiac dynamics.
Modeling dynamics in diseased cardiac tissue: Impact of model choice
Authors: Gokhale Tanmay A. , Medvescek Eli , Henriquez Craig S.
Published: August 2017

Cardiac arrhythmias have been traditionally simulated using continuous models that assume tissue homogeneity and use a relatively large spatial discretization. However, it is believed that the tissue fibrosis and collagen deposition, which occur on a micron-level, are critical factors in arrhythmogenesis in diseased tissues. Consequently, it remains unclear how well continuous models, which use averaged electrical properties, are able to accurately capture complex conduction behaviors such as re-entry in fibrotic tissues. The objective of this study was to compare re-entrant behavior in discrete microstructural models of fibrosis and in two types of equivalent continuous models, a homogenous continuous model and a hybrid continuous model with distinct heterogeneities. In the discrete model, increasing levels of tissue fibrosis lead to a substantial increase in the re-entrant cycle length which is inadequately reflected in the homogenous continuous models. These cycle length increases appear to be primarily due to increases in the tip path length and to altered restitution behavior, and suggest that it is critical to consider the discrete effects of fibrosis on conduction when studying arrhythmogenesis in fibrotic myocardium. Hybrid models are able to accurately capture some aspects of re-entry and, if carefully tuned, may provide a framework for simulating conduction in diseased tissues with both accuracy and efficiency.
Modification of the characteristic melting temperatures of sawdust ashes
Authors: Ziemiański Leszek , Żak Grażyna , Duda Anna , Wojtasik Michał
Published: August 2017

This research was focused on one aspect of the use of biomass in energy plants, namely, the problems associated with low melting temperatures of ashes formed after sawdust combustion, which causes serious operational problems associated with agglomeration, slagging, and corrosion. For this research, the selected methodology was evaluated by CEN (European Committee for Standardization), based on the determination of four parameters: shrinkage temperature, deformation temperature, hemisphere temperature, and flow temperature. The above mentioned temperatures were determined for ash samples of sawdust burned in an oxidizing and reducing atmosphere.
Fabrication of oriented hydroxyapatite film by RF magnetron sputtering
Authors: Hirata Keishiro , Kubota Takafumi , Koyama Daisuke , Takayanagi Shinji , Matsukawa Mami
Published: August 2017

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is compatible with bone tissue and is used mainly as a bone prosthetic material, especially as the coating of implants. Oriented HAp film is expected to be a high-quality epitaxial scaffold of the neonatal bone. To fabricate highly oriented HAp thin films via the conventional plasma process, we deposited the HAp film on a Ti coated silica glass substrate using RF magnetron sputtering in low substrate temperature conditions. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the film sample consisted of an intense (002) peak, corresponding to the highly oriented HAp. The (002) peak in XRD diagrams can be attributed either to the monoclinic phase or the hexagonal phase. Pole figure analysis showed that the (002) plane grew parallel to the surface of the substrate, without inclination. Transmission Electron Microscope analysis also showed the fabrication of aligned HAp crystallites. The selected area diffraction patterns indicated the existence of monoclinic phase. The existence of hexagonal phase could not be judged. These results indicate the uniaxial films fabricated by this technique enable to be the epitaxial scaffold of the neonatal bone. This scaffold can be expected to promote connection with the surrounding bone tissue and recovery of the dynamic characteristics of the bone.
Reconstruction of normal forms by learning informed observation geometries from data
Authors: Yair Or , Talmon Ronen , Coifman Ronald R. , Kevrekidis Ioannis G.
Published: August 2017

Significance

The extraction of models from data (in a sense, the “understanding” of the physical laws giving rise to the data) is a fundamental cognitive as well as scientific challenge. We show a geometric/analytic learning algorithm capable of creating minimal descriptions of parametrically dependent unknown nonlinear dynamical systems. This is accomplished by the data-driven discovery of useful intrinsic-state variables and parameters in terms of which one can empirically model the underlying dynamics. We discuss an
informed
observation geometry that enables us to formulate models without first principles as well as without closed form equations.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma super-enhancer–driven ETV6 correlates with prognosis
Authors: Ke Liangru , Zhou Hufeng , Wang Chong , Xiong Geng , Xiang Yanqun , Ling Yihong , Khabir Abdelmajid , Tsao George S. , Zeng Yixin , Zeng Musheng , Busson Pierre , Kieff Elliott , Guo Xiang , Zhao Bo
Published: August 2017

Significance

Epigenetic alterations in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are very frequent at the DNA level. Histone modifications are frequently altered in cancers. Because histone modifications are reversible, histone-modifying enzymes or other epigenetic regulators are ideal therapeutic targets, and drugs targeting these enzymes have been proven effective in cancer treatment. Understanding the NPC histone code provides unique insights into NPC pathogenesis and will likely contribute to the identification of unique therapeutics. Using genome-wide analyses of histone modifications, we generated an NPC epigenetic landscape and identified a key oncogene whose expression correlated with patient overall survival, suggesting that epigenetic profiling can effectively identify key oncogenic pathways. These studies provide proof-of-concept strategies for further characterization of the NPC epigenome on a larger scale.
Effects of friction-stir processing with water cooling on the properties of an Al–Zn–Mg–Cu Alloy
Authors: Chen Yu , Jiang Yifu , Ding Hua , Zhao Jingwei , Li Jizhong
Published: August 2017

An Al–Zn–Mg–Cu (Al-7B04) aluminium alloy in two conditions, i.e. with an artificial aging (7B04-AA) temper and with an annealing (7B04-O) temper, was friction-stir processed using water cooling, and the microstructure and the mechanical properties of the stir zone (SZ) were investigated. Compared with the samples subjected to air cooling, the SZs of water-cooled samples were strengthened, and the degree of strengthening depended on the initial base metal temper. For friction-stir-processed material after an 7B04-O temper, the efficiency of strengthening was relatively high due not only to the refinement of grains and strengthening precipitates but also due to the high solution level in the SZ. In contrast, the slight strengthening of friction-stir-processed 7B04-AA resulted solely from grain refinement.
A comparative political economy of regional migration and labour mobility in West and Southern Africa
Authors: Cross Hannah , Cliffe Lionel
Published: August 2017

Based on a collaboration with the late Lionel Cliffe, this article suggests agendas and methods for analysing regional patterns of migration and labour mobility in Southern and West Africa. It locates local communities in regional patterns and global processes using two key organising concepts: first, the regionalisation of Africa, as outlined in Samir Amin’s work. The authors consider continuities and discontinuities with the paradigms of ‘Africa of the labour reserves’ and ‘Africa of the colonial trade economy’ to understand contemporary realities. Second, this article explores the mechanisms and characteristics of cheap labour on different scales of analysis. This includes a discussion of the theories that explored the relations of reproduction of labour, and the reproduction of the labour system as a whole. In doing so, it rethinks the modes of production discourse to highlight the continuing importance of situations where capitalism exists alongside non-capitalist relations of production and reproduction.
Prunus mume extract exerts antioxidant activities and suppressive effect of melanogenesis under the stimulation by alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone in B16-F10 melanoma cells
Authors: Pi KyungBae , Lee KiBeom
Published: August 2017

In the current study, we examined the antioxidant and skin-whitening properties of Prunus mume extract (PME). The ability of PME to scavenge 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals was investigated in vitro. At a concentration of 1000 μg/mL, PME neutralized >45% free radical activity. Cell viability assessment with the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay revealed that at concentrations <1500 μg/mL, PME does not exert cytotoxic effects on murine B16 melanoma (B16) cells. Morphological analysis disclosed that melanin production is inhibited in B16 cells treated with 250 nM α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and PME. We conclude that fruit extracts of P. mume exert a skin-whitening effect by inhibiting melanin production via regulation of melanogenesis-associated protein expression in melanocytes.
Human TCR-MHC coevolution after divergence from mice includes increased nontemplate-encoded CDR3 diversity
Authors: Chen Xiaojing , Poncette Lucia , Blankenstein Thomas
Published: August 2017

For thymic selection and responses to pathogens, T cells interact through their αβ T cell receptor (TCR) with peptide–major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on antigen-presenting cells. How the diverse TCRs interact with a multitude of MHC molecules is unresolved. It is also unclear how humans generate larger TCR repertoires than mice do. We compared the TCR repertoire of CD4 T cells selected from a single mouse or human MHC class II (MHC II) in mice containing the human TCR gene loci. Human MHC II yielded greater thymic output and a more diverse TCR repertoire. The complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) length adjusted for different inherent V-segment affinities to MHC II. Humans evolved with greater nontemplate-encoded CDR3 diversity than did mice. Our data, which demonstrate human TCR–MHC coevolution after divergence from rodents, explain the greater T cell diversity in humans and suggest a mechanism for ensuring that any V–J gene combination can be selected by a single MHC II.
𝐿_{𝑝}+𝐿_{∞} and 𝐿_{𝑝}∩𝐿_{∞} are not isomorphic for all 1≤𝑝<∞, 𝑝≠2
Authors: Astashkin Sergey , Maligranda Lech
Published: August 2017

We prove the result stated in the title. It comes as a consequence of the fact that the space

L
p

∩

L

∞

L_p \cap L_{\infty }

,

1
≤
p
>
∞

1\leq p>\infty

,

p
≠
2

p\neq 2

, does not contain a complemented subspace isomorphic to

L
p

L_p

. In particular, as a subproduct, we show that

L
p

∩

L

∞

L_p \cap L_{\infty }

contains a complemented subspace isomorphic to

ℓ

2

{\ell }_2

if and only if

p
=
2

p = 2

.
Density imaging of heterochromatin in live cells using orientation-independent-DIC microscopy
Authors: Imai Ryosuke , Nozaki Tadasu , Tani Tomomi , Kaizu Kazunari , Hibino Kayo , Ide Satoru , Tamura Sachiko , Takahashi Koichi , Shribak Michael , Maeshima Kazuhiro
Published: August 2017

In eukaryotic cells, highly condensed inactive/silenced chromatin has long been called “heterochromatin.” However, recent research suggests that such regions are in fact not fully transcriptionally silent and that there exists only a moderate access barrier to heterochromatin. To further investigate this issue, it is critical to elucidate the physical properties of heterochromatin such as its total density in live cells. Here, using orientation-independent differential interference contrast (OI-DIC) microscopy, which is capable of mapping optical path differences, we investigated the density of the total materials in pericentric foci, a representative heterochromatin model, in live mouse NIH3T3 cells. We demonstrated that the total density of heterochromatin (208 mg/ml) was only 1.53-fold higher than that of the surrounding euchromatic regions (136 mg/ml) while the DNA density of heterochromatin was 5.5- to 7.5-fold higher. We observed similar minor differences in density in typical facultative heterochromatin, the inactive human X chromosomes. This surprisingly small difference may be due to that nonnucleosomal materials (proteins/RNAs) (∼120 mg/ml) are dominant in both chromatin regions. Monte Carlo simulation suggested that nonnucleosomal materials contribute to creating a moderate access barrier to heterochromatin, allowing minimal protein access to functional regions. Our OI-DIC imaging offers new insight into the live cellular environments.
Real-time demultiplexing Nanopore barcoded sequencing data with npBarcode
Authors: Nguyen Son Hoang , Duarte Tania P S , Coin Lachlan J M , Cao Minh Duc
Published: August 2017

Motivation

The recent introduction of a barcoding protocol for Oxford Nanopore sequencing has increased the versatility of the technology. Several bioinformatics tools have been developed to demultiplex barcoded reads, but none of them supports streaming analysis. This limits the use of multiplexed sequencing in real-time applications, which is one of the main advantages of the technology.

Results

We introduced npBarcode, an open source and cross-platform tool for barcode demultiplexing in streaming fashion that can be used to pipe data to further real-time analyses. The tool also provides a friendly graphical user interface by integrating the module into npReader, making possible to monitor the progress concurrently when the sequencing is still in progress. We show that our algorithm achieves accuracies at least as good as competing tools.

Availability and implementation

npBarcode is bundled in Japsa—a Java tools kit for genome analysis, and is freely available at https://github.com/mdcao/japsa.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Causal drivers of Barents Sea capelin (Mallotus villosus) population dynamics on different time scales
Authors: Solvang Hiroko K , Subbey Sam , Frank Anna S J
Published: August 2017

The dynamics of marine populations are usually forced by biotic and abiotic factors occurring at different intensity levels and time scales. Deriving the time frame within which each factor has a causal influence is important for predicting population trajectories. This paper presents a statistical methodology for establishing (i) the strength of causal coupling between population dynamics and environmental (biotic and abiotic) factors, and (ii) the time scales over which causal covariates have significant influence on the population dynamics. The methodology is based on combining a multivariate autoregressive model fit to data (to determine causal direction) with a quantification of the RPC of covariates in frequency domain (to quantify the strength of connection). The methodology is applied to test the existence of causal coupling between the capelin biomass and a selected number of covariates identified in the literature.
Pension Privatisation: Benefits and Costs
Authors: Lurie Lilach
Published: August 2017

During the last 10 years, many OECD countries introduced reforms which included automatic enrolment or mandatory participation in privately managed pension schemes. The current article aims to reveal the benefits and costs of privately managed pension schemes. The article uses a study of pension schemes’ bylaws in Israel to study the degree to which the shift to privately operated DC schemes results in the transfer of risk from capital to labour and in the entrenchment of gender and income inequalities. The article shows that the shift of pension provision from defined benefit (DB) to defined contribution (DC) entails a significant shift of risk from capital to labour. Moreover, separately from the DB to DC shift, moving from public management to private management increases employees’ pension risks. Lastly, the paper shows that the combination of the shifts from DB to DC and from public to private management involves a shift in governance, which exposes pension scheme members to a high likelihood of lower returns as well as to gender and income inequalities.
The Public Sector Equality Duty: Enforcing Equality Rights Through Second-Generation Regulation
Authors: Manfredi Simonetta , Vickers Lucy , Clayton-Hathway Kate
Published: August 2017

This article reviews the effectiveness of the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), based on insights from debates within equality law and theories of regulation. Drawing on examples of its practical implementation, the strengths and weaknesses of the ‘reflexive turn’ in equality law are assessed. While recognising the concerns raised regarding second-generation regulation, such as its inability to address structural power relations, the article proposes that this form of regulation has some merit when applied to equality law. First, the participatory processes that it produces can in themselves be viewed as equality outcomes, particularly when equality is understood to encompass the participation and inclusion of vulnerable groups. Second, this form of regulation can introduce change within organisations, proving reasonably resilient once embedded in standards of good management practice. The paper does not suggest that the processes of the PSED cannot be improved and instead proposes a number of ways in which second-generation regulation can be made more effective. However, it argues that examples of the implementation of the PSED show how reflexive regulation can provide more effective and resilient means to support the realisation of equality and social justice than at first appears.
The Effect of an Interruption on Risk Decisions
Authors: Kupor Daniella M , Liu Wendy , Amir On
Published: August 2017

Interruptions during consumer decision making are ubiquitous. In seven studies, we examine the consequences of a brief interruption during a financial risk decision. We identify a fundamental feature inherent in an interruption’s temporal structure—a repeat exposure to the decision stimuli—and find that this re-exposure reduces decision stimuli’s subjective novelty. This reduced novelty in turn reduces decision makers’ apprehension and increases the amount of risk they take in a wide range of risky financial decision contexts. Consistent with our theoretical framework, this interruption effect disappears when a stimulus’s subjective novelty is restored after an interruption. We further find that these consequences are often unique to interruptions are often do not result from other interventions (e.g., time pressure and elongated thinking); this is because an interruption’s unique temporal structure (which results in a repeat exposure to the decision stimuli) underlies its consequences. Our findings shed light on how and when interruptions during decision making can influence risk taking.
The relation between galaxy morphology and colour in the EAGLE simulation
Authors: Correa Camila A. , Schaye Joop , Clauwens Bart , Bower Richard G. , Crain Robert A. , Schaller Matthieu , Theuns Tom , Thob Adrien C. R.
Published: August 2017

We investigate the relation between kinematic morphology, intrinsic colour and stellar mass of galaxies in the EAGLE cosmological hydrodynamical simulation. We calculate the intrinsic u − r colours and measure the fraction of kinetic energy invested in ordered corotation of 3562 galaxies at z = 0 with stellar masses larger than 1010 M⊙. Inspection of gri-composite images suggests that the kinematic morphology is a useful proxy for visual morphology. EAGLE produces a galaxy population for which morphology is tightly correlated with the location in the colour–mass diagram, with the red sequence mostly populated by elliptical galaxies and the blue cloud by disc galaxies. Satellite galaxies are more likely to be on the red sequence than centrals, and for satellites the red sequence is morphologically more diverse. These results show that the connection between mass, intrinsic colour and morphology arises from galaxy-formation models that reproduce the observed galaxy mass function and sizes.
Huguenots
Authors: van der Linden David
Published: August 2017

The Huguenots were French Reformed Protestants who followed the teachings of John Calvin. The term Huguenots was first coined as a Catholic insult, but it was adopted by French Protestants in the 18th century as a badge of honor. The precise origins of the name are uncertain. Some scholars have suggested it derives from the German word Eidgenossen (confederates bound together by an oath), while others believe the term originated in Tours, where, according to local legend, the spirit of the malevolent King Hugues roamed the city at night. Because Protestants initially assembled in secret under cover of darkness, they were dubbed Huguenots. The history of the Huguenots begins in the 1540s, when Calvin’s teachings found a receptive audience in France, especially among artisans, merchants, and the nobility. They established a formal church structure based on the Genevan consistorial system, with consistories responsible for local church affairs, while also setting up national synods for settling doctrinal affairs. By 1560 the Huguenot movement had gained over 1.5 million followers, particularly in cities and the crescent of provinces stretching from Poitou along the Atlantic coast, across Languedoc in the south, and into Dauphiné. Growing tensions between Protestants and Catholics sparked a series of civil wars known as the French Wars of Religion (1562–1598). The conflict ended when, in 1598, King Henry IV issued the Edict of Nantes, which formalized a regime of religious coexistence by allowing Protestants to worship alongside Catholics, while also granting Huguenots civil rights and military autonomy. During the rule of King Louis XIV, however, the Huguenots came under increasing pressure to convert and had many of their rights annulled. In 1685 the king revoked the Edict of Nantes and forced the Huguenots to convert to Catholicism through brutal persecution. The Revocation provoked one of the largest migration waves of the early modern period, as an estimated 150,000 Huguenots fled to Switzerland, Germany, the Dutch Republic, the British Isles, and the American colonies, forming a transnational diaspora that is often referred to as the Refuge. Although the history of the Huguenots has long been written as a heroic story of ongoing persecution, in recent years scholars have begun to paint a more nuanced picture of the Huguenot movement, exploring the many religious, cultural, social, and political aspects of this important Protestant minority in early modern Europe.