bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fluorescence lifetime imaging of upper gastrointestinal pH in vivo with a lanthanide based near-infrared τ probe
Authors: Ning Yingying , Cheng Shengming , Wang Jing-Xiang , Liu Yi-Wei , Feng Wei , Li Fuyou , Zhang Jun-Long
Published: February 2019

Lanthanide complex was successfully applied in the design of pH-responsive NIR τ probe for quantitative in vivo imaging.
Understanding the role of hollow sub-surface structures in reducing ice adhesion strength
Authors: He Zhiwei , Zhuo Yizhi , Wang Feng , He Jianying , Zhang Zhiliang
Published: February 2019

Polydimethylsiloxane coatings with three patterns of hollow sub-surface structures were prepared to understand their role in reducing ice adhesion strength.
Cellulose nanocrystals as anti-oil nanomaterials for separating crude oil from aqueous emulsions and mixtures
Authors: Wu Ming-Bang , Zhang Chao , Pi Jun-Ke , Liu Chang , Yang Jing , Xu Zhi-Kang
Published: February 2019

Cellulose nanocrystals with high anti-crude oil characteristics are applied for separating crude oil from aqueous emulsions and mixtures.
Hollow titanosilicate nanospheres encapsulating PdAu alloy nanoparticles as reusable high-performance catalysts for a H2O2-mediated one-pot oxidation reaction
Authors: Kuwahara Yasutaka , Matsumura Ryo , Yamashita Hiromi
Published: February 2019

Hollow mesoporous titanosilicate nanospheres encapsulating PdAu NPs can act as an ideal nanoreactor for H2O2-mediated one-pot oxidation reactions.
Controlled synthesis and photostability of blue emitting Cs3Bi2Br9 perovskite nanocrystals by employing weak polar solvents at room temperature
Authors: Gao Mingyang , Zhang Chi , Lian Linyuan , Guo Jianwei , Xia Yong , Pan Fan , Su Xiaoming , Zhang Jianbing , Li Honglang , Zhang Daoli
Published: February 2019

All inorganic Cs3Bi2Br9 perovskite NCs were synthesized at room temperature, demonstrating blue dual-emission peaks and high photoluminescence quantum yield.
Rethinking Assessment of Student Clinician Learning: A Collaborative Faculty Effort
Authors: Meder Allison M. , Wegner Jane R.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

This article describes a collaborative clinical faculty effort to develop and pilot observation-based formative assessment tools for faculty use during clinical supervision. The purposes of the pilot project were to create the tools and to evaluate faculty perceptions of developing and using the assessment tools.

Method

Data were collected using a rating scale, a focus group, and a questionnaire. Two formative assessment tools were designed following qualitative data analysis, and faculty subsequently piloted the tools in the clinic.

Results

Three clinical faculty who piloted the tools reported positive feedback regarding the tool development and implementation processes. Overall, clinical faculty perceived that the assessment tools improved their formative feedback to students.

Conclusion

Limitations, future directions, and implications are presented with recommendations for investigations in other settings.
Image contrast enhancement using triple clipped dynamic histogram equalisation based on standard deviation
Authors: Zarie Majid , Parsayan Ali , Hajghassem Hassan
Published: February 2019

Many histogram equalisations‐based methods have been proposed to be applied in contrast enhancement. However, a few methods that can simultaneously create a natural enhancement in images with low, median, and high brightness ranges are suggested. Here, a robust contrast enhancement algorithm, which is called triple clipped dynamic histogram equalisation based on standard deviation (TCDHE‐SD), is proposed. In the proposed method, the histogram of the input image is partitioned into three parts with approximately the same number of pixels based on the standard deviation. Then, the process of histogram clipping is performed on each sub‐histogram. After that, all histograms will be mapped to a new dynamic range by means of applying some simple calculations, and finally, the sub‐histogram equalisation process will be performed independently. This method is proposed to achieve the multiple purposes of the maximum average information content (entropy), controlling the enhancement ratio and preserving reasonable brightness. It also provides a natural enhancement by generating clear images with maximum details. The performance assessment of the proposed method in terms of entropy as well as visual quality based on the mean opinion score (MOS) indicates a significant advantage of it over the previous ones.
Computational colour constancy based on convolutional neural networks with a cross‐level architecture
Authors: Zhan Hefeng , Shi Songxin , Huo Yang
Published: February 2019

Computational colour constancy refers to the problem of obtaining reliable illuminant colour so that the image can be rectified to generate a new image under the canonical illumination by illumination estimation. This study researches on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) with cross‐level architecture for colour constancy. This new methodology obtains the illumination estimation by combining widely‐used AlexNet model with cross‐level strategy, in which, the cross‐level strategy is upgraded to a more adaptive and intelligent level for colour constancy problem. The proposed method is based on the assumption of uniform illumination on the scene, and the colour constancy is approached as an illumination classification problem on real illuminants by training the authors’ cnns. Furthermore, the output of the networks could be directly used for illumination computation of the scene. Finally, the performance of the proposed methodology is verified by comparing with the networks without cross‐level architecture or with similar strategies, including multiple paths architecture, multi‐scale architecture and ConvNet structure, to guarantee the feasibility and effectiveness. Experimental results on the test datasets indicate that up to around 26% error could be reduced via the proposed methodology for colour constancy.
Generalising multistain immunohistochemistry tissue segmentation using end‐to‐end colour deconvolution deep neural networks
Authors: Lahiani Amal , Gildenblat Jacob , Klaman Irina , Navab Nassir , Klaiman Eldad
Published: February 2019

A key challenge in cancer immunotherapy biomarker research is quantification of pattern changes in microscopic whole slide images of tumour biopsies. Drug development requires a correlative analysis of various biomarkers. To enable that, tissue slides are manually annotated by pathologists, which is a tedious and error‐prone task. Automation of this annotation process can improve accuracy and consistency while reducing workload and cost. The authors present a deep learning method to automatically segment digitised slide images with multiple stainings into compartments of tumour, healthy tissue, necrosis, and background. The method is based on using a fully convolutional neural network including a colour deconvolution segment learned end‐to‐end and helping the network to converge faster and deal with the dataset staining variability. They evaluate the performance of the proposed method using the F1 score, which is the harmonic mean between precision and recall. They report a testing F1 score of 0.88, 0.9, 0.8, and 0.99 for tumour, tissue, necrosis, and background, respectively. They address the task in the context of drug development where multiple stains exist and look into solutions for generalisations over these image populations. They also apply visualisation techniques to help understand the network decisions and gain more trust from pathologists.
HADES RV Programme with HARPS-N at TNG
Authors: González-Álvarez E. , Micela G. , Maldonado J. , Affer L. , Maggio A. , Lanza A. F. , Covino E. , Benatti S. , Bignamini A. , Cosentino R. , Damasso M. , Desidera S. , González Hernández J. I. , Martínez-Fiorenzano A. , Pagano I. , Perger M. , Piotto G. , Pinamonti M. , Rainer M. , Rebolo R. , Ribas I. , Scandariato G. , Sozzetti A. , Suárez Mascareño A. , Toledo-Padrón B.
Published: February 2019

Aims. We extend the relationship between X-ray luminosity (Lx) and rotation period (Prot) found for main-sequence FGK stars, and test whether it also holds for early M dwarfs, especially in the non-saturated regime (Lx ∝ Prot−2) which corresponds to slow rotators.

Methods. We use the luminosity coronal activity indicator (Lx) of a sample of 78 early M dwarfs with masses in the range from 0.3 to 0.75 M⊙ from the HArps-N red Dwarf Exoplanet Survey (HADES) radial velocity (RV) programme collected from ROSAT and XMM-Newton. The determination of the rotation periods (Prot) was done by analysing time series of high-resolution spectroscopy of the Ca II H & K and Hα activity indicators. Our sample principally covers the slow rotation regime with rotation periods from 15 to 60 days.

Results. Our work extends to the low mass regime the observed trend for more massive stars showing a continuous shift of the Lx∕Lbol versus Prot power law towards longer rotation period values, and includes a more accurate way to determine the value of the rotation period at which the saturation occurs (Psat) for M dwarf stars.

Conclusions. We conclude that the relations between coronal activity and stellar rotation for FGK stars also hold for early M dwarfs in the non-saturated regime, indicating that the rotation period is sufficient to determine the ratio Lx∕Lbol.
Histological and immunological differences between zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis due toLeishmania majorand sporadic cutaneous leishmaniasis due toLeishmania infantum
Authors: Boussoffara Thouraya , Boubaker Mohamed Samir , Ben Ahmed Melika , Mokni Mourad , Guizani Ikram , Ben Salah Afif , Louzir Hechmi
Published: February 2019

Lesion features in cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) depend on the infectingLeishmaniaspecies as well as on host immune reponse. In this study, we evaluated the histological and immunological differences between two forms of CL described in Tunisia: zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) caused byL. majorand sporadic cutaneous leishmaniasis (SCL) caused byL. infantum. Histological analysis showed a mild to moderate infiltrate within ZCL lesions. In contrast, massive infiltration of the dermis was observed within SCL lesions. Contrary to ZCL, infiltrates within SCL lesions were organized and showed granuloma composed of macrophages and lymphocytes. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis showed a predominance of CD4+T cells within both CL forms. Furthermore, expression of interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-8, IL-13 and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 was evaluated using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). MCP-1 and IL-10 were expressed at comparable levels in ZCL and SCL lesions. Interestingly, IL-8 mRNA levels were significantly higher in ZCL lesions compared to SCL lesions, but interferon-γ was significantly higher in SCL lesions than in ZCL lesions.
MTRA 4.0: Wir müssen uns verändern!
Authors: Quinsten Anton S. , Haferkamp Jennifer , Saur Annette
Published: February 2019

Eine lange Wartezeit auf einen MRT-Termin ist derzeit die Realität in Deutschland. Um den steigenden Bedarf an Untersuchungen decken zu können, muss die Anzahl der Geräte erhöht werden. Es fehlen jedoch die Fachkräfte, die diese bedienen können. Wie kann nun der Arbeitsalltag von MTRA optimiert werden, um den Fachkräftemangel zu kompensieren? Dies ist eine schwierige Frage, die es zukünftig zu diskutieren gilt.
Akutes Abdomen – Sonografie, Röntgen, CT oder MRT?
Authors: Dendl L. M. , Becker C. , Schreyer A.G.
Published: February 2019

Das akute Abdomen ist eine Diagnose, die auf etwa 20 % der Patienten zutrifft, die in einer Notaufnahme mit abdomineller Symptomatik behandelt werden. Dabei muss zwischen einem unklaren Abdomen bzw. unklaren Bauchschmerz und dem Begriff des wirklichen akuten Abdomens unterschieden werden. Der folgende Artikel gibt einen Überblick über die wichtigsten Krankheitsbilder und geht auf die verschiedenen radiologischen Untersuchungsverfahren ein.
Funktionelle Kniestabilität im Handball: Ein unverzichtbares Kriterium für sicheren Sport
Authors: Rühlemann Alina , Mayer Constantin Ulrich , Götte Lennard , Behringer Michael , Jäger Marcus
Published: February 2019

Verschiedene Untersuchungen in den vergangenen Jahren haben gezeigt, dass innerhalb der Ballsportarten Handballspieler einem besonders hohen Verletzungsrisiko ausgesetzt sind. Dabei ist das Kniegelenk die am häufigsten verletzte Körperregion und ein Riss des vorderen Kreuzbandes die häufigste Verletzung am Knie. Um Folgeschädigungen oder erneuten Verletzungen vorzubeugen, ist eine gute situative Kniestabilität entscheidend. Diese kann nicht nur Verletzungen vorbeugen, sondern ist auch ausschlaggebend für die Optimierung handballspezifischer Bewegungsabläufe und eine verletzungsfreie Ausübung des Sports. Obwohl es zahlreiche Studien zu Verletzungen im Handball gibt (meist an Profisportlern durchgeführt), ist das Forschungsfeld in Bezug auf die situative Kniestabilität defizitär. Dieser Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über den aktuellen Forschungsstand. Zudem werden aktuelle Präventionsansätze aufgegriffen und diskutiert.
Diabetes und Herzinsuffizienz
Authors: Schütt Katharina , Marx Nikolaus , Müller-Wieland Dirk
Published: February 2019

Das metabolische Syndrom ist in aller Regel mit einer Insulinresistenz und einer viszeralen Fettverteilung assoziiert, die bei der Entstehung klinischer Facetten des metabolischen Syndroms, zum Beispiel der Erhöhung des arteriellen Blutdrucks und der Dyslipidämie, eine entscheidende Rolle spielen. In Bezug auf das kardiovaskuläre System gibt es zunehmend Hinweise, dass eine Insulinresistenz und ektope Lipidablagerung am Herzen, insbesondere das epikardiale Fett, mit Inflammation, Fibrosierung und eingeschränkter diastolischer Funktion bzw. Herzinsuffizienz assoziiert sein können. Die klinische Prognose von Patienten mit metabolischem Syndrom und Herzinsuffizienz ist sehr schlecht, und daher könnten diese neuen Zusammenhänge zwischen Adipositas, Insulinresistenz, Fettverteilung, Inflammation und Herzfunktion künftig eine Rolle bei einer differenzierten kardiometabolischen Früherkennung und Therapie von Risikoindividuen sein.
Increase of pregnancy rate after multiple periovulatory
inseminations in mares
Authors: Huber Desiree , Amsler Evelyne , Vidondo Beatriz , Kaeser Rebekka , Wespi Bettina , Sieme Harald , Burger Dominik
Published: February 2019

Objective There exist differences in the reproductive behavior of
stallions and mares under free-running and domestic in-hand breeding conditions.
Contrary to artificial insemination programs, a stallion mates a mare multiple
times per estrus under natural conditions. The objective of this study was to
determine if multiple periovulatory artificial inseminations (MI), four times in
two different time intervals instead of two, would result in increased pregnancy
outcome or higher incidences of breeding induced endometritis.

Material and methods Eighty-two estrous mares were allocated randomly to
one of three experimental groups. They were administered intramuscular
deslorelin (1.25 mg) to induce ovulation, and 24 hours later, they were
inseminated either twice (group DI), four times in relatively short intervals
(group MISI) or four times in relatively long intervals (MILI), after division
of one commercial insemination dose (either frozen-thawed or chilled-warmed
semen) into two or four portions, respectively. Uterine sampling for
bacteriological and cytological analysis was conducted directly before the first
insemination and 24 hours after the last insemination.

Results Mares of the MI groups showed a higher pregnancy rate with
frozen-thawed semen than mares of the DI group. There was no difference in
bacteriological and cytological results between the three groups. In addition,
mares of the MISI group showed less intrauterine fluid accumulation 24 hours
after the last insemination than mares of the DI and MILI groups.

Conclusion and clinical relevance We suggest that multiple periovulatory
inseminations with frozen-thawed semen in a close time frame to ovulation lead
to an increase of pregnancy results per cycle, and that they do not lead to
impaired inflammatory reactions of the uterus in healthy fertile mares.
Adipositasambulanz in Leipzig
Authors: Sergeyev E. , Böttcher M. , Vogel A. , Cämmerer J. , Stein R. , Körner A. , Kiess W.
Published: February 2019

In der Adipositasambulanz der Universitätskinderklinik Leipzig werden sowohl individuelle als auch standardisierte Therapiestrategien für Kinder und Jugendliche mit Adipositas angewendet. Die Therapieprogramme basieren auf der Steigerung der Bewegung, Verhaltenstherapie, Ernährungsberatung und psychologischer Betreuung. Psychosoziale familiäre Problemkonstellationen erhöhen das Risiko der Adipositasentstehung und haben einen negativen Einfluss auf den Behandlungserfolg. Bariatrische Chirurgie zeigt gute Ergebnisse bezüglich der Gewichtsreduktion postoperativ, jedoch fehlen Langzeitdaten, um besser das langfristige Outcome bewerten zu können. Effektive Strategien zur Adipositas-Prävention sind notwendig.
Ein Plädoyer für die Verbesserung der Medizinerausbildung
Authors: Ledderhos Carla
Published: February 2019

Medizinische Notfallsituationen während eines Fluges verlangen vom Hilfe leistenden Arzt ein Agieren unter veränderten Umwelt- und beengten räumlichen Verhältnissen, mit begrenzten Ressourcen (sowohl hinsichtlich Material als auch Personal) und verzögertem Zugriff auf umfängliche professionelle Versorgung. Obwohl solche Ereignisse in geschätzt einem von 100 bis 1000 Flügen vorkommen und damit nicht gerade selten sind, werden Mediziner auf diese Gegebenheiten in ihrer Ausbildung eher nicht oder nur ungenügend vorbereitet.
Forschung unter besonderen geografischen Bedingungen
Authors: Saretzki Charlotte
Published: February 2019

Die Südpazifikregion ist nicht nur touristisch und kulturell eindrucksvoll, sondern stellt durch ihre Vielzahl an verstreut liegenden Inselstaaten auch spezielle Ansprüche an die Infrastrukturen und medizinischen Versorgungssysteme der jeweiligen Nationen. Im Rahmen meines Medizinstudiums an der RWTH Aachen hatte ich 2016 die Möglichkeit, auf den Cookinseln sowie in Vanuatu zu famulieren und die dortigen Gesundheitssysteme näher kennenzulernen. Während meines Aufenthalts konnte auch eine enge Zusammenarbeit mit den jeweiligen Gesundheitsbehörden etabliert werden. Daraus entstand das insgesamt fünfte durch den Verein Aachen Dental and Medical Expeditions (ADEMED) e.V. 1 unterstützte Forschungsprojekt. In diesem Rahmen forsche und promoviere ich über die Seroprävalenz von Antikörpern gegen potenziell hämorrhagische virale Fieber in repräsentativen Populationen der Südpazifikregion.
KCNA4 Gene Variant is Auxiliary in Endurance Running Performance Level
Authors: Flecha-Velazquez Keven , Fahey Thomas , Martínez Juan , Lopez-Taylor Juan , Rivera Miguel
Published: February 2019

The present is an observational study following a genetic epidemiology model using a case-control design. We tested the hypothesis of an association between the prevalence of the genotypic and allelic frequencies distribution of the potassium voltage-gated channel of the shaker related subfamily member 4 gene (KCNA4) rs1323860 (C/T transition) and endurance performance level in Hispanic male marathon runners (MR). The subjects (n=1876) were adult Hispanic male MR. Fast-MR (cases; n=938) were finishers in the top 3rd percentile. Slow MR (controls; n=938) were finishers in the lowest 3rd percentile of their respective age. Genomic DNA was purified from a whole blood sample. Polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify a KCNA4 SNP which consists of a C/T (rs1323860) transition. The observed genotype frequencies, in both Cases and Controls, met Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (X2, P≥0.05). Genotype and allele frequencies were statistically different (P<0.01) between cases and controls. Odds ratio revealed that the C allele was 1.33 times more likely prevalent in the cases than in the controls (95% CI; 1.17, 1.51; P<0.001). The magnitude of the statistical power for the present study was 0.86. In conclusion, the findings strongly suggest that KCNA4 gene rs1323860 (C/T transition) is auxiliary in the complex phenotype of endurance running performance level in Hispanic male marathon runners.
Remission of diabetes mellitus after ovariohysterectomy in
a guinea pig with ovarian cysts
Authors: Kreilmeier-Berger Theresa , Guija-De-Arespacochaga Abigail , Bilek Andrea , Künzel Frank
Published: February 2019

A 3-year-old intact female guinea pig was presented with a history of polydipsia,
polyphagia, and hyperactivity combined with non-pruritic hair loss. The physical
examination revealed bilateral alopecia mainly including the flanks and the
ventral abdomen. Bilateral rounded masses just caudal to the kidneys were
detected on abdominal palpation. Abdominal ultrasound examination confirmed
bilateral ovarian cysts and an enlarged uterus with cystic lesions. Blood
biochemistry revealed highly increased glucose and fructosamine concentrations.
The final diagnoses were diabetes mellitus, bilateral ovarian cysts, and
pathologic changes of the uterus. The guinea pig underwent ovariohysterectomy.
After surgery, diabetes mellitus and all of the existing clinical signs were
fully resolved. A causal relationship between hormonally active ovarian cysts
and diabetes mellitus that commonly present independently from each other in the
guinea pig can be strongly assumed in the present case. In suspicious cases of
gestagen-induced diabetes mellitus ovariohysterectomy could be considered a
potential treatment option in guinea pigs.
First-Year Ophthalmology Residency Call Structure and Its Association with Resident Anxiety and Confidence
Authors: McCoskey Makayla , Shafer Brian , Nti Akosua , Ying Gui-Shuang , Tapino Paul , Pan Wei , Addis Victoria
Published: February 2019

Purpose The main purpose of this article is to characterize methods for preparing first-year ophthalmology residents for call and to evaluate the association between call structure and anxiety levels.

Methods Data on call structure and preparatory courses were collected by a national online survey of residency program directors and first-year residents in 2016 and 2017. Anxiety was assessed using the Endler Multidimensional Anxiety Scale, and confidence in evaluating and managing critical diagnoses on call was evaluated using a modified Likert-type scale.

Results In 2016, 132 first-year ophthalmology residents (28% of 465 total) responded to the survey, and in 2017, 103 first-year residents (22% of 469 total) responded, for a total of 235 residents participating. About 97.4% of residents reported that their residency program had a buddy call system, and 73.2% reported that their residency offered a preparatory course at the beginning of residency. In the resident cohort from 2017, there was a statistically significant association between length of buddy call duration and cognitive worry anxiety level (p = 0.01) with the lowest mean anxiety scores reported among those whose buddy call system lasted between 9 and 12 weeks. Higher confidence in making critical diagnoses on call was significantly associated with lower anxiety scores (p < 0.05 for all surveyed diagnoses). In the 2016 cohort, the mean cognitive worry score was significantly lower in those who had a preparatory course than those who did not (17.6 vs 22.2, p = 0.02), as was the mean overall anxiety score (33.8 vs 40.8, p = 0.04).

Conclusion Buddy call and preparatory courses are associated with less anxiety and improved confidence among residents on call.
Midflexion Instability in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Nagle Matthew , Glynn Aaron
Published: February 2019

Instability is one of the most common causes of failure in total knee arthroplasty. Traditionally, it has been classified into three types: extension instability, flexion instability, and hyperextension instability. More recently, a fourth type of instability has been proposed, namely “midflexion instability” (MFI). Whether MFI is distinct from the aforementioned types of instability is contentious, and at present, the condition is yet to be clearly defined. This article reviews the current literature and identifies the best available evidence relevant to the concept of MFI. Our aim is to present an overview of the proposed causes and mechanisms for MFI. By doing so, we also aim to provide a focus on how MFI presents, whether it is indeed a discrete form of instability, and if it influences clinical results.
Function and Knee Range of Motion Plateau Six Months following Lateral Tibial Plateau Fractures
Authors: Christiano Anthony V. , Pean Christian A. , Kugelman David N. , Konda Sanjit R. , Egol Kenneth A.
Published: February 2019

The purpose of this study is to determine when functional outcome no longer improves following tibial plateau fracture. A patient series of operatively treated tibial plateau fractures was reviewed. Patients were evaluated using the short musculoskeletal function assessment (SMFA), range of motion (ROM) assessment, and pain levels at visual analog scale (VAS) at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Fractures were classified by the Schatzker's classification using preoperative imaging. The case series was divided into two groups based on fracture patterns. Friedman's tests were conducted to determine if there were differences in SMFA, ROM, or VAS throughout the postoperative course. A total of 117 patients with tibial plateau fractures treated operatively, with complete follow-up and without complication, were identified. Seventy-seven patients (65.8%) sustained lateral tibial plateau fractures (Schatzker's I–III). Friedman's test demonstrated significant differences in SMFA (p < 0.0005) and ROM (p < 0.0005) at the three time points. Post hoc analysis demonstrated a significant difference in SMFA (p < 0.0005) and ROM (p = 0.003) between 3 and 6 months postoperatively but no significant difference in either metric between 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Friedman's test demonstrated no significant difference in VAS postoperatively (p = 0.210). Forty patients (34.2%) sustained medial or bicondylar tibial plateau fractures (Schatzker's IV–VI). Friedman's test demonstrated significant differences in SMFA (p < 0.0005) and ROM (p < 0.0005) at the three time points. Post hoc analysis demonstrated a strong trend toward significance in SMFA between 3 and 6 months postoperatively (p = 0.088), and demonstrated a significant difference between 6 and 12 months postoperatively (p = 0.013). ROM was found to be significantly different between 3 and 6 months postoperatively (p = 0.010), but no difference was found between 6 and 12 months postoperatively (p = 0.929). Friedman's test demonstrated no significant difference in VAS postoperatively (p = 0.941). In this cohort, no significant difference in function, ROM, or pain level exists between 6 and 12 months after treatment of lateral tibial plateau fractures. However, there are significant improvements in function for at least 1 year following medial or bicondylar tibial plateau fractures.
Deutscher Rheumakongress
Authors: Brettschneider Helga
Published: February 2019

Rheuma kann nicht nur körperlich schmerzen, sondern auch seelisch: Depressionen sind häufig. Und: Sind Autoimmunkrankheiten wie Morbus Bechterew vielleicht der Preis für eine genetische Ausstattung, die für eine verbesserte Infektabwehr sorgt? Das waren einige Themen des 46. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Rheumatologie im September 2018 in Mannheim.
Non-stationary analysis of molecule capture and translocation in nanopore arrays
Authors: Sychugov Ilya , Zhang Miao , Linnros Jan
Published: February 2019

Analytical formulas for the ON- and OFF-time distributions as well as for the autocorrelation function were derived for the case of single molecule translocation through nanopore arrays. The obtained time-dependent expressions describe very well experimentally recorded statistics of DNA translocations through an array of solid state nanopores, which allows us to extract molecule and system related physical parameters from the experimental traces. The necessity of non-stationary analysis as opposite to the steady-state approximation has been vindicated for the molecule capture process, where different time-dependent regimes were identified. A long tail in the distribution of translocation times has been rationalized invoking Markov jumps, where a possible sequential ordering of events was elucidated through autocorrelation function analysis.
Power management and coordinated control of standalone active PV generator for isolated agriculture area-case study in the South of Algeria
Authors: Gassab Samir , Radjeai Hammoud , Mekhilef Saad , Choudar Adel
Published: February 2019

This paper aims to elaborate a local energy management and coordinated control of a 15 kW Standalone Active PV Generator (SAAPG), dedicated to the electrical supply of a remote farm in southern Algeria. The SAAPG is composed of four sources: Photovoltaics, Lead Acid Batteries, Ultra-capacitors, and Diesel generators (DGs); all these sources are coupled together in the DC-link (VDC-ref = 700 V). This agricultural area is mainly equipped with unpredictable high dynamic (transient) loads composed of two cold room compressors, an immersed pump and a watering pump. Unlike usual, a DC side coupling structure of the DG is proposed in this paper in order to ensure two dominant advantages: the first one is to slow the dynamics of the DG output power, which will be imposed by the DG boost converter instead of the load (like AC side coupling), allowing a low maintenance frequency in the diesel engine by reducing thermo-mechanical stresses in diesel engine cylinder heads due to transients. The second one guarantees both efficiency and cost effectiveness of the system by operating the DG near to its rated power in either transient or steady state conditions, and thus, such an oversizing of the DG will be avoided unlike the AC coupling case. The four power sources are managed in coordination, according to their dynamics, to maintain the DC-link voltage value regulated around its reference. A three-phase DC-AC PWM converter operates independently considering the DC link as a fixed DC source voltage in order to power supply AC loads.
A formally exact one-frequency-only Bethe-Salpeter-like equation. Similarities and differences between
GW
+BSE and self-consistent RPA
Authors: Olevano Valerio , Toulouse Julien , Schuck Peter
Published: February 2019

A formally exact Bethe-Salpeter-like equation for the linear-response function is introduced with a kernel which depends only on the one frequency of the applied field. This is in contrast with the standard Bethe-Salpeter equation (BSE) which involves multiple-frequency integrals over the kernel and response functions. From the one-frequency kernel, known approximations are straightforwardly recovered. However, the present formalism lends itself to more powerful approximations. This is demonstrated with the exact analytical solution of the Hubbard molecule. Similarities and differences of the GW + BSE approach with the self-consistent random-phase approximation are also discussed.
Charge transport mechanism in low temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) thin-film transistors
Authors: Huzaibi Hassan Ul , Shi Xuewen , Geng Di , Lu Nianduan , Li Ling , Liu Ming
Published: February 2019

Low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) thin-film transistors (TFTs) are recently used in many display applications due to its high mobility and high stability. However, its processing at low temperature causes defects which affect charge carrier mobility. So, it is essential to completely understand the effects of defects on charge transport mechanism. In this paper, experimental results are presented to investigate the charge carrier mobility of LTPS device. Furthermore, based on the theoretical model, the charge transport characteristic for LTPS has been interpreted. Our results show that, at low gate voltage, the charge transport of LTPS TFT displays multiple trapping and release mechanism, while free charge carrier transport mechanism at high gate voltage.
Molecular dynamics study on the effect of surface wettability on the performance of water vapor condensation
Authors: Yang Shujin , Zhang Yanping , Chen Li
Published: February 2019

Many studies have focused on the effect of surface wettability on condensation at the nanoscale, while few studies investigated the condensation process of water vapor below 450K. However, water vapor condensation below 450K is common and important in industrial fields. In this paper, molecular dynamics method is used to study the effect of surface wettability on the performance of water vapor condensation below 450K on a copper surface, and a comparison with the performance of water vapor condensation at 450K was performed. The results show that the heat transfer performance of vapor is not the same when condensing on a hydrophilic surface and on a hydrophobic surface. It’s found that lower temperature vapor requires more time in starting to condense on a hydrophobic surface, whose heat transfer efficiency first increases gradually and finally becomes constant. For the first time the process of vapor condensation on a hydrophobic surface was divided into three stages based on the changes in heat transfer efficiency, and the heat transfer performance of each stage was analyzed. The results show that a stronger surface wettability and higher vapor temperature improve the heat transfer performance during the condensation process. Moreover, the lower the vapor temperature is, the greater the impact of the wettability is on the heat transfer efficiency, and the vapor less easily condenses on a hydrophobic surface.
Bi-Maxwellian, slowing-down, and ring velocity distributions of fast ions in magnetized plasmas
Authors: Moseev Dmitry , Salewski Mirko
Published: February 2019

We discuss analytical fast-ion velocity distribution functions which are useful for basic plasma modelling as illustrated for the tokamak ITER. The Maxwellian is by far the most widespread model for ions and electrons in tokamaks and stellarators. The bi-Maxwellian and the drifting (bi-)Maxwellian are extensions allowing for anisotropy and bulk plasma flow, respectively. For example, fast ions generated by wave heating in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies are often described by bi-Maxwellians or so-called tail temperatures. The ring distribution can serve as a basic building block for arbitrary distributions or as a bump-on-tail in stability studies. The isotropic slowing-down distribution is a good model for fusion α-particles. The anisotropic slowing-down distribution occurs for anisotropic particle sources as is typical for neutral beam injection. We physically motivate these distribution functions and present analytical models in various coordinate systems commonly used by theorists and experimentalists. We further calculate 1D projections of the distribution functions onto a diagnostic line-of-sight to gain insight into measurements relying on the Doppler shift.
Carbon nanotube knots
Authors: Rego Kyle , Meunier Vincent
Published: February 2019

The structural and mechanical properties of carbon nanotube knots are investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. Using parametric representations of mathematical (harmonic) knots, a method is provided for calculating the initial atomic coordinates of carbon nanotubes in the shape of arbitrary knots for use in molecular dynamics simulations. A computational stress-strain testing scheme is implemented and applied to (5, 5) knotted carbon nanotubes to determine their tensile strength, plastic limit, and relative knot strength. Stress-strain curves are given for (5, 5) carbon nanotube stopper knots. It is determined that a carbon nanotube’s tensile strength is reduced to at most 1/3 of its original strength when tied into a knot. It is also shown that it is possible to form tight and stable carbon nanotube knots by subjecting the knots to stress beyond the plastic limit. In contrast, loose knots stabilized by noncovalent interactions are not dynamically stable and spontaneously untie. To help understand the stability of loose carbon nanotube knots, the relationship between bending strain energy and curvature is studied using carbon tori. Our study demonstrates the possibility to tie carbon nanotubes into various stable knots and provides a general framework for the study of other macromolecular knots relevant to potentially useful nanotechnology.
A push-mode piezo inkjet equivalent circuit model enhanced by diaphragm displacement measurements
Authors: Yoshida Yasunori , Izumi Konami , Tokito Shizuo
Published: February 2019

This paper reports on ways to better predict droplet ejection velocity of push-mode piezo inkjet technology by upgrading the conventional equivalent circuit model. Calculation results from the traditional model imply that the driving pulse width conditions without ink ejection only periodically exist in the pull-push piezo driving mode. However, ink ejection is actually observed under any pulse width condition. The displacement of the diaphragm with respect to the piezo element input voltage waveform was measured with a highly accurate capacitive displacement gauge to correct for the difference between the actual measurements and calculations. The equivalent circuit model was then modified so that the measured diaphragm residual oscillations could be expressed. We presumed that an actual inkjet printhead contains an effective spring oscillation component, effective actuator mass, and damping component larger than that used in conventional equivalent circuit model calculations. We demonstrated that the difference between the calculated results and actual measurements could be reduced. Modifications to equivalent circuit model are based on the addition of an effective mechanical spring oscillation component having the same function as the ink chamber compliance, an increase in actuator inertance corresponding to the mass of the actuator, and an effective resistance element expressing a damped oscillation.
Bacteriophages as biocontrol agents in aquaculture
Authors: Le Son Tuan , Kurtböke İpek
Published: February 2019

Aquaculture production (inland and marine) has been increasing globally reaching 80.1 million metric tons in 2016. Simultaneously the utilisation of fish food per capita has also been risen reaching 20.0 kg per year in 2016. However, the growing industry also experiences problems including diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans, helminths and parasitic crustaceans on valuable seafood products resulting in economic losses. Antimicrobial agents and chemical control strategies used to control such diseases are creating environmentally detrimental effects as well as encouraging development and dissemination of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Vaccine developments are costly and lengthy with application difficulties in farm settings. Accordingly, alternative therapies for controlling bacterial pathogens in aquaculture are gaining importance. One such measure is to use bacteriophages that are specific to disease causing bacteria.
Corrigendum to: Conservation agriculture effects on soil properties and crop productivity in a semiarid region of India
Authors: Somasundaram J. , Salikram M. , Sinha N. K. , Mohanty M. , Chaudhary R. S. , Dalal R. C. , Mitra N. G. , Blaise D. , Coumar M. V. , Hati K. M. , Thakur J. K. , Neenu S. , Biswas A. K. , Patra A. K. , Chaudhari S. K.
Published: February 2019

Conservation agriculture (CA) including reduced or no-tillage and crop residue retention, is known to be a self–sustainable system as well as an alternative to residue burning. The present study evaluated the effect of reduced tillage coupled with residue retention under different cropping systems on soil properties and crop yields in a Vertisol of a semiarid region of central India. Two tillage systems – conventional tillage (CT) with residue removed, and reduced tillage (RT) with residue retained – and six major cropping systems of this region were examined after 3 years of experimentation. Results demonstrated that soil moisture content, mean weight diameter, percent water stable aggregates (>0.25mm) for the 0–15cm soil layer were significantly (Pmoderately labile>less labile. At the 0–15cm depth, the contributions of moderately labile, less labile and non-labile C fractions to total organic C were 39.3%, 10.3% and 50.4% respectively in RT and corresponding values for CT were 38.9%, 11.7% and 49.4%. Significant differences in different C fractions were observed between RT and CT. Soil microbial biomass C concentration was significantly higher in RT than CT at 0–15cm depth. The maize–chickpea cropping system had significantly (P–1 followed by soybean+pigeon pea (2:1) intercropping (3.50 t ha–1) and soybean–wheat cropping systems (2.97 t ha–1). Thus, CA practices could be sustainable management practices for improving soil health and crop yields of rainfed Vertisols in these semiarid regions.
Study abroad homestay versus dormitory
Authors: George Angela
Published: February 2019

This article addresses differences in 25 study abroad students that reside in the dormitory, primarily with other native English speakers, to those that live with local host families during a 13-week semester in Central Spain. In addition to completing four tasks to elicit three regional features ([θ], [χ], and vosotros) the participants, all majors or minors of Spanish, also completed questionnaires and interviews to elicit a variety of social and individual factors, including social networks and amount of contact with Spanish and English. Living experience accounts for differences in the production of one feature in one task at the middle of the semester. In addition, those students that lived with a host family exhibited more contact with Spanish and completed fewer international trips on weekends. The study not only discusses ways to increase contact in Spanish but also ways to improve the study abroad experience in general.
Los pronombres neutros ‘esto’, ‘eso’ y ‘aquello’ como mecanismos encapsuladores en el discurso de la economía
Authors: Parodi Giovanni , Burdiles Gina
Published: February 2019

En este estudio, se describe el funcionamiento de los procesos de encapsulación realizados por los pronombres demostrativos neutros ‘esto’, ‘eso’ y ‘aquello’ en el discurso de la economía (8.044 casos). Los objetivos específicos de este estudio son, en primer lugar, identificar la frecuencia de ocurrencia de los tres pronombres en función de encapsulador; en segundo término, determinar la extensión de los referentes encapsulados y su ubicación textual en relación con cada uno de los pronombres en estudio; por último, se determina el contexto semántico en que operan los pronombres examinados. El corpus de análisis estuvo conformado por treinta y ocho manuales de economía provenientes del Corpus PUCV-UCSC-2017 (8,5 millones de palabras). Los principales resultados indican que el pronombre ‘esto’ es el de mayor frecuencia en el corpus y, a su vez, el más empleado con función encapsuladora. Los otros dos pronombres revelan –en comparación– una ocurrencia muy escasa. Se observa, además, que la Cláusula y el Complejo Clausular son los referentes encapsulados con más alta ocurrencia y que, al mismo tiempo, su funcionamiento es mayoritariamente de tipo anafórico. En cuanto al contexto semántico, el tipo de relación más frecuente es la de causalidad. Los hallazgos más sobresalientes son la orientación referencial bidireccional de los pronombres en estudio y la identificación de antecedentes de tipo multisemiótico, es decir, no únicamente verbales (i.e. gráficos, esquemas, fórmulas).
Public reason, non-public reasons, and the accessibility requirement
Authors: Tyndal Jason
Published: February 2019

InLiberalism without Perfection,Jonathan Quong develops what is perhaps the most comprehensive defense of the consensus model of public reason – a model which incorporates both a public-reasons-only requirement and an accessibility requirement framed in terms of shared evaluative standards. While the consensus model arguably predominates amongst public reason liberals, it is criticized by convergence theorists who reject both the public-reasons-only requirement and the accessibility requirement. In this paper, I argue that while we have good reason to reject Quong’s call for a public-reasons-only requirement, all public reason liberals should endorse at least some shared evaluative standards and, hence, an accessibility requirement.
The Intersection of Women's Sexual Pleasure and Injection Drug Use
Authors: Katzman Caroline , Tuchman Ellen
Published: February 2019

Background: There is a dearth of literature concerning the sexual behaviors of women who inject drugs. The existing literature emphasizes the violence, trauma, and social disadvantage experienced by these women and obscures any sense of agency or sexual pleasure. This omission imperils our ability to develop effective interventions for women, ignores the true context of their sexual and injection practices, and presumes women to be free of agency and thus at the will of external social, environmental, and economic factors. This qualitative study strives to extend the boundaries of conventional risk-focused research to understand the complex and multidimensional sexual practices of women who inject drugs. Methods: Purposive sampling was used to select women who inject drugs from a syringe exchange program in New York City. The principal investigator and trained study staff conducted interviews with 26 women. The interview transcripts were thematically coded in Atlas.ti with a grounded theory approach to understand the concerns, actions, and practices to further explain patterns. Results: Four themes emerged with respect to women's descriptions of their sexual and injection experiences: (a) linguistic parallels of sexual and injection experiences, (b) substituting sex with injection drug use, (c) pleasure, and (d) injection drug use as intimacy. Our findings indicated that there was much positive discourse about sexual experiences and injection drug practices, with some women describing injecting as a substitute for negative sexual experiences and others noting that injection drug use served as a foundation for intimacy and eroticism in a relationship. Conclusions: In contrast to the literature, women who inject drugs demonstrated power and agency and discussed pleasurable sexual experiences. Ultimately, interventions should recognize the realities of women's experiences to help empower them to practice safer sexual and injection practices.
Preservation of 𝛾-spaces and covering properties of products
Authors: Repovš Dušan , Zdomskyy Lyubomyr
Published: February 2019

We prove that the Hurewicz property is not preserved by finite products in the Miller model. This is a consequence of the fact that Miller forcing preserves ground model

γ
\gamma

-spaces.
A unified viewpoint for upper bounds for the number of points of curves over finite fields via euclidean geometry and semi-definite symmetric Toeplitz matrices
Authors: Hallouin Emmanuel , Perret Marc
Published: February 2019

We provide an infinite sequence of upper bounds for the number of rational points of absolutely irreducible smooth projective curves 

X
X

over a finite field, starting from the Weil classical bound, continuing to the Ihara bound, passing through infinitely many

n
n

-th order Weil bounds, and ending asymptotically at the Drinfeld-Vlăduţ bound. We relate this set of bounds to those of Oesterlé, proving that these are inverse functions in some sense. We explain how the Riemann hypothesis for the curve 

X
X

can be merely seen as a euclidean property coming from the Toeplitz shape of some intersection matrix on the surface 

X
×
X

X\times X

together with the general theory of symmetric Toeplitz matrices. We also give some interpretation for the defect of asymptotically exact towers.

This is achieved by pushing further the classical Weil proof in terms of euclidean relationships between classes in the euclidean part 

F

X

\mathcal {F}_X

of the numerical group 

Num
⁡
(
X
×
X
)

\operatorname {Num}(X\times X)

generated by classes of graphs of iterations of the Frobenius morphism. The noteworthy Toeplitz shape of their intersection matrix takes a central place by implying a very strong cyclic structure on 

F

X

\mathcal {F}_X

.