bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pure red upconversion luminescence and optical thermometry of Er3+ doped sensitizer-rich SrYbInO4 phosphors
Authors: Zhang Ningzi , Molokeev Maxim S. , Liu Quanlin , Xia Zhiguo
Published: June 2018

The structure, upconversion luminescence properties and optical thermometry application of Er3+ doped sensitizer-rich SrYbInO4 phosphors have been investigated.
Adenovirus-mediated small interfering RNA targeting ezrin induces apoptosis and inhibits metastasis of human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells
Authors: Tao Zhi-Wei , Zou Ping-An
Published: June 2018

Osteosarcoma is a disease prone to recurrence and metastasis, and adenovirus expression vector is frequently studied as a therapeutic target of osteosarcoma in recent years. The present study attempts to explore the effect of adenovirus-mediated siRNA targetting ezrin on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells. Human osteosarcoma MG-63 cell line was selected for construction of recombinant adenovirus vector. The mRNA and protein levels of ezrin, Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax), B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), p21, p53, Caspase-3, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9, Cyclin D1, and cyclin-dependent kinase 4a (CDK4a) were determined. Through ELISA, the levels of Caspase-3, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were examined. Finally, human osteosarcoma MG-63 cell viability, growth, invasion, migration, and apoptosis were detected. Initially, adenovirus expression vector of ezrin was constructed by ezrin 2 siRNA sequence. Adenovirus-mediated siRNA targetting ezrin reduced expression of ezrin in MG-63 cells. The results revealed that adenovirus-mediated siRNA targetting ezrin elevated expression levels of Bax, p21, p53, and Caspase-3, Cyclin D1, and CDK4a and reduced expression levels of Bcl-2, MMP-2 and MMP-9. Furthermore, adenovirus-mediated siRNA targetting ezrin inhibited human osteosarcoma MG-63 cell viability, growth, invasion, and migration, and promoted apoptosis. Our study demonstrates that adenovirus-mediated siRNA targetting ezrin can induce apoptosis and inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells.
Abnormally expressed JunB transactivated by IL-6/STAT3 signaling promotes uveal melanoma aggressiveness via epithelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: Gong Chaoju , Shen Jie , Fang Zejun , Qiao Lei , Feng Ruifang , Lin Xianmi , Li Suyan
Published: June 2018

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular tumor in adults, and it carries a high risk of metastasis and mortality. Various proinflammatory cytokines have been found to be significantly increased in the aqueous humor or vitreous fluid of UM patients; however, the role of these cytokines in UM metastasis remains elusive. In the present study, we found that long-term interleukin (IL)-6 exposure promoted the migration and invasion of UM cells, diminished cell–cell adhesion, and enhanced focal adhesion. Moreover, IL-6 treatment decreased the membranous epithelial marker TJP1 and increased the cytoplasmic mesenchymal marker Vimentin. Further investigation demonstrated that JunB played a critical role in IL-6-induced UM epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). In UM cells, the expression of JunB was significantly up-regulated during the IL-6-driven EMT process. Additionally, JunB induction occurred at the transcriptional level in a manner dependent on phosphorylated STAT3, during which activated STAT3 directly bound to the JunB promoter. Importantly, the knockdown of STAT3 prevented the IL-6-induced EMT phenotype as well as cell migration and invasion, whereas JunB overexpression recovered the attenuated aggressiveness of UM cells. Similarly, with IL-6 stimulation, the stable overexpression of JunB strengthened the migratory and invasive capabilities of UM cells and induced the EMT-promoting factors (Snail, Twist1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-14, and MMP-19). Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database indicated that JunB was positively correlated with IL-6 and STAT3 in UM tissues. The present study proposes an IL-6/STAT3/JunB axis leading to UM aggressiveness by EMT, which illustrates the negative side of inflammatory response in UM metastasis.
Évaluer les impacts des recherches en agriculture sur la société et les écosystèmes : outils, méthodes, études de cas
Authors: Temple Ludovic , Gaunand Ariane , Trouche Gilles , Vall Eric
Published: June 2018

Confrontés aux évolutions des enjeux et modèles de développement touchant les secteurs de l’agriculture et de l’alimentation, les organismes de recherche interrogent les méthodes d’évaluation des impacts liées aux activités de recherche. En effet les cadres méthodologiques conventionnels utilisés depuis les années 1950 ne répondent plus aux attentes sociétales et aux réalités de l’activité de recherche dans ce domaine. Le numéro thématique desCahiers Agricultures« Évaluer les impacts des recherches en agriculture sur la société : outils, méthodes, études de cas » présente les nouvelles approches méthodologiques proposées ces dernières années par l’INRA, le CIRAD et le CGIAR. Ces méthodes utilisent une démarche commune qui met l’accent sur les dimensions systémiques des processus d’innovation, la dimension multi-niveaux des impacts, la temporalité longue. Elles diffèrent sur certains points, comme par exemple la participation des parties prenantes dans l’évaluation des impacts. Le test empirique de ces démarches dans différentes études de cas structure une partie du numéro thématique dans les pays en développement. Il est enrichi par des analyses transversales aux études de cas ou sur des situations portées par d’autres orientations méthodologiques et dans d’autres contextes géographiques. Certaines contributions identifient les limites des différentes méthodes pour de futurs fronts de recherche. Cet article de synthèse expose des connaissances sur la compréhension des impacts de l’activité de recherche. Il invite à reconsidérer le rôle de la recherche dans les processus d’innovation.
Strategic planning of the tourism development in small cities and rural territories as a tool for the development of the regional economy
Authors: Aleksandrov Igor , Fedorova Marina
Published: June 2018

The paper covers the theory of the digital and the sharing economy. Since tourism industry is considered to be the one of the simplest and fastest industries to make profit, the paper argues that the realm of those “new economies” proposes new opportunities to develop sustainable tourism at rural territories and in towns. As far as the reality of the digital and the sharing economy lightens the process of capitalizing the natural, cultural, intellectual and human resources of any territory, we propose the approach to develop tourism industry at rural territories and towns as a tool to raise the level and quality of locals’ life. The objective of the paper is to research the existent apps promoting tourist and other services in the chosen Districts of the Northwestern Federal District of the Russian Federation, to propose a tool to integrate the tourism industry of those Districts into the digital and the sharing economy of the World, and to calculate whether the use of this tool is cost-effective.
Simulation modelling of the municipal sanatorium-tourist branch
Authors: Kopyrin Andrey
Published: June 2018

This issue is devoted to urban dynamics research and modelling of Sochi resort region. Sochi is a Russian resort city, situated near the southern Russian border. Under current conditions, there is a need to work out new approaches to management that can aim at expanding the city’s capacity to develop itself and enhance the quality of life of its residents. One of them is the use of long-term forecasting in the practice of the city’s government, which would align the interests of the city’s business, authorities, and residents. The imitation modelling method ensures the iterative process of developing the model which is characterized by the gradual broadening of knowledge about the system with the participation of experts and specialists in the domain area. The imitation model for the city does not provide an optimum solution unlike the classic solution for optimization objectives, but it is an auxiliary means, convenient to use for local self-government officials, of searching for solutions to certain issues related to the city’s social-economic development. On this model were made several computational experiments, and scenario analysis, which results can provide the decision maker with the needed information and forecast data.
Improving the work environment of medical personnel working with ionizing radioactive sources in Tyumen Region
Authors: Sulkarnaeva Gulnur , Bulgakova Elena , Nordman Irina
Published: June 2018

Modernization of medical equipment with ionizing radioactive sources and introduction of digital technologies as well as computerization of workplaces contribute to the emergence of new non-ionizing factors affecting the health of medical personnel. Analysis of the results of a special assessment of the work environment of medical personnel showed that more than 50% of those work in harmful working environment conditions. According to the results of a special assessment of work environment, 40 workplaces with sources of ionizing radiation with 58 employees were identified in the medical organizations under study. The greatest influence of ionizing radiation was noted among cardio-surgeons and operating nurses of the department of X-ray surgical methods of diagnosis and treatment. On the basis of the performed analysis, recommendations were made to improve the work environment of medical personnel working with sources of ionizing radiation, including air ionization, regulated breaks and uniform distribution of the patients flow during the working day, provision of modern personal protective equipment as well as radiation-measuring control.
Perspective trends in financing of housing-and-communal services
Authors: Vasilyeva Elena
Published: June 2018

The article is devoted to the matters of public-and-private partnerships in the field of housing-and-communal services. The author recognizes, that sustainable urban development requires effective funding with the leading role of municipal finances. At the same time, financing of housing-and-communal sector through the municipal budget only would be too burdensome, while the use of the public-and-private partnership scheme has proved to be the good solution of this problem. However, there is no definite answer: whether the housing-and-communal sector is the most developed zone of public-and-private partnership or, on the contrary, it is an obscure and ineffective zone. The author analyzes the Russian experience of use of the public-and-private partnership scheme in the field of housing-and-communal services and reveals the main problems, which prevent the attraction of the private capital to this sphere. Such rather new trends as so called "box decisions" and "pool" securitization of infrastructure projects are considered in the article. According to the author, the use of these options could contribute to the development of housing-and-communal sector and the city infrastructure as well as the urban development as whole.
Professional education for digital economy: trends and prospects
Authors: Barsukov Dmitry , Kuzmina Svetlana , Morozova Natalia , Pimenova Anna
Published: June 2018

In the present article, the crucial and specific aims of teaching that provide an ample staff competence for digital economics are introduced. We investigate contemporary teaching and training approaches, trends in staff quality requirements. The article highlights new employment trends and values that have been formed recently in environmental, technological and consumer services as a result of digital, creativity and virtual processes in business increased. We used comparison methods, analysis, observations with consequential conclusions for this survey. It should be noted that information literacy, attentional and emotional control skills, creativeness, ecological and intercultural mindedness, ability to be re-educated are clues for each career. We suppose that the implementation of best international and European teaching methods and standards and prompt introduction of new educational programmes into Russian educational system are key solutions that could provide graduates with expected competencies.
Issues of human resources management in the enterprises of the machine-building complex of the Tyumen region
Authors: Lez’er Victoria , Gusarova Miroslava , Kopytova Anna
Published: June 2018

This article, the authors have considered theoretical-methodological and practical aspects of human resource management in the process of restructuring enterprises of the machine-building complex of the Tyumen region. Based on the study of the evolution of theories concerning the human factor in the economy, the systematization and generalization of the provisions contained therein, the system of categories in the field of human resource management is substantiated. The basic principles of such management have been identified and supplemented, the tasks facing the enterprise management have been clarified, new tools for human resource management have been proposed, to ensure the completeness, continuity and validity of the decisions made in the field of human resources management in the restructuring of industrial enterprises.
Reforming the financial system to insure the provision of health-resort services
Authors: Baranova Alla , Kegeyan Svetlana
Published: June 2018

The purpose of health resort institutions' activity is the health improvement of the population and the maintenance of its viability. In recent years state support for the financing of health and resort packages of citizens has been declining, the prices for recreational services are growing. This article reveals the shortcomings of the hierarchical system of financial support for health resort institutions and presents the structure of combined financial support for health resort services.
Methodological approaches to the assessment of capitalization of construction enterprises
Authors: Lukmanova Inessa , Chizhik Andrey , Fadeev Alexander , Lavrinenko Yaroslav , Sharapova Elena
Published: June 2018

The paper is devoted to the study of methodological approaches to the assessment of capitalization of construction enterprises. The main objective of the study is the development of a strategy map of the enterprise, focused on the growth of its capitalization. The analysis of typology of capitalization mechanisms of companies is presented; author's recommendations on the arrangement of the financial mechanism of the company's fundamental capitalization are given. Theoretical approaches are considered and the influence of external and internal factors on the process of increasing the value of enterprises of the construction industry is determined. The mechanisms of capitalization are revealed and systematized due to the analysis of expansion of construction enterprises. The developed strategy map allows us to graphically identify the key factors that influence the creation of a high level of capitalization.
Saint-Petersburg landscape scenarios and green architecture in the strategy of urban development
Authors: Vaytens Andrey , Yankovskaya Yulia
Published: June 2018

The evolution of architectural and urban planning practice is only possible through an essential understanding of the basic trends of development for architecture in the contemporary world and their historical backgrounds. One of the most important trends is «green architecture» and «perception the city as landscape». The study looks at the specifics of landscape scenarios development in Sankt-Petersburg and prospects for the inclusion of green architecture into the structure of City Plans and General Plans. Landscape scenarios and elements of green architecture are considered in the context of their historical development, structural features, compositional and design techniques. The article examines in detail the historical stages of the introduction of elements of green architecture in landscape scenarios in the City Plans and General Plans of Sankt-Petersburg-Leningrad in XX century.
Monitoring as an instrument of Sustainable Urban Development
Authors: Kharlamova Tatyana
Published: June 2018

The article considers the necessity of active implementation of monitoring, as a managerial instrument, into the process of urban development. It will provide the creation an effective informational support of sustainable development of the modern cities. Today the central part among them belongs to megacities. The presented research focuses on megacities from the positions of the most significant trends of globalization. On this basis the author makes a number of proposals in a framework of creation the monitoring system for effective informational support of sustainable urban development. The operation of this system corresponds to the basic foundations of the Information society and the modern conditions of postindustrial development.
Formation of “Urban planning” indicators for “Smart City” concept (on the example of SKOLKOVO, Moscow)
Authors: Chudiniva Olga , Afonina Marina
Published: June 2018

The development of “Smart Cities” is associated with a comprehensive study of the General system of settlement. The aim of the study is to use the system of indicators for the objective assessment of territories, as well as determining the effect of each part in the overall assessment of the functioning of the «Smart City». The leading method of research is a comparative analysis of international rankings, surveys of experts and a comprehensive study of indicators. The article analyzes the papers of specialists working in the field of research «Smart Cities» and technologies: Mueller, Battarra, Srivastava, Dolgikh etc. The basis for this work were the studies by authoritative rating organizations such as IESE Business School University of Navarra, Vienna University of Technology and Research Institute of technology and communications (NIITC, Russia) which allowed to generalize the available research from the perspective of sustainable development and use them on a concrete example.The authors have adapted the existing groups of indicators in relation to the SKOLKOVO innovation city, Russia. The applied system is represented by 7 groups and 23 indicators, which allow to present the planning aspect of the current urban planning structure with its impact on human capital, transport infrastructure, social cohesion, the state of the environment, etc. The work lets confirm the influence of the selected indicators on the development of SKOLKOVO (Russia) and use the obtained data for the rating of “Smart Cities” adapted for Russia. The materials of the article can be extremely useful in the designing of concepts for the development of territories focused on the use of smart solutions in order to minimize costs in the implementation of new solutions.
A variational method in the problem of convective heat transfer near the vertical plane of the outer building fence in terms of free air movement
Authors: Aksenov Andrey
Published: June 2018

An unconventional method for solving the heat transfer problem for free convection near the vertical surfaces of the enclosing structures is proposed. It is based on the laws of thermodynamics of irreversible processes. A variational principle is used to find the unknown functions that analytically express the velocity fields and other flow quantities in the boundary layer near the vertical walls. A variational formulation of the hydrodynamic and thermal boundary layer near a vertical plane surface in conditions of free convection is given. It is given an analytical solution of the problem of the distribution of the vertical component of velocity and temperature in the wall boundary layer in the laminar flow. Theoretical formulas for the thickness of the boundary layer are obtained, as well as for the local and mean values of convective heat transfer coefficient.
Evaluation of mineral fiber properties using x-ray fluorescence analysis and measurement of natural radioactivity
Authors: Medvedev Andrey , Bobrova Ekaterina , Poserenin Alexey , Zarmanyan Ervand
Published: June 2018

The article analyzes the factors affecting the longevity of insu-lating systems and the operational resistance of products based on mineral fibers. It is emphasized that the ratio of acid oxides contained in the charge to the main oxides is the main factor influencing the operational resistance of mineral fibers, as well as the energy intensity of their production. A hy-pothesis has been put forward and confirmed that the operational resistance of a fiber depends on the content of heavy metals (their oxides) in the ini-tial charge. Determination of the elemental composition of stone wool samples was carried out by X-ray fluorescence analysis. Conducted sam-ples with a different acidity module of the study, show, that the fibers are safe by radiation indices, and their operational resistance can be affected by heavy metal oxides. It is substantiated that the durability of building systems in which mineral wool products are used as thermal insulation is determined by the properties of mineral wool products, the literacy of de-sign solutions and the quality of installation. The properties of mineral wool products, including their operational resistance, depend on the prop-erties of mineral fibers and the observance of technological regimes both on the fact of the most complete curing of the binder and on the features of formation of the volume-oriented structure of the mineral wool carpet.
IT-technologies in soil Informatics and Russian agribusiness
Authors: Eremina Diana
Published: June 2018

One of the promising areas associated with a large amount of information on the properties, characteristics and classification of soils is soil Informatics. Its appearance has allowed soil scientists, farmers and environmentalists to process data; to model soil processes, to make operational decisions on land use; implement systems to assess fertility, control of technological processes in agriculture. Currently multinational and global information systems are used, which contain data on soil profiles of many countries: European Soil Database, Europe; SOTER, global soil information system and others. Information systems at the national level study the soil characteristics of one country: Australian Soil Resource Information System; National Soil Information System (USA) and others. In order to generalize process and preserve information about soils of Russia accumulated by long-term research, a nationwide Soil-geographical database is being developed in our country. To optimize the agricultural activity of certain regions of the country, regional information systems are developed - Accounting and monitoring of agricultural lands of the Novosibirsk region, geoinformation system of the Tyumen region and others. Modern soil information systems, for the most part, are implemented through the use of the GeoRSS standard, which is based on a hypertext providing information on the Internet.
Que la lumière soit. Et si ce n’était plus seulement vrai !
Authors: Idziorek Thierry , Cazareth Julie , Blanc Catherine , Jouy Nathalie , Bourdely Pierre , Corneau Aurélien
Published: June 2018

Ces dernières années ont vu une progression importante des capacités des nouveaux appareils de cytométrie. Deux sauts technologiques ont été récemment franchis avec la cytométrie couplée à la spectrométrie de masse, dans laquelle les fluorochromes ont été remplacés par des métaux rares non radioactifs de la famille des lanthanides et la cytométrie spectrale qui collecte les photons sur le spectre visible. Dans cette revue, nous décrivons schématiquement la cytométrie en flux conventionnelle et ces deux technologies ainsi que leurs avantages et adaptabilités et leurs inconvénients.
Arzneimittelverordnung bei Patienten mit chronischer Niereninsuffizienz in der hausärztlichen Versorgung
Authors: Mahner Maria , Raus Christina , Ludwig Fabian , Weckmann Gesine , Stracke Sylvia , Chenot Jean-François
Published: June 2018

Hintergrund Viele Medikamente erfordern bei Patienten mit CKD (chronic kidney disease) eine Dosisanpassung oder sind kontraindiziert, um Nebenwirkungen zu vermeiden. Ziel der Studie war es zu untersuchen, wie gut die Medikation bei Patienten mit CKD in der Hausarztpraxis an die Nierenfunktion angepasst ist, welche Medikamente häufig fehlverordnet werden und Prädiktoren für Fehlverordnungen zu identifizieren.

Methoden Im Rahmen einer Querschnittstudie in 34 Hausarztpraxen wurde die Medikation von Patienten mit einer CKD-Stadium ≥ 3 auf Grundlage der Fachinformation ausgewertet. Bei Fehlverordnungen wurden kontraindizierte und überdosierte Verordnungen unterschieden. Prädiktive Faktoren für Fehlverordnungen wurden mittels logistischer Regressionsanalyse untersucht.

Ergebnisse 589 Patienten (Ø 78 Jahre, 63 % weiblich) mit einem CKD-Stadium ≥ 3 aus 34 Hausarztpraxen wurden eingeschlossen. Sie erhielten 5102 Verordnungen (94,6 % Dauermedikationen, 5,4 % Bedarfsmedikationen). 4,2 % aller Verordnungen waren nach Auswertung der Fachinformationen in der gegebenen Dosierung kontraindiziert (2,1 %) oder überdosiert (2,1 %). Bei 173 Patienten (29 %) war mindestens eine Verordnung betroffen. Der Anteil der Fehlverordnungen sank bei Berücksichtigung neuerer Empfehlungen auf 3,5 %. Die häufigsten Fehlverordnungen betrafen ACE-Hemmer, orale Antidiabetika, Diuretika, Methotrexat und Kaliumpräparate. Prädiktoren für Fehlverordnungen waren CKD-Stadium ≥ 3b und die Anzahl der verordneten Dauermedikamente.

Diskussion Ein Viertel aller Patienten hatte mindestens eine formal unangepasste Verordnung. Trotzdem war der Anteil der formalen Fehlverordnungen an der Gesamtzahl aller Verordnungen gering. Unter Berücksichtigung von Empfehlungen der Fachgesellschaften sank die Zahl der formalen Fehlverordnungen. Zur klinischen Relevanz der Fehlverordnungen fehlen valide Daten und hier besteht weiterer Forschungsbedarf. Wegen des hohen Aufwands des Einzelabgleichs sollten sich Maßnahmen zur Qualitätssicherung auf Patienten mit CKD-Stadium ≥ 3b, Patienten mit Polypharmazie und auf kritische Wirkstoffe konzentrieren.
Polaritätsanalyse und Asperger-Syndrom
Authors: Frei Heiner
Published: June 2018

Das Asperger-Syndrom gehört zum Autismus-Spektrum und ist charakterisiert durch ein auffälliges Sozialverhalten, stereotypes Benehmen und z. T. ausgeprägte Spezialinteressen. Dem Syndrom liegen multiple Wahrnehmungsstörungen zugrunde – eine Gemeinsamkeit mit dem ADS/ADHS, welche es ermöglicht, bei der homöopathischen Mittelbestimmung bei beiden Leiden identisch vorzugehen. Dieser Artikel erläutert die Besonderheiten der Mittelbestimmung mit Polaritätsanalyse an 2 Fallbeispielen. Mit Verlaufsbeobachtungen bei 20 Patienten wird aufgezeigt, dass die Homöopathie einen wesentlichen Beitrag zur Behandlung des Asperger-Syndroms leisten kann. Die Resultate werden verglichen mit denjenigen der ADS-/ADHS-Behandlung.
Volumetric laser endomicroscopy in the biliary and pancreatic ducts: a feasibility study with histological correlation
Authors: Corral Juan E. , Mousa Omar Y. , Krishna Murli , Levink Iris J. M. , Pursell Khela R. , Afsh Mohammad , Kröner Paul T. , Harnois Denise M. , Wolfsen Herbert C. , Wallace Michael B. , Lukens Frank J.
Published: June 2018

Background Volumetric laser endomicroscopy (VLE) provides circumferential images 3 mm into the biliary and pancreatic ducts. We aimed to correlate VLE images with the normal and abnormal microstructure of these ducts.

Methods: Samples from patients undergoing hepatic or pancreatic resection were evaluated. VLE images were collected using a low-profile VLE catheter inserted manually into the biliary and pancreatic ducts ex vivo. Histological correlation was assessed by two unblinded investigators.

Results 25 patients (20 liver and 5 pancreatic samples) and 111 images were analyzed. VLE revealed three histological layers: epithelium, connective tissue, and parenchyma. It identified distinctive patterns for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), pancreatic cysts, neuroendocrine tumor, and adenocarcinoma adjacent to the pancreatic duct or ampulla. VLE failed to identify dysplasia in a dominant stricture and inflammatory infiltrates in PSC. Reflectivity measurements of the liver parenchyma diagnosed liver cirrhosis with high sensitivity.

Conclusions VLE can identify histological changes in the biliary and pancreatic ducts allowing real-time diagnosis. Further studies are needed to measure the accuracy of VLE in a larger sample and to validate our findings in vivo.
Periradicular Infiltration of the Cervical Spine: How New CT Scanner Techniques and Protocol Modifications Contribute to the Achievement of Low-Dose Interventions
Authors: Elsholtz Fabian , Kamp Julia , Vahldiek Janis , Hamm Bernd , Niehues Stefan
Published: June 2018

Purpose CT-guided periradicular infiltration of the cervical spine is an effective symptomatic treatment in patients with radiculopathy-associated pain syndromes. This study evaluates the robustness and safety of a low-dose protocol on a CT scanner with iterative reconstruction software.

Materials and Methods A total of 183 patients who underwent periradicular infiltration therapy of the cervical spine were included in this study. 82 interventions were performed on a new CT scanner with a new intervention protocol using an iterative reconstruction algorithm. Spot scanning was implemented for planning and a basic low-dose setup of 80 kVp and 5 mAs was established during intermittent fluoroscopy. The comparison group included 101 prior interventions on a scanner without iterative reconstruction. The dose-length product (DLP), number of acquisitions, pain reduction on a numeric analog scale, and protocol changes to achieve a safe intervention were recorded.

Results The median DLP for the whole intervention was 24.3 mGy*cm in the comparison group and 1.8 mGy*cm in the study group. The median pain reduction was –3 in the study group and –2 in the comparison group. A 5 mAs increase in the tube current-time product was required in 5 patients of the study group.

Conclusion Implementation of a new scanner and intervention protocol resulted in a 92.6 % dose reduction without a compromise in safety and pain relief. The dose needed here is more than 75 % lower than doses used for similar interventions in published studies. An increase of the tube current-time product was needed in only 6 % of interventions.

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Citation Format
Phosphine-Free [3+2] Cycloaddition of Propargylamines with Dialkyl Azodicarboxylates: An Efficient Access to Pyrazole Backbone
Authors: Liu Jie , Jia Xueshun , Zhang Yicheng
Published: June 2018

A phosphine-free [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of the substituted propargylamines with dialkyl azodicarboxylates at room temperature is described. This reaction provides a new approach to functionalized pyrazoles in good yields and high selectivity.
Synthesis of a Water-Soluble Ruthenium Complex and Its Catalytic Activity for Acceptorless Alcohol Dehydrogenation in Aqueous Medium
Authors: Muthaiah Senthilkumar , Bhatia Anita
Published: June 2018

The synthesis of a ruthenium complex bearing a PN-chelating ligand is described. The complex, in the presence of KOH, enabled the synthesis of ketones from secondary alcohols in the absence of a hydrogen acceptor in aqueous medium. This synthetic protocol, which uses water as the medium, is green and has a high atom economy as it avoids the use of an acceptor and produces hydrogen as the sole ­byproduct. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the catalytic cycle involves a phosphine dissociative pathway.
Biomimetic Total Synthesis of Scabellone B
Authors: Hu Xiangdong , Yu Tao , Shu Xin , Yang Kewu
Published: June 2018

A biomimetic total synthesis of scabellone B is described. Through sequential regioselective introduction of a geranyl group by means of silyl protection, oxidative dimerization, and biomimetic oxo-6π electrocyclization with good cyclization selectivity, a biomimetic ­approach to scabellone B was achieved in five steps and 32% overall yield.
Aneurysmal Bone Cyst—An Unusual Presentation of Wrist Pain
Authors: Shukla Rajeev , Jain Nikhil
Published: June 2018

Introduction Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a cystic benign expansile lytic bone lesion, resembling multiple intraosseous blood-filled spaces. It is most commonly seen in the first two decades of life. Most frequent sites of involvement are metaphysis of proximal and distal femur, proximal tibia, and posterior elements of spine. It is seen more frequently in females. ABC of distal ulna is rarely reported in the literature.

Case Presentation We are reporting a case of ABC of a rare location—distal ulna—in a young male, which was successfully treated with extended curettage, and the cavity was filled with bone graft, with K-wire stabilization.
A Long-term Estrogen Deficiency in Ovariectomized Mice is Associated with Disturbances in Fatty Acid Oxidation and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Oliveira Monique Cristine de , Campos-Shimada Lilian Brites , Marçal-Natali Maria Raquel , Ishii-Iwamoto Emy Luiza , Salgueiro-Pagadigorria Clairce Luzia
Published: June 2018

Objective The aim of this work was to evaluate the changes caused by estrogen deficiency in lipid metabolism.

Methods This study encompassed direct measurements of plasma biochemical analyses, liver lipid contents, and assessments of the mitochondrial β-oxidation capacity as well as an evaluation of the liver redox status in an animal model of estrogen deficiency.

Results When compared with control mice, the livers of ovariectomized (OVX) mice presented considerable accretions in their lipid contents, which were accompanied by increased levels of lipid peroxidation in liver homogenates and mitochondria from OVX groups and decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) contents. In isolated mitochondria, estrogen deficiency inhibited mitochondrial β-oxidation of fatty acids irrespective of their chain length. The liver mitochondrial and peroxisomal H2O2 generations in OVX mice were increased. Additionally, the activities of all antioxidant enzymes assessed were decreased.

Conclusion These data provide one potential explanation for the increased susceptibility to metabolic diseases observed after menopause.
Energy efficiency labeling: Study about the influence of schedule definitions
Authors: Veloso Ana Carolina O. , Oliveira Raphael N. , Koury Ricardo N. N. , Souza Roberta V. G.
Published: June 2018

Technical literature shows that there is a performance gap between a simulated design and the actual building performance, especially given the differences between the post-occupation routines and those provided in the design phase. This paper aims to analyze the differences between the electric energy consumption prediction of a call center building located in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, using (a) a schedule based on routines provided by the air conditioning designer made in order to establish the system loads and to define the system equipment and (b) a schedule based in the employee's routines provided by the owners of the building. First, the simulation results were compared to the mean measured building energy consumption and, differently from the first schedule, when the second schedule was used, a Normalized Mean Bias Error (NMBE) of 5% was met which is considered a prediction acceptable by the ASHRAE Guideline 14-2002 [Measurement of Energy and Demand Savings (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers, 2002)]. Afterwards, it was verified how the two occupation schedules influenced the building classification according to the Brazilian Governmental Building Energy Efficiency Labeling. In this case, the two different schedules resulted in a difference in electric energy consumption of 10.9%, leading to a difference of one level in the classification. This fact clearly demonstrates the importance of a correct definition of occupation and equipment usage in the energy performance prediction of a building.
Scalable cryogenic readout circuit for a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector system
Authors: Cahall Clinton , Gauthier Daniel J. , Kim Jungsang
Published: June 2018

The superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) is a leading technology for quantum information science applications using photons, and is finding increasing uses in photon-starved classical imaging applications. Critical detector characteristics, such as timing resolution (jitter), reset time, and maximum count rate, are heavily influenced by the readout electronics that sense and amplify the photon detection signal. We describe a readout circuit for SNSPDs using commercial off-the-shelf amplifiers operating at cryogenic temperatures. Our design demonstrates a 35 ps timing resolution and a maximum count rate of over 2 × 107 counts per second, while maintaining <3 mW power consumption per channel, making it suitable for a multichannel readout.
Flux bias-controlled chaos and extreme multistability in SQUID oscillators
Authors: Hizanidis J. , Lazarides N. , Tsironis G. P.
Published: June 2018

The radio frequency (rf) Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID) is a highly nonlinear oscillator exhibiting the rich dynamical behavior. It has been studied for many years and it has found numerous applications in magnetic field sensors, in biomagnetism, in non-destructive evaluation, and gradiometers, among others. Despite its theoretical and practical importance, there is relatively very little work on its multistability, chaotic properties, and bifurcation structure. In the present work, the dynamical properties of the SQUID in the strongly nonlinear regime are demonstrated using a well-established model whose parameters lie in the experimentally accessible range of values. When driven by a time-periodic (ac) flux either with or without a constant (dc) bias, the SQUID exhibits extreme multistability at frequencies around the (geometric) resonance. This effect is manifested by a “snake-like” form of the resonance curve. In the presence of both ac and dc flux, multiple bifurcation sequences and secondary resonance branches appear at frequencies above and below the geometric resonance. In the latter case, the SQUID exhibits chaotic behavior in large regions of the parameter space; it is also found that the state of the SQUID can be switched from chaotic to periodic or vice versa by a slight variation of the dc flux.
Temporal feedback control of high-intensity laser pulses to optimize ultrafast heating of atomic clusters
Authors: Streeter M. J. V. , Dann S. J. D. , Scott J. D. E. , Baird C. D. , Murphy C. D. , Eardley S. , Smith R. A. , Rozario S. , Gruse J.-N. , Mangles S. P. D. , Najmudin Z. , Tata S. , Krishnamurthy M. , Rahul S. V. , Hazra D. , Pourmoussavi P. , Osterhoff J. , Hah J. , Bourgeois N. , Thornton C. , Gregory C. D. , Hooker C. J. , Chekhlov O. , Hawkes S. J. , Parry B. , Marshall V. A. , Tang Y. , Springate E. , Rajeev P. P. , Thomas A. G. R. , Symes D. R.
Published: June 2018

We describe how active feedback routines can be applied at a limited repetition rate (5 Hz) to optimize high-power (>10 TW) laser interactions with clustered gases. Optimization of x-ray production from an argon cluster jet, using a genetic algorithm, approximately doubled the measured energy through temporal modification of the 150 mJ driving laser pulse. This approach achieved an increased radiation yield through exploration of a multi-dimensional parameter space, without requiring detailed a priori knowledge of the complex cluster dynamics. The optimized laser pulses exhibited a slow rising edge to the intensity profile, which enhanced the laser energy coupling into the cluster medium, compared to the optimally compressed FWHM pulse (40 fs). Our work suggests that this technique can be more widely utilized for control of intense pulsed secondary radiation from petawatt-class laser systems.
Reservoir pH replica exchange
Authors: Damjanovic Ana , Miller Benjamin T. , Okur Asim , Brooks Bernard R.
Published: June 2018

We present the reservoir pH replica exchange (R-pH-REM) method for constant pH simulations. The R-pH-REM method consists of a two-step procedure; the first step involves generation of one or more reservoirs of conformations. Each reservoir is obtained from a standard or enhanced molecular dynamics simulation with a constrained (fixed) protonation state. In the second step, fixed charge constraints are relaxed, as the structures from one or more reservoirs are periodically injected into a constant pH or a pH-replica exchange (pH-REM) simulation. The benefit of this two-step process is that the computationally intensive part of conformational search can be decoupled from constant pH simulations, and various techniques for enhanced conformational sampling can be applied without the need to integrate such techniques into the pH-REM framework. Simulations on blocked Lys, KK, and KAAE peptides were used to demonstrate an agreement between pH-REM and R-pH-REM simulations. While the reservoir simulations are not needed for these small test systems, the real need arises in cases when ionizable molecules can sample two or more conformations separated by a large energy barrier, such that adequate sampling is not achieved on a time scale of standard constant pH simulations. Such problems might be encountered in protein systems that exploit conformational transitions for function. A hypothetical case is studied, a small molecule with a large torsional barrier; while results of pH-REM simulations depend on the starting structure, R-pH-REM calculations on this model system are in excellent agreement with a theoretical model.
New insights into the sol–gel condensation of silica by reactive molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Du Tao , Li Hui , Sant Gaurav , Bauchy Mathieu
Published: June 2018

The sol–gel method is an attractive technique to synthesize homogeneous silicate glasses with high purity while relying on a lower synthesis temperature than in the melt-quench method. However, the mechanism and kinetics of the condensation of the silicate network in aqueous solution remain unclear. Here, based on reactive molecular dynamics simulations (ReaxFF), we investigate the sol–gel condensation kinetics of a silica glass. The influence of the potential parametrization and system size is assessed. Our simulation methodology is found to offer good agreement with experiments. We show that the aqueous concentration of the Si(OH)4 precursors and the local degree of polymerization of the Si atoms play a crucial role in controlling the condensation activation energy. Based on our simulations, we demonstrate that the gelation reaction is driven by the existence of some local atomic stress that gets released upon condensation.
Development of a generalized hybrid Monte Carlo algorithm to generate the multicanonical ensemble with applications to molecular systems
Authors: Mukuta Natsuki , Miura Shinichi
Published: June 2018

In the present paper, a generalized hybrid Monte Carlo method to generate the multicanonical ensemble has been developed, which is a generalization of the multicanonical hybrid Monte Carlo (HMC) method by Hansmann and co-workers [Chem. Phys. Lett. 259, 321 (1996)]. The generalized hybrid Monte Carlo (GHMC) method is an equations-of-motion guided Monte Carlo combined with partial momentum refreshment. We successfully applied our multicanonical GHMC to dense Lennard-Jones fluids and a coarse grained protein model. It is found that good computational efficiency can be gained in the case of the acceptance ratio around 60% for the models examined. While a large number of molecular dynamics (MD) steps in a single GHMC cycle is needed to yield good computational efficiency at a large mixing ratio of momenta with thermal noise vectors, corresponding to the original multicanonical HMC method, a small number of MD steps are enough to achieve good efficiency at a small mixing ratio. This property is useful to develop a composite algorithm combining the present GHMC method with other Monte Carlo moves.
Benchmark of ReaxFF force field for subcritical and supercritical water
Authors: Manzano Hegoi , Zhang Weiwei , Raju Muralikrishna , Dolado Jorge S. , López-Arbeloa Iñigo , van Duin Adri C. T.
Published: June 2018

Water in the subcritical and supercritical states has remarkable properties that make it an excellent solvent for oxidation of hazardous chemicals, waste separation, and green synthesis. Molecular simulations are a valuable complement to experiments in order to understand and improve the relevant sub- and super-critical reaction mechanisms. Since water molecules under these conditions can act not only as a solvent but also as a reactant, dissociative force fields are especially interesting to investigate these processes. In this work, we evaluate the capacity of the ReaxFF force field to reproduce the microstructure, hydrogen bonding, dielectric constant, diffusion, and proton transfer of sub- and super-critical water. Our results indicate that ReaxFF is able to simulate water properties in these states in very good quantitative agreement with the existing experimental data, with the exception of the static dielectric constant that is reproduced only qualitatively.
Study on measurement technique for magnetization dynamics of thin films
Authors: Endo Yasushi , Mori Osamu , Shimada Yutaka , Yabukami Shin , Sato Shigeyuki , Utsumi Ryoichi
Published: June 2018

This paper describes our proposed measurement technique for the magnetization dynamics in thin films, which employs a microstripe line probe to detect ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectra for a film sample either with or without tensile stress. By measurement of FMR frequency shifts using Lorentzian fits to the FMR spectra for a film with and without tensile stress, saturation magnetostriction (λs) can be determined. The measured values were compared with those estimated by the optical cantilever method using the same samples in good agreement. At the same time, a Gilbert damping constant (α) was determined using both the FMR frequency and the FMR linewidth for the tensile stress free film. The results of the experiment demonstrate that our proposed measurement technique allows for more precise evaluation of magnetization dynamics by providing information on both α and λs simultaneously for an individual sample.
High intensity, macroparticle-free, aluminum ion beam formation
Authors: Ryabchikov A. I. , Shevelev A. E. , Sivin D. O. , Koval T. V. , An Tran My Kim
Published: June 2018

We describe a vacuum arc based system for the generation of repetitively pulsed metal ion beams with very high current density, and the results of experimental investigations of the performance of this new system, as well as the results of numerical simulations. Our approach uses a DC vacuum arc as a metal plasma source, and the beam-forming technique is a hybrid method using features of conventional gridded ion extraction together with some plasma immersion attributes. A hemispherical grid is located some distance from the plasma source so as to intercept part of the metal plasma flow and repetitively pulse-biased to the requisite ion beam energy. Ions are accelerated in the high voltage sheath that forms in front of the biased grid and focused into a converging beam that can be of a very high current density. Space charge neutralization is provided by cold plasma that streams through the grid during the bias-off part of the cycle. At the same time, macroparticles in the vacuum arc plasma are blocked from viewing the target by a metal disk positioned centrally on the hemispherical grid. In the work outlined here, we formed 5 keV aluminum ion beams with a current density up to 470 mA/cm2 at a negative bias amplitude of 3 kV and a pulse repetition rate of 105 pulse per second. The experiments and numerical simulations demonstrate the formation of high-intensity macroparticle-free aluminum ion beams for material surface modification and other possible applications.