bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seismic Evidence for Plume‐ and Craton‐Influenced Upper Mantle Structure Beneath the Northern Malawi Rift and the Rungwe Volcanic Province, East Africa
Authors: Grijalva Ashley , Nyblade Andrew A. , Homman Kyle , Accardo Natalie J. , Gaherty James B. , Ebinger Cynthia J. , Shillington Donna J. , Chindandali Patrick R. N. , Mbogoni Gabriel , Ferdinand Richard Wambura , Mulibo Gabriel , O'Donnell J. P. , Kachingwe Marsella , Tepp Gabrielle
Published: September 2018

P and S wave tomographic models have been developed for the northern Malawi rift and adjacent Rungwe Volcanic Province (RVP) using data from the Study of Extension and maGmatism in Malawi aNd Tanzania project and data from previous networks in the study area. The main features of the models are a low‐velocity zone (LVZ) with δVp = ~−1.5–2.0% and δVs = ~−2–3% centered beneath the RVP, a lower‐amplitude LVZ (δVp = ~−1.0–1.3% and δVs = ~−0.7–1%) to the southeast of the RVP beneath the center and northeastern side of the northern Malawi rift, a shift of the lower‐amplitude anomaly at ~−10° to −11° to the west beneath the central basin and to the western side of the rift, and a fast anomaly at all depths beneath the Bangweulu Craton. The LVZ widens further at depths >~150–200 km and extends to the north beneath northwestern Malawi, wrapping around the fast anomaly beneath the craton. We attribute the LVZ beneath the RVP and the northern Malawi rift to the flow of warm, superplume mantle from the southwest, upwelling beneath and around the Bangweulu Craton lithosphere, consistent with high 3He/4He values from the RVP. The LVZ under the RVP and northern Malawi rift strongly indicates that the rifted lithosphere has been thermally perturbed. Given that volcanism in the RVP began about 10 million years earlier than the rift faulting, thermal and/or magmatic weakening of the lithosphere may have begun prior to the onset of rifting.
Electron Acceleration to MeV Energies at Jupiter and Saturn
Authors: Kollmann P. , Roussos E. , Paranicas C. , Woodfield E. E. , Mauk B. H. , Clark G. , Smith D. C. , Vandegriff J.
Published: September 2018

The radiation belts and magnetospheres of Jupiter and Saturn show significant intensities of relativistic electrons with energies up to tens of megaelectronvolts (MeV). To date, the question on how the electrons reach such high energies is not fully answered. This is largely due to the lack of high‐quality electron spectra in the MeV energy range that models could be fit to. We reprocess data throughout the Galileo orbiter mission in order to derive Jupiter's electron spectra up to tens of MeV. In the case of Saturn, the spectra from the Cassini orbiter are readily available and we provide a systematic analysis aiming to study their acceleration mechanisms. Our analysis focuses on the magnetospheres of these planets, at distances of L > 20 and L > 4 for Jupiter and Saturn, respectively, where electron intensities are not yet at radiation belt levels. We find no support that MeV electrons are dominantly accelerated by wave‐particle interactions in the magnetospheres of both planets at these distances. Instead, electron acceleration is consistent with adiabatic transport. While this is a common assumption, confirmation of this fact is important since many studies on sources, losses, and transport of energetic particles rely on it. Adiabatic heating can be driven through various radial transport mechanisms, for example, injections driven by the interchange instability or radial diffusion. We cannot distinguish these processes at Saturn with our technique. For Jupiter, we suggest that the dominating acceleration process is radial diffusion because injections are never observed at MeV energies.
VLBI Studies of DAGN and SMBHB Hosting Galaxies
Authors: An T. , Mohan P. , Frey S.
Published: September 2018

Dual active galactic nuclei and supermassive black hole binaries at kiloparsec and parsec‐scale separations, respectively, are expected during stages of galaxy merger and evolution. Their observational identification can address a range of areas of current astrophysics frontiers including the final parsec problem and their contribution toward the emission of low‐frequency gravitational waves. This has however been difficult to achieve with current spectroscopy and time domain strategies. Very long baseline interferometry as a method of directly imaging radio structures with milli‐arcsecond and submilli‐arcsecond resolutions is introduced as a possible means of detecting dual active galactic nuclei and supermassive black hole binaries. We motivate its usage with expected observational signatures and cite some studies from literature to illustrate its current status and present an updated list of candidates imaged with high‐resolution radio observations. We then recall some shortcomings of the method with possible solutions and discuss future directions, relevant to large surveys with the upcoming Square Kilometer Array and future space very long baseline interferometry missions.
Real‐Time SWMF at CCMC: Assessing the Dst Output From Continuous Operational Simulations
Authors: Liemohn Mike , Ganushkina Natalia Yu. , De Zeeuw Darren L. , Rastaetter Lutz , Kuznetsova Maria , Welling Daniel T. , Toth Gabor , Ilie Raluca , Gombosi Tamas I. , van der Holst Bart
Published: September 2018

The ground‐based magnetometer index of Dst is a commonly used measure of near‐Earth current systems, in particular the storm time inner magnetospheric current systems. The ability of a large‐scale, physics‐based model to reproduce, or even predict, this index is therefore a tangible measure of the overall validity of the code for space weather research and space weather operational usage. Experimental real‐time simulations of the Space Weather Modeling Framework (SWMF) are conducted at the Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC). Presently, two configurations of the SWMF are running in real time at CCMC, both focusing on the geospace modules, using the Block Adaptive Tree Solar wind‐type Roe Upwind Solver magnetohydrodynamic model, the Ridley Ionosphere Model, and with and without the Rice Convection Model. While both have been running for several years, nearly continuous results are available since April 2015. A 27‐month interval through July 2017 is used for a quantitative assessment of Dst from the model output compared against the Kyoto real‐time Dst. Quantitative measures are presented to assess the goodness of fit including contingency tables and a receiver operating characteristic curve. It is shown that the SWMF run with the inner magnetosphere model is much better at reproducing storm time values, with a correlation coefficient of 0.69, a prediction efficiency of 0.41, and Heidke skill score of 0.57 (for a −50‐nT threshold). A comparison of real‐time runs with and without the inner magnetospheric drift physics model reveals that nearly all of the storm time Dst signature is from current systems related to kinetic processes on closed magnetic field lines.
VEGF heparinized-decellularized adipose tissue scaffolds enhance tissue engineering vascularization in vitro
Authors: Song Mei , Zhou Yu , Liu Yi
Published: October 2018

Scaffolds based on decellularized adipose tissue (DAT) are gaining popularity in the adipose tissue engineering field due to their high biocompatibility and vascularizing properties.
Advancing single-cell proteomics and metabolomics with microfluidic technologies
Authors: Liu Yifan , Chen Xuyue , Zhang Yiqiu , Liu Jian
Published: October 2018

Recent advances in single-cell analysis have unraveled substantial heterogeneity among seemingly identical cells at genomic and transcriptomic levels.
Selective monoalkylation of p-tert-butylcalix-[4]-arene in a methyl carbonate ionic liquid
Authors: Whiteside R. E. , Gunaratne H. Q. Nimal , Muzio A. F. V. , Nockemann P.
Published: October 2018

Methyl carbonate ionic liquids are shown to readily mono-deprotonate p-tert-butylcalix-[4]-arenes initiating the formation of an organic mono-anionic p-tert-butylcalix-[4]-arate salt, methanol and carbon dioxide.
Low catalytic activity of the Cu(ii)-binding motif (Xxx-Zzz-His; ATCUN) in reactive oxygen species production and inhibition by the Cu(i)-chelator BCS
Authors: Santoro Alice , Walke Gulshan , Vileno Bertrand , Kulkarni Prasad P. , Raibaut Laurent , Faller Peter
Published: October 2018

The application of Cu(ii)–Xxx-Zzz-His (ATCUN-peptides) as artificial metalloenzymes is limited by their low catalytic-redox activity and disruption by Cu(i)-chelators.
A multi-responsive cross-linked supramolecular polymer network constructed by mussel yield coordination interaction and pillar[5]arene-based host–guest complexation
Authors: Liu Yuezhou , Shangguan Liqing , Shi Bingbing
Published: October 2018

A novel cross-linked supramolecular polymer network was prepared inspired by mussel yield catechol–Fe3+ coordination and pillar[5]arene-based host–guest recognition.
Continuous flow biodiesel production from wet microalgae using a hybrid thin film microfluidic platform
Authors: Sitepu Eko K. , Jones Darryl B. , Tang Youhong , Leterme Sophie C. , Heimann Kirsten , Zhang Wei , Raston Colin L.
Published: October 2018

A novel continuous flow turbo-thin film device (T2FD) is effective in producing biodiesel in high yield from wet microalgae at room temperature.
Unveiling anharmonic coupling by means of excited state ab initio dynamics: application to diarylethene photoreactivity
Authors: Chiariello Maria Gabriella , Raucci Umberto , Coppola Federico , Rega Nadia
Published: October 2018

We adopted excited state ab initio dynamics and a new time resolved vibrational analysis to unveil coupling between modes promoting photorelaxation.
Novel isochoric measurement of the onset of vapor–liquid phase transition using differential scanning calorimetry
Authors: Qiu Xingdong , Tan Sugata P. , Dejam Morteza , Adidharma Hertanto
Published: October 2018

Dew point measurements of methane/ethane gas mixture using isochoric DSC method.
Sterically demanding methoxy and methyl groups in ruthenium complexes lead to enhanced quantum yields for blue light triggered photodissociation
Authors: Qu Fengrui , Martinez Kristina , Arcidiacono Ashley M. , Park Seungjo , Zeller Matthias , Schmehl Russell H. , Paul Jared J. , Kim Yonghyun , Papish Elizabeth T.
Published: October 2018

Ruthenium complexes exhibit enhanced photodissociation quantum yields due to bulky, weak donor ligands, illustrating the impact of electronics and sterics.
An integrated microfluidic/microelectrode array for the study of activity-dependent intracellular dynamics in neuronal networks
Authors: Moutaux Eve , Charlot Benoit , Genoux Aurélie , Saudou Frédéric , Cazorla Maxime
Published: October 2018

A microfluidics/MEA platform was developed to control neuronal activity while imaging intracellular dynamics within reconstituted neuronal networks.
New dendritic ionic liquids (DILs) for the extraction of metallic species from water
Authors: Hayouni Safa , Robert Anthony , Maes Chloe , Conreux Alexandra , Marin Beatrice , Mohamadou Aminou , Bouquillon Sandrine
Published: October 2018

Four dendritic ionic liquids (DILs) have been easily synthesized from 3rd generation PAMAM and PPI: PAMAM G3 NH3+Tf2N−(1), PPI G3 NH3+Tf2N−(2), PPI G3 NH2Me+BF4−(3) and PAMAM G3 NH2Me+BF4−(4).
Bio-activated intramolecular anti-aza-Michael addition: stereoselective synthesis of hydantoin derivatives
Authors: Bhusainahalli Vedamurthy M. , Rescifina Antonio , Cardullo Nunzio , Spatafora Carmela , Tringali Corrado
Published: October 2018

The unprecedented green, stereoselective, and enzymatic synthesis of biologically remarkable hydantoin derivatives through an intramolecular anti-aza-Michael addition.
The NiGa-LDH@NiWO4nanocomposite as an electrode material for pseudocapacitors
Authors: Sanati Soheila , Rezvani Zolfaghar , Habibi Biuck
Published: October 2018

NiGa-LDH@X-NiWO4(X: 3, 5 or 10 wt% NiWO4) nanocomposites were prepared at room temperature under mild conditions.
WS2-induced enhanced optical absorption and efficiency in graphene/silicon heterojunction photovoltaic cells
Authors: Debbarma Rousan , Behura Sanjay K. , Wen Yu , Che Songwei , Berry Vikas
Published: October 2018

By leveraging the Van Hove singularity induced enhancement in optical absorption, a photovoltaic cell is designed with WS2 on graphene atop n-Si to enhance the power conversion efficiency.
Suppressing the active site-blocking impact of ligands of Ni6(SR)12 clusters with the assistance of NH3 on catalytic hydrogenation of nitriles
Authors: Chai Xiaoqi , Li Tao , Chen Mingyang , Jin Rongchao , Ding Weiping , Zhu Yan
Published: October 2018

The activity of Ni6(SR)12 for nitriles hydrogenation is enhanced with the assistance of NH3 that suppresses the ligand shielding effect.
Linear heterostructured Ni2Si/Si nanowires with abrupt interfaces synthesised in solution
Authors: Sheehan Martin , Ramasse Quentin M. , Geaney Hugh , Ryan Kevin M.
Published: October 2018

Herein, we report a novel approach to form axial heterostructure nanowires composed of linearly distinct Ni silicide (Ni2Si) and Si segments via a one-pot solution synthesis method.
QCM detection of molecule–nanoparticle interactions for ligand shells of varying morphology
Authors: Marsh Zachary M. , Lantz Kayla A. , Stefik Morgan
Published: October 2018

QCM measures of molecule–nanoparticle interactions exhibited pronounced morphology effects for mixed ligand shells.
Label free localization of nanoparticles in live cancer cells using spectroscopic microscopy
Authors: Spicer Graham L. C. , Almassalha Luay , Martinez Ignacio A. , Ellis Ronald , Chandler John E. , Gladstein Scott , Zhang Di , Nguyen The-Quyen , Feder Seth , Subramanian Hariharan , de la Rica Roberto , Thompson Sebastian A. , Backman Vadim
Published: October 2018

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have become essential tools used in nanobiotechnology due to their tunable plasmonic properties and low toxicity in biological samples.
Nickel catalyzed regio- and stereoselective arylation and methylation of allenamides via coupling reactions. An experimental and computational study
Authors: Liu Yang , Cerveri Alessandro , De Nisi Assunta , Monari Magda , Nieto Faza Olalla , Lopez Carlos Silva , Bandini Marco
Published: September 2018

A novel Ni-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective condensation of boronic acids/Me2Zn to allenamides is documented and its potential explored.
A photocatalytic decarboxylative/defluorinative [4 + 3] annulation of o-hydroxyphenylacetic acids and trifluoromethyl alkenes: synthesis of fluorinated dihydrobenzoxepines
Authors: Chen Haoguo , He Yuwei , Zhou Lei
Published: September 2018

A photocatalytic decarboxylative/defluorinative [4 + 3] annulation of o-hydroxyphenylacetic acids and trifluoromethyl alkenes was developed. The reaction led to fluorinated dihydrobenzoxepines through two consecutive C–F substitutions in a CF3 group.
Very‐large‐scale integration implementation of the integral pulse frequency modulation model for spectral estimation of heart rate variability
Authors: Chen Y.‐H. , Chen S.‐W. , Juan Y.
Published: September 2018

Heart rate variability (HRV) can be used to assess autonomic control activities. Among the HRV analysis methods, the integral pulse frequency modulation (IPFM) model demonstrates the functional mechanism for the cardiac pacemaker that can explain the generation of heartbeats. In this study, the IPFM model was implemented into a low‐cost very‐large‐scale integration (VLSI) chip, and the active spectrum of HRV was then estimated by solving for the nerve‐modulation signal in the model based on the compressed sensing (CS) method. The proposed IPFM chip utilised a time‐sharing scheme for hardware resource sharing, a look‐up table to calculate the sine and cosine operations, and multiplexers to control the data flow. Furthermore, based on the hardware resource sharing scheme, the proposed chip achieved a low‐cost and high‐speed design. Implemented with TSMC 90 nm CMOS technology, the proposed IPFM core had an operation frequency of 62.5 MHz with only 9.8 K gate counts. The spectrum of HRV could be effectively estimated through the VLSI implementation of IPFM based on CS.
FLP: a feature‐based method for log parsing
Authors: Zhong Ya , Guo Yuanbo , Liu Chunhui
Published: September 2018

A feature‐based log parsing method is presented for extracting log events from unstructured free‐text logs. It is a data‐driven log analytic solution with no training data needed and suitable for various types of log parsing tasks. Experiments show that the proposed method can achieve higher accuracy and lower time complexity in large‐scale log data than existing log parsing methods.
Optimal scheduling of smart reconfigurable neighbour micro‐grids
Authors: Hemmati Mohammad , Ghasemzadeh Saeid , Mohammadi‐Ivatloo Behnam
Published: September 2018

Future smart distribution networks will include micro‐grids (MGs) that are working in the neighbourhood. Owing to the penetration of renewable energy sources with probabilistic nature as well as deviation of load, MG may be faced with an overload or surplus power. The solution of this problem is to create and control a link between neighbour MGs for power exchange management. This study proposed a new framework for the optimal scheduling of smart reconfigurable neighbouring micro‐grids (NMGs). Reconfiguration by managing the connection between MGs, through the opening and closing switches, finds the optimal structure of NMGs. Connectivity between NMGs is intended in two levels. In the first level, each MG can connect to adjacent MGs and exchange power, separately and without common area connection. In the second level, NMGs through a common area and opening or closing switches that couple them to the substrate can exchange power together. The objective of the study is to minimise load shedding of NMGs that are facing with power deficiency. The final structure selection is based on two different criteria (power loss in interconnection switches and reliability) point of view. The proposed method implemented on five NMGs system and numerical results show the effectiveness of the proposed NMGs optimal scheduling.
PV‐fed DVR for simultaneous real power injection and sag/swell mitigation in a wind farm
Authors: Priyavarthini Subramaniyan , Kathiresan Aravind Chellachi , Nagamani Chilakapati , Ganesan Saravana Ilango
Published: September 2018

Generally, a dynamic voltage restorer (DVR) installed in a grid‐connected wind farm, is utilised for mitigating sag/swell in grid voltage and hence stays idle under nominal grid voltage. To enhance the utility of such a DVR, this study proposes to install a solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in the DVR, so that in addition to addressing sag/swell in grid voltage, energy can be harvested and injected into the grid from the PV plant using the same DVR. Various modes of operations of the proposed PV‐assisted DVR (PVDVR) are described, underlining the logically set priorities. Comprehensive mathematical and graphical analyses are developed to explore the boundaries of the operating region of each mode of PVDVR considering fluctuations in grid voltage and available PV power. Investigations are carried out in a 50 MW wind farm and a 0.75 kW laboratory induction machine (both grid connected) each with a suitable DVR. Results of simulations in power systems computer‐aided design/electro‐magnetic transient design and control and laboratory tests demonstrate improved utilisation of DVR when fed from PV plant.
Ultrahigh-resolution model of a breakout CME embedded in the solar wind
Authors: Hosteaux S. , Chané E. , Decraemer B. , Talpeanu D.-C. , Poedts S.
Published: October 2018

Aims. We investigate the effect of a background solar wind on breakout coronal mass ejections, in particular, the effect on the different current sheets and the flux rope formation process.

Methods. We obtained numerical simulation results by solving the magnetohydrodynamics equations on a 2.5D (axisymmetric) stretched grid. Ultrahigh spatial resolution is obtained by applying a solution adaptive mesh refinement scheme by increasing the grid resolution in regions of high electrical current, that is, by focussing on the maximum resolution of the current sheets that are forming. All simulations were performed using the same initial base grid and numerical schemes; we only varied the refinement level.

Results. A background wind that causes a surrounding helmet streamer has been proven to have a substantial effect on the current sheets that are forming and thus on the dynamics and topology of the breakout release process. Two distinct ejections occur: first, the top of the helmet streamer detaches, and then the central arcade is pinched off behind the top of the helmet streamer. This is different from the breakout scenario that does not take the solar wind into account, where only the central arcade is involved in the eruption. In the new ultrahigh-resolution simulations, small-scale structures are formed in the lateral current sheets, which later merge with the helmet streamer or reconnect with the solar surface. We find that magnetic reconnections that occur at the lateral breakout current sheets deliver the major kinetic energy contribution to the eruption and not the reconnection at the so-called flare current sheet, as was seen in the case without background solar wind.
Deep XMM-Newton observations of the northern disc of M 31
Authors: Sasaki Manami , Haberl Frank , Henze Martin , Saeedi Sara , Williams Benjamin F. , Plucinsky Paul P. , Hatzidimitriou Despina , Karampelas Antonios , Sokolovsky Kirill V. , Breitschwerdt Dieter , de Avillez Miguel A. , Filipović Miroslav D. , Galvin Timothy , Kavanagh Patrick J. , Long Knox S.
Published: October 2018

Context. We carried out new observations of two fields in the star-forming northern ring of M 31 with XMM-Newton with each one of them consisting of two exposures of about 100 ks each. A previous XMM-Newton survey of the entire M 31 galaxy revealed extended diffuse X-ray emission in these regions.

Aims. We study the population of X-ray sources in the northern disc of M 31 by compiling a complete list of X-ray sources down to a sensitivity limit of ∼7 × 1034 erg s−1 (0.5–2.0 keV) and improve the identification of the X-ray sources. The major objective of the observing programme was the study of the hot phase of the interstellar medium (ISM) in M 31. The analysis of the diffuse emission and the study of the ISM is presented in a separate paper.

Methods. We analysed the spectral properties of all detected sources using hardness ratios and spectra if the statistics were high enough. We also checked for variability. In order to classify the sources detected in the new deep XMM-Newton observations, we cross-correlated the source list with the source catalogue of a new survey of the northern disc of M 31 carried out with the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Hubble Space Telescope (Panchromatic Hubble Andromeda Treasury, PHAT) as well as with other existing catalogues.

Results. We detected a total of 389 sources in the two fields of the northern disc of M 31 observed with XMM-Newton. We identified 43 foreground stars and candidates and 50 background sources. Based on a comparison with the results of the Chandra/PHAT survey, we classify 24 hard X-ray sources as new candidates for X-ray binaries. In total, we identified 34 X-ray binaries and candidates and 18 supernova remnants (SNRs) and candidates. We studied the spectral properties of the four brightest SNRs and confirmed five new X-ray SNRs. Three of the four SNRs, for which a spectral analysis was performed, show emission mainly below 2 keV, which is consistent with shocked ISM. The spectra of two of them also require an additional component with a higher temperature. The SNR [SPH11] 1535 has a harder spectrum and might suggest that there is a pulsar-wind nebula inside the SNR. For all SNRs in the observed fields, we measured the X-ray flux or calculated upper limits. We also carried out short-term and long-term variability studies of the X-ray sources and found five new sources showing clear variability. In addition, we studied the spectral properties of the transient source SWIFT J004420.1+413702, which shows significant variation in flux over a period of seven months (June 2015 to January 2016) and associated change in absorption. Based on the likely optical counterpart detected in the Chandra/PHAT survey, the source is classified as a low-mass X-ray binary.
Single site observations of TESS single transit detections
Authors: Cooke Benjamin F. , Pollacco Don , West Richard , McCormac James , Wheatley Peter J.
Published: October 2018

Context. The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has been successfully launched and has begin data acquisition. To expedite the science that may be performed with the resulting data it is necessary to gain a good understanding of planetary yields. Given the observing strategy employed by TESS the probability of detecting single transits in long period systems is increased. These systems require careful consideration.

Aims. We aim to simulate the number of TESS transit detections during its two-year mission with a particular emphasis on single transits. We also aim to determine the feasibility of ground-based follow-up observations from a single site.

Methods. A distribution of planets was simulated around the approximately four million stars in the TESS candidate target list. These planets were tested for detectable transits and characterised. Based on simulated parameters the single transit detections were further analysed to determine which are amenable to ground-based follow-up.

Results. TESS will discover an approximate lower bound of 4700 planets with around 460 being single transits. A large fraction of these will be observable from a single ground-based site. This paper finds that, in a single year, approximately 1000 transit events of around 320 unique TESS single transit detections are theoretically observable.

Conclusions. As we consider longer period exoplanets, the need for exploring single transit detections increases. For periods ≳45 days the number of single transit detections outnumber multitransits by a factor of three (82 ± 18 and 25 ± 7, respectively) a factor which only grows as longer period detections are considered. Therefore, based on this paper, it is worth expending the extra effort required to follow-up these more challenging, but potentially very rewarding, discoveries. Additionally, we conclude that a large fraction of these targets can be theoretically observed from a single ground-based site. However, further work is required to determine whether these follow-up efforts are feasible when accounting for target specific criteria.
Does the severity of pain correlate with severity of functional disability? Factors influencing ‘patient reported outcome measures’ in spinal patients
Authors: MacCormick Andrew P. , Sharma Himanshu
Published: October 2018

Aims: To assess correlation between the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and which patient factors can influence patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). This study also aims to assess the response to the sexual function question of the ODI.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 200 consecutive patients undergoing a range of different lumbar spinal procedures between July 2012 and September 2015 was performed. Subgroup analysis was also performed on the 122 patients who underwent microdiscectomy and/or decompression procedures only. Data from notes and clinical letters from the patient's first clinic appointment were collected. In addition to these outcome measures, data were also extracted regarding patients' gender, age, smoking status, alcohol use, employment and mental health status.

Results: Significant correlation was found between VAS pain score and ODI (p = 0.002) and between VAS pain score and question 1 of ODI (p = 0.0001). A lower ODI score was reported at time of surgery by those in employment compared to those who are unemployed (p = 0.008). In addition to this, a lower ODI score was reported in those who are self-employed compared to those in employment (p = 0.048) in both cohorts. A significantly higher mean ODI score was shown within the subgroup analysis for current smokers (p = 0.02). None of the other patient factors that were analysed were found to affect PROMs. 65% of patients answered the sexual function question of the ODI.

Conclusions: Significant correlation was demonstrated between VAS pain score and ODI. Those who are in employment are far more likely to report a lower ODI score than those who are unemployed at the time of surgery. Self-employed patients were found to have reported a significantly lower ODI score than those who are in employment. Smoking cessation should be encouraged as those who are current smokers may be more likely to report a higher ODI. As 65% of patients decided to answer the sexual function question of the ODI, this supports its further use.
Entwicklung und Stand der personalisierten Medizin in Deutschland
Authors: Stefan Kohler
Published: September 2018

Medizinische Behandlung und Krankheitsprävention wirken nicht bei allen Menschen in der gleichen Weise. Personalisierte Medizin (PM) ist bestrebt, therapierelevante Unterschiede zwischen Menschen zu berücksichtigen, um beispielsweise die Wirkung von Medikamenten zu verbessern und Nebenwirkungen zu verringern. In Deutschland hat sich die Anzahl der zugelassenen medizinischen Wirkstoffe, bei denen vor Anwendung ein Test auf einen therapierelevanten Biomarker verpflichtend oder empfohlen ist, in den letzten 5 Jahren verdoppelt. Die Anwendungen von Arzneimitteln mit einem diagnostischen Begleittest werden oftmals im engeren Sinne als PM bezeichnet und liegen überwiegend im Bereich der Krebstherapie.
Schlaganfallpatienten nach stationärer neurologischer Rehabilitation
Authors: Gräßel Elmar , Schupp Wilfried , Schmidt Ralf
Published: October 2018

Ziel der Studie Die Identifikation von Einflussfaktoren auf das Überleben zuhause im Langzeitverlauf bei Schlaganfall-Patienten nach stationärer neurologischer Rehabilitation.

Methodik Prospektive Kohortenstudie mit 204 Schlaganfall-Patienten, die innerhalb eines Jahres in der Fachklinik Herzogenaurach in der neurologischen Rehabilitation (Phase C und B) behandelt wurden. Die Datenerhebung erfolgte stationär und umfasste Sozial- und klinische Daten. Die Zielvariable wurde bis 5 Jahre nach Entlassung erhoben. Gruppenunterschiede wurden mit Hilfe des t-Tests oder des Chi²-Tests analysiert. Für die multivariate Ermittlung von Prädiktoren wurden binär logistische Regressionsanalysen durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse Es resultiert ein Vorhersagemodell aus 5 Variablen für den Verbleib von Schlaganfall-Patienten in der häuslich-ambulanten Versorgung 2,5 Jahre nach Entlassung (vs. Institutionalisierung und Tod): Größerer Zugewinn an gesundheitlicher Lebensqualität während der stationären Rehabilitation und bessere Lebensqualität bei Entlassung, größerer Zugewinn an funktioneller Selbständigkeit während der stationären Rehabilitation, höherer Body-Mass-Index und weniger mortalitätsrelevante Komorbiditäten. 5 Jahre nach Entlassung ergibt sich ein Vorhersagemodell aus 3 Variablen: Niedriges Lebensalter, weniger mortalitätsrelevante Komorbiditäten und ein geringeres Sturzrisiko bei Entlassung aus der neurologischen Rehabilitation.

Schlussfolgerung Während bis 2,5 Jahre nach Entlassung das Ausmaß der funktionellen Verbesserung und der Verbesserung der gesundheitsbezogenen Lebensqualität, die beide mit dem Therapieerfolg in Zusammenhang stehen, prognostisch günstige Faktoren für das Überleben zuhause sind, sind 5 Jahre nach Entlassung biologische Faktoren, wie Alter und Komorbiditäten, prognostisch dominierend.
Antidiabetic Potentials of Citrus aurantifolia Leaf Essential Oil
Authors: Ibrahim Fatima , Usman Lamidi , Akolade Jubril , Idowu Oluwafemi , Abdulazeez Azeemat , Amuzat Aliyu
Published: October 2018

Citrus aurantifolia leaf essential oil was extracted via hydrodistillation, chemical composition of the oil was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and its antidiabetic potentials was assessed in alloxan-induced hyperglycaemic rats using metformin as the reference drug for comparison. Chemical analysis showed that D-limonene (57.84%) was the major constituent of the oil. Other notable compounds identified were neral (7.81%), linalool (4.75%), sulcatone (3.48%) and isogeraniol (3.48%). Intraperitoneal administration of C. aurantifolia oil (100 mg/Kg b.wt.) to hyperglycaemic rats for 14 days caused significant reduction in fasting blood and hepatic glucose, whereas hepatic concentration of glycogen was significantly increased. Also, improvement in dyslipidaemia was observed in C. aurantifolia essential oil-treated hyperglycaemic rats; serum concentration of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol were significantly reduced and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol was increased, resulting in decreased predisposition of rats to cardiac risks. Antihyperglycaemic potential of administration of the oil was lower but compared favourably with the oral antihyperglycaemic agent used as reference antidiabetic drug. Overall, data from this study showed that essential oil from the leaf of C. aurantifolia grown in North-Central Nigeria is a D-limonene chemotype. The oil showed considerable glucose lowering effect as well as the potential to ameliorate hyperglycaemia-induced dyslipidaemic complications in alloxanized rats.
Asymmetric Synthesis of Adamantyl GABA Analogues
Authors: Sibiryakova Anastasiya , Shiryaev Vadim , Reznikov Alexander , Kabanova Anastasiya , Klimochkin Yuri
Published: October 2018

An efficient synthesis of (R)- and (S)-4-amino-3-(adamant-1-yl)butyric acids and (R)- and (S)-4-(adamant-1-yl)pyrrolidin-2-ones is presented. The synthetic strategy is based on asymmetric Michael addition of diethyl malonate to 1-(adamant-1-yl)-2-nitroethene using available Ni(II) complex as the catalyst. The procedures provide good to high enantioselectivity of Michael addition to sterically hindered nitroalkene and good yields of (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of 3-adamantyl substituted GABA.
Total Synthesis of 5-Hydroxygoniothalamin
Authors: Kantevari Srinivas , Patpi Santhosh , Jin Guangyi
Published: October 2018

The total synthesis of 5-hydroxygoniothalamin is achieved from commercially available l-xylose. The α,β-unsaturated-δ-lactone core is constructed in very good yield by utilizing one-carbon and two-carbon cis-Wittig olefinations and δ-lactonization using Yamaguchi conditions. Subsequent Grubbs cross-metathesis followed by desilylation results in 5-hydroxygoniothalamin.
Resection of a Petroclival Meningioma via the Endoscope-Assisted Retrosigmoid Approach: 2-D Operative Video
Authors: Lieber Stefan , Evangelista-Zamora Rocio , Ebner Florian , Tatagiba Marcos
Published: October 2018

We present a case of a petroclival meningioma that was resected through an endoscope-assisted retrosigmoid approach via corridors above and below the facial-vestibulocochlear nerve complex. The patient is a 61-year-old female with complaints of left-sided hypesthesia and neuralgia of the infraorbital and zygomatic region, intermittent periorbital myokymia, and a slight facial palsy (HB II). This 2D video demonstrates the operative technique, anatomical and surgical nuances of the skull base approach and microdissection of the tumor from the critical neurovascular structures. A gross total resection was achieved. The patient’s facial and trigeminal symptoms resolved completely within a few weeks. At 2 year follow up there was no indication of residual or recurrence.

In summary, the retrosigmoid approach with endoscopic assistance is an important and powerful tool in the armamentarium for the microsurgical management of meningiomas of the lateroventral skullbase of the posterior fossa.

The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/Px4XIRDoALc.
Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Abuse: The Effects on Thrombosis Risk, Coagulation, and Fibrinolysis
Authors: Münster Anna-Marie , Gram Jørgen , Sidelmann Johannes , Chang Simon
Published: September 2018

Anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse surged during the 1980s and is seen in approximately 1 in 20 of all males today. A wide spectrum of AAS compounds and abuse regimens are applied and AAS abuse has been associated with an unfavorable cardiovascular profile. The aim of this review is to critique the collected data concerning effects of AAS abuse on thrombosis risk through presentation of condensed evidence from studies investigating AAS-induced changes in coagulation, fibrinolysis, and cardiovascular risk markers. AAS abuse inflicts a procoagulant distribution of cardiovascular risk markers including dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis proneness. AAS abuse overall stimulates synthesis of coagulation factors, inhibitors, and fibrinolytic proteins resulting in both increased global coagulation and stimulation of fibrinolysis. Overall, supported by many case reports and some epidemiological studies, AAS abuse is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis. However, to provide clear evidence for a causal relationship between AAS abuse and thrombosis risk, future studies need to address a range of potential biases, insufficient methodology, and other shortcomings of the current literature as highlighted in this review.
Clinical Notes on Herbert Screw Fixation for Fracture of Anterior Mandible
Authors: ElMinshawi Ahmed , Abdelfattah Salah , Mubarak Fahmy
Published: September 2018

This article aims to present the outcomes of treating anterior mandibular fractures using Herbert's screw. A total of 10 patients were treated for fractures of anterior mandible by open reduction and internal fixation using the Herbert screw. The patients were collected starting from June 2016 to November 2017, at the Department of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Nasser Institute for Research and Treatment, Cairo, and Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. The follow-up plan was done to evaluate the postoperative clinical outcomes for malocclusion, neurosensory status, hardware failure, malunion/ nonunion, pain, and edema. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications, except for one case where the Herbert screw was insufficient and needed additional 2.0-mm miniplate at the superior border. The postoperative orthopantomograms revealed satisfactory reduction and fixation of the fractures of all cases. The Herbert screw fixation of anterior mandibular fracture is a reliable technique but sensitive and surgeon dependent and needs further clinical investigation.
Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF): A Review
Authors: Gupta Ram , Gupta Manu , Garg Avnika
Published: September 2018

In order for periodontal regeneration to occur, progenitor cells must migrate to the denuded root surface, attach to it, proliferate and mature into an organized and functional fibrous attachment apparatus. Significant advances have been made during the last decade in understanding the factors controlling the migration, attachment and proliferation of cells. A group of naturally occurring molecules known as polypeptide growth factors in conjunction with certain matrix proteins, are key regulators of these biological events. Of these, the fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) appear to have an important role in periodontal wound healing. The purpose of this review is to summarize current information on these growth factors with emphasis on their potential implications in periodontal wound healing and regeneration.
Activity Pattern Analysis Indicates Increased but Balanced Systemic Coagulation Activity in Response to Surgical Trauma
Authors: Friedrich Max , Schmolders Jan , Rommelspacher Yorck , Strauss Andreas , Rühl Heiko , Mayer Günter , Oldenburg Johannes , Wirtz Dieter , Müller Jens , Pötzsch Bernd
Published: October 2018

In the nonbleeding patient, constant low-level activation of coagulation enables a quick procoagulant response upon an injury. Conversely, local activation of coagulation might influence the systemic activity level of coagulation. To characterize this interaction in more detail, activity pattern analysis was performed in patients undergoing elective surgeries. Blood samples were taken before, during, and 24 hours after surgery from 35 patients undergoing elective minor (n = 18) and major (n = 17) orthopaedic surgeries. Plasma levels of thrombin and activated protein C (APC) were measured using oligonucleotide-based enzyme capture assays, while those of prothrombin fragment 1.2, thrombin–antithrombin-complexes, and D-dimer were measured using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. In vitro thrombin generation kinetics were recorded using calibrated automated thrombography. Results showed that median plasma levels of up to 20 pM thrombin and of up to 12 pM APC were reached during surgery. D-dimer levels started to increase at the end of surgery and remained increased 24 hours after surgery, while all other parameters returned to baseline. Peak levels showed no significant differences between minor and major surgeries and were not influenced by the activity state at baseline. In vitro thrombin generation kinetics remained unchanged during surgery. In summary, simultaneous monitoring of the procoagulant and anticoagulant pathways of coagulation demonstrates that surgical trauma is associated with increased systemic activities of both pathways. Activity pattern analysis might be helpful to identify patients at an increased risk for thrombosis due to an imbalance between surgery-related thrombin formation and the subsequent anticoagulant response.
Note: Biochemical samples centrifuged in-flight on drones
Authors: Katariya Mayur , Chung Dwayne Chung Kim , Minifie Tristan , Gupta Harshit , Zahidi Alifa Afiah Ahmad , Liew Oi Wah , Ng Tuck Wah
Published: October 2018

The ability to conduct en-route centrifugation of samples improves quality and timeliness in the pre-analytical phase. This is demonstrated here on a quadcopter whereby the propellers were adapted to house and apply centrifugal forces to sample-containing capillary tubes instead of incorporating a centrifuge. Tests revealed the ability of the method to separate non-homogenized milk into a cream portion and a skim milk portion, and human whole blood into plasma, buffy coat, and red blood cell components.
Unsupervised learning about 4D features of microparticle motion
Authors: Wolfe Bradley T. , Iaroshenko O. , Chu Pinghan , Kenyon G. T. , Schaub T. J. , Thresher A. , Watkins Y. , Zhao L. , Wang Zhehui
Published: October 2018

Material clusters of different sizes are known to exist in high-temperature plasmas due to plasma-wall interactions. The facts that these clusters, ranging from sub-microns to above mm in size, can move from one location to another quickly and that there are a lot of them make high-speed imaging and tracking one of the best, effective, and sometimes only diagnostic. An unsupervised machine learning technique based on deconvolutional neural networks is developed to analyze two-camera videos of high-temperature microparticles generated from exploding wires. The neural network utilizes a locally competitive algorithm to infer representations and optimize a dictionary composed of kernels, or basis vectors, for image analysis. Our primary goal is to use this method for feature recognition and prediction of the time-dependent three-dimensional (or “4D”) microparticle motion. Features equivalent to local velocity vectors have been identified as the dictionary kernels or “building blocks” of the scene. The dictionary elements from the left and right camera views are found to be strongly correlated and satisfy the projection geometrical constraints. The results show that unsupervised machine learning techniques are promising approaches to process large sets of images for high-temperature plasmas and other scientific experiments. Machine learning techniques can be useful to handle the large amount of data and therefore aid the understanding of plasma-wall interaction.
Collective capacitive and memristive responses in random nanowire networks: Emergence of critical connectivity pathways
Authors: O’Callaghan C. , Rocha C. G. , Niosi F. , Manning H. G. , Boland J. J. , Ferreira M. S.
Published: October 2018

Random nanowire networks (NWNs) are promising synthetic architectures for non-volatile memory devices and hardware-based neuromorphic applications due to their history-dependent responses, recurrent connectivity, and neurosynaptic-like behaviors. Such brain-like functions occur due to emergent resistive switching phenomena taking place in the interwire junctions which are viewed as memristive systems; they operate as smart analogue switches whose resistance depends on the history of the input voltage/current. We successfully demonstrated that NWNs made with a particular class of memristive junctions can exhibit a highly-selective conduction mechanism which uses the lowest-energy connectivity path in the network identified as the “winner-takes-all” state. However, these complex networks do not always behave in the same fashion; in the limit of sufficiently low input currents (preceding this selective conduction regime), the system behaves as a leakage capacitive network and its electrical activation is driven by cascades of breakdown-based activation events involving binary capacitive transitions. Understanding these two regimes is crucial to establish the potential of these materials for neuromorphics, and for this, we present two computational modelling schemes designed to describe the capacitive and memristive responses of NWNs interrogated adiabatically by voltage/current sources. Our results are corroborated by experimental evidence that reveal the fine electrical properties of NWN materials in their respective formation (capacitive) and conducting (memristive) stages.
Development of a triple probe array for mode conversion study of electron cyclotron wave
Authors: Wang Shouzhi , Liu Wenbin , Wang Binbin , Tan Yi , Wang Wenhao , Gao Zhe
Published: October 2018

A triple probe array has been designed with a modified triple probe technique and utilized on the Sino-UNIted Spherical Tokamak for mode conversion research from the electron cyclotron wave to the electron Bernstein wave. The probe array is designed to measure the radial profile of the electron density in the edge region. The probe array consists of 36 single molybdenum tips, constituting 12 sets of triple probes with an interval of 6 mm in the radial direction. The three tips in each triple probe are displaced slightly in the radial direction, and thus they are not at the same magnetic surface to avoid shadow effects in the toroidal direction. A modified triple probe technique is used. The radial profile of the electron density of ohmic heated plasmas has been measured by the triple probe array. The temporal evolution of the density profile is presented, and the mode conversion processes are discussed.