bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modification of a conventional polyurethane composition provides significant anti-biofilm activity against Escherichia coli
Authors: Peng Chao , Vishwakarma Apoorva , Li Zhuoran , Miyoshi Toshikazu , Barton Hazel A. , Joy Abraham
Published: May 2018

Tecoflex-NH3+ exhibited a contact-killing mechanism and showed excellent anti-biofilm properties against E. coli even after 5 days.
Highly porous, emulsion-templated, zwitterionic hydrogels: amplified and accelerated uptakes with enhanced environmental sensitivity
Authors: Zhang Tao , Silverstein Michael S.
Published: May 2018

Highly porous, emulsion-templated, zwitterionic hydrogels exhibited amplified and accelerated uptakes, enhanced environmental sensitivity, anti-polyelectrolyte behavior, and dual-pH sensitive uptakes.
Solution self-assembly of poly(3-hexylthiophene)–poly(lactide) brush copolymers: impact of side chain arrangement
Authors: Ahn Suk-kyun , Nam Jinwoo , Zhu Jiahua , Lee Eunji , Michael Kilbey S.
Published: May 2018

Solution self-assembly of P3HT-containing copolymers was tailored effectively via bottlebrush architecture, particularly by tuning its side chain arrangement as well as copolymer composition.
Recent progress in the mechanofluorochromism of distyrylanthracene derivatives with aggregation-induced emission
Authors: Zhao Juan , Chi Zhihe , Yang Zhiyong , Mao Zhu , Zhang Yi , Ubba Eethamukkala , Chi Zhenguo
Published: May 2018

A panoramic review of the recent advances in the mechanofluorochromism of distyrylanthracene derivatives with aggregation-induced emission properties.
Charge injection based electrical stimulation on polypyrrole planar electrodes to regulate cellular osteogenic differentiation
Authors: Liu Zongguang , Dong Lingqing , Cheng Kui , Luo Zhongkuan , Weng Wenjian
Published: May 2018

This study reveals that the Qinj on electrodes is a more significant factor than applied voltage for electrical stimulation to regulate cellular osteogenic differentiation, and the charge injection capacity can be tuned by thickness of Ppy.
Exceptionally rapid oxime and hydrazone formation promoted by catalytic amine buffers with low toxicity
Authors: Larsen Dennis , Kietrys Anna M. , Clark Spencer A. , Park Hyun Shin , Ekebergh Andreas , Kool Eric T.
Published: May 2018

A novel molecular strategy for accelerating hydrazone and oxime formations, using bifunctional buffer compounds that not only control pH but also catalyze the reaction, is presented.
Synthesis and applications of highly functionalized 1-halo-3-substituted bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes
Authors: Caputo Dimitri F. J. , Arroniz Carlos , Dürr Alexander B. , Mousseau James J. , Stepan Antonia F. , Mansfield Steven J. , Anderson Edward A.
Published: May 2018

A wide range of halogenated bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes are accessed by functional group tolerant radical ring-opening of tricyclo[1.1.1.01,3]pentane, using triethylborane as initiator.
Carboxylate-directed C–H allylation with allyl alcohols or ethers
Authors: Hu Xiao-Qiang , Hu Zhiyong , Trita A. Stefania , Zhang Guodong , Gooßen Lukas J.
Published: May 2018

A ruthenium-catalysed ortho-C–H allylation of benzoic acids is disclosed that makes use of unactivated allyl alcohols or seemingly inert allyl methyl ethers as allylating agents.
Laser patterning of transparent polymers assisted by plasmon excitation
Authors: Elashnikov R. , Trelin A. , Otta J. , Fitl P. , Mares D. , Jerabek V. , Svorcik V. , Lyutakov O.
Published: May 2018

A simple way to create periodical structures on transparent polymer films by plasmon-assisted lithography.
Necking and drawing of rubber–plastic bilayer laminates
Authors: Ramachandran Rahul G. , Hariharakrishnan S. , Fortunato Ronald , Abramowitch Steven D. , Maiti Spandan , Velankar Sachin S.
Published: May 2018

Effect of bonding a rubber layer to a plastic layer that undergoes necking in tension.
Supramolecular metallogels constructed from carboxylate gelators
Authors: Zacharias Savannah C. , Ramon Gaëlle , Bourne Susan A.
Published: May 2018

The influence of ligand, metal salt, solvent, and temperature in the formation of a low molecular mass carboxylate iron(iii) gels is discussed.
Currents and flux-inversion in photokinetic active particles
Authors: Maggi Claudio , Angelani Luca , Frangipane Giacomo , Di Leonardo Roberto
Published: May 2018

Travelling light patterns can transport light-driven active particles with a current that becomes negative for slow patterns.
A high-tap-density nanosphere-assembled microcluster to simultaneously enable high gravimetric, areal and volumetric capacities: a case study of TiO2 anode
Authors: Chang Baisong , Liu Jinping , Qing Guangyan , Sun Taolei
Published: May 2018

High-tap-density microclusters are critical for solving typical inherent problems of nanomaterial-based electrodes and can perform unprecedented electrochemical functions.
Nanoengineering of the Cu2ZnSnS4–TiO2 interface via atomic layer deposition of Al2O3 for high sensitivity photodetectors and solid state solar cells
Authors: Wang Zhuoran , Brodusch Nicolas , Gauvin Raynald , Demopoulos George P.
Published: May 2018

Al2O3 nanoislands on the Cu2ZnSnS4–TiO2 interface prevented Sn doping and optimized the band alignment for high performance photodetectors and solar cells.
Preparation of a thermally conductive biodegradable cellulose nanofiber/hydroxylated boron nitride nanosheet film: the critical role of edge-hydroxylation
Authors: Wu Kai , Liao Ping , Du Rongni , Zhang Qin , Chen Feng , Fu Qiang
Published: May 2018

A biodegradable and flexible CNF/EOH-BNNS nanocomposite film shows largely improved thermal conductivity by means of a novel treatment of edge-hydroxylation.
FRET and PET paired dual mechanistic carbon dots approach for tyrosinase sensing
Authors: Sidhu Jagpreet Singh , Singh Narinder
Published: May 2018

In the presence of tyrosinase, the probe shows a ratiometric fluorescence response owing to a dual mechanistic FRET and PET approach.
Long-range ordered vertical III-nitride nano-cylinder arrays via plasma-assisted atomic layer deposition
Authors: Haider Ali , Deminskyi Petro , Yilmaz Mehmet , Elmabruk Kholoud , Yilmaz Ibrahim , Biyikli Necmi
Published: May 2018

In this work, we demonstrate vertical GaN, AlN, and InN hollow nano-cylindrical arrays (HNCs) grown on Si substrates using anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane templated low-temperature plasma-assisted atomic layer deposition (PA-ALD).
Lignin-based highly sensitive flexible pressure sensor for wearable electronics
Authors: Wang Bingxin , Shi Ting , Zhang Yanru , Chen Changzhou , Li Qiang , Fan Yongming
Published: May 2018

The development of flexible sensors with low cost, facile preparation and good reproducibility is of profound significance for wearable electronics and intelligent systems.
High-efficiency dielectric metasurfaces for simultaneously engineering polarization and wavefront
Authors: Yin Zhiping , Chen Fujia , Zhu Lie , Guo Kai , Shen Fei , Zhou Qingfeng , Guo Zhongyi
Published: May 2018

Emerging metasurfaces are capable of arbitrarily reshaping the incident light, including polarization and wavefront, thereby enabling highly compact optical devices, such as meta-deflectors, meta-waveplates, and meta-lenses.
SIRT1 inhibits rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocyte aggressiveness and inflammatory response via suppressing NF-κB pathway
Authors: Li Guoqing , Xia Zhongbing , Liu Ying , Meng Fanru , Wu Xia , Fang Yuxuan , Zhang Chunwang , Liu Dan
Published: May 2018

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease of the joints characterized by synovial hyperplasia and chronic inflammation. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) play a central role in RA initiation, progression, and perpetuation. Prior studies showed that sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), a deacetylase participating in a broad range of transcriptional and metabolic regulations, may impact cell proliferation and inflammatory responses. However, the role of SIRT1 in RA–FLS was unclear. Here, we explored the effects of SIRT1 on the aggressiveness and inflammatory responses of cultured RA-FLS. SIRT1 expression was significantly lower in synovial tissues and FLS from RA patients than from healthy controls. Overexpression of SIRT1 significantly inhibited RA-FLS proliferation, migration, and invasion. SIRT1 overexpression also significantly increased RA-FLS apoptosis and caspase-3 and -8 activity. Focusing on inflammatory phenotypes, we found SIRT1 significantly reduced RA-FLS secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1β. Mechanistic studies further revealed SIRT1 suppressed NF-κB pathway by reducing p65 protein expression, phosphorylation, and acetylation in RA-FLS. Our results suggest SIRT1 is a key regulator in RA pathogenesis by suppressing aggressive phenotypes and inflammatory response of FLS. Enhancing SIRT1 expression or function in FLS could be therapeutic beneficial for RA by inhibiting synovial hyperplasia and inflammation.
Mouse models of nesprin-related diseases
Authors: Zhou Can , Rao Li , Warren Derek T. , Shanahan Catherine M. , Zhang Qiuping
Published: May 2018

Nesprins (nuclear envelope spectrin repeat proteins) are a family of multi-isomeric scaffolding proteins. Nesprins form the LInker of Nucleoskeleton-and-Cytoskeleton (LINC) complex with SUN (Sad1p/UNC84) domain-containing proteins at the nuclear envelope, in association with lamin A/C and emerin, linking the nucleoskeleton to the cytoskeleton. The LINC complex serves as both a physical linker between the nuclear lamina and the cytoskeleton and a mechanosensor. The LINC complex has a broad range of functions and is involved in maintaining nuclear architecture, nuclear positioning and migration, and also modulating gene expression. Over 80 disease-related variants have been identified in SYNE-1/2 (nesprin-1/2) genes, which result in muscular or central nervous system disorders including autosomal dominant Emery–Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, dilated cardiomyopathy and autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia type 1. To date, 17 different nesprin mouse lines have been established to mimic these nesprin-related human diseases, which have provided valuable insights into the roles of nesprin and its scaffold LINC complex in a tissue-specific manner. In this review, we summarise the existing nesprin mouse models, compare their phenotypes and discuss the potential mechanisms underlying nesprin-associated diseases.
Probing star formation and ISM properties using galaxy disk inclination
Authors: Leslie S. K. , Schinnerer E. , Groves B. , Sargent M. T. , Zamorani G. , Lang P. , Vardoulaki E.
Published: May 2018

We evaluate dust-corrected far-ultraviolet (FUV) star formation rates (SFRs) for samples of star-forming galaxies at z ~ 0 and z ~ 0.7 and find significant differences between values obtained through corrections based on UV colour, from a hybrid mid-infrared (MIR) plus FUV relation, and from a radiative transfer based attenuation correction method. The performances of the attenuation correction methods are assessed by their ability to remove the dependency of the corrected SFR on inclination, as well as returning, on average, the expected population mean SFR. We find that combining MIR (rest-frame ~ 13 μm) and FUV luminosities gives the most inclination-independent SFRs and reduces the intrinsic SFR scatter of the methods we tested. However, applying the radiative transfer based method also gives corrections to the FUV SFR that are inclination independent and in agreement with the expected SFRs at both z ~ 0 and z ~ 0.7. SFR corrections based on the UV-slope perform worse than the other two methods we tested. For our local sample, the UV-slope method works on average, but does not remove inclination biases. At z ~ 0.7, we find that the UV-slope correction we used locally flattens the inclination dependence compared to the raw FUV measurements, but was not sufficient to correct for the large attenuation observed at z ~ 0.7.
Localization of global norms and robust a posteriori error control for transmission problems with sign-changing coefficients
Authors: Ciarlet Patrick , Vohralík Martin
Published: May 2018

We present a posteriori error analysis of diffusion problems where the diffusion tensor is not necessarily symmetric and positive definite and can in particular change its sign. We first identify the correct intrinsic error norm for such problems, covering both conforming and nonconforming approximations. It combines a dual (residual) norm together with the distance to the correct functional space. Importantly, we show the equivalence of both these quantities defined globally over the entire computational domain with the Hilbertian sums of their localizations over patches of elements. In this framework, we then design a posteriori estimators which deliver simultaneously guaranteed error upper bound, global and local error lower bounds, and robustness with respect to the (sign-changing) diffusion tensor. Robustness with respect to the approximation polynomial degree is achieved as well. The estimators are given in a unified setting covering at once conforming, nonconforming, mixed, and discontinuous Galerkin finite element discretizations in two or three space dimensions. Numerical results illustrate the theoretical developments.
A New Genetic Fibrinogen Variant (Fibrinogen Erfurt I) Structurally Characterized by an Abnormal Bβ-Chain and Present both in Plasma and Platelets
Authors: Meyer M , Schellenberg I , Vogel G , Bischoff I
Published: May 2018

An abnormal fibrinogen was discovered in the plasma of a clinically asymptomatic woman. This fibrinogen variant was analyzed by high resolution two–dimensional gel electrophoresis and its molecular abnormality established consisting in a slight decrease in molecular mass of the Bβ–chains. Analysis of fibrin revealed that cleavage of fibrinopeptide B by thrombin is normal, the molecular defect being confined to the β–portion of the Bβ–chain. The same fibrinogen variant was detected in the blood platelets of the proposita. This finding supports the assumption of a common origin of plasma and platelet fibrinogen pools. Family studies revealed the presence of the abnormal fibrinogen in a brother of the proposita, thus confirming the genetic nature of the observed variant. The underlying mutant gene occurs in both carriers in heterozygous state.
The In Vivo Effects of Oral Anticoagulants in Man: Comparison Between Liver and Non-Hepatic Tissues
Authors: Berg Marian de Boer-van den , Thijssen Henk H W , Vermeer Cees
Published: May 2018

The in vivo effects of oral anticoagulant therapy with 4–hydroxycoumarins on various vitamin K–dependent enzyme systems in man were compared. In hepatic microsomes obtained from donors who has been treated with 4–hydroxycoumarins for more than 6 months, the vitamin K 2,3 epoxide reductase activity and the DTT–dependent vitamin K quinone reductase activity were diminished to 35% and 20% of the corresponding normal values. In the non–hepatic tissues, only a small decrease in vitamin K 2,3 epoxide reductase activity could be demonstrated, while no differences were found in the vitamin K quinone reductase activities. In none of the tissues a significant increase of non–carboxylated precursor proteins was observed, whereas also vitamin K hydroquinone–dependent carboxylase activities seemed to be unaffected by the anticoagulant treatment.
The Interaction of von Willebrand Factor (vWf) with Collagen: Investigation of vWf-Binding Sites in the Collagen Molecule
Authors: Fitzsimmons C M , Cockburn C G , Hornsey V , Prowse C V , Barnes M J
Published: May 2018

Following fragmentation of the collagen molecule, we have examined the ability of the isolated fragments to bind vWf. In view of the importance of collagen tertiary and quaternary structure for binding, fragments were first renatured to restore triple-helical conformation and then polymerized. Results indicate the presence of specific vWf-binding sites in both the αl(I)-and α2(I)-chains of type I collagen. Cleavage of the αl(I)-chain with cyanogen bromide suggests the presence of at least four (conceivably several more) binding sites implying a wide distribution of sites along the length of the collagen type I molecule. Collagen type III appears to possess a similar wide distribution of sites. Chemical modification of specific amino acid residues indicates that interaction involves arginyl residues in collagen and carboxyl groups in vWf. Although interaction between fibronec-tin and collagen fibres also involves collagen arginyl residues and carboxyl groups in fibronectin (authors’ unpublished results), fibronectin does not compete with vWf in the binding to collagen fibres.
Anticoagulant Activity in Cell Homogenate of Adult T Cell Leukemia
Authors: Wada H , Tomeoku M , Deguchi A , Suzuki H , Mori Y , Ito M , Deguchi K , Shirakawa S
Published: May 2018

The hemostatic abnormality in 18 patients with adult T cell leukemia (ATL) was studied. Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was slightly prolonged and prekallikrein activity was markedly low in these patients. The leukemic cell homogenate from these patients prolonged the recalcification time (RCT) of normal plasma; homogenates containing more than 3 ×103 cells/μi prolonged it, although a lower cell concentration shortened it. The crude anticoagulant fraction from the gel filtration, with a molecular weight of about 34,000, prolonged RCT. The crude anticoagulant did not affect prothrombin time (PT), thrombin activity or activated X activity at any concentration, but prolonged the contact activation test, inhibited the activation of prekallikrein and prolonged RCT of Fletcher trait, Fitzgerald trait and F XII deficient plasma. These effects of ATL cell homo-genate were stronger on platelet poor plasma than on platelet rich plasma. Although ATL cells had low procoagulant activity, increase of leukemic cells made anticoagulant activity predominant, might be the cause of hemostatic abnormality or amplify the bleeding tendency in patients with ATL.
Functional and Immunological Assays of F VIII in 133 Haemophiliacs - Characterization of a Subgroup of Patients with Mild Haemophilia A and Discrepancy in 1- and 2-Stage Assays
Authors: Parquet-Gernez Armelle , Mazurier Claudine , Goudemand Maurice
Published: May 2018

A systematic study of the levels of FVIII antigen and activity was done in 133 haemophiliacs. No measurable antigen was demonstrated in the 60 severe haemophiliacs, with the exception of 3 patients with levels ranging between 1.5 and 4.5 U/dl, which corresponded to a dramatic FVIII deficiency. The situation was more complex with the 73 moderate and mild haemophiliacs: 39 of them (53.4%) had a partial, concordant deficiency of both the antigen and the procoagulant activity (1- and 2-stage methods), likely corresponding to a decrease in the synthesis of normal FVIII. The conclusion for the other 34 patients, was a qualitative abnormality of FVIII, the levels of antigen in comparison with the procoagulant activity (1-stage method) appearing to be either very reduced (n = 6) or even nil (n = 8), or on the contrary very much higher (n = 20) or normal. For 11 patients in this last category, we found a clear discrepancy between the procoagulant activity levels obtained with the 2 different techniques, the 1-stage levels being higher than the 2-stage levels. This discrepancy which was stable with restudy on multiple occasions and found in different members of the same families was remedied when vWF was absent in one-stage assay. This suggests that we have identified a variant of haemophilia A with an inherited abnormality of FVIII characterized by an in vitro vWF-dependent expression of procoagulant activity.
ADP Plays a Key Role in Thrombogenesis in Rats
Authors: Maffrand J P , Bernat A , Delebassée D , Defreyn G , Cazenave J P , Gordon J L
Published: May 2018

The relative importance of ADP, arachidonic acid metabolites and serotonin as thrombogenic factors was evaluated in rats by comparing, after oral administration, the effects of two inhibitors of ADP-induced platelet aggregation (ticlopidine and PCR 4099), three cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors (aspirin, triflusal and indobufen) and a selective serotonin 5HT2 receptor antagonist (ketanserin) on platelet aggregation, in four platelet-dependent thrombosis models and on bleeding time. Platelet aggregation induced by ADP and collagen was completely inhibited by ticlopidine and PCR 4099 whereas only the collagen aggregation was reduced by the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors. Ketanserin or a depletion of platelet serotonin by reserpine did not affect platelet aggregation. Ticlopidine and PCR 4099 greatly prolonged rat tail transection bleeding time. This is probably related to their known ability to inhibit ADP-mediated platelet aggregation. In contrast, the cyclooxygenase inhibitors did not affect bleeding time at all. Reserpine and ketanserin prolonged bleeding time by interfering with the action of serotonin on the vascular wall. Ticlopidine and PCR4099 were very potent antithrombotics in all the models. Aspirin, only at a high dose, inhibited poorly thrombus formation on a silk thread in an arterio-venous shunt, suggesting that the inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase was not responsible. Triflusal was inactive in all models while indobufen slightly reduced thrombus formation in the silk thread and metallic coil models. Ketanserin and reserpine reduced thrombus only in the metallic coil model. Thrombus formation was greatly reduced in fawn-hooded rats, which lack ADP in their platelet dense granules because of a genetic storage pool deficiency. Taken together, the results obtained with the drugs and with the fawn-hooded rats support the concept that ADP plays a key role in thrombogenesis in rats.
Congenital Deficiency of Plasminogen and Its Relationship to Venous Thrombosis
Authors: Hach-Wunderle V , Scharrer I , Lottenberg R
Published: May 2018

In a patient with deep venous thrombosis, plasma concentrations of coagulant and inhibitor proteins were normal except for moderate deficiency of plasminogen. Family studies revealed a similar deficiency in the mother and sister of the propositus. Evaluation of purified plasminogen demonstrated that it functioned normally. The patient represents our only example of plasminogen deficiency in 435 German individuals evaluated with a history of thromboembolism.
Estabilización dinámica radiocubital distal para el tratamiento de la rotura del complejo fibrocartílago triangular asociada a fractura de extremidad distal de radio – una nueva técnica quirúrgica
Authors: Pajares Cabanillas Samuel , Catalán Natalia , Crespo Emilio
Published: May 2018

La inestabilidad radiocubital distal (RCD) secundaria a rotura del Complejo fibrocartílago triangular (FCT), producida en fracturas del radio distal es una de las complicaciones más frecuentes y de más difícil manejo en nuestra especialidad. La recuperación funcional precoz de la síntesis del radio, exige movilización temprana y en consecuencia mala cicatrización del FCT. Por otro lado, el correcto tratamiento de esa rotura, independientemente del tratamiento realizado (conservador, reparación abierta o artroscópica), obliga a una inmovilización de la muñeca y codo por un periodo no inferior a 6 semanas. Ese hecho puede comprometer el resultado funcional tanto de la síntesis del radio, como de la pronosupinación. Se describe aquí, la primera técnica quirúrgica en la literatura que permite una correcta cicatrización del FCT, al mismo tiempo que se inicia la movilización a la primera semana del postoperatorio, tanto de la articulación radiocarpiana, como de la RCD. Se trata de una cirugía a realizar inmediatamente después de la síntesis del radio, de técnica sencilla y de escasa morbilidad, que consigue estabilizar la articulación RCD de una forma dinámica, de manera que el sentido del giro donde se reproduce la inestabilidad queda restringido, estabilizando el movimiento de traslación dorsopalmar y la apertura articular.
Reducing Alarm Fatigue in Two Neonatal Intensive Care Units through a Quality Improvement Collaboration
Authors: Hagadorn James , Sink David , Johnson Kendall
Published: May 2018

Objective To reduce nonactionable oximeter alarms by 80% without increasing time infants were hypoxemic (oxygen saturation [SpO2] ≤ 80%) or hyperoxemic (SpO2 > 95% while on supplemental oxygen).

Study Design In 2015, a multidisciplinary team at Connecticut Children's Medical Center initiated a quality improvement project to reduce nonactionable oximeter alarms in two referral neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Changes made through improvement cycles included reduction of the low oximeter alarm limit for specific populations, increased low alarm delay, development of postmenstrual age-based alarm profiles, and updated bedside visual reminders. Manual alarm tallies and electronic SpO2 data were collected throughout the project.

Results Alarm tallies were collected for 158 patient care hours with SpO2 data available for 138 of those hours. Mean number of total nonactionable alarms per patient per hour decreased from 9 to 2 (78% decrease) and the mean number of nonactionable low alarms per patient per hour decreased from 5 to 1 (80% decrease). No change was noted in the balancing measures of percentage time with SpO2 ≤ 80% (mean 4.3%) or SpO2 > 95% (mean 23.7%).

Conclusion Through small changes in oximeter alarm settings, including revision of alarm limits, alarm delays, and age-specific alarm profiles, our NICUs significantly reduced nonactionable alarms without increasing hypoxemia.
Postoperative Complications and Reoperation Rates Following Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Ankle Fracture
Authors: Macera Armando , Carulli Christian , Sirleo Luigi , Innocenti Massimo
Published: May 2018

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determinate the overall postoperative complication and reoperation rates related to open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of ankle fractures.

Methods All patients who had undergone an ankle fracture operation at our institution from January 2005 through December 2013 were identified by querying the hospital surgical procedure database for diagnoses codes. Medical records, surgical procedure, and outpatient control reports were reviewed to collect pre-, intra-, and postoperative details. All data obtained were retrospectively analyzed by the authors to evaluate the postoperative complications and the type of further surgical treatment required to treat them.

Results A total of 378 consecutive patients were included in the study. Overall complications rate was 36.0%. Minor complications (4.5%) were represented by superficial infection (1.3%) and impaired wound healing (3.2%). All these patients required advanced wound care and prolonged oral antibiotics. Major complications (31.5%) included: residual pain (17.2%), deep infection (3.4%), malunion (2.4%), posttraumatic ankle osteoarthritis (5.0%), implant breakage (0.3%), complex regional pain syndrome (1.3%), and arthrofibrosis (1.9%). Note that 21.7% of major complications required further surgical procedure. Reoperations included arthroscopic debridement (15.1%), hardware removal and debridement of all necrotic tissue (4.5%), and ankle fusion (2.1%). Surgery was necessary mainly for pain removal and function recovery.

Conclusion Ankle fracture ORIF represents a satisfying surgical treatment. Nevertheless, postoperative complications are not uncommon. Minor complications can be easily managed with medications and repeated outpatient controls. Reoperation is occasionally required to treat major complications. Revision surgery is mandatory to ensure pain relief and function improvement.

Level of Evidence Level II, retrospective cohort study.
Tendon Healing in Bone Tunnel after Human Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of Histological Results
Authors: Lu Hongbin , Chen Can , Xie Shanshan , Tang Yifu , Qu Jin
Published: May 2018

Most studies concerning to tendon healing and incorporation into bone are mainly based on animal studies due to the invasive nature of the biopsy procedure. The evidence considering tendon graft healing to bone in humans is limited in several case series or case reports, and therefore, it is difficult to understand the healing process. A computerized search using relevant search terms was performed in the PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases, as well as a manual search of reference lists. Searches were limited to studies that investigated tendon graft healing to bone by histologic examination after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with hamstring. Ten studies were determined to be eligible for this systematic review. Thirty-seven cases were extracted from the included studies. Most studies showed that a fibrovascular interface would form at the tendon–bone interface at the early stage and a fibrous indirect interface with Sharpey-like fibers would be expected at the later stage. Cartilage-like tissue at tendon graft–bone interface was reported in three studies. Tendon graft failed to integrate with the surrounding bone in 10 of the 37 cases. Unexpectedly, suspensory type of fixation was used for the above failure cases. An indirect type of insertion with Sharpey-like fibers at tendon–bone interface could be expected after ACL reconstruction with hamstring. Regional cartilage-like tissue may form at tendon–bone interface occasionally. The underlying tendon-to-bone healing process is far from understood in the human hamstring ACL reconstruction. Further human studies are highly needed to understand tendon graft healing in bone tunnel after hamstring ACL reconstruction.
Clinical and Genetic Features of Congenital Myasthenic Syndromes due to CHAT Mutations: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Arican Pinar , Gencpinar Pinar , Cavusoglu Dilek , Olgac Dundar Nihal
Published: May 2018

Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are neuromuscular transmission disorders caused by mutations in genes encoding neuromuscular junction proteins. CMS due to choline acetyltransferase (CHAT) gene is characterized by episodic apnea. We report a case of a 12-month-old female patient presented with recurrent episodic apnea carrying a mutation in CHAT gene, p.I336T. Furthermore, we describe the genetic and clinical findings in 44 CMS patients due to CHAT mutations in the literature up to date. Episodes of apnea and respiratory insufficiency are the hallmarks of CHAT mutations. Clinical manifestations usually provoked by infections and fever. CMS due to CHAT mutations are rare, but it is important to diagnosis. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can improve morbidity and mortality.
Assessment of Likelihood Ratio for Four Contact Dermatitis Symptoms of Vinca Minor
Authors: Nayak Chaturbhuja , Rutten Lex , Koley Munmun , Saha Subhranil , Roy Mousumi , Abbas Sk , Ghosh Simantini , Halder Suman , Wani Ghulam , Mir Anaitulah , Bhat Showket , Bagchi Suman
Published: May 2018

Background Contact dermatitis (CD) is a frequently occurring medical condition, for which Vinca minor (VM) is one of the recommended homeopathic medicines. However, the symptoms indicating this medicine have not yet been assessed systematically. Likelihood ratio (LR), based on Bayesian statistics, may yield better estimation of a medicine's indication than the existing method of entry of symptoms into materia medica and repertories.

Methods We investigated LRs of four CD symptoms of VM: (1) great sensitiveness of skin, with redness and soreness from slightest rubbing; (2) weeping eczema with foul, thick crusts; (3) itching amelioration in open air; and (4) CD of scalp. An observational, prospective, patient-outcome study was conducted in five different practice settings on 390 CD patients over 18 months using three outcomes—Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital Outcome Scale (GHHOS), Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), assessed at baseline, after 3 and 6 months. The LR of each of the four symptoms was estimated as per the patient-rated outcomes on GHHOS.

Results Seventy-four VM and 316 non-VM cases were analyzed. Estimated LRs were as follows: symptom 1, 1.29 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65 to 2.60); symptom 2, 1.48 (95% CI: 0.80 to 2.74); symptom 3, 1.70 (95% CI: 0.94 to 3.07); symptom 4, 1.36 (95% CI: 0.74 to 2.51). There were statistically significant reductions in SCORAD and DLQI scores over 3 and 6 months.

Conclusion There was insufficient evidence to attribute any of the four assessed symptoms clearly to VM. Though non-significant, a high LR was observed for “itching amelioration in open air” (symptom 3). Symptoms in the homeopathic materia medica for VM are perhaps over-represented. More research of this nature is warranted.
Development of ball surface acoustic wave trace moisture analyzer using burst waveform undersampling circuit
Authors: Tsuji Toshihiro , Oizumi Toru , Fukushi Hideyuki , Takeda Nobuo , Akao Shingo , Tsukahara Yusuke , Yamanaka Kazushi
Published: May 2018

The measurement and control of trace moisture, where the water concentration is lower than 1 ppmv [−76.2 °C for the frost point (°CFP)], are essential for improving the yield rate of semiconductor devices and for ensuring their reliability. A ball surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor with a sol-gel silica coating exhibited useful characteristics for a trace moisture analyzer (TMA) when the temperature drift of the delay time output was precisely compensated using two-frequency measurement (TFM), where the temperature-compensated relative delay time change (RDTC) was obtained by subtracting the RDTC at the fundamental frequency from that at the third harmonic frequency on an identical propagation path. However, the cost of the measurement circuit was a problem. In this study, a burst waveform undersampling (BUS) circuit based on the theory of undersampling measurement was developed as a practical means. The BUS circuit was useful for precise temperature compensation of the RDTC, and the ball SAW TMA was prototyped by calibrating the RDTC using a TMA based on cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS), which is the most reliable method for trace moisture measurement. The ball SAW TMA outputted a similar concentration to that obtained by the CRDS TMA, and its response time at a set concentration in N2 with a flow rate of 1 l/min was about half that of the CRDS TMA, suggesting that moisture of −80 °CFP was measured within only 1 min. The detection limit at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 was estimated to be 0.05 ppbv, comparable with that of the CRDS TMA. From these results, it was demonstrated that a practical ball SAW TMA can be realized using the developed BUS circuit.
Electro-mechanical probe positioning system for large volume plasma device
Authors: Sanyasi A. K. , Sugandhi R. , Srivastava P. K. , Srivastav Prabhakar , Awasthi L. M.
Published: May 2018

An automated electro-mechanical system for the positioning of plasma diagnostics has been designed and implemented in a Large Volume Plasma Device (LVPD). The system consists of 12 electro-mechanical assemblies, which are orchestrated using the Modbus communication protocol on 4-wire RS485 communications to meet the experimental requirements. Each assembly has a lead screw-based mechanical structure, Wilson feed-through-based vacuum interface, bipolar stepper motor, micro-controller-based stepper drive, and optical encoder for online positioning correction of probes. The novelty of the system lies in the orchestration of multiple drives on a single interface, fabrication and installation of the system for a large experimental device like the LVPD, in-house developed software, and adopted architectural practices. The paper discusses the design, description of hardware and software interfaces, and performance results in LVPD.
Model analysis and electrical characterization of atmospheric pressure cold plasma jet in pin electrode configuration
Authors: Deepak G. Divya , Joshi N. K. , Prakash Ram
Published: May 2018

In this study, both model analysis and electrical characterization of a dielectric barrier discharge based argon plasma jet have been carried at atmospheric pressure in a pin electrode configuration. The plasma and fluid dynamics modules of COMSOL multi-physics code have been used for the modeling of the plasma jet. The plasma parameters, such as, electron density, electron temperature and electrical potential have been analyzed with respect to the electrical parameters, i.e., supply voltage and supply frequency with and without the flow of gas. In all the experiments, gas flow rate has been kept constant at 1 liter per minute. This electrode configuration is subjected to a range of supply frequencies (10-25 kHz) and supply voltages (3.5-6.5 kV). The power consumed by the device has been estimated at different applied combinations (supply voltage & frequency) for optimum power consumption at maximum jet length. The maximum power consumed by the device in this configuration for maximum jet length of ∼26 mm is just ∼1 W.
Zero-point energy conservation in classical trajectory simulations: Application to H2CO
Authors: Lee Kin Long Kelvin , Quinn Mitchell S. , Kolmann Stephen J. , Kable Scott H. , Jordan Meredith J. T.
Published: May 2018

A new approach for preventing zero-point energy (ZPE) violation in quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) simulations is presented and applied to H2CO “roaming” reactions. Zero-point energy may be problematic in roaming reactions because they occur at or near bond dissociation thresholds and these channels may be incorrectly open or closed depending on if, or how, ZPE has been treated. Here we run QCT simulations on a “ZPE-corrected” potential energy surface defined as the sum of the molecular potential energy surface (PES) and the global harmonic ZPE surface. Five different harmonic ZPE estimates are examined with four, on average, giving values within 4 kJ/mol—chemical accuracy—for H2CO. The local harmonic ZPE, at arbitrary molecular configurations, is subsequently defined in terms of “projected” Cartesian coordinates and a global ZPE “surface” is constructed using Shepard interpolation. This, combined with a second-order modified Shepard interpolated PES, V, allows us to construct a proof-of-concept ZPE-corrected PES for H2CO, Veff, at no additional computational cost to the PES itself. Both V and Veff are used to model product state distributions from the H + HCO → H2 + CO abstraction reaction, which are shown to reproduce the literature roaming product state distributions. Our ZPE-corrected PES allows all trajectories to be analysed, whereas, in previous simulations, a significant proportion was discarded because of ZPE violation. We find ZPE has little effect on product rotational distributions, validating previous QCT simulations. Running trajectories on V, however, shifts the product kinetic energy release to higher energy than on Veff and classical simulations of kinetic energy release should therefore be viewed with caution.
New optimization scheme to obtain interaction potentials for oxide glasses
Authors: Sundararaman Siddharth , Huang Liping , Ispas Simona , Kob Walter
Published: May 2018

We propose a new scheme to parameterize effective potentials that can be used to simulate atomic systems such as oxide glasses. As input data for the optimization, we use the radial distribution functions of the liquid and the vibrational density of state of the glass, both obtained from ab initio simulations, as well as experimental data on the pressure dependence of the density of the glass. For the case of silica, we find that this new scheme facilitates finding pair potentials that are significantly more accurate than the previous ones even if the functional form is the same, thus demonstrating that even simple two-body potentials can be superior to more complex three-body potentials. We have tested the new potential by calculating the pressure dependence of the elastic moduli and found a good agreement with the corresponding experimental data.
Correlation between the transport mechanisms in conductive filaments inside Ta2O5-based resistive switching devices and in substoichiometric TaOx thin films
Authors: Rosário Carlos M. M. , Thöner Bo , Schönhals Alexander , Menzel Stephan , Wuttig Matthias , Waser Rainer , Sobolev Nikolai A. , Wouters Dirk J.
Published: May 2018

Conductive filaments play a key role in redox-based resistive random access memory (ReRAM) devices based on the valence change mechanism, where the change of the resistance is ascribed to the modulation of the oxygen content in a local region of these conductive filaments. However, a deep understanding of the filaments' composition and structure is still a matter of debate. We approached the problem by comparing the electronic transport, at temperatures from 300 K down to 2 K, in the filaments and in TaOx films exhibiting a substoichiometric oxygen content. The filaments were created in Ta (15 nm)/Ta2O5 (5 nm)/Pt crossbar ReRAM structures. In the TaOx thin films with various oxygen contents, the in-plane transport was studied. There is a close similarity between the electrical properties of the conductive filaments in the ReRAM devices and of the TaOx films with x ∼ 1, evidencing also no dimensionality difference for the electrical transport. More specifically, for both systems there are two different conduction processes: one in the higher temperature range (from 50 K up to ∼300 K), where the conductivity follows a T  dependence, and one at lower temperatures (<50 K), where the conductivity follows the exp(−1/T)  dependence. This suggests a strong similarity between the material composition and structure of the filaments and those of the substoichiometric TaOx films. We also discuss the temperature dependence of the conductivity in the framework of possible transport mechanisms, mainly of those normally observed for granular metals.
Fashion cycle dynamics in a model with endogenous discrete evolution of heterogeneous preferences
Authors: Naimzada A. K. , Pireddu M.
Published: May 2018

We propose a discrete-time exchange economy evolutionary model, in which two groups of agents are characterized by different preference structures. The reproduction level of a group is related to its attractiveness degree, which depends on the social visibility level, determined by the consumption choices of the agents in that group. The attractiveness of a group is initially increasing with its visibility level, but it becomes decreasing when its visibility exceeds a given threshold value, due to a congestion effect. Thanks to the combined action of the price mechanism and of the share updating rule, the model is able to reproduce the recurrent dynamic behavior typical of the fashion cycle, presenting booms and busts both in the agents' consumption choices and in the population shares. More precisely, we investigate the existence of equilibria and their stability, and we perform a qualitative bifurcation analysis on varying the parameter describing the group's heterogeneity degree. From a global viewpoint, we detect, among others, multistability phenomena in which the group coexistence is dynamic, either regular or irregular, and the fashion cycle occurs. The existence of complex dynamics is proven via the method of the turbulent maps, working with homoclinic orbits. Finally, we provide a social and economic interpretation of the main scenarios.
Topology optimization of reduced rare-earth permanent magnet arrays with finite coercivity
Authors: Teyber R. , Trevizoli P. V. , Christiaanse T. V. , Govindappa P. , Rowe A.
Published: May 2018

The supply chain risk of rare-earth permanent magnets has yielded research efforts to improve both materials and magnetic circuits. While a number of magnet optimization techniques exist, literature has not incorporated the permanent magnet failure process stemming from finite coercivity. To address this, a mixed-integer topology optimization is formulated to maximize the flux density of a segmented Halbach cylinder while avoiding permanent demagnetization. The numerical framework is used to assess the efficacy of low-cost (rare-earth-free ferrite C9), medium-cost (rare-earth-free MnBi), and higher-cost (Dy-free NdFeB) permanent magnet materials. Novel magnet designs are generated that produce flux densities 70% greater than the segmented Halbach array, albeit with increased magnet mass. Three optimization formulations are then explored using ferrite C9 that demonstrates the trade-off between manufacturability and design sophistication, generating flux densities in the range of 0.366–0.483 T.
Characterization of BaTiO3 nanocubes assembled into highly ordered monolayers using micro- and nano-Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Itasaka Hiroki , Mimura Ken-ichi , Nishi Masayuki , Kato Kazumi
Published: May 2018

We investigated the influence of heat treatment on the crystallographic structure and ferroelectric phase transition behavior of barium titanate (BaTiO3, BT) nanocubes assembled into highly ordered monolayers, using tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS), temperature-dependent micro-Raman spectroscopy, and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). TER spectra from individual BT nanocubes with the size of about 20 nm were obtained with a side-illumination optical setup, and revealed that heat treatment enhances their tetragonality. The result of temperature-dependent micro-Raman spectroscopy showed that the ferroelectric phase transition behavior of the monolayers becomes similar to that of bulk BT through heat treatment in spite of their thickness. STEM observation for the cross-section of the heated BT nanocube monolayer showed that amorphous layers exist at the interface between BT nanocubes in face-to-face contact. These results indicate that the tetragonal crystal structure of BT nanocubes is stabilized by heat treatment and the formation of the interfacial amorphous layer during heat treatment may be a key to this phenomenon.
Protein-ligand binding enthalpies from near-millisecond simulations: Analysis of a preorganization paradox
Authors: Li Amanda , Gilson Michael K.
Published: May 2018

Calorimetric studies of protein-ligand binding sometimes yield thermodynamic data that are difficult to understand. Today, molecular simulations can be used to seek insight into such calorimetric puzzles, and, when simulations and experiments diverge, the results can usefully motivate further improvements in computational methods. Here, we apply near-millisecond duration simulations to estimate the relative binding enthalpies of four peptidic ligands with the Grb2 SH2 domain. The ligands fall into matched pairs, where one member of each pair has an added bond that preorganizes the ligand for binding and thus may be expected to favor binding entropically, due to a smaller loss in configurational entropy. Calorimetric studies have shown that the constrained ligands do in fact bind the SH2 domain more tightly than the flexible ones, but, paradoxically, the improvement in affinity for the constrained ligands is enthalpic, rather than entropic. The present enthalpy calculations yield the opposite trend, as they suggest that the flexible ligands bind more exothermically. Additionally, the small relative binding enthalpies are found to be balances of large differences in the energies of structural components such as ligand and the binding site residues. As a consequence, the deviations from experiment in the relative binding enthalpies represent small differences between these large numbers and hence may be particularly susceptible to error, due, for example, to approximations in the force field. We also computed first-order estimates of changes in configurational entropy on binding. These too are, arguably, paradoxical, as they tend to favor binding of the flexible ligands. The paradox is explained in part by the fact that the more rigid constrained ligands reduce the entropy of binding site residues more than their flexible analogs do, at least in the simulations. This result offers a rather general counterargument to the expectation that preorganized ligands should be associated with more favorable binding entropies, other things being equal.