bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving Snow Water Equivalent Maps With Machine Learning of Snow Survey and Lidar Measurements
Authors: Broxton Patrick D. , van Leeuwen Willem J. D. , Biederman Joel A.
Published: April 2019

In the semiarid interior western USA, where a majority of surface water supply comes from mountain forests, high‐resolution aerial lidar‐based surveys are commonly used to study snow. These surveys provide rich information about snow depth, but they are usually not accompanied with spatially explicit measurements of snow density, which leads to uncertainty in the estimation of snow water equivalent (SWE). In this study, we use a novel approach to distribute ~300 field measurements of snow density with artificial neural networks. We combine the resulting density maps with aerial lidar snow depth measurements, bias corrected with a very large and precisely geolocated array of field‐measured snow depths (~4,000 observations), to create and validate maps of snow depth, snow density, and SWE over two sites along Arizona's Mogollon Rim in February and March 2017. These maps show differences between midwinter and late‐winter snow conditions. In particular, compared to that of snow depth, the spatial variability of snow density is smaller for the later snow survey than the earlier snow survey. These gridded data also show that the representativeness of Snow Telemetry and other point measurements is different for the midwinter and late‐winter snow surveys. Overall, the lidar artificial neural network SWE estimates can be as much as 30% different than if Snow Telemetry density were used with lidar snow depths to estimate SWE.
Atmospheric Gravity Wave Science in the Polar Regions
Authors: Moffat-Griffin Tracy , Taylor Mike , Nakamura Takuji , Murphy Damian , Bageston Jose , Jee Geonhwa
Published: April 2019

A joint special issue explores the potential of collaboration to help understand atmospheric gravity waves in the Polar Regions and their effect on global circulation.
Baicalein inhibits fibronectin-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition by decreasing activation and upregulation of calpain-2
Authors: Chen Yan , Chen Lin , Hong Duanyang , Chen Zongyue , Zhang Jingyu , Fu Lingyun , Pan Di , Zhang Yanyan , Xu Yini , Gan Shiquan , Xiao Chaoda , Tao Ling , Shen Xiangchun
Published: April 2019

The extracellular matrix protein fibronectin (FN) facilitates tumorigenesis and the development of breast cancer. Inhibition of the FN-induced cellular response is a potential strategy for breast cancer treatment. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the flavonoid baicalein on FN-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in MCF-10A breast epithelial cells and in a transgenic mouse MMTV-polyoma middle T antigen breast cancer model (MMTV-PyMT). Baicalein inhibited FN-induced migration, invasion, and F-actin remodeling. Baicalein also suppressed FN-induced downregulation of the epithelial markers E-cadherin and ZO-1 and upregulation of the mesenchymal markers N-cadherin, vimentin, and Snail. Further investigation revealed that calpain-2 was involved in baicalein suppression of FN-induced EMT. Baicalein significantly decreased FN-enhanced calpain-2 expression and activation by suppressing its plasma membrane localization, substrate cleavage, and degradation of its endogenous inhibitor calpastatin. Overexpression of calpain-2 in MCF-10A cells by gene transfection partially blocked the inhibitory effect of baicalein on FN-induced EMT changes. In addition, baicalein inhibited calpain-2 by decreasing FN-increased intracellular calcium ion levels and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases activation. Baicalein significantly decreased tumor onset, growth, and pulmonary metastasis in a spontaneous breast cancer MMTV-PyMT mouse model. Baicalein also reduced the expression of FN, calpain-2, and vimentin, but increased E-cadherin expression in MMTV-PyMT mouse tumors. Overall, these results revealed that baicalein markedly inhibited FN-induced EMT by inhibiting calpain-2, thus providing novel insights into the pharmacological action and mechanism of baicalein. Baicalein may therefore possess therapeutic potential for the treatment of breast cancer though interfering with extracellular matrix–cancer cell interactions.
Assembly of functionalized silk together with cells to obtain proliferative 3D cultures integrated in a network of ECM-like microfibers
Authors: Johansson Ulrika , Widhe Mona , Shalaly Nancy Dekki , Arregui Irene Linares , Nilebäck Linnea , Tasiopoulos Christos Panagiotis , Åstrand Carolina , Berggren Per-Olof , Gasser Christian , Hedhammar My
Published: April 2019

Tissues are built of cells integrated in an extracellular matrix (ECM) which provides a three-dimensional (3D) microfiber network with specific sites for cell anchorage. By genetic engineering, motifs from the ECM can be functionally fused to recombinant silk proteins. Such a silk protein, FN-silk, which harbours a motif from fibronectin, has the ability to self-assemble into networks of microfibers under physiological-like conditions. Herein we describe a method by which mammalian cells are added to the silk solution before assembly, and thereby get uniformly integrated between the formed microfibers. In the resulting 3D scaffold, the cells are highly proliferative and spread out more efficiently than when encapsulated in a hydrogel. Elongated cells containing filamentous actin and defined focal adhesion points confirm proper cell attachment to the FN-silk. The cells remain viable in culture for at least 90 days. The method is also scalable to macro-sized 3D cultures. Silk microfibers formed in a bundle with integrated cells are both strong and extendable, with mechanical properties similar to that of artery walls. The described method enables differentiation of stem cells in 3D as well as facile co-culture of several different cell types. We show that inclusion of endothelial cells leads to the formation of vessel-like structures throughout the tissue constructs. Hence, silk-assembly in presence of cells constitutes a viable option for 3D culture of cells integrated in a ECM-like network, with potential as base for engineering of functional tissue.
Boron tolerance and accumulation potential of four salt-tolerant plant species
Authors: Zhao Qian , Li Jia , Dai Zheng , Ma Chengcang , Sun Hongwen , Liu Chunguang
Published: April 2019

Boron (B) is an essential element for plants, but excess B is phytotoxic. Since excess B often occurs along with high salinity in the environment, the purposes of the experiments are to screen plants that tolerate both excess B and high salinity for the remediation of B-contaminated saline water or soils. Here we tested the capacities of B tolerance and accumulation of four salt-tolerant plant species, Tripolium pannonicum, Suaeda glauca, Iris wilsonii, and Puccinelliatenuiflora using hydroponic culture systems, and compared their potential for application in phytoremediation. The maximum B supply concentrations for the survival of T. pannonicum, S. glauca, I. wilsonii, and P. tenuiflora are 40, 250, 700, and 300 mg/L, respectively. The maximum B concentrations in the shoot tissue of these plants are 0.45, 2.48, 15.21, and 8.03 mg/g DW, and in the root are 0.23, 0.70, 6.69, and 2.63 mg/g DW, respectively. Our results suggest that S. glauca, I. wilsonii, and P. tenuiflora are capable of tolerating and accumulating high levels of B, and I. wilsonii is a most promising candidate for the remediation of B-contaminated sites. This study will provide evidence in support of our future pilot studies (e.g., constructed wetlands) on the phytoremediation of B-contaminated water and soil.
Blended electrospinning with human liver extracellular matrix for engineering new hepatic microenvironments
Authors: Grant Rhiannon , Hallett John , Forbes Stuart , Hay David , Callanan Anthony
Published: April 2019

Tissue engineering of a transplantable liver could provide an alternative to donor livers for transplant, solving the problem of escalating donor shortages. One of the challenges for tissue engineers is the extracellular matrix (ECM); a finely controlled in vivo niche which supports hepatocytes. Polymers and decellularized tissue scaffolds each provide some of the necessary biological cues for hepatocytes, however, neither alone has proved sufficient. Enhancing microenvironments using bioactive molecules allows researchers to create more appropriate niches for hepatocytes. We combined decellularized human liver tissue with electrospun polymers to produce a niche for hepatocytes and compared the human liver ECM to its individual components; Collagen I, Laminin-521 and Fibronectin. The resulting scaffolds were validated using THLE-3 hepatocytes. Immunohistochemistry confirmed retention of proteins in the scaffolds. Mechanical testing demonstrated significant increases in the Young’s Modulus of the decellularized ECM scaffold; providing significantly stiffer environments for hepatocytes. Each scaffold maintained hepatocyte growth, albumin production and influenced expression of key hepatic genes, with the decellularized ECM scaffolds exerting an influence which is not recapitulated by individual ECM components. Blended protein:polymer scaffolds provide a viable, translatable niche for hepatocytes and offers a solution to current obstacles in disease modelling and liver tissue engineering.
Application of tabu search-based Bayesian networks in exploring related factors of liver cirrhosis complicated with hepatic encephalopathy and disease identification
Authors: Zhang Zhuang , Zhang Jie , Wei Zhen , Ren Hao , Song Weimei , Pan Jinhua , Liu Jinchun , Zhang Yanbo , Qiu Lixia
Published: April 2019

This study aimed to explore the related factors and strengths of hepatic cirrhosis complicated with hepatic encephalopathy (HE) by multivariate logistic regression analysis and tabu search-based Bayesian networks (BNs), and to deduce the probability of HE in patients with cirrhosis under different conditions through BN reasoning. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that electrolyte disorders, infections, poor spirits, hepatorenal syndrome, hepatic diabetes, prothrombin time, and total bilirubin are associated with HE. Inferences by BNs found that infection, electrolyte disorder and hepatorenal syndrome are closely related to HE. Those three variables are also related to each other, indicating that the occurrence of any of those three complications may induce the other two complications. When those three complications occur simultaneously, the probability of HE may reach 0.90 or more. The BN constructed by the tabu search algorithm can analyze not only how the correlative factors affect HE but also their interrelationships. Reasoning using BNs can describe how HE is induced on the basis of the order in which doctors acquire patient information, which is consistent with the sequential process of clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Soil nitrogen determines greenhouse gas emissions from northern peatlands under concurrent warming and vegetation shifting
Authors: Luan Junwei , Wu Jianghua , Liu Shirong , Roulet Nigel , Wang Mei
Published: April 2019

Boreal peatlands store an enormous pool of soil carbon that is dependent upon – and vulnerable to changes in – climate, as well as plant community composition. However, how nutrient availability affects the effects of climate and vegetation change on ecosystem processes in these nutrient-poor ecosystems remains unclear. Here we show that although warming promoted higher CH4 emissions, the concurrent addition of N counteracted most (79%) of this effect. The regulation effects of the vegetation functional group, associated with the substrate quality, suggest that CH4 emissions from peatlands under future warming will be less than expected with predicted shrub expansion. In contrast, N2O flux will be enhanced under future warming with predicted shrub expansion. Our study suggests that changes in greenhouse gas emissions in response to future warming and shifts in plant community composition depend on N availability, which reveals the complex interactions that occur when N is not a limiting nutrient.
Author Correction: Regio- and stereoselective synthesis of tetra- and triarylethenes by N-methylimidodiacetyl boron-directed palladium-catalysed three-component coupling
Authors: Lin E. Emily , Wu Jia-Qiang , Schäfers Felix , Su Xiao-Xuan , Wang Ke-Feng , Li Ji-Lin , Chen Yunyun , Zhao Xin , Ti Huihui , Li Qingjiang , Ou Tian-Miao , Glorius Frank , Wang Honggen
Published: April 2019

The previously published version of this Article contained errors in Fig. 1, where the B(MIDA) fragment was incorrectly labelled. These errors have been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Metabolomics analysis of the protective effect of rubusoside on palmitic acid-induced lipotoxicity in INS-1 cells using UPLC-Q/TOF MS
Authors: Zheng Hua , Wu Jinxia , Huang Hong , Meng Chunmei , Li Weidong , Wei Tianli , Su Zhiheng
Published: April 2019

Diabetes is one of the most severe chronic diseases worldwide.
Physical layer authentication scheme with channel based tag padding sequence
Authors: Ran Yachao , Al‐Shwaily Harith , Tang Chaoqing , Tian Gui Yun , Johnston Martin
Published: April 2019

This study proposes a novel physical layer authentication scheme, which uses the channel to generate a tagged signal and determine random partial padding. The scheme utilises the random wireless channel gain between communication entities to generate tag and decide a padding sequence for each symbol. Simulations for different padding percentages using the randomness provided by the channel are carried out to compare against a traditional full padding scheme, which shows improvement in error rate under the same security performance. The second layer of referee verification is introduced to increase the difficulty of compromising the authenticity of the scheme. A mathematical analysis is carried out to find an optimal size of selected time slots for the authentication scheme is also discussed.
Interference cancellation algorithm based on improved generative model combined with improved generalised sidelobe cancellation in ELF communication
Authors: Li Chunteng , Jiang Yuzhong , Liu Fangjun
Published: April 2019

To improve the communication quality of extremely‐low‐frequency (ELF) communication effectively, an interference cancellation algorithm based on the generative model widely used in the artificial intelligence field is proposed. Some magnetic antennas with higher sensitivity and analogue circuits with lower noise floor are designed to suppress various out‐of‐band interferences. For the first time, a generative model is introduced into the interference cancellation field in ELF communication. Based on the speech enhancement generative adversarial network widely used in speech signal enhancement, an improved generative model that can be applied in the interference cancellation field is proposed to provide some more revelant reference information. By the combination of the improved generative model and the improved generalised sidelobe cancellation (GSC) algorithm, the estimated accuracy of noise and interference is improved effectively. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, an experimental platform is built in a laboratory environment, and multiple sets of controlled experiments are performed. Also, the experimental results show that the improved generative model has better performance, better robustness, and relatively lower computational complexity. In addition, compared with the original GSC algorithm and its traditional improved algorithm, the proposed algorithm further promoted the signal‐to‐interference‐plus‐noise ratio gain within the range of signal bandwidth.
Quasi‐composite rotating formation control of second‐order multi‐agent systems
Authors: Mo Lipo , Yuan Xiaolin , Yu Yongguang
Published: April 2019

In this study, quasi‐composite rotating formation control for second‐order multi‐agent systems over undirected communication topology is considered. To solve this problem, a novel distributed control protocol based on the local information is proposed. Next, the origin closed‐loop system is changed into an equivalent one by taking a proper coordinate transformation. Under some mild conditions, it is proved that the quasi‐composite rotating formation can be reached by analysing the matrix eigenvalues of the closed‐loop system. Finally, the simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Distributed energy‐efficient target tracking algorithm based on event‐triggered strategy for sensor networks
Authors: Zhang Ya , Zhang Lingling , Du Lishuang , Liu Cheng‐Lin , Chen Yang‐Yang
Published: April 2019

The distributed estimation problem for wireless sensor networks with limited communication/sensing ranges and observability is studied. A novel sensor measuring activation scheme based on a fully distributed event‐triggered strategy is proposed to make each node achieve a better trade‐off between estimation error and energy saving. The strategy depends on both the predicted synthetic performance index and the predicted position of the target. A distributed Kalman filtering algorithm based on the minimum trace fusion principle is proposed. It is proved that comparing with the time‐triggered strategy, the proposed event‐triggered measuring strategy has better performance. Although the event‐triggered measuring topology is time‐varying and each sensor is not observable, it is proved that as long as there exists at least one collaboratively observable sensor in the available distance‐based sensing network at each time instant, the estimation errors are bounded in mean square sense. Simulation examples are given to illustrate the validity of the algorithm.
New double integral inequality with application to stability analysis for linear retarded systems
Authors: Datta Rupak , Dey Rajeeb , Bhattacharya Baby , Saravanakumar Ramasamy , Ahn Choon Ki
Published: April 2019

This paper presents the development of a new double integral inequality (II) with the motivation of yielding quadratic approximation. It is well known that approximating integral quadratic terms with quadratic terms involves a certain degree of conservatism. In this paper, a sufficient gap has been identified in the approximation of two recent IIs reported in the literature, thereby leading to the new double II. The developed inequality has been applied to access the stability of a linear retarded system to estimate a maximum delay upper‐bound. Furthermore, a mathematical relationship of the new double II with existing inequalities is discussed to show that the developed inequality is more general, effective and bears less computational burden. Four numerical examples are given to validate the authors' claim with regard to the effective estimate of delay bound results for a linear retarded system.
Linear sliding variable‐based sliding mode controller design of descriptor systems via output information
Authors: Gao Rui , Zhai Ding , Li Tieshan
Published: April 2019

This study investigates the design problem of the linear sliding variable‐based sliding mode controllers of descriptor systems via output information. A generalised regular form, which is the counterpart of that for normal systems, is first recalled. Then a static output feedback sliding mode control strategy is developed to stabilise the descriptor system under consideration and the result is further improved by a reduced‐order observer‐based sliding mode control strategy. Necessary and sufficient conditions are derived such that the resulting sliding motion is regular and asymptotically stable. It is shown that the main merit of the static output feedback sliding mode control method is the simplicity and that of the reduced‐order observer‐based sliding mode control method is the elimination of a restrictive assumption frequently used in the static output feedback sliding mode control method. Finally, two connected one‐mass oscillators model is numerically simulated to testify the validity of the proposed methods.
Stochastic stability of non‐linear impulsive semi‐Markov jump systems
Authors: Lin Yu , Zhang Yu
Published: April 2019

In this study, the problem of stochastic stability of non‐linear impulsive semi‐Markov jump systems is investigated. Using the method of stochastic Lyapunov functions, the authors develop some sufficient conditions about stochastic stability for a class of non‐linear impulsive semi‐Markov jump systems with unbounded transition rates. Particularly, the obtained results generalise and complement some published literatures. Finally, some examples are given to show the effectiveness and advantages of the proposed results.
Designing and experimentally testing a flux‐focusing axial flux magnetic gear for an ocean generator application
Authors: Bahrami Kouhshahi Mojtaba , Acharya Vedanadam M. , Calvin Matthew , Bird Jonathan Z. , Williams Wesley
Published: April 2019

The torque density characteristics for an axial flux magnetic gear using a flux‐focusing topology is experimentally studied when using neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) rare‐earth magnets. A geometric parameter sweep analysis was utilised in order to maximise both the calculated volumetric and mass torque density. The calculated torque and torque density was 628.6 N·m and 173.02 N·m/L while the experimentally measured torque and resultant torque density was 553.2 N·m and 152.3 N·m/L.
Reliability modeling for Integrated Community Energy System considering dynamic process of thermal loads
Authors: He Zhe , Hou Kai , Wang Yue , Jia Hongjie , Zhu Lewei , Lei Yunkai , Liu Xiaonan , Yu Xiaodan
Published: April 2019

The Integrated Community Energy System (ICES) has developed rapidly, but the reliability assessment models of ICES are somehow out of date. A new reliability assessment model for ICES is proposed incorporating electricity, gas and heat, considering dynamic process of thermal loads. First, the static model of ICES consisting of three subsystems is constructed based on the energy hub model. Then the inertial features of loads are incorporated in the reliability of ICES. Thereafter, a quasi‐sequential simulation based on a decomposed optimisation method is proposed to assess the reliability of ICES. Case studies are conducted on an ICES with four energy hubs to validate the performance of the presented model. Results show that the proposed reliability assessment model is more practical and the identified weak points of each subsystem have changed after utilising the new model.
Assessing the potential of surplus clean power in reducing GHG emissions in the building sector using game theory; a case study of Ontario, Canada
Authors: Haghi Ehsan , Kong Qinghao , Fowler Michael , Raahemifar Kaamran , Qadrdan Meysam
Published: April 2019

This work assesses the potential of surplus electricity in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the building sector. The assessment is done by modelling the interaction of government and energy consumer using game theory. The government can provide discounted power to energy consumer by covering a fraction of the off‐peak price to encourage the replacement of natural gas consumption with electricity. This replacement reduces GHG emissions from the building sector. Energy consumer adopts electricity‐based technologies only if it leads to a lower heat and electricity supply cost. Cost‐effectiveness of solid oxide fuel cell, air–source heat pump (ASHP), and battery and hydrogen storage are assessed as alternatives to natural gas combined heat and power (CHP) and boiler technologies. The modelling results show that ASHP is the only technology that can compete with natural gas CHP and boiler. ASHP is chosen by the energy consumer when discounts of 4.5 cents/kWh or more for off‐peak electricity are available. The analysis also showed that CHP could be completely replaced by grid power at discount value of 4.5 cents/kWh and up. Natural gas boilers continue playing a role in building heating supply even under increased discount for off‐peak electricity price.
Optimisation of deviation settlement charges using residential demand response under frequency‐linked pricing environment
Authors: Gupta Preeti , Verma Yajvender Pal
Published: April 2019

Nowadays, demand response (DR) is used to modify the real‐time load curve either directly through incentive‐based centralised control or indirectly through inducing a particular load pattern by time‐varying pricing schemes. Various DR schemes are available which encourage the participation of industrial, commercial and residential consumers in system operation. This study investigates the potential of residential consumers’ DR participation in reducing Deviation Settlement Charge (DSC) under frequency‐linked pricing environment. An incentive‐based DR model for household devices by categorising them into shiftable and interruptible devices; including customer‐side Battery Energy Storage System has been presented. A particular category of devices participates in a centrally initiated DR program depending upon the real‐time grid frequency. The simulations are carried out on a realistic system of Indian distribution utility having a large percentage of residential consumers. It has been observed that the residential community DR participation reduces the DSCs substantially under real‐time frequency conditions.
Isolated bidirectional DC‐to‐three‐phase AC converter for integration of renewable energy sources to electric grid
Authors: Bosso Jonathan E. , Llomplat Marcelo , Oggier Germán Gustavo , García Guillermo Oscar
Published: April 2019

In this study, a new isolated bidirectional DC‐to‐three‐phase AC converter for integration of renewable energy sources to the electric grid is presented. The main features of this topology are galvanic isolation, capability to control the power flow bidirectionally, soft switching, unit power factor under open‐loop control and also allow step up and step down the voltage. Its operation principle is described and a modulation strategy is proposed, which allows to control the power flow according to the requirements of the load and to operate with minimum switching losses owing to the soft switching. The results revealed the feasibility of the proposal with a of the AC current waveforms below 5% and the power factor above 0.98.
Design and optimisation of a wireless power transfer system for satellite application
Authors: Wang Feng , Feng Tianyu , Chen Xueqin
Published: April 2019

The analysis and design of wireless power transmission coils for satellite on‐board application are presented. Firstly, application background and design constrain are presented. Different factors affecting the coupling coefficient are analysed, and transmission cores fitting satellite application are designed and optimised. To reduce magnetic flux leakage and to improve transmission efficiency, ways to reduce magnetic flux leakage are analysed. According to the requirement of the system, suitable leakage reduction design is chosen, and different materials are simulated. Combining optimised transmission core design and magnetic flux leakage reduction design, a model fitting in required application is presented and simulated. Result shows the fitness of application requirement.
Plication versus Resection in Horizontal Strabismus Surgery
Authors: Kühne Jill , Palmowski-Wolfe Anja
Published: April 2019

Background To compare two commonly used strengthening procedures in strabismus surgery: plication and resection of the extraocular muscle (EOM).

Patients and Methods From an anonymous databank of strabismus surgeries, performed at the University Eye Hospital Basel, patients with a horizontal strabismus surgery, consisting of a recession combined with either plication or resection of the antagonist and a follow-up of at least 3 months, were included. Exclusion criteria were previous eye surgeries, binocular surgeries, and simultaneous surgery of oblique or vertical EOM. Pre- and postoperative angles were measured using the alternating prism cover test during fixation at distance.

Results Fifty-nine patients met the criteria and were matched according to the angle at baseline in the recession/plication group, resulting in 12 resection/recession and 12 plication/recession patients. There was no significant difference in the number of eso- and exodeviations, age at surgery, or gender between the groups. Mean difference between plication and resection was 1.2 PD at 1 week (p = 0.72) and 1.7 PD at 3 months (p = 0.61). A separate analysis for eso- and exodeviations showed no significant difference between recession/plication and recession/resection at 1 week or 3 months (p value side effect = 0.59; resection vs. plication at 1 week p = 0.68; resection vs. plication at 3 months: p = 0.57). The overall dose effect (SD) was 2.13 PD (0.88)/mm in the recession/plication group and 2.51 PD (0.81)/mm in the recession/resection group after 1 week (p = 0.331). After 3 months, the mean dose effect was 1.85 PD (1.06)/mm in the recession/plication group and 2.09 PD (1.12)/mm in the recession/resection group (p = 0.611).

Discussion Our findings show that recession/plication is a valid alternative to recession/resection in horizontal strabismus without the need to cut the muscle, as we saw no difference in surgical effectiveness in either eso- or exodeviations at 1 week or at 3 months.
Choroidal Neovascularisation Complicating Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy: The Discovery Rate on Multimodal Imaging
Authors: Romdhane Khaled , Mantel Irmela
Published: April 2019

Purpose To identify the image modality allowing identification of choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) complicating chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR), including fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A).

Methods Patients diagnosed with chronic CSCR and secondary CNV were included in the study. The image modalities FA, ICGA, and OCT-A were reviewed for specific CNV signs permitting diagnosis. Patients with missing image modalities, poor image quality, previous laser treatment, or other confounding pathologies were excluded.

Results CNV was identified on OCT-A in 32 of 33 eyes (97%), whereas ICGA revealed an abnormal vascular network in 23 eyes (70%), significantly less frequently than with OCT-A (p = 0.003). FA allowed CNV identification in 10 eyes (30%), significantly less frequently than with OCT-A (p < 0.001). Type 1 CNV was detected by OCT-A in 29 of 30 eyes (97%), by ICGA in 20 eyes (67%; p = 0.0027), and by FA in 8 eyes (27%; p < 0.001).

Conclusions OCTA is a useful diagnostic tool to detect occult CNV complicating chronic CSCR. This image modality might be important for adequate patient care.
Repeat Surgery for Patients Operated in Childhood for Early-Onset Esotropia and Suffering from Persistent Residual, Recurrent or Consecutive Strabismus
Authors: Roth André , Rossillion Béatrice
Published: April 2019

Background Patients operated in childhood for early esotropia may suffer from persistent strabismus, whether residual, recurrent, or consecutive, usually with a more complex oculomotor imbalance than in primitive strabismus.

History and Signs The clinical data are fundamental, in particular, (1) the basic accommodation-free deviation, (2) the horizontal far/near incomitance, (3) the cyclovertical incomitances and/or A or V pattern, and (4) the motility restrictions. In complicated cases, magnetic resonance tomography of the orbits showed the anomalies of the eye and muscle position. The intraoperative findings have to be taken into account, such as (1) the position of the eyes and (2) the muscle extensibility in antagonistic muscle pairs. Twenty-seven patients, aged 16 to 62, were included in the present retrospective study. All of them had repeat surgery between 2013 to 2018, 15 for residual esotropia and 12 for consecutive exotropia.

Therapy and Outcome In five of the eight patients with posterior fixation sutures on the medial recti, the residual exo or estropia was moderate and could be corrected with a recession or tuck of the lateral recti. In the three other patients with pronounced esotropia, revision of the posterior fixation sutures was carried out. In 19 patients (11 esotropia and 8 exotropia) with only prior conventional surgery, the surgical choice for the residual deviation went electively to the muscles that were most responsible for the motor imbalance, without using posterior fixation sutures. In 4 of these 19 patients, the deviation was small due, in particular, to residual incomitances. For any persistent cyclovertical incomitance, the overacting oblique muscles were recessed, and, in four patients with an A or V pattern, the lateral rectus insertions shifted to the horizontal meridian in the same procedure.

Discussion The two main difficulties are to assess (1) the imbalance of the active and passive muscle force and (2) the surgically induced incomitances.
Futterverweigerung bei Mastbullen durch eine Kontamination
der Maissilage mit Gewöhnlichem Stechapfel (Datura
stramonium)
Authors: Aboling Sabine , Rieger Hanna , Kölln Mareike , Tenhündfeld Jörg , Roerink Gerwin , Platje Nadine , Kamphues Josef
Published: April 2019

Im Dezember 2017 kam es in einem Bullenmastbetrieb mit Fresseraufzucht in
Westdeutschland innerhalb eines Tages plötzlich zu einem Rückgang der
Futteraufnahme bei ansonsten zunächst ungestörtem Allgemeinbefinden der Tiere.
Die reduzierte Futteraufnahme war am darauffolgenden Tag noch ausgeprägter;
zudem zeigten einige Tiere eine Pansentympanie mit dorsaler Gasblase, die eine
Behandlung erforderte. Als mögliche Ursache kam die Maissilage infrage, die seit
dem Tag der reduzierten Futteraufnahme aus einem anderen Silobereich entnommen
wurde als zuvor. Diese Maissilage-Partie stammte von einer Ackerfläche, auf der
in einem gewässernahen Teilbereich übliche Pflanzenschutzmaßnahmen nicht erfolgt
waren und die zudem stark von Windschäden betroffen war (viele abgeknickte
Maispflanzen). Nur auf diesem Areal wuchs Gewöhnlicher Stechapfel, dessen
Früchte und Samen in den inkriminierten Maissilageproben nachgewiesen wurden.
Nach einem Austausch der Maissilage gegen nicht kontaminiertes Material und
einer Behandlung der von einer Tympanie betroffenen Tiere mit einem
Antitympanikum sowie einem Lebendhefe-Präparat erholten sich die Bullen
innerhalb von 6 Tagen. Ursächlich für diese auffällige Symptomatik waren
vermutlich die antinutritiven Inhaltsstoffe von Datura stramonium, die
nachgewiesenermaßen die Magen-Darm-Motorik beeinträchtigen können.
Botulinumtoxin in der Augenheilkunde
Authors: Wabbels Bettina
Published: April 2019

Die Anwendung von Botulinumtoxin (BTX) ist inzwischen der Goldstandard zur Behandlung von Lidkrämpfen (essenzieller Blepharospasmus, Hemispasmus facialis, Synkinesien nach Fazialisparese). Weitere wichtige Indikationen sind die Behandlung von Lidretraktionen bei endokriner Orbitopathie und die Induktion einer protektiven Ptosis bei Lagophthalmus oder schweren Hornhauterkrankungen.
Pupillenstörungen
Authors: Wermund Thomas , Wilhelm Helmut , Kelbsch Carina
Published: April 2019

Die Beurteilung der Pupille ist ein wichtiger Teil der neuroophthalmologischen Diagnostik. Der Nachweis einer afferenten oder efferenten Pupillenstörung lässt Rückschlüsse auf ein weites Spektrum relevanter Erkrankungen des zentralen und peripheren Nervensystems zu. Dieses Update erfasst einen wesentlichen Teil der Pupillenstörungen der alltäglichen Praxis des Augenarztes. Die Bedeutung der Pupillenuntersuchung hingegen reicht weit über das Fach der Augenheilkunde hinaus.
Das augenärztliche Gutachten. Teil 1: Grundlagen für die Erstellung eines augenärztlichen Gutachtens
Authors: von Livonius Bettina
Published: April 2019

Das augenärztliche Gutachten hat oft juristische und finanzielle Folgen für die Betroffenen. Es ist daher wichtig, dass es formal richtig und qualitativ hochwertig erstellt wird. Leider werden die erforderlichen Untersuchungen häufig nicht optimal durchgeführt, Befunde nicht untermauert, Formalien nicht eingehalten. In diesem Beitrag geht es um die Grundlagen, die bei jeder Gutachtenerstellung beachtet werden müssen. Weitere Beiträge folgen.
Gonococcal antimicrobial resistance: 80 years in the making
Authors: Speers David
Published: April 2019

Antimicrobial resistance has been a problem for the treatment of gonorrhoea since the introduction of sulfa drugs in the 1930s. The gonococcus has a remarkable ability to obtain the genetic elements required to develop resistance and for these resistant strains to then widely disseminate. Many decades of antibiotic monotherapy have seen the introduction of a number of antibiotic classes herald a promising new era of treatment only to subsequently fail due to resistance development. The world is now faced with the prospect of extensively resistant Neisseria gonorrhoea and requires a coordinated action plan to detect and treat these resistant strains.
The impact of antimicrobial resistance on induction, transmission and treatment of Clostridium difficile infection
Authors: Hong Stacey , Knight Daniel R , Riley Thomas V
Published: April 2019

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a potentially life-threatening disease that has surpassed multi-drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus as the commonest antimicrobial-resistant organism associated with healthcare1. This obligate anaerobic spore-forming Gram-positive bacillus colonises the GI tract and its numbers increase after disruption of the commensal GI microbiota often induced by exposure to antimicrobial agents2. Paradoxically, the disease that may follow its outgrowth necessitates further antimicrobial treatment. Already a major challenge to infection prevention and control strategies, there are indications that C. difficile is developing further resistance to currently used antimicrobial agents.
Strontium isotopes reveal ephemeral streams used for spawning and rearing by an imperilled potamodromous cyprinid Clear Lake hitch Lavinia exilicauda chi
Authors: Feyrer Frederick , Whitman George , Young Matthew , Johnson Rachel C.
Published: April 2019

Identification of habitats responsible for the successful production and recruitment of rare migratory species is a challenge in conservation biology. Here, a tool was developed to assess life stage linkages for the threatened potamodromous cyprinid Clear Lake hitch Lavinia exilicauda chi. Clear Lake hitch undertake migrations from Clear Lake (Lake County, CA, USA) into ephemeral tributary streams for spawning. An aqueous isoscape of strontium isotopic ratios (87Sr/86Sr) was constructed for Clear Lake and its watershed to trace natal origins and migration histories of adult recruits. Aqueous 87Sr/86Sr differentiated Clear Lake from 8 of 10 key tributaries and clustered into 5 strontium isotope groups (SIGs) with 100% classification success. Otolith 87Sr/86Sr showed all five groups contributed variably to the population. The age at which juveniles migrated from natal streams to Clear Lake ranged from 11 to 152 days (mean±s.d., 43±34 days) and was positively associated with the permanency of natal habitat. This information can be used by resource managers to develop conservation actions for Clear Lake hitch. This study demonstrates the utility of strontium isotopes in otoliths as a tool to identify important freshwater habitats occupied over the lifespan of an individual that would otherwise be challenging or impossible to trace with other methods.A
A comparative analysis of the effect of using translation, definition, etymology, and imageable expressions on the
retention of idioms
Authors: Jahangard Ali , Sedaghatkar Mozhgan
Published: April 2019

The present study aimed to examine the effect of four prevailing teaching methods, i.e., translation, definition,
etymology, and imageable expressions on the immediate and delayed retention of idioms in the receptive and productive modes. To
meet this end, 120 EFL Iranian learners participated in the study. Thirty of them received idioms through definition, thirty
through translation, thirty through pictures, and thirty through etymology in their first language. Twenty idioms were selected
and taught in two sessions. Retention of the idioms, in the productive and receptive modes was measured immediately after the
class and again two weeks later. The results indicated that etymology and pictorial methods had a remarkably more positive
influence on the immediate and delayed retention of the idioms in both the receptive and productive modes.
Lexical complexity of academic presentations
Authors: Zareva Alla
Published: April 2019

The present study examined the lexical complexity profiles of academic presentations of three groups of university
students (N = 93) – native English speaking, English as a second language, and English as a lingua franca users.
It adopted a notion of lexical complexity which includes lexical diversity, lexical density, and lexical sophistication as main
dimensions of the framework. The study aimed at finding out how the three academically similar groups of presenters compared on
their lexical complexity choices, what the lexical complexity profiles of high quality students’ academic presentations looked
like, and whether we can identify variables that contribute to the overall lexical complexity of presentations given by each group
in a unique way. The findings revealed overwhelming similarities across the three groups of presenters and also suggested that the
three dimensional framework provides a holistic picture of the lexical complexity for various groups of English for academic
purposes presenters.
Microstructure-based multi-scale evaluation of fluid flow in an anthracite coal sample with partially-percolating voxels
Authors: Wang Haipeng , Zhang Junfang , Yang Y S , Li Ruru , Li Jianli , Yang Jianli , Liu Keyu
Published: April 2019

Understanding fluid flow behavior in coal is of great significance for coal-bed methane exploration. X-ray CT and image segmentation have been widely used to extract pore network and generate flow field grids for flow simulation in coal samples. However, these techniques have fundamental limitations for the multi-scale characterization of coal samples, where the sub-voxel scale details could not be resolved for millimeter scale macroscopic samples. This makes it difficult to simulate the multi-scale flow behavior of fluid transport in coal sample with varying pore scales. The primary challenge is to make connection between simulation results of different scales. In the present work, multi-scale fluid flow in an anthracite coal sample was simulated by incorporating the data-constrained modeling (DCM), molecular dynamics (MD) method and partially-percolating lattice Boltzmann method (PP-LBM). In this multi-scale simulation method, three-dimensional (3D) flow field containing multi-scale structural information of the coal sample was generated by combining DCM with multi-energy synchrotron radiation CT. Multi-scale fluid flow was simulated by PP-LBM. In PP-LBM, an effective percolation fraction parameter which represents the effective volume fraction of the fluid that contributed to the flow for the voxel was used as a bridge to connect the fluid flow pattern of sub-voxel scales and voxel scales. The effective percolation fraction of a voxel versus its porosity was derived by MD simulations at the sub-voxel size level. The 3D distribution of fluid speed in the coal sample and its permeability were obtained by this multi-scale method. The numerical results are consistent with published laboratory measurements. Our proposed approach incorporated multi-scale effects and offered a more realistic fluid transport simulation method for a coal sample with varying pore size scales from the microscopic to macroscopic level. The method would be applicable for fluid transport simulations for other multi-scale porous materials.
An inter-comparison of the social costs of air quality from reduced-complexity models
Authors: Gilmore Elisabeth A , Heo Jinhyok , Muller Nicholas Z , Tessum Christopher W , Hill Jason D , Marshall Julian D , Adams Peter J
Published: April 2019

Reliable estimates of externality costs—such as the costs arising from premature mortality due to exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5)—are critical for policy analysis. To facilitate broader analysis, several datasets of the social costs of air quality have been produced by a set of reduced-complexity models (RCMs). It is much easier to use the tabulated marginal costs derived from RCMs than it is to run ‘state-of-the-science’ chemical transport models (CTMs). However, the differences between these datasets have not been systematically examined, leaving analysts with no guidance on how and when these differences matter. Here, we compare per-tonne marginal costs from ground level and elevated emission sources for each county in the United States for sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), ammonia (NH3) and inert primary PM2.5 from three RCMs: Air Pollution Emission Experiments and Policy (AP2), Estimating Air pollution Social Impacts Using Regression (EASIUR) and the Intervention Model for Air Pollution (InMAP). National emission-weighted average damages vary among models by approximately 21%, 31%, 28% and 12% for inert primary PM2.5, SO2, NOx and NH3 emissions, respectively, for ground-level sources. For elevated sources, emission-weighted damages vary by approximately 42%, 26%, 42% and 20% for inert primary PM2.5, SO2, NOx and NH3 emissions, respectively. Despite fundamental structural differences, the three models predict marginal costs that are within the same order of magnitude. That different and independent methods have converged on similar results bolsters confidence in the RCMs. Policy analyzes of national-level air quality policies that sum over pollutants and geographical locations are often robust to these differences, although the differences may matter for more source- or location-specific analyzes. Overall, the loss of fidelity caused by using RCMs and their social cost datasets in place of CTMs is modest.
MENDA: a comprehensive curated resource of metabolic characterization in depression
Authors: Pu Juncai , Yu Yue , Liu Yiyun , Tian Lu , Gui Siwen , Zhong Xiaogang , Fan Chu , Xu Shaohua , Song Xuemian , Liu Lanxiang , Yang Lining , Zheng Peng , Chen Jianjun , Cheng Ke , Zhou Chanjuan , Wang Haiyang , Xie Peng
Published: April 2019

Depression is a seriously disabling psychiatric disorder with a significant burden of disease. Metabolic abnormalities have been widely reported in depressed patients and animal models. However, there are few systematic efforts that integrate meaningful biological insights from these studies. Herein, available metabolic knowledge in the context of depression was integrated to provide a systematic and panoramic view of metabolic characterization. After screening more than 10 000 citations from five electronic literature databases and five metabolomics databases, we manually curated 5675 metabolite entries from 464 studies, including human, rat, mouse and non-human primate, to develop a new metabolite-disease association database, called MENDA (http://menda.cqmu.edu.cn:8080/index.php). The standardized data extraction process was used for data collection, a multi-faceted annotation scheme was developed, and a user-friendly search engine and web interface were integrated for database access. To facilitate data analysis and interpretation based on MENDA, we also proposed a systematic analytical framework, including data integration and biological function analysis. Case studies were provided that identified the consistently altered metabolites using the vote-counting method, and that captured the underlying molecular mechanism using pathway and network analyses. Collectively, we provided a comprehensive curation of metabolic characterization in depression. Our model of a specific psychiatry disorder may be replicated to study other complex diseases.