bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La necesidad de una técnica de toma de notas en interpretación consecutiva: una experiencia
Authors: Pérez Campos Paula , Varela Salinas María-José
Published: September 2016

The experiment described in this paper was inspired by Daniel Gile’s Effort Model for consecutive interpreting and an experiment he conducted with students in 1991. Its goal is to determine to what extent the lack of a well-developed note-taking technique is an obstacle to optimal performance in students. The participants, a group of interpreting students who do not yet master any specific note-taking technique, are told to interpret two similar texts: one with the help of notes, one without. Their rendition is evaluated considering a series of discourse units representing different categories of markers, i.e. proper names, numbers, lists and terms.Despite the competition between the listening and analysis effort and the note production effort, all of the participants provide a better interpretation when taking notes. However, their scores show room for improvement, which could be achieved through a better command of note-taking strategies. The present work is a pilot study that paves the way for further research into note-taking in consecutive interpreting. It also highlights the importance of learning note-taking principles as part of conference interpreting training.
Teaching the Meaning and Meaninglessness of Life
Authors: HUSTON MARK R.
Published: September 2016

Anthony T. Kronman, in his book Education's End, both critiques the current teaching trends in the liberal arts and argues for a return to teaching “the meaning of life in a deliberate and organized way” (2007, 74). While I will use Kronman's work as a springboard, I will diverge significantly from his work as well. First, I will discuss some of the key distinctions that need to be made in order to even start to address something as substantial as the meaning of life, including an examination of the possibility that life is meaningless. I will look at the work of philosophers, literary works, and other disciplines to aid in this examination. Reflecting on the likes of C.P. Snow's The Two Cultures, I will argue that the liberal arts/humanities provide the best means for truly making sense of the meaning/meaninglessness of life. Finally, it is only the liberal arts/humanities that can provide the narrative structures, the creativity, and the collation of other disciplines, including the natural sciences, necessary to address such a substantial issue.
Cross-frequency synchronization connects networks of fast and slow oscillations during visual working memory maintenance
Authors: Siebenhühner Felix , Wang Sheng H , Palva J Matias , Palva Satu
Published: September 2016

Neuronal activity in sensory and fronto-parietal (FP) areas underlies the representation and attentional control, respectively, of sensory information maintained in visual working memory (VWM). Within these regions, beta/gamma phase-synchronization supports the integration of sensory functions, while synchronization in theta/alpha bands supports the regulation of attentional functions. A key challenge is to understand which mechanisms integrate neuronal processing across these distinct frequencies and thereby the sensory and attentional functions. We investigated whether such integration could be achieved by cross-frequency phase synchrony (CFS). Using concurrent magneto- and electroencephalography, we found that CFS was load-dependently enhanced between theta and alpha–gamma and between alpha and beta-gamma oscillations during VWM maintenance among visual, FP, and dorsal attention (DA) systems. CFS also connected the hubs of within-frequency-synchronized networks and its strength predicted individual VWM capacity. We propose that CFS integrates processing among synchronized neuronal networks from theta to gamma frequencies to link sensory and attentional functions.
A visual circuit uses complementary mechanisms to support transient and sustained pupil constriction
Authors: Keenan William Thomas , Rupp Alan C , Ross Rachel A , Somasundaram Preethi , Hiriyanna Suja , Wu Zhijian , Badea Tudor C , Robinson Phyllis R , Lowell Bradford B , Hattar Samer S
Published: September 2016

Rapid and stable control of pupil size in response to light is critical for vision, but the neural coding mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigated the neural basis of pupil control by monitoring pupil size across time while manipulating each photoreceptor input or neurotransmitter output of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), a critical relay in the control of pupil size. We show that transient and sustained pupil responses are mediated by distinct photoreceptors and neurotransmitters. Transient responses utilize input from rod photoreceptors and output by the classical neurotransmitter glutamate, but adapt within minutes. In contrast, sustained responses are dominated by non-conventional signaling mechanisms: melanopsin phototransduction in ipRGCs and output by the neuropeptide PACAP, which provide stable pupil maintenance across the day. These results highlight a temporal switch in the coding mechanisms of a neural circuit to support proper behavioral dynamics.
Hippocampal neurogenesis enhancers promote forgetting of remote fear memory after hippocampal reactivation by retrieval
Authors: Ishikawa Rie , Fukushima Hotaka , Frankland Paul W , Kida Satoshi
Published: September 2016

Forgetting of recent fear memory is promoted by treatment with memantine (MEM), which increases hippocampal neurogenesis. The approaches for treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using rodent models have focused on the extinction and reconsolidation of recent, but not remote, memories. Here we show that, following prolonged re-exposure to the conditioning context, enhancers of hippocampal neurogenesis, including MEM, promote forgetting of remote contextual fear memory. However, these interventions are ineffective following shorter re-exposures. Importantly, we find that long, but not short re-exposures activate gene expression in the hippocampus and induce hippocampus-dependent reconsolidation of remote contextual fear memory. Furthermore, remote memory retrieval becomes hippocampus-dependent after the long-time recall, suggesting that remote fear memory returns to a hippocampus dependent state after the long-time recall, thereby allowing enhanced forgetting by increased hippocampal neurogenesis. Forgetting of traumatic memory may contribute to the development of PTSD treatment.
Using Patient Perspective Sessions to Increase Empathy and Recall in Preclinical Medical Students
Authors: Hendriksz Tami
Published: September 2016

Context: At the author’s institution, patient perspective sessions were added to the preclinical curricula, in which actual patients present their medical stories and experiences to large groups of first- and second-year medical students. This curricular approach was designed to help address concerns about limited patient interaction during these years, which could lead to empathy erosion, academic burnout, and poor memory retention.

Objective: To determine whether patient perspective sessions conducted in the first and second years of medical school had an effect on students’ empathy toward patients and perceived retention of material.

Methods: In the summer of 2014, an anonymous electronic survey was sent to medical students in the class of 2016 who had completed the mandatory patient perspective curricula. The patient perspective sessions had started in the academic year of 2012-2013, and they involved real patients who presented their medical stories and experiences in the medical setting.

Results: Of 135 surveys sent, 43 completed surveys (32%) were returned. Twenty-seven respondents (89%) reported that the patient perspective sessions met the objective of “enhancing empathy toward the patient experience,” and 23 respondents (75%) reported that the sessions made the material easier to remember. Further, 24 respondents (91%) reported enjoying the sessions, and all respondents reported that they wanted the patient perspective sessions to continue.

Conclusion: Patient perspective sessions are a unique way to add more clinical exposure to the preclinical curriculum. These sessions have the potential to increase students’ empathy toward patients, to increase their retention of material, and to provide new perspective. Further, students reported enjoying the sessions, which can help decrease the potential for academic burnout.
MEMS electrostatic inductive transformer using potassium ion electrets for up- or down-conversion of AC current
Authors: Suzuki Masato , Moriyama Takashi , Toshiyoshi Hiroshi , Hashiguchi Gen
Published: September 2016

In this paper, we report on a novel MEMS electrostatic inductive transformer using potassium ion electrets on mechanically movable silicon microelectrodes. The device consists of a pair of electrostatic comb drive actuators that share a common mass in the middle part of a spring–mass–spring system. When an excitation AC voltage is applied to the electrode of the input-port comb drive at its mechanical resonant frequency, the mass in the middle oscillates to generate electrostatic inductive charges on the electrodes of the output-port comb drive, which could be read out as an output current. By appropriately designing the ratio of force factors of input- and output-port comb drives, the device operates as a transformer to amplify the current at a high efficiency over of 90% under the optimal load condition.
Integrating Scientific Publication into an Applied Gaming Ecosystem
Authors: Salman Munir , Fuchs Michael , Vu Binh , Brocks Holger , Becker Jana , Heutelbeck Dominic , Hemmje Matthias
Published: September 2016

The European (EU)-based industry for non-leisure games (so called Applied Games, AGs) is an emerging business. As such it is still fragmented and needs to achieve critical mass to compete globally. Nevertheless, its growth potential is widely recognized and even suggested to exceed the growth potential of the leisure games market. The European project Realizing an Applied Gaming Ecosystem (RAGE) is aiming at supporting this challenge. RAGE will help to seize these opportunities by making available an interoperable set of advanced Applied Game (AG) technology assets, as well as proven practices of using such AG assets in various real-world contexts. As described in [1], RAGE will finally provide a centralized access to a wide range of applied gaming software modules, relevant information, knowledge and community services, and related scientific documents, taxonomies, media, and educational resources within an online community portal called the RAGE Ecosystem. Besides this, an integration between the RAGE Ecosystem and relevant social network interaction spaces that arranges and facilitates collaboration that underlie Research and Development (R&D), as well as marketoriented innovation and exploitation will be created in order to support community building, as well as collaborative asset exploitation of User Generated Contents (UGCs) of the RAGE Ecosystem. In this paper, we will describe the integration of the Scientific Publication Platform (SPP) Mendeley [2] into the RAGE Ecosystem. This will allow for automating repetitive tasks, reducing errors, and speeding up time consuming tasks. On the other hand it will support information, UGC, and knowledge sharing, as well as persistency of social interaction threads within Social Networking Sites (SNSs) and Groupware Systems (GWSs) that are connected to the RAGE Ecosystem. The paper reviews relevant use cases and scenarios, as well as related authentication, access, and information integration challenges. In this way, on the one hand a qualitative evaluation regarding an optimal technical integration is facilitated while on the other hand design approaches for supporting features of resulting user interfaces are initiated.
Contrasting upper and lower atmospheric metrics of tropical expansion in the Southern Hemisphere
Authors: Solomon A. , Polvani L. M. , Waugh D. W. , Davis S. M.
Published: September 2016

Observational studies suggest that the tropics are expanding, but a wide range of expansion rates have been reported (from 0.2° to 2° of latitude per decade). This is due, in part, to the great variety of metrics used to define the tropical width. Here we ask whether these metrics are measuring tropical width consistently, focusing on the Southern Hemisphere, where the circulation is better approximated by the zonally symmetric component. Analyzing output from the Community Earth System Model (CESM) Large Ensemble Project, we show that tropical expansion robustly occurs in the model in response to forcings. In addition, we find that whereas the width of the Hadley circulation is strongly correlated with the midlatitude jet, from interannual to decadal time scales, it is essentially uncorrelated with upper atmospheric metrics, e.g., the maximum gradient of tropopause height, both in terms of variability and of response to forcings.
Geologic history of Martian regolith breccia Northwest Africa 7034: Evidence for hydrothermal activity and lithologic diversity in the Martian crust
Authors: McCubbin Francis M. , Boyce Jeremy W. , Novák‐Szabó Tímea , Santos Alison R. , Tartèse Romain , Muttik Nele , Domokos Gabor , Vazquez Jorge , Keller Lindsay P. , Moser Desmond E. , Jerolmack Douglas J. , Shearer Charles K. , Steele Andrew , Elardo Stephen M. , Rahman Zia , Anand Mahesh , Delhaye Thomas , Agee Carl B.
Published: September 2016

The timing and mode of deposition for Martian regolith breccia Northwest Africa (NWA) 7034 were determined by combining petrography, shape analysis, and thermochronology. NWA 7034 is composed of igneous, impact, and brecciated clasts within a thermally annealed submicron matrix of pulverized crustal rocks and devitrified impact/volcanic glass. The brecciated clasts are likely lithified portions of Martian regolith with some evidence of past hydrothermal activity. Represented lithologies are primarily ancient crustal materials with crystallization ages as old as 4.4 Ga. One ancient zircon was hosted by an alkali‐rich basalt clast, confirming that alkalic volcanism occurred on Mars very early. NWA 7034 is composed of fragmented particles that do not exhibit evidence of having undergone bed load transport by wind or water. The clast size distribution is similar to terrestrial pyroclastic deposits. We infer that the clasts were deposited by atmospheric rainout subsequent to a pyroclastic eruption(s) and/or impact event(s), although the ancient ages of igneous components favor mobilization by impact(s). Despite ancient components, the breccia has undergone a single pervasive thermal event at 500–800°C, evident by groundmass texture and concordance of ~1.5 Ga dates for bulk rock K‐Ar, U‐Pb in apatite, and U‐Pb in metamict zircons. The 1.5 Ga age is likely a thermal event that coincides with rainout/breccia lithification. We infer that the episodic process of regolith lithification dominated sedimentary processes during the Amazonian Epoch. The absence of pre‐Amazonian high‐temperature metamorphic events recorded in ancient zircons indicates source domains of static southern highland crust punctuated by episodic impact modification.
Testing fault growth models with low‐temperature thermochronology in the northwest Basin and Range, USA
Authors: Curry Magdalena A. E. , Barnes Jason B. , Colgan Joseph P.
Published: September 2016

Common fault growth models diverge in predicting how faults accumulate displacement and lengthen through time. A paucity of field‐based data documenting the lateral component of fault growth hinders our ability to test these models and fully understand how natural fault systems evolve. Here we outline a framework for using apatite (U‐Th)/He thermochronology (AHe) to quantify the along‐strike growth of faults. To test our framework, we first use a transect in the normal fault‐bounded Jackson Mountains in the Nevada Basin and Range Province, then apply the new framework to the adjacent Pine Forest Range. We combine new and existing cross sections with 18 new and 16 existing AHe cooling ages to determine the spatiotemporal variability in footwall exhumation and evaluate models for fault growth. Three age‐elevation transects in the Pine Forest Range show that rapid exhumation began along the range‐front fault between approximately 15 and 11 Ma at rates of 0.2–0.4 km/Myr, ultimately exhuming approximately 1.5–5 km. The ages of rapid exhumation identified at each transect lie within data uncertainty, indicating concomitant onset of faulting along strike. We show that even in the case of growth by fault‐segment linkage, the fault would achieve its modern length within 3–4 Myr of onset. Comparison with the Jackson Mountains highlights the inadequacies of spatially limited sampling. A constant fault‐length growth model is the best explanation for our thermochronology results. We advocate that low‐temperature thermochronology can be further utilized to better understand and quantify fault growth with broader implications for seismic hazard assessments and the coevolution of faulting and topography.
Synergistic Effect of PbI2 Passivation and Chlorine Inclusion Yielding High Open‐Circuit Voltage Exceeding 1.15 V in Both Mesoscopic and Inverted Planar CH3NH3PbI3(Cl)‐Based Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Jiang Fangyuan , Rong Yaoguang , Liu Huawei , Liu Tiefeng , Mao Lin , Meng Wei , Qin Fei , Jiang Youyu , Luo Bangwu , Xiong Sixing , Tong Jinhui , Liu Yun , Li Zaifang , Han Hongwei , Zhou Yinhua
Published: September 2016

Enhancing open‐circuit voltage in CH3NH3PbI3(Cl) perovskite solar cells has become a major challenge for approaching the theoretical limit of the power conversion efficiency. Here, for the first time, it is demonstrated that the synergistic effect of PbI2 passivation and chlorine incorporation via controlling the molar ratio of PbI2, PbCl2 (or MACl), and MAI in the precursor solutions, boosts the open‐circuit voltage of CH3NH3PbI3(Cl) perovskite solar cells over 1.15 V in both mesoscopic and inverted planar perovskite solar cells. Such high open‐circuit voltage can be attributed to the enhanced photoluminescence emission and carrier lifetime associated with the reduced trap densities. The morphology and composition analysis using scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction measurements, and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy confirm the high quality of the optimized CH3NH3PbI3(Cl) perovskite film. On this basis, record‐high efficiencies of 16.6% for nonmetal‐electrode all‐solution‐processed perovskite solar cells and 18.4% for inverted planar perovskite solar cells are achieved.
Growth and Differentiation of Myoblastic Precursor Cells on Thin Films of Metallo‐Supramolecular Coordination Polyelectrolyte (MEPE)
Authors: Belka Janina , Weigel Tobias , Berninger Ann‐Kathrin , Kurth Dirk G. , Nickel Joachim
Published: September 2016

The interaction of cells with substrate surfaces is a key issue in tissue engineering. In a proof‐of‐concept study, the use of metallo‐supramolecular polyelectrolytes (MEPE) as substrates for the adherent growth of eucaryotic cells is investigated. The chosen MEPE comprises iron(II), thus resulting in an overall positive charge of the surface, which is beneficial for cell adherence. Additionally, the metal ions can dissociate from the assembly thereby triggering cellular processes such as cell differentiation. As cell‐based test system the well characterized cell line C2C12 is used. The investigated MEPE functions as noncytotoxic, biocompatible substrate. Additionally, the substrate positively affects the myogenic differentiation of the investigated cells. This proof‐of‐principle study suggests that MEPEs may be interesting as component for tissue engineering approaches.
Mechanistic insights into aqueous phase propanol dehydration in H‐ZSM‐5 zeolite
Authors: Mei Donghai , Lercher Johannes A.
Published: September 2016

Aqueous phase dehydration of 1‐propanol over H‐ZSM‐5 zeolite was investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The water molecules in the zeolite pores prefer to aggregate via the hydrogen bonding network and be protonated at the Brønsted acidic sites (BAS). Two typical configurations, i.e., dispersed and clustered, of water molecules were identified by ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of the mimicking aqueous phase H‐ZSM‐5 unit cell with 20 water molecules per unit cell. DFT calculated Gibbs free energies suggest that the dimeric propanol–propanol, the propanol–water, and the trimeric propanol–propanol–water complexes are formed at high propanol concentrations in aqueous phase, which provide a kinetically feasible dehydration reaction channel of 1‐propanol to propene. The calculation results indicate that the propanol dehydration via the unimolecular mechanism becomes kinetically discouraged due to the enhanced stability of the protonated dimeric propanol and the protonated water cluster acting as the BAS site for alcohol dehydration. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 172–184, 2017
Workers with hand dermatitis and workplace training experiences: A qualitative perspective
Authors: Zack Bethany , Arrandale Victoria H , Holness Dorothy Linn
Published: September 2016

Background

Workplace training may help to prevent contact dermatitis, a common work‐related disease. Information on the characteristics of existing workplace training programs and worker perceptions of this training is limited.

Methods

Fourteen workers with suspected occupational contact dermatitis participated in one‐on‐one, semi‐structured interviews. An inductive thematic analysis approach was used to identify interview themes.

Results

Workers expressed a desire for hands‐on training with content relevant to their job tasks, favored training from supervisors who had practical experience, and were conflicted about employer motivations for providing training. Few workers had received training on skin protection. In many cases, the training workers had received differed greatly from their desired training.

Conclusions

Although, workers with contact dermatitis describe having received workplace training, some question its value and effectiveness. This perspective may be attributed not only to the content and methods of training but also the health and safety culture of the workplace. Am. J. Ind. Med. 60:69–76, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adaptive Chemical Networks under Non‐Equilibrium Conditions: The Evaporating Droplet
Authors: Armao Joseph J. , Lehn Jean‐Marie
Published: September 2016

Non‐volatile solutes in an evaporating drop experience an out‐of‐equilibrium state due to non‐linear concentration effects and complex flow patterns. Here, we demonstrate a small molecule chemical reaction network that undergoes a rapid adaptation response to the out‐of‐equilibrium conditions inside the droplet leading to control over the molecular constitution and spatial arrangement of the deposition pattern. Adaptation results in a pronounced coffee stain effect and coupling to chemical concentration gradients within the drop is demonstrated. Amplification and suppression of network species are readily identifiable with confocal fluorescence microscopy. We anticipate that these observations will contribute to the design and exploration of out‐of‐equilibrium chemical systems, as well as be useful towards the development of point‐of‐care medical diagnostics and controlled deposition of small molecules through inkjet printing.
Carbon nanotubes from renewable feedstocks: A move toward sustainable nanofabrication
Authors: Vivekanandhan Singaravelu , Schreiber Makoto , Muthuramkumar Sankaralingam , Misra Manjusri , Mohanty Amar Kumar
Published: September 2016

A recent development in the manufacturing of carbon nanotubes is the usage of renewable feedstocks as a carbon source. This new development is receiving much support and is a source of excitement among the global research communities due to the positive environmental impacts, reduced carbon footprints, and economic benefits. Various types of renewable feedstocks such as vegetable oils, plant derivatives, and other types of biomasses have been used for the green synthesis of carbon nanotubes by employing conventional fabrication techniques. As the global demand increases for green manufacturing, efforts to synthesize carbon nanotubes from renewable resources are receiving immense attention while also strengthening the concept of biorefinery. This also enables the efficient use of resources as well as improved waste management. The present review summarizes the recent developments and current status of the synthesis of carbon nanotubes using renewable feedstocks along with technical discussions, opportunities for novel precursors, and future directions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44255.
Contextual Spaces Re‐Ranking: accelerating the Re‐sort Ranked Lists step on heterogeneous systems
Authors: Pisani Flávia , Pedronette Daniel C. G. , Torres Ricardo da S. , Borin Edson
Published: September 2016

Re‐ranking algorithms have been proposed to improve the effectiveness of content‐based image retrieval systems by exploiting contextual information encoded in distance measures and ranked lists. In this paper, we show how we improved the efficiency of one of these algorithms, called Contextual Spaces Re‐Ranking (CSRR). One of our approaches consists in parallelizing the algorithm with OpenCL to use the central and graphics processing units of an accelerated processing unit. The other is to modify the algorithm to a version that, when compared with the original CSRR, not only reduces the total running time of our implementations by a median of 1.6 ×  but also increases the accuracy score in most of our test cases. Combining both parallelization and algorithm modification results in a median speedup of 5.4 ×  from the original serial CSRR to the parallelized modified version. Different implementations for CSRR's Re‐sort Ranked Lists step were explored as well, providing insights into graphics processing unit sorting, the performance impact of image descriptors, and the trade‐offs between effectiveness and efficiency. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increasing secret key capacity of OFDM systems: a geometric program approach
Authors: Cheng Longwang , Li Wei , Zhou Li , Zhu Chunsheng , Wei Jibo , Guo Yantao
Published: September 2016

Extracting secret keys from the common randomness of wireless channels has attracted prominent attention recently. Orthogonal frequency‐division multiplexing (OFDM) systems can provide extra randomness in view of the use of multiple subchannels. So far, the secret key capacity of OFDM systems is still an open issue. In this paper, the secret key capacity of OFDM systems based on the subchannel state information is analyzed, and an expression of the secret key capacity is derived under the assumption that the subchannels are independent. To increase the secret key capacity, a power allocation scheme based on geometric program is proposed. Furthermore, an underlying propagation protocol is designed to realize the power allocation scheme. Performance simulations show that the proposed scheme achieves greater secret key capacity in comparison with equal power allocation scheme, especially at low signal‐to‐noise ratio region. Besides, the secret key bits mismatch rate during the secret key generation based on the power allocated subchannels is decreased.
The importance of nonstop treatment after delivery for pregnant women with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Omori Yasue , Yanagisawa Keiko , Sato Asako , Uchigata Yasuko
Published: September 2016

Background

There are no reports of very long follow‐up studies of pregnant women with type 2 diabetes after delivery. Here we describe cases of Japanese women whom we treated for 20 to 50 years after deliveries to investigate the relationship between blood glucose control and diabetic complications.

Methods

In Japan, the prevalence of type 1 diabetes is very low, and we have very few long‐term follow‐up cases with type 1 diabetes. Therefore, we chose to describe subjects with type 2 diabetes only. We present data on a total of 80 deliveries, 68 cases, treated by one of us (Y.O.) for more than a 50‐year period. They are divided into 4 groups based on duration of treatment after delivery: more than 50 years (1 delivery, 1 patient), 40 to 49 years (13 deliveries, 11 patients), 30 to 39 years (19 deliveries, 16 patients), and 20 to 29 years (47 deliveries, 40 patients). Their present average ages in these 4 groups are 77, 72.4, 65.9, and 55.5 years, respectively. Their average HbA1c levels at last visit, in May 2014, are 8.2%, 7.6%.,7.2%, and 8.3%, respectively.

Results

Despite elevated HbA1c levels, they had relatively few complications: 40% (no retinopathy), 43.8% (simple retinopathy), and 12.5% (treated with photocoagulation); 67.5% (no albuminuria), 26.3% (albuminuria), and 6.3% (treated with renal transplantation or hemodialysis).

Therefore, even if glycemic control is not ideal, nonstop treatment of Japanese women for type 2 diabetes after deliveries is effective to prevent diabetic complications.

Conclusions

Long‐term attention to care of diabetes after pregnancy may be preventive of diabetic complications in other populations as well.
RAW 264.7 co‐cultured with ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene particles spontaneously differentiate into osteoclasts: an in vitro model of periprosthetic osteolysis
Authors: Sartori M. , Vincenzi F. , Ravani A. , Cepollaro S. , Martini L. , Varani K. , Fini M. , Tschon M.
Published: September 2016

Wear‐particle osteolysis affects prosthesis survival leading to implant loosening up to 70% of revisions. Therapeutic strategies are increasing, however alternative testing methods to experimentally evaluate such treatments are lacking. The aim of this study was to reproduce an in vitro osteolysis model recapitulating the events that, starting from the exposure of macrophages to polyethylene, lead to the establishment of osteoclastogenesis and inflammation. Responses to polyethylene, at 3 and 7 days, in a macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7, were determined by DNA quantification, immunofluorescence, pit assay, gene expression, cytokine production and NF‐kB activation. Results showed that 3 days exposure to particles could induce a significant production of Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (p < 0.0005) and Prostaglandin E2 (p < 0.005) compared to controls. Particles also induced macrophages to spontaneously differentiate into mature and active osteoclasts, in terms of identification of multinucleated cells by Phalloidin staining and by the analysis of osteoclast‐specific gene markers. In particular, at 3 days polyethylene induced a significant up‐regulation of Nuclear Factor of Activated T‐cells, cytoplasmic 1, Receptor Activator of Nuclear factor Kappa‐B and Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa‐B Ligand genes (p < 0.0005) compared to controls. At protein level, the particles induced a significant increase of Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa‐B Ligand at day 7 over controls (p < 0.0005). Osteoclasts were capable to resorb bone even in absence of differentiating factors. The possible mechanism, beside spontaneous osteoclastogenesis mediated by wear debris, was identified in an autocrine up‐regulation of Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐B ligand gene expression and protein synthesis. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 510–520, 2017.
Efficacy and role of inulin in mitigation of enteric sulfur‐containing odor in pigs
Authors: Deng Yuan‐Fan , Liu Yuan‐Yuan , Zhang Yi‐Tao , Wang Yan , Liang Juan‐Boo , Tufarelli Vincenzo , Laudadio Vito , Liao Xin‐Di
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

The efficacy and role of inulin in the mitigation of enteric sulfur‐containing odor gases hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) in pigs were examined in this study. Twelve Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire male finisher pigs (60.7 ± 1.9 kg), housed individually in open‐circuit respiration chambers, were randomly assigned to two dietary groups, namely basal diet (control) and basal diet supplemented with 1% (w/w) inulin. At the end of the 45 day experiment, pigs were slaughtered and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration, sulfate radical (SO42−) concentration, population of sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) and expression of methionine gamma‐lyase (MGL) gene were determined in contents from the caecum, colon (two segments) and rectum. Metabonomic analysis was used to compare differences in biochemical composition, and the Illumina MiSeq procedure to investigate differences in bacterial components, in the different parts of the large intestine between inulin‐supplemented and inulin‐free (control) groups.

RESULTS

Inulin decreased (P < 0.05) the average daily enteric H2S and CH3SH production by 12.4 and 12.1% respectively. The concentrations of acetate, propionate and butyrate in the large intestinal content were significantly increased (P < 0.05) with inulin treatment, whereas valerate concentration and MGL mRNA expression decreased (P < 0.05). The growth of Lactobacillus, Butyrivibrio, Pseudobutyrivibrio, Bifidobacterium and Clostridium butyricum was stimulated, while that of Desulfovibrio, the dominant SRB, was inhibited, and there was an accumulation of SO42− in the large intestinal content of the inulin‐supplemented pigs, suggesting that inulin mitigates H2S generation from the SO42− reduction pathway by reducing the growth of SRB.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that inulin mitigates CH3SH generation via three methionine degradation metabolic pathways and H2S generation from two cysteine degradation metabolic pathways, thus resulting in increased synthesis of these two sulfur‐containing amino acids in the pig large intestine. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
A meshless method with conforming and nonconforming sub‐domains
Authors: Guo Yong‐Ming , Yagawa Genki
Published: September 2016

An accurate and easy integration technique is desired for the meshless methods of weak form. As is well known, a sub‐domain method is often used in computational mechanics. The conforming sub‐domains, where the sub‐domains are not separated nor overlapped each other, are often used, while the nonconforming sub‐domains could be employed if needed. In the latter cases, the integrations of the sub‐domains may be performed easily by choosing a simple configuration. And then, the meshless method with nonconforming sub‐domains is considered one of the reasonable choices for computational mechanics without the troublesome integration. In this paper, we propose a new sub‐domain meshless method. It is noted that, because the method can employ both the conforming and the nonconforming sub‐domains, the integration for the weak form is necessarily accurate and easy by selecting the nonconforming sub‐domains with simple configuration. The boundary value problems including the Poisson's equation and the Helmholtz's equation are analyzed by using the proposed method. The numerical solutions are compared with the exact solutions and the solutions of the collocation method, showing that the relative errors by using the proposed method are smaller than those by using the collocation method and that the proposed method possesses a good convergence. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robust isophase margin control of oscillatory systems with large uncertainties in their parameters: A fractional‐order control approach
Authors: Feliu‐Batlle V.
Published: September 2016

This paper addresses the problem of designing controllers that are robust to large changes in the undamped natural frequencies of a plant. Plants must be represented by means of minimum phase rational transfer functions of an arbitrary order whose oscillatory dynamics must fulfill the pole‐zero interlacing property on the imaginary axis. The design specifications are as follows: (i) a phase margin for the nominal plant; (ii) a gain crossover frequency for the nominal plant; and (iii) a constant phase margin for large variations in the undamped natural frequencies of the plant, the zeros associated with the oscillatory part of the plant and the gain of the plant. Theorems are proposed that define the structure of the controllers that fulfill these specifications. We show that these robust controllers must necessarily include a fractional‐order integro‐differential term. Analytical simple expressions with which to obtain the simplest controllers that verify the aforementioned specifications are also obtained. Some relevant features of these fractional‐order controllers are later highlighted. Finally, as an example, these controllers are applied to a Buck electronic converter. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dorsalis Pedis Artery-based Flap to Cover Nonhealing Wounds over the Tendo Achillis—A Case Series
Authors: Varun Chandra , Kumar Singh Raj
Published: September 2016

Background/Purpose

Soft tissue necrosis after the repair of a ruptured tendo Achillis is a difficult problem commonly encountered by orthopaedic surgeons. Such wounds are difficult to manage because of the tenuous blood supply and the characteristic anatomical features of the area. Flaps such as the reverse sural flap, medial plantar flap, gastrocnemius flap and free flaps cover such wounds with a good success rate. The aim of our study was to investigate the use of a dorsalis pedis artery (DPA)-based flap to cover a wound over the tendo Achillis insertion area.

Methods

We report a series of 11 patients in whom wounds over the tendo Achillis insertion area were covered with a DPA-based flap. Between 1995 and 2012, 11 patients (nine men and two women), who were referred to us with a nonhealing wound over the tendo Achillis because of soft tissue necrosis after the open repair of a ruptured tendon, were selected for soft tissue coverage of the wound by using a DPA-based flap.

Results

The average follow-up period was 2.4 years (range, 1–6 years). The mean operative time was 1.7 hours (range, 1.5–2.0 hours). At the latest follow-up examination, the flaps had survived in all patients.

Conclusion

A DPA-based flap is a good and relatively less complex procedure to use to cover defects over the tendo Achillis with minimum donor site morbidity.
Enchondroma of the Hand: Result of Surgery Curettage and Grafting and Possible Factors Affecting the Outcome
Authors: Tao Sun Tycus Tse , Fu Keung Ip , Chuen Wong Tak , Yee Leung Priscilla Oi , Yan Chan Jennette Sze
Published: September 2016

A retrospective review for enchondroma in the hand which had undergone operative treatment is presented. Twenty patients were treated operatively over a 10-year period. A total of 70% of the patients presented with pathological fracture. Enchondromas were most commonly located in the little finger (65%) and proximal phalange (60%). Enchondromas presented with pathological fractures and were treated definitively after the fracture had healed, except for one patient with open reduction, internal fixation of fracture, and bone grafting. All 20 patients underwent curettage of the enchondroma. In the same operative occasion, 16 patients received bone grafting, three patients received bone substitutes, and one had received bone cement. Fourteen (70%) of the patients suffered no major postoperative complications. Postoperative stiffness was encountered in seven patients. A secondary operation for relief of postoperative stiffness was performed in three patients. Factors were assessed for their risk of resulting in postoperative stiffness and occurrence of secondary operation. Factors included sex, age, pathological fracture, location of lesion, and preoperative stiffness. Only preoperative stiffness was a statistically significant risk factor contributing to postoperative stiffness and occurrence of a secondary operation.
Associations between social vulnerabilities and dietary patterns in European children: the Identification and prevention of Dietary- and lifestyle-induced health EFfects In Children and infantS (IDEFICS) study
Authors: Iguacel Isabel , Fernández-Alvira Juan M. , Bammann Karin , De Clercq Bart , Eiben Gabriele , Gwozdz Wencke , Molnar Dénes , Pala Valeria , Papoutsou Stalo , Russo Paola , Veidebaum Toomas , Wolters Maike , Börnhorst Claudia , Moreno Luis A.
Published: September 2016

Socio-economic inequalities in childhood can determine dietary patterns, and therefore future health. This study aimed to explore associations between social vulnerabilities and dietary patterns assessed at two time points, and to investigate the association between accumulation of vulnerabilities and dietary patterns. A total of 9301 children aged 2–9 years participated at baseline and 2-year follow-up examinations of the Identification and prevention of Dietary- and lifestyle-induced health EFfects In Children and infantS study. In all, three dietary patterns were identified at baseline and follow-up by applying the K-means clustering algorithm based on a higher frequency of consumption of snacks and fast food (processed), sweet foods and drinks (sweet), and fruits and vegetables (healthy). Vulnerable groups were defined at baseline as follows: children whose parents lacked a social network, children from single-parent families, children of migrant origin and children with unemployed parents. Multinomial mixed models were used to assess the associations between social vulnerabilities and children’s dietary patterns at baseline and follow-up. Children whose parents lacked a social network (OR 1·31; 99 % CI 1·01, 1·70) and migrants (OR 1·45; 99 % CI 1·15, 1·83) were more likely to be in the processed cluster at baseline and follow-up. Children whose parents were homemakers (OR 0·74; 99 % CI 0·60, 0·92) were less likely to be in the processed cluster at baseline. A higher number of vulnerabilities was associated with a higher probability of children being in the processed cluster (OR 1·78; 99 % CI 1·21, 2·62). Therefore, special attention should be paid to children of vulnerable groups as they present unhealthier dietary patterns.
Reproductive patterns of musselPerumytilus purpuratus(Bivalvia: Mytilidae), along the Chilean coast: effects caused by climate change?
Authors: Oyarzún Pablo A. , Toro Jorge E. , Garcés-Vargas José , Alvarado Claudia , Guiñez Ricardo , Jaramillo Roberto , Briones Carolina , Campos Bernardita
Published: September 2016

Reproductive cycles were studied in seven natural populations of the intertidal bivalvePerumytilus purpuratus, distributed in a latitudinal gradient of ~2400 km along the Chilean Pacific coast (20–40°S). The results, both qualitative (gametogenic stages) and quantitative (GSI and GVF), over a period of 24 months, showed that these populations presented asynchrony in the reproductive cycle. Semi-annual cycles in Iquique (20°S), Antofagasta (23°S) and Montemar (32°S), and annual cycles in Caleta Bolfin (23°S), Taltal (25°S), Tumbes (36°S) and Pucatrihue (40°S) (2010–2012) were found. The results indicate that latitude does not have an effect on the development stage, but it does on the spawning date. However, there is a relationship between the reproductive cycles and temperature fluctuations. In addition, there was a significant negative linear correlation between gonadosomatic index and sea surface temperature in the populations studied. The decrease in temperature reduces the rate of development stages and, therefore, increases the reproductive cycles from semi-annual to annual, as evidenced in bivalve samples from Taltal, along a semi-decadal period (2007–2012). From these results, we discuss the likely biological and ecosystem consequences in connection to the effects of climate change in the South Pacific.
Land inequality and deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Sant'anna André Albuquerque
Published: September 2016

This paper investigates the relationship between land concentration and deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. It develops a conceptual framework in which an individual may have three alternatives: to be a farmer in an already established place, to be a rural worker, or to migrate to the agricultural frontier in order to deforest. This model implies that land inequality affects deforestation positively. Based on data from municipalities with positive deforestation from 2002 to 2011, a model has been estimated to test this theoretical prediction. By making use of an instrumental variable, results show that there is statistical evidence to support the existence of a direct relationship between land inequality and deforestation. Results are stronger for the period 2002–2005. This might be due to command and control policies which have significantly increased the cost of clearing land since the mid-2000s.
THE GRADED CENTER OF A TRIANGULATED CATEGORY
Authors: CARLSON JON F. , WEBB PETER
Published: September 2016

With applications in mind to the representations and cohomology of block algebras, we examine elements of the graded center of a triangulated category when the category has a Serre functor. These are natural transformations from the identity functor to powers of the shift functor that commute with the shift functor. We show that such natural transformations that have support in a single shift orbit of indecomposable objects are necessarily of a kind previously constructed by Linckelmann. Under further conditions, when the support is contained in only finitely many shift orbits, sums of transformations of this special kind account for all possibilities. Allowing infinitely many shift orbits in the support, we construct elements of the graded center of the stable module category of a tame group algebra of a kind that cannot occur with wild block algebras. We use functorial methods extensively in the proof, developing some of this theory in the context of triangulated categories.
Narkolepsie im Kindes- und Jugendalter: Symptome, Diagnostik und Therapie. Ein Fallbericht
Authors: Gehrmann Jochen , Siegler Dominik , Ignacy Evelin , Reimer Inga
Published: September 2016

Zusammenfassung. Narkolepsie ist eine seltene, multifaktoriell bedingte Erkrankung des Hypothalamus mit den Leitsymptomen Tagesschläfrigkeit und Kataplexie. (Schlaf-)EEG und HLA-DR-Genotyp sichern die Diagnose. Wir berichten hier über ein 14-jähriges Mädchen mit Ängsten, Depressivität, Schulvermeidung, sozialem Rückzug sowie sehr häufigen imperativen Schlafanfällen tagsüber mit Kataplexie.

Im Kindes- und Jugendalter gibt es gegenwärtig für die Indikation Narkolepsie kein zugelassenes Medikament. Unsere Patientin profitierte signifikant und zügig von einer off-label medikamentösen Therapie mit dem Wirkstoff Methylphenidat in Verbindung mit Psychoedukation, Verhaltens- und Familientherapie.

Narkolepsie ist eine sehr seltene, aber möglicherweise unterschätzte Differentialdiagnose bei unklarer Tagesmüdigkeit und Ängsten bzw. Depressivität im Kindes- und Jugendalter. Die Kern- und komorbiden Symptome sprachen in diesem Fall gut auf eine allerdings höher dosierte Stimulanzientherapie an
White House: National Security Plans Must Consider Climate Risks
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: September 2016

Along with the new policy directive, the administration released a report on how climate changes—from more extreme weather to sea level rise—can threaten national security.