bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laboratory study of mass transfer from diluted bitumen trapped in gravel
Authors: Hossain S. Zubair , Mumford Kevin G. , Rutter Allison
Published: November 2017

Hydrocarbons in diluted bitumen (dilbit) trapped in gravel river beds can dissolve under rate-limited conditions at high hyporheic velocities.
The mechanical scouring of bio-carriers improves phosphorus removal and mediates functional microbiomes in membrane bioreactors
Authors: Xu Ronghua , Zhou Zhongbo , Meng Fangang
Published: November 2017

The mechanical scouring of bio-carriers greatly improved bacterial viability and the abundance of phosphate-accumulating organisms in bulk sludge, and thus largely enhanced P removal.
Ruthenium complex-modified carbon nanodots for lysosome-targeted one- and two-photon imaging and photodynamic therapy
Authors: Zhang Dong-Yang , Zheng Yue , Zhang Hang , He Liang , Tan Cai-Ping , Sun Jing-Hua , Zhang Wei , Peng Xingyun , Zhan Qiuqiang , Ji Liang-Nian , Mao Zong-Wan
Published: November 2017

Nanohybrids can in most cases kill cancer cells more efficiently as compared with free photosensitizers.
h-BN/graphene van der Waals vertical heterostructure: a fully spin-polarized photocurrent generator
Authors: Tao Xixi , Zhang Lei , Zheng Xiaohong , Hao Hua , Wang Xianlong , Song Lingling , Zeng Zhi , Guo Hong
Published: November 2017

A new scheme for generating perfect spin-polarized quantum transport in zigzag-edged graphene nanoribbons is demonstrated by light irradiation on a h-BN/graphene/h-BN van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive nanomedicine for RNAi-based cancer therapy
Authors: Li Yang , Bai Hongzhen , Wang Hebin , Shen Youqing , Tang Guping , Ping Yuan
Published: November 2017

A reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive boronic vehicle with an exterior lipid envelope was developed for systemic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) siRNA delivery. This unique architecture of the delivery vehicle offers enhanced siRNA delivery capability and timely siRNA release at the tumor site.
High temperature thermal management with boron nitride nanosheets
Authors: Wang Yilin , Xu Lisha , Yang Zhi , Xie Hua , Jiang Puqing , Dai Jiaqi , Luo Wei , Yao Yonggang , Hitz Emily , Yang Ronggui , Yang Bao , Hu Liangbing
Published: November 2017

The rapid development of high power density devices requires more efficient heat dissipation.
Structural diversities of squarate-based complexes: photocurrent responses and thermochromic behaviours enchanced by viologens
Authors: Lin Xiao-Yan , Zhao Li-Ming , Wang Dao-Hua , Wang Yu-Kang , Li Min , Li Hao-Hong , Chen Zhi-Rong
Published: November 2017

Six new squarate-based complexes with 3-D networks, 2-D layers and 0-D clusters have been prepared.5and6feature the first examples of incorporating squarate with viologens in one lattice, which exhibit not only photocurrent responses but also reversible thermochromisms.
Selective sorting of metallic/semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube arrays by ‘igniter-assisted gas-phase etching’
Authors: Zhao Qiuchen , Wang Zequn , Tong Lianming , Zheng Zhe , Hu Wenping , Zhang Jin
Published: November 2017

Small molecules are used as “igniters” for the selective sorting of metallic/semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes by a gas phasing etching process.
Understanding the driving force for the molecular recognition of S6-corona[3]arene[3]pyridazine toward organic ammonium cations
Authors: Zhao Meng-Yao , Guo Qing-Hui , Wang Mei-Xiang
Published: November 2017

The molecular recognition of S6-corona[3]arene[3]pyridazine toward variousN-alkyl ammonium cations was systematically studied by means of ITC titration, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography.
Thymoquinone reduces kidney damage in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice fed a high-cholesterol diet
Authors: Pei Zuowei , Zhu Liyue , Liu Yingshu , Li Nan , Yang Guang , Liu Hongyang
Published: November 2017

Hypercholesterolemia is a well-established risk factor for kidney injury that can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Thymoquinone may be a potential therapeutic agent for kidney damage from hypercholesterolemia.
A high performance supercapacitor based on decoration of MoS2/reduced graphene oxide with NiO nanoparticles
Authors: Ghasemi F. , Jalali M. , Abdollahi A. , Mohammadi S. , Sanaee Z. , Mohajerzadeh Sh.
Published: November 2017

GO and MoS2 solution in combination with NiO nanoparticles present a high performance supercapacitor and excellent cycling stability.
Catalpol attenuates oxidative stress and promotes autophagy in TNF-α-exposed HAECs by up-regulating AMPK
Authors: Zhang Yukun , Wang Changyuan , Yang Qining , Jin Yue , Meng Qiang , Liu Qi , Dai Yongguo , Liu Zhihao , Liu Kexin , Sun Huijun
Published: November 2017

Catalpol attenuates oxidative stress and promotes autophagy in TNF-α-exposed HAECs through up-regulating AMPK.
Supramolecular self-assembly of a polyelectrolyte chain based on step-growth polymerization of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers
Authors: Sun Li , Ma Shang , Wang Chen , Chi Yongmei , Dong Jian
Published: November 2017

Polymerization of citric acid and hexamethylene diisocyanate and hydrolysis results in a polyelectrolyte PHMC. Noncovalent cross-linking of cooperative H-bonding units stabilizes the self-assembly of the PHMC chains into nanoparticles in water.
Double-stranded DNA-scaffolded fluorescent probes for fluorescence imaging of cell-surface molecules
Authors: Liu Zhanghua , Liu Yang , Sun Yanan , Chen Guo , Chen Yong
Published: November 2017

Double-stranded DNA-scaffolded fluorescent probes were developed for fluorescence imaging of molecules on cell surfaces.
Polarity-extended quantitative analysis of bear bile and its analogues using serially coupled reversed phase-hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-tailored multiple reaction monitoring
Authors: Song Qingqing , Liu Wenjing , Yan Yu , Li Peng , Li Jun , Tu Pengfei , Wang Yitao , Song Yuelin
Published: November 2017

Polarity-extended quantitative analysis of bear bile and its analogues was achieved using serially coupled reversed phase-hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-tailored multiple reaction monitoring.
Characterization of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases responsible for glucuronidation and inhibition of norbakuchinic acid, a primary metabolite of hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity component bakuchiol inPsoralea corylifolia L.
Authors: Yao Zhihong , Li Shishi , Qin Zifei , Hong Xiaodan , Dai Yi , Wu Baojian , Ye Wencai , Gonzalez Frank J. , Yao Xinsheng
Published: November 2017

Norbakuchinic acid (NBKA) is the most abundant metabolite of bakuchiol (a hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity component inPsoralea corylifoliaL.) in plasma and urine.
A silver nanowire mesh overcoated protection layer with graphene oxide as a transparent electrode for flexible organic solar cells
Authors: Wang Byung-Yong , Lee Eung-Seok , Oh Young-Jei , Kang Hyun Wook
Published: November 2017

AgNW mesh protected by graphene oxide (GO) is fabricated for flexible organic solar cells. GO/AgNW mesh induces intense light scattering due to surface plasmon effect and improves organic solar cell performance by enhancing light trapping effect.
Transparent conducting oxide- and Pt-free flexible photo-rechargeable electric energy storage systems
Authors: Zhang Fayin , Li Weifeng , Xu Zijie , Ye Meidan , Guo Wenxi , Xu Hongyao , Liu Xiangyang
Published: November 2017

A highly flexible, transparent conducting oxide- and Pt-free photo-rechargeable electric energy storage system is demonstrated by integrating DSSC and SC face-to-face on double-sided uniformly aligned TiO2 nanotube arrays.
Reversible-deactivation anionic alternating ring-opening copolymerization of epoxides and cyclic anhydrides: access to orthogonally functionalizable multiblock aliphatic polyesters
Authors: Sanford Maria J. , Van Zee Nathan J. , Coates Geoffrey W.
Published: November 2017

A versatile catalyst system for the synthesis of narrow dispersity polyesters from readily available epoxides and anhydrides is reported.
Topographical impact of silver nanolines on the morphology of neuronal SH-SY5Y Cells
Authors: Nissan Ifat , Schori Hadas , Kumar Vijay Bhooshan , Passig Merav Antman , Shefi Orit , Gedanken Aharon
Published: November 2017

An extracellular environment is critical in neuronal development and growth.
Immobilization of an antimicrobial peptide on silicon surface with stable activity by click chemistry
Authors: He Jingcai , Chen Junjian , Hu Guansong , Wang Lin , Zheng Jian , Zhan Jiezhao , Zhu Yuchen , Zhong Chunting , Shi Xuetao , Liu Sa , Wang Yingjun , Ren Li
Published: November 2017

We click an antimicrobial peptide onto a silicon substrate to protect it from enzymolysis using a polySBMA spacer.
Enhancing the thermoelectric performance of CexBi2S3 by optimizing the carrier concentration combined with band engineering
Authors: Pei Jun , Zhang Li-Juan , Zhang Bo-Ping , Shang Peng-Peng , Liu Yao-Chun
Published: November 2017

Bi2S3 is a promising low-cost thermoelectric material, but effective chemical modification is needed for its performance enhancement. Ce is an effective n-type doping element for Bi2S3 based materials owing to optimized carrier concentration and band engineering.
Two dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (2D-hBN): synthesis, properties and applications
Authors: Zhang Kailiang , Feng Yulin , Wang Fang , Yang Zhengchun , Wang John
Published: November 2017

Comprehensive summary of the progress including crystal structures, fabrication methods, applications (especially for electronics) and functionalization of 2D-hBN from its discovery.
Compact satellite antenna module for GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou and SDARS in automotive application
Authors: Goncharova Iuliia , Lindenmeier Stefan
Published: November 2017

A new design concept of a compact satellite antenna module for automotive application is presented, enabling mobile reception of all common Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), e.g. GPS in L1 and L2 bands, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou, as well as reception of Satellite Digital Audio Radio Services (SDARS). The design concept is based on the combination of a dual‐band ring structure for GNSS with a single‐band ring structure for SDARS which allows easy fabrication in combination with high reception properties. The performance of the antenna module and its fulfilment of the requirements of car manufacturers and service providers is proven by simulated and measured results, showing the high realised gain for circular polarisation, efficiency, matching and decoupling against terrestrial interferers.
Hierarchical control strategy based on bidding mechanism in active distribution network
Authors: Zhou Jiawei , Yue Bingxing , Wu Jinrong , Huang Hua , Wang Chunliu
Published: November 2017

With the penetration of intermittent energy rising and controllable objects increasing in active distribution network (ADN), centralised control is difficult to guarantee the optimally real‐time status of the grid and distributed control cannot consider all controllable objects together. Therefore, hierarchical control architecture is proposed. This paper divides ADN into some regions and focuses on regions' cooperative control strategy. Based on the global optimisation result, regions optimise with each other in short‐time scales. According to the indicator of feeder control error, the control mechanism that reacts to real‐time power fluctuation is established. Further, this paper puts forward ADN region cooperative control strategy based on bidding mechanism. Communication mechanism based on blackboard system is used to avoid complex communication networks. The effectiveness and validity of ADN region cooperative control strategy is verified by the simulation of study case.
Wind speed optimisation method of numerical prediction for wind farm based on Kalman filter method
Authors: Hua Shenbing , Wang Shu , Jin Shuanglong , Feng Shuanglei , Wang Bo
Published: November 2017

In recent years, with the rapid increase of wind turbine install, the volatility and randomness of wind speed restrict the development of wind power industry. The uncertainty of wind speed forecast has the mainly impact on wind power prediction. The subject of this manuscript is to study the impact of wind speed prediction on wind power prediction. Firstly, The authors compare the observed wind speed in one wind farm with the forecasted wind speed using the 3 km × 3 km Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model. Then the revised is conducted based on Kalman filter theory. In the revised process, the special and temporal impact of observed wind speed on target wind farm is considered and the reasonable predictive factor matrix is built to lower the systematic and random error. The wind speed data at heights of 10, 30, 50, and 70 m are processed using this revised approach, respectively. It turns out that the correlation coefficient between the wind speed forecast and observation has been raised from 0.48 and 0.47 (no revision) to 0.88 and 0.89 (after revision). The RMSE of wind speed has been decreasing from 3.98 and 4.20 to 1.72 and 1.60 m/s. The accuracy of wind speed forecast has been improved.
Optimised design of DC‐side smoothing reactors in meshed multi‐terminal HVDC systems based on symmetrical bipolar modular multilevel converter
Authors: Li Chengzhu , Lin Lei , He Zhen , Xu Chen
Published: November 2017

Compared with the radial modular multilevel converter multi‐terminal direct current (MMC‐MTDC) system, the meshed system is with higher power supply reliability and flexibility. However, its vulnerability against DC fault is a significant issue. When a DC fault occurs, the DC‐side smoothing reactor will limit rising rate of the fast‐developing fault current, and then DC current breakers can isolate the fault. This paper proposes a method to optimise the design of smoothing reactors in meshed MTDC system. Firstly, fault characteristics of fault currents and the whole system based on different smoothing reactors are proposed through theoretical analysis. Then, the simplified calculation steps of fault currents at each point in the meshed system are introduced. Thus, the range of the optimal smoothing reactor can be deduced through comparing the rising rates of each current based on the expected post‐fault system states. Finally, the simulation model based on PSCAD/EMTDC is carried out to prove the correctness of the proposed method, and visually shows the distinct operating states of the system with different smoothing reactor at fault time.
Variability of extragalactic sources: its contribution to the link between ICRF and the futureGaiaCelestial Reference Frame
Authors: Taris F. , Damljanovic G. , Andrei A. , Souchay J. , Klotz A. , Vachier F.
Published: November 2017

Context.The first release of theGaiacatalog is available since 14 September 2016. It is a first step in the realization of the futureGaiareference frame. This reference frame will be materialized by the optical positions of the sources and will be compared with and linked to the International Celestial Reference Frame, materialized by the radio position of extragalactic sources.Aim.As in the radio domain, it can be reasonably postulated that quasar optical flux variations can alert us to potential changes in the source structure. These changes could have important implications for the position of the target photocenters (together with the evolution in time of these centers) and in parallel have consequences for the link of the reference systems.

Methods.A set of nine optical telescopes was used to monitor the magnitude variations, often at the same time asGaia, thanks to theGaiaObservation Forecast Tool. The Allan variances, which are statistical tools widely used in the atomic time and frequency community, are introduced.

Results.This work describes the magnitude variations of 47 targets that are suitable for the link between reference systems. We also report on some implications for theGaiacatalog. For 95% of the observed targets, new information about their variability is reported. In the case of some targets that are well observed by the TAROT telescopes, the Allan time variance shows that the longest averaging period of the magnitudes is in the range 20−70 d. The observation period byGaiafor a single target largely exceeds these values, which might be a problem when the magnitude variations exhibit flicker or random walk noises. Preliminary computations show that if the coordinates of the targets studied in this paper were affected by a white-phase noise with a formal uncertainty of about 1 mas (due to astrophysical processes that are put in evidence by the magnitude variations of the sources), it would affect the precision of the link at the level of 50μas.
Bedeutung der Abdomen-Sonografie zur Infektfokussuche in der Notaufnahme
Authors: Werkmeister Barbara , Langgartner Julia , Schacherer Doris , Mohr Arno
Published: November 2017

Einleitung Ein sehr großer Anteil von Patienten, die sich in zentralen Notaufnahmen vorstellen, haben einen unklaren Infekt bzw. Fieber. Sofern eine apparative Diagnostik notwendig ist, bietet sich die Sonografie an. Ob die Sonografie, gerade auch mit Rücksicht auf die in den letzten Jahren deutlich verbesserte Technik, Anamnese und klinischer Untersuchung überlegen ist und damit auch bei fehlender abdomineller Symptomatik, insbesondere bei Patienten mit nicht-offensichtlichem Fokus zur Identifikation desselbigen heranzuziehen ist, kann durch Literaturrecherche alleine nicht beantwortet werden.

Ziel dieser Untersuchung war es, die Bedeutung der Sonografie zur abdominellen Infektfokussuche zu evaluieren und zu untersuchen, ob auf eine Sonografie des Abdomens zur Infektfokussuche, bei fehlendem Hinweis auf abdominellen Fokus aus Anamnese und klinischer Untersuchung, verzichtet werden kann.

Methode Es erfolgt eine retrospektive Auswertung aller Patienten, die sich von 4/2013 – 7/2013 in der Zentralen Notaufnahme der Universitätsklinik Regensburg vorgestellt haben und eine Sonografie erhalten haben. In 500 Fällen bezog sich die Fragestellung der Ultraschallanforderung auf eine abdominelle Infektfokussuche. Diese Fälle wurden herausgegriffen und bezüglich eines Hinweises auf einen abdominellen Fokus in der Anamnese und der klinischen Untersuchung evaluiert. Weiter wurden der sonografische Befund selbst, die letztlich gestellte Diagnose, so wie klinische Parameter wie z. B. Infektionszeichen (Laborwerte, Fieber) der Patienten anhand der Patientenakte und des Arztbriefes retrospektiv ausgewertet.

Ergebnis Bei 208 (41,6 %) der 500 untersuchten Fälle fand sich nach Angaben des Arztbriefes ein abdomineller Infektfokus. Bei wiederum 122 (59,0 %) dieser Patienten konnte mittels abdominellem Ultraschall der Infektfokus korrekt nachgewiesen werden. Bei 206 (99,0 %) Patienten konnte bereits in der Anamnese und bei 152 (73,1 %) Patienten konnte in der klinischen Untersuchung ein Hinweis auf einen abdominellen Fokus erhoben werden. In der Subgruppenanalyse von 38 immunsupprimierten Patienten konnte bei 25 Patienten (65,8 %) ein abdomineller Fokus mittels Ultraschall ermittelt werden. Bei Patienten mit negativer Anamnese und gleichzeitig unauffälliger klinischer Untersuchung ergab sich in keinem einzigen Fall (23 Untersuchungen) ein abdomineller Infektfokus in der Sonografie des Abdomens.

Diskussion Bei Patienten, die weder anamnestisch (d. h. vollständige Anamnese möglich) noch klinisch (Klinik beurteilbar, d. h. v. a. keine Immunsuppression) Anhaltspunkte für einen abdominellen Fokus aufweisen, kann auf eine notfallmäßige Sonografie des Abdomens zur Infektfokussuche verzichtet werden.
Bericht aus der Praxis – „Soft Skills“ zur ­Verbesserung der Qualität in Krankenhäusern
Authors: Langhold Andrea
Published: November 2017

Das Auftreten von Konflikten hat in den letzten Jahren in Krankenhäusern merklich zugenommen. Dabei spielt die Ökonomisierung im
Gesundheitswesen eine wesentliche Rolle. Der Mangel an finanziellen und personellen Ressourcen löst in den Krankenhäusern gewaltige
Veränderungsprozesse aus. Neben internen Veränderungen zur Optimierung sind Veränderungen in der Organisationsform, bedingt durch
Trägerwechsel und Privatisierung an der Tagesordnung. Doch man kann lernen, Positives aus Konfliktsituationen zu ziehen!
Medizinischer Pluralismus – was wir aus der Geschichte lernen können
Authors: Jütte Robert
Published: November 2017

Wenn jemand vor dem Beginn des Zeitalters der modernen Medizin krank wurde, konnte er unter einem großen Angebot unterschiedlichster Therapeuten wählen. Zu jener Zeit dominierten die approbierten Heiler noch nicht den medizinischen Markt, wenngleich es schon eine Tendenz zur Monopolisierung, die vom Staat begünstigt wurde, gab. Als am Ende des 18. Jahrhunderts Samuel Hahnemann seine neue Heilkunst, die er spä­ter Homöopathie nannte, propagierte, führte das zu einem Bruch in der Ärzteschaft, der noch heute zu spüren ist. Die Homöopathie und nicht eine andere CAM-Therapie bildet nämlich den Lackmustest für den medizinischen Pluralismus.
Tertiärprävention nach Krebs
Authors: Schilling Georgia
Published: November 2017

Moderne multimodale Therapieverfahren ermöglichen heute vielen Krebspatienten auch in der metastasierten Situation ein Langzeitüberleben, d.
h. ein Überleben 5 Jahre nach Diagnosestellung. In dieser Zeit nach der Erkrankung können die Patienten durch Lebensstilveränderungen viel
selbst dazu beitragen, dass Zweitkrebserkrankungen oder andere Komorbiditäten, Rezidive oder Langzeitnebenwirkungen verringert bzw.
verhindert werden. Leider hat sich aber am Gesundheitsverhalten der ehemaligen Krebspatienten im Sinne von Tertiärprävention (gesundes
Essen, Gewichtsreduktion, Nikotinabstinenz, körperliche Aktivität) in den letzten Jahren kaum etwas verändert. Es muss also unsere Aufgabe
sein, die Patienten nachhaltig und niederschwellig mit entsprechenden Programmen über die stationären Rehabilitationsmaßnahmen hinaus zu
unterstützen und sie zu einem entsprechenden Gesundheitsverhalten immer wieder aufs Neue zu motivieren.
Local structural determination of N at SiO2/SiC(0001¯) interfaces by photoelectron diffraction
Authors: Mori Daisuke , Oyama Yoshiki , Hirose Takayuki , Muro Takayuki , Matsui Fumihiko
Published: November 2017

Nitridation effectively reduces the density of defects and improves the performance of SiC metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors. Photoelectron spectroscopy and diffraction can characterize the amorphous SiO2/SiC(0001¯) interface with nitridation treatment by oxidation in a N2O-containing atmosphere. The N 1s spectra indicate that N covers about 1/3 of the monolayer, and the N atoms are bonded to the Si atoms. Forward focusing peaks (FFPs) appear in the photoelectron diffraction patterns in the direction of the surrounding atoms around the excited atom. The similarity between the sixfold symmetric N 1s FFP pattern and the C 1s pattern strongly suggests that the majority of N atoms are located at C sites in the topmost layer of the 4H-SiC substrate where N bonds to three Si atoms. The local strains of the atomic arrangement around the N atoms are quantitatively evaluated by analyzing the FFP patterns corresponding to the third-nearest neighbor Si atoms.
Priorities for enhancing the ex situ conservation and use of Australian crop wild relatives
Authors: Norton Sally L. , Khoury Colin K. , Sosa Chrystian C. , Castañeda-Álvarez Nora P. , Achicanoy Harold A. , Sotelo Steven
Published: November 2017

Crop wild relatives – the wild cousins of cultivated plants – are increasingly recognised for their potential to contribute to the productivity, nutritional quality and sustainability of agricultural crops. However, the use of these genetic resources is dependent upon their conservation in genebanks and consequent availability to plant breeders, the status of which has not been comprehensively analysed in Australia. Such conservation assessments are given urgency by reports of increasing threats to natural populations due to habitat destruction, climate change, and invasive species, among other causes. Here we document Australian wild plants related to important food crops, and outline their priorities for ex situ conservation. Given that no major domesticated food plants originated in the country, Australia’s native flora of crop wild relatives is surprisingly rich, including potentially valuable cousins of banana, eggplant, melon, mung bean, pigeonpea, rice, sorghum, sweetpotato, soybean and yam. Species richness of the wild relatives of major food crops is concentrated in the northern and north-eastern tropical regions, in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and Queensland. Geographic priorities for collecting of these taxa for ex situ conservation, due to the limited representation of their populations in genebanks, largely align with areas of high species richness. Proposed dam building and agricultural expansion in northern Australia make conservation action for these species more urgent. We outline key steps needed for enhancing the ex situ conservation of Australia’s heritage of major food crop wild relatives, and discuss the critical activities required to increase their use.
On translatability from the perspective of Wittgensteinian prototype: translations of “Dao” as exemplars
Authors: Yang Bingjun
Published: November 2017

TranslatingDaodejingis quite intricate and prompts much thinking in translation studies. In order to inquire whether translatability is possible and how we should judge what might be a good translation, we explore the issue of translatability from the perspective of Wittgensteinian prototype. Within this perspective, translatability is seen as a category bearing four features: abstractness, integrability, priority, and expansibility. These features not only posit translatability onto a different stage, but also help adequately explain such phenomena as “Dao” in translation. The abstractness suggests that translatability as a category is more than possible. By integrability, it means the translation of a text usually integrates characteristic elements of possible interpretations and understandings. An exemplar which bears many shared features is usually perceived with priority by readers as the good translation. The degree of translatability can be expanded when new translations join in.
Reception and Recomposition in the Polyphonic Conductus cum caudis: The Metz Fragment
Authors: Everist Mark
Published: November 2017

A membrane fragment in the Bibliothèque da la Ville de Metz (réserve précieux, MS 732bis/20) contains parts of four works (Premii dilatio, Ego reus confiteor, Sursum corda and one as yet unidentified composition), of which three are known from the Florence manuscript (Biblioteca Medicea-Laurenziana, MS Pluteo 29.1). The notation, decoration and handwriting of the fragment suggest that the manuscript from which they were taken dates from c.1300. The notation of the fragment clearly distinguishes between longae and breves in passages cum littera; in sine littera sections, the graphic presentation of ligatures reveals attempts to reflect changing concepts of notational precision from the last quarter of the thirteenth century. The Metz fragment is therefore analogous with other late thirteenth-century redactions of conducti. Although all four compositions in the Metz fragment are in three parts, concordances for two of the works from earlier thirteenth-century sources are in two parts only. While normal practice in the late thirteenth-century transmission of the conductus was to strip away voices, the versions of Ego reus confiteor and Sursum corda in the Metz fragment added a new third part to a two-part original. Such a practice was more typical of the motet repertory, and in this as well as its use of mensural notation the Metz fragment shows how the conductus was beginning to approach the compositional priorities of the motet c.1300.
BioSeq-Analysis: a platform for DNA, RNA and protein sequence analysis based on machine learning approaches
Authors: Liu Bin
Published: November 2017

With the avalanche of biological sequences generated in the post-genomic age, one of the most challenging problems is how to computationally analyze their structures and functions. Machine learning techniques are playing key roles in this field. Typically, predictors based on machine learning techniques contain three main steps: feature extraction, predictor construction and performance evaluation. Although several Web servers and stand-alone tools have been developed to facilitate the biological sequence analysis, they only focus on individual step. In this regard, in this study a powerful Web server called BioSeq-Analysis (http://bioinformatics.hitsz.edu.cn/BioSeq-Analysis/) has been proposed to automatically complete the three main steps for constructing a predictor. The user only needs to upload the benchmark data set. BioSeq-Analysis can generate the optimized predictor based on the benchmark data set, and the performance measures can be reported as well. Furthermore, to maximize user’s convenience, its stand-alone program was also released, which can be downloaded from http://bioinformatics.hitsz.edu.cn/BioSeq-Analysis/download/, and can be directly run on Windows, Linux and UNIX. Applied to three sequence analysis tasks, experimental results showed that the predictors generated by BioSeq-Analysis even outperformed some state-of-the-art methods. It is anticipated that BioSeq-Analysis will become a useful tool for biological sequence analysis.
Modeling positional effects of regulatory sequences with spline transformations increases prediction accuracy of deep neural networks
Authors: Avsec Žiga , Barekatain Mohammadamin , Cheng Jun , Gagneur Julien
Published: November 2017

Motivation

Regulatory sequences are not solely defined by their nucleic acid sequence but also by their relative distances to genomic landmarks such as transcription start site, exon boundaries or polyadenylation site. Deep learning has become the approach of choice for modeling regulatory sequences because of its strength to learn complex sequence features. However, modeling relative distances to genomic landmarks in deep neural networks has not been addressed.

Results

Here we developed spline transformation, a neural network module based on splines to flexibly and robustly model distances. Modeling distances to various genomic landmarks with spline transformations significantly increased state-of-the-art prediction accuracy of in vivo RNA-binding protein binding sites for 120 out of 123 proteins. We also developed a deep neural network for human splice branchpoint based on spline transformations that outperformed the current best, already distance-based, machine learning model. Compared to piecewise linear transformation, as obtained by composition of rectified linear units, spline transformation yields higher prediction accuracy as well as faster and more robust training. As spline transformation can be applied to further quantities beyond distances, such as methylation or conservation, we foresee it as a versatile component in the genomics deep learning toolbox.

Availability and implementation

Spline transformation is implemented as a Keras layer in the CONCISE python package: https://github.com/gagneurlab/concise. Analysis code is available at https://github.com/gagneurlab/Manuscript_Avsec_Bioinformatics_2017.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Meox1 accelerates myocardial hypertrophic decompensation through Gata4
Authors: Lu Dan , Wang Jizheng , Li Jing , Guan Feifei , Zhang Xu , Dong Wei , Liu Ning , Gao Shan , Zhang Lianfeng
Published: November 2017

Aims

Pathological hypertrophy is the result of gene network regulation, which ultimately leads to adverse cardiac remodelling and heart failure (HF) and is accompanied by the reactivation of a ‘foetal gene programme’. The Mesenchyme homeobox 1 (Meox1) gene is one of the foetal programme genes. Meox1 may play a role in embryonic development, but its regulation of pathological hypertrophy is not known. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of Meox1 on pathological hypertrophy, including familial and pressure overload-induced hypertrophy, and its potential mechanism of action.

Methods and results

Meox1 expression was markedly down-regulated in the wild-type adult mouse heart with age, and expression was up-regulated in heart tissues from familial dilated cardiomyopathy (FDCM) mice of the cTnTR141W strain, familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHCM) mice of the cTnTR92Q strain, pressure overload-induced HF mice, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients. Echocardiography, histopathology, and hypertrophic molecular markers consistently demonstrated that Meox1 overexpression exacerbated the phenotypes in FHCM and in mice with thoracic aorta constriction (TAC), and that Meox1 knockdown improved the pathological changes. Gata4 was identified as a potential downstream target of Meox1 using digital gene expression (DGE) profiling, real-time PCR, and bioinformatics analysis. Promoter activity data and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and Gata4 knockdown analyses indicated that Meox1 acted via activation of Gata4 transcription.

Conclusion

Meox1 accelerated decompensation via the downstream target Gata4, at least in part directly. Meox1 and other foetal programme genes form a highly interconnected network, which offers multiple therapeutic entry points to dampen the aberrant expression of foetal genes and pathological hypertrophy.
Trends in Kindergarten Rates of Vaccine Exemption and State-Level Policy, 2011–2016
Authors: Omer Saad B , Porter Rachael M , Allen Kristen , Salmon Daniel A , Bednarczyk Robert A
Published: November 2017

Background

Kindergarten-entry vaccination requirements have played an important role in controlling vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States. Forty-eight states and the District of Colombia offer nonmedical exemptions to vaccines, ranging in stringency.

Methods

We analyzed state-level exemption data from 2011 to 2012 through 2015 to 2016 school years. States were categorized by exemption ease and type of exemption allowed. We calculated nonmedical exemption rates for each year in the sample and stratified by exemption ease, type, and 2 trend categories: 2011–12 through 2012–13 and 2013–14 through 2015–16 school years. Using generalized estimating equations, we created regression models estimating (1) the average annual change in nonmedical exemption rates and (2) relative differences in rates by state classification.

Results

The nonmedical exemption rate was higher during the 2013–2014 through 2015–2016 period (2.25%) compared to 2011–2012 through 2012–2013 (1.75%); more importantly, the average annual change in the latter period plateaued. The nonmedical exemption rate in states allowing philosophical and religious exemptions was 2.41 times as high as in states allowing only religious exemptions (incidence rate ratio = 2.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.71–3.41).

Conclusions

There was an increase in nonmedical exemption rates through the 2012–2013 school year; however, rates stabilized through the 2015–2016 school year, showing an important shift in trend.
Evidence-Based Evaluation of Practice and Innovation in Physical Therapy Using the IDEAL-Physio Framework
Authors: Beard David , Hamilton David , Davies Loretta , Cook Jonathan , Hirst Allison , McCulloch Peter , Paez Arsenio
Published: November 2017

The IDEAL framework is an established method for initial and ongoing evaluations of innovation and practice for complex health care interventions. First derived for surgical sciences and embedded at a global level for evaluating surgery/surgical devices, the IDEAL framework is based on the principle that innovation and evaluation in clinical practice can, and should, evolve together in an ordered manner: from conception to development and then to validation by appropriate clinical studies and, finally, longer-term follow-up. This framework is highly suited to other complex, nonpharmacological interventions, such as physical therapist interventions. This perspective outlines the application of IDEAL to physical therapy in the new IDEAL-Physio framework. The IDEAL-Physio framework comprises 5 stages. In stage 1, the idea phase, formal data collection should begin. Stage 2a is the phase for iterative improvement and adjustment with thorough data recording. Stage 2b involves the onset of formal evaluation using systematically collected group or cohort data. Stage 3 is the phase for formal comparative assessment of treatment, usually involving randomized studies. Stage 4 involves long-term follow-up. The IDEAL-Physio framework is recommended as a method for guiding and evaluating both innovation and practice in physical therapy, with the overall goal of providing better evidence-based care.
Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial of Letrozole Versus Clomiphenecitrate in Subfertile Women With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Authors: Amer S. A. , Smith J. , Mahran A. , Fox P. , Fakis A.
Published: November 2017

(Abstracted from Hum Reprod 2017;32:1631–1638)

For several decades, the standard first-line ovulation induction (OI) agent for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has been clomiphene citrate (CC). In a number of studies, this agent achieved ovulation rates of approximately 85% and pregnancy rates of 35% to 40%.
Medical Trainees’ Experiences of Treating People With Chronic Pain: A Lost Opportunity for Medical Education
Authors: Rice Kathleen , Ryu Jae Eun , Whitehead Cynthia , Katz Joel , Webster Fiona
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Evidence suggests that physicians’ opinions about patients with chronic pain become progressively negative over the course of medical training, leading to decline in empathy for these patients. Few qualitative studies have focused on this issue, and thus the experiences shaping this process remain unexplored. This study addressed how medical trainees learn about chronic pain management through informal and formal curricula.

Method

This study adopted a constructive qualitative approach informed by the theoretical lens of the hidden curriculum. Thirteen open-ended interviews were conducted with medical students and residents at various training stages; interviewees had experience treating patients with chronic pain, shadowing the care of these patients, or both. Interviews elicited information about stage of medical training, general descriptions of work, and concrete experiences of managing patients with chronic pain. All interviews were collected in Toronto between June and August 2015.

Results

Most interviewees described the management of chronic pain as challenging and unrewarding and attributed this at least in part to their perception that pain was subjective. Trainees also recounted that their inability to cure chronic pain left them confused about how to provide care, and voiced a perception that preceptors seemed to view these patients as having little educational value.

Conclusions

Specifically because chronic pain is subjective and incurable, listening and communication become crucial for patient care. Instead of sheltering trainees, medical educators should be offered the opportunity to reflect on the skills that are required to provide patient-centered care for this population. This approach has the potential to greatly benefit both trainees and patients.
Goals and Objectives to Optimize the Value of an Acute Pain Service in Perioperative Pain Management
Authors: Le-Wendling Linda , Glick Wesley , Tighe Patrick
Published: November 2017

As newer pharmacologic and procedural interventions, technology, and data on outcomes in pain management are becoming available, effective acute pain management will require a dedicated Acute Pain Service (APS) to help determine the most optimal pain management plan for the patients. Goals for pain management must take into consideration the side effect profile of drugs and potential complications of procedural interventions. Multiple objective optimization is the combination of multiple different objectives for acute pain management. Simple use of opioids, for example, can reduce all pain to minimal levels, but at what cost to the patient, the medical system, and to public health as a whole? Many models for APS exist based on personnel’s skills, knowledge, and experience, but effective use of an APS will also require allocation of time, space, financial, and personnel resources with clear objectives and a feedback mechanism to guide changes to acute pain medicine practices to meet the constantly evolving medical field. Physician-based practices have the advantage of developing protocols for the management of low-variability, high-occurrence scenarios in addition to tailoring care to individual patients with high-variability, low-occurrence scenarios. Frequent feedback and data collection/assessment on patient outcomes is essential in evaluating the efficacy of the APS’s intervention in improving patient outcomes in the acute and perioperative setting.
Rational Use and Pitfalls of Regional Anesthesia for Orthopedic Surgery
Authors: Boezaart André P. , Wright Thomas W.
Published: November 2017

Surgeons often are reluctant to support the use of regional anesthesia for orthopedic surgery. This is because of the perceived “slowing down” of the surgical process, our poor understanding of conditions such as acute compartment syndrome, an alleged block failure rate, especially secondary block failure (all addressed elsewhere in this Symposium), and the perceived (or real) potential of added morbidity caused by regional anesthesia. This reluctance of surgeons, especially toward continuous nerve blocks, is furthered even more by the common perception that patients call their surgeons, not their anesthesiologists, postoperatively when a block is not working. The potential for added morbidity and surgeon reluctance toward its use can only be minimized by performing the appropriate block for the appropriate surgery when properly indicated with the correct equipment and technique, while avoiding situations prone to causing morbidity. This article discusses in some detail when it is appropriate to perform blocks, but perhaps more important, when not to perform blocks, and how to carefully calculate the risks and benefits so the latter outweigh the former.
Endocrine therapy in ovarian cancer: where do we stand?
Authors: Paleari Laura , DeCensi Andrea
Published: November 2017

Purpose of review

Hormonal factors play a pivotal role in epithelial ovarian tumorigenesis and steroid receptor expression has been associated with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) response and survival in recent studies. However, the degree of activity of endocrine therapy overall and by specific agents remains unclear. The purpose of this work is to summarize the evidence provided by the recent literature on the effectiveness of endocrine treatment for advanced EOC.

Recent findings

The results of 53 trials of different endocrine therapies in EOC indicate a clinical benefit of 41% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.34–0.48], with a trend for a higher benefit in those with estrogen receptor (ER) + and/or progesteron receptor (PgR) + tumors. Moreover, the odd ratio for death showed a reduced mortality with endocrine regimens (0.69, 95% CI, 0.50–0.97), with a propensity for a better outcome in first-line and low-grade tumors.

We suggest that ER and PgR have a predictive role and their inhibition by endocrine therapy may be a treatment option for EOC. Randomized clinical trials in the first-line treatment of advanced hormone receptor positive EOC are warranted given the potential cost effectiveness of this approach.
Open Cancellous Bone Grafting for Recalcitrant Palatal Fistula: Repurposing the Papineau Technique
Authors: Parwal Chirayu , Pandey Anurag , Saha Shiv S. , Kumar Vivek , Choudhary Lalit , Somani Nakul , Arneja Jugpal S.
Published: November 2017

Cleft palate fistula is defined as a breakdown in the primary surgical repair of the palate resulting in oronasal communication, which can create symptomatic regurgitation for fluids/solids and affect speech, manifested by airflow escape during phonation. With the reported postoperative occurrence rate of 33–37% postfistula repair, it remains a challenging problem. The primary aim of this study was to describe our experience in the management of 7 consecutive cases of recalcitrant palatal fistula, all secondary to primary cleft palate repair. Pure cancellous bone graft was harvested in a standard fashion in sufficient quantity based on size of fistula from the iliac crest and was morselized and was kept mixed with the patient’s blood. After flap turnover for nasal closure, the graft was packed over the raw surface on the oral aspect and was secured by placing an oxidized regenerated cellulose sheet fixed to the surrounding mucosa. As per the Papineau technique, no oral closure was performed. Six-month follow-up showed complete epithelization of the oral raw surface in 6 of the 7 patients. In the diverse spectra of cleft surgeries, management of recalcitrant cleft palate fistula remains a surgical challenge. Repurposing Papineau’s concept of open cancellous bone grafting in cleft palate fistula is a novel attempt with a sound scientific basis. In our experience, this technique has proved to be very effective in managing recalcitrant palatal fistulae.
Pediatric avulsion fractures of pelvis: current concepts
Authors: Ghanem Ismat B. , Rizkallah Maroun
Published: November 2017

Purpose of review

Provide the reader with an evidence-based update on the importance of accurate diagnosis of commonly missed avulsion fractures of pelvis apophyses, the necessary imaging studies, the feared complications and the recent treatment recommendations.

Recent findings

Accurate diagnosis of avulsion fractures of pelvis apophyses is high yield as misdiagnosis leads to improper treatment. They should be differentiated from muscle strain and apophysitis. These fractures are usually associated with good outcomes; however, missed diagnosis can lead to further displacement, nonunion, functional limitation, femoroacetabular impingement and infection. A/P and frog lateral pelvis radiograph show the fracture and its displacement in the majority of cases. Conservative treatment, consisting of a short period of rest and immobilization followed by passive stretching then progressive resisted activity before return to sports, is recommended in minimally displaced avulsions. Surgical treatment is favored in displaced fractures (>15 mm), as it is associated with quicker return to sports.

Treating physicians should keep a high index of suspicion in pediatric and adolescent patients presenting with typical clinical exam findings. Pelvic Anteroposterior and frog leg radiographs are often diagnostic. Missed diagnosis can aggravate the prognosis of a usually benign condition. Adequate medical or surgical treatment should then be administered.
Disparities in the Management of Ectopic Pregnancy
Authors: Hsu Jennifer Y. , Chen Ling , Gumer Arielle R. , Tergas Ana I. , Hou June Y. , Burke William M. , Ananth Cande V. , Hershman Dawn L. , Wright Jason D.
Published: November 2017

(Abstracted from Am J Obstet Gynecol 2017;217:49.e1–49.e10)

Ectopic pregnancy is common in young women. Its incidence in the general population varies between 1% and 2%.
mRNA 3′ Uridylation and Poly(A) Tail Length Sculpt the Mammalian Maternal Transcriptome
Authors: Morgan Marcos , Much Christian , DiGiacomo Monica , Azzi Chiara , Ivanova Ivayla , Vitsios Dimitrios M. , Pistolic Jelena , Collier Paul , Moreira Pedro N. , Benes Vladimir , Enright Anton J. , O'Carroll Dónal
Published: November 2017

(Abstracted from Nature 2017;548:347–351)

Gene expression in the early stages of zygotic development is characterized by a lack of transcription and is dependent on the maternally deposited transcriptome. The competence of the mature oocyte, upon ovulation, to support fertilization and development is largely defined by the maternal transcriptome.