bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BRAF and NRAS Mutations in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma and Concordance in BRAF Mutations Between Primary and Corresponding Lymph Node Metastases
Authors: Fakhruddin Najla , Jabbour Mark , Novy Michael , Tamim Hani , Bahmad Hisham , Farhat Fadi , Zaatari Ghazi , Aridi Tarek , Kriegshauser Gernot , Oberkanins Christian , Mahfouz Rami
Published: June 2017

Concordance between mutations in the primary papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and the paired x lymph node metastasis may elucidate the potential role of molecular targeted therapy in advanced stages. BRAF and NRAS mutations in primary PTC (n = 253) with corresponding metastatic lymph node (n = 46) were analyzed utilizing StripAssays (ViennaLab Diagnostics). Statistical analysis was performed using (SPSS, Inc.), version 24.0 with a p-value of <0.05, and concordance via kappa agreement. BRAF mutation frequency in conventional PTC (cPTC): 56.8%, papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC): 36.5%, PTMC-FV: 2.7% and PTC-FV: 4.1%. NRAS mutation frequency in PTC-FV: 28.6%, PTMC: 28.6%, PTMC-FV: 23.8%, and cPTC: 19.0%. BRAF mutation correlation with older age in cPTC (42.6 versus 33.6) years (p < 0.001) was the only significant clinicopathologic parameter. BRAF mutations were concordant in the primary and its corresponding lymph node deposits in PTC with a kappa of 0.77 (p-value < 0.0001). BRAF mutations are predominant in cPTC and PTMC while NRAS mutations in PTC-FV. BRAF mutation is conserved in metastatic lymph node deposits, thus BRAF is an early mutational pathogenetic driver. Therefore, targeted therapy is potential in recurrent and advanced stage disease.
Smart, programmable and responsive injectable hydrogels for controlled release of cargo osteoporosis drugs
Authors: Papathanasiou Konstantinos E. , Turhanen Petri , Brückner Stephan I. , Brunner Eike , Demadis Konstantinos D.
Published: June 2017

Easy-to-prepare drug delivery systems, based on smart, silica gels have been synthesized, characterized, and studied as hosts in the controlled release of bisphosphonates. They exhibit variable release rates and final % release, depending on the nature of bisphosphonate (side-chain length, hydro-philicity/-phobicity, water-solubility), cations present, pH and temperature. These gels are robust, injectable, re-loadable and re-usable.
Exosomes from metastatic cancer cells transfer amoeboid phenotype to non-metastatic cells and increase endothelial permeability: their emerging role in tumor heterogeneity
Authors: Schillaci Odessa , Fontana Simona , Monteleone Francesca , Taverna Simona , Di Bella Maria Antonietta , Di Vizio Dolores , Alessandro Riccardo
Published: June 2017

The goal of this study was to understand if exosomes derived from high-metastatic cells may influence the behavior of less aggressive cancer cells and the properties of the endothelium. We found that metastatic colon cancer cells are able to transfer their amoeboid phenotype to isogenic primary cancer cells through exosomes, and that this morphological transition is associated with the acquisition of a more aggressive behavior. Moreover, exosomes from the metastatic line (SW620Exos) exhibited higher ability to cause endothelial hyperpermeability than exosomes from the non metastatic line (SW480Exos). SWATH-based quantitative proteomic analysis highlighted that SW620Exos are significantly enriched in cytoskeletal-associated proteins including proteins activating the RhoA/ROCK pathway, known to induce amoeboid properties and destabilization of endothelial junctions. In particular, thrombin was identified as a key mediator of the effects induced by SW620Exos in target cells, in which we also found a significant increase of RhoA activity. Overall, our results demonstrate that in a heterogeneous context exosomes released by aggressive sub-clones can contribute to accelerate tumor progression by spreading malignant properties that affect both the tumor cell plasticity and the endothelial cell behavior.
Tracing the influence of land-use change on water quality and coral reefs using a Bayesian model
Authors: Brown Christopher J. , Jupiter Stacy D. , Albert Simon , Klein Carissa J. , Mangubhai Sangeeta , Maina Joseph M. , Mumby Peter , Olley Jon , Stewart-Koster Ben , Tulloch Vivitskaia , Wenger Amelia
Published: June 2017

Coastal ecosystems can be degraded by poor water quality. Tracing the causes of poor water quality back to land-use change is necessary to target catchment management for coastal zone management. However, existing models for tracing the sources of pollution require extensive data-sets which are not available for many of the world’s coral reef regions that may have severe water quality issues. Here we develop a hierarchical Bayesian model that uses freely available satellite data to infer the connection between land-uses in catchments and water clarity in coastal oceans. We apply the model to estimate the influence of land-use change on water clarity in Fiji. We tested the model’s predictions against underwater surveys, finding that predictions of poor water quality are consistent with observations of high siltation and low coverage of sediment-sensitive coral genera. The model thus provides a means to link land-use change to declines in coastal water quality.
Inhibition Role of Atherogenic Diet on Ethyl Carbamate Induced Lung Tumorigenesis in C57BL/6J Mice
Authors: Chen Ting , Lu Lei , Xu Cai , Lin Xiaojing , Leung Yuet-kin , Ho Shuk-Mei , Ruan Xiong Z. , Lian Xuemei
Published: June 2017

With emerging evidence connecting cholesterol dysregulation with disturbed pulmonary homeostasis, we are wondering if diet induced hypercholesterolemia would influence the susceptibility to chemical induced lung tumorigenesis in mice. Six to eight week-old male C57BL/6J mice were fed with either a high-cholesterol atherogenic diet (HCD) or matching normal diet (ND), respectively. Following 3 weeks diet adapting, a multi-dose intraperitoneal injections of ethyl carbamate (urethane, 1 g/kg body weight) were established and lung tumorigenesis assessments were taken after 15 weeks latency period. Compared to the urethane treated ND-fed mice, the HCD-fed mice exhibited significantly decreased lung tumor multiplicity and attenuated pulmonary inflammation, which including reduced influx of leukocytes and down regulated tumor-promoting cyto-/chemokine profile in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, decreased TLR2/4 expression and NF-κB activation in the lung. As a sensor regulating intracellular cholesterol homeostasis, nuclear receptor LXR-α was up-regulated significantly in the urethane treated HCD-fed mice lungs compared to the ND-fed mice lungs, accompanied with decreased pulmonary free cholesterol content and suppressed tumor cell proliferation. These results suggested that intrapulmonary cholesterol homeostasis, other than systematic cholesterol level, is important in lung tumorigenesis, and LXR activation might partly contribute to the inhibitory role of atherogenic diet on lung tumorigenesis.
Magnetic field sensor based on a combination of a microfiber coupler covered with magnetic fluid and a Sagnac loop
Authors: Wei Fangfang , Mallik Arun Kumar , Liu Dejun , Wu Qiang , Peng Gang-Ding , Farrell Gerald , Semenova Yuliya
Published: June 2017

This paper proposes a novel magnetic field sensor based on a microfiber coupler (MFC) combined with a magnetic fluid (MF) in a Sagnac loop formed from a polarization maintaining fiber (PMF). Thanks to the small (~2.6 μm) waist diameter of the MFC, the resulting interference is strongly influenced by the presence of the MF and this leads to the desirable high sensitivity of the structure to the applied magnetic field. The maximum magnetic field sensitivities of −100 pm/mT and −488 pm/mT have been experimentally demonstrated with the PMF lengths of 75 cm and 20 cm respectively in the range of magnetic field strengths from 0 to 200 mT. The dependence of the magnetic field orientation on the performance of the proposed sensor was also examined. The proposed magnetic field sensor is advantageous for applications requiring higher sensitivity over a wide magnetic field range.
Facile synthesis of black phosphorus–Au nanocomposites for enhanced photothermal cancer therapy and surface-enhanced Raman scattering analysis
Authors: Yang Guangcun , Liu Zhiming , Li Yi , Hou Yuqing , Fei Xixi , Su Chengkang , Wang Songmao , Zhuang Zhengfei , Guo Zhouyi
Published: June 2017

Black phosphorus nanosheets loaded with Au nanoparticles are suitable novel nanoagents for cancer photothermal therapy.
Clove extract functions as a natural fatty acid synthesis inhibitor and prevents obesity in a mouse model
Authors: Ding Yiran , Gu Zhennan , Wang Yihe , Wang Shunhe , Chen Haiqin , Zhang Hao , Chen Wei , Chen Yong Q.
Published: June 2017

Numerous medicinal plants have been reported to prevent various chronic diseases.
Wasabia japonica is a potential functional food to prevent colitis via inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Kang Ju-Hee , Choi Seungho , Jang Jeong-Eun , Ramalingam Prakash , Ko Young Tag , Kim Sun Yeou , Oh Seung Hyun
Published: June 2017

Wasabia Japonica ameliorates DSS-induced colitis in animal model by inhibiting pro-inflammatory signaling.
A new paradigm in polymerization induced self-assembly (PISA): Exploitation of “non-living” addition–fragmentation chain transfer (AFCT) polymerization
Authors: Zhou Dewen , Kuchel Rhiannon P. , Zetterlund Per B.
Published: June 2017

Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) is conducted based on “non-living” radical dispersion polymerization in the form of addition–fragmentation chain transfer (AFCT) polymerization.
Improved microwave absorption and electromagnetic interference shielding properties based on graphene–barium titanate and polyvinylidene fluoride with varying content
Authors: Guo Ao-Ping , Zhang Xiao-Juan , Qu Jia-Kang , Wang Shan-Wen , Zhu Jia-Qiang , Wang Guang-Sheng , Guo Lin
Published: June 2017

The rGO/BT/PVDF core/shell architectures synthesized with a sample method show superior microwave absorption properties.
Synthesis and properties of a series of quinoxaline-based copolymers: an example to understand the effect of the structure of the mainchain and sidechain on the charge transport ability of the polymers
Authors: Chen Dugang , Zhong Cheng , Zhao Yan , Liu Yunqi , Qin Jingui
Published: June 2017

This paper systematically studied the influence of mainchain and sidechain variations on optical, electronic and charge transport properties of polymers.
Green sol–gel route for selective growth of 1D rutile N–TiO2: a highly active photocatalyst for H2 generation and environmental remediation under natural sunlight
Authors: Khore Supriya K. , Tellabati Navya Vani , Apte Sanjay K. , Naik Sonali D. , Ojha Prashant , Kale Bharat B. , Sonawane Ravindra S.
Published: June 2017

We report selective growth of N–TiO2 1D nanorods using a green aqueous sol–gel method followed by hydrothermal treatment.
Fabrication and photochromic properties of Forcespinning® fibers based on spiropyran-doped poly(methyl methacrylate)
Authors: Doan Hoan Ngoc , Tsuchida Hayato , Iwata Takato , Kinashi Kenji , Sakai Wataru , Tsutsumi Naoto , Huynh Dai Phu
Published: June 2017

Photochromic PMMA micro/nanofibers were fabricated using a Forcespinning™ apparatus of our own design.
Synthesis of novel sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s containing a tetra-trifluoromethyl side chain and multi-phenyl for proton exchange membrane fuel cell application
Authors: Huang Yi-Chiang , Lee Hsu-Feng , Tseng Yu-Chao , Lee Chun-Che , Chang Mei-Ying , Huang Wen-Yao
Published: June 2017

Herein, a series of novel sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s consisting of tetra-trifluoromethyl-substituted multi-phenyl was synthesized and post-sulfonated to obtain sulfonated polymers with ion exchange capacities ranging from 1.27 to 2.53 mmol g−1.
CoSb3 alloy nanoparticles wrapped with N-doped carbon layers as a highly active bifunctional electrocatalyst for zinc–air batteries
Authors: Yang Tian-bo , Zhou Kai-Yuan , Chen Guang-Yi , Zhang Wan-Xi , Liang Ji-Cai
Published: June 2017

CoSb3 nanoparticles wrapped with N-doped carbon layers have been prepared and showed excellent catalytic activities both for ORR and OER. A real rechargeable zinc–air battery with CoSb3@NCL-30 catalyst as air cathode exhibited outstanding electrochemical properties.
CO2-looping in biomass pyrolysis or gasification
Authors: Shen Yafei , Ma Dachao , Ge Xinlei
Published: June 2017

This paper summarizes the thermochemical conversion of biomass using CO2as a reaction medium. In the integrated valorization of biomass by pyrolysis or gasification, CO2can play a vital role in each stage, including biomass pyrolysis, biomass/biochar gasification, biochar activation, and tar cracking/reforming.
Layered double hydroxides toward high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Li Xuejin , Du Dongfeng , Zhang Yu , Xing Wei , Xue Qingzhong , Yan Zifeng
Published: June 2017

The urgent demand for clean energies and rapid development of modern electronic technologies have led to enthusiastic research on novel energy storage technologies, especially for supercapacitors.
Secretion of interleukin-6 by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells promotes metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Mi Fei , Gong Liansheng
Published: June 2017

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) interact with tumor cells and regulate tumorigenesis and metastasis. As one of the important components of the tumor microenvironment, MSC-secreted cytokines play a critical role in cancer development. However, whether and how bone marrow MSCs (BMSCs) and their secreted cytokines participate in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression, still remains largely unknown. In the present study, we first measured the concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in BMSC conditioned medium (BMSC-CM). Next, we assessed the changes of invasion ability in response to treatment of BMSC-CM or recombinant IL-6 in two human HCC cell lines Bel-7404 and HepG2. Then we analyzed the level of key components of the IL-6 signal pathway, including IL-6 receptor and signal transducer (i.e. IL-6R and gp130), a transcription factor STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), as well as its target genes BCL2, CCND1, MCL1 and MMP2, in BMSC-CM or recombinant IL-6 treated Bel-7404 and HepG2 cells. Results showed that a considerable amount of IL-6 was secreted by BMSCs, and BMSC-CM markedly elevated Bel-7404 cell invasion rate and stimulated the signal transduction of IL-6/STAT3 pathway. Neutralizing the secreted IL-6 bioactivity by the anti-IL-6 antibody diminished the invasion-promoting effect and down-regulated IL-6/STAT3 pathway of BMSC-CM treated Bel-7404 cells. In conclusion, we found that BMSCs may activate the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway and promote cell invasion in Bel-7404 cells, suggesting that this protumor effect should be seriously considered before clinical application of MSC-mediated cancer therapy.
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of asthma and COPD
Authors: Barnes Peter J.
Published: June 2017

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) both cause airway obstruction and are associated with chronic inflammation of the airways. However, the nature and sites of the inflammation differ between these diseases, resulting in different pathology, clinical manifestations and response to therapy. In this review, the inflammatory and cellular mechanisms of asthma and COPD are compared and the differences in inflammatory cells and profile of inflammatory mediators are highlighted. These differences account for the differences in clinical manifestations of asthma and COPD and their response to therapy. Although asthma and COPD are usually distinct, there are some patients who show an overlap of features, which may be explained by the coincidence of two common diseases or distinct phenotypes of each disease. It is important to better understand the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of asthma and COPD in order to develop new treatments in areas of unmet need, such as severe asthma, curative therapy for asthma and effective anti-inflammatory treatments for COPD.
Pulse-wave velocity is associated with cognitive impairment in haemodialysis patients
Authors: Miller-Hodges Eve , Dhaun Neeraj
Published: June 2017

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common, its prevalence increasing with age. Cognitive impairment is common in the elderly, in CKD and in those on maintenance haemodialysis. As cognitive impairment is the precursor to dementia, the identification of reversible risk factors for cognitive decline is the key to reducing dementia risk. Arterial stiffness is one such potential risk factor. It is independently associated with cardiovascular outcome in dialysis patients. Importantly, the recent demonstration of an independent association between arterial stiffness and cognitive impairment in these patients suggests that vascular stiffness might be potentially causative in the development of cognitive impairment and also be an opportune target for interventions. Whether unstiffening of blood vessels in patients on maintenance haemodialysis can reduce the incidence of cognitive impairment or indeed slow its progression to dementia, remain unanswered questions. In this issue of the Clinical Science, Angermann and colleagues present thought-provoking data related to cognitive impairment in haemodialysis patients.
Extending the power transfer capability of a three‐port DC–DC converter for hybrid energy storage systems
Authors: Piris‐Botalla Laureano , Oggier Germán G. , García Guillermo O.
Published: June 2017

Design considerations for a three‐port bidirectional DC–DC converter to be used in hybrid energy storage systems (HESSs) with the aim to increase the power transfer capability are discussed in this study. For this, an analysis of the power flow that allows obtaining the current waveforms is presented. Then, a loss model, that includes losses in semiconductors and the magnetic core, is proposed based as a function of the voltage variations in the energy storage devices considering all possible cases of power transference. The analysis reveals that it is possible to size the converter auxiliary inductances to reduce the converter currents and losses and therefore increase the power transfer capability. The analysis and the proposal presented in this study are validated using a 5‐kW experimental prototype. Results show that it is possible to increase the converter transfer capability up to 80%.
Gird‐connected boost inverter for low‐power PV applications with model predictive control
Authors: Abdel‐Rahim Omar , Funato Hirohito , Haruna Junnosuke
Published: June 2017

We present a two‐stage inverter with high‐voltage conversion ratio employing modified finite‐set model predictive control (MPC) for utility‐integrated low‐power photovoltaic (PV) applications. The proposed system is suitable for low PV power applications, the calculated efficiency at 150 W input power and 21 times boosting ratio was around 88%. The presented system is a high gain, transformerless, and with less leakage current system. Switched inductor quadratic boost converter composes the first stage of the proposed system, due to its high step‐up ability. It can boost the input voltage up to 30 times. A five‐switch current‐source inverter represents the dc/ac stage. The MPC algorithm are designed to control the system and perform the following tasks, take out the maximum power (MP) from the PV, controls the proposed system to operate at maximum power, step‐up the PV voltage, and introduces low current with low total harmonic distortion (THD) and with unity power factor with the grid voltage. Switching states are selected to reduce the switching losses, but forcing the h‐bridge switches to operate at the fundamental frequency.
Ferric Chloride: An Eco-friendly Catalyst for the Stereoselective Synthesis of 2-Deoxy Aryl-O-Rhamnosides
Authors: Zhang Jianbo , Qiu Saifeng , Sun Guosheng , Ding Zekun , Chen Heshan
Published: June 2017

A facile and direct O-glycosylation method for the stereoselective synthesis of 2,6-dideoxy α-O-aryl-glycosides has been described using an eco-friendly catalyst, ferric chloride (FeCl3). The approach can be applied to a wide range of differently substituted phenols including not only mono-substituted ones bearing electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups but also disubstituted ones. Ultimately, 2,6-dideoxy aryl-O-glycosides were obtained rapidly (<30 min) in good to excellent yields (52–88%) with sole α-selectivity.
Motivationale Ziele und Partnerschaftsqualität in einer Stichprobe von Personen mit Infertilität
Authors: Yamanaka-Altenstein Misa , Henrich Emanuel , Heinrichs Nina
Published: June 2017

Weltweit leiden 3,5 – 16,6% aller Paare mit Kinderwunsch unter Infertilität, davon sind rund 20% psychisch stark belastet. Inwieweit motivationale Faktoren mit dem subjektiven Leidensdruck bei Infertilität zusammenhängen, ist weitgehend unbekannt. Das Ziel dieser Studie war zum einen die Erfassung der motivationalen Struktur bei infertilen Personen. Zum anderen sollte untersucht werden, inwiefern diese motivationale Struktur als individueller Faktor und die Partnerschaftsqualität als dyadischer Faktor die psychische Belastung vorhersagen. Dazu wurden die subjektive Beeinträchtigung, die Ausprägung motivationaler Ziele und deren Umsetzung, sowie die Partnerschaftszufriedenheit bei 123 infertilen Personen anhand einer Online-Befragung erfasst. Rund die Hälfte aller Personen gaben an, psychisch bedeutsam belastet zu sein. Im Vergleich zu psychisch belasteten Personen ohne explizite Infertilitätsprobleme zeigten Frauen in dieser Studie weniger Annäherungsmotivation, wobei geringe Ausprägungen der Annäherungsmotivation, insbesondere bezüglich Selbstwert und Kontrolle, mit wenig psychischer Belastung zusammenhing. Die motivationale Struktur klärte insgesamt 30% der Varianz der psychischen Belastung auf, während die Partnerschaftsqualität, insbesondere das Streitverhalten, lediglich 4% aufklärte. Die Befunde weisen darauf hin, dass sich infertile Personen bezüglich motivationaler Struktur von unbelasteten und psychisch belasteten Personen ohne Fertilitätsstörungen unterscheiden, und dass sich motivationale Faktoren als Prädiktoren für die psychische Belastung eignen.
Psychosoziale Arbeitsbedingungen und Versorgungsqualität: Ergebnisse einer qualitativen Studie unter Medizinischen Fachangestellten (MFAs)
Authors: Vu-Eickmann Patricia , Loerbroks Adrian
Published: June 2017

Hintergrund Ungünstige psychosoziale Arbeitsbedingungen können nicht nur die Gesundheit der Beschäftigten im Gesundheitswesen, sondern auch die Qualität der von ihnen geleisteten Versorgung beeinträchtigen. Die Befundlage zu Medizinischen Fachangestellten (MFAs) ist begrenzt, obwohl MFAs die größte Berufsgruppe in der ambulanten Versorgung stellen und versorgungsrelevante Aufgaben übernehmen. Das Ziel unserer Studie war es zu eruieren, inwiefern Arbeitsbedingungen aus Sicht von MFAs mit der Versorgungsqualität in einem Zusammenhang stehen.

Methode Über eine randomisierte Stichprobe von Arztpraxen im Düsseldorfer Raum sowie in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Verband medizinischer Fachberufe e.V. wurden Studienteilnehmer/innen rekrutiert. Es wurden 26 leitfadengestützte Einzelinterviews durchgeführt (11/2015–02/2016), transkribiert und inhaltsanalytisch mittels MaxQDA ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse Zusammenhänge zwischen den Arbeitsbelastungen und der Versorgungsqualität werden von einer Mehrheit der Befragten gesehen. Demnach wirken sich die Arbeitsbelastungen vorrangig auf die Qualität des Patientenkontaktes und die Häufigkeit „leichter Flüchtigkeitsfehler“ aus.

Schlussfolgerung Die Arbeitsbedingungen von MFAs sind von hohen Arbeitsanforderungen gekennzeichnet. Die in dieser Studie aufgezeigten möglichen Auswirkungen auf soziale Interaktionen mit Patienten sowie Fehlerquoten unterstreichen die Bedeutsamkeit präventiver Maßnahmen. Die Ergebnisse unserer Studie können, ergänzt durch weitere Forschungsvorhaben, einen Beitrag zur Ableitung präventiver Maßnahmen leisten.
Landau quantized dynamics and spectra for group-VI dichalcogenides, including a model quantum wire
Authors: Horing Norman J. M.
Published: June 2017

This work is concerned with the derivation of the Green’s function for Landau-quantized carriers in the Group-VI dichalcogenides. In the spatially homogeneous case, the Green’s function is separated into a Peierls phase factor and a translationally invariant part which is determined in a closed form integral representation involving only elementary functions. The latter is expanded in an eigenfunction series of Laguerre polynomials. These results for the retarded Green’s function are presented in both position and momentum representations, and yet another closed form representation is derived in circular coordinates in terms of the Bessel wave function of the second kind (not to be confused with the Bessel function). The case of a quantum wire is also addressed, representing the quantum wire in terms of a model one-dimensional δ(x)-potential profile. This retarded Green’s function for propagation directly along the wire is determined exactly in terms of the corresponding Green’s function for the system without the δ(x)-potential, and the Landau quantized eigenenergy dispersion relation is examined. The thermodynamic Green’s function for the dichalcogenide carriers in a normal magnetic field is formulated here in terms of its spectral weight, and its solution is presented in a momentum/integral representation involving only elementary functions, which is subsequently expanded in Laguerre eigenfunctions and presented in both momentum and position representations.
A new metal-dielectric cathode with long lifetime
Authors: Wu Ping , Sun Jun , Liu Guozhi , Yang Zhanfeng , Huo Shaofei , Liu Wenyuan
Published: June 2017

Explosive emission cathodes are widely used in high power microwave generation. Conventional metallic cathodes have the disadvantages of bad emission uniformity and short lifetime. In order to improve the emission property of metallic cathodes, a new metal-dielectric cathode is fabricated with the plasma spraying technology. Unlike previous metal-dielectric cathodes, our metal-dielectric cathode adopts a ferroelectric ceramic which possesses a large permittivity. The results of lifetime experiments show the metal-dielectric cathode presents just slight performance deterioration within 2.5 × 105 pulses and thus has a much longer lifetime than the normal copper cathode. The morphology observation demonstrates that the good emission property of the metal-dielectric cathode may benefit from the appearance of irregularities on the dielectric surface, which will have large microscopic field enhancement factors with the help of large permittivity of the ferroelectric material.
The effect of the surface electrode distributions on domain structures of ferroelectric thin films
Authors: Zhou Z. D. , Lei L. S. , Su Y. X.
Published: June 2017

Various domain structures in ferroelectric thin films with four different surface interdigital electrodes are simulated based on the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau method. The four different electrode distributions are that (a) both surfaces are symmetrically arranged interdigital electrodes, (b) top surface is covered with interdigital electrode while bottom surface is covered with full electrode, (c) both surfaces are alternately arranged interdigital electrodes and (d) top surface is covered with interdigital electrodes while bottom is not covered with electrode. These electrode distributions could be converted to corresponding electrical boundary conditions of the phase field equations. Compared with ideal short circuit and open circuit electrical boundary conditions, there are some special domain structures (vortices, flux-closure structures and a/c domains) due to the change of depolarization electric energy and Landau energy with different surface electrodes. The domain structures in ferroelectric thin films have an obvious size effect with the surface interdigital electrodes. These results indicate we can obtain the various domain structures of ferroelectric thin films by turning different surface electrode distributions.
Análisis traductológico de los wellerismos en Las aventuras de Pickwick, de Benito Pérez Galdós
Authors: Ruano San Segundo Pablo
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this paper is to analyze Perez Galdós’s systematic omission of wellerisms in Las Aventuras de Pickwick (1868), the first translation of Dickens’s The Pickwick Papers ever made into Spanish. Wellerisms are without a doubt the best-known phraseological units in Dickens. Apart from their comic and subversive function, they play a role of paramount importance in terms of characterization too. Their rendering in another language is thus fundamental. However, only four examples – out of more than thirty– are preserved in Perez Galdós’s text. This loss is scrutinized here. The analysis is divided into two parts. First, some wellerisms from the original novel are compared to those in both Perez Galdós’s translation and Grolier and Lorain’s Aventures de Monsieur Pickwick, for there exists a suspicion that Perez Galdós used this French version as source text for his translation. As will be shown, this suspicion is confirmed. Next, the omission of some examples is analyzed against the backdrop of both the French translation and the original text, so as to provide some feasible explanations for such a loss. As will be demonstrated, Perez Galdós did not realize the stylistic importance of these phraseological units in The Pickwick Papers.
Metapragmatic perceptions in native language vs. lingua franca settings
Authors: Glaser Karen
Published: June 2017

Language learning in study abroad is usually analyzed for settings where the target language is the native language, thereby ignoring the growing number of lingua franca contexts in study abroad. To address this gap, this study examined the pragmatic perceptions of 19 English learners studying abroad, comparing students in native-language settings to their peers in lingua franca environments. During their semester abroad following pragmatic instruction, the learners composed essays which elicited their perceptions of the instruction’s usefulness, applicability, gains in pragmatic awareness, and (dis)advantages of including pragmatics in the curriculum. The results indicate that the native-language setting offers more opportunities to apply pragmalinguistic strategies taught in class, but the lingua franca environment provides more room for sociopragmatic awareness and negotiation. The lingua franca students valued the instruction more, and they highlighted the importance of pragmatic consciousness-raising to complement pragmalinguistic strategies. Implications for study abroad research and language teaching are derived.
“He stole our translation”
Authors: Delistathi Christina
Published: June 2017

Despite the centrality of translations in introducing Marxist ideas, we know little about the agendas that shaped
them. This paper investigates how reviews of translated Marxist theoretical texts, issued between 1927 and 1934 by the Communist Party of
Greece, were utilised in a struggle to appropriate Marxist discourse from its rivals. Drawing on Foucault’s procedures of discourse control,
and calling attention to power struggles among forces with counterhegemonic ideas, the paper analyses the party’s rules and conditions under
which it was legitimate for a translator to carry out a translation and for the translation to enter political discourse. It will be argued
that political tensions triggered changes in reviewing practices and efforts to renew translation quality criteria. These tensions shaped
contemporary debates on the correct interpretation of Marxism and helped advance the party’s position (a) by calling on readers to disregard
earlier translations issued by political rivals; (b) by constructing its own translations as truth-objects; and by fashioning itself as the
gatekeeper of Marxism. Studying translation reviews allows us to extend our understanding of the complexities of discourse formation, to
trace the history of discourses, to document how knowledge can be a resource in power struggles, and to understand how power struggles can
recast discursive practices.
Foucault in English
Authors: Bennett Karen
Published: June 2017

It is something of a cliché to affirm that translations into English are almost always domestications, privileging fluency and naturalness over fidelity to the source text. However, back in the 1970s, many of Michel Foucault’s major texts, which were introduced to the English-speaking public for the first time through Alan Sheridan Smith’s translations for Tavistock Publications, were not domesticated at all. Despite the fact that the originals are grounded in a non-empiricist theory of knowledge and use terms drawn from a universe of discourse that would have been completely alien in the English-speaking world, these translations closely follow the patterns of the French, with few or no concessions to the target reader’s knowledge and expectations. This paper analyses passages from Sheridan Smith’s English translations ofLes Mots et les chosesandL’Archéologie du savoirin order to discuss the long-term effects of this translation strategy. It then goes on to compare and assess two very different translations of Foucault’s lectureL’ Ordre du discours(1970), an early one by Rupert Swyer(1971), which brings the text to the English reader, and a later one byIan McLeod (1981), which obliges the reader to go to the text. The paper concludes by reiterating the need for Anglophone academic culture to open up to foreign perspectives, and suggests, following Goethe (Book of West and East,1819) that new epistemes are best introduced gradually in order to avoid alienating or confusing a public that might not be ready for them.
Subaltern mediators in the digital landscape
Authors: Iribarren Teresa
Published: June 2017

This article explores translational literary Web 2.0 practices and user-generated cultural creations on the Internet, focusing on video poetry that re-creates canonical poets’ bodies of work. It will be argued that the use of for-profit platforms like YouTube and Vimeo by indie creators and translators of video poetry favours the emergence of new translational attitudes, practices and objects that have positive but also contentious effects. One the one hand, these online mediators explore new poetic expressions and tend to make the most of the potential for dissemination of poetic heritage, providing visibility to non-hegemonic literatures. On the other hand, however, these translational digitally-born practices and creations by voluntary and subaltern mediators might reinforce the hegemonic position of large American Internet corporations at the risk of commodifying cultural capital, consolidating English as a lingua franca and perhaps, in the long run, even fostering a potentially monocultural and internationally homogeneous aesthetics.
Residual stress field analysis of Al/steel butt joint using laser welding–brazing
Authors: Huang Jiankang , Yang Maohong , Liu Jian , Fan Ding , Yu Shurong
Published: June 2017

The objective of this study is to analyse residual stress of the Al/steel butt joint using the laser welding–brazing. The welding parameters were a laser power of 1200 W, a welding speed of 600 mm min−1, thickness of 150×150×2 mm and 150×150×1 mm, respectively. The residual stress was measured by the hole-drilling methods. Then, a finite-element model of the welding process was established, and it was verified by experiments. The results show that the calculated results are in conformity with the experimental results. The longitudinal residual stress on the galvanised steel (329 MPa) is larger than that on the aluminium alloy (293 MPa). At the location of the fixture, the longitudinal residual stress is substantially zero.
ProtDec-LTR2.0: an improved method for protein remote homology detection by combining pseudo protein and supervised Learning to Rank
Authors: Chen Junjie , Guo Mingyue , Li Shumin , Liu Bin
Published: June 2017

As one of the most important tasks in protein sequence analysis, protein remote homology detection is critical for both basic research and practical applications. Here, we present an effective web server for protein remote homology detection called ProtDec-LTR2.0 by combining ProtDec-Learning to Rank (LTR) and pseudo protein representation. Experimental results showed that the detection performance is obviously improved. The web server provides a user-friendly interface to explore the sequence and structure information of candidate proteins and find their conserved domains by launching a multiple sequence alignment tool.

Availability and implementation

The web server is free and open to all users with no login requirement at http://bioinformatics.hitsz.edu.cn/ProtDec-LTR2.0/.
“Live Cadaver” Model for Internal Carotid Artery Injury Simulation in Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery
Authors: Pacca Paolo , Jhawar Sukhdeep S , Seclen Daniel V , Wang Eric , Snyderman Carl , Gardner Paul A , Aboud Emad , Fernandez-Miranda Juan C
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative injury of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is the most dreaded complication in endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) of skull base. Training for ICA injury is practically impossible in live operative settings.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate a pulsatile perfusion-based live cadaveric model for ICA injury simulation in a laboratory setting. The major emphasis of the study was to evaluate various means of controlling acute bleeding and evaluating the practical utility of this model for training purposes.

METHODS

Five embalmed, uninjected cadaveric heads were prepared for study by connecting to a pulsatile perfusion pump system filled with artificial blood solution. EES approaches were used to evaluate different types of ICA injuries similar to operative scenarios. Various methods of managing ICA injuries such as packing, clipping, and trapping, were evaluated. The educational advantages of the live cadaver model were assessed using questionnaires given to participants in a hands-on dissection course.

RESULTS

The trainee was faced with several scenarios similar to those encountered during an actual intraoperative ICA injury. Packing, clipping, and trapping of the ICA injury were successfully achieved in all segments of the ICA. Clip-based reconstruction techniques were successfully developed. All trainees reported gaining new knowledge, learning new techniques. The responses to the questionnaire confirmed the significant educational value of this model.

CONCLUSION

The live cadaver model presented here provides real-life experience with major vessel injury during EES in a laboratory setting. This model could significantly improve current training for the management of intraoperative vascular injuries during EES.
Unraveling Microbial and Edaphic Factors Affecting the Development of Sudden Death Syndrome in Soybean
Authors: Srour Ali Y. , Gibson David J. , Leandro Leonor F. S. , Malvick Dean K. , Bond Jason P. , Fakhoury Ahmad M.
Published: June 2017

Sudden death syndrome (SDS) caused by Fusarium virguliforme is a widespread and economically important disease of soybean. SDS is typically distributed unevenly in patches across soybean fields. While certain spots in fields are highly conducive to the development of severe SDS, other areas appear to be naturally healthy or suppressive to the disease. The role of soil microbial communities and soil physical and chemical properties in SDS development was investigated in 45 soybean fields in Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota. Soil samples were collected from symptomatic patches in fields and from adjacent areas where SDS foliar symptoms did not develop. Multiple edaphic factors were measured, and markers specific to bacteria, fungi, archaea, oomycete, and nematodes, coupled with Illumina MiSeq sequencing, were used to identify key taxa likely associated with SDS development. A total of 14,200,000 reads were mapped against the National Center for Biotechnology Information nucleotide database and taxonomically compared using Metagenome Analyzer (MEGAN5). Physical and chemical analysis of soil variables did not provide any correlation with the patchiness pattern of SDS. Significant differences in bacterial and fungal community structure between soils from healthy and diseased areas of fields were found. At least 20 taxa were associated with healthy soils, including members of Fusarium oxysporum sp. complex, Actinomycetales, Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, Trichoderma spp., Pseudomonas, Metacordyceps, Penicillium, Purpureocillium, and Myceliophtora. In diseased soils, Fusarium solani spp., Phallus rugulosus, Stachybotrys, and Alpha- and Betaproteobacteria dominated. Our results suggest that the relative abundance of multiple microbial taxa in the soil plays a key determinant in the incidence of SDS.
A Population-Based Exploration of the Social Implications Associated with Cleft Lip and/or Palate
Authors: Glener Adam D. , Allori Alexander C. , Shammas Ronnie L. , Carlson Anna R. , Pien Irene J. , Aylsworth Arthur S. , Meyer Robert , Pimenta Luiz , Strauss Ronald , Watkins Stephanie , Marcus Jeffrey R.
Published: June 2017

Background:

Clefts of the lip and/or palate (CL/P) carry a social stigma that often causes psychosocial stress. The purpose of this study was to consider the association of cleft phenotype and age with self-reported aspects of psychosocial stress.

Methods:

Children with nonsyndromic CL/P and unaffected children born between 1997 and 2003 were identified through the North Carolina Birth Defects Monitoring Program and North Carolina birth records, respectively. The psychosocial concerns of children with CL/P were assessed via a 29-question subset of a larger survey. Responses were analyzed according to school age and cleft phenotype (cleft lip with/without cleft alveolus, CL ± A; cleft palate only, CP; or cleft lip with cleft palate, CL + P).

Results:

Surveys were returned for 176 children with CL/P and 333 unaffected children. When compared with unaffected children, responses differed for CL ± A in 4/29 questions, for CP in 7/29 questions, and for CL + P in 8/29 questions (P < 0.05). When stratified by school age, children with CL/P in elementary, middle, and high school differed from unaffected children by 1/29, 7/29, and 2/29 questions, respectively. Middle school–aged children with CL/P were more affected by aesthetic concerns, bullying, and difficulties with friendship, and social interaction. Children with CL + P reported more severe aesthetic-related concerns than children with CL ± A or CP but experienced similar speech-related distress as children with CP only.

Conclusion:

Social implications associated with CL/P are most pronounced during middle school, and less so during elementary and high school. This information identifies areas of social improvement aimed at reducing the stigma of CL/P.
Acellular Dermal Matrix Versus Inferior Deepithelialized Flap Breast Reconstruction: Equivalent Outcomes, with Increased Cost
Authors: Hon Heidi H. , Mubang Ronnie N. , Wernick Brian D. , Freedman Samuel F. , Stoltzfus Jill C. , Miele Lino F. , Stawicki Stanislaw P. , Morrissey W. Michael
Published: June 2017

Background:

Approximately 250,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed yearly in the U.S. resulting in more postmastectomy breast reconstructions (PMBRs). The acellular dermal matrix (ADM) expander-implant method became popular in the mid-2000s, but newer techniques such as the inferior deepithelialized flap (IDF) has more recently been described. We hypothesize that ADMs and IDFs provide comparable aesthetic outcomes, with no difference in complication rates and operative characteristics.

Methods:

A retrospective, single-institution study was performed between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2014, examining all PMBR’s (ADM and IDF). Outcomes were categorized as clinical (e.g., complications requiring surgical intervention) or aesthetic.

Results:

A total of 65 patients (41 ADM; 24 IDF; mean age, 53.4 ± 10.7 years) were included, with 101 PMBR’s evaluated (63 ADM and 38 IDF). Patients who underwent IDFs had higher body mass index (32 versus 25; P < 0.01) and higher grades of breast ptosis. Major complication rates were similar between ADM and IDF groups (22% versus 31.5%; P = 0.34). There were no differences in aesthetic outcomes between groups (rater intraclass correlation, 0.92). The average IDF breast reconstruction took nearly 30 minutes longer per reconstructed side (192 minutes versus 166 minutes; P = 0.02), but operative costs were more expensive for the ADM breast reconstruction.

Conclusions:

The IDF procedure took 30 minutes longer for each reconstructed side, without significant differences in complications or aesthetic outcomes between the 2 PMBRs. IDF reconstructions may be more suitable for patients with grade 3 breast ptosis and higher body mass index. Further studies should focus on long-term outcomes and value-based approaches to PMBR.
Goldilocks Mastectomy: A Safe Bridge to Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction in the Morbidly Obese
Authors: Schwartz Jean-Claude
Published: June 2017

Background:

Reconstructive surgeons are encountering an increasing number of obese women requiring postmastectomy reconstruction. These patients are poor candidates for autologous and prosthetic-based reconstructions as they have a high rate of reconstructive failure, surgical complications, and poor aesthetic outcomes. We demonstrate here the utility of the previously described Goldilocks mastectomy with free nipple grafts as a safe bridge to second stage implant-based breast reconstruction.

Methods:

Ten consecutive morbidly (BMI > 40) or super obese (BMI>50) women underwent bilateral Goldilocks mastectomy with free nipple grafts followed by second stage subpectoral implant placement at least three months postoperatively. Patients were assessed for implant-related complications including malposition, capsular contracture, dehiscence, and extrusion.

Results:

Ten postmastectomy reconstructions in patients with BMIs ranging from 37 to 50 with a mean BMI of 45 underwent bilateral Goldilocks mastectomy with free nipple grafts. Two patients had wound healing complications after Goldilocks mastectomy but were completely healed within 8 weeks. There were no instances of delayed wound healing or reconstructive failure after prosthetic placement. With at least 9 months of follow-up on all patients, no patient has had a capsular contracture, significant malposition, or other complication requiring reoperation.

Conclusion:

The obese patient poses a significant reconstructive challenge for which no reproducible approach has been described. Here, we present a 2-stage strategy: the previously described Goldilocks mastectomy with free nipple grafts followed by second stage subpectoral definitive implant placement. This is the first proposed description of a reliable strategy for postmastectomy reconstruction in the morbidly and super obese.