bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subjective wellbeing, suicide and socioeconomic factors: an ecological analysis in Hong Kong
Authors: Hsu C.-Y. , Chang S.-S. , Yip P. S. F.
Published: April 2018

Aims.

There has recently been an increased interest in mental health indicators for the monitoring of population wellbeing, which is among the targets of Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations. Levels of subjective wellbeing and suicide rates have been proposed as indicators of population mental health, but prior research is limited.

Methods.

Data on individual happiness and life satisfaction were sourced from a population-based survey in Hong Kong (2011). Suicide data were extracted from Coroner's Court files (2005–2013). Area characteristic variables included local poverty rate and four factors derived from a factor analysis of 21 variables extracted from the 2011 census. The associations between mean happiness and life satisfaction scores and suicide rates were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficient at two area levels: 18 districts and 30 quantiles of large street blocks (LSBs; n = 1620). LSB is a small area unit with a higher level of within-unit homogeneity compared with districts. Partial correlations were used to control for area characteristics.

Results.

Happiness and life satisfaction demonstrated weak inverse associations with suicide rate at the district level (r = −0.32 and −0.36, respectively) but very strong associations at the LSB quantile level (r = −0.83 and −0.84, respectively). There were generally very weak or weak negative correlations across sex/age groups at the district level but generally moderate to strong correlations at the LSB quantile level. The associations were markedly attenuated or became null after controlling for area characteristics.

Conclusions.

Subjective wellbeing is strongly associated with suicide at a small area level; socioeconomic factors can largely explain this association. Socioeconomic factors could play an important role in determining the wellbeing of the population, and this could inform policies aimed at enhancing population wellbeing.
Validation Evidence of the Motivation for Teaching Scale in Secondary Education
Authors: Abós Ángel , Sevil Javier , Martín-Albo José , Aibar Alberto , García-González Luis
Published: April 2018

Grounded in self-determination theory, the aim of this study was to develop a scale with adequate psychometric properties to assess motivation for teaching and to explain some outcomes of secondary education teachers at work. The sample comprised 584 secondary education teachers. Analyses supported the five-factor model (intrinsic motivation, identified regulation, introjected regulation, external regulation and amotivation) and indicated the presence of a continuum of self-determination. Evidence of reliability was provided by Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability and average variance extracted. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses supported the partial invariance (configural and metric) of the scale in different sub-samples, in terms of gender and type of school. Concurrent validity was analyzed by a structural equation modeling that explained 71% of the work dedication variance and 69% of the boredom at work variance. Work dedication was positively predicted by intrinsic motivation (ß = .56, p < .001) and external regulation (ß = .29, p < .001) and negatively predicted by introjected regulation (ß = –.22, p < .001) and amotivation (ß = –.49, p < .001). Boredom at work was negatively predicted by intrinsic motivation (ß = –.28, p < .005) and positively predicted by amotivation (ß = .68, p < .001). The Motivation for Teaching Scale in Secondary Education (Spanish acronym EME-ES, Escala de Motivación por la Enseñanza en Educación Secundaria) is discussed as a valid and reliable instrument. This is the first specific scale in the work context of secondary teachers that has integrated the five-factor structure together with their dedication and boredom at work.
Skills-assistierte Exposition in der Dialektisch Behavioralen Therapie der Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung (DBT-PTSD)
Authors: Dyer Anne S.
Published: April 2018

Zusammenfassung. Gewalterfahrungen in der Kindheit haben mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit schwerwiegende Folgen im Erwachsenenalter. Neben einer Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung leiden die Betroffenen häufig unter Störungen der Emotionsregulation sowie vielfältiger weiterer Symptomatik. Als wesentliches Element praktisch aller wirksamen Behandlungsverfahren gilt die Auseinandersetzung mit den traumatischen Erinnerungen. Ziel dieser Übersichtsarbeit ist es, ein Behandlungsmodell vorzustellen, welches die Möglichkeit zur Expositionsbehandlung auch bei dieser schwerbelasteten Patientengruppe mit Störungen der Emotionsregulation bietet. Die Dialektisch Behavioralen Therapie der Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung (DBT-PTSD) sowie die im Behandlungsprogramm integrierte Skills-assistierte Exposition werden hergeleitet und beschrieben. Die DBT-PTSD ist ein hoch-strukturiertes, multiple Komponenten beinhaltendes Therapieverfahren, welches im stationären Setting bereits sehr gut Wirksamkeitsnachweise erbringen konnte. Dadurch können auch bei Betroffenen einer Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung nach interpersonellen Gewalterfahrungen in der Kindheit Expositionsverfahren erfolgreich angewendet werden.
High-Resolution Infrared Body Surface Temperature and Self-Perceived Warmth Distribution in Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa Patients
Authors: Belizer Cara M. , Vagedes Jan
Published: April 2018

Abstract. Anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with thermoregulatory disturbances such as hypothermia. However, few studies have explored body warmth in AN patients. In this study, we assessed the body surface temperature distribution in adolescent AN patients using high-resolution infrared thermal imaging and through a patient questionnaire, and explored how this differed between intervention and control group and length of treatment. Adolescent AN patients admitted to a multimodal inpatient treatment programme based on an integrative perspective were assessed at three time-points: admission (t1), 6 weeks post-admission (t2), and 3 months after t2 (t3). Healthy control participants were assessed once at baseline. In both groups we assessed participants’ surface temperature and the perception of warmth, using thermal imaging and a questionnaire, in the face, hands, abdomen, and feet. We recruited 40 AN patients and 40 healthy controls, who were admitted to the treatment programme for an average of 70 days ( SD = 24.07). The AN patients were significantly colder in all chosen body domains, except the abdomen area, at t1 compared to healthy controls at baseline. The questionnaire findings supported this result. Differences between the intervention and control groups noted at t1 were significantly reduced by t2 and t3. Our findings suggest that abnormities in the body warmth distribution of AN patients are reversible after having received an AN-specific treatment. Reducing the loss of warmth could improve therapeutic outcomes in AN patients and be a predictor of recovery, and should be investigated in further studies.
Observing and Modeling the Spectrum of a Slow Slip Event
Authors: Hawthorne J. C. , Bartlow N. M.
Published: April 2018

We estimate and model the normalized moment rate power spectrum of large slow slip events in Cascadia. We estimate the spectrum using data from GPS‐derived slip inversions, borehole strain records, and beamforming‐based tremor amplitudes. The normalized power spectrum initially decreases with frequency but then may flatten at periods of 1 to 10 days before decaying as frequency
at higher frequencies, where nm is between 1.1 and 1.4 when estimated from tremor and between 0.4 and 1.5 when estimated from strain. We explore one way to understand the observed spectrum: by modeling a month‐long slow slip event as the sum of a steady background moment rate and a population of subevents. The subevents represent the wide variety of observed slow earthquakes, ranging from 0.5‐s‐long tremor to 3‐hr‐long rapid tremor reversals. We parameterize the subevents' magnitude distribution and moment‐duration scaling, and we examine how the subevent population determines the slow slip spectrum. There are not enough data to rigorously test the subevent model, but we show that the data are consistent with a single continuum of slow earthquakes whose moments scale linearly with their duration, as has been proposed previously.
Publisher Correction: Rotating robots move collectively and self-organize
Authors: Scholz Christian , Engel Michael , Pöschel Thorsten
Published: April 2018

The original version of this Article contained an error in Fig. 5. In Fig. 5e, the scale on the y-axis originally incorrectly went from ‘0’ to ‘1.10−4’. The correct scale goes from ‘0’ to ‘0.4’. In Fig 5f, the x-axis labels were incorrectly shifted to the right. This has been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Dinosaur diversification linked with the Carnian Pluvial Episode
Authors: Bernardi Massimo , Gianolla Piero , Petti Fabio Massimo , Mietto Paolo , Benton Michael J.
Published: April 2018

Dinosaurs diversified in two steps during the Triassic. They originated about 245 Ma, during the recovery from the Permian-Triassic mass extinction, and then remained insignificant until they exploded in diversity and ecological importance during the Late Triassic. Hitherto, this Late Triassic explosion was poorly constrained and poorly dated. Here we provide evidence that it followed the Carnian Pluvial Episode (CPE), dated to 234–232 Ma, a time when climates switched from arid to humid and back to arid again. Our evidence comes from a combined analysis of skeletal evidence and footprint occurrences, and especially from the exquisitely dated ichnofaunas of the Italian Dolomites. These provide evidence of tetrapod faunal compositions through the Carnian and Norian, and show that dinosaur footprints appear exactly at the time of the CPE. We argue then that dinosaurs diversified explosively in the mid Carnian, at a time of major climate and floral change and the extinction of key herbivores, which the dinosaurs opportunistically replaced.
Systemic and sex-biased regulation of OBP expression under semiochemical stimuli
Authors: Paula Débora Pires , Togawa Roberto Coiti , do Carmo Costa Marcos Mota , Grynberg Priscila , Martins Natália Florêncio , Andow David Alan
Published: April 2018

Constitutive expression of Odorant-Binding Proteins (OBPs) in antennae and other body parts has been examined mainly to infer their involvement in insect olfaction, while their regulation in response to semiochemical stimuli has remained poorly known. Previous studies of semiochemical response were basically done using electrophysiology, which integrates the response of the set of OBPs present in an antenna or sensillum, without revealing the regulation of OBPs or which ones might be involved. In this study we used boll weevil as a model and mined its OBPs by RNA-Seq to study their simultaneous antennal expression by qPCR under controlled semiochemical stimuli with aggregation pheromone and plant volatiles. In the absence of a semiochemical stimulus, 23 of 24 OBPs were constitutively expressed in the antenna in both sexes. Semiochemicals changed systemically the expression of OBPs in both sexes. There were different patterns of up- and down-regulation in female antennae for each semiochemical stimulus, consistent with female chemical ecology. On the other hand, the only response in males was down-regulation of some OBPs. We suggest that these systemic changes in OBP expression might be related to enhancing detection of the semiochemical stimuli and/or priming the olfactory system to detect other environmental chemicals.
Gymnosperms on the EDGE
Authors: Forest Félix , Moat Justin , Baloch Elisabeth , Brummitt Neil A. , Bachman Steve P. , Ickert-Bond Steffi , Hollingsworth Peter M. , Liston Aaron , Little Damon P. , Mathews Sarah , Rai Hardeep , Rydin Catarina , Stevenson Dennis W. , Thomas Philip , Buerki Sven
Published: April 2018

Driven by limited resources and a sense of urgency, the prioritization of species for conservation has been a persistent concern in conservation science. Gymnosperms (comprising ginkgo, conifers, cycads, and gnetophytes) are one of the most threatened groups of living organisms, with 40% of the species at high risk of extinction, about twice as many as the most recent estimates for all plants (i.e. 21.4%). This high proportion of species facing extinction highlights the urgent action required to secure their future through an objective prioritization approach. The Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) method rapidly ranks species based on their evolutionary distinctiveness and the extinction risks they face. EDGE is applied to gymnosperms using a phylogenetic tree comprising DNA sequence data for 85% of gymnosperm species (923 out of 1090 species), to which the 167 missing species were added, and IUCN Red List assessments available for 92% of species. The effect of different extinction probability transformations and the handling of IUCN data deficient species on the resulting rankings is investigated. Although top entries in our ranking comprise species that were expected to score well (e.g. Wollemia nobilis, Ginkgo biloba), many were unexpected (e.g. Araucaria araucana). These results highlight the necessity of using approaches that integrate evolutionary information in conservation science.
Pan-cancer analysis of somatic mutations and transcriptomes reveals common functional gene clusters shared by multiple cancer types
Authors: Kim Hyeongmin , Kim Yong-Min
Published: April 2018

To discover functional gene clusters across cancers, we performed a systematic pan-cancer analysis of 33 cancer types. We identified genes that were associated with somatic mutations and were the cores of a co-expression network. We found that multiple cancer types have relatively exclusive hub genes individually; however, the hub genes cooperate with each other based on their functional relationship. When we built a protein-protein interaction network of hub genes and found nine functional gene clusters across cancer types, the gene clusters divided not only the region of the network map, but also the function of the network by their distinct roles related to the development and progression of cancer. This functional relationship between the clusters and cancers was underpinned by the high expression of module genes and enrichment of programmed cell death, and known candidate cancer genes. In addition to protein-coding hub genes, non-coding hub genes had a possible relationship with cancer. Overall, our approach of investigating cancer genes enabled finding pan-cancer hub genes and common functional gene clusters shared by multiple cancer types based on the expression status of the primary tumour and the functional relationship of genes in the biological network.
DNA-based nanoscaffolds as vehicles for 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine oligomers in colorectal cancer therapy
Authors: Jorge A. F. , Aviñó A. , Pais A. A. C. C. , Eritja R. , Fàbrega C.
Published: April 2018

A novel application for DNA nanostructures as anticancer drug nanocarriers is proposed. DNA tetrahedron and rectangle DNA origami were exploited to deliver 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine oligomers, aided by cholesterol moieties, into 5-fluorouracil-resistant cancer cells.
Photo-assisted synthesis of coaxial-structured polypyrrole/electrochemically hydrogenated TiO2 nanotube arrays as a high performance supercapacitor electrode
Authors: Liu Jiaqin , Li Jingwei , Dai Mengjia , Hu Ying , Cui Jiewu , Wang Yan , Tan Hark Hoe , Wu Yucheng
Published: April 2018

An organic–inorganic coaxial-structured hybrid of PPy/EH-TNTAs electrode was developed and applied for high performance supercapacitors.
Simple multimodal detection of selenium in water and vegetable samples by a catalytic chromogenic method
Authors: Xiong Yuhao , Li Fang , Wang Jingwen , Huang Ailing , Wu Mei , Zhang Zhi , Zhu Dongjian , Xie Wei , Duan Zhenhua , Su Linjing
Published: April 2018

The determination of selenium (Se) has garnered increasing interest because of its importance to life as a nutrient element as well as its toxicological effects.
Exploring MBTH as a spectrophotometric probe for the determination of total phenolic compounds in beverage samples
Authors: da Silva Granja Bruna , Honório de Mendonça Filho José Ricardo , de Souza Oliveira Woodland , Caldas Santos Josué Carinhanha
Published: April 2018

An alternative method using MBTH as a spectrophotometric probe for the determination of total phenolic compounds in samples of wines (red and white), coffees (instant and brewed), teas and infusions.
Rapid nanoparticle self-assembly at elevated temperatures
Authors: Gerstner Dominik , Kraus Tobias
Published: April 2018

We demonstrate that rapid nanoparticle self-assembly is possible in organic solvents if the temperature is above the melting point of the particles’ ligand shell.
Induction of necrotic cell death and activation of STING in the tumor microenvironment via cationic silica nanoparticles leading to enhanced antitumor immunity
Authors: An Myunggi , Yu Chunsong , Xi Jingchao , Reyes Joyce , Mao Guangzhao , Wei Wei-Zen , Liu Haipeng
Published: April 2018

Potent antitumor immunity is induced by intratumoral injection of cytotoxic silica nanoparticles complexed with a STING agonist.
Hollow polymer nanocapsules: synthesis, properties, and applications
Authors: Bentz Kyle C. , Savin Daniel A.
Published: April 2018

Hollow polymer nanocapsules (HPNs) have gained tremendous interest in recent years due to their numerous desirable properties compared to their solid counterparts.
Synthesis, properties, and crystallization of the alternating stereocopolymer poly(l-lactic acid-alt-d-lactic acid) [syndiotactic poly(lactic acid)] and its blend with isotactic poly(lactic acid)
Authors: Tsuji Hideto , Arakawa Yuki
Published: April 2018

The alternating stereocopolymer poly(l-lactic acid-alt-d-lactic acid) or syndiotactic poly(lactic acid) was successfully synthesized by the condensation of the l-lactic acid-d-lactic acid dimer.
Cholesterol functionalized aliphaticN-substituted 8-membered cyclic carbonate
Authors: Venkataraman Shrinivas , Mineart Kenneth P. , Prabhu Vivek M. , Hedrick James L. , Yang Yi Yan
Published: April 2018

Facile synthesis of novel cholesterol containing amphiphilic block copolymers, their aqueous self-assembly and utility as liposome steric stabilizers are reported.
Which NICS method is most consistent with ring current analysis? Assessment in simple monocycles
Authors: Báez-Grez R. , Ruiz Lina , Pino-Rios R. , Tiznado W.
Published: April 2018

A linear relationship between NICSzz,π and NICSπ,σ with their current strength counterparts is shown. The comparative analysis was performed in simple and representative monocycles.
Tunable superoleophobicity via harnessing the surface chemistry of UV responsive titania coatings
Authors: Barman Jitesh , Majumder Sumit Kumar , Roy Pritam Kumar , Khare Krishnacharya
Published: April 2018

Superoleophobic surface with tunable oil wettability is presented by controlling the surface chemistry via exploiting the photocatalytic activity of the titania nanoparticles under UV and regrafting of the same surface.
Gas phase dehydration of glycerol to acrolein over WO3-based catalysts prepared by non-hydrolytic sol–gel synthesis
Authors: Nadji L. , Massó A. , Delgado D. , Issaadi R. , Rodriguez-Aguado E. , Rodriguez-Castellón E. , Nieto J. M. López
Published: April 2018

Active and selective W–Si–(Zr)–O catalysts for glycerol dehydration to acrolein have been successfully prepared by non-hydrolytic sol gel method.
Layer-by-layer assembled polyaniline/carbon nanomaterial-coated cellulosic aerogel electrodes for high-capacitance supercapacitor applications
Authors: Lyu Shaoyi , Chen Yanping , Han Shenjie , Guo Limin , Chen Zhilin , Lu Yun , Chen Yuan , Yang Na , Wang Siqun
Published: April 2018

Cellulosic aerogel was used as a porous lightweight substrate to layer-by-layer assembly polyaniline and carbon nanomaterials for high capacitance supercapacitor applications.
Protecting group free radical C–H trifluoromethylation of peptides
Authors: Ichiishi Naoko , Caldwell John P. , Lin Melissa , Zhong Wendy , Zhu Xiaohong , Streckfuss Eric , Kim Hai-Young , Parish Craig A. , Krska Shane W.
Published: April 2018

Two radical-based approaches enable the efficient trifluoromethylation of aromatic sidechains in fully unprotected peptides under mild, biocompatible conditions.
An interplay of electrostatic and excluded volume interactions in the conformational behavior of a dipolar chain: theory and computer simulations
Authors: Gordievskaya Yu. D. , Budkov Yu. A. , Kramarenko E. Yu.
Published: April 2018

The effect of an interplay between electrostatic and excluded volume interactions on the conformational behavior of a dipolar chain has been studied theoretically and by means of molecular dynamics simulations.
Iron(iii) oxyhydroxide and oxide monoliths with controlled multiscale porosity: synthesis and their adsorption performance
Authors: Hara Yosuke , Kanamori Kazuyoshi , Morisato Kei , Miyamoto Riichi , Nakanishi Kazuki
Published: April 2018

Iron(iii) oxyhydroxide and oxide monoliths with controlled multiscale porosity have been successfully fabricated via the sol–gel process accompanied by phase separation.
Exponential‐to‐linear conversion for fluorescence lifetime measurement
Authors: Punjiya M. , Sonkusale S.
Published: April 2018

A new scheme for CMOS‐based fluorescence lifetime imaging with hardware‐level exponential‐to‐linear conversion is proposed. The exponential relationship between drain current and drain‐to‐source voltage in a subthreshold MOSFET is explored for linearisation of the photocurrent generated during a fluorescence decay. Simple measurement of the resulting slope, either through voltage or time measurement, provides lifetime information in a single excitation cycle. The scheme is less sensitive to time and voltage errors compared with charge modulation techniques and are suitable for applications, where high‐frame rate and rapid extraction are desired.
Remote examination of exudates‐impact of macular oedema
Authors: Punniyamoorthy Uma , Pushpam Indumathi
Published: April 2018

One of the major causes of eye blindness is identified to be as diabetic retinopathy, which if not detected in earlier stage would cause a serious issue. Long‐term diabetes causes diabetic retinopathy. The significant key factor leading to diabetic retinopathy is exudates which affect the retina part and causes eye defects. Thus the first and foremost task in the automated detection of macular oedema is to detect the presence of these exudates. The authors use image processing techniques to detect the optic disc, exudates and the presence of macular oedema. Their method has the sensitivity 96.07%, selectivity 97.36%, and accuracy 96.62% for the exudates detection and in the case of macular oedema detection the sensitivity 97.75%, selectivity 100%, and accuracy 98.86% is achieved. The performance comparison with other methods reveals that their method can be used as a screening process for diabetic retinopathy. In addition to that, the algorithm can help to detect macular oedema.
High‐efficiency circularly polarised leaky‐wave antenna fed by spoof surface plasmon polaritons
Authors: Zhang QingLe , Zhang Qingfeng , Chen Yifan
Published: April 2018

A circularly polarised (CP) periodic leaky‐wave antenna excited by spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) is proposed. It is based on an SPP transmission line loaded by periodic rectangular patches on both sides with phase shift, which converts the SPPs mode to CP propagating waves in the air. Due to the dispersion nature of SPPs waveguide, this leaky‐wave antenna exhibits a beam scanning feature. Both simulated and measured results demonstrate that the proposed antenna has an impedance bandwidth of 33% for and a 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth of 15%. The average gain and radiation efficiency are about 10 dBic and 87% from 5.5 to 6.4 GHz, respectively.
Evidence for the formation of the young counter-rotating stellar disk from gas acquired by IC 719
Authors: Pizzella A. , Morelli L. , Coccato L. , Corsini E. M. , Dalla Bontà E. , Fabricius M. , Saglia R. P.
Published: April 2018

Aims. The formation scenario of extended counter-rotating stellar disks in galaxies is still debated. In this paper, we study the S0 galaxy IC 719 known to host two large-scale counter-rotating stellar disks in order to investigate their formation mechanism.

Methods. We exploit the large field of view and wavelength coverage of the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) spectrograph to derive two-dimensional (2D) maps of the various properties of the counter-rotating stellar disks, such as age, metallicity, kinematics, spatial distribution, the kinematical and chemical properties of the ionized gas, and the dust map.

Results. Due to the large wavelength range, and in particular to the presence of the Calcium Triplet λλ8498, 8542, 8662 Å (CaT hereafter), the spectroscopic analysis allows us to separate the two stellar components in great detail. This permits precise measurement of both the velocity and velocity dispersion of the two components as well as their spatial distribution. We derived a 2D map of the age and metallicity of the two stellar components, as well as the star formation rate and gas-phase metallicity from the ionized gas emission maps.

Conclusions. The main stellar disk of the galaxy is kinematically hotter, older, thicker and with larger scale-length than the secondary disk. There is no doubt that the latter is strongly linked to the ionized gas component: they have the same kinematics and similar vertical and radial spatial distribution. This result is in favor of a gas accretion scenario over a binary merger scenario to explain the origin of counter-rotation in IC 719. One source of gas that may have contributed to the accretion process is the cloud that surrounds IC 719.
Acoustic wave-driven oxidized liquid metal-based energy harvester
Authors: Jeon Jinpyo , Chung Sang Kug , Lee Jeong-Bong , Doo Seok Joo , Kim Daeyoung
Published: April 2018

We report an oxidized liquid metal droplet-based energy harvester that converts acoustic energy into electrical energy by modulating an electrical double layer that originates from the deformation of the oxidized liquid metal droplet. Gallium-based liquid metal alloy has been developed for various applications owing to the outstanding material properties, such as its high electrical conductivity (metallic property) and unlimited deformability (liquid property). In this study, we demonstrated energy harvesting using an electrical double layer between the acoustic wave-modulated liquid metal droplet and two electrodes. The proposed energy harvester consisted of top and bottom electrodes covered with the dielectric layer and a Gallium-based liquid metal droplet placed between the electrodes. When we applied an external bias voltage and acoustic wave to the proposed device, the contact area between the liquid metal droplet and the electrodes changed, leading to the variation of the capacitance in the electrical double layer and the generation of electrical output current. Using the proposed energy harvester, the maximum output current of 41.2 nA was generated with an applied acoustic wave of 30 Hz. In addition, we studied the relationships between the maximum output current and a variety of factors, such as the size of the liquid metal droplet, the thickness of the hydrophobic layer, and the distance between the top and bottom electrode plates.
Seroprevalence ofToxoplasma gondiiin free-living European mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon) hunted in central Germany
Authors: Heddergott Mike , Osten-Sacken Natalia , Steinbach Peter , Frantz Alain C.
Published: April 2018

Despite increasing consumption of mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon) meat in Germany, there is currently no surveillance ofToxoplasma gondiiinfection in populations of these animals and generally little knowledge about the prevalence of this protozoan in German wild ungulates. Between 2011 and 2015, we collected 138 blood samples from a free-living mouflon population in central German and tested sera for the presence ofT. gondiiantibodies using a modified agglutination test (MAT, cut-off 1:20). Antibodies were detected in 31 of the 138 samples (22.46%). There was a significant difference in seroprevalence between the different age classes, with antibodies toT. gondiimore frequent in adults. In contrast, there was no significant difference in seroprevalence depending on sex and year of sample collection. Game meat is frequently consumed as raw or undercooked meat and may therefore represent a potential source of human infection withT. gondii.
Endoskopische Frühdiagnostik von Karzinomen im oberen Aerodigestivtrakt
Authors: Davaris Nikolaos , Voigt-Zimmermann Susanne , Cyran Anna-Maria , Arens Christoph
Published: April 2018

Der obere Aerodigestivtrakt ist mit endoskopischen Methoden gut zugänglich. Die Entwicklung moderner endoskopisch bildgebender Verfahren (EBV) hat dazu
beigetragen, Tumorerkrankungen im oberen Aerodigestivtrakt frühzeitig zu entdecken und minimalinvasiv, onkologisch wirksam sowie funktionserhaltend zu
behandeln. Damit wird ein gutes onkologisches Ergebnis bei Erhalt der Lebensqualität und Reduzierung der Mortalität und Komplikationsrate erreicht.
Anti-Obesity Effect of Arq Zeera and Its Main Components Thymol and Cuminaldehyde in High Fat Diet Induced Obese Rats
Authors: Haque Mohammad , Ansari H.
Published: April 2018

Arq zeera is a distillate product that prepared from four different herbs namely Trachyspermum ammi L., apiaceae, Zingiber officinale Roxb., zingiberaceae, Carum carvi L.,apiaceae and Cuminum cyminum L., apiaceae. The present study aims to determine the antiobesity effect of arq zeera and its main components thymol and cuminaldehyde in high fat diet induced obese rats and to explore its mechanism of action. In current study, orlistat was used as positive controls. Male Wistar rats were fed with HFD for 42 days to induce obesity. HFD-fed rats were administered with arq zeera, thymol, cumic aldehyde, thymol + cuminaldehyde and orlistat for 28 days. During the course of treatment, body weight and food intake frequently observed and after end of treatments, liver weight, visceral fat pad weight, plasma lipid proflie, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, glucose, insulin, leptin levels and pancreatic lipase activity were studied on all treated obese rats. The histopathology of liver was also studied. After the treatments of arq zeera and its main components, body weight, food intake, liver weight, visceral fat pad weight and the level of lipid profile, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotranferase, glucose, insulin, and leptin were found to be decreased and pancreatic lipase inhibition were increased. Arq zeera showed more potential antiobesity effect than orlistat. According to our present findings, arq zeera and its main components possessed potent antiobesity effect on high fat diet -induced obese rats and excreted anti-obesity effect partly via hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, hypoinsulinemic, hypoleptinemic and pancreatic lipase inhibition action.
Serendipitous Detection of Cervical Nodal Metastasis in Glomus Jugulare
Authors: Venkitachalam Shruti , Chinnusamy Rayappa , Ashok Narendranath , Halbe Swatee
Published: April 2018

We present the case of a 50-year-old man who presented to us with a history of having received radiation therapy for a glomus jugulare tumor. He had been on regular follow-up with serial imaging scans. The MRI done after 4 years of treatment revealed an interval increase in size. Carotid angiogram revealed, in addition to the glomus, multiple lymph nodes of similar pattern of vascularity, well lateral to the carotid sheath, in the ipsilateral neck. He underwent resection of the tumor and a neck dissection. Histopathology confirmed metastatic glomus jugulare in the cervical lymph nodes. He received adjuvant radiotherapy and is doing well.
Ulnar Neuropathy due to Intraneural Ganglion Cyst of the Ulnar Nerve at the Elbow
Authors: Son Byung-chul , Choi Jin-gyu , Ko Hak-cheol
Published: April 2018

Intraneural ganglion cysts are rare mucinous cyst originating within the epineurium of peripheral nerves. They occur most commonly in the peroneal nerve. However, they have also been described in many nerves in the vicinity of synovial joints. Intraneural ganglion cysts in the upper extremity are rare. Those at the elbow joint comprise only 9% of intraneural ganglion ever reported.

A 66-year-old and right-handed male patient presented with a sudden onset of right-hand weakness. He initially noticed paresthesia with decreased sensation in the lateral two digits and radial palm in his right hand. Physical examination showed thenar muscle atrophy and muscle weakness of the abductor pollicis brevis in the right hand. Preoperative diagnosis of intraneural ganglion cyst was made on the basis of characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. On exploration, the ulnar nerve was identified proximal to the elbow joint. Its articular branch was addressed and divided from the elbow joint.

To the best of our knowledge, addressing the articular branch connecting the glenohumeral joint for the treatment of intraneural ganglion at the elbow has only been reported twice. We experienced a rare occurrence of intraneural ganglion cyst at the elbow manifesting an ulnar neuropathy. Here, we report intraoperative findings for the articular branch-connected to intraneural ganglion of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. Early diagnosis of intraneural ganglion with precise identification of the pathology and addressing the articular branch with atraumatic dissection of ganglion cyst are essential to achieve successful treatment for this rare lesion.
Tumor de células gigantes en cuarto metacarpiano: a propósito de un caso
Authors: Palacios Alejandra , Ambite Juan , Zbigniew Tomasz
Published: April 2018

Los tumores de células gigantes óseos en las manos son raros; presentamos un caso de un paciente con TCGO localizado en el cuarto metacarpiano tratado en dos tiempos quirúrgicos mediante resección en bloque de todo el hueso y reconstrucción con injerto de peroné vascularizado autólogo seguido de artroplastia metacarpofalángica. Tras un seguimiento postoperatorio de dos años y, a pesar de una recidiva cutánea y sinóstosis a nivel de la prótesis que puede precisar una nueva intervención, el paciente se encuentra libre de recidivas y satisfecho con los resultados obtenidos.
Tension Band Wire Fixation Technique for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tibial Avulsion Fracture: A New Fixation Technique
Authors: Ding Jing , Wan Lianping , Hou Xiaosheng , Gan Yudong
Published: April 2018

This study evaluated clinical results of tension band wire fixation technique in the arthroscopic treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tibial avulsion fracture. This study included 148 cases of ACL tibial avulsion fracture treated using arthroscopic tension band wire fixation technique. Patients were followed up for 25 to 36 months with an average of 27 months and evaluated in accordance with the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Lysholm knee scoring scale. Fractures were united within 3 months after surgery in all cases. During the last follow-up, the anterior drawer, Lachman, and pivot shift tests showed negative, except for eight patients who had a 1-degree positive anterior drawer test. KT-1000 knee stability test showed no anterior instability exceeding 2 mm in 132 patients and 4 mm in 8 patients. In accordance with the IKDC scale, the knees of 132 patients were graded normal, whereas 8 other patients were nearly normal. Lysholm scores before surgery and during the last follow-up were 72.4 ± 3.2 and 97.5 ± 2.2, respectively. Statistically significant differences were observed among the Lysholm scores (p < 0.05). The Tegner scores were 6.5 ± 0.9 before injury and 6.4 ± 0.7 at the last follow-up (p > 0.05). No statistically significant differences between the preinjury and postoperative activity level were observed. All patients were satisfied with the outcomes of operation. Arthroscopic treatment of ACL tibial avulsion fracture by using tension band wire fixation technique ensures fracture healing and restores the stability and function of the joint in most patients. The level of evidence for this study is III.
Simultaneous Fractures of the Ipsilateral Scaphoid and Distal Radius
Authors: Fitzpatrick Elizabeth , Fowler Timothy
Published: April 2018

Background Ipsilateral fractures of the distal radius and scaphoid are rare, with few reports describing mechanisms of injury, fracture patterns, and treatment approaches.

Purpose This article describes the clinical and radiographic features of ipsilateral distal radius and scaphoid fractures occurring simultaneously.

Materials and Methods Electronic databases from 2007 to 2017 at a single Level 1 trauma center were reviewed for patients with concurrent fractures of the distal radius and scaphoid. Patient demographics, injury mechanism, scaphoid and distal radius fracture pattern, treatment approach, and radiographic healing were studied.

Results Twenty-three patients were identified. Nineteen of the 23 (83%) were males, and 19 of 23 (83%) of the injury mechanisms were considered high energy. Twenty-two of the 23 (96%) scaphoid fractures were nondisplaced, all treated with screw fixation. Most distal radius fractures were displaced and comminuted, 17 of 23 (74%) were intra-articular. All distal radius fractures were treated surgically with internal and/or external fixation. Three patients were lost to follow-up. Average follow-up of the remaining 20 was to 19.8 weeks. Nineteen of the 20 (95%) scaphoids healed, one scaphoid went on to nonunion with avascular necrosis. All 20 radius fractures healed, 16 of 20 (80%) in anatomic alignment.

Conclusion Ipsilateral fractures of the distal radius and scaphoid are rare and are usually result of high-energy mechanisms. The scaphoid fracture is usually a nondisplaced fracture at the waist. The distal radius fracture pattern varies but most are displaced and comminuted. The union rate of the scaphoid is high, even if subjected to radiocarpal distraction required for distal radius management.

Level of Evidence Therapeutic level IV study.
Lab-on-a-chip electrical multiplexing techniques for cellular and molecular biomarker detection
Authors: Liu Fan , Ni Liwei , Zhe Jiang
Published: April 2018

Signal multiplexing is vital to develop lab-on-a-chip devices that can detect and quantify multiple cellular and molecular biomarkers with high throughput, short analysis time, and low cost. Electrical detection of biomarkers has been widely used in lab-on-a-chip devices because it requires less external equipment and simple signal processing and provides higher scalability. Various electrical multiplexing for lab-on-a-chip devices have been developed for comprehensive, high throughput, and rapid analysis of biomarkers. In this paper, we first briefly introduce the widely used electrochemical and electrical impedance sensing methods. Next, we focus on reviewing various electrical multiplexing techniques that had achieved certain successes on rapid cellular and molecular biomarker detection, including direct methods (spatial and time multiplexing), and emerging technologies (frequency, codes, particle-based multiplexing). Lastly, the future opportunities and challenges on electrical multiplexing techniques are also discussed.
Enhancing the multiple harmonics by step-like cantilever
Authors: Gao Feifei , Zhang Yin
Published: April 2018

In atomic force microscopy (AFM), the higher modes are highly sensitive to the tip-sample interactions which generate many harmonics. When a higher harmonic is close to the natural frequency of a mode, the harmonic signal is enhanced by a resonance. The step-like cantilever is proposed as an effective design to enhance the higher harmonic signals. The natural frequencies are changed with the variations of the step-like cantilever sizes. By carefully designing the step-like cantilever, the first three modes can be simultaneously excited. A comprehensive map is provided as a guidance of selecting the appropriate geometric parameters.
Response of plant functional traits at species and community levels to grazing exclusion on Inner Mongolian steppe, China
Authors: Zhang Jinghui , Huang Yongmei , Chen Huiying , Gong Jirui , Qi Yu , Li Engui , Wu Xiuchen
Published: April 2018

Variations in ecosystem function in response to land-use changes may be expected to reflect differences in the functional traits of plants. In this study, we sought to reveal the relationship between trait variability and grazing management on typical steppe in Inner Mongolia, and explore the implications of this relationship for ecosystem functioning. We measured aboveground biomass and 18 functional traits of the most abundant plant species in a grassland subject to three grazing-management regimes: long-term grazing, short-term grazing exclusion (since 2008) and long-term grazing exclusion (since 1956). Principal component analysis of the variation in species-level traits revealed trade-offs between the traits that enabled rapid acquisition of resources by fast-growing annual species and those that promoted conservation of resources by perennial grasses, especially Stipa grandis. However, there was no systematic pattern of intra-specific variation in trait values recorded among sites. Aggregation of plant functional traits to the community level revealed a gradient of responses of typical steppe to grazing exclusion. Long-term grazing favoured species whose traits indicate low forage quality and relatively low growth rate. Exclusion of grazing for several years favoured species whose traits indicate relatively high growth rate and high capacity to acquire resources. Exclusion of grazing for several decades favoured species whose morphological and physiological traits indicated low growth rates and high capacity for resource conservation. These community-level traits imply that ecosystem carbon and nutrient stores will change in response to the grazing regime. Long-term grazing will result in decreased plant carbon and nitrogen content, and will lead to carbon and nutrient loss, whereas short-term and long-term grazing exclusion are beneficial to the recovery of carbon and nutrient storage. The findings support the value of community aggregated traits as indicators of environmental or management change and for explaining changes in ecosystem function.
Comparison of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in a pine forest soil and an agricultural soil
Authors: Flores-Núñez Víctor M. , Amora-Lazcano Enriqueta , Rodríguez-Dorantes Angélica , Cruz-Maya Juan A. , Jan-Roblero Janet
Published: April 2018

The load and diversity of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are used as biomarkers to evaluate the health and quality of the soil. In the present study, the diversity of PGPRs and the physicochemical properties of the soil were used as comparative biomarkers in two adjacent soils (a pine forest soil and an agricultural soil) of the same region in Mexico City in order to investigate the effects of land use change. Bacterial diversity and physicochemical properties differed between the two soils. In the pine forest soil, PGPR were distributed at similar proportions in the Proteobacteria (29.41%), Actinobacteria (29.41%) and Firmicutes (35.29%) phyla, whereas the remaining PGPR were in Bacteroidetes (5.88%). In the agricultural soil, most PGPR belonged to the Phylum Firmicutes (50%), with the remaining belonging to Proteobacteria (22.73%), Actinobacteria (18.18%) and Bacteroidetes (9.09%). Percentages of bacteria producing indole acetic acid (90.91%) and siderophores (40.91%) were higher in agricultural soil. A canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was used to correlate PGPR with the physicochemical characteristics of the soils. The CCA revealed that differences between both soils and the physicochemical properties of the soils affected isolated bacterial species and their distribution. These results demonstrate that the PGPR are correlated with the physicochemical properties of the soil, exhibiting differences between an agricultural soil and a pine forest soil.
Fire behaviour in masticated forest fuels: lab and prescribed fire experiments
Authors: Lyon Zachary D. , Morgan Penelope , Stevens-Rumann Camille S. , Sparks Aaron M. , Keefe Robert F. , Smith Alistair M. S.
Published: April 2018

Managers masticate fuels to reduce extreme fire hazards, but the effect on fire behaviour within the resulting compact fuelbeds is poorly understood. We burned 54 masticated fuelbeds in laboratory experiments one and two growing seasons after mastication and 75 masticated fuelbeds in prescribed fire experiments one growing season after treatment in three replicate Pinus ponderosa stands. Mastication treatments reduced density of trees >5 cm diameter by 30–72% resulting in total fuel depth of 6.9–13.7 cm and surface woody fuel loading of 1.0–16.0 kg m−2. Flame length and rate of spread were low and similar for coarse and fine mastication treatments and controls. Smouldering combustion lasted 6–22 h in prescribed fire experiments where fuelbeds included duff and were well mixed by machinery, compared with <2 h in the laboratory where fuelbeds did not include duff and had varying fuel moisture. Fuel consumption in the prescribed fires was highly variable, ranging from 0 to 20 cm in depth and was less from 2-year-old fuelbeds than 1-year-old fuelbeds in laboratory burns. Compared with fine mastication treatments, coarse treatments took less time to implement and were more cost-effective. Although laboratory experiments expand our understanding of burning masticated fuels under controlled conditions, they did not readily translate to prescribed burning conditions where fuels, weather and ignition patterns were more variable. This highlights the need for more laboratory experiments and in situ research that together can be used to develop much-needed, scalable predictive models of mastication combustion.
Case Study: Students’ Symbolic Manipulation in Calculus Among UTHM Students
Authors: Ali Maselan , Sufahani Suliadi , Ahmad Wan N.A.W. , Kamardan M. Ghazali , Rusiman Mohd Saifullah , Che-Him Norziha
Published: April 2018

Words are symbols representing certain aspects of mathematics. The main purpose of this study is to gain insight into students’ symbolic manipulation in calculus among UTHM students. This study make use the various methods in collecting data which are documentation, pilot study, written test and follow up individual interviews. Hence, the results analyzed and interpreted based on action-process-object-schema framework which is based on Piaget’s ideas of reflective abstraction, the concept of relational and instrumental understanding and the zone of proximal development idea. The students’ reply in the interview session is analyzed and then the overall performance is discussed briefly to relate with the students flexibility in symbolic manipulation in linking to the graphical idea, the students interpretation towards different symbolic structure in calculus and the problem that related to overgeneralization in their calculus problems solving.