bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correction: Cu-doped P2-Na0.5Ni0.33Mn0.67O2 encapsulated with MgO as a novel high voltage cathode with enhanced Na-storage properties
Authors: Ramasamy Hari Vignesh , Kaliyappan Karthikeyan , Thangavel Ranjith , Aravindan Vanchiappan , Kang Kisuk , Kim Dae Ung , Park Yong Il , Sun Xueliang , Lee Yun-Sung
Published: June 2017

Correction for ‘Cu-doped P2-Na0.5Ni0.33Mn0.67O2 encapsulated with MgO as a novel high voltage cathode with enhanced Na-storage properties’ by Hari Vignesh Ramasamy et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2017, DOI: 10.1039/c6ta10334k.
Bilayer solvent and vapor-triggered actuators made of cross-linked polymer architectures via Diels–Alder pathways
Authors: Toncheva Antoniya , Willocq Bertrand , Khelifa Farid , Douheret Olivier , Lambert Pierre , Dubois Philippe , Raquez Jean-Marie
Published: June 2017

Poly(ε-caprolactone)/MWCNT bilayer actuators produced by reactive extrusion techniques with solvent, vapor and electrical-responsiveness for soft robotics application.
New amphiphilic materials showing the lyotropic analogue to the thermotropic smectic C* liquid crystal phase
Authors: Harjung Marc D. , Schubert Christopher P. J. , Knecht Friederike , Porada Jan H. , Lemieux Robert P. , Giesselmann Frank
Published: June 2017

Two new examples of the lyotropic analog to the thermotropic ferroelectric SmC* phase were found recently.
Osteochondral Autologous Transplantation Compared to Microfracture for Treating Osteochondral Defect: An Updated Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Haien Zhao , Jiachang Wu , Qiang Li , Yufeng Mei , Zhenwei Ji
Published: June 2017

Various techniques have proven to be effective for treating articular cartilage defect of the knee joint, but knowledge regarding which method is best still remains uncertain. Osteochondral autologous transplantation (OAT) provides hyaline or hyaline-like repair for articular defects, whereas microfracture (MF) provides fibrocartilage repair tissue. To compare the OAT with MF procedure for the treatment of articular cartilage defect, we present an update of previous meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

We searched for the published results of relevant trials. Then, we pooled the outcome measures of the included trials for analysis. The outcome measures assessed in this study included the number of patients who reached excellent or good results, the patients returning to the activity, the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) scores, the failure rate, and the osteoarthritis rate. Six studies and 294 patients were identified as eligible for data extraction and meta-analysis. The pooled result showed that there was no significant difference in the excellent or good results (relative risks [RRs], 1.27; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 0.95 to 1.70; p = 0.11) and the rate of osteoarthritis (RRs, 0.64; 95% CIs, 0.37 to 1.13; p = 0.12). There were significant differences between the two groups in the scores of ICRS (mean differences [MDs], 12.51; 95% CIs, 10.55 to 14.47; p = 0.00001), the patients returning to activity (RRs, 2.04; 95% CIs, 1.36 to 3.07; p = 0.0006), and in the failure rate (RRs, 0.23; 95% CIs, 0.11 to 0.49; p = 0.0001). OAT has more advantages compared with MF procedure in referring to the index of return to activity, the scores of ICRS, and the rate of failure. However, the limitations restrict the generalizability of this study, and larger, sufficiently powered studies are necessary to evaluate the efficiency of OAT compared with MF procedure in the future.
Effect of Obesity on Gestational and Perinatal Outcomes
Authors: Madi Sônia Regina Cabral , Garcia Rosa Maria Rahmi , Souza Vandrea Carla de , Rombaldi Renato Luís , Araújo Breno Fauth de , Madi José Mauro
Published: June 2017

Purpose To assess the impact of pre-pregnancy obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m2) on the gestational and perinatal outcomes.

Methods Retrospective cohort study of 731 pregnant women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 at the first prenatal care visit, comparing them with 3,161 women with a BMI between 18.5 kg/m2 and 24.9 kg/m2. Maternal and neonatal variables were assessed. Statistical analyses reporting the demographic features of the pregnant women (obese and normal) were performed with descriptive statistics followed by two-sided independent Student's t tests for the continuous variables, and the chi-squared (χ2) test, or Fisher's exact test, for the categorical variables. We performed a multiple linear regression analysis of newborn body weight based on the mother's BMI, adjusted by maternal age, hyperglycemic disorders, hypertensive disorders, and cesarean deliveries to analyze the relationships among these variables. All analyses were performed with the R (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) for Windows software, version 3.1.0. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results Obesity was associated with older age [OR 9.8 (7.8–12.2); p < 0.01], hyperglycemic disorders [OR 6.5 (4.8–8.9); p < 0.01], hypertensive disorders [OR 7.6 (6.1–9.5); p < 0.01], caesarean deliveries [OR 2.5 (2.1–3.0); p < 0.01], fetal macrosomia [OR 2.9 (2.3–3.6); p < 0.01] and umbilical cord pH [OR 2.1 (1.4–2.9); p < 0.01). Conversely, no association was observed with the duration of labor, bleeding during labor, Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, gestational age, stillbirth and early neonatal mortality, congenital malformations, and maternal and fetal injury.

Conclusion We observed that pre-pregnancy obesity was associated with maternal age, hyperglycemic disorders, hypertension syndrome, cesarean deliveries, fetal macrosomia, and fetal acidosis.
Endoscopic Sural Nerve Removal in Obstetric Brachial Plexopathy Using Basic Endoscopy Instruments: Technical Note
Authors: Malheiros José , Cançado Sérgio , Belo João , Garcia Luiz , Oliveira Marcelo , Malessy Martjin
Published: June 2017

Introduction The sural nerve (SN) is commonly used for grafting following resection of a neuroma-in-continuity in neonatal brachial plexus lesions (NBPL). The main drawbacks of the current open techniques are large scars and contractures in the late postoperative stage, which may, in severe cases, cause equinovarus contractures.

Objective To describe the feasibility and the technical aspects of endoscopic SN harvesting with the use of basic endoscopy instruments and small incisions.

Methods Prospective observational study of NBPL subjected to endoscopic nerve harvesting between February of 2012 and February of 2014 in a consecutive series. Patients were operated at the Felício Rocho Hospital (Hospital Felício Rocho) and the Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Minas Gerais (Hospital das Clínicas UFMG), Belo Horizonte/MG, in Brazil. The study outcomes assessed were: scar size, presence or absence of contractures in the calf, bleeding volume (measured by the number of gauzes used) and number of incisions. Only patients with a follow-up longer than 6 months were included.

Results Seven patients were selected and twelve endoscopic nerves were endoscopically harvested. The average surgery time was 45 minutes. Nine SNs were harvested through two incisions, and three nerves through three incisions. The estimated bleeding was less than 5ml and there were no complications or contractures during the follow-up period of 6 months to 4 years.

Conclusion Sural nerve harvesting in children with NBPL is feasible and it offers the advantage of needing only two or three small incisions using basic endoscopy instruments.
Acute Abdomen Secondary to Ruptured Epithelial Ovarian Cancer during Pregnancy: The Relevance of Teamwork
Authors: Ortiz-Mendoza Carlos Manuel , Vera-Vázquez Sandra Adriana , Gómez-Rodríguez Manuel , López-Gómez José Luis , Bornstein-Quevedo Leticia
Published: June 2017

Acute abdomen secondary to epithelial ovarian cancer rupture during pregnancy is a rare event. Our aim is to present how the work of a coordinated multidisciplinary team in a case of ruptured epithelial ovarian cancer during pregnancy is feasible to obtain the best results possible. A 34-year-old woman during the 37th week of her first gestation presented with an acute abdomen. During laparotomy, a ruptured 16.5-cm left ovarian tumor was detected; the tumor was extirpated and sent to pathologic evaluation. In the meantime, a Kerr cesarean section was performed, and a healthy female neonate was born. The tumor was diagnosed as a cystadenocarcinoma; therefore, the family and the combined surgical team (obstetricians and a surgical oncologist) decided to complete a definitive radical ovarian cancer surgery: hysterectomy, right salpingo-oophorectomy, lymphadenectomy, omentectomy and appendectomy. The patient's postoperative evolution was uneventful, and she was sent to adjuvant chemotherapy.
Rare Case of Young Patient with Intraventricular Angiomatous Meningioma
Authors: Heemann Gabriel Carvalho , Paglioli Rafael Silva , Wainberg Ricardo Chmelnitsky
Published: June 2017

Pediatric meningiomas are rare and account for only 2.2% of the central nervous system (CNS) tumors. In this age group, they are more frequently located in atypical sites, such as, mainly, the ventricular system, with a frequency of 8.8 to 13.6%. Adding this to the fact that the angiomatous subtype constitutes only 2.1% of all meningiomas, the rarity of the case reported here is corroborated. We report a 17-year-old female patient diagnosed with intraventricular angiomatous meningioma; she underwent surgical resection of the tumor in the body and frontal horn of the right lateral ventricle, and there were no neurological sequelae. With a follow-up of 26 months, there was no recurrence and the patient had clinical stability. Intraventricular tumors usually have slow growth and reach a considerable size until they cause symptoms and then are diagnosed. In addition, the deep location of the tumor and its proximity to eloquent areas make these tumors a neurosurgical challenge. The angiomatous subtype, due to the presence of hypervascularization (consisting of > 50% of vascular components), may, in some cases, hinder surgical resection as well as be erroneously diagnosed. However, surgical treatment aimed at total resection of the lesion remains the conduct of choice in the case reported here, especially in patients in the first two decades of life, in which the use of radiation is avoided. Specifically when it comes to the surgery, we chose a transcalosal approach that allows a good transoperative visualization of the lesion when located in the body and frontal horn of the lateral ventricle.
Epidemiology and Estimated Cost of Surgeries for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Conducted by the Unified Health System in Brazil (2008–2016)
Authors: Magalhães Marcelo José da Silva de , Fernandes Jeffet Lucas Silva , Alkmim Mateus Silva , Anjos Evandro Barbosa dos
Published: June 2017

Objective To define the epidemiological aspects and estimated costs of surgeries performed by the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS, in the Portuguese acronym) for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in Brazil between 2008 and 2016.

Materials and Methods Documentary study, with data from the Informatics Department of the SUS (DATASUS, in the Portuguese acronym), about the absolute number and incidence of admissions, the total and mean length of stay (in days), the total expenses, and the hospital and professional services expenses in the surgical treatment of CTS.

Results During the period studied, there were 82,123 hospitalizations for surgery, with a 62% increase from 2008 to 2015, accompanied by an increase in the values of professional services. The incidence and the absolute number of procedures were higher in the South and Southeast regions. The North region presented the lowest expenses, absolute number, and incidence of admissions, as well as the longer mean length of stay. The mean length of stay decreased from 1.2 days in 2008 to 0.7 day in 2016. The expenses totaled BRL 29,463,148.80 during the period studied. After 2011, professional services became the largest portion of the total expenses. Hospital expenses corresponded to 52.49% of the expenditure in 2008, and to 36.24% in 2015, while professional expenses received the largest investment compared with the total amount expended in 2012.

Conclusion The present study was not consistent with the international literature regarding epidemiological data and cost estimates. Brazil presented a disparity between absolute numbers and annual incidence of admissions and length of stay. Future researches can assess variables that have influenced these results, as well as contribute to public interventions aimed at the improvement of health care.
Kyphoplastie – Vertebroplastie – Vertebral-Body-Stenting-System-Stentoplastie
Authors: Littwin Timm , Schmid Stefan , Eder Christian , Mayr Edgar
Published: June 2017

Es werden die Anwendungen, Indikationen und Komplikationen der perkutanen Vertebroplastie, Kyphoplastie und VBS-Stentoplastie (VBS: Vertebral Body Stenting) bei der Behandlung vertebraler Kompressionsfrakturen vorgestellt. Bedingt durch die zunehmende Zahl osteoporotischer Wirbelkörperfrakturen und traumatischer Wirbelfrakturen bei Osteoporose ist der Bedarf an Zementierverfahren am Wirbelkörper stark gewachsen. Allen Verfahren ist gemeinsam, dass sie ausschließlich beim betagten Patienten zur Anwendung kommen. Ferner darf das Potenzial zur Wiederaufrichtung des sagittalen Profils all dieser Verfahren nicht überschätzt werden. Die Handhabung der Verfahren ist vergleichsweise einfach und sicher. Es kommen jedoch häufig Zementaustritte und Anschlussfrakturen vor.
Symptomatic isolated terminal ileal ulcers: etiology and clinical significance
Authors: Mehta Varun , Gupta Ankita , Mahajan Ramit , Narang Vikram , Midha Vandana , Sood Neena , Kaur Harpreet , Kaur Kirandeep , Sood Ajit
Published: June 2017

Background With an increasing number of ileal intubations, isolated terminal ileal ulcers (ITIU) are frequently found during colonoscopies. The present study aimed at studying the etiology and clinical significance of these ulcers in patients having gastrointestinal symptoms.

Methods This was a prospective observational study performed on consecutive patients who underwent ileocolonoscopy for various gastrointestinal symptoms between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2014. Clinical, endoscopic, and histological findings of patients with ITIUs were assessed to determine the etiology and they were treated accordingly. Symptom resolution was assessed within 3 – 6 months of initial diagnosis, and colonoscopy was repeated for consenting patients.

Results Among 74 (4.9 %) of 1497 patients who had ITIUs on ileocolonoscopy, 41 (55.4 %) had specific etiologies on initial testing. After 3 – 6 months follow-up, definitive diagnosis was ascertained in 44 (59.5 %) patients [Crohn’s disease (CD): 19 (25.7 %), NSAID-induced ulcers: 11 (14.9 %), intestinal tuberculosis (ITB): 9 (12.2 %), and eosinophilic enteritis: 5 (6.8 %)], and 30 patients (40.5 %) had nonspecific ulcers. After treatment, symptomatic and endoscopic resolution were noted in 55/60 patients (91.7 %) and 28/36 patients (77.8 %), respectively. Of 5/60 patients who remained symptomatic, three were initially diagnosed with nonspecific ulcers and two with CD, and they were finally diagnosed with CD and ITB respectively, and treated accordingly.

Conclusions In patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, more than half of the ITIUs have specific etiologies, and timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment can prevent serious complications. Nonspecific ulcers can be managed with symptomatic treatment, but need close monitoring and re-evaluation in the case of persistence of symptoms.
Zementaugmentierte Pedikelschrauben
Authors: Blattert Thomas
Published: June 2017

Auch wenn die Augmentation von Pedikelschrauben im strukturschwachen Wirbelkörper zwischenzeitlich sicherlich zu den Standardverfahren der Wirbelsäulenchirurgie gerechnet werden darf, gibt es doch mehrere indikatorische und operationstechnische Aspekte, die berücksichtigt werden müssen. Der vorliegende Artikel möchte vor allem praxisbezogene Hinweise sowie Tipps und Tricks für die Zementaugmentation von Pedikelschrauben geben. Dabei werden wesentliche Aspekte der präoperativen Planung wie Länge des Konstrukts, Art des verwendeten Zements sowie verschiedene Schraubendesigns besprochen. Für die eigentliche OP-Durchführung werden Hinweise zu verschiedenen Zementiertechniken gegeben sowie wesentliche Aspekte der eigentlichen OP-Technik erläutert. Neben der Darstellung der eigenen Ergebnisse wird schließlich auf das Problem der Zementleckage sowie auf das potenzielle Revisionsverhalten zementaugmentierter Schrauben eingegangen.
In vivo characterization of abnormalities in small-bowel diseases using probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy
Authors: Ohmiya Naoki , Horiguchi Noriyuki , Tahara Tomomitsu , Nagasaka Mitsuo , Nakagawa Yoshihito , Shibata Tomoyuki , Tsukamoto Tetsuya , Kuroda Makoto
Published: June 2017

Background and study aims Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) enables real-time optical biopsy. Little is known about pCLE imaging deep inside the small bowel, therefore the aim of this study was to determine its usefulness.

Patients and methods Between April 2014 and January 2016, we performed 38 pCLE examinations during double-balloon enteroscopy with intravenous fluorescein in 37 patients with: tumors (n = 10), vascular disorders (n = 6), inflammatory diseases and drug injuries (n = 13), other disorders (n = 4), and normal findings (n = 4). We measured the calibers of capillary and lymphatic vessels at 15 different sites and compared the calibers between pCLE images and histopathology. We also compared pCLE findings with pathologic diagnosis.

Results The inner diameters of capillary vessels beneath the epithelium and in the middle of villi were 16.2 ± 3.0 µm and 14.5 ± 3.1 µm, respectively, in the pCLE images, but these were not consistent with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded histology. In tumors, larger capillary vessels were observed in aggressive malignant lymphoma and metastasis, and a “soccer ball-like pattern” constituting homogenous dark cells packed with polygonal, narrower capillary vessels was characteristic in pCLE images of a malignant lymphoma follicle. Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and angiodysplasia contained anastomosis of capillary vessels of different calibers. In IgA vasculitis, segmental capillary strictures were observed. Intestinal lymphangiectasia with protein-losing enteropathy contained a reticular network of lymphatic vessels and dilated lymphatic ducts accompanied by numerous cell gaps. pCLE findings corresponded to pathologic diagnosis in 32 examinations (91 %).

Conclusions pCLE is useful for in vivo analysis of abnormalities of the capillary and lymphatic vessels and epithelium, and for diagnosis in various small-bowel diseases.

Study registration: UMIN 000013857
Den Einstieg erleichtern
Authors: Welk Ina
Published: June 2017

Zusammenarbeit im interkulturellen OP-Team Eine „Willkommenskultur“ kann
neue Kollegen mit Migrationshintergrund dabei unterstützen, das berufliche
Umfeld kennenzulernen und sich ins Team zu integrieren. Um Schwierigkeiten
vorzubeugen und Ängste abzubauen, eignen sich Patenschaften und
Mentoring-Programme. Tipps für ein strukturiertes Einarbeitungs- und
Integrationsprogramm gibt unsere Autorin.
Verordnungen außerhalb des Regelfalls – Ab jetzt Klarheit
Authors: Stamm Anja
Published: June 2017

Die Verordnungsmöglichkeiten außerhalb des Regelfalls sorgen immer wieder für Verwirrungen – bei Ärzten, Patienten und Therapeuten. Im Sinne des Gesetzgebers ist das nicht. Er möchte, dass Patienten ausreichend, zweckmäßig und wirtschaftlich mit Heilmitteln versorgt werden. physiopraxis erklärt die Unterschiede der vier Optionen, bei denen die Verordnungsmenge nicht vom Heilmittelkatalog abhängt.
Tapen an der Hand – Klebe-Refresher
Authors: Wittek Svenja
Published: June 2017

Trotz dürftiger Studienlage greifen Therapeuten häufig zum Kinesiotape, um ihre Behandlung zu unterstützen. Svenja Wittek stellt altbekannte und selten geklebte Techniken vor, die sich an Arm und Hand als sehr wirksam erweisen.
Delinquenz, Geschlecht und die Grenzen des Sagbaren. Sexualwissenschaftliche Diskursstränge zur Pädophilie in
ausgewählten Periodika, 1960-1995
Authors: Friedrichs Jan-Henrik
Published: June 2017

Übersicht

Der Beitrag untersucht den sexualwissenschaftlichen Diskurs um Pädophilie zwischen 1960 und 1995 beispielhaft anhand der Schriftenreihe
„Beiträge zur Sexualforschung“ sowie der Fachzeitschriften „Sexualmedizin“ und „Journal of Sex Research“. Die Disziplin der
Sexualwissenschaft erscheint dabei – so die zentrale These – als ein Feld, in dem Forderungen nach einer Legalisierung pädosexueller
Handlungen zwischen Beginn der 1970er- und Anfang der 1990er-Jahre relativ widerspruchsfrei geäußert werden konnten. Dabei wendet sich der
Beitrag gegen ein Narrativ der Liberalisierung und betont demgegenüber die Bedeutung der empirischen Wende in der Sexualwissenschaft. So
drehte sich die Debatte um pädosexuelle Kontakte weitgehend um den empirischen Nachweis ihrer (Un-)Schädlichkeit. Beim Blick auf
vergeschlechtlichte Vorstellungen von Normalität und Devianz, von der Persönlichkeit des Pädophilen, der Rolle von Kindern in pädosexuellen
Verhältnissen und der Frage danach, woran genau sich eine mögliche Schädlichkeit dieser Beziehungen bemessen lasse, werden vielfältige
Verschiebungen innerhalb des Sexualitätsdispositivs über den Gegenstand der Pädophilie hinaus deutlich.
Soft, elastic, water-repellent materials
Authors: Coux Martin , Clanet Christophe , Quéré David
Published: June 2017

Small textures at solid surfaces provide water repellency, a situation whose detailed critically depend on the geometry of textures. Depending on their size, density, and shape, water slip, repellency, or antifogging can be achieved. Here, we discuss how the use of soft, materials allows us to tune reversibly the texture density by stretching or relaxing the materials, which is found to impact water and rebounds. In addition, solid can also be exploited to largely vary the shape of Wenzel a consequence of the strong pinning of water in this state.
Multi-objective optimization of the Stirling heat engine through self-adaptive Jaya algorithm
Authors: Rao R. V. , More K. C. , Coelho L. S. , Mariani V. C.
Published: June 2017

A Stirling engine presents an excellent theoretical output equivalent to the output of a Carnot engine, and it emits low levels of pollution and requires less maintenance. In this paper, a solar-powered Stirling engine is considered for optimization with multiple criteria. Hence, the present study explores the use of an improved Jaya algorithm called the self-adaptive Jaya algorithm and the basic Jaya algorithm, which are used for maximizing output power and thermal efficiency and minimizing pressure losses of the entire Stirling system. The key feature is that the self-adaptive Jaya algorithm automatically determines the population size. Hence, the user does not need to concentrate on choosing the population size. The comparison of the proposed algorithm is made with those obtained by using the non-dominated sorting genetic-algorithm-II (NSGA-II), an optimizer inbuilt in MATLAB (function gamultiobj), Front-based Yin-Yang-Pair Optimization (FYYPO), Multi-Objective Grey Wolf Optimizers (MOGWOs), Teaching–Learning-Based Optimization (TLBO), tutorial training and self-learning inspired teaching-learning based optimization (TS-TLBO), the decision-making methods like linear programming technique for multi-dimensional analysis of preference (LINMAP), technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), and Bellman-Zadeh, and experimental results. The results achieved by using Jaya and self-adaptive Jaya algorithms are compared with the results achieved by using the NSGA-II, gamultiobj, FYYPO, MOGWO, TLBO, TS-TLBO, LINMAP, TOPSIS, Bellman-Zadeh, and experimental results. The Jaya algorithm and its improved version are proved to be better compared to other optimization algorithms with respect to the computational effort and function evaluations.
Effects of E × B drift on electron transport across the magnetic field in a miniature microwave discharge neutralizer
Authors: Hiramoto Kenta , Nakagawa Yuichi , Koizumi Hiroyuki , Takao Yoshinori
Published: June 2017

Using a three-dimensional particle-in-cell model, electron transport across a magnetic field has been investigated by obtaining the time-varying electric field and plasma parameters in a miniature microwave discharge neutralizer. The size of the neutralizer is 20 × 20 × 4 mm3. Ring-shaped antenna producing 4.2 GHz microwaves and permanent magnets for xenon plasma discharges are present inside. There are four orifices for electron extraction. The simulation area consists of both the discharge chamber and the vacuum region for the extraction. The numerical results show that radial striped patterns occur where the peak electron density is obtained, and the patterns seem to rotate in the azimuthal direction. This characteristic structure is very similar to recent results obtained in Hall thrusters and is probably due to the electron drift instability. Owing to the plasma structure, the azimuthal electric field is generated, which results in the E × B drift velocity in the axial direction with the radial magnetic field of the permanent magnets. This E × B drift velocity is a key factor in the electron transport across the magnetic field, leading to the electron extraction from the discharge chamber.
An improved teaching-learning-based optimization with differential evolution algorithm for optimal power flow considering HVDC system
Authors: Feshki Farahani Hassan , Rashidi Farzan
Published: June 2017

In this paper, a modified teaching–learning based optimization (TLBO) algorithm is introduced in order to solve the optimal power flow (OPF) considering the high voltage direct current (HVDC) link in power systems. In TLBO, there is an improper diversity among search learners; therefore, its convergence speed is lower in comparison with some other evolutionary algorithms. Hence, in order to improve the quality of the solutions and speed up the velocity convergence, the teacher phase is modified. Moreover, to balance the global and local search capability of TLBO, one of the most common mutation operations of the differential evolution algorithm is incorporated into learner phases. With these modifications, the trapping to the local minima of traditional TLBO is vastly improved and the trade-off between the global searching ability and the convergence rate is retained. In order to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed optimization method, it is applied to the OPF problem of two different two-terminal HVDC systems, including the modified 5-bus system and the modified WSCC 9-bus system. The behavior of some optimization methods such as the Genetic Algorithm, Backtracking Search Algorithm, and Artificial Bee Colony algorithm as well as the CPU running time for the objective function is presented. Comparison results indicate that the proposed optimization method is reliable with higher quality solutions among other applied evolutionary algorithms.
Melatonin alleviates aluminium toxicity through modulating antioxidative enzymes and enhancing organic acid anion exudation in soybean
Authors: Zhang Jiarong , Zeng Bingjie , Mao Yawen , Kong Xiangying , Wang Xinxun , Yang Ye , Zhang Jie , Xu Jin , Rengel Zed , Chen Qi
Published: June 2017

Aluminium (Al) toxicity is a major chemical constraint limiting plant growth and production on acidic soils. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a ubiquitous molecule that plays crucial roles in plant growth and stress tolerance. However, there is no knowledge regarding whether melatonin is involved in plant responses to Al stress. Here, we show that optimal concentrations of melatonin could effectively ameliorate Al-induced phytotoxicity in soybean (Glycine max L.). The concentration of melatonin in roots was significantly increased by the 50 μM Al treatment. Such an increase in endogenous melatonin coincided with the upregulation of the gene encoding acetyltransferase NSI-like (nuclear shuttle protein-interacting) in soybean roots. Supplementation with low concentrations of melatonin (0.1 and 1 μM) conferred Al resistance as evident in partial alleviation of root growth inhibition and decreased H2O2 production: in contrast, high concentrations of melatonin (100 and 200 μM) had an opposite effect and even decreased root growth in Al-exposed seedlings. Mitigation of Al stress by the 1 μM melatonin root treatment was associated with enhanced activities of the antioxidant enzymes and increased exudation of malate and citrate. In conclusion, melatonin might play a critical role in soybean resistance to Al toxicity.
Citizen participation in health services co-production: a roadmap for navigating participation types and outcomes
Authors: Farmer Jane , Taylor Judy , Stewart Ellen , Kenny Amanda
Published: June 2017

Primary healthcare managers are required to include citizens in service co-design and co-production. Health policy guidance appears deceptively simple and largely outlines how people could participate in a range of health services activities. Policy tends to neglect outcomes assessment, and a multidisciplinary academic literature corpus is large and complex to navigate for practical, time-poor managers. In this paper, we set out to provide a summary ‘map’ of key concepts in participation to assist managers in aligning participants, activities, expected outcomes and outcome indicators, and to consider contextual factors that could affect participation processes and outcomes. The intention is a practical tool for planning and evaluation of participation. The map is built drawing on policy guidance, literature and authors’ experiences of implementing and researching health services participation.
Rates of advertised condomless sex in the online profiles of private sex workers: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Blackledge Edjoni , Thng Caroline , McIver Ruthy , McNulty Anna
Published: June 2017

This study aimed to assess the level of condomless sex advertised online by private sex workers (PSW) in Sydney. In 2015, 750 online profiles of PSW, including 339 female, 53 male and 39 transgender PSWs, were reviewed. It was found that PSWs advertise protected anal and vaginal sex. However, 50% of female PSW advertised condomless oral sex. Age less than 25 years was associated with advertised condomless oral sex (odds ratio 1.56; 95% confidence interval 1.03–2.37; P = 0.037). Online platforms are widely used for advertising, especially by female PSWs. Levels of condom use advertised reflect that of other studies of sex workers in Sydney.
Carbon and nitrogen molecular composition of soil organic matter fractions resistant to oxidation
Authors: Heckman Katherine , Torres Dorisel , Swanston Christopher , Lehmann Johannes
Published: June 2017

The methods used to isolate and characterise pyrogenic organic carbon (PyC) from soils vary widely, and there is little agreement in the literature as to which method truly isolates the most chemically recalcitrant (inferred from oxidative resistance) and persistent (inferred from radiocarbon abundance) fraction of soil organic matter. In addition, the roles of fire, fuel type and soil morphology in the preservation of PyC are not yet defined. In an attempt to elucidate the importance of oxidative recalcitrance, fuel type and soil morphology to the persistence of soil organic matter, we examined two strongly contrasting soils using a variety of PyC isolation techniques coupled with quantifications of the molecular structure and mean residence time of the isolated organic materials. Surface and subsurface soil samples were examined from a Red Chromosol soil and a Black Vertosol soil. The δ13C values suggest that PyC in the Red Chromosol was sourced from eucalyptus, whereas PyC in the Black Vertosol was formed from grass. Soils were sieved at 53µm, treated with hydrofluoric acid to remove organics associated with mineral surfaces, then subjected to three common ‘PyC isolation’ treatments: chromic acid, photo-oxidation and chromic acid followed by photo-oxidation. Molecular structure of the organic residues remaining after each treatment was quantified by solid-state 13C cross polarisation magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance and near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, and the mean residence time of the organic residues was estimated based on radiocarbon abundance. In all cases, treatment with chromic acid followed by photo-oxidation isolated the smallest proportion of organic matter (5–10% of <53µm C) which also had the longest mean residence time (estimated 600–3460 years). Additionally, molecular structure measurements indicated that this fraction was not composed solely of aromatic compounds, suggesting a non-homogenous source for the most oxidative-resistant fraction of soil organic matter.
Detergent-induced self-assembly and controllable photosensitizer activity of diester phenylene ethynylenes
Authors: Donabedian Patrick L. , Creyer Matthew N. , Monge Florencia A. , Schanze Kirk S. , Chi Eva Y. , Whitten David G.
Published: June 2017

Significance

Photosensitizers harvest light energy and transfer it to ground-state molecular oxygen, producing singlet oxygen, a powerful oxidizer. This property can be exploited for targeted removal of diseased or cancerous tissue, but most currently available photosensitizers do not display any molecular specificity. We discovered that diester phenylene ethynylenes exhibit switchable photosensitizer activity based on their immediate molecular environment, and used detergent-induced self-assembly to demonstrate that these molecules present an attractively compact switchable photosensitizer system.
Media representations of the “other” Europeans
Authors: Molek-Kozakowska Katarzyna , Chovanec Jan
Published: June 2017

This introductory chapter explains the rationale and the objectives of the collection focusing on the choices taken to frame the project in a coherent manner despite the apparent diversity of approaches, materials and scopes. First we highlight the role of the national media in European public spheres in sustaining, but also reconstructing, collective identities. Then we proceed to explaining the key concepts permeating all contributions, namely “the other” and othering, distinguishing between two of their key discursive functions – differentiation and discrimination. Next, we provide reasons for looking to semi-public media environments for a more calibrated analysis of othering, arguing that – following the rise of participatory media technologies – the public sphere has been extended to encompass new actors and non-elite voices. We also justify this choice with the reference to the ideological plurality of the contemporary public spheres in Europe and the fact that (critical) discourse analysts have been trying to grasp this complexity by resorting to a range of methodological approaches. We specify the research questions that guide our research, or any research aimed at documenting the diverse discursive forms of othering in media-related contexts. After an overview of the individual contributions, the chapter suggests that a multidisciplinary approach is needed to explore diverse forms of othering. We argue that the exigency and merit of this line of research has become particularly acute in connection with the recent social and political developments throughout Europe.
Orbán’s Hungary
Authors: Bridge Christopher
Published: June 2017

Despite Hungary’s increasingly “illiberal” drift and growing divergence from European norms, the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party has successfully deflected international criticism and maintained its electoral popularity. It has achieved this by a combination of domestic media dominance and a comprehensive discursive strategy which has re-written the political orthodoxy of the Hungarian right. A key element of this strategy is the othering of liberal Western Europe – once seen as Hungary’s manifest destiny after its escape from Soviet dominance. Liberalism is reconstructed as a hostile ideology that has taken Western Europe hostage and seeks nothing less than the destruction of the Hungarian nation. Elements of the discourse-historical approach to critical discourse analysis will be employed to uncover how intertextual references to widely-held historical identity discourses, including from the period of Soviet domination, provide credibility to the Orbán government’s discursive constructions. The Essex School’s logics of equivalence and difference also explain how multifarious critics, both domestic and international, are welded together into one monolithic “left-liberal” other, and how Hungarian society is polarized into “traitors” and supporters of Orbán’s “freedom fight” against the existential threat posed by western liberalism. Under consideration are three major speeches by Orbán, coverage of these speeches in the (then) government-friendly newspaper Magyar Nemzet
, and semi-public comments posted by readers of these articles. The analysis of these source materials provides insight into how the government’s discursive strategy is realized in the discourses of right-wing voters.
Construing the Other
Authors: Wilk Przemysław
Published: June 2017

The chapter focuses on the discursive operation of othering as underlying ideological practice in representing Europeans in the British daily the Guardian. The research takes its underpinnings from the cognitive linguistics and critical discourse analysis frameworks. The concept of othering has been operationalized in terms of Langacker’s conception of construal and van Dijk’s theory of ideology reproduction in discourse. The chapter focuses on two ideology-laden construals of Europeans whose aim is to establish a discursive Us – Them polarization. It is claimed that construing the citizens of the EU as east/eastern or central Europeans is ideology-driven. The chapter presents the findings of a study of 400 instances of the lexical item Europeans, which amounts to the total corpus occurrence of this lexical item in an approximately 930,000 word corpus of news articles retrieved from the Guardian between May 2004 and December 2009.
Othering others
Authors: Fielder Grace E. , Catalano Theresa
Published: June 2017

Right wing populism is on the rise. Through the use of othering, right-wing groups delimit their own identities while excluding others. The purpose of this chapter is to shed light on how European mediated public spheres (such as reader responses to media discourse) constitute an important domain of identity articulation and struggle through the discursive construction of the ‘Other’. In this case, the others come from the Central and Eastern European countries that are perceived as newcomers to Western Europe due to the consecutive enlargements of the European Union. Specifically, this chapter provides an in-depth analysis of 236 reader comments responding to one online article from The Telegraph that discusses “new” immigration from Bulgaria and Romania to the U.K., a result of the lifting of work restrictions in 2014. Applying methods of Conversation Analysis and critical discourse analysis (including relevant EU history and background), we expose numerous levels of othering in the data (e.g. othering those who disagree with right-wing political views, othering the EU, othering non-native speakers, othering migrants/Roma) and demonstrate the various strategies that are used to accomplish this (e.g. argumentation strategies, perspectivization, etc.).
The othering of Roma migrants in British and Czech online news discussion forums
Authors: Chovanec Jan
Published: June 2017

The article addresses the discursive process of othering in online news discussion forums. It is based on a comparative analysis of data from reader comments in British and Czech online newspapers on the topic of recent Roma immigration to the United Kingdom. Applying the discourse historical and the cognitive-pragmatic approaches to CDA, the analysis identifies several common patterns in the two data sets. The first similarity concerns the central importance of place, with the theme of relocation being very prominent. The second point involves the role that intertextual quotations from popular culture play in activating the commenters’ search for relevant, implicitly communicated meanings. Finally, attention is paid to extensive narrativization of reader comments that contain elaborate discursive scripts of othering. It is argued that these strategies not only establish highly polarized collective identity of the ingroup but also postulate an absolute incompatibility between the ingroup and the outgroup. These extreme forms of differentiation appear to be particularly salient in discriminatory discourse involving the Roma.
Printed t-shirts in the linguistic landscape
Authors: Caldwell David
Published: June 2017

While the printed t-shirt remains a prominent form of communication in our contemporary linguistic landscape, little research to date has examined the semiotics of this unique mode of communication. In response to the interdisciplinary ‘invitation’ from Shohamy and Ben-Rafael (2015), this paper draws on principles and methods from social semiotics (van Leeuwen, 2005) and Systemic Functional Linguistics (Halliday, 1989) to explore the meaning-making potential of English words on printed t-shirts. The paper begins by applying Halliday’s concept of mode to the printed t-shirt and then presents a linguistically motivated taxonomy of words on printed t-shirts. In addition to foregrounding the printed t-shirt as a site for future exploration, this paper aims to present a close textual discourse analysis – an examination of the ‘perceived space’ (Malinowski, 2015) – to complement, inform and engage with current trends and methods in linguistic landscape research and pedagogy.
Illegally denied: manipulations related to the registration of the Veps identity in the late Soviet Union
Authors: Jääts Indrek
Published: June 2017

This article raises questions about the relationship between theory and practice, legality and illegality in the late Soviet nationalities policy, and the role played by various branches of power. It focuses on the Veps, an indigenous ethnic minority in the northwest of Russia. In the Brezhnev era, quite a few officials and census takers refused to register the Veps nationality in personal identification documents and during censuses, claiming, incorrectly, that the Veps were not in the official list of nationalities or that they were a people (narodnost'), not a nationality (natsional'nost'), and hence could not be registered as one. The Veps were counted as Russians instead. These bureaucratic practices, widespread in Leningrad and Vologda oblasti, but not in Karelia, contradicted official nationalities policy, passport regulations, and census instructions. It seemed that the Soviet state no longer recognized the Veps as an ethnic community. The article claims that the mass refusal to register the Veps nationality was intentional and directed by the regional authorities. The goal was to accelerate the assimilation of the Veps, a policy that worked well. The official number of Veps decreased extremely rapidly in the 1970 and 1979 censuses, only to recover in 1989, after the manipulations had ended.
Teaching for equity: insights from international evidence with implications for a teacher education curriculum
Authors: Grudnoff Lexie , Haigh Mavis , Hill Mary , Cochran-Smith Marilyn , Ell Fiona , Ludlow Larry
Published: June 2017

Researchers, practitioners, and policy‐makers in many countries are grappling with ways to address the persistent problem of inequitable educational outcomes between advantaged and disadvantaged students. This paper reports the results of a unique cross‐country, cross‐cultural analysis undertaken to provide insights into teaching practices that promote equity, drawing on programmes of empirical research or syntheses of major programmes of research that worked from a complex, non‐linear view of teaching and its outcomes. We analysed international evidence about teaching practices that have a positive influence on diverse students’ learning outcomes and opportunities and then compared and contrasted the results of these analyses. From the commonalities we identified, we derived six interconnected facets of practice for equity, which are general principles of practice rather than specific teaching strategies or behaviours. Building on these facets, we developed a conceptual framework that can inform an equity‐centred teacher education curriculum that specifically addresses the task of preparing teachers who can make a positive difference to the learning opportunities and outcomes of diverse students, particularly those historically disadvantaged by the education system.
Cocenters and representations of pro-𝑝 Hecke algebras
Authors: He Xuhua , Nie Sian
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we study the relation between the cocenter

H

~

¯

\overline {{\tilde {\mathcal H}}}

and the representations of an affine pro-

p
p

Hecke algebra

H

~

=

H

~

(
0
,
−
)

{\tilde {\mathcal H}}={\tilde {\mathcal H}}(0, -)

. As a consequence, we obtain a new criterion on supersingular representations: a (virtual) representation of

H

~

{\tilde {\mathcal H}}

is supersingular if and only if its character vanishes on the non-supersingular part of the cocenter

H

~

¯

\overline {\tilde {\mathcal H}}

.
Spliceman2: a computational web server that predicts defects in pre-mRNA splicing
Authors: Cygan Kamil Jan , Sanford Clayton Hendrick , Fairbrother William Guy
Published: June 2017

Most pre-mRNA transcripts in eukaryotic cells must undergo splicing to remove introns and join exons, and splicing elements present a large mutational target for disease-causing mutations. Splicing elements are strongly position dependent with respect to the transcript annotations. In 2012, we presented Spliceman, an online tool that used positional dependence to predict how likely distant mutations around annotated splice sites were to disrupt splicing. Here, we present an improved version of the previous tool that will be more useful for predicting the likelihood of splicing mutations. We have added industry-standard input options (i.e. Spliceman now accepts variant call format files), which allow much larger inputs than previously available. The tool also can visualize the locations—within exons and introns—of sequence variants to be analyzed and the predicted effects on splicing of the pre-mRNA transcript. In addition, Spliceman2 integrates with RNAcompete motif libraries to provide a prediction of which trans-acting factors binding sites are disrupted/created and links out to the UCSC genome browser. In summary, the new features in Spliceman2 will allow scientists and physicians to better understand the effects of single nucleotide variations on splicing.

Availability and implementation

Freely available on the web at http://fairbrother.biomed.brown.edu/spliceman2. Website implemented in PHP framework—Laravel 5, PostgreSQL, Apache, and Perl, with all major browsers supported.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.