bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Einfluss oraler Antidiabetika auf Knochenstoffwechsel und Frakturrisiko
Authors: Traechslin C. , Vavanikunnel J. , Kraenzlin M. , Meier C.
Published: August 2018

Der Einsatz von oralen Antidiabetika ist in der Behandlung von Patienten mit Diabetes mellitus Typ 2 unverzichtbar. Durch eine verbesserte Blutzuckereinstellung werden mikro- und makrovaskuläre Spätkomplikationen verhindert. In den vergangenen Jahren haben wir die Erkenntnis gewonnen, dass die Diabeteserkrankung auch mit metabolischen Knochenveränderungen und Frakturen assoziiert ist. Die Pathogenese der diabetischen Knochenerkrankung ist multifaktoriell, mikrovaskuläre Veränderungen im Knochenmilieu und morphologische Veränderungen der skelettalen Mikroarchitektur werden als ursächliche Mechanismen diskutiert. Einige orale Antidiabetika üben einen Einfluss auf den Knochenstoffwechsel aus und können dadurch das Frakturrisiko mitbeeinflussen. In diesem Artikel werden Wirkweisen oraler Antidiabetika und deren Enfluss auf den Knochenmetabolismus zusammengefasst. Während Thiazolidinedione einen ungünstigen Effekt auf den Knochen ausüben, scheinen sich Metformin und inkretinbasierte Therapien eher protektiv oder zumindest neutral auf den Knochenstoffwechsel auszuwirken. Sulfonylharnstoff sind aufgrund ihres Hypoglykämierisikos mit Auftreten von sturzbedingten Frakturen assoziiert. Die Datenlage betreffend der seit Kurzem zur Verfügung stehenden SGLT-2-Inhibitoren ist unklar, insbesondere bei älteren Patienten mit längerer Diabetesdauer und eingeschränkter Nierenfunktion scheint eine erhöhte Sturz- und Frakturgefährdung aufgrund von Veränderungen des Flüssigkeitshaushaltes und des Körpergewichtes vorzuliegen. Entsprechend ist im klinischen Alltag in der Wahl eines Antidiabetikums auch dem individuellen Frakturrisiko Rechnung zu tragen.
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Flume Patrick , Furukawa Brian
Published: August 2018

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) can cause chronic pulmonary infection in susceptible hosts. Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF), a multisystem disease predominated by progressive structural lung disease, are particularly vulnerable. Only recently have NTM been recognized for their potential to cause lung deterioration in CF patients. The reported prevalence varies widely from 4 to 40%, significantly more common than in the general population, but this varies because of multiple factors including inconsistent screening practices. Mycobacterium abscessus complex and Mycobacterium avium complex are the two most common species recovered. Defining NTM pulmonary disease in a CF patient can present challenges as it can be difficult to distinguish from the other potentially pathogenic organisms in the lung microbiome. In general, treatment regimens do not differ from the non-CF population but the clinician should be aware of potential interactions with other CF therapies. Recent population-level genomics has raised serious concern for indirect person-to-person transmission of several dominating NTM clones worldwide, raising awareness for increase prevention strategies when CF patients potentially congregate, such as clinic visits. Lung transplantation is controversial in those with NTM present in sputum culture but the available evidence suggests that this is not an absolute contraindication.
Die Rolle der nahrungsbedingten Säurebelastung für den Knochen
Authors: Remer T.
Published: August 2018

Durch Ernährungseinflüsse auf den Säure-Basen-Status lassen sich nicht nur der Urin pH-Wert und damit das Nierensteinrisiko beeinflussen. Vielmehr hat eine hohe nutritive Säurelast auch Auswirkungen auf präventivmedizinische relevante funktionelle Outcomes wie den Knochenstatus. Klinisch manifeste Azidosen gehen regelmäßig mit überhöhter Kalziumausscheidung, negativer Kalziumbilanz und deutlichem Knochenmineralverlust einher. Auch bei sogenannten milden metabolisch kompensierten Azidoseformen mit Serum-Bikarbonat-Spiegeln und Blut-pH Werten im Normalbereich, wie sie bei hoher Eiweißzufuhr und gleichzeitig sehr geringem Obst- und Gemüseverzehr auftreten können, findet sich gehäuft ein verschlechterter Knochenstatus. Entsprechende Ergebnisse aus prospektiv kontrollierten Beobachtungs- und randomisiert-kontrollierten Interventionsstudien an Erwachsenen werden kurz vorgestellt und bewertet, ebenso wie Langzeitbeobachtungen an gesunden Kindern. Da bei nutritiv hoher Säurebelastung zwar erhöhte renale Kalziumverluste auftreten, die Kalziumbilanz aber nicht per se negativ ist, kann eine verminderte Kalziumverfügbarkeit als Hauptursache für eine reduzierte Knochenmasse unter Ernährung mit hoher Säurelast ausgeschlossen werden. Stattdessen wird die bereits bei milder Azidose oder erhöhter Netto-Säureausscheidung beobachtbare Steigerung der Kortisol-Sekretion als ein wahrscheinlicher Mechanismus für präventivmedizinisch relevante Langzeitbeeinträchtigungen des Skelettsystems diskutiert.
Die Rolle von Nahrungsproteinen für die Knochen- und Muskelgesundheit
Authors: Meyer U. , Fischbacher M. , Bischoff-Ferrari H. A.
Published: August 2018

Eine gesunde Ernährung ist die Grundlage einer optimalen Knochenentwicklung im Kindesalter und Knochen- und Muskelerhaltung im Erwachsenenalter. Sowohl mechanisch wie auch biologisch ist der Knochen ans muskuläre System gekoppelt und im Alter geht der Verlust von Knochenmasse (Osteoporose) eng mit dem Verlust der Muskelmasse (Sarkopenie) einher. Osteoporose-bedingte Knochenbrüche beinträchtigen die Gesundheit der Betroffenen maßgeblich und ihre Prävalenz wird in den kommenden Jahren zunehmen. Modifizierbare Faktoren, die zur Muskel- und Knochengesundheit beitragen, wie eine ausreichende Zufuhr von Proteinen, werden deshalb immer wichtiger. Für ältere und gebrechliche Menschen ist die Proteinzufuhr besonders zentral, da der Proteinbedarf im Alter zunimmt, aber gleichzeitig auch das Risiko für Proteinmangelernährung steigt. Der nachfolgende Übersichtsartikel fasst zusammen, wie Proteine physiologisch auf Knochen und Muskel wirken und wie sich die Proteineinnahme im Verlaufe des Lebens auf die Muskel- und Knochengesundheit auswirkt. Zudem wird der Proteinbedarf für verschiedene Altersgruppen diskutiert.
Treatment of Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC)
Authors: Griffith David
Published: August 2018

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is the most commonly isolated nontuberculous mycobacterial respiratory pathogen worldwide. MAC lung disease is manifested either by fibrocavitary radiographic changes similar to pulmonary tuberculosis or by bronchiectasis with nodular and reticulonodular radiographic changes. This latter form of MAC lung disease, termed “nodular bronchiectatic (NB) MAC lung disease” is the most common form of MAC lung disease in the United States. Treatment at the time of diagnosis is always indicated for fibrocavitary MAC lung disease because it is always progressive and associated with increased morbidity and mortality compared with NB MAC lung disease. In contrast, the NB form of MAC lung disease is more indolent and frequently does not require antimycobacterial therapy. For patients with NB MAC lung disease, the priorities are typically to treat the underlying bronchiectasis and determine the course and impact of the MAC infection over time. Guidelines-based MAC therapy with multidrug regimens including macrolides is usually effective, but far from as predictably effective and durable as therapy for tuberculosis. It is imperative that clinicians are familiar with MAC drug resistance mechanisms and the pitfalls of inappropriate dependence on in vitro drug susceptibility testing which can predispose patients to the development of macrolide resistance with its attendant high mortality. It is now more than 20 years since the emergence of macrolides for MAC therapy with no new comparably effective agents introduced in that time, although one new inhaled amikacin therapy under study offers promise.
Number of Preoperative Hyperhidrosis Sites Does Not Affect the Sympathectomy Postoperative Results and Compensatory Hyperhidrosis Occurrence
Authors: Wolosker Nelson , Leiderman Dafne Braga Diamante , de Campos Jose Ribas Millanez , Kauffman Paulo , Tedde Miguel Lia , Yazbek Guilherme , Puech-Leão Pedro
Published: August 2018

Background Patients with primary hyperhidrosis present with sweating in two or more sites in nearly 85% of cases. In this study, we examined whether the number of hyperhidrosis sites is related to the surgery outcomes.

Methods One hundred ninety-three hyperhidrosis patients who underwent bilateral videothoracoscopic sympathectomy after failure or dissatisfaction with clinical treatment were distributed into three groups based on the number of hyperhidrosis sites (one site, two sites, and three or more sites of hyperhidrosis). The primary endpoints in the study were as follows: quality of life prior to surgery, improvement of quality of life after surgery, clinical improvement of sweating, presence or absence of compensatory hyperhidrosis, and general satisfaction after 1 month of surgery.

Results Patients with two or more hyperhidrosis sites had worse quality of life before surgery than patients with a single hyperhidrosis site. There was an improvement in the quality of life in more than 95% of the patients, clinical improvement in more than 95% of patients, severe compensatory hyperhidrosis in less than 10%, and low general satisfaction after 1 month of surgery in only 2.60% of the patients, with no differences among the three groups.

Conclusions Patients with more than one preoperative hyperhidrosis site present worse quality of life prior to surgery than those with a single hyperhidrosis site, but the number of hyperhidrosis sites before surgery does not affect surgery outcomes.
Low-Volume Cardioplegia and Myocardial Protection in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
Authors: Tschopp Samuel , Eckstein Friedrich , Matt Peter
Published: August 2018

We studied myocardial protection during coronary artery bypass graft surgery using low-volume cardioplegia (Cardioplexol) and minimal extracorporeal circulation (MECC) for different types of coronary artery diseases. In total, 426 consecutive patients were included and divided into four groups: those with left main stem stenosis (n = 45), those with three-vessel disease (n = 200), those with both (n = 141), and those with neither (n = 40). The peak postoperative myocardial markers and 30-day mortality were analyzed. Both myocardial markers and 30-day mortality were significantly elevated in patients with isolated main stem stenosis. We conclude that the use of low-volume cardioplegia and MECC is safe. However, patients with underlying isolated left main stem stenosis might be less protected.
Structure and binding energy of the H2S dimer at the CCSD(T) complete basis set limit
Authors: Lemke Kono H.
Published: August 2018

This study presents results for the binding energy and geometry of the H2S dimer which have been computed using Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2, MP4) and coupled cluster (CCSD, CCSD(T)) calculations with basis sets up to aug-cc-pV5Z. Estimates of De, EZPE, Do, and dimer geometry have been obtained at each level of theory by taking advantage of the systematic convergence behavior toward the complete basis set (CBS) limit. The CBS limit binding energy values of De are 1.91 (MP2), 1.75 (MP4), 1.41 (CCSD), and 1.69 kcal/mol (CCSD[T]). The most accurate values for the equilibrium S-S distance rSS (without counterpoise correction) are 4.080 (MP2/aug-cc-pV5Z), 4.131 (MP4/aug-cc-pVQZ), 4.225 (CCSD/aug-cc-pVQZ), and 4.146 Å (CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVQZ). This study also evaluates the effect of counterpoise correction on the H2S dimer geometry and binding energy. As regards the structure of (H2S)2, MPn, CCSD, and CCSD(T) level values of rSS, obtained by performing geometry optimizations on the counterpoise-corrected potential energy surface, converge systematically to CBS limit values of 4.099 (MP2), 4.146 (MP4), 4.233 (CCSD), and 4.167 Å (CCSD(T)). The corresponding CBS limit values of the equilibrium binding energy De are 1.88 (MP2), 1.76 (MP4), 1.41 (CCSD), and 1.69 kcal/mol (CCSD(T)), the latter in excellent agreement with the measured binding energy value of 1.68 ± 0.02 kcal/mol reported by Ciaffoni et al. [Appl. Phys. B 92, 627 (2008)]. Combining CBS electronic binding energies De with EZPE predicted by CCSD(T) vibrational second-order perturbation theory calculations yields Do = 1.08 kcal/mol, which is around 0.6 kcal/mol smaller than the measured value of 1.7 ± 0.3 kcal/mol. Overall, the results presented here demonstrate that the application of high level calculations, in particular CCSD(T), in combination with augmented correlation consistent basis sets provides valuable insight into the structure and energetics of the hydrogen sulfide dimer.
Hot spots induced by LHCD in the shadow of antenna limiters in the EAST tokamak
Authors: Li Y. L. , Xu G. S. , Wu Z. W. , Zhang B. , Zhang L. , Yang X. D. , Chen M. W. , Zhang T. , Liu H. Q. , Wan B. N. , Gong X. Z. , Goniche M. , Ekedahl A. , Warrier M. , Xiao C. , Gao W. , Ou J. , Cao L. , Liu C. L. , Wang M. , Li M. H. , Li Y. C. , Xu Q. , Liang Y. F. , Wang L. , Sun Z. , Xu J. C. , Feng W. , Yan N. , Chen R. ,   EAST Team
Published: August 2018

Hot spots induced by lower hybrid wave in experimental advanced superconducting tokamak tokamak have caused high performance experiment disruption and serious damages to the guard limiters. Experimental and theoretical analyses have been carried out to study its physical mechanism. Plasma density scan experiments indicate that the wall temperature within the hot spots enhanced by a factor of 5 and increases with the plasma density near the antenna. A lower hybrid current drive (LHCD)-only density climb experiment shows that the carbon impurity decreases to a minimum value at certain plasma density and then increases with the line averaged plasma density. A model has been developed to explain the mechanism of sputtering of graphite tiles due to hot spots as the plasma density near the LHCD antenna and the time increases. A theoretical scaling of the heat flux driven by LHCD is also presented and is consistent with the experimental scaling in the Tore Supra tokamak. The simulation results show that the total sputtering flux density has a minimum at a certain plasma density and gradually increases as the plasma density increases or decreases away from the minimum value, and the increase in parallel heat flux near the antenna would enhance the sputtering flux density. The sputtering flux density trend is qualitatively consistent with the density scan experiments. The simulated temporal evolution of sputtered flux implies that the chemical sputtering could be a candidate for the carbon impurity explosion.
Anisotropic thermal conductivity measurement using a new Asymmetric-Beam Time-Domain Thermoreflectance (AB-TDTR) method
Authors: Li Man , Kang Joon Sang , Hu Yongjie
Published: August 2018

Anisotropic thermal properties are of both fundamental and practical interests, but remain challenging to characterize using conventional methods. In this work, a new metrology based on asymmetric beam time-domain thermoreflectance (AB-TDTR) is developed to measure three-dimensional anisotropic thermal transport by extending the conventional TDTR technique. Using an elliptical laser beam with controlled elliptical ratio and spot size, the experimental signals can be exploited to be dominantly sensitive to measure thermal conductivity along the cross-plane or any specific in-plane directions. An analytic solution for a multi-layer system is derived for the AB-TDTR signal in response to the periodical pulse, elliptical laser beam, and heating geometry to extract the anisotropic thermal conductivity from experimental measurement. Examples with experimental data are given for various materials with in-plane thermal conductivity from 5 W/m K to 2000 W/m K, including isotropic materials (silicon, boron phosphide, and boron nitride), transversely isotropic materials (graphite, quartz, and sapphire), and transversely anisotropic materials (black phosphorus). Furthermore, a detailed sensitivity analysis is conducted to guide the optimal setting of experimental configurations for different materials. The developed AB-TDTR metrology provides a new approach to accurately measure anisotropic thermal phenomena for rational materials design and thermal applications.
Thermodynamics of small systems with conformational transitions: The case of two-state freely jointed chains with extensible units
Authors: Benedito Manon , Giordano Stefano
Published: August 2018

Several experimental methods are usually applied for stretching single molecules and provide valuable insights about the static and dynamic responses induced by externally applied forces. This analysis is even more important for macromolecules exhibiting conformational transitions, thereby corresponding to folding/unfolding processes. With the aim of introducing the statistical mechanics of such phenomena, we apply here the spin variables approach based on a set of discrete quantities able to identify the folded or unfolded state of the chain units. First, we obtain the macroscopic thermodynamics of the chain from its microscopic description. For small systems, far from the thermodynamic limit, this result depends on the applied boundary condition (e.g., isometric or isotensional), which corresponds to the considered statistical ensemble. Then, we develop the theory for the two-state extensible freely jointed chain, where the elastic constant of the units, a property often neglected, plays a central role in defining the force-extension curve. For this system, the partition function of the isometric ensemble can be written in closed form in terms of the natural generalization of the Hermite polynomials, obtained by considering negative indices. These results are relevant for the interpretation of stretching experiments, operated from the entropic regime up to the unfolding processes.
Invited Article: A rigid coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering endoscope with high resolution and a large field of view
Authors: Zirak P. , Matz G. , Messerschmidt B. , Meyer T. , Schmitt M. , Popp J. , Uckermann O. , Galli R. , Kirsch M. , Winterhalder M. J. , Zumbusch A.
Published: August 2018

Nonlinear optical endoscopy is an attractive technique for biomedical imaging since it promises to give access to high resolution imaging in vivo. Among the various techniques used for endoscopic contrast generation, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) is especially interesting. CARS endoscopy allows molecule specific imaging of unlabeled samples. In this contribution, we describe the design, implementation, and experimental characterization of a rigid, compact CARS endoscope with a spatial resolution of 750 nm over a field of view of roughly 250 μm. Omission of the relay optics and use of a gradient index lens specifically designed for this application allow one to realize these specifications in an endoscopic unit which is 2.2 mm wide over a length of 187 mm, making clinical applications during surgical interventions possible. Multimodal use of the endoscope is demonstrated with images of samples with neurosurgical relevance.
Atomic versus molecular Auger decay in CH2Cl2 and CD2Cl2 molecules
Authors: Santos A. C. F. , Vasconcelos D. N. , MacDonald M. A. , Sant’Anna M. M. , Tenório B. N. C. , Rocha A. B. , Morcelle V. , Appathurai N. , Zuin L.
Published: August 2018

Autoionization spectra of CH2Cl2 and CD2Cl2 molecules after Cl 2p excitation are studied. The two molecular and atomic Auger transitions are examined and assigned. The contribution of atomic Auger transitions is lower in the deuterated molecule. In addition, to support the presence of the ultrafast dissociation mechanism in the dichloromethane molecule, a series of high-level ab initio quantum mechanical calculations were performed at multiconfigurational self-consistent field (MCSCF) and multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) levels of theory. Minimum energy pathways for the dissociation of the dichloromethane molecule have been calculated by taking into account the spin-orbit splitting between the singlet and triplet transitions in the Cl 2p edge.
Spatial damping of parallel propagating electromagnetic waves in magnetized plasmas
Authors: Khokhar Tajammal H. , Bashir M. F. , Yoon P. H. , López R. A. , Murtaza G.
Published: August 2018

Spatial damping of electromagnetic (EM) waves propagating parallel to the ambient magnetic field in collisionless plasmas is discussed for thermal distribution of electrons. By using the exact numerical analysis, it is shown that the spatial damping properties in hot plasma can be significantly different than the customary cold plasma analysis. The discrepancy comes from the wave-particle interaction (cyclotron resonance) and higher order thermal effects. The response of plasma to the interacting EM radiation depicts the variety of changes in different frequency domains. The comparison with the analytical results based on the expansion of plasma dispersion function is also made in order to validate the approximate treatment and to under what regime full kinetic treatment is called for.
Accurate embedding through potential reconstruction: A comparison of different strategies
Authors: Schnieders David , Neugebauer Johannes
Published: August 2018

Potential reconstruction is a powerful strategy for deriving accurate (sometimes called “exact”) embedding potentials in the context of density-dependent embedding methods. It is particularly useful for partitioning covalent bonds in such fragment-based electronic-structure methods. While the general approach is well defined and easily explained, there are a number of choices to be made in practice, concerning, e.g., the specific reconstruction algorithm, the assignment of electrons to subsystems, or the initial guess potential. A general choice to be made is whether “exact” embedding potentials shall be derived for pre-defined target densities (top-down) or for approximate fragment densities that can be iteratively defined (bottom-up). Here, we compare the pros and cons of a variety of different variants of potential reconstruction, both in terms of conceptual issues and concerning their accuracy and efficiency. We also present several algorithmic improvements that can be crucial in critical cases of potential reconstruction, namely, we show (i) that a combination of basis-set and grid-based potential reconstruction schemes can lead to improved resulting densities, (ii) that similarly the combination of real-space and matrix-representation based potential reconstruction gives great advantages, and (iii) that the potential-matrix reconstruction by Zhang and Carter [J. Chem. Phys. 148, 034105 (2018)] can be made much more efficient by avoiding an explicit Hessian calculation. Additionally, we demonstrated (iv) that a double reconstruction, meaning a reconstruction of both the supersystem potential and the subsystem potential, may lead to beneficial error cancellation. We also address the question of consistent energetics derived from such reconstructed potentials.
Hydrodynamic instabilities seeded by the X-ray shadow of ICF capsule fill-tubes
Authors: MacPhee A. G. , Smalyuk V. A. , Landen O. L. , Weber C. R. , Robey H. F. , Alfonso E. L. , Baker K. L. , Berzak Hopkins L. F. , Biener J. , Bunn T. , Casey D. T. , Clark D. S. , Crippen J. W. , Divol L. , Farrell M. , Felker S. , Field J. E. , Hsing W. W. , Kong C. , Le Pape S. , Martinez D. A. , Michel P. , Milovich J. , Moore A. , Nikroo A. , Pickworth L. , Rice N. , Stadermann M. , Yeamans C. , Wild C.
Published: August 2018

During the first few hundred picoseconds of indirect drive for inertial confinement fusion on the National Ignition Facility, x-ray spots formed on the hohlraum wall when the drive beams cast shadows of the fuel fill-tube on the capsule surface. Differential ablation at the shadow boundaries seeds perturbations which are hydrodynamically unstable under subsequent acceleration and can grow to impact capsule performance. We have characterized this shadow imprint mechanism and demonstrated two techniques to mitigate against it using (i) a reduced diameter fuel fill-tube, and (ii) a pre-pulse to blow down the fill-tube before the shadow forming x-ray spots from the main outer drive beams develop.
Efficient Edelstein effects in one-atom-layer Tl-Pb compound
Authors: Shiomi Y. , Yamamoto K. T. , Nakanishi R. , Nakamura T. , Ichinokura S. , Akiyama R. , Hasegawa S. , Saitoh E.
Published: August 2018

We have investigated direct and inverse Edelstein effects in a one-atom-layer Tl-Pb compound with a large Rashba-type spin splitting. In spin pumping experiments at room temperature, spin-to-charge conversion voltage due to the inverse Edelstein effect is clearly observed in Py/Cu/Tl-Pb trilayer samples. To confirm efficient spin-charge interconversion in Tl-Pb compounds, the direct Edelstein effect is also studied in the same trilayer samples by measuring the modulation of the effective magnetization damping in the Py layer via the charge-to-spin conversion in the Tl-Pb layer. Using the results of both direct and inverse Edelstein effects, the Edelstein length is estimated to be ∼0.1 nm for Tl-Pb compounds.
Strongly localized magnetic reconnection by the super-Alfvénic shear flow
Authors: Liu Yi-Hsin , Hesse M. , Guo F. , Li H. , Nakamura T. K. M.
Published: August 2018

We demonstrate that the dragging of the magnetic field by the super-Alfvénic shear flows out of the reconnection plane can strongly localize the reconnection x-line in collisionless pair plasmas, reversing the current direction at the x-line. Reconnection with this new morphology, which is impossible in resistive-magnetohydrodynamics, is enabled by the particle inertia. Surprisingly, the quasi-steady reconnection rate remains of order 0.1 even though the aspect ratio of the local x-line geometry is larger than unity, which completely excludes the role of tearing physics. We explain this by examining the transport of the reconnected magnetic flux and the opening angle made by the upstream magnetic field, concluding that the reconnection rate is still limited by the constraint imposed at the inflow region. Based on these findings, we propose that this often observed fast rate value of order 0.1 itself, in general, is an upper bound value determined by the upstream constraint, independent of the localization mechanism and dissipation therein.
Communication: Dielectric properties of condensed systems composed of fragments
Authors: Pan Ding , Govoni Marco , Galli Giulia
Published: August 2018

The dielectric properties of molecules and nanostructures are usually modified in a complex manner, when assembled into a condensed phase. We propose a first-principles method to compute polarizabilities of sub-entities of solids and liquids, which accounts for multipolar interactions at all orders and is applicable to semiconductors and insulators. The method only requires the evaluation of induced fields in the condensed phase, with no need of multiple calculations for each constituent. As an example, we present results for the molecular polarizabilities of water in a wide pressure and temperature range. We found that at ambient conditions, the dipole-induced-dipole approximation is sufficiently accurate and the Clausius-Mossotti relation may be used, e.g., to obtain molecular polarizabilities from experimental refractive indexes. However with increasing pressure, this approximation becomes unreliable and in the case of ice X the Clausius-Mossotti relation is not valid.
Abiotic reduction of insensitive munition compounds by sulfate green rust
Authors: Khatiwada Raju , Root Robert A. , Abrell Leif , Sierra-Alvarez Reyes , Field James A. , Chorover Jon
Published: August 2018

Environmental contextThere is a growing need to understand how insensitive munitions compounds behave in natural environments, particularly in soils, where non-combusted residues accumulate. Here, we tested the ability of sulfate green rust, a naturally occurring mineral, to transform munitions compounds by reacting with the mineral surface. Our results show that both the munitions compounds and the mineral structures are transformed in an oxidation–reduction reaction that alters the compounds’ environmental fates. AbstractAbiotic transformation of contaminants by redox-active mineral surfaces plays an important role in the fate and behaviour of pollutants in soils and sediments. However, there is very little information on such transformations for the insensitive munitions compounds (IMCs), 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) and 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN), developed in recent years to replace the traditional munition compounds in explosive mixtures. We tested the ability of sulfate green rust to transform NTO and DNAN (0.5 mM) under anoxic conditions at pH 8.4 in laboratory experiments, by using green rust supplied at 10 g kg−1 (w/w) solid concentration. Results indicate that NTO and DNAN underwent rapid abiotic reduction to their organic amine daughter products. NTO was completely transformed to 5-amino-1,2 4-triazol-3-one (ATO) within 20 min of reaction. This is the first report of NTO reduction by a naturally occurring mineral. Similarly, DNAN was rapidly transformed to 2-methoxy-5-nitroaniline (MENA) and 4-methoxy-5-nitroaniline (iMENA). The reduction occurred with an intriguing staggered regioselectivity. Over the first 10 min, the para-nitro group of DNAN was selectively reduced to generate iMENA. Thereafter, the ortho-nitro group was preferentially reduced, generating MENA. Both iMENA and MENA were subsequently transformed to the final reduction product 2,4-diaminoanisol (DAAN) within 1 day. Iron Kα X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) studies of reacted solids indicated oxidative transformation of the green rust to lepidocrocite-like mineral forms. These results indicate that the IMCs can be rapidly transformed in soil, sediment or aquatic environments containing green rust.
Incomplete penetrance for isolated congenital asplenia in humans with mutations in translated and untranslated
RPSA
exons
Authors: Bolze Alexandre , Boisson Bertrand , Bosch Barbara , Antipenko Alexander , Bouaziz Matthieu , Sackstein Paul , Chaker-Margot Malik , Barlogis Vincent , Briggs Tracy , Colino Elena , Elmore Aurora C. , Fischer Alain , Genel Ferah , Hewlett Angela , Jedidi Maher , Kelecic Jadranka , Krüger Renate , Ku Cheng-Lung , Kumararatne Dinakantha , Lefevre-Utile Alain , Loughlin Sam , Mahlaoui Nizar , Markus Susanne , Garcia Juan-Miguel , Nizon Mathilde , Oleastro Matias , Pac Malgorzata , Picard Capucine , Pollard Andrew J. , Rodriguez-Gallego Carlos , Thomas Caroline , Von Bernuth Horst , Worth Austen , Meyts Isabelle , Risolino Maurizio , Selleri Licia , Puel Anne , Klinge Sebastian , Abel Laurent , Casanova Jean-Laurent
Published: August 2018

Significance

Isolated congenital asplenia (ICA) is characterized by the absence of a spleen at birth without any other developmental defect. ICA predisposes individuals to severe bacterial infections early in childhood. In 2013, we showed that very rare deleterious mutations in the protein-coding region of RPSA, which codes for a protein in the ribosome, caused ICA in 8 of 23 kindreds. We have since enrolled 33 more kindreds and identified 11 new ICA-causing RPSA protein-coding mutations, as well as the first two ICA-causing mutations in the 5′-UTR of this gene. A few individuals carrying one of the new RPSA mutations had a spleen, indicating that mutations in RPSA can cause ICA with incomplete penetrance.
Bilateral comparison of 1 Ω and 10 kΩ standards (ongoing BIPM key comparisons BIPM.EM-K13.a and 13.b) between the NMISA (South Africa) and the BIPM
Authors: Rolland B , Stock M , Khoza M
Published: August 2018

This report gives the result of a bilateral comparison of resistance between the NMISA (South Africa) and the BIPM carried out in 2017. Two 1 Ω and two 10 kΩ travelling standards belonging to the BIPM were used. The comparison was carried out with an 'A-B-A' pattern of measurements; the standards were measured first at the BIPM for a period of about one month, then for a period of about two months at the NMISA, and finally again at the BIPM. The measurand was the 4 terminal dc resistance at low power. The BIPM was the pilot laboratory, and the comparison forms part of the ongoing BIPM key comparisons BIPM.EM-K13.a (for 1 Ω) and BIPM.EM-K13b (for 10 kΩ).

The results from the NMISA and the BIPM were found to be in good agreement, with a difference 1.02 time larger for 1 Ω and smaller than the relative expanded uncertainties (95% confidence, k = 2) for 10 kΩ. Differences are 0.12 × 10-6 for 1 Ω and 0.60 × 10-6 for 10 kΩ.

KEY WORDS FOR SEARCH

Resistance; ohm; NMISA; South Africa; BIPM; CIPM MRA; comparison; electricity

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCEM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Determination of volume of stainless steel weights
Authors: Escobar J J , Bermúdez Á , García J D , Becerra L O , Peña L M , Florencio A , Valenzuela M , Naula W , Cori L , Quiroga A , Sequeira F , Rodríguez S
Published: August 2018

This report describes the results of a supplementary comparison between SIM NMIs, which is being carried out in order to compare the degree of equivalence in volume measurements of stainless steel mass standards.

For this comparison was selected a set of weights, with the following nominal values: 2 kg, 1 kg, 200 g and 1 g.

KEY WORDS FOR SEARCH

Density, volume, weights, 2 kg, 1 kg, 200 g, 1 g, supplementary comparison, SIM, CENAM, INACAL, INM, INEN, INTN and LACOMET.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Data and systems for medication-related text classification and concept normalization from Twitter: insights from the Social Media Mining for Health (SMM4H)-2017 shared task
Authors: Sarker Abeed , Belousov Maksim , Friedrichs Jasper , Hakala Kai , Kiritchenko Svetlana , Mehryary Farrokh , Han Sifei , Tran Tung , Rios Anthony , Kavuluru Ramakanth , de Bruijn Berry , Ginter Filip , Mahata Debanjan , Mohammad Saif M , Nenadic Goran , Gonzalez-Hernandez Graciela
Published: August 2018

Objective

We executed the Social Media Mining for Health (SMM4H) 2017 shared tasks to enable the community-driven development and large-scale evaluation of automatic text processing methods for the classification and normalization of health-related text from social media. An additional objective was to publicly release manually annotated data.

Materials and Methods

We organized 3 independent subtasks: automatic classification of self-reports of 1) adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and 2) medication consumption, from medication-mentioning tweets, and 3) normalization of ADR expressions. Training data consisted of 15 717 annotated tweets for (1), 10 260 for (2), and 6650 ADR phrases and identifiers for (3); and exhibited typical properties of social-media-based health-related texts. Systems were evaluated using 9961, 7513, and 2500 instances for the 3 subtasks, respectively. We evaluated performances of classes of methods and ensembles of system combinations following the shared tasks.

Results

Among 55 system runs, the best system scores for the 3 subtasks were 0.435 (ADR class F1-score) for subtask-1, 0.693 (micro-averaged F1-score over two classes) for subtask-2, and 88.5% (accuracy) for subtask-3. Ensembles of system combinations obtained best scores of 0.476, 0.702, and 88.7%, outperforming individual systems.

Discussion

Among individual systems, support vector machines and convolutional neural networks showed high performance. Performance gains achieved by ensembles of system combinations suggest that such strategies may be suitable for operational systems relying on difficult text classification tasks (eg, subtask-1).

Conclusions

Data imbalance and lack of context remain challenges for natural language processing of social media text. Annotated data from the shared task have been made available as reference standards for future studies (http://dx.doi.org/10.17632/rxwfb3tysd.1).
Lung Cancer Mortality in the Lung Screening Study Feasibility Trial
Authors: Doroudi Maryam , Pinsky Paul F , Marcus Pamela M
Published: August 2018

The Lung Screening Study was a multicenter controlled feasibility trial that randomly assigned subjects to undergo two rounds of screening with either low-dose spiral computed tomography (LDCT) or chest X-ray (CXR). Long-term follow-up was performed to evaluate any differences in lung-cancer-specific and all-cause mortality between arms. In 2000, subjects were randomly assigned at six screening centers. Linkage with the National Death Index was performed to ascertain long-term mortality for subjects. Median follow-up for mortality of the 1660 and 1658 subjects randomly assigned to LDCT and CXR, respectively, was 5.2 years. There were 32 and 26 deaths from lung cancer in the two groups, respectively, corresponding to lung cancer death rates of 3.84 and 3.10 per 1000 person-years, and a risk ratio of 1.24 (95% confidence interval = 0.74 to 2.08). The risk ratio for all-cause mortality was 1.20 (95% confidence interval = 0.94 to 1.54). These findings can contribute to the overall knowledge on LDCT lung cancer screening.
Engaging Families in Rehabilitation of People Who Are Critically Ill: An Underutilized Resource
Authors: Haines Kimberley J
Published: August 2018

Rehabilitation of people who are critically ill has received increased attention in recent years, although this has not extended to specifically facilitating family involvement. Engaging families in the rehabilitation arc has the potential to optimize outcomes. Likely benefits include redirecting family psychological distress into an active participatory role, humanizing the patient illness and recovery experience, and supporting staff and the health care system beyond the constraints of therapy time. This viewpoint explores why families should be engaged in critical care rehabilitation, gives an overview of the evidence for family participation in bedside care, and provides practical implementation strategies and signpost areas for future research.
Political Borders and Bank Lending in Post-Crisis America*
Authors: Chavaz Matthieu , Rose Andrew K
Published: August 2018

We study political influences on private banks receiving government funds. Using spatial discontinuities associated with congressional district borders, we show that recipient banks of the 2008 Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) program increased mortgage and small business lending by 23–60% more in census tracts located just inside their home-representative’s district than just outside; the effect also shows up in higher loan acceptance rates, and mortgages more likely to be impaired or in default. The effect is stronger when the representative voted for TARP, is politically powerful, connected to the financial industry, and when the bank is important in the district. These findings suggest that obtaining public funds subjects firms to political influences, which affects the quantity and quality of corporate investment because of political considerations.
Loss of NifQ Leads to Accumulation of Porphyrins and Altered Metal-Homeostasis in Nitrogen-Fixing Symbioses
Authors: Saad Maged M. , Michalet Sophie , Fossou Romain , Putnik‐Delić Marina , Crèvecoeur Michèle , Meyer Julien , de Malézieux Chloé , Hopfgartner Gérard , Maksimović Ivana , Perret Xavier
Published: August 2018

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation between legumes and rhizobia involves a coordinated expression of many plant and bacterial genes as well as finely tuned metabolic activities of micro- and macrosymbionts. In spite of such complex interactions, symbiotic proficiency remains a resilient process, with host plants apparently capable of compensating for some deficiencies in rhizobia. What controls nodule homeostasis is still poorly understood and probably varies between plant species. In this respect, the promiscuous Sinorhizobium (Ensifer) fredii strain NGR234 has become a model to assess the relative contribution of single gene products to many symbioses. Here, we describe how a deletion in nifQ of NGR234 (strain NGRΔnifQ) makes nodules of Vigna unguiculata, V. radiata, and Macroptilium atropurpureum but not of the mimisoid tree Leucaena leucocephala, purple-red. This peculiar dark-nodule phenotype did not necessarily correlate with a decreased proficiency of NGRΔnifQ but coincided with a 20-fold or more accumulation of coproporphyrin III and uroporphyrin III in V. unguiculata nodules. Porphyrin accumulation was not restricted to plant cells infected with bacteroids but also extended to the nodule cortex. Nodule metal-homeostasis was altered but not sufficiently to prevent assembly and functioning of nitrogenase. Although the role of NifQ in donating molybdenum during assembly of nitrogenase cofactor FeMo-co makes it essential in free-living diazotrophs, our results highlight the dispensability of NifQ in many legume species.
Characterization ofGnomoniopsis idaeicola, the Causal Agent of Canker and Wilting of Blackberry in Serbia
Authors: Stevanović Miloš , Ristić Danijela , Živković Svetlana , Aleksić Goran , Stanković Ivana , Krstić Branka , Bulajić Aleksandra
Published: August 2018

Blackberry cane diseases with the symptoms of necrosis, canker, and wilting are caused by several fungi worldwide. Surveys conducted from 2013 to 2016 in Serbia revealed the occurrence of Gnomoniopsis idaeicola, the causal agent of cane canker and wilting, which was found to be distributed in almost half of the surveyed orchards, in three blackberry cultivars, and with disease incidence of up to 80%. Wide distribution and high disease incidence suggest that G. idaeicola has been present in Serbia for some time. Out of 427 samples, a total of 65 G. idaeicola isolates were obtained (isolation rate of 34.19%). Reference isolates, originating from different localities, were conventionally and molecularly identified and characterized. G. idaeicola was detected in single and mixed infections with fungi from genera Paraconiothyrium, Colletotrichum, Diaporthe, Botryosphaeria, Botrytis, Septoria, Neofusicoccum, and Discostroma, and no diagnostically specific symptoms could be related directly to the G. idaeicola infection. In orchards solely infected with G. idaeicola, blackberry plant mortality was up to 40%, and yield loses were estimated at 50%. G. idaeicola isolates included in this study demonstrated intraspecies diversity in morphological, biological, pathogenic, and molecular features, which indicates that population in Serbia may be of different origin. This is the first record of a massive outbreak of G. idaeicola infection, illustrating its capability of harmful influence on blackberry production. This study represents the initial step in studying G. idaeicola as a new blackberry pathogen in Serbia, aiming at developing efficient control measures.
Virus Detection by High-Throughput Sequencing of Small RNAs: Large-Scale Performance Testing of Sequence Analysis Strategies
Authors: Massart Sebastien , Chiumenti Michela , De Jonghe Kris , Glover Rachel , Haegeman Annelies , Koloniuk Igor , Komínek Petr , Kreuze Jan , Kutnjak Denis , Lotos Leonidas , Maclot François , Maliogka Varvara , Maree Hans J. , Olivier Thibaut , Olmos Antonio , Pooggin Mikhail M. , Reynard Jean-Sébastien , Ruiz-García Ana B. , Safarova Dana , Schneeberger Pierre H. H. , Sela Noa , Turco Silvia , Vainio Eeva J. , Varallyay Eva , Verdin Eric , Westenberg Marcel , Brostaux Yves , Candresse Thierry
Published: August 2018

Recent developments in high-throughput sequencing (HTS), also called next-generation sequencing (NGS), technologies and bioinformatics have drastically changed research on viral pathogens and spurred growing interest in the field of virus diagnostics. However, the reliability of HTS-based virus detection protocols must be evaluated before adopting them for diagnostics. Many different bioinformatics algorithms aimed at detecting viruses in HTS data have been reported but little attention has been paid thus far to their sensitivity and reliability for diagnostic purposes. Therefore, we compared the ability of 21 plant virology laboratories, each employing a different bioinformatics pipeline, to detect 12 plant viruses through a double-blind large-scale performance test using 10 datasets of 21- to 24-nucleotide small RNA (sRNA) sequences from three different infected plants. The sensitivity of virus detection ranged between 35 and 100% among participants, with a marked negative effect when sequence depth decreased. The false-positive detection rate was very low and mainly related to the identification of host genome-integrated viral sequences or misinterpretation of the results. Reproducibility was high (91.6%). This work revealed the key influence of bioinformatics strategies for the sensitive detection of viruses in HTS sRNA datasets and, more specifically (i) the difficulty in detecting viral agents when they are novel or their sRNA abundance is low, (ii) the influence of key parameters at both assembly and annotation steps, (iii) the importance of completeness of reference sequence databases, and (iv) the significant level of scientific expertise needed when interpreting pipeline results. Overall, this work underlines key parameters and proposes recommendations for reliable sRNA-based detection of known and unknown viruses.
A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial of High Cutoff Versus Standard Hemofiltration in Critically Ill Patients With Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Atan Rafidah , Peck Leah , Prowle John , Licari Elisa , Eastwood Glenn M. , Storr Markus , Goehl Hermann , Bellomo Rinaldo
Published: August 2018

Objectives:

In critically ill patients with acute kidney injury receiving vasopressors, high cytokine levels may sustain the shock state. High cutoff hemofiltration achieves greater cytokine removal in ex vivo and in animal models and may reduce the duration of shock but may also increase albumin losses.

Design:

This was a single-center double-blind randomized controlled trial comparing continuous venovenous hemofiltration-high cutoff to continuous venovenous hemofiltration-standard.

Setting:

Tertiary care hospital in Australia.

Patients:

Vasopressor-dependent patients in acute kidney injury who were admitted to the ICU.

Interventions:

Norepinephrine-free time were calculated in critically ill vasopressor-dependent patients in acute kidney injury, randomized to either continuous venovenous hemofiltration-high cutoff or continuous venovenous hemofiltration-standard.

Measurement and Main Results:

A total of 76 patients were randomized with the following characteristics (continuous venovenous hemofiltration-high cutoff vs continuous venovenous hemofiltration-standard); median age of 65 versus 70 year, percentage of males 47% versus 68%, and median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation scores of 25 versus 23.5. The median hours of norepinephrine-free time at day 7 were 32 (0–110.8) for continuous venovenous hemofiltration-high cutoff and 56 hours (0–109.3 hr) (p = 0.520) for continuous venovenous hemofiltration-standard. Inhospital mortality was 55.6% with continuous venovenous hemofiltration-high cutoff versus 34.2% with continuous venovenous hemofiltration-standard (adjusted odds ratio, 2.49; 95% CI, 0.81–7.66; p = 0.191). There was no significant difference in time to cessation of norepinephrine (p = 0.358), time to cessation of hemofiltration (p = 0.563), and filter life (p = 0.21). Serum albumin levels (p = 0.192) were similar and the median dose of IV albumin given was 90 grams (20–212 g) for continuous venovenous hemofiltration-high cutoff and 80 grams (15–132 g) for continuous venovenous hemofiltration-standard (p = 0.252).

Conclusions:

In critically ill patients with acute kidney injury, continuous venovenous hemofiltration-high cutoff did not reduce the duration of vasopressor support or mortality or change albumin levels compared with continuous venovenous hemofiltration-standard.