bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental verification of agglomeration effects in infrared spectra on micron-sized particles
Authors: Tamanai Akemi , Vogt Jochen , Huck Christian , Mick Uwe , Zimmermann Sören , Tazaki Ryo , Mutschke Harald , Pucci Annemarie
Published: September 2018

Context. Detailed analysis of observed infrared (IR) dust emission spectra is often performed in order to derive information about mineralogy, particle size, and temperature of the dust. However, the IR bands are also influenced by agglomeration of the dust particles. Light scattering theory simulating agglomeration and growth effects is especially challenged by the consideration of highly absorbing particles.

Aims. To clarify the influence of agglomeration on the diagnostic phonon bands of amorphous SiO2 particles, we experimentally measure the extinction spectra of systematically arranged particle configurations and compare the measured spectra with the spectra obtained from different theoretical approaches.

Methods. We construct artificial particle agglomerates by means of the dedicated robotic manipulation (DRM) technique. IR microspectroscopic extinction measurements of these arranged particles are performed at the French National Synchrotron Facility, SOLEIL, in the mid-IR region considering polarization effects. The theoretical approaches applied are the discrete dipole approximation (DDA) as well as T-matrix and finite-difference time-domain methods.

Results. In both the experimental spectra and the theoretical calculations, we find that the Si–O stretching vibration band at about 9 μm is clearly broadened on the long-wavelength side by the agglomeration of particles. This is mainly caused by the radiation components, which are polarized in directions in which the agglomerate is extended, while the extinction band profile of the component polarized perpendicular to the long axis of an elongated agglomerate is close to the spectrum of the single sphere. All of the theoretical simulations predict these effects in qualitatively good agreement.

Conclusions. Our comparative study of the experimentally measured and theoretically calculated IR extinction spectra of well-defined agglomerate structures makes obvious how the various particle arrangements in small clusters might contribute to average spectra of dust. Therefore the study might help to improve the precision of light scattering calculations as well as their specific applicability.
Spatially resolving the thermally inhomogeneous outer atmosphere of the red giant Arcturus in the 2.3 μm CO lines
Authors: Ohnaka K. , Morales Marín C. A. L.
Published: September 2018

Aim. The outer atmosphere of K giants shows thermally inhomogeneous structures consisting of the hot chromospheric gas and the cool molecular gas. We present spectro-interferometric observations of the multicomponent outer atmosphere of the well-studied K1.5 giant Arcturus (α Boo) in the CO first overtone lines near 2.3 μm.

Methods. We observed Arcturus with the AMBER instrument at the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) at 2.28–2.31 μm with a spectral resolution of 12 000 and at projected baselines of 7.3, 14.6, and 21.8 m.

Results. The high spectral resolution of the VLTI/AMBER instrument allowed us to spatially resolve Arcturus in the individual CO lines. Comparison of the observed interferometric data with the MARCS photospheric model shows that the star appears to be significantly larger than predicted by the model. It indicates the presence of an extended component that is not accounted for by the current photospheric models for this well-studied star. We found out that the observed AMBER data can be explained by a model with two additional CO layers above the photosphere. The inner CO layer is located just above the photosphere, at 1.04 ± 0.02 R⋆, with a temperature of 1600 ± 400 K and a CO column density of 1020 ± 0.3 cm−2. On the other hand, the outer CO layer is found to be as extended as to 2.6 ± 0.2 R⋆ with a temperature of 1800 ± 100 K and a CO column density of 1019 ± 0.15 cm−2.

Conclusions. The properties of the inner CO layer are in broad agreement with those previously inferred from the spatially unresolved spectroscopic analyses. However, our AMBER observations have revealed that the quasi-static cool molecular component extends out to 2–3 R⋆, within which region the chromospheric wind steeply accelerates.
A new robust possibilistic programming model for reliable supply chain network design: A case study of lead-acid battery supply chain
Authors: Fazli-Khalaf Mohamadreza , Kamal Chaharsooghi Seyed , Pishvaee Mir Saman
Published: September 2018

Nowadays, the importance of caring about tremendous undesirable economical and technological effects of disruptions has impelled many researchers to design reliable supply chain networks. Moreover, the issue of intrinsic imprecision of input parameters should be gingerly regarded in the design of supply chain networks because it could have inverse impact on the quality of long-term planning decisions. Consequently, to handle the noted problems, in this paper, a reliable closed-loop supply chain network is formulated in which a new reliability method is introduced. The proposed formulation can effectively enable the design of a reliable network under different kinds of disruptions besides seeking for minimum overall costs of network design. On the one hand, a new effectual robust possibilistic programming (RPP) model is developed to confront with business-as-usual uncertainty in input parameters. Lastly, a real industrial case study is employed to validate the utility and practicability of the rendered model as well as presenting the efficiency and felicity of the developed RPP model.
Tuck Jump Assessment as an Indicator for Upper Extremity Injury
Authors: Barfield Jeff , Oliver Gretchen
Published: September 2018

The purpose of this study was to determine if tuck jumps can be used as a dynamic movement assessment to ascertain a previous history of upper extremity injury in an overhead throwing sport. Seventy-one youth baseball and softball athletes (28 baseball/43 softball; 12.41±2.22 yrs.; 161.98±13.65 cm; 59.17 ± 14.90 kg) were recruited to participate and were placed in either the previous injury (N=18) or no previous injury (N=53) groups. Kinematic data were collected from jumps 4 through 8 during a trial of 10 tuck jumps performed at 100 Hz using an electromagnetic tracking system (trakSTARTM, Ascension Technologies, Inc., Burlington, VT, USA) synced with the MotionMonitor® (Innovative Sports Training, Chicago, IL, USA). A logistic regression showed no significance in trunk flexion or upper leg elevation in the ability to determine upper extremity injury (χ

2
(1, N=71)=3.55, p=0.315). In conclusion, examining only trunk flexion and upper leg elevation during the tuck jump assessment (TJA) is not enough for clinicians to recognize previous upper extremity injury. Even though the body behaves as a kinetic chain, simplifying the dynamic movement assessment while not specifying the type of upper extremity injury is not favorable for the clinician to identify previous injury.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Prevalence of Anterolateral Ligament Abnormalities and Associated Injuries in Knees with Acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
Authors: Song Yoonah , Yang Jae-Hyuk , Choi Won Rak , Lee Jin Kyu
Published: September 2018

The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the prevalence of anterolateral ligament abnormality and associated injuries among patients with complete and partial anterior cruciate ligament tears. In addition, the prevalence of associated injuries with anterolateral ligament abnormality was further analyzed. Of the 158 patients diagnosed with acute anterior cruciate ligament tear, 82 patients were diagnosed with acute complete anterior cruciate ligament confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthroscopic procedures (Group C), and 74 patients were diagnosed with acute partial anterior cruciate ligament tears confirmed by MRI (Group P). The status of the anterolateral ligament, collateral ligaments, menisci, and osseous lesions was assessed. There was a significantly higher prevalence of anterolateral ligament abnormalities in Group C than Group P (36.6 vs. 4.1%, p < 0.001). Medial collateral ligament, lateral collateral ligament, Segond fracture, osseous lesion at the fibular head, lateral tibial plateau, lateral femoral condyle, and medial tibial plateau were significantly associated with anterolateral ligament abnormality. Furthermore, severity of osseous lesion at the lateral tibial plateau, lateral femoral condyle, and medial tibial plateau was significantly associated (with linear correlation) with anterolateral ligament abnormality. The prevalence of anterolateral ligament abnormality was significantly higher in patients with complete anterior cruciate ligament tear (36.6%) than those with partial anterior cruciate ligament tear (4.1%), but with noticeable prevalence of anterolateral ligament abnormality in the partial anterior cruciate ligament tear group. Associated lesions significant to anterolateral ligament abnormality were tears in both collateral ligaments, lateral-sided osseous lesions, and osseous lesion of the medial tibial plateau.
Poverty hits children first?
Authors: Fegert J. M. , Harsch D. , Kölch M.
Published: September 2018

Poverty is a risk factor for mental health problems during childhood and adolescence in general. The economic crisis (2007–2013) seemed to have intensified poverty in families within the most affected countries, esp. in the southern countries of Europe. Within a selective literature review, existing data on the risk of poverty, mental disorders in parents and further risk factors on mental health of children are analyzed. Direct effects like limited access to mental health care system may exist, but are not proved in general. From a developmental perspective, effects of the crisis seem more indirectly mediated by well-known risk factors for psychiatric disorders of children and adolescents: substance abuse in families, mental disorders of parents and loss of perspectives within families are risk factors both on mental health of a child but also for a low educational level which would be a resilience factor. There is evidence that an increase of child abuse and neglect (adverse childhood experiences, ACE) was linked to the economic crisis. Long-term effects e.g. due to ACE may be observed in later times, when children are grown-up.
Therapieresistente Depression - Perspektiven durch Hirnstimulationsverfahren
Authors: Plichta M. , Köstner N.-C. , Zwanzger P. , Fallgatter A. J.
Published: September 2018

Eine leitliniengerechte Therapie der Depression umfasst heute gleichermaßen pharmakologische sowie psychotherapeutische Ansätze. Allerdings sprechen nach wie vor ca. 20-25% der Patienten nicht ausreichend auf die Therapie an. Im Fall von Therapieresistenz ist nationalen wie internationalen Standards zufolge derzeit die Elektrokonvulsionstherapie (EKT) Mittel der Wahl. Demgegenüber ist der aktuelle Stellenwert moderner Hirnstimulationsverfahren unterschiedlich zu beurteilen. Während mittlerweile gute Daten zum Einsatz der repetitiven transkraniellen Magnetstimulation (rTMS) sowie begrenzt zum Einsatz der transkraniellen Gleichstromstimulation (tDCS) bei Depression vorliegen, erfordern die vielversprechenden Befunde zur Vagusnervstimulation (VNS) sowie zur tiefen Hirnstimulation (THS) weitere Forschungsaktivitäten.
The Influence of Implant Position on Final Clinical Outcome and Gait Analysis after Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Jabłoński Jarosław , Sibiński Marcin , Polguj Michał , Kowalczewski Jacek , Marczak Dariusz , Faflik Łukasz , Jabłońska Dorota
Published: September 2018

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of implant component alignment on objective and subjective outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The rotation of the femoral component and its influence on the final results were also examined. After exclusion, the study examined 102 patients (mean age, 66.28 years; range, 51–79 years) who had undergone unilateral TKA. All of the operative procedures were performed by one surgeon with one type of implant. One year after the operation, improvements in Knee Society's Knee Scoring System, functional score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and Visual Analog Scale were observed; however, none showed a significant correlation with any of the parameters analyzed by X-ray or computed tomography (CT) (α, β, γ, δ angles and posterior condylar angle [PCA]). Significant improvements were found for the vast majority of the parameters used for gate analysis at the final follow-up. Significant correlations were found between PCA angle and differences in stance phase, swing phase of the operated limb, and step width (all p = 0.03). No other significant relationships were found between gait parameters and indicators measured by X-ray and CT. None of the analyzed radiographic parameters, including rotation of the femoral component, correlated with final clinical results. Neither femoral internal rotation of 3° to 6°, nor rotation of 0° ± 3° or 0° ± 6° influenced the outcome. One year after TKA, a significant improvement was observed in both functional and gait parameters.
Pure Endoscopic Lateral Orbitotomy Approach to the Cavernous Sinus, Posterior, and Infratemporal Fossae: Anatomic Study
Authors: Laleva Lili , Spiriev Toma , Dallan Iacopo , Prats-Galino Alberto , Catapano Giuseppe , Nakov Vladimir , de Notaris Matteo
Published: September 2018

Objective The aim of this anatomic study is to describe a fully endoscopic lateral orbitotomy extradural approach to the cavernous sinus, posterior, and infratemporal fossae.

Material and Methods Three prefixed latex-injected head specimens (six orbital exposures) were used in the study. Before and after dissection, a computed tomography scan was performed on each cadaver head and a neuronavigation system was used to guide the approach. The extent of bone removal and the area of exposure of the targeted corridor were evaluated with the aid of OsiriX software (Pixmeo, Bernex, Switzerland).

Results The lateral orbital approach offers four main endoscopic extradural routes: the anteromedial, posteromedial, posterior, and inferior. The anteromedial route allows a direct route to the optic canal by removal of the anterior clinoid process, whereas the posteromedial route allows for exposure of the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus. The posterior route is targeted to Meckel's cave and provides access to the posterior cranial fossa by exposure and drilling of the petrous apex, whereas the inferior route gives access to the pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae by drilling the floor of the middle cranial fossa and the bone between the second and third branches of the trigeminal nerve.

Conclusion The lateral orbitotomy endoscopic approach provides direct access to the cavernous sinus, posterior, and infratemporal fossae. Advantages of the approach include a favorable angle of attack, minimal brain retraction, and the possibility of dissection within the two dural layers of the cavernous sinus without entering its neurovascular compartment.
Delayed Facial Nerve Paralysis after Vestibular Schwannoma Resection
Authors: Yawn Robert J. , Dedmon Matthew M. , Xie Deborah , Thompson Reid C. , O'Malley Matthew R. , Bennett Marc L. , Rivas Alejandro , Haynes David S.
Published: September 2018

Objective To describe the incidence and clinical course of patients who develop delayed facial nerve paralysis (DFNP) after surgical resection of vestibular schwannoma.

Setting Tertiary skull base center.

Methods Retrospective chart review.

Results Two hundred and forty six consecutive patients, who underwent surgical resection for vestibular schwannoma at a single center between 2010 and 2015, were analyzed. Of these patients, 22 (8.9%) developed DFNP, defined here as deterioration of function by at least 2 House–Brackmann (HB) grades within 30 days in patients with immediate postoperative HB ≤ 3. The mean age of DFNP patients was 47.2 years (range: 17–67) and 16 (73%) were female. The mean tumor size in greatest dimension was 2.1 cm (range: 0.7–3.5 cm). At the conclusion of each case, the facial nerve stimulated at the brainstem. Mean immediate postoperative facial nerve function was HB 1.8 (range: 1–3). Average facial nerve function at the 3-week-postoperative visit was 4.4 (range: 2–6). In 1-year, 8 patients (36%) recovered HB 1 function, 10 patients (46%) recovered to HB 2, and 2 patients (9%) were HB 3. The remaining 2 patients did not recover function and were HB 6 at last follow-up. Initial postoperative facial nerve function (HB 1 or HB 2) was associated with improved recovery to normal (HB 1) function (p = 0.018).

Conclusion A majority of patients that develop delayed paralysis will recover excellent facial nerve function. Patients should be counseled; however, a small percentage of patients will not recover function long-term, despite having a previously functioning and anatomically intact nerve.
What Is the Price and Claimed Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis in the United States?
Authors: Piuzzi Nicolas S. , Ng Mitchell , Kantor Ariel , Ng Kenneth , Kha Stephanie , Mont Michael A. , Muschler George F.
Published: September 2018

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are often used for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA), despite clinical value and cost-effectiveness not being definitely established. PRP injections are considered as a potential means of reducing pain and improving function in patients with knee OA, in the hope of delaying or avoiding the need for surgical intervention. Centers that offer PRP injections usually charge patients out of pocket and directly market services. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to quantify the current (1) prices and (2) marketed clinical efficacy of autologous PRP injections for knee OA. A prospective cross-sectional study was performed based on 286 centers identified in the United States offering PRP injections for knee OA. A total of 179 (73.4%) centers were successfully contacted via e-mail or phone, using a simulated 52-year-old male patient with knee OA. Scripted questions were asked by the simulated patient to determine the current marketed prices and clinical efficacy, either reported as “good results” or “symptomatic improvement,” claimed by each treating center. The mean price for a single unilateral knee same-day PRP injection was $714 with a standard deviation of $144 (95% confidence interval [CI]: $691–737, n = 153). The mean claim of clinical efficacy was 76% with a standard deviation of 11% (95% CI: 73.5–78.3%, n = 84). Out of the 84 clinics, 10 claimed “90 to 100% efficacy,” 27 claimed “80 to 90%,” 29 claimed “70 to 80%,” 9 claimed “60 to 70%,” 8 claimed “50 to 60%,” and 1 claimed “40 to 60%.” These findings provide a unique perspective on the PRP market for the treatment of knee OA that is valuable to physicians and health care providers in providing better education to patients on the associated costs and purported clinical benefits of PRP injections.
Basics of Neurointervention
Authors: Matin Tariq , Deshmukh Aviraj , Al-Schameri A.
Published: September 2018

Neurointervention is a subspecialty of neurosciences which offers a minimally invasive therapy for the vascular lesions of the central nervous system. The resources, techniques, and indications of neurointervention therapy are rapidly expanding and becoming diverse. With the support of robust scientific data, neurointervention has established itself as a first line therapy for many neurovascular diseases. This article provides an overview about the various material used in neurointervention, basic steps followed in some common neurointerventional procedures, and its related complications. In the era of 21st century, any young physician or surgeon as well as residents-in-training dealing with neurovascular cases should have some insight into these basic concepts so as to provide better care to their patients.
Selective Adsorption and Separation of Organic Dyes by Poly(acrylic acid) Hydrogels Formed with Spherical Polymer Brushes and Chitosan
Authors: Zhang Rui , Peng Hongwei , Zhou Tianxu , Li Min , Guo Xuhong , Yao Yuan
Published: September 2018

Direct discharge of industry organic dyes has caused serious environmental pollution. In this study, a series of double network poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) hydrogels were fabricated with spherical polymer brushes (SPBs) and chitosan (CS) as crosslinker. Neutral spherical polyelectrolyte brushes of polystyrene–poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM@PS) in which poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) arms were grafted on polystyrene (PS) nanospheres, were employed as macro-crosslinkers. The innumerable hydrogen bonds both between the highly entangled PAA chains and between PNIPAM and the PAA chains composed the first network of the hydrogels. The electrostatic interactions between CS and the PAA chains formed the second network of the hydrogels. These double network hydrogels, named PNIPAM@PS/CS/PAA, achieve good compressive performance and a low swell ratio because of their compact structure through plentiful hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. The hydrogel could absorb cationic dyes from water with high separation efficiency and selectivity due to the electrostatic interaction between the carboxy groups and dye molecules. The adsorption process fitted a pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model very well. Moreover, the hydrogel can separate cationic dyes from mixed dye solutions through electrostatic interactions. After being loaded with silver nanoparticles, the obtained silver@hydrogel exhibited a good capacity for the photocatalytic degradation towards different dyes. The hydrogels are promising for dye-containing wastewater treatment.
Love your enemy? An aesthetic discourse analysis of self-transcendence in values-motivated altruism
Authors: Mitchell Sue , Eiroa-Orosa Francisco Jose
Published: September 2018

Inter-disciplinary academic enquiry shares the challenge to explore the social and ethical applications of research into today's globalised but increasingly complex world. Positive psychology examines how life can be well in this broader enquiry of the social and moral contexts of ‘individual’ happiness. In this it begins to embrace innovative, qualitative research methods alongside its earlier positivistic, scientific approach, in the social transition to enquire more inductively. This research therefore attempts two things. The substantive research explores how experiences of self-transcendence may emerge in the choice of altruistic values, to ‘love an enemy’, potentially at cost to personal ‘selfhood’ in pursuit of a well society. Secondly, it presents the innovative ‘aesthetic discourse analysis’ as a means to examine the motivational or moral impulse of personhood, where the self becomes ‘sensible’ to agentic change. It draws on Bakhtin's use of genre, emotional intonation and chronotope to interrogate the ‘feltness’ of self-conscious motivation. In three focus groups, people who are all committed to the self-transcendent value to love the Other, converse with Others from different backgrounds and belief systems. The research discovers that lived experiences of self-transcendence co-occur with ontological and epistemological re-shaping of self-consciousness.
Toward an understanding of the structural basis of allostery in muscarinic acetylcholine receptors
Authors: Burger Wessel A.C. , Sexton Patrick M. , Christopoulos Arthur , Thal David M.
Published: September 2018

Recent breakthroughs and developments in structural biology have led to a spate of crystal structures for G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs). This is the case for the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) where inactive-state structures for four of the five subtypes and two active-state structures for one subtype are available. These mAChR crystal structures have provided new insights into receptor mechanisms, dynamics, and allosteric modulation. This is highly relevant to the mAChRs given that these receptors are an exemplar model system for the study of GPCR allostery. Allosteric mechanisms of the mAChRs are predominantly consistent with a two-state model, albeit with some notable recent exceptions. Herein, we discuss the mechanisms for positive and negative allosteric modulation at the mAChRs and compare and contrast these to evidence offered by pharmacological, biochemical, and computational approaches. This analysis provides insight into the fundamental pharmacological properties exhibited by GPCR allosteric modulators, such as enhanced subtype selectivity, probe dependence, and biased modulation while highlighting the current challenges that remain. Though complex, enhanced molecular understanding of allosteric mechanisms will have considerable influence on our understanding of GPCR activation and signaling and development of therapeutic interventions.
β-Ga2O3 for wide-bandgap electronics and optoelectronics
Authors: Galazka Zbigniew
Published: September 2018

β-Ga2O3 is an emerging, ultra-wide bandgap (energy gap of 4.85 eV) transparent semiconducting oxide, which attracted recently much scientific and technological attention. Unique properties of that compound combined with its advanced development in growth and characterization place β-Ga2O3 in the frontline of future applications in electronics (Schottky barrier diodes, field-effect transistors), optoelectronics (solar- and visible-blind photodetectors, flame detectors, light emitting diodes), and sensing systems (gas sensors, nuclear radiation detectors). A capability of growing large bulk single crystals directly from the melt and epi-layers by a diversity of epitaxial techniques, as well as explored material properties and underlying physics, define a solid background for a device fabrication, which, indeed, has been boosted in recent years. This required, however, enormous efforts in different areas of science and technology that constitutes a chain linking together engineering, metrology and theory. The present review includes material preparation (bulk crystals, epi-layers, surfaces), an exploration of optical, electrical, thermal and mechanical properties, as well as device design/fabrication with resulted functionality suitable for different fields of applications. The review summarizes all of these aspects of β-Ga2O3 at the research level that spans from the material preparation through characterization to final devices.
Automatic rough alignment for key components in laser driven experiments using fiducial markers
Authors: Popescu D C , Cernaianu M O , Dumitrache I
Published: September 2018

In the laser - solid target experiments at ELI-NP, maximizing the availability of the laser system and hence the number of shots during a campaign is envisaged. One of the factors that affects this is the time for preparing the experiment and the time for changing the targets between shots. In this paper we present a method for automatic rough alignment of various experimental setup instruments like the target frames, microscopes and diagnostics. Giving the impossibility to define a global reference system that captures precisely enough the relative position of all equipment in a continuously changing experimental setup, the method developed is using relative optical measurements using fiducial markers. The method is conceived to be used along with other micron-level alignment methods as a pre-alignment phase. Along this work, a setup and the algorithms were developed in order to test the accuracy of the method. First tests revealed a rough alignment accuracy between 100-200μm which was achieved using only a low resolution imaging camera. The accuracy can be further improved using higher resolution imaging systems or by developing new key points in the algorithm that are discussed at the end of the paper.
Sexual dimorphism and rapid turnover in gene expression in pre-reproductive seedlings of a dioecious herb
Authors: Cossard Guillaume G , Toups Melissa A , Pannell John R
Published: September 2018

Background and Aims

Sexual dimorphism in morphology, physiology or life history traits is common in dioecious plants at reproductive maturity, but it is typically inconspicuous or absent in juveniles. Although plants of different sexes probably begin to diverge in gene expression both before their reproduction commences and before dimorphism becomes readily apparent, to our knowledge transcriptome-wide differential gene expression has yet to be demonstrated for any angiosperm species.

Methods

The present study documents differences in gene expression in both above- and below-ground tissues of early pre-reproductive individuals of the wind-pollinated dioecious annual herb, Mercurialis annua, which otherwise shows clear sexual dimorphism only at the adult stage.

Key Results

Whereas males and females differed in their gene expression at the first leaf stage, sex-biased gene expression peaked just prior to, and after, flowering, as might be expected if sexual dimorphism is partly a response to differential costs of reproduction. Sex-biased genes were over-represented among putative sex-linked genes in M. annua but showed no evidence for more rapid evolution than unbiased genes.

Conclusions

Sex-biased gene expression in M. annua occurs as early as the first whorl of leaves is produced, is highly dynamic during plant development and varies substantially between vegetative tissues
Development of a protein–ligand extended connectivity (PLEC) fingerprint and its application for binding affinity predictions
Authors: Wójcikowski Maciej , Kukiełka Michał , Stepniewska-Dziubinska Marta M , Siedlecki Pawel
Published: September 2018

Motivation

Fingerprints (FPs) are the most common small molecule representation in cheminformatics. There are a wide variety of FPs, and the Extended Connectivity Fingerprint (ECFP) is one of the best-suited for general applications. Despite the overall FP abundance, only a few FPs represent the 3D structure of the molecule, and hardly any encode protein–ligand interactions.

Results

Here, we present a Protein–Ligand Extended Connectivity (PLEC) FP that implicitly encodes protein–ligand interactions by pairing the ECFP environments from the ligand and the protein. PLEC FPs were used to construct different machine learning models tailored for predicting protein–ligand affinities (pKi∕d). Even the simplest linear model built on the PLEC FP achieved Rp = 0.817 on the Protein Databank (PDB) bind v2016 ‘core set’, demonstrating its descriptive power.

Availability and implementation

The PLEC FP has been implemented in the Open Drug Discovery Toolkit (https://github.com/oddt/oddt).

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Phylolink: phylogenetically-based profiling, visualisations and metrics for biodiversity
Authors: Miller Joseph T , Pirzl Rebecca , Rosauer Dan , Jolley-Rogers Garry , Varghese Temi
Published: September 2018

Phylolink is a research collaboration toolkit through which biodiversity can be explored from a phylogenetic perspective. It is an update of PhyloJiVE that has been integrated into the framework of the Atlas of Living Australia, including its spatial portal. Phylolink connects phylogenetic tree nodes with species occurrence records, environmental data, and species trait information. Features new to Phylolink allow users to upload and download spatial datasets, store files and link to the ALA spatial portal, improve graphics and provide the novel ability to analyze environmental attributes of species and clades distributions. Species richness and phylogenetic diversity comparisons can be made among geographic areas. The result is a powerful way of combining data to generate flexible and customizable visualizations, profiles and metrics for biodiversity.

Availability and implementation

Phylolink is available at the Atlas of Living Australia, http://phylolink.ala.org.au/. It works on any browser and users can select from a range of stored phylogenetic trees and spatial datasets, or upload their own.
SAFE-clustering: Single-cell Aggregated (from Ensemble) clustering for single-cell RNA-seq data
Authors: Yang Yuchen , Huh Ruth , Culpepper Houston W , Lin Yuan , Love Michael I , Li Yun
Published: September 2018

Motivation

Accurately clustering cell types from a mass of heterogeneous cells is a crucial first step for the analysis of single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-Seq) data. Although several methods have been recently developed, they utilize different characteristics of data and yield varying results in terms of both the number of clusters and actual cluster assignments.

Results

Here, we present SAFE-clustering, single-cell aggregated (From Ensemble) clustering, a flexible, accurate and robust method for clustering scRNA-Seq data. SAFE-clustering takes as input, results from multiple clustering methods, to build one consensus solution. SAFE-clustering currently embeds four state-of-the-art methods, SC3, CIDR, Seurat and t-SNE + k-means; and ensembles solutions from these four methods using three hypergraph-based partitioning algorithms. Extensive assessment across 12 datasets with the number of clusters ranging from 3 to 14, and the number of single cells ranging from 49 to 32, 695 showcases the advantages of SAFE-clustering in terms of both cluster number (18.2–58.1% reduction in absolute deviation to the truth) and cluster assignment (on average 36.0% improvement, and up to 18.5% over the best of the four methods, measured by adjusted rand index). Moreover, SAFE-clustering is computationally efficient to accommodate large datasets, taking <10 min to process 28 733 cells.

Availability and implementation

SAFEclustering, including source codes and tutorial, is freely available at https://github.com/yycunc/SAFEclustering.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
SequencEnG: an interactive knowledge base of sequencing techniques
Authors: Zhang Yi , Manjunath Mohith , Kim Yeonsung , Heintz Joerg , Song Jun S
Published: September 2018

summary

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques are revolutionizing biomedical research by providing powerful methods for generating genomic and epigenomic profiles. The rapid progress is posing an acute challenge to students and researchers to stay acquainted with the numerous available methods. We have developed an interactive online educational resource called Sequencing Techniques Engine for Genomics (SequencEnG) to provide a tree-structured knowledge base of 66 different sequencing techniques and step-by-step NGS data analysis pipelines comparing popular tools. SequencEnG is designed to facilitate barrier-free learning of current NGS techniques and provides a user-friendly interface for searching through experimental and analysis methods.

Availability and implementation

SequencEnG is part of the project Knowledge Engine for Genomics (KnowEnG) and is freely available at http://education.knoweng.org/sequenceng/.
Resting-State Activity in High-Order Visual Areas as a Window into Natural Human Brain Activations
Authors: Strappini Francesca , Wilf Meytal , Karp Ofer , Goldberg Hagar , Harel Michal , Furman-Haran Edna , Golan Tal , Malach Rafael
Published: September 2018

A major limitation of conventional human brain research has been its basis in highly artificial laboratory experiments. Due to technical constraints, little is known about the nature of cortical activations during ecological real life. We have previously proposed the “spontaneous trait reactivation (STR)” hypothesis arguing that resting-state patterns, which emerge spontaneously in the absence of external stimulus, reflect the statistics of habitual cortical activations during real life. Therefore, these patterns can serve as a window into daily life cortical activity. A straightforward prediction of this hypothesis is that spontaneous patterns should preferentially correlate to patterns generated by naturalistic stimuli compared with artificial ones. Here we targeted high-level category-selective visual areas and tested this prediction by comparing BOLD functional connectivity patterns formed during rest to patterns formed in response to naturalistic stimuli, as well as to more artificial category-selective, dynamic stimuli. Our results revealed a significant correlation between the resting-state patterns and functional connectivity patterns generated by naturalistic stimuli. Furthermore, the correlations to naturalistic stimuli were significantly higher than those found between resting-state patterns and those generated by artificial control stimuli. These findings provide evidence of a stringent link between spontaneous patterns and the activation patterns during natural vision.
A disruptive cue improves handwashing in school children in Zambia
Authors: Naluonde Tabonga , Wakefield Christina , Markle Laurie , Martin Anne , Tresphor Chanda , Abdullah Rim , Larsen David A
Published: September 2018

Behavioral economics hold great promise in changing patterns of behavior that influence human health. Handwashing with soap is one such behavior that is important in reducing exposure to pathogens, and in school-age children, handwashing helps reduce absenteeism through the prevention of respiratory and diarrheal diseases. However, the gap between knowledge on the importance of handwashing and actual handwashing practice, especially with soap, persists. Many traditional behavior change communication approaches have failed in achieving and sustaining improved handwashing practices. Cognitive psychology research on habits as well as nudge theory, a component of behavioral economics predicated on the idea of making a behavior as easy as possible to do, suggests that introducing a disruptive cue into the environment may be able to interrupt current habitual neurological patterns to effect and then sustain behavior change. We used a participatory process to identify and introduce a locally appropriate disruptive cue to improve handwashing behavior in schools in Zambia. We then utilized a school-randomized controlled trial to test the soap-on-a-rope in 50 government schools in Namwala District of Southern Province. Two outcomes were considered among school children; washing hands with water and using soap while washing hands. Following the intervention, soap use was more likely in intervention schools than control schools [Odds ratio = 7.23, 95% confidence interval = (1.76–29.71)], though both intervention and control schools saw an increase in handwashing without soap. This low-cost intervention could be scaled throughout Zambia and may work well in other countries of similar circumstances.
38 seconds above the 38th parallel: how short video clips produced by the US military can promote alignment despite antagonism between Japan and Korea
Authors: Asaba Yuki , Hahn Kyu S , Jang Seulgi , Kobayashi Tetsuro , Tago Atsushi
Published: September 2018

The effectiveness of public diplomacy is now increasingly the subject of scientific measurement and testing by researchers in the field of International Relations. While there are variety of empirical efforts to uncover the power of public diplomacy, extant studies have mostly focused on the activities initiated by the ministries in charge of external relations. In this article, rather than external relations ministries and agencies, we focus on the effectiveness of public diplomacy by the military. Specifically, we argue that figures, pictures and indeed videos created by military forces have power in changing perceptions among the receivers of the information. In this particular study, we show that a 38 second video made by the US military induces positive feelings for cooperation which would otherwise be difficult to sustain between South Korea and Japan — two countries which have suffered highly fractious relations, yet which are indispensable allies to the US in countering the rising threat from North Korea.
A search for optical transients associated with fast radio burst 150418
Authors: Niino Yuu , Tominaga Nozomu , Totani Tomonori , Morokuma Tomoki , Keane Evan , Possenti Andrea , Sugai Hajime , Yamasaki Shotaro
Published: September 2018

We have searched for optical variability in the host galaxy of the radio variable source possibly associated with fast radio burst (FRB) 150418. We compare images of the galaxy taken 1 day after the burst using Subaru/Suprime-Cam with images taken ∼1 yr after the burst using Gemini-South/GMOS. No optical variability is found between the two epochs with a limiting absolute magnitude ≳ −19 (AB). This limit applies to the optical variability of the putative active galactic nucleus in the galaxy on a timescale of ∼1 yr, and also to the luminosity of an optical counterpart of FRB 150418 one day after the burst should it have occurred in this galaxy.
Keeping up-to-date with diabetes care and education
Authors: Funnell Martha M. , Freehill Karein
Published: September 2018

The American Diabetes Association publishes standards of care that are updated annually by a panel of experts in nursing, education, behavior, psychology, nutrition, pharmacology, and medicine. This article describes current evidence-based approaches to care and education for adults and highlights revisions in the 2018 Standards of Care that are relevant to nurses and patients with type 2 diabetes.
Executive (dys)function after traumatic brain injury: special considerations for behavioral pharmacology
Authors: Ozga Jenny E. , Povroznik Jessica M. , Engler-Chiurazzi Elizabeth B. , Haar Cole Vonder
Published: September 2018

Executive function is an umbrella term that includes cognitive processes such as decision-making, impulse control, attention, behavioral flexibility, and working memory. Each of these processes depends largely upon monoaminergic (dopaminergic, serotonergic, and noradrenergic) neurotransmission in the frontal cortex, striatum, and hippocampus, among other brain areas. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) induces disruptions in monoaminergic signaling along several steps in the neurotransmission process – synthesis, distribution, and breakdown – and in turn, produces long-lasting deficits in several executive function domains. Understanding how TBI alters monoamingeric neurotransmission and executive function will advance basic knowledge of the underlying principles that govern executive function and potentially further treatment of cognitive deficits following such injury. In this review, we examine the influence of TBI on the following measures of executive function – impulsivity, behavioral flexibility, and working memory. We also describe monoaminergic-systems changes following TBI. Given that TBI patients experience alterations in monoaminergic signaling following injury, they may represent a unique population with regard to pharmacotherapy. We conclude this review by discussing some considerations for pharmacotherapy in the field of TBI.
Assessment of executive function using the Tinkertoy test
Authors: Lambert Maude , Stenger Janet , Bielajew Catherine
Published: September 2018

The Tinkertoy test (TTT) has often been used to assess executive function. Despite its clinical importance, there are few published normative data for it. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to fill this gap. Moreover, as there exists a sex difference in many cognitive abilities and neuropsychological tests, a secondary aim was to examine whether sex influences TTT performance. We administered the TTT to 25 healthy men and 25 healthy women whose average age was 28 years. Performances were scored based upon Lezak’s (1982) original TTT criteria. On average, our participants used 43 pieces to complete their construction (SD=8), with a range of 21–50, and their complexity scores ranged from 7 to 12, with a mean score of 9.68 (SD=1.35). Overall performance did not differ based on sex; yet, when examining individual scoring criteria, we found that men scored significantly higher on the symmetry measure. Efforts towards the development of adequate normative data for the TTT and different tests of executive functioning are crucial to neuropsychologists’ and other healthcare providers’ ability to reliably diagnose and treat disorders of cognition that affect executive function. The present data go some way towards enhancing the utility of the TTT.
Neuromuscular blocking agents for adult patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Tao Wei , Yang Liu-Qing , Gao Ju , Shao Jun
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND

To explore the effect of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) on adult patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) by meta-analysis.

METHODS

Three databases including Cochrane central register of controlled trials, PubMed, and Wanfang Data were searched to find relevant articles. We included randomized controlled trials that evaluated NMBAs compared with placebo or usual treatment in adult patients with ARDS.

RESULTS

Five trials totaling 551 patients were identified eligible for inclusion. All the five trials were protective ventilation strategies based. All patients (the ratio of partial pressure of arterial oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen ≤ 200 mm Hg) met American-European Consensus Conference or the Berlin definition oxygenation criteria for ARDS. Neuromuscular blocking agents significantly reduced intensive care unit mortality (relative risk, 0.73; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.58–0.93; p = 0.009; I
2 = 0.0%; 4 trials, 455 patients) and 21- to 28-day mortality (relative risk, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.49–0.82; p = 0.001; I
2 = 0.0%; 4 trials, 527 patients). At 48 hours, NMBAs improved oxygenation (weighted mean differences [WMD], 27.98; 95% CI, 7.45–48.51; p = 0.008; I
2 = 44.2%; 4 trials, 212 patients). However, NMBAs have no effect on reduction of oxygenation at 24 hours (WMD, 26.83; 95% CI, −5.89 to 59.55; p = 0.108; I
2 = 82.4%; 4 trials, 447 patients), and plateau pressure (WMD, 0.43; 95% CI, −0.46 to 1.31; p = 0.345; 4 trials, 455 patients) as well as positive end expiratory pressure (WMD, 0.10; 95% CI, −0.47 to 0.67; p = 0.73; 4 trials, 455 patients) at 48 hours.

CONCLUSION

Protective ventilation strategies based NMBAs treatment reduces mortality in patients with moderate to severe ARDS.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Systematic reviews & meta-analysis, level III.
A doubly anharmonic oscillator in an induced electric dipole system
Authors: Bakke K. , Salvador C.
Published: September 2018

The behaviour of the interaction of the induced electric dipole moment of an atom with a uniform magnetic field and a non-uniform electric field are investigated in a rotating reference frame. An interesting aspect of this interaction is that it gives rise to an analogue of a spinless particle subject to the doubly anharmonic oscillator. Then, it is shown that analytical solutions to the Schrödinger equation can be obtained. Another point raised is that the quantum effects on the induced electric dipole moment can be observed if the uniform magnetic field possesses a discrete set of values.