bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lower vitamin D intake is associated with low HDL cholesterol and vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency in Brazilian children
Authors: Filgueiras Mariana De Santis , Suhett Lara Gomes , Silva Mariane Alves , Rocha Naruna Pereira , de Novaes Juliana Farias
Published: February 2018

Objective

To evaluate the association of vitamin D intake with dyslipidaemia and vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency in Brazilian children and identify the main food group sources of this nutrient in the sample.

Design

A cross-sectional study carried out with a representative sample. Blood was collected after 12 h of fasting. Laboratory tests were performed to determine total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL cholesterol, TAG, apoB, apoA1, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone. Dietary intake was evaluated by a 24 h recall.

Setting

Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Subjects

Children between 8 and 9 years old enrolled in urban schools (n 378).

Results

We found an elevated prevalence of inadequate vitamin D intake (91·3 %), dyslipidaemia (72·8 %) and vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency (56·2 %). The food groups that contributed the most to vitamin D intake were dairy products and fish. Lower vitamin D intake was associated with increased prevalence of both low HDL-C (prevalence ratio=2·51; 95 % CI 1·02, 6·18; P<0·05) and vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency (prevalence ratio=1·61; 95 % CI 1·01, 2·58; P<0·05).

Conclusions

Given the elevated prevalence of inadequate vitamin D intake and its association with low HDL-C and vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency, it is important to develop specific actions in food and nutritional education as well as programmes that stimulate and facilitate access to vitamin D food sources, such as dairy products and fish.
Rapid, real time pathology review for ECOG/ACRIN 1412: a novel and successful paradigm for future lymphoma clinical trials in the precision medicine era
Authors: King Rebecca L. , Nowakowski Grzegorz S. , Witzig Thomas E. , Scott David W. , Little Richard F. , Hong Fangxin , Gascoyne Randy D. , Kahl Brad S. , Macon William R
Published: February 2018

ECOG/ACRIN 1412 (E1412) is a randomized, phase II open-label study of lenalidomide/RCHOP vs. RCHOP alone in adults with newly diagnosed de novo diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and requires NanoString gene expression profiling (GEP) for cell-of-origin testing. Because of high ineligibility rate on retrospective expert central pathology review (ECPR), real-time (RT) ECPR was instituted to confirm diagnosis and ensure adequate tissue for GEP prior to study enrollment. Goal was notification of eligibility within 2 working days (WD). Initially, 208 patients were enrolled, 74 (35.6%) of whom were deemed ineligible by retrospective ECPR. After initiation of RT-ECPR, 219 patients were registered. Of these, 73 (33.3%) were ineligible and were declined enrollment; 47 (21.5% of total) had an ineligible diagnosis on RT-ECPR, and 26 (11.9% of total) had inadequate tissue. Because the 73 ineligible patients were never enrolled, no study slots were “lost” during this phase. Notification of eligibility occurred in an average of 1 WD (Range 0–4) with 97.3% within 2 WD. This novel RT-ECPR serves as a model for future lymphoma trials. Real-time ECPR can help to reduce costs and ensure that study slots accurately reflect the targeted population. In the precision-medicine era, rapid collection of relevant pathology/biomarker data is essential to trial success.
Endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria in diseases of motor and sensory neurons: a broken relationship?
Authors: Bernard-Marissal Nathalie , Chrast Roman , Schneider Bernard L.
Published: February 2018

Recent progress in the understanding of neurodegenerative diseases revealed that multiple molecular mechanisms contribute to pathological changes in neurons. A large fraction of these alterations can be linked to dysfunction in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria, affecting metabolism and secretion of lipids and proteins, calcium homeostasis, and energy production. Remarkably, these organelles are interacting with each other at specialized domains on the ER called mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs). These membrane structures rely on the interaction of several complexes of proteins localized either at the mitochondria or at the ER interface and serve as an exchange platform of calcium, metabolites, and lipids, which are critical for the function of both organelles. In addition, recent evidence indicates that MAMs also play a role in the control of mitochondria dynamics and autophagy. MAMs thus start to emerge as a key element connecting many changes observed in neurodegenerative diseases. This review will focus on the role of MAMs in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, two neurodegenerative diseases particularly affecting neurons with long projecting axons. We will discuss how defects in MAM signaling may impair neuronal calcium homeostasis, mitochondrial dynamics, ER function, and autophagy, leading eventually to axonal degeneration. The possible impact of MAM dysfunction in glial cells, which may affect the capacity to support neurons and/or axons, will also be described. Finally, the possible role of MAMs as an interesting target for development of therapeutic interventions aiming at delaying or preventing neurodegeneration will be highlighted.
Current-driven dynamics and inhibition of the skyrmion Hall effect of ferrimagnetic skyrmions in GdFeCo films
Authors: Woo Seonghoon , Song Kyung Mee , Zhang Xichao , Zhou Yan , Ezawa Motohiko , Liu Xiaoxi , Finizio S. , Raabe J. , Lee Nyun Jong , Kim Sang-Il , Park Seung-Young , Kim Younghak , Kim Jae-Young , Lee Dongjoon , Lee OukJae , Choi Jun Woo , Min Byoung-Chul , Koo Hyun Cheol , Chang Joonyeon
Published: February 2018

Magnetic skyrmions are swirling magnetic textures with novel characteristics suitable for future spintronic and topological applications. Recent studies confirmed the room-temperature stabilization of skyrmions in ultrathin ferromagnets. However, such ferromagnetic skyrmions show an undesirable topological effect, the skyrmion Hall effect, which leads to their current-driven motion towards device edges, where skyrmions could easily be annihilated by topographic defects. Recent theoretical studies have predicted enhanced current-driven behavior for antiferromagnetically exchange-coupled skyrmions. Here we present the stabilization of these skyrmions and their current-driven dynamics in ferrimagnetic GdFeCo films. By utilizing element-specific X-ray imaging, we find that the skyrmions in the Gd and FeCo sublayers are antiferromagnetically exchange-coupled. We further confirm that ferrimagnetic skyrmions can move at a velocity of ~50 m s−1 with reduced skyrmion Hall angle, |θSkHE| ~ 20°. Our findings open the door to ferrimagnetic and antiferromagnetic skyrmionics while providing key experimental evidences of recent theoretical studies.
Modeling of networks and globules of charged domain walls observed in pump and pulse induced states
Authors: Karpov Petr , Brazovskii Serguei
Published: February 2018

Experiments on optical and STM injection of carriers in layered MX2 materials revealed the formation of nanoscale patterns with networks and globules of domain walls. This is thought to be responsible for the metallization transition of the Mott insulator and for stabilization of a “hidden” state. In response, here we present studies of the classical charged lattice gas model emulating the superlattice of polarons ubiquitous to the material of choice 1T − TaS2. The injection pulse was simulated by introducing a small random concentration of voids which subsequent evolution was followed by means of Monte Carlo cooling. Below the detected phase transition, the voids gradually coalesce into domain walls forming locally connected globules and then the global network leading to a mosaic fragmentation into domains with different degenerate ground states. The obtained patterns closely resemble the experimental STM visualizations. The surprising aggregation of charged voids is understood by fractionalization of their charges across the walls’ lines.
The Use of Metabolomics and Inflammatory Mediator Profiling Provides a Novel Approach to Identifying Pediatric Appendicitis in the Emergency Department
Authors: Shommu Nusrat S. , Jenne Craig N. , Blackwood Jaime , Martin Dori-Ann , Joffe Ari R. , Eccles Robin , Brindle Mary , Khanafer Ijab , Vogel Hans J. , Thompson Graham C.
Published: February 2018

Multiplexed profiling approaches including various ‘omics’ platforms are becoming a new standard of biomarker development for disease diagnosis and prognosis. The present study applied an integrated metabolomics and cytokine profiling approach as a potential aid to the identification of pediatric appendicitis. Metabolic analysis using serum (n = 121) and urine (n = 102) samples, and cytokine analysis using plasma (n = 121) samples from children presenting to the Emergency Department with abdominal pain were performed. Comparisons between children with appendicitis vs. non-appendicitis abdominal pain, and with perforated vs. non-perforated appendicitis were made using multivariate statistics. Serum and urine biomarker patterns were statistically significantly different between groups. The combined serum metabolomics and inflammatory mediator model revealed clear separation between appendicitis and non-appendicitis abdominal pain (AUROC: 0.92 ± 0.03) as well as for perforated and non-perforated appendicitis (AUROC: 0.88 ± 0.05). Urine metabolic analysis also demonstrated distinction between the groups appendicitis and non-appendicitis abdominal pain (AUROC: 0.85 ± 0.04), and perforated and non-perforated appendicitis (AUROC: 0.98 ± 0.02). In children presenting to the Emergency Department with abdominal pain, metabolomics and inflammatory mediator profiling are capable of distinguishing children with appendicitis from those without. The approach also differentiates between severities of disease. These results provide an important first step towards a potential aid for improving appendicitis identification.
Corneal Curvature, Astigmatism, and Aberrations in Marfan Syndrome with Lens Subluxation: Evaluation by Pentacam HR System
Authors: Chen Jiahui , Jing Qinghe , Tang Yating , Qian Dongjin , Lu Yi , Jiang Yongxiang
Published: February 2018

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is associated with abnormalities of corneal biometric characteristics. We conducted a retrospective case-control study including 55 eyes of the MFS patients with lens subluxation and 53 normal eyes of the control subjects to evaluate the corneal curvature, astigmatism and aberrations using a rotating Scheimpflug camera (Pentacam HR). Compared with the control group, the anterior, posterior, and total corneal curvature were flatter in the MFS group. The anterior and total corneal astigmatism were higher in the MFS patients, whereas the posterior corneal astigmatism was not significantly different between the two groups. Regarding the total corneal aberrations, the root mean square (RMS) aberrations, RMS higher-order aberrations and RMS lower-order aberrations increased, whereas the spherical aberration decreased in the MFS patients. Corneal parameters had potential diagnostic values for MFS patients with lens subluxation and the more reasonable cutoffs were the values of corneal curvature <41.35 D, corneal astigmatism >0.85 D and spherical aberration <0.188 μm. Corneal biometric characteristics of MFS patients with lens subluxation include decreased corneal curvature, higher corneal astigmatism, larger corneal aberrations, and lower spherical aberration. Corneal curvature, corneal astigmatism, and spherical aberration are better diagnostic tools for suspicious MFS.
Cytokine and Chemokine Profiling in Patients with Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Singapore and Malaysia
Authors: Teo Fiona Mei Shan , Nyo Min , Wong Anng Anng , Tan Natalie Woon Hui , Koh Mia Tuang , Chan Yoke Fun , Chong Chia Yin , Chu Justin Jang Hann
Published: February 2018

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a prevalent contagious childhood disease typically associated with fever, oral lesions and limb exanthema. While HFMD is caused by a plethora of serotypes of viruses under the genusEnteroviruswithin thePicornaviridaefamily, Coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16) and Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) are considered the main etiological agents. In recent years however, other viruses have also been isolated in considerable numbers from infected individuals in many regions, joining the legion commonly associated with HFMD. The present study investigated the cytokine and chemokine profiles of HFMD patients from Singapore and Malaysia for the first time. Comparative cohort studies of EV-A71-associated HFMD cases revealed that the Malaysia cohort had a distinct profile from the Singapore cohort, and this could be partly attributed by different EV-A71 genotypes. As the isolation of CV-A6, instead of CV-A16, had become prevalent in the Singapore cohort, it was also of particular interest to study the differential cytokine and chemokine profiles. Our data revealed that overlapping as well as unique profiles exist between the two major causative clinical isolates in the Singapore cohort. Having a better understanding of the respective immunological profiles could be useful for more accurate HFMD diagnosis, which is imperative for disease transmission control until multi-valent vaccines and/or broad-spectrum anti-viral drugs become available.
Insights into the ubiquitin-proteasome system of human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Saez Isabel , Koyuncu Seda , Gutierrez-Garcia Ricardo , Dieterich Christoph , Vilchez David
Published: February 2018

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) exhibit high levels of proteasome activity, an intrinsic characteristic required for their self-renewal, pluripotency and differentiation. However, the mechanisms by which enhanced proteasome activity maintains hESC identity are only partially understood. Besides its essential role for the ability of hESCs to suppress misfolded protein aggregation, we hypothesize that enhanced proteasome activity could also be important to degrade endogenous regulatory factors. Since E3 ubiquitin ligases are responsible for substrate selection, we first define which E3 enzymes are increased in hESCs compared with their differentiated counterparts. Among them, we find HECT-domain E3 ligases such as HERC2 and UBE3A as well as several RING-domain E3s, including UBR7 and RNF181. Systematic characterization of their interactome suggests a link with hESC identity. Moreover, loss of distinct up-regulated E3s triggers significant changes at the transcriptome and proteome level of hESCs. However, these alterations do not dysregulate pluripotency markers and differentiation ability. On the contrary, global proteasome inhibition impairs diverse processes required for hESC identity, including protein synthesis, rRNA maturation, telomere maintenance and glycolytic metabolism. Thus, our data indicate that high proteasome activity is coupled with other determinant biological processes of hESC identity.
The temporal distribution of new H7N9 avian influenza infections based on laboratory-confirmed cases in Mainland China, 2013–2017
Authors: Guo Zuiyuan , Xiao Dan , Li Dongli , Wang Yayu , Yan Tiecheng , Dai Botao , Wang Xiuhong
Published: February 2018

In this study, estimates of the growth rate of new infections, based on the growth rate of new laboratory-confirmed cases, were used to provide a statistical basis for in-depth research into the epidemiological patterns of H7N9 epidemics. The incubation period, interval from onset to laboratory confirmation, and confirmation time for all laboratory-confirmed cases of H7N9 avian influenza in Mainland China, occurring between January 2013 and June 2017, were used as the statistical data. Stochastic processes theory and maximum likelihood were used to calculate the growth rate of new infections. Time-series analysis was then performed to assess correlations between the time series of new infections and new laboratory-confirmed cases. The rate of new infections showed significant seasonal fluctuation. Laboratory confirmation was delayed by a period of time longer than that of the infection (average delay, 13 days; standard deviation, 6.8 days). At the lags of −7.5 and −15 days, respectively, the time-series of new infections and new confirmed cases were significantly correlated; the cross correlation coefficients (CCFs) were 0.61 and 0.16, respectively. The temporal distribution characteristics of new infections and new laboratory-confirmed cases were similar and strongly correlated.
Intra-articular dexmedetomidine in knee arthroscopy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Peng Ke , Chen Wei-rong , Meng Xiao-wen , Zhang Juan , Ji Fu-hai
Published: February 2018

The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the analgesic effects of intra-articular dexmedetomidine (DEX) in arthroscopic knee surgery. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing intra-articular DEX versus control for postoperative analgesia in knee arthroscopy. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was applied to determine the reliability of the evidence. Twelve RCTs including 594 patients met the eligibility criteria. DEX treatment significantly improved postoperative pain outcomes, with weighted mean differences (95% confidence interval) between the DEX and control groups of −1.57 (−1.94 to −1.20, P < 0.00001) for pain scores at rest at postoperative 1 h, −8.54 mg (−11.96 to −5.13, P < 0.00001) for morphine-equivalents at postoperative 0–24 h, and 257.57 min (209.86 to 305.28, P < 0.00001) for time to first request for postoperative analgesia. TSA indicated there is sufficient evidence for these outcomes. Intra-articular DEX did not affect the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, hypotension, bradycardia, or somnolence. This meta-analysis demonstrated that intra-articular administration of DEX improved pain outcomes in the early postoperative period after knee arthroscopy. Due to the limited number of trials and patients included in this meta-analysis, more evidence is required to confirm these findings.
Application of maltose as energy source in protein-free CHO-K1 culture to improve the production of recombinant monoclonal antibody
Authors: Leong Dawn Sow Zong , Teo Brian Kah Hui , Tan Janice Gek Ling , Kamari Hayati , Yang Yuan Sheng , Zhang Peiqing , Ng Say Kong
Published: February 2018

Oligosaccharides are generally considered to be un-utilized for growth of mammalian cells because their permeability across the cell membrane is low. However, in our previous study, we discovered that CHO and HEK293 cells consume maltose in culture media without serum and glucose. This is interesting because the transporter for maltose in mammalian cells has not been discovered to-date, and the only animal disaccharide transporter that is recently discovered is a sucrose transporter. The application of oligosaccharides in mammalian cell-based biopharmaceutical manufacturing can be beneficial, because it can theoretically increase carbohydrate content of the culture medium and decrease lactate production. Here, we first determined that specific maltose consumption rate in CHO cells was similar to galactose and fructose at 0.257 ng/cell/day. We then demonstrated that CHO cells can be cultivated with reasonable cell growth using higher maltose concentrations. After which, we evaluated the use of maltose supplementation in the production of a recombinant monoclonal antibody in batch and fed-batch cultures, demonstrating improvements in recombinant monoclonal antibody titer of 15% and 23% respectively. Finally, glycosylation profiles of the antibodies were analyzed.
Organometallic halogen bond acceptors: directionality, hybrid cocrystal precipitation, and blueshifted CO ligand vibrational band
Authors: Torubaev Yury V. , Skabitskiy Ivan V. , Rusina Polina , Pasynskii Alexander A. , Rai Dhirendra K. , Singh Ajeet
Published: February 2018

The halogen bonding (XB) in metal carbonyls blueshifts the νCO band and XB directionality is dictated by XB-accepting atom hybridization.
Ab initioderived group additivity model for intramolecular hydrogen abstraction reactions
Authors: Van de Vijver Ruben , Sabbe Maarten K. , Reyniers Marie-Françoise , Van Geem Kevin M. , Marin Guy B.
Published: February 2018

A systematic methodology to calculate reaction rate coefficients of intramolecular hydrogen abstraction reactions by group additivity has been developed.
Electrodeposition of Ni–Mo–rGO composite electrodes for efficient hydrogen production in an alkaline medium
Authors: Shetty Sandhya , Sadiq M. Mohamed Jaffer , Bhat D. Krishna , Hegde A. Chitharanjan
Published: February 2018

Enhanced performance of Ni–Mo alloy coatings due to the incorporation of rGO into the alloy matrixviaan electrodeposition method.
Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of chiral poly(ester amide)s with an alternating sequence of hydroxy acid and l/d-aspartate units
Authors: Liang Yiru , Zhang Yu , Hu Yujing , Xia Bo , Lin Xianfu , Wu Qi
Published: February 2018

Alternating poly(hydroxyhexanoic acid-alt-l/d-β-aspartate)s with α-benzyl or α-methyl ester side groups were prepared via the enzymatic polycondensation of N-(6-hydroxyhexanoyl) l/d-aspartate diesters.
Tunable graphene doping by modulating the nanopore geometry on a SiO2/Si substrate
Authors: Lim Namsoo , Yoo Tae Jin , Kim Jin Tae , Pak Yusin , Kumaresan Yogeenth , Kim Hyeonghun , Kim Woochul , Lee Byoung Hun , Jung Gun Young
Published: February 2018

The doping type of transferred graphene onto a SiO2/Si substrate with nanopores can be modulated by the nanopore geometry.
An in vitro affinity-based method for studying herb–drug interactions for direct identification of cytochrome P450 1A2, 3A4, and 2C9 specific ligands from herbal extracts using ultrafiltration-high performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Hwang Seung Hwan , Zuo Guanglei , Kim Set Byeol , Lim Soon Sung
Published: February 2018

The specific ligands in natural product extracts could be identified from a multi-target system by ultrafiltration-high performance liquid chromatography using competitive probes.
Aligner-mediated cleavage of nucleic acids and its application to isothermal exponential amplification
Authors: Wu Wanghua , Zhang Tao , Han Da , Fan Hongliang , Zhu Guizhi , Ding Xiong , Wu Cuichen , You Mingxu , Qiu Liping , Li Juan , Zhang Liqin , Lian Xiang , Hu Rong , Mu Ying , Zhou Jianguang , Tan Weihong
Published: February 2018

A programmable sequence-specific aligner-mediated cleavage endows strand displacement amplification with excellent universality, high sensitivity, high specificity and simple primer design.
Chromatin dynamics underlying latent responses to xenobiotics
Authors: Moggs Jonathan , Terranova Rémi
Published: February 2018

Pleiotropic xenobiotics can trigger dynamic alterations in mammalian chromatin structure and function but many of these are likely non-adverse and simply reflect short-term changes in DNA transactions underlying normal homeostatic, adaptive and protective cellular responses. However, it is plausible that a subset of xenobiotic-induced perturbations of somatic tissue or germline epigenomes result in delayed-onset and long-lasting adverse effects, in particular if they occur during critical stages of growth and development. These could include reprogramming, dedifferentiation, uncontrolled growth, and cumulative toxicity effects through molecular memory of prior xenobiotic exposures or altered susceptibility to subsequent xenobiotic exposures. Here we discuss the current evidence for epigenetic mechanisms underlying latent responses to xenobiotics, and the potential for identifying molecular epigenetic changes that are prodromal to overt morphologic or functional toxicity phenotypes.
Coaxial nanowires as plasmon-mediated remote nanosensors
Authors: Funes-Hernando D. , Pelaez-Fernandez M. , Winterauer D. , Mevellec J.-Y. , Arenal R. , Batten T. , Humbert B. , Duvail J. L.
Published: February 2018

This study reports on the plasmon-mediated remote Raman sensing promoted by specially designed coaxial nanowires.
A stable layered P3/P2 and spinel intergrowth nanocomposite as a long-life and high-rate cathode for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Hou Peiyu , Yin Jiangmei , Lu Xianhang , Li Jiaming , Zhao Yue , Xu Xijin
Published: February 2018

A stable layered P2/P3 and Fd3̄m spinel intergrowth composite is rationally designed, and the triphase synergy in this layered/spinel hybrid cathode is also demonstrated in half-cells and full-cells.
UV-curable ladder-like diphenylsiloxane-bridged methacryl-phenyl-siloxane for high power LED encapsulation
Authors: Shang X. X. , Duan S. , Zhang M. , Cao X. Y. , Zheng K. , Zhang J. N. , Ma Y. M. , Zhang R. B.
Published: February 2018

UV-curable ladder-like polysiloxane was constructed to integrate high RI (1.61/450 nm) with high thermal stability etc. for high power LED encapsulation.
Enantiocontrol by assembled attractive interactions in copper-catalyzed asymmetric direct alkynylation of α-ketoesters with terminal alkynes: OH⋯O/sp3-CH⋯O two-point hydrogen bonding combined with dispersive attractions
Authors: Schwarzer Martin C. , Fujioka Akane , Ishii Takaoki , Ohmiya Hirohisa , Mori Seiji , Sawamura Masaya
Published: February 2018

A chiral copper catalyst selects enantiofaces by assembled attractive interactions.
Ultrathin NiCo2S4@graphene with a core–shell structure as a high performance positive electrode for hybrid supercapacitors
Authors: Yu Feng , Chang Zheng , Yuan Xinhai , Wang Faxing , Zhu Yusong , Fu Lijun , Chen Yuhui , Wang Hongxia , Wu Yuping , Li Weishan
Published: February 2018

Herein we demonstrate a facile method for the synthesis of a NiCo2S4/graphene composite where NiCo2S4 is encapsulated with an ultrathin graphene layer to form a core/shell structure (NiCo2S4@G).
Balanced‐to‐unbalanced filtering power divider with compact size and high common‐mode suppression
Authors: Luo Ming , Tang Xiao‐Hong , Lu Di , Zhang Yong‐Hong , Yu Xu‐Min
Published: February 2018

A compact balanced‐to‐unbalanced (BTUB) filtering power divider (FPD) to simultaneously realise the functions of power dividing, bandpass response, a BTUB transformer with high common‐mode suppression and good isolation between two output ports is proposed. This component is constructed by two half‐wavelength resonators and the special designed feeding‐line structure. For verification, an FPD working at 2.39 GHz is fabricated and measured. The measured results show good agreement with the simulation.
Impulsive natural observers for vector second‐order Lipschitz non‐linear systems
Authors: Lu Xiaomei , Chen Wu‐Hua , Xue Feifei
Published: February 2018

Many mechanical systems can be modelled by vector second‐order differential equations. In this study, the observation problem of a class of vector second‐order Lipschitz non‐linear systems with discrete measurements is addressed. Under the premise that the discrete measurements of position and velocity vectors are available, an impulsive observer in the second‐order framework is designed. The proposed observation scheme ensures that the second‐order structure of the observed system can be retained, and allows the sampling on the system output to be aperiodic. The stability analysis of the observation error system is performed by employing an impulse‐time‐dependent discretised Lyapunov function based method. The novelty of the introduced Lyapunov function is that its structure relies on the partition on the impulse intervals. With the increase of the partition number, the existence condition of impulsive natural observers can be relaxed. Finally, a numerical example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design method.
Distributed event‐triggered consensus using only triggered information for multi‐agent systems under fixed and switching topologies
Authors: Ma Yajing , Zhao Jun
Published: February 2018

In this study, a novel distributed event‐triggered scheme (ETS) using only triggered information is presented to solve the problem of the leader‐following consensus for a class of multi‐agent systems with general linear dynamics under fixed and switching topologies. First, the novel triggering conditions are proposed for fixed topology by virtue of discrete communications between neighbouring agents at the triggering times, which eliminates continuous inter‐agent communication and reduces the frequency of controller update simultaneously. Second, for switching topology including both graphs that have directed spanning tree and graphs that do not, the authors propose the topology‐dependent distributed ETS to guarantee consensus by an average dwell time approach. Noteworthily, Zeno behaviour of triggering time sequences is excluded under fixed and switching topologies. Examples validate the effectiveness and show the advantage of the proposed ETS by comparison.
Precise depth map upsampling and enhancement based on edge‐preserving fusion filters
Authors: Chang Ting‐An , Yang Jar‐Ferr
Published: February 2018

A texture image plus its associated depth map is the simplest representation of a three‐dimensional image and video signals and can be further encoded for effective transmission. Since it contains fewer variations, a depth map can be coded with much lower resolution than a texture image. Furthermore, the resolution of depth capture devices is usually also lower. Thus, a low‐resolution depth map with possible noise requires appropriate interpolation to restore it to full resolution and remove noise. In this study, the authors propose potency guided upsampling and adaptive gradient fusion filters to enhance the erroneous depth maps. The proposed depth map enhancement system can successfully suppress noise, fill missing values, sharpen foreground objects, and smooth background regions simultaneously. Their experimental results show that the proposed methods perform better in terms of both visual and subjective metrics than the classic methods and achieve results that are visually comparable with those of some time‐consuming methods.
Simulation of the small-scale magnetism in main-sequence stellar atmospheres
Authors: Salhab R. G. , Steiner O. , Berdyugina S. V. , Freytag B. , Rajaguru S. P. , Steffen M.
Published: February 2018

Context.Observations of the Sun tell us that its granular and subgranular small-scale magnetism has significant consequences for global quantities such as the total solar irradiance or convective blueshift of spectral lines.

Aims.In this paper, properties of the small-scale magnetism of four cool stellar atmospheres, including the Sun, are investigated, and in particular its effects on the radiative intensity and flux.

Methods.We carried out three-dimensional radiation magnetohydrodynamic simulations with the CO5BOLD code in two different settings: with and without a magnetic field. These are thought to represent states of high and low small-scale magnetic activity of a stellar magnetic cycle.

Results.We find that the presence of small-scale magnetism increases the bolometric intensity and flux in all investigated models. The surplus in radiative flux of the magnetic over the magnetic field-free atmosphere increases with increasing effective temperature,Teff, from 0.47% for spectral type K8V to 1.05% for the solar model, but decreases for higher effective temperatures than solar. The degree of evacuation of the magnetic flux concentrations monotonically increases withTeffas does their depression of the visible optical surface, that is the Wilson depression. Nevertheless, the strength of the field concentrations on this surface stays remarkably unchanged at ≈1560 G throughout the considered range of spectral types. With respect to the surrounding gas pressure, the field strength is close to (thermal) equipartition for the Sun and spectral type F5V but is clearly sub-equipartition for K2V and more so for K8V. The magnetic flux concentrations appear most conspicuous for model K2V owing to their high brightness contrast.

Conclusions.For mean magnetic flux densities of approximately 50 G, we expect the small-scale magnetism of stars in the spectral range from F5V to K8V to produce a positive contribution to their bolometric luminosity. The modulation seems to be most effective for early G-type stars.
The 500 ks Chandra observation of the z = 6.31 QSO SDSS J1030 + 0524
Authors: Nanni R. , Gilli R. , Vignali C. , Mignoli M. , Comastri A. , Vanzella E. , Zamorani G. , Calura F. , Lanzuisi G. , Brusa M. , Tozzi P. , Iwasawa K. , Cappi M. , Vito F. , Balmaverde B. , Costa T. , Risaliti G. , Paolillo M. , Prandoni I. , Liuzzo E. , Rosati P. , Chiaberge M. , Caminha G. B. , Sani E. , Cappelluti N. , Norman C.
Published: February 2018

We present the results from a ~ 500 ks Chandra observation of the z = 6.31 QSO SDSS J1030 + 0524. This is the deepest X-ray observation to date of a z ~ 6 QSO. The QSO is detected with a total of 125 net counts in the full (0.500A0–7 keV) band and its spectrum can be modeled by a single power-law model with photon index of Γ = 1.81 ± 0.18 and full band flux of f = 3.95 × 10−15 erg s−1 cm−2. When compared with the data obtained by XMM-Newton in 2003, our Chandra observation in 2017 shows a harder (ΔΓ ≈ −0.6) spectrum and a 2.5 times fainter flux. Such a variation, in a timespan of ~ 2 yr rest-frame, is unexpected for such a luminous QSO powered by a > 109M⨀ black hole. The observed source hardening and weakening could be related to an intrinsic variation in the accretion rate. However, the limited photon statistics does not allow us to discriminate between an intrinsic luminosity and spectral change, and an absorption event produced by an intervening gas cloud along the line of sight.

We also report the discovery of diffuse X-ray emission that extends for 30″ × 20″ southward of the QSO with a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of approximately six, hardness ratio of HR = 0.03+0.20−0.25, and soft band flux of f0.5– keV = 1.1+0.3−0.3 × 10−15 erg s−1 cm−2 , that is not associated to a group or cluster of galaxies. We discuss two possible explanations for the extended emission, which may be either associated with the radio lobe of a nearby, foreground radio galaxy (at z ≈ 1 – 2), or ascribed to the feedback from the QSO itself acting on its surrounding environment, as proposed by simulations of early black hole formation.
Green synthesis of silver nanoparticle using rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) peel extract and its antibacterial activity against Salmonella parathypi A.
Authors: Lestari Puji , Pratiwi Indah , Juliani Any
Published: February 2018

Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been synthesized via green method using rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) peel (RP) extract. RP extract was prepared by washing the RP using tap water thoroughly and boiling it in distilled water at 70°C for 60 min. RP extract and AgNO3 were used as the starting materials for the synthesis of AgNPs. RP extract was added to 10-3 M AgNO3 solution with a ratio by volume of 1:10 (RP : AgNO3), stirred at room temperature. The solution’s color changes from reddish to dark brown, indicating the reduction of Ag+ in the solution. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV-Visible Spectrophotometer, FTIR Spectrophotometer, and Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) instruments. UV-Visible spectra show that the AgNPs have the maximum absorption band at 450 nm which is typical for AgNPs. The FTIR spectra revealed that the protein in RP extract acts as the capping agent for the synthesized AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs were tested for their antibacterial activity against Salmonella parathypi A. The antibacterial test shows that 50 μL of AgNPs resulted in the inhibition zone of 4 mm against the aforementioned microorganism.
Evaluation of SME (Small Medium Enterprise) production system with discrete system simulation method
Authors: Anggara Purba Reno Dias , Sabit M Iqbal , Sulistio Joko
Published: February 2018

Like manufacturing companies that have flowshop production lines, SME facing the amount of flow time and makespan. Unfulfilled production targets, buildup on some machines that result in other machines being idle, increasing waiting times across multiple machines, and poor performance of workers are a series of problems facing SME. This article uses a discrete system simulation method to analyze and evaluate SME production lines to improve performance. Simulation is an appropriate tool used when experiments are needed in order to find the best response from system components. From the results of modeling and simulation done found the root of the problem is due to accumulation that occurs in one machine and the lack of utility of the operator in producing bags. So do the experimental design with 3 scenarios on the system that have been modeled and obtained some solutions that can be offered to solve the problem. Furthermore, after the alternative selection is obtained the best scenario based on the alternative selection test is the scenario3 by adding 2 new machines and 1 new operator on the production line obtained a significant output increase compared to other scenarios of approximately 30%. While the best scenario based on the minimum cost is the scenario2 by adding 2 new operators obtained output that is not much different than the scenario3. However, it has not been able to solve a series of problems facing SME. Therefore, the results of this study to solve a series of problems faced by SME is to add facilities in the production line of 2 new machines and 1 operator (scenario3).
Color feature extraction of HER2 Score 2+ overexpression on breast cancer using Image Processing
Authors: Muhimmah Izzati , Heksaputra Dadang , Indrayanti
Published: February 2018

One of the major challenges in the development of early diagnosis to assess HER2 status is recognized in the form of Gold Standard. The accuracy, validity and refraction of the Gold Standard HER2 methods are widely used in laboratory (Perez, et al., 2014). Method determining the status of HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is affected by reproductive problems and not reliable in predicting the benefit from anti-HER2 therapy (Nuciforo, et al., 2016). We extracted color features by methods adopting Statistics-based segmentation using a continuous-scale naïve Bayes approach. In this study, there were three parts of the main groups, namely image acquisition, image segmentation, and image testing. The stages of image acquisition consisted of image data collection and color deconvolution. The stages of image segmentation consisted of color features, classifier training, classifier prediction, and skeletonization. The stages of image testing were image testing, expert validation, and expert validation results. Area segmentation of the membrane is false positive and false negative. False positive and false negative from area are called the area of system failure. The failure of the system can be validated by experts that the results of segmentation region is not membrane HER2 (noise) and the segmentation of the cytoplasm region. The average from 40 data of HER2 score 2+ membrane images show that 75.13% of the area is successfully recognized by the system.
On the improvement of IT process maturity: assessment, recommendation and validation
Authors: Dirgahayu Teduh , Setiyowati
Published: February 2018

The use of information technology (IT) in enterprises must be governed and managed appropriately using IT processes. The notion of IT process maturity is useful to measure the actual performance and to define the desired performance of IT processes. Improvements are necessary when there are gaps between the actual and desired performance. Most literatures focus on IT process maturity assessment. They do not address how to improve IT process maturity. This paper proposes an approach to enterprise IT process maturity improvement for COBIT processes. The approach consists of three activities, i.e. IT process maturity assessment, recommendation, and validation. Assessment is to recognise the process’ control objectives maturity. From the assessment results, recommendation identifies control objectives that must be improved and then suggests improvement actions. The prescriptive nature of the control objectives facilitates in suggesting those actions. Recommendations for managements are defined by abstracting similar actions. Validation checks whether the recommendations match with the enterprise needs and capability. It includes a scale for validation, in which enterprise’s capability is categorized into (i) not capable, (ii) capable with great efforts, and (iii) fully capable. The paper illustrates the approach with a case study.
Medical and Surgical Management of Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Cabrera José , Sato Thomas
Published: February 2018

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) describes a spectrum of idiopathic, lifelong, and progressive intestinal inflammatory conditions that includes Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and indeterminate colitis. A worldwide increase in the incidence of IBD has been observed. In comparison to adults, IBD occurring during childhood and adolescence has several unique clinical characteristics and surgical management issues. In this article, we provide an overview contrasting these important differences.
Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction
Authors: El-Chammas Khalil , Sood Manu
Published: February 2018

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIP) is defined by either continuous or intermittent symptoms of bowel obstruction in the absence of fixed lumen excluding lesion. CIP includes a heterogeneous group of disorders which result either from diseases affecting the enteric neurons and smooth muscle lining or those involving the autonomic innervation of the bowel. Symptoms associated with CIP are nonspecific, which can sometimes contribute to the delay in recognizing the condition and making the correct diagnosis. The diagnostic workup should include imaging and manometry studies and, occasionally, full-thickness bowel biopsies for histopathological examination may be required. Multidisciplinary team approach for the management of these patients is recommended, and the team members should include a gastroenterologist, surgeon, chronic pain specialist, clinical nutritionist, and a psychologist. The treatment goals should include optimizing the nutritional status and preventing or delaying the development of intestinal failure. The majority of the patients require enteral or parenteral nutrition support, and chronic pain is a common and distressing symptom. Small bowel transplantation may be required if patients develop liver complications due to parenteral nutrition, have difficult central line access, or have poor quality of life and worsening pain despite aggressive medical management.
Pediatric Rectal Prolapse
Authors: Rentea Rebecca , St Peter Shawn
Published: February 2018

Rectal prolapse is a common and self-limiting condition in infancy and early childhood. Most cases respond to conservative management. Patients younger than 4 years with an associated condition have a better prognosis. Patients older than 4 years require surgery more often than younger children. Multiple operative and procedural approaches to rectal prolapse exist with variable recurrence rates and without a clearly superior operation. These include sclerotherapy, Thiersch's anal cerclage, Ekehorn's rectopexy, laparoscopic suture rectopexy, and posterior sagittal rectopexy.
Anorectal Complaints: Hemorrhoids, Fissures, Abscesses, Fistulae
Authors: Jamshidi Ramin
Published: February 2018

Anorectal complaints are not uncommon in pediatric care, but the etiology and management can differ significantly from adults. Age is an important factor when considering etiology and management, distinguishing between infants, children, and adolescents. For all ages, malignancy is rarely a consideration, but a thorough examination of infants and children typically requires deep sedation or general anesthesia. Very little primary literature or evidence exists to guide care; so there are many opportunities for careful study to enhance our understanding beyond personal experience and historical practice patterns.
Meconium Ileus
Authors: Richards Morgan , Waldhausen John
Published: February 2018

Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common inheritable traits in Caucasians. Meconium ileus and its potential complications are the most likely reasons that these patients will need surgical care. Surgical intervention is usually needed in the neonatal period but may also be required later in life. This article discusses the various ways cystic fibrosis can affect the gastrointestinal tract. Both the operative and nonoperative management of complicated and uncomplicated meconium ileus are discussed in the neonatal period as well as long-term issues, such as distal intestinal obstructive syndrome, fibrosing colonopathy, and rectal prolapse, all of which may be seen in older children and adults.
Effects of Low- and High-Dose Chemotherapy Agents on Thrombogenic Properties of Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Breast Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Aharon Anat , Sabbah Anni , Issman Liron , Berkovich Hila , Copty Reem , Talmon Yeshayahu , Brenner Benjamin
Published: February 2018

Background The involvement of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in cancer-associated thrombosis (CT) is unclear. This study aimed to explore the properties of EVs derived from breast cancer (BC) cells following exposure to high- or low-dose chemotherapeutic agents and evaluate thrombogenic effects of these EVs on endothelial cells (ECs).

Methods EVs were isolated from BC cell lines (non-metastatic MCF7, high-metastatic MDA-MB-231), pre-exposed to serum-free medium (control), with or without increasing doses of doxorubicin or paclitaxel. EV structure and size were studied using electron microscopy and Nano-sight. Antigen levels were measured by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). EV effects on EC thrombogenicity were assessed using FACS, factor Xa chromogenic assay and RT-PCR.

Results Serum-free medium BC cell resulted in EV shedding that additionally increased when MDA-MB-231 cells were exposed to high doses of both agents. Tissue factor (TF) levels were similarly low (9–13%) in all EVs compared with the high expression on their parental MDA-MB-231 cells (76–83%). EVs derived from MDA-MB-231 cells stimulated with high-dose doxorubicin demonstrated significantly (fivefold; p < 0.001) elevated levels of negatively charged phospholipids, a 97% decrease in TF pathway inhibitor (TFPI) levels and a sixfold increase (p < 0.001) in procoagulant activity. These EVs also enhanced EC thrombogenicity. Effects of EVs originating from MCF7 cells were less pronounced.

Conclusion These findings suggest that thrombogenic properties of BC-derived EVs may depend on the type and dose of the applied chemotherapy agent and may also be affected by the cell metastatic nature.
Long-term Follow-up of Canaliculotomies after Canaliculitis
Authors: Stucki Vera , Demolli Pashija , Kniestedt Christoph , Frimmel Sonja
Published: February 2018

Background Canaliculitis is often misdiagnosed. There are several conservative and surgical treatment options.

Patients and Methods Retrospective analysis of 14 canaliculotomies in 10 patients with canaliculitis. The overall length of the surgically induced opening was measured and compared to the corresponding untreated lacrimal punctae. Lacrimal duct concrements were liberated and sent for microbiological and histological analysis. Patient satisfaction and relief of symptoms were documented as well as clinical findings.

Results Mean age was 59 ± 10 years (36 – 73 years) with balanced gender distribution. Mean follow-up time was 13 ± 8 months (4 – 27 months). Canaliculotomy was performed on 12 out of 14 inflamed canaliculi; in 2 cases, 3-snip punctoplasty was sufficient. The surgically induced length of the cuts was 1.7 ± 0.9 mm (0.4 – 3.7 mm). In 13 out of 14 cases, macroscopic concrements were found intraoperatively and actinomyces was verified histologically. Nine patients were free of symptoms postoperatively, and one patient manifested markedly less epiphora.

Conclusions The canaliculi remained open within the long-term follow-up period without any drawbacks to the lacrimal outflow. No recurrent infections were seen.