bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Umbilical Cord Oxygen Content and Neonatal Morbidity at Term
Authors: Temming Lorene , Stout Molly , Macones George , Cahill Alison , Tuuli Methodius , Raghuraman Nandini
Published: October 2017

Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between umbilical cord partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) at delivery and neonatal morbidity.

Study Design This is a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study of term deliveries with universal cord gas collection between 2010 and 2014. The primary composite outcome of neonatal morbidity included neonatal death, meconium aspiration syndrome, intubation, mechanical ventilation, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and hypothermia treatment. Umbilical artery (UA), vein (UV), UV minus UA (Δ) pO2, and hypoxemia (pO2 ≤ fifth percentile) were compared between patients with and without neonatal morbidity. Areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves were used to assess the predictive ability of pO2.

Results Of 7,789 patients with paired umbilical cord pO2, 106 (1.4%) had the composite neonatal morbidity. UA pO2 was significantly lower in patients with neonatal morbidity compared with those without (median [interquartile range]: 16 (12, 21) vs. 19 (15, 24) mm Hg, p < 0.001). There was no difference in median UV pO2 or ΔpO2 between the groups. UA and UV hypoxemia were significantly more common in patients with neonatal morbidity. UA pO2 had limited predictive ability for neonatal morbidity (area under the curve: 0.61, 95% confidence interval: 0.6–0.7).

Conclusion Although UA pO2 is significantly lower in patients with neonatal morbidity, it is a poor predictor of neonatal morbidity at term.
A case report of delayed intra-abdominal and intra-luminal haemorrhage after polypectomy
Authors: Neesse Albrecht , Grade Marian , Dango Sebastian , Ghadimi Michael , Ellenrieder Volker , Kunsch Steffen , Amanzada Ahmad
Published: October 2017

We report the case of a 70-year-old man who presented with hematochezia, anaemia, and severe abdominal pain 6 days after polypectomy. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and computed tomography revealed no signs of free intra-abdominal air but showed intra-abdominal and intra-luminal bleeding. The patient was referred to colonoscopy in the operation room, which showed a coagula and venous bleeding at the polypectomy site. Emergency laparotomy was performed and revealed a large intra-abdominal mesocolic hematoma, which was surgically removed. The patient’s post-operative recovery was uneventful. While few reports of splenic vessel rupture after colonoscopy due to traction on the splenocolic ligament have been published, delayed mesocolic hematoma without evidence of organ damage has not been reported so far. Clinicians need to be aware of these rare but life-threatening complications following colonoscopy.
Norovirus outbreaks in german refugee camps in 2015
Authors: Grote Ulrike , Schleenvoigt Benjamin , Happle Christine , Dopfer Christian , Wetzke Martin , Ahrenstorf Gerrit , Holst Hanna , Pletz Mathias , Schmidt Reinhold , Behrens Georg , Jablonka Alexandra
Published: October 2017

Purpose Refugees often live in confined housing conditions with shared kitchen and sanitary facilities, rendering susceptible to communicable diseases. We here describe the outbreak, spread and self-limiting nature of a norovirus outbreak in a German refugee camp in the winter of 2015.

Methods During a norovirus outbreak, data on clinical symptoms, nationality and living conditions was obtained in a refugee camp in northern Germany in the winter of 2015. Furthermore secondary data on norovirus outbreaks in 2015 was assessed.

Results Amongst n = 982 refugees, n = 36 patients (3.7 %) presented with acute norovirus gastroenteritis. The vast majority of cases were children, only the first patient was admitted to the hospital. Intensified hygiene measures were implemented on day 2 of the outbreak, but new cases peaked on day 21 and occurred until one month after the first case. Different cultural backgrounds, eating habits and hygiene standards amongst the refugees made it particularly challenging to implement stringent isolation and hygiene measures. Despite these predisposing factors, only minor norovirus outbreaks were reported in refugee camps in 2015.

Conclusion Adults refugees had a low attack rate of symptomatic norovirus infection, while small children are at high risk. Infection spreads despite hygiene measures and camp sites and staff should be prepared for the particular challenges of such situations with a particular focus on cultural-background specific implementation of hygiene measures.
Two-dimensional arbitrarily shaped acoustic cloaks composed of homogeneous parts
Authors: Li Qi , Vipperman Jeffrey S.
Published: October 2017

Acoustic cloaking is an important application of acoustic metamaterials. Although the topic has received much attention, there are a number of areas where contributions are needed. In this paper, a design method for producing acoustic cloaks with arbitrary shapes that are composed of homogeneous parts is presented. The cloak is divided into sections, each of which, in turn, is further divided into two parts, followed by the application of transformation acoustics to derive the required properties for cloaking. With the proposed mapping relations, the properties of each part of the cloak are anisotropic but homogeneous, which can be realized using two alternating layers of homogeneous and isotropic materials. A hexagonal and an irregular cloak are presented as design examples. The full wave simulations using COMSOL Multiphysics finite element software show that the cloaks function well at reducing reflections and shadows. The variation of the cloak properties is investigated as a function of three important geometric parameters used in the transformations. A balance can be found between cloaking performance and materials properties that are physically realizable.
Low surface damage dry etched black silicon
Authors: Plakhotnyuk Maksym M. , Gaudig Maria , Davidsen Rasmus Schmidt , Lindhard Jonas Michael , Hirsch Jens , Lausch Dominik , Schmidt Michael Stenbæk , Stamate Eugen , Hansen Ole
Published: October 2017

Black silicon (bSi) is promising for integration into silicon solar cell fabrication flow due to its excellent light trapping and low reflectance, and a continuously improving passivation. However, intensive ion bombardment during the reactive ion etching used to fabricate bSi induces surface damage that causes significant recombination. Here, we present a process optimization strategy for bSi, where surface damage is reduced and surface passivation is improved while excellent light trapping and low reflectance are maintained. We demonstrate that reduction of the capacitively coupled plasma power, during reactive ion etching at non-cryogenic temperature (−20 °C), preserves the reflectivity below 1% and improves the effective minority carrier lifetime due to reduced ion energy. We investigate the effect of the etching process on the surface morphology, light trapping, reflectance, transmittance, and effective lifetime of bSi. Additional surface passivation using atomic layer deposition of Al2O3 significantly improves the effective lifetime. For n-type wafers, the lifetime reaches 12 ms for polished and 7.5 ms for bSi surfaces. For p-type wafers, the lifetime reaches 800 μs for both polished and bSi surfaces.
Spectral up- and downshifting of Akhmediev breathers under wind forcing
Authors: Eeltink D. , Lemoine A. , Branger H. , Kimmoun O. , Kharif C. , Carter J. D. , Chabchoub A. , Brunetti M. , Kasparian J.
Published: October 2017

We experimentally and numerically investigate the effect of wind forcing on the spectral dynamics of Akhmediev breathers, a wave-type known to model the modulation instability. We develop the wind model to the same order in wave steepness as the higher order modification of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation, also referred to as the Dysthe equation. This results in an asymmetric wind term in the higher order, in addition to the leading order wind forcing term. The derived model is in good agreement with laboratory experiments within the range of the facility’s length. We show that the leading order forcing term amplifies all frequencies equally and therefore induces only a broadening of the spectrum, while the asymmetric higher order term in the model enhances the higher frequencies more than the lower ones. Thus, the latter term induces a permanent upshift in the spectral mean. On the other hand, in contrast to the direct effect of wind forcing, wind can indirectly lead to frequency downshifts, due to dissipative effects such as wave breaking, or through the amplification of the intrinsic spectral asymmetry of the Dysthe equation. Furthermore, the definitions of the up- and downshift in terms of peak frequency and mean frequency, which are critical to relate our work to previous results, are highlighted and discussed.
Charge transferred doping of single layer graphene by mono-dispersed manganese-oxide nanoparticles adsorption
Authors: Phan Thanh Luan , Kang Myunggoo , Choi Soo Ho , Kim You Joong , Jung Hyun , Yoon Im Taek , Yang Woochul
Published: October 2017

We report an efficient and controllable method to introduce p-type doping in graphene by decoration with Mn3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) on mechanically exfoliated single layer graphene. A monolayer of Mn3O4 NPs, with a diameter in the range of 5–10 nm, was decorated on a graphene film using an ex-situ method, whereas by controlling the coverage of the NPs on the graphene surface, the carrier concentration could be continually adjusted. The p-type of the NP-decorated single layer graphene was confirmed by the Raman G-band. It was found that the carrier concentration could be gradually adjusted up to 26.09 × 1012 cm−2, with 90% coverage of Mn3O4 NPs. The Dirac point of the pristine graphene at the gate bias of 27 V shifted to 150 V for Mn3O4 NP decorated graphene. The p-type graphene doped with Mn3O4 NPs demonstrated significant high air-stability, even under an oxygen atmosphere for 60 days. This approach allows for the opportunity for simple, scalable, and highly stable doping of graphene for future high-performance electronic device applications.
Two-dimensional mixture of amphiphilic dimers and spheres: Self-assembly behaviour
Authors: Prestipino Santi , Munaò Gianmarco , Costa Dino , Pellicane Giuseppe , Caccamo Carlo
Published: October 2017

The emergence of supramolecular aggregates from simple microscopic interaction rules is a fascinating feature of complex fluids which, besides its fundamental interest, has potential applications in many areas, from biological self-assembly to smart material design. We here investigate by Monte Carlo simulation the equilibrium structure of a two-dimensional mixture of asymmetric dimers and spheres (disks). Dimers and disks are hard particles, with an additional short-range attraction between a disk and the smaller monomer of a dimer. The model parameters and thermodynamic conditions probed are typical of colloidal fluid mixtures. In spite of the minimalistic character of the interaction, we observe—upon varying the relative concentration and size of the two colloidal species—a rich inventory of mesoscale structures at low temperature, such as clusters, lamellæ (i.e., polymer-like chains), and gel-like networks. For colloidal species of similar size and near equimolar concentrations, a dilute fluid of clusters gives way to floating lamellæ upon cooling; at higher densities, the lamellæ percolate through the simulation box, giving rise to an extended network. A crystal-vapour phase-separation may occur for a mixture of dimers and much larger disks. Finally, when the fluid is brought in contact with a planar wall, further structures are obtained at the interface, from layers to branched patterns, depending on the nature of wall-particle interactions.
Laplace current deep level transient spectroscopy measurements of defect states in methylammonium lead bromide single crystals
Authors: Rosenberg John W. , Legodi Matshisa J. , Rakita Yevgeny , Cahen David , Diale Mmantsae
Published: October 2017

We present a measurement of the energies and capture cross-sections of defect states in methylammonium lead bromide (MAPbBr3) single crystals. Using Laplace current deep level transient spectroscopy (I-DLTS), two prominent defects were observed with energies 0.17 eV and 0.20 eV from the band edges, and further I-DLTS measurements confirmed that these two defects are bulk defects. These results show qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions, whereby all of the observed defects behave as traps rather than as generation-recombination centers. These results provide one explanation for the high efficiencies and open-circuit voltages obtained from devices made with lead halide perovskites.
Theoretical prediction of fracture conditions for delithiation in silicon anode of lithium ion battery
Authors: Cho Yong-Hee , Booh Seongwoon , Cho Eunseog , Lee Hyosug , Shin Jaikwang
Published: October 2017

Structural instability such as fractures of a silicon anode in a lithium ion battery, intrinsically induced by the large variation of the ratio, Li/Si, upon lithiation and delithiation, limits its potential for commercial use. Here, we study mechanical properties during delithiation in lithiated silicon particles to identify the conditions under which fracture is preventing during delithiation in terms of Li contents and silicon particle sizes. We employed the first principles calculation within the density functional framework combined with the continuum based calculation for the macroscopic mechanical properties. The theoretical limit for the largest crystalline silicon particle size that can prevent fractures upon complete delithiation is ∼0.6 μm at the lithium flux per unit surface area of 5.657 × 10−2 s−1 nm out of amorphous Li3.75Si, much larger than the critical fracture size (0.15 μm) that occurs during the first lithiation of crystalline Si. Furthermore, fractures during delithiation are nearly unaffected by the silicon particle size for a residual lithium fraction larger than x ∼ 2.1 in amorphous LixSi.
Holographic characterization of colloidal particles in turbid media
Authors: Cheong Fook Chiong , Kasimbeg Priya , Ruffner David B. , Hlaing Ei Hnin , Blusewicz Jaroslaw M. , Philips Laura A. , Grier David G.
Published: October 2017

Holographic particle characterization uses in-line holographic microscopy and the Lorenz-Mie theory of light scattering to measure the diameter and the refractive index of individual colloidal particles in their native dispersions. This wealth of information has proved invaluable in fields as diverse as soft-matter physics, biopharmaceuticals, wastewater management, and food science but so far has been available only for dispersions in transparent media. Here, we demonstrate that holographic characterization can yield precise and accurate results even when the particles of interest are dispersed in turbid media. By elucidating how multiple light scattering contributes to image formation in holographic microscopy, we establish the range conditions under which holographic characterization can reliably probe turbid samples. We validate the technique with measurements on model colloidal spheres dispersed in commercial nanoparticle slurries.
Multi-domain substructures synthesis with general joints for the dynamics of large structures
Authors: Chen Shulin , Liu Li , Zhou Sida , Chen Zhaoyue , Yue Zhengjiang
Published: October 2017

In this paper, a method for the assembly of multi-domain substructures with general joints is proposed. Modal domain and physical domain substructures can be coupled in a unified framework. Specially, the physical domain substructures are represented using the impulse response functions of substructures. The modal domain substructures are generated using the Craig–Bampton method. With the introduction of general joints, complex connections like hybrid rigid-elastic or nonlinear connections are able to be considered. Meanwhile, only degree of freedoms directly associated with the joints are retained for the synthesis that makes this method quite suitable for local nonlinear structures. The validity of the proposed method is demonstrated by numerical examples. And the application to the dynamics of a practical lunar lander is provided. The results show that the proposed method possesses high precision and is quite efficient with the reduced substructures employed and a few joints degree of freedoms involved.
Symmetrical collision of multiple vortex rings
Authors: Hernández R. H. , Reyes T.
Published: October 2017

In this work, we investigate the motion, interaction, and simultaneous collision between many initially stable vortex rings arranged symmetrically in two initial configurations, three and six rings making an angle of 60 and 120° between their straight path lines, respectively. We report results for laminar vortex rings in air obtained through numerical simulations of the ring velocity, pressure, and vorticity fields, both in free flight and during the entire collision. Each collision was studied for small Reynolds numbers Re<103 based on both the self-induced velocity and diameter of the ring. The case of three rings produces secondary vortical structures formed by laterally expanding dipolar arms with top and bottom secondary vortex rings. The case of six colliding rings produces, as secondary structures, two big rings moving in opposite directions, a process that reminds us of the head-on collision of two rings [T. T. Lim and T. B. Nickels, “Instability and reconnection in the head-on collision of two vortex rings,” Nature 357, 225–227 (1992)] under a hypothetical time reversal transformation. Both collisions display a characteristic kinetic energy evolution where mean collision stages can be identified within the range of Reynolds numbers investigated here.
Experimental investigation of large-scale vortices in a freely spreading gravity current
Authors: Yuan Yeping , Horner-Devine Alexander R.
Published: October 2017

A series of laboratory experiments are presented to compare the dynamics of constant-source buoyant gravity currents propagating into laterally confined (channelized) and unconfined (spreading) environments. The plan-form structure of the spreading current and the vertical density and velocity structures on the interface are quantified using the optical thickness method and a combined particle image velocimetry and planar laser-induced fluorescence method, respectively. With lateral boundaries, the buoyant current thickness is approximately constant and Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities are generated within the shear layer. The buoyant current structure is significantly different in the spreading case. As the current spreads laterally, nonlinear large-scale vortex structures are observed at the interface, which maintain a coherent shape as they propagate away from the source. These structures are continuously generated near the river mouth, have amplitudes close to the buoyant layer thickness, and propagate offshore at speeds approximately equal to the internal wave speed. The observed depth and propagation speed of the instabilities match well with the fastest growing mode predicted by linear stability analysis, but with a shorter wavelength. The spreading flows have much higher vorticity, which is aggregated within the large-scale structures. Secondary instabilities are generated on the leading edge of the braids between the large-scale vortex structures and ultimately break and mix on the lee side of the structures. Analysis of the vortex dynamics shows that lateral stretching intensifies the vorticity in the spreading currents, contributing to higher vorticity within the large-scale structures in the buoyant plume. The large-scale instabilities and vortex structures observed in the present study provide new insights into the origin of internal frontal structures frequently observed in coastal river plumes.
Effects of two-temperature ions on head-on collision and phase shifts of dust acoustic single- and multi-solitons in dusty plasma
Authors: Alam M. S. , Hafez M. G. , Talukder M. R. , Hossain Ali M.
Published: October 2017

Propagation characteristics and interaction phenomena among the dust acoustic (DA) solitons in unmagnetized dusty plasmas are studied. The plasma is composed of negatively charged mobile dust, Boltzmann distributed electrons, and nonthermally distributed cold and hot ions. The extended Poincaré-Lighthill-Kuo method is employed to derive the two-sided Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equations. The solutions of the KdV equations are constructed using the Hirota bilinear method both for single- and multi-solitons. The phase shifts are determined for the interactions among the two-, four-, and six-DA solitons. The effects of plasma parameters on the head-on collisions of the DA single- and multi-solitons and their corresponding phase shifts are investigated.
Elevated field atmospheric CO2 concentrations affect the characteristics of winter wheat (cv. Bologna) grains
Authors: Verrillo Francesca , Badeck Franz-Werner , Terzi Valeria , Rizza Fulvia , Bernardo Letizia , Di Maro Antimo , Fares Clara , Zaldei Alessandro , Miglietta Francesco , Moschella Anna , Bracale Marcella , Vannini Candida
Published: October 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of elevated concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2), as expected over coming decades, on yield and quality of winter bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Plants (cv. Bologna) were grown by using the free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) system at Fiorenzuola d’Arda under ambient (control) and elevated (570 ppm, e[CO2]) CO2 concentrations for two growing seasons. We addressed whether there would be a response of wheat grains to elevated CO2 concentration in terms of the contents of nitrogen (N), micro- and macronutrients, proteins and free amino acids. Under e[CO2], total wheat biomass and grain yield increased in both years of the study. Grain N percentage was reduced under e[CO2], but grain N yield (kg ha–1) was increased. Among macro- and micronutrients, a decrease in zinc concentration was observed. The proteome pattern was significantly different in grains grown at the two different CO2 levels, but the observed changes were highly dependent on interactions with prevailing environmental conditions. Finally, a negative trend was observed in the early germination rates of seeds from plants grown under e[CO2] compared with the controls. The results suggest that the expected increase in CO2 levels and their interactive effects with environmental variables may influence agronomic performance by increasing yield and negatively affecting quality.
Can legumes provide greater benefits than millet as a spring cover crop in southern Queensland farming systems?
Authors: Wunsch E. M. , Bell L. W. , Bell M. J.
Published: October 2017

Cover crops grown during fallows can increase organic matter inputs, improve soil surface cover to reduce erosion risk, and enhance rainfall infiltration. An experiment compared a chemical fallow control with six different cover crops terminated at either 60 or 90 days after sowing. The commercial choice of millet (Echinochloa esculenta) was compared with two summer legumes (lablab (Lablab purpureus) and soybean (Glycine max)), and three winter legumes (field pea (Pisum sativum), faba bean (Vicia faba) and common vetch (Vicia sativa)). Cover crop biomass growth, atmospheric nitrogen (N) fixation, surface residue cover, and soil water and mineral N dynamics during the growth period and subsequent fallow were measured. Soil water and N availability and yield of wheat crops following the experimental treatments were simulated over a 100-year climate record using APSIM. Both experiments and simulations found the legumes inferior to millet as spring-sown cover crops, because they were slower to accumulate biomass, required later termination and provided groundcover that was less persistent, resulting in lower soil water at the end of the fallow. After 90 days of growth, the summer legumes, lablab and soybean, produced the most biomass and fixed more N (up to 25 kg N/ha) but also extracted the most soil water and mineral N. Legume N fixation was low because of high soil mineral N status (>100 kg N/ha) and occurred only when this had been depleted. At the end of the subsequent fallow in April, soil water was 30–60 mm less and soil mineral N 80–100 kg/ha less after both millet and 90-day terminated summer legume cover crops than the chemical fallow control. Simulations predicted soil-water deficits following legume cover crops to be >50 mm in the majority of years, but soil mineral N was predicted to be lower (median 80 kg N/ha) after millet cover crops. In conclusion, monoculture legume cover crops did not provide advantages over the current commercial standard of millet, owing to less effective provision of groundcover, low N fixation and possibly delayed release of N from residues. Further work could explore how legumes might be more effectively used as cover crops to provide N inputs and soil protection in subtropical farming systems.
Rethinking people’s conceptions of mental life
Authors: Weisman Kara , Dweck Carol S. , Markman Ellen M.
Published: October 2017

Significance

How do ordinary people make sense of mental life? Pioneering work on the dimensions of mind perception has been widely interpreted as evidence that lay people perceive two fundamental components of mental life: experience and agency. However, using a method better suited to addressing this question, we discovered a very different conceptual structure. Our four studies consistently revealed three components of mental life—suites of capacities related to the body, the heart, and the mind—with each component encompassing related aspects of both experience and agency. This body–heart–mind framework distinguishes itself from the experience–agency framework by its clear and importantly different implications for dehumanization, moral reasoning, and other important social phenomena.
Spatial and Temporal Variation in Otolith Chemistry of Juvenile Atlantic Menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay
Authors: Schaffler Jason J. , Miller Thomas J. , Jones Cynthia M.
Published: October 2017

The Atlantic MenhadenBrevoortia tyrannusis an important component of the estuarine and nearshore fish assemblages in the mid‐Atlantic region. It serves as a forage species for many piscivorous fish, birds, and marine mammals as well as being subject to an important commercial fishery. Currently there is concern over low standing stocks and recruitment, yet few studies have addressed those concerns. We evaluated the effectiveness of using an otolith chemistry approach to identify juvenile menhaden nursery areas throughout the Chesapeake Bay over 2 years. If successful, an otolith chemistry approach is capable of addressing a number of hypotheses regarding the source and fate of recruits in a stock. We found multiple unique otolith chemistry signatures in menhaden collected in the Chesapeake Bay. Overall correct classification was 85% for the 2005 cohort and 95% for the 2006 cohort. The ratios of most trace element: Ca and stable isotope ratios were different among areas. In addition to spatial differences, both seasonal and annual temporal variation was present in the otolith chemistry. However, a discriminant function that included temporal variation resulted in reduced prediction accuracy (overall errors increased 7–10%). We found that our classification function, which was developed for multiple cohorts, can successfully predict group membership. We recommend additional evaluation of this strategy because of its potential application to data‐poor stocks. Our data show that juvenile menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay can be reliably discriminated based on otolith chemistry signatures and that this approach can be used to critically evaluate the nursery contributions of the bay to the coastal adult stock of menhaden.

Received July 11, 2013; accepted January 21, 2014
Potential Fitness Benefits of the Half‐Pounder Life History in Klamath River Steelhead
Authors: Hodge Brian W. , Wilzbach Margaret A. , Duffy Walter G.
Published: October 2017

Steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss from several of the world's rivers display the half‐pounder life history, a variant characterized by an amphidromous (and, less often, anadromous) return to freshwater in the year of initial ocean entry. We evaluated factors related to expression of the half‐pounder life history in wild steelhead from the lower Klamath River basin, California. We also evaluated fitness consequences of the half‐pounder phenotype using a simple life history model that was parameterized with our empirical data and outputs from a regional survival equation. The incidence of the half‐pounder life history differed among subbasins of origin and smolt ages. Precocious maturation occurred in approximately 8% of half‐pounders and was best predicted by individual length in freshwater preceding ocean entry. Adult steelhead of the half‐pounder phenotype were smaller and less fecund at age than adult steelhead of the alternative (ocean contingent) phenotype. However, our data suggest that fish of the half‐pounder phenotype are more likely to spawn repeatedly than are fish of the ocean contingent phenotype. Models predicted that if lifetime survivorship were equal between phenotypes, the fitness of the half‐pounder phenotype would be 17–28% lower than that of the ocean contingent phenotype. To meet the condition of equal fitness between phenotypes would require that first‐year ocean survival be 21–40% higher among half‐pounders in freshwater than among their cohorts at sea. We concluded that continued expression of the half‐pounder phenotype is favored by precocious maturation and increased survival relative to that of the ocean contingent phenotype.

Received October 23, 2013; accepted February 4, 2014
Effect of heat treatment on properties of Ni–Sn–P coatings
Authors: Wang Hongzhi , Lei Xianchao , Yao Suwei , Zhang Weiguo
Published: October 2017

The changes of the structure, microscopic morphology of electrodeposited Ni–Sn–P alloys before and after heat treatment in nitrogen were studied by means of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The corrosion behaviour was analysed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, anodic polarisation curves and potentiostatic polarisation corrosion. The results show that as the heat-treatment temperature increase, the structure of Ni–Sn–P alloy changed from amorphous to crystalline and the corrosion resistance of which decreased correspondingly. When the heat-treatment temperature was lower than 400°C, the electrodeposited Ni–Sn–P alloys remained amorphous structure and exhibited better corrosion resistance than that of electroless Ni–P coating in acidic medium.
Ectopic expression of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum sodium transporter McHKT2 provides salt stress tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Nishijima Taiga , Furuhashi Megumi , Sakaoka Satomi , Morikami Atsushi , Tsukagoshi Hironaka
Published: October 2017

Most plants do not tolerate highly saline environments; the development of salt stress tolerance is crucial for improving crop yield. An efficient way of finding genes involved in salt tolerance is to study and use data from halophytes. In this study, we used the Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (ice plant) expression data-set and selected for further study the gene McHKT2, which encodes for the Arabidopsis sodium transporter ortholog AtHKT1. In comparison with the HKT1 amino acid sequences from other plants, McHKT2 has several unique features. It seems to be localized to the plasma membrane, and its overexpression confers strong salt tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. Our results indicate that McHKT2 is a suitable candidate protein that can induce salt tolerance in non-halophytes. Like McHKT2, using transcriptome data-sets from halophytes such as ice plant give us an efficiency way to obtain new gene resources that might involve in plant salt tolerance.
Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote directional cancer cell migration by aligning fibronectin
Authors: Erdogan Begum , Ao Mingfang , White Lauren M. , Means Anna L. , Brewer Bryson M. , Yang Lijie , Washington M. Kay , Shi Chanjuan , Franco Omar E. , Weaver Alissa M. , Hayward Simon W. , Li Deyu , Webb Donna J.
Published: October 2017

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are major components of the carcinoma microenvironment that promote tumor progression. However, the mechanisms by which CAFs regulate cancer cell migration are poorly understood. In this study, we show that fibronectin (Fn) assembled by CAFs mediates CAF–cancer cell association and directional migration. Compared with normal fibroblasts, CAFs produce an Fn-rich extracellular matrix with anisotropic fiber orientation, which guides the cancer cells to migrate directionally. CAFs align the Fn matrix by increasing nonmuscle myosin II- and platelet-derived growth factor receptor α–mediated contractility and traction forces, which are transduced to Fn through α5β1 integrin. We further show that prostate cancer cells use αv integrin to migrate efficiently and directionally on CAF-derived matrices. We demonstrate that aligned Fn is a prominent feature of invasion sites in human prostatic and pancreatic carcinoma samples. Collectively, we present a new mechanism by which CAFs organize the Fn matrix and promote directional cancer cell migration.
Digging deep into Golgi phenotypic diversity with unsupervised machine learning
Authors: Hussain Shaista , Le Guezennec Xavier , Yi Wang , Dong Huang , Chia Joanne , Yiping Ke , Khoon Lee Kee , Bard Frédéric
Published: October 2017

The synthesis of glycans and the sorting of proteins are critical functions of the Golgi apparatus and depend on its highly complex and compartmentalized architecture. High-content image analysis coupled to RNA interference screening offers opportunities to explore this organelle organization and the gene network underlying it. To date, image-based Golgi screens have based on a single parameter or supervised analysis with predefined Golgi structural classes. Here, we report the use of multiparametric data extracted from a single marker and a computational unsupervised analysis framework to explore Golgi phenotypic diversity more extensively. In contrast with the three visually definable phenotypes, our framework reproducibly identified 10 Golgi phenotypes. They were used to quantify and stratify phenotypic similarities among genetic perturbations. The derived phenotypic network partially overlaps previously reported protein–protein interactions as well as suggesting novel functional interactions. Our workflow suggests the existence of multiple stable Golgi organizational states and provides a proof of concept for the classification of drugs and genes using fine-grained phenotypic information.
Cosmic magnetism in centimeter- and meter-wavelength radio astronomy
Authors: Akahori Takuya , Nakanishi Hiroyuki , Sofue Yoshiaki , Fujita Yutaka , Ichiki Kiyotomo , Ideguchi Shinsuke , Kameya Osamu , Kudoh Takahiro , Kudoh Yuki , Machida Mami , Miyashita Yoshimitsu , Ohno Hiroshi , Ozawa Takeaki , Takahashi Keitaro , Takizawa Motokazu , Yamazaki Dai G
Published: October 2017

The magnetic field is ubiquitous in the universe. Though it plays an essential role in various astrophysical phenomena, its real origin and evolution are poorly known. This article reviews the understanding of the latest research concerning magnetic fields in the interstellar medium, the Milky Way Galaxy, external galaxies, active galactic nuclei, clusters of galaxies, and the cosmic web. Particularly, the review is concentrated in the achievements that have been provided by centimeter- and meter-wavelength radio observations. The article also introduces various methods for analyzing linear polarization data, including synchrotron radiation, Faraday rotation, depolarization, and Faraday tomography.
The class dynamics of income shares: effects of the declining power of unions in the US airline industry, 1977–2005
Authors: Avent-Holt Dustin
Published: October 2017

Although class relations are situated within workplaces, research on class income shares has neither examined firm-level mechanisms nor distinguished between managerial and non-managerial workers within the class of labor. This article analyzes the effects of union power on the distribution of shares of income between capital, top managers, and non-managerial workers at the firm-level during the neoliberal era. Using data on US airlines from 1977 to 2005 I find that strikes are central to shaping the firm-level distribution of income shares, but in an unexpected way. Strikes redistribute income away from non-managerial workers, without affecting either profit or top managerial income shares. These results suggest that analyses of income distribution across classes must incorporate a more detailed class schema as well as observe effects of deunionization at the firm level. Moreover, the findings provide further evidence that firm-level mechanisms are shaped by the institutional context in which firms operate.
An International, Multicenter, Observational Study of Cerebral Oxygenation during Infant and Neonatal Anesthesia
Authors: Olbrecht Vanessa A. , Skowno Justin , Marchesini Vanessa , Ding Lili , Jiang Yifei , Ward Christopher G. , Yu Gaofeng , Liu Huacheng , Schurink Bernadette , Vutskits Laszlo , de Graaff Jurgen C. , McGowan Francis X. , von Ungern-Sternberg Britta S. , Kurth Charles Dean , Davidson Andrew
Published: October 2017

Background

General anesthesia during infancy is associated with neurocognitive abnormalities. Potential mechanisms include anesthetic neurotoxicity, surgical disease, and cerebral hypoxia–ischemia. This study aimed to determine the incidence of low cerebral oxygenation and associated factors during general anesthesia in infants.

Methods

This multicenter study enrolled 453 infants aged less than 6 months having general anesthesia for 30 min or more. Regional cerebral oxygenation was measured by near-infrared spectroscopy. We defined events (more than 3 min) for low cerebral oxygenation as mild (60 to 69% or 11 to 20% below baseline), moderate (50 to 59% or 21 to 30% below baseline), or severe (less than 50% or more than 30% below baseline); for low mean arterial pressure as mild (36 to 45 mmHg), moderate (26 to 35 mmHg), or severe (less than 25 mmHg); and low pulse oximetry saturation as mild (80 to 89%), moderate (70 to 79%), or severe (less than 70%).

Results

The incidences of mild, moderate, and severe low cerebral oxygenation were 43%, 11%, and 2%, respectively; mild, moderate, and severe low mean arterial pressure were 62%, 36%, and 13%, respectively; and mild, moderate, and severe low arterial saturation were 15%, 4%, and 2%, respectively. Severe low oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry was associated with mild and moderate cerebral desaturation; American Society of Anesthesiology Physical Status III or IV versus I was associated with moderate cerebral desaturation. Severe low cerebral saturation events were too infrequent to analyze.

Conclusions

Mild and moderate low cerebral saturation occurred frequently, whereas severe low cerebral saturation was uncommon. Low mean arterial pressure was common and not well associated with low cerebral saturation. Unrecognized severe desaturation lasting 3 min or longer in infants seems unlikely to explain the subsequent development of neurocognitive abnormalities.
Lumbar Vertebral Endplate Defects on Magnetic Resonance Images
Authors: Feng Zhiyun , Liu Yuanhao , Yang Ge , Battié Michele C. , Wang Yue
Published: October 2017

Study Design.

A cross-sectional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging study.

Objective.

To classify and characterize endplate defects using routine lumbar MR images and to determine associations of endplate defects with Modic changes (MCs) and disc degeneration.

Summary of Background Data.

Previously, a cadaveric study revealed that endplate lesions were common and associated with back pain history. New in vivo approaches appropriate for clinical studies are needed to further this potentially important line of research on the clinical significance of endplate lesions, including their relation with MCs, disc degeneration, and back pain.

Methods.

Using a MRI archive, 1564 endplates of 133 subjects (59 men and 74 women, mean age 58.9 ± 11.9 years) with the presence of MCs were retrospectively collected from April of 2014 to June of 2015. On the basis of morphological characteristics, a protocol was proposed to identify three distinct types of endplate defects, including focal, corner, and erosive defects. The location, size, and distribution patterns of various endplate lesions were characterized. MCs and disc degeneration were measured to examine their associations with endplate defects.

Results.

Endplate defects were observed in 27.8% of endplates studied. Greater age was associated with the presence of endplate defects. Focal defects were the most common (13.5%), followed by erosive defects (11.1%) and corner defects (3.2%). Defect types also differed in size and distribution patterns. Endplate defects and MCs had similar distribution patterns in the lumbar spine. The presence of endplate defects were associated with the presence of MCs (odds ratio = 4.29, P < 0.001), and associated with less disc signal intensity and disc height, and greater disc bulging (P < 0.05).

Conclusion.

The three endplate defects identified on routine MR images appear to represent different pathologies and may play a key role in the pathogenesis of MCs. This classification system may facilitate clinical studies on endplate defects.

Level of Evidence: 4
Survival trends among patients with metastatic melanoma in the pretargeted and the post-targeted era: a US population-based study
Authors: Uprety Dipesh , Bista Amir , Chennamadhavuni Adithya , Niroula Abesh , Jafri Syed Imran Mustafa , Smith Angela , Arjyal Lubina
Published: October 2017

In 2011, ipilimumab was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for metastatic melanoma. Since its approval, numerous targeted therapies have been approved by the FDA. Population-based studies assessing the survival benefit from these agents are lacking. We therefore carried out this study to compare the 1-year, 2-year, and median overall survival (OS) among metastatic melanoma patients in pretargeted and post-targeted eras. This is a retrospective study that utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER-18) database, version 8.3.4 (22 March 2017). The patient groups were defined as the pretargeted era (2004–2010) and the post-targeted era (2011–2014) as ipilimumab was approved by the FDA in 2011. The database comprised of 5471 patients (3314 in the pretargeted era and 2157 in the post-targeted era). OS in the post-targeted era was found to be significantly better compared with the pretargeted era by Kaplan–Meier curve (1-year OS: 38.9 vs. 36.8%, 2-year OS: 28.3 vs. 23.5%, and median survival: 8 vs. 7 months, P=0.001 by the log-rank test). The survival was significantly better in the post-targeted era compared with the pretargeted era on multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional hazard model after adjusting for age, sex, race, and metasectomy status (adjusted hazard ratio of 0.889, 95% CI: of 0.832–0.951, P=0.001). There is significant survival benefit in metastatic melanoma patients since the introduction of immune checkpoint-blocking agents.
DIFFERENCE IN TREATMENT OUTCOMES ACCORDING TO OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY–BASED STAGES IN TYPE 3 NEOVASCULARIZATION (RETINAL ANGIOMATOUS PROLIFERATION)
Authors: Kim Jae Hui , Chang Young Suk , Kim Jong Woo , Kim Chul Gu , Lee Dong Won , Cho Soo Yeon
Published: October 2017

Purpose:

To compare 12-month treatment outcomes of Type 3 neovascularization among its different stages as classified using an optical coherence tomography–based method.

Methods:

This retrospective observational study included 40 patients (40 eyes) who were newly diagnosed with Type 3 neovascularization. The patients were initially administered 3 monthly anti–vascular endothelial growth factor injections. Repeat treatment was performed when recurrence of fluid was noted. Disease staging was classified using the optical coherence tomography–based method. The best-corrected visual acuity at diagnosis and at 12 months and degree of change in best-corrected visual acuity were compared among the different stages of the disease. In addition, incidence of progression in the disease stages was estimated.

Results:

Among the 40 patients, 14 (35.0%) were classified as Stage 2 and 26 (65.0%) were classified as Stage 3. The best-corrected visual acuity values at diagnosis and at 12 months were 0.61 ± 0.31 (20/81 Snellen equivalents) and 0.46 ± 0.30 (20/57) in the Stage 2 group and 0.67 ± 0.42 (20/93) and 0.70 ± 0.49 (20/100) in the Stage 3 group, respectively. There was a significant difference in best-corrected visual acuity change between the two groups (P = 0.036). During the follow-up period, 3 retinal pigment epithelium tears and 2 submacular hemorrhages had developed in the Stage 3 group. Progression of the disease from Stage 2 to Stage 3 was noted in 2 patients (14.3%).

Conclusion:

The visual outcome was worse in Stage 3 than in Stage 2, and adverse events that may lead to abrupt visual deterioration developed only in Stage 3. Further studies are needed to reveal whether anti–vascular endothelial growth factor therapy can suppress the progression of the disease stages.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Slipping Rib Syndrome
Authors: Foley Cassidy M. , Sugimoto Dai , Mooney David P. , Meehan William P. , Stracciolini Andrea
Published: October 2017

Objective:

(1) To investigate the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of slipping rib syndrome in athletes; (2) to investigate the hooking maneuver for diagnosis of slipping rib syndrome.

Design:

Retrospective chart review of 362 athletes with rib pain.

Setting:

Pediatric-based sports medicine clinic between January 1, 1999, and March 1, 2014.

Patients:

Costochondritis, Tietze, fractures, rib tip syndrome, and unclear diagnoses were excluded. Athletes were included who had a palpable rib subluxation, mechanical rib symptom, positive hooking maneuver, or resolution of pain after the resection of a slipping rib segment.

Main Outcome Measures:

Slipping rib syndrome is associated with athletic performance.

Results:

Fifty-four athletes were diagnosed with slipping rib syndrome, of which 38 (70%) were females. Mean age at presentation was 19.1 years (range 4-40 years). Mean number of previous specialist consultations per athlete was 2.3 and mean time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 15.4 months. The hooking maneuver was attempted 21 times (38.9%). Unilateral symptoms presented in 49 athletes (90.7%). The most symptomatic rib was the 10th, affecting 24 athletes (44.4%), eighth and ninth were affected in 17 athletes (31.5%) each. Most, 39 (72.2%), reported insidious onset of symptoms. Running, rowing, lacrosse, and field hockey were frequently associated activities. Twelve athletes had psychiatric diagnoses (22.2%), 10 (19.2%) were hypermobile. Sixty-six total imaging studies were performed. The most successful treatment options included: osteopathic manipulative treatment (71.4%), surgical resection (70%), and diclofenac gel (60%).

Conclusions:

Most athletes with slipping rib syndrome were active females with insidious onset of unilateral pain, a high prevalence of hypermobility and prolonged pain. The hooking maneuver was underused.