bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TKSA‐MC: A web server for rational mutation through the optimization of protein charge interactions
Authors: Contessoto Vinícius G. , de Oliveira Vinícius M. , Fernandes Bruno R. , Slade Gabriel G. , Leite Vitor B. P. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe TKSAMC is a web server which calculates protein charge–charge interactions via the Tanford–Kirkwood Surface Accessibility model with the Monte Carlo method for sampling different protein protonation states. The optimization of charge–charge interactions via directed mutations has successfully enhanced the thermal stability of different proteins and could be a key to protein engineering improvement. The server presents the electrostatic free energy contribution of each polar‐charged residue to the protein native state stability. Specific residues are suggested to be mutated for improving thermal stability. The choice of a residue is based on its fraction of side chain exposed to solvent and its positive free energy contribution, which tends to destabilize the protein native state. Any residue energy contribution can be shown as a function of pH condition. The web server is freely available at UNESP (São Paulo State University ‐ DF/IBILCE): http://tksamc.df.ibilce.unesp.br and also on GitHub https://github.com/contessoto/tksamc.
A novel augmented reality (AR) scheme for knee replacement surgery by considering cutting error accuracy
Authors: Pokhrel Suraj , Alsadoon Abeer , Prasad P. W. C. , Paul Manoranjan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundAugmented reality (AR) surgery has not been successfully implemented in knee replacement surgery due to the negative effect of cutting errors. This research aims to decrease the cutting error to reduce the chronic pain after knee replacement.MethodologyThe proposed system consists of a volume subtraction technique that considers the history of the area that has been cut and measures it against the target shape.ResultsResults minimized the cutting error by about 1 mm. Therefore, it provides a significant video accuracy improvement in alignment to 0.40 to 0.55 mm from 0.55 to 0.64 and a decrease in processing time from 12 to 13 fs/s to 9 to10 fs/s.ConclusionThe proposed system is focused on overlaying only the remaining areas of surgery that need to be completed. Finally, this study solves the issues of navigation with AR when cutting bones in a scheduled direction and depth.
Concise Review: Molecular Cytogenetics and Quality Control: Clinical Guardians for Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Rohani Leili , Johnson Adiv A. , Naghsh Pooyan , Rancourt Derrick E. , Ulrich Henning , Holland Heidrun 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Now that induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based transplants have been performed in humans and organizations have begun producing clinical-grade iPSCs, it is imperative that strict quality control standards are agreed upon. This is essential as both ESCs and iPSCs have been shown to accumulate genomic aberrations during long-term culturing. These aberrations can include copy number variations, trisomy, amplifications of chromosomal regions, deletions of chromosomal regions, loss of heterozygosity, and epigenetic abnormalities. Moreover, although the differences between iPSCs and ESCs appear largely negligible when a high enough n number is used for comparison, the reprogramming process can generate further aberrations in iPSCs, including copy number variations and deletions in tumor-suppressor genes. If mutations or epigenetic signatures are present in parental cells, these can also be carried over into iPSCs. To maximize patient safety, we recommend a set of standards to be utilized when preparing iPSCs for clinical use. Reprogramming methods that do not involve genomic integration should be used. Cultured cells should be grown using feeder-free and serum-free systems to avoid animal contamination. Karyotyping, whole-genome sequencing, gene expression analyses, and standard sterility tests should all become routine quality control tests. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA integrity, whole-epigenome analyses, as well as single-cell genome sequencing of large cell populations may also prove beneficial. Furthermore, clinical-grade stem cells need to be produced under accepted regulatory good manufacturing process standards. The creation of haplobanks that provide major histocompatibility complex matching is also recommended to improve allogeneic stem cell engraftment.
Recent Progress of Janus 2D Transition Metal Chalcogenides: From Theory to Experiments
Authors: Li Ruiping , Cheng Yingchun , Huang Wei 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSince the discovery of graphene, 2D materials with various properties have gained increasing attention in fields such as novel electronic, optic, spintronic, and valleytronic devices. As an important derivative of 2D materials, Janus 2D materials, such as Janus transition metal chalcogenides (TMDs), have become a research hot spot in recent years. Janus 2D materials with mirror asymmetry display novel properties, such as the Rashba effect and normal piezoelectric polarization, providing great promise for their application in sensors, actuators, and other electromechanical devices. Here, the current theoretical and experimental progresses made in the development of Janus 2D TMDs, including their structure and stability, electronic properties, fabrication, and the results of their characterization are reported. Finally, the future prospects for the further development of Janus 2D materials are considered.
Size‐Controlled Nanoparticle Clusters of Narrow Size‐Polydispersity Formed Using Multiple Particle Types Through Competitive Stabilizer Desorption to a Liquid–Liquid Interface
Authors: Fox Eoin K. , El Haddassi Fadwa , Hierrezuelo Jose , Ninjbadgar Tsedev , Stolarczyk Jacek K. , Merlin Jenny , Brougham Dermot F. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA novel colloidal approach is presented for preparing fully dispersed nanoparticle (NP) assemblies (clusters) of narrow size‐polydispersity over a wide range of sizes through irreversible depletion of stabilizing ligands onto a liquid–liquid interface. Unusually, the relative monodispersity of the assemblies continuously improves throughout the process. A detailed kinetics study into the assembly of iron oxide NP clusters shows that the assembly rate decreases with NP concentration, pinpointing the role of the interface in size focusing. A new protocol for identifying initial conditions that enable controlled assembly is described, which allows extension of the approach to multiple NP types, opening up a general route to colloidally processed materials. The process uses cheap materials, it is reproducible, robust, and scaleable, and it allows for selection of both particle and cluster size. In the case of assemblies of magnetic iron oxide NPs, these advantages enable tuning of the magnetic properties of the assemblies for applications such as magnetically targetable MRI‐trackable agents in biomedicine.
Microstructural Degradation of Ni‐Rich Li[NixCoyMn1−x−y]O2 Cathodes During Accelerated Calendar Aging
Authors: Ryu Hoon‐Hee , Park Geon‐Tae , Yoon Chong S. , Sun Yang‐Kook 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBecause electric vehicles (EVs) are used intermittently with long resting periods in the fully charged state before driving, calendar aging behavior is an important criterion for the application of Li‐ion batteries used in EVs. In this work, Ni‐rich Li[NixCoyMn1−x−y]O2 (x = 0.8 and 0.9) cathode materials with high energy densities, but low cycling stabilities are investigated to characterize their microstructural degradation during accelerated calendar aging. Although the particles seem to maintain their crystal structures and morphologies, the microcracks which develop during calendar aging remain even in the fully discharged state. An NiO‐like phase rock‐salt structure of tens of nanometers in thickness accumulates on the surfaces of the primary particles through parasitic reactions with the electrolyte. In addition, the passive layer of this rock‐salt structure near the microcracks is gradually exfoliated from the primary particles, exposing fresh surfaces containing Ni4+ to the electrolyte. Interestingly, the interior primary particles near the microcracks have deteriorated more severely than the outer particles. The microstructural degradation is worsened with increasing Ni contents in the cathode materials, directly affecting electrochemical performances such as the reversible capacities and voltage profiles.
Direct Visualization of Grain Boundaries in 2D Monolayer WS2 via Induced Growth of CdS Nanoparticle Chains
Authors: Lan Changyong , Li Dapan , Zhou Ziyao , Yip SenPo , Zhang Heng , Shu Lei , Wei Renjie , Dong Ruoting , Ho Johnny C. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractTo date, wafer‐scale synthesis of two‐dimensional (2D) materials are well achieved by chemical vapor deposition, but the obtained monolayers typically have multidomains with electrical and optoelectronic properties affected by grain boundaries and domain sizes. When these 2D materials are used as the growth templates, these boundaries would also provide unknown influences to the successive heterostructure formation for extended applications. Here, for the first time, direct visualization of grain boundaries in monolayer WS2 film can be realized by the growth of CdS nanoparticles. Specifically, CdS is found to first preferentially nucleate and form as nanoparticle chains along WS2 grain boundaries in a random manner, independent of the grain boundary characteristics. Due to electron scattering and type II band alignment at the WS2–CdS heterojunction, WS2 reduces in its mobility while becoming enhanced in its electron concentration. Notably, the WS2–CdS heterostructure also yields improved carrier separation and collection for the photodetection performance enhancement. All these results can facilitate the detailed evaluation of crystalline grains‐related information of 2D materials and provide thorough understanding on the effect of these overgrown CdS on underlying WS2 monolayers, being extremely important to further optimize and enable their functionalities for advanced device applications.
Gender-Based Occupational Segregation and Sex Differences in Sensory, Motor, and Spatial Aptitudes
Authors: Baker Michael , Cornelson Kirsten 
Published: September 2018

AbstractResearch on sex differences in humans documents gender differences in sensory, motor, and spatial aptitudes. These aptitudes, as captured by Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) codes, predict the occupational choices of men and women in the directions indicated by this research. We simulate that eliminating selection on these skills reduces the Duncan index of gender-based occupational segregation by 20 % to 23 % in 1970 and 2012, respectively. Eliminating selection on DOT variables capturing other accounts of this segregation has a smaller impact.
Medication administration by caregiving youth: An inside look at how adolescents manage medications for family members
Authors: Nickels Margaret , Siskowski Connie , Lebron Cynthia N. , Belkowitz Julia 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTIntroductionChildren take on the role of family caregiver throughout the world. No prior published research exists surrounding the particular circumstances of the task of medication administration and management by these youth, which was explored in this study.MethodsA series of focus groups were conducted using semi‐structured interviews of 28 previously identified caregiving youth ages 12–19 years old who live in the United States. Data analysis followed guidelines of conventional content analysis.ResultsThe following categories emerged about youth caregivers handling medications: 1) tasks involve organizational and administrative responsibilities; 2) youth have varying degrees of knowledge pertaining to these medications; 3) most share responsibility with other family members; 4) they lack formal education about their responsibilities; 5) multiple challenges exist relating to this task; 6) managing medications is associated with emotional responses; and 7) possible safety issues exist.ConclusionsThese responsibilities represent a unique hardship and merit support and research from the medical, healthcare, legislative, and public health communities, among others.
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Assess the Utility of Tacrolimus (FK506) for the Prevention of Erectile Dysfunction Following Bilateral Nerve-Sparing Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Mulhall John P. , Klein Eric A. , Slawin Kevin , Henning Alice K. , Scardino Peter T. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

Introduction
Radical prostatectomy (RP) is associated with erectile dysfunction, largely mediated through cavernous nerve injury. There are robust pre-clinical data supporting a potential role for neuromodulatory agents in this patient population. This study assessed tacrolimus in improving erectile function recovery rates after RP (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00106392).

Aim
To define the utility of oral tacrolimus in improving erectile function recovery after nerve sparing radical prostatectomy.

Methods
A randomized, double-blind trial compared tacrolimus 2–3 mg daily and placebo in men undergoing RP. Patients had localized prostate cancer and excellent baseline erectile function, underwent bilateral nerve-sparing RP, and were followed up for at least 18 months after RP. Patients received study drug for 27 weeks and completed the International Index of Erectile Function erectile function domain (EFD) questionnaire at baseline and serially after surgery.

Main Outcome Measures
International Index of Erectile Function erectile function domain score.

Results
Data were available for 124 patients (59 tacrolimus, 65 placebo); mean age was 54.6 ± 6.2 years. No patient experienced permanent creatinine or potassium elevation. At baseline, mean EFD scores were 28.6 ± 2.1 (tacrolimus group) and 29 ± 1.5 (placebo group). By week 5, mean EFD scores had dropped to 8 ± 9.4 (tacrolimus) and 9 ± 10.7 (placebo). At 18 months, mean EFD scores were 16.0 ± 11.3 (tacrolimus) and 20.2 ± 9.0 (placebo) (P = .09). Tacrolimus failed to meet significance (hazard ratio = 0.83; P = .50), with no difference in: (i) percentage of patients achieving normal spontaneous erectile function (EFD score ≥24), (ii) time to normalization of EFD score (≥24), (iii) percentage of patients capable of intercourse in response to phosphieserase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i), and (iv) time to achieve response to PDE5i.

Clinical Implications
Despite positive animal data, oral tacrolimus as used in this trial failed to improve erectile function after nerve sparing radical prostatectomy.

Strengths & Limitations
The study is limited by a high attrition rate. The strengths include a randomized, placebo controlled design, extensive patient monitoring, use of medication diaries and a validated instrument as the primary outcome measure.

Conclusion
Despite supportive animal data, tacrolimus used in this fashion in the RP population failed to demonstrate any superiority over placebo.
Plication for Severe Peyronie's Deformities Has Similar Long-Term Outcomes to Milder Cases
Authors: Reddy Rohit S. , McKibben Maxim J. , Fuchs Joceline S. , Shakir Nabeel , Scott Jeremy , Morey Allen F. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

Introduction
Penile plication (PP) for Peyronie's disease (PD) is an established treatment option for mild to moderate curvature, but scant data exist regarding its utility in severe deformities.

Aim
To evaluate long-term outcomes among men undergoing PP for PD, comparing severe to mild/moderate penile deformities.

Methods
We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent PP for PD between 2009 and 2017. All patients underwent multiple parallel tunical plication without degloving. Severe PD was defined as either curvature ≥60 degrees or biplanar curvature ≥35 degrees. Patient demographics and surgical outcomes were analyzed. A modified PD Questionnaire and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 were administered by telephone.

Main Outcome Measure
Long-term patient-reported outcomes were evaluated from a modified survey incorporating the PD Questionnaire and IIEF-5.

Results
Of 327 PP patients, 102 (31%) responded to the telephone survey at a median 59.5 months (interquartile range 28.3–84) since surgery. Patients were equally distributed into severe (n = 51) and mild/moderate (n = 51) groups. Despite a greater mean degree of curvature in severe compared to mild/moderate patients (71.6 degrees vs 37.7 degrees, respectively, P &lt; .001), correction of penile curvature was achieved in 91% of patients, with a mean change of 60.7 degrees in severe cases compared to 31.4 degrees in mild/moderate cases (P &lt; .001). Equal numbers of patients in severe and mild/moderate groups reported improvement of penile curvature (74.5% vs 74.5%, P = 1.0) and sexual function (51.0% vs 49.0%, P = .84). PD Questionnaire metrics were likewise similar between severe and mild/moderate patients (P &gt; .1), as were rates of subjective penile shortening (62.7% vs 62.7%, P = 1.0) and IIEF-5, both pre-operatively (19.5 vs 19.7, P = .9) and post-operatively (19.4 vs 17.6, respectively, P = .15). On multivariate logistic regression, worsening sexual function was significantly associated with increased age (odds ratio 1.07, P = .01) and pre-operative IIEF (odds ratio 1.14, P = .02).

Clinical Implications
PP should be considered in PD patients with severe deformities, as outcomes are favorable and comparable to those with milder curvature.

Strength & Limitations
This is a novel study evaluating long-term patient-reported outcomes after PP, comparing patients with severe deformity to those with mild/moderate curvature. The study was limited by retrospective design, relatively low survey response rate (31%), and lack of validated post-operative PD questionnaire.

Conclusion
Long-term patient-reported outcomes of PP for severe PD deformities are comparable to mild/moderate cases, supporting broader application of PP beyond milder deformities.
Hans Morgenthau: Realist and Moralist
Authors: Shinn Roger L. 
Published: September 2018

In that short sentence Hans Morgenthau describes one role of the intellectual who relates himself to the political world. It is clear, from the way he states it, that he admires this vocation. It is also clear, from his own career, that he has often exercised that vocation.Morgenthau's eminence is such that he needs no praise from me. As an analyst of international affairs he is a brilliant scholar, a shrewd observer of the actions behind the headlines, a puncturer of pomposities, and an irritant to sluggish minds. These qualities are sufficiently well known that I shall not elaborate them.
Aging and Molecular Changes of Dissolved Organic Matter Between Two Deep Oceanic End‐Members
Authors: Bercovici S. K. , Koch B. P. , Lechtenfeld O. J. , McCallister S. L. , Schmitt‐Kopplin P. , Hansell D. A. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe global ocean contains a massive reservoir of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), rivaling the atmosphere's pool of CO2. The most recalcitrant fractions have mean radiocarbon ages of ~4,000 years in the Atlantic to ~6,000 years in the Pacific. Knowing the radiocarbon signatures of DOC and the molecular composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) is crucial to develop understanding of the persistence and lifetime of the DOC pool. In this research, we collected samples from the deep North Pacific in August 2013 (aboard the RV Melville) to couple the Δ14C content of solid‐phase‐extracted DOM (Δ14C‐SPE‐DOM) with its molecular composition in the ocean's oldest deep waters. We find that deep waters in this region held a mean Δ14C‐SPE‐DOM value of −554 ± 9‰ (~6,400 14C years), substantially more depleted than that in the deep Atlantic, which held a mean Δ14C‐SPE‐DOM value of −445 ± 5‰. While we find a more degraded molecular composition of DOM in the deep Pacific than the deep Atlantic, the molecular formulae within the Island of Stability (Lechtenfeld et al., 2014, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2013.11.009), are largely retained. These results imply that a fraction of deep DOM is resistant to removal and present in both the deep Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Dust Observations by the Radio and Plasma Wave Science Instrument During Cassini's Grand Finale
Authors: Ye S.‐Y. , Kurth W. S. , Hospodarsky G. B. , Persoon A. M. , Sulaiman A. H. , Gurnett D. A. , Morooka M. , Wahlund J.‐E. , Hsu H.‐W. , Sternovsky Z. , Wang X. , Horanyi M. , Seiß M. , Srama R. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractDust particles in the Saturn system can be detected by the Radio and Plasma Wave Science (RPWS) instrument on board Cassini via antenna voltage signals induced by dust impacts. These impact signals have been simulated in the laboratory by accelerating dust particles onto a Cassini model with electric field antennas. RPWS dust measurements have been shown to be consistent with the Cosmic Dust Analyzer. During the Grand Finale orbits, Cassini flew through the gap between the D ring and Saturn's atmosphere 22 times. In situ measurements by RPWS helped quantify the hazards posed to the spacecraft and instruments on board, which showed a micron‐sized dust density orders of magnitude lower than that observed during the Ring Grazing orbits. Close inspection of the waveforms indicated a possible dependence of the impact signal decay time on ambient plasma density.
Testing Latitudinally Dependent Explanations of the Circulation Response to Increased CO2 Using Aquaplanet Models
Authors: Shaw Tiffany A. , Tan Zhihong 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe atmospheric circulation exhibits robust responses to increased CO2 that emerge across the climate model hierarchy. Existing theoretical explanations of the circulation response can be grouped according to latitude. Here we test latitudinally dependent explanations of the circulation response to increased CO2 using slab ocean aquaplanet models with latitudinally dependent CO2 concentration. Quadrupling CO2 in the tropics (0–20°) accounts for the strengthening and upward shift of the subtropical jet but does not account for the poleward shift of the Hadley cell edge or extratropical circulation. The tropical response is dominated by regions of descent. When CO2 is quadrupled in high latitudes (60–90°), there is a negligible circulation response. The response to latitudinally dependent increased CO2 is mostly linear and increased CO2 in the midlatitudes (20–60°) dominates. Within the midlatitudes, the subtropics (20–40°) dominate. Thus, story lines explaining the circulation shift in response to increased CO2 should focus on the thermodynamic response in the subtropics.
Effect of Dispersion on Solutal Convection in Porous Media
Authors: Liang Yu , Wen Baole , Hesse Marc A. , DiCarlo David 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSolutal convection in porous media is thought to be controlled by the molecular Rayleigh number, Ram, the ratio of the buoyant driving force over diffusive dissipation. The mass flux should increase linearly with Ram and the finger spacing should decrease as
. Instead, our experiments find that flux levels off at large Ram and finger spacing increases with Ram. Here we show that the convective pattern is controlled by a dispersive Rayleigh number, Rad, balancing buoyancy and dispersion. Increasing the bead size of the porous medium increases Ram but decreases Rad and hence coarsens the pattern. While the flux is predominantly controlled by Ram, the anisotropy of mechanical dispersion leads to an asymmetry in the pattern that limits the flux at large bead sizes.