bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isotopic composition and source of plutonium in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau frozen soils
Authors: Wu Junwen 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe 239+240Pu activities and 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios in the frozen soils of the Yellow River Source Area (YRSA) were determined to examine the Pu source and evaluate its environmental risk. The 239+240Pu activities of surface frozen soils in the YRSA, ranging from 0.053 to 0.836 mBq g−1, are comparable to those observed in China elsewhere (0.005–1.990 mBq g−1). The 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios of surface soils in the YRSA are in the range of 0.168–0.201 (average = 0.187 ± 0.012, n = 6), comparable to the global fallout of 0.180 ± 0.014. Based on the latitudinal and spatial distribution of Pu isotopic composition, I clarified that the Pu source is mainly from global fallout at present. The activity levels of Pu in the YRSA do far not cause a Pu toxicity to the downstream drinking water even the frozen soil begins to melt and release Pu to the Yellow River. However, since close-in fallout from Lop Nor where the Chinese nuclear tests were carried out during 1964–1980, high deposition and accumulation of Pu was observed in the Chinese soil cores through synthesizing an expanded Pu dataset, which alerts us it is necessary to further monitor the Pu activity levels in the YRSA soil cores to ensure the safety of downstream drinking water. Finally, I point out that information on Pu isotopes would help in establishing a baseline for future environmental risk assessment.
Biomimetic Thermal-sensitive Multi-transform Actuator
Authors: Kim Tae Hyeob , Choi Jung Gi , Byun Ju Young , Jang Yongwoo , Kim Sung Min , Spinks Geoffrey. M. , Kim Seon Jeong 
Published: May 2019

AbstractControllable and miniaturised mechanical actuation is one of the main challenges facing various emerging technologies, such as soft robotics, drug delivery systems, and microfluidics. Here we introduce a simple method for constructing actuating devices with programmable complex motions. Thermally responsive hydrogels based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and its functionalized derivatives (f-PNIPAM) were used to control the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) or the temperature at which the gel volume changes. Techniques for ultra-violet crosslinking the monomer solutions were developed to generate gel sheets with controllable crosslink density gradients that allowed bending actuation to specified curvatures by heating through the LCST. Simple molding processes were then used to construct multi-transform devices with complex shape changes, including a bioinspired artificial flower that shows blossoming and reverse blossoming with a change in temperature.
Summertime variability of the western North Pacific subtropical high and its synoptic influences on the East Asian weather
Authors: Choi Woosuk , Kim Kwang-Yul 
Published: May 2019

AbstractVariation of the western North Pacific subtropical high (WNPSH) is an important meteorological factor for determining summertime rainfall and temperature over East Asia. Here, three major modes of summertime WNPSH variability are identified and corresponding environmental changes are investigated using cyclostationary empirical orthogonal function analysis. The leading mode exhibits a clear reinforcement of WNPSH associated with global warming. The second and third modes are characterized by intra-seasonal variation of the WNPSH intensity related to sea surface temperature variability in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. Although WNPSH variability is regarded as a local manifestation, it reflects much wider changes in the entire North Pacific. The three modes exert seasonally and geographically distinct impacts on the East Asian weather by setting anomalous atmospheric circulation and altering the direction of moisture and heat transport. As such, the leading WNPSH modes are an important indicator of summertime weathers in countries neighboring the western North Pacific. This study also shows that extreme weather events are likely to increase as global warming intensifies.
Thermally Stable Amorphous Oxide-based Schottky Diodes through Oxygen Vacancy Control at Metal/Oxide Interfaces
Authors: Lim Seung-Min , Yeon Han-Wool , Lee Gi-Baek , Jin Min-Gi , Lee Seung-Yong , Jo Janghyun , Kim Miyoung , Joo Young-Chang 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAmorphous oxide semiconductor (AOS)-based Schottky diodes have been utilized for selectors in crossbar array memories to improve cell-to-cell uniformity with a low-temperature process. However, thermal instability at interfaces between the AOSs and metal electrodes can be a critical issue for the implementation of reliable Schottky diodes. Under post-fabrication annealing, an excessive redox reaction at the ohmic interface can affect the bulk region of the AOSs, inducing an electrical breakdown of the device. Additionally, structural relaxation (SR) of the AOSs can increase the doping concentration at the Schottky interface, which results in a degradation of the rectifying performance. Here, we improved the thermal stability at AOS/metal interfaces by regulating the oxygen vacancy (VO) concentration at both sides of the contact. For a stable quasi-ohmic contact, a Cu-Mn alloy was introduced instead of a single component reactive metal. As Mn only takes up O in amorphous In-Ga-Zn-O (a-IGZO), excessive VO generation in bulk region of a-IGZO can be prevented. At the Schottky interfaces, the barrier characteristics were not degraded by thermal annealing as the Ga concentration in a-IGZO increased. Ga not only reduces the inherent VO concentration but also retards SR, thereby suppressing tunneling conduction and enhancing the thermal stability of devices.
Characterization of the virome of Paracoccus spp. (Alphaproteobacteria) by combined in silico and in vivo approaches
Authors: Decewicz Przemyslaw , Dziewit Lukasz , Golec Piotr , Kozlowska Patrycja , Bartosik Dariusz , Radlinska Monika 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBacteria of the genus Paracoccus inhabit various pristine and anthropologically-shaped environments. Many Paracoccus spp. have biotechnological value and several are opportunistic human pathogens. Despite extensive knowledge of their metabolic potential and genome architecture, little is known about viruses of Paracoccus spp. So far, only three active phages infecting these bacteria have been identified. In this study, 16 Paracoccus strains were screened for the presence of active temperate phages, which resulted in the identification of five novel viruses. Mitomycin C-induced prophages were isolated, visualized and their genomes sequenced and thoroughly analyzed, including functional validation of their toxin-antitoxin systems. This led to the identification of the first active Myoviridae phage in Paracoccus spp. and four novel Siphoviridae phages. In addition, another 53 prophages were distinguished in silico within genomic sequences of Paracoccus spp. available in public databases. Thus, the Paracoccus virome was defined as being composed of 66 (pro)phages. Comparative analyses revealed the diversity and mosaicism of the (pro)phage genomes. Moreover, similarity networking analysis highlighted the uniqueness of Paracoccus (pro)phages among known bacterial viruses.
Gruppendiskussionen in der Versorgungsforschung – Teil 2:
Überlegungen zum Begriff der Gruppe, zur Moderation und Auswertung von
Gruppendiskussionen sowie zur Methode der Online-Gruppendiskussion
Authors: Xyländer Margret , Kleineke Vera , Jünger Saskia , Klindtworth Katharina , Karlheim Christoph , Steffen Hermann , Müller Veronika , Höfling-Engels Nicole , Patzelt Christiane , Stamer Maren , Pastrana Tania , Meyer Thorsten , Pohontsch Nadine Janis 
Published: May 2019

ZusammenfassungDer vorliegende Beitrag ist die Fortsetzung des – ebenfalls im Rahmen der
Arbeitsgruppe Qualitative Methoden des Deutschen Netzwerks Versorgungsforschung (DNVF) e.V.
entstandenen – ersten Artikels zu Gruppendiskussionen in der Versorgungsforschung.
Beginnend mit theoretischen Überlegungen zum Gruppenbegriff wird spezifisches Wissen
über Gruppen im Allgemeinen und das Verhalten einzelner Gruppenmitglieder im
Besonderen zugrunde gelegt, welches sich insbesondere für die Gestaltung und
Interpretation von Interaktionsprozessen im Gruppenkontext relevant zeigt. Es folgen
Abschnitte mit Auseinandersetzungen zur Prozesshaftigkeit von Gruppendiskussionen, zu
Moderationsstilen und -techniken sowie Reflexionen über mögliche
Analysegegenstände und -verfahren. Dabei wird auch die Darstellung von Ergebnissen und
Textpassagen diskutiert, in denen das Interaktionsgefüge mehrerer
Diskussionsteilnehmer_innen sichtbar wird. Schließlich werden Einblicke in die
Besonderheiten, Potenziale und Herausforderungen der Erhebung über Online-Plattformen
gewährt. Zusammen geben beide Artikel einen Überblick über die
wichtigsten Aspekte der Anwendung von Gruppendiskussionen im Bereich der
Versorgungsforschung.
Replik auf Leserbrief der Kollegen der Hanseklinik in Lübeck
Authors: Bertsch Tobias , Torio-Padron Nestor , Erbacher Gabriele 
Published: May 2019

Das Erfreuliche an Leserbriefen ist die Möglichkeit der Replik, in der im Artikel offensichtlich unzureichend präzise Dargestelltes präzisiert werden kann. Dass die wissenschaftliche Auseinandersetzung um das Lipödem bei den Lesern der Phlebologie auf großes Interesse stößt, zeigt auch die Rankingliste der „meistgelesenen“ Artikel dieser Zeitschrift, in der sowohl unsere Artikel über die Mythen des Lipödems als auch die Leserbriefe zu diesen Artikeln unter den Top Ten platziert sind 1. Insofern danken wir den Autoren aus Lübeck für die Gelegenheit, ihre erwähnten Kritikpunkte aufzugreifen. Bemerkenswert erscheint uns in diesem Zusammenhang, dass zu unserer Artikelserie bislang nur Leserbriefe von die Liposuktion durchführenden Kollegen die Redaktion erreicht haben – nicht eine kritische Rückmeldung erhielten wir bisher von konservativen Behandlern.
Unterschiedliche Anzahl von Kontraindikationen zwischen Fachinformationen wirkstoffgleicher Arzneimittel – eine Analyse von Daten aus Fachinformationen von neuropsychiatrischen Arzneimitteln
Authors: Gahr Maximilian , Freudenmann Roland. W , Connemann Bernhard J , Schönfeldt-Lecuona Carlos , Muche Rainer , Hiemke Christoph , Sillmann Yannick M 
Published: May 2019

Zusammenfassung
Gegenstand und Ziel Bei Verordnungen von Arzneimitteln im Rahmen der Aut-idem-Regelung ist für den Arzt häufig unklar, welches wirkstoffgleiche Handelspräparat in der Apotheke abgegeben wird; die in Frage kommenden wirkstoffgleichen Handelspräparate können sich jedoch in zahlreichen Merkmalen unterscheiden, was Fragen in Bezug auf die Aufklärungspflicht und Arzthaftung aufwirft. Gegenwärtig fehlen systematische Auswertungen in Bezug auf Unterschiede zwischen Fachinformationen (FI) wirkstoffgleicher Handelspräparate. Zur Bestimmung von Größe und Art von derartigen Unterschieden wurden FI der meisten in Deutschland zugelassenen (Neuro-)Psychopharmaka exemplarisch hinsichtlich der aufgeführten Anzahl von Kontraindikationen (KI) untersucht.
Methodik Grundlage für die Selektion von Wirkstoffen war das Anatomisch-Therapeutisch-Chemische (ATC) Klassifikationssystem (Gruppe ATC N Nervensystem). Eingeschlossen wurden Wirkstoffe, die in Deutschland zur Behandlung psychischer Störungen gemäß ICD-10 F zugelassen sind. Anhand weiterer Ein- und Ausschlusskriterien erfolgte die Suche von Handelspräparaten und FI mithilfe der Online-Dienste von PharmNet.Bund, Gelber Liste, Roter Liste®/Fachinfo-Service® und über Herstellerkontakt.
Ergebnisse Es wurden n = 941 FI (= 116 Wirkstoffe) ausgewertet. Bei alleiniger Betrachtung der Gruppen von FI wirkstoffgleicher Handelspräparate mit > 1 eingeschlossenen FI (n = 78; 67,2 %) fanden sich bei mehr als der Hälfte der Wirkstoffe (n = 43; 55,1 %) Unterschiede in der Anzahl der KIs. Innerhalb der Indikationsgruppen fanden sich die meisten Gruppen von FI wirkstoffgleicher Handelspräparate mit Unterschieden in der Anzahl der KIs – nur Wirkstoffe mit > 1 wirkstoffgleichen Handelspräparat berücksichtigend – bei den Hypnotika und Sedativa (77,8 %), Anxiolytika (75,0 %), Mittel zur Behandlung von Abhängigkeitserkrankungen (66,7 %), Antidepressiva (61,9 %), Antikonvulsiva und Phasenprophylaktika (53,8 %), gefolgt von den Antipsychotika (41,2 %), Antidementiva (20,0 %) und Psychostimulantien (0 %). Die größten Spannweiten bei der Anzahl der aufgeführten KIs fanden sich bei den FI von Morphin (14), Amitriptylin (8), Chlorprothixen (6), Lorazepam (6) und Citalopram (4).
Schlussfolgerung(en) Bei zahlreichen (neuro-)psychopharmakologischen Wirkstoffen bestehen zwischen den FI der zugehörigen wirkstoffgleichen Handelspräparate Unterschiede in der Anzahl von KIs. Die Relevanz dieses Ergebnisses für die klinische Praxis ist infolge ausstehender Bewertung der inhaltlichen Aspekte und juristischer Bewertung dieser Unterschiede noch unklar.
Association Between Visfatin and Hepatic Steatosis in the General Population During Long-Term Follow-Up
Authors: Johannsen Katharina , Flechtner-Mors Marion , Kratzer Wolfgang , Koenig Wolfgang , Boehm Bernhard Otto , Schmidberger Julian ,   for the EMIL-Study group
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate any association between the adipose tissue-derived protein, visfatin, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its potential long-term impact on hepatic steatosis. A cross-sectional study including 2429 randomly selected subjects was performed in 2002. Later, 403 subjects were re-evaluated in 2013. Serum visfatin concentrations were determined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Phenotyping included abdominal ultrasonography, anthropometric data, and laboratory investigations. No association was found between circulating visfatin levels and the presence of NAFLD at baseline (2002: p=0.0967) or during follow-up (2013: p=0.1312). However, a significant increase in visfatin levels in relation to the level of steatosis was seen during follow-up (p<0.0001). During the more than 10-year follow-up, the metabolic status of the study subjects worsened, with a significant increase in body mass index (BMI) (p<0.0001), waist-to-hip ratio (p<0.0001), triglycerides (TG) (p<0.0001), low-density lipoprotein (p=0.0305), homeostasis model assessment (p<0.0001), and presence of diabetes (p<0.0001). This change was accompanied by an increase in serum visfatin levels, which showed a weak correlation with BMI (p<0.0001, r=0.27586) and presence of diabetes (p<0.0043, r=0.14188). A statistically significant correlation between leucocyte numbers and serum visfatin concentration (p<0.0001, r=0.25615) was found. We found no association between visfatin levels and the presence or absence of NAFLD or the degree of hepatic fatty infiltration at baseline. There was a strong correlation between serum visfatin concentrations and the number of leucocytes, which may suggest a proinflammatory role for visfatin.
Platelet Count and Survival in Patients with Colorectal Cancer – a Preliminary Study
Authors: Monreal Manuel , Fernandez-Llamazares Jaume , Piñol Marta , Julian Joan Francesc , Broggi Marc , Escola Diana , Abad Albert 
Published: May 2019

SummaryIn a previous report we found an inverse correlation between pre-operative platelet count (PlC) levels and the risk of post-operative pulmonary embolism in patients undergoing hip surgery. In the present study, we prospectively evaluated the prognostic significance of pre-operative PlC levels on survival in 180 consecutive patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. Other major clinicopathological parameters studied were age, gender, Dukes’ stage, duration of surgery, pre-operative haemoglobin levels and transfusion requirements.There were no significant differences in mean pre-operative PlC levels according to tumor stage. Thirty-three patients (18%) died during follow-up (3-23 months, median: 13 months). Univariate analysis (Kaplan-Meier estimates) showed that advanced tumor stage (p <0.001), duration of surgery (p <0.05) and a high pre-operative PlC level (p <0.001) were significantly associated to a poor survival. The multivariate Cox analysis revealed that tumor stage (RR:5.734; 95%C.I.: 2.644-12.44), a high pre-operative PlC level (RR: 2.467; 95%C.I.: 1.117-5.452), and to a lesser extent the patients’ age remained independent prognostic variables for mortality. The findings of this preliminary study may be of interest from the point of view of pathogenesis, but also clinically, since they might be used in the decision as to which patients or groups of patients should receive more aggressive therapeutic intervention.
Increased Plasma Levels of Free Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor in Patients with Graves’ Disease
Authors: Morishita Eriko , Hashimoto Takuma , Asakura Hidesaku , Saito Masanori , Yamazaki Masahide , Aoshima Keiji , Yoshida Tomotaka , Kato Hisao , Matsuda Tamotsu 
Published: May 2019

SummaryTissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is present in a free-form and in lipoprotein-associated forms in plasma. In this study, the plasma concentrations of total TFPI (tTFPI) and free-form TFPI (fTFPI) were measured in 25 patients with Graves’ disease and 25 age-matched healthy subjects, and the relationship between thyroid state and plasma TFPI was examined. Plasma concentrations (median) of tTFPI and fTFPI in Graves’ patients who were hyperthyroid were significantly increased compared with Graves’patients who were euthyroid (152 ng/ml versus 124 ng/ml, p <0.01 and 41.3 ng/ml versus 20.2 ng/ml, p <0.0001, respectively), and control subjects (152 ng/ml versus 96 ng/ml, p <0.0001 and 41.3 ng/ml versus 18.7 ng/ml, p <0.0001, respectively). There was no significant difference in plasma fTFPI concentrations between the euthyroid group and the control group. Plasma fTFPI concentrations correlated closely with thyroid hormone (T3) levels in the patients (r = 0.559, p <0.005). Serial measurement of individual patients revealed that plasma concentrations of fTFPI and tTFPI were significantly decreased, reaching normal control values upon attainment of euthyroidism. In conclusion, the close correlation between plasma fTFPI and serum thyroid hormone levels suggests that thyroid hormones might influence the synthesis or metabolism of TFPI on the surface of endothelial cells in patients with Graves’ disease. This is the first report concerning high concentrations of plasma fTFPI in patients with hyperthyroidism.
Failure of Thrombolytic Therapy in Patients with Myocardial Infarction Is Associated with High Plasma Levels of Factor VII Antigen
Authors: Holm Johan , Tödt Tim , Berntorp Erik , Erhardt Leif 
Published: May 2019

SummaryThrombolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction fails to re-establish coronary blood flow in a significant number of patients. One reason for this may be haemostatic imbalance. We investigated whether coagulation factor VII antigen (FVIIag), fibrinogen and protein C were related to reperfusion. Plasma from 45 patients was drawn before treatment and reperfusion assessed by means of continuous, on-line, vector-ECG analysis.Amongthe 17 patients with no reperfusion, FVIIag levels were significantly higher than among the 28 with signs of reperfusion (560 vs. 410 μg/l median, p = 0.006). Protein C levels where higher in the group with successful reperfusion (1.10 vs. 1.01 U/ml median, p = 0.03), whereas no difference was seen in fibrinogen levels. The findings were not influenced by plasma-triglycerides, body-mass index, age or time between onset of chest pain and thrombolytic therapy.The results suggest that FVII is of importance for the formation as well as resolution of coronary clots.
Prophylactic Use of Factor VIII: an Economic Evaluation
Authors: Bohn Rhonda L. , Avorn Jerry , Glynn Robert J. , Choodnovskiy Igor , Haschemeyer Rudy , Aledort Louis M. 
Published: May 2019

SummaryBackground: Since the introduction of exogenous factor VIII therapy, several studies have explored the clinical benefits of prophylactic use of factor VIII. Little research, though, has focused on the economic aspects of this regimen. We conducted a cost analysis using data from the Orthopedic Outcomes Study, a prospective, cross-national study of the clinical outcomes associated with different patterns of factor VIII utilization to examine the health care costs incurred and expenditures averted in patients receiving on-demand versus prophylactic use of factor VIII in hemophilia. Methods and Analysis: 831 patients with severe hemophilia aged 1 to 31 years, from 19 centers around the world were included in the cost analysis. Patients were categorized into three groups according to the number of weeks during the study years in which they received prophylactic regimens of factor VIII. For each subject, we estimated the costs of hospitalization, surgery, days lost from school or work, and factor VIII utilization. Costs were then stratified by age and by joint score to assess confounding, and a multivariate model developed to determine the relationship between use of factor VIII prophylaxis and total costs, while controlling for potential confounders.Results: Patients who received factor VIII episodically incurred substantially greater disability-related costs (days lost from school or work, days hospitalized due to hemophilia, surgery) than patients who received factor VIII prophylactically for some or all of the study period. For all treatment regimens, most disability-related costs were accounted for by hospitalization for hemophilia-related conditions. The cost of factor VIII itself was substantial in all treatment categories but was highest among patients who received year-round prophylaxis, exceeding the savings resulting from reduced disability and other health care expenditures.Conclusions: Reductions in non-factor health care costs and disability associated with prophylactic use of factor VIII in hemophilia were substantial and helped somewhat to offset the much higher costs of this regimen. For certain subgroups, frequent episodic treatment may be more expensive than full-time prophylaxis. However, because of the very high cost of year-round prophylactic use of factor VIII, total health care expenditures were highest among patients receiving this therapeutic regimen. However, because prophylaxis clearly offers important clinical benefits, this approach may be warranted on medical rather than economic grounds.
Stimulation by G Protein βγ Subunits of Phospholipase C β Isoforms in Human Platelets
Authors: Banno Yoshiko , Asano Tomiko , Nozawa Yoshinori 
Published: May 2019

SummaryDifferent phospholipase C (PLC) isoforms were located in human platelet cytosol and membranes. PLCγ2 and PLCβ3b were mainly located in the cytosol and PLCβ2 and PLCβ3a were in both cytosol and membranes by using specific antibodies against PLC isozymes (Banno Y, Nakashima S, Ohzawa M, Nozawa Y. J Biol Chem 1996; 271: 14989-94). Three PLC fractions activated by G protein βγ subunits were purified from human platelet cytosol and membrane fractions. Two PLC fractions from membranes were identified as PLCβ2 and PLCβ3a, and one from cytosol was PLCβ3b. These PLCβ isoforms were activated by the purified βγ subunits of brain G proteins in the order PLCβ3b > PLCβ3a > PLCβ2. Western blot analysis of γ subunits of the purified platelet G proteins with antibodies against various standard γ subunits revealed that the major component of the γ subunit of Gi2 and Gq was γ5, and that γ7 was a minor component. Studies using various subtypes of βγ subunits, βγ2, βγ3, and βγ7 purified from bovine brain, βγ5 from bovine lung, or βγ12 from bovine spleen, failed to show differences in their ability to stimulate the isolated platelet PLCβ isoforms. These results suggest that the βγ subunits of Gi2 and Gq have similar efficacy in regulation of effectors in human platelets.