bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between bicortical screw fixation at upper instrumented vertebra and risk for upper instrumented vertebra fracture
Authors: Park Young-Seop , Hyun Seung-Jae , Choi Ho Yong , Kim Ki-Jeong , Jahng Tae-Ahn 
Published: March 2017

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to investigate the risk of upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) fractures associated with UIV screw fixation (unicortical vs bicortical) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) augmentation after adult spinal deformity surgery.METHODSA single-center, single-surgeon consecutive series of adult patients who underwent lumbar fusion for ≥ 4 levels (that is, the lower instrumented vertebra at the sacrum or pelvis and the UIV of the thoracolumbar spine [T9–L2]) were retrospectively reviewed. Age, sex, follow-up duration, sagittal UIV angle immediately postoperatively including several balance-related parameters (lumbar lordosis [LL], pelvic incidence, and sagittal vertical axis), bone mineral density, UIV screw fixation type, UIV PMMA augmentation, and UIV fracture were evaluated. Patients were divided into 3 groups: Group U, 15 patients with unicortical screw fixation at the UIV; Group P, 16 with bicortical screw fixation and PMMA augmentation at the UIV; and Group B, 21 with bicortical screw fixation without PMMA augmentation at the UIV.RESULTSThe mean number of levels fused was 6.5 ± 2.5, 7.5 ± 2.5, and 6.5 ± 2.5; the median age was 50 ± 29, 72 ± 6, and 59 ± 24 years; and the mean follow-up was 31.5 ± 23.5, 13 ± 6, and 24 ± 17.5 months in Groups U, P, and B, respectively (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences in balance-related parameters (LL, sagittal vertical axis, pelvic incidence–LL, and so on) among the groups. UIV fracture rates in Groups U (0%), P (31.3%), and B (42.9%) increased in sequence by group (p = 0.006). UIV bicortical screw fixation increased the risk for UIV fracture (OR 5.39; p = 0.02).CONCLUSIONSBicortical screw fixation at the UIV is a major risk factor for early UIV compression fracture, regardless of whether a thoracolumbosacral orthosis is used. To reduce the proximal junctional failure, unicortical screw fixation at the UIV is essential in adult spinal deformity correction surgery.
Bronchodilatory effect of <i>Myxopyrum serratulum</i> in animal model
Authors: Maruthamuthu Vijayalakshmi , Kandasamy Ruckmani 
Published: March 2017

<p class="Abstract">The plant <em>Myxopyrum </em>serratulum is traditionally claimed to relieve asthma and cough. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the bronchodilatory effect of the methanolic extract of <em>M. </em>serratulum on histamine-induced bronchospasm by <em>in vivo</em> and the inhibitory effect of the extract on histamine-contracted tracheal chain and ileum by <em>in vitro</em> guinea pig model. Additionally, the relaxant effect of four cumulative concentrations of the extract (0.25, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 g%) was assessed using precontracted tracheal chain under different conditions. The extract (400 mg/kg) prolonged the preconvulsive time to 102.3 ± 3.8 sec when compared to saline and standard chlorpheniramine maleate as 121.3 ± 4.5 sec (p&lt;0.05). The extract also possessed significant inhibitory effect on histamine-contracted guinea pig ileum and tracheal chain and also exhibited significant relaxation effect on precontracted tracheal chain of guinea pig models contracted by 60 mM KCl (p&lt;0.001) and 10 µM methacholine (p&lt;0.001) when compared with standard theophylline.</p>
Apertureless near-field optical microscopy
Authors: Kazantsev D V , Kuznetsov E V , Timofeev S V , Shelaev A V , Kazantseva E A 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
We discuss the operating principles of the apertureless scanning near-field optical microscope (ASNOM), in which the probe acts as a rod antenna and its electromagnetic radiation plays the role of the registered signal. The phase and amplitude of the emitted wave vary depending on the ‘grounding conditions’ of the antenna tip at the sample point under study. Weak radiation from a tiny (2–15 μm long) tip is detected using optical homo- and heterodyning and the nonlinear dependence of the tip polarizability on the tip–surface distance. The lateral resolution of ASNOMs is determined by the tip curvature radius (1– 20 nm), regardless of the wavelength (500 nm–100 μm). ASNOMs are shown to be capable of providing a surface optical map with nanometer resolution and carrying out spectral- and time-resolved measurements at a selected point on the surface.
Accurate Empirical Radii and Masses of Planets and Their Host Stars with Gaia Parallaxes
Authors: Stassun Keivan G. , Collins Karen A. , Gaudi B. Scott 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
We present empirical measurements of the radii of 116 stars that host transiting planets. These radii are determined using only direct observables—the bolometric flux at Earth, the effective temperature, and the parallax provided by the Gaia first data release—and thus are virtually model independent, with extinction being the only free parameter. We also determine each star’s mass using our newly determined radius and the stellar density, a virtually model independent quantity itself from previously published transit analyses. These stellar radii and masses are in turn used to redetermine the transiting-planet radii and masses, again using only direct observables. The median uncertainties on the stellar radii and masses are 8% and 30%, respectively, and the resulting uncertainties on the planet radii and masses are 9% and 22%, respectively. These accuracies are generally larger than previously published model-dependent precisions of 5% and 6% on the planet radii and masses, respectively, but the newly determined values are purely empirical. We additionally report radii for 242 stars hosting radial-velocity (non-transiting) planets, with a median achieved accuracy of ≈2%. Using our empirical stellar masses we verify that the majority of putative “retired A stars” in the sample are indeed more massive than ∼1.2

. Most importantly, the bolometric fluxes and angular radii reported here for a total of 498 planet host stars—with median accuracies of 1.7% and 1.8%, respectively—serve as a fundamental data set to permit the re-determination of transiting-planet radii and masses with the Gaia second data release to ≈3% and ≈5% accuracy, better than currently published precisions, and determined in an entirely empirical fashion.
Gamma-Ray Emission of the Kes 73/1E 1841-045 Region Observed with the Fermi Large Area Telescope
Authors: Yeung Paul K. H. , Kong Albert K. H. , Tam P. H. Thomas , Hui C. Y. , Takata Jumpei , Cheng K. S. 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
The supernova remnant (SNR) Kes 73 and/or the magnetar 1E 1841-045 at its center can deposit a large amount of energy to the surroundings and is potentially responsible for particle acceleration. Using the data taken with the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT), we confirmed the presence of an extended source whose centroid position is highly consistent with this magnetar/SNR pair. Its emission is intense from 100 MeV to >100 GeV. Its LAT spectrum can be decoupled into two components, which are respectively governed by two different mechanisms. According to the young age of this system, the magnetar is seemingly a necessary and sufficient source for the downward-curved spectrum below 10 GeV, as the observed <10 GeV flux is too high for the SNR to account for. On the other hand, the SNR is reasonably responsible for the hard spectrum above 10 GeV. Further studies of this region in the TeV regime is required so that we can perform physically meaningful comparisons of the >10 GeV spectrum and the TeV spectrum.
A Circumbinary Disk Scenario for the Negative Orbital-period Derivative of the Ultra-compact X-Ray Binary 4U 1820-303
Authors: Jiang Long , Chen Wen-Cong , Li Xiang-Dong 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
It is generally thought that an ultra-compact X-ray Binary is composed of a neutron star and a helium white dwarf donor star. As one of the most compact binaries, 4U 1820-303 in globular cluster NGC 6624 was predicted to have an orbital period of

yr−1 if the mass transfer is fully driven by gravitational radiation. However, recent analysis of 16 year data from Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer and other historical records has yielded a negative orbital-period derivative in the past 35 years. In this work, we propose an evolutionary circumbinary (CB) disk model to account for this anomalous orbital-period derivative. 4U 1820-30 is known to undergo superburst events caused by runaway thermal nuclear burning on the neutron star. We assume that, for a small fraction of the superbursts, part of the ejected material may form a CB disk around the binary. If the recurrence time of such superbursts is ∼10,000 year and ∼10% of the ejected mass feeds a CB disk, the abrupt angular-momentum loss causes a temporary orbital shrink, and the donor’s radius and its Roche lobe radius do not keep in step. Driven by mass transfer and angular-momentum loss, the binary would adjust its orbital parameters to recover a new stable stage. Based on theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, we find that the required feed mass at the CB disk is approximately ∼10−8
M
⊙.
The Pale Green Dot: A Method to Characterize Proxima Centauri b Using Exo-Aurorae
Authors: Luger Rodrigo , Lustig-Yaeger Jacob , Fleming David P. , Tilley Matt A. , Agol Eric , Meadows Victoria S. , Deitrick Russell , Barnes Rory 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
We examine the feasibility of detecting auroral emission from the potentially habitable exoplanet Proxima Centauri b. Detection of aurorae would yield an independent confirmation of the planet’s existence, constrain the presence and composition of its atmosphere, and determine the planet’s eccentricity and inclination, thereby breaking the mass-inclination degeneracy. If Proxima Centauri b is a terrestrial world with an Earth-like atmosphere and magnetic field, we estimate that the power at the 5577 Å O i auroral line is on the order of 0.1 TW under steady-state stellar wind, or ∼100× stronger than that on Earth. This corresponds to a planet–star contrast ratio of

in a narrow band about the 5577 Å line, though higher contrast (

) may be possible during periods of strong magnetospheric disturbance (auroral power 1–10 TW). We searched the Proxima Centauri b HARPS data for the 5577 Å line and for other prominent oxygen and nitrogen lines, but find no signal, indicating that the O i auroral line contrast must be lower than

(with power ≲3000 TW), consistent with our predictions. We find that observations of 0.1 TW auroral emission lines are likely infeasible with current and planned telescopes. However, future observations with a space-based coronagraphic telescope or a ground-based extremely large telescope (ELT) with a coronagraph could push sensitivity down to terawatt oxygen aurorae (contrast

) with exposure times of ∼1 day. If a coronagraph design contrast of 10−7 can be achieved with negligible instrumental noise, a future concept ELT could observe steady-state auroral emission in a few nights.
The Stochastic X-Ray Variability of the Accreting Millisecond Pulsar MAXI J0911–655
Authors: Bult Peter 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
In this work, I report on the stochastic X-ray variability of the 340 Hz accreting millisecond pulsar MAXI J0911–655. Analyzing pointed observations of the XMM-Newton and NuSTAR observatories, I find that the source shows broad band-limited stochastic variability in the

range with a total fractional variability of

rms in the

energy band that increases to

rms in the 3–10 keV band. Additionally, a pair of harmonically related quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) are discovered. The fundamental frequency of this harmonic pair is observed between frequencies of 62 and 146 mHz. Like the band-limited noise, the amplitudes of the QPOs show a steep increase as a function of energy; this suggests that they share a similar origin, likely the inner accretion flow. Based on their energy dependence and frequency relation with respect to the noise terms, the QPOs are identified as low-frequency oscillations and discussed in terms of the Lense–Thirring precession model.
Vivons-nous dans une ère post-phallique ?
Authors: Morel Geneviève 
Published: March 2017

Le capitalisme, qui fait mine de combattre sévèrement la contrefaçon, en tire en fait les plus grands bénéfices. D’ailleurs celle-ci ne lui rend-elle pas un hommage appuyé en diffusant partout les logos des marques de luxe ? La passion contemporaine pour les logos et la consommation massive de contrefaçons, notamment dans la mode, m’amènera à examiner l’hypothèse d’un fétichisme de masse. En m’appuyant sur la conception lacanienne du sexe et sur divers exemples cliniques et artistiques, je montrerai que la contrefaçon révèle le statut postiche du sexe dans une ère dorénavant post-phallique.
La domination sexuelle des femmes
Authors: Iacub Marcela 
Published: March 2017

Cet article se propose d’analyser la notion de domination sexuelle des femmes construite par le féminisme radical et adoptée par l’ensemble des élites universitaires, médiatiques et politiques. Son but est de lier les phénomènes que l'auteur qualifie comme relevant de la « domination » à la structure familiale de notre modernité, notamment à la place qui y échoue aux femmes. Il cherche aussi à montrer qu’une critique politique de cette notion ne saurait être efficace sans une mise en cause des structures familiales sur lesquelles elle s’appuie.
Spraying of swine buildings with lemon grass (<em>Cymbopogon citratus</em>) essential oil does not produce blood absorption in swine
Authors: Lee Seung-Jin , Kim Ki-Hyun , Mechesso Abraham Fikru , Park Na-Hye , Park Seung-Chun 
Published: March 2017

<p align="left"><em>Cymbopogon citratus </em>(Lemon grass)<em> </em>essential oils have been used in swine buildings to reduce the offensive odor emanating from swine buildings. The present study was designed to investigate plasma residues of citral which is a major constituent of the essential oils of <em>Cymbopogon citratus. </em></p><p align="left">An HPLC method was established, validated and used for the determination of citral in swine plasma harvested from blood samples taken at the 14<sup>th</sup>, 21<sup>st</sup> and 28<sup>th</sup> day after spraying swine buildings with the 3% Lemon grass essential oil. Thereafter, analysis of the sample was<em> </em>conducted<em> </em>using HP ODS Hypersil column (200 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) with a mobile phase consisting of methanol and 0.5% acetic acid; and a flow rate of 1mL/ min. The method was validated for parameters such as accuracy, precision, linearity and detection limits. Plasma spiked with standard citral (95%) revealed two chromatograms with retention times of about 10.7 and 12.2 minutes. The calibration curves for the citral isomers were found to be linear in the tested concentration ranges and mean recoveries wre 101% and 99.17%. This method was used to determine the residues of citral in swine plasma pretreated with methanol.<em> </em>Surprisingly, there was no any detectable level of citral in swine plasma within the 28 days of exposure.</p><p align="left">spraying of swine buildings with essential oils of lemon grass oil does not cause plasma residues of citral.</p><p align="left"> </p>
Antifungal Activity of Weed Extracts on <em>Candida Albicans</em>: An <em>In-vitro</em> Study
Authors: Kamurthy Hemalatha , Tejmal Mandan , Majumder Pulak , Ambujakshi HR 
Published: March 2017

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">The genus <em>Candida </em>is caused morbidity and mortality in human beings. The virulence factors of the <em>Candida albicans </em>have the great role in the pseudohyphae formation by attached with epithelial cells and endothelial cells. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of weed extracts used in <em>traditional </em>herbal medicine. The weeds were selected on the basis of their reported ethnobotanical uses. Water and alcoholic weed extracts were screened <em>in vitro </em>for their antifungal activity against fungus <em>C. albicans</em>. 50μl concentration of minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of <em>Mimosa pudica</em> extract in alcohol and 70μl concentration of MIC of </span><em><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: CMTI10; mso-bidi-font-family: CMTI10;">Oxalis corniculata </span></em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">extract shows in alcohol. We conclude from this that these extracts exhibit amazing fungicidal properties that support their traditional uses. The presence of phytochemicals in the extracts including, tannins, alkaloids, steroids, glycosides, triterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds and organic acids like, Malic acid, tartaric acid and citric acid may be responsible for these activities. The acetone extracts of plant are more efficient as compared to the water extract.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;" align="center"> </p>
Evaluation of the estrogenic properties of aqueous extracts of <em>Tragia benthamii</em> Baker (Euphorbiaceae) and <em>Graptophyllum pictum</em> (Acanthaceae) and their ability to alleviate some menopausal symptoms induced by ovariectomy in Wistar rats
Authors: Ketcha Wanda Germain Jean Magloire , Djiogue Sefirin , Djoussi Njimfo Sosthène Onésiphore , Awounfack Charline Florence , Njamen Dieudonné 
Published: March 2017

<p><em>Tragia benthamii</em> Baker (Euphorbiaceae) and <em>Graptophyllum pictum</em> Linn (Acanthaceae) are two Cameroonian medicinal plants traditionally used against female reproductive tract disorders, during and after the reproductive period, and as an abortifacient. Since there were no scientific data supporting the above claims and pharmacological studies characterizing their estrogenic properties, we therefore aimed to evaluate their ability to induce estrogen-like effects on primary estrogens targets, uterine, vagina and mammary gland; as well as their ability to alleviate hot flushes in ovariectomized adult rats. For this purpose, we applied a 3-day uterotrophic assay to determine the estrogenic effects of each extract and the mixture of both plants as used by traditional practitioners. The extracts were administered orally for 3 days to the 10 to 12 weeks aged ovariectomized rats. The results obtained showed that the aqueous extract of<em> T. benthamii </em>at the dose of 500 mg / kg BW, the aqueous extract of <em>G. pictum</em> at all the tested doses as well as the aqueous extract of the mixture at 275 mg / kg body weight induced a significant increase (p ˂ 0.01) of the uterine epithelium thickness. In addition, the aqueous extract of <em>T. benthamii</em> at the dose of 500 mg / kg BW, as well as the aqueous extract of the mixture at the doses of 50 and 275 mg / kg induced acinar development and eosinophil secretions. These results are proof of estrogen-like effects of <em>T. benthamii</em> and <em>G. pictum</em> and therefore justify the traditional use of these plants. This suggests the presence in these plants, of secondary metabolites with estrogenic properties, can induce cell proliferation, and to correct disorders of post-oophorectomy œstrogénopénia in the Wistar rats and therefore menopausal disorders.</p>
Abiotic versus biotic controls on soil nitrogen cycling in drylands along a 3200 km transect
Authors: Liu Dongwei , Zhu Weixing , Wang Xiaobo , Pan Yuepeng , Wang Chao , Xi Dan , Bai Edith , Wang Yuesi , Han Xingguo , Fang Yunting 
Published: March 2017

Abstract. Nitrogen (N) cycling in drylands under changing climate is not well understood. Our understanding of N cycling over larger scales to date relies heavily on the measurement of bulk soil N, and the information about internal soil N transformations remains limited. The 15N natural abundance (δ15N) of ammonium and nitrate can serve as a proxy record for the N processes in soils. To better understand the patterns and mechanisms of N cycling in drylands, we collected soils along a 3200 km transect at about 100 km intervals in northern China, with mean annual precipitation (MAP) ranging from 36 to 436 mm. We analyzed N pools and δ15N of ammonium, dual isotopes (15N and 18O) of nitrate, and the microbial gene abundance associated with soil N transformations. We found that N status and its driving factors were different above and below a MAP threshold of 100 mm. In the arid zone with MAP below 100 mm, soil inorganic N accumulated, with a large fraction being of atmospheric origin, and ammonia volatilization was strong in soils with high pH. In addition, the abundance of microbial genes associated with soil N transformations was low. In the semiarid zone with MAP above 100 mm, soil inorganic N concentrations were low and were controlled mainly by biological processes (e.g., plant uptake and denitrification). The preference for soil ammonium over nitrate by the dominant plant species may enhance the possibility of soil nitrate losses via denitrification. Overall, our study suggests that a shift from abiotic to biotic controls on soil N biogeochemistry under global climate changes would greatly affect N losses, soil N availability, and other N transformation processes in these drylands in China.
Tailored Corneo-Conjunctival Autografting in Primary and Secondary Pterygium Surgery
Authors: Genidy Mahmoud M. , Abdelghany Ahmed A. , Alio Jorge L. 
Published: March 2017

Purpose To describe the outcomes of a novel technique for pterygium removal: tailored corneo-conjunctival autograft, which offers the advantages of better postoperative cosmetic outcomes and recurrence prevention. Methods This retrospective interventional noncomparative study included 420 eyes in 370 patients (ages 25-60 years) (127 women, 243 men). We divided the patients into 2 groups. The first group included 348 primary pterygium; the second group included 72 recurrent pterygium. All underwent the same type of corneo-conjunctival autograft surgery from April 2009 to March 2014. The average follow-up period was 12 months. The main outcome measures were to assess pain after surgery, conjunctival healing, cosmetic appearance, and pterygium recurrence at the end of follow-up. Results In both groups, the graft donor site healed promptly without excessive scarring. No patient complained of pain during first week after surgery, except for mild discomfort. No major complications were observed such as infection or graft necrosis. In the first group, 2 patients had graft retraction towards the nasal side and were successfully managed conservatively. One patient had Tenon granuloma, which was removed surgically. Recurrence during the follow-up period was seen in one patient (0.2%). In the second group, no recurrent pterygium cases were observed. Conclusions The proposed type of corneo-conjunctival autograft offers the advantage of better postoperative cosmetic outcomes. This new technique is effective for surgical management of both primary and recurrent pterygium and preventing its recurrences.