bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of Cu on modifying the beta phase and enhancing the mechanical properties of recycled Al-Si-Fe cast alloys
Authors: Basak C. B. , Babu N. Hari 
Published: July 2017

AbstractHigh iron impurity affects the castability and the tensile properties of the recycled Al-Si alloys due to the presence of the Fe containing intermetallic β-Al9Fe2Si2 phase. To date only Mn addition is known to transform the β-Al9Fe2Si2 phase in the Al-Si-Fe system. However, for the first time, as reported here, it is shown that β-phase transforms to the ω-Al7Cu2Fe phase in the presence of Cu, after solutionization at 793 K. The ω-phase decomposes below 673 K resulting into the formation of θ-Al2Cu phase. However, the present thermodynamic description of the Al-Si-Fe-Cu system needs finer tuning to accurately predict the stability of the ω-phase in these alloys. In the present study, an attempt was made to enhance the strength of Al-6wt%Si-2wt%Fe model recycled cast alloy with different amount of Cu addition. Microstructural and XRD analysis were carried out in detail to show the influence of Cu and the stability range of the ω-phase. Tensile properties and micro-hardness values are also reported for both as-cast and solutionized alloys with different amount of Cu without and with ageing treatment at 473 K. The increase in strength due to addition of Cu, in Fe-rich Al-Si alloys is promising from the alloy recyclability point of view.
Pixuna virus modifies host cell cytoskeleton to secure infection
Authors: Gil Pedro Ignacio , Albrieu-Llinás Guillermo , Mlewski Estela Cecilia , Monetti Marina , Fozzatti Laura , Cuffini Cecilia , Fernández Romero José , Kunda Patricia , Paglini María Gabriela 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPixuna virus (PIXV) is an enzootic member of the Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus complex and belongs to the New World cluster of alphaviruses. Herein we explore the role of the cellular cytoskeleton during PIXV replication. We first identified that PIXV undergoes an eclipse phase consisting of 4 h followed by 20 h of an exponential phase in Vero cells. The infected cells showed morphological changes due to structural modifications in actin microfilaments (MFs) and microtubules (MTs). Cytoskeleton-binding agents, that alter the architecture and dynamics of MFs and MTs, were used to study the role of cytoskeleton on PIXV replication. The virus production was significantly affected (p < 0.05) after treatment with paclitaxel or nocodazole due to changes in the MTs network. Interestingly, disassembly of MFs with cytochalasin D, at early stage of PIXV replication cycle, significantly increased the virus yields in the extracellular medium (p < 0.005). Furthermore, the stabilization of actin network with jasplakinolide had no effect on virus yields. Our results demonstrate that PIXV relies not only on intact MTs for the efficient production of virus, but also on a dynamic actin network during the early steps of viral replication.
Polarization-entangled photon pair sources based on spontaneous four wave mixing assisted by polarization mode dispersion
Authors: Kultavewuti Pisek , Zhu Eric Y. , Xing Xingxing , Qian Li , Pusino Vincenzo , Sorel Marc , Aitchison J. Stewart 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPhotonic-based qubits and integrated photonic circuits have enabled demonstrations of quantum information processing (QIP) that promises to transform the way in which we compute and communicate. To that end, sources of polarization-entangled photon pair states are an important enabling technology. However, such states are difficult to prepare in an integrated photonic circuit. Scalable semiconductor sources typically rely on nonlinear optical effects where polarization mode dispersion (PMD) degrades entanglement. Here, we directly generate polarization-entangled states in an AlGaAs waveguide, aided by the PMD and without any compensation steps. We perform quantum state tomography and report a raw concurrence as high as 0.91 ± 0.01 observed in a 1,100-nm-wide waveguide. The scheme allows direct Bell state generation with an observed maximum fidelity of 0.90 ± 0.01 from another (800-nm-wide) waveguide. Our demonstration paves the way for sources that allow for the implementation of polarization-encoded protocols in large-scale quantum photonic circuits.
GSK-3β deletion in dentate gyrus excitatory neuron impairs synaptic plasticity and memory
Authors: Liu Enjie , Xie Ao-Ji , Zhou Qiuzhi , Li Mengzhu , Zhang Shujuan , Li Shihong , Wang Weijin , Wang Xiaochuan , Wang Qun , Wang Jian-Zhi 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIncreasing evidence suggests that glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) plays a crucial role in neurodegenerative/psychiatric disorders, while pan-neural knockout of GSK-3β also shows detrimental effects. Currently, the function of GSK-3β in specific type of neurons is elusive. Here, we infused AAV-CaMKII-Cre-2A-eGFP into GSK-3βlox/loxmice to selectively delete the kinase in excitatory neurons of hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG), and studied the effects on cognitive/psychiatric behaviors and the molecular mechanisms. We found that mice with GSK-3β deletion in DG excitatory neurons displayed spatial and fear memory defects with an anti-anxiety behavior. Further studies demonstrated that GSK-3β deletion in DG subset inhibited hippocampal synaptic transmission and reduced levels of GluN1, GluN2A and GluN2B (NMDAR subunits), GluA1 (AMPAR subunit), PSD93 and drebrin (postsynaptic structural proteins), and synaptophysin (presynaptic protein). GSK-3β deletion also suppressed the activity-dependent neural activation and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII)/CaMKIV-cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) signaling. Our data suggest that GSK-3β in hippocampal DG excitatory neurons is essential for maintaining synaptic plasticity and memory.
Negative Reflecting Meta-Mirrors
Authors: Yang Rui , Li Dong , Gao Dongxing , Zhang Aofang , Hu Bowei , Yang Pei , Lei Zhenya , Li Jiacheng 
Published: July 2017

AbstractUsing the gradient phase discontinuities that meta-mirrors provide, we show that the incident wave can be reflected anomalously with a broad angle range of negative reflections. Such reversed behaviors promote the immediate applications for the planar meta-mirrors to steer the signals more arbitrarily and the convex meta-mirrors to focus and collimate electromagnetic fields. We practically implement these negative reflecting meta-mirrors through an arrangement of subwavelength ring patches and generate the desired phase distribution by also considering the incident angle. Finally, the experiments are carried out to verify the functionality of the convex meta-mirror firstly, and the performances of the planar meta-mirror are also tested by further building up a dual reflector system with the demonstration of obtaining the plane wave from the convex meta-mirror and then having the well collimated beam negative reflected by the planar meta-mirror. The proposed design should be readily applicable to a wide range of electromagnetic problems, especially for devising smart planar illusion devices, and highly directive antennas mounting on convex surfaces of various platforms.
Optimization of microfluidic biosensor efficiency by means of fluid flow engineering
Authors: Selmi Marwa , Gazzah Mohamed Hichem , Belmabrouk Hafedh 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBinding reaction kinetics of analyte-ligand at the level of a sensitive membrane into a microchannel of a biosensor has been limited by the formation of the boundary diffusion layer. Therefore, the response time increases and affects the overall performance of a biosensor. In the present work, we develop an approach to engineer fluid streams into a complex configuration in order to improve the binding efficiency. We investigate numerically the flow deformations around a parallelepiped with square cross-section inside the microfluidic channel and exploit these deformations to simulate the analyte transport to the sensitive membrane and enhance both association and dissociation processes. The effect of several parameters on the binding reaction is provided such as: the obstacle location from the inlet of the microchannel, the average flow velocity, and the inlet analyte concentration. The optimal position of the obstacle is determined. An appropriate choice of the inlet flow velocity and inlet analyte concentration may reduce significantly the response time.
Asymmetric Tibial Component Improved the Coverage and Rotation of the Tibial Component in a Medial Pivot Total Knee Prosthesis
Authors: Ikebuchi Mitsuhiko , Mizokawa Shigekazu , Ohta Yoichi , Nakamura Hiroaki , Minoda Yukihide 
Published: July 2017

AbstractMalrotation of tibial components is one of the important causes of failure in total knee arthroplasty. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between tibial rotational positioning and coverage of the tibial surface during the operation, using a symmetric and newly introduced asymmetric medial pivot tibial components. The coverage and overhang were compared between a symmetric component (Advance medial pivot) and a newly introduced asymmetric medial pivot tibial component (Evolution medial pivot) in 31 knees during the operation. When the tibial component was placed parallel to the anteroposterior (AP) axis, the uncovered width in the posteromedial part using a symmetric design was larger than that using an asymmetric design (p < 0.01). Overhang in the posterolateral part was observed in 42% for a symmetric design and 3% for an asymmetric design (p < 0.01). When the component was placed in malrotation (10 degrees internal to the AP axis), overhang in the posteromedial part was observed in 6% for a symmetric design and in 71% for an asymmetric design (p < 0.01). The tibial rotation parallel to the AP axis and maximizing coverage of the tibial surface conflict in a symmetric design, but are compatible in an asymmetric design. An asymmetric tibial component is expected to improve the coverage and the rotational positioning of medial pivot total knee prosthesis.
Apple Pomace as Potential Source of Natural Active Compounds
Authors: Waldbauer Katharina , McKinnon Ruxandra , Kopp Brigitte 
Published: July 2017

AbstractApple pomace is a waste product of the apple manufacturing industry that has been in the focus of life sciences as it represents a low-cost source of fruit-derived compounds. High fruit consumption is associated with beneficial health effects, and therefore, apple pomace and its constituents raise therapeutic interest. The present work reviews (i) the chemical constituents of apple pomace, (ii) optimized extraction methods of apple pomace compounds, and (iii) biological activities of apple pomace. Current evidence of apple pomace influence on digestion and metabolism, cholesterol and triglyceride homeostasis, diabetes, and sex hormones is summarized. Furthermore, studies regarding its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antibacterial and antiviral effects are presented. The review concludes that apple pomace is an underutilized waste product of the apple industry with the potential of being processed for its nutritional and pharmaceutical value.
Die Forschung der Dermatologischen Klinik heute – Fokus Immuntherapien in Dermatoonkologie und schweren entzündlichen Hautkrankheiten
Authors: Kündig T. 
Published: July 2017

ZusammenfassungDie nachfolgend vorgestellten Publikationen dienen exemplarisch zur Beleuchtung des Fokus der Forschung der Dermatologischen Klinik des UniversitätsSpitals Zürich auf schwere entzündliche Hautkrankheiten und auf die Dermatoonkologie. Sie reflektieren beispielhaft die umfangreiche publizistische Aktivität der Klinik und geben Einblick in die Forschungsschwerpunkte wie metastasierendes Melanom, schwere entzündliche Hautkrankheiten wie beispielsweise Pyoderma gangrenosum und der Mycosis fungoides/dem Sézary Syndrom.
Sonografie in der Onkologie, eine Bestandsaufnahme
Authors: Trenker Corinna , Görg Christian , Jenssen Christian , Klein Stefan , Neubauer Andreas , Wagner Uwe , Dietrich Christoph 
Published: July 2017

ZusammenfassungIn der Tumordiagnostik, insbesondere in der Ausbreitungsdiagnostik bei Tumorpatienten, stellt die Sonografie im Zeitalter moderner Schnittbildverfahren (Computertomografie (CT)/Magnetresonanztomografie (MRT)/Positronenemissionstomografie (PET-CT)) überwiegend eine additive Untersuchungsmethode dar, da die Methode u. a. durch Interobservervaribilität und Schallbedingungen limitiert ist. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, spezielle onkologische Fragestellungen an die Sonografie herauszuarbeiten und die Anforderungen an die Sonografie und den Stellenwert der Methode in der Diagnostik von Tumorerkrankungen im Zeitalter von CT, MRT und PET-CT darzustellen. Grundsätzlich sind Einsatzmöglichkeiten der Sonografie in der Primärdiagnostik, Ausbreitungsdiagnostik, der Beurteilung des Therapieansprechens und in der Tumornachsorge zu differenzieren. Diese werden in der vorliegenden Arbeit vor dem Hintergrund aktueller Leitlinien der European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) und der Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften e. V. 1 sowie der Anforderungen im klinischen Alltag erörtert.
Action Plan for Prolongation of Nephrogenesis in Preterm and Growth Restricted Babies: Explore Ultrastructure of the Nephrogenic Zone, Identify a Molecular Target, Select a Viable Drug and Find a Path for Administration
Authors: Minuth Will 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA large amount of investigations informs about primary steps of mammalian kidney development such as anlage of the organ and initial nephron formation, while only few data exists about the late phase of human kidney development. In particular, little attention was up to date addressed to the decrease of morphogenic activity in the nephrogenic zone short before birth and the vanishing of all stem cell niches aligned beyond the organ capsule. There is evidence that molecular controlling of this normal but degenerative developmental process also plays a decisive role in the kidneys of preterm and growth restricted babies. Although they are born in a phase of active nephrogenesis, a substantial percentage of them evolves oligonephropathy, formation of atypical glomeruli and immaturity of parenchyma. Pathologic findings point out that independent from chemical nature all suspected hampering influences sublimate in the nephrogenic zone. However, it is unknown, whether impaired nephrogenesis is locally caused by harming interstitial fluid, disturbance of morphogen signaling, unbalanced synthesis of extracellular matrix or limited cell to cell communication. Thus, first of all these issues must be resolved, then save application of medicines prolonging nephrogenesis waits for realization. Due to the unexpectedly complex microanatomy and physiology of the nephrogenic zone, it will be a particular challenge for the future.
Phonetic convergence towards American English by Indian agents in international service encounters
Authors: Cowie Claire , Pande Anna 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn outsourced voice-based services (call centres are a typical example), an agent providing a service is likely to accommodate their speech to that of the customer. In services outsourced to India, as in other postcolonial settings, the customer accent typically does not have a place in that agent’s repertoire. This presents an opportunity to test whether exposure to the customer accent through telephone work promotes phonetic convergence, and/or whether social factors are implicated in convergence. In this map task experiment, 16 IT workers from Pune (half of whom regularly spoke to American colleagues on the telephone) gave directions to American followers. There was evidence of imitation of thebathvowel with an American addressee. However, imitation did not depend on exposure alone. Attitudes to American English, social networks and individuals’ sense of themselves as performers affected their behaviour in the experiment.
Development and Implementation of an Alcohol Withdrawal Protocol using a 5-Item Scale, the Brief Alcohol Withdrawal Scale (BAWS)
Authors: Rastegar Darius A. , Applewhite Dinah , Alvanzo Anika A. H. , Welsh Christopher , Niessen Timothy , Chen Edward S. 
Published: July 2017

Background The standard of care for management of alcohol withdrawal is symptom-triggered treatment using the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA-Ar). Many items of this 10-question scale rely on subjective assessments of withdrawal symptoms, making it time-consuming and cumbersome to use. Therefore, there is interest in shorter and more objective methods to assess alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Methods A 6-item withdrawal scale developed at another institution was piloted. Based on comparison with the CIWA-Ar, this was adapted into a 5-item scale named the Brief Alcohol Withdrawal Scale (BAWS). The BAWS was compared with the CIWA-Ar and a withdrawal protocol utilizing the BAWS was developed. The new protocol was implemented on an inpatient unit dedicated to treating substance withdrawal. Data was collected on the first 3 months of implementation and compared with the 3 months prior to that. Results A BAWS score of 3 or more predicted CIWA-Ar score ≥8 with a sensitivity of 85.3% and specificity of 65.8%. The demographics of the patients in the 2 time periods were similar: the mean age was 45.9; 70.6% were male; 30.9% received concurrent treatment for opioid withdrawal; and 14.2% were receiving methadone maintenance. During the BAWS phase, patients received significantly less diazepam (mean dose 81.4 vs. 60.3 mg, P < .001). There was no significant difference in length of stay. No patients experienced a seizure, delirium, or required transfer to a higher level of care during any of the 664 admissions in either phase. Conclusions This simple protocol utilizing a 5-item withdrawal scale performed well in this setting. Its use in other settings, particularly with patients with concurrent medical illnesses or more severe withdrawal, needs to be explored further.
GLASS: assisted and standardized assessment of gene variations from Sanger sequence trace data
Authors: Pal Karol , Bystry Vojtech , Reigl Tomas , Demko Martin , Krejci Adam , Touloumenidou Tasoula , Stalika Evangelia , Tichy Boris , Ghia Paolo , Stamatopoulos Kostas , Pospisilova Sarka , Malcikova Jitka , Darzentas Nikos ,   European Research Initiative on CLL (ERIC)—TP53 Network
Published: July 2017

Abstract

Motivation
Sanger sequencing is still being employed for sequence variant detection by many laboratories, especially in a clinical setting. However, chromatogram interpretation often requires manual inspection and in some cases, considerable expertise.

Results
We present GLASS, a web-based Sanger sequence trace viewer, editor, aligner and variant caller, built to assist with the assessment of variations in ‘curated’ or user-provided genes. Critically, it produces a standardized variant output as recommended by the Human Genome Variation Society.

Availability and implementation
GLASS is freely available at http://bat.infspire.org/genomepd/glass/ with source code at https://github.com/infspiredBAT/GLASS.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Student Hotspotting: Teaching the Interprofessional Care of Complex Patients
Authors: Bedoya Pablo , Neuhausen Katherine , Dow Alan W. , Brooks E. Marshall , Mautner Dawn , Etz Rebecca S. 
Published: July 2017

Problem
Individuals with complex health and social needs drive much of the total cost of care. Addressing these individuals’ needs and decreasing costs requires interprofessional teams, called “hotspotters,” who engage with communities with high utilization. Training health professions students to succeed in the hotspotting approach may benefit trainees, academic health centers (AHCs), and communities.

Approach
The Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers and the Association of American Medical Colleges launched the Interprofessional Student Hotspotting Learning Collaborative in 2014. The goal was to train health professions students working in interprofessional teams at U.S. AHCs to meet the needs of complex patients, providing home visits and intensive case management for up to five patients over six months. The authors report themes from 20 reflections from the five-student Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) team.

Outcomes
Across 10 sites, 57 students participated during June–December 2014. The review of the VCU experience demonstrated that the hotspotting program was successful in teaching students how social determinants affect health and the benefits of interprofessional teamwork for addressing the unmet health and social needs of complex patients. Key elements that students identified for improvement were more program structure; protected time for program activities; and formalized processes for recruiting, retaining, and transitioning patients.

Next Steps
Future iterations of the program should strengthen the curriculum on caring for complex patients, provide protected time or academic credit, and formally integrate teams with primary care. A larger study evaluating the program’s impact on patients, health systems, and communities should be undertaken.
A Novel Pediatric Residency Coaching Program: Outcomes After One Year
Authors: Rassbach Caroline E. , Blankenburg Rebecca 
Published: July 2017

Problem
The ACGME requires all residency programs to assess residents on specialty-specific milestones. Optimal assessment of competence is through direct observation of performance in clinical settings, which is challenging to implement.

Approach
The authors developed the Stanford Pediatric Residency Coaching Program to improve residents’ clinical skill development, reflective practice, feedback, and goal setting, and to improve learner assessment. All residents are assigned a dedicated faculty coach who coaches them throughout their training in various settings in an iterative process. Each coaching session consists of four parts: (1) direct observation, (2) facilitated reflection, (3) feedback from the coach, and (4) goal setting. Coaches document each session and participate in the Clinical Competency Committee. Initial program evaluation (2013 –2014) focused on the program’s effect on feedback, reflection, and goal setting. Pre- and postintervention surveys of residents and faculty assessed the quantity and quality of feedback provided to residents and faculty members’ confidence in giving feedback.

Outcomes
Review of documented coaching sessions showed that all 82 residents had 3 or more direct observations (range: 3–12). Residents and faculty assessed coaches as providing higher-quality feedback and incorporating more reflection and goal setting than noncoaches. Coaches, compared with noncoaches, demonstrated increased confidence in giving feedback on clinical reasoning, communication skills, and goal setting. Noncoach faculty reported giving equal or more feedback after the coaching program than before.

Next Steps
Further evaluation is under way to explore how coaching residents can affect patient-level outcomes, and to better understand the benefits and challenges of coaching residents.