bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OnabotulinumtoxinA for Simultaneous Treatment of Upper Facial Lines: Subject-Reported Satisfaction and Impact From a Phase 3 Study
Authors: Rivkin Alexander Z. , Ogilvie Patricia , Dayan Steven , Yoelin Steven G. , Weichman Barry M. , Garcia Julie K.
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND

Patient-reported outcomes are increasingly recognized as important measures of treatment benefit.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate subject-reported satisfaction and impact outcomes with onabotulinumtoxinA treatment in neurotoxin-naive adults with forehead lines (FHL), glabellar lines (GL), and crow's feet lines (CFL).

METHODS

This Phase 3 study randomized 787 subjects to onabotulinumtoxinA 64 U (FHL 20 U, GL 20 U, and CFL 24 U), 40 U (FHL 20 U, GL 20 U, and CFL placebo), or placebo in double-blind Period 1. Subjects could receive up to 2 additional 64 U treatments in open-label Period 2. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed using the validated Facial Line Satisfaction Questionnaire (FLSQ) and 11-item Facial Line Outcomes (FLO-11) Questionnaire.

RESULTS

The proportion of subjects mostly or very satisfied was significantly greater with onabotulinumtoxinA 64 U and 40 U versus placebo (87.9% and 81.4% vs 3.2%; p < .0001). Responder rates on FLSQ Impact Domain, FLO-11 Items 1, 4, 5, and total score were significantly greater with onabotulinumtoxinA versus placebo on Day 30 (p < .0001). Responder rates favoring onabotulinumtoxinA in Period 1 were maintained with repeated onabotulinumtoxinA 64 U treatment in Period 2.

CONCLUSION

OnabotulinumtoxinA treatment was associated with high subject satisfaction and significant improvements in appearance-related psychological and emotional impacts.
HYPERREFLECTIVE FOVEAL SPOTS IN PATIENTS WITH VITREORETINAL ANOMALIES
Authors: Pierro Luisa , Arrigo Alessandro , Capone Luigi , Aragona Emanuela , Marchese Alessandro , Iuliano Lorenzo , Bandello Francesco
Published: March 2019

Purpose:

To describe structural optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography features in patients who have developed hyperreflective foveal spots with or without vitreomacular interface abnormalities or with vitreous adhesion alone.

Methods:

The study design was observational and cross sectional. The presence of defined epiretinal membrane was considered an exclusion criterion. All patients underwent complete ophthalmologic examination, with structural OCT and OCT angiography acquisitions. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses of OCT angiography reconstructions were performed for superficial capillary plexus, deep capillary plexus, and choriocapillaris.

Results:

Thirty patients (20 men; mean age, 55.2 years) showing hyperreflective foveal spots on structural OCT and 30 healthy control subjects (20 men; mean age, 54.7 years) were enrolled. Best-corrected visual acuity was 0.0 ± 0.0 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (20/20 Snellen) for both patients and control subjects. Following global and parafoveal/extrafoveal analyses, both superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus showed significant reduction (P < 0.001). Significant superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus changes were also detected in contralateral eyes (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Hyperreflective foveal spots might be seen as the initial effect of traction forces causing Müller cell and external retinal layer disruption, leading to the onset of vitreomacular disease. These changes also have an effect on the retinal vascular network. Further larger prospective studies are necessary to confirm our findings.
Optical Coherence Tomography Assessment of the Cornea During Corneal Swelling: Should the Term “Descemet Membrane Folds” Be Reconsidered?
Authors: Annadanam Anvesh , Stoeger Christopher G. , Galloway Joshua D. , Hikes Matthew T. , Jun Albert S.
Published: March 2019

Purpose:

Previous work has suggested that Descemet membrane (DM) folds arise in response to corneal swelling. However, their origin has not been closely explored. In this study, we used optical coherence tomography to evaluate whether DM folds arise secondary to folds in the middle stroma.

Methods:

Serial optical coherence tomography images of donor cornea pairs in deionized water were taken for each of the following corneal manipulations: 1) untreated, 2) DM and the endothelium removed, 3) excised in the region of the deep middle/posterior stroma, and 4) excised in the middle stroma.

Results:

For intact corneas, increasing duration in deionized water was marked by a progressive increase in corneal thickness and number of folds along the posterior surface. With DM and the endothelium removed, a similar phenomenon was observed. In the third set of corneas, the plane of resection created a structural separation in the region of the deep middle/posterior stroma. Folds were seen originating anterior to the resection plane. For corneas with the posterior and part of the middle stroma removed, the typical folds on the posterior surface as seen in the previous conditions were not observed. Instead, less numerous and smaller irregularities of the posterior surface of the resection plane were present.

Conclusions:

Folds in DM associated with corneal edema originate in the middle and posterior stroma and are secondarily transmitted into DM. On the basis of the stromal origin of these anatomic changes, “stromal folds” should be considered a more accurate term to replace “Descemet membrane folds.”
Bicanalicular Silicone Intubation for the Management of Punctal Stenosis and Obstruction in Patients With Allergic Conjunctivitis
Authors: Alsulaiman Naif , Alsuhaibani Adel H.
Published: March 2019

Purpose:

To evaluate the use of bicanalicular silicone intubation for the management of punctal stenosis and obstruction in patients with allergic conjunctivitis.

Methods:

A retrospective interventional case series of patients with acquired epiphora due to stenotic or obstructed puncta as a result of allergic conjunctivitis was performed. Punctal dilation and bicanalicular silicone intubation were performed in all patients. Munk Scale for grading of epiphora along with grading of fluorescein dye disappearance test was used to evaluate the functional improvement. Grading of punctal stenosis using Kashkouli’s grading system was applied to evaluate the anatomical improvement. Patients having canalicular or nasolacrimal duct obstruction, punctal stenosis, and obstruction due to other causes were excluded.

Results:

Fifty-one patients met the inclusion criteria with male-female ratio of 1:1.55 and an average age of 46 years at presentation. High patient tolerances without complications with the use of tubes were reported. Significant improvement 6 months after tube removal in comparison to preoperative period was found with anatomical and functional success rate of 91.83% and 87.75%, respectively. Two patients had a recurrence of the punctal stenosis many months after stent removal because of the early tube prolapse and exacerbation of the allergic conjunctivitis.

Conclusions:

Bicanalicular silicone intubation seems to be a well-tolerated and effective tool in the management of acquired punctal stenosis or obstruction secondary to allergic conjunctivitis. Bicanalicular silicone intubation appears to be a good option as patients with allergic conjunctivitis typically present with bilateral involvement of both puncti.
Eyelid Spontaneous Blink Analysis and Age-Related Changes Through High-Speed Imaging
Authors: DeAngelis Kendra D. , Rider Alex , Potter Whitney , Jensen Jason , Fowler Brian T. , Fleming James C.
Published: March 2019

Purpose:

To analyze the spontaneous eyelid blink and sphincter closure activity of the orbicularis oculi by measuring the horizontal eyelid movement.

Methods:

Individuals 18+ years of age, any ethnicity, and gender were recruited. Participants completed a questionnaire to determine eligibility. Exclusion criteria included the following: history of facial trauma, nerve palsy, surgery, use of periorbital neuromodulators or filler within the past year, thyroid eye disease, and eyelid or ocular surface disease. Data were collected from participants by decade. Eyelid blinks were recorded using the FPS 1000HD. The motions of 3 spontaneous blinks in primary gaze were recorded. All blinks were reviewed and one chosen for most accurate analysis. Horizontal palpebral fissure width and its changes of open and closed eye measurements were taken using National Institute of Health ImageJ software version 2.0. The data were subjected to SAS version 9.4 analysis using paired t test, t test, and linear models.

Results:

One hundred thirty-six patients were recruited. Fourteen patients were excluded; 122 patients were used in analysis. Ages ranged from 22 to 90 years. Participants were divided into 6 groups according to age (20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, and 70+ years of age). The average horizontal fissure length across all ages was 24.23 mm. Average change in horizontal fissure length decreased 1.42 mm among all ages. There was a statistically significant difference comparing age 20–29 decade to age 70+ decade.

Conclusions:

Horizontal fissure length changes with eyelid blink and defines 1 component of the eyelid sphincter.
Custom-Soldered, Double-Ring Retained Silicone Finger Prosthesis
Authors: Palled Varsha , Rao Jitendra , Singh Saumyendra V. , Chand Pooran , Arya Deeksha , Aggarwal Himanshi , Sharma Vijai P.
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Accomplishment of adequate retention in prosthesis is vital to patient comfort. The purpose of this article is to present a technique of fabrication of a nonimplant, nonadhesive retained silicone finger prosthesis for a short, flabby residual digit.

Materials and Methods

To achieve adequate retention in this compromised clinical scenario, two rings were used: one on the residual finger and the other on the adjacent finger, which were soldered at accurate orientation using a custom-made putty index.

Results

Retention of the prosthesis was found to be satisfactory and alleviated the apprehension of the patient regarding surgical placement of implants.

Conclusions

The technique described in this report provides an effective, reversible, and straightforward method of managing the compromised situation. The double-ring technique offers a nonsurgical alternative to rehabilitation of patients with compromised residual digits.
Trauma systems in North America
Authors: Lundy Douglas W. , Harvey Edward J. , Jahangir A. Alex , Leighton Ross K.
Published: March 2019

North American trauma systems are well developed yet vary widely in form across the continent. Comparatively, the Canadian trauma system is more unified, and approximately 80% of Canadians live within 1 hour of a level I or II center. In the United States, trauma centers are specifically verified by the individual states and thus there tends to be more variability across the country. Although many states use the criteria developed by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, the individual agencies are free to utilize their own verification standards. Both Canada and the United States utilize efficient prehospital care, and both countries recognize that postdischarge care is a financial challenge to the system. Population dense areas offer rapid admission to well-developed trauma centers, but injured patients in remote areas may have challenges regarding access. Trauma centers are classified according to their capabilities from level I (highest ability) to level IV. Although each trauma system has opportunities for improvement, they both provide effective access and quality care to the vast majority of injured patients.
Filigree-like Rete Ridges, Lobulated Nests, Rosette-like Structures, and Exaggerated Maturation Characterize Spitz Tumors With NTRK1 Fusion
Authors: Yeh Iwei , Busam Klaus J. , McCalmont Timothy H. , LeBoit Philip E. , Pissaloux Daniel , Alberti Laurent , de la Fouchardière Arnaud , Bastian Boris C.
Published: March 2019

Activating NTRK1 fusions have been described as oncogenic events across the spectrum of Spitz tumors. Herein we report a series of 38 Spitz tumors with NTRK1 fusion. These Spitz tumors have distinctive histopathologic features characterized by filigree-like rete ridges which are elongated, thin and branched, dermal melanocytes arranged in a rosette-like configuration, and marked diminishment of melanocyte size with descent into the dermis. These features are distinct from those of other genetically defined subtypes of Spitz tumors and can aid in microscopic diagnosis and help prioritize in case selection for molecular testing in the rare patients that need targeted therapy.
Evaluating the Influence of Social Engagement on Cognitive Impairment and Mobility Outcomes Within the Boston RISE Cohort Study
Authors: Steere Hannah K. , Quach Lien , Grande Laura , Bean Jonathan F.
Published: March 2019

Objective

We investigated the associations between mild cognitive impairment (MCI), social engagement (SE), and mobility.

Design

We evaluated data from a cohort study of older adult primary care patients (N = 430). Outcomes included self-reported function (Late-Life Function Instrument [LLFI]) and performance-based mobility (Short Physical Performance Battery score [SPPB]). Linear regression models evaluated the association between MCI and mobility, MCI and SE, mobility measures and SE, and whether SE mediated the association between MCI status and mobility.

Results

Participants with MCI had significantly lower mobility and lower SE as compared with those without MCI (LLFI: 53.5 vs. 56.9, P < 0.001; SPPB: 7.9 vs. 9.3, P < 0.001; SE score: 44.9 vs. 49.0, P < 0.001). Mild cognitive impairment was significantly associated with both LLFI and SPPB (LLFI β = −2.93, P < 0.001; SPPB β = −1.26, P < 0.001) and SE (β = −3.20, P < 0.001). Social engagement was significantly associated with both LLFI and SPPB (LLFI β = 0.22; P < 0.001; SPPB β = 0.08; P < 0.001). There was a positive association between SE and mobility (P< 0.05). A mediator effect of SE was supported when evaluating the association between MCI and mobility.

Conclusions

Among older adult primary care patients at risk for mobility decline, higher levels of SE mitigate the association between MCI and mobility.
Suboptimal Recent and Regular HIV Testing Among Black Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States: Implications From a Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Yu , Silenzio Vincent M. B. , Nash Robertson , Luther Patrick , Bauermeister Jose , Vermund Sten H. , Zhang Chen
Published: March 2019

Background:

The continuum of HIV care among black men who have sex with men (BMSM) continues to be the least favorable in the United States. BMSM are disproportionally HIV-infected-but-unaware, despite expanded HIV testing efforts among this subgroup.

Methods:

We meta-analytically analyzed various HIV testing patterns [lifetime, after 24 months, after 12 months, after 6 months, and frequent (every 3–6 months) testing] among BMSM using the PRISMA guideline. PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and PsycINFO were searched for relevant articles, reports, conference proceedings, and dissertations published between January 1, 1996, and April 25, 2018. Two independent investigators reviewed and abstracted data into a standardized form. We used the DerSimonian–Laird random-effect model to pool the HIV testing prevalence and I-square statistics to measure heterogeneity. Funnel plots and Egger tests were used to assess for publication bias. We also performed subgroup and meta-regression analyses to explore aggregate-level characteristics that explain the heterogeneity across studies.

Results:

Our meta-analysis includes a total of 42,074 BMSM pooled from 67 studies. Lifetime HIV testing prevalence was high, 88.2% [95% confidence interval (CI): 86.2% to 90.1%], but recent (after 6 months = 63.4%; 95% CI: 59.3% to 67.4%) and frequent (42.2%, 95% CI: 34.1% to 50.3%) HIV testing prevalence was low. Meta-regression suggests that younger age (borderline significant), lower annual income, and homelessness were correlated with lower lifetime/recent HIV testing prevalence; while ever having condomless insertive/receptive sex, alcohol consumption, and illicit drug use were associated with higher lifetime/recent HIV testing prevalence.

Conclusions:

Recent and frequent HIV testing remains suboptimal among BMSM. Future testing programs should prioritize strategies to enhance self-initiated, regular HIV testing among BMSM.
A Comparison of Metabolic Outcomes Between Obese HIV-Exposed Uninfected Youth From the PHACS SMARTT Study and HIV-Unexposed Youth From the NHANES Study in the United States
Authors: Jao Jennifer , Jacobson Denise L. , Yu Wendy , Borkowsky William , Geffner Mitchell E. , McFarland Elizabeth J. , Patel Kunjal , Williams Paige L. , Miller Tracie ,   for the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study
Published: March 2019

Background:

Metabolic perturbations in HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) obese youth may differ from those in the general obese pediatric population.

Methods:

Metabolic parameters of obese (body mass index Z-score >95th percentile) HEU youth in the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study (PHACS) Surveillance Monitoring of ART Toxicities (SMARTT) study were compared with a matched sample of obese youth from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We evaluated systolic and diastolic hypertension (blood pressure ≥90th percentile for age, sex, and height), total cholesterol >200 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol <35 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol >130 mg/dL, triglycerides (TGs) >150 mg/dL, and Homeostatic Model Assessment–Insulin Resistance >4.0. Modified Poisson regression models were fit to quantify the prevalence ratio (PR) of each outcome comparing the 2 cohorts, adjusting for confounders.

Results:

The blood pressure outcome analytic subgroup included 1096 participants (n = 304 HEU), the total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol subgroup 1301 participants (n = 385 HEU), and the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, TG, and Homeostatic Model Assessment–Insulin Resistance subgroup 271 (n = 83 HEU). After adjustment, obese HEU youth had a higher prevalence of systolic and diastolic hypertension [PR = 3.34, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.48 to 4.50; PR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.18 to 3.52, respectively], but lower prevalence of insulin resistance (PR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.54 to 0.85) and hypercholesterolemia (PR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.44 to 1.01) compared with obese NHANES youth.

Conclusions:

In the United States, obese HEU youth seem to have an increased risk of hypertension, but lower risk of insulin resistance and hypercholesterolemia, compared with a general obese pediatric population. Monitoring for cardiovascular morbidity in adulthood may be warranted in HEU children.
Vein Graft Interposition: A Training Model Using Gradually Thawed Cryopreserved Vessels
Authors: Safi Ali-Farid , Safi Sema , Tayeh Mahmoud , Gojowy David , Timmer Marco , Goldbrunner Roland , Kauke Martin
Published: March 2019

Introduction:

Microsurgical interposition of vein grafts is an extraordinarily filigree surgical technique, which requires both sound theoretical knowledge and solid manual skills. Although there are a large number of training models, the majority of these are either relatively expensive, technically complex, or employ synthetic materials with poor resemblance to human tissue. The authors’ model allows training of ex vivo vein graft interposition on gradually thawed cryopreserved vessels and it, therefore, is cost-efficient and readily available when needed. Furthermore, it respects the 3R-principle (Reduce-Refine-Replace), as it is based on rat cadaveric vessels.

Methods:

Three trainees with basic microsurgical experience, but without prior performance of vein graft interpositioning, were chosen to perform 20 femoral vein graft (5 mm) interpositions into femoral artery defects. The patency and leakage rate served as qualitative variable and operation time as a quantitative variable for efficiency control.

Results:

For the first half of trials, the trainees had a patency failure rate of 50% and for the second half a rate of 13.3%. The leakage rate noticeably decreased from 44.4% in the first half of trials to 10% in the second half. Although the trainees needed 60 minutes on average for their first 10 trials, they improved to 51 minutes for their last 10 anastomoses.

Conclusion:

The authors’ microsurgical model offers a simple, low-cost simulation training, specifically designed for learning of vein graft interposition into arterial defects. The model is associated with a high learning curve, based on an objective control of the anastomoses by assessment of the patency, leakage, and operation time.
Epidemiology, Socioeconomic Analysis, and Specialist Involvement in Dog Bite Wounds in Adults
Authors: Lee Christine J. , Santos Pauline Joy F. , Vyas Raj M.
Published: March 2019

Dog bites have been well described and characterized in the pediatric population. Comparatively, dog-bite injuries in adults and the settings in which surgeons become involved are less studied. An electronic hospital database identified all patients 18 years or older who were treated for dog bites from 2010 to 2014. Demographics, injury information, intervention type, and payer source were collected. Socioeconomic analysis was performed using Geographic Information Systems mapping. A total of 189 adults presented to the emergency department with dog-bite-related injuries. The most common injury location was the hand (n = 62, 32.8%), followed by the head and neck (n = 36, 19.1%). Of the 189 patients, 33 adults (17.5%) were forwarded to a surgical subspecialist for repair. A head and neck injury was significantly more likely to be repaired by a surgical specialist (P = 0.011). The most common breed of dog identified was pit bull (n = 29, 47.5%). The majority of pit bull attacks involved the extremities (65.5%) compared to other breeds of dogs. Pit bull victims were noted to have a lower average annual income compared to other breed victims ($64,708 versus $75,004; P = 0.16). Annual income between intervention group and no intervention group was not significantly different (P = 0.26). This study is the 1st to perform a socioeconomic analysis in the adult dog-bite population and encourages the use of a surgical specialist in the setting of a head and neck bite.
Alveolar Septal Widening as an “Alert” Signal to Look Into Lung Antibody-mediated Rejection: A Multicenter Pilot Study
Authors: Calabrese Fiorella , Hirschi Sandrine , Neil Desley , Montero-Fernandez Angeles , Timens Wim , Verbeken Erik , Chenard Marie-Pierre , Ivanovic Marina , Le Pavec Jerome , Pena Tahuanty , Dorfmüller Peter , Roux Antoine , Rice Alexandra , Perissinotto Egle , Lunardi Francesca , Levine Deborah J. , Cozzi Emanuele , Goddard Martin
Published: March 2019

Background.

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) plays an important role in allograft dysfunction. Acute lung injury (ALI), endotheliitis, capillary inflammation, and C4d positivity have been described as morphological features conventionally associated with lung AMR. A multidisciplinary, international task force reviewed AMR cases in the context of four face-to-face meetings. Septal widening was a frequent, striking histological feature recognized first and easily at low-power magnification. This study aimed to evaluate whether septal widening could represent an “alert” signal for AMR.

Methods.

Following the face-to-face meetings that enabled the classification of cases as AMR or non-AMR, morphometry was performed on biopsies from 48 recipients with definite, probable or possible AMR, 31 controls (negative for any posttransplant injury) and 10 patients with nonimmune-related ALI.

Results.

Mean alveolar septal thickness was greater in AMR patients than in controls (P < 0.001). Septal thickness was not significantly different between AMR-ALI and non–AMR-ALI. Unexpectedly septal widening was the only histological change detected in some cases with probable or possible AMR that lacked the histological lesions conventionally associated with AMR. The thickness in these cases was similar to that observed in AMR cases with more severe histological injury such as ALI or neutrophilic capillaritis.

Conclusions.

Our data suggest that, even if unspecific as the other lesions conventionally associated with AMR, septal widening may represent an “alert” signal to look into lung AMR. A larger prospective study is mandatory to confirm the potential value of septal widening in the multidisciplinary approach of AMR.
Aerodynamic reconstruction of the primitive fossil batOnychonycteris finneyi(Mammalia: Chiroptera)
Authors: Amador Lucila I. , Simmons Nancy B. , Giannini Norberto P.
Published: March 2019

Bats are the only mammals capable of powered flight. One of the oldest bats known from a complete skeleton isOnychonycteris finneyifrom the Early Eocene (Green River Formation, Wyoming, 52.5 Ma). Estimated to weigh approximately 40 g,Onychonycterisexhibits the most primitive combination of characters thus far known for bats. Here, we reconstructed the aerofoil of the two known specimens, calculated basic aerodynamic variables and compared them with those of extant bats and gliding mammals.Onychonycterisappears in the edges of the morphospace for bats, underscoring the primitive conformation of its flight apparatus. Low aerodynamic efficiency is inferred for this extinct species as compared to any extant bat. When we estimated aerofoil variables in a model ofOnychonycterisexcluding the handwing, it closely approached the morphospace of extant gliding mammals. Addition of a handwing to the model lacking this structure results in a 2.3-fold increase in aspect ratio and a 28% decrease in wing loading, thus greatly enhancing aerodynamics. In the context of these models, the rapid evolution of the chiropteran handwing via genetically mediated developmental changes appears to have been a key transformation in the hypothesized transition from gliding to flapping in early bats.
Ecological continuity and transformation after the Permo-Triassic mass extinction in northeastern Panthalassa
Authors: Dineen Ashley A. , Roopnarine Peter D. , Fraiser Margaret L.
Published: March 2019

The Permo-Triassic mass extinction (PTME) is often implicated in the transition from the Paleozoic evolutionary fauna (PEF) to the modern evolutionary fauna (MEF). However, the exact timing and details of this progression are unknown, especially regarding the vacating and filling of functional ecological space after the PTME. Here, we quantify the functional diversity of middle Permian and Early Triassic marine paleocommunities in the western US to determine functional re-organization in the aftermath of the PTME. Results indicate that while the PTME was selective in nature, many new Triassic taxa either re-filled functional roles of extinct Permian taxa or performed the same functional roles as Permian survivors. Despite this functional overlap, Permian survivors and new Triassic taxa differed significantly in their relative abundances within those overlapping functions. This shift in numerical emphasis, driven by an increase in abundance towards more MEF-style traits, may represent a first step in the transition between the PEF and MEF. We therefore suggest that the extreme impact of the PTME had significant and permanent re-organizational effects on the intrinsic structure of marine ecosystems. Early Triassic ecosystems likely bridged the gap between the Paleozoic and modern evolutionary faunas, as newly originated Triassic taxa shared ecospace with Permian survivors, but shifted functional emphasis.
Exploiting network topology for large-scale inference of nonlinear reaction models
Authors: Galagali Nikhil , Marzouk Youssef M.
Published: March 2019

The development of chemical reaction models aids understanding and prediction in areas ranging from biology to electrochemistry and combustion. A systematic approach to building reaction network models uses observational data not only to estimate unknown parameters but also to learn model structure. Bayesian inference provides a natural approach to this data-driven construction of models. Yet traditional Bayesian model inference methodologies that numerically evaluate the evidence for each model are often infeasible for nonlinear reaction network inference, as the number of plausible models can be combinatorially large. Alternative approaches based on model-space sampling can enable large-scale network inference, but their realization presents many challenges. In this paper, we present new computational methods that make large-scale nonlinear network inference tractable. First, we exploit the topology of networks describing potential interactions among chemical species to design improved ‘between-model’ proposals for reversible-jump Markov chain Monte Carlo. Second, we introduce a sensitivity-based determination of move types which, when combined with network-aware proposals, yields significant additional gains in sampling performance. These algorithms are demonstrated on inference problems drawn from systems biology, with nonlinear differential equation models of species interactions.
Epicardial prestrained confinement and residual stresses: a newly observed heart ventricle confinement interface
Authors: Shi Xiaodan , Liu Yue , Copeland Katherine M. , McMahan Sara R. , Zhang Song , Butler J. Ryan , Hong Yi , Cho Michael , Bajona Pietro , Gao Huajian , Liao Jun
Published: March 2019

The heart epicardial layer, with elastin as the dominant component, has not been well investigated, specifically on how it contributes to ventricular biomechanics. In this study, we revealed and quantitatively assessed the overall status of prestraining and residual stresses exerted by the epicardial layer on the heart left ventricle (LV). During porcine heart wall dissection, we discovered that bi-layered LV surface strips, consisting of an epicardial layer and cardiac muscle, always curled towards the epicardial side due to epicardial residual stresses. We hence developed a curling angle characterization technique to intuitively and qualitatively reveal the location-dependency and direction-dependency of epicardial residual stresses. Moreover, by combining prestrain measurement and biaxial mechanical testing, we were able to quantify the epicardial prestrains and residual stresses on the unpressurized intact LV. To investigate the potential mechanical effect of epicardial prestraining, a finite-element (FE) model has been constructed, and we demonstrate that it is the prestraining of the epicardial layer, not the epicardial layer alone, providing an additional resistance mechanism during LV diastolic expansion and ventricular wall protection by reducing myocardial stress. In short, our study on healthy, native porcine hearts has revealed an important phenomenon—the epicardial layer, rich in elastin, acts like a prestrained ‘balloon’ that wraps around the heart and functions as an extra confinement and protection interface. The obtained knowledge fills a gap in ventricular biomechanics and will help design novel biomimicking materials or prosthetic devices to target the maintenance/recreation of this ventricle confinement interface.
Taylor’s power law and its decomposition in urban facilities
Authors: Wu Liang , Gong Chi , Yan Xin
Published: March 2019

As one of the few generalities in ecology, Taylor’s power law admits a power function relationship
V
=
aM

b

between the variance
V
and mean number
M
of organisms in a quadrat. We examine the spatial distribution data of seven urban service facilities in 37 major cities in China, and find that Taylor’s Law is validated among all types of facilities. Moreover, Taylor’s Law is robust if we shift the observation window or vary the size of the quadrats. The exponent
b
increases linearly with the logarithm of the quadrat size, i.e.
b
(
s
) =
b
0
+
A
log (
s
). Furthermore, the ANOVA test indicates that
b
takes distinct values for different facilities in different cities. We decompose
b
into two different factors, a city-specific factor and a facility-specific factor (FSF). Variations in
b
can be explained to a large extent by the differences between cities and types of facilities. Facilities are more evenly distributed in larger and more developed cities. Competitive interchangeable facilities (e.g. pharmacy), with larger FSFs and smaller
b
s, are less aggregated than complementary services (e.g. restaurants).
No evidence of tactile distance anisotropy on the belly
Authors: Longo Matthew R. , Lulciuc Anamaria , Sotakova Lenka
Published: March 2019

The perceived distance between two touches has been found to be larger for pairs of stimuli oriented across the width of the body than along the length of the body, for several body parts. Nevertheless, the magnitude of such biases varies from place to place, suggesting systematically different distortions of tactile space across the body. Several recent studies have investigated perceived tactile distance on the belly as an implicit measure of body perception in clinical conditions including anorexia nervosa and obesity. In this study, we investigated whether there is an anisotropy of perceived tactile distance on the belly in a sample of adult women. Participants made verbal estimates of the perceived distance between pairs of touches oriented either across body width or along body length on the belly and the dorsum of the left hand. Consistent with previous results, a large anisotropy was apparent on the hand, with across stimuli perceived as larger than along stimuli. In contrast, no such bias was apparent on the belly. These results provide further evidence that anisotropies of perceived tactile distance vary systematically across the body and suggest that there is no anisotropy at all on the belly in healthy women.
Beetle-bearing coprolites possibly reveal the diet of a Late Triassic dinosauriform
Authors: Qvarnström Martin , Wernström Joel Vikberg , Piechowski Rafał , Tałanda Mateusz , Ahlberg Per E. , Niedźwiedzki Grzegorz
Published: March 2019

Diets of extinct animals can be difficult to analyse if no direct evidence, such as gut contents, is preserved in association with body fossils. Inclusions from coprolites (fossil faeces), however, may also reflect the diet of the host animal and become especially informative if the coprolite producer link can be established. Here we describe, based on propagation phase-contrast synchrotron microtomography (PPC-SRμCT), the contents of five morphologically similar coprolites collected from two fossil-bearing intervals from the highly fossiliferous Upper Triassic locality at Krasiejów in Silesia, Poland. Beetle remains, mostly elytra, and unidentified exoskeleton fragments of arthropods are the most conspicuous inclusions found in the coprolites. The abundance of these inclusions suggests that the coprolite producer deliberately targeted beetles and similar small terrestrial invertebrates as prey, but the relatively large size of the coprolites shows that it was not itself a small animal. The best candidate from the body fossil record of the locality is the dinosauriform
Silesaurus opolensis
Dzik, 2003, which had an anatomy in several ways similar to those of bird-like neotheropod dinosaurs and modern birds. We hypothesize that the beak-like jaws of
S. opolensis
were used to efficiently peck small insects off the ground, a feeding behaviour analogous to some extant birds.
Water inrush characteristics and hazard effects during the transition from open-pit to underground mining: a case study
Authors: Zhang Huijie , Zhang Bin , Xu Nengxiong , Shi Lei , Wang Hanxun , Lin Weiru , Ye Yiwei
Published: March 2019

During the transition from open-pit to underground mining in iron ore mines, water inrush is a prominent problem for mine safety and production. In this paper, a comprehensive method that incorporates hydrochemical analysis and numerical simulation is proposed to analyse the characteristics of water inrush during the transition from open-pit to underground mining. The proposed method revealed the migration law of groundwater and analysed the source of mine water inrush in the Yanqianshan iron mine located in Liaoning province, China. The results show that the excavated mine roadway is the primary factor affecting groundwater migration and that the source of the mine water inrush is the groundwater in the aquifer around the mine roadway. Moreover, based on the results of the study, appropriate methods for prevention and treatment of mine water inrush were proposed. This approach provides a novel idea for the assessment of water inrush hazards and will serve as a valuable reference for analogous engineering cases.
An 11 000-year-old giant muntjac subfossil from Northern Vietnam: implications for past and present populations
Authors: Stimpson C. M. , Utting B. , O'Donnell S. , Huong N. T. M. , Kahlert T. , Manh B. V. , Khanh P. S. , Rabett R. J.
Published: March 2019

Described at the end of the twentieth century, the large-antlered or giant muntjac,Muntiacus gigas(syn. vuquangensis), is a Critically Endangered species currently restricted to the Annamite region in Southeast Asia. Here we report subfossil evidence of giant muntjac, a mandible fragment dated between 11.1 and 11.4 thousand years before present, from northern Vietnam. We describe morphological and metric criteria for diagnosis and consider the specimen in the context of regional archaeological and palaeontological records ofMuntiacus. We then consider the palaeoenvironmental context of the specimen and the implications for habitat requirements for extant populations. The new specimen extends the known spatial and temporal range of giant muntjacs in Vietnam and is further evidence that this species was more widely distributed in the Holocene than current records indicate. While regional proxy evidence indicates a drier climate and more open woodland habitats at the onset of the Holocene, contextual evidence indicates that the specimen derived from an animal inhabiting limestone karst forest. This record also supports the assertion that remnant populations are in a refugial state, as a result of anthropogenic pressures, rather than representing a centre of endemism. These facts underscore the urgent need for the conservation of remaining populations.
The assessment of intrinsic credibility and a new argument for
p
< 0.005
Authors: Held Leonhard
Published: March 2019

The concept of intrinsic credibility has been recently introduced to check the credibility of ‘out of the blue’ findings without any prior support. A significant result is deemed intrinsically credible if it is in conflict with a sceptical prior derived from the very same data that would make the effect just non-significant. In this paper, I propose to use Bayesian prior-predictive tail probabilities to assess intrinsic credibility. For the standard 5% significance level, this leads to a new
p
-value threshold that is remarkably close to the recently proposed
p
< 0.005 standard. I also introduce the credibility ratio, the ratio of the upper to the lower limit (or
vice versa
) of a confidence interval for a significant effect size. I show that the credibility ratio has to be smaller than 5.8 such that a significant finding is also intrinsically credible. Finally, a
p
-value for intrinsic credibility is proposed that is a simple function of the ordinary
p
-value and has a direct frequentist interpretation in terms of the probability of replicating an effect. An application to data from the Open Science Collaboration study on the reproducibility of psychological science suggests that intrinsic credibility of the original experiment is better suited to predict the success of a replication experiment than standard significance.
Extra excitation of biceps femoris during neuromuscular electrical stimulation reduces knee medial loading
Authors: Xu Rui , Ming Dong , Ding Ziyun , Bull Anthony M. J.
Published: March 2019

Medial knee joint osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating and prevalent condition. Surgical treatment consists of redistributing the forces from the medial to the lateral compartment through osteotomy, or replacing the joint surfaces. As the mediolateral load distribution is related to the action of the musculature around the knee, the aim of this study was to devise a technique to redistribute these forces non-surgically through changes in muscle excitation. Eight healthy subjects participated in the experiment, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation was used to change the muscle forces around the knee. A musculoskeletal model was used to quantify the loading on the medial compartment of the knee, and a novel algorithm devised and implemented to simulate neuromuscular electrical stimulation. The forces and moments at the knee, ground reaction forces, walking velocity and step length were quantified before and after stimulation. Stimulation of the biceps femoris resulted in a significant decrease in the second peak of the medial knee joint loading by up to 0.17 body weight (
p
= 0.016). Kinematic parameters were not significantly affected. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation can decrease the peak loads on the medial compartment of the knee, and thus offers a promising therapy for medial knee joint OA.
Protein content and amino acids profile in 10 cultivars of ginkgo (Ginkgo bilobaL.) nut from China
Authors: Zhou Mengyi , Hua Tongtong , Ma Xiaofang , Sun Haijun , Xu Li
Published: March 2019

As a traditional food and medicine source, ginkgo (Ginkgo bilobaL.) nut is popularly consumed in East Asia. The aim of this work is to characterize protein content and amino acids profile in 10 ginkgo nut cultivars, named successively as no. 1 to no. 10. There were observed differences among the cultivars with respect to the contents of protein and amino acids, except Cys. The no. 6 cultivar presented the highest protein content (22.1 g/100 g DW), while the no. 9 had the lowest (16.2 g/100 g DW). The contents of EAA and NEAA were revealed to vary in the range of 14.3–26.2 and 21.4–41.1 g/100 g protein, respectively. The most abundant EAA was Leu, and the first limiting amino acid was Lys. The level of Arg was attractive, especially in the no. 5 cultivar (1741 mg/100 g DW) where it is comparable to hazelnut and pistachio. As confirmed by AAS and EAAI, the no. 5 cultivar presented the best amino acids profile and protein quality among these cultivars. These results have relevance to the scientific development and application of ginkgo nuts in the food industry.
Emerging infectious diseases and biological invasions: a call for a One Health collaboration in science and management
Authors: Ogden Nick H. , Wilson John R. U. , Richardson David M. , Hui Cang , Davies Sarah J. , Kumschick Sabrina , Le Roux Johannes J. , Measey John , Saul Wolf-Christian , Pulliam Juliet R. C.
Published: March 2019

The study and management of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) and of biological invasions both address the ecology of human-associated biological phenomena in a rapidly changing world. However, the two fields work mostly in parallel rather than in concert. This review explores how the general phenomenon of an organism rapidly increasing in range or abundance is caused, highlights the similarities and differences between research on EIDs and invasions, and discusses shared management insights and approaches. EIDs can arise by: (i) crossing geographical barriers due to human-mediated dispersal, (ii) crossing compatibility barriers due to evolution, and (iii) lifting of environmental barriers due to environmental change. All these processes can be implicated in biological invasions, but only the first defines them. Research on EIDs is embedded within the One Health concept—the notion that human, animal and ecosystem health are interrelated and that holistic approaches encompassing all three components are needed to respond to threats to human well-being. We argue that for sustainable development, biological invasions should be explicitly considered within One Health. Management goals for the fields are the same, and direct collaborations between invasion scientists, disease ecologists and epidemiologists on modelling, risk assessment, monitoring and management would be mutually beneficial.
Dynamics and stability of running on rough terrains
Authors: Dhawale Nihav , Mandre Shreyas , Venkadesan Madhusudhan
Published: March 2019

Stability of running on rough terrain depends on the propagation of perturbations due to the ground. We consider stability within the sagittal plane and model the dynamics of running as a two-dimensional body with alternating aerial and stance phases. Stance is modelled as a passive, impulsive collision followed by an active, impulsive push-off that compensates for collisional losses. Such a runner has infinitely many strategies to maintain periodic gaits on flat ground. However, these strategies differ in how perturbations due to terrain unevenness are propagated. Instabilities manifest as tumbling (orientational instability) or failing to maintain a steady speed (translational instability). We find that open-loop strategies that avoid sensory feedback are sufficient to maintain stability on step-like terrains with piecewise flat surfaces that randomly vary in height. However, these open-loop runners lose orientational stability on rough terrains whose slope also varies randomly. The orientational instability is significantly mitigated by minimizing the tangential collision, which typically requires sensory information and anticipatory strategies such as leg retraction. By analysing the propagation of perturbations, we derive a single dimensionless parameter that governs stability. This parameter provides guidelines for the design and control of both biological and robotic runners.
Social learning through associative processes: a computational theory
Authors: Lind Johan , Ghirlanda Stefano , Enquist Magnus
Published: March 2019

Social transmission of information is a key phenomenon in the evolution of behaviour and in the establishment of traditions and culture. The diversity of social learning phenomena has engendered a diverse terminology and numerous ideas about underlying learning mechanisms, at the same time that some researchers have called for a unitary analysis of social learning in terms of associative processes. Leveraging previous attempts and a recent computational formulation of associative learning, we analyse the following learning scenarios in some generality: learning responses to social stimuli, including learning to imitate; learning responses to non-social stimuli; learning sequences of actions; learning to avoid danger. We conceptualize social learning as situations in which stimuli that arise from other individuals have an important role in learning. This role is supported by genetic predispositions that either cause responses to social stimuli or enable social stimuli to reinforce specific responses. Simulations were performed using a new learning simulator program. The simulator is publicly available and can be used for further theoretical investigations and to guide empirical research of learning and behaviour. Our explorations show that, when guided by genetic predispositions, associative processes can give rise to a wide variety of social learning phenomena, such as stimulus and local enhancement, contextual imitation and simple production imitation, observational conditioning, and social and response facilitation. In addition, we clarify how associative mechanisms can result in transfer of information and behaviour from experienced to naive individuals.