bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Near-Complete Genome Sequence of Infectious Bronchitis Virus Strain VFAR-047 (GI-16 Lineage), Isolated in Peru
Authors: Tataje-Lavanda Luis , Izquierdo-Lara Ray , Ormeño-Vásquez Phillip , Huamán-Gutiérrez Katherine , Zimic-Peralta Mirko , Fernández-Díaz Manolo
Published: January 2019

Here, we report the near-complete genome sequence of the infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) strain VFAR-047, isolated in Peru in 2014. This strain was classified into GI lineage 16 (GI-16) based on both the genome and Spike 1 (S1) sequence analysis.
Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli Siphophage BRET
Authors: Ngazoa-Kakou Solange , Shao Yuyu , Rousseau Geneviève M. , Addablah Audrey A. , Tremblay Denise M. , Hutinet Geoffrey , Lemire Nicolas , Plante Pier-Luc , Corbeil Jacques , Koudou Aristide , Soro Benjamin K. , Coulibaly David N. , Aoussi Serge , Dosso Mireille , Moineau Sylvain
Published: January 2019

The lytic
Escherichia coli
siphophage BRET was isolated from a chicken obtained at a local market in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Its linear genome sequence consists of 59,550 bp (43.4% GC content) and contains 88 predicted genes, including 4 involved in archaeosine biosynthesis.
Draft Genome Sequence of Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius Strain TG4, a Hydrogenogenic Carboxydotrophic Bacterium Isolated from a Marine Sediment
Authors: Inoue Masao , Tanimura Ayumi , Ogami Yusuke , Hino Taiki , Okunishi Suguru , Maeda Hiroto , Yoshida Takashi , Sako Yoshihiko
Published: January 2019

Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius
possesses biotechnological potential for fuel generation. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
P. thermoglucosidasius
strain TG4, which was first isolated from a marine sediment.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Iridescent Marine Bacterium Tenacibaculum discolor Strain IMLK18
Authors: Kee H. Lynn , Mikheyeva Irina V. , Mickol Rebecca L. , Dawson Scott C. , Newman Dianne K. , Leadbetter Jared R.
Published: January 2019

We report here the draft genome sequence of a strain of
Tenacibaculum discolor
(
Bacteroidetes
) that was isolated from the river-ocean interface at Trunk River in Falmouth, Massachusetts. The isolation and genomic sequencing were performed during the 2016 and 2018 Microbial Diversity summer programs at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
Investigating challenges of in situ delivery of microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) in fine-grain sands and silty sand
Authors: Zamani Atefeh , Montoya Brina M. , Gabr Mohammed A.
Published: January 2019

Microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a sustainable soil improvement method with the potential for improving the engineering properties of sand and silty soils and therefore their resistance to liquefaction-inducing events. Work presented herein experimentally investigates the changes in hydraulic conductivity of fine sands and silty sands as a result of MICP treatment. In addition, numerical modeling is conducted to assess the changes in allowable injection rate and radius of influence for the delivery of the MICP process at the field scale. The hydraulic conductivity of Nevada sand and silty sand with 15% fines content decreased through MICP application with the trend of reduction being similar for both soils. Numerical modeling results show that with the progress of the MICP process, injection rates can be increased for Nevada sand, but remain unchanged for Nevada sand with 15% silt content (after MICP treatment up to a shear wave velocity about 400 m/s.) The presence of fines by itself leads to generation of higher levels of pore-water pressure during the injection process, which necessitates higher strength improvement to prevent development of excessive plastic strains. Therefore, improvement in shear strength and stiffness relative to the magnitude of the hydraulic conductivity level and its rate of change during the MICP process is a key parameter in determining the radius of treatment.
Effects of reconsolidation time on holding capacity of deepwater dynamically installed anchors
Authors: Fu Yong , Liu Yong , Yu Jian
Published: January 2019

A dynamically installed anchor (DIA) is a practical and promising type of anchor for deepwater offshore engineering. Currently, very few research studies have reported the effects of reconsolidation time on the holding capacity of DIAs. Moreover, there is no well-established, simple, and practical method for determining the time-dependent holding capacity of a DIA. To solve this problem, a series of centrifuge model tests was conducted by varying the reconsolidation time. In the intermediate-term reconsolidation scenario, the normalized holding capacity increased with the dimensionless time in an approximately log-linear manner. Based on this finding and a conventional American Petroleum Institute (API) method put forth in 2007 as well as the cylindrical cavity expansion theory, a simple three-term framework was developed to estimate the time-dependent holding capacity of DIAs. In this framework, cavity closure and skin friction were quantitatively correlated with the reconsolidation time. To validate the feasibility of the proposed framework, the predicted results were compared with the experimental results of cases in this study and other researchers’ work. As such, it was verified whether this framework could be used to estimate the time-dependent holding capacity of DIAs rationally.
Inuit plant use in the eastern Subarctic: comparative ethnobotany in Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik, and in Nain, Nunatsiavut
Authors: Cuerrier Alain , Clark Courtenay , Norton Christian H.
Published: January 2019

Plants are important in traditional Inuit life. They are used for food, tea, medicine, etc. Based on semi-structured interviews with 35 informants, we documented and compared plant names and uses in Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik, and in Nain, Nunatsiavut. Plant names and uses were expected to be similar between communities owing to common boreal–subarctic environments and cultural ties. Both communities reported the same number of taxa, with equivalent proportions of vascular and nonvascular plants, growth forms, use categories, and medicinal uses. Forty-three species were used in each community, for a total of 78 species from 39 families. Despite a high overlap in species distributions, only 35% of nonvascular and 56% of vascular species were used in both communities. Correspondence was higher at the family level (64% of nonvascular and 75% of vascular families shared). The Ericaceae family was the most used, followed by Rosaceae. Thirteen of 30 medicinal species were shared between communities. There was a low correspondence regarding the conditions for which the medicinal species were used. Edible taxa were shared the most (52%). Plant uses unique to either Nain or Kangiqsualujjuaq may reveal separate bodies of traditional knowledge, or may reflect an overall loss of ethnobotanical knowledge in the Subarctic due to recent lifestyle changes.
The effect of political affiliation on support for police drone monitoring in the United States
Authors: Milner Mattie N. , Rice Stephen , Winter Scott R. , Anania Emily C.
Published: January 2019

As unmanned aerial systems grow in popularity, police agencies are using this technology to provide aerial support for officers; however, public opinion could affect the success of this technological collaboration. Using social identity theory, researchers may be able to predict people’s support for various government projects. In a series of studies, participants were presented with a brief description of a proposal for using police drones to monitor political protests. Additional information was provided about the type of protest and type of person attending the protest. In general, conservatives were more supportive of police drones monitoring protests compared to liberals. However, this support was moderated by the type of participant and the type of protest; that is, support dropped when a participant believed that the protest supported their own political party beliefs. The current study provides a foundation for understanding what factors affect the public’s support of police incorporating drones into their daily workforce in the US.
Determination of Worst-Case Data Using an Adaptive Surrogate Model for Real-Time System
Authors: Rashid Muhammad , Shah Syed Abdul Baqi , Arif Muhammad , Kashif Muhammad
Published: January 2019

The estimation of worst-case execution time (WCET) is a critical activity in the analysis of real-time systems. Evolutionary algorithms are frequently employed for the determination of worst-case data, used in the estimation of WCET. However, in order to employ an evolutionary algorithm, several executions of the application program are required, either on the target hardware or using its simulator. Multiple executions of the application program consume a huge amount of time. In order to reduce the huge execution time, this paper proposes the use of an adaptive surrogate model. The initial training of surrogate model is performed with a cycle-accurate simulator. The initially trained model is then used to assist the evolutionary algorithm by predicting the execution time of an application program. However, contrary to the direct training approach, the surrogate model in this paper is updated (adapted) during the evolution process. The adaptive training of a surrogate model increases its prediction accuracy and reduces the overall time. The validity of proposed methodology is illustrated with multiple sorting algorithms, extensively used in real-time systems.
INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCTIVITY CHARACTERISTICS OF Zn–In–Se THIN FILMS
Authors: GULLU H. H. , PARLAK M.
Published: January 2019

Zn–In–Se thin films were fabricated on the ultrasonically cleaned glass substrates masked with clover-shaped geometry by thermal evaporation of its elemental sources. Temperature-dependent conductivity characteristics of the films were investigated under dark and illuminated conditions. The semiconductor type of the films was found as n-type by thermal probe test. According to the van der Pauw technique, the dark electrical conductivity analyses showed that the variations of conductivity of unannealed and annealed at [Formula: see text]C samples are in exponential dependence of temperature. These conductivity profiles were found to be dominated by the thermionic emission at high temperature region whereas their behaviors at low temperatures were modeled by hopping theory. On the contrary, as a result of the further annealing temperatures, the surface of the samples showed semi-metallic characteristics with deviating from expected Arrhenius behavior. In addition, the temperature-dependent photoconductivity of the films was analyzed under different illumination intensities and the results were explained by the supra-linear characteristic based on the two-center recombination model.
Huber collaborative representation for robust multiclass classification
Authors: Zou Cuiming , Tang Yuan Yan , Wang Yulong , Luo Zhenghua
Published: January 2019

Recent advances have shown a great potential of collaborative representation (CR) for multiclass classification. However, conventional CR-based classification methods adopt the mean square error (MSE) criterion as the cost function, which is sensitive to gross corruption and outliers. To address this limitation, inspired by the success of robust statistics, we develop a Huber collaborative representation-based classification (HCRC) method for robust multiclass classification. Concretely, we cast the classification problem as a Huber collaborative representation problem with the Huber estimator. Our another contribution is to design an efficient half-quadratic (HQ) algorithm with guaranteed convergence to solve the proposed model efficiently. Furthermore, we also give a theoretical analysis of the classification performance of HCRC. Experiments on real-world datasets corroborate that HCRC is an effective and robust algorithm for multiclass classification tasks.
BlockQuicksort
Authors: Edelkamp Stefan , Weiß Armin
Published: January 2019

It is well known that Quicksort -- which is commonly considered as one of the fastest in-place sorting algorithms -- suffers in an essential way from branch mispredictions. We present a novel approach to addressing this problem by partially decoupling control from dataflow: in order to perform the partitioning, we split the input into blocks of constant size. Then, all elements in one block are compared with the pivot and the outcomes of the comparisons are stored in a buffer. In a second pass, the respective elements are rearranged. By doing so, we avoid conditional branches based on outcomes of comparisons (except for the final Insertionsort). Moreover, we prove that when sorting
n
elements, the average total number of branch mispredictions is at most ϵ
n
log
n
+
O
(
n
) for some small ϵ depending on the block size.

Our experimental results are promising: when sorting random-integer data, we achieve an increase in speed (number of elements sorted per second) of more than 80% over the GCC implementation of Quicksort (C++ std::sort). Also, for many other types of data and non-random inputs, there is still a significant speedup over std::sort. Only in a few special cases, such as sorted or almost sorted inputs, can std::sort beat our implementation. Moreover, on random-input permutations, our implementation is even slightly faster than an implementation of the highly tuned Super Scalar Sample Sort, which uses a linear amount of additional space.

Finally, we also apply our approach to Quickselect and obtain a speed-up of more than 100% over the GCC implementation (C++ std::nth_element).
Perceptual Attributes Analysis of Real-world Materials
Authors: Filip Jiří , Kolafová Martina
Published: January 2019

Material appearance is often represented by a bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF). Although the concept of the BRDF is widely used in computer graphics and related applications, the number of actual captured BRDFs is limited due to a time and resources demanding measurement process. Several BRDF databases have already been provided publicly, yet subjective properties of underlying captured material samples, apart from single photographs, remain unavailable for users. In this article, we analyzed material samples, used in the creation of the UTIA BRDF database, in a psychophysical study with nine subjects and assessed its 12 visual, tactile, and subjective attributes. Further, we evaluated the relationship between the attributes and six material categories. We consider the presented perceptual analysis as valuable and complementary information to the database; that could aid users to select appropriate materials for their applications.
High-Parameter Single-Cell Analysis
Authors: Chattopadhyay Pratip K. , Winters Aidan F. , Lomas Woodrow E. , Laino Andressa S. , Woods David M.
Published: January 2019

Thousands of transcripts and proteins confer function and discriminate cell types in the body. Using high-parameter technologies, we can now measure many of these markers at once, and multiple platforms are now capable of analysis on a cell-by-cell basis. Three high-parameter single-cell technologies have particular potential for discovering new biomarkers, revealing disease mechanisms, and increasing our fundamental understanding of cell biology. We review these three platforms (high-parameter flow cytometry, mass cytometry, and a new class of technologies called integrated molecular cytometry platforms) in this article. We describe the underlying hardware and instrumentation, the reagents involved, and the limitations and advantages of each platform. We also highlight the emerging field of high-parameter single-cell data analysis, providing an accessible overview of the data analysis process and choice of tools.
Augmentation of Extinction and Inhibitory Learning in Anxiety and Trauma-Related Disorders
Authors: Lebois Lauren A.M. , Seligowski Antonia V. , Wolff Jonathan D. , Hill Sarah B. , Ressler Kerry J.
Published: January 2019

Although the fear response is an adaptive response to threatening situations, a number of psychiatric disorders feature prominent fear-related symptoms caused, in part, by failures of extinction and inhibitory learning. The translational nature of fear conditioning paradigms has enabled us to develop a nuanced understanding of extinction and inhibitory learning based on the molecular substrates to systems neural circuitry and psychological mechanisms. This knowledge has facilitated the development of novel interventions that may augment extinction and inhibitory learning. These interventions include nonpharmacological techniques, such as behavioral methods to implement during psychotherapy, as well as device-based stimulation techniques that enhance or reduce activity in different regions of the brain. There is also emerging support for a number of psychopharmacological interventions that may augment extinction and inhibitory learning specifically if administered in conjunction with exposure-based psychotherapy. This growing body of research may offer promising novel techniques to address debilitating transdiagnostic fear-related symptoms.
Earthquake Early Warning: Advances, Scientific Challenges, and Societal Needs
Authors: Allen Richard M. , Melgar Diego
Published: January 2019

Earthquake early warning (EEW) is the delivery of ground shaking alerts or warnings. It is distinguished from earthquake prediction in that the earthquake has nucleated to provide detectable ground motion when an EEW is issued. Here we review progress in the field in the last 10 years. We begin with EEW users, synthesizing what we now know about who uses EEW and what information they need and can digest. We summarize the approaches to EEW and gather information about currently existing EEW systems implemented in various countries while providing the context and stimulus for their creation and development. We survey important advances in methods, instrumentation, and algorithms that improve the quality and timeliness of EEW alerts. We also discuss the development of new, potentially transformative ideas and methodologies that could change how we provide alerts in the future. ▪ Earthquake early warning (EEW) is the rapid detection and characterization of earthquakes and delivery of an alert so that protective actions can be taken. ▪ EEW systems now provide public alerts in Mexico, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan and alerts to select user groups in India, Turkey, Romania, and the United States. ▪ EEW methodologies fall into three categories, point source, finite fault, and ground motion models, and we review the advantages of each of these approaches. ▪ The wealth of information about EEW uses and user needs must be employed to focus future developments and improvements in EEW systems.
Integrating the Civil–Military Relations Subfield
Authors: Brooks Risa A.
Published: January 2019

The subfield of civil–military relations has experienced a remarkable revitalization in recent years, yielding a wealth of intriguing insights. Yet, despite these auspicious developments, research remains unnecessarily divided across multiple dimensions: along the subdisciplinary boundaries of comparative, international, and American politics; within these subdisciplines by independent and dependent variables; by regional focus; by regime type analyzed (democratic, democratizing versus authoritarian); and by scholars' emphasis on normative versus positive analysis. This article aims to bridge existing divides and reduce fragmentation. It proposes several pathways forward, including proposing innovations in deductive theorizing, developing new analytical frameworks, and synthesizing and adjudicating empirical findings. It also suggests ways of bridging to research beyond the study of civil–military relations, such as that on the global phenomenon of democratic backsliding, the efficacy of nonviolent strategies of political struggle, military effectiveness, and the causes and outcomes of interstate war.
Inadequacy of typical physiological experimental protocols for investigating consequences of stochastic weather events emerging from global warming
Authors: Burggren Warren W.
Published: January 2019

Increasingly variable, extreme, and nonpredictable weather events are predicted to accompany climate change, and such weather events will especially affect temperate, terrestrial environments. Yet, typical protocols in comparative physiology that examine environmental change typically employ simple step-wise changes in the experimental stressor of interest (e.g., temperature, water availability, oxygen, nutrition). Such protocols fall short of mimicking actual natural environments and may be inadequate for fully exploring the physiological effects of stochastic, extreme weather events. Indeed, numerous studies from the field of thermal biology, especially, indicate nonlinear and sometimes counterintuitive findings associated with variable and fluctuating (but rarely truly stochastic) protocols for temperature change. This Perspective article suggests that alternative experimental protocols should be employed that go beyond step-wise protocols and even beyond variable protocols employing circadian rhythms, for example, to those that actually embrace nonpredictable elements. Such protocols, though admittedly more difficult to implement, are more likely to reveal the capabilities (and, importantly, the limitations) of animals experiencing weather, as distinct from climate. While some possible protocols involving stochasticity are described as examples to stimulate additional thought on experimental design, the overall goal of this Perspective article is to encourage comparative physiologists to entertain incorporation of nonpredictable experimental conditions as they design future experimental protocols.
Doxapram stimulates respiratory activity through distinct activation of neurons in the nucleus hypoglossus and the pre-Bötzinger complex
Authors: Kruszynski Sandra , Stanaitis Kornelijus , Brandes Janine , Poets Christian F. , Koch Henner
Published: January 2019

Doxapram is a respiratory stimulant used for decades as a treatment option in apnea of prematurity refractory to methylxanthine treatment. Its mode of action, however, is still poorly understood. We investigated direct effects of doxapram on the pre-Bötzinger complex (PreBötC) and on a downstream motor output system, the hypoglossal nucleus (XII), in the transverse brainstem slice preparation. While doxapram has only a modest stimulatory effect on frequency of activity generated within the PreBötC, a much more robust increase in the amplitude of population activity in the subsequent motor output generated in the XII was observed. In whole cell patch-clamp recordings of PreBötC and XII neurons, we confirmed significantly increased firing of evoked action potentials in XII neurons in the presence of doxapram, while PreBötC neurons showed no significant alteration in firing properties. Interestingly, the amplitude of activity in the motor output was not increased in the presence of doxapram compared with control conditions during hypoxia. We conclude that part of the stimulatory effects of doxapram is caused by direct input on brainstem centers with differential effects on the rhythm generating kernel (PreBötC) and the downstream motor output (XII).

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The clinically used respiratory stimulant doxapram has distinct effects on the rhythm generating kernel (pre-Bötzinger complex) and motor output centers (nucleus hypoglossus). These effects are obliterated during hypoxia and are mediated by distinct changes in the intrinsic properties of neurons of the nucleus hypoglossus and synaptic transmission received by pre-Bötzinger complex neurons.
Age-related reweighting of visual and vestibular cues for vertical perception
Authors: Alberts Bart B. G. T. , Selen Luc P. J. , Medendorp W. Pieter
Published: January 2019

As we age, the acuity of our sensory organs declines, which may affect our lifestyle. Sensory deterioration in the vestibular system is typically bilateral and gradual, and could lead to problems with balance and spatial orientation. To compensate for the sensory deterioration, it has been suggested that the brain reweights the sensory information sources according to their relative noise characteristics. For rehabilitation and training programs, it is important to understand the consequences of this reweighting, preferably at the individual subject level. We psychometrically examined the age-dependent reweighting of visual and vestibular cues used in spatial orientation in a group of 32 subjects (age range: 19–76 yr). We asked subjects to indicate the orientation of a line (clockwise or counterclockwise relative to the gravitational vertical) presented within an oriented square visual frame when seated upright or with their head tilted 30° relative to the body. Results show that subjects’ vertical perception is biased by the orientation of the visual frame. Both the magnitude of this bias and response variability become larger with increasing age. Deducing the underlying sensory noise characteristics, using Bayesian inference, suggests an age-dependent reweighting of sensory information, with an increasing weight of the visual contextual information. Further scrutiny of the model suggests that this shift in sensory weights is the result of an increase in the noise of the vestibular signal. Our approach quantifies how noise properties of visual and vestibular systems change over the life span, which helps to understand the aging process at the neurocomputational level.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Perception of visual vertical involves a weighted fusion of visual and vestibular tilt cues. Using a Bayesian approach and experimental psychophysics, we quantify how this fusion process changes with age. We show that, with age, the vestibular information is down-weighted whereas the visual weight is increased. This shift in sensory reweighting is primarily due to an age-related increase of the noise of vestibular signals.
Temporal cueing enhances neuronal and behavioral discrimination performance in rat whisker system
Authors: Lee Conrad C. Y. , Clifford Colin W. G. , Arabzadeh Ehsan
Published: January 2019

Since sensory systems operate with a finite quantity of processing resources, an animal would benefit from prioritizing processing of sensory stimuli within a time window that is expected to provide key information. This behavioral manifestation of such prioritization is known as attention. Here, we investigate attention with temporal cueing and its neuronal correlates in the rat primary vibrissal somatosensory (vS1) cortex. Rats were trained in a simple whisker vibration detection task. A vibration was presented at one of two spatial locations (left or right), sometimes after an unknown time interval and sometimes after receiving an auditory cue. The auditory cue provided temporal but not spatial information about the vibration. We found that for all rats ( n = 6), the auditory cue consistently enhanced detection of the vibration stimulus. Neuronal activity in vS1 cortex reflected the observed behavioral enhancement from temporal cueing with single units responded differentially to the whisker vibration stimulus when it was temporally predicted by the auditory cue, exhibiting an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio. Our findings indicate that rats are capable of prioritizing processing within a specified time window and provide evidence that the primary sensory cortex may participate in the temporal allocation of resources.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We demonstrate a novel paradigm of temporal cueing in rats. In a two-alternative whisker detection task, an auditory cue provided information about the timing of the stimulus but not the correct choice. In the presence of cue, detection was faster and more accurate, and neuronal activity from the primary somatosensory cortex revealed enhanced representation of vibrations. These results thus establish the rat as an alternative model organism to primates for studying temporal attention.
Theta/delta coupling across cortical laminae contributes to semantic cognition
Authors: Adams Natalie E. , Teige Catarina , Mollo Giovanna , Karapanagiotidis Theodoros , Cornelissen Piers L. , Smallwood Jonathan , Traub Roger D. , Jefferies Elizabeth , Whittington Miles A.
Published: January 2019

Rhythmic activity in populations of neurons is associated with cognitive and motor function. Our understanding of the neuronal mechanisms underlying these core brain functions has benefitted from demonstrations of cellular, synaptic, and network phenomena, leading to the generation of discrete rhythms at the local network level. However, discrete frequencies of rhythmic activity rarely occur alone. Despite this, little is known about why multiple rhythms are generated together or what mechanisms underlie their interaction to promote brain function. One overarching theory is that different temporal scales of rhythmic activity correspond to communication between brain regions separated by different spatial scales. To test this, we quantified the cross-frequency interactions between two dominant rhythms—theta and delta activity—manifested during magnetoencephalography recordings of subjects performing a word-pair semantic decision task. Semantic processing has been suggested to involve the formation of functional links between anatomically disparate neuronal populations over a range of spatial scales, and a distributed network was manifest in the profile of theta-delta coupling seen. Furthermore, differences in the pattern of theta-delta coupling significantly correlated with semantic outcome. Using an established experimental model of concurrent delta and theta rhythms in neocortex, we show that these outcome-dependent dynamics could be reproduced in a manner determined by the strength of cholinergic neuromodulation. Theta-delta coupling correlated with discrete neuronal activity motifs segregated by the cortical layer, neuronal intrinsic properties, and long-range axonal targets. Thus, the model suggested that local, interlaminar neocortical theta-delta coupling may serve to coordinate both cortico-cortical and cortico-subcortical computations during distributed network activity.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Here, we show, for the first time, that a network of spatially distributed brain regions can be revealed by cross-frequency coupling between delta and theta frequencies in subjects using magnetoencephalography recording during a semantic decision task. A biological model of this cross-frequency coupling suggested an interlaminar, cell-specific division of labor within the neocortex may serve to route the flow of cortico-cortical and cortico-subcortical information to promote such spatially distributed, functional networks.
Effects of tonic muscle pain on fusimotor control of human muscle spindles during isometric ankle dorsiflexion
Authors: Smith Lyndon J. , Macefield Vaughan G. , Birznieks Ingvars , Burton Alexander R.
Published: January 2019

Studies on anesthetized animals have revealed that nociceptors can excite fusimotor neurons and thereby change the sensitivity of muscle spindles to stretch; such nociceptive reflexes have been suggested to underlie the mechanisms that lead to chronic musculoskeletal pain syndromes. However, the validity of the “vicious cycle” hypothesis in humans has yielded results contrasting with those found in animals. Given that spindle firing rates are much lower in humans than in animals, it is possible that some of the discrepancies between human experimental data and those obtained in animals could be explained by differences in background fusimotor drive when the leg muscles are relaxed. We examined the effects of tonic muscle pain during voluntary contractions of the ankle dorsiflexors. Unitary recordings were obtained from 10 fusimotor-driven muscle spindle afferents (6 primary, 4 secondary) supplying the ankle dorsiflexors via a microelectrode inserted percutaneously into the common peroneal nerve. A series of 1-min weak contractions was performed at rest and during 1 h of muscle pain induced by intramuscular infusion of 5% hypertonic saline into the tibialis anterior muscle. We did not observe any statistically significant increases in muscle spindle firing rates of six afferents followed during tonic muscle pain, although discharge variability increased slightly. Furthermore, a participant’s capacity to maintain a constant level of force, while relying on proprioceptive feedback in the absence of visual feedback, was not compromised during pain. We conclude that nociceptive inputs from contracting muscle do not excite fusimotor neurons during voluntary isometric contractions in humans.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Data obtained in the cat have shown that muscle pain causes a marked increase in the firing of muscle spindles, attributed to a nociceptor-driven fusimotor reflex. However, our studies of muscle spindles in relaxed leg muscles failed to find any effect on spindle discharge. Here we showed that experimental muscle pain failed to increase the firing of muscle spindle afferents during weak voluntary contractions, when fusimotor drive sufficient to increase their firing is present.
Galphimine-B Standardized Extract versus Alprazolam in Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Ten-Week, Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Romero-Cerecero Ofelia , Islas-Garduño Ana Laura , Zamilpa Alejandro , Herrera-Arellano Armando , Jiménez-Ferrer Enrique , Tortoriello Jaime
Published: January 2019

Galphimine-B (G-B), a compound isolated from Galphimia glauca, has been shown to possess important anxiolytic activity. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness and tolerability of a G-B standardized extract (experimental treatment) that was administered daily for 10 weeks in patients with moderate or severe Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Alprazolam was used as control treatment and administered under the same conditions. A total of 167 patients were included. At the start of the study, the severe anxiety condition prevailed, with an average on the Hamilton Anxiety Scale of 35.1 ± 8.8 and 35.8 ± 8.1 points in the control and experimental groups, respectively. After the 10 weeks of administration, the average was reduced in the control group to 4.6 ± 6.5 points and in the experimental group to 3.5 ± 5.5 points. Therapeutic success in the control group was 85.7% and in the experimental group, 92.0%. A high proportion of patients (22.2%) treated with Alprazolam manifested daytime sleepiness, while in the group treated with the G-B standardized extract, daytime sleepiness was found in 4.7%. In conclusion, a G-B standardized extract demonstrated therapeutic effectiveness in patients with GAD, without exhibiting significant difference with Alprazolam, but showing fewer cases of daytime sleepiness. The trial was registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov by identifier: NCT03702803.
Unintended Pregnancy among Pregnant Women in Ghana: Prevalence and Predictors
Authors: Nyarko Samuel H.
Published: January 2019

Background. Unintended pregnancy is seen as the key concept for better understanding the fertility and the unmet need for family planning of populations. It is seen as a major challenge among women in many developing countries including Ghana. However, there is scarcely nationally representative information on its prevalence and predictors in Ghana. Methods. In a cross-sectional study design, data for this study were extracted from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. The prevalence of unintended pregnancies was computed, and logit regression models were fitted to predict the factors influencing unintended pregnancies in the country. Results. The total prevalence of unintended pregnancies among pregnant women in Ghana was found to be 40%. Background characteristics such as age (OR=4.85, CI=1.48-15.84), level of education (OR=0.50, CI=0.26-1.01), marital status (OR=3.83, CI=1.67-8.75), parity (OR=0.13, CI=0.05-0.32), and region of residence (OR=0.11, CI=0.03-0.31) were the significant predictors of unintended pregnancy, net of unmet need for contraception. However, unmet need for contraception (OR=7.13, CI=1.57-8.91) serves as an independently significant predictor of unintended pregnancy regardless of the background characteristics of respondents. Conclusions. The study findings strongly underscore the need for significant improvement in the access to contraception methods and family planning information in the quest to considerably reduce unintended pregnancies in the entire country.
Ceftriaxone-Induced Immune Hemolytic Anemia: In Vitro Reversal with Peptide Inhibitor of Complement C1 (PIC1)
Authors: Cunnion Kenji M. , Feagin Lisa M. , Chicella Michael F. , Kaszowski Cortney L. , Hair Pamela S. , Price Jessica , Owen William C.
Published: January 2019

We report a case of ceftriaxone-induced immune hemolytic anemia in a 10-year-old with chronic active Epstein–Barr virus disease and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. After chemotherapy, she became febrile and received ceftriaxone. She rapidly developed respiratory failure and anemia. Her direct antiglobulin test was positive for IgG and C3. To confirm this was ceftriaxone-induced complement-mediated hemolysis, we adapted the complement hemolysis using human erythrocytes (CHUHE) assay by adding exogenous ceftriaxone to the patient’s serum which enhanced lysis of her erythrocytes. We confirmed that ceftriaxone initiated a classical complement pathway-mediated hemolysis by in vitro reversal with peptide inhibitor of complement C1 (PIC1).
MRSA Spinal Epidural Abscess as a Neurosurgical and Infectious Disease Emergency with Unresolved Antimicrobial Solution
Authors: Ebot James , Freeman W. D. , Wharen Robert , Diaz Mark Anthony , Libertin Claudia
Published: January 2019

Spinal epidural abscess caused by MRSA, a life-threatening organism resistant to methicillin and other antibiotics, is a rare but important infectious pathology due to its potential damage to the spinal cord. We present the case of a 74-year-old man who hematogenously seeded his entire epidural spinal canal from C1 to sacrum with MRSA bacteria and remained infected even after maximal treatment with vancomycin and daptomycin. Ceftaroline, a new 5th generation antibiotic with recently described clearance of widespread MRSA infection in epidural complex spine infections, was added to vancomycin as dual therapy for his MRSA infection. A 74-year-old diabetic man with prior right total knee arthroplasty and MRSA infection presented with persistent bacteremia and sepsis. He was transferred to our academic center after diagnosis of entire spine epidural abscesses from C1 to sacral levels with midthoracic MRI T2 hyperintensities of the vertebral bodies and disc concerning for osteomyelitis and discitis. Despite surgery and IV vancomycin with MIC of 1, suggesting extreme susceptibility, the patient’s blood cultures remained persistently bacteremic at day 5 of treatment. After 48 hours of dual antibiotic therapy with vancomycin and ceftaroline, his blood cultures came back showing no growth. The patient’s outcome was unfavorable due to the advanced nature of his infection and multiple comorbidities, but his negative blood cultures after the addition of ceftaroline to his regime require further investigation into this dual therapy. Randomized controlled trials of 5th generation or combinatorial antibiotics should be considered for this disease.
Standardized Uptake Value Using Thyroid Quantitative SPECT/CT for the Diagnosis and Evaluation of Graves’ Disease: A Prospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Dong Feng , Li Lin , Bian Yanzhu , Li Guoquan , Han Xingmin , Li Mei , Liu Juzhen , Xue Yong , Li Yuhao , Hu Yujing , Tan Jian
Published: January 2019

The clinical applications of the quantitative single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) are being expanded to a variety of fields of nuclear medicine. However, clinical application of quantitative SPECT/CT for the evaluation of Graves’ disease (GD) still needs further investigation. Our aim was to investigate the feasibility of standard uptake value (SUV) of the thyroid for the clinical diagnosis and evaluation of GD. In this prospective multicenter study, 116 patients diagnosed with GD (Graves group) and 74 healthy volunteers (control group) were enrolled from 8 different hospitals. All patients underwent technetium pertechnetate (TcO99m4-) SPECT/CT imaging with Q.Metrix quantitative software and 24-hour thyroid radioactive iodine uptake (24h-RAIU) test. The SUVmax and SUVmean in Graves group were significantly higher than those of control group (P<0.01). Cut-off values of SUVmax and SUVmean to predict GD were 231.425 and 116.66 by ROC curves, respectively. The SUVmax and SUVmean in Graves patients were significantly related to serum thyroxine level with correlation coefficient of 0.493 and 0.512 for FT3and 0.449 and 0.464 for FT4, respectively (allP<0.01). Additionally, the SUVmax and SUVmean in GD positively correlated with 24h-RAIU with a coefficient of 0.832 and 0.830, respectively (P<0.01). The volumes determined by Q.Metrix (35.65 ± 20.56ml) of 72 subjects also positively correlated with that from ultrasound (36.67 ± 21.00ml) with a coefficient of 0.927 (P<0.01). SUV measurements derived from thyroid SPECT/CT may be useful for the clinical diagnosis and evaluation of GD.
Treatment of Ethylene Glycol Poisoning with Oral Ethyl Alcohol
Authors: Achappa B. , Madi D. , Kanchan T. , Kishanlal N. K.
Published: January 2019

Ethylene glycol poisoning is not uncommon in India. The ill effects are primarily caused by its toxic metabolites: glycolic acid and oxalic acid. A 70-year-old female presented to our hospital with ataxia after ingestion of ethylene glycol. The reported case describes the management of ethylene glycol poisoning using oral ethyl alcohol as an alternative to the recommended intravenous ethyl alcohol and fomepizole that are not available for use in India. The need for high degree of clinical suspicion, targeted investigations, and early instigation of treatment is of prime importance in cases of ethylene glycol poisoning as it can lead to long-term complications or even death.
Shenduning Granule Attenuates Renal Injury from Oxidative Stress through the Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2/Antioxidant Response Element Pathway
Authors: Fu Xiao-Jun , Hu Shuang-Yan
Published: January 2019

Background: Systemic oxidative stress has been reported to play a central role in the pathogenesis of kidney function decline. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway is one of the important endogenous antioxidant stress pathways in cells. This study aims to investigate whether shenduning granule can ameliorate oxidative stress in kidney tissues by activating the Nrf2/ARE pathway, and explores the detailed underlying mechanism. Methods: A total of 120 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the sham-operated and operation groups. Rats in the operation group underwent 5/6 nephrectomy. Two weeks later, rats in the operation group were further randomly divided into 5 groups: model group, low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose shenduning granule groups, and losartan group. Rats in each group were given the same volume of corresponding liquid orally. Serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), 24-h urinary protein, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and γ-glutamyl-cysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) were determined. Results: Shenduning granule could markedly elevate HO-1, NRF2, γ-GCS and SOD (p < 0.05), and significantly decreased MDA, 24-h urinary protein, SCr and BUN in rats (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Shenduning granule can improve renal antioxidative stress activity in rats, exhibiting a renoprotective effect. The potential mechanism is likely exerted by the activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway.
Single-Dose Intravitreal Conbercept before Panretinal Photocoagulation as an Effective Adjunctive Treatment in Chinese Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Zhang Quan , Zhang Ting , Zhuang Hong , Sun Zhongcui , Qin Yaowu
Published: January 2019

Purpose: This study evaluates the efficacy and patient satisfaction of intravitreal conbercept (IVC) as adjunctive treatment before panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) for Chinese proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) with or without clinically significant macular edema. Methods: We enrolled 94 patients and categorized them into 2 groups: eyes that received PRP with single-dose IVC (0.5 mg/0.05 mL) 1 week before PRP (Plus group) or PRP only (PRP group). We measured the central macular thickness (CMT) by optical coherence tomography and best-corrected visual acuity. Satisfaction of PRP after 3 months was evaluated by a satisfaction questionnaire. Results: Single-dose IVC 1 week before PRP significantly increased the PRP completion rate and satisfaction of treatment after 3 months in PDR patients. The average CMT significantly decreased in the Plus group but increased in the PRP group. No average visual changes were detected in the Plus group, but significant average visual loss was detected in the PPR group. The most important factors that determined satisfaction were the PRP completion rate in the short term and better vision gain after PRP. Conclusions: IVC is a promising adjunctive treatment to PRP in the treatment of PDR. Single-dose IVC 1 week before PRP was suggested to improve PRP completion rate and patient satisfaction in the short term.
Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Factors of Treatment in Pediatric Posterior Cranial Fossa Ependymoma
Authors: Ma Shun-Chang , Li Chun-De , Agazzi Siviero , Jia Wang
Published: January 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical features and risk factors of outcomes in pediatric posterior cranial fossa ependymoma. We aim to provide evidence-based recommendations for the improvement of prognoses. Patients and Methods: The clinical data, treatment modalities, approaches performed, recurrence rates and times, as well as the outcomes of 94 cases were analyzed retrospectively. The characters of neuroimaging were further studied. Results: In data from the most recent follow-up, 27 cases had tumor recurrence. The time for tumor recurrence was 13.7 ± 7.7 months. The estimated overall survival and progression-free survival, based on Kaplan-Meier analysis, was 42.2 ± 2.9 months and 38.7 ± 3.4 months, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that being free of recurrence is closely related to the high tumor sphericity (p = 0.018), homogeneity of tumor texture (p = 0.001), and gross total resection (GTR; p < 0.001). Mortality is linked to low sphericity (p = 0.017) and brain stem edema (p = 0.005). Cerebellar mutism is correlated with posterosuperior compression of the 4th ventricle roof by the tumor. The incidence rate of cerebellar ataxia, cerebellar mutism, and cerebellar dysarthria is related to the rostral extension of the tumor within the 4th ventricle. The recurrence rate is higher in subtotal resection (STR) than in GTR, and the difference is significant (p < 0.001). Although there is no significant difference between the recurrence rates in the three types, an earlier recurrence is prone with tumors located in the paramidline-lateral compared to the midline (p = 0.021) and paramidline-medial areas (p = 0.042). Conclusions: Based on our data, GTR is indicated as the most optimal choice. Recurrence is linked to lower tumor sphericity, inhomogeneous tumor texture, and STR/partial resection. Tumor located on the lateral side might be prone for an early recurrence.