bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
T2*-Weighted and Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging Differentiation of Cerebral Fat Embolism From Diffuse Axonal Injury
Authors: Rutman Aaron M. , Rapp Elliot J. , Hippe Daniel S. , Vu Baoanh , Mossa-Basha Mahmud
Published: July 2017

Objective

This study differentiates cerebral fat embolism (CFE) and diffuse axonal injury (DAI) on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) and T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods

Consecutive CFE and DAI cases were retrospectively selected. Hemorrhages were characterized by number, size/shape, and distribution, whereas DWI lesions by pattern. The number of hemorrhages was compared using the Mann-Whitney test with adjustment for multiple comparisons, whereas DWI abnormality was compared using Fisher exact test.

Results

Seven CFE and 20 DAI patients were included. Cerebral fat embolism had significantly more hemorrhages than DAI (mean, 670 ± 407 vs 136 ± 87;P= 0.01), particularly in the frontal (P= 0.025), parietal (P= 0.002), and occipital lobes (P= 0.01), the corpus callosum (P= 0.01), and cerebellum (P= 0.01). Cerebral fat embolism microhemorrhages were punctate/round, whereas DAI hemorrhages were small/medium sized (P< 0.001) and linear (P= 0.001). On DWI, DAI typically had few scattered abnormalities, whereas CFE had confluent abnormalities (P< 0.05).

Conclusions

Magnetic resonance imaging can differentiate CFE from DAI. Cerebral fat embolism demonstrates more hemorrhages. Larger or linear hemorrhages favor DAI. Diffuse confluent diffusion restriction favors CFE, whereas few scattered foci favor DAI.
Physiological Laterality of Superficial Cerebral Veins on Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging
Authors: Matsushima Satoshi , Shimizu Tetsuya , Gomi Taku , Fukuda Kunihiko
Published: July 2017

Objective

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether laterality of the superficial cerebral veins can be seen on susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) in patients with no intracranial lesions that affect venous visualization.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 386 patients who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging including SWI in our institute. Patients with a lesion with the potential to affect venous visualization on SWI were excluded. Two neuroradiologists visually evaluated the findings and scored the visualization of the superficial cerebral veins.

Results

Of the 386 patients, 315 (81.6%) showed no obvious laterality on venous visualization, 64 (16.6%) showed left-side dominant laterality, and 7 (1.8%) showed right-side dominant laterality.

Conclusions

Left-side dominant physiological laterality exists in the visualization of the superficial cerebral veins on SWI. Therefore, when recognizing left-side dominant laterality of the superficial cerebral veins on SWI, the radiologist must also consider the possibility of physiological laterality.
Measuring Cerebral Hypoperfusion Induced by Hyperventilation Challenge With Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Pavilla Aude , Arrigo Alessandro , Mejdoubi Mehdi , Duvauferrier Régis , Gambarota Giulio , Saint-Jalmes Hervé
Published: July 2017

Objectives

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility to assess cerebral hypoperfusion with a hyperventilation (HV) challenge protocol using intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) magnetic resonance imaging.

Materials and Methods

Magnetic resonance imaging experiments were performed on 10 healthy volunteers at 1.5 T, with a diffusion IVIM magnetic resonance imaging protocol using a set of b-values optimized by Cramer-Rao Lower Bound analysis. Hypoperfusion was induced by an HV maneuver. Measurements were performed in normoventilation and HV conditions. Biexponential curve fitting was used to obtain the perfusion fraction (f), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*), and the product fD* in gray matter (GM) regions of interest (ROIs). Regional cerebral blood flow in the same ROIs was also assessed with arterial spin labeling.

Results

The HV challenge led to a diminution of IVIM perfusion-related parameters, with a decrease of f and fD* in the cerebellum (P = 0.03 for f; P = 0.01 for fD*), thalamus GM (P = 0.09 for f; P = 0.01 for fD*), and lenticular nuclei (P = 0.03 for f; P = 0.02 for fD*). Mean GM cerebral blood flow (in mL/100 g tissue/min) measured with arterial spin labeling averaged over all ROIs also decreased (normoventilation: 42.7 ± 4.1 vs HV: 33.2 ± 2.2, P = 0.004) during the HV challenge.

Conclusions

The optimized IVIM protocol proposed in the current study allows for measurements of cerebral hypoperfusion that might be of great interest for pathologies diagnosis such as ischemic stroke.
Preliminary Results: Can Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Help Distinguish Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema and Acute Interstitial Lung Disease?
Authors: Takeuchi Hitoshi , Suzuki Shigeru , Machida Haruhiko , Ishikawa Takuya , Ueno Eiko
Published: July 2017

Objective

We compared iodine concentration in pulmonary ground-glass opacity on iodine density images of contrast-enhanced chest dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) between patients with cardiogenic pulmonary edema (CPE) and acute interstitial lung disease (AILD).

Methods

Five of 12 patients who underwent contrast-enhanced chest DECT to exclude pulmonary embolism were clinically diagnosed with CPE and 7, with AILD. We compared the mean CT value on monochromatic images at 65 keV and iodine concentration on iodine density images between the affected and normal areas.

Results

The mean iodine concentrations were comparable between the affected and normal areas (P = 0.3048) in patients with CPE and were significantly higher in the affected than in the normal areas in those with AILD (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Measurement of iodine concentration in pulmonary ground-glass opacity of contrast-enhanced chest DECT has the potential to help distinguish CPE and AILD.
Pulmonary Apical Opacities on Thin-Section Computed Tomography: Relationship to Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax in Young Male Patients and Corresponding Histopathologic Findings
Authors: Kobayashi Noriko Sudo , Nambu Atsushi , Kawamoto Masashi , Hayashi Takana Yamakawa , Watanabe Masato , Okumura Takehiro , Fujino Shozo , Aso Tatsuya , Takahashi Mikiko , Okabe Yugo , Koyama Hikari , Kohyama Tadashi , Tago Masao
Published: July 2017

Objective

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that apical opacities on computed tomography (CT) are related to occurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) in young male patients.

Methods

We compared the frequency of apical opacities on thin-section CT between 70 male patients with PSP (PSP group) and 74 male patients without a history of PSP (non-PSP group). We also evaluated histopathologic findings of 39 specimens from 37 surgical cases in the PSP group.

Results

Apical opacities were significantly more frequent in the PSP group than in the non-PSP group (right side, P = 0.01; left side, P = 0.005). Histopathologically, subpleural band-like alveolar collapse was seen in 35 specimens (89.7%), which was always accompanied by fibroelastosis and fibroblastic foci.

Conclusions

Apical opacities on CT were significantly associated with PSP in young male patients. These apical opacities histopathologically correspond to fibrotic pleural thickening with subpleural alveolar collapse.
Automatic Measurement of the Total Visceral Adipose Tissue From Computed Tomography Images by Using a Multi-Atlas Segmentation Method
Authors: Decazes Pierre , Rouquette Alexandra , Chetrit Annaëlle , Vera Pierre , Gardin Isabelle
Published: July 2017

Background

The visceral adipose tissue (VAT) volume is a predictive and/or prognostic factor for many cancers. The objective of our study was to develop an automatic measurement of the whole VAT volume using a multi-atlas segmentation (MAS) method from a computed tomography.

Methods

A total of 31 sets of whole-body computed tomography volume data were used. The reference VAT volume was defined on the basis of manual segmentation (VATMANUAL). We developed an algorithm, which measured automatically the VAT volumes using a MAS based on a nonrigid volume registration algorithm coupled with a selective and iterative method for performance level estimation (SIMPLE), called VATMAS_SIMPLE. The results were evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient and dice similarity coefficients.

Results

The intraclass correlation coefficient of VATMAS_SIMPLE was excellent, at 0.976 (confidence interval, 0.943–0.989) (P < 0.001). The dice similarity coefficient of VATMAS_SIMPLE was also good, at 0.905 (SD, 0.076).

Conclusions

This newly developed algorithm based on a MAS can measure accurately the whole abdominopelvic VAT.
Wide-area measurement system-based supervision of protection schemes with minimum number of phasor measurement units
Authors: Gajare Swaroop , Rao J. Ganeswara , Naidu O. D. , Pradhan Ashok Kumar
Published: July 2017

Cascade tripping of power lines triggered by maloperation of zone-3 relays during stressed system conditions, such as load encroachment, power swing and voltage instability, has led to many catastrophic power failures worldwide, including Indian blackouts in 2012. With the introduction of wide-area measurement systems (WAMS) into the grids, real-time monitoring of transmission network condition is possible. A phasor measurement unit (PMU) sends time-synchronized data to a phasor data concentrator, which can provide a control signal to substation devices. The latency associated with the communication system makes WAMS suitable for a slower form of protection. In this work, a method to identify the faulted line using synchronized data from strategic PMU locations is proposed. Subsequently, a supervisory signal is generated for specific relays in the system for any disturbance or stressed condition. For a given system, an approach to decide the strategic locations for PMU placement is developed, which can be used for determining the minimum number of PMUs required for application of the method. The accuracy of the scheme is tested for faults during normal and stressed conditions in a New England 39-bus system simulated using EMTDC/PSCAD software. With such a strategy, maloperation of relays can be averted in many situations and thereby blackouts/large-scale disturbances can be prevented.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Energy management: flexibility, risk and optimization’.
Partial differential equation methods for stochastic dynamic optimization: an application to wind power generation with energy storage
Authors: Johnson Paul , Howell Sydney , Duck Peter
Published: July 2017

A mixed financial/physical partial differential equation (PDE) can optimize the joint earnings of a single wind power generator (WPG) and a generic energy storage device (ESD). Physically, the PDE includes constraints on the ESD’s capacity, efficiency and maximum speeds of charge and discharge. There is a mean-reverting daily stochastic cycle for WPG power output. Physically, energy can only be produced or delivered at finite rates. All suppliers must commit hourly to a finite rate of delivery
C
, which is a continuous control variable that is changed hourly. Financially, we assume heavy ‘system balancing’ penalties in continuous time, for deviations of output rate from the commitment
C
. Also, the electricity spot price follows a mean-reverting stochastic cycle with a strong evening peak, when system balancing penalties also peak. Hence the economic goal of the WPG plus ESD, at each decision point, is to maximize expected net present value (NPV) of all earnings (arbitrage) minus the NPV of all expected system balancing penalties, along all financially/physically feasible future paths through state space. Given the capital costs for the various combinations of the physical parameters, the design and operating rules for a WPG plus ESD in a finite market may be jointly optimizable.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Energy management: flexibility, risk and optimization’.
Games and teams with shared constraints
Authors: Kulkarni Ankur A.
Published: July 2017

Energy systems of the future are envisaged to encompass multiple interacting autonomous entities. The theory of games provides the foundations for the design and analysis of such systems. This paper reviews models and results that would be of use for such analysis. Classically, games have involved players whose strategies are coupled only through the dependence of utility functions on strategies of other players. However, in many practical settings in the energy domain, system-level limitations bind the choices players can make. In 1965, Rosen (Econometrica33, 520–534 (doi:10.2307/1911749)) pioneered the study of a class of games where there is a common constraint, called ashared constraint, that couples the strategies available to the players. We discuss how this seemingly benign extension has important ramifications, ranging from the very definition of an equilibrium concept, to other key issues such as existence, uniqueness and efficiency of equilibria. We show how the presence of a shared constraint naturally leads to notions of a price and forms the motivations for more recent models. Although most of the paper has the character of a survey, occasionally we also prove new results.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Energy management: flexibility, risk and optimization’.
Coordinated single-phase control scheme for voltage unbalance reduction in low voltage network
Authors: Pullaguram Deepak , Mishra Sukumar , Senroy Nilanjan
Published: July 2017

Low voltage (LV) distribution systems are typically unbalanced in nature due to unbalanced loading and unsymmetrical line configuration. This situation is further aggravated by single-phase power injections. A coordinated control scheme is proposed for single-phase sources, to reduce voltage unbalance. A consensus-based coordination is achieved using a multi-agent system, where each agent estimates the averaged global voltage and current magnitudes of individual phases in the LV network. These estimated values are used to modify the reference power of individual single-phase sources, to ensure system-wide balanced voltages and proper power sharing among sources connected to the same phase. Further, the high
X
/
R
ratio of the filter, used in the inverter of the single-phase source, enables control of reactive power, to minimize voltage unbalance locally. The proposed scheme is validated by simulating a LV distribution network with multiple single-phase sources subjected to various perturbations.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Energy management: flexibility, risk and optimization’.
The origin of animal multicellularity and cell differentiation
Authors: Brunet Thibaut , King Nicole
Published: July 2017

How animals evolved from their single-celled ancestors over 600 million years ago is poorly understood. Comparisons of genomes from animals and their closest relatives – choanoflagellates, filastereans and ichthyosporeans – have recently revealed the genomic landscape of animal origins. However, the cell and developmental biology of the first animals have been less well examined. Using principles from evolutionary cell biology, we reason that the last common ancestor of animals and choanoflagellates (the ‘Urchoanozoan’) used a collar complex - a flagellum surrounded by a microvillar collar – to capture bacterial prey. The origin of animal multicellularity likely occurred through the modification of pre-existing mechanisms for extracellular matrix synthesis and regulation of cytokinesis. The progenitors of animals likely developed clonally through serial division of flagellated cells, giving rise to sheets of cells that folded into spheres by a morphogenetic process comparable to that seen in modern choanoflagellate rosettes and calcareous sponge embryos. Finally, we infer that cell differentiation evolved in the animal stem-lineage by a combination of three mechanisms: division of labor from ancient plurifunctional cell types, conversion of temporally segregated phenotypes into spatially segregated cell types, and functional innovation.
5-Hydroxymethylcytosine signatures in cell-free DNA provide information about tumor types and stages
Authors: Song Chun-Xiao , Yin Senlin , Ma Li , Wheeler Amanda , Chen Yu , Zhang Yan , Liu Bin , Xiong Junjie , Zhang Weihan , Hu Jiankun , Zhou Zongguang , Dong Biao , Tian Zhiqi , Jeffrey Stefanie S. , Chua Mei-Sze , So Samuel , Li Weimin , Wei Yuquan , Diao Jiajie , Xie Dan , Quake Stephen R.
Published: July 2017

5-Hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) is an important mammalian DNA epigenetic modification that has been linked to gene regulation and cancer pathogenesis. Here we explored the diagnostic potential of 5hmC in circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) using a sensitive chemical labeling-based low-input shotgun sequencing approach. We sequenced cell-free 5hmC from 49 patients of seven different cancer types and found distinct features that could be used to predict cancer types and stages with high accuracy. Specifically, we discovered that lung cancer leads to a progressive global loss of 5hmC in cfDNA, whereas hepatocellular carcinoma and pancreatic cancer lead to disease-specific changes in the cell-free hydroxymethylome. Our proof of principle results suggest that cell-free 5hmC signatures may potentially be used not only to identify cancer types but also to track tumor stage in some cancers.

One Sentence Summary

Analyzing the epigenetic modification 5-hydroxymethylcysoine in circulating cell-free DNA reveals tumor tissue of origin and stages for cancer diagnostics.
Why Does the Neocortex Have Columns, A Theory of Learning the Structure of the World
Authors: Hawkins Jeff , Ahmad Subutai , Cui Yuwei
Published: July 2017

Neocortical regions are organized into columns and layers. Connections between layers run mostly perpendicular to the surface suggesting a columnar functional organization. Some layers have long-range excitatory lateral connections suggesting interactions between columns. Similar patterns of connectivity exist in all regions but their exact role remain a mystery. In this paper, we propose a network model composed of columns and layers that performs robust object learning and recognition. Each column integrates its changing input over time to learn complete predictive models of observed objects. Excitatory lateral connections across columns allow the network to more rapidly infer objects based on the partial knowledge of adjacent columns. Because columns integrate input over time and space, the network learns models of complex objects that extend well beyond the receptive field of individual cells. Our network model introduces a new feature to cortical columns. We propose that a representation of location relative to the object being sensed is calculated within the sub-granular layers of each column. The location signal is provided as an input to the network, where it is combined with sensory data. Our model contains two layers and one or more columns. Simulations show that using Hebbian-like learning rules small single-column networks can learn to recognize hundreds of objects, with each object containing tens of features. Multi-column networks recognize objects with significantly fewer movements of the sensory receptors. Given the ubiquity of columnar and laminar connectivity patterns throughout the neocortex, we propose that columns and regions have more powerful recognition and modeling capabilities than previously assumed.
Attributing the variability in direction and magnitude of local-scale marine biodiversity change to human activities
Authors: Dunic Jillian C , Elahi Robin , Hensel Marc J. S. , Kearns Patrick J. , O’Connor Mary I. , Acuña Daniel , Honig Aaron , Wilson Alexa R. , Byrnes Jarrett E. K.
Published: July 2017

In recent decades, environmental drivers of community change have been associated with changes in biodiversity from local to global scales. Here we evaluate the role of anthropogenic drivers in marine ecosystems as drivers of change in local species richness with a meta-analysis of a novel dataset of temporal change in species richness. We paired biodiversity data from 144 sites with large-scale drivers derived from geospatial databases: human cumulative impact scores, sea surface temperature change, nutrient loading, and invasion potential. Three specific drivers (nutrient inputs, rate of linear temperature change, and non-native species invasion potential) explained patterns in local marine species richness change. We show that these drivers have opposing effects on biodiversity trends. In some cases, variability in drivers can create contrasting directions of change yielding observations of no net change when localities are pooled in an attempt to find a global average. Further, long-term studies reveal different effects of drivers that are not observed in short-term studies. These findings begin to explain high variability observed in species diversity trends at local scales. Formally attributing local species diversity change to human drivers is essential to understanding global patterns of local species diversity change and their consequences.
Self-assembled Star-shaped Chiroplasmonic Gold Nanoparticles for Ultrasensitive Chiro-immunosensor of Viruses
Authors: Ahmed Syed Rahin , Nagy Éva , Neethirajan Suresh
Published: July 2017

Near field optics and optical tunneling light-matter interaction in the superstructure of chiral nanostructures and semiconductor quantum dots exhibit strong optical rotation activity that may open a new window for chiral-based bioanalytes detection. Herein we report an ultrasensitive, chiro-immunosensor using superstructure of chiral gold nanohybrids (CAu NPs) and quantum dots (QDs). Self-assembling techniques were employed to create asymmetric plasmonic chiral nanostructures for extending the spectral range of circular dichroism (CD) response for obtaining superior plasmonic resonant coupling with the QDs excitonic state; this may help to achieve lower the limit of detection (LOD) values. As a result, the designed probe exhibited avian influenza A (H5N1) viral concentration at picomolar level, a significant improvement in sensitivity in comparison to a non-assembled CAu NPs based chiroassay. The practicability of the proposed sensing system was successfully demonstrated on several virus cultures including, avian influenza A (H4N6) virus, fowl adenovirus and coronavirus in blood samples. The results of our study highlights that exciton-plasmon interaction changes chirality and the self-assembled nanostructures are an efficient strategy for enhancing the sensitivity of plasmonic nanosensors.
The relationship between the spatial scaling of biodiversity and ecosystem stability
Authors: Delsol Robin , Loreau Michel , Haegeman Bart
Published: July 2017

Ecosystem stability and its link with biodiversity have been mainly studied at the local scale. Here we present a simple theoretical model to address the joint dependence of diversity and stability on spatial scale, from local to continental. The notion of stability we use is based on the temporal variability of an ecosystem-level property, such as primary productivity. In this way, our model integrates the well-known species-area relationship (SAR) with a recent proposal to quantify the spatial scaling of stability, called the invariability-area relationship (IAR). To explore the possible links between the two relationships, we contrast two assumptions about the spatial decay of correlations. In case species differences determine spatial decorrelation, the IAR is a duplicate of the SAR; in case decorrelation is directly determined by spatial separation, the IAR is unrelated to the SAR. We apply the two model variants to explore the effects of species loss and habitat destruction on stability, and find a rich variety of multi-scale spatial dependencies. Our work emphasizes the importance of studying diversity and stability across spatial scales, and provides a point of reference for mechanistic models and data analyses.
New insights from Thailand into the maternal genetic history of Mainland Southeast Asia
Authors: Kutanan Wibhu , Kampuansai Jatupol , Brunelli Andrea , Ghirotto Silvia , Pittayaporn Pittayawat , Ruangchai Sukhum , Schröder Roland , Macholdt Enrico , Srikummool Metawee , Kangwanpong Daoroong , Hübner Alexander , Alvis Leonardo Arias , Stoneking Mark
Published: July 2017

Tai-Kadai (TK) is one of the major language families in Mainland Southeast Asia (MSEA), with a concentration in the area of Thailand and Laos. Our previous study of 1,234 mtDNA genome sequences supported a demic diffusion scenario in the spread of TK languages from southern China to Laos as well as northern and northeastern Thailand. Here we add an additional 560 mtDNA sequences from 22 groups, with a focus on the TK-speaking central Thai people and the Sino-Tibetan speaking Karen. We find extensive diversity, including 62 haplogroups not reported previously from this region. Demic diffusion is still a preferable scenario for central Thais, emphasizing the extension and expansion of TK people through MSEA, although there is also some support for an admixture model. We also tested competing models concerning the genetic relationships of groups from the major MSEA languages, and found support for an ancestral relationship of TK and Austronesian-speaking groups.
Blazing Signature Filter: a library for fast pairwise similarity comparisons
Authors: Lee Joon-Yong , Fujimoto Grant M. , Wilson Ryan , Wiley H. Steven , Payne Samuel H.
Published: July 2017

Identifying similarities between datasets is a fundamental task in data mining and has become an integral part of modern scientific investigation. Whether the task is to identify co-expressed genes in large-scale expression surveys or to predict combinations of gene knockouts which would elicit a similar phenotype, the underlying computational task is often a multi-dimensional similarity test. As datasets continue to grow, improvements to the efficiency, sensitivity or specificity of such computation will have broad impacts as it allows scientists to more completely explore the wealth of scientific data. A significant practical drawback of large-scale data mining is that the vast majority of pairwise comparisons are unlikely to be relevant, meaning that they do not share a signature of interest. It is therefore essential to efficiently identify these unproductive comparisons as rapidly as possible and exclude them from more time-intensive similarity calculations. The Blazing Signature Filter (BSF) is a highly efficient pairwise similarity algorithm which enables extensive data mining within a reasonable amount of time. The algorithm transforms datasets into binary metrics, allowing it to utilize the computationally efficient bit operators and provide a coarse measure of similarity. As a result, the BSF can scale to high dimensionality and rapidly filter unproductive pairwise comparison. Two bioinformatics applications of the tool are presented to demonstrate the ability to scale to billions of pairwise comparisons and the usefulness of this approach.
Polioviruses that bind a chimeric Pvr–nectin-2 protein identify capsid residues involved in receptor interaction
Authors: Lin Yi , Racaniello Vincent R.
Published: July 2017

Amino acid changes in the C’C”D region in poliovirus receptor domain 1 disrupt poliovirus binding. To examine further the role of the C’C”D region in poliovirus infection, we substituted this region of Pvr into the corresponding region of a murine homolog, nectin-2. The chimeric receptor, nectin-2Pvr(c'c"d), rendered transformed L cells susceptible to infection with poliovirus P1/Mahoney, but not with polioviruses P2/Lansing and P3/Leon, due to lack of binding. Twenty-four variants of P2/Lansing were selected that replicate in nectin-2Pvr(c'c"d)producing cell lines. Sequence analysis revealed 30 amino acid changes at 28 capsid residues. One change, K1103R, is found in nearly all isolates and is located at one end of the VP1 BC loop. Other alterations are located on the canyon surface, at the protomer interface, and along the perimeter of the canyon south wall. Unlike poliovirus-Pvr binding, the VP1 BC loop is required for infection of cells producing nectin-2Pvr(c'c"d).
Sensory discrimination by isolated feeding tentacles inSanderia malayensis
Authors: Mori Kazuo , Sullivan Matthew , Ayers Joseph ,   Northeastern University, Marine Science Center, East Point, Nahant, MA 01908
Published: July 2017

Despite having only a diffuse neural network, tentacles of scyphomedusae exhibit a variety of distinct behavioral acts. One such behavior in tentacles is the capture and subsequent transfer of prey to the mouth. Interaction with prey consists of a variety of distinct stimuli—mechanical contact with the organism, chemical stimulation from the prey, and once captured by the tentacle, the weight of the food particles stretching the tentacle. By isolating and observing these individual stimuli in intact and isolated tentacles of the scyphomedusa,Sanderia malayensis, two separate reflexes have been distinguished. The tentacle feeding response observations suggest that the tentacle has two sensing networks, a bi-directional network for withdrawal and a proximally directed network for feeding.

Summary Statement

Two separate reflexes have been distinguished isolated tentacles of the scyphomedusa,Sanderia malayensis, a bi-directional network for withdrawal and a proximally directed network for feeding.
Integral mindflow
Authors: Cacioppe Ron Lewis
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the differences in mindfulness, meditation and flow and the conditions in which each occurs. It summarizes research that demonstrates positive benefits of these three for employee and organizational learning. While mindfulness focuses awareness on what is occurring in the moment, flow involves total immersion in an activity and loss of awareness of one’s self and the environment. This paper discusses if and how mindfulness can be incorporated into flow and how this relates to organizational learning.

Design/methodology/approach

A mindfulness-in-flow process, called mindflow, is described as one that includes open awareness at the “integral point”. Pilot programmes were conducted that integrated mindfulness, meditation and flow for three companies and participants that reported personal physical and psychological benefits and development of mindfulness-in-flow skills.

Findings

This paper suggests that conducting workplace programmes and environments that incorporate mindfulness, meditation and flow has considerable potential to improve culture, responsiveness and learning.

Research limitations/implications

For mindflow to be a useful process to enhance individual and organizational learning, conditions need to be embedded which encourage mindfulness and flow in the organization. Further research is needed into the study of the integration of mindfulness in flow versus mindfulness, the workplace conditions necessary to support mindflow and how these translate into organizational learning.

Practical implications

Organizations need to provide workplace conditions, resources and systems that support mindful flow. Leaders also need to be models and coaches to guide individuals and teams to work in a mind-flow way.

Social implications

The process and practice of mindflow provides greater fulfillment for workers as well as greater alignment between the organization’s products and services and the well being of society.

Originality/value

This paper suggests that conducting workplace programmes and providing organizational conditions that incorporate mindfulness, meditation and flow will increase organizational learning and provide an essential culture for a learning organization.
Cross double‐difference inversion for simultaneous velocity model update and microseismic event location
Authors: Tian Xiao , Zhang Wei , Zhang Jie
Published: July 2017

Microseismic monitoring is an approach for mapping hydraulic fracturing. Detecting the accurate locations of microseismic events relies on an accurate velocity model. The one‐dimensional layered velocity model is generally obtained by model calibration from inverting perforation data. However, perforation shots may only illuminate the layers between the perforation shots and the recording receivers with limited raypath coverage in a downhole monitoring problem. Some of the microseismic events may occur outside of the depth range of these layers. To derive an accurate velocity model covering all of the microseismic events and locating events at the same time, we apply the cross double‐difference method for the simultaneous inversion of a velocity model and event locations using both perforation shots and microseismic data. The cross double‐difference method could provide accurate locations in both the relative and absolute sense, utilizing cross traveltime differences between P and S phases over different events. At the downhole monitoring scale, the number of cross traveltime differences is sufficiently large to constrain events locations and velocity model as well. In this study, we assume that the layer thickness is known, and velocities of P‐ and S‐wave are inverted. Different simultaneous inversion methods based on the Geiger's, double‐difference, and cross double‐difference algorithms have been compared with the same input data. Synthetic and field data experiments suggest that combining both perforation shots and microseismic data for the simultaneous cross double‐difference inversion of the velocity model and event locations is available for overcoming the trade‐offs in solutions and producing reliable results.
Why Judicial Control of Price Terms in Consumer Contracts Might Not Always Be the Right Answer – Insights from Behavioural Law and Economics
Authors: Atamer Yeşim M.
Published: July 2017

Regulators everywhere are confronted with the question of how to react to contractual pricing structures that serve to hide rather than reveal the real cost of goods and services and thereby abuse limitations in the cognitive competences of consumers. Given that sellers/service providers systematically make use of insights from behavioural sciences to refine their manipulative pricing techniques, regulators should also integrate scientific findings on human decision making to correct behavioural market failures through more tailored policy choices. A holistic approach regarding similar problems is still missing in the EU and the issue is often disguised behind a discussion on unfair terms control, which does not serve the purpose of finding a lasting solution. The aim of this article is twofold: first, to show the weaknesses of an ex post judicial control of pricing techniques, and second, to discuss policy tools which could counterbalance consumer biases on which the techniques rely.
The emerging role of alternative splicing in senescence and aging
Authors: Deschênes Mathieu , Chabot Benoit
Published: July 2017

Deregulation of precursor mRNA splicing is associated with many illnesses and has been linked to age‐related chronic diseases. Here we review recent progress documenting how defects in the machinery that performs intron removal and controls splice site selection contribute to cellular senescence and organismal aging. We discuss the functional association linking p53, IGF‐1, SIRT1, and ING‐1 splice variants with senescence and aging, and review a selection of splicing defects occurring in accelerated aging (progeria), vascular aging, and Alzheimer's disease. Overall, it is becoming increasingly clear that changes in the activity of splicing factors and in the production of key splice variants can impact cellular senescence and the aging phenotype.
Do long‐term institutional investors foster corporate innovation?
Authors: Kim Hyun‐Dong , Park Kwangwoo , Roy Song Kyojik
Published: July 2017

This article examines the effect of institutional investors’ investment horizons on firms’ innovation activities. We conjecture that the presence of long‐term institutional investors mitigates managerial myopia, prompting firms to generate greater corporate innovation outputs. Using data on patents and patent citations for US firms, we find that institutions’ investment horizons are positively related to the number of patents and patent citations. We also document that long‐term (short‐term) institutional ownership is positively (negatively) related to the innovation outputs. This article makes an additional contribution to the corporate innovation literature by addressing the positive role of long‐term institutional investors.
A comparative proteomic analysis of blood serum for developmental stages in pigs
Authors: Srikanth K. , Lee E. , Kwon A. , Shin J. , Chung H.
Published: July 2017

This study aimed to differentiate genes at developmental stages of pigs from 0 to 150 days of age, to build up a protein database and to find candidate genetic markers for growth traits. The analysis of two‐dimensional electrophoresis and matrix‐assisted laser‐desorption/ionization mass spectrometry separated 252 protein segments. After successfully blasting the peptide sequences, the analysis confirmed 37 differentially expressed proteins that increased from birth to 150 days of age (type A), whereas the type B proteins presented the inverse pattern. The type C proteins included proteins that were expressed continuously throughout the developmental periods. A total of 319 primer sets for 33 genes were designed to find genetic variants using pooled DNA samples of Yorkshire pigs. Amplification products for all primer sets produced approximately 20 000 clones that were sequenced, and 48 candidate SNP sites were finalized for genotyping. A total of 475 animals were used for high throughput genotyping analysis. Among these, phenotype data of all 475 animals were collected for average daily gain, backfat thickness and days to 90 kg, whereas feed conversion data were collected for 300 animals and body measurement traits (starting weight, ending weight, body length, wither height and chest depth) were collected for 209 animals. Association analysis found significant statistical differences between the animals having genotypes of 13 SNPs (g.78935883C>T, g.147629986C>T, g.98266037T>C, g.214707340G>A, g.88350299C>T, g.17180956C>T, g.17181024C>T, g.2350283A>G, g.138361311C>T, g.44996379C>T, g.44996247A>C, g.107715245C>T, g.4149631C>T) for the various measured traits. The identified genetic polymorphisms, of which one was novel (g.214707340G>A), may serve as candidate molecular markers to change population means for the targeted growth traits.
The association between peri‐operative acute risk change (ARC) and long‐term survival after cardiac surgery
Authors: Coulson T. G. , Bailey M. , Reid C. M. , Tran L. , Mullany D. V. , Smith J. A. , Pilcher D.
Published: July 2017

Acute risk change has been described as the difference in calculated mortality risk between the pre‐operative and postoperative periods of cardiac surgery. We aimed to assess whether this was associated with long‐term survival after cardiac surgery. We retrospectively analysed 22,570 cardiac surgical patients, with minimum and maximum follow‐up of 1.0 and 6.7 years. Acute risk change was calculated as the arithmetic difference between pre‐ and postoperative mortality risk. ‘Rising risk’ represented an increase in risk from pre‐ to postoperative phase. The primary outcome was one‐year mortality. Secondary outcomes included mortality at 3 and 5 years and time to death. Univariable and multivariable analyses were undertaken to examine the relationship between acute risk change and outcomes. Rising risk was associated with higher mortality (5.6% vs. 3.5%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for baseline risk, rising risk was independently associated with increased 1‐year mortality (OR 2.6, 95%CI 2.2–3.0, p < 0.001). The association of rising risk with long‐term survival was greatest in patients with highest baseline risk. Cox regression confirmed rising risk was associated with shorter time to death (HR 1.86, 1.68–2.05, p < 0.001). Acute risk change may represent peri‐operative clinical events in combination with unmeasured patient risk and noise. Measuring risk change could potentially identify patterns of events that may be amenable to investigation and intervention. Further work with case review, and risk scoring with shared variables, may identify mechanisms, including the interaction between miscalibration of risk and true differences in peri‐operative care.
Effects of testosterone administration (and its 5‐alpha‐reduction) on parenchymal organ volumes in healthy young men: findings from a dose‐response trial
Authors: Gagliano‐Jucá T. , Tang E. R. , Bhasin S. , Pencina K. M. , Anderson S. , Jara H. , Li Z. , Melamud K. , Coleman S. L. , Aakil A. , Almeida R. R. , Huang G. , Travison T. G. , Storer T. W. , Basaria S.
Published: July 2017

Animal data shows that testosterone administration increases the volume of some parenchymal organs. However, the effects of exogenous testosterone on solid abdominal organs in humans remain unknown. The present study evaluated the effects of testosterone administration on the volume of liver, spleen and kidneys in a dose‐response trial. Young healthy men aged 18–50 years participating in the 5α‐Reductase (5aR) Trial. All participants received monthly injections of 7.5 mg leuprolide acetate to suppress endogenous testosterone secretion and weekly injections of 50, 125, 300 or 600 mg of testosterone enanthate, and were randomized to receive either 2.5 mg dutasteride (5 α‐reductase inhibitor) or placebo daily for 20 weeks. Liver, spleen and kidney volumes were measured at baseline and the end of treatment using 1.5‐Tesla magnetic resonance imaging. The dose‐effect of testosterone on changes in the volume of parenchymal organs was evaluated by linear regression model. The association between changes in total testosterone (TT) levels and changes in organ volumes were assessed. Testosterone administration increased liver volume dose‐dependently (17.4 cm3 per 100 mg of weekly testosterone enanthate; p = 0.031); the increase in liver volume was positively associated with changes in TT levels (R2 = 0.08, p = 0.024). A dose‐dependent, but non‐significant, increase in kidney volumes was also seen. Inclusion of dutasteride use into the models showed an independent association of randomization to dutasteride group with liver volume increase. In conclusion, Testosterone administration increased the liver volume in a dose‐dependent manner. The potential changes in parenchymal organs should be considered when interpreting apparent changes in lean mass in response to anabolic interventions.
Walking in the shoes of caregivers of children with obesity: supporting caregivers in paediatric weight management
Authors: Zenlea I. S. , Thompson B. , Fierheller D. , Green J. , Ulloa C. , Wills A. , Mansfield E.
Published: July 2017

To incorporate the perspectives and experiences of family caregivers of children with obesity, the KidFit Health and Wellness Clinic, a paediatric weight management programme, embedded feedback opportunities into various stages of programme development. Caregivers were eligible to participate if their children had completed initial 4‐week group‐based pilot programming or were currently receiving treatment in 10 or 12 week group‐based programming. Data were collected through feedback session discussions, audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. In total, 6 caregivers participated in the pilot group feedback session and 32 caregivers participated in the structured group feedback sessions. Caregivers reported that healthy lifestyle strategies first communicated by clinic staff to children during group sessions provided expert validation and reinforcement when discussing similar messages at home. Caregivers reported feeling isolated and blamed for causing their children's obesity and appreciated the supportive forum that group‐based programming provided for sharing experiences. Since experiences of blame and isolation can burden caregivers of children with obesity, paediatric weight management programmes might consider including peer support opportunities and discussion forums for ongoing social support in addition to education about lifestyle change.
How bird clades diversify in response to climatic and geographic factors
Authors: Rodríguez‐Castañeda Genoveva , Hof Anouschka R. , Jansson Roland
Published: July 2017

While the environmental correlates of global patterns in standing species richness are well understood, it is poorly known which environmental factors promote diversification (speciation minus extinction) in clades. We tested several hypotheses for how geographic and climatic variables should affect diversification using a large dataset of bird sister genera endemic to the New World. We found support for the area, evolutionary speed, environmental predictability and climatic stability hypotheses, but productivity and topographic complexity were rejected as explanations. Genera that had accumulated more species tend to occupy wider niche space, manifested both as occurrence over wider areas and in more habitats. Genera with geographic ranges that have remained more stable in response to glacial‐interglacial changes in climate were also more species rich. Since many relevant explanatory variables vary latitudinally, it is crucial to control for latitude when testing alternative mechanistic explanations for geographic variation in diversification among clades.
Validation of biplane high‐speed fluoroscopy combined with two different noninvasive tracking methodologies for measuringin vivodistal limb kinematics of the horse
Authors: Geiger S. M. , Reich E. , Böttcher P. , Grund S. , Hagen J.
Published: July 2017

Reason for performing study

Biplane high‐speed fluoroscopy is a new method for gait analysis of the equine distal extremity. This is the first study validating the noninvasive tracking possibilities (Autoscoping and Scientific Rotoscoping) taking equine anatomy into account.

Objectives

To determine the resolution with which Autoscoping and Scientific Rotoscoping depict motion of the equine phalanges in comparison to the invasive gold standard marker‐based registration.

Study design

Comparativeex vivostudy.

Methods

In 5 distal extremities of slaughtered ponies, 3 or 4 tantalum beads with 1 mm diameter were implanted in each of the proximal, middle and distal phalangeal bones. Three‐dimensional models of the bones were reconstructed using computed tomographic data (120 kV, 50 mA, slice thickness 1 mm, increment 0.5). The beads were digitally removed from the bone models. Biplane fluoroscopic videos were taken at 69.5 ± 3.5 kV, 102.5 ± 22.5 mA, 500 frames/s and 0.5 ms shutter speed. The 5 specimens were moved in the trial field of the biplane fluoroscopic setup in a step‐like motion (simulation of landing, main stance phase, lift‐off). Marker‐based registration, Autoscoping and Scientific Rotoscoping were carried out. For statistical analysis agreement was computed as percentiles, mean and s.d.

Results

The medians of Scientific Rotoscoping ranged from 0.16 to 0.66 mm in translations and 0.43 to 2.78° in rotations, while values for Autoscoping were 0.13–0.70 mm and 0.28–2.39° respectively. With 2 exceptions, all differences between methods were statistically significant. Scientific Rotoscoping is more time efficient than Autoscoping and results in smaller maximum errors.

Main limitations

The experimental set‐up was specifically designed to accommodatein vivorequirements. Autoscoping was not manually corrected but rather expected to work automatically.

Conclusions

It is possible to noninvasively apply both Autoscoping and Scientific Rotoscoping for gait analysis of the equine phalanges with high precision.

The summary is available in Chinese ‐ see supporting information.