bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduction of vibration‐induced signal loss by matching mechanical vibrational states: Application in high b‐value diffusion‐weighted MRS
Authors: Weidlich Dominik , Zamskiy Mark , Maeder Marcus , Ruschke Stefan , Marburg Steffen , Karampinos Dimitrios C. 
Published: December 2019

PurposeDiffusion encoding gradients are known to yield vibrations of the typical clinical MR scanner hardware with a frequency of 20 to 30 Hz, which may lead to signal loss in diffusion‐weighted MR measurements. This work proposes to mitigate vibration‐induced signal loss by introducing a vibration‐matching gradient (VMG) to match vibrational states during the 2 diffusion gradient pulses.Theory and MethodsA theoretical description of displacements induced by gradient switching was introduced and modeled by a 2‐mass‐spring‐damper system. An additional preceding VMG mimicking timing and properties of the diffusion encoding gradients was added to a high b‐value diffusion‐weighted MR spectroscopy sequence. Laser interferometry was employed to measure 3D displacements of a phantom surface. Lipid ADC was assessed in water–fat phantoms and in vivo in the tibial bone marrow of 3 volunteers.ResultsThe modeling and the laser interferometer measurements revealed that the displacement curves are more similar during the 2 diffusion gradients with the VMG compared to the standard sequence, resulting in less signal loss of the diffusion‐weighted signal. Phantom results showed lipid ADC overestimation up to 119% with the standard sequence and an error of 5.5% with the VMG. An 18% to 35% lower coefficient of variation was obtained for in vivo lipid ADC measurement when employing the VMG.ConclusionThe application of the VMG reduces the signal loss introduced by hardware vibrations in a high b‐value diffusion‐weighted MRS sequence in phantoms and in vivo. Reference measurements based on laser interferometry and mechanical modelling confirmed the findings.
Improved real‐time tagged MRI using REALTAG
Authors: Chen Weiyi , Lee Nam Gyun , Byrd Dani , Narayanan Shrikanth , Nayak Krishna S. 
Published: December 2019

ObjectivesTo evaluate a novel method for real‐time tagged MRI with increased tag persistence using phase sensitive tagging (REALTAG), demonstrated for speech imaging.MethodsTagging is applied as a brief interruption to a continuous real‐time spiral acquisition. REALTAG is implemented using a total tagging flip angle of 180° and a novel frame‐by‐frame phase sensitive reconstruction to remove smooth background phase while preserving the sign of the tag lines. Tag contrast‐to‐noise ratio of REALTAG and conventional tagging (total flip angle of 90°) is simulated and evaluated in vivo. The ability to extend tag persistence is tested during the production of vowel‐to‐vowel transitions by American English speakers.ResultsREALTAG resulted in a doubling of contrast‐to‐noise ratio at each time point and increased tag persistence by more than 1.9‐fold. The tag persistence was 1150 ms with contrast‐to‐noise ratio >6 at 1.5T, providing 2 mm in‐plane resolution, 179 frames/s, with 72.6 ms temporal window width, and phase sensitive reconstruction. The new imaging window is able to capture internal tongue deformation over word‐to‐word transitions in natural speech production.ConclusionTag persistence is substantially increased in intermittently tagged real‐time MRI by using the improved REALTAG method. This makes it possible to capture longer motion patterns in the tongue, such as cross‐word vowel‐to‐vowel transitions, and provides a powerful new window to study tongue biomechanics.
High‐resolution seismic velocity field estimation techniques and their application to geohazard, lithology and porosity prediction
Authors: Kalashnikova Vita , Meisingset Ivar , Øverås Rune , Krasova Daria 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTSeismic velocity is an attractive parameter for geohazard interpretation, pore pressure analysis, play and prospect evaluations, and other geological studies, but ordinary seismic processing velocities often do not have a good enough resolution. We adapt a dynamic time warping algorithm to estimate geologically reasonable high‐resolution velocities from average‐quality seismic data that can be used for geohazard analysis based on 3D seismic data. To predict free gas and/or excess pore water pressure in thin shallow layers, we use velocity inversion. It is a method for simultaneous inversion of velocity data to geological attributes. It runs in the depth domain, uses a background velocity model for balancing of input velocities to wells and a normal compaction trend model to simultaneously estimate lithology, pore pressure and net apparent erosion attributes, while porosity is calculated from a sandstone–porosity relationship. The overall workflow is applied for geohazard analysis at two marine sites. The first example is a deep‐water one from the Norwegian Sea, where thin and possibly overpressured or gas‐filled layers are identified in the Pleistocene section. The second example is in a region with limestone‐dominated lithology, where thin overpressured shales can cause severe drilling problems. In both examples, the thicknesses of the layers prone to geohazards are estimated to be about half of the wavelength. Dedicated high‐resolution velocity estimations, such as those obtained through the proposed workflow with dynamic time warping, applied to standard 3D seismic data and followed by dedicated velocity inversion routines, are, therefore, a necessity for proper geohazard assessment.
Comparative Proteomic Profiling of Methicillin‐Susceptible and Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Xu Zhen , Chen Jiazhen , Vougas Kostas , Shah Ajit , Shah Haroun , Misra Raju , Mkrtchyan Hermine V. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractStaphylococcus aureus is a highly successful human pathogen responsible for a wide range of infections. This study provides insights into the virulence, pathogenicity, and antimicrobial resistance determinants of methicillin‐susceptible and methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MSSA; MRSA) recovered from non‐healthcare environments. Three environmental MSSA and three environmental MRSA are selected for proteomic profiling using isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation tandem mass spectrometry (iTRAQ MS/MS). Gene Ontology annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway annotation are applied to interpret the functions of the proteins detected. 792 proteins are identified in MSSA and MRSA. Comparative analysis of MRSA and MSSA reveals that 8 of out 792 proteins are upregulated and 156 are downregulated. Proteins that have differences in abundance are predominantly involved in catalytic and binding activity. Among 164 differently abundant proteins, 29 are involved in pathogenesis, antimicrobial resistance, stress response, mismatch repair, and cell wall synthesis. Twenty‐two proteins associated with pathogenicity including SPA, SBI, CLFA, and DLT are upregulated in MRSA. Moreover, the upregulated pathogenic protein ENTC2 in MSSA is determined to be a super antigen, potentially capable of triggering toxic shock syndrome in the host. Enhanced pathogenicity, antimicrobial resistance, and stress response are observed in MRSA compared to MSSA.
Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance Using Proteomics and the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database: A Case Study
Authors: Chen Chih‐yu , Clark Clifford G. , Langner Stacie , Boyd David A. , Bharat Amrita , McCorrister Stuart J. , McArthur Andrew G. , Graham Morag R. , Westmacott Garrett R. , Van Domselaar Gary 
Published: December 2019

PurposeAntimicrobial resistance (AMR), especially multidrug resistance, is one of the most serious global threats facing public health. The authors proof‐of‐concept study assessing the suitability of shotgun proteomics as an additional approach to whole‐genome sequencing (WGS) for detecting AMR determinants.Experimental DesignPreviously published shotgun proteomics and WGS data on four isolates of Campylobacter jejuni are used to perform AMR detection by searching the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database, and their detection ability relative to genomics screening and traditional phenotypic testing measured by minimum inhibitory concentration is assessed.ResultsBoth genomic and proteomic approaches identify the wild‐type and variant molecular determinants responsible for resistance to tetracycline and ciprofloxacin, in agreement with phenotypic testing. In contrast, the genomic method identifies the presence of the β‐lactamase gene, blaOXA‐61, in three isolates. However, its corresponding protein product is detected in only a single isolate, consistent with results obtained from phenotypic testing.
Self‐compassion in mindfulness‐based stress reduction: An examination of prediction and mediation of intervention effects
Authors: Sevel Landrew S. , Finn Micheal T.M. , Smith Rachel M. , Ryden Anna M. , McKernan Lindsey C. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe current investigation sought to clarify mechanisms of treatment effects in mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR). Self‐compassion and mindful awareness were assessed first as dispositional influences and then as mediators of outcome in unique models. One hundred thirty individuals participating in the 8‐week MBSR intervention were recruited (73.08% female, mean age = 46.97, SD = 14.07). Measures of psychosocial well‐being (Brief Stress Inventory [BSI], Perceived Stress Scale‐10 [PSS]), mindful awareness (Mindful Awareness and Attention Scale [MAAS]), and self‐compassion (Self‐Compassion Scale [SCS]) were collected at preintervention and postintervention. Regression was conducted to examine the influence of baseline MAAS and SCS on change in PSS and BSI scores. Serial multiple mediator models were conducted separately with pre/postintervention BSI and PSS values as criterion, and preintervention/postintervention MAAS and SCS values as mediators. Higher levels of baseline self‐compassion were predictive of greater reductions in PSS scores (β = 0.16). Reductions in BSI scores were serially mediated by change in self‐compassion both directly (MBSR → ΔSCS → ΔBSI β = 0.06) and indirectly through mindful awareness (MBSR → ΔMAAS → ΔSCS → ΔBSI β = 0.09). Results provide support for the role of self‐compassion as both a predictor of treatment effect and a process through which MBSR operates. Mechanisms underlying MBSR effects appear to be unique to the outcome of interest.
Vaginal Implant Transmitters as a Tool for Pronghorn Fawn Capture
Authors: Conant Emily R. , Conway Warren C. , Wallace Mark C. , Tatman Nicole M. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTDuring a pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) translocation study in New Mexico, USA, in 2014, we outfitted 26 pregnant female pronghorn with vaginal implant transmitters (VITs) to better understand cause‐specific fawn mortality. All VITs were equipped with both temperature and photo (i.e., light) sensors. Partial expulsions were detected from VITs in April 2014, at least 2 weeks prior to fawn observations. In these instances, VITs were exposed to ambient daylight activating the photo sensor, which was “reset” daily after sunset. These false signals likely compromised both battery life as well as detection of actual fawn births as a result of time spent tracking false expulsions rather than focusing efforts on fawn capture. We tracked VITs of 19 females (n = 16 confirmed expelled). Expelled VITs assisted with fawn captures (n = 12) from 8 females. We were unable to capture fawns from some females with VITs because fawns were too old to capture or VIT signal failure limited our ability to correctly determine whether a birth occurred. Failure here is defined as a signal we were unable to hear due either to battery failure or geographic location of the VIT post‐expulsion. We also opportunistically captured fawns, either by monitoring and observing females outfitted with very‐high‐frequency (VHF) collars or using long‐range observations of unmarked females. Opportunistic captures resulted in fawn captures (n = 4) from 3 females with only VHF collars, and 13 fawns from 13 unmarked females. Fawn capture success from females whose VIT expelled was greater because fawns were smaller and less likely to flee. To minimize false expulsion signals in VITs, we recommend 1) modification of VIT wings to maintain position inside the vaginal canal until parturition, and 2) change VIT design to specifically fit pronghorn (i.e., design VITs using specific pronghorn vaginal canal measurement to ensure better VIT fit) to prevent premature partial or total expulsion. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
A new scenario for stability of nonlinear Bresse‐Timoshenko type systems with time dependent delay
Authors: Feng B. , Almeida D. S. , dos Santos M. J. , Rosário Miranda L. G. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn this paper, we study the asymptotic behavior for a Bresse‐Timoshenko type system with time‐dependent delay terms. Our results follow a recent approach given by Almeida Júnior and Ramos (Zeitschrift fr angewandte Mathematik und Physik. 68, 1‐31. 2017) where they showed that the viscous damping acting on angle rotation of the classical Bresse‐Timoshenko model eliminates the damage consequences of the so called second spectrum of frequency. Moreover, for Bresse‐Timoshenko type systems which are free of these consequences the assumption of equal wave speeds is not necessary anymore to get the exponential stability. Here, by introducing an appropriate Lyapunov functional we prove the exponential stability for time dependent delay cases regardless of any relationship between wave propagation velocities.
Fast optical method for characterizing plasmonic nanoparticle adhesion on functionalized surfaces
Authors: Mérai László , Janovák László , Kovács Dániel Sándor , Szenti Imre , Vásárhelyi Lívia , Kukovecz Ákos , Dékány Imre , Kónya Zoltán , Sebők Dániel 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn this paper, a rapid optical method for characterizing plasmonic (gold) nanoparticle (AuNP) adhesion is presented. Two different methods were used for AuNP preparation: the well-known Turkevich method resulted in particles with negative surface charge; for preparing AuNPs with positive surface charge, stainless steel was used as reducing agent. The solid surface for adhesion was provided by a column packed with pristine or surface-modified glass beads. The size of the nanoparticles was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS); the surface charge of the components was determined by streaming potential measurements. The characterization of adhesion was performed in a flow system by UV-Vis spectroscopy. During the adhesion experiments, the role of the surface charge, the particle size, and the pH were studied, as well as the adhered amount of gold nanoparticles and the surface coverage values. The latter was estimated by theoretical calculations and defined by the quotient of the measured and the maximal adhered amount of nanoparticles, which could be determined by the cross-sectional area of the NPs and the specific surface area of the glass beads. The results are verified by the polarization reflectometric interference spectroscopy (PRIfS) method: silica nanoparticles with diameters of a few hundred (d~450) nanometers were immobilized on the surface of glass substrate by the Langmuir–Blodgett method, the surface was modified similar to the 3D (continuous flow packed column) system, and gold nanoparticles from different pH solutions were adhered during the measurements. These kinds of modified surfaces allow the investigation of biomolecule adsorption in the same reflectometric setup.
Spiking time-dependent plasticity leads to efficient coding of predictions
Authors: Vilimelis Aceituno Pau , Ehsani Masud , Jost Jürgen 
Published: December 2019

AbstractLatency reduction in postsynaptic spikes is a well-known effect of spiking time-dependent plasticity. We expand this notion for long postsynaptic spike trains on single neurons, showing that, for a fixed input spike train, STDP reduces the number of postsynaptic spikes and concentrates the remaining ones. Then, we study the consequences of this phenomena in terms of coding, finding that this mechanism improves the neural code by increasing the signal-to-noise ratio and lowering the metabolic costs of frequent stimuli. Finally, we illustrate that the reduction in postsynaptic latencies can lead to the emergence of predictions.
Pupillary light reflex circuits in the macaque monkey: the preganglionic Edinger–Westphal nucleus
Authors: May Paul J. , Sun Wensi , Wright Nicholas F. , Erichsen Jonathan T. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe motor outflow for the pupillary light reflex originates in the preganglionic motoneuron subdivision of the Edinger–Westphal nucleus (EWpg), which also mediates lens accommodation. Despite their importance for vision, the morphology, ultrastructure and luminance-related inputs of these motoneurons have not been fully described in primates. In macaque monkeys, we labeled EWpg motoneurons from ciliary ganglion and orbital injections. Both approaches indicated preganglionic motoneurons occupy an EWpg organized as a unitary, ipsilateral cell column. When tracers were placed in the pretectal complex, labeled terminals targeted the ipsilateral EWpg and reached contralateral EWpg by crossing both above and below the cerebral aqueduct. They also terminated in the lateral visceral column, a ventrolateral periaqueductal gray region containing neurons projecting to the contralateral pretectum. Combining olivary pretectal and ciliary ganglion injections to determine whether a direct pupillary light reflex projection is present revealed a labeled motoneuron subpopulation that displayed close associations with labeled pretectal terminal boutons. Ultrastructurally, this subpopulation received synaptic contacts from labeled pretectal terminals that contained numerous clear spherical vesicles, suggesting excitation, and scattered dense-core vesicles, suggesting peptidergic co-transmitters. A variety of axon terminal classes, some of which may serve the near response, synapsed on preganglionic motoneurons. Quantitative analysis indicated that pupillary motoneurons receive more inhibitory inputs than lens motoneurons. To summarize, the pupillary light reflex circuit utilizes a monosynaptic, excitatory, bilateral pretectal projection to a distinct subpopulation of EWpg motoneurons. Furthermore, the interconnections between the lateral visceral column and olivary pretectal nucleus may provide pretectal cells with bilateral retinal fields.
The X chromosome and male infertility
Authors: Vockel Matthias , Riera-Escamilla Antoni , Tüttelmann Frank , Krausz Csilla 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe X chromosome is a key player in germ cell development, as has been highlighted for males in previous studies revealing that the mammalian X chromosome is enriched in genes expressed in early spermatogenesis. In this review, we focus on the X chromosome’s unique biology as associated with human male infertility. Male infertility is most commonly caused by spermatogenic defects to which X chromosome dosage is closely linked; for example, any supernumerary X chromosome as in Klinefelter syndrome will lead to male infertility. Furthermore, because males normally only have a single X chromosome and because X-linked genetic anomalies are generally only present in a single copy in males, any loss-of-function mutations in single-copy X-chromosomal genes cannot be compensated by a normal allele. These features make X-linked genes particularly attractive for studying male spermatogenic failure. However, to date, only very few genetic causes have been identified as being definitively responsible for male infertility in humans. Although genetic studies of germ cell-enriched X-chromosomal genes in mice suggest a role of certain human orthologs in infertile men, these genes in mice and humans have striking evolutionary differences. Furthermore, the complexity and highly repetitive structure of the X chromosome hinder the mutational analysis of X-linked genes in humans. Therefore, we conclude that additional methodological approaches are urgently warranted to advance our understanding of the genetics of X-linked male infertility.
Envisioning a Democratic Culture of Difference: Feminist Ethics and the Politics of Dissent in Social Movements
Authors: Vachhani Sheena J. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractUsing two contemporary cases of the global #MeToo movement and UK-based collective Sisters Uncut, this paper argues that a more in-depth and critical concern with gendered difference is necessary for understanding radical democratic ethics, one that advances and develops current understandings of business ethics. It draws on practices of social activism and dissent through the context of Irigaray’s later writing on democratic politics and Ziarek’s analysis of dissensus and democracy that proceeds from an emphasis on alterity as the capacity to transform nonappropriative self-other relations. Therefore, the aims of the paper are: (i) to develop a deeper understanding of a culture of difference and to consider sexual difference as central to the development of a practical democratic ethics and politics of organizations; (ii) to explore two key cases of contemporary feminist social movements that demonstrate connected yet contrasting examples of how feminist politics develops through an appreciation of embodied, intercorporeal differences; and (iii) to extend insights from Irigaray and Ziarek to examine ways in which a practical democratic politics proceeding from an embodied ethics of difference forms an important advancement to theorising the connection between ethics, dissent and democracy.
Powerful Problems for Powerful Qualities
Authors: Taylor Henry 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe powerful qualities view of properties is currently enjoying a surge in popularity. Recently, I have argued that the standard version of the view (associated with C.B. Martin and John Heil) is no different from a rival view: the pure powers position. I have also argued that the canonical version of the powerful qualities view faces the same problem as the pure powers view: the dreaded regress objection. Joaquim Giannotti disagrees. First, Giannotti thinks that the standard version of the powerful qualities view can be differentiated from the pure powers view. Second, Giannotti argues that the powerful qualities view is not susceptible to the regress objection. Third, he argues that there is another reasonable version of the powerful qualities view available, which makes use of the notion of ‘aspects’. In this note, I respond to Giannotti. I argue that all three of Giannotti’s arguments are unsuccessful.