bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Signal Detection by Adaptive Decorrelation of Interspike Intervals
Authors: Nesse William H. , Maler Leonard , Longtin André 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Spike trains with negative interspike interval (ISI) correlations, in which long/short ISIs are more likely followed by short/long ISIs, are common in many neurons. They can be described by stochastic models with a spike-triggered adaptation variable. We analyze a phenomenon in these models where such statistically dependent ISI sequences arise in tandem with quasi-statistically independent and identically distributed (quasi-IID) adaptation variable sequences. The sequences of adaptation states and resulting ISIs are linked by a nonlinear decorrelating transformation. We establish general conditions on a family of stochastic spiking models that guarantee this quasi-IID property and establish bounds on the resulting baseline ISI correlations. Inputs that elicit weak firing rate changes in samples with many spikes are known to be more detectible when negative ISI correlations are present because they reduce spike count variance; this defines a variance-reduced firing rate coding benchmark. We performed a Fisher information analysis on these adapting models exhibiting ISI correlations to show that a spike pattern code based on the quasi-IID property achieves the upper bound of detection performance, surpassing rate codes with the same mean rate—including the variance-reduced rate code benchmark—by 20% to 30%. The information loss in rate codes arises because the benefits of reduced spike count variance cannot compensate for the lower firing rate gain due to adaptation. Since adaptation states have similar dynamics to synaptic responses, the quasi-IID decorrelation transformation of the spike train is plausibly implemented by downstream neurons through matched postsynaptic kinetics. This provides an explanation for observed coding performance in sensory systems that cannot be accounted for by rate coding, for example, at the detection threshold where rate changes can be insignificant.
Subthermocline Eddies in the Kuroshio Extension Region Observed by Mooring Arrays
Authors: Zhu Ruichen , Chen Zhaohui , Zhang Zhiwei , Yang Haiyuan , Wu Lixin 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSubthermocline eddies (STEs), also termed intrathermocline eddies or submesoscale coherent vortices, are lens-shaped eddies with anomalous water properties located in or below the thermocline. Although STEs have been discovered in many parts of the World Ocean, most of them were observed accidentally in hydrographic profiles, and direct velocity measurements are very rare. In this study, dynamic features of STEs in the Kuroshio Extension (KE) region are examined in detail using concurrent temperature/salinity and velocity measurements from mooring arrays. During the moored observation periods of 2004–06 and 2015–19, 11 single-core STEs, including 8 with warm/salty cores and 3 with cold/fresh cores, were captured. The thermohaline properties in their cores suggest that these STEs may originate from the subarctic front and the upstream Kuroshio south of Japan. The estimated radius of these STEs varied from 8 to 66 km with the mean value of ~30 km. The warm/salty STEs seemed to be larger and rotate faster than the cold/fresh ones. In addition to single-core STEs, a dual-core STE was observed in the KE recirculation region, which showed that the upper cold/fresh cores stacked vertically over the lower warm/salty cores. Based on the observed parameters of the STEs, their Rossby number and Burger number were further estimated, with values up to 0.5 and 1, respectively. Furthermore, a low Richardson number O (0.25) was found at the periphery of these STEs, suggesting that shear instability-induced turbulent mixing may be an erosion route for the STEs.
Time-Dependent Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Reducing Donor-Site Pain After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: de Andrade André Luís Lugnani , Sardeli Amanda Veiga , Garcia Thiago Alves , Livani Bruno , Belangero William Dias 
Published: November 2020

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) has a high incidence among sports players, and one important side effect of the surgery is graft donor site morbidity. Although some evidence suggests that application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) during ACLR reduces pain and improves knee function, it is not a universal finding. Purpose: To perform a meta-analysis of previous studies testing the effects of PRP on donor site morbidity after ACLR. Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: We reviewed PubMed (Medline), Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane databases to find studies testing the effects of PRP on the donor site of ACLR autograft. After identifying 4 studies, we conducted 2 meta-analyses, 1 for the effects of PRP on pain, assessed by visual analog scale (VAS), and the other for the functional knee scores. We also tested the ability of time after ACLR to predict the PRP-related reduction of pain. Results: In the 4 studies identified, 157 patients were analyzed. Although the VAS score was lower with PRP at 6 months (raw mean difference [RMD], –0.97 [95% CI, −1.59 to −0.36]; P = .001) and 12 months (RMD, −0.61 [95% CI,−1.02 to −0.21]; P = .003), the effects of PRP disappeared at 24 months (RMD, −0.08 [95% CI,−0.38 to 0.22]; P = .586). A univariate regression analysis reinforced the ability of time after ACLR to predict the PRP-related reduction of VAS pain score ( r2 = 0.98). However, knee function after ACLR was not improved by the use of PRP (standardized mean difference, 0.71 [95% CI,−0.17 to 1.60]; P = .114). Conclusion: PRP applied to a bone–patellar tendon–bone donor site could reduce knee pain within a year, and this reduction had a correlation with time, meaning that the effect of PRP decreased with time after surgery. However, pain reduction did not reach clinical relevance and did not lead to better functional knee scores.
Pre-mortem risk factors for mortality in kittens less than 8 weeks old at a dedicated kitten nursery
Authors: Dolan Emily D , Doyle Erin , Tran Huyanh Ralph , Slater Margaret R 
Published: November 2020

Objectives Kittens have unique requirements for care in a shelter setting given their higher susceptibility to infectious disease and socialization needs. Significant time and resources are necessary to care for this vulnerable population and dedicated kitten nurseries are one way to meet the requirements of kittens too young for neutering and rehoming. However, young kittens remain at a higher risk of dying relative to adult cats, even in specialized settings. Efforts to investigate kitten mortality have focused on post-mortem findings and little is known about pre-mortem clinical signs that may be associated with death. The purpose of this study was to elucidate predictors of mortality in underage kittens. Methods The medical records of kittens aged <8 weeks reared in a kitten nursery in New York City during 2017 were examined. The data collected included signalment (estimated age and weight at intake, sex), physical findings (body condition score [BCS]), clinical signs (weight loss, anorexia, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection [URI]), diagnoses (panleukopenia, trauma), how early in the feline breeding season the kitten entered (April–November), and whether the kitten had died or was euthanized. The data were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard modeling with 1353 kittens to identify factors associated with any death or euthanasia. Results Elevated risk of dying was found for kittens in the lightest weight group (13 times greater), diagnosed with panleukopenia (13 times greater), exhibiting weight loss (>9 times greater), diagnosed with URI (almost four times greater), exhibiting anorexia (three times greater), identified with a low BCS at intake (two times greater) and experiencing diarrhea (almost two times greater). Conclusions and relevance These findings identify clinical signs and diagnoses that can serve as prognostic indicators for underage kitten survival in a shelter/rescue setting and can aid in enhancing protocols for monitoring, intervention and euthanasia decision-making.
Analysis of the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties during Inertia Friction Welding of the Near-α TA19 Titanium Alloy
Authors: Wu Yanquan , Zhang Chunbo , Zhou Jun , Liang Wu , Li Yunlei 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe current research of titanium alloy on friction welding process in the field of aero-engines mainly focuses on the linear friction welding. Compared to the linear friction welding, inertial friction welding of titanium alloy still has important application position in the welding of aero-engine rotating assembly. However, up to now, few reports on inertial friction welding of titanium alloy are found. In this paper, the near-alpha TA19 titanium alloy welded joint was successfully obtained by inertial friction welding (IFW) process. The microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated systematically. Results showed that the refined grains within 15‒20 μm and weak texture were found in the weld zone due to dynamic recrystallization caused by high temperature and plastic deformation. The weld zone consisted of acicular α′ martensite phase, αp phase and metastable β phase. Most lath-shaped αs and β phase in base metal were transformed into acicular martensite α′ phase and metastable β phase in thermo-mechanically affected zone and heat affected zone. As a result, the microhardness of welded joint gradually decreased from the weld zone to the base metal. Tensile specimens in room temperature and high temperature of 480 °C were all fractured in base metal illustrating that the inertia friction welded TA19 titanium alloy joint owned higher tensile strength compared to the base metal.
Learning process of ultrasound-guided Ilio-fascial compartment block on a simulator: a feasibility study
Authors: Celi Julien , Fehlmann Christophe A. , Rutschmann Olivier T. , Pelieu-Lamps Iris , Fournier Roxane , Nendaz Mathieu , Sarasin François , Rouyer Frédéric 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca compartment block (US-FICB) is not part of the learning curriculum of the emergency physicians (EP) and is usually performed by anesthesiologists. However, several studies promote EP to use this procedure.
The goal of this study was to assess the feasibility of a training concept for non-anesthesiologists for the US-FICB on a simulator based on a validating learning path.

Method
This was a feasibility study. Emergency physicians and medical students received a 1-day training with a learning phase (theoretical and practical skills), followed by an assessment phase.
The primary outcome at the assessment phase was the number of attempts before successfully completing the procedure. The secondary outcomes were the success rate at first attempt, the length of procedure (LOP), and the stability of the probe, corresponding to the visualization of the needle tip (and its tracking) throughout the procedure, evaluated on a Likert scale.

Results
A total of 25 participants were included. The median number of attempts was 2.0 for emergency physicians and 2.5 for medical students, and this difference was not significant (p = 0.140). Seven participants (28%) succeeded at the first attempt of the procedure; the difference between emergency physicians and medical students was not significant (37% versus 21%; p = 0.409). The average LOP was 19.7 min with a significant difference between emergency physicians and medical students (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference regarding the stability of the probe between the two groups.

Conclusion
Our 1-day training for non-anesthesiologists with or without previous skills in ultrasound seems to be feasible for learning the US-FICB procedure on a simulator.
Isabl Platform, a digital biobank for processing multimodal patient data
Authors: Medina-Martínez Juan S. , Arango-Ossa Juan E. , Levine Max F. , Zhou Yangyu , Gundem Gunes , Kung Andrew L. , Papaemmanuil Elli 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
The widespread adoption of high throughput technologies has democratized data generation. However, data processing in accordance with best practices remains challenging and the data capital often becomes siloed. This presents an opportunity to consolidate data assets into digital biobanks—ecosystems of readily accessible, structured, and annotated datasets that can be dynamically queried and analysed.

Results
We present Isabl, a customizable plug-and-play platform for the processing of multimodal patient-centric data. Isabl's architecture consists of a relational database (Isabl DB), a command line client (Isabl CLI), a RESTful API (Isabl API) and a frontend web application (Isabl Web). Isabl supports automated deployment of user-validated pipelines across the entire data capital. A full audit trail is maintained to secure data provenance, governance and ensuring reproducibility of findings.

Conclusions
As a digital biobank, Isabl supports continuous data utilization and automated meta analyses at scale, and serves as a catalyst for research innovation, new discoveries, and clinical translation.
Differential gene expression analysis reveals pathways important in early post-traumatic osteoarthritis in an equine model
Authors: McCoy Annette M. , Kemper Ann M. , Boyce Mary K. , Brown Murray P. , Trumble Troy N. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundPost-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) is a common and significant problem in equine athletes. It is a disease of the entire joint, with the synovium thought to be a key player in disease onset and progression due to its role in inflammation. The development of effective tools for early diagnosis and treatment of PTOA remains an elusive goal. Altered gene expression represents the earliest discernable disease-related change, and can provide valuable information about disease pathogenesis and identify potential therapeutic targets. However, there is limited work examining global gene expression changes in early disease. In this study, we quantified gene expression changes in the synovium of osteoarthritis-affected joints using an equine metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) chip model of early PTOA. Synovial samples were collected arthroscopically from the MCPJ of 11 adult horses before (preOA) and after (OA) surgical induction of osteoarthritis and from sham-operated joints. After sequencing synovial RNA, Salmon was used to quasi-map reads and quantify transcript abundances. Differential expression analysis with the limma-trend method used a fold-change cutoff of log2(1.1). Functional annotation was performed with PANTHER at FDR < 0.05. Pathway and network analyses were performed in Reactome and STRING, respectively.ResultsRNA was sequenced from 28 samples (6 preOA, 11 OA, 11 sham). “Sham” and “preOA” were not different and were grouped. Three hundred ninety-seven genes were upregulated and 365 downregulated in OA synovium compared to unaffected. Gene ontology (GO) terms related to extracellular matrix (ECM) organization, angiogenesis, and cell signaling were overrepresented. There were 17 enriched pathways, involved in ECM turnover, protein metabolism, and growth factor signaling. Network analysis revealed clusters of differentially expressed genes involved in ECM organization, endothelial regulation, and cellular metabolism.ConclusionsEnriched pathways and overrepresented GO terms reflected a state of high metabolic activity and tissue turnover in OA-affected tissue, suggesting that the synovium may retain the capacity to support healing and homeostasis in early disease. Limitations of this study include small sample size and capture of one point post-injury. Differentially expressed genes within key pathways may represent potential diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets for PTOA. Mechanistic validation of these findings is an important next step.
The factors of adaptation to nursing homes in mainland China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Sun Changxian , Yu Yiting , Li Xuxu , Cui Yan , Ding Yaping , Zhu Shuqin , Li Xianwen , Chen Shen , Zhou Rong 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
China is one of the most rapidly ageing countries and has the largest ageing population in the world. The demand for long-term care is increasing. Nursing home placement is one of the most stressful events in a person’s life. Although research on relocation adjustment has been conducted in many countries, few studies have been related to the predictors of nursing home adjustment in mainland China. This study aimed to identify the predictors of nursing home adjustment in the context of filial piety in mainland China.

Methods
This was a descriptive study that employed a cross-sectional survey. A total of 303 residents from 22 nursing homes in Nanjing, China, were recruited. A structured questionnaire about residents’ characteristics, activities of daily living, social support, resilience, and nursing home adjustment was administered. Multiple linear regression was used to identify the predictors of adaptation to nursing homes.

Results
The predictors of nursing home adjustment were the satisfaction with services(β = .158, P < .01), number of diseases(β = −.091, P < .05), length of stay(β = .088, P < .05), knowledge of the purpose of admission (β = .092, P < .05), resilience(β = .483, P < .001) and social support(β = .186, P < .001). The total explained variance for this model was 61.6%.

Conclusion
Nursing staff members should assess the characteristics of residents to promote their better adjustment. Resilience had the most significant influence on the level of adaptation, which has been the primary focus of interventions to improve adjustment. The management of disease comorbidities in nursing homes should be standardized and supervised by the government. More volunteers from universities and communities should be encouraged to provide social support to residents. Moreover, a caring culture needs to be emphasized, and the value of filial piety should be advocated in nursing homes of East Asian countries.
Case report: progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3 with compound heterozygous ABCB4 variants diagnosed 15 years after liver transplantation
Authors: Goubran Mariam , Aderibigbe Ayodeji , Jacquemin Emmanuel , Guettier Catherine , Girgis Safwat , Bain Vincent , Mason Andrew L. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) type 3 is an autosomal recessive disorder arising from mutations in the ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 4 (ABCB4) gene. This gene encodes multidrug resistance protein-3 (MDR3) that acts as a hepatocanalicular floppase that transports phosphatidylcholine from the inner to the outer canalicular membrane. In the absence of phosphatidylcholine, the detergent activity of bile salts is amplified and this leads to cholangiopathy, bile duct loss and biliary cirrhosis. Patients usually present in infancy or childhood and often progress to end-stage liver disease before adulthood.

Case presentation
We report a 32-year-old female who required cadaveric liver transplantation at the age of 17 for cryptogenic cirrhosis. When the patient developed chronic ductopenia in the allograft 15 years later, we hypothesized that the patient’s original disease was due to a deficiency of a biliary transport protein and the ductopenia could be explained by an autoimmune response to neoantigen that was not previously encountered by the immune system. We therefore performed genetic analyses and immunohistochemistry of the native liver, which led to a diagnosis of PFIC3. However, there was no evidence of humoral immune response to the MDR3 and therefore, we assumed that the ductopenia observed in the allograft was likely due to chronic rejection rather than autoimmune disease in the allograft.

Conclusions
Teenage patients referred for liver transplantation with cryptogenic liver disease should undergo work up for PFIC3. An accurate diagnosis of PFIC 3 is key for optimal management, therapeutic intervention, and avoidance of complications before the onset of end-stage liver disease.
Randomized clinical trial to compare efficacy and safety of repeated courses of rituximab to single-course rituximab followed by maintenance mycophenolate-mofetil in children with steroid dependent nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Basu Biswanath , Preussler Stella , Sander Anja , Mahapatra T. K. S. , Schaefer Franz 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundApproximately 30% of children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome develop a complicated course with frequent relapses or steroid dependency. Rituximab, a B cell depleting monoclonal antibody, is a safe and effective alternative to steroids or other immunosuppressants for achieving and maintaining remission in this population at short term. Despite the good initial response relapses inevitably occur after regeneration of B lymphocytes, necessitating either repeat courses of rituximab or addition of another steroid-sparing immunosuppressant.MethodsThis is a prospective, single-center, open-label, two-parallel-arm randomized controlled phase III study among children with steroid dependent nephrotic syndrome who are maintained in remission with oral steroids. One hundred children will be randomized to either Rituximab and maintenance Mycophenolate mofetil (A) or repeated courses of prophylactic Rituximab only (B). In arm A, mycophenolate mofetil (1200 mg/m2per day) will be started 3 months after Rituximab administration. In arm B, Rituximab infusions will be administered at 0, 8 and 16 months if B cell count normalize at the given time points. Prednisolone will be discontinued in both groups 2 weeks following first course of rituximab. Primary aim is to evaluate the difference in 24-month relapse-free survival. Main secondary endpoints are cumulative prednisolone dose, frequency of relapses and changes in anthropometry. Circulating B lymphocyte populations will be studied as biomarkers or predictors of rituximab responsiveness and adverse events will be analysed.DiscussionThe study will provide evidence as to the comparative safety and efficacy of two alternative steroid-sparing therapeutic options in children suffering from steroid dependent nephrotic syndrome. The two-year study design will address the long-term results obtained with the alternative treatment protocols.Trial registrationThis trial was prospectively registered to theClinicaltrial.gov(NCT03899103dated 02/04/2019;https://clinicaltrials.gov/) and Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI/2019/04/018517dated 09/04/2019).