bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DNA repair deficiency and senescence in concussed professional athletes involved in contact sports
Authors: Schwab Nicole , Grenier Karl , Hazrati Lili-Naz 
Published: November 2019

AbstractMild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) leads to diverse symptoms including mood disorders, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. In some individuals, these symptoms become chronic and persist in the long-term and can confer an increased risk of neurodegenerative disease and dementia diagnosis later in life. Despite the severity of its consequences, the pathophysiological mechanism of mTBI remains unknown. In this post-mortem case series, we assessed DNA damage-induced cellular senescence pathways in 38 professional athletes with a history of repeated mTBI and ten controls with no mTBI history. We assessed clinical presentation, neuropathological changes, load of DNA damage, morphological markers of cellular senescence, and expression of genes involved in DNA damage signaling, DNA repair, and cellular senescence including the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Twenty-eight brains with past history of repeated mTBI history had DNA damage within ependymal cells, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. DNA damage burden was increased in brains with proteinopathy compared to those without. Cases also showed hallmark features of cellular senescence in glial cells including astrocytic swelling, beading of glial cell processes, loss of H3K27Me3 (trimethylation at lysine 27 of histone H3) and lamin B1 expression, and increased expression of cellular senescence and SASP pathways. Neurons showed a spectrum of changes including loss of emerin nuclear membrane expression, loss of Brahma-related gene-1 (BRG1 or SMARCA4) expression, loss of myelin basic protein (MBP) axonal expression, and translocation of intranuclear tau to the cytoplasm. Expression of DNA repair proteins was decreased in mTBI brains. mTBI brains showed substantial evidence of DNA damage and cellular senescence. Decreased expression of DNA repair genes suggests inefficient DNA repair pathways in this cohort, conferring susceptibly to cellular senescence and subsequent brain dysfunction after mTBI. We therefore suggest that brains of contact-sports athletes are characterized by deficient DNA repair and DNA damage-induced cellular senescence and propose that this may affect neurons and be the driver of brain dysfunction in mTBI, predisposing the progression to neurodegenerative diseases. This study provides novel targets for diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and represents viable targets for future treatments.
Fruiting phenology and nutrient content variation among sympatric figs and the ecological correlates
Authors: Huang Yu-Ting , Lee Ya-Fu , Kuo Yen-Min , Chang Sing-Yi , Wu Chia-Ling 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Background
Figs are key resources for tropical frugivores and display unique fruiting patterns. While monoecious figs support both seeds and wasp rearing, dioecious plants perform the tasks separately and produce seeded figs in smaller asynchronous crops. Thus dioecious females, compared to monoecious figs, may afford to invest more efforts to maximize seediness, or increase fruit pulp, water content, and nutrient rewards to attract frugivores for better seed dispersal. Yet size variation among and within fig species in either breeding system may lead to complicated resource allocation. We assessed fruiting phenology, measured fig morphological traits, and analyzed fig nutrient contents of the monoecious Ficus caulocarpa and F. subpisocarpa and the dioecious F. ampelas and F. irisana in a sympatric tropical forest to investigate species differences and size effects on fig functional traits and their ecological correlates.

Results
All four species fruited nearly year-round. Monoecious figs’ inter-tree asynchronous crops had high peak mature crop sizes over much shorter fruiting periods than dioecious figs. Among trees, F. subpisocarpa and F. irisana were greater in fig-size and size variation, F. caulocarpa and F. ampelas comparatively displayed large variation in fig compositions. As fig size increased, water contents gradually increased in large-fig species, but seediness with a decreasing trend in small-fig species. Dioecious figs had lower pulp-seed ratio but tended to have higher water contents than monoecious figs, particularly within a similar size range. Dioecious figs also had higher carbohydrates, whereas monoecious figs contained higher fiber and lipid contents.

Conclusions
Our study revealed species differences in certain fig functional traits that were correlated with fig size or their breeding systems, with substantial inter-tree variation. This partially supported the predictions regarding their fruiting strategies of aiding seed dispersal by frugivores, yet suggests a fruiting plasticity of individual trees subject to environmental constraints and their biotic interactions.
Enlarging smaller images before inputting into convolutional neural network: zero-padding vs. interpolation
Authors: Hashemi Mahdi 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe input to a machine learning model is a one-dimensional feature vector. However, in recent learning models, such as convolutional and recurrent neural networks, two- and three-dimensional feature tensors can also be inputted to the model. During training, the machine adjusts its internal parameters to project each feature tensor close to its target. After training, the machine can be used to predict the target for previously unseen feature tensors. What this study focuses on is the requirement that feature tensors must be of the same size. In other words, the same number of features must be present for each sample. This creates a barrier in processing images and texts, as they usually have different sizes, and thus different numbers of features. In classifying an image using a convolutional neural network (CNN), the input is a three-dimensional tensor, where the value of each pixel in each channel is one feature. The three-dimensional feature tensor must be the same size for all images. However, images are not usually of the same size and so are not their corresponding feature tensors. Resizing images to the same size without deforming patterns contained therein is a major challenge. This study proposes zero-padding for resizing images to the same size and compares it with the conventional approach of scaling images up (zooming in) using interpolation. Our study showed that zero-padding had no effect on the classification accuracy but considerably reduced the training time. The reason is that neighboring zero input units (pixels) will not activate their corresponding convolutional unit in the next layer. Therefore, the synaptic weights on outgoing links from input units do not need to be updated if they contain a zero value. Theoretical justification along with experimental endorsements are provided in this paper.
Technology-enhanced assessment visualization for smart learning environments
Authors: Ferreira Hiran , de Oliveira Guilherme P. , Araújo Rafael , Dorça Fabiano , Cattelan Renan 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn Smart Learning Environments, students need to be aware of their academic performance so they can self-regulate their learning process. Likewise, the teaching process can also be improved if instructors are able to supervise the progress of students, both individually and globally, and anticipate proper pedagogical strategies. Thus, effective Student Models, capable of identifying and predicting the level of knowledge of students, are a key requirement in modern educational systems. In this article, we revisit OSM-V, an Open Student Model with Information Visualization capabilities that allow students and instructors to assess performance-related information in educational systems. We detail its architecture and how it was integrated into Classroom eXperience, a Smart Learning Environment with multimedia capture capabilities. We also present extended results from experiments that evaluate both the perception of utility and behavioral changes in students who used OSM-V, showing that it can positively impact students’ learning and positively influence their study habits.
The added diagnostic value of complementary gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI to 18F-DOPA-PET/CT for liver staging in medullary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Puhr-Westerheide Daniel , Cyran Clemens C. , Sargsyan-Bergmann Josef , Todica Andrei , Gildehaus Franz-Josef , Kunz Wolfgang G. , Stahl Robert , Spitzweg Christine , Ricke Jens , Kazmierczak Philipp M. 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Background
A high proportion of patients with advanced stages of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) present with liver metastasis metastases. The aim of our study was to investigate the added diagnostic value of complementary gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI to 18F-DOPA-PET/CT for liver staging in MTC.

Methods
Thirty-six patients (14 female, median age 55 years) with histologically confirmed MTC undergoing gadoxetic acid-enhanced liver MRI within 1 month of matching contrast-enhanced 18F-DOPA-PET/CT between 2010 and 2016 were selected for this IRB-approved retrospective study. 18F-DOPA-PET/CT and multiparametric MRI data sets were read consecutively and liver lesions were categorised on a 5-point Likert scale (1–definitely benign; 2–probably benign; 3–intermediate risk for metastasis; 4–probably metastasis; 5–definitely metastasis). It was noted if gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI detected additional, 18F-DOPA-PET/CT-occult metastases (category 5) or if gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI allowed for a definite classification (categories 1 and 5) of lesions for which 18F-DOPA-PET/CT remained inconclusive (categories 2–4). Follow-up PET/CT and MRI examinations were used as a reference standard.

Results
A total of 207 liver lesions (18F-DOPA-PET/CT 149, MRI 207; 152 metastases, 37 benign cysts, 18 hemangiomas) were analysed. Fifty-eight additional lesions were detected by MRI, of which 54 were metastases (median diameter 0.5 cm [interquartile range 0.4–0.7 cm]) occult on 18F-DOPA-PET/CT. MRI allowed for a definite lesion classification (categories 1 and 5) in 92% (190/207) whereas 18F-DOPA-PET/CT allowed for a definite lesion classification in 76% (113/149). MRI lead to a change in lesion categorisation in 14% (21/149).

Conclusion
Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI allows for a more precise liver staging in MTC patients compared to 18F-DOPA-PET/CT alone, particularly for 18F-DOPA-negative metastases and lesions < 1 cm.
Adenocarcinoma of the duodenum arising from Brunner’s gland resected by partial duodenectomy: a case report
Authors: Mochizuki Tetsuya , Fujikuni Nobuaki , Nakadoi Koichi , Nakahara Masahiro , Tanabe Kazuaki , Yonehara Shuji , Noriyuki Toshio 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Background
Duodenal carcinoma originating in Brunner’s gland is rare. Herein, we report a case of duodenal carcinoma arising from Brunner’s gland in a 63-year-old man.

Case presentation
On diagnostic imaging, the lesion presented as a non-invasive carcinoma; the patient also had uncontrolled diabetes and liver cirrhosis. Hence, we decided to perform partial duodenectomy to reduce operative stress. Pathological examination revealed that the tumor consisted of tissue from Brunner’s gland. Additionally, the carcinoma cells were strongly positive for Mucin-6 protein, which is an epithelial marker of Brunner’s gland. The patient’s post-operative course was uneventful, and he has been well for 2 years after the surgery.

Conclusions
This a rare case of an adenocarcinoma arising from Brunner’s gland of the duodenum that was resected by duodenectomy.
Limb girdle muscular dystrophy: a case report initially presenting to an outpatient musculoskeletal physiotherapy clinic with spinal pain and functional weakness
Authors: O’Shea Simon , Jenkins Thomas M. 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Background
The term limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) describes a group of genetic muscular disorders that require specialist input from neurologically trained clinicians. The plethora of potential symptoms of this heterogenous group can result in patients presenting initially to musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapists.

Case presentation
The following case report highlights the presentation of a 21 year old female attending with 2 years of spinal pain and an unusual pattern of weakness, namely when rising from a sitting position the hips were abducted and then internally rotated. Formal testing in clinic revealed no isolated weakness initially despite the odd functional movements. There were no neural limb pains and no upper or lower motor neuron concerns on testing. There were no other health concerns. Some gains were reported with recent physiotherapy strengthening exercises and these were persisted with but proved ineffective overall. The Biopsychosocial model was used judiciously to explore alternative pathologies and led to appropriate investigations, onward referral, diagnosis and appropriate management of LGMD. Extensive atrophy of the spinal muscles was evident on imaging which was not particularly identified within the physiotherapy testing process in the earlier stages. Creatine kinase levels were also significantly raised.

Conclusions
Being mindful of this novel presentation in musculoskeletal clinics may well aid future, similar cases to be identified. The case highlights the importance of looking at the functional impact as opposed to traditional testing methods especially in the early stages of such conditions.
Comparison of serum amylase level between dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor and GLP-1 analog administration in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Okada Junichi , Yamada Eijiro , Niijima Yawara , Okada Shuichi , Yamada Masanobu 
Published: November 2019

AbstractWe monitored serum amylase level in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) prescribed either dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor or GLP-1 analog (GLP-1 group) as monotherapy. Patients were treated for a 36-month period. All subjects were non-smoker and did not take any alcoholic beverages. Forty-nine patients were prescribed DPP4is (DPP4i group), and 9 patients were prescribed GLP-1 analogs (GLP-1 group). The median of serum amylase levels in DPP4is group was 73 U/mL and the median of serum amylase levels in GLP-1 analog group was 76. Thus, there was no statistical significance between the two groups. However, the increased serum amylase levels in the three patients were observed only in the DPP4is group. One strength of the current study is that the serum amylase level was consistently measured in all subjects, and those subjects had been treated with either DPP4is or GLP-1 analogs as monotherapy. The incidence of elevated serum pancreatic amylase levels beyond normal range was calculated as 6.12% in the DPP4is group although the frequency was 0% in the GLP-1 analog group. Measurement of serum amylase consistently might have clinical meaning to catch the onset of pancreatitis and minimize the side effects due to DPP4is and GLP-1 analogs.
Usefullnes of atherogenic indices and Ca-LDL level to predict subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with psoriatic arthritis?
Authors: Tecer Duygu , Sunar Ismihan , Ozdemirel Ali Erhan , Tural Rabia , Kucuksahin Orhan , Sepici Dincel Aylin , Ataman Sebnem 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundTo investigate the link between carbamylated low-density lipoprotein (ca-LDL), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), atherogenic coefficient (AC), Castelli’s risk indices I and II (CRI I and II) and subclinic atherosclerosis in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).MethodsThirty-ninepatients and 19 age, sex, body mass index matched healthy controls were included. Insulin resistance (IR) was assessed with homeostasis of model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR). Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) was measured at both common carotid arteries and mean CIMT was calculated.ResultsThe mean age was 49.50 ± 11.86 years and 64.1% were females in PsA group. In the PsA group, CIMT and HOMA-IR were significantly higher (p = 0.003,p = 0.043, respectively). AIP, AC, TG/HDL, CRI-1, CRI-2 and ca-LDL levels were similar between groups. In PsA group, CIMT was positively correlated with HOMA-IR, TG/HDL and AIP. Although ca-LDL was positively correlated with serum amyloid A (r = 0.744,p < 0.001), no correlation was detected between ca-LDL and CIMT (r = 0.215,p = 0.195). PsA patients with IR tended to have higher ca-LDL levels than patients without IR, but this difference lacked statistical significance (33.65 ± 26.94, 28.63 ± 28.06, respectively,p = 0.237).ConclusionsA significant increase in CIMT was seen in PsA patients without clinically evident cardiovascular disease or any traditional atherosclerosis risk factors. CIMT was correlated with HOMA-IR, TG/HDL and AIP.
Mitral valve replacement after transcatheter aortic valve implantation in a patient with rheumatic heart disease and prior Ross procedure: a case report
Authors: Algarni Khaled D. , Arafat Amr A. 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Background
Reoperations are required frequently after the Ross procedure in rheumatic patients. The use of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in those patients could decrease the risk of future open procedure; however, the outcome may be affected by the concomitant mitral valve disease, and subsequent mitral reoperation may distort the implanted aortic valve.

Case presentation
We present a female patient who had a beating mitral valve replacement after valve-in-valve TAVI in a patient with prior Ross procedure. Weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass was difficult, and the patient needed extra-cardiac membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and intra-aortic balloon pump because of right ventricular dysfunction. The right ventricular dysfunction could be due to the concomitant coronary artery disease or air embolism during the beating mitral valve surgery. Recovery was gradual, and the patient was discharged after 33 days. Pre-discharge echocardiography showed a maximum gradient of 9 mmHg on the aortic valve and mild paravalvular leak.

Conclusions
Mitral valve replacement in a patient with prior TAVI and the Ross procedure was feasible; it decreased the operative risk and did not distort the implanted aortic valve.
Pedagogies and civic programs to develop competencies for democratic culture and civic learning outcomes
Authors: Bringle Robert G. , Brown Lorrie A. , Hahn Thomas W. , Studer Morgan 
Published: November 2019

INTRODUCTION. Service learning is a pedagogy that can achieve civic competences for learners to participate effectively in culturally diverse democratic societies. METHODOLOGY. A qualitative analysis of research evidence is examined for why service learning provides the optimal pedagogy for achieving democratic competences and civic learning. Civic-mindedness provides a set of common civic learning objectives that can guide both curricular service learning courses and co-curricular civic programs at multiple levels (course, department, school, campus, multicampus). RESULTS. Past meta-analyses are consistent in establishing service learning as an effective means for enhancing civic learning outcomes. Research on Civic-Minded Graduate and Civic-Minded Professional demonstrates their usefulness to provide an integrative framework for civic learning outcomes that can guide the design, implementation, and assessment of both curricular service learning courses and co-curricular civic programs at multiple levels (course, department, school, campus, multicampus). DISCUSSION. Institutions of higher learning can accept the challenge to enhance civic learning through service learning, co-curricular programs focused on civic outcomes, and other effective, high-impact pedagogies to enhance long-term habits of community engagement that contribute to the public good. A key component of developing civic learning, in addition to high quality course design, is providing opportunities for dialogue and collaboration with diverse others.
The contemporary western tattooist as a multifaceted practitioner
Authors: McDade Adam 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Although tattooing has been vaguely discussed in an academic literature for over a century, it has only received serious scholarly interest in recent decades. The literature that exists is primarily within the contexts of art history, economics and dominantly, social sciences. With few exceptions, the emphasis is placed on the modified body or the recipient of the tattoo as the focus of the study, and not the process of cultural production. Tattooing from the perspective of the practitioner, and thus the methods, processes and actions of the tattooist, is yet to have gained sufficient focus. As a result, understanding of a creative medium that is a dominant form of cultural consumption is limited, largely deductive and lacking in informed internal voices. This article aims to offer insight into the multifaceted and contingent nature of the role of the contemporary western tattooist, which may be understood as a tattooist working in a western context in the twenty-first century. Conducted by a researcher who is also a professional tattooist, the article is informed by a multimethod methodology combining a contextual review with practical research and autoethnography. Drawing upon professional practice to provide elucidation, a lens for partially understanding the contingent role of the tattooist in pragmatic multiplicity of a visual artist, a designer and a craftsperson is proposed. Specific attention is paid to the notion of craft in accordance to the criteria of the supplemental, material and skill proposed by Adamson to exemplify when the tattooist can be understood as performing the action of a craftsperson. The role of the contemporary western tattooist has been either assumed, ignored or studied without the necessary resources or methodologies within conventional disciplinary approaches. In introducing an insider practitioner perspective into the current dialogue, tattooing may be better understood and researched in the avenues in which it has previously been studied, while also being introduced into the broader craft, design and arts academic discourse.
Wrapped in a rainbow: Inspiration and innovation through traditional crafts
Authors: Summatavet Kärt 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Craft artists can be simultaneously mythical poets and SciFy specialists, whose craft skills from the past act as a tool-kit to overcome the borders between past and future, to predict and create imaginary new worlds and to point towards solutions for the future. The Nordic culture and its craft tradition is a wise model for future generations in tackling climate change, social problems and waste. While current design students are outstandingly talented and skilful users of digital tools of virtual reality, problems arise when perfect virtual images have to be transformed into real 3D models, prototypes and products. Designers who are trained to combine craft skills and experiential knowledge with digital reality and computer-assisted tools appear to have an advantage in innovation because they can predict and overcome the flaws that digital reality overlooks.