bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Link Between Elevated Long‐Term Resting Heart Rate Variability and Pulse Pressure Variability for All‐Cause Mortality
Authors: Yang Xiaolei , Hidru Tesfaldet Habtemariam , Han Xu , Zhang Xinyuan , Liu Yang , Wang Binhao , Li Huihua , Wu Shouling , Xia Yun‐Long 
Published: March 2020

Background
Elevated long‐term systolic blood pressure and resting heart rate (RHR) variability are suggested to amplify the risk of all‐cause mortality (ACM). However, the link between increased RHR and pulse pressure for ACM remained unclear.

Methods and Results
This study analyzed 46 751 individuals from Kailuan Cohort Study for the end outcome of ACM. A Cox regression model was used to estimate hazard ratios for death events. Kaplan‐Meier analysis was performed to study the differences in survival as stratified by the SD, coefficient of variation, and average real variability of RHR and pulse pressure quartiles. A total of 1667 deaths (<65 years of age=866/40351, ≥65 years of age=801/6400) were recorded over 4.97±0.69 years follow‐up. Participants under the age of 65 years in the third and fourth quartiles of pulse pressure SD had an independent increase in risk for ACM (hazard ratio [95% CI], 1.16 [1.06–1.28]; and 1.19 [1.05–1.35], respectively). Additionally, participants >65 years of age had a higher risk for ACM across quartiles of RHR‐SD. The hazard ratio (95% CI) for the subjects in quartiles 2, 3, and 4 were 1.81 (1.10–2.97), 2.31 (1.37–1.3.90), and 2.64 (1.63–4.29), respectively.

Conclusions
An elevated long‐term RHR variability combined with an increased pulse pressure variability or vice versa amplifies the risk of ACM.
Association of Serum Lipoprotein (a) With the Requirement for a Peripheral Artery Operation and the Incidence of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in People With Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Golledge Jonathan , Rowbotham Sophie , Velu Ramesh , Quigley Frank , Jenkins Jason , Bourke Michael , Bourke Bernie , Thanigaimani Shivshankar , Chan Dick C. , Watts Gerald F. 
Published: March 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between serum lipoprotein (a) (Lp[a]) concentration and the requirement for peripheral artery disease (
PAD
) operations or incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events.

Methods and Results

A total of 1472 people with
PAD
presenting with intermittent claudication (n=355), abdominal aortic aneurysm (n=989) or critical limb ischemia (n=128) were prospectively recruited from 4 outpatient clinics in Australia. Lp(a) was measured in serum samples collected at recruitment using an immunoassay. Participants were followed for a median (interquartile range) of 2.4 (0.1–6.1) years to record requirement for any
PAD
operation, defined to include any open or endovascular
PAD
intervention (lower limb peripheral revascularization,
abdominal aortic aneurysm
repair, other aneurysm repair, or carotid artery revascularization). Myocardial infarctions, strokes, and deaths were also recorded. The association of Lp(a) with events was assessed using Cox proportional hazard analysis adjusting for traditional risk factors. Participants with Lp(a) ≥30 mg/dL had a greater requirement for any
PAD
operation (hazard ratio, 1.20, 95%
CI
, 1.02–1.41) and lower limb peripheral revascularization alone (
hazard ratio
1.33, 95%
CI
, 1.06–1.66) but no increased risk of
major adverse cardiovascular events
or all‐cause mortality. Lp(a) ≥50 mg/dL and a 40 mg/dL increase in Lp(a) were also associated with an increased risk of lower limb peripheral revascularization alone but not with other outcomes.

Conclusions

In participants with
PAD
referred for hospital management those with high Lp(a) had greater requirement for lower limb peripheral revascularization but Lp(a) was not consistently associated with other clinical events.
Snowflake Selfies: A Low-Cost, High-Impact Approach toward Student Engagement in Scientific Research (with Their Smartphones)
Authors: Kumjian Matthew R. , Bowley Kevin A. , Markowski Paul M. , Lombardo Kelly , Lebo Zachary J. , Kollias Pavlos 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAn engaged scholarship project called “Snowflake Selfies” was developed and implemented in an upper-level undergraduate course at The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State). During the project, students conducted research on snow using low-cost, low-tech instrumentation that may be readily implemented broadly and scaled as needed, particularly at institutions with limited resources. During intensive observing periods (IOPs), students measured snowfall accumulations, snow-to-liquid ratios, and took microscopic photographs of snow using their smartphones. These observations were placed in meteorological context using radar observations and thermodynamic soundings, helping to reinforce concepts from atmospheric thermodynamics, cloud physics, radar, and mesoscale meteorology courses. Students also prepared a term paper and presentation using their datasets/photographs to hone communication skills. Examples from IOPs are presented. The Snowflake Selfies project was well received by undergraduate students as part of the writing-intensive course at Penn State. Responses to survey questions highlight the project’s effectiveness at engaging students and increasing their enthusiasm for the semester-long project. The natural link to social media broadened engagement to the community level. Given the successes at Penn State, we encourage Snowflake Selfies or similar projects to be adapted or implemented at other institutions.
Modulation of the Relationship between ENSO and Its Combination Mode by the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation
Authors: Geng Xin , Zhang Wenjun , Jin Fei-Fei , Stuecker Malte F. , Levine Aaron F. Z. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractRecent studies demonstrated the existence of a conspicuous atmospheric combination mode (C-mode) originating from nonlinear interactions between El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Pacific warm pool annual cycle (AC). Here we find that the C-mode exhibits prominent decadal amplitude variations during the ENSO decaying boreal spring season. It is revealed that the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) can largely explain this waxing and waning in amplitude. A robust positive correlation between ENSO and the C-mode is detected during a negative AMO phase but not during a positive phase. Similar results can also be found in the relationship of ENSO with 1) the western North Pacific (WNP) anticyclone and 2) spring precipitation over southern China, both of which are closely associated with the C-mode. We suggest that ENSO property changes due to an AMO modulation play a crucial role in determining these decadal shifts. During a positive AMO phase, ENSO events are distinctly weaker than those in an AMO negative phase. In addition, El Niño events concurrent with a positive AMO phase tend to exhibit a westward-shifted sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly pattern. These SST characteristics during the positive AMO phase are both not conducive to the development of the meridionally asymmetric C-mode atmospheric circulation pattern and thus reduce the ENSO/C-mode correlation on decadal time scales. These observations can be realistically reproduced by a coupled general circulation model (CGCM) experiment in which North Atlantic SSTs are nudged to reproduce a 50-yr sinusoidally varying AMO evolution. Our conclusion carries important implications for understanding seasonally modulated ENSO dynamics and multiscale climate impacts over East Asia.
Winds, Waves, and Turbulence on a Shallow Continental Shelf during Passage of a Tropical Storm
Authors: Gargett Ann E. , Savidge Dana K. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractMeasurements of collocated fields of atmospheric forcing, surface waves, and mean and turbulent velocities associated with passage of Tropical Storm (TS) Barry over the U.S. Navy Tower R2 on the Georgia continental shelf are presented. A vertical-beam ADCP enables computation of directional surface wave spectra and hence of directional Stokes functions of depth and time, as well as mean (including tidal) and turbulent velocities throughout the water column. Full-depth turbulent velocity and backscatter structures observed during TS Barry are determined to be Langmuir supercells (LS). The LS appear in the present observations and in similar observations from a shallower site only when a surface growth rate g* exceeds a critical value, providing a means of predicting how deep an unstratified water column must be before LS will not be expected. When observed, LS structures at Tower R2 are less organized than archetypical LS structures: we suggest that this result is due primarily to smaller near-bottom growth rate in the deeper water column. Despite g* values above the critical value, and appropriate values of Langmuir and Rayleigh numbers, full-depth velocity/backscatter structures disappear completely for a time between the two wind maxima associated with the TS, as wind veers rapidly clockwise with eye passage to the west of Tower R2. From the observations, the most likely explanation for this hiatus is decreased wave breaking during the period of wind veering, reducing surface supply of “effective” vertical vorticity that dominates generation of Langmuir circulation (LC). This result has significant implications for LES modeling of LC.
Analysis of Scapular Kinematics and Muscle Activity by Use of Fine-Wire Electrodes During Shoulder Exercises
Authors: Berckmans Kelly , Castelein Birgit , Borms Dorien , Palmans Tanneke , Parlevliet Thierry , Cools Ann 
Published: March 2020

Background: During nonoperative or postoperative rehabilitation after sports injuries, exercise selection is often based on minimal load on the injured/repaired glenohumeral structures, while optimally activating scapulothoracic muscles. Previous research explored scapular muscle activity during rehabilitation exercises using surface electromyography (EMG). However, limited information exists about the deeper lying muscle activity, measured with fine-wire electrodes, even more in combination with 3-dimensional scapular kinematics. Purpose: To report scapular kinematics synchronously with surface and fine-wire EMG during specific shoulder exercises for early rehabilitation. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: A total of 23 healthy male patients were recruited. Three-dimensional scapular kinematics were measured combined with EMG recording of 8 muscles during 4 commonly used shoulder exercises (inferior glide, low row, lawnmower, and robbery). Upper (UT), middle (MT), and lower (LT) trapezius and serratus anterior muscle activities were measured with bipolar surface electrodes. Intramuscular electrodes were placed in the levator scapulae (LS), rhomboid major (RM), pectoralis minor (Pm), and infraspinatus (IS) muscles. All data were normalized as a percentage of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC). A linear mixed model with Bonferroni correction was applied for statistical analysis. Results: Scapular kinematics revealed an anterior tilt position during the inferior glide, low row, and robbery ( P < .05). An upward rotation position between 20° and 30° was reached in all exercises except low row. Inferior glide (31°) and low row (42°) represented a significantly increased internal rotation position compared with lawnmower and robbery. Lawnmower and robbery showed significantly ( P < .05) more MT (lawnmower, 36% MVIC; robbery, 39% MVIC) and RM (lawnmower, 59% MVIC; robbery, 66% MVIC) activation compared with inferior glide and low row. Lawnmower and robbery showed significantly ( P < .05) less Pm activation (9.5%-12% MVIC). LS was significantly more active during robbery (58% MVIC) compared with inferior glide and low row (27%-36% MVIC) ( P < .05). IS showed moderate activity (24%-37% MVIC) for all exercises, except low row (13% MVIC). Conclusion/Clinical Relevance: This study provides new insights about scapular positions and activation of the deeper layer muscles during 4 commonly used shoulder rehabilitation exercises. The lawnmower showed a favorable position of the scapula with less Pm activity in contrast to the low row. The inferior glide, lawnmower, and robbery should not be implemented in early phases of shoulder rehabilitation because of their moderate muscle activity.
Child Dietary Diversity and Associated Factors Among Children in Somalian IDP Camps
Authors: Di Marcantonio Federica , Custodio Estefania , Abukar Yusuf 
Published: March 2020

Background: Malnutrition and food insecurity are major challenges in Somalia, particularly among small children living in internally displaced person (IDP) camps. Poor diet has been identified as a key driver of malnutrition in young children who depend for their diets on their household’s socioeconomic standing and access to food, as well as on the family’s caring and feeding practices. Objective: To assess the dietary diversity and identify the factors associated with it among children (6-23 months) in Somalian IDP camps. Methods: We used a cross-sectional survey conducted in 11 IDP camps in Somalia in June 2014 and in June 2015. A total of 3188 children aged 6 to 23 months were surveyed. Child diets were assessed using food frequency questionnaires, and dietary diversity was categorized using the minimum child dietary diversity (MDDC) indicator. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify the factors associated with the children’s dietary diversity. We built and compared 2 models using alternatively the household dietary diversity score (HDDS) and the food consumption score (FCS) as food security proxies. Results: Around 15% of children in IDP camps reached the minimum dietary diversity. Overall, our results confirm that not only are food security proxies the factors most associated with MDDC, but HDDS performs better than FCS. In addition, results identify that women as key decision-maker in the household, duration of household permanence in the settlement, women’s physiological status, frequency of milk feeding to child, type of toilet, and measles vaccination are positively associated with MDDC. Conclusions: To improve child dietary diversity in IDP camps, food security interventions should be broadened to include female empowerment and inclusive nutrition education (encouraging male participation) programs, as well as initiatives targeting children who do not live with pregnant or lactating women and that can support families beyond the first months after their arrival.
Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio – a simple, accessible measure of inflammation, morbidity and prognosis in psychiatric disorders?
Authors: Zulfic Zlatan , Weickert Cynthia Shannon , Weickert Thomas W , Liu Dennis , Myles Nicholas , Galletly Cherrie 
Published: March 2020

Objective: A narrative review to describe the utility of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as an inflammatory marker in psychiatric and non-psychiatric disorders and to discuss the potential role of NLR in psychiatric research. Conclusions: NLR is inexpensive and readily available using division of two measures obtained on routine blood testing. NLR is elevated in a number of psychiatric disorders. It can predict morbidity and mortality in a wide range of non-psychiatric conditions, but this has not been confirmed in psychiatric conditions. It can be calculated in large, pre-existing datasets to investigate clinical correlates of inflammatory processes. NLR may have a future role in identifying patients with an inflammatory phenotype who could benefit from adjunctive anti-inflammatory medications.
High-frequency disturbance force suppression mechanism of a flywheel equipped with a flexible dynamic vibration absorber
Authors: Huang Xiuchang , Su Zhiwei , Wang Sen , Wei Xinsheng , Wang Yong , Hua Hongxing 
Published: March 2020

Flywheels generate speed-related disturbances and induce micro-vibrations that influence the performance of high-sensitivity instruments on board. This study addresses dynamic modeling and disturbance force suppression of the flywheels due to its inherent characteristic structural modes. The disturbance force transmission of a rotating flywheel due to a unit radial force applied at the rim of the wheel body is reported using the three-dimensional finite element method and frequency response function–based substructuring method. The characteristic structural modes for the radial and axial disturbance forces are identified. The axial deformation–dominated flapping mode and the radial deformation–dominated transverse mode will contribute most to the axial and radial disturbance forces, respectively. A flexible ring structure, which is rested on the arms of the wheel body through independent viscoelastic pads and simultaneously in contact with the inner rim of the wheel body by independent resilient cushion members, is proposed to function as a damped dynamic vibration absorber. The modes of the dynamic vibration absorber and the modes of the flywheel equipped with the dynamic vibration absorber are analyzed. It is shown that the dynamic vibration absorber is effective to suppress both the radial and axial disturbance forces at the characteristic structural modes under different rotational speeds, provided that the loss factor of the complex elastic modulus for the viscoelastic pads is larger than 0.2 and the proportional damping constant for the stiffness matrix is larger than 6 Ns/m. Experimental analyses are conducted on a flywheel with a well-designed dynamic vibration absorber to validate the theoretical findings. Modal tests and disturbance force measurements are carried out for the flywheel with/without the dynamic vibration absorber. It is shown that the identified characteristic structural modes will contribute remarkable peaks for the radial and axial disturbance forces. The proposed dynamic vibration absorber is capable to suppress the high-frequency disturbance forces efficiently under different rotational speeds.
Single pedicle advancement flap for treatment of feline stenotic nares: technique and results in five cases
Authors: Berns Chanel N , Schmiedt Chad W , Dickerson Vanna M , Murphy Sean M 
Published: March 2020

Objectives Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is a common cause of upper airway obstruction in dogs, but is appreciated less commonly in cats. Of the components of BOAS, stenotic nares appear to play a major role in cats. However, the axial deviation of the alar wing, a common cause of nasal obstruction in dogs, is typically not present. We report a series of brachycephalic cats with a ventral nasal obstruction resulting from redundant skin along the floor of the nares. In these cats, surgical techniques developed for dogs were felt to be suboptimal. Our aim is to describe a novel surgical procedure designed specifically to surgically correct stenotic nares in cats with an obstructive fold of skin ventral to the nostril. Methods Five brachycephalic cats presenting for clinical signs of stenotic nares underwent surgical repair. In each case, a resection of the skin fold followed by a bilateral single pedicle advancement flap technique was performed. Postoperative outcomes were obtained by contacting owners by telephone. Results All cats had positive outcomes, resulting in immediate reduction of the nasal fold and opening of the nares. Owners noted resolution of stertor and no episodes of respiratory distress. No surgical complications were reported. Conclusions and relevance In brachycephalic cats, the ventral skin fold may be a significant contributor to stenotic nares, unlike dogs. Resection of the skin fold, followed by bilateral single pedicle advancement flaps is a novel technique and appeared to be successful for treating stenotic nares in this series of brachycephalic cats.
miR-331-3p Suppresses Cell Proliferation in TNBC Cells by Downregulating NRP2
Authors: Zhao Mingchuan , Zhang Mengmeng , Tao Zhonghua , Cao Jun , Wang Leiping , Hu Xichun 
Published: March 2020

Purpose: Triple-negative breast cancer is characterized by fast progression with high possible for metastasis and poor survival. Dysfunction of microRNAs plays an important role in the initiation and progression of cancer. Our previous microRNA-seq data indicated the downregulation of miR-331-3p in triple-negative breast cancer tissues compared with that of the noncancer tissues. However, the function of miR-331-3p in triple-negative breast cancer remains largely unknown. Herein, the involvement of miR-331-3p in triple-negative breast cancer was investigated and the therapeutic potential of miR-331-3p was also explored. Methods: Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the expression of miR-331-3p in triple-negative breast cancer tissues and cell lines. The cell proliferation was determined by the cell counting kit-8 assay. Apoptosis of triple-negative breast cancer cells was examined by annexin V/propidium iodide staining. miRDB database was used to predict the potential targets of miR-331-3p. Western blot was performed to examine the expression of the target protein. Results: miR-331-3p was significantly downregulated in triple-negative breast cancer tissues and cell line. Lower miR-331-3p expression was significantly correlated with the tumor size, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis of patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Functional experiments showed that the overexpression of miR-331-3p inhibited the proliferation and increased apoptosis of triple-negative breast cancer cells. Neuropilin-2 was identified as a target of miR-331-3p, which harbored binding site of miR-331-3p in its 3′-untranslated region. Overexpression of miR-331-3p decreased the messenger RNA and protein levels of neuropilin-2 in triple-negative breast cancer cells. Restoration of neuropilin-2 partially reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-331-3p on the proliferation of triple-negative breast cancer cells. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated the novel function of miR-331-3p/neuropilin-2 signaling in regulating the malignant behaviors of triple-negative breast cancer cells, which suggested miR-331-3p as a potential target for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.
Endpoint selection for noninferiority percutaneous coronary intervention trials: a methodological description
Authors: Waliszewski Matthias , Rosenberg Mark , Rittger Harald , Breul Viktor , Krackhardt Florian 
Published: March 2020

Background: The objective of this review is to provide a practical update on endpoint selection for noninferiority (NI) studies in percutaneous coronary intervention studies. Methods: A PubMed search was conducted for predefined terms to explore the use of NI designs and intrapatient comparisons to determine their current importance. Sample size calculations for the most frequently used endpoints with NI hypotheses were done to increase statistical awareness. Results: Reported NI trials, with the most frequently chosen clinical endpoint of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), had NI margins ranging from 1.66% to 5.00%, resulting in patient populations of 400–1500 per treatment group. Clinical study endpoints comprising of MACE complemented with rates of bleeding complications and stent thrombosis (ST) are suggested to conduct a statistically and clinically meaningful NI trial. Study designs with surrogate endpoints amenable to intrapatient randomizations, are a very attractive option to reduce the number of necessary patients by about half. Comparative clinical endpoint studies with MACE and ST/bleeding rates to study a shortened dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in coronary stent trials are feasible, whereas ST as the sole primary endpoint is not useful. Conclusions: Expanded composite clinical endpoints (MACE complemented by ST and bleeding rates and intrapatient randomization for selected surrogate endpoints) may be suitable tools to meet future needs in device approval, recertification and reimbursement.