bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of contractile reserve as a predictor of mortality in low‐flow, low‐gradient severe aortic stenosis following transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Buchanan Kyle D. , Rogers Toby , Steinvil Arie , Koifman Edward , Xu Linzhi , Torguson Rebecca , Okubagzi Petros G. , Shults Christian , Pichard Augusto D. , Ben‐Dor Itsik , Satler Lowell F. , Waksman Ron , Asch Federico M. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of contractile reserve (CR) at baseline in patients with low‐flow, low‐gradient severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).BackgroundPatients with severe AS, left ventricular dysfunction, and low transaortic gradient are at high risk for mortality during surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Furthermore, patients without CR have been shown to have perioperative mortality comparable to that of patients treated medically for severe AS.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent TAVR with a diagnosis of low‐gradient severe AS (mean transvalvular aortic gradient < 40 mmHg, LVEF < 50%, and AVA ≤ 1.0 cm2 or AVAi ≤ 0.6 cm2) and who had a pre‐TAVR dobutamine stress echocardiogram (DSE). Patients were stratified by the presence or absence of CR, defined as an increase in stroke volume ≥ 20% during DSE.ResultsFrom 2008 to 2016, 61 patients with low‐gradient severe AS underwent TAVR and had pre‐TAVR DSE. CR was present in 31 patients (51%) and absent in 30 (49%). There was no significant difference between the two groups in baseline demographics, medical history, access site, or types of valves. All‐cause mortality was similar in both groups at 30 days (13% with CR vs 10% without CR, P = 1.00) and 1 year (29% with CR vs 33% without CR, HR 1.20, 95% CI 0.49–2.96, P = 0.69).ConclusionIn patients with low‐flow, low‐gradient severe AS undergoing TAVR, the presence or absence of CR does not predict all‐cause mortality at 30 days or 1 year.
Effect of percutaneous paravalvular leak closure on hemolysis
Authors: Panaich Sidakpal S. , Maor Elad , Reddy Gautam , Raphael Claire E. , Cabalka Allison , Hagler Donald J. , Reeder Guy S. , Rihal Charanjit S. , Eleid Mackram F. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo study the effect of percutaneous paravalvular leak closure on hemolysis.BackgroundAlthough transcatheter PVL closure reduces heart failure and mortality in symptomatic patients with paravalvular leaks (PVL), little is known about its effect on hemolysis.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing transcatheter mitral or aortic PVL closure (January 2005–December 2016) at Mayo Clinic. Patients with anemia or abnormal hemolysis markers (LDH, haptoglobin) were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was defined as hemoglobin increase ≥ 1.5 mg/dL, decrease in LDH above median or improvement in haptoglobin. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression modeling were used to determine predictors of successful treatment of hemolysis.ResultsFinal study population included 168 patients (130 [77%] mitral, 38 [23%] aortic PVL). Primary outcome occurred in 70 patients (42%). Hemoglobin increased by 1.74 ± 1.69 mg/dL in patients who reached primary outcome. 57/168 (34%) patients required blood transfusion prior to PVL closure compared to 35/168 (21%) postprocedure. The mean reduction in LDH was 403 U/L. Multivariate regression showed that patients with mechanical valves were more likely to have successful outcome (P = 0.044).ConclusionPercutaneous PVL closure is associated with modest improvement in hemolysis markers, increase in hemoglobin levels and reduction in blood transfusion requirements. This benefit is most significant in patients with mechanical valves.
Anorectal melanoma treated with abdominoperineal resection
Authors: Svoboda Shane M. , Attuwaybi Bashir 
Published: October 2018

Key Clinical MessageThe diagnosis of primary malignant melanoma of the anorectum is extremely rare and carries a very poor prognosis. While it is the third most common site of a primary melanoma, it accounts for <1% of anorectal malignancies. We present cases of anorectal melanoma treated with abdominoperineal resection.
Research on the application of cloud computing mode in athletes' technical movement capture
Authors: Xie Yong , Su Huiming 
Published: October 2018

SummaryMotion capture technology is an important means to obtain motion data. It is an emerging technology that intersects many disciplines such as computer animation, mathematics, computer graphics, and optics. Due to its powerful functions, it has attracted many domestic and foreign scholars' research interests in recent years. In this paper, a series of studies centering on motion capture are first reviewed, and the meanings and current research status of cloud computing and motion capture are summarized. Then, the basic skeleton of a tree‐like human body is established, and the collected scattered data are processed by cloud computing to realize the automation of data processing.
Research on financial data analysis based on data mining algorithm
Authors: Yu Wei , Li Shijun 
Published: October 2018

SummaryAt present, computer technology and Internet technology have been deeply integrated with the development of the Internet. This paper constructs a financial time series analysis and prediction model under the background of Internet e‐commerce development. As IT technology, data mining must be simple and fast. Therefore, starting from the model and based on the algorithm, this paper establishes a feasible serial data mining technology and theoretical system. Based on this, this paper deeply studies the data repair technology and interpolation technology such as EM algorithm for the actual more missing data, and the result is very satisfactory. Finally, this paper further studies the forward search algorithm, which is based on clustering to pretreat can complete the calculation process in a shorter time, reduce the possibility of errors, and improve efficiency.
Performance analysis of a pairwise method for partial inversion of complex block tridiagonal matrices
Authors: Spellacy Louise , Golden Darach , Rungger Ivan 
Published: October 2018

SummaryThe algorithm detailed below extends previous work on inversion of block tridiagonal matrices from the Hermitian/symmetric case to the general case and allows for varying sub‐block sizes. The sub‐blocks of the matrix are evenly distributed across p processes. Local sub‐blocks are combined to form a matrix on each process. These matrices are inverted locally and the inverses are combined in a pairwise manner. At each combination step, the updates to the global inverse are represented by updating “matrix maps” on each process. The matrix maps are finally applied to the original local inverse to retrieve the block tridiagonal elements of the global inverse. This algorithm has been implemented in Fortran with MPI. Calculated inverses are compared with inverses obtained using the well known libraries ScaLAPACK and MUMPS. Results are given for matrices arising from Density Functional Theory applications.
Wrist Flexion Exercise Increases the Width of the Medial Elbow Joint Space During a Valgus Stress Test
Authors: Millard Nathaniel , DeMoss Andrew , McIlvain Gary , Beckett Joseph A. , Jasko John J. , Timmons Mark K. 
Published: October 2018

ObjectivesThe medial elbow is stabilized during valgus loading by the ulnar collateral ligament, the flexor pronator mass (FPM), and the radial head. Impairment of the FPM can occur as a result of repeated wrist flexion activity. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of repeated elbow flexion exercise on medial elbow stability.MethodsThirty volunteers were included in this study. Ultrasound images of the medial joint space of the nondominant elbow of the participants were collected during a valgus stress test. The images were collected before and immediately after a wrist flexion exercise protocol.ResultsThe wrist flexion strength measure decreased (7.5%) after the exercise protocol (t = 3.840; P = .001). The medial elbow width increased between unstressed (mean ± SD, 2.8 ± 0.1 mm) and stressed (3.6 ± 0.1 mm) conditions (P < .001). The stress‐by‐fatigue interaction was significant (P = .048). The medial elbow width increased after fatigue (0.9 ± 0.09 mm) while remaining unchanged in the unstressed condition.ConclusionsThis study found an effect of repeated wrist flexion exercise on decreasing the stability of the medial elbow. Future research needs to explore the mechanisms leading to the decrease in medial elbow stability and to identify the effect of FPM fatigue on the development of medial elbow pain associated with activities.
Are spinal deformities in ancient dogs related to weight bearing? The importance of fluctuating asymmetry
Authors: Janssens Luc August , Vitales Timothy , Lawler Dennis 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe article “A howl from the grave: Osteological analysis of 12th‐ to 15th‐century dogs from Santa Ana, Manila, Philippines, International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 2018” DOI:10.1002/oa.2644 discusses two vertebral abnormalities of ancient dogs: flattening of the tip and lateral deviation of the dorsal spinous process and considers possible causal use of dogs as beasts of burden. This idea also has been suggested in previous reports. We question this view and evaluate such spinal abnormalities in a modern veterinary context, using computerized tomography (CT)–scanned pet dogs that were not carrying weights or pulling travois or sledge. We show that identical asymmetries and anatomical variations occur in CT images of modern dogs that have not been carrying weights or pulling sledges or travois. We suggest that these features can be normal variants, expressing fluctuating asymmetry. We emphasize that health care settings provide the procedural mechanics and the means to evaluate and distinguish among diagnostic possibilities. We plead for increased collaboration among experienced veterinary specialists and zooarchaeologists when aberrations of ancient osteological structures are encountered. This cooperation will lead to more informed interpretations and avoid misdiagnosis and unrealistic lifestyle interpretations.
Riluzole induces AR degradation via endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway in androgen‐dependent and castration‐resistant prostate cancer cells
Authors: Wadosky Kristine M. , Shourideh Mojgan , Goodrich David W. , Koochekpour Shahriar 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundProstate cancer (PCa) is diagnosed at the highest rate of all non‐cutaneous male cancers in the United States. The androgen‐dependent (AD) transcription factor, androgen receptor (AR), drives PCa—but inhibiting AR or androgen biosynthesis induces remission for only a short time. At which point, patients acquire more aggressive castration‐resistant (CR) disease with re‐activated AR‐dependent signaling. To combat treatment resistance, down‐regulating AR protein expression has been considered as a potential treatment strategy for CR‐PCa.MethodsAD‐ and CR‐PCa cell lines were treated with the well‐tolerated FDA‐approved oral medicine, riluzole. Expression of full‐length or wild‐type AR (AR‐FL) and constitutively active AR‐splice variant 7 (AR‐V7) was assessed by immunoblotting. AR‐FL/AR‐V7 activity was measured using qRT‐PCR of AR‐target genes. Cytoplasmic [Ca2+] levels were measured using a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator microplate assay. Markers of the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) pathway and autophagy were assessed by immunoblotting. Direct interaction between AR and selective autophagy receptor p62 was demonstrated by co‐immunoprecipitation.ResultsWe demonstrate that riluzole downregulates AR‐FL, mutant ARs, and AR‐V7 proteins expression by protein degradation through ERS pathway and selective autophagy. Riluzole also significantly inhibited AR transcription activity by decreasing its target genes expression (PSA, TMPRSS2, and KLK2).ConclusionsWe provide key mechanistic insights by which riluzole exerts its anti‐tumorigenic effects and induces AR protein degradation via ERS pathways. Our findings support the potential utility of riluzole for treatment of PCa.
Modeling Reactive Mixtures: Case Study for Spills of Formaldehyde Solutions
Authors: Drew David W. , Dharmavaram Seshu , Gilbert Kevin L. 
Published: October 2018

When a liquid mixture, such as an aqueous formaldehyde solution, is released into the environment, the rate of evaporation into the atmosphere depends strongly on chemical reactions that regulate the evolution of formaldehyde vapors. Most of the consequence modeling methods and models currently used in the industry usually ignore any reaction phenomena. This article describes a dynamic model developed using the Aspen® Custom Modeling (ACM) tool kit. In the case of formaldehyde solutions, the thermodynamics and reaction kinetics of a mixture of formaldehyde (HCHO), water and methanol (CH3OH) are computed from models available in the open literature. The liquid‐phase, reversible, chemical reactions between water and formaldehyde, as well as methanol and formaldehyde, form oligomers—most of which are nonvolatile. The mass transfer and heat transfer coefficients between the surface of the spill and the atmosphere are computed by established correlations for flow over a semi‐infinite flat surface.For a release scenario, the model computes the time‐varying liquid and vapor phase compositions and conditions. It also computes the required vaporization rates for HCHO and CH3OH resulting from, for example, a 54 wt% formaldehyde solution spill onto a relatively dry surface of a fixed area under specific meteorological conditions. The article presents details regarding the formaldehyde spill modeling methodology, with examples. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Process Saf Prog 38: 61–70, 2019
Subcutaneous Leydig Stem Cell Autograft: A Promising Strategy to Increase Serum Testosterone
Authors: Arora Himanshu , Zuttion Marilia Sanches Santos Rizzo , Nahar Bruno , Lamb Dolores , Hare Joshua M. , Ramasamy Ranjith 
Published: October 2018

AbstractExogenous testosterone therapy can be used to treat testosterone deficiency; however, it has several adverse effects including infertility due to negative feedback on the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis. Leydig stem cell (LSC) transplantation could provide a new strategy for treating testosterone deficiency, but clinical translatability of injecting stem cells inside the testis is not feasible. Here, we explore the feasibility of subcutaneously autografting LSCs in combination with Sertoli and myoid cells to increase testosterone. We also studied whether the grafted LSCs can be regulated by the HPG axis and the molecular mechanism behind this regulation. LSCs were isolated from the testes of 12-week-old C57BL/6 mice, and subcutaneously autografted in combination with Sertoli cells and myoid cells. We found that LSCs alone were incapable of self-renewal and differentiation. However, in combination with Sertoli cells and myoid cells, LSCs underwent self-renewal as well as differentiation into mature Leydig cells. As a result, the recipient mice that received the LSC autograft showed testosterone production with preserved luteinizing hormone. We found that testosterone production from the autograft was regulated by hedgehog (HH) signaling. Gain of function and loss of function study confirmed that Desert HH (DHH) agonist increased and DHH antagonist decreased testosterone production from autograft. This study is the first to demonstrate that LSCs, when autografted subcutaneously in combination with Sertoli cells and myoid cells, can increase testosterone production. Therefore, LSC autograft may provide a new treatment for testosterone deficiency while simultaneously preserving the HPG axis. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2019;8:58–65
A new instrument for measuring pre‐service biology teachers' pedagogical content knowledge: The PCK‐IBI
Authors: Großschedl Jörg , Welter Virginia , Harms Ute 
Published: October 2018

AbstractTeachers' pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) is highly important for effective design and implementation of school teaching. Thus, the current status, development and efficacy of this knowledge, its relationships with teaching quality parameters, and its impact on students' learning processes and success, require rigorous examination. Thoroughly validated, objective and reliable test instruments that are highly sensitive to changes in variables of proven knowledge‐related relevance in teacher education are also required. Previous attempts to design such instruments for assessing science teachers' PCK have largely focused on mathematical content. Therefore, here we present an instrument (the pedagogical content knowledge in biology inventory, PCK‐IBI), based on conceptualizations of teachers' professional competence, for assessing secondary school pre‐service biology teachers' PCK. In a series of three evaluations and refinements it was tested with samples of N = 274 and N = 432 German pre‐service as well as one sample of n = 65 German pre‐service and n = 35 German in‐service biology teachers. Item analysis, scale analysis and empirically obtained indicators of validity suggest that the final 34‐item‐version of the PCK‐IBI is unidimensional, provides objective test scores and enables reliable and valid registration of pre‐service biology teachers' PCK. Thus, hypotheses regarding specific aspects of the model on which the PCK‐IBI's construction is based on are empirically supported. The results of our study provide empirical support for the instrument's potential utility.
Teaching energy in high school by making use of history and philosophy of science
Authors: Bächtold Manuel , Munier Valérie 
Published: October 2018

AbstractHow to improve students' understanding of energy transformation and conservation remains one of the main challenges of energy teaching. To address this challenge, we developed a new teaching strategy suited to high school based on history and philosophy of science (HPS). It involves five key ingredients: study and reproduction of Joule's paddle‐wheel experiment, introduction of Rankine's definition, study of a historical text of Joule, use of an “ID card of energy,” and early introduction and multiple application of the principle of energy conservation. This strategy was built and implemented in the frame of a collaborative and iterative work involving researchers and teachers. We examined the effects of this HPS‐based teaching strategy on students' understanding of energy. We used a quantitative method based on pre‐ and post‐tests (N = 95/87) completed by a qualitative analysis using both video recordings of classroom activities and videos produced by students during one of the teaching sequences. The outcomes show that the teaching strategy had an overall positive impact on students' learning of energy: in particular, Joule's paddle‐wheel experiment seems to favor their understanding of the notion of energy transformation, while the early introduction and multiple application of the conservation principle appears as a relevant option to facilitate its mastering. This study illustrates how HPS might actually be introduced in classrooms and brings to light its usefulness for building new science teaching strategies.
Elementary teachers’ science subject matter knowledge across the teacher career cycle
Authors: Nixon Ryan S. , Smith Leigh K. , Sudweeks Richard R. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAlthough widely touted as important, there is little evidence regarding the influence of teaching experience on elementary teachers' science subject matter knowledge (SMK). To better understand this phenomenon, we administered an assessment of science topics taught in the fifth and sixth grades to 169 preservice teachers, 231 fifth‐grade teachers, and 208 sixth‐grade teachers. We then compared the mean scores of teachers at different stages in the career cycle using one‐way and two‐way ANOVA and explored the relationship between SMK scores and years of teaching experience using regression analysis. Findings indicate that (i) being assigned to a specific grade level had an impact on teachers' SMK for topics included in the grade level, (ii) teachers' SMK scores were lower later in their careers for both science topics they had never taught and for science topics they were responsible for teaching, and (iii) results differed for fifth and sixth grades. This study adds to the existing literature through the examination of a large sample of elementary teachers, with teachers of varying years of experience, while focusing on the science topics these teachers are responsible for teaching. The results of this study provide strong evidence that (i) years of experience teaching specific science topics is associated with the development of teachers' knowledge of these topics, and (ii) teaching experience, what teachers do in the context of their everyday practice, can be an effective means of self‐directed learning for teachers. There is also evidence that this influence is not uniform across years of teaching experience or science topics taught. These findings raise important implications about future research into the mechanism of SMK development through teaching experience and teacher grade‐level assignments.
NR3C2 Gene is Associated with Susceptibility to High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema in Han Chinese
Authors: Yang Yingzhong , Xu Jin , Tang Feng , Ga Qin , Li Yuhong , Guan Wei , Ge Ri-Li 
Published: October 2018

Introduction The mineralocorticoid receptor is encoded by the NR3C2 gene and plays an important role in regulating vascular tone in high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). This study aimed to investigate the association of the polymorphisms in the NR3C2 gene with HAPE susceptibility in Han Chinese. Methods We enrolled 133 HAPE patients and 131 matched healthy Han Chinese from the Yushu area in Qinghai, where the altitude is greater than 3500 m. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the NR3C2 gene, rs2070951 and rs5522, were genotyped by the Sequenom MassARRAY SNP assay. Results The genotypic distributions and allele frequencies of NR3C2 SNP rs5522 were significantly different between the HAPE and control groups ( P<0.05). The frequency of the A allele of rs5522 was significantly higher in the HAPE group than in the control group ( P<0.05) with an odds ratio of 1.7 (95% CI: 1.0−2.8). There were no significant differences in the genotypic distributions and allele frequencies of NR3C2 SNP rs2070951 between the HAPE and control groups. The frequencies of the C-A and C-G haplotypes were significantly higher in the HAPE group than in control group. Conclusions The rs5522 polymorphism of the NR3C2 gene was associated with HAPE susceptibility in Chinese subjects. The A allele may contribute to the susceptibility to HAPE. The frequency of the C-A and C-G haplotypes of rs2070951 and rs5522 in the NR3C2 gene may increase the risk of HAPE.
Poor Man's Crop: Evading opium monopoly
Authors: CEDERLÖF GUNNEL 
Published: October 2018

AbstractResearch on opium in colonial India has so far mainly focused on the competing Malwa and Bengal opium currents under the control of the Sindia and Holkar families and of the British East India Company, respectively. The historical trajectory has tended to emphasize the implementation of a draconian and all-encompassing British monopoly. This study joins the emerging efforts to search the regional histories on the margins of the strongest players’ actions on the global scene. It aims at nuancing the narratives by focusing on a region away from such centres. The study investigates the local cultivation and usage of opium in Rangpore district—a region in north Bengal that had recently been badly affected by a severe flood. Here, the drug was extensively used and the lucrative trade with neighbouring states gave small-scale cultivators an income also under hard environmental conditions. The fact that production and trade were small-scale, fragmented, and made use of markets in Cooch Bihar, Assam, and Bhutan impeded British attempts at getting in control of production and trade.