bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
No modulation of pupil size and event-related pupil response by transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS)
Authors: Keute Marius , Demirezen Mustafa , Graf Alina , Mueller Notger G. , Zaehle Tino 
Published: August 2019

AbstractTranscutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) bears therapeutic potential for a wide range of medical conditions. However, previous studies have found substantial interindividual variability in responsiveness to taVNS, and no reliable predictive biomarker for stimulation success has been developed so far. In this study, we investigate pupil size and event-related pupil response as candidate biomarkers. Both measures have a direct physiological link to the activity of the locus coeruleus (LC), a brainstem structure and the main source of norepinephrine in the brain. LC activation is considered one of the key mechanisms of action of taVNS, therefore, we expected a clear increase of the pupillary measures under taVNS compared to sham (placebo) stimulation, such that it could serve as a prospective predictor for individual clinical and physiological taVNS effects in future studies. We studied resting pupil size and pupillary responses to target stimuli in an auditory oddball task in 33 healthy young volunteers. We observed stronger pupil responses to target than to standard stimuli. However, and contrary to our hypothesis, neither pupil size nor the event-related pupil response nor behavioral performance were modulated by taVNS. We discuss potential explanations for this negative finding and its implications for future clinical investigation and development of taVNS.
Terrestrial locomotion of the Svalbard rock ptarmigan: comparing field and laboratory treadmill studies
Authors: Marmol-Guijarro Andres C. , Nudds Robert L. , Marrin John C. , Folkow Lars P. , Codd Jonathan R. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractResearch into the terrestrial locomotion of birds is often based upon laboratory treadmill experiments. However, it is unclear how transposable these results are for birds moving in the wild. Here, using video recordings, we compared the kinematics of locomotion (stride frequency, stride length, stance phase, swing phase, duty factor) and speed range of Svalbard rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea) under field and laboratory treadmill conditions. Our findings indicate that the kinematics of walking and aerial running are conserved when moving on the treadmill and in the field. Differences, however, were found when grounded running under the two conditions, linked to substrate. Substrate effects were confirmed by analysing trials only moving over very hard snow. In line with laboratory treadmill energetic predictions, wild ptarmigan have a preferred speed during walking and to a lesser extent when aerial running but not when moving with a grounded running gait. The birds were also capable of a higher top speed in the field than that observed during treadmill studies. Our findings demonstrate that laboratory treadmill research provides meaningful information relevant to wild birds while highlighting the importance of understanding the substrate the animals are moving over.
Effect of functional group ratio in PEBAX copolymer on propylene/propane separation for facilitated olefin transport membranes
Authors: Jung Kyoung Won , Kang Sang Wook 
Published: August 2019

AbstractPEBAX-5513/AgBF4/Al(NO3)3 membranes were fabricated for mixed olefin/paraffin separation. In order to improve the selectivity of the membranes utilizing PEBAX-1657, PEBAX-5513, which increased the ratio of amide groups from 40% to 60% in the copolymer, was used. The selectivity and permeance of the membranes were 7.7 and 11.1 GPU, respectively. Furthermore, the PEBAX–5513/AgBF4/Al(NO3)3 membranes had long-term stability because of Al(NO3) to have the stabilizing effect on Ag+ ions acting as an olefin carrier. Unexpectedly, the performance of the membrane selectivity was not improved, and the permeance became rather lower. Generally, when Ag+ ions was added to the polymer containing amide groups, the selectivity increased with the content of the amide groups. However, Al(NO3)3 was added for the stability of Ag+ ions and there was no increase in selectivity. Since the ratio of amide was high, Ag+ ions were favorably in coordination with the oxygen of the carbonyl group, but the NO3− ions in Al(NO3)3 had the enhanced interaction with Ag+ ions as obstacles for olefin complexation. Therefore, the composition ratio of amide/ether in the polymer matrix was negligible for olefin separation.
Attenuated brain activity during error processing and punishment anticipation in procrastination – a monetary Go/No-go fMRI study
Authors: Wypych Marek , Michałowski Jarosław M. , Droździel Dawid , Borczykowska Magda , Szczepanik Michał , Marchewka Artur 
Published: August 2019

AbstractProcrastination is a self-regulatory failure in which people voluntarily but irrationally delay important tasks. Trait procrastination is estimated to affect 15–20% of the total population and leads to a significant decrease in performance, satisfaction with achievements, and quality of life. Procrastination is related to impulsivity and reduced executive control, especially in the domain of inhibition. Moreover, procrastinatory tendencies seem to increase with negative affect, suggesting impaired emotion regulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuronal mechanisms of inhibition, error processing, and behavioral control under pressure of punishment in procrastinators. Non-student subjects recruited to low (LP) and high procrastination (HP) groups performed an fMRI monetary Go/No-go task. HP showed significantly lower error-related activity in ACC than LP. There was also a significant group by condition interaction in the ACC and right DLPFC suggesting increase of control during the punishment condition in LP but not HP group. These results suggest that procrastinators have impaired error processing mechanisms which may add to the persistence of procrastination through difficulties in correction of faulty behaviors. Procrastination also seems to be related to a decreased ability to intensify self-control in more demanding situations and/or impaired coping in the context of negative situations.
Characterization of cellular transcriptomic signatures induced by different respiratory viruses in human reconstituted airway epithelia
Authors: Nicolas de Lamballerie Claire , Pizzorno Andrés , Dubois Julia , Julien Thomas , Padey Blandine , Bouveret Mendy , Traversier Aurélien , Legras-Lachuer Catherine , Lina Bruno , Boivin Guy , Terrier Olivier , Rosa-Calatrava Manuel 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAcute respiratory infections, a large part being of viral origin, constitute a major public health issue. To propose alternative and/or new therapeutic approaches, it is necessary to increase our knowledge about the interactions between respiratory viruses and their primary cellular targets using the most biologically relevant experimental models. In this study, we used RNAseq to characterize and compare the transcriptomic signature of infection induced by different major respiratory viruses (Influenza viruses, hRSV and hMPV) in a model of reconstituted human airway epithelia. Our results confirm the importance of several cellular pathways commonly or specifically induced by these respiratory viruses, such as the innate immune response or antiviral defense. A very interesting common feature revealed by the global virogenomic signature shared between hRSV, hMPV and influenza viruses is the global downregulation of cilium-related gene expression, in good agreement with experimental evaluation of mucociliary clearance. Beyond providing new information about respiratory virus/host interactions, our study also underlines the interest of using biologically relevant experimental models to study human respiratory viruses.
Myosin-II mediated traction forces evoke localized Piezo1-dependent Ca2+ flickers
Authors: Ellefsen Kyle L. , Holt Jesse R. , Chang Alice C. , Nourse Jamison L. , Arulmoli Janahan , Mekhdjian Armen H. , Abuwarda Hamid , Tombola Francesco , Flanagan Lisa A. , Dunn Alexander R. , Parker Ian , Pathak Medha M. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractPiezo channels transduce mechanical stimuli into electrical and chemical signals to powerfully influence development, tissue homeostasis, and regeneration. Studies on Piezo1 have largely focused on transduction of “outside-in” mechanical forces, and its response to internal, cell-generated forces remains poorly understood. Here, using measurements of endogenous Piezo1 activity and traction forces in native cellular conditions, we show that cellular traction forces generate spatially-restricted Piezo1-mediated Ca2+ flickers in the absence of externally-applied mechanical forces. Although Piezo1 channels diffuse readily in the plasma membrane and are widely distributed across the cell, their flicker activity is enriched near force-producing adhesions. The mechanical force that activates Piezo1 arises from Myosin II phosphorylation by Myosin Light Chain Kinase. We propose that Piezo1 Ca2+ flickers allow spatial segregation of mechanotransduction events, and that mobility allows Piezo1 channels to explore a large number of mechanical microdomains and thus respond to a greater diversity of mechanical cues.
Activity time series of old stars from late F to early K
Authors: Meunier N. , Lagrange A.-M. 
Published: August 2019

Context. A number of high-precision time series have recently become available for many stars as a result of data from CoRoT, Kepler, and TESS. These data have been widely used to study stellar activity. Photometry provides information that is integrated over the stellar disk. Therefore, there are many degeneracies between spots and plages or sizes and contrasts. In addition, it is important to relate activity indicators, derived from photometric light curves, to other indicators (Log R′HK and radial velocities).
Aims. Our aim is to understand how to relate photometric variability to physical parameters in order to help the interpretation of these observations.
Methods. We used a large number of synthetic time series of brightness variations for old main sequence stars within the F6-K4 range. Simultaneously, we computed using consistent modeling for radial velocity, astrometry, and chromospheric emission. We analyzed these time series to study the effect of the star spectral type on brightness variability, the relationship between brightness variability and chromospheric emission, and the interpretation of brightness variability as a function of spot and plage properties. We then studied spot-dominated or plage-dominated regimes.
Results. We find that within our range of activity levels, the brightness variability increases toward low-mass stars, as suggested by Kepler results. However, many elements can create an interpretation bias. Brightness variability roughly correlates to Log R′HK level. There is, however, a large dispersion in this relationship, mostly caused by spot contrast and inclination. It is also directly related to the number of structures, and we show that it can not be interpreted solely in terms of spot sizes. Finally, a detailed analysis of its relation with Log R′HK shows that in the activity range of old main-sequence stars, we can obtain both spot or plage dominated regimes, as was shown by observations in previous works. The same star can also be observed in both regimes depending on inclination. Furthermore, only strong correlations between chromospheric emission and brightness variability are significant.
Conclusions. Our realistic time series proves to be extremely useful when interpreting observations and understanding their limitations, most notably in terms of activity interpretation. Inclination is crucial and affects many properties, such as amplitudes and the respective role of spots and plages.
Multicolour photometry for exoplanet candidate validation
Authors: Parviainen H. , Tingley B. , Deeg H. J. , Palle E. , Alonso R. , Montanes Rodriguez P. , Murgas F. , Narita N. , Fukui A. , Watanabe N. , Kusakabe N. , Tamura M. , Nishiumi T. , Prieto-Arranz J. , Klagyivik P. , Béjar V. J. S. , Crouzet N. , Mori M. , Hidalgo Soto D. , Casasayas Barris N. , Luque R. 
Published: August 2019

Context. The TESS and PLATO missions are expected to find vast numbers of new transiting planet candidates. However, only a fraction of these candidates will be legitimate planets, and the candidate validation will require a significant amount of follow-up resources. Radial velocity (RV) follow-up study can be carried out only for the most promising candidates around bright, slowly rotating, stars. Thus, before devoting RV resources to candidates, they need to be vetted using cheaper methods, and, in the cases for which an RV confirmation is not feasible, the candidate’s true nature needs to be determined based on these alternative methods alone.
Aims. We study the applicability of multicolour transit photometry in the validation of transiting planet candidates when the candidate signal arises from a real astrophysical source (transiting planet, eclipsing binary, etc.), and not from an instrumental artefact. Particularly, we aim to answer how securely we can estimate the true uncontaminated star-planet radius ratio when the light curve may contain contamination from unresolved light sources inside the photometry aperture when combining multicolour transit observations with a physics-based contamination model in a Bayesian parameter estimation setting. More generally, we study how the contamination level, colour differences between the planet host and contaminant stars, transit signal-to-noise ratio, and available prior information affect the contamination and true radius ratio estimates.
Methods. The study is based on simulations and ground-based multicolour transit observations. The contamination analyses were carried out with a contamination model integrated into the PYTRANSIT v2 transit modelling package, and the observations were carried out with the MuSCAT2 multicolour imager installed in the 1.5 m Telescopio Carlos Sanchez in the Teide Observatory, in Tenerife.
Results. We show that multicolour transit photometry can be used to estimate the amount of flux contamination and the true radius ratio. Combining the true radius ratio with an estimate for the stellar radius yields the true absolute radius of the transiting object, which is a valuable quantity in statistical candidate validation, and enough in itself to validate a candidate whose radius falls below the theoretical lower limit for a brown dwarf.
Suizidalität bei Suchtkranken – Erfahrungen, Kenntnisse und Fortbildungsbedarfe bei Fachkräften der Suchthilfe
Authors: Milin Sascha , Schneider Barbara , Eilert Lisa , Schäfer Ingo 
Published: August 2019

Zusammenfassung
Ziel der Studie Im Mittelpunkt der vorliegenden Studie stand die Frage, inwieweit Kenntnisse und Fertigkeiten aus dem Bereich der Suizidprävention in der Praxis der Suchthilfe geläufig sind und welche Bedeutung spezifischen Aspekten der Thematik seitens der dort Tätigen zugemessen wird.
Methoden Im Rahmen eines Bundesmodellprojektes zur Entwicklung von Fortbildungen zur Suizidprävention im Bereich der Suchthilfe wurde eine Online-Befragung durchgeführt. Durch postalische Einladungen und unterschiedliche Aktivitäten der Deutschen Hauptstelle für Suchtfragen e.V. (DHS) wurden Fachkräfte aller in der Suchthilfe tätigen Berufsgruppen zur Teilnahme eingeladen. Die Befragung umfasste geschlossene Fragen sowie Freitextblöcke zu Praxissituationen, in denen Suizidalität eine Rolle gespielt hatte, zu wahrgenommenen Risikogruppen im jeweiligen Arbeitsfeld und zu weiteren Aspekten, die aus Sicht der Befragten im Zusammenhang mit Suizidalität von Bedeutung waren. Die Auswertung erfolgte deskriptiv sowie inhaltsanalytisch.
Ergebnisse Es konnten N=166 Teilnehmende einbezogen werden. Alle eingeschlossenen Berufsgruppen berichteten eine zu geringe Berücksichtigung des Themas Suizidalität in ihrer grundständigen Ausbildung. Dies traf besonders auf Sozialarbeiter bzw. Sozialpädagogen und Pflegekräfte zu. In Bezug auf spezifische Fortbildungen konnten verschiedene Interessensschwerpunkte identifiziert werden, die unter anderem im Bereich von praktischen Kompetenzen wie dem Erkennen von Warnzeichen sowie der Kommunikation mit Betroffenen lagen. Die qualitative Auswertung lieferte Hinweise darauf, dass den Teilnehmenden wichtige Risikofaktoren bekannt waren und sie Kenntnisse in Bezug auf die Einschätzung von akuter Suizidalität besaßen. Defizite und Unsicherheiten zeigten sich jedoch in Bezug auf den Umgang mit Betroffenen, deren angemessene Weitervermittlung und den Einbezug weiterer Akteure, sowie in Bezug auf die Bearbeitung von Suizidalität im Team.
Schlussfolgerung Die vorliegende Studie legt nahe, dass in der Suchthilfe ein grundlegendes Verständnis von wichtigen Aspekten dieser Problematik besteht, aber auch ein hoher Bedarf an spezifischer Fort- und Weiterbildung. Entsprechende Schulungen sollten sich neben den üblichen Grundlagen, etwa Risikofaktoren und Warnzeichen, vor allem auf Fertigkeiten zum konkreten Umgang mit Betroffenen beziehen, Kenntnisse zu zielgruppenspezifischen Akteuren der Suizidprävention vermitteln und die Bedeutung des Teams als Ressource beim Management von Suizidalität betonen.
A Visual Analytics Dashboard to Summarize Serial Anesthesia Records in Pediatric Radiation Treatment
Authors: Nelson Olivia , Sturgis Brian , Gilbert Keri , Henry Elizabeth , Clegg Kelly , Tan Jonathan M. , Wasey Jack O. , Simpao Allan F. , Gálvez Jorge A. 
Published: August 2019

Background Young children who undergo radiation therapy may require general anesthesia to remain still during weeks of radiation sessions. On a typical day at our hospital, an anesthesia team will care for 10 patients in the radiation therapy suite, and each patient will have multiple prior anesthetic records. Daily review of prior anesthesia records is important to maintain anesthetic consistency and to identify potential improvement, yet our electronic health record (EHR) made such review time-consuming and cumbersome.
Objectives This article aims to design a visual analytics interface that simultaneously displays data from multiple anesthesia encounters to support clinical consistency in medications and airway management.
Methods Documentation from the EHR is available in the clinical data warehouse following daily backups. A visual analytics interface was built to aggregate important components of multiple anesthesia encounters in pediatric radiation oncology on a single screen. The application was embedded in the EHR's anesthesia module and updated daily.
Results Each anesthesia encounter was represented by a vertical line with the date at the bottom of the screen. Each vertical line was divided into sections corresponding to the medications, type of airway device, type of radiation oncology procedure, days between treatments, and recovery score and time. Information about the medications, airways, and procedures was shown with icon legends. This layout enabled users to quickly see the key components of multiple anesthetics and make inferences between, for example, the medications used and the recovery score.
Conclusion The dashboard provides a high-level summary of all radiation therapy anesthesia records for children receiving recurrent treatments. In this clinical scenario, it is desirable to replicate an optimal anesthetic approach for daily or near-daily treatments or adjust the anesthetic based on observed patterns.
User-Centered Development of an Online Platform for Drug Dosing Recommendations in Pediatrics
Authors: Rödle Wolfgang , Wimmer Stefan , Zahn Julia , Prokosch Hans-Ulrich , Hinkes Bernward , Neubert Antje , Rascher Wolfgang , Kraus Stefan , Toddenroth Dennis , Sedlmayr Brita 
Published: August 2019

Background Drug therapy in pediatric patients is a complex process. Children are subject to continuous growth and variation in drug-metabolizing enzyme activity, requiring continuous adaption of dosages. In Germany, currently no publicly available database exists that provides evidence-based information on drug dosages in pediatrics. For local drug dosing support, a prototype database has been developed within the Children's Hospital, Erlangen. A user-centered development process was initiated to establish an online platform for evidence-based dosing recommendations, as well as pharmacological and pharmaceutical drug information in pediatrics.
Objectives The objectives of the study were to survey the demand for such a platform and to assess the usability of the different versions of the developed system.
Methods The developed prototype was evaluated in a pluralistic walkthrough with prospective end users. After a redesign, the second prototype of the online platform underwent an online usability testing based on a tailored questionnaire and the System Usability Scale (SUS) (n = 12).
Results Eleven of 12 participants expressed a demand for an online platform for pediatric dosing recommendations. The majority of the participants requested the integration of extended features, such as drug–drug interaction alerts, or information on adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. Particularly noteworthy is the demand for an online calculator; 5 of a total of 15 participants explicitly requested a calculator for dosages (based on age, weight, body surface) and glomerular filtration rate. The usability of the second prototype was rated “good to excellent” with a median SUS of 81.25.
Conclusion Local domain experts demand an online platform for pediatric dosing recommendations. The application of the user-centered design approach enabled the development of a prototype suitable for practical use. Multiple additional required functionalities have been identified, whereby the importance of an online calculator for patient–individual dosing recommendations was particularly emphasized.
Posterior Knee Capsulotomy for the Relief of Patellofemoral Joint Pain: Long-Term Follow-up
Authors: Leie Murilo Anderson , de Castro Jacqueline Vieira , Gomes João Ellera 
Published: August 2019

AbstractLack of full extension of the knee is a disabling condition that sometimes needs to be treated by a posterior capsulotomy of the knee. However, it is not clear if the full extension acquired can be kept throughout long-time follow-up. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 20 patients diagnosed with minimal flexion contracture of the knee who underwent open posterior capsulotomy between 1990 and 2010. All patients (100%) presented with a preoperative Lysholm's score classified as poor or fair (mean = 58.6 ± 13.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 52.3–64.9), but 14 patients (70%) experienced an improvement to good or excellent scores (mean = 87.6 ± 8.8, 95% CI: 83.6–91.6) after the follow-up. The mean preoperative angle of fixed flexion was 25.0 ± 9.1 degrees (95% CI: 20.8–29.2), and it decreased to 4.2 ± 4.1 degrees (95% CI: 2.3–6.1) after the follow-up. We conclude that posterior capsulotomy of the knee proved to be an effective procedure to treat properly patients with painful knees secondary to lack of full extension after 10.3 years of follow-up.