bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cerebral autoregulation, cerebrospinal fluid outflow resistance, and outcome following cerebrospinal fluid diversion in normal pressure hydrocephalus
Authors: Lalou Afroditi Despina , Czosnyka Marek , Donnelly Joseph , Pickard John D. , FMedSci  , Nabbanja Eva , Keong Nicole C. , Garnett Matthew , Czosnyka Zofia H. 
Published: March 2018

OBJECTIVENormal pressure hydrocephalus is not simply the result of a disturbance in CSF circulation, but often includes cardiovascular comorbidity and abnormalities within the cerebral mantle. In this study, the authors have examined the relationship between the global autoregulation pressure reactivity index (PRx), the profile of disturbed CSF circulation and pressure-volume compensation, and their possible effects on outcome after surgery.METHODSThe authors studied a cohort of 131 patients in whom a clinical suspicion of normal pressure hydrocephalus was investigated. Parameters describing CSF compensation and circulation were calculated during the CSF infusion test, and PRx was calculated from CSF pressure and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) recordings. A simple scale was used to mark the patients’ outcome 6 months after surgery (improvement, temporary improvement, and no improvement).RESULTSThe PRx was negatively correlated with resistance to CSF outflow (R = −0.18; p = 0.044); patients with normal CSF circulation tended to have worse autoregulation. The correlation for patients who were surgically treated (n = 83) was R = −0.28; p = 0.01, and it was stronger in patients who experienced sustained improvement after surgery (n = 48, R = −0.43; p = 0.002). In patients who did not improve, the correlation was not significantly different from zero (n = 19, R = −0.07; p = 0.97). There was a trend toward higher values for PRx in nonresponders than in responders (0.16 ± 0.04 vs 0.09 ± 0.02, respectively; p = 0.061), associated with higher MAP values (107.2 ± 8.2 in nonresponders vs 89.5 ± 3.5 in responders; p = 0.195). The product of MAP × (1 + PRx), which was proposed as a measure of combined arterial hypertension and deranged autoregulation, showed a significant association with outcome (greater value in nonresponders; p = 0.013).CONCLUSIONSAutoregulation proves to associate with CSF circulation and appears strongest in shunt responders. Outcome following CSF diversion is possibly most favorable when CSF outflow resistance is increased and global cerebral autoregulation is intact, in combination with arterial normotension.
Usefulness of the convexity apparent hyperperfusion sign in 123I-iodoamphetamine brain perfusion SPECT for the diagnosis of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus
Authors: Ohmichi Takuma , Kondo Masaki , Itsukage Masahiro , Koizumi Hidetaka , Matsushima Shigenori , Kuriyama Nagato , Ishii Kazunari , Mori Etsuro , Yamada Kei , Mizuno Toshiki , Tokuda Takahiko 
Published: March 2018

OBJECTIVEThe gold standard for the diagnosis of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is the CSF removal test. For elderly patients, however, a less invasive diagnostic method is required. On MRI, high-convexity tightness was reported to be an important finding for the diagnosis of iNPH. On SPECT, patients with iNPH often show hyperperfusion of the high-convexity area. The authors tested 2 hypotheses regarding the SPECT finding: 1) it is relative hyperperfusion reflecting the increased gray matter density of the convexity, and 2) it is useful for the diagnosis of iNPH. The authors termed the SPECT finding the convexity apparent hyperperfusion (CAPPAH) sign.METHODSTwo clinical studies were conducted. In study 1, SPECT was performed for 20 patients suspected of having iNPH, and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) of the high-convexity area was examined using quantitative analysis. Clinical differences between patients with the CAPPAH sign (CAP) and those without it (NCAP) were also compared. In study 2, the CAPPAH sign was retrospectively assessed in 30 patients with iNPH and 19 healthy controls using SPECT images and 3D stereotactic surface projection.RESULTSIn study 1, rCBF of the high-convexity area of the CAP group was calculated as 35.2–43.7 ml/min/100 g, which is not higher than normal values of rCBF determined by SPECT. The NCAP group showed lower cognitive function and weaker responses to the removal of CSF than the CAP group. In study 2, the CAPPAH sign was positive only in patients with iNPH (24/30) and not in controls (sensitivity 80%, specificity 100%). The coincidence rate between tight high convexity on MRI and the CAPPAH sign was very high (28/30).CONCLUSIONSPatients with iNPH showed hyperperfusion of the high-convexity area on SPECT; however, the presence of the CAPPAH sign did not indicate real hyperperfusion of rCBF in the high-convexity area. The authors speculated that patients with iNPH without the CAPPAH sign, despite showing tight high convexity on MRI, might have comorbidities such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Differential Effect of APOE ɛ4 Status and Elevated Pulse Pressure on Functional Decline in Cognitively Normal Older Adults
Authors: Werhane Madeleine L. , Thomas Kelsey R. , Edmonds Emily C. , Bangen Katherine J. , Tran My , Clark Alexandra L. , Nation Daniel A. , Gilbert Paul E. , Bondi Mark W. , Delano-Wood Lisa ,   and for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: March 2018

Background/Objective: The APOE ɛ4 allele and increased vascular risk have both been independently linked to cognitive impairment and dementia. Since few studies have characterized how these risk factors affect everyday functioning, we investigated the relationship between APOE ɛ4 genotype and elevated pulse pressure (PP) on functional change in cognitively normal participants from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Methods: 738 normally aging participants underwent APOE genotyping, and baseline PP was calculated from blood pressure indices. The Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) was completed by participants’ informant at baseline and 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48-month follow-up visits. Multiple linear regression and multilevel modeling were used to examine the effects of PP and APOE ɛ4 genotype on cross-sectional and longitudinal FAQ scores, respectively. Results: Adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates, results showed that both APOE ɛ4 status and elevated PP predicted greater functional difficulty trajectories across four years of follow-up. Interestingly, however, elevated PP was associated with greater functional decline over time in ɛ4 non-carriers versus carriers. Conclusion: Results show that, although APOE ɛ4 status is the prominent predictor of functional difficulty for ɛ4 carriers, an effect of arterial stiffening on functional difficulty was observed in non-carriers. Future studies are needed in order to clarify the etiology of the association between PP and different brain aging processes, and further explore its utility as a marker of dementia risk. The present study underscores the importance of targeting modifiable risk factors such as elevated PP to prevent or slow functional decline and pathological brain aging.
Value of three dimensional-speckle tracking imaging for predicting left ventricular function after non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction with percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Luo Yongjuan , Liu Yujie , Guan Xin , Zhang Ying , Li Jing 
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the recommended treatment for high risk patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of three dimensional-speckle tracking imaging (3D-STI) on patients diagnosed with NSTEMI undergoing PCI. METHODS: Forty-four NSTEMI patients and 20 healthy subjects that received basic clinical and laboratory examinations were included in our study. NSTEMI patients were divided into three groups: heart failure (HF) with normal ejection fraction (HF-NEF group, n = 19), heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HF-PEF group, n = 14) and heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (HF-REF group, n = 11). The global longitudinal peak systolic strain (GLS), global circumferential peak systolic strain (GCS), global radial peak systolic strain (GRS) and left ventricular (LV) torsion of all subjects were measured by 3D-STI before PCI and 1 month, 3 months after PCI. The high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TNT), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) were measured in each group. Correlations between these parameters and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) were tested by Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS: GLS, GCS and torsion were significantly decreased in the 3 NSTEMI groups compared with control group ( P < 0.05). GLS, torsion were significantly improved in the three NSTEMI groups at postoperative 1 and 3 months ( P < 0.05). HF-REF group showed improved GCS on postoperative 1 and 3 month compared with preoperative data, and improved GLS at 3-month follow-up compared with 1-month follow-up ( P < 0.05). The hs-TNT, hs-CRP and NT-pro BNP increased in the three NSTEMI groups before PCI ( P < 0.05), and decreased at postoperative 1 and 3 month ( P < 0.05). LVEF has the positive correlations with LV endsystolic volume (LVESV) and torsion, as well as the negative correlations with LVGLS, LVGCS, NT-pro BNP ( P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The combinative detection of 3D-STI and NT-pro BNP is an efficient way to assess the cardiac function in patients diagnosed with NSTEMI undergoing PCI.
A three-dimensional analysis of skeletal and dental characteristics in skeletal class III patients with facial asymmetry
Authors: Yu Jinfeng , Hu Yun , Huang Mingna , Chen Jun , Ding Xiaoqian , Zheng Leilei 
Published: March 2018

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the skeletal and dental characteristics in skeletal class III patients with facial asymmetry and to analyse the relationships among various parts of the stomatognathic system to provide a theoretical basis for clinical practice. METHODS: Asymmetric cone-beam computed tomography data acquired from 56 patients were evaluated using Mimics 10.0 and 3-Matic software. Skeletal and dental measurements were performed to assess the three-dimensional differences between two sides. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the correlations among measurements. RESULTS: Linear measurements, such as ramal height, mandible body length, ramal height above the sigmoid notch (RHASN), maxillary height, condylar height, buccal and total cancellous bone thickness, and measurements of condylar size, were significantly larger on the nondeviated side than on the deviated side ( P < 0.05). Crown root ratio and buccolingual angle of mandibular first molar were found to be significantly smaller on the nondeviated side than on the deviated side ( P < 0.05). A negative correlation was also discovered between the buccolingual angle of mandibular first molar and the ramal height ( P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with facial asymmetry, asymmetries in the mandible, maxilla and condylar morphology, and skeletal canting served as major components of skeletal asymmetry. Furthermore, a reduced thickness of buccal cancellous bone and a larger crown root ratio were found on the deviated side, indicating that orthodontic camouflage has limitations and potential risks. A combination of orthodontics and orthognathic surgery may be the advisable choice in patients with a menton deviation greater than 4 mm. An important association between vertical skeletal disharmony and dental compensation was also observed.
Relativistic Spacecraft Propelled by Directed Energy
Authors: Kulkarni Neeraj , Lubin Philip , Zhang Qicheng 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Achieving relativistic flight to enable extrasolar exploration is one of the dreams of humanity and the long-term goal of our NASA Starlight program. We derive a relativistic solution for the motion of a spacecraft propelled by radiation pressure from a directed energy (DE) system. Depending on the system parameters, low-mass spacecraft can achieve relativistic speeds, thus enabling interstellar exploration. The diffraction of the DE system plays an important role and limits the maximum speed of the spacecraft. We consider “photon recycling” as a possible method to achieving higher speeds. We also discuss recent claims that our previous work on this topic is incorrect and show that these claims arise from an improper treatment of causality.
Resolving the Inner Arcsecond of the RY Tau Jet with HST
Authors: Skinner Stephen L. , Schneider P. Christian , Audard Marc , Güdel Manuel 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Faint X-ray emission from hot plasma (T

x
> 106 K) has been detected extending outward a few arcseconds along the optically delineated jets of some classical T Tauri stars including RY Tau. The mechanism and location where the jets are heated to X-ray temperatures are unknown. We present high spatial resolution Hubble Space Telescope (HST) far-ultraviolet long-slit observations of RY Tau with the slit aligned along the jet. The primary objective was to search for C iv emission from warm plasma at T
C iv
∼ 105 K within the inner jet (<1″) that cannot be fully resolved by X-ray telescopes. Spatially resolved C iv emission is detected in the blueshifted jet extending outward from the star to 1″ and in the redshifted jet out to 0.″5. C iv line centroid shifts give a radial velocity in the blueshifted jet of −136 ± 10 km s−1 at an offset of 0.″29 (39 au) and deceleration outward is detected. The deprojected jet speed is subject to uncertainties in the jet inclination, but values ≳200 km s−1 are likely. The mass-loss rate in the blueshifted jet is at least

M

˙

jet
,
blue

=
2.3
×

10

−
9

M
⊙ yr−1, consistent with optical determinations. We use the HST data along with optically determined jet morphology to place meaningful constraints on candidate jet-heating models including a hot-launch model in which the jet is heated near the base to X-ray temperatures by an unspecified (but probably magnetic) process, and downstream heating from shocks or a putative jet magnetic field.
Herschel Spectroscopy of the Taffy Galaxies (UGC 12914/12915 = VV 254): Enhanced [C ii] Emission in the Collisionally Formed Bridge
Authors: Peterson B. W. , Appleton P. N. , Bitsakis T. , Guillard P. , Alatalo K. , Boulanger F. , Cluver M. , Duc P.-A. , Falgarone E. , Gallagher S. , Gao Y. , Helou G. , Jarrett T. H. , Joshi B. , Lisenfeld U. , Lu N. , Ogle P. , Pineau des Forêts G. , van der Werf P. , Xu C. K. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Using the PACS and SPIRE spectrometers on board Herschel, we obtained observations of the Taffy galaxies (UGC 12914/12915) and bridge. The Taffy system is believed to be the result of a face-on collision between two gas-rich galaxies, in which the stellar disks passed through each other, but the gas was dispersed into a massive H i and molecular bridge between them. Emission is detected and mapped in both galaxies and the bridge in the [C ii]157.7 μm and [O i]63.2 μm fine-structure lines. Additionally, SPIRE FTS spectroscopy detects the [C i]

and [C i]

neutral carbon lines, and weakly detects high-J CO transitions in the bridge. These results indicate that the bridge is composed of a warm multi-phase medium consistent with shock and turbulent heating. Despite low star formation rates in the bridge, the [C ii] emission appears to be enhanced, reaching [C ii]/FIR ratios of 3.3% in parts of the bridge. Both the [C ii] and [O i] lines show broad intrinsic multi-component profiles, similar to those seen in previous CO (1–0) and H i observations. The [C ii] emission shares similar line profiles with both the double-peaked H i profiles and shares a high-velocity component with single-peaked CO profiles in the bridge, suggesting that the [C ii] emission originates in both the neutral and molecular phases. We show that it is feasible that a combination of turbulently heated H2 and high column-density H i, resulting from the galaxy collision, is responsible for the enhanced [C ii] emission.
Survey of Astrophysical Conditions in Neutrino-driven Supernova Ejecta Nucleosynthesis
Authors: Bliss J. , Witt M. , Arcones A. , Montes F. , Pereira J. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Core-collapse supernovae produce elements between Fe and Ag depending on the properties of the ejected matter. Despite the fast progress in supernova simulations in the last decades, there are still uncertainties in the astrophysical conditions. In this paper, we investigate the impact of astrophysical uncertainties on the nucleosynthesis. Since a systematic study based on trajectories from hydrodynamic simulations is computationally very expensive, we rely on a steady-state model. By varying the mass and radius of the proto-neutron star as well as the electron fraction in the steady-state model, we cover a wide range of astrophysical conditions. In our study, we find four abundance patterns that can be formed in neutron-rich neutrino-driven ejecta. This provides a unique template of trajectories that can be used to investigate the impact of nuclear physics input on the nucleosynthesis for representative astrophysical conditions. Furthermore, we link these four patterns to the neutron-to-seed and alpha-to-seed ratios at T = 3 GK. Therefore, our results give a good overview of the potential nucleosynthesis evolution that can occur in a supernova simulation.
Metabolic Profiles in Obese Children and Adolescents with Insulin Resistance
Authors: Kostovski Marko , Simeonovski Viktor , Mironska Kristina , Tasic Velibor , Gucev Zoran 
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND: In the past several decades, the increasing frequency of overweight and obese children and adolescents in the world has become a public health problem. It has contributed significantly to the already high tide of diabetes, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.AIM: To investigate the frequency of insulin resistance and to evaluate the metabolic profile of insulin resistant and non-insulin resistant obese children and adolescents.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 96 (45 boys, 51 girls) obese children and adolescents aged 4-17 years old (10.50 ± 2.87 years). Only participants with Body Mass Index ≥ 95 percentile were included. We analysed sera for fasting insulin levels (FI), fasting serum triglycerides (TG), total serum cholesterol (TC), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and plasma glucose 2 hours after the performance of the oral glucose tolerance test (2-h G). Homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index was calculated as fasting insulin concentration (microunits per millilitre) x fasting glucose concentration (millimolar)/22.5. The value of HOMA-IR above 3.16 was used as a cut-off value for both genders.RESULTS: Insulin resistance was determined in 58.33% of study participants. Insulin resistant participants had significantly higher level of 2-h G (p = 0.02), FI level (p = 0.000) as well as TG levels (p = 0.01), compared to non-insulin resistant group. Strikingly, 70.73% of the pubertal adolescents were insulin resistant in comparison to 49.09% of the preadolescents (p = 0.03). Significantly higher percentage of insulin-resistant participants were girls (p = 0.009). Moreover, a higher percentage of the girls (70.59%) than boys (44.44%) had HOMA-IR above 3.16 and had elevated FI levels (70.59% vs 48.89%). The difference in the frequency of insulin resistance among obese versus severely obese children and adolescents was not significant (p = 0.73, p > 0.05). Our study results also showed positive, but weak, correlation of HOMA-IR with age, FPG, TG and BMI of the participants (p < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Higher percentage of insulin-resistant participants was of female gender and was adolescents. In general, insulin resistant obese children and adolescents tend to have a worse metabolic profile in comparison to individuals without insulin resistance. It is of note that the highest insulin resistance was also linked with the highest concentrations of triglycerides.
Knowledge and Awareness of Medical Practitioners of Jazan City towards Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery as a Specialty
Authors: Ali Fareedi Mukram , Al-Irany Ghassan M. , Namis Sultan Mohammed , Heezam Asma Ali , Swaid Salma Abdu , Alomar Anas Esam 
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND: In many health services communities the scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) as a discipline is frequently not probably understood. Good awareness towards OMFS among different branches of health services providers is essential for better referral strategies and will be for the benefit of the patient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cross-sectional study was done using a specially prepared questionnaire distributed randomly to 125 general medical practitioners working in Jazan province. In this questionnaire, there were also some close-ended questions to evaluate awareness regarding a variety of conditions treated by the oral and maxillofacial surgeons.RESULTS: Out of 125 participants, 105 (84%) were aware of the oral and maxillofacial surgery as a speciality branch of dentistry. Only 52 (41.6%) participants were aware of the different treatment modalities coming under the scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Also in the referral of cases to the oral and maxillofacial surgeon, 50 (40%) participants referred their oral and maxillofacial region cases to OMS. Tooth removal was the only procedure where most of the medical practitioners knew it is a speciality procedure of the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. For facial fractures, 76 medical practitioners believe it comes under the scope of the orthopaedic surgeon. Similarly, for facial abscesses, 81 and 36 practitioners responded that it is a job of a general surgeon and OMS respectively.CONCLUSION: There is low awareness toward the scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery in the medical community. Knowledge and awareness of the scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery can improve the success and promptness of delivery of health services.
The genus Paleosepharia Laboissière, 1936 in Taiwan: review and nomenclatural changes (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae)
Authors: Lee Chi-Feng 
Published: March 2018

Taxonomic study of species of the genusMonoleptaChevrolat, 1836 with subscutellar incised ridges in males and occurring in Taiwan resulted in the transfer of all species toPaleosephariaLaboissière, 1936:P.amiana(Chûjô, 1962),comb. n.,P.formosana(Chûjô, 1935),comb. n.,P.nantouensis(Kimoto, 1996)comb. n., andP.yasumatsui(Kimoto, 1969),comb. n.The position ofM.excavataChûjô, 1938 inPaleosephariais confirmed. Lectotypes are designated forM.excavataChûjô, 1938 andM.formosanaChûjô, 1935. Generic characters ofPaleosephariaare re-evaluated in the context of these nomenclatural changes.Food plants, leaf beetles, new combination, taxonomic revision
Perspectives on blended learning through the on-line platform, LabLessons, for Chemistry
Authors: Jihad Teeba , Klementowicz Edward , Gryczka Patrick , Sharrock Chappel , Maxfield Macrae , Lee Yougjun , Kim Montclare Jin 
Published: March 2018

The effectiveness of blended learning was evaluated through the integration of an online chemistry platform, LabLessons. Two modules, Titration and Formation of Hydrogen, were designed by college mentors alongside classroom chemistry teachers to engage and allow high school students to better comprehend these scientific topics. The pre-lab modules introduced the students to experiments they were expected to perform in class the following day. The modules consisted of an introduction as well as either a visualization and/or simulation specific to each topic. Students and teachers who utilized LabLessons were surveyed to establish a preliminary research on the use of technology in classrooms. Student and teacher surveys demonstrated LabLessons to be an interactive and helpful tool to improve students’ understanding of conceptual ideas.