bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary hemodynamic and right ventricular responses to brief and prolonged exercise in middle-aged endurance athletes
Authors: Buchan Tayler A. , Wright Stephen P. , Esfandiari Sam , Fuchs Felipe C. , Gray Taylor , Currie Katharine D. , Sasson Shira , Sasson Zion , Mak Susanna , Goodman Jack M. 
Published: November 2018

Right ventricular (RV) function is closely coupled to pulmonary arterial (PA) hemodynamics and is believed to decline with prolonged exercise. A linear pressure-flow relationship is thought to exist between PA pressures and increasing exercise intensity in athletes, yet a paucity of directly measured pulmonary hemodynamic data exists supporting this contention. We sought to describe the PA pressure, PA wedge pressure (PAWP), and RV functional responses to brief and prolonged exercise in endurance-trained athletes. Twenty-one healthy athletes (54 ± 5 yr) underwent right heart catheterization to assess pulmonary hemodynamics during graded, submaximal exercise. Measurements were made at rest and during three stages of steady-state, semiupright cycle ergometry at heart rates of 100 beats/min (EX1), 130 beats/min (EX2), and 150 beats/min (EX3). Five athletes completed an additional 34 min at 130 beats/min for a total exercise time of 60 min [prolonged exercise (PLG)]. PA pressures and PAWP increased significantly at EX1 without a further rise at EX2, EX3, or PLG. PAWP adjusted for absolute work rate demonstrated a significant decline as exercise intensity increased from EX1 to EX2. The resistance compliance time constant decreased at EX1 without further changes at EX2, EX3, and prolonged exercise. RV function did not decline during PLG. After an initial rise in PA pressure and PAWP during early, nonsteady-state exercise, values remained constant despite increases in exercise intensity and duration. These data indicate that in healthy, middle-aged endurance-trained athletes, the PA and pulmonary venous/left atrial compartments rapidly accommodate high conduit flows produced during intensive and prolonged exercise while maintaining RV function. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The right ventricular (RV)-pulmonary arterial (PA) circulatory unit has not been well studied during prolonged exercise, and this study provides an ecological approach that reflects a typical bout of endurance training integrating a transition from rest to exercise with successive increases in intensity, progressing to steady-state, sustained exercise. We demonstrated a remarkably constant response of the PA and PA wedge pressure during incremental, steady-state exercise and that no changes occur in pulmonary pressures throughout prolonged exercise, concomitant to a preservation of RV performance.
Predicting Treatment Response Based on RNA Expression in Large Datasets
Authors: Mansfield Aaron S. , Jen Jin 
Published: November 2018

Abstract
PD-L1 expression levels derived from &gt;16,000 samples guided the selection of tumor types likely to benefit from pembrolizuamb monotherapy in clinical trials. Although not fail-proof, FDA approvals for most of the prioritized indications speak to the power of RNA expression profiling and the value of large genomic datasets.
See related article by Ayers et al., p. 1564
Investigating the Causes of Increased Twentieth-Century Fall Precipitation over the Southeastern United States
Authors: Bishop Daniel A. , Williams A. Park , Seager Richard , Fiore Arlene M. , Cook Benjamin I. , Mankin Justin S. , Singh Deepti , Smerdon Jason E. , Rao Mukund P. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractMuch of the eastern United States experienced increased precipitation over the twentieth century. Characterizing these trends and their causes is critical for assessing future hydroclimate risks. Here, U.S. precipitation trends are analyzed for 1895–2016, revealing that fall precipitation in the southeastern region north of the Gulf of Mexico (SE-Gulf) increased by nearly 40%, primarily increasing after the mid-1900s. Because fall is the climatological dry season in the SE-Gulf and precipitation in other seasons changed insignificantly, the seasonal precipitation cycle diminished substantially. The increase in SE-Gulf fall precipitation was caused by increased southerly moisture transport from the Gulf of Mexico, which was almost entirely driven by stronger winds associated with enhanced anticyclonic circulation west of the North Atlantic subtropical high (NASH) and not by increases in specific humidity. Atmospheric models forced by observed SSTs and fully coupled models forced by historical anthropogenic forcing do not robustly simulate twentieth-century fall wetting in the SE-Gulf. SST-forced atmospheric models do simulate an intensified anticyclonic low-level circulation around the NASH, but the modeled intensification occurred farther west than observed. CMIP5 analyses suggest an increased likelihood of positive SE-Gulf fall precipitation trends given historical and future GHG forcing. Nevertheless, individual model simulations (both SST forced and fully coupled) only very rarely produce the observed magnitude of the SE-Gulf fall precipitation trend. Further research into model representation of the western ridge of the fall NASH is needed, which will help us to better predict whether twentieth-century increases in SE-Gulf fall precipitation will persist into the future.
The Importance of Near-Surface Winter Precipitation Processes in Complex Alpine Terrain
Authors: Gerber Franziska , Mott Rebecca , Lehning Michael 
Published: November 2018

Abstract
In this study, near-surface snow and graupel dynamics from formation to deposition are analyzed using WRF in a large-eddy configuration. The results reveal that a horizontal grid spacing of ≤50 m is required to resolve local orographic precipitation enhancement, leeside flow separation, and thereby preferential deposition. At this resolution, precipitation patterns across mountain ridges show a high temporal and spatial variability. Simulated and observed event-mean snow precipitation across three mountain ridges in the upper Dischma valley (Davos, Switzerland) for two precipitation events show distinct patterns, which are in agreement with theoretical concepts, such as small-scale orographic precipitation enhancement or preferential deposition. We found for our case study that overall terrain–flow–precipitation interactions increase snow accumulation on the leeward side of mountain ridges by approximately 26%–28% with respect to snow accumulation on the windward side of the ridge. Cloud dynamics and mean advection may locally increase precipitation on the leeward side of the ridge by up to about 20% with respect to event-mean precipitation across a mountain ridge. Analogously, near-surface particle–flow interactions, that is, preferential deposition, may locally enhance leeward snow precipitation on the order of 10%. We further found that overall effect and relative importance of terrain–flow–precipitation interactions are strongly dependent on atmospheric humidity and stability. Weak dynamic stability is important for graupel production, which is an essential component of solid winter precipitation. A comparison to smoothed measurements of snow depth change reveals a certain agreement with simulated precipitation across mountain ridges.
The LOOP Estimator: Adjusting for Covariates in Randomized Experiments
Authors: Wu Edward , Gagnon-Bartsch Johann A. 
Published: November 2018

Background: When conducting a randomized controlled trial, it is common to specify in advance the statistical analyses that will be used to analyze the data. Typically, these analyses will involve adjusting for small imbalances in baseline covariates. However, this poses a dilemma, as adjusting for too many covariates can hurt precision more than it helps, and it is often unclear which covariates are predictive of outcome prior to conducting the experiment. Objectives: This article aims to produce a covariate adjustment method that allows for automatic variable selection, so that practitioners need not commit to any specific set of covariates prior to seeing the data. Results: In this article, we propose the “leave-one-out potential outcomes” estimator. We leave out each observation and then impute that observation’s treatment and control potential outcomes using a prediction algorithm such as a random forest. In addition to allowing for automatic variable selection, this estimator is unbiased under the Neyman–Rubin model, generally performs at least as well as the unadjusted estimator, and the experimental randomization largely justifies the statistical assumptions made.
Long-term impact of critical silent cerebrovascular disease in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery: a propensity score and multivariate analyses
Authors: Imura Hajime , Maruyama Yuji , Amitani Ryosuke , Maeda Motohiro , Shirakawa Makoto , Nitta Takashi 
Published: November 2018

Background: Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) with brain hypoperfusion is a strong risk factor for stroke. However, how this pathology influences long-term outcomes after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is not known. Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging/angiography (MRI/A) of the neck and brain was performed in 318 out of 575 consecutive CABG patients between May 2005 and April 2018. Critical CVD with chronic hypoperfusion was defined as multiple severe stenoses (⩾70%) and/or occlusion in the carotid and/or vertebral systems associated with reduced collateral flow due to severe contralateral and/or circle of Willis lesion. Fifty patients were identified to have this pathology (early results were previously reported). The entire cohort was followed up for 83.6 ± 53.7 months. Carotid endarterectomy was considered for symptomatic patients. Propensity matching was performed to compare long-term outcomes between patients with and without critical CVD. Results: Patients with critical CVD at follow-up displayed significantly higher incidences of stroke than those without critical CVD (p=0.007), with an extremely high final incidence (approximately 40% at 8 years). However, survival (p=0.623) and incidences of major adverse cardiac events (MACE: myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization and all causes of death) (p=0.881) were similar. The Cox hazard model revealed that critical CVD was the strongest risk factor for stroke (p=0.000; hazard ratio 6.572; 95% confidence interval 2.657–16.258) while not affecting survival and MACE. Conclusion: Critical CVD was the strongest risk factor for long-term stroke after CABG. However, survival and MACE-free rates were equivalent in patients with critical CVD and those without critical CVD.
Prolonged slow expiration technique improves recovery from acute bronchiolitis in infants: FIBARRIX randomized controlled trial
Authors: Conesa-Segura Enrique , Reyes-Dominguez Susana B , Ríos-Díaz José , Ruiz-Pacheco María Ángeles , Palazón-Carpe Cristina , Sánchez-Solís Manuel 
Published: November 2018

Objective: To examine the effect of prolonged slow expiration respiratory physiotherapy treatment on the acute bronchiolitis severity scale and O2 saturation at short-time and at medical discharge in infants and the hospital stay. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Infants’ unit of university hospital. Participants: Infants with acute bronchiolitis ( N = 80). Intervention: Infants were randomized into respiratory treatment (RT) with prolonged slow expiration or treatment as usual (control) for one-week period. Main outcome measures: The primary outcomes were Acute Bronchiolitis Severity Scale score and O2 saturation, recorded shortly after each intervention during the stay and at medical discharge, and the hospital stay. Results: The RT had a significantly lower Acute Bronchiolitis Severity Scale 10-minute after the first intervention (mean difference −1.7 points, 95% confidence interval (CI) −3.0 to −0.38), 2 hours after (–2.0 points, 95% CI −3.2 to −0.86) and the last day before medical discharge (−1.3 points, 95% CI −2.1 to 0.51). No changes were detected in O2 saturation. The survival analysis of time at medical discharge showed decrease in the average number of days to achieve an Acute Bronchiolitis Severity Scale of less than 2 points (RT: 2.6 days, 95% CI 2.1–3.1; Control: 4.4 days, 95% CI 3.6–5.1). Conclusion: A prolonged slow expiration physiotherapy reduces Acute Bronchiolitis Severity Scale scores and does not change O2 saturation. Infants in RT group stay less days in hospital than infants in control group and no adverse events were detected.
Gender differences in cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking among adolescents and young adults in Hanoi, Shanghai, and Taipei
Authors: Cui Yuanqi , Zhu Qianqian , Lou Chaohua , Gao Ersheng , Cheng Yan , Zabin Laurie S. , Emerson Mark R. 
Published: November 2018

Objective This study aimed to examine gender differences in smoking and alcohol drinking behaviors in three Asian cities of Hanoi, Shanghai, and Taipei, and to assess the magnitude of gender differences across the three cities. Methods A total of 17,016 adolescents (age: 15–19 years) and young adults (age: 20–24 years) were selected using multi-stage sampling methods and surveyed in face-to-face interviews. A total of 16,554 unmarried respondents were included in this analysis. Results Gender differences were significant for smoking only, drinking only, and both behaviors in each city. Male respondents were 30.66 times more likely to report smoking only than female respondents in Hanoi, followed by Shanghai and Taipei. This pattern was similar for drinking only and both smoking and drinking behaviors. Conclusions The magnitude of gender differences in smoking only, drinking only, and both behaviors widely varies across the three cities. Further research can examine how these differences may be used to prevent and reduce smoking and drinking in the adolescent and young adult population.
Management of postprandial hyperglycaemia and weight gain in women with gestational diabetes mellitus using a novel telemonitoring system
Authors: Al-ofi Ebtisam A. , Mosli Hala H. , Ghamri Kholoud A. , Ghazali Sarah M. 
Published: November 2018

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of remotely delivered telemedicine dietary advice on monitoring of blood glucose levels and weight gain of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods Women with GDM were recruited and randomly allocated into two groups: a Tele-GDM group that received a telemonitoring device, and a control group that was followed-up traditionally. A telemonitoring service calculated the ratio of reaching or exceeding the pregnancy weight gain target (according to pre-pregnancy weight), following Institute of Medicine guidelines for healthy pregnancy weight gain. Results The sample comprised 27 women in the Tele-GDM group and 30 in the control group. At the end of pregnancy, the Tele-GDM group showed significantly lower 2-hour postprandial glucose levels than the control group. Most women in the Tele-GDM group reached their recommended range of weight gain at the end of pregnancy. Additionally, the Tele-GDM group showed significantly lower weight gain than the control group. Conclusions Telemonitoring can facilitate close monitoring of women with GDM and motivate patients to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Successful decellularization of thick-walled tissue: Highlighting pitfalls and the need for a multifactorial approach
Authors: Koenig Fabian , Kilzer Marie , Hagl Christian , Thierfelder Nikolaus 
Published: November 2018

Introduction: Decellularization of thick tissue is challenging and varying. Therefore, we tried to establish a multifactorial approach for reliable aortic wall decellularization. Methods: Porcine aortic walls were decellularized according to different procedures. Decellularization was performed for 24 (G1), 48 (G2), and 72 h (G3) with a solution of 0.5% desoxycholate and 0.5% dodecyl sulfate. The procedure was characterized using intermittent washing steps, the inclusion of sonication as well as DNase and α-galactosidase treatment. The decellularization efficiency was measured by the evaluation of 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole and hematoxylin and eosin staining and quantitative DNA assays. Pentachrome and picrosirius red staining, scanning electron microscopy as well as glycosaminoglycan assays were performed to evaluate the effect of the procedure on the extracellular matrix. Results: 4′,6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole and hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed a large amount of remaining nuclei in all groups. However, consecutive DNase treatment had a significant effect. While the remaining DNA was detected in some samples of G1 and G2, samples of G3 were fully decellularized. Glycosaminoglycan content was significantly reduced to 50% after 24 h (G1) but remained constant for G2 and G3. Picrosirius red staining revealed an intact and stable collagen network without any visible defects. Pentachrome staining substantiated these results. Nonetheless, the fiber network remains intact, which could be confirmed by reflection electron microscopy analysis. Conclusion: In this study, we developed a procedure that grants successful decellularization of porcine aortic wall while maintaining the fibrous microstructure. We highlighted the significant effect of DNase and α-galactosidase treatment. In addition, we could show the need for a multifactorial treatment and comprehensive evaluation protocols for thick tissue decellularization.
Perioperative Enteral Nutrition After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation
Authors: Abe Ryuichiro , Matsumoto Atsuhiro , Sakaguchi Ryota , Toda Koichi , Sawa Yoshiki , Uchiyama Akinori , Fujino Yuji 
Published: November 2018

Objective: We assessed what predicts nutritional adequacy at day 14 following implantation of left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Method: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 97 adult patients who underwent LVAD implantation at our institution from June 2011 to June 2016. We divided the patients into two groups based on the administered enteral nutrition (EN) calories on post-operative day (POD) 14: the EN calories of group SEN (sufficient enteral nutrition) were >80% of their total target calories, or the EN calories of group IEN (insufficient enteral nutrition) were <80% of their total target calories. We compared the two groups in terms of the perioperative factors within 1 week after surgery. Results: Groups SEN and IEN consisted of 53 and 44 patients, respectively. The mean doses of adrenaline and noradrenaline, mean central venous pressure (CVP), duration of nitric oxide administration, and mean residual gastric volume during 1 week after surgery in group SEN were significantly lower than those in group IEN ( P < .05). In multivariate analysis, higher CVP during 1 week after surgery was identified as an independent risk factor for delayed EN on POD14 (odds ratio, 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.66; P = .0037). Total bilirubin, occurrence of acute kidney injury, and mixed venous blood saturation during 1 week after surgery were not significant predictors for EN on POD14. Conclusions: Increased CVP within 1 week after LVAD implantation was an independent factor for reduced EN feeding.
Electrometric Estimation of Fiber-To-Fiber Contact in a General Fiber Assembly
Authors: Berberi Pellumb Gani 
Published: November 2018

The fiber-to-fiber contact has been considered to be fundamental problem of micromechanics, since the mechanical properties of fibrous assemblies are largely related to the number of fiber-to-fiber contacts. Also, other important properties of fiber assemblies, such as heat conduction, filtration, electrical conduction, and evaporation, are strongly related to bulk fiber arrangement and pore distribution. However, experimental estimation of the number fiber-to-fiber contacts, which is essential in checking the findings of each theory, is a difficult task. Fiber-to-fiber contact in fiber assemblies plays a crucial role in their electrical resistance. Measurement of compression dependence of electrical resistance of a fiber assembly is an effective method for estimating spatial distribution of fiber-to-fiber contact. We have proposed a method and equation to estimate the number of fiber-to-fiber contacts starting from the compressional properties of the electrical resistance of a fiber assembly. Tests carried with samples of different fiber assemblies, both loose staple fibers and woven or knitted fabrics, clearly showed that compressional properties can be accurately approximated by a power function, as predicted by all actual theoretical approaches. However, experimental power index data of the power function vary in a range from 1.5 up to 3.23, which shows that the problem of fiber-to-fiber contact in fiber assemblies remains complex, and more accurate theoretical approaches are needed to describe the phenomenon. The electrometrical method that we propose is a valuable tool for estimating fiber-to-fiber contact and experimentally testing theoretical approaches that tend to describe compressional properties of fiber assemblies. However, more detailed and properly designed tests are needed to verify the method.
An Investigation into Acoustic Properties of Lightly Needled Estabragh Nonwovens Using the Taguchi Method
Authors: Hassanzadeh Sanaz , Zarrebini Mohammad , Hasani Hossein 
Published: November 2018

Sound pollution has become an important issue that has been addressed by scientists of various disciplines. Control of sound in areas of transport and building industries is of paramount importance. Textiles are widely used as sound insulators. Among the broad spectrum of textiles, nonwoven fabrics due to their technical merits and wide acceptance are extensively used as sound controlling media. In this work, various blends of polypropylene and naturally grown hollow Estabragh fibers were used to prepare sound absorptive nonwoven layers. The fiber blends were fed to a laboratory scale carding machine. Carded webs were lightly needled on a laboratory scale needling machine. Acoustic properties of needled samples were evaluated using the Impedance tube method. The Taguchi method was used to analyze the effective parameters influencing fabric acoustic properties. Results show that the proportion of Estabragh fibers in the blends strongly affects the noise absorption coefficient (NAC). Frequency is the second effective factor and is followed by nonwoven layer mass (areal density) and punch density, respectively. It was concluded that layers comprised of 100% Estabragh fibers achieved the highest value of NAC. The results also pointed to existence of a direct correlation between noise absorption coefficient and the amount of punch density exerted during needling process. It was found that the increase in the amount punch density resulted in higher values of NAC.