bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Longevity decoded: Insights from power consumption analyses into device construction and their clinical implications
Authors: Lau Ernest W. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIntroductionThe longevity of a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) depends on how quickly the powers consumed by the device's functions exhaust its usable battery energy. A mathematical model for CIED power consumptions was developed and validated against longevity data from manufacturers.MethodsThe programmable parameters for the Resonate X4 cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT‐Ds) on the Boston Scientific (St. Paul, MN, USA) online longevity calculator were designated as independent terms in the sum for the total power consumption. The reciprocal of longevity was plotted against variations in these terms. Linear and nonlinear regression analyses were used to fit the plots. The power consumed by pacing was theoretically derived and used as the calibrating tool for estimating the powers consumed by other functions and the usable battery energy. The same methodology was applied to the longevity data of other manufacturers’ CRT‐Ds.ResultsSingle chamber 100% pacing at 60 beats/min, 2.5 V, 0.4 ms, 500 Ω consumes ≈ 144 J/year. Shock therapy is 45–85% energy efficient. Multichamber pacing modes and maintaining readiness to pace a chamber consume power even if no pacing is delivered. Switching voltage regulation is theoretically more energy efficient than linear voltage regulation for powering pacing.ConclusionsThe powers consumed by therapy functions are dictated by the patient's clinical needs, but healthcare professionals can extend device longevity by switching off dormant functions and simplifying the pacing mode. Choosing a device model with large usable battery energy, low background power, and energy efficient pacing and shock therapy for implantation will increase the probability of a long service lifespan.
The first cohort of Iranian patients with hyper immunoglobulin E syndrome: A long‐term follow‐up and genetic analysis
Authors: Tavassoli Mahmood , Abolhassani Hassan , Yazdani Reza , Ghadami Mohsen , Azizi Gholamreza , Abdolrahim Poor Heravi Sina , Moeini Shad Tannaz , Kokabee Mostafa , Movahedi Masoud , Abdshahzadeh Hormoz , Gharagozlou Mohammad , Rezaei Nima , Esmaeilzadeh Hossein , Aleyasin Soheila , Aghamohammadi Asghar 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundHyper‐IgE syndromes (HIES) are distinct diseases characterized by recurrent cutaneous and lung infections, eczema, and elevated serum IgE level.MethodsIn this study, clinical manifestations, immunologic findings, and genetic studies of all patients with HIES in the Iranian national registry database were evaluated.ResultsA total of 129 HIES patients with a median age of 14.0 (9.0‐24.0) years were followed up for a total of 307.8 patient‐years. Genetic studies showed heterozygous STAT3 mutations in 19 patients and homozygous DOCK8 mutation in 16 patients. The mean of National Institutes of Health score in STAT3‐deficient patients was higher than in patients with DOCK8 mutation (P = 0.001). It was shown that the presence of pneumatocele and hematologic complication were significantly frequent in STAT3‐deficient cases compared to patients with DOCK8 deficiency (P = 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). Moreover, the median IgE serum levels were higher in patients with STAT3 gene mutation than in patients with DOCK8 gene mutation (P = 0.02). The eosinophils’ count was enhanced in patients with DOCK8 deficiency than in patients with STAT3 gene defects (P = 0.02).ConclusionSpecific molecular study of STAT3 and DOCK8 mutations in patients with HIES clinical phenotype could help the physician to definitively characterize the disease. Since HIES showed the highest rate of unsolved combined immunodeficiency, investigation of other genetic and environmental factors could also help in understanding the mechanism of remaining patients as well as providing strategy into therapeutic modalities.
REvoSim: Organism‐level simulation of macro and microevolution
Authors: Garwood Russell J. , Spencer Alan R. T. , Sutton Mark D. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMacroevolutionary processes dictate the generation and loss of biodiversity. Understanding them is a key challenge when interrogating the earth–life system in deep time. Model‐based approaches can reveal important macroevolutionary patterns and generate hypotheses on the underlying processes. Here we present and document a novel model called REvoSim (Rapid Evolutionary Simulator) coupled with a software implementation of this model. The latter is available here as both source code (C++/Qt, GNU General Public License) and as distributables for a variety of operating systems. REvoSim is an individual‐based model with a strong focus on computational efficiency. It can simulate populations of 105–107 digital organisms over geological timescales on a typical desktop computer, and incorporates spatial and temporal environmental variation, recombinant reproduction, mutation and dispersal. Whilst microevolutionary processes drive the model, macroevolutionary phenomena such as speciation and extinction emerge. We present results and analysis of the model focusing on validation, and note a number potential applications. REvoSim can serve as a multipurpose platform for studying both macro and microevolution, and bridges this divide. It will be continually developed by the authors to expand its capabilities and hence its utility.
Association between perioperative surgical home implementation and transfusion patterns in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis undergoing spinal fusion
Authors: Cronin Jessica A. , Oetgen Matthew E. , Gordish‐Dressman Heather , Martin Benjamin D. , Khan Nergis , Pestieau Sophie R. 
Published: February 2019

SummaryBackgroundBlood transfusions in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis after fusion have been associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and cost.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the association between implementation of blood–conservation strategies within the perioperative surgical home on transfusion rates for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing spinal fusion.MethodsTwo hundred and thirteen patients (44 preperioperative surgical home, 169 postperioperative surgical home) who underwent posterior spine fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis between 23 June 2014, and 30 July 2017, were enrolled in this case control study. The perioperative surgical home implemented in March 2015 involved evidence–based perioperative interventions to create a standardized clinical pathway including judicious use of crystalloid management, restrictive transfusion strategy, routine use of cell saver, and standardized administration of anti‐fibrinolytics. The primary outcome was odds of perioperative transfusion. Secondary outcomes included volumes of crystalloid, albumin, cell saver, packed red blood cells as well as calculated blood loss. Other variables that were documented included antibrinolytic total dose, mean arterial pressure, temperature, laboratory values, intrathecal morphine dosing, and surgical time. Statistical methods included t test and logistic regression.ResultsFor the postperioperative surgical home, the odds of perioperative transfusion were 0.30 (95% CI 0.13‐0.70), as compared to preperioperative surgical home. In terms of secondary outcomes, calculated blood loss was significantly lower in the postperioperative surgical home patients (27.0 mL/kg preperioperative surgical home vs 22.8 mL/kg postperioperative surgical home; mean difference = −0.24 [−0.44, −0.04]). Although no difference was noted in the amount of intraoperative cell saver or albumin administered, a reduction was noted in mean intraoperative crystalloid given postperioperative surgical home (41.4 mL/kg ± 20.4 mL/kg preperioperative surgical home vs 28.0 mL/kg ± 13.7 mL/kg postperioperative surgical home; log mean difference = 0.37 [95% CI 0.21‐0.53], P < 0.001). Postperioperative surgical home patients also had a significantly higher temperature nadir (mean difference = −0.47 [95% CI −0.70 to −0.23]; P < 0.001), received a significantly higher total anti‐fibrinolytic dose (mean difference = −3939 [95% CI −5364 to −2495]; P < 0.001), and were exposed to shorter surgical times (mean difference = 0.72 [95% CI 0.36‐1.09]; P < 0.001).ConclusionsImplementation of blood–conservation strategies as part of a perioperative surgical home for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing posterior spine fusion resulted in significant decrease in perioperative blood transfusions.
The genetic basis of drought tolerance in the high oil crop Sesamum indicum
Authors: Dossa Komivi , Li Donghua , Zhou Rong , Yu Jingyin , Wang Linhai , Zhang Yanxin , You Jun , Liu Aili , Mmadi Marie A. , Fonceka Daniel , Diouf Diaga , Cissé Ndiaga , Wei Xin , Zhang Xiurong 
Published: February 2019

SummaryUnlike most of the important food crops, sesame can survive drought but severe and repeated drought episodes, especially occurring during the reproductive stage, significantly curtail the productivity of this high oil crop. Genome‐wide association study was conducted for traits related to drought tolerance using 400 diverse sesame accessions, including landraces and modern cultivars. Ten stable QTLs explaining more than 40% of the phenotypic variation and located on four linkage groups were significantly associated with drought tolerance related traits. Accessions from the tropical area harboured higher numbers of drought tolerance alleles at the peak loci and were found to be more tolerant than those from the northern area, indicating a long‐term genetic adaptation to drought‐prone environments. We found that sesame has already fixed important alleles conferring survival to drought which may explain its relative high drought tolerance. However, most of the alleles crucial for productivity and yield maintenance under drought conditions are far from been fixed. This study also revealed that pyramiding the favourable alleles observed at the peak loci is of high potential for enhancing drought tolerance in sesame. In addition, our results highlighted two important pleiotropic QTLs harbouring known and unreported drought tolerance genes such as SiABI4, SiTTM3, SiGOLS1, SiNIMIN1 and SiSAM. By integrating candidate gene association study, gene expression and transgenic experiments, we demonstrated that SiSAM confers drought tolerance by modulating polyamine levels and ROS homeostasis, and a missense mutation in the coding region partly contributes to the natural variation of drought tolerance in sesame.
Development of an efficient root transgenic system for pigeon pea and its application to other important economically plants
Authors: Meng Dong , Yang Qing , Dong Biying , Song Zhihua , Niu Lili , Wang Litao , Cao Hongyan , Li Hanghang , Fu Yujie 
Published: February 2019

SummaryFor non‐model plants, functional characterization of genes is still hampered by lack of efficient stable transformation procedures. Here, we report a simple, fast and efficient transformation technique with Agrobacterium rhizogenes for generating stable transgenic roots in living plants to facilitate functional studies in vivo. We showed that injection of A. rhizogenes into stems of various plant species lead to stable transgenic root generation, which can sustain plant growth after the original, non‐transgenic roots were cut off. A transformation system was established for pigeon pea, a major woody food crop, after optimizing the selection of A. rhizogenes strains, bacterium concentration, injection position and seedling age. RT‐PCR and fluorescence observation indicated a transgenic root induction efficiency of about 39% in pigeon pea. Furthermore, induction of hairy roots was achieved in nine out of twelve tested economically important plants at an efficiency of 15–39%. As proof of concept, bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay was applied to test the interaction between CcCIPK14 and CcCBL1/2 in pigeon pea. Additionally, ectopic expression of the bZIP transcription factor MdHY5 from apple confirmed the utility of the transformation technique for engineering anthocyanin synthesis in roots. Taken together, we show that this method allows fast in vivo studies of gene function in a wide range of plant species.
Generation of virus‐resistant potato plants by RNA genome targeting
Authors: Zhan Xiaohui , Zhang Fengjuan , Zhong Ziyang , Chen Ruhao , Wang Yong , Chang Ling , Bock Ralph , Nie Bihua , Zhang Jiang 
Published: February 2019

SummaryCRISPR/Cas systems provide bacteria and archaea with molecular immunity against invading phages and foreign plasmids. The class 2 type VI CRISPR/Cas effector Cas13a is an RNA‐targeting CRISPR effector that provides protection against RNA phages. Here we report the repurposing of CRISPR/Cas13a to protect potato plants from a eukaryotic virus, Potato virus Y (PVY). Transgenic potato lines expressing Cas13a/sgRNA (small guide RNA) constructs showed suppressed PVY accumulation and disease symptoms. The levels of viral resistance correlated with the expression levels of the Cas13a/sgRNA construct in the plants. Our data further demonstrate that appropriately designed sgRNAs can specifically interfere with multiple PVY strains, while having no effect on unrelated viruses such as PVA or Potato virus S. Our findings provide a novel and highly efficient strategy for engineering crops with resistances to viral diseases.
Mutation of the rice TCM12 gene encoding 2,3‐bisphosphoglycerate‐independent phosphoglycerate mutase affects chlorophyll synthesis, photosynthesis and chloroplast development at seedling stage at low temperatures
Authors: Lin D. , Zhang L. , Mei J. , Chen J. , Piao Z. , Lee G. , Dong Y. 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Glycolysis is a central metabolic pathway that provides energy and products of primary metabolites. 2,3‐Biphosphoglycerate‐independent phosphoglycerate mutase (iPGAM) is a key enzyme that catalyses the reversible interconversion of 3‐phosphoglycerate (3‐PGA) to 2‐phosphoglycerate (2‐PGA) in glycolysis. Low temperature is a common abiotic stress in rice production. However, the mechanism for rice iPGAM genes is not fully understood at low temperature.

In this study, the rice mutant tcm12, with chlorosis, malformed chloroplasts and impaired photosynthesis, was grown at a low temperature (<20 °C) to the three‐leaf stage, while the normal phenotype at 32 °C was used. Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis and transmission electron microscopy were used to examine features of the tcm12 mutant. The inheritance behaviour and function of TCM12 were then analysed thorough map‐based cloning, transgenic complementation and subcellular localisation.

The thermo‐sensitive chlorosis phenotype was caused by a single nucleotide mutation (T→C) on the fifth exon of TCM12 (LOC_Os12g35040) encoding iPGAM, localised to both nucleus and membranes. In addition, TCM12 was constitutively expressed, and its disruption resulted in down‐regulation of some genes associated with chlorophyll biosynthesis and photosynthesis at low temperatures (20 °C).

This is the first report of the involvement of rice iPGAM gene in chlorophyll synthesis, photosynthesis and chloroplast development, providing new insights into the mechanisms underlying early growth of rice at low temperatures.
Genetic diversity and aggressiveness of Calonectria pteridis in Eucalyptus spp.
Authors: Freitas R. G. , Alfenas R. F. , Guimarães L. M. S. , Badel J. L. , Alfenas A. C. 
Published: February 2019

Calonectria leaf blight, caused by Calonectria pteridis, is currently one of the main foliar diseases in eucalypt plantations in Brazil. In warm and high rainfall regions, the disease can be a limiting factor for eucalypt production when planting susceptible genotypes. The most effective method for controlling this disease in the field is the use of resistant genotypes, which requires knowledge of the genetic variability and aggressiveness of the pathogen population for effective deployment of plant resistance. This work evaluated the genetic diversity and aggressiveness of C. pteridis populations obtained from infected eucalypt plants in Monte Dourado (Pará state) and Imperatriz (Maranhão state), Brazil. To study the genetic diversity, 16 ISSR primers were tested, five of which amplified polymorphic, reproducible and informative bands. Thirty‐one closely related genotypes were identified from 84 isolates studied, indicating that the population has a low genetic diversity. The aggressiveness of seven isolates, selected according to geographic origin and their clustering in the ISSR‐based dendogram, was determined by inoculation of a hybrid Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla clone under controlled conditions. Disease severity was assessed by both measuring the percentage of plant defoliation and assigning a score according to a diagrammatic scale of symptoms. A high correlation between the two evaluation methods was observed, which revealed significant differences in aggressiveness among the isolates. The diagrammatic scale is recommended for disease evaluation because results are obtained much faster, before the occurrence of severe defoliation. No correlation between clustering in the ISSR‐based phylogenetic analysis and aggressiveness was observed.
The P3b and P600(s): Positive contributions to language comprehension
Authors: Leckey Michelle , Federmeier Kara D. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractSince its discovery in the 1960s, the P300 has been contributing both directly and indirectly to language research. Perhaps most notably, it has been suggested that the P600, an ERP component that was first characterized in the context of syntactic processing, could be a variant of the P3b subcomponent of the P300. Here, we review studies on both sides of the debate. We also review the “semantic P600,” a positivity with a similar time course and distribution to the P600 seen for syntactic manipulations but that is obtained in response to some types of semantic anomalies. Because most current theories of the P600 try to account for both the syntactic and the semantic variant, linking the syntactic P600 to the P3b might also imply a similar link for the semantic P600. However, we describe emerging research in our lab that casts doubt on the idea that the syntactic P600 and the semantic P600 are the same effect. We argue that grouping ERP responses primarily by domain (language vs. nonlanguage) is likely to be misleading and suggest alternative ways of determining whether ERP effects reflect similar or different processing mechanisms.
Rapid brain responses to affective pictures indicate dimensions of trauma‐related psychopathology in adolescents
Authors: Sill Johanna , Popov Tzvetan , Schauer Maggie , Elbert Thomas 
Published: February 2019

AbstractA variety of mental disorders are related to deviant brain activity, but these neural alterations do not validate psychiatric diagnostic categories. High symptom overlap and variable symptom patterns encourage a dimensional approach. Following the logic of the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC), we investigated trauma survivors for symptom clusters that might be associated with characteristics of ERPs, in particular with the early posterior negativity (EPN) elicited during affective picture processing. In rapid serial visual presentation, 90 adolescents (40 male/50 female, age M = 15.0 ± 2.5 years) who had been exposed to varying amounts of traumatic stress passively viewed a stream of high‐arousing positive and low‐arousing neutral pictures taken from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS). Using standardized interviews, symptoms of trauma‐related mental disorders were assessed (including those for PTSD, depression, borderline personality disorder, and behavioral problems). A principal component analysis was performed to derive potential dimensions of psychopathology. Multiple regression analysis confirmed a factor comprising problems concentrating, sleeping difficulties, and mistrust as a predictor of a larger EPN difference between high‐arousing positive and low‐arousing neutral IAPS pictures (β = 0.19, p < 0.05). Sex predicted the magnitude of the EPN (β = 0.45, p < 0.001). Male adolescents displayed a stronger EPN suppression than female adolescents. The result suggests that problems concentrating, sleeping difficulties, and mistrust seem to be trans‐diagnostic elements related to diminished early emotional discrimination represented by the EPN. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the EPN in response to emotional processing is modulated by sex.
Cheap and Dirty: The Effect of Contracting Out Cleaning on Efficiency and Effectiveness
Authors: Elkomy Shimaa , Cookson Graham , Jones Simon 
Published: February 2019

AbstractContracting out of public services, especially ancillary services, has been a key feature of New Public Management since the 1980s. By 2014, more than £100 billion of U.K. public services were being contracted out annually to the private sector. A number of high‐profile cases have prompted a debate about the value for money that these contracts provide. Value for money comprises both the cost and the quality of the services. This article empirically tests the contestability and quality shading hypotheses of contracting out in the context of cleaning services in the English National Health Service. Additionally, a new hypothesis of coupling is presented and tested: the effect of contracting of ancillary services on patient health outcomes, using the hospital‐acquired infection rate as our measure. Using data from 2010–11 to 2013–14 for 130 National Health Service trusts, the study finds that private providers are cheaper but dirtier than their in‐house counterparts.
Dog sperm swimming parameters analysed by computer‐assisted semen analysis of motility reveal major breed differences
Authors: Valverde Anthony , Arnau Sandra , García‐Molina Almudena , Bompart Daznia , Campos Marcos , Roldán Eduardo Raúl S. , Soler Carles 
Published: February 2019

ContentsDogs have undergone an intensive artificial selection process ever since the beginning of their relationship with humans. As a consequence, a wide variety of well‐defined breeds exist today. Due to the enormous variation in dog phenotypes and the unlikely chance of gene exchange between them, the question arises as to whether they should still be regarded as a single species or, perhaps, they be considered as different taxa that possess different reproductive traits. The aim of this study was therefore to characterize some male reproductive traits, focusing on kinematic characteristics of dog spermatozoa from several breeds. Thirty‐seven dogs from the following breeds were used: Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Labrador Retriever, Spanish Mastiff, Valencian Rat Hunting Dog, British Bulldog and Chihuahua. Semen samples were obtained via manual stimulation and diluted to a final sperm concentration of 50 million/ml, and they were subsequently analysed by the computer assisted semen analysis (CASA‐Mot) ISAS®v1 system. Eight kinematic parameters were evaluated automatically. All parameters showed significant different values among breeds and among individuals within each breed. The fastest sperm cells were those of Staffordshire Bull Terriers and the slowest were recorded in Chihuahuas. The intra‐male coefficient of variation (CV) was higher than the inter‐male CV for all breeds with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier showing the lowest values. When taking into consideration the cells by animal and breed, discriminant analyses showed a high capability to predict the breed. Cluster analyses showed a hierarchical classification very close to that obtained after phylogenetic studies with genome markers. In conclusion, future workers on dog spermatozoa should bear in mind major differences between breeds and realize that results cannot be extrapolated from one to another. Because sperm characteristics are associated with breed diversity, dogs may represent a good model to examine changes in reproductive parameters associated with selection processes.