bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Control of neural systems at multiple scales using model-free, deep reinforcement learning
Authors: Mitchell B. A. , Petzold L. R. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractRecent improvements in hardware and data collection have lowered the barrier to practical neural control. Most of the current contributions to the field have focus on model-based control, however, models of neural systems are quite complex and difficult to design. To circumvent these issues, we adapt a model-free method from the reinforcement learning literature, Deep Deterministic Policy Gradients (DDPG). Model-free reinforcement learning presents an attractive framework because of the flexibility it offers, allowing the user to avoid modeling system dynamics. We make use of this feature by applying DDPG to models of low-level and high-level neural dynamics. We show that while model-free, DDPG is able to solve more difficult problems than can be solved by current methods. These problems include the induction of global synchrony by entrainment of weakly coupled oscillators and the control of trajectories through a latent phase space of an underactuated network of neurons. While this work has been performed on simulated systems, it suggests that advances in modern reinforcement learning may enable the solution of fundamental problems in neural control and movement towards more complex objectives in real systems.
Disentangling vehicular emission impact on urban air pollution using ethanol as a tracer
Authors: Brito Joel , Carbone Samara , A. Monteiro dos Santos Djacinto , Dominutti Pamela , de Oliveira Alves Nilmara , V. Rizzo Luciana , Artaxo Paulo 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe Sao Paulo Metropolitan Area is a unique case worldwide due to the extensive use of biofuel, particularly ethanol, by its large fleet of nearly 8 million cars. Based on source apportionment analysis of Organic Aerosols in downtown Sao Paulo, and using ethanol as tracer of passenger vehicles, we have identified primary emissions from light-duty-vehicles (LDV) and heavy-duty-vehicles (HDV), as well as secondary process component. Each of those factors mirror a relevant primary source or secondary process in this densely occupied area. Using those factors as predictors in a multiple linear regression analysis of a wide range of pollutants, we have quantified the role of primary LDV or HDV emissions, as well as atmospheric secondary processes, on air quality degradation. Results show a significant contribution of HDV emissions, despite contributing only about 5% of vehicles number in the region. The latter is responsible, for example, of 40% and 47% of benzene and black carbon atmospheric concentration, respectively. This work describes an innovative use of biofuel as a tracer of passenger vehicle emissions, allowing to better understand the role of vehicular sources on air quality degradation in one of most populated megacities worldwide.
The acoustic phase resonances and surface waves supported by a compound rigid grating
Authors: Beadle Joseph G. , Starkey Timothy , Dockrey Joseph A. , Sambles J. Roy , Hibbins Alastair P. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractWe study the radiative and bound acoustic modes supported by a rigid grating formed of three same-depth, narrow grooves per unit cell. One of the grooves is twice the width of the other two, forming a ‘compound’ grating. The structure supports so-called ‘phase’ resonances where the phase difference of the pressure field between the grooves on resonance varies by multiples of π. We explore the dispersion of these modes experimentally by monitoring the specularly reflected signal as a function of the angle of incidence. In addition, by near-field excitation, the dispersion of the non-radiative surface modes has been characterised. Our results are compared with the predictions of a finite element method model.
Circulating microRNAs are associated with Pulmonary Hypertension and Development of Chronic Lung Disease in Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Authors: Herrera-Rivero Marisol , Zhang Rong , Heilmann-Heimbach Stefanie , Mueller Andreas , Bagci Soyhan , Dresbach Till , Schröder Lukas , Holdenrieder Stefan , Reutter Heiko M. , Kipfmueller Florian 
Published: July 2018

AbstractPulmonary hypertension (PH) contributes to high mortality in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). A better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying the pathology in CDH might allow the identification of prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. We report the results from an expression profiling of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in direct post-pulmonary blood flow of 18 CDH newborns. Seven miRNAs differentially expressed in children that either died or developed chronic lung disease (CLD) up to 28 days after birth, compared to those who survived without developing CLD during this period, were identified. Target gene and pathway analyses indicate that these miRNAs functions include regulation of the cell cycle, inflammation and morphogenesis, by targeting molecules responsive to growth factors, cytokines and cellular stressors. Furthermore, we identified hub molecules by constructing a protein-protein interaction network of shared targets, and ranked the relative importance of the identified miRNAs. Our results suggest that dysregulations in miRNAs let-7b-5p, -7c-5p, miR-1307-3p, -185-3p, -8084, -331-3p and -210-3p may be detrimental for the development and function of the lungs and pulmonary vasculature, compromise cardiac function and contribute to the development of CLD in CDH. Further investigation of the biomarker and therapeutic potential of these circulating miRNAs is encouraged.
Adaptive metabolic pattern biomarker for disease monitoring and staging of lung cancer with liquid biopsy
Authors: Garcia-Algar Manuel , Fernandez-Carrascal Ana , Olano-Daza Ana , Guerrini Luca , Feliu Neus , Parak Wolfgang J. , Guimera Roger , Garcia-Rico Eduardo , Alvarez-Puebla Ramon A. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn this manuscript, we demonstrate the applicability of a metabolic liquid biopsy for the monitoring and staging of patients with lung cancer. This method provides an unbiased detection strategy to establish a more precise correlation between CTC quantification and the actual burden of disease, therefore improving the accuracy of staging based on current imaging techniques. Also, by applying statistical analysis techniques and probabilistic models to the metabolic status and distribution of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) populations “perturbed” by the presence of CTCs, a new category of adaptive metabolic pattern biomarker (AMPB) is described and unambiguously correlated to the different clinical stages of the patients. In fact, this strategy allows for classification of different categories of disease within a single stage (stage IV) before computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans and with lower uncertainty.
Breakdown in the directional transport of droplets on the peristome of pitcher plants
Authors: Li Jiaqian , Zheng Huanxi , Yang Zhengbao , Wang Zuankai 
Published: July 2018

AbstractOver the centuries, scientists and engineers have been fascinated by the directional transport of water on the peristome of pitcher plant. Through experimental investigation and theoretical analysis, here we reveal the more complex picture of droplet transport on this peculiar natural surface. First, we demonstrate that in addition to the presence of the asymmetric arch-shaped microcavity with gradient wedge corners and sharp edges, the structural gradient in the first-tier microgroove of the pitcher’s peristome also plays an important role in the regulation of the directional droplet transport. Moreover, the directional liquid transport only occurs in a limited condition. Without the intricate control of the interplay between its multiscale structures and multiscale sources of water, as well as the dynamic conditions of water, the preferential directional droplet transport will collapse. The new transport phenomenon and the mechanisms we reveal will provide important insights for the design of asymmetric morphologies for droplet manipulation.
Emission of solar chromospheric and transition region features related to the underlying magnetic field
Authors: Barczynski K. , Peter H. , Chitta L. P. , Solanki S. K. 
Published: July 2018

Context. The emission of the upper atmosphere of the Sun is closely related to magnetic field concentrations at the solar surface.
Aims. It is well established that this relation between chromospheric emission and magnetic field is nonlinear. Here we investigate systematically how this relation, characterised by the exponent of a power-law fit, changes through the atmosphere, from the upper photosphere through the temperature minimum region and chromosphere to the transition region.
Methods. We used spectral maps from the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) covering Mg II and its wings, C II, and Si IV together with magnetograms and UV continuum images from the Solar Dynamics Observatory. After a careful alignment of the data we performed a power-law fit for the relation between each pair of observables and determine the power-law index (or exponent) for these. This was done for different spatial resolutions and different features on the Sun.
Results. While the correlation between emission and magnetic field drops monotonically with temperature, the power-law index shows a hockey-stick-type variation: from the upper photosphere to the temperature-minimum it drops sharply and then increases through the chromosphere into the transition region. This is even seen through the features of the Mg II line, this is, from k1 to k2 and k3. It is irrespective of spatial resolution or whether we investigate active regions, plage areas, quiet Sun, or coronal holes.
Conclusions. In accordance with the general picture of flux–flux relations from the chromosphere to the corona, above the temperature minimum the sensitivity of the emission to the plasma heating increases with temperature. Below the temperature minimum a different mechanism has to govern the opposite trend of the power-law index with temperature. We suggest four possibilities, in other words, a geometric effect of expanding flux tubes filling the available chromospheric volume, the height of formation of the emitted radiation, the dependence on wavelength of the intensity-temperature relationship, and the dependence of the heating of flux tubes on the magnetic flux density.
Thyroid Autoantibodies do not Impair the Ovarian Reserve in Euthyroid Infertile Women: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Osuka Satoko , Iwase Akira , Goto Maki , Takikawa Sachiko , Nakamura Tomoko , Murase Tomohiko , Kato Nao , Kotani Tomomi , Kikkawa Fumitaka ,   Bayasula
Published: July 2018

AbstractPatients with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) have a high prevalence of thyroid autoimmune disorders. However, the extent of the contribution of thyroid autoantibodies or elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels to decreased ovarian reserve is unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and thyroid autoantibodies [antithyroperoxidase antibody (TPOAb), and antithyroglobulin antibody (TgAb)] in euthyroid infertile women. One hundred and fifty-three women with normal menstrual cycles were recruited for this retrospective study. Serum levels of AMH were compared between patients with positive and negative thyroid autoantibodies. The correlation between serum levels of AMH and each thyroid autoantibody was also evaluated. Participants were observed to be either TPOAb or TgAb positive (n=27), only TPOAb positive (n=8), only TgAb positive (n=7), TPOAb and TgAb positive (double positive; n=12), and TPOAb and TgAb negative (double negative; n=126). No significant differences were found in serum AMH levels between the TPOAb- or TgAb-positive women and the antibody-double negative women. Serum AMH levels did not show a significant correlation with the concentration of TgAb or TPOAb. On the other hand, serum AMH levels negatively correlated with TSH levels in patients who were either positive for TPOAb or TgAb. Thyroid autoantibodies are not likely to influence ovarian reserve in euthyroid women whose TSH levels fall within the normal range although elevated TSH levels may be involved in the decline of serum AMH levels.
Einfluss einer strukturierten Nachsorge auf die
Therapietreue bei OSAS-Patienten unter CPAP-Therapie
Authors: Ritter Julia , Geißler Katharina , Schneider Gerlind , Guntinas-Lichius Orlando 
Published: July 2018

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Die Therapie mit CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure
therapy) ist die Referenztherapie beim mittel- und hochgradigen obstruktiven
Schlafapnoesyndrom (OSAS). Die Therapietreue bei diesem Verfahren ist jedoch
nicht zufriedenstellend. Ziel der Untersuchung war die Analyse der
Einflussfaktoren auf die Therapietreue sowie die Evaluation, ob eine
strukturierte Nachsorge die Therapietreue verbessert.
Material und Methoden In dieser Studie wurden alle Patienten (n = 237) mit
der Diagnose eines milden bis schweren OSAS und einer neu angepassten
CPAP-Therapie im Zeitraum zwischen 2011 und 2013 untersucht. Die
Nachsorgetermine fanden alle 1593,7 ± 77,4 CPAP-Betriebsstunden statt.
Ergebnisse Unter Therapie nahm der AHI-Wert (Apnoe-Hypopnoe-Index)
signifikant ab (5,6 ± 8,5/h; p < 0,001). 79 % erfüllten die Kriterien einer
CPAP-Therapietreue (mindestens 4 Betriebsstunden an 7 Tagen pro Woche). Es gab
keine signifikanten Einflüsse von demografischen, klinischen oder
pharmakologischen Charakteristika der Patienten auf die Therapietreue. Die
häufigsten Probleme unter CPAP-Therapie waren Trockenheit der Nasen- und
Rachenschleimhäute (43,7 %) und Druckstellen (22,4 %). Die CPAP-Therapietreue
korrelierte nicht mit den Werten der Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Die Zufriedenheit
mit der Nachsorge korrelierte signifikant mit der Therapietreue (r = 0,185; p =
0,032), während der Therapiedruck keinen signifikanten Einfluss hierauf zeigte
(r = −0,072; p = 0,383).
Schlussfolgerungen Eine strukturierte, individuell angepasste Nachsorge
ist wichtig für die Therapietreue. In Zukunft sollte im Rahmen der Nachsorge
neben der Kontrolle des Therapieerfolges mehr Aufmerksamkeit auf Aspekte der
Problemlösung, Rückkopplung, Schulung und Motivation gerichtet werden.
Diagnostic Value of Compression Ultrasonography and Fibrinogen-related Parameters for the Detection of Postoperative Deep Vein Thrombosis following Elective Hip Replacement: a Pilot Study
Authors: Crippa Luciano , Ravasi Flavio , D’Angelo Silvana Vigano , Varagona Roberto , Milani Emanuela , Safa Ormid , Tessari Luigi , D’Angelo Armando 
Published: July 2018

SummaryTo determine their ability to diagnose postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) D-dimer – by three methods – fibrinogen degradation products (FgDP) and fibrinogen levels were measured in 68 consecutive patients before elective surgery for hip replacement and on postoperative day 1, 3, 6, and 10. All patients received prophylaxis and underwent compression real-time B-mode ultrasonography (C-US) on postoperative day 5 and 9, and bilateral ascending venography on day 10. Twenty-two out of 68 patients developed asymptomatic postoperative DVT, which was limited to the calf veins in 14 and involved the proximal veins in 8 patients. C-US was negative in all patients on day 5. On day 9, C-US sensitivity and specificity for proximal DVT were 63% (95% confidence interval: 26%-90%) and 98% (89%-100%) respectively. Postoperative changes in the laboratory parameters evaluated were not different in patients with or without DVT until day 10. On day 10, mean D-dimer, FgDP and fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in patients with DVT than in those without DVT (p values between 0.006 and 0.032), but only D-dimer was higher with DVT involving two or more venous segments than with thrombosis involving one venous segment only (p <0.05). Stepwise logistic regression analysis identified D-dimer and fibrinogen on day 10 as predictors of postoperative DVT. In a receiver operator curve and after weighing for the coefficients generated by logistic regression analysis, the combination of a latex photometric immunoassay and of PT-derived fibrinogen yielded - at a cut-off value of 7.0 - a sensitivity of 100% (73%-100%) and a specificity of 58% (39%-75%) for DVT, with a negative predictive value of 100% (78%-100%), a positive predictive value of 52% (32%-71%) and an overall accuracy of 71% (55%-83%). These results suggest that two simple, fast and reproducible tests may permit the identification of patients at low risk of having postoperative DVT and that a combination of sensitive laboratory assays and of the highly specific C-US may select patients requiring anticoagulant treatment. Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of this approach should be evaluated in large clinical management studies.
Low Prevalence of the Factor V Leiden Mutation Among “Severe” Hemophiliacs with a “Milder” Bleeding Diathesis
Authors: Arbini Arnaldo A , Mannucci Pier Mannuccio , Bauer Kenneth A 
Published: July 2018

SummaryPatients with hemophilia A and B and factor levels less than 1 percent of normal bleed frequently with an average number of spontaneous bleeding episodes of 20–30 or more. However there are patients with equally low levels of factor VIII or factor IX who bleed once or twice per year or not at all. To examine whether the presence of a hereditary defect predisposing to hypercoagulability might play a role in amelio rating the hemorrhagic tendency in these so-called “mild severe” hemophiliacs, we determined the prevalence of prothrombotic defects in 17 patients with hemophilia A and four patients with hemophilia B selected from 295 and 76 individuals with these disorders, respectively, followed at a large Italian hemophilia center. We tested for the presence of the Factor V Leiden mutation by PCR-amplifying a fragment of the factor V gene which contains the mutation site and then digesting the product with the restriction enzyme Mnll. None of the patients with hemophilia A and only one patient with hemophilia B was heterozygous for Factor V Leiden. None of the 21 patients had hereditary deficiencies of antithrombin III, protein C, or protein S. Our results indicate that the milder bleeding diathesis that is occasionally seen among Italian hemophiliacs with factor levels that are less than 1 percent cannot be explained by the concomitant expression of a known prothrombotic defect.
Semi-Automated Detection of the Factor V Mutation by Allele Specific Amplification and Capillary Electrophoresis
Authors: Locht Louis T F van de , Kuypers Aldy W H M , Verbruggen Bert W , Linssen Peter C M , Nováková Irena R O , Mensink Ewald J B M 
Published: July 2018

summaryRecently a point mutation (G1691A) in the coagulation factor V gene was shown to cause resistance for cleavage by activated protein C.The mutation is associated with an increased thrombotic risk and thus- far the most common genetic cause of thrombophilia.Current techniques to investigate the single base pair mutation at the DNA level use an assay based upon the polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction enzyme digestion or Southern blotting and allele specific probing.The method we describe here consists of a single PCR in which two specially designed allele specific primers and two consensus primers were used in one reaction to distinguish between homozygous normal,heterozygous and homozygous mutant individuals.Amplification products were analysed using Capillary Electrophoresis and on line UV monitoring.The Allele Specific Amplification Protocol and subsequent CE analysis (ASAP-CE) is a convenient,fast,automated and highly reproducible method that can be used in a routine laboratory setting.
Effects of Ticlopidine Administered to Healthy Volunteers on Platelet Function in Whole Blood
Authors: Heptinstall S , May J A , Glenn J R , Sanderson H M , Dickinson J P , Wilcox R G 
Published: July 2018

SummaryTiclopidine is thought to be a selective inhibitor of ADP-induced platelet function. Here we have investigated the effects of ticlopidine on platelet function in whole blood induced by ADP and by other platelet agonists. Whole blood was used because it was considered that ADP derived from red cells might act synergistically with other platelet agonists to enhance platelet responses, and that ticlopidine might interfere with this process. Measurements were performed using blood from 16 healthy volunteers before ticlopidine administration, after taking ticlopidine 250 mg daily for 10 days, after taking ticlopidine 250 mg twice daily for a further 10 days, and after 14 days off treatment.Ticlopidine proved to be a very effective inhibitor of the platelet aggregation induced by ADP; it was most effective in enhancing the reversibility of the aggregation response. The drug modestly but significantly reduced streptokinase, adrenaline, collagen, sodium arachidonate, PAF and U46619 – induced platelet aggregation. The drug significantly reduced the extent of the release reaction (14C-5HT release) induced by ADP, streptokinase, PAF, ristocetin and sodium arachidonate, and also reduced the extent of the synergistic 14C-5HT release induced by combinations of ADP and PAF, ADP and adrenaline and PAF and adrenaline.The various inhibitory effects of ticlopidine were evident after treatment with 250 mg daily but were more pronounced after 250 mg twice daily. All values had returned to normal after 14 days off treatment. Ticlopidine had no effect on serum thromboxane B2 production nor on several parameters of coagulation and fibrinolysis.We conclude that ticlopidine is an effective inhibitor of ADP-induced platelet aggregation and also the platelet aggregation and 14C-5HT release induced in whole blood by a number of platelet agonists and combinations of agonists. These latter effects are probably mainly via a selective effect on ADP. The inhibitory effects of the drug are dose-related.
Different Abilities of Thrombin Receptor Activating Peptide and Thrombin to Induce Platelet Calcium Rise and Full Release Reaction
Authors: Lasne Dominique , Donato José , Falet Hervé , Rendu Francine 
Published: July 2018

SummarySynthetic peptides (TRAP or Thrombin Receptor Activating Peptide) corresponding to at least the first five aminoacids of the new N-terminal tail generated after thrombin proteolysis of its receptor are effective to mimic thrombin. We have studied two different TRAPs (SFLLR, and SFLLRN) in their effectiveness to induce the different platelet responses in comparison with thrombin. Using Indo-1/AM- labelled platelets, the maximum rise in cytoplasmic ionized calcium was lower with TRAPs than with thrombin. At threshold concentrations allowing maximal aggregation (50 μM SFLLR, 5 μM SFLLRN and 1 nM thrombin) the TRAPs-induced release reaction was about the same level as with thrombin, except when external calcium was removed by addition of 1 mM EDTA. In these conditions, the dense granule release induced by TRAPs was reduced by over 60%, that of lysosome release by 75%, compared to only 15% of reduction in the presence of thrombin. Thus calcium influx was more important for TRAPs-induced release than for thrombin-induced release. At strong concentrations giving maximal aggregation and release in the absence of secondary mediators (by pretreatment with ADP scavengers plus aspirin), SFLLRN mobilized less calcium, with a fast return towards the basal level and induced smaller lysosome release than did thrombin. The results further demonstrate the essential role of external calcium in triggering sustained and full platelet responses, and emphasize the major difference between TRAP and thrombin in mobilizing [Ca2+]j. Thus, apart from the proteolysis of the seven transmembrane receptor, another thrombin binding site or thrombin receptor interaction is required to obtain full and complete responses.