bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Image quality and dose characteristics for an O‐arm intraoperative imaging system with model‐based image reconstruction
Authors: Uneri A. , Zhang X. , Yi T. , Stayman J. W. , Helm P. A. , Theodore N. , Siewerdsen J. H. 
Published: September 2018

PurposeTo assess the imaging performance and radiation dose characteristics of the O‐arm CBCT imaging system (Medtronic Inc., Littleton MA) and demonstrate the potential for improved image quality and reduced dose via model‐based image reconstruction (MBIR).MethodsTwo main studies were performed to investigate previously unreported characteristics of the O‐arm system. First is an investigation of dose and 3D image quality achieved with filtered back‐projection (FBP) — including enhancements in geometric calibration, handling of lateral truncation and detector saturation, and incorporation of an isotropic apodization filter. Second is implementation of an MBIR algorithm based on Huber‐penalized likelihood estimation (PLH) and investigation of image quality improvement at reduced dose. Each study involved measurements in quantitative phantoms as a basis for analysis of contrast‐to‐noise ratio and spatial resolution as well as imaging of a human cadaver to test the findings under realistic imaging conditions.ResultsView‐dependent calibration of system geometry improved the accuracy of reconstruction as quantified by the full‐width at half maximum of the point‐spread function — from 0.80 to 0.65 mm — and yielded subtle but perceptible improvement in high‐contrast detail of bone (e.g., temporal bone). Standard technique protocols for the head and body imparted absorbed dose of 16 and 18 mGy, respectively. For low‐to‐medium contrast (<100 HU) imaging at fixed spatial resolution (1.3 mm edge‐spread function) and fixed dose (6.7 mGy), PLH improved CNR over FBP by +48% in the head and +35% in the body. Evaluation at different dose levels demonstrated 30% increase in CNR at 62% of the dose in the head and 90% increase in CNR at 50% dose in the body.ConclusionsA variety of improvements in FBP implementation (geometric calibration, truncation and saturation effects, and isotropic apodization) offer the potential for improved image quality and reduced radiation dose on the O‐arm system. Further gains are possible with MBIR, including improved soft‐tissue visualization, low‐dose imaging protocols, and extension to methods that naturally incorporate prior information of patient anatomy and/or surgical instrumentation.
Saccharide‐based nanocarriers for targeted therapeutic and diagnostic applications
Authors: Mukwaya Vincent , Wang Chenglong , Dou Hongjing 
Published: September 2018

AbstractMany therapeutic and diagnostic agents suffer from short circulation times or poor selectivity resulting in the need for frequent drug administration and adverse side‐effects. On this basis, selective nanocarriers have been used to address most of the drawbacks via the encapsulation or conjugation of therapeutic and diagnostic agents to allow the targeted release of cargo to diseased sites or tumours, while maintaining low levels of cytotoxicity. Saccharides, which can be classified as monosaccharides, disaccharides and oligo/polysaccharides, have demonstrated great potential in the construction of nanocarriers, as well as the targeted guidance of the nanocarriers to diseased tissues. The fabrication of nanocarriers from natural materials such as polysaccharides affords biodegradability and biocompatibility, and in some instances confers targeting capabilities. The most recent progress in saccharide‐based targeted nanocarriers fabricated via facile one‐pot routes or complex two‐pot synthetic routes is reviewed here, with a particular focus on the high efficiency and flexibility of the one‐pot approach. In addition, inspired by the self‐assembly processes involving saccharides that occur in living organisms, particular emphasis is placed on disease‐targeting nanocarriers that are constructed from or modified by saccharides. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Modeling the absorption lineshape of embedded systems from molecular dynamics: A tutorial review
Authors: Loco Daniele , Cupellini Lorenzo 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn this tutorial review, we focus on a multiscale method to compute the electronic absorption line shape of molecular dyes embedded in a biological environment. To treat the coupling of the electronic excitations with the nuclear degrees of freedom of the system, we use the spectral density (SD) of the exciton–phonon coupling computed from a Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics, which takes into account the effect of the biological environment on the dye's nuclear and electronic degrees of freedom. The theoretical basis of the approach is given, as well as a comprehensive description of the computational protocol for the extraction of the energy gap autocorrelation function evaluating the electronic excitation along the classical trajectory. Furthermore a benchmark application from a recently published study is presented as an example of how the derived SD can be used in computational spectroscopy to accurately simulate the absorption lineshape, including both vibronic and temperature effects.
Vulnerability of Juvenile Bighead and Silver Carps to Predation by Largemouth Bass
Authors: Sanft Eric , Parkos Joseph J. , Collins Scott F. , Porreca Anthony P. , Wahl David H. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe establishment of Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and Silver Carp H. molitrix throughout the Mississippi River basin potentially expands the prey base for native predators. A mechanistic understanding of interactions between nonnative prey and native predators is needed to assess the potential for predator regulation of Hypophthalmichthys carp populations and impacts on native predator assemblages. We conducted a series of experiments to quantify the selectivity and efficiency of Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides predation on juveniles of both of these Hypophthalmichthys species and behaviors that potentially influence this selectivity and efficiency. Selectivity was measured over 24 h in 2‐m‐diameter pools containing one of two prey assemblages consisting of three individuals from each of three species: (1) Bighead Carp with native littoral (Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus) and pelagic prey (Golden Shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas) or (2) Bighead Carp, Silver Carp, and a morphologically similar native prey (Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum). Foraging efficiency and predator–prey behaviors were quantified in 45‐min trials in which Largemouth Bass foraged on 10 individuals of a single prey species inside a 750‐L observation tank. All prey species were readily attacked and consumed by Largemouth Bass; Silver Carp were selected less often than Gizzard Shad, and Bighead Carp were selected at a higher rate than any of the other prey species. Of the species tested, Bighead Carp formed the tightest schools and were captured most efficiently by Largemouth Bass. Overall, Hypophthalmichthys carps were similar to native prey in their vulnerability to Largemouth Bass; therefore, factors affecting Hypophthalmichthys carp availability relative to native prey may shape postinvasion predator–prey interactions.
Knowing more about things you care less about: Cross‐sectional analysis of the opposing trend and interplay between conceptual understanding and interest in secondary school chemistry
Authors: Höft Lars , Bernholt Sascha , Blankenburg Janet S. , Winberg Mikael 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe development of students' interest in school science activities, their understanding of central chemical concepts, and the interplay between both constructs across Grades 5–11 were analyzed in a cross‐sectional paper‐and‐pencil study (N = 2,510, mean age 11–17 years). Previous empirical findings indicate that students' knowledge increases over the time of secondary school while students' interest, especially in natural science subjects, tends to decrease. Concomitantly, there is evidence for an increase in the positive coupling between interest and knowledge across time. However, previous studies mainly rely on rather global measures, for example, school grades or general subject‐related interest, and focus on science as an integrated subject instead of specific disciplines, for example, chemistry. For this article, more proximal and differentiated measures for students' understanding of three chemical concepts (Chemical Reaction, Energy, Matter) and interest in seven dimensions of school science activities according to the RIASEC + N model (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional, and Networking; cf. Dierks, Höffler, & Parchmann, 2014) were applied. The results are in line with previous research indicating a general increase in conceptual understanding and a decline in students' interest for all school science activities. However, the interplay between conceptual understanding and interest differs across the seven dimensions. Interest in activities which are likely to promote cognitive activation (investigative, networking) or involving the communication of knowledge (social, enterprising, and networking) are increasingly connected to conceptual understanding, especially in upper secondary grades. Interest in guided hands‐on activities (realistic) which are typical in secondary science teaching, however, shows only small positive correlations to students' conceptual understanding across all grades. Hence, in upper‐secondary school, investigative, social, enterprising, and networking activities seem to provide opportunities to benefit most from the interrelation between students' interests and their understanding.
Reading With a Writer's Eye: Why Book Choice Matters
Authors: Culham Ruth 
Published: September 2018

AbstractLearning how to choose and use diverse literature for students to read and as an inspiration for their writing has never been more important, as more than 50% of today's students in U.S. classrooms do not identify as white. This teaching tip explores the importance of finding high‐quality diverse literature for all learners and how to use these books as mentor texts for writing based on the traits of writing: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions. The author models combining high‐quality diverse literature and the traits for readers in a fully developed lesson plan that leads to writing in different modes (narrative, informational, opinion/argument), based on the picture book A Different Pond by Bao Phi.
Schizophrenia in type 2 diabetes mellitus: Prevalence and clinical characteristics
Authors: Huang Chun-Jen , Hsieh Hui-Min , Tu Hung-Pin , Jiang He-Jiun , Wang Peng-Wei , Lin Ching-Hua 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackground:This study investigated the prevalence and characteristics of schizophrenia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Taiwan.Methods:National Health Insurance claims data for patients with principal diagnoses of schizophrenia and T2DM were analysed.Results:Compared with patients with schizophrenia in the general population (GP), those with schizophrenia and T2DM were more likely to have higher Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) scores and multiple comorbidities, and were older. The prevalence of schizophrenia was significantly higher in patients with T2DM than in the GP from 2000 to 2010. In addition, during this period, the prevalence of schizophrenia in patients with T2DM increased from 0.64% to 0.85%; such an increase in the GP was also observed. A high prevalence of schizophrenia was observed in patients with T2DM aged less than 60 years old; those residing in eastern Taiwan; those with incomes of ≤NT$17,280, NT$17,281–NT$22,880, NT$22,881–NT$28,800, and NT$36,301–NT$45,800; and those with CCI > 2.Conclusions:Our study found the prevalence of schizophrenia is higher in patients with T2DM than in the GP, particularly those with earlier ages less than 60 years old. Public health initiatives are necessary to prevent and treat schizophrenia in patients with T2DM, specifically for those with the aforementioned and premature death risk.
Mobilization of Women to Terrorism: Tools and Methods of ISIS
Authors: Shorer Marina 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAs of the beginning of 2016, out of 100,000 “Islamic State in Iraq and Syria” (ISIS) fighters in Iraq, Syria, Sinai and North African Countries, one-third were foreign-born fighters from European and Asian countries (AFP Tunis 2013). Although most of the men came alone, seduced by advertised sexual adventures, the official guiding rule by the ISIS Caliphate was to establish true marriage with real Muslim brides (Milton and Dodwell 2018). The Western women were then addressed to come and help in administrative, teaching and nursing tasks while also instituting families with jihadi fighters. Estimations are that at least 450–500 Western women of different ages left their countries to join ISIS mujahedin. For these mobilization efforts, social networks were utilized to serve as means of communication, coordination and conversion of women’s minds. The skilled usage of different levels of social networking tools, combined with precise audience targeting, turned the efforts into powerful recruiting instruments for mobilization of women into terrorist activities. The ISIS strategy included careful selection of different scenarios and storyboards for different target audiences, thus maximizing the impact of the exposure to the message and mobilization.
COLORING CURVES ON SURFACES
Authors: GASTER JONAH , GREENE JOSHUA EVAN , VLAMIS NICHOLAS G. 
Published: September 2018

We study the chromatic number of the curve graph of a surface. We show that the chromatic number grows like $k\log k$ for the graph of separating curves on a surface of Euler characteristic $-k$. We also show that the graph of curves that represent a fixed nonzero homology class is uniquely $t$-colorable, where $t$ denotes its clique number. Together, these results lead to the best known bounds on the chromatic number of the curve graph. We also study variations for arc graphs and obtain exact results for surfaces of low complexity. Our investigation leads to connections with Kneser graphs, the Johnson homomorphism, and hyperbolic geometry.
Killed Bifidobacterium longum enhanced stress tolerance and prolonged life span of Caenorhabditis elegans via DAF-16
Authors: Sugawara Takaya , Sakamoto Kazuichi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractProbiotics are bacteria among the intestinal flora that are beneficial for human health. Bifidobacterium longum (BL) is a prototypical probiotic that is widely used in yogurt making, supplements and others. Although various physiological effects of BL have been reported, those associated with longevity and anti-ageing still remain elusive. Here we aimed to elucidate the physiological effects of killed BL (BR-108) on stress tolerance and longevity of Caenorhabditis elegans and their mechanisms. Worms fed killed BL in addition to Escherichia coli (OP50) displayed reduced body length in a BL dose-dependent manner. When compared with those fed E. coli alone, these worms had a higher survival rate following heat stress at 35°C and hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress. A general decrease in motility was observed over time in all worms; however, killed BL-fed ageing worms displayed increased movement and longer life span than those fed E. coli alone. However, the longevity effect was suppressed in sir-2.1, daf-16 and skn-1-deficient worms. Killed BL induced DAF-16 nuclear localisation and increased the expression of the DAF-16 target gene hsp-12.6. These results revealed that the physiological effects of killed BL in C. elegans were mediated by DAF-16 activation. These findings contradict previous observations with different Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains, which showed the role for SKN-1 independently of DAF-16.
Establishment of co-infection and hybridization of Haemonchus contortus and Haemonchus placei in sheep
Authors: Santos M.C. , Amarante M.R.V. , Amarante A.F.T. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the simultaneous infections of Haemonchus contortus and Haemonchus placei in sheep, as well as the production of hybrids. A parental group of lambs (n = 6) were mix-infected with 2000 infective larvae (L3) of H. placei and 2000 L3 of H. contortus. Faecal samples were taken from each of these six lambs to produce the first generation of L3 (F1-L3) in individual cultures. These F1-L3 were used to infect 12 lambs; six of them were euthanized at 42 days (Group F1-42) and six at 84 days (Group F1-84) post infection. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, using species-specific primer pairs, was the gold standard method for identification of Haemonchus adult species and hybrids. The establishment rate of both species was similar in the parental group: 51.7% H. contortus and 48.3% H. placei. Of the 219 adult specimens from groups F1-42 and F1-84 analysed by PCR, eight (3.65%) were hybrids, 111 were H. contortus and 100 were H. placei. The morphological evaluation of the F1-L3 from the parental group showed a predominance of larvae with H. contortus size (51.5%) in comparison with H. placei (42.8%). In the second generation of L3 (F2-L3) produced by the F1-lambs, larvae with H. contortus morphology predominated, with 81.5% in the F1-42 group and 84.0% in the F1-84 group. In conclusion, an artificial mixed infection by H. contortus and H. placei was established in lambs and resulted in the production of a small number of hybrids among their offspring.
Which biological and self-report measures of cannabis use predict cannabis dependency and acute psychotic-like effects?
Authors: Curran H. Valerie , Hindocha Chandni , Morgan Celia J. A. , Shaban Natacha , Das Ravi K. , Freeman Tom P. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundChanges in cannabis regulation globally make it increasingly important to determine what predicts an individual's risk of experiencing adverse drug effects. Relevant studies have used diverse self-report measures of cannabis use, and few include multiple biological measures. Here we aimed to determine which biological and self-report measures of cannabis use predict cannabis dependency and acute psychotic-like symptoms.MethodIn a naturalistic study, 410 young cannabis users were assessed once when intoxicated with their own cannabis and once when drug-free in counterbalanced order. Biological measures of cannabinoids [(Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol(THC),cannabidiol(CBD),cannabinol(CBN) and their metabolites)] were derived from three samples: each participant's own cannabis (THC, CBD), a sample of their hair (THC, THC-OH, THC-COOH, CBN, CBD) and their urine (THC-COOH/creatinine). Comprehensive self-report measures were also obtained. Self-reported and clinician-rated assessments were taken for cannabis dependency [Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS), DSM-IV-TR] and acute psychotic-like symptoms [Psychotomimetic State Inventory (PSI) and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS)].ResultsCannabis dependency was positively associated with days per month of cannabis use on both measures, and with urinary THC-COOH/creatinine for the SDS. Acute psychotic-like symptoms were positively associated with age of first cannabis use and negatively with urinary THC-COOH/creatinine; no predictors emerged for BPRS.ConclusionsLevels of THC exposure are positively associated with both cannabis dependency and tolerance to the acute psychotic-like effects of cannabis. Combining urinary and self-report assessments (use frequency; age first used) enhances the measurement of cannabis use and its association with adverse outcomes.
Children's gradient sensitivity to phonological mismatch: considering the dynamics of looking behavior and pupil dilation
Authors: TAMÁSI Katalin , MCKEAN Cristina , GAFOS Adamantios , HÖHLE Barbara 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn a preferential looking paradigm, we studied how children's looking behavior and pupillary response were modulated by the degree of phonological mismatch between the correct label of a target referent and its manipulated form. We manipulated degree of mismatch by introducing one or more featural changes to the target label. Both looking behavior and pupillary response were sensitive to degree of mismatch, corroborating previous studies that found differential responses in one or the other measure. Using time-course analyses, we present for the first time results demonstrating full separability among conditions (detecting difference not only between one vs. more, but also between two and three featural changes). Furthermore, the correct labels and small featural changes were associated with stable target preference, while large featural changes were associated with oscillating looking behavior, suggesting significant shifts in looking preference over time. These findings further support and extend the notion that early words are represented in great detail, containing subphonemic information.
Mechanisms of child behavior change in parent training: Comment on Weeland et al. (2018)
Authors: Beauchaine Theodore P. , Slep Amy 
Published: September 2018

AbstractRecently in this journal, Weeland et al. (2018) published a thought-provoking article reporting moderating effects of children's serotonin transporter-linked polymorphisms (5-HTTLPR) on negative parenting during prevention with the Incredible Years series. Participants were parents and young children of 387 families enrolled in the Observational Randomized Control Trial of Childhood Differential Susceptibility study. An equally important finding, which we focus on in this comment, involved null effects for all tests of parenting as a mediator of prevention-induced improvements in children's externalizing behavior. Although such findings may seem surprising, both confirmations of and failures to confirm parenting change as a mediator of child behavior change are common in the prevention and intervention literatures. In this comment, we explore likely reasons for heterogeneity in findings, including both moderators of treatment effect size and methods used to test mediation. Common moderators of prevention and intervention response to Incredible Years include dose, parenting problems at intake, high-risk versus clinical nature of samples, how parenting is measured, and whether child training is included with parent training. All of these moderators affect power to detect mediation. We then discuss conceptual criteria for testing mediation in randomized clinical trials, and problems with interpreting mediating paths in cross-lag panel models. Although the gene effect reported by Weeland et al. is important, their cross-lag panel models do not provide strong tests of parenting as a mediator of child behavior change. We conclude with recommendations for testing mediation in randomized clinical trials.
Nut consumption and metabolic syndrome in US adolescents
Authors: Kim Roy J , Wang Lu , Worley Sarah , Leonard David 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether nut intake is associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in US adolescents.DesignA cross-sectional analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) years 2003–2012. Anthropometric measurements, blood tests, 24 h diet recalls and demographic data were retrieved for participating adolescents. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to paediatric-modified Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. The exposure was defined as a nut intake ≥5 g/d.SettingUSA.SubjectsIndividuals aged 12–19 years (n 2805).ResultsNut consumption was associated with lower odds for metabolic syndrome (crude OR=0·25; 95 % CI 0·11, 0·55; P≤0·001). This effect was independent of age, sex, race/ethnicity and family income:poverty ratio (adjusted OR=0·27; 95 % CI 0·12, 0·61; P=0·002), and was stable after controlling for nutritional covariates including intake of sugar and total energy consumption (OR=0·36; 95 % CI 0·16, 0·81; P=0·014).ConclusionNut consumption of ≥5 g/d is independently associated with lower odds for metabolic syndrome in US adolescents.