bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isolation, Culture, and Differentiation of Mammary Epithelial Stem/Progenitor Cells from Fresh or Ex Vivo Cultured Human Breast Tissue
Authors: Chen Guang , Bouamar Hakim , Sun Lu‐Zhe 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn vivo transplantation is the gold standard method for characterization of stem/progenitor cell self‐renewal, tissue regeneration, and tumorigenesis. The method requires an enriched population of stem cells that represent a small fraction of a given tissue. An enriched population of stem/progenitor cells increases the likelihood of engraftment and reduces the number of recipient animals needed for in vivo transplantation. Methods for mammosphere formation by mammary epithelial stem and progenitor cells have been widely adopted for enriching stem/progenitor cells, allowing researchers to study genetic and epigenetic properties, interaction with other cell types, and differentiation and oncogenic transformation. The generation of mammospheres is complex, however, involving many steps and requiring particular skill. Here we describe a detailed mammosphere protocol, including isolation and culture of human primary mammary epithelial stem/progenitor cells and their differentiation and passage in 3D organoid culture. We also describe a protocol for ex vivo culture of fresh human breast tissue for use in assays of clinical treatment. Step‐by‐step instructions detail tissue handling through passage of the stem/progenitor cell‐generated 3D organoids, which can be used to assess the properties, function, and neoplastic transformation of mammary stem/progenitor cells. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Research on application of data mining in fast character recognition based on big data
Authors: Zheng Ying , Song Wangan , Shen Longfeng 
Published: September 2018

SummaryFor improving the speed of character recognition, this paper applies data mining technology to character recognition under the condition of big data architecture. As an effective method of data mining, artificial neural network is a computational model established by simplifying, abstracting, and simulating the biological neural mechanism of human brain. Artificial neural network ensemble method, by training several weak learning devices to form the final strong learning device, can better improve the learning generalization ability of the model, and it has a broad application prospect. The main difficulties in the research of license plate recognition are the low quality of vehicle license plate image, the small proportion of license plate area, the distortion of characters to be recognized, and the large interference noise. In this paper, wavelet transform, edge detection, and line scanning methods are used to realize multi‐size and multi‐type license plate location, which overcomes the influence of illumination, color, size, and position. In the character recognition module, the improved BP neural network and the neural network integrated classifier based on weight clipping are used to identify. Experimental results show that the proposed data mining algorithm can further improve the learning efficiency and improve the performance of the time.
Optimized all‐to‐all communication on multicore architectures applied to FFTs with pencil decomposition
Authors: Jocksch Andreas , Kraushaar Matthias , Daverio David 
Published: September 2018

SummaryAll‐to‐all communication is a basic functionality of parallel communication libraries such as the Message Passing Interface (MPI). Typically, there are multiple different underlying algorithms, which are chosen according to message size. We propose a communication algorithm, which exploits the fact that modern supercomputers combine shared memory parallelism and distributed memory parallelism. The application example of our algorithm is FFTs with pencil decomposition. Furthermore, we propose an extension of the MPI standard in order to accommodate this and other algorithms in an efficient way.
Solar power technology for electricity generation: A critical review
Authors: Ahmadi Mohammad Hossein , Ghazvini Mahyar , Sadeghzadeh Milad , Alhuyi Nazari Mohammad , Kumar Ravinder , Naeimi Abbas , Ming Tingzhen 
Published: September 2018

AbstractNegative environmental impact of fossil fuel consumption highlight the role of renewable energy sources and give them a unique opportunity to grow and improve. Among renewable energy sources solar energy attract more attention and many studies have focused on using solar energy for electricity generation. Here, in this study, solar energy technologies are reviewed to find out the best option for electricity generation. Using solar energy to generate electricity can be done either directly and indirectly. In the direct method, PV modules are utilized to convert solar irradiation into electricity. In the indirect method, thermal energy is harnessed employing concentrated solar power (CSP) plants such as Linear Fresnel collectors and parabolic trough collectors. In this paper, solar thermal technologies including soar trough collectors, linear Fresnel collectors, central tower systems, and solar parabolic dishes are comprehensively reviewed and barriers and opportunities are discussed. In addition, a comparison is made between solar thermal power plants and PV power generation plants. Based on published studies, PV‐based systems are more suitable for small‐scale power generation. They are also capable of generating more electricity in a specific area in comparison with CSP‐based systems. However, based on economic considerations, CSP plants are better in economic return.
The morphology of the human cerebrovascular system
Authors: Bernier Michaël , Cunnane Stephen C. , Whittingstall Kevin 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWhile several methodologies exist for quantifying gray and white matter properties in humans, relatively little is known regarding the spatial organization and the intersubject variability of cerebral vessels. To resolve this, we developed a fast, open‐source processing algorithm using advanced vessel segmentation schemes and iterative nonlinear registration to isolate, extract, and quantify cerebral vessels in susceptibility weighting imaging (SWI) and time‐of‐flight angiography (TOF‐MRA) datasets acquired in a large cohort (n = 42) of healthy individuals. From this, whole‐brain venous and arterial probabilistic maps were generated along with the computation of regional densities and diameters within regions based on popular anatomical and functional atlases. The results show that cerebral vasculature is highly heterogeneous, displaying disproportionally large vessel densities in brain areas such as the anterior and posterior cingulate, cuneus, precuneus, parahippocampus, insula, and temporal gyri. On average, venous densities were slightly higher and less variable across subjects than arterial. Moreover, regional variations in both venous and arterial density were significantly correlated to cortical thickness (R = 0.42). This publicly available new atlas of the human cerebrovascular system provides a first step toward quantifying morphological changes in the diseased brain and serving as a potential regression tool in fMRI analysis.
A case of syphilis presenting with prolonged etiology‐unrevealed fever, accompanying activated partial thromboplastin time prolongation
Authors: Yasuo Kazuhiro 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA 58‐year‐old woman presenting with 3‐week‐prolonged fever was referred to our department. Her present history and physical examination results were unremarkable. Her activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was prolonged. Upon further investigation, anticardiolipin/beta2‐glycoprotein I complex antibodies (CL‐β2GPI) were detected, occasionally associated with syphilis. On day 14 of her fourth visit as an outpatient, serological tests confirmed the diagnosis, with newly appeared roseola on her palms and soles. She was in the transitional phase to secondary syphilis. Four months later, after successful treatment, her APTT was normalized with CL‐β2GPI negative. Syphilis should be considered in patients with APTT prolongation.
Pork protein addition effect on structural and qualitative parameters of frankfurter‐type sausage
Authors: Petrášová Michaela , Král Martin , Pospiech Matej , Halamová Petra , Tremlová Bohuslava , Walczycka Maria 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDSeveral raw materials and additives are used in meat production. In terms of origin, proteins which are the closest related to meat are derived from slaughtered carcasses. The aim of the work was to assess the effect of their addition on the microstructure, texture and colour of frankfurter‐type meat products.RESULTSCalleja staining, instrumental textural analysis and colour analysis were applied. The microscopic results were evaluated qualitatively. Canonical component and Tukey's HSD were used for textural and RGB evaluation. Microscopically, protein matrix formation in products containing pork haemoglobin (155_16) and pork plasma P (158_16) was found to be different from that in other samples. Texture analysis revealed differences (P < 0.05) in shear force between pork haemoglobin 155_16 and all tested samples, in the hardness between the control (154_16) and pork collagen protein (157_16) and between 157_16 and 160_16. Chewiness showed differences between control 154_16 and collagen proteins 157_16. Colour analysis showed a difference between pork haemoglobin (155_16) and other products (P < 0.05) by component analysis.CONCLUSIONAll tested additives were incorporated into the protein matrix. Therefore, they may be used as additives even for unrecommended meat products. Addition of pork haemoglobin has a significant impact on the colour of the final product. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Incandescence‐based single‐particle method for black carbon quantification in lake sediment cores
Authors: Chellman N. J. , McConnell J. R. , Heyvaert A. , Vannière B. , Arienzo M. M. , Wennrich V. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractRefractory black carbon (rBC) is an important contributor to radiative forcing, so quantifying rBC emissions and transport is critical for accurate climate modeling. Formed during incomplete combustion of fossil fuels or biofuels, rBC is emitted to the atmosphere from large wildfires and industrial sources where it can be transported and deposited globally. Ice cores have been used to reconstruct historical changes in biomass burning and industrial emissions but they are available only from glaciers and ice sheets, with reliable records longer than a few centuries generally limited to polar regions. Lake sediment cores provide a possible alternative to develop longer term, widely distributed records from mid‐ and low‐latitude regions, albeit with lower temporal resolution and less directly linked to atmospheric concentrations than ice‐core rBC records. Here, we present a new incandescence‐based method for measuring rBC in lake sediment cores using the Single‐Particle Soot Photometer. Compared to existing filter‐based techniques, this highly sensitive method requires a much smaller sample size, resulting in reproducible, relatively high‐temporal‐resolution records of past rBC deposition.
Disclosing accelerated approval on direct‐to‐consumer prescription drug websites
Authors: Sullivan Helen W. , O'Donoghue Amie C. , David Kathleen T. , Patel Nisha J. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPurposeWe examined direct‐to‐consumer (DTC) websites for brand‐name accelerated approval prescription drugs to determine whether and how accelerated approval is communicated to consumers.MethodsFrom the 34 brand‐name prescription drugs under the Food and Drug Administration's accelerated approval pathway presubmission requirement for promotional materials in December 2016, we identified a sample of 26 that had active DTC websites. Two raters independently coded the websites for the presence, placement, content, and readability of an accelerated approval disclosure.ResultsMost (73%) of the websites contained an accelerated approval disclosure. Most of the disclosures (84%) included the basis for accelerated approval, whereas 68% stated that the clinical benefit of the product was unknown and 47% conveyed the need for additional research to confirm study findings. On average, the disclosures required at least a high school reading level, and most conveyed the information in medical terms.ConclusionsDirect‐to‐consumer websites for brand‐name accelerated approval prescription drugs do not consistently communicate the accelerated approval information for the product to consumers in a prominent, comprehensive, or readable manner.
The influence of Malay cultural beliefs on breast cancer screening and genetic testing: A focus group study
Authors: Shaw Tarryn , Ishak Diana , Lie Désirée , Menon Sapna , Courtney Eliza , Li Shao‐Tzu , Ngeow Joanne 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveMalays comprise an Asian cultural group reported to have low breast cancer screening uptake rates and poor cancer outcomes. Little is known about Malay cultural factors influencing beliefs and practice of cancer screening and genetic testing. Our study aims to explore health beliefs of Malay women around breast cancer screening and genetic testing.MethodsWe conducted focus groups among healthy English‐speaking Malay women in Singapore, aged 40 to 69 years, using a structured guide developed through literature review, expertise input and participant refinement. Thematic analysis was conducted to extract dominant themes representing key motivators and barriers to screening and genetic testing. We used grounded theory to interpret results and derive a framework of understanding, with implications for improving uptake of services.ResultsFive focus groups (four to six participants per group) comprising 27 women were conducted to theme saturation. Major themes were (a) spiritual and religious beliefs act as barriers towards uptake of screening and genetic testing; (b) preference for traditional medicine competes with Western medicine recommendations; (c) family and community influence health‐related decisions, complexed by differences in intergenerational beliefs creating contrasting attitudes towards screening and prevention.ConclusionsDecisions to participate in breast cancer screening and genetic testing are influenced by cultural, traditional, spiritual/religious, and intergenerational beliefs. Strategies to increase uptake should include acknowledgement and integration of these beliefs into counseling and education and collaboration with key influential Malay stakeholders and leaders.
Bovine sperm sex‐selection technology in Japan
Authors: Naniwa Yousuke , Sakamoto Yoshiya , Toda Syohei , Uchiyama Kyoko 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundIn Japan, Livestock Improvement Association of Japan started commercially producing sexed bovine semen 10 years ago, and sexed bovine semen is currently used for the artificial insemination (AI) in the farms. In this review, the authors introduce the technology for sperm sexing by flow cytometry, the efforts at commercializing sexed semen in Japan, and recent field data on artificial insemination of the cattle with sexed semen.MethodsIn the procedures of the flow cytometric method, X‐chromosome‐bearing sperm and Y‐chromosome‐bearing sperm were fluorescently stained, separated from each other by analyzing the difference in the DNA content, and cryopreserved. The authors surveyed the conception rates after AI with these sperm and sex ratios of the offspring with the cooperation from livestock associations, AI technicians, and farmers.Main findings (Results)Although AI with sexed semen was associated with lower conception rates in comparison with AI with conventional semen, the accuracy of sex selection using AI with sexed semen was beyond >90%.ConclusionSexed semen produced by flow cytometry has the potential to produce offspring of the preferred sex with high accuracy and reliability. Thus, it is expected that sexed semen is used for AI more frequently in the farms.
Updating the markers for oocyte quality evaluation: intracellular temperature as a new index
Authors: Hoshino Yumi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe developmental competence of an embryo is principally dictated by the oocyte. Usually, oocyte selection is based on morphological properties; however, all morphological criteria that are currently used for the grading and screening of oocytes are not able to eliminate the subjectivity. Despite recent studies of the molecular factors related to oocyte quality, it is technically difficult to develop an index based on these factors, and new indices that reflect intracellular conditions are necessary.MethodsMorphological and molecular factors influencing developmental competence were comprehensively reviewed, and intracellular temperature was evaluated as a new marker of oocyte quality.Main findingsThe intracellular temperature of mature oocytes was high in fresh oocytes and decreased with time after polar body release. Under the same conditions, the intracellular temperature and its distribution differed among oocytes, suggesting that temperature represents the state of each oocyte.ConclusionIntracellular temperature is advantageous as an objective and quantitative indicator of oocyte quality. Further studies should evaluate the link between temperature and cellular phenomena to establish its use as an indicator of quality.
Sensorimotor expectations and the visual field
Authors: Cavedon-Taylor Dan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSensorimotor expectations concern how visual experience covaries with bodily movement. Sensorimotor theorists argue from such expectations to the conclusion that the phenomenology of vision is constitutively embodied: objects within the visual field are experienced as 3-D because sensorimotor expectations partially constitute our experience of such objects. Critics argue that there are (at least) two ways to block the above inference: to explain how we visually experience objects as 3-D, one may appeal to such non-bodily factors as (1) expectations about movements of objects, not the perceiver, or to (2) the role of mental imagery in visual experience. But instead of using sensorimotor expectations to explain how objects are experienced within the visual field, we can instead use them to explain our experience of the visual field itself and, in particular, our experience of its limits; that is, our ever-present visual sense of there being more to see, beyond what’s currently within the visual field. Crucially, this inference from sensorimotor expectations to the constitutive embodiment of visual phenomenology is not threatened by the above two challenges. I thus present here a sensorimotor theory of the phenomenology of the visual field, that is, our experience of our visual fieldsas such.
Antidepressant-Like Activity of Typical Antidepressant Drugs in the Forced Swim Test and Tail Suspension Test in Mice Is Augmented by DMPX, an Adenosine A2A Receptor Antagonist
Authors: Poleszak Ewa , Szopa Aleksandra , Bogatko Karolina , Wyska Elżbieta , Wośko Sylwia , Świąder Katarzyna , Doboszewska Urszula , Wlaź Aleksandra , Wróbel Andrzej , Wlaź Piotr , Serefko Anna 
Published: September 2018

AbstractUnsatisfactory therapeutic effects of currently used antidepressants force to search for new pharmacological treatment strategies. Recent research points to the relationship between depressive disorders and the adenosinergic system. Therefore, the main goal of our studies was to evaluate the effects of DMPX (3 mg/kg, i.p.), which possesses selectivity for adenosine A2A receptors versus A1 receptors, on the activity of imipramine (15 mg/kg, i.p.), escitalopram (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.), and reboxetine (2 mg/kg, i.p.) given in subtherapeutic doses. The studies carried out using the forced swim and tail suspension tests in mice showed that DMPX at a dose of 6 and 12 mg/kg exerts antidepressant-like effect and does not affect the locomotor activity. Co-administration of DMPX at a dose of 3 mg/kg with the studied antidepressant drugs caused the reduction of immobility time in both behavioral tests. The observed effect was not associated with an increase in the locomotor activity. To evaluate whether the observed effects were due to a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic interaction, the levels of the antidepressants in blood and brain were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. It can be assumed that the interaction between DMPX and imipramine was exclusively pharmacodynamic in nature, whereas an increased antidepressant activity of escitalopram and reboxetine was at least partly related to its pharmacokinetic interaction with DMPX.
Law’s Financialization: Litigation Finance and Multilayer Access to Justice in Canada
Authors: Molavi Michael 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis, states around the world have experienced sustained growth in the emerging industry of litigation finance in light of the perceived insularity of courtrooms from the instabilities and fluctuations of financial markets. In Canada, this nascent industry has been dominated by class actions given the high costs, risk exposures, and attractive rewards associated with collective redress. Such investments have been legitimated as promoting access to justice, a fundamental human right. This paper traces the historical and contemporary development of this legal dynamic of financialization by documenting the progressive liberalization of maintenance and champerty laws from the nineteenth century to the current period through a series of case studies, before exploring the legal economics of the emerging industry in Canada. In so doing, this paper critically examines the impacts of law’s financialization on multilayer access to justice.
Blood culture utilization at an academic hospital: Addressing a gap in benchmarking
Authors: Chen Annie I. , Bilker Warren B. , Hamilton Keith W. , O’Donnell Judith A. , Nachamkin Irving 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the pattern of blood culture utilization in an academic university hospital setting.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingA 789-bed tertiary-care university hospital that processes 40,000+blood cultures annually.MethodsWe analyzed blood cultures collected from adult inpatients at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2015. Descriptive statistics and regression models were used to analyze patterns of blood culture utilization: frequency of blood cultures, use of repeat cultures following a true-positive culture, and number of sets drawn per day.ResultsIn total, 38,939 blood culture sets were drawn during 126,537 patient days (incidence rate, 307.7 sets per 1,000 patient days). The median number of blood culture sets drawn per hospital encounter was 2 (range, 1–76 sets). The median interval between blood cultures was 2 days (range, 1–71 days). Oncology services and cultures with gram-positive cocci were significantly associated with greater odds of having repeat blood cultures drawn the following day. Emergency services had the highest rate of drawing single blood-culture sets (16.9%), while oncology services had the highest frequency of drawing ≥5 blood culture sets within 24 hours (0.91%). Approximately 10% of encounters had at least 1 true-positive culture, and 89.2% of those encounters had repeat blood cultures drawn. The relative risk of a patient having repeat blood cultures was lower for those in emergency, surgery, and oncology services than for those in general medicine.ConclusionsOrdering practices differed by service and culture results. Analyzing blood culture utilization can contribute to the development of guidelines and benchmarks for appropriate usage.