bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heritability of reflexive social attention triggered by eye gaze and walking direction: common and unique genetic underpinnings
Authors: Wang Li , Wang Ying , Xu Qian , Liu Dong , Ji Haoyue , Yu Yiwen , Hu Zhaoqi , Yuan Peijun , Jiang Yi 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundSocial attention ability is crucial for human adaptive social behaviors and interpersonal communications, and the malfunction of which has been implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a highly genetic neurodevelopmental disorder marked by striking social deficits.MethodsUsing a classical twin design, the current study investigated the genetic contribution to individual variation in social and non-social attention abilities, and further probed their potential genetic linkage. Moreover, individual autistic traits were further measured in an independent group of non-twin participants to examine the hypothetical link between the core social attention ability and ASD.ResultsWe found reliable genetic influences on the social attentional effects induced by two distinct cues (eye gaze and walking direction), with 91% of their covariance accounted for by common genetic effects. However, no evidence of heritability or shared genetic effects was observed for the attentional effect directed by a non-social cue (i.e. arrow direction) and its correlation with the social attention ability. Remarkably, one's autistic traits could well predict his/her heritable core social attention ability extracted from the conventional social attentional effect.ConclusionsThese findings together suggest that human social attention ability is supported by unique genetic mechanisms that can be shared across different social, but not non-social, processing. Moreover, they also encourage the identification of ‘social attention genes’ and highlight the critical role of the core human social attention ability in seeking the endophenotypes of social cognitive disorders including ASD.
Dynamic Window with Virtual Goal (DW-VG): a New Reactive Obstacle Avoidance Approach Based on Motion Prediction
Authors: Xinyi Yu , Yichen Zhu , Liang Lu , Linlin Ou 
Published: March 2019

SummaryThis paper proposes a dynamic window with virtual goal (DW-VG) method for local collision avoidance in dynamic environments. Firstly, the debounce filter and polynomial curve-fitting algorithm are combined to predict the trajectory of the obstacles with timestamps. Based on the motion prediction of the obstacles, the virtual goal is proposed to replace the real goal, so that the robot can escape from the concave trap and avoid the dynamic obstacles. According to the timestamps and virtual goal, the optimal linear and angular velocities are selected from the dynamic window, which drive the robot toward its real goal. The simulation and experimental results show that the DW-VG method can not only escape the local minima and avoid dynamic obstacles but also is applicable to the dense environment. Furthermore, the simulation results also verify that the DW-VG method drives the robot to reach its goal faster and safer than other reactive obstacle avoidance methods.
Is stratification testing for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations cost-effective in primary care? an early cost-utility analysis
Authors: Abel Lucy , Dakin Helen A. , Roberts Nia , Ashdown Helen F. , Butler Chris C. , Hayward Gail , Van den Bruel Ann , Turner Philip J. , Yang Yaling 
Published: March 2019

AbstractObjectivesPatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who experience acute exacerbations usually require treatment with oral steroids or antibiotics, depending on the etiology of the exacerbation. Current management is based on clinician's assessment and judgement, which lacks diagnostic accuracy and results in overtreatment. A test to guide these decisions in primary care is in development. We developed an early decision model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of this treatment stratification test in the primary care setting in the United Kingdom.MethodsA combined decision tree and Markov model was developed of COPD progression and the exacerbation care pathway. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to guide technology development and inform evidence generation requirements.ResultsThe base case test strategy cost GBP 423 (USD 542) less and resulted in a health gain of 0.15 quality-adjusted life-years per patient compared with not testing. Testing reduced antibiotic prescriptions by 30 percent, potentially lowering the risk of antimicrobial resistance developing. In sensitivity analysis, the result depended on the clinical effects of treating patients according to the test result, as opposed to treating according to clinical judgement alone, for which there is limited evidence. The results were less sensitive to the accuracy of the test.ConclusionsTesting may be cost-saving in primary care, but this requires robust evidence on whether test-guided treatment is effective. High quality evidence on the clinical utility of testing is required for early modeling of diagnostic tests generally.
Hospital-based Health Technology Assessment in Kazakhstan: 3 years’ experience of one unit
Authors: Avdeyev Andrey , Tabarov Adlet , Akhetov Amir , Shanazarov Nasrulla , Hailey David , Kaptagayeva Aygul , Zhanabekova Liazzat , Gizatullina Aliya , Makalkina Larissa 
Published: March 2019

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to describe the development and activities of the Hospital-Based Health Technology Assessment (HB-HTA) Unit in the Hospital of the President's Affairs Administration, one of the first examples of the implementation of HB-HTA into the practice of Kazakhstani hospitals.MethodsDetails of the development of the Unit were obtained from the hospital's administrative records. The Unit's own records were used to describe the reports prepared and the clinical areas that were covered. Responses to recommendations in the Unit's reports were obtained from hospital administration and individual departments. Estimates of savings and payback periods were based on data from the hospital information system, and data submitted by manufacturers and distributors of medical equipment.ResultsFifty-one rapid- and mini-HTA reports were prepared by the Unit from 2015 to 2017. Seventeen health technologies (33 percent) were not recommended for implementation in hospital practice. Refusal to implement sixteen of these technologies saved approximately 1,053,500 USD. Of the thirty-four recommended health technologies, twenty-four were implemented to treat or diagnose 1,376 patients, and eight others were included in plans for 2018–20. Of the twenty-four implemented health technologies, twelve did not require additional investments. The payback period of investments for the other twelve implemented technologies is not more than 3 years for six, less than 5 years for four, and more than 10 years for two technologies.ConclusionsEstablishment of the HB-HTA Unit in the hospital created the basis for making informed managerial decisions; identifying key directions for strategic development; and improving hospital management.
Mechanism of salt-inhibited early seed germination analysed by transcriptomic sequencing
Authors: Xia Kaiwen , Liu Aili , Wang Yizhong , Yang Wannian , Jin Ye 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSeed germination, the first and critical step of the plant's life cycle, is affected by salt stress. However, the underlying mechanism of salt tolerance during early seed germination remains elusive. Here, a comparative RNA-seq analysis was performed using early germinating seeds either under normal conditions or in 100 and 150 mM sodium chloride. A total of 575 genes were up-regulated and 913 genes were down-regulated in the presence of 100 mM NaCl. Under the 150 mM NaCl treatment 1921 genes were up-regulated and 3501 genes were down-regulated. A total of 379 or 863 genes were up-regulated or down-regulated in both 100 and 150mM NaCl. These co-regulated genes were further analysed by GO enrichment. Genes in the categoriesabscisic acid signaling and synthesisandnutrient reservoir activitywere significantly enriched in the up-regulated genes. Transcription factors responsive to gibberellin and auxin were significantly down-regulated by salinity stress. Genes related toanti-oxidant activitywere significantly enriched in the down-regulated gene clusters by NaCl treatment. Our results suggest that salt stress inhibits seed germination by activating ABA synthesis and signalling, and depressing GA and auxin signalling, while preserving nutrition and down-regulated anti-oxidant activity. Our study provides more insight into the molecular mechanism of salt tolerance during early seed germination.
How effective is food industry self-substantiation of food–health relationships underpinning health claims on food labels in Australia?
Authors: Wellard-Cole Lyndal , Watson Wendy L , Hughes Clare , Chapman Kathy 
Published: March 2019

AbstractObjectiveThe Food Standards Code regulates health claims on Australian food labels. General-level health claims highlight food–health relationships, e.g. ‘contains calcium for strong bones’. Food companies making claims must notify Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and certify that a systematic literature review (SLR) substantiating the food–health relationship has been conducted. There is no pre- or post-notification assessment of the SLR, potentially enabling the food industry to make claims based on poor-quality research. The present study assessed the rigour of self-substantiation.DesignFood–health relationships notified to FSANZ were monitored monthly between 2013 and 2017. These relationships were assessed by scoping published literature. Where evidence was equivocal/insufficient, the relevant government food regulatory agency was asked to investigate. If not investigated, or the response was unsatisfactory, the project team conducted an independent SLR which was provided to the government agency.SettingAustralia.ParticipantsSelf-substantiated food–health relationships.ResultsThere were sixty-seven relationships notified by thirty-eight food companies. Of these, thirty-three relationships (52 %) from twenty companies were deemed to have sufficient published evidence. Four were excluded as they originated in New Zealand. Three relationships were removed before investigations were initiated. The project initiated twenty-seven food–health relationship investigations. Another six relationships were withdrawn, and three relationships were awaiting government assessment.ConclusionsTo ensure that SLR underpinning food–health relationships are rigorous and reduce regulatory enforcement burden, pre-market approval of food–health relationships should be introduced. This will increase consumer and public health confidence in the regulatory process and prevent potentially misleading general-level health claims on food labels.
Analysis of elliptical structures with constant axial ratio by Body-of-Revolution Finite Element Method and Transformation Optics
Authors: Gentili G. G. , Khosronejad M. , Pelosi G. , Selleri S. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis paper describes a method to analyze open or closed elliptical structures with constant axial ratio by a Body-of-Revolution (BoR) Finite Element Method (FEM). The method is based on Transformation Optics, a coordinate transformation that maps the elliptical shape to a circular shape, for which BoR-FEM represents a greatly efficient tool for the analysis.
MicroRNA-184 promotes apoptosis of trophoblast cells via targeting WIG1 and induces early spontaneous abortion
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Zhou Ji , Li Ming-qing , Xu Jie , Zhang Jin-ping , Jin Li-ping 
Published: March 2019

AbstractRecurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) refers to the unintentional termination of two or more consecutive pregnancies that severely threatens human reproductive health. Our previous study has shown that miR-184 is expressed more highly in RSA than in normal pregnancy, whether in the villus or decidua. In this study, compared with normal pregnant women, the expression of miR-184 in decidual stromal cells (DSCs) and decidual immune cells (DICs), as well as in peripheral blood, from RSA patients was enhanced similarly. Moreover, we found miR-184 could promote the apoptosis and repress the proliferation of trophoblast cells. Further exploration indicated that miR-184 upregulated the expression of Fas by targeting WIG1 thus inducing cell apoptosis. Finally, after miR-184 overexpression in vivo, the embryo resorption rate in pregnant mice was increased significantly. Therefore, our study outlines the pivotal role of miR-184 in maintaining successful pregnancy, providing a new diagnostic and therapeutic target for RSA.
NPTX2 promotes colorectal cancer growth and liver metastasis by the activation of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway via FZD6
Authors: Xu Chunjie , Tian Guangang , Jiang Chunhui , Xue Hanbing , Kuerbanjiang Manzila , Sun Longci , Gu Lei , Zhou Hong , Liu Ye , Zhang Zhigang , Xu Qing 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAccumulating evidence from clinical and epidemiological studies has highlighted the close correlation between the individual risk of cancer and nervous system diseases. The expression of neuronal pentraxin 2 (NPTX2) is absent in Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, and depression. Herein, we found that NPTX2 mRNA and protein expression was significantly upregulated in colorectal carcinoma (CRC). NPTX2 expression level gradually increased with CRC progression and was closely associated with poor prognosis. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that NPTX2 promoted CRC proliferation and metastasis through the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. As NPTX2 receptors are absent on CRC cells, NPTX2 was shown to physically interact with frizzled class receptor 6 (FZD6) to promote β-catenin translocation into the cell nucleus, resulting in an increase in the expression of MYC, cyclin D1, snail, and N-cadherin along with a decrease in the expression of E-cadherin. Knockdown of FZD6 expression with a small-interfering RNA almost completely reversed the proliferative effects of NPTX2 on CRC development. In conclusion, NPTX2, a molecule related to nervous system diseases, promotes CRC cell proliferation and metastasis through the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway via direct interaction with FZD6.
The whole transcriptome and proteome changes in the early stage of myocardial infarction
Authors: Li Yanfei , Wang Cuiping , Li Tingting , Ma Linlin , Fan Fangzhou , Jin Yueling , Shen Junwei 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAs the most severe manifestation of coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction (MI) is a complex and multifactorial pathophysiologic process. However, the pathogenesis that underlies MI remains unclear. Here, we generated a MI mouse model by ligation of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. The transcriptome and proteome, at different time points after MI, were detected and analysed. Immune-related pathways, cell cycle-related pathways, and extracellular matrix remodelling-related pathways were significantly increased after MI. Not only innate immune cells but also adaptive immune cells participated in the early stage of MI. Proteins that functioned in blood agglutination, fibrinolysis, secretion, and immunity were significantly changed after MI. Nppa, Serpina3n, and Anxa1, three secreted proteins that can easily be detected in blood, were significantly changed after MI. Our discoveries not only reveal the molecular and cellular changes in MI but also identify potential candidate biomarkers of MI for clinical diagnosis or treatment.
Microbial abundance, activity and population genomic profiling with mOTUs2
Authors: Milanese Alessio , Mende Daniel R , Paoli Lucas , Salazar Guillem , Ruscheweyh Hans-Joachim , Cuenca Miguelangel , Hingamp Pascal , Alves Renato , Costea Paul I , Coelho Luis Pedro , Schmidt Thomas S. B. , Almeida Alexandre , Mitchell Alex L , Finn Robert D. , Huerta-Cepas Jaime , Bork Peer , Zeller Georg , Sunagawa Shinichi 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMetagenomic sequencing has greatly improved our ability to profile the composition of environmental and host-associated microbial communities. However, the dependency of most methods on reference genomes, which are currently unavailable for a substantial fraction of microbial species, introduces estimation biases. We present an updated and functionally extended tool based on universal (i.e., reference-independent), phylogenetic marker gene (MG)-based operational taxonomic units (mOTUs) enabling the profiling of >7700 microbial species. As more than 30% of them could not previously be quantified at this taxonomic resolution, relative abundance estimates based on mOTUs are more accurate compared to other methods. As a new feature, we show that mOTUs, which are based on essential housekeeping genes, are demonstrably well-suited for quantification of basal transcriptional activity of community members. Furthermore, single nucleotide variation profiles estimated using mOTUs reflect those from whole genomes, which allows for comparing microbial strain populations (e.g., across different human body sites).
Discovery of key whole-brain transitions and dynamics during human wakefulness and non-REM sleep
Authors: Stevner A. B. A. , Vidaurre D. , Cabral J. , Rapuano K. , Nielsen S. F. V. , Tagliazucchi E. , Laufs H. , Vuust P. , Deco G. , Woolrich M. W. , Van Someren E. , Kringelbach M. L. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe modern understanding of sleep is based on the classification of sleep into stages defined by their electroencephalography (EEG) signatures, but the underlying brain dynamics remain unclear. Here we aimed to move significantly beyond the current state-of-the-art description of sleep, and in particular to characterise the spatiotemporal complexity of whole-brain networks and state transitions during sleep. In order to obtain the most unbiased estimate of how whole-brain network states evolve through the human sleep cycle, we used a Markovian data-driven analysis of continuous neuroimaging data from 57 healthy participants falling asleep during simultaneous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and EEG. This Hidden Markov Model (HMM) facilitated discovery of the dynamic choreography between different whole-brain networks across the wake-non-REM sleep cycle. Notably, our results reveal key trajectories to switch within and between EEG-based sleep stages, while highlighting the heterogeneities of stage N1 sleep and wakefulness before and after sleep.
MMS observations of electron scale magnetic cavity embedded in proton scale magnetic cavity
Authors: Liu H. , Zong Q.-G. , Zhang H. , Xiao C. J. , Shi Q. Q. , Yao S. T. , He J. S. , Zhou X.-Z. , Pollock C. , Sun W. J. , Le G. , Burch J. L. , Rankin R. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMagnetic cavities (sometimes referred to as magnetic holes) at electron kinetic scale are thought to be one of the extremely small intermittent structures formed in magnetized turbulent plasmas, where the turbulence energy cascaded down to electron scale may finally be dissipated and consequently energize the electrons. However, the geometry and formation of these structures remain not definitively resolved. Here we discuss an electron scale magnetic cavity embedded in a proton scale magnetic cavity observed by the MMS spacecraft in the magnetosheath. By applying an innovative particle sounding technique, we directly depict the boundary of the electron scale magnetic cavity and uncover the geometry. We find that this structure is nearly circular with a radius of 10.0 km and its formation is due to the diamagnetic current. Investigation of the electron scale structure is only recently made possible by the high spatial and temporal resolution provided by MMS observations.
A genome-wide association analysis identifies 16 novel susceptibility loci for carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Wiberg Akira , Ng Michael , Schmid Annina B. , Smillie Robert W. , Baskozos Georgios , Holmes Michael V. , Künnapuu K. , Mägi R. , Bennett David L. , Furniss Dominic 
Published: March 2019

AbstractCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common and disabling condition of the hand caused by entrapment of the median nerve at the level of the wrist. It is the commonest entrapment neuropathy, with estimates of prevalence ranging between 5–10%. Here, we undertake a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of an entrapment neuropathy, using 12,312 CTS cases and 389,344 controls identified in UK Biobank. We discover 16 susceptibility loci for CTS with p < 5 × 10−8. We identify likely causal genes in the pathogenesis of CTS, including ADAMTS17, ADAMTS10 and EFEMP1, and using RNA sequencing demonstrate expression of these genes in surgically resected tenosynovium from CTS patients. We perform Mendelian randomisation and demonstrate a causal relationship between short stature and higher risk of CTS. We suggest that variants within genes implicated in growth and extracellular matrix architecture contribute to the genetic predisposition to CTS by altering the environment through which the median nerve transits.
Single-shot on-chip spectral sensors based on photonic crystal slabs
Authors: Wang Zhu , Yi Soongyu , Chen Ang , Zhou Ming , Luk Ting Shan , James Anthony , Nogan John , Ross Willard , Joe Graham , Shahsafi Alireza , Wang Ken Xingze , Kats Mikhail A. , Yu Zongfu 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMiniaturized spectrometers have significant potential for portable applications such as consumer electronics, health care, and manufacturing. These applications demand low cost and high spectral resolution, and are best enabled by single-shot free-space-coupled spectrometers that also have sufficient spatial resolution. Here, we demonstrate an on-chip spectrometer that can satisfy all of these requirements. Our device uses arrays of photodetectors, each of which has a unique responsivity with rich spectral features. These responsivities are created by complex optical interference in photonic-crystal slabs positioned immediately on top of the photodetector pixels. The spectrometer is completely complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) compatible and can be mass produced at low cost.
Modulation of recombination zone position for quasi-two-dimensional blue perovskite light-emitting diodes with efficiency exceeding 5%
Authors: Li Zhenchao , Chen Ziming , Yang Yongchao , Xue Qifan , Yip Hin-Lap , Cao Yong 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn recent years, substantial progress has been made in developing perovskite light-emitting diodes with near-infrared, red and green emissions and over 20% external quantum efficiency. However, the development of perovskite light-emitting diodes with blue emission remains a great challenge, which retards further development of full-color displays and white-light illumination based on perovskite emissive materials. Here, firstly, through composition and dimensional engineering, we prepare quasi-two-dimensional perovskite thin films with improved blue emission, taking advantages of reduced trap density and enhanced photoluminescence quantum yield. Secondly, we find a vertically non-uniform distribution of perovskite crystals in the PEDOT:PSS/perovskite hybrid film. Through modulating the position of the recombination zone, we activate the majority of quasi-two-dimensional perovskite crystals, and thus demonstrate the most efficient blue perovskite light-emitting diode to date with emission peak at 480 nm, record luminance of 3780 cd m−2 and record external quantum efficiency of 5.7%.