bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prospective memory impairment following whole brain radiotherapy in patients with metastatic brain cancer
Authors: Cheng Huaidong , Chen Haijun , Lv Yue , Chen Zhendong , Li Chiang‐Shan R. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the prospective memory (PM) impairment following whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) in cancer patients with brain metastases.MethodEighty‐one patients with metastatic brain cancer, agreeing to undergo WBRT, were enrolled and subjected to a battery of cognitive neuropsychological tests, including the mini‐mental state examination (MMSE), verbal fluency test (VFT), digit span test (DST), and event‐based and time‐based prospective memory (EBPM and TBPM) tasks, before and after radiotherapy.ResultsThe patients with metastatic brain cancer after WBRT exhibited a significant decrease in the MMSE, DST, VFT, and EBPM scores (t = 6.258, 10.192, 5.361, −5.892, P < 0.01), but nonsignificant decrease in the TBPM scores (t = −1.172, P > 0.05).ConclusionThere is significant EBPM impairment in cancer patients with brain metastases after WBRT, whereas that in the TBPM remained relatively unaffected. The result suggests that EBPM impairment may be as an early cognitive impairment marker in patients with BM who undergo WBRT.
Metal‐free, Visible‐Light‐Mediated Direct Csp2−H Radical Mono‐ and Bis‐trifluoromethylation of Coumarins and Bioactivity Evaluation
Authors: Yu Xiang , Dai Peng , Zhu Yu‐Chuan , Teng Peng , Zhang Wei‐Hua , Deng Chao 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA clean, transition metal‐ and oxidant‐free photochemical protocol was described for the direct trifluoromethylation of coumarins with Togni reagent. The reaction proceeded smoothly under mild condition to afford regioselective 3‐trifluoromethyl coumarins, moreover novel bis‐trifluoromethylated coumarins were formed. Preliminary bioactivity evaluation on some products showed potential antifungal activities.
DATAM: A model‐based tool for dependability analysis
Authors: Lu XingHai , Shi XiaoHua , Wang WenRu 
Published: September 2018

SummaryDependability analysis is the main method to evaluate the design of safety‐critical systems, which is able to analyze the source of the faults and find them as early as possible. With the increasing system scale and complexity, Model‐Based Dependability Analysis (MDBA) has become the mainstream, so that it is crucial to provide powerful models that accurately reflect the real systems and easy to be built. However, modeling a system is error‐prone and it is difficult to verify the correctness of the model being built. Therefore, this paper proposes our dependability modeling tool called DATAM (Dependability Analysis Tool of AltaRica Model), which is based on AltaRica, a dataFlow language. We present a method for converting key elements of AltaRica into model/GUI components, thereby ensuring the consistency of the model with the modeling language. GUI‐based operations and rich custom components ensure ease of using DATAM. Besides, some components of the model can be edited directly through the AltaRica script and can be interchanged with GUI components. Finally, DATAM supplies varieties of reliability calculation functions. We demonstrate the ability of DATAM through a case study and compare the results with SimFia education version.
Joint sensing time and fusion rule threshold optimization for energy efficient CSS in cognitive radio sensor networks
Authors: Sharma Girraj , Sharma Ritu 
Published: September 2018

SummaryEnergy resources become precious when the secondary users (SUs) in cognitive radio (CR) network are battery operated, especially in cooperative spectrum sensing (CSS). So it becomes important to use their energy efficiently. In CSS, the number of cooperative users, fusion rule threshold, transmission power, and sensing time affects the energy efficiency (EE) of the CSS. In this paper, an iterative algorithm is proposed to determine joint optimal fusion rule threshold and sensing time that maximizes the EE of CSS. Results show that EE is maximum at optimum sensing duration τs0 = 0.841 ms and fusion rule threshold k0 = 4 at SNR = −18 dB. Maximum EE at optimal point is ξmax = 3.15 bits/Hz/J.
Effect of primary cores in continuous and discontinuous percolation transition of random graph
Authors: Ariapour Mohammad 
Published: September 2018

SummaryPercolation describes the transition of clusters in a graph into extensive cluster upon the addition of links. The initial state of network may change macroscopic linkage in networks explosively where links are added competitively according to certain rules. In a previous study, authors used the product of sizes of clusters to create network and concluded that percolation transition is discontinuous. Recently, vast studies have picked that a few models present a discontinuous transition in merging clusters. Dissimilar to the continuous transitions, comprehending the essence of discontinuous transitions needs a deeper study of the system, which has not been performed yet. In this paper, we consider the cluster size during the links addition in the order parameter of transition models and find that discontinuous transitions are impelled by primary cores of networks. Moreover, the nature of transition can be determined by the main characteristic of whether the primary cores in network are homogeneous. We also find the necessary conditions for discontinuous transition, which can be used effectively in the explosive percolation model.
Morphological adaptations for relatively larger brains in hummingbird skulls
Authors: Ocampo Diego , Barrantes Gilbert , Uy J. Albert C. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA common allometric pattern called Haller's Rule states that small species have relatively larger brains and eyes than larger species of the same taxonomic group. This pattern imposes drastic structural changes and energetic costs on small species to produce and maintain a disproportionate amount of nervous tissue. Indeed, several studies have shown the significant metabolic costs of having relatively larger brains; however, little is known about the structural constraints and adaptations required for housing these relatively larger brains and eyes. Because hummingbirds include the smallest birds, they are ideal for exploring how small species evolve morphological adaptations for housing relatively larger brain and eyes. We here present results from a comparative study of hummingbirds and show that the smallest species have the lowest levels of ossification, the most compact braincases, and relatively larger eye sockets, but lower eye/head proportion, than larger species. In contrast to Passerines, skull ossification in hummingbirds correlates with body and brain size but not with age. Correlation of these skull traits with body size might represent adaptations to facilitate housing relatively larger brain and eyes, rather than just heterochronic effects related to change in body size. These structural changes in skull traits allow small animals to accommodate disproportionately larger brains and eyes without further increasing overall head size.
Ecological patterns in the skin microbiota of frogs from tropical Australia
Authors: Christian Keith , Weitzman Chava , Rose Alea , Kaestli Mirjam , Gibb Karen 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe microbiota of frog skin can play an important role in protecting against diseases and parasites. The frog skin microbial community represents a complex mix of microbes that are promoted by the chemical environment of the frog skin and influenced by the animal's immediate past environment. The microbial communities of six species of frogs sampled from the campus of Charles Darwin University (CDU) were more similar within species than between species. The microbiota of the introduced cane toad (Rhinella marina) was most dissimilar among the species. Pairwise comparisons showed that the microbial communities of each species were different, except for the terrestrial Litoria nasuta and the arboreal L. rothii. The microbial communities of the six species were not related to ecological habit (arboreal or terrestrial), and neither was the alpha diversity of the microbes. The core microbes (defined as being on ≥90% of individuals of a species or group) were significantly different among all species, although 89 microbial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were core microbes for all six species at CDU. Two species, Rhinella marina and Litoria rothii, were sampled at additional sites approximately 10 and 30 km from CDU. The microbial communities and the core OTU composition were different among the sites, but there were nevertheless 194 (R. marina) and 181 (L. rothii) core OTUs present at all three sites. Thus, the core microbiota varied with respect to geographic range and sample size.
Simultaneous and Selective Imaging of Dopamine and Glutamate Using an Enzyme‐modified Large‐scale Integration (LSI)‐based Amperometric Electrochemical Device
Authors: Abe Hiroya , Iwama Tomoki , Yabu Hiroshi , Ino Kosuke , Inoue Kumi Y. , Suda Atsushi , Kunikata Ryota , Matsudaira Masahki , Matsue Tomokazu 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSince neurotransmitters play critical roles in nervous systems, the imaging techniques that can visualize them are needed. This communication describes the development of a method for simultaneous imaging of dopamine (DA) and glutamate (Glu), typical neurotransmitters, using enzyme‐modified large‐scale integration (LSI)‐based amperometric devices, referred to “Bio‐LSI”. The DA was detected by using direct electrochemical oxidation while Glu was measured by using an indirect electrochemical reaction involving glutamate oxidase (GluOx)/horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and osmium (Os) polymer‐modified electrodes. The Os‐HRP polymer was modified on designated sensor electrodes through electrodeposition. The selective and simultaneous imaging of neurotransmitters such as DA and Glu was achieved by applying the enzyme‐modified Bio‐LSI.
Effects of fire location on the capacity of smoke exhaust from natural ventilation shafts in urban tunnels
Authors: Fan Chuangang , Chen Jian , Zhou Yang , Liu Xiaoping 
Published: September 2018

SummaryInvestigation of natural ventilation using shafts in tunnels has been receiving more attentions; however, analyses on how fire position influences the natural ventilation performance have rarely been addressed. This study investigated the influence of different fire positions between two shafts on natural ventilation effectiveness in a tunnel by large eddy simulation. The smoke movement characteristics were studied in detail, with systematically varying the fire position between two shafts and the longitudinal wind speed in the tunnel. The typical smoke characteristic parameters, such as temperature distribution, mass flow rate and CO concentration were emphatically investigated. Some special phenomena, such as plug‐holing and smoke bifurcation, were also discussed.
Length of hospital stay and dementia: A systematic review of observational studies
Authors: Möllers Tobias , Stocker Hannah , Wei Wenjia , Perna Laura , Brenner Hermann 
Published: September 2018

ObjectiveHospitalizations of people with dementia (PWD) are often accompanied by complications or functional loss and can lead to adverse outcomes. Unsystematic findings suggest an influence of comorbidities on the extent of differences in the length of hospital stay (LOS). This systematic review aimed to identify and evaluate all studies reporting LOS in PWD as compared to PwoD in general hospitals.MethodsA systematic review of observational studies using PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge. Inclusion criteria comprised original studies written in English or German, assessment of diagnosis of dementia, measurement of LOS, and comparison of people with and without dementia.ResultsFifty‐two of 60 studies reported a longer hospitalization time for PWD compared to PwoD. The extent of the difference in LOS varied between and within countries as well as by type of primary morbidity (eg, injuries, cardiovascular diseases). The range of the LOS difference for studies without restriction to a primary morbidity was −2 to +22 days after matching or adjustment for a variable number and selection of potentially relevant covariates. For studies with injuries/fractures/medical procedures and infectious/vascular disease as the primary morbidity, the range was −2.9 to +12.4 and −11.2 to +21.8 days, respectively.ConclusionsThe majority of studies reported a longer hospitalization of PWD compared to PwoD. Length of hospital stay seems to be influenced by a variety of medical, social, organizational factors, including reasons for hospital admission, whose role should be explored in detail in further research.
Emotional distress mediates the relationship between cognitive failures, dysfunctional coping, and life satisfaction in older people living in sheltered housing: A structural equation modelling approach
Authors: Leung Phuong , Orgeta Vasiliki , Musa Amina , Orrell Martin 
Published: September 2018

ObjectivesLittle is known about the relationship between cognitive failures, emotional distress, and life satisfaction in late life. Experiencing cognitive failures is a known risk for declining life satisfaction in older people, although the mechanisms that may explain cognitive failures remain unclear. This study investigated the associations between psychosocial factors, cognitive failures, and coping strategies and their influence on life satisfaction in older people living in sheltered housing.MethodsA total of 204 older people living in sheltered housing in London were recruited (mean age = 75.08 years). We used structural equation modelling path analysis to test several hypotheses based on theories of emotional distress (anxiety and depression) and cognitive failures and their influence on life satisfaction.ResultsSelf‐reported depressive symptoms (29.5%), anxiety symptoms (33%), and cognitive failures (41%) were common. The final model had a good fit (X2 = 2.67; DF = 2; P = 0.26; NFI = 0.99, CFI = 0.99; RMSEA = 0.04); analyses showed that both cognitive failures and dysfunctional coping were significantly associated and exerted a moderate effect on emotional distress. Cognitive failures and dysfunctional coping had an indirect effect on life satisfaction through emotional distress which directly decreased levels of life satisfaction (β = −0.70, P ≤ 0.001).ConclusionsThis study found that experiencing emotional distress helped to explain the association and negative effects of cognitive failures and dysfunctional coping on life satisfaction in older people living in sheltered housing. These findings contribute to our understanding of the key mechanisms of experiencing cognitive failures in late life and can help guide future interventions of well‐being in later life.
Preconfigured patterns are the primary driver of offline multi‐neuronal sequence replay
Authors: Liu Kefei , Sibille Jeremie , Dragoi George 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSpontaneous neuronal ensemble activity in the hippocampus is believed to result from a combination of preconfigured internally generated dynamics and the unique patterns of activity driven by recent experience. Previous research has established that preconfigured sequential neuronal patterns (i.e., preplay) contribute to the expression of future place cell sequences, which in turn contribute to the sequential neuronal patterns expressed post‐experience (i.e., replay). The relative contribution of preconfigured and of experience‐related factors to replay and to overall sequential activity during post‐run sleep is believed to be highly biased toward the recent run experience, despite never being tested directly. Here, we use multi‐neuronal sequence analysis unbiased by firing rate to compute and directly compare the contributions of internally generated and of recent experience‐driven factors to the sequential neuronal activity in post‐run sleep in naïve adult rats. We find that multi‐neuronal sequences during post‐run sleep are dominantly contributed by the pre‐run preconfigured patterns and to a much smaller extent by the place cell sequences and associated awake rest multi‐neuronal sequences experienced during de novo run session, which are weakly and similarly correlated with pre‐ and post‐run sleep multi‐neuronal sequences. These findings indicate a robust default internal organization of the hippocampal network into sequential neuronal ensembles that withstands a de novo spatial experience and suggest that integration of novel information during de novo experience leading to lasting changes in sequential network patterns is much more subtle than previously assumed.
Disparate forms of heterogeneities and interactions among them drive channel decorrelation in the dentate gyrus: Degeneracy and dominance
Authors: Mishra Poonam , Narayanan Rishikesh 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe ability of a neuronal population to effectuate channel decorrelation, which is one form of response decorrelation, has been identified as an essential prelude to efficient neural encoding. To what extent are diverse forms of local and afferent heterogeneities essential in accomplishing channel decorrelation in the dentate gyrus (DG)? Here, we incrementally incorporated four distinct forms of biological heterogeneities into conductance‐based network models of the DG and systematically delineate their relative contributions to channel decorrelation. First, to effectively incorporate intrinsic heterogeneities, we built physiologically validated heterogeneous populations of granule (GC) and basket cells (BC) through independent stochastic search algorithms spanning exhaustive parametric spaces. These stochastic search algorithms, which were independently constrained by experimentally determined ion channels and by neurophysiological signatures, revealed cellular‐scale degeneracy in the DG. Specifically, in GC and BC populations, disparate parametric combinations yielded similar physiological signatures, with underlying parameters exhibiting significant variability and weak pair‐wise correlations. Second, we introduced synaptic heterogeneities through randomization of local synaptic strengths. Third, in including adult neurogenesis, we subjected the valid model populations to randomized structural plasticity and matched neuronal excitability to electrophysiological data. We assessed networks comprising different combinations of these three local heterogeneities with identical or heterogeneous afferent inputs from the entorhinal cortex. We found that the three forms of local heterogeneities were independently and synergistically capable of mediating significant channel decorrelation when the network was driven by identical afferent inputs. However, when we incorporated afferent heterogeneities into the network to account for the divergence in DG afferent connectivity, the impact of all three forms of local heterogeneities was significantly suppressed by the dominant role of afferent heterogeneities in mediating channel decorrelation. Our results unveil a unique convergence of cellular‐ and network‐scale degeneracy in the emergence of channel decorrelation in the DG, whereby disparate forms of local and afferent heterogeneities could synergistically drive input discriminability.
BET proteins regulate homologous recombination‐mediated DNA repair: BRCAness and implications for cancer therapy
Authors: Mio Catia , Gerratana Lorenzo , Bolis Marco , Caponnetto Federica , Zanello Andrea , Barbina Mattia , Di Loreto Carla , Garattini Enrico , Damante Giuseppe , Puglisi Fabio 
Published: September 2018

Bromodomain and Extra‐Terminal (BET) proteins are historically involved in regulating gene expression and BRD4 was recently found to be involved in DNA damage regulation. Aims of our study were to assess BRD4 regulation in homologous recombination‐mediated DNA repair and to explore novel clinical strategies through the combinations of the pharmacological induction of epigenetic BRCAness in BRCA1 wild‐type triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells by means of BET inhibitors and compounds already available in clinic.Performing a dual approach (chromatin immunoprecipitation and RNA interference), the direct relationship between BRD4 and BRCA1/RAD51 expression was confirmed in TNBC cells. Moreover, BRD4 pharmacological inhibition using two BET inhibitors (JQ1 and GSK525762A) induced a dose‐dependent reduction in BRCA1 and RAD51 levels and is able to hinder homologous recombination‐mediated DNA damage repair, generating a BRCAness phenotype in TNBC cells. Furthermore, BET inhibition impaired the ability of TNBC cells to overcome the increase in DNA damage after platinum salts (i.e., CDDP) exposure, leading to massive cell death, and triggered synthetic lethality when combined with PARP inhibitors (i.e., AZD2281). Altogether, the present study confirms that BET proteins directly regulate the homologous recombination pathway and their inhibition induced a BRCAness phenotype in BRCA1 wild‐type TNBC cells. Noteworthy, being this strategy based on drugs already available for human use, it is rapidly transferable and could potentially enable clinicians to exploit platinum salts and PARP inhibitors‐based treatments in a wider population of TNBC patients and not just in a specific subgroup, after validating clinical trials.
Optical coherence tomography follow‐up of patients treated from periodontal disease
Authors: Fernandes Luana O. , Mota Cláudia C. B. de O. , Oliveira Hugo O. , Neves José K. , Santiago Leógenes M. , Gomes Anderson S. L. 
Published: September 2018

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is one of the most important imaging modalities for biophotonics applications. In this work, an important step towards the clinical use of OCT in dental practice is reported, by following‐up patients treated from periodontal disease (PD). A total of 147 vestibular dental sites from 14 patients diagnosed with PD were evaluated prior and after treatment, using a swept‐source OCT and two periodontal probes (Florida probe and North Carolina) for comparison. The evaluation was performed at four stages: day 0, day 30, day 60 and day 90. Exceptionally one patient was evaluated 1‐year after treatment. It was possible to visualize in the two‐dimensional images the architectural components that compose the periodontal anatomy, and identify the improvements in biofilm and dental calculus upon treatment. In the follow‐up after the treatment, it was observed in some cases decrease of the gingival thickness associated with extinction of gingival calculus. In some cases, the improvement of both depth of probing with the traditional probes and the evidence in the images of the region was emphasized. The study evidenced the ability of OCT in the identification of periodontal structures and alterations, being an important noninvasive complement or even alternative for periodontal probes for treatment follow‐up.OCT system being used in a clinical environment. Above OCT image (left) prior treatment and (right) 30 days after treatment.