bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk stratification using lean body mass in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Hioki Hirofumi , Watanabe Yusuke , Kozuma Ken , Yamamoto Masanori , Naganuma Toru , Araki Motoharu , Tada Norio , Shirai Shinichi , Yamanaka Futoshi , Higashimori Akihiro , Mizutani Kazuki , Tabata Minoru , Takagi Kensuke , Ueno Hiroshi , Hayashida Kentaro ,   OCEAN‐TAVI Investigators
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe prognostic impact of skeletal muscle mass, assessed using lean body mass (LBM), remain unclear in patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The aim of this study to assess prognostic impact of LBM on mortality after TAVR.MethodsWe assessed 1,613 patients (median age 85 years, 70% female) who underwent TAVI from October 2013 to April 2016 using OCEAN (Optimized transCathEter vAlvular interveNtion)‐TAVI registry data. LBM was calculated using the James formula. The primary endpoint was all‐cause death after TAVR.ResultsMedian follow‐up period was 287 days (interquartile range 110–462). The Kaplan‐Meier analysis demonstrated that patients with low LBM had significantly higher incidence of all‐cause death than those with high LBM in male (32.3% vs. 9.9%, log rank P < 0.001) and female (15.8% vs. 9.2%, log‐rank P = 0.011). On contrary, the risk stratification using body mass index (BMI) could not validate into female patients who underwent TAVR. The multivariate analysis showed that the LBM was an independent predictor of all‐cause death in male (Hazard ratio [HR] 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.89–0.98) and female (HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.89–0.99). Inversely, the assessment using BMI could not identify the high‐risk population in a female.ConclusionsThe patients with low LBM had the higher incidence of all‐cause death after TAVR than those with high LBM, regardless of gender. Thus, the risk stratification using LBM might provide further insight to identify the high‐risk TAVR population, compared to conventional risk stratification using BMI.
Anisotropic Colloids: From Non‐Templated to Patchy Templated Synthesis
Authors: Liu Bing , Wu Yuanyuan , Zhao Shuping 
Published: February 2018

AbstractSelf‐assembly of colloidal particles is an important and challenging way to generate novel colloidal superstructures for new materials. Recent progress on syntheses of anisotropic colloids highlights opportunities for such self‐assembly, particularly in defining new non‐cubic superstructures. Both non‐templated and templated synthesis play an important role in preparing anisotropic colloidal particles. In this article, we briefly summarize recent progress in anisotropic colloids by non‐templated and conventional templated synthesis, and introduce a conceptual strategy of “patchy templated synthesis” that differs from the conventional approach. We illustrate this strategy with recent examples emanating from colloidal rings, and discuss the future opportunities with this strategy for the synthesis of other anisotropic colloids.
Distributed semi‐adaptive compressive sensing data collection in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Mehrjoo Saeed , Khunjush Farshad 
Published: February 2018

SummaryRecently, many researches have been conducted to exploit the compressive sensing (CS) theory in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). One of the most important goals in CS is to prolong the lifetime of WSNs. But CS may suffer from some errors during the reconstruction phase. In addition, an adaptive version of CS named Bayesian compressive sensing has been studied to improve the reconstruction accuracy in WSNs. This paper investigates these adaptive methods and identifies their associated problems. Finally, a distributed and semi‐adaptive CS‐based data collection method is proposed. The proposed method tackles the aforementioned problems. Simulation results show that considering both lifetime and accuracy factors as a compound metric, the proposed method yields a 200% improvement compared with the Bayesian compressive sensing‐based method and outperforms other compared methods in the literature.
Compound mutations in Bmpr1a and Tak1 synergize facial deformities via increased cell death
Authors: Liu Xia , Hayano Satoru , Pan Haichun , Inagaki Maiko , Ninomiya‐Tsuji Jun , Sun Hongchen , Mishina Yuji 
Published: February 2018

SummaryBMP signaling plays a critical role in craniofacial development. Augmentation of BMPR1A signaling through neural crest‐specific expression of constitutively active Bmpr1a (caBmpr1a) results in craniofacial deformities in mice. To investigate whether deletion of Tak1 may rescue the craniofacial deformities caused by enhanced Smad‐dependent signaling through caBMPR1A, we generated embryos to activate transcription of caBmpr1a transgene and ablate Tak1 in neural crest derivatives at the same time. We found that deformities of the double mutant mice showed more severe than those with each single mutation, including median facial cleft and cleft palate. We found higher levels of cell death in the medial nasal and the lateral nasal processes at E10.5 in association with higher levels of p53 in the double mutant embryos. We also found higher levels of pSmad1/5/9 in the lateral nasal processes at E10.5 in the double mutant embryos. Western analyses revealed that double mutant embryos showed similar degrees of upregulation of pSmad1/5/9 with caBmpr1a or Tak1‐cKO embryos while the double mutant embryos showed higher levels of phospho‐p38 than caBmpr1a or Tak1‐cKO embryos at E17.5, but not at E10.5. It suggested that deletion of Tak1 aggravates the craniofacial deformities of the caBmpr1a mutants by increasing p53 and phospho‐p38 at different stage of embryogenesis.
Tree vulnerability to climate change: improving exposure‐based assessments using traits as indicators of sensitivity
Authors: Aubin I. , Boisvert‐Marsh L. , Kebli H. , McKenney D. , Pedlar J. , Lawrence K. , Hogg E. H. , Boulanger Y. , Gauthier S. , Ste‐Marie C. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractProjected changes in climate conditions vary widely across Canada's 350 M ha of forests, and so does the capacity of forest species to cope with these changes (sensitivity). Development and prioritization of adaptation strategies for sustainable forest management will depend on integrated assessments of relative stand vulnerability. We developed species‐specific indices of sensitivity to (1) drought‐induced mortality and (2) migration failure, based on traits for 22 of the most abundant tree species in Canada. By combining this information with stand composition data and spatially explicit climate change projections, we were able to map Canadian forest vulnerability to drought and migration failure. Our maps show forest vulnerability changing rapidly under a high carbon emission scenario (RCP 8.5) between short‐ (2011–2040), medium‐ (2041–2070), and long‐term projections (2071–2100). Several zones of special concern emerged based on the biomass involved, stand sensitivity, and vulnerability trends across time. Boreal forests in the central regions of Alberta and Saskatchewan appeared most vulnerable to drought‐induced mortality in the mid to long term. In the short term, distance to suitable habitat is projected to shift quickly along latitudinal gradients, particularly in Central Canada, while zones of vulnerability to migration failure appeared across the Rockies region in the long term as suitable conditions disappear from mountainous areas. This spatial assessment of vulnerability, which integrates species‐specific sensitivity, highlights important regional contrasts between vulnerability to drought (from high exposure, high proportion of sensitive species, or both) and to migration failure. By affecting either species’ ability to persist in place or to migrate, different climate change impacts can yield distinct biotic responses, with important implications for regional climate change adaptation strategies. Multi‐faceted vulnerability assessments, integrating both exposure and sensitivity indices specific to expected impacts of climate change, have the potential to provide crucial information to managers. We discuss some of these implications, explore the current limitations of our approach, and suggest a path forward.
Differential Effect of cis‐Eicosenoic Acid Positional Isomers on Adipogenesis and Lipid Accumulation in 3T3‐L1 Cells
Authors: Senarath Samanthika , Yoshinaga Kazuaki , Nagai Toshiharu , Yoshida Akihiko , Beppu Fumiaki , Gotoh Naohiro 
Published: February 2018

Cis‐eicosenoic acid‐rich fish oil have shown beneficial health effects toward obesity‐related metabolic dysfunctions. Six bioavailable cis‐eicosenoic acid positional isomers (c‐20:1 PIs) are examined for their effects on adipogenesis and lipid accumulation using 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes. Cells are cultured using experimental (c‐20:1 PIs‐added, 50 µM) or control (oleic acid (c9‐18:1, 50 µM) or no fatty acids) medium. The treatment of c‐20:1 PIs, significantly (p < 0.05) decreases the cellular triglyceride content compared to that of c9‐18:1. Cells absorbed c‐20:1 PIs at significantly (p < 0.05) different percentages and has altered the fatty acid metabolism. The c15‐20:1 comparatively down‐regulated the transcriptional factors for adipogenesis (peroxisome proliferative‐activated receptor gamma and CCCAT enhancer binding protein alpha) and lipogenesis (sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1); thus, show comparative anti‐adipogenic and anti‐lipogenic effect. In conclusion, c‐20:1 PIs affect differently on adipogenesis and lipid accumulation in 3T3‐L1 cells and the position of the double bond in c‐20:1 influences on their functionality.Practical applications: The control of the adipogenesis and lipid accumulation in adipocytes via improving the composition of dietary fat is useful as a prevention measure for obesity and subsequent diseases. This study demonstrates the beneficial effect of cis‐eicosenoic acid (c‐20:1) positional isomers particularly c15‐20:1 in controlling the adipogenesis and subsequent lipid accumulation in adipocytes. Thus, food rich in 20:1 positional isomers, such as fish oil, plant seeds, and nuts are useful as functional foods for the prevention of obesity and could also use as effective weight loss supplements.The effect of cis‐eicosenoic acid positional isomers (c‐20:1 PIs) on the adipogenesis and lipid accumulation is studied using 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes. Cells are cultured using experimental (c‐20:1 PIs‐added, 50 μM) or control (oleic acid (c9‐18:1, 50 μM) or no fatty acids) medium. The treatment of c‐20:1 PIs, particularly c15‐20:1 significantly (p < 0.05) decreases the cellular triglyceride content compared to that of c9‐18:1 and subsequently reduces the lipid accumulation in cells.
Coupling imaged capillary isoelectric focusing with mass spectrometry using a nanoliter valve
Authors: Montealegre Cristina , Neusüß Christian 
Published: February 2018

AbstractImaged capillary isoelectric focusing (iCIEF) is a powerful separation technique applied frequently for the analysis of biotherapeutics. However, direct mass spectrometric characterization is usually not possible. Here, focused peaks from an iCIEF system are transferred to a four‐port nanoliter valve where peaks of interest are cut and transferred directly (flow injection) or via capillary zone electrophoresis to electrospray mass spectrometry. At first, flow injection coupling was tested with a mixture of peptides showing intraday precision (RSD) of 20.0 and 3.4% in area and 15.2 and 6.3% in intensity for angiotensin I and leucine‐enkephalin, respectively. For the analysis of charge variants in an intact mAb, flow injection and CZE as second dimension were compared, demonstrating the usability of flow injection even for large proteins. However, improved spectra quality was achieved when CZE‐MS was applied. In this way, accurate masses were obtained not only for the main isoform, but also for the main acidic and basic variants. These results demonstrate the power of iCIEF‐CZE‐MS for the analysis of biotherapeutics.
Experimental testing and numerical modelling of a heavy timber moment‐resisting frame with ductile steel links
Authors: Gohlich Ryan , Erochko Jeffrey , Woods Joshua E. 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThis paper presents the development, experimental testing, and numerical modelling of a new hybrid timber‐steel moment‐resisting connection that is designed to improve the seismic performance of mid‐rise heavy timber moment‐resisting frames (MRF). The connection detail incorporates specially designed replaceable steel links fastened to timber beams and columns using self‐tapping screws. Performance of the connection is verified through experimental testing of four 2/3 scale beam‐column connections. All 4 connection specimens met the acceptance criteria specified in the AISC 341‐10 provisions for steel moment frames and exhibit high strength, ductility, and energy dissipation capacity up to storey drifts exceeding 4%. All of the timber members and self‐tapping screw connections achieved their design objective, remaining entirely elastic throughout all tests and avoiding brittle modes of failure. To assess the global seismic performance of the newly developed connection in a mid‐rise building, a hybrid timber‐steel building using the proposed moment‐resisting connection is designed and modelled in OpenSees. To compare the seismic performance of the hybrid MRF with a conventional steel MRF, a prototype steel‐only building is also designed and modelled in OpenSees. The building models are subject to a suite of ground motions at design basis earthquake and maximum credible earthquake hazard levels using non‐linear time history analysis. Analytical results show that drifts and accelerations of the hybrid building are similar to a conventional steel building while the foundation forces are significantly reduced for the hybrid structure because of its lower seismic weight. The results of the experimental program and numerical analysis demonstrate the seismic performance of the proposed connection and the ability of the hybrid building to achieve comparable seismic performance to a conventional steel MRF.
Tackling Obesity and Disease: The Culprit Is Sugar; the Response Is Legal Regulation
Authors: Gostin Lawrence O. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIt is staggering to observe the new normal in America: 37.9 percent of adults are obese, and 70.7 percent are either obese or overweight. One out of every five minors is obese. The real tragedy, of course, is the disability, suffering, and early death that devastates families and communities. But all of society pays, with the annual medical cost estimated at $147 billion. The causal pathways are complex, but if we drill down, sugar is a deeply consequential pathway to obesity, and the single greatest dietary source is sugar‐sweetened beverages (SSBs). The copious amount of sugar in the American diet is no accident. Industry practices and regulatory failures have fueled this explosion. Yet there are sensible, effective interventions that would create the conditions for healthier behaviors. What are the key interventions, and how can we overcome the social, political, and constitutional roadblocks? Tobacco control offers a powerful model, suggesting that success requires a suite of interventions working in concert: labeling, warnings, taxation, portion sizes, product formulation, marketing restrictions, and bans in high‐risk settings such as schools and hospitals. Each intervention deserves detailed analysis, but I'm kick‐starting scholarly and policy conversation by systematically laying out the major legal tools.
What factors predict the passage of state‐level e‐cigarette regulations?
Authors: Maclean Johanna Catherine , Oney Melissa , Marti Joachim , Sindelar Jody 
Published: February 2018

SummaryE‐cigarettes are controversial products. They may help addicted smokers to consume nicotine in a less harmful manner or to quit tobacco cigarettes entirely, but these products may also entice youth into smoking. This controversy complicates e‐cigarette regulation as any regulation may lead to health improvements for some populations, and health declines for other populations. Using data from 2007 to 2016, we examine factors that are plausibly linked with U.S. state e‐cigarette regulations. We find that less conservative states are more likely to regulate e‐cigarettes and that states with stronger tobacco lobbies are less likely to regulate e‐cigarettes. This information can help policymakers as they determine how best to promote public health through regulation.
Assessing health facility performance in Indonesia using the Pabón‐Lasso model and unit cost analysis of health services
Authors: Hafidz Firdaus , Ensor Tim , Tubeuf Sandy 
Published: February 2018

SummaryTotal health care costs have dramatically increased in Indonesia, and health facilities consume the largest share of health resources. This study aims to provide a better understanding of the characteristics of the best‐performing health facilities. We use 4 national Indonesian datasets for 2011 and analysed 200 hospitals and 95 health centres. We first apply the Pabón‐Lasso model to assess the relative performance of health facilities in terms of bed occupancy rate and the number of admissions per bed; the model gathers together health facilities into 4 sectors representing different levels of productivity. We then use a step‐down costing method to estimate the cost per outpatient visit, inpatient, and bed days in hospitals and health centres. We combined both ratio analysis and applied bivariate and multivariate analyses to identify the predictors of the best‐performing health facility; 37% of hospitals and 33% of health centres were located in the high‐performing sector of the Pabón‐Lasso model. The wide variation in unit costs across health facilities presented a basis for benchmarking and identifying relatively efficient units. Combining the unit cost analysis and Pabón‐Lasso model, we find that health facility performance is affected by both internal (size and capacity, financing, type of patients, ownership, accreditation status, and staff availability) and external factors (economic status, population education level, location, and population density). Our study demonstrates that it is feasible to identify the best‐performing health facilities and provides information about how to improve efficiency using simplistic methods.
Development of a polder module in the SWAT model: SWATpld for simulating polder areas in south‐eastern China
Authors: Lai Zhengqing , Li Shuo , Deng Yang , Lv Guonian , Ullah Sana 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPolders are one of the most common artificial hydrological entities in the plain river network regions of China. Due to enclosed dikes, manual drainage, and irrigation intake operations, polders have had a significant impact on the hydrological processes of these areas. Distributed hydrological models are effective tools to understand and reproduce the hydrological processes of a watershed. To date, however, few models are able to simulate the drainage and irrigation intake interactions of polders at a watershed scale. This study develops a modified version of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model, which is designed to better represent polders (SWATpld). The SWATpld model simulates drainage and irrigation intake processes by calculating the excess‐water storage in the inner rivers and irrigation schedule for paddy rice in the polder. Both SWAT and SWATpld models were tested for the Liyang watershed. SWATpld outperformed SWAT in simulating the daily discharge and intake of the experimental polder and predicting the monthly peak flow at the outlet of the Liyang watershed, which suggests that the modified model simulates the hydrological responses of the study watershed with polder operations more realistically than the original SWAT model does. Further evaluation at various locations and in various climate conditions would increase the confidence of this model.
Providing for Water Utility Operation After Nuclear Attack
Authors: Whitley Fenner H. 
Published: February 2018

Because of the resumption of nuclear bomb testing and increasing cold war tensions, it is important that water utilities take immediate steps to develop emergency plans to cope with a nuclear disaster. A number of water utilities have already done so, but too many have not faced up to the problem of emergency planning. Careful attention should be given to the emergency planning steps outlined in the following paper.Especially worthy of emphasis is the need for personnel training, particularly in the use of emergency radiation monitoring equipment and interpretation of the readings. Such instruction is highly important for utilities using surface water supplies. It should be pointed out, too, that emergency monitoring equipment is considerably less expensive and requires much less skill to operate than does low‐level “peacetime” equipment for radioactivity measurement.Because of rapid technological developments, there is a continuing need for more information to assist utilities in emergency planning. The AWWA Board of Directors, during its January 1962 meeting, accordingly approved the formation of the Committee on Civil Defense Planning and Operations. The time for water utilities to plan for emergencies is now, however. Plans should be developed on the basis of existing facts and modified as new information is released.
Operating Experiences at Desalting Plants; Key West, Fla., Desalting Plant
Authors: Kennedy J. R. , Chillcott L. H. 
Published: February 2018

Impressive studies have been made recently in desalting methods for converting sea water and brackish water into potable water at sharp reduction in costs. Advanced desalting techniques include electrodialysis, reverse osmosis, multistage flash distillation, and ion‐exchange techniques.Located 150 mi from the US mainland, Key West was faced with the need to supply water to a military and civilian population. To supplement inadequate pipeline water, a 2.62‐mgd multistage flash evaporator was installed.A pulse‐type flow, ion‐exchange bed demineralizer, installed in a water‐treatment plant operated by the Smith Township Munic. Authority and processing raw water infused with mine drainage, has been providing water with less than 500mg/liter TDS. A history of its operation is presented.The world's first municipally owned reverse‐osmosis water‐treatment plant has solved the water‐quality problem at Greenfield, Iowa, and met all expectations and performance guarantees since startup 1 yr ago. The product water has a TDS of less than 200 ppm—considerably less than the USPHS‐recommended 500‐ppm TDS standard.The operating experience of the brackish‐water electrodialysis plant at Siesta Keys now totals more than 4 yr, and it is interesting for the problems encountered and the steps taken (and to be taken) to eliminate those problems during the most trying years.