bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Visual training in hemianopia alters neural activity in the absence of behavioural improvement: a pilot study
Authors: Larcombe Stephanie J , Kulyomina Yuliya , Antonova Nikoleta , Ajina Sara , Stagg Charlotte J , Clatworthy Philip L , Bridge Holly 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundDamage to the primary visual cortex (V1) due to stroke often results in permanent loss of sight affecting one side of the visual field (homonymous hemianopia). Some rehabilitation approaches have shown improvement in visual performance in the blind region, but require a significant time investment.MethodsSeven patients with cortical damage performed 400 trials of a motion direction discrimination task daily for 5 days. Three patients received anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) during training, three received sham stimulation and one had no stimulation. Each patient had an assessment of visual performance and a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan before and after training to measure changes in visual performance and cortical activity.ResultsNo patients showed improvement in visual function due to the training protocol, and application of tDCS had no effect on visual performance. However, following training, the neural response in motion area hMT+ to a moving stimulus was altered. When the stimulus was presented to the sighted hemifield, activity decreased in hMT+ of the damaged hemisphere. There was no change in hMT+ response when the stimulus was presented to the impaired hemifield. There was a decrease in activity in the inferior precuneus after training when the stimulus was presented to either the impaired or sighted hemifield. Preliminary analysis of tDCS data suggested that anodal tDCS interacted with the delivered training, modulating the neural response in hMT+ in the healthy side of the brain.ConclusionTraining can affect the neural responses in hMT+ even in the absence of change in visual performance.
Should heart rate variability be “corrected” for heart rate? Biological, quantitative, and interpretive considerations
Authors: de Geus Eco J. C. , Gianaros Peter J. , Brindle Ryan C. , Jennings J. Richard , Berntson Gary G. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMetrics of heart period variability are widely used in the behavioral and biomedical sciences, although somewhat confusingly labeled as heart rate variability (HRV). Despite their wide use, HRV metrics are usually analyzed and interpreted without reference to prevailing levels of cardiac chronotropic state (i.e., mean heart rate or mean heart period). This isolated treatment of HRV metrics is nontrivial. All HRV metrics routinely used in the literature exhibit a known and positive relationship with the mean duration of the interval between two beats (heart period): as the heart period increases, so does its variability. This raises the question of whether HRV metrics should be “corrected” for the mean heart period (or its inverse, the heart rate). Here, we outline biological, quantitative, and interpretive issues engendered by this question. We provide arguments that HRV is neither uniformly nor simply a surrogate for heart period. We also identify knowledge gaps that remain to be satisfactorily addressed with respect to assumptions underlying existing HRV correction approaches. In doing so, we aim to stimulate further progress toward the rigorous use and disciplined interpretation of HRV. We close with provisional guidance on HRV reporting that acknowledges the complex interplay between the mean and variability of the heart period.
Whole genome sequence analysis to detect signatures of positive selection for high fecundity in sheep
Authors: Nosrati Maryam , Asadollahpour Nanaei Hojjat , Amiri Ghanatsaman Zeinab , Esmailizadeh Ali 
Published: October 2018

ContentsOvulation rate and prolificacy are the most important reproductive traits that have major impact on the efficiency of lamb meat production. Here, we compared the whole genomes of the Romanov sheep, known as one of the high prolific breeds, and four other sheep breeds namely Assaf, Awassi, Cambridge and British du cher, to identify genetic mechanisms underlying prolificacy in sheep. Selection signature analysis revealed 637 and 477 protein‐coding genes under positive selection from FST and nucleotide diversity (Pi) statistics, respectively. Further analysis showed that several candidate genes including LEPR, PDGFRL and KLF5 genes are involved in sheep prolificacy. The identified candidate genes in the selected regions are novel and provide new insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying prolificacy in sheep and can be useful in sheep breeding programmes to develop improved breeds for high reproductive efficiency.
Interfacial long traveling waves in a two‐layer fluid with variable depth
Authors: Pelinovsky Efim , Talipova Tatiana , Didenkulova Ira , Didenkulova (Shurgalina) Ekaterina 
Published: October 2018

AbstractLong wave propagation in a two‐layer fluid with variable depth is studied for specific bottom configurations, which allow waves to propagate over large distances. Such configurations are found within the linear shallow‐water theory and determined by a family of solutions of the second‐order ordinary differential equation (ODE) with three arbitrary constants. These solutions can be used to approximate the true bottom bathymetry. All such solutions represent smooth bottom profiles between two different singular points. The first singular point corresponds to the point where the two‐layer flow transforms into a uniform one. In the vicinity of this point nonlinear shallow‐water theory is used and the wave breaking criterion, which corresponds to the gradient catastrophe is found. The second bifurcation point corresponds to an infinite increase in water depth, which contradicts the shallow‐water assumption. This point is eliminated by matching the “nonreflecting” bottom profile with a flat bottom. The wave transformation at the matching point is described by the second‐order Fredholm equation and its approximated solution is then obtained. The results extend the theory of internal waves in inhomogeneous stratified fluids actively developed by Prof. Roger Grimshaw, to the new solutions types.
Linguistic indirectness in parent–preschooler reminiscing about emotion‐related events: Links with emotion regulation and psychosocial adjustment
Authors: Hernandez Erika , Carmichael Katie , Kiliç Şükran , Dunsmore Julie C. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe concept of linguistic indirectness is well established within the field of pragmatics, in which it has been observed that speakers express ideas directly and indirectly. We integrated the analysis of linguistic directness and indirectness with the examination of two established measures of parental emotion socialization through reminiscing: elaboration and emotion explanations. We examined the unique associations of parents’ direct and indirect elaboration and emotion explanations with preschoolers’ emotion regulation and psychosocial adjustment. Participants were 55 parent–preschooler dyads (31 girls, 24 boys). The dyads reminisced about positive and negative events. Conversations were coded for parental elaboration, parental use of emotion explanations, and parental linguistic directness and indirectness. Children's emotion regulation was observed during standard tasks, and teachers reported on children's psychosocial adjustment. Multivariate regressions including direct elaboration and direct emotion explanations indicated that parents who engaged in more indirect elaboration when discussing positive events had children with worse emotion regulation. Parents who used indirect emotion explanations when discussing positive events had children with better psychosocial adjustment. Parents’ indirect speech during negative event discussions was not related to child outcomes. The results suggest differential functions for indirect elaboration and indirect emotion explanations in relation to children's social outcomes, and support the utility of examining linguistic indirectness.
Age‐related changes in lip morphological and physiological characteristics in Korean women
Authors: Kim Hyerim , Lee Myeongryeol , Park Sun Young , Kim Yong Min , Han Jiyeon , Kim Eunjoo 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectiveAge‐related changes in lip morphological and physiological characteristics are key indices for estimating age based on facial features, as reported in many studies. Yet, a majority of studies have focused on Caucasian individuals, with few studies characterizing these changes in Asian female populations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate lip morphological and physiological characteristics in a cohort of Korean women.MethodsA total of 114 volunteers participated in the study. Linear distances (length of philtrum, length of lip, width of lip, and lengths of lower and upper oral commissures), angle of the upper lip, 3D lip heights, and wrinkles were calculated and averaged for each age‐group. We also measured lip color, hydration, trans‐epidermal water loss (TEWL), and blood flow. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 20.0 (significance level P < 0.05).ResultsLength of the philtrum and lip width significantly increased with age while upper and lower lip lengths and length of the lower oral commissure significantly decreased with age. The angle of the upper lip tended to decrease with age, but this finding was no significance. Three‐dimensional height of the upper lip, wrinkles, and TEWL also decreased with age while hydration increased with age. Finally, redness of the upper and lower lips as well as blood flow significantly decreased with age.ConclusionLips tended to shorten in length and widen with age, resulting in a thinner and longer appearance. With regard to physiological parameters, there were important age‐related changes in hydration and lip color.
Impact of motion blur on stereo‐digital image correlation with the focus on a drone‐carried stereo rig
Authors: Balcaen R. , Lavatelli A. , Jiménez‐Peña C. , Pfeiffer H. , Zappa E. , Debruyne D. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractStereo‐digital image correlation (DIC) is a wide‐spread technique in the field of experimental mechanics for measuring shape, motion, and deformation and it is frequently used for material identification by using inverse methods (e.g., virtual fields method and finite element model updating). New applications emerge due to the reached maturity level of the technique, which poses new challenges towards reaching a desired level of accuracy in operating conditions. In this work, the possibility of a drone carrying an in‐house‐made portable DIC setup is explored, and the effect of the drone‐induced vibrations on the accuracy of stereo‐DIC for shape and strain measurement is evaluated. During acquisition, the relative motion between the camera system and the measured item generates motion‐blurred images. The effect of this phenomenon on the precision of stereo‐DIC is further evaluated in this paper.
Validation of an immunocytochemical assay for immunophenotyping of lymphoma in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)
Authors: Evans Samantha J. M. , Harr Kendal E. , Thielen Lauren , MacNeill Amy L. 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundLymphoma is an important disease of pet guinea pigs, although validation of immunophenotyping techniques based on cytologic or hematologic samples has not been reported.ObjectiveTo describe an immunocytochemical method for immunophenotyping of lymphoma (as either T‐ or B‐cell) in guinea pigs, and to validate antibodies for this purpose.MethodsBlood and tissues were obtained at the time of necropsy from laboratory guinea pigs and a privately owned dog (control) euthanized for reasons unrelated to lymphoproliferative disease. Fine‐needle aspirates of enlarged peripheral lymph nodes were obtained from a case of spontaneous lymphoma in a pet guinea pig. Anti‐CD3 and anti‐Pax5 antibodies were validated by a combination of western blotting performed on splenic lysates of both the dog and guinea pigs, immunohistochemical studies on normal guinea pig tissues, and immunocytochemistry on normal guinea pig peripheral blood and splenic impression smears.ResultsThe antibodies bound to antigens of an appropriate size in both the dog and guinea pig splenic lysates by Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry demonstrated the expected distribution of putative T‐ and B‐lymphocytes in normal tissues, peripheral blood, and splenic impression smears. As a proof‐of‐principle for its clinical utility, this immunocytochemical assay was used to diagnose a B‐cell phenotype in a spontaneous lymphoma case in a pet guinea pig.ConclusionsHere, we validated an immunocytochemical method for immunophenotyping of lymphoma in guinea pigs as either a T‐ or B‐cell phenotype. This enables future research into the clinical attributes of these subtypes and may ultimately improve both prognostication and therapy of lymphoma in guinea pigs.
Sarcolemmal membrane excitability during repeated intermittent maximal voluntary contractions
Authors: Rodriguez‐Falces Javier , Place Nicolas 
Published: October 2018

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Is impaired membrane excitability reflected by an increase or by a decrease in M‐wave amplitude?
What is the main finding and its importance?
The magnitude of the M‐wave first and second phases changed in completely different ways during intermittent maximal voluntary contractions, leading to the counterintuitive conclusion that it is an increase (and not a decrease) of the M‐wave first phase that reflects impaired membrane excitability.
AbstractThe study was undertaken to investigate separately the changes in the first and second phases of the muscle compound action potential (M‐wave) during 4 min of intermittent maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) of the quadriceps. M‐waves were evoked by supramaximal single electrical stimulation to the femoral nerve delivered in the resting periods between 48 successive MVCs of 3 s. The amplitude, duration and area of the M‐wave first and second phases were measured separately, together with muscle conduction velocity and MVC force. During the intermittent MVCs, the amplitude of the M‐wave first phase increased uninterruptedly for the first 3 min (12–16%, P < 0.05) and stabilized thereafter, whereas the second phase initially increased for 55–75 s (11–22%, P < 0.05), but decreased subsequently. The enlargement of the first phase occurred in parallel with an increase in its duration, and concomitantly with a decline in conduction velocity (maximal cross‐correlations, 0.89–0.97; time lag, 0 s). Also, a significant temporal association was found between the amplitude of the first phase and MVC force (time lag, 0 s; maximal cross‐correlations, 0.85–0.97). Conversely, there was no temporal association between the second phase amplitude and conduction velocity or MVC force (time lag, 73–117 s; maximal cross‐correlations, 0.65–0.77). It is concluded that the enlargement of the M‐wave first phase is the electrical manifestation of impaired muscle membrane excitability. The results highlight the importance of independently analysing the first and second phases, as only the first phase can be used reliably to detect changes in membrane excitability, while the second might be affected by muscle architecture.
Numerical Investigations of Flow Past a Rotating Stepped Cylinder
Authors: Shin Jamie , Rahai Hamid , Taherian Shahab , Ferris Ryan J. 
Published: October 2018

Unsteady numerical investigations of flow past a partially rotating stepped cylinder have been performed. The objective of the study was to investigate whether the wake characteristics could be controlled with rotation of one cylinder while the other remains stationary and how partial rotation impacts the aerodynamic forces. The stepped cylinder was 2 m in length where the first meter was a round cylinder 5 cm in diameter followed by a 2:1 step down cylinder. Two round end plates, 0.1 cm thick and 40 cm in diameter, were placed at each end. The end plates were positioned at 5 degrees with respectto the incoming flow to remove the end effect on vortex shedding. All simulations were performed using the Siemens PLM STAR-CCM+ CFD software with K-ω turbulence model. The time step was 0.00083 second to resolve the flow for each 10 degrees rotation. 1200 time steps were used. The investigations were performed with one cylinder rotating while the other remains stationary. Four cases were investigated. When either cylinder was rotating, the RPM was maintained at either 2000 or 4000 while the free stream velocity was maintained at 10 m/sec. The Reynolds number for the large and small cylinders were approximately 32,258 and 16,129, respectively. The corresponding velocity ratios λ for the large cylinder rotating were 0.5 and 1.0, and 0.25 and 1.0 for the small cylinder.
Previous investigations have classified vortical structure in the wake of a step cylinder in terms of L-cell (for large cylinder), S-cell (for small cylinder) and N-cell (the region in between). When the large cylinder is rotating, at λ = 1.0, the velocity and vorticity in the wake of the large cylinder is increased. The N-cell initially has a larger velocity than the L-cell and is at a slanted angle. A suction effect was observed in the near wake region, causing the flow in the L-cell to coalesce near its midsection. The vortices originated at the step were connected to the S-cell at a lower speed. The overall lift to drag ratio (L/D) for this case was 1.14. When λ = 0.5, vortex structures were maintained through the three different cells with increased variations in cell frequency across the large cylinder, the L/D was reduced to 0.36.
When the small cylinder was rotating, at λ = 0.5, vortex shedding was suppressed within the S-cell and considerable distortion was observed in the vortical structure in the wake of the large cylinder. However, the N-cell had similar structure as when large cylinder was rotating, but connecting to the L-cell at a larger slanted angle. When λ was reduced to 0.25, shedding was observed across the length of the cylinder with increased variations. The corresponding L/D ratios for these cases were both at 0.2.
Sand Erosion Model Prediction, Selection and Comparison for Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) Using CFD Method
Authors: Zhu Haiwen , Zhu Jianjun , Rutter Risa , Zhang Jiecheng , Zhang Hong-Quan 
Published: October 2018

Electrical submersible pump (ESP) is one of the most widely used artificial lift methods in the petroleum industry. It is crucial to study the wear in ESP stages with sand production, which can severely reduce pump performance and life span. Usually, experiments and simulation studies were conducted for simple flow geometry such as direct impingement and pipe elbow. Various erosion equations and models were developed for different material and affecting factors. However, the predictions of these erosion models for complex flow geometry need to be evaluated in order to make a proper selection. This study will compare the wear patterns and erosion rates of six different erosion models in three ESPs by using commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software ANSYS Fluent. The results will offer engineers a brief guidance of erosion model selection for complicated flow domain.
In this paper, stages of three ESPs, DN1750, TE2700 and Flex31, are modeled. For each pump, the flow domain of two stages are selected and high-quality structured meshes, comprising around 1.2 to 1.8 million hexahedral grids per stage, are generated by ICEM or Turbogrid. Six erosion models, Ahlert (1994), Haugen (1995), Zhang (2007), Oka (2007), Mansouri (2014) and DNV (2015), are simulated under pump best efficiency point.
Among six selected erosion models, Ahlert (1994) gives a much higher wear rate than others, while DNV predicts lowest, Besides, the impact angle functions show that all models, except Haugen (1995), assume steel to be a ductile material. Furthermore, the erosion pattern, location, and distribution of all three pumps are different, which indicates different solid particle handling capabilities and failure reasons of radial type and mixed type ESPs.
Numerical Simulation and Optimization of Electric Field-Based Sorting in Particle Laden Flows in Microchannels
Authors: Davanlou Ashkan , Reddy Venkateswara 
Published: October 2018

Advances in nanotechnology allows for electrodeposition and fabrication of micro/nano electrodes between substrates of microfluidic channels which later can be used as electrodes to apply DC or AC voltage. Microchannels taking advantage of this technology have shown promising results in flow cytometry [1,2], and cell sorting applications [3–6].
In this paper, first we study the influence of electric potential on particle sorting in a microchannel. For this purpose, a two dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is created, meshed and solved in STAR-CCM+ which is a commercial simulation tool. Two type of spherical solid particles with different diameter are introduced through an injector from particulate flow inlet. These solid particles are treated as Lagrangian phase. The simulations are conducted in transient mode and the particle injection is occurred once the flow regime became steady state. The proposed model is based on finite volume approach and confirms the effectiveness of dielectrophoresis on particle sorting.
In the second part of this work, we focus on optimizing the separation efficiency of microchannel by implementing Siemens exclusive automated design exploration technology named SHERPA. Through this hybrid and adaptive strategy we investigate 4 key parameters including electric potential, flow velocity at two inlets, and particle mass flow rate. The objective is to minimize the electric potential while maximize the efficiency of device, measured by amount of particles separated at the outlet. In total 40 designs are evaluated. The results show that by adjusting the flow rate ratio between inlets, and applying a low voltage such as 5 V, you can increase the mass flow rate of segregated particles by approximately 100 times.
The proposed model not only can help shortening the time to market for new dielectrophoresis based channels, but also be used to optimize the overall device performance to achieve the best separation efficiency at optimal condition.