bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuroanatomical features and its usefulness in classification of patients with PANDAS
Authors: Cabrera Brenda , Romero-Rebollar César , Jiménez-Ángeles Luis , Genis-Mendoza Alma D. , Flores Julio , Lanzagorta Nuria , Arroyo María , de la Fuente-Sandoval Camilo , Santana Daniel , Medina-Bañuelos Verónica , Sacristán Emilio , Nicolini Humberto 
Published: November 2018

ObjectiveAn obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) subtype has been associated with streptococcal infections and is called pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococci (PANDAS). The neuroanatomical characterization of subjects with this disorder is crucial for the better understanding of its pathophysiology; also, evaluation of these features as classifiers between patients and controls is relevant to determine potential biomarkers and useful in clinical diagnosis. This was the first multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) study on an early-onset OCD subtype.MethodsFourteen pediatric patients with PANDAS were paired with 14 healthy subjects and were scanned to obtain structural magnetic resonance images (MRI). We identified neuroanatomical differences between subjects with PANDAS and healthy controls using voxel-based morphometry, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and surface analysis. We investigated the usefulness of these neuroanatomical differences to classify patients with PANDAS using MVPA.ResultsThe pattern for the gray and white matter was significantly different between subjects with PANDAS and controls. Alterations emerged in the cortex, subcortex, and cerebellum. There were no significant group differences in DTI measures (fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, radial diffusivity, and axial diffusivity) or cortical features (thickness, sulci, volume, curvature, and gyrification). The overall accuracy of 75% was achieved using the gray matter features to classify patients with PANDAS and healthy controls.ConclusionThe results of this integrative study allow a better understanding of the neural substrates in this OCD subtype, suggesting that the anatomical gray matter characteristics could have an immune origin that might be helpful in patient classification.
Clinical experience using Delta 4 phantom for pretreatment patient-specific quality assurance in modern radiotherapy
Authors: Srivastava R. P. , De Wagter C. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractPurposeIn advanced radiotherapy techniques such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), the quality assurance (QA) process is essential. The aim of the study was to assure the treatment planning dose delivered during delivery of complex treatment plans. The QA standard is to perform patient-specific comparisons between planned doses and doses measured in a phantom.Materials and methodThe Delta 4 phantom (Scandidos, Uppsala, Sweden) has been used in this study. This device consists of diode matrices in two orthogonal planes inserted in a cylindrical acrylic phantom. Each diode is sampled per beam pulse so that the dose distribution can be evaluated on segment-by-segment, beam-by-beam, or as a composite plan from a single set of measurements. Ninety-five simple and complex radiotherapy treatment plans for different pathologies, planned using a treatment planning system (TPS) were delivered to the QA device. The planned and measured dose distributions were then compared and analysed. The gamma index was determined for different pathologies.ResultsThe evaluation was performed in terms of dose deviation, distance to agreement and gamma index passing rate. The measurements were in excellent agreement between with the calculated dose of the TPS and the QA device. Overall, good agreement was observed between measured and calculated doses in most cases with gamma values above 1 in >95% of measured points. Plan results for each test met the recommended dose goals.ConclusionThe delivery of IMRT and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans was verified to correspond well with calculated dose distributions for different pathologies. We found the Delta 4 device is accurate and reproducible. Although Delta4 appears to be a straightforward device for measuring dose and allows measure in real-time dosimetry QA, it is a complex device and careful quality control is required before its use.
Okay to Stay? A new plan to help people with long-term conditions remain in their own homes
Authors: Chapman Helen , Farndon Lisa , Matthews Rebekah , Stephenson John 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAimsTo assess the ‘Okay to Stay’ plan to investigate if this reduces visits to emergency departments, unplanned admissions and elective admission to hospital in elderly patients with long-term health conditions.BackgroundThe incidence of long-term conditions is rising as the elderly population increases, resulting in more people from this group attending emergency departments and being admitted to hospital. Okay to Stay is a simple plan for people with long-term conditions to help them remain in their own home if they suffer an acute exacerbation in their health. It was co-designed with professional and patient representatives with the aim of empowering patients and their carers to more effectively manage their long-term conditions.MethodsData from 50 patients (20 males, 30 females, mean baseline age 77.5 years) were compared 12 months before implementation of the plan and in the subsequent 12 months, with the significance of effects assessed at the 5 per cent significance level using t-tests.FindingsVisits to emergency departments were reduced by 1.86; unplanned emergency admissions were reduced by 1.28 and planned elective admissions were raised by 0.22 admissions per annum. The reduction in visits to the emergency department was significant (p = 0.009) and the reduction in emergency admissions was significant (p = 0.015). The change in elective admissions was not significant (p = 0.855). The Okay to Stay plan is effective in reducing visits to the emergency department and unplanned hospital admissions in people with long-term conditions. This is a positive step to supporting vulnerable and complex patients who are cared for at home, and facilitates the recognition by the individual of the possibility to stay at home with the support of health professionals. There are potential cost benefits to the investment of initiating an Okay to Stay plan through the avoidance of visits to the emergency department and non-elective admissions to hospital.
Combining formal and informal contract enforcement in a developed legal system: a latent class approach
Authors: Mike Károly , Kiss Gábor 
Published: November 2018

AbstractHow do firms combine a broad range of contract enforcement mechanisms into coherent governance structures? How often are distinct structures used in an economy? We develop a new empirical approach, based on latent class analysis, to answer these questions. Economy-level data from Hungary are used to derive a data-driven typology of contractual governance between firms. The joint use of law, morality, self-enforcing contracts, reputation and community norms is examined. They are shown to be combined into bilateral, third-party or comprehensive governance structures. The crucial governance choice is whether to move beyond bilateralism and, if yes, whether to use a mixture of (formal and informal) third-party mechanisms as a substitute or a complement. Complementarity is much more common. We find no instances of ‘impersonal exchange’; the law never stands alone. By implication, economic development may be best understood as a process from a narrower towards a broader set of enforcement mechanisms.
Improved Simulation of Frozen‐Thawing Process in Land Surface Model (CLM4.5)
Authors: Yang Kai , Wang Chenghai , Li Shiyue 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSoil freezing‐thawing cycle is a hallmark feature of the land surface over cold regions. Variations in soil moisture and temperature during frozen‐thawing (FT) process are important for water and energy exchange between land and atmosphere. Results of regional simulations by Community Land Model version 4.5 (CLM4.5) over the Tibetan Plateau show that error of daily soil temperature is within 3 °C and error of daily soil moisture is with 0.10 mm3/mm3 in FT process, averaged at 10 sites of whole Tibetan Plateau. Single‐point simulations show that model biases partly attribute to uncertainties of initial condition and soil category data; excluding impacts of model setting, large biases of soil moisture still exist during soil thawing, and CLM4.5 fails to simulate the diurnal cycle of soil moisture in this period. Modifications of the FT parameterizations in CLM4.5 are proposed, which include (1) use of virtual temperature (Tv) instead of constant freezing point to determine occurring of phase change, (2) introduction of phase change efficiency (ε) to optimize variation rate of soil temperature and moisture in FT process, and (3) consideration of inferred impacts of phase change on soil heat conduction. Single‐point and global simulations show that compared to original parameterizations in CLM4.5, these modifications can reproduce the features of daily and diurnal variations in soil moisture and make simulation in FT process closer to the observations.
Neogene Modifications of Circulation in the Northeastern African‐Southern Ocean Gateway
Authors: Fischer Maximilian D. , Uenzelmann‐Neben Gabriele 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIn the African‐Southern Ocean gateway, several water masses originating in the Atlantic, Indian, and Southern oceans meet and mix. As a consequence, the gateway is crucial for the maintenance of the global thermohaline circulation. Newly acquired multichannel seismic reflection data collected across the southern Mozambique Ridge are used to reconstruct the impact of paleoceanographic modifications on the Neogene and Quaternary circulation in the northeastern African‐Southern Ocean gateway. The data show the occurrence of mid‐Miocene (~15 Ma) to early Pliocene (~5 Ma) contourite drifts and erosional features interpreted as evidence for the onset of current‐controlled sedimentation in the late Neogene resulting from mid‐Miocene cooling and closure of the Indonesian gateway. The Quaternary is characterized by a relocation of Antarctic Bottom Water inflow and the inception of two branches of the North Atlantic Deep Water circulation subsequent to the final closure of the Central American Seaway and the Northern Hemisphere Glaciation. Therefore, the two events triggered the onset of unhindered deep and bottom water circulation from the Atlantic into the Indian Ocean, whereas the Antarctic Intermediate Water circulation decreased due to the final closure of the Indonesian gateway. Our results show that tectonic and climatic events, which themselves may be linked, continuously modified the Cenozoic paleoceanic circulation in the African‐Southern Ocean gateway, and indicate that ocean gateways governing the global water mass exchange act as an excellent location to reconstruct such modifications based on the interpretation of contourite drifts and erosional features.
Crack Models of Repeating Earthquakes Predict Observed Moment‐Recurrence Scaling
Authors: Cattania C. , Segall P. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSmall repeating earthquakes are thought to represent rupture of isolated asperities loaded by surrounding creep. The observed scaling between recurrence interval and seismic moment, Tr∼M1/6, contrasts with expectation assuming constant stress drop and no aseismic slip (Tr∼M1/3). Here we demonstrate that simple crack models of velocity‐weakening asperities in a velocity‐strengthening fault predict the M1/6 scaling; however, the mechanism depends on asperity radius, R. For small asperities (
, where
is the nucleation radius) numerical simulations with rate‐state friction show interseismic creep penetrating inward from the edge, and earthquakes nucleate in the center and rupture the entire asperity. Creep penetration accounts for ∼25% of the slip budget, the nucleation phase takes up a larger fraction of slip. Stress drop increases with increasing R; the lack of self‐similarity being due to the finite nucleation dimension. For
simulations exhibit simple cycles with ruptures nucleating from the edge. Asperities with
exhibit complex cycles of partial and full ruptures. Here Tr is explained by an energy criterion: full rupture requires that the energy release rate everywhere on the asperity at least equals the fracture energy, leading to the scaling Tr∼M1/6. Remarkably, in spite of the variability in behavior with source dimension, the scaling of Tr with stress drop Δτ, nucleation length and creep rate vpl is the same across all regimes:
. This supports the use of repeating earthquakes as creepmeters and provides a physical interpretation for the scaling observed in nature.
Modeling High Stress Drops, Scaling, Interaction, and Irregularity of Repeating Earthquake Sequences Near Parkfield
Authors: Lui Semechah K. Y. , Lapusta Nadia 
Published: November 2018

AbstractRepeating earthquake sequences have been actively investigated to clarify many aspects of earthquake physics. The two particularly well‐studied sequences, known as the Los Angeles and San Francisco repeaters, have several intriguing observations, including their long (for the seismic moment) recurrence times that would suggest stress drops of 300 MPa based on typical assumptions, near‐syncronized timing prior to 2004, and higher than typical inferred stress drops (of 25 to 65 MPa, up to 90 MPa locally), but not as high as the recurrence times suggest. Here we show that all these observations are self‐consistent, in the sense that they can be reproduced in a single fault model. The suitable models build on the standard rate‐and‐state fault models, with velocity‐weakening patches imbedded into a velocity‐strengthening region, by adding either enhanced dynamic weakening during seismic slip or elevated normal stress on the patches, or both, to allow for the higher stress drops. Such models are able to match the observed average properties of the San Francisco and Los Angeles repeaters, as well as the overall nontrivial scaling between the recurrence time and seismic moment exhibited by many repeating sequences as a whole, for reasonable parameter choices based on experiments and theoretical studies. These models are characterized by the occurrence of substantial and variable aseismic slip at the locations of the repeating sources, which explains their atypical relation between recurrence interval and seismic moment, induces variability in the repeating source properties as observed, and results in their neither slip‐ nor time‐predictable behavior.
On the Formation Mechanism for Wintertime Extreme Precipitation Events Over the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Huang Wenyu , Qiu Tianpei , Yang Zifan , Lin Daiyu , Wright Jonathon S. , Wang Bin , He Xinsheng 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe formation mechanism for wintertime extreme precipitation events over the southeastern Tibetan Plateau (SETP) is explored. The crucial step in the development of these events was the emergence of a cyclonic anomaly above the Tibetan Plateau. Wave activity fluxes along a Rossby wave train embedded in the subtropical jet stream (i.e., the circumglobal teleconnection) played the dominant role in producing this cyclonic anomaly, supported by weaker wave activity fluxes along a second Rossby wave train originating over Scandinavia. The cyclonic anomaly then moved over the SETP, favored strong updrafts, large‐scale moisture convergence, and intense precipitation. Extreme precipitation was more likely to ensue when the arrival of the cyclonic anomaly was preceded by persistent warm anomalies over the SETP, which favored moisture accumulation there. Temperatures above the SETP dropped sharply around the onset of the extreme precipitation. A heat budget analysis indicates that adiabatic cooling associated with convective ascent along the downstream edge of the cyclone played a leading role in this temperature drop, while a cold air intrusion associated with an anticyclonic anomaly over western Siberia (one center of action along the second wave train) played a complementary role. An Eulerian moisture budget analysis shows that variations in precipitable water delayed the onset and enhanced the intensity of these events, with moisture for precipitation delivered to the SETP mainly through the western and southern boundaries. A companion Lagrangian moisture source analysis reveals that the land areas south of the Tibetan Plateau typically contributed 78.7% of the moisture supply for these events.
Assessment of the Radiation Environment at Commercial Jet‐Flight Altitudes During GLE 72 on 10 September 2017 Using Neutron Monitor Data
Authors: Mishev A. L. , Usoskin I. G. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAs a result of intense solar activity during the first 10 days of September, a ground level enhancement occurred on 10 September 2017. Here we computed the effective dose rates in the polar region at several altitudes during the event using the derived rigidity spectra of the energetic solar protons. The contribution of different populations of energetic particles, namely, galactic cosmic rays and solar protons, to the exposure is explicitly considered and compared. We also assessed the exposure of a crew members/passengers to radiation at different locations and at several cruise flight altitudes and calculated the received doses for two typical intercontinental flights. The estimated received dose during a high latitude, 40 kft, ∼10‐hr flight is ∼100 μSv.
Selective colonization ability of human fecal microbes in different mouse gut environments
Authors: Zhou Wei , Chow Kin-hoe , Fleming Elizabeth , Oh Julia 
Published: November 2018

Abstract
Mammalian hosts constantly interact with diverse exogenous microbes, but only a subset of the microbes manage to colonize due to selective colonization resistance exerted by host genetic factors as well as the native microbiota of the host. An important question in microbial ecology and medical science is if such colonization resistance can discriminate closely related microbial species, or even closely related strains of the same species. Using human-mouse fecal microbiota transplantation and metagenomic shotgun sequencing, we reconstructed colonization patterns of human fecal microbes in mice with different genotypes (C57BL6/J vs. NSG) and with or without an intact gut microbiota. We found that mouse genotypes and the native mouse gut microbiota both exerted different selective pressures on exogenous colonizers: human fecal Bacteroides successfully established in the mice gut, however, different species of Bacteroides selectively enriched under different gut conditions, potentially due to a multitude of functional differences, ranging from versatility in nutrient acquisition to stress responses. Additionally, different clades of Bacteroides cellulosilyticus strains were selectively enriched in different gut conditions, suggesting that the fitness of conspecific microbial strains in a novel host environment could differ.
Prevention of radiation-induced bystander effects by agents that inactivate cell-free chromatin released from irradiated dying cells
Authors: Kirolikar Saurabh , Prasannan Preeti , Raghuram Gorantla V. , Pancholi Namrata , Saha Tannishtha , Tidke Pritishkumar , Chaudhari Pradip , Shaikh Alfina , Rane Bhagyeshri , Pandey Richa , Wani Harshada , Khare Naveen K. , Siddiqui Sophiya , D’souza Jenevieve , Prasad Ratnam , Shinde Sushma , Parab Sailee , Nair Naveen K. , Pal Kavita , Mittra Indraneel 
Published: November 2018

AbstractRadiation-induced bystander effect (RIBE) is a poorly understood phenomenon wherein non-targeted cells exhibit effects of radiation. We have reported that cell-free chromatin (cfCh) particles that are released from dying cells can integrate into genomes of surrounding healthy cells to induce DNA damage and inflammation. This raised the possibility that RIBE might be induced by cfCh released from irradiated dying cells. When conditioned media from BrdU-labeled irradiated cells were passed through filters of pore size 0.22 µm and incubated with unexposed cells, BrdU-labeled cfCh particles could be seen to readily enter their nuclei to activate H2AX, active Caspase-3, NFκB, and IL-6. A direct relationship was observed with respect to activation of RIBE biomarkers and radiation dose in the range of 0.1–50 Gy. We confirmed by FISH and cytogenetic analysis that cfCh had stably integrated into chromosomes of bystander cells and had led to extensive chromosomal instability. The above RIBE effects could be abrogated when conditioned media were pre-treated with agents that inactivate cfCh, namely, anti-histone antibody complexed nanoparticles (CNPs), DNase I and a novel DNA degrading agent Resveratrol-copper (R-Cu). Lower hemi-body irradiation with γ-rays (0.1–50 Gy) led to activation of H2AX, active Caspase-3, NFκB, and IL-6 in brain cells in a dose-dependent manner. Activation of these RIBE biomarkers could be abrogated by concurrent treatment with CNPs, DNase I and R-Cu indicating that activation of RIBE was not due to radiation scatter to the brain. RIBE activation was seen even when mini-beam radiation was delivered to the umbilical region of mice wherein radiation scatter to brain was negligible and could be abrogated by cfCh inactivating agents. These results indicate that cfCh released from radiation-induced dying cells are activators of RIBE and that it can be prevented by treatment with appropriate cfCh inactivating agents.
PLOD3 promotes lung metastasis via regulation of STAT3
Authors: Baek Jeong-Hwa , Yun Hong Shik , Kwon Gyoo Taik , Kim Ju-Young , Lee Chang-Woo , Song Jie-Young , Um Hong-Duck , Kang Chang-Mo , Park Jong Kuk , Kim Jae-Sung , Kim Eun Ho , Hwang Sang-Gu 
Published: November 2018

AbstractProcollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase (PLOD3), a membrane-bound homodimeric enzyme, hydroxylates lysyl residues in collagen-like peptides; however, its role in lung cancer is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the role of PLOD3 as a pro-metastatic factor and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. First, we experimentally confirmed the release of PLOD3 in circulation in animal models, rendering it a potential serum biomarker for lung cancer in humans. Thereafter, we investigated the effects of PLOD3 overexpression and downregulation on cancer cell invasion and migration in vitro and in vivo, using human lung cancer cell lines and a mouse tumor xenograft model, respectively. Further, PLOD3 levels were determined in lung tissue samples from lung cancer patients. Functional analyses revealed that PLOD3 interacts with STAT3, thereby expressing matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and with urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) to enhance tumor metastasis. PLOD3 and the STAT3 pathway were significantly correlated in the metastatic foci of lung cancer patients; PLOD3–STAT3 levels were highly correlated with a poor prognosis. These results indicate that PLOD3 promotes lung cancer metastasis in a RAS-MAP kinase pathway-independent manner. Therefore, secreted PLOD3 serves as a potent inducer of lung cancer metastasis and a potential therapeutic target to enhance survival in lung cancer.