bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tendon Fascicle-Inspired Nanofibrous Scaffold of Polylactic acid/Collagen with Enhanced 3D-Structure and Biomechanical Properties
Authors: Sensini Alberto , Gualandi Chiara , Zucchelli Andrea , Boyle Liam A. , Kao Alexander P. , Reilly Gwendolen C. , Tozzi Gianluca , Cristofolini Luca , Focarete Maria Letizia 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSurgical treatment of tendon lesions still yields unsatisfactory clinical outcomes. The use of bioresorbable scaffolds represents a way forward to improve tissue repair. Scaffolds for tendon reconstruction should have a structure mimicking that of the natural tendon, while providing adequate mechanical strength and stiffness. In this paper, electrospun nanofibers of two crosslinked PLLA/Collagen blends (PLLA/Coll-75/25, PLLA/Coll-50/50) were developed and then wrapped in bundles, where the nanofibers are predominantly aligned along the bundles. Bundle morphology was assessed via SEM and high-resolution x-ray computed tomography (XCT). The 0.4-micron resolution in XCT demonstrated a biomimetic morphology of the bundles for all compositions, with a predominant nanofiber alignment and some scatter (50–60% were within 12° from the axis of the bundle), similar to the tendon microstructure. Human fibroblasts seeded on the bundles had increased metabolic activity from day 7 to day 21 of culture. The stiffness, strength and toughness of the bundles are comparable to tendon fascicles, both in the as-spun condition and after crosslinking, with moderate loss of mechanical properties after ageing in PBS (7 and 14 days). PLLA/Coll-75/25 has more desirable mechanical properties such as stiffness and ductility, compared to the PLLA/Coll-50/50. This study confirms the potential to bioengineer tendon fascicles with enhanced 3D structure and biomechanical properties.
Exposure to Chemical Cues from Predator-Exposed Conspecifics Increases Reproduction in a Wild Rodent
Authors: Haapakoski M. , Hardenbol A. A. , Matson Kevin D. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractPredation involves more than just predators consuming prey. Indirect effects, such as fear responses caused by predator presence, can have consequences for prey life history. Laboratory experiments have shown that some rodents can recognize fear in conspecifics via alarm pheromones. Individuals exposed to alarm pheromones can exhibit behavioural alterations that are similar to those displayed by predator-exposed individuals. Yet the ecological and evolutionary significance of alarm pheromones in wild mammals remains unclear. We investigated how alarm pheromones affect the behaviour and fitness of wild bank voles (Myodes glareolus) in outdoor enclosures. Specifically, we compared the effects of exposure of voles living in a natural environment to a second-hand fear cue, bedding material used by predator-exposed voles. Control animals were exposed to bedding used by voles with no predator experience. We found a ca. 50% increase in litter size in the group exposed to the predator cue. Furthermore, female voles were attracted to and males were repelled by trap-associated bedding that had been used by predator-exposed voles. Movement and foraging were not significantly affected by the treatment. Our results suggest that predation risk can exert population-level effects through alarm pheromones on prey individuals that did not encounter a direct predator cue.
Comparison of machine learning models for the prediction of mortality of patients with unplanned extubation in intensive care units
Authors: Hsieh Meng Hsuen , Hsieh Meng Ju , Chen Chin-Ming , Hsieh Chia-Chang , Chao Chien-Ming , Lai Chih-Cheng 
Published: November 2018

AbstractUnplanned extubation (UE) can be associated with fatal outcome; however, an accurate model for predicting the mortality of UE patients in intensive care units (ICU) is lacking. Therefore, we aim to compare the performances of various machine learning models and conventional parameters to predict the mortality of UE patients in the ICU. A total of 341 patients with UE in ICUs of Chi-Mei Medical Center between December 2008 and July 2017 were enrolled and their demographic features, clinical manifestations, and outcomes were collected for analysis. Four machine learning models including artificial neural networks, logistic regression models, random forest models, and support vector machines were constructed and their predictive performances were compared with each other and conventional parameters. Of the 341 UE patients included in the study, the ICU mortality rate is 17.6%. The random forest model is determined to be the most suitable model for this dataset with F1 0.860, precision 0.882, and recall 0.850 in the test set, and an area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.910 (SE: 0.022, 95% CI: 0.867–0.954). The area under ROC curves of the random forest model was significantly greater than that of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II (0.779, 95% CI: 0.716–0.841), Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS) (0.645, 95% CI: 0.564–0.726), and Glasgow Coma scales (0.577, 95%: CI 0.497–0.657). The results revealed that the random forest model was the best model to predict the mortality of UE patients in ICUs.
Antimicrobial Photodynamic Inactivation Mediated by Tetracyclines in Vitro and in Vivo: Photochemical Mechanisms and Potentiation by Potassium Iodide
Authors: Xuan Weijun , He Ya , Huang Liyi , Huang Ying-Ying , Bhayana Brijesh , Xi Liyan , Gelfand Jeffrey A. , Hamblin Michael R. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractTetracyclines (including demeclocycline, DMCT, or doxycycline, DOTC) represent a class of dual-action antibacterial compounds, which can act as antibiotics in the dark, and also as photosensitizers under illumination with blue or UVA light. It is known that tetracyclines are taken up inside bacterial cells where they bind to ribosomes. In the present study, we investigated the photochemical mechanism: Type 1 (hydroxyl radicals); Type 2 (singlet oxygen); or Type 3 (oxygen independent). Moreover, we asked whether addition of potassium iodide (KI) could potentiate the aPDI activity of tetracyclines. High concentrations of KI (200–400 mM) strongly potentiated (up to 5 logs of extra killing) light-mediated killing of Gram-negative Escherichia coli or Gram-positive MRSA (although the latter was somewhat less susceptible). KI potentiation was still apparent after a washing step showing that the iodide could penetrate the E. coli cells where the tetracycline had bound. When cells were added to the tetracycline + KI mixture after light, killing was observed in the case of E. coli showing formation of free molecular iodine. Addition of azide quenched the formation of iodine but not hydrogen peroxide. DMCT but not DOTC iodinated tyrosine. Both E. coli and MRSA could be killed by tetracyclines plus light in the absence of oxygen and this killing was not quenched by azide. A mouse model of a superficial wound infection caused by bioluminescent E. coli could be treated by topical application of DMCT and blue light and bacterial regrowth did not occur owing to the continued anti biotic activity of the tetracycline.
A study of tuberculosis in road traffic-killed badgers on the edge of the British bovine TB epidemic area
Authors: Sandoval Barron Elsa , Swift Ben , Chantrey Julian , Christley Robert , Gardner Richard , Jewell Chris , McGrath Ian , Mitchell Andrew , O’Cathail Colman , Prosser Alison , Ridout Sue , Sanchez-Cabezudo Gonzalo , Smith Noel , Timofte Dorina , Williams Nicola , Bennett Malcolm 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe role of badgers in the geographic expansion of the bovine tuberculosis (bTB) epidemic in England is unknown: indeed there have been few published studies of bTB in badgers outside of the Southwest of England where the infection is now endemic in cattle. Cheshire is now on the edge of the expanding area of England in which bTB is considered endemic in cattle. Previous studies, over a decade ago when bovine infection was rare in Cheshire, found no or only few infected badgers in the south eastern area of the county. In this study, carried out in 2014, road-killed badgers were collected through a network of local stakeholders (farmers, veterinarians, wildlife groups, government agencies), and Mycobacterium bovis was isolated from 21% (20/94) badger carcasses. Furthermore, there was strong evidence for co-localisation of M. bovis SB0129 (genotype 25) infection in both badgers and cattle herds at a county scale. While these findings suggest that both badgers and cattle are part of the same geographically expanding epidemic, the direction of any cross-species transmission and the drivers of this expansion cannot be determined. The study also demonstrated the utility of using road-killed badgers collected by stakeholders as a means of wildlife TB surveillance.
Spiral bandwidth of four-wave mixing in Rb vapour
Authors: Offer R. F. , Stulga D. , Riis E. , Franke-Arnold S. , Arnold A. S. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractLaguerre-Gauss beams, and more generally the orbital angular momentum of light (OAM) provide valuable research tools for optical manipulation, processing, imaging and communication. High-efficiency frequency conversion of OAM is possible via four-wave mixing in rubidium vapour. Conservation of the OAM in the two pump beams determines the total OAM shared by the generated light fields at 420 nm and 5.2 μm—but not its distribution between them. Here we experimentally investigate the spiral bandwidth of the generated light modes as a function of pump OAM. A small pump OAM is transferred almost completely to the 420 nm beam. Increasing the total pump OAM broadens the OAM spectrum of the generated light, indicating OAM entanglement between the generated light fields. This clears the path to high-efficiency OAM entanglement between widely disparate wavelengths.
Measurements of open charm production and flow in √sNN = 200GeV Au+Au collisions with the STAR experiment at RHIC
Authors: Margetis Spyridon 
Published: November 2018

We present an improved, higher statistics, measurement with respect to the previously published results of the D0 meson elliptic flow (v2) as a function of transverse momentum (pT) in Au+Au collisions at √sNN = 200 GeV with the STAR Heavy Flavor Tracker (HFT). The D0 v2 results are compared to those of light-flavor hadrons to test the number-of-constituent-quark (NCQ) scaling. They are also compared to recent hydrodynamic and transport model calculations. We also report on the updated measurements of D0 nuclear modification factors RAA and RCP using the 2014 data. The measured D0 RAAin central collisions is less than 1 across the entire pT region. The D0 yields show strong suppression at high pT (> 6 GeV/c) in central collisions, consistent with those of light flavor hadrons.
We also report the measurements of collision centrality and pT dependences of the Λ±c production in Au+Au collisions at √sNN = 200 GeV, using the HFT. The Λ±c signal significance is greatly improved with the addition of the highstatistics data set collected in 2016 and the use of a supervised machine learning method for a more effcient topological reconstruction of the decay vertices. The measured Λ±c/D0 ratio in 10-80% Au+Au collisions shows a significant enhancement compared to the PYTHIA prediction for p + p collisions, across the measured pT range.
Häufige Hautbefunde in der Praxis
Authors: Koushk Jalali Bijan , Tigges Christian , Lehmann Percy , Kreuter Alexander 
Published: November 2018

AbstractDiseases of the skin are the cause of approximately one fifth of outpatient visits to general practitioners (GPs) in Germany. GPs are expected to be competent in both knowledge and skills required to manage dermatological diseases, but making the correct diagnosis can be challenging facing the broad clinical spectrum of dermatological disorders. Knowledge of morphological characteristics is essential in the accurate diagnosis of a dermatological condition and to ensure optimal patient care. The objective of this dossier is to provide an overview of common dermatological diseases in daily routine, with a focus on acute and chronic-inflammatory dermatoses. The most important dermatological diseases were sorted by three anatomic regions (face, trunk and lower leg), and an overview on the respective differential diagnoses is provided.
Exercise in Pregnancy: The Impact of an Intervention Program in the Duration of Labor and Mode of Delivery
Authors: Ferreira Cátia Liliana Martins , Guerra Cláudia Maria Lopes , Silva Ana Isabel Teixeira Jesus , do Rosário Helena Rafaela Vieira , Pereira Maria Beatriz Ferreira Leite de Oliveira 
Published: November 2018

Objective To access the benefits or harms of an exercise program, based on the current American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines, on the mode of delivery, duration and onset of labor.
Methods A study performed at the Hospital Senhora da Oliveira between October 2015 and February 2017. This was a quasi-experimental study involving 255 women divided into two groups: an intervention group engaged in a controlled and supervised exercise program during pregnancy (n = 99), and a control group that did not participate in the exercise program (n = 156). Data were collected in two stages: during the 1st trimester biochemical screening (before the beginning of the program), through a written questionnaire, and after delivery, from the medical files of the patients. The significance level in the present study was 5% (p = 0.05).
Results The control group had higher odds of induced labor (odds ratio [OR] 2.71; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.42–5.17; p = 0.003), when compared with women who underwent the intervention. No differences were found between the groups in instrumental vaginal deliveries, cesarean rate, time until the beginning of the active phase, duration of the active phase, and duration of the second stage of labor.
Conclusion The implementation of a controlled and supervised exercise program in pregnancy was associated with significantly lower odds of induced deliveries.
Female Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder: Review of the Related Factors and Overall Approach
Authors: Dias-Amaral Ana , Marques-Pinto André 
Published: November 2018

AbstractGenito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (GPPPD) can be an extremely bothersome condition for patients, and a tough challenge for professionals regarding its assessment and treatment. The goal of the present paper is to review the etiology, assessment, and treatment of GPPPD, especially focusing on the cognitive aspects of the disease and cognitive-behavioral treatment options, through a non-systematic review of articles indexed to the Medline, Scopus and Web of Science databases, using the following MeSH queries: pelvic pain; dyspareunia; vaginismus; vulvodynia; and cognitive therapy. Altogether, 36 articles discussing the etiology, diagnosis and management of GPPPD were selected. We provide an overview of GPPPD based on biological, psychological and relational factors, emphasizing the last two. We also summarize the available medical treatments and provide strategies to approach the psychological trigger and persisting factors for the patient and the partner. Professionals should be familiarized with the factors underlining the problem, and should be able to provide helpful suggestions to guide the couple out of the GPPPD fear-avoidance circle.
Innovative strategies under changing diabetes barometer in building diabetes registry in Puducherry
Authors: Raman K. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractDiabetes is continuing to be a huge burden in India with more than 60 million people suffering from it. Managing the growing menace of diabetes, we need to establish proper system and strategy in place. Despite a wealth of literature on prevalence, reliable data on the registry of diabetes is lacking in most parts of the world including India. Without such data, the fight against diabetes is being driven in the dark. The current national or state initiatives in the collection of data are incongruent and call for a concerted approach to gather information and track progress. In this prospect, the initiative taken by Government of Puducherry in collaboration with Novo Nordisk Education Foundation is highly innovative as it ensures whole population coverage, introduction of unique identity for each people, automated data processing, and web-based information system along with effective diabetes management.
Vanillic acid mitigates the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma in rat model through prevention of airway inflammation
Authors: Bai Feng , Fang Liyun , Hu Huizhong , Yang Yang , Feng Xianxian , Sun Daqing 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACTAsthma is a chronic allergic ailment affecting a considerably large population of the world. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ameliorative effects of vanillic acid against ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma in rat model. Asthma was induced in Sprague Dawley rats and vanillic acid was orally administered at 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. Rats challenged with OVA showed heavy signs of airway inflammation and remodeling similar to chronic asthma, evidenced by the increased differential cell counts and presence of inflammatory cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), along with elevated serum immunoglobulin levels, and the histological results. However, vanillic acid dose-dependently attenuated the manifestation of OVA-induced asthma (p &lt; 0.05) through suppression of inflammatory mediators and modulation of immunoglobulin levels in rats. The asthma mitigating properties of vanillic acid might be due to suppression of oxidative stress and prevention of lung airway inflammation.
Inhibition of mRNA processing activity from ginger-, clove- and cinnamon-extract, and by two ginger constituents, 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol
Authors: Morimoto Mari , Mitsukawa Mizuki , Fujiwara Chisato , Kawamura Yukio , Masuda Seiji 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACT
Inhibition of mRNA processing, including splicing in the nucleus, is a potential anti-cancer candidate. To obtain mRNA processing inhibitors, we have screened for active constituents from spices. Ginger, clove, and cinnamon showed an inhibitory effect on mRNA processing in the nucleus. Two components in ginger, 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol, exhibited the inhibition of mRNA processing.
The influence of biological maturity on motor performance among habitually barefoot versus habitually shod adolescents
Authors: John Cornelius , Hollander Karsten , Elsabe de Villiers Johanna , Hamacher Daniel , Venter Ranel , Zech Astrid 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBiological maturation is associated with physiological changes which in turn affect motor performance. No study has assessed the association between growing up habitually shod versus habitually barefoot and motor performance in the context of maturation, so this approach is unique. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of biological maturity on motor performance dependent on the participants’ footwear habits. Sixty‐five German habitually shod (mean age 13.28 ± 0.83 years) and fifty‐five South African habitually barefoot (mean age 13.38 ± 0.87 years) participants were included. Dynamic postural control was determined via backward balancing, explosive strength by standing long jump and sprinting performance based on a 20‐m sprinting test. All tests were performed barefoot and shod. Biological maturation was calculated by using the maturity offset value. Linear mixed models were used to analyse interactions between the maturity offset value, footwear habits and motor performance. Throughout maturation, there was a significant difference between habitually barefoot and habitually shod balance performance (P = 0.001). Maturation led to balance improvements in habitually barefoot adolescents, but not in habitually shod adolescents. No such differences could be observed for standing long jump and 20‐m sprint performance. Maturity offset was a significant predictor for jumping and sprinting performances (P < 0.001), independent of being habitually barefoot or habitually shod. Better performances could be observed in more mature subjects. Biological maturation seems to be a relevant predictor for motor performance characteristics for the jumping and sprinting performance in adolescents.
Extending the production boundary of the System of National Accounts (SNA) to classify and account for ecosystem services
Authors: Eigenraam Mark , Obst Carl 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACT
There is a broad acceptance to depicting the relationship between ecosystems and human well-being using the concept of ecosystem services, emanating in large from the findings and research published in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment in 2005 . While the generic concept of ecosystem services provides an excellent platform for discussion, the ongoing lack of clarity surrounding the definition, classification and measurement of ecosystem services, is emerging as a barrier to more extensive collaboration across disciplines.
This paper applies the principles of national accounting to bring additional rigor and consistency to the discussion on ecosystem services. In this paper we revisit four fundamental aspects of the System of National Accounts (SNA) that underpin the measurement of the economy, namely, the definition of economic units; the definition of production; the recording of transactions and the recording assets. By considering each of these aspects in the context of the United Nations’ System of Environmental-Economic Accounting, the paper presents a framework to describe the relationship between ecosystems and human activity that can then be used to consistently define, classify, measure and account for ecosystem services.
Non-enforcement as a technique of governance – The case of rental housing in the Netherlands
Authors: Huisman Carla J. 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACT
When governments systematically fail to ensure that a policy is implemented, while at the same time keeping that policy in place, this can result in a reality where certain regulations are simultaneously officially present but informally absent. In this paper, I derive from the case of rental housing in the Netherlands that such non-enforcement can be understood as a technique of governance. Here, rules on security of tenure, rent ceilings and maintenance are in theory strong, but in practice knowledge of these regulations is almost non-existent, and enforcement is so weak that the rules have become largely meaningless. Through analysing political and bureaucratic documents, and drawing on my previous ethnographic research, I argue that keeping regulations in place that are largely unknown to citizens and unenforced by authorities can function as a policy mechanism in its own right, as a method to secure and transmit the objectives of government in a more subtle way than explicit, top-down exertion of power. I conclude that non-enforcement as a technique of governance, previously overlooked by most research, deserves our attention, not just because of its effects on policy processes but also because of its impact on citizens.