bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mosaic ratio quantification of isochromosome 12p in Pallister–Killian syndrome using droplet digital PCR
Authors: Fujiki Katsunori , Shirahige Katsuhiko , Kaur Maninder , Deardorff Matthew A. , Conlin Laura K. , Krantz Ian D. , Izumi Kosuke 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackgroundPallister–Killian syndrome (PKS) is a prototypic mosaic aneuploidy syndrome caused by mosaic supernumerary marker isochromosome 12p. Cells possessing the isochromosome 12p rapidly diminish after birth in the peripheral blood, often necessitating a skin biopsy for diagnosis. Therefore, a genomic testing that is capable of detecting low percent mosaic isochromosome 12p is preferred for the diagnosis of PKS.MethodsThe utility of the droplet digital PCR system in quantifying the mosaic ratio of isochromosome 12p in PKS was evaluated.ResultsDroplet digital PCR was able to precisely quantify isochromosome 12p mosaic ratio, and copy number measured by droplet digital PCR was correlated well with that of fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis.ConclusionDroplet digital PCR should be considered as an effective tool for both clinical and research analytics to precisely quantify mosaic genomic copy number alterations or mosaic mutations.
Fast simultaneous noncontrast angiography and intraplaque hemorrhage (fSNAP) sequence for carotid artery imaging
Authors: Chen Shuo , Ning Jia , Zhao Xihai , Wang Jinnan , Zhou Zechen , Yuan Chun , Chen Huijun 
Published: January 2016

PurposeTo propose a fast simultaneous noncontrast angiography and intraplaque hemorrhage (fSNAP) sequence for carotid artery imaging.MethodsThe proposed fSNAP sequence uses a low‐resolution reference acquisition for phase‐sensitive reconstruction to speed up the scan, and an inversion recovery acquisition with arbitrary k‐space filling order to generate similar contrast to conventional SNAP. Four healthy volunteers and eight patients were recruited to test the performance of fSNAP in vivo. The lumen area quantification, muscle‐blood CNR, IPH‐blood CNR, lumen SNR, and standard deviation and intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) detection accuracy were compared between fSNAP and SNAP.ResultsBy using a low‐resolution reference acquisition with 1/4 matrix size of the full‐resolution reference scan, the scan time of fSNAP was 37.5% less than that of SNAP. A high agreement of lumen area measurement (ICC = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96–0.99) and IPH detection (Kappa = 1) were found between fSNAP and SNAP. Also, no significant difference was found for muscle‐blood CNR (P = 0.25), IPH‐blood CNR (P = 0.35), lumen SNR (P = 0.60), and standard deviation (P = 0.46) between the two techniques.ConclusionThe feasibility of fSNAP was validated. fSNAP can improve the imaging efficiency with similar performance to SNAP on carotid artery imaging. Magn Reson Med 77:753–758, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
The effect of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker use on mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease: a meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Qin Yuchen , Chen Tao , Chen Qi , Lv Jia Yi , Qi Na , Wu Cheng , He Jia 
Published: January 2016

AbstractPurposeThere has been much controversy over the use of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEIs/ARBs) on patients with renal dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to summarize the evidence regarding the effect of ACEIs/ARBs administration on mortality in patients with nondialysis‐dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD) by using a meta‐analytic approach.MethodsWe searched the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases for studies on the effect of ACEIs/ARBs administration on mortality in patients with nondialysis‐dependent CKD published before March 2015. Summary effect estimates with 95% confidence intervals were derived using the random‐effects model, no matter whether the heterogeneity between the included studies was of statistical significance or not. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and publication bias tests were performed.ResultsUp to 25 March 2015, 10 cohort studies were included in this meta‐analysis. The hazard risk of the association between ACEIs/ARBs administration and overall mortality was 0.83 (95% confidence interval 0.78–0.87) using a random‐effects model with no heterogeneity (heterogeneity test I2 = 43.8%, p = 0.067) and publication bias (Egger's test, p = 0.763). The subgroup was divided according to estimated glomerular filtration rate, duration of follow‐up, Newcastle–Ottawa Scale star, and proportion of patients with common complications including heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. Improved survival outcomes were observed in all subgroups analysis. Sensitivity analysis proved that overall estimated effect was robust.ConclusionThis meta‐analysis suggested that the use of ACEIs/ARBs in patients with nondialysis‐dependent CKD was associated with improved survival. However, randomized studies are needed to confirm these findings and further establish causal relationship. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and Characterization of Hexahydro‐1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazine/Ammonium Perchlorate Intermolecular Explosives
Authors: Li Guo‐Ping , Liu Ya‐Zhong , Liu Meng‐Hui , Chai Chun‐Peng , Luo Yun‐Jun 
Published: January 2016

AbstractHexahydro‐1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazine/ammonium perchlorate/glycidyl azide polymer (RDX/AP/GAP) intermolecular explosives (IMX) with different proportions of RDX to AP were prepared by sol‐gel method, and the structure and performance was characterized by Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller measurements (BET), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed that the specific surface area of RDX/AP/GAP IMX decreased with the addition of AP. The crystals of AP and RDX in RDX/AP/GAP intermolecular explosives were in the range of 20–48 nm and 23–55 nm, respectively. In addition, RDX/AP/GAP intermolecular explosives had the largest heat release at zero balance.
Exploring Te–Te Bond Cleavage with Palladium(II): Synthesis, X‐ray Structural Characterization, and Optical Features of Tellurolate and Telluro‐Ether Complexes of Palladium(II)
Authors: Tirloni Bárbara , Nunes Cechin Camila , Ferro Razera Giovanny , Barbalho Pereira Marcelo , Manzoni de Oliveira Gelson , Schulz Lang Ernesto 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe focus of this study was to explore reactions of (RTe)2with palladium(II) salts. These reactions led to Te–Te bond cleavage and the formation of three tellurolate‐bridged dinuclear complexes and a mononuclear telluro‐ether palladium(II) complex. The methodologies used yielded single source precursors for interesting materials. UV/vis spectroscopy results supported the measured optical bandgap for the complexes in the solid state. A study on the structure of all complexes in the solid state was carried out using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Other analytical methodologies, such as elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy, were also used for the characterization of the complexes.
Trends in Life Expectancy and Lifespan Variation by Educational Attainment: United States, 1990–2010
Authors: Sasson Isaac 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
The educational gradient in life expectancy is well documented in the United States and in other low-mortality countries. Highly educated Americans, on average, live longer than their low-educated counterparts, who have recently seen declines in adult life expectancy. However, limiting the discussion on lifespan inequality to mean differences alone overlooks other dimensions of inequality and particularly disparities in lifespan variation. The latter represents a unique form of inequality, with higher variation translating into greater uncertainty in the time of death from an individual standpoint, and higher group heterogeneity from a population perspective. Using data from the National Vital Statistics System from 1990 to 2010, this is the first study to document trends in both life expectancy and S25—the standard deviation of age at death above 25—by educational attainment. Among low-educated whites, adult life expectancy declined by 3.1 years for women and by 0.6 years for men. At the same time, S25 increased by about 1.5 years among high school–educated whites of both genders, becoming an increasingly important component of total lifespan inequality. By contrast, college-educated whites benefited from rising life expectancy and record low variation in age at death, consistent with the shifting mortality scenario. Among blacks, adult life expectancy increased, and S25 plateaued or declined in nearly all educational attainment groups, although blacks generally lagged behind whites of the same gender on both measures. Documenting trends in lifespan variation can therefore improve our understanding of lifespan inequality and point to diverging trajectories in adult mortality across socioeconomic strata.
Decreases in ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer volumes correlate better with disease severity in schizophrenia patients than retinal nerve fiber layer thickness: Findings from spectral optic coherence tomography
Authors: Celik M. , Kalenderoglu A. , Sevgi Karadag A. , Bekir Egilmez O. , Han-Almis B. , Şimşek A. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackgroundOptic coherence tomography (OCT) is a new, contactless and fast neuroimaging method. Previous studies have observed thinning of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) in many neurodegenerative diseases, and researchers have suggested that correlations exist between the thinning of the RNFL and the neurodegeneration detected with other imaging methods or the severity of illness. More recently, OCT has been used in patients with schizophrenia. RNFL thinning has also been detected in these patients. With more sophisticated devices, segmentation of the retina and measurements of the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and internal plexiform layer (IPL) can be performed.MethodsWe measured the RNFL thickness and the GCL and IPL volumes in 40 treatment refractory patients with schizophrenia, 41 treatment responsive refractory patients and 41 controls using spectral-OCT, and we evaluated the correlations between the disease severity and OCT measurements.ResultsThe global RNFL thickness and GCL and IPL volumes were decreased in the patients with schizophrenia compared with the controls. In addition, the GCL and IPL volumes were lower in the treatment refractory patients with schizophrenia compared to the treatment responsive patients. Using parameters such as the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scores, the disease duration and number of hospitalizations, correlations between the GCL and IPL volumes and disease severity were stronger than the correlations between the RNFL and the disease parameters.ConclusionOur findings suggest that OCT can be used to detect neurodegeneration in schizophrenia and that the GCL and IPL volumes can also be used to monitor the progression of neurodegeneration.
Everyday Choice Making: Outcomes of Young People with Acquired Brain Injury After Moving from Residential Aged Care to Community-Based Supported Accommodation
Authors: Winkler Dianne , Callaway Libby , Sloan Sue , Holgate Nadine 
Published: January 2016

Objectives: (1) Examine the opportunities young people with acquired brain injury (ABI) have to make everyday choices after moving out of residential aged care (RAC) into community-based shared supported accommodation (SSA); (2) Compare everyday choice making of this group with a group of people with ABI living in RAC.Research design: Mixed methods comparing two independent groups.Method and procedures: Responses on eleven relevant items of the Resident Choice Scale (RCS) were compared between two groups; 45 people with ABI living in RAC and 20 people with ABI who had moved from RAC to live in SSA. In addition, the choice making experiences of the SSA group were investigated through semi-structured interviews with the individual and/or their family member. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed.Results: Greater opportunities for everyday choice making were demonstrated on 10 out of the 11 RCS items for people living in SSA, compared to RAC. These included improved choice regarding meals, bedtime and leisure activities. Qualitative data also illustrated new choice opportunities afforded to the SSA group. Five key themes relating to choice were identified:rules and routines, communication, things to do, foodandhome-like environment.Conclusions: Community-based, age-appropriate and small-scale supported accommodation provides people with ABI more opportunities for everyday choice making than RAC.
CT Perfusion in Acute Stroke Predicts Final Infarct Volume- Inter-observer Study
Authors: Shankar Jai Jai Shiva , Langlands Gavin , Doucette Steve , Phillips Stephen 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackground: Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) is increasingly being used in the setting of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The aim of the current study was to compare the prognostic utility of, and inter-observer variation between, baseline appearances on non-contrast CT (using Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score(ASPECTS)) and on CTP for predicting final infarct volume. We also assessed impact of training on interpretation of these images. Methods: Retrospectively, plain head computed tomography (CT) and CTP images at presentation and CT or diffusion imaging on follow up of patients with AIS were analyzed. The lesion volume on different CTP parameters was then correlated with the final infarct volume. This analysis was done by a Neuroradiologist, a stroke Neurologist and a medical student. Kappa statistics and Intra-class correlation coefficients were used for agreement between readers. Pearson correlation coefficients were used.Results: Thirty eight patients with AIS met all inclusion criteria. There was very good agreement among all readers for the CTP parameters. There was only fair agreement for ASPECT score. Correlation coefficient (r-square) between CTP parameters and final infarct volume showed that cerebral blood volume was the best parameter to predict the final infarct volume followed by cerebral blood flow and time to peak. The best reader to predict the final infarct volume on the initial CT perfusion study was the neuroradiologist followed by medical student and stroke neurologist. Conclusions: Cerebral blood volume defect correlated the best with the final infarct volume. There was a very good inter-observer agreement for all the CTP maps in predicting the final infarct volume despite the wide variation in the experience of the readers.
Normalized Apparent Diffusion Coefficient in the Prognostication of Patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme
Authors: Shankar Jai Jai Shiva , Bata Adil , Ritchie Krista , Hebb Andrea , Walling Simon 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackground: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is known to have poor prognosis, with no available imaging marker that can predict survival at the time of diagnosis. Diffusion weighted images are used in characterisation of cellularity and necrosis of GBM. The purpose of this study was to assess whether pattern or degree of diffusion restriction could help in the prognostication of patients with GBM. Material and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 84 consecutive patients with confirmed GBM on biopsy or resection. The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee. The total volume of the tumor and total volume of tumor showing restricted diffusion were calculated. The lowest Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) in the region of the tumor and in the contralateral Normal Appearing White Matter were calculated in order to calculate the nADC. Treatment and follow-up data in these patients were recorded. Multivariate analsysis was completed to determine significant correlations between different variables and the survival of these patients. Results: Patient survival was significantly related to the age of the patient (p<0.0001; 95% CI-1.022-1.043) and the nADC value (p=0.014; 95% CI-0.269-0.860) in the tumor. The correlation coefficients of age and nADC with survival were −0.335 (p=0.002) and 0.390 (p<0.001), respectively. Kaplan Meier survival function, grouped by normalized Apparent Diffusion Coefficient cut off value of 0.75, was significant (p=0.007). Conclusion: The survival of patients with GBM had small, but significant, correlations with the patient’s age and nADC within the tumor.
DEMOCRACY ISN'T THAT SMART (BUT WE CAN MAKE IT SMARTER): ON LANDEMORE'S DEMOCRATIC REASON
Authors: Ancell Aaron 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIn her recent book, Democratic Reason, Hélène Landemore argues that, when evaluated epistemically, “a democratic decision procedure is likely to be a better decision procedure than any non-democratic decision procedures, such as a council of experts or a benevolent dictator” (p. 3). Landemore's argument rests heavily on studies of collective intelligence done by Lu Hong and Scott Page. These studies purport to show that cognitive diversity – differences in how people solve problems – is actually more important to overall group performance than average individual ability – how smart the individual members are. Landemore's argument aims to extrapolate from these results to the conclusion that democracy is epistemically better than any non-democratic rival. I argue here that Hong and Page's results actually undermine, rather than support, this conclusion. More specifically, I argue that the results do not show that democracy is better than any non-democratic alternative, and that in fact, they suggest the opposite – that at least some non-democratic alternatives are likely to epistemically outperform democracy.
Use of the Health Belief Model to Study Patient Perceptions of Antimicrobial Stewardship in the Acute Care Setting
Authors: Heid Cydney , Knobloch Mary Jo , Schulz Lucas T. , Safdar Nasia 
Published: January 2016

OBJECTIVETo identify themes associated with patient perceptions of antibiotic use and the role of patients in inpatient antimicrobial stewardship.DESIGNWe conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 hospitalized patients using the Health Belief Model as the framework for questions and analysis.SETTINGAn academic tertiary care hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.PARTICIPANTSA total of 30 general medicine inpatients receiving at least 1 anti-infective medication were interviewed.RESULTSParticipants recognized antibiotic resistance as a serious public health threat but expressed low perceived susceptibility to being personally affected by antibiotic resistance. Views of susceptibility were influenced by a high degree of trust in physicians and misperceptions regarding the mechanisms underlying resistance. Participants expressed high self-efficacy and a desire to be involved in their health care. Perceived roles for patients in preventing the inappropriate use of antibiotics ranged from asking questions and speaking up about concerns to active involvement in decision making regarding antibiotic treatments. Few participants reported being offered the opportunity to engage in such shared decision making while hospitalized.CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggest an important role for patients in improving antibiotic use in hospitals. However, patient engagement has not been recognized as a critical component of antimicrobial stewardship programs. Our study suggests that the likelihood of patient engagement in stewardship practices is currently limited by low perceived susceptibility and lack of cues to act. Further investigation into how patients may be engaged as good stewards of antibiotics may reveal new ways to improve antibiotic prescribing practices in the inpatient setting.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:576–582
The Role of Coated Sodium Butyrate on Performance of Broilers Fed High Protein and Reduced Energy Diets
Authors: M'Sadeq S.A. , Swick R.A. , Choct M. , Wu S-B 
Published: January 2016

SummaryAddition of butyrate or its salt has been reported to have a positive impact on growth performance in broilers due to its bactericidal and bacteriostatic properties. This study investigated the effect of enterically coated dietary sodium butyrate (SB) on broiler performance. In experiment 1, 408 day-old male Ross 308 chicks were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Factors were dietary energy (standard or minus 50 kcal/kg relative to standard diet) and coated SB level (0 and 1 g/kg). In experiment 2, 2160 day-old male Cobb 500 birds were used in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial plus one arrangement of treatments. Factors included grain source (corn or wheat); protein level (standard or high); coated SB level (0 and 1 g/kg) plus a treatment using 2 kg SB in a high protein wheat-based diet. The results from the experiments showed no effect of coated SB on performance at 1 g/kg inclusion in feed across the ME range or across basal diet type (grain) or protein level (P > 0.05). However, birds fed the high protein wheat diet with 2 g/kg SB had higher body weights than the control birds at 10 and 24 days old. Birds fed high protein diets had lower body weight gain (WG) than those fed standard protein diets (P < 0.05), whereas birds fed corn based diets had higher WG than those fed wheat based diets (P < 0.05). Birds fed high dietary protein or wheat based diet showed decreased pH of caecal contents. The results indicated that dietary coated SB had no effect on broiler performance, the concentration of caecal and ileal short chain fatty acids (SCFA) or intestinal pH. Higher inclusion levels may play a beneficial role but this warrants further investigation.
Amplitude modulation of streamwise velocity fluctuations in the roughness sublayer: evidence from large-eddy simulations
Authors: Anderson William 
Published: January 2016

Recent studies have demonstrated that large- and very-large-scale motions in the logarithmic region of turbulent boundary layers ‘amplitude modulate’ dynamics of the near-wall region (Marusicet al.,Science, vol. 329, 2010, pp. 193–196; Mathiset al.,J. Fluid Mech., vol. 628, 2009a, pp. 311–337). These contributions prompted development of a predictive model for near-wall dynamics (Mathiset al.,J. Fluid Mech., vol. 681, 2011, pp. 537–566) that has promising implications for large-eddy simulations of wall turbulence at high Reynolds numbers (owing to the presence of smaller scales as the wall is approached). Existing studies on the existence of amplitude modulation in wall-bounded turbulence have addressed smooth-wall flows, though high Reynolds number rough-wall flows are ubiquitous. Under such conditions, the production of element-scale vortices ablates the viscous wall region and a new near-wall layer emerges: the roughness sublayer. The roughness sublayer depth scales with aggregate roughness element height,$h$, and is typically$2h\sim 3h$. Above the roughness sublayer, Townsend’s hypothesis dictates that turbulence in the logarithmic layer is unaffected by the roughness sublayer (beyond its role in setting the friction velocity and thus inducing a deficit in the mean streamwise velocity known as the roughness function). Here, we present large-eddy simulation results of turbulent channel flow over rough walls. We follow the decoupling procedure outlined in Mathiset al.(J. Fluid Mech., vol. 628, 2009a, 311–337) and present evidence that outer-layer dynamics amplitude modulate the roughness sublayer. Below the roughness element height, we report enormous sensitivity to the streamwise–spanwise position at which flow statistics are measured, owing to spatial heterogeneities in the roughness sublayer imparted by roughness elements. For$y/h\gtrsim 1.5$(i.e. above the cubes, but within the roughness sublayer), topography dependence rapidly declines.