bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tail artifact removal in OCT angiography images of rodent cortex
Authors: Baran Utku , Choi Woo June , Li Yuandong , Wang Ruikang K. 
Published: September 2016

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a surging non‐invasive, label‐free, in vivo volumetric imaging method, currently being translated to clinical ophthalmology and becoming popular in neuroscience. Despite its attractiveness, there is an inherent issue of using OCT angiograms for quantitative cerebrovascular studies: The dynamic scattering of moving erythrocytes within pial vasculature creates tail‐like artifacts that shadow the capillary vessels in the deeper layers of cortex. This false flow effect is relatively benign for qualitative visualization purposes, but it might have a significant impact on quantitative interpretation of angiographic results. In this work, we propose a simple image processing method to remove these tail artifacts in depth‐resolved OCTA images using an adaptive enface mask generated with OCT structural images. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method by comparing vessel densities and vessel similarities of depth‐resolved OCT angiograms in a stroke study in a rodent model, in vivo. Thanks to the ability of seeing through the tails of pial vessels, capillary vessels beneath these vessels could be recovered to some extend in the deeper layers of mouse cerebral cortex, leading to a more accurate quantification.
Tail artifact removed enface OCT angiogram of deeper layer in vivo mouse cortex.magnified imageTail artifact removed enface OCT angiogram of deeper layer in vivo mouse cortex.
Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Analysis of Subcutaneous Tocilizumab in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis From 2 Randomized, Controlled Trials: SUMMACTA and BREVACTA
Authors: Abdallah Hisham , Hsu Joy C. , Lu Peng , Fettner Scott , Zhang Xiaoping , Douglass Wendy , Bao Min , Rowell Lucy , Burmester Gerd R. , Kivitz Alan 
Published: September 2016

AbstractTocilizumab is a humanized anti–interleukin‐6 receptor antibody for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis was performed on the 24‐week double‐blind parts of 2 randomized, controlled trials: SUMMACTA and BREVACTA. SUMMACTA compared subcutaneous tocilizumab 162 mg every week to intravenous tocilizumab 8 mg/kg every 4 weeks, whereas BREVACTA evaluated 162 mg subcutaneous tocilizumab every 2 weeks versus placebo. In addition to noncompartmental analysis, a 2‐compartment population pharmacokinetic model, with first‐order absorption (for subcutaneous) and linear and Michaelis–Menten elimination was used. Mean observed steady‐state predose tocilizumab concentrations in week 24 were 40 and 7.4 μg/mL for subcutaneous every‐week and every‐2‐week dosing, respectively, and 18 μg/mL for intravenous dosing. In the population PK model, body weight was an important covariate affecting clearance and volume of distribution. Mean ± SD population‐predicted predose concentration for patients ≥100 kg was 23.0 ± 13.5 μg/mL for subcutaneous tocilizumab every week and 1.0 ± 1.6 μg/mL for every 2 weeks. Efficacy was lowest with subcutaneous every‐2‐week dosing in patients > 100 kg, reflecting lower exposure. The subcutaneous every‐2‐week regimen is not recommended for these patients. Pharmacodynamic responses were comparable for the every‐week subcutaneous and every‐4‐week intravenous regimens and less pronounced with the every‐2‐week subcutaneous regimen. No trend was observed for increased adverse events with increasing tocilizumab exposure. The results of this analysis are consistent with the noninferiority of efficacy of the every‐week subcutaneous regimen to the every‐4‐week intravenous regimen and the superiority of the every‐2‐week subcutaneous regimen to placebo. These results support the label recommendations for subcutaneous dosing of tocilizumab in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Doing Good by Doing Well? Microfinance, Self‐Regulation and Borrowers' Over‐indebtedness in the Dominican Republic
Authors: Afonso Joana Silva , Morvant‐Roux Solène , Guérin Isabelle , Forcella Davide 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe Dominican Republic's microfinance sector is considered to be a solid market where over‐indebtedness prevention best practices are widely and successfully implemented. Relying on qualitative data collection tools and analysis, we identify these ‘best practices’ as self‐regulation mechanisms, and we show how they fail to fully fulfil their goals in the Dominican market. While financial exclusion supports the idea of a sizable microcredit market, we argue that the focus on growth and high competition strongly jeopardizes the positive social outcomes of microcredit, and that only a paradigm shift within the sector will really change the present situation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Association between three prominent climatic teleconnections and precipitation in Iran using wavelet coherence
Authors: Araghi Alireza , Mousavi‐Baygi Mohammad , Adamowski Jan , Martinez Christopher 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTLarge‐scale climatic teleconnections have noticeable effects on meteorological events in different regions of the world. In this study, the linkages between three major climatic indices, Arctic Oscillation (AO), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), and precipitation in Iran were assessed from 1960 to 2014, at 30 synoptic stations in a time‐frequency space, using wavelet coherence (WCO). The results showed that the SOI is the most effective climatic teleconnection on precipitation in Iran, although the other studied climatic indices have noticeable effects as well. The predominant and effective period of AO on precipitation was equal to or greater than 32 months at most of the stations, while the major effective period of NAO was equal to or greater than 64 months. For the SOI, most parts of the country were affected by a period of less than 64 months, while the predominant period of SOI for the northwestern part of the country was greater than 64 months. A uniform phase difference was not observed between the three studied climatic indices and precipitation in the country; instead the phase differences were usually random. For long‐term periods of SOI, an anti‐phase situation was detected at most of the stations. The study suggested that the WCO is a very powerful and flexible method for studying the relationship between multiple time series in a time–frequency space, and its application in hydrological and meteorological research is expected to increase in the near future.
A Randomized Controlled Study of Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress in Street Children in Mexico City
Authors: Shein‐Szydlo Janet , Sukhodolsky Denis G. , Kon David Szydlo , Tejeda Miguel Marin , Ramirez Esteli , Ruchkin Vladislav 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe study aimed to evaluate cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) for posttraumatic stress (PTS), depression, anxiety, and anger in street children by a randomized controlled trial of CBT versus a waitlist control. It was conducted in 8 residential facilities for street children in Mexico City, with assessments at baseline, posttreatment, and 3 months later. Children who reported at least moderate posttraumatic stress, and fulfilled the study requirement were enrolled in the study (N = 100, 12–18 years old, 36 boys). There were 51 children randomized to CBT and 49 to the waitlist condition. Randomization was stratified by gender. CBT consisted of 12 individual 1‐hour sessions administered weekly by 2 trained, master's‐level clinicians. Outcome measures included self‐reports of PTS, depression, anxiety, and anger; global improvement was assessed by the independent evaluator. Compared to participants in the waitlist condition participants in CBT showed a significant reduction in all symptoms, with effects sizes of 1.73 to 1.75. At follow up there was attrition (n = 36), and no change from posttreatment scores. The study did find statistically significant improvement in symptoms in the CBT group compared to the waitlist condition; symptoms remained stable at 3 months. The study found that CBT for trauma in a sample of street children provided a reduction of a broad range of mental health symptoms.
Circadian Contrasts in Heart Rate Variability Associated With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in a Young Adult Cohort
Authors: Rissling Michelle B. , Dennis Paul A. , Watkins Lana L. , Calhoun Patrick S. , Dennis Michelle F. , Beckham Jean C. , Hayano Junichiro , Ulmer Christi S. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractPrior research has demonstrated that individuals exposed to trauma have shown impaired autonomic function. We sought to determine if heart rate variability (HRV), a marker of impaired autonomic function, differed across periods of wake, rest, and sleep as a function of the level of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A sample of young adults (N = 209), 95 of whom met full criteria for current PTSD based on the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS; Blake et al., 1995), were evaluated for ≈ 24 hr using actigraphy and electrocardiogram. Actigraphy data were categorized as active, rest, or sleep. Multilevel modeling analyses showed that individuals with high PTSD symptom severity had lower high‐frequency HRV than individuals with low PTSD symptom severity during periods of sleep, t(1083) = 2.20, p = .028, Cohen's d = 0.12. No differences were found during periods of activity, t(1083) = 1.34, p = .499, d = 0.05, or rest, t(1083) = 1.34, p = .180, d = 0.09. Our findings extended the import of prior studies to suggest that those with elevated PTSD symptoms may have decreased parasympathetic control during sleep. Moreover, relative to periods of wake and rest, sleep may represent a state of increased vulnerability for decreased parasympathetic cardiac control. Individuals with elevated PTSD symptoms may benefit from early screening for detection of cardiovascular disease.
The Theoretical and Experimental Studies on Oxidation of Straight Chain Amino Acids in Moderately Concentrated Sulfuric Acid Medium
Authors: Bahrami Homayoon , Jaferian Gholamreza , Davari Mehdi D. , Zahedi Mansour , Moosavi‐Movahedi Ali Akbar 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTThe kinetics of the permanganic oxidation process of some straight chain amino acids in moderately concentrated sulfuric acid medium have been investigated using a spectrophotometric technique. Conclusive evidences have proven autocatalytic activity of Mn(II) for these reactions. It is determined that even and odd effects of the number carbon atom in a carbon chain are annihilated when it's the number of carbon atoms is increased more than of three in a noncatalytic oxidation pathway. Thus, rate constants belonging to glycine, l‐α‐amino‐n‐butyric acid, l‐norleucine, and l‐α‐amino‐n‐heptanoic acid satisfy Taft's equation involving the induction factor in the noncatalytic pathway, whereas l‐α‐amino‐n‐heptanoic acid has an odd number of carbon atom in its chain carbon. On the other hand, in the catalytic pathway, rate constants satisfy Taft' equation including inductive and steric factors, when rate constants belonging to amino acids with an even number of carbon atoms are separated from those with an odd number of carbon atoms. The oxidation process of amino acids in the noncatalytic pathway and those with the even number of carbon atoms in the carbon chain in the catalytic pathway speeds up by an increase in the length of chain that is accompanied with an increase in the carbon chain's electron‐donating characteristic. On the other hand, an increase in the length of the carbon chain is accompanied with more steric hindrance, which counteracts its electron‐donating character, thereby decreasing reaction rate in the catalytic pathway. Finally, amino acid–Mn(II) complexes were studied using a density functional theory method. Results obtained show that such a complex is less stable than reactants, namely it is formed in an endothermic reaction. The number and strength of hydrogen bonding belonging to amino acid is more than those of the amino acid–Mn(II) complex. Besides, it has been illustrated that natural bond orbital analysis and molecular orbital calculations satisfy the findings.
Mentoring as a career development tool: A universal resource or only for the ‘anointed’?
Authors: Thew David 
Published: September 2016

Key points
Most employers offer skill‐based training, but formal mentoring programmes are rare.
Training tends to be responsibility‐specific and organization‐centric, with fast‐tracking of stand‐out individuals.
Cross‐organizational mentoring can be more objective and multidisciplinary and support publishers’ needs for innovation.
Mentoring programmes usually focus on early careers, and there is little support for senior publishing professionals.
All professional development requires engagement from all parties – no pull without push!
Early fast‐acting treatment strategy against generalized myasthenia gravis
Authors: Utsugisawa Kimiaki , Nagane Yuriko , Akaishi Tetsuya , Suzuki Yasushi , Imai Tomihiro , Tsuda Emiko , Minami Naoya , Uzawa Akiyuki , Kawaguchi Naoki , Masuda Masayuki , Konno Shingo , Suzuki Hidekazu , Murai Hiroyuki , Aoki Masashi 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTIntroductionIn this study we sought to clarify the effects of early fast‐acting treatment (EFT) strategies on the time course for achieving the treatment target in generalized myasthenia gravis (MG).MethodsThis retrospective study of 923 consecutive MG patients analyzed 688 generalized MG patients who had received immunotherapy during the disease course. The time to first achieve minimal manifestations (MM) or better while receiving prednisolone at ≤5 mg/day for ≥6 months (MM‐or‐better‐5mg) up to 120 months after starting immunotherapy was compared between EFT and non‐EFT patients.ResultsAchievement of MM‐or‐better‐5mg was more frequent and earlier in the EFT group (P = 0.0004, Wilcoxon test; P = 0.0001, log‐rank test). Multivariate Cox regression analysis calculated a hazard ratio of 1.98 (P < 0.0001) for utilization of EFT. Dosing regimens of oral steroids in EFT produced no differences in the time course.ConclusionsEFT strategies are advantageous for early achievement of MM‐or‐better‐5mg. Muscle Nerve 55: 794–801, 2017
Contraction mode and whey protein intake affect the synthesis rate of intramuscular connective tissue
Authors: Holm Lars , Rahbek Stine Klejs , Farup Jean , Vendelbo Mikkel Holm , Vissing Kristian 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTIntroductionIn this study we investigated the impact of whey protein hydrolysate and maltodextrin (WPH) intake on intramuscular connective tissue (IMCT) protein fractional synthesis rate (FSR) after maximal shortening and lengthening contractions.MethodsTwenty young men were randomized to receive either WPH or maltodextrin [carbohydrate (CHO)] immediately after completion of unilateral shortening and lengthening knee extensions. Ring‐13C6‐phenylalanine was infused, and muscle biopsies were obtained. IMCT protein FSR was measured at 1–5, as well as 1–3 and 3–5 hours after contractions and nutrient intake.ResultsDuring the 1–3‐hour recovery, lengthening contractions resulted in a higher FSR than shortening contractions (P < 0.01), independent of supplementation type and, during the 3–5‐hour recovery, WPH had a higher FSR than CHO (P < 0.05), independent of prior contraction mode.ConclusionsThe later appearance of a stimulating effect of WPH on the IMCT FSR after strenuous muscle contractions lends support to its ability to promote recovery of the muscle connective tissue matrix after exercise. Muscle Nerve 55: 128–130, 2017
Noninvasive mapping of endothelial dysfunction in myocardial ischemia by magnetic resonance imaging using an albumin‐based contrast agent
Authors: Vandoorne Katrien , Vandsburger Moriel H. , Jacobs I. , Han Y. , Dafni Hagit , Nicolay Klaas , Strijkers Gustav J. 
Published: September 2016

Noninvasive preclinical methods for the characterization of myocardial vascular function are crucial to an understanding of the dynamics of ischemic cardiac disease. Ischemic heart disease is associated with myocardial endothelial dysfunction, resulting in leakage of plasma albumin into the extravascular space. These features can be harnessed in a novel noninvasive three‐dimensional magnetic resonance imaging method to measure fractional blood volume (fBV) and vascular permeability (permeability–surface area product, PS) using labeled albumin as a blood pool contrast agent. C57BL/6 mice were imaged before and 3 days after myocardial infarction (MI). Following the quantification of endogenous myocardial R1, the dynamics of intravenously injected albumin‐based contrast agent, extravasating from permeable myocardial blood vessels, were tracked on short‐axis magnetic resonance images of the entire heart. This study successfully discriminated between infarcted and remote regions at 3 days post‐infarct, based on a reduced fBV and increased PS in the infarcted region. These findings were confirmed using ex vivo fluorescence imaging and histology. We have demonstrated a novel method to quantify blood volume and permeability in the infarcted myocardium, providing an imaging biomarker for the assessment of endothelial dysfunction. This method has the potential to three‐dimensionally visualize subtle changes in myocardial permeability and to track endothelial function for longitudinal cardiac studies determining pathophysiological processes during infarct healing.
Decreasing food fussiness in children with obesity leads to greater weight loss in family‐based treatment
Authors: Hayes Jacqueline F. , Altman Myra , Kolko Rachel P. , Balantekin Katherine N. , Holland Jodi Cahill , Stein Richard I. , Saelens Brian E. , Welch R. Robinson , Perri Michael G. , Schechtman Kenneth B. , Epstein Leonard H. , Wilfley Denise E. 
Published: September 2016

ObjectiveFood fussiness (FF), or the frequent rejection of both familiar and unfamiliar foods, is common among children and, given its link to poor diet quality, may contribute to the onset and/or maintenance of childhood obesity. This study examined child FF in association with anthropometric variables and diet in children with overweight/obesity participating in family‐based behavioral weight loss treatment (FBT). Change in FF was assessed in relation to FBT outcome, including whether change in diet quality mediated the relation between change in FF and change in child weight.MethodsChild (N = 170; age = 9.41 ± 1.23) height and weight were measured, and parents completed FF questionnaires and three 24‐h recalls of child diet at baseline and post‐treatment. Healthy Eating Index‐2005 scores were calculated.ResultsAt baseline, child FF was related to lower vegetable intake. Average child FF decreased from start to end of FBT. Greater decreases in FF were associated with greater reductions in child body mass index and improved overall diet quality. Overall, diet quality change through FBT mediated the relation between child FF change and child body mass index change.ConclusionsChildren with high FF can benefit from FBT, and addressing FF may be important in childhood obesity treatment to maximize weight outcomes.
In utero gratification behaviour in male fetus
Authors: Rodríguez Fernández Vanesa , López Ramón y Cajal Carlos 
Published: September 2016

AbstractFetal masturbation has been described previously once in utero but only as a description of an action. Masturbation is well described in infancy and early childhood when they discover that this practice can give them pleasure. Our letter proves that it could begin in utero as a ‘gratification behaviour’. We have shown this pattern clearly by using a volumetric rendering mode study. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of solution‐dispersible hyperbranched conjugated polymer nanoparticles for Fe3+ fluorescent detection and their application in logic gate
Authors: Ding Wanchuan , Zhang Hui , Xu Jingkun , Wen Yangping , Zhang Jie , Liu Hongtao , Yao Yuanyuan , Zhang Zhouxiang 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTSolution‐dispersible hyperbranched conjugated polymer nanoparticles (FT‐HBCPNs) consist of an intrinsic crosslinked rigid skeleton structure of both 9,9‐dihexyl‐fluorene and triphenylamine repeating units, and are synthesized via the miniemulsion Suzuki polymerization, and FT‐HBCPNs for highly selective and sensitive Fe3+ fluorescent detection and their application in logic gate at molecular level are successfully developed. FT‐HBCPNs with an average particle size of 10.6 nm can disperse in common organic solvents. FT‐HBCPNs show high selectivity and sensitivity for Fe3+ over other commonly co‐existent metal ions in THF solution with a detection limit of 3.65 × 10−8 mol L−1. Furthermore, homogeneous transparent thin films of FT‐HBCPNs developed by a simple spin‐coating method can be reversibly quenched by Fe3+ with a detection limit of 3.09 × 10−7 mol L−1. Using Fe3+ and EDTA as chemical inputs and the fluorescence intensity signal as outputs, FT‐HBCPNs films can be utilized as a logic gate at molecular level. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 3694–3700
Effect of thermal annealing on the luminescence of defective ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by pulsed laser ablation in water
Authors: Camarda P. , Schneider R. , Popescu R. , Vaccaro L. , Messina F. , Buscarino G. , Agnello S. , Gelardi F. M. , Cannas M. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThis work concerns ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), with sizes of tens of nm, produced by ablation with a pulsed Nd:YAG laser of a Zn plate in H2O. TEM images evidence the formation of nanoparticles with sizes of tens of nm. Moreover, HRTEM images and Raman spectra show that the distance between the crystalline planes and the vibrational modes are consistent with ZnO nanocrystal in wurtzite structure. Their optical properties are characterized by two emission bands both excited above the energy gap (3.4 eV): the first at 3.3 eV is associated with excitons recombination, the second at 2.2 eV is proposed to originate from a singly ionized oxygen vacancy. The green emission is independent of water pH, thus suggesting that point defects lie inside NPs rather than at the surface. Thermal annealing at 300 °C in O2 and He atmosphere, produces a reduction of the A1(LO) Raman mode at 562 cm‐1, which is related to the oxygen vacancies, and a consequent decrease of the defect luminescence, while the excitonic luminescence increases. These results indicate that the ZnO emissions can be controlled by thermal annealing, and are promising in view of optoelectronic applications. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of intrinsic impurities and annealing conditions on dislocation‐related luminescence in self‐ion‐implanted Si
Authors: Korolev Dmitry , Mikhaylov Alexey , Belov Alexey , Tetelbaum David 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe influence of intrinsic impurities (boron, phosphorus) in the original CZ‐Si on the behavior of the D1 dislocation‐related luminescence line has been investigated in the samples with dislocations introduced by Si+ ion implantation upon the change of annealing ambient. It is established that, for the phosphorus‐doped samples, the D1 line does not occur at the annealing at 1100 °C in inert ambient (N2), but its intensity increases with increasing the oxygen content. For the boron‐doped samples, this line arises in the case of annealing in an inert ambient, herewith the intensity practically does not depend on the composition of the annealing ambient. At the annealing in argon ambient at 900‐1100 °C, the maximal photoluminescence intensity is achieved for annealing at 900 °C. The results are interpreted in terms of interaction between boron and point defects as radiative recombination centers located in dislocations atmospheres. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)