bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of formic acid and potassium diformate on the fermentation quality, chemical composition and aerobic stability of alfalfa silage
Authors: Yuan X. , Wen A. , Dong Z. , Desta S. T. , Shao T. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of potassium diformate (KDF) as a potential additive for alfalfa silage. Fresh alfalfa was untreated or treated with formic acid (4 g/kg fresh weight, FW) or three concentrations of KDF (4, 5.5 or 7 g/kg FW). After 60 days of ensiling, the addition of formic acid and greater levels of KDF (5.5 and 7 g/kg) effectively reduced silage pH and inhibited the undesirable bacteria, indicated by lower butyric acid, ethanol, ammonia N concentrations and microbial populations (including enterobacteria, yeasts, moulds and clostridia). Additives decreased the dry‐matter loss, and more water‐soluble carbohydrates were preserved in the silages with formic acid or potassium diformate than in the control. Alfalfa silages treated with formic acid at 4 g/kg FW or potassium diformate at 5.5 or 7 g/kg FW were classified as the highest quality silage based on the higher Flieg's point (above 70) and remained stable for more than 9 days during aerobic exposure. Potassium diformate is recommended as an effective additive for alfalfa silages at a level of 5.5 or 7 g/kg FW under the humid and hot conditions of southern China.
Measurement of Blood Flow Velocity in the Middle Cerebral Artery During Spontaneous Migraine Attacks: A Systematic Review
Authors: Shayestagul Nisar A. , Christensen Casper E. , Amin Faisal Mohammad , Ashina Sait , Ashina Messoud 
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveTo assess the evidence for blood flow velocity changes in the middle cerebral artery during and outside of spontaneous migraine attacks.MethodsA systematic literature search on PubMed was performed and reference lists of assessed articles to identify studies on spontaneous migraine attacks that used transcranial Doppler on the middle cerebral artery with comparisons to interictal measurements were reviewed. Studies on non‐spontaneous attacks and intervention studies were excluded.ResultsA total of 17 original articles reporting blood flow velocity values in the middle cerebral artery using transcranial Doppler in migraine patients both with and without aura were identified. A total of 24 subgroups (ie, migraine patients without aura = 11, migraine patients with aura = 9, and mixed = 4) of migraine patients were investigated during and outside spontaneous migraine attacks in the 17 studies. No change was reported in 15 subgroups (63%), while decreased blood flow velocity was found in 8 subgroups (33%) and increased blood flow velocity was found in one study (4%). Exploratory analysis revealed that studies showing decreased blood flow velocity were carried out earlier after onset of attack (mean time, 4.1 h) compared with those showing no change (mean time, 6.0 h).ConclusionsOverall, spontaneous migraine attacks are not accompanied by blood flow velocity changes in the middle cerebral artery. However, explorative analyses on the time from attack onset to examination revealed side‐specific attack‐related decrease in blood flow velocity in the early, but not late phases. This is the first systematic review focusing on the flow changes in the middle cerebral artery of spontaneous migraine attacks. Future studies should focus on the early blood flow velocity changes in migraine attacks.
Influence of early mineral deposits of silicate‐ and aluminate‐based cements on push‐out bond strength to root dentine
Authors: do Carmo S. S. , Néspoli F. F. P. , Bachmann L. , Miranda C. E. S. , Castro‐Raucci L. M. S. , Oliveira I. R. , Raucci‐Neto W. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAimTo evaluate mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Biodentine and several formulations of calcium aluminate cements (CACb) in terms of their ability to release calcium ions (Ca2+) and form apatite‐like precipitates after short‐term immersion in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) and its influence on the bond strength to the root‐end cavity.MethodologyTen samples of MTA, Biodentine, CACb and calcium‐enriched aluminate cement (CACb+) were placed in contact with PBS or deionized water for 14 days. The cement surfaces were analysed using SEM, EDS‐X and FTIR. Eighty standardized root‐end cavities filled with the cements (ten samples of each cement) were immersed in PBS or deionized water for 14 days, and the bond strengths were measured. Data from the push‐out test were analysed using two‐way ANOVA and Tukey's tests (α = 0.05).ResultsA gradual decrease was observed in Ca2+ concentrations and pH of all solutions. FTIR bands of different phases of hydroxyapatite were identified. Crystalline formation was observed on the surface of all cements after immersion in PBS. No significant difference was observed in the bond strength of the test materials (P > 0.05); however, all cements without contact with the solution revealed significantly lower bond strength values than those in contact with the solution (P < 0.05).ConclusionMTA, Biodentine, CACb e CACb+ were associated with precipitation of crystals after being in contact with PBS for 14 days, indicated by different phases of hydroxyapatite crystalline formation, which also increased dislodgment resistance of the material from root‐end cavities. The CACb+ had similar bond strengths and precipitation of crystals to existing materials.
Eleven‐year trends of inpatient pacemaker implantation in patients diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome
Authors: Guha Avirup , Xiang Xiao , Haddad Devin , Buck Benjamin , Gao Xu , Dunleavy Michael , Liu Ellen , Patel Dilesh , Fedorov Vadim V. , Daoud Emile G. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundPacemakers (PM) are used for managing sick sinus syndrome (SSS). This study evaluates predictors and trends of PM implantation for SSS.MethodsPatients were identified from the National Inpatient Sample dataset (2003–2013). Included patients were ≥18 years old, had a diagnosis of sinus node dysfunction and atrial arrhythmia (i.e., SSS). Patients who died, transferred out, who had prior device, or had a defibrillator or resynchronization therapy device implanted were excluded. Included patients were then stratified by if a PM was implanted. Data regarding SSS, trends of PM utilization, and multivariable models of factors associated with PM implantation are presented.ResultsNote that 328,670 patients satisfied study criteria. This study compared patients who underwent (87.4%) PM implantation to those who did not undergo (12.6%) PM implantation. The annual trends for hospitalization with SSS and PM placement have been decreasing (P <0.001). Variables associated with lower likelihood for PM implantation include young age, female sex, non‐Caucasian race, chronic heart failure, Charlson Comorbidity Score ≥1, emergency room and weekend admission, hospital stay ≤3 days, and high cardiology inpatient volume. Greater likelihood for PM implantation was associated with hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and hospitals that were either private, large, Northeastern location, or with high cardiac procedural volume.ConclusionsAnalyzing 11‐year data from a national inpatient database demonstrate a number of relevant variables that impact PM utilization that include not only clinical but also nonclinical variables such as socioeconomic status, gender, and hospital features. Racial and gender bias toward PM implantation are unchanged and persist through 2013.
Impact on patient management of the implementation of a magnetic resonance imaging dedicated to neurological emergencies
Authors: Girot Marie , Marc Jean‐Baptiste , Wiel Eric , Vilhelm Christian , Leclerc Xavier , Lenne Xavier , Hubert Hervé 
Published: May 2017

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesNeurological emergencies consumed a high amount of resources in emergency department (ED). We aimed to study the effect of the implementation of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) dedicated to emergencies on the management of patients admitted in ED for neurological emergencies.MethodsWe enrolled consecutive patients who underwent computed tomography and/or MRI for neurological disorders categorized as the suspicion of stroke and other reasons, over 2 periods that differed according to the priority access to computed tomography in the first period versus priority access to MRI in the second one. Criteria used to evaluate the effectiveness of the management were door‐to‐imaging time, ED length of stay, diagnostic performance, patient orientation, and length of hospitalization stay.ResultsWhen priority access to MRI, the door‐to‐imaging time was 31 minutes longer (P = .005) for patients suspected of stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and 70 minutes for the others (P < .001). The ED length of stay was 42 minutes shorter (P = .013) for stroke/TIA patients and 26 minutes longer (P = .029) for other patients. The proportion of patients with stroke mimics (no stroke amongst suspected stroke/TIA) increased (16.7% vs 25.6%, P = .017) as well as discharged patients (21.6% vs 29.6%, P = .002). The proportion of patients with stroke/TIA amongst other reasons of admission remained unchanged (P = .114). The median length of hospitalization stay decreased from 9 to 7 days for the stroke/TIA patients (P = .042).ConclusionsThe implementation of a MRI optimized the quality of care and diagnostic accuracy for patients admitted in ED with a better identification of stroke mimics, avoiding unnecessarily hospitalizations. The management of stroke‐TIA patients was not modified, but their length of hospital stay reduced.
Lessons Learned from a Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of Rare Earth Permanent Magnets
Authors: Wulf Christina , Zapp Petra , Schreiber Andrea , Marx Josefine , Schlör Holger 
Published: May 2017

SummaryIn order to address methodological challenges during life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA), this article combines the results of a life cycle assessment (LCA), a life cycle costing, and a social LCA using the example of a complex product: a rare earth permanent magnet for use in wind turbines. The article presents different approaches for combining the results of separate assessments with its attendant methodological challenges. Different normalization, aggregation methods, and weighing factors are applied and their impacts on the results are compared. The underlying case study makes an evaluation of these different methodologies more concrete. Results show that the normalization method applied has a greater influence on the overall results than the aggregation method or weighting factors. Additionally, this study shows that indifference thresholds should be applied to avoid overestimation of small impacts. Indifference thresholds ensure that impact categories with nearly the same results for all analyzed options are treated as identical results. The study also indicates the importance of the question of how much compensation between impacts is desirable. Despite the impact of these factors, the chosen case study of an LCSA for permanent magnets with different supply routes for rare earths shows that the ranking of Chinese production is the most problematic irrespective of the approaches applied.
Correlative light and electron microscopy reveals discrepancy between gold and fluorescence labelling
Authors: VAN ELSLAND D.M. , BOS E. , PAWLAK J.B. , OVERKLEEFT H.S. , KOSTER A.J. , VAN KASTEREN S.I. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryElectron microscopy (EM) is traditionally employed as a follow‐up to fluorescence microscopy (FM) to resolve the cellular ultrastructures wherein fluorescently labelled biomolecules reside. In order to translate the information derived from FM studies to EM analysis, biomolecules of interest must be identified in a manner compatible with EM. Although fluorescent signals can serve this purpose when FM is combined with EM in correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM), the traditional immunogold labelling remains commonly used in this context. In order to investigate how much these two strategies relate, we have directly compared the subcellular localization of on‐section fluorescence labelling with on‐section immunogold labelling. In addition to antibody labelling of LAMP‐1, bioorthogonal click labelling was used to localize soluble cysteine cathepsins or membrane‐associated sialylated glycans. We reveal and characterize the existence of inherent discrepancies between the fluorescence signal and the distribution of gold particles in particular in the case of membrane‐associated antigens.
How long do centenarians survive? Life expectancy and maximum lifespan
Authors: Modig K. , Andersson T. , Vaupel J. , Rau R. , Ahlbom A. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to explore the pattern of mortality above the age of 100 years. In particular, we aimed to examine whether Scandinavian data support the theory that mortality reaches a plateau at particularly old ages. Whether the maximum length of life increases with time was also investigated.MethodsThe analyses were based on individual level data on all Swedish and Danish centenarians born from 1870 to 1901; in total 3006 men and 10 963 women were included. Birth cohort‐specific probabilities of dying were calculated. Exact ages were used for calculations of maximum length of life. Whether maximum age changed over time was analysed taking into account increases in cohort size.ResultsThe results confirm that there has not been any improvement in mortality amongst centenarians in the past 30 years and that the current rise in life expectancy is driven by reductions in mortality below the age of 100 years. The death risks seem to reach a plateau of around 50% at the age 103 years for men and 107 years for women. Despite the rising life expectancy, the maximum age does not appear to increase, in particular after accounting for the increasing number of individuals of advanced age.ConclusionMortality amongst centenarians is not changing despite improvements at younger ages. An extension of the maximum lifespan and a sizeable extension of life expectancy both require reductions in mortality above the age of 100 years.
Analytic Prioritization of Indoor Routes for Search and Rescue Operations in Hazardous Environments
Authors: Zverovich V. , Mahdjoubi L. , Boguslawski P. , Fadli F. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractApplications to prioritize indoor routes for emergency situations in a complex built facility have been restricted to building simulations and network approaches. These types of applications often failed to account for the complexity and trade‐offs needed to select the optimal indoor path during an emergency situation. In this article, we propose a step change for finding the optimal routes for Search And Rescue (SAR) teams in a building, where a multi‐epicenter extreme event is occurring. We have developed an algorithm that is based on a novel approach integrating the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), statistical characteristics, the propagation of hazard, Duckham–Kulik's adapted algorithm, Dijkstra's classical algorithm, and the binary search with three criteria: hazard proximity, distance/travel time, and route complexity. The sub‐criteria for the route complexity are validated in the context of SAR using a real‐life building (Doha World Trade Centre). The important feature of the algorithm is its ability to generate an optimal route depending on user's needs. The findings revealed that the generated optimal routes are indeed the “best” trade‐off among distance/travel time, hazard proximity, and route complexity. The test results also demonstrated the robustness of the algorithm with respect to different parameters, and its insensitivity to different scenarios of uncontrolled evacuation.
Alternative pathways for Escherichia coli biofilm formation revealed by sRNA overproduction
Authors: Parker Ashley , Cureoglu Suanur , De Lay Nicholas , Majdalani Nadim , Gottesman Susan 
Published: May 2017

SummarySmall regulatory RNAs have major roles in many regulatory circuits in Escherichia coli and other bacteria, including the transition from planktonic to biofilm growth. We tested Hfq‐dependent sRNAs in E. coli for their ability, when overproduced, to inhibit or stimulate biofilm formation, in two different growth media. We identify two mutually exclusive pathways for biofilm formation. In LB, PgaA, encoding an adhesion export protein, played a critical role; biofilm was independent of the general stress factor RpoS or CsgD, regulator of curli and other biofilm genes. The PgaA‐dependent pathway was stimulated upon overproduction of DsrA, via negative regulation of H‐NS, or of GadY, likely by titration of CsrA. In yeast extract casamino acids (YESCA) media, biofilm was dependent on RpoS and CsgD, but independent of PgaA; RpoS appears to indirectly negatively regulate the PgaA‐dependent pathway in YESCA medium. Deletions of most sRNAs had very little effect on biofilm, although deletion of hfq, encoding an RNA chaperone, was defective in both LB and YESCA. Deletion of ArcZ, a small RNA activator of RpoS, decreased biofilm in YESCA; only a portion of this defect could be bypassed by overproduction of RpoS. Overall, sRNAs highlight different pathways to biofilm formation.
Thousands of BEERs: Take your pick
Authors: Adler Konrad , Grisse Christian 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis paper explores the robustness of behavioral equilibrium exchange rate (BEER) models. We highlight the importance of model uncertainty, and employ real exchange rates computed from price‐level data to explore robustness to the inclusion of country fixed effects. The estimated coefficients—and therefore also the implied equilibrium values—are sensitive to the combination of variables included in the model, and to the inclusion of fixed effects. We identify several variables that exhibit a robust link with real exchange rates across specifications. Our findings can help policymakers in understanding the uncertainty associated with estimates of equilibrium exchange rates.
Impact of cytomegalovirus DNAemia on overall and non‐relapse mortality in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients
Authors: Solano Carlos , Giménez Estela , Piñana José Luis , Albert Eliseo , Vinuesa Víctor , Hernández‐Boluda Juan Carlos , Amat Paula , Navarro David 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundWe conducted a retrospective single‐center study to investigate the potential impact of cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNAemia on mortality in allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo‐SCT) recipients.MethodsA total of 151 consecutive patients who underwent T‐cell replete allo‐SCT were included in the study. Patients with CMV DNAemia were treated preemptively with antivirals upon detection of plasma CMV DNA loads >1500 IU/mL.ResultsAt least one episode of CMV DNAemia occurred in 109 (72.2%) patients, and 67 of these patients (61.5%) required one or more courses of antiviral therapy. The cumulative incidence of 1‐year overall and non‐relapse mortality (NRM) was 28.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 18.4%‐39.5%) and 23.2% (95% CI 12.81%‐35.4%), respectively. The occurrence of either CMV DNAemia or CMV recurrences had no apparent effect on 1‐year overall mortality and NRM; nevertheless, a trend towards an increased risk of death was seen in patients with one or more episodes of CMV DNAemia requiring antiviral therapy (hazard ratio [HR], 2.10; 95% CI, 0.96‐4.61; P=.06 for overall mortality, and HR, 2.36; 95% CI, 0.96‐5.76; P=.06 for NRM) but not in those displaying one or more self‐resolving episodes.ConclusionTherefore, the data suggest that withholding preemptive antiviral therapy until the plasma CMV DNA load reaches 1500 IU/mL has no apparent detrimental effect on patient survival.
Human Neutrophil Lipocalin in Activated Whole Blood Is a Specific and Rapid Diagnostic Biomarker of Bacterial Infections in the Respiratory Tract
Authors: Venge Per , Eriksson Ann-Katrin , Douhan-Håkansson Lena , Pauksen Karlis 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT

The distinction between bacterial and viral causes of infections of the respiratory tract is a major but important clinical challenge. We investigated the diagnostic performance of human neutrophil lipocalin (HNL) in respiratory tract infections compared to those of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT). Patients were recruited from the emergency department and from a primary care unit (
n
= 162). The clinical diagnosis with regard to bacterial or viral cause of infection was complemented with objective microbiological/serological testing. HNL was measured in whole blood after preactivation with the neutrophil activator formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine (fMLP) (B-HNL), and CRP and PCT were measured in plasma. Head-to-head comparisons of the three biomarkers showed that B-HNL was a superior diagnostic means to distinguish between causes of infections, with areas under the concentration-time curve (AUCs) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for HNL of 0.91 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83 to 0.96) and 0.92 (95% CI, 0.82 to 0.97) for all respiratory infections and for upper respiratory infections, respectively, compared to 0.72 (95% CI, 0.63 to 0.80) and 0.68 (95% CI, 0.56 to 0.79) for CRP, respectively (
P
= 0.001). In relation to major clinical symptoms of respiratory tract infections (cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, and signs of sinusitis), AUCs varied between 0.88 and 0.93 in those patients with likely etiology (i.e., etiology is likely determined) of infection, compared to 0.63 and 0.71 for CRP, respectively, and nonsignificant AUCs for PCT. The diagnostic performance of B-HNL is superior to that of plasma CRP (P-CRP) and plasma PCT (P-PCT) in respiratory tract infections, and the activity specifically reflects bacterial challenge in the body. The rapid and accurate analysis of HNL by point-of-care technologies should be a major advancement in the diagnosis and management of respiratory infections with respect to antibiotic treatment.