bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of cardiac fibrosis: a morphometric method comparison for collagen quantification
Authors: Schipke Julia , Brandenberger Christina , Rajces Alexandra , Manninger Martin , Alogna Alessio , Post Heiner , Mühlfeld Christian 
Published: January 2017

Fibrotic remodeling of the heart is a frequent condition linked to various diseases and cardiac dysfunction. Collagen quantification is an important objective in cardiac fibrosis research; however, a variety of different histological methods are currently used that may differ in accuracy. Here, frequently applied collagen quantification techniques were compared. A porcine model of early stage heart failure with preserved ejection fraction was used as an example. Semiautomated threshold analyses were imprecise, mainly due to inclusion of noncollagen structures or failure to detect certain collagen deposits. In contrast, collagen assessment by automated image analysis and light microscopy (LM)-stereology was more sensitive. Depending on the quantification method, the amount of estimated collagen varied and influenced intergroup comparisons. PicroSirius Red, Masson’s trichrome, and Azan staining protocols yielded similar results, whereas the measured collagen area increased with increasing section thickness. Whereas none of the LM-based methods showed significant differences between the groups, electron microscopy (EM)-stereology revealed a significant collagen increase between cardiomyocytes in the experimental group, but not at other localizations. In conclusion, in contrast to the staining protocol, section thickness and the quantification method being used directly influence the estimated collagen content and thus, possibly, intergroup comparisons. EM in combination with stereology is a precise and sensitive method for collagen quantification if certain prerequisites are considered. For subtle fibrotic alterations, consideration of collagen localization may be necessary. Among LM methods, LM-stereology and automated image analysis are appropriate to quantify fibrotic changes, the latter depending on careful control of algorithm and comparable section staining.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Direct comparison of frequently applied histological fibrosis assessment techniques revealed a distinct relation of measured collagen and utilized quantification method as well as section thickness. Besides electron microscopy-stereology, which was precise and sensitive, light microscopy-stereology and automated image analysis proved to be appropriate for collagen quantification. Moreover, consideration of collagen localization might be important in revealing minor fibrotic changes.
Diversity of Epiphytic Orchids and Host Trees (Phorophytes) in Secondary Forest of Coban Trisula, Malang Regency, East Java, Indonesia
Authors: Nurfadilah Siti 
Published: January 2017

Introduction: Epiphytic orchids are an integral component of forest ecosystems that contributes to a high proportion of plant diversity. Host trees are a natural habitat requirement of epiphytic orchids on which the orchids live on. The aim of this study was to investigate the diversity of epiphytic orchid and the host tree in a secondary forest of Coban Trisula (the Trisula waterfall) in a Mount Bromo area. Two line transects were used, with each line transect of 150 m x 10 m was divided into 15 plots (the size of each plot 10 m x 10 m), resulting in the total number of 30 sampling plots at the study site. Data (the species name and number of individuals of epiphytic orchid, the species name and number of individuals of host tree species, vertical distribution of the epiphytic orchids on the host tree, and environmental factors (temperature and relative humidity) were recorded in each plot.Â Â Â Â Â Results: There were 15 epiphytic orchid species, 13 genera in the secondary forest of Coban Trisula. Appendicula angustifolia was the most abundant epiphytic orchid species (Relative abundance of orchids; % Fo=52,4%), followed by Trichotosia annulata (% Fo=29,9%). There were nine host tree species on which the orchids attached. Number of host tree species of each orchid species varied, from one to five host tree species. Trichotosia annulata was an orchid that had the highest number of host tree species; 5 species). Castanopsis javanica, was a host tree on which the highest number of individual orchids attached (Ji/Jt= 589,5), followed by Engelhardia spicata (Ji/Jt=425,67). The greatest abundance of epiphytic orchids was on zone 3 and zone 4. Mean temperature was 22,2â°C, and relative humidity was 72,8 % at the site.Conclusion: Â The secondary forest of Coban Trisula had a diverse epiphytic orchid species and the host tree species. Management of orchid conservation is required to protect the diversity of orchids and the host tree species in the secondary forest in Coban Trisula from the potential human disturbances as Coban Trisula is one of tourist destinations.Â Key words: diversity, epiphytic orchid, host tree, secondary forest, Coban TrisulaÂ
Pace Yourself: Intraindividual Variability in Context Use Revealed by Self-paced Event-related Brain Potentials
Authors: Payne Brennan R. , Federmeier Kara D. 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
Event-related brain potentials (ERPs) have revealed multiple mechanisms by which contextual constraints impact language processing. At the same time, little work has examined the trial-to-trial dynamics of context use in the brain. In the current study, we probed intraindividual variability in behavioral and neural indices of context processing during reading. In a concurrent self-paced reading and ERP paradigm, participants read sentences that were either strongly or weakly constraining completed with an expected or unexpected target word. Our findings revealed substantial within-subject variability in behavioral and neural responses to contextual constraints. First, context-based amplitude reductions of the N400, a component linked to semantic memory access, were largest among trials eliciting the slowest RTs. Second, the RT distribution of unexpected words in strongly constraining contexts was positively skewed, reflecting an increased proportion of very slow RTs to trials that violated semantic predictions. Among those prediction-violating trials eliciting faster RTs, a late sustained anterior positivity was observed. However, among trials producing the differentially slowed RTs to prediction violations, we observed a markedly earlier effect of constraint in the form of an anterior N2, a component linked to conflict resolution and the cognitive control of behavior. The current study provides the first neurophysiological evidence for the direct role of cognitive control functions in the volitional control of reading. Collectively, our findings suggest that context use varies substantially within individual participants and that coregistering behavioral and neural indices of online sentence processing offers a window into these single-item dynamics.
Neural Oscillations and a Nascent Corticohippocampal Theory of Reference
Authors: Nieuwland Mante S. , Martin Andrea E. 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
The ability to use words to refer to the world is vital to the communicative power of human language. In particular, the anaphoric use of words to refer to previously mentioned concepts (antecedents) allows dialogue to be coherent and meaningful. Psycholinguistic theory posits that anaphor comprehension involves reactivating a memory representation of the antecedent. Whereas this implies the involvement of recognition memory or the mnemonic subroutines by which people distinguish old from new, the neural processes for reference resolution are largely unknown. Here, we report time–frequency analysis of four EEG experiments to reveal the increased coupling of functional neural systems associated with referentially coherent expressions compared with referentially problematic expressions. Despite varying in modality, language, and type of referential expression, all experiments showed larger gamma-band power for referentially coherent expressions compared with referentially problematic expressions. Beamformer analysis in high-density Experiment 4 localized the gamma-band increase to posterior parietal cortex around 400–600 msec after anaphor onset and to frontotemporal cortex around 500–1000 msec. We argue that the observed gamma-band power increases reflect successful referential binding and resolution, which links incoming information to antecedents through an interaction between the brain's recognition memory networks and frontotemporal language network. We integrate these findings with previous results from patient and neuroimaging studies, and we outline a nascent corticohippocampal theory of reference.
Individual Differences in Rhythm Skills: Links with Neural Consistency and Linguistic Ability
Authors: Tierney Adam , White-Schwoch Travis , MacLean Jessica , Kraus Nina 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
Durational patterns provide cues to linguistic structure, thus so variations in rhythm skills may have consequences for language development. Understanding individual differences in rhythm skills, therefore, could help explain variability in language abilities across the population. We investigated the neural foundations of rhythmic proficiency and its relation to language skills in young adults. We hypothesized that rhythmic abilities can be characterized by at least two constructs, which are tied to independent language abilities and neural profiles. Specifically, we hypothesized that rhythm skills that require integration of information across time rely upon the consistency of slow, low-frequency auditory processing, which we measured using the evoked cortical response. On the other hand, we hypothesized that rhythm skills that require fine temporal precision rely upon the consistency of fast, higher-frequency auditory processing, which we measured using the frequency-following response. Performance on rhythm tests aligned with two constructs: rhythm sequencing and synchronization. Rhythm sequencing and synchronization were linked to the consistency of slow cortical and fast frequency-following responses, respectively. Furthermore, whereas rhythm sequencing ability was linked to verbal memory and reading, synchronization ability was linked only to nonverbal auditory temporal processing. Thus, rhythm perception at different time scales reflects distinct abilities, which rely on distinct auditory neural resources. In young adults, slow rhythmic processing makes the more extensive contribution to language skills.
Effects of Cross-modal Asynchrony on Informational Masking in Human Cortex
Authors: Hausfeld Lars , Gutschalk Alexander , Formisano Elia , Riecke Lars 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIn many everyday listening situations, an otherwise audible sound may go unnoticed amid multiple other sounds. This auditory phenomenon, called informational masking (IM), is sensitive to visual input and involves early (50–250 msec) activity in the auditory cortex (the so-called awareness-related negativity). It is still unclear whether and how the timing of visual input influences the neural correlates of IM in auditory cortex. To address this question, we obtained simultaneous behavioral and neural measures of IM from human listeners in the presence of a visual input stream and varied the asynchrony between the visual stream and the rhythmic auditory target stream (in-phase, antiphase, or random). Results show effects of cross-modal asynchrony on both target detectability (RT and sensitivity) and the awareness-related negativity measured with EEG, which were driven primarily by antiphasic audiovisual stimuli. The neural effect was limited to the interval shortly before listeners' behavioral report of the target. Our results indicate that the relative timing of visual input can influence the IM of a target sound in the human auditory cortex. They further show that this audiovisual influence occurs early during the perceptual buildup of the target sound. In summary, these findings provide novel insights into the interaction of IM and multisensory interaction in the human brain.
Dopamine Selectively Modulates the Outcome of Learning Unnatural Action–Valence Associations
Authors: Van Wouwe Nelleke C. , Claassen Daniel O. , Neimat Joseph S. , Kanoff Kristen E. , Wylie Scott A. 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
Learning the contingencies between stimulus, action, and outcomes is disrupted in disorders associated with altered dopamine (DA) function in the BG, such as Parkinson disease (PD). Although the role of DA in learning to act has been extensively investigated in PD, the role of DA in “learning to withhold” (or inhibit) action to influence outcomes is not as well understood. The current study investigated the role of DA in learning to act or to withhold action to receive rewarding, or avoid punishing outcomes, in patients with PD tested “off” and “on” dopaminergic medication (n = 19) versus healthy controls (n = 30). Participants performed a reward-based learning task that orthogonalized action and outcome valence (action–reward, inaction–reward, action–punishment, inaction–punishment). We tested whether DA would bias learning toward action, toward reward, or to particular action–outcome interactions. All participants demonstrated inherent learning biases preferring action with reward and inaction to avoid punishment, and this was unaffected by medication. Instead, DA produced a complex modulation of learning less natural action–outcome associations. “Off” DA medication, patients demonstrated impairments in learning to withhold action to gain reward, suggesting a difficulty to overcome a bias toward associating inaction with punishment avoidance. On DA medication, these patterns changed, and patients showed a reduced ability to learn to act to avoid punishment, indicating a bias toward action and reward. The current findings suggest that DA in PD has a complex influence on the formation of action–outcome associations, particularly those involving less natural linkages between action and outcome valence.
Case Study of Potential Vorticity Tower in Three Explosive Cyclones over Eastern Asia
Authors: Pang Huaji , Fu Gang 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThree cases of explosively developing extratropical cyclones over eastern Asia are analyzed using ERA-Interim data. The morphological characteristics of the upper-tropospheric potential vorticity (PV) were examined. The common feature of all of these three cases is a hook-shaped high-PV streamer wrapping counterclockwise around the center of surface cyclones on the southern and eastern sides and an arch-shaped low-PV tongue that wrapped the high-PV hook head from the north. The hook-shaped high-PV tongue overlaps with the maximum centers of both the relative vorticity and static stability parameter, indicating the stratospheric nature of the PV source inside the hook-shaped high-PV tongue.The analysis indicates that there existed a deep tower of high PV above the surface cyclone at the time when these cyclones underwent explosive cyclogenesis. The high PV in the upper troposphere originates from the polar stratospheric PV reservoir associated with the tropopause-folding process. The high PV in the lower troposphere, however, is associated with the latent heat release, as nearly 70%–90% of the high-PV values in the lower troposphere reside in the region where the rainfall is the heaviest.
Parameters of Cloud Ice Particles Retrieved from Radar Data
Authors: Melnikov Valery 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe mean axis ratio (length/width) and the degree of orientation of cloud ice particles are retrieved from radar differential reflectivity (ZDR) and the copolar correlation coefficient (ρhv) measured with the S-band WSR-88D radar. Hardware differential phases and amplifications in the polarimetric channels affect measured ZDR and ρhv and are taken into consideration in the retrieval procedure. The retrieval is performed for particles in shapes of hexagonal prisms, which are closer to shapes of real cloud particles than frequently used spheroids. The median retrieved axis ratio for prisms is larger than that for spheroids. The statistical 1σ retrieval errors caused by fluctuations of radar returns are about 40% in areas of signal-to-noise ratios stronger than 10 dB. The values of the degree of orientation lie in an interval from 2° to 23°, which points to significant perturbations in the orientations of ice particles most likely caused by the wind field.
Estimates of Smoking before and during Pregnancy, and Smoking Cessation during Pregnancy: Comparing Two Population-Based Data Sources
Authors: Tong Van T. , Dietz Patricia M. , Farr Sherry L. , D'Angelo Denise V. , England Lucinda J. 
Published: January 2017

Objectives. We compared three measures of maternal smoking status—prepregnancy, during pregnancy, and smoking cessation during pregnancy—between the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) questionnaire and the 2003 revised birth certificate (BC). Methods. We analyzed data from 10,485 women with live births in eight states from the 2008 PRAMS survey, a confidential, anonymous survey administered in the postpartum period that is linked to select BC variables. We calculated self-reported prepregnancy and prenatal smoking (last trimester only) prevalence based on the BC, the PRAMS survey, and the two data sources combined, and the percentage of smoking cessation during pregnancy based on the BC and PRAMS survey. We used two-sided t-tests to compare BC and PRAMS estimates. Results. Prepregnancy smoking prevalence estimates were 17.3% from the BC, 24.4% from PRAMS, and 25.4% on one or both data sources. Prenatal smoking prevalence estimates were 11.3% from the BC, 14.0% from PRAMS, and 15.2% on one or both data sources. The percentages of prepregnancy smokers who indicated that they quit smoking by the last trimester were 35.1% from the BC and 42.6% from PRAMS. The PRAMS estimates of prepregnancy and prenatal smoking, and smoking cessation during pregnancy were statistically higher than the corresponding BC estimates (t-tests, p<0.05). Conclusions. PRAMS captured more women who smoked before and during the last trimester than the revised BC. States implementing PRAMS and the revised BC should consider information from both sources when developing population-based estimates of smoking before pregnancy and during the last trimester of pregnancy.
Correlation between Aerial Insecticide Spraying to Interrupt West Nile Virus Transmission and Emergency Department Visits in Sacramento County, California
Authors: Geraghty Estella M. , Margolis Helene G. , Kjemtrup Anne , Reisen William , Franks Peter 
Published: January 2017

Objectives. Insecticides reduce vector-borne pathogen transmission but also pose health risks. In August 2005, Sacramento County, California, underwent emergency aerial ultralow-volume (ULV) application of pyrethrin insecticide to reduce the population of West Nile virus (WNV)-infected mosquitoes and thereby interrupt enzootic and tangential transmission. We assessed the association between aerially applied pyrethrin insecticide and patterns of emergency department (ED) visit diagnoses. Methods. We used geographic information systems software to determine ZIP Code-level exposure to pyrethrin. We used logistic regression models to examine the relationship between exposure status and three-digit International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes (785 in total) for all ED visits ( n=253,648) within Sacramento County in 2005 and for specific diagnostic clusters (e.g., respiratory, gastrointestinal, skin, eye, and neurologic). All models were adjusted for age, gender, race/ethnicity (individual level), median income, ozone, and temperature (ZIP Code level). Results. Exposure to aerially applied insecticide was not associated with clusters of respiratory, gastrointestinal, skin, eye, and neurologic complaints in adjusted models but was inversely associated with ICD-9-CM code 799 (“other ill-defined morbidity and mortality”), with adjusted odds ratios (AORs) ranging from 0.31 to 0.36 for 0–3 lag days (95% confidence interval 0.17, 0.68). Spraying was also directly associated with ICD-9-CM code 553 (“other abdominal hernia”), with AORs ranging from 2.34 to 2.96 for 2–3 lag days. Conclusions. The observed significant ICD-9-CM code associations likely represented chance findings. Aerial ULV pyrethrin applications were not associated with ED visits for specific diagnoses or clusters of diagnoses.
Hearing results with clothespin ossiculoplasty: Preliminary report on the Kraus Modified Schuring Ossicle‐Cup Prosthesis (Clothespin Prosthesis)
Authors: Kraus Eric M. 
Published: January 2017

The clothespin partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) is designed to Increase Joint stability during incus replacement ossiculoplasty. Fundamental modifications have been made in the Schuring ossicle‐cup, which include a forked well, increased well wall thickness and length, and a flexible tip disk added to the shaft. The forked well functions like a straight clothespin rather than an inverted cup. The forked well enables the clothespin prothesis to slide down over the stapes superstructure, between the facial nerve canal and the promontory, to form a stable, mortise‐and‐tenon prosthesis‐stapedial joint. Joint stability is enhanced because the inferior tine of the forked well is able to lever against the inferior surface of the stapes superstructure, creating a counterforce to gravity. This is in contrast to the more unstable ball‐and‐socket joint created by most partial ossicular replacement prostheses when they articulate with the stapes capitulum. The addition of a flexible disk to the shaft tip produces a tight, stable union between the prosthesis and the ossicular cap by increasing resistance at the shaft‐ossicle interface. Fluoroplastic composition maximizes Intraoperative versatility and reliability while the ossicle cap minimizes extrusions. One‐year hearing results for twelve chronic ear patients with mobile stapes undergoing clothespin ossiculoplasty during intact canal wall tympanomastoidectomy revealed postoperative air‐bone gaps within 20 dB in 92% of cases. The mean postoperative air‐bone gap was 8.9 dB, and the mean Improvement in air‐bone gap was 14.4 dB. These results are attributable to greater prosthesis stability provided by the time‐tested mortise‐and‐tenon joint concept rather than a ball‐and‐socket joint in a reconstructive situation in which stability is critical.