bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of Demographic and Clinical Factors in Cognitive Functioning of Persons with Relapsing-Remitting and Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Costa Silvana L. , DeLuca John , Sandroff Brian M. , Goverover Yael , Chiaravalloti Nancy D. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackground: Age and time post-diagnosis can significantly impact cognitive and motor functions in multiple sclerosis (MS); however, studies often fail to account for these factors when assessing differences between disease courses. Objectives: Examine differences between relapsing-remitting and progressive MS in cognition, motor function, and everyday activities, controlling for age, education, and time post-diagnosis. Methods: Twenty-one persons with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS group), 21 with progressive MS (PMS group), and 21 healthy participants (HCs), matched on age, education, and time post-diagnosis, completed tests of cognitive abilities, motor functions, and everyday functional activities. Results: The two groups with MS did not differ on cognitive performance. Poorer performance in processing speed was noted in both MS groups in comparison with the HC group. Motor function was worse for the PMS group compared with the HC and RRMS groups. The RRMS group showed poorer upper limb functioning compared to the HC group. The PMS group had more difficulty with everyday activities as compared with both the RRMS and HC group. Conclusions: When comparing differences in functioning between MS disease courses, attention should be paid to the demographic characteristics of the samples. (JINS, 2018, 24, 139–146)
The Last Days of the Song Dynasty: Evidence of the Flight of Song Officials to Southeast Asia before the Mongol Invasions
Authors: KESSLER ADAM T. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn the first part of the 13th century ce, Khubilai Khan's armies began their invasion of the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279). When they reached the Song capital Lin'anfu at Hangzhou City, Zhejiang province, at the beginning of 1276, the Song officials decided to flee south with the two Song child heirs to the throne. This article examines ancient records of the flight of the Song court with particular emphasis on the history of its famous Prime Minister Chen Yizhong. Archaeological evidence is further evaluated as it relates to Chen's exploits within China and in Southeast Asia.
Characterisation of small photon field outputs in a heterogeneous medium using X-ray voxel Monte Carlo dose calculation algorithm
Authors: Nithiyanantham Karthikeyan , Mani Ganesh K. , Raju Sambasivaselli , Velliangiri Senniandavar , Paramasivam Maniyan , Palaniappan Karrthick K. , Jain Sandeep 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAimTo characterise small photon beams using the Monte Carlo dose calculation algorithm for small field ranges in a heterogeneous medium.Materials and methodAn in-house phantom constructed with three different mediums, foam, polymethyl methacrylate and delrin resembling the densities of lung, soft tissue and bone respectively, was used in this study. Photon beam energies of 6 and 15 MV and field sizes of 8×8, 16×16, 24×24, 32×32 and 40×40 mm using X-ray voxel Monte Carlo (XVMC) algorithm using different detectors were validated. The relative output factor was measured in three different mediums having six different tissue interfaces; at the depth of 0, 1, 2 and 3 cm. The planar dose verification was undertaken using gafchromic films and considered dose at the lung and bone medium interfaces. For all the measurements, 104×104 mm was taken as the reference field size. The relative output factor for all other field sizes was taken and compared with planning system calculated values.ResultsFrom field size 16×16 mm and above, the relative output factors were analysed in bone and soft tissue medium having lung as first medium. The maximum deviations were observed as 1·8 and 1·3% for 6 MV and 2·5 and 1·1% for 15 MV photon beams for bone and soft tissue, respectively. For lung as measurement medium, the maximum deviation of 14·8 and 19·2% were observed and having bone as first medium with 8×8 mm for 6 and 15 MV photon beams, respectively. The fluence verification of dose spectrum for the lung–bone interface scenarios with smaller field sizes were found within 2% of deviation with treatment planning system (TPS).ConclusionThe accuracy of dose calculations for small field sizes in XVMC-based treatment planning algorithm was studied in different inhomogeneous mediums. It was found that the results correlated with measurement data for field size 16×16 mm and above. Noticeable deviation was observed for the smallest field size of 8×8 mm with interfaces of significant change in density. The observed results demands further analysis of work with smaller field sizes.
Improving adherence to heart failure management guidelines via abductive reasoning
Authors: CHEN ZHUO , SALAZAR ELMER , MARPLE KYLE , GUPTA GOPAL , TAMIL LAKSHMAN , CHEERAN DANIEL , DAS SANDEEP , AMIN ALPESH 
Published: August 2017

AbstractManagement of chronic diseases, such as heart failure, is a major public health problem. A standard approach to managing chronic diseases by medical community is to have a committee of experts develop guidelines that all physicians should follow. Due to their complexity, these guidelines are difficult to implement and are adopted slowly by the medical community at large. We have developed a physician advisory system that codes the entire set of clinical practice guidelines for managing heart failure using answer set programming. In this paper, we show how abductive reasoning can be deployed to find missing symptoms and conditions that the patient must exhibit in order for a treatment prescribed by a physician to work effectively. Thus, if a physician does not make an appropriate recommendation or makes a non-adherent recommendation, our system will advise the physician about symptoms and conditions that must be in effect for that recommendation to apply. It is under consideration for acceptance in TPLP.
Logic programming approaches for routing fault-free and maximally parallel wavelength-routed optical networks-on-chip (Application paper)
Authors: GAVANELLI MARCO , NONATO MADDALENA , PEANO ANDREA , BERTOZZI DAVIDE 
Published: August 2017

AbstractOne promising trend in digital system integration consists of boosting on-chip communication performance by means of silicon photonics, thus materializing the so-called Optical Networks-on-Chip. Among them, wavelength routing can be used to route a signal to destination by univocally associating a routing path to the wavelength of the optical carrier. Such wavelengths should be chosen so to minimize interferences among optical channels and to avoid routing faults. As a result, physical parameter selection of such networks requires the solution of complex constrained optimization problems. In previous work, published in the proceedings of the International Conference on Computer-Aided Design, we proposed and solved the problem of computing the maximum parallelism obtainable in the communication between any two endpoints while avoiding misrouting of optical signals. The underlying technology, only quickly mentioned in that paper, is Answer Set Programming. In this work, we detail the Answer Set Programming approach we used to solve such problem.Another important design issue is to select the wavelengths of optical carriers such that they are spread across the available spectrum, in order to reduce the likelihood that, due to imperfections in the manufacturing process, unintended routing faults arise. We show how to address such problem in Constraint Logic Programming on Finite Domains.
Poliovirus intrahost evolution is required to overcome tissue-specific innate immune responses
Authors: Xiao Yinghong , Dolan Patrick Timothy , Goldstein Elizabeth Faul , Li Min , Farkov Mikhail , Brodsky Leonid , Andino Raul 
Published: August 2017

AbstractRNA viruses, such as poliovirus, have a great evolutionary capacity, allowing them to quickly adapt and overcome challenges encountered during infection. Here we show that poliovirus infection in immune-competent mice requires adaptation to tissue-specific innate immune microenvironments. The ability of the virus to establish robust infection and virulence correlates with its evolutionary capacity. We further identify a region in the multi-functional poliovirus protein 2B as a hotspot for the accumulation of minor alleles that facilitate a more effective suppression of the interferon response. We propose that population genetic dynamics enables poliovirus spread between tissues through optimization of the genetic composition of low frequency variants, which together cooperate to circumvent tissue-specific challenges. Thus, intrahost virus evolution determines pathogenesis, allowing a dynamic regulation of viral functions required to overcome barriers to infection.
Synthetic lethality between androgen receptor signalling and the PARP pathway in prostate cancer
Authors: Asim Mohammad , Tarish Firas , Zecchini Heather I. , Sanjiv Kumar , Gelali Eleni , Massie Charles E. , Baridi Ajoeb , Warren Anne Y. , Zhao Wanfeng , Ogris Christoph , McDuffus Leigh-Anne , Mascalchi Patrice , Shaw Greg , Dev Harveer , Wadhwa Karan , Wijnhoven Paul , Forment Josep V. , Lyons Scott R. , Lynch Andy G. , O’Neill Cormac , Zecchini Vincent R. , Rennie Paul S. , Baniahmad Aria , Tavaré Simon , Mills Ian G. , Galanty Yaron , Crosetto Nicola , Schultz Niklas , Neal David , Helleday Thomas 
Published: August 2017

AbstractEmerging data demonstrate homologous recombination (HR) defects in castration-resistant prostate cancers, rendering these tumours sensitive to PARP inhibition. Here we demonstrate a direct requirement for the androgen receptor (AR) to maintain HR gene expression and HR activity in prostate cancer. We show that PARP-mediated repair pathways are upregulated in prostate cancer following androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT). Furthermore, upregulation of PARP activity is essential for the survival of prostate cancer cells and we demonstrate a synthetic lethality between ADT and PARP inhibition in vivo. Our data suggest that ADT can functionally impair HR prior to the development of castration resistance and that, this potentially could be exploited therapeutically using PARP inhibitors in combination with androgen-deprivation therapy upfront in advanced or high-risk prostate cancer.
Matrix degradability controls multicellularity of 3D cell migration
Authors: Trappmann Britta , Baker Brendon M. , Polacheck William J. , Choi Colin K. , Burdick Jason A. , Chen Christopher S. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA major challenge in tissue engineering is the development of materials that can support angiogenesis, wherein endothelial cells from existing vasculature invade the surrounding matrix to form new vascular structures. To identify material properties that impact angiogenesis, here we have developed an in vitro model whereby molded tubular channels inside a synthetic hydrogel are seeded with endothelial cells and subjected to chemokine gradients within a microfluidic device. To accomplish precision molding of hydrogels and successful integration with microfluidics, we developed a class of hydrogels that could be macromolded and micromolded with high shape and size fidelity by eliminating swelling after polymerization. Using this material, we demonstrate that matrix degradability switches three-dimensional endothelial cell invasion between two distinct modes: single-cell migration and the multicellular, strand-like invasion required for angiogenesis. The ability to incorporate these tunable hydrogels into geometrically constrained settings will enable a wide range of previously inaccessible biomedical applications.
On-chip single photon filtering and multiplexing in hybrid quantum photonic circuits
Authors: Elshaari Ali W. , Zadeh Iman Esmaeil , Fognini Andreas , Reimer Michael E. , Dalacu Dan , Poole Philip J. , Zwiller Val , Jöns Klaus D. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractQuantum light plays a pivotal role in modern science and future photonic applications. Since the advent of integrated quantum nanophotonics different material platforms based on III–V nanostructures-, colour centers-, and nonlinear waveguides as on-chip light sources have been investigated. Each platform has unique advantages and limitations; however, all implementations face major challenges with filtering of individual quantum states, scalable integration, deterministic multiplexing of selected quantum emitters, and on-chip excitation suppression. Here we overcome all of these challenges with a hybrid and scalable approach, where single III–V quantum emitters are positioned and deterministically integrated in a complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor-compatible photonic circuit. We demonstrate reconfigurable on-chip single-photon filtering and wavelength division multiplexing with a foot print one million times smaller than similar table-top approaches, while offering excitation suppression of more than 95 dB and efficient routing of single photons over a bandwidth of 40 nm. Our work marks an important step to harvest quantum optical technologies’ full potential.
SDE5, a putative RNA export protein, participates in plant innate immunity through a flagellin-dependent signaling pathway in Arabidopsis
Authors: Uddin Mohammad Nazim , Akhter Salina , Chakraborty Rupak , Baek Ji Hyeong , Cha Joon-Yung , Park Su Jung , Kang Hunseung , Kim Woe-Yeon , Lee Sang Yeol , Mackey David , Kim Min Gab 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn eukaryotes, RNA silencing, mediated by small interfering RNAs, is an evolutionarily widespread and versatile silencing mechanism that plays an important role in various biological processes. Increasing evidences suggest that various components of RNA silencing pathway are involved in plant defense machinery against microbial pathogens in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we show genetic and molecular evidence that Arabidopsis SDE5 is required to generate an effective resistance against the biotrophic bacteria Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 and for susceptibility to the necrotrophic bacteria Erwinia caratovora pv. caratovora. SDE5, encodes a putative mRNA export factor that is indispensable for transgene silencing and the production of trans-acting siRNAs. SDE5 expression is rapidly induced by exogenous application of phytohormone salicylic acid (SA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), phytopathogenic bacteria, and flagellin. We further report that SDE5 is involved in basal plant defense and mRNA export. Our genetic data suggests that SDE5 and Nonexpressor of PR Gene1 (NPR1) may contribute to the same SA-signaling pathway. However, SDE5 over-expressing transgenic plant exhibits reduced defense responsive phenotype after flagellin treatment. Taken together, these results support the conclusion that SDE5 contributes to plant innate immunity in Arabidopsis.
Circadian Clock Model Supports Molecular Link Between PER3 and Human Anxiety
Authors: Liberman Amanda R. , Kwon Soo Bin , Vu Ha T. , Filipowicz Allan , Ay Ahmet , Ingram Krista K. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractGeneralized anxiety and major depression have become increasingly common in the United States, affecting 18.6 percent of the adult population. Mood disorders can be debilitating, and are often correlated with poor general health, life dissatisfaction, and the need for disability benefits due to inability to work. Recent evidence suggests that some mood disorders have a circadian component, and disruptions in circadian rhythms may even trigger the development of these disorders. However, the molecular mechanisms of this interaction are not well understood. Polymorphisms in a circadian clock-related gene, PER3, are associated with behavioral phenotypes (extreme diurnal preference in arousal and activity) and sleep/mood disorders, including seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Here we show that two PER3 mutations, a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) allele and a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), are associated with diurnal preference and higher Trait-Anxiety scores, supporting a role for PER3 in mood modulation. In addition, we explore a potential mechanism for how PER3 influences mood by utilizing a comprehensive circadian clock model that accurately predicts the changes in circadian period evident in knock-out phenotypes and individuals with PER3-related clock disorders.
The FER rs4957796 TT genotype is associated with unfavorable 90-day survival in Caucasian patients with severe ARDS due to pneumonia
Authors: Hinz José , Büttner Benedikt , Kriesel Fabian , Steinau Maximilian , Frederik Popov Aron , Ghadimi Michael , Beissbarth Tim , Tzvetkov Mladen , Bergmann Ingo , Mansur Ashham 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA recent genome-wide association study showed that a genetic variant within the FER gene is associated with survival in patients with sepsis due to pneumonia. Because severe pneumonia is the main cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), we aimed to investigate the effect of the FER polymorphism rs4957796 on the 90-day survival in patients with ARDS due to pneumonia. An assessment of a prospectively collected cohort of 441 patients with ARDS admitted to three intensive care units at the University Medical Centre identified 274 patients with ARDS due to pneumonia. The 90-day mortality risk was recorded as the primary outcome parameter. Sepsis-related organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores and organ support-free days were used as the secondary variables. FER rs4957796 TT-homozygous patients were compared with C-allele carriers. The survival analysis revealed a higher 90-day mortality risk among T homozygotes than among C-allele carriers (p = 0.0144) exclusively in patients with severe ARDS due to pneumonia. The FER rs4957796 TT genotype remained a significant covariate for the 90-day mortality risk in the multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 4.62; 95% CI, 1.58–13.50; p = 0.0050). In conclusion, FER rs4957796 might act as a prognostic variable for survival in patients with severe ARDS due to pneumonia.
Microbial communities with distinct denitrification potential in spruce and beech soils differing in nitrate leaching
Authors: Bárta Jiří , Tahovská Karolina , Šantrůčková Hana , Oulehle Filip 
Published: August 2017

AbstractNitrogen leaching owing to elevated acid deposition remains the main ecosystem threat worldwide. We aimed to contribute to the understanding of the highly variable nitrate losses observed in Europe after acid deposition retreat. Our study proceeded in adjacent beech and spruce forests undergoing acidification recovery and differing in nitrate leaching. We reconstructed soil microbial functional characteristics connected with nitrogen and carbon cycling based on community composition. Our results showed that in the more acidic spruce soil with high carbon content, where Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria were abundant (Proteo:Acido = 1.3), the potential for nitrate reduction and loss via denitrification was high (denitrification: dissimilative nitrogen reduction to ammonium (DNRA) = 3). In the less acidic beech stand with low carbon content, but high nitrogen availability, Proteobacteria were more abundant (Proteo:Acido = 1.6). Proportionally less nitrate could be denitrified there (denitrification:DNRA = 1), possibly increasing its availability. Among 10 potential keystone species, microbes capable of DNRA were identified in the beech soil while instead denitrifiers dominated in the spruce soil. In spite of the former acid deposition impact, distinct microbial functional guilds developed under different vegetational dominance, resulting in different N immobilization potentials, possibly influencing the ecosystem’s nitrogen retention ability.
Trace metals and magnetic particles in PM2.5: Magnetic identification and its implications
Authors: Wang Jinhua , Li Shiwei , Li Huiming , Qian Xin , Li Xiaolong , Liu Xuemei , Lu Hao , Wang Cheng , Sun Yixuan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMagnetic measurement was combined with geochemical analysis to investigate the trace metal pollution of PM2.5. The study was carried out in Nanjing, China, where the average PM2.5 concentrations in summer and winter in 2013–2014 were 66.37 and 96.92 μg/m3, respectively. The dominant magnetic mineral in PM2.5 had a low-coercivity pseudo-single domain and consisted of magnetite and hematite. Iron-oxide magnetic particles comprised spherical as well as angular particles. Stable Pb isotopic ratio determinations showed that Pb in summer samples derived from coal emissions while the main sources of winter samples were smelting industry and coal emissions. The magnetic properties of the particles correlated strongly with trace metals derived from anthropogenic activities, such as industrial emission, coal combustion, and traffic vehicle activities, but poorly with those derived from natural sources. In the multiple linear regression analysis, Cr and Fe had higher correlation coefficients (training R > 0.7) in contrast to the low training R of As, Cd, Ni, Sr, and Ti (<0.5) determined using the PM2.5 concentrations and magnetic parameter values as the decision variables. Our results support the use of environmental magnetism determinations as a simple and fast method to assess trace metals in urban particulate matter.
Optical Pump Rectification Emission: Route to Terahertz Free-Standing Surface Potential Diagnostics
Authors: Peters L. , Tunesi J. , Pasquazi A. , Peccianti M. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe introduce a method for diagnosing the electric surface potential of a semiconductor based on THz surface generation. In our scheme, that we name Optical Pump Rectification Emission, a THz field is generated directly on the surface via surface optical rectification of an ultrashort pulse after which the DC surface potential is screened with a second optical pump pulse. As the THz generation directly relates to the surface potential arising from the surface states, we can then observe the temporal dynamics of the static surface field induced by the screening effect of the photo-carriers. Such an approach is potentially insensitive to bulk carrier dynamics and does not require special illumination geometries.
Reproducibility and differences in area of foveal avascular zone measured by three different optical coherence tomographic angiography instruments
Authors: Shiihara Hideki , Sakamoto Taiji , Yamashita Takehiro , Kakiuchi Naoko , Otsuka Hiroki , Terasaki Hiroto , Sonoda Shozo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis study was performed to compare the area of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ-area) obtained by three optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) instruments. This was a cross-sectional, non-interventional study of twenty-seven healthy right eyes. The superficial and deep FAZ-area was measured manually with three OCTA instruments: Triton (Topcon), RS3000 (Nidek), and CIRRUS (Zeiss). The intra-rater, inter-rater, and inter-instrument correlation coefficients (CC) were assessed. The intra-rater and inter-rater CC were significantly high for the superficial and deep FAZ-areas (P < 0.001). The inter-instrument CC (95% confidence interval) for the superficial FAZ-area was 0.920 (0.803–0.965) for Triton vs RS3000, 0.899 (0.575–0.965) for RS3000 vs CIRRUS, and was 0.963 (0.913–0.983) for CIRRUS vs Triton (P < 0.001). For the deep FAZ-area, the inter-instrument CC was 0.813 (0.633–0.910) for Triton vs RS3000, 0.694 (0.369–0.857) for RS3000 vs CIRRUS, and 0.679 (0.153–0.872) for CIRRUS vs Triton (P < 0.001). The superficial FAZ-area (mm2) was 0.264 ± 0.071 with Triton, 0.278 ± 0.072 with RS3000 and 0.257 ± 0.066 with CIRRUS. For deep FAZ-area, it was 0.617 ± 0.175 with Triton, 0.646 ± 0.178 with RS3000 and 0.719 ± 0.175 with CIRRUS. The FAZ-area from these instruments was clinically interchangeable. However, the absolute values of FAZ-area are significantly different among them. These differences must be considered in comparing the FAZ-areas from different OCTA instruments.