bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A fast, low‐cost and efficient method for the diagnosis of sperm DNA fragmentation in several species
Authors: Rui BR , Angrimani DSR , Bicudo LC , Losano JDA , Nichi M , Pereira RJG 
Published: October 2017

ContentsSperm DNA fragmentation is a condition that interferes directly in the reproductive efficiency. Currently, there are several methods for assessing the sperm DNA integrity, such as Alkaline Comet, TUNEL and Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay. However, many of these techniques are laborious and require high‐precision equipment. Thus, the development of new techniques can optimize the evaluation of sperm DNA damage. Therefore, the aim of this study was to standardize the toluidine blue (TB) stain technique for the analysis of DNA fragmentation of dog, cat, bull, stallion and ram spermatozoa. For this purpose, we used six animals of each specie (n = 30), in reproductive age. Sperm was collected by different methods according to the particularities of each species, and such samples were divided into two aliquots: a sperm sample was kept at 5°C (considered as intact sperm DNA), and the remaining samples were submitted to the induction of DNA fragmentation by exposure to ultraviolet light for 4 hr. Samples were then mixed with the intact sample to obtain known and progressive proportions of sperm with fragmented DNA (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%). Semen smears were performed and subjected to staining with TB. Blue‐stained spermatozoa were considered to have DNA fragmentation. We observed high linear regression coefficients between the expected proportion of damaged DNA and the results of TB for dog, cat, ram, bull and stallion samples. In conclusion, TB stain was considered a fast and effective technique for the study of spermatozoa DNA in several species.
From Multiple Gaussian Sequences to Functional Data and Beyond: A Stein Estimation Approach
Authors: Koudstaal Mark , Yao Fang 
Published: October 2017

SummaryWe expand the notion of Gaussian sequence models to n experiments and propose a Stein estimation strategy which relies on pooling information across experiments. An oracle inequality is established to assess conditional risks given the underlying effects, based on which we can quantify the size of relative error and obtain a tuning-free recovery strategy that is easy to compute, produces model parsimony and extends to unknown variance. We show that the simultaneous recovery is adaptive to an oracle strategy, which also enjoys a robustness guarantee in a minimax sense. A connection to functional data is established, via Le Cam theory, for fixed and random designs under general regularity settings. We further extend the model projection to general bases with mild conditions on correlation structure and conclude with potential application to other statistical problems. Simulated and real data examples are provided to lend empirical support to the methodology proposed and to illustrate the potential for substantial computational savings.
Testing Mutual Independence in High Dimension via Distance Covariance
Authors: Yao Shun , Zhang Xianyang , Shao Xiaofeng 
Published: October 2017

SummaryWe introduce an L2-type test for testing mutual independence and banded dependence structure for high dimensional data. The test is constructed on the basis of the pairwise distance covariance and it accounts for the non-linear and non-monotone dependences among the data, which cannot be fully captured by the existing tests based on either Pearson correlation or rank correlation. Our test can be conveniently implemented in practice as the limiting null distribution of the test statistic is shown to be standard normal. It exhibits excellent finite sample performance in our simulation studies even when the sample size is small albeit the dimension is high and is shown to identify non-linear dependence in empirical data analysis successfully. On the theory side, asymptotic normality of our test statistic is shown under quite mild moment assumptions and with little restriction on the growth rate of the dimension as a function of sample size. As a demonstration of good power properties for our distance-covariance-based test, we further show that an infeasible version of our test statistic has the rate optimality in the class of Gaussian distributions with equal correlation.
Three Faces of Populism in Current Switzerland: Comparing the Populist Communication of the Swiss People's Party, the Ticino League, and the Geneva Citizens’ Movement
Authors: Bernhard Laurent 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis article breaks new ground by comparatively analyzing the populist communication of the three major radical right parties of current Switzerland – the Swiss People's Party (SVP), the Ticino League (Lega), and the Geneva Citizens Movement (MCG). Based on a quantitative analysis of party newspaper articles published from 2009 to 2015, this study finds that 1) the three parties exhibit higher levels of populist communication than mainstream parties, 2) that the populist communication of both the Lega and the MCG does not vary across issue domains, while the SVP significantly relies more on cultural populism than on economic populism, and 3) that the strong oppositional figures (i.e. Christoph Blocher for the SVP, Giuliano Bignasca for the Lega, and Eric Stauffer for the MCG) more frequently play the populist card than the remaining party members.
Ribeye protein is intrinsically dynamic but is stabilized in the context of the ribbon synapse
Authors: Chen Zongwei , Chou Shih‐Wei , McDermott Brian M. 
Published: October 2017

Key points
The synaptic ribbon is an organelle that coordinates rapid and sustained vesicle release to enable hearing and balance.
Ribeye a and b proteins are major constituents of the synaptic ribbon in hair cells.
In this study, we use optically clear transgenic zebrafish to examine the potential dynamics of ribeye proteins in vivo.
We demonstrate that ribeye proteins are inherently dynamic but are stabilized at the ribbons of hair cells in the ear and the lateral line system.
AbstractRibeye protein is a major constituent of the synaptic ribbon, an organelle that coordinates rapid and sustained vesicle release to enable hearing and balance. The ribbon is considered to be a stable structure. However, under certain physiological conditions such as acoustic overexposure that results in temporary noise‐induced hearing loss or perturbations of ion channels, ribbons may change shape or vanish altogether, suggesting greater plasticity than previously appreciated. The dynamic properties of ribeye proteins are unknown. Here we use transgenesis and imaging to explore the behaviours of ribeye proteins within the ribbon and also their intrinsic properties outside the context of the ribbon synapse in a control cell type, the skin cell. By fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) on transgenic zebrafish larvae, we test whether ribeye proteins are dynamic in vivo in real time. In the skin, a cell type devoid of synaptic contacts, Ribeye a‐mCherry exchanges with ribbon‐like structures on a time scale of minutes (t1/2 = 3.2 min). In contrast, Ribeye a of the ear and lateral line and Ribeye b of the lateral line each exchange at ribbons of hair cells an order of magnitude slower (t1/2 of 125.6 min, 107.0 min and 95.3 min, respectively) than Ribeye a of the skin. These basal exchange rates suggest that long‐term ribbon presence may require ribeye renewal. Our studies demonstrate that ribeye proteins are inherently dynamic but are stabilized at the ribbons of sensory cells in vivo.
Rapid recovery and altered neurochemical dependence of locomotor central pattern generation following lumbar neonatal spinal cord injury
Authors: Züchner Mark , Kondratskaya Elena , Sylte Camilla B. , Glover Joel C. , Boulland Jean‐Luc 
Published: October 2017

Key points
Spinal compression injury targeted to the neonatal upper lumbar spinal cord, the region of highest hindlimb locomotor rhythmogenicity, leads to an initial paralysis of the hindlimbs.
Behavioural recovery is evident within a few days and approaches normal function within about 3 weeks.
Fictive locomotion in the isolated injured spinal cord cannot be elicited by a neurochemical cocktail containing NMDA, dopamine and serotonin 1 day post‐injury, but can 3 days post‐injury as readily as in the uninjured spinal cord.
Low frequency coordinated rhythmic activity can be elicited in the isolated uninjured spinal cord by NMDA + dopamine (without serotonin), but not in the isolated injured spinal cord.
In both the injured and uninjured spinal cord, eliciting bona fide fictive locomotion requires the additional presence of serotonin.
AbstractFollowing incomplete compression injury in the thoracic spinal cord of neonatal mice 1 day after birth (P1), we previously reported that virtually normal hindlimb locomotor function is recovered within about 3 weeks despite substantial permanent thoracic tissue loss. Here, we asked whether similar recovery occurs following lumbar injury that impacts more directly on the locomotor central pattern generator (CPG). As in thoracic injuries, lumbar injuries caused about 90% neuronal loss at the injury site and increased serotonergic innervation below the injury. Motor recovery was slower after lumbar than thoracic injury, but virtually normal function was attained by P25 in both cases. Locomotor CPG status was tested by eliciting fictive locomotion in isolated spinal cords using a widely used neurochemical cocktail (NMDA, dopamine, serotonin). No fictive locomotion could be elicited 1 day post‐injury, but could within 3 days post‐injury as readily as in age‐matched uninjured control spinal cords. Burst patterning and coordination were largely similar in injured and control spinal cords but there were differences. Notably, in both groups there were two main locomotor frequencies, but injured spinal cords exhibited a shift towards the higher frequency. Injury also altered the neurochemical dependence of locomotor CPG output, such that injured spinal cords, unlike control spinal cords, were incapable of generating low frequency rhythmic coordinated activity in the presence of NMDA and dopamine alone. Thus, the neonatal spinal cord also exhibits remarkable functional recovery after lumbar injuries, but the neurochemical sensitivity of locomotor circuitry is modified in the process.
Robust Discrimination of Normal Sinus Rhythm and Atrial Fibrillation on ECG Using a Multiscale Frequency Technique
Authors: Poigai Arunachalam Shivaram , Annoni Elizabeth M. , Kapa Suraj , Mulpuru Siva K. , Friedman Paul A. , Tolkacheva Elena G. 
Published: October 2017

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia affecting approximately 3 million Americans, and is a prognostic marker for stroke, heart failure and even death [1]. 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is used to monitor normal sinus rhythm (NSR) and also detect AF. Although the persistent form of AF can be detected relatively easy, detecting paroxysmal AF is often a challenge since requiring continuous monitoring, which becomes expensive and cumbersome to collect lot of ECG data [1]. Several researchers have attempted to develop new methods to discriminate NSR and AF which are based on R-R interval analysis, linear methods, filtering, spectral analysis, statistical approaches such as entropy etc. which faces limitation of successfully detecting AF of all types with high sensitivity and specificity using short time ECG data [1–3]. The major issues with these approaches is that they often distort the ECG by several pre-processing steps with filters, do not provide reliable discrimination using short ECG time series data and many of them lack real-time capability that makes it difficult to trust the data for diagnosis and treatment. Both clinical and scientific communities recognize these difficulties and the necessity to develop novel methods that can enable accurate monitoring and detection of AF [2]. In addition, robust detection and classification algorithms are essential for delivering appropriate therapy for implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) to provide lifesaving timely action.
In this work, the authors propose and demonstrate the application of a multiscale frequency (MSF) approach [4] for accurate detection and discrimination between AF and NSR ECG traces taken from publically available Physionet database. The MSF approach takes into account the contribution from various frequencies in ECG and thus yield valuable information regarding the chaotic nature of AF. Therefore, we demonstrate that MSF can capture the complexity of AF which is associated with higher MSF value compared with NSR thus enabling robust discrimination e AF manifests itself with numerous chaotic frequencies within the body surface ECG,. We validate the feasibility of this technique to discriminate NSR from AF.
Design of an Adjustable Table Mount for Multifunctional NOTES Robot
Authors: Fischer Shannon , Shen Tao , Nelson Carl , Oleynikov Dmitry 
Published: October 2017

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a method in which tools are passed through a natural orifice to the surgical site. This removes the need for external incisions, which can allow patients to recover more quickly without any visible abdominal scarring. This surgical method also has several limitations including limited space, complex lumen geography, and difficult visualization [1]. To address these problems, researchers have developed various tools, including endoscope-based robots [2], and insertable bimanual robots [3]. However, some of the aforementioned constraints/limitations remain, and consideration of accessories for use with these tools remains relevant.
Our lab designed a multifunctional NOTES robot, which consists of a snakelike linkage driven by cables that are attached to motors in an external housing to navigate through the lumen geometry; it also includes a bimanual end effector with interchangeable tool tips [4]. This paper introduces the design of an adjustable table mount to address the limitations related to transluminal insertion. It provides four passive degrees of freedom (DOFs) to grossly place the robot, and enables the robot to be fixed on surgical tables with different sizes. Benchtop testing on a surgical table with a patient mannequin demonstrates its functionality.
Skin Self-Screening Camera for Veterans With Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Olney Christine , Leestma Jennifer , Hansen Andrew , Ferguson John , Murphy Kruse Mary , Goldish Gary 
Published: October 2017

Veterans with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at high risk for developing debilitating pressure injuries, particularly to their seated areas (e.g. coccyx, sacral and gluteal) [1]. To prevent development of a pressure injury the Veteran with SCI is encouraged to invoke multiple prevention strategies [2]. One recommended prevention strategy is to conduct twice daily skin self-screenings. Skin self-screening is usually conducted in the bed, prior to arising in the morning and prior to sleep in the evening. The current method to conduct skin self-screening utilizes a mirror at the end of a long handle. The Veteran with SCI examines at-risk areas for changes in their skin integrity such as discoloration, swelling, or changes in skin texture. This method can take up to 20 minutes to complete. In the event there is a change to skin integrity, the pressure injury prevention protocol advises the Veteran with SCI to off-load that particular area for at least 24 hours [3]. Further, he/she is advised to consult with their skin specialist if the area does not resolve to normal color or texture within that next 24 hour period. The consequences of ignoring an early stage pressure injury can be serious e.g. weeks to months of hospitalization attempting to heal the injury, tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars in healthcare costs, possible surgery to close the wound and possibly death [4].
Informal interviews with Veterans with SCI clarified and validated that conducting skin screening with the mirror could be very challenging due to barriers such as: not having a baseline image to compare to; the mirror image not being viewable to the user due to lack of user flexibility or body habitus; the mirror does not easily allow a complete view of all the at-risk areas; the user not being able to discern what he/she is actually viewing possibly due to mirror image distortion and limited visual acuity.
The need for a better skin self-screening device was evidenced by the advanced pressure injuries Veterans presented to their healthcare providers. Finding a pressure injury in the early stages of development and intervening immediately, such as repositioning, can improve the trajectory of the injury [5]. Therefore the project goal was to offer a better tool for and improve the efficacy of skin self-screening for the Veterans with SCI. To overcome the identified barriers, our team of VA clinicians and engineers of the Minneapolis Adaptive Design & Engineering (MADE) program invented such a device at the Minneapolis VA. This paper presents the patient centered iterative process that was used to develop a skin self-screening device and the future directions for this technology.
Finite Element Analysis on Stellite 17mm Tube Valve for Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device
Authors: Scheib Christopher M. , Newswanger Raymond K. , Beese Allison M. , Bowen Timothy , Lewis Gregory S. , Roush Evan P. , Jhun Choon-Sik , Weiss William J. , Rosenberg Gerson 
Published: October 2017

A Stellite 25 17mm tube valve based upon the Björk-Shiley Monostrut (BSM) valve design was developed for use in the Penn State Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device (PVAD) pump [1]. The hook of the valve was designed to hold a Delrin occluding disc in place while allowing the disc to tilt open 70 degrees from the closed position. Unlike common design constraints which remain in the elastic region, the hook experiences plastic deformation twice during the assembly process, making the material choice of Stellite 25 imperative.
Stellite 25 is a cobalt-chromium-tungsten-nickel alloy (Co-20Cr-15W-10Ni) belonging to the material family of superalloys which are commonly used for wear-resistant applications exposed to heat, abrasion, and galling [2, 3]. Along with its excellent in vivo corrosion resistance [4], Stellite 25 exhibits high strength and ductility which permit the hook to be plastically deformed during disc installation while remaining below the strain to failure [3, 4]. Together these qualities make Stellite 25 an ideal material choice for the 17mm tube valve application.
Predicting the resultant stresses and strains is critical for determining the safety and structural reliability of the Stellite 25 17mm tube valve for the PVAD after assembly. After performing finite element analysis (FEA), the simulation results were validated by deflection experiments and metallurgical investigations.
Sensor-Less Fully Transperineal Fusion-Guided Prostate Biopsy
Authors: Hunter ChaKaria , Cesante Marco , Xu Sheng , Wood Bradford J. , Seifabadi Reza 
Published: October 2017

Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in the United States with an estimated 181,000 new cases and 26,000 deaths in 2016 [1]. Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsy is the gold standard for definitive diagnosis in which the imaging and needle insertion are both done transrectally. Since ultrasound guidance results in insufficient sensitivity of prostate cancer diagnosis (40–60%), fusion of preoperative MRI with real-time US has been proposed to increase the sensitivity (∼ 90%). Transperineal biopsies have recently gained attention using a brachytherapy grid to biopsy through the perineum rather than the rectum, practically eliminating the possibility of infection.
To enable MR-US fusion, electromagnetic tracking system is commonly used to make a 3D volume out of a stack of 2D US images acquired during an initial sweep of prostate. The EM tracking however is somewhat undesirable as it adds to the cost of the procedure and is prone to inaccuracies. Therefore, in this study, we propose a method that eliminates the need for such external tracking devices and inserts the needle transperineally thus reducing infection risks. Also, the procedure is more comfortable to the patient since the TRUS probe is eliminated. A patient specific grid template is designed based on the MR image of the patient.
Treating Epilepsy via Thermal Ablation: Initial Experiments With an MRI-Guided Concentric Tube Robot
Authors: Chen Yue , Poorman Megan E. , Comber David B. , Pitt E. Bryn , Liu Cindy , Godage Isuru S. , Yu Hong , Grissom William A. , Barth Eric J. , Webster Robert J. 
Published: October 2017

Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological disorder affecting 65 million people globally [1]. Anti-epileptic medications fail to provide effective seizure control for 30% of patients, placing them at a 7–17% risk of Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy and recurrent seizures. Surgical resection of the seizure focus is a potentially curative treatment for patients with seizures that electrophysiologically correlate to a focal lesion. For these patients, focal surgical resection can result in 60–70% seizure-freedom rates [2]. However, open resection carries the risk of cognitive impairment or focal neurologic deficit [3].
Recent innovations in MRI enable high resolution soft tissue visualization, and real-time temperature monitoring, making MR-guided ablation therapy a promising minimally invasive technique to restrict the tissue destruction to just the seizure focus. Commercial products (e.g., Visualase, Medtronic Inc.; ClearPoint, MRI Interventions Inc.; NeuroBlate, Monteris Inc.) have recently been introduced for MR-guided laser-based thermal ablation. These products require the physician drill a hole into the skull for ablation probe placement, and may not always be able to ablate the entire seizure focus when the structure has a curved shape (such as the hippocampus) [4]. Incomplete ablation of the seizure focus would lead to seizure recurrence.
We have recently proposed concentric-tube steerable needles as a means to address these challenges [4–7]. They enable nonlinear trajectories and offer the potential to enter the brain through the patient’s cheek via a natural opening in the skull base (i.e. the foramen ovale). We have designed and fabricated an MR-compatible robotic system to provide high resolution actuation for helical needle deployment [5]. We have shown in simulation that the curved medial axis of hippocampus can be accessed via a helical needle that delivers the ablation probe into the brain [4]. These preliminary results suggest that MR-guided robotic transforamenal thermal therapy could potentially provide a less invasive approach for potentially curative epilepsy treatment. In this paper we present our first results delivering heat along curved paths in brain phantoms and imaging the resulting treatment zones using MRI.