bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Examination of the Self-directed Online Leadership Learning Choices of Public Health Professionals: The Maternal and Child Health Public Health Leadership Institute Experience
Authors: Fernandez Claudia S. P. , Noble Cheryl C. , Jensen Elizabeth T. 
Published: December 2016

Objectives:
To assess the self-selected asynchronous leadership module-based learning choices of public health professionals participating in the Maternal and Child Health Public Health Leadership Institute (MCH PHLI).

Methods:
Online module completion and evaluation data were used to determine the topics most utilized by the Fellows; whether the topics and mode of training were acceptable, relevant, and practical; and whether participant characteristics explained any usage patterns.

Participants:
A total of 109 enrolled Fellows in the MCH PHLI program.

Main Outcome Measures:
Module frequency of selection by Fellows; Fellows' rating scores in regard to relevance, practicality, and acceptability of module topics.

Results:
All program titles were highly rated. The 5 most frequently selected module topics were employee engagement (87.2%), talent acquisition strategies (84.4%), employee motivation (79.8%), emotional intelligence (78.9%), and workforce development strategies (68.8%). The least accessed topics focused on cultural competence (15.6%), social marketing (25.7%), effective communication and advocacy (25.7%), family partnerships (25.9%), and creating learning organizations (31.2%). All module topics provided were rated as relevant, practical, and acceptable to these public health leaders.

Conclusion:
Self-directed computer-based learning was rated strongly by the MCH public health leaders in this study. Such an approach can be used to customize training to individual needs and interests. These findings suggest that inclusion of skills that enable public health leaders to effectively work with and through others was of core interest in the MCH PHLI. The finding of higher usage of topics related to workforce management can provide guidance for those developing leadership development programs for maternal and child health professionals. In addition, leadership needs and interests should be assessed regularly to ensure that competency-based leadership development guidelines are adapting to the evolving and complex challenges faced by leaders. While these results were tested in MCH professionals, they may be generalizable to other disciplines within the field of public health.
Health Care Provider Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Reporting Diseases and Events to Public Health Authorities in Tennessee
Authors: Fill Mary-Margaret A. , Murphree Rendi , Pettit April C. 
Published: December 2016

Context:
In the United States, state laws require health care providers to report specific diseases and events to public health authorities, a fundamental facet of disease surveillance. However, reporting by providers is often inconsistent, infrequent, and delayed.

Objective:
To examine knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding provider disease reporting and to understand current barriers to provider disease reporting.

Design:
A cross-sectional study was conducted via an anonymous, standardized electronic survey.

Setting:
The survey was conducted at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, a large, tertiary academic medical center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Participants:
Health care providers in 4 specialties (internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics-gynecology, and emergency medicine).

Main Outcome Measure(s):
Knowledge of and attitudes regarding provider reporting of diseases to public health authorities in Tennessee.

Results:
The majority of providers acknowledged they cared for patients with reportable diseases (362/435, 83.2%) and believed that it was their responsibility to report to public health authorities (429/436, 98.4%); however, less than half had ever reported a case (206/436, 47.2%). The median percent correct on the knowledge assessment of Tennessee reportable diseases and conditions was 81.3% (interquartile range = 68.8-87.5). Providers cited a lack of knowledge of which diseases are reportable (186/429, 43.3%) and the logistics of reporting (153/429, 35.7%) as the primary barriers for compliance.

Conclusion:
Most providers acknowledged they cared for patients with reportable diseases and believed they had an obligation to report to public health authorities. However, a lack of knowledge about reporting was frequently described as a limitation to report effectively. Many knowledge deficits were significantly greater among residents than other providers.
The policy and practice implications of these findings include a demonstrated need for education of providers about disease reporting as well as development of more convenient reporting mechanisms. Fundamental knowledge of reportable disease requirements and procedures is critical for participation in the broader public health system.
Evaluation of a Program for Improving Advanced Imaging Interpretation
Authors: Powell Adam C. , Long James W. , Kren Erin M. , Gupta Amit K. , Levin David C. 
Published: December 2016

Objectives
Self-referred imaging has grown rapidly, raising concerns about increased costs and compromised quality of care. A quality improvement program using imaging interpretation criteria was designed by a national payer to ensure that noninvasive diagnostic images are interpreted by appropriately trained physicians. The objective of this program evaluation was to compare self-referral rates before and after institution of the imaging interpretation criteria program.

Methods
The imaging interpretation criteria program allocated privileges to bill for advanced imaging interpretation according to physician specialty. Nonradiologist physicians could obtain exemptions by appeal. Some physicians were not restricted in their billing because of successful appeals of the restrictions or the timing of their contract renewals. Self-referral rates were compared between the period 12 months before and 25 months after the program was initiated using t tests. The preprogram and postprogram self-referral rate for computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in aggregate was calculated both for the physicians that came into contact with the program and nationally, and then was stratified based on physician appeal status and reimbursement restrictions.

Results
The program was associated with significantly less frequent self-referrals by physicians whose appeals were denied (17.4%–8.2%; P = 0.0011) and by physicians notified of the program but not subject to it (24.8%–18.5%; P = 0.026). Self-referrals in the program states declined from 19.9% to 13.7% (P < 0.01).

Conclusions
A significant reduction in image interpretations billed by physicians working outside of the scope of their training occurred after the implementation of the imaging interpretation criteria program.
Fatal Congenital Retroperitoneal Neuroblastoma Diagnosed by Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Snyder Elizabeth , Jelin Angie C. , Huisman Thierry A.G.M. , Hooper Jody E. , Tekes Aylin 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Congenital extra-adrenal neuroblastoma is a rare condition, which typically has a favorable prognosis. We present a unique case of extra-adrenal retroperitoneal neuroblastoma diagnosed by fetal magnetic resonance imaging, which ultimately leads to fetal hydrops and neonatal death.
Structural and Functional Correlates of Myocardial T1 Mapping in 321 Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Chu Linda C. , Corona-Villalobos Celia P. , Halushka Marc K. , Zhang Yan , Pozzessere Chiara , Kamel Ihab R. , Pozios Iraklis , Van Der Geest Rob J. , Gai Neville , Abraham Roselle M. , Abraham Theodore P. , Bluemke David A. , Zimmerman Stefan L. 
Published: December 2016

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the structural and functional correlates of T1 mapping in 321 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).MethodsThree hundred twenty-one patients with HCM who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance from 2003 to 2013 were retrospectively identified from our institution's HCM registry. Left ventricular volume, function, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), and Look-Locker T1 time were quantified. T1 time was normalized to blood pool to calculate T1 ratio. Correlations between LGE%, T1 ratio, and structural and functional features were performed using Pearson correlation coefficient.ResultsLate gadolinium enhancement showed stronger correlation with left ventricular mass index (r = 0.41,P< 0.001) compared with T1 ratio (r = −0.17,P= 0.004). Both LGE% and T1 ratio correlated with ejection fraction (r = −0.18 andP= 0.002 vs r = 0.21 andP< 0.001, respectively). E/e' showed correlation with LGE% but not with T1 ratio.ConclusionsLate gadolinium enhancement was more strongly correlated with the phenotypic expression of HCM compared with T1 ratio.
Automated Infarct Core Volumetry Within the Hypoperfused Tissue: Technical Implementation and Evaluation
Authors: Kellner Elias , Reisert Marco , Kiselev Valerij G. , Maurer Christoph J. , Beume Lena-Alexandra , Urbach Horst , Egger Karl 
Published: December 2016

Objective
The aim of this study was to develop a rapid and fully automatic infarct core and tissue at risk volumetry approach in acute ischemic stroke.

Methods
We evaluated an algorithm in which segmentation was restricted to 1 hemisphere and the potential lesion characterized on the basis of the perfusion parameter Tmax with a region-wise comparison of local histograms to its mirrored counterpart.

Results
We applied the “Tmax inside” method to 30 cases of a public data set with ground-truth segmentations for diffusion-weighted and perfusion magnetic resonance imaging. Lesions were robustly identified with significantly higher dice coefficients (apparent diffusion coefficient, 0.83 ± 0.22; Tmax, 0.80 ± 0.05, compared with 0.53 ± 0.27 and 0.56 ± 0.18) than for a global thresholding approach.

Conclusions
The proposed “Tmax inside” method is superior to the commonly used global thresholding approach. Furthermore, the method allows evaluating changes in cerebral blood volume and blood flow by taking the counterpart in the healthy hemisphere as a patient-individual reference.
MR-Base: a platform for systematic causal inference across the phenome using billions of genetic associations
Authors: Hemani Gibran , Zheng Jie , Wade Kaitlin H , Laurin Charles , Elsworth Benjamin , Burgess Stephen , Bowden Jack , Langdon Ryan , Tan Vanessa , Yarmolinsky James , Shihab Hashem A. , Timpson Nicholas , Evans David M , Relton Caroline , Martin Richard M , Davey Smith George , Gaunt Tom R , Haycock Philip C 
Published: December 2016

AbstractPublished genetic associations can be used to infer causal relationships between phenotypes, bypassing the need for individual-level genotype or phenotype data. We have curated complete summary data from 1094 genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on diseases and other complex traits into a centralised database, and developed an analytical platform that uses these data to perform Mendelian randomization (MR) tests and sensitivity analyses (MR-Base,http://www.mrbase.org). Combined with curated data of published GWAS hits for phenomic measures, the MR-Base platform enables millions of potential causal relationships to be evaluated. We use the platform to predict the impact of lipid lowering on human health. While our analysis provides evidence that reducing LDL-cholesterol, lipoprotein(a) or triglyceride levels reduce coronary disease risk, it also suggests causal effects on a number of other non-vascular outcomes, indicating potential for adverse-effects or drug repositioning of lipid-lowering therapies.
Ghrelin-Reactive Autoantibodies are elevated in Children with Prader-Willi Syndrome
Authors: Crisp Gabrielle , Nyunt Ohn , Chopin Lisa , Seim Inge , Harris Mark , Jeffery Penny 
Published: December 2016

AbstractPrader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic disorder characterized by developmental and growth abnormalities, insatiable appetite, and excessive eating (hyperphagia). The underlying cause of hyperphagia in PWS is currently unknown, however, elevated levels of the peptide hormone ghrelin is believed to contribute. Recently, ghrelin-reactive autoantibodies (isotype IgG) were identified in non-genetic obesity. These autoantibodies act as ghrelin carrier proteins and potentiate its orexigenic effects. Here, we describe the identification of ghrelin-reactive autoantibodies in a cohort of 16 children with PWS. In comparison to unaffected siblings, autoantibody levels are significantly increased in PWS children. We further show that autoantibody levels are unaffected by food intake, unlike plasma ghrelin which declines postprandially in both groups. Critically, we also demonstrate that the autoantibodies bind the major circulating ghrelin isoforms, unacylated ghrelin, which does not stimulate appetite, and the orexigen acylated ghrelin. In excess, unacylated ghrelin may compete with acylated ghrelin for autoantibody binding. Taken together, this is the first report on ghrelin-reactive antibodies in a pediatric population, and the first to demonstrate that the antibodies do not discriminate between orexigenic and non-orexigenic ghrelin isoforms. Our work suggests that ghrelin autoantibodies can be targeted using non-orexigenic forms of ghrelin, thereby providing a novel therapeutic target for PWS and for obesity in general.
Top-Down Feedback Controls Spatial Summation and Response Gain in Primate Visual Cortex
Authors: Nurminen Lauri , Merlin Sam , Bijanzadeh Maryam , Federer Frederick , Angelucci Alessandra 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTIn the cerebral cortex, sensory information travels along feedforward connections through a hierarchy of areas, which, in turn, send a denser network of feedback connections to lower-order areas. Feedback has been implicated in attention, expectation, and sensory context, but the cellular mechanisms underlying these diverse feedback functions are unknown. Using specific optogenetic inactivation of feedback connections in the primate visual cortex, we have identified the cellular mechanisms of feedback-mediated modulations of early sensory processing. Specifically, we found that feedback modulates receptive field size, surround suppression and response gain, similar to the modulatory effects of visual spatial attention. A recurrent network model captured these effects. These feedback-mediated modulations allow higher-order cortical areas to dynamically regulate spatial resolution, sensitivity to image features, and efficiency of coding natural images in lower-order cortical areas.
Genome-wide association study in Collaborative Cross mice reveals a role forRhbdf2in skeletal homeostasis
Authors: Levy Roei , Levet Clemence , Cohen Keren , Freeman Matthew , Mott Richard , Iraqi Fuad , Gabet Yankel 
Published: December 2016

AbstractOsteoporosis, the most common bone disease, is characterized by a low bone mass and increased risk of fractures. Importantly, individuals with the same bone mineral density (BMD), as measured on two dimensional (2D) radiographs, have different risks for fracture, suggesting that microstructural architecture is an important determinant of skeletal strength. Here we took advantage of the rich phenotypic and genetic diversity of the Collaborative Cross (CC) mice. Using microcomputed tomography, we examined key structural parameters in the femoral cortical and trabecular compartments of male and female mice from 34 CC lines. These traits included the trabecular bone volume fraction, number, thickness, connectivity, and spacing, as well as structural morphometric index. In the mid-diaphyseal cortex, we recorded cortical thickness and volumetric BMD.The broad-sense heritability of these traits ranged between 50 to 60%. We conducted a genome-wide association study to unravel 5 quantitative trait loci (QTL) significantly associated with 6 of the traits. We refined each locus by combining information obtained from the known ancestry of the mice and RNA-Seq data from publicly available sources, to shortlist potential candidate genes. We found strong evidence for new candidate genes, includingRhbdf2, which association to trabecular bone volume fraction and number was strongly suggested by our analyses. We then examined knockout mice, and validated the causal action ofRhbdf2on bone mass accrual and microarchitecture.Our approach revealed new genome-wide QTLs and a series of genes that have never been associated with bone microarchitecture. This study demonstrates for the first time the skeletal role ofRhbdf2on the physiological remodeling of both the cortical and trabecular bone. This newly assigned function forRhbdf2can prove useful in deciphering the predisposing factors of osteoporosis and propose new investigative avenues toward targeted therapeutic solutions.Author summaryIn this study, we used the novel mouse reference population, the Collaborative Cross (CC), to identify new causal genes in the regulation of bone microarchitecture, a critical determinant of bone strength. This approach provides a clear advantage in terms of resolution and dimensionality of the morphometric features (versus humans) and rich allelic diversity (versus classical mouse populations), over current practices of bone-related genome-wide association studies.Our genome-wide study revealed 5 loci significantly associated with microstructural traits in the cortical and trabecular bone. We found strong evidence for new candidate genes, in particular,Rhbdf2.We then validated the specific role ofRhbdf2on bone mass accrual and microarchitecture using knockout mice. Importantly, this study is the first demonstration of a physiological role forRhbdf2.
Induction of multiple cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in mice by a multiepitope DNA vaccine against dengue virus serotype 1
Authors: Chen Xin Yu , Li De Zhou , Zhong Xiao Zhi , Chen Bokun , Duan Zhi Liang , Wen Jin Sheng 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTDengue virus (DENV) is still a major threat to human health in most tropical and subtropical countries and regions. In the present study, a multi‐epitope DNA vaccine that encodes 15 immunogenic and conserved HLA‐A*0201‐, HLA‐A*1101‐, HLA‐A*2402‐restricted CTL epitopes from DENV serotype 1 (DENV‐1) was constructed based on the eukaryotic expressing plasmid pcDNATM3.1/myc‐His(−) A. Immunization of HLA‐A*0201, HLA‐A*1101 and HLA‐A*2402 transgenic mice with the recombinant plasmid pcDNATM3.1/myc‐His(−) A‐DENV‐1‐Meg resulted in significantly greater IFN‐γ‐secreting T‐cell responses against most (14/15) CTL epitopes than occurred in mice immunized with the empty plasmid pcDNATM3.1/myc‐His(−) A. Additionally, the epitope‐specific T cells directed to some epitopes secreted not only IFN‐γ but also IL‐6 and/or TNF‐α. Finally, the induced epitope‐specific T cells also efficiently lysed epitope‐pulsed splenocytes and DENV‐1‐infected splenic monocytes. The present study confirms the immunogenicity of multi‐epitope DENV vaccine, suggesting that it may contribute to the development of a universal DENV vaccine.
Perturbation‐based moveout approximations in anisotropic media
Authors: Xu Shibo , Stovas Alexey , Hao Qi 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTThe moveout approximations play an important role in seismic data processing. The standard hyperbolic moveout approximation is based on an elliptical background model with two velocities: vertical and normal moveout. We propose a new set of moveout approximations based on a perturbation series in terms of anellipticity parameters using the alternative elliptical background model defined by vertical and horizontal velocities. We start with a transversely isotropic medium with a vertical symmetry axis. Then, we extend this approach to a homogeneous orthorhombic medium. To define the perturbation coefficients for a new background, we solve the eikonal equation with horizontal velocities in transversely isotropic medium with a vertical symmetry axis and orthorhombic media. To stabilise the perturbation series and improve the accuracy, the Shanks transform is applied for all the cases. We select different parameterisations for both velocities and anellipticity parameters for an orthorhombic model. From the comparison in traveltime error, the new moveout approximations result in better accuracy comparing with the standard perturbation‐based methods and other approximations.
A synthesis of empirical plant dispersal kernels
Authors: Bullock James M. , Mallada González Laura , Tamme Riin , Götzenberger Lars , White Steven M. , Pärtel Meelis , Hooftman Danny A. P. 
Published: December 2016

Summary

Dispersal is fundamental to ecological processes at all scales and levels of organization, but progress is limited by a lack of information about the general shape and form of plant dispersal kernels. We addressed this gap by synthesizing empirical data describing seed dispersal and fitting general dispersal kernels representing major plant types and dispersal modes.

A comprehensive literature search resulted in 107 papers describing 168 dispersal kernels for 144 vascular plant species. The data covered 63 families, all the continents except Antarctica, and the broad vegetation types of forest, grassland, shrubland and more open habitats (e.g. deserts). We classified kernels in terms of dispersal mode (ant, ballistic, rodent, vertebrates other than rodents, vehicle or wind), plant growth form (climber, graminoid, herb, shrub or tree), seed mass and plant height.

We fitted 11 widely used probability density functions to each of the 168 data sets to provide a statistical description of the dispersal kernel. The exponential power (ExP) and log‐sech (LogS) functions performed best. Other 2‐parameter functions varied in performance. For example, the log‐normal and Weibull performed poorly, while the 2Dt and power law performed moderately well. Of the single‐parameter functions, the Gaussian performed very poorly, while the exponential performed better. No function was among the best‐fitting for all data sets.

For 10 plant growth form/dispersal mode combinations for which we had >3 data sets, we fitted ExP and LogS functions across multiple data sets to provide generalized dispersal kernels. We also fitted these functions to subdivisions of these growth form/dispersal mode combinations in terms of seed mass (for animal‐dispersed seeds) or plant height (wind‐dispersed) classes. These functions provided generally good fits to the grouped data sets, despite variation in empirical methods, local conditions, vegetation type and the exact dispersal process.

Synthesis. We synthesize the rich empirical information on seed dispersal distances to provide standardized dispersal kernels for 168 case studies and generalized kernels for plant growth form/dispersal mode combinations. Potential uses include the following: (i) choosing appropriate dispersal functions in mathematical models; (ii) selecting informative dispersal kernels for one's empirical study system; and (iii) using representative dispersal kernels in cross‐taxon comparative studies.