bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
β-Blockers in Atrial Fibrillation Patients With or Without Heart Failure
Authors: Nielsen Peter Brønnum , Larsen Torben Bjerregaard , Gorst-Rasmussen Anders , Skjøth Flemming , Lip Gregory Y.H. 
Published: January 2016

Background—
Recent data suggest that β-blockers are associated with prognostic advantages in heart failure (HF) patients without concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF), but not in HF patients with concomitant AF. We aimed to investigate associations between β-blocker treatment and cardiovascular outcome and mortality in AF patients with and without HF.

Methods and Results—
Three nationwide registries were used to identify patients with nonvalvular AF patients with or without concomitant HF. Patients were stratified into β-blocker users and β-blocker nonusers, and according to the presence of a HF diagnosis. We followed the patients ≤5 years after baseline. Six different cardiovascular outcomes were investigated, including all-cause mortality and fatal thromboembolic events. Crude event rates were ascertained and propensity-matched Cox regression was used to compare event rates according to β-blocker usage status. A total of 205 174 patients were included, where 39 741 patients had prevalent HF. In the latter subgroup of patients, the 1-year propensity-matched hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality was 0.75 (95% confidence interval, 0.71–0.79; nontreated used as reference). For patients without concomitant HF, the propensity-matched HR for all-cause mortality was 0.78 (95% confidence interval, 0.71–0.76).

Conclusions—
In this large nationwide cohort study, evidence of a lower mortality with β-blocker therapy in AF patients with concomitant HF was observed. In addition, this association was accompanied with indications that β-blocker treatment is also associated with a better prognosis in AF patients without concomitant HF.
Flow Diverter Therapy With the Pipeline Embolization Device Is Associated With an Elevated Rate of Delayed Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery Lesions
Authors: Safain Mina G. , Roguski Marie , Heller Robert S. , Malek Adel M. 
Published: January 2016

Background and Purpose—
Flow diversion using the Pipeline Embolization Device is reported as a safe treatment of aneurysms. Complete aneurysm occlusion, however, occurs in a delayed fashion with initial persistent filling of the aneurysm dome. We hypothesized that this transflow across metallic struts may be associated with thromboembolic events.

Methods—
Forty-one consecutive patients undergoing aneurysm treatment with the Pipeline Embolization Device and a comparison group of 78 Neuroform stent-mediated embolizations were studied. Patients’ charts, procedure notes, platelet function, and anticoagulation state were analyzed. Serial magnetic resonance images were assessed for the presence of newly occurring diffusion-weighted imaging and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) lesions at multiple postprocedure time ranges (average days post procedure [Pipeline Embolization Device/Neuroform]: T1=1, T2=73/107, T3=174, T4=277/335, and T5=409). In addition, diffusion-weighted imaging or FLAIR burden was estimated by lesional diameter summation.

Results—
Pipeline patients were more likely to have new ipsilateral FLAIR lesions at all time points studied (30.6% versus 7.2% of patients at T=2 and 34.5% versus 6.2% at T=4). The mean FLAIR burden was significantly increased for Pipeline patients (10.1 versus 0.7 mm at T=2 and 8.8 versus 1.9 mm at T=4). Overall 34% (14/41) of Pipeline patients experienced a new FLAIR lesion at anytime when compared with 10% (8/78) of Neuroform stent-coil patients. Postprocedural diffusion-weighted imaging did not predict future FLAIR lesions suggesting a nonprocedural cause.

Conclusions—
The Pipeline Embolization Device is associated with increased rate of de novo FLAIR lesions occurring in a delayed fashion and distinct from perioperative diffusion-weighted imaging lesions. The cause and clinical effect of these lesions are unknown and suggest the need for prudent follow-up and evaluation.
Dependence of Hainan medaka, Oryzias curvinotus (Nichols & Pope, 1927), on salinity in the Tien Yen estuary of northern Vietnam
Authors: Tran Hau Duc , Ta Thuy Thi 
Published: January 2016

Species of the genus Oryzias are models for studies of adaptation to osmotic environments because they demonstrate inter-species adaptability. Oryzias curvinotus, a fresh and brackish water species, is distributed from the coastal waters of southern China to northern Vietnam. The correlation of O. curvinotus’ distribution with physical water conditions in the Tien Yen estuary of northern Vietnam was recorded during monthly collections for one year. For the current study, a total of 2916 individuals of O. curvinotus were caught, of which 942 were selected to be measured and have their developmental stage recorded: 41 larvae, 749 post-larvae and 152 juveniles or adults. A developmental description and an identification to the species level are also provided. Temperature, salinity and turbidity at collection sites ranged from ca. 17 to 34°C, from ca. 0 to 16 psu and from 0 to 524 NTU, respectively. A peak catch per unit effort was found in April and at the stations at which salinity was about 0.6 to 2.5 psu. In stations where salinity was greater than 17 psu or at 0 psu, few specimens were collected. Examination of distribution indicated a tendency of the species to be present along the estuary, with the center part as the main habitat of this species. The function of an estuarine environment for fishes, which inhabit fresh and brackish waters, is discussed.
Prevalence of Cam-Type Morphology in Elite Ice Hockey Players
Authors: Lerebours Frantz , Robertson William , Neri Brian , Schulz Brian , Youm Thomas , Limpisvasti Orr 
Published: January 2016

Background: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) has been increasingly recognized as a cause of hip pain in athletes at all levels of competition, specifically ice hockey players. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to define the prevalence of cam and pincer radiographic deformity in elite ice hockey players. The hypothesis was that elite hockey players will have a higher prevalence of radiographic hip abnormalities compared with the general population. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Anteroposterior and frog-leg lateral radiographs on 137 elite ice hockey players were prospectively obtained during the 2014-2015 preseason entrance examinations. Study participants included National Hockey League roster players as well as the respective farm team members. Demographic data were collected, including age, position, shooting side, and any history of hip pain or hip surgery. Patients with a history of hip surgery were excluded from the analysis. A single sports medicine fellowship–trained orthopaedic surgeon used standard radiographic measurements to assess for the radiographic presence of cam or pincer deformity. Radiographs with an alpha angle ≥55° on a frog-leg lateral view were defined as cam-positive. Each participant underwent a preseason physical examination with an assessment of hip range of motion and impingement testing. Results: A total of 130 elite ice hockey players were included in the analysis; 180 (69.4%) hips met radiographic criteria for cam-type deformity. The prevalence in right and left hips was 89 (69.5%) and 91 (70.0%), respectively; 70 (60.8%) players demonstrated bilateral involvement. Hips with cam deformity had a mean alpha angle of 67.7° ± 8.3° on the right and 68.9° ± 9.0° on the left. Of the patients with alpha angles ≥55°, 5.6% (5/89) had a positive anterior impingement test of the right hip, while 11% (10/91) had positive anterior impingement test of the left. Players with radiologic cam deformity had a statistically significant deficit in external rotation of the right hip, as well as in both internal and external rotation of the left hip, compared with those with normal alpha angles. When assessing for crossover sign, 64 of 107 (59.8%) had a positive radiographic finding. Forty-one players (38.3%) had evidence of a crossover sign of the right hip and 42 (39.3%) of the left. When comparing position players, goalies had the highest prevalence of cam-type deformity (93.8%) and the least acetabular coverage. Conclusion: The study data suggest that elite ice hockey players have a significantly higher prevalence of radiographic cam deformity in comparison to what has been reported for the general population.
Nursing students’ perceptions of faculty members’ ethical/unethical attitudes
Authors: Arslan Sevda , Dinç Leyla 
Published: January 2016

Background: Through education, individuals acquire knowledge, skill and attitudes that facilitate professional socialization; it involves intellectual, emotional and psychomotor skill development. Teachers are role models for behaviour modification and value development. Objective: To examine students’ perceptions of faculty members’ ethical and unethical attitudes during interactions in undergraduate nursing. Research design: This descriptive study consisted of two phases. In Phase I, we developed an instrument, which was administered to nursing students to assess validity and reliability. Exploratory factor analysis yielded 32 items. Cronbach’s α was 0.83, and test–retest reliability was good. In Phase II, a 32-item version of the instrument was administered to nursing students from another university. Participants and research context: Participants included 219 nursing students from one university in Phase I and 196 from another university in Phase II. The study was conducted at the universities attended by the participants. Ethical considerations: Ethical approval was granted by the institutions involved, and all participants provided informed consent. Findings: In Phase I, the instrument demonstrated good psychometric properties for measuring nursing students’ perceptions of faculty members’ ethical and unethical behaviours. In Phase II, students considered certain professional and personal qualities, including respecting confidentiality and students’ private lives and assuming an impartial stance during interactions in the classroom, examinations, or clinical practice, ethical. They considered using obscene examples or unprofessional speech during teaching, selling textbooks in class, using university facilities for personal interests, engaging in romantic relationships with students, and humiliating students in front of patients or staff in clinical settings unethical. Conclusion: Results of this study suggest that nurse educators should be aware of their critical role in the teaching–learning process, and they must scrutinize their attitudes towards students from an ethical point of view.
Intravoxel incoherent motion MRI as a biomarker of sorafenib treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a pilot study
Authors: Shirota Natsuhiko , Saito Kazuhiro , Sugimoto Katsutoshi , Takara Kenichi , Moriyasu Fuminori , Tokuuye Koichi 
Published: January 2016

Abstract

Background
To evaluate the association between the therapeutic outcomes of sorafenib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the parameters of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM).

Methods
Nine patients were evaluated prospectively. All patients were Child-Pugh score A. The mean dimension of the lesion was 32 mm (range: 15–74 mm). MR images were obtained using a 1.5-Tesla superconductive MRI system. Diffusion-weighted imaging was performed under breath-holding using b-values of 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 400, and 800 s/mm2. The following IVIM parameters were calculated: apparent diffusion coefficient, true diffusion coefficient (DC), pseudo-diffusion coefficient, and perfusion fraction. MRI was performed before treatment and at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after beginning treatment. Tumor response at 4 weeks was assessed by CT or MRI using modified RECIST. IVIM parameters of the treatment responders and non-responders were compared.

Results
The DC of responders at baseline was significantly higher than that of the non-responders. The sensitivity and specificity, when a DC of 0.8 (10−3 mm2/s) or higher was considered to be a responder, were 100 % and 67 %, respectively. No significant differences were found in the other parameters between the responders and the non-responders. All IVIM parameters of the responders and non-responders did not change significantly after treatment.

Conclusion
The DC before treatment may be a useful parameter for predicting the therapeutic outcome of sorafenib for advanced HCC.
Translational control mediated by hnRNP K links NMHC IIA to erythroid enucleation
Authors: Naarmann-de Vries Isabel S. , Brendle Annika , Bähr-Ivacevic Tomi , Benes Vladimir , Ostareck Dirk H. , Ostareck-Lederer Antje 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT
Post-transcriptional regulation is crucial for structural and functional alterations in erythropoiesis. Enucleation of erythroid progenitors precedes reticulocyte release into circulation. In enucleated cells, reticulocyte 15-lipoxygenase (r15-LOX, also known as ALOX15) initiates mitochondria degradation. Regulation of r15-LOX mRNA translation by hnRNP K determines timely r15-LOX synthesis in terminal maturation. K562 cells induced for erythroid maturation recapitulate enucleation and mitochondria degradation. HnRNP K depletion from maturing K562 cells results in enhanced enucleation, which even occurs independently of maturation. We performed RIP-Chip analysis to identify hnRNP K-interacting RNAs comprehensively. Non-muscle myosin heavy chain (NMHC) IIA (also known as MYH9) mRNA co-purified with hnRNP K from non-induced K562 cells, but not from mature cells. NMHC IIA protein increase in erythroid maturation at constant NMHC IIA mRNA levels indicates post-transcriptional regulation. We demonstrate that binding of hnRNP K KH domain 3 to a specific sequence element in the NMHC IIA mRNA 3′UTR mediates translation regulation in vitro. Importantly, elevated NMHC IIA expression results in erythroid-maturation-independent enucleation as shown for hnRNP K depletion. Our data provide evidence that hnRNP-K-mediated regulation of NMHC IIA mRNA translation contributes to the control of enucleation in erythropoiesis.
Role of cytonemes in Wnt transport
Authors: Stanganello Eliana , Scholpp Steffen 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT
Wnt signaling regulates a broad variety of processes during embryonic development and disease. A hallmark of the Wnt signaling pathway is the formation of concentration gradients by Wnt proteins across responsive tissues, which determines cell fate in invertebrates and vertebrates. To fulfill its paracrine function, trafficking of the Wnt morphogen from an origin cell to a recipient cell must be tightly regulated. A variety of models have been proposed to explain the extracellular transport of these lipid-modified signaling proteins in the aqueous extracellular space; however, there is still considerable debate with regard to which mechanisms allow the precise distribution of ligand in order to generate a morphogenetic gradient within growing tissue. Recent evidence suggests that Wnt proteins are distributed along signaling filopodia during vertebrate and invertebrate embryogenesis. Cytoneme-mediated transport has profound impact on our understanding of how Wnt signaling propagates through tissues and allows the formation of a precise ligand distribution in the recipient tissue during embryonic growth. In this Commentary, we review extracellular trafficking mechanisms for Wnt proteins and discuss the growing evidence of cytoneme-based Wnt distribution in development and stem cell biology. We will also discuss their implication for Wnt signaling in the formation of the Wnt morphogenetic gradient during tissue patterning.
Learning to Apply Algebra in the Community for Adults With Intellectual Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Rodriguez Anthony M. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are routinely excluded from algebra and other high-level mathematics courses. High school students with IDD take courses in arithmetic and life skills rather than having an opportunity to learn algebra. Yet algebra skills can support the learning of money and budgeting skills. This study explores the feasibility of algebra instruction for adults with IDD through an experimental curriculum. Ten individuals with IDD participated in a 6-week course framing mathematics concepts within the context of everyday challenges in handling money. The article explores classroom techniques, discusses student strategies, and proposes possible avenues for future research analyzing mathematics instructional design strategies for individuals with IDD.
Decentralized Job Scheduling in the Cloud Based on a Spatially Generalized Prisoner’s Dilemma Game
Authors: Gąsior Jakub , Seredyński Franciszek 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
We present in this paper a novel distributed solution to a security-aware job scheduling problem in cloud computing infrastructures. We assume that the assignment of the available resources is governed exclusively by the specialized brokers assigned to individual users submitting their jobs to the system. The goal of this scheme is allocating a limited quantity of resources to a specific number of jobs minimizing their execution failure probability and total completion time. Our approach is based on the Pareto dominance relationship and implemented at an individual user level. To select the best scheduling strategies from the resulting Pareto frontiers and construct a global scheduling solution, we developed a decision-making mechanism based on the game-theoretic model of Spatial Prisoner’s Dilemma, realized by selfish agents operating in the two-dimensional cellular automata space. Their behavior is conditioned by the objectives of the various entities involved in the scheduling process and driven towards a Nash equilibrium solution by the employed social welfare criteria. The performance of the scheduler applied is verified by a number of numerical experiments. The related results show the effectiveness and scalability of the scheme in the presence of a large number of jobs and resources involved in the scheduling process.
Observability and Controllability Analysis for Sandwich Systems with Backlash
Authors: Luo Na , Tan Yonghong , Dong Ruili 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
In this paper, an approach to analyze the observability and controllability of sandwich systems with backlash is proposed. In this method, a non-smooth state-space function is used to describe the sandwich systems with backlash which are also non-smooth non-linear systems. Then, a linearization method based on non-smooth optimization is proposed to derive a linearized state-space function to approximate the non-smooth sandwich systems within a bounded region around the equilibrium point that we are interested in. Afterwards, both observability and controllability matrices are constructed and the methods to analyze the observability as well as controllability of sandwich system with backlash are derived. Finally, numerical examples are presented to validate the proposed method.
Towards Robust Predictive Fault–Tolerant Control for a Battery Assembly System
Authors: Seybold Lothar , Witczak Marcin , Majdzik Paweł , Stetter Ralf 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
The paper deals with the modeling and fault-tolerant control of a real battery assembly system which is under implementation at the RAFI GmbH company (one of the leading electronic manufacturing service providers in Germany). To model and control the battery assembly system, a unified max-plus algebra and model predictive control framework is introduced. Subsequently, the control strategy is enhanced with fault-tolerance features that increase the overall performance of the production system being considered. In particular, it enables tolerating (up to some degree) mobile robot, processing and transportation faults. The paper discusses also robustness issues, which are inevitable in real production systems. As a result, a novel robust predictive fault-tolerant strategy is developed that is applied to the battery assembly system. The last part of the paper shows illustrative examples, which clearly exhibit the performance of the proposed approach.
New methods for positive selection of yeast ethanol overproducing mutants
Authors: Dmytruk Kostyantyn V. , Kshanovska Barbara V. , Abbas Charles A. , Sibirny Andriy 
Published: January 2016

AbstractFuel ethanol is an environmentally friendly alternative liquid fuel to the widely used petroleum derived transportation liquid fuels. Since 2007, worldwide fuel ethanol production has increased. Currently ethanol is primarily produced from carbohydrates such as sucrose and starch by fermentation using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this work, new approaches for the selection of S. cerevisiae strains with increased ethanol production from hydrolyzed corn meal are described. An industrial production strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae AS400 was subjected to positive selection of mutants resistant to toxic concentrations of oxythiamine, trehalose, 3-bromopyruvate, glyoxylic acid, and glucosamine. The selected mutants are characterized by 5-8% increase in ethanol yield (g g-1 of consumed glucose) as compared to the parental industrial ethanol-producing strain. A three-step selection approach that consisted of the use of glyoxylic acid, glucosamine and bromopyruvate resulted in a 12% increase in ethanol yield during fermentation on industrial media. These results indicate that the selected strains are promising candidates for industrial ethanol production.
Optimization of pre-treatment of de-oiled oil seed cake for release of reducing sugars by response surface methodology
Authors: Sharmada N , Punja Apoorva , Shetty Sonali S , Shet Vinayaka B , Goveas Louella Concepta , Rao C Vaman 
Published: January 2016

AbstractPre-treatment is a process that releases simple sugars from complex lignocellulosic biomass by using chemicals like acid and alkali which are one of the simplest and cost effective techniques. In this study, the conditions for sulphuric acid and sodium hydroxide pretreatment of de-oiled oil seed cake (DOSC) were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). The levels of factors (DOSC concentration, agitation speed, sulphuric acid (H2SO4), sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentration and reaction time) that affect release of reducing sugars by pre-treatment were obtained by one factor at a time (OFAT) approach of which only H2SO4 concentration, NaOH concentration and reaction time showed significance. The levels of factors were optimized by central composite design. Optimized conditions were found to be 11.65% (v/v) of H2SO4 concentration at 1.28h and, 4 N of NaOH at 3.7 h for acid and alkali hydrolysis respectively. Under optimized conditions, the release of reducing sugars was found to be 0.69 g/L (41.36 mg RRS/ g cellulose) and 0.40 g/L (23.98 mg RRS/ g cellulose) for acid hydrolysis and alkali hydrolysis of DOSC, respectively. Hence, RSM was found to be an efficient technique to optimize the hydrolysis process and ensure maximum release of reducing sugars.