bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complications in mechanically ventilated patients of Guillain–Barre syndrome and their prognostic value
Authors: Netto Archana Becket , Taly Arun B. , Kulkarni Girish B. , Uma Maheshwara Rao G. S. , Rao Shivaji 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT
Introduction: The spectrum of various complications in critically ill Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS) and its effect on the prognosis is lacking in literature. This study aimed at enumerating the complications in such a cohort and their significance in the prognosis and mortality. Materials and Methods: Retrospective case record analysis of all consecutive mechanically ventilated patients of GBS in neurology Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a tertiary care institute for 10 years was done. Demographic, laboratory, and treatment details and outcome parameters were recorded. Results: Among the 173 patients were 118 men and 55 women (2.1:1), aged 1–84 years. The average number of ICU complications per patient was 6.8 ± 1.8 (median = 7, range = 1–12). The most common complication was tracheobronchitis (128). Other pulmonary complications were found in 36 patients. The next was metabolic hyponatremia (115) hypokalemia (67), hypocalcemia (13), stress hyperglycemia (10), hyperkalemia (8), hypernatremia (9). Sepsis (40), UTI (47), dysautonomia (27), hypoalbuminemia (76), anemia (75), seizures (8), paralytic ileus (5), bleeding (4), anoxic encephalopathy (3), organ failures (12), deep vein thrombosis (7), and drug rashes (1) were also noted. The complications, considered significant in causing death, Hughes scale ≤ 3 at discharge, prolonged mechanical ventilation (>21 days) and hospitalization (>36 days) were pneumonia, hyponatremia, hypokalemia, urinary infection, tracheobronchial infections, hypoalbuminemia, sepsis, anemia dysautonomia. Conclusion: Active monitoring and appropriate and early intervention by the clinician will improve the quality of life of these patients and reduce the cost of prolonged mechanical ventilation and ICU stay.
Epileptic Patients are at Risk of Cardiac Arrhythmias: A Novel Approach using QT-nomogram, Tachogram, and Cardiac Restitution Plots
Authors: Al-Nimer Marwan S. , Al-Mahdawi Sura A. , Abdullah Namir M. , Al-Mahdawi Akram 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT
Background: Sudden death is reported in patients who had a history of epilepsy and some authors believed that is due to cardiac arrhythmias. Objectives: This study aimed to predict that the epileptic patients are at risk of serious cardiac arrhythmias by QT-nomogram, tachogram (Lorenz), and cardiac restitution plots. Methods: A total number of 71 healthy subjects (Group I) and 64 newly diagnosed epileptic patients (Group II) were recruited from Al-Yarmouk and Baghdad Teaching hospitals in Baghdad from March 2015 to July 2015 and included in this study. The diagnosis of epilepsy achieved clinically, electroencephalograph record and radio-images including computerized tomography and magnetic image resonance. At the time of entry into the study, an electrocardiography (ECG) was done, and the determinants of each ECG record were calculated. The QT-nomogram, tachogram, and cardiac restitution plots were used to identify the patients at risk of cardiac arrhythmias. Results: Significant prolonged corrected QT corrected (QTc) and JT corrected intervals were observed in female compared with male at age ≥50 years while the TQ interval was significantly prolonged in males of Group II. Eight patients of Group II had a significant pathological prolonged QTc interval compared with undetectable finding in Group I. QT nomogram did not disclose significant findings while the plots of Lorenz and restitution steepness disclose that the patients of Group II were vulnerable to cardiac arrhythmias. Abnormal ECG findings were observed in the age extremities (≤18 years and ≥50 years) in Group II compared with Group I. Conclusion: Utilization of QT-nomogram, restitution steepness, and tachogram plots is useful tools for detection subclinical vulnerable epileptic patient with cardiac arrhythmias.
High-accuracy current measurement with low-cost shunts by means of dynamic error correction
Authors: Weßkamp Patrick , Melbert Joachim 
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Measurement of electrical current is often performed by using shunt resistors. Thermal effects due to self-heating and ambient temperature variation limit the achievable accuracy, especially if low-cost shunt resistors with increased temperature coefficients are utilized. In this work, a compensation method is presented which takes static and dynamic temperature drift effects into account and provides a significant reduction of measurement error. A thermal model of the shunt resistor setup is derived for this purpose and a suitable calibration method is developed. The correction algorithm is based upon a digital filter bank and is optimized for microcontrollers with low computational complexity. It is implemented in laboratory test equipment for long-term studies on automotive lithium-ion cells. For a 600 A current pulse, it reduces the measurement error from 2 % to less than 0.1 %. Measurements with a real-life testing profile show a reduction of remaining measurement error by 60 %. Statistical results for 100 test systems and long-term drift measurements prove the reliability of the method. The proposed dynamic error correction algorithm therefore allows high measurement accuracy despite the use of low-cost shunt resistors.
Two negations for the price of one
Authors: Thornton Rosalind , Notley Anna , Moscati Vincenzo , Crain Stephen 
Published: November 2016

Standard English is typically described as a double negation language. In double negation ­languages, each negative marker contributes independent semantic force. Two negations in the same clause usually cancel each other out, resulting in an affirmative sentence. Other dialects of English permit negative concord. In negative concord sentences, the two negative markers yield a single semantic negation. This paper explores how English-speaking children interpret sentences with more than one negative element, in order to assess whether their early grammar allows negative concord. According to Zeijlstra’s (2004) typological generalization, if a language has a negative syntactic head, it will be a negative concord language. Since Standard English is often analysed as having a negative head, it represents an apparent exception to Zeijlstra’s ­generalization. This raises the intriguing possibility that initially, children recognize that English has a negative head (i.e., n’t) and, therefore, assign negative concord interpretations to sentences with two negations, despite the absence of evidence for this interpretation in the adult input. The present study investigated this possibility in a comprehension study with 20 3- to 5-year-old ­children and a control group of 15 adults. The test sentences were presented in contexts that made them amenable to either a double negation or a negative concord interpretation. As expected, the adult participants assigned the double negation interpretation of the test sentences the majority of the time. In contrast, the child participants assigned the alternative, negative concord interpretation the majority of the time. Children must jettison the negative concord interpretation of sentences with two negative markers, and acquire a double negation interpretation. We propose that the requisite positive evidence is the appearance of negative expressions like nothing in object position. Because such expressions exert semantic force without a second negation, this informs children that they are acquiring a double negation language.
Control of GaN crystal habit by solution stirring in the Na-flux method
Authors: Murakami Kosuke , Imade Mamoru , Imanishi Masayuki , Honjo Masatomo , Imabayashi Hiroki , Matsuo Daisuke , Nakamura Kosuke , Maruyama Mihoko , Yoshimura Masashi , Mori Yusuke 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
In our previous study, we succeeded in fabricating low-curvature GaN wafers with low dislocation density by the Na-flux coalescence growth technique. However, the crystals consisted of many pyramidal grains with

facets, leading to an increase in the oxygen concentration in the crystal, an increase in the lattice constant, and blackening. In this study, we attempted to improve the crystal habit of the GaN crystals by employing a solution-stirring technique in the coalescence growth on multipoint seeds. Scanning electron microscope images indicated that the c-face area became larger by increasing the stirring rate and growth period. We concluded that solution stirring in the Na-flux coalescence growth technique is an effective approach to improve the crystal habit and uniformize the lattice constant of GaN crystals.
Density functional theory study on oligosilane-functionalized C60 fullerene
Authors: Yoshizawa Saori , Abe Shigeaki , Mutoh Mami , Kusaka Teruo , Nakamura Mariko , Yoshida Yasuhiro , Iida Junichiro , Kawabata Hiroshi , Tachikawa Hiroto 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
Oligosilane-functionalized C60 fullerenes [namely, C60–(SiH2)
n
–H, n = 1–4] have been investigated by the density functional theory (DFT) method to elucidate the structures and electronic states of oligosilane-radical added fullerene. The DFT calculation showed that oligosilane radicals bind to the carbon atom of C60 in the on-top site, and a strong Si–C heterojunction is formed. The binding energies of oligosilane radicals to C60 were calculated to be 24.6–28.2 kcal/mol at the CAM-B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level. The electronic states of oligosilane-functionalized fullerenes C60–(SiH2)
n
–H are discussed on the basis of theoretical results.
Iron overload induced death of osteoblasts in vitro: involvement of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway
Authors: Tian Qing , Wu Shilei , Dai Zhipeng , Yang Jingjing , Zheng Jin , Zheng Qixin , Liu Yong 
Published: November 2016

BackgroundIron overload is recognized as a new pathogenfor osteoporosis. Various studies demonstrated that iron overload could induce apoptosis in osteoblasts and osteoporosis in vivo. However, the exact molecular mechanisms involved in the iron overload-mediated induction of apoptosis in osteoblasts has not been explored.PurposeIn this study, we attempted to determine whether the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway is involved in iron-induced osteoblastic cell death and to investigate the beneficial effect of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) in iron-induced cytotoxicity.MethodsThe MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cell line was treated with various concentrations of ferric ion in the absence or presence of NAC, and intracellular iron, cell viability, reactive oxygen species, functionand morphology changes of mitochondria and mitochondrial apoptosis related key indicators were detected by commercial kits. In addition, to further explain potential mechanisms underlying iron overload-related osteoporosis, we also assessed cell viability, apoptosis, and osteogenic differentiation potential in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stemcells(MSCs) by commercial kits.ResultsFerric ion demonstrated concentration-dependent cytotoxic effects on osteoblasts. After incubation with iron, an elevation of intracelluar labile iron levels and a concomitant over-generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by flow cytometry in osteoblasts. Nox4 (NADPH oxidase 4), an important ROS producer, was also evaluated by western blot. Apoptosis, which was evaluated by Annexin V/propidium iodide staining, Hoechst 33258 staining, and the activation of caspase-3, was detected after exposure to iron. Iron contributed to the permeabilizatio of mitochondria, leading to the release of cytochrome C (cyto C), which, in turn, induced mitochondrial apoptosis in osteoblasts via activation of Caspase-3, up-regulation of Bax, and down-regulation of Bcl-2. NAC could reverse iron-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and blocked the apoptotic events through inhibit the generation of ROS. In addition, iron could significantly promote apoptosis and suppress osteogenic differentiation and mineralization in bone marrow-derived MSCs.ConclusionsThese findings firstly demonstrate that the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway involved in iron-induced osteoblast apoptosis. NAC could relieved the oxidative stress and shielded osteoblasts from apoptosis casused by iron-overload. We also reveal that iron overload in bone marrow-derived MSCs results in increased apoptosis and the impairment of osteogenesis and mineralization.
Deconvoluting simulated metagenomes: the performance of hard- and soft- clustering algorithms applied to metagenomic chromosome conformation capture (3C)
Authors: DeMaere Matthew Z. , Darling Aaron E. 
Published: November 2016

BackgroundChromosome conformation capture, coupled with high throughput DNA sequencing in protocols like Hi-C and 3C-seq, has been proposed as a viable means of generating data to resolve the genomes of microorganisms living in naturally occuring environments. Metagenomic Hi-C and 3C-seq datasets have begun to emerge, but the feasibility of resolving genomes when closely related organisms (strain-level diversity) are present in the sample has not yet been systematically characterised.MethodsWe developed a computational simulation pipeline for metagenomic 3C and Hi-C sequencing to evaluate the accuracy of genomic reconstructions at, above, and below an operationally defined species boundary. We simulated datasets and measured accuracy over a wide range of parameters. Five clustering algorithms were evaluated (2 hard, 3 soft) using an adaptation of the extended B-cubed validation measure.ResultsWhen all genomes in a sample are below 95% sequence identity, all of the tested clustering algorithms performed well. When sequence data contains genomes above 95% identity (our operational definition of strain-level diversity), a naive soft-clustering extension of the Louvain method achieves the highest performance.DiscussionPreviously, only hard-clustering algorithms have been applied to metagenomic 3C and Hi-C data, yet none of these perform well when strain-level diversity exists in a metagenomic sample. Our simple extension of the Louvain method performed the best in these scenarios, however, accuracy remained well below the levels observed for samples without strain-level diversity. Strain resolution is also highly dependent on the amount of available 3C sequence data, suggesting that depth of sequencing must be carefully considered during experimental design. Finally, there appears to be great scope to improve the accuracy of strain resolution through further algorithm development.
Can the Myocardial Performance Index Be Used as a New Predictive Factor for a Poor Prognosis in Fetuses With Idiopathic Polyhydramnios?
Authors: Gezer Cenk , Ekin Atalay , Ozeren Mehmet , Taner Cuneyt Eftal , Mat Emre , Solmaz Ulas 
Published: November 2016

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to determine whether there are any changes in cardiac function in fetuses with idiopathic polyhydramnios and also to evaluate the value of the myocardial performance index for prediction of adverse perinatal outcomes.MethodsA prospective case‐control study was conducted with a total of 134 fetuses between 24 and 40 weeks' gestation. Polyhydramnios was defined as an amniotic fluid index of greater than 24 cm. Seventy‐three fetuses of healthy mothers were assigned as the control group whereas 36 fetuses with an amniotic fluid index of 24 to 34 cm constituted the nonsevere polyhydramnios group, and 31 fetuses with an amniotic fluid index of 35 cm or greater constituted the severe polyhydramnios group. Fetal echocardiography was performed to compare cardiac function parameters among groups. To determine which perinatal outcomes were independently associated with an increased myocardial performance index, a multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed.ResultsThe myocardial performance index was significantly higher in polyhydramnios groups compared with controls (P < .001). Among fetuses with polyhydramnios, the myocardial performance index was significantly higher in severe polyhydramnios compared with nonsevere polyhydramnios (P = .003). An increased myocardial performance index in polyhydramnios was independently associated with nonreassuring fetal status (odds ratio, 2.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.41–4.53; P = .005), emergency cesarean delivery (odds ratio, 1.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.12–2.37; P= .025), and respiratory distress syndrome (odds ratio, 1.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.21–3.87; P = .012).ConclusionsAn increased myocardial performance index is an early indicator of adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by idiopathic polyhydramnios.
Potential and Actual impacts of deforestation and afforestation on land surface temperature
Authors: Li Yan , Zhao Maosheng , Mildrexler David J. , Motesharrei Safa , Mu Qiaozhen , Kalnay Eugenia , Zhao Fang , Li Shuangcheng , Wang Kaicun 
Published: November 2016

AbstractForests are undergoing significant changes throughout the globe. These changes can modify water, energy, and carbon balance of the land surface, which can ultimately affect climate. We utilize satellite data to quantify the potential and actual impacts of forest change on land surface temperature (LST) from 2003 to 2013. The potential effect of forest change on temperature is calculated by the LST difference between forest and nearby nonforest land, whereas the actual impact on temperature is quantified by the LST trend difference between deforested (afforested) and nearby unchanged forest (nonforest land) over several years. The good agreement found between potential and actual impacts both at annual and seasonal levels indicates that forest change can have detectable impacts on surface temperature trends. That impact, however, is different for maximum and minimum temperatures. Overall, deforestation caused a significant warming up to 0.28 K/decade on average temperature trends in tropical regions, a cooling up to −0.55 K/decade in boreal regions, a weak impact in the northern temperate regions, and strong warming (up to 0.32 K/decade) in the southern temperate regions. Afforestation induced an opposite impact on temperature trends. The magnitude of the estimated temperature impacts depends on both the threshold and the data set (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer and Landsat) by which forest cover change is defined. Such a latitudinal pattern in temperature impact is mainly caused by the competing effects of albedo and evapotranspiration on temperature. The methodology developed here can be used to evaluate the temperature change induced by forest cover change around the globe.
Detrital zircon U‐Pb ages and Hf isotopic constraints on the terrigenous sediments of the Western Alps and their paleogeographic implications
Authors: Chu Yang , Lin Wei , Faure Michel , Wang Qingchen 
Published: November 2016

AbstractDetrital zircons from Cretaceous micaschist, late Eocene‐earliest Oligocene sandstone and early Oligocene siltstone of the Western Alps fall into three main separable age clusters at 610–540 Ma, 490–430 Ma, and 340–280 Ma that correspond to the Cadomian (Neoproterozoic), Ordovician, and Variscan (Carboniferous) events widespread in western and central Europe. Hf isotopic results indicate that these three magmatic and tectonic episodes did not give rise to significant production of juvenile crust. A distinguishable group of Triassic zircons, around 250–200 Ma which is considered to derive from the Southern Alps, has been detected in the early Oligocene “Schistes à Blocs” formation and the Briançonnais “Flysch Noir”. In contrast, this age group is absent in late Eocene to earliest Oligocene sandstones. In agreement with sedimentological studies, our results show that the main source areas of the Eocene sandstone were probably located in the European continent. The arrival of detritus from the Internal Zone occurred in early Oligocene, coeval with the tectonic rotation from northwestward to westward in the propagation of allochthonous units. Based on previous studies and our new data, we argue that the Briançonnais Zone was likely a paleorelief since the middle Eocene that accounts for the lack of detritus from the Adriatic units. Contemporary sediments were accumulated in the foredeep of the Adriatic plate. From Oligocene time onward, the blockage was cut through after a regional uplifting, and thus, the Internal Zone started to provide detritus into the western flexural basins.
Panel regressions to estimate low‐flow response to rainfall variability in ungaged basins
Authors: Bassiouni Maoya , Vogel Richard M. , Archfield Stacey A. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractMulticollinearity and omitted‐variable bias are major limitations to developing multiple linear regression models to estimate streamflow characteristics in ungaged areas and varying rainfall conditions. Panel regression is used to overcome limitations of traditional regression methods, and obtain reliable model coefficients, in particular to understand the elasticity of streamflow to rainfall. Using annual rainfall and selected basin characteristics at 86 gaged streams in the Hawaiian Islands, regional regression models for three stream classes were developed to estimate the annual low‐flow duration discharges. Three panel‐regression structures (random effects, fixed effects, and pooled) were compared to traditional regression methods, in which space is substituted for time. Results indicated that panel regression generally was able to reproduce the temporal behavior of streamflow and reduce the standard errors of model coefficients compared to traditional regression, even for models in which the unobserved heterogeneity between streams is significant and the variance inflation factor for rainfall is much greater than 10. This is because both spatial and temporal variability were better characterized in panel regression. In a case study, regional rainfall elasticities estimated from panel regressions were applied to ungaged basins on Maui, using available rainfall projections to estimate plausible changes in surface‐water availability and usable stream habitat for native species. The presented panel‐regression framework is shown to offer benefits over existing traditional hydrologic regression methods for developing robust regional relations to investigate streamflow response in a changing climate.
Deriving Structural Information from Experimentally Measured Data on Biomolecules
Authors: van Gunsteren Wilfred F. , Allison Jane R. , Daura Xavier , Dolenc Jožica , Hansen Niels , Mark Alan E. , Oostenbrink Chris , Rusu Victor H. , Smith Lorna J. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractDuring the past half century, the number and accuracy of experimental techniques that can deliver values of observables for biomolecular systems have been steadily increasing. The conversion of a measured value Qexpof an observable quantity Q into structural information is, however, a task beset with theoretical and practical problems: 1) insufficient or inaccurate values of Qexp, 2) inaccuracies in the functionused to relate the quantity Q to structure, 3) how to account for the averaging inherent in the measurement of Qexp, 4) how to handle the possible multiple‐valuedness of the inverseof the function, to mention a few. These apply to a variety of observable quantities Q and measurement techniques such as X‐ray and neutron diffraction, small‐angle and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering, free‐electron laser imaging, cryo‐electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, circular dichroism, Förster resonance energy transfer, atomic force microscopy and ion‐mobility mass spectrometry. The process of deriving structural information from measured data is reviewed with an eye to non‐experts and newcomers in the field using examples from the literature of the effect of the various choices and approximations involved in the process. A list of choices to be avoided is provided.