bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Utility of Atrial Electromechanical Conduction Time Measured with Speckle Tracking Echocardiography after Catheter Ablation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Validation Study with Electroanatomical Mapping
Authors: Fujii Akira , Inoue Katsuji , Nagai Takayuki , Nishimura Kazuhisa , Uetani Teruyoshi , Suzuki Jun , Funada Jun‐ichi , Okura Takafumi , Higaki Jitsuo , Ogimoto Akiyoshi 
Published: May 2016

PurposeOur recent report demonstrated that atrial electromechanical conduction time (EMT‐ε) measured with speckle tracking echocardiography could predict cardiac events in patients with pathological left ventricular hypertrophy. This study aimed to validate EMT‐ε by comparison with electroanatomical mapping and to investigate the clinical utility of EMT‐ε in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing catheter ablation.MethodsForty‐six patients with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF ≥ 50%) undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for AF were studied. Atrial electrical conduction delay was determined by measuring atrial electrical activation time (EAT) using three‐dimensional electroanatomical mapping just after PVI. Echocardiographic parameters were acquired within 24 hours and at 6 months after PVI. The study also included 10 control subjects.ResultsAF patients had a larger left atrial (LA) volume index (LAVI) and more prolonged EMT‐ε compared with control subjects. According to the validation study, EAT was closely related to EMT‐ε and a′, and this association was independent of LAVI and the presence of persistent AF (EMT‐ε: R2 = 0.342, P < 0.0001, a′: R2 = 0.337, P < 0.0001). At 6 months after PVI, LAVI and EMT‐ε were significantly improved. During continued follow‐up beyond 6 months (total follow‐up, 26 ± 12 months), the EMT‐ε shortening at 6 months after PVI was significantly greater in AF‐free patients than patients with AF recurrence. Conclusions: This study suggested that the EMT‐ε could be a useful echocardiographic marker of LA electromechanical abnormalities in patients with AF.
Effects of valproic acid on the placental barrier in the pregnant mouse: Optical imaging and transporter expression studies
Authors: Meir Michal , Bishara Ameer , Mann Aniv , Udi Shiran , Portnoy Emma , Shmuel Miri , Eyal Sara 
Published: May 2016

SummaryOur aim was to evaluate the effects of valproic acid (VPA) on the function of the placental barrier in vivo, in pregnant mice. Studies were conducted on gestational days 12.5 (mid‐gestation) or 17.5 (late gestation), following intraperitoneal treatment with 200 mg/kg VPA or the vehicle. Indocyanine green (ICG; 0.167 mg, i.v.) was used as a marker for the placental barrier permeability. Transporter expression was evaluated by quantitative ‐PCR. VPA treatment was associated with a 40% increase (p < 0.05) in accumulation of ICG in maternal liver in mid‐pregnancy and a decrease by one fifth (p < 0.05) in late pregnancy. Ex vivo, VPA treatment led to a 20% increase (p < 0.05) in fetal ICG emission in mid‐pregnancy. Also in mid‐pregnancy, the placental expression of the L‐type amino acid transporter, the organic anion–transporting polypeptide (Oatp)4a1 (thyroid hormone transporter), and the reduced folate carrier was lower in VPA‐treated mice (p < 0.05). In late pregnancy, hepatic Oatp4a1 levels were 40% less than in controls (p > 0.05). The observed changes in placental transporter expression and function support further research into the potential role of the placenta in the adverse pregnancy outcomes of VPA. Near‐infrared imaging provides a noninvasive, nonradioactive tool for future studies on the effects of epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs on tissue transport functions.
Small‐Scale ASR Between Flow Barriers in a Saline Aquifer
Authors: van Ginkel Marloes , des Tombe Bas , Olsthoorn Theo , Bakker Mark 
Published: May 2016

AbstractRegular aquifer storage recovery, ASR, is often not feasible for small‐scale storage in brackish or saline aquifers because fresh water floats to the top of the aquifer where it is unrecoverable. Flow barriers that partially penetrate a brackish or saline aquifer prevent a stored volume of fresh water from expanding sideways, thus increasing the recovery efficiency. In this paper, the groundwater flow and mixing is studied during injection, storage, and recovery of fresh water in a brackish or saline aquifer in a flow‐tank experiment and by numerical modeling to investigate the effect of density difference, hydraulic conductivity, pumping rate, cyclic operation, and flow barrier settings. Two injection and recovery methods are investigated: constant flux and constant head. Fresh water recovery rates on the order of 65% in the first cycle climbing to as much as 90% in the following cycles were achievable for the studied configurations with constant flux whereas the recovery efficiency was somewhat lower for constant head. The spatial variation in flow velocity over the width of the storage zone influences the recovery efficiency, because it induces leakage of fresh water underneath the barriers during injection and upconing of salt water during recovery.
Wolbachia‐mediated protection against viruses in the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii
Authors: Cattel J. , Martinez J. , Jiggins F. , Mouton L. , Gibert P. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe maternally inherited bacterium Wolbachia is well known for spreading in natural populations by manipulating the reproduction of its arthropod hosts, but can also have mutualist effects that increase host fitness. In mosquitoes and Drosophila some Wolbachia strains can lead to an increase in survival of virus‐infected insects, and in most cases this is associated with reduced accumulation of the virus in host tissues. We investigated if the Wolbachia strain wSuz, which naturally infects Drosophila suzukii, is able to confer protection against Drosophila C virus and Flock House virus in different host genetic backgrounds. We found that this strain can increase host survival upon infection with these two viruses. In some cases this effect was associated with lower viral titres, suggesting that it confers resistance to the viruses rather than allowing the flies to tolerate infection. Our results indicate that, in D. suzukii, the antiviral protection provided by Wolbachia is not correlated to its density as found in other Drosophila species. This study demonstrates a phenotypic effect induced by wSuz on its native host which could explain its maintenance in natural populations of D. suzukii.
Multiobjective evolutionary algorithms for energy and service level scheduling in a federation of distributed datacenters
Authors: Iturriaga Santiago , Dorronsoro Bernabé , Nesmachnow Sergio 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThis article studies the application of multiobjective evolutionary algorithms for solving the energy‐aware scheduling problem of workflows in a distributed system that is composed by a federation of datacenters. Nowadays, energy efficiency is a major concern when using large distributed computing systems, including novel grid and cloud computing facilities. Researchers and system planners are looking for accurate methods to be used for planning the execution of large workloads that consume large amounts of resources, having a direct implications for the energy consumption of the system and its operational costs. In the approach proposed in this article, we study the application of multiobjective evolutionary algorithms combined with low‐level backfilling heuristics for finding efficient mappings of workflows into resources in order to maximize several metrics related to the quality of service, while reducing the energy required for computation. The experimental evaluation is performed considering both medium and large workloads that model realistic high‐performance computing applications and modern distributed computing infrastructures. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed multiobjective evolutionary approaches compute accurate schedules, significantly outperforming both traditional round‐robin/load‐balancing schedulers and a set of combined list scheduling heuristics (accounting for both problem objectives) previously applied to the problem.
Scaling Effects in Sodium Zirconium Silicate Phosphate (Na1+xZr2SixP3−xO12) Ion‐Conducting Thin Films
Authors: Ihlefeld Jon F. , Gurniak Emily , Jones Brad H. , Wheeler David R. , Rodriguez Mark A. , McDaniel Anthony H. 
Published: May 2016

Preparation of sodium zirconium silicate phosphate (NaSICon), Na1+xZr2SixP3−xO12 (0.25 ≤ x ≤ 1.0), thin films has been investigated via a chemical solution approach on platinized silicon substrates. Increasing the silicon content resulted in a reduction in the crystallite size and a reduction in the measured ionic conductivity. Processing temperature was also found to affect microstructure and ionic conductivity with higher processing temperatures resulting in larger crystallite sizes and higher ionic conductivities. The highest room temperature sodium ion conductivity was measured for an x = 0.25 composition at 2.3 × 10−5 S/cm. The decreasing ionic conductivity trends with increasing silicon content and decreasing processing temperature are consistent with grain boundary and defect scattering of conducting ions.
Self over time: another difference between borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder
Authors: Borda Juan P. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesThe nature of the relationship between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder has been an intense field of debate in the last two decades. Current diagnostic classifications approach this complex phenomenon using syndromatic definitions based on presence or absence of a restricted set of signs or symptoms that have demonstrated low specificity. One of the several utilities of the phenomenological method in psychiatry is to complement the clinical panorama, helping in the process of identifying potential differences between two separated clinical syndromes. The main objective of this publication is to explore one particular clinical difference between these two conditions – that is, the experience of self‐continuity and time perception.Methodsthe argument explored in this paper is based on previous second‐person or phenomenological accounts of sufferers of both conditions.Results and ConclusionsWhereas borderline personality disorder patients tend to experience only the present moment, referring frequent difficulties of drawing experiences of the past in order to determine their own future, bipolar disorder patients are constantly worried about the contradictions in their past experiences and the latent risk of losing control of themselves in future episodes of their disease. This contrast should be, however, corroborated in future research comparing directly the two groups in terms of the continuity of the self and their temporal structures.
Synaptic signalling and its interface with neuropathologies: snapshots from the past, present and future
Authors: Beart Philip M. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThis ‘Past to Future’ Review as part of the 60th anniversary year of the Journal of Neurochemistry focuses on synaptic transmission and associated signalling, and seeks to identify seminal progress in neurochemistry over the last 10 years which has advanced our understanding of neuronal communication in brain. The approach adopted analyses neurotransmitters on a case by case basis (i.e. amino acids, monoamines, acetylcholine, neuropeptides, ATP/purines and gasotransmitters) to highlight novel findings that have changed the way we view each type of transmitter, to explore commonalities and interactions, and to note how new insights have changed the way we view the biology of degenerative, psychiatric and behavioural conditions. Across all transmitter systems there was remarkable growth in the identification of targets likely to provide therapeutic benefit and which undoubtedly was driven by the elucidation of circuit function and new vistas of synaptic signalling. There has been an increasing trend to relate signalling to disease, notably for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and related conditions, and which has occurred for each transmitter family. Forebrain circuitry and tonic excitatory control have been the centre of great attention yielding novel findings that will impact upon cognitive, emotional and addictive behaviours. Other impressive insights focus on gasotransmitters integrating activity as volume transmitters. Exciting developments in how serotonin, cholinergic, l‐glutamate, galanin and adenosine receptors and their associated signalling can be beneficially targeted should underpin the development of new therapies. Clearly integrated, multifaceted neurochemistry has changed the way we view synaptic signalling and its relevance to pathobiology.
imageHighlighted are important advances in synaptic signalling over the last decade in the Journal of Neurochemistry. Across all transmitter systems elucidation of circuit function, and notably molecular insights, have underpinned remarkable growth in the identification of targets likely to provide therapeutic benefit in neuropathologies. Another commonality was wide interest in forebrain circuitry and its tonic excitatory control. Increasingly observations relate to signalling in disease and behavioural conditions.This article is part of the 60th Anniversary special issue.
The diagnosis of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Australian children: Current paediatric practice and parent perspective
Authors: Efron Daryl , Sciberras Emma , Hiscock Harriet , Jongeling Brad , Lycett Kate , Bisset Matthew , Smith Grant 
Published: May 2016

AimsIn a sample of newly diagnosed children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the aims were to examine (1) paediatrician assessment and management practices; (2) previous assessments and interventions; (3) correspondence between parent‐report and paediatrician identification of comorbidities; and (4) parent agreement with diagnosis of ADHD.MethodsDesign: cross‐sectional, multi‐site practice audit with questionnaires completed by paediatricians and parents at the point of ADHD diagnosis. Setting: private/public paediatric practices in Western Australia and Victoria, Australia. Main outcome measures: paediatricians: elements of assessment and management were indicated on a study‐designed data form. Parents: ADHD symptoms and comorbidities were measured using the Conners 3 ADHD Index and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, respectively. Sleep problems, previous assessments and interventions, and agreement with ADHD diagnosis were measured by questionnaire.ResultsTwenty‐four paediatricians participated, providing data on 137 patients (77% men, mean age 8.1 years). Parent and teacher questionnaires were used in 88% and 85% of assessments, respectively. Medication was prescribed in 75% of cases. Comorbidities were commonly diagnosed (70%); however, the proportion of patients identified by paediatricians with internalising problems (18%), externalising problems (15%) and sleep problems (4%) was less than by parent report (51%, 66% and 39%). One in seven parents did not agree with the diagnosis of ADHD.ConclusionsAustralian paediatric practice in relation to ADHD assessment is generally consistent with best practice guidelines; however, improvements are needed in relation to the routine use of questionnaires and the identification of comorbidities. A proportion of parents do not agree with the diagnosis of ADHD made by their paediatrician.
High ambient temperature and risk of intestinal obstruction in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Ooi Chee Y , Jeyaruban Christina , Lau Jasmine , Katz Tamarah , Matson Angela , Bell Scott C , Adams Susan E , Krishnan Usha 
Published: May 2016

AimsDistal intestinal obstruction syndrome (DIOS) and constipation in cystic fibrosis (CF) are conditions associated with impaction and/or obstruction by abnormally viscid mucofaecal material within the intestinal lumen. Dehydration has been proposed as a risk factor for DIOS and constipation in CF. The study primarily aimed to determine whether warmer ambient temperature and lower rainfall are risk factors for DIOS and constipation in CF.MethodsHospitalisations for DIOS (incomplete or complete) and/or constipation were retrospectively identified (2000–2012). Genotype, phenotype, temperatures and rainfall data (for the week preceding and season of hospitalisation) were collected.ResultsTwenty‐seven DIOS (59.3% incomplete; 40.7% complete) and 44 constipation admissions were identified. All admitted patients were pancreatic insufficient. Meconium ileus was significantly more likely in DIOS than constipation (64.7% vs. 33.3%; P = 0.038) and in complete than incomplete DIOS (100% vs. 57.1%; P = 0.04). The maximum temperature of the week before DIOS admission (mean (standard deviation) = 28.0 (5.8) °C) was significantly higher than the maximum temperature of the season of admission (25.2 (3.4) °C; P = 0.002). Similarly, the maximum temperature of the week before hospitalisation for constipation (mean (standard deviation) = 27.9 (6.3) °C) was significantly warmer compared with the season of admission (24.0 (4.1) °C; P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences between levels of rainfall during the week before hospitalisation and the season of admission for both DIOS and constipation.ConclusionsRelatively high ambient temperature may play a role in the pathogenesis of DIOS and constipation in CF.
Formula and breast feeding in infant food allergy: A population‐based study
Authors: Goldsmith Alice J , Koplin Jennifer J , Lowe Adrian J , Tang Mimi LK , Matheson Melanie C , Robinson Marnie , Peters Rachel , Dharmage Shyamali C , Allen Katrina J 
Published: May 2016

AimTo determine whether infant‐feeding practices, including duration of exclusive breastfeeding and use of partially hydrolysed formula, modify the risk of developing infant food allergy.MethodsIn an observational population‐based study, 1 year olds were recruited from community immunisation clinics in Melbourne, Australia. Parent‐reported data on infant‐feeding practices and potential confounders were collected prior to infant skin prick testing for four food allergens. Sensitised infants attended hospital‐based oral food challenges to establish food allergy status. Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate associations between breastfeeding and formula‐feeding and infant food allergy adjusting for possible confounding variables.ResultsA total of 5276 (74% response) infants participated. Of the 4537 for whom food allergy status was determined, 515 (11.3%) were food allergic (challenge‐proven in the context of skin prick testing positive (≥2 mm)). After adjusting for confounding variables, there was no association between duration of exclusive breastfeeding and food allergy. Use of partially hydrolysed formula did not reduce the risk of food allergy compared with cow's milk formula in the general population (adjusted odds ratios 1.03 (confidence interval 0.67–1.50)).ConclusionDuration of exclusive breastfeeding and use of partially hydrolysed formula were not associated with food allergy at 1 year of age in this large population‐based study. These findings have implications for population‐based infant‐feeding guidelines and do not support the use of partially hydrolysed formula for food allergy prevention.
Association between waist circumference and childhood‐masked hypertension: A community‐based study
Authors: So Hung‐Kwan , Yip Gabriel Wai‐Kwok , Choi Kai‐Chow , Li Albert M , Leung Lettie Chuk‐Kwan , Wong Sik‐Nin , Sung Rita Yn‐Tz ,   on behalf of the Hong Kong ABP Working Group
Published: May 2016

AimThe aim of this study is to determine the association between waist circumference (WC) and childhood‐masked hypertension.MethodsA territory‐wide, school‐based cohort of 1385 Hong Kong students (672 boys and 713 girls) aged 8–17 years was analysed. The ambulatory blood pressure‐monitoring assessment was performed using validated oscillometric recorders (A&D TM‐2430 (A&D Inc., Tokyo, Japan)) following American Heart Association's recommendations. Subjects were considered normotensive if their casual blood pressure, 24‐h daytime and night‐time average systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were <95th percentile. If one or more of the ambulatory blood pressure parameters was ≥95th percentile, subjects would be considered suffering from masked hypertension (MH). Subjects who had three successive casual blood pressure measurements above the 95th percentile were excluded.ResultsBy body mass index, 148 (10.7%) subjects were obese, 182 (13.1%) overweight and 359 (25.9%) having larger WC (≥85th percentiles). MH was diagnosed in 217 subjects (15.7%). Subjects with larger WC or obesity were significantly associated with higher 24‐h daytime and night‐time systolic blood pressure (≥95th percentile) (odds ratios from 1.84 to 2.09 and from 2.07 to 3.54 for larger WC and obese respectively, all P < 0.05) as well as 24‐h DBP for larger WC (odds ratio = 2, P = 0.015) than normal subjects adjusted by sex, age and height.ConclusionWaist circumference and body mass index are independent risk factors of childhood and adolescent MH. WC appears a significant associated factor of elevated 24‐h DBP in children aged 8–17 years.
Diagnosing autism: Contemporaneous surveys of parent needs and paediatric practice
Authors: Hennel Sabine , Coates Cathy , Symeonides Christos , Gulenc Alisha , Smith Libby , Price Anna MH , Hiscock Harriet 
Published: May 2016

AimConcurrence between parents' information needs and clinicians' practice when diagnosing autism is unknown but may influence families' uptake of management and adjustment. We aimed to compare parents' experience and preferences with paediatrician report of (i) diagnosis delivery and (ii) information given at diagnosis and identify types and usefulness of resources accessed by families post‐diagnosis.MethodsThe design used for the study are parent and paediatrician surveys. Participants are parents of children aged 1.5–18 years, diagnosed with autism between 01 January 2010 and 30 September 2012 and their paediatricians who are members of the Australian Paediatric Research Network. Study‐designed quantitative and qualitative questions about diagnosis delivery and information given at diagnosis (written and spoken vs. neither) and parent perceived importance and harms of information accessed post‐diagnosis.ResultsPaediatricians (53/198 (27%)) identified 1127 eligible families, of whom 404 (36%) participated. Parents were more likely to report receiving adequate time to discuss diagnosis than paediatricians (71 vs. 51%). Parents (98%) rated information about accessing allied health professionals and the meaning of diagnosis as most important, yet paediatricians offered written or spoken information about each infrequently (allied health: 22%; diagnosis: 42%). Post‐diagnosis, allied health was the most important source of information (83%). Harmful resources conveyed helplessness or non‐evidenced‐based therapies, but few parents (14%) reported this.ConclusionsParents want more information than can be conveyed in a single diagnostic consultation. Developing a tailored ‘autism action plan’ with written materials could improve parents' understanding of and satisfaction with children's autism diagnoses.