bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Photochemistry and Photophysics of the 3‐Styrylidenebenz[e]indanes
Authors: Saltiel Jack , Gupta Shipra , Eaker David W. , Kropp Andrew M. , Kumar V. K. Ratheesh 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe photochemical and photophysical properties of the extended conformers of trans‐ and cis‐1‐(2‐naphthyl)‐2‐phenylethenes (t‐ and c‐NPEB) are strikingly different than those of their rigid analogues, trans‐ and cis‐3‐styrylidenebenz[e]indane (t‐ and c‐BPE). The fluorescence quantum yield and lifetime at 25°C in methylcyclohexane drop from 0.76 and 22.2 ns in t‐NPEB to 0.0051 and 0.25 ns in t‐BPE, and there are complementary changes in the photoisomerization quantum yields. In both cases, photoisomerization occurs in S2, a stilbenic excited state. The differences in behavior are traced to the diminished S1/S2 energy gap on the alkyl substitution afforded by the five‐membered ring in BPE. The effect of viscosity on the torsional relaxation of t‐BPE, evaluated in glycerol/methanol mixtures at 25°C and in 95/5 and 99.9/0.1 glycerol/methanol (% v/v) as a function of T, is well accounted for by the medium‐enhanced barrier model. Absorption and fluorescence spectra of t‐BPE in pure glycerol reveal aggregate formation. Quenching of t‐BPE fluorescence in methylcyclohexane by tri‐n‐butylamine (TBA) leads to exciplex fluorescence. Comparison with analogous results for t‐NPEB suggests that charge transfer involves primarily the naphthalenic S1 state in t‐NPEB and the stilbenic S2 state in t‐BPE.
Pupil dilation indicates the coding of past prediction errors: Evidence for attentional learning theory
Authors: Koenig Stephan , Uengoer Metin , Lachnit Harald 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe attentional learning theory of Pearce and Hall () predicts more attention to uncertain cues that have caused a high prediction error in the past. We examined how the cue‐elicited pupil dilation during associative learning was linked to such error‐driven attentional processes. In three experiments, participants were trained to acquire associations between different cues and their appetitive (Experiment 1), motor (Experiment 2), or aversive (Experiment 3) outcomes. All experiments were designed to examine differences in the processing of continuously reinforced cues (consistently followed by the outcome) versus partially reinforced, uncertain cues (randomly followed by the outcome). We measured the pupil dilation elicited by the cues in anticipation of the outcome and analyzed how this conditioned pupil response changed over the course of learning. In all experiments, changes in pupil size complied with the same basic pattern: During early learning, consistently reinforced cues elicited greater pupil dilation than uncertain, randomly reinforced cues, but this effect gradually reversed to yield a greater pupil dilation for uncertain cues toward the end of learning. The pattern of data accords with the changes in prediction error and error‐driven attention formalized by the Pearce‐Hall theory.
Setting Priorities in Behavioral Interventions: An Application to Reducing Phishing Risk
Authors: Canfield Casey Inez , Fischhoff Baruch 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPhishing risk is a growing area of concern for corporations, governments, and individuals. Given the evidence that users vary widely in their vulnerability to phishing attacks, we demonstrate an approach for assessing the benefits and costs of interventions that target the most vulnerable users. Our approach uses Monte Carlo simulation to (1) identify which users were most vulnerable, in signal detection theory terms; (2) assess the proportion of system‐level risk attributable to the most vulnerable users; (3) estimate the monetary benefit and cost of behavioral interventions targeting different vulnerability levels; and (4) evaluate the sensitivity of these results to whether the attacks involve random or spear phishing. Using parameter estimates from previous research, we find that the most vulnerable users were less cautious and less able to distinguish between phishing and legitimate emails (positive response bias and low sensitivity, in signal detection theory terms). They also accounted for a large share of phishing risk for both random and spear phishing attacks. Under these conditions, our analysis estimates much greater net benefit for behavioral interventions that target these vulnerable users. Within the range of the model's assumptions, there was generally net benefit even for the least vulnerable users. However, the differences in the return on investment for interventions with users with different degrees of vulnerability indicate the importance of measuring that performance, and letting it guide interventions. This study suggests that interventions to reduce response bias, rather than to increase sensitivity, have greater net benefit.
Predicting changes in hemoglobin S after simple transfusion using complete blood counts
Authors: Mathur Gagan , Ten Eyck Patrick , Knudson C. Michael 
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUNDHemoglobin S percentages are used in the management of patients who have sickle cell disease. However, hemoglobin S measurements often are not routinely or rapidly performed. Rapid and accurate methods to estimate hemoglobin S levels after simple transfusion may improve the care of patients with sickle cell disease.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSA comprehensive review of the electronic medical record identified 24 stable patients with sickle cell disease who received simple red blood cell transfusions and had hemoglobin S measurements before and after the transfusion that were less than 72 hours apart. Examination of these patients identified 62 separate transfusions that met our criteria. Three simple equations that utilized complete blood count values and readily available information from the medical record were used to predict the post‐transfusion hemoglobin S level after transfusion (Equation 1: predicted post‐transfusion hemoglobin = pre‐transfusion hemoglobin S × [pre‐transfusion hemoglobin/post‐transfusion hemoglobin]; Equation 2: predicted post‐transfusion hemoglobin S = pre‐transfusion hemoglobin S × [pre‐transfusion hematocrit/post‐transfusion hematocrit]; and Equation 3: predicted post‐transfusion hemoglobin S = pre‐transfusion hemoglobin S × total pre‐transfusion hemoglobin/[total pre‐transfusion hemoglobin + (red blood cell volume × 20)]).RESULTSThe predicted hemoglobin S values for all three equations showed a highly significant correlation with the measured post‐hemoglobin S value. The coefficient of determination (R2) for Equations 1, 2, and 3 was 0.95, 0.92, and 0.97, respectively. Predicting the post‐transfusion hemoglobin S value using estimates of the patient's total hemoglobin and the transfused hemoglobin (Equation 3) was the most precise.CONCLUSIONReductions in hemoglobin S values in patients with sickle cell disease who receive simple red blood cell transfusions can be reliably predicted using complete blood cell measurements and simple arithmetic equations.
Ultrasonographic measurement of caudal vena cava to aorta ratios for determination of volume depletion in normal beagle dogs
Authors: Kwak Jungmin , Yoon Hakyoung , Kim Jaehwan , Kim Minjoo , Eom Kidong 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA noninvasive method for quantifying hydration status would be helpful for clinical management and for research applications in dogs. This prospective, experimental, pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of ultrasonographic measurement of the caudal vena cava to aorta ratio as a method for quantifying volume depletion in dogs. In 12 normal beagle dogs, furosemide was administered intravenously at a dose of 1 mg/kg, every 2 h, for 8 h, to induce consecutive volume depletion. Every 30 min after administration, ultrasonographic images of the caudal vena cava and aorta, and physical and biological parameters related to dehydration were acquired. On transverse and longitudinal planes of caudal vena cava and aorta images, the height and area of the caudal vena cava and aorta were measured to calculate the caudal vena cava/aorta ratios. All images were acquired by approaching from the right intercostal space with the dogs in left lateral recumbency. A negative correlation was present between the percentage of weight loss in dogs and all four investigated caudal vena cava/aorta ratios (transverse plane width of the caudal vena cava [TW]/aorta; transverse plane height of caudal vena cava [TH]/aorta; longitudinal plane area of the caudal vena cava [TA]/aorta; and longitudinal plane maximal height of the caudal vena cava [L]/aorta). Significant differences (P < 0.001) were seen between dogs with and without clinical signs of dehydration for all caudal vena cava/aorta ratios. Findings indicated that ultrasonographic caudal vena cava/aorta ratios are feasible methods for quantifying volume depletion and for use as an adjunct to standard subjective methods for estimating hydration status in dogs.
Do male athletes with already high initial haemoglobin mass benefit from ‘live high–train low’ altitude training?
Authors: Hauser Anna , Troesch Severin , Steiner Thomas , Brocherie Franck , Girard Olivier , Saugy Jonas J. , Schmitt Laurent , Millet Grégoire P. , Wehrlin Jon P. 
Published: October 2017

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
It has been assumed that athletes embarking on an ‘live high–train low’ (LHTL) camp with already high initial haemoglobin mass (Hbmass) have a limited ability to increase their Hbmass further post‐intervention. Therefore, the relationship between initial Hbmass and post‐intervention increase was tested with duplicate Hbmass measures and comparable hypoxic doses in male athletes.

What is the main finding and its importance?
There were trivial to moderate inverse relationships between initial Hbmass and percentage Hbmass increase in endurance and team‐sport athletes after the LHTL camp, indicating that even athletes with higher initial Hbmass can reasonably expect Hbmass gains post‐LHTL.

It has been proposed that athletes with high initial values of haemoglobin mass (Hbmass) will have a smaller Hbmass increase in response to ‘live high–train low’ (LHTL) altitude training. To verify this assumption, the relationship between initial absolute and relative Hbmass values and their respective Hbmass increase following LHTL in male endurance and team‐sport athletes was investigated. Overall, 58 male athletes (35 well‐trained endurance athletes and 23 elite male field hockey players) undertook an LHTL training camp with similar hypoxic doses (200–230 h). The Hbmass was measured in duplicate pre‐ and post‐LHTL by the carbon monoxide rebreathing method. Although there was no relationship (r = 0.02, P = 0.91) between initial absolute Hbmass (in grams) and the percentage increase in absolute Hbmass, a moderate relationship (r = −0.31, P = 0.02) between initial relative Hbmass (in grams per kilogram) and the percentage increase in relative Hbmass was detected. Mean absolute and relative Hbmass increased to a similar extent (P ≥ 0.81) in endurance (from 916 ± 88 to 951 ± 96 g, +3.8%, P < 0.001 and from 13.1 ± 1.2 to 13.6 ± 1.1 g kg−1, +4.1%, P < 0.001, respectively) and team‐sport athletes (from 920 ± 120 to 957 ± 127 g, +4.0%, P < 0.001 and from 11.9 ± 0.9 to 12.3 ± 0.9 g kg−1, +4.0%, P < 0.001, respectively) after LHTL. The direct comparison study using individual data of male endurance and team‐sport athletes and strict methodological control (duplicate Hbmass measures and matched hypoxic dose) indicated that even athletes with higher initial Hbmass can reasonably expect Hbmass gain post‐LHTL.
KLF2 mediates enhanced chemoreflex sensitivity, disordered breathing and autonomic dysregulation in heart failure
Authors: Marcus Noah J. , Del Rio Rodrigo , Ding Yanfeng , Schultz Harold D. 
Published: October 2017

Key points
Enhanced carotid body chemoreflex activity contributes to development of disordered breathing patterns, autonomic dysregulation and increases in incidence of arrhythmia in animal models of reduced ejection fraction heart failure.
Chronic reductions in carotid artery blood flow are associated with increased carotid body chemoreceptor activity.
Krüppel‐like Factor 2 (KLF2) is a shear stress‐sensitive transcription factor that regulates the expression of enzymes which have previously been shown to play a role in increased chemoreflex sensitivity.
We investigated the impact of restoring carotid body KLF2 expression on chemoreflex control of ventilation, sympathetic nerve activity, cardiac sympatho‐vagal balance and arrhythmia incidence in an animal model of heart failure.
The results indicate that restoring carotid body KLF2 in chronic heart failure reduces sympathetic nerve activity and arrhythmia incidence, and improves cardiac sympatho‐vagal balance and breathing stability. Therapeutic approaches that increase KLF2 in the carotid bodies may be efficacious in the treatment of respiratory and autonomic dysfunction in heart failure.
AbstractOscillatory breathing and increased sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) are associated with increased arrhythmia incidence and contribute to mortality in chronic heart failure (CHF). Increased carotid body chemoreflex (CBC) sensitivity plays a role in this process and can be precipitated by chronic blood flow reduction. We hypothesized that downregulation of a shear stress‐sensitive transcription factor, Krüppel‐like Factor 2 (KLF2), mediates increased CBC sensitivity in CHF and contributes to associated autonomic, respiratory and cardiac sequelae. Ventilation (Ve), renal SNA (RSNA) and ECG were measured at rest and during CBC activation in sham and CHF rabbits. Oscillatory breathing was quantified as the apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) and respiratory rate variability index (RRVI). AHI (control 6 ± 1/h, CHF 25 ± 1/h), RRVI (control 9 ± 3/h, CHF 29 ± 3/h), RSNA (control 22 ± 2% max, CHF 43 ± 5% max) and arrhythmia incidence (control 50 ± 10/h, CHF 300 ± 100/h) were increased in CHF at rest ( 21%), as were CBC responses (Ve, RSNA) to 10% (all P < 0.05 vs. control). In vivo adenoviral transfection of KLF2 to the carotid bodies in CHF rabbits restored KLF2 expression, and reduced AHI (7 ± 2/h), RSNA (18 ± 2% max) and arrhythmia incidence (46 ± 13/h) as well as CBC responses to hypoxia (all P < 0.05 vs. CHF empty virus). Conversely, lentiviral KLF2 siRNA in the carotid body decreased KLF2 expression, increased chemoreflex sensitivity, and increased AHI (6 ± 2/h vs. 14 ± 3/h), RRVI (5 ± 3/h vs. 20 ± 3/h) and RSNA (24 ± 4% max vs. 34 ± 5% max) relative to scrambled‐siRNA rabbits. In conclusion, down‐regulation of KLF2 in the carotid body increases CBC sensitivity, oscillatory breathing, RSNA and arrhythmia incidence during CHF.
Oxidative phosphorylation: regulation and role in cellular and tissue metabolism
Authors: Wilson David F. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractOxidative phosphorylation provides most of the ATP that higher animals and plants use to support life and is responsible for setting and maintaining metabolic homeostasis. The pathway incorporates three consecutive near equilibrium steps for moving reducing equivalents between the intramitochondrial [NAD+]/[NADH] pool to molecular oxygen, with irreversible reduction of oxygen to bound peroxide at cytochrome c oxidase determining the net flux. Net flux (oxygen consumption rate) is determined by demand for ATP, with feedback by the energy state ([ATP]/[ADP][Pi]) regulating the pathway. This feedback affects the reversible steps equally and independently, resulting in the rate being coupled to ([ATP]/[ADP][Pi])3. With increasing energy state, oxygen consumption decreases rapidly until a threshold is reached, above which there is little further decrease. In most cells, [ATP] and [Pi] are much higher than [ADP] and change in [ADP] is primarily responsible for the change in energy state. As a result, the rate of ATP synthesis, plotted against [ADP], remains low until [ADP] reaches about 30 μm and then increases rapidly with further increase in [ADP]. The dependencies on energy state and [ADP] near the threshold can be fitted by the Hill equation with a Hill coefficients of about −2.6 and 4.2, respectively. The homeostatic set point for metabolism is determined by the threshold, which can be modulated by the and intramitochondrial [NAD+]/[NADH]. The ability of oxidative phosphorylation to precisely set and maintain metabolic homeostasis is consistent with it being permissive of, and essential to, development of higher plants and animals.
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Transgenerational Diapause as an Avoidance Strategy against Bacterial Pathogens in
Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Palominos M. Fernanda , Verdugo Lidia , Gabaldon Carolaing , Pollak Bernardo , Ortíz-Severín Javiera , Varas Macarena A. , Chávez Francisco P. , Calixto Andrea 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT

The dynamic response of organisms exposed to environmental pathogens determines their survival or demise, and the outcome of this interaction depends on the host’s susceptibility and pathogen-dependent virulence factors. The transmission of acquired information about the nature of a pathogen to progeny may ensure effective defensive strategies for the progeny’s survival in adverse environments. Environmental RNA interference (RNAi) is a systemic and heritable mechanism and has recently been linked to antibacterial and antifungal defenses in both plants and animals. Here, we report that the second generation of
Caenorhabditis elegans
living on pathogenic bacteria can avoid bacterial infection by entering diapause in an RNAi pathway-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the information encoding this survival strategy is transgenerationally transmitted to the progeny via the maternal germ line.

IMPORTANCE
Bacteria vastly influence physiology and behavior, and yet, the specific mechanisms by which they cause behavioral changes in hosts are not known. We use
C. elegans
as a host and the bacteria they eat to understand how microbes trigger a behavioral change that helps animals to survive. We found that animals faced with an infection for two generations could enter a hibernationlike state, arresting development by forming dauer larvae. Dauers have closed mouths and effectively avoid infection. Animals accumulate information that is transgenerationally transmitted to the next generations to form dauers. This work gives insight on how bacteria communicate in noncanonical ways with their hosts, resulting in long-lasting effects providing survival strategies to the community.
Use of a dynamic gait trainer for a child with thoracic level spinal cord injury
Authors: Altizer Wendy , Noritz Garey , Paleg Ginny 
Published: October 2017

Paediatric spinal cord injury (SCI) can result in permanent mobility impairment with consequences for activity, participation and quality of life. This case documents the effect of an overground supported stepping intervention using a dynamic gait trainer. To our knowledge, there are no published studies on this intervention for children with SCI and similar interventions have only been reported in children at American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) levels B and C.A child with a T10 (thoracic level, vertebra 10), AIS level A injury, sustained at 2 years of age, continued to make gains in all areas including participation, activity, body structure and function over the following 4 years. Use of a dynamic gait trainer improved the participant’s ability to be active and participate despite lack of further neuromuscular recovery. This novel approach with a commonly available device allowed the child to be active and participate in the absence of neural recovery.
Prevalence and associated factors of active smoking among individuals living with hypertension and/or diabetes in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Wafeu Guy S , Tankeu Aurel T , Endomba Francky Teddy A , Nansseu Jobert Richie , Kaze Arnaud D , Bigna Jean Joel , Noubiap Jean Jacques 
Published: October 2017

IntroductionTobacco use significantly increases cardiovascular complications in people living with hypertension and/or diabetes. We aim to summarise data on the prevalence and factors associated with active smoking in these conditions in Africa.Method and analysisWe will search PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar and African Journals Online for relevant abstracts of studies on active smoking in individuals living with diabetes and/or hypertension published from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2016, with no language restriction. Additionally, relevant unpublished papers and conference proceedings will be checked, as well as references of included articles. Two investigators will independently screen, select studies, extract data and assess the risk of bias in each study. Data will be analysed using Stata software (Stata V.14, Texas, USA). The study-specific estimates will be pooled through a random-effects meta-analysis model to obtain an overall summary estimate of the prevalence of smoking across studies. Also, we will assess factors associated to smoking. Heterogeneity of studies will be evaluated by the χ2 test on Cochrane’s Q statistic. Funnel plots analysis and Egger’s test will be done to detect publication bias. Results will be presented by geographic region (central, eastern, northern, southern and western Africa). A p value less than 0.05 will be considered significant for factors associated to smoking.Ethics and disseminationThis study is based on published data, and therefore ethical approval is not a requirement. This systematic review and meta-analysis is expected to serve as a basis for designing cost-effective interventions to reduce and prevent smoking in patients with diabetes and/or hypertension, and as a guide for future research based on the remaining gaps. The final report of this study in the form of a scientific paper will be published in peer-reviewed journals. Findings will further be presented at conferences and submitted to relevant health authorities.
Improving the completeness of acute kidney injury follow-up information in hospital electronic discharge letters
Authors: Reschen Michael Edward , Vaux Emma 
Published: October 2017

ObjectivesAcute kidney injury (AKI) is common in hospitalised patients, often mandates changes to regular medications and can be unresolved at hospital discharge. General practitioners (GPs) require apposite AKI-related information in electronic discharge letters (EDLs). In 2015 NHS England introduced a care quality standard that all EDLs should include four items of information for patients with AKI. We performed a 12-month quality improvement project (QIP) aimed at achieving above 90% compliance with the quality standard.MethodsHospital-wide episodes of AKI were detected using the nationally approved electronic AKI alerts system. 25 patient AKI episodes were audited per month for 12 months using the electronic patient record. The target compliance rate was staggered at 35%, 65% and 90% for each subsequent 3-month block. Baseline compliance was 22%. Measures taken to improve compliance included email information, grand rounds, ward-level meetings, computer screensavers, nurse support, clinical governance meetings, and face-to-face rapid education. Annotation of AKI within the computer EDL system was progressively enhanced such that in the final quarter the presence of an AKI-alert mandated the user to complete the AKI annotation before the EDL could be signed off.ResultsThe completion rate improved to 37% in the second quarter, 51% in the third quarter and 92% in the fourth quarter. This change has been sustained in the 14 months since.ConclusionsBy the end of the study, omissions relating to AKI information were reduced from 78% to less than 10%, indicating our QIP was highly effective—meeting the quality standard. The single most important factor in improving documentation was to mandate user review of AKI aftercare in patients with electronic AKI alerts. Our study encompassed hospital-wide inpatients, and our results could be replicated at other acute hospitals that have implemented an EDL system connected to an AKI alert system.