bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Laser-assisted management of a symptomatic anterior pharyngeal diverticulum
Authors: Pujary K , Agarwal A C , Balakrishnan R , Bhandarkar A 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackground:Dysphagia is a relatively common symptom following laryngectomy. An anterior pharyngeal diverticulum is a rare cause of post-laryngectomy dysphagia. However, it is often an incidental finding on rigid telescopic examination.Methods and results:This article describes two patients with a symptomatic anterior pharyngeal diverticulum. They were treated by transoral micro-endoscopic potassium titanyl phosphate 532 nm laser assisted resection. Both patients could take feeds orally after the procedure without any difficulty. One patient died one and a half years after the procedure because of secondary lung cancer. The other patient died after three years as a result of regional recurrence. The patients were able to swallow during their survival period post treatment.Conclusion:Laser-assisted micro-endoscopic resection is a relatively safe, quick and effective procedure for the management of anterior pharyngeal diverticulum.
Evaluation of cardiovascular risks and recovery of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss in hospitalised patients: comparison between complete and partial sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Haremza C , Klopp-Dutote N , Strunski V , Page C 
Published: August 2017

AbstractObjective:To evaluate the presence of cardiovascular risk factors and recovery of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss in hospitalised patients.Methods:A single-centre retrospective study of 80 patients hospitalised for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss was conducted over a 6-year period. Mean pure tone hearing thresholds were assessed by pure tone audiometry.Results:Twenty-three of 80 patients (28.75 per cent) initially had no cardiovascular risk factors. Forty-five patients had hyperlipidaemia, 22 patients had hypertension, 7 patients had diabetes mellitus and 7 patients were obese. No statistically significant difference was observed between patients with complete versus partial sudden sensorineural hearing loss (p = 0.0708) concerning the cardiovascular risk factors. At long-term follow up, the hearing recovery rate was not significantly different between the two groups of patients (p = 0.7541).Conclusion:The lack of a clear relationship between idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and cardiovascular risk factors suggests that sudden sensorineural hearing loss has a predominantly multifactorial disease profile regardless of hearing impairment severity.
MicroRNA let-7a up-regulates OPN expression in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis
Authors: Yu H , Sun H , Wang Z , Liu Y 
Published: August 2017

AbstractObjective:To investigate the effect of microRNA let-7a on OPN expression in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis.Methods:Thirty-two mature female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups, with eight mice in each group: microRNA let-7a, microRNA control, OVA and phosphate-buffered saline groups. The microRNA let-7a, microRNA control and OVA groups were sensitised with OVA to establish a mouse model of allergic rhinitis. Nose-scratching events were counted. Nasal mucosa was used to evaluate histological changes of goblet cell hyperplasia. Interleukins 5 and 13 were detected. Interferon-γ levels in the nasal lavage fluid were assayed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. OPN expression was estimated with polymerase chain reaction.Results:Compared with microRNA control mice, microRNA let-7a treated mice had a significantly increased number of nose-scratching events, nasal mucosal eosinophilia and goblet cell hyperplasia (p < 0.05), and significantly higher interleukins 5 and 13 in nasal mucosa (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in interferon-γ (p > 0.05). In addition, microRNA let-7a treated mice had significantly enhanced OPN expression in nasal mucosa (p < 0.05).Conclusion:MicroRNA let-7a can promote allergic rhinitis development partly by regulating OPN expression.
Neuropsychiatric characteristics of antiterrorist operation combatants in the Donbass (Ukraine)
Authors: Loganovsky Konstantin N. , Zdanevich Natalia A. , Gresko Marina V. , Marazziti Donatella , Loganovskaja Tatiana K. 
Published: August 2017

ObjectiveThe present paper aimed to explore the neuropsychiatric characteristics of the antiterrorism (ATO) combatants in the Donets Basin (Donbass) and to propose therapeutic strategies for managing their mental healthcare.MethodsA total of 54 ATO combatants were included in our study and compared with four groups of subjects exposed to other emergencies, including the Chernobyl disaster and the war in Afghanistan. The neuropsychiatric features were assessed through psychopathological assessments, neurological examinations, and quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG).ResultsThe ATO combatants were characterized by low health self-estimation, somatic concerns, a high prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, insomnia, depression, social dysfunction, mild cognitive impairment, and neurological soft signs, similar to individuals involved in the Chernobyl disaster and veterans of the Afghan War. Quantitative EEG showed abnormalities suggestive of irritation of the corticolimbic system and diencephalic structures. Some post-conflict personality changes in ATO combatants were recorded. The treatment of ATO combatants included a comprehensive strategy: from psychotropic drugs to different psychotherapies.ConclusionsOn the basis of 30 years of experience in the management of the consequences of Chernobyl disaster and the available studies on war veterans, the authors proposed a method for assessment and an approach to providing mental healthcare for ATO combatants, refugees, and migrants from the Donbass, which perhaps can be used as guidelines for other conflicts. Taken together, the findings of the study suggest that voluntary participation in war may decrease but does not eliminate the risk of developing the neuropsychiatric consequences caused by such conflicts. A comprehensive strategy—one that would encompass psychopharmacological, psychological, and rehabilitation techniques—seems to be the most successful approach to managing the main symptoms and disorders involved.
Secular trends in dietary patterns of young children in Brazil from 1996 to 2006
Authors: Rinaldi Ana Elisa Madalena , Conde Wolney Lisboa 
Published: August 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo describe dietary patterns (DP) from 1996 to 2006 and in the first 5 years of life and to explore individual and contextual characteristics associated with each DP.DesignDP were defined by principal component analysis. The association between DP and individual (sociodemographic, maternal and child) and contextual (geographic regional and year) characteristics was analysed by multilevel analysis.SettingTwo complex probabilistic Brazilian Demographic and Health Surveys (BDHS 1996, 2006).SubjectsBrazilian children under 5 years of age.ResultsDP1 included yoghurt, vegetables, fruits, tubers, red meat. DP2 included liquids, milk, fruits, egg/chicken/fish, red meat, breast milk (negative loading). DP3 included fruit juices, ‘papilla’, yoghurt, red meat (negative loading). DP4 included formulas, milk, enriched ‘papilla’, egg/chicken/fish (negative loading). DP prevalence within the age range from 1996 to 2006 remained constant for DP1; increased after 12 and 6 months, respectively, for DP2 and DP3; and decreased for DP4. DP1 was explained by higher maternal education, wealth, lower number of children at home; DP2 by living in rural area and younger mothers; and DP4 by lower maternal education and wealth. The total variance of the model attributable to geographic region was 30·2, 20·7 and 54·2 % for DP2, DP3 and DP4, respectively.ConclusionsDP trends observed from 1996 to 2006 show positive aspects, such as: maintenance of DP1 as the main DP after 12 months; an increase in the prevalence of DP2 and DP3 followed by a decrease of DP4 after 6 months. DP1 is explained mainly by socio-economic factors, regardless of contextual characteristics, and DP2, DP3, DP4 are partially explained by contextual effects.
Visions of human futures in space and SETI
Authors: Wright Jason T. , Oman-Reagan Michael P. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe discuss how visions for the futures of humanity in space and SETI are intertwined, and are shaped by prior work in the fields and by science fiction. This appears in the language used in the fields, and in the sometimes implicit assumptions made in discussions of them. We give examples from articulations of the so-called Fermi Paradox, discussions of the settlement of the Solar System (in the near future) and the Galaxy (in the far future), and METI. We argue that science fiction, especially the campy variety, is a significant contributor to the ‘giggle factor’ that hinders serious discussion and funding for SETI and Solar System settlement projects. We argue that humanity's long-term future in space will be shaped by our short-term visions for who goes there and how. Because of the way they entered the fields, we recommend avoiding the term ‘colony’ and its cognates when discussing the settlement of space, as well as other terms with similar pedigrees. We offer examples of science fiction and other writing that broaden and challenge our visions of human futures in space and SETI. In an appendix, we use an analogy with the well-funded and relatively uncontroversial searches for the dark matter particle to argue that SETI's lack of funding in the national science portfolio is primarily a problem of perception, not inherent merit.
Does financial education enhance financial preparedness? Evidence from a natural experiment in Singapore
Authors: BARUA RASHMI , KOH BENEDICT , MITCHELL OLIVIA S. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe evaluate how financial education provided to college students influenced their financial knowledge and planning in a quasi-experimental setting where we control for student motivation to enroll in the course. Using a difference-in-difference strategy, we show that financial education led to an increase in financial knowledge and planning. Specifically, we find that financial education improved students’ financial knowledge score by 11%, and financial planning score by 16%. No statistically significant effects are detected for student levels of financial prudence, discipline, or outcomes related to credit card usage.
Phonon broadening in high entropy alloys
Authors: Körmann Fritz , Ikeda Yuji , Grabowski Blazej , Sluiter Marcel H. F. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractRefractory high entropy alloys feature outstanding properties making them a promising materials class for next-generation high-temperature applications. At high temperatures, materials properties are strongly affected by lattice vibrations (phonons). Phonons critically influence thermal stability, thermodynamic and elastic properties, as well as thermal conductivity. In contrast to perfect crystals and ordered alloys, the inherently present mass and force constant fluctuations in multi-component random alloys (high entropy alloys) can induce significant phonon scattering and broadening. Despite their importance, phonon scattering and broadening have so far only scarcely been investigated for high entropy alloys. We tackle this challenge from a theoretical perspective and employ ab initio calculations to systematically study the impact of force constant and mass fluctuations on the phonon spectral functions of 12 body-centered cubic random alloys, from binaries up to 5-component high entropy alloys, addressing the key question of how chemical complexity impacts phonons. We find that it is crucial to include both mass and force constant fluctuations. If one or the other is neglected, qualitatively wrong results can be obtained such as artificial phonon band gaps. We analyze how the results obtained for the phonons translate into thermodynamically integrated quantities, specifically the vibrational entropy. Changes in the vibrational entropy with increasing the number of elements can be as large as changes in the configurational entropy and are thus important for phase stability considerations. The set of studied alloys includes MoTa, MoTaNb, MoTaNbW, MoTaNbWV, VW, VWNb, VWTa, VWNbTa, VTaNbTi, VWNbTaTi, HfZrNb, HfMoTaTiZr.
Accelerated estimation of corrosion rate in supercritical and ultra-supercritical water
Authors: Rodriguez David , Chidambaram Dev 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis study explores a methodology for the determination of the accelerated corrosion rate of candidate materials to be used in advanced supercritical and ultra-supercritical water-based thermal reactors. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electrochemical frequency modulation were used to evaluate the corrosion rates of SAE 316 stainless steel, Nitronic 50, Inconel 718, and Inconel 625 in supercritical water at 530 °C and in ultra-supercritical water at 600 °C. The results were compared to the results of gravimetric studies that were performed to determine the viability of the utilization of electrochemical analyses in supercritical and ultra-supercritical water. For all of the conditions that were tested, results showed that the corrosion rates during electrochemical testing had trends that were similar to the long-term gravimetric results. Thus, the hybrid methodology described in this manuscript can reduce testing times from >1000 h to ~ 10 h.
Generalized image deconvolution by exploiting the transmission matrix of an optical imaging system
Authors: Lee SangYun , Lee KyeoReh , Shin Seungwoo , Park YongKeun 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIntact optical information of an object delivered through an imaging system is deteriorated by imperfect optical elements and unwanted defects. Image deconvolution has been widely exploited as a recovery technique due to its practical feasibility, and operates by assuming linear shift-invariant property of the imaging system. However, shift invariance does not rigorously hold in all imaging situations and is not a necessary condition for solving an inverse problem of light propagation. Several improved deconvolution techniques exploiting spatially variant point spread functions have been proposed in previous studies. However, the full characterization of an optical imaging system for compensating aberrations has not been considered. Here, we present a generalized method to solve the linear inverse problem of coherent light propagations without any regularization method or constraint on shift invariance by fully measuring the transmission matrix of the imaging system. Our results show that severe aberrations produced by a tilted lens or an inserted disordered layer can be corrected properly only by the proposed generalized image deconvolution. This work generalizes the theory of image deconvolution, and enables distortion-free imaging under general imaging condition.
A prospective analysis of mucosal microbiome-metabonome interactions in colorectal cancer using a combined MAS 1HNMR and metataxonomic strategy
Authors: Kinross James , Mirnezami Reza , Alexander James , Brown Richard , Scott Alasdair , Galea Dieter , Veselkov Kirill , Goldin Rob , Darzi Ara , Nicholson Jeremy , Marchesi Julian R. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractColon cancer induces a state of mucosal dysbiosis with associated niche specific changes in the gut microbiota. However, the key metabolic functions of these bacteria remain unclear. We performed a prospective observational study in patients undergoing elective surgery for colon cancer without mechanical bowel preparation (n = 18). Using 16 S rRNA gene sequencing we demonstrated that microbiota ecology appears to be cancer stage-specific and strongly associated with histological features of poor prognosis. Fusobacteria (p < 0.007) and ε- Proteobacteria (p < 0.01) were enriched on tumour when compared to adjacent normal mucosal tissue, and fusobacteria and β-Proteobacteria levels increased with advancing cancer stage (p = 0.014 and 0.002 respecitvely). Metabonomic analysis using 1H Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonsance (MAS-NMR) spectroscopy, demonstrated increased abundance of taurine, isoglutamine, choline, lactate, phenylalanine and tyrosine and decreased levels of lipids and triglycerides in tumour relative to adjacent healthy tissue. Network analysis revealed that bacteria associated with poor prognostic features were not responsible for the modification of the cancer mucosal metabonome. Thus the colon cancer mucosal microbiome evolves with cancer stage to meet the demands of cancer metabolism. Passenger microbiota may play a role in the maintenance of cancer mucosal metabolic homeostasis but these metabolic functions may not be stage specific.
Neodiversification of homeologous CLAVATA1-like receptor kinase genes in soybean leads to distinct developmental outcomes
Authors: Mirzaei Saeid , Batley Jacqueline , El-Mellouki Tarik , Liu Shiming , Meksem Khalid , Ferguson Brett J. , Gresshoff Peter M. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe CLAVATA pathway that regulates stem cell numbers of the shoot apical meristem has exclusively been studied in Arabidopsis; as such insight into other species is warranted. In this study, aGmCLV1Amutant (F-S562L) with altered lateral organ development, and two mutants ofGmNARK, isolated from a Forrest M2 population (EMS-mutated soybean) were studied.GmCLV1AandGmNARKencode for LRR receptor kinases, and share 92% of protein sequence. WhileGmNARKis critical for systemic regulation of nodulation (new organ made on the root through symbiosis), we show thatGmCLV1Afunctions locally and has no apparent function in nodulation or root development. However, a recessive, loss-of-function mutation (S562L) in a putative S-glycosylation site ofGmCLV1Acauses stem nodal identity alterations as well as flower and pod abnormalities (deformed flower and pod). The mutant also exhibits a homeotic phenotype, displaying abnormal leaf development/number, vein-derived leaf emergence, and a thick, faciated stem. The mutant phenotype is also temperature-sensitive. Interestingly, a novel truncated version ofGmCLV1Awas identified upstream ofGmCLV1Athat is absent fromGmNARK, but is present upstream of theGmNARKorthologues,MtSUNNandPvNARK. Taken together, our findings indicate thatGmCLV1Aacts on shoot architecture, whereasGmNARK, functions in controlling nodule numbers.
Copper ferrites@reduced graphene oxide anode materials for advanced lithium storage applications
Authors: Wang Junyong , Deng Qinglin , Li Mengjiao , Jiang Kai , Zhang Jinzhong , Hu Zhigao , Chu Junhao 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCopper ferrites are emerging transition metal oxides that have potential applications in energy storage devices. However, it still lacks in-depth designing of copper ferrites based anode architectures with enhanced electroactivity for lithium-ion batteries. Here, we report a facile synthesis technology of copper ferrites anchored on reduced graphene oxide (CuFeO2@rGO and Cu/CuFe2O4@rGO) as the high-performance electrodes. In the resulting configuration, reduced graphene offers continuous conductive channels for electron/ion transfer and high specific surface area to accommodate the volume expansion of copper ferrites. Consequently, the sheet-on-sheet CuFeO2@rGO electrode exhibits a high reversible capacity (587 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 200 mA g−1). In particular, Cu/CuFe2O4@rGO hybrid, which combines the advantages of nano-copper and reduced graphene, manifests a significant enhancement in lithium storage properties. It reveals superior rate capability (723 mAh g−1 at 800 mA g−1; 560 mAh g−1 at 3200 mA g−1) and robust cycling capability (1102 mAh g−1 after 250 cycles at 800 mA g−1). This unique structure design provides a strategy for the development of multivalent metal oxides in lithium storage device applications.
Quality of non-expert citizen science data collected for habitat type conservation status assessment in Natura 2000 protected areas
Authors: Kallimanis A. S. , Panitsa M. , Dimopoulos P. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractEU biodiversity conservation policy is based on the Habitats Directive (92/43/EC), which aims that habitat types and species of Community interest should reach ‘favourable conservation status’. To this end, Member States are obliged to perform periodic assessment of species and habitat conservation status through biodiversity monitoring, which, in almost all cases, was performed by experts implementing standardized field protocols. Here, we examine the quality of data collected in the field by non-experts (citizen scientists) for the conservation status assessment of habitat types, and specifically for the criteria ‘typical species’, ‘specific structures and functions’, and ‘pressures and threats’. This task is complicated and demands different types of field data. We visited two Natura 2000 sites and investigated four habitat types (two in each site) with non-experts and compared their data to the data collected by experts for accuracy, completeness and spatial arrangement. The majority of the non-expert data were accurate (i.e. non-experts recorded information they observed in the field), but they were incomplete (i.e. non-experts detected less information than the experts). Also, non-experts chose their sampling locations closer to the edge of the habitat, i.e. in more marginal conditions and thus in potentially more degraded conditions, than experts.
Multi-scale crystallographic ordering in the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa
Authors: Mouchi Vincent , Vonlanthen Pierre , Verrecchia Eric P. , Crowley Quentin G. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractLophelia pertusa is a widespread colonial cold-water coral which can form large three-dimensional habitats for benthic communities. Although it is known to construct an aragonite skeleton with optically opaque and translucent bands, details of its biomineralized structure are unclear. New crystallographic data obtained from Lophelia pertusa using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) reveal a remarkably high degree of multiscale self-ordering and provide unprecedented detail on crystallographic orientations within the coral skeleton. The EBSD data unequivocally demonstrate a self-regulated architecture across a range of spatial scales, resulting in a specific structure which contributes to the physical robustness of its skeleton and an evolutionary advantage in such habitats.
A Poly(ethylenglycol) Functionalized ZIF-8 Membrane Prepared by Coordination-Based Post-Synthetic Strategy for the Enhanced Adsorption of Phenolic Endocrine Disruptors from Water
Authors: Wu Mian , Guo Xiafei , Zhao Faqiong , Zeng Baizhao 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMetal–organic framework (MOF) membranes have received increasing attention as adsorbents, yet single phase MOF membranes have certain limitations, which frustrate their capacity performance. In this work a MOF composite membrane was successfully prepared by a facile and green strategy through reasonable design. At first, a defect-free ZIF-8 membrane was fabricated on an ionic liquid modified pencil bar by a solvothermal method. Then, a novel poly(ethylenglycol) functionalized ZIF-8 composite membrane (ZIF-8/PEG-NH2) was prepared through a flexible coordination-based post-synthetic modification strategy. We found that reaction time and temperature were two crucial factors for successfully fabricating well-defined ZIF-8/PEG-NH2 membrane. Besides, the adsorption of phenolic endocrine disruptors (e.g., 4-nonylphenol) on original ZIF-8 membrane and ZIF-8/PEG-NH2 membrane was investigated, and the good adsorption selectivity of ZIF-8/PEG-NH2 membrane towards 4-nonylphenol was demonstrated, with high adsorption capacity and fast adsorption dynamics. Excitingly, such ZIF-8/PEG-NH2 membrane was successfully employed for the selective detection of 4-nonylphenol from environmental water samples, demonstrating its great application potential in environmental monitoring.