bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative fat and R2* mapping in vivo to measure lipid‐rich necrotic core and intraplaque hemorrhage in carotid atherosclerosis
Authors: Koppal Sandeep , Warntjes Marcel , Swann Jeremy , Dyverfeldt Petter , Kihlberg Johan , Moreno Rodrigo , Magee Derek , Roberts Nicholas , Zachrisson Helene , Forssell Claes , Länne Toste , Treanor Darren , de Muinck Ebo D 
Published: August 2016

PurposeThe aim of this work was to quantify the extent of lipid‐rich necrotic core (LRNC) and intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) in atherosclerotic plaques.MethodsPatients scheduled for carotid endarterectomy underwent four‐point Dixon and T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3 Tesla. Fat and R2* maps were generated from the Dixon sequence at the acquired spatial resolution of 0.60 × 0.60 × 0.70 mm voxel size. MRI and three‐dimensional (3D) histology volumes of plaques were registered. The registration matrix was applied to segmentations denoting LRNC and IPH in 3D histology to split plaque volumes in regions with and without LRNC and IPH.ResultsFive patients were included. Regarding volumes of LRNC identified by 3D histology, the average fat fraction by MRI was significantly higher inside LRNC than outside: 12.64 ± 0.2737% versus 9.294 ± 0.1762% (mean ± standard error of the mean [SEM]; P < 0.001). The same was true for IPH identified by 3D histology, R2* inside versus outside IPH was: 71.81 ± 1.276 s−1 versus 56.94 ± 0.9095 s−1 (mean ± SEM; P < 0.001). There was a strong correlation between the cumulative fat and the volume of LRNC from 3D histology (R2 = 0.92) as well as between cumulative R2* and IPH (R2 = 0.94).ConclusionQuantitative mapping of fat and R2* from Dixon MRI reliably quantifies the extent of LRNC and IPH. Magn Reson Med 78:285–296, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Modeling functional decline over time in sporadic inclusion body myositis
Authors: Alfano Lindsay N. , Yin Han , Dvorchik Igor , Maus Elizabeth G. , Flanigan Kevin M. , Mendell Jerry R. , Lowes Linda P. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The ability to individualize recommendations or expectations of disease progression based on a patient's unique characteristics has merit for use in sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM). Methods: Fifty‐five subjects with sIBM completed a battery of strength and functional outcomes at 2 study visits. These were used to develop mathematical models of disease progression in patients with sIBM for use in clinical and research settings. Results: The 6‐minute walk test (6MWT) distance declined by an average of 27.5 meters (12%) per year. Significant factors that predict 6MWT were knee extension and plantarflexion strength and body weight, whereas the ability to stand from a chair was impacted by elbow extension strength. Stepping up on a curb was influenced by the patient's age at diagnosis and by knee extension. Statistical models to predict functional decline in sIBM were developed. Conclusion: Statistical models help explain the complex factors that influence decreased walking ability and other functional activities in sIBM. Muscle Nerve 55: 526–531, 2017
The protein inventory of Clostridium difficile grown in complex and minimal medium
Authors: Otto Andreas , Maaß Sandra , Lassek Christian , Becher Dörte , Hecker Michael , Riedel Katharina , Sievers Susanne 
Published: August 2016

The intestinal pathogen Clostridium difficile is causing an increasing number of infections often characterized by severity and high relapse rates. Profound knowledge of the physiology of the pathogen could help to develop new treatment strategies. Proteomics, a valuable tool to study bacterial physiology, was used in this work to establish a benchmark proteome of reference strain C. difficile 630Δerm with MS‐based details on all identified proteins. Our elaborate annotation and visualization of C. difficile 630Δerm 3764 ORFs will serve as a valuable base for researchers having to evaluate global expression studies. To exemplify expression variability, protein expression of late exponentially growing cells in complex brain–heart infusion medium and C. difficile minimal medium was compared. Noteworthy results of this comparison are as follows: (i) the higher expression of enzymes for the biosynthesis of some vitamins and purine and (ii) downregulation of proteins involved in butanoate fermentation in C. difficile minimal medium. However, the abundance of proteins involved in DNA metabolism, protein synthesis, and the cell envelope showed no variation between the two growth media.
Robust static output feedback synthesis for platoons under leader and predecessor feedback
Authors: Köroğlu Hakan , Falcone Paolo 
Published: August 2016

SummaryA multi‐objective static output feedback synthesis problem is considered for the control of vehicle platoons under leader and predecessor feedback. Sufficient linear matrix inequality conditions are derived for the solvability of the problem in a way to facilitate static feed‐forward as well. A novel velocity‐dependent spacing policy is integrated into the control scheme together with a platoon model in which the emphasis on the predecessor information can be adjusted by a normalized scalar weight. It is shown that the string stability of the spacing errors and the acceleration signals can always be guaranteed by choosing this weight sufficiently small. Moreover, provided that the time headway is chosen sufficiently large, the synthesis can be performed in a way to avoid the amplification of acceleration energies if compared with the leader. As a particularly convenient feature, the target spacing between the vehicles becomes smaller when moving backward along the platoon. The total increase in the platoon length caused by the introduction of the velocity‐dependent scheme is shown to be bounded and decreasing with decreasing predecessor weight. It is also established that the predecessor weight can be adjusted smoothly over time without endangering the formation stability. In addition to the optimization of the parameters of common fixed‐structure controllers for general vehicle models, the proposed synthesis procedure provides various tools for improving robustness against measurement noise, communication delay, and model uncertainty. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling of complex interfaces for pendant drop experiments
Authors: Balemans Caroline , Hulsen Martien A. , Anderson Patrick D. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractInterfaces of fluid-fluid systems play an important role in the stability of foams and emulsions in chemistry, biology, consumer products, and foods. For most applications, surface active agents are added and adsorbed onto the interface to enhance stability, making the rheological behavior of the interface more complex. To understand the phenomena of these complex interfaces, various techniques are used to determine the interfacial properties. One of the most popular methods is the pendant drop technique. From the equilibrium state of the pendant drop, the interfacial tension of a system can be obtained quite easily in the absence of surface active agents. But when complex viscoelastic interfacial characteristics are considered, in particular in oscillatory measurements, interfacial constitutive relations need to be defined. Interfaces containing proteins, particles or Langmuir monolayers formed by insoluble low weight surfactants appear to act like viscoelastic solid membranes. In this work, a two-dimensional axisymmetric finite element model is designed to study the behavior of complex interfaces in pendant drop experiments. The bulk fluid consists of a Newtonian fluid, while the interface behaves according to the Kelvin-Voigt model as elastic interfacial forces dominate. To be able to capture large deformations, the Kelvin-Voigt constitutive model is made quasi-linear by using a combination of two non-linear strain tensors. A parameter study is performed to investigate the influence of the five model parameters of the quasi-linear Kelvin-Voigt equation. To demonstrate the applicability of the numerical model, a small amplitude oscillatory measurement is simulated.
Significance of oxygen carriers and role of liquid paraffin in improving validamycin A production
Authors: Feng Jinsong , Jiang Jing , Liu Yan , Li Wei , Azat Ramila , Zheng Xiaodong , Zhou Wen-Wen 
Published: August 2016

AbstractValidamycin A (Val-A) synthesized by Streptomyces hygroscopicus 5008 is widely used as a high-efficient antibiotic to protect plants from sheath blight disease. A novel fermentation strategy was introduced to stimulate Val-A production by adding oxygen carriers. About 58 % increase in Val-A production was achieved using liquid paraffin. Further, biomass, carbon source, metabolic genes, and metabolic enzymes were studied. It was also found that the supplementation of liquid paraffin increased the medium dissolved oxygen and intracellular oxidative stress level. The expression of the global regulators afsR and soxR sensitive to ROS, ugp catalyzing synthesis of Val-A precursor, and Val-A structural genes was enhanced. The change of the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase was observed, which reflected the redirection of carbon metabolic flux. Based on these results, liquid paraffin addition as an oxygen carrier could be a useful technique in industrial production of Val-A and our study revealed a redox-based secondary metabolic regulation in S. hygroscopicus 5008, which provided a new insight into the regulation of the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites.
Deliberative Democracy and the JapaneseSaiban-in(Lay Judge) Trial System
Authors: YANASE Noboru 
Published: August 2016

AbstractSince May 2009, public participation in the criminal justice system, known assaiban-in seido(trial system by lay judges), has been implemented in Japan. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the law-making process of thesaiban-insystem and present an evaluation of the system from the perspective of deliberative democracy. This paper concludes that, contrary to criticism from those who want to introduce a purer form of jury trial dominated by lay jurors, the currentsaiban-insystem, which mixes three professional judges with sixsaiban-ins, should be viewed positively from the perspective of deliberative democracy.
Yemen’s Unprecedented Humanitarian Crisis: Implications for International Humanitarian Law, the Geneva Convention, and the Future of Global Health Security
Authors: Ripoll Gallardo Alba , Burkle Frederick M. , Ragazzoni Luca , Della Corte Francesco 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe current humanitarian crisis in Yemen is unprecedented in many ways. The Yemeni War tragedy is symptomatic of gross failures to recognize, by combatants, existing humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention that have become the new norm in unconventional armed conflicts and are increasingly replicated in Africa, Afghanistan, and other areas of the Middle East with dire consequences on aid workers and the noncombatant population. The health and humanitarian professions must take collective responsibility in calling for all belligerent parties to cease the massacre and commit to guaranteed medical assistance, humanitarian aid, and the free flow of information and respect for the humanitarian principles that protect the neutrality and impartiality of the humanitarian workforce. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;page 1 of 3)
Tracing Artificially Recharged Groundwater using Water and Carbon Isotopes
Authors: Mazariegos Junior G , Walker Jennifer C , Xu Xiaomei , Czimczik Claudia I 
Published: August 2016

AbstractWe conducted an isotopic analysis of groundwater in Orange County, California, USA, around the Talbert Seawater Injection Barrier to determine if recycled water, used to artificially recharge local aquifers, carries a unique isotopic signature that can be used as a tracer. From September 2014 to April 2015, we collected groundwater from six privately owned wells within the coastal groundwater basin, along with various surface waters. All water samples were analyzed for their stable isotopic composition (δ18O, δD), the δ13C and14C signature of the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) pool, DIC concentration, pH, and salinity. The DIC of groundwater mixing with recycled water is enriched in14C above natural background levels, with varying signal strength through time, depleted in δ13C, and low in DIC concentration. Water isotopes further suggest that recycled water is a mixture of Colorado River water and regional groundwater. In contrast, groundwater found further away from the injection barrier has carbon and water isotope composition consistent with regional groundwater and Santa Ana River water. Our findings imply that recycled water injected through the Talbert Barrier is isotopically unique, and that14C enrichment may be used as an intrinsic tracer of artificial recharge within the basin.
THE ENIGMA OF ETHIOPIAN SEX RATIOS AT BIRTH
Authors: Garenne Michel 
Published: August 2016

SummaryThis study analysed sex ratios at birth (defined as the number of male births per 100 female births) using data on children ever-born from three censuses conducted in Ethiopia in 1984, 1994 and 2007. The results showed very high values by any standard, with an average of 108.4 for a sample of some 8.2 million births, with somewhat lower values in urban areas. Analysis of socioeconomic correlates revealed that the sex ratio varied very much by household wealth, from about 110 for very poor women to about 102 for wealthier women. The high value of the sex ratio at birth in Ethiopia could be explained by poverty, used as a proxy for poor nutritional status. In multivariate analysis, the effects of living in urban areas and of maternal education were less important than household wealth. Among the many ethno-linguistic groups, the Nilotic family had higher sex ratios than other groups. The results were confirmed using data from DHS surveys conducted in the country, and by the analysis of children still living at time of census.
Difference equations, determinants and the Secret Santa problem
Authors: Ward Tony 
Published: August 2016

In [1] it is shown that every second-order linear difference equation with, in general, variable coefficients can be reduced to the formIt is also shown that (1) can be solved explicitly provided that a particular solution a (n) of the ‘auxiliary equation’can be found, and many cases in which a solution of (2) is available are discussed. However, [1] is defective in that no method of finding a solution of (2) in the general case is given.
The tiling conjecture for equiangular polygons
Authors: McLean K. Robin 
Published: August 2016

In [1], Derek Ball made three conjectures about equiangular polygons in which the length of each side is an integer. He called these integer equiangular polygons. The first two conjectures were proved in an earlier note, and the third is proved here. It can be stated as follows.The tiling conjecture: For each integer n ⩾ 3, there is a finite set Tn of tiles such that every integer equiangular n-gon can be tiled by sufficiently many congruent copies of tiles in Tn.
Are Pediatric Emergency Physicians More Knowledgeable and Confident to Respond to a Pediatric Disaster after an Experiential Learning Experience?
Authors: Bank Ilana , Khalil Elene 
Published: August 2016

AbstractObjectivesPediatric hospital disaster responders must be well-trained and prepared to manage children in a mass-casualty incident. Simulations of various types have been the traditional way of testing hospital disaster plans and training hospital staff in skills that are used in rare circumstances. The objective of this longitudinal, survey-based, observational study was to assess the effect of disaster response and management-based experiential learning on the knowledge and confidence of advanced learners.MethodsA simulation-based workshop was created for practicing Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) physicians, senior PEM physicians, and critical care and pediatric surgery residents to learn how to manage a disaster response. Given that this particular group of learners had never been exposed to such a disaster simulation, its educational value was assessed with the goal of improving the quality of the hospital pediatric medical response to a disaster by increasing the responders’ knowledge and confidence. Objective and subjective measures were analyzed using both a retrospective, pre-post survey, as well as case-based evaluation grids.ResultsThe simulation workshop improved the learners’ perceived ability to manage patients in a disaster context and identified strengths and areas needing improvement for patient care within the disaster context.ConclusionAdvanced learners exposed to an experiential learning activity believed that it improved their ability to manage patients in a disaster situation and felt that it was valuable to their learning. Their confidence was preserved six months later.BankI, KhalilE. Are pediatric emergency physicians more knowledgeable and confident to respond to a pediatric disaster after an experiential learning experience?Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(5):551–556.
Regulatory non-coding RNA: new instruments in the orchestration of cell death
Authors: Su Ye , Wu Haijiang , Pavlosky Alexander , Zou Ling-Lin , Deng Xinna , Zhang Zhu-Xu , Jevnikar Anthony M 
Published: August 2016

AbstractNon-coding RNA (ncRNA) comprises a substantial portion of primary transcripts that are generated by genomic transcription, but are not translated into protein. The possible functions of these once considered ‘junk’ molecules have incited considerable interest and new insights have emerged. The two major members of ncRNAs, namely micro RNA (miRNA) and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), have important regulatory roles in gene expression and many important physiological processes, which has recently been extended to programmed cell death. The previous paradigm of programmed cell death only by apoptosis has recently expanded to include modalities of regulated necrosis (RN), and particularly necroptosis. However, most research efforts in this field have been on protein regulators, leaving the role of ncRNAs largely unexplored. In this review, we discuss important findings concerning miRNAs and lncRNAs that modulate apoptosis and RN pathways, as well as the miRNA–lncRNA interactions that affect cell death regulation.
KDM5A controls bone morphogenic protein 2-induced osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells during osteoporosis
Authors: Wang Chuandong , Wang Jing , Li Jiao , Hu Guoli , Shan Shengzhou , Li Qingfeng , Zhang Xiaoling 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) has been used to induce bone regeneration by promoting osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). However, its effect is attenuated in osteoporotic conditions by unknown mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of reduced osteogenic effect of BMP2 in osteoporotic conditions. By interrogating the microarray data from osteoporosis patients, we revealed an upregulation of the epigenetic modifying protein lysine (K)-specific demethylase 5A (KDM5A) and decreased Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) expression. Further studies were focused on the role of KDM5A in osteoporosis. We first established ovariectomized (OVX) mouse model and found that the BMP2-induced osteogenic differentiation of osteoporotic MSCs was impaired. The elevated level of KDM5A was confirmed in osteoporotic MSCs. Overexpression of KDM5A in normal MSCs inhibited BMP2-induced osteogenesis. Moreover, osteogenic differentiation of osteoporotic MSCs was restored by specific KDM5A short hairpin RNA or inhibitor. Furthermore, by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay we demonstrated that KDM5A functions as endogenous modulator of osteogenic differentiation by decreasing H3K4me3 levels on promoters of Runx2, depend on its histone methylation activity. More importantly, we found an inhibitory role of KDM5A in regulating bone formation in osteoporotic mice, and pretreatment with KDM5A inhibitor partly rescued the bone loss during osteoporosis. Our results show, for the first time, that KDM5A-mediated H3K4me3 modification participated in the etiology of osteoporosis and may provide new strategies to improve the clinical efficacy of BMP2 in osteoporotic conditions.
Gaze data reveal distinct choice processes underlying model-based and model-free reinforcement learning
Authors: Konovalov Arkady , Krajbich Ian 
Published: August 2016

AbstractOrganisms appear to learn and make decisions using different strategies known as model-free and model-based learning; the former is mere reinforcement of previously rewarded actions and the latter is a forward-looking strategy that involves evaluation of action-state transition probabilities. Prior work has used neural data to argue that both model-based and model-free learners implement a value comparison process at trial onset, but model-based learners assign more weight to forward-looking computations. Here using eye-tracking, we report evidence for a different interpretation of prior results: model-based subjects make their choices prior to trial onset. In contrast, model-free subjects tend to ignore model-based aspects of the task and instead seem to treat the decision problem as a simple comparison process between two differentially valued items, consistent with previous work on sequential-sampling models of decision making. These findings illustrate a problem with assuming that experimental subjects make their decisions at the same prescribed time.
Long-Term Training with a Brain-Machine Interface-Based Gait Protocol Induces Partial Neurological Recovery in Paraplegic Patients
Authors: Donati Ana R. C. , Shokur Solaiman , Morya Edgard , Campos Debora S. F. , Moioli Renan C. , Gitti Claudia M. , Augusto Patricia B. , Tripodi Sandra , Pires Cristhiane G. , Pereira Gislaine A. , Brasil Fabricio L. , Gallo Simone , Lin Anthony A. , Takigami Angelo K. , Aratanha Maria A. , Joshi Sanjay , Bleuler Hannes , Cheng Gordon , Rudolph Alan , Nicolelis Miguel A. L. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBrain-machine interfaces (BMIs) provide a new assistive strategy aimed at restoring mobility in severely paralyzed patients. Yet, no study in animals or in human subjects has indicated that long-term BMI training could induce any type of clinical recovery. Eight chronic (3–13 years) spinal cord injury (SCI) paraplegics were subjected to long-term training (12 months) with a multi-stage BMI-based gait neurorehabilitation paradigm aimed at restoring locomotion. This paradigm combined intense immersive virtual reality training, enriched visual-tactile feedback and walking with two EEG-controlled robotic actuators, including a custom-designed lower limb exoskeleton capable of delivering tactile feedback to subjects. Following 12 months of training with this paradigm, all eight patients experienced neurological improvements in somatic sensation (pain localization, fine/crude touch and proprioceptive sensing) in multiple dermatomes. Patients also regained voluntary motor control in key muscles below the SCI level, as measured by EMGs, resulting in marked improvement in their walking index. As a result, 50% of these patients were upgraded to an incomplete paraplegia classification. Neurological recovery was paralleled by the reemergence of lower limb motor imagery at cortical level. We hypothesize that this unprecedented neurological recovery results from both cortical and spinal cord plasticity triggered by long-term BMI usage.