bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary vasculature in dogs assessed by three‐dimensional fractal analysis and chemometrics
Authors: Müller Anna V. , Marschner Clara B. , Kristensen Annemarie T. , Wiinberg Bo , Sato Amy F. , Rubio Jose M. A. , McEvoy Fintan J. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractFractal analysis of canine pulmonary vessels could allow quantification of their space‐filling properties. Aims of this prospective, analytical, cross‐sectional study were to describe methods for reconstructing three dimensional pulmonary arterial vascular trees from computed tomographic pulmonary angiogram, applying fractal analyses of these vascular trees in dogs with and without diseases that are known to predispose to thromboembolism, and testing the hypothesis that diseased dogs would have a different fractal dimension than healthy dogs. A total of 34 dogs were sampled. Based on computed tomographic pulmonary angiograms findings, dogs were divided in three groups: diseased with pulmonary thromboembolism (n = 7), diseased but without pulmonary thromboembolism (n = 21), and healthy (n = 6). An observer who was aware of group status created three‐dimensional pulmonary artery vascular trees for each dog using a semiautomated segmentation technique. Vascular three‐dimensional reconstructions were then evaluated using fractal analysis. Fractal dimensions were analyzed, by group, using analysis of variance and principal component analysis. Fractal dimensions were significantly different among the three groups taken together (P = 0.001), but not between the diseased dogs alone (P = 0.203). The principal component analysis showed a tendency of separation between healthy control and diseased groups, but not between groups of dogs with and without pulmonary thromboembolism. Findings indicated that computed tomographic pulmonary angiogram images can be used to reconstruct three‐dimensional pulmonary arterial vascular trees in dogs and that fractal analysis of these three‐dimensional vascular trees is a feasible method for quantifying the spatial relationships of pulmonary arteries. These methods could be applied in further research studies on pulmonary and vascular diseases in dogs.
Irish English in the Anglophone world
Authors: HICKEY RAYMOND 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTThe English language in Ireland can look back on a history of several centuries during which it developed various forms, from urban varieties, especially in Dublin, to rural varieties which arose during the language shift from Irish to English, above all in the nineteenth century. In addition, divergent forms of English arose in the North of Ireland, chiefly as a result of significant immigration from Scotland and the North of England during the seventeenth century. Contemporary English in Ireland evinces a wide range of varieties determined by a number of factors, including strongly localised forms of English as well as supra‐regional varieties, which show the greatest degree and rate of change, given the sensitivity of their speakers to both developments of English outside Ireland and their reactions to local forms of English in their surroundings.
Comparative Genomics of
Bacillus thuringiensis
Reveals a Path to Specialized Exploitation of Multiple Invertebrate Hosts
Authors: Zheng Jinshui , Gao Qiuling , Liu Linlin , Liu Hualin , Wang Yueying , Peng Donghai , Ruan Lifang , Raymond Ben , Sun Ming 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACT

Understanding the genetic basis of host shifts is a key genomic question for pathogen and parasite biology. The
Bacillus cereus
group, which encompasses
Bacillus thuringiensis
and
Bacillus anthracis
, contains pathogens that can infect insects, nematodes, and vertebrates. Since the target range of the essential virulence factors (Cry toxins) and many isolates is well known, this group presents a powerful system for investigating how pathogens can diversify and adapt to phylogenetically distant hosts. Specialization to exploit insects occurs at the level of the major clade and is associated with substantial changes in the core genome, and host switching between insect orders has occurred repeatedly within subclades. The transfer of plasmids with linked
cry
genes may account for much of the adaptation to particular insect orders, and network analysis implies that host specialization has produced strong associations between key toxin genes with similar targets. Analysis of the distribution of plasmid minireplicons shows that plasmids with
orf156
and
orf157
, which carry genes encoding toxins against Lepidoptera or Diptera, were contained only by
B. thuringiensis
in the specialized insect clade (clade 2), indicating that tight genome/plasmid associations have been important in adaptation to invertebrate hosts. Moreover, the accumulation of multiple virulence factors on transposable elements suggests that cotransfer of diverse virulence factors is advantageous in terms of expanding the insecticidal spectrum, overcoming insect resistance, or through gains in pathogenicity via synergistic interactions between toxins.

IMPORTANCE
Population genomics have provided many new insights into the formation, evolution, and dynamics of bacterial pathogens of humans and other higher animals, but these pathogens usually have very narrow host ranges. As a pathogen of insects and nematodes,
Bacillus thuringiensis
, which produces toxins showing toxicity to many orders of insects and other invertebrates, can be used as a model to study the evolution of pathogens with wide host ranges. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that host specialization and switching occur at the level of the major clade and subclade, respectively. A toxin gene co-occurrence network indicates that multiple toxins with similar targets were accumulated by the same cell in the whole species. This accumulation may be one of the strategies that
B. thuringiensis
has used to fight against host resistance. This kind of formation and evolution of pathogens represents a different path used against multiple invertebrate hosts from that used against higher animals.
Impact of nutritional index on the association between phosphorus concentrations and mortality in haemodialysis patients: a cohort study from dialysis outcomes and practice pattern study in Japan
Authors: Fukuma Shingo , Ikenoue Tatsuyoshi , Akizawa Tadao , Fukuhara Shunichi 
Published: August 2017

ObjectivesWhile maintenance of both phosphorus concentration and nutritional status is a major concern in managing haemodialysis patients, the interaction between these parameters is not well understood. The aim of this study was to assess whether or not nutritional index influences the association between phosphorus concentration and all-cause mortality.DesignA cohort study.SettingThe Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Pattern Study, which included 99 representative dialysis facilities in Japan between 1997 and 2010.ParticipantsA total of 6230 adult haemodialysis patients who had spent at least 6 months on haemodialysis.Main predictorsSix categories based on time-averaged factors of the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI; the lowest two and highest tertiles) and phosphorus concentration (<3.5, 3.5 to <6 and ≥6 mg/dL).Primary outcome measureAll-cause mortality rate.AnalysisTime-dependent Cox regression adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsDuring the follow-up period (12 294 person-years), we noted 561 deaths (4.6 per 100 person-years), and both high phosphorus concentrations and low-middle GNRI were separately associated with all-cause mortality. The harmful effect of high phosphorus concentrations on all-cause mortality was stronger in patients with high GNRI than in those with low-middle GNRI. On the other hand, the harmful effect of low phosphorus concentrations was stronger in those with low-middle GNRI than in those with high GNRI. Relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) between high phosphorus concentrations and low-middle GNRI was −0.57, indicating an antagonistic interaction. We also observed a significant statistical multiplicative interaction between phosphorus concentrations and GNRI (p=0.05 by likelihood ratio test).ConclusionsThe association between time-averaged serum phosphorus concentration and all-cause mortality differs across the nutritional index. Accordingly, nutritional index should be considered when the impact of phosphorus concentration on mortality in haemodialysis patients is evaluated.
Limbic-motor integration by neural excitations and inhibitions in the nucleus accumbens
Authors: Morrison Sara E. , McGinty Vincent B. , du Hoffmann Johann , Nicola Saleem M. 
Published: August 2017

The nucleus accumbens (NAc) has often been described as a “limbic-motor interface,” implying that the NAc integrates the value of expected rewards with the motor planning required to obtain them. However, there is little direct evidence that the signaling of individual NAc neurons combines information about predicted reward and behavioral response. We report that cue-evoked neural responses in the NAc form a likely physiological substrate for its limbic-motor integration function. Across task contexts, individual NAc neurons in behaving rats robustly encode the reward-predictive qualities of a cue, as well as the probability of behavioral response to the cue, as coexisting components of the neural signal. In addition, cue-evoked activity encodes spatial and locomotor aspects of the behavioral response, including proximity to a reward-associated target and the latency and speed of approach to the target. Notably, there are important limits to the ability of NAc neurons to integrate motivational information into behavior: in particular, updating of predicted reward value appears to occur on a relatively long timescale, since NAc neurons fail to discriminate between cues with reward associations that change frequently. Overall, these findings suggest that NAc cue-evoked signals, including inhibition of firing (as noted here for the first time), provide a mechanism for linking reward prediction and other motivationally relevant factors, such as spatial proximity, to the probability and vigor of a reward-seeking behavioral response. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is thought to link expected rewards and action planning, but evidence for this idea remains sparse. We show that, across contexts, both excitatory and inhibitory cue-evoked activity in the NAc jointly encode reward prediction and probability of behavioral responding to the cue, as well as spatial and locomotor properties of the response. Interestingly, although spatial information in the NAc is updated quickly, fine-grained updating of reward value occurs over a longer timescale.
China’s Maritime Silk Road Initiative and the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage
Authors: Guo Ran 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
China’s 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative urges the protection of underwater cultural heritage on the Maritime Silk Road, which demands China’s effort as much as that of international community. The Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (unesco Convention) provides an international legal framework for China to protect underwater cultural heritage and facilitate cooperation with other State Parties. China’s concerns over ratifying the unesco Convention mainly relate to its jurisdiction, ownership and international obligations on the issue, which can be solved with the basic principles and a revision of Chinese laws. China’s ratification will ensure the international protection of underwater cultural heritage on the Maritime Silk Road; and more importantly, it will provide an opportunity for the joint development in the South China Sea, thus breaking the bottleneck of the Maritime Silk Road Initiative. Therefore, China should ratify the unesco Convention.
Between Theory(-ies) and Practice(-s): Legal Devices (Ḥiyal) in Classical Islamic Law
Authors: Cattelan Valentino 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
By assuming a disconnection between jurists’ doctrines and the reality of social life, Joseph Schacht interpreted ḥiyal (legal devices) in classical Islamic law as ‘the maximum that custom could concede, and the minimum (that is to say, formal acknowledgment) that the theory had to demand’. Challenging this interpretation, this article argues that ḥiyal were not exclusively the product of commercial customs that were unrelated to the jurists’ ideal law. In actual fact, the diverging contractual theories of the Sunni maḏāhib contributed to the development of diverse ḥiyal practices, whose social acceptance in medieval trade was correspondingly fostered (or rejected) by underlying fiqh doctrines.
Impact of Obesity on Outcomes in Critically Ill Children
Authors: Davis Esther T. , Xie Li , Levenbrown Yosef 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPurpose: To examine whether obesity confers a protective effect on critically ill pediatric patients, similar to what has been reported in critically ill adults. Methods: A retrospective cohort study including patients aged 2–18 years admitted to a 24‐bed pediatric intensive care unit from 2009 to 2014. Patients were divided into 1 of 3 weight categories: normal weight (body mass index [BMI], 5%–84.9%), overweight (BMI, 85%–94.9%), and obese (BMI ≥95%). Outcomes investigated included mortality, need for intubation, need for inotropic support, and duration of mechanical ventilation. Results: A total of 1817 patient encounters met inclusion criteria. There was no difference in Pediatric Index of Mortality 2 scores between groups. There was a significantly smaller percentage of overweight and obese patients requiring intubation (P = .003) and inotropic support (P = .031) compared with normal‐weight patients. Being overweight or obese was neither protective nor a risk factor for mortality with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.83 (confidence interval [CI], 0.82–3.85; P = .12) and 1.51 (CI, 0.70–3.12; P = .27) comparing the overweight and obese groups with the normal‐weight group, respectively. There was no difference in duration of mechanical ventilation between the normal‐weight and overweight and obese groups (P = .893 and 0.484, respectively). Conclusions: In critically ill pediatric patients, being overweight or obese was associated with decreased need for intubation and inotropic support compared with normal‐weight patients. However, being overweight or obese is neither protective nor a risk factor for mortality or duration of mechanical ventilation.
Trigeminovascular calcitonin gene-related peptide function in Cacna1a R192Q-mutated knock-in mice
Authors: Chan Kayi Y , Labastida-Ramírez Alejandro , Ramírez-Rosas Martha B , Labruijere Sieneke , Garrelds Ingrid M , Danser Alexander HJ , van den Maagdenberg Arn MJM , MaassenVanDenBrink Antoinette 
Published: August 2017

Familial hemiplegic migraine type 1 (FHM1) is a rare migraine subtype. Whereas transgenic knock-in mice with the human pathogenic FHM1 R192Q missense mutation in the Cacna1a gene reveal overall neuronal hyperexcitability, the effects on the trigeminovascular system and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor are largely unknown. This gains relevance as blockade of CGRP and its receptor are therapeutic targets under development. Hence, we set out to test these effects in FHM1 mice. We characterized the trigeminovascular system of wild-type and FHM1 mice through: (i) in vivo capsaicin- and CGRP-induced dural vasodilation in a closed-cranial window; (ii) ex vivo KCl-induced CGRP release from isolated dura mater, trigeminal ganglion and trigeminal nucleus caudalis; and (iii) peripheral vascular function in vitro . In mutant mice, dural vasodilatory responses were significantly decreased compared to controls. The ex vivo release of CGRP was not different in the components of the trigeminovascular system between genotypes; however, sumatriptan diminished the release in the trigeminal ganglion, trigeminal nucleus caudalis and dura mater but only in wild-type mice. Peripheral vascular function was similar between genotypes. These data suggest that the R192Q mutation might be associated with trigeminovascular CGRP receptor desensitization. Novel antimigraine drugs should be able to revert this complex phenomenon.
Shunt-preserving disconnection of the portal to systemic circulation in patients with hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: Ikeda Osamu , Inoue Seijiro , Tamura Yoshitaka , Yamashita Yo-ichi , Baba Hideo , Inomata Yukihiro , Yamashita Yasuyuki 
Published: August 2017

Background Portosystemic shunt obliteration by surgical or interventional radiological techniques can be effective for patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE) although this approach is often associated with accumulation of ascites and/or formation of esophageal varices. Purpose To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of shunt-preserving disconnection of the portosystemic circulation (SPDPS) in patients with HE. Material and Methods Nine patients with HE and a splenorenal shunt were treated by SPDPS: eight underwent selective coil embolization of the splenic vein and one underwent stent-graft closure of the shunt. The primary endpoint was change in HE severity based on the West-Haven criteria. The secondary endpoints were changes in serum ammonia levels, hepatic function, HE recurrence during the follow-up period, and post-treatment HE recurrence based on the West–Haven diagnostic criteria. Results The technical success rate was 100% with no severe complications. After the procedure, the mean portal blood pressure increased from 18 mmHg to 22 mmHg ( P = 0.02), the mean HE grades fell from 2.1 to 1.1 ( P < 0.01), and one month after the procedure, the mean serum ammonia level decreased from 177 µg/dL to 87 µg/dL ( P = 0.03) and the mean total Child-Pugh score from 8 to 7 ( P = 0.07). Conclusion SPDPS using selective coil embolization and stent-graft closure of the shunt can be an effective and safe treatment for patients with HE.
Risk-Based Triage for Nephrology Referrals Using the Kidney Failure Risk Equation
Authors: Hingwala Jay , Wojciechowski Peter , Hiebert Brett , Bueti Joe , Rigatto Claudio , Komenda Paul , Tangri Navdeep 
Published: August 2017

Background: In some jurisdictions, routine reporting of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) has led to an increase in nephrology referrals and wait times. Objective: We describe the use of the Kidney Failure Risk Equation (KFRE) as part of a triage process for new nephrology referrals for patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3 to 5 in a Canadian province. Design: A quasi-experimental study design was used. Setting: This study took place in Manitoba, Canada. Measurements: Demographics, laboratory values, referral numbers, and wait times were compared between periods. Methods: In 2012, we adopted a risk-based cutoff of 3% over 5 years using the KFRE as a threshold for triage of new referrals. Referrals who did not meet other prespecified criteria (such as pregnancy, suspected glomerulonephritis, etc) and had a kidney failure risk of <3% over 5 years were returned to primary care with recommendations based on diabetes and hypertension guidelines. The average wait time and number of consults seen between the pretriage (January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2011) and posttriage period (January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2013) were compared using a general linear model. Results: In the pretriage period, the median number of referrals was 68/month (range: 44-76); this increased to 94/month (range: 61-147) in the posttriage period. In the posttriage period, 35% of referrals were booked as urgent, 31% as nonurgent, and 34% of referrals were not booked. The median wait times improved from 230 days (range: 126-355) in the pretriage period to 58 days (range: 48-69) in the posttriage period. Limitations: We do not have long-term follow-up on patients triaged as low risk. Our study may not be applicable to nephrology teams operating under capacity without wait lists. We did not collect detailed information on all referrals in the pretriage period, so any differences in our pretriage and posttriage patient groups may be unaccounted for. Conclusions: Our risk-based triage scheme is an effective health policy tool that led to improved wait times and access to care for patients at highest risk of progression to kidney failure.
Prevalence and Impact of Glenoid Augmentation in American Football Athletes Participating in the National Football League Scouting Combine
Authors: Knapik Derrick M. , Gillespie Robert J. , Salata Michael J. , Voos James E. 
Published: August 2017

Background: Bony augmentation of the anterior glenoid is used in athletes with recurrent shoulder instability and bone loss; however, the prevalence and impact of repair in elite American football athletes are unknown. Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence and impact of glenoid augmentation in athletes invited to the National Football League (NFL) Scouting Combine from 2012 to 2015. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 1311 athletes invited to the NFL Combine from 2012 to 2015 were evaluated for history of either Bristow or Latarjet surgery for recurrent anterior shoulder instability. Athlete demographics, surgical history, imaging, and physical examination results were recorded using the NFL Combine database. Prospective participation data with regard to draft status, games played, games started, and status after the athletes’ first season in the NFL were gathered using publicly available databases. Results: Surgical repair was performed on 10 shoulders in 10 athletes (0.76%), with the highest prevalence in defensive backs (30%; n = 3). Deficits in shoulder motion were exhibited in 70% (n = 7) of athletes, while 40% (n = 4) had evidence of mild glenohumeral arthritis and 80% demonstrated imaging findings consistent with a prior instability episode (8 labral tears, 2 Hill-Sachs lesions). Prospectively, 40% (n = 4) of athletes were drafted into the NFL. In the first season after the combine, athletes with a history of glenoid augmentation were not found to be at significant risk for diminished participation with regard to games played or started when compared with athletes with no history of glenoid augmentation or athletes undergoing isolated shoulder soft tissue repair. After the conclusion of the first NFL season, 60% (n = 6 athletes) were on an active NFL roster. Conclusion: Despite being drafted at a lower rate than their peers, there were no significant limitations in NFL participation for athletes with a history of glenoid augmentation when compared with athletes without a history of shoulder surgery or those with isolated soft tissue shoulder repair. Glenohumeral arthritis and advanced imaging findings of labral tearing and Hill-Sachs lesions in elite American football players with a history of glenoid augmentation did not significantly affect NFL participation 1 year after the combine.
Investigation on Full Duplex WDM Hybrid Sensor to Measure the Strain
Authors: Kaur Gurpreet , Kaler Rajinder Singh , Kumar Ankit 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
The effect of nano-hybrid sensor based on a wavelength division multiplexed technique (WDM) is studied using photonics crystal fiber and fiber Bragg grating (FBG). The full duplex scheme is used in the proposed system to receive and transmit the data at the same time for fast processing. The finite difference time domain photonics simulation software (FDTD) is used to observed variation in reflection and the transmission power spectra of the photonic gratings. Using line defects we created two linear waveguides, further, it is used as an optical sensor. From this work, we recommend that the proposed system can be used as in communication field for data transmission and also used in sensing application to sense the property and deformation of the object.