bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reconfigurable multi‐channel RF crossbar switch matrix for MRI receiver front‐end
Authors: Lee H.L. 
Published: January 2017

In this Letter, a highly reconfigurable crossbar transmission line switch matrix for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is proposed. Unlike the conventional M × N crossbar switch configuration, the proposed structure can manipulate 2M × N matrix without doubling the area occupancy. Also, the proposed structure includes the signal loss‐compensation circuitry based on inductor banks to enhance signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). Thus, for any required numbers of input and output channels, the proposed structure can reduce the overall size, the number of required component, and even increase the quality of MR images by SNR enhancement. The proposed structure was implemented and verified at 4‐Tesla (170 MHz) MR system through the comparison of RF path loss, SNR and phantom test image qualities.
Surgical Management of Ruptured Posterior Circulation Aneurysms – A Single Center Experience
Authors: Silva João , Machado Joana , Machado Ana , Pinheiro Célia , Rei Joaquim , Gomes Mário , Martins Valdemar , Carvalho Ernesto 
Published: January 2017

Objective The treatment of ruptured aneurysms of the posterior circulation is a controversy in neurosurgery. The aim of this work is to describe the experience and results of the early surgical treatment of this pathology at Centro Hospitalar do Porto.
Method We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of all patients aged over 18 who, in the period between 1999–2013, were admitted to our center with the diagnosis of ruptured saccular posterior circulation aneurysm. The patients were clinically staged at admission using the Hunt & Hess (H&H) scale. The modified Glasgow Outcome Scale (mGOS) was used to assess the outcome at discharge and after 6 months.
Results Between 1999–2013, 59 patients underwent surgery for ruptured posterior circulation aneurysms. Eighty percent of the patients were female, and their average age was 58.7 years. Posterior-inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms accounted for 49.2% of surgeries, while basilar aneurysms accounted for 28.8%. Upon admission, 86.4% of patients were classified as H&H1–3, and 13.6% as H&H4–5. The outcomes at discharge and at 6 months were as follows: at discharge, mGOS1 in 5.1%, mGOS2–3 in 18.6%, and mGOS4–5 in 76.3%; at 6 months, mGOS1 in 10.2%, mGOS2–3 in 10.2%, and mGOS4–5 in 79.6%. There was a statistically significant correlation between basilar aneurysms and worse outcomes (p = 0.011). No correlation was found between the values of the H&H scale upon admission and outcome.
Conclusions The functional outcome of our group of patients is mainly in line with what is described in other series from the literature. However, there is a trend toward lower mortality but higher morbidity rates.
In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-inflammatory Effects of Struthanthus vulgaris
Authors: Marques Franciane , da Costa Maycow , Vittorazzi Cátia , Gramma Luciane , Barth Thiago , de Andrade Tadeu , Endringer Denise , Scherer Rodrigo , Fronza Marcio 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
Struthanthus vulgaris is probably the most common medicinal mistletoe plant in Brazil, and has been used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent and for cleaning skin wounds. Our proposal was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of S. vulgaris ethanol leaf extract and provide further insights of how this biological action could be explained using in vitro and in vivo assays. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was preliminarily investigated in lipopolysaccharide/interferon gamma-stimulated macrophages based on their ability to inhibit nitric oxide production and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of S. vulgaris ethanol leaf extract was investigated in the mice carrageenan-induced inflammation air pouch model. The air pouches were inoculated with carrageenan and then treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg of S. vulgaris ethanol leaf extract or 1 mg/kg of dexamethasone. Effects on the immune cell infiltrates, pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin 1, interleukin 10, and nitric oxide, were evaluated. The chemical composition of S. vulgaris ethanol leaf extract was characterized by LC-MS/MS. In vitro S. vulgaris ethanol leaf extract significantly decreased the production of nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in macrophages and did not reveal any cytotoxicity. In vivo, S. vulgaris ethanol leaf extract significantly suppressed the influx of leukocytes, mainly neutrophils, protein exudation, nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin 1 concentrations in the carrageenan-induced inflammation air pouch. In conclusion, S. vulgaris ethanol leaf extract exhibited prominent anti-inflammatory effects, thereby endorsing its usefulness as a medicinal therapy against inflammatory diseases, and suggesting that S. vulgaris ethanol leaf extract may be a source for the discovery of novel anti-inflammatory agents.
Long-wavelength fluctuations and the glass transition in two dimensions and three dimensions
Authors: Vivek Skanda , Kelleher Colm P. , Chaikin Paul M. , Weeks Eric R. 
Published: January 2017

Significance
For phase transitions and fluid dynamics, there are significant qualitative differences between two dimensions and three dimensions. However, it has been long assumed that the glass transition is similar in two and three dimensions. Here, we present experimental data on 2D and 3D colloidal systems near their glass transitions. We demonstrate that the differences between two dimensions and three dimensions are due to long-wavelength fluctuations, precisely those that distinguish 2D and 3D phase transitions. We show that the influence of these fluctuations can be disentangled from the underlying dynamics, and that 2D and 3D glass transitions are otherwise similar.
Self-constructed and ascribed identity of the Greek protesters in Syntagma Square
Authors: Goutsos Dionysis , Polymeneas George 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
In this chapter we contrast our findings from a previous study of the textual, discursive and social practices of the Greek protester movements, based on data from the General Assembly proceedings and their resolutions (Goutsos and Polymeneas 2014), with how the protesters in Syntagma square were viewed by others, namely the Greek media in a series of articles coinciding with or following the protests. The protesters’ own linguistic and discursive practices are thus juxtaposed to their recontextualizations and representations by others. A pronounced difference is found between self-constructed and ascribed identity as indicative of the representational power of the media, which have attempted to interpret the protesters’ identity within the existing political context.
Taking stances on the Greek crisis
Authors: Georgalou Mariza 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
In this paper I explore informal conversations about the Greek crisis on the social network site of Facebook, drawing on Du Bois’ (2007) theory on stance, as well as on methods of discourse-centred online ethnography and corpus linguistics. I closely analyse a particular discursive episode between three Greek Facebook users (two male students of International and European Studies and one female Law student) and investigate how they take stances towards austerity and towards one another. Focusing on two interactional stance-taking activities, positioning and (dis)alignment, I argue that while the participants express divergent stances, they also show heightened awareness and criticality of both the crisis context and Facebook’s generic context.
“At night we’ll come and find you, traitors”
Authors: Baider Fabienne , Constantinou Maria 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
Borrowing concepts from traditional semiotics, lexical semantics and critical discourse analysis, this chapter examines how the concept of “nationhood” is constructed via texts, as well as avatars and pseudonyms of Golden Dawn and ELAM (its Greek Cypriot counterpart) followers in virtual communication, while taking into consideration their discourses and the parties’ ideology as represented in official written texts and speeches. The study focuses on the emotions of pride (Self), contempt (Other) and empathy (Nation), especially in the Greek Cypriot context, and argues that the targets of these emotions are very much part of the socio-historical context of the community involved.
Transcatheter aortic valve thrombosis: the relation between hypo-attenuated leaflet thickening, abnormal valve haemodynamics, and stroke
Authors: Vollema E. Mara , Kong William K. F. , Katsanos Spyridon , Kamperidis Vasileios , van Rosendael Philippe J. , van der Kley Frank , de Weger Arend , Ajmone Marsan Nina , Delgado Victoria , Bax Jeroen J. 
Published: January 2017

Aims
The presence of hypo-attenuated leaflet thickening (HALT) and/or reduced leaflet motion on multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) has been proposed as a possible marker for early transcatheter aortic valve thrombosis. However, its association with abnormal valve haemodynamics on echocardiography (another potential marker of thrombosis) and clinical outcomes (stroke) remains unclear. The present study evaluated the prevalence of HALT on MDCT and abnormal valve haemodynamics on echocardiography. In addition, the occurrence of ischemic stroke and/or transient ischemic attack (TIA) was assessed.

Methods and results
A total of 434 patients (mean age 80 ± 7 years, 51% male) who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) were evaluated. Transcatheter valve haemodynamics were assessed on echocardiography at discharge, 6 months, and thereafter yearly (up to 3 years post-TAVR). The presence of HALT and/or reduced leaflet motion was assessed on MDCT performed 35 days [interquartile range 19–210] after TAVR in 128 of these 434 patients. Possible TAVR valve thrombosis was defined by mean transvalvular gradient ≥20 mmHg and aortic valve area (AVA) ≤1.1cm2 on echocardiography or by the presence of HALT or reduced leaflet motion on MDCT. The occurrence of ischemic stroke/TIA at follow-up was recorded. HALT and/or reduced leaflet motion was present in 12.5% of 128 patients undergoing MDCT, and was associated with a slightly higher mean transvalvular gradient (12.4 ± 8.0 mmHg vs. 9.4 ± 4.3 mmHg; P = 0.026) and smaller AVA (1.49 ± 0.39 cm2 vs. 1.78 ± 0.45 cm2, P = 0.017). Only one patient with HALT on MDCT revealed abnormal valve haemodynamics on echocardiography. At 3-year follow-up, abnormal valve haemodynamics on echocardiography were observed in 3% of patients. HALT on MDCT and abnormal valve haemodynamics on echocardiography were not associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke/TIA.

Conclusion
On MDCT, 12.5% of patients showed HALT or reduced leaflet motion, whereas only one of these patients had abnormal valve haemodynamics on echocardiography. Neither HALT nor increased transvalvular gradient were associated with stroke/TIA.
Protistan microzooplankton and the trophic position of tuna: quantifying the trophic link between micro- and mesozooplankton in marine foodwebs
Authors: Landry Michael R. , Décima Moira R. 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
The importance of the trophic link between &lt;200-µm protistan microzooplankton and mesozooplankton is a cornerstone of modern understanding of foodweb structure of marine pelagic ecosystems that is well demonstrated in experimentally measured contributions of protistan consumers to mesozooplankton diets, in constrained global budgets, and in regional studies that show the inadequacies of meeting zooplankton metabolic requirements by herbivory alone. Nonetheless, protistan trophic steps are poorly reflected in stable isotope analyses by standard methods and systematically neglected in fisheries-related trophic research, which focuses instead on interactions that can be measured in stomach contents. Here, we apply recent advances in compound-specific isotope analysis of amino acids (CSIA-AA) based on alanine as a trophic indicator of protistan foodweb steps to evaluate the implications of lower foodweb structure on trophic position (TP) estimates of tunas. CSIA-AA results for mesozooplankton of the subtropical North Pacific suggest that tuna TPs are underestimated by 0.9, which give rise to new TP estimates of 4.7–5.4 for the three main tuna species of that region. These, in turn, are used to compute a trophic enrichment factor (TEF = 4.45) based on alanine that includes 15N enrichments for protistan consumers and can be applied more broadly in the region. Accounting for the magnitude and variability of protistan trophic steps in the foodwebs supporting pelagic fisheries has important implications for understanding regional variability in energy flows and foodweb structure and their temporal responses to climate change.
The effect of elevated carbon dioxide on the sinking and swimming of the shelled pteropod Limacina retroversa
Authors: Bergan Alexander J. , Lawson Gareth L. , Maas Amy E. , Wang Zhaohui Aleck 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
Shelled pteropods are planktonic molluscs that may be affected by ocean acidification. Limacina retroversa from the Gulf of Maine were used to investigate the impact of elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) on shell condition as well as swimming and sinking behaviours. Limacina retroversa were maintained at either ambient (ca. 400 µatm) or two levels of elevated CO2 (800 and 1200 µatm) for up to 4 weeks, and then examined for changes in shell transparency, sinking speed, and swimming behaviour assessed through a variety of metrics (e.g. speed, path tortuosity, and wing beat frequency). After exposures to elevated CO2 for as little as 4 d, the pteropod shells were significantly darker and more opaque in the elevated CO2 treatments. Sinking speeds were significantly slower for pteropods exposed to medium and high CO2 in comparison to the ambient treatment. Swimming behaviour showed less clear patterns of response to treatment and duration of exposure, but overall, swimming did not appear to be hindered under elevated CO2. Sinking is used by L. retroversa for predator evasion, and altered speeds and increased visibility could increase the susceptibility of pteropods to predation.
Shaping the future of marine socio-ecological systems research: when early-career researchers meet the seniors
Authors: Drakou Evangelia G. , Kermagoret Charlène , Comte Adrien , Trapman Brita , Rice Jake C. 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
As the environmental issues facing our planet change, scientific efforts need to inform the sustainable management of marine resources by adopting a socio-ecological systems approach. Taking the symposium on “Understanding marine socio-ecological systems: including the human dimension in Integrated Ecosystem Assessments (MSEAS)” as an opportunity we organized a workshop to foster the dialogue between early and advanced-career researchers and explore the conceptual and methodological challenges marine socio-ecological systems research faces. The discussions focused on: a) interdisciplinary research teams versus interdisciplinary scientists; b) idealism versus pragmatism on dealing with data and conceptual gaps; c) publishing interdisciplinary research. Another major discussion point was the speed at which governance regimes and institutional structures are changing and the role of researchers in keeping up with it. Irrespective of generation, training or nationality, all participants agreed on the need for multi-method approaches that encompass different social, political, ecological and institutional settings, account for complexity and communicate uncertainties. A shift is needed in the questions the marine socio-ecological scientific community addresses, which could happen by drawing on lessons learnt and experiences gained. These require in turn a change in education and training, accompanied by a change in research and educational infrastructures.
A roadmap for a quantitative ecosystem-based environmental impact assessment
Authors: Coston-Guarini J. , Guarini J.-M. , Hinz Shawn , Wilson Jeff , Chauvaud L. 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
A new roadmap for quantitative methodologies of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is proposed, using an ecosystem-based approach. EIA recommendations are currently based on case-by-case rankings, distant from statistical methodologies, and ecological ideas that lack proof of generality or predictive capacities. These qualitative approaches ignore process dynamics, scales of variations and interdependencies and are unable to address societal demands to link socio-economic and ecological processes (e.g. population dynamics). We propose to re-focus EIA around the systemic formulation of interactions between organisms (organized in populations and communities) and their environments but inserted within a strict statistical framework. A systemic formulation allows scenarios to be built that simulate impacts on chosen receptors. To illustrate the approach, we design a minimum ecosystem model that demonstrates nontrivial effects and complex responses to environmental changes and validated with case study. We suggest that an Ecosystem-Based EIA—in which the socio-economic system is an evolving driver of the ecological one—is more promising than a socio-economic-ecological system where all variables are treated as equal. This refocuses the debate on cause-and-effect, processes, identification of essential portable variables, and allows for quantitative comparisons between projects, which is critical in cumulative effects determinations.
Inflammatory and anti-inflammatory states of adipose tissue in transgenic mice bearing a single TCR
Authors: Matsumoto Ayaka , Taniguchi Kaori , Takeda Naoki , Yamamura Ken-ichi , Arai Satoko , Miyazaki Toru 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
Obesity is accompanied by chronic, low-grade inflammation in adipose tissue, which is associated with insulin resistance and consequent multiple metabolic diseases. In addition to M1 macrophage infiltration, multiple involvements of adipose tissue T lymphocytes in the progression of inflammation have been highlighted recently. Here, we isolated a specific Vα5/Vβ8.2 TCR-bearing T cell that accumulated in obese adipose tissue of mice, and generated transgenic mice expressing this TCR. Under lean conditions with a normal chow diet, CD4+FoxP3+ Treg cells and M2 macrophages increased in adipose tissue with ageing in wild-type mice, but not in transgenic mice. However, both mice exhibited no obvious adipose tissue inflammation such as the formation of crown-like structures (CLSs) of infiltrating macrophages. When fed a high-fat diet, the proportion of adipose tissue Treg cells was markedly small at a similar level in transgenic and wild-type mice. Both types of mice exhibited comparable inflammatory states in adipose tissue, including vast formation of macrophage CLSs, accompanied by insulin resistance. Together, our findings suggest that the absence of an increase in Treg cells and M2 macrophages is not sufficient to initiate inflammatory macrophage infiltration in lean adipose tissue and also provide a new view about the involvement of T cells in promoting obesity-associated inflammation.
Utilizing patient geographic information system data to plan telemedicine service locations
Authors: Soares Neelkamal , Dewalle Joseph , Marsh Ben 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
Objective: To understand potential utilization of clinical services at a rural integrated health care system by generating optimal groups of telemedicine locations from electronic health record (EHR) data using geographic information systems (GISs).
Methods: This retrospective study extracted nonidentifiable grouped data of patients over a 2-year period from the EHR, including geomasked locations. Spatially optimal groupings were created using available telemedicine sites by calculating patients’ average travel distance (ATD) to the closest clinic site.
Results: A total of 4027 visits by 2049 unique patients were analyzed. The best travel distances for site groupings of 3, 4, 5, or 6 site locations were ranked based on increasing ATD. Each one-site increase in the number of available telemedicine sites decreased minimum ATD by about 8%. For a given group size, the best groupings were very similar in minimum travel distance. There were significant differences in predicted patient load imbalance between otherwise similar groupings. A majority of the best site groupings used the same small number of sites, and urban sites were heavily used.
Discussion: With EHR geospatial data at an individual patient level, we can model potential telemedicine sites for specialty access in a rural geographic area. Relatively few sites could serve most of the population. Direct access to patient GIS data from an EHR provides direct knowledge of the client base compared to methods that allocate aggregated data.
Conclusion: Geospatial data and methods can assist health care location planning, generating data about load, load balance, and spatial accessibility.
A discovery of young stellar objects in older clusters of the Large Magellanic Cloud
Authors: For Bi-Qing , Bekki Kenji 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
Recent studies have shown that an extended main-sequence turn-off is a common feature among intermediate-age clusters (1–3 Gyr) in the Magellanic Clouds. Multiple-generation star formation and stellar rotation or interacting binaries have been proposed to explain the feature. However, it remains controversial in the field of stellar populations. Here we present the main results of an ongoing star formation among older star clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Cross-matching the positions of star clusters and young stellar objects has yielded 15 matches, with 7 located in the cluster centre. We demonstrate that this is not by chance by estimating local number densities of young stellar objects for each star cluster. This method is not based on isochrone fitting, which leads to some uncertainties in age estimation and methods of background subtraction. We also find no direct correlation between atomic hydrogen and the clusters. This suggests that gas accretion for fueling the star formation must be happening in situ. These findings support for the multiple-generations scenario as a plausible explanation for the extended main-sequence turn-off.