bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional Adaptation of the Calcaneus in Historical Foot Binding
Authors: Reznikov Natalie , Phillips Carina , Cooke Martyn , Garbout Amin , Ahmed Farah , Stevens Molly M 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT

The normal structure of human feet is optimized for shock dampening during walking and running. Foot binding was a historical practice in China aimed at restricting the growth of female feet for aesthetic reasons. In a bound foot the shock-dampening function normally facilitated by the foot arches is withdrawn, resulting in the foot functioning as a rigid extension of the lower leg. An interesting question inspiring this study regards the nature of adaptation of the heel bone to this nonphysiological function using the parameters of cancellous bone anisotropy and 3D fabric topology and a novel intertrabecular angle (ITA) analysis. We found that the trabecular microarchitecture of the normal heel bone, but not of the bound foot, adapts to function by increased anisotropy and preferred orientation of trabeculae. The anisotropic texture in the normal heel bone consistently follows the physiological stress trajectories. However, in the bound foot heel bone the characteristic anisotropy pattern fails to develop, reflecting the lack of a normal biomechanical input. Moreover, the basic topological blueprint of cancellous bone investigated by the ITA method is nearly invariant in both normal and bound foot. These findings suggest that the anisotropic cancellous bone texture is an acquired characteristic that reflects recurrent loading conditions; conversely, an inadequate biomechanical input precludes the formation of anisotropic texture. This opens a long-sought-after possibility to reconstruct bone function from its form. The conserved topological parameters characterize the generic 3D fabric of cancellous bone, which is to a large extent independent of its adaptation to recurrent loading and perhaps determines the mechanical competence of trabecular bone regardless of its functional adaptation. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research Published by Wiley Periodicals Inc.
Abstract
This study investigates the adaptation of the heel bone in bound feet, following the historical practice of foot deformation (top panels). The results show that the pattern of anisotropy in the bound foot bones can be distinguished from that of the normal foot bones (bottom panels).
Outcome after one year of upper airway stimulation for obstructive sleep apnea in a multicenter German post‐market study
Authors: Steffen Armin , Sommer J. Ulrich , Hofauer Benedikt , Maurer Joachim T. , Hasselbacher Katrin , Heiser Clemens 
Published: May 2017

Objective/HypothesisUpper airway stimulation (UAS) of the hypoglossal nerve has been implemented in the routine clinical practice for patients with moderate‐to‐severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who could not adhere to continuous positive airway pressure. This study reports objective and patient‐reported outcome after 12 months of implantation.Study DesignMulticenter prospective single‐arm study.MethodsConsecutive patients who received the UAS system (Inspire Medical Systems, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota, Maple Grove, MN, U.S.A.) were enrolled in three German centers. Key study exclusion criteria included body mass index > 35 kg/m2, apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) < 15 or > 65, or complete concentric collapse at the soft palate during sedated endoscopy. Data collection at 6‐ and 12‐month visit include home sleep test and patient‐reported outcome measures.ResultsAmong the total of 60 participants, the median AHI reduced from 28.6 to 9.5 from baseline to 12 months. Patient‐reported outcome measured in Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire both improved significantly from baseline to 12 months. The average usage time was 39.1 ± 14.9 hours per week among all participants based on recordings by the implanted device. One patient requested a removal of the device for cosmetic and other personal reasons and was completed without sequelae.ConclusionThis study supported that UAS is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with OSA in routine clinical practice.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 128:509–515, 2018
Clinical chronic rhinosinusitis outcomes in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Virgin Frank W. 
Published: May 2017

ObjectivesChronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis are common conditions in cystic fibrosis (CF). Approximately 2–3% of pediatric CF patients per year have sinus disease requiring surgery. It has been well established that there is a significant negative impact on quality of life associated with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in the non‐CF patient population. However, the impact of CRS on the pediatric CF population remains uncertain. The purpose of this article is to review the current state of outcome measures for CRS in pediatric CF patients.Data SourcesPubMed and EMBASE literature reviewMethodsPubMed and EMBASE electronic databases were searched using Boolean searches that incorporated mesh headings and plain language for quality of life, symptom evaluation, pediatric patients, and sinusitis/rhinosinusitis. Studies were included if the study primarily evaluated a pediatric Cystic Fibrosis‐Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CF‐CRS) population and the primary outcome measure was quality of life evaluation.ResultsThe search yielded 34 unique articles. A total of 7 articles met inclusion criteriaConclusionsDespite the high frequency of chronic rhinosinusitis in the pediatric CF patient population, its impact on quality of life is not well understood. Currently there is a lack of a validated disease specific quality of life instruments available to assess the impact of CRS on the pediatric CF patient population.Level of Evidence5.
What role for learning health systems in quality improvement within healthcare providers?
Authors: Foley Thomas John , Vale Luke 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIntroductionRecent decades have seen a focus on quality in healthcare. Quality has been viewed across 6 dimensions—safe, effective, patient‐centred, timely, efficient and equitable. As IT has enabled the transformation of other industries, there has been an increasing interest in the potential for learning health systems (LHS) to improve quality in healthcare. We are not aware of any systematic attempt to investigate the potential impacts of different types of LHS on quality within healthcare providers.MethodsA review of the limited LHS literature informed the topics for 25 expert interviews, 6 focus groups, and 2 site visits. A deductive thematic analysis was conducted to identify the different types of LHSs and their potential impacts across the 6 dimensions of quality.ResultsSix types of LHS were identified—intelligent automation, clinical decision support, predictive models, positive deviance, surveillance, and comparative effectiveness research. The thematic analysis identified that the 6 types of LHS could potentially have a broad range of positive impacts across the 6 dimensions of quality. However, they also identified the potential for negative impacts on quality and highlighted that many of the potential impacts have not been substantiated through rigorous evaluation.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that LHSs may represent an evolution of existing quality improvement techniques or even fundamentally new capabilities within quality improvement. However, they also highlight the need for further research to evaluate the impacts.
Efficient Homodifunctional Bimolecular Ring‐Closure Method for Cyclic Polymers by Combining RAFT and Self‐Accelerating Click Reaction
Authors: Qu Lin , Sun Peng , Wu Ying , Zhang Ke , Liu Zhengping 
Published: May 2017

An efficient metal‐free homodifunctional bimolecular ring‐closure method is developed for the formation of cyclic polymers by combining reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and self‐accelerating click reaction. In this approach, α,ω‐homodifunctional linear polymers with azide terminals are prepared by RAFT polymerization and postmodification of polymer chain end groups. By virtue of sym‐dibenzo‐1,5‐cyclooctadiene‐3,7‐diyne (DBA) as small linkers, well‐defined cyclic polymers are then prepared using the self‐accelerating double strain‐promoted azide–alkyne click (DSPAAC) reaction to ring‐close the azide end‐functionalized homodifunctional linear polymer precursors. Due to the self‐accelerating property of DSPAAC ring‐closing reaction, this novel method eliminates the requirement of equimolar amounts of telechelic polymers and small linkers in traditional bimolecular ring‐closure methods. It facilitates this method to efficiently and conveniently produce varied pure cyclic polymers by employing an excess molar amount of DBA small linkers.
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Dynamic phosphocreatine imaging with unlocalized pH assessment of the human lower leg muscle following exercise at 3T
Authors: Khegai Oleksandr , Madelin Guillaume , Brown Ryan , Parasoglou Prodromos 
Published: May 2017

PurposeTo develop a high temporal resolution imaging method that measures muscle‐specific phosphocreatine (PCr) resynthesis time constant (τPCr) and pH changes in muscles of the lower leg following exercise on a clinical 3T MRI scanner.MethodsWe developed a frequency‐selective 3D non‐Cartesian FLORET sequence to measure PCr with 17‐mm nominal isotropic resolution (28 mm actual resolution) and 6‐s temporal resolution to capture dynamic metabolic muscle activity. The sequence was designed to additionally collect inorganic phosphate spectra for pH quantification, which were localized using sensitivity profiles of individual coil elements. Nineteen healthy volunteers were scanned while performing a plantar flexion exercise on an in‐house developed ergometer. Data were acquired with a dual‐tuned multichannel coil array that enabled phosphorus imaging and proton localization for muscle segmentation.ResultsAfter a 90‐s plantar flexion exercise at 0.66 Hz with resistance set to 40% of the maximum voluntary contraction, τPCr was estimated at 22.9 ± 8.8 s (mean ± standard deviation) with statistical coefficient of determination r2 = 0.89 ± 0.05. The corresponding pH values after exercise were in the range of 6.9‐7.1 in the gastrocnemius muscle.ConclusionThe developed technique allows measurement of muscle‐specific PCr resynthesis kinetics and pH changes following exercise, with a temporal resolution and accuracy comparable to that of single voxel 31P‐MRS sequences. Magn Reson Med 79:974–980, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Two‐dimensional and shear wave elastography ultrasound: A reliable method to analyse spastic muscles?
Authors: Mathevon Laure , Michel F. , Aubry S. , Testa R. , Lapole T. , Arnaudeau L. F. , Fernandez B. , Parratte B. , Calmels P. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Few data exist on the feasibility and reliability of measuring muscular atrophy in 2 dimensions (2D) by ultrasonography (US) and elasticity with shear wave elastography (SWE) in spastic muscles. Methods: Fourteen patients with chronic stroke took part in 2 intersession reliability experiments performed with 1‐week intervals between sessions. Pennation angle (PA), muscle thickness (MT), and shear elastic modulus (µ) were measured in spastic gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscles at rest and at maximal passive stretching in paretic and nonparetic legs. Results: On the paretic side, the coefficient of variation (CV) in GM was 6.30% for MT and 6.40% for PA at rest and was 7.53% and 8.26% for MT and PA, respectively, at maximal passive stretching. The reliability of the µ measurement was good only for GM at rest on the paretic side (CV = 9.86%). Discussion: 2D US associated with SWE shows promise for assessing structural changes in muscles. With some methodological adaptations, this approach could help guide spasticity treatment. Muscle Nerve 57: 222–228, 2018
Glycidyl Azide‐butadiene Block Copolymers: 2 Synthesis from a Mesylated Precursor
Authors: Cappello Miriam , Filippi Sara , Mori Leonardo , Polacco Giovanni 
Published: May 2017

AbstractGlycidyl azide‐butadiene block copolymers are potential binders for solid propellants. The azidic part contributes to the overall energy outputs, while the butadiene block improves the mechanical properties. Synthetic strategies proposed in literature are not appropriate for production of large‐scale quantities. The mesylation of one homopolymer, followed by reaction with the OH terminal groups of the second is proposed here. The reaction is simple and does not show the drawbacks of the previously suggested alternatives. The block copolymers can be used as “partially” energetic binders. Moreover, they work well as compatibilizer in mechanical blends of the two homopolymers, that otherwise rapidly segregate in two distinct phases.
How Much Does Ownership Form Matter?
Authors: Fitza Markus , Tihanyi Laszlo 
Published: May 2017

Research summary: Previous studies have emphasized firm and industry effects on variation in firm performance, but the relationship between forms of ownership and firm performance has been the focus of limited research. This article examines the extent to which ownership form (i.e., public or private ownership) and ownership structure (including diffused ownership and blockholding) affect firm performance. The results of an analysis of 30,525 European Union (EU) firms indicate that form of ownership is an important explanatory factor in the difference in performance among firms. These results underscore the need to study firms characterized by different ownership arrangements and to provide empirical evidence for the study of firm ownership in strategic management.Managerial summary: Motivated by growing evidence on the involvement of different types of owners in the strategies of firms, we studied the extent to which a firm's ownership form (type of legal incorporation, such as public and private ownership forms) and ownership structure (diffused ownership and blockholding) affect its performance. Our study of more than 30,000 firms from the European Union shows that ownership form differences explain some of the performance differences between firms. Our results also indicate that firms with different ownership forms are differently affected by their competitive environment. Overall, the study suggests that choosing the right ownership form can have important strategic consequences. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extrinsic regulation of hematopoietic stem cells in development, homeostasis and diseases
Authors: Lee Yeojin , Decker Matthew , Lee Heather , Ding Lei 
Published: May 2017

Lifelong generation of blood and immune cells depends on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Their function is precisely regulated by complex molecular networks that integrate and respond to ever changing physiological demands of the body. Over the past several years, significant advances have been made in understanding the extrinsic regulation of HSCs during development and in homeostasis. Propelled by technical advances in the field, the cellular and molecular components of the microenvironment that support HSCs in vivo are emerging. In addition, the interaction of HSCs with their niches is appreciated as a critical contributor to the pathogenesis of a number of hematologic disorders. Here, we review these advances in detail and highlight the extrinsic regulation of HSCs in the context of development, homeostasis, and diseases. WIREs Dev Biol 2017, 6:e279. doi: 10.1002/wdev.279This article is categorized under:

Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Tissue Stem Cells and Niches
Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Regeneration
Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Stem Cells and Disease
Endophytic fungal assemblage in Achyranthes aspera Linn. revealed by internal transcribed spacer region of nuclear ribosomal RNA genes
Authors: John Reshma , Mathew Linu 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
Only scanty reports are available on endophytic fungal associations in Achyranthes aspera Linn. Hence in this study a total of 504 isolates belonging to ten different species of fungi were isolated from asymptomatic, surface sterilised segments of leaf, stem and root of A. aspera collected from different locations of Kerala, India. Among the isolates ascomycetes were most prevalent. Colonisation rate of fungal endophytes was high in leaf tissue (95%) followed by stem (77.75%) and root segments (33.33%). The most frequent and dominant coloniser of the host plant were Colletotrichum sp., which was isolated from all locations. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of hyphae in the intra and intercellular spaces of the plant tissue. Morphological and phylogenetic analyses using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of nuclear rRNA genes showed that the fungi recovered belonged to the lineages of Sordariomycetes, Dothideomycetes, Eurotiomycetes and Tremellomycetes. A maximum likelihood tree revealed the relationship between the obtained sequence data and the closest sequences retrieved from the GenBank.
Hot springs of Indian Himalayas: potential sources of microbial diversity and thermostable hydrolytic enzymes
Authors: Sahay Harmesh , Yadav Ajar Nath , Singh Atul Kumar , Singh Surendra , Kaushik Rajeev , Saxena Anil Kumar 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
Microbial communities in hot springs at high elevations have been extensively studied worldwide. In this sense, the Indian Himalaya regions is valuable ecosystems for providing both the extreme ‘cold’ and ‘hot’ sites for exploring microbial diversity. In the present study, a total of 140 thermophilic bacteria were isolated from 12 samples collected from Manikaran and Yumthang hot springs of Indian Himalayas. The bacterial isolates were studied for phylogenetic profiling, growth properties at varying conditions and potential sources of extracellular thermostable hydrolytic enzymes such as protease, amylase, xylanase and cellulase. Based on production of extracellular hydrolases, 51 isolates from Manikaran (28) and Yumthang thermal springs (23) were selected and identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing which included 37 distinct species of 14 different genera namely Anoxybacillus, Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Brevundimonas, Burkholderia, Geobacillus, Paenibacillus, Planococcus, Pseudomonas, Rhodanobacter, Thermoactinomyces, Thermobacillus, Thermonema and Thiobacillus. Out of 51 hydrolase producing bacteria, 24 isolates showed stability at wide range of temperature and pH treatments. In present investigation, three thermotolerant bacteria namely, Thermobacillus sp NBM6, Paenibacillus ehimensis NBM24 and Paenibacillus popilliae NBM68 were found to produced cellulase-free xylanase. These potential extracellular thermostable hydrolytic enzymes producing thermophilic bacteria have a great commercial prospect in various industrial, medical and agriculture applications.
Biodegradation of α-endosulfan via hydrolysis pathway by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia OG2
Authors: Ozdal Murat , Ozdal Ozlem Gur , Algur Omer Faruk , Kurbanoglu Esabi Basaran 
Published: May 2017

Abstract

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia OG2 was isolated from the intestine of cockroaches that was collected from a cow barn contaminated some pesticides belong to pyrethroid and organochlorine groups. OG2 was able to degrade α-endosulfan in non sulfur medium (NSM) as a sole sulfur source for growth within 10 days of incubation. The effects of some growth parameters on endosulfan biodegradation by OG2 was studied and found that the biodegradation was significantly affected by the endosulfan concentrations, pH and temperature. Experimental results obtained in different conditions show that the optimum concentration of α-endosulfan, pH and temperature were 100 mg/L, 8.0 and 30 °C, respectively. Under these conditions, the bacterium degraded 81.53% of the α-endosulfan after 10 days. The concentration of α-endosulfan and its metabolites was determined by HPLC. Endosulfan ether, endosulfan lactone and endosulfan diol were the main metabolites in culture, but did not produce toxic metabolite, endosulfan sulfate. These results suggested that S. maltophilia OG2 degrades α-endosulfan via a hydrolysis pathway. The present study indicates that strain OG2 may have potential use in the biodegradation of pesticides contaminated environments.
Experimental and computational investigations of flow dynamics in LPP combustor
Authors: YAN Y. W. , Liu Y. P. , Liu Y. C. , Li J. H. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTA Lean Premixed Prevaporised (LPP) low-emission combustor with a staged lean combustion technology was developed. In order to study cold-flow dynamics in the LPP combustor, both experimental tests using the particle image velocimetry (PIV) to quantify the flow dynamics and numerical simulation using the commercial software (FLUENT) were conducted, respectively. Numerical results were in good agreement with the experimental data. It is shown from the observation of the results that: there is a Primary Recirculation Zone (PRZ), a Corner Recirculation Zone (CRZ) and a Lip Recirculation Zone (LRZ) in the LPP combustor, and the exchanges of mass, momentum and energy between pilot swirling flow and primary swirling flow are contributed by the velocity gradients, and the shear flow is transformed into a mixing layer exhibiting the higher Reynolds stresses, which suggests the mixing process is strictly affected by the Reynolds stresses.
Motivated numeracy and enlightened self-government
Authors: KAHAN DAN M. , PETERS ELLEN , DAWSON ERICA CANTRELL , SLOVIC PAUL 
Published: May 2017

AbstractWhy does public conflict over societal risks persist in the face of compelling and widely accessible scientific evidence? We conducted an experiment to probe two alternative answers: the ‘science comprehension thesis’ (SCT), which identifies defects in the public's knowledge and reasoning capacities as the source of such controversies; and the ‘identity-protective cognition thesis’ (ICT), which treats cultural conflict asdisablingthe faculties that members of the public use to make sense of decision-relevant science. In our experiment, we presented subjects with a difficult problem that turned on their ability to draw valid causal inferences from empirical data. As expected, subjects highest in numeracy – a measure of the ability and disposition to make use of quantitative information – did substantially better than less numerate ones when the data were presented as results from a study of a new skin rash treatment. Also as expected, subjects’ responses became politically polarized – and even less accurate – when the same data were presented as results from the study of a gun control ban. But contrary to the prediction of SCT, such polarization did not abate among subjects highest in numeracy; instead, itincreased. This outcome supported ICT, which predicted that more numerate subjects would use their quantitative-reasoning capacity selectively to conform their interpretation of the data to the result most consistent with their political outlooks. We discuss the theoretical and practical significance of these findings.